Chapter 36 Chapter Thirty-Fifth

Monks from nearby temples, as well as retainers of the Tojo, Saijo, and Ryokira families, hurriedly entered and exited Okazaki Castle. Okazaki Castle no longer belongs to the Matsudaira family.The Imagawa family regards this place as their own territory.Zen master Xuezhai lived in this city. Some people came to ask Zen Buddha for advice, some reported the military situation, and some asked to destroy the Songping clan.Zen Master Xuezhai, wearing a cassock over his armor, received them one by one.He looks like a devout monk, saying to everyone who came to visit: "Okay, let's do it this way." He is like a foreigner who can accommodate everything, but he is extremely strict in his army.

The Songping people headed by Mrs. Tian Yuan were all driven to Sandao City where Mrs. Huayangyuan lived before.Bencheng and Erdaocheng have now been occupied by the Jinchuan army.The Okazaki retainers who were expelled from the mansion in the castle could not leave Okazaki. They were forced to rebuild a temporary residence and became the guards of the Imagawa army in the castle.Most of the family members of important ministers were transferred to Junfu.Okazaki Castle became a fortress, and only Torii Iga Shou Tadakichi could live in Sandao Castle and was responsible for collecting taxes. Since March of the eighteenth year of Tianwen, dozens of battles, large and small, have taken place.In every war, the Matsudaira people always charge forward as the vanguard, and after each battle, some figures will disappear from this world forever.But people are very nostalgic for this city and cannot bear to leave. "We must wait until the day when the young master returns to Okazaki Castle..." For this reason, they would rather die in battle.

Seeing that Okazaki was gradually declining, in order to comfort the people of Matsudaira and prevent them from rebelling, Zen Master Xuesai ordered Matsudaira Jirozaemon Shigekichi, General Ishikawa Ukon, and Abe Daizo to serve as errands by his side. "Anyone who runs away will be shot to death," he ordered.It doesn't have to be like this, Okazaki people are forced to leave because of life.All the taxes collected from the local people belonged to the Sichuan army, and they received almost nothing. "What should we do if this continues? How can we fight when we are hungry?"

"Don't take it too seriously. In any case, on the surface, the Imagawa Army is still our reinforcements. It is our task to serve the reinforcements." In this way, everyone no longer publicly expressed their dissatisfaction. As a result, they could only barely support their livelihoods while fighting desperately.Zen Master Xuezhai certainly has a clear mind about this.Therefore, he was also very worried that Okazaki's retainers and subjects would unite due to dissatisfaction. "Who is the next one?" The Zen master raised his calm face, and a woman with shaved hair came to him holding a rosary.

"Who are you?" Xuezhai asked. "Poor Ni Yuanying." Her voice was clear, and she looked directly at Xuezhai. "Yuan Ying?" "You allow me to live in Sandao City..." "Oh!" Xuesai Dawu, "It's Takechiyo's grandmother, Mrs. Huayangin. I'm sorry." His tone was calm, but his eyes were not gentle.Clearly, he was controlling himself and couldn't be too soft. "Are you alright?" Huayang Yuan put the rosary against his forehead and covered his eyes, "The poor nun also wants to move to Junfu, I wonder if Master can agree?"

"Oh, what a surprise. Because there is the ancestral hall of Songping's ancestors here, and Mrs. Tian Yuan is also here, the poor monk specially arranged for you to live in Sandao City..." "Thank you, master, for your kindness." Huayangyuan smiled. "For a poor nun who has abandoned the world, there is no need for that kind of arrangement. If I stay here, I will become a stumbling block for everyone." Xue Zhai stared quietly at Huayang Courtyard, and finally nodded after a while, "You probably think that the monk will definitely fail in this battle?"

Huayang Academy was noncommittal. "It's been half a year since I was stationed here in March. I didn't even take down the small Anxiang City. The Jun Mansion urged me repeatedly. If I don't send troops, Lord Yiyuan will go to battle in person. Their urging has its own reasons. But I, Xue Zhai, already know it well. If you are worried about the fall of this city, then there is no need." Huayangyuan still pressed the rosary to his forehead and did not speak.Xuezhai felt a little flustered.The nun in front of her is a very capable and talented woman. She had swayed Guangzhong's father Qingkang. After Qingkang died, she actually let Guangzhong marry her daughter as his wife.It would be embarrassing if such a woman criticized him for his poor planning.

"War is about opportunity. You just wait. The monk will surely win." "Grandmaster." "Have you changed your mind?" "The poor nun is a Buddhist disciple who has abandoned the world of mortals. You might as well tell the master everything." "Please speak, and you are welcome." "Master must have noticed that the people of Okazaki are exhausted in order to support their families every day..." "Then what advice does the teacher have?" "Leaving Okazaki, the poor nun can relieve Matsudaira's burden... This is what the Buddha said." Huayangyuan's bright eyes suddenly shone brightly.

"Oh." Xuezhai turned to look at the oak tree in the yard.He didn't seem to be listening to Huayangyuan's words, but was listening to the insects' chirping, "Maybe the Buddha would say that. That's just a manifestation of my Buddha's compassion." "Would you agree, master?" "This..." Xuezhai's voice was vague, as if trying to figure out the true meaning of Huayangyuan's words.If he hadn't chosen to leave Okazaki Castle because he was afraid of the city falling, then what was this nun thinking?Does she want to talk about the hardships of Okazaki people's lives?Or was he afraid that the Imagawa family would not return Takechiyo after the victory, so he decided to wait in advance? "Oda Nobunaga has married Ms. Mino's family as his wife. Their rear is very stable, and the day of war is imminent. This area will soon become a battlefield. It's halfway..."

Huayangyuan held back her tears and lowered her head. This was not her real intention.The four old families of Sakai, Ishikawa, Abe and Uemura have moved to Sumfu.The Imagawa family took all the taxes of the Matsudaira family for themselves, but at the same time guaranteed the life of the Junfu hostages.Therefore, if one more person goes to Junfu, Okazaki's burden can be lightened, but the purpose of Huayangin is not that. Since this spring, wars have continued, and the number of widows has increased dramatically.The Songping family can't even eat enough for the people who participated in the war, and there is no one to take care of the orphans and widows.It's not just that there is no one to take care of them. The miserable life of these orphans and widowed mothers will bring a huge psychological shadow to the soldiers who fight on the battlefield!Huayangyuan wanted to explain everything to Xuezhai.She wants to use the excuse of bringing people to accompany her, and bring those poor people to Junfu to make ends meet!

"I'll say it again..." Huayang Yuan said, "If this continues, the fighting spirit of the Okazaki people will gradually fade." "Are you saying I'm too harsh on everyone in Okazaki?" "Yes. Please forgive me, there is indeed something that the master did not see or did not expect." "Oh." Xue Zhai's eyes lit up.In Mikawa, only this woman dared to directly criticize him—the elder of the Imagawa clan known as the "King of Law" of Shunfu.Zen Master Xuezhai couldn't help but smile. "Now that the battle is imminent, there may indeed be some omissions. I want to hear my teacher's opinion." Huayang Court saluted and looked back.She had only been accompanied by a maid, who was now sitting in the next room.Huayang Court waved to the woman.Xuezhai looked over with a smile.An eighteen or nineteen-year-old woman with curly hair came to Huayang Yard without fear and knelt down. "Mrs. Tai." Her face was purple, her cheekbones were protruding, her eyes contained resentment, but her demeanor was very elegant and quiet. "Who is this?" Xue Zhai regained the majesty and sensitivity of the Zen master. "It's the treasure of Buddhism, but it can't even keep the fetus." "Treasure? Is it your servant?" "Your servant?" Huayangyuan curled her lips sarcastically, "She is the righteous daughter of Shinrokuro, the elder Uemura, and the wife of Tahira Hachiro Tadaka, the elder of the family." Xue Zhai froze, "Even the wife of the old man looks like a servant, how miserable is everyone's life!" "No, Master is wrong." "Oh, please enlighten me." "Women in Okazaki are by no means fools who make their husbands at the front line worry about their future. They have the power to endure poverty. Her father-in-law Zhongfeng died in the place of Guangzhong when he attacked Anxiang City the year before last. Her husband Zhonggao fought again this spring. died a heroic death." "I know. Zhonggao's strength of character is indeed admirable. Zhonggao seems to be only twenty-two years old?" "yes." "Then madam Guigeng?" "Eighteen," the woman replied.There were no tears in her eyes, only deep anger was revealed, and her voice was awe-inspiring and clear. "You tell the master about Zhonggao." Huayangyuan ordered. "Yes. My husband thought that this battle was to save the young master, so he said that if the Okazaki people's determination and courage cannot be shown at that time, others will despise them. He also said that the bloodline of the Honda family has come to an end. .He also asked me to remarry.” "Oh?" "Nujia is Hei Hachiro Zhong Gao's wife, and she must not lose to him..." Xue Zhai couldn't help turning his face away.When the 22-year-old Honda Heihachiro attacked Anxiang City, he kept shouting: "Follow me! Look at me!" The scene of him fighting while shouting was as if in front of his eyes.Xuezhai knew that Honda was determined to die, and also knew what Honda wanted to exchange for his own death. It was March 19th in the eighteenth year of Tianzheng.Until he was shot by an arrow all over his body in the setting sun and died under Anxiang City, he kept shouting: "Don't let people say that Takechiyo's retainers are weak. Follow me!" But why did Huayangyuan bring Zhonggao's wife to me?Xue Zhai thought to himself. "Zhonggao would rather the family be extinct..." Huayangyuan seemed to be talking to himself, "If he knew his wife was pregnant, how happy he would be... Sigh." Xuezhai couldn't help but glanced at the woman's belly.The woman's belly swelled, and she was indeed pregnant.She lowered her head, but instead of crying, she stared fiercely at the tatami with her eyes wide open.Xue Zhai looked at the courtyard in a blink of an eye, and sighed softly.He finally gradually understood the true intention of Huayangyuan. These are all entrusted by the Buddha-Huayangyuan said so, but the tasks entrusted by the Buddha to men and women are different.Xuezhai is the successor of Linji School.What the Buddha asked of him was not just to remain loyal to the Imagawa family.He also wants to save the dark and chaotic world that lasted for a hundred years through Imagawa.Xuezhai understood that the Buddha did not just order him to save the troubled times.The Buddha with boundless mana also entrusted Oda Nobuhide, the Takeda clan of Kai, the Sagami Hojo clan, the Nagato Mori clan and the Echigo Uesugi clan who were committed to creating peace.People are yearning for peace in their hearts.No one starts a war blindly, but joins the war because they hear the voice of "saving the troubled world" deep in their hearts, but do they have the strength to save this troubled world? "What the teacher said..." Xue Zhai still stared at the courtyard, "Do you want this woman to accompany you to Junfu?" "Yes. But... Mrs. Honda Heihachi is not alone." "Master wants to bring the family members of those warriors who died in battle to Junfu?" "exactly." "Master." "yes." "You have heard the sad voice of the Buddha. The voice of the Buddha heard by the women is always rooted in a deep and kind compassionate heart...but the men...does the master know that their responsibility is greater and more pathetic?" "The master is saying... Is war also the mercy of my Buddha?" "If you don't fight, the world of innocence will continue. Although war is not merciful, it can restrain the spread of innocence. There is always compassion hidden in the depths of people's hearts." Xue Zhai touched the body under the casket, Finally smiled, "Then, I'll follow you." "Thank you Master for your compassion." "Monk, I agreed to Master's request, but my opinion is completely different from Master's." "What is the difference?" "I can't help but cheer for the Buddha's voice expressed through the woman's mouth." Xuezhai looked closely into Huayangyuan's eyes, waiting for her response. "The more fighters who think like me, the sooner peace will come. But there are too few people fighting for morality." "Yes Yes." "There is Renru in the Pure Land Shinzong. Among the living generals, it is said that Uesugi of Echigo and Takeda of Kai are Buddhist disciples, but..." Xue Zhai suddenly leaned forward, "I have blood on my hands, sir." "..." "I am especially cruel to everyone in Okazaki. Master, can you understand my thoughts..." The low and sharp voice made Huayangyuan's whole body tremble. "Do you understand?" Xuezhai asked forcefully. Huayang Court could not answer.Especially cruel to everyone in Okazaki—is it necessary? "It's fine if the teacher doesn't say anything, but does the teacher think I'm a Buddhist disciple, or Imagawa's retainer?" "Ah, this..." "I am a Buddhist disciple. But I am not a Buddhist disciple who abandons the world of mortals. I am a Buddhist disciple with a knife. Do you understand?" "yes." "No matter how cruel and immoral people call me, that's not what I, Xuezhai, who is well versed in Buddhism, should mind. So why is Xuezhai always sticking to the little Anxiang City?" Speaking of this, Xuezhai seems to be Thinking of something, he suddenly pointed to the green trees in the courtyard. "Among that piece of green, there is only one red maple." Huayang courtyard nodded.It is true that the red maple is particularly eye-catching. "In summer, it is a little red in the green bushes. The green leaves may think it is a monster, and wonder why it is so red. But when the seasons change and the surrounding maple leaves are all red, the mangrove will quietly disappear. Among the reds all over the mountains and plains. Since then, no one can recognize the red maple tree, so it is gradually forgotten, and sometimes people are afraid that it is not red enough. I want to be that tree. I long for the kind that has the heart of a red maple The general! Shitai, that... that is why I am obsessed with attacking Anxiang City, and I am especially cruel to everyone in Okazaki. Do you understand, Shitai?" Huayangyuan still opened his eyes wide.She seemed to understand, but did not understand. "Hahaha..." Xuezhai laughed, "I want Mr. Takechiyo, master. I want to snatch him from Oda Nobuhide, and then send him to Junfu to train him carefully... In this way, you understand why I am Is it so cruel to everyone in Okazaki? Needless to say...too much, it is easy to become a lie. If you tell a lie, your tongue will be cut off by the devil. Haha..." Huayangyuan held his breath.This monk with a knife in a cassock curled up in a corner and struggled hard, all of which made her heart ache.He wanted to single-handedly train Takechiyo.Why didn't he pour such hope and energy into Imagawa Yoshimoto's son?Perhaps, Yoshimoto's children are surrounded by fathers, powerful ministers, and countless seductive maids in the inner court.For a child who grew up in that environment, Xue Zhai was helpless.In this sense, the orphan Takechiyo can be taught by him. "Do you understand?" Xue Zhai's face softened, "If you understand, you can prepare to leave. Also, before you go to Junfu... secretly go to Aguju City to see Takechiyo's biological mother. I will be with her Don't...Of course, more importantly, tell her that even if Takechiyo transfers to the Junfu, with grandma accompanying her, please don't worry too much." Huayangyuan put the rosary against her forehead and did not move for a long time.She finally saw the true heart of Zen Master Xuezhai.Surprise and gratitude caused ripples in her heart. Honda Heihachiro Tadaka's wife's eyes were also red.Zen Master Xuesai, who is very popular in the Imagawa clan, is more considerate of Takechiyo than the Okazaki people... If the husband Zhong Gao, who regards death as his own, will surely smile comfortably when he hears all this. "Thank you." After a while, Huayang Yard said softly, "I will go to my daughter Yu Dachu as promised, and tell her, no matter what happens, don't panic..." Xuezhai didn't answer. "Next..." he urged the bodyguard. Huayangyuan left the city with Mrs. Zhonggao.Autumn is getting stronger, and the red leaves all over the mountain are almost red.When Huayangyuan came back, she suddenly understood why Zen Master Xuezhai was indifferent to Junfu's repeated urging.He has to wait until the autumn harvest is over. He is undoubtedly waiting, waiting for the people on both sides of the enemy and us to successfully harvest the fruits of a year's hard work. Huayang Institute's estimate is correct.Seven-tenths of the autumn harvest has been completed, and the rice fields gradually become empty. "Are you going to Aguju City with me?" "Yes. I will always be with you." "You are pregnant, don't you feel hard?" "No... I was originally a woman who worked in the paddy fields every day." The two stood in the wine valley, silently looking at the field across the ditch. On the third day, my wife and the families of twenty-six young samurai embarked on a journey to the residence of Shinrokuro Uemura's family in Sumfu.After two people left the city, they went west quietly. In the eyes of outsiders, Huayangyuan looks like the abbot of a nunnery, while Mrs. Zhonggao looks like a servant. Just as the two of them were about to cross the Yahagawa River staggeringly in the light rain, a horn suddenly sounded in Okazaki Castle.The tense confrontation since March of the eighteenth year of Tianzheng is about to turn into a decisive battle.Could it be that fierce general Oda Nobuhide wants to take Okazaki Castle in one fell swoop?Or was Zen Master Xuezhai, the backbone of the Imagawa Clan, defeated Xinxiu's elite troops and captured Anxiang City?Both sides are determined to win.Their victory or defeat determines where Matsudaira Takechiyo will go. Huayangyuan stopped, and looked back for a long time in the direction of Okazaki Castle.At this time, the twilight was thick, not to mention the distant Okazaki Castle, even the nearby bushes could not be seen clearly. "Let's go." She finally said, "I really am homeless in the Three Realms. Kariya Castle is like this... Okazaki Castle is like this..." Mrs. Zhonggao turned her face away and bit her lip.