At the beginning of August of the second year of Eiroku, Shimazu Takahisa and others, accompanied by the imperial court envoy Nobuhide Mimon and the Luo family's guards, finally returned to Shimizu Castle, the home city of the Shimazu family, on the Luo family's naval ship.

Under Shimizu Castle, he saw his sister-in-law Shimazu Yoshihisa and his son Shimazu Yoshihiro and others. The sad thing is that the Shimazu family is about to leave their homeland, and the joy is that their relatives and monarchs are finally reunited again. Especially when Takahisa Shimazu and Yoshihiro Shimazu met, their inner feelings were even more indescribable.

Shimazu Takahisa even thought for a moment, if he hadn't sent his second son, Shimazu Yoshihiro, to the Luo family in order to form an alliance with the Luo family, would the second son come back and strongly oppose being an enemy of the Luo family? If he had listened to his second son's advice and avoided confrontation with the Luo family, what would have been the situation? But it's all gone, and it's useless to think about it.

As for Shimazu Yoshihiro, at this time his heart is even more sad and joyful, for the family to face such an end, he really feels very heartbroken, especially in the past half a year, he was under house arrest by his father in the cell of Shimizu City, and he didn't know anything about the situation at home, until half a month ago, when he was released by his brother Shimazu Yoshihisa (Originally, Shimazu Yoshihiro ran into the cell by himself, in order to show his determination to advise the family to avoid confrontation with the Luo family, but later as the battle between the Shimazu family and the Luo family became more and more intense, In order to prevent Shimazu Yoshihiro from doing some strange things at home, he simply imprisoned Shimazu Yoshihiro in a prison cell), and after being told that the Shimazu family was defeated and transferred to the Shikoku region, he thoroughly understood the situation of his family.

But it was too late. He was no longer able to provide any help to save his family. In particular, it is even more impossible to intercede with the Lord and the Lord. He has been following Masashi since he was a child, and he knows Masaliang's character very well, and what Masara has decided can only be carried out, and can no longer be discussed, not to mention that the lord Masahiro has given the Shimazu family a chance to come back and advise.

On the evening after returning home, in the twilight, Shimazu Takahisa agreed with his retainers overnight that the Shimazu family would gradually withdraw from the southern part of Satsuma Province and manage the new territory of Shikoku Iyu Province, and he also had a night talk with the four brothers Shimazu Yoshihisa, Shimazu Yoshihiro, Shimazu Tokihisa, and Shimazu Iehisa. Day 2, 3 and 4. Almost all of them, Shimazu Takahisa seems to be about to take care of all the affairs, and to instruct his sons on how to manage the Shimazu family after going to the Shikoku region.

In this regard, everyone in the Shimazu family, including the four Shimazu Yoshihiro brothers, did not care, because now everyone knew that as one of the conditions for the Shimazu family to be able to evacuate the southern Kyushu region and settle down in Shikoku, the family governor Shimazu Takahisa and the ladies and others (in addition to them, Shimazu Takahisa's father Shimazu Tadaya was also specifically asked by Masarashi to stay as a hostage, and the former Shimazu family governor who had become a monk and lived in seclusion was also one of the pillars of the Shimazu family), would stay in Kyushu as hostages. In the future, the Shimazu family will be led by Shimazu Yoshihisa.

As everyone expected, on the sixth day of Shimazu Takahisa's return home. Under the personal auspices of Shimazu Takahisa and the witness of everyone in the Shimazu family, Shimazu Takahisa gave up the position of monk governor to his son-in-law Shimazu Yoshihisa, and Shimazu Yoshihisa officially became the new governor of the Shimazu family.

On the afternoon of the second day after inheriting the family governor, under the eyes of Shimazu Takahisa and others, Shimazu Yoshihisa took the most important batch of materials and personnel of the Shimazu family, escorted by the Luo family's naval army, and officially set off from Fangzu Port to the Yiyu region of Shikoku. Among the last members of the Shimazu family who stayed in the Minamisatsuma area to accompany Shimazu Takahisa, there were mainly the second son Shimazu Yoshihiro and Ijiin Tadaro and others.

After seeing his sister-in-law lead a large number of people and supplies to disappear into the distant sea, Takahisa Shimazu and the rest of the people set off to return to Shimizu Castle.

On the second day after returning to Shimizu Castle, Shimazu Takahisa once again consulted with the people who had stayed behind for the time being, and then went to Yuyaken in the middle of Shoushan Temple to visit Master Yuyaken Nissinsai. This master, who took the name of "Yugu Xuan Nisin Sai" after becoming a monk, is the former governor of the Shimazu family and the father of Shimazu Takahisa, Shimazu Takashi, who is known as "the famous gentleman of the Shimazu family".

As soon as Master Yugu Xuan Ri Shinsai saw Shimazu Takahisa, he said, "Your face is not good, pay attention to your body!" ”

"Yes, Father! You're disappointed. ”

Regarding Shimazu Takahisa's words, Master Yuya Xuan Nissinsai did not speak, but personally made tea and presented it to Shimazu Takahisa, "Things are already like this, what's the use of worrying about it?" ”

"Hey, in the future, the Shimazu family will have to rely on Torajumaru (that is, Shimazu Yoshihisa) them."

"You have won a lot for them, and now that you and I have been asked to stay in Kyushu, there is nothing we can do, and they will have to rely on themselves in the future." Master Yugu Xuan Ri Xinzhai shook his head lightly and said, "What worries Lao Wei now is why Luo Zhengliang deliberately let Lao Ge stay with you. ”

After hearing this, Shimazu Takahisa couldn't help but stare at Master Yugu Xuan Ri Xinsai, "Father is saying that Luo Zhengliang has another purpose?" ”

"Luo Zhengliang is a person, and non-ordinary people can understand it!"

"......" faced with his father's speculation, even Shimazu Takahisa didn't know how Luo Masarashi would use them, so he couldn't help but be silent, and the original decision in his heart became even more firm.

Seeing that his son Shimazu Takahisa was silent, Master Yugu Xuan Ri Shinsai finally said: "Now I can only wait and see what happens!" ”

"Hmm." Takahisa Shimazu also nodded, and then he solemnly took his leave after talking to his father again.

Back at Shimizu Castle's mansion, Takahisa Shimazu took out paper, ink, pen and inkstone, and sat down quietly at his desk. He was thinking about leaving something behind so that his four sons could unite and revive the Shimazu family once again.

"Father, it's time to take the lamp......" As Shimazu Takahisa pondered, the night grew darker, and the second son, Shimazu Yoshihiro, walked in and quietly put down the candlestick.

Takahisa Shimazu ignored this. Shimazu Yoshihiro knew his father's habits, so he relaxed and walked out. Window. It's getting dark. Candles flickering indoors. Takahisa Shimazu's shadow kept shaking on the window paper.

"Father, ......" for a long time. Shimazu Takahisa spit out these words from his mouth, calling out to Shimazu Tadashi, who had become a monk, and at this time Shimazu Takahisa's eyes were already a little moist, "I beg your pardon...... I beg your pardon for failing to live up to your expectations! ”

In fact, since he decided to submit to the Luo family and transfer to the Shikoku region, many of the retainers in the family have been very disappointed in him as the governor, which can be seen from the looks of many retainers he saw after returning home.

This is indeed ridiculous. When the Shimazu family was facing such a situation, instead of hating the Luo family who caused the Shimazu family to be in such a situation, they complained that he was the governor of the family. And with the situation of the Shimazu family at this time, he is confident that he has really done his best and strives to leave the greatest interests for the Shimazu family. As for the alliance with the Saeki family and the Ito family to unite against the Luo family, and even to support the Saeki family, until now, he thinks that it was the right decision.

It's just that no matter how Shimazu Takahisa argues, the Shimazu family has indeed surrendered to the Luo family at this time, and has begun to transfer the seal. This is a fact, and it is a strong reason why the retainers are dissatisfied with him. And he had expected such a situation as early as when he decided to accept the Luo family's submission conditions, so he simply didn't defend himself.

However, in any case, the family needs him to take responsibility for this failure, otherwise the dissatisfaction of the family will be transferred to the new successor to the throne of the family governor, Shimazu Yoshihisa, affecting the son-in-law's rule over the family, and even causing the Shimazu family to fall into civil strife as a result.

Moreover, the concerns raised by his father Shimazu Tadashi today have also awakened Shimazu Takahisa. It is absolutely impossible for Luo Shi Zhengliang to stay in Kyushu just to let him and his father stay in Kyushu as hostages, there must be Luo Shi Zhengliang's treacherous schemes, and they will become the tools of Luo Shi Zhengliang's son-in-law Shimazu Yoshihisa and others. Even if Roche Masara really has no other tricks, with the dissatisfaction that is slightly revealed within the Shimazu family at present, it will be an opportunity for the scheming Roche Masara to gradually encroach on the Shimazu family.

In this way, wouldn't the sacrifice he had made before be in vain? No, absolutely not. So, Takahisa Shimazu once again strengthened his decision.

He must do something more for his sons, so that the dissatisfaction of the retainers in the family should not be transferred to his sister-in-law, Shimazu Yoshihisa and others, and even turn everyone's dissatisfaction into hatred for the Luo family, but this hatred cannot immediately turn into a conflict with the Luo family.

Thinking of this, Shimazu Takahisa raised his head. At this time, there was no trace of sadness on his face. He looked around, smiled and took the inkstone, and slowly began to study the ink.

Life has its own joys and sorrows. From the first time he read and learned calligraphy, he often played a game of singing with the people around him. The elegant times of the past come to mind. In the past, it seemed that it was all for today, and even reading and practicing characters at that time was also preparing for writing this suicide note today, but can it be said elegant this time? Shimazu Guijiu couldn't help but smile bitterly.

After grinding the ink, Shimazu Takahisa picked up the lamp twist. The surroundings suddenly lit up, and the paper seemed to emit a fragrance. Lift the pen and the tip of the pen slowly falls on the paper.

At this time, the family members were probably resting, and the house was silent. Takahisa Shimazu wrote the word "will" at the beginning, and sank into the fragrance of ink.

Once he made up his mind, Takahisa Shimazu suddenly felt relaxed, as if he was wandering in a world of ease without obstacles, without fetters or worries. When I finished writing the suicide note, it was late at night, and the surrounding air was cold. He solemnly laid the will flat on the table, and then fell back into deep thought.

"Father, I'm sorry...... Longevity pill, you and the other four brothers must unite together! ”

After a long, long silence, Takahisa Shimazu finally slowly stood up and calmly rolled up the two layers of mats on the tatami mats. Then, he removed the short knife from the knife holder, sat down at the table, and slowly looked around.

Chickens were already crowing in the distance.

"It's time!" Takahisa Shimazu smiled with satisfaction.

The quiet air made Shimazu Takahisa feel the cold of the night leaving, replaced by the warmth and comfort of summer, and he was no longer sad and hesitant at this time. He stroked his abdomen gently, surprised by the new wrinkles.

"It's good to be alive to this day." He sighed, picked up the knife, threw away the scabbard, and wiped the tip of the knife with paper.

"For the Shimazu family!" He muttered, uneasy. Close your eyes. He believes in life's last prayer. It will be transformed into a soul and will that will remain in the world forever.

"Please bless the four brothers of Longevity Pill. Please bless the Shimazu family! ”

Takahisa Shimazu sharply aimed the tip of the knife at his abdomen. His wrists trembled slightly because of the pain, and he opened his eyes and prayed desperately in front of the void, like a ghost with a sad expression.

"Please let me stay with Shimazu's house!" Takashi Shimazu lost his voice for a long time. The tip of the knife had already reached the right rib, and the intestines came out. He pulled the knife out of his belly and fell on the tatami mat.

Venus jumped around in front of me, like a dazzling rainbow. He suddenly aimed the tip of his knife at his neck. The body swooped down. Blood gushes out, and strange rainbows shine in the dark night. He struggled, making a dying sound, but so faint that he could barely hear it. With the wish to see the prosperity of the Shimazu family forever, Takahisa Shimazu left this world.

"Father, haven't you woken up yet?" The next morning, the second son, Yoshihiro Shimazu, shouted outside the door.

There was no response for a long time, Shimazu Yoshihiro quietly opened the partition door, and suddenly, he collapsed to the ground: "Ah! Father...... Father, you ......," he wanted to shout. But he couldn't make a sound.

"Father must be crazy...... Why kill yourself? He muttered.

After Shimazu Yoshihiro exclaimed, everyone in the courtyard rushed over. But. Soon, Shimazu Yoshihiro also reacted, he asked people to look at his father's corpse on the one hand, and shouted to a retainer on the other: "Right and left!" ”

"Yes."

"You immediately send someone to report this to your grandfather, the envoy of the Luo family, and the envoy from Kyoto."

The pale-faced right and left immediately found two men and ran to the stables together.

So in less than half an hour, the envoys of Shimazu Tadaya, Nakayumon Nobuhide, and the Luo family who had accompanied Shimazu Takahisa back to the Shimazu family all rushed to Shimazu Takahisa's mansion respectively.

Shimazu Tadaya just sighed after seeing Shimazu Takahisa's body, and then picked up Shimazu Takahisa's will and looked at it, until after reading it, he told Shimazu Yoshihiro to arrange the aftermath, and then shook his head and staggered away.

As for Xuanxiu, who represented the imperial court, he was very annoyed at this time. Not long ago, he had just written a report on his participation in the negotiations between the Luo family and the Shimazu family as a witness, and sent someone back to Kyoto, and he was about to get a merit, and he had deepened his relationship with both the Luo family and the Shimazu family. No one knows what the Shimazu family and the Roche family will do about it.

And after confirming the death of Shimazu Takahisa, the envoy of the Luo family immediately sent someone to report to the lord of Kakuto Castle, which had arrived at the border between Hyuga and Satsuma at this time. However, before the Luo family's detective set off for a long time, the news that Shimazu Tadashi had also committed suicide came that night.

The envoy of the Luo family was first startled by the news that came, and then he immediately recalled that Shimazu Tadara saw Shimazu Takahisa's body today, and then he couldn't help but sigh:

"The deaths of these two are not simple!"

Immediately, the envoy of the Luo family recorded everything that happened today, and at the same time added some analysis of his own at the end. After writing the letter, he quickly found his subordinates and asked them to ride a horse with torches to deliver the letter overnight (according to the agreement, at this time, one of the gates of Shimizu Castle of the Shimazu family had been controlled by the soldiers of the Luo family who had returned with Shimazu Takahisa, and the people of the Luo family were naturally able to leave the city overnight).

"Bastard!"

Two days later, when Masara received reports of the suicides of Shimazu Takahisa and Shimazu Tadashi, he couldn't help but angrily threw a stack of government documents on the desk directly to the ground, and then he stood up directly, "Oh, oh, oh" stepped on the wooden floor and walked to the balcony of the castle tower.

At this time, Honda Tadakatsu, Yamanaka Yukimori, Toi Kiyora, Marume Nagae, and several Masayo surnames and close attendants who were waiting for Masari in the castle tower were all kneeling nervously on the ground. They had never seen the lord Masara so angry before, and several people scolded the Shimazu family in their hearts.

Honda Nabenosuke Tadatsu is eleven years old this year, although he was accepted as a small surname by Masaara, but as long as he studied in the Luo clan academy before, he would occasionally be taught some martial arts by Masara himself, and this was the first time he personally followed Masato on the expedition.

Yamanaka Shijijiro Yukimori, his father Yamanaka Mikawa Moriyuki, mother is the sister of Tachihara Gentaibei Kuzuna, this year is already fourteen years old, as a hostage of the alliance between the Niko family and the Luo family, he has been by Masara's side as a small surname for ten years, and after discussing with his father Yamanaka Mikawa Moriyuki, who visits almost every year, Masara is ready to personally preside over the Yuanfu ceremony for him next year, and establish a relationship with him as a member of the Luo family.

Kiyora Doi, as a hostage of the alliance between the Xitu Temple family and the Luo family, is thirteen years old this year, and he is also studying by the side of Masashi as a small surname, and at the same time entering the Luo school to study. This time, like Honda Nabe-nosuke Tadakatsu, he was following Masaro for the first time.

Marume Nagae, first made a small surname by Masara's side for more than ten years, and later became Masahiro's close attendant after Masara personally presided over the ceremony of the Yuan Dress. His talent for swordsmanship is very good, so he often learns swordsmanship with Masara, but his real teacher is Kansuke Yamamoto. Dongxiang is in the heavy position, the only son of the old Dongxiang Pingci, that is, the brother-in-law of Zhengliang, after the request of Dongxiang Pingji, he became the surname of Zhengliang, while following Zhengliang to learn martial arts, while learning government affairs, he is an all-rounder, and he also became Zhengliang's close attendant after the Yuan service.

Naturally, Masahiro can't see the thoughts of these people cursing the Shimazu family because of his anger at this time, but at this time he is really a little angry, Shimazu Takahisa and Shimazu Tadara are obviously creating problems for him:

"Why on earth did you kill yourself?"

"Is it an attempt to provoke the anger of the Shimazu family, so that the people of the Shimazu family will fight to the death with the Luo family?"

"It can't be!" Immediately, Zhengliang vetoed in his heart. If Takahisa Shimazu really had this intention, then why didn't he commit suicide while he was still under house arrest in Matsuo Castle? In this way, not only does the Shimazu family have time to prepare for a desperate fight with the Luo family, but it can also make the Shimazu family suspect that Shimazu Takahisa's death was poisoned by the Luo family, which will arouse the anger of the Shimazu family even more.

And judging from the previous report of the Intelligence Cabinet, at this time, most of the Shimazu family's retainers and military forces who were willing to follow the Shimazu family to the Shikoku region had already set off for the Shikoku region by ship, especially some retainers who were obviously extremely hostile to the Luo family were in the team this time, so that is to say, Shimazu Takahisa had already made arrangements, obviously to avoid a conflict between the Shimazu family and the Luo family because of his death.

What's more, in the suicide note left by Shimazu Takahisa, in addition to emphasizing that the four Shimazu Yoshihisa brothers must be united, it was also emphasized that this suicide was because he needed to atone for the wrong decision to confront the Luo family before, and asked the Shimazu family not to conflict with the Luo family because of this. Of course, for this so-called "wrong decision", Zhengliang naturally will not believe it.

"It's just, why did these two commit suicide?"

(There should be a change later, but it is estimated that it will be later.) Thanks to the support of the two monthly passes of "robbing the color and being robbed"; Thanks to the support of "Nickname Don't Want to Be Empty" 100 pips. Thank you very much. (To be continued......)