On December 29, the Tenth Year of Astronomy (1541), Imagawakan Castle Tower.
The gymnasium where Kentaro Tian Shen practiced in the past has been appropriated by Imagawa Yoshimoto to play Cuju as usual, but this time there are three more faces in the Cuju team - Takeda Nobutora, Ginkgo and Imagawa Goro - they are playing in the venue at the moment. Two versus two—actually, it was originally a three versus three match. However, when Kira Usei and Akai Kurotaka were playing against each other, their kicks got too anxious, and the two started to fight on the sidelines. Akai Kurotaka was originally the madman who picked fights in the Imagawa family, and Kira Usei also has a bad temper and does not want to be served, so naturally he gets into violent fights.
"You, a southerner, have quite a bit of brute strength!"
"Shut up, young master, you ghost guy from Ezo, let me see if I don't rip your head off!"
"You two are not as good as us, father and daughter!" On the court, Takeda Nobutora, who had just scored a goal, was very proud. He patted his chest and said to his son-in-law, "That's all, you female warriors of Suruga, Where is our ‘Kafi Tiger General’ opponent?”
"Goro, you have to fill your spot in time." Imagawa Yoshimoto glanced at his son who had already fallen in love with Cuju at a young age, and encouraged him, "When you play Cuju, you must think about running more. Run more." ."
"Obviously it's dad who only attacks and doesn't defend!" Imagawa Goro was not happy to hear what Imagawa Yoshimoto said. He stuck his waist and pouted like a ginkgo, staring at Imagawa Yoshimoto: "Mom and I are facing each other. Sometimes he would let me go, but grandpa never let me go. How could I catch up with him! If dad doesn’t come to help, I can’t hold on!"
"That's right, sir." Ginkgo also supported, "Obviously the person who hates running the most is you."
"I know, you Suruga people want to ride in a sedan even when you go out, why are you willing to run?" Takeda Nobutora laughed again and laughed, "Isn't that what Cuju is all about? You can learn it after learning it!"
"Don't let others look down on you!" Imagawa Yoshimoto walked up behind Imakawa Goro, bent down and put his hands on his shoulders, "Goro, cheer up, this is for the glory of the Imagawa family!"
"For the glory of the Imagawa family!" Imagawa Goro followed suit and growled in a sweet voice.
"I really hope that you, father and son, will not only think of this 'Glory of the Imagawa Family' when you are playing Cuju." Taiyuan Xuezhai, who happened to come in, saw this funny scene and couldn't help laughing, "Chengfang, I am going to be my teacher." Go to Zentoku Temple and check the ninja village in the east of the river. You didn’t have lunch in the castle tower. You don’t have to wait for me. I’ll probably be back the day after tomorrow.”
"Didn't you miss the New Year?" Imagawa Yoshimoto stopped playing Cuju on his feet and looked back at Taiyuan Xuezai at the door of the dojo, "Is it necessary to be so anxious, teacher?"
"Don't worry about the teacher's affairs." Taiyuan Xuezai smiled, waved to Takeda Nobutora as a greeting, and then turned around and left. Imagawa Yoshimoto was stunned for a long time before he realized why Taiyuan Xuezai was so anxious. ——The Whale House will be closed for half a month after the Chinese New Year, so don’t you want to go there before the New Year? It seems that the teacher has an old sweetheart in the Whale House over Zentokuji Temple.
However, as soon as Taiyuan Xuezai left with his front leg, Sena Ujijun came with his back leg, interrupting Imagawa Yoshimoto's Cuju competition.
"Your Highness, an envoy from the Matsudaira family is here to celebrate the New Year."
"Didn't we all arrange to stay at the hotel first and then meet together on the 30th?" Imagawa Yoshimoto skillfully stopped the Cuju and turned to ask.
"The situation of the Matsudaira family is somewhat special..." Sena Shitoshi hesitated, as if he didn't want to talk about it in front of so many people.
"Then let's go." Imagawa Yoshimoto then tidied up his clothes angrily, and at the same time ordered Hayasaka Nao and others, "You continue to play Cuju with His Highness Sakyo."
"What's going on?" Imagawa Yoshimoto asked in a low voice to Sena Ujitoshi on the way back to the castle tower. At the same time, he wrapped his coat tightly - it was a snowy day, he was sweating all over from exercising, and being blown by the cold wind was enough.
.
"Your Highness, please listen to Abe Ozo-sama himself." Sena Ujitoshi explained awkwardly.
"Abe Daizo is here in person? Why did His Highness Matsudaira send him to be the congratulatory envoy?" Imagawa Yoshimoto was stunned for a moment, and couldn't help but speed up his steps - Abe Sadaiki was Matsudaira's close confidant and the elder of the writing family, and he actually personally served as the congratulatory envoy.
When you come to Imagawakan, you must have something important to discuss.
"No, the congratulator is Mr. Matsudaira Kuroto Sa-sama (Matsudaira Nobutaka) of the Miki Matsudaira family." Sena Ujitoshi lowered his voice, almost lighter than the sound of his feet stepping on broken snow, "It has been arranged as usual.
We stayed at the hotel. But Lord Ozo came secretly and did not come with the Matsudaira family’s envoys.”
When Imagawa Yoshimoto returned to the castle tower, Abe Nobuyoshi had been waiting here for a long time. He was not wearing the Matsudaira family's samurai uniform. Instead, he was dressed in black, as if he didn't want to attract attention.
"Abe Ozo, long time no see." Imagawa Yoshimoto was the first to greet him.
"His Majesty Imagawa, after a long time of greetings, your demeanor is still as good as before." Abe Sadayoshi also bowed politely, but obviously had no intention of continuing to be polite, but got to the point hurriedly, "I'm here on this trip, I have something important to tell you.
."
"Please tell me." Imagawa Yoshimoto asked Sena Ujitoshi to serve him a cup of tea, and he began to recall the current situation of the Matsudaira family that Taiyuan Xuezhai told him last time. Abe Sadaikichi in front of him also recounted everything.
After Imagawa Yoshimoto supported Matsudaira Hirotada and returned to Okazaki Castle, the magnanimous Matsudaira Hirotada did not strictly pursue those relatives who participated in the rebellion. Although the instigators Matsudaira Nagauchi and Matsudaira Nobusada were put under house arrest and retired, they were also involved in the rebellion.
However, Matsudaira Nobutaka was safe and sound, and his territory was not reduced. After Matsudaira Nagachichi and Matsudaira Nobusada moved away from the political center, Matsudaira Nobutaka became the core of the remaining forces of the "anti-Hirochu faction" and had the right to speak in the Matsudaira family.
further improvement.
After Matsudaira Nobutaka gained power, the relationship with his younger brother Matsudaira Yasutaka gradually became tense, and he even began to encroach on Matsudaira Yasutaka's territory. Matsudaira Yasutaka complained to Matsudaira Hirotada, but Matsudaira Hirotada did not want to fall out with his uncle because of this, but only adjusted it -
This naturally fueled Matsudaira Nobutaka's arrogance. However, the soft-hearted Matsudaira Hirotada remembered the goodwill and kindness Matsudaira had towards him back then, and never made up his mind to eradicate Matsudaira Nobutaka. As a result, his power in Mikawa expanded even more, and there was a hint of war.
There is a tendency for clan families to become divided and fight against each other.
This chapter is not over yet, please click on the next page to continue reading! Abe Nobuyoshi, Okubo Tadashi and other retainers saw it in their eyes and were anxious in their hearts, but they were helpless - no matter how they tried to persuade them, their kind-hearted lord always failed. The only way to do this was to be ruthless and attack their relatives. So, the two men came up with a vicious plan - to kill someone with a borrowed knife. Since Matsudaira Hirohada couldn't be ruthless, let Imagawa Yoshimoto take action against Matsudaira Nobutaka.
With their encouragement, Matsudaira Nobutaka served as the Matsudaira family's congratulatory envoy this year and went to Imagawa Hall to congratulate Imagawa Yoshimoto on the New Year. Abe Nobuyoshi hoped that Imagawa Yoshimoto could find a reason to detain Matsudaira Nobutaka and directly declare his banishment. The Matsudaira clan of Mikawa could naturally accept the territory of Matsudaira Nobutaka.
But Imagawa Yoshimoto has always had a good reputation for observing etiquette, and it is hard to say whether he is willing to wade through the muddy waters of the Matsudaira family's internal strife. Besides, the Imagawa family and the Matsudaira family are just an alliance of brothers, not a master-slave relationship - so It is untenable to arbitrarily exile an important minister who is an ally, and the Imagawa family's tyranny will inevitably cause dissatisfaction in the Matsudaira family.
After Abe Nobuyoshi said this, he felt a little embarrassed - after all, he wanted his allies to help take the blame. He raised his head and tentatively looked at Imagawa Yoshimoto - as expected, the latter's face was full of anger, as if he had remembered Something very unpleasant happened.
"Your Majesty Imagawa, please don't be angry. Everything is the idea of the subordinate retainer and has nothing to do with the governor. If you want to blame me, I am willing to commit seppuku and apologize." Abe Nobuyoshi leaned down, but he obviously misunderstood what Imagawa Yoshimoto meant.
"No, that's not what I meant." Imagawa Yoshimoto shook his head, and then replied coldly: "No problem, just do what you want. I will directly arrest Matsudaira Nobutaka and throw him into the dungeon."
"Ah?" Abe Sadayoshi was stunned for a moment, obviously not understanding why Imagawa Yoshimoto agreed so readily.
It was this Matsudaira Nobutaka who wanted to bully my Ginkgo in Okazaki City...
When Imagawa Yoshimoto remembered what happened at that time, his eyes became full of anger. Although he did not break out at the time due to the friendship between the two families, now that Matsudaira Nobutaka has broken up with Matsudaira Hirotada, Imagawa Yoshimoto is no longer polite. .
Public revenge for private revenge.
As soon as he finished talking with Abe Sadaikichi, Imagawa Yoshimoto led Mochizuki Takaki and a group of horses in a whirlwind and rushed back to the hotel where Matsudaira Nobutaka was staying. Before Matsudaira Nobutaka could react, he was already held by several knives. on the neck.
"This... His Highness Imagawa..." Nobutaka Matsudaira's face turned pale with fear, and his calves could not help but tremble. "Is there some misunderstanding?"
"Is it him? You admit it right?" Imagawa Yoshimoto ignored Matsudaira Nobutaka and confirmed to Mochizuki Takaki who was following him.
"That's him, he's plotting something against Madam." Takaki Mochizuki looked up and down at Matsudaira Nobutaka with squinted eyes, "That's the guy."
After seeing Mochizuki Takaki following Imagawa Yoshimoto, Matsudaira Nobutaka felt that everyone was stupid - although he also knew that he had probably offended a female member of the Imagawa family, but he never expected that he would offend someone. Imagawa Yoshimoto's woman.
"Do you have anything else to say?" Imagawa Yoshimoto stepped forward and glanced at Matsudaira Nobutaka coldly, "To save you some face, let's say that you tried to steal the Imagawa family's confidential information, and now we have detained it. ."
"Throw it into the dungeon." Imagawa Yoshimoto waved his hand, and the horsemen swarmed up and pushed down the sweaty Matsudaira Nobutaka. Abe Sadaikichi, who was following him, was watching not far from the hotel, confirming what was going on. After it was over, I quickly thanked Imagawa Yoshimoto.
"You're welcome, it's just a piece of cake." Imagawa Yoshimoto shook his head and said no, "The follow-up matter will be your Matsudaira family's household affairs, so I won't ask about it and let His Highness Hiroutada handle it properly."