Just as he was talking, a loud voice suddenly came from the entrance:

[Haha, wise man, looking forward to the stars and the moon, I finally looked forward to your old man! 】

This voice, Akechi Kogoro is too familiar, it is Sakuma Morimasa, who is walking out of the entrance with a large group of Shibata retainers.

However, this can also explain his status - since the [Fuchu Three] was completely destroyed, he has become the most powerful military cadre of the Shibata family, plus he is the nephew of the Shibata Katsu family and the moth Yoshiko, so how high his status in the Shibata family is, you can imagine.

However, seeing that people came to greet him, Wise Kogoro felt a little blushing -- there were only two people between himself and Yamazaki Maku, and they were dressed very ordinary, and they were all freshly dressed and angry, and the team greeted each other, which was enough for himself, and in comparison, he was very sorry for others for his appearance.

[I'm sorry, I originally just wanted to come over quietly, at Shibata-sama's place, lick my face and drink two glasses of wine and leave, but I didn't expect you to be so enthusiastic, it's really ......]

Before he could speak, his hand was grabbed by Sakuma Morimasa.

[Eh! Don't say that, what do you mean [licking your face], you and my lord are officials in the same dynasty, and your status is the same, so you will be entertained with the best specifications, go, I'll introduce you, this is the people of our Shibata family. 】

Following Sakuma Morimasa's words, Wise Kogoro greeted the retainers of the Shibata family one by one.

Before entering the castle, the castle lord's youngest son, Shibata Katsuri, his retainer Sakuma Yasumasa, Kanemori Nagakin, Yamaji Masakuni and others were already lined up to greet him. This kind of treatment suddenly made Wise Kogoro feel flattered.

He asked himself that he didn't have a deep relationship with Shibata Katsuie. But the latter attaches far more importance to himself than he imagined. Almost all the characters who can support the scene have been dispatched.

Come to the main castle that is scheduled to be the reception of Wise Kogoro. Katsuya Shibata, who is over sixty years old, is already standing in front of the gate. As soon as he saw Wise Kogoro, he exclaimed:

[Oh, it's finally here!] Kogoro-kun, the old man is ...... But I've been waiting for you for a long time! 】

His voice was no longer violent or impatient, as if it was welcoming the distinguished guest he had been waiting for for so long.

Wise Kogoro gave a proper salute.

[Long time no see, Lord Shibata, you have to be reckless when you come down, so please bear with me, my lord. 】

For him, stepping through this door. It was already since he became acquainted with Shibata Katsuie, and it didn't happen at the behest of Oda Nobunaga.

If this news reached Azuchi Castle, what would Oda Nobunaga, who had been constantly balancing the power of his retainers and trying his best to avoid forming factions for personal gain?

May re-examine the status of their son-in-law?

As soon as he thought of this, Wise Kogoro couldn't laugh even if he wanted to, and a dark cloud rose from his heart.

But on the other hand,

Shibata Katsuie's sincere kindness. Let yourself feel warm inside.

But is this Shibata Katsuie's sincerity? This is a famous family from the Spo Gen clan, a veteran of the two dynasties of the Oda family, and an old man who is not very good-tempered. Actually took the hand of wise Kogoro with red eyes and welcomed him in.

Don't be careless, he probably did it on purpose. In order to let his guard down, he may have secretly prepared to grasp his own language handle in the reception seat. Prepare to report back to Oda Nobunaga.

It's not that I'm thinking too much, but. Since ancient times, only between peers is naked hatred, not to mention that the two are not only peers, but also colleagues, confidants have been called [the first retainer] over the years, and on some levels, they have offended Shibata Katsuya, who is an old man of the pen.

What should I do if he wants to take this opportunity to punch me, or just give me a dismount?

These cloud-shaking things have long been common in history.

In the opinion of the wise Kogoro with a big brain, it is already very strange that Shibata Katsuie, the old man of the pen, took the initiative to invite himself as a junior to Ueno, because this is not what Oda Nobunaga meant, and he is also very skeptical that Shibata Katsuie will really just regard this meeting as a [meeting] today.

He held his head high and made a look of neither humility nor arrogance, but in order to hide his complex and intense psychological activities as much as possible.

When they entered the academy in the city, Kanamori said:

[This is the place where the family arranged for Kogoro-kun to stay, Akechi-sama, and this Yamazaki-sama, can rest here with confidence.] 】

[I'm tired of all the adults. 】

[Come to me, you will be ruled by so many rules, come, let's drink together! ] 】……

【Come!】 Kogoro-kun, I toast you! 】

[No, no, you are a senior, it stands to reason that I should toast you. 】

Wise Kogoro was still a little wary before, constantly speculating about the intentions of the Shibata family, but after a few glasses of wine, he let go.

What kind of pen is old, what is the first minister, people are genuine old rivers and lakes, will they still be unable to get along with their own ghosts?

Anyway, he is Oda Nobunaga's person, and Shibata Katsuya can't do anything to himself.

If he really messes with himself, he will ...... Forget it, I'll think about it later, and for now, I'll drink with confidence!

I mentioned drinking before, and the amount of alcohol that Wise Kogoro drinks is, to a certain extent, worthy of the title of [massive], but today, after meeting Shibata Katsuya, he began to be a little unable to hold on.

The old man had drunk thirty or fifty glasses, and he had no intention of pouring it except for blushing.

[I said...... You're a kid now...... It's famous now ......]

【Old man...... I've always been famous for ......]

[That's in the capital and ...... and Kansai ...... You put Date ...... now Date Masamune was defeated...... It's also considered ...... in the east It's also famous. 】

[Really? More famous than you? 】

[That...... How could that be? Don't be small...... Laugh at the old man. 】

[Hahaha......]

In the midst of the staggering, the atmosphere became harmonious.

Maybe, take the opportunity. Ask about Shibata Katsuie's intentions.

Wise Kogoro looks drunk, but actually. He's awake.

【Shibata-sama.】 】

[Huh? ……】

[Kanto's sake is really delicious. 】

His pace of speech suddenly became calm. Not as drunk as before.

[Really? Delicious...... Drink more, come, fill up another glass! 】

[Thank you...... Tsk, what a good wine...... But then again, good wine has to be drunk by those who have the ability...... Shibata-sama,]

[Huh? 】

Wise Kogoro leaned in in a tentative tone.

[In order not to drink your wine in vain, you let me do something for you.] 】

[Alas! A little water wine, what's worth ...... Well?!!! 】

Shibata Katsuie's eyes suddenly widened, and he looked drunk. It also disappeared suddenly, and became serious.

It turned out that, like Akechi Kogoro, he was also pretending to be drunk.

Wise Kogoro's smile remained the same--perhaps Shibata Katsuie's reaction was entirely expected by him, and he didn't think he could fool the latter.

The two men looked at each other for a few seconds.

The atmosphere at the banquet was still strong, and Makuichi Yamazaki was almost drunk, but those people from the Shibata family were still pushing the cups and changing the lamps, so it was not lively.

【Continue to drink ......】

[Don't be reckless. I know you're going to run out of drinks...... Hmm, I can't do it either......]

No one noticed that something was wrong with the Chief's atmosphere.

Simply, until the two finished looking at each other. None of them noticed anything strange between them.

After a few seconds, Shibata Katsuie's eyes became calm, and he said in a nonchalant tone:

【The wine is delicious. But I'm here, I've got better tea here. Wise sir, I don't know if you'd like to make a face. Let the old man do a tea ceremony. 】

[It's my honor to be able to drink the tea made by Shibata-sama.] 】

[Okay, good, the old man finally understands that the general will appreciate the wise lord so much, hahaha, you are really a person who can make everyone feel comfortable. 】

Shibata Katsuie smiled happily.

[Come, just scold me for this, I want to toast you again, come, full! ] 】

[I can't help it......]

Wise Kogoro smiled and took the glass.

[I'm glad to be praised by an old-timer like you......]

He looked natural and drank it all in one gulp.

Shibata Katsuie laughed heartily.

He was glad that what he lacked when he was young was exactly what Wise Kogoro has now.

When I was young, my habits of doing things were all based on my likes and dislikes, love and hate, and if I said it well, I would love and hate, and if I said it badly, I would be willful.

When I entered middle age, I realized that many things are not so [taken for granted].

If he could have been as exquisite as Wise Kogoro a few decades ago, he would not have taken so many detours in this life.

[Wise Lord, tomorrow we will go to Akagi Mountain for a tour, so that you can see the scenery of our Ueno country, and then we will go to the ancient bridge together, and the old man will choose a good horse for you with his own hands...... Don't shirk it, although we are a little poor, but when it comes to good horses, there is! …… Also, after we come back from the ancient bridge horseback riding, the old man will take you to Ikaho Hot Springs......]

[You're too polite......]

Seeing that Shibata Katsuya was so enthusiastic, Wise Kogoro finally put his mind at ease. He had never seen Shibata Katsuya so bold and so happy, maybe the two of them didn't have much contact before, he was surprised, and he couldn't help but have a good impression of [Ghost Shibata].

As for drinking tea, wait until after the banquet is over.

Shibata Katsuie's tea ceremony level turned out to be very good, which surprised Akechi Kogoro a little.

Although I learned the tea ceremony with Takakei Kobayakawa as my teacher, it is difficult to say what I have really learned.

【Speaking of the tea ceremony...... I started learning the tea ceremony when I was about thirty-four or five years old, because at that time I was already the elder of the Oda family, and as an elder of the family, I couldn't just fight wars, and if I didn't learn something that was used for socializing in officialdom, I would be laughed at. (To be continued.) )