Umino Riichi tested the temperature of the rice balls, threw one of the hot rice balls to Sanada Nobushige, and said.
"Yes, that's the truth.
Doesn’t Daxiong Chaoxiu like to shout slogans of loyalty and unity, so now is the time for her to show that her words and deeds are consistent."
Sanada Nobushige took a bite of the rice ball and asked.
"Then what if she just gets angry and doesn't stop doing it? What if we die in the Western Expedition to Oda? It's impossible for the dead to come back and settle accounts with her."
Umino Li shook his head and said.
"impossible.
My lord, although you are now making Daxiong Chaoxiu itch with hatred, she is also in trouble herself, so of course she must pay attention to propriety in doing things.
Speaking of which, Daxiong Chaoxiu is also tired. Although she has the trust of Jinduo Palace, her own status is inherently insufficient.
First, she is not a retainer of Shiba, nor a direct descendant of Shiba like Yukimori Yamanaka and Takeshi Shimakatsu, so Tsutado-dono’s trust is limited.
Secondly, she once raised an army to rebel against His Highness Uesugi, and had several conflicts with the Uesugi retainers. She had many rifts and enemies.
Thirdly, the adherents of the Kanto Shifu have never been monolithic. In recent years, there has always been a competitive relationship between the accomplices faction and the Sino-Vietnamese adherents faction headed by Daxiong Chaoxiu.
When Ishida Mitsunari was around, the Konka faction and the Echigo faction could still maintain peace, because the benefits of the Hokurikudo trade route, which had been created by the Kanto Imperial Household at that time, were not large enough.
But now, the leaders of the two factions, Dazang Chang'an and Daxiong Chaoxiu, have almost attacked each other in front of Jinduo Hall, and they are incompatible with each other.
Daxiong Chaoxiu was too careful to protect his position, so he had to be alert at all times to avoid getting into big trouble.
The disagreement between us Sanada people and Okuma Asahide is at best due to official disputes over the Takeda offensive and the western expedition to Oda.
It is not difficult for Daxiong Chaoxiu to trip up normally, but now, my lord, you are directly questioning the possibility that she might abandon her official duties for personal reasons and engage in small tricks during the war. Of course, she must be extremely careful.
If others don't mention it, Dazang Chang'an will definitely keep a close eye on her, eager to take the opportunity to pull her down."
Sanada Nobushige suddenly nodded.
"No wonder you asked me to support Ozo Changan's appointment as a non-permanent director next year, and even persuaded Nobata Nobuzada to wait another year. It turned out to be this purpose."
Umino Riichi explained.
"This is just one of the purposes. Dazang Chang'an is of great use to us, and it is beneficial and harmless to have a good relationship with her.
At that time, Dazang Changan came forward to slander you, which caused Daxiong Chaoxiu to almost lose the power of the execution office.
Later, in order to balance the two of them, the king let Daxiong Chaoxiu continue to control the practice and transferred Dazang Changan away.
However, in order to compensate Da Zang Chang'an, the people responsible for practicing the integrity of the institute are managed by people from Da Zang Chang'an, and Daxiong Chaoxiu is like a awn on his back.
The life of Dazang Changan was not easy either. She was in charge of the Wu Family Principle Promotion Association, and the water power funds, agricultural loans, and student subsidies of the eight states all came from the fund transfusion of the practice office.
Both Daxiong Chaoxiu and Dazo Changan wished that the other would choke to death when he drank water, but neither could do anything to the other and could only cooperate with each other to maintain the situation.
This is the wisdom of the king, to check and balance both sides, rather than letting one side dominate and ruin the good situation of harmonious progress.
Since we have offended Daxiong Chaohide, even if you achieve outstanding military exploits and are promoted to Shiba's retainers in the future, we will also be assigned to Shiba's establishment and sneak into the Shiba family, and life will not be easy.
Because it was too late for us to get started, we had to make friends and build a solid foundation.
Ozo Choan is a retainer of the Iga Maeda family. He was sent to Kanto by Lord Maeda Yoshida to serve as a retainer to the king. He has connections with high-level officials of the Shiba family.
Being kind to her will help us make friends with noble people in Sibo's family in the future, and go further.
In addition, Dazang Changan has been working hard to get rid of the control of Daxiong Chaoxiu and not be influenced by the capital budget of the execution office.
In order to win over the local forces in Guanbazhou and cooperate with the Wujia Yili Promotion Association, Junshang once allowed Guanbazhou Tucang to provide capital loans and participate in the economic activities of the promotion association.
During the hundreds of years of war in Guanbazhou, the Wu family was poor. The richest ones were the nuns, and most of the Tucang's funds came from them.
Kamakura Gozan maintained his identity and refused to stand out at the front desk. The Shinji faction under Odawara Castle did not have this worry and behaved very actively.
Finally, Jinduo Hall decided to appoint four abbots of new temples: Yu Xin of Miao'an Temple, Shanghui of Sanguang Temple, Zhehuang of Wuliang Temple, and Kaixin of Yanglin Temple to take charge of the loan of funds for Tucang.
Dazang Chang'an has used their funds to establish its own system in Guanbazhou, and its dependence on the practice has been greatly reduced.
We have offended Daxiong Chaoxiu, and we will have to walk on two legs in doing business in the future. While continuing to cooperate with the practice office, we will also open up new paths with the promotion association, so that we will not be easily manipulated to death."
Umino Riichi talked for a long time, and Sanada Nobushige felt dizzy. She ate the rice balls in her hands and pointed at Umino Riichi's rice balls and asked.
"Liu Niang, aren't you hungry? If not, just give it to me. I don't have enough food for you."
As he was talking, his mouth was dry and he was trying his best to explain his strategic thoughts to Sanada Nobushige. Umino Ri was stunned for a moment, and he was so angry that he threw another rice ball to Sanada Nobushige.
Sanada Nobushige took the rice ball with a smile. Regardless of Umino Riichi's ugly expression, he broke off a piece and chewed it happily, while eating, he said.
"I don't understand much about these things, but I believe in you, Liu Niang. As long as you are here, no one can bully us.
Don't worry, you can do what you want. If there are blind idiots who want to block our way, I will lead people to cut them down.
Our sisters came out to fight for wealth, and we only seek wealth without risking our lives. I don’t care what Da Xiong Chaoxiu and Da Zang Changan are doing, anyway, I will not let the blood of my sisters be shed in vain.
The purpose of this expedition to the west to conquer Oda is to let the martial arts in the world know that we, the Sanada soldiers, are the best soldiers in the world. We have gained wealth and honor through military service, so who else can we do?
As for how to live a good life after receiving military honors, it's up to you, Liu Niang."
Sanada Nobushige smiled and gave Umino Riichi a thumbs up, his sparkling white teeth making people dizzy.
As soon as Umino looked at her master, her always cold face showed a trace of helplessness. She looked at the mountains and forests in the distance and said lightly.
"I will not let others bully our sisters, and I will not let you be deceived."
At night, by the campfire.
Sanada Nobushige lowered his head to nibble on rice balls, and Umino Riichi raised his head to think about something on his mind. The two of them sitting together made each other feel at ease.
They are eternal partners, working back to back to survive in this troubled world.
After a while, Umino Riichi suddenly spoke.
"Is it enough to just let the world's martial arts know that the Sanadas are the best soldiers in the world?
Wouldn't it be better to let Tsudoden see your value and maybe even give you a child to win you over?"
Nobushige Sanada, who was eating rice balls, couldn't help coughing and almost choked to death on the rice balls.
She finally regained her breath, wiped her face, and looked at Umino Riichi with excitement.
"Really? Will Tsudado really give me a child?"
Umino Riichi said coldly.
"It's fake. I lied to you. Stop dreaming."
Sanada Nobushige's little face suddenly wrinkled up. He looked at the rice ball in his hand that was half broken by his own saliva and handed it to Umino Riichi.
"I seem to be full, Liu Niang, do you want to eat?"
Umino glanced at her, ignored her, and took out a new rice ball, stuck it on a branch, and grilled it in front of the campfire.
———
Within the Kanto Palace, rounds of internal fighting and strife surrounding the Western Expedition starting next spring are already in full swing, and no one can stay out of it.
Yamanaka Yukimori, Shima Katsuo, and Okuma Asohide, the three giants set a trap for each other. The new generation of giants Sanada Nobushige and Ozo Changan have vague intentions to join forces.
As for the other Echigo factions and the Kanhachishu faction, they are even more complicated.
The only thing that can be certain is that Spo Yiyin's order for the Western Expedition is still the political need that everyone has the highest priority to obey, otherwise it will attract criticism and criticism from other forces.
In this chaotic yet clear political landscape, as another big figure in Echigo's dual politics, Uesugi Kenshin's attitude is particularly important.
Kasugayama Castle, Castle Tower.
The autumn wind is getting colder, and the morning and evening are chilly. A fire pot has been set up in the room early to prevent the young baby from catching cold.
Behind the screen, Kenshin Uesugi was carefully feeding her child. Although she was still very weak, she always insisted on feeding her child herself.
Naoe Keizuna, who walked into the screen, watched Uesugi Kenshin serve the child, sitting silently aside, observing his master's every move.
After Uesugi Kenshin finished feeding, he clumsily patted the child's back to protect the child from choking on the milk. Uesugi Miyuki huddled in his mother's arms and fell into a deep sleep of happiness.
After handing the child over to the waiter, Uesugi Kenshin looked at Naoe Keizuna.
"coming?"
"Hi, your Majesty has met His Highness."
"Is there still a commotion at the Kanto Waiting Office?"
To be continued...