Chapter 14 Chapter Fourteen

On the night of the 21st, Shibata Katsuya quietly returned to Beizhuang City with less than a hundred troops. Chacha saw all this scene.Of course, she showed no surprise. There was no chance of winning this battle, and it was very clear from the beginning.Even so, Chacha still expects that Singer will hit Hideyoshi hard somewhere.Now it seems that this wish has not been realized in the end, and the Sheng family has fled back in a panic.After all, repairing is not as good as his biological father Asai Nagamasa... This is not just out of yearning for his father, but also out of Chacha's competitive temperament.

The stepfather knew that he was bound to lose, but he bit the bullet and attacked for the sake of face, that's all.If he died on the battlefield, he had earned a reputation, but now, he fled back secretly without regard to shame, Chacha was deeply ashamed.If it was the biological father, he would definitely commit suicide resolutely and would never endure such humiliation. After getting up in the morning, Chacha went to visit her mother as if nothing had happened.Surprisingly, my mother still washed and dressed as usual, step by step, and there was no sign of panic.In this way, Chacha despised Singer even more.

Nagamasa was worthy of a man who had the courage to die for the honor of a samurai, and he had no intention of embarrassing his wife at all.But the Singer in front of him is different, there is no sign of wanting to help his wife from him.It seems to be the same for others.As soon as Sheng Jia returned to the city, he immediately gathered the remaining retainers. It seemed that he wanted to lead everyone to the point of no return.But even if the young children and the elderly are all gathered, there may be less than 3,000 people.There is no need to repeat the victory or defeat. Even so, the victor still has to make the final stand. If this is the so-called glory, then what a cruel thing glory is, it will drag everyone to perdition.Singer's so-called fighting for honor is tantamount to letting everyone die.But in the face of this meaningless war, the mother obeyed.Chacha deeply regrets this.

After Chacha visited her mother's room, she returned to her own room, and immediately called her younger sisters Gao Ji and Da Ji to her. "Agao, Ada, do you know what happened last night?" "I know. My sister is talking about my father returning to the city very late." Da Ji, the youngest, said cautiously.Da Ji, who is usually very cautious and never talks much, seems a little excited this morning. "Yes. It seems that this time my stepfather was defeated and fled back in embarrassment, so..." Chacha deliberately pointed out the window for Daji to see.A gust of wind blows in from outside. "These towns, these cities, and all the people, are about to perish. That's the end."

Daji was silent.She was waiting patiently for what her sister had to say. "Do you understand that no matter what happens to the Sheng family, the three of us sisters will escape from this city. Of course, I want to ask for your opinions on how to escape, whether we should escape together or take our mother with us. "As Chacha said, she stared at Gao Ji and Da Ji solemnly. "Did you know that my stepfather came back with his life and threw the lives of so many servants and warriors on the battlefield. And, there was a council of war last night. You see, the front gate and the back gate, so many warriors are pouring into the city. From sixtieth-year-old old men in their sixties to eleven or twelve-year-old urchins who don't know much about the world, they all came here with guns on their shoulders..."

Hearing what Chacha said, Gao Ji and Da Ji looked out from the window on the third floor.The sun has just come out, and the warm sunshine is shining on the city.Looking through the gaps in the leaves, there are white and bright roads surrounding the city, and there are endless people on the road. "You've all seen it, what are you calling these people into the city for? Needless to say, they are definitely here to defend the city. But, can they hold it? There are at most 3,000 people. And Chikuzen-sama's army has at least 30,000. Even fifty thousand..." "It seems that they are going to live and die with the city..."

"So I hate this repair. Why didn't he die on Zhanyang, and still have the face to come back, so he had to take the lives of the old man and the child? Quan Liulang didn't come back, and Sakuma Xuanbo didn't come back. He was the only one who escaped Come back..." At this point, Chacha softened her tone, "Do you understand that my stepfather is already in trouble, what should we do? Could it be that we just watched our mother die in the flames of war? Gao, what do you think? Come and listen!" At this time Gao Ji was about to cry. "So there is no hope of victory?"

"Do you think there is such a hope? With less than 3,000 people, it is not enough to defend the outer city, let alone the second and third cities. Once the enemy sets fire around, the whole city will be wiped out immediately." Gao Ji's whole body trembled. "Mother must be saved!" She looked at her sister eagerly, "Sister, you have to find a way to save mother." "Ada, what about you?" Da Ji was not trembling like Gao Ji.She lifted her round jaw and looked at the sky motionless. "I...I want to listen to my mother..." "Listen to mother?"

"If mother makes up her mind..." "Mother's determination is to die with this city... Do you want to accompany mother to die?" "Yes." Daji nodded.Recently, the corners of her eyebrows and eyes have matured, showing a kind of determination. "I think my mother must be very reluctant to see Chikuzen Mamoru. I heard that Chikuzen Mamoru has coveted her for a long time. If she survives, her mother will be forced to remarry. I must not watch my mother be...I want to accompany my mother to die." "What did you say?" Chacha turned around and stared at Da Ji in amazement, "We were clearly discussing how to save our mother, but why did you get involved? I will never agree! Otherwise, what else would we discuss? Ada, don't be fooled."

Seeing her sister's angry expression, Daji showed a rare prudence for a fourteen-year-old girl. She stared down at her knees and said to herself: "People don't necessarily live to be happy." "This is just the submission of the weak in the face of misfortune. Ada, people, came to this world to live. Therefore, no matter what you encounter, you should work hard to live and hold on to happiness." Chacha faced Da Ji taught another lesson. Da Ji raised her head, "If Chikuzen Mamoru forces mother to obey him...do you still want mother to live?" "It's too early for you to draw conclusions. You must save your life first, and then you can think of a solution to the problem without giving in. We are not discussing how to let you die, but how to bring back the mother who is determined to die. I My heart is broken, Ada, but you are here to make trouble."

Da Ji lowered her head weakly, "My sister said there is a better way, what exactly is it?" "Oh, if there is no way, can I call you two to discuss it? I just ask your thoughts first." "Then, sister, tell me what you think." As soon as my sister reminded me, Chacha clicked her tongue and looked around. "The three of us went together to persuade mother to escape." "What if mother won't listen?" "If you don't listen, the three of us will be with my mother and this city..." "Hey, is this my sister's sincerity?" Chacha nodded vigorously.She raised her brows and raised her eyes, and her whole body revealed a stubbornness that would never admit defeat. "Why? Who is willing to die for that shameless repairer who fled back in despair? If you tell mother that the three of us are willing to accompany her to die, mother will not bear it and will run away with us. If you escape, it will naturally fall into the hands of the Chikuzen guards, and then I will have a good way." "What's the best way?" "I will persuade Chikuzen Mamoru on behalf of my mother. I will ask him, 'How can such a big man like Chikuzen tarnish the chastity of Youfu's sister? Aren't you afraid that the world will laugh at you?'" "Can Chikuzen Shouding listen?" Gao Ji interjected, "I heard that Chikuzen Shouding is a very persistent person. If he wants to get something, he can't get it." "What are you talking about!" Chacha turned pale and smiled wryly, "everyone has weaknesses. I heard that he cherishes his reputation more than ordinary people. If I tell him that keeping his mother chaste is to show his strength, I dare say that , he will never mess around. Just leave this matter to me." "Then, Ada, let the three of us go and persuade mother together." Daji thought for a while, then nodded cheerfully.Chacha frowned and urged the two of them. Ah Shi has been staring blankly at the road across the moat. Last winter, this was a city ravaged by white demons.Today, it is already a small town hidden in the thick green, and the wind blowing from the Ashane River brings a little bit of coolness.The people who had entered the city in twos and threes since early in the morning were finally gone, only the dust that filled the sky flew up on the white road from time to time.The sky is blue, except for the tops of Mt. Kimpira and Mt. Kunimi on the right, with light thin clouds floating.The city will soon fall! The continuous eaves under the city are hidden in endless green, forming a sea of ​​green.Do the people living in the house know their own destiny? After the army from Chikuzen poured in, they must first set fire to the city.Once the defending side decides to stick to it, the attacking side must first burn the city. This is common sense in war.At that time, the panicked crowd will cry and howl in the fire, which is extremely tragic.Thinking of this, Ah Shi felt that he had committed a serious crime, as if she had killed those innocent creatures. When Xiaogucheng fell, it was like this. This time, she had to experience the fire of hell again.Even so, all Ah Shi can do is die here. There used to be rumors that Hokuriku was the place where her brother Nobunaga killed the most people.If so, she really wanted to die here, to reduce a little sin for herself and her brother. Ah Shi leaned on the railing facing south, thinking all the time—there are two people who don't want her to die, one is her husband Sheng Jia who just came back to the city last night, and the other is her daughter Chacha. They are all very stubborn. Before dawn, Sheng Jia had already told her sternly: "Things have changed, you must escape from this city." Ashi laughed. "Not as loyal as my retainers, I feel shameful. Now I plan to use this city as a coffin, but you shouldn't get into this coffin too." Not only Sheng Jia persuaded her excitedly, Chacha would also treat her whenever she had the opportunity Said: When the winner is defeated, it is the day she dies. Of course, Ah Shi would not easily change her mind just because of the persuasion of the two, but she was already very relieved that there were actually two people in this world who tried hard to keep her alive. The same goes for Singer, Ah Shi knew very well that he would never regard Hideyoshi as an opponent at all, and just laughed it off.She suddenly had a premonition that Chacha would come.What will my daughter say when she comes here? At this time, the maid came to report: "Madam, the ladies are here." Ah Shi listened, and looked into the house vigilantly.I saw the three daughters standing side by side in front of the partition with the painting of the setting sun and distant mountains. Ah Shi's eyes could not quickly adapt to the darkness in the room, and each daughter's face looked very gloomy. "Mother, we have something to ask you." Chacha's voice sounded obviously different from usual, soothing and kind. Ah Shi had expected that sooner or later the daughters would come together and what they would say, she also guessed.She thought that Chacha's words would be harsh and impassioned, but unexpectedly, her daughter's voice was extremely soothing.Ashi breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, you came just in time, I was just about to have someone call you." As she said that, she glanced back at the maid. "Go and get the things I prepared." Needless to say, Ashi has already prepared the relics. After a while, the maid brought a box and opened it, and there were two daggers and a small medicine box inside.Upon seeing these, Chacha smiled softly, "Mother, these things are useless, we don't want them." "Chacha, why did you say something inexplicable?" Chacha glanced back at the two younger sisters, and they both smiled and nodded to each other. "Mother, the three of us are all wrong, please forgive me, mother." "what?" "We finally understand what mother wants to do here." Ah Shi was deeply surprised when he heard this. "You understand what mother is thinking?" "Yes. If my mother leaves here, she will be humiliated again. Not only the mother, the late Lord Youfu, but also the late father, their famous names will be tarnished. Therefore, we..." Chacha looked back again The two younger sisters said seriously. "The more you talk, the more confused I become. Now that you understand what mother is thinking, what do you want to do?" "We will not stop mother. We also want to accompany mother to the last journey. So, please forgive us for our previous mistakes." After speaking, Chacha fell on the ground in an orderly manner, and the two younger sisters also imitated their elder sister's example. look. After hearing this, Ah Shi couldn't help being dumbfounded.She never expected that this was Chacha's perceptive irony, and she thought it was the true thoughts of her daughters. Chacha was convinced that her mother must be in a mess right now, so she returned the box to her as if nothing had happened. "We have discussed it repeatedly. The embarrassing thing is that only Ada is the most open-minded. The three of us are willing to accompany our mother together and never be separated. When the city falls, my mother will also take up the knife and fight the enemy. Fight. We also..." When Ah Shi heard this, she regretted it very much, since Chacha had already said it, she would not back down if she said anything else.No, I have to think of an idea quickly!Ah Shi couldn't stop blinking to hide the panic in his heart.When she inadvertently turned her gaze out of the window, she felt something strange.Probably the flower hall in the southwest area, where thick smoke billowed and flames shot into the sky, I don't know if it was wolf smoke or someone set the fire. "Look, look over there!" The three daughters stood up at the same time and looked in the direction of Ah Shi's finger.The flames of war are approaching faster than the pathetic negotiations between the mother and daughter. In the blink of an eye, it has already reached Beizhuang, and the sound of panicked footsteps can be heard in the corridor. "Report to Madam." A bodyguard came galloping, armor clanging, it was Kojima Wakasa who had gone through life and death with Singe and escaped from the battlefield.Regardless of etiquette, he directly pushed open the partition, knelt down on the ground, and said in a loud voice: "My lord, please leave the city immediately, madam and young lady, please clean up." "Master Wakasa, the black smoke burning in the southwest..." "It was the enemy who set the fire. Madam, please don't worry. Now, Master Maeda has sent an envoy, saying that if there are family members who escaped, please let them go through the Qianmen Gate. Someone has already been sent to guard the gate. It is estimated that the decisive battle will come tonight. Starting tomorrow, Wan asks the ladies and ladies to leave before evening. Please pack up quickly." After speaking, Wakasa was about to leave. Ashi hurriedly stopped him: "Master Wakasa, I still have something to ask." "Ma'am, just ask." "Besides us, there must be some people who are fleeing for their lives in this city. Could you please bring them here too?" "Who are they?" "Maeda-sama's daughter is here as a hostage, and Shibata-sama's young daughters, please bring them here, I will take them away together." Wakasa couldn't help being taken aback when he heard this.Singer told him long ago that even if Asai Nagamasa's three daughters would escape, it is estimated that Ashi would not want to escape.Therefore, he was both surprised and understood.After all, Ah Shi was willing to run for her life. Not only that, but she also wanted to take away the two daughters Sheng Ji and Zheng Ji from the Lian Sheng family... It's a little tricky.The Sheng family never thought of letting their own daughter escape for their lives - even Lord Youfu's younger sister was martyred, how could they let their own daughter survive?Therefore, if Ah Shi is willing to escape, the two biological daughters of the Sing family will also be saved.Wakasa breathed a sigh of relief. "Understood, I will definitely bring them to Madam." "My lord, thank you." Ah Shi felt relieved, "Chacha, you heard everything, I also fled with you, with Mr. Xiu's own daughters, and Maeda's daughter... Hurry up and pack your bags. " At this time, there was the sound of rumbling cannons in the distance.Hearing her mother's promise, Chacha's heart pounded.If only the mother escaped, it may be doubtful.When she heard that her mother was going to flee with the hostages from the Maeda family and the daughter from the Sheng family, Chacha believed it.Is it giri or decency that moved my mother? "Ah Sheng and Ah Zheng are also going with us?" "Yes. Mr. Xiu is also a kind and righteous person. He also hopes that his daughter will escape." "Let's run for our lives with our mother too, Agao, Ada?" "Hurry up and tidy up." Probably the gunshots scared the two of them into a panic. The two younger sisters completely forgot what they had discussed with their elder sister, and stood up immediately.Ah Shi asked his daughters to take their relics with them, and went to pack things by himself. At this time, the atmosphere in the city has changed suddenly. As Chacha expected, under Sheng Jia's command, everyone evacuated the outer city and guarded Erdao City and Sandao City.The elderly, women and children in the city and the families of soldiers from the outer city were all evacuated outside the city.The soldiers stayed behind, and their wives and children distributed some gold and silver, and entrusted relatives to help them evacuate to a safe place. At sunset, the flames that first started burning in the southwest have spread to more than a dozen places, and the blazing fire makes the sky after sunset very charming.The sun had already set, but the people in Erdao City and Sandao City were still busy.Some are carrying bulletproof bamboo bundles, some are ramming inside the closed gate, some are preparing firewood for the campfire, and some are busy cooking... When Kojima Wakasa and Nakamura Bunhasai brought the daughters of Katsuie and Toshiie, who were wearing leggings, straw sandals, and bamboo hats, to Ashi's room, the room was already pitch black. "Madam, according to your instructions, I brought them all. Wen Hezhai will escort you to Qianmen. Let's go now..." While talking, Ah Shi and the three daughters were leaning against the window in the twilight, looking thoughtfully at the soaring flames. "Besides, my lord told me that I might never see her face again in the future, so Madam please live strong." "Oh, please give my respects to your lord." "Madam, don't worry. It is estimated that the people sent by Maeda have already arrived at Qianmen. Please forgive me and leave now." "Take care of yourself……" "Take care of yourself." "Children, hurry up and follow Master Nakamura." As soon as Ah Shi finished speaking, the daughters had already gathered around Wen Hezhai and walked to the corridor.People shouting and neighing came from everywhere from time to time.Everyone hurried downstairs and rushed into the dark courtyard. Sheng Jia was in the hall built with tatami mats in Erdao City, commanding the soldiers to defend the city. "My lord, all the ladies and ladies have left safely." Singer didn't even look at Kojima Wakasa, but nodded.Suddenly, an indescribable loneliness rose in his heart: there is no relative left!I actually expected my wife to stay with me... Although 3,000 soldiers stayed in the city to fight against him and fight bloody battles, in the eyes of Sheng Jia, there was no one left. "Wakasa, go to Your Excellency the Tenshou and pile up the firewood." "Your Excellency Tianshou?" "That way you'll always have the fire ready. Better have the gunpowder ready, too. Understand?" "Understood!" Wakasa replied, raised her head, and looked at Singe's white eyebrows in pain. "Ignite the fire when the city is broken?" Winner nodded decisively. "I will never give them the head. I will inform you again when the fire is lit." "Follow the order. I will prepare now." "Oh, wait a minute." "What else does my lord want?" "It is estimated that the main force of Chikuzen will not come tonight. Therefore, after the preparations are complete, go and take out the stored wine and give it to the soldiers to drink." "As ordered." "Snacks and other things, don't be stingy anymore, take them out, and reward everyone with all the food and wine." After Wakasa left, Singer fell weakly on the table.If Ah Shi is by his side, he can cheer up and finally cause some troubles for Hideyoshi.Now that Ah Shi is gone, he also seems to be tired of everything all of a sudden.Having let those who should have escaped escape safely, all that is left in his heart is disappointment. In an instant, the feeling of death swept over his body, and even the glory he had always pursued, the light became dim.Perhaps, his honor is specially for Ah Shi to see.If this is the case, is Sheng Jia still a man? Wouldn't he become a naive naughty boy? From a man who was born only to fight, when he died, all that was left was cowardice, laziness and fatigue.Singer lazily closed his eyes. There was a slight sound of footsteps, which seemed to be his bodyguard.An aroma of rice balls came to the nostrils.The footsteps came to him and stopped abruptly. "My lord, wake up, it's time to eat." Sheng Jia suddenly opened his eyes, and was stunned: the one who was bowing respectfully in front of him, holding a plate of rice balls in his hand, turned out to be Ah Shi!Singer thought he was dazzled, so he hurriedly closed his eyes, thinking he was dreaming.She had obviously left with her daughters, so why did she appear here? "My lord, are you in a bad mood?" Sheng Jia suddenly opened his eyes wide, probably some kind of ghost is coming to spy on his mind... "Ah, your lord's face is terrifying!" "Is this true? Is it really you, Ashi?" "Yes...it's me, it's Ah Shi." "Didn't you already leave with them? Why are you still here? I have already ordered people to seal the city gates on all sides..." "Forgive me, my lord. I said from the beginning that I would stay in the city and be with you." Singer hurriedly looked around.There were only two candlesticks in the hall, and the dim light carried a strong sense of gloom, giving it a weird feeling. The shadow of the guard with a knife behind him dangled feebly on the ground. In the darkness, only Ah Shi's shadow is particularly clear.Her vibrant eyes, high nose bridge, and small and delicate red lips all exude charming warmth.In an instant, the throbbing that had been dormant in Sheng Jia's heart was as passionate as a morning bell ringing, and burned all over his body like a raging fire.This is an incomparable joy!It was the joy that he had never experienced in his life of crossing the world!Rather, it was ecstasy! "Ashi!" "grown ups!" "Why didn't you obey my order..." As soon as the words came out of his mouth, Sheng Jia immediately felt that it didn't match what he was thinking, and his whole body suddenly became hot. "Please forgive me, my lord!" "Some things can be said, but some things cannot be said... At this point, Ashi, you are willing to live and die with my Sheng family?" "Ashi is willing to accompany you for the rest of your life." "You...you..." Sheng Jia's lips convulsed, and tears fell down. "Yes, Ah Shi has always wanted to see the adults with his own eyes... The world is always capricious..." "So, my... has been decided long ago. You, have seen through my ending long ago?" "Please forgive me, my lord, I just want to spend my whole life as Shibata Xiu's wife." Sheng Jia wanted to say something, but his lips were just trembling. "Okay...Okay, then give me dinner." He couldn't bear to look at the guards and Ah Shi in front of him, and hurriedly grabbed a rice ball. "You did this yourself?" "Yes. Is there a special fragrance?" "Oh, there is a special fragrance. It's the...scent from your fair hands..." As Singer expected, on the 22nd, Hideyoshi did not attack the city immediately, and the night passed without incident.In order to test the winners, the first small group of troops just set a few fires here and there.However, the feint attack had an unexpected effect. It is said that Tokuyama Hideyoshi and Bupo Shengguang surrendered that day.On the second day, Hideyoshi's troops, led by former Tian Lijia and his son, crossed the Hino River and the Ashane River successively, and pressed towards Beizhuang. On the way to march, the Li family sent an advance army to appease the remnants of the Sheng family and appease the local people.After besieging Beizhuang City, the Li family still did not give up their last effort, and once again sent envoys to persuade them to surrender, but at this time, the Sheng family did not even open the city gate. Hideyoshi stationed his battalion at Mount Atago on the south bank of the Zuwa River, and commanded the overall situation.It can be said that this confrontation is a contest of will between two heroes in troubled times, a battle of honor between two generals with very different personalities, beyond the realm of victory and defeat, which is extraordinary. Hideyoshi first ordered people to concentrate their firepower and shoot fiercely at the nine-story castle tower built with high stone walls and standing at the entrance of the city.However, the other party did not respond at all. Probably because the distance was too far for the bullets to hit.Therefore, Hideyoshi selected elite soldiers to form a commando, and rushed into the city with muskets, only to find that the city was empty and there was nothing.After receiving the report, Hideyoshi laughed. "Hey, play tricks on me and try to surprise me! Well, I'll see what tricks you can pull off." Hideyoshi thought that Singer didn't dare to confront him during the day, and must have waited until night to launch a surprise attack on the camp.Winners who fight for fame do exactly that.Therefore, Hideyoshi ordered all places to be strictly guarded to prevent sneak attacks.In this way, the whole day on the 23rd was still Hideyoshi's unilateral action. As night fell, everything merged into the night. Around Xu time, there was movement on the castle tower that had been standing quietly in the night until now, and all the lights above the fifth floor were brightly lit. "It's strange, they are sneaky, what the hell are they trying to do?" "Haha, it seems that they are going to discuss the trick of night attack." "Never be careless. Launch an attack immediately, from any direction, and we must take down the repaired head!" Hideyoshi's army continued to light bonfires to create momentum, but after a while, what came to their ears was the unexpected sound of drums and mournful fifes. "what is the problem?" "They wouldn't be having a big banquet at this time, would they?" When Hideyoshi was full of doubts, the watchtowers around the castle tower were also lit with lights. "It's so strange... They are indeed drinking and playing songs." In fact, Hideyoshi's guess was not wrong at all.At this time, the Sing family was bringing the remaining clansmen, close ministers, and female relatives to gather on the ninth floor of the castle tower, drinking and singing. "Please forgive Singer. It is because of that monkey that Singer has come to where he is today. Although it is sad, don't panic. Tonight, everyone can drink and sing to their heart's content. Tomorrow, maybe we have become Zhaoxia, disappeared in the dust of this troubled world." This is the last scene of Shibata Xiuliang Katsuya who has been obsessed with vanity and military life all his life. His face is shining brightly and his eyes are very satisfied.From the moment he knew that Ashi was staying with him to die, Singer seemed to have gained a new life and recovered from his lifelessness. "Wenhezhai, have all the watchtowers delivered food and drink?" Singer tasted the fine wine one cup after another, squinting his eyes from time to time, looking at Ah Shi tenderly. "Yes. Lamps and candles were sent to every watchtower, and everyone drank happily." "Oh, when Wakasa and Yazaemon come back, I'll show you a dance too. Oh, it's been a long time since I danced..." "It is estimated that the two of them will come here soon. Master Wakasa said, after distributing the food and wine, go to check the firewood piled below." "Oh, it's really embarrassing for everyone to do their best for me. Isn't it, Ashi?" "yes." "The girls have successfully bypassed Chikuzen and entered Fuchu Castle, so they have nothing to worry about. The only thing left to do is to give the monkey a hard time. Right, Wenhezhai?" "Yes. Chikuzen Mamoru is afraid that we will launch a night attack. He must be extremely nervous tonight. How could he think that we are holding an ingenious celebration banquet here." "That's true. It's strange to think about it. But what surprised that monkey even more is yet to come." "My lord!" Ah Shi finished drinking the wine in his glass, and stretched out his hand in front of Singer, "Don't talk about Zhuqian Shou anymore." "Oh, are you tired?" "Right now, Ah Shi has neither Zhuqian Shou nor a city in his heart. Ah Shi just wants to become a bright moon, hanging in the sky thousands of miles away." Singer listened and nodded frequently.He understood that he was not that detached after all. "Okay. Don't talk, don't talk. I don't think of him as an opponent at all." "Come on, let's drink to our heart's content and never get drunk. Ah Shi will also forget everything tonight and have fun with everyone." "Okay, okay. Bring the wine, and Singer poured it for everyone himself. Everyone drank the wine. At the time when Quan Liu was called, Singer kept his face sullen and his shoulders shrugged, and he didn't give you a good look. Today , I want to pour wine for everyone. Please forgive Singer, forgive Singer, for the face of Singer alone, let everyone and that monkey..." Katsuya realized that Hideyoshi was mentioned again, and couldn't help laughing. "Come, come, come, this is Xiu personally drinking wine, drink, drink..." Singer has a strong physique, and he doesn't look like an old man over sixty years old, but his drunken standing posture is still full of sadness.Among the six concubine rooms of the Singer, A-Xian was the oldest. When the Singer handed her the glass filled with wine, A-Xian couldn't help sobbing. "Hey, why are you crying, you..." "Yes... ah, I don't cry. I'm nearly fifty years old, why do I still cry? It's just that it's very rare to be able to drink fine wine with the adults' hands, and this concubine weeps with great emotion." "Hahaha... what are you talking about. Okay, okay, after tomorrow, all the young people who want to escape, I will let them escape. My repair is the bright moon... monkeys, cities, everything Forget it, there is only the bright moon hanging quietly in the night sky. Come on, the next one, I will pour you wine." At this time, Yazaemon Shibata and Wakasa Kojima had finished distributing food and drink, and boarded the castle tower. "Oh, you two are here. Okay, then you drink first. I'll pour the wine, how about it? I'll pour the wine for you in person and dance for you. Fifty years of my life...When Master Youfu was alive, every Things are about to sing, but he died at the age of forty-nine. I am already sixty-two years old, and I have lived twelve years longer, if it weren't for this and that monkey..." Sheng Jia laughed again. Shibata Yazaemon and Kojima Wakasa were a little surprised to see Katsuie drunk.Singer, who usually does not drink too much, is now unbelievably drunk.Singer, who always sat upright no matter how much he drank and never got drunk, now... Ashi gradually became depressed.How could this be?She sent her three daughters away safely, and when she returned to the hall of Erdao City, every corner of her heart was as magnanimous as a small river in winter. Home, now it's broken! At the beginning, Singer seemed to be able to realize some of the true meaning of life, but gradually, his drunkenness made people feel sad and sad.What honor, will, are all illusory things, all nonsense!In fact, what lurks in his heart is mud-like confusion, stupidity and persistence. It seems that it will be me who will cry bitterly in the near future.Ah Shi couldn't help feeling frightened.Singer, with whom she has been going through the last journey of her life, has completely turned into a stupid and ugly old man.Ah Shi only felt endless remorse rushing over him. It turned out that he was forced to die. If he had the chance, should he run away? The drums kept ringing.The wine glass was passed from the maid to Bunhasai, and then to Yazaemon.The fife is played by Wakasa.The women danced one after another, and Singer also made strange gestures and danced while reciting songs. However, when everyone was having fun, Ah Shi coldly avoided and reflected quietly.Was she right or wrong for cheating her daughters and not leaving with them?But in front of them, people seem to be no longer restrained, and they are whitewashing the afterglow of life to their heart's content. Isn't this even more sad?Why do people always like lies so much?When you are sad, why not simply calm down and savor this sadness slowly? "Madam." Sheng Jia gave Ah Shi another glass of wine, "Drink, drink more, tonight is our last banquet." "My lord, I want to leave a last word." "indeed." "Only tonight is left. I want to savor the last time carefully." "Well said. Wen Hezhai, bring a pen and paper." At this time, Wen Hezhai had just received the flute from Wakasa's hand and was trying to play it.He gently put down the fife and stood up. It was near midnight. The paper and pen were brought, and the surroundings suddenly became quiet.Everyone is forced to face a thin piece of paper and the word "death" for the final battle.No, maybe everyone is afraid of this kind of struggle in their hearts, Fang Qiang put on a smile, drank, sang, danced... Ah Shi took the pen, stood up silently, and walked into the corridor.The wind whimpered softly in the sky, the bonfires lit by the enemy were dotted with dots in the dark night in front of us, and the lights on the watchtower were all extinguished.I'm afraid everyone has already finished their dying wine and fell into a deep sleep. Sheng Jia stood up and walked over. He took a deep breath, looked at the sky, and looked down at the four directions, "Everyone has rested." Ah Shi did not respond, but listened intently to the distant bell.In this turbulent world, is it ruthless or sentient?A few stars are embedded in the sky, watching the cruel world with cold eyes. "That's Mount Atago, right?" Singer said, pointing to a bonfire in the south, "I don't know what that monkey Hideyoshi is thinking about now?" He seemed to have forgotten his promise not to mention Hideyoshi just now. "Oh, Xian, bring the wine!" Sheng Jia turned around and shouted loudly. A few more people came, and the banquet naturally moved to the corridor. Ah Shi still turned his back to Singer, standing there, motionless. "You don't need to bring a light," Yazaemon said. "How could their cannons come here?" Sheng Jia said dumbly. At this moment, Ah Shi suddenly felt a black object passing by in front of his eyes. Is it Rhododendron?杜鹃怎么会在此时，飞到此处来呢？ 脚下的城池，已是陷入四面楚歌的一座孤城了。当沉浸于一种无声的悲凉时，当思绪万千时，若有什么东西靠近你，你必会以为那是天外来访的杜鹃。 阿市铺开卷纸，刷刷地写了起来。 〖茫茫世间事，凄凄离别情。 夏夜郭公鸟，声声断肠鸣。 〗 “夫人写好了？” 文荷斋恭恭敬敬地双手接过，朗声吟诵起来。胜家听了，表情突然变得悲怆，黯然放下酒杯。 “文荷斋，拿笔来。” "yes." 胜家一面反复吟诵着阿市刚刚写就的遗诗，一面转过身，面对着油灯沉思起来。在北国的寒夜与纷乱的心情中，他低吟片刻，写道： 〖夏夜梦路无绝期，千古流芳亡亦值。 郭公若有真情意，为我扬名天下知。 〗 胜家写完，文荷斋用更加抑扬顿挫的语调诵读起来。此时，女人们的抽泣声此起彼伏。中村文荷斋轻轻地把两首诗歌放在胜家的面前，笑嘻嘻地低下头，道：“请允许文荷斋献丑写一首。” “哦，怎么想就怎么写吧……” “那么，请允许我写在主公和夫人诗篇的后面。” 文荷斋就在二人的诗句下面写了起来。 〖前世有奇缘，伴君悲凉路。 唯愿至后世，亦能侍旧主。 〗 写完，文荷斋依然用同样的调子诵读了一遍，放在了胜家的面前。胜家把三首诗从头至尾诵读了一遍，与其说他在品味诗意，不如说他是在努力恢复理智。 “好！天快要亮了吧。我也要小睡一下了。在此期间，若有……”说着，胜家看了看文荷斋和若狭，“想要逃命的，只管从这天守阁上逃去便是，任谁也无妨。” "yes." “筑前守必定于天亮时发动总攻。因此，当我醒来，无论是谁，只要还留在这里，柴田胜家会毫不留情地杀死他。你们明白了？弥左卫门，枕头！”厉声吩咐完毕，胜家走到了室内。他的脚步跟平常一样稳健，眼睛也炯炯有神。 侍女们摆放好屏风，拿来棉袄，战战兢兢地盖在已躺下的胜家身上。未几，屏风后面传来了熟悉的鼾声。阿市才舒了一口气，静静地走进屏风内。 当夜，从这里离去的只有侍奉侧室的四名侍女。 当夜色渐渐地褪去，爱宕山上号角长呜、鼓声震天的时候，天守阁上则是一片女人念经诵佛的声音。 战斗从大清早就已开始。进攻一方的军队没有别的选择，只能破城而入。四处展开了白刃战。 二十四日辰时四刻，一支闯进的部队杀到了天守阁的入口处，此时的天守阁上，已经没有一个女人活着了。阿市已经被胜家亲手杀死，尸体却依然静静地坐在那里，双手合十。其他的女人则被乱刀刺死，柴田弥左卫门、小岛若狭等人也被介错而死。 就这样，近午，留在天守阁三层以上的，已不足三百人了。然而，每一个都是忠于胜家的精兵强将，都是心甘情愿殉死的勇士。 此刻，三百名勇士和攻到天守阁二层的敌人，在狭窄的楼梯展开了殊死搏斗。当进攻方突入到第三层，柴田一方拼死抵抗，向敌人猛烈反击，然而，每一次都被羽柴一方逼了回来。 敌人早已把城池围了个水泄不通，一阵阵喊杀声直冲云霄。这样的呐喊自然大大鼓舞了进攻方的士气，同时，柴田的人马渐渐地减少了……其中，有奋不顾身地杀入敌阵、一去不回者，有并非战死、缴枪投降者，也有落荒而逃者。 胜家自己也是三次追杀敌人，三次退回天守阁。与其说是为了杀敌，毋宁说是为了用尽所有力气，为自己寻得合适的死期。 不知何时，太阳已经西斜了，恐已是申时。中村文荷斋满头大汗地回到天守阁，来到胜家的身边。“主公，已到了申时。” “嗯，知道了。”胜家已经脱去盔甲，正在撤去阿市躯体旁边的屏风。 “文荷斋，你到下面检查一下，可以点火了。” “遵命。”文荷斋应一声，再次向楼下奔去。 胜家的额头上滴下豆大的汗珠，默默地把侍女们的尸体堆积到阿市后面，然后扶住阿市那毫无痛苦的苍白脸庞。 “阿市，你好好看着！”胜家突然自言自语，大口大口地喘着气嗯此时，天守阁上除了胜家，只余三十多具尸身了。然而，在胜家心中，他们都没有死，都在凝视着自己的一举一动，都在和自己说话。胜家轻轻地抚过阿市冰冷的面颊，紧咬着牙关走到了回廊。 剩下的近侍们郡已退到了四层、五层，为了不让敌人近前，为了给胜家赢得最后的时间，所有的人都在殊死拼杀。 突然，一股冲天的大火从四层升起。 “羽柴秀吉的士兵们，你们听着——”胜家的身影出现在了滚滚浓烟之上。进攻天守阁的士兵不约而同地手搭凉棚往上观看。 “你们都给我好好地看着，看一看英雄鬼柴田是如何切腹的……” 下面顿时一片哗然。 胜家一只脚踩在栏杆上，虽然此时下面有几千双眼睛在注视着他的一举一动，然而他觉得，只有身后的阿市在热切地望着他。“我胜家决不会给你丢脸！阿市，你好好看着，看一个老武士悲壮的最后一刻……” 阳光下，一道白刃一闪而过，喷涌而出的血柱在蔚蓝的天空画出一道虹光。从左肋刺入的短刀直直刺破右背，接着，胜家回手一刀，从胸膛到小腹，一气割破了腹部。他用尽最后一丝力气睁开眼睛，把刀用力抛向空中，一把将五脏六腑全抓了出来，伴随着一种奇异之声，抛向了楼下的人群。 就在这一瞬间，隆隆的爆炸声一阵接着一阵，把大地都震得摇晃起来，九重的天守阁轰然倒塌在滚滚浓烟之中……