While Matsugami Yoshimitsu was developing his territory, the situation in Mubu, a member of Ise Prefecture, was gradually changing. Originally, the Kamikikiyama family in Ise Kuni-gun was dominant in the west, while the Shintsu family was in the eastern part of Min-gun. Although the Kamigi Katayama family and Shinjin both aim to annex each other and dominate the Mugun, they are not much stronger than each other. Although the Kamiki Kamiyama family and the Shintsu family had constant conflicts, no one could help anyone for a while, and the well water did not interfere with the river water. However, this situation changed this year, that is, in the 22nd year of Astronomy, when the Shinjin family formed an alliance with the Matsugami family, which had just annexed the Shenmu family and greatly increased its strength. At this time, the originally stable situation of Mu County, a member of Ise State, was suddenly broken. Although the Shintsu family has not yet made a major move to invade the Kamikikata Mountain family, skirmishes have occurred from time to time.

The current Governor of the Katayama family, Nobuho Katayama, has just turned 40 this year, and he has been running the Katayama family for more than 10 years and is well-known in the local area. The Katayama family has been a famous samurai family since ancient times, and now, thanks to the efforts of Katayama Nobuho, they have defeated the Umedo family in one fell swoop, allowing the Katayama family to dominate the western part of Mugun. It is said that Katayama Shinho is at this time when he is proud of life, but this year, the Katayama family has been plagued. First, Katayama Nobuho's eldest son, Heizo, died of illness, leaving the Katayama family without an heir, and later, the Umeto family, which had been subordinate to the Katayama family, broke away from the Katayama family under the leadership of the lord Umeto Takahiro. Now, even Shintsu, who has always been with the well water of the Katayama family, has begun to provoke the Katayama family. It's been an eventful time.

Katayama Home Castle Ashimosaijo.

Katayama Shinho was frowning at this time, listening to the old Haba Masaaki Hui to protect the recent situation of the Katayama family. "My lord, since Umedo Takahiro rebelled against his family, he has been constantly invading his family's border, and several villages have been looted. The Shinjin family in the eastern part of Yuanmu County has also been eyeing the family since they formed an alliance with the Matsugami family, and in recent months, they have been intrusive. Lord, my family should have made plans in advance. ”

After listening to Masaaki Haba's report, Ashiki Castle's evaluation room suddenly fell into a dead air, and some people who had a lot of thoughts even thought about finding another way.

It took a long time for Katayama Shinho to recover from his anger and anxiety. He looked around at the retainers who did not dare to look at him, and couldn't help but sigh. "I think my Katayama family is a famous martial artist, and I also followed the Kitada clan to serve in the orthodoxy of the Southern Dynasty during the Northern and Southern Dynasties. I have not dared to slack off for a moment since I succeeded to the governor, but I didn't expect my family to fall into such a situation and be bullied by Umedo, Xinjin and others. ”

When the retainers of the Katayama family heard the lord's words, they were all at a loss for a while, and they didn't dare to raise their heads to face the lord. Nobuho Katayama said again when he saw that his retainers were speechless. "Do you have any plans to help the family through this difficult time?"

The retainers of the Katayama family were silent for a while, and after a while, another old Kondo Yoshitsuna stood up and said. "My lord, there is a plan below that may solve problems for my lord. However, the lord may have to suffer some grievances. ”

"What do you have in mind, but it doesn't hurt to say it, but now what grievances can't be endured by this temple?" Nobuho Katayama said with a sigh.

"Lord, then you will be brave below." Kondo Yoshitsuna confessed to Nobuho Katayama and then continued. "My lord, the current big trouble for this family is the Meihu family and the Xinjin family. However, the Umedo family has just rebelled against the family, and its strength is limited, and it is just a sibling problem for the family. However, the Shinzu family is a fierce rival of the family, and after the Xinjin family and the Matsugami family formed an alliance, they wanted to annex the family in one fell swoop. This is a big problem for the family. If the lord can abandon his previous suspicions, form an alliance with the Meihu family, and jointly send troops to eliminate the Xinjin family, then the great things of the family can be accomplished. But ......"

"But what?" Nobuho Katayama saw that Kondo Yoshitsuna was a little unfinished, and hurriedly asked.

"The lord's family and the Mei family have just broken up, and if you want to win the trust of the Mei family, you must have a hostage with enough status. Originally, the young master of Heizou was the best candidate, but unfortunately he died early. Kondo Yoshitsuna said with some regret.

Nobuho Katayama knew what Kondo Yoshitsuna meant, and in fact the meaning of so many retainers. Since the death of his sister-in-law and only son, Heizou, the retainers wanted to adopt his younger brother Nobuhiro as his adopted son to inherit the Katayama family business. In the past, I could have made excuses, but now I have to do it. After making up his mind in his heart, Katayama Nobuho sighed and said. "Yoshitsuna, this hall knows what you mean. The main hall accepted the third brother Xinguang as an adopted son to inherit the family business. As for the alliance with the Umedo family, I'll leave it to you. ”

"Haha." Kondo Yoshitsuna was overjoyed when he saw that his lord had finally received his adopted son. You must know that in the Warring States period, there was no hope for a samurai family without an heir. The retainers of the Katayama family are also a lot of hearts. ......

Umedo Home Castle Hikari Castle.

The Umeto family was originally subordinate to the Katayama family. However, the current head of the Umeto family, Ume to Takahiro, became independent from the Katayama family this year because of the new death of the young master of the Katayama family and the constant conflict with the Shinjin family. After Umeto Takahiro reoccupied the Umedo Home Castle Tianguang Castle, he began to invade the Katayama family, and Umedo Takahiro himself was also in Yuanmu County. At this time, Umeto Takahiro was celebrating with the Ume Takatsu and Ume Takamune of the clan because of the success of the previous raid on the Katayama family.

In the Umeto house hall, a Noh is being held at this time. Ume to take a sip of his wine while admiring Noh, and then he handed the bowl to Umeto Takashi, who was of the same clan. "Gao Zi, you have made a great contribution to my Meihu family this time, and you have come to drink this bowl of wine."

"Haha, thank you for your grace." Ume to take the bowl and drink it down, then hand it to Ume Takahiro. (In ancient Japan, it was a samurai custom for master and slave to drink a bowl of sake together as a sign of favor and friendship.) ）

Just when the Meihu family was happy, a ashigaru walked in. "Your Highness, the old Kondo Yoshitsuna of the Katayama family asks to see you."

"No, the main hall of the Katayama family is gone." Ume to Takahiro has a deep grudge against the Katayama family, and he doesn't want to contact the Katayama family at all.

Just as Ashigaru wanted to go out to report his report, Ume To's retainer Ume to Takasho stopped him and admonished Ume Takahiro. "My lord, the Katayama family must have a plan here. It's better for the lord to see him. I heard that the Niizu family and the Katayama family have been in conflict recently, and Kondo Yoshitsuna may be able to bring some benefits to the family. ”

Umedo Takahiro had always trusted the resourcefulness of his fellow Umedo Takamune, and it was thanks to the help of this retainer that he was able to recapture Tamitsu Castle in one fell swoop and even have a slight upper hand in the battle with the Katayama family. Therefore, Ume Takahiro has always attached great importance to the opinions of Ume Takamune. At this time, hearing Umedo Takatsune's admonition to himself, Umedo Takahiro thought about it and said again. "That's it, this time, according to what Gaozong said, you go and let Kondo Yoshitsuna wait in the evaluation room."

"Haha." Ashigaru took his order and left. ......