Next, it was the turn of the battle with the Takeda family.

In June last year, he captured Takatenjin Castle and surrendered Ogasawara Nobuyo, which made Takeda Katsuyori's confidence explode into a mess, and he thought that his military strategy was not inferior to his father Takeda Shingen, so in May this year, he invaded Higashimikawa again, threatening to crusade against the lord of Nagashino Castle, Okuhira Sadamasa, who had surrendered to Takeda and Yasaku Kawara after the Battle of Kawahara and returned to the Tokugawa family, and married Ieyasu's eldest daughter, Kamehime.

However, he didn't think about it, when Takeda Shingen withdrew from the siege of High Heavenly God City, it was not that he couldn't attack it, but he felt that it was unnecessary. And Takeda Shingen's attack on Mikawa was also to take advantage of Nobunaga's being dragged by the Asakura-Asai coalition in Kita-Omi, and there was also Ashikaga Yoshiki Showa and Nagashima Isunmune in Kinai to contain him. In this respect, Takeda Katsuyori's martial strategy may not be inferior to his father's, but his strategy is too far behind, and he is far inferior in the way of making trade-offs and grasping the opportunities of advance and retreat.

In this attack on Higashisanhe, he dispatched 15,000 troops, and soon cleared the perimeter and surrounded the Nagashino Castle of Okuhei Sadamasa. Okuhira had only 500 men, and was in danger under the attack of the Takeda army, so he had to send his retainer Torii Qiangemon to ask Tokugawa Ieyasu for help. Considering the Takeda family's strong field combat capabilities, Ieyasu did not rush into battle, and it was not until Nobunaga personally arrived with 30,000 elites that he selected 8,000 elites from the two countries to march towards Nagashinoshi Castle together.

I would have had the opportunity to participate in this battle, and I was also interested in the upcoming decisive battle between iron artillery and cavalry. However, Jing Zheng and Fujido Takatora provoked an incident in Kii. They first demanded that the temple hand over Suzuki Shigei, but when they refused, they sent more than 30 members of the Wakayama Town Office to enter the temple territory without permission and search for them, and all of them were killed by the temple. In this way, I can no longer remain silent, and for the sake of these slain cooperation and dignity as a lord, I can only take revenge on Fenhe Temple.

Shibata Katsuya in Hokuriku, facing Kaga Ichijomune, who was about to move, was also unable to draw strength, and he also needed Nobunaga to reserve some troops to prepare for support. This is precisely why Nobunaga only led 30,000 troops to Mikawa. Nobunaga expressed his understanding of this, but only sent 1,000 iron artillery teams to me and Shibata Katsuie, led by Maeda Toshiie and Sasa Narumasa. These two iron artillery teams, together with the 3,000 iron cannons in his main formation, which were mastered by the military commissioner Naomasa Waku, Fukutomi Hidekatsu, and Nonomura Masanari, the close servant Nonomura Masanari, were already the largest iron artillery group that had appeared in this book so far.

Thinking of missing out on this classic battle, and the great merits that were destined to be obtained, I couldn't help but feel very dissatisfied with the actions of Keimasa and Fujido Takatora.

When I led the army to Wakayama Castle, I immediately called the two of them, and then reprimanded Keizheng loudly, "Didn't I tell you before? Now is not the time to conquer Pink River Temple! Why stir up trouble on your own? ”

Jing Zheng didn't speak, just bowed deeply to the floor.

"Lord Yu, this is none of the young master's business," Fujido Takatoro said for Keimasa, "The reason why I asked for Suzuki Shigei to be handed over is because there are rumors that he is going to facilitate an alliance between the Saga people and the Pink River Temple, so we have to expose the fact that Suzuki Shigei is hiding in the Pink River Temple, and make a stand to the Pink River Temple, forcing them to expel Suzuki Shigei." ”

"However, Jing Zheng must still have selfish intentions, right?" I broke Jing Zheng's plan in one mouth, "Don't you want to take this opportunity to take advantage of the military affairs in the county?" ”

"Father, Mingjian!" Jing Zheng raised his head and generously admitted, "Later, I sent a cooperative force to enter the Fanhe Temple to search, and it was my decision alone, and it had nothing to do with Gao Hu." ”

"Lord...... This...... The young master ......, "Fujitang Gaohu looked at us in embarrassment. He probably didn't expect that Jing Zheng would directly admit this matter, and this was obviously a challenge to the decision I made before to divide the military administration of the county between Fukuchi Zonglong and Jing Zheng.

"Please calm the wrath of the Lord!" He had no choice but to say this.

It's just that I didn't get angry, but I still had some appreciation. Being able to admit his actions and take responsibility for his subordinates is a sign of manliness and shows that he has matured. Compared to the past, when there was a conflict at home, he avoided it even if he was justified, and relied on Mitsu to uphold justice, and I am very pleased with his responsibility.

"Tell me about your considerations!" I waved my hand to Fujido Gaohu and asked Jing Zheng calmly.

"Yes," Jing Zheng nodded obediently, "My father once said that government affairs and military affairs are complementary to each other, and military affairs need to be supported by government affairs, and they must serve political and strategic goals. I thought about it carefully, and with the current situation in the county, the implementation of government affairs really needs the backing of military affairs. However, His Royal Highness Zonglong is bent on maintaining his position and does not want me to interfere...... For example, after the Fanhe Temple refused our request, I was originally going to cooperate with the negotiation with the garrison in the city, but His Royal Highness Zonglong shirked and said that the matter was too big to wait for the order of the main hall before we could make a move to the temple, so that I and Lord Gao Hu were at a loss, and had to let the cooperation of the office go to the search. ”

"Is that so?" I nodded. When the arrangement was made, it was mainly to avoid a more serious confrontation between Jingzheng and Fukuchi Soryu, and it was true that there would be such a change in the situation in the county.

In my original plan, the conquest of Fanhe Temple should be after the pacification of Yixiangzong, when there is the support of the general trend, and the resistance to surrender will be much smaller. I didn't expect that our side would clash with Fanhe Temple so quickly, so that we needed to use military forces to negotiate, and now it has reached the point of fighting each other.

It can only be said that the plan can't catch up with the changes...... "Your concerns, I already understand," after thinking about it, I gave him a promise, "I'm afraid that this time I will have a showdown with Fanhe Temple, although the victory is certain, but the next step will be to face serious security problems." Therefore, I will support you in expanding the military strength of Wakayama Castle to 2,000 men, and you and Takatora will command it. When the time comes, I hope you can stabilize this county for me! ”

"Yes. The child must live up to his mission! Jing Zheng responded happily.

When the two of them left, I thought about it carefully, and I always felt as if there was something else going on. Fenhe Temple is a temple of the Tiantai sect, since the Enryakuji Temple of Mt. Hiei, which is the head of the Tendai sect, was burned by Nobunaga, and Takeda Shingen, who was introduced as an aid by Prince Kantoshi of the Tendai Throne, also died the year before last, and all the temples of the Tendai sect are much more cautious, and the Fenhe Temple is naturally no exception, how could you rashly do such a thing that provokes me? They only have 50,000 stone temple leaders, and less than 3,000 monks, as long as they give me enough reasons to send troops to fight, then they will definitely be destroyed by me. Don't they know this?

In order to reach a conclusion, I sent the Iga people to the Pink River Temple to investigate the attack on our joint efforts.

By evening, Hattori Masanari was back at Wakayama Castle.

"Thank you for your hard work," I greeted with concern when I looked at him, and then asked about the matter, "How, is the matter clear?" ”

"Yes, there has been a conclusion," Hattori Masanari owes himself, "and went down to the Pink River Temple to investigate, and they also seemed surprised and even a little overwhelmed by the killing of thirty ashigaru, obviously not their hands. ”

"So, which side did it? Miscellaneous people? I hurriedly asked.

"I'm so sorry! It is not possible to determine in the following. Hattori replied.

"That's it!" I pondered for a moment and nodded slowly, "I don't blame you. If the Zaga people want to blame the Fan River Temple, then there must not be many people who know, and they will keep it a secret, and it is natural that they can't find out. ”

"I will continue to work hard in the future, and I will definitely give an explanation to His Highness." He promised.

"No need to track it down...... Anyway, things have come to this point, and the expedition to Fanhe Temple is already imperative, so let's think they did it! I commanded.

"Then, in the next place, we will withdraw the manpower in the Fan River Temple." Hattori received the order.

"There's no hurry, just rest before you go," I stopped him, "besides, I want to discuss something with you." ”

"Don't dare, please let Your Highness command." Hattori said respectfully.

"It's about your sister-in-law, Hanzo. As far as I know, he's eleven years old this year, right? I want him to serve as Jing Zheng's close attendant, and then he will be the counselor of military affairs with Zhezhi Qingguang, I don't know what you think? ”

“…… It's okay," Hattori Masanari was silent for a moment, agreeing to my disposition, "Although I hope that he will inherit the family business, he seems to prefer to become a samurai...... His Royal Highness specially arranged this opportunity, and he would definitely gladly obey his fate. ”

……，…… Two days later, I officially issued an order for a crusade on the grounds that Fanhe Temple had killed the lord's subordinates. Although the Fanhe Temple sent an envoy to complain, after all, thirty of our co-workers died in their territory, and they could not give any plausible explanation. This point made me take advantage of the reason, and it also gave many small and medium-sized wealthy families who were attached to Fanhe Temple the rest of their plans. When I issued a very strict ultimatum, they left the Pink River Temple one after another in order to keep their territory, and some even came directly to the army to defect. Under the advantages of the other, the Fanhe Temple was not my opponent, and it didn't take long for me to be forced to surrender, and the temple territory was also cut to 5,000 stone by me.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, I decided to solve the hidden danger of the Zaga people together. Although Suzuki Shigeki took the initiative to make a seppuku at Fenhe Temple in order to clear up the connection between the Saga people and this incident, I still ordered Brother Shigehide Suzuki and Brother Shigeaki Suzuki to come to Wakayama Castle to meet him.

If you don't come, you will prove that you have a ghost in your heart, and you have given me the name of crusading against the unsubordinate. I was thinking about it in my heart.

Shigehide Suzuki didn't give me that chance. He obediently accepted my orders and led his younger brother Suzuki Shigemasa to Wakayama Castle.

Then there is only one option. I decided to forcibly transfer the Suzuki family to the Suzuki family, and then break the state of autonomy of the Saga clan and establish a system of domination within the entire Arita Prefecture.

This system, also known as the daimyo system of the lordship, only appeared during the Warring States period, and included the right to judge the three major offenses, the right to judge the disgrace of the war, the right to obey the envoys, the right to pay half-money, the right to pay the customs office, the right to collect money from the section and the donbetsu, and the right to military affairs, police affairs, and economic gains. Whether or not they have these rights is the main indicator that distinguishes the guardian daimyo from the Warring States daimyo, and the corresponding privileges are the protection of some powerful temples and the people of the country, such as the protection of the non-entry, the non-entry of taxes, and the non-entry of inspection.

"I am very pleased with your loyalty," said I was very kind when I met the Suzuki brothers. In any case, it is better to give some preferential treatment to those who are obedient: "Therefore, I have decided to officially include your brother as a retainer of my Kira family, and to increase the territory of the Suzuki family. ”

When Suzuki Shigechao heard that he was going to increase his territory, he looked very happy, and there was a hint of relief on his face. However, Shigehide Suzuki keenly discovered the meaning of my words: the addition of territory is based on the premise of officially leaving the Kira family. And in this case, the Suzuki family will lose the status of half-reading power and accept the control and command of the Kira family.

"Thank you very much for this kind of hospitality," he politely refused, "It's just that my brother has always been self-reliant, and my subordinate sons are also accustomed to a life of free employment, so please forgive us for not accepting it." ”

"So what if I'm willing to hire you for a long time? Can you guarantee that you will abide by the agreement and always accept my orders? "I put it another way.

Shigehide Suzuki still shook his head: "I'm really sorry! Even if the family is employed, they must have a certain amount of freedom and adhere to their own philosophy...... Awaji Hall is a benevolent person, so I think I can understand it. ”

"In other words, you can't rule out the possibility of going against the family, just like the last time in Fukushima?" I asked solemnly.

Shigehide Suzuki did not answer. This is clearly a tacit attitude.

"Now, then, go back!" I waved my hand.

"Thank you for the generosity of Awajiden!" Shigehide Suzuki said hurriedly.

"Well, you should indeed thank me, because I have been very pampering of you. From the death of Tsuchihashi's father and son, to the escape of Shigeyi Suzuki, to the intention of forming an alliance with Fenhe Temple this time, I have been very generous," I nodded, "However, patience has a limit after all, and benevolence is also conditional. His Royal Highness Suzuki might as well think about this carefully. ”

Shigehide Suzuki's face changed slightly. He looked up, trying to see some clues in my face: "What does Awajiden mean by that?" ”

"Nothing. It's just because you're willing to come this time, so I'm willing to say a few more words to you," I replied, and then the conversation shifted, "That's all I have to say, and what you decide next is the key to the matter." Personally, I admire His Royal Highness Shigehide Suzuki, which gives me many opportunities. Therefore, I hope that His Royal Highness Suzuki will not live up to this appreciation. ”

“…… Awaji Dian's words, I understood, "Suzuki Shigehide owes a debt," please let me think about it. ”

"Yes, go ahead!" I said.

Three days later, Shigehide Suzuki made a decision to accept my arrangement to transfer him to Tosa Yasuki-gun.

(To be continued)