Politically, Yi Yin personally checked the quality of the Western Kingdom strategy at the New Year Council, opening the door for Nizi Katsuhisa to ensure that she integrated the resources in the rear.
Militarily, Yoshigan ordered Kinki General Maeda to support his interests, so that the money, food, armaments, and manpower channels for the pro-Swami forces in Kinki could be opened up without hindrance.
Diplomatically, Yoshihiro was pressuring Akechi Mitsuhide to help Nizi Katsuhisa. She was not allowed to abuse the Fushimi Castle system to work for Oda Nobunaga, and she also had to build connections for the Shiba family.
The situation on the Sanin front line is rather special. The Maori family's rule over the Western Kingdom focuses on Sanyang, and their influence on Sanin is relatively weak.
Sanin has five kingdoms, from west to east they are Iwami, Izumo, Haki, Inaba, and Tajima, and further east is Tango Kingdom, which Akechi Mitsuhide is about to conquer.
There is Ginzan in Iwami, which is the first-line territory of Sanin that the Maori family values the most.
Izumo is the hometown of Niko, and it still has a lot of influence. In addition, it is a grain-producing area and an iron ore area. It is the Sanin territory with the greatest war potential. This is also the reason why the Maori family is afraid of the Niko family.
The Three Kingdoms of Boqi, Inaba, and Tajima were all once the territories of mountain masters.
The country of Boqi was taken away by the Nizi family. After the demise of the Nizi family, it was occupied by the Maori family. The local area has many mountains and little land, and the economy is weak, but the terrain is conducive to defense, and it is the Maori family's defense line in Sanin.
Inaba and Tajima are still in the hands of the Yamano clan, but the guardians of the two countries have been separated, and the Yamano clan themselves are not at peace with each other.
Inaba Yamana joined the Mori family, while Tajima Yamana inherited the clan and competed with it.
Unfortunately, the once all-powerful sixth palace and the famous mountain masters who occupied the eleven kingdoms of the Western Kingdom have become a small local force that is struggling to survive.
And farther east from Taima Kingdom, there is Tango Kingdom controlled by the Isshiki family. The same famous family has declined, and is in troubled times.
This is the reason why Yiyin asked Akechi Mitsuhide to fully support Nizi Katsuhisa. Akechi Mitsuhide is the best at dealing with these famous families.
The Akechi family is a branch of the Toki family that protects Mino country. Akechi Mitsuhide himself is of high origin and knows how to deal with upper-class samurai families.
When she was in Kyoto, she easily integrated into the Kyoto samurai circle by recruiting descendants of declining famous families to serve as officials in her territory.
After the rise of the Shiba family, Akechi Mitsuhide became more and more mixed, especially when the Shiba family controlled the Kyoto shogunate and cooperated with the Oda family to establish the Usami castle system, which further consolidated the central power.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki ran away, but he failed to take away the prestige of the Ashikaga Shogun family. Oda Nobunaga could not gain the power of the shogunate, and only the Shiba family could control the shogunate samurai family.
Until now, the Shiba family has not admitted that Ashikaga Yoshiaki ran away on his own. They only emphasized that the general went to the Western Kingdom for hunting and was imprisoned by the Mori family. This was the Nishikari Rebellion.
Therefore, it was the puppet government that the Maori family once again supported Ashikaga Yoshiaki in the Western Kingdom, and it was the Maori family's big conspiracy to establish a separate central government and commit rebellion.
The samurai family of the shogunate all supported the Shiba family's statement, which made the Maori family's political move to support Ashikaga Yoshiaki a bad move and gave the Shiba family a legitimate reason to attack the Maori family.
Whether they are the Isshiki family or the Yamana family, they are both from prominent shogunate families, and they look down on the Maori family who are from local wealthy families.
As long as Akechi Mitsuhide negotiates with all his heart and shows half of his ability to serve Oda Nobunaga, Inaba, Tajima, and Tango on the San'in frontline can declare diplomatic victory without even fighting.
The Hoki Country controlled by the Maori family cannot stop the Shiba family. Behind the Hoki Country is the Izumo Country, the hometown of the Niko family. The Maori Family cannot establish an effective defense line here and will only be attacked from both sides.
Therefore, from the moment when Yiyin began to fully support Nizi Katsuhisa's return to the Western Kingdom in terms of politics, military and diplomacy, the Maori family's weak rule on the Sanin front line had begun to waver.
The only suspense in Sanin is whether the Mori family can hold on to the treasure trove of Iwami Ginzan.
The economic focus of the Maori family lies in Iwami Yinshan and Shimonoseki sea trade.
Once Iwamikuni is lost, what financial strength will the Mori family have to fight against the Shiba family, which represents the central shogunate?
The front line between Izumo Country and Iwami Country must be the Sanin front where the Shiba family and the Mori family compete.
In addition, there was the aggressive General Hideyoshi of the Oda Western Front Army who swept in from Sanyo Road.
The Maori family, which cares about the head but not the body, will definitely have a headache in the face of the Western Kingdom strategy jointly launched by the Shiba and Oda families. Is it the yin of Baoshan or the yang of Baoshan?
———
Western Kinki, Izumi Province.
Hosokawa Fujitaka received Akechi Mitsuhide who came to visit him at his residence, Kishiwada Castle.
The two people sat opposite each other in the inner room, with the paper doors around them tightly closed. The cold wind was biting in the courtyard outside, and the flowers were withered. It was really not worth seeing.
Akechi Mitsuhide warmed his hands in front of the brazier and said with a smile.
"I didn't expect that winter in Kishiwada Castle is really cold."
Hosokawa Fujitaka smiled slightly.
"Why do you think my two mothers like to live in Katsuryuji Castle in the mountain city country for their retirement? It's not because the Kyoto Basin is surrounded by mountains and is warm in winter and cool in summer.
It’s not like the coastline here in Izumi Province. The cold wind in winter blows from the sea, and it’s biting. The elderly really can’t stand it.”
Akechi Mitsuhide rubbed his hands and smiled.
"Then why don't you go to Shengryuji Castle?
In ancient times, colorful clothes were used to entertain relatives, but filial piety should never be let go. If the elderly are willing to delegate power, you must also make a gesture, and don't let outsiders think that you are just doing it.
I heard that your cheap sister has already licked her face and performed her filial piety in front of your two mothers, but she severely compared you to her."
Hosokawa Fujitaka glared at Akechi Mitsuhide and said depressedly.
"You still have the nerve to say that? If you hadn't left all the affairs of Tango Kingdom to me, would I have been so busy?
As for Mibuchi Fujihide...hehe, let her go to the camp as she pleases, I'm also curious about what kind of waves she can stir up."
After these years of hard work, Hosokawa Motonsune and Mibuchi Haru have completely accepted their fate and delegated their powers. Hosokawa Fujitaka succeeded to the throne and Izumi Hosokawa family governor, single-handedly controlled all the power of the Hosokawa-Mibuchi family.
Mibuchi Fujihide and Hosokawa Fujitaka were both born to Mibuchi Haru. It stands to reason that these two sisters had their bones broken and their tendons connected.
It's a pity that there is no family affection before power.
Mibuchi Fujihide defected to Oda Nobunaga and was in the wrong team. Hosokawa Fujitaka relied on Shiba Yoshigan to control the rudder of the Izumi-Hosokawa family. From then on, there was nothing more to do with Mibuchi Fujihide.
Mibufufuji Hidekora has the reputation of being the guardian of Kitakawachi, but her power is being emptied out by Hosokawa Fujitaka. How can she be willing to accept it? But she is no match for Hosokawa Fujitaka, so she can only be forced to accept the reality.
The bottom line for the two mothers of Hosokawa and Mibuchi is that the two sisters cannot kill each other. As long as Mibuchi and Fujihide do not go too far, Hosokawa and Fujitaka will go with her.
Hosokawa Fujitaka knew that Mibuchi Fujihide must have been doing something in Kyoto. Mitsuhide Akechi caught wind of it and reminded him tactfully.
However, Hosokawa Fujitaka did have difficulties. She promised the two mothers not to embarrass Mibuchi Fujihide.
Mibuchi Fujihide can't be solved by some small things. If you want to get rid of it once and for all, you might as well choose to indulge Mibuchi Fujihide, and maybe you will have a good opportunity like Zheng Bo and Duan Yuyan.
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled slightly and said nothing more.
Mibuchi Fujihide was just Oda Nobunaga's dog, while Hosokawa Fujitaka was Shiba Yoshigan's bed partner, and the gap between the two sides would only get wider and wider.
Akechi Mitsuhide reminded him, seeing that Hosokawa Fujitaka knew what he was talking about, he stopped talking nonsense.
Hosokawa Fujitaka grabbed Akechi Mitsuhide and asked.
"You came all the way to my place to blow the sea breeze just to talk about Mibuchi Fujihide?
I heard that Xianru’s convoy has not been packed yet. Does she want to move the entire Ishiyama Honganji Temple to Kii Country? Isn’t she afraid of changes over time?
You are not in Shishan to watch over the Oda Army. If there is a scandal involving the Oda Army robbing property, you, the guarantor, will lose face."
Akechi Mitsuhide sighed.
"The mountain of stone cannot be moved empty. Hundreds of carts of things, gold, silver, silk and satin, Buddhist treasures and treasures are just some of the Master's personal money.
Think about it, Shishan and Sakai Port are one, drink from the same river, and live in the same harbor. Sakai Port makes a lot of money, how can Shishan suffer poverty while holding Jinshan?
It has been fifty years since Honganji Temple moved from Yamashina to Ishiyama, and it has accumulated countless wealth. More than a hundred cars and belongings are nothing.
His Highness Oda is not stupid, nor can he let Master Xianru take away the wealth of Ishiyama. The Oda army has been attacking Ishiyama for more than half a year, and the military expenses, rewards, and pensions are all expected to be paid by Honganji Temple.
Niwa Nagahide had already entered the mountain gate with his disciples, and all the temples, monasteries, and towns were sorting out their belongings, but the amount was too much to count at the moment.
It seems that the little personal money that the Master took away was just a drop in the bucket, so His Highness Oda would watch her packing with a smile instead of jealously thinking about robbing her."
Hosokawa Fujitaka came from a famous family, but he couldn't help but be stunned when he heard this and sighed.
"Hundreds of cars...just for my own money..."
Akechi Mitsuhide shook his head and said.
"In just fifty years at Ishiyama, Honganji Temple has been able to accumulate such a rich fortune. Who knows how much wealth is stored in those thousand-year-old temples.
The leader of the temple is the cancer of the Wu family in the world.
As for the robbery you are worried about, just keep it in your heart, it won't happen.
Before I came, the sage's imperial order had arrived at the front line of Shishan, reiterating its guarantee responsibility to Master Xianru and requiring the Oda Army to protect Master Xianru's safety and property.
I was previously worried that the Oda Army would forget their loyalty after seeing their wealth, and that someone would be swayed by profit, be confused by gold and silver, and rob someone. Then I, the guarantor, would be in great disgrace.
But when the saint's order came to the front line, I felt relieved. The current guarantor was the saint, not me.
If anything happens at this time, it will be a slap in the face of the saint. Even His Highness Oda cannot bear this responsibility, let alone those Oda soldiers who are afraid of being beaten by the saint.
You haven’t seen the grateful face of Master Xian Ru, it’s really touching.”
Hosokawa Fujitaka sighed.
"The Honganji Temple has been run by eleven generations and has worked hard to achieve great success. The Ichiko clan, which was once feared by samurai all over the world, ended up in such a humble state that it could only survive by accepting charity from others.
Hey, it really brings shame to our ancestors."
Akechi Mitsuhide pouted.
"The Yixiang Sect is not without strong bones. Master Xianru's eldest daughter, Jiaoru, refused to surrender. She had already secretly left Shishan despite Master Xianru's stern orders to stop her."
Hosokawa Fujitaka asked in surprise.
"Where did she go? What did she want to do?"
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled.
"Maybe it's Mino, maybe it's Echizen, who knows.
It seems that the Master has surrendered, but there are many followers of the Yixiang Sect in various places who are unwilling to surrender to the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven. They just lack one leader.
The teaching is like the eldest daughter of the Dharma Master, the direct descendant of Honganji Temple. If she dares to climb up and shout...hehe...it would be interesting."
Hosokawa Fujitaka looked at Mitsuhide Akechi sideways and said.
"I thought you were helping His Highness Oda, but I didn't expect that you would also take pleasure in others' misfortunes."
Akechi Mitsuhide sighed.
"I have been extremely benevolent to the Oda family, but things in the world are unpredictable and I am not a god. There will always be times when I cannot help.
The sage has already sent a letter reprimanding me for being overzealous in Oda family affairs, and asking me to put my energy into the Sanin front line to support Nizi Katsuhisa."
Hosokawa Fujitaka narrowed his eyes.
"Nizi Shengjiu? She wants to participate in the Western Kingdom strategy?"
Akechi Mitsuhide nodded.
"Of course it's her, otherwise who could it be? Are there any other warriors in the Shiba family who are more suitable than Katsuhisa Nizi to intervene in the affairs of the Western Kingdom?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka was silent for a while and said.
"You are right, so what? The Kinki Shiba Territory is about to change its acting officer? Who will replace Nizi Katsuhisa? Is it Maeda Yoshida?"
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled.
"Of course it's her, it can't be me."
Hosokawa Fujitaka was a little disappointed.
"Don't you have any chance at all?"
Akechi Mitsuhide was decisive.
"No."
Hosokawa Fujitaka was furious and said helplessly.
"Okay then, let's conquer Tango Kingdom with peace of mind and don't have to think about anything else."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled.
"I'll leave the matters on the battlefield to you. After the New Year's Review, I may need to make a trip to Shanyin.
The Yamana family, as well as the powerful martial arts families in the Sanin area, all need to have a good exchange with each other."
Hosokawa Fujitaka frowned.
"Are you so enthusiastic about Nizi Shengjiu's affairs?"
Akechi Mitsuhide sighed.
"There is nothing I can do, because I am too enthusiastic about the Oda family, and the saint has criticized me a lot.
The Sanin diplomacy to support Nizi Katsuhisa is an imperial order issued by the saint himself. If it is not done well, I am afraid I will be in trouble."
Hosokawa Fujitaka looked at Akechi Mitsuhide suspiciously.
"I don't think you are such a sensible and obedient person. Please don't act recklessly. Nizi Katsuhisa is no better than the Oda family. She is a direct official of the saint and cannot be easily touched."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled slightly and did not comment.
Hosokawa Fujitaka has high political sensitivity and strong intuition.
But she was so concerned about the continuation of her family business that she could not imagine how vicious and vicious Akechi Mitsuhide, a martyr-like lunatic, was willing to do for the sake of Shiba's world.
Naturally, Akechi Mitsuhide would not tell Hosokawa Fujitaka that he just wanted to kill Nizi Katsuhisa, put the blame on others, and lay a huge landmine between the Shiba and Oda families.
So in the face of Hosokawa Fujitaka's warning, Akechi Mitsuhide pretended to be innocent.
"What are you thinking about? If I dare to do that, the saint will have to eat me.
As for you, how are the talks with the envoy you sent to Tango Kingdom going?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka thought about it, Akechi Mitsuhide would not seek death and make the saint furious, so he calmed down and was changed by Akechi Mitsuhide.