Tsushima is located between the three kingdoms of Owari, Mino, and Ise, with Kuwana Prefecture of Ise Province to the southwest and Mino Province Yoro Prefecture to the northwest. Three rivers, the Kiso River, the Nagara River, and the Ihi River, meet nearby; More than 30 kilometers to the north is Hashima Island at the confluence of the Kiso and Nagara rivers, where the famous Sumamata Castle is located; The famous Long Island, just ten kilometers west of my territory, is a long and narrow river island formed by the confluence of three rivers.

During the Nobuhide period, Tsushima was occupied by local tyrants known as "four families, seven names, and four surnames". Later, Nobuhide married the Ohashi clan, the head of the four families, and gradually took control of Tsushima. Among them, the four are Ohashi, Hirano, Funahashi, and Hengchuan, and the current heads of the families are Takatsu Naoyuki Castle Lord Ohashi Shigenaga, Nono Castle Castle Shionaga, Funahashi Erayaki, and Henggawa Nobuyi. "Seven names" are the seven great merchants of Tsushima, and the Hotta family is the head of the seven houses; This family has two branches, this branch has long served as the executive of Kyoto Yasaka Shrine Gion, and the family crest is the right three bars; This branch serves as the representative of the Tsushima Shrine, and the current family crest in the family is "Hotta papaya", which is derived from "Oda papaya". The head of the family, Hotta Masasa, is also the head of the Tsushima merchants. The "four surnames" are Hattori Tomosada, Hayashi Nagamasa of the Hayashi family, Washisuke Mitsuyasu of the Washizake family, and Nobujun Akiyama of the Akiyama family.

Although they are known as the "Tsushima" fifteen parties, their power is not limited to Tsushima. For example, the Ohashi family originated from Ise, and the first generation of Ohashi Nobuyoshi married the daughter of Prince Ryowang, the grandson of Emperor Go-Daigo of the Southern Dynasty, as the main family, and later succeeded the son of Prince Ryo-ohino, known as "Tsushima Dainayan", Ohashi Nobunshige inherited the family business as his adopted son, so the Ohashi family was actually the blood of Emperor Go-Daigo. The surname Hayashi in the "four surnames" is a side branch of the Nishimino Inaba family, Lin Changzheng's grandson Lin Zhengcheng, who later married the daughter of Inaba Shigetsu, the eldest son of Inaba Ichitetsu, and changed his name to Inaba Masanari, and later became the lord of the Mino Jujujo Domain, the lord of the Echigo Itoyu River Domain, and the first feudal lord of the Shimono Maoka Domain, and became the first generation of the Inaba family clan.

Speaking of Inaba Masanari, he also has two step-rooms, one is Saito Fuku, the daughter of Saito Toshizo and the adopted daughter of Inaba Shigetori, also known as the Spring Bureau, and is the nurse of Tokugawa Iemitsu, the third general of the Edo shogunate; There is also a step-room, who is the daughter of Yasutoyo Yamauchi...... And Saito Rizo is the brother-in-law of Nana Ishitani in my family's main room, and the half-brother of Yorichen Ishitani; Yasutoyo Yamauchi is Yoshisuke Yamauchi, the younger brother of the retainer Yamauchi Kazutoyo, and has been guarding Nana Ishiya every day in the territory recently.

Okay, after a few rounds like this, they all went around to one.

At present, the defense of Tsushima is mainly in charge of the Ohashi family, and the Hirano family serves as the Nono Castle of the Jodai, which is the residence of the ancestors of the Ohashi family; In terms of business, it mainly relied on a group of merchants led by the head of the Horita family, Masada Horita. There is a common enemy on both sides: the leader of the Hattori Party, Yusada Hattori.

The Hattori Party is similar to the Wasuka family, both of which are Nationalist parties that rely on water transportation for their livelihood. However, compared to the Wasuka family, the situation of the Hattori Party is much better. Tsushima is a large port connected to Ise Bay by a short river of Kokogawa, and not far to the right is the confluence of the three major tributaries of the Kiso River system, where the Hattori Party controlled water transportation and amassed a large amount of wealth, extending its power from Tsushima to Ise-sana Prefecture.

Historically, when Takigawa Kazuki rebuilt Kanie Castle, most of the funds used came from Hattori Tomosada's "donation". But now, there is no force in the Tsushima area that can deal with him alone. Because he contributes a lot of money to the Nagashima Sect every year, behind him is the support of 100,000 believers on Nagashima.

The last time the Imagawa family invaded Owari, Hattori Tomoto Tomochi communicated with Imagawa Yoshimoto and attempted to send troops from the sea to Chita-gun of Odakata. After the incident was revealed, Nobunaga naturally hated him to the core. However, the Oda family was very weak in terms of the navy, and the main direction of the attack was Mino and Mikawa, so for the time being, they had to give up sending troops to attack the Hattori navy, and confiscated the Hattori party's territory in Owari as a punishment, and Takigawa Kazuki carried out the strategy.

Before returning to Tsushima to take up my post, I also received an order to deal with Tomosada Hattori. Then I stayed in Cheongju for a day, and in addition to visiting a few colleagues such as Niwa Nagahide, Ikeda Tsuneko, and Sawaki Yoshiyuki, I was dealing with the affairs of the sorrel.

The next morning, I went to bid farewell to Nobunaga. Ishiya Yorichen made a request to visit Ishitani in my territory and stay for a while, which I naturally welcomed very much.

"By the way, Keijiro, I heard that you hired Youzuo?" Nobunaga asked suddenly.

After the Battle of Tsubakusama, although Nobunaga did not immediately accept the Toshiya, he revoked the order prohibiting him from living in Cheongju. In addition, since he can call the Li family "right and left", it means that he has almost forgiven the Li family. I believe that it will be a matter of time before the Li family returns to its own family.

"My lord, there is such a thing." I replied with confidence, and at the same time secretly surprised by Nobunaga's understanding. He knew what had happened yesterday right away.

"Have you forgotten? As I said, my retainers are not allowed to accept those who are left behind! Nobuchi said.

"But my lord, the Li family is not out of office! He's working as a businessman and helping me take care of the sorrel...... The little girl Yujin is the main room of Sanchimaru Gongzi, and it is really not suitable for her mother to continue to live in the department. I argued. Being able to take advantage of Nobunaga's loopholes is really a very fulfilling thing. With his relationship with the Li family for more than eight years, I am sure that he will not mind.

"And how many years did you give him?" Sure enough, Nobunaga did not pursue further.

"My lord, it's three hundred."

"You're rich! When he was in his own family, he was only one hundred and fifty times. Nobunaga tilted his head and looked at me.

"Because it was his wife who was helping, and his daughter Yukihime...... For a samurai like Youzuo, being a merchant is really wronged by him, and the high point of Yulu should also be. I sighed.

"So, did you accept it willingly?"

"If you don't have a fortune, you can't support your family, so you didn't refuse. Moreover, after more than a year of training, the surname of Youzuo has calmed down a lot. ”

"Hmm......" Nobunaga thought after hearing my words. After a while, he waved his hand: "I won't pursue this matter, you go back to Tsushima!" ”

"Yes!" I retired with Ishitani Yorichen.

When I returned home to pack my bags, Ishiya Laichen suddenly called an entourage and said to me, "Xuanjing, I want you to see someone." ”

"Which one?" I looked at the visitor suspiciously. Although he is dressed as an entourage, his bearing is like that, and he doesn't look like a subordinate.

After looking at it carefully, I exclaimed in surprise: "His Royal Highness Yan Song Jingding!" ”

"His Royal Highness Xuanjing, it's been a long time." Iwamatsu smiled and sat down cross-legged in front of me.

"What's going on...... Isn't His Highness Iwamatsu in Tosa? I asked, confused.

"This starts with you killing Gu Zhongcheng. Afterwards, the family of Changzong sent someone to Kyoto to investigate, although no evidence was found, but since you married Nana, they also knew that Gu Zhongcheng's death had nothing to do with you...... When His Royal Highness met you in Tosa before, although the family of Nagazong and my department found out, I didn't care much about it originally. But after knowing that you had something to do with Gu Zhongcheng's death, His Royal Highness Jingding was immediately held accountable. In order not to disturb the Chi family, he had to leave Tosa. Yoshichen Ishitani explained.

"Then how did you two come together?" I asked, confused.

Iwamatsu Jingding smiled: "When I heard the words of His Royal Highness Kira, I was deeply impressed. Later, I heard that His Highness broke the 5,000-man main formation of Imagawa Yoshimoto with 700 people in Owari, and the name of bravery was spread in all directions, so I had the intention of defecting, and I took the clue of His Highness's righteous brother......"

Speaking of this, his face became very solemn, and he leaned down deeply: "I beg Your Highness to take it in and accept the allegiance of my Iwamatsu Sutra!" ”

"His Royal Highness Yan Song, please get up," I hurriedly supported him, "The words of the countryside are exaggerated, and I really can't afford to deserve such praise......"

"Xuanjing, you can accept the heart of His Highness Jingding. From Tosa to Owari, it's not close! Ishiya Yoshichen persuaded.

"Your Highness, please take it in." Iwamatsu asked again.

“…… In this way, I will be wronged by His Highness," I nodded, "Please succumb to the position of the general of my Kira family first, and the annual salary is two hundred yuan." ”

"Your Majesty has thanked your lord." The rock pine is destined to lead the way.

……，……

Since Ishitani Yorichen was going to be a guest, I decided to go with him and Iwamatsu Jingding first, so that his brother and sister could have a good get-together. Konatsu, Yuka, Mitsu and Yujin then came in ox carts.

In the Heian period, the ox cart was the preserve of the aristocracy, but it was abolished after the Onin War and has not been restored. Since there is no place to cross, the last time I left Cheongju, I specially made an ox cart for Yujia mother and child to travel, and it was very popular in Cheongju City.

In real history, it was Toyotomi Hideyoshi who resumed the use of ox carts. But he enlarged the wheels, raised the wheels, and needed to pedal a ladder to go up, and then called it the "Imperial Car". The implication is that only "nobles" like his rural farmer's mother, Dazheng Office, can use it.

According to the most authoritative information, the first one in Cheongju City to follow suit was Ashi. She pestered his brother as soon as possible, and she must help her make one too. Nobunaga's reaction was to immediately send a letter asking me to pay tribute to two ox carts, one to Ah City and one to Nohime. So, I was the first to get the most authoritative news and know such a major historical secret......

On the way back to Kamikawa Castle, I naturally asked Iwamatsu about Tosa's movements.

"His Majesty's departure from Tosa was at the beginning of June. Hoshin-in-sama is all right, and he still lives at Arakawa Shrine and does not enter Kira Castle...... The relatives of the Chozong family have married Princess Ryo and become the old leader of the family in Tosa. And the Changzong family is still in a stalemate with the Benshan family, and it seems that they have some advantages on the scene...... Later, when I was in Kyoto, I heard that Chomune's Kunito had died in July, and the Motoko had officially inherited the family business. That's pretty much it. Iwamatsu replied.

"I seem to have heard that in May, the Yuan relatives completed the first battle in the Battle of Nagahama? By the way, it was the first two days of the Battle of Barrel Narrows. I asked, trying to remember.

"Yes, together with his brother Qinzhen, both of them are in the first battle. Speaking of which, this is a very interesting thing, Yuan Qin has always behaved very cowardly, and before going into battle that day, he was still asking the Qinquan Temple Sweep Department for advice on how to use a gun...... I didn't expect to dare to lead fifty horsemen to charge the battle in front of the battle, which is really surprising! Speaking of this, Yan Song Jingding's face showed a hint of amazement.

"Maybe it's because I robbed the main room, so I'm ashamed and brave...... Lord Ishiya should regret it, Ling Mei should have been the main room of a daimyo! I joked.

"It's just to break up the two hundred troops and get two of them! How can I compare with you? Ishiya Yoshichen hurriedly shook his head, "I just hope you can treat Nana well...... She lost her mother when she was a child, and when she was a little older, she followed her father and me to follow the Gongfang Palace, and she was displaced for many days, and she really suffered a lot. ”

"Please rest assured, Sister Ling is doing well here." I assured him. After this contact, my impression of this righteous brother is much better. In this era, even the general was rushed over, and as a general's side, and he was not a formal samurai, how much persistence could he have in terms of integrity? Even if it's me, don't I always put my own surname first?

In particular, he brought the Iwamatsu Sutra, which was too timely for me. I'm trying to deal with Hattori Tomosada's navy, and Iwamatsu Jingding happens to be the general of the Ikeke Urado navy. If I work hard for two or three years and build a good naval army with him as the main leader, I may be able to go ahead of Takigawa Kazuki in the operation of attacking the Hattori Party.

And with the help of the Kawa and the others of the Wasuka family, and if I cooperate with me from the upper reaches of the Kiso River, I will be even more sure......

I thought like this, and before I knew it, I was in territory.

After walking a little further, I spotted a figure in a pink kimono accompanied by a twelve or thirteen-year-old saber boy guard. In front of her, two boys of about ten years old were playing sumo wrestling, and more than a dozen boys and girls of about the same age were shouting energetically. And she herself is almost the one who yells the most.

I know, that's Shi Gu Nana, and she is her fortune girl again. Each time a sumo wrestling winner is awarded, he or she will be rewarded with 10 cents. For a peasant child, ten cents is definitely a considerable amount of pocket money.

"Lord Shitani, do you want to meet Sister Ling? She's having fun. I pointed to the front.

"Where...... Oh! When Ishiya Yoshichen saw Nana's appearance, he hurriedly drove his horse over.

Seeing Ishitani Raichen who came over on horseback, Ishitani Nana was stunned for a moment, almost not believing her eyes.

"Brother?" She asked tentatively.

"It's me!" Ishiya Laichen jumped off the horse and loudly reprimanded Ishiya Nana, "Why do you look like this!" As the lord's main room, you should keep the woman's way! ”

"But...... His Royal Highness, he ...... "Ishiya Nana snorted.

"Lord Ishitani, I deliberately didn't restrain her." I then came and immediately explained.

"Xuanjing, I don't have a position to say anything else, but Caicai is so unstable, it's really ...... Also, it's been almost two years since I got married, and I don't have any heirs, so I must have not served well! ”

What the? Even such things are concerned! This Shigu Laichen, isn't it too gossipy?

Hearing my brother say this, Nana Ishitani wrinkled her nose and snorted softly, threw the unfinished Yongle money into my arms, and then ran away. Yoshisuke Yamauchi bowed to me and hurriedly chased after me.

"...... this?" Ishiya Yoshichen looked at me suspiciously.;