Chapter 25 Chapter 25

Oda Nobunaga stood in front of the military tent on Mount Torano, staring at the lights of Otani Castle where Asai Nagamasa and his son lived, and fell into deep thought.The moon has not yet risen, and the sky is full of stars.On the twenty-sixth night of the eighth month of the first year of Tianzheng, the neighing of war horses could be heard from time to time in the darkness.Standing beside Nobunaga were Hideyoshi Kinoshita and Goro Zaemon Niwa, who had changed their surnames to Hashiba. For some reason, they were silent. Shibata Katsuie, who had been waiting in the tent, said at this time: "My lord, you should come to the tent." Nobunaga didn't answer, but just hummed.Sakuma Nobumori and Maeda Toshiie sat next to Katsuya, but they were also silent.

"It's unreasonable. Even the Asakura family is destroyed, and they are still stubbornly resisting." Sheng Jia said to himself.But no one answered. Ieyasu captured Nagashino Castle on August 20th, and it was also an unforgettable day for Nobunaga.On that day, Echizen Asakura Yoshikage, who joined forces with Asai and his son in an attempt to overthrow Nobunaga, finally committed suicide and his head was sent to Nobunaga. In Haishan Castle in Echizen, Nobunaga took over Yoshikage's head from Asakura Shikibu's doctor Jing Jing, the general who surrendered Asakura.The 41-year-old Yi Jing, who was exhausted from running around, left a suicide note in his pocket, writing:

〖Forty-one years, adrift, All four are empty, Without him and without me. 〗 His wife also threw herself into a well the next day at a common people's house outside the city.I heard that she borrowed pen and ink from people's homes and wrote a very sad poem: 〖Life is hard and death is hard, Eyes are clouded, Looking back suddenly, The bright moon appears at the top of the mountain. 〗 Niwa Goro drove Asakura Yoshikage's eldest son, Aiomaru, to Echizen Hokuso and killed him. As a result, the Asakura family fell. Nobunaga sent the surrendered general Poji to serve as Echizenshou, leaving Mitsuhide Akechi, Motohide Tsuda, and Iesada Kinoshita as Fushinho, while he himself led his troops to the vicinity of Omi without stopping, with the intention of defeating the dying Asai and his son also hope to do everything possible to shake hands with the husband-in-law of their youngest sister Ashi.

Things have come to this point, the strength of the Asai family can't compete with Nobunaga.They should be awake by now. After Nobunaga arrived at the position this morning, he quickly sent envoys to test it out, but the other party's answer was still: "My father and son are loyal people, and we have made up our minds to fight the Oda clan to the death." The capture of Xiaogu Castle was actually easy.But when he thought that this kind of answer was definitely not from his sister-in-law Bizen Mamoru Nagamasa, but from the stubborn Shimono Mamoru Hisamasa, Nobunaga gritted his teeth with hatred.If he set fire to Xiaogu Castle in a fit of anger, and burned his sister and three children to death, Hisamasa would probably laugh at him: "Look, this is Oda's crime." He would smile contemptuously and die easily.Nobunaga seemed to see his sly smile.

People who are greedy for life and afraid of death, who bend their knees and surrender, are easy to deal with.For example, the monk on Mount Hiei who blocked Nobunaga's path, although he claimed that his heart was like a stone, Nobunaga still smiled and burned him; but Hisamata and his son are different.Jiuzheng is stubborn, and his son Changzheng is not a person who is greedy for life and afraid of death. He obeys filial piety as a virtue and intends to die with his father. "Fujiyoshi!" Nobunaga wandered around several times, looking up at the starry sky, "Asai and his son seem to have made up their minds."

"Yes. They probably won't surrender." Hideyoshi was very aware of Nobunaga's distress, and replied bluntly: "I think that Miss Ashi and the three children are also planning to go with them." "Why do you say that?" "They want to satirize you to prove that murderers never end well." "Oh?" Nobunaga was silent, he looked up at the starry sky for a while, and at the lights of Xiaogu Castle for a while.In fact, there is no need to ask Hideyoshi, he knows it well.I asked Hideyoshi because recently he always wanted to confirm his thoughts. "Maeda Youzuo, is there a way to subdue them?"

"Yes. Bizen Mamoru is fine, mainly Shimono Mamoru." "You mean he's obstinate?" "Exactly!..." "My lord, what do you think of this? Then send someone to say, as long as the lives of Mrs. Ashi and the ladies are saved, Asai and his son can be spared..." Sakuma Nobusheng said. "Shut up!" Nobunaga shouted loudly.Sakuma really shouldn't have interfered in this matter, besides, Nobunaga was also extremely dissatisfied with his performance in Echizen. "If that's the case, where is my integrity?" "yes." "Shibata Gonroku, is there a way to save the lives of Aichi and the child?"

"I really have no idea." "Oh. Are you worried that I will reprimand you for speaking absurdly? If you are so cautious, Niwa Goro Zuo will not be able to speak." "I'm very sad." After Niwa Chohide finished speaking, he bowed silently. "Fujikichi, you must have a lot of ideas when you built this fortification. Let Takenaka Hanbei come and call everyone to discuss. I want you to know my capacity." Hideyoshi lay down on the cold ground, and cautiously replied: "Of order!" Nobunaga turned his back to everyone and couldn't help laughing: "Monkey, are you confident?"

"fine." "Bastard! How can this work? Do you know why I only asked you to return from Echizen alone. Well, rest well tonight and start the battle tomorrow!" Nobunaga said firmly. Hideyoshi is very aware of Nobunaga's size and inner anxiety.Mitsusa Honganji, who is in-law with the Echizen Asakura family, asks the monks in Kii for help, trying to start a rebellion before the fall of Otani Castle; in Omi Nyue Castle, Rokkaku Yoshibe is also ready to move.If Nobunaga misses the battle due to personal affairs, the princes of Chubu and Shikoku, as well as Kita Ise will wait for the opportunity.Therefore, Nobunaga wanted to gather an army strong enough to control the enemy in the area of ​​Huyuqianshan, and surrendered Asai and his son.

Hideyoshi returned to Shunzhong, and immediately called Takenaka Hanbei. "How are you preparing for the military meeting?" Hideyoshi immediately opened the map of Otani Castle and studied it carefully. "My lord really wants to save Mrs. Ashi." "That's natural." Hideyoshi didn't even look at Hanbei, "If you kill Oshi and her child, future generations will call the lord a devil who has no regard for brotherhood." Hanbei smiled and nodded. "My lord's mind was seen through by Shimono Mori Hisamasa, so he said that he would live and die with Xiaogucheng."

"Hanbei, you are still so calm." Hideyoshi looked up at Hanbei, and said in a half-joking tone, "The Lord must not be infamous. This battle is also a turning point of fate for me, Hideyoshi. " Hanbei smiled again.For Hideyoshi, there was no battle that was not a turning point in his fate.This monkey always tries his best to do everything. "Hanbei, don't think I'm infatuated with Oshi." "At this time, you are still joking." "Is there a way to surprise Hisamasa?" "It might not be Hisamasa who will be surprised at that time." "Who? Long Zheng?" "No, it must be the lord, Lord Nobunaga." "Yes, it must be the lord. Alright, military adviser, let me talk about my thoughts first. If there is anything wrong, please point me out." Hideyoshi pointed at Xiaogucheng with a fan, and said in his mouth: "Look at this, Attack Jingjiyuan at dawn, this is the place where Nagamasa of the city and Hisamasa of Sannoyuan must pass through when communicating." Hanbei Takenaka nodded lightly and said, "The guards here seem to be Mitamurazaemonsa, Onogi Tosa, and Asai Shichiro. Do you think you can save Oshi's life by capturing this place?" "Help?...I didn't think about it." Hideyoshi frowned, and finally laughed loudly, "It's absolutely impossible to count on that stubborn old man. He will constantly scold the lord for being a person who has no regard for affection." "Our opponent is Hisamasa, who is trying to push Ashi's mother and son into hell and make the lord bear a bad name. It is futile to count on him." Hideyoshi pointed at the map with his fan, and surveyed the roads and terrain of the fortress in detail. The natural fortress - Xiaogu Mountain, which is four or five meters above sea level, was built by the Asai family.The city lord Nagamasa lives in Honjo on a high place, and then there are Erdao Castle, Kyogokuen, and then Sannoen where Hisamasa lives, which is connected to Akaoen.Akao Garden is guarded by the important minister Akao Misaku. Xiugu plans to attack Jingjiyuan in the middle first, so as to cut off the connection between the city lord Nagamasa and Sannoyuan Jiuzheng. "What do you want to do if you don't save Oshi?" Hanbei looked at Hideyoshi with a questioning look.Hideyoshi still looked cynical. "After capturing Jingjiyuan, immediately send troops to intervene between Sannoyuan and Chiweiyuan." "Oh, but I thought that Chiweiyuan seemed not easy to capture." "Send Fengxu He Xiaoliu to go there, there is no danger." "You intend to isolate Hisamasa of Sannoen?" Hanbei said with a relaxed expression, "I think the same generally." "Oh? Hahaha, the so-called heroes see the same thing." The two laughed and began to discuss the future offensive.First of all, isolate Shanwang Garden and send envoys to persuade them to surrender.In this way, Hisamasa, who values ​​his reputation, may commit seppuku suicide.This news must be concealed from the long government of the city. Once the Sanwang Court is occupied.If Changzheng wanted to save his father's life, he would either lead the whole city to surrender, or hand over Ashi's mother and son.Instead of begging the other party to let Ashi go, but to inform him with a strong attitude——Hideyoshi's intention is to save Nobunaga's face. After discussing with Hanbei, Hideyoshi immediately called the generals and arranged their respective tasks in this way. Let them rest early this night to wait for the opportunity to fight. Arrange two thousand people to attack Jingjiyuan first, and this team is led by Hideyoshi himself.He is confident and knows how to attack this towering fortress from the foothills.To this end, he has been training for several years. "Then, just wait for the dawn. My lord will be surprised when the time comes." Hideyoshi ordered his subordinates to go down to prepare, and once again looked at the towering Xiaogu Mountain. The city where Ah Shi is located is still brightly lit.Perhaps thinking of the tragic fate of the city's imminent fall, the husband and wife, the mother and son might be fighting for time and talking all night... Hideyoshi, who has always been careless, couldn't help but feel chills in his chest.This miserable world... As Hideyoshi expected, Nobunaga rode to his tent before dawn.Nobunaga, who always liked to scold others, saw that Hideyoshi's troops were ready for battle, his eyes lit up immediately, and he dismounted silently.Hideyoshi stepped forward and succinctly reported the battle plan formulated last night. "I think that we should first attack Jingjiyuan and strangle the old stubborn throat of Sannoyuan." Nobunaga didn't answer, but just looked back at Xiaogushan. "If Changzheng still doesn't surrender, set fire to the foot of the mountain and burn it upwards! Burn them all to death, leaving no one behind!" After speaking, he turned his horse's head and disappeared into the dawn mist. Of course, this was not Nobunaga's intention.What he wanted to say was that if Jiuzheng of Sanwangyuan still refused to hand over Ashi and the child, then there should be no more hesitation, and he should seize the opportunity and make a decisive decision.Even so, there seems to be a deeper meaning in Nobunaga's words. After Nobunaga's figure disappeared, Hideyoshi couldn't help but let out a long sigh. According to Nobunaga's words, if they set fire to the mountain, the lives of Ashi and the children would be in danger, and so could Hideyoshi's life.Even if Gou dies, he will completely lose Nobunaga's trust, and a knot will never be untied between him and Nobunaga.Hideyoshi sighed for a while, and immediately started to act.He hoped that when Nobunaga gave the combat order, he could successfully surround Kyogokuen and encounter the enemy. The operation was more like a night raid.Hideyoshi recruited Takenaka Banbei, and after he finished his explanation in a few words, he led two thousand soldiers and horses and immediately went down to Huyuqian Mountain.Generals such as Kato Toranosuke, Fukushima Ichimatsu, Katagiri Susaku, Ishida Sakichi surrounded him imposingly. When the vanguard arrived at the foot of Xiaogu Mountain, the stars above their heads had not disappeared.Without the sound of horns or the beating of war drums, they quietly came to the city and waited for the dawn.After a long time, the stars receded, and when the autumn mist flowed from the valley to the woods, the horns sounded from Nobunaga's front camp. Probably the Asai Army had also anticipated Nobunaga's actions.Looking out from the observation ports of Xiaogu Mountain, one can see that the soldiers of the Oda family have dispersed and are gradually approaching Xiaogu Castle.At this time, the shouts of Hideyoshi's army suddenly came from under the Riluo Gang.Hideyoshi's favorite generals scrambled to attack the fortress.Jingjiyuan, which had just woken up from a dream, suddenly fell into chaos. "Ah, it's the flag of the Oda family. They've already broken in. What's going on?" Guard Tosa Onogi ran towards Shichiro Asai while wearing his battle uniform. Shichiro Asai grabbed a large naginata and was discussing with Mitamurazaemonsa who arrived first.Onogi Tosa shouted: "Everyone, it's time to fight to the death. Make final preparations!" He said while taking the spear from the servant. "Wait, Onogi!" Shichiro Asai waved his hand. "etc?" "You also understand that we have no fighting spirit at all." "But we have to be prepared." "No no." Zuoemon Zuo shook his head with a serious expression, "In this city, only the old castellan and the castellan resisted wholeheartedly. We must seriously consider this matter, Shichiro and I are discussing it." "Must be seriously considered?" "It is the best policy to dedicate Kyogokuen to Hashiba Hideyoshi." "So, you want to retreat and defend the city, and die in battle?" "Listen first." Shichiro Asai said with a sad expression, "If this place is handed over to Hideyoshi, the connection between the old castellan and the castellan will be severed. If they are allowed to keep in touch, the Asai family will only perish, but if they are separated , the two masters might wake up early..." Tosa Onogi shook his head fervently: "No, they are not like that." "But isn't the city lord also worried about the safety of his wife and children? He and his wife have a deep relationship, and his wife is Nobunaga's younger sister. What do you think, Mitamura?" "Yes. If the soldiers who have no fighting spirit are forced to die, it will cause a rebellion and endanger the lord. It will make the future generations laugh." Suddenly there were shouts again, and Hideyoshi got closer and closer.As Shichiro Asai and Mitamura said, the soldiers who woke up from their sleep panicked and fled around with bare hands without even caring about holding weapons.There were shouts from the entrance. "Don't hesitate anymore. The castellan is the sister-in-law of the Oda family. Make up your mind quickly, Onogi." "Even if you lose your life, you must never surrender. It is precisely because of the consideration of the master..." Onogi threw the spear out violently, and it was not just that the soldiers had no fighting spirit. It is no wonder that the balance of power in this battle has long been clear.The opponent is the Oda Army who has just defeated the Echizen Army and is in a state of invincibility, while the own side has no hope of victory from the very beginning.The two lords actually want to fight, it is really reckless. "Understood, I understand, I'll go!" Onogi Tosa yelled, picked up the long spear he had just thrown away, and tremblingly wrapped the white cloth wrapped on the battle uniform around the head of the long spear. Surrender." Onogi Tosa said blankly, walking towards the Hideyoshi army who rushed into the room. "We surrender. We surrender. Please take us to Mr. Hideyoshi's tent..." In war, ordinary soldiers cannot be expected to fight bravely if they know they are bound to lose.Asai and his son miscalculated.They thought that everyone in the city recognized their loyalty and could go through life and death. Hideyoshi and Takenaka Hanbei obviously saw through the thoughts of Asai and his son, so they first advanced the army to the Kyogokuen area.However, they are also prepared to fold two or three hundred people.But the three generals here abandoned their weapons and surrendered without any damage to Hideyoshi's army. At noon, Kyogokuen completely fell into Hideyoshi's hands.He and Hanbei chatted happily in the garden while having lunch.Of course, they can't completely relax yet.The Oda Army in the rear rushed to support, Hideyoshi and others must successfully rescue Ashi. After lunch, Hachisuka Koroku was called to Hideyoshi immediately. "Xiao Liu, we need to successfully cut off the connection between Asai Hisamasa's Sanno Garden and Akao Misaku's Akao Garden, why don't you do it?" Xiaoliu Zhengsheng shook his head.Because Hideyoshi's words are always a bit of ridicule, but also contain subtle meanings. "Yes, it will be enough for the next two moments." "Oh? So fast. Act now." Hideyoshi turned his head and looked at Hanbei seriously, "Xiao Liu said that it only takes two minutes to take it down. If it were me, it would take one and a half minutes, but it's not bad." Xiao Liu's mouth twitched. "My lord!" he cried. Hideyoshi nodded with a frightening expression. "I know. Select elite soldiers to approach Chiweiyuan. I will follow. Understand? When the enemy is determined to defend the city, we have already quietly reached between Sannoyuan and Chiweiyuan. They will never take the initiative to fight, because All around are our troops. Okay, how about giving you two moments?" "Do you really only need a quarter and a half?" Xiao Liu murmured unconvinced, and stood up slowly. The sound of bugles and battle drums all over the mountains and plains shook the ground.Hachisuka led thousands of people, surrounded by battle flags, and charged towards Akao Garden. At this time, Jiuzheng in Sanno Garden was twisting Buddhist beads in the corridor outside the bedroom.Heruo Taifu, who was dancing the Xingruo dance for Jiuzheng on the porch, suddenly stopped. "Shimono Mori-sama, what—what's that sound?" Shimono Mamoru pretended to be nonchalant, but still beat the time clearly, and said meaningfully: "I heard that Mr. Oda once danced while singing "Atsumori"..." The swishing sound of bows and arrows and the deafening gunfire came from the direction of Akao Court.But Hisamasa still pruned the chrysanthemum leaves calmly, as if enjoying the crisp autumn weather.In the shade of the neatly manicured trees, opposite the spring water, the flowers of Rhododendron twigs are in full bloom, red and white, carp in the spring swim leisurely, and pieces of white clouds are reflected on the water. "It seems that something is wrong, Mr. Shimono." Mrs. Heruo said again. "Teacher, if you say that your life is only fifty years old, I have already had enough." A smile appeared on Jiuzheng's face, "I have no complaints or regrets in my life, and I have always acted according to my own will without losing my integrity." "The villain understands..." "Since you understand, you should also understand my current mood. I will never admit defeat." "So... there is no need to fight anymore?" "Hahaha..." Jiuzheng looked up to the sky and laughed loudly, "Fight again? Taifu, I am always fighting. It's just that I don't need to pick up the spear and swing the sword myself." After speaking, he laughed again. "Old city lord!" The one who hurried over was Fushou An, who had presided over Buddhist affairs for Jiuzheng for a long time. "The enemy has begun to attack Akao Garden. Kyogoku Garden seems to have completely fallen into the enemy's hands." This 60-year-old man, who is known for respecting the ten virtues, stood there majesticly in a battle uniform and holding a spear. "Fushouan! Who allowed you to wear this uniform?" "However, the enemy has already..." "Shut up! Have you forgotten? Didn't I say that once I was surrounded by the enemy, I would commit seppuku. Even you forgot what I said, how can I be myself?" "Isn't even armed?" Jiuzheng ignored it and sat down slowly by the corridor. "If I need to be armed, how can I calmly prune the chrysanthemums here? I think, instead of killing a few miscellaneous soldiers of the Oda family, it is better to prune my favorite flowers here." Fushouan turned his back.Then, as if he suddenly remembered something, he put his hands on the ground and said, "I have a request." "What is so serious?" "The loyal heart of the old city lord is respectable, but for the sake of the old city lord and your three granddaughters, I hope you reconsider." "Oh, are you here to persuade me to surrender?" "I'm thinking about the whole family." "Shut up!" Jiuzheng snapped. The statue of Asai Fukujuan had predicted that Hisashira would get angry. "You are right to reprimand. But as you said, Oda Nobunaga is cruel and ruthless. If he set fire to you, the castellan, wife and miss, he would be even happier... I can't bear it!" Jiuzheng didn't answer, but just looked up at the white clouds floating in the sky.The cries of the men and horses gradually faded away, and the dazzling sunlight made the surroundings warmer and brighter. "I'm counting on you, old castellan! In order to continue the incense of the Asai family, please send an envoy immediately." "You are old too." "Yes. You are right." Hisashira regained his composure. "You can be regarded as a Buddhist. Let's take off that uniform and enjoy this beautiful autumn to the fullest." "Forgive me, I am more worried about the safety of my family than chrysanthemums and trees." "Fushouan, stop talking! Listen, my heart is no longer touched by these words." "No matter what the future of the family is, you don't care?" "Hahaha. Perhaps Nobunaga's dominance of the world is a karmic fire; my determination to go against this general trend and push the whole family to perish is also a karmic fire, a more sinful one." Fushou'an bit her lip tightly and remained silent.Hisamasa has lost his mind.No matter how much he hates Nobunaga, can he sacrifice the lives of his son, daughter-in-law and granddaughter for it?Hisachi mistakenly believed that it was not himself who killed them, but Nobunaga married his beloved sister to the enemy in order to realize his ambition, and then killed them at all to prove his firm will.It's too shallow to think so.Nobunaga has sent envoys many times, saying that the lives of Asai and his son will not be harmed.It was not Nobunaga who led to the demise of the family, but Hisamasa himself. "Fushou An, right and wrong are for posterity to judge. While Heruo is still here, you should take off that uniform and have a cup of tea." Fushou An quietly left. The shouts that once went away gradually approached again.Hisamasa picked up the scissors again, as if forgetting that Mrs. Tsururuo was by his side, and began to carefully trim the chrysanthemums. "Old Castellan!" At this moment there were hurried footsteps again, and Iguchi Echizen Shouyi came running over fully armed. "It's justice, the enemy seems to be approaching." "Exactly. The enemy's vanguard pretended to attack Akao-en at first, but suddenly changed direction halfway and charged towards Sanno-en." "Oh. I see. Justice, I've had an interesting life." "what?" "Okay, go and contact Qiantian Cainu, don't let the idlers wait here." On the twenty-seventh, Hachisuka under Hashiba finally succeeded in breaking into the area between Akao-en and Sanno-en.On the second day, the 28th day of the eighth month of the first year of Tianzheng, from dawn onwards, Xiaogu Mountain became a tragic battlefield.Based on Kyogokuen, which Hideyoshi Hashiba captured first, the Oda army divided into two groups to attack Nagamasa and Hisamasa.It is a matter of time before the city falls. On this day, Hisamasa of Sannoen still did not put on his battle uniform.Facing the constant news of defeat, he just said calmly: "Thanks for your hard work." His expression didn't change at all, and he didn't mention the word "surrender". At Sishi, Qiantian Cainu, who had been hit by three arrows, rushed over. "Shanwang Garden is about to fall." Hisamasa smiled and said, "Then, let's make some preparations." He turned his head and looked quietly at Mrs. Morimoto Tsuruwaka and Fukushouan beside him.Fushou An has already taken off his battle uniform and is wearing cassock.Mrs. Heruo was probably affected by the calmness of Jiuzheng yesterday, although his face was livid, he was also calm. "Cai Nu, please. Before we go, please tell Justice too." Cai Nu was puzzled: "Please wait patiently. Farewell!" He waved a knife and left. "Fushouan, can you pour me a glass of wine?" "Yes, please wait." "How is it? The weather is good today, and I'm in a good mood." Neither Fushou'an nor Mrs. Heruo answered, and prepared the wine slowly.The wine was poured into the exquisite cup that Hisamasa usually treasured, and Jiuzheng happily drank three cups in a row. "Come on, Fushouan, it's your turn." Fukujuan looked at Hisamasa with a meaningful smile on his face.He no longer remembered how many times last night he wanted to chop off Hisamasa's head with a knife in order to save Asai's family, but the anger finally subsided and finally ushered in this moment.He is also a member of the Asai clan.If he is misunderstood by the long government and thinks that he conspired to rebel out of his own self-interest, it will be hard to argue.This is probably the sanskaras of the last days.Fushouan also drank three cups in a row, and then handed the cup to Heruo. "Come on, let me pour you wine." Fushouan watched Heruo drink up with a smile on his face. "Old city lord, I, a monk, should go ahead and find the way for you." After speaking, he tore off his clothes, exposed his chest, and stabbed down with a knife in his stomach with a calm expression. Looking at everything in front of him, Jiuzheng nodded with satisfaction: "He Ruo, come and end it for him. As expected of Fushou Temple, you understand my heart." People may not be able to completely free themselves from confusion and attachment after all.Fukujuan's seppuku suicide actually contained resentment towards Hisamasa and despair of the current situation, but Hisashi didn't think so.Under Heruo Taifu's sword, Fushouan's head fell to the floor. "Okay, Fukujuan, we won against Nobunaga." Looking at the blood dripping on the floor, Hisamasa smiled with his mouth twisted, "It's my turn." He stopped laughing, closed his eyes quietly, and slowly Rip off the clothes.Wearing a clean white coat, he had a calm attitude and silently raised his sword. "The enemy is probably about to break into the gate." He said to himself, and suddenly stabbed the tip of the knife towards his left abdomen. "I'll help you..." He Ruo said. "No need!" Jiuzheng yelled, twisted his face, and swiped the knife to the right.As if he had cut a vital point, the white cloth wrapped around his abdomen turned red with blood, and Jiuzheng's face turned ashen. "Hahaha..." He looked at Heruo, as if he wanted to say something, but finally he didn't.In an instant, the tatami was soaked in a pool of blood, and Hisamasa collapsed to the ground and died. Heruo Taifu confirmed that Jiuzheng was dead, stood up with a knife in his hand, and walked around the corridor a few times.The enemy was approaching, and the sound of clashing swords and fighting continued to enter the ears.Of course, he was ready to die with Hisamasa, but he didn't know whether he should rush to the intruding enemy and die, or commit seppuku.Just when He Ruo turned to the third circle, a miscellaneous soldier suddenly attacked from behind with a gun. "Ah!" The soldier's spear pierced He Ruo's sleeve.He Ruo immediately jumped to the side. "Wait!" Facing the chasing miscellaneous soldiers, Heruo with a big knife seemed to be threatening, but also seemed to beg, "I have witnessed Hisamasa-sama committing suicide with my own eyes, and I will go with him, I don't need you to come If you come close, don't blame me for being rude." The miscellaneous soldiers took a step back, and seeing that there were indeed two corpses and a head in the room, they hurriedly put away their spears and rushed over there.Apparently, he thought the head on the floor was Hisamasa's.He Ruo came to the stone bench in the courtyard and sat down, pointing the knife at his abdomen. When He Ruo's body slumped to the ground, the surroundings were already in chaos.The fire of karma in the troubled times was not extinguished by the deaths of Jiuzheng, Fushouan and Heruo Taifu, but burned more and more vigorously.