Seeing that his father was silent, Mizuno Nobumoto became more and more energetic, and continued: "Have you forgotten that the word 'letter' in my name was not taken because I was afraid of Oda Nobuhide?"

Mizuno Tadamasa said calmly, "You don't mind where the name comes from. Isn't the word 'yuan' in Nobumoto also from Imagawa Yoshimoto?"

Xin Yuan gritted his teeth and said, "That's why I don't approve of this marriage. When you chose my name, you did it to please Oda and Imagawa. And at this moment, why did my dignified Mizuno Sect openly marry the enemy Matsudaira clan, and why did he choose the family that Oda hated?"

"Xinyuan!"

The child could not understand his father's thoughts. ”

"You don't understand. ”

"Understood!"

"You don't understand! You said that I named you Nobumoto because I was afraid of Oda and Imagawa?

"Nope. ”

"Hmph! Tell you, I don't name my children out of obedience or fear of someone. I hope you can combine the courage of Oda Nobuhide and the strategy of Imagawa Yoshimoto, and be generous and reserved. As for the great things, you don't need to say much about the Father's own arrangements. If you think that Owari will be suspicious because of this, you should try not to make them suspicious. ”

Xin Yuan was speechless for a while. He picked up the long knife sharply and stood up, his eyes still burning with anger: "In this case, it is according to my father's will." The tone was one of intense resentment and anger. When he went out, his steps became more and more restless, he walked quickly through the long corridor, through the gate, out of the city, to the middle gate of the second courtyard, and shouted like thunder: "Come on!

In a panic, the servant ran to the stable, pulled out a sturdy brown-maned horse, and handed the reins to Xin Yuan in fear. "Useless thing! so slow!"

Xin Yuan scolded and snatched the reins, "Someone asked, and they said that I went to Shiohama to inspect." ”

Kariya Castle is built against the sea, with two castles, three castles, a large city gate, and four moats surrounding, which is a strategic point for many embankments. Xinyuan rode through the city.

Outside the city, there is a completely different world. The sun was shining brightly, and the sea breeze was gently blowing—the people toiled but toiled with vitality in the bright sun, a sight far from the dullness of the city. The people are ants who are busy for the master of the city, and how they can survive this year is the thing they are most concerned about.

The Shiohama of Kariya is located in the western part of the city. But when Nobumoto went out of the gate, he turned his horse's head and ran north. The fields outside the castle were full of peasants at work, and Nobumoto rode through them on horseback, from Shiiki Mansion to the Golden Fetus Temple, then turned right, and through the woods leading to Kumamura, and soon came to a stately mansion made of stone. He reined in his horse and flew down.

This is not your average mansion. There is a trench dug around the house, and a drawbridge hangs outside the gate. Directly opposite, a sturdy arrow tower stands in the wind.

"Hey!"

Nobumoto shouted and wiped his sweat, "I'm Fujigo of Kariya, open the door for me!"

Hearing his shout, the battle-hardened brown-maned horse also neighed. With a muffled "squeak", the door opened.

"Please inside!" Seeing a familiar face, a man in a fur sleeveless shirt stepped out, lowered the drawbridge, and took the reins from Xinyuan's hand.

The interior of the house is simple and spacious. On the left-hand side is a row of warehouses, and on the right-hand side is a large camphor tree with its branches stretched out to cover the roof of the stables. After handing the reins to his subordinates, Xin Yuanmu did not squint and went straight to the lobby door that was quietly bathed in the sun.

"Welcome. "The one who greeted Nobumoto on the quaint floor was a woman with willow eyebrows. She is dressed in Kaga-dyed narrow-sleeved civilian clothes, dignified and elegant, and her identity is not like ordinary people.

"Yu Guo, where is your brother?" Shin Yuan rudely took off his straw sandals and bent down sharply to pick up the woman. The woman muttered, but she didn't mean to refuse, but her face turned red all of a sudden, and she buried her head in Xinyuan's arms with a shyness on her face.

"Fujigo misses you too. Ok ok. I'm very busy today, and when it's late tomorrow night, remember to lower the drawbridge. ”

"When?"

"Yes. Don't make me wait outside the trench. ”

"Yes. ”

Like a mischievous little boy playing with his own doll, Shin Yuan rudely put down Yu Guo.

Yu Guo's face was flushed, as if burning, and he hung his head and said nothing. Nobumoto walked in with a big grin, and as he walked, he shouted loudly, "Hataro, Hataro, where are you?"

I heard someone in the study answer, "Here." A young man who looked to be about twenty years younger than Nobumoto walked out. He was also dressed in elegant casual clothes with narrow sleeves, tied with a purple ribbon, and his piercing eyes and crimson lips were picturesque and distinct. The young man had not yet shaved off his forehead, and his dark hair hung down to his forehead. If he weren't physically strong, just looking at this glamorous outfit, people would think that he was a boy who had escaped from the Muromachi Imperial Palace.

A bamboo curtain hung on the front of the room, and Xin Yuan walked past the young man's seat with a big grin, and sat down on the upper seat in front of the bamboo curtain. "Serving the gods here again, religious. I had to ask you for something today, so I hurried here. ”

"What do you mean ......"

Hataro asked calmly. Xinyuan frowned, and seemed not to vomit unhappily: "The old man of our family is determined to marry Yu Da to Okazaki." It's really dizzy. I will come to you today, no matter what means I use, I will take Yu Da back to me halfway!"

The young man smiled and nodded.

Hataro's real name is Takeuchi, but no one has ever called him by his real name, and the farmers in this area call him Kuma Wakakan. I don't know when this family began to settle here, and the village is called Bear Village, so I am afraid that there is some origin.

Hataro's ancestors are related to the descendants of the pirate Hachijoji of Kishu in the Southern Dynasty.,From an early age,Refuse to serve.,Concentrate on serving the gods.,Gradually, he became a tyrant who dominated one side.。 Hataro once told Nobumoto that they were actually descendants of Takeuchi Suyou, who collected all kinds of rare ancient books and precious treasures for the orthodox Natsu Xing of the Southern Dynasty: "The family has a mission to protect treasures with their lives for generations. ”

Since the Onin Rebellion, their family has not asked about the world, but has set up altars and sacrificed carefully. At the same time, relying on the ronin from all over the world, it controlled all kinds of ruffians, robbers, and ship bandits, and gradually grew into a hidden force whether at sea or on land, which is an indisputable fact. Nobumoto began to pay attention to Hataro very early. To be precise, he was attracted by the appearance of Hataro's sister Yu Guo, so he became close to him.

"Your family has always had dealings with the Oda clan, and you should know the current situation in the world, and the old man in our family is too old-fashioned and old-fashioned. Seeing that Hataro agreed to recapture Yuta halfway, Nobumoto became more and more gushing, "My father didn't know that the Imagawa clan had declined. Even if we can rely on it today, who knows what tomorrow will bring? In this era of frequent wars, without a righteous reputation that convinces the people, it is impossible to stand firm. But Imagawa couldn't do that. They only know how to imitate the old princes and nobles all day long, chasing useless elegance, how to command the world? The Oda clan is very different......" Nobumoto saw Hataro's approving smile and laughed: "Heroes see the same thing. ”

In fact, Nobumoto was simply retelling Hataro's opinion in its original form. Hataro has always been unsmiling, and likes to stare into the distance when others speak. However, his occasional speeches often made Xinyuan admire.

"I don't want to lead soldiers or be officials, it is they who bring chaos and cause anger and resentment. There should be a righteous name in the world that everyone supports. Hataro always smiled and said that only those who discover this righteous name can gain the world, and everything else is nothing. When asked who would value this righteous name, he said: "Prominent families are often bound by old habits. Once you are bound, you will become more and more tired of it, and you will not be able to carry out your ambitions. Therefore, first of all, there must be a pair of eyes that will not be easily blinded......" Then, biting his lip thoughtfully, he continued: "On the right place and the ...... Oda Nobuhide has twelve sons and seven daughters, and he is a man of many sons and many blessings. He smiled slightly. The smile was like a huge fireball that burned Shin Moto's heart. The root of this is that Oda Nobuhide, who replaced Spo, is gaining momentum......

"If I had served in Oda, I would have made it clear to them that the Ashikaga clan had gone against the grain and lost their reputation. Hataro said, "The Ashikaga clan preserved its own righteous reputation by supporting the Northern Dynasty, but by the time Ashikaga Yoshimitsu arrived, this righteousness was gone. For the sake of petty profits, he accepted the title of 'King of Japan' by the Emperor of the Ming Kingdom and bowed down to him......"

Hataro's attribution of the collapse of the shogunate's authority to a lack of foresight is precisely the key to the attention of the Oda clan.

If you support the emperor, crusade against rebels and thieves, and command the world in the name of supporting the great righteousness, how will the samurai of the world react?

"If you fight only for immediate interests, the gods and Buddhas will also be angry. If there is no name of righteousness......"

Hataro suddenly stopped. Nobumoto suddenly realized that the Hataro in front of him had a furrow in his chest, and he couldn't take it lightly, and he began to be wary. But as the number of visits increased, this wariness gradually became an incredible intimacy and reverence. This is also related to Nobumoto's indulgent involvement in Hataro's sister Yuguo.

"Is Miss Yu's wedding date set?"

"The dowry will be sent on the next day. ”

Xin Yuan counted with his fingers and said, "I will inform you again, it should be on the twenty-seventh and eighth day of the first month." ”

"What happens after you take back Miss?"

"At your disposal. ”

Nobumoto replied, "Send her to the Oda clan as a hostage, or hide her in your mansion for a while......

Hataro pondered for a moment and sighed. His handsome and fair face was expressionless, and he quietly turned his head to look at Xinyuan. At this time, Yu Guo walked in with water in shame. Hataro didn't notice her. Xin Yuan's eyes suddenly lit up, and he said, "By the way, if you let Yu Da marry you, what do you think?"

Yu Guo looked at the two of them with wide eyes in surprise.

"It's the best fit. In this way, we have become a family and have made a difference in these troubled times. How?"

Hataro still didn't answer, he put his hand on his waist and stared at Nobumoto.

"Of course you won't say no. Haha, Xinyuan is not blind. I know what's going on in your mind, just as I know why the dragon in the water holds its breath and hides it. I admire your calmness, and appreciate your profound knowledge and dedication to serving the gods......"

Hataro said to Yu Guo, who was sitting silently on the side: "You go down." ”

His face was calm and his voice was clear. "I promised to help you, but only to innocent women...... In short, I will sacrifice my life to take back Miss Yu. His words concealed his concern for his sister and his disregard for Shin Yuan. Nobu-won laughed heartily.

Yu Da's wedding date is scheduled for the 26th day of the first month.

Okazaki Castle sent important ministers Ishikawa Yasui Mamori and Sakai Masarasuke to give the dowry gift. Dr. Mizuno Uemon Tadamasa had a secret conversation with the two for half an hour, and decided to set the wedding date for this day, two days earlier than the expected 28th. The ceremony was scheduled to be held on the 26th, and on the 24th, it had to depart from Kariya Castle. After arriving at Okazaki Castle, Yu Dai first lived in Sakai Prefecture, and two days later, he dressed up and married into the castle.

Kariya Castle suddenly became busy. Yu Dai brought two maids over, and finally selected Yuri, the daughter of the old minister Hijikata Sewing Temple, and Kosasa, the daughter of Sugiyama Motoemon. Lily is eighteen years old, and Sasa is the same age as Yuda, only fourteen. They all shaved their eyebrows and teeth so that they could be her stand-ins in case of great misfortune.

"Miss is not familiar with the world, not to mention food, clothing and daily life, talking with Lord Guangzhong, daily makeup and other details, all have to be ordered by Lily. In addition to daily chores, you also have to choose the food carefully, especially responsible for tasting food to prevent poisoning, do you know?" When the old grandmother Mori Jiang was preparing the wedding dress, whenever Yu Da left, he chattered and repeatedly told Lily and Sasasa.

"This is for Abe Daizo, this is for his younger brother Shiro Guard, this is for Okubo Shinjuro, this is for his younger brother Shinhachiro, and also, this is for Ishikawa, this is for Sakai's ......"

Yu Da is just an innocent and cheerful girl. After carefully checking the gift her father had given to Shigetomi Okazaki, she asked with a carefree smile, "Will my mother come to the Sakai Mansion to see me?"

Zhongzheng has been here several times, and Yu Da always greets him with a smile. But Zhongzheng not only knows his son-in-law Guangzhong's dislike of him, but also understands his son Xinyuan's thoughts. The only ones that can be counted on are the eldest mother, Huayangin, and those important ministers of the Matsudaira clan who believe from the bottom of their hearts that "caught between Imagawa and Oda, if the Matsudaira clan and the Mizuno clan fight, they will only lose both".

The dowry was not extravagant, but Tadashi deliberately added cotton seeds and looms from the West that he brought back from the port of Quanzhou. This is not only Tadamasa's hope for the future, but also a piece of his heart for Matsudaira Shigetomi. "The cloth spun from this cotton is very strong both for clothing and for armor lining. After the cotton is harvested, you first weave one for your husband, and then spread the cultivation in the territory. ”

Matsudaira envoys returned to Okazaki, and the dowry procession was soon to depart from Kariya Castle.

The twenty-fourth day of the first month of the tenth year of astronomy. Compared with Yu Da, who is about to leave the cabinet, his brother Xinyuan seems to be more panicked and restless.