Chapter 7 The fourth story Beizhengsuo-1

black lily flower It was midsummer in the fifteenth year of Tianzheng (1587), and the maid presented Ningning with a gift list with the above words written on it.The giver wrote in the letter: In a few days, I will present this flower to Your Excellency. Ning Ning thought to herself, "Is it true?" She couldn't believe at first that what was written on the gift list was true.Lilies are actually black, and this alone makes people feel that things are too mysterious. "I'm afraid someone made a mistake!" Ning Ning not only thought in her heart, but also said this to the maid.Like her husband Hideyoshi, she does not admit that there are strange things in the world.

Ning Ning, also write You You.After she became a nobleman, she also wrote Ning Zi.The aristocratic women at that time all had the word "zi" in their names, such as Dezi of Jianlimen yard.According to the practice of that era, Guanbai's wife was called Beizhengsuo. For this reason, when her husband Hideyoshi was promoted to Guanbai, the world called her Beizhengsuo.At that time, the letters and official documents in the palace were written as "Toyotomi Yoshiko". Regarding the pronunciation of the word Jizi, it seems that even she herself has no opinion. It is probably just because the word "Ji" contains the meaning of good luck and celebration, so she chose it.Anyway, no matter what characters Ning Ning uses for her name, it will not affect her noble status at all.She was not only the holder of "from one", the highest official position a woman could achieve at the time, but also the commander-in-chief of the Toyotomi family, the harem, and the maids.

It was Narumasa Sasao who presented the gift list. Chengzheng turned out to be the political enemy of the Toyotomi family.This person is an old family member who grew up in the Oda family.Nobunaga valued his martial arts skills, bravery in battle, and upright character, so he was constantly promoted, and within a few years, he was promoted to a general in charge of his own affairs.After Nobunaga entered his later years, Chengzheng was assigned to Shibata Katsuie, who explored the issue in Hokuriku, and held an important position in ruling the country of Vietnam.After Nobunaga's death, when Shibata Katsuya of Hokuriku competed with Hideyoshi in the Central Plains, Chengzheng of course joined Singe's side to resist Hideyoshi.He did this not only because of his political affiliation, but also because he hated Hideyoshi.Among the former generals of the Oda family, there were not many who hated Hideyoshi as strongly as Naruma.

After Hideyoshi suppressed the resistance of the Hokuriku Shibata Katsuya, he led his troops into Etsuchu and surrendered Chengzheng.Unexpectedly, Hideyoshi spared the life of the person who hated him so much.The world was surprised by Hideyoshi's magnanimity.And the one who was more surprised than anyone else, needless to say, was Cheng Zheng himself. "For some reason, my life will be saved!" For someone as simple-minded and strong-tempered as Cheng Zheng, such a question is likely to be a lifelong mystery.What Hideyoshi considered at the time was not mainly about Chengzheng's personal problems, but how to calm down the world. "Hideyoshi has a big heart, and he didn't even kill Chengzheng." If such a reputation spreads in the world, then people who are still resisting in various countries who hear the news will automatically open the city in an endless stream, throwing their bows and arrows. Come and submit to him on earth.Hideyoshi hoped to have such an effect.In order to expand his influence, he donated a county title in Yuezhong to Chengzheng.This alone has left the world dumbfounded.What's more, immediately after the conquest of Kyushu, Hideyoshi gave Cheng Zheng more than 500,000 shi of Higo.Higo is recognized as the territory with the most fertile land and the richest products in Japan.

"Why do you receive such generous treatment?" Cheng Zheng thought hard, and finally found an answer that satisfied him: it was because of Ningning.After surrendering to Hideyoshi, Chengzheng served Hideyoshi and chatted with him for a period of time.At this time, he also paid homage to Ning Ning and gave Ning Ning a gift. Cheng Zheng thought to himself: "We can't neglect this woman." Precisely because he is a man who has suffered defeats, it can be said that he is more sensitive than others in this respect.If you talk about the people who have the most say in personnel affairs in the Toyotomi family, it is by no means Kuroda Rusui, the counselor, and the pioneer general Hachisuka Masakatsu who has been assisting Hideyoshi since the founding period, but the Northern Political Bureau Ning Ning , this point, Cheng Zheng is also very clear.

It is also said that the two generals Kato Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori were cultivated by Ning Ning.When they were in Changbin Castle, they were just small orderlies. Ning Ning saw that they were quite talented and recommended them to Hideyoshi long ago.Chengzheng has heard many other similar stories.Her ability to know people and be good at assignments also won Hideyoshi's trust.Hideyoshi has always attached great importance to her, and never takes her opinion lightly.If we go back to the past when Hideyoshi was still using the name Toyoshiro, it can even be said that the Toyotomi family was jointly run by Hideyoshi and her.

Ning Ning is not only cheerful, but also does not put on airs, and does not have the slightest bit of authority and power.Her only hobby is to like to comment on various characters in Toyotomi's family, so as to express her opinions on personnel arrangements.This habit, even after she was called the Beizheng Institute, remained the same as it was in the early days, unchanged.Moreover, her criticism of the characters is seldom selfish and hits the nail on the head.In this regard, Hideyoshi also thinks highly of her, and often discusses with her when things happen.Naturally, a group of military generals gathered around her, and they admired her for being a powerful, friendly and easy-going woman.It may be said that Kato Kiyomasa and Fukushima Masanori mentioned above, as well as Asano Nagamasa of Ning Ning's adoptive parents' family and his son Asano Yukinaga, were the earliest members of this generals group.

Sasa Narumasa felt that his almost miraculous promotion was due to some kind words from the Beizheng Institute; for the Toyotomi family, this was a natural thing. "Why does she like someone like me?" Although the reason for this is vague and unclear, Cheng Zheng also has a little understanding.Ning Ning's evaluation criteria for men have obvious characteristics.She has lenient requirements for generals who gallop on the battlefield, but strict requirements for those who are good at socializing in the court.She likes men's rough character and straightforward quality.Even if failure was due to their carelessness, she was rather inclined to regard this failure as their virtue.There was such an incident that Hideyoshi once wanted to remove two or three samurai from his duties on the grounds that he thought them careless and reckless.But when Ning Ning heard about this, he repeatedly interceded for them in front of Hideyoshi, and finally saved them.So much so that the military generals gathered around her soon gave the world the impression that they were all people who were capable of martial arts but not literary.The reason for this, the root cause, is probably not unrelated to her personality and hobbies.

Thinking of this, Cheng Zheng seemed to understand why the Beizheng Institute had a good impression of a man like himself.In addition, Chengzheng, Ning Ning and Hideyoshi are both from Owari, and Ning Ning, who was born in Owari, is somewhat partial in this respect.She often had a cold attitude towards the numerous Omi people of Toyotomi's family, but she was especially affectionate towards Owari people from her own hometown.Narumasa Sasao was from Hira Village, Nishikasunichii County, Owari. It seemed that this alone gave Ning Ning the feeling that he was not an outsider. Cheng Zheng thought: "I have to find a way to reciprocate the kindness towards her!"

Under such circumstances, if we can strengthen the connection with this Beizheng office who likes to participate in personnel affairs, then it is the most important thing for Chengzheng, a daimyo whose fief is located in a remote area far away from the capital. However, what kind of gift should be given, this matter made Cheng Zheng quite troubled.Ning Ning was originally a materialistic person, and with her current status as a noble lady, even if she was given any expensive gifts, she might not be particularly happy.Cheng Zheng thought hard, pondered over and over again, and finally remembered the famous mountain in Yue China where he had been a prince earlier - a kind of black lily bloomed on Lishan.In the world, there is no flower more peculiar than this.Even in the place of Yuezhong, there are very few people who know of this kind of black lily.Only a few hunters who lived in the Kurobe Valley and those who worshiped the gods on Tateyama and practiced immortality in the deep mountains had seen this flower.As soon as Chengzheng thought of giving black lilies as a gift, he immediately sent people to fly to China, and asked the local warriors who had been his subordinates to try to collect them.Although this is a rare flower in the world, it is not difficult to get it since the local woodcutters and hunters are entrusted.Not long after, several plants were picked, planted in wooden barrels filled with soil, and sent to Osaka day and night.The peanuts were born on the top of the alpine mountain, and they are not resistant to heat, so it took a lot of trouble to transport them.

When the black lilies were delivered to the Osaka mansion, Chengzheng immediately took out a branch, put it in a lacquer box with exquisitely painted gold-inlaid flowers, and sent it to the old nun Xiaozang who served as the secretary of the Beizheng Office.Master Xiao Zang had been looking forward to the arrival of this flower for a long time, so he took it into the living room of Beizheng Office without delay and put it in the alcove. "This is……" This is the Widowmaker written on the gift list!After the Beizheng Institute said this to itself, it was a long time before it could speak, and it just stretched its neck and looked at this strange flower in a daze.The flower is not so much black as strictly dark purple in color.However, compared with the originally imagined black petals, under the reflection of the light through the window paper, this natural black appears more solemn and elegant.After a while, Bei Zhengsuo kept twisting her fat body and began to express her joy. She said loudly: "Master Mutsu's servant is really considerate!" At that time, Chengzheng was given the surname Yuchai by Hideyoshi, and served as Mutsu's guard and official servant.For this reason, the world commonly referred to him as "Hashiba Mutsu attendant". "It's really commendable! All warriors should be like this!" Beizheng Institute said emotionally with a choked voice.Beizhengsuo was born in a low-level samurai family of the Oda family. The samurai with such tenderness in his fortitude can be said to be a typical image of a samurai in line with her aesthetic point of view.And what about the officials from Omi, such as Ishida Mitsunari, whom Hideyoshi favored?Do they have such noble feelings as Cheng Zheng?The Beizheng Institute couldn't help secretly comparing them, and valued this Chengzheng more and more. Beizheng said: "As expected, he is a character that even the right minister Oda, who is harsh to his subordinates, likes very much!" From far away China, I have traveled thousands of miles, crossed mountains and rivers, and endured hardships, just to deliver this black lily to the Beijing Political Bureau. Such dedication is really admirable.In this endless luxurious and extravagant world, Chengzheng expressed a quiet and elegant state with a black lily, and isn't this the ideal state required by the tea ceremony?Although he usually said: "I don't know anything about the tea ceremony." "I don't think anyone in the world knows about this Widowmaker." She thought that the flower should be exhibited.She ordered her men to begin preparations for a tea party in honor of the black lily.She is the host of the tea party, and the actual affairs of the tea party are handled by the young wife of the owner of the local store in Sakai, Osaka called [Bay Bird].The wife of the owner of this [shell bird] house is A Yin, the daughter of Sen Rikyu (the founder of the tea ceremony Senke style), who serves as the tea ceremony master of the Beizhengsuo and other women of the Toyotomi family. The tea party was a success and was well received.The guests invited to attend the tea party were all the noble ladies in the harem of Toyotomi's family. Needless to say, not a single man attended.The women all gasped in admiration for the mythical flowers blooming on the high mountains and snowy ridges, and thanked in unison: "It's really an eye-opener!" People in later generations added to this tea party and made up a story. Yodohime appears in the story.It is said that Dian Ji was invited to attend the tea party as a guest, but since she had already heard about the black lily, she couldn't help but make a plan, and she also sent people to fly to China and ordered people to collect black lilies flower.After Sasa Naruma left, Yue China did not send any more daimyos, but became the territory directly under the Toyotomi family.The ruling power of this directly-administered territory is in the hands of the executives of Osaka.These priests are Ishida Mitsunari, Nagatsu Masaka and others. They are all civil servants from the Omi region with Yodohime as their backing.For this reason, everything was in her favor in this matter. Before the black lilies collected by the entrusting staff were sent to Osaka, Yodohime was invited to participate in the tea party held by the Beizheng Office.Facing this black lily, the other guests all showed expressions of amazement, as if they had discovered a magical world, but this Dianji was the only exception.After she glanced at the flower calmly, she just said a few words of compliment in an understatement.Her indifferent attitude made Beizheng very puzzled.It made one feel that the person was either born with insensitivity to things, or that she had seen the Widowmaker before and was not surprised by it, one or the other. Three days had passed since then, and the truth of the matter became clear.On that day, Yodohime held a flower-picking Buddhist ceremony in the corridor of Ninomaru, the mansion where she lived, and Beizhengsuo became a guest.The Beizheng Office took Master Xiao Zang to take a look, and saw that three days ago she thought it was so great, and even the kind of black lily that she held a tea party for it without hesitating to mobilize people and sacrifice her life and money, was actually the same as Baijiang. Grass and other weeds are together, some are stuffed in wooden barrels, and some are randomly inserted.What's more, it's not just one or two branches, but as many as twenty or thirty flowers. This scene seems to say to people: "Widowmaker and the like are not some strange flowers!" It seems to be mocking the ignorance of the Beizheng Institute.Who can stand such a shame and humiliation.What's more, her shame has been made public.The matter has been related to the prestige of the women in power of the Toyotomi family.Not only did the Hokkaido hate Yodohime, but he also passed on this hatred to Narumasa Sasas who humiliated her by presenting the Widowmaker.Not long after, she instigated Hideyoshi to take back the newly sealed territory of Higo Kingdom from Chengzheng, and finally made Chengzheng commit suicide by caesarean section in the Amagasaki area of ​​Settsu Kingdom. ... The above are the stories that later generations added to this tea party. This story will be believed by the world in the future.However, this is hardly true.Because Chengzheng's territory was confiscated in the fifteenth year of Tianzheng (1587), when Yodohime had just become Hideyoshi's concubine, of course, she was not so powerful, and she could use such careful and meticulous planning to fight against Beizheng. .Moreover, Narumasa Sasa's slip was due to other incidents and other political reasons. It would be too childish and ridiculous to insist that it was due to a black lily.However, this story symbolically describes a fact in an exaggerated way: the boudoir struggle between Beizhengsuo and Yodohime had a profound impact on the later politics and destiny of the Toyotomi family.In this sense, no story is more vivid and profound than this one. Stop gossip and get down to business.Let's say that Sasa Naruma was bestowed to death by Hideyoshi in May of the 16th year of Tensho.In this way, there are no princes in Feihou Kingdom.After Chengzheng's death, who will the Feihou Kingdom be given to?This incident became a topic of discussion between the DPRK and China.Hideyoshi gained the world in a very short period of time because he was a general of the Oda family, so he was different from Tokugawa Ieyasu in the future. Among his trusted generals, no matter in terms of ability, qualifications, and background On the one hand, there are very few people who can serve as the daimyo of a country.In such an occasion, he had to be promoted from among his direct warriors. "Who should I give it to?" Hideyoshi is not the type to meditate.Even when he was thinking about a problem, he would think like singing while talking.Hearing what Hideyoshi said, Ning Ning——it should be called Beizhengsuo—immediately interjected, "Is Toranosuke the right fit?" Toranosuke is Kato Kiyomasa's nickname.This young man was a relative of Hideyoshi's mother, Azhong (Dazhengsuo). When he was five or six years old, his mother brought him here and asked Hideyoshi to raise him.Hideyoshi readily agreed.Later, Hideyoshi put him in Changbin City and let him grow up eating the same pot of rice with his family.When Qingzheng was young, Ningning also sewed and mended Qingzheng's clothes, and Ningning took care of his clothes all year round, and even scolded and beat him for being too naughty.Ning Ning has put so much effort into Qing Zheng, so she naturally loves him.To her, there is nothing more lovable than Qingzheng.Soon, Qing became a small orderly soldier, and then at the young age of fifteen, he was promoted to a small daimyo with a fief of one hundred and seventy shi. stone.Qingzheng is more than six feet tall.This person is not only extremely brave on the battlefield, but also seems to have a bit of strategy, and is quite talented as a general.From Ning Ning's point of view, the most endearing aspect of Qingzheng's character is that this young man, if the Toyotomi family gives him favors, then he will definitely repay him in the future. Hideyoshi muttered alone: ​​"It's just that he is still young!" He did not object to Ning Ning's opinion.He meant, is it appropriate to promote a twenty-six-year-old young man who has only been in charge of the Three Thousand Stones Territory to become a daimyo at once?However, judging from the actual situation of the Toyotomi family who have gained power in a short period of time, everything has to be done quickly.So Hideyoshi said, "Okay!" After deciding to entrust the territory to Kiyomasa, Hideyoshi thought of another grand plan of his own, which made this appointment have far-reaching significance.This plan is to attack the Ming Dynasty in the future.Conquering Daming, this is an ideal that Hideyoshi has had since he was a general under Oda Nobunaga.He would very much like to realize this ideal in this life of his.When Nobunaga was alive, Hideyoshi once went to meet Nobunaga from Himeji to Azuchi Castle. At this time, he said half-jokingly: "When the time comes, please give me Kyushu, and I would like to lead the army." And the mention of Kyushu again and again is probably because it is very convenient to cross the sea from here to Daming.Moreover, Higo (Kumamoto Prefecture) is also a place with fertile land and rich products in Kyushu, and it can support more troops than any other state in Japan.In addition, the people of Feihou, since the Juchi family, are also known for their bravery.What would happen if the Feihou Kingdom was entrusted to Qingzheng?Among Hideyoshi's generals, there is no one more suitable as the vanguard general of the expeditionary army than Toranosuke Kiyomasa.The strong economic strength after the fat is enough to bear the heavy military burden.If a general like Qingzheng led the Feihou soldiers to go out, no matter how powerful Ming's army was, they could easily crush it. Hideyoshi said: "Give him half of Higo country!" Although it is half of the Hihou country, it still has a territory of 250,000 shi.From the current status of Qingzheng, who only has a territory of three thousand stones, this is simply a dizzying promotion. When Qingzheng heard the news that half of the Higo country had been granted to him, he thanked Hideyoshi for his great kindness, and at the same time thanked Beizhengsuo with double affection—it can also be said to thank his adoptive mother for his kindness to him.In Qingzheng's feelings for Beizheng Institute, there is often a feeling of yearning, just like a child likes to smell the fragrance emanating from the body of his mother who has just taken a bath.For Kiyomasa, the moral master is Hideyoshi, and the emotional master can also be said to be Beizhengsuo. "The other half of Higo's 240,000 koku territory has been decided to be given to Mikuro, you must live in harmony!" When Qingzheng was prostrating on the ground, when he heard Hideyoshi say that, he immediately felt extremely angry. "It's actually that kid Yakuro who opened a pharmacy!" Thinking of this, Kiyomasa couldn't understand Hideyoshi's intentions.Qingzheng believes in a simple value concept: the so-called warrior is only valuable if he has martial arts.In this regard, the values ​​of his protector, Bei Zhengsuo, are no different. Because they share the same value standard, Bei Zhengsuo loves Qingzheng, and Qingzheng is also willing to get close to her.However, for Kiyomasa, Hideyoshi's employment was elusive. Governor Yakuro Konishi is a talent that Hideyoshi discovered when he was a general under Oda and the chief executive of the Chugoku region. Because of his resourcefulness and good diplomacy, Hideyoshi took him as his subordinate, served as a subordinate staff officer, and sent him to many places.Later, Hideyoshi invited his father, Shoutoku Konishi, a businessman of medicinal materials in Sakai, and his brother Ruqing Konishi, and asked them to serve as Hideyoshi's administrative consultants, and sometimes they were also appointed as administrators of a certain place. Sir, give it a lot of respect.After Hideyoshi seized power, he changed his focus from a soldier who was good at field battles and sieges like Kiyomasa to an administrative talent like Governor Konishi with an economic vision.This is perhaps a matter of course.By the way, the Konishi family of merchants used to have a prosperous business in the area from Sakai to Osaka. , is not considered a famous family. Due to the business of medicinal materials, the family of President Xiaonishi has been proficient in trade with North Korea for generations. The president has also traveled to North Korea several times by sea, and he is familiar with North Korea's mountains, rivers, geography and political situation, and he is also proficient in Korean.These experiences and abilities of the governor have great charm for Hideyoshi.He intends to let him take charge of the diplomatic work with North Korea in the future, and one day when troops are sent out for conquest, he can cooperate with Qingzheng to jointly provoke the burden of the vanguard general.Integrity and bravery, coupled with the governor's resourcefulness and diplomatic knowledge, if the two can cooperate with each other, then the expeditionary army will be even more powerful. However, Kiyoshi did not understand this. "It turned out that half of the Feihou kingdom was entrusted to him!" Kiyomi just sees things with a bias.He lamented the decline of the world, and thought that those samurai who had no martial arts but flattered and flattered Hideyoshi on the mat in the government office were more and more valued than those with great military exploits.Moreover, this group of North Korean factions gathered at the center of the Toyotomi family's regime, and their solidarity with each other was also very close.The talented Ishida Mitsunari became the leader of this group of people, commanding a group of officials from the Omi region, and Konishi Yukio also belonged to this group. "What will happen after leaving the capital and going to the frontier fortress?" Such worries can't help gushing in Qingzheng's heart.Since Kiyomasa hates these court factions and keeps them at a respectful distance, if these people make a few false accusations in front of Hideyoshi, then maybe he will suffer the same fate as Sasa Naruma—after taking office, The sealed territory was confiscated, and he was ordered to commit suicide by caesarean section.At the beginning, if Chengzheng had friendship with this group of North Korean factions, they would have helped him mediate and intercede in the central government, and perhaps he would not have suffered such bad luck. "I don't know if Ma'am knows about this?" Qingzheng said in a begging tone, "Your relationship with that medicinal material dealer is not good, now divide the five hundred thousand koku territory of a country into two, let us each get half, Then there will inevitably be disputes, which will hurt both sides, and this drug seller will definitely use Jibu Shaosuke to speak small bad things in front of His Highness." Qingzheng's request is that at that time, Mrs. Wanwang will take pity on me and help me.He said the above words in the mood of a child making a coquettish request to his mother. The Beizheng Office nodded without hesitation and replied, "I understand." Qingzheng's worries about the future are completely understandable to her. It can be said that the two of them have common worries, and they are not only worried about Qingzheng's future.The Beizhengsuo himself, like Kiyomasa, is secretly dissatisfied with the Toyotomi regime's emphasis on courtiers today, and has no good impression of Ishida Mitsunari and Konishi Governor. She said to Qingzheng: "You can go at ease!" Her characteristic is: she always speaks so straightforwardly.After hearing such a clear statement from the Beizheng Institute, the worry on Qingzheng's face disappeared, and his face became cheerful.He hastily bid farewell to the Beizheng Office. But Beizheng Institute's own state of mind is not as bright as her words.When Hideyoshi was still surnamed Kinoshita, it can be said that without her helper, Hideyoshi's credit cannot be said.She often acts as a staff member for Hideyoshi in terms of personnel arrangements.When Hideyoshi went to fight in other places, he also served as a social worker for the Oda family, and reported the whole situation at home to Hideyoshi.On the one hand, she has to arrange the family's financial expenses meticulously, and at the same time, she has to take care of Hideyoshi's subordinates.Without her, maybe there would be no Hideyoshi today. It was the same when Hideyoshi changed his surname to Hashiba and served as the mayor of Nagahama in Omi.During this period, Hideyoshi was often away from home when he went to deal with local affairs in China.For this reason, it can even be said that she is the de facto lord of Changbin Castle. However, now, her work has been done by Ishida Mitsunari and other eunuchs.It can be said that with the improvement of Toyotomi's regime, she has lost her job. Her role has also been lost.Even if Qingzheng is slandered, she has no influence on the administrative agencies led by Ishida Mitsunari and others who deal with these matters.For this reason, whether she can protect her innocence is still unknown. However, Hideyoshi's attitude towards her was the same as before. Hideyoshi often said like a mantra: "Only you are the exception among the exceptions." He now has multiple people in the side room.These words can be understood as a deep love for Ning Ning, which means that you, Ning Ning, are different from them, I love you very much, and no one likes me more than you; Ning's position.Ning Ning is the housewife of the Toyotomi family and the representative of the Toyotomi family itself, and many side rooms are just maids in terms of legal system. In their view, Hideyoshi is the master, and at the same time, Ning Ning is the master.Therefore, this has become the so-called "exception of exceptions". To be honest, as the housewife of the Toyotomi family, Ning Ning, her status is more luxurious than that of any woman in any era. When Hideyoshi was an internal minister, she was conferred the rank of Cong San at the same time, and was promoted to Cong Er in the fifteenth year of Tensho.Then, on September 12th of the same year, together with her mother-in-law Dazhengsuo, she moved from Osaka to live in Juledi in the capital.When moving, according to Hideyoshi's hobbies, the ceremonial guards and gorgeous clothes used are unprecedented in the history of women's travels.There are more than 500 maids accompanying him alone.There are two hundred sedan chairs, one hundred chariots and horses, and countless luggage in chests.The accompanying officials and warriors serving as guards were all dressed in fiery red attire.This attire showed even more that this was a procession of the country's most noble women going to Beijing. Moreover, men are forbidden to watch along the road, and even monks are forbidden to mix with the crowd.The reason is: considering that after seeing the young and beautiful maid, they may have wild dreams.Even if you think about it secretly, it is disrespectful to the Beizheng Office.This magnificent procession attracted people's admiration, and soon word spread throughout the world.People in more than sixty prefectures generally get this impression: Beizhengsuo is the leading lady in Japan.The reason why such an effect can be achieved is mostly due to the success of the guard of honor directed by Hideyoshi. In the second year (the sixteenth year of Tianzheng), on April 19th, one month before Kato Kiyomasa was conferred the title of Higo, this "Yoshiko Toyotomi" was promoted to rank one.This is already the highest position among ministers.Recalling the simple wedding in Owari Kiyosu Asano's shabby room with thin mats in the past, she couldn't believe her current prominent status. Ning Ning often said to the maids around him: "Although my official position has been promoted, I am still the same as before and have not changed." Her miracle is not so much her success, but that she has not changed her character in the slightest.Even after she was promoted to Congyi, she never spoke Kyoto dialect or palace language, and always used Owari dialect, which was spoken very quickly, on any occasion.The same is true when talking to Hideyoshi.It's exactly the same style as when she was called Fujikichiro's wife decades ago.If there is something unsatisfactory, even in front of others, she will have a heated argument with Hideyoshi; she often talks and laughs loudly with the maids.For example, when chatting under the lamp at night, he would unabashedly tell all kinds of funny stories about the past when he was poor, which made everyone laugh.Another example is Maeda Toshika's wife Asong, who used to be close neighbors to Ningning when she lived in the Oda family's barracks.In the past, they often stood and chatted across "a hedge of hibiscus", but now Ningning's attitude towards Ah Song is completely the same as then. A Song often said: "What a rare person!" Asong had previously said to her biological son Maeda Toshinaga and second son Toshinaga: "Ms. Beizhengsuo may be stronger than Taihe." The old wife of Maeda Toshiie, Omatsu, is also a very courageous person who helped Toshiie start a business, not an ordinary woman.After Li's death, she took a colorful Buddhist name called "Fangchunyuan".The Maeda family in the Kaga area has power comparable to that of General Ni (referring to Hojo Masako, the wife of Minamoto Yoritomo of the Kamakura shogunate. After the death of Minamoto Yoritomo, she became a nun and took control of the political power).The following is a later story, let's say that after the death of the Toshi family, Asong discussed with Ning Ning one by one on the issue of the future fate of the Maeda family, and followed her opinions completely. A Song also admonished her eldest son Li Chang in this way: "No matter what happens, you have to listen to Mrs. Beizheng!" From this point of view, it may be said that it is Ning Ning's bold personality and intelligent aptitude that attracts people and makes him form a faction in the Toyotomi family's name, although it is not conspicuous, but it does exist. political power. However, Ning Ning's prestige was not caused by Ning Ning alone.That is also the product of Hideyoshi's somewhat exaggerated love and respect for Ning Ning, and its influence on the world.Everyone knows that Hideyoshi's favorite is Beizhengsuo. Hideyoshi referred to Ning Ning as "Madam, Madam" in the language of the court, and it was the same when writing letters. Just to greet: "Ma'am, I wonder if you have enough appetite?" Hideyoshi specially sent someone from the front line to send a letter to his wife who stayed at home.The letter only asked her: "Have you eaten a lot recently?" Whenever she receives such a letter from Hideyoshi, Ning Ning often thinks: "You can really joke!" She is healthier than anyone else and has a strong appetite for food. She is already overweight. If she wants to eat more, she really doesn't know how fat she will be.The thin Hideyoshi liked women with plump cheeks, and society at that time regarded such women as beauties, so Ning Ning did not feel anxious about getting fat.However, no matter what the appetite is, there is no doubt that Hideyoshi's love for her has aggravated her status in the Toyotomi family.For example, during the Battle of Kyushu in the 15th year of Tensho, Hideyoshi sent a letter to Ning Ning who stayed in Osaka from Higo Yatsushiro's army hundreds of miles away from the capital.The letter introduced the situation of the war and the scenery of Kyushu, and wrote at the end: Alas!This campaign in Kyushu has aged me a lot.Unknowingly, there has been a lot of growth on the head. silver wire.There are so many gray hairs that it is impossible to pull them out one by one.It really makes me feel ashamed to see my wife when I go back to Osaka. The tone of this letter is like a love letter to the person you like.And not only that, there are words that Ning Ning likes in the letter. However, although I have white hair, it is another matter if I am another woman, but if I meet my wife, I will But don't mind at all.Having said that, the gray hair on my head is increasing too fast! "Same as before, really good at talking!" After reading this letter, Ning Ning half felt a little funny, but deep down she was not without joy.The evidence is that she read the letter to the maids around her while saying "Look at this letter, how funny Your Highness is!" From this period, Hideyoshi's body began to age.The evidence is that since the Kyushu class teacher returned to the court, the number of visits to Ningning's room at night has been very small.Even if they come sometimes, they just say: "Ah! How are you? Have you eaten today? Well, let me tell you something interesting!" The voice is loud and talkative, which is completely different from before. The same, and the attitude towards Ning Ning is becoming more and more affectionate.However, he has been unable to fulfill his duty as a husband.Hideyoshi is indeed old.It seems that it is just like what he said in the letter he sent from the Kyushu battlefield, which is far away from mountains and rivers, and sighed for his aging. Hideyoshi seemed to be doing the same with the other concubines. "His Royal Highness has rarely been lucky recently." Although it can't be called boudoir grievances, they told Ningning how lonely they were.Ning Ning listened to them without hesitation.Perhaps because of this reason, Ning Ning has won the trust of these concubines, especially Kaga Hime, Sanjo Hime, Matsunomaru and others, all admire Ning Ning very much and regard her as their sister.For this reason, Ningning was often respected and loved by the natal families of these concubines.加贺姬，乃是前田利家和他的妻子阿松所生的女儿；三条姬出身于浦生家；松之丸姬出身于京极家。她们的娘家，在丰臣政权下，可以说个个都是声势显赫的大名，他们通过女人和宁宁连结在一起，并把宁宁当作自己的靠山。宁宁在政治方面的影响力之大，非同寻常，虽然这不是她自己策划的。 然而，从这时起，在丰臣政权的朝堂的势力之中，开始发生了一个与以前不同的变化。秀吉变得一味沉迷于一个女人的闺房里。这在一向对人体贴入微的秀吉来说，乃是从未有过的事情。这个女人出身于浅井家，幼名茶茶，来到丰臣家后，开始称为二之丸姬，后来又称作淀姬。宁宁早就觉察到，秀吉不仅为这个女人的美貌所倾倒，而且这位淀姬的高贵的血统，对于他来说，具有无比的诱惑力。大概是由于出身卑贱的缘故，秀吉对那些出身名门的女性，始终怀着一种异乎寻常的憧憬。即使在取得了今天的地位后，他这种感情也还是一如既往。举个例子来说，宁宁是过继给织田家手下的武士的，当秀吉的身份还低微的时候，宁宁曾经是他憧憬的对象，而这是符合他当时的身份的。 宁宁心里想道：“男人的爱好，好象不会变化似的，即便年纪大了也一样啊！” 对此，她不免有一种奇异的感觉。秀吉所喜好的贵族妇女，只是贵族中的武将人家的女儿，他并不喜欢公卿及亲王的女儿，他之所以不想收罗这样的女人到自己的后宫里，大概是因为，在他年轻的时候未曾见过这些贵族妇女，因而也就不曾刺激过他，使他产生追求某个这种贵族妇女的欲望。秀吉对于异性的追求，是以他年轻时所见到的范围为限的。其中与秀吉关系最为密切的武家贵族，乃是织田家。无论对于当时的秀吉来说，还是对于现在的秀吉来说，唯有信长的家族，才是至高无上的贵族；唯有继承了这一家属血统的女性，才有资格称为闺阁千金。那时候，织田家里，有个叫阿市的女子，她是信长的妹妹。生得婉丽无比，是个远近闻名的美人。秀吉当时也一准曾以一种仰视高山雪莲的心情，为之倾心的吧。这位绝世佳人阿市嫁到北近江地方的大名浅井家。后来，形势发生了突变，浅井氏为信长所灭，阿市拖儿带女改嫁到了柴田胜家。秀吉把这胜家追到越前的北庄城，并加以歼灭。当时，丽人阿市也自杀了。死时留下三个女儿，“乃是右大臣（指信长）的外甥女儿”，秀吉甚是看重，把她们一一抚养成人。这三个姑娘中最大的，便是淀姬。秀吉让她住在大坂城的二之丸，故通称“二之丸姬”。是否从淀姬住进二之丸时起，就屈从了秀吉，这件事就连宁宁也不清楚。照宁宁猜想，淀姬让秀吉进她的闺房，是在秀吉从九洲战场班师回京之后，即天正十六年（1588）秋天前后。 其证据是，天正十七年正月，秀吉突如其来地说起“打算在淀地方造座城”的事，并托弟弟大和大纳言秀长负责建城的工程。且说这淀地方是在山上，从大坂上京城的时候，必定要经过这里。说是要让淀姬住在那里。为自己的侧室特意造一座城池，这在秀吉是前所未有的事儿。那恐怕是秀吉开始爱上了淀姬这个女人，而且爱之甚深的证明吧。 当宁宁听说要在淀地建城的时候，曾用一种半正经、半挖苦的口气对秀吉说：“排场好大啊！” 秀吉缩着个脖子，突然压低了声音说：“你听说了？” 那语气倒仿佛是在悄悄议论别人的事情似的。然而，唯独脸上却堆满了天真的笑。宁宁不知有多少次受过这张讨人喜欢的笑颜的骗。也许说不定，她这半辈子都是在这张笑脸的引诱下而度过的吧。 “这可不是在说别人哪！”宁宁说。 “那是主家的人哪！”秀吉回答道。 他在主家这两个字上加重了语气。秀吉说，淀姬不是一般的侧室和侍女，她既然是信长的外甥女，那么就是主家。因为是主家，理应给予特别的待遇——这才是情理。 “是主家吗？”宁宁反问他道。 她说，从信长来看，淀姬乃是他的外甥女。总不能连外甥女都说成是主家吧。 “不，不，是主家的人嘛。” 秀吉讲了根据。天正十一年（1583）四月二十三日，秀吉穷追猛打，一直把早先都在织田家麾下的同事柴田胜家追进了越前地方的北庄城，胜家最后停止了抵抗，差人通知秀吉他将自刎。那时派到秀吉军帐中的是胜家的家臣，叫富永新六郎。 “这里有三个姑娘，都是浅井长政的遗儿。正如足下所知，这三人都是先主的亲属，对足下来说，也相当于主家的人。想必殿下也不会亏待她们。为此特将她们送到足下军帐之中去。” 富永新六郎这样转达了胜家给秀吉的口信。不用说，秀吉答应了胜家的要求。这时，正式用了“主家”这个词。可以说，淀姬和她的两个妹妹，是秀吉主家的人，这早已是公诸于众、并为人所公认的历史事实。秀吉向宁宁讲了这件事的来龙去脉，想以此作为应该特别优待淀姬的理由。 宁宁说：“你说的事儿……”她指的是右大臣织田信长，“我也知道，不过……” 她感到腻味了，只好苦笑了一声，叫人摸不着要领，她为什么要笑。要再追问这个好色的男人也是徒劳的了，她已经没有这份力气，因而放弃了这一话题。然而，无论在理论上还是感情上，她都没有被秀吉这套幼稚可笑的理由所折服。 她心里想：“难道因为是主家，因为淀姬是主家的亲属，所以每天夜里都必须和她同床共枕吗？” 宁宁每想起这事儿，总觉得十分荒唐。三条姬和加贺姬也好象对这件事感到不快。她们每次来宁宁宫中玩时，都向她发牢骚。象她们这样有教养的人，说起话来，竟那样毫不掩饰，真叫人感到意外。自然，她们无法说秀吉的坏话。她们的牢骚是对淀姬而发的。什么淀姬见了她们连招呼都不打一下啦；也不知有什么好神气的，连对殿下都很傲慢啦；还有什么淀姬那里起用的，都是些大藏卿娘娘、正荣尼等早先在浅井家服侍过的女浪人啦。净是这样一些牢骚话。 “得了，得了！” 宁宁丰腴的脸颊上露出微笑，她耐心地听着她们七嘴八舌的议论，脸上一点也没有变颜色。这尽管不是什么愉快的话题，但是如果宁宁和她们唱一个调子，那将会有失自己作为丰臣家的正室的身份。 “嗨！算了。算了！” 宁宁时常不得不从她们的保护者的立场出发，这样劝解她们。 宁宁并不是礼仪端庄的女性，她在听别人讲话的时候，也常常要多次变换跪着的双脚的重心，变换的时候，常常连下摆的衬里都显露出来。有时又搔搔面颊，吐口痰，总不能保持正襟危坐、纹丝不动的姿态。这与其说是因为少女时没有受过这方面的教养，恐怕还不如说是她生来就性格豪放，无法使自己成为一个温良恭俭让的人物。就是这位宁宁，有一回当她听到有关淀姬的传闻的时候，曾吃惊得呆若木鸡，半晌没有动弹。这消息不是侧室们带来的，而是她的侍女头目孝藏主告诉她的。 消息说，淀姬把许多近江人募集在她身边。所谓近江人，是指近江系的大名。他们这一批近江系的大名，是从秀吉进入长滨城时起开始形成的。织田信长把近江长滨城封给秀吉，这是秀吉第一次当大名。封地面积二十二万石，原是旧日浅井氏的领地，总共三个郡，从那以后，他从木下藤吉郎改称筑前守羽柴。为了要配备与二十二万石领地相适应的部下，秀吉在近江地方招兵买马，网罗人材，大量录用了当地的名门大户人家的子弟、有战斗经验而眼下无主人的落魄江湖的武士以及僧侣出身的才子等等人材。这一批人形成了丰臣势力中的近江派，这批近江地方出身的人的特点是：通晓经营管理的知识。他们不仅善于理财，而且还掌握了其他地方的人所不会的记帐的技术。靠了这方面的技能，石田三成、长束正家、增田长盛等人被提拔为丰臣家的五奉行，担任财政和行政事务，成了近江派势力的首领。 他们这些近江人（严格地说是北部近江人）的绝大多数原是浅井家的旧部下。尽管难于说出口来，然而，他们自然地对已经灭亡的旧主家有着带有感伤情调的忠诚心，随着淀姬的出现，这种感伤的心情找到了寄托的对象。正如秀吉感到织田信长的妹妹阿市有着金子般高贵的血统那样，浅井家的旧臣们从浅井氏的遗女淀姬身上，也感到了这一点。他们对淀姬怀有一种特别的感情，认为唯有淀姬才是真正称得上贵妇人的人，而且又是地地道道的主家的人，由于主家的男子已为信长杀尽，因而淀姬不仅仅是主家的人，而且就是旧主本人了。于是，他们自然地聚集到淀姬的身边来了。 而另一方面，淀姬也以一种对待旧部下的亲切感与他们来往。何况，淀姬身边的年老的女用人都是近江人，她们和那些近江系的大名有着千丝万缕的联系和来往。在这样的气氛中，淀姬自然地成了他们的后台。 “淀姬想和我抗衡。” 宁宁从上面这一消息中感到了这一点。这一次，她无法把此事单单当作侧室们的牢骚话而充耳不闻了。就说肥后的那件事吧，小西行长和加藤清正同时册封。这件事，宁宁已经感到不能等闲视之了。她猜想，有可能是淀姬和石田三成一起请求秀吉，推举了近江派之一的小西行长。 对事物感觉敏锐的孝藏主说：“恕我冒昧地进一言，我觉得，淀姬好象是有心在将来，超过您北政所啊！” 所谓“超过”，倒也并非想抢夺正室的位子。大概是说，想建立一种实质上超过正室的权势吧。宁宁觉得，没有比这更为可笑的事情了。在丰臣家后宫里，有资格对人事发表意见的，除了我这个与秀吉一起建立了丰臣家江山的糟糠之妻之外，是没有第二个人的。也是不应该，不可以，不允许有第二个人的。 不过，宁宁丝毫也没有为这件事而在秀吉面前说过抱怨的话。 对此，秀吉也是心领神会的。 秀吉的态度是，他的心越是倒向主家的淀姬，便越发对宁宁表示出比以往更多的柔情和关切，越发尊重她作为丰臣家的主妇的荣誉。 出人意外的是，淀城的建造工程很快就完成了。这座城池是天正十七年正月动工的，三个月之后就基本建成了。建城工程进展之神速，固然令人惊讶，而比这更叫世人震惊的是淀姬的怀孕，以及在淀城完工两个月之后的五月二十七日生了一个男孩这件事。这就是她所生的第一个儿子鹤松。 背地里有人议论道：“会不会是……” 他们认为，这也许不是太閤殿下的种子，太閤受了骗，上了当。这风言风语在丰臣家后宫的那些侧室们之间流传着。和秀吉有过肉体关系的这些侧室们，模模糊糊地知道，秀吉似乎是不会生儿子的。首先，秀吉是个十分喜欢女色的人，倘使他这方面的机能是健康的话，那么，过去总应有人怀孕过啊，可是从来没有过，由此可见，淀姬生儿子的事，十分蹊跷。 宁宁也思忖着：“是啊，是有点怪啊！” 正因为她与秀吉的夫妻关系史比谁都长，因而感到迷惑不解。不过，宁宁丝毫也没有把自己心中的疑窦主出口来，她以丰臣家主妇的身份，热烈地祝贺了鹤松的诞生。她不光是丰臣家的主妇，从法律上来说，她还是新生儿的母亲呢。 "Mother!" 她被孩子这样称呼着。这就是说，鹤松有两个母亲，孩子也叫淀姬为“母亲”。而当秀吉和鹤松身边的人必须把这两个母亲加以区别的时候，就称淀姬为“妈妈”或“娘”，而宁宁则被称为“政妈妈”。 这个“政”，大概是宁宁的官位北政所的政字吧。 给鹤松赠送东西的时候，宁宁自己也说：“这是政妈妈给你的。” 对于近江系的大名们来说，鹤松的出生真是可以说是一支响彻云霄的凯歌。他们的后台淀姬在丰臣家的地位，从侧室一跃成了公子的生母了。外地的诸侯们在给北政所送礼的同时，开始用更加华贵的礼品去孝敬淀姬了。宁宁在名大名之间的威望，不用说是降低了。 “淀姬为丰臣家立了大功！” 宁宁常常这样说，显出万事都不在乎的样子，然而对孝藏主以及其他宁宁身边的侍女们来说，事情就没有这么简单了。她们对这一新的事态，常常抱有一种敌视的态度。她们认为，如果鹤松就此长大成人，那么淀姬和她的亲生儿子，就会占据丰臣家的核心，总有一天，北政所的威望和权势，一定会成为明日黄花。 鹤松出生的第二年，即天正十八年，秀吉率大军东下，把原在关东八州称霸的北围困在他的老窠小田原城里。 秀吉采取了长期包围的方针，为了让被围的城池里渐渐的耗尽粮草，他叫了些艺妓到军中供士兵游乐，也举办过酒宴。甚至还让军中的诸侯把妻妾也叫来了。 秀吉也写信告诉宁宁“我这样做了”。 信中这样写道： 我军以凌厉的攻势，很快把敌人赶进了鸟笼。这样，估计已不再会有危险 的战斗，请放心就是。我常常想念少爷（指鹤松），但每当想到打好这一仗也 是为了他的将来，同时也是为了稳定天下，我就能够排解这种思念之情。我自 己虽身在战场，但还是通过熏灸等办法，注意身体的保养，万望你也保重身体。 另外，我已下令，在这小田原战场打一场持久战，为此，决定让大名们把妻子 接到军营中来。because…… 秀吉写道这里才进入正题。归根结蒂一句话，秀吉是想把淀姬叫去。不过他没有直说。在这一点上，他体察宁宁的心情，十分照顾她的处境，进而慰藉她那可能会受到损伤的自尊心。他接着写道： 如上所述，引战将持久，为此，我欲召淀来军帐中，望夫人通知她做好动 身的准备。淀是仅次于夫人的、我的意中人也。 信的意思是要正室夫人宁宁命令淀姬到小田原去，并通知她作好动身的准备。秀吉通过这办法，保持了她的地位和体面，并想由此消除她可能会有的不快。 宁宁苦笑着说：“嘴巴还是这样甜啊！” 她一方面看透了秀吉的心思，另一方面秀吉既然这么尊重她，她也就没法生气了。况且，信中还说“淀是仅次于夫人的、我的意中人”，他这么赤裸裸地捧她，倒使她没法对付，终于使宁宁发生一种错觉，以为这封信是秀吉在向她讲私房话呢！ 秀吉没有忘记写上这么一句： 我年老力衰，不中用了。 这是考虑到，对于不久之后他和淀姬之间将在小田原发生的关系，宁宁可能会展开种种想象和联想，为此而特意用上这句话来封住她的思路。秀吉用这样一番心思，与其说是他一厢情愿，自以为是，莫如说，应该看作这是秀吉那种体贴人的性格的表现。尽管这种办法过于方便了，然而他的本意是想减轻宁宁精神上的苦痛。如果他真的那么年老力衰，则宁宁的妒忌也就可以减少到最低限度了。 “来了这么一封信。” 宁宁说着，把信给孝藏主看了。秀吉虽然没有叫宁宁到小田原去，然而，她觉得即便把这封信给孝藏主读了，也并不会失去面子。因为，在这封来自军旅之中的信里，秀吉向她确认了这样一个事实：比起淀姬来，他更爱宁宁，从地位来说，宁宁是主，淀姬是副，宁宁对淀姬甚至有着发号施令的权力。 不过，宁宁却并没有到淀姬所住的府邸，亲口通知她作好动身的准备，她并没有傻到这样的地步。宁宁要是这么蠢笨老实的话，那么，秀吉也早就不会有什么顾忌了。这种场合，恐怕也就不会、更没有必要差人送这么一封费尽心机的信来了吧。 宁宁把信扔给了孝藏主，对她吩咐道：“你去适当处理一下。” 孝藏主感到困惑，她不知道如何处理才好，不知道该如何去对淀姬说，又该帮淀姬照料些什么。 她反问宁宁说：“我可不知道怎么办好啊？” 这时，宁宁才嘿嘿一笑，说道：“你作什么难啊！” 宁宁说，秀吉对她都尚且寄来了内容如此详尽的信，对那位淀姬，肯定早已差人送信，作了充分细致的指示了。哪里还用咱们去帮忙啊，根本没有什么事情要咱们帮的啦！多管闲事，反倒会有失面子。 但是孝藏主却不明白其中的奥妙。秀吉信中明明要宁宁去通知淀姬的嘛。 “你也真是死心眼！”宁宁又一次笑着说，“这就叫言辞么。” 照宁宁来说，这不过是秀吉的一种说话技巧而已，只要能让宁宁的心境有所松宽，他的目的也就达到了。对待信中的内容，不必那么死心眼。 宁宁对孝藏主说：“你只须给淀姬手下的老年女仆打个招呼，就说这次你们要去关东，辛苦了。这样就足够了。”