Chapter 17 fourth quarter

One night four months later, Niu Yi in the hermitage heard someone gently knocking on the door. "I'm Genbei." The visitor shouted in a low voice.As soon as Niu put down his pen, he opened the door.Under the hazy moonlight, two figures, one tall and one short, emerged. "There are some things, so I disturb you late at night..." The tall Genbei bent over and looked behind him.A woman covered her face tightly with a black turban. Soon, the woman took off her headscarf and bowed silently.Just then, a yellow ginkgo leaf fell behind her. "Oh, it's already this season."

Niu Yi looked at the two of them and muttered. He didn't want to tell outsiders about his hermitage, but officials of all sizes stationed in Osaka still came here frequently, which annoyed him. Different from the five elders and five officials appointed by Taige, they don't know much about the affairs in Fushimi Castle, maybe they think that Niu Yi and Taiko are close, so they come to ask about Taiko's condition from time to time.It's not about Taige, but I want to know the situation earlier.So as to avoid the chaos after his death and seek a way to protect himself wisely.In order to avoid such complicated entertainment, Niu Yi always closes the doors and windows early recently, pretends not to be at home, concentrates on writing at the desk, and is indifferent to the change of seasons.

The woman who was led to the study looked far less than 30 years old, with a thin body, fair skin, delicate eyebrows and eyes, and she was a graceful person.She was wearing a cotton casual dress with narrow sleeves, all black, even the belt was black, which further accentuated the fairness of her skin. "Her name is the same whether you say it or not." Genbei glanced at the woman, with the same serious expression as when he came, and continued, "You just need to know that she has something to do with Mae-no Nagayasu-sama who died two years ago. " "What? She's from Maeno..."

Niu Yiben wanted to say "wife", but swallowed the words back. Maeno Shoemon Nagayasu—this person followed Hideyoshi very early, and like Hachisuka Xiaoliu, he was a general of Hideyoshi's "Shadow Army", and he was very active at one time. However, after Hideyoshi pacified the world, Maeno was useless.Later, he was ordered to serve Guan Baixiuji, and the bad luck began.Two years ago and four years in Wenlu, with Hideji's accident, Maeno Changyasu was forced to take the responsibility for consecutive sittings.His son, Jingding, who had a close relationship with Xiuci, was ordered to cut his belly. Changkang himself was not spared, and the Maeno family was wiped out.Changkang's wife is said to have committed suicide after her husband's seppuku.Moreover, the woman in front of her was too young.

"Yes." Yuanbei blinked a little, which meant that he should stop asking the bottom line. "By the way, Izumi Mamoru-sama." Genbei opened the cotton bundle in his hand, and took out a square lacquered library box from it, which looked old. "key." Hearing Genbei's words, the woman took out a squarely folded paper bag from her black belt, took out a small metal key from it, and handed it over.Genbei remained silent, took the key, and skillfully inserted it into the keyhole, and soon there was a metallic "click", and the lid of the box was opened.

"Look." Under Genbei's urging, Niu Yi saw a thick oil paper bag in the box.Genbei took out a thick geese paper booklet stitched together with paper.He pointed the top title to Niu Yi. Yonglu three-year diary "Three years of Yonglu?" "It's the third year of Eiroku." Genbei deliberately slowed down his tone, and replied meaningfully. That year happened to be the Battle of Ozazama. "This was secretly recorded by 'Maeno Koemon' at that time." The log that came down. For some reason, Koemon gave me this part of the record to keep.” "and then?"

Before confirming the authenticity of the object, Niu Yi suddenly had a question in his mind-why did Yuanbei take this record?As far as Niu Yi knew, Xiaoyouemon was just a thief who murdered and robbed at that time.As far as the historical materials related to the Battle of Ozazama are concerned, Niu Yi never considered the character of Maeno Koemon at all. "In this log, I found this..." Genbei opened the diary and pulled out the records of February. Mr. Fujikichiro issued an official order Number of people, 120 people divided into four groups, 30 people in each group Locations: Morowa, Pongshimoto, Yufukuji Temple, Ozama

Each group of roles, Lao Baihang, storyteller, puppeteer, playing and singing artist "Tokyoshiro, follow the official orders..." Niu Yi felt puzzled after reading this paragraph, "Tokyoshiro is Taiko-sama, but the so-called officialdom doesn't seem to mean being an official." "I also don't think that's what it means. At that time, Koemon and Hachisuka-sama were following Kinoshita Tokichiro-sama, and they had not yet gained the trust of Lord Nobunaga." Genbei lowered his voice, without a trace of a smile. "At that time, they might as well be Nobunaga's enemies."

Hachisuka Koroku and Koemon were originally retainers of the Iwakura Oda family, the main family of the Oda family, and have been hostile to Nobunaga for a long time.Because of this, until the end, Lord Nobunaga did not allow the two to be officials.They are just pawns of Tokichiro Kinoshita. "So, is this a word in "Sun Tzu's Art of War"..." Niu Yi suddenly thought of a word and couldn't help being startled. "You're so perceptive. That's what you said." Genbei then smiled. The ancient intermediaries (spies) used five methods, which Sun Tzu summed up as "the method of the five intermediaries", and the fourth intermediary is the "dead intermediary".This kind of person is in order to realize his strategy.Enter the enemy's country and let the opponent make a wrong judgment.I am also mentally prepared to die in the enemy's battle.

"However, the locations listed here are not in the enemy country." Niu Yi is serious.In fact, he is very clear.This reason is not enough to refute. "You're right, but at that time the land of the Oda family at the eastern end of Owari was being swallowed up by the Imagawa family. Look!" Genbei opened the ancient map of the eastern part of Owari, and pointed out with his fingers the cities of Narumi, Odaka, and Kukake controlled by the Imagawa family at that time.Zhulun, Bangshimoto, Yufuji, and Ozama are small villages scattered in that area.Although they belonged to the Oda family's territory, the Oda family had very little control there, so they had to allow Imagawa Fang to come in and out at will.

"Xiaoemon was ordered by Tokichiro to dress up his subordinates as ordinary people, storytellers, puppet performers, playing and singing artists, etc., and deploy them in those villages." "For what?" "A conspiracy to prevent Imagawa Yoshimoto from entering Beijing." Genbei spoke with confidence, and Niu felt uncomfortable for a while. "You said it was a conspiracy? Behind the battle in Ozazama, is there a conspiracy by Tokichiro?" After saying this, Niu Yi could feel his brows frowning involuntarily. "Yes. Xiaoyouemon's subordinates first dressed up as farmers, and went to greet the Imagawa army with food and wine to celebrate their victory. Then those who dressed up as storytellers, entertainers, and puppeteers from the Owari area gathered around Sit next to Imagawa, and gradually let the other party relax their vigilance, as agreed with Mr. Nobunaga in advance..." "According to the prior agreement with Mr. Nobunaga, what are you talking about?" Hot blood rushed to Niu Yi's face. "Look, on the next page, there is a list of offerings they gave to the Imagawa army. Even so, you still don't believe it?" Niu Yi flipped through the diary with trembling hands, on which were written the names of the wines and dishes used for the celebration—shelled chestnuts, kelp, rice cakes, chestnut cakes, boiled taro, stewed radish, etc. "This is a lie. This is a fictitious document!" Niu Yi couldn't help but put the log aside. "At least in the Battle of Ozazama. Lord Nobunaga probably didn't use any strategy. He set off from Kiyosu, maybe he drove straight in, maybe he made a roundabout way, and braved the heavy rain to surprise the opponent. It was a victory obtained by relying on the timing. Genbei, don’t you think so?” Genbei shook his head, and took out the map of the eastern part of Owari again. "What are you going to do again?" "Look. This is what we call Ozazama Mountain, generally referred to as Ozama. Although it is far away from the enemy's position, and there is no danger of water cutoff, as a routine for the formation of troops, generals will not be cramped. As you can see, this is a hill. So why did Yoshimoto camp on this hill where the enemy can see it all? There must be a corresponding reason. Well, let’s leave these questions for now. This is where Yoshimoto-sama Imakawa stayed the night before." Genbei pointed with the tip of the pen, and with a smile on the corner of his mouth, he said confidently. Although Niu Yi hesitated, he still asked forcefully, "What do you want to say?" "Master Yoshimoto is going west from Takekaku, the nearest road is the Kamakura Road leading to Narumi." Genbei used the pen tip to draw along the road, Niu Yi could only follow the direction of the pen tip and watch silently. "In front of this road, there are Zenshoji Temple and Nakajima Castle, the territory of the Oda family, but that morning, Okabe Goro Motonobu led Narumi Castle's subordinates to suppress and occupy those places. Yoshimoto also received the battle report, the army There should be no danger in walking along this road. Moreover, Okabe Motonobu is the most trusted general of Lord Yoshimoto. Isn’t it a routine of combat to let the army enter the safe and reliable Narumi Castle first? However, he Under the scorching sun, the army deliberately made a detour, took the Tōkaidō, and passed through it to Mount Ozama, which is beyond Suzumachi. Why is that?" "Resting in the shade, and then ran to Dagao City." Niu Yi finally answered, his voice hoarse. "Perhaps. It is true that Matsudaira Motoyasu, who captured the Marune Fortress, is now Tokugawa Ieyasu-sama took down Odaka Castle that morning. However, why did Yoshimoto-sama worry about Narumi Castle where his confidant Motonobu Okabe is located?" Go, why not go to Dataka Castle where Matsudaira Motoyasu is located? You have to know that Matsudaira Motoyasu was a hostage with Yoshimoto-sama back then. He and Nobunaga were young, and they are very likely to defect to the Oda family. This is what Yoshimoto-sama said The choice is puzzling." "So, you think Yoshimoto went to Ozama Mountain for some other reason?" "Yes. Otherwise, according to common sense, he should go directly to the safe Narumi Castle." "Then why is he going to Dagao City?" "I don't know. But I guess Yoshimoto-sama has something special. He doesn't want Okabe-sama to know, so he wants to stay as far away from Narumi Castle as possible. A famous general like Imagawa-sama should be very clear that 'the army is marching forward, tricks are useless. "This iron rule. If there is no other reason, he is just worried that the Kamakura Road is narrow, which is not conducive to the march of the army, so he will follow the well-repaired Tokaido Road all the way to Qingzhou City. And he unexpectedly before the decisive battle with Nobunaga's army, It’s a bit unbelievable to climb up the Ozama Mountain on the side of the Tōkaidō to let the other party have a panoramic view, and accept the local suspicious village chiefs, farmers and other people’s food and drinks. It seems that this should not be done by a famous general.” "Yoshimoto looks down on Nobunaga. Besides, what else can you think of?" "Even so, during the thunderstorm, when Yoshimoto quickly moved from the top of the mountain to the foot of the mountain, Nobunaga was able to grasp his whereabouts so quickly, and he was able to bypass the 5,000 troops congested at the foot of the mountain, and appeared in Yiyuan without any mistakes. In front of Mr. Yuan. This is too accidental, isn't it?" "It's not a coincidence. Masatsuna Koda is a local. He discovered Yoshimoto and reported it to Lord Nobunaga..." "How did Mr. Zheng Gang find out?" "I don't know about these situations." "That's because Mr. Zheng Gang has long been in charge of contacting Imagawa. He is a liaison officer, isn't he..." "Liaison officer? Nonsense. How can such a thing happen!" Niu was taken aback, and unexpected doubts appeared in his mind.For this reason, after the Battle of Ozazama, the praise of the political platform was beyond common sense?So, that kind of compliment is the hush money? "Don't let your imagination run wild." In his heart, the battle between the bulls and the barrels quietly produced an inexplicable doubt, but Genbei said it first, which made him feel disgusting, and even raised his voice involuntarily.However, Genbei just looked at Ushiichi calmly. After the embarrassing silence lasted for a while, Niu Yi had to think again. "Tonight's historical materials are all here. I bought all the things you brought. You set the price, and it's up to you." After speaking, he turned his face to the side. "Understood." Genbei didn't smile, and continued: "Since I have your permission, I will keep everything I brought today, including this girl." "What did you say? This girl also..." (What the hell are you talking about.) The look in Genbei's eyes prevented Niu Yi from saying anything, but the other party replied in a leisurely manner. "Yes. Now, some people who are in contact with Mr. Yasushi Nagao are being strictly pursued by Mr. Taiko. You should be able to rescue her, how about it? Please leave her behind. You can let her serve the water Meal delivery. She herself also brought Koemon’s diary as a meeting gift, and rushed over tonight. Maybe she can become a living historical material, and slowly tell you something.” Genbei suddenly seemed to be a different person, and smiled meaningfully, while the woman beside him shrugged and kowtowed to the ground.For a moment, Niu Yi was startled, staring blankly at the woman's slightly trembling, fair neck. "Live...historical data?" Genbei's words caught him off guard, and it was hard to reject the woman in front of him.