The so-called "three holes of the cunning rabbit", animals are still like this, not to mention the great name of Xiubao who sits on two million stones? After several years of operation and expansion, the Yamato Toyotomi family has formed a defense system with Mt. Gotoshi, Koriyama, and Fushimi as the center, Omatoma, Matsushima, and Okochi as the southeast defense line, Nagashima, Kuwana, and Katsuhata as the northeast defense line, Mt. Tamon, Ueno, and Kameyama as the northern defense line, Wakayama, Saga, and Nerai as the northwest defense line, and Iwamuro, Tanabe, Shinguya, Otsu, and Toba as the five major water villages. The model of Fushimi as the political center was basically formed, so the safety of the three capitals had an irreplaceable impact on the authority and strength of the Yamato Toyotomi clan, and the selection of suitable retainers to guard these three castles was a problem that Hideho had to properly solve before sending troops.

However, such an important role did not receive an enthusiastic response from the retainers, on the contrary, many fierce generals, including Shima Kiyoko, Fukushima Takayoshi, and Nasu Ziyoshi, did not want to stay in their skills, but hoped to follow Hideho to the north to crusade against the Uesugi family, which made Hideho a little embarrassed.

"Gao Ji, you are the lord of Tawenyama Castle, which is very close to Fushimi and Koriyama, so it is indeed not suitable to go out with the army." Fujido Takatora, who is Fukushima Takayoshi's adoptive father, persuaded him, but he didn't expect that Fukushima Takayoshi, who had always been obedient to him, was uncharacteristic and resolutely refused his request.

"The great husband's achievements are in the present day, and Gao Ji hopes to follow the lord to conquer the Uesugi family, show the glory of the samurai, and hope that the righteous father will be fulfilled." Fukushima Takayoshi's tone was very sincere and resolute, and as soon as this remark came out. Nasu Shikichi, the Kuwasan brothers, and Aoki Toshiki all expressed their unwillingness to stay in Yamato and their desire to go to Aizu.

In the face of this situation, Hideho is very embarrassed, the conquest of Uesugi Jingkatsu is indeed important, but the safety of the ability cannot be ignored at all, if these fierce generals all follow themselves to the north, then who will Yamato's defense be handed over?

"If the lord is relieved, let the old minister stay in his skills." Just as Xiubao was meditating, a deep and hoarse voice came from not far away, and everyone followed the voice. I saw Ogasawara Takashi Kiyomasa bowing his head respectfully and bowing to Hideho. The whole body exudes a solemnity and composure that is difficult to ignore.

"Will Mamoru Shinano stay?" Faced with Ogasawara Takakiyo's self-recommendation, Hideho was not too surprised. At the end of last year, Hideho had just applied for an official position in Shinano for him, although it was only nominally fulfilling his wish to return to Shinano. But Hideho's act of kindness still made Ogasawara and his son grateful. This time, Ogasawara Takakiyo took the initiative to offer the ability to stay behind. It can be regarded as a reward for the kindness of Xiubao's acquaintance.

"The old minister is old. I'm afraid I can't stand the fatigue of traveling and driving, so I will leave the great achievement of conquering Aizu to the younger generation to fight for, and I can defend the three capitals for my family. The old minister is already very content, and the dog is in North Korea, and there is an opportunity to make meritorious contributions, how can there be a father and son competing for merit haha, please ask the lord to keep the old minister. With that, Ogasawara Takakiyo bowed respectfully again, and this scene made everyone present feel a burst of emotion.

"Shinano Mamoru said so, how can the old minister compete with his children and grandchildren?" While speaking, Aoki, who had been silent for a long time, moved forward slightly, and said to Hideho and the generals present with white hair: "Although the old minister is too old, he is still old and strong, and his martial arts qualifications are no worse than these young people here, and the reason why he stayed is to save Shinano from being alone, haha, don't be too grateful to Shinano Mamoru alone!" ”

Kuwayama Shigeharu is sixty years old this year, and he is nearly half a decade older than Ogasawara Takakiyo, and he can still talk and laugh in the face of his left-behind skills, which really makes the young generals around him admire.

"Kii Shou you......" Ogasawara Takakiyo wanted to speak and stopped, his eyes were full of excitement and respect, he didn't expect that he had only been in the Yamato Toyotomi family for two years, but he could be friendly with an old minister like Aoki Kazuki, and he couldn't help but feel grateful.

Seeing this scene, both Hideho and His Royal Highness's young generals were emotional, perhaps infected by the two veterans, Kuwasan Repair Shigeharu, who had not asked about political affairs for a long time, also took the initiative to ask Hideho for his life, hoping to stay in his skills like Ogasawara and Kuwasama, and send his two sons to Mutsu.

"Lord, the two grandsons of the old minister lost their father at a young age, and the lack of discipline caused the disaster of Daewaara, and I hope you can allow them to go north with the army to atone for their sins, and the old minister is willing to stay in Ji Yi to take care of the family and the home to do his best."

"Sangshan repairs are too old, and the matter of guarding the ability is left to other generals, so how can I bother you? Brother Kuwasan can go out with me to Aizu, and there is no need to worry about repairs. Hideho said attentively.

"Does the lord think the old man is useless?" Unexpectedly, Kuwasan Chongqing didn't appreciate it at all, and said excitedly: "The old minister has followed Taiko to participate in the Battle of Sister River and the Battle of Shidake, followed Yamato Da Nayan to participate in the Kii Expedition, and just five years ago, he was invited to guard Osaka's Otekou for Taiko, which point is not as good as other adults?" If you talk about age, you are ten years older than Kii Mamoru, for military generals, even if they are too old, what does it matter? I also hope that the lord can fulfill the old minister. ”

"This ......" Xiubao hesitated slightly, although Kuwasan Shigeharu is indeed a rare general, but after all, he is over seventy years old, and it is indeed a little uneasy to hand over the guards of Sandu to him. However, he couldn't bear Kuwasama Shigeharu's repeated requests, and Hideho finally agreed to his request and handed over the northwest defense line to him.

"As for Sandu, Fushimi Castle will be guarded by Lao Jiyi, and Gotoyama and Nagayoshi Pass will be handed over to Shinano Shou, as for Koriyama Castle ......" Hideho thought about it again and again, but he didn't find a suitable candidate, after all, it was the birthplace of the Yamato Toyotomi clan, and its importance should not be underestimated.

"My lord, since it is Yamato-gunyama Castle, please leave its defense to the management of our Yamato." A hoarse, muffled voice came from the retainers in the back row, and everyone followed the voice to see an emaciated elderly man with wide eyes and eagerly awaiting Hideho's answer.

"You're Sugi Wakakoshi?" Xiubao still remembers this person, but the impression is not very clear.

The old man nodded and replied with relief: "It seems that the lord still remembers his subordinates, and the old minister is unintentional." ”

"The boss has been retired for many years, so don't get involved in this kind of thing." Xiubao wanted to reject him directly, but he didn't expect it, but he was choked back by Sugi Ruo's unintentional words.

I saw Sugi Ruo ask with a blank face: "Is the lord still holding a grudge against the Haneda Masayasu incident back then?" ”

"What do you mean by that?" Hideho was puzzled.

"At that time, many wealthy clans of Yamato and Haneda Masaan resisted to mobilize soldiers and civilians for the expedition to Korea, and the lord made an example, changed the Haneda family, and confiscated his 48,000 stone of knowledge, and since then, he has been dissatisfied with our Yamato people, and has gradually drifted away, but the lord has ever known that the retainers who united with Haneda Masaan were only a few, and most of our Yamato people still hope to serve their families wholeheartedly, so why can't they get the lord's forgiveness so far... I would like to take this opportunity to give you a chance to prove our courage and loyalty to all of you! (To be continued.)