Chapter 3 The second story Jin Wu Zhong Nayan-1

first quarter Hideyoshi's wife, official name Beizhengsuo, commonly known as Ningning.Needless to say, she is the master of Toyotomi's family.This person is straightforward and cheerful.Even after being in the official residence, she didn't put on airs at all; she always spoke the dialect of her birthplace and hometown, Owari, and she didn't shy away from others when talking to Hideyoshi. Once, when the couple was watching a Noh dance, there seemed to be a quarrel, and the argument was very heated. Both sides used the Owari dialect and spoke quickly. Others present did not know the two of them said something.After a while, the Beizheng Office grinned.Immediately afterwards, Hideyoshi laughed too hard.

"So it wasn't a quarrel just now!" Seeing this scene, the people present breathed a sigh of relief and thought in their hearts. Unexpectedly, Hideyoshi said to these Noh actors: "What do you think of our quarrel just now?" Hideyoshi's temper is: he likes to make a joke about everything.He especially likes witty waka and witty conversation.Actors know this.First of all, the drummer compared with the big drum, and answered: "The husband and wife quarrel and quarrel, and the drum hammer hits the drum skin." Immediately afterwards, the flute master used the sound of the flute as a metaphor and said: "Bi li li li li, who is right? Who is right?"

After hearing the two people's quick answers, Hideyoshi and his wife couldn't help but burst out laughing. Beizhengsuo is a woman with such a character. If she had had children, the fate of the Toyotomi family might have changed dramatically.The Toyotomi family has no children, which is a fatal flaw of the Toyotomi regime since its establishment.Although the daimyos from all over the world didn't say it, they were thinking in their stomachs: "I'm afraid this regime will not last long. It can only be preserved in His Highness Hideyoshi's generation." The daimyos only had one question in their minds: after Hideyoshi, who should be in charge of the world.Needless to say, everyone understood that it was Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the chief among the princes of all parties.This person is not only powerful and noble, but also has outstanding talents and prominent official position.As a result, there were quite a few big names who, on the one hand, respected and respected Toyotomi's family, but at the same time quietly made friends with Ieyasu.For example, Todo Takatora, this person can be said to have been cultivated and promoted by Hideyoshi. As a daimyo, he was in the same position as Ieyasu, but he secretly said to Ieyasu: "Please treat me as a servant!"

In order to stabilize the political situation, the Toyotomi family must create successors.In this sense, this is the most important politics of the Toyotomi regime.Unfortunately, however, Hideyoshi's close relatives are few in number.Yes, he has made his nephew Hideji his adopted son.Apart from Xiuji, there is no suitable person around.For this reason, he even adopted the Ukita Hide family who were not his relatives as adopted sons, and counted them as members of the Toyotomi family.In addition, the reason why Hideaki Kobayakawa, who has no blood relationship with Hideyoshi, became one of the adopted sons of the Toyotomi family is also based on the above situation.

This Xiuqiu is from the lineage of Beizheng Institute. There are two natal homes in Beizheng Institute, one is the home where she was born, and the other is the home where she was raised.She was born in the family of Oda Nobunaga's vassal Sugihara (later changed her surname to Kinoshita) Suzaemon Totoshi's family, and she became the adopted daughter of her aunt Asano's family very early.At the same time that Hideyoshi gained the world, both the Sugihara family and the Asai family became vassals.Strangely (although there is a reason), only the two natal houses of the Beizhengsuo became the famous names of the Tokugawa regime and survived until the Meiji Restoration.

Around the time Hideyoshi took over the world, the Sugihara family, where Hokusei was born, had been headed by her younger brother, Kadō, who was one year younger than her.My younger brother's family has many children, and the Beizheng Institute has long said: "I want to have one of the many children in your family as an adopted son." In the fifth year of Tianzheng (1577), her younger brother Kinoshita's family gave birth to a fifth son.This is Xiuqiu in the future.At this time, Hideyoshi served as the commander of the Chinese region under Oda Nobunaga.Beizhengsuo lived in Nagahama Castle in Omi, Hideyoshi's base.The Sugihara family has long been Hideyoshi's subordinates, so their residence is of course under Nagahama Castle.Bei Zheng returned to her natal home to congratulate her nephew on her birth as the wife of the city lord.

"This child is so cute!" After the Beizheng Office took a closer look at the baby, they couldn't help clapping their hands happily.She thought, she might as well raise the child from the time when she was wrapped in swaddling baby, and expressed this meaning to her younger brother Jiading. The younger brother Jiading catered to her and said: "If my sister likes it so much, then..." When Hideyoshi returned to Nagahama Castle from the Bomo Front, the Beizheng Office told him about it. "Well, that's a good idea. Let's take him as our adopted son."

Hideyoshi, who likes puppies, cats and children, agreed to his wife's request without saying a word.In this way, Xiuqiu was brought into Changbin City.Needless to say, a nanny was specially hired for the child.Because the Beizheng Institute likes children, even though she has never given birth to children, she is quite considerate in raising Xiuqiu. Xiuqiu grew up safely.His nickname is Tatsunosuke.Round face, fair skin, eyeballs rolled quickly.Even compared with other teenagers of the same age, this kid seemed to be very bright and bright. "In my opinion, this child will become a great person in the future." Beizhengsuo said to Hideyoshi.

"I hope he will succeed!" Like his wife, Hideyoshi loves children.Moreover, he has long secretly believed that the advantage of his wife lies in her ability to know people.And there are many practical examples of this.Naturally, Hideyoshi also had great hopes for Hideaki.In the family, although Hideaki is the younger brother of the chief adoptive son Hideji, Hideyoshi sometimes even thinks that in case something happens to Hideji, it is okay to give up the inheritance of Toyotomi's family to Hideaki. He even once said to the Beizheng Office: "Ningning, if necessary, it is also possible to let this child inherit our family business. You must be mentally prepared for this."

In the thirteenth year of Tianzheng (1585), Hideyoshi was promoted to Guanbai.At this time, he asked the imperial court to make Xiuqiu, who was just twelve years old, serve as the supervisor of the four lower guards.This official position is called General Jin Wu in China.That was the captain of the palace gate. The name "Jinwu" probably comes from the meaning of "wearing gold armor and guarding the palace gate".to this end.The princes all called the young man of Toyotomi's family "His Excellency Jin Wu" to express their special respect. But in the camp, some people quietly called him "Jin Wu this boy".From then on, Xiuqiu had lost the charm she had when she was a child, and she was no longer clever.To put it bluntly, at this time he had begun to show a kind of ignorance and madness.By Xiuqiu's side, teachers have already been assigned to teach him how to read, write, compose and sing, so that he will not be disgraced in the public society in the future.However, he never showed any decent talent.

"Probably I misread the person." The Beijing Institute of Political Science began to realize this and was increasingly disappointed.Even in the Imperial Palace, Xiuqiu often has bad grooming, has a runny nose, and laughs suddenly when she should be serious.Even in the corridor where he should walk solemnly and slowly, he started to run with a crackling sound. The Beizheng Office murmured to Hideyoshi: "It's only this child, I didn't see it right, it's really embarrassing." Originally, although her relatives and members of her natal Sugihara (Kinoshita) family also lacked the courage and determination necessary to be a samurai, however, like her, most of them were talented and intelligent, such as Xiuqiu's eldest brother Sheng Jun (official to The attendant, who will later cut his hair and become a monk, known as Chang Xiaozi), is not inferior to other sons of the princes in terms of waka quality. Hideyoshi said, "There's no need to worry." He is very optimistic in this regard.Hideyoshi still has a fresh memory of his mischievous mischief due to ignorance in his youth.In addition, Oda Nobunaga, his deceased master, can also be said to be his lifelong teacher. The pranks he played when he was young made the whole family of the Oda family very depressed.From this point of view, it is not possible to infer whether he is smart or stupid as an adult from the roughness and stupidity of his youth. On the contrary, Hideyoshi comforted Bei Zhengsuo and said, "That's how things are." However, the Beizheng Institute was still unhappy.Because although Xiuqiu is only a twelve-year-old boy, her interest in the opposite sex is unusually strong.For example, when the female officials in the palace were changing clothes in the room, Xiuqiu often sneaked into the room on tiptoe and watched them intently.If you said a word to him, he would yell like a madman.However, Ning Ning did not tell Hideyoshi about this matter.If I told him, he would smile and say: "The pursuit of the opposite sex is a human habit. It has nothing to do with good and evil, virtuous and foolish. Ah, is it? Jin Wu already knows how to peek. Looks like it's early." On the point of lust and precocity, Hideyoshi himself is also the same, so Ningning dare not tell Hideyoshi the truth. Hideyoshi sometimes even showed such a tendency that he valued Hideaki more than his relative Hideji.In the 16th year of Tensho (1588), Hideyoshi built Jule Building in the capital. On April 14th of the same year, Emperor Goyosei was honored to visit.This kind of thing has never been seen in the past 100 years.This can be said to be a magnificent demonstration showing the stability of the Toyotomi regime.Hideyoshi mobilized the power of the whole country to prepare for this pick-up.On April 14th, needless to say, people from the five countries near the imperial capital, even in remote areas, many people came to the capital to watch the excitement.There were huge crowds of people on both sides of the road that the emperor passed by, and the grand occasion was unprecedented. As many as 6,000 guards were mobilized just to serve as guards at the crossroads.The guard of honor of the emperor's team is extremely luxurious. "The emperor is so honorable!" From the big name to the common people, everyone who sees it will probably think so.This is exactly the political effect that Hideyoshi hoped to achieve through this grand ceremony.Let people all over the world know the dignity of the Son of Heaven.And Guan Bai is second only to the emperor.Knowing the dignity of the Son of Heaven, one must also understand the sanctity of Guan Bai.Since Hideyoshi's world was obtained in a short period of time, most of his princes were his old colleagues when he was Oda Nobunaga's subordinate.For example, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was the leader of the allies of the Oda family at the beginning, had a higher status than Hideyoshi.As for Oda Nobunaga, he is the direct son of the deceased Oda Nobunaga.Hideyoshi relied on his own force and luck to make these people bow down to him.However, due to the previous period of historical karma, people may not be convinced.For there is nothing in the world so stubborn as a view of human dignity.Hideyoshi's purpose is to break the original concept.He wanted to take advantage of the dignity of the Son of Heaven and publicize this matter to establish a new concept and feeling of dignity and order in people's minds. The emperor stayed in Juledi for four nights.During this period, whenever the emperor wanted to go for a walk in the garden, Hideyoshi, who was in charge of the real power in the world, always arranged sandals for him to walk like a servant.Later, Hideyoshi summoned the six largest princes of Toyotomi's family to a room in Juledi and asked the emperor to meet him.The names of the six princes are: Oda Nobuo Ieyasu Tokugawa Quan Da Nayan Toyotomi Hidecho (Hideyoshi's younger brother) Nagon Toyotomi Hideji Lieutenant General Hideka Ukita Maeda Toshiie Hideyoshi announced to them: "Ministers, I am so grateful for the honor and kindness of the emperor today. In order to show your loyalty to the imperial court from generation to generation, please write a letter of loyalty to the emperor." So a piece of paper with an oath written on it was distributed to each minister on the spot. The article had already been prepared, and all the ministers only needed to press a bloody fingerprint on this paper.At the end of the article there is this sentence: In accordance with His Highness Guan Bai's suggestion, Chen Te made an oath as above, and guaranteed that he would never violate it. For Hideyoshi, letting the princes swear allegiance in front of the emperor may be the biggest purpose of this pick-up.But surprisingly, the form of this letter of loyalty is very special, the recipient is not Hideyoshi himself, but his agent Hideaki.I don't know what is Hideyoshi's intention in choosing Xiuqiu. The words "His Excellency Jin Wu" were pre-written on the letter of allegiance.The object of the oath was the fifteen-year-old General Jinwu Xiuqiu.In this way, people will of course make such speculations about the successor of the Toyotomi family: "Unexpectedly, it is Jin Wu!" Through this letter of allegiance, Hideaki's position in Toyotomi's family has become clear.This can be said to be a leap forward.It seems that Hideyoshi is more likely to give up power to Xiuqiu than Hideji. "In that case, it's not easy to offend His Excellency Jin Wu." The daimyos secretly thought this way, and they all went to curry favor with this young man who had just begun to grow a few fluffy beards, and rushed to give him presents. "If this continues, Xiuqiu will become proud." The Beijing Institute of Political Science was very worried.In this regard, Hideyoshi let it go, he followed the princes to flatter Xiuqiu, just like letting the princes flatter Xiuji in the past.Not only was he not worried, but rather he was a little happy. "They are willing to give generous gifts, just let them give it. Let the world know how noble Xiuqiu's status is." The Beizheng Office said: "It depends on who it is! This is harmful to Jin Wu." However, Hideyoshi's doting on children in the family is almost a foolish father.He said: "It doesn't matter, you are worrying." Hideyoshi, who is considered unparalleled in the world for his intelligence, also has his blind spots.This is the education of children.If we talk about worrying, then the starting point of education is originally worrying.However, Hideyoshi himself was not educated when he was a child.Therefore, education is unknowingly underestimated.This may be said to be a defect of the Toyotomi family.It is precisely because this family is an aristocrat that was formed suddenly in a short period of time, so the family tradition of educating children has not yet been developed.And this kind of ethos is a tradition that must be kept in other daimyo or nickname families. All Hideyoshi can do is to promote his children to official positions.In the nineteenth year of Tianzheng (1591), Hideyoshi promoted Xiuqiu, who was fifteen years old, to a councilor, and let him serve as the governor of the right guard.In the first year of Wenlu (1592), the 16-year-old Xiuqiu took up the position of Nayan in Quanzhong, ranking third in the official rank.For this reason, the world calls him "Jin Wu Zhong Na Yan". However, Xiuqiu's promotion came to a standstill until the power was accepted.Because this year, his adopted brother Hideji made rapid progress and became Guanbai, a veritable successor of Toyotomi's regime. At this time, the war against Korea had begun.Sixteen-year-old Quanzhong Nayan Hideaki, in order to follow Hideyoshi who has gone south to the base camp of Hizen Nagoya, is preparing to set off in Kameyama Castle in Tamba, which was sealed not long ago. By the way, explain.During this military trip, Hideyoshi deliberately only brought his Aihime Yodohime with him.From the group of concubines, I specially chose Yoshihime. According to Hideyoshi's explanation: "A few years ago, in the battle of Odawara, because I brought Adian, I won the victory as I wished. Adian brought auspiciousness to the battlefield. " Hideyoshi said this, naturally also contained the intention to prevent other concubines from having boudoir grievances.In fact, it is probably because Hideyoshi discovered the hope of giving birth to a successor from Yodohime.Among the many women that Hideyoshi shared a bed with, only this Yodohime gave birth to a son for Hideyoshi not long ago.This is Hesong.It is a pity that this Hesong died young.However, Yodohime may become pregnant again.It was this hope that prompted Hideyoshi to bring Yodohime with him. In the next year, Xiuqiu went south to Hizen Nagoya Castle in March of the second year of Wenlu (1593). Before leaving Osaka, he boarded Miyagi in Osaka to bid farewell to his adoptive mother Beizhengsuo.I was seventeen years old. The Beizheng Office only said this: "You will have to work hard this time." This woman who is always pleasant to everyone, but rarely smiles to Jinwu Zhong Nayan Xiuqiu.This time, she just moved her lips.She didn't even want to take a look at Xiuqiu's stupid and annoying face like a pig or a dog. On the other hand, Xiuqiu has no thick skin.It would be fine if he could be ashamed to please his adoptive mother.But when he saw his adoptive mother was unhappy, he would suddenly droop his tail like a timid dog, with his eyes upturned, with a dull and numb expression.And this stupid look made Beizheng even more angry.Although she felt a little pity for him in her heart, she couldn't help but get angry and showed a more disgusted expression on her face. The people beside Xiuqiu were sweating coldly.Recently, an old official of Toyotomi's family, named Masahiro Yamaguchi, who lives in Xuanfantou, served as Xiuqiu's personal elder (an important minister of a famous family, in charge of the family's housework) according to Hideyoshi's order, and concurrently served as Hideaki's Taifu.Masahiro Yamaguchi is a native of Omi.Since Hideyoshi was the lord of Omi Nagabin Castle, he has followed Hideyoshi.This person is not only talented in military affairs, but also proficient in administrative affairs.He is the actual executor of Hideyoshi's important land policy, the so-called Taihe policy of measuring land and acres, and he is famous for it.Such a person who is proficient in civil affairs is of course well-versed in the world.At this time, he took a step forward and spoke in place of Xiuqiu: "My lord of the Beizheng Office, I am sincerely afraid, and I would like to ask you to give me some farewell words for General Jin Wu's expedition this time." The son of Toyotomi's family went to war. As a foster mother, it is not enough to just say "you have to work hard this time". "Really?" The Beizheng Office nodded after listening, and added this sentence: "There is a lot of water in Hizen, you have to be careful." There were none of the farewell souvenirs that should have been expected on such an occasion.Xiuqiu backed away with shame on her face. The group arrived at Hizen Nagoya on March 22.Wearing a gorgeous military uniform, Xiuqiu enters Nagoya Castle and pays homage to her adoptive father Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi was very satisfied when he saw Xiuqiu's gorgeous and dazzling military uniform, so he asked Xiuqiu enthusiastically, "When you leave home, get a lot of gifts from your mother!" But Xiuqiu replied that she got nothing. This was more or less expected by Hideyoshi, so he immediately asked Masahiro Yamaguchi, "How is she feeling?" Masahiro also truthfully reported the situation to Hideyoshi. "Is there only two sentences in the parting message?" Hideyoshi nodded with a smile, but was very confused in his heart.From his point of view, in case something happens to Xiuci, he will establish Xiuqiu as the successor of Toyotomi's family.But his wife, who is Xiuqiu's adoptive mother, has a bad attitude towards Xiuqiu. After that, Hideyoshi edited a letter and sent it to Osaka's wife. In the letter, he blamed her and said, "You shouldn't do this." Jin Wu and his entourage arrived at Nagoya on the 22nd. There were a large number of troops, and the troops were neat and beautiful. He was commended. I heard that when Jin Wu climbed to Osaka City to bid farewell to you, you were in a bad mood, and you didn’t even prepare the necessary daily necessities for him prepare.What is the reason for this? Hideyoshi wrote: You have no son.You don't love Xiuqiu, so who do you love? Hideyoshi went on to write: If Jin Wu is of good character, I plan to give up my annual salary after resigning from office to this child (because Other things should be inherited by Guan Baixiu).Even I, Hideyoshi, even made such a plan, so you must definitely Don't be too reluctant to part with your belongings! Finally, Hideyoshi wrote: Taihe to Mrs. Ning Ning However, less than two months later, the situation of Toyotomi's family changed dramatically: Yodohime became pregnant. Hideyoshi was ecstatic.He immediately repaired a letter, sent someone to Osaka, and told the Beizheng Office the great news.The wording of the letter, however, is subtle. I caught a cold a few days ago and couldn't pick up my pen.Healed now.This is the first time I write a letter after recovering from illness. By writing this sentence first, the meaning is nothing more than to show that even if you write a letter, it is first written to you by Beizheng. Hideyoshi seemed to be talking about other people's affairs, and then wrote as if mentioning it in passing: Furthermore, I heard that Mrs. Ninomaru (referring to Yodohime) is pregnant. This is good news.However, I, Hideyoshi, do not want children.Not at all.I hope you can understand me like this. It is true that Hideyoshi has a son, and so does Tsurumatsu.He has left me.Therefore, this time it is not my son Hideyoshi, Only Mrs. Ninomaru's child. Hideyoshi was worried that Beizheng would be displeased, so he used such a wording, which was naturally not his intention.But this peculiar logic is also related to the superstition in the world at that time. "It's not my own child, it's picked." It is said that in this way, the child will grow up healthily.He Song, who died young, was named Sheer when he was born.After the son of this pregnancy was born, he was named Shier, and this was later Hideyori. According to secular superstition, in order to emphasize to the gods that Yodohime was the only child, Hideyoshi asked Yodohime to leave Nagoya Castle and move to the mountain city of Yodojo. Soon, she moved to Ninomaru in Osaka Castle and gave birth to a boy.That happened on August 3rd of the same year. It was difficult for Hideyoshi to restrain his joy, he couldn't keep his mouth shut all day long, talking and laughing loudly, so that people around him worried whether he would go crazy because of it.This genius, from this time on, is also getting old day by day.He even gave up the command of the cross-sea expeditionary force, left Nagoya Castle, and returned to the top (referring to Kyoto and nearby areas).During this period, Hideyoshi wrote a letter to the Beizheng Institute, which said: There are many things I want to tell you in my heart. At the same time, he also wrote a letter to Dian Ji and sent someone to send it. The letter reminded her: Be sure to feed Shi'er well.In order to produce more milk, you have to eat more!Also, take extra care, It will reduce the amount of milk, so you must not bother! In another letter, Hideyoshi took care of her and said: In order to make your body healthier, do you smoke and bake it with moxibustion?However, fumigation and moxibustion therapy is not good for Shi'er. useful.Even if his mother smokes it for him, it won't work. The more ecstatic Hideyoshi was, the more precarious Jinwu Zhong Nayan's position became. Kuroda Rushui thought: "If things go on like this, the Toyotomi family may be in big trouble soon." Rushui, commonly known as Guan Bingwei, the officer who surveyed and interpreted the official residence, has been Hideyoshi's think tank since the time when he started his business, and he likes to make suggestions; this person is surprisingly ascetic.For Rushui, making suggestions is not so much for his own selfish desires, but as a hobby, just like alcoholics love to drink.For this reason, it even makes one feel that there is a sense of immortality in him.Among the common people in Osaka and Fushimi, there are many people who worship Rushui.Some people even said: "His Highness Taihe's great achievements, I am afraid that half of it depends on the tricks of the cripple (referring to Rushui)." Reward, that is the fiefdom of Fengqian Nakatsu with an annual salary of more than 100,000 shi. This is off topic.Someone asked Hideyoshi why he gave Rushui such a small fief. Hideyoshi smiled and replied, "Don't be kidding me!" It is said that Hideyoshi once told people at that time that if the cripple was given a fief of one million stones, he would definitely take over the whole world.Also, Hideyoshi has said something similar elsewhere.One night, Hideyoshi called some of his cronies and staff to chat.The topic turned to the evaluation of the princes.At this time, Hideyoshi asked unexpectedly: "If I die, you see, who will win the world?" Needless to say, this is a joke.The staff present here each talked about their own views.But Hideyoshi shook his head and said, "It is the cripple who takes the world." Everyone was unconvinced, thinking that Kuroda Rushui only had a fief of more than one hundred thousand shi at best, and with such a small income, he could not recruit soldiers from all over the world.Staff members expressed different opinions.At this time, Hideyoshi kept shaking his head and said repeatedly: "No, no..." Then he said: "You don't know, that lame man is amazing! I used to share joys and sorrows with him in the wild mountains and forests, only I know him." Rushui's brilliance lies in the fact that he is well aware of Hideyoshi's jealousy of his own talents, and he does not show any dissatisfaction with the unexpectedly meager treatment he receives.Rushui's ingenuity made him understand the truth that those who do more than the master will suffer.If he claims to be meritorious and asks for greater rewards, then he will probably be destroyed like water. After Hideyoshi succeeded, he transferred Rushui out of Weiwei. "Only Rushui, he knows both my power and my true meaning!" Hideyoshi used to rely on Rushui's resourcefulness.After Rushui left, Ishida Mitsunari, Nagatsu Masaka, and Masuda Changmori, who were known as civil servants, served as administrative officials of the Toyotomi family.These people, every time they have a chance, want to annihilate those founding heroes who have made great achievements for the Toyotomi family, thus gradually keeping them away from Hideyoshi.In this regard, it seems like water, but there is nothing wrong with it.This strategist must have known that any one person can only play a role in one historical period. Later, in order to protect himself, Rushui gave up his family wealth and the city to his son Kuroda Nagamasa, while he shaved his hair and became a monk and escaped into Buddhism.Hideyoshi couldn't help being surprised at this moment. Hideyoshi said to Rushui: "Don't go back to the countryside, stay in the capital, and be my adviser!" He also gave Rushui five hundred stones as his salary for staying in the capital.Later, this number was increased to two thousand stones. This Kuroda Rushui came up with a plan "in order to seek peace for the Toyotomi family".This is just a hobby, he is not a servant who has been favored by the Toyotomi family for generations, so he does not wholeheartedly hope that the Toyotomi family will be safe.Anyway, due to the birth of Shi'er Xiu Lai, Rushui had a premonition that Guan Bai Xiuji's life was in danger.Xiuci's rampant and domineering behavior has caused a lot of discussion in the world.It seems that Hidetoshi will be killed on this charge.Rushui often played Go with Xiuci, and once secretly advised him to be cautious in everything, and suggested that he take the initiative to serve as the commander-in-chief of the cross-sea expeditionary force. In this way, His Royal Highness Taihe might take pity on him and forgive him.However, Hideji completely understood what he meant.For this reason, Rushui sees through Xiuci's personality, and never goes to Xiuci's mansion again. The other person is Jinwu Xiuqiu. Rushui thought to himself: "Since Ah Shi has been born, no one cares about Jinwu, so I have to think of a way for Jinwu." This is really nosy.Rushui is no longer Hideyoshi's counselor at the moment, and besides, he has not held any official position in charge of the family affairs of Toyotomi's family.In addition, Rushui was not specially entrusted by the Toyotomi family. This was entirely due to a hobby of this military adviser who loved strategy.Ru Shui is bored because he has no place to show his talents.He could probably say that he took the initiative to meddle in his own business because he was bored. One night, while chatting with Hideyoshi, Rushui said to Hideyoshi in a tone of sudden thought: "If you send Master Jinwu to a well-matched family as an adopted son, then the Toyotomi family will live forever. " Rushui said so, to test Hideyoshi's tone, asking if he would like to give Jin Wu as an adopted son.Hideyoshi noticed that Rushui had already started planning something.He decided to push the boat with the current, so he said in a casual tone: "Yes!" After Hideyoshi said this out loud, he immediately changed the subject.After hearing this sentence, Rushui was already satisfied.The next thing to do is to find someone. Rushui thought to himself, "The Maoli family is the most suitable." In any case, the Maori family is the biggest among the many famous names in the world.Since Mao Liyuan started his business, its territories have spread over more than ten countries in Sanyin and Sanyang.During Oda Nobunaga's lifetime, the Mori family has always been the biggest enemy of the Oda family.After the world was owned by Hideyoshi, Hideyoshi played a clever foreign policy, so that the Mori family bowed to Hideyoshi and became the name of the Toyotomi family.Coincidentally, the current head of the Mori family, Zhong Nayan Mori Terumoto has no children. "Yes, send Jin Wu to your door!" Through this move, if we can establish a bond with the powerful Western princes, then after Hideyoshi's death, we must protect the safety of Toyotomi's family, not to mention that this matter is also good for Maori's own safety. This is really the best of both worlds. what. Rushui thought to himself: "Let's tell Kobayakawa Takakage!" By the way.Maori families are unique in their family organization and management.Rushui also knows the "Story of Three Arrows" circulating in the streets and alleys.It is said that before the death of Mao Liyuan, the founder of the Maori family, he called his three sons to him and gave them three arrows, asking them to fold them.When you start to fold one by one, the arrows are easily broken, but when you fold the three arrows together, they are not easy to break.This is the lesson their father left them: All things must work together!This became a family rule of the Maori family in the future.The three brothers at this time were: Mori Takamoto, Yoshikawa Motoharu, and Kobayakawa Takakage.Since the death of their father, with the Mori family at the center, together with the two families of Yoshikawa and Kobayakawa, they have been closely united like a united kingdom.Today, the eldest son Mori Takamoto has passed away, and the Mori family has been inherited by his son Huiyuan.Yoshikawa Motoharu is no longer alive.At this time, among the three earlier brothers, only Takakage Kobayakawa was still alive.This Longjing himself is a daimyo with a large fiefdom, and at the same time he is also the top advisor of the Mori family.If they wanted to persuade the Mori family to adopt Xiuqiu as their adopted son, it would be better to find Takakage Kobayakawa. The mansions of Rushui and Takakage Kobayakawa are both in Fushimi Castle.Rushui's mansion is located at the foot of the rocky mountain. Starting from Rushui's mansion, you turn over a Zhongshan mountain, and then to the east, you will find Fushimi Castle. The most magnificent mansion under the castle is Kobayakawa's mansion.Like water moving on the road.To be on the safe side, he took an old man named Ikoma Kisama with him.This is the daimyo cultivated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It started from 260 shi, and now it is a daimyo with more than 170,000 shi in the Takamatsu area of ​​Sanuki country.The two climbed over the top of Zhongshan Mountain.I saw a hill on the left, full of autumn scenery, and the leaves of sumac trees were so bright and lovely that they dazzled the eyes.Besides, it is a Japanese habit that two people go together when doing business.It is for the convenience of mutual testimony in the future. Long Jing is over sixty years old, and he is a kind old man.However, it was this person who, together with his second brother Yoshikawa Motoharu, kept the Mori family in the turbulent era of the Warring States period when a group of drones rose up and competed in the world. Such an ability is naturally extraordinary. Long Jing first let the two guests into the house, then ordered his servants to prepare the tea room, the three of them chatted around the tea stove. Ru Shui said in a retrotrolective tone with a touch of his native Bozhou dialect: "This visit is not for anything else." He talked about the hope that the Maori family would accept Xiuqiu as an adopted son.The purpose of doing this, needless to say, is to "establish a special relationship with the Toyotomi family, which is an extremely good thing for the Antai of the Mori family." "You're right. It's a godsend." While persuading the guests for tea, Long Jing laughed happily.But inside it's just the opposite.A cold sweat broke out on his back. He thought in his heart: "This matter is very important to the Maori family!" Speaking of the Maori family, they are not the kind of nouveau riche daimyo who don't even know who their ancestors are.Although Longjing's deceased father, Mori Motojo, only owned the 10,000 koku land of Akiyoshi Farm before making his fortune, but the Mori family was originally a famous family, and the ancestor Hiromoto Oe was the head of the Kamakura shogunate. Since then, There have been a large number of prominent and high-ranking officials.Such a noble Maori family suddenly let a wild boy who is not Hideyoshi's nephew break in, how could this happen? Long Jing thought to himself, isn't this the same as smearing dung on the walls of a majestic Buddhist hall?Needless to say, the spiritual positions of the ancestors of the past generations, even the late father Yuanjiu who worked a hundred times harder than others to maintain the family status of the Maori family, if he learned about this under Jiuquan, I am afraid it would be difficult to rest in peace! "This matter, even if you risk your life, you must stop it." Long Jing made up his mind.However, on the surface, he has a smile on his face and looks very sophisticated. "As you said, this incident is really a great joy for the Mori family. The current head of the Mori family, Huiyuan, will be very happy when he hears the news!" With such a reply, he sent the two lobbyists away. Afterwards, Long Jing disguised himself and quietly left the house to visit the mansion of Shiyakuin Zenzong, which is located beside the moat of Fushimi Castle. However, the sect of Shiyaoyuan is said to be a student of Konaose Michizo, a famous doctor at the end of the Muromachi Shogunate. He was an imperial physician in the court earlier, and now he is Hideyoshi's attendant doctor.Since Hideyoshi has been very concerned about his own diseases caused by aging recently, Shiyaoyuan waits by Hideyoshi's side inseparably every day. Therefore, what this autocratic monarch has done and said, no one compares Shi The pharmacy knew better.Naturally, the princes also respect Shiyaoyuan very much.Longjing also often gave presents and incense to Hideyoshi's chief physician in order to obtain some information from him about the political trends in the court.Longjing thought to himself, just ask Shiyaoyuan, and he will know whether what Rushui said came from Hideyoshi. 施药院全宗摇了摇头回答说：“噢，是吗？这件事我可不大清楚。” 据施药院全宗说，似乎有过要把秀秋送给别人家作养子的话，可是并没有讲起送给哪一家，更没有说是毛利家。 “这可放心啦。” 隆景长长地吁了一口气。倘若象如水所说的，并非秀吉自己的意思，那么还是有办法对付的。然而，事不宜迟。哪怕是在平日闲谈的时候，秀吉说一声毛利家，就是“主君的意思”了，那就万事休矣。 第二天，隆景从伏见城的正门进城，拜访了坐落在城堡内石田廓的石田三成的邸宅。之所以选择三成，是因为看准了石田三成是当今具有炙手可热的权势的人物，与如水不同，他是丰臣家的正式的行政长官，过去曾担任过秀吉的秘书，有时候甚至能左右秀吉的主张。要改变秀吉的主意，通过石田三成，可以说是一条捷径。 但是，三成早已上伏见城的城楼去了，不在家。隆景大为失望。 “既然如此，那就……” 隆景改变了主意。他想，与其托担任公务的石田三成，不如请终日在秀吉身旁的施药院全宗，通过私人之口，以漫谈的方式，在太閤的耳边，悄悄说上几句，也许来得更快些。想到这里，隆景立即扭转身，向施药院公馆奔去。此时的隆景早已累得汗流浃背了。 实际上，从小早川隆景来说，他并不认为可以逃脱这件事。“把秀秋给毛利本家作养子”，尽管这是黑田如水一己之见，但是既然已经在生驹亲正在场的情况下，说出口了，就已经不是随便闲聊，而是一桩正经事了。如果随随便便地加以拒绝，那么不用多久，这件事的始末就会传入秀吉的耳朵，从而事态会对毛利家不利。对付如水这一计策，只有一个办法。 那就是隆景自己作牺牲品。这就得先发制人。 “敝人非常想迎接金吾中纳言秀秋阁下，作我小早川家的养子。此事，不知能否蒙关白殿下恩准？” 要请施药院向秀吉转告的是这么一句话。这等于让毛利家分支的自己主动代替本家喝下原计划用来暗害本家的那杯毒酒。 隆景心里想道：“对付如水自作聪明的计策，只有这一条办法。” 他现在完全是在战场上与敌军撕杀时的那种心情。如水是他的老对手了，曾在备中战场上与他斗过计谋。那时，秀吉担任织田家攻打毛利部队的司令官。隆景与如水从那时候起就有一些因缘，所以隆景今天的心情非同寻常。只是有一点令人怨恨：“堂堂正正的小早川家，竟要因金吾这个蠢才而败落吗？” 小早川家虽说只是毛利家分出来的一家，然而在隆景看来，这已是一家名门了。小早川家已有绵绵数百年的历史，从镰仓幕府时代起，在安艺国竹原地方的直系武士的登记册上，就早已有记载。靠了先父毛利元就的英明决策，三子隆景继承了这一家的家业。隆景虽说是过继到小早川家来的，然而这样的一家名门望族的血统，因秀秋而遭玷污，那是无法忍受的事情。 隆景的这种感情，倒也并非他所独有。丰臣政权属下的大名中，有好几家镰仓时代以来的名门大族。从北往南数，计有佐竹氏、最上氏、毛利氏、小早川氏、岛津氏等等。他们尽管在丰臣家的强大权势面前俯首称臣，然而内心深处，却很瞧不起丰臣家出身低微的血统。假使丰臣家对他们说，要送一个女婿给他们，那么，他们中的任何一个人都会象隆景一样，不寒而栗的吧。何况隆景还有一个庶子呢。如今却要撇下自己的儿子不管，把秀秋迎到自己家来。然而，隆景极力克制住这起伏不平的心潮。 说来也巧，当隆景再次登门的时候，施药院全宗仍在家里。隆景拜托这位老医官，希望他从中撮合，向秀吉提说过继儿子的事。其态度十分恳切，就象在以迫不及待的心情，翘首盼望秀秋早日到来似的。 隆景说道：“敝人领受着太閤殿下的如海深恩啊！” 这话是有来由的。当织田信长在京都本能寺被明智光秀杀害之后不久，正在前线作战的秀吉急于要和正面的敌人毛利氏讲和。在这次和谈中，秀吉的军师黑田如水大大发挥了作用。隆景的二哥吉川元春极力反对讲和，而隆景则看到秀吉是个非凡的人物，主张不要去进击秀吉，而是任他去取得天下，将来在他麾下称臣，以保住毛利家的安泰，认为此乃上策。最后，终于按这一主张做了。要是当时毛利家不肯讲和，而是和秀吉决战，那么秀吉就会无法出兵讨伐据守京城的明智光秀，说不定就拿不下天下。秀吉在战争结束之后，得知了个中的情形，给了隆景以厚遇。他把仅仅是毛利家的一个分支的小早川家，提升为一个独立的大大名，给了他筑前一国大片的疆土之外，还加筑后和肥前的各二个郡，合计四个郡，官位也晋升到从三位中纳言，使隆景与本家的毛利辉元具有同样高的地位。隆景所说的“如海深恩”指的就是这件事。 “但是，我早已是风烛残年了。留在世上的日子已经屈指可数。看来自己已经没有机会报答太閤殿下的深恩。为此，想将自己大批封土让给殿下的养子金吾阁下，以表达老朽的一点心意。” 隆景这种急迫的心情和断然的行动，使施药院也感到吃惊。这等于说，一个堂堂的大名要放弃自己的封地。 施药院心里暗自琢磨道：“这位中纳言到底是发疯了，还是有万分紧迫的情况呢？” 他久久沉默不语，只是一个劲儿地盯着隆景的脸，想从隆景的脸上探出其内心的真意。然而从隆景温厚忠良的脸上，却什么也没有探出。最后，连施药院也垂下了头，说道：“足下所说，我全明白了。” 说完这话之后，又抬起头来问道：“把封地让给秀秋之后，你自己怎么办呢？” “敝人不敢作非分之想。如能在山阳道的某个地方，得到一片小小的养老地，以此安度残年，那也就心满意足了。” 要说养老的土地，通常最多只有三千石封地。听了隆景的这一番话，施药院说不出话来。 施药院急忙登上大坂城，向秀吉禀报了这件事。秀吉欢喜得如一个天真的少年一般。秀吉是个天才，这种天才的特性表现在：少壮时期，在洞察一切，知悉一切之后，能以纯真的态度，迅雷不及掩耳的行动抓住人心；如今到了晚年，已经十分衰老，原有的那种纯真，完全变成了凡夫俗子式的平庸。秀吉对于小早川家里是名门一事，显得十分欣喜。这甚至叫施药院都有些难为情了。 秀吉甚至说道：“能继承小早种家的家业，是秀秋这小子的光荣啊！” 他答应了把秀秋过继出去的事。 隆景心中一块石头落了地。在这之后的一段时间里，他忙得不亦乐乎。他必须赶快找个养子以填补成为问题的毛利本家的后继人的空位。隆景勉强找了个人。毛利家的臣仆之中，有一个叫种田元清的，他是元就晚年的庶子，与隆景乃是同父异母兄弟，只因生母出身低微，因而元清老早就当了毛利家的家臣。这位元清生得一子，名叫宫松丸，隆景把这少年选作了毛利家的养子，并准备让他继承毛利家的家业。对于从三位中纳言金吾秀秋来说，在血统尊卑这一点上，正好相当于毛利家的臣仆的那位少年。不过，事情总算全都顺利地安排停当了。