Chapter 15 Chapter Fifteen

In the eighth year of Tianzheng, the winter in Koshu was a rare warm winter. The city of Yashizaki, which is located in the basin, has not even had a shred of frost in the past few days. If it had been before, this would be the time when Echigo's men and horses were waiting for the ice and snow to melt, ready to move, and it was also the season for Koshu to vigorously prepare for war. But now, Uesugi Kenshin, who had been an enemy of Shingen all his life, has passed away, and Koshu's enemies are only left in the west. . As if lured by the warm sunshine, Takeda Katsuyori also came to the yard. He came out to listen to the report of his subordinates.

"I want to take a walk in the yard, so you don't have to follow me." Katsurai left the guards with big knives in front of the porch, and walked alone through the budding wintersweet bushes to a sunny place in the south. Diao Xian and his men strolled here while enjoying the scenery. "My lord, today's weather is really nice. The snow has melted, only a little snow remains on the Shinano Mountains." Diao Xian bowed solemnly and winked at his subordinates quietly. The spy looked to be in his mid-thirties.He hurriedly walked to Katsurai's side, and put the chair in his hand in a sunny place.Katsurai didn't sit down, he just stood up.Seeing no one around, he hurriedly asked: "Over there at Okazaki, how is Xinkang's young lady?"

"Yes. Ieyasu's endurance is unbelievable. He doesn't seem to have any resentment against Tokuhime. On February 20, Ieyasu brought Tokuhime to Kiyosu Castle in Owari safely with Matsudaira Iechu." "Oh? Didn't anything happen?" Katsurai sighed deeply, looking at the mountains in the distance, looking disappointed.He had great expectations for this clash of Tokugawa and Oda, and it was a great opportunity not to be missed.The daughter-in-law's small slip of the tongue actually put her mother-in-law and husband to death.Even if the turmoil subsides for a while, the emotional friction it brings will alienate the relationship between the two families. At that time...unexpectedly, my expectations have failed.

"Yes. Tokuhime also feels that Tokugawa's handling is very in line with human nature. Because of the memory of his deceased husband Nobuyasu, the grief was too much. Later, he did not go to Nobunaga in Azuchi. Now he seems to be stuck in Qingzhou, and even keeps sending people to Azuchi Complaining about all the right and wrong, the Tokugawa people's hatred for Deji has gradually faded, and complaints about Deji are rarely heard in the city." "Oh, as expected of Ieyasu, you have arranged the affairs of the house really well. So, what about between Hamamatsu and Odawara?"

"This..." Before the spies could speak, Diao Xian interjected first: "Odawara is the wife's natal family, so it should be said that such a thing shouldn't happen, but according to the news, Odawara seems to have reconciled with Jia Yasu, and the two families secretly made an appointment. Well, if Ieyasu sends troops to Takaten Kamijou, Odawara will also send troops to Suruga, that's absolutely true." "Huh? Odawara and Ieyasu conspired to hit me in the back..." Katsuyori couldn't help moaning in a low voice. Katsuyori's main wife is the youngest sister of the owner of Odawara, Ujimasa Hojo. Since she was the daughter of Ujiyasu when he got old, she was loved by all kinds of people. Later, she married the Takeda family who had long-term friendship with the Hojo clan.This is an extremely rare marriage in this world that is not based on political strategy.Katsuyori inherited Suwa's beauty, and is still handsome after thirty years old. Although Mrs. Odawara is only nineteen years old this year, the husband and wife are very affectionate.Mrs. Odawara loves Katsurai deeply, and Katsurai also has a special liking for the young lady. Recently, he even neglected all the concubines.

It is unimaginable that the friendship between Qin and Jin of the two families suddenly collapsed.In fact, it was Katsuyori who deliberately asked the Odawara family to get close to Ieyasu in the first place. "Oda and Tokugawa will definitely have friction due to the Shinyasu incident, and Oda will not send reinforcements. So, can you try to lure Ieyasu to Suruga?" When Katsuyori said this, Ujimasa naturally understood, and immediately sent a message to Ieyasu: "If Ieyasu sends troops to Suruga, Ujimasa will also send troops to resist Katsuyori. In this way, Suruga can be defeated by Tokugawa and Hojo. Is the family divided?"

Immediately afterwards, on October 25 of last year, shortly after Xinyasu committed suicide, the Hojo clan and the Koshu army pretended to be confrontational across the Kise River.Ieyasu also seemed to believe in the feud between Ujimasa and Katsuyori.However, Katsuyori's trick turned out to be an introduction, which unexpectedly made Ieyasu and Ujimasa truly shake hands and make peace. If this happened, Katsuyori would have shot himself in the foot. At this time, the spies changed the subject and said, "The Tokugawa side must try to persuade Hojo to join forces to deal with you out of the idea of ​​not relying on the Oda forces as much as possible."

"Hmph... No, why do you say that the two companies have really united?" "The villain has evidence. The two families have prepared to send troops together without notifying you. This is more convincing evidence than anything..." "So, what about Tokugawa's goal?" "There is no doubt that it is to take back Gaotianshen City." After hearing this, Katsuyori turned around suddenly, walked through the corridor, and walked straight to Mrs. Odawara's inner house.Perhaps some news has been sent to his wife... Thinking of this, Katsurai walked through the courtyard gate, but he was suddenly taken aback and stopped in his tracks.

This place is also full of warm sunshine. On the edge of the front porch, the wife is playing the piano in the soft sunlight, dignified and elegant, without any hint of concern.Madam's elder brother has become an enemy... This kind of thing is really unacceptable. After playing a song, the lady raised her happy smiling face.At this time, Katsurai stepped forward to say hello: "Oh, it's been a long time since I heard you play the piano, it's so mesmerizing, play me another song." Seeing Katsuyori approaching, Mrs. Odawara smiled sweetly.Her alluring skin exudes a soft breath, and her eyes are as pure as a girl's. "A clumsy tune that stains your ears."

"Don't be self-effacing, the Japanese songs are beautiful, and the sound of the piano is also very beautiful. By the way, I just walked in the yard for a while, and my throat is a bit dry. Let's have a cup of tea!" "Okay. The water has boiled, it will be ready soon." The lady is standing beside the stone platform in front of the piano. Her slender and lovely neck makes people feel infinitely nostalgic. "lady……" "exist." "Has there been any letter from Odawara recently?" "Letter... I haven't received a letter for a long time." The lady shook her slender neck, and the hairpin also dangled back and forth, making a small sound.Katsurai lowered his head and stared at the back of his wife who was making tea.In the past, I was the one who looked at the discord between Xinkang and Deji coldly, looking for a great opportunity, but before I knew it, I was about to face the same fate.

An envoy must be dispatched to Odawara immediately.However, the message brought by the messenger just now is scary.If what the spies say is true, the only way to blame Shizheng is to use the hostage in his hand—Madam.Ask the envoy to ask in this way: "If you kill your sister, don't you feel bad?" "Anyway, my sister has been given to you. Her life and death are all up to you." If the other party replied in this way, would he really have the courage to kill his young and beautiful wife? "I'm clumsy, I haven't soaked it well, adults can take care of it." Madam didn't expect that Katsurai would come to visit her in broad daylight, she was very excited and tender, "I was thinking just now, if the weather is always so warm Go down, in spring, a hundred flowers will bloom, how wonderful it would be!" "However, when spring comes, I will send troops to fight, and you will be lonely." "Yeah, I was thinking just now, it would be great if there was no war..." "lady……" "Ok." "In case, in case I have to fight your brother, what will you do?" "There will be no such thing." Madam said decisively, and the hairpin on her head jingled again, "my late father chose you for me because he thought that the two families would never fight. A happy woman." "Oh." Katsurai couldn't help sighing, and put down the tea bowl, "But, your father is no longer alive. If the two families turn against each other... I suddenly became worried." "Even if there is a real fight, I will never change my mind!" "How can it not change?" "You are so bad, you clearly know what people are thinking." "You're saying, no matter what, you're a good wife for me, Katsuyori, aren't you?" "Yes, the second, third, fourth, fifth... will always be a good wife to your lord." Madam counted her fair fingers like singing. Katsuyori began to regret coming here.This innocent and hard-working lady not only knows nothing about the world, but also hides a power that weakens his will. "My lord, then I'll play another song for you." Rather than asking for Katsurai's consent, it was more worried about him leaving, so the wife sat down in front of the piano again. If it wasn't for his wife, Katsuyori would have scolded him loudly and left in a hurry.Who should I send to Odawara, and what should I say... Although Katsurai is upset, he can't scold his beloved wife.This is not only because of the age gap, but also because of her eternal youth and pure temperament, which makes a martial artist like Katsurai feel like a spring breeze. The lady who played the piano again is nothing more than an exquisite work of art.Eyes, nose, ears, mouth, hands, feet, how harmoniously matched!In the end, Katsurai could no longer hear what his wife was playing, and he just waited for his wife's hand to stop. When the madam finished playing another song, the voice of the maid reported from the outside, "Qi madam. Just now Master Bu Zhai came over and said that if the lord is here, he wants to meet, and it is extremely urgent." As soon as he heard that the counselor Bu Zhai was coming, Katsurai hurriedly stood up. "What, it's urgent...I have to go back, ma'am, I'm going." Seeing Katsurai standing up in a hurry, the lady fell down on the ground with fear on her face. "How are you feeling?" "I'll listen to it later when I have time." "yes." Katsurai hurried to the porch. "Bu Zhai, come here, what's the matter?" "Yes..." Bu Zhai lowered his round head, "Shoji Tsuchiya's spies came back from Odawara and said they have urgent news to report." "Oh? Masao Tsuchiya sent someone to Odawara?" "Yes, I heard some dangerous rumors, and felt that I should not be careless, so, without waiting for the Lord's instructions..." "Okay." Katsuyori nodded approvingly, the matter of Odawara was indeed not a rumor. As soon as Tsuchiya Masaoji saw Katsuyori, he said, "My lord, please turn your back to the left and right." "Oh, Buzai, Mr. Shimo, you all go down." Saying that, before the others retreated, Katsuyori asked anxiously, "What's going on, Masaji? What happened to Odawara?" "My lord," Masaoji, who was a little younger than Katsuyori, waited for everyone to disperse before he said cautiously, "We let Odawara give us a hard time." "So, the alliance between Tokugawa and Hojo is real?" "Yes, in two or three days, troops will be sent to Suruga." Shoji stared at Katsuyori with a serious expression. Katsuyori didn't answer immediately, but just looked at the sky in a daze.This is not unfounded worry.Shizheng and Ieyasu can unite, and Ieyasu has such ability!The strength that was weakened just now due to the loss of Xinyasu is now beautifully replenished from Ujimasa, and Ieyasu has become an increasingly powerful enemy of Katsuyasu! "Even so, I still don't really believe it..." How could Ieyasu have such a great ability to make the Hojo family sever ties with his sister-in-law and become his sister-in-law's enemy instead? Since Nagashino's disastrous defeat, Katsuyori has also completely changed the ancestral tactics of the Takeda family.Cavalry has always been the main force, but now infantry armed with bows and muskets are the main force, and new military regulations have been formulated. A musket must be prepared with 300 rounds of bullets, and each round must be hit. After Nagashino's defeat, Katsuyori has been spared no effort to search for talented people, and the lost talents have almost been replaced. It can be said that his current strength is no less than before, is it still not as good as Ieyasu? "I have something to say, I don't know..." Changji continued, "I also found an evil monk there. This monk does not seem to be an idle person, and I am afraid it will hinder you." "What, evil monk?" "Yes, it's called Suifeng. He treats people everywhere, from farmers and businessmen to the retainers of the Hojo clan. Not only does he treat doctors, but he also looks at physiognomy, and even spreads some dangerous prophecies. It's unreasonable, but many people in the local area believe him. This man's nonsense eventually reached Shizheng's ears." "About me?" "No, I'm talking about Ieyasu. He's spreading it around, looking at Ieyasu's face, he will rule the world in the future, and it's the face of extreme wealth." "Hmph! Shi Zheng would actually believe such a monster..." "I heard that before Shizheng knew about this, the monk had already had a huge influence in his family. Popularity is not something casual and cannot be ignored. The spies felt that this matter was not trivial, so they came to report." "Strange, there is such a thing?" Katsurai snorted again.A strange monk was not so scary, but it cast a shadow in his heart and made him anxious. "Hmph! If that's the case, you can't hesitate at that moment." "What the lord said is very true." "Shoji, gather everyone together and send out troops immediately. If Nobunaga sends reinforcements again, then our Shunen area may be in danger." "As ordered." "Gaotian Shencheng must not fall into the hands of the enemy. It is a symbol that the Takeda family is still standing." There was a flash of uneasiness in Tsuchiya Masaoji's eyes, he hurriedly stood up and went to call the generals. Koshu City became active again, and people were busy preparing to send troops to fight again.Of course, Odawara will send interrogators, but I don't know how the Clan Council will respond. Another tragedy of women in the Warring States Period, Mikawa and Kai are no different at all.The misfortune that once attacked Tokuhime and Shinyasu, this time brutally targeted Mrs. Odawara and Takeda Katsuyori. However, Katsuyai did not see that the root cause of Ieyasu's alliance with the clan and government lies in himself. Probably the death of Uesugi Kenshin, who had been fighting Takeda all his life, killed Katsuyai.After Shingen's death, Kenshin, in order to show his favor to Katsuyori, marched heavily from Etchu and Noto to Kaga and Echizen, and confronted Oda Tetorigawa.If there is a decisive battle there, if Uesugi sends troops to attack, Oda will definitely suffer a fatal blow.However, Nobunaga skillfully avoided the decisive battle, and Kenshin finally had to withdraw his troops due to the arrival of the severe winter.Kenshin wanted to wait for the ice and snow to melt before challenging Nobunaga, but on March 13th of the sixth year of Tianzheng, he passed away suddenly.Because of the good wine, he died of a stroke.Out of this special relationship with the Uesugi family, Katsuyori began to help Kenshin's adopted son Kihei Jikage. However, after Kenshin's death, the Uesugi family turned against each other due to the struggle for the successor. Katsuyori did not realize that he and the Uesu government had unknowingly become the focus of the battle.Kenshin has no biological son, and of course the only one who can inherit the family business is Jing Sheng. However, Kenshin has another adopted son, who is the seventh son of Ujiyasu Hojo, younger brother of Ujimasa, and half-brother of Mrs. His name is Saburo Jinghu. Of course, Ujimasa regards Katsuyori as his ally, and he is convinced that Katsuyori will run around for the heir of Saburo Jinghu, who is of the same blood as him.However, Katsuyori thought that Jing Sheng was undoubtedly the heir, so he did not contribute to Jing Hu.The result backfired.During the fight, Jing Hu was killed.The Hojo clan has seen through that Katsuyori cannot be relied on, and instead joined forces with Ieyasu. To form an alliance with Ieyasu is to form an alliance with Nobunaga. The clan government, which is dissatisfied with Uesugi Kekatsu, has no choice but to form an alliance with Ieyasu to fight against the forces of Uesugi and Takeda.As a result, Katsuyori's inaction drove allies into the enemy's camp without him ever realizing it. Katsuyori's herald flew once more to the castle where Takeda ruled all the daimyos.I just don't know if the daimyos who are tired of the war can still muster up the courage of the past after hearing the news that even the Hojo family has betrayed Takeda? In order to attack his old enemy Junyuan Erdi, Katsuyori hastily assembled a force of 16,000 troops.When the spring of the eighth year of Tensho came and Katsuyori set off from Kofu, Ieyasu had already decided to attack Takatenjin Castle. He dispatched from Hamamatsu and sent troops stationed at Nakamura Fortress to launch a small attack against the castle soldiers at Tenno Baba. Large-scale exploratory attacks. Before the expedition, Mrs. Odawara played another song for him in order to satisfy Katsuyori's wish.This practice has been practiced since Mrs. Xue Ji was alive, and now Mrs. Odawara happily plays the Chidori and Lanqu of "Plum Branches".Katsurai, who was wearing armor and sitting on the bed, listened, and gradually developed an illusion, as if he had merged into a distant story. 〖Only the plum blossom branches can the warbler nest live in. Regardless of the wind and rain, live in the flowers...〗 At some point, Madam began to sing without emotion.Mrs. Odawara is still young and cannot understand the cruelty and sorrow of war.Since she was a child, she firmly believed that a man should be brave and good at fighting, and that it is a woman's duty to be a good wife and mother.Although sometimes there are violent storms that make her tremble, but she will always try her best to turn her eyes away and try not to face up to the things that make her angry.Youth has just arrived, everything is beautiful, and everything is painted with happiness. Katsurai closed his eyes slightly, intoxicated by his wife's moving piano sound.The thirteen wonderful strings have never shaken his soul so much like today.Will he come back to this woman again?Will Madam die when I am not around?Katsuyori felt that there was a dangerous whisper hidden between the plucked strings, telling him something. The envoy sent to Odawara came back and said that even the greetings were at the point of tension.If Madam knows this... For him, the sound of the piano is not so much comfort as it scares him.From Ujimasa's reply letter, we know that the impoverished Imagawa clan is actually living in Ieyasu's Hamamatsu Castle.Ieyasu is really scheming, he has expected everything...Using Ujima, forming an alliance with the Hojo clan, asking Suruga for the old territory of the Imagawa clan, this is just an excuse. "Imagawa and Hojo have been in-laws for a long time. This move is indeed the true leader of the Gui family, so I would like to join forces with Tokugawa. Takeda and Imagawa are not without relatives and reasons, and I hope to return to Yu Shizhen. If good words fail, and we meet in battle, This is the only way. Sister Ziyou will take care of you." Seeing Ujimasa's reply letter, Katsuyori silently tore it in half.Whether it is Ieyasu or Shizheng, they will never really lose a single soldier for the Imagawa clan.This is all an excuse, it is Sima Zhao's heart, and everyone knows it. Mrs. Odawara raised her face excitedly, took a long breath, and stopped her hands: "Are you satisfied, sir?" "Oh, I didn't expect you to play so passionately." "It's not because of playing the piano well, it may be because of the bright spring scenery. My lord, when will I be able to return in triumph this time?" "This, if it was earlier, it would probably be when the cicadas were singing..." "What if it's later?" "Later..." Katsurai said casually, hastily avoiding his wife's sight, and suddenly the illusion of exposing his corpse to the wilderness flashed in front of his eyes. "What if it's later?" Madam tilted her head again and urged. "If it's later, maybe...maybe we'll have to celebrate the New Year in the Enshu area..." "New Year's Eve?" "So, madam, you have to take care of yourself." "Waiting for you to celebrate the New Year..." At this time, Katsuyori's eldest son, fourteen-year-old Taro Nobukatsu came over with the farewell wine, and Katsuyori turned around. "Taro, this decisive battle is related to the rise and fall of my Takeda clan, so please take good care of your family." Taro Nobukatsu nodded solemnly with a serious expression: "Kid, keep it in mind." "You understand. The reputation of the distant ancestor Yiguang Gong cannot be buried in our hands." Rather than saying it to Taro Nobukatsu, it is better to say it to the tearful wife on purpose.He just wanted to hint to Madam that if the war lasts for a long time, she might not be able to come back within this year.However, Madam didn't seem to hear.She only felt that she would be lonely when her husband was not around, she was always so pure. Katsuyori picked up the wine bowl that Taro held, and said solemnly: "Madam, pour the wine." "Yes." Madam seemed to be taken aback for a moment, pouring wine while saying, "May your lord return triumphantly as soon as possible." Katsurai silently drank the wine in one gulp, then slammed the wine bowl on the stones in the yard.The wine bowl fell to pieces.This kind of ceremony hides the tragic psychology of the warrior, that is, he has no intention of surviving. "Bless father." "Congratulations on victory." After the father and son finished greeting each other, Katsuyori stood up abruptly and stopped looking at his wife.Behind him were three servants, holding a long knife, a gun and a musket in their hands.If he looked at his wife again, a kind of tenderness would come to his heart, and he could not bear it. "My lord." Madam shouted after her. "You have to be strong!" "grown ups……" Katsuyori returned without nostalgia, and Gu resolutely left.Madam stared blankly at the messy stone platform and stood there motionless. "War...war...war..." She was still at a loss as to what had taken her husband away from her.If Madam could realize the "death" in it, she would tremble and stop sending troops. "Mother!" Taro Shinkatsu, who sent his father back, saw that his wife was still kneeling there just like before, he opened his picturesque and beautiful red lips, and shouted loudly: "I'm afraid that father will be more or less dangerous in this war. " "Ah, why?" "Mother's elder brother, Shizheng-sama, has already joined Ieyasu. Therefore, the originally evenly matched situation has lost its balance, and even the women are at war. Among them, some people think that it is your bad luck that caused this... So, you have to Be careful of the people around you." "Ah? Is this true, Taro?" The lady turned pale with shock.