Although it is not yet certain whether they are out of danger, after all, everyone is tired all day, physically and mentally exhausted, and they are anxious, so they can fall asleep by lying on their stomachs on a grassy rock.

In less than a quarter of an hour, the stables were snoring loudly, and they were full of people.

Of course, there had to be enough men on the night watch, but it was only a formality that could not require these people to be fully vigilant.

In particular, the Shogun's close guards, who wore heavy armor and brought full equipment, as well as the shogunate's retainers, were unprepared. So these two groups of people, one by one, couldn't stand it and fell asleep first.

I didn't think at all that someone would take advantage of the night to do something.

In their hearts, since everyone fled together, they must all be in the same boat.

Only Hattori Hideyasu and Hosokawa Fujitaka still have the heart to guard Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

The former took out a strange set of tools and medicines, claiming that he could restore the general's spirits, while the latter, although he was not aware of the situation, subconsciously felt that there must be something wrong with it, and hesitated for a while.

Hattori Hideyasu didn't think too much, pulled the other party to a secluded place, and explained in a low voice: "This iron tool is a tool for smoking tobacco, and it is not surprising that if you go to Kai Town more often in Hosokawaden, you should see a lot of southern barbarians using it." As for what tobacco is...... Well, these are a special kind of tobacco in my left hand, and the merchant who gave this thing to me said that when you are injured, sick or particularly difficult, taking a little bit can invigorate a hundred times, which is the most suitable for the current situation of the princess. It's a pity that this medicine is difficult to grow here ......"

Hearing this, Hosokawa Fujitaka frowned and asked cautiously, "Since it came from the Southern Barbarians, such a magical medicine...... Will it be toxic, or dangerous? ”

Then Hattori Hidean shook his head decisively and said: "The Lord of the Flat Punishment Department said that this thing will only make people energetic at first, unless they keep taking it, after a long time, there will be some troubles." ”

In fact, Hirate Honshu also has a sentence that "this thing causes addiction", but Hattori Hidean deliberately concealed it.

Hosokawa Fujitaka seemed to understand the voice, and asked again, "Is it Lord Punishment who ordered him to bring this today?" ”

"Not really." Hattori Hidean shook his head and said, "Lord Crimebean thinks this thing is too weird to see in the world. But I think it's a rare thing after all, and it's a shame to throw it away...... Wouldn't it be great if we could help Gongfang-sama? ”

"......" Hosokawa Fujitaka thought for a while, looked back at Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who was sluggish like a clay sculpture, and nodded with determination: "Although he carried his old man out of Kyoto, he must ride a horse next...... You can't ride a horse...... Hattoriden, please leave this to me. By the way, you just said...... Do you need to smoke after burning? ”

"If it's really inconvenient, it's okay to chew it directly." Hattori Hidean replied with a relaxed face, "At least that's what the merchant who gave this thing to me said." ”

"Well, since the adults of the Criminal Department have affirmed the efficacy of this drug, it is worth giving it a try." Hosokawa Fujitaka silently took the iron pipe and the tobacco mixed with a special black clay-like substance, and was about to turn around and walk towards Ashikaga Yoshiaki, when he suddenly turned back and asked, as if unintentionally: "By the way, your identity should be very hidden!" How can there be a businessman who can find a way to deliver gifts to you? That's really a businessman with good hands and eyes, long sleeves and good dancing......"

"Aha......" Hattori Hideyasu was a little embarrassed, squeezed out a smile that was more ugly than crying, and explained, "Actually...... Actually, the merchant gave a gift to my brother's mansion. My brother was so badly injured in the Battle of Barrel and Narrows that he quit the army at an early age, and lately he has been in charge of the Izumi theft case, and it is precisely because he has to deal with people from all walks of life. ”

"I see, I see, I see......" Hosokawa Fujitaka showed an interesting look in his eyes, and continued to ask with deep meaning: "I think Brother Ling, I probably have a good relationship with Honda (Masanobu), Nakamura (Ichichi), and Tarao (Mitsutoshi) of the Heite family." ”

Hattori Hideyasu's smile gradually disappeared, revealing a look of vigilance, and said coldly: "I need to talk about two things - first, this time, the Lord of the Heishou Criminal Department knows that the situation may be ever-changing, and there may not be time to report it, so we have been granted the power to act cheaply. Second, whether my friendship with you can reach the point of talking about this matter depends on whether today's task is smooth or not. ”

“…… I understand. Hosokawa Fujitaka was a little annoyed, but more helpless.

……

In the darkness of the night, as if an hour had passed, the soldiers who had fallen asleep were gradually awakened by the loud noise, and turned over from the grass and stones and sat up.

Then they were greeted by the light of the fire in the stable.

With the cry of "enemy attack", a chicken and dog are restless.

The sky was a very pale white of fish belly, and it should still be early in the morning.

Fortunately, most of them were so tired last night that they lay down and fell asleep, with their swords, guns and weapons at hand, ready to pick up and go into battle.

Looking at the firelight, it seems that there are not too many enemies, and it should not be attacked by a large group of people.

It wasn't the cavalry of Shibata, Kinoshita, Akechi and others who chased after them.

And yet—

The biggest headache at this time is that when you pick up a weapon, you don't know who is fighting with whom!

I only heard a lot of people shouting, a lot of people fighting around, the sound of swords clashing and flesh being cut was endless, and the screams were heard from time to time.

Originally, Hattori Hideyasu brought thirty ninjas, plus the three groups in the ambush in Kyoto, a total of fifty or sixty people, Hosokawa Fujitaka brought six cronies, Odate Haritada, Ueno Kiyonobu and other lineage of the shogunate's team, the main and young combined are almost fifty or sixty people. Then there were more than twenty guards around Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

The gangs did not know each other, and they could not distinguish friend or foe through clothing or accessories.

The sky is not yet fully bright, and the fire is flickering and dimming, who can tell the difference?

It is said that at this time, several leaders should have stepped forward to serve the council, but Hosokawa Fujitaka, Hattori Hidean and others did not stand up, so I don't know what the situation is......

All in all, the soldiers were very flustered, completely lost their organization, and only subconsciously leaned together with their most familiar friends, forming a small team of three or five.

Then some ran away from the fire desperately, some stood guard and prepared to attack anyone who came near without identification, and some were more proactive and slashed at all suspicious elements without distinction......

"Ahhhh

"Oooo

These meaningless cries continued, even drowning out the sounds of swords and screams.

Or maybe it's not completely pointless – at least shouting it can relieve the nervousness and timidity a bit.

Of course, no one could have thought of putting out a fire.

As for the question of where the horses in the stables went, there was no time to think - the few who thought about it probably thought they had been scared away by the fire.

I don't know how long it took to do this, but I don't know how many people died inexplicably, or ran far away, or simply shouted tired, and finally all kinds of noises slowly stopped.

Including the fire, the only three thatched houses were burned down.

It's almost dawn.

Everyone calmed down and looked at it, as if there was no enemy attack or anything like that, they were just scaring themselves...... Some of the corpses on the ground did not appear to be friendly forces, but ......

It is reasonable to assume that a small number of enemies with ill intentions infiltrated and caused chaos. Then these enemies quickly evacuated, or they were all killed immediately, but because their side was too difficult to see, too nervous, and there was no leader to come out to maintain order, they fell into complete chaos, misunderstood each other, and attacked each other.

Anyway, where did the bosses go......

At this moment, the east suddenly remembered the sound of heavy footsteps that made people nervous.

At a glance, there was a black press, and there were two or three hundred people hurrying towards this side. Although they may not appear to be heavily armed, if they are enemies, they are enough to wipe out a weary rabble of the stables.

Before he could react this time, he heard someone shouting at the front of the team of two or three hundred people: "We are the troops of Hide-sama Kinoshita!" I got the information of Hattori-sama and found this place overnight! I don't know what happened to Gongfang-sama! Please ask Hattori-sama-sama and Hosokawa-sama Fujitaka to come out and see you! ”

Hearing this, everyone breathed a sigh of relief, and then looked around to find it.

And then—

The people of the shogunate found that Hosokawa Fujitaka seemed to be missing!

The ninjas found out that Hattori Hideyasu seemed to be gone!

Everyone found out together that our general seems to be gone!

Looking at each other, they didn't know what to do.

The hundreds of people on the east side came to the door of the stable, and saw that only the embers of the burned house remained, and they were all shocked and frightened.

In an instant, a middle-aged samurai who looked like a leader walked out, and said sharply with an incredible expression: "What's going on?" What are you all from? Can anyone answer my question? Where is Hattoriden? Where is Hosokawaden? Princess-sama...... Did you lose the princess?! How is it arranged? What's going on? Didn't Lord Pingshou send you to arrange it in advance? How can he be worthy of his old man like this! ”

One question after another knocked everyone's hearts into confusion.

Not everyone understands what is being asked, although it should be said that most of them do not.

But this momentum is enough to overwhelm people.

"Be quiet!" Suddenly, a slender and slender but high-spirited beautiful female ninja stood up angrily with her hands on her chest and unceremoniously interrupted, "You have too much nonsense! Are you Hidecho Kinoshita? If yes, our family's ...... Ahem, one of my men has something to say to you! ”

"Huh?" Kinoshita Hidecho showed a look of expectation, completely ignoring the etiquette.

"Alas...... Spring you are too rude, next time you should pay attention......" The man who didn't take a pseudonym, and his real name couldn't be said, the man called "Ah Xu" stood up helplessly with a helpless face, and his movements were very lazy.

He walked up to Kinoshita Hidenaga, bowed and saluted, and said, "Because I am worried that Takenaka-sama who has come to Omi may have follow-up actions, I am also worried that someone inside will leak secrets or defect to the enemy...... What has just happened proves that our fears are right...... So last night, Hattoriden and Hosokawaden had already taken Gongkata and some other people and rode away first...... If all goes well, the three hundred guards of Kawada Hall will also go to the appropriate place to cooperate with them. Also, Hattoriden asked me to bring you a word. ”

Kinoshita Hidecho frowned, but didn't mean anything to stop or refuse.

The mysterious man called "Ah Xu" smiled slightly, took two steps forward, and said in his ear: "Hattoriden said that he, as the head of the family, welcomes you to the Hirate house." ”

The position of supervising the wrongdoing of the retainers is the one.

Kinoshita Hidecho instantly understood, his heart was shocked, and he didn't know whether to be happy or worried.