Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

When Torii Motochu was overjoyed at attracting a large number of enemies to Fushimi Castle, Ishida Mitsunari was also secretly alarmed at continuously gaining allies.According to Huiqiong's plan, Mao Li Hui Yuan was brought into the camp, and from the moment he was ushered into Osaka Castle, San Cheng was extremely disturbed.The hostage incident that he single-handedly planned was a complete failure. If he had commanded in front of the battle, it would have been embarrassing.Since he has retired from the position of executive, Masuda Nagamori and Nagatsu Masaka can only be asked to act on his behalf.As a result, this thought was noticed by one of his most valued hostages, Mrs. Akechi, the wife of Tadakashi Hosokawa, and his plan was finally ruined.Thinking of this, Sancheng gritted his teeth with hatred.

He had already calculated that he would try every means to convince people that "everything is for the Toyotomi family" and detain the generals' family members in Osaka City, everything would be a piece of cake.As a result, due to Mrs. Hosokawa's resistance, the resistance burned like a raging fire. Not only did they fail to gather the hostages in the city, but they also erected bamboo fences around each mansion and sent a large number of troops to monitor them.Sancheng was stunned.The mansions of the generals in Osaka communicated more frequently with the Kanto, and the left-behind samurai became more resentful.

If he hadn't won so many people as he wished, 30% would definitely not be able to allocate troops to besiege Fushimi.Mrs. Hosokawa's fierce resistance changed the situation of the battle. "Report! Sakuzaemon-sama Antaka has something to report." In the West Garden of Osaka City, after completing the siege of Fushimi Castle, Sancheng finally breathed a sigh of relief. He had just finished discussing with the generals when he heard the report from the guards. Sancheng ordered Takano Koshichu and Oyama Hoki to attack Fushimi on his behalf, while he stayed in Osaka with Masuda and Nagatsu to assist Mori.

"Sakuzaemon is back?" "Yes. He said he would report the matter of the Hosokawa Mansion to the Lord." "Come in, please." Sancheng's face changed drastically, and all kinds of situations of Mrs. Hosokawa's staunch resistance appeared before her eyes again. As soon as he saw Sancheng, An Zakuzaemon said, "I heard that Fushimi Castle has been surrounded, congratulations." He saluted respectfully, leaned forward, and sat up straight, "This is really an accident." "Accident? Are you talking about the Hosokawa Mansion?" "Exactly. As my lord ordered, I carefully inspected the burnt Hosokawa Mansion and asked those survivors seriously."

"You mean, the matter of the hostages has been leaked beforehand?" "Yes. One of the leakers is Lord Masuda Nagamori, and the other is probably Kodaiin. In short, on the morning of the 13th, a foreign believer named Chakong came out of Kodaiin mansion with Axiu and went to Hosokawa. Ma'am to say hello." "Axiu is gone too?" "Yes. But they may be trying to persuade Mrs. Hosokawa to hand over the hostages." "The result is not the same!" Sancheng reprimanded loudly, "Say it! Tell me carefully!" He was cursing, irritatingly.He is well aware that Masuda Changsheng has an ambiguous attitude and is good at adapting to the wind.Because of this, he didn't give the family members of Hosokawa Tadake, Kato Kiyomasa and others time to think about it.Once they became suspicious, they immediately deceived them into imprisonment on the pretext that Mrs. Dian invited them to drink tea.

"It will become more and more important in the future. We must find out everything about our allies in advance. You first talk about what you found." "Of order!" Sakuzaemon Ataka squinted his eyes and pondered for a moment, as if he was thinking about where to start. After a long time, he said cautiously: "We have to start with the only survivor of Hosokawa Prefecture. This person is The maid next to Madam Hosokawa is named Shuangnv..." On the morning of July 13, Mrs. Hosokawa Tadake finished her service and quietly opened the "Bible" given by her master Fu Laier Vasan in her room.The strong woman who was once praised by Oda Nobunaga as the platycodon flower is now thirty-eight years old.Since the mutiny at the Honnoji Temple, she has left the mortal world.Probably because of serving God wholeheartedly, her appearance has become a little more pure, and she looks at most thirty years old.

There was incense on the desk, Mrs. Hosokawa was writing foreign words with a quill pen in her hand, bowing her head in thought from time to time.Her innocent eyes make her look unearthly. "Ma'am, Cha Kong from Gaotaiyuan came to visit." Shuang Nu suddenly came to report. Mrs. Azhu was puzzled.She was not sick, but the other party actually claimed to come to visit. "She really said she came to visit me?" "yes." "Maybe it's to comfort my loneliness. Please hurry up." Hosokawa Tadake, his eldest son Tadaka, and his second son Xingqiu all set off with Ieyasu, and the third son Tadori was sent to Edo as a hostage.The other two concubines also gave birth to several daughters, all of whom are married.Mrs. Azhu was lonely.She gently put the Bible into the box and waited for the guests to come in.

Zha Kongben has the same beliefs as Mrs. Azhu, and visits secretly from time to time. "I'm sorry to disturb Madam early in the morning." A woman who was nearly forty years old came in after Shuang Nu, with a serious expression on her face.As soon as he entered the door, Zhakong introduced his companion to his wife: "This is the lady's maid of Gaotaiyuan who came with me on the same boat, named Axiu." Madam saw Axiu for the first time, but Chakong didn't let Axiu speak. "Your Majesty Jibu Shaofu has entered Osaka Castle, and soon, Lord Mori will also come in."

Mrs. Azhu nodded silently.Sancheng had always been at odds with Hosokawa, and when she heard that Sancheng had entered the city, she probably guessed what would happen. "Madam Gaotaiyuan is in the capital, how can she know this?" "It seems that Jinwu Zhongnayan discussed this matter with Mrs. Gaotaiyuan. Isn't that right, Axiu?" "Yes." Axiu just nodded slightly. "Madam must also know that Master Jinwu's elder brother, Master Kinoshita, is in Fushimi. Once a war breaks out, the two brothers will turn against each other. Perhaps because of worrying about this, Master Jinwu went to discuss with Mrs. Kodaiin. Kodaiin has the grace to raise his adopted son Xiuqiu. At first, Hideyoshi didn’t want Hideaki to be the adopted son of the Kobayakawa family of the Mori branch, but wanted him to be the adopted son of the Mori main family. But Takakage Kobayakawa didn’t want outsiders to inherit the family business, so he had no choice but to make it a good thing.”

"What advice does Madam Gaotaiyuan have for you?" "Just let me inform Madam about this matter. Madam Gao Taiyuan also said that Madam has far-reaching thoughts and must have a way to deal with it." Mrs. Azhu put her hands on the ground and bowed gracefully: "Thank you for telling me." Shuangnv only heard this, because soon after, Ogasawara Shaoshai, the general who stayed behind, came to call her.Shuangnv hurried to the kitchen.There, she heard from Shaozhai and Hebei Shijian that 30% wanted to take hostages.Hosokawa Mansion is located in Tamzo.When Shuangnv appeared in Pachuya, apart from Ogasawara Shosai and Hebei Ishimi, the musket instructor Inatomi Yigashu was also in the room, and the three were discussing the hostage matter.

Shaozhai and others called Shuangnv here not just because there were guests.Hosokawa Tadake is very jealous and hates that men come and go in and out of his wife's room when he is not around.Veterans have always been very careful, and it has become a custom in the mansion to convey matters through the maids. After Shuangnv came in, Inatomi Igamori went out.Inatomi Igamori, with a salary of one thousand stones, is proficient in muskets and is well-known throughout the world. His disciples include Ishida Mitsunari's retainers and Masuda Nagamori's subordinates. "A Shuang, there was a message from Masuda's residence, and we immediately asked Mr. Iga Mori to help investigate. You know, among Iga's disciples are Ishida retainers..." Shuangnv interrupted him and said, "Are you referring to the Lord's matter?" "No." Shaozhai said, "Ishida Jibu wants his wife to be his hostage." "Madam as a hostage?" "Yes. You also know your lord's temperament. Even if the Taige ordered him, he would never hand over his wife. Even after the war in the Honnoji Temple, your lord only confined his wife in the Sanhu wild mountain." "The slaves are clear about these things." "It's the same when I was invited to participate in the Daigo Flower Viewing Party. My lord said that after my wife is Akechi, I can't go out. Now Sancheng wants to let her be a hostage." "If you refuse..." "Of course they will come to arrest people by force. After the guests go, can you report this to Madam and ask Madam what she means?" Only then did Shuangnv understand the purpose of Zha Kong's visit today—it seemed that something serious was about to happen, so she said, "Of course it depends on Madam's wishes. Do you have any good ideas?" After speaking, she immediately regretted it.She knew that no matter what the veterans said, Madam would not be moved by them.Although Madam is usually kind and kind, once she realizes the truth, she won't listen to Zhongxing's words.She will not care about contradicting her husband, and will not give an inch.The feisty Mrs. Azhu and Gaotaiyuan can be called the twin walls of the world. Whether Madam is happy or not, even Shuangnv doesn't know.Although she knows Zhongxing loves his wife deeply.But this kind of love is not so much the true feelings from the heart, as it is the monopoly of the beauty.Maybe Madam is alive and strong in the struggle, but how will she deal with this incident? Shuangnv hurried back to the lady's room, just as the guest was about to leave.Their topics are the same as usual, they are all related to faith, and nothing unusual. "Welcome again." Madam made the sign of the cross and sent the guests out of the gate. At this time, Shuangnv felt her face stiff and said, "Madam, Ogasawara and Hebei are worried that Ishida Jibu will soon send someone to ask you to enter the city as a hostage." .” Madam glanced at Shuangnv, then sat in front of the desk and flipped through the book. "Of course this is not Madam's business alone. He will hold all the hostages who are going to the east. What should we do?" "The Zhibu and my lord have always been at odds, so they will definitely come here first." "yes." "If you go to someone else's house first, it's okay to say, come here first, we should set an example, you can tell Shaozhai and Shi Jian like this." Madam's tone was calm and firm. "Yes." Shuang Nu hurriedly conveyed the meaning of Madam to Shao Zhai and Shi Jian.In fact, they already had a draft: "When the government sent people to ask for hostages, we said that there was no one to hand over. Both the eldest son and the second son have already marched eastward, and the third son has gone to Edo as a hostage. If they make things difficult for others, then Please go to Empress Tang and let the old man be the hostage. Besides, you also need to wait for the lord’s order, so as to procrastinate. With such an answer, I don’t know what Madam thinks?” Shuang Nu went back to report to Madam, but Madam said without hesitation: "That's it." Afterwards, the Sancheng Department sent envoys one after another, even saying: "There are no hostages? Isn't there a wife?" Moreover, they even entrusted Chakong to order his wife to enter the city immediately.In the end, they threatened to send someone to arrest the wife. Shuangnv went back and forth between her wife and the veteran dozens of times. Every time, the lady made the cross with her hand and calmly refused: "I will never go." Hearing Madam's answer, Shuang Nu was not very surprised.She understands that Madam's heart is like a rock.In order to avoid being accused of rashness and arbitrariness, and to avoid reprimand from her husband, the wife has dealt with him patiently and made everyone in the family fully aware of Sancheng's arbitrariness before she flatly rejected him. At this time, swords are on the verge of breaking out. If Madam is not willing to be a hostage, 30% of them may break into the house, and Madam has already expected it.When the time comes, will the family members kill the wife, or will they resolutely resist in order to protect the wife?Shuangnv wanted to be embarrassed.Madam smiled silently: "It's not enough to rely on you to run errands, call Shaozhai." "Have you decided what to do?" The madam smiled again: "Call the young lady. I have something to say to her." "Could it be that the two ladies want to die with the mansion?" "Young Madam is the young lady of the Maeda family, and I am from the wise family. Although they are all women, their origins and fates are different. I am honored to be favored by the adults to carry this burden. The burden is not all misfortune. Hurry up, Call Shao Zhai first." Shuangnv's eyes were moist—the madam had the desire to die. "Quick, go!" "As ordered." Ogasawara Shaozhai was called to the outside room, and his wife said in a more decisive tone than the man: "I want to be a role model for those who stay behind, and tell the messenger that I will never enter the city." Ogasawara Shaosai seemed to have already understood her determination, and said: "I obey. Just now, I have asked Inatomi Igamori to inquire, saying that Jibu Shaosuke has sent someone to come here." "Oh? In order for my lord to understand the truth, let someone write a letter quickly and let Shuangnu take it out. After all, she is just a maidservant." "This..." Ai Ai said during the fasting period, "Isn't it more appropriate after Madam commits suicide?" Frost Girl's whole body was stiff as she listened to the conversation between the two.Madam's tone was very firm, and her attitude was extremely serious.After hearing this, an uninformed person thought that Shaozhai had long been looking for an opportunity to force his wife to commit suicide. "Master Ogasawara, I will not commit suicide." Madam calmly replied, "My faith does not allow me to commit suicide. You must be very clear about this." Shao Zhai nodded with a complicated expression.Does the lady not want to die?This doubt lingered in his heart. Madam smiled and said, "I must borrow your hand to die." "Ah?" Shaozhai suddenly became flustered, "This is absolutely not allowed. If you kill the mistress with your own hands, if you do such a thing, then I... I, Xiaogasawara Shaoshai, violated the morals of my retainers." Shuangnv almost felt overwhelmed.Of course Shao Zhai's words made sense, and in this case, Madam could laugh it off. But the madam showed confusion on her face, "This is what I am most worried about." "Please understand my grievances. The current situation is different. The Jibu rebelled for no reason. Madam's behavior will directly affect the honor and disgrace of Hosokawa's family. This time, Madam is asked to commit suicide. Of course, I will personally intervene for Madam." Madam stared at her hands in frustration, falling into deep sorrow, this was the first time Shuangnv saw such a situation.Why does the lady look so sad?Whether it is suicide or homicide, it is a "death".Madam only needs to pick up the dagger and stab her throat or chest, but... Not long after, Madam turned to Shao Zhai again: "I can't violate my faith, I'd better escape." "Madam, what did Madam say?" "I don't want to die, I want to escape, so you have to kill me. Your morality is also preserved." Madam laughed again, "It is a mistake to think that a wise daughter died vigorously. Father For such a person, my daughter died equally cowardly. Even if later generations write about me like this, I am very open-minded. My lord forbids suicide, so I had no choice but to escape. As a last resort, you had no choice but to kill me. In this way, your morality is not Keep it?" Only then did Shuangnv know why his wife was lamenting.It turned out that there was a fierce conflict between Shaozhai's Bushido and his wife's beliefs. Outside the screen, Shaozhai grabbed his clothes and trembled all over.The crisis is approaching step by step, and the army sent by Sancheng and others will immediately surround the mansion and arrest the wife without any explanation.Before the enemy arrived, the wife was going to die, and Shaozhai himself was going to die too, because the two had conflicting ways of dying... Finally, Frost Girl couldn't stand the suffocating atmosphere, and wanted to stand up quietly.At this moment, the lady smiled: "Whether it is flowers or red leaves, I always miss the moment before leaving the branch, but after landing, don't they all turn into dust? I know this, but Still making things difficult for you, please forgive my willfulness. I just want to keep my lord's reputation. I think you understand. I can't open my heart to my lord in my life. I am lonely, cold, and always keep a distance from my husband. Unable to bear the loneliness, I fell into the arms of God. Ah, sometimes I even ask myself, am I God’s man or my husband’s man?” Frost Girl was numb and unable to stand up.The lady poured out all her hidden misfortunes, and she must have wanted to throw herself into the arms of her husband more than into the arms of God.But Zhongxing didn't realize his wife's hope, he was always busy with his work.He claims that he loves his wife the most, but turns his love into jealousy and surveillance. "Your Excellency doesn't even understand why I joined the Catholic Church. I don't want to violate the canon. Do you understand, Shao Zhai? No matter what, I will never commit suicide, so you have to kill me." After finishing speaking, she laughed again. Shao Zhai took a step forward: "I understand. It seems that Shao Zhai is too stubborn." "Stubborn?" "Bushido is not so stingy. Out of belief, Madam can't commit suicide. Although it's a big treason, Shao Zhai has no choice but to accept Madam's request." "You agreed?" "Yes. Please don't worry. Shaozhai will never let the enemy see his wife's remains, he will burn them clean." At this moment, Hebei Shijian came to the room in a panic and said that his wife had disappeared. "Disappeared?" Madam exclaimed.After that, she immediately changed her mouth again, saying: "Great. This is great!" In an emergency, the young lady was able to escape!The enemy seems to have scruples about Maeda Toshinaga's sister, but Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter has nowhere to escape.This is really a vast world of ridicule! "It seems that Zhibu's intentions are very clear. They are determined to capture Madam, get ready!" After the two of them withdrew, Madam said to Shuangnv: "Listen, what is that sound? Is it a horse?" "It seems to be. It seems that they really surrounded the mansion." "The deployment of the mansion has been completed. The main entrance is guarded by Inatomi Iga, and it will not be easily breached. I will write a suicide note now, and you will go quietly to Tango and have them handed over to your lord and Yoichiro. Once you fight outside, Please ask Shi Jian to inform me quietly." "yes." "Don't cry! You should have thought of such a decision a long time ago. You have to open your eyes wide, so that you can take a look at this catastrophe." "Yes... Madam, please write quickly." Shuangnv was already sobbing. It was dark all around, and Shuangnv couldn't see Madam clearly. Madam sat in front of the table, and Shuang Nu brought her a candlestick.After turning on the lamp, Shuangnv felt even more depressed.Madam's demure profile reminded her of many things.The wife began to be interested in foreign religions, which was completely influenced by her husband's close friend Takayama Ukon.After the mutiny at the Honnoji Temple, Ukon often visited the Zhongxing couple and explained the teachings of foreign religions to them.At the beginning, the husband and wife didn't care much, and soon Zhongxing showed disgust, but his wife's interest continued to deepen, and even made Shuangnv fearful.Takayama Ukon is handsome and suave, no less than the handsome man in the painting.Perhaps out of jealousy towards You Jin, Zhong Xing became more and more disgusted with foreign religions.As a result, my wife continued to study the teachings of foreign religions, which must be out of resistance.This is the Hosokawa couple, one is impatient and restless; the other is careless and serious on purpose.But now, in a few hours, Madam will leave this world... "Hide it well in your bun." Madam handed the suicide note to Shuangnv, trying to listen to the movement outside.The main entrance of the mansion seems to have been captured. A rush of footsteps came from the corridor, not Ogasawara Shosai, but Hebei Iwami, "Ma'am, Inatami Iga has defected to the enemy." "Iga betrayed?" "Yes. I don't know what drug the envoy poured into him. He has opened the door and said that Madam is going to talk directly with the envoy. Madam, please make a quick decision." "I've made a decision a long time ago. What is the reason for Iga to do such a thing?" "The other party instigated that Iga Mamoru is proficient in guns. He should not only serve the Hosokawa family, but benefit the world. Iga seems to be tempted." "Iga in the world can't die for Hosokawa alone, right?" "This...he left the mansion after he let the attacking enemy in. Unexpectedly, he cherishes skills, but not virtue. He is really a villain who adapts to the wind and eats inside and outside!" "Okay. So what about Shao Zhai?" "He is directing his family to defend against the enemy in front." "Then act quickly. You first try to send Shuangnv out, and then let Shaozhai come back here to witness my departure." "Obey!" The attacking enemies seem to have poured into the gate and are fighting with retainers near the gate.During the roar, the sound of blades colliding could be heard from time to time.Madam stood up, walked quietly to the window, sat down, and tied her long hair on her head. "Holy Virgin Mary, Cressina will gladly come to your side." Madam suddenly felt that her husband Zhongxing's face appeared in front of her eyes in an instant. "Even if it is a god, San Zhai will fight him without hesitation..." Just as Madam was drawing a cross and muttering to herself, Shuang Nu rushed over and threw herself on her lap, crying bitterly: "Madam, Please think again. I heard that if you hate Osaka Castle, you can go to the mansion of Ukita-sama. Ukita-sama is your relative..." Before Shuangnv could finish speaking, the lady interrupted her: "No! Although Ukita's Hachiro is of the same clan as me, isn't he still with Jibu? What if he goes there, why not as a hostage? I She is the wife of Hosokawa Sansai!" At this time, there was another sound of hurried footsteps, the partition fan was pushed away, and a person entered the outside room.This person was holding a large naginata, and it was Ogasawara Shosai who was defending against the enemy's attack just now. "It's Shaozhai, I'm sorry to trouble you." Madam said.Shao Zhai threw the knife aside, rushed into the inner room, and put his hands on the ground. "It's really distressing. I didn't expect that Inatomi Iga opened the door..." Madam's crisp voice interrupted him: "Stop talking! Yihe has his own plans, so you can forgive him. I want to know if Young Madam is really not in the mansion anymore?" "Yes, these are also beyond my expectations." "No, I didn't mean to blame you. I just wanted to ask. Although she wanted to stay, it would be too sad if she really died. Let's do it." Under the urging of his wife, Shaozhai raised the knife.Hebei Shijian's shadow has disappeared, no matter what, no one will be allowed to disturb him at this time. "Please excuse Shaozhai's rudeness." Shaozhai pulled out the knife suddenly, and for a moment, he was stunned.Only then did he realize that he had unknowingly entered the inner room of his wife, which the lord strictly prohibited him from entering.Shao Zhai took a step back and said: "This is not acceptable. No matter what time, I must not disobey the Lord's order. Madam, please come out." Madam immediately understood what Shao Zhai meant.It's really sad to think about it. A person who is about to die is still bound by jealousy and commandments, and cannot choose to die by herself... But she is happy after all, being protected by God and cherished by her fanatical husband... "Ok?" "Okay." Shao Zhai responded, swung his knife, and approached the threshold, again remaining silent.The space by the door was so small that it was impossible to swing a knife.The enemy is getting closer and closer. Inviting my wife outside means that I have been in the same room with my wife.Shao Zhai's heart broke, and he said: "Please forgive me for being rude. Could you please open your chest and clothes, Madam." "Oh?" "Because of the narrow space, I couldn't swing the knife. I had to stab Madam to death." "Okay. Is that all right?" The lady's beautiful skin made people dizzy, Shaozhai hurriedly looked away.I am afraid that apart from her husband, the madam will never let anyone see her body. "Shao Zhai will never let anyone see your remains. Madam, please rest assured." "Thank you. This way I will not betray God's teaching." "I'm sorry." Ogasawara Shaosai's voice trembled, and he stabbed the blade into his wife's heart. "Ma'am!" Shuang Nu yelled, rushing up desperately and throwing herself on Madam.But at this moment, there was no reaction on Madam's demure face, and she quietly fell to the side. Hebei Shijian came running wildly, splashing blood all the way, "Master Ogasawara, I can't stand it anymore. Oh, ma'am..." Ogasawara said: "Hurry up and bring the prepared gunpowder, and send Shuangnv out of the siege." "clear!" Frost Girl heard their conversation, but she had no time to think about what these words meant.Shi Jian raised one hand and yelled, two shirtless warriors ran over, evacuated a circle of yellow-brown powder around the lady, and evacuated the powder one by one into the courtyard. Hebei Shijian picked up Shuangnv and ran towards the kitchen like an arrow through the opposite corridor.At that moment, what caught Shuangnv's eyes was the figure of Ogasawara Shosai at the entrance of the outer room.He was sitting opposite his wife, with a calm expression on his face, and he was stabbing the dagger into his lower left abdomen. "Please let me go with Madam." Shuangnv felt that Shaozhai seemed to be saying such words to his wife, and the voice had even reached her ears. "I'm going to set the fire now, you hurry up and escape from the backyard while taking advantage of the chaos..." Shi Jian yelled.Before Shuangnu could react, a rocket flew onto the gunpowder that had just been sprinkled.Although no huge explosion was heard, the sprinting flames instantly turned into flames, and the feet were red. "Ah..." Suddenly there was a mournful cry.It was the screams of the rushing enemy soldiers who were swallowed by flames and retreated hastily. The remains of Mrs. and Shaozhai were instantly engulfed in flames.Shuangnv seemed to have lost her mind, desperately slapped the flames on her body, and ran towards the back door amidst the flames... Sakuzaemon Antaka said with no expression on his face: "I inspected the ruins carefully, and found another bone. I am afraid that Hebei Ishimi returned and threw himself into the sea of ​​fire. There are two or three other corpses... Wei Shuangnv escaped." Sancheng didn't say a word, only felt that Mrs. Hosokawa was laughing at him coldly somewhere.She resisted so violently that it must have had an effect on others.I am afraid that other people will not be outdone and rise up to resist.If they were not careful, they would commit suicide one after another, making the atmosphere even more terrifying.Moreover, the family members of Kato Kiyomasa and the family members of Kuroda Nagamasa and his son also fled back to the territory, and Sancheng's hostage plan was severely frustrated...