"Yoshige Satake wrote a letter to the saint. How do you know the content of the letter so clearly?"
Sarutobi Sasuke rolled his eyes.
"It's an open letter. We sent three groups of messengers, but before anyone left the Kingdom of Hitachi, the contents of the letter had already spread everywhere.
The contents of the letters in the hands of the three messengers are still different. They are sincere in words and desolate in tone. They just ask for a quick death. If you are interested in listening to it, can I read it to you?"
Sanada Nobushige shook his head and said.
"I don't want to listen to that nonsense. The future of the Satake family has been determined by the sage for a long time. Satake Yishige took advantage of Satomi Yoshihara's death to take advantage of the situation. This is to put eye drops on the Kanto Palace."
Umino nodded slightly.
"That's right. It's rare for your Lord to have a good brain and hit the nail on the head."
Sanada Nobunagan smiled slightly drunkenly, and was about to boast a few words, when he suddenly realized the taste.
"What does it mean that it's rare to have a good brain? Liu Niang, please tell me clearly. When did I lose my brain?"
Umino Riichi replied coldly.
"Now."
Sanada Nobushige rolled up his sleeves and was about to get drunk, but Sarutobi Sasuke stopped him.
"Don't make a fuss, don't make a fuss. I have something serious to tell you. The anti-corruption officials in Kinki have sent someone to check the accounts!"
Sanada Nobushige and Umino Riichi's eyes were fixed on Sarutobi Sasuke at the same time, Sanada Nobushige asked solemnly.
"Really? Is the news reliable?"
Sarutobi Sasuke smiled.
"Kirgying Caizang has received an official document from the Tongxin Secretariat requesting the confidentiality team to cooperate. Do you think it's true?"
Sanada Nobushige laughed.
"It's true and it can't be true anymore."
Kirikage Saizo, Sanada Nobushige, and Sarutobi Sasuke are old friends, and she once wanted to bring Sarutobi Sasuke into the Shiba family's intelligence network to help.
But Sarutobi Sasuke secretly obtained information and helped Sanada Nobushige conquer the Nishi Ueno land. Later, he was kicked out of the intelligence system by the angry Kirikage Saizo.
Over the past few years, Kirikage's anger gradually faded away, and Sarutobi Sasuke slowly went back to hiding.
Kirikage Saizo had no choice. The Shiba family was developing too fast in Kanto, and the few Iga clan left to her by Momochi Santao were simply not enough.
Due to a shortage of manpower and an incomplete intelligence network, the rebellion of the Easterners at the beginning of the year was not detected, which almost led to a catastrophe.
Fortunately, the saint didn't care, otherwise Wuying Caizang would have been miserable.
But even if Kirikage Caizang learned from the pain and hoped to expand the confidentiality team, she could not find any reliable helper in Kanto.
There are many ninjas in Kanto, including Uesugi's Xuanyuan ninja, Takeda's Toubami ninja, and the Hojo family's Fuuma ninja, but does Kirikage Saizo dare to believe these outsiders?
The Iga people who only came close to Ki entered were not only small in number, but also unfamiliar with the place. Kirikage Saizo had no choice but to bite the bullet and use Sarutobi Sasuke who took the initiative to lick his face and come closer.
After the bloody battle between Shiba and Oda, the Sanada clan to which Sarutobi Sasuke belonged, most of them already have Shiba's establishment, and can be regarded as their own members of the Shiba family.
Although Sarutobi Sasuke was born in the Koga-ryu and had a bad relationship with Kirikage Saizo's Iga-ryu, both parties were Kansai ninja schools from Kinki.
Compared to the Kanto ninjas like Xuanyuan, Touha, and Fuma, there is still a difference between closeness and distance.
Kirikage Saizo pinched his nose and then used Sarutobi Sasuke's Sanada ninja to supplement his own manpower shortage. Sanada Nobushige also happened to make use of the information from the confidentiality team, and the information was much better than before.
Umino Riichi asked coldly.
"When will the members of the Integrity Group arrive in Kanto? Do they have the mission of the Saint's Royal Order?"
This matter was very important, Sarutobi Sasuke put away his playful smile and answered seriously.
"It is said that they are tripartite inspectors from Shiba Wanzhu Fang, Shiba Zhong Foundation Integrity Committee, and Kanto Shiso Office Integrity Committee, who inspect local accounts on a daily basis.
This title sounds quite bluffing, and it’s unclear whether there is a saint’s imperial order or mission, but the notification document from the Tongxin Secretariat is very serious, requiring the Kanto Secrecy Team to cooperate with the work.
Whether it's intelligence or security, the Kanto Secrecy Team is the first person responsible, so Kirikage Saizo has a headache.
The saint asked her to pay attention to the intelligence in the eastern part of Guanbazhou and the Ou area. The number of people in her hands was no longer enough, and now she had to concentrate on serving the special envoys from the central government.
She actually wants me to follow the inspector and walk around to see if I should accept this mission?"
Umino Riichi's cold face became more solemn and he nodded slightly.
Kirikage Saizo obviously did not realize the importance of this visitor from Kinki, and only regarded it as the bureaucracy of the Doshin Secretariat.
This is not to blame Kirigage Saizo. Although she has outstanding abilities, she only specializes in ninja and does not know anything about economics.
Miyoshi Kiyomi once revealed a small corner of Kanto's economic problems for Sanada Nobushige, which was shocking and touching.
Sanada Nobushige was dormant this year because he discovered the economic problems in Kanto at the Central Secretariat and was waiting for the central government to send someone to investigate.
Although Kirikage Saizo used Sarutobi Sasuke, she actually still had lingering fears about Sanada's past of pretending to serve others for personal gain, so she sent Sarutobi Sasuke to do some marginal affairs.
But by chance, the task arranged by Kirikage Saizo for Sarutobi Sasuke might be the opportunity Sanada Nobuhige was waiting for.
I don’t know who this inspector is, what his background is, and what his personality is. Should I seize this opportunity?
Sanada Nobushige looked uncertain, Sarutobi Sasuke pushed her and asked.
"What do you mean? Do I agree to it?
Don’t hesitate for too long. If I’m too cautious, Wuying Zaizang will become suspicious, and when she reacts, the opportunity will slip away.”
Sanada Nobushige pushed the document away with all his strength. The wine cup on the table couldn't hold it anymore, and it suddenly staggered around. The precious sake scattered all over the tatami mat on the floor.
But at this moment, Sanada Nobushige no longer cared about this, put on his thick clothes and walked straight out.
"Let's go and ask Master Ching Hai what he means."
The three of them went out together, braved the wind and snow, walked through the yard, and arrived at the office in the front yard of the residence.
———
At this time, Miyoshi Chinghai and Miyoshi Isan were immersed in the papers and sorting out the documents.
Sanada Nobushige is a hands-off shopkeeper who doesn't know much about anything other than killing people. However, she is open-minded, dares to delegate power, and relies on three good sisters. The development of the territory has been booming in recent years.
Umino Riichi is a good strategist, but she knows little about territorial governance. Since the arrival of the three good sisters, she has no love for power and has taken the initiative to abdicate in favor of others.
Therefore, it is ridiculous that the internal affairs of the territory of the Sanada community over the years have been handed over to two Kinki nuns with unknown origins.
They are obviously a group of wild monkeys in the mountains who know nothing but killing people. The rules of respect in the family are in chaos. Sasuke Sarutobi and Nobushige Sanada don't use honorifics when speaking at this moment.
But it is because of these crude people who are ignorant and careless that the Sanada leadership is thriving and developing rapidly.
It's like a coal boss filming a TV series. I don't understand it, but I won't interfere, as long as the actress is beautiful.
Sanada Nobushige seemed to be living in confusion, but the speed of the Sanada leader's rise impressed the Kanto samurai family with admiration. He was already considered a prince in the Kanto Palace.
Her identity as the lord of Nishi Ueno has been cleared by the military exploits of Shiba Oda's fierce battle. The Matsushiro Domain, Azuma County, and Minawa Castle under her control also have 60,000 to 70,000 koku, spanning the Shinano Ueno Mountains.
Miyoshi Seikai, the former Miyoshi Masayasu, never imagined that he, the last remaining member of the Miyoshi trio, would have a second spring in the mountains of Kanto.
The skills and experience she learned when she managed Sakai Port and ruled the Settsu territory were indeed overqualified and used to develop a blank slate of Nishi Ueno.
But here there are no constraints from the surrounding martial arts families with ulterior motives, and the Lord is a real person. He delegates power as he is told and does not trust the people he employs.
Such a relaxed environment allowed Miyoshi Chinghai to flex his muscles, dig matsutake mushrooms, plant kapok trees, produce mountain delicacies and kapok fabrics, and lead the people in the mountains to get rid of poverty and become rich, which earned him the respect of Sanada people.
In this year, Miyoshi Kiyomi persuaded Sanada Nobushige to wait and reduce vassals internally and centralize power. This led to a sharp increase in pressure on the southern boss of Nishi Ueno Land, Obata Nobutada of Kunine Castle.
The political structure of Nishi Ueno has always been that Minawa Castle is located in the north and Kokumine Castle is located in the south.
At that time, the Nagano industry was strong and powerful, and the Minawa clan dominated Nishi Ueno. There was little they could do against Kunimine Castle, and they could only fight one faction to win over the other.
But what about now? Guofeng City's appeal in the south is getting worse day by day. The reason is very simple, just one word: poor.
The plains of Ueno Country are mostly in the southeast. Although the land of Western Ueno is not as poor as the Koshishin Mountains, with the output of only a few basins, life in the mountains and valleys is not easy.
Sanada Nobushige was not a miser, he was willing to share the benefits. The Sanada family ate meat, and the Nishi-Ueno samurai family followed suit.
As the Sanada community's economy developed smoothly, the Sanada community became increasingly wealthy.
The Sanada clan is known as the best soldier in the world. Even if they have money in their pockets, others will not dare to force it. The Nishi Ueno samurai family cannot be satisfied with drinking soup, but they dare not steal it. People's hearts gradually surrender to Sanada Nobushige.
A few leaders tried to surrender, and Sanada Nobushige waved his hand to eat meat together. The other samurai became even more itchy and unbearable, and people in the south became impetuous.
No matter how capable Obata Nobuzada is, he is a brave military talent that can be seen all over Kanto. It is not surprising that what the Nishi Ueno samurai family lacks is bravery? What everyone lacks is money and food!
Whoever gives more money can make the people below have enough to eat. This is the sister who takes the lead. This is an eternal truth.
The wealth of the Sanada clan is not a stock, but a wealth that can be continuously created. As long as matsutake mushrooms are still produced in the mountains and kapok grows on the trees, money and food will continue to nourish the land of Nishi Ueno.
In the poor mountains and ravines, food is always more useful than knives. The first Sanada clan was lured down the mountain by Sanada Nobushige's white rice. How could the Nishi Ueno samurai family be an exception?
As the cake of Sanada leader gets bigger and bigger, Nobuzada Obata's confidence is getting weaker day by day. I believe that in the near future, the land of Nishi Ueno will truly belong to the Sanada family.
Miyoshi Seikai and Miyoshi Izo, two rare intellectuals among the Sanada community, were working hard to contribute to the development of the Sanada community, while their bosses were drinking and chatting in the backyard.
In the winter, they had to review the year's internal affairs, finance, and business, and plan for next year's development plan. The two of them were already so busy that their backs ached.
Unexpectedly, in the midst of the busy work, the sliding door of the room was suddenly opened, and a gust of cold wind rolled up the paperwork on the table, causing Miyoshi Kiyomi to have blue veins on his forehead, and he was about to get angry.
When she looked up, she saw her master staring blankly at the white paper in the sky, rubbing his hands in embarrassment.
"Two masters, have I disturbed your work?"
Miyoshi Qinghai felt anger rushing to her forehead, but she could only suppress it with a wry smile.
"If the Lord is willing to come over and take a look at the government affairs, I'd be happy before it's too late.
It just so happens that we have just sorted out this year's financial report, and you can take a look at it and make some points that I have missed."
The corner of Sanada Nobushige's mouth twitched, she didn't know a thing, so she simply looked at Izo Miyoshi, who had a better temper, with a look of help.
Miyoshi Yisan was lowering his head to sort out the scattered documents without even looking at his boss. It can be seen that the boss's lack of control has accumulated so much resentment in the hearts of his subordinates that no honest person can bear it anymore.
Sasuke Sarutobi folded his arms and was watching the show with a smile. Umino turned around and closed the door, squatting down to help Izo Miyoshi sort out the scattered documents.
Miyoshi Qinghai took a deep breath, exhaled it slowly, and slowly suppressed the anger in her heart.
After all, this is my master. Even if she is a mountain monkey who can only cause trouble, she is still my own mountain monkey. I cannot be angry and must keep my integrity.
Then Miyoshi Chinghai forced out a smile and asked.
"Master, come here, what can I do?"
Sanada Nobushige glanced at Sarutobi Sasuke, who was watching the show next to him, and said with a dry smile.
"Sasuke has brought back some important news. I would like to ask Master Chinghai to review the details together."
At this time, Miyoshi Izo and Umino Riichi had sorted out the documents and put them back on the case.
After Miyoshi Izo saluted Sanada Nobunaga, the five of them sat down around the papers and talked about business.
After hearing that Sasuke Sarutobi was coming to Kinki as an envoy, Miyoshi Kiyomi narrowed his eyes slightly and asked thoughtfully.
"It's the twelfth lunar month of winter, and the Hokuriku Road trade port is closed on a routine basis. It won't open until the snow melts in spring. How could the envoy set out eastward at this time?"
Sarutobi Sasuke explained.
"This matter is explained in the notification document. The envoy will set off from the Shibachu Foundation Integrity Corps in Tamon Mountain Castle and take the Tokaido Road to Kanto, so he will not be blocked by the snow-capped mountains of Hokuriku Road."
Miyoshi Qinghai shook his head.
"This is even more wrong.
The envoy was here to inspect the accounts and documents of the Integrity Group under the Kanto Secretariat, and his destination should be the document storage area of the Echigo-Kuni Nao Etsukan Office.
She didn't wait for the snow to melt in spring, and she could comfortably take the Hokuriku Express merchant ship directly to Naoejin. Why should she take the Tokaido Expressway in the coldest month of winter and go around half a circle around Hachishu to bring trouble?"
Sarutobi Sasuke was stopped by the question and said in a squeaky voice.
"This...I don't know about this. The notification document didn't say it. It just asked the Kanto Secrecy Team to be responsible for the security along the way and the supply of intelligence."
Miyoshi Qinghai asked.
"Who signed the document? Lord Kamaojigo? Lord Naomasa Ii? Or was it a decree issued by a saint?"
Sarutobi Sasuke replied.
"The seal belongs to Lord Ii Naomasa, but the notification document is an official document from the Tongxin Secretariat, and Lord Kamaojigo must have seen it.
Although I didn't see the royal decree from the saint, the people who came to inquire about the integrity of the government noted that the identity of the party conducting the joint inspection was confirmed by the saint's personal gift.
Judging from the procedures, I think Naomasa Ii is more proactive."