I probably understand Oda Nobunaga's thoughts, and his attention has completely shifted to the comprehensive balance of forces in the world at the moment. Therefore, it is far more urgent to establish a glorious image than to pacify one or two rebellious wealthy families...... Oda Nobunaga didn't value him as much as Araki Murashige. In a sense, I even felt that Oda Nobunaga liked him a little.

According to Oda Nobunaga's intentions, I made a lot of noise in Kyoto, and if this is not justified, then there is no such thing in this world. But it's not the same thing to always drag, after entering December, I started to enter the army, and if I am more cautious, I may have to spend the New Year outside!

Of Yamato's 450,000 koku land, 250,000 koku is in the hands of Matsunaga Shu, mainly in the areas where Shinkiyama Castle in the west, Tamon Castle in the north, and Yamato-gunyama Castle in the central part are the main support points. It must be said that his talent in this area is extraordinary, relying on the strength of the Miyoshi family to lay a territory for himself, and he is also operating like an iron bucket. In addition, in Iga, Hanoi, and Settsu, there was also a small piece of land under his control.

An interesting phenomenon occurred during the Muromachi period, when the guardianship of Yamato fell into the hands of the famous Kofukuji Temple, and although this branch later declined, the Tsutsui family was a powerful branch that stood out. Originally, they controlled most of Yamato, but they were later squeezed out of the central region by Matsunaga Shu. At present, Tsutsui Shunkei only controls the southern area of more than 100,000 stones centered on Tsutsui Castle, and has long resisted the pressure from the northern "neighbors" with the dangerous terrain. The others are some small city lords who are in the cracks everywhere, and the difference in strength makes them only grass on the wall.

My soldiers and horses have arrived at the foot of Tawen Castle, where 2,000 soldiers under the command of Matsunaga are stationed. The terrain here is okay, but the city defense is relatively strong, and I ordered the troops to trap the defenders on three sides, and I myself was not far away on the Showei Mountain, and I wanted to see Matsunaga Xiu's reaction.

It just so happened that the half-guard of Takenaka came from Izumi to see me, so I set up a seat on the hill and invited him to talk to the Gamo clan. This is under a big pine tree on the top of the mountain, the scenery from far and near can be seen in full view, it is really a fertile field surrounded by mountains, and it is a place of outstanding people at a glance.

"What a place!" I sighed as I held my glass. "There are many good places in the world, but my favorite ones are Omi and Yamato. The land is vast and densely populated, and it is surrounded by Kyoto and Sakai Town, which are among the world's most prosperous and lively places. Coupled with abundant products and humanities, it is really a good place to raise people! ”

"Controlling these two places not only allows you to control the abundant resources, but it is also extremely convenient for Kyoto to go to Luo once there is something!" The Gamo clan added to me with a smile that his position as a deputy military division has been done well. "When it comes to the need for a great power, no one is as convenient as the people in these two places. While others are still on the way, they have already taken control of the situation and grasped the name of righteousness. The advantage of mastering the imperial court is that you can beat your opponent into an enemy and a chaotic party at any time, and this condition is really unique! ”

"That's why the lord let the Yamato split and mess up, and pinch Omi in his own hands!" I drank the wine from my glass and continued to patrol this land that could not possibly belong to me, squinting my eyes. "What do you say!" I asked casually, and I hadn't heard his voice for a long time.

"Where there is a advantage, there must be a disadvantage, and everything in the world is like this!" Hanbei Takenaka took a chopstick and dipped it in wine and drew it gently on the table, and I didn't understand what it was after looking at it for a long time, it didn't look like a picture or a handwriting. "It's so tempting to control the 'fruit' of the imperial court, and the daimyo with a little strength wants to reach out and try to pick it. But the court is where the righteousness of the world lies, and no matter how weak it is, it can't be used as a nominal justification. So what to do? The only option is to choose another target from the left. Looking at the history since the Onin Rebellion, the Hosokawa family, the Miyoshi family, the Rokkaku family, and the current Inner Mansion Hall have been the most defeated by the Waibo princes. What is the reason for this, the world is the target! ”

"If you can wear such a big 'hat' today, only the lord is an old man!" I made a slightly sycophant joke, and sure enough, they all laughed. It turned out that Oda Nobunaga was most afraid of Takeda Shingen, and Uesugi Kenshin was also a little scrupled, but now that these two people were dead, he immediately felt that his figure had become taller. However, this is not to say that he is not suspicious, but he has changed his originally level-headed gaze to a downward squint. There is no prudence about the opponent now, but now he is beginning to think about the problem of "house thief", maybe the person who is in a high position and holds a lot of power and wealth will become like this when he gets old!

"I heard that the lord once mentioned: Matsunaga Xiu's tricks are not anything new, and it is not bad to have such a person who no one will trust there!" Gamo said suddenly, reaching forward with his chopsticks to pick up a piece of rosin fish on the other side of the table.

"Then what do you think of Shunkei Tsutsui?" Now that Shunkei Tsutsui is becoming more and more active, I have to think about taking care of his enthusiasm. As for the source of the news from the Gamo clan, since he didn't say it, I don't need to ask.

"It's been a long time since the lord mentioned him!" The Gamo clan caught the piece of fish, put it in his mouth and chewed it. "Actually, don't look at him jumping up and down in recent years, but in fact, there is no place in the lord's heart. If it weren't for someone reminding me at some times, the lord wouldn't have thought of such a person at all! Let me see that if nothing else comes along, then his position ends here. ”

"What kind of price does it take, you can let go of Matsunaga Show this time?" I know that this "poisonous snake" can't be killed this time, whether it is from Oda Nobunaga's intentions or Matsunaga Hide's methods, this time I can only let him run. But I can't make it so easy for this old fellow, at least scrape his skin.

"One or two treasures are fine, but they must be famous!" The Gamo clan knew this situation quite well, but it could also be that Oda Nobunaga deliberately asked him to pass it on.

"That's right......" I thought a little, and the food in my mouth lost its taste for a moment.

When I first arrived in San'in, Matsunaga Shu gave me a little "mix", but I was immediately rebuffed, and neither of us tore their faces. In general, this guy has not caused me much harm, and according to the course of history, he has also reached a stage where his intelligence and luck have declined together. But I always feel a heartfelt unsteadiness for this person, and he is still strong, and he is not dying like the Ukita Naoya. By the way, I have verified the latter point, and I am afraid that it will not be a few months.

"My lord, do you feel sorry that you can't take this opportunity to get rid of Matsunaga in one fell swoop?" After all, Takenaka Hanbei has been following me for more than ten years, and I can see the worry in my heart at once.

"yes!" I nodded a little dullly, it was really disturbing to keep such a guy in my backyard when I was about to go on an expedition to Shikoku.

"Although the main hall has made it quite clear that Matsunaga will still be useful in the future, there are also lessons to teach him!" Takenaka Hanbei said suddenly, and it seemed that he already had a belly case. "There's a lot to be done here, as long as we seize the opportunity, we can give him a heavy blow!"

"How?" I'm interested.

"Matsunaga is a cunning man, but he has a greedy nature!" Takenaka Hanbei continued to explain: "Presumably he already knew his situation at this time, and he also understood that even if the lord occupied his city, he would definitely quit in the end to avoid suspicion. For this reason, he must have bypassed the lord and sent someone directly to the main hall, so that he could get more benefits for himself! ”

"That's how it should be!" I nodded silently. Two days ago, the Shokin-cho Jixiu sent a letter saying that the people on Matsunaga's side ignored his temptation to intercede, but instead contacted Prince Seihito to speak for him by persuading Shuji Haruhi to do so. This made Masakincho Jihide very angry, and hoped that I would not be "too polite" to Matsunaga.

"But this back and forth will take a lot of time, the lord can ......" Takenaka Hanbei smiled secretly, drank a glass of wine and said: "Continue to play the true character of the 'benevolent and righteous sage', and greatly help others." Although the lord will not be interested in Yamato's territory, it may not be possible for others to have such thoughts. I think the lord has already thought of such a person, and now he just needs to fan the fire more vigorously! ”

"Sure enough!" The Gamo clan is wonderful. Although Takenaka Hanbei didn't say it too clearly, he already understood it.

"There will be no shortage of such people at any time...... "I also understood in my heart.

************************************************

Tsutsui Shunkei came to my camp that night, and this time I received him very warmly. He had come to do my bidding, and I did have a "good" job for him.

"His Royal Highness Tsutsui is really positive, it seems that I have misunderstood you a little before!" I pressed him to the chair next to me. "With the plan of an upright person like His Highness, the matter of Yamato is hopeful!"

"It's where I rely on His Highness Yu Zhou......" he felt a little uncomfortable.

"It should be you and I helping each other, if it's too polite, you don't need to say it!" After I said this enthusiastically, a cloud of sadness suddenly appeared on my face. "This is a rare opportunity to quell the turmoil, but as for how to settle the heavy Yamato of, His Royal Highness may still have all kinds of considerations. I will return to Izumi soon, and if Your Highness wants to have a plan, the only way to do it is to whip it early! ”

"This ...... It's early! After all, the battle hasn't started yet...... "He was a little dazed by my "care".

"The situation on the battlefield is changing rapidly, and His Royal Highness will have to marry someone else if he has a slight bluff!" I'm anxious for him. "At present, Matsunaga's troops are concentrated in two places, Shinguiyama Castle and Tamon Castle, and Yamato-gunyama Castle is only a thousand ashigaru garrisons. It shouldn't be too much of a problem to take it with His Highness's strength, not to mention that I have arranged for ......" I explained to him in detail.