On May 19, the third year of Eiroku, the first Kutori of Tokaido and the Taishou of Sanshu Imagawa Yoshimoto were killed in the barrel narrow, and one of his disciples, Matsudaira Motoyasu, also died in battle. Since Kiyoyasu, three generations of Mikawa people who have been loyal to the Matsudaira family have finally lost their last master, and it seems as if they have lost their soul for a while!

"Guard the city gates, light the torches, and prepare the rice balls immediately!"

The first to learn of Motoyasu's murder was Yasukei Amano, who was guarding outside Daisen Castle, and he immediately informed Kiyokane Ishikawa, who was left behind. Ishikawa Kiyokane immediately ordered to confirm the news and contact Sakai Masorosuke and Okubo Shinhachiro to inspect the city and calm people's minds.

In the evening, a samurai went straight to the city gate, and it turned out to be Asai Michimoto, a retainer of Motoyasu's uncle, Mizuno Shimono Nobunobumoto.

"Who's coming," Okubo, who was in charge of guarding the door, shouted loudly.

"I'm a samurai under Lord Mizuno Nobumoto, and I have something important to inform Lord Ishikawa Kiyokane, who is staying in the city."

"Bastard! Mizuno Shimono is our enemy, how can he be let in so easily? ”

"You and I are in-laws, you can carefully investigate, if there is a fake, you can take my life."

Under the guidance of Tadashi Okubo, Michitada Asai Rokunosuke came to the hall.

Kiyokane had taken off his armor in the hall, had just finished drinking soup, and was sitting cross-legged. On either side are heavily armed Torii Hikoemon Mototada, Ishikawa Yoshichiro Sushimasa, Abe Zenkuro Masakatsu, and Honda Heihachiro Tadatsu. "What people!" Hearing the footsteps, everyone shouted in unison. The light in the room was very dim, and only a wax stick was lit, so if you didn't get closer, you couldn't see each other's faces clearly. Heihachiro Honda drew his sword first.

"Nabenosuke, it's me, it's me." The old man Okubo greeted him and walked straight to Motoyasu.

"It's a senior? Who is coming? ”

"I'm Michigen Asai, the messenger of Mamoru Shimono Mizuno."

Asai Michigen replied as he sat down from a distance, "I have something important, please hold back." He puffed up his chest and stared at Kiyokane. The candlelight flickered in his water-clear eyes.

"No way!" The old man Okubo scolded, "Everyone here is of the same mind as my lord Matsudaira Motoyasu, you can rest assured that you can repay it." ”

Asai Michigen smiled slightly, "Okay, then I'll tell the truth." At the end of the day, Imagawa Osabu Daisuke Yoshimoto was beheaded by Oda Kamisuke Nobunaga in Tian Rakuwa, and the main force of 5,000 was wiped out. The other divisions were already defeated because of the lack of a leader. Matsudaira Motoyasu, who was traveling with him, was also begged to die, and for the sake of the loyalty of the Mikawa people, the lord ordered me to come and report it. If you continue to stay in Dashan Castle, you will be in danger. I hope you will lead the whole army to retreat on its own initiative tonight......"

Kiyokane had a hint of pain on his face, but it was fleeting. He quietly looked back at Heihachiro Honda, "Mamoru Mizuno Shimono is our enemy. This man is of unknown origin, trying to confuse us with gibberish and take him down! ”

"Yes!"

"Tie it up, take good care of it, and don't let this man escape."

"Yes. Hand over the knife. Heihachiro stood up abruptly and let out a loud shout. Asai Michigen smiled slightly, and obediently handed over the knife, "Then, there will be a period later." When you retreat, you are willing to lead the way. Farewell! ”

After Asai Michigen was taken down, everyone in the seat suddenly fell silent.

At noon, I was still having lunch in the barrel room, and Lord Matsudaira Motoyasu, who was preparing to enter Oyama Castle tonight, disappeared from this world? Although Asai Rokunosuke's words are not credible, Kiyokane actually has no doubt about it. It's not just Kiyokane, but the old man Okubo, who just now laughed at Asai Michimoto for lying, seems to have believed the information of the Mizuno family's secret envoy. "Heaven is unfair, the young master finally grew up and was begged to death." Beautiful book bar

This is the untimely death of the Matsudaira family for three generations in a row, which is really regrettable!

"Haven't our tanma come back yet?" Because Yuanyasu was delayed, he would definitely be sent to explore horses on the route of the army.

"Haven't come back yet, but soon."

"Confirm the authenticity of the news immediately, and then let the important ministers gather here."

"Understood." Before the old man Okubo finished speaking, he immediately turned around and went out.

"If what he says is true, it will be serious." Ishikawa and Shichiro Road.

It's hard to guess Oda Nobunaga's thoughts, once the people of Okazaki retreat, not to mention Mizuno Shimono Nobu Momoto, even ronins and rebels, they will also take advantage of the situation to attack. And Okazaki Castle was occupied by the army sent by Yoshimoto and could not be withdrawn. This isolated city is short of food and grass, and if it is forced to defend the city, it will be a bitter battle. In short, the mountains are in a desperate situation. Besides, where should the people of Mikawa go after losing their masters?

"If you have enough strength, you can live. But before we can do that, we must find a new master, or the people of Trois-Rivières will be finished! ”

The grim fate once again tested Kiyokane. He suddenly smiled, he had a candidate in his mind, Matsudaira Motoyasu's brother-in-law, Tojo Castle Lord Kira Yoshiyasu, who was in Daisen Castle at this time. This person's father and ancestor were the nominal benefactors and protectors of the two ancestors of the Matsudaira family, Kiyoyasu and Guangzhong. The Kira family had been the masters of Mikawa for generations before the rise of Kiyoyasu, and if Kira Yoshian was the master, then the Mikawa samurai would be able to unite again.

This proposal was quickly approved by everyone, after all, Motoyasu had previously relied on the legal system of the Matsudaira family governor and the prestige of his grandfather Kiyoyasu to lead the Mikawa people, and he himself did not establish a reputation that was deeply rooted in the hearts of the people. Besides, he's dead anyway, and the people of Trois-Rivières are still alive.

Seeing that everyone agreed, Kiyokane stood up abruptly and walked silently to the porch.

This was not entirely unexpected, and he quickly accepted the allegiance of the Mikawas. It can even be said that Nghe An has been waiting for Wonkang's death. He tried his best to befriend the Mikawa people and was willing to be Motoyasu's lieutenant general, and went to great lengths to let Motoyasu and Yoshimoto stay together just to have the opportunity to receive the Mikawa people, and the Mikawa country would eventually return to its true master.

Nghe An casually looked up at the sky, the dark clouds dispersed, the stars twinkled, and a meteor suddenly fell to the sea in the south. In such a vast world, there is no place for him to stand - he really felt the cruelty of fate, but he did not despair. In such a sinister situation, he wanted to laugh instead.

Looking at the twinkling stars in the sky, Ngee An constantly reflected on what he should abandon at the moment. The first thing that should be abandoned is this lonely city. As for his wife and children, he has abandoned them. His attachment to his hometown of Tojojo Castle should be abandoned, and the vague phantom of the "luck" that supported his struggle in the dark should also be completely put aside. No, just throwing these things away, you can't move freely. What else to throw away? The shadow of the past suddenly appeared in front of Yuanyasu's eyes. He smiled. In the end, what should be abandoned is the past self, and only by completely depriving yourself can we usher in a new life.

"Ngee An was originally a dead man......"

As he was talking to himself, Ishikawa Kiyokane ran to the hall as he called "Lord".

The important ministers gathered in the hall one after another. The number of candles has increased. Everyone was unusually dignified, separated on both sides, and Sakai Saemon Tadaji was at the end. Ngee An remained silent for a long time, and suddenly said loudly: "Has everyone arrived?" ”

"Yes."

"I think everyone has heard that Yuanyasu's revenge cannot be avenged. If you run away for fear of rumors, you will always be the laughing stock of the world. Next, either attack Qingzhou City or fight against the city. Everyone in the room was speechless. Night attack on Cheongju City! Cheongju City, which is now immersed in a festive atmosphere, may show flaws. But is it necessary to attack Qingzhou City for the dead Yuanyasu? There was this doubt in the hearts of the people. Ngee An also knew that he finally spoke his heart.

"Or," Ngee An smiled, "go back to our Okazaki Castle and wait there to see what happens." Ngiyasu had long put life and death aside, and he had to give up Tojo Castle in order to win people's hearts.

"Good!" The samurai roared like thunder, and the scene suddenly boiled.