On July 13, Hisamasa Asai finally agreed to meet with the long-awaited Sena Shitoshi. Sena Shijun took Yu Qiuhei to Honmaru in Kotani Castle to meet Asai Hisasa, and Asai was accompanied by Asai Hisamasa and Asai Kenmasa, father and son, as well as the three important family elders of the Asai family, who were collectively known as the three generals of the sea and red rain, Haibei Tsuna, Akao Kiyotsuna, and Yumori Kiyosada.

After the two sides exchanged pleasantries, Asai Hisamasa was going to further chatter about family life, but the bloody and strong Asai Kenmasa rushed in front of his father and said: "I don't know if Sena-sama is here, what advice do you have?" Pulling the conversation straight to the point.

"His Highness is quick to speak, and he is really a samurai." Sena Toshitoshi bowed and threw a grateful glance at Kenmasa Asai. "I'm here to come here on the orders of the governor of the family to discuss cooperation with the Asai family."

"Omi produces grain, but His Royal Highness wants to buy grain from his own family?" Hisamasa Asai said with a smile.

Yu Qiuping frowned, this Asai Hisasaa clearly did not want to cooperate, and it was estimated that he was asked by his retainers and Asai Kenmasa to negotiate. As soon as he came up, he planned to mess up the negotiations and not give Sena Shijun a chance to talk about sending troops to cooperate. I just don't know how Sena will respond.

"That's exactly what I mean." To everyone's surprise, Sena Shijun readily agreed.

"Oh?" Asai Hisamasa was stunned for a moment, but he didn't expect things to go so smoothly: "Sena-sama, please speak." ”

"Kurita-gun, Yasu-gun, and Gamo gun in Omi are all named after rice, and the family governor's main hall is interested in buying it from the Asai family." Sena Shijun still had a warm smile on his face, but there was a needle hidden in his words, which made everyone's faces change.

The reason is very simple, these three counties belonging to Minami Omi are all controlled by the Rokkaku family at the moment. Sena Shitoshi grasped the ambiguity of Asai Hisasa's sentence "Omi grain", and immediately picked out the topic in a gentle way.

Before Asai Hisamasa could speak, Haibei Tsunashi said first: "But these three counties are not in the hands of our Asai family, is it afraid that His Royal Highness Sena is not mistaken?" This sentence seems to reject Sena's proposal, but in fact, it is helping Sena Shijun to pierce the window paper - pointing out the contradiction between the Rokkaku family and the Asai family.

"Not now, but in the future." Sena Shitoshi said solemnly, and the three important ministers of the Asai family and Kenmasa Asai lit up, but Hisamasa Asai showed disgust.

"I'm afraid Sena-sama has misunderstood." Asai Hisamasa said, "Our Asai family and the Rokkaku family are originally in-laws, and the relationship is harmonious. If the Imagawa family wants to buy rice from the three counties, the Asai family is willing to match the Imagawa family with the Rokkaku family. This sentence gave Sena Shijun a soft nail, and on the surface, the Asai family's position is the same as that of the Rokkaku family.

However, as soon as Sena Toshi swept away, he found that the other four people present were extremely dissatisfied with Asai Hisasa's statement.

"It's just that in this case, the Asai family is afraid that they can only earn a middle price, which is a pity." Sena Shijun chuckled, "The governor of this family is going to make a big deal, doesn't the Asai family think about it?" ”

"What kind of big deal?" Acute Ziyu Mori Qingzhen asked.

"The governor wants to sell the rice to Kyoto," Sena Toshitoshi inadvertently turned over his hole cards, and said slowly in the surprised eyes of everyone, "But the mountain road in Omi is not easy to walk, and I hope I can borrow the official road of the Asai family." ”

The previous estimation of the Asai family was that the Imagawa family might want to make an alliance with the Asai family, and when the Imagawa family attacked the Nobi Plain, the Asai family sent troops to contain it. But I never thought that the Imagawa family's appetite was so big, so he actually opened his mouth directly to Shangluo, and proposed to let the Asai family borrow it.

If the Imagawa family really has their ambition in Kamiraku, they will definitely go west through the Okin. And when the time comes, the Asai family will have to make a choice.

"The opinion given by the governor of the family is that the Rokkaku family will not do business, and it is better for the Asai family to run the rice-producing southern Omi counties." Sena Shijun smiled slightly, "As for the Rokkaku family, the family governor heard that the Rokkaku family has a lot of relations with Koga, and wants to invite them to Koga Iga to sell ninja equipment." ”

These seemingly ordinary businessman-like words, but it is difficult to hide the sharp edge - in these words, it implies the Imagawa family's promise to the Asai family: if the Asai family is willing to form an alliance with the Imagawa family, the land of Minami Omi will be handed over to the Asai family. As for the disposal of the Asai family's old enemy, the Rokkaku family, it is to drive out of Omi - to the south in the Koga Iga Mountains.

Although what Sena Shijun said verbally, everyone did not dare to believe it. But this is also a gesture made by the Imagawa family - before Rokkaku and the Asai family, they chose the Asai family as a partner in Kamiraku and were willing to give a good return.

Whether it is the bloody and strong Kenmasa Asai, or the veteran and sophisticated three generals of Hai Chiyu, there are some impulses ready to move at this moment. Winning the entire Omi, but the Asai family has been looking forward to it for decades. And all they need to pay is to let the Imagawa army cross the border, and provide some reinforcements and food and grass for the Imagawa family.

"But in order to be able to buy rice during this time, the family governor doesn't mind that the Asai family and the Rokkaku family will continue to do business for the time being," Sena Shijun saw that everyone was already tempted, so he continued to increase his chips, "You only need to draw up the contract for sharing the dividends at that time, and when the family governor's caravan has passed Mino, it is not too late for the Asai family to cooperate together." ”

This can be said to be a condition that is very considered by the Asai family. If the Asai family announced the alliance of the Imagawa family at this moment, it will definitely cause the surrounding forces to worry about the Imagawa family's Kamiraku, and they must also break the alliance with the Rokkaku family. So if one of the Rokkaku family and the Miyoshi family attacked, it would not be something that the Asai family could easily deal with. And the Imagawa family means that only when the Imagawa family unifies Owari and Mino, and can strongly support the Asai family, he is asked to make an open alliance. In fact, it is the protection of the Asai family.

"His Royal Highness is very kind." Akao Kiyotsuna arched his hand a little excitedly, "This business, the Asai family is looking forward to it." ”

"But after all, it's still going to be the enemy of the Hexagonal family, it's not appropriate." Hisamasa Asai found out that he was trying to hit Tai Chi and Sena Toshi's plan to go around the corner, but he was completely hit by Sena's backhand, and now he has no excuse to refuse. simply pierced the window paper directly, "The Asai family doesn't plan to be an enemy of the Rokkaku family, and they don't want Omi to fall into war again." ”

The atmosphere was a little tense and awkward for a while. The three generals of Hai Chiyu and Kenmasa Asai were obviously very dissatisfied with the cowardice of Hisamasa Asai and wanted to admonish him, but it was difficult to say because the governor had already expressed his position.

"Sena-sama, I guess I'm going to Kyoto to see the price of food," Asai Hisamasa said, holding up his teacup, "I won't bother much, I wish you a smooth journey." ”

After leaving the castle tower, Sena Shijun and Yu Qiuhei returned to the inn, and the group immediately surrounded them and asked about the results. Sena shook his head helplessly, "It seems that the family governor of the Asai family is not determined to break the alliance with the Rokkaku family. ”

"Shall we go to the Hexagon House then?" Another general who followed him asked, "The governor of the Hexagon family is an enterprising lord." ”

Sena Jun was about to respond, but Yu Qiuping interjected: "Your Highness, we might as well wait for a while, maybe there will be a turnaround." Yu Qiuping said with a smile: "It just so happens that His Highness can go to Kyoto first to complete the business, and I will continue to stay here, fulfill my promise, and help the young master of the Asai family train the army." If when he comes back, the Asai family has not changed its decision, it will not be too late for His Highness to go to the Rokkaku family again. ”

Sena Shijun glanced at Yu Qiuping and didn't say anything. After everyone finished discussing the route to Kyoto, Sena Shitoshi excused himself to settle the accounts and broke everyone away, leaving only Yu Qiuping.

"Momiji." Sena Jun frowned and looked at Yu Qiuping, "Do you think so... Prompting the Asai family's coup d'état, right? ”

At this time, Kotani Castle, inside the mansion of the Akao family. The three of Hai Chiyu, and Isono Yuanchang and other important ministers are gathering.

Before Yusen Qingzhen could wait for anyone to arrive, he slammed the table and roared: "The ancestor lord is so heroic, how can he have such a weak son!" No, Xiao Zi! ”

"Yabei, be careful!" Akawei Kiyotsuna said in a low voice, motioning to the little surname next to the door to close the door to death, "How can you slander the lord so much behind your back!" ”

"I'll just say him! What's wrong! Yumori Qingzhen was still angry, and punched the tatami mat again, "The Asai family is going to be defeated in his hands!" This time the Imagawa family sent to the door of the alliance! I didn't even say yes! ”

"It's a shame." Isono also scolded fiercely, "If we refuse Imagawa." When the main hall of the Zhibu raises troops to Shangluo, we will be the enemies of the Zhibu. Is the governor really waiting for the Hexagon family to come and save us? ”

"The Hexagons don't care about such an outcast." Hai Kita Gang, the brainchild among the three of Hai Chiyu, touched his beard personally, "The relationship between the Rokkaku family and the Miyoshi family is delicate, and when it really comes to the time of the Zhibu Shangluo, it is also very possible to attack with the Zhibu Harmony." At that time, the few we have left in Kita-Omi will probably be divided between Rokkaku and Imagawa. ”

"How can the governor not understand such a simple matter?" Ryo Asai is extremely disappointed in his fellow clansmen.

"It's not that I can't understand it, it's that I don't dare to see it." Haibei Tsunade said softly, "As long as the family governor thinks of breaking with the Rokkaku family, he immediately loses the courage to continue thinking, and will blindly reject other suggestions. ”

"If you lose a battle, how can you be like this! The first lord is going to lose even Kotani Castle, and he can still make a comeback when he runs to Echizen! We still have four counties now, why don't we dare to fight? Is the Hexagon so scary? Isono scolded.

"I think he didn't get rid of his eggs by Rokkaku Yoshiken in the high palace!" Yumori Qingzhen smiled shamefully.

"Be careful! Yabei! Akaio Kiyotsuna scolded sharply, "How can you insult the family governor like this!" ”

Having said that, no one, including Akao Kiyotsuna, really blamed Yumori Kiyosada, but they all sighed in unison.

"If this continues, the Asai family will fall apart." Haibei Tsunami said in a low voice, "Even the Asakura family, who has been an ally for generations, is disheartened by us. If the governor continues like this, the hearts of the people who have been united by the Lord will be scattered. ”

"Many of the wealthy families of Inugami County have fallen to the Rokkaku family openly or secretly, and Sakata County is also ready to move." As the city lord of the front line, Isono Yuanchang has the most say in the front-line intelligence, "If this situation is allowed to continue for another year or two, we estimate that we will only have a territory of more than 100,000 stones." ”

"I don't even want to stay here anymore, such a shallow well is really disappointing." Isono Yuanchang's rebellious exclamation caused the sighs of many people around him who gathered because of the eloquence and strategy of Asai Ryomasa.

"The governor doesn't do anything! I'm really going to the fucking Hexagon house! Yumori Qingzhen said angrily loudly.

"It's really not good, it's better for me to go to Mino than to sulk here!" Ryo Asai took a sip.

Everyone's faces became darker and darker, and the future of the Asai family, under the leadership of the weak family governor, was bleak.

"No, there's still hope for the Asai family." Suddenly, an unfamiliar voice sounded outside the house.

Everyone was shocked, and hurriedly asked the little surname to go and see who was outside. After a while, the little surname took Yu Qiuping and returned to the house. I only heard the latter say in a deep voice:

"At least you should give the young eagles a chance to spread their wings!"