"It's unbelievable, in just a few months, Li Xiao really built such a city."

Efsheng Edama rode under Kamioka Castle, looking at this new city that had just stood on the territory of Hida Province, not long ago, it was the territory of the chief family of the Eima family, Lao Kawashang Fuxin, and now it has become the residence of Li Xiao of the Takeda family.

"Father, it's really unwise for you to try to prevent the Takeda family from entering Hida Country," Eima Huisheng muttered to himself, "With the power of the Takeda family, if you really get serious, it will not be difficult to take down Hida, even with the support of the Uesugi family, it will be useless." The only way for our little wealthy family to survive can only be left and right, and when it comes to making a clear position, it may be a catastrophe. ”

"Your Highness Eima, the lord of the castle is already waiting in the castle tower."

Jiang Ma Huisheng hummed, nodded slightly, and as the drawbridge was lowered, he raised his horsewhip and entered the city with his entourage.

At this moment, Li Xiao was on the castle tower in the city, looking at the Jiang Ma family's ambitious highness who was riding a horse on the horse road and wanted to ascend the throne.

In fact, for now, the relationship between the Takeda family and the Eima family is, in standard game terms, an alliance with a friendship level of less than 50 out of 100.

In other words, they both look at each other unpleasantly, but because of some vital interests, they have to be temporarily tied together.

On the surface, good brothers and good partners, but underneath they are in the same bed and have different dreams, each with a ghost, and when necessary, they may stab each other in the back.

After Jiangma Huisheng entered the city.

Li Xiao met with Jiangma Frasers and his entourage at the assessment room of the castle tower of Kamioka Castle, and the two sides held cordial and friendly talks, highly praised the relationship between the two families, and welcomed the existing friendly attitude of the Jiangma family towards the Takeda family.

The above is all on the scene, but in fact, the situation in the castle tower, Li Xiao and Jiangma Huisheng are well aware of it, and they can't see a little friendly sincerity from each other.

"His Royal Highness Jiangma, I haven't seen you for a long time."

"Lord Li Xiao, no, now it's Lord of Shengang City."

Li Xiao laughed and said: "This is thanks to the assistance of His Royal Highness Jiang Ma, otherwise where would I, Li Xiao, have today?" ”

The angry look in Jiang Ma's eyes flashed, but he still said calmly: "All of this is due to your ingenuity and monopoly Master Li Xiao, and I really don't dare to take credit for it." ”

Li Xiao listened to the nail in Jiang Ma's words, just smiled slightly, and asked deliberately: "Your Royal Highness Jiang Ma, it seems that there is a misunderstanding between us, please feel free to say it." ”

Jiangma Huisheng shook his head and said, "Lord Li Xiao, we have no misunderstanding. ”

Li Xiao secretly sneered, thought for a while and said: "Since this is the case, it is Lord Jiangma Changlusuke, there is a misunderstanding of me, when the sister Xiaolu army attacked, I asked your family for help, but I didn't see a single soldier, and as far as I know, Lord Jiangma Changlu didn't seem to be ill at that time." ”

After hearing this, Jiangma Huisheng said indifferently: "My father is over 60 years old this year, how can there be no major and minor illnesses?" It's just a seizure. ”

According to Jiangma Huisheng's words, Jiangma Shisheng's illness may indeed occur randomly, Li Xiaoyan said: "His Royal Highness Jiangma, there is no intention to pursue it in the future, everything has passed, it is not interesting to think about it, we must look at the future." ”

Jiang Ma Hui said in a grand voice: "Lord Li Xiao, I am only here to represent my Jiang Ma family this time, to congratulate the Takeda family on the construction of the city in Shengang City, if there is nothing to do, please allow me to leave here." ”

After that, without waiting for Li Xiao to save it, Jiangma Huisheng got up directly.

Li Xiao was slightly surprised, this Jiangma Huisheng has always been deep in the city, even if his attitude is dissatisfied with himself, it will not be so obvious, and he still shows his emotions three times and twice, so the only possibility is to put on a show to show the entourage around him.

Li Xiao speculated for a while, and had figured out the general situation, it was obvious that Jiangma Fraser had an affair with the Takeda family, and the news had been leaked, so he deliberately expressed his attitude to clear up the relationship with himself.

Li Xiao stood up and said, "Your Highness Jiangma, why be in such a hurry, there is a lot of wind and snow right now, please stay for one night before leaving." ”

In fact, the snow outside the window of the castle tower was not heavy, but Li Xiao, the deputy host, forced the strong posture of the guests to keep the guests, so that Jiangma Huisheng could not refuse, and even his entourage had no choice but to stay.

That night, Li Xiao and Jiangma Fraser had a secret meeting in the castle tower.

Li Xiao said: "Your Highness Jiangma, now there are only you and me, all the words, out of my mouth, that is, into your ears, absolutely no third person hears." Let me emphasize again, at the beginning, His Royal Highness Eima, please entrust your majesty to seize the governor of the Eima family, Lord Takeda and I have never forgotten. ”

Li Xiao paused and continued: "And if the inheritance of my Takeda family is still the same, as long as Master Jiangma Huisheng can let the Jiangma family subdue my Takeda family, then my Takeda family will do my best to help Your Excellency ascend to the throne and become the head of the Jiangma family." ”

Regarding Li Xiao's words, Jiangma Huisheng pondered for a long time, and finally sighed and said: "The situation has reached this point, what else is there to say, father, I have found out that I have a relationship with your Takeda family." I have become the target of public criticism, and if there is a slight change, maybe my father will do a righteous act of killing my relatives. ”

"That's the case," Li Xiao nodded, "But supporting His Highness to the throne is not difficult for my Takeda family, as long as His Highness agrees, after ascending to the throne, subdue my Takeda family, all plans will be carried out as usual." ”

Jiangma Huisheng thought for a while, and asked rhetorically: "Lord Li Xiao, may I ask if I become the governor of the Jiangma family, what will be the benefit to your Takeda family?" Let me guess. ”

Jiangma Huisheng smiled slightly, and said very bluntly: "I think the position of the head of the Jiangma family, for the Takeda family, whoever is the head of the family is the same, but the most important thing is that the attitude must be inclined to the Takeda family." So compared to my father, I'm a really good candidate for the Takeda family.

"The reason is very simple: if I ascend to the throne, then the position will inevitably be improper, and there must be retainers in the family who oppose it openly and secretly disobey, and then I must rely more on the Takeda family to consolidate my position. At that time, it is very likely that Xin Xuangong will use this to coerce the alliance under the city, or to set me up and make me a puppet, and the Takeda family will actually control all this. ”

"And in the end, when my Jiangma Fraser loses its use value, I will be kicked away by your Takeda family, and seek to seize the territory of my Jiangma family, so that it will become the territory of your Takeda family, and when the time comes, Lord Li Xiao, you can obtain all the territory of my Jiangma family and become the daimyo of half of the Hida country, this is your ambition. And I, Jiangma Huisheng, the final ending, can only be given death by you. ”

Li Xiao laughed, this Jiangma Huisheng is really not simple, and he saw through Takeda Shinxuan's plan at a glance.

Jiangma Huisheng also smiled, leaned forward, and asked Li Xiao, "Master Li, you say, am I right?" ”

Facing Jiangma's contempt, Li Xiao said with a little anger: "Your Highness Jiangma, you are really disappointing to me. ”

"Am I not right?"

Li Xiao snorted and said, "Your Highness, to say something disrespectful, it is understandable for you to speculate on the intentions of the lord of your family from such an angle, but if Your Excellency speculates about me Li Xiao in the same way, then I am undoubtedly very disappointed in Your Excellency's ability and judgment." ”

Jiangma Frasers' eyes flashed and asked, "What do you say?" ”

Li Xiao asked rhetorically: "It's very simple, if Your Excellency thinks from the perspective of my Li Xiao's now, rather than the perspective of the Takeda family, how can I act so that my interests can be maximized?" ”

Jiangma Huisheng thought for a while, shook his head and said, "Please make it clear." ”

Li Xiao stood up, put his hands behind his back, and then said: "Hida Country, although the geographical location is important, for the lord of this family, it is the key way to attack Yuezhong, so it must be firmly grasped in his hands." And for me, Li Xiao, the land of Hida Country is barren, the people are poor, the whole day is facing the high mountains, it snows for half a year in the year, and the roads cannot go together, if my future knowledge and practice are here, do you think I will be happy? ”

Jiangma Huisheng was stunned for a moment, and said: "Could it be Lord Li Xiao, do you mean to be in Vietnam?" ”

"Yes, as long as I can get a large area of land in Yuezhong, then what's the harm if just Shengang City gives it to your Jiangma family," Li Xiao said categorically, "This land of five thousand stones, as well as Shengang City, was only obtained by the order of the lord." If I want to get the place of knowledge and action, go directly north to Yuezhong. The north of Vietnam is facing the sea, and there are vast plains, and in the middle of the country, there are rivers such as the Zhuangchuan, Shentong River, and Kurobe River, which are very conducive to farming. And the higher the stone of China, it is ten times higher than that of Hida country. Compared with each other, isn't it too stupid for me Li Xiao not to go to the rich Yuezhong, but to stay in this bitter cold land of Hida. ”

Jiangma Huisheng pondered for a while after hearing this, and then said very happily: "If this is the case, I think with the talent of Lord Li Xiao, how can I be willing to know the five thousand stones of this Hida country, it turns out that your ambition lies in Yuezhong, and your Excellency's ambition is really very admirable." ”

Li Xiao secretly sneered, don't talk about sycophants, I won't take your Hida, of course I'm a good person for you, my ambition, is it just a mere Yuezhong, it's really the ambition of the bird.

Li Xiao still said with a sincere face: "Your Highness Jiangma, it's good to understand me." However, His Royal Highness's consideration is also correct, Hida Country is bound to win for the concerns of my own lord, not because of the high stone here, but because of the geographical advantages here. ”

"If my Takeda family wants to send troops to Echichu, until Echigo is eliminated, Hida Province is the only way to contact my family. Therefore, it is imperative for the family to complete the occupation of Hida Province and establish a passage to Vietnam. I, the Takeda family, must not allow a force similar to the sister Koji family to exist like this, and it must be eliminated! If the same Jiangma family does not surrender, in the future, the lord of Takeda will not be at ease with the Jiangma family, and the back road will be in the hands of others, and it will be annexed one day. ”

After listening to Li Xiao**'s naked explanation of the strategic intentions of the Takeda family, Jiangma Huisheng was shocked into a cold sweat, this Takeda Xinxuan really didn't have a good heart, and he really wanted to send troops to eradicate my Jiangma family.

Li Xiao nodded to Jiangma Huisheng, with a look of great annihilation, and said very sincerely: "Therefore, I have been persuading the pavilion to subdue my Takeda family, not to harm the Jiangma family, but to plan for Your Excellency in the long run, if you don't subdue, it will definitely provoke the crusade army of my Takeda family." This paper-thin alliance is useless. ”

"But if you surrender, it's different. Lord Takeda will treat the Ema family as the second Sanada family, the second Kohata family, and even the second Kiso family. At that time, perhaps the Ema family has lost the posture of reading, but the land of the Hida country is in full control, and the dream of three generations of the Ema family is completed, isn't it just an opportunity for you to rebuild the Jiangma family to glory? ”

Under Li Xiao's carrot and stick, Jiangma Huisheng was obviously shaken, looking worried, obviously his mind was caught in a fierce struggle.

Li Xiaoshen said: "Master Jiangma Huisheng, what are you still hesitating about, you should not be chaotic, but suffer from it." You must know that you are saving your Jiangma family by seizing the position of governor of the Jiangma family, and if you continue to let your stubborn father take charge, you will only plunge the Jiangma family into destruction. ”

Jiangma Huisheng suddenly raised his head, then took a step forward, stared at Li Xiao with his eyes, and asked, "Lord Takeda's intentions are very understandable, but where are the interests that Your Excellency is trying to seek if you are so concerned about the internal affairs of my Jiangma family?" ”

Facing Jiangma Frasers' questioning, Li Xiao knew that this was his last question, as long as he passed this level, Jiangma Frasers would be taken down by himself.

If Jiangma Huisheng ascends to the throne, what benefit will the Jiangma family subjugate to the Takeda family?

Li Xiao didn't think much about it, and asked rhetorically: "Isn't it possible that His Royal Highness Jiang Ma is as wise as Jiang Ma can't guess at all?" ”

Jiangma Fraser was still motionless, waiting for Li Xiao's answer.

Li Xiao sighed and said, "The reason is that I am really dissatisfied with Your Excellency's father. Before, Lord Jiangma walked in my territory to spread rumors, causing the people to misunderstand me, to prevent me from recruiting people to build a city. And this time, my sister Xiaolu's family came to attack me, and Lord Jiangma didn't send a single soldier, which is not only me, but even the head of the family was very angry when he heard about it. So I have reason to question the Eima family's so-called commitment to my Takeda family's alliance. For me Li Xiao, it is better to have such an ally. ”

"Is that all?" Jiangma Fraser continued to ask.

"Of course, it's not just that, Hida, the territory of Yuezhong is too big, with my Li Xiaojin's status in the Takeda family, the lord of this family will not hand over such a large territory to me alone, and he will definitely seal other retainers to manage it, or as a parallel constraint. So for me, no matter which retainer comes to Yuezhong, the territory of Hida is uncertain for me Li Xiao. ”

"Variables?"

Facing Jiangma Huisheng's inquiry, Li Xiao nodded and replied: "Yes, Your Excellency should know very well the situation of my Takeda family, the battle for the throne is not unique to Your Excellency Jiangma family, and my Takeda family is no exception, I am a member of His Royal Highness the Takeda family, Your Excellency should have already known." ”

Jiangma Huisheng nodded, if he didn't even know who Li Xiao's backer was, then the Jiangma family really shouldn't continue to mix in the Hida country.

Li Xiao continued: "His Royal Highness Yoshishin will definitely interfere with my Takeda family's strategy of Hida Country and Viet China in the future, which means that it is very likely that in the future, a large part of the territory expanded by my Takeda family in Vietaka will be included in the hands of His Royal Highness Yoshinobu's subordinates, which will do me all kinds of harm and no benefit." ”

"And Your Excellency's Eima family is different, you are an outsider, you can't participate in the affairs of the Takeda family, if you get the territory, for His Royal Highness Yoshinobu and His Royal Highness Shiro, there is no pressure, and you can acquiesce. Therefore, Li Xiao decided to cooperate with Your Excellency to expand the power of the Jiangma family, so that he could prevent His Royal Highness Yoshinobu from infiltrating Hida and Yuezhong. ”

"And more importantly, my friendship with His Highness is far beyond that of others, I believe that after His Highness takes charge of the position of the governor of the Jiangma family, he will definitely favor me Li Xiao, right?"

Jiangma Huisheng finally came to his senses and said: "I see, Lord Li Xiao, even this is concerned, so if the power of the Jiangma family really wants to expand, then Your Excellency will not allow my father to take the position of the governor of the Jiangma family." If I take charge of the Jiangma family on the surface, it seems to be neutral, but in fact, I am close to you Li Xiao internally, and after that, our two families will be side by side with the Takeda family, and they will be important ministers in Hida, Vietnam and China. Master Li Xiao got a strong arm, which is a far-sighted move. ”

Li Xiao nodded heavily, and then said with an extremely sincere expression: "That's right, this is the reason why I support His Royal Highness Jiang Ma, in a word, I, Li Xiao, can trust His Royal Highness Jiang Ma, but I can't trust anyone else, that's it." ”

Jiangma Huisheng stretched out his hand and patted his thigh, and suddenly looked like he had made a decision.

Then Jiangma Huisheng stood up and said loudly: "Okay, Lord Li Xiao, it's so decisive." I will fully cooperate with you in all your actions. ”

Li Xiaojian finally persuaded Jiangma Huisheng, and suddenly dropped the big stone in his heart and breathed a sigh of relief.

Jiangma Huisheng's eyes were blazing, obviously ambitious, but he didn't get carried away for a while, and said cautiously: "However, with our current strength, it is not enough to bring down my father and control the situation of Jiangma's family for me, everything must be cautious, especially when we talk tonight, we must definitely keep it secret." ”

Li Xiaochengzhu said in his chest: "Of course, but it is imperative to bring down Lord Jiangma, I have decided that after the New Year, I, Li Xiao, will lead my retainers to go to Suwa Castle in the highlands on behalf of my Takeda family to express New Year's congratulations to Your Excellency Father." And when the time comes......"

Li Xiao's words turned sharply, his eyes revealed a resolute look, and a murderous aura was forced in his tone: "When the time comes, we will join forces on both sides to carry out military advice, force your father to step down, and give way to you." ”

Jiangma Fraser was shocked by Li Xiao's bold plan, and originally thought that there would be a buffer period of half a year, a year, or even a few years, but he didn't expect that only a few months later, he would have to carry out this scheme.

Jiangma Huisheng's body trembled, and said, "Wouldn't it be too hasty?" ”

Li Xiao shook his head with a smile and said: "It's not hasty at all, next year, after the beginning of spring, my Takeda family's Hida country expeditionary army will be formed, and if the Jiangma family still has your father's attitude, then the Jiangma family will be the first object of my Takeda family's Hida expeditionary army." At that time, His Royal Highness Jiang Ma will regret everything, and it will be too late. ”

Jiangma Huisheng thought to himself what Li Xiao said, the Takeda family's conquest of the Hida Kingdom, it was really not a lie, and he was now a little secretly glad that he had won the decision so quickly.

Jiangma Huisheng gritted his teeth, and he also looked ruthless, and then said: "Since this is the case, everything is subject to the orders of Lord Li Xiao." ”

(To be continued)