Chapter 8 Chapter Eight

When Kai was about to blow a hurricane, the areas of Toe and Mikawa ushered in the pre-winter depression. The fifty-two-year-old Takeda Harunobu, who has reached the peak of humanity, is like a hero in troubled times.The hero judged that now was a great opportunity to realize his long-cherished wish to enter Beijing, and he finally couldn't hold back and wanted to take action. When Ieyasu was staying in Okazaki Castle, he would go to the Sugyu River to swim every day to strengthen his body, usually until late autumn; but after moving to Hamamatsu Castle, he changed swimming to hunting.

At the end of September in the third year of Yuangui.On this day, after the 31-year-old Ieyasu left the city, he turned left from Xiya Cliff and turned right until he came to the Sanfang Plain, chasing prey on the open plain.He pretended to be hunting on the surface, but he was really thinking hard about how to deal with the beast that was about to take action in Kai.After handing the captured hare to Iwan Chiyo, he came to the side of the stream that is a tributary of Majinchuan, looked at the dark clouds in the sky, and stopped abruptly: "Call Heihachi." "yes." "Let the falcon rest for a while, and I will rest here too."

After Manchiyo left, Ieyasu sat down in the dry grass.The next battle will be a turning point in fate.This made Ieyasu restless.Worry and fear can only lead to tragic ends.He remembered that when he was a teenager in Junfu, he often heard Zen Master Xuezhai's admonition: Don't panic when things happen. In a pinch, you should keep your eyes open and look at the sky.In that way, rationality and impulse, good times and bad times, will be naturally clear.If severe winter comes, no mighty warrior can resist it, no clever strategist can escape.If there is a possibility of resistance and escape, it is entirely due to the distortion of the mental image of the person involved.That distorted heart is like the source of confusion, and confusion will inevitably lead to failure... Ieyasu thought that the admonition of Zen Master Xuezhai had been deposited in his body, and he didn't want to face the hurricane in Kai, but he still couldn't restrain his inner wavering.

To fight, or to give way?Which option is more beneficial?If he gave way, Shingen might pass by and would not attack Hamamatsu Castle; but that would not solve the problem, and Ieyasu would naturally become a vassal of the Takeda clan.But he couldn't let the soldiers and family members make unnecessary sacrifices.Just as he was staring at the dark clouds in the sky and thinking hard, suddenly there was a snickering sound from the grass beside him. "Who?" Ieyasu turned his head abruptly.Honda Heihachiro Zhongkatsu walked over with a bloody hare in high spirits, and said, "My lord, your complexion is not very good?"

Now, the retainers generally no longer call Ieyasu "Master" but "Master". Only Heihachiro, Sakuzuo, and Motochu still call him "Master" as before. "Nabenosuke, what's so funny!" Ieyasu deliberately reprimanded. Heihachiro laughed again: "My lord's expression is as alert as this rabbit's." "Hmph!" Ieyasu looked at the rabbit in Heihachiro's hand, "You mean I'm afraid of Shingen?" "Hahaha, a fearless person never loses weight." The twenty-five-year-old Honda Heihachiro Tadakatsu has grown stronger and braver, "Master, you promised to take Ai from Naxi Township as your concubine, but so far, you have not Promise not kept."

"Don't talk about women and children in the wilderness, sit down." "I'll sit down myself. But the woman living in my uncle's house is still unmarried. When I think of her haggard appearance, my heart aches." Heihachiro sat down with a sarcasm, " My lord is not afraid of Kai's dwarf, is he?" "You mean Shanxian Lanlang Bingwei?" Ieyasu snorted coldly.The famous general of the Takeda family, Yamagata Ranlang Bingwei Changjing, is a small man less than four feet in length, and after wearing armor, he looks even shorter. "Do you think I'm afraid of Changjing?" Ieyasu glanced at Heihachiro, and then turned his gaze to the mountains connecting the borders of Kai, Shinshu and Tone.

The Takeda family on the other side of the mountain is undoubtedly making various preparations for entering Beijing.As soon as Shingen left Kofu, within a few days, thirty thousand troops would welcome here. Ieyasu's current territory is only 560,000 koku, plus the troops guarding the front line of Yoshida and Okazaki, the number of troops that can face the enemy head-on is at most 5,000 to 6,000.Of course, he would ask Nobunaga for help.But how many troops can the beleaguered Nobunaga allocate to support him? "Experience is really scary." Heihachiro said again, "Foxes will turn into spirits after a long time, and humans seem to be the same. The lord has become another person."

"Heihachi! Do you have absolute confidence to defeat the Kai Shinshu army?" "Confidence? My lord, Heihachi doesn't have that kind of thing. Fearless people don't need so-called self-confidence. What you're worried about is Shingen's experience, but I don't see it that way." "You mean..." "He's an old fool! I don't think Okazaki's bloody boy will lose to that old fool. Whenever we have a chance, we will attack; if we are pursued, we will retreat quickly. As long as we keep fighting—" "Oh. What if you get entangled?"

"Then go die." "Aren't you afraid of death?" "Don't be afraid. Heihachi hasn't died yet." Ieyasu stared blankly at Heihachiro.Calling Heihachiro, in a sense, is to get back the blood from him, but Ieyasu didn't expect to hear such a firm answer. "Haven't died?" "I don't know why I was born in this world. Therefore, I never think about life and death. The lord probably doesn't know what happened when he was born?" "Bastard!" Hearing Heihachi's questioning, Ieyasu deliberately scolded, "Don't talk nonsense. The so-called life is to carry a heavy burden and move forward step by step. Only after thinking about it will you think over and over again and make a decision without making any mistakes."

"Is my lord ready for the battle?" "That's natural!" Ieyasu couldn't help being surprised.This sentence came out of my mouth without thinking.There is no doubt that life is determined by hard work or not, but it is undeniable that will cannot completely control people's destiny.Now what Ieyasu thinks in his heart is exactly what human beings cannot control.Why was Nobunaga born in Owari, and why was Shingen born in Kai?Ieyasu didn't think there was much difference between Shingen's art of war and Nobunaga's art of war.Therefore, if Nobunaga was born in Kai and Shingen was born in Owari, it may be Nobunaga who attacked him now, and Shingen may be the one who successfully entered Beijing.

In this way, the battle between Imakawa Yoshimoto and Oda Nobunaga's Tianlewa is also a certainty in the dark.The Imagawa family, who had been sure of winning, suffered a crushing defeat, and Nobunaga has been invincible since then. "Nabanosuke, is Shichirou right guard near?" "You want to hear his opinion? I'll send him at once." Heihachiro stood up and called Okubo Shichiroemon Tadyo loudly.Zhong Shi is the nephew of the old man Chang Yuan. Although he has a gentler personality than his uncle, he never compromises at critical moments. He can be said to be a typical Sanhe person. "Heihachi, what are you yelling for?" Zhongshi pushed through the grass and came over, "So it's my lord." He saw Ieyasu's figure. "It's my lord, come quickly and say hello." Zhong Shi turned around and waved his hands.Behind him, a young man who looked about fourteen or fifteen years old, with big eyes and wide ears, followed through the bushes with a dead branch. "Qilangyouwei, he is..." "He's the younger brother Hirasuke. Hirasuke, you haven't greeted the adults yet!" The young man casually knelt down on one knee and said, "The villain is not Hirasuke, but his name is Hikozaemon Tadakao. Although the Yuanfu ceremony has not yet been held, he already has a name." lowered his head. "Oh, so it's Shishiro's youngest son! Let me ask you. Who do you think will win when I fight Takeda? Tell the truth." "No, the villain doesn't want to say it." Hirasuke shook his head without hesitation. "Oh? Why don't you want to say it?" Ieyasu smiled, but he was thinking seriously in his heart. "To tell the truth, the adults may be angry." "Oh. Then I needn't ask any more. But why do you think I'm going to lose?" Hirasuke looked at his elder brother Zhongshi, and said, "I don't know." He yanked the grass around him with a dead branch. Zhongshi frowned deliberately and said, "This Hirasuke is really a prodigal." "I'm not Hirasuke, but Hikozaemon." "Tell the adults exactly what you think in your heart." "Because the retainers are not good." Heisuke said loudly, then looked at his brother, then at Heihachiro. "What? Little bastard. What's wrong with the retainers?" Heihachiro stared at Heisuke angrily. "Hehe." Hirasuke laughed, "I can't say it, you will hate me if you say it." "Didn't you already say it? Say it!" "No, I don't want to say it. But if you keep me with you on errands, you will understand. Please take me, my lord." "Cunning boy. Hahaha!" Heihachiro laughed loudly, but Ieyasu didn't.Even this immature child seems to be giving him some kind of hint. "Okay, I'll accept you—Shichiro Youwei." Ieyasu turned his face and called Zhongshi. "exist." "You said, fight, or avoid?" Okubo Tadayo looked at Honda Heihachiro: "My next Heihachiro has a slightly different opinion." "What is the difference?" "Heihachiro advises you to fight no matter what. I don't think so." "Are you against fighting?" Zhong Shi shook his head lightly: "I will neither persuade nor obstruct you. Before the adults make a decision, I only have one word in my mind: none." "Oh." Ieyasu nodded. At this moment, Heihachiro laughed loudly. "Qilangyouwei, you are so tactful. It turns out that you have to completely obey the will of the lord. But it does make sense." "My lord," Hirasuke spoke again, imitating Heihachiro's tone, "in this battle, please give me a spear." Ieyasu nodded and stood up.He should not have asked his retainers for their opinion.Failure to listen to their opinions risks sowing the seeds of strife. "The sun is going down soon. Let's go back." He looked up again at the mountains connecting Kai and Shinshu.Whether Takeda wins or Tokugawa wins, the mountains will still stand there... Thinking of this, Ieyasu suddenly felt a pang of pity. Back in the city, Ieyasu asked his servants to serve him wine for the first time.The food is still white rice mixed with half of wheat rice, and there are three dishes and one soup. Because of Ieyasu's frugality, Okazaki and Hamamatsu storehouses were enriched.Meals without delicacies from mountains and seas are more memorable when chewed, and each grain of wheat contains a long and delicious taste.In fact, the same is true of life and battle. "I want to drink today." Ieyasu said to the servant who was serving at the side, and drank the dirty wine with a bitter expression.He's not an alcoholic, he just wants to know what it's like for people who are addicted to alcohol.What kind of enjoyment did they get from the wine?In Ieyasu's view, alcohol is useless except to make people stagger and forget themselves.While drinking, Shingen's shadow appeared in front of his eyes again. The wine has a bitter taste and no sweetness at all.Drinking like this, the only feeling can only be bitter. "It tastes sweet now. It's not too bitter." He seemed to think of something suddenly, "Call Xixiang." He ordered his servants, and then gulped down the hot soup. Saigo Saemon Sasaki was about to leave the city, but was stopped by the servants sent by Ieyasu. "My lord is eating?" "It'll be over soon. Wait a minute." After Jiakang finished speaking, he ignored him and drank three bowls of hot soup before he asked, "Where is the thing I put in your place?" "thing?" "Did you forget? Didn't I tell you the summer before last?" "You mean—Aai?" "I still remember. Tell Ai to come here." Saigo Zaemon Sakiyo stared blankly at Ieyasu, and then at the jug beside him.Xixiang knows that the lord Ieyasu is not the kind of person who jokes after drinking.Even so, it is absurd to suddenly order A'ai to come here when the whole city is tensely preparing for the battle. According to Jiakang's instructions, Qing Yuan adopted Ai as his adopted daughter the summer before last and raised her two children on his behalf.But he was still a little upset.Since she is an adopted daughter, she should marry off after two or three months; but unexpectedly, after two years, there is no reply. During this period, Awan became pregnant and gave birth to a baby boy, but died soon after.If she was still alive, Mrs. Tsukiyama would have rushed over from the Royal Palace long ago.Mrs. Zhushan resented Ah Wan who once served her.Therefore, Qing Yuan kept telling himself that the protagonist was only joking for a while and should not be taken seriously, and he also persuaded Ah Ai in the same way. Seeing Qing Yuan's hesitation, the unintoxicated Ieyasu urged sternly: "Why are you still hesitating? Could it be that Ah Ai is not feeling well?" "Yes." Qing Yuan seemed to want to say something more, but finally stood up.Tonight's Ieyasu looked so stern that it was impossible to refuse. After the Qing staff left, Ieyasu picked up the wine glass again and asked people to pour wine.It's strange to drink after a meal... Although the attendants around him were puzzled, they obediently filled it up for him.But Ieyasu didn't intend to drink immediately, so he asked the servants to leave the food and lean on the table lazily. The sun finally received the last ray of light, and a candle lamp was lit in the room, and the flame rushed to the high roof.From nowhere came the chirping of insects.About half an hour later, Xixiang Aai finally came over accompanied by Qing Yuan. "I heard that you just finished your meal." Aai fell to the ground.Ieyasu didn't answer, just looked at her.Two and a half years.Ieyasu fights east and west, racking his brains for victory and defeat every day; although he occasionally thinks of Ah Ai, he really has no time to go to her.Moreover, Mrs. Tsukiyama from Okazaki Castle kept sending letters or sending envoys to say some bitter words, so that Ieyasu didn't have the heart to think about Ah Ai... Mrs. Tsukiyama also said that if Ah Wan gave birth to a second child, She must have sent someone to assassinate her.The frenzy of Zhushan, coupled with many complicated affairs, made Ieyasu unable to recruit Ai even though he often thought of Ah Ai. A'ai was obviously left out and looked embarrassed.Her eyes were shy, guessing Ieyasu's thoughts, and she was uneasy, which made her look even more beautiful.Under the candlelight, her smooth skin looked very delicate. "Qing Yuan, go back and rest." Ieyasu said, still staring at Ai. "Yes." Qing Yuan agreed, but did not stand up. "What are you still dawdling about? Go back and rest!" "Yes. Then, A'ai..." He glanced at A'ai who was lying on the ground, and stood up.The two servants who accompanied him also felt nervous all over their bodies. "Aai, look up. I can't see you." "Yes Yes." "Come forward, I have something to tell you." "grown ups?" "Remember what I said? From tonight, you will be in charge of my daily life. Got it?" Ai looked at Ieyasu in surprise.She lowered her head in a low voice: "Yes...Yes." Ieyasu's eyes were still fixed on Ai: "Do you understand? Answer me clearly." "Yes...the servant understands..." "Okay! That's it! Let's face the Takeda family." After Ieyasu finished speaking, he clutched his stomach and laughed wildly.No one knew what was going on in his mind. Can acquired efforts change people's destiny?It is futile to insist on changing the things that cannot be changed; it is slack if you do not work hard on what can be changed.That is to say, there is not only a destiny that is changed by people's acquired efforts, but also a life dominated by destiny.What is confusing is that people cannot move against the sky, but what people do is because they want to escape their fate. Ieyasu is now standing at such a crossroads, carefully comparing the pros and cons of life.If one regards destiny as something absolutely unchangeable, it will inevitably lead to extinction; if one regards oneself as an absolute existence that can change everything, one will fall into falsehood and blindness.But no matter how the world judges, people probably can only regard themselves as an absolute existence, and there is no other way.Whether you succeed or fail, what people have to do is to practice according to their own will. Hearing Ieyasu's unquestionable tone, Ai seemed to understand immediately that from now on, her destiny was to try to obey.On the surface, Ieyasu's order looks cold and heartless, but it points out the direction for the confused people. "Aai, if you really understand, take a cup and come here." "Yes." After a long time, Ah Ai seemed to have finally made up her mind, and she walked in front of Ieyasu.Ieyasu drank the wine in the glass and handed the glass to Ai. He found that Ai's hands were not shaking as much as before, and he couldn't help smiling. Looking at A'ai, he seemed to suddenly understand what she was worried about.For a woman who loves with all her heart, nothing is more frightening than the death of the man she loves.But who can predict life and death?Unbelievably, Ieyasu's heart gradually calmed down, and he began to appreciate Ai's beautiful face carefully.Life is like wine, only after you have tasted all the bitterness can you taste the sweetness in it. "Thank you." Looking at A'ai pouring wine for himself, Jiakang said softly, "You have a good temperament and a good appearance. You will have a beautiful life in the future." "Thanks...thank you, sir." "You're welcome. Honda is here, you can relax as much as you can." Honda Zuzaemon came to the entrance, saw Ai in the room, couldn't help laughing: "It's rare to see my lord drinking." "Being on the left, I can't bear it anymore: on the side of the couch, how can you allow others to borrow the way!" Sakuzaemon looked up at Ieyasu with a worried face.If possible, I really want to persuade Ieyasu to let Takeda go.According to his experience, the best way is still to avoid when encountering the turbulent rapids.Because the rapids will not stop by themselves until they reach the sea.Only when the stream becomes gentle can we build dikes and dams to guide it. "Zuo Zuo, what do you think?" "If I object, will my lord listen?" Tsukuzu rolled his eyes and looked at Ieyasu. Ieyasu immediately reprimanded: "Bastard! Feel free to speak up if you have any opinions, it's my job to make a decision." "Thank you...thank you very much." Tsukuzaemon straightened his posture and said on the ground, "Since my lord has said so, I have nothing to say. If you let us die, we will not hesitate for a moment." Ieyasu stared closely at Sakuzaemon, then turned to look at Ai. "Zuo Zuo, you actually talked about death. Weird guy." Aai remained silent, Zuo Zuo's words seemed to remind her of something. "I have already put life and death aside. The matter of life and death is decided by the gods and Buddhas. I just need to do what should be done." Ieyasu said with emotion. "My lord." "What's up?" "I thought you were an abrupt person." "Zuo Zuo, your words are too much." "No, no, I'm telling the truth. I didn't expect you to ignore life and death at such a young age. You would risk your life to fight." "You're getting better at talking." "Now it seems that I miscalculated. Then please give full play to your youthful blood and arrogance." Zuo Zuo resumed his casual expression, "But I think it's better not to be too young and energetic..." "What did you say?" "No, no, this may be my unfounded worry. I just think that you should not be too young and aggressive, and rush into dangerous situations before the Oda reinforcements arrive. Of course, maybe I am overwhelmed." Ieyasu frowned slightly, and said with a wry smile, "You always pour cold water on the last one. I don't have that pride anymore." "That's my worry. You are amazing. I hope your will and determination can be conveyed to every samurai." Ieyasu nodded.Before he knew it, Sakuzaemon talked about morale issues.He intended to remind Ieyasu that he must reveal his determination to all his retainers so that they would not let any Takeda person go. "Okay, it's settled!" Ieyasu stood up with a stern expression, strode out to the yard, and looked up at the night sky.He no longer had any fear and confusion, and the night air was blowing coolly on his chest.