Sakai Town should be the most prosperous place in the Wa Kingdom at this time.

The streets extend in all directions, the piers are spacious, the docks are quite large, and the shops are densely packed. All of this is a reminder to outsiders of Japan's status as the largest commercial city!

However, now there is no longer the bustling flow of people here, and there are still people in the shops and markets who are buying, selling, and bargaining, all of which look calm and comfortable! In its place, there were partially collapsed walls, and pedestrians walking in a hurry. It is the constant war that has caused all this.

Since last year, Miyoshi Chokei, Yusa Chokyo, Tokawa, Hatakeyama Masakuni, Hosokawa Harumoto and other military forces have repeatedly fought in the vicinity, and even the most prosperous places will be abandoned due to the war.

"Hey!" In a room in a courtyard in Sakai Town, the Sakai people such as Hirahisa, Tsuda Soda, Hibiya Kei, and Imai Munehisa shook their heads and sighed. With fewer people and unstable road conditions, their business is naturally poor, so they have recently occasionally gotten together to exchange information and discuss countermeasures.

"Heijiu, the situation in Echizen is not bad, I heard that Echizen guardian Asakura Takakei died, and his son Yoshikei succeeded him as the governor, your merchant house can reach Noto, Echichu, and Echigo as far as possible, and when you come back, you have to pass through Echizen, and the situation there is okay?" At this time, someone asked about being able to wait for Yahei. Obviously, the interviewer was worried that the Asakura family's policy on commercial housing would change after the change of governor, and he was even more worried that the situation there would be unstable, which would lead to the blockage of trade routes and affect his business.

"It's okay. Asakura Yoshikage is still very welcoming to our merchants, and I heard that Asakura Yoshikage is also preparing to hold a song party. Previously, invitations had been sent to the first Confucian scholar of our time, Kiyohara Xuanxian, and the famous Wakake Leng Quanke. However, Echigo had turmoil in the Nagao family before. However, after Nagao Harukei (i.e., Uesugi Kenshin) replaced his brother as the head of the household. Echigo was much more settled by this time. "I can wait for Yaheijiu to say.

"Really? It's just that I heard that the Shinano area, which is necessary to pass through the road to Echigo, is also very unstable! "When someone heard that Echigo was stable, they went to see if they could make some money there, but when they thought that the Shinano area, the quickest route to Echigo, had been unstable recently, they immediately retreated.

"Yes, the Murakami family and the Ogasawara family there are fighting against the Takeda family! The two sides have not announced the victory or defeat, and there is war everywhere. It's just that. The Shinano area is impassable, and you can also take a detour to Echigo. As soon as these words came out, they immediately caused a wry smile from everyone in the room. Not every merchant house has supplies along the way to Echichu like Notoya, and if you go to Echigo from Echizen and Echigo, the distance is too long, and it is very likely that you will end up losing money. As for the detour to Mino and Hida, it is even more impossible to take the difficult mountain road in the middle of the road.

"The Tokaido side has also been quiet recently, and Hojo Shiyasu, who heard about Sagami, has recently established the amount of Izu Nishiura's seven ship service fees, and since then, all the ship service fees for new shipbuilding have been exempted. In addition, the Hojo family later issued some laws to encourage local farmers to farm, which encouraged local farmers. ”

"Oh?" Many people immediately heard a lot of business opportunities from this sentence. I've already secretly estimated whether I can make money going to Sagami.

"Imagawa Yoshimoto, who inherited the Imagawa family, is also committed to the construction of the territory, and recently he has been inspecting the land and building a canal. Commercial houses are also welcome. ”

"No, it's not stable there, Matsudaira Hirotada, the governor of the Matsudaira family in Mikawa, seems to have been killed, and the Imagawa family took the opportunity to send Master Taiyuan Xuesai into Okazaki City to take over the territory of the Matsudaira clan, and now there is still a lot of chaos there."

"In that case, it's not safe to travel to Sagami by land!"

"How about going by sea?"

"By sea? I've heard that there are a lot of pirates near the three rivers? In particular, the Hachiman Pirates near Shima Province (that is, the Kumano Water Army, the water army where the Nine Demons Yosataka is located) have been making a lot of trouble recently? ”

Everyone immediately talked about the situation in the eastern kingdom with one word and one word at a time.

"It seems that the east is not stable." Someone said at the end. As for the Kyoto area, these people don't have to talk about it anymore.

"What's going on here in the West?" At this time, someone asked again.

"The waterway between Shikoku and Honshu Island is fairly smooth."

"I heard that there are 'ghost people' goods over there, and there are a lot of goods from the Ming Kingdom."

"Is there such a thing?" Someone immediately asked.

"It's true. In the next time, he has handled several porcelain from the Ming Kingdom. ”

"Where can I get it?"

"Hakata, huh?"

"Hakata? I'm afraid you don't know what to do, right? Last year, the overlord of Kyushu, the Luo family, went to war with the Ouchi family and the Otomo family? Hakata has now been burned to the ground. At this time, someone said. This man apparently also has goods in Hakata, and it seems that he has lost all his money now. So there was a bit of dissatisfaction in the tone.

"Hakata was burned by someone from the Ouchi family." At this time, one of them said suddenly. Everyone looked up and saw that it was Yuda Nobuyasu of Yutian House. Yuda Nobuyasu was originally the head of Naya, but later became independent from Naya after making a fortune through the Luo family. However, Amitaya still maintains a close relationship with Naya. Three years ago, it was Yutaya Nobuyasu and Naya Imai Munehisa who jointly launched the sale of Huotong (the eliminated products of the Luo family) from the Ming Kingdom, and it set off a buying boom.

"Last year, the Ouchi family and the Otomo family jointly invaded the Luo family, but they were defeated by the Luo family. At this time, the Luo family had already occupied the Chikuzen Hakata area of the Ouchi family and the Otomo family Bungo. Nobuyasu Amada continued.

"There have been three pieces of news from the Luo family recently." Seeing that it had attracted everyone's attention, Yuda Nobuyasu continued.

"First, on Hizen Hirado Island, there are a large number of specialties from the Nanban and Ming countries, and you are welcome to buy them."

"The second is that the Roche family will rebuild Hakata, and we will be invited to watch the grand occasion of the reconstruction."

"Third, the Luo family needs to buy a large amount of grain, military horses and cattle, and we are welcome to negotiate."

Yuda Nobuya's words were like a bombshell. Immediately, everyone present began to discuss with great interest.

Some commercial houses that originally had a good relationship with the Ouchi family knew that Yuda Nobuyasu was taking this opportunity to promote the Luo family. But unexpectedly, there is no contradiction. Of course. This is also something that cannot be helped, and the previous act of burning Hakata by the Ouchi family caused them to lose a lot of materials and offended them all miserably. What's more, they have been coveting the various specialties that flow out of the Luo family for a long time, and they are also particularly concerned about the distribution of benefits after the reconstruction of Hakata, so naturally they will not offend the Luo family at this time. It's just that what makes them quite puzzling is why Yuda Nobuyasu will announce such important news and hide these news. Wouldn't it be better to go and earn it on your own?

Of course, Yutian Xinkang wants to swallow the Luo family's business alone, even if his own strength is not enough to undertake this business, it is completely enough to pull in the house. But now the sea lanes around the Luo family have been intercepted by the Ouchi family, the Otomo family, the Ito family, and even some of the wealthy families of Shikoku, and the two of them alone can't face these powerful people. But when you add in the power represented by these people in the room, it's different. That's why he made the news public at this time.

While Sakai Town was discussing business matters, in a courtyard in Kyoto at this time, the official director of the Luo family, who was stationed in Kyoto and Sakai Town, was meeting with several ministers.

"Kyushu Hizen Guardian Dazai Shaoji Luo Clan Masarashi Tribute ......" the shabby-dressed butler read in a long voice.

Ichijo Moritaka sat near the door, with Konoe Maehisa, the newly promoted favorite minister of Emperor Go-Nara, sitting in front of him, and a middle-aged minister on the right.

The sprawling old mansion is so old that there is no trace of paint left on the pillars or beams. From the moment he entered, Sheng Long had silently calculated, and there were only three servants who had been seen by the butler. And their faces were covered with vegetables. Because of the white powder, Konoe Qianjiu's face was a long time to see. However, it may be the reason why he has to go in and out of the palace frequently, and the splendid court clothes and black hat on his body are very bright. Although he sat on it with a majestic attitude, his eyes flashed with greed from time to time. If one is still the case with two important ministers, the situation of the entire court can be imagined!

“…… A Nanban gilt dressing mirror, a velvet cloak, a Nanban self-striking bell, and two glass vases. The butler bowed down and withdrew from the housekeeper after reading the salute, and another servant offered tea.

"Lord Dazai is really polite, and Lord Ichijo Shenglong has also worked hard!" Konoe's voice was full of kindness. "Now there are wars going on everywhere, I heard that this time there was a serious conflict between the Luo family and the Otomo family and the Ouchi family, and Lord Dazai Shaoji even suffered a plot, Dazai Shaoji is okay at this time?" The Konoe family has always been friendly with the Ichijo family, and what is in front of them is another Ichijo family's Shenglong, so they naturally stand on the side of the Luo family.

"The Lord is well! Thank you for your attention. Ichijo Shenglong leaned over and said: "Although there are small twists and turns, but thanks to your blessings, they have all coped with it, and now the armies of the Otomo family and the Ouchi family have been defeated by the main family, and the main family has also entered the territory of these two families to fight back." In Kyushu, I brought the Luo family from the contempt of the lord below, infinite loyalty to His Majesty the Emperor and the imperial court, and great admiration for you! ”

"Hmmm! Well! Good! Good! Good! Konoe praised him several times before him, and his eyes narrowed into a slit.

"This is the best gift! For hundreds of years, the court has weakened due to turmoil, and the supreme imperial power has often been bullied by brutal and unscrupulous people! This is really distressing, and it makes the world lose its place. But at this time, it is really commendable that Lord Dazai and all of you can uphold a heart of loyalty, help the Son of Heaven and reassure the people, sweep away the rape and eradicate the evil rebellion! ”

"Your Excellency is really overrated!" A Sheng Long straightened his waist and said with a sense of "righteousness": "It is the duty of my generation of warriors to be loyal to the monarch and serve the country, and the Luo family must do their best to serve the emperor!" ”

"That's it! Lord Shenglong, please relax. Konoe said with a wave of his hand. It seemed that the opening remarks had come to an end and that it was time to move on to the consultations on substantive issues.

"In recent years, the Hosokawa family, the Miyoshi family and other families have fought in the vicinity of Kyoto, making Kyoto chaotic, and the imperial court has hardly had a chance to breathe. The situation is very difficult, I hope that Lord Dazai Shaoji can share more worries for the court! ”

"On the disadvantages, I am also worried about this, and it is difficult to sleep and eat!" Yi Shenglong said it with emotion, but there was no promise at all. A Shenglong is also an old fritter, and he will definitely not say a positive promise casually.

"I went into the palace a few days ago. Your Majesty also mentioned it to me! "Konoe began to "pull the banner" a long time ago.

"Hope for today. All of them are loyal and heroic in all parties. And the leader of this. I recommend Lord Roche Dazai again again! The entire court and the world are looking forward to seeing the loyal and diligent master of Dazai Shaoji as soon as possible! Kuang Zhengtian is the first act of benevolence and righteousness, and I hope he will not be humble. Konoe said for a long time while looking at a sheng long "earnestly".

In the eyes of the shogunate and the imperial court, instead of letting the Hosokawa family continue to stay in Kyoto and oppress them, it is better to change a strong person to enter Kyoto, so that their situation may improve, and at this time, the Luo family has occupied nearly half of Kyushu, in their opinion. The Luo family definitely has the strength to enter Kyoto. And some time ago, they also invited the Ouchi family to Shangluo, but the latter was powerless at this time. So now the expectations for the Luo family are even more ardent.

But Ichijo Shenglong felt very funny when he heard it, and Konoe didn't know how many powerful envoys he had said the same thing to the powerful envoys for a long time. Besides, if there is a real Shangluo, you have to count the Imagawa family, the Takeda family, and the Uesugi family first.

"The disadvantaged family feels the emperor's grace immense! Excellency! The disadvantages are really powerless! A Sheng Long's left hand stroked his knee and said: "At present, the Luo family is surrounded by enemies, and there are the embarrassed Ouchi Yoshitaka and Otomo Yoshizhen in the north; To the south and west, pirates from the sea invade from time to time; To the southeast, there is Yoshisuke Ito, who is in collusion with the Otomo family; The four powerful countries in the east are also eyeing Kyushu; The family is also not stable under the instigation of well-intentioned people. ...... cons"

"We are ready to gather people with lofty ideals from all over the world to participate in the righteous deeds of the king! It's just ......" After a short pause, a Sheng Long continued with a pretended regret: "It's often touching and soft-spoken! Besides, the disadvantage is humble, even this time the faction is sincerely afraid. lest you blaspheme the heavens! ”

"It's a pity!" Konoe Qianjiu picked up the teacup and shook his head and sighed: "Sheng Long doesn't know, and he also wants to fight for a higher official position for Lord Luo Dazai. However, some of my colleagues who supported the Ouchi family and the Otomo family raised great objections. Besides, His Majesty the Emperor is the most important thing about the world, and it involves the imperial court system...... "Seemingly unintentionally, he made a finger twisting motion with his hand under the teacup.

"Your Excellency!" Yi Shenglong said knowingly: "I thought that the current reputation of the Luo family is very inconsistent with the power of the power, and the lord of this family is just a mere Dazai Shaoji!" This has seriously hindered the development of our Luo family! And although the Luo family is in a difficult situation, they still spare no effort to serve the imperial court! This time, I ordered to present 2,000 to the imperial court, and I hope that Your Excellency will present it to the emperor on your behalf! In the future, as long as the Luo family does its best, it will often contribute. ”

In the summer of the second year of Astronomy (1533), the Emperor sent an imperial envoy to Kanto to ask for donations from Imagawa, Hojo, Asakura, and Nagao, but only Yoshitaka Ouchi alone donated a huge amount of 2,200 kan. The Imperial Court was both surprised and delighted that the enthronement ceremony of Emperor Nara was finally held in February of the fifth year of the Astronomical Year. Grateful for the merits of the Ouchi clan, the imperial court promoted him to the rank of Dazai Daibi. Moreover, Emperor Go-Nara has always been good to the Ouchi family, so in order to defeat the resistance created by the Ouchi family in Kyoto this time, and take down the official position that Masara hopes to get, this time it will be necessary to spend a lot of money.

"I understand Dazai-sama's intentions! It's just that with the efforts of the next generation, it may not be able to achieve the wish of Lord Dazai. After saying that, Konoe looked at the middle-aged man who had been sitting on his right without making a sound with a smile.

After hearing this, Sheng Long immediately understood. Then he said to the middle-aged man: "Lord Xuanxiu of the Middle Imperial Gate, you are polite below." ”

For this middle-aged man, a Sheng Longwen also knows something. This person's name is Nakayumen Xuanxiu. He was born in the Fujiwara Kita family, persuaded the temple stream, and was a celebrity in Kyoto. More importantly, his father was the imperial gate Xuanyin in the words of the powerful man of the imperial court at this time. With this person's help, the Luo family's plans in the imperial court this time are indeed much more secure.

And if Masahiro is here, he will be even more surprised. Because he would never have thought that he would have anything to do with the Nakayumen family. This family is a historical celebrity. This person is none other than the female daimyo Shou Guini.

Who is Shou Gui Ni? She is the daughter of Zhongyumen Xuanyin. In the second year of Eishō (1505), she became the head of the Imagawa clan, the governor of the Imagawa family, and later gave birth to the eldest son, Imagawa Clan, and the fifth son, Imagawa Yoshimoto. Due to the poor health of the Imagawa clan, Shou Guini often assisted him, and in the 26th year of Eisho, he formulated the Imagawa clan's division law.

In the 6th year of Daei (1526), the Imagawa clan died of illness, and the eldest son Shihui inherited the position of family governor, but Shihui was only 14 years old at that time, and at this time the Dafang Hall was thirty-seven; Dafang Hall became a monk after the death of the Imagawa clan and was renamed "Shou Guini". Until the age of 16, Shou Gui Ni was in charge of the Imagawa clan's affairs. Because of this, she is called "the daimyo of the female Warring States, the nun platform".

During this period, due to the weakness of the imperial court, the life of the ministers was also very difficult, so most of the ministers used their daughters to marry the powerful people from all over the country as an investment to help the family. And Shou Gui Ni can be regarded as a kind of investment in the Imagawa family by Zhongyumen Xuanyin. Now that the son of Zhongyumen Xuanyin suddenly took the initiative to appear in Konoe Qianjiu's house, and did not shy away from seeing the retainers of the Luo family, what did he do? (To be continued......)