After nearly a year, the upper four counties gradually stabilized. Many of the displaced people who had gathered in Cheongju had either returned to their original homes or gradually integrated into Cheongju, and the situation in the town had improved considerably. The entire town of Cheongju is filled with a positive and energetic spirit.

For example, it is currently visited not only by the residents and merchants of Honmachi, but also by people from Tsushima, Mino, and Omi. At present, the monthly profit of the money house has reached more than 600 yuan. And my share of 10% of the profit has exceeded my average monthly income.

At present, the main family, like Cheongju Town, is on the rise.

On the military side, Mino's Saito Yoshiryu is said to have a physical problem, and sometimes he can't carry out an assessment for more than half a month. According to Inoguchi's private account, he was apparently punished by the gods and Buddhas for his evil deeds of killing his father. Under such circumstances, it is basically impossible for Mino to launch a large-scale strategy operation.

In the direction of Chita County, Dataka Castle gradually couldn't hold on. And by taking Odakajo Castle, it would be possible to separate the Imagawa Sei and Mikawa sides in the Owari country, and then destroy them and completely drive the Imagawa clan forces out of Owari. After that, he either attacked Mikawa or "recovered" Mino who was transferred by Misan, and naturally had a lot of opportunities to earn rewards for his achievements.

The retainers of the family, regardless of their perception of Nobunaga, are almost full of ambition at the moment, and they are full of confidence in future exploits and rewards. - Maybe it's just me thinking about it.

At the beginning of April, Yujia gave birth to a girl as she wished. I was very happy and chose her name Yujin with great meaning. For this name, everyone in the family felt inexplicable, and it was obviously sunny for a while.

It was in this atmosphere that time finally entered May of the third year of Yonglu.

On the 16th day, Nobunaga began to evaluate and discuss the complete settlement of the matter in the territory of Imagawa. The majority of the participants in the evaluation were the retainers promoted by Nobunaga's cronies after inheriting the family business, and the leaders were Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide. Due to his always pro-Imagawa stance, the old man of the pen family, Hidesada Hayashi was withdrawn from the front line by Nobunaga and served as the lord of Nakono Castle, insulated from the strategy in the direction of Mikawa; Mikawa direction pen head Sakuma morishige, Ichichi retainer Oda Hidetoshi, Iio Jomune and others are still on the front line of the siege of Odaka Castle...... But the strange thing is that Takigawa Kazuyi didn't come either.

"Shinhachiro, did you really notify Ichiki?" After waiting for a while, Nobunaga got a little impatient.

"Yes. His Majesty did notify His Highness Yiyi. Asai Masada hurriedly replied.

Nobunaga frowned: "Don't wait, let's start the evaluation first!" ”

At this time, Takigawa Kazuki suddenly appeared at the door.

"Yiyi, why are you only here now...... Forget it, you sit down first, remember not to be so slack next time! ”

Takigawa Kazuyi's face was pale and he looked depressed. Listening to Nobunaga's words, he nodded, but instead of going to his place, he knelt in front of Nobunaga in court.

"My lord, Your Majesty has just heard a piece of news. On the 10th of this month, Imagawa Yoshimoto of Suruga issued a mobilization order for all the leaders, and on the 12th, he raised the banner of Kamiraku and led the main camp from Suruga...... Now the Honjin has reached the territory of Mikawa! ”

"What!" Nobunaga stood up suddenly, "What are you talking about?" ”

"Your Majesty did not dare to speak. The reason why I came late was because I received information from Suruga, Enoe, and Mikawa at the same time, and we delayed the time by confirming each other......"

"That's certain......" Oda Nobunaga sighed.

"Yes." Takigawa Kazuki replied.

"10...... Hum! 10 days! Nobunaga suddenly roared, "Why did it take four or five days to get such important news!" ”

"Yes! Due to the mobilization of the whole territory of Imagawa, there were troops gathered at various intersections, and it was very difficult to transmit information...... If you mistake the lord's business, your subordinates are really afraid! Takigawa Kazuki bowed his head and kowtowed.

"So, have you heard about the specific number of troops? Who led the troops? ”

"The day before yesterday, Imagawa Yoshimoto gathered his army in the Enoe Kakegawa River, claiming to be 40,000 people...... The confirmed ancestors are Ii Naomori and Matsudaira Motoyasu! ”

"Forty thousand...... People? Nobunaga groaned.

"Your Lordship. According to the mobilization ability of the Imagawa side, the subordinates believed that the Imagawa side was bluffing. Niwa Nagahide said.

"But even if you make a discount, there are 20,000 people. For us, it is still not to be underestimated...... He also asked the lord to make a decision early so that he could prepare early. Sen Kecheng interjected.

"You just said that the information from the three places arrived at the same time, right? Who is the man from the Three Rivers? Nobunaga thought for a moment.

"It's the wealthy clan Liang Tian in the area of the city, who keeps the political platform. He said that Matsudaira Motoyasu's brigade was found in Akasaka in Mikawa......"

"You go back immediately, reward him heavily, and then let him continue to inquire about the information of the Imagawa side. After the battle, if I take the city, he will be the lord of the city! ”

"Yes!" Takigawa Kazuki replied loudly. was yelled at by Oda Nobunaga, and his face actually improved a lot.

As soon as he went out, Shibata Katsuya also put forward his own proposal: "My lord, gather the army immediately!" It will take two or three days for Imagawa Yoshimoto to enter Owari, and it is still too late! ”

Oda Nobunaga nodded, and ordered all the people in the black mother clothes to go to various places to gather a few city lords, and the sixteenth day was to carry out the assessment.

As for today's assessment, nature has lost its relevance. Nobunaga then returned to the inner room, and the crowd dispersed, and almost everyone seemed worried.

However, the evaluation of the second day did not determine anything, and several city lords and important ministers were divided into several factions, some proposed temporary surrender, some proposed cage city, and some proposed to gather troops to meet the attack. Faced with this situation, Nobunaga surprisingly did not express any opinion. He sat on the throne and watched the noise go down there. After a long debate, everyone seemed to be aware of Nobunaga's existence. Everyone leaned down together and asked Nobunaga to make the final decision. However, Nobunaga only said, "It's not too early, let's go back to each other." Then he was the first to leave the assessment room.

"Your Highness Xuanjing, what do you mean by the lord? Don't say anything, it's not like the Lord's way of saying fairly! Niwa Nagahide, who returned to the office, was puzzled.

"Maybe my lord wants to know what we think." I say.

"However, if you are left to do your own thing, you will not be able to deal with Imagawa Yoshimoto. Whether it's war or peace, attack or defense, there must always be a charter......" Niwa Nagahide frowned, "No, I, Nagahide, must fulfill my responsibilities as an important minister!" His Royal Highness Xuanjing, are you willing to support me Changxiu? ”

"Below is the deputy of His Royal Highness Changxiu, and he should advance and retreat together."

"Then, please come with me Nagahide to advise the lord......" Niwa Nagahide said.

So he pulled me to Nobunaga's North Castle Tower. Nobunaga received us in the meeting room.

"You're so early! Didn't this just end? As soon as he sat down, he said this casually.

"Lord, time is pressing, please make a decision early!"

"So, Yonegoro, what do you mean?"

"Your Majesty swears to live and die with Cheongju!" Niwa Nagahide said with a firm expression.

"Then let's go and mobilize military rations and materials and prepare for the cage city." Nobunaga waved his hand, "Keijiro, what about you?" That's what it means? ”

"It is up to the Lord to decide...... Your Majesty will resolutely follow in the footsteps of your lord! I replied with my hands on the ground.

"Then you're ready to go...... So be it. Nobunaga stood up.

……，……

On the 17th, Nobunaga ignored the petitions of his retainers for evaluation. He left Kiyoshu early in the morning and headed for Chita-gun, accompanied by the five men of Oda Echizen Mamoru Mamoru , Kinoshita Masasuke, Asai Masadada, Fukutomi Hidekatsu and Naomasa Takatsu. In this decade, the work of duty and night is in charge of the Red Mother and the Cloth.

On the 18th, Nobunaga still did not give any instructions. I enjoyed being with Ka, Mitsu and the newborn Yujin at the sorrel. As it was approaching evening, there was a knock at the door.

"Who? It's closed today! I shouted.

"His Royal Highness Xuanjing, it's me Fujiyoshiro, and the lord sent me!"

It turned out to be the monkey...... I had no choice but to open the door.

"Your Highness Xuanjing, the lord wants me to come over and get sorrel." Kinoshita Toyoshiro said, raising his monkey face.

"Aren't you already working in the money house, why did you start working as a handyman again?" I asked, surprised.

"Hey, don't mention it...... The day before yesterday, when I heard that the lord had not said a word in the evaluation, I took the initiative to go to the lord and express my loyalty to the lord and the lord, but the lord really ordered me to lead the horse for him again, and the kitchen work was handed over to me. He said with some "grievances".

"This ...... Maybe the lord has some deep meaning! I comforted me. Then give him half a jar of sorrel.

"No, the lord wants two cans this time."

"Why do you want so much?" I asked, surprised.

"The lord summoned all the ladies and several sons, and several younger brothers and sisters who were still in Cheongju were also summoned, so there were more people than usual. I'm afraid not even one can is enough. He explained.

Listening to his words, I knew what to expect. It seems that Nobunaga has made up his mind and has come to his senses. This meal is probably a farewell to your family!

I can't help but get excited when I think of this. The most exciting scene of the Warring States period will unfold in the early morning of tomorrow. Now that I've come to this era, shouldn't I be there, experienced, and informed?

Seeing Fujiyoshiro holding a jar in one hand, I had an idea and took one from his hand: "It's not easy to hold two jars, and it's so dark, it's terrible to mix it somewhere...... I'll send it with you. ”

"Then trouble His Highness Xuanjing." Fujiyoshiro said gratefully.

Entering Cheongju Castle, the two of us entered the back door and went to the kitchen, and as soon as we put the jar down, Nobunaga's voice came from in front of us: "What about the monkey?" Why haven't you come back yet! It's rare to get together for dinner, but you can't miss the delicious taste of the sorrel house! ”

Hearing that Nobunaga seemed impatient, Fujiyoshiro hurriedly agreed: "Lord, the monkey has come back, and His Royal Highness Xuanjing has also sent sorrel over!" ”

"Oh? Then both of you come here! ”

"This ...... The ladies and princesses were ...... that the monkey was hesitant.

"I'll tell you to come here!" Nobunaga's voice was palpable with impatience.

"Yes!" The two of us agreed, and then entered the antechamber and bowed our heads to Nobunaga from a distance.

When Reikai looked up, he saw Nobunaga sitting alone at a small dining table with several bottles of sake beside him, and the male and female members of the family lined up on either side of him. The closest to him is the first table on the right, which is naturally Mrs. Guidie, and at the same table is a beautiful girl in a pink kimono and a bright red smock, perhaps it is Aichi, as Nobunaga's favorite sister, she and Mrs. Guidie have always been very close; Then there is Mrs. Yoshino at the second table, carrying a wonderful pill and a tea whisk pill, and holding one in her arms, which should be Tokuhime, who was born at the end of last year...... I lowered my head and didn't look again.

"Come closer, drink with me!"

"Yes! Yoshiro and I went to his next head.

"Drink, drink!" He shouted holding up the bottle.

I followed his example and picked up a bottle of sake and immediately poured it into my mouth. Anyway, the sake content is not high...... Think of it as beer!

After drinking all the bottles of sake, Oda Nobunaga waved his hand, so the family all retreated, and his own attendants stepped forward to clean up.

"Gee, it's been a long time since I've had this pleasure...... It's been a few years! Nobunaga ungracefully opened his robe and lay down on the floor.

“…… Be! The monkey fell respectfully to the ground, almost throwing itself to the ground.

"It's an honor for your ministers." I replied propped up the floor.

"What is Yyogoro doing?" Nobunaga asked.

"His Royal Highness Changxiu is mobilizing military rations and arranging for people to repair bows and arrows and iron cannons."

"What about you?"

"Your Majesty is waiting for the lord's order." I replied.

"I know why I'm asking you this?"

"Your Majesty doesn't know."

"After the evaluation ended that day, Changxiu and you were the first people to come to see me. Then there were Gonroku and Katsuzaburo, who insisted that I issue a call-up order...... Those two guys! Nobunaga scolded with a smile.

"Lord!" Fujiyoshiro's tone choked, "Although I became a samurai, I can't see the lord often and accept the lord's teachings...... To be able to return to the lord again, the villain is really grateful......"

"The two of them are also out of loyalty to the lord!" I have to say, and at the same time secretly admire the "deep affection" of this monkey.

But what are they to do? People who are like-minded to me will naturally be prepared...... But there are many guys who have been frightened by Imagawa Yoshimoto, and some people have their own little calculations. How can such people be counted on them? Nobunaga said, looking at the ceiling.

"Yes. The lord is wise. ”

"Keijiro, I heard that you had a daughter last month, named Yujin, right?"

"Yes, my lord!" I replied.

"So, when you grow up, you'll be the main room of Sanchi Pill...... When Sanchimaru was born, you just came to Cheongju, and I think this is also a kind of fate. ”

"However, the subordinate is just a general, and his status is low, how can the little girl be worthy of the son of Sanqi Pill!" I was surprised for a moment, and then hurriedly excused myself.

"It's too useless for you to say that," Nobunaga glanced at me with slanted eyes, "Ten years later, you will still be a general!" Don't tell me, that's all you have ambitions...... If you don't have ambition, what kind of samurai are you called! ”

"But the little girl is from the side room......"

"I didn't expect your family to support Sanqi Pill to do anything!" He raised his voice.

Since Nobunaga has said all this, I have no reason to wonder or hesitate any more.

"Yes. It's all up to the lord to cultivate. I leaned down deeply.

Through the gap between my sleeves, I saw a pair of glowing eyes behind me. What a pair of eyes! Full of envy, jealousy, and **......

Perhaps, that was the ambition of the samurai?

"Lord Yu, Liang Tian is out of the feather and asks to see you!" The attendant suddenly came in and reported.

"Let him in." Oda Nobunaga rolled over and sat up, straightened his clothes, and immediately regained his spoof. Then he stood up and nodded to me and Kinoshita Tojiro, "You two come and listen too!" ”

Fujiyoshiro and I followed Nobunaga into the meeting room, and sat behind the main seat, one left and one right.

"How's it going, have you made inquiries?" Nobunaga asked.

"Your Highness, it's already clear. During the day, the Imagawa Osamu conducted an assessment at Tsukake, and Matsudaira Motoyasu's 3,500 Mikawa troops attacked Marune and transported grain to Odaka Castle; Asahinai Tai led 3,000 Yuanjiang troops to attack Washizu; Geshan clan Yuan father and son led 5,000 people to bypass Dagao and drive directly to Cheongju; Miura was prepared to lead 3,000 people to respond; The Suruga army of about 5,000 troops in this camp was led by Imagawa Osamu himself, with Sena Shitoshi as the first ...... According to the people in the barracks, tomorrow morning, the main camp will set out from Hanghang, and in the evening it will arrive at Dagaocheng and set up camp. If the two have not been conquered by then, Matsudaira Motoyasu and Asahina Taichao will have to take on the responsibility of samurai......"

"I didn't take us seriously at all...... Nobunaga shook his head, the expression on his face was very strange and difficult to understand.

"I heard that yesterday Imagawa Jibu changed into court clothes, blackened his teeth, and held a singing party in the pond carp." Liang Tian continued to report.

"Oh, Imagawa Osabe is really relaxed, are you here for an outing!" Nobunaga smiled, "Well done, keep looking!" ”

"Yes! In the next retirement. Liang Tian Zhenggang withdrew from the meeting room.

As soon as he left the meeting room, the attendant came to report again: "My lord, there are messengers from Marune and other people, and more than a dozen adults such as His Royal Highness Mamoru Sado, His Royal Highness Shibata and His Royal Highness Niwa jointly asked the lord to start the assessment immediately!"

"Really, here we go again...... Nobunaga shook his head helplessly, and turned back to tell me and Fujiyoshiro, "Keijiro doesn't need to participate, get ready, and I'll be on duty in the city tonight with the Red Mother." Go down, monkey, take good care of my horse! ”

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