Chapter 12 chapter Ten
It will be the end of the year for Shingen to welcome Imagawa Yoshimoto's daughter as the wife of his first son Yoshinobu.In July, Hojo Shiyasu also married his daughter to the Imagawa family, realizing the marriage of the two families.In December of the same year, the eldest daughter of the Takeda family was betrothed to the son of Yasushi Hojo, and married.It has taken nearly four years since Kansuke, Shingen, and Yubuki discussed this matter in Kannon-in Temple, and now the three alliances have formally formed.
The wedding procession from Takeda's house to Hojo's house was extremely powerful.Among the ranks of more than 10,000 people, 3,000 warriors on horseback escorted dozens of large sedan chairs forward.The saddle bridle inlaid with gold leather, the palanquin, and the chest containing the dowry all sparkled in the weak sunlight of this winter.On a cold winter evening, the wedding procession entered the city.
Kansuke was also in the wedding procession.However, after arriving, Kansuke did not stay in Odawara for the New Year with the others, but returned to the ancient mansion alone to report to Shingen about the marriage.
"Now that worries about the future have gradually disappeared, we will start to attack Kiso in the future."
"When is the best time to crusade against Kiso?"
"It's better around August. Because after April, the ice and snow on the Kiso River will melt and the river will start to flow smoothly."
Kansuke replied.
Therefore, preparations for conquering Kiso must be completed before August.
After Kansuke returned to Suwa from the ancient mansion, he went to see Yubuki.At this time, Yubu Ji became thinner and thinner, and her complexion was almost transparent.Because of this, her already big and dark eyes appeared even bigger. Looking up, she was so beautiful that it made people feel a little palpitating.
"The lady's daughter has already married into Hojo's family."
Kansuke said.
"Now it's finally time to conquer Kiso. After that, I'm going to fight Echigo. ——No matter what, I hope to live until then."
"What are you talking about! You must take care of your health. After defeating Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin, we will attack the Hojo Clan and the Imagawa Clan."
"It seems that there is no way to survive until the crusade against Hojo and Imagawa."
"If you don't live to that time, you won't see Katsuyori-sama become the heir to inherit the Takeda family."
"I'd love to see it."
Speaking of this, Yu Buji seemed to be immersed in joyful imagination, and his eyes shone brightly.
"Then please take care of your body and live until then."
At this time, even Kansuke clearly saw that Yubu Ji's condition had deteriorated.
It was in late August of the same year that Shingen led an army to attack Kiso from ancient times.When entering the territory of Kiso, the local wealthy Seta Kaesong surrendered, so Shingen temporarily led the army back to Kai.
In the following year, that is, the first month, 213 people from Seta Master came to the ancient mansion to congratulate the New Year, but they were all executed by the Takeda family.Despite the cruelty, Kansuke insisted on this move to Shingen.Although Seta had already surrendered to the Takeda family, if there was a sudden rebellion during the attack on Kiso, it would be very bad for the Takeda family.
Then, on March 7, Shingen officially sent troops to attack Kiso.The army passed through Muzengzhichuan, crossed Xijingling, arrived at Wugenyuan, and set up camp here.
At this time, the news of Uesugi Jinghu's invasion of Chuanaka Island came.As a result, Shingen once led his army into Beixin, but did not start a large-scale battle.While Jinghu led the army back to Echigo, Shingen once again came to Yanebara's position and continued to attack Kiso.This time, Shingen Ling was the main general, and the four attendants Baba, Naito, Hara, and others were the second formation, leading the Takeda army along the mountainous area and heading straight for Mitake Castle.
As soon as the battle started, Takeda's army engulfed the enemy with a thunderous force, and then crossed Ogiso, Mizoguchi and other natural and dangerous passes, and went straight to the residence of Kiso Yoshimasa like a raging wave.It is really the offensive momentum of the wind and thunder.But within a day, the Takeda army captured the enemy city.Finally, Kiso Yoshimasa, who had long resisted the Takeda family, finally surrendered to Shingen.
Therefore, Shingen married the second daughter of the main family, the Sanjo family, to Kiso Yoshimasa, and ordered her to guard the territory, and then returned triumphantly in November of the same year.As soon as Kansuke returned to Kai, he immediately led five hundred soldiers and set off for Beixin.
It has been more than ten years since Kansuke came to the Takeda family as an official.For Kansuke, this trip to Beixin was the most glorious moment in his career.Right now, the only opponent that the Takeda family must defeat is Yu Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin, and Keigora.The cautious attitude he has held in fighting Jing Hu for a long time, and the passive combat method of trying to avoid a decisive battle with him, will no longer be needed in the future.Needless to say, Kai, the entire area is now surrendered to the Wuwei of the Takeda clan.Moreover, the main family has also formed a solid alliance with Hojo and Imagawa, so there is no need to worry about the future.
It was the first time that Kansuke marched directly to Beixin despite Jinghu showing no signs of attacking.If Jinghu dared to show up in Beixin this time, then Shingen would definitely go forward and start a desperate battle.For this battle, Kansuke changed his previous attitude and re-examined the wilderness around Beixin.
Kanzhu's army entered the small room and set up camp on the gentle slope of the hills in that area.At this time, fast horses from Suwa Takashima Castle arrived at the camp.It was the messenger sent by Bu Ji to deliver the letter.
Would like to see you immediately, please make appropriate arrangements - so the letter said.
So, after Kansuke finished setting up the camp, he rode his horse to Suwa alone.Since the army was not facing a combat situation, and the Echigo Army had no signs of invading, Kansuke did not feel any uneasiness in leaving the troops here.
Three days later, Kansuke entered Takashima Castle.At this time, Yubuji had come to the city from Guanyin Temple, so Kansuke went straight to Yubuji's bedroom to pay a visit.
"I'm really sorry that I called you here on purpose."
Yu Buji said quietly.
"Nothing else, just want to see you."
Not long after, the food and wine arrived.Kansuke took up the wine glass with his whole body in his body, and Boogie poured the wine for him, and Kansuke drank it down in one gulp.The wine poured down his throat and flowed into his tired body.
"Kansuke, how old are you this year?"
"Sixty-three years old."
"Ten years have passed since we first met in this city."
Yu Buji said with emotion.
"His Royal Highness, is this year your Geng?"
"Twenty-five years old."
"Oh, it's so fast!"
"Katsuyori is already ten years old."
Having said that, Bu Ji ordered the maid to call Katsuyori.
Kansuke only sees Katsuyori two or three times a year.There are always wars all day long, and even when we meet, we don't have time to have a good chat.At this time, Kansuke saw Katsuyori for the second time this year.
Katsurai came to the room and sat silently beside his mother.This is a young man with few words and weak body, but in the eyes of Kansuke, all the characteristics of Katsuyori are regarded as advantages by him.Although Katsuyori's appearance does not resemble Shingen's, his eyes are exactly the same as his father's.
"please."
Said Yubuki to Kansuke.
"This is what I want to say to you Kansuke today. I can't wait for a moment, and I want to say this to you Kansuke. For this reason, Kansuke who is over 60 years old is specially recruited from afar. Please forgive my willfulness. "
"I'm used to your waywardness, princess."
Kansuke laughed.Although he didn't say it out loud, in Kansuke's eyes, Yubuki's self-willedness is like a fine wine that can make people feel happy and intoxicated.From the first encounter with this princess until today, Kansuke cannot extricate herself from her ubiquitous willfulness.
That night, You Buji's face was bright and charming, her eyes were full of gleams, she was full of vitality, and she didn't look seriously ill at all.
That night Kansuke stayed overnight in Takashima Castle, and rode back to the small room the next morning.
After returning to the small room, Kansuke felt fatigue flooding his body like a tide.That night, Kansuke fell asleep as if dead in the back room of a small temple near the base camp.
In the early morning of the next day, Kansuke woke up with his eyes open, the window was already bright, and the morning light spilled into the house through the window, flowing slowly with the air.
"Urgent report: Enemy scouts are coming here from Baihaiye Plain!"
The voice of the report sounded in the neighboring house.
"What? Enemy scouts?"
"It should be the Echigo Army."
"About how many people are there?"
"About a thousand people."
"understood."
After Kansuke got up, his subordinates had already gathered in the courtyard of this small temple and waited.In the cold winter air, they kept exhaling white breath.Although the enemy's troops were scouts, they were a large force of more than a thousand people. Since the Baihaiye Plain was marching here, they must have intended to fight.
"Retreat immediately."
Kansuke said.He didn't want to lose a soldier in vain because of a meaningless little battle.
Kansuke pulled out his camp from the small room, and withdrew from the south road.He figured that since he had retreated, the enemy would not be in pursuit.
After walking for about two miles, suddenly a feathered arrow "swished" from behind and passed by the troops.Kansuke's heart suddenly became angry, but he still didn't intend to fight the pursuers, but just ordered the troops to speed up and continue to retreat southward along the mountain road.
Not long after, a fast horse suddenly appeared in front of him, and the knight on horseback came to the side of Kansuke in the center of the army, and fell headfirst from the horse:
"His Royal Highness Yubu Ji, passed away last night!"
The messenger from Suwa brought unexpected news.
How could such a thing happen!Kansuke couldn't believe his ears.
"pardon?"
"By Her Majesty Bucky she—"
The messenger repeated what he had just said.
"You mean, has Her Royal Highness passed away? That Her Royal Highness, has she passed away?!"
At this time, Kansuke's mount hissed and screamed, and its hind hooves raised, almost knocking Kansuke off the horse.There is a feathered arrow stuck in the horse's buttocks.
"His Royal Highness passed away?! That Her Royal Highness?"
Several feathered arrows flew around him.The sound of shouting and killing also came from a distance.
"Quick retreat!"
Kansuke sternly ordered the troops to retreat quickly, but he jumped off the horse and pulled out the feather arrow stuck in the horse's buttocks with his own hands.At the same time, the subordinates beside him were retreating with all their might.
"Quick retreat! Quick retreat!"
Kansuke hissed loudly.
When Kansuke got on his horse again, he suddenly saw a group of enemy soldiers pulling out their swords in the direction of the hills and charging towards him, there were about a dozen of them.
"Princess, she... makes no sense! How could such a thing happen!"
Kansuke couldn't believe the news that Yubuki had passed away anyway.
Several more feathered arrows flew past him, and there were killing sounds all around, as if he was surrounded.
Kansuke drove his horse to the west, but turned back after a while.At this time, a dozen or so enemy soldiers approached Kansuke on the left and right.Kansuke rode his horse and wandered around, his heart was in a mess, and he just yelled "Princess! Princess!"
However, facing the enemy samurai approaching from all directions, Kansuke finally realized that he was in a bad situation.A feeling of hatred wandered and conflicted in Kansuke's body and burst forth fiercely.Kansuke crouched on the horse's back, holding the short spear tightly in his hand, intending to kill a bloody path.Although he was in a dangerous situation at this moment, he didn't have the slightest fear in his heart, what he had was only hatred for these enemy troops that were approaching constantly.
Must rush out as soon as possible.
Kansuke decided on the direction to break through, turned the horse's head, and charged forward.That aura seemed to smash all the obstacles in front of him.
At this time, some of the samurai in our own army who were worried about the safety of the investigation and assistance turned back and fought with the enemy.
The Kan assistant pierced the body of an enemy with a short spear, then pulled it out, and turned another enemy soldier over.The blood splattered everywhere, staining the belly of Kansuke's mount crimson.In front of Kansuke, the enemy soldiers surged in a black mass, their shape was like that of Asura.Kansuke flicked his spear in his hand, put his feet on the horse under his crotch, and rushed straight to the black shadow.
Kansuke cut a bloody path out of the encirclement of the enemy army, and ran all the way in this direction.The mount under the crotch is like a feathered arrow, galloping across the field without roads.Kansuke crossed the hillsides like waves in the hills all over the land of Hokshin, and went straight to the south.
Princess she...!
Kansuke repeated this short sentence dozens of times and hundreds of times. After walking for an unknown amount of time, suddenly the mount let out a long hiss, its front hooves tilted, and it fell sideways on the ground.Kansuke was also thrown far away, and rolled two or three times in the weeds with the short gun in his arms, before he was stopped by the roots of the bushes and stopped.
Princess she...!
Kansuke jumped up and looked around, looking for the figure of the messenger who had brought the news of Yubuki's death earlier.However, there was no one around.Kansuke looked around in the distance, in this vast wilderness, there was no one other than Kansuke himself.The mid-winter sun shone faintly on the ground, and among the weeds that had been withered by the frost, only the silvery spikes of the large expanses of Miscanthus continued to shine.Perhaps because there was no wind, these silver banners stood there, motionless.
——His Royal Highness Yu Buji, who passed away last night.
Kansuke finally spoke from his own mouth what the messenger had said to him earlier.
Indeed, my ears heard this sentence clearly.Yubu Ji passed away, didn't it mean that Yubu Ji stopped breathing, and that figure disappeared from this world!Has such a beautiful and noble person disappeared from this world forever!Why is this unreasonable!
Kansuke couldn't believe it anyway.That's right, Yubu Ji's body was so thin that she couldn't grasp it, and her clear eyes appeared bigger and darker on her pale, almost transparent face. Mutually.Kansuke also faintly had this concern.However, the princess she...!Such a noble person...!
Kansuke got up from the weeds, but the horse couldn't move forward.Somewhere far away, the sound of horns calling for troops to gather sounded.That is the horn of one's own army.
On this day, Kansuke walked south all day on foot.Sometimes he ran forward as if in a frenzy, but sometimes he slowed down and walked shamblingly.
Kansuke passed through several villages, all of which seemed to be uninhabited, not even a single person could be seen.The doors and windows of every house are closed, and the shadows of flying birds occasionally fly over the ruined walls on both sides of the road.The whole village was silent as if dead.This is true of any village.Whenever Kansuke entered a village, he would go to the well platform of the people's house to scoop some water to drink, and then leaning on his blood-stained short spear, he continued to walk through the uninhabited village.
When passing through a village, Kansuke suddenly shouted "Princess!" The shout was almost a scream.The butt of the short spear in his hand pierced into the dry dust on the road floor, sinking two or three inches long.Suddenly, there was an exclamation of "Yeah" from behind the earthen wall beside him. At the same time, Kansuke heard a series of pattering footsteps, and there seemed to be a few people on the other side of the earthen wall fleeing to the distance. up.It turned out that this was not a deserted village.The same is true for the villages I passed through before.When the villagers saw this old warrior who looked like an Asura coming from afar, they were terrified, and they all closed their doors and hid themselves.
Before I knew it, night had already fallen.Kansuke came to a walnut grove.The cold moonlight in winter shines on the ground through the woods.Princess!Kansuke called.At this moment, about two or three meters away, several night birds seemed to be startled by Kansuke's cry, flapping their wings and flying away.
The sun rose the next day, and night fell the next day.Kansuke continued to stagger forward.
"Where are you going?"
It seems that someone has asked.I can't remember when and where it happened, but I just vaguely feel that someone has asked me this way.Where are you going?In this world where Yuboji has disappeared, where should I go?Kansuke just walked forward blankly.
It was late at night.Kansuke opened his eyes and realized that he had just fallen asleep on the river beach.Kansuke sat up, and the surrounding white stones rolled.Looking around, he saw that there was no grass growing on the river beach, and all he could see were white stones like his own.Looking forward along the stone-strewn river beach, a pool of green water glistens under the scattered light of the moonlight, and on the other side of the flowing water is still Heyuan with white stones.
Ugh—Kansuke sat on the river bank, bent down, and covered his face with his hands.A sudden grief surged from the bottom of my heart, Kansuke couldn't help whimpering, his body trembling non-stop.
Yu Buji is dead.The princess is no longer in this world.No matter how hard I searched, I could no longer see that beautiful figure, face, jade hands, eyes, and long black hair with my own eyes.For the first time, a great sense of grief completely occupied Kansuke's heart, making Kansuke's body and limbs paralyzed.
—The princess is dead.
Tears welled up from Kansuke's eyes.Kansuke sat cross-legged, put his fists on his knees, turned his back to the sky, and let the tears flow down his cheeks.
Finally, Kansuke burst into tears.
The next night, Kansuke appeared on the west bank of Lake Suwa.Kansuke couldn't remember where and how he came here.Kansuke walked north along the road towards Takashima Castle.As he got closer, Kansuke saw the flames on the other side of the lake burn into a horizontal line.It seems that there are little bonfires burned all the way from Takashima Castle to Kosaka Village where Kannon-in Temple is located.The fire is reflected on the lake, and the splendid beauty is not like anything in the world.
At the foot of Takashima Castle, Kansuke asked the first samurai he met about Yubuki's funeral.
"It will be carried out at You hour today."
The samurai recognized that the person questioning him was Kansuke, so he was very respectful.
"Will the funeral be from Takashima Castle, or from Guanyin Temple?"
"From Guanyin Temple."
"Where is my lord?"
"I heard that I will go to Kosaka."
"Okay, you go."
The samurai ran away in a panic, not long after, many generals came to meet Kansuke at the city gate, presumably it was the samurai who reported the news.
"I'll go directly to Guanyin Temple."
After Kansuke finished speaking, he turned around and walked towards Kosaka Village without entering the gate of Takashima City.Someone led Kansuke to the horse, Kansuke shook his head, and walked away on his own.Several samurai passed Kansuke from behind and galloped forward.Kansuke walked alone on this lakeside path that Bu Ji had been looking at every day, with heavy and slow steps.
On the gentle slope in front of the gate of Guanyin Temple, a large group of warriors greeted them there.Kansuke didn't even look at them, and walked forward alone leaning on the short spear in his hand. On the way, he suddenly thought of something, so he casually called a samurai on the side of the road, handed him the short spear, and adjusted the armor on his body with both hands.
As he approached, Kansuke heard the sound of monks chanting sutras, and the sound resounded throughout the Guanyin Temple, as if the hall, the house, and the courtyard were all shaken.Kansuke entered the entrance, walked through the courtyard corridor, and came to the room where Yubuki used to live.
There were already many people in the room, including all the old and important ministers of the Takeda family.The Buddhist altar is set on the niche, and people are arranged on the left and right.
"You're back, Kansuke!"
Shingen said.
"Yes." Kansuke bent down.
"Yubuki can't come back, I think Kansuke will definitely come back."
"yes."
"You are tired, go and have a rest."
Kansuke stood up and came to this brand new Buddhist altar to offer incense.I saw that the tablet said: .
Kansuke stepped back from the altar and sat opposite Shingen.Kansuke wanted to tell Shingen his distress and regret, but before he could speak, Shingen spoke first:
"The place of Inana is not very peaceful."
"Is that Ina? Let's hunt them down!"
"Yes, yes, these two are also ready to move."
"Then let's attack them too!"
"A crusade?!"
"Yes. Anyone who resists you, my lord, will be punished!"
"In this case, the crusade against Qianxin Jinghu will have to be postponed a little bit."
"It won't be postponed. We will defeat Ina first, and then attack Shangzhou. After Wuzhou surrenders, we will immediately defeat Jinghu and take his life."
Having said that, Kansuke raised his head and stared at Shingen seriously.
"In these three or four years, Jinghu's head must be removed."
"Three or four years? Kansuke, are you not too impatient?"
"My lord, you have to be so impatient, otherwise your grand plan will be difficult to realize."
Kansuke said.Shingen didn't answer.Pacifying Ina, then conquering Shangzhou and Wuzhou, and finally destroying the old enemy Jinghu, this is the way Kansuke will survive in the next few years.In addition, Kansuke didn't know what else could support his survival.I'm afraid Shingen also has the same idea.Kansuke thinks so.
"Kansuke, your face has turned into a mess again. How many injuries did you have?"
"About thirty-six places. ——My lord, is this your year?"
"You're such an idiot for forgetting my age. I'll be thirty-six soon. It's the same wound as Kansuke."
No one could hear the conversation between the two except for the few generals around. The solemn chanting sound was entangled with the two voices and passed away.This year, which is the twenty-fourth year of Tianwen, has been changed to the first year of Hongzhi in October.Now there are only fifteen days left in the first year of Hongzhi.
Kansuke retreated from the room and came to the corridor.The bonfire on the shore of the lake was still burning.From now on, Kansuke can only let himself spend every moment in the war in the days when there is no end to Yubuji.Other than that, there is no other way.It seems that Shingen also has this intention, and Kansuke is very satisfied.
Kansuke walked down the corridor to Katsuyori's room.Katsuyori had stayed awake for two nights, was very tired and was sleeping.Kansuke quietly walked into the house.
"Who is it?"
Following this loud shout, the ten-year-old Katsurai sat up, looking quite promising.
"It's Kansuke."
"It's old man, so you are still alive!"
"I can't die. I won't die anyway before I see your young master's first battle."
"You naughty old man is still alive! My lord mother died, and I thought you were dead too. Since you are still alive, please live another five years no matter what."
"Why is that?"
"At that time, I was fifteen years old. Please watch my first battle with your own eyes!"
"Ooh!"
A strong emotion ran through Kansuke's body.
"My old man, I—"
Kansuke was so excited that he couldn't speak, and the emotion filled his heart like a torrent.Kansuke couldn't help but see Katsuyori's figure in his first battle.Katsuyori's face at the first battle was intertwined with the face of the girl he first met in Takashima Castle ten years ago, gradually becoming indistinguishable.The faces of Katsuyori and Yubuki changed alternately in Kansuke's mind.Kansuke seems to feel that the princess who has disappeared in this world is now reborn in this world.
Her Royal Highness, she is still alive.Her Royal Highness, she is still alive!Kansuke originally thought that he was about to plunge into the turbid current of war day and night, but at this time, there seemed to be a ray of light that came from nowhere to penetrate the turbid current and shoot into the depths of his heart.This light is brilliant and dazzling.
Notes:
Notes: