Komatsubara-ji Temple, which belongs to the Chizan sect of the Shingon sect, is located in the territory of Kasugai-gun, Owari and was originally an ancient temple with a history of 800 years.

However, in the Chengjiu Rebellion, it was affected by the military disaster and burned down.

At this time, the Chizan faction of the Shingon sect lost the support of the Taira clan, and its sphere of influence shrank to the area around Koyasan, and its influence in Tokaido had long since waned, and it was unable to make up the necessary expenses for repair.

It was not until the civilization period (70s and 80s of the 15th century) that a high-ranking monk, whose Dharma name was "Quanqing", was a highly respected and discerning person of legal principles, and he moved the nearby daimyo and merchants to give alms, and he succeeded in raising enough money and materials to rebuild the temple on the ruins of the original site.

Then he opened the foundation of the temple for the second time, and made great efforts to govern the country and plan diligently, and there was a great momentum of sectarian prosperity.

But the good days will last for a generation.

Later, the successive abbots, probably have relatively mediocre talents, self-protection has been exhausted, and it is impossible to talk about any progress, and the business situation is declining, and gradually only 200 anti (about 300 acres) of land is left of the monk's property, and the crisis of decline and decline has reappeared.

The war with Takeda continued, and it was purely accidental that the draw took time to make this point.

Originally, he was called Tiger Zai Zongyi, and he wanted to go to the "Zhengxiu Temple" to worship his deceased father, but when he arrived, he realized that the monk Zeyan Zongen went out to visit, and he was not at home, and he didn't know how many days to return.

Fan Xiu thought that this old man was worth meeting, so he asked for the address and came to visit.

It's a short walk.

When I first saw it, I felt shabby and pitiful.

The temple is a small temple with no separate foundations, but shares a natural plateau with the neighboring Hachisho Shrine and Kumano Shrine, and is surrounded only by a sparse wooden fence, which is connected by ropes and can be considered a defense.

I don't know what kind of door the monk Zeyan Zongen went to this temple with no name and not the same sect.

However, when I got closer, I saw that the mountain gate seemed to have just been renovated, gorgeous and new, the paint color was bright, and it was spotlessly clean, without the slightest trace of old damage.

There is also a site that is halfway through construction on the precincts, and it looks like a new pagoda is going to be erected on the ground.

can't help but wonder - in this temple, is there money or poverty?

When the tie entered the show, Zeyan Zongen had already heard the news and came to greet him respectfully, and another old monk also followed with trembling and patted his ass.

After greeting each other, Sawahiko Zongen introduced: "I don't need to say much about the lieutenant general in the flat hand, most of them came to Zhengxiu Temple to worship today." This Dharma friend is the sixth abbot of Komatsubaraji Temple, called 'Qingyi', and is a new friend of the poor monks. ”

So they greeted each other.

The abbot of Qingyi is about an honest monk, and he is very frightened in the face of such a nobleman, and he does not dare to speak out, and his words are not good, but he is not flattering.

Unlike some shameless evil monks, who recite the Dharma in front of the common people, they can't wait to become pugs when they see rich and powerful people.

Heishou Fanxiu casually asked Zeyan Zongen about the situation of "Zhengxiu Temple", and suddenly his curiosity attacked, and he opened his mouth to the abbot of Qingyi and said: "On the way here, I heard that Komatsubaraji Temple is quite difficult now, and there are only 200 monks left (about 300 acres). But I see that the mountain gate has just been renovated, and the additional stupa is being built, it seems that the operation is quite effective? ”

"Ah...... Be...... Be! Abbot Qingyi was nervous and stammered, trying to answer but unable to speak: "Last month, two months...... Bought...... Bought and sold......"

Seeing this, Sawahiko Soen helped and explained: "Komatsubaraji Temple has indeed been strategizing recently, and taking advantage of the opportunity of the great fluctuations in the price of grain in Tokaido in the summer and autumn of this year, I have made a lot of money by buying and selling a few hands. ”

Hearing this, he raised his eyebrows, glanced left and right, and asked, "Don't you two know the reason for the twists and turns in food prices in Tokaido?" ”

"The monks don't speak, but the poor monks really don't know." Sawahiko shook his head without any psychological burden.

"......" Qingyi Abbot was sweating profusely, his face was dazed, he didn't say anything, and he was obviously confused.

Seeing this, Hirata began to be a little interested, and ordered with a smile: "In that case, who is the one who actually manages the grain inventory and silver money accounts at Komatsubara-ji Temple?" Please come out and meet us. ”

"There's nothing wrong with that, right?" Zeyan Zongen was puzzled, but there was no reason to refuse.

“…… Yes, yes! The abbot of Qingyi was in a hurry and did not dare to refuse.

Not long after, a young monk with a big face and small eyes, a thick nose and a short mouth, who looked very funny and ridiculous, calmly came, bowed to the ground, and said: "Little monk Xuanyi, meet Lieutenant General Pingshou Nayan, meet Master Zong'en, Abbot Qingyi." ”

Tieshou Fanxiu said "um" and asked: "I heard that it was you who took advantage of the change in grain prices in the summer and autumn of this year to make a small fortune?" ”

Monk Xuanyi replied calmly: "Exactly." ”

Tieshou Fan Xiu said: "Do you know the reason for the change in food prices? ”

Monk Xuan Yi calmly responded: "Although I don't know, I can guess that it is the Lieutenant General of Ping's hand, and you want to use the method of starvation and starvation to deal with the Takeda family." ”

Hisho asked, "What is the specific strategy?" ”

Monk Xuanyi said: "In June, I found that there were signs of speculation on the price of rice, so I found the nearby lords and rich peasants and signed a contract to purchase autumn grain for 700 wen. ”

Pingshou Fanxiu said with a smile: "When the autumn grain came out, the price had risen above the usual level, and it seems that you have earned a lot of baht." ”

Monk Xuanyi shook his head: "No." Those contracts were not executed, and all were compensated with one-tenth of the liquidated damages, and were cancelled. In this way, it not only makes a small profit, but also does not offend people. Otherwise, it may become a sacrifice of one's life for money. ”

Hearing this, Pingshou Fanxiu raised his head and laughed, and his words were threatening: "Good wrist!" You dare to talk to me so calmly if you have the audacity to take my free ride? ”

Monk Xuanyi bowed down and said: "The little monk just took the opportunity to earn a little money to improve the temple, but it did not affect the big plan of the lieutenant general in the hands of Ping, so there is no need to be afraid." ”

Next to him, Zeyan Zongen was already dumbfounded when he heard it, and Abbot Qingyi was pale.

Pingshou Fanxiu pondered for a moment, and suddenly asked again: "Monk Xuanyi, this Dharma name is slightly familiar, may I ask where you came from?" ”

The monk Xuan Yi didn't know what to do, and replied: "The little monk was originally from a tributary of the Owari Maeda clan, and he is a distant relative of the Maeda Toshiya of the Oda clan for five or six generations. When he was young, his family was poor and difficult to raise, so he was taken to Kyoto by his uncle and became a monk in Mt. Hiei. Later, due to the problem of appearance, he was widely teased and ridiculed, and he absconded back in a fit of rage, changed his sect, and placed an order in this small Matsubara Temple. ”

Maeda family background, law name Xuanyi?

This resume should be "Toyotomi Five Missions" Maeda Genyi. Like Masuda Nagamori, he made a wall grass during the Battle of Sekigahara, and was a character of Tokugawa in Naitsu.

In the past, Tieshou was very taboo about this kind of thing, but now he gradually feels that it is nothing.

Time is a pig-killing knife.

At this time, Pingshou Fanxiu only felt that his eyes suddenly brightened, and he said bluntly: "Xuanyi monk, not only has the ability to plan and calculate, but also knows the truth of Mingzhe to protect himself, he can be called a rare talent, living in this temple, it is inevitable that the pearl is covered with dust, but you are interested in following me to a place where you can display your talents?" ”

Monk Xuan Yi was stunned when he heard this, and his little eyes opened forcefully - although they were still not as good as the ordinary posture of normal people - he thought for a while, and hesitated: "The little monk is really flattered to be appreciated by the lieutenant general in the hall, but he has also received a lot of care in Komatsubaraji Temple over the years......"

Pingshou Fan Xiu didn't say a word, and stretched out five fingers on the left, three, right, and two: "Just take 300 pieces of incense money as the price of the extension of the poaching, and send a small Matsubara Temple!" As for the monk Xuanyi, let's take 200 stones to know the line, and in the name of 'Maeda Xuanyi', he will be waiting near me. ”

Hearing this, Zeyan Zongen said, "My lord is really generous! ”

The abbot of Qingyi was also full of joy, still nervous and difficult to speak.

Monk Xuanyi straightened his clothes, straightened his waist, bowed down solemnly, and said: "My subordinates meet the lord!" As a gift of Jinshi, some important information about the Takeda family is present. ”

Hearing this, Pingshou Fan Xiu blinked his eyes and looked sideways.

Zeyan Zongen understood the meaning, and hurriedly pulled the unknown Qingyi abbot down to avoid it.

Then Maeda Genyi spoke: "Report to the lord, this summer, when I was moving around in Tokaido, I occasionally dealt with each other, and according to speculation, the food in White Eagle City should only be enough for about five months, and even if it is saved, it will not exceed eight months." The situation in Nagashino Castle is similar to this. The process of detailed estimation, please let the monk demonstrate it......"

Pingshou Fan Xiu waved his hand and interrupted: "Don't worry about it for the time being, you might as well say something else." ”

The information on this grain storage is not particularly hidden, nor does it reflect too high value, that's all, that's the name of "Toyotomi Gojo".

"Yes." Maeda Genyi was not surprised, bowed down and continued: "In addition, the little monk found that most of the soldiers of the Takeda family in the vicinity were deeply uneasy about the road ahead, and they were deeply suspicious about whether the Koshin reinforcements would appear. Even the White Eagle City Guard, Akiyama Shinyoudian, was not thinking about tea and dinner, and it was difficult to sleep and eat. Shan County and Racecourse have also wavered. Such a mindset can be exploited. ”

The face of the flat hand was indifferent, and he continued to ask: "How to use it?" ”

Gen Maeda leaned forward and replied, "That depends...... Do you want to annihilate your enemies in front of you, or do you pay more attention to the gains and losses of your city? ”

Tieshou said again: "What's the difference? ”

Maeda Xuanyi said: "If you accept the lieutenant general, you will win the enemy and then quickly, then you need to use soldiers, and the little monk may not be able to help much." If this is not the case, it is not known that there may be a way to persuade the enemy generals one by one by relying on the relationship between the temple and the shrine to make them surrender the city and leave. ”

Pingshou Fan Xiu smiled slightly: "If you want to exhaust the enemy's food, I'm afraid it will take four months, which is too troublesome." Moreover, sending more soldiers back to Kai is not necessarily a bad thing. ”