Chapter 30 Chapter Thirty: Onset

When Munemo Yagyu arrived, Tokugawa Ieyasu had already been carried into the bedroom, unable to open his eyes or speak. "My lord! My lord..." Cha Aju put a wet towel on Jiakang's forehead and kept calling. "Yagyu, hurry to Edo and report to the General." Katsutaka Matsudaira said urgently.Zong Mo glanced at Ieyasu's pale face, and hurried away. Some people guessed that the food was poisoned, but everyone who ate with Ieyasu was fine, so Ieyasu's fainting should be caused by fatigue. Somo Yagyu led a warrior who knew the way, and rode to Junfu overnight on horseback.He secretly regretted why he didn't bring a doctor with him!For going to Beijing this spring, he was too excited to forget this responsibility.If you travel far, you must have a good doctor to accompany you.Why does it only happen at this time?Could it be destiny?

Such a thought made Yagyu Zongmo, who had been with Ieyasu for a long time, feel great grief: Ieyasu has no selfish intentions, and what he thinks in his heart is only the funeral.He successfully suppressed Date Masamune's rebellion, kept silent about Zhonghui, and devoted himself to preparing for Takeshita's entry into Jingyuan clothes.For this last wish, he tried his best to exercise his muscles and bones here in order to enter Beijing smoothly. Who would have thought... Zong Ju kept wiping away his tears on the horse.He thought of Mr. Jiakang's clear eyes from time to time, and felt heartbroken.Can the childlike clear eyes of the Great Imperial Palace no longer see the filth of the world?

Zong Ju rushed to Junfu, called up Honda Zhengchun, and said loudly, "The Great Imperial Palace is seriously ill." Zhengchun's face changed suddenly, and he hurriedly ordered his servant Tesaburo to say: "Quickly call Zongzhe, doctor Katayama Zongzhe." Then he hurriedly began to change clothes. "What symptom?" He came out after changing his clothes, already very calm. "I ate fried chili fish at night, so some people say it was poisoned, but it may be caused by overwork." "Fried gaki?" "Yes. Chaya Shiro Jiro came to visit and cook for himself. We have all tried it."

"Fried Gaji? This is the first time I've heard of such a strange thing. What happened?" "When I was ugly, I fell down in the toilet and vomited continuously." "It's okay if you get poisoned, I think you should bring some medicine with you. I'm afraid it's a stroke. I hope that when we rush there, the Imperial Palace will still be awake." After finishing speaking, Zhengchun immediately sent an envoy to Edo, and then took Katayamazong with him. Three doctors led by Zhe rushed to Tian Zhong overnight. When Honda arrived with the doctors, Ieyasu opened his eyes slightly.

Everyone thinks that disaster is coming.Everyone knows that birth, old age, sickness and death are the iron laws of the world, but facing death, they still feel that things are rushed. Katayama Zongzhe took Ieyasu's pulse for about half an hour, and said: "It's not a stroke." Then he went to the next room, looked at the motionless Zhengchun, Shenglong and Zongmo, and said: "I just feel abdominal pain. There is a foreign object in the chest, and the high fever is still going on, so let the adults rest here for the time being..." "No!" Zheng Chun sternly said, "If something happens in this kind of place, what should we do? We must return to Junfu as soon as possible. You two should discuss how to bring the Great Imperial Palace back to Junfu safely."

At this time, Kanbara Ouchi, Sakai Masaoyuki, Matsudaira Ienobu and others also came after hearing the news.Everyone just secretly glanced at Jiakang's bedroom, not daring to speak.Even when greeting, Ieyasu just opened Huiwei's eyes slightly, wondering if he understood. "No. Move it easily, I'm afraid on the way..." Zongzhe blinked, and before he finished speaking, Zhengchun interrupted him again: "If you rest here, can you recover?" "Yes. The pulse is still normal. The villain's idea is to let the adults lie still for two or three days to observe."

"Why didn't you say it earlier? Don't you need to rush to invite the children of the Great Imperial Palace?" "This……" "What do you mean? Usually, you should be familiar with the physical condition of the Great Imperial Palace." "Having said that, the Imperial Palace is old after all..." "Should we invite all the sons and daughters of the Great Imperial Palace to meet?" "This……" Zhengchun looked at Shenglong anxiously, and said: "What should I do? Don't let the sons and daughters of the Great Imperial Palace come to meet him, but if there is an accident, it is my negligence. However, before Edo has no orders, he can't So it caused an uproar."

Shenglong thought for a moment, and said: "I think it's better to do as the doctor said, and let the adults rest for two or three days. After two or three days, there will be a clear statement from Edo, just treat it as an adult who is slightly ill, and don't spread the news. Leak out." Finally came to a conclusion.Everyone kept the maids away from the bedroom, and let Ieyasu's husband and wife feel the cold as an excuse, let him rest here for two or three days to see the effect.If there is a slight improvement, I will return to Junfu immediately.In this way, the 22nd day was spent in a suffocating and tense atmosphere.

The cloudy sky in autumn is sometimes clear and sometimes gloomy.Ieyasu was sleeping and waking up from time to time.On the second day, Zhengchun, who has been guarding by his side, heard Ieyasu say: "Did you inform Edo?" I'm counting on you." This solemn tone made people feel creepy, and then only a slight gasp could be heard. "Finally let me see life and death." These were the words Ieyasu expressed to Zong Zhe who was feeling his own pulse at noon on the 23rd.He seemed quite sober then.Zongzhe responded in panic, only to hear Jiakang say again: "Life is like being born on the ground."

"yes." "Grow towards the sky, like a tree like a tree, tall and thick, even dozens of people can't hug it, and grow straight towards the sky." "yes." "It won't wither... No. How can the giant trees on the ground wither? But when they are withered, they are invisible to the ordinary eyes." "Yes. The villain can't see it." "Gods and Buddhas said this to me: Now let me see the tree of life and death. Yes, I met many people between the branches and leaves of that big tree." "what?" "Imagawa Yoshimoto stopped at the bottom branch, his ears pricked up like an owl. On the top is Nobunaga, he is like a plover. By the way, there is Taiko, also on the tree, like a thin white crane He held my hand and burst into tears. He said I'm sorry, I'm sorry..."

Zongzhe looked at Zhengchun in embarrassment.Masamune felt that Ieyasu was talking nonsense, frowned, and looked away.But Cha Ah Ju and Sheng Long stuck beside him, nodding their heads.They believed that this was actually Ieyasu's emotion. "Is Mataemon there?" Hearing this, Yagyu Somo, who was guarding under the eaves, hurried in. "Oh, Maetemon. I saw your father Ishifusai in that tree." "yes." "The branch where your father is is higher than Lord Xinxuan. He respectfully said to me: The branch of the Great Imperial Palace is even higher. He is really an upright person." Ieyasu closed his eyes and said, "This The tree of life and death stretches toward the sun, and it is a bridge connecting the earth and the sun. People don't die, they just hide and return to this big tree..." Zongzhe heard this, and said to Zhengchun in a low voice: "The villain thinks that he can prepare to go back to Junfu." From Ieyasu's words about the tree of life and death, Zongzhe felt that time was pressing.In fact, in recent days, Jiakang has often been blocked by phlegm and blood stasis, resulting in shortness of breath.However, on the morning of the 24th, Ieyasu's fever suddenly subsided, and he offered to take the Wanbing Pill and Qiyuan Pill that he carried with him. Zongzhe couldn't understand Jiakang's sudden recovery. He was worried that the medicine was too effective.But Ieyasu didn't listen to everyone's persuasion, insisted on taking the self-prepared medicine, and then firmly said to Zhengchun: "Tomorrow, twenty-five, go back to Junfu." He actually still remembers the day clearly, which makes it unbelievable for the few people who have been guarding him all the time.Afterwards, Ieyasu said another strange statement: "I just borrowed a little time from the tree of life and death, so don't be negligent." When Katayama Zongzhe heard this, his face paled, "My lord's thoughts are indeed beyond my reach." Jindiyuan Chongchuan, who came from Junfu, sat next to Ieyasu and kept writing in his notebook.He wanted to write an urgent letter to Itakura Katsushige, detailing Ieyasu's condition. On the twenty-fifth day of the first lunar month, Ieyasu returned to Junfu, met Tadatoshi Aoyama who hurried over from Edo, and then called Takatora Fujido, "Edo should be as peaceful as I thought, right?" It's getting better, and you can even ask about these things. On the same day, Gao Hu and Chong Chuan jointly wrote a letter to the three elders of Edo, Doi Toshikatsu, Sakai Tadashi, and Sakai Tadori: "The condition of the Great Imperial Palace has gradually improved. I returned to Junfu from Tanaka on the 25th, and my complexion is getting better." But at this time Ieyasu had a premonition that his lifespan was coming to an end.Everyone could see that he was grateful from the bottom of his heart to the heavens for giving him the opportunity to prolong his life, and he was quietly savoring the afterglow of Tianshou. Following Tadatoshi Aoyama, Hidetada sent Shigenobu Ando and Toshikatsu Doi to visit.On the first day of February, Xiuzhong set off from Edo and rushed to Junfu.He was only leaving now, and he was still worried about Date. Xiuzhong set off at the time of the second day of the lunar new year, and rushed to Junfu on the second day of the second day of the lunar new year, and immediately came to visit his father.From Edo to Junfu, it takes more than five hundred and sixty miles to cross Mount Hakone, and it usually takes five days, but Xiuzhong only took a dozen hours. Yizhi also rushed over from Nagoya.Xiuzhong took Yi Zhi, Lai Xuan and Lai Fang to Jiakang's bedside.Cha Aju, who was in charge of taking care of Ieyasu, welcomed the four brothers with red eyes.Her son Zhonghui has been excluded. Thinking of this, she felt so sad... "It's rude to see the general lying down." Ieyasu saw Xiuzhong coming, nodded with a smile, and then asked, "Is Edo still calm?" "Yes, it's very calm. I only hope that my father can recover soon." Ieyasu remained silent, but turned his gaze to the three sons who were sitting side by side with Xiuzhong, and said in a low voice, "Remember, don't disobey the general's order." The three replied in unison: "Yes!" "General, elder brothers are like fathers, take care of them for me in the future." "The child understands." "There is also Dayao." Ieyasu looked at Doi Toshikatsu who was kneeling behind Xiuzhong, and said, "Have you told the general about the future of these three children?" "Yes. I have reported to the general in detail." Li Sheng and Xiu Zhong looked at each other and said. The three of them are the "Three Royal Family" of later generations.If Xiuzhong had no heir who could inherit the position of general, he had to choose an heir from Yi Zhi and Lai Xuan's family.The Lai Fang branch has served as the general's deputy and assistant from generation to generation.Ieyasu once told Doi Toshatsu seriously about this matter. Of Jiakang's nine sons, only Xiuzhong, Zhonghui, Yizhi, Lai Xuan and Lai Fang survived. Ieyasu has not mentioned Zhonghui until now.Cha Aju sat at the last seat, bowed his head and remained silent, suppressing his sadness. But, who would take care of her sadness?Ieyasu fell into a drowsy sleep again, moaning softly.Xiuzhong urged the three brothers to leave. Although Ieyasu has recovered somewhat, no one dares to expect him to fully recover.Tianshou is coming to an end, this is only a temporary improvement. "I will stay in Junfu for the time being to handle government affairs. Please pay attention to contacting Edo, and don't neglect it." Hidetaka has been living in Junfu Castle since the second day of February after he ordered Doi Toshikatsu and Honda Masakazu to do so. Ieyasu's condition fluctuated from good to bad, sometimes blocked by phlegm and blood stasis, and sometimes his pulse was disordered, and Junfu City was shrouded in tension. After entering February, Kyoto also sent envoys to visit the sick one after another, including the emperor's concubine Konoe, the concubine, the prince, the minister, and people from various shrines and temples. On the ninth day of the lunar new year, the imperial palace prayed for Ieyasu's recovery, played Kagura in the chamberlain, and ordered Tsuchimon Taishige to persuade believers to give alms.Not only that, on the 11th, the holy majesty personally ordered all the shrines and temples to pray, and on the 21st, he specially invited the charity performance of the Sanbaoyuan to Qingliang Hall, and ordered him to practice the "Psyche of Prolonging Life". After Jiakang became seriously ill, everyone discovered that he was an indispensable pillar to the world. All the big names came to Junfu one after another.The much-anticipated Date Masamune also set off from Sendai on the tenth day of the Lunar New Year, crossing Edo non-stop, all the way to Sumfu.When he arrived in Junfu, it was already the 23rd of February. Ieyasu's condition improved slightly on the third day Hidetaka arrived in Junfu, and he was even able to sit up from the sickbed occasionally.The day before Date Masamune arrived in Edo, that is, on the 22nd morning, he suddenly passed out again and was bedridden. When he received the news that Masamune was coming to visit and had already arrived in Junfu, Xiuzhong suddenly felt murderous. "The Great Imperial Palace is seriously ill, you must not take him to the ward." "How can an ambitious man greet him with a smile?" Tadatoshi Aoyama has the most resentment towards Masamune, followed by Masakazu Honda.It is precisely because everyone knows that Ieyasu wants to suppress Masamune's treachery, so Date's request is very troublesome.But Date Masamune was very stubborn, claiming that if he couldn't see Ieyasu, he should see the general immediately. "I was shocked to hear that the Great Imperial Palace was sick, and I will come from Sendai day and night. I am afraid that I will regret it for the rest of my life if I don't see the Great Imperial Palace for the last time. Date Masamune's heart, the Great Imperial Palace must know, and he will welcome you warmly. I just want to say hello: Great Imperial Palace, Masamune is here." Toshikatsu Doi finally decided to report to Masamune Date.But after all, this person is a rare hero in the contemporary era. Li Sheng asked Fujido Takatora and Yagyu Somo to guard Ieyasu, and planned to make Masamune take off his long and short swords before releasing him to his room.But before entering the room, Masamune took off his saber and handed it to Katsutaka Matsudaira before entering. When Doi Lisheng reported, Ieyasu seemed to have understood, but at the same time he seemed to be confused. The general's cronies all wanted to bring Zhengzong in, let him have a look, and just give him a salute.In this way, he can know that Jiakang is definitely not pretending to be sick, and everyone has no intention of covering up the news of the Imperial Palace's death.If he dares to be rude in the slightest, bring him in front of the general and show him off. However, when Masamune came in, Ieyasu had already sat up.The pure white mattress was folded up, and Ieyasu leaned on it, wrapped in a purple scarf, looked at Masamune, and said clearly: "Oh, I am far away!" His eyes were red, but his eyes were clear and steady, "I originally wanted to Go to meet you. It's good that you come, it's good..." Masamune staggered two steps forward and fell to the ground.He fell to the ground with his hands, trembling all over, and wept unceasingly. Liu Sheng Zongju had never seen a man weeping like this, the sound was like playing a broken flute horizontally, and the sound was endlessly mournful. "You are... you are the person I miss the most in this world. Masamune, I saw you... I saw you. We were born in the same world, you are the person I miss the most... I will see you again at last It's your turn." With a calm expression, Ieyasu nodded repeatedly, "Oh, we were born in the same world, but I have to go first." "My lord!" Zhengzong shouted loudly, "Why don't you go first! No, even if it takes a while... Masamune needs to be instructed on how to behave in the future..." I don't know if Ieyasu heard this, but before Masamune finished speaking, he said: "Please! Mutsu Mori." He said with deep emotion, "In my life, I have met four terrible Rare people in the world. One is Lord Shingen. Lord Shingen taught me how to fight. Then there is Mr. Oda Nobunaga... This is a terrifying name. I learned from him to look down on the world big weapon." At this time, Zhengzong was already sitting upright, and his heart seemed to have calmed down, "Is it always right?" Jia Kang said: "Of course! The so-called threesome must have my teacher. As long as you calm down and look carefully, you will find that even a servant who is very ignorant at first glance, is shining with the brilliance of Buddha and has infinite wisdom. .” Masamune burst into tears. "My other master is Taige. Taige taught me how to adapt, no, what kind of mind should be used to deal with changes in the world. Taige told me this through his own life and death. I really have a rare blessing." Masamune whimpered loudly, but while weeping, his one eye was fixed on Ieyasu. "The next one is Date Masamune... If you were born twenty years earlier, you would never lose to Duke Shingen, Lord Zongjian, and Lord Taiko. No, even now, you are a hero. You are a god and Buddha Son, the general will entrust you...after I die..." At this point, Ieyasu's head suddenly tilted to the quilt. Cha Aju hurriedly brought the medicinal soup to Jia Kang's lips, but he seemed to have no strength to open his mouth. "I understand!" Masamune's voice was astonishingly loud, scaring Todo Takatora and Yagyu Munemo, "If Date Masamune hadn't met the Great Imperial Palace, he would have been a beast wandering in the dark all his life and would never be able to become a human. Now, Masamune sees the light, the light of the gods and Buddhas shining on the whole earth, and this light shines into Masamune's heart, and shines into Masamune's altar." Masamune said, put his fist on his knee, stared at Ieyasu with one eye, trembling, Fu cried again. Ieyasu Yui's eyes were still active.He stared closely at Masamune, and his whole body seemed to be filled with Buddha light, covering him. Hearing Todo Takatora let out a sigh of relief, Yagyu Munemo couldn't help but feel relieved: Date Masamune's iron intestines have finally been influenced!The two looked at each other silently, immersed in emotion.That is to say, as Masamune said, he may have really been illuminated by the sunshine that shines on the world, and mercy can restore him to a human being. "Don't cry, Mutsumori." Ieyasu took a breath, moving his lips and said, "There is no death for those who have a heart." "Huh?" Zhengzong said in surprise, holding back his tears, "He didn't die?" Jiafu said: "For those who have a heart, there is no death." "There is no death... Your lord is saying that life and death are the same?" Jiakang nodded slowly, and said, "There is a big tree of life and death in this world, and we are all branches on the tree." "..." "Even if one of the small branches is withered, it cannot be said that the big tree is withered. The big tree will continue to grow and bloom every year, and it will last forever." Masamune held his breath. "Remember, none of us will die." "yes……" "Even if my body is gone, I will continue to live on the tree of life and death. I will see what kind of flowers the tree blooms and how tall it can grow. What I have to do is the same as before. How It is my responsibility to let this great tree of life and death flourish. Only in this way, there is neither life nor death." Masamune looked around sharply, then patted his knee.What is the meaning of this action, some people understand, some people don't understand.Munemo Yagyu seems to have understood: Isn't this the indescribable joy when a person finds the belonging of his life? "My lord!" Zhengzong said again in his deep and deep voice, "Masamune will also live under this big tree in the future, guarding it day and night..." Just as Date Masamune said this, Katayama Zongzhe couldn't help but tugged on his sleeve, saying: "It's been a long time, it's not suitable for the body of the Imperial Palace. Please..." Masamune's expression suddenly turned sullen, but he didn't attack. He found that Ieyasu had fallen asleep peacefully, so he murmured, "Oh! I've worked hard all my life!" "Yes. It's not easy to be able to speak now. I can't..." "I'm sorry! It's just because I haven't seen Zunyan for a long time, I was overjoyed, and I was negligent for a while." Zhengzong turned to everyone, and gave a solemn salute, "Don't go..."