Chapter 12 Chapter Twelve

Ishikawa Hoki Shoushu was leaving Okazaki for Osaka. To Hideyoshi who had already moved his army to Sakai Port to attack Shikoku, it was not a big deal, but to Tokugawa, it was like a bolt from the blue. The news was sent to Tokugawa Ieyasu in Hamamatsu by Sakaizaemon Otsuji from Yoshida Castle before dawn on the 14th.Tadashi sent someone to report the matter to the lord, and at the same time drove his horse straight to Okazaki, and arrived at the city with Matsudaira's family at Chenshi to appease the troubled civilians.Of course, at this time, both Tadashi and Katada didn't know whether Shuzheng's real intention was to flee, or to confuse the enemy?

Honda Masanobu, who introduced Chuji's envoy in Hamamatsu Castle, entered Ieyasu's bedroom in shock, and came to Ieyasu's pillow, with a trembling voice: "Something has happened, my lord, please get up!" The ugly time is over.The biting cold air formed a white circle around the lamp, and the surroundings were completely silent. "Dareless, why did you barge in without notifying me!" Ieyasu reprimanded Masanobu and sat up from the bed.The concubine Mrs. Yu Jinmo was accompanying her. She straightened her clothes shyly and sat up, feeling a chill. "What's the big deal? Tell me!" Jiakang waited for Mrs. Yu Jinmo to sit down before he whispered.

"Yes! It's really impolite to break in late at night. Okazaki Joshiro Ishikawa is leading his tribe to flee, and Sakai-sama from Yoshida sent someone to report quickly." "Shu Zheng fled?" "Yes. Sakai-sama has gone straight to Okazaki. For fear of commotion, he asked my lord to go to Okazaki immediately." "Oh." Ieyasu looked at Masanobu with strange eyes.This must have been a sudden event.He muttered to himself: "Him? The number is correct... Okay, you wait in the small academy first. Yu Jinmo, help me change my clothes." Mrs. Yu Jinmo was taken as a side room by Jia Kangna in the eleventh year of Tianzheng. She is the daughter of Takeda Ronin Akiyama Echizen who guards Tiger Yasushi.

"Then, I'll wait in the outer hall." Zheng said.Jiakang turned his head and smiled at Jinmo: "Zhengxin thinks he is resourceful, but he is in such a hurry. Well, don't wake anyone up." After changing his clothes, Ieyasu picked up the long knife and went straight to the outer hall. The guards were already up, anxiously waiting for Ieyasu to come out in the small academy. "Bring tea." Masanobu ordered his servants, "Call Honda Zuzaemon immediately." Ieyasu sat down calmly shaking his head. "Let's talk about it after dawn." "Ishikawa's behavior is really strange."

"..." "Loyalty, sincerity, and a heart of iron are the pride of Sanhe warriors. He dares to betray. What does he regard as the kindness of the master's family?" "..." "It seems that the rumors since the Battle of Komaki are true. Shushosaka had an affair with Hideyoshi at that time. Didn't he say the same thing himself?" "Masanobu, Okazaki Castle must be rebuilt as soon as possible, because Susho is too familiar with everything in the city." "yes!" "Also, the defense from Xiwei City to the seaside must also be adjusted."

"Ishikawa is too hateful!" Ieyasu didn't answer directly, "Will he lie in front of Hideyoshi?" "Ah, what did my lord say?" "When Hideyoshi asked about the situation here, Susho would not lie. Therefore, we must redeploy our troops." "yes." "Shoshin, call Torii Mototada and Naruse Masaichi from Koshu to come here as soon as the sun breaks." "Tori and Naruse?" Zheng said.At this time, Torii Motochu was the county governor of Koshu, and Naruse Masaichi was enshrined. "Then, do you think the armaments of Koshu must be mobilized?"

Ieyasu suddenly frowned and smiled wryly, "Shoshin, it can be seen that you still don't know much about military affairs! I asked Torii and Naruse to come, not to ask them to bring the army. I had previously ordered them to carefully investigate Shingen's laws, and Regarding the military preparations, weapons, etc., they just need to bring the above information. Susho will not lie to Hideyoshi, so we must immediately re-arm." Faced with Suzheng's unexpected escape this time, Masanobu is worried about the commotion in front of him, but Ieyasu is worried about more long-term things.Zhengxin suddenly leaned down, "Then, my lord has...already noticed that Ishikawa is plotting to rebel?"

Jiakang quietly looked around and said, "Give me tea." When the servant brought tea, Ieyasu sipped it slowly.Before dawn, the sound of boiling water and the nervous breathing of the servants came into the room one after another. "My lord, have you seen that Ishikawa's behavior is abnormal?" Ieyasu still didn't answer.It can even be said that he seems to be waiting for Shuzheng to flee.The number is a false surrender, but it is actually an undercover agent, but it is not what the Tokugawa clan, who has the Sanhe samurai known for their integrity, expected.If the simple family tradition of always adhering to righteousness and maintaining unity is damaged just for this small plan, it will be self-defeating because of a small loss!

"In any case, after dawn, we must act. I guess there may be his accomplices at home, please give instructions, my lord." "Oh, didn't you say that there are still big things that haven't been considered?" "Yes, for example, how should the Ishikawa clan deal with it?" "You mean Jiacheng and Myceni?" "Yes, no matter how you say it, this is treason, and it is to punish the nine clans!" "Haha! Jiacheng and old nun, they don't know about Shuzheng's escape. If only one person left, they would make a mess, and the world would laugh at me."

"So, it has nothing to do with his clan?" "Punishing the innocent is not conducive to rectifying the family tradition." "So, what about Joyo from Okazaki?" "I will discuss it with the veterans first, and then I will listen to your opinion." "My lord, please screen back to the left and right." "Oh, do you have something else to do? Okay, everyone step down." People retreated into the next room.The sky outside has turned pale, and the wind is blowing on the lake. "My lord, there is one thing I don't understand."

"Ok?" "My lord is not at all surprised by Ishikawa's escape. Although I know that my lord is calm and calm, I don't panic when things happen, but what happened this time?" "You don't think I hate him?" "Yes, is Ishikawa carrying the master's secret order?" When Masanobu said this, Ieyasu showed a determined look. "Shh!" He waved his hand and said, "Don't talk nonsense, believe me! Do you think I am a person who plays tricks?" "My lord really doesn't hate numbers! If my lord's acquiescence is really obtained, I should also find out about this." After being reprimanded by Ieyasu, Zhengxin still had some doubts. "Zhengxin, you still seem to be doubting." "yes." "In that case, let me tell you, I don't know how to play these little tricks, and Hideyoshi is not someone who is easily deceived. It's just..." Zhengxin moved closer.Jiakang lowered his voice and said slowly, "It's just that I don't think Shuzheng will despise me, let alone hate me. There is another secret behind his departure. Maybe Shuzheng is just as you suspect..." Jiakang said this , suddenly changed the subject, and said decisively: "But if I show that I don't hate numbers, it will be difficult to control everyone." Only then did Zhengshin look away from Ieyasu, heaved a sigh of relief, and said, "No matter what the reason is, betrayal is betrayal!" "This point is also very clear, so I will take my wife and children away. I can't wait for dawn, I will call Zuo Lai immediately, and I must chase to the border as soon as possible!" "That's right, even if it was ordered by the lord..." Just as Zhengxin was saying this, he heard the sound of chaotic footsteps from the corridor.It was Honda Zuzaemon's voice: "My lord, that guy who is counting, ran away in a hurry with his wife and children." "Oh, Zuo Zuo, I'm about to send someone to call you." When Ieyasu said this, Zuo Zuo was already sitting beside Zhengxin, panting heavily: "My lord, my lord is too indulgent...he. I have told you many times that the act of counting positive is very suspicious, but you have never believed it, and you were finally bitten by your own dog. How do you see it now, my lord?" Zuo Zuo looked disgusted.Ieyasu made a bitter face, avoiding Honda's gaze, "Keep your voice down, take the left!" "My lord, if you indulge him so much, will your family still listen to you? I only found out after Sakai and Jiazhong flew to Okazaki. I sent an envoy before waiting for the lord's instructions. If he is caught, I will definitely Cut him into pieces! Hmph! By the way, Zhengxin, you retreat, I have more important matters to discuss with the lord!" Sakuzaemon shook his half-white hair and turned to Ieyasu angrily. Sakuzaemon was so fierce that Masanobu had to retreat to the next door in surprise——Sakuza's words were definitely not nonsense, if the lord allowed it privately, he would not be so angry.Masanobu went out, Sakuzaemon roared again, and took a step forward, "My lord's next instruction... No, it's not just an instruction, my lord must have made a decision in my heart." What is read in the book, speechless. "The first is to consolidate the coastal defense of Nishio, the second is to rebuild Okazaki Castle, and the third is to change the deployment of troops." Ieyasu listened noncommittally.The partition fan has turned white, and the birds have begun to chirp in the yard, but the cold air is getting stronger. "Everyone can think of the above three points, so I don't need to say, you know it well. However, I want to know, whether the fourth and fifth points have also been decided?" "The fourth point, the fifth point..." "The number is on Hideyoshi's side. He is very clear about the arrangement of the lord, and Hideyoshi must ask. We must seriously prepare countermeasures from all aspects, so that even if Hideyoshi knows us well, he can't do anything to us." "I want to hear your thoughts first." Zuo's left gaze is like a sword. "My lord! Fourth, you must immediately abandon your bullshit face and shake hands with Odawara Hojo and his son." "What about the fifth?" "You know this. Get on good terms with Hojo and tell him about Hideyoshi's marriage proposal." "Marriage?" Ieyasu asked back in surprise when Zuo Zuo mentioned it for the first time.However, at this moment, Tsukusa silently lowered his shoulders, avoiding Ieyasu's sight.He had been aggressive a moment ago, and had become sad and melancholy in an instant.Ieyasu's heart suddenly moved. "You... have you discussed with... Shuzheng?" Zuo Zuo's body trembled suddenly. "Is that right? What did Shuzheng tell you?" "..." "Zhengxin blamed me just now. But, no matter what, I don't hate the number. I seem to feel that the number is somewhere, crying, and struggling..." Tsukuzu pursed his lips and remained silent, like a stone sculpture made of clay. "Zuo Zuo, why don't you say anything? Isn't it just you and me in the room?" Jiakang leaned forward and said. "Hehe!" Zuo Zuo smiled and cried, "Then, my lord thinks that I have discussed with Shuzheng, and use these little tricks to ruin the family tradition?" "No, I mean, if Ruoshu is looking for someone to confide in, there is no one else but you." "My lord is really an idiot!" "Oh?" "You idiot! The essence of Mikawa warriors is to be upright and follow righteous principles." "Oh." "Samurai with outstanding intellect can be seen everywhere. However, the family tradition of being the same outside and inside, and obeying righteousness, cannot be cultivated in three to five years! Hearing what the lord said just now, Zuo Hao is very disappointed." Ieyasu stared intently at Sakuzaemon.This honest person can accuse the lord of improperly defending the rebels. "So, if Shuzheng has any thoughts, he won't reveal them. But my lord, you see this matter so simply!" Ieyasu was speechless. "Even if Shuzheng told Zuo Zuo what he really thought, Zuo Zuo would only take him down first. I really didn't expect my lord to see it that way. You forgot the most important thing, that is the personality of the Samurai warrior, and A rock-like family tradition of righteousness! Forget this, abandon the good family tradition, what big things can those little tricks do, I...I hate the number positive!" The surrounding area was already brightly lit, the candles were exhausted, and they were extinguished with a sound of "hissing".Ieyasu's heart was beating violently, and his eyes were bright.On Zuo Zuo's wrinkled face, old tears flowed freely. "Oh. Am I a fool?" "My lord, it's really offending to be a leftist and say something unscrupulously." "Oh! You and Shuzheng are both pathetic!" "No, Shuzheng is hateful, he is a hateful thing!" "Zuo Zuo, I won't go to Okazaki today." "Then what are you going to do?" "Sending envoys to Odawara is the most important matter, so we must deal with it first." "Oh, the fourth point has become the first point?" "Go to Okazaki tomorrow, and at the same time rearrange the coastal defense of Nishio, start rebuilding Okazaki Castle, and redeploy troops." "what's next?" "I want to live the life of an ordinary person. Well, call Zhengshin and let them prepare the meals. Let's eat together." As he said, Ieyasu clapped his hands loudly to call people. Before the food was served, Honda Zuzaemon looked at Ieyasu coldly, as if he still felt dissatisfied.Ieyasu was surprised, always felt that Zuo Zuo had something to say.It can be seen that he deliberately didn't say anything, and he just moved his chopsticks silently during the meal. Zuo Zuo just glared at him and said nothing until he finished his meal.The servants took away the dishes, and Ieyasu said, "Zuo Zuo, go to Okazaki for me." Zuo Zuo didn't answer, but said, "Didn't my lord say that we need to deal with the matter of Odawara first?" "That's why I let you go to Okazaki." "To meet the Hojo father and son in Odawara, we need to pay attention to some methods." "I know. You want me to lower my face and bow my head to them? Don't worry, I want to cross the Kise River to Mishima. In this way, Hojo and his son will naturally think that I have surrendered, and the knot in my heart will be untied .” After hearing this, Tsukuzaemon was furious and deliberately smacked his lips loudly. "My lord!" "What's wrong with you?" "My lord is such a poor man!" Zuo Zuo said, sighed sadly again, and finally shed tears, "There is no other way, Zuo Zuo has no choice but to say so." "Oh, just say what you have to say, just don't go too far!" "Alas!" Sakuzaemon lowered his voice, "If Kasumi who ran away has this kind of thought, what should we do? The good tradition of the Tokugawa family is to be upright and follow righteous principles, but this is not enough, because we are facing Hideyoshi. Difficult ghosts also have to play some strategies. However, if these matters are brought up to discuss with everyone, everyone in the family will be shocked and say that this is the collapse of the family tradition. In this case, simply don't discuss with others and sacrifice him. Forget it. These are hypotheticals. But what if Kasumi ran away because of this idea? The lord crossed the Kise River and bowed his head to Hojo and his son. If Hojo said: Tokugawa is a fox! For himself For the interests of the people, he can do everything, and only this time he bowed his head to us. He is really dishonest and duplicity. Does the lord not regret it? Has the lord seriously considered these things?" What is Zuo Zuo thinking?What did Shu Zheng say to Zuo Zuo?Ieyasu couldn't help correcting his posture, his heart trembled, "Zuo Zuo, I understand." "understood?" "I know, I, Tokugawa Ieyasu, had to do the only thing I didn't keep my word in my life." "So, my lord is saying that Hojo and his son won't believe you?" Zuo Zuo was very surprised. "Of course! If I cross the Kise River, Hojo and his son will think that Tokugawa Ieyasu has finally bowed to his father and son, and they will dance like children. Their father and son will not do things that are beneficial to others. However, Hideyoshi does not know, I also firmly believe that he can stabilize the eight states of the Kanto, and firmly believe that he is second to none. Therefore, I must go!" Jia Kang paused, and said with a pun, "If Shuzheng is the kind of loyal person you said, in order to be worthy of such retainers, I have to take some actions, and I must do something." Honda Zuzaemon slowly lowered his head, quietly wiped away his tears with his right hand, the countenance of his face floated in front of his eyes, which made him unbearable. "My lord, stop talking!" "Do you understand, Zuo Zuo?" "Don't be angry anymore, the lord bowed his head for the sake of the world after all, not just for the servants!" "Of course, there is no difference between the two." "Since my lord has already thought of this, why is my old ghost still dissatisfied? Since my lord can endure humiliation like this, I must work hard to strengthen my internal affairs. Alright, my lord, I'll go to Okazaki right away!" "Go." "When I get there, I will criticize the Okazaki people. They don't know that the adulterers around them are fleeing, and their eyes are on their buttocks! I will scold them greatly." Saying that, Tsukuru bowed his head and stood up, the tears on his face were still wet.The shadow of Shuzheng reappeared in his mind again, and it became more and more clear——Shuzheng, are you lucky or unlucky?My lord knows you well, which is enough to show that you are a very lucky person.But only the lord knows what you are like, but the entire Tokugawa clan will always regard you as a traitor.Looking at it this way, you are the most unfortunate person in the world.Forgive me, the number is positive!From now on, I will often call you by name.Your mind is as clear as a mirror, and you are extraordinary and free from vulgarity, so you will attract misfortune.I am the left, and I swore with you to go beyond ordinary honor and disgrace, to help the lord create peace, and I will never let you down... Zuo Zuo came to the gate, put on the straw sandals impatiently, and hurried away in the morning light.