Hideki and Kinoshita Toyoshiro return to the city, interrupting me and Mitsu's pet plans.

"His Royal Highness Xuanjing! …… Would you like to help? Fujiyoshiro asked hurriedly without regard to politeness.

"Yes. Xiujing persuaded me just now...... Considering our friendship and kinship, I will agree to your request! I frowned, my face aching. This expression is not pretended. The thought of losing the Mino trade route, losing a lot of income, and finding a way to entrap the Hattori Party really hurts me.

"That's so much appreciated...... Thank you also Your Highness Xiujing! Fujiyoshiro thanked him again and again.

"It's a relative, it should be," Xiujing said with a smile, "Your Highness Fujiyoshiro, you're too anxious." Even if my brother has concerns, there is no need to leave in such a hurry! It's rare to come here, how can I let my brother do his best to be a landlord. ”

"Yes. I just want to make other preparations as soon as possible...... It's really too anxious. Toyoshiro nodded in acknowledgement.

"That's it, I'll go back to Cheongju with you tomorrow. This matter involves the Kawanami people and the Hattori Party, and the lord should have expressed it...... Otherwise, I wouldn't be able to convince them, and I wouldn't even be able to open my mouth. I sighed.

"Please." Fujiyoshiro leaned over and saluted.

The next day, I returned to Kiyosu Shin with Fujiyoshiro to meet Nobunaga.

"So, what do you think should be done?" Hearing my concerns, Nobunaga asked.

"Back to the lord, the Hattori Party and the Kawakawa are not subordinate to the family at present. The Hattori Party is okay, but once Kawanomie provides that level of assistance, he will actually turn his back on the Saito family and go to us...... Your Majesty has the courage to ask the lord to make a promise to the people in advance, so that I can ask them for their assistance. ”

"Hmm...... The territory of the Sichuan and the people is in Zhongzhong, right, there are 10,000 stones? Nobunaga asked.

"Yes, in Kamobara-gun, the Ijo Mitsui Castle is about four miles from Inabayama Castle and Inuyama Castle (1 Honri = 36 towns = 3.927 km; 1 town = 60 rooms = 109.09 m). The total height of the two houses is 11,000 stones, and the actual height is 14,000 stones. ”

"Then, tell the people of Kawana, and I will guarantee that they will be safe. In the event that their territory is violated, I will personally lead the forces to support. ”

"But my lord, Minami is the scope of His Highness Inuyama's strategy!" I hurriedly reminded.

I mentioned the distance between Inuyama and Mitsui Castle in the hope that Nobunaga would be able to convince Nobukiyo Tsuda to provide support. As far as I know, the rebellion of Nobuqing was in the second half of the year, and the first action after that was to capture the castle of Taka Masasao in Sakai in the first month. This is still half a year away from now, which is enough for me to turn around for Sichuan and the public. In addition, Unuma Castle, which Tsuda Nobukiyo is currently attacking, is next to the territory of the Beesuka family, and in order to be able to attack Unuma Castle from another direction, Tsuda Nobukiyo should be happy to assist the Wasuka family.

"There is no agreement that this is the case. It's just that Inuyama is close to Central Mino, so he is in charge of that direction," Nobunaga disagreed, "But with Mitsui Castle as a support, the main family can intervene in Central America, and then attack Inabayama Castle from the two directions of Sumamata and Mitsui!" ”

Obviously, Nobunaga wanted to put aside the letter list and swallow Mino alone, leaving Nobukiyo with soup to drink.

He has always been like this, always constantly testing the bottom line of others, in order to maximize the use of the other party or obtain the greatest benefits. If he is making a straight flush in the narrow barrel, then now he is playing baccarat, and he always tries to make up nine points to kill the Quartet. However, it's easy to blow your cards out......

I secretly complained, he was so greedy, would he let Tsuda Nobukiyo's rebellion advance?

"My lord...... "I tried to persuade the letter to be generous.

"So it was decided! In this way, Kawa and the people will not have any worries...... You tell them that way, and let them work hard to give. After I capture Inabayama Castle, I will seal them with 10,000 stones! Nobunaga waved his hand.

“…… Be! I reluctantly left the meeting room with Fujiyoshiro.

Despite my suspicions, I went to Mino again and discussed it with Wasuka Masakatsu in person.

After listening to my demands and conditions, Wasuka Masakatsu was silent for a long time.

"It's time to make up your mind!" He suddenly said something to himself firmly, and at the same time clenched his left fist and smashed it into the palm of his right hand.

"So, His Highness Zhengsheng agreed?"

Wasuka Masakatsu nodded: "For His Royal Highness Xuanjing, Changkang and I have complete trust. Since it is the request of His Royal Highness Xuanjing, there is nothing to say...... What's more, when His Royal Highness Xuanjing went to Owari, Changkang had made a promise on behalf of Chuan and the people. ”

"You and Changkang's hearts, I Xuanjing is very moved," I replied sincerely, "Please rest assured that you two will join our family, the lord has already promised the status of the two of them......"

"I beg your pardon, there's something wrong here." Wasuka Masakatsu interrupted me, but his attitude became very respectful.

"His Royal Highness Zhengsheng, please just say it, you're welcome." I followed with a solemn attitude.

"To tell you the truth, since we joined the Saito family, Nagayasu and I have been quite embarrassed in Mino," Wasuka Masakatsu smiled wryly, "Mino is very geographically important in the country, but the Kawanami people originally had no roots in Mino, and most of them were still Owari people, including the chief. Therefore, this family has always had no status in the main family. The situation has become even more serious since the gang of wealthy clans led by the three people took control of Mino, and recently it seems that there is support for the Kato family and the Ichiyanagi family to jointly expel the main family from Mino......"

"His Royal Highness Zhengsheng's words, I Xuanjing fully understands." I nodded.

"When I joined the Saito family, it was the kindness of His Royal Highness Noshu (Saito Yoshiryu's last official position was Minomori). But now Mino is in charge of the three people, and it is difficult to protect itself even below...... So, it's time to leave. Wasuka Masakatsu said with a gloomy expression.

"Please rest assured His Highness Zhengsheng, I Xuanjing will earnestly overwrite His Highness Zhengsheng with this intention, and promise not to let His Highness Zhengsheng be misunderstood and treated slowly." I assured him solemnly.

"Regarding this, as long as His Highness Xuanjing understands." Masakatsu Wasuka nodded.

"Why is that?" I asked in surprise.

"His Royal Highness Oda's surname and way of doing things, I have learned it before, and it is probably difficult to get along. But His Royal Highness Xuanjing is worthy of trust and trust...... Therefore, please accept the allegiance of the Kawa people with His Royal Highness Xuanjing! Masakatsu Wasuka leaned down deeply.

“…… It's just that my Xuanjing's current territory is much worse than His Royal Highness Zhengsheng! ”

"Is Your Highness sustained by the income of the realm?" Wasuka Masakatsu asked rhetorically.

"But now it is very likely that Mino Business Road will not be able to be saved." I sighed softly.

"Compared with a Meinong trade road, His Royal Highness is more worthy of long-term reliance - this is what both Xia and Changkang think. And the people of Sichuan are able to have today, and it is precisely because of the grace of His Highness...... So, from now on, please leave everything to Your Highness! He leaned down again.

"Then, I will borrow a lot from you," it was an unexpected surprise to be able to get the effect of the Sichuan and the public. I sat down solemnly and agreed to the contribution of Wasuka Masakatsu: "Please Zhengsheng as the elder of the family, Changkang as the general of the family, and carry forward the family business together!" ”

"Your Majesty has received orders. Please allow your retainers to come and meet Your Highness. Wasuka Masakatsu said.

"Forget it, this time I came in a hurry, and I may have to leave in a hurry. Moreover, I am very familiar with your family! I said with a smile.

"That's right." Masakatsu Wasuka also laughed. Several of his leaders have been trained under me; As for those low-level samurai, we trained and promoted them together.

"However, I'm not familiar with your Hikoemon...... Let's marry my daughter Akitsu. "I thought about it and said.

"Your Majesty heard that Miss Yujin has become the main room of the Prince of Sanchimaru, and Miss Akitsu was born to Kamikawaden, but she married His Majesty's family...... Will this be inconvenient? Wasuka Masakatsu was a little worried.

"Don't worry, there's no problem with the lord. I know the lord's surname, and I said it at the time," I waved my hand, "Otherwise, Qiujin wants to find a higher family than the lord's family, can he only marry into the general's family?" Compared to marrying with other royal highness families of the main family, this is better within the family. ”

"Since this is the case, then His Majesty will accept it happily."

……，……

For me personally, assisting the monkeys in the construction of Sumata Castle is far less important than the efforts of the Kawami people. But I can't slack off. Over the next seven days, Kawanami harvested enough timber from the upper reaches of Mt. Arai and transported it to the Kiso River to be woven into a raft and waited for the battle. After receiving the news that my and Toyoshiro's forces were about to arrive, Kawanami rode all the rafts down the river and joined us at the fortified site in the evening. We dismantled all the rafts, took advantage of the moonlight to set up a fence, and then built fortifications such as watchtowers and bow oars. By the next morning, a simple castle had appeared between the Kiso and Nagara rivers.

Our side moved very quickly, and by the time Simeno sent troops to intercept it, there was nothing to be done. Since it was a busy time with the peasants, there were not many of them, and it was okay to attack them, but to attack a city guarded by nearly 2,000 people would be an act of death. What's more, they have to cross the Nagara River, which is guarded by the navy.

After paying nearly 100 casualties, Minong's army retreated unwillingly. We have successfully established a bridgehead in Siminon......

"Haha! Monkey, you're there! Two days later, after listening to Fujiyoshiro's colorful report, Nobunaga was in a good mood, "Then, I will promote you to the general of the family and lead the Hashima 1,000 stones!" ”

"The monkey has thanked the lord for his great kindness! Willing to let the lord drive! Fujiyoshiro bowed to Nobunaga with five bodies, and his whole body trembled with excitement. I can imagine that his monkey face, which is almost on the floor, is certainly not much better than a real monkey ass.

"Keijiro, I'm very satisfied with your performance this time. According to the agreement, you will be promoted to the general of the family and sealed with ten thousand stones! The exact location will be decided later. Nobunaga turned to me.

"Thank you, Lord! Be loyal and dedicated to the family! I leaned down and thanked him.

"You're doing a great job as Tsushima! Whether it is the evaluation of the collar or the income in the town, I am very satisfied. So you can continue to work part-time, but you don't need to be based in Cheongju. ”

"Yes." I owe it yes.

"As for Wasuka...... He also served as the general of the family. Nobunaga frowned slightly. As for the behavior of the Sichuan and the people before the maneuvering between the parties, he obviously minded in his heart.

"The main hall, the ministers have already joined the Kira family, so I have to thank the main hall for their kindness," Wasuka Masakatsu put his hands on the ground and bowed down respectfully to reply, "In the future, your ministers will be loyal to the main family under the leadership of the lord!" ”

"That's right......" Nobunaga nodded, "And what about your territory in Mino?" ”

"I heard from the lord that the lord is interested in attacking Mi Nong, so the territory of his subordinates will be served as the direct leader of the Kira family...... Please judge the Great Palace. ”

In this case, the merits of the Kawa Namizu and the public land are recorded in the name of the Kira family. I will add 10,000 stone of Zhixing of the Kira family, and Keijiro will distribute it to you and others on his behalf. ”

"Yes." I received the order with Masakatsu Wasuka.

"My lord, my subordinates have something to report." Takigawa Kazuki, who was in the forefront, suddenly spoke.

"Say it." Nobunaga nodded.

"This time the construction of the castle in Sumamata, Hattori Tomosada also contributed a lot. His Majesty dared to ask the lord to allow the Hattori Party to join his family and give him a certain reward. "Takigawa Kazuki sat in his position and owed a debt.

Listening to his words, I couldn't help but clench my fists.

It seems that Hattori Tomosada felt that Mino's business was gone, and there was no benefit in cooperating with me, so he wanted to break away from the United Naval Army to continue his studies, and found Takigawa Kazuki as a backer...... I'm still going to fight for him to get back the confiscated territory, in that case, isn't that equivalent to joining my own family?

But now apparently I don't have to bother, and I'm too lazy to bother. Anyway, the so-called affection, the so-called righteousness, Yu Hattori Yuzhen are all floating clouds. And I'm sure he won't get any good fruit to eat. Their Hattori Party is now almost under my rule, but he kicked me out and contacted Takigawa Kazuyi instead...... According to the surname shown by Nobunaga in history, Hattori Tomosada's restless behavior is definitely something he rejects.

"So, what about their demands?" Nobunaga frowned.

"My lord, he asks for the status of an important minister of the family, and in addition, he must have a proper name in Tsushima......"

"Keijiro," Nobunaga interrupted him abruptly, turning to me and asking, "The water army has always been in charge of you." This time the Sumamata Castle was built, did the Hattori Party have any outstanding performance? ”

"Tomosada Hattori was not involved in this operation. Listen to the persuasion department Yuzhen will be a new side room.,So it's preparing to celebrate.。 I replied respectfully.

This sentence is a bit tricky, Hattori Yusada is indeed not involved, and he is indeed preparing to accept the side. But quite a few members of the Hattori Party took part in the operation...... Well, that's called speaking skills.

"Monkey, is that so?"

"What His Highness Xuanjing said is true." Fujiyoshiro reciprocated for helping me.

"Then forget it." Nobunaga waved his hand, looking dissatisfied.

Of course. Seeing that people are in harmony with the public, they are conscientious and conscientious, but they are also willing to be courtiers, and take the initiative to serve the public in the territory, so as to facilitate the strategy of their own family; Compared with them, the Hattori Party is slack, cheating, and greedy, and Nobunaga will certainly not be satisfied.

"Yes." Takigawa Kazuki closed his mouth knowingly.

"Anyway, how is the strategy of Ise-sana Prefecture entrusted to you at the beginning of last year, as well as the rebuilding of Crab River City?" Nobunaga asked suddenly.

"My lord, the power of the Northern Ise Hao clan is complicated, and it is known as a small warring state of the forty-eight families, although your subordinates have made progress, but it will take a little time...... As for the reconstruction of Crab River Castle, please also ask for ...... in terms of funding" Takigawa Kazuki is embarrassed.

"You seem to be in a bit of a quandary. After all, your strength is in terms of strategy...... "Nobunaga shook his head, "The direction of Sumamata Castle just needs a retainer who is good at strategy, so how about you take 25,000 koku from Hashima?" The original 20,000 stones were handed over to Xuanjing to manage, his family has money, and he will rebuild Xiejiang City, I am very relieved. ”

"Your Majesty obeys." Takigawa Kazuyi's face turned bitter. Although the territory has increased by 5,000 koku, it is a post-war land, and it is difficult to count on this year's income, "It's just that this year's harvest in Hashima may not be able to sustain ......"

"You can replant now, and you can still earn a little bit. As for the original income, you can discuss it with Xuanjing! Nobunaga said.

"My lord, Your Majesty is willing to compensate His Highness Takigawa with 6,000 kan in cash according to half of the income of the territory." Seeing Takigawa Ichiyi looking over, there was a faint sense of resentment, and I hurriedly expressed it generously.

"His Royal Highness Xie Jiliang supports." Takigawa Kazuki lowered his head, and his face finally got better.;