Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Welcome to the young master

Heavy dark clouds, wrapped in snowflakes, pressed down on the arrow warehouse, which Okazaki people are proud of, and the dry cherry blossom trees hummed in the cold west wind. "Oh, it's all here? I'm sorry, I'm late." Okubo Shinhachiro Tadatoshi, who was almost full of white hair, just came from the mountains.He slapped the skirt made of rabbit fur and strode in. "Shouldn't you convince him this time?" This is the residence of Nomihara Nagasaka Hikogoro. "There is no result yet. If things go on like this, the Okazaki people can only wait for death... There is no other way." The owner, Nagasaka Hikogoro, replied angrily.He is also known as "Blood Gun Jiulang". If counting from the time of Qingkang, he has killed ninety-three enemies, and he will never let the gun in his hand idle... because he can carry the blood gun from the battlefield every time. When Shang returned safely, he was specially allowed to wear a red-painted spear. His stubbornness and recklessness were no less than Okubo Shinhachiro.

"There is no result yet? Is it because our negotiation method is wrong?" Shinhachiro glanced at Masaku Sakai and Shinrokuro Uemura who had just rushed over from Sunfu, and walked into the crowd.Torii Tadakichi, Ishikawa Aki, Abe Daizo, Hiraiwa Kinhachiro, Amano Jinemon, Abe Jingoro, and Kanbara Sonjuro Nagamasa who lived nearby all rushed over. Six years have passed since Takechiyo went to Junfu.The hardships of the Okazaki people can be felt by everyone.During this period, some people tied their waists with straw ropes, and some people's clothes were torn into rags.Even so, their vision is still as high as before, and their swords are as sharp as ever.

"In any case, Mr. Takechiyo is fourteen years old, and he should return to Okazaki Castle to hold the Yuanfu ceremony. What did they say?" Shinhachiro suddenly asked excitedly. "It's outrageous!" Blood Gun Kuro shouted, waving his fists. "Nobunaga of Owari has successfully resolved the internal dispute and is aggressively expanding. I heard that he will declare war on us soon. Therefore, Mr. Imagawa threatened that Takechiyo alone cannot ensure the safety of Okazaki Castle. He is not at ease. . I think it can't be tolerated any longer." "Don't worry...Since he is worried about our ability, why does he always want us to play forward? He wants to kill two birds with one stone, of course he said that."

Masaku Sakai did not make a sound, but turned his head to one side, and said, "Pour water for Okubo." Mrs. Honda understood and served the rye soup.Shinhachiro finished his drink in one gulp, staring at Garasuke eagerly.Behind Mrs. Honda stood Heihachi who had been to Junfu, he was curious and attentively listening to everyone's discussion. "But..." Shinrokuro Uemura said, "Master Imagawa trusted us and asked us to wait. The lord said that for the sake of Okazaki, he decided to marry the daughter of his niece Sekiguchi Xingbu Shaosuke to the young master. As a result, Imagawa He and Matsudaira became relatives. This idea is not bad. Regarding this matter, he said that he also wanted to hear our views..."

Nagasaka Hikogoro suddenly said loudly: "That's a conspiracy! I don't agree with it. As the saying goes, there are only three things. We hit the front line every time, and every time we lose a brother, husband or nephew. If he really wants to let the young master return to the gang Sakijo, how can we be inferior to the current Joyo? In fact, he will pass the daughter of the Shosuke of the Ministry of Justice... I am very surprised." "What kind of person is the daughter of Shaosuke of the Ministry of Justice?" Okubo Shinhachiro turned to Uemura Shinrokuro and asked, "Is he going to give the young master a maid?"

Uemura Shinrokuro smiled wryly and did not answer. "It must be the main wife. In this era, who cares about maids! How old is that girl?" Shinhachiro asked again. "I heard he was nineteen years old..." "It is said that he is nineteen years old, but in fact he is twenty-two or three years old. Is it someone who makes people not want to take a second look?" "No no, she is well-known in Junfu, and I heard she is a talented woman." "Then it must be a remarriage. Perhaps several times." "It's the first marriage, not a remarriage." Shinrokuro Uemura answered one by one calmly.

Shinhachiro Tadatoshi lowered his eyes in disbelief. "However, what are you going to Junfu for? You are not invited to discuss marriage, right? Hikogoro Nagasaka, I also think it is time to make up your mind...I agree with your idea." Nagasaka Hikogoro seemed to have found a confidant, and was about to explain his thoughts in detail when Mrs. Honda brought barley soup again. "Please drink some hot soup first." She persuaded.The tenderness of the woman eased the tense atmosphere a little, but the contradiction was still unresolved. "Then, I would like to ask Okubo-sama, what exactly do you mean by making up your mind? I want to know your detailed strategy." Ya Lezhu was also very excited, but his voice was very calm, "Don't act recklessly. Young master now You are still a prisoner of Junfu, don't forget this."

"Of course I haven't forgotten." Shinhachiro replied, "But the so-called negotiation, there is also a difference in attitude. You are too compromised, you should be tougher." "Then I'd like to hear how to make tough negotiations." "Hmph! If they don't return the young master, we can ask not to participate in this battle." "I see what you mean. But what if he doesn't care at all?" "At that time we will not participate in the war. It is because of looking forward and backward that we become weak. Oda Nobunaga is stronger than Nobhide. Nobunaga, a rare general in the world, has an incredible ability to kill people with his voice weapons... If it wasn't for us, they would be able to deal with Oda? You have full confidence in defeating him."

"Pay attention to the wording." "what?" "Kill him? Beat him, is it over?" Anger was burning in the eyes of both of them.At this time, Torii Tadakichi, who had been closing his eyes tightly, finally said: "Please wait. You both have a reason." Zhongkichi, who is already in his eighties, said calmly, "Both of you have a reason, so we should deliberate calmly. Deliberate until both parties think it is appropriate... Da Jiu, as the saying goes, the elderly are generally weak... Then, I should be the weakest." "indeed so." "Then let's listen to each other's opinions quietly first. Please understand the current predicament. When I was in Junfu, I thought that if I don't bring the young master back to Okazaki in time, I'm afraid... I won't see you back. The young master of Okazaki Castle. But even so, it must not be too hasty. I kept suppressing my impulse when I was in Sunfu...Okubo..."

Okubo Shinhachiro was moved by Lao Jin's words. "Indeed, this matter should not be rushed. Let's listen to everyone's opinions first." After speaking, he became silent. "Then, please continue to express your views." The old Torii said. Uemura Shinrokuro nodded: "We have survived so many difficulties. According to me, we should follow Mr. Imagawa's suggestion, first accept the one thousand salary in the mountain, and then beg them to let him hold the Yuanfu in the young master. After the ceremony, let him return immediately." "Pleading?" Nagasaka Yangoro was furious again, "He is just doing what he should do according to the contract, why do you plead with him? If he is so weak, it will only make him look down on us even more. We must let him immediately send the young The Lord will give it back to us along with the territory."

"That's not what Hikogoro said. Of course we made such a request. But Mr. Imagawa said that the young master is still too young, and he will live in Junfu for the time being. After the Yuanfu ceremony and marriage are completed, we can do things cheaply. We are That's how I understand it." "So you are too weak." "unacceptable!" "The young master has obviously reached the age to hold the Yuanfu ceremony. For the unity of the family, he should return to Okazaki Castle to hold the ceremony. Marriage is a matter of the future. In order to truly consolidate the power of the Imagawa family, the first thing should be to unite Okazaki people. Why don't you say that?" "We mentioned it many times. But Imagawa-sama immediately changed his face and said, '...Could it be that Joyo couldn't do it? Could it be that Takechiyo's retainers are unwilling to obey the orders of Imagawa Joyo...' If you continue to provoke him, what if you bring disadvantage to the young master?" "That's strange! Why didn't you take the opportunity to put forward a second condition? Why didn't you say that because we obeyed Joyo's order, we also hope that Imagawa-sama will keep his promise, but we don't know when he will return Takechiyo?" "Can you say something like that?" "It is because you dare not speak that I say you are weak." "Hikogoro, don't be so rude!" "It's you who are rude. Weak guys!" Xueqiang Jiulang suddenly opened his eyes and held the knife at his waist. "Come on, blood gun, you bastard!" Uemura Shinrokuro also drew his knife out of its sheath violently.People stood up at the same time, and the room was filled with suffocating murderous aura. Everyone thought that Torii Tadakichi would come forward to persuade him to make peace, but he seemed to be in deep thought, with his eyes tightly closed.Like Torii, Okubo Shinhachiro closed his eyes tightly.Suddenly, Mrs. Honda said "Wow", fell to the ground and cried.Because the incident happened suddenly, the rest of the people couldn't help being stunned. "Are you uncomfortable?" Kanbara Sonjuro, who had been silent until now, asked. The woman wept even louder. "It's so disappointing...it's full of impatient people. It was the same with my grandfather, and it's the same with Hikogoro now." "What do women know? Stop interrupting!" "No, I will. If my uncle or husband had lived, he would never have committed such an act of infidelity." "Infidelity...you say my blood gun is unfaithful?" "Yes, it's infidelity. On such an important occasion, to act arrogantly and draw swords at each other... This is the greatest infidelity! Think back carefully... how much we have suffered since the arrival of Junfu's Joyo. These six Years of hardships are not only endured by you men, women and children are also endured!" "So, I've run out of patience." "Listen to me. As soon as they arrived, the stragglers burned, killed, looted, and ran amok. The women of ordinary people's families were humiliated in front of their husbands, and many young girls gave birth to children without fathers. Even the women of our samurai families are all Everyone was silent, and everyone's face was covered with black charcoal. If they met them head-on, they would kneel down one after another, or deliberately go around. As long as they heard the Suruga people coming, everyone would panic..." The woman narrated angrily, and Heihachi grabbed hold of them worriedly. Mother's shoulder, looking at her. "Every day I worry about three meals a day, and worry about not covering my body. Even if there is no grain of rice, the horse will never lose weight. But even if life is so hard, who has cried? Has anyone complained? Everyone Gritting your teeth, you waited for the young lord to return safely and lead the Okazaki people back to their former glory. If you feel that doing this is worthy of women and children, don't stop and kill each other. By the way, kill me, the widow, too. It's..." Everyone was speechless.After the woman finished counting heartily, she fell to the ground and burst into tears again.Masaku Sakai was the first to sob.Kanbara Sonjuro moved his knees slowly, weeping.Okubo Shinhachiro still stubbornly closed his eyes, but the veins on his temples were throbbing.It can be seen that Torii Tadakichi is also holding back tears. "You kill it. Don't expect such a weak and incompetent man to lead us to live. You kill it." Seeing everything in front of him, Uemura Shinrokuro threw away the knife abruptly.Nagasaka Yangoro also cried like a child. "Hondo... please forgive me! I was wrong. Blood Gun was wrong. Please forgive me!" Mrs. Honda's words reminded everyone present of the hardships of bearing humiliation in the past six years.On the first day Takechiyo was sent to Shunfu, Imagawa Clan's Joyo led the crowd into Okazaki Castle, the family members had agreed in advance: "No matter how provocative the other party is, you must be patient and absolutely avoid friction." No matter how reasonable, never argue.From then on, Okazaki people have to forget that they are also human beings, and they have to survive with infinite patience.If not, Takechiyo's life would be in danger. "Where there is a young master, there are Okazaki people. Stop all unnecessary resistance. The tenacity of Okazaki people is the best in the world... engrave the four words 'No. 1 in the world' in the bottom of my heart, and be patient." "Okay! From today onwards, I am a dog." The one who said that day was none other than Xueqiang Jiulang. "The so-called dogs can wag their tails at anyone, even slaves, as long as they are given food. From today onwards, I will live by wagging my tail at the Imagawa clan's Shirodai! You are also dogs. We are a family of dogs. Don't Forget, even if you meet a low-ranking samurai from the Imagawa Clan on the road, you still have to shake your tail and greet him." Every time Xueqiang Kuro met someone, he would tell him with tears in his eyes. With such thoughts in mind, everyone struggled to come over.Even if food is extremely scarce, as long as the Imagawa family needs it, it will go directly to the Okazaki family to get it.They entered the hall, went straight to the bedroom, and shouted loudly: "Is there a woman? Is there a woman?" Everyone has experienced these things, but there is no decent act of resistance. Everyone gritted their teeth and survived.But once on the battlefield, this suppressed anger turns into a fierce spark, making the enemy frightened.Therefore, many people in the Imagawa family wondered: "Why are those Okazaki people who are like dogs so powerful on the battlefield?" "It was I who violated the oath of patience. I was too impatient. Honda, it was my blood gun that made a mistake. I will let you handle it. Please forgive me!" Nagasaka Hikogoro is stubborn and competitive, and an apology is far from enough. "When I think of the cruel treatment of the young master by the Imagawa clan... I can't bear it anymore. Yes! I still want to be a dog and wait until the young master returns to Okazaki Castle. I forgot patience, I am a disloyal person ! Hit me, hit me hard!" Xue Gun screamed excitedly, grabbed Heihachi's hand who was standing beside his mother in horror, and hit himself on the head.Heibada had an accident, and he seemed to be angry too, and he really beat Hikogoro hard. "Okay, good fight! I'm also a descendant of Blood Gun, and I'm definitely not a man who can forgive me with a verbal apology. Please forgive me, I..." Blood Gun cried loudly. Everyone shed tears again. "Yan Goro, please let go. You just need to understand. You have already understood, you have to continue to be patient. Let's wait for the young master to come back. Please work together with everyone." Mrs. Ben Duo said. Uemura Shinrokuro was also full of tears, choked up and said: "We are not good either. I apologize to you." "Then," the old man Torii opened his eyes after the atmosphere in the room eased, "Since we have elected Sakai and Uemura as envoys, we must fully support them." "Exactly." Abe Dazang also nodded, "We might as well discuss whether to continue to be patient, or to negotiate forcefully." "On this issue, I have an idea." Torii Tadakichi said. "Let's listen to it." Sakai Masara helped. Torii Tadakichi paused intentionally, and then said: "The most important thing now is to find out whether Lord Imagawa intends to return the territory after the young master's Yuanfu ceremony is over... How about this, we will entrust the Yuanfu ceremony and marriage to you. To Mr. Imagawa, but please send the young master back to Okazaki Castle temporarily to visit the graves of his father and grandfather during the Yuanfu ceremony." "Yes...that's a good idea. But what if he still refuses?" "Then we have to find another way." The torii old man's tone was very calm and firm.He looked at everyone in the seat seriously, and no one objected. "We can tell Mr. Imagawa that under his care, the young master has grown up. We want his father and grandfather to see him! This is the only hope for all Okazaki people, and he should have no reason to refuse. If he agrees quickly, I think we can continue to trust Junfu." "right." "Okazaki's vassals have waited and endured for so many years. At this time, welcome the young master back to Okazaki Castle and tell him our hopes and wishes. Maybe it will comfort everyone." "Yes, it's better to pick him up for now. We want to see him too! Let everyone in the family see him!" Okubo Shinhachiro leaned forward, "Then, after that..." The old man Torii said calmly: "Afterwards, we must let Lord Imagawa realize that the Okazaki people surrounding the young master are indestructible. We ask the young master to lead his retainers and show his great talent. Then, use the ability of the young master to prove that the Okazaki people have the ability to defend Okazaki... Otherwise, you have to continue to endure." There was silence in the seat.The key is to work together!Thinking of this, everyone clenched their fists. "If you have no objection, we will act accordingly. Although it is very hard, we still have to trouble the two envoys to go to the Junfu to negotiate with them about the Yuanfu ceremony and returning home to sweep the tomb. What do you think?" "no disagreement." "It's a good idea." "In this case, let's each drink a glass of dirty wine and continue to bear it." The old man smiled and motioned Mrs. Honda and Mrs. Hikogoro to prepare the banquet.