The three rivers have always been one from the beginning of the first month, and quickly swept the entire three rivers. By March, Matsudaira Ieyasu's situation was already precarious, and farming in most of the territory was about to be delayed.

Since the Matsudaira family had only been back in Mikawa for only two years, and had been at war for a long time, the family had little savings. If this continues, even if the constant struggle can be calmed down, the Matsudaira family will not be able to continue.

Due to the situation, the Matsudaira family had to send a messenger to ask the Oda family for support. As a result, Nobunaga gave me the task on the grounds that I could use 2,000 troops, that I could quickly reach Mikawa by water, and that I had a good relationship with Nagashima Isusune. Nobunaga hopes that I will be able to sustain the Matsudaira family for the time being, or at least reach a temporary peace so that the Matsudaira family can complete this year's spring planting mission.

What a thankless task! It is my duty to do a good job, and I owe the favor of Long Island, and all I gain is a little fame; If you don't do it well, you have to go back in disgrace, and it is very likely that you will lose your troops and even make enemies with Long Island. However, Nobunaga's orders had to be obeyed, so I had to call out his brother, the abbot of Hosenji Temple, Kujin, through Kuhyun, and then lead the naval army into Mikawawan, upstream along the Yasaku River, and dock near Tateshima near the confluence of the Yasaku River and its tributary, the Otogawa River.

The river is about 450 meters wide and is at the forefront of the battle between the two sides. A little more than a kilometer up the Otogawa River is Okazaki Castle, the home city of the Matsudaira family, Honshoji Temple, the head of the Mikawa Province Ichijo Religious Order, is downstream on the west bank of the Yasaki River, and the other two temples of Mikawa Sanji, Kaminomiya Temple and Katsukuji Temple, are across the Otogawa River from Okazaki Castle to the north. Okazaki Castle is currently in the middle of a two-sided attack, and as long as any of the forces of Honshoji Temple or the combined forces of Kamigu and Katsukuji Temple cross the river, Okazaki Castle will almost fall. Therefore, at present, the Matsudaira family is guarding two rivers, and the arrival of our naval army is tantamount to sending charcoal in the snow for them.

Even though I'm just a general of the Oda family, Matsudaira Ieyasu can't care about it at the moment. He personally went to Tateshima and welcomed me and Kujin, the abbot of Hosenji Temple, into Okazaki Castle, and then held a banquet to entertain them.

"The two of you can come, my Jiakang is really inexplicably grateful!" He held up a bowl of wine and diligently urged us to drink.

"His Royal Highness the Tibetan is serious. They belong to the alliance and should help each other. I saluted back. Although I know his details, I have to say that he is very thoughtful and comfortable.

At this moment, he is just an ordinary daimyo trying to unify the realm.

"Lord Matsudaira Castle, I've heard that this incident is all caused by you?" As soon as Kong Zhen opened her mouth, she was very polite.

The master lost his words. It's not clear who is right and who is wrong, right? However, it is an indisputable fact that your sect has always acted in a laissez-faire manner. As the master said, wouldn't it be a loss for Meng Lang? The middle-aged samurai, who was second in the seat on the right, retorted.

"Zhongji, in front of the master's seat, how can you be presumptuous!" Matsudaira Ieyasu turned his head and scolded, then leaned over to apologize to Kongzhen, "My Ieyasu is not strict with his subordinates, so the master laughed." ”

"If the city lord's subordinates all think like this, then this seat is really powerless to mediate...... How about turning back to Long Island? Kong Zhen's face remained unswerving. The second half of the sentence was said to me.

"Right and wrong, how can you tell right from wrong at a moment?" I made an ambiguous round, "But it is indeed beneficial for both parties to achieve harmony and complete spring planting...... If the master can accomplish this, it will also be immeasurably meritorious, and his fame will be greatly increased! ”

"His Royal Highness Kira said this," Matsudaira Ieyasu hurriedly took over, and at the same time cast a grateful glance at me, "Even I, the Matsudaira family, should also bow to the master." ”

Hearing words such as merit and fame, Kongzhen groaned, obviously because he was related.

"Zhongji, don't apologize to the master yet!" Matsudaira Ieyasu instructed Tadaji Sakai, who had spoken out of his way before.

"Yes......" Sakai Tadaji leaned over and bowed his head, "I didn't say anything before, and I ask the master to bear with me." ”

"Then I'll try to get in the middle." Kong Zhen nodded......

With the backing of my powerful navy, the prestige of Kongzhen as the abbot of the Second Temple on Long Island, and the fact that both sides really needed to take a break from the farming affairs, the peace agreement was reached not long after. But both sides know that this is nothing more than a temporary truce. As I said before, right and wrong have not yet been settled.

However, for the Matsudaira family, it was indeed a great relief. Matsudaira Ieyasu showed great gratitude to me. He warmly invited me to stay for a few days to have a glimpse of the scenery of the three rivers, and sent his important minister, Ishikawa Shumasa, to accompany him. Ishikawa Shumasa is currently in charge of diplomacy at the Matsudaira family, and I had contact with the Cheongju Alliance during the Cheongju Alliance, so I can be considered a little bit of a relationship.

It was rare for Lord Turtle to be invited, so I agreed, and let Wasuka Masakatsu and Iwamatsu Jingding lead most of the army to return to the territory, leaving only the guards Ma Di and Fenggong to garrison a narrow ship.

He was accompanied by Yoshiyuki Sawake, who was a direct minister of Nobunaga like me, so he was also invited.

The first stop of the tour is Horaiji Temple on Yanyan Mountain, near the source of the Yasaku River.

This temple is the first temple of Shingon Buddhism in the country of Mikawa, and in the 2nd year of Dabao (702), it was opened by the Lixiu immortals to teach the Dharma. In the temple, the deity of the medicine master Rulai, the moonlight bodhisattva, the twelve gods, and the four heavenly kings are all carved by the Lingmu fir in the mountains cut down by the Lixiu immortals. Ishikawa Shumasa introduced to me, "I heard that His Royal Highness Kira believes in Shingon Buddhism, and that the deity enshrined in Bodhi Temple at home is also Yakushi Nyorai, so I guess I would be happy to see it!" ”

"His Royal Highness Ishikawa has a heart, and he is deeply in tune with the meaning of the bottom." I nodded. I have to admire them, and I actually inquired about my sect and the deity of the Bodhi Temple at home.

Moreover, I did intend to visit this temple, not because of my belief or anything like that, but because of the great name of the temple in later generations. There are 239 Toshogu shrines dedicated to Matsudaira Ieyasu, the most famous of which is the Komitsuyama Main Shrine, which has been approved as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO, and the second main shrine in Tokugawa's hometown of Mikawa Kunihorai Temple, which was built by order of Tokugawa Iemitsu, a third shogun. The so-called Tokugawa Four Heavenly Kings and Sixteen Divine Generals are analogous to the twelve divine generals and four heavenly kings in this temple.

As the first temple of the Shingon sect in Tokaido, the temple is built in the middle of the mountain of Horaiji Temple, and it has seven temples and three workshops, namely Ikoo-in, Fujimoto-in, Hokke-in, Rinrin-in, Sayrin-in, Ichi-kin Temple, Tsukizo-in, Sonkyobo, Nakatanibo, and Zenchibo. From the entrance of the pilgrimage path, a total of 1,425 stone steps lead to the main hall, and the path is filled with hundreds of years old trees such as cedar trees and cypresses. There is a kind of red-horned owl on the mountain, which makes a sound similar to "Buddha, Dharma, Sangha", which sounds very interesting, and there are also exotic animals such as flying squirrels, some of which also run up the stone steps from time to time, and are not afraid of life at all.

Seeing this kind of scene, and thinking of the troubled times outside the mountain, it is like two worlds.

When I came to the temple, thanks to Ishikawa Shumasa's introduction, Yoshiyuki Sawaki and I were very hospitable and arranged to stay in Hokke-in Temple, the third courtyard. Afterwards, Ishikawa left thoughtfully, allowing us to enjoy the scenery of the mountains by ourselves.

"The wood in the mountain is strong, although the cherry blossoms have bloomed all over the mountain, I am afraid that there is still a lingering fragrance on the top of the mountain, the two highnesses may wish to go and take a look. In addition, from the top of the mountain, you can enjoy a panoramic view of the Higashi-Mikawa Plains and Mikawa Bay. Before leaving, he made a special introduction.

In this era, the public respects the best and appreciates plum blossoms and peonies; The samurai family favors cherry blossoms, probably because of the splendor and transience of cherry blossoms, which is very in line with the samurai's ambition and impermanence in the battlefield!

Seriously, I don't feel much about it. But Yoshiyuki Sawaki went with great interest.

By the time he returned, it was nearly evening. I was surprised to find that Yoshiyuki Sawaki looked very melancholy.

"Isn't it? Looking at the cherry blossoms, there is such a deep feeling! "I was very surprised.

"No......," he said.

"What's going on?"

"There is a woman who practices guns......"

"Isn't it beautiful?" I asked.

He nodded.

"Are your breasts big?" I asked again.

He looked at me blankly, and a thin layer of anger suddenly appeared on his face: "Why do you say that! ”

"Okay, okay, I lost my words." I shrugged.

"Her spear skills are very good, and she is sharp, I would like to try it, but unfortunately I don't have the weapon with me." Yoshiyuki Sawaki explained.

"How is it better than Natsu?" I asked.

"Mrs. Xiao Xia is good at archery, and there is no way to compare."

"Then let's go and see it tomorrow." I'm interested.

The samurai women of this era were generally respectful and obedient. Xiao Xia is a special case, she lives alone in the mountains most of the time, and has developed a frank surname; There is also Caicai, who was still young when he got married, and then because of my laissez-faire, his surname was also very lively.

I don't know what Yoshiyuki Sawaki said, what is it like?

The next day, I went to the top of the mountain with Yoshiyuki Sawaki, and according to Yoshiyuki Sawaki's memory, I came to a very hidden place. He also specially borrowed a spear from the monk, and it seemed that he was really ready to compare.

It's a pity that we waited until noon, and the person in the mouth of Ryoyuki Sawaki has not yet appeared.

"It can't be your hallucination!" I looked at him suspiciously.

"How is it possible, I have been secretly watching for a while! Later, she seemed to notice someone peeking at her, so she quickly went down the mountain...... I wasn't as familiar with the road as her, so I didn't catch up. Ryoyuki Sawaki argued.

"You didn't say it sooner!" I couldn't laugh or cry, "It must be avoiding people practicing, now that we are here, how can people come?" ”

"What then?" Yoshiyuki Sawaki was a little frustrated, "I think since she practices guns, she must love martial arts, so she ......"

"So you want to get close to each other, right?" I looked at him with some amazement.

I really didn't expect Yoshiyuki Sawaki to have such a mind. In Chinese parlance, it is the so-called surname lover; In the words of this era, it is the one who pours the wonder. However, his "Dumping" is obviously very different from the previous Li family, but it is very much in line with the concept of our later generations. I suddenly decided to help him.

"Since the martial arts meeting is not successful, then the literary meeting will be fine!" Influenced by the surrounding environment, I also seem to have some elegant thoughts. Thinking of some sentences from the "Ancient and Modern Waka Collection" that I bought for Asano Nagayoshi, I took Yoshiyuki Sawaku's spear and drew four sentences on the ground:

"Where the mountains are full of flowers, they are neighbors according to the covenant. Waiting for a long time when no one arrives, the flowers are empty. ”

When I finished, Yoshiyuki Sawaki tilted his head and looked at it twice, shaking his head: "I really don't understand." ”

I had to take the initiative to explain it to him.

After listening to this, he admired and thanked me, but asked worriedly, "Can she understand?" ”

"Don't worry, to be able to live in this temple for a long time, at least a little bit of elegance!" I explained.

That's why I'm so interested. The strange woman who is both civil and military is probably a little rarer than a panda in this era......

The next time, Ishikawa Shumasa came and invited us to a nearby hot spring town. The two of us have a heart-to-heart relationship, so naturally we refuse in unison.

"This mountain is wonderful, and I haven't appreciated half of it, so how about letting the next two people live two more? With this place, it is worth the trip. I said thoughtfully.

"Please, two of you." To be able to get such appreciation from the guests, Ishikawa Shumasa is naturally happy.

As soon as he left, the two of us quickly went up the mountain. When I arrived at the place, I saw an extra line of words on the ground:

"The flowers fall with the flowing water, and the empty labor is meaningful. There are flowers here, and there is no spring in the mountains. ”

"It doesn't seem to be." I sighed. In the other party's words, it is obvious that he does not want to marry.

Perhaps, it is indeed difficult to fall in love with someone like this.

"Fujihachi, how do you see the other person dressing up? It won't be to dress up as a family! I asked.

"It's similar to Mrs. Xiaoxia's usual dress, but it seems to have a little more indescribable meaning." Yoshiyuki Sawaki listened to my explanation, feeling very lost.

"In that case, there's no way around it," I shook my head, "and I can only save a little bit of it one last time." ”

I drew a waka song on the ground again: "This cherry blossom is rare in the world, and it is a pity to break the branch." How to stay before the flower, when you see the flower falling. ”

After rowing, I dropped the spear and pulled Yoshiyuki Sawaki away.

Although I couldn't meet, after a period of harmony with singing, I can be regarded as having a little understanding of the Si people. I wanted to stop there and return to the territory, but Yoshiyuki Sawaki still wouldn't give up. At his insistence, I had to stay one more day and go up the mountain with him again.

I didn't expect it to happen this time. Under the colorful cherry blossoms, a woman in a red shirt sits on a stone, but instead of kneeling like an ordinary woman, she sits cross-legged like a samurai with a male surname. Two spears were placed at her side, one of which we had dropped yesterday.

Her hearing was very sensitive, and as soon as we approached where she was, she became aware of it and called out, "Yesterday your Excellency left a spear, but today you are here to retrieve it?" ”

Obviously, the reason why Yoshiyuki Sawaki watched it for so long for the first time was because he was engrossed in practice. She found such a remote place, probably because she didn't want to be disturbed. In this case, it is really a rare fate for Yoshiyuki Sawaki to be able to meet her.

What's more, we are not locals, not even natives, but only came to Trois-Rivières because of the war...... Perhaps, is it really a thousand miles of marriage?

"What are you waiting for! Go on! Remember to be generous. I whispered in Yoshiyuki Sawaki and gave him a push on the back.

Yoshiyuki Sawaki was losing his mind, and I pushed him and hurriedly got out of the bushes.

"Yoshiyuki Sawaki, the general of the Shimooda family, dare to ask Miss Yoshiyuki? Where do you live? He said as calmly as he could.

I shook my head, and it looked like it was over.

Sure enough, the other party closed his eyes: "Your Highness is not a songwriter. There should be another one! ”

Yoshiyuki Sawaki turned his head and looked at my hiding place. I had to get out of it as well.

"The guests of the temple have seen Your Excellency. It's a great honor to meet you. I owed, and couldn't help but add, "Your Excellency is deaf and clear-sighted, I really admire it!" ”

"It's not just the movement of listening," the woman said with a smile as she opened her eyes, "and there are clearly two states of mind in the waka. Looking at the expression of this highness, the first one is probably Your Excellency catching the knife on your behalf! ”

"Despite this, this His Royal Highness Sawaki is really a lover with a surname, and he admires Your Excellency very much, can you give me a word? …… There are some abrupt points, please bear with me. ”

"The surname is in love? This is a very pertinent statement. She praised it, and then shook her head, "But in the next mood, Your Excellency must have understood that there is really no plan to marry." ”

In an instant, her smile faded, and her expression became extremely lonely. In contrast, it looks like the cherry blossoms are in full bloom and withering. And between the changes in her expression, it seems to be as realistic and natural as cherry blossoms.

It's also a person with a surname!

Seeing this expression, I suddenly felt like I wanted to do something for her.

"Is there anything you can't do that Your Excellency can't finish?" I asked tentatively, "It was in Shimojira Xuanjing that the peace between the Matsudaira family and the Ichijo clan was introduced. If there is any difficulty, I wish to ask His Royal Highness the Tibetan of Songpei on my behalf, I guess how can I turn around a few points! ”;