Hearing Saito Ryuuki's name, Oda Nobunaga's eyes flashed and he laughed.
"Who is Ryuuki Saito?"
Of course Oda Nobunaga knew who Saito Ryuuki was. Before his death, Saito Yoshiryu sent Saito Ryuuki out of Inabayama Castle for his daughter Yuanfu.
Many people know about this matter.
Oda Nobunaga once had thoughts of hunting him down, but as Higashi Mino was digested by the Oda family, his thoughts faded away.
Saito Yoshiryu's base is in Higashi Mino. East and West Mino have been at odds with each other for a long time, which gave Oda Nobunaga the space to operate separately.
Now that East Mino has been swallowed up by the Oda family, West Mino has long surrendered, and there is no trace of the Saito family in the entire Mino country.
If it were other samurai daimyo, they might still worry about eradicating the roots. But for Oda Nobunaga, who is ambitious in the world, she really doesn't care much about a missing little baby.
But even so, when someone mentioned Saito Ryuuki in front of her, it instinctively aroused her vigilance.
Akechi Mitsuhide seemed not to realize that he had irritated Oda Nobunaga and continued to speak with a smile.
"The daughter of Saito Yoshiryu, she was given a Yuanfu by her mother before she died of illness, and named her Ryuuki."
Oda Nobunaga nodded coldly.
"Oh, it turned out to be the evil seed left behind by the matricide."
Akechi Mitsuhide's righteous way.
"Your Majesty Oda's words are a bit extreme. Saito Yoshiryu killed his mother to seize the throne, which is an unpardonable crime.
But Ryuuki Saito is not only her daughter, but also the grandson of Saito Douzan, the nephew of Nogo-kun, and you are also related by marriage."
Oda Nobunaga sneered and smashed the paper fan on the desk next to him.
"What? You came here today to teach me how to behave?"
Akechi Mitsuhide shook his head and said.
"How dare foreign ministers?
It's just that I think His Highness Oda is a man of merit and has the legacy of Cao Mengde. Even if Hashiba Hideyoshi-sama comes from such a background, he can be used in an eclectic way.
Come to think of it, with your ambition, you won't argue with an ignorant little girl.
Nobo-kun and I are cousins, and I don't want to see her family members cut off and no one honors the Saito family name, so I just say a few words."
Oda Nobunaga rubbed his chin, seeing that Mitsuhide Akechi spoke with emotion and sincerity.
An island country is different from a celestial dynasty.
After the Song and Ming dynasties, the Celestial Empire denounced Cao Cao as a traitor and compared people to Cao Cao, which was insulting.
However, the people of the island country have a very positive evaluation of Cao Cao, and they admire Cao Cao's ability to persevere and rebuild the world.
Akechi Mitsuhide compared Oda Nobunaga to Cao Cao, praising her achievements and alluding to Oda Nobunaga's ambition to conquer the world.
At this point, Oda Nobunaga was a little confused about Akechi Mitsuhide's purpose.
Akechi Mitsuhide tried his best to express his position on Saito Ryuuki and Nokun to express his position as a Saito family member. Is this because he wants to marry Oda Nobunaga?
But she is the representative of the Shiba family stationed in Kyoto by Shiba Yoshigan, and she is also the Kyoto garrison appointed by Ashikaga Yoshiaki just now.
No matter how you look at it, he is a pillar of the shogunate who is valued and trusted by both parties.
Such a person came to him and tried his best to gain relatives. Oda Nobunaga didn't know what she wanted. Is it really just for Saito Ryuuki's future?
Oda Nobunaga asked.
"Nongjun also mentioned your cousin to me and gave me a chance to take care of you.
It's just that Akechi-hime is in the shogunate and deeply trusted by the general. You also have the trust of Tsutama, and you are fully responsible for the Shiba family's affairs in Beijing.
You said, as a highly valued minister like you, what qualifications do I have to take care of you?
It’s just that Mr. Nong is a Taoist man who doesn’t know the truth and talks nonsense.”
When Akechi Mitsuhide saw Oda Nobunaga's probing words, his heart moved and he pretended to sigh on his face.
"It's just looking at the scenery. Only you know the difficulties."
Oda Nobunaga said in surprise.
"Oh, is it so?"
Akechi Mitsuhide saw Oda Nobunaga's expression of disbelief and smiled bitterly.
"Jin Duo-den always puts benevolence and righteousness first, and outsiders may see him as a man of justice, but sometimes... he places too much emphasis on justice.
When Sanhao went to Luo, the general was killed. As the person in charge of the Sibo family in Beijing, I must be responsible for it.
Jinduo Palace has called me back to review the merits and demerits of the past two years. I am helpless. My hard work in everything cannot be compared with your generosity and benevolence. In the end, I will not be able to escape the blame.
What does the catastrophe of the shogunate have to do with me, a minister of the Shiba family? However, the master claimed the crime based on the principles of the samurai family, and I had no choice but to admit it.
After entering the capital, I saw that His Highness Oda was a meritocracy and reformed bad policies. I was very envious that Lord Hashiba Hideyoshi, from such a background, could rise to the top in one step."
Akechi Mitsuhide's words were a bit explicit.
This is a complaint against Yoshihiro Shiba for treating the official affairs of the shogunate as a family matter of the Shiba family, and using this to accuse the retainers, which is suspected of unfair rewards and punishments.
As for Oda Nobunaga, as long as you are capable and valuable, you can become a high-ranking official and sit in a high position, regardless of your background.
This comparison is so infuriating.
When Akechi Mitsuhide expressed her dissatisfaction, it was impossible for Oda Nobunaga to believe her words directly, and he just touched his forehead and said perfunctorily.
"I have known Tsutado-don for a long time. He is kind and kind. Akechi-ji, you are thinking too much. Things may not be as bad as you think."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled bitterly.
"Tsudaden is generous, and I know that my life is safe. But my territory will be reduced, what should the retainers who follow me do?
In recent years, when the Shibo Territory was just established, Tsudo Hall moved to Kanto. The profits from those territories are the result of the hard work of me and my retainers, and they are all our hard work."
When Akechi Mitsuhide said this, Oda Nobunaga somewhat believed it.
Officials in the Ming Dynasty were full of knowledge and knew etiquette, justice and integrity. Even though they had been working as officials for ten years and thousands of miles away, they still sought fame, wealth and wealth.
The martial arts families in this island country value their family business more than their lives, and they have no loyalty at all and are only interested in profit.
It has been more than two years since the Mingzhi family opened up the Sibo Territory in recent years. The master of Sibo Yiyin is just a hands-off shopkeeper who has never taken care of anything.
At this moment, the righteous reduction of the territory is very easy. With the nature of the Wu family, who can be convinced?
It is not difficult to understand that Akechi Mitsuhide had different intentions because of this.
What's more, she also has Nongjun's marriage line and Saito Ryuuki's certificate of investment, which gives her the opportunity to change her family.
Oda Nobunaga didn't know that Mitsuhide Akechi had a martyr's faith in Yoshigan Shiba, and his admirer felt ashamed of himself.
Using the universality of the samurai family to trick Akechi Mitsuhide's thoughts would naturally lead to him falling into Akechi Mitsuhide's trap.
Oda Nobunaga thought for a while and asked.
"The general values you and is willing to appoint you as the garrison of Kyoto. Why don't you ask the general for help?"
Oda Nobunaga believed a little, but the Ashikaga Yoshiaki Council appointed Mitsuhide Akechi as the garrison of Kyoto, which clearly valued Mitsuhide Akechi very much.
Since Akechi Mitsuhide was dissatisfied with Shiba Yoshihide, why didn't he seek help from Ashikaga Yoshiaki? Why should he come to beg for mercy from a foreign lord like himself?
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled.
"The general has a crush on me, but I think you are a better choice."
"oh?"
"The general is no match for you."
Oda Nobunaga glanced at Akechi Mitsuhide and asked.
"So you want to take refuge in me?"
Akechi Mitsuhide looked surprised and asked.
"Why did His Majesty Oda say this?
I'm just here to plead for Saito Ryuuki, please give this child a way out for Nou-kun's sake."
Oda Nobunaga was stunned, and his expression suddenly dropped. Since he had no intention of submitting, why did this bastard say that he had a lot of things but didn't have them? Was he kidding me?
Unexpectedly, Akechi Mitsuhide moved faster, kowtowed to the ground and said.
"The foreign minister is an important minister of the Shiba family and is highly valued by the general. How can he easily switch to a foreign vassal?
I implore His Highness Oda to give Saito Ryuuki a way to survive. Nou-kun and I are cousins, and I really don’t want to see her suffer the pain of losing a blood relative again.
She doesn’t have many relatives left!”
Oda Nobunaga calmed down, looked at Mitsuhide Akechi lying on the ground, and suddenly came to his senses.
If Mitsuhide Akechi leaves for the Shiba family today, her territory in the Shiba family will be gone, and her trust in Ashikaga Yoshiaki's heart will be gone. What else can she do that deserves the attention of Oda Nobunaga?
This guy knows her own value very well. She repeatedly emphasizes that she is doing it for her children and her relatives. She is really cunning.
Oda Nobunaga chuckled and said.
"Ryuuki Saito? I understand.
We are all relatives, and I don’t want to make Mr. Nong cry anymore, so let this matter pass."
Akechi Mitsuhide straightened up and said happily.
"His Majesty Oda is kind, Nou-kun will definitely be very happy."
Oda Nobunaga said.
"By the way, you didn't bring the child?"
Akechi Mitsuhide shook his head and said.
"I am traveling between Kyoto and Konkisbo. It is not convenient for me to take the child with me. I will leave it to my retainers for the time being."
Oda Nobunaga nodded and said.
"I will go back to Mino soon, and I will inform Mr. Nob of your kindness to Saito Ryuuki and Mr. Nob. I believe she will also be very happy that she still has such a relative who is worthy of relying on.
By the way, when it becomes more stable in recent years, I will move the city to Minami Omi and rebuild a new city in Azuchi Village next to Kannonji Castle.
At that time, Mr. Nong will also come with you, so you two siblings will get closer and closer."
Akechi Mitsuhide nodded.
"We definitely need to interact more often, but I'm just afraid of disturbing His Highness Oda, and I'm also worried that Mr. Nobu might be annoying."
Oda Nobunaga laughed and said.
"There is no such thing. Mr. Nong will be very happy, I promise."
The two of them had a good understanding of each other and accepted this close relationship by default.
With this relationship, Oda Nobunaga found a secret door between the Shiba family and the shogunate.
In her opinion, Akechi Mitsuhide was an excellent speculator. He served as a minister of the Shiba family, was loyal to the shogunate, and was married to her. He really lived up to his reputation as a good dancer.
Oda Nobunaga is very confident that his power is expanding day by day, and more and more people will choose to use two boats.
Akechi Mitsuhide is not the first, but she will not be the last. It’s just that she is both responsible and independent, and is a bit shameless.
Akechi Mitsuhide was also very satisfied with this meeting. Oda Nobunaga did not believe her, but was very interested in her value.
Oda Nobunaga valued her value, so why didn't she use Oda Nobunaga's respect to infiltrate into the Oda family?
The female-dominated world is no better than the male-dominated world. Women are far less affectionate than men due to their physiological structure. The status of the husband after the death of the Wu family is also much higher than that in the male-dominated world.
If he can establish a line with Nobun-kun, Akechi Mitsuhide would be interested in using this line to stir things up.
The Oda family has a great cause, and the Owari sect, the Mino sect, the Konka sect, etc. are all over the hill, which is really interesting.
———
After meeting Oda Nobunaga, Akechi Mitsuhide left Kyoto with satisfaction. She felt that she had stepped on the bottom line between Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga.
Yoshihiro Shiba's attitude of staying out of the matter gave Mitsuhide Akechi a little more value in being attracted by both parties.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki believed in her ability and loyalty, and intended to reuse her. Oda Nobunaga seemed to be more interested in the internal affairs of the Shiba family, and saw Akechi Mitsuhide's goodwill as a starting point for intervention.
After Akechi Mitsuhide successfully reached a tacit understanding with both parties, she returned to Konjisbo Territory. She knew very well that she had to be miserable enough.
He had worked so hard in betraying himself in front of Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga. If Shiba Yoshigan only punished him with small punishments and severe punishments, then it would have been two good shows in vain.
Shiba Yiyin did not disappoint her.
Long before Mitsuhide Akechi returned, Yoshigan had communicated privately with important officials such as Nizi Katsuhisa, Yamanaka Yukimori, and Maeda Yoshihiro.
Just waiting for Akechi Mitsuhide to come back, he quickly completed a series of rewards and punishments, without any intention of nagging Mitsuhide Akechi again.
Nizi Shengjiu was praised as the first meritorious deed, and was granted the title of Peking University and Sanqianshi Zhixing. Including her original six-thousand-shih Junshan City Nizijiawaiyang Domain, there were a total of nine-thousand-shi territory.
The new three thousand stones originally belonged to Dao Shengmeng, and Dao Shengmeng was transferred to Guandong Dahu to lead ten thousand stones.
Yamazaka Yukimori was also sealed in Kanto and received five thousand stones from Tomei City.
The 18,000-koku Beidahe Shiba Co., Ltd., owned by Shima Katsume and Yamamanaka Yukimori, was managed by Nizi Katsuhisa.
At this point, Nizi Shengjiu was in charge of Peking University and the territory of 27,000 stones, and his strength increased greatly.
On the other side of the country, in Iga Country, Akechi Mitsuhide's territory was greatly reduced, from 7,000 koku to 3,000 koku.
These four thousand stones were awarded to meritorious ministers.
For his meritorious service, Maeda Yoshitsugi received a 2,000-koku seal and received Iga 12,000-koku. Otani Yoshitsugi received a 1,000-koku seal for his meritorious service and received 6,000-koku from Iga.
The Yagyu-gumi of Sonoki Yagyu assisted Nizi Katsuhisa, and made great achievements in suppressing the Kagoshima region. He was awarded a thousand-koku title, and received two thousand-koku title at Hokuda and Iga.
In addition, the third Taifu of Momochi was awarded a thousand koku for his merits and received Iga's two thousand koku. Fujibayashi Xing was convicted, the Fujibayashi family was deprived of one thousand koku, and Fujibayashi Xing received one thousand koku.
The Takada sisters who were far away in Sakai Port still received two thousand koku in vain and transferred it from Shiba.
After describing the merits, rewards and punishments, Shiba Yiyin promoted Nizi Shengjiu to be the chief family elder, and the prime minister has been in charge of the affairs of Shiba for the past few days.
Maeda Yoshida is still in charge of military affairs, Akechi Mitsuhide is still in charge of negotiations with the shogunate in Kyoto, and Takada Yono continues to be in charge of Konko's business affairs.
However, Nizi Shengjiu has the authority to control the three of them. It is no longer the way in which the four people divided their authority and did their own thing.
This time, Yiyin handed over the highest decision-making power of Kinjisbo to Nizi Katsuhisa.
After completing all the arrangements, he was ready to leave Konki and head to Kanto again to help Uesugi Teruhora, a prodigal woman, clean her buttocks.
At this moment, a letter from Mihaoshi's family slowed him down.
I had originally intended to take another look at Yukino's Yoshiyin before leaving for Kanto, so I summoned the important ministers who had not yet left to discuss the matter.