After years of development, Izumi Province and Kishiwada Castle have become an important economic town in the coastal area of, second only to Kaimachi and Ishiyama, and not inferior to Amagasaki and Hyogo. What distinguishes it from other towns is that Kishiwada Castle Town is not a place where daily trade is a place for daily people, but is closer to political and military industries, as well as the consumption of luxury goods by dignitaries and nobles.

In particular, after the victory of Ishikawa in the Battle of Ishikawa and the complete control of Kyoto, he was relieved and bold to bring his family here, and the rest of the important ministers followed suit, which further contributed to the prosperity of the town.

In addition to the inner and outer three-story warp, Kishiwada Castle has also expanded its coverage in the north and west directions, expanded its coverage area, and connected it to the port to accommodate more people and make it easier for ships to travel between ships.

It was the moon and the weather was freezing, and the Honmaru Imperial Pavilion adopted the method of placing a stove in the wall mezzanine to keep warm, which not only ensured the effect but also effectively avoided smoke and dust, so that the children of the Hirate family could grow up healthily, and the only drawback was that the cost was too large.

According to the calculations carried out, the firewood used by the sovereign's family for the winter is equivalent to the consumption of 1,700 ordinary households, which can be described as extravagant.

Fortunately, the local cultural people do not have too many feelings of "Zhumen wine and meat stink, and there are frozen bones on the road", although they are familiar with this Tang poem.

So we love the people like a son, and the compassion of the Pingshou Punishment Department is still able to lie down in the warm Japanese-style room, while tasting freshly cooked rice cakes, while reading family letters.

“…… Originally, with the assistance of the virtuous retainers, all the affairs of Kyoto were in order, and the children were just hanging arches. At most, you need to attend some occasions without worrying about any chores...... It is a matter of course to investigate favoritism and irregularities. Unexpectedly, it involved the relatives of all the important ministers, which really made me Yoshimitsu not know what to do. There is no other thing he wants to do than plead with his father to make a decision......"

Heishou Fanxiu read his son's handwritten letter carefully, and even read out the key sentences, and then gently "pouted", put the letter paper on the small desk in front of him, and looked out the window with a complicated expression, not knowing what he was thinking.

A few of the maids who were working nearby were completely unaffected, and continued to concentrate on their work, as if they did not hear a sound at all.

But the lady of the main room, Ah Dog, who was pouring tea for the flat hand, couldn't help but be worried, frowned, stretched out her hand to continue adding water, and pretended to be inadvertent: "My lord, how will you reply?" Although it is said that sooner or later the men of the samurai family will learn to be independent, but Chiyomaru - now it is Yoshimitsu, after all, he is still too young and lacks experience, right? ”

Originally, there was no need to be so polite when talking between husband and wife.

But Oda Nobunaga's death still had a great impact on the emotional level after all. And the frequency of the recent birth of the side room and the concubine is also very disturbing.,After all, so far, there is only one single seedling.。

In the face of a slightly respectful and parting words, Hirate was not too surprised, nor was he too sad. The estrangement objectively exists, and it is impossible to forcibly erase it, and it can only be diluted by time.

Moreover, in the traditional sense of the "samurai regime", the lady of the main room is not just a family member, but a very delicate member of the organizational structure, sometimes regarded as a special subordinate, or even an ally.

For example, some things that are not spoken in person can be passed on through the circle of women.

Pingshou Fanxiu thought for a while, and replied: "Actually, this kid has always been soft on the outside and strong on the inside, round on the outside and square on the inside, very smart and assertive, if he really doesn't know how to deal with it, he won't turn to me for help." I wrote a letter stating that I had an intention and just wanted to get permission. ”

Ah Dog was very happy to hear the words of praising his son, and a light smile hung on his lips, but he began to feel worried again, "In this case, please forgive the concubine for being stupid." What the child had in mind, couldn't he have said it in the letter? ”

"Actually, I understand it too, but I'm not embarrassed." A treacherous smile appeared on Hiratsu's face, and he said slowly: "Or, is he trying to test me?" ”

Hearing this, Ah Dog's hands trembled, and the teapot fell to the ground, splashing a large piece of wet.

She immediately knelt down in panic and pleaded guilty: "The concubine is really sorry......"

Actually, as the wife of the main family who gave birth to the eldest son, there is really no need to be so sensitive, even if your brother becomes the enemy of life and death of the husband's family, it is not impossible to deal with.

- Pingshou Fanxiu wanted to say this impulsively, but stopped at the edge of his mouth, only waved his hand lightly, and signaled: "It's okay, it's okay, just let the maid clean it up." ”

The dog slowly got up with his head down, his shoulders curled up tightly.

Hirata pretended not to see this, but chuckled, pointed to the letter, and said in a smiling tone: "Look at this sentence." Originally, with the assistance of the virtuous retainers, all the affairs of Kyoto were in order, and the children were just hanging arches. At most, you need to be present on some occasions without worrying about any general affairs'...... In this way, it is obvious that there are still some ideas! It's also that I didn't think it through, and it was really a little wrong to let Kawada and Honda stay in Kyoto to help. I was so busy with other things that I neglected Yoshimitsu's position. ”

Hearing this, Ah Dog somewhat understood. After being a housewife for many years, she won't always be a young girl who doesn't understand politics. She cautiously asked tentatively, "Maybe it's Yan Chiyomaru...... It was the first time that Yoshimitsu had been so far away from home, and he felt lonely. Would it be better for him to go over there as his usual companions? ”

"Hmm......" Hisho nodded with his eyes closed, and said slowly, "Theoretically, that's the case." But this kid, who is really dishonest, actually tested me with words? Then I'll test him too. ”

The dog glanced worriedly, wanting to say something, but didn't dare to say more.

Then Heishou didn't bother to get to the study, so he directly called the people on duty and dictated a letter ordering it to be sent to Kyoto.

Only two sentences were spoken.

The first is that "no matter who is involved in favoritism and irregularities, no matter what kind of merits he has made in the past, as long as it is found that he is the mastermind, he will be severely punished this time." ”

The second is "Considering that there are not enough people available around you, in addition to the Ii Toramatsu that I brought before, let Iwasari Kojiro, Kato Sunroku, Hirano Gonhei, Toda Sontaro and others immediately support you, and you can hire them by yourself." ”

Then he ordered someone to send it quickly.

……

I received a reply seven days later.

Yoshimitsu Hirate was not as concise as his father, and he wrote a lot of words with sincerity, including a large number of words such as "fear", "courage", and "please forgive".

But there's still a small segment that's really useful.

"Konishi Yukichoden is in charge of the investigation, and sure enough, it is the uncle of Kawada Nagajin Hall and the younger brother of Honda Masanobu Hall who are involved in illegal matters. However, after carefully distinguishing between Ii Toramatsu and the other party, Kato Toranosuke, it can be seen that those people are foxes and fake tigers, and they are seeking profit under the guise of a name, and the two Kawada Nagakinden and Honda Masanobu Hall have not really set foot in the process. What's more, the two old ministers have always been role models for children, how dare they talk about any severe punishment. In addition, I am grateful that you could send my former attendants to Kyoto to help. Iwanari Kojiro came from a famous family, and after Kato Sun Roku was a victim, it was reasonable to promote and appoint. However, in addition to these two people, Gonhei Hirano, Sontaro Toda and others may not be able to convince the public, so it is only appropriate to serve as the child's guard first, and it is not too late to accumulate merits in the future. ”

After reading the reply, Hisho said with a smile: "Sure enough, such an obvious temptation, Yoshimitsu will not step on the trap." It's my son after all! ”

The dog on the side was also very happy, and took advantage of the rare opportunity to propose that the second generation should be allowed to formalize the relationship between the second generation and Miss Saori of the Honganji family as soon as possible, so that both inside and outside can feel at ease.

Hiratite nodded repeatedly, believing that it was indeed necessary, and promised: "It is necessary to let the children stay in Kyoto for a few months, serve as officials in the imperial court and shogunate, and lay a foundation for the connections of ministers, temples, artists, etc., this is something that must be done." In almost half a year, he can be allowed to go home. ”

Ah Dog patted his chest with relief, breathed a sigh of relief, and said with peace of mind: "Now I finally have an explanation, Miss Saori can always comfort her when she finds a concubine to cry again!" By the way, Yan Chiyomaru and Gotoku, I hope there are no unconcealable consequences......"

"Don't worry, he must have it!" Tieshou Honshu laughed.

In a happy and enjoyable atmosphere, the worry of "what to do if the child does not see through the temptation" in the dog's heart will naturally never be made public.