Chapter 10 Chapter Ten Attack on Odawara

After Hondasakuzaemon left Okazaki and came to Shunfu, he remained silent all day like a stone man. Tokugawa Hidetada set off from Kyoto on the seventeenth day of the first lunar month and returned to Sumfu on the twenty-fifth.At the same time, Mrs. Asahi's funeral was secretly held in Ruilong Temple.Sakuzaemon learned of Mrs. Asahi's death from Okubo Hikozaemon, but did not say a word about it. It is said that Mrs. Asahi passed away on the fourteenth day of the first lunar month, and that she went to Arima Hot Spring from Nandu to recuperate. After learning that she was dead, she returned to Juledi.However, because the expedition to Odawara was scheduled to start on the 21st, Toyotomi Hideyoshi decided to make up the funeral in the future.Mrs. Asahi's meeting with Xiuzhong and other matters were all hidden under the shadow of war preparations and were unknown.

The disgust of Mrs. Asahi among Tokugawa's retainers still persists.Because of this, on the day Hideyoshi and Hidetada met, the engagement of Oda Nobuo's daughter to Hidetada was not made public. "It's strange. Hosokawa Tadakashi has already told the lord about Guanbai's meeting with the young master in detail. Moreover, Ii Naomasa and Hosokawa have been inseparable until the engagement ceremony, but these things have not been announced. I heard that the clothes and The sword was also prepared by Madam and Taimasa, and they didn't mention it." Hikzaemon looked at Sakuzaemon with his usual questioning eyes, but Tsukuza let out a "Pooh" and turned his head away.

"Old man, do you think it's natural for them not to announce this? I thought I could help Guan Bai conquer Odawara because of this... Is Yan Zuo thinking wrong?" Sakusa still didn't look back, and said: "You are much better than your brother." As he muttered, Hikozaemon couldn't figure out what he was thinking.Is it because of the conquest of Odawara that everyone has no time to care about other things? Mrs. Asahi was buried in Tofuku Temple, Kyoto, and she was named Nanmingyuan Koshi Zongxu female layman.Her hurried life soon disappeared from people's memory, and everyone buried their heads in preparation for conquering Odawara.

Honda Zuzaemon also received a new order, and he will work with Honda Sado Shou Masanobu to ensure that Hideyoshi goes all the way.He silently accepted the order. While the family was busy, there were rumors: "I heard that the Lord has signed a secret agreement with Guanbai in Kyoto, and the Lord is to be the vanguard to attack Koidehara." "Nonsense! Isn't this right in Guan Bai's arms?" "No, because of this, Mrs. Hidetada was not used as a hostage after Madam passed away. And if Odawara is defeated, Guan Bazhou will be given to the Lord... Now, the Lord is very motivated."

When Sakuzaemon heard this, he just spat out "Pooh" and left quickly.For him, this battle of Odawara was his last allegiance.In fact, in his mind, he had removed the solemn word "loyalty".He wanted to give the lord his final help with open-mindedness and selflessness. If it wasn't for his loyalty to the lord, how could he be so loyal? Life should be like a tower.Even if being left would irritate Ieyasu or become a target of criticism from everyone in the family, he didn't care at all, and was determined to live happily according to his own nature.Otherwise, he would have lost to Shuzheng in his life!

Ishikawa Kazumasa might come here with Hideyoshi.No matter where you meet him, if Zuo Zuo only sneers all day long, you will definitely be ridiculed by others.Shusho said that it doesn't matter whether he devotes himself to Hideyoshi or to Ieyasu.The highest goal of Hideyoshi and Ieyasu is to unify the world and let all people live in peace, so no matter who they are loyal to. Sakuzaemon found this statement extremely ridiculous.How can a radish pretend to be a big tree?A radish is a radish. If you want to be a pillar, you are delusional. You have your own way of survival. Ieyasu spoke, but Zuo Zuo pretended not to hear, and deliberately turned his head to the side.Ieyasu seemed to have recognized his true nature, and only said: "You must let Guan Bai go all the way unimpeded."

When giving orders to Honda Sado Mamoru and Honda Tsukuru, Ieyasu didn't seem to expect Sakuzawa to answer. "When are you leaving?" Zuo Zuo asked rudely. "Leave from Kyoto on the first day of March." "What's the route like?" "Zuo Zuo, can you be quiet?" "If I calm down, will the marching route be changed?" Ieyasu smiled wryly, "Sado, please remember that too. Starting from Otsu, passing through Mt. Hachiman, Mt. Sawa, Ogaki, Kiyosu, Okazaki, Yoshida, Hamamatsu, Kakegawa, Tanaka, and finally to Sumpu." "yes."

"Zuo Zuo, you will also meet Guan Bai, so be careful when you speak." "I think the lord should know my nature well, so he assigned me such a task." "Are you here specifically to find trouble?" "That's not true. But I never grow fond of what I dislike." "You hate Guan Bai so much?" "I hate him from the bottom of my heart!" Since Sakusa said so, Ieyasu stopped talking with him, and instead gave detailed orders to Honda Sado Masanobu. In this battle, Ieyasu not only served as the vanguard, but also shouldered the important task of ensuring that Hideyoshi's army traveled safely to Odawara.Needless to say, Hideyoshi's army, if the soldiers of the Tokugawa clan had any conflicts with the troops of all the famous men gathered from all over the country on the way, it would be a big deal.

"The first one to set off was Miyoshi Chunayan Hideji who came from Hachiman Mountain in Jiangzhou, but the first to arrive in our territory should be Oda Uchifu Nobuo and Gamo Hida (da) Garrison Department. Then the navy... "Ieyasu closed his eyes, recalled, and continued, "Wakisaka Nakamo, Kuki Shima, Kato Samasuke, Nagasogabu Miyauchi Shaosuke led the fleet. After they landed in Enshu Imagiri, when Change boats in Qingshui. Fifty pack horses must be prepared for each post station. Additional horses must be prepared for each place where Guan Bai stays..." Ieyasu explained these things clearly to Sado, then looked at Yubi next to him and said: "Of course there are conflicts. But we don't want any disturbances here... Because of this, Sado, Zuo, I order: everything will be dispatched by Sado, Serve as the left supervisor. Again, do you understand?"

Zuo Zuo smiled.What happened next was unheard of. When there were only Sado and Sakuzuo left, Sakuzuo was about to stand up and leave when Sado called him back: "Lord Honda, please wait a moment." "Is there anything else?" "Yes. We haven't discussed anything yet." "There's nothing to discuss! Everything will be handled by you. My lord didn't let us work together because I expected something from me." "You put me in a difficult position when you say that." "Since it's difficult, why didn't you refuse? You complained when you accepted the job, aren't you the number one think tank of the Tokugawa family who wants to tell the master what to do?"

"My lord, why did you accept this errand?" "It will be difficult for you to drive out those disrespectful people who don't abide by the law, right? So, I just have to reprimand those people, and you don't have to be difficult." "Oh, that's why you accepted this mission?" "Then why did you accept it?" "I'm thinking that if the two of us work together, the enemy will not be able to take advantage of the situation and make people worry. I want to discuss it with you..." "My lord's taste is really strange. It's hard to obey. Hmph! I hate the kind of guy who talks about wisdom and strategy all day long. Whether it's Hideyoshi or you, I hate... Hmph! That's fine, you just go ahead Do what you want, I won't hinder you. I will scold those who can't be rude. Well, it's useless to say anything!" When Honda Sado Masanobu heard this, his face changed drastically.But he would not be impulsive, and replied solemnly: "Well, we are indeed an interesting pair." "Oh, you also know it's funny? How can we do it?" Zuo Zuo deliberately asked back. "This kind of beauty cannot be explained in a few words." "No, I can explain it in one sentence. In short, you nod your head and bow your head, show courteousness everywhere, and embarrass the lord; I will wipe your ass behind." "Am I embarrassing my lord?" "Hmph! You can lose your people at ease. In this way, there will be no such messy rumors that you are more powerful than the lord." Sado was taken aback, "Oh, I know what you're going to say." "That's right, that's what I'm talking about. You go everywhere to embarrass yourself, and I go around scolding people. Do we still need to discuss it?" After finishing speaking, Zuo Zuo left quickly. Hideyoshi's vanguard came to Mikawa, the number far exceeded Honda Sado's estimate, and things caught him off guard.The first to be in trouble was the vanguard led by Asano Danmasa, Shaobi Changzheng, who set off from Kyoto on February 28, the 18th year of Tensho. On the day of arriving in Sanhe, Changzheng stopped by the tea shed that Sado Shou had painstakingly set up at the post station, and happily said to a young guard who came out with tea, "I've made you bother. Are there tea sheds like this along the way?" "I don't know!" Zuo Zuo didn't wait for the guard to answer, and said without raising his head, "Anyway, it's just sightseeing." "What did the old man just say?" "I said I don't know! I don't know if the Hojo clan in Odawara will set up tea sheds along the road when they go straight to war." Nagamasa's face changed drastically, he managed to suppress his anger after finding out that this was the famous Honda Sakuzaemon. Honda Sado Mamoru had to go to a place farther than the scheduled place to meet him, as an apology. The same thing happened to Ishida Osamu Shosuke Mitsunari when he arrived.Mitsunari met Sakuzuo next to the Yahagi River Bridge at the entrance of Okazaki.He didn't know who it was, so he asked, "Is the pontoon bridge on Oi River ready?" "Pontoon bridge?" "Yes. I heard that I have already confessed to Dai Nagon of Shunfu." "So, Master Guan Bai wants to lure the enemy to Yuanjiang to fight? But I heard that this time I just came to visit Mount Fuji..." "Lure the enemy to Yuanjiang?" "That's right. The enemy can cross the bridge we can cross. If the bridge is built early in the morning, wouldn't the enemy attack it easily? Then we won't be able to visit Mount Fuji." Sancheng's face was livid, and the veins on his forehead were bruised, "I didn't ask you about traveling in the mountains and rivers and the enemy! I only asked you whether the pontoon bridge has been erected!" "Then let me tell you—no! You look young, but your ears are not good." "Okay, okay, go! Call the person in charge! You always have a person in charge, right?" "I talk and you don't listen—I'm the one in charge!" "This... So, you are Honda..." "Sakuzaemon! I would have told you as Zaemon: I'm not ready yet! Don't you think that the bridge that Kanbai is going to cross can be erected? You won't know until Kanbai arrives? You won't Fighting, not even making trouble!" Ishida Mitsunari was so angry that his whole body trembled, and he stood up from the tree, not daring to look at the old man again. Sado Honda had to try his best to guess Zuo Zuo's thoughts.Zuo Zuo yelled at the troops approaching, as if venting his anger at the vanguard.Of course, these things also reached the ears of Ieyasu who left Sunfu for Numazu, but he didn't say a word about it.In the Tokugawa army, there was a sudden discussion: "As expected of a ghost!" "It's really a bad breath for us!" "In contrast, Sado-sama..." "It's no wonder, he only uses his cleverness to serve the lord." Zuo Zuo didn't do anything, but was praised, and Sado was busy, but he was full of trouble.Sado thought to himself: This time, I have met a very capable person!You can't get angry with him face to face, otherwise it will arouse public anger... Apart from a wry smile, he only feels very frustrated. Before I knew it, spring came with the fragrance of the soil. On the first day of March in the eighteenth year of Tianzheng, Hideyoshi held a festival sword in his hand, crossed the newly erected three bridges and headed eastward, and the news spread quickly on the Tokaido.Hideyoshi's expedition this time was more imposing than the last Kyushu battle, and even the well-informed Kyoto people were shocked by it. On the day of the expedition, Hideyoshi's dress was very scary: wearing a flat cross Tang crown on his head, wearing a dazzling gold plate armor, his teeth were stained with black iron paste, his cheeks were covered with white powder, and his jaw was covered with bear hair false beard.Holding the bright red heavy rattan bow tributed by Xianshi Quanbing Wei Xiujiu in his hand, he inserted a single arrow in the gold-plated quiver.The two knives are made of gold, and the horns are inlaid with small beans in the shape of May figures.Flame-like bright red tassels hung from the back of the five-foot-seven-inch horse.Guan Bai crossed the three bridges solemnly, but it made people feel a little strange. When Sakuzaemon heard about this, he couldn't help laughing, and said, "There are monsters in broad daylight!" Matsudaira Izumoru scolded him and said: "As a leftist, be careful that misfortune comes out of your mouth!" Seeing Izu's serious expression, Zuo Zuo laughed more and more, "I think it's funny, of course I have to laugh, hmph, since the monsters are coming, we have to make some preparations. What is the lord going to send?" "You're joking too much." "Haha, don't be angry. Hideyoshi was an admirable general during the Battle of Kanezaki and the Battle of Negawa. But now he has gradually grown hair on his back, and he has become a monster with yellow and bear hair. Our side I have to send a youkai to show them too. Don’t you think so, Izumori-sama?” Izu smacked her lips in embarrassment and left.Honda Masanobu laughed, and looked at Zuo Zuo again.This is not just a joke, he must be mocking his own preparations.Zhengxin's mind was spinning quickly, and the two really cooperated with each other tacitly. Zhengxin has always believed that people are born with strategies, so he can't regard this as left-handed willfulness.If this is willful, it is too dangerous.If you make a wrong step, not only Zuo himself, but also the lives of his family members will be at stake.Zuo Zuo's indiscriminate abuse of Ieyasu and Hideyoshi may be considered treason or madness.It can be seen that Zhengxin is not an ordinary person, after all, many important ministers are only very angry at the leftist practice. The pair of Zuozuo and Sado made Toyotomi's counselor Dongjin suddenly at a loss. What is Tokugawa Ieyasu thinking?Is Sado Masanobu's meticulous concern sincere, or Zuo Zuo's rude and disgusting sincerity?No one knows. When Hideyoshi's army arrived at Okazaki with astonishing momentum, the Tokugawa army was ready to march into Odawara at any time.The Tokugawa Pioneers are divided into seven groups, which are in order: Sakai Kannai Daisuke Ieji, Honda Zhongwu Daisuke Tadakatsu, Kanbara Shikibu Daisuke Yasuzheng, Hiraiwa Chief Accountant Shinkichi, Torii Hikoemon Governor Moto , Okubo Shichiroemon Tadayo, Ii Bingbu Shaosuke Naomasa. Followed by: Matsudaira Genbotou Iekiyoshi, Sakai Kawachi Morita, Naito Yajiemon’s head, Shibata Nanakuro Yasutaka, Matsudaira Izumi Moriyajo, Ishikawa Zaemon Sayasutsu, and Zuo Zuo, a total of seven people . Then there are: Suganuma Yamashiro Shouyei who is in charge of backup, Kuno Minbu Shosuke Sono, Matsudaira Izu Shoushinichi and three generals; the right wing is Amano Saburo Bingwei Yasuke, Miyake Zongemon Yasada, Naito Bungo Shoushinari Three generals; the left wing is Matsudaira Inaba Shou Kangguang, Hoke Higo Shou Zhengzhi, Gaoli Hanoi Shouqing Changchang three generals. In the end, there are the warriors directly under the banner, the banner executive, and the backup messenger horse... If you lead this army to the Kanto, you will be invincible. On the morning of March 11th, the rain that lasted for three days was still falling.When Hideyoshi marched from Qingzhou to Okazaki and entered Yoshida Castle, rumors arose in the army: "Should we not enter the city in a daze, and should cross the river as soon as possible?" "Why do you have to march in this rainy day?" "There is a river ahead called Toyokawa. If you linger here, if the water rises and someone attacks from Okazaki, it will be a bad thing." "Could Tokugawa do that?" "Their meticulous care is really suspicious. Didn't you hear that there was a honest old man named Honda Zuzaemon who made things difficult for our vanguard?" These discussions reached Hideyoshi's ears through Ishida Mitsunari, who was in charge of the delivery of military rations.Zuo Zuo is definitely not the only one who wants to make his life a tall tower. Hideyoshi, who is ambitious because of the love of his beloved son, has an ambition that cannot be compared with Zuo Zuo.Hideyoshi sent an order: "We don't have to stay in this small town. Regardless of the wind and rain, march into Hamamatsu!" When Hideyoshi was about to leave the city, someone shouted: "Please wait a moment, my lord!" The one who spoke was Ina Kumazo Chuji, who was ordered to be in charge of the reception together with Oguri Nimonemon Tadakichi.Zhongji said: "I think it's better to wait for the rain to clear before leaving." Hideyoshi nodded and said with a smile: "If my army is blocked by wind and rain and messes up its schedule, won't it be ridiculed? Heavy rain is not terrible. There is a river ahead. If we don't pass now, it will be even more difficult in the future." "That's true. However, according to the art of war, if there is a river in front of you and it rains, you can rush across if there are few people, and the army should wait for the opportunity." "Oh, interesting. Why is that?" "If a large army forcibly crosses the river, it will take a long time, and the rear army will be blocked by the rising water. My lord's army exceeds 100,000, and there is my lord ahead, so there is no need for your lord to be in such a hurry." Hideyoshi stroked his beard and said with a smile: "Ina Kumazo, you are right! I will follow you. Everyone rest in the city and wait for the weather to clear up! Yes, there is my sister-in-law Danagyan in front of me, hahaha Ha ha!" Toyotomi Hideyoshi is far more confident than Honda Zuzaemon.He often thinks that he is the son of the sun with a lot of luck, and he is always eager to try.The Son of the Sun certainly doesn't like rain.Rainy days would threaten the majesty created by his extravagant military uniforms, beautiful harnesses, and glued beard... As long as possible, he still wanted to march on sunny days, letting his whole body shine with gorgeous golden light.Therefore, Hideyoshi honestly accepted Ina Kumazo's advice and stayed in Yoshida Castle to shelter from the rain. "Anyone who wants to misbehave with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, just come!" Hideyoshi stayed in Yoshida Castle for three days with confidence and curiosity.There are rumors that the small city is often surrounded by purple air. "If I stay here, the sky will appear out of phase? That's great, why should I worry?" Although Hideyoshi is under one person and above ten thousand people, he is still as naughty as a child.He always nonchalantly did things that surprised his bodyguards and Tokugawa hosts.At this time, Hideyoshi was like a mysterious religious leader. His emotions quickly infected the people around him, and everyone sighed: "My lord is indeed very human. He is like the incarnation of a god and Buddha." It was already March 14th when the weather cleared up and Hideyoshi set off from Yoshida Castle. On that day, Hideyoshi completed the construction in Yoshihara's lower house. When he moved in, he heard the discussion about whether Ieyasu had a different heart.Ishida Mitsunari said: "Don't take it lightly, now is no better than before." "What do you mean?" "I'm sorry to say it bluntly: now Odawara has no intention of conflicting with the vanguard Tokugawa army. Does Ieyasu have any secret agreement with Uji Nao?" "Haha. Zhibu, you are still very scheming. Nagasaki, talk about it." Asano Nagamasa shook his head vigorously: "This is something out of nothing! Da Nayan personally went to inspect the front of the battle and admonish the soldiers. If we are still suspicious, we will be ridiculed as small-bellied chickens. Moreover, we may also force Da Nayan to the enemy. Let's go. The late Lord Youfu and Zhizhi are the sign of the future. I believe that the Lord should not doubt it." "So, Odawara hasn't moved yet?" Hideyoshi patted his knees, with a childlike naughty look in his eyes again, "Okay! Then I'll test Ieyasu myself." "It's absolutely impossible!" Sancheng stopped, "My lord will try it out personally, and if something goes wrong, what can I do!" But Sancheng's objection aroused Hideyoshi's curiosity even more, "At my age, I can still have a son. It can be seen that I can have whatever I want. Even if Ieyasu wants to plot against me, I can't. Is it, Nagamasa?" "I believe that there is absolutely no difference in Da Nayan's words." "So I want to try it myself. Well, we will cross Utsuyama on the 19th and enter Junfu. Before that, you will welcome Ieyasu when you get it. Jibu, don't worry, I will try him there myself. Once I find out that he has If there is any doubt, we will not enter Junfu and go directly to Numazu." "But it's still too dangerous." "Trust my luck, let me try it out." Hideyoshi said excitedly.Of course, there would be no problem in attacking Odawara.In addition, he has many ideas, such as moving Ieyasu to Kanto, consolidating the area west of Hakone, and rebuking Date Masamune.In addition, Hideyoshi also wanted to take advantage of this expedition to settle the dispute between the Beizheng Office and Mrs. Yodo, and to determine who would succeed Tsurumatsumaru or his nephew Miyoshi Hideji. Hideyoshi wanted to test Ieyasu himself. He thought it was a double pleasure, one was to prove his luck, and the other was to relieve the boredom of the army.If Ieyasu had no evil intentions, he would have respected him even more as an interesting and awe-inspiring character. On the 19th, Hideyoshi crossed Mount Utsu and came to Tegoshi on the Abe River, where he camped and had a rest. Hideyoshi was proud of his idea, but Ieyasu, who was patrolling the team, couldn't laugh when he received the order to greet him immediately.Ieyasu tried his best to help Hideyoshi. It is said that Hideyoshi should meet him after he welcomed the army into Junfu Castle safely. Why did he suddenly welcome him immediately? Ieyasu was full of doubts in his heart, but he rushed to meet him quickly. "It's been a hard journey! Please go and report, and I say Ieyasu Tokugawa is here to greet you." There were not many people around the big tent, and Ieyasu expressed his intention to Ishida Osamu. , please go in alone." Ieyasu pondered for a moment, nodded and said, "Please lead the way!" Shaking his fat body, he followed Sancheng into the big tent. Jiakang entered the account, and was a little confused. He saw that there was another layer of tent inside, which was about ten square meters in size, but there was no one in it. "My lord, please wait inside." Sancheng pointed to the front and saluted respectfully. What Sancheng was pointing at was an entrance surrounded by fifty-three paulownia trees.Hideyoshi pushed the others away because he was afraid that the content of the conversation would be heard by others?Ieyasu murmured in his heart, and went directly into the big tent inside. "Oh, Dai Nayan, are you here?" As soon as he walked in, Hideyoshi's voice came.Hideyoshi is not like when he was in Kyoto, he got up and embraced as soon as he met.Today, he was just sitting by the desk under a big camphor tree, looking straight at Ieyasu.Ieyasu stood there, looking at Hideyoshi in surprise.Although he had already heard about it, only today did he realize that Hideyoshi's dress was really strange, wearing a strange Tang crown, stained teeth, and beard hanging on both sides of the mouth.There are two big knives hanging beside the golden armor, and on the trunk of the camphor tree behind, there is a big red cross-character gun hanging like a plaything.At first glance, it is impossible to recognize Guan Bai in front of him. "Danayan, it's me. You don't recognize me?" Jiakang hastily bowed his head calmly, and said, "Jiakang can't mishear your voice, but you have come to such a far place..." "I'm here to enjoy Mount Fuji." Hideyoshi stroked his beard, and said, "This Mount Fuji is also mine. It's a pity to let others enjoy it at will. I just want to watch it alone. By the way, Dainagon, let's not talk about this for now. Xuli, have you made all the preparations for my temporary stay in Junfu City?" "Yes, my lord will enter the city tomorrow." "Oh? Didn't you hear those rumors?" "Rumor?" "Rumors say that Dai Nayan of Junfu colluded with Odawara and planned to harm me in Junfu Castle." "This..." Ieyasu's face changed drastically, "How can there be such rumors? There must be someone who has evil intentions and deliberately drives us apart." "Divorce?" "Haha, otherwise, how could there be these rumors?" "Okay! Since you said so, I will believe you. We will talk about everything in Junfu. You have worked hard all the way, so go back." Ieyasu stood dumbfounded.This is very different from Hideyoshi's past style.Although he couldn't see the expression of the person in front of him clearly, he could confirm from his voice that it was Toyotomi Hideyoshi...but this person was just stroking his beard and pointing. Ieyasu saluted, turned around and walked towards the exit.Suddenly, Hideyoshi shouted loudly from behind: "Dainagon, wait a minute!" Ieyasu slowly turned his head in, gasping for air.Hideyoshi stood up, picked up the big ten-character gun hanging on the trunk of the camphor tree, and approached Ieyasu step by step.It was a joke, but the murderous look on Hideyoshi's face was too realistic.Ieyasu quietly held the knife in his left hand. "Da Nayan, it's just you and me here now." "That's right, but there are birds chirping outside the tent." Ieyasu's mind raced. "You don't care about those little birds!" "Does your lord want them to stop chirping?" "Don't worry about it, Da Nayan, listen up!" "yes." "Look at my outfit, but you, why are you patrolling the barracks in full armor?" "Unfortunately, I don't have armor and a broadsword like your lord." "Okay!" Hideyoshi threw the big gun in his hand to Ieyasu's feet, "Take this gun and walk around, so that it can match my outfit." "Thank you, my lord." When Ieyasu picked up the gun, Hideyoshi laughed loudly, took off his armor, and pulled out the false beard under his jaw, "Dana Yan, do you understand, I called you here specially to give you this gun .” "Didn't your lord say that you came here for sightseeing?" "Yes, yes, but, it's not just me, isn't it also a trip to the mountains and rivers for you? I dress up like this, but you are so solemn, it doesn't suit me at all. You might as well take this gun, Walk up a few steps with a smile on your face, so that no one will spread rumors." "Yeah, Ieyasu didn't notice this, so I took the Tang crown and armor." "Haha. Do you understand? Now it's only the two of us, and you still want to be so serious?" "yes." "In addition to this gun, I also want to give you a pair of false beards, but I only have this one now, so I can't give it to you yet." "Ieyasu also thanked him with two famous swords." "Haha, there's no need, no need...they must be waiting for you, so you can go back with this gun." "Yes. I will meet you in the city tomorrow." Ieyasu saluted and walked out.Seeing Ishida Mitsunari kneeling on one knee, waiting there, Ieyasu smiled and said, "Master Jibu, you have to be careful, don't let clouds appear in the sky." "Clouds?" "The clouds in the sky cover Mt. Fuji, so the beard (referring to Hideyoshi) will not be done. Be careful, don't tilt the hat (referring to losing your head)." After finishing speaking, Ieyasu walked out of the tent. Hideyoshi entered Junfu Castle on the 20th.Ieyasu also entered the city from Jiubaozhen to meet him.It rained endlessly, Hideyoshi planned to stay in Junfu within three days, and then went to Kiyomiji Temple.After Ieyasu met Hideyoshi, he discussed with the generals on the 21st and returned to Nagakubo on the 22nd. When Ieyasu arrived at Junfu, he knew that Tokugawa was no longer the lord of the city.Hideyoshi's retainers are everywhere inside and outside the castle.Knowing that Hideyoshi had arrived refreshed, he entered the city directly through the gate.Tokugawa did not build a new city because of this, but just cleaned it up and replaced the tatami mats. On both sides of the hall, Hideyoshi's subordinates were lined up, wearing gorgeous military uniforms, which made Ieyasu look sideways. "Please come in! My lord has been waiting for a long time." Ieyasu bowed at the door and came to Hideyoshi.Hideyoshi vacated the seat on the right side of his body.But Ieyasu didn't go forward, he just sat with Asano Nagamasa and Miyoshi Hideji. Hideyoshi liked to tease Ieyasu, and Ieyasu often responded quietly.On such occasions, face is irrelevant, what matters is the removal of the title after the fall of Odawara, if Hideyoshi is resentful at this time, he will definitely suffer in the future.It was rumored in the world that Hideyoshi not only wanted to move Ieyasu to Kanto, but also put him under the restraint of Date, Gamo, and others in Northern Ohio. After some calculations, Ieyasu thought that it was necessary to praise Hideyoshi in front of everyone, but in this way, it was as if Hideyoshi was wearing a Tang crown, and said: "Your Excellency has worked so hard to come from a long distance, Ieyasu is honored." Hideyoshi froze for a moment, Hideji and Nagamasa rolled their eyes. At this moment, an astonishingly loud voice came from behind Ieyasu: "Master!" Jiakang knew who was coming by hearing the voice.This person shouldn't be here—he is obviously Honda Zuzaemon who should be staying in Tone. "Sakuza, is that you?" Ieyasu raised his head, and saw Sakuzaemon striding through the gap between Hideyoshi's retainers, colliding with their armor and making a right clatter.Standing proudly in front of Hideyoshi, he shouted tremblingly, "My lord! My lord is confused!" Not only Hideyoshi, but also Hideyoshi's subordinates were very angry that Zuo Zuo made a loud noise on this occasion. "Hey!" Ieyasu frowned and shook his head, "Zuo Zuo, why are you here?" "Leave me alone, my lord, what do you look like!" "In front of Lord Guan Bai, don't make mistakes!" "What can't be done wrong? As a warrior of Sanhe, how can I just sit back and watch my master make a mistake. My lord, what's going on with you? When did my lord become a person who only flatters people?" "Disrespectful!" Hideyoshi shouted angrily. However, Zuo Zuo will never back down, he seems to have been secretly looking forward to this day for a long time.This is Zuo Zuo, and he wants to use this action as his last gift to Ieyasu.Maybe he was competing against Ishikawa.In short, he sneered twice as usual, ignored Hideyoshi's scolding at all, and said calmly: "My lord, don't you feel ashamed of your behavior? Whose city is this? How can the lord of the five kingdoms be so easy?" Lend the city to others, but wander around like an outsider?" "Old man, I understand, you go down." Ieyasu said with restraint. "No, I can't go yet, I must wake you up. The warriors of Sanhe went through life and death on the battlefield, not to make the lord so capricious and emotional!" "Have you said enough?" "My lord, you represent the warriors of Mihe, how can you be so pedantic?" "You back off!" "I haven't finished yet. If someone asks you to give up the city, will my lord give up the city and his wife together? Don't you regret it?" "Back off!" Hideyoshi shouted angrily again. "Stop pointing fingers here! Stand back!" Zuo Zuo yelled at Hideyoshi angrily, and then said, "My lord, don't you understand? Isn't it a great shame that even your wife is taken hostage? Who works for such a man?" His words were as sharp as a bayonet, echoing in the hall. Then, Zuo Zuo looked around proudly, turned around and left with big strides.There was a dead silence.Such defiant, desolate, tragic, and impassioned words made everyone present unable to judge or get angry, just dumbfounded. "Hmm." Hideyoshi murmured, "Is he the Honda left?" Jiakang said: "There are so many country people like him around me, it's a headache." "Yeah." Hideyoshi whispered again.But there was no anger on his face, instead he was touched, "He scolded well! Even I scolded too." "Forgive me, my lord, but he is just an old stubborn old man." "I have no right to ask your retainer, but he is really rare. I am not angry. If it was someone else, I would never let him leave like this. Hahaha. Alright, let's continue." Therefore, the matter of Zuo was put aside.Tea was served in front of Ieyasu, Hideyoshi, and Kondo Matsubayashi, and the discussion began. However, Honda Zuzaemon did not stop there.He left the hall with his head held high and his chest held high, and returned to his house located outside the imperial gate of Hukou.The wife originally thought that he should be in the formation, but he came back quietly alone. "What happened?" The wife waited at the entrance in the twilight, but did not bring the foot washing water immediately. Zuo Zuo returned to the room silently, put the knife on the knife holder, and untied the armor on his body.He knew exactly what Ieyasu and Hideyoshi were saying in the hall.He was able to say what was in his heart regardless of everything, and he had no regrets.But can the lord understand from these words, is this his last gift? "Bring the inkstone!" Zuo Zuo said to his trembling wife. "Okay. But what happened? Aren't you in the line with the kids?" Zuo Zuo did not answer, just biting the nib of the pen, grinding the ink, spreading the roll of paper, saying in his mouth: "The old man is exhausted, but fortunately, the Tokugawa clan has already grown its wings... When the seal of Guandong is moved, it is the time when the Lord will go up the steps again." Day. The old man should retire, the newcomer should enter, I hope the lord will not choose talents to help the great cause." He wanted to take this opportunity to inspire the old ministers in the family, and would rather be regarded as old and stubborn, so he left.However, he had intentions in his heart, but he was clumsy at writing, so he had to stop here. "What are you writing about? Why are you so pale? It's really worrying." "Don't worry, I have done what I should do, and I am no less than Ishikawa." "Losing to Ishikawa?" "Yes! He abandoned the lord and shouldered the reputation of a traitor. However, after the Battle of Odawara, he will become a daimyo. And I, as the left, have no place to stand in front of the lord or Hideyoshi." The wife was surprised look at him.Tsukuru dropped the pen.Instead of making a long speech, it's better to stop writing here, he doesn't want to write any more, what should be understood, everyone will always understand, if they don't understand, it's useless to talk more.But Ieyasu can use Zuo Zuo's approach to force those veterans who dissatisfy him to retire. "I have done my best, and I will leave the rest to the gods and Buddhas!" "What's the matter?" "It's nothing, I plan to retire! I just scolded my lord severely." "Call the lord? Where is it?" "In front of Guan Bai. Don't worry, it's not the lord who is surprised, but Guan Bai. The lord seems to want to please Guan Bai, but I can't hold back. I'm not afraid of Guan Bai. When I decided to scare Guan Bai, I just You know, I have come to an end in the Tokugawa Clan." "Why did you do that?" "You don't know the best. This is me as the left, haha. Madam, you have worked hard these days." "Ugh." "Now I have no choice but to commit seppuku." "you……" "Yes, for you, I am a willful husband. But, you still have A-Xian. After I die, you can live with A-Xian." Zuo Zuo sneered a few times, but tears came from his eyes flowed out.People are really hard to understand.A person who has no selfish desires, but cannot be understood by everyone, is just like this.But Zuo Zuo is even more bizarre. He doesn't recite the Buddha's name, but only reprimands the Lord and Guan Bai, and he can proudly march towards the Western Pure Land of Ultimate Bliss... "Ha ha." "What's the matter, my lord?" "I just thought it was funny, lol." “告诉我，您为何一定要切腹？看在儿孙的份上，您应告诉我。我是武士的妻子，不会无故阻拦大人。” “哈哈，这是说不清的，我只是觉得好笑。”作左一边笑，一边拭眼角的泪水，好一阵子，他才严肃地看着妻子。看到为了一家人不停辛劳、日益衰老的妻子，他心中涌起了哀伤和悲悯。“夫人，人生就是如此，你能明白吗？” “不明白，您究竟是怎么了？” “人在浑浑噩噩中变老，被召唤了回去。你不得不接受这个事实。说起来，真是又奇怪又可悲，哈哈，实在太可笑了！”作左不停地笑着，他不知此时彦左卫门受家康之命，已悄悄来到了此地，“关白，主公，现在都如晒干的梅干，最后也将干枯而死。哈哈，真是可笑……”