"The meaning of Hosokawaden, we already understand. Indeed, now is the time to make a choice. ”

The middle-aged man with a resolute face who spoke was Haritau Odate, and he was also the person who spoke in the column of people on the left side of the room.

His beard and hair are all white, but his spirit is still strong, and his expression is very serene and friendly.

Then there is the young, five-short figure, with a mustache, and an uneasy look Suwa Morinao.

Then there was the tall and thin, coughing repeatedly, with a sallow and sickly face, but with a frightening hostility in his eyes, and Nakazawa Yuzhong, who was rich in appearance, with a white face and beardless, and squinted his small eyes and didn't know what he was thinking.

After that, it's too late to introduce.

Hattori Hideyasu could only remember the names of the first five people.

Of course, Hosokawa Fujitaka knows more, but now is obviously not a good opportunity to introduce. The time is so urgent, and everyone is not in the mood to greet each other so much.

These five people can represent the only remaining so-called "neutral faction" within the shogunate.

When Ashikaga Yoshiaki was rescued from the captivity of the Matsunaga family, none of you participated in it. Even some of them still maintain a rather ambiguous relationship with Miyoshi Changqing, Miyoshi Changyi, or Matsunaga Hide.

Obviously, it is difficult for these people to become the henchmen of today's Gongfang adults.

They are largely unemployed, are not in charge of important personnel and financial matters, and are not sent to key areas to take charge of defense.

Looks like a worthless passerby character.

Perhaps that's why they're still "centrists".

Neither like Mibuchi Fujiei and Yoneda Qiumasa, who regarded Oda's old generals as enemies and did not hesitate to fight to the death, nor like Ise Sadako and Ishitani Yorichen, who were gradually bought and co-opted by the Owari people and changed their positions.

In fact, Kinoshita Hideyoshi wanted to win over this group of "neutrals" together, but unfortunately he launched it in a hurry and didn't have time yet. After all, people's energy is really limited, and things must be prioritized.

So, Odate, Ueno, Suwa, Matsuda, Nakazawa...... These people became spectators in the "coup".

At least in front of Hattori Hideyasu and Hosokawa Fujitakashi coming to the door, they were really spectators.

"Lookout" means that his loyalty to Ashikaga Yoshiaki is quite limited, and he doesn't have much to do with Shibata, Kinoshita, and Ake, and no matter who wins or loses, the viewer can only continue to be an irrelevant visitor.

Until they are disgusted and washed away.

However......

After looking at the situation in Kyoto, Hirate believes that there is still no shortage of value for this group of people who can be used.

After all, their surnames are familiar and accustomed to Kyoto people. Their ancestors have been firmly bound to the Muromachi shogunate since the days when Ashikaga Tsuneji and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu fought the world.

These courtiers have been sharing the honor and disgrace of the Ashikaga family for too long, and have become an indispensable part of the golden sign of the "Muromachi Shogunate's Shogun".

Of course, this also means that they need to share those historical burdens and the shortcomings of the system with the descendants of the Ashikaga family.

This is the reason why they have gone from rich to down, and their fate has been up and down, and it is also where their use value lies.

In the expectation of Hite, he may not be able to control Kyoto in the short term, so if he only controls Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the name of righteousness is actually flawed.

When Emperor Wu of Wei "coerced the Son of Heaven to order the princes", he not only pulled Emperor Han Xian to Xudu alone, but received a large group of accompanying civil and military officials, palace eunuchs, and a vast group.

That's what makes it look complete.

Therefore, I deliberately explained that I must pull as many of the lineage ministers as possible onto the ship by the way.

It is most appropriate that this task of persuasion be given to Takashi Hosokawa.

As for Hattori Hideyasu also came, it was related to another reason.

……

On the right side of the room are the representatives of the Tie family.

Hosokawa Fujitaka had already negotiated with his superb eloquence, and as expected, it was natural that Odate Haritada was quite moved.

Everything went well.

It is conceivable that these "neutrals" were not very prosperous during the reign of Ashikaga Yoshiaki, and if Oda Nobunaga took power in the future, it would probably be even worse.

In contrast, defecting to a large force that is willing to give a certain amount of treatment is obviously a better choice.

Hosokawa Fujitaka stopped talking as he spoke, brushing his beard and chuckling lightly, waiting for the person opposite to react, or ask more detailed questions.

But what he didn't expect was-

What Odate Haritada said, "Of course, we are willing to follow behind the Lord of the Heiju Punishment Department to defend the righteousness of the world and uphold the way of the samurai." However...... Half an hour earlier, Omi's Takenakaden had made a similar suggestion to the contemptible people. Shouldn't we think about what should be done to best serve the shogunate? ”

Hosokawa Fujitaka smiled for a moment, and then immediately reacted, his mind turned, revealing an undoubted calm attitude, shaking his head and smiling: "I didn't expect that Omi's Bamboo Hall is also slightly the same as what the Lord Hero of the Hisho Punishment Department has seen...... Of course, I shouldn't doubt the other party's determination to uphold justice, but there is always a difference between high and low manpower, whether it is official position, prestige, or existing military and financial resources, or past resumes, I am afraid that the Bamboo Hall is difficult to compare with the Lord of the Tie Punishment Department. This is not my intention to humiliate the Bamboo Temple—on the contrary, the Bamboo Temple is a samurai whom I respect very much, but the Hi-Te Punishment Department is a figure of another realm, and its strength is bottomless. ”

After some well-founded touting, Odate Haritada had to nod in agreement: "That's true!" Even if the Bamboo Hall is a beautiful unicorn, I am afraid it will be difficult to be on par with the Tie Punishment Department. However...... Maybe...... Perhaps the wise and martial Lord of the Tie Hand Punishment Department does not need us humble and useless poor people. On the contrary, it is the bamboo hall, the situation is far worse, and there may be a place where we can help! ”

At this point, the meaning of asking for compensation in the words is already clear.

After hearing this, Hosokawa Fujitaka couldn't help but feel a little disdain in his heart.

As a well-known cultural person and diplomat, he was originally very good at "listening to the strings and singing and knowing the elegant meaning", but at first he didn't expect the other party to be so vulgar and direct, and he actually asked about the specific treatment so obviously.

I thought I was a person with higher pursuits!

Hosokawa Fujitaka secretly hid his inner thoughts, and said with a hearty smile: "Of course, the Lord of the Hirate Punishment Department also needs your help. In fact, he has already made some specific arrangements...... After rescuing the princess, you should be the leading force in the new generation of the shogunate, and of course, you will need to obtain arrangements that match your status...... Sixteen Imperial Fields in Kii, with a total of 30,000 koku, will be restored......"

After the figure of "30,000 stone in total" was spoken, Odate Haritada raised his eyebrows slightly, noncommittal.

Seeing this, Hosokawa Fujitaka immediately understood that Shigeji Takenaka had come up with a better price code, and he couldn't help but regret it.

But temporary price increases are also not advisable and will only appear too eager.

Hosokawa Fujitaka kept smiling and quietly thought about what to do.

And Hattori Hideyasu, who had been silent, suddenly laughed twice and said, "It's really interesting!" Now I don't even know whether I have succeeded in rescuing Lord Gongfang, so it is too early to talk about this first. Speaking of which, the promise given to you by His Royal Highness Shigeharu Takenaka is really worth believing? Are there any guarantees? ”

As soon as these words came out, Oguan Qingzhong's face changed greatly, and he could no longer pretend to be determined.

The others looked at Hattori Hideyasu with unkind eyes.

That's right, their group of genealogical ministers seem to be waiting for the price to sell, but in fact, the chips in their hands are quite limited, and it is really hard to say whether the conditions they get can be fulfilled, and they are completely in a state of inwardness.

When it is revealed, it is very embarrassing and annoyed.

But Hattori Hideyasu completely ignored the hostile look and continued expressionlessly: "Speaking of guarantees, I can give you one." It is said that a few years ago, there was a shogun, Okusa Gongshige - he may not have appeared here because of his lack of status, but obviously from your faction - his second daughter is now the side room of the Heite family, and last year gave birth to a baby boy for the master of the criminal department, named Weak Mage, and is still living a very vigorous life. By the way, I would like to remind you that before the Master of the Criminal Department, the Hirate family was not very prosperous, and there are less than ten adult members of the sect so far. ”

Odate Qingzhong was shocked when he heard this: "Is it my brother-in-law Dacao Gongzhong?" I know that his daughter is serving the lord of the Heishou Punishment Department, but I don't know if she is favored or not, and I don't know about the baby boy...... Why didn't my brother tell me? ”

Hattori Hidean smiled: "Because the weak mage Xiao Gongzi was quite weak when he was born, he was worried about his early death." Fortunately, thanks to the good doctor's conditioning, he has recently become the same as his peers, so he came to Kyoto to inform the child's maternal grandfather. Okusa has received a handwritten letter from his daughter, so you can always ask. As for whether the side room is favored, I'm afraid I'm embarrassed to say it to my parents. ”

"If that's the case...... Odate Haritada bowed down and said generously, "Please let me participate in the plan to rescue Gongfang with you!" ”