In the first year of Yuangui (1570), spring. Dazzling sunlight floods the corridors and courtyards, and the cuckoo calls come and go. Oda Nobunaga dressed very neatly and sat upright in the bedroom.On the pacification certificates sent to various shrines in Ise, he personally stamped the seal of "Tianxiabuwu".Kinoshita Hideyoshi - the former "monkey" had a scary expression on his face, smiling slightly beside him. Nobunaga is no longer the former Nobunaga. He pacified the Kinki and Ise regions, as powerful and majestic as his great seal "Tianxiabuwu" declared.And Hideyoshi is no longer the old Fujikichiro.After several great battles, relying on his outstanding talent and performance, Hideyoshi has been promoted step by step, and now he has received a salary of 30,000 shi in the Imahama area.

"Ieyasu okay?" Nobunaga asked. Hideyoshi laughed as if remembering something. "Weird guy, what are you laughing at?" "Ieyasu seems to be thinking about what the Lord was thinking about when he was twenty-two or three years old." "What do you mean?" "It's a matter of reproduction." "Hahaha. It turned out that he got involved with the maid. By the way, how old is Ieyasu this year?" "Twenty-nine. He is eight years younger than you." "Twenty-nine years old, a little late." Nobunaga stopped talking and continued to stamp his seal.After a while, he suddenly asked again: "What's the result?"

"This matter is not like a war, which can be resolved quickly; it is not like a siege of a city, which can be collapsed immediately." "I'm afraid you don't know the reason. You can understand it as God's punishment for his disobedience to my Nobunaga." "No, how dare he go against you. There are always women going to lobby, and it will probably be soon—" Hideyoshi actually meant to defend himself.At the beginning, he carried Nobunaga behind his back and eliminated everyone's obstacles. Without knowing it, he married Yae, the daughter of Fujii Mataemon, the leader of the ashigaru samurai.

Recalling the scene at that time, Nobunaga is still impressed by Hideyoshi's talent.Knowing that he would be rejected if he directly challenged Maataemon, the monkey begged his friend Maeda Mataemon Toshiie to take Yae as his concubine first. When Fujii Mataemon heard this, he was both surprised and delighted.The other party came from a famous family, and was just promoted by Nobunaga to be the general in command of Shichita Town. "Master Maeda, are you joking?" "Do you think I'm joking?" "I understand. I will definitely convince Yae, I will definitely..." Fujii agreed happily, but Yae, who had already made a private life-long appointment with Fujikichiro, did not appreciate it. "Maeda-sama already has a virtuous, intelligent, and well-known Mrs. Asong. Please firmly reject this marriage."

Hearing his daughter's words, Maemon couldn't help turning blue.Seeing his unusual expression, Lijia pressed even harder.As a result, the only one who could mediate was Yaemon's former subordinate, Kinoshita Tokichiro, the chef supervisor at the time. The monkey heard that Fujii Mataemon had asked him to do this, and clasped his hands at the kitchen counter in a pretentious manner. "You and Maeda-sama are close friends, can you apologize to him for me. Yae will not die." "Oh, that's not easy. It's a good marriage. Maybe she's shy. You can ask again."

Mataemon had no choice but to go back dejectedly, but the answer he got was still the same as before. In the meantime, Fujikichiro ran to Toshi's house again and begged him to "please press him again".So when Youemon persuaded Yae, the messenger arrived. "Maeda Matazuo-sama has no face to face anyone anymore. Even if swordsmen meet, I will marry Yae as my concubine." Hearing the envoy's words, Maeda Mataemon couldn't help thinking of seppuku. At this time, the monkey came to visit. "Well, has she changed her mind?" Everything was expected, and the honest Maemon didn't know what to do. "I can't help it. Maeda-sama is furious, and I'm going to apologize by harakiri."

"What, seppuku... That's not a good way. You might as well say that your daughter has made a private arrangement with someone, and then apologize to him." "That won't work, you can't lie. Maeda-sama is a person who knows everything." "But there is no other way. How about this, if he asks who that person is, you will say that you are my servant. Afterwards, I will deal with it." "You? Are you serious?" "Seriously or not, there is no other way." Mataemon had no choice but to visit Toshika again, but Toshika certainly wouldn't believe it. "Huh? It turns out that she has already signed a lifelong contract with someone privately? Then there is no way. But for the sake of prudence, I want to know who that person is."

"Yes...it's Tokichiro Kinoshita." He was really worried that Toshika would make a big fuss. "What? Monkey? Are you kidding me?" "Yes... yes. I was also very surprised..." Maemon couldn't help hesitating. "I'm also an imposing samurai on the left. Come on, I'm not too strong. Let me be the witness of Yae and Monkey's marriage. Do you have any opinions?" Everything is within the expectation and grasp of the monkey.Maetemon was unable to protest at all, so he could only return with a heavy heart.It's really a wave of ups and downs, and another wave.How could Yae, who was unwilling to marry Maeda Matazuo, agree to marry Monkey... However, when Yaemon worriedly told the whole story, Yae agreed without saying a word.

"This monkey not only knows how to fight, but also has a way of dealing with women. Don't underestimate it!" Nobunaga couldn't help laughing when he heard all this. "Did you repel everyone when you were talking with Ieyasu?" Nobunaga said to Hideyoshi after stamping his seal. "Of course the screen retreated..." Hideyoshi looked around before continuing, "Veterans all believe that this trip to Beijing is really a crusade against Asakura." "Anyone figured this out?" "Yes. Most people are aware of it." "So, it's time to do it. What are you doing now?"

"I have arranged twenty-three small traders along the route from Hamamatsu to Okazaki to spread rumors." "What rumor?" "I asked them to spread the word: the capital will be very lively this spring. After the Nijo castle was burned down, the general's mansion was completed, and the construction of the imperial palace is also in progress. Sanhe guards will go to Beijing to enjoy the cherry blossoms." "Of course, the trip to enjoy the flowers is very grand." "Yes. Let the common people believe that the Mikawa, Ise, Owari, Mino, and Omi regions are already in a state of peace. This is because of the protection of the world's military forces."

Nobunaga couldn't help frowning, and reprimanded: "Stop flattering! This doesn't seem like your habit. But the day of going to Beijing to enjoy the cherry blossoms is not far away. No, we should let it come early." Speaking of this, Xin He let out a long breath. After Ashikaga Yoshiaki was hailed as the general who conquered the barbarians, Nobunaga began to move to Ise, and let the second son Nobuo take over the family business of Ise Guosi Kitabata (zai), and the third son Nobutaka inherited the Kobe family.After the two areas were successfully pacified, Nobunaga went to pay homage to the great priest of Yamada, and the seal of "Tianxiabuwu" was custom-made at that time. Needless to say, the decline of the imperial palace, even the Great God Palace is also dilapidated.If the hearts of the people are allowed to scatter, no matter how powerful force is, it will not be able to quell the troubled times. It is precisely because of this that Nobunaga began to restore the palace while customizing the "Tianxiabuwu" seal.Considering the plight of the common people, this matter cannot be rushed. Nobunaga ordered Shimada Yaemon and Asayama Nichijo to be responsible for the restoration, and it should be completed within two or three years. In fact, the imperial palace was more in decline than Nobunaga imagined.The palace wall collapsed, surrounded by bamboo fences and roses.Emperor Masakimachi and Crown Prince Makoto lived in the dilapidated palace with two princesses, five female officials, and less than ten people.In fact, the emperor had two daughters, but he let them live in the monastery because he had nowhere to live.It is said that children from common people often sneak into the palace through the collapsed walls. Apart from this, there is no one else, only some gourds drooping their heads listlessly. Nobunaga's diligent heart was influenced by his father Nobuhide, but it is also related to the reality of decline.How can this scene continue?No matter which page of history you turn to, you will clearly find that the decline of the royal family is closely related to the decline of the world.First of all, we must get to the bottom of it! Just because he understood Nobunaga's ambition and aspirations, Hideyoshi was able to capture the hidden meaning of Nobunaga's long sigh. "It is Echizen that hinders the flower-viewing trip right now, and we must attack there first." "Yes. I let people spread rumors: this time I came to Beijing to collect ancient tea utensils, and I will spare no money." "Collecting tea utensils?" Nobunaga smiled wryly.With the support of Nobunaga, Ashikaga Yoshiaki became the general who conquered barbarians, and immediately recommended Nobunaga as his deputy.He refused.If he becomes the deputy general, Echizen Asakura Yoshikage will never be convinced.Yi Jing also hopes to seek some benefits for the future by supporting Yi Zhao in exile.As the keeper of Spode's family, his background is nobler than Nobunaga's. "That bastard can't see the times." "You mean Yijing?" "Well. If you understand your insistence on resigning the title of deputy general, he should go to Beijing quickly." Hideyoshi laughed. Nobunaga still frowned, pouted. "You probably haven't guessed Yijing's mind. He thought that the general and I would have conflicts recently, so he deliberately didn't go to Beijing." "Exactly. Once a conflict arises, the general will obviously go to Echizen to seek Yijing's support. At that time, Yijing can fight you in the name of supporting the general, but this is exactly the manifestation of his failure to see the situation clearly." Nobunaga took a look at Hideyoshi and said, "Monkey, let's go for a walk in the courtyard." The spring sunshine shines on the budding cherry blossoms.After leaving the courtyard, Nobunaga immediately boarded the pavilion on the rockery.There is a wide field of vision, and the scene in the city is clear at a glance, so there is no need to worry about being disturbed. "Is Ieyasu's entry into Beijing confirmed?" "It's absolutely true." "Takeda doesn't have to worry, Ise has been pacified..." Nobunaga said to himself, wringing his fingers, "Monkey, what do you think should be the most important thing to pay attention to when conquering Asakura?" "When attacking Hokuriku, what if Asai..." Hideyoshi lowered his voice, and Nobunaga stared at the sky.The monkey said again: "Although Honganji Temple has contacts with Mount Hiei, I think the most important thing is to guard against Asai's sneak attack." Nobunaga was speechless for a moment, then grinned.Nobunaga's youngest sister, Ichihime, who has the appearance of a shy flower, is married to Nagamasa Asai.The husband and wife are like glue, they have already given birth to two daughters, and Nobunaga has been trying his best to take care of them.Will Asai collude with Asakura to attack the Oda clan? "anything else?" Hideyoshi gave a salute with a smile, and said: "I think that it is not necessary to bring too many troops from Gifu City, but we should try to recruit strong men on the way..." "On the way? What do you think..." Nobunaga's tone suddenly became sharp.For this attack on Asakura, he was most worried about the deployment of the army.Since it has been publicized that the purpose of this visit to Beijing is to check the progress of the palace restoration project and collect tea utensils, it is inconvenient to lead the army there. In any case, don't make people aware of this.Therefore, he should quietly go to Beijing to join Ieyasu, wait until the snow in the Hokuriku area melts, and defeat Asakura in one fell swoop while he is unprepared.If this plan succeeds, then the collusion between Asai and the Asakura family that Hideyoshi is worried about will not come true.Therefore, how to deploy troops skillfully has always been a headache for Nobunaga.Hideyoshi saw through Nobunaga's thoughts and distress, so he proposed to recruit troops on the way. "Tell me, what should I do?" Nobunaga urged.Hideyoshi smiled and said, "You have liked sumo since you were a child, right?" "What does that have to do with your method?" "Of course. My lord, you have brought peace to the Kinki and Ise regions, so in the name of celebrating peace, hold a sumo show halfway." "Oh." "In this way, those ronin with special skills will definitely flock here. You can choose from among them the ones with strength and martial arts..." Nobunaga couldn't help but slapped his thigh suddenly, and shouted, "It's a monkey!" "Let's set the location at Joraku-ji Temple in Omi. Immediately inform the world so that those ronin will know about it early; then pretend to deliver prizes, and secretly deliver weapons, food and grass; then you can appreciate the name of sumo and lead your cronies over there. " "Got it, I got it, monkey." "You pick the rest of the rogues, and we'll take them over. Those warriors who have just been selected will scramble to kill the enemy and make meritorious deeds, and the veterans will not show any weakness. In this way, the Battle of Hokuriku will definitely end..." When Nobunaga heard this, he suddenly looked up at the sky and laughed loudly.His voice was loud when he scolded people, and his laugh was also shocking, which scared the birds on the tops of the surrounding pine trees to flutter away. "Hahaha, while enjoying the sumo match, go to Beijing to enjoy the flowers. Good idea! Hahaha!" After the conversation, Nobunaga immediately ordered sumo tournaments to be held in Owari, Mino, and Omi.The host of the event is the prestigious Fuze Zangchunan. On February 25th, Nobunaga and his party quietly set off from Gifu City.The next day, they entered Jorakuji Temple.On the 27th and 28th, ronin from all over the world gradually gathered, and the whole Changle Temple was full of excitement. "I heard that the winners can be selected into the team, which is much better than receiving prizes." "Anyway, I want Lord Nobunaga to notice me." The strong men whispered. "There will be peace in the world. It would be nice if there were no wars." "Indeed, Oda-sama is a man of great blessings." Men, women and children talked about it.Nobunaga heard these words in his ears, and walked leisurely among the crowd.We must always listen to the voices of the people - this is the way Nobunaga has always insisted on governing. The sumo wrestling competition officially started at Sishi. The Sasaki Shrine, which was used to worship the Sasaki family gods in the past, is now lined with monks' houses.In the open space in the center of the temple, a circle is drawn for sumo wrestling.The curtain was drawn on the square pillars and the viewing seats.All these reflect the decline of the Sasaki clan (hexagonal clan) and the prosperity of the Oda clan. Nobunaga walked through the crowd, straightened his clothes, and took a seat at the table.No one noticed that he was mixed in the crowd just now, so everyone was a little afraid for a while, staring at Nobunaga in unison.Nobunaga's thoughts had already left Sumo and turned to him. This place faces Lake Biwa in the west, with mountains in the back. Nobunaga couldn't help but want to build a majestic city in Azuchi, a natural fortress.If a street market is built in the area from the foot of the mountain to the Neihu Lake, all checkpoints are removed, and merchants from all over the world are allowed to come and go freely, then this place will undoubtedly become a prosperous place.Gifu Castle is also good, but it is closer to the capital than Gifu.If you send a navy to garrison, relying on Mount Hiei, you will be able to command the world.The peace of the world should start with tidying up the Asakura... Thinking of this, Nobunaga raised his eyes and looked at the arena, only to see Dajin of Changguang Kawonji and the stag of Baekjeji facing each other face to face, entangled with each other. Nobunaga, who used to like sumo wrestling, was immediately attracted.Soon, Dajin, who is known for his waist strength, won the victory.At this time, Xiao Lu, the younger brother of the Buck, flew forward and grabbed Da Jin's belt... When the ferocious-looking Mataichiro from Nyue comes on stage, the game gradually reaches its climax.Ronin Gong Kyanzaemon was held high above his head by Mataichiro and thrown out of the circle.At this time, Aoji and Youemon rushed up again.As the name suggests, his skin is pale and delicate.The two are the most evenly matched opponents in today's game.They squatted slightly, their muscles bulging like iron blocks.Although both sides were eager to defeat their opponents immediately, they could not decide the winner, and the duel was dragged on to the next day.There are also two other players - Datang Zhengquan and Fukao Matajiro are also rivals, and the game is also dragged to the next day.The sun has been shining brightly these two days.Because the competition was held in front of the family god of Rokkaku Chengzhen, a member of the Sasaki clan, Nobunaga's shock to the people was extraordinary. "Master Oda, who refused to be the deputy general, is so mighty!" "The prizes he brought here are really rich!" Aodi, Youemon, and Yue's Mataichiro were quickly selected; Fukao Matajiro, Dajin, Eyezaemon, etc. were appointed as their subordinates; in addition, more than 180 ronin were selected, or As an ashigaru samurai, or as a temporary hero.After all the arrangements were made, Nobunaga led the crowd to leave Antu.In this way, Nobunaga and his confidant Kinoshita Hideyoshi made the capital spring very lively. On February 30th, Nobunaga walked into the mansion of Dian Yaotou Banjing Lu'an.All the big names came to greet him one after another.Matsunaga Tan Masahide and Hosokawa military officer Fujitaka tried to find out the real purpose of Nobunaga's visit to Beijing, and came to inquire from time to time. "My lord, rumors are flying everywhere in the street now." Hideyoshi said. Nobunaga replied: "Does it mean that I came to conquer Echizen?" "Exactly. What do you think of this? Let Niwa Goro Zaemon accompany the tea master Youxian to collect tea utensils in Tan City, Quanzhou." "good idea……" Niwa Goro Zaemon is as important as Shibata Gonroku in the Oda family. If he is asked to go to the city to collect tea utensils, it will definitely give outsiders the impression that Oda has ceased fighting. "Okay, let's send the two of them there. But it's too early. It's not too late to go when the cherry blossoms in the capital are in full bloom." On the seventh day of March, Ieyasu, who had been waiting secretly, also arrived in the capital.Nobunaga then went to see the general and suggested that he entertain the generals at his new residence in Nijo Castle and enjoy Noh. The construction of the General's Mansion in Nijo Castle was also the decision of Nobunaga after hard thinking.Since the pacification of Gyeonggi, Nobunaga believed that re-establishing the authority of the shogunate was the first step to stabilize people's hearts, so he continued to expand to the northeast by about one town on the original ruins, and started construction on February 27 last year.After a year of intensive construction, the new General's Mansion was finally completed. Among them, the fake mountain spring stone bothered Nobunaga the most.When transporting the Kuzan Hakkai stones from the former Ashikaga Yoshisho government and the Mito stones from the Hosokawa Prefecture, Nobunaga personally came and asked people to wrap the stones with silk and satin, and invited a drum band to hold a grand moving ceremony. .This arrangement was not only to please General Yizhao, but also to stabilize the hearts of the people in the capital.Coupled with the exemption of taxes after entering Beijing, and strict military discipline, Nobunaga immediately won the trust of the citizens, who praised him as worthy of being Oda Kami Sosuke. The Noh performance at Nijo Castle is scheduled for the 14th. The cherry blossoms are in full bloom, and the avenue leading to the new house is magnificently decorated.The ministers who were invited here seemed to finally feel the breath of spring, and all of them smiled.The samurai who attended included Kitabata (zai) from Ise, Koji Koji from Hida (da), Ieyasu Tokugawa, Takaaki Hatake (zai), Fujitaka Hosokawa, Dr. Isshiki Shikibu, Hideo Matsunaga, etc. Although Cang was also invited, he did not respond. In the woodsy Xinfu, Guanshi Taifu and Jinchun Taifu took turns dancing. "I really didn't expect to see Noh performances in the capital." Some ministers even cried with emotion.General Yoshiaki deliberately came to Nobunaga to hold the lamp: "These people all hope that you can be the post of Zuobing Guard. Can you accept this time?" Nobunaga hurriedly shook his head and thanked: "No, no, Nobunaga just did what should be done." Ieyasu looked at Nobunaga from time to time, deliberately not saying hello. The Noh performances held in Xinfu largely weakened the influence of the rumors circulating among the citizens about conquest of Asakura. On the first day of April, Niwa Goro Zaemon accompanied Venerable Youxian and led a few horses laden with gold and silver to Quanzhou Tan City to purchase famous artifacts.Because the operation had been announced in advance, famous artifacts from all over the world kept coming.The confectionery paintings of Yazongji of Tennoji, the tea utensils of Komatsushima of Yakushiin, and the Kanzikou of Aburaya Changsuke's flower tubes, etc., all gathered at this time. Nobunaga was trying to hide the truth, while anxiously saying in front of everyone: "The construction of the palace is too slow." He began to travel to and from the construction site every day.He wore a purple battle uniform and rode a black horse, deliberately galloping on the streets every day.Those who knew his former style were amazed at his impatience. Tens of thousands of logs were transported from Osaka to Toba, and from Toba to the imperial palace.The supervisor is Osawa Oyomisuke.Everything was carried out according to the ancient rituals. The carpenters wore palace hats and simple official uniforms, and they kept going between Toba and the imperial palace. Their strange costumes attracted the attention of passers-by. "Sousuke Oda's respect for the imperial family comes from the heart." The citizens praised it one after another, and it was true.But it is only the completion of the palace, if it lacks the finishing touch, it will be a pity.Because the royal family's territory is all in the local area, there are wars in the local area, and the court has no harvest.Therefore, while worrying about the construction of the imperial palace, Nobunaga advocated revitalizing the royal family's income.The method is: lend rice to the people in the capital, and the interest will go to the royal family.In this way, the imperial family would have a monthly income of about fifteen shi, which should be able to guarantee the daily life of Emperor Masakimachi who only had a dozen or so attendants. The cherry blossoms in the capital withered.Greenery enveloped the ancient capital.In order for the ancient capital to enjoy the sunshine of peace forever, the time has finally come for the implementation of "All Under Heaven" and there is no other way but war.In the Xiangguo Temple where Tokugawa Ieyasu was stationed, a secret envoy suddenly visited.Undoubtedly, the snow in the mountains of Hokuriku has melted, and the spring sun is shining on the valleys there. April 18th of the first year of Yuangui.Ieyasu said to the outside world that since he has seen the spring scenery of the capital, it is time to return to Hamamatsu. Fast forward to April 20th. "I didn't see Oda Kami Sosuke today." "What on earth happened?" While the craftsmen were talking about it, Nobunaga followed Ieyasu and headed for Wakasa Road via Sakamoto in Omi.A large banner the color of withered leaves fluttered in front of the team, followed by the Bow and Arrow Battalion and the Musketeer Battalion, and then the Long Spear Battalion that Nobunaga was proud of, with a total of 300 people; Claw Generals, Twelve Tooth Generals, and Thirty-Six Flying Generals, leading more than 500 riders, headed towards Tsuruga who was in front of him. The battle is like a gust of wind, and the attack is like a dike breaking——Nobunaga's army, which has always been extremely fast, has passed Mount Wakaba in a blink of an eye.