"Father, the child is a little puzzled. Seeing that the main force of the Takeda Army was about to march eastward to resist it, why didn't they maintain a superficial peace with the Yamato Matsunaga clan, but instead...... So...... What about such persecution? ”

Yan Chiyomaru, who was just ten years old, shaved his hair in advance, put on the smallest style of armor, still a little too wide, with a small wakika around his waist, and a heavy clairvoyant mirror around his neck.

However, his father didn't really want him to participate in the battle in advance, but just pulled him out to see the world.

After more than 20 days of time and effort with the nobles of Kyoto, the time has come between the spring equinox and the Qingming period, and the temperature in Fuso has completely warmed up, and the ice and snow have melted completely, except for Okuwa. At this time, news came from the east that the Takeda army had regrouped, intending to take advantage of the victory to go further, and Oda and Tokugawa were waiting for them.

Hirate issued a mobilization order to the people of the three kingdoms of Izumi, Awaji, and Kii, as well as to the various forces of the four countries, demanding the fulfillment of the contract, instructing the former to provide an agreed number of soldiers and horses within two months, and to concentrate them in Kinai for driving. However, he himself led thousands of banners, plus some temporary guest troops from all over Kinai, but instead of immediately rushing to the aid of Owari and Mikawa, he went south from Kyoto and entered the territory of Yamato Ichikoku, and sent the heads of Matsunaga and his eldest son to Nobukiyama Castle, and asked Matsunaga to come out for a meeting.

Some retainers who are more thoughtful and not so meticulous feel that this is a bit of putting the cart before the horse, and there is no distinction between priority and priority.

Of course, the only one who dares to speak up is his own eldest young master.

Hite-honhide agreed to Sasa Naruma's negotiation to send his daughter to Gifu Castle in advance to complete the wedding ceremony, and Chiyomaru was relieved that Chiyo, the elder sister, would not snow Chiyo, and after repeated pleas, she made an exception and went on the same road.

I happen to be a father who also wants my child to expand his horizons, and by the way, as a prospective son-in-law, he visits the old Taishan and his mother-in-law at Ishiyama Honganji Temple.

As a result, Chiyomaru changed her makeup, and together with Yukichiyo, the two sisters and brothers, led by Naotoro Ii, came to Kyoto surrounded by 200 guards, 80 servants, and 30 maids, and joined the army of the Heite family, waiting to set off eastward together.

During this period, Heide Honhide intentionally explained the current situation to his son, analyzed the reasons why Takeda's westward move affected the world, and even vaguely revealed the different positions of the Oda family after the split.

This is the first time that Yan Chiyomaru has been exposed to the indistinguishable level of black and white as the heir of the samurai family. His original understanding of the world was constantly under attack, but at the same time, he learned quickly, and he was able to understand that "the imperial court, the shogunate, the temples, and the daimyo of each side all had their own positions and orientations".

Then, with my father's encouragement, I couldn't help but ask questions within two days.

Regarding his son's incomprehension, Hirate Honxiu patiently explained: "The most valuable moment of a sword that sharpens iron like clay is to cut off the enemy's head; And secondly, it is hidden in the scabbard, when it is not triggered. Now Matsunaga is playing as if he is a swordsman who may draw his sword at any moment, and in a way, he is more dangerous than Takeda, who has already shown his military formation. So I'm trying to force him now, and I'm really going to make him have to make a choice, either throw the knife away or pull it out altogether. ”

"I see." Yan Chiyomaru realized, "Is this also in line with what you said before, 'first the inside, then the outside'?" ”

Hearing this, Pingshou Fanxiu changed slightly, shook his head and said, "I haven't said that, it's just a rumor from outsiders...... It's just a matter of thinking about these words, and it's very inappropriate to say them publicly. ”

"Yes!" Yan Chiyomaru hurriedly bowed down to the leader, but then raised his head with a frown: "But, I think...... Even if...... Even if I don't say it, what my family is doing now makes it easy for people to associate with this......"

"......" Tieshou Fan Xiu was also speechless, feeling a little embarrassed, and only after a while did he say with a straight face: "If it is someone else, there will indeed be the problem you said, Matsunaga Xiu, this person, has been consuming reputation and credit in exchange for real profits for more than ten years, and I have given up a lot of real profits to maintain reputation and credit...... That's why today's people have a back. ”

Yan Chiyomaru was ignorant, but he didn't understand half of it, but he didn't understand how to express his doubts, so he just lowered his head and thought about it.

After a while, Horio Yoshiharu, who had been sent to Yamato Nobuki Yamajo as an envoy, returned.

He said that Namatsu Nagahide was very restrained, not only did he not have the intention of raising troops to attack, but also said, "Thank you to the Lord of the Heishou Punishment Department for helping the old man clean up the portal, I have long broken off with this rebel son, and the love between father and son is gone, and I will never shake my loyalty to the court and the shogunate because of this incident." ”

"What a tolerant old fox!" Hiteshu couldn't help but sigh with emotion, and then asked unwillingly: "Shigersuke (Horio Yoshiharu's character), have you ever sent two heads, one large and one small, to Matsunaga?" ”

"This ......," Horio Yoshiharu said ashamedly, "Matsunaga Danmasa insisted that he was lingering on the sickbed and could not see the light and the wind, and his subordinates repeatedly asked for it, but he was only twenty paces away, and he was seen through a screen. As for the two prepared skulls, they can only be handed over by his attendants......"

"Hmm...... It's not your responsibility. "Tieshou Fanxiu is very regretful, "I can't even wait for this, what excuse he says 'father and son break', maybe it will really be believed by the world...... I really can't find any reason to deal with him! The armies of Takeda, Asakura, and Kitabatake have been mobilized, and time is running out, so it seems that they can only be put on hold. ”

If it was the natural mocking face of Governor Konishi, it might be able to provoke Matsu Nagashi to be angry, but the person concerned may not want to come back alive. If people really want to tear their faces, they may still talk about the unspoken rule that the two countries do not pay attention to the exchange of troops and do not cut each other.

What's more, that guy is still recuperating from his injuries.

Honda Masanobu probably has a way to force Matsunaga Shu to have nowhere to maneuver with words, and Iwanari Yutong probably has a chance. However, they are obviously unwilling to take on such a very dangerous job, and it would hurt their feelings if they were forced to do so.

On the contrary, Yamauchi Kazutoyo and Horio Yoshiharu are brave and fearless in the face of death, and they dare to take on any task, but their skills are not so clever.

It's almost close to the bottom line.

With the reputation that Tieshou has worked so hard to build, and the notoriety that Matsunaga has caused for many years, the stark contrast between the two can only go so far, and everyone has already said that his own son died well, what else? If the persecution continues, the balance of public opinion may be reversed.

In the culture of Fusang, there is naturally the feeling of "not being able to punish the doctor", and Matsunaga Xiu is an indisputable representative of the scholar class who is a dignified and undisputed representative of the scholar class.

This kind of nobleman, it is okay to die on the battlefield, and no one can say anything without eyes of the sword. But if you are not on the battlefield, then you have the privilege of admitting and saving your life. If the trouble is not to the level of Ishida Mitsunari, it will not be easily beheaded.

Ministers, monks, and cultural people already have resentment because of Sasa's affairs, and needless to say, the mood of the shogunate and the people of Kinai needs to be treated with caution.

It's just that once you stop here, how can you guard against the possibility of potential retaliation after the fact?

In other words, how many people would have to stay near Kyoto before they could safely go to the Eastern Front?

It's just the Yamato Matsunaga family, they lost their troops after the failure of the siege of the imperial palace, which is not a big deal. But now the shogunate is not stable, Ashikaga Yoshiaki's thinking is difficult to predict, although Shigeharu Takenaka, who is sitting in Minami Omi, seems to be a friendly army, but people also have interests, and Asai Nagamasa of the western country seems to be about to nail the coffin of the Urakami family, and it is possible that he will be "the king of the class teacher" at any time.

Thinking about it, you have to have a powerful retainer, lead about 10,000 people, and be stationed on the side, which is enough to make people feel at ease.

However, in this way, the remaining forces will not be enough to have a decisive impact on the Eastern Front......

Hitetsu was difficult for a while, and when he hesitated, he was thinking about whether to call Honda Masanobu and Iwanari Yutong over for a closer look, but suddenly heard the words Chiyomaru next to him speak:

"Father...... If I'm not mistaken, now you're trying to find a way to force the Matsunaga family to show their flaws, but you can't...... Is that so? ”

"Not bad." Hirata nodded absentmindedly, "Do you have any suggestions?" ”

“…… Belch...... I heard yesterday that after the death of Matsunaga's eldest son and grandson, there is still one left...... A young grandson is kept by his side. Since he ...... He is an old man and claims to be ...... to my family Loyalty to the imperial court and the shogunate, there is no such ...... That shakes, then, as is customary, asks him to ...... Well, after a major accident, it makes sense to ask his young grandson to be a hostage in Kyoto......"

Yan Chiyomaru's expression was still a little unconfident, but his words were quite clear.

Hearing this, Pingshou Fanxiu's eyes lit up, and he couldn't help but slap the case in front of him: "That's true!" I didn't think of such a simple thing! ”

Then he looked sideways at Horio Yoshiharu, who was standing by under the tent, and ordered, "Then do it!" I will help you go again, and I would like to invite Matsunaga Danmasa's six-year-old grandson to come to me as a guest! ”

"Yes! Subordinates obey! This time, I will definitely show the determination of the lord! ”

The atmosphere of depression and shame on Horio Yoshiharu's face was swept away, and he returned to a state of complacency, bowed down and bowed, then got up, turned, and strode out.

After that, Hirata Hirasu turned sideways to face Chiyomaru, and his expression instantly became complicated, and he couldn't find anything to say for a while.

As far as Chiyomaru himself is concerned, he is also a little distracted, and he is stunned, and he doesn't know what he is thinking.