Unable to support the disordered heart, Xiuji is from Koyasan

Sekihaku ran away, and the retainer Sanada Nobushihiro came to Fushimi Castle to look for Otani Yoshitsugu, and Haru, the daughter of Otani Yoshitsugu, said: "My father has been sick since he returned from Korea, and he has always had a high fever, and although he doesn't say anything, he can see that he is very tired. But soon Otani Yoshitsugu came out to meet: "Forget it, it's just a cold, Xinfan, let's go to the back room and talk about something." Sanada Nobuhiro told Yoshitsugu Otani about Sekihaku's departure.

Otani Yoshitsugu was also extremely worried about this: "This matter is very tricky, sooner or later it will reach His Royal Highness Taiko, and if it is not found before that, it will be troublesome." I'll be going to Kyoto, and I can't sit idly by at this critical moment. "I thank you for your hard work. After arriving in Kyoto, Otani Yoshitsu was looking for Sekihaku, but he announced that Sekihaku was ill and all activities were postponed.

And Ishida Mitsunari had already noticed Sekihaku's departure, and after confirming it, he brought Sanada Nobuyori to testify and report to Toyotomi Hideyoshi: "Sekihaku's departure is not trivial, and Toyotomi's prestige will plummet as a result." Guan Bai's whereabouts have been ascertained, but I don't know why His Royal Highness Guan Bai doesn't want to return to Juledi. Hideyoshi was furious and ordered Toyotomi Hideji to be brought to him immediately.

Cha Cha Jin persuaded: "His Royal Highness Guan Bai will do his best to assist in the future, if he is forced too hard, His Royal Highness Guan Bai will be too pitiful." Hideyoshi denied coercion, and Chacha advised that even if he preached, he needed to stop in moderation and leave a face. The Hokumasao also agreed with Chacha's proposal, hoping that Hideyoshi would make Hideji more comfortable.

"Everyone has an innate talent, I mean that the kid is not suitable for the position of Guan Bai, it is already rare to be able to do such a feat now, he is forced to do things that do not match him, and he has to be afraid of being intimidated by you all day long, I feel very sad to see him work so hard." Can't you just be considerate of him for once? Sun Qilang's kid is so hard to get your approval, and he is not greedy for Guan Bai's position, and he is already ready to be loyal. Why can't you be nicer to him? I think that as long as he is still in the Guan Bai position, you can't communicate well, so let Sun Qilang resign from the Guan Bai position. ”

Hideyoshi also felt that his behavior was inappropriate at this time, but he was quite embarrassed to remove Toyotomi Hideji Sekihaku from his position: "Maybe Sun Shichiro is under too much pressure in the Sekihaku position, but Hidekatsu and Hideho have both passed away, and he is the only one left in the Toyotomi family now." The Toyotomi family really needs Sun Shichiro now. ”

Sanada Nobuyoshi asked Hideyoshi to communicate this with Sekihaku, and he would definitely be able to resolve the conflict. Hideyoshi agreed, and Hideji returned to Jurakudi to wait for the summons. Although the situation was temporarily controlled, the evil deeds of killing Sekihaku were already spreading among the people, and Hideyoshi specially invited the councillors to discuss countermeasures in order to eliminate the impact.

Hideyoshi found Asano Nagamasa, Ishida Mitsunari, Maeda Genyi, Nagazuki Masaka, and Masuda Nagamori. Asano Nagamasa took the lead in saying: "The minister thinks that the killing of Guan Bai should be an exaggeration, or even a false statement, and it is a rumor spread through the misunderstanding between His Royal Highness Taiko and His Royal Highness Guan Bai, and it should be investigated secretly. ”

Ishida Mitsunari believes that there is no groundless thing: "There must be an incident caused by the rumors, otherwise how can it be fabricated out of thin air, and the reputation of Toyotomi still needs to be inquired about by His Royal Highness Sekibai and find out the truth, otherwise His Royal Highness Taiko will also be implicated in this stigma." Asano Nagamasa said: "Even so, it is not possible to inquire publicly, and every move of a country's customs is eye-catching, and acting openly will only expand rumors." The minister asked for leave to inquire privately, which could not only find out the truth but also preserve the name of Toyotomi's family. ”

Maeda Genyi seconded the proposal: "The minister agrees with Asano's words, this matter is not trivial, and you must act cautiously." Changshu Zhengjia also advised: "His Royal Highness Guan Bai and His Royal Highness Taige have always just misunderstood, and after taking advantage of this incident to find out the truth, I also ask His Royal Highness Taige and His Royal Highness Guan Bai to be relieved face to face, open their hearts, and explain their doubts to the world." ”

Masuda Nagamori said: "During the absence of His Royal Highness Sekihaku, fortunately, Kyoto has the Otani Criminal Department in charge to coordinate state affairs. According to the Otani Criminal Department, although His Royal Highness Guan Bai is restless, he is still always worried about His Royal Highness Taige, sincere and filial, and it must be strange to think about killing Guan Bai. ”

Everyone agreed, and Hideyoshi agreed, and immediately ordered: "Okay, then Ishida, Maeda, and Masuda you three go and inquire about Sun Shichiro on the grounds of sending a condolence gift." If the killing of Guan Bai is really chasing after the wind and shadows, tell him how he should say and act as Guan Bai, and he needs to be cautious in his words and deeds in everything, and act fairly, and not damage Toyotomi's prestige. "Three, follow the command.

The three commissioners were ordered to come to Kyoto to meet with Sekihaku Toyotomi Hideji, and after the hypocrisy question and answer, the show asked the three commissioners to enter the inner room and retreated. Xiuji said: "The three of you are here, may I ask His Royal Highness Taige what he has to say?" Ishida Mitsunari replied: "His Royal Highness Guan Bai, His Royal Highness Taiko heard the rumors of the killing of Guan Bai, and specially ordered us to come and ask if it was true. Please also ask His Royal Highness Guan Bai to tell the truth. ”

Xiuji was terrified: "Could it be that His Royal Highness Taige believes it!" Has someone already spread rumors and slander in front of His Royal Highness Taiko, Ishida Jibu, please be sure to Bingming His Royal Highness Taiko, this matter is definitely not the case! Maeda Xuanyi said with relief: "Your Highness Guan Bai must not worry, how can His Highness Taige easily believe in this matter, His Royal Highness Taige regards you as his own, but he is usually more severe." This time, it is just to ask the cause of the incident, and please ask His Royal Highness Guan Bai to know everything. Xiuji felt a little at ease, so he asked everyone to ask.

Masuda Nagamori asked, "May I ask Your Highness Sekihaku, what did you do about the horrific things such as killing people in Mt. Hiei, shooting farmers with iron cannons, killing people in alcoholism, cutting off the arms of blind people, raping a mother and daughter, and disemboweling pregnant women?" Xiuji replied: "There is no such thing, I have never done such a thing as inferior to a beast, how can I be so careless as Guan Bai." ”

Genyoi Maeda asked, "So, why are there such rumors?" If you haven't done anything wrong, how can these rumors come out of nowhere? And what evidence do you have to prove that you didn't do it? Xiuji replied: "It is true that it did not appear out of thin air, I did inadvertently shoot a deer at Mt. Hiei, and I also accidentally injured someone while drunk, but the rest of the things have absolutely nothing to do with me, otherwise all kinds of atrocities must be in the eyes of everyone, and why are there only rumors and no evidence of corpses." ”

Ishida Mitsunari asked: "Your Highness Guan Bai, please forgive me for speaking bluntly, it may be that your subordinates have already hidden the corpse, but it is reported that there are many witnesses, but it is difficult to search afterwards, so there are only rumors and no evidence of the corpse." And the victim's family members don't dare to report to the official because you are Guan Bai and have a high position. ”

Xiuji replied: "As Guan Bai, his words and deeds are eye-catching, and his daily travel, reception, and handling of state affairs are all recorded. Whether it is a case or the destruction of criminal evidence, if it is not easy to cover up such a heinous deed as it is rumored, how can I have that kind of power, so it is easy to obtain the evidence, if it is really my doing, you will not come to inquire today, but must directly convey the order of disembowelment on behalf of His Highness Taiko. ”

Ishida Mitsunari said: "We already know what His Highness Guan Bai said, and I will definitely report back to His Highness Taiko truthfully and clarify the rumors about you, please be relieved." It's just that as a Guan Bai, please be sure to respect yourself in your words and deeds in the future. In order to avoid suspicion, we will no longer bother, and then set off to report to His Royal Highness Taige. Toyotomi Shuji replied, "Thank you very much, thank you for your trouble." "After that, Xiuji asked people to send the three commissions out of Beijing.

The third commissioner returned to Osaka and truthfully reported the inquiry to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, saying that the words of killing Sekihaku were indeed exaggerated, and Sekihaku was not guilty, but Suxing needed to be supervised. Toyotomi Hideyoshi said angrily: "Mt. Hiei is a sacred place of the Tiantai sect, a place where killing is prohibited, will Sun Shichiro not know?" That being the case, why did they accidentally kill people at Mt. Hiei? As Guan Bai committed such a scandalous thing, he is now only justifying himself to me, and there is no remedy at all. If I don't ask him, he won't even make a defense, and let the rumors of killing Guan Bai spread everywhere! Ruining the reputation of the Toyotomi family! Why don't you ask these words? How do you call innocence? That's sin! Ask him again! What should I do as a Guan Bai? "Three, follow the command.

Sanjo therefore came to Kyoto to meet Hideji again and conveyed Hideyoshi's intentions to Hideji, who was extremely frightened. Ishida Mitsunari offered advice: "I thought that His Royal Highness Guan Bai could write a self-defense letter, and I would also ask His Royal Highness Taiko to personally announce to the world that the killing of Guan Bai was a rumor." ”

Masuda Nagamori seconded: "In my opinion, His Royal Highness Taiko is most concerned about Mt. Hiei, and I also ask His Highness Sekihaku to give grace to Mt. Hiei and issue a ritual decree to the world." Maeda said, "This alone is not enough to convince the country, and a culprit who promotes rumors is needed to put an end to the matter." From this, Xiuji asked the three commissions to write down the petition, and tried his best to defend himself, and asked the three commissions to bring it back.

However, Hideji was too uneasy to give up his position and went to Koyasan for self-exile on July 8. Toyotomi Hideji lamented at Seiganji Temple in Koyasan that he had come to this point as a puppet of His Royal Highness Taiko, although it was also an interesting life. But if there is an afterlife, he doesn't want to be Toyotomi Hideyoshi's nephew anymore.

Hideyoshi was surprised to learn from Ishida Mitsunari that Hideji had taken refuge in Koyasan, and that Hideji's own exile would soon become known to the people of the country, and he would make long and short statements about himself, which would undermine Toyotomi's prestige. Hideyoshi, who wanted to do something privately, wanted to avoid a lot of discussion in the country, so he wanted to change Hideji's behavior of going to Koyasan as acting on his own orders. Ishida Mitsunari asked, why? After thinking about it, Toyotomi Hideggis temporarily relieved of his position as Minister of the Left and Sekihaku on suspicion of rebellion and exiled to Koyasan. Hideyoshi told Ishida Mitsunari to first imprison Hideji for a month, and then bring him back with the news that the suspicion had been eliminated.

The news that Toyotomi Hideji was imprisoned in Koyasan on suspicion of rebellion soon spread, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was in Beijing, found out about it and his retainer Honda Masanobu, and Honda Masasumi felt that the situation had become more and more interesting. In addition to Tokugawa, many daimyo were actually treated well by Hideji on weekdays, but the daimyo were reluctant to get involved in the changes in the relationship between Taiko and Sekihaku, firstly because of their complexity and sensitivity, and secondly, because of Hideyoshi's prestige. A few days later, Hideji's retainers persuaded Hideji to go to Osaka, but Hideji decided that he had no place in the Toyotomi family and was unwilling, and the retainer advised: "Your subordinates think that you should face His Highness Taiko and tell His Highness what you think in your heart." Moreover, your close relatives and some of your relatives have also come here, hoping to calm the heart of His Highness. ”

Xiuji said: "Didn't His Royal Highness Taiko paralyze me carelessly so that he could take me down? The retainer insisted that there was no such thing, and Xiuji laughed softly: "I don't know when I started to become so sensitive and suspicious, okay I know, I will take care of you." The retainers withdrew.

On July 15, Toyotomi Hideji was playing chess and drinking tea with the monk Ryuseido at Seonganji Temple in Koyasan, and Ryūsaido asked, "How long will His Highness Sekihaku continue to hide here?" Don't you want to get back together with His Highness Taiko? Toyotomi Shuji replied: "I have been imprisoned for a month, and I dare not trust them anymore for all kinds of events, and I don't know when I began to become more and more afraid, it must have been since the birth of the young man, I always have a faint feeling that the time of death is approaching, sometimes I am anxious, sometimes I long for liberation, and I will be blissful in my life." What do you think I should do? ”

Long Xitang said: "Your Highness Guan Bai, what hinders you is your inner demon, and what has caused the current situation is the inner demon of the world's people called the power of the human heart, and many people in the world are troubled by this, and countless tragedies have been caused by it. How to choose, only His Highness Bai can make a real choice, and the guidance of others is no longer useful. ”

Later, the attendants reported that Fukushima Masanori, Ikeda Hideo, and Fukuhara Nagayao had come by order of Taiko. Toyotomi Hideji met with the three and said, "Fukushima, why are you here?" What does His Highness Taiko say? Fukushima Masanori said: "Your Highness Sekihaku, what we brought is your indictment: as Sekihaku, he didn't know it and conspired to rebel against Hideyoshi. Your solitary confinement is coming to an end, and then please come with me to the Taige to confess your guilt. ”

Hearing this, Xiuji couldn't help but tremble slightly: "Does His Royal Highness Taige really want me to die?" Fukushima Masanori smiled at the corner of his mouth, and then persuaded him: "Your Highness Guan Bai, how can you think so?" It's just that you can go back and make a statement, don't worry about it. Toyotomi Shuji said, "Please wait a moment, I will go to Osaka after packing my bags." Fukushima Masanori retired.

Toyotomi Hideji had already lost all his thoughts, and he didn't want to suffer any more humiliation and blame, so Hideji drank the last wine and left a farewell song: "If my heart is not full of flowers and moons, I will not leave a little floating thoughts in the world." "Suicide by caesarean section. Masanori Fukushima was waiting in the other room, and Hideji's attendant asked if Sekihaku had been forgiven by Taiko? Fukushima Masanori replied: "I don't know, I only know that His Royal Highness Taiko ordered me to come and bring His Highness Guan Bai back, but maybe Guan Bai can't do it, no matter what, in fact, I think it's good for him to be Guan Bai." ”

At this time, the news of Toyotomi Hideji's suicide had already arrived, and Fukushima Masanori hurried to check it out, and everyone followed, and they were all grief-stricken when they saw that Hideji had died. Nearly four people on Hideji's side were martyred in Nishido, and the rest of the attendants were also collectively disemboweled, and Fukushima Masanori brought Toyotomi Hideji's head back to his life.

Hearing the news of Toyotomi Hideji's death, Hideyoshi was furious and burst into a rage: "Does he know how much effort I put into cultivating him!" Just trample on the kindness of others at will! Ning Ning, I have tried my best, right, but he repays me in this way. It's him who is bad, it's all that he is bad! I want Sun Qilang to know what a terrible thing it is to anger me! "The persuasion of the Northern Political Institute was fruitless.

Hideyoshi ordered Ishida Mitsunari: "I was convicted of rebellion, yes, it was said to the outside world that I found evidence of Hideji's rebellion, and I saw through his conspiracy during his preparations, and Hideji's head was exposed to the sun in Sanjokawara, and his family and retainers were suspected of being involved in it, and they were all executed!" Make them all pay for it! ”

Ishida Mitsunari asked, "If it is a conclusive rebellion, but there is no conclusive evidence?" Hideyoshi wanted to use Hideji's request for the daimyo to sign a pledge of loyalty as evidence of a premeditated rebellion. Ishida Mitsunari said: "Although the verdict was said by Shuji to demand allegiance from the daimyos, it was actually an act of allegiance to His Royal Highness, and it was also instructed by His Highness Taiko, so it seems inappropriate to use it as evidence of rebellion. ”

Hideyoshi was furious: "Then what else can I do!" What other proof! Just take it as evidence! Do you have to let the world think that I forced him to death? The Toyotomi family has not lost enough face! Ishida Mitsunari was frightened, and then asked: "There are many wives and concubines of Xiuji, all of whom are from the families of the ministers, daimyos, and onmyoji, and all of them are executed, so please ask His Royal Highness Taiko for forgiveness?" Hideyoshi was furious: "Ishida, if you don't dare, don't go, I'll come in person." Ishida Mitsunari didn't dare to say much, and knelt down to receive his orders.

Because Xiuji's wives and concubines are all from famous families, Xiuji's fathers-in-law were implicated in the right minister of the minister, Kikutei Haruji, Yamashina Yanjing, Lian Geshi Samura Shaoba, and Onmyoji Abe Hisashi, etc., who couldn't get their daughters and were ordered to be exiled. Hideji's henchmen such as Maeno Nagayasu, the lord of Deishi Castle, Hattori Kazutada, the lord of Matsuzaka Castle, Shigeru Watase, the lord of Yokosuka Castle, and Ito Morikei, the lord of Ogaki Castle, were all ordered to be disemboweled. Only the eight members of Wakae served the Ishida family by bribing Ishida Mitsunari to avoid death.

In addition, the head of the five commissions, Asano Nagamasa, also had a close relationship with Hideji, so Asano Yukinaga, the sister-in-law of the Asano family, was exiled to Noto, and the prominent daimyo Date family, Kuroda family, Mogami family, and Kobayakawa family, who had close relationships, were all severely warned, and Hideji's brother Kobayakawa Hideaki was also confiscated of Tanba and Kameyama's 100,000-stone territory. Some of Hideji's family elders such as Yamauchi Kazutoyo, Tanaka Yoshimasa, and Tokunaga Toshimasa chose to turn to Toyotomi Hideyoshi to surrender to Makoto, thus winning Hideyoshi's commendation.

On August 2, the fourth year of Wenlu, 39 members of Xiuji's wife, concubines, and heirs were beheaded in Sansanhe. The three rivers were so terrible that day, and their screams resounded in the sky. Afterwards, Hideyoshi ordered the burning of Jurakudi to begin in an attempt to erase all traces of Hideji's existence. Hideyoshi's crazy behavior also caused many daimyo to suddenly feel chills.

A few days later, Kuroda Rusui came to visit Hideyoshi, and Hideyoshi was crying alone about the Hideji incident: "How much do I want to train Sun Shichiro to be an outstanding man, but why do you cut your own stomach without explaining anything to me?" What is the reason exactly? You and Matashiro, as well as the retainers of the Toyotomi family, are silent about this, and they are watching coldly, why are you! ”

Kuroda replied, "The misunderstanding between His Royal Highness Taiko and His Highness Sekihaku is not irresolvable, but the two of you are too noble to say what you can say, and it is precisely because of the lack of honesty that trusts you weaken, and every move of either side will arouse suspicion and worsen the situation." And the retainers did not dare to say much about Taige's family affairs because of this, and asked His Royal Highness Taige not to punish him again. As long as His Royal Highness Taige can miss it and pray secretly, His Royal Highness Guan Bai will be grateful to Dade if he knows it. Today's ending is not a relief for His Royal Highness Guan Bai, and please take care of His Royal Highness Taige. ”

Hideyoshi then cried so much that he fainted. Kuroda Rushui hurriedly called for help, and when Hideyoshi woke up, his body was weak, and said to Kuroda Rusui: "I never wanted to force Sun Qilang to die, and Guan Bai will pick it up in the future, but I don't want to give up Sun Qilang." I'm old, I'm afraid it's not many years, I don't want to die, I want to watch it grow up, and there are Koreans and Ming to conquer! Whoever stands in the way will die! Hideyoshi also coughed constantly.

Hei Tian Rushui persuaded: "Your Highness Taige, you are too sad, please rest assured to recuperate." Toyotomi Hideyoshi said: "Like water, you follow me to fight in the south and the north, and I can't take this world without you." You must be angry with me when you become a monk, I don't have much desire left, don't you want to serve me for the last time? ”

Seeing that Hideyoshi's expression was fading, he guessed that Hideyoshi should only have a few years left to live, so he said to Hideyoshi: "Please rest assured that His Royal Highness Taiko, Rushui will always dedicate all his strength to His Royal Highness Taiko, and I am willing to go to Korea again in the future to win Korea and Ming Kingdom for His Royal Highness." I only hope that His Royal Highness Taiko can be healthy, treat others well, and accumulate virtue for the Toyotomi family. ”