The tens of thousands of stones of the Shenbao family were high, and only 2,000 stones were given to Li Xiao.

This can be regarded as the donation of Honganji Temple to Li Xiao. In other words, look at you pitiful, I will eat meat and drink as much soup as you like.

This is simply an insult to Li Xiao.

At that time, when Xuanzong of Honganji Temple said this sentence indifferently, he looked at Li Xiao himself very indifferently, and didn't seem to care. The implication of his words seemed to be that he still hoped that Li Xiao would refuse, so that he would not share anything.

Although Li Xiao wanted to smash a fist on the old bone of Xuanzong in his heart, he couldn't turn his face, and in his current situation, Li Xiao was in the stage of hugging the thigh of Honganji Temple.

Therefore, it is necessary to look at their faces and act, otherwise not to mention how Honganji is, as long as they give up their support for themselves and do not need to do anything to the Uesugi family, the strength of the Jimbo family will be enough to destroy themselves.

And Honganji Xuanzong is indeed not an easy person, he calculated that Li Xiao would not dare to turn his face now, so he put forward such harsh conditions.

So after some negotiations, the two sides took a lot of words, and Xuanzong reluctantly agreed to give Li Xiao 3,000 stone high after the war, which was 1,000 higher than the original 2,000 stone high.

Li Xiao did not agree at that time, nor did he refuse, but just withdrew from the military tent where Xuanzong was located with his retainers, and claimed to give Honganji an answer.

Two thousand stones, three thousand stones, this is no difference at all for Li Xiao, who also intends to touch the entire Yuezhong.

"Shengxing Temple, Ruiquan Temple wants to annex the entire Yuezhong by themselves, I don't know if they have such a good mouth."

In the military tent, Li Xiao said.

At this time, Kinoshita Koichiro spoke up: "My lord, the meaning of Xuanzong is very clear at the moment, if we don't cooperate with him, we won't even be able to seal the territory of these three thousand stones." ”

Honda Masanobu, who has always advocated an alliance with the Ichizong sect, also stood up at this time and said: "My lord, what Kinoshita-sama said is right, we must not agree to Master Xuanzong's proposal. ”

"It's better to write a letter to Lord Gokan about the matter here, and listen to him as an arbitrator." Kohata Xiaoxian suggested loudly.

Li Xiao shook his head and said: "Impossible, the Takeda family is now maintaining the offensive of Shinano and Ueno, it is already very difficult, before Minowa Castle is not captured, Lord Gokan will never interfere in Echichu." Before that, he had given me the power to arbitrarily arbitrarily do everything in Vietnam, and now we are on our own, and it is impossible to hope for the help of the Takeda family. ”

Hearing Li Xiao say this, Kinoshita Koichiro and the others were all depressed.

Xiaohan Xiaoxian suddenly said: "My lord, back then, the famous Ouchi family, the Nizi family competed for power in the western country, and both were defeated, but it gave the Maori family, who was born in the Xiaohao family, the opportunity to rise, and finally let the Maori Yuan dominate the two roads of Shanyang and Shanyin, and become the overlord of the western country." ”

"At present, the situation in Echi-Central is the same, Honganji Temple, Uesugi family wrestling with Echichu, comparable to Ouchi, Niko family, why don't the lords follow the story of the rise of Maori and dominate Hokuriku."

Kohata Xiaoxian's words were like a stone stirring up a thousand waves, and the retainers were all heartbroken.

Li Xiao glanced at Xiaohan Xiaoxian, knowing the meaning of his words, at this time, he had to use his strength to fight repeatedly, between the Uesugi family, between the sects, between the two families, and finally rise again in one fell swoop.

The same was true of the Maori Yuan back then.

At present, Honganji is snubbing Li Xiao's side, why doesn't Li Xiao switch to Uesugi Kenshin, reach some tacit agreement with the Uesugi family, and after defeating Honganji, he will profit from chaos.

Xiaoban Xiaoxian didn't make it clear in his words, but the meaning was very clear, but he took into account Li Xiao's opinion, so he didn't say it nakedly.

After all, at this moment, the Uesugi family is still the great enemy of the Takeda family, and once his remarks are confirmed, he will be charged with collaborating with the enemy.

This shows that Xiaohan Xiaoxian is still cautious.

Not only that, Li Xiao also has a high opinion of Xiaohata Xiaoxian's strategy, and the person who can say such things shows that he has gradually gained his own insight in strategy.

However, Li Xiao rethought Kohata Xiaoxian's opinion and shook his head slightly, Xiaohata Xiaoxian's knowledge was still not enough.

He underestimated Uesugi too much, and he has always been a sect, if everyone is so easy to use, then there will not be only one Maori Yuan in the troubled times of the Warring States.

At this time, Honda Masanobu had already given a reply to Kohata Xiaoxian, and he said: "Kohata-sama, what he said is good, but the Daimyo of the Jinbo family, the Shiina family, they don't want to do this. The head of the Uesugi family is not a stupid person and will not be used by them casually. ”

"Besides, if the Ichijo Sect and the Uesugi family see through our attempts to use these two families, the first thing they want to eradicate is the main family. There is a saying in the Ming Dynasty that you take chestnuts from the fire, but it is often so, and it is easier to burn yourself. ”

After hearing Honda Masashi's words, Kohata Xiaoken didn't say anything for a while, so he stepped aside and didn't speak.

"But we can't do that either, and we're at the mercy of Honganji. What is 3,000 stone high, once Yuezhong is swallowed by Honganji Temple alone, and we will never be able to come out. Koichiro Kinoshita expressed his opinion, saying that he was on the side of Kohata Xiaoxian.

Among the retainers, there were disagreements, and Kinoshita Koichiro and Kohata Xiaoken advocated turning their faces at Honganji Temple and moving closer to the Uesugi family.

Honda Masanobu, on the other hand, advocated continuing negotiations at Honganji Temple and striving for results.

Seeing that the two sides were about to turn from a dispute to a big quarrel.

Shima Katsutoshi said loudly: "You don't need to say any more, how to reply to the Xuanzong of Honganji Temple, in the end, please ask the Lord to make it public." ”

After Dao Shengmeng finished speaking, the retainers stopped talking together and listened to how Li Xiao decided.

In fact, Li Xiao looked at his retainers, at this time, they must set a decisive example by themselves to lead the retainers to clarify the direction.

But the situation at the moment is also very difficult for Li Xiao to make a decision.

Take the three heroes of the Warring States as an example, they are in their own situation, how should they act?

Follow the example of Oda Nobunaga and take advantage of the power with force? It is estimated that it will be difficult to fight again in a narrow and narrow battle, after all, there is a huge difference in strength, and there is no possibility of being spared.

Emulate Toyotomi Hideyoshi, with the use of the power of the hand, left and right sources, but this situation also said, left and right sources depend on the occasion, Uesugi has always been a person who is not fooled.

Following the example of Tokugawa Ieyasu and taking the safe path and making decisions that do not exceed his own limits, then he can only continue to cling to Honganji Temple, or collect his troops and go home, and sit on the mountain and watch.

Li Xiao shook his head, this was just his own speculation for a while.

Just as Li Xiao was about to speak, outside the military tent, a samurai reported: "My lord, I just got the secret report from the ninja that Uesugi Huihu has gone out of the spring mountain city and is heading straight for the mountain city of Yuezhong. ”

As soon as he heard this samurai say, everyone in the military tent was shocked.

Uesugi Teruhu actually came out of the battle.

The Jibo's family is now besieged in Zengshan Castle, plus the Shiina family who has been deployed outside Zengshan Castle, the people of the wealthy clans in Echichu, Honganji, and the Uesugi family, are they going to hold a general battle in Zengshan Castle?

"How many troops does Uesugi Kenshin have to fight?"

"It's not much, it's only about three thousand."

When everyone heard this, they were amazed.

Shimakatsu shook his head violently and said, "It's ridiculous, Uesugi Kenshin only has less than 3,000 troops, do you want to shake the 80,000 troops of Honganji?" ”

"In my opinion, Uesugi Kenshin is here to integrate the Echi-Zhong forces, provoke this with his personal prestige, concentrate the forces of Shiina, Kikuchi, Ishiguro and the Echichu clans, and then attack Honganji Temple in one fell swoop." Honda Masanobu said slowly.

"Report to the Lord."

Another samurai stepped forward to report and said, "My lord, the Uesugi family's army is expected to pass through Echichu in the afternoon, and the Uesugi family has sent a letter to the wealthy clans of Echichu to go out to Zengshan Castle." At present, many wealthy families have responded. ”

The Satoshu is one of the seven exemptions of Uesugi that Ashikaga Yoshiki granted to Uesugi Kenshin, and the Satoshu issued by the Kanto Governor is equivalent to the Shogun's Imperial Letter.

The crowd gathered on the topographic map of the central part of the country and looked at it for a long time.

Li Xiao smiled slightly and asked, "If you say, which side will win this battle between Honganji and the Uesugi family?" ”

"Uesugi Huihu crisscrosses the northern continent and has been undefeated so far, but this time there have always been many people in the sect, with a full 80,000 troops, Uesugi Huihu seems to be too light on the enemy, in addition to his own headquarters, with those wealthy clans in Yuezhong, it is difficult to fight to the death." Koichiro Kinoshita spoke up.

Shimakatsu snorted and said, "In any case, the decisive battle between the Uesugi family and Honganji Temple is the largest joint battle in Hokuriku in the past twenty years, and the outcome of this battle will directly affect the pattern of Hokuriku. ”

"Yes, I don't know who will win and who will lose in the decisive battle between the Uesugi family and Honganji, but I have already made a decision at this moment," Li Xiao smiled slightly and looked at the ministers and said, "Uesugi Huihu sent troops this time, it is really God helping me, my decision is to not reply to Xuanzong for the time being, we will step aside, sit back and wait for the result of this victory, and then make a conclusion." ”

Under the city of Zengshan, it has always been in the army tent.

Xuanzong of Honganji Temple held a prayer bead in his hand, looked at the monk who returned to the court, and asked in surprise: "You mean Li Xiao, has already retired from the army?" ”

"Yes, Lord Li Xiao said, he didn't know how to decide for a while, so he could only report whether or not to agree to the conditions to the lord of Takeda Dashan, and let him show him."

Honganji Xuanzong listened to the monk's reply, his two white eyebrows frowned slightly, and said: "This Li Xiao is lying, as far as I know, Takeda Shinxuan has granted Li Xiao the right to temporarily arbitrarily determine the Hokuriku, and let him temporarily serve as the general of the Yuezhong Army, there is no reason to hesitate." ”

Xuanzong of Honganji Temple peeled his fingers and peeled the prayer beads, closed his eyes and pondered for a while, suddenly opened his eyes, and said, "I guess Li Xiao is not an indecisive person, the current situation, he should see it very clearly, except for relying on my Shengxing Temple, he has no other way in Vietnam, if he hesitates, there must be some kind of change in the situation." ”

"In my opinion, something probably happened to the Uesugi family, either Uesugi Huihu sent troops, or Li Xiao was ready to collude with the Uesugi family, and then find an opportunity to defect, and the monks who went to Echigo to collect intelligence haven't come back yet?"

"Not yet." The monk replied.

"Senior Brother Xuanzong, don't send people, Uesugi Huihu has sent troops from Chunyue Mountain City yesterday."

Honganji Genzong looked outside the tent and saw that the Kaga Kunibo official Yoriteru Shimoma and his son Shimoma Nakataka were slowly walking into the military tent.

Shimoma Lai looked at Xuanzong of Honganji Temple, first folded his hands and inquired, and said: "Amitabha, senior brother, please forgive me, I just happened to walk outside the door at Xiashi, and I didn't intend to listen." ”

Honganji Xuanzong also returned the salute and said with a slight smile: "Senior brother of the lower house, it is just the right time, and this time I would like to thank Kaga for the sake of the same sect, and rushed to Vietnam to help me promote the Dharma of the Venerable Master, but I don't know when the news of Kaga and the same sect is so well-informed, and I also obtained information before my Shengxing Temple." ”

Shimoma Lai Zhao still had an indifferent smile on his face when he said to the Xuanzong of Honganji Temple, and said, "Senior brother, this is just a coincidence. At the moment, I am concerned about how to deal with Kenshin Uesugi, and as far as I know, he did not have many troops with him in this battle. ”

"How much?"

"Less than three thousand."

Hearing Shimoma Yorisho's reply, Honganji Xuanzong seemed to breathe a sigh of relief, and said indifferently: "Uesugi Terutora thinks too highly of himself, he still thinks that he is the Asakura Zongdi back then, and he can come to the Nine-Headed Dragon River Battle again. ”

Hearing Honganji Xuanzong say this, Shimoma Yorizhao's face changed, and the battle of the Nine-Headed Dragon River was a nightmare for the disciples of Kaga Ichisho Sect.

Honganji Xuanzong mentioned it this time, and he didn't give them face.

Lai Zhao reunited and said: "In the battle of the Nine-headed Longchuan back then, both families lost a lot, so please be cautious, I have no other intention to come to Vietnam, I retired." ”

After speaking, Lai Zhao brushed the monk's robe and walked out of the military tent with Shimoma Zhongxiao.

Xuanzong of Honganji Temple looked at the figure of Lai Zhao of the lower middle and walked out of the tent, and was silent for a while, and the monk on the side said: "The abbot, it seems that there is some prejudice against the lower master, I look at the lower master, a sincere meaning, this time to help, we also want to feel the other party's help." ”

Honganji Xuanzong smiled, slowly wrapped the rosary around his wrist, and said, "You are wrong, you can't just listen to the words of the other party, and then judge." Kaga Niji Temple has always had the intention of integrating my Echichu, and Shimoma Yorisho is the head of it, and this person must be guarded against. ”

"Yes, abbot, how should the Takeda family reply?"

Honganji Xuanzong squinted his eyes, seemed to recall for a while, and said: "Li Xiao, although I have only met him once, he has left a deep impression on me, and this person's future will never be limited now." Thinking of his past actions, I regret a little at this moment, for neglecting him before. ”

"Even if we take Echichu, this person must not be offended, otherwise it will be a great disaster for my Honganji Temple in the future, not to mention that this time Uesugi Teruhu is attacking, I need to borrow his strength. This person, as Masashi said to me before, is one of the few fierce generals in the world who can fight with Uesugi Teruto. So ......"

Xuanzong of Honganji Temple paused and said: "Change the previous conditions, change the three thousand stones to five thousand stones, and see how Li Xiao reacts." In addition, if Li Xiaoken converts to my Pure Land True Sect and believes in my Pure Land True Sect, I will implore the Dharma Master to invite the Son of Heaven to make him a monk of my Pure Land True Sect. ”

"Monk?" The monk said in shock, "Abbot, whether this request is too generous to Li Xiao depends on the strength of more than a thousand troops in his hands. ”

Xuanzong of Honganji Temple smiled slightly and said: "Why can't you give him a nominal monkhood." In this way, there is no need to give him knowledge and action, which not only attracts this person, but also does not give him the opportunity to strengthen his power, killing two birds with one stone. ”

The monk listened to the words of Xuanzong of Honganji Temple, and immediately admired and said: "The abbot's foresight is really admired, and I will reply to this Li Xiao." ”

After the monk retreated, Xuanzong of Honganji Temple walked out of the tent, looked at the towering Zengshan Castle on the mountain, and said to the monks of the Quartet: "I pass on the Dharma Lord to the Emperor, and the disciples of all parties have been gathered, and it is said that they will attack Zengshan City and destroy the Buddha and the enemy God in one fell swoop." ”

(To be continued)