After receiving the news of our repulsion of Nara Katsumasa, Kagawa no Kei behaved very cooperatively. He sent Kagawa Motoharu, the elder of the pen family and the lord of Takaya Castle, to contact us, and I asked Gamo Fuhide and Futami Mitsunari to come forward to receive them, and the final agreement between the two parties was that Naka County was assigned to the Kagawa family, and Uzuzu County was assigned to us, and the two sides jointly sent troops to attack.

Soon after, Kagawa no Kei's younger brother, Kannonji Keiquan, came with 2,000 troops and joined us to attack Seitsuji Castle near Utatsu. Knowing that it was the last moment, Nara Katsumasa resisted very resolutely. However, the Nara family was repeatedly attacked, losing a large number of samurai and ashigaru, and Nara Katsumasa himself was negligent in battle, and did not inherit the head of the family, so he lacked prestige and could not exert his maximum strength. In the face of the 7,000 troops on both sides, the Nara family resisted for about half a day, and was still the first to break into the city by the Maeda Toshiya. Seeing that he could not do anything, Nara Katsumasa went to the castle tower to burn the castle and committed suicide, but the newly released Nara Motomasa heard the news and shaved his hair at the nearby Zentsuji Temple.

At this time, among the six wealthy families of Sanuki Province, only Tokawa Kuho of Yamada County and Yasutomi Katsu of Miki County were left. Needless to say, as the current guardian generation and the people of the Miyoshi family, they are naturally unwilling to surrender to the enemy, the Anfu family has always been not very compatible with the Hanchuan family, the previous generation has been hostile for a long time, and in the first two years, they did a few fights for Ouchi County, and now that the Hankawa family has followed me, they have to follow the Shikawa depository.

I ordered Kagawa Keizen, Kasai Yoshikiyo, and Hatome Shizai to attack Yamada County, monitor the Tokawa Depositor of Tokawa Castle, and lead 5,000 of my family and Kankawa Motokumi to join forces to attack Katsugayama Castle of the Yasutomi family. This time there was no heavy rain to disturb the situation, Yasutomi Katsutsu persevered for a day, and seeing that the situation was not good, just like the last time in Toramaru Castle, he abandoned the castle and fled to Nishiawa, and went to his father-in-law, Shinohara Nagabo.

At this time, only the Shihe family remained. I and Kangawa Motokumi went west into Yamada County, joined up with Kasai and Kagawa, gathered 12,000 troops, and surrounded Tokawa Castle.

On the 20th of October, Nobunaga's reward for the Battle of Katsurui fell. The three counties of Awa in the south were assigned to Hosokawa Shinyuki; The two counties of Awa and Mima in Nishiawa were transferred to Maeda Toshiie, Sawaki Yoshiyuki, and Ikoma parents, and the former Ise Amaki County was returned to Nobunaga's direct leadership; As a result of my suggestion and that of Hosokawa Shinyuki, Miyoshi Choji was spared by Nobunaga and kept Miyoshi Ichigun.

In addition, when I received an explanation of the situation and expected arrangements for the wealthy clans of Sanki Province, Nobunaga roughly agreed, and gave me the three counties of Uzu, Yamada, and Miki in Sanki Province as a reward for my complete pacification of the Miyoshi family.

I summoned Kankawa Motokuma, Kasai Yoshikiyo, and Kannonji Keiquan and announced to them the arrangements that Nobunaga had agreed. Actually, that's pretty much what I'm going to do. According to this plan, there will be three big families left in the Sanki country, the eastern part is the Kankawa family, the eastern part is the Ouchi family, the Kanche, the two counties and Shodoshima, the central is the Kosai family, the three counties of Kagawa, Ayananjo, and Ayahojo, and the western part is the Kagawa family, and the four counties of Naka, Tado, Sanno, and Toyota. Between the Kankawa family and the Kasai family, is my Yamada-gun and Miki-gun, and between the Kasai family and the Kagawa family, it is separated by my Uzuchi-gun.

The three of them were very happy to hear the news. In this era, as a wealthy family, it is already a very rare thing to be able to keep your own family name and territory. For such a purpose, when there are powerful forces around, in order to avoid being swallowed up by the waves rolled up by the big ship, they have to make a choice, either to cling to such a big ship, or to use all their strength to support it; If there is more than one powerful force around, then you must deal with it more carefully, and flexibly use the three weapons of subordination, self-reliance, and betrayal; Once the powerful forces they attached to them weakened, they must lose no time in escaping to avoid sinking with the ruined ship. Moreover, in such a process, they must also maintain a certain dignity, otherwise they will lose their dignity and prestige, and they will not be able to maintain their dominance, and will either go into decline or be replaced by other members of their own clan or sub-clans or retainers.

Now that they have successfully taken refuge in the overlord of Jinai, their top boss is also a trustworthy person with ability and character, and for them, it is equivalent to boarding a solid giant ship. From then on, with me as their backing and arbiter, and with their backs to Awa's Hosokawa Shinyuki, they no longer had to worry about anything inside and outside the home, they only needed to follow Nobunaga or me to fight in various places, win more military fame and prestige, and even have territories and positions.

Moreover, they are not without gain. The Kagawa family got Nako County, the Kasai family eliminated their threat, the Kankawa family regained their old domain, and destroyed the Yasutomi family, which had always been at odds.

I thought about it for a while, and exchanged Miki-gun and Kankawa Motokumi for Shodoshima Island as a base for the naval army in Sanuki Province.

Such a deal is a good deal for both parties. Shodoshima Island is about a quarter of the size of Awaji Island, and the stone height is only 5,000, which is more than 10,000 stone less than that of Miki-gun. But if I were to govern it, the output would definitely not be inferior to that of Miki County. In addition, the Hanchuan family does not have a naval army, and it is very inconvenient to govern and protect Shodoshima, which is a chicken-like place, but for me, Shodoshima is an excellent strategic springboard. With this base, I can easily communicate with the port of Utatsu in Udazu County, and use the navy to quickly intervene in any direction in the eastern, central, and western parts of Sanuki Province.

Hattori Masanari also arrived in Sanki Province and brought new news from Tosa. Knowing that the Ichijo family betrayed the alliance and invaded Takaoka County, Kira and Chi Yoriwa understood that this was brushed by the head of the Changzong department. The two returned to the territory depressed and drove the family back to Hata-gun, who had serious internal strife. Kira also asked Hattori Masanari to bring an official document to report the whole incident to me and apologize for his negligence.

I read Kira's letter, and the situation was similar to what I had learned. Changzong and my relatives did it very skillfully this time, if it weren't for the internal friction of the family, maybe he would have really let him calculate.

"Changzong and my first relative, there hasn't been any change recently, right?" I asked Hattori Masanari.

Hattori Masanari nodded: "The Yuan relatives have already won the rebellious Umibe Tomomitsu and others, and are leading the headquarters back to Gangfeng, and leaving Xiangzong and my pro-Tai to guard in Haibe County." ”

I thought about it and decided to let go of the head relatives of the Changzong clan first. Now that I have the three counties of Sanki, even if Tosa is pacified, it is impossible for Nobunaga to give me any more territories other than the old domain of Gogawa-gun. What's more, this time the Yuan Qin is not a breach of the contract, and his small actions cannot constitute a reason for me to send troops.

As an important town, if I want to lead the wealthy clans of the four countries and get their hearts to chase whom, in addition to showing my own ability, the most important thing is to uphold a fair attitude towards everyone and show my tolerance in a timely manner.

However, tolerance is not unconditional. Especially for an ambitious person like the Yuan Qin, it must be properly beaten and beaten.

Thinking like this, I decided to deal with the Shikawa family as soon as possible, and then send troops to Tosa, on the one hand, to punish the Ichijo family's betrayal, and on the other hand, to deter the relatives of the Nagamune family.

"Tadazaburo." I shouted.

"Your Highness, please!"

"Immediately send a message to the city to convey my conditions. If the Ten Rivers Deposit Guarantee Seppuku and the Ten Rivers Deposit succeeds the head of the family, I can spare the people who rebel in the city, and keep the name of the Ten Rivers family and the 10,000 stone territory of Yamada Bangun. I commanded him.

"Ten rivers survive?" Gamo Fuxiu had obviously never heard of the name.

"Shihe Cunyuki is the younger brother of Miyoshi Yoshitsugu, but he is a concubine and has no qualifications to inherit the family business. Therefore, after Miyoshi Yoshiji entered the heir family, Miyoshi Changqing arranged for Yoshixian's second son to join the Shihe family, which is now Shihe Depository," I explained to him with a smile, "If Shihe Depositor commits suicide, only Shihe Cunzhi can inherit the family name." But as a concubine, if he wants to continue to serve as the head of a clan and lead the Ueda, Kaminai, and Mitani clans, he must move closer to us and borrow my support. ”

"In that case, you don't have to worry about it at all," Gamo Fuxiu understood, and immediately nodded in agreement, "I'll do it!" ”

……，…… On October 23, I led my family's 5,000 troops across the Honobi Pass to Shirachi Castle in Awa Province, and then entered Tosa Province along the Yoshino River near Shirachi Castle. This is the Tosa Nagaoka-gun area, and it has always belonged to the Nagasa-gun family. The head of the Changzong clan was so calm that he didn't make any reaction, and he passed through the county from me to the south to Wuchuan County.

Not long after sending an envoy to Kira Castle, Kira personally led his troops to greet him. He rode at my side, and once again pleaded guilty to me for his previous rashness.

"Forget it!" I sighed and didn't pursue it too much, "Avenge my brother, that's human nature." ”

"Your Majesty promises that nothing like this will happen again." He said solemnly.

"This matter is not over, the two families must have an explanation," I instructed him, "I hope to have a meeting with the Yuan family, and I ask you to convey my intention to the Changzong and my family, and the location will be chosen by the Yuan family." ”

"Yes. His Majesty received the order. Kira agreed, looking surprised.

"Speaking of which, I haven't met Yuan Qin yet!" I smiled, "Just let me see how much he counts!" ”

Two days later, the Moto-kin agreed to my proposal and chose the meeting place at Seki-ji Temple on the west bank of the Kuwan River. This temple is located not far from the junction of the two domains, and although it is the Bodhi Temple of the Chosho family, it is closer to Kira Castle than Okatoho Castle.

The meeting was presided over by the Elder Yuefeng in the temple. He set up a tea ceremony in the backyard corridor of the main hall of the temple, and in front of him was a small and chic courtyard, and the environment was very quiet and elegant. There were three people who attended the meeting, namely me, Chosamune Ibu Motokin, and Kira kinsada. Yuan Qin is half a head lower than me, and his face is very thin, and he looks a little pale. When I looked at him, he also looked at me seriously, and the two were deadlocked for a moment, but he lowered his head first: "Changzong and my head are the first relatives, and I have seen His Royal Highness Kira. ”

"I'm Kira Xuanjing," I smiled, "It's really not easy to hear this sentence from His Royal Highness Chozong!" ”

"This is the Bodhi Temple of the family, His Royal Highness Kira has come from afar, and I, as the master, should be properly entertained." He said neither humbly nor arrogantly.

"Is that so?" I smiled, not going to argue with him verbally, "Then let's get down to business!" Regarding this trip to Haibe County, what does the Changzong family say? ”

"Going out to Haibu County, that is to avenge my brother, it is a matter for the Changzong family and the Haibu family. Since the Kira family and the Kira family's allies are not involved, it has nothing to do with His Highness Kira, right? Yuanqin's words are very sharp, "As for Qinzhen and Lai He, as close relatives, they also have the power to take revenge." The two of you are willing to follow, and I naturally will not refuse. ”

"Okay, I won't pursue this matter anymore," I nodded, accepting Yuanqin's statement, "I heard that the Haibu family has been destroyed, and the enmity of the Changzong family has been resolved, right?" That's a welcome thing. ”

"It's all up to the bravery of all the people in the family." Yuan Qin glanced at me, probably didn't expect me to be so easy to speak.

In addition, there was a hint of wit in his words, and he faintly boasted to me about his own strength. It's just that as soon as he said this, the credit of Kira and Chi Yoriwa was deliberately ignored by him...... Even though it's a brother, it's hard to accept such use and contempt, right? I secretly looked at Kira's virginity, and sure enough, I noticed that his face was a little uncertain.

Yuan Qin has never paid much attention to the emotions of people, which is a flaw in his surname.

"So, what about the breaking of the alliance between the Ichijo family and our side?" I continued.

"Haha!" The elder relatives of the Changzong and my department deliberately laughed, "The matter of a family breaking the alliance, His Royal Highness Kira wants to investigate, it should be looking for a family, right?" ”

I nodded again, "Really?" I understand. ”

Hearing my words, not only the Yuan relatives, but even the Kira relatives couldn't help but show a surprised expression. Through the previous communication, he should have known that I was very talkative, but he definitely didn't expect me to be so talkative. After all, when I met with Yuan Qin this time, the banner was to hold Changzong and my family responsible.

"Do you know why I accepted your claim?" I smiled and asked Changzong about my relatives.

"It was a matter of course." Yuan Qin tried his best to hide his emotions and replied in a flat tone.

"It's true, the Changzong family and my family have roughly stood on the truth, so I don't plan to pursue it this time." I actually agreed with him again.

"Oh. His Royal Highness Kira is a reasonable person! "For the first time, the head of the Changzong and my department complimented me.

"That's not the main reason," I shook my head, "If I'm just the head of the Kira family, just because the Changzong family took my family business back then, then I don't need any other reasons, I will fight with the Changzong family." However, since I am also an important member of the Oda family, I need to think beyond my own family affairs...... If the ambition of His Highness Chosho Ibu is Tosa Ichikuni, my ambition is the whole of Shikoku and the South China Sea, and the ambition of Oda Danmasa is the whole world. For the sake of the great cause of the Lord's family, I must stand on a moral standpoint, so that I can lead the guardians, guardians, and powerful families of the entire Shikoku. ”

Hearing these words from me, Changzong Yuanqin's face changed slightly, and the hand on his lap suddenly trembled.

"There is one more thing," I continued, "since the Kaibe family has been destroyed, and the family vengeance of the Chozong family has been avenged, when will we return to Tosa?" After all, Umibe County is the territory of Awa Shimogatataden, and it is guaranteed by Oda Danmasa. If the lower Yagata Hall asks me for help, then I will have to go into battle. This is not good for the harmony between you and me! ”

(To be continued)