When you leave Kyoto, you will find Lake Biwa. On the eastern shore of Lake Biwa, the Omi Ishimizu Hachimangu Shrine is revered as the guardian deity of the royal town and is the second temple of the temple, second only to the Ise Shrine that worships the imperial family, preserves the royal lineage, and is one of the three sacred artifacts of the imperial power. Ishishimizu Hachimangu is also the patron saint of the samurai, and the Hachiman Daimyojin is the patron saint of the Genji family. Although Minamoto Yoritomo had invited Hachiman to Kamakura and enshrined it in Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, many samurai still came to pay their respects. Now that we're here, the three of us took a trip.

Continue to move forward, and you will arrive at Mino. And the time has come to the beginning of November. We followed the route of the modern Tokaido Shinkansen in Tsurumoto, passing Ogaki Castle, crossing the Ihi River and the Nagara River, and across the Kiso River to Owari Province, which was my ultimate goal. Now I'm trying to figure out how to join Nobunaga.

The samurai originated in the manor era, and were themselves the heads of various estates, and later became large and small wealthy families. After that, some wealthy clans lost their territory and served the local tycoons, becoming retainers of the other party, or becoming wandering wild warriors; The smaller wealthy families were either annexed, or subordinated to the big ones, becoming the other party's parasitrons, and then assuming obligations to the other party; The big tycoons gave their retainers a lot of money and provided protection to the small tycoons who were subordinate to them as a foster relative. After that, the big wealthy clans also fought and annexed with each other, and the winner became the county or the guardian of a country.

In this era, the samurai were basically in their own country, and the county or guardian mainly relied on the samurai and wealthy clans of the country. The Tokugawa family's Mikawa samurai regiment, Takeda Shingen's Kai people, and Uesugi Kennobu's Echigo people are all like this. Even Oda Nobunaga, who loves to break with tradition the most, has the most powerful generals under his command. So it's not easy for me to join him, I need a good opportunity......

I thought as I followed Xiujing. As I walked, I suddenly realized that something was wrong.

"Why do you keep walking along the river bank and don't see the ferry?" I asked Xiujing.

"Brother, I really didn't see the ferry. And because the weather is cold, it is not suitable for wading across the river. Xiujing shook his head.

Yes, the Kiso River is the boundary river between Owari and Mino. The river originates in Minami-Shinano Kunihamomori Mountain, is mountainous from Inuyama Castle upwards, divides Noo Hirano into two below, and then joins the Nagara River and the Ihi River before flowing into Ise Bay. Since Michizo Saito's death last year, there have been frequent wars between the two countries, and most of the crossings must have been artificially destroyed.

The larger rivers are usually very fast, so many ferries are tied to thick ropes on both sides of the river, and then climbed on boats or rafts to cross the river. Such a ferry port is really easy to destroy.

"Keep walking upstream to see if there are any ferries or rafts. It's a big deal to go to Inuyama Castle, there will always be a ferry there. "I have to say.

"Lord, there's a ferry ahead!" Xiao Xia suddenly shouted. Due to her growing up hunting, her eyesight is the best among us.

"That's for the best! Let's go. I beckoned them both to quicken their pace.

When we got to the ferry, we realized that it was more of a small river port than a ferry. There were several boats parked in the harbor, and more than a dozen men were loading the ships. On a small slope on the shore, a strong, rugged-looking man was directing everyone to speed up their progress. Even though the weather was cold, he was still dressed in a single coat, with his two thick arms exposed.

I went straight to him: "Take the liberty of excuse me." The three of us need to cross the river, can you help? We'll pay you. ”

Before the strong man could answer, the samurai on the shore turned upside down. He beckoned five or six ashigaru to come up, and a few bamboo spears were aimed at us.

"The Oda family's annihilation is not yet captured!" The samurai shouted.

"My lord, we're just wild samurai, from Shikoku. Just listen to the accent and you should be clear. I stopped Xiujing and Xiao Xia from drawing their knives and explained calmly.

"No matter where you come from, it's a time of war, so you must be prepared to pass on military information! With my help here, I will never let you pass! "This samurai is very stubborn.

How much is it to help you? Haven't heard of it. Really, nobodies are still so arrogant! I decided to ignore him and continued to ask the strong man on the dirt slope: "...... What do you think? ”

"Shimo, the leader of the Kawanami people, is in charge of transporting a batch of military rations to the Saito family this time. How can you intervene rashly in the affairs between several adults? The strong man said helplessly.

"Hey! Bastard, didn't you hear me? Feeling that he had been slighted, Tayun Heisuke roared loudly, beckoning his subordinates to prepare to make a move, "Whether it's annihilation or not, take it for me!" ”

"It's too much!" Xiujing was furious. When had he ever been bullied by such a lowliest, not even a samurai?

"In that case...... I pulled out the sea moon, "the dignity of a samurai cannot be provoked like this!" ”

Seeing my movements, Xiujing also pulled out the sword, and Xiao Xia took off the bow and arrow on his back, and pulled the bow according to the arrow and aimed at the Tayun Heisuke. I believe that if you really want to fight, as long as Duoyun Pingsuke lies down, the remaining five ashigaru are not enough for Xiujing and Xiao Xia to kill, and even if they run, they won't be able to get rid of Xiao Xia's bow and arrows.

"Bastard! See my Heisuke's bravery today! Tayun Heisuke pulled out the knife, trembling all over, not knowing whether he was angry or frightened.

"Ladies and gentlemen! Rong Zai said a few words," the strong man couldn't help but speak, "Since the three of them are traveling, it doesn't matter if you stay for a few days." There is a proposal in the next place, please go to the Humble House to stay for a few days, and you will be happy to entertain you in the next! When the war is over, how about the three of them continue to travel? In that case, Ta-mi-sama doesn't have to worry. ”

"The words of the little six leaders are trustworthy below." Tayun Heisuke put away the sword.

Little Six? Chuan and the crowd? I know who he is, the 170,000-stone daimyo of Awa Ichigoku, the important minister of the Toyotomi Hideyoshi family, Wasuka Masakatsu! Celebrity, this is the first person I have met since I came to the Warring States period to have a card in "The Legend of Taiko Lizhi". I put away Haiyue and bowed to him solemnly: "So it's disturbing." Below is Kira Xuanjing of the Tosa Yoshira family, and over there is the younger brother Kira Hidejing and the righteous sister Kamikawa Konatsu. ”

"Kira-sama is gracious." Bee Suka Koroku replied.

"Xiujing, Xiao Xia, put away your weapons." I beckoned. For the sake of Xiao Liu, I also apologized to Duo Yun Ping: "Your Royal Highness Duo Yun, I was offended a lot just now. ”

“…… Never mind. Duoyun Heisuke snorted from his nose, obviously still having a grudge, "Little Sixth Leader, the military rations have been loaded, let's go." ”

"Please come aboard." Xiao Liu led Duo Yunping to the last Wupeng boat, and then turned around and instructed a guy, "Zhengji, take the three adults back to the village, and treat them well!" ”

……，……

Bee Suga Koroku has a rough appearance and a bold person, but his mind is not lacking in delicacy. He is very familiar with the geography of the Kiso River basin, and has contacts with many small wealthy families in this area. Among them, the one who has the closest relationship with him is the small lord of Matsukura Castle in Mino Province and the sworn brother Maeno Nagayasu. Under his leadership, the Kawanami people maneuvered between the Saito, Iwakura Oda, and Inuyama Oda families, striving to maintain their reading power. Since the death of his father Masatoshi Wasuka in the 22nd year of Astronomy (1553), under the leadership of Koroku, the power of the Kawa Nami people has been strengthened to a certain extent, and the situation has also improved a lot, and Koroku has always acted wholeheartedly for everyone, and all his subordinates have been very supportive of him.

The poor fishermen and displaced people who originated from the Kiso River basin were integrated by the ancestors and fathers of Koroku and were already a force in his hands. They don't have any land, and their biggest reliance is the Kiso River. They depend on fishing and water operations for their livelihoods, and even occasionally participate in wars. However, with Mino stabilizing and Owari unified, they rarely intervened directly in the war. If they break their position, neither Saito Yoshiryu nor Oda Nobunaga can offend them, and if something happens, the other side will not have any help. So they can play at most side games, such as helping the Saito family deliver 200 koku military rations this time.

After returning, Wasuka Koroku gathered the guys involved in the operation and had a big drink. People who have been on the river for a long time, because of the damp living environment, like to drink to keep out the cold, so this is one of the ways to treat the people in Sichuan. Maeno Nagayasu, the righteous brother of Wasuka Koroku, and several small leaders of the Kawanami people, Osawa Kiyasu, Matsubara Uchisho, Hino Rokuo, and Aoyama Shinchi, all attended the banquet, and Hideki and I were also invited.

At the banquet, Koroku introduced Maeno Nagayasu and others to me and Xiujing. He had a small wooden castle in the nearby village of Matsukura, which he inherited from his adoptive father, Maeno Muneyasu.

"It turned out to be the lord of Maeno Castle, please take care of me." I said politely.

"What city lord, it's just a false name, which makes His Royal Highness Kira smile." Maeno Nagayasu waved his hand very boldly, and then pulled a young man over, "This is the younger brother of Kitaro Tsunachi, who likes to use iron cannons very much, and it looks like such a piece of material." I heard that His Royal Highness Kira is a master of iron artillery, and if His Highness Kira has some free time, please advise this guy by the way. ”

Tsubonai Lidine? I have a little impression of this person, he was one of the generals of Tokugawa Ieyasu's main iron artillery group during the Battle of Sekigahara, and he fought against Sanada Yukimura's horse team. Although he was not outstanding, he was also a master of iron artillery, and he lived a long time, and Keicho died at the age of 71 in 15 years. I had an idea in my mind.

"The city lord is too polite. I didn't dare to give advice," I agreed, and took off the iron cannon on my back, "Since Brother Ling likes it, then this Nanban Iron Cannon will be given to Brother Ling as a meeting gift!" ”

Listening to my words, everyone was stunned for a moment. An iron cannon can be sold for more than 60 pieces in Mino, which is equivalent to more than 10 stone of rice, and generally only imitations made by domestic blacksmiths can be bought, and the quality is naturally worse than the genuine products from Nanban. As a gift, it is too valuable for a boy like Tsubouchi Rishiding, who is not even a samurai.

"His Royal Highness Kira's kindness, Kitaro really can't afford it!" Maeno Nagayasu hurriedly excused himself.

"Thank you for your attention, I can't repay you. Weapons are a samurai's second life, and there is really no need to consider value or anything like accepting a weapon. "I handed the cannon to Tsubonai.

"His Royal Highness Kira said well," Koroku Wasuka spoke, "Kitaro, you can accept His Highness Kira's kindness!" ”

Maeno Nagayasu saw that Wasuka Koroku said this, so he was no longer polite. "You guy, you've met a nobleman...... Thank you to His Highness Kira! He slapped Tsunai on the back of the head.

"His Highness Xie Jiliang!" He leaned down deeply.

"No need to be polite." I smiled and nodded.

"Yes!" Tsubouchi straightened up. His eyes sparkled, and he couldn't put it down, rubbing the authentic Nanban iron cannon in his hand.

After this incident, the atmosphere in the room became even more enthusiastic. It was said that Mrs. Hino and Shinchi Aoyama took advantage of the wine, and tied the clothes of their upper bodies to their waists, and they started to exert their strength in the middle corner of the room. A few rounds later, he was a step ahead of the six people, flipped Aoyama Shinchi into the crowd, and smashed the two wine bottles next to Xiujing crookedly, causing a chaotic cheer. Then Kikang Osawa tied up his upper body clothes and was ready to play.

"Alright, well, there's a guest here. Bastards, restrain yourself a little. Wasuka Koroku clapped his hands and said.

Taking advantage of this pause, I asked Wasuka Xiaoliu, "Leader Xiaoliu, I don't know how long this battle will last?" Although there is no rush in the next line, it is not good to bother for too long. ”

"I can't tell. Anyway, after the death of the three major people of Congdao, the Saito and Oda families have not dealt with each other. Except for the busy farming season, the big and small battles have not stopped much! Koroku Beesuka took a sip of wine.

"When is it convenient to cross the river?" I continued to ask.

"The ferries in this area have long been destroyed...... Sending three people across the river was nothing, but our position was rather awkward, and we asked the Saito family for help, and this time His Royal Highness Saito asked to cut off the military situation, and it was really inconvenient for us to disobey the law of the Saito family. This is related to the survival of the entire Kawanomi people, please understand His Highness Kira! ”

"If that's the case, it's naturally not good to trouble the little six leaders. I'm just bothering you all the time, and I'm uneasy in my heart......"

"What did His Highness Kira say," Wasuka Koroku hurriedly promised, "As long as the three of you don't feel bad hospitality, it won't matter how long you stay!" And seeing that it is about to snow, it is not convenient to walk outside in this weather! ”

"Yes, Your Highness Kira is not welcome. If it's not too simple, my Matsukura Castle is ready to welcome you. Maeno Nagayasu also spoke.

"In that case, I'll bother you below." I bowed my head.

……，……

After the banquet, Maeno Nagayasu returned to Matsukura Castle. Before leaving, he entrusted his younger brother to me. I didn't see outside, so I readily agreed, so Pingnai Liding stayed in this small village. The rest of the leaders also returned to their respective villages. Bee Suka Xiaoliu also went to other villages to inspect the next day, and still arranged to take care of us when he left. There are less than 50 people left in the entire village, including the three of us, and they are basically young people with boats.

The three of us had nothing to do, and spent all day either wandering around or practicing martial arts. I gave my iron cannon to Tsunai Riding, so I took Xiao Xia's iron cannon, anyway, she didn't dare to be interested in it, and she never used it along the way. Tsubouchi Riding has always followed me, and he has practiced much harder than I have. Xiujing also came over sometimes, but he still worked harder in swordsmanship, and beat the minions in the village several times during one-to-many sparring, and his reputation in this small village increased greatly. As for Xiao Xia, as a woman, martial arts were originally not very respected, but after she shot three or four minions in the bun, no one dared to despise her anymore.

Zhengji is currently the head of this small village, but there is basically nothing to do in the village, and he follows me most of the time. Sometimes, I also asked Xiujing to leave the iron cannon for him to practice for a while. He is a very talkative person, and through him I know a lot of things about Kawanami.

For now, the people of Sichuan are still passable. Last year, Daosan's father and son attacked each other, and many wealthy families stood on Daosan's side, but they didn't expect Daosan to be defeated soon, and Yilong mastered Mino. Then, many small and medium-sized wealthy clans who stood in the wrong line were punished (such as the Akechi Mitsuhide clan), and Wasuka Koroku took this opportunity to open up some fields in the mountains that several defeated wealthy clans originally owned, which improved the situation of the Kawanami people a lot. Maeno Nagayasu also did something similar, as the head of Matsukura Village, the small wealthy clan to which he was nominally subordinate was also wiped out, so he took the opportunity to expand a little land. But Koroku Beesuka must be worried that the Saito family will take back these lands, so he has to be subject to the Saito family, not only does he not dare to violate the military order in the slightest, but he also has to do something for the Saito family. This time for the delivery of military rations, he did not receive any remuneration from the Saito family.

The land in the mountains is very fragmented, and Beesuka has built many small cottages, which are assigned to cultivate and protect them. So a lot of the time, he has to go around. And our current small village is more special, it is one of the original villages of Sichuan and Zhongzhong, and now it is the bridgehead of that series of cottages, so dozens of people are arranged to be stationed. Their roots were Katsuhata Village in Owari Kaito County, which had to be abandoned now.

As far as I am concerned, their combat effectiveness is really not very good, and their weapons are not complete, and they are not even equipped with bamboo guns. It's a little bit more decent. I believe that if the tactics are correct, the three of us can completely eliminate this villager. It is no wonder that the Saito family did not look down on this bit of his power, and they were reluctant to give them a name and recognize the ownership of their newly opened land.

I have to say that this situation is quite embarrassing for them.

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