The small courtyard is surrounded by tall trees, and the official road outside the gate is deserted, and the wind blowing from Lake Biwa is already a bit of a comfortable dampness, and after passing through the dense forest, it adds a sense of emptiness and tranquility to the valley.

This is a small inn in the Kannonji Mountain, because it is located on the edge of the official road leading from Kyoto to Azuchi, and sometimes some passing daimyo or ministers rest here, so the environment and facilities are quite good.

In the Nara and Asuka periods, the centralized government had a system at the local level, although it was not very perfect. At that time, there were some post stations on the major official roads, which were responsible for receiving officials who came and went, but they were gradually abandoned after the Pingyuan War. However, passers-by must have a place to eat and sleep no matter what, and "noble" people must not bluff, so private high-end hotels have also arisen. However, according to my personal speculation, there are probably many famous spies in such a well-informed place.

This inn called "Shangzhou Pavilion" is located on one of the busiest golden routes, so the scale grade belongs to the very high one. Not only are there two small buildings as the main body of the guest house, but there is even an exquisite courtyard dedicated to entertaining distinguished guests.

I was lying in a corridor under the eaves of this small courtyard, half-asleep with my eyes closed. Senkomaru sat not far from me, reading a book, muttering words in his mouth and writing a word on the floor with his hand from time to time. The sun was already in the west, and the courtyard was quiet.

Following the advice of Nagano Yoshimasa and Hanbei Takenaka, I picked up Senkomaru from Sakai Town and started this slow and leisurely journey. Along the way, I dressed lightly and avoided all fortresses and towns, and did not accept anyone's receptions and banquets, and even went around Kyoto. In this way, it is the eighth day of the short journey.

"Squeak~ah, ah......" The small firewood door in the courtyard was gently opened, and a person crept in. He didn't say anything more, but I could sense that he was gesturing to Senkomaru again.

"Is it Sakichi?" I lay there motionless with my eyes closed, but knew there would be no one else at this time.

"Yes! Lord, it's me! Seeing that I was actually awake, he said in a normal volume. The attendants outside are ready, please ask when the lord and the young master will be on their way! Maybe he was afraid that I didn't think of it, so he finally reminded again: "It's not early at this time, and if you don't go to Antu, I'm afraid it's going to be night!" ”

"We're not leaving today, you go and arrange for everyone to stay!" It didn't take much thought to make this decision, and at the moment I wish it had been a long one.

"Yes!" Sakurai Sakichi said yes and prepared to turn around and go out, even though he didn't understand the need to stay right away so early.

"Is there any place around here that would be suitable for a temple?" I asked suddenly. In Japan, it seems that many big people have to build a temple to commemorate important events in their lives. I didn't have this habit in the past, so I wonder if this is the reason why my luck is starting to fail.

"This ...... My subordinates don't know, so I have to go and visit! ”

"Hmm!" With a wave of my hand, I sent him away, and it wasn't urgent.

"Father! If I go to see my lord at this time, will I be punished? "After the two of us are left again," Senkamaru asked with concern. This time, my father lost the Kyushu War, and almost sent out the Kyushu that had already arrived. Although the lord had nothing in Kyushu before, it would be another matter to lose it after getting it, and the lord ...... him" Thinking of Oda Nobunaga's possible "anger", his body trembled slightly.

"How's it going, are you scared?" I sat up and turned around, facing him and said, "There aren't many people who can really scare me right now, but the lord can definitely be regarded as one." I can tell what he was thinking, but I can't tell what he was going to do, which means he probably did something out of the ordinary on purpose. You're still young, and it's not a shame to be afraid! I'll tell you ...... truth," I said mysteriously, "the first time I went to battle was in the barrel room, and I was trembling all night!" ”

"I ...... Unafraid! Senkomaru's face was a little pale, but his voice and body did not shake.

"Don't worry, there won't be much of a problem!" I'm already very satisfied with his performance, it's not terrible to have no ability, if you lose even the energy, you won't be saved. "In the current situation where it is basically a big profit, the lord will not risk a total collapse to execute me. The biggest punishment is to imprison me, and that's it! ”

"Seclusion?" Senkomaru was a little stupid.

"Confinement, and tell me to retreat!" I nodded, my tone slightly heavy. "I found a place in or Owari and let me live as a monk. At that time, you were the governor of the Zhuxing family, don't forget that you are his son-in-law! ”

"But...... But ......" This time, Xian Limaru stammered, and his expression looked a little overwhelmed. Although he has been indoctrinated with "future responsibility" since he was a child, he is still extremely nervous once he really faces this position.

"It's nothing, once you're in that position, make sure to sit it down!" At this time, there could be no ambiguity, and I said to him: "Yes, your prestige is not enough, but it is not without strengths. In order to firmly control the current power of the Zhuxing Family, the lord must seize your 'banner', and those retainers who have been following me will not be willing to lose what they have in their hands now, so you are the 'balance point' between the two of them. It's a tough road, but I'm sure you can make it! ”

"Father! I ......"

"That's it! I don't require you to have mature ideas right now, but you really should start thinking about them now! I stopped what he might have said and continued: "It's not certain, I don't think there's a 100% chance it actually happening. After all, taking me out directly is a big change of blood for all the factions of the Oda family, and now the lord may not be ready for this. But be prepared for something like this to happen sooner or later! ”

"Yes!" This time he just nodded.

"But no matter what the outcome will be this time, your weight will be greatly increased!" In order to relieve the pressure in his heart, I laughed and joked. "It's almost August in a blink of an eye, and according to the previous agreement, you are about to be served. This time, the lord of Antu may have to arrange your marriage, what do you think? Princess Atsuru and Maeda-sama's daughter are both outstanding beauties, and your heart must have blossomed! ”

"Father, you can arrange it, I will definitely do my best!" Although Senkomaru's face was like a red cloth, it didn't show a twisted look, on the contrary, there was a lack of interest.

"Oh?" I was stunned, but then relieved.

It's not surprising that Xian Limaru has no interest in Tsuruhime, and it can be said that the two of them didn't know each other before, so naturally they couldn't talk about any feelings. However, it is not surprising at all in this era, political marriage has always been like this, as the head of the family, I and the future head of the family, he must choose this way, this is the "responsibility" on our shoulders.

"I think your official position will come down before the wedding, this is another grand event......" I quietly changed the subject, their own feelings can only be honed by themselves.

"It's going to be a very lively party, right?" Xian Limaru, who had been listening to me with his head down, suddenly asked, with a little "eagerness" in his expression.

"That's natural! Whether people on all sides are willing or not, they all have to express their ...... to some extent: "I didn't notice his abnormality, I was just immersed in my mood that had improved." "Even if I retire, the lord will make a big deal about it. The first is to create an atmosphere for you to take over the Stars Family, and the second is to show the world that the Oda Family's most powerful Stars Legion is as always. This is also the basic means of being a ruler: to make your subordinates tremble all the time when you are stable, and to want others to feel that it is nothing when you are in turmoil! ”

"Will His Highness Ikeda come?" He didn't seem to hear my teachings clearly, and kept thinking about his own thoughts.

"Of course come back, with our relationship, he can't ignore it! Maybe someone else is already in peace at this time...... Oh! After answering this question, I suddenly understood what he meant, and looked at the "child" in front of me in surprise.

This child is indeed older, and he has his own thoughts in his heart. In the past, I resigned from Chacha's marriage just out of my own considerations, and I didn't really think about Xian Limaru's own thoughts. "But who can say for sure? Maybe only what you can't get is the best! "I consoled myself with these words in my heart that seeing the future can sometimes be a painful thing.

"You will have many opportunities and opportunities to choose by yourself in the future, so be rare for yourself at that time!" That's all I can say.

"Yes, Father!" Senkamaru agreed, apparently understanding what I meant this time.

"Let's go out before dinner and see what Sakichi and Sadatomo are doing!" I stood up and walked to the door, where the sun was no longer so bright.

"Please forgive me, my lord, I don't see you now!" As soon as we walked out of the courtyard, we heard Imu Hanqi talking to someone outside the gate.

"I have known His Royal Highness Yuzhou for a long time, since I met him on the road, how can I not come to see him!" A slightly hoarse baritone was still trying, clearly not wanting to give up. I do have some impression of this voice, but it doesn't seem familiar.

I took a few more steps forward, and from this position I could see some of the view outside the door. There was a group of forty or fifty people parked on the avenue, and the two samurai led by it were talking to Imu Hanshichi.

"It's him!" I recognized the man.

"His Royal Highness Yuzhou!" The taller of the two samurai saw me.