Chapter 1446: Become a human again after you get what you want
Maeda Satoshi returned to her home formation and found Maeda Toshihisa waiting for her.
"Mother, why did you come here so quickly? How are the arrangements for the logistics station going?"
Maeda Riku said worriedly.
"As for the military depot, with Katsuhisa Nizi taking care of the logistics, there won't be any problems.
I originally thought that this time when Tsudo-don came back, he would personally lead the troops into battle. The three good thieves were nothing more than local chickens and dogs. The point of Tsudo-don's war flag was that they would be invincible.
Who would have thought that Jindo Palace would actually promote you to the rank of general of the anti-Three Good Alliance forces? I couldn't feel relieved, so I rushed back early."
Maeda said with a smile.
"Although Nizi Shengjiu is generous in doing things, my mother is still responsible for our own logistics. I am most at ease.
Mother dares to come here in such a hurry, is she worried that I am not doing something right? Don’t worry, Jinduo Temple can trust me, so why do you need to scare yourself?"
Maeda Riku glared at his daughter.
"Don't I still know your temperament?
The arrogance of educated people is so deep in my bones that even I dare to secretly despise them for being uneducated, let alone those noble shogunate officials who failed to achieve anything but failed.
Tsudo-dono promotes you to the position of general this time because he has great expectations for you. If you have the same temper and will fall out with those famous people regardless of your temper, how should Tsudo-dono deal with it?"
Maeda smiled and looked away feeling guilty.
If Hosokawa Fujitaka hadn't rushed out to help today, the result might have been as mother expected, and the two sides would have been in trouble.
Maeda Riku felt so keenly that his daughter did not dare to look at him, and frowned.
"What? Has there been trouble already?"
Maeda Yoshida firmly shook his head and said.
"No, there is no such thing. Jinduodian has entrusted me with important tasks. I should take care of the overall situation. How could I possibly cause trouble with those people?"
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi sent a letter of challenge and invited me to join the battle at Jiubao Temple. I have agreed, and the army will set off in the next few days."
Maeda Toshihisa said in surprise.
"The Mibuchi family is actually willing to give up the location of Iimori Mountain Castle and risk a battle with you at Jiubouji Temple? When did Mibuchi Haru become so courageous?"
Maeda sneered.
"Mibuchi Haru? How could she have such courage?"
Maeda told his mother about today's military meeting. After hearing this, Maeda frowned and shook his head.
"The nobles of the shogunate are really bad, but Hosokawa Fujitaka is still somewhat responsible.
In terms of interests, you cannot suppress them without the prestige of Jinduodian. You must not place your hopes on them in this battle."
Maeda nodded.
"Don't worry, mother, I understand.
Hatakeyama Takamasa originally came to Tsutado-den to show his loyalty, but at this time he had returned to Takaya Castle.
The Hatakeyama family's wealth has been almost destroyed by her a long time ago. Without Tsuta-dono, she doesn't dare to use her last possessions to bet that I will win this battle.
If Jiangcheng lies between the north and south Hanoi, Hatakeyama Takamasa can just use the excuse of enemy troops to block it, so he can delay the battle and wait for the results of the battle at Kuhoji Temple.
With her status as the leader of the shogunate, even if Tsudaden knew that she was using this as an excuse, he would not be able to argue with her. After all, the Shiba family still needs her cooperation and support for all matters related to the shogunate.
As for Haru Mibuchi of Kitakawachi, she couldn't control Fujitaka Hosokawa, let alone the Izumi-Hosokawa family here.
As a retainer of the Mibuchi family, he did not have many key cronies and was not strong enough to control the territory of Kitakawachi. Most of Mibuchi Fujihide's retainers who managed Kitakawachi were dispatched by the Izumi-Hosokawa family.
The internal fighting among the heirs of the Hosokawa and Mibuchi families has left these Hosokawa retainers feeling confused and not knowing who to help.
Although Hosokawa Fujitaka has promised that Hosokawa's retainers will obey my orders, I don't dare to use these swaying Hime warriors."
Maeda Rihisa sighed.
"After all, we still have to rely on our own military strength to fight this battle.
The reinforcements have become the main force, but Hanoi's own martial arts family has just stood aside and watched us fight to the death with the Mihaoshi family. What kind of thing is this?"
Maeda said calmly.
"There is no such thing as a free lunch. We are fighting to the death, so naturally we have to eat the biggest piece of meat.
No matter how opportunistic they are, Hatakeyama Hosokawa Mibuchi, what the samurai family recognizes most is their achievements.
As long as I can win this battle, my position as the general general of the anti-Three Good Alliance forces will be secure, and I will also be able to control the three families.
Even if they are unwilling, the warrior girls in Hanoi will definitely turn their hearts to the Shiba family who can maintain their safety, and there will be no room for anyone to be half-hearted."
Maeda Rihisa sighed.
"In that case, let's fight with our own strength."
Maeda's idea is very clear.
If the Hatakeyama Hosokawa and Mibuchi families are unreliable, then they will not be relied upon to fight this battle. But if this battle is really won by Maeda's power of interests alone, then they will have no right to provoke again in the future.
Military merit is the most important thing for the Wu family, and with the credit of defeating the Miyoshi family governor, Maeda will be able to secure his position as general, and the Shiba family can further integrate the three families into their own military group.
In troubled times, the three samurai groups of Hatakeyama, Hosokawa and Mibuchi want to be protected by the Shiba family, so they will inevitably move closer to the Shiba family and be willing to accept the command of the Shiba family.
This is not something that a few high-level officials are happy with, but the collective will of the three Wu family groups, and no manager or governor can stop it.
This is also one of the reasons why Mibuchi Fujihide is unwilling to let Maeda's interests play a role. She does not want the Shiba family to further control the Mibuchi family because she is from Oda Nobunaga's side.
Not giving Maeda a chance to express his interests, waiting for the anti-Miyoshi momentum from all parties to take shape, and holding on to Iimoriyama Castle until the Miyoshi family quits in the face of difficulties is the best choice for Mibuchi Fujihide.
Unfortunately, this choice was ruined by Hosokawa Fujitaka who suddenly broke in.
———
While the Maeda mother and daughter were discussing the details of the battle in depth, in the Iimoriyama Castle residence, Mibuchi Haru was troubled by the quarrel between his two daughters.
Mibuchi Fujihide said angrily.
"Futaka, I don't understand why you want to speak for that reckless woman Maeda.
There is a saying in the art of war: once it is vigorous, it will be strong, but it will be weakened by the second, and it will be exhausted by the third.
Now the Miyoshi family has re-landed on Nishikonki, sweeping across both Izumi and Hanoi, with great momentum. We should avoid its sharp edge, defend it with a fortified city, and wait until the Miyoshi family's energy has dissipated before fighting again.
However, Maeda's interests defied the art of war and was eager to confront the Miyoshi family. This was fulfilling the Miyoshi family's wishes!
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi came all the way and was eager to have a chance to fight together, but we decided to give her this chance. This is simply nonsense!"
Hosokawa Fujitaka disagreed and said calmly.
"My sister is well versed in the art of war, but unfortunately she doesn't understand politics.
You said that Maeda's interest was strongly in favor of going to war, with the intention of a quick victory. Is this her own intention? Or is it Tsutado-don's intention?"
Just as Mibuchi Fujihide was about to retort, Mibuchi Haru, who had a headache due to the quarrel between her two daughters, signaled her to calm down and asked herself.
"Futaka, you just came over from Tawenyama Castle. What did Tsutaden say to you?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka looked a little weird. She went to Tamonyama Castle this time, and Shiba Yoshigan really didn't talk about anything serious with her. The two of them spent the night having a romantic relationship.
The next day, Hosokawa Fujitaka didn't know how to face Shiba Yoshigan. After that, Akechi Mitsuhide talked with her, and then she came to Iimoriyama Castle to help Maeda's interests.
"No, Tsudo-den didn't say anything."
Mibuchi Fujihide grabbed the conversation and said.
"Look, even Tsutama didn't say anything. What right does Maeda have to yell at us?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka looked at Mibuchi Fujihide and sneered, and seeing Mibuchi Haru being somewhat silent, he said.
"Mother also thinks what I did is inappropriate?"
"This... Fujitaka, you are a little too anxious..."
"Well, I heard a story about the Ming Dynasty a few days ago. It's quite interesting. Can my mother and sister allow me to tell it?"
Mibuchi Fujihide wanted to say something again, but was stopped by Mibuchi Haru.
"Don't be impatient Fujiei, listen to Fujitaka first."
Hosokawa Fujitaka cleared his throat and said.
“In a certain county in the Ming Dynasty, there was a county magistrate who loved his people as his own sons.
One day, the county magistrate was concerned about whether there were clean public toilets available to the people in the county, so he ordered an inspection of public toilets in the entire county the next day.
The county magistrate gave the order, and the subordinate officials naturally did not dare to neglect it. They cleaned all the public toilets in the county overnight, just waiting for the county magistrate to come and inspect.
Therefore, the next day, people in the whole county had no public toilets to go to, and they couldn't bear it anymore, so they had to solve the problem in the green belt on the roadside."
Sanbuchi Haru was surprised and asked.
"How could this happen? Isn't there a public toilet?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka smiled.
"Because the county magistrate has not completed the inspection, all public toilets have to wait for the county magistrate. If the toilets are soiled by the common people, wouldn't it stain the wisdom of the great master Qingtian?"
Mibuchi Haru was a little confused.
"Is this the Ming Dynasty's county magistrate who loves his people like his own son?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka nodded.
"The county magistrate loves the people as his sons, but the officials also need to complete their tasks. This is a rule. The county magistrate can't make it difficult for the officials just because he loves the people like his sons, right?
After all, it is the officials who do the work.
If the county magistrate does not follow the rules and love the people as his own children, and the officials will do nothing but mess with them, even if the county magistrate wants to love the people, he will not be able to love anymore."
Haru Mibuchi finally understood.
"So, everyone is acting according to the rules. If people don't have access to the toilet, is that also a rule?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka smiled slightly.
"The county magistrate abides by the rules, and the officials also abide by the rules, so the people only have one day without going to the toilet. But if everyone doesn't abide by the rules, the county magistrate who loves the people like his own son may not be able to serve as his son.
Even if he is the lord of a county and the blue sky is as clear as water and as bright as a mirror, he cannot do whatever he wants.
Tsuta-den always strictly abides by justice in his work, and the world praises him as a saint of the Wu family. To my family, the Hosokawa Mibuchi family, Tsuta-den is affectionate and has always treated me favorably.
Mother, for your kindness in those days, Tsuta-den repays you with a spring of water. After all, the ownership of Kitakawachi is the favor of Tsuta-den, and the Hosokawa Mibuchi family must recognize it.
Oda Nobunaga withdrew from Settsu Kingdom in embarrassment, and the Miyoshi invasion was in full swing. The shogunate was incompetent, so it had to ask Tsutado-den to take the decision. The Hatakeyama Hosokawa Mibuchi family also begged Tsutado-den to send troops for reinforcements.
These troublesome things were not Tsutado-don's troubles, they were the result of Ashikaga Oda's fighting. But in the end, everyone stood up to Tsutado-don and begged him to take care of this matter.
Now that Tsutado-dono is in charge, it is just asking Maeda to take charge of the military affairs. What right do you have to be dissatisfied, mother?
Have the Hosokawa Mibuchi family received too little favor from the Shiba family? Even if, mother, you are an elder recognized by Tsutado-don and have helped him a little bit, how long has it been since that happened?
Mother, let me say something disrespectful, please don't push yourself too far.
Jinduodian has a noble temperament and repays kindness. This is his personal virtue, but it is not the normal behavior of the Wu family.
It has been five years since Tsutaden restored the Shiba family, and the group of Shiba's retainers has gradually solidified. The retainers are already doing things according to the law.
If you, mother, continue to rely on your status and make many unreasonable demands on Tsutado-don, you will cause trouble for the Hosokawa Mibuchi family.
Tsutaden won't argue with us, but the Shiba retainers will be angry.
Mother, I am not speaking for Maeda’s interests at the military meeting today. I am speaking for ourselves.
The relationship between the Hosokawa Mibuchi family and the Shiba family is getting closer and closer. If everyone does not follow the rules and only pursues selfish interests, it will definitely be in the best interest of the Shiba family.
Obeying the rules is to protect the weak us, not the strong Spo family."
Mibuchi Haru was left speechless by Hosokawa Fujitaka. Looking back on her actions in the past few years, she was really a bit unscrupulous, she said anxiously.
"Futaka is right.
I was indeed impatient, and I was quite demanding. I think Katsuhisa Nizi and Maeda Maeda already had an opinion about me.
However, your story is too absurd."
When Hosokawa Fujitaka saw his mother listening to the advice, he immediately relaxed and started talking nonsense.
"I heard it too.
It is said that there was a poor scholar in the county town at that time who liked to write novels while walking. As a result, the public toilets along the way did not open, so he had to go home full of shit and pee, so he made a note of it.
That scholar spent the whole day talking about doing my shit, but he ended up holding it all in and had no place to let it go."
Haru Mibuchi pointed at Hosokawa Fujitaka and laughed and cursed.
"What are you talking about? It's insulting to politeness. Fujitaka, you seem to have become more cheerful this time you come here."
Hosokawa Fujitaka was stunned, his beloved daughter Mo Ruomu, his mother noticed this?
The grievances I had accumulated over the years disappeared overnight, and I finally took off my shackles and started my life again. Naturally, my face was radiant.
After a one-night romance with Shiba Yoshigan, Hosokawa Fujitaka got what he wanted, but he also felt guilty and no longer had the slightest resentment before.
Through Mitsuhide Akechi, Tsutado-don asked Hosokawa Fujitaka to help Maeda secure the position of general. Hosokawa Fujitaka naturally obliged and rushed to Iimoriyama Castle to help.
Her smart mind turned again, she put aside her personal gains and losses, and sincerely considered the close cooperation between the Shiba Hosokawa family, and how could the Mibuchi mother and daughter be her rivals.
Hosokawa Fujitaka smiled.
"What my mother said is that I have indeed thought through many things.
Tsutado-den is benevolent and righteous, and we cannot be too greedy. The future of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family still depends on the support of Tsutado-den for a long time."
Sanbuchi Haru nodded.
"I know it well."
On the side, Mibuchi Fujihide became increasingly anxious when he saw his mother being persuaded by Hosokawa Fujitaka.
If both the Hosokawa and Mibuchi families were won over by the Shiba family, what value would my bald commander have with Oda Nobunaga?
But now the one who calls the shots in Kitakawa is Mitsubachi Haru. Mibuchi Fujihide is not as eloquent as Hosokawa Fujitaka. He can only watch Haru Mitsuru being persuaded and do nothing.