Chapter 25 Chapter 25 "The Lord Enters the City"

Outside Okazaki City, at the Daiki Temple in Kamoda Township, people from Matsudaira came in and out frequently. The gate of the temple was wide open, and the round top of Duobao Pagoda shone golden in the sunlight.Matsudaira Motoyasu is fully armed and is visiting the graves of his ancestors.This is his second stay at Dashu Temple. In Okazaki Castle, in addition to Tanaka Jiroemon, the remaining samurai of Shunfu, the retainers left by Miura Yoshiho and Iio Toyozen were also stationed in the castle. Although the Okazaki army reached the old castle, they were unable to enter. On May 23rd of the third year of Yonglu, the fourth day after Yiyuan died in Tianlewa.

When Yuan Kang was worshiping in front of the tomb, the abbot Dengyu was still looking up at the little owl who was practicing wrestling under the ancient cedar.The owl can't see clearly during the day, but when it spreads its wings, it can still show its true colors as a raptor.Its round face is reminiscent of Yuan Kang, and Abbot Dengyu couldn't help laughing.Standing beside him and responsible for Yuankang's safety is Zudong, a brave monk from Dashu Temple. "Life is like a dream!" When Yuan Kang turned his head after paying homage, Master Dengyu said with emotion, "The next step is still a dream." Then he said coldly: "You haven't reached the time for real hard work yet."

"yes." "Master Imagawa of the Junfu was killed, and he was able to return to the Dashu Temple safely. It is really a virtue of the ancestors." Yuan Kang nodded in agreement. On the night of the 19th, the Okazaki people quietly left Dagao City under the faint moonlight.If it is delayed until the morning of the 20th, Nobunaga will definitely go to attack.Therefore, if he had to choose to abandon the city, he could only take action that night—Yuan Kang made a decisive decision and carefully chose a substitute.He ordered Hikoemon Torii to lead the main force.He made the main force one step ahead, and asked the secret envoy Asai Rokunosuke Michitada sent by the Mizuno family to guide the way and set off quietly.There are eighteen people in total.

Thanks to Asai Michitada's carefulness along the way, the group finally arrived at Dashu Temple safely.Yuan Kang begged Deng Yu in front of the temple gate: "I want to die in front of my father's tomb. Please open the temple gate." Of course, Yuan Kang didn't want to die here.Master Dengyu had already understood the meaning of Yuan Kang's words, so he hurriedly greeted him, and deliberately admonished Yuan Kang in front of the monks: "It seems small to cut open the abdomen in front of the father's tomb. Such a stupid act, how can I be worthy of the spirit of the ancestors in heaven?"

These words were not so much addressed to Yuan Kang as they were an order to nearly twenty monks to protect Yuan Kang.Yuan Kang's heart is like a mirror.Just when he understood and nodded to signal, a group of people approached the gate of Dashu Temple. I don't know if they were from the Oda family or wild warriors. "Songping Tibetans should hide here. Open the door, otherwise the temple will be burned down." The monks rushed to the gate of the temple.Hearing someone yelling, Yuan Kang suddenly felt blood rushing to his forehead.This is the resting place of the ancestors, how can they be trampled on?The anger in his heart caused Yuan Kang to encounter the biggest crisis since he set off, and the blood that had been accumulated for a long time was about to spurt out.Before that, he always considered his retainers first, and therefore abandoned his wife and children, such as an old daimyo.But now he couldn't bear it any longer.

"Bastard!" Yuan Kang's brain was burning with anger, he couldn't help himself, drew out his sword, and galloped towards the gate of the temple. "Follow me, everyone. Don't let them enter the temple." He ran past like a whirlwind, but was suddenly blocked by a wooden stick inside the door. Yuan Kang raised his saber high, and someone scolded him: "Don't open the door. Check the situation of the enemy first." "Get out of the way! If you don't get out of the way, you won't be polite." Yuan Kang growled. "The door cannot be opened. We don't know how many people are outside, so don't rush."

"—Who are you?" "I am Zu Dong, a monk from this temple. If you want to break in, kill me first." "Bastard!" Yuan Kang raised his saber violently.Zu Dong nimbly dodged, Yuan Kang's katana hit the stick, but the stick bounced the katana back. "Open the gate of the temple quickly. If you don't open it, you will rush in." There was a sound of violent beating on the gate of the temple from outside, and the gate of the temple creaked.Zu Dong shouted loudly: "You don't have to think about it. I am Zu Dong, a strongman from Dashu Temple. If you don't want to die, just come in!"

"Zu Dong, get out of the way! If you don't get out of the way, I will really kill you." "Kill it. Bastard." "Ah!" Yuan Kang chopped off again.Zu Dong still dodged lightly, and the stick was intact. "Wait a minute, let me take a look!" Zu Dong leaned against the crack of the door and looked at the situation outside. "Okay, come on!" Nodding, he jerked the latch open.As expected of a Lianjiazi, Zudong's eyes were used to the darkness, and his face looked like the legendary Musashi monk Benkei.He rolled up his sleeves high, fastened his belt, and swiped the latch in his hand.The first two people who rushed in screamed strangely and rolled to the ground.

"Come on!" Zu Dong screamed strangely, and rushed out like a Shurahan, "I am a Vajra Boy Hercules. How many of you are there? Come and suffer one by one!" There was no answer from outside. Those who rushed away.Holding a six-foot-long wooden stick in his hand, Zu Dong proudly looked around. Yuan Kang recalled the scene afterwards, still dripping with cold sweat.If he didn't listen to Zu Dong's advice and went out hastily, it would be a disaster.Thirteen years!All the painstaking efforts were almost wasted due to the momentary anger. "Master Zudong, you have worked hard!" Yuan Kang walked out of the cemetery and said to Zudong.

"Haha..." Zu Dong laughed loudly, "If I was killed by an adult, I might already be in hell by now. Life is really incredible!" "Oh, why did you go to hell?" "I've never left anyone alive." "Have you ever killed someone?" "So I will go to hell. But this time is different. I used the wooden stick in my hand to save your life." "Thank you very much." Yuan Kang and Master Deng Yu looked at each other and smiled, and they returned to the guest hall where they temporarily stayed. Zu Dong was still like Yuan Kang's bodyguard, standing at the door with his back to everyone, observing his surroundings vigilantly.

The monk held the tea, Master Deng Yu took it and took a sip. "First of all, I would like to thank my lord's ancestor, Qin Zhonggong, who built this temple." Then he suddenly seemed to remember something, and said: "Just now Zudong also said that people who kill with force will go to hell, and The one who holds the sword that keeps people alive is the warrior allowed by the Buddha." Yuan Kang nodded, and he looked at a flag hanging on the wall, on which was written the Chinese characters "disgusting from the filthy land, eager to seek the pure land".This flag is the flag that the monks of Dashu Temple and the 18 members of Lord Yuankang's congregation raised when they fought together. It is also the flag that the ancestors who built this temple often used when they galloped on the battlefield. "I hate the filthy land, and I am happy to seek the pure land." Yuan Kang muttered to himself, he didn't know whether there was a pure land in front of him. Because of Zu Dong's unexpected move, Yuan Kang was safe and sound.But the Okazaki people still cannot return to their own city, nor can they find a "pure land" where they can dock.The Pure Land is thousands of miles away, and Yuan Kang can't reach it! Master Dengyu seemed to be aware of Yuan Kang's worries and anxieties, and tried every means to arouse his fighting spirit and encourage his will. "According to historical records, during the Onin Rebellion, more than 10,000 Shinano thugs rushed into Sanhe. Mr. Qinzhong took only five hundred riders and marched towards Jing Tianye. Thanks to the blessing of the Buddha... After a bloody battle, Mr. Qinzhong finally defeated The thugs were killed. The thousand graves we see now are left after that victory. After that, Qin Zhonggong built this temple to pay homage to the souls of thousands of thugs. Yinde has blessed your lord's safety. As long as your lord stays in this temple, the ancestors of the Songping family and the Buddha will bless you, please wait with peace of mind!" Yuan Kang nodded, but he didn't fully believe Master Deng Yu's words.Although the yin virtue of his ancestors is good for him, the reality at the moment is that Okazaki people can't enter Okazaki Castle, and they have nowhere to go.Moreover, how can this small big tree temple stay for a long time? Yuan Kang and Venerable Deng Yu gossip casually, but their hearts are like overwhelming.At this time, Sakaizaemon Tadashi, the pioneer of the Matsudaira Army who was active in the area around Xikoji, came to ask for an audience in a hurry. "My lord, something has happened. Tanaka Jiroemon, who is stationed in Okazaki Castle by Sunfu, seems to be leaving the castle to fight." "The left-behind generals of Junfu..." Yuan Kang couldn't help trembling, he stopped the military fan in his hand, who is he fighting with?He shouldn't be stupid enough to attack Qingzhou City, and he probably doesn't have the guts to do so.Then, the only target he wants to attack is himself!Yuan Kang stood up abruptly. "Don't be careless. Prepare to fight now!" Sakai was also very worried about this matter, "Probably it was Shi Zhen's secret order. He took his wife and children as hostages. It's extremely hateful!" There are not many troops concentrated here, and many people go home to prepare food and grass.After seeing this situation, Shi Zhen and others may try to destroy Yuan Kang in one fell swoop and occupy Okazaki Castle forever. Yuan Yasu stopped the guards, took Tadashi alone, and galloped to the vicinity of Iga Bridge in one breath. "Chuji, prepare your troops immediately. But don't attack until I give the order." "Are you going to strike first?" "No." Yuan Kang shook his head. "I have my own idea, don't worry." As he spoke, he galloped along the Iga embankment on his horse.Even though the other party acted according to the true secret orders of the family, as long as there was room for change, Yuan Kang would not want to stain this land with blood.Behind him is the Iga Hachiman Shrine, the holy place where the generals swore to pray before going out to battle. On the other side of the Iga River is the birthplace of Okazaki, which he misses day and night, hidden in a greenery.Yuan Kang turned his horse's head and approached the ancient cherry blossom tree, and raised his eyes to look at the city gate on the other side. The Okazaki city gate under the cover of dense trees is full of people coming and going, small vendors, banner bearers, miscellaneous soldiers, horse riders... In the eyes of the fighting Okazaki people, these people move slowly.Could it be that the weather was too hot, or that the sudden death of general Imagawa Yoshimoto made the soldiers lose their fighting spirit?If this is the case, once the surprise attack is made, the opponent will definitely be in a panic... Yuan Kang was puzzled, and suddenly found that the team was extremely strange.Regardless of the front team, the huge team carrying grain and grass made people suspect that they wanted to empty all the grain and grass warehouses in the city.To attack the Dashu Temple, which is very close at hand, there is no need for so much food and grass.Could it be that the Imagawa army was fighting in a certain place in Owari, and they went to rescue with food and grass? Yuan Kang looked puzzledly at the direction the team was heading.Do you follow the Iga River to Taiki Temple, or turn left and go straight to Yahagawa? "Ah?" Yuan Kang suddenly yelled out, because after a closer look, the opponent's course of action was completely beyond his expectations, neither coming towards Dashu Temple, nor towards Owari, but turned to the right post road.Yuan Kang seemed to have a premonition, and suddenly laughed out loud. The Junfu generals who stayed behind in Okazaki were neither planning to attack Motoyasu nor Owari.Obviously, their morale was low due to Yoshimoto's death in battle, and they had already abandoned Okazaki Castle and retreated to Shunfu.Wankang laughed as he plucked off a cherry blossom and threw it out. People say "cup bow snake shadow" Ever since he returned to Dashu Temple safely, Yuan Kang was worried that he might have a decisive battle with the Junfu generals who stayed behind in Okazaki Castle.Just when he was worried, Tanaka Jiroemon in the castle was obviously waiting for instructions to retreat, and he must have been always worried that Moto Yasushi might launch a violent attack on Okazaki Castle.Therefore, he deliberately avoided dawn and chose to retreat when Yuan Kang's subordinates might relax their vigilance.This simply made Yuan Kang laugh.Watching the grain and grass team in front turn to the right, Yuan Kang finally stopped laughing.He raised his whip violently and walked back to Dashu Temple along the way. Everyone in Daju Temple was on standby to attack at any time, needless to say the guards, even Masaku Sakai, Tadashi Sakai, Shinrokuro Uemura, Kiyoken Ishikawa, and Tadatoshi Okubo were all dressed neatly and ready to go. "My lord! How is it?" Zhongci's eyes radiated with splendor, "This is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity!" Fourteen-year-old Honda Tadakatsu was sharpening his gun right under the nose of Yuan Kang's mount.Yuan Kang couldn't help but want to laugh.A childish innocence that he hadn't had for a long time surged in his heart. "Nabe nosuke, don't make noise!" Yuan Kang jumped off the horse pretending to be serious, "I'll take a rest first. You come and let the wind go." He entered the temple without looking back. "My lord, what's the matter?" "We might as well take the initiative to attack and take back Okazaki Castle!" Torii Motochu and Heiwa Nananosuke, who were already ready to go, couldn't help but said. "No." Yuan Kang sat down slowly in the bedroom, "Master Dengyu also said just now that unjust wars should be avoided. After all, Yoshimoto Jinchuan has the kindness to nurture me." Zu Dong opened his round eyes and looked back at Yuan Kang. "You mean, if you have the grace of nurturing, let them take your life?" "Oh, if my cousin's secret order is true, that's the only way to go." "Ridiculous!" Torii Mototada stamped his feet angrily. "My lord! My lord! It's a strange thing." Sakai Chuji hurried in, "Tanaka Jiroemon seems to be withdrawing to Sumfu." "Then," Yuan Kang pretended to be serious, "If this is the case, Okazaki will become an empty city?" "That's right," Chuji tilted his head in bewilderment, "Knowing that His Excellency is right below the castle, he retreated without making a sound...I find it incredible, but their vanguard has indeed reached the Daping Forest area." "Oh." Yuan Kang still tilted his head, he couldn't help laughing.To be precise, it was a wonderful touch that made him want to cry or laugh.After more than ten years of miserable life, there is almost no hope, only countless despairs.Yuan Kang, who was used to despair, never thought that he would have this moment!As long as he is calm and patient, God will take care of him one day, and happiness will come at that time. Yuan Kang's most desperate moment was when he retreated to Dashu Temple.But he finally stood up, and remembered that it was Master Dengyu and the monks of Dashu Temple who made him tide over the difficulties, or in other words, it was the sinful virtue of his ancestors that made the monks of Dashu Temple help Yuan Kang escape the disaster.Ancestors have spirits!Yuan Kang controlled the excitement in his heart. "Tanaka Jiroemon actually abandoned the castle. Since it is an abandoned castle, even if there is no order from Junfu, we can't just watch others take it away." Yuan Kang said while scanning the people in the seat.Amano Yasuke, who still didn't understand his intentions, raised his head and asked, "Should we pursue?" "No." Yuan Kang scolded softly, "How can I be sorry to Mr. Jinchuan. But since this is an isolated city, we might as well pick it up." "Yes, it's a good idea!" Dengyu seemed to finally understand, and patted his knee with his fan suddenly. "Then," Yuan Kang stood up, "let's pick up an empty city now. Gather the team immediately!" He couldn't control himself anymore, and laughed loudly. For the Okazaki people who have been struggling for more than ten years, all this is like a dream.They didn't expect that Okazaki Castle, which had been thinking about day and night, would return easily because of the death of General Yoshimoto. Yuan Kang led the way, and everyone bathed in the afterglow of the setting sun, expressing incredible emotions while marching towards Okazaki Castle.When they arrived at the city gate, some people were even trembling with nervousness.Yuan Kang dismounted in front of the city gate and handed the reins to Honda Heihachiro. This city gate, which is about eight rooms and four feet high and two rooms and four feet wide, can no longer withstand the devastation of war.Mother Yu Da married Songping's family through this city gate, and Yuan Kang was also sent out as a hostage through this city gate. Looking up from under the city gate, I heard the pine wind of Hachiman Garden in my ears, like the sound of a distant soul, shaking the earth. Two arrow rests and four forts are dilapidated and dilapidated.From the point of view of the left-behind generals in Shunfu, since Okazaki Castle is not their home, it is of course not necessary to cherish it.The five-foot-high stone walls of the four rooms are covered with weeds, and the eaves of the Erdaomen are full of bird nests.Yuan Kang stared at everything in front of him for a long time, then stepped into the city gate.He felt that if he stayed any longer, he would not be able to hold back his tears in front of everyone. There was indeed no sign of soldiers in the city, and it was very quiet everywhere.At the Ksitigarbha Shrine in front of Hachiman Garden and Erdao City, there are traces of the panic when the Junfu army retreated. Bafan Garden, Erdao City, Chifotang Garden, Sandao City, looking all the way, the face of Qingkang, the grandfather who built this city, seemed to clearly appear in front of Yuan Kang.Although my grandfather died in battle at the age of twenty-five, he left behind such a city. In the city, there are a total of 158 samurai residences.There are twelve generals' mansions.There are a total of 451 huts for the ashigaru samurai to live in, and 34 official residences for the ashigaru samurai chiefs.A total of 26 wells were dug in the city, and there are three small moats around it.This kind of architectural layout is by no means a simple matter for a samurai who passed away at the age of twenty-five.Yuan Kang suddenly thought of the age gap between himself and his grandfather Qingkang when he passed away, and couldn't help murmuring: "There are only six years left..." He went straight into Hachiman Garden.This is the residence of Iio Toyomamori who died in battle.Only here is clean, and the tatami mats in the hall are also in good condition. "My lord has entered the city!" The women of the Matsudaira family, who were allowed to live near Okazaki Castle, were overjoyed when they heard the news. They were even happier than when their husband and children returned.But the men did not let down their vigilance. According to the instructions of the old man Okubo, they sent people to strictly guard the gates of the city, and a fire was lit in the courtyard. Even if Tanaka's army didn't return, if the wild samurai knew that Okazaki Castle was empty, they would definitely rush in, and the thieves would come to take advantage of the fire.When the fire was burned, it was announced that Sayuan Yasushi, a Tibetan from Songdaira, was here, which was equivalent to raising a flag. When the important ministers gathered in the hall to hold a celebration banquet, it was four o'clock in the evening. The old man Chukichi Torii was enshrined as a yearly tribute for entering and exiting Sandao Castle, and he had accumulated enough supplies, so the lights in the hall were very bright, and the banquet was also decent.The old man was in command of the mobile unit, so he still wore armor.When everyone returned to their seats, the old man held up the cup first, and went to Yuan Kang: "Please drink this cup." Yuan Kang took the wine glass and drank it down. "Good wine!" He praised, and returned the wine glass to Elder Zhongji.There was already a sound of weeping in the hall.The old man walked up to Okubo Shinhachiro, who was about the same age as him, holding the wine glass. "God bless you if you can live to this day." "Good wine!" Okubo's face twitched. "It's not tears, it's wine. I..." He took a sip before putting down his glass and crying loudly.Okubo's cries were always high-pitched, but even so, today's voice was too exaggerated. "The wild wolf in the mountains is crying." Ishikawa Aki said. "I'm not crying, I'm laughing." The old man laughed while talking, and suddenly seemed to remember something, and drank the wine in the glass in one gulp. "This is the singing of wild wolves in the mountains when they are proud. Raise your glasses to congratulate you too!" The old man Abe Dazang tremblingly raised his wine glass and saluted Yuan Yasu silently. His lips trembled, but he was unable to speak.Only Ishikawa Anyi greeted Yuan Kang with articulate words: "My lord! Your long wait has finally come to fruition. From now on, Mrs. Sekiguchi and the young master will be detained in Junfu as a hostage. I hope my lord will not be emotional because of this, Sad and impetuous." Uemura Shinrokuro is the father of Honda's wife. This brave and stubborn warrior killed two generations of Matsudaira's enemies on the spot, so he is of great significance to the Matsudaira family. "I'll dance for fun." After he finished speaking, he recited the words "Crane and Turtle", and danced with strange gestures. People in Songping are all good on the battlefield, but they are not good at singing and dancing. They just watch quietly. "It's rare to have such a song and dance to add to the fun, how can we not applaud?" After Shinrokuro Uemura returned to his seat, Kuro Nagasaka, who was seated last, was still clapping his hands. "Interesting. Although I don't understand the deep meaning, it's interesting!" The wine glass finally arrived in Sakai Gagaku's assistant, and Gagaku's tears flowed down his face.He remembered too many past events.Yuan Kang's biological mother Yu Da married, Yuan Kang was born, Yu Da left Okazaki City with tears in his eyes, Guangzhong died suddenly... Now, 19-year-old Yuan Kang has grown into a mighty and wise general. Hall, all this is not a dream.Yuan Kang in the hall looked like a thick and hard boulder, as stable as Mount Tai, without the slightest neurotic frailty of Guang Zhong. "I..." Ya Lezhu held the wine glass in one hand and wiped away tears with the other, "I haven't congratulated the lord yet. I want to congratulate your father, grandfather... and your biological mother in Aguju City, who died in Junfu Mrs. Tai of the land. Please look at the ancestors, Yuan Kang is sitting in Okazaki Castle now... congratulations." Yuan Kang couldn't help turning his face away.Listening to those unforgettable names that Ya Lezhu said, he also began to re-understand everything in front of him.This is your own city!We must work hard from now on!I am the pillar of these retainers who support me! Yuan Kang didn't cry, he smiled lightly, nodding secretly while laughing.I was reborn today, just wait and see!Look at my Yuan Kang's future actions.See how Yuan Kang, who was once "dead", stands tall on the foundation of "Nothing", galloping at will!