Chapter 155: Yu Si is the Pole (II)

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Zhou Kei defeated Ikeda Tsuneko's main camp and launched an assault on the Owari Kunizhong in one go, while the Ise Kunizhong in the rear was dispatched to support the Chinese army led by Naotora. They first cooperated with the Higo situation on the right side of the Chinese army, and together they flanked the Minami Omi Province led by Hori Hidemasa.

In the two years since the return of self-confidence, due to many changes such as the fall of Azuchi Castle, the retirement of Akechi Mitsuhide, the transfer of the Niwa family, and the accession of the Yura family, the power of the wealthy clan in Minami Omi has undergone great changes. Of the powerful families that were once matched by the Rokkaku family, except for the Gamo family who followed me, the rest of the Goto, Hirai, Shinto, and Nagahara families have declined; Several families involved in household economics in the Nobunaga era were almost suppressed, and even the Qingdi family, who had been guarding Usayama Castle with Mori Kecheng, so as to obtain Nobunaga's different eyes and was appointed as the minister of Nobutaka and Lizhong, also lost their territory with the death of Nobutaka, and the head of the family, Aoji Motozhen, has now defected to his cousin Gamo Nobuhide; There are also the brothers Yamaoka Keitaka, Keisa, and Keitomo, who resisted very resolutely during the invasion of Akechi Mitsuhide, and later became important ministers of Yoshihoshi to participate in household affairs, but when Nobuo took control of Yoshi, they were excluded from the decision-making hierarchy; Most of the retainers under Niwa Nagahide took refuge in the Yura family, and then transferred to various places in Kinai as appropriate (Nagahide was commissioned by Nobunaga, and the retainers also had many positions, which was why Hideyoshi wooed them). At present, the dominant position in the country is the sworn friends of the Hara family, led by Hidemasa Hori, the lord of Sawa Yamashiro Castle, and the former retainer of the Niwa family, the Taga family, whose younger brother Hidemasa Hori inherits the family business as an adopted son.

Seeing the collapse of Ikedabe and the attack of Ise and Higo, the people of Minami-Omi were also shaken. The Yamaoka family, the Ogawa family, and the Nagata family, who had been secretly in contact with the main family, gave up resistance one after another, or directly joined Naotoka's matching. Hori Hidemasa, Taga Hidesa and others tried their best to lead their respective reserves to hold on, trying to stabilize the front, but the general trend was gone, and the result was either to break up on the spot or flee back the way they had come from, leading frustration and confusion to Hideyoshi's main camp.

However, despite the defeat of Ikeda's Hengxing tribe, he himself did not die in battle, but only became a prisoner of Zhou Jing. While Naohoku continued to attack Hideyoshi's main camp, Zhou Kei also sent Ikeda Tsuneko to my Okadayama main camp. Out of respect, Zhou Jing did not restrict Ikeda Hengxing's actions, only sent eight people to surround him, and he did not try to escape, his expression was very indifferent, and his eyes also lost the vitality of the past, obviously depressed to the extreme.

I led the crowd down the lookout and personally greeted Ikeda Tsuneko at the entrance of the main tent, just as I had done three or four years earlier during the campaign against Arakimura Shige. However, he is not a colleague who fights alongside me now, but a high-ranking enemy commander who has been captured by me...... Thinking of the past and the kindness we once had, I couldn't help but feel a lot of emotion.

"Your Highness Hengxing, please be seated," I nodded to Ikeda Hengxing.

Ikeda didn't answer, didn't even look at me, and sat down in silence on the maza below me.

This attitude is a bit rude, but I understand his feelings, so naturally I don't want to care about anything, but just order the near shì who is on duty in the camp tent to say: "Go and get a few bottles of sake, I want to have a drink with His Royal Highness Hengxing." ”

Commanded.

"Remember, it's from the Jiangchuan Imperial Liquor, which is produced in Yuanjiang Country." I looked at Ikeda Hengxing and added.

The so-called Egawa Imperial Sake is a high-quality sake produced by the Egawa family in Ene Province, and it was once revered by Tokiyori, the most famous temple of Hojo, the ruler of the Kamakura Shogunate, and it was officially named after Hojo Sakumo. This sake is famous in the Kinai and Kanto regions, and it has always been used as a gift from daimyo houses. Historically, when the Takeda family was pacified, the gifts given by the Hojo clan to the new Kanto governor Takigawa Ichiyi were the famous horse, the Egawa imperial sake, and the white bird, which symbolized good luck.

As far as I know, Ikeda is a lover of sake, and he is especially fond of Egawa wine.

"I didn't expect you to remember my preference," Ikeda Tsuneko looked up, finally with a little expression on his face, "You prepared such a good sake, it's for celebration, right?" ”

"It's really for the celebration," I admitted frankly, "but the war isn't over yet, so naturally there's no celebration of it, so I hope you don't mind...... As before, how do you get paid as a colleague? ”

"As before...... Hehe! The corners of Ikeda's mouth pulled down, his expression a little sarcastic and self-deprecating, "Okay then! Since you don't feel hypocritical, I, Hengxing, am naturally happy to accompany you. ”

The sake was soon delivered to the main account, and I gave a bottle each to Shinkei, Takenaka, and Wasuka to continue to the watchtower to preside over the war, and then I personally took out two more sake bowls and handed them one when they were full. However, Ikeda did not take the wine bowl, but picked up the wine bottle and poured it directly into his mouth.

I knew he was depressed and couldn't persuade him, so I shook my head and watched as he poured all the remaining four bottles of sake into his mouth.

"Happy!" Ikeda Hengxing tore off the soft black hat on his head and wiped his mouth, his mouth spewing a strong smell of wine, "Is there anything else?" ”

"Yes. You can drink as much as you want," I handed him my bottle and instructed Shinì, "Go get a few more!" ”

"Then you're welcome!" Ikeda Hengxing took my wine and smiled slightly, "To tell you the truth, I just changed the seal at the beginning of this year, and the expenses are very huge. It's been half a year since I've drunk such an expensive wine! ”

"Really?" I replied casually.

"Of course, I'm not as wealthy as you," Ikeda said, pouring the bottle into his mouth and grinning, "Speaking of which, I still owe you a sum of money, which I borrowed half a year ago when my lord was in trouble...... At that time, you were confined for the first time by the lord for admonishing the lord, you should remember it very clearly, right? ”

The lord he said was naturally Oda Nobunaga.

"Yes," I nodded, "and thank you for interceding with the Taizheng Gong for me." ”

"Needless to say, these kind words will be said," Ikeda Hengxing waved his hand, turned his head to look in the direction of Azuchi Castle, and sighed deeply, "Alas, I really miss the days when my lord was alive!" ”

I didn't answer his words, but just asked Shinshì to put the sake he brought on a few tables. Ikeda Hengxing was unceremonious, and quickly drank another bottle, and then he seemed to be a little drunk, and a trace of tears flashed in his eyes: "I Hengxing has no great ambitions, and being able to serve under the command of the lord and the young lord, and worship the protection of a country, is already a blessing that has been cultivated for several lifetimes...... Of course, the two traitors of Yoshishu and Mitsuhide won't think so, and you and Hideyoshi must have their own minds now. This is also something that can't be helped, the lord and the young master have returned to heaven! ”

"For the grace of Taizheng Gong's acquaintance, I have always said very calmly.

"I heard that His Royal Highness Xuanjing has made a decision to transfer my Mino Kingdom to Master Ji's Young Palace?" Ikeda Hengxing asked suddenly, his attitude becoming more serious.

"Exactly, I'm also going to seal Owari to His Highness Envelope, His Highness Ikoma and His Highness George," I nodded, "They are all Yoshi-shi's, and Mino and Owari were the territories of Lieutenant General Zuo back then." ”

"This is very good, at least it is more authentic than Hideyoshi," Ikeda Hengxing smiled, "In the past two years, I have followed Hideyoshi, successively defeated His Royal Highness Shibata and His Royal Highness Nobutaka, and put the young master of Yoshihoshi in the air, which is actually very regrettable in my heart." But for the sake of his family business and future, he had to continue to follow...... This kind of mood, His Royal Highness Xuanjing should understand, right? When His Royal Highness left Tosa and came to Owari, wasn't it also to serve his family's name? ”

"Not bad." I nodded.

"Now His Royal Highness Xuanjing has done it. The strength of the Kira family has surpassed that of the main family at its peak. And after this battle, there is no doubt that the Kira family will rule the world," Ikeda Tsuneko sighed, "From the point of view of Zaixia's heart, if I had to choose, I would prefer to follow His Highness Xuanjing, after all, His Highness's origin, ability, character, and reputation are more outstanding than Hideyoshi, and he is quite kind to Zaixia." It's a pity that it was Hideyoshi who presided over the crusade against the party, and it was he who avenged the great revenge for the lord, and the territory at that time was next to the Yuliang family, and his daughter had a fate with Xiuji, so he had to stand opposite His Royal Highness Xuanjing. ”

"Why would I like to play against you?" I sighed, "I can only say that the world is impermanent, and creation makes people!" ”

Ikeda nodded in agreement, and he picked up another bottle of sake and poured it into his mouth.

However, I know that this statement is somewhat untrue. At the beginning, he entered the Settsu Province and wanted to marry his daughter to Yoshikyo to strengthen the connection with his family, but I pushed his daughter to Shuji, who was not in the Yuan costume at the time, on the grounds of Nana's intentions...... At that moment, I had actually turned him down.

At this moment, a loud cheer was heard outside the tent, and the cheering was extremely thick, like a hurricane blowing through a wide area. Ikeda shuddered and suddenly stood up from his maza. And I know very well that this must be the winner of the middle lane, and the victory will undoubtedly belong to our side.

The cheers continued, and Xinjing walked into the tent. His steps were very brisk, and his face was filled with unconcealable joy: "Father! We have routed the enemy's own position! Yura Chikuzen and Yura Keihide have fled! In this decisive battle, the family has won! ”

"So what about the left? Did Tokugawa Ieyasu react? I asked.

"The Tokugawa army retreated to the Kitayama position, so the fighting on the left flank had also stopped. Uncle Xiujing didn't chase after them, but just sent an envoy to ask his father to cut the ...... In addition, Uncle Hidekei suggested that he could send a messenger to the Tokugawa family to persuade him to surrender, and they would not refuse. ”

I nodded. There was really no better way out for the Tokugawa family than to surrender. A defeat in this battle means the defeat of the entire decisive battle, and the partial victory or defeat is irrelevant. As the defeated side, their route home has been cut off by their own family and cannot return to the territory; And it is even more impossible for them to follow Hideyoshi back to Harima Country, otherwise they will be stubbornly resisting, and there will definitely be good fruit to eat. Tokugawa Ieyasu was naturally well aware of this, so he retreated to his starting position and waited for our arrival.

"Congratulations to His Highness Xuanjing...... In other words, congratulations to His Royal Highness the Inner Mansion and His Royal Highness Yulin! Ikeda Hengxing lowered his head and sat back on the mazar calmly, "I lost my temper just now, and I also said a lot of inappropriate words, and I ask His Highness the Inner Mansion to forgive me!" ”

"Your Highness Ikeda......" Shinkyo looked at Ikeda Tsuneko strangely, obviously not understanding why Ikeda Tsuneko, as an enemy, would congratulate his family. Then he cast me an inquiring gaze, as if asking about my disposition of Ikeda Hengxing.

"Actually, I'm just trying to say something," Ikeda continued, "As a captured and defeated general, it stands to reason that I should have committed suicide on the spot to preserve my honor as a samurai...... The reason why he has lived so far is that in addition to wanting to see the outcome of the war, he also hopes to be able to repay his previous debts to His Royal Highness. ”

"Debt?" The letterscape is even stranger.

"There are two main ones," Ikeda Hengxing smiled slightly, "The smaller one is the 4,000 guan borrowed from His Royal Highness the Inner Mansion when he repaired Hanakuma Castle the year before last. However, now that Hanakuma Castle is in the hands of His Royal Highness the Inner Palace, this loan does not have to be repaid...... A large amount of debt was owed more than 10 years ago, when Shimoto was besieged in Matsukura Castle, His Royal Highness the Uchifu rescued Owari with the naval general. Then, under this xìng life, I will return it to His Highness the Inner Mansion today! ”

As he spoke, Ikeda picked up the bowl of sake I had poured him at the beginning, and drank it all in one gulp.

"Thank you, Your Highness the Inner Palace, for the wine!" He said with a smile, and took the initiative to follow Jin Shishi out of the side door and leave the main tent.

I sat down on the throne and subconsciously stretched out my hand, ready to hold him back. But what's the use of retaining? As he said, as a defeated general who fought on the battlefield for half a day and was captured, there could be no other ending.

I could only watch him leave and let out a sigh.

After calming down a bit, I asked Xinjing, "Your Uncle Xiujing's envoy is still here, right?" ”

"Oh... Jing retracted his gaze at Ikeda Hengxing's back and nodded in reply.

"Then it's time for me to go out too." I got up from my seat and walked slowly out of the tent. Outside the main gate of the camp, in addition to Hidekage's envoys, there were also Takenaka Shigeharu, Wasuka Masakatsu and others, as well as Maeda Toshinaga, Honda Masasumi, and Tsubouchi Keitada, who had returned victoriously, and hundreds of other people who were close to him, and when they saw me and Nobuyi coming out, they all knelt down in unison.

"Congratulations on the prosperity of our family!" Everyone congratulated in unison.

I didn't say anything, and went straight to the lookout in the center of the camp. Xinjing hesitated for a moment, and chose to stop under the lookout, leaving the entire lookout to me.

Standing on the lookout, you can see the battlefield in front of you. On this battlefield within a radius of several kilometers, there are more than 100,000 troops under the command of the family, and the battle line is also full of ashigaru and war horses who have died on both sides of the enemy, and the enemy's flags are thrown all over the ground, and some reserves are still cleaning up the battlefield, or chasing and suppressing small groups of enemy troops who have fled. However, the battle was already over, and at this moment my white flag had been planted on the opposite side of the Kayama position, where the enemy's main formation was located.

I pulled out the folding fan from my waist, flipped it up, and shouted, "Victory, victory, victory!" ”

"Victory, victory, victory!"

"Victory, victory, victory!"

"Victory, victory, victory!"

Everyone raised their weapons one after another, and they responded with a bang all over the battlefield.