……，…… Ten days have passed, and the Otomo family still hasn't come to meet, and naturally the people from the Ito family haven't come either. Fortunately, our division and co-optation work has achieved good results, and most of the small and medium-sized wealthy families in Usuki County have surrendered to us, and the largest of them is the Yone family in the Shiiba Lake area of Usuki County. This family originated from the Kikuchi clan, a famous family in Higo, who originally lived in the area of Mt. Mira in Kuma County, Higo, and later crossed the Yadake Plateau in the central part of the country and moved to the current place, and is currently one of the largest wealthy families in the country.

The position of the Mira family has always been relatively close to the Ito family, and the last time the Ito family fled to Bungo Province, it was because of the Mira family's escort in the mountains. After the Battle of Otagawa, they were forced to take refuge in the Shimazu family, but they were not taken seriously at all. This time, they threw themselves at me, not only because they heard my ultimatum, but also because of their strong dissatisfaction with the Shimazu family, so as soon as they made a decision, they immediately showed the greatest sincerity, and the younger brother of the head of the family, Yone Shigehide, personally led an army of 1,000 people to join the command of the bee house Yoryu. And because of their help, Hideki and Beehouse Yoritaka were also able to quickly advance to the north of the Ogawa River, and confront the Shimazu family of Takashiro on the south bank across the river.

It is said that Xiangguo has three high cities, and the full name of one of them is Xinnayuan Gaocheng, which is the birthplace of Xinnayuan. The castle is located on a plateau more than 60 meters high, with cliffs on three sides, and only the west side is the passage in and out, and there are five empty walls. During the Battle of Otogawa last year, the Otomo family advanced lightly, chased Otagawa all the way, and besieged Shimazu Iyahisa in this city, but Shimazu Yoshihisa led his team to come and entangle the main force of the Otomo family near Neshirasaka, and Yoshihisa's cousin Shimazu Ihisa broke through from the old Sezaka in the east, and joined forces with the Shimazu family of Takajo, thus breaking the main force of the Otomo family and killing two or three thousand people of the Otomo family.

The situation of the two families now is very similar to that of last year's battle of Ogawa. However, I don't have to worry about anything, Xiujing has always been very cautious, and he and Beehouse Yoryu are both battle-hardened generals, so naturally they are not comparable to people like Tahara Kin-hyun. In addition, our direct reserve team is far more elite than the Otomo family, and if Shimazu Iehisa comes back to that trick of fishing nobushi, I believe that Ii Akabei, who is the striker, will educate him for me.

However, Shimazu Iehisa did not act rashly, but the military strength under him continued to increase, gradually reaching the scale of 10,000 people. At this time, Ito Yoshisuke and his son finally arrived, accompanied by Yoshioka Kanko, the envoy of the Otomo family, and Toyozen Morimasa Jodo.

To be precise, the father and son were escorted by Yoshioka Kasei and Joto Tomomasa. When they saw me, they immediately bowed and went down: "I heard that His Royal Highness Jingo led an army into the country of Yuxiang to crusade against the wanton Shimazu family and uphold justice for us...... It's a pity that I couldn't make the trip because of my poor health a while ago, I'm really sorry! ”

"It's good that the two of you can come, and I'm going to borrow a lot of the strength of the two of you!" I nodded. said the words on this scene, which is also the meaning of the question: "So, how about asking the two of you to go down and rest first?" Later, I will have a banquet for both the virtuous father and son. ”

"It's an honor for my father and son." Yoshisuke Ito bowed his head and said, and then was guided out of the main tent by my attendants.

"There is also news," Yoshioka showed an apologetic expression, "A few days ago, the Akizuki family and the Ryuzoji family gave up attacking the main family, and His Highness Takahashi's Homanjo Castle fell, and he had to retreat to Iwaya Castle to continue resisting...... Because of this, the situation in Chikuzen and Chikugo countries suddenly became tense, and the main hall decided to temporarily abandon the attack on the country and lead the main force into the stable situation of Chikugo country, so I am afraid that it will not be able to support His Highness Kingo. ”

"Is this his own decision?" I asked, groaning.

"Actually, it's Tachibana's idea." Yoshioka replied.

Before I could react, the old castle of the Tachibana family had already bowed down deeply and apologized to me for Tachibana Michiyuki: "Violating the previous agreement, it is really forced by the situation, and I ask His Royal Highness Kongo to forgive me...... In addition, the old lord promised that if he had spare strength, he would definitely advance to Higo Province to support the Aso family and the Sagara family, and then attack Satsuma Province from another road to cooperate with the Shimazu strategy of His Highness Kingo. ”

"Tachibana-sama's assertion is naturally sound," I nodded, "and I can understand the Otomo family's position. ”

Not only that, but my interests aside, from the perspective of the Otomo family, I really appreciate this approach. This strategy first took into account the stability of the existing territory, and was much more stable than Otomo Sorin's policy of rashly plotting against southern Kyushu regardless of the situation. If Otomo Sorin had been so pragmatic last year, he probably wouldn't have been defeated in Ogawa, but it's a pity that he was dazzled by the prominent name of Kyushu Detective, and he not only underestimated the Shimazu family, but also overestimated his own strength, and still has some unrealistic ideas. If it weren't for the prestige and clear knowledge of an old minister like Tachibana Michiyuki in the family, I'm afraid he would still insist on fighting on two fronts.

"Thank you to His Royal Highness Kingo for being reasonable," Joto Zhimasa owed again, "When the foreign minister came this time, he heard that His Royal Highness Kingo was confronting the Shimazu army in the Ogawa River, and considering that His Highness Kingo had come from afar, the old lord specially presented a map, which was drawn based on last year's information, hoping to provide some help." ”

"Really? That's a great help! "I am very happy to say. This map is really very precious, after all, I haven't been to Xiangguo before, and the geographical information of the temporary exploration is likely to be a little omission, at least it is not as good as the Otomo family who has experienced a few months of war, and even Ito father and son, will definitely not be able to get a detailed map for a while!

"If you get His Royal Highness Kingo's words, the foreign minister will complete his mission," Yoshioka showed a smile, "Then the foreign minister will retire first." ”

"Please wait!" When I saw Tomomasa Shiroto, I suddenly remembered a person, and that was the current head of the Tachibana family, Chiyo Tachibana, who was nine years old. I'm very interested in this legendary little girl. As far as I know, in the entire Warring States Period, she seems to be the only one who officially inherited the position of head of the family as a daughter and served as the head of a castle, and the Shiroto Tomomasa in front of her happens to be the assistant family elder designated by Tachibana Michiyuki to Chiyo, and his son Kiyoto Shiroji and son-in-law Shitoki Renzhen (one of the Four Heavenly Kings of Tachibana) are both powerful retainers of Tachibana Muneshige.

"I personally have a personal matter, I would like to ask His Highness Joto, and perhaps His Highness Yoshioka for details." I smiled at the two of them.

"Don't dare, please ask His Highness Jinwu to ask." Tomasa Hiroshi looked a little surprised.

"Ah, it's my personal business, it's better to say it's Janet's wish," I used to use Janet's guise, "She once said that she hoped that her child Keishiro would marry the daughter of the Otomo family, and I gave her a promise...... When I saw His Royal Highness Joto just now, I suddenly remembered that the head of the Tachibana family, Miss Chiyo, seems to be only nine years old this year, and she is not married yet, right? So I want to ask the two of you to take a closer look.,I wonder if Inuko has the honor to be able to get married to Miss Chiyo? ”

"This ......," Shiroto Chimasa glanced at Yoshioka Kaseko, "It is naturally an honor for the head of the family to be able to get acquainted with the children of His Royal Highness Kingo and Princess Janet...... However, according to the minister's shallow opinion, it may not go well. ”

"Your Highness Joto, please." I leaned forward slightly, looking very serious.

"First of all, because the head of the family is the only son of the head of the family (the eldest daughter, Masayo, Chiyo, died at the age of twelve), the husband of the head of the family naturally wants to inherit the Tachibana family, and which family to marry should be approved by the main family; Also, I heard that Princess Janet's Linglang has been baptized and joined the Catholic Church, so the old family owner will probably mind it! Hiroshi thought about it and said.

"Your Highness Jingo, don't blame, the foreign minister also thinks it's not suitable," Yoshioka Jinxing owed, "That Jingshiro Gongzi, it seems that he hasn't turned three years old this year, but Miss Chiyo can recruit a son-in-law in four or five years...... The foreign minister felt that at least he couldn't wait for the time when Jingshiro's son was served. ”

"Ah, is it? …… Then I had to give up, what a pity! I shook my head, "However, I do have great admiration and admiration for Tachibana, and I hope that the two of you can convey this friendship to Tachibana and His Royal Highness Otomo Kingo." ”

"Yes." The two bowed together and agreed.

"In addition, Inuko hopes that the marriage will be conveyed to the families of several old and important ministers, so as to strengthen the relationship between my Kira family and the Otomo family...... As the concubine of the dog, it is probably suitable to marry with several important ministers! I said again.

……，…… For the envoys of the Otomo family, the treatment is naturally different from that of Ito's father and son. In order to show my appreciation for them, I arranged for the commander of the close staff, Nobuhide Satake, to personally send them to Matsuo Castle and arrange them in the castle tower.

When Nobuhide Satake returned, I asked him, "Did His Highness Yoshioka and His Highness Joto tell you anything on the way?" ”

Satake Nobuhide nodded: "The two highnesses said that they are very grateful for their father's easy-going attitude...... As for the father's entrustment, since it is also the wish of the princess of the main family, it will definitely be conveyed. ”

"That's all right," I nodded with satisfaction, "and I will tell you to give a banquet to the four highnesses who have arrived today in the evening, and you must prepare something rich." ”

"Yes." Satake Nobushi agreed, but his steps were a little hesitant.

Looking at him like this, I knew that he must have some doubts in his heart, so I took the initiative to ask, "What's wrong, is there a question you want to ask?" ”

"Well," he nodded, "it's about Keichiro's younger brother...... He is only two or three years old this year, why is his father in a hurry to marry him? ”

"What do you think is the reason?" I asked with a smile.

"I think it's going to win over the Otomo family...... However, then he should marry with the Otomo family, why did his father choose the important ministers of the Otomo family? ”

"Because it's them that I want to woo!" I looked at a piece of information on the table, "The Otomo family is no longer good...... Two days ago, Baoman Castle had just fallen, and the family was in a hurry, but Otomo Kingo took Mrs. Nata's maid leader into the room, and there was no director for a day or two, not only the ministers were dissatisfied, but Mrs. Nado was so angry that she almost committed suicide, and Otomo Kingo's way to calm the dispute was to reactivate Mrs. Nata's brother, Tahara kingen, who was deposed after the Battle of Ogawa, as the judge, and also appointed the second son, Otomo In-kin, to serve as the judge. ”

"Father, isn't it too ...... to rely on such a thing?" Nobuhide Satake looked at me.

"Ah, of course it's not that simple, and there is also a question of denomination." I smiled, "Mrs. Naita was born in the Naita Hachimangu Omiya family in Bungo Province, and naturally believes in Shintoism, and she has had conflicts with Otomo Konota before. Of the three sons-in-law they bore, the eldest son, Yoshitomi, believed in the Rinzai sect of Zen Buddhism, and the second son, the in-laws (De?). Sebastian) and his third son, Kinmori, have already converted to God with Otomo Kingo, and are deeply loved by Otomo Kingo...... There is also the favored side room, who is also Catholic, and happens to be the widowed mother of Mrs. Tahara, the main room of Otomo's family. ”

"There is such a thing!" Nobuhide Satake understood, "In other words, there may be sectarian disputes and heir disputes in the family, right?" ”

"Sectarian disputes have already happened." I nodded. Otomo Sorin, who was still relatively wise when he was young, although he was also obsessed with Catholicism, officially converted to the Rinzai sect at the age of thirty-two, and took the Dharma name "Sorin" to maintain the unity of the family. However, as he grew older, he became more and more mediocre, and not only did he officially convert to Catholicism, but he also made a mess of his family's finances. During the Battle of Ogawa last year, many temples, shrines, Buddha statues, and ancient documents were destroyed in Usuki-gun, which caused a strong resentment among the local wealthy clans, and also caused a large loss of historical materials from the modern period in the northern part of modern Miyazaki Prefecture (Floys's "History of the Hon").

In the original history, in order to settle disputes, the important ministers of the Otomo family succeeded all the Otomo family and the Otomo family to inherit the Tahara clan and the Tahara family respectively, which preserved the status of Otomo Yoshitomo and temporarily maintained the stability of the family. Later, Tahara's in-laws were dissatisfied with their brother Yoshitsu and colluded with Shimazu Yoshihisa, and after the incident, they were removed from all their positions and confiscated their holdings; However, before his death, Otomo Sorin's death forced Yoshitomo to pardon Tahara's in-laws, so the in-laws soon served as the adjubrator of the Otomo family and controlled the internal affairs of the family.

According to the current situation, the Otomo family can be described as stormy, internal and external troubles, and I can be the savior of the Otomo family. If I have a greater development after that, then it will not be difficult to take advantage of the civil strife in the Otomo family and let Keishiro enter the Otomo family. Now that the wind is released, it can be said that Keishihiro is the first step in this plan to win over the important ministers of the Otomo family.

Although this consideration is a bit long-term, however, Jingqilang Chengren's words are also very long-term...... So I'm sure we can catch up!

(To be continued)