Yoshihiro was working hard at Peking University, Owari Shiba was guarding the mansion, and Maeda Toshihisa also turned gray with worry.
Toshihisa Maeda is stationed in Okehazama Territory. Today he came to Kisemura Territory to see Maeda Toshiie, who is already the acting official of Shiba, in order to discuss the matter of Imagawa Kamiro.
Okehazama is located in the lower part of Owari, not far from Mikawa Province, and is the front line of the Oda Imagawa collision.
She said to Maeda Toshiie worriedly.
"Imagawa Yoshimoto has entered Okazaki Castle, and Nishi Mikawa Matsudaira Motoyasu has also mobilized to join the Imagawa army.
Although Imagawa Yoshimoto's false claim of 100,000 was outrageous, there was still a force of 25,000.
What should we do now?"
Maeda Toshiie thought blankly and said with memories.
"Matsudaira Motoyasu? Is this Takechiyo?
She was taken as a hostage in Owari, but she got along with His Highness Oda for quite some time.
She followed us around, and I even blocked two punches for her."
It’s now, and you’re still reminiscing about the past? Maeda Toshihisa smiled and said.
"That's great. At least the enemy will allow us to commit seppuku without being hacked to death. We're lucky."
Maeda Toshiie rolled his eyes at her and said.
"I know you are unhappy, but this joke is too cold and not funny at all."
Maeda Rihisa sneered.
"What else can I do besides telling cold jokes? The entire Spur Territory has been developed for less than a year, and you and I only have eight Hime Samurai and fifty Ashigaru.
This Shiba Ashgaru is expensive to raise. If Takata Yonoyō had not provided military supplies, we could only raise twenty of them.
Ever since the two Takada sisters left for Japan, the family has been left devastated, and we don't know how long the military strength of the five-strong army can be maintained.
His Highness Oda was on guard against the Shiba family again, and the Maeda family also had no chance to expand their territory.
During the Northern Expedition to Owari, everyone in the family was hiccupping, but there was no movement at all between our two families.
Mother has already told us, two rebellious girls, not to go back to see her again. She doesn’t have daughters like us.
Now, the Imagawa family is about to fight again, and Okehazama is the first to bear the brunt. Tell me, what else can I do besides telling cold jokes?"
Maeda Toshihisa spread his hands and sighed, he couldn't live this day.
Maeda Toshiie looked at his sister and said.
"I'm going to meet His Highness Oda once."
Maeda Rihisa frowned and said.
"His Majesty Oda won't see you. You came to act as acting governor of Shiba, which made her very angry. It is said that a few days ago, she killed two servants as an excuse to vent her anger. If you go, I may not be able to collect the bodies for you."
Maeda Toshiie shook his head.
"We must go there once. Lord Yiyin's Spur Territory cannot be destroyed in my hands."
Maeda Riku stopped persuading her.
Shiba Yoshigan has quickly become Maeda Toshiie's obsession. Sometimes she feels frightened and doesn't know what's wrong with this girl.
She is said to be sick and has a quick mind. But she is not sick and becomes extremely paranoid as long as she is concerned about Shiba Yiyin.
He sighed again and gave up hope.
The Imagawa family has been dormant for many years, and this time they have brought out all their capital. They have gathered all the strength of the 700,000 stone territory and gathered 15,000 men and horses.
Affiliated lords continued to join along the way and hired miscellaneous soldiers as minions, and the number swelled to 25,000.
Oda Nobunaga initially appointed Owari, but he did not dare to mobilize these newly attached samurai families for fear that they would betray him on the spot and shake his military power.
In this way, Maeda Toshihisa calculated. Excluding the people who supervise Kamiowari's various places, Shimowari can pull out more than 4,000 troops.
Twenty-five thousand versus four thousand, how can we fight this battle?
As soon as the two separated, Maeda Toshiie went to Kiyosu Castle overnight to ask for an audience with Oda Nobunaga, but was blocked outside the castle tower.
The next day, Oda Nobunaga slept soundly all night. He was so energetic that he got up and asked the names of those around him.
"Is Inuchiyo still there?"
"Back to Your Highness, Master Maeda is still waiting outside and has been standing all night."
Oda Nobunaga sneered.
"Ask her to come see me. I'd like to see what else she has to say."
When Maeda Toshiie comes in, he kneels down and bows.
"Your Majesty Oda is well."
Although he stood there all night, Toshiie Maeda was very skilled in martial arts and was able to hold on.
Oda Nobunaga looked at her and smiled.
"Isn't this Mr. Toshiie Maeda, the acting official of the Shiba family? How come you have time to visit my old master?
Could it be that you are not happy in Sporing? Do you want to come back and continue to be my dog?"
Maeda Toshiie looked calm.
"Your Highness Oda has misunderstood. I am here this time to clear up His Highness's heart."
Oda Nobunaga's eyes narrowed and he looked at her mockingly.
"I am like Owari, and no one dares to talk to me like this.
Inuchiyo, you are so brave. Do you really think I won’t do anything to you?
You actually ran away for Yoshigin-kun. I, Oda Nobunaga, am not as good as a man?
You have to remember that I slept with him twice, and you were the one who sent me the message and the person each time."
The humiliation in the tone was so vicious that Maeda Toshiie couldn't help but turn pale and clenched his fingers.
"I didn't expect that Your Highness would become so narrow-minded, which really disappoints the Li family.
Is this still His Highness whom I once truly admired and was willing to serve with my life?"
Oda Nobunaga smiled instead of angry. He stood up and took off his sword from the knife holder on the side.
"Go on. If you can't satisfy me with what you say today, just let Maeda Toshimasa come and collect the body for you."
As he spoke, he held the handle of the knife in his hand.
Maeda Toshiie looked fearless and talked to himself.
"His Royal Highness used to be fearless and move forward indomitably. He was only afraid that without opponents, life would be no longer fun.
He has high ambitions, but he looks far away even when he is in trouble, and he is motivated to be a good person in the world.
But what about now?
However, it only costs more than 500,000 dan, so he is timid and worried about gains and losses, which really makes the Lee family sigh."
Oda Nobunaga squinted his eyes and his expression became solemn.
Ever since she killed her younger sister Oda Nobuyuki, no one in the family dared to talk to her like this.
When Owari got hold of it, he became even more powerful and arrogant. Even his sister Ikeda Tsuneaki was obedient, and no one dared to offend Yan Zhijian.
She also knew that this was not good. But with her wild nature, she liked the feeling of being true to her word and no one disobeying her, so she became addicted to it.
But she is a hero with a strong mind after all. What Toshiie Maeda said today touched her heart.
He said with a calm expression on his face.
"It's only five hundred thousand dan, what a big statement."
Maeda Toshiie looked at her seriously and said.
"There are sixty-six countries in the world, and there are twenty million stones."
Oda Nobunaga felt a fire burning in his heart, and his eyes were directed at Maeda Toshiie.
"What on earth are you going to say."
"I know His Highness Oda is afraid of Lord Yoshiyin, but this should not be done by His Highness Oda whom I know.
The Oda-sama I know will only be happy that there is another hero in the world, and another opponent that can be defeated, instead of being timid and playing tricks behind his back.
Your Highness Oda, Yoshigan-kun will not return to Owari. I knew it when he transferred all the territories you gave to Maeda's interests.
He has the world in his heart, and the Shiba family he wants to revive is not the rural lord of Owari. It is in the nearby Kyoto, where all the samurai families in the world look up to."
Oda Nobunaga became furious and drew his sword and pointed it at Maeda Toshiie.
"You mean I'm not as brave as a man!"
Maeda Toshiie looked at her calmly, ignoring the sharp blade.
"Yes. There are sixty-six countries in the world, but now His Highness Oda only has Owari in his eyes, not the world!
Today is a troubled time, with three good enemies attacking close by and the shogunate in turmoil. This is a good time for heroes and heroines to show off their skills.
Why are you staring at the three thousand stone territory of the Shiba family? If you want it, I will make the decision for Lord Yiyin and give it to you!"
Oda Nobunaga was panting like an ox, but gradually calmed down. He took a deep breath and returned the sword to its sheath.
"Owari Shiba, can you make the decision?"
"able!"
"It seems that Yoshigami-kun really has ambitions for the world, but I am being stingy. I don't need you to give away your territory, so you can do your best and let Owari Shiba help me.
One day, I will stand in a few places and compete with the heroes of the world."
Oda Nobunaga's eyes were burning with fierce wildfire, and he fell silent for a moment before asking.
"does it worth?"
Maeda Toshiie looked at her and answered.
"Maeda Toshiie fell in love with Shiba Yoshigan more than anyone else in the world."