Chapter 12 Chapter 12 Joint Letter

After Tokugawa Ieyasu arrived in Edo, Date Masamune visited almost every day, and the two often chatted alone.Moreover, whether they went hunting in Zongying Field or the construction site of Xiaoshichuan Chuantongyuan, the two often went together and were very close. General Xiuzhong didn't know what was going on in his heart.Masamune did not think that Xiuzhong was completely unsuspecting of him.Therefore, every time he appeared in front of Xiuzhong, he would only talk about business topics, because trading is Ieyasu's strategy to make the country rich, and as long as he talks about this, it shows that he is a fan of Ieyasu.

"Don Rodrigue finally crossed the ocean on a Japanese-built ship." One day, after greeting Ieyasu, he went to Hidetada on purpose. "It is a great thing to congratulate that the ship we built was able to cross the Pacific Ocean." Xiuzhong didn't know what he meant. "This shows that Japanese craftsmen have been able to build huge ships that can sail in the ocean. Perhaps because of this, the daimyo will compete to build ships and open the door for business." Masamune was very clear about how disturbed Hidetaka would be at his words, and what measures he would take.Masamune also said that he and Ieyasu had some heart-to-heart talks.

"Whether Rodrigo or Sodero, whether they are credible or not, their knowledge is outdated and not enough to believe in. Therefore, I hope to gather craftsmen who can build sailboats and build another one in Yuepu in Luqian Big ship, send your reliable people to go directly to Europa by boat. The Imperial Palace also recognizes this, and please take care of the general.” Masamune assured that if the craftsmen who can build sailboats are gathered together, it will prevent other daimyos from building ships at will. cause confusion. After greetings, Masamune returned home and lit a pinch of Satsuma shredded tobacco presented by the Shimadzu family.At this time, Okubo Changan came to visit.

Chang An was still joking with his servants as he walked in, and when he saw Masamune, he said, "Lord Mutsu Mori, I have some interesting news for you." After that, he respectfully took out a copy from the small purple square scarf. The clerk said, "There are so many like-minded people in Osaka City. Please take a look!" Zhengzong silently handed the pipe to the maid, and angrily pushed the document back to Chang'an. "Ishi Jianshou, you are very capable, but a bit too much." He had a strange daylight, and his words were extremely sharp, "The joint petition is an important oath, and everyone wants to bet their lives. But you are not."

"Then... what does your lord think of Chang'an?" Chang'an was a little frustrated, showing displeasure. "Your joint name certificate is just child's play! It's not like a troubled world today, and each of them can win the world by their own strength. It's not a bad idea to work together and go overseas." "If something bad happened, Chang'an wouldn't be so enthusiastic. This is also loyal to the Great Imperial Palace." "Just for the sake of the Imperial Palace, there will be no joint signatures. The joint signatures have been the beginning of conspiracy and chaos since ancient times. Even if you don't have that kind of thinking, seeing Okubo Ishimishou walking around with the joint signatures, others will immediately think of conspiracy .”

"Treason?" Okubo Changan gasped. "Hmph. I've never thought about a joint signature certificate, and I don't believe in that stuff from the bottom of my heart." "Hmm..." Chang An's expression became more serious, and he took the document back into his arms. "That's all. Don't call it a joint signature, but a letter of fellowship... seal it up and seal it up." After Masamune finished speaking, he clapped his hands and called a maid, "Serve Shi Jianshou tea and prepare dinner." Masamune still made a clear distinction between faithful advice and intimacy.Okubo Changan smiled, pulled the tobacco tray closer, and turned his gaze to the wall behind Masamune.There is a painting by Motonobu Kano. In the picture, an eagle sits on an old wooden branch with piercing eyes.

"Mutsu Mori-sama." "What is it?" "Chang'an's disrespectful words: your character is only mediocre!" "Hmph! I am honest and kind by nature, and I never act for my own self-interest." "Chang'an can read Mutsu's heart and mind. Your lord must be quite curious about how many daimyos have bloodmarked on this joint name certificate." "That's true. What I'm interested in is how many benevolent people still understand the current situation in the world." "But my lord suddenly said this today...something must have happened, and I'm worried." Chang An patted his chest lightly, "The document just now...is a covenant for those who are determined to travel around the world. Sodero gave me some emeralds, and I plan to make some mother-of-pearl boxes inlaid with emeralds to store this shape. But Chang'an is not satisfied with this alone."

"Yes, the small emerald box is a good idea!" Zhengzong wanted to seal Chang'an's mouth again, "I will also give you the ruby ​​in my hand, and it will surely make a more precious box." "Lord Mutsu Mori!" "Any other good ideas?" "I don't know that there is such a thing as 'there are no vultures in the forest, and the kite is king'." Chang'an took a step forward, knocked on the cigarette holder, "Chang'an is standing behind the giant vulture, Mr. Mutsu Mori, just a little Shrike." "Uh?" "Your Excellency is so alert all of a sudden, no, maybe you have thought that way from the beginning... Alas, Chang An is very disappointed!"

"Ishi Jianshou." "There must be a reason for the incident. It may be rash to say so." "Hmm..." Zhengzong pondered for a moment, then nodded vigorously, "It's not...not without clues." "What happened? Please tell me!" "But...it's useless to say. According to your intelligence, how can you not know?" At this time, the maid began to bring the food, and the conversation between the two of them was interrupted.A maid poured tea for Zhengzong and Chang'an. Zhengzong said to her, "Call Mrs. Chun. Shi Jianshou hasn't come for a long time. Mrs. Chun is here, you should leave."

Mrs. Chun is the Western woman presented by Sodero.It is said that Date Masamune has not yet taught the woman to speak Japanese, and with his temperament, he must be worried that someone will leak the secret.Chang An thought to himself, calling that woman here today must be to deceive others. After the maid brought Mrs. Chun, she left by herself.Okubo Chang'an snorted a few times, "Ms. Tsubaki looks really good in a kimono!" He wanted to say that she really looked like the legendary golden-haired nine-tailed fox, but he endured it and finally did not say it.In fact, the wonderful allure of the Western woman wrapped in gorgeous clothes greatly stimulated him.

"This woman doesn't understand what we say, so let's talk casually." Masamune gestured to Mrs. Tsubaki, who was dressed in Japanese style from head to toe, and asked her to bring the cup to Chang'an. Chang An took the cup respectfully, still thinking in his heart: it must not be withdrawn just like this.A fighting spirit rose from his dantian, and the more energetic he became, "Lord Mutsu Mori, let's continue the topic just now." "Ishi Jianshou, what did the Great Imperial Palace tell you?" "Not yet." "Hehe, that's just my wild guess." "Is there something wrong?" "The Great Imperial Palace once asked me, have you ever seen the team that goes to and from the mine in Chang'an?" "The next team?" "Yes. I replied: Although I haven't seen it with my own eyes, I have heard some rumors." "Uh... what did the Great Imperial Palace-sama say?" "My lord understates, whispered, Changan likes to show off, it's really troublesome." "trouble?" "Ishimi Mamoru, what you said to Omi, the production of Jinshan from Echigo to Sado has decreased." "Actually, it's about the big eagle." Chang'an suddenly had another thought, pointing to the painting on Masamune's back, and said, "Matsudaira Kamisuke Tadaki-sama will soon have Echigo's Takada as well, and become a man with an annual salary of 500,000 koku. name." "Well." "As your lord knows, since the Uesugi family moved the land, the land has been exhausted and natural disasters have continued. On the surface, its salary is second only to the Toyotomi family. However, except for the construction of the city, the expenses are high and the burden is heavy..." Masamune raised his hand to stop him from continuing, "The land is barren, and you want to fatten up the mountain? This plan is not good." "not good?" "The boss is my son-in-law. I hope he can build a majestic city, enough to control the north. Isn't this the big eagle you mentioned just now? As a big eagle, but doing some small things, it hurts your reputation. .” "Hmm." Chang An suddenly put down the cup and fell silent. "Having said so much, I'm afraid it will backfire." "I don't want to change my original intention. The mines from Echigo to Sado are gradually moving away from the mine veins. At that time, the caution of adults is the most important. God's evil hands show great power... This is my humble opinion." Okubo Changan eats Masamune's mind was approved.Masamune has always been wary of Chang'an.Because Ieyasu said that Chang'an's team was too extravagant, Masamune always suspected him of seeking personal gain. From Chang'an's point of view, it was absurd to think like this—Ieyasu was on guard against Date Masamune, and I, Okubo Chang'an, was Ieyasu's confidant.Ieyasu let Zhonghui marry Date Masamune's daughter, isn't it because he is wary of Masamune?Ieyasu knew very well that Masamune's favorite was Goro Hachime, the eldest daughter of the main family. Marrying this daughter to Zhonghui was equivalent to taking a hostage from Date Masamune's family. This hostage was the same as being held hostage in Osaka Castle. The Chihime has the same value.For this reason, Zhonghui had to be placed beside Zhonghui with someone who was as resourceful as Masamune and could see through all of Masamune's plans in order to feel at ease.And it was I, Okubo Changan, who was chosen to be the boss.During this period, I, Chang'an, was gradually bewildered by Masamune, but this was also because Masamune valued himself.But at this moment, Masamune has doubts about me! "Mutsu Mori-sama, you also know that Kamisou-sama will soon become an extraordinary daimyo with an annual salary of 500,000 koku, right?" "Yes, both the Imperial Palace and the general have expressed their intentions." "Then, my lord, please restrain yourself a little." "Ishimi Mori, you can't say that. Building a strong city in Takata is not only to contain Date and Uesugi in the north, but also to be afraid of Hokuriku." "Haha, in order to deter father-in-law, let son-in-law..." "Exactly. When the city is built, Zhengzong will definitely be surrounded. How can it be said that he has no doubts about me? In fact, he has a lot of suspicion about me!" Chang An was still smiling.Indeed, Ieyasu will entrust those who already have doubts with important tasks first, to confuse them, and if they see an opportunity, they will surely hit them. "Mutsu Mori-sama, even if you don't say this, you have already become attached to my master." "That's why I must live up to the Great Imperial Palace." "Chang'an also wants to get closer to your lord." Chang'an said sarcastically, but Zhengzong immediately agreed: "Shi Jianshou, good! You and I have become a little estranged recently, we have to take care of face!" "This...my lord's words are more and more surprising to me. Is it possible that I have done something that made my lord unhappy recently? My lord, please think about it, Chang'an is the retainer of Mr. Zhonghui, the chief executive of Matsudaira." Chang'an suddenly raised his voice, and looked look around.Masamune's words really caught him by surprise and astonishment. Masamune began to drink, his face still expressionless, not knowing what he was thinking.Maybe he saw that Chang An was getting restless, but he wanted to show calm instead. "Master Mutsu Mori, you seem to be hiding something from me." Chang'an wiped the sweat from his forehead, "There has been some estrangement between Chang'an and Master Mutsu Mori recently, so we can't just talk about it like this. If you distance yourself from the general, then Yida will be endangered. What do you think?" "Well, it's all damage." "This is not a joke. If Chang'an really seeks personal gain, deliberately avoids Sado's mine veins when mining, deliberately makes the team lively, and hides gold and silver in women's suitcases, so be it." "There's one more, Shi Jianshou, the joint signature!" "Even if there is still that. The world is talking about it, but I don't know what the general and the Imperial Palace think?" "..." "Chang'an was cheated by Date after all. This is the difference between the big eagle and the shrike - the one who is being targeted is actually an adult." Date Masamune shivered, looked at Chang'an, and continued to drink in silence. "Your Excellency is called the big vulture and the one-eyed dragon. He is feared by the world. How can he stay under the people for a long time? Chang'an was ordered by Yida to embezzle gold and silver for himself, and encouraged Yida's son-in-law to go to the chief minister and cause trouble. Okubo Chang'an can drive away with a wave of his hand, but the big eagle can't do it. So Chang'an never thought of coercing the big eagle with a mere shrike. If something big happens, but the lord blindly conceals it from Chang'an, can Xia'an catch it without a fight? " "..." "As long as Chang'an has breath, he will continue to fight with others. The only way to prevent himself from being blown away by the strong wind is to reveal everything that happened around the big eagle..." Masamune laughed. "Sorry, said something that made adults laugh." "However, your words are really interesting, I am speechless. Is there any secret around Masamune that shocked the general?" "I found some." Chang'an also wanted to laugh, but his cheeks were quite stiff, "It's enough to surprise the general by admiring the foreign religion belief secretly in the inner room of Mr. Zongjie." Masamune's one-eyed sparkle stared at Chang'an. "Your Excellency seems to have forgotten the relationship between Sodero and Chang'an." Okubo Chang'an seemed determined to confront Masamune head-on.His eyes were red and his lips were pale. "Sodero believes that Chang'an is more greedy than Mutsu Mori-sama. Maybe what he means is that Chang'an is actually Mutsu Mori-sama's loyal confidant." "Ishi Jianshou, these words stop here." "It's hard to talk about it being so interesting. This is Chang'an's delicacy!" "Well." "Sodero originally thought that the most scheming person in the world was Master Dayusuo, but later he found out that he was wrong. There is another person who is not inferior to Dayusuo, Sodero..." "That guy is the best at seeing the wind and steering the rudder." "No matter what the adults say, when Sodero said this, his whole body was cold. Yes, there are still wise men in the world..." "..." "In Japan, there is only one way to win the world, and that is to use the wind blowing from the sea. Sodero said this, but I still don't understand it. Sodero once said that if the missionaries sent by Francis If you gather all of them, you can overthrow the shogunate in an instant. With this in mind, Mutsu Mori-sama made his daughter believe in religion. Of course, expanding the influence of foreign religions in your territory will prevent the common people from There was a riot with the attendants. Hearing Sodero's words, Chang'an remembered the riots in Nobunaga's time, and felt sorry for him. "Sodero's idea was the same as that of Mitsusa at Honganji Temple at that time. He wanted to use the strong rope of foreign religion to connect the whole of Japan, and carve out the two gems of Hideyori from Osaka and Matsudaira from Edo. Then incite believers to revolt in the daimyo who believe in foreign religions. At that time, the daimyo who support him will be united and united against each other. For them, this war is more sacred than launching a riot. There is another As a matter of fact, because of Sodero's plea, the king of Banguo will continue to send warships equipped with cannons, and there will be chaos in Japan again. Who will be the master of the world at this time? Toyotomi Hideyori and Tokugawa Tadaki; Or Date Masamune..." Speaking of this, Chang'an finally burst out laughing, "Haha! This is exactly the eagle's dream that Sodero told Chang'an. But the eagle seems to have encountered some troubles. Of course, the eagle has no real belief, it His ambition is to expand the territory. But unexpectedly, Ling Ai's belief is very persistent, and the eagle may not be able to handle it." Chang'an thought, of course Date Masamune had to say something.But Zhengzong didn't say anything, Chang'an took a closer look, he seemed to be dozing off. Okubo Chang'an saw that Masamune was absent-minded, so he stretched out the cup to Mrs. Chun and asked her to pour wine.The woman had already dozed off.I heard that Masamune also had difficulty dealing with this woman, so he had to call Bruki Leon from Asakusa Shiyakuin every so often, and ask him to use the method of foreign teaching.Thinking of this, Chang'an suddenly felt at ease in his heart: How wonderful is man, who likes women and power, also likes fine wine and gold, and also likes "God"! "Mrs. Chun, your lord seems to be tired. Is your chronic disease getting better recently?" The language of the two is completely incomparable.After Chang An finished asking, he laughed out loud.When the woman heard this, she gracefully turned her head to the side, her watery eyes fluttered, she was very cute. If Zhengzong didn't know what happened just now, that's all.But Sodero said that it was indeed Masamune's plan. As long as he reported it in this way, Ieyasu would be fine, and General Hidetada would be extremely nervous.The second-generation general is extremely sensitive to the movement in Osaka, and is also very concerned about the world's evaluation of Zhonghui.Zhengzong, who seemed calm and composed, would never stop thinking about it. Maybe he was secretly scolding Sodero for talking too much... Changan gritted his teeth in remorse, sitting on pins and needles, thinking of countermeasures. At this moment, the dozing Zhengzong moved his body, opened his eyes, and said, "Ah, I'm so rude!" "My lord doesn't seem to listen to Chang'an's words?" "Yes. But it doesn't matter, I haven't heard anything." "Then, what else does your lord want?" "Wuhe. Come, have another drink!" "Oh?" "Yes. I still can't tell the difference between the dream and the real world. But I really have nothing to say to you." "So, my lord is going to give up Chang'an?" "No. Your plan is much bigger than I thought, and your desire is even stronger. You are the eagle, and I am the bird." "Oh, your Excellency did a great job. So be it." "Okay. You brought a small green box, and multicolored smoke came out of that box, and dissipated into the void with a whistling sound. At the place where the smoke disappeared, a dirty one-eyed old man sat blankly. Shi See Shou, am I not the same as I woke up from a dream? I feel bad." After Zhengzong said, he poured out the cup and drank it. Chang'an is a little proud, but there is still something unsatisfactory in his heart.The box of ambition hidden in Masamune's heart has been covered with many layers of lids. Chang'an has to pry deeper into it. If he doesn't make up his mind to try, he will never know the truth.As long as Masamune is alive, that ambition box will not be destroyed nor buried.It can be said that since Zhengzong was born, it was the fate that followed him like a shadow.But tonight's Masamune seemed too timid. "Let's stop talking about this." He kept repeating this, appearing ambiguous, as if he wanted to give up. "Mutsu Mori-sama, you've gone too far." "What?" "You're pretending to be crazy. Based on your attitude, Chang'an will conclude that you have given up the fight, and you may have to rely on others." "Hey! You can't tell the difference between dream and reality, just let it go." "In this way, your lord intends to keep silent and let the next person spit out his bitterness here?" "Ishi Jianshou, I might as well just say it straight." "All my ears and ears." "Actually, I heard some news from my little girl." "In your love's mouth?" "Yes. A woman from your mine came to her and said something." "Women in the mines?" "Exactly. According to that woman, you want to support Mr. Shang as the ruler of the world, so you have been saving military pay for it. The rest is exactly as you said... There is actually gold hidden in the woman's suitcase. The woman came here specially to tell us that we must act carefully, and we must not let Mr. Shang become suspicious." Chang An breathed a sigh of relief, "Oh." "Be careful. Once rumors arouse other people's interest, their ambitions will continue to expand, just like the Sodero people you mentioned just now." Chang'an laughed loudly, "Hahaha! Then please think about it, my lord. There are many ways to refute rumors. Haha! It turns out that my lord is alienating Chang'an because of the rumor. Don't worry, my lord! Haha!" Zhengzong still looked clueless, just blindly persuaded him to drink, and then sent him to Chang'an.Following Zhengzong's advice, Chang'an put the joint letter back into the small box, promising not to misunderstand it again. Chang'an was as at ease on the way home as ever.He found several excuses for gold rolling out of the women's luggage: many women worked in the mines and accumulated a lot of gold and silver.They deliberately dumped their luggage on the ground in crowded places.In this way, people will envy them. "There are banshees in the mines. They all live in the mountains and live a wealthy life. If these words are spread, those greedy people will be moved. In this way, mining in the mountains will become popular for a while." After Chang'an left, Masamune could not help but sigh.In his opinion, Chang'an is indeed a person worthy of attention.His temperament is similar to that of Hideyoshi.Masamune found him very interesting, but at the same time he was wary of him. Chang'an finally failed to pry into Masamune's true heart.Masamune deliberately said something to embarrass him for the simple reason that he did not want to sign the joint signature, but the joint signature had something to do with Masamune. Masamune used Chang'an and at the same time was full of vigilance against him for only one reason: one of Chang'an's wives and concubines was related by blood to Honami Koetsu.Koetsu's father, Koji, was Tokugawa's confidant.Regardless of whether Guangyue himself was aware of it or not, although the father and son went in and out of the mansions of famous names in the world, they only showed special respect for Ieyasu.Gu Zhengzong wanted to find out what happened to Ah Xing.He gradually discovered that Ah Xing was different and had a strong personality. She had a crush on her cousin Guangyue, but her parents let Guangyue marry her sister.However, the recent death of both Axing's sister and her daughter caused a huge wave in Axing's heart.Unpredictable life and obsession often make Ah Xing depressed: If you know that your sister will die early, why not marry Guangyue yourself!A woman's obsession is the same as a man's ambition, and it is not so easy to extinguish.After following Chang'an, even Ah Xing hated himself. Chang'an has a straightforward temperament, drinking and having fun as always.Once drunk, he will reveal secrets.He didn't have to die on the battlefield, but only spent his days at banquets. Because of the wine, he developed a habit of talking big.Ah Xing is very clear about Chang'an's actions, and he must also know the details of the joint petition. Another matter that worried Masamune was the recent incident at the Moto-Ami family.Guangyue's mother, Miaoxiu, married Guang'er, and turned around to help her natal brothers, so as to closely link the two families.Guangyue's wife was Miaoxiu's niece, and Guangyue's younger sister married Miaoxiu's nephew. But Guang Er is no longer alive, and now Guang Yue's wife and daughter have died one after another, and the bond connecting the two families has gradually weakened.Guangyue, who is good at making friends, does not want to be in the industry, and has the support of Kaga Maeda Toshinaga, and is currently actively working for the shogunate... If this is the case, Ah Xing next to Chang'an will be even more impatient.If Ah Xing returns, everyone will agree to marry Ah Xing to Guangyue, and the two families will become one again. Thinking of this, Zhengzong clapped his hands and ordered the maid to serve the wine again.On the surface, he still looks expressionless like a rock, but he has breathed a sigh of relief in his heart: he cannot relax his vigilance towards Chang'an and Ah Xing, because once Ah Xing leaves Chang'an and returns to the capital, he will confide his secret to Guangyue. There will be an uproar...