The young man Jiro Saburo (who would later be Tokugawa Ieyasu), who was thought of by Imagawa Yoshimoto, was kneeling in a wooden house at Rinzaiji Temple in Sunfu Province at this time.

This wooden house used to be the chief military advisor of the Imagawa family, Taiyuan Xuesai, who died in October of the first year of Hongzhi at the age of 60. After his death, he was given the nickname of "Zen Master of the Treasure Jewel Protector"), a place to stay at the last moment.

These two years have indeed been eventful for this teenager. In March of the first year of Koji (1555), under the painstaking efforts of his retainers, Imagawa Yoshimoto finally personally awarded Takechiyo a black hat and held a ceremony for him. Imagawa Yoshimoto wanted to hold a ceremony for Takechiyo when he was fifteen years old, but he couldn't withstand the repeated pleas of the Okazaki family and finally advanced the ceremony by a year.

At the time of the ceremony, Imagawa Yoshimoto's affection was always good. Takechiyo put on an adult costume made under Yoshimoto's instructions, put on a black hat, and accepted the character "Yuan" given to him by Imagawa Yoshimoto, and the coronation ceremony ended. From this day on, Takechiyo began to shave off his forehead hair, changed his name to Matsudaira Jiro Saburo Motonobu, and officially stepped into the ranks of adults.

The joy of the Okazaki ministers was naturally not a problem. But the shadow still hangs over everyone's hearts, because the pain caused by the death of Mrs. Huayangyuan in November of the previous year still lingers.

After arriving in Junfu, Gen Yingni (that is, Mrs. Huayangyuan) even had to have no contact with Takechiyo on the surface in order to avoid the suspicion of the world. She is a sad person who has been abandoned by this world, a person who lives in the shadows. Although she always pays attention to Takechiyo's food, clothing and daily life, she secretly gives him infinite love. But he was never allowed to take care of Takechiyo in the Imagawa Yoshimoto Mansion. And in order to avoid suspicion, she herself has never appeared in the mansion of the Shaofu of the Criminal Department at the gate.

On the night of the death of his grandmother, Mrs. Kayoin, Jiro Saburo lay on her pillow and cried all night. The last words his grandmother left him were about his own mother, Yu Da, in the city of Aguju.

"Imagawa-sama is going to the capital one day. At that time, you will undoubtedly follow him. In this way, Kariya and Aguju will become fierce battlefields. But don't forget that there was your mother on that battlefield. You know? Your mother must be secretly thinking about your future, and you are going to ask Imagawa-sama to arrange for you to meet your mother, and you must see her safely. Always keep this in mind. ”

Jiro Saburo Motonobu's eyes widened and he chewed on his grandmother's last words repeatedly. If he can't do something for his mother. What else is he for? As a military general. What if you have to attack your mother's city? Fourteen-year-old Jiro Saburo Motoshin had no way to deal with it. He sent his grandmother away in a daze. Not long after, he received the order to marry again, and at the beginning of this year (1556). He married Imagawa Yoshimoto's niece, Atsuru (that is, the historical Tsukiyamaden).

Just after getting married. Jiro Saburo became even more annoyed. Because he remembered what Zen Master Xuesai, who had been his teacher since he came to Junfu Kingdom, told him on his deathbed. It was the afternoon after Jiro Saburo learned that he was about to marry Imagawa Yoshimoto's niece, Atsuru, one afternoon last year, when he was brought to Zen Master Yukisai, who was lying in a hospital bed.

"Come to the pillow." Jiro Saburo still clearly remembers that the Zen master asked him to come to the Zen master's tatami mat like this.

At that time, Jiro Saburo was nervous. But still obediently walked to the pillow, "How is the master's condition?" ”

Zen Master Xuezhai's voice was calm: "It's really a good day! Look over there. Jiro Saburo looked out the window and saw the plum blossom branches glowing in the bright sunshine of early spring.

Xue Zhai muttered, "Lying here like this, I myself have become the sun and become plum blossoms." That's nice! The plum blossoms reflected in the window have only three leaves left, "Spring is over, and it's summer." When autumn ends, it becomes winter. The power of nature is great. ”

"Master, how is your condition?"

"I don't know. Winter has arrived. Do you understand? ”

"Yes."

"So, I have to leave some seeds for you, you're in the spring."

Xuezhai's eyes were a little dazed. With a smile, his expression revealed the bone-chilling coldness of winter. "I want to celebrate your wedding too, but your wedding is coming spring...... Yuanxin. ”

"Yes."

"Speaking from the heart, for your sake, I want to avoid this wedding."

"You mean ......"

"You still don't understand? In doing so, you add another burden. The kindness of the Imagawa family is another heavy burden. ”

Jiro Saburo nodded.

"In the past, it was your father and the Imagawa family who formed an alliance of interests. But once he marries Imagawa, then the next generation of the two families will be related by blood. ”

"Yes."

"So, at first I was strongly against it...... But after much consideration, the decision was in favor. Do you understand? ”

"I don't understand."

"As I once told you, I have finally come to realize that the heavier the burden of life, the better. Patience and burden can make you grow up quickly...... You have a tenacious strength to carry heavy loads, don't you? ”

"Yes!"

"That's why I'm in favor of that. But I was also confused for a while and didn't know how to explain it to you. After these words, the snow-white futon on the Zen master's body began to shake violently, and Yuan Xin knew that the death of the Zen master Xuezhai was approaching, and he couldn't help but sigh with emotion, and the corners of his eyes suddenly moistened.

"For you...... I didn't want you to know what a burden that was...... However, that may leave you with regrets. In the end, I decided to sue you...... Actually, I saw the sun and cherry blossoms from the window of this room, and I saw the birds and the moon frolicking in the plum blossom branches, and it was only then that I decided to sue you. ”

"Yes."

"You are a long-term child. You've probably thought about it...... Tong Guò is currently marrying Yiyuan's niece to seek harmony between the two families, but have you considered the death of the monk Xuezhai? Speak from your heart. Jiro Saburo shook his head slightly, and finally, a tear fell on his knee.

"I haven't thought about it. That's not surprising either. Zen Master Xuezhai said this, and gently closed his eyes. When you are young, you will not encounter this kind of thing, and naturally you will not know death. But people will die eventually. What if I die...... The lord was in a hurry to march to the capital, and he also forgot about his death.

"However, my death will hasten the pace of his entry into Beijing. After completely stabilizing the Hojo and Takeda families, and at the same time stabilizing the wealthy families of Mikawa Country, and making internal preparations, it was the day he entered Beijing. ”

Jiro Saburo stared closely into the eyes of Zen Master Yukisai. Nodding his head incessantly. In the light of the sun. The old man's expression was like a wood carving, very calm and peaceful.

"Of course, when passing through Owari, it was probably necessary to raze the Oda army before we could enter Beijing along the way. But the people of Oda are not idle. They allied themselves with Echigo to contain Kai. Formed an alliance with Mino to block Imagawa (when Taiyuan Yukisai said this. The Battle of Nagara River has not yet taken place, and Michizo Saito is still in Mino). As a result, the lord's army had to fight a decisive battle with the allies of Mino and Owari. If I were to command. will slowly look for fighters in the confrontation, but the lord can't do it. ”

"Why? He's not the kind of person who is irritable and reckless. ”

"He's not an acute child. But what happened behind him made it impossible for him to stay calm. If I were to command the battle, the lord would stay in Sunfu, monitoring the movements of the Odawara Hojo family until the outcome was decided; But if he personally goes out to command, then it will be Shizhen who remains in Junfu. The lord is not at ease, he is bound to rush forward, and he ......"

At this point, he pointed to the kettle next to his pillow, "I'm thirsty." Bring water to ......"

Jiro Saburo hurriedly handed over the kettle.

Moreover, the practice of the Lord's fair day is exceedingly disadvantageous in time of war. Not to mention kicking and juju, and singing, even if he is greedy for food, it will also make him unable to stand the long-term battle. This is also one of the reasons why he is in a hurry to fight a decisive battle......"

Under the plucking of Zen Master Yukisai, Jiro Saburo felt that the fog on these issues had been unbelievably dispelled.

"So...... Since we had to fight a decisive battle in a hurry, in order to accumulate enough troops to destroy the enemy, it was necessary to send all the troops...... The leader of its vanguard is undoubtedly you. Jiro Saburo clenched his fists sharply. He hadn't thought about what would happen to the Imagawa family after the death of Zen Master Yukisai.

"Yuanxin...... When the time comes, how will you react if you and your retainers are the strikers? You have to think about it. ”

At some point, a white-cheeked bird flew through the window. Listening to its free chirp, Jiro Saburo suddenly breathed heavily.

"The most important thing for the so-called great husband is to be prepared for everything. If there is something different between my observation and your thoughts, you can say it. I think it's going to go that way, don't you think? ”

"Yuanxin...... I think so, too. ”

"At that time, your wife was still in Sunhouse. If you have a wife, you will have children. The lord will probably say that in order to ensure that you have no worries, she will stay in Junfu and make you fight to the death...... So, what do you do? ”

Jiro Saburo finally saw his true situation. He once thought that by marrying the niece of Imagawa Yoshimoto and thus becoming a relative of the Imagawa family, he could ensure the safety of the Matsudaira family in Mikawa Province; But now it seems that this is not wishful thinking, but it can never be said to be beneficial to the Matsudaira family. In the eyes of Zen Master Yukisai, this marriage is more like a clever plan by Imagawa Yoshimoto to try to get Matsudaira Jiro Saburo in his pocket.

"Your wife and children were left hostage in Sunfu. And you're forced to fight ......"

Cautiously lowering his voice, Jiro Saburo's body tensed tightly, and said, "Do I have to give you an answer here?" ”

Zen Master Xuezhai suddenly opened his eyes, shook his head lightly and smiled: "This is the last knot I left for you." But...... By the time this knot was untied, I was probably dead. At that time, Yuan Xin ...... Why should I leave this knot for you, why don't I give advice to the lord so that he can better manipulate you, but call you to my pillow first......"

Jiro Saburo shrugged his shoulders and cried unconsciously. He knew that Zen Master Xuezhai loved him deeply, but he had never felt it so deeply as he did now. No, this is not a narrow love, but a deep and broad love, a great compassion for a monk who is trying to create a Buddhist paradise and equip it with the sword of benevolence to conquer troubled times.

Just as Jiro Saburo was sobbing, Zen Master Yukisai closed his eyes again and breathed weakly.

"Master, I will answer you now." Jiro Saburo wiped away tears. Naturally, after the death of the Zen master, he could not see any results, and he wanted to see the master's satisfied smile. Youthful passion and enthusiasm. Unconsciously filled his ribcage.

"Oh. You're saying you can untie the knot now? ”

"Yes."

"Tell me about it."

"Yuanxin will forget his wife and children who stayed in Sunfu."

"Forget about them, and then die in battle?"

"I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

Hearing this strong questioning, Jiro Saburo's cheeks suddenly heated, "Forget about his wife and children, and focus on the overall situation." If all the people of Yuanxin can bring peace after all the battles are killed, then they will spill blood on the battlefield together. If not, then even if it is Imagawa-sama's orders, I will resolutely not carry them out! ”

"Bastard!"

Jiro Saburo shrank back in horror, but his left shoulder had already been slammed into the face. This is the teacher's slap in the face to him.

"Humph! You repeat. ”

"Yes. I could say this countless times. Even if the order of Imagawa-sama ......"

Jiro Saburo was talking. He was hit in the head again. He was silent. Why is the Master so angry? He was surprised, and even more afraid that the excitement would make the master's fragile flame of life extinguish in an instant, and he couldn't help but fall to the ground. Zen Master Xuezhai lay down again, and the sound of heavy breathing resounded in the room. Jiro Saburo cried lowly.

"Yuanxin ......"

"In ...... At. ”

"Why are you so casually talking about things that are impossible to know...... You don't have a wife and children yet. It's impossible to know what it's like. Say to forget what hasn't happened yet. How casual and irresponsible. ”

"Yes......"

"If you could forget about your wife and children so lightly, there wouldn't be so much misery and sorrow in the world."

Jiro Saburo's flippant answer angered the teacher, and he wanted to apologize sincerely. If he knew that the teacher would teach him like this. No matter how unbearable it is, he will endure it.

"Your mother may be praying for your safety, and she may be able to connect with you in the city of Aguju...... This is the heart of a mother...... Do you understand...... The mother's heart is also the natural heart of heaven and earth. ”

"Yes."

"To deny this kind of love is to go against the heart of heaven and earth, and ......," he said here, shaking his hand and asking for water, "you say that you do not obey the orders of the lord, then do you think the adults will forgive you lightly?" Don't you think that's true? ”

Jiro Saburo felt the hot blood in his whole body as if it had frozen. Imagawa Yoshimoto, who mobilized all his troops, would not let him violate military discipline at all. He originally wanted to comfort the aging teacher, but he didn't expect to say such a rash thing that disappointed the teacher.

"I beg your pardon!" Thinking of this, he suddenly burst into tears.

Zen Master Xuezhai closed his eyes again. The sunlight from the windows had gone, the light had dimmed, and the birds had stopped chirping.

Jiro Saburo finally stopped crying. Zen Master Xuezhai said again: "You go back." I can also hear the untying of that knot under the Yellow Spring. Do you understand? If you make a big mistake, my soul will not be reborn, and you will be in danger. Well, bad luck will always follow you. ”

"I will work hard, definitely! I beg your pardon......"

"Someone seems to be coming from outside the mountain gate. Go back! ”

"So...... Don't leave it at that. ”

"You, you said this kind of thing again, have you forgotten what I just said? This is not a separation, from this spring onwards, there will be my blood flowing in your body. ”

"Yes."

"If you meet someone on the road, don't say I called you. You say that you have come to me to study the scriptures as you normally would. ”

"Yes. Then, Yuan Xin took his leave. ”

"Take care of yourself."

"Yes."

"Don't be in a hurry. Panic blinds people. ”

"Yes...... Be. "When Jiro Saburo withdrew, people who learned that Yukisai Zen was sick came one after another. As Zen Master Xuezhai expected, no one doubted the reason why he came first.

Imagawa Yoshimoto personally came to visit Xuezhai the next day, and he was very surprised by the severity of the Zen master's condition, and hurriedly ordered six doctors to come to diagnose and treat him, but as the Zen master himself sighed, the coming winter of life could not be stopped by manpower.

Within a few days, Zen Master Xuezhai left this world. When he heard the news of the death of Zen Master Yukisai, Jiro Saburo lit incense in the bedroom. He couldn't help but recall the very similar last words of his grandmother and Zen master Xuezhai. His grandmother told him to avoid war with his mother's side, while Zen Master Xuezhai let him carry on his legacy. The last words of both pointed to the source of the tragedy, that is, Imagawa Yoshimoto's entry into Beijing. Whether it is his grandmother's last wish or the knot left by Zen Master Xuesai, the fourteen-year-old Jiro Saburo can't give an answer lightly.

And today, after getting married, when he and his wife are still in love, he once again remembered what the teacher said that day: "Why do you talk so casually about things that you can't know at all...... If you don't have a wife and children, it's impossible to know what it's like. How casual and irresponsible it is to say that you want to forget what hasn't happened yet."

Yes, he only really felt this feeling now, but he really couldn't untie the knot that the teacher had left him temporarily, so he began to suffer. (To be continued......)