Chapter 12 Chapter Eleven Yin Nian Yin Shi

In the eleventh year of Tianwen, winter is coming, and the weather is getting colder every day.In Kariya Castle, Mizuno Tadomasa, who moved to Erdaocheng, became seriously ill as the temperature continued to drop.Although I can still eat and there is not much phlegm, sometimes my whole body hurts like a pinprick.Probably because of the long-term battle in the battlefield when he was young, he aged faster than ordinary people. Now his hair is completely white, and his eyes have begun to become cloudy. Only his face is still red, but that is not a healthy ruddy, but a false fire. The reason. "I didn't expect that I would live until the end of this year..." He asked the maid to beat his back, and looked at the paper window blankly.Suddenly, the shadow of a bird was reflected on it. "It will be New Years soon, and I will add another year. Maybe I will die on the tatami."

"What did you say?" the maid suddenly stopped and asked. Zhongzheng nodded and said: "This year is really unusual. Although I did not form an alliance with Oda in the end, I lost Nobuki." "Master Tokuro...it's really impressive..." "I thought he was an upright son...Unexpectedly, he likes women." Zhongzheng looked down at the wrinkles on his hands and sighed. "It is said that after Xinjin was killed, the lady of Xiong Mansion also committed suicide..." "Yes. That lady is Yu Guo, she is a very beautiful and very poor lady."

"What do you think about Yu Guo's death?" "This servant feels that she is a happy person who can die with the man she likes..." Seeing the intoxicated look on the young maid's face, Zhongzheng nodded again. "Perhaps this is the happiness of human beings. I can die on a tatami mat, so I see things differently from others." "Yes, my lord." "As for Xinjin, I was also very angry at the beginning and called him stupid. But now I don't think so. Going after the woman I like, dating her, is no different from attacking the enemy's city first, both sides are warrior."

"Miss Yu Guo is so happy." "Yeah, I'm so happy...that's probably all I can say." Zhongzheng tilted his head slightly to the right, wanting the maid to help him beat his short and thick neck.He closed his eyes.At this time, he suddenly thought of Yu Da who was married to Okazaki Castle, and in his mind, the figures of Yu Da and Xin Jin overlapped together.As a father, he wants them to live more than to exchange death for happiness.In the war that just passed, he prevented the impetuous Nobumoto from joining the battle against Okazaki.But what will happen to the world after he dies?Yu Dasheng has a staunch personality, once something happens to Guangzhong, she is likely to...

He sighed.At this time, the partition door facing the sun on the right was gently opened, and a ray of bright sunlight came in.Standing outside the door was the youngest son, Zhongjin, who was just another Xinyuan. "Father, are you feeling better?" Zhongzheng opened his eyes, staring intently at the child standing in the sun with melancholy eyes. "Oh, it's Zhongjin. The weather is exceptionally warm today, and the pain has eased a lot." "Great. Can the boy go in and talk to his father?" "It's okay, come in. Tell me about the battle of Xiaodouzaka. You haven't finished talking about it last time. I want to hear it today."

Sixteen-year-old Zhong Jin, who had just had his forehead cut off, walked towards Zhong Zheng on his knees stiffly. "The boy seemed to say that the Oda army was in a hard fight, and the three gunmen were killed for a while, right?" "Yes. Oda Sake Brewery was also slightly injured. But they were not discouraged at all, and kept attacking Imagawa General Anbara Anbo's defense line." "Then the child will continue to talk-seeing the brewing chief rushing into the enemy line first, the Oda army that has begun to collapse has regained courage. In order to prevent the brewing chief from fighting alone, Sun Sanlang Nobumitsu led the sixteen-year-old Yasaburo and Sasa Sun Zhu, Shen Ye Luojin, together with Okada Sukeemon and Sasao Hayato, rushed into the Imagawa formation like tigers and wolves. This is one of the reasons why Owari won. It is said that they are therefore called There are seven spears in Xiaodouzaka. Four of them are 16-year-old young warriors. What an honor." The 16-year-old Zhong Jin couldn't hide his envy, his eyes were shining brightly.

Zhongzheng nodded slightly, and said, "Afterwards, the Okazaki people will join in and fight bravely, right?" "Yes. Under the command of Matsudaira Hirotada, in order to rescue the defeated Imagawa Army, Hirotada's fellow clan Hayato Sakichi and his son Denjuro Katsukichi died in battle." "Oh, isn't that why Daisuke Imakawa Jibe was able to withdraw to Okazaki Castle?" "Yes. Daisuke Jibu, who dyed his teeth and painted his eyebrows, dragged his fat body tightly on his horse's back, and fled to Okazaki panting. Everyone said that Imagawa was disgraceful this time."

"But the Oda Army was attacked by the Matsudaira Army and fled back to Anxiang City?" "That's not escaping, it's retreating. Father, the Oda army is still brave. Their weapons are different from the Imagawa family. Under the attack of the Oda spears, the Imagawa army's swords and short spears are useless at all. My brother said that the weapons in the future It will also change." I don't know when it started, Tadami also began to be attracted by the strength of the Oda family. Zhongzheng closed his eyes, feeling a dull pain in his waist. "Who killed Imagawa General Anbara Anfangshou?"

"The young samurai Kajiri and Shiro were only sixteen years old. It is said that when Kashiro cut off the head of Aboshou, the strong adult samurai of the Imagawa family had not yet reached Azumazaka, and they collapsed halfway." "Oh, he's sixteen too?" "Father... the child also wants to go to the battlefield." "Well, yes, I was just like you when I was young..." Zhongzheng suddenly stopped talking, and a line of tears flowed down the wrinkles on his face. In the battle of Azumazaka, the strategy of the Matsudaira clan's important ministers played a big role.From Tadamasa's point of view, Oda and Imagawa could be said to be evenly matched in this battle.Daisuke Yoshimoto, who came all the way from Junfu, fled into Okazaki Castle in a very embarrassing situation.On the surface, it seems that the Oda Army won the victory, but the Oda Army failed to take Okazaki Castle in one fell swoop. Instead, it was attacked by Matsudaira Hirontada and retreated to Anxiang Castle in a panic.Imakawa Yoshimoto saw that the Oda Army had withdrawn in Okazaki Castle, so he packed up the remnants and returned to Junfu.Oda Nobuhide also left Sun Saburo Nobumitsu in Anxiang, and withdrew to the ancient ferry of Owari early.Imagawa Yoshimoto's expedition ended in failure, but Oda Nobuhide also lost troops and lost his generals, and did not get any benefits.If there is anything left in this war, it can only plant a deeper enmity between the two armies.

Zhongzheng suddenly felt a burst of sadness.The maid just said that the happiness of a woman is to stay with the man she likes.The hope of ordinary people may be even slimmer than this.However, the military generals wantonly trampled on the small hopes of the people and competed with each other for the people and land. "Sin, this is sin..." When talking about the war, Zhongzheng actually started to feel a little dazed.But the young Zhongyuan didn't care about his father's feelings, but became more and more enthusiastic. "Master Oda Nobuhide did not slack off at all, but vigorously expanded his armaments, preparing to attack Ueno, and show the Imagawa clan some color."

"Oh? As it should be." "Zen Master Xuezhai of the Imagawa Clan is also making intensive preparations, waiting for the opportunity to send troops to Mikawa again, and crush Owari in one fell swoop." "Loyalty." "exist." "Did Oda send another envoy?" "Ah... yes." "So, you're here to persuade me today, huh?" "No, this..." Zhong Jin was a little panicked.Zhongzheng opened his eyes slightly, looked at him, and said: "The envoy will tell Shimono Mamoru that if Mizuno joins Oda's side, Oda will be able to take Okazaki Castle smoothly. If Kariya still does not cooperate with Oda next time , they took the Kariya sacrificial flag..." "Father!" "What's wrong?" "In today's troubled times, people are not allowed to sit back and watch the changes. I think we must clarify our attitude, whether to follow Oda or Imagawa." Zhongzheng remained silent, and the dead Nobukami and Okazaki's Yuda reappeared in front of his eyes. "Father." Tadashi took a step forward and continued, "Brother... Shimono Mamoru... He clearly told the messenger that he would not join the team until his father passed away, please forgive them. But Owari is also very tough, they said Won't wait until then." Zhongzheng's fat shoulders trembled.He had already expected that the Oda Clan's envoy would say such a thing, but he was too contemptuous of Kariya.He was angry. "Oh? How did Shimono Mamoru reply?" Zhongzheng asked calmly with his eyes closed. "Father..." Zhong Jin approached again, and said, "Is there any need to ask, you know well, the child doesn't understand what father means. My brother just said: This is the tragedy of this small town." Zhongzheng did not speak.The wind seemed to have stopped, and the sound of the tide could not be heard, and there was silence around.The sun shone on the white paper of the partition fan, and the paper was so white that it made one's heart palpitate. "Okay." Zhongzheng said softly, making the maid who was massaging stop. "Go on. Thank you for your hard work." The maid saluted and retreated silently.The room fell silent again.After a while, Zhongzheng said, "Loyalty." "exist." "You will convey your father's words to Shimomori carefully." "yes." "If Xinyuan still has a little bit of filial piety, then while I'm still alive, I can't follow Oda. If it's a last resort, I will fight them with my back. This is my last word!" Zhongyuan stared at his father with wide eyes, wondering how his frail father would have the strength to say such strong words. "Father means that even if the city is destroyed and people die, you can't take refuge in Oda..." Zhongzheng nodded. "I can't live. However, Nobumoto is also an adult and has his own will. If he has made an unchangeable treaty with the other party, agreeing to join Oda and attack Okazaki, let him kill me first. You go tell him so." "Ah, father..." The muscles on Zhongjin's face froze all of a sudden. "No, absolutely not, such stupid things..." He shook his head vigorously, and said, "Father, there must be a reason for your determination. My child wants to hear the reason of father." Zhongzheng didn't answer his question, but just said: "Zhongjin, give me your hand." He slowly lay down on the mattress, staring blankly at the sunlight outside the window. "Loyalty, I want to meet my own death in a different way than ordinary warriors in the world." "Father?" "Ordinary people will do it for politics or marriage or killing. But I want to go to hell through a different path." Zhongjin knelt there stiffly, his eyes widened, and the eyeballs seemed to be coming in and out. "Nobumoto will not give up following Oda. But as Hirochu's father-in-law, I am really worried about the safety of my son-in-law. I want the world to know that my marriage of Yuda to Hirochu is not a normal political marriage. Do you understand? ? If what is left is not a seed of resentment, what is left?" Loyalty looked at his father in bewilderment.He seemed to understand something, but also seemed to be a little unclear.But he knew that if he continued to persuade his father, his father would probably say, "You kill me first." "So... no matter what, you will never seek refuge with Oda?" "At least not when the father has not closed his eyes. But Zhong Jin, if you think that if you don't take refuge in Oda, you will immediately start a war with Oda, you are too naive." "But Katsusuke Naito, the envoy sent by Owari, said that if we don't agree, they will fight against each other immediately." A smile appeared on Zhongzheng's lips.Both Zhongjin and Xinyuan are still young, so they are easy to be fooled by each other. "Loyalty, that's just a strategy." "Oh?" "We don't go to Owari, and we didn't say we'd ally with Okazaki. I'm sick, and I don't want to join either side. Oda Nobuhide wouldn't be stupid enough to push us over to the enemy, you understand?" "This this……" "Anyway, you and Nobumoto have clearly stated my thoughts. Whether to kill father, or follow Owari or Shunfu, you can only choose one of the two. As for the choice, it is up to Shimono Mori to decide. Understand. Is it? If you understand, let's go down. I want to rest alone for a while for my father." Loyalty groaned, but did not retreat immediately.Zhongzheng guessed right, he was ordered by his brother Shimono Shouxinyuan to come to persuade his father.However, my father seems to still believe that there is a way to escape without taking refuge in Oda. Zhongzheng was lying on his back on the mattress, his eyes were slightly closed, and his expression was calm, as if he had finished what he needed to say. Zhong Jin bit his lip lightly. "Since my father contracted the disease, my heart has become weak. My father was not like this before." This is Xin Yuan's opinion, but Zhong Jin disagrees.Father's heart is not weak at all, but has become more hardened and stubborn.He even said that if he wants to join Oda, he must be killed first. Is there any stronger words than this?If he told Xin Yuan exactly what he said, Xin Yuan might really... kill his father. "For the sake of the tribe and the soldiers, an old man is not allowed to be so self-willed. He must not show favoritism..." This kind of imagination made Zhong Jin unbearable.What should I say to change my father's mind?Zhong Jin didn't want to leave, he still sat there. "Zhongjin...are you still there?" Zhongzheng slightly opened his eyes. "It seems that someone has come running in a hurry." Zhong Jin listened carefully, and sure enough there was a rush of footsteps. "The footsteps..." Zhongzheng looked into the distance, and said, "It's Hijikata Seam Dianzhu. What could be the matter, in such a hurry?" As soon as Zhongzheng finished speaking, he heard the voice of his favorite minister, Xiu Diansuke, from outside: "My lord! My lord!" He shouted across the atrium and ran towards him, as if he wanted to wake up Zhongzheng from a distance. "My lord! My lord! Miss Okazaki sent an envoy, and she gave birth to a son. My lord! It's a son! A son was born!" Zhongzheng's eyes began to shine: "Zhongjin, help me up." "Foot." Zhongyuan hurriedly helped his father up, and at the same time, the partition was opened. "My lord." The excited Xiandianzhu sat down outside the door, laughing. "Oh, is it a boy?" "Yes, it's a son..." "Oh, good, a boy is born!" "And, it's not an ordinary man." "What, isn't it ordinary? Could it be a..." The favored servant who once served as a loyal government servant, Seam Dianzhu, moved his body, waved his hands and said, "My lord, don't worry. Listen to me and speak slowly..." He got up and went to Zhongzheng's side, and said: "He was born at Yinshi this morning." Without waiting for anyone to interrupt, he continued: "I heard that Okazaki's retainers were rejoicing because Okazaki's son was born at Yinshi in Yinnian." "Oh, Yinnian Yinshi." "In order to bathe the baby, Okazaki specially prepared water from the Sakatani Well, but when he was about to fetch it, Matsudaira Village actually sent water from the well of the Six Myojins..." "Oh." "It can be seen how much everyone is looking forward to the birth of this son. The umbilical cord was cut off by Masaku Sakai, and Mamoru Ishikawa drew the bow for the child. Mr. Hirochu was also very happy, and went to the delivery room specially to hear Listen to the baby's first cry." The eye circles of Shidensuke and Zhongzheng began to moisten.Only Zhongyuan still sat upright. "Ah... this... who came to report?" "Lily. Lily was ordered by the lady... By the way, my lord, there is one more thing. It is an unbelievable auspicious omen." "What, hurry up! Don't make me worry." "What about this..." Densuke Shi opened his chest, put a pair of strong hands on his knees, and laughed again. "Master, do you know Fenglai Temple?" "How can I not know? I have also sent a petition, praying that the gods and Buddhas can give me a man." "Perhaps this is the reason. Miss also went to pray. On the night of delivery, it is said that Lily went to pray for Miss. I don't know when, Taisuke had already sat by Zhongzheng's pillow and looked up at him. It seemed that only This favorite minister can understand what Zhongzheng is thinking." Seeing that Diansuke was happier than himself, Zhongzheng was both anxious and happy: "Baihe rushed to Kariya immediately after hearing the news of the child's successful birth at Fenglai Temple, isn't it?" "Exactly—this is also the order of the young lady. However, last night, because Okazaki conveyed the news of the child's imminent birth to Fenglai Temple in advance, the abbot and the monks of the temple went to the Buddhist hall to pray for the safety of the mother and child, but suddenly found that there was a child in the temple. One Buddha statue is missing." "The Buddha statue is gone?" "Heh, my lord, you also think it's incredible. Not only Fenglai Temple, but also from the city to Sugao Village, there are rumors like this spreading everywhere." "The Buddha statue was stolen? What's there to be happy about?" "It wasn't stolen, it just disappeared out of thin air." Xia Diansuke said anxiously, "The lost Buddha statue is neither the first Shakya Tathagata, nor the second Vajra Bodhisattva among the famous twelve Buddha statues..." "Hey, you are so long-winded! Which Buddha statue is it?" "This... is the third one, the Tiger God, Samantabhadra General Zhendara. This General Zhendara was originally Samantabhadra holding a tiger pestle that subdue all evils. Samantabhadra is wise among all Buddhas and Bodhisattvas. First, his dharma body is full, cutting off all confusion, and approaching the realm of the ultimate saint." "Oh." "The eighth prince of Amitabha Tathagata, the tiger god who embodies the truth and deeds, suddenly disappeared at Yinshi in the Yin year. At the same time, a son who was carved in powder and jade was born in Okazaki Castle." Zhongzheng looked at the seam dumbly. Tosuke kept moving his lips.Zhuang Dianzhu seemed to be dissatisfied with his composure, and said: "My lord, the monks in Fenglai Temple often say that this Bodhisattva can manifest all kinds of supernatural powers, and shows the thirty-three bodies and nineteen sayings of the convenient body. He manifests the body of God, and he is free to protect the Dharma and preach. Therefore, he has no solid form, and when he wants to appear, he will freely change into various appearances and appear in the world. Rumors say that the Bodhisattva must have been reincarnated in Okazaki Castle. I hope that through this reincarnation , to save this troubled world..." "Wait, wait, who said all this?" "It was Lily who told me these rumors that quickly spread among the people." "What? These claims quickly spread among the people?" Zhongzheng lowered his head cautiously, and said, "This is going to be troublesome." "What does the Lord mean? Everyone in Okazaki is very excited by this rumor." "So it will cause trouble." Zhongzheng frowned suddenly, and said, "I don't know who's idea, superficial and ignorant! What if the people in the countryside tell those ignorant warriors? Go tell Lily, don't you?" Bring this up again!" Dianzhu Xiu was obviously dissatisfied, and opened his mouth to look at Zhongzheng. Seeing that Diansuke was silent, Zhong Jin beside him couldn't help it. "My sister gave birth to a boy, and it was accompanied by an incredible auspicious sign, why can't it be mentioned?" The young Zhongjin was very interested in the miracle. Zhongzheng shook his head bitterly: "This kind of thinking is too superficial—do you think Buddha statues will really disappear by themselves?" "But it's strange because it disappeared..." "Don't jump to conclusions. There are several possibilities for the Buddha statue to disappear from the Buddhist hall. You may as well make a guess." "My lord, you are such a disappointment." "Yes. There are not so many interesting things in this world. The first possibility is that someone stole it. The second is that someone tried to spread such rumors and sent someone to steal the Buddha statue. Third, there are flattering people in Fenglai Temple Monk, use this to flatter the Songping family." Shidensuke let out a dull "hmm".Thinking about it carefully, it was indeed the case, but the ecstasy he had finally aroused was extinguished in this way. "I understand your joy. If rumors spread that this child is the reincarnation of Samantabhadra, so that everyone believes it to be true, what will happen in the end?" "Isn't that great? The people are tired of war, and they're waiting for a miracle." "It's so simple-minded! If even children believe this rumor, it will plant a deeper disaster. Think about it, if everyone in the world believes in this rumor, I also believe that I am the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva, but the stolen Buddha statue suddenly It popped up again, what should I do?" Seidensuke couldn't help holding his breath.It really does matter. "In that case..." he said, "if the Buddha statue is found, it must be destroyed..." "No!" Zhongzheng waved his hand again, "This kind of trick will only bring punishment from the Buddha. If it is the second case, that is, someone came up with this shallow idea and asked someone to steal the Buddha statue, saying that the child is the reincarnation of a Bodhisattva. After the child dies, the Buddha statue should be returned to the Buddhist hall. But if the child lives to be 80 or even 90 years old, who will put the Buddha statue back in the Buddhist hall? If it is the third case, the kind that is destroyed by flattery. The family you talk about will definitely not last long. You tell Lily seriously, just say that we are greatly surprised by this rumor. Giving birth to a boy is already a great event in itself, and that is enough." Zhongzheng laughed. "In this way, I have a good gift on my way to the underworld. I can take it to that world, pat Ching Kang on the shoulder, and say to him: 'Whether we are friends or foes, now we have the same grandson.' Hahaha Haha, Zhongjin, go and tell Shimono Mamoru to send an envoy to Okazaki immediately to congratulate him." With the help of Sudensuke, Zhongzheng lay down again with a satisfied face.