Chapter 16 Chapter Sixteen

At the end of October in the 19th year of Keicho, Tokugawa Ieyasu had advanced the battle array to the Tennoji area, and it was about to launch a quick battle to siege the city.Osaka then dug the embankment of Hanoi Exit Village and damaged the road near Hirakata.Although he had already decided to defend to the death, but let Kanto press hard, Osaka couldn't hold back, but the way to attack was to dig dikes and destroy roads.For some reason, Ieyasu simply ignored it and let others do what they wanted.As soon as the other party withdrew, Ieyasu gave orders to Minobe of Matsudaira Chengju and Tadakatsu, the son of Fukushima Masamori who hurried over from Hiroshima: "Repair the road and the river embankment."

However, Ieyasu still did not allow the pioneer Todo Takatora to send troops. Ieyasu's actions made Toyotomi Hideyori puzzled: What is the meaning of Kanto?What is it about the war that I heard from Brother Ohno and the leaders of the war?Hideyori believes that since the Sekigahara War, Ieyasu has always been more powerful, and he seems to have intended to destroy the Toyotomi clan, and now, he finally started the war with the consecration of the Great Buddha.Before Ieyasu arrived at Erjo Castle, the four-way siege should have begun. When Ieyasu arrived, blood had already flowed into rivers, and the soldiers had already made many great achievements.Surprisingly, Ieyasu of Nijo City seems to be deliberately delaying.

Xiu Lai was at a loss, and her aunt often came to the High Court. "I heard that the Imperial Palace loves the young master very much, so it frequently sent envoys to the generals to persuade them not to rush into the army. But once the general's army arrives, even if the Imperial Imperial Palace is unwilling, they will have to go to war. It's really sad!" At the beginning, Xiu Lai also refuted her: "This will affect morale, don't talk nonsense." Xiu Lai's words are true.The arrow is already on the line, if the soldiers know that the Changgao Court is protecting Jiakang, how can the bloody young warrior give up?The sinister atmosphere has even affected Mrs. Dian's cronies, and there are many opinions: "Chang Gaoyuan is a running dog in Kanto, it is best to use her as a sacrificial knife!" "Since the war has begun, don't say anything. Never There has been betrayal."

But after receiving the news, Xiu Lai gradually felt that the words of Chang Gaoyuan were not unreasonable.Tanaka Rokuzaemon, the eyeliner sent by Hideyori, sent back a secret report.Tanaka Rokuzaemon was originally a vassal of Kyogoku. Under the arrangement of Chang Gaoyuan, he secretly protected Hideyori's son Kunimatsu Maru. Rokuzaemon contacted Taihei, a Kaga wood merchant in Fushimi, and Yazaemon, the shopkeeper of the knife shop, to inquire about Ieyasu's activities in Beijing.Based on this information, Hideyori found that Ieyasu's actions were all incomprehensible to him.After Ieyasu ordered the embankment to be repaired, he accepted the visits of the royal family and officials in Nijo City as if nothing happened, as if he was just waiting for the arrival of General Xiuzhong's army.Although there is nothing wrong with such an understanding, he sent envoys to Xiuzhong several times and said: "Don't rush to march, but march slowly, so as not to exhaust the soldiers." Why he delayed so much, Xiu Laishi couldn't understand.

Thinking about it this way, Itakura Katsushige, who was ordered by Ieyasu, can’t be relieved. He has continuously issued "bans" to neighboring countries, and the number is suspicious. Thirty or forty bans were issued. People who don't know the truth think that Ieyasu didn't pay attention to Osaka from the beginning.Ieyasu went to Beijing on purpose, probably to take advantage of this opportunity to reform the internal affairs and rectify the official style.Whether it was Honda Zhongzheng or Fujido Takatora, wherever the Kwantung Army went, soldiers were strictly prohibited from doing anything wrong, and those who violated the orders were severely punished.Contrary to the purge of the Kwantung Army, the troops in Osaka are particularly eye-catching.The ronin who claimed to have gathered to defend Osaka ran rampant in the name of raising military pay.

At this time, General Xiuzhong, who was advancing leisurely, had also arrived at Omi Kashiwahara, where he welcomed Ieyasu's envoy again.For some unknown reason, Xiuzhong stopped his progress again and rested for two days.It's just that Xiu Lai has not received the news at this time. Hideyori couldn't figure out Ieyasu's mind in the end, and on the fifth day of November, he quietly summoned Okuhara Shinjuro to Chihime's residence. "Seeing that your lord is in a good mood, Toyomasa is very pleased." At this time, Okuhara Toyomasa already had considerable prestige in the city, and no one connected him with Tokugawa. An alien who is proficient in the art of war and guards the inner court.The chrysanthemums that were blooming in front of the main hall withered one after another, and frost was covered from the eaves to the side of the pool covered with small stones.Toyomasa's back was warm because of the sun shining on it.All the warriors in the city were fully armed, but Weixiu Lai was still in casual clothes.

"Toyomasa, I have something to ask you." Recently, Hideyori has developed a habit, when Chihime is around, she is extraordinarily majestic.In fact, it was also because he was determined to fight, deliberately showing his manliness. "My lord, please feel free to ask." "I heard that you have some relationship with the Yamato Yagyu clan?" "Yes. Munemo Yagyu, the general's aide, and I are cousins." Toyomasa's expression was a little stiff. Xiu Lai is more than six feet tall, quite tall, quite different from his father Hideyoshi, he has gained a lot of weight recently, coupled with the nervousness before the battle, he looks majestic, even his voice seems dignified and dignified.The Food Court Bureau couldn't help expressing emotion: Shaojun really looks more and more like his grandfather Asai Nagamasa!

"You said that you left your hometown after arguing with Somo Yagyu?" "Exactly. Zongji advised me to join Kanto and contribute to Tokugawa, but my family has been very kind to the late Taiko-sama's younger brother, Yamato Moriha Shibahide-sama. Therefore, in order to be able to do my best in case of emergency , just came to Osaka." "Fengzheng, you had to abandon your wife and children because of the dispute with Liusheng, but you don't pay attention to Liusheng, right?" It was difficult for Fengzheng to guess Xiulai's mind for a while, he bowed his head in thought and remained silent.

"If you still pay attention to him, you must have some opinions about him. I heard that Liu Sheng is also following the general this time, and is heading for the capital. The general deliberately slowed down the pace of entering the capital. There are rumors in the world about this, saying that the imperial court has repeatedly sent The envoy went to stop him, but the general was so anxious that he had to slow down. What do you think of this?" "The truth is just as the adults say." "what for?" "Just as your lord said, the general is still young, so he can't help being impatient, so the Imperial Palace blamed him."

"Fengzheng, why isn't the Imperial Palace in a hurry for a decisive battle? You don't study the art of war, just speak out, don't be cautious." "Please forgive me for offending, I have something I want to tell my lord first." "Just say it, there's no need to beat around the bush!" Xiu Lai knew that there was Qian Ji by her side, and her words were so sharp and forceful on purpose. Okuhara straightened his upper body abruptly, "In order to take my lord's life, Shigemasa Yamaguchi is doing everything possible to sneak into the city. My lord must have known about this news. I want to ask first."

"Shigemasa Yamari wants to take my life?" "Yes. The person who came up with this idea was either Chongzheng or the general's confidant Toshikatsu Doi. Although it is difficult to determine for a while, there is no doubt that Toshikatsu Doi reported the matter to the general at the post station on the road." "The general agreed?" Toyomasa shook his head lightly, "Capturing the thief and capturing the king is the easiest way to solve this battle, so the general sent Doi Toshikatsu to see the Imperial Palace and ask the Imperial Palace what it means." "Well, what is the meaning of the Great Imperial Palace?" "Severely reprimanded Doi Toshikatsu, saying that he would never do such a thing. Then, the Imperial Palace was worried about the underachievers, and sent people many times to tell them not to march too fast." Hearing this, Hideorai couldn't help leaning out and uttered a strange cry: "Toyomasa Okuhara, you are in the castle, how do you know these secrets? Tell me!" Under Hideyori's gaze, Toyomasa Okuhara looked away.No matter what the occasion, he didn't want to pretend.Kexiu Lai is young after all, so it is not appropriate to confide her sincerity to her.No matter what, it is his mission to preserve the lives of Xiu Lai's mother, son and Chihime.If it is not for an expert who can see through people's hearts, they will never be able to understand the deep meaning. "What's the matter? You have an affair with the enemy? Otherwise, why do you know these secrets?" "If I report this matter to my lord today, from now on, I'm afraid I won't be able to understand the news from outside. Please be patient with me." "Hmph! You really colluded with Kanto!" "My lord, Shinjuro is not a ghost, if there is no one to help him secretly, how would he know this?" "Say!" Xiu Lai was furious, stomping his feet and pressing, "You have to say today! Listen, Xiu Lai doesn't understand a single thing about the actions of the Imperial Palace. He seems to be attacking but not attacking, and he issued bans everywhere with ulterior motives. What did he think of me? " "This statement is wrong. Don't you understand the painstaking efforts of the Great Imperial Palace?" "Whatever he thinks! Say it!" "Since that's the case, I'll be bold enough to make it clear. The Imperial Palace doesn't want to have a decisive battle with your lord, so Brother Katagiri will take the lead this time. In fact, this is... wanting to make peace through Brother Katagiri." "Peace?" "Exactly. This war is of no benefit to the Imperial Palace, so he issued notices everywhere, erected ban signs, reprimanded the impatient Shigemasa Yamaguchi and Toshikatsu Doi, ordered the merchants in Sakai Port to pay money, and went to Sanuki and Shodoshima, From salt, salaries to aquatic products, hoarding supplies everywhere. I think these are silent advice to advise the Lord to give up the war." Speaking of this, Fengzheng seemed to suddenly think of something, and said, "Just now the Lord asked these secret information channel, I will tell your lord that it all comes from Yagyu Somo who is following the general west." "So, are you arguing for show?" Toyomasa shook his head slightly, "The dispute was true. After the quarrel, Zongju felt dissatisfied. The Imperial Palace had no intention of fighting, but Fengzheng wanted to rush to Osaka for a decisive battle. Zongju was telling everyone with the intention of laughing at his ignorance. .In the future, if I continue to keep silent, I will definitely know more secrets. So I ask you to forgive me." Xiu Lai's heart sank, she understood Fengzheng's words very well, but was very confused. "Do you think the Great Imperial Palace really...has no intention of fighting?" His voice had lost its previous coercion and momentum, but it seemed to contain inexplicable joy. "Yes. The Imperial Palace has no intention of fighting. But it does not mean that there is nothing to worry about in this battle. Please don't confuse these two things, my lord." Okuhara Shinjuro is not Toyotomi's assistant government, nor is Hideyori's aide, he must be cautious when speaking.Hideyori seemed to have gotten the reply she wanted, but she didn't let go of her questioning. "Hmm. So, what the Chang Gao Yuan said is not totally unreasonable?" Hideorai glanced at Chihime next to her, muttered, and then stared at Feng Zheng again, "You are right, even if the Imperial Palace has no fighting spirit, But we have, and the war is inevitable, this is self-evident. However, the Imperial Palace really forbids people to assassinate me, and reprimanded Doi Toshikatsu?" "Yagyu Munemo said so." "Which way did Liu Sheng tell you, I haven't asked yet. Who is it? Listen, if there is any concealment, it is treason! If there is a reason for the matter, I will keep my mouth shut. You don't have to hide it, just keep it Honestly." "I hope my lord will keep it a secret." "Stop worrying. Speak!" "Contact through a person named Yonemura Gonemon next to your lord." "Gwonemon?" Hideyori glanced at Chihime hastily again.Yonemura Gonemon is an unusual confidant. He is a master under Hideyori's command and a secret informant.Sometimes, he would pretend to show his face in front of Qianji, and he often went to the place of Mrs. Ono Zhichang and Mrs. Yodo. In short, he would smell every corner of the city. "Namimura Gonemon is often ordered by his lord to go to Sakai Port to buy fresh fish. It seems that Yagyu Munemo is quite aware of this, and has asked him to bring letters two or three times." With anxiety in his eyes, Hideyori asked, "Is Gonemon also a disciple of Yagyu?" Shinjuro Toyomasa shook his head lightly.Once Xiu Lai becomes suspicious and the misunderstanding deepens, it may not be so convenient to act in the future. "It's just that the merchant entrusted him to Gonemon, and I have never entrusted him to bring a letter to Yagyu. About this, please ask Gonemon again, and it will be clear." "Gonemon was kept in the dark?" Even though Hideyori was over twenty years old, she still completely lost the frankness of a teenager. "Oh, good, my doubts have been cleared up. Toyomasa," he lowered his voice, "I'll ask you again, the Great Imperial Palace doesn't want to fight us at all, but if we have to fight him, when do you think it will be?" Looking at Hideyori with an immature face, Toyomasa replied: "It's best to ask my lord to ask Sanada and Ono Osui-sama about this matter. I'm just a guard next to my lord and young lady." Hideyori smiled bluntly, "Hahaha, you don't need to remind me. Listen, Toyomasa, Saemonsa is Saemonsa, and you are you. I just want to hear what you mean. I'll ask you in person. , why do you have to worry? Say it, say what you think. " Hearing what he said, Qianji, who had been silent until now, said softly: "Don't worry too much, Young Master also wants to clear up the doubts in his heart." "Let me tell you. I heard that the general has entered the near river. Therefore, after the general arrived, within two or three days, there were killings everywhere." "Hmm. So there are only ten days left at most?" "My lord knows." "Who will pounce first? Katagiri, Todo, or Honda?" "I think that none of the three will take the lead." "Oh, why is that?" "Those who are eager to make military exploits are probably coming from the west and receiving the grace of Fengchen." "Oh? Why do you say that?" "First, if they don't take the vanguard, the general will be dissatisfied and suspicious afterwards. Second, they don't know the intention of the Great Imperial Palace not wanting to fight Osaka." Xiu Lai suddenly realized, patted his knee lightly and said: "In this way, the mind of the Great Imperial Palace will be found out. Hey, the war will start from the west?" "However, my lord, please don't be too early to make a conclusion. We need to listen to the generals' opinions on this matter." "Toyomasa, I can't trust them." "My lord! As the chief general, don't say things like that." "It doesn't matter: what you said just now, you have the right to laugh at it. To be honest, I don't think there is much hostility between the Imperial Palace and the general. When I was a child, I played like a baby on the lap of the Imperial Palace. The general is Taishan, and the family is facing each other. Isn't it true? Make the world a joke?" "Yes. Besides, once the winner is determined, there will be vengeance for generations, and the loser will be forced to submit to others. My lord, Yagyu Xinyinliu has always regarded the sword of not fighting as the ultimate." "Haha! The sword of not fighting? No, I just want to fight now! I want to show you how to fight bravely!" This is the tone of treating war as a child's play. Toyomasa did not regard Hideyori as an ignorant person. Sometimes, Hideyori has a sharp mind and can see some things in the world.In the whole world, I am afraid that there will never be another person who lives like him: in his twenty years of life, he hardly ever leaves home.No matter how talented he is, he still knows very little about people outside the human world, and he knows nothing about the world beyond the sky.He often practiced writing and composing poems. He was good at archery and sword dancing. Toyomasa Okuhara couldn't help feeling deeply sorry for this.A young man, if he likes to travel in the wild, he will go hunting in the mountains to vent his anger.What one learns from field hunting is by no means seeing all kinds of birds and beasts. The good intentions of the people who accompany him and the customs and customs of the places he goes are all knowledge, and his horizons will naturally broaden. Katagiri Kamoto and Koide Hidemasa discouraged Hideyori from riding a horse, fearing that he would do something wrong and repeat the mistakes of the former Sekibaku Hideji.Toyomasa sighed that Hideyoshi's adopted son Hideji was causing disaster due to hunting.Hideji hunted in the forbidden area of ​​Mt. Hiei, and hunted a woman on the way... Such a brutal killing deserves the wrath of heaven and human resentment.But Xiu Lai never left the city for half a step, and was ignorant of everything in the world, which also made people sigh for the descendants of Taige. Once the city falls, how can Xiu Lai be rescued?He can't ride a horse, even if he takes a boat, if he falls, he probably won't be able to swim.Moreover, the people around him are always respectful to him, nodding and bowing.He has been in a high position since he was a child, and he is the only seedling of the Taige. Like a puppet, he was placed in a high place that ordinary people can't reach and grew up. Only then can he grow into a peculiar person with some defects. However, Xiu Lai and Qian Ji are harmonious and affectionate.However, this kind of harmony always makes people feel a little different from ordinary couples, probably because they grew up together since childhood.Hideyori was always inexplicably jealous of Qianji, and regarded her not so much as his wife, but as a younger sister who must be protected, as a general's lady. When Toyomasa was about to leave, Hideyori said something strange: "Toyomasa, I will look for you often from now on. You are the same, you must tell me in secret. I want to see you, you will come right away." Toyomasa I am very worried: Does Hideyori regard me as a spy in Kanto? Toyomasa Okuhara's behavior made Hideyori doubtful, and he didn't know what to do.Fengzheng could no longer ask why Qianji wanted to hear their conversation.If you ask like this, it will make him suspicious instead, which is useless. It is true that Toyomasa entered Osaka at the begging of Yagyu Somo.But he did not support Kanto or undercover for Kanto, but saw through the results of the war and made a decision. "This is not a war that deepens the hatred between Toyotomi and Tokugawa. The disciples of Yagyu Xingage must rescue those who are addicted to the vortex of the war." If there is a little selfishness in it, it is the competition between him and Yagyu Somo : Is it the virtuosity of the Xinyin style that Munemo Yagyu believed in, or the scrutiny of Toyomasa Okuhara?But now it is difficult for Hideyori to understand everything.Therefore, he understood that telling Sanada Yukimura was actually implying Hideyori. After Toyomasa expressed to Hideyori his obedience and loyalty, he said goodbye and left.When stepping out of the fence gate of the garden, Toyomasa was still thinking: This is really a strange emotional bond. The Tokugawa lion, who has read all the world and experienced many battles, is very fond of the young eagle raised in the luxurious cage of Osaka Castle. I like it, but the doomsday will bring chaos.Across the cage, the lion and the young eagle yearn for each other, but they have to put each other to death. What a tragic fate!To stop wars with war and to continue peace in the world with the sword of non-killing is the ambition of Yagyu Xinyinliu Gaotu. Yagyu Munemo stepped forward to protect the lion, but Okuhara Toyomasa secretly contributed to prevent the young eagle from becoming a sacrifice of war.Everything is a great test for this pair of cousins.Yagyu Somune would try his best to tighten the reins of General Hidetada's horse, but how could Toyomasa Okuhara lose to him? The war is inevitable, and Xiu Lai should have learned how to ride a horse and swim. Even if there is a fight, the Kwantung Army will not lose its morality and slaughter women and children.For these, Feng Zheng is still very relieved.In the rescue of Mrs. Dian and Qianji, Ieyasu must have made great efforts secretly, but what about Xiu Lai? Toyomasa thought as he walked, and when he returned to the duty room, there was a person waiting there anxiously. It was none other than Gonemon Yonemura! Gonemon Yonemura came over with a Kakichi wrapped in straw indifferently, saying that it was a gift from Hideyori, but in fact he must have brought some news.He seems to have understood Toyomasa Okuhara's heart, and perhaps, he has figured out from the news that Ieyasu has no intention of fighting at all, and just wants to make peace without fighting. "Master Okuhara, the war is imminent. It seems to be within a few days." Gonemon put down the straw bag silently, and said anxiously, "Master Shikibu, the son of Kato Yoshiaki, the 200,000 koku lord of Iyo Matsuyama, has already traveled by sea, Pass Amagasaki, go up along the Kanzaki River, and set up camp, about 600 people." "Oh, even if a small conflict has occurred there, it will not have an immediate impact on the city." Gonemon didn't answer, and continued: "It's getting harder and harder to buy Kaji fish. Also, I heard a strange thing today." "Strange thing?" "Yes. Itakura Katsushige sent a secret envoy to Yamato's chief foreman Nakai Yamato Shou. It seems that he wants to build a tall archery tower, saying that he will set up cannons on it and aim at the castle tower of Osaka Castle." "The cannon aiming at the castle tower?" "Whether the order came from the Imperial Palace or the general is unclear." After finishing speaking, Gonemon took out a cigarette case commonly used by merchants, took out the pipe, and lit a bag of cigarettes, "How to judge is entirely up to you. Anyway, you are responsible Guardian Lord, I just want to tell you these things. One more thing, the inspector of Nijo Castle, Izumi Mori Nobushige, has been appointed as an envoy. And the camp of Tadatsugu Ikeda Zaemon, the 380,000 koku resident of Bizen Okayama. The general order is that you must never advance rashly, and it is strictly forbidden to steal merits before receiving the order. Therefore, I say that the battle is approaching. " "Get credit..." "The Ogosho's thoughts are really incomprehensible. Ah, I'm just saying that it's incomprehensible. You can judge for yourself. Then, I will take my leave." After speaking, Yonemura Gonemon knocked the soot by the stove vigorously, and stood up. went on his own. Okuhara Toyomasa wanted to keep him, but finally shut up. Kato Yoshiaki of Iyo Matsuyama followed Toyotomi Hideyoshi since childhood.This time he stayed in Edo in the name of staying behind, and his son Mingcheng set off on behalf of his father.From Gonemon's point of view, since Mingcheng and the Ikeda brothers competed for merit, the attack would inevitably happen first in the area of ​​the Kanzaki River.It seems that the beacon fire is finally going to be lit... Hideyori's innocent smile still appeared in front of his eyes, Toyomasa shook his head slightly, and said to himself: "But why bombarded the castle tower? What was Ieyasu-kun thinking? what?"