The first thousand and seventy-six chapters of different roads
"Big Hu Ling?"
The two girls looked at Shima Shengmeng with bright eyes, and Onoki asked first again.
"Sir, are you sure about this?"
Shima Sheng nodded slowly.
"This time when Echigo's army went south, His Highness Uesugi gave Sano Castle in Shimono Province to Irobe Katsunaga, and asked Nagao Nagao to capture Tatebayashi Castle. Both places are important points and must be handed over to the Uesugi retainers and Nagao clan members.
Numata Castle is the bridgehead for the Echigo Kingdom to enter the Kanto Plain, and Umebashi Castle is the forward base for the Echigo army to move south. His Highness Uesugi cannot let go.
Azuma County has been promised to Sanada Nobushige by the imperial government, so the two largest remaining wealthy territories are Dahu Territory and Naha Territory."
Looking at the expectant two concubines, Dao Shengmeng said.
"The Tone River turns from north to south in the Naha Territory area, and the Ueno and Musashi provinces divide the north and south. The relationship between the two samurai families of Ueno and Musashi in this area is too complicated.
His Highness Uesugi will definitely send his own people to watch the frontiers of the two countries in the Nabo Territory and supervise the local samurai families. Then the only choice we have is the Dahu Territory."
Igazaki Michizhun frowned.
"The Uesugi family is too greedy. They took away all the good land, leaving only some scraps for us."
Daosheng glanced at her fiercely and said.
"In the area where the Kanto Servant is located in the eight provinces of Kanto, only Sanada Nobushige stands in the corner of Azuma County and has some prestige in Ueno. Do the other samurai families still have any influence on the Kanto Plain?
His Highness Uesugi is the governor of Kantō and the second most powerful figure in the Kantō Ten Kingdoms system. The Uesugi family is so powerful that they need to share more, so what can you do?"
Igazaki Michiojun was speechless for a moment and lowered his head.
Dao Shengmeng said.
"We have time to complain about the Uesugi family eating more and taking more. Why don't we hold on to the share we may get and don't let anyone take it away again.
Dahu Territory is part of the southeastern plain area of Ueno Country. The land is fertile and I can compete for it with my military exploits.
But if in the spring of next year, a large number of our elites are drawn to nearby islands, how can we hold on to this rich land?
Will the Uesugi retainers reason with us? Will the Kanto samurai family not covet our land? It is only right to stay in Kanto before digesting our reward."
The two girls nodded together, they had been convinced by the big pie that Dao Shengmeng had drawn.
If Dao Shengmeng can capture Dahu Territory, they will of course be willing to stay and manage the territory well. It would be nice to go back and visit their old enemies, but it would not be important to have food for themselves.
Seeing that they were obedient, Dao Sheng breathed a sigh of relief. She was tempting them with advantages, but in fact, her inner thoughts were not as simple as she said.
Strictly speaking, the Kanto Shiba Territory only had Toroo Castle, which was given to Shiba Yoshigan by Uesugi Teruhora, and the territory was not large.
It seems that Shima Shengmeng is the leader of the united battle force of the Imperial Palace and the leader of the united battle group of the Kanto Palace. However, at the critical moment, she cannot command anyone.
Within the Kanto Palace, just as Dazang Changan pointed out to Shiba Yiyin, there was a lack of rules and regulations.
Although Dazang Chang'an has been assigned by Sibo Yiyin to start reforming laws and tightening authority, the implementation time is too short and has not yet achieved results.
Shiba Yiyin rushed back to Kogo to put out the fire. The Kanto samurai family was naughty and the situation in Kanto was changeable. It was hard to say whether the semi-finished product of the Kanto Palace could survive until he came back.
Shima Katsuki couldn't just watch the foundation that her master had worked so hard for two years collapse. She wanted to support her master in supporting the Shiba family's overall situation in Kanto.
The Kanto Servants may not be reliable, Uesugi Teruhora may not be reliable, and the Kanto people may not be reliable, but the samurai family of Kanto Shiba Territory must be reliable.
Since ancient times, Kanto and Kansai have looked down on each other. The recent samurai families under Shima Katsuo who followed Shiba Yoshigan to Kanto have alienated relations with the Kanto samurai family.
In order to gain a foothold in a foreign country, the samurai family of Shiba in Kanto must stick together and follow Shiba Yoshigan closely. This is the most reliable foundation of the Shiba family in Kanto.
Dao Shengmeng used huge profits to lure them south to the Dahu Territory and into the Kanto Plain, which was an entry point for the Shiba family to seize the Guanbazhou.
The influence of the Kanto Palace on the Kanto Plain is too weak. Sanada Nobushige occupies a corner of Azuma County, which is just a border area close to the Koshin Mountains. It has little influence outside of Ueno Country.
But Dahu Ling is different. To the west of Dahu City is Amqiao Castle, the central town of Ueno Country.
To the east is Ashikaga Castle, a town on the edge of Shimono Province's Ashio Mountains. Going south along the Ashio Mountains, you can go straight to Sano Territory, the gateway to Shimono.
To the south, from west to east are the Naha Territory, the Kanayama Territory, and the Tatebayashi Territory. These three territories are the boundaries between Ueno Country and Musashi Country.
In the Nabo Territory, Uesugi Teruhora will definitely send his cronies to take charge. The Kaneyama Territory is the largest national territory in Ueno, and the Tatebayashi Territory is in the hands of Nagao, and it is an important town leading to the core area of Kanto.
The success or failure of the Kanto Strategy depends on whether Ueno Kingdom is firmly controlled by Echigo. This is the logistics base for Echigo's army to enter and leave the Kanto Plain.
The Dahu Territory is north of the Three Territories. Once Uesugi Teruhora cannot suppress the situation, Dahu City is the key to preventing the Kanto samurai from counterattacking the Ueno Kingdom.
Dao Shengmeng chose Dahu City, which seemed inconspicuous but was actually a second-tier buffer zone that was superior in all aspects, because he had great ambitions.
With her nailed here, the Kanto Palace can advance and attack, retreat and defend, and have its own influence. It will not lead to the dominance of the Uesugi Teruhora family, and Shiba Yoshigan will not be a deterrent to the Kanto samurai family.
Dao Sheng's eyes flickered, a hint of excitement flashed through her eyes, and she still had a little selfishness.
Ashikaga Yoshiteru was killed in Nijo Castle, the master was single again, and the dispute over the marriage of the Shiba family surfaced again.
If Shima Shengmeng and Shiba Yiyin go back to Japan, what benefit will it bring to the marriage dispute? The one who is closest to the water and the building will get the moon? What a stupid idea.
The marriage between the Wu family relies on strength. If there is no utilization value, there is no possibility of being won over. The same is true for marriage.
Returning to spend a lot of time with your master, what if you even accompany him in bed? The key to deciding to get married is to see what benefits you can bring to the Sibo family.
In recent years, internal strife has been serious, and the forces of all parties have restricted each other, making it difficult to expand the family business. It was also for this reason that the Lord chose to go to Kanto to open up new territories, right?
This time, the lord has no choice but to return to the near future, and the Kanto Palace has lost its backbone. It seems to be full of crises, but in fact it also leaves a huge power vacuum.
Crisis is a crisis, and there is an opportunity in a crisis. There can be no peace in the land of Guanbazhou. The Kanto warrior family has too many thoughts and is definitely not a good person. It would be strange if nothing happens.
The master is not in Kanto. Whoever can become the indispensable mainstay of the Kanto Palace and protect the Kanto territory for the Shiba family can fill the power vacuum left by Yoshigan Shiba.
Whoever can fill this power vacuum will be the Shiba family's most important minister in Kanto, and who will be the right-hand man that Shiba Yiyin must rely on in the future.
The space for display in Guandong is much larger than in recent times. If the Lord does not want to give up the foundation of Guandong, he must win over the most important ministers in Guandong.
Then the value of this important minister in the heart of the lord and the status of the Sibo family will be of great importance, and it is even worth wooing him through marriage.
Dao Shengmeng's face couldn't help but reveal a look of joy, and she gently licked the corner of her mouth with her tongue. But she immediately restrained herself and kept her face solemn.
General Ashikaga died tragically, and the whole world of the samurai family was in danger of overthrow. How could she laugh at this time? How could she be happy? She was a Girihime samurai, and she was passionate just to defend Kanto for her lord.
Right, that is it.
She silently told herself that Shima Shengmeng was going to do something great in Kanto. Only in this way could she get what she wanted.
———
At the Sanada camp, Sanada Nobushige sat on the main seat and shouted.
"Sasuke, I'm thirsty, please bring me some tea."
Sarutobi Sasuke also participated in the mourning ceremony just now and howled so hard that his mouth was dry. Before he could even sit down, he was being treated like a handyman by Sanada Nobushige, and he said unhappily.
"Why should I pour the tea?"
"You're so cowardly, do you think you can talk to the Lord like this?"
"I am a force sent to you by the Imperial Palace, not a servant!"
Sanada Nobushige touched his head.
"It seems to make sense, then please help Master Yuli pour me a cup of tea."
Sasuke Sarutobi was so angry that his fingers trembled and he pointed at the playful Sanada Nobushige who was speechless. Finally, he snorted and went out to pour tea.
At this time, only Sanada Nobushige and Umino Toshiichi remained in the shogunate.
Umino Riichi shook his head and said.
"You will soon be the noble name of Wanshi in Azuma County, the master of one side. You can't always be so dissolute, which will hinder your prestige."
Sanada Nobushige waved his hand and said.
"It's okay, Sasuke is not an outsider.
I'm irritated. If I don't tease her, who else can I tease? Ever since the royal palace promised me the land of Azuma's county, Mochizuki, Nezu and the others have looked at me differently."
Sanada Nobushige sighed and said sincerely to Umino Riichi.
"Now I understand what it means to be cold at high places, and those in power have no selfish feelings. What the hell, I just climbed to ten thousand rocks, and I already have no friends.
Fortunately, Liu Niang, you and Sasuke still treat me as before, allowing me to have a place to breathe."
Hearing Sanada Nobushige's foul language, Umino Riichi frowned slightly and scolded.
"Be decent, your status is different, everyone can know the advance and retreat, this is a good thing.
As for me, good advice is hard on the ears, and it is my duty to say unpleasant things. As for Sarutobi Sasuke, you and she are a little slow, and actually this is not good."
Sanada Nobushige shook his head and said.
"Don't, don't make Sasuke become respectful and submissive, life like this can suffocate me to death, it's good just like this.
Not to mention this, I am upset. The Kanto Strategy has just started, and I want to continue to climb up. A basin of cold water poured down on me.
This Ashikaga General died at an untimely time, didn't he?"
The Sanwu girl Umino Riichi never thought that one day she would be so frightened that she would lose her mind. She rushed up and covered Sanada Nobushige's mouth and nose, wishing to tear out this unobstructed mouth.
She stared at him with cold eyes, squeezing each word out through her teeth.
"Zhen, Tian, Xin, Fan, think before you speak."
Sanada Nobushige trembled like a quail and nodded carefully. Umino Ri glared at her before letting her go, wiping his hands with his sleeve in disgust.
Sanada Nobushige laughed dryly.
"Liu Niang, that's not what I meant."
Umino Li looked at her expressionlessly and said.
"No, you are."
"That. I'm really not..."
"No, you are. You are just happy, you just think you have a chance."
After being ruthlessly exposed by Umino Riichi, Sanada Nobushige simply broke the pot and threw it away.
"That's right! You're right!"
Seeing the shameless and energetic Sanada Nobushige, Umino Riichi sighed helplessly, not wanting to say anything else.
Sighing seems to be contagious, Sanada Nobushige sighed and said.
"The imperial office is going back to Konji. The situation at the Kanto Imperial Office is chaotic. I don't know what to do next."
Umino Riichi said calmly.
"It's nothing more than two love rivals, Yukimori Yamanaka and Takeo Shimakatsu. I don't know how they will deal with the new situation."
Sanada Nobushige laughed while rubbing his head.
"Liu Niang has seen through it all."
Umino Riichi was helpless with this shameless master.
She laughs when scolded, suffers when hit, gives Umino a share of all the benefits, and obeys her words, which makes people moved and helpless at the same time.
Umino Riichi said seriously.
"It's not difficult to guess what they are thinking. Yamanaka Yukisheng will ask to return to Konki, but Shima Katsuki will choose to stay."
When Sanada Nobushige heard this, he immediately became energetic and asked.
"How can I see it?"
Umino Riichi said.
"Yamaka Yukimori is called the deacon of the Kanto Shifu, but he is actually the leader of Yue people under the Yutai people.
The Kanto Servant's Office is located in Shinbada Castle in Shimotsu, Echigo Province, and the Shimotsu clan's territory is also in Shimotsu. They did not show much military merit this time and did not receive much reward.
If we follow the plan step by step and make no surprises, Yamanaka Yukimori will be left in a corner of Shimotsu, waiting for Odaisho to come back and start the Kanto strategy again.
She will not be willing to waste her time and her years."
Sanada Nobushige nodded.
"Yes, you can't run into anything when you're in that corner.
The people at the Guandong Waiting Office don't like to talk to her, they think she is just a lucky minister, mediocre and useless, and they won't think of her when something happens."
Umino Li nodded and said.
"Yamazaka Yukisheng rose to the favor of the Imperial Palace. Favorites cannot stay away from their lord, otherwise they will be marginalized and kicked out of the center of power.
If she is not stupid, she will definitely cling to Yutaisuo's thigh and lead the Yue people to follow her, and she can also take the opportunity to earn more rewards."
Sanada Nobushige thought for a while and said.
"It makes sense. If she wasn't so stupid, she would definitely follow Odaisho. Ahhh! I'm so jealous!"
Umino Ri shouted with a vein popping out of his forehead.
"Shut up!"
Sanada Nobushige quickly covered his mouth and gestured to Umino Riichi to continue, leaving her speechless for a moment.
Umino Riichi sighed and continued.
"But Shima Shengmu is different. The core martial arts families under her command are all from Kingo. They seem to be the losers in the struggle of the Kingo Spur Territory, and they did not come to Kanto out of their own free will."
Sanada Nobushige said in confusion.
"Since it's not voluntary, isn't it okay to go back?"
Umino Riichi sneered.
"How can it be so easy for a defeated dog who has been expelled to go back?
It has been two years since they left Jinji, and most of their family members have immigrated to the Kanto Spur Territory. There are no traces of them in the old hometown of Jinji. How easy is it to go back?
Besides, Shima Shengmeng should also have his own selfish motives."