Chapter 7 chapter Five

It was at the end of May in the fifteenth year of Tianwen that Kansuke Yamamoto came to the castle of Sumfu after three years of absence. Kansuke entered Tokusumu Castle and went straight to Anhara Tadone's keyaki house to visit.At this time, Zhongyin's attitude towards Kansuke was a little more serious than before. "Even Suruga has heard about all your deeds in Kai. It is indeed a great blessing to meet the master of things." Zhongyin exchanged some pleasantries, and then asked Kansuke as if testing: "How's Harunobu's capacity?" Zhongyin's move seems to have the meaning of treating Kansuke as a retainer he sent to Kai official.However, Kansuke is completely different from three years ago.Recalling that when he went to the Takeda family as an official, he actually thought of receiving a salary from the Imagawa family, Kansuke himself felt unbelievable.

"Harunobu-kun is a well-known general who is politically wise. As a famous general, the recruitment of talents will never be limited to appearance, and the number one priority is to recruit talents who are well versed in the ways of warriors and have both intelligence and martial arts. In just three years, I have acquired 800 knowledge and actions, which shows the strength of Harunobu." Kansuke said so. Kansuke had been submerged here for nine years, so he didn't like the Imagawa family who didn't appoint him after all.In a few years, with the strength of the Takeda family, the Imagawa family may be defeated and conquered.But before that, the Takeda family had to form an ally with the Imagawa family.

"I came here this time for no other reason. Right now, Harunobu has two boys. To be clear, Yoshinobu is not a warrior, but Longbao is blind. For the future of the Takeda family, Harunobu Hope to have an adopted son." "So you want to adopt someone from the Imagawa family?" "No matter how old you are, after adoption, he will be raised as the third son." "Unfortunately, there is no such candidate." An Yuan Zhongyin said. "Is there no child born in the concubine?" "No." Kansuke also knew that there was no suitable candidate for the Takeda family as an adopted son in the Imagawa family.However, it doesn't have to be the child of the main wife, and it doesn't matter if it is born in the concubine——Kansuke planned this, so he came to Zhongyin to understand the situation.

"Is that why you came here?" Zhong Yin said with a smile. Kansuke remained silent. Kansuke resigned from Chuyin, left Keyakiyashiki, and went straight to the temple where he had lived for nine years near the Abe River, intending to stay here for one night. There was a young samurai of the Imagawa family who had visited Kansuke back then. When he learned that Kansuke had come to Sumfu, perhaps out of nostalgia, he specially came to visit him.When he entered the room, he saw Kansuke sitting silently in a corner, and couldn't help but be taken aback. "Teacher, what are you thinking about?" The young warrior suddenly asked.

"Within the next ten years, Hojo, Imagawa, and Takeda must be united. How do you think it will be done?" Kansuke asked back. "This..." The samurai was a little confused, "Why do you say within ten years?" Kansuke replied: "Don't you understand? Takeda has to fight Uesugi, and Imagawa is eager to go west to Beijing. As for Hojo, their war in the Kanto region has never stopped." "What about ten years from now?" "At that time, maybe we have to fight each other. After all, how can we keep the peace in the past ten years?" "have no idea."

"It's actually very simple. The three families of Takeda, Imagawa, and Hojo each have children, so let them marry each other." "Can this be done?" "Yoshinobu of the Takeda family, Ujima of Imagawa, and Ujimasa of Hojo are all about nine or ten years old. If Yoshinobu married a daughter of the Imagawa family, Ujimasa married a daughter of the Takeda family, and Ujima married a daughter of the Hojo family. Female--" When Kansuke spoke, there was no smile on his face.It suddenly occurred to him that the three missing sons of the Takeda family might have to adopt one from the Hojo family.If the Takeda family married their daughter to the Hojo family, as a hostage exchange, they would have to ask for a boy from the Hojo family to adopt as an adopted son.

"Maybe in a few years, it will be like this." Kansuke said.However, of course, the sooner the better.In this way, the Takeda family became allies with the Imagawa and Hojo families, so they could attack Uesugi with all their strength without worrying about the future.As for fighting Imagawa and Hojo, that's another story.Probably after Shiro Katsuyori, the son of Boo Ji, came of age. The young samurai sat for a while and then took his leave.Perhaps it was because Kansuke was always immersed in his own thoughts, which made it difficult for the young samurai to talk to him.In the eyes of this young samurai, Kansuke at this time is completely different from Kansuke three years ago, as if he has become another person.Kansuke, who is already fifty-four years old, is more silent and unapproachable than before.

But for Kansuke, there is nothing wrong with his body at this time, even if he dies in battle, it doesn't matter.There was no fear of death in his heart.In his heart, he was full of admiration for Harunobu, a young general, admiration for his concubine Yubuki, and love for the two's child, the newly born Shiro Katsuyori.In the mountains of Kai and Shinano, long and magnificent dreams are galloping.This is the dream held by Kansuke, a man of different phases that no one else knows about! That night, he fell into a deep sleep with Shenglai's small body carrying this dream in his heart.

Since the defeat of the Murakami Yiqing army in the First Battle of Hushicheng in early March, the ancient city has continued to live a rare and stable life in this war-torn world.Spring goes to summer solstice, summer goes to autumn, and the peaceful days without the noise of war, not only come to this ancient city, but also come to various villages in the Kai mountains centered on it. However, although there were no wars, natural disasters occurred frequently.Since the early morning of July 5th, a rainstorm has continued for three days and three nights without stopping. Flooding has occurred in Kai area. Not only the fields and crops around were washed away by the water, but even the hills behind Harunobu House in the ancient city were washed away. , There was also a large landslide with a width of more than 30 years.

Then, on the night of July 15th, another typhoon blew up, and the rice fields in various places suffered considerable damage.In the early morning of the next day, the figures of the people standing there looking at the messy fields can be seen everywhere. The impact of these two natural disasters gradually emerged after autumn.More people are starving to death than ever before, and prices are rising at a frightening pace.Although there is no war, the mountains and fields in Kai are also a bleak scene. On September 9, the Double Ninth Festival, all the generals of the Takeda family gathered in the residence hall of the ancient mansion.The hall is full of chrysanthemums, and wine and wine are placed in front of the generals in the hall.Just like on New Year's Day, Harunobu and the important officials of the Takeda clan gathered together to celebrate the festive season.It's just that this time, the two old ministers Amari Bizenshu and Yokota Bichumori who died in the battle of Utoishi Castle were missing.This time, as former ministers, there were only three Iitomi Bingbu Shaosuke, Koyamada Beichu and Itagaki Nobukata, which seemed a little lonely.

Since the First Battle of Hushicheng in March, Fantomi and Koyamada have been garrisoning troops in the Beixin area to prevent Murakami from sending troops again, and they came to the ancient mansion on this day.Itagaki Nobukata also came here from Suwa, where he was stationed.At the banquet, the generals of Takeda Yimen included Zuomasuke Nobushige,,,, and others.In addition, those who attended as the backbone of the Takeda family were a group of newly promoted generals, namely young people such as,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,,They are all descendants of famous families who have served in the Takeda family for generations. During the dinner, Iitomi and Oyamada Erjiang carefully reported the recent movements of Murakami Yoshiki, the current enemy of the Takeda family. Since Murakami Yoshikiyo was defeated in the First World War at Toishi City, although he has put down his banners and drums and acted in a low-key manner, he does not seem to be a person who just retreats.Soon, they will meet again in battle.The time may be next spring, when the Shinano snow melts.On this point, Fantomi and Oyamada agree with each other. "Probably until the spring of next year, there will be no war during this period. Before that, we must also make complete preparations, and we must take Yiqing's head in one fell swoop in this battle, so as to avoid future troubles." No one disagreed with Iitomi's words, so they began to discuss how to train soldiers in the six months to spring. However, at this time, Kansuke, who was sitting in the middle seat on the right opposite Harunobu, suddenly said: "Please allow me a word." After saying that, he bowed deeply, raised his head, and continued: "There will be war within the year, maybe even tomorrow." After saying this, the eyes of all the generals immediately focused on Kansuke's short body like sharp arrows. "About the movement of the Murakami army, is there anyone who knows better than Mr. Itomo and my subordinates?" Koyamada Beichu asked. "The enemy is not the Murakami army." "If it wasn't for the Murakami army, then there would be no strong enemy who could stir up trouble, but there is no one in the neighborhood." "I, Kansuke, can't tell where the enemy will come from. I just think that there must be someone who thinks that it is an excellent time to attack the Takeda family. In the battle of Toishi Castle this spring, our army defeated the Murakami army, but Amari-sama He and Yokota-sama died on the battlefield, and more than 3,000 soldiers were killed or injured. It is expected that the story has spread. In addition, although there is no doubt that Itomi-sama and Koyamada-sama have high martial arts names, but the two fought to restrain the Murakami army. They were stationed in Beixin and could not leave. And the rest of the generals—forgive me for being rude—were all low-ranking officials, not even those who could command a hundred cavalry. Coupled with the recent natural disasters... If someone led a large army to make a surprise attack at this time Kai’s words—” While talking, Kansuke raised his head to look at Harunobu.In Kansuke's mind, these words were addressed to Harunobu himself, not to the people around him. "You mean, this is urgent?" Harunobu laughed. "yes." "Will the Takeda family perish?" "That's the way to think about it. Perhaps the enemy is rushing towards Kai at this time." "Who will attack?" "I don't know. Although I don't know if someone would think so, but if there is such an enemy, and the other party wants to destroy the Takeda family—" At this time, "Is there such an enemy?" Someone shouted, this person is Anayama Izu Moriyoshi. "Whether the Imagawa clan or the Hojo clan borders us, it would be too hasty to say that they want to attack us immediately." At this time, Harunobu seemed to be thinking about something, and stood up. "If there is such an enemy—" Having said this, Harunobu suddenly stopped talking, turned around and walked into the back hall, but it didn't look like he was disappointed. Kansuke thinks that at this time, Harunobu must be thinking about who it would be if an enemy came.Harunobu must be drawing the image of this imaginary enemy in his mind. After Harunobu left the table, there was a moment of silence in the hall. Although in the Battle of Toishi Castle, Kansuke used his strategy to restore his own decline, and now no one can but pay more respect to Kansuke, but Kansuke's attitude at this table really made everyone unhappy.His words are extremely disrespectful to anyone. At this time, Nobukata Itagaki said: "Kansuke, are you drinking too much and talking nonsense? Okay, interesting! I, Nobuo Itagaki, just want to make a bet with you. If there is a war within the year, I believe that the brave men in Fang's subordinates can be sent by Kansuke at will. It's just , if you lose, what should you do?" Xinfang's move is to take Kansuke's words as a joke at the banquet, and then let it go to resolve the deadlock.Unexpectedly, Kansuke immediately replied seriously: "My next Kansuke, I can guarantee this life." This is a matter of life and death, and it cannot be a joke.In fact, Kansuke's words were not meant to answer Nobuka, but to listen to future generations other than Nobuka. "You idiot, you actually wiped out the elegance of the Double Ninth Banquet." Xinfang smiled wryly.However, in Kansuke's ears at this time, there was the sound of fighting, the sound of horns, and the sound of war drums, and hundreds of cavalry rushed across the hilly area. If he wanted to destroy the Takeda family with all his heart, he would definitely not let go of the present opportunity.If you don't do it now, you don't know when this opportunity will come again.Is there no one in this world who thinks like this?This is the troubled times of the Warring States Period in which if you don't annex others, you will be annexed by others! The shadow of the war is gradually approaching.However, Kansuke couldn't figure out exactly who this enemy would be.Or Imagawa, or Hojo, or Nagao Ketora, or even Murakami Yoshiki.No matter who attacks, it will not be such an incredible thing. The forces scattered in the cities of Musashi and Ueno gathered under the command of Uesugi Kensei and formed a large army with a total strength of 23,000. It was the end of September that they stormed from Fuebuki Ridge to the territory of Takeda.At this time, it was less than a month before the Double Ninth Festival that Kansuke made a prophecy. The fast horse, who came from the place stationed in Shinano and requested to send troops to Shangzhou urgently, suddenly came to the ancient mansion in the drizzle of autumn rain.As soon as the first rider got off his horse, he was surrounded by a large group of warriors into the city.However, when the second fast horse arrived, for some reason, the samurai on the horse disappeared.A feathered arrow was stuck on the horse's back, and it galloped to the hill behind the residence in pain.Anyone looking at this situation can feel the seriousness of the situation. Within a moment after that, the sound of taiko drums for urgent calls sounded from all the offices in the city.There was a hint of panic in the voice. In addition, the bonfires at various intersections were lit one after another, and the urgent horses from Sangmu, Shida, and Unino also arrived at the castle one after another. The matter is urgent, and there is no room for hesitation.Neither Harunobu nor Kansuke expected the Uesugi Army's attack.For many years, the Uesugi family has been fighting endlessly with the Hojo family in the Kanto region, and is often in a situation of being overwhelmed by the Hojo family.But now he suddenly turned his guns and rushed towards Takeda, perhaps because he wanted to make a desperate move to reverse the declining family fortune. But misfortunes never come singly, at this time Harunobu was bedridden with a high fever of unknown etiology.Therefore, the ministerial meeting had to be held in front of Harunobu's bedside. "Who wants to lead the army to meet Uesugi's army?" As soon as Harunobu asked this question, Nobushige Zuomasuke and Morinobu Ryo Anayama Izu immediately expressed their willingness to take on this important task.This is not surprising.Since the three most important ministers, Iitomi, Oyamada, and Itagaki, were all firmly guarding their positions and could not move lightly, apart from these three, only Zuomasuke Nobushige and Anayama Nobuyoshi were able to command the entire army. Harunobu turned his gaze to Kansuke. "In my opinion, please send Itagaki-sama to lead the army to meet the enemy? Please leave the matter of stationing Suwa to Anayama-sama and Samasuke-sama." "The reason for this?" "I believe that Mr. Itagaki has been stationed in Suwa for the past two or three years, so he must have a better grasp of the people of Suwa than others. Moreover, Mr. Itagaki's subordinates may have someone who is well aware of the geographical conditions in the Shinano area. people." After hearing Kansuke's words, Harunobu immediately said: "Okay, let's send Itagaki Nobukata to meet the enemy!" The military order sounded like a mountain.On such occasions, Harunobu's decision was always so clear and exciting.As a result, Nobukata Itagaki became the general to meet the enemy army, and Nobushige and Nobuyoshi Anayama led four ashigaru generals as deputies to assume the responsibility of stationing in Suwa County. Kansuke believes that when the Takeda family is in crisis, it is the best policy to dispatch Itagaki Nobuka, who is good at fighting, to meet the enemy.Although it would be safe if Harunobu personally commanded the battle, but at this time Harunobu is sick in bed, then the person who can replace Harunobu to command the entire army is none other than Itagaki Nobukata.Whether this matter is handed over to Anayama Nobuyoshi or Zuomasuke Nobushige, it is not appropriate. With Harunobu's permission, Kansuke went to Itagaki Nobukata as an envoy to convey the order.This time it is inevitable that it will be a hard fight, but the long-term hard fight is not what Nobuka is good at, and Kansuke knows this.He wanted to meet with the letter side before going to war, and presented suggestions that would help the war. That night, Kansuke set off from the foot of the ancient prefectural castle to Suwa together with several fast horses.The so-called fast horses are all selected from young warriors with excellent riding skills, and the fifty-four-year-old Kansuke is mixed in, but he is not inferior in the slightest.That's a fantastic way to ride a horse.His short body flipped onto the horse's back neatly, bent down, and galloped the horse as if whispering to the horse.Riding fast horses like a gust of wind, they arrived at the foot of Suwa Castle in the early morning of the next day.Kansuke got off his horse and sat down on the ground, but couldn't get up again. Even though the group arrived at Suwa smoothly, the fast-horse samurai who accompanied them couldn't figure out how Kansuke managed to get here from the ancient prefecture with such an unsuitable riding style. "Take me into the city." Kansuke who was sitting on the ground said suddenly.So everyone used the door panels to carry Kansuke into the city and sent it to Nobuka Itagaki.At this time, the letter party is already dressed neatly. "Before the enemy troops cross the flute-" When Kansuke said this slowly, he suddenly stopped and said with a smile: "I'm tired." "Are you here to talk about this?" Xin Fang said. "I'm here to talk about this." "Are you trying to repay me for recommending you to the Takeda family?" "yes." "I understand what you said." "That's true, but I don't understand it as well as Shimo Kansuke. As long as you lose the first battle, you will lose the motivation to deal with the enemy." "Nonsense." "I, Kansuke, have watched your battles so far, no matter when." "Nonsense." Xin's expression was slightly displeased.For this monster-like old samurai who is well aware of his weaknesses, although I treat him much more kindly than others due to the relationship of personal recommendation, but even so, I have not always been kind to Kansuke.Compared with kindness and love, it is better to say that there is also a slightly annoying mood from time to time. However, at this moment, facing Kansuke's straightforward words and confident face, a sense of trust quietly emerged in Nobukata's heart. "Want to go out together?" "If you fight before the enemy's entire army crosses the flute flute ridge, you don't need to be accompanied by Kansuke." "It's really wordy, I understand that very well! Then, stay here for a few days before going back." Xin Fang said, his face was a little pale. That night, part of Nobuka's army marched from Suwa to Fuebuki Ridge as a vanguard, and Kansuke also went straight back to the ancient mansion overnight. In order to join the army coming from Kofu, Nobukata personally led the army out of Suwa on October 4th. At this time, Qingxin also recovered from his illness a little bit, so he led 4,500 soldiers to leave the ancient mansion to go out at around 5:00 pm. During Harunobu's march, Xinfang kept sending messages from the front.However, since October 6th, when the former army had passed the news of Xiaozhucheng, the chasing area, there was no news.After about a quarter of an hour, news came that the former army fought with a part of the Uesugi Army at Fuefuling Ridge, and won a great victory, beheading 1,219.At this time, cheers of victory sounded in the Takeda army. The next day, Harunobu's army arrived at the battlefield and ordered Itagaki Nobukata to lead the army back. He personally led the reserve army composed of young generals to stand in the front line, and soon started a fierce battle with the 16,000-strong enemy army.Itagaki's previous victory greatly boosted the morale of the Takeda Army.From the beginning to the end of the battle, the Takeda Army killed a total of 4,306 enemies, playing a triumphant song of victory. At midnight that day, a victory ceremony was held in the big tent of the Takeda Army headquarters.This night the wind was strong, the bonfire flickered and danced wildly, and sparks flew straight to the seats. Harunobu holds it in his hand, and sits on the maza. Next to him is Itomi Bingbu Shaosuke, who is holding a tatana. On the right is Nobukata Itagaki, who is holding a fan. Served. The battle of the shellfish was undertaken by Kansuke Yamamoto, holding a huge conch shellfish in his hand.In Kansuke's eyes, Commander Harunobu's unmoving eyebrows and posture with his head held high at this moment are more majestic and heroic than anyone else in this world. Not long after, the taiko drum was struck, and the majestic sound of the drum resounded through the night sky of the battlefield. "Oh!" From the mouths of the military generals present, neat and high-pitched cheers of victory resounded overwhelmingly. Compared with a group of young generals, Kansuke looks very old.Kansuke seemed a little bit cold, and couldn't help sniffing his nose a few times.In this way, the general I admire is going to attack Yoshiki Murakami.After that, it will be against Nagao Jinghu.However, before that, large and small battles like this one will continue to happen one after another—the assistant Kan holds the conch shell, thinking so.Kansuke's face was flickering in the flying and falling sparks, and in the eyes of everyone, his strange face seemed normal at this moment. It was at the end of November in the fifteenth year of Tianwen that Yubuki set off for Suwa for the first time since he came to Kai.When I first came to Kai, it was the peach blossom season in the 14th year of Tianwen, and now nearly two years have passed.In the meantime, Yubu Ji gave birth to a boy who was born with the blood of the Takeda family and the Suwa family. This is Katsuyai. The story of Bu Ji's trip to Suwa gradually spread among the people.Some people speculated that this was the arrangement of Harunobu's wife Sanjo, and others speculated that this was a political strategy against the people in Suwa who still hated the Takeda family.All in all, all kinds of rumors are endless. However, Yu Buji didn't know what the truth was.It's just that when Kansuke came to visit one day, he suggested that before the weather was cold, he would take the young master to enjoy the beautiful scenery of Lake Suwa, so Bu Ji agreed. After the demise of the Suwa clan, it was Itagaki Nobukata who governed the surrounding land as Suwa.When Nobu Itagaki's messenger came to report that arrangements had been made to welcome Yubuji and his party, Yubuji and Katsuyori immediately set off from the ancient mansion in sedan chairs. In the wintery Kai mountains and fields, the eight sedan chairs carried by Boo Ji, Katsuyori and the maids are guarded by hundreds of guards, and the long procession winds its way towards Shinano.Bu Ji sat in the second sedan chair, while Katsuyori was carried by the wet nurse, and bumped forward in the third sedan chair. Around the two sedan chairs, there are several strong warriors on horseback patrolling in turn, and one warrior is advancing with his horse almost close to Katsuyori's sedan chair, which is very eye-catching.This is Kansuke Yamamoto. At first, he came to Kai with a lot of confidence, but he was very self-willed along the way from Bu Ji, and had to stop the sedan chair to rest after a short walk, but this time it was not like this.She sat alone in the sedan chair, letting the sedan chair sway forward, and never lifted the curtain halfway.In less than two years, the childishness of the young girl Yubu Ji has gradually faded, and she has slowly grown into a mature woman.On top of the shining and beautiful face bestowed by the heavens, there is also a graceful and elegant demeanor.The almost transparent fair skin, plump cheeks, round and bright eyes like black jade, and the straight and high bridge of the nose are all the characteristics of the generations of heads of the now extinct Suwa family. Two days later, the team walked for half a day along the bank of the Kamamoto River, and then took a rest on the wide river beach near Nirasaki.Kansuke half-kneeled in front of Yubu Jiyu, and asked quietly: "Do you want to get out of the sedan chair to rest?" "No need, just take a rest like this." The clear voice in the sedan chair replied. "Are you tired?" "It doesn't matter, it doesn't matter." "Then please open the curtain a little bit—this is the most beautiful place in the whole country of Kai, and it is also the key point. If the young master builds a castle in the future, it is a good strategy to choose this place." Hearing Kansuke's words, Yubu Ji moved in his heart, and gently lifted the curtain with his hand, Kansuke couldn't help being dazzled by the gorgeous and white wrist. "Where is the city built?" "Better on that hill." From a distance, where Kansuke is pointing, there is a hill like an isolated island in the sea on a plain. That is the place called Qiliyan. "The two rivers, Kamagawa and Shiogawa, surround this hill from a distance, and in that direction, there are lofty mountains such as Medicine Master, Guanyin, and Jizo, which are rarely visited by people. In this way, the hill is backed by mountains on one side and plains on three sides. If you build a city on that hill, you can see the situation in the plain at a glance. When the young master grows up, the battle must be carried out with iron cannons. Building a city in a narrow place where it is difficult to get in and out is not good for battle, just like here It is the best place to build a city. Moreover, the hills are steep on all sides and not easy to climb, so it is indeed a place that is easy to defend but difficult to attack." Kansuke actually thought so too.Whenever he passes through this plain, he always thinks about building a city here.No matter after ten or twenty years, this place will always become the center of the Kai kingdom.Like it or not, the headquarters of the Takeda family would always move here.However, I am afraid that Desheng Lai did the work of building a city here.Well, it has to be done by victory. After looking into the distance silently for a while, Bu Ji suddenly sighed: "The red leaves all over the mountains and plains are really beautiful!" Sure enough, the hill Kansuke pointed to was covered with red leaves all over the mountain, and it was extremely beautiful. "Is the red leaf the leaf of the sumac tree?" Yu Buji asked Yanran. "this……" Kansuke is completely ignorant of the grass and trees.What kind of tree are these red leaves? Kansuke found it strange and unimaginable that a woman's heart would care about such a thing. "There are few sumac trees in Kofu, but there are many in Suwa." Said by Bu Ji demurely and affectionately. "Do you like sumac trees?" "Since I was a child, I have grown up watching the leaves of the sumac tree. So when this season comes, I want to see the red leaves of the sumac tree." "From now on, please enjoy the red leaves every year." "Ok?" After hearing Kansuke's words, Yubuki was taken aback, opened the curtain, stepped out of the sedan chair, and stood in front of Kansuke. "Kansuke, what did you just say? Are you saying that I will live in Suwa from now on?" Yu Buji's tone suddenly became severe. "Does this mean that I want to leave my lord's side and live in Suwa alone? Is this really the idea?" When Yubuki spoke, although there was no expression on his face, the words pierced Kansuke's chest deeply like a sharp spear point. "Ok." Kansuke didn't know what to say for a moment, he couldn't answer Yubuki's question directly. "Kansuke!" "exist." "You are not going to put me under the guardianship of Nobukata Itagaki in Suwa, are you?" "Absolutely not." "Well then." Kansuke supported the ground with one hand, bowed and lowered his head, maintaining this posture without moving. The trip to Suwa by Boo Ji was decided by Harunobu, Nobukata Itagaki and Kansuke.From now on, Nobukata Itagaki will act as the protector of Yubuki and Katsuyai and arrange their daily life. The main purpose of doing this is to let Katsuyori live in Suwa since he was a child, and get to know the people of Suwa well, so as to eliminate Suwa's resentment towards Takeda.In addition, Kansuke also has his own considerations, he believes that only in this way can Katsuyai's safety be guaranteed.Kansuke is very clear that the Takeda clan will definitely look at Katsuyori, a child who bears the blood of the Suwa family, with a different perspective.As long as he lives in Kai, even if Katsuyori is just a newborn child, his situation is quite delicate. When Buji and his party arrived in Suwa, the people of Suwa heard the news from nowhere, and they lined up in a densely packed field in this withered winter field like the land of Kai. They bowed respectfully and greeted the team of big sedan chairs . "Your Highness, you can see the lake!" Hearing Kansuke's voice, Boo Ji opened the car curtain.The queue then stopped.The rippling rosy-blue lake immediately caught Yu Buji's eyes. "What a beauty!" Kansuke exclaimed. "Yeah, it's really beautiful!" Yubu Ji was admiring the beautiful scenery of Suwa Lake, but felt the chill hit him, and immediately shivered. "Ah, it's so cold!" Yu Buji said, and lowered the car curtain. After that, the team didn't stop, and went straight to Takashima Castle along the shore of Suwa Lake where water birds occasionally flew up. Nobukata Itagaki did not place Yubuki in Takashima Castle, but asked her to live in the Guanyin Temple in Kosaka Village as before.Because Takashima Castle is the place where Bu Ji grew up, if she was allowed to live there, it would inevitably bring back sad memories. Kosaka Kannon-in Temple is less than one mile away from Takashima Castle.The current hall of Guanyinyuan is not what it used to be, and it has been completely renovated.The village of Kosaka, which was originally half farming, half fishing, was a bit lonely, but now many samurai residences and residences have been built. Yubuji stayed in Takashima Castle for three nights, then set off for Kosaka. In the early morning of this day, the Suwa area ushered in the first snow of this winter.Looking from a distance across the lake, not only the top of Yazhidake has turned white, but even the wilderness on the shore of the lake is covered with thick snow, a piece of pure white.At about noon, the sedan chairs carried by Boo Ji and Katsuyori set off from Takashima Castle, heading east along the shore of the lake.The night before, Kansuke went to Kosaka to arrange the reception. At this time, he and several samurai waited at the intersection on the gentle slope in front of the Guanyin Temple, waiting for the arrival of Yu Buji and Katsuyai sedan chair. The two sedan chairs already showed small shadows in the distance, but they couldn't get close to them, presumably because the road was muddy and it was difficult to walk.Finally, the sedan chair entered the village and stopped in front of Kansuke. "Make the room warmer." Kansuke warned the surrounding samurai, then turned to face the sedan chair, and said respectfully: "Your Highness, you have been tired all the way in the cold wind, and you are tired." There was no response in the car. "It's already here, please move to get off the sedan chair." Still nothing.At this time, the maid holding Katsuyori in the second sedan chair had already come out and stood on the snow-covered ground.Kansuke suddenly felt that something was wrong, stepped forward and raised a corner of the curtain of Yubu Ji's sedan chair to have a look. Seeing this, Kansuke's face changed abruptly, and he immediately lowered the curtain.Yu Buji was not in the sedan chair, but was replaced by the youngest of the two maids who were rescued together with Yu Buji on the night when Takashima Castle was broken.The woman was lying in the sedan chair covered in blood, her pale face was facing Kansuke's direction, and her hands were still tightly holding the dagger pierced into her throat. Kansuke took advantage of the people around him not paying attention, and when he lowered the curtain, he quietly put his hand into the sedan chair, and lightly touched the maid's forehead, feeling that it was still warm.Kansuke then ordered people to carry the palanquin into the hall of Guanyin Temple in this way. After Katsurai settled down, Kansuke asked someone to carry the problematic sedan chair into the side yard of the hall.At this time, Kansuke's face was pale, and he pushed everyone back with a stern tone, making sure that there was no one around, and then opened the car curtain again. "Did something happen to Your Royal Highness?" Kansuke's half of his body was already in the sedan chair, and he picked up the maid and shook her vigorously. "Where's Your Highness the Princess?! Where's Your Highness Lord Bao?!" However, the maid finally didn't open her eyes, and just died.Kansuke had no choice but to give up, and stood dumbfounded in this side courtyard.At this time, fine snowflakes were flying in the air. Kansuke thought about it, but he couldn't let anyone know about Yubuki's disappearance. So that night, Kansuke asked someone to carry the sedan chair carrying the body of the maid who committed suicide out of Kosaka Kannon-in Temple on the grounds that Yubuki had urgent matters to return to Takashima Castle.At this time, the snow was all over the sky, and it didn't stop for a moment.In the snow, apart from the two porters carrying the sedan chair, only Kansuke accompanied him on horseback. When Kansuke and his party descended from the slope of Kosaka Kannon-in Temple and reached the main road by the lake, they taught the porters to walk a different way from the way they came.A porter reminded that such words would take a long way, but Kansuke didn't listen, and just shouted: "Go!" After walking about two miles along the lake, Kansuke asked the porter to stop. "His Royal Highness feels cold, you should go back to the Guanyin Temple to fetch the heater." Kansuke said to the two porters.As the two gradually walked away in the heavy snow, Kansuke carefully paid attention to the direction they were going.After confirming that their figures had disappeared, Kansuke immediately jumped off the horse and started to do what he had to do. This place is the estuary of the source of the Tenryugawa River. The river, which looks like a great dragon, originates from Lake Suwa, runs through the Ina Valley, winds and turns, and enters the distant country of Enjiang. Kansuke raised the curtain of the sedan chair, carried the maid's cold body out, and dragged it to the lake in the knee-high snow.The surface of the lake is calm, only here the water is turbulent, and the water surface raised by the falling snow bursts into rapids and splashes in all directions.Kansuke stood on the bank with the corpse in his arms, stared at the mouth of the river for a moment, tilted his body, and threw the corpse in his hand into the rapids with all his strength. Kansuke fell to the ground on his back as the body of the young maid was swallowed by the rushing water.The soft snow covered his short waist.Kansuke grabbed the dwarf bamboo branches protruding from the snow and stood up. At the edge of the water two or three rooms away, several water birds flew up in fright, and the sound of fluttering their wings was mixed with the sound of water.A sense of loneliness suddenly condensed in the depths of Kansuke's soul. In any case, the maid's body was finally disposed of—— Kansuke thought.Kansuke was the only one in the world who knew about the maid's suicide.However, where did Yubooki go?You must find the princess by yourself before others notice.If possible, neither Harunobu nor Itagaki Nobukata should know about this matter. Kansuke didn't deliberately want to cover up his fault before it was discovered.To be clear, Kansuke was not thinking about Harunobu's or Nobuka's affairs at this time.This matter has nothing to do with Harunobu and Nobuka.What if they knew about it?Kansuke himself is the only one in this world who can fully understand the princess' feelings and consider from the princess's point of view.The princess must be found by myself and with my help. ——As if worried about the father of his missing daughter, this is Kansuke's feeling towards Yubuki now. 不久之后，脚夫们返回。此时勘助已在轿内放置了几块石头，如今添上了一个暖炉，轿子便再次动身。与来时相反，这次轿舆却是沿着去往高岛城的通常道路行进了。 勘助寻思，若是两个脚夫察觉轿内有异，便立时将二人斩杀。不过，也不知他俩有没有注意到轿里的情况，只顾默不作声地在大雪纷飞的路上往前走着。这雪不觉已在勘助的头上和肩上堆积起来。 由布姬定然是不愿离开晴信独自居住在诹访，而想擅自回到甲斐吧，因此让侍女代替她坐在轿中。而这侍女虽然作了替身，但总觉此事重大，无法承担责任，却只好自尽了。除此之外，应该再无别的合理解释。 轿舆进入高岛城，已是。在入城之时，勘助便打发脚夫回了小坂观音院。在亲自将轿中的几块石头处理掉后，勘助便命哨所的武士把轿子放置在了适当的地方。 如此一来，勘助不得不处理的第一批事情已经妥当了结。勘助随即便在哨所给信方写了一封信。信中说公主偶感风寒，一时卧床不起，由在下勘助负责照料，近日无论如何也请不要允许他人前来访问。大概如此意思。 “明日一早请务必将此信交予板垣大人。” 将书信托付给哨所之后，勘助再度上马出了高岛城。 雪依然很大。在如此雪夜之中，公主会在哪里度过呢？无论是失踪的时间还是失踪的地点亦都无法知晓。勘助出得城门，在茫茫大雪中勒马伫立。应该往何处去寻才是呢？勘助无法判断。往日的勘助，无论遇到什么事件，其真相总会自然而然地在脑海里浮现出来，而此番却完全如坠五里雾中。眼下由布姬会在什么地方，勘助心里完全没有任何头绪。 勘助调转马头，向甲斐方向狂奔，所行的正是四五天前与由布姬一同自古府前来诹访的道路。虽然仅仅相隔了四五天，但这一带的景物已然完全变了模样。无论是原野、山岭还是树木，都被今年的初雪所覆盖，于严酷的寒冬之中渐没了声息。 勘助来到距高岛城最近的村落宫川村中，挨家挨户地敲打大门。 “公主殿下可曾来此住宿吗？有谁看到过公主殿下吗？若是藏匿起来的话，可要满门株连啊！” 勘助在每家门前如此狂喝。但凡开门应答的人，莫不被勘助的怒容吓得心惊胆战。他们眼里看到的，却是一个胁挟长枪跨于马上浑身积雪的怪物。这正是身具异相的勘助。他那仿若恶神附体一般的面容，此时带有一股不可名状的杀气。 在如此挨个询问之中，不觉天色已渐明。清晨时分大雪终于停歇，踏在一尺有余的积雪上，勘助自高原地带一直向西南方向行去。每每遇到村落，勘助总会又再挨家挨户地打探。 然而渐渐地，绝望的感觉却愈加强烈，不断吞噬着勘助的心。 Princess!鲍主啊！勘助心中如此呼喊着，一面纵马狂奔。直到几近中午时分，方才在一座小丘背后勒马停住。与此同时，疲劳与绝望在勘助心里交织，他几乎是一个跟头似的自马上栽了下来，摔倒在被皑皑白雪覆盖着的大片山竹丛之间。 勘助心中已没有了攻城略地、征战沙场的念头，也没有了辅佐晴信蚕食四邻、问鼎天下的念头。此时此刻，他心里只有恐怖与绝望。那位美丽的公主殿下竟然从这世界上消失，自己亦因此丧失了继续生存在这世上的力气。勘助这时方才深切体会到，自己对那美丽的由布姬的爱意竟是如此强烈。 Princess!鲍主啊！ 对勘助来说，由布姬与晴信一样，存在于自己的梦想里面。那是于此世上，勘助唯一拥有的、瑰丽而雄伟的梦想。在这梦想之中，晴信固然占有绝对重要的位置，但由布姬的重要性亦不输于晴信。无论欠缺哪一位，这梦想便永远无法成立了。 在山中各个村落几经辗转的勘助，返回昨夜曾经到过的宫川村时，已是约莫酉时二刻时分。自事情发生以来，不知不觉已过去了一天一夜。 夜幕降临之时，路面积雪已然凝结成冰，马蹄因此时常打滑。没办法了，只好先回高岛城，向信方说明事情的来龙去脉，然后出动军队仔细搜索诹访湖周边一带。除此之外，别无它法。 来到宫川村与高岛城两地之间正中所在的时候，勘助不经意地向右侧的杂树林中望去，倏地觉得似有点点灯光。当下勘助勒马停住，仔细窥视杂树林方向，那灯光却又消失不见。勘助继续驱马前行，却总觉有什么放不下心来。走了约莫半町路程之后，勘助调转马头，再度回到刚才的地方。 这次，勘助清清楚楚地看见杂树林中有灯光洩出。于是勘助驱马进入林中，片刻之后来到一条小路之上。沿着这小路行不多时，面前忽然出现一座小小的庵堂。那灯光便是自这庵堂中洩出。 虽说是庵堂，但仔细看来，却只是一座仅仅二、三人便能挤满的小建筑物，而且已经破败不堪了。若是白天看到它，或会觉得已不成形状，但此时在积雪装扮之下，竟隐约再现庵堂之形。 "anyone there?" 勘助坐在马上，大声喝道。倏地，自庵堂大门木格子之间洩出的灯光忽然消失。 "anyone there?" 勘助再次喊道。屋内依然没有回应。于是勘助把手中长枪掉转过来，欲用枪柄去捅开庵堂大门。此时，庵堂中有人开口问道： "who is it?" 这声音十分清澈悦耳。 “公、公主殿下吗！” 勘助不假思索地冲口而出。短暂的沉默过后，庵堂中人道： “勘助吗！” 分明正是由布姬的声音，这语气听来格外平静。 勘助立时翻身下马，奔上庵堂前的两三级青石台阶，在门口半跪道： “公主殿下，您平安无事吧！” 由布姬却没有答话，反问道： “勘助，你来这里做什么？” 语气中似有责怪之意。 “我可把话说在前头，我要回到主公那里去。我讨厌住在诹访这地方。” "yes." “你能答应吗？” “是。”勘助答道。总之，在没有进入庵堂中亲眼见到由布姬平安无事之前，勘助是无法放下心来的。 “不管什么事情，都包在在下勘助身上。” “那么，你打开门进来罢。” 勘助推开门，在黑暗中一隅蹲下，自腰间取出火刀火石。壁龛上有一个灯油碟，勘助上前将灯点燃。 由布姬仪态端庄地坐在房间里潮湿的地板上，满头秀发垂落背后，华美和服的下摆在地面铺开。那无以伦比的美貌与气质，即使是被大雪困在这庵堂之中，也并未减少分毫。 “公主殿下，其它事情暂且放在一边，无论如何请先回诹访再说吧。到了诹访之后，在下勘助听凭吩咐。” Kansuke said. “我没法走路了。”由布姬说道。 “真的没法走路了吗？” “脚冻僵了，一步也动不了。” “原来如此。这样的话，不是也去不了甲斐了吗。” 由布姬默然不答。 “您吃饭了吗？” “自昨天早上开始就什么也没吃。” 自己不也一样吗，勘助心里如此说。虽然勘助自己并不感到饥饿，然而此时身体却仿佛深切地体会到由布姬的饥饿感一般。那无法忍受的感觉直向他压迫过来。 “请务必尽早动身回到诹访，吃些温热饭食才好。” 这时，由布姬异常平静地说道： “脚冻僵了，肚子饿了——这些并不能算是作为人的痛苦。勘助你是不会明白的。” “对于在下勘助来说，只要是公主您的痛苦，我都十分明白。” “不，你不明白！” 由布姬强烈地否定道。 “是因为与主公分离两地的痛苦吧。” “这是其中之一，但并非只是如此。” 说到这里，由布姬顿了一顿，接着说： “勘助，你可知我为何要离开轿舆，逃到这个地方来吗？你可知我为何如此想要回到主公那里去吗？” 勘助从由布姬的这番话语中，察觉出一丝阴冷的气息，一时无法开口，只好默不作声。此时，由布姬说道： “我是想取下主公的头颅。” "what!" 勘助大吃一惊，几乎仰天摔倒。他有生以来还从未如此吃惊过。 "What did you just say?" “说多少次也是一样。我想亲手取下主公的头颅。” 这美丽的公主竟然说要趁晴信睡着之时取下他的头颅，勘助身体不禁微微颤抖起来。 “不过，你也不用担心。现在我只不过是想与主公见面而已。” 勘助这才松了一口气。现在只不过是想见面而已，由布姬此话顿时打消了勘助的紧张感。 然而，由布姬须臾又道： “但是，到了明天，却又想取主公的性命。” “公、公主殿下！” “但是，到了后天，却又只不过想与他见面而已。” “公主殿下！” 勘助恍如在梦中一般不断地连声呼喊着公主。他头脑中已然一片混乱。若不是连声“公主，公主”地呼喊着，只怕要无法支撑自己的身体。 “恐怕，我终其一生，也只会在这两个念头之间不断地徘徊下去。他是杀害了我的父亲，将我据为己有，如今却又抛下了我的那位可恨的主公！然而，他却又是让我生下了胜赖，也曾称赞我可爱的那位主公！” 由布姬呜咽着，身体不断颤抖。勘助呆然凝视着俯伏在壁龛上的由布姬那只手可握的窄小肩膀，一句话也说不出来。 因为由布姬的缘故，勘助方才知道，在女人的心里，爱与恨能够交织在一起，毫无矛盾地轮番出现。对于勘助这样的人来说，全然不擅于处理这类事情。 若是将由布姬幽禁在诹访，想必她对晴信的恨意会日益加深。这是必须避免出现的情况。虽说如此，但若是让由布姬回到甲斐晴信那里，却不知在什么时候什么场合下或会发生可怕的事情。究竟该如何安置由布姬才好呢？此时勘助也拿不定主意。 勘助连劝带哄地好不容易将由布姬从宫川村那破败的庵堂中带回观音院的房间里，却不知今后该如何安排才好。不过不管怎样，一定不能让由布姬回到甲斐。在晴信正室三条氏那嫉妒的眼神与武田家谱代家臣们猜疑的目光之下，由布姬自身或会遭遇不测。总而言之，须得将由布姬安置在诹访，如此方能保证她的安全。至于由布姬对晴信持有的心情，今后再想办法慢慢引导好了。此外别无它法。 在将由布姬带回观音院的翌日，勘助前来看望。由布姬说有些头痛，将身子靠在榻上。 “脚的疼痛可好些了吗？” "No." “那可不好办啊，都是因为您干了那样任性的事情。身体还有其它地方不舒服吗？” “就是觉得有些饿。” “有些饿的话，您什么也没有吃吗？” "yes." “那可不行啊！”勘助吃惊地说。此时，由布姬说道： “说好了不吃东西的。我们不是说好了在我坐上回甲斐去的轿舆之前什么也不吃的吗？” “您倒是这样说过。” “我对于说出来的话，是绝对不会反悔的。” 由布姬的态度非常坚决。 “公主殿下，有一事我想听听您的想法。若是您去甲斐居住的话，可就必须得跟胜赖少爷分开了。这事您能同意吗？” "I agree." “您不喜欢胜赖少爷吗？” “这世上有不喜欢自己孩子的母亲吗。” “既然如此，就请与胜赖少爷一起住在这里吧。主公随时都会到这里来的。” “那可说不好。主公的话，只要没有战事，就不会离开古府的。” “虽说如此，但若是要回甲斐的话，就一定要跟胜赖少爷分开。” “我会带胜赖同去。” “别说傻话了！” 勘助大喝，心里一面想道，如今应该是把所有情况都向由布姬说明的时候了。 “胜赖少爷此时千万不可住在古府，因为不知何时就会有生命危险。你还不明白吗？在胜赖少爷体内可是流淌着诹访家的血。当然会有人认为，诹访家的血一定会诅咒武田家，给武田家带来厄运。如此的话，万一小少爷遭遇不测——” “你是说，有人图谋不轨吗？” “不，眼下尚未看到有这样的预兆。不过，不知在何时、何地便可能会出现有这样企图的人。所以，小少爷务必留在诹访这里。只有留在诹访，才能确保安全。” 听了这话，由布姬那原本就苍白的脸，此时显得更加苍白。她双眼呆然凝视着空中某处，缓缓地说： “这也是理所当然的。就连我，有时也想把主公——” “公主殿下！” 勘助再次大喝，将由布姬的声音盖了过去。 “这里可不是山中那小小的庵堂，说话请务必谨慎。” 听了勘助的话，由布姬顺从地闭上了嘴。短暂的考虑之后，低声说道： “那么就将胜赖安置在这里吧。” “如此甚好。诹访的百姓们无一例外，都会珍视小少爷的。” “不过，我还是想回甲斐去。” “就算您不去甲斐，主公也会经常来到这里。那不是一样吗。” “主公真的会常来吗？勘助，这事你能保证吗？” “只要信浓战事不止，主公定然会经常驻留诹访。从今往后的数年之间，这里的战事还将继续下去。还得继续与村上义清争斗。在降服了村上义清之后，便不得不与越后的长尾景虎一决雌雄。这期间，主公的大本营与其说是在古府，莫如说正是在这诹访无疑。” 实际上，勘助正是这样考虑的。今后的数年间，武田氏必然将在这北信一地展开场场苦战。不管情愿还是不情愿，为了由布姬，必须得把武田氏的战略方向指向这北方一带。Kansuke thought so.

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Notes: