Chapter 9 Chapter IX Twelve Crimes

Tokugawa Ieyasu, dressed in military uniform, hurried to Aai's delivery room, the warm wind gently blowing on his face. On April 23rd of the seventh year of Tensho, Takeda Katsuyori once again dispatched troops to Ejiri in Suruga, the residence of Anayama Meiyuki.Ieyasu just got back from there. Frightened by the defeat in the battle of Nagashino, Katsurai was extra cautious in dispatching troops this time, and would not provoke a decisive battle lightly.In desperation, the two armies had no choice but to stand firm and confront each other.Ieyasu also temporarily returned to Hamamatsu.

This is not the first time Aai has given birth.On the seventh day of April in the fourth year of Tianzheng, she gave birth to a son named Changsongwan, who later became Xiuzhong.Since Ieyasu does not have a real wife in Hamamatsu Castle, Ai is especially loved and respected by everyone.When Ieyasu came back from the battlefield, Ah Ai of Xixiang Bureau had given birth to his second son.For Ieyasu, this is already the fourth son after Xinyasu, Ugimaru, and Changmatsumaru. 『①According to historical facts, Tokugawa Hidetada was born on the seventh day of April in the seventh year of Tensho. 』

"Congratulations, my lord, another son is born." Ben Duo Zuo Zuo, who was in charge of staying behind, came to report happily. "Oh, I have made another great contribution to my Tokugawa family. This time I may not stay here for a long time, so I will go see her." Ieyasu hurried to the delivery room to visit without even taking off his armor. Although Ieyasu had ordered Honda Saemon to expand the castle, and the streets appeared to be much wider than before, they were still very simple, not in the same breath as Nobunaga's Azuchi Castle. Under the recommendation of Nobunaga, Ieyasu has been promoted from the fourth rank to the left guard right major general, and his territory has been greatly expanded.Ordinarily, his daily life can also be more luxurious, but the actual situation is just the opposite, and Ieyasu has become more frugal.In the past, a meal consisted of five dishes and one soup, but now it is three dishes and one soup, and rice is mixed with 20% wheat.

"This is much more extravagant than the common people. You have never seen what the common people eat." As he spoke, he sipped a few mouthfuls of porridge and chewed a few mouthfuls of pickles.Ieyasu eats so well that people really don't know whether to praise him as a great general or worry that he is born stingy. Under the guidance of Sakuzuo, Ieyasu came to a delivery room with a juniper bark roof built in the north of the city. He left his attendants outside and gently untied his shoelaces. "Shut up, I won't go in, just take a look outside and leave." Visiting a baby who has just come into this world to enjoy life is such a different mood.He stopped the nurse and maid who came out to greet him with his eyes, and asked them to gently open the door a crack.Standing there, he looked like a teenager, his heart beating violently.

Next to Ah Ai, a baby like a lump of flesh was sleeping soundly, while Ah Ai was staring at the roof with his eyes open. "Aai..." Ieyasu tried not to scare her, calling her name in a low voice.A'ai suddenly turned her gaze, saw that it was Ieyasu, and hurriedly got up. "Don't move, don't move, lie down!" "I really didn't expect that the adults would come to see me. Ah Ai never dreamed of it." "You have worked hard and made great achievements. Another boy, Changsong will be so happy to have a younger brother. On the way, I have been thinking about what name I should choose. The previous one was called Changsong, and this one will be called Fusong."

"Matsumaru?" "Yes, it's called Fukusong Maru. It would be nice if I wasn't on the battlefield, and I could hold a good ceremony, but the enemy is right in front of me, so I can't do it, I'm really sorry." Ieyasu stared at the sleeping baby. Confused, she said: "It's really strange. As the saying goes, late-born children will leave their parents early. The later the child is, the cuter it is. This is true." "Yes." A'ai replied bluntly, but she still can't understand this feeling.All Ah Ai understands about Ieyasu is that he is increasingly disgusted with fame and is trying to enrich his heart.Nobunaga is in full swing, expanding his power.The more Nobunaga expands, the more restrained Ieyasu is, and the gap between the two is getting bigger and bigger, as if they are moving towards the extremes of yin and yang.

"Xinkang is already twenty-one years old, Yu Yiwan is only six years old and is still being raised outside, Changsong is four years old, and Fusong has just been born. If Xinkang's son, that is, my grandson, is also born, everyone will get together and have a good time in the city. How wonderful it would be to watch a Noh play here." "So, the young master will soon have a descendant who can inherit the family business..." "Yes, there will be soon. Ah Ai!" "exist." "I see, you are a person who refuses to relax even if you are lying on the bed. Don't just think about messy things, take a good rest and recover soon."

"Thank you, my lord." "I have to go to Suruga now, I'm afraid there will be a war before then, so you have to be extra careful." Ieyasu was about to leave, but suddenly turned around again, using his big hands that smelled of grain and grass , gently stroked the baby's little face before getting up and leaving. The sun has just begun to set to the west, and although the sky in the west is dark and rolling, it doesn't look like a thunderstorm.Walking on the road, Ieyasu recalled all his sons from Xinkang to the newly named Fukusongmaru. At some point, Zukuzuo came running over, looking very angry, and yelling loudly.

"What's the matter, Zuo Zuo? This isn't what you usually look like, what happened?" "My lord, that bastard Nobunaga finally showed his sharp teeth. I knew this guy was a very cunning beast." "Zuo Zuo! Why are your words so vicious?" As he said this, Ieyasu's face darkened. Honda Asakuzaemon has a habit, when he sees others startled or excited, he will deliberately pretend to be calm.But today, his eyes were burning and his lips were trembling.Recently, Nobunaga will always cast a shadow on Ieyasu's heart intentionally or unintentionally.Seeing Zuozuo lose his composure, Ieyasu hurriedly asked, "What's going on? Did Chuji or Tadashi come back and say something?"

"Yes, the faces of both of them changed drastically, and they are waiting for you in the hall." "Everyone's complexion changed?" "My lord, Nobunaga finally has a problem for you." "Do you want me to attack Ishiyama Honganji Temple?" "Where are you thinking, don't panic, he wants to take Okazaki's young master..." As he said, his face was full of hatred, "I can't tell, my lord will go to see him and the two of you soon. " Hearing this sentence, Ieyasu's heart ached like a sharp sword.The disaster he had been worrying about for a long time finally came.

Ieyasu raised his head and looked up at the sky, but he didn't say a word, neither the slightest sign of anxiety nor embarrassment could be seen.He had begun to put on weight, and his chubby forehead was gleaming with sweat. As soon as he entered the hall, Ieyasu felt that the atmosphere was not right.Chuji and Tadashi sat there with weird expressions, their shoulders slumped.The guards standing on both sides seemed to be too frightened to breathe. "You two have worked hard." Jiakang looked at the two of them as calmly as possible, and then at the guards, "How is Master Youfu?" "Yes." Just as he answered, Chuji lowered his head again. "What? Do you want people to retreat?" "No." "Since you don't need it, you can just say it. What happened?" "Nobunaga is going to make Okazaki's young master and Mrs. Tsukiyama commit seppuku." After gritting his teeth, Tadashi put his forehead on the tatami several times. The hall was instantly filled with murderous aura. "Chuji... have you brought an order?" "No, it's just our speculation. How could we convey such an order!" "Oh." Ieyasu nodded lightly, "Why do you two speculate like this?" There was a deep sigh in his words. "I'm just reporting our thoughts to my lord for your reference." Chuji replied tremblingly, while Okubo Tadayo lowered his head without saying a word. "There are twelve crimes. I am in a state of confusion right now. I may not be able to figure out the order. Please forgive me, my lord." Saying this, Tadashi straightened his back, trying to calm himself down. On the battlefield, even in the face of an enemy ten times or twenty times his own size, Chuji didn't even blink, and he still talked and laughed happily, but now his eyes are burning and his whole body is trembling, which weighs heavily on Ieyasu's heart. Stone. "First, recently, a kind of dance has become popular near Okazaki Castle. Since Imagawa Yoshimoto was killed in Tianlewa and his son Shizhen inherited the family business, this dance has become popular like wildfire." "indeed so." "What is the reason why this dance is popular in Okazaki? When the people trust the lord and have hope, they will not accept this kind of thing. But when they see that the future is hopeless, they will use dance to forget everything Therefore, this dance can be said to be a harbinger of the country's subjugation. This is evidence that Saburo has no ability to give hope to the people." Ieyasu closed his eyes and nodded quietly: "What about the second one?" "Second, when the Imagawa family was about to perish, Shizhen often danced this kind of dance. As a result, the Imagawa family perished after dancing. Saburo also liked this dance. He not only went from village to house to dance, They also let the leaders jump, and even became angry because of those who couldn’t dance, or those who danced in rags, and shot people to death with bows and arrows on the spot. This is not what a lord should do.” "Xinkang really did such a thing?" "Yes Yes." "Then why didn't the old ministers tell me about it?" "If you tell the lord, the lord will scold the young lord. When the young lord is scolded, he will say that it was the old officials who complained, and then go back and scold the old officials." "What about the third one?" The anger in Ieyasu's heart was almost like a volcano erupting, but he closed his eyes. "The third is, when returning from hunting, put a rope around the monk's neck and drag him to death." "And what's Article Four?" "Article 4...Kanahara Xiaoping spoke out too many times, and the young master was so angry that he drew a wild goose-tailed arrow to kill him." Ieyasu was taken aback, and turned his gaze to Kanbara Yasomasa who was standing aside: "Xiaoheita, are these all the truth?" "yes." "What did you do at that time, did you draw your arrow?" Kang Zheng lowered his head: "I said, if you want to deal with me, an innocent person, will my lord agree to you? If it's my lord's order, then you can shoot. After finishing speaking, I will leave without fear." Gradually, Ieyasu felt as if a big nail had been driven into his body, which was extremely painful.Nobunaga found out what he didn't know at all.Xinkang has no prestige among the retainers, and this matter is solidly proved. Ieyasu suppressed his anger and stopped thinking about it.He asked calmly: "Then the fifth..." "Article 5..." Zhongji wiped his eyes lightly with his hand. The hall is actually not too hot, and there is a little cool wind blowing in from time to time, but Zhongji's back is already dripping with sweat, "Because De Jisheng The young master was extremely upset that in order to have a boy, he took another concubine and tortured De Ji in every possible way..." "and after?" "A little attendant next to the young lady remonstrated with the young master. As a result, the young master was furious and killed the attendant on the spot. This was not enough. After the person died, he smashed the little attendant's mouth with a knife..." "What about the charges that came down?" "That's about Mrs. Tsukiyama. One of them is that she secretly sent a secret letter to Katsuyori, and cooperated with Katsuyori both internally and externally in an attempt to destroy the Tokugawa and Oda families." "Okay!" Ieyasu couldn't listen anymore, and interrupted Chuji unbearably, "That is to say, Zhushan is trying to rebel?" "Yes Yes." "What did Oda-sama say? Did he say that Xin Yasu wanted to rebel, or did he say that this matter had nothing to do with Xin Yasu?" The more he asked, the more angry Ieyasu became.Nobunaga's words have reached this point, no matter what, the ending will be tragic.Today's Nobunaga has transformed, from a lord of Owari Mino who had to listen to the faces of the people of Mikawa, to a ruler who wants to rule all people and take the world as his own responsibility. His way of doing things has changed. If you look at it from the perspective of a "people of the world", Saburo Nobuyasu of Okazaki is not likable in terms of character, blood, behavior, mind and ability.Xinyasu is not as brave as Katsuyori, and he still has the blood of the Imagawa family who regards Oda as his enemy, and his behavior is rough, so he is not supported by important ministers and leaders. If such a Xinyasu had a quarrel with his father and colluded with Takeda Katsuyori, then the situation in the seaway east of Mikawa would be in chaos and it would be difficult to deal with it.After weighing again and again, Xinkang can only commit suicide.Nobunaga must have thought so.Once a word is spoken, it is never taken back. This is Nobunaga's character. "Lord Nobunaga said that Saburo had nothing to do with Madam's treason. But once Madam cries and forces him, he may be incited. If something happens, the Lord will fail. Therefore, he no longer worries, let the young master cut seppuku... ..." "He said he didn't worry anymore..." "yes." "Alas! Saburo was supposed to be Nobunaga's good son-in-law, but..." Ieyasu paled.Tsukuru, who had been listening to their conversation with his eyes closed, took a step forward: "My lord, what should I do? Are you just obeying orders so obediently?" "So what if you don't obey?" "A fight to the death, if not, the young master's life will be lost." "No hurry, Zuo Zuo, just wait and see." Ieyasu stopped Zuo Zuo, and began to think again. Zhongshi and Zhongji still had their shoulders slumped, listless.This intensified the anger of those present.Someone even raised a suffocating question: "Chuji, how did you defend the young master?" "That's the truth, and I can't make trouble for no reason." "That's unreasonable! Then can't you keep silent? Besides, you can also ask three questions. Is this what a man does?" "You can also keep in mind what other people said first, and then come back and report it? It's okay not to be an important minister, but to be like a pawn. I didn't expect two dignified men of seven feet to come back in such a wimpy way. Shame!" The crowd in the hall was excited for a while, and finally, Tadashi didn't dare to speak anymore. Ieyasu was still holding onto one end of the table, motionless.The surrounding gradually darkened.As night fell, the wind died down, and the sound of the ebb and flow of the tide could be heard in the distance. "My lord, let's not mention the madam's matter for the time being. I just want to say, young master, if you don't use force, then send a message. Please send an envoy quickly. If there is no suitable candidate, Zuo Zuo is willing to go. Didn't Nobunaga say that conspiracy Does it have nothing to do with the young master? In this way, he may see our reaction." However, Ieyasu didn't think so. "When Nobunaga moved from Gifu to Azuchi New Town, didn't he go there with bare hands?" "It doesn't matter if you're bare-handed. Maybe they also expected that we will attack forcefully, and Saburo is his son-in-law." "No, you are wrong." Ieyasu shook his head slowly, "He moved into the new city with bare hands, which shows his determination. From now on, he will act as a man of the world, and is no longer the name of a small country. He This is an oath in the heart, bare-handed is of great significance. In the eyes of Nobunaga, Saburo is the person who makes him uneasy... this unworthy son!" "So, watching my eldest son being conspired by others like this..." "Wait, let me..." Ieyasu said as if he had suddenly discovered something, "Chuji, Zhongshi, go down and rest. I'm going to think carefully tonight." "yes." "Oh, life is so unpredictable." "That's what you said..." "Things I've been thinking about before, I thought about it again today. I'm still thinking about watching a Noh play with Xinkang, my newborn baby, and my four sons... Now that I think about it, I can't do it anymore. , a son has been haunted by Yan Luo." "..." "That's it. What to do, I will think about it at night. Don't make irresponsible remarks to Mr. Nobunaga. Maybe Mr. Nobunaga is crying in his heart. I can understand that he is probably thinking that even if It is my beloved son-in-law, and for the sake of the overall situation, I have to be merciless. Moreover, first eliminate the worries of the future, and then go all out to pacify the Chinese region. Before I make a decision, everyone must not act rashly. After I think it over, I will act according to the plan .” Everyone sobbed in unison. That night, Ieyasu returned to his bedroom early.However, the more I tried to calm down, the more flustered I became.Although Nobunaga had seen through it a long time ago, he still took chances, thinking that things would not happen, which was really negligent.It must have been Dek-hee who wrote to tell Nobunaga all the details.One is a member of the Imagawa clan, and the other is the daughter of the Oda family who wiped out the Imagawa clan.Putting Deji and Zhushan in the same city is a miscalculation.Even if this is not the case, the daughter-in-law and mother-in-law are incompatible. As for Xinkang, if I had warned him earlier... Saburo is strong but self-willed, so he should set up the post of city representative in Okazaki and let Xinkang move to an inconspicuous small town, but if Xinkang is sent away like this, maybe Nobunaga will still Will defend him in turn.Such is the character of Nobunaga. The performance of the important ministers is also embarrassing.Everyone's bravery is one in a hundred, honest and brave, and they will not give in to anyone, but when it comes to diplomacy and political means, no one is good at it.Not only that, but he was naturally repulsive, saying that he didn't look like a samurai.Also, none of them can speak, and they keep silent when things happen.The case of Yashiro Ohgami is a clear proof, and this time is no exception. Many things about Xinkang have just been heard today. After thinking about it, Ieyasu began to reflect on himself again.This time Xinkang was in trouble, and the situation was so embarrassing, so he blamed his retainers for this, which was also his own fault. Ieyasu lay still, but couldn't sleep all night.At dawn, it began to rain, and Thor kept roaring in the sky.By this time, Ieyasu's pillow was soaked. Ieyasu felt uncomfortable at the thought of his son's unworthiness. "Saburo, why aren't you more cautious, otherwise how could this happen." Ieyasu never even thought about going to fight Nobunaga rashly for the sake of his beloved son.At this time, he regretted it incessantly, and his whole body felt hot. "Sanlang, father is in a dilemma, there is really no way to save you, so I have to..." If it really came to the point of desperation, send Xinkang's head to Antu City, Ieyasu even had such an idea. The thunderstorm stopped, and it was already bright.Ieyasu got up without even closing his eyelids.The patrolling guards hurried over to see what the lord had ordered. "I want to take a walk in the yard alone, you don't have to follow." After dismissing the guards, Ieyasu walked outside alone.The ground is wet, the air is fresh, there is a cloud on the sea, and the tops of the pine trees are clearly visible in front of us.Ieyasu stood there, staring intently at the sky, his thoughts were full of thoughts, and he didn't move for a long time. The short life and the eternal confrontation, the greatness of nature and the smallness of man.Yes, exactly.Ieyasu said to himself.For Saburo, I would rather put down my self-esteem and apologize to Nobunaga.This is the simple heart of parenthood. Gradually, the sky in the east turned red, and around Ieyasu, the birds sang happily. Ieyasu walked back to the hall and called Tadashi again.All the personal guards were sent away, leaving only one person, Ieyasu's son-in-law Okuhei Kuhachiro Nobumasa.Chuji also looked like he didn't sleep well, his eye circles were darkened, and he sat there sighing non-stop, his face full of unwillingness. "Chuji, I want to work hard for you to go to Antu City as an envoy, what do you think?" "Yes..." Chuji glanced at Ieyasu complainingly, then lowered his head again. "You heard these things from me. I have no choice but to trouble you again. However, Zhongshi doesn't need to go this time. Let Jiubalang replace him as your helper." Kuhachiro nodded slightly, then glared at Chuji fiercely.He had heard of Chuji's stupidity and incompetence. "About Xinkang, just pretend that I don't know. I have prepared a good horse in advance as a gift for Nobunaga. When Nobunaga traveled thousands of miles from Ozhou to buy a horse, You seem to like a four-year-old brown horse very much, you take it to Nobunaga. Then, look for an opportunity to intercede for Saburo." "I obey, but..." Chuji's eyes fluctuated, "What will my lord do if Nobunaga refuses to listen? My opinion is to agree first, and then make a decision..." "Why do you always say things that are incompatible with your personality? If Nobunaga insists on taking Xin Kang's life, do you think I will fight him?" "Yes...ah no, I didn't think that way, so..." "Although he is an unworthy son, which father doesn't feel sorry for his son? Whether it is me or you, don't make the same mistakes and make the same mistakes. If you succeed, move Xinkang to a small town. , save his life." "yes." "If you find it difficult to speak, then pretend that I don't know anything. Just say, when I returned to Hamamatsu, Ieyasu, who didn't know anything about it, just bought a good horse and wanted to present it to Mr. Nobunaga, so I ordered you Go to Azuchi City again. I said that I was so happy last time that I forgot about this matter. In any case, I would like to ask Mr. Nobunaga to reconsider the matter of Saburo. Do you understand my mood?" "Understood." Chuji asked, still frowning, "If Mr. Nobunaga still refuses to agree..." He must think that since Nobunaga has already spoken, no matter how he defends Xinkang, Nobunaga I'm afraid it's hard to hear. Ieyasu seemed to understand Tadashi's thoughts, and immediately flew into a rage: "If that's the case, what else can I do except accept the reality? Didn't I tell you from the beginning? Don't you understand?" "Yes, I understand." "Hurry up and leave quickly. I have already asked Jiubalang to prepare the horse. You also have your own children. As for what to say after you go, you should think about it on the way." "The subordinate understands. The subordinate will go right away." "Jiubachiro, you pretend you don't know anything, you just went to deliver the horse." The two had already left, and Ieyasu was still immersed in a daze. I don't know how many hours later, I suddenly heard someone shouting outside the door, it turned out to be Zuo Zuo. "My lord, may I come in?" "It's Sakuza, come in." Compared with yesterday, Sakuzaemon seemed to be a different person, came in quietly, and gently sat down on the seat. Today's wind is not as strong as yesterday. In the open and bright yard, the green leaves seem to be suffocated and listless under the scorching sun. "My lord, have you thought about it?" "You mean it won't work even if you send someone on an embassy?" "I just sent the two of you away. I don't think Captain Zaemon has any intention of interceding for Saburo from the beginning to the end." "I can also see that he is a bit reluctant, and really..." "I didn't expect that such a man is not as good as a woman. Although it is impossible for him to talk nonsense out of nothing, it is entirely possible to vent all his dissatisfaction with Saburo with his feminine personality. .” "What, a woman with a small belly? What are you talking about!" "There is a maid named Afu beside Tokuhime, she is quite pretty. Lieutenant Zaemon was interested in this maid, so he went with Tokuhime and put it in Yoshida Castle. Later, the young master found out and called Tadashi , and scolded him severely in front of the Young Madam." Ieyasu couldn't help clicking his tongue, he had never heard of this incident. "And in the early winter of last year, the two of them argued again in the battle. Could this be the reason why Captain Zaemon made Nobunaga make up his mind? I thought about it in private. If this is the case, even if I intercede To play any role, this should be considered from the very beginning. I don’t ask the lord to fight today, I only ask the lord to make a decision as soon as possible.” Ieyasu just stared at Zuo Zuo, neither nodding nor making a sound.As Zuo Zuo said, this mission may really not work.After a while, he thought: I can only resign myself to fate. This may be the helplessness of parents.If the son-in-law Jiuhachiro who followed this time cannot impress Nobunaga, and Tadashi is unwilling to defend himself, it may be another stupid and ill-considered move. "My lord, I don't want to say anything more, I just want to tell you, just pretend that none of this happened." "Zuo Zuo, stop thinking about it. I'm already confused and overwhelmed." "I will also engrave this lesson in my heart. This kind of thing will happen in a person's life." "However, Zuo Zuo...don't reveal to anyone that Tadashi has no intention of defending himself." "Keep it in mind." "Nevertheless, a thunderbolt fell overhead. Left." "Yeah, yesterday, even I was furious." "Think about it again, don't mess up your position, so as not to make Nobunaga laugh. Think about it again, and see if there is any other way. Alas, the tree wants to be quiet and the wind keeps going." Tsukuru put his left hands on his knees, facing Chao Jiayasu, I don't know what he was thinking.