Chapter 16 Chapter 16 Meeting with Mishima

On February 26, the 14th year of Tensho, Tokugawa Ieyasu arrived at Sumfu from Hamamatsu with a gift prepared for him by the tea house Shiro Jiro to meet Hojo and his son. The presents are the most expensive cushions at present - five tiger skins, five leopard skins, two orangutan scarlets, and three hundred pieces of cloth, Le Mo, the famous sword "Shoujia", "Ju Yiwen" waist knife, long knife, new style Rear mounted Western muskets, etc.For Ieyasu, it was an extreme luxury.In addition to Sakai Tadashi, Ii Naomasa, and Kanbara Yasomasa, there were as usual Hontami Hachiro Masanobu, Abe Zenemon Masakatsu, Makino Hanemon Yasunari, and others. Therefore, the party was indeed mighty.But when these important ministers arrived in Junfu City with Ieyasu, they didn't know his intentions yet.

Ieyasu first sent envoys to meet Hojo and his son.Shizheng agreed, but their father and son were going to inspect the three islands, so they planned to go to the border of the Kise River in early March, where the two sides would meet across the river. Ieyasu's entourage believed that the time and method of meeting had been arranged properly. Unexpectedly, as soon as they entered Junfu City, Ieyasu gathered everyone together first, and said unexpectedly: "This time, I'm going to Mishima to meet Hojo and his son in the building. Everyone should be prepared." When everyone heard this, they immediately looked at each other. , but no one said much.

"Everyone may already know that the Hojo father and son said they wanted to meet across the river, and this was enough to give us face." "..." "However, Hojo and I are not just allies. Ujizheng is my father-in-law, and Ujizao is my son-in-law. Therefore, everyone should act according to the etiquette between relatives. Masakatsu Abe will explain to others immediately, and everyone must understand some." Only Tadashi Sakai can understand the deep meaning of Ieyasu.The young Ii Naomasa frowned, "I oppose this approach!" "Against? My consideration is not thorough enough, Zhizheng?"

"If the other party didn't propose to meet across the river, it might be acceptable. Since the other party arranged this way, if we deliberately crossed the river and went to the Mishima building, it would be considered by the world to bow down because of the prestige of their father and son. This matter will become My lord's disgrace." After hearing this, Ieyasu nodded slightly and smiled. "If Naomasa thinks so, it is even more necessary for us to cross the river. The letter has already been written in Hamamatsu. Masakatsu, you take it to Ujimasa immediately." Ieyasu knew that Ujimasa was patrolling the territory at this time, and Arrived near Numazu.

Regarding Ieyasu's unexpected arrangement, Kanbara Yasumasa wanted to make a statement, so he moved forward.He already roughly understood the master's intentions, but he pretended to want to know something, looking completely clueless. "Let the world say that the lord has bowed his knees to the Hojo father and son. What good does it do me, the Tokugawa clan? I'm stupid and want to figure it out." Ieyasu looked around everyone with some displeasure, "Kangzheng doesn't understand either?" "Yes, I, like Jing Yi, don't understand." "You are still young! Such a simple thing doesn't need to be explained one by one, you will understand it. If you really don't understand it, you don't understand it. Just keep it in your heart!"

"yes!" "Tokugawa Ieyasu never bowed his head to Kanbai Hideyoshi. Thinking about this, I should understand." "Yes, but why did my lord have to ask Hojo and his son... I was really puzzled, so I asked this question." Kang Zheng asked. "Now is not the time to bow to Guan Bai, but to the Hojo father and son." "..." "It seems to me that you are still a little unclear. Don't ask me to explain again, Guanbai and the Hojo clan have different weapons." "deportment?" "What a fool! Tokugawa Ieyasu doesn't even bow his head to such an extraordinary person as Guan Bai. Even if he really bows his head to Hojo and his son, it will not be a shame to me. Later generations will think that I, Tokugawa Ieyasu, lived through Kise Chuan, I went to coax the children! Don't ask these silly questions again!"

Everyone listened, exchanged glances with each other, and then showed an expression of sudden realization, even the most stubborn Sakai Chuji smiled. When Hojo and his son heard that Ieyasu proposed to meet at the Mishima building, they were overjoyed.In order to prepare to meet Ieyasu and his party, he ordered the two veteran officials of Daodaoji Sun Jiulang and Yamakaku Kii Mori to go to Mishima first. "It's really gratifying and congratulatory, Tokugawa has deliberately come to curry favor with the lord!" "Yeah, in this way, Tokugawa has also become a force of the Hojo clan."

"Well, the world will be surprised too. Hojo will last forever!" According to these rumors, Ieyasu crossed the Kose River and arrived at Mishima to meet Ujimasa and his son. It was on the afternoon of the ninth day of March in the 14th year of Tensho that Ieyasu met his son-in-law Ushinao for the first time. Ieyasu brought only three important ministers, Sakai Tadashi, Ii Naomasa, and Kanbara Yasomasa, and sat on very ornately decorated seats.On the Hojo side, besides Ujimasa, Ujinao and his son, nearly thirty vassal lords, including Mutsu Morijiki and Mino Morigui, also accompanied him.Ieyasu's master and servant were led into the building by Yamakaku Kii Shoudingfang.As soon as they arrived, Shizheng was overjoyed: "Great! Mr. Tokugawa, welcome! Come, please sit down."

Seeing that the Hojo family's seat for Ieyasu was under the Hojo father and son, Jing Yi Naomasa suddenly changed his face.But Ieyasu solemnly lowered his head, warned everyone with his eyes, and calmly took his seat.Ieyasu might feel embarrassed if Ru Shizheng puts Ieyasu on the throne, but now he feels at ease. After sitting down, Ieyasu met his son-in-law for the first time.Shi Zheng was born in a wealthy family, which always makes people feel that he is arrogant and domineering, but Shi Zhi is just the opposite, with a gentle appearance and a plain and ordinary appearance.Perhaps the descendants of wealthy families have reached the fourth and fifth generations, and it is difficult for them to have individuality.

After saluting from both sides, the toast began.After the toast, Mino Shoushi suggested: "Before the banquet, how about talking about the military situation with Hideyoshi Fang?" Perhaps the clan government ordered him to say this in advance. "Yes, it's good for us to have a discussion." Mutsu Mori, who was sitting next to Uji Nao, said. "How is it, Tokugawa-sama?" Ujimasa asked Ieyasu for his opinion. "This..." Ieyasu gently put down the wine that Shi dared to toast him, and solemnly nodded a few times, "If it is about Osaka and Kyoto, Ieyasu thinks that it is too late to discuss it now."

"late?" "Yes. I have made full preparations. Therefore, the most important thing now is to communicate sincerely here. If you have this idea, it doesn't matter if the two territories are separated from each other. If the two work together, I can lead 50,000 elite soldiers With 30,000 troops, he can easily enter Osaka. In addition, if the enemy attacks, the soldiers will block him, and the water will cover him, so that he will not be able to enter even a single soldier for three years." Jiakang continued calmly, "Therefore, Jiakang feels that , Instead of discussing the military situation first, it is better to open your heart." These words made Shizheng even more happy, "So, Master Tokugawa is saying that the two border fortresses are going to be demolished?" "Yes! I came here specially this time to seek this unusual friendship." "Good! This is far better than holding a military meeting for several hours. Good! Serve the wine!" Hearing Shi Zheng's words, the servants immediately brought the wine and dishes into the hall. For Ieyasu, it was a fun and frustrating feast.Originally, he wanted to play a good trick, but who knew that the other party fell into the trap so quickly, he felt relieved and sad.He had thought that someone would see through it, but neither the Hojo clan nor the feudal lords who were sitting with him had any doubts.After a few glasses of wine, they said frankly that being able to invite Ieyasu to Kisegawa is already the most comforting thing in the world.They are indeed people who cannot be compared with Hideyoshi! Sakai Zhongji came to the seat suddenly.He said in a funny tone: "I'm here to cheer you up!" "Tadaji, don't be rude!" Ieyasu said. "Yes." Zhongji stood under a long row of candlesticks and looked around at the guests, "This is the most famous shrimp-catching dance in Sanhe. Come, where is Hechuan?" He danced like no one else was there.Looking at his actions, Ieyasu suddenly became worried: This is definitely not out of whim, but to treat the other party as a fool. If he is found out, what should he do?Fortunately, no one noticed that when Zhong returned to his seat after the wild dance, everyone cheered loudly. "I've heard that he can dance a long time ago, but I didn't see him for the first time until today. It's really amazing!" "Yes! It seems that Sakai is really happy with what happened today." "His dancing skills are really amazing!" There were whispers everywhere. "Sakai Chuji, please come here, my lord will give you a big sword in order to reward you." Mutsu Mamoru said loudly. "Oh, big sword?" Tadashi seemed surprised, once again despising the other party in his heart.He walked up to Shizheng respectfully, took the big knife, and started dancing with the knife, "Hey, my skills are very strong, and I can catch prawns in the Hojo River!" "Chuji, you'll be honored!" Ieyasu warned him again, but couldn't help laughing.Everyone cheered loudly again, louder than before. "Master Sakai, you must have drunk too much." Tadashi said sarcastically as Mino kept his family rules. Ieyasu stared at Chuji: "Okay, restrain yourself! Chuji, this is not Hamamatsu Castle!" Without Ieyasu's repeated warnings, perhaps Yui would have sensed Chuji's contempt. Tadashi stepped back, and Ieyasu stood up immediately.If the other party's suspicion is aroused here, it will be in vain this time.Ieyasu wanted to rack his brains to make the other party happy here, and talk about marriage with Hideyoshi after the border wall was removed near Numazu Castle.Of course, he also wanted to explain to the other party that he was taking Asahi Ji as a hostage in the name of getting married.Therefore, it is absolutely impossible to disappoint the full house now. "Then, now I'll cheer for everyone." Ieyasu held a fan and saluted Shizheng respectfully. "This is so rare, Tokugawa-sama wants to dance?" "Don't dare, I've seen a natural layman dance this dance before, and I still vaguely remember it." "Oh! Everyone, please watch, Master Tokugawa is going to dance!" Both the drunk and the disgusted by Chuji's prank, turned their attention to Ieyasu.The three important ministers of Ieyasu looked at each other and seemed to be surprised—is there any need to please Shizheng and his son so much? Ieyasu opened the fan, and awkwardly twisted his fat body, which was really not like Mai.However, his voice was tempered on the battlefield, majestic and majestic. 〖During the time of Emperor Xuanyuan, Huo Di was a garrison soldier. The cool wind blows at the end of the day, and the willows in the courtyard are also bleak. A leaf chases cold water, where to go...〗 The big and small feudal lords were happier than Shizheng, and they laughed in unison. "Lord Tokugawa has become our lord's vassal. He expresses this meaning through singing." "Yes! Look at the smiling face of the lord." "In this way, Master Tokugawa is also satisfied? No matter what, our lord can conquer the eight states, and no one can stop him." Ieyasu didn't care about these words at all, he swayed his fat body wholeheartedly, dancing and singing. The banquet lasted until late at night. Hojo interpreted the meeting of the two families as the fact that Ieyasu could not bear the pressure of Hideyoshi and Nobuo, and finally came to bow to them.However, Ieyasu's entourage explained otherwise: "All this is for the purpose of calming the world." In any case, Ieyasu's purpose of coming this time has been achieved, so the guests and hosts at the banquet had a good time. The next morning, the two sides said goodbye, and Ieyasu, accompanied by Kiimori Yamakaku, set off from Mishima to Numazu. On this day, the sky was high and the clouds were clear, and the twelve big eagles presented by Shi Zheng, who was at the front of the team, were flying in the morning wind.There are also eleven good horses, one of which is a four-year-old Aozhou colt selected by Shi Zhengzhuan for Ieyasu.But compared with the gifts brought by Ieyasu, these things are really far behind, as can be seen from the Hojo utensils. When the team was approaching Numazu, Masanobu Honda left Yamakaku Kiimori, drove his horse closer to Ieyasu and said, "My lord, everything is going well!" But Ieyasu just looked at Masanobu bitterly and said nothing.If Hojo and his son can discuss major issues together, they will come up with some issues to discuss with them.However, they are really not worth discussing with them, because they despise them so much just now, and the other party still thinks that they have cleverly deceived Tokugawa.Shizheng is too conceited, neither understands the value of Ieyasu nor Hideyoshi's horror, so the Hojo clan is hopeless.Ieyasu couldn't get rid of the shadow in his heart, he just lamented: Stupidity is a great sin! After arriving in Numazu, Ieyasu returned to his usual smiling face and ordered Ii Naomasa to immediately demolish the walled city and arrow storehouses in the outer city.The retainers have no objection to this, and understand that it is meaningless not to compare the Hojo father and son with the lord Ieyasu. Ieyasu deliberately put the scorpion on the hill to witness the dismantling of the fortifications, and called Yamakaku Kiimori over. "Have you seen it, Messenger? We don't even want the arrow warehouse. Their father and son know about this, so they should understand my intentions." "yes." "Therefore, please tell their father and son what you have seen and heard, and say that after discussing with them, Ieyasu was satisfied and realized that the border fortifications were no longer needed. I immediately ordered people to remove them and returned to Hamamatsu." Under the warm sunshine, Ji Yishou nodded frequently, watching the fortifications under his eyes being dismantled one after another. On March 21, Ieyasu returned to Hamamatsu from Mishima via Numazu and Sunfu, and there were hardly any smiles along the way.Not only that, once he left Numazu, he didn't even mention the names of Hojo and his son.Probably since he left Numazu, he began to think about how to deal with Hideyoshi. As soon as he returned to the city, he immediately sent Matsudaira Kachu to ask Nobuo if he would send another envoy to discuss the marriage. "Yes, they seem to have announced the matter to the world. I hope that after the lord returns, he will send important officials to discuss the wedding date." "Oh." Ieyasu glanced out of the courtyard, and it was raining more and more around Weishi.He didn't give orders right away. "Who does my lord think it is better to send? I think I should call him here and have a serious discussion." Ieyasu didn't answer, but simply asked, "Was the messenger sent by Nobuo, or by Hideyoshi himself?" "According to Mr. Takikawa, this time it was Guan Bai's own idea." "What does Guan Bai mean by himself?" "Yes. He said that when Guan Bai announced the matter, it caused a big commotion in Osaka City." "Oh?" "They said that they had never heard of 'People of the World' sending hostages to the inferiors. This kind of thing is too absurd!" "Who said that?" "Hachisu Kahikoemon, Kuroda Kanbei, etc." "Hachisuka and Kuroda agreed to peace talks a long time ago. Everyone is just acting!" "Oh. In short, Guan Bai seemed to be boasting at the time, saying that he was going to do a shocking event that would be recorded in history forever." "Kachu, we can send Saburo Amano to handle this matter. That's it." "Amano...alone?" "One person is enough. Since the other party is acting, we will deal with him in the same way." "but……" "There is no need to send a lot of high-ranking ministers, because we are not asking for hostages from them, but they are forcing us to fortify them. For the sake of the world, I am very strict with Hojo and his son, and I will not flatter Hideyoshi!" "yes." "Call Saburo Bingwei, and I'll talk to him about taking hostages." Iechu Matsudaira looked up at Ieyasu in confusion, he had never seen the lord so stern.He secretly thought that the lord must have encountered some unpleasant things in Mishima.Jiazhong didn't leave right away. In his honest and honest view, since he had already discussed the marriage with Hideyoshi, he shouldn't always talk about the word "hostage". "Jiazhong, why did you call Saburo Bingwei?" "Forgive me, my lord. I really don't know. How about asking Ben Duo about his faith? He is a thoughtful person." After hearing this, Ieyasu's expression became even colder. He fell silent and looked at the rain outside the window.Mishima's meeting achieved the expected purpose.He originally wanted to treat Shizheng and his son the same way he would treat children, and it has achieved very good results. Even so, the Ieyasu after returning from Mishima is very different from the previous Ieyasu.Before going to Mishima, the retainers were quite tough on Hideyoshi; but after returning, Ieyasu became much tougher than the retainers.Hideyoshi is cheating!Is it because he recognized this and hated each other, or because he appeased the Hojo father and son, he is no longer afraid of Hideyoshi?In any case, Ieyasu's displeasure never disappeared. "Now I hate Hideyoshi!" Ieyasu suddenly said after a long time. Songping Jiazhong was taken aback: "Ah, what did the lord say?" "I hate Hideyoshi!" "Isn't that a long time ago?" "No, I thought that if he could carve this stone into a jade man, I wouldn't hate him. But now, I hate him!" "Why?" "He lied to me, how dare he lie to me!" "cheat?" "Yes, he lied to me, forcing me to bow to him. Therefore, I will try my best to compete with him. I will make him fall into trouble, and I will carve him!" After Ieyasu finished speaking, his tense face suddenly relaxed, Laughed, "Understood, the deeper the understanding, the deeper the hatred. I am also a stubborn person born in Mikawa, but I just gave up my position in the past. Understand? Call Saburobei." Jiazhong still didn't quite understand, he muttered and stood up. It rained harder.