Matsudaira Motoyasu stared into Yu Qiuping's eyes. To his own surprise, he actually gained unprecedented confidence and encouragement from that gaze. He didn't know why, but he had a hunch that his good friend's prediction must be right.

"In that case, I'll entrust the future of the Matsudaira family to Momiji's advice." Matsudaira Motoyasu pondered for a moment and nodded to Yu Qiuping, "I'll go and discuss with the retainers." ”

"Okay," Yu Qiuping understood that Matsudaira Motoyasu had approved the alliance, and the mission of this mission had been basically completed. Next, all it takes is to wait for Matsudaira Motoyasu to persuade his Mikawa retainers to approve of the alliance. "Then I'll wait for good news."

"It's just that there is one more matter, I don't know how to solve it," Matsudaira Motoyasu's face appeared a little worried, "My wife and children are still in Sunfu Castle." Although Humble Jing is the righteous daughter of the late His Royal Highness the Governor, the daughter of His Royal Highness Sekiguchi, it is difficult to protect... What should the three of them do if they rebel against each other? ”

"That's right!" Yu Qiuping patted his head, how could he forget this stubble before. But no matter how hard he meditated, he couldn't remember how Matsudaira Motoyasu had changed his wife and children in his previous life.

"In this case, we need to think about it in the long run." Yu Qiuping sighed, the hostage problem really had to be solved.

"No matter what, I'll go and discuss with my retainers first," Matsudaira Motoyasu said, standing up, "Only when it is determined that the Matsudaira family's goal in the future is to form an alliance with the Oda family, can we all work together to find a way." ”

·

After Matsudaira Motoyasu left, Akihei also walked out of the assessment room and came to the room where the others outside the castle tower were resting. After informing everyone of the good news that the negotiations were very successful, Yu Qiuping pointed out the difficult problem of the hostage issue.

Unexpectedly, after hearing this serious question, Lin Xiuzhen laughed first.

"His Highness Lin?" Yu Qiuping was confused by Lin Xiuzhen's attitude, "Is there any good way to solve it?" ”

"There is a way," Lin Xiuzhen shook her head with a smile, looking at Yu Qiuping, "However, as soon as I heard the words hostage of the Matsudaira family, I couldn't help but want to laugh." ”

"What does Your Highness mean by this?" Yu Qiuping asked puzzled.

"Haha, Momiji, that's all before you came to Japan," Lin Xiuzhen didn't seem to plan to say more, but brushed it off: "If the people of the Matsudaira family really made up their minds, how could they be restrained by the hostage's comfort?" ”

"Huh?" Yu Qiuping was stunned for a moment, "But among the hostages in Junfu City, there is the eldest son of the Matsudaira family!" In the unlikely event that Matsudaira Motoyasu rebelled, it is very likely that the Imagawa family would lead an army to attack Mikawa on the grounds that they would support the succession of his eldest son. It is also very likely that many local wealthy families and samurai families in Mikawa will fall to the Imagawa family as a result. ”

"The samurai of Mikawa don't eat that set at all." Lin Xiuzhen had a deep meaning, smiled and shook her head, "Back then, by coincidence, the eldest son of His Royal Highness Matsudaira Hirotada, who is now His Royal Highness Matsudaira Motoyasu, became a hostage of our Oda family. However, His Royal Highness Matsudaira Hirotada did not care about the threat of the eldest son and the Oda family, and led the Mikawa samurai to resolutely fall to the Imagawa family. ”

"I've heard a little about this..."Yu Qiuping recalled the historical events of the past, and at the same time sighed for the stunned energy of the Samurai of Mikawa. Suddenly, a thought seemed to pass through my mind. He blinked violently, turned to Lin Xiuzhen again, and asked anxiously, "Then Your Highness!" Later His Royal Highness Matsudaira Motoyasu! How did you get back to Matsudaira's house? ”

"Oh?" Lin Xiuzhen seemed to be stunned, but the corners of her mouth had a faint arc, "Well... That is still your former lord's teacher, His Royal Highness Taiyuan Xuesai attacked the Oda family and captured the eldest son of our ancestor Oda Nobuhiro. Then he exchanged it for Oda Nobuhiro and returned His Royal Highness Matsudaira Motoyasu to the Matsudaira family. ”

"There it is!" Yu Qiuping clapped his hands violently and jumped up directly from the ground! "Didn't we capture a lot of Imagawa warriors in Otaka Castle too! And the two sons of His Royal Highness the Pelican! It's better to use these people as bargaining chips to exchange His Highness Matsudaira's wife and children back! Just like the old Yukisai masters! ”

"Good idea, Momiji!" Lin Xiuzhen smiled, "Go and tell His Highness Matsudaira!" You can come up with this good method, it can be said that in addition to forming an alliance, it is another great achievement! ”

"Yes! Your Highness! Yu Qiuping ran out of the house excitedly, on the one hand, he was happy because the problem was solved, and on the other hand, he was also relieved to be able to do something for His Royal Highness Pelican. If all the important retainers and heirs of the Uden family are captured, the Uden family may be unsustainable. Being able to put these people back can be regarded as a gesture to the Imagawa family.

Lin Xiuzhen watched Yu Qiuping leave the house, and no longer suppressed the natural smile on the corner of her mouth.

·

Yu Qiuping's suggestion sent a life-saving straw to the troubled Matsudaira family. Originally, most of the retainers of the Matsudaira family, under the persuasion of Matsudaira Motoyasu, had also agreed to form an alliance with the Oda family. The few opponents were all admonishing Matsudaira Motoyasu on the grounds that the safety of the main mother and the young master was the only reason. Now that the issue has been resolved, a series of concrete matters for the alliance have been initiated.

Matsudaira Motoyasu took the family's important retainers, Tadaji Sakai and Sushimasa Ishikawa, hostage, and returned to the area controlled by the Oda family with Akihei. Before leaving, Yu Qiuping also took away his family members who stayed in Zhili. However, he has no time to enjoy the joy of reunion with his subordinates, and he needs to continue to fight for the establishment of the alliance. Yu Qiupei, as the person in charge again, handed over the captured important samurai and retainers of the Uden family to Matsudaira Motoyasu. Matsudaira Motoyasu sent messengers to negotiate with Imagawa Shin and Shou Guini, stating that he was forced to resist due to the obscenity of the Oda family, and the Imagawa family was reluctant to send reinforcements, so he was forced to form an alliance with the Oda family, hoping to exchange the hostages captured by the Oda family for his wife and children.

According to the messenger, the high-ranking members of the Imagawa family were furious when they heard the news. Because the Matsudaira family had been in a semi-independent state before, the Oda family and the Matsudaira family had friction, and they never asked for reinforcements. It would be too much to suddenly break away from the Imagawa family now on the grounds that the Imagawa family did not send reinforcements. In the end, it was Shougui Nili who overrode the public opinion and agreed to Matsudaira Motoyasu's request. On the one hand, it can be shown that the Imagawa family is very concerned about the interests of the retainers and wealthy families, and is willing to hand over the eldest son of the Matsudaira family for the hostages of the Uden family, so as to appease the hearts of the turbulent people in Togae. On the other hand, Shou Gui Ni also understands that the Samurai of Mikawa will never be bound by hostages, and it is better to be a favor.

On December 1, with the arrival of Tsukiyamaden and a pair of sons and daughters in Mikawa, Matsudaira Motoyasu also officially announced his separation from the Imagawa family and changed his name to Matsudaira Ieyasu. The Oda family also withdrew their troops back to Owari on the same day. On December 3, Matsudaira Ieyasu personally arrived at Kiyoshu Castle to show his sincerity, which can be regarded as giving Oda Nobunaga enough face. He came to visit Oda Nobunaga so that the two of them could discuss the alliance in detail. And Oda Nobunaga also held a grand evaluation meeting to welcome the arrival of Matsudaira Ieyasu.

Yu Qiuping was fortunate to be able to witness the conclusion ceremony of the alliance on the spot. It was a cloudy day, the sun didn't come out on time, and Yu Qiuping almost overslept. At six o'clock in the morning, Matsudaira Ieyasu appeared at the gate of the castle tower on time. And the Oda family, as the master, has already been in Qi for a long time. Oda Nobunaga waited on the throne, and did not take his eyes off Matsudaira Ieyasu for a moment. When Matsudaira Ieyasu arrived at the door with his retainers, he walked briskly into the hall.

All eyes were on Matsudaira Ieyasu, on how he would salute Oda Nobunaga. The members of the Oda clan must have hoped that Matsudaira Ieyasu would have a courtesy for a vassal to meet the suzerain's daimyo, but the retainers of the Matsudaira family certainly did not want to see the lord bow down so much, but rather expected a courtesy among the daimyo who met on an equal footing.

Surprisingly, Matsudaira Ieyasu politely performed the etiquette of a younger brother meeting his brother, which made everyone present stunned.

"Brother Yoshibo-sen," Matsudaira Ieyasu said with a smile, "Ten years of farewell!" I'm so happy to see my brother again, brother! ”

As soon as they heard the title "Kichiboshi", everyone present immediately understood. When Matsudaira Ieyasu was a hostage in the Oda family, he spent a long time with Oda Nobunaga, who was still the heir, as a loyal companion in Oda Nobunaga's Bad Boy Legion. And at that time, Matsudaira Takechiyo called him the elder brother of Yoshibo.

Whether it was the samurai of the Oda family or the samurai of the Matsudaira family, they all showed a knowing smile at this moment. Matsudaira Ieyasu's title avoids the embarrassment of etiquette. is not a subordinate salute that grovels and humiliates the face of the Matsudaira family, but also calls Oda Nobunaga as a brother in personal relations, giving the Oda family enough face. Just from this small detail, his sleek and thoughtful approach to the world is evident.

And Oda Nobunaga is also a very playful master, after hearing such a affectionate title, it seems that he recalls the past of the year, and he can't sit still anymore! He never cared about etiquette, jumped up, walked quickly to Matsudaira Ieyasu, patted him on the shoulder, and said with a smile: "Chiyo Kotake, who chased after my horse's ass and asked for rice balls to eat, has grown into a dignified samurai!" It's been ten years! ”

"In the days to come, my younger brother hopes to be like that," Matsudaira Ieyasu looked into Oda Nobunaga's eyes and said earnestly, "Gallop the world with my brother!" ”

"Good! Worthy of my Takechiyo brother! Oda Nobunaga smiled excitedly, "In the future, I will go west, and you will go east!" Put the world into the small purse we hung around our waists back then! ”

With that, Oda Nobunaga hugged Matsudaira Ieyasu, and the two of them laughed loudly in the hall together. It was not just a coincidence or fate, but the sun, which had been hidden in the dark clouds, also poured a dazzling light into the castle tower at the moment when the Oda family and the Matsudaira family established the Cheongju alliance. As if in an instant, the future of the whole world is illuminated.

In Yu Qiuping's previous life, the Cheongju Alliance was the most stable alliance in the troubled Warring States period. The Matsudaira family, later known as the Tokugawa family, sent reinforcements to fight for Oda Nobunaga during many of the great battles in which Oda Nobunaga fought to pacify. In particular, in Oda Nobunaga's most dangerous Kanesaki retreat and the Battle of Sister River, Tokugawa Ieyasu at that time blocked the most deadly attacks for Oda Nobunaga. Oda Nobunaga also reciprocated, sending troops to the aid of the Takeda family when they invaded the Tokugawa family's territory twice. After defeating the Takeda family, Tokugawa Ieyasu got his wish and became the Daimyo of the Three Kingdoms of Junyuan.

The relationship between the two families lasted until after Oda Nobunaga died in the Honnoji Rebellion. When Hideyoshi Hashiba, who had almost inherited the power of the Oda family, launched a fierce attack on Oda Nobuo, who was unwilling to be usurped by a foreign surname, Tokugawa Ieyasu once again sided with the Oda family. He single-handedly planned an encirclement network against Hideyoshi Hashiba, and formed the last Oritoku coalition with Nobuo Oda, and forced Hideyoshi Hashiba in Komaki Nagaga.

A true alliance that can stand the test of wind and rain.