The originally stable power ranking of the Hosokawa and Mibuchi families has indeed run into trouble.
This matter was brought out by Mitsuhide Akechi in one sentence, and Fujitaka Hosokawa couldn't help but glare at her, which even more exposed his lack of confidence.
Thinking of Akechi Mitsuhide's repeated provocations and Shiba Yoshigan's disgust for him, Hosokawa Fujitaka couldn't help but feel sad.
She has been extremely smart since she was a child and was regarded as the proud daughter of heaven. Who knows the pain and sourness in her heart?
All these troubles stem from the word "love", which is really a bad fate.
Akechi Mitsuhide was not gloating about his misfortune as Hosokawa Fujitaka thought, but instead felt vigilant.
Hosokawa Fujitaka was trapped in love, and it was Akechi Mitsuhide who seduced and entangled him step by step until now, in order to use the dove to occupy the magpie's nest in the future and swallow up the Hosokawa Mibuchi family.
Akechi Mitsuhide knew very well that Hosokawa Fujitaka's ability was far inferior to hers, but Mibuchi Fujihide was far inferior to her. But even if Mibuchi Fujihide's talent was usable, Akechi Mitsuhide would not spend any more effort on others.
Hosokawa Fujitaka and Akechi Mitsuhide were irreconcilable friends back then, and they had a close friendship. Why would Akechi Mitsuhide abandon the near and seek the distant, looking for someone else?
Mitsuhide Akechi could barely accept the introduction of Yoshigoshi Shiba into the arms of Fujitaka Hosokawa. She felt disgusted if she had to be a turtle mother one more time.
In this case, seeing that Hosokawa Fujitaka's position in the Hosokawa-Mibuchi family was threatened by Mibuchi Fujihide, Akechi Mitsuhide certainly wanted to help Hosokawa Fujitaka to gain a firm foothold.
Hosokawa Motonsune didn't know that Mitsuhide Akechi had already started to have ideas about the Hosokawa Mibuchi family. She invited Mitsuhide Akechi over this time because she had her own concerns.
Seeing Mitsuhide Akechi congratulating him politely at this time, although he was a little embarrassed, he still smiled.
"It is a blessing for the Hosokawa Mibuchi family that Mr. Kokata values Fujihide and entrusts him with important responsibilities.
We are valued by the shogunate, so we should devote ourselves to sharing the worries of the shogunate.
I invite Akechi-sama to come here this time because I also want to ask for advice. What does the Odaisho think of the Miyoshi crusade jointly launched by the shogunate and the Oda family?"
Akechi Mitsuhide was thinking about how to help Hosokawa Fujitaka. Hearing Hosokawa Motonsune's temptation, he smiled and answered.
"My master has become a monk and cultivated in Jindo Hall, and it is no longer convenient for the outside world to call him Daigodaisuo.
Regarding matters related to the shogunate, my lord does not want to say too much to attract criticism. However, as an elder of the Genji family, my lord has a natural responsibility towards the shogunate.
Regarding the fact that the shogunate wants to avenge the ancestors and attack the Miyoshi family, the Lord is very pleased to hear that, and the Shiba family must support it."
Hosokawa Motonsune glanced at Mibuchi Haru, both of them had disappointment in their eyes.
Akechi Mitsuhide was very slippery, and was far less kind and easy to deal with than Shiba Yoshigan. She seemed to have said everything, but the Hosokawa Mibuchi family could not get any useful information.
Yoshigan Shiba was also very powerful. Seeing that things in Kyoto could not be done, he retreated in order to advance and became a monk to avoid a direct conflict with Ashikaga Yoshiaki.
Although he gave up his status as a direct descendant of the Genji family in Kawachi, he used the royal white flag of Hachiman Taimu as a token and called himself the elder of the Genji family, which made Ashikaga Yoshiaki suffer a loss.
The direct descendants of the Genji in Kawachi, the elders of the Genji, the pillars of the Wu family, and the generals who conquered the barbarians were originally the four-in-one title of Ashikaga shogun that was promoted step by step.
Now, an elder Genji was forced to be ripped off by Yoshigan Shiba, leaving Ashikaga Yoshiaki to face the embarrassment of missing one of the three.
As for Ashikaga Yoshiaki, it was hard to say anything. Just because she looked too ugly, he secretly plotted to force the handsome widow Yoshigan Shiba out of the Ashikaga family, which triggered Yoshigan Shiba's counterattack.
The martial arts all over the world were happy to see the jokes of her unjust general, so she got the name of the Genji elder of Shiba Yiyin, and all the ladies agreed.
This is also an important reason why Ashikaga Yoshiaki finally decided to cooperate with Oda Nobunaga.
The internal conflicts within the shogunate were fierce, and Ashikaga Yoshiaki was unjust. Only by fighting externally and exporting conflicts could the results of the war be used to re-establish the prestige of her new general.
Akechi Mitsuhide shouted that he supported the shogunate, but he put the name of the Genji elder of Yoshigan Shiba in front of his head. He clearly meant that the Ashikaga family and the Shiba family had no boundaries, so don't involve the Shiba family in any matter.
Hosokawa Motonsune was in a dilemma.
Because of Hosokawa Fujitaka's petty actions, Shiba Yoshigan was very dissatisfied with the Hosokawa Mibuchi family.
Even though in the end, Spo Yiyin reluctantly forgave the two families, the relationship between the two families and the Spo family was no longer what it used to be.
Moreover, now that the Shiba family is staying in Kyoto to negotiate with the shogunate, it is Akechi Mitsuhide, a shady fox, and the special relationship between Mitsuhide Mibuchi and Yoshihiro Shiba cannot be used, making the two families even more passive.
Hosokawa Motonsune thought for a while and said.
"What Akechi-sama said is right. The death of the ancestor was a disaster for the shogunate, and it also caused Tsutado-den to lose his lover.
We and other powerful local factions in the shogunate are united, and the sorrow of Tsutado-den is the sorrow of all of us.
In this Miyoshi expedition, we must put Tsudo-don’s will first, obey Tsudo-don’s orders, and fight to avenge our ancestors.”
Hosokawa Mototsu no longer wants her old face. She knows that both Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga want to take advantage of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family.
But compared to them, Hosokawa Motonsune believed in Shiba Yoshigage's character more.
Even if the Hosokawa Mibuchi family sticks to it, they still have to put it on the brand of a local powerful group and stay under the banner of Shiba Yiyin.
Everyone is a samurai family of the shogunate, and of course the Hosokawa Mibuchi family will contribute to Miyoshi's conquest. However, she followed Tsutado-don's orders one by one, just to find reasons for her future autonomy.
Yu Gong, Yoshigan Shiba is the leader of the local powerful faction. Unless Ashikaga Yoshiaki wants to quarrel with each other, he will not go beyond Yoshigan Shiba and force the Hosokawa Mibuchi family to take action.
In private, the shogunate sent troops to avenge Shiba Yigen's wife, so he had to give Shiba Yigen some face, right?
As long as there is room for negotiation, the Hosokawa-Mibuchi family will have room for maneuver and will not be used as cannon fodder by the shogunate and the Oda family.
Akechi Mitsuhide certainly understands Hosokawa Motonsune's thoughts, and she is also happy to see this.
The Hosokawa Mibuchi family felt external pressure and were willing to take the initiative to move closer to the Shiba family, which was conducive to the unity of local powerful factions.
This is a good thing for the Spo family.
Akechi Mitsuhide said.
"His Royal Highness Hosokawa understands the great righteousness, and I admire you for it.
Just as His Highness said, the powerful local factions are united and have one heart and one mind. I happen to have something here, and I would like to ask the Hosokawa Mibuchi family for help."
Hosokawa Motonsune narrowed his eyes slightly.
"But it doesn't matter."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled slightly and said.
"His Majesty Hatakeyama is resolute and decisive, and his stance is unswerving. His actions are highly praised by my master. Before he retired from his residence and returned to the throne, he once said that His Highness Hatakeyama has management talents that can be put to great use.
I thought, since we are all local powerful factions, why not the three of us jointly submit a letter to beg the public to approve this matter.
After all, it is not a good thing for the position of leader to remain vacant for a long time. His Highness Hatakeyama's family status and reputation are enough to take on this responsibility, and we can help him."
Mitsuhide Akechi counterattacked an army, which made the faces of Hosokawa Mibuchi and the other ladies stiffen. The meaning behind these words was profound.
Hatakeyama Takamasa's stance is firm? More than firm, he is simply a mad dog.
When Yoshihiro Saba was in Beijing, Takamasa Hatakeyama was his strongest supporter. Yoshihiro Saba reciprocated and wanted to support Takamasa Hatakeyama as leader. This is not surprising.
But when Mitsuhide Akechi mentioned the matter in front of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family, the taste changed.
Hatakeyama Takamasa was expelled from Minamikawachi by Yusa Nobuyoshi. As a subordinate, Mibuchi Fujihide not only did not step forward, but even turned around and suppressed Hatakeyama Takamasa in an attempt to calm down the incident.
If Yoshigan Shiba hadn't come back quickly enough, Hatakeyama Takamasa would have suffered much more. How could this mad dog not hold a grudge in his heart?
If Hatakeyama Takamasa becomes the leader of the shogunate, she will most likely make things difficult for Mibuchi Fujihide.
But Akechi Mitsuhide's words have blocked the escape route of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family. Don't you think that the powerful local factions are in the same spirit?
Don't just shout slogans, get some benefits. Help Hatakeyama Takamasa become the shogunate leader, even if it is the stance of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family.
Hosokawa Motonsune frowned in thought.
Once the Hosokawa Mibuchi family expresses its stance, Ashikaga Yoshiaki will most likely agree to Hatakeyama Takamasa's leadership position. After all, the Hatakeyama clan has long been in decline and has no ability to threaten the Ashikaga Shogun family.
There is no problem in giving a false name. Anyway, there are many shabby people in the shogunate who hold empty positions.
However, the three families of Shiba Hosokawa and Mibuchi jointly submitted a letter, plus the nominated Hatakeyama family. This is a signal that the local powerful factions of the shogunate are reuniting and making a comeback. Can Ashikaga Yoshiaki feel comfortable?
Hosokawa Motonsune thought for a moment and laughed at himself.
It is impossible for one family to take advantage of all the benefits in the world. The current predicament of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family is due to their excessive desire to sit on the fence and take advantage. As a result, they have become inhumane both inside and outside.
This time, she decided to stand firm.
Hosokawa Motonsune said solemnly.
"Don't worry, Akechi Mitsuhide, Your Highness Hatakeyama is a member of our local powerful faction. If we don't support her, who else can we support?
I will write the document of the memorial and send it to you for review and stamp. I will present the memorial together and ask for your permission."
Akechi Mitsuhide nodded and said with satisfaction.
"Your Majesty Hosokawa is interested."
Her peripheral vision briefly glanced at Hosokawa Fujitaka next to her, which was also a sign of giving her old friend a hand.
Hosokawa Fujitaka was offended by Shiba Yoshigan, and Mibuchi Fujihide was offended by Hatakeyama Takamasa. On the surface, Hosokawa Fujitaka was more miserable, but in fact he was not.
Yoshigami Shiba is kind and righteous, and treats the situation rather than the person. Hatakeyama Takayama has an extreme temperament, and he will retaliate when things happen.
As the old saying goes, it is better to offend a gentleman than a villain. Mibuchi Fujihide offended Hatakeyama Takamasa so much, how could he live a good life?
As for Hosokawa Fujitaka, who was secretly assisted by Akechi Mitsuhide, he was already on the list of the Project to occupy the magpie's nest. Yoshigan Shiba also knew about it, so naturally he would not argue with her anymore.
The two concubines of Hosokawa Mibuchi seem to be having a hard time, but the inner difference is huge.
Secretly asking Hosokawa Fujitaka to give him a hand, Akechi Mitsuhide remained calm and continued to play with Hosokawa Motoki until he said goodbye and left.
After Akechi Mitsuhide left, Hosokawa Fujitaka and Mibuchi Fujihide looked at each other and then looked away.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki brought up a huge bargaining chip, and Mibuchi Fujihide must make a statement. What the Hosokawa and Mibuchi families do in the end is one thing. She must have Mibuchi Fujihide's attitude of caring about the shogunate.
Now that Fushimi Castle is in hand, it can no longer be spit out. Hosokawa Motonsune and Mibuchi Haruka can also understand Mibuchi Fujihide's statement of support for the general.
But Hosokawa Fujitaka is in trouble. Mibuchi Fujie was originally her eldest sister, but now her strength has greatly increased, and she has the momentum to overpower her.
In both public and private matters, Hosokawa and Fujitaka cannot admit defeat. The Izumi-Hosokawa family must be the helmsman of the Hosokawa-Mibuchi family alliance. This is the bottom line that cannot be questioned.
Although Hosokawa Motonsune and Mibuchi Haru cannot openly take sides, for the sake of the future stability of the two families, they must side with Hosokawa Fujitaka.
All four people present understood this matter.
But I understand that the two families want the benefits of Fushimi Castle, and Mibuchi Fujihide's personal ambitions are also about to move.
The good days of tacit understanding are still to come.
———
No matter how balanced and coordinated the Hosokawa-Mibuchi family is.
Akechi Mitsuhide had just returned to Shiba's residence and learned that Hatakeyama Takamasa and Ninagawa Makoto had been waiting for him for a long time.
She smiled slightly and immediately went to the meeting hall to meet these two pillars of the shogunate.
In the meeting hall, Hatakeyama Takamasa and Ninagawa Makoto were sitting on each side, both looking very bad. When they saw movement outside the door, they both looked at the sliding door.
Akechi Mitsuhide opened the door and walked in, smiling and saluting.
"I don't know, it's really rude for you two to come here."
After the two returned the gift, the three of them sat separately.
After a long moment of silence, Ninagawa Makoyo took the lead and spoke.
"Akechi-sama, does he know today's news from the shogunate?"
Akechi Mitsuhide said.
"I just came back from His Highness Hosokawa Mototsune, and I never heard her mention that there is a council meeting in the shogunate today?"
Ninagawa Makoyo said.
"Today, the public decided to recruit people for discussion at short notice, and not many people participated.
After the passing of the Rakuchu Legal System, His Highness Oda appointed Hideyoshi Hideyoshi, the current acting garrison officer of Kyoto, to assume the post of garrison of Kyoto.
Mr. Gongfang, today I am asking you to serve as the Kyoto garrison nominated by the shogunate."
Akechi Mitsuhide raised an eyebrow. She really didn't expect Ashikaga Yoshiaki to do this. Did the new general really regard her, a Shiba retainer, as one of his own?
She thought for a while and said.
"I am flattered that Mr. Gongfang takes such notice."
Ninagawa pursed her lips and said nothing. Her current situation was not very good.
The whole family of Ise Sakyo was killed, and the famous family that had dominated the shogunate for more than a hundred years lost its roots in the Ise family in Kyoto.
Although the Ninagawa family temporarily took control of the shogunate group and the government office as acting official of the government office, they have not yet seen the benefits and only got a mess.
The shogunate's income managed by the government office is mainly divided into three parts.
The first is the money donated by the local samurai family. The second is the tribute from the shogunate's territory. The third is the merchant tax of the castle town of Kyoto.
Miyoshi went to Luo, completely overturning the showmanship of the shogunate.
After the beginning of spring, the donations from local samurai families were almost zero. Except for the Oda family and other Kamiro samurai families who were willing to take action, other places were waiting and watching.
The Miyoshi family and the Shangluo coalition went to war in Shancheng Country. Although the fighting did not last long, before the war, the Miyoshi family stationed in Shancheng Country and searched for military supplies, causing heavy losses to the shogunate's territory.
The ministers complained endlessly, and as the new leader, Ninagawa himself had no time to comfort them. He still asked for money and food? Stop dreaming!
As for the castle towns in Kyoto, they were the focus of the Miyoshi family's plunder. The townspeople were scattered, business was withering, and this year's commercial tax revenue was probably hopeless.
Today's shogunate's finances are, to put it mildly, a mess, it's simply a nightmare.