Rumors spread to lead to speculation, and the killing of Guan Bai began to spread

On May 24, the fourth year of Bunroku, Hideji's bedridden brother, Toyotomi Hideho, who was only 17 years old, also died of a serious illness. Xiuji was devastated by this. However, when Toyotomi Hideyoshi found out, he strictly ordered a secret burial, and the world was not allowed to know, and no one in the Toyotomi family was allowed to attend the funeral. The chief commissioner, Asano Nagamasa, wondered why Hideyoshi was like this, and Ishida Mitsunari said: "Young Master Shi is about to turn three years old this year, and the previous Young Master Tsurumatsu died at this time, which made His Royal Highness Taiko very frightened. ”

Asano Nagamasa exclaimed, "So Hideho-sama, who passed away at this time, must be concealed from his death, right?" Ishida Mitsunari replied: "That's right, His Royal Highness Taiko only hopes that nothing has happened this year." Asano Nagamasa is deeply worried that this matter will widen the rift between Taiko and Sekihaku.

On the other hand, the Hokushosho has been advising Hideyoshi: "Hideho is your nephew, your rare relative, as an uncle, at least you have to give him a ride." It's affection. Hideyoshi was reluctant and complained about Hidebo's death: "Ning Ning, this person has committed two crimes, one is to die this year, and the second is that he is going to do his best in the future, but now he can't do it, I can't forgive him." ”

The Hokumasao also felt that Hideyoshi was unreasonable, and rebuked: "What are you talking about, Hideho is suffering from illness, and the child who has gone to the underworld still has to be blamed by you like this, how can it be comfortable?" You are an uncle, and when you have your own children, you don't care about the life and death of other children! The rednecks are doing better than you! With the blessing of the destiny of heaven, there will be no more untimely deaths, and you must not be so indifferent and ruthless to your relatives because of this. Hideyoshi didn't want to hear any more opinions at this time, so he ordered that Hideho's name no longer be mentioned on the grounds that his name was no longer auspicious. The North Politics Office also left angrily. Toyotomi Hideji originally wanted to hold a funeral for his younger brother Hideho and bury him with a thick burial. However, he received a strict order from the Taige that Xiubao could only be buried secretly and simply, and Xiuji was extremely saddened by this.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's cold handling of Hidebo's death frightened Toyotomi Hideji, and Hideyoshi said, "I finally understand that to my uncle, we don't matter at all. We were all obstacles to that adult! "For a long time, various events have made Xiuji feel that he has become a threat to Shaojun in Hideyoshi's heart, and Xiuji's uneasiness has reached its peak.

The relationship between Guan Bai and Taiko has changed, and anyone with a discerning eye can see it, and the North Politics Office found Maeda Toshiya to discuss, and the North Politics Office said: "The innocent Hideho, even the death has to be concealed, and the Hideji is even more worrying to me, that child is already very sensitive, in the position of Guan Bai, and because of the birth of Shi, he and Hideyoshi are suspicious of each other, this time I am afraid that he will think more, how to help him?" ”

Maeda Toshiya immediately comforted the North Masato: "Shaojun is Taige's greatest sustenance, and this affection has surpassed everything. After the Shaojun Yuanfu, this Guan Bai position must be Shaojun's. It's only before this that His Royal Highness Taige, who is well versed in power, knows how great the temptation of power is, so he is worried that His Royal Highness Guan Bai has only tried it a few times, but His Royal Highness Taige is currently full of expectations for His Royal Highness Guan Bai, but Taige's love can only be shown to Shaojun alone now. ”

Beizheng asked again: "So, what about Sun Qilang?" Will Sun Qilang be overly sensitive and cause trouble? Maeda Toshiie said: "His Royal Highness Guan Bai is well aware that he is temporarily appointed to the position of Guan Bai, but he very much wants to make achievements to be recognized by His Royal Highness Taiko. His Royal Highness Guan Bai is not a dull and cowardly, but a delicate person, how could His Highness Taige's changes not be noticed. It is the fear and apprehension that causes the two to be suspicious and difficult to communicate, which is equivalent to the fact that both of them have good intentions but end up fighting each other, and that is the most dangerous event. ”

Beizheng exclaimed: "Are you saying that the two of them will eventually be completely opposed?" Will it really come to this? Sun Qilang is just a child, so if it doesn't stop there, the two of them should be promoted as soon as possible, and the Toyotomi family should not be in civil strife. ”

Maeda Toshiie suggested: "What Hokamasa said is extremely true, in fact, Hideji-sama is not suitable for the position of Sekihaku, especially not suitable for the position of Sekihaku now. This is in terms of his character. No matter when Taiko and Sekihaku open their hearts and restore harmony, Hideji-sama can truly be preserved by resigning from Sekihaku's position as soon as possible. ”

Beizheng said: "Resign Guan Bai? So who is going to do it? You still have to let them communicate first. In the end, it's just uncles and nephews, and men always bring fame and fortune into their lives, and all the facts are very complicated because of this. ”

Maeda Toshiie smiled, "What you said is not wrong at all, exactly. To resolve the contradiction between the two, you are the key, and you and His Royal Highness Taige will never abandon the husband and wife in distress. For His Royal Highness Guan Bai, he is also a kinder person than his own mother, there is no one more suitable than you to dredge up the suspicion between them, please always say a few words for His Royal Highness Guan Bai, I believe it will always be useful. "The North Politics Office agreed.

On the other hand, Tokugawa Ieyasu also chatted with his retainer Honda Masanobu about this, and Tokugawa Ieyasu said: "Taiko and Sekihaku, as soon as Ashi was born, everything was quietly changing. His Royal Highness Guan Bai did a good job, quite popular, but unfortunately it was not a parent, even His Royal Highness Taige didn't expect that he would be able to get a son in this grade, and the relationship between the two is already difficult to say. ”

Honda Masanobu commented: "His Royal Highness Guan Bai can only be the Guan Bai of the peaceful and prosperous era, and he can do this Guan Bai well now because His Royal Highness Taige helps him open up the world, shock the world, and stabilize the world." So that he can handle state affairs with peace of mind, and under the pressure of His Royal Highness Taige, many daimyo and ministers also need such a Guan Bai to be relieved. If His Royal Highness Taiko dies before he can completely consolidate his power, then Sekihaku will definitely not be able to support the situation, or he will have to rely on luck and Toyotomi's foundation. All this depends entirely on the body of His Royal Highness. ”

Tokugawa Ieyasu said: "In my opinion, it is better to resign from the position of Guan Bai early, both of them are suspicious, Taige is afraid that he will get rid of Guan Bai in advance for Ah Shi for the sake of the future, it is better to save himself than to die like this." Ah Shi is only a few years old, what do you say wait until Yuanfu will give way to Guan Bai, I think before Ah Shi Yuanfu, His Royal Highness Guan Bai has already been executed. ”

Honda Masanobu echoed, "That's right, what the lord said is right. In fact, the ending of His Royal Highness Guan Bai was doomed from the moment Young Master A Shi was born, and His Royal Highness Taige was suspicious and cunning, ruthless and decisive. His Royal Highness Guan Bai is benevolent and elegant, it is precisely because of the power involved that it is difficult for the two to communicate, and they are not parents and children, so they are more likely to be suspicious and wary. As long as someone makes a little effort in this, His Royal Highness Guan Bai will definitely die at the hands of Taige. If His Royal Highness Guan Bai could avoid this catastrophe, his subordinates thought that it could only be achieved with the protection of the gods. ”

Tokugawa Ieyasu listened to Honda Masanobu's analysis, and he also felt deeply: "Well, your analysis is very reasonable, in short, it is all the business of the Toyotomi family, and we don't have to do anything, just wait and see what happens, and if there is something that can be used, people will move according to the situation." Whatever the outcome, it will be beneficial to my Tokugawa family. Honda Masanobu said: "The lord is clear-cut, and the lord can also learn from this lesson to avoid the Tokugawa family repeating the mistakes of the past." Tokugawa Ieyasu agreed.

Toyotomi Hideji's younger brother Toyotomi Hidetoshi has entered the Kobayakawa family as the adopted son of Kobayakawa Takakei, and at this time he has changed his name to Kobayakawa Hideaki. Xiuqiu was also deeply worried about his brother, so he asked Kobayakawa Takakei: "Father, my brother His Royal Highness Guan Bai has never fought for fame and fortune, and he is greedy for Guan Bai's power, maybe he is too sensitive, but His Royal Highness Taiko doesn't know his brother's intentions, if this goes on for a long time, there will definitely be a tragedy, my father is deeply trusted by His Royal Highness Taiko, can I speak for my brother in front of His Royal Highness?" Please. ”

Kobayakawa Takashi was reluctant to speak easily: "Taige family affairs should not be taken lightly, no matter what small matter is not a trivial matter here. If you are not careful, not only will it hurt His Royal Highness Sekihaku, but even Kobayakawa and the Maori family will be implicated. This matter is related to the inheritance of the Toyotomi clan and to the world, haven't you seen that all the daimyo have not spoken publicly about it. ”

Kobayakawa Hideaki asked again: "Yes, but please also ask my father to be concerned about my brother Anwei." Kobayakawa Takakei had no choice but to be relieved: "I will choose an appropriate time to speak for His Royal Highness Guan Bai." Lasp, letting you enter the Kobayakawa family is also a kind of protection, and I decided to make you the heir and inherit the Kobayakawa family in the future. You have to protect yourself, for Kobayakawa, for Maori, for Toyotomi, and for the world. You are so concerned about your brother, go to his side to help him first, His Royal Highness Guan Bai really needs help now, and I will summon you back when needed. "Kobayakawa Hideaki took the order.

After Kobayakawa Hideaki left, Kobayakawa Takakei invited Mori Terumoto and Yoshikawa Hiro's house. Mao Li Huiyuan hurriedly asked: "Uncle, is the rumor true, His Royal Highness Taige will do something to His Highness Guan Bai?" Is it really caused by the birth of the pick? Kobayakawa Takakei said: "It's not clear yet, and it's still nonsense from now on, but it's true that Taiko and His Royal Highness Guan Bai have suspicions about each other, and it may become more serious." I also hope that His Royal Highness Taiko and His Highness Guan Bai will finally be fine. ”

The Yoshikawa family was worried that this would implicate the Maori family, and asked again and again: "Brother, if the misfortune comes true, can the Maori family be safe?" Your adopted son, Kobayakawa Hideaki, is also the younger brother of His Royal Highness Guan Bai, won't he implicate you? ”

Kobayakawa Takakei comforted the two of them not to be nervous: "Maori will be fine, and His Royal Highness Taiko will not let Kobayakawa become an heir, even if Xiuqiu and His Royal Highness Guan Bai are too close, as long as I control it properly and don't involve Xiuqiu too much, it will be a little punishment in the end." ”

Maori Huiyuan said: "That's good, uncle, how should we act between Taige and Guan Bai now?" You and I are now in a high position, and I play a pivotal role in the Toyotomi family, and I am bound to be sandwiched between Taiko and Sekihaku. ”

Kobayakawa Takakei admonished: "Don't get involved in any party, except for state affairs, don't ask about other affairs, and wait for the results." I suspect that His Royal Highness Taige will not easily let me and others get involved in this matter. If there is anyone who can resolve the suspicion between Taige and His Highness Guan Bai, this person will never be one of us. Both Terumoto Mori and Hiroke Yoshikawa agreed.

Sekihaku Toyotomi Hideji also invited Kuroda Kanbei Rushui to ask for advice at this time. Xiuji said: "Rushui, you were once a military advisor and a think tank of His Royal Highness Taige, and you know His Highness Taige's temperament and ideas well. Please teach me, although I am stupid and incompetent, how to dissolve the estrangement between me and His Highness Taiko, so that he will no longer suspect me. ”

Kuroda Rushui said with a smile: "Why is His Highness Guan Bai so self-contemptuous, your talent is obvious to everyone, when you and I went out together, until the crusade against Odawara and Okuyu, didn't you work very hard." In addition, the development of Hachimanyama Castle has been widely recited for its demarcation of layouts, prosperity of agriculture and commerce, dredging of waterways, and rebuilding livelihoods. Since you became Guan Bai, the world has been greatly favored, literature and art have become more and more prosperous, and many daimyos, ministers, and His Majesty the Emperor have also taken care of them. Your deeds are very dazzling in the eyes of the world. ”

Xiuji chuckled and said, "Thank you for the compliment, but His Royal Highness Taige really doesn't know what to do?" Kuroda Rusui asked, "Your Highness Guan Bai, haven't you tried to talk directly to His Highness Taiko?" Xiuji was ashamed and said: "I've tried it too, but I can't say a few words to cause new suspicions, and it's hard for me to fully express my thoughts in conversation, in short, it's really embarrassing." ”

Kuroda Rushui said: "I can't grasp the temperament of His Royal Highness Taiko, otherwise why shave his hair to atone for his sins." The reason for you and His Highness Taiko is because of the birth of the young monarch. In fact, this matter is easy to solve, but it is not easy for Taige and you, because you and His Royal Highness Taige are both lords of the world. You are very different from His Royal Highness Taiko, and you can't be compared with Taiko's thinking at all, so it is difficult for you to communicate with His Highness Taiko, and under the influence of this, what you do will always cause His Highness Taiko to arouse suspicion, and His Highness's every move will make you fearful. This is the time when it is most likely to be exploited by traitors, so as to maximize the fragile trust between you and His Highness Taiko. Please be careful with His Highness Guan Bai on this point. ”

Toyotomi Hideji saw that Kuroda Rushui was right, and hurriedly asked: "What you said is very reasonable, I worship and admire His Royal Highness Taiko very much, and I want to stand up to the sky like Taiko." But he was really afraid of him, and he couldn't completely satisfy His Royal Highness Taige in many things. But I am absolutely loyal to Taiko, and I am also loyal to the future Guan Bai. Like water, please teach me, how do I do it? ”

Kuroda Rusui therefore proposed: "This is very difficult, there are only two people who can save His Royal Highness Guan Bai, one is the North Government Office, and the other is yourself, the North Government Office will spare no effort to speak for you, I just hope that His Royal Highness Taiko can listen to the words of the North Government Office is a good thing." And His Royal Highness Guan Bai, you yourself must be cautious in your words and deeds, and then wait for time, and never be reckless. His Royal Highness Guan Bai might as well go and relax during this period, so that he can do it himself. "Thank you.

Although Xiuji was depressed in his heart, when Kobayakawa Hideaki arrived, Xiuji still showed a long-lost joy. Xiuqiu accompanied Xiuji to take several attendants out for a walk, and the brothers came to live in Hiei Mountain, where the brothers talked about the past, discussed Buddhism with the monks of the Tiantai sect, and visited the scenery to soothe the body and mind. One night, Xiuji walked in the mountains, looking at the mountains and forests * bright * moon thoughtfully, and constantly warned himself in his heart to cheer up, so Xiuji ordered the attendants to take bows and arrows, and Xiuji shot several arrows into the forest to cheer up his heart, who knew that one of the arrows did not know what was shot and wailed, Xiuji hurriedly led people to raise the fire to investigate, it turned out to be a deer neck arrow to the ground, dying. Mt. Hiei is a sacred place for Buddhism, and killing is prohibited. Just when Xiuji was at a loss, he was unfortunately discovered by a passing monk, and Xiuji knew that something was wrong, so he could only take Xiuqiu and his attendants down the mountain overnight and return to Kyoto.

After returning to Kyoto, in addition to dealing with daily official duties, Xiuji often drank and sang to relieve the boredom in his heart, one day Xiuji went out of Beijing after drinking but accidentally collided with pedestrians, Xiuji got off the horse and wanted to pay for the gift, but the people did not dare to accept it, Xiuci repeatedly apologized, hoping to win the hearts of the people, but after all, as Guan Bai, it was like a god for ordinary people, and he didn't dare to call it. Xiuji was drunk, his consciousness gradually blurred, and he suddenly became angry, pulled out a knife and killed him, and the attendants stopped Xiuji's atrocities, and it happened that Kobayakawa Hideaki arrived and took Xiuji back to Juledi to recuperate.

When Hideji woke up and learned about this, he knew that he had made a big mistake, and he would leave someone to talk about it, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi would definitely be guilty. Every time Xiuji thought of this, he became more and more frightened, and finally Xiuji secretly made up his mind and took the initiative to give up his position as Guan Bai, so he did not consult with his retainers, avoided the attendants and quietly left Juledi, and disappeared.

However, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's confidant general Fukushima Masanori soon learned of Hideji's murder in Mt. Hiei and Kyoto, and Fukushima Masanori and Toyotomi Hideji had never been on good terms, so that they hated each other. Masanori is also extremely worried that Xiuji will be unfavorable to him when he really becomes the lord of the world in the future, so he also planted eyeliner next to Xiuji. Always waiting for an opportunity, it just so happened that after learning about the killing, Fukushima Masanori knew that the opportunity had come, so he began to deploy to the attendants.

Fukushima Masanori said: "That guy from Xiuji has never looked at me unpleasantly, and I don't like him, and this kid has become more and more unpopular after becoming Guan Bai." Once His Royal Highness Taige passes away, if Xiuji is still Guan Bai, then my time is short. It just so happened that Xiuji and His Royal Highness Taiko were suspicious of each other, and they made such a big mistake. It's time. ”

The attendant asked, "My lord, but aren't your opponents Kato Kiyomasa and Ishida Mitsunari and others, what should they do?" In addition, Lord Xiuji is His Royal Highness Guan Bai after all, is it inappropriate to target Guan Bai? Fukushima Masanori saw that the time had come to target Guan Bai, how could he give up lightly, he was full of interest, got up and said: "Kato and Ishida don't have to worry, the real danger is Xiuji, he is right." Even if he is His Royal Highness Guan Bai, now Taige only wants to pave the way for Shaojun wholeheartedly, and Xiuji is now an eyesore to Taige, and Taige needs some reason to convict Xiuji and finally remove Xiuji. We don't want to impeach us directly, we only need to spread the news and exaggerate the killings, and those ignorant people will be false, and it won't be long before they will be infamous everywhere. When His Royal Highness Taige learns about it, this show will not be far from being dismissed. As long as that kid from Xiuji is not Guan Bai, there will be no threat to me. "The squire commanded.

Sure enough, as Fukushima Masanori thought, the speed at which the news was disseminated by the people was extremely fast, and the facts became more and more exaggerated, from the wanton killing of people in Mt. Hiei, to the murder of people in drunken towns at night, the shooting of farmers with iron cannons, and even the mutilation of pregnant women, the disembowelment of children, and the wanton killing of living beings. Since the beginning, the people have spread the notoriety of killing Guan Bai, and it just so happens that Xiuji is nowhere to be found, and the situation is about to get out of control.