In the second year of Tensho (1574), just after the New Year, Hosokawa Nobumoto received two pieces of news, one was good news and the other was bad news.

The bad news is that for some reason, Kodera suddenly fell to the Maori family, and before Kuroda Takaka's ass was hot, he hurried to meet Hosokawa Nobumoto.

"My lord! The small temple family must have been instigated by the evil villain to turn away from their own family, please see the lord! Kuroda Takashi bowed and went down, and secretly said that the political position of the small temple was not competitive, and he began to waver not long after he left.

"I can understand your feelings, but since his Xiaosi family has publicly stated that he is on the enemy side, if his family does not respond, won't it make the world laugh?" Hosokawa Nobuyuan's face was gloomy, if it weren't for Kuroda Takataka's face, he would have slapped the table and cursed.

Dealing with the enemy, Hosokawa Nobumoto may eventually open the net, but as his own subordinate, he is determined to make an example of killing a hundred people. Thinking that back then, Ota Dingjiu rebelled, and he directly asked Ishikawa Goemon to take his head, which shows how much he hates this kind of wall grass that betrays him.

"The Lord is angry! The subordinates are willing to use their lives as a guarantee! This is by no means the original intention of the Kotera family! Lord! "Kuroda Takataka desperately pleaded for the old master, for fear that if one was not good, he would be like the Hatano family, and even the family name would be lost.

Hosokawa Nobumoto quietly looked at Kuroda Takataka, willing to gamble his life for the sake of his old master, but instead of disgusted, he valued him more and more, this kind of loyalty is really commendable.

"Okay, although you say so, the family can't let it go, right? If there is no punishment for this, then how can the family manage its own rule? How else to stand up and convince the public? Hosokawa Nobumoto is mainly worried that if this evil wind is not stifled, sooner or later there will be that kind of "downward" thing.

"Please, Lord! The subordinates are willing to go to the small temple house in person to understand the specific situation and ensure that the matter is handled fairly and will not cause harm to the family! Kuroda Takakachi gritted his teeth and decided to go in person, no matter what, he wanted to drag Kodera back to the camp of the Hosokawa family.

"Hmm..."Hosokawa Nobumoto silently lowered his head in thought, his fingertips unconsciously tapping on the floor, and Honda Masanobu also looked at him worriedly, as if he had something to say.

"Okay, then you go to Xiaoji's house, severely reprimand Xiaoji's political office, and let him take hostages, otherwise don't blame me for being ruthless!" Hosokawa Nobumoto finally gave Kuroda Takataka enough face, after all, talent is much more important than territory, he knows that this matter is agreed, then from now on, Takataka will definitely follow him with all his heart.

"Whew... Thank you, Lord! The subordinates will definitely do their best..."Kuroda Takataka breathed a long sigh of relief, and was about to continue taking the oath or something, but was interrupted by Hosokawa Nobumoto waving his hand.

"But! It's not indefinite for you to go! Well... It just so happens that I'm also going to invade Harima Province and crusade against Bessho, so complete your mission before I arrive! Otherwise, it will be determined that the Kotera family is unfaithful! Hosokawa Nobumoto admonished him with a serious expression.

"Yes! If your subordinates know, then your subordinates will do it! "Kuroda Takataka knew that time was pressing, and the Hosokawa family was not like other daimyos, and it took ten days and a half to mobilize a peasant army. Hosokawa family is always available! Summoned and gone!

"Well, go ahead, besides... Stay safe. Hosokawa Nobumoto didn't forget to give a word of advice, which made Kuroda Takaka's heart warm and extremely moved.

Honda Masanobu watched him walk away until he bowed down and said, "Lord, you can't let him go back!" ”

"Oh? Why? Hosokawa Nobumoto looked at Honda Masanobu in surprise.

"My lord, the officers and soldiers are known for their eloquence and strategy, if such people become enemies, they must be the henchmen of their own family! Just now, his subordinates watched his words and deeds, never forgetting the old master, and pleading for him everywhere, which shows that this person has not yet returned to his heart. If he is let go back, the political position of the small temple will give the old favor again, and he will definitely vote for the old master again, so wouldn't it be a return to the mountain? Therefore your servants think, "If you do not use it for me, you will be killed by me." Honda Masanobu had a gloomy face, like a black-bellied prime minister.

"Hahaha! Yahachiro, this time you've lost your eyes, and I'm sure Kanbei won't fail me. Hosokawa Nobumoto had a non-suspicious expression, in fact, he knew Kuroda Takataka's personality too well in his heart, which was the advantage of the traverser.

"But... Lord, I have to guard against it. Honda Masanobu didn't know this, and the two of them had only been in contact for a short time, so they naturally had to be worried.

"Okay, no need to say any more, even if the political position of Koji really keeps him, then he will definitely refuse, at most, he will go to the field to escape the world, and the two will not help each other. It's a big deal, when the family destroys the small temple family, just ask him to go out of the mountain. Seeing that Hosokawa Nobugen was so confident, Honda Masanobu didn't say anything anymore, and it was time to arrange the battle.

But there is also good news that the Kitada family took advantage of the New Year to send someone to make peace, and the messenger was the son-in-law of Matsunaga Shu: Kitada Masanari.

Nowadays, the contradiction between the north and south of the Oda system is getting bigger and bigger, and Hashiba Hideyoshi has extended his hand to Xitian County in Central America, and now Oda Nobutaka is gone, this is his territory. Therefore, for the sake of the small 5,000-stone territory of Xitian County, a small armed conflict broke out in Ishihara Village, and both sides suffered casualties.

And Tsuda Nobusumi, who was originally supported by the Shibata Katsuya, married the fourth daughter of Akechi Mitsuhide: Akechi Zhuzi, despite the opposition of others, which was naturally accused by Yushiba Hideyoshi and other well-meaning people, thinking that he must have secretly colluded with Akechi Mitsuhide. Shibata Katsuya was disappointed, so he had to fall to Oda Nobutaka, support Nobutaka to become the head of the Oda family, and publicly break with the Yushiba family, which must also have the ear of Oda City.

Hosokawa Nobugen was naturally happy, and soon reached a reconciliation with the Kitada family, although the North and South Oda families were reluctant, but they were already ready to fly, and they couldn't care much about it.

In this way, the garrison of the Shima country will be relaxed, and the Shima preparation can also be drawn out to participate in the later battles, which can also allow this new army to hone and let them see blood.

In addition, at the time of the New Year's party, Niwa Nagahide also passed on goodwill, and Sakamoto was also liberated. He also saw that Hosokawa Nobumoto was determined to be in the world, and for those of the northern and southern Oda systems who only cared about small profits, the gap in the pattern was not a little bit.

As a result, Hosokawa Nobumoto mobilized Sakamoto Bei, Shima Bei, Saga Bei, Dinghai Bei, Thunder Artillery Battalion, Wind Cavalry Battalion, and Water Army Battalion, and summoned the Sanuki Four Hao clans, Hosokawa Sanjia, Ikeda Hengxing, and Hosokawa Shinyuki, with a total strength of nearly 30,000 troops, and began the journey to the west.