Hashiba Hideyoshi is actively looking for countermeasures to resolve Shibata Katsuie’s ill will towards him.
She thought that Maeda Toshiie's secret report was at least a neutral attitude, but in fact Maeda Toshiie was already confessing the matter to Shibata Katsuie.
Great Holy Temple City.
Shibata Katsuie looked at Maeda Toshiie in front of him, his face was ashen and his eyes were complicated.
"Li Jia, you and I have known each other for many years, and I ask myself that I am worthy of you. Why did you do this? Do you want to trap me to death?"
Maeda Toshiie bowed slightly.
"Master Shibata has misunderstood. If I really want to put you in a desperate situation, why should I come here and tell you frankly now?
Yes, I did send news to Hideyoshi Hashiba, but I did it all for your consideration."
Shibata Katsuie sneered.
"for me?
You clearly know why I want to deceive the monkey, but you still secretly inform her. Is this just for my consideration?
Li Jia, my life is hanging by a thread now, half of my feet are already in the air, and I may fall into the abyss at any time.
It’s okay if you don’t help me, but you want to stop my plan, whose side are you on?”
Maeda Toshiie's heart was clear, Hashiba Shibata didn't side with anyone, she only sided with Shiba.
Reporting military information to Hashiba Hideyoshi was a risky move. If Shibata Katsuie learned of this later, the long-standing friendship between Maeda Toshiie and Shibata Katsuie would be severed.
Shibata Katsuie is a typical soldier. She hates traitors the most. She doesn't play any tricks of hypocrisy.
Once Maeda Toshiie breaks up with Shibata Katsuie, it will be difficult for her to maintain her good-natured image in the Oda family.
Therefore, Maeda Toshiie must confess and get Shibata Katsuie's understanding, she said.
"Master Shibata, do you think your desperate attempt to survive after the defeat can really fulfill your wishes and ensure that you survive this disaster safely?"
Shibata Katsuie had a cold face.
"The matter has come to this, there is only one chance."
Maeda Toshiie sighed.
"The plan you temporarily arranged in the chaos of defeat has many flaws. Even I can understand your intention at the first time, let alone the always wise palace?
What kind of character does Da Dian have? You and I both know very well that she has always been suspicious by nature, and will always retaliate against her.
Even if the main hall was deceived for a moment in anger and really dealt with Hideyoshi Hashiba severely, when she reacted, she would definitely know that she was being used by you.
She can't bear this tone, you will completely lose her trust, and one day in the future you will be settled by the Queen of Autumn.
Ando Mamoru had an affair with Saito Yoshiryu. The palace clearly had evidence in hand, but it just tolerated Ando Mamoru for several years, waiting to punish him when necessary.
Even if you are lucky enough to succeed this time, will you have to live in fear of being liquidated by the palace day and night?"
Shibata Katsuie remained silent.
If Maeda Toshiie used this rhetoric against Hashiba Hideyoshi, Hashiba Hideyoshi would definitely be fine. That monkey was born to be an excellent politician, so he would not be framed by some inquisitive talk that worries him day and night.
But Shibata Katsuie is different. This leader of the Oda family's military commander faction is still too traditional and too upright.
Framing her colleagues and deceiving her family supervisor, which ruined the family business, was indeed an unbearable stain for a soldier like her.
Maeda Toshiie knew Shibata Katsuie's character very well, so he dared to confess face to face and explain things clearly. This was the best way to communicate with this kind of soldier.
Shibata Katsuie was silent for a long time and said dejectedly.
"I know you're right, but I have no choice."
Maeda Toshiie scoffed.
"Who said you had no choice? Who was alarmist in front of you and planned such a clumsy trick for you that I could see through at a glance?
Victory and defeat are common matters for military strategists. His Highness Uesugi is known as the Dragon of Echigo. Since inheriting the family business, he has never failed in field battles and his military reputation is formidable.
Even the main hall didn't expect His Highness Uesugi to cross the border and make a surprise attack, so why should you blame yourself too much?
Let me say something disrespectful, even if the main palace is on the front line in this battle, she will not be able to do better than you.
You retreated immediately, risking casualties to cross the Tetorikawa River, and gather the remaining troops to defend the Daishoji Castle, so that Uesugi Kenshin's undeclared war did not destroy the Oda family's layout in Hokurikudo.
You have done it before, but you also have merit!"
Shibata Katsuie smiled bitterly.
"Li Jia, you can comfort people, and every word you say speaks to my heart.
It's just that the battlefield is judged by victory or defeat. If you lose, you lose. The main hall may not be willing to listen to my explanation when it is furious.
My life has been rough.
He was a fierce general in the Oda family during his time, and he accompanied his ancestors in the battle against Mikawa and Mino. There were victories and defeats, ups and downs.
After my ancestor passed away, I chose the wrong team again and followed Oda Nobuyuki to rebel and rebel, bearing the tainted original sin.
The main hall has indeed put me in high regard over the years, but I know very well in my heart that I am not her direct descendant. If I make a wrong step, Lin Xiuzhen will be my fate.
I dare not make a mistake, because I am not qualified to make a mistake. This defeat is one of the most serious defeats since the Oda family's external expansion. I really don't dare to bet on the wisdom of the main hall, so let me go.
I'm almost forty years old. If I get fucked off by the main hall this time, I really don't have the confidence to get up and start over again.
Lijia, you have to sympathize with my difficulties."
Maeda Toshiie said with emotion.
"Of course I know how difficult it is for you, sir. You care about your fellow villagers in Paoze, and I will always remember the care you have given me over the years.
That's why I held the Shiba family's crest high in the Tetori River to cut off the situation for you, and then I advised you to pull back from the brink.
The palace hates others deceiving her most, especially a general like you who is in charge of the Hokuriku and controls a country, and must not commit such a taboo of deceiving the emperor.
Making a temporary arrangement and putting all the responsibilities on Hideyoshi Hashiba, it seems that you can avoid punishment, but there are many people in the army who have many eyes, can you really achieve a seamless result?
If you don’t dare to bet on the magnanimity of the main hall, how can you dare to bet that the main hall will not be able to find out the truth afterwards?”
Shibata Katsuie covered his forehead and said dejectedly.
"Maybe you're right, but I'm really confused. I just want to wait for a while."
Maeda Toshiie said solemnly.
"This time I not only sent news to Hashiba Hideyoshi, but also sent letters to Azuchi Castle and Fushimi Castle.
The main hall of Azuchi Castle and Akechi Mitsuhide of Fushimi Castle already knew the true situation on the front line.
The anger of the main hall is reasonable, but it was because the main hall irritated His Highness Uesugi that Uesugi-sama went to war undeclared and launched a surprise attack, resulting in the tragic defeat of Tetori River.
Nowadays, it no longer matters who is right or wrong, the most important thing is that this battle cannot continue.
So I informed Akechi Mitsuhide that I wanted to use the negotiation mechanism of Fushimi Castle to mediate the conflict between the Oda and Uesugi families.
Only by doing this can we help you tide over the difficulties."
Shibata Katsuie frowned.
"I'm a little confused, please ask the Li family to explain in more detail."
Maeda Toshiie said.
"The Oda family's mobilization strength is more than three million koku, and the Uesugi family, together with the Echu Noto forces, can only mobilize one million koku.
If the main hall really wants to break up and start a war, the Uesugi family will not be able to withstand the full attack of the Oda family, and the situation in the Hokuriku war will inevitably turn around.
But this was something Akechi Mitsuhide did not want to see, because the task given by the sage to Akechi Mitsuhide was to coordinate the position of the Oda family through the Fushimi Castle system and jointly conquer the world.
The Uesugi family belongs to the power of the Shiba family in Kanto, and the war between the Oda and Uesugi families is to consume one's own strength to unify the world, and the wise will not take it.
Therefore, Akechi Mitsuhide had the obligation to mediate the conflict in Hokuriku and persuade the main hall to stop.
Because it was the main hall that provoked the trouble this time, although His Highness Uesugi’s counterattack was excessive, the main hall stopped first so that the two sides could negotiate peace."
The more Shibata Katsuie listened, the more confused he became.
"Does the Lee family think that a truce would be good for me?"
Maeda Toshiie sighed.
"Think about it, if the main hall wants to completely convince His Highness Uesugi, it will definitely have to use all the three million koku of the Oda family.
Regardless of whether she comes in person or sends other important ministers, the future of the Hokuriku Road will not be decided by you.
If you want to keep your current position, you must first ensure that you are the number one member of the Oda family in Hokuriku. Only in this way will the main hall not reduce your authority for the sake of stability.
In other words, as long as this war continues, you will be the biggest victim.
The new army has gathered in the Hokuriku to start the war, and they will make military exploits, so where can they find their reward palace? Naturally, it will be taken away from you, the guilty minister!"
Shibata Katsuie suddenly understood.
"You are right. If we mobilize with all our strength, the Great Hall will definitely go to the front line to take command. I, the guilty minister, will have no chance to securely hold the position of power in the Hokuriku."
Maeda Toshiie continued.
"The Oda family cannot mobilize all their strength to start the war, and the Uesugi family must also be careful that they are dazzled by the victory of Tetori River and start fighting again.
I have applied to Akechi Mitsuhide, authorizing me to represent the Fushimi Castle system to urge the Uesugi family to cease fighting and not to use weapons again.
I dispatched an envoy who traveled day and night to Kyoto, and Mitsuhide Akechi's authorization letter should be on his way back by now.
Please Shibata-sama, please hold on in the Daishoji Castle for a few more days. Once the authorization letter arrives, I will immediately go to His Highness Uesugi's camp to force them to stop.
In addition, I will do my best to have all the Uesugi coalition forces withdraw from the entire Kaga country and sell Kaga.
His Highness Uesugi continued the undeclared war and protected Kaga, who was committing such a heinous crime. This matter must be dealt with in a reasonable and reasonable manner so that the Lord can step down with dignity.
Shibata-sama, as long as I can persuade the Uesugi coalition forces to withdraw from Kaga country, your Kaga expedition will only be a small setback and not lost.
The main hall will wait patiently for you to capture the entire territory of Kaga and make your achievements come true."
Shibata Katsuie became energetic and couldn't help but stepped forward to hold Maeda Toshiie's hand and said sincerely.
"If I can get through this disaster safely, I will never forget what the Li family has done for me. You and I are like sisters, and I will share the wealth with you."
Maeda Toshiie smiled and nodded. She seemed to have a deep sisterly love, and she couldn't help but feel ecstatic in her heart.
As early as when Hashiba Hideyoshi was impatient and wanted to retreat, Maeda Toshiie had some idea of Hashiba Hideyoshi's different aspirations.
Today, Shibata Katsuie's fear of Oda Nobunaga far exceeds his respect for him. In a sense, he no longer has the same heart as Oda Nobunaga.
The important ministers of the Oda family would rather get close to Shiba retainers like Maeda Toshiie than be honest with Oda Nobunaga. The future of the Oda family is probably not optimistic.
Having these chips in his hand makes Maeda Toshiie feel warmer.
———
Azuchi Castle, residence hall.
Oda Nobunaga put down the document in his hand, looked at Mitsuhide Akechi, who was rushing from Fushimi Castle, and sneered.
"Are you here to put in a good word for Hideyoshi Shibata? Or are both Shibata and Hideyoshi looking for you as lobbyists? These two idiots, do they really think that I am blind and deaf, that I can't see or hear anything?
There are as many sources of information as there are pairs of eyes, pairs of ears, and mouths in the army. It is not the Oda family's turn to cover up my sight with one hand.
The mountains are high and the emperor is far away, haha, do they think the island country is a celestial dynasty? There is no end to the distance, and the king has no choice but to listen to the nonsense from far away."
Akechi Mitsuhide touched the sweat on his head, shook off the dust from his body, and sighed.
"I negotiated with Takata Harano and Hosokawa Fujitaka about the naval blockade at Sakai Port to ensure that the Mori family's ships cannot transport supplies to Ishiyama.
I had just returned to Fushimi Castle when an urgent letter from Maeda Toshiie-sama of Kaga Province arrived on my desk. Before I could read it carefully, Hashiba Hideyoshi had already come to Fushimi Castle in person to ask for an audience.
Even if His Majesty Oda wanted to complain about me being nosy, he would help me first by giving me a glass of water and a piece of cloth to wipe my face.
I'm innocent, don't get angry at me, Hideyoshi Hashiba is kneeling outside the door right now, you can call her in at any time, hit or scold her, it's up to you."
Seeing Mitsuhide Akechi, a normally elegant diplomat, now acting like a rogue, this contrast made even the angry Oda Nobunaga laugh out loud and curse.
"So you can also play rogue? Come here, give Mr. Akechi some tea and a towel."
Don't hit the smiling person. Akechi Mitsuhide has been busy in order to conquer Settsu Stone Mountain for the Oda army. Oda Nobunaga knows very well how many resources and connections she has mobilized.
The disastrous defeat of Echizen Oda's army at Tetori River had nothing to do with Akechi Mitsuhide. Even if Oda Nobunaga was angry and resentful, he could still distinguish the priorities.
Oda Nobunaga was reluctant to throw away such a useful tool from Akechi Mitsuhide, so there was no need to frown upon her and be alienated from her.
After Mitsuhide Akechi finished wiping his face and drinking tea, Oda Nobunaga tapped the military intelligence bulletin on the table with his finger and asked.
"What do you think about this matter?"
Akechi Mitsuhide complained with a bitter smile.
"What do I think?
You sent people to test Vietnam, China and Noto, but you didn't ask me what I thought. His Highness Uesugi united various companies to counterattack and raid, but you didn't ask me what I thought.
When I see the whole story clearly, the situation in Hokuriku has been corrupted. How do you want me to see it?"
Oda Nobunaga smiled awkwardly.
As thick-skinned as Oda Nobunaga, he was too embarrassed to refute Mitsuhide Akechi, so he could only look at her with a resentful look on her face and keep complaining.
Oda Nobunaga himself gave his face to others for beatings. Now he was really beaten, and the beatings were so severe and harsh that Oda Nobunaga's little heart couldn't stand it. Who can blame him?
Shaking his head, Oda Nobunaga said.
"Then I won't ask you what you think. I'll ask you, if I want to mobilize all my strength and go out to fight Hokuriku in person to teach Uesugi Kenshin a profound lesson, will you support it?"
Oda Nobunaga's eyes were like two sharp knives piercing Akechi Mitsuhide to see how she would answer this time with her eloquent tongue.