"I really didn't expect such drastic changes to happen in Kyoto......" It's been two days since the incident, and Asai Nagamasa is actually not so surprised. He pretended to be dumbfounded, took the letter and frowned at the face of the envoy, looked up and down for a while, and finally couldn't help it, and laughed insolently: "However, speaking of which, Oda Danmasa actually asked me to help him fight against the Hirate clan, it's really ...... Hahaha...... It's so interesting, it's so interesting! ”

After a few years, he still looked like a handsome and strong young man, heroic and radiant, but with a little more violence and pride between the corners of his eyebrows.

"Exactly. The contemptible people implore Asai Hinata to help Mamoru and share the righteousness. Wise Mitsuhide bowed his head, lowered his eyebrows, and stood cautiously in front of him, vaguely in a state of daring to be angry and not daring to speak.

It just so happened that this made Asai Nagamasa have the desire to deliberately make things difficult and humiliating.

It's like a bear child who sees an honest and cowardly little girl, and if he doesn't bully her, he feels uncomfortable.

Akechi Mitsuhide said that he was already showing weakness, but Asai Nagamasa did not give up, and had to ask with bad taste: "Is Oda Danmasa really instructed like this?" Could it be that you are mistaken? I always thought that his old man was more disgusted with my brother-in-law, and he was closer to the Tie Punishment Department! Aha......"

A few years ago, when the "assassination incident" just happened, Asai Nagamasa was a thief and tried his best to dissociate himself from him, for fear that anyone would mention it.

But after so much time, time has passed, and now I have taken the initiative to introduce that topic intentionally or unintentionally.

I guess I think I'm strong enough for Nobunaga and his old ministry to worry about.

He now nominally controls most of Settsu, the entire territory of Harima, the entire half of Bizen, the entire territory of Tajima, and parts of Misaku and Inaba, and not only has a territory far exceeding one million koku, but also controls the trade of Ikuno's Silver Mountain, San'in, Sanyo, and San'in, and also interferes in the shipping of the Murozu and Himeji areas.

And Nobunaga's side...... If you look at the attitude of Akechi Mitsuhide, you can see that the situation must be not good.

Hinata Asai laughed. Akechi Mitsuhide lowered his head and tried his best not to show his expression, and said weakly again: "Oda Dan has always admired you very much, where does the word disgust come from?" What's more, this invitation to you to crusade against Izumi is not to have any personal vendetta with the Equal Punishment Department, but to safeguard the righteousness of the world and save the princess who was held hostage. ”

"Mmmm, yes, yes, yes, good, good, the world is righteous! The world is righteous! The righteousness of the world haha......" Asai Nagamasa pretended to be serious, repeated it several times, and couldn't help laughing: "The Wisdom Hall said it too well, as a samurai who are loyal to the public and obeys the law, everything we do is for the righteousness of the world, and there is no selfish desire at all, right?" Hahahaha......"

"Alright, alright!" The inconspicuous black dwarf standing on the side couldn't stand it anymore and came out and interrupted: "Asai Hinata Mamoru is a little tired today, please take a break in the Hall of Wisdom, and discuss it again early tomorrow morning?" ”

"Whatever the guest wants." Wise Mitsuhide gave a graceful and calm salute, reluctantly showed a smile, and asked very respectfully, "What do you call Your Excellency?" ”

"Harima Takataka Kuroda, known as Kankan Kanwei." The black dwarf replied with a very friendly and kind return.

"It's the legendary Kuroda Temple! Disrespectful, disrespectful! Akechi Mitsuhide was surprised, and then he saluted again and complimented: "I actually got to see the first wise general in Kansai, and I am fortunate to have three lives." ”

"Don't dare, don't dare! This little bit of talent and virtue of the contemptible people, and the grace of Asai Hinata Shou's support, is just a matter of exhaustion, and he can't be called a wise general. Kuroda Takataka hurriedly and modestly returned the salute, and then said good things in turn: "Actually, I am a reckless man in the countryside, and the most envious of me is a well-read and well-read cultural person like You, the Wisdom Palace......"

"Long Admiration ......"

"Lucky to ......"

The hypocritical greetings and compliments to each other for a while, the atmosphere was not so awkward, and Akechi Mitsuhide took his leave and stepped back temporarily.

As soon as he left, Asai Nagamasa immediately shook his head and shouted dissatisfiedly: "Kan Kanwei, why do you give him face so much to help him step down!" This kind of sanctimonious goods made him lose face, and it was comfortable to watch! ”

Kuroda Takataka held his forehead and sighed, slowly turned around, and responded helplessly: "The two countries do not fight each other, even if it is an enemy, he is also an envoy sent by the dignified shogunate!" Not to mention that they are not enemies. ”

Asai Nagamasa was speechless for a while, but he still had to be stubborn: "That's not necessarily...... If I choose to help the Heide Punishment Department and deal with Oda Danmasa, then today's messenger is the enemy. ”

Hearing this, Kuroda Takataka raised his eyebrows angrily, snorted, and said coldly: "It makes sense to choose neutrality, if you help a draw, then you are an out-and-out fool." ”

"Guards you bastard!" Asai Nagamasa slapped the table and glared angrily.

Kuroda Takataka didn't say a word, and glared back expressionlessly.

The two are deadlocked and do not give in to each other.

After a while, Kuroda Takataka breathed a sigh of relief, bowed down and made a concession: "Hinata Mamoru is angry, it's contemptible and rude." I'm sure you'll understand the truth. ”

Asai Nagamasa's expression eased, and he also took a step back, nodding and admitting: "That's right, although Oda Danmasa is based in Kyoto now, the Tie Punishment Department that has mastered the public side is actually the one who has the advantage. If I help a draw, no matter how hard I try, I will only be the second-ranked hero of King Qin, so it is better to go along with Oda first, wait for the opportunity to seize Kyoto, and control the princess. ”

"That's right." Kuroda Takataka frowned: "But both are difficult, Oda Danmasa and the Hirate Punishment Department are not mediocre people, and it was not easy for them to be the last time a few years ago." This time, we need to be prepared not to be able to reap the rewards. ”

"That's what displeases me the most!" Asai Nagamasa gritted his teeth and clenched his fists and said: "The dignified public is so pustuous, he actually did such a thing!" I could have expected an accident in Kyoto sooner or later, but I didn't expect it to happen so quickly! I thought I could pacify Bizen, Misaku and other countries and then return to the division to deal with, but mistakes, mistakes......"

Seeing this appearance, Kuroda Takataka was angry, and couldn't help complaining: "I said a year ago that there is something strange in Kyoto, and you should put more energy into it!" The result? It's not because you covet Tajima's silver mountain and Bizen's Minato-cho, and you repeatedly delay the despicable proposal, and every time you do it perfunctorily! ”

"......" Asai Nagamasa gritted his teeth and gurgled, but he was speechless, and couldn't help but regret that he had said the wrong topic, so that he couldn't refute being scolded by the black dwarf in front of him.

If other courtiers, like Asai Masamoto, Endo Naokei and the like, dared to speak like this, their faces would have been swollen.

But Takataka Kuroda is different. He and Besto Nagaharu and Araki Murashige are not so much three courtiers as three partners.

And the other two are very respectful of Kuroda's opinion.

Don't Nagaji occasionally be a little assertive, Araki Murashige basically repeats a sentence when he is in a meeting: "Kanbei's right!" ”

Without the help of these people, no matter how hard Asai Nagamasa could fight, it would be impossible to break into a great business in Kansai in just a few years.

Therefore, on the one hand, he is high-spirited and invincible, but on the other hand, he always feels deeply aggrieved, and his violent and murderous spirit has increased a lot.

Fortunately, this time Kuroda Takataka didn't have to pay attention to the people, and after turning over a few old accounts, he stopped complaining and said seriously: "If we don't have a chance to seize Kyoto and control Gongkata-sama, we must keep Kinai in a balanced position that is favorable to the Asai family!" Nominally, it's still to help Oda, but in fact, it's enough to deal with a tie with only five distractions, and the other five points are kept for ......."

"It's exactly what happens to me!" By the way, Asai Nagamasa became complacent, and said angrily: "The two of them are bound to fight with all their strength now, but we can play with ease, no matter which side we fall, we can have a reasonable reason, which is the biggest advantage." ”

"Yes, yes......" Kuroda agreed, slightly disagreeing, and then reminded, "But don't forget, there are many others who have the same advantage." For example, Tokugawa Mikawa (Ieyasu), Oda Sakin (Nobutada) ......"

"Tokugawa Mikawa is a character." Asai Nagamasa nodded, and then his face showed disdain: "Oda left is near...... My eldest nephew is not too capable, and so far he is far from being able to talk about the two countries of the United States, right? This time he definitely wanted to support his father, but he hadn't jumped out yet, and obviously he couldn't settle the opinions of his retainers! Therefore, although the territory is vain, it is strong on the outside and dry in the middle. ”

"He himself is not afraid." Takataka Kuroda added, "But don't forget, there is also a Shigeharu Takenaka in Minami Omi!" According to the contemptible understanding, this person is not exactly a retainer of the Oda clan now, but he can secretly manipulate the situation of the Oda clan...... Definitely a dangerous person to be taken seriously. ”

"Okay, okay, I'll take care of it." Asai Nagamasa agreed with a mixed heart, and immediately changed the conversation: "By the way, that kid from Maori Terumoto has been fighting with me for so long...... As soon as I declare my support for Oda in Kyoto, I'm afraid that kid will march in the name of supporting the public government, right? Even if half of his troops are too late to return in Kitakyushu, he will at least send 10,000 or 20,000 people to test it...... Then I've got to get it right......"

He was so engrossed in his thoughts about the military layout that he fell into the rhythm of talking to himself.

"Actually...... Forget it, there are still some things to do, so I will retire first. ”

Takataka Kuroda originally wanted to say, "It's best to try to make peace with Mori now, and it doesn't matter if you want to give up some of your interests." But thinking that most of the other party couldn't agree, he simply didn't open his mouth.

The Asai Nagamasa who dared to make a desperate bet back then has now become a miser who can't give up any land.

Maybe it's because he wasn't rich before, but now he knows what it's like to have a daimyo in the town and mine.

Before leaving, Asai Nagamasa seemed to have just realized that the atmosphere was not good, and hurriedly explained: "Kan Gongwei, I've been too shocked these days, and my mood is not very stable, if I say something wrong, I'm really sorry, don't take it to heart!" We've already written an oath about a brotherly relationship, and we won't be shaken by a little thing, right? ”

Kuroda Takashi's blue face softened slightly, his expression changed a few times, and finally he could only shake his head helplessly and sigh: "Since they are brothers, of course they don't care." ”

……

Walking out of Honmaru, Takataka Kuroda meets his friend Murashige Araki.

Araki Murashige hurriedly stepped forward and asked, "Kankanwei!" How did you meet with the messengers of the Oda family? ”

Kuroda Takataka shook his head with a gloomy face and sighed: "There is generally no problem, but the performance of Mamoru Asai Hinata is really ...... He can do defeat without complaining, but he can't maintain victory without arrogance, in an ancient saying, he is not like a king. ”

"Be careful!" Araki Murashige hurriedly waved his hand, "This is still in the city!" ”

Hearing this, Takataka Kuroda was even more dissatisfied, so he didn't bother to say hello and went out directly.

Arakimura turned around, stared at his back for a long time, sighed, and whispered in a voice that no one could hear, "Why don't you take action when you know this?" Even though we're good brothers, I can't be stubborn with you, I'm sorry......"