At noon on April 17, the fifth year of Tianwen (1536), Dongrong, Shile County, Sanhe Kingdom.
"Xiao Qilang, are you sure your map is correct? Why does it go further and further away?"
The pampered Imagawa Ujimoto was leaning on crutches and moaning in pain on the bumpy mountain road - even though all the luggage was carried on Hayasaka Nao's body.
"Your Highness, this is the right one. We need to take a detour to Minami Shinano so that we can avoid the possible appearance of Imagawa Ryojin's ninjas." Nao Hayasaka held the map in her hand and repeatedly confirmed the direction. The master and servant were already here.
After walking in the forest for two days, Imagawajimoto always felt that he was always going back - he passed the same creek three times. But the good thing is that passing by the creek meant that Imagawajimoto could take a bath. Otherwise, he could take a bath.
He broke out in a sweat and had only a few clothes to change, but it would cost Imagawa Jimoto his life.
This time Imagawa Shimoto went to Luo to avoid attracting attention. However, Taiyuan Xuezhai was not so big-hearted as to let Imagawa Shimoto, an inexperienced young man, go on the road with an attendant who did not know martial arts. There was always something in the distance.
The ninjas were protecting them secretly. However, in order to avoid attracting the attention of other forces and causing trouble, the ninjas always kept a long distance from Imagawa Yoshimoto - Imagawa Yoshimoto was very suspicious that something would really happen to him at such a long distance.
, those ninjas had no time to rescue.
"Your Highness, why do you have to go all the way to Shangluo?" Hayasaka Nao asked with some confusion, "And it's not safe."
"The ruling of the public hall and the order of the shogunate are not as prestigious as before the Onin Rebellion, but they are still respected among the samurai families in the world." Imagawa Ujimoto explained while walking strenuously on the mountain road.
He was right. Although the shogunate in 1536 was far less powerful than it was more than a hundred years ago, it was still very influential - at least it did not fall into decline around 1570 - even if it fell into decline around 1570, the assassination of Ashikaga Yoshi
Teru's Matsunagahide and Miyoshi's trio will still be discredited, and the last general Ashikaga Yoshiaki can also pull up a massive siege network of Nobunaga. In 1536, even a giant daimyo of the size of the Hosokawa family
, we must also show courtesy to the shogun.
Perhaps the shogunate cannot actually influence areas outside Kinki with the power of the public, but the concepts of "loyalty to the shogunate" and "the shogun is the master of the world" that have been cultivated for more than a hundred years remain in the hearts of samurai and common people.
The top daimyo may sneer at this, but the samurai under his command and the people in the territory believe this. If they are designated by the shogun as a target of rebellion or crusade, the samurai under their command will become disloyal and the territory will explode.
As soon as he made a move, other daimyo around him would also attack him in groups with the name of "great justice".
Perhaps the besieging daimyo did not really believe in the shogun's will, but they were able to use this as an excuse to send troops legitimately, and they were also recognized by their samurai and the people in the territory. Therefore, whether it was territorial disputes, civil war between family governors, or alliances
In terms of concluding wars or mediating armistices, the shoguns of this era still have great energy.
"Back then, the Sixth Generation Megami Sosuke (Imagawa Norimasa) made extraordinary contributions during the Uesugi Zenhide Rebellion and was appointed by the shogunate as the 'Deputy General of the World'. He was famous for a while. But in his later years, he wanted to abolish the elder and establish a younger one.
, the shogun made his efforts in vain and passed away sadly with just a ruling. The shogun ruled that the seventh generation Daisuke Minbu (Imagawa Noritada) should succeed to the throne, but rejected the sixth generation's doting son Nori Ogawa. The retainers of the Imagawa family learned that
After hearing the news, he no longer supported the Lord, but instead supported the Seventh Generation."
"Later, my grandfather, Yatsumijibu Daisuke (Imagawa Yoshitaka) made a special trip to Luka to thank the general. The general also gave the Ashikaga family the character 'Yi', which was an infinite favor. Ietsu (Imagawa clan's relative) and Oka
When Fan Man competed for the family governor, Xiao Lu Norman once relied on his talents to win countless supports inside and outside the family. However, the only person Ka Yan could rely on was Soun Gong (Hojo Soun). But Soun Gong replaced him at the time.
The general received a letter from the imperial court ruling that Jia Yan should succeed the family governor, and the situation turned around. More and more retainers switched to Jia Yan from Xiaolu Fanman, and finally Jia Yan successfully succeeded to the throne. The power of the general's ruling can be seen.
A spot."
Imagawa Clan recalled the past, and gradually understood Taiyuan Xuesai's intentions, "The Imagawa clan is from the Ashikaga clan. Since ancient times, there has been a saying that 'the public has no heirs, Kira Tsugumi, and Kira has no heirs, Imagawa Tsugumi'. Our Imagawa family also and the shogunate
We have a close relationship. The previous two disputes over the governor of the Imagawa family relied on the shogunate's decision. Both my teacher and my mother had connections in Kyoto. They must have wanted me to follow the story of my ancestors and get a word from the shogun, and then let the shogun make the decision.
I will serve as the governor of the Imagawa family."
"In this way, there are two precedents. When I go to Yuanjiang to quell the rebellion as a general, I can get twice the result with half the effort. If the people of Yuanjiang country dare to resist, they are enemies of the shogunate, and all the samurai under his command will
Rise up against them."
"I see." Hayasaka Nao nodded repeatedly in sudden realization, but she still couldn't help but complain, "Then why not just ask Kōhoden to send the royal letter on disarmament to Suruga?"
"You are the shogun after all, so you have to save some face. We should pay a visit to Luo." Imagawa Ujimoto smiled and turned around to explain to Hayasaka Nao, but when he was not paying attention, his feet seemed to hit something. He lowered his head and found that he was in front of him.
There was a girl sleeping under the tree.
As if her dream was disturbed by an uninvited guest, the girl frowned slightly, stretched out while murmuring, rubbed her sleepy eyes, and raised her head drowsily as if she was not full of sleep, and looked at Imagawa Ujimoto who appeared as a stranger. I don't know why.
, her red lips parted slightly, and she suddenly said hello lazily:
"Good morning, sir."
A girl who looks like a cat—this is Imagawa Shimoto’s first impression of girls.
He glanced at the girl, but found that he could no longer look away - even though this was a very rude move, Imagawa Jimoto, who had always been knowledgeable and courteous, could not do anything - the tenderness and kindness in the girl's lazy eyes
She is charming and makes people lose their soul once they look at her.
Her upper body is a white feathered fabric, and her lower body is a burgundy long skirt. Such simple and loose clothes can't hide her graceful and exquisite figure. Her long satin-like hair hangs loosely and fluffily to her waist, and her forehead
Behind the first two straight bangs, the outline of willow eyebrows is looming. The black hair sets off the fair and beautiful face, and the facial features are so delicate that they are not like human beings. The lines of the girl's eyebrows are very soft, and she looks very beautiful.
There is no energy, as if he is taking a nap for most of the day, but he is so gentle that people want to get close to him and take a look at his beauty.
Imagawa Ujimoto, who was well-read in poetry and books, racked his brains to find some words to describe the girl in front of him, but he was still at a loss. He could only stare at her in ecstasy, feeling that all the famous mountains and rivers he had traveled to in the past ten years had not been appreciated.
All the rare paintings and calligraphy, as well as the thousands of good poems and verses that have been recited, all eclipsed in front of her. Because this girl was as beautiful as if she had stepped out of a picture scroll.
"It's about love, it's about etiquette."
Imagawa Shiyuan kept reciting this sentence silently in his heart, but he still couldn't bear to look away, even blinking. So as he kept reciting it, it became "A fair lady, a gentleman is a grudge".
"That's so rude, sir." The girl's cheeks seemed to have warmed under the intense gaze of the young man. However, she was not like those public girls in ancient books who shyly covered their faces with fans when strangers saw them. Instead, she smiled.
He stood up and teased Imagawa Gendo generously, "Could it be that in a matter of seconds, we agreed with our hearts?"
That smile made Imagawa Shigen fall in love even more. He had to force himself to bend down slightly, look away, and whispered: "I'm sorry, miss, don't blame me."
"How can you not blame me for disturbing my nap?" The girl chuckled and stood up, casually rolled her long hair and tied it loosely into a ponytail behind her head. The curves of her body became even more attractive when she stretched, and Imagawajimoto had to swallow.
He swore and looked away again to cover up his gaffe. The girl noticed Imagawa Shimoto's gaze and smiled again, "Tell me, what is the crime?"
At this moment, another young man emerged from the rock next to the tree. His facial features were sharp and angular, and he was not angry and intimidating. He seemed to have two completely different styles from the girl. The samurai sword on his waist already showed that he was
identity. He glanced at Hayasaka Nao and then at Imagawa Ujimoto.
Hayasaka Nao was startled when she saw the man suddenly appearing. After being stunned for a moment, she immediately put her hand on the handle of the knife. She stepped forward to protect Imagawaji Yuan behind her and asked in a low voice: "Who is coming?
"
"It's me who should ask you, right?" The man also made a very alert posture, "Why are you approaching my sister?"
"Your sister?" When he heard the first half of the other party's sentence, Imagawa Shimoto felt as depressed as if he was drowning. He thought that the girl had already been married. However, after hearing the word "sister", he was pulled out of the water again.
He picked it up and breathed in the sweet air.
"We were just passers-by, and we happened to meet each other. We didn't mean any harm." Imagawa Shigen took half a step back and explained kindly, "Your Excellency, don't blame me."
"I see, your face doesn't look like someone who has done evil." The man looked at Imagawajimoto carefully, then at Hayasaka Nao, finally relieved, and said very directly: "I am Nakasugi Tora Chiyo, I dare to ask.
Your Excellency, please give me your surname."
"Shinagawa Goro." Imagawa Ujimoto reported his pseudonym. At the same time, he looked at Hayasaka Nao and gave him a brief introduction without naming him. "This is my attendant."
Hayasaka Nao knew what Imagawa Ujimoto meant, and took the initiative to announce her name: "Hasaka Koichiro, I have met these two adults."
Sure enough, after Hayasaka Nao also introduced herself, the girl naturally said: "Little girl Ginkgo."
Imagawa's trick was successful, and after hearing her name, a smile appeared on his lips unconsciously. However, his little thoughts seemed to be pierced by the clever Ginkgo, who smiled sarcastically, "Sir, I want to know the girl's boudoir."
Name, you have bad intentions."
"Sister, don't say that..."
"When will it be your turn to teach my sister a lesson?" Ginkgo frowned and glared at Nakasugi Torachiyo, but her gentle and watery eyebrows could not be majestic anyway. However, Nakasugi Torachiyo seemed to listen to Ginkgo's words and be honest.
He shut up and changed the topic: "Looking at the accent, Mr. Shinagawa is from Dongguo?"
"Yes, I'm from Kanto. I lived in Kyoto when I was young. I'm going home for a visit." Imagawa answered without changing his expression - this wasn't entirely a lie. "Recently, there have been wars in Mikawa, Toe and Suruga, so I don't dare to leave office."
If you want to know the way, we will go around the mountain road."
"Haha, that's cool! We are also going to Kyoto." Nakasugi Tora Chiyo heard this and was delighted, "We are from Echigo, but we have been living in Shinano. This time we are going to Kyoto to express our condolences to our father. We originally wanted to go to Kyoto.
On the official road of the Northern Rikudō, I encountered a traffic jam and was forced to take a detour in the opposite direction."
"Ah... I'm sorry." Imagawa clan Moto just wanted to say a few words of relief, but Ginkgo on the side said: "Hey, Tora Chiyo, even if our father is a damn bastard, there is no need for you to curse him to death. Go to Kyoto.
If you go and become an apprentice, just become an apprentice, there is nothing to be embarrassed about."
"Haha, what my sister is saying is, why should a man hide his lack of talent and knowledge? Why don't you just be more straightforward?" Nakasugi Tora Chiyo laughed twice sheepishly, and then looked at Imagawa Ujimoto, "Since we are going to Kyoto, why don't Mr. Shinagawa go with us?
It’s not peaceful recently, there are many bandits on the road, and there are many people to look after.”
"It's what I asked for." Imagawa Shimoto agreed without hesitation, while Ginkgo beside him showed a subtle smile.
Today we know the joy of King You of Zhou Dynasty.
