In Koriyama Castle, the council was laughing and laughing.
This is the city where Nizi Shengjiu lived. With the advancement of the Western Kingdom campaign, the situation is very good. Nizi's old party has begun to look forward to returning home in glory, and they are all excited.
As the family governor, Nizi Shengjiu felt unspeakably uneasy and forced a smile.
After the council meeting, Tatehara Hisatsuna went straight into the inner room and asked to see Nizi Katsuhisa.
Tachihara Hisatsuna was a veteran of the Nizi family and the aunt of Yamanaka Yukimori. She had a high status and spoke without many scruples.
"The governor seems to be a little hesitant about the Western Kingdom strategy and is not very active?"
Nizi Shengjiu asked back.
"How can I see it?"
Tachihara Hisatsuna said bluntly.
"In the committee meeting just now, your attitude was quite perfunctory, which made everyone a little uneasy."
Nizi Shengjiu shook his head and smiled bitterly.
"Return to Izumo and revive Nizi.
I am as passionate about this concept as everyone else, I am just worried about Akechi Mitsuhide’s proposal, which always feels a bit risky.”
Tachihara Hisatsuna said doubtfully.
"Is there anything wrong with Akechi Mitsuhide-sama's proposal?
It only took His Highness Hosokawa Fujitaka more than a month to force the Isshiki family to surrender, enter into a marriage alliance, and conquer the Tango Kingdom almost without any blood.
During this period, Lord Akechi Mitsuhide personally went to Tajima Kingdom and Inaba Kingdom to persuade the famous masters of the two mountains to remain neutral and not dare to act rashly.
The road to Izumo Country has been opened, but Hashiba Hideyoshi of the Oda Army is attacking Mimasaku Country. According to the agreement, it is inconvenient for us, who belong to the Shiba Army, to intervene in Mimasaku Country.
However, the mountains of Boqi Country are steep and difficult to defend, so attacking by force is definitely not the best strategy.
Akechi Mitsuhide suggested that we skip the Hoki Kingdom and directly enter the Izumo Kingdom from the sea to cut off the enemy's retreat. There should be no problem with this strategy.
Tango Kingdom's fleet can ensure that our sea transportation lines are sufficient. Miasaka Kingdom will soon be captured by the Oda Army, Hashiba Hideyoshi-sama, and there will also be flanking assistance from the Oda Army on land.
It may seem risky to skip the Boqi Kingdom and go deep behind enemy lines. In fact, there are two logistical support routes at sea and land, making it very safe.
Furthermore, the weaklings of the Nizi Ten Banners have been shaken. No matter how strong the Maori family is, they cannot be the opponents of the Shiba Oda family. They know how to choose.
The weather, the right location, the right people, and the people are all on our side. The veteran asked boldly, "What are you worried about, Governor?"
Nizi was speechless for a long time.
Tachihara Hisatsuna was not so rude on weekdays. Although she was senior and prestigious, she had always respected Katsuhisa Nizi very much.
But this time, it seemed that the bright prospect of returning to his homeland had gone to Tachihara Hisatsuna's mind, and his tone of advice was quite intense.
Perhaps the old friends behind Tachihara Hisatsuna also had the same thoughts. They had no idea what Nizi Katsuhisa was still worried about and what he was hesitating about.
The Shiba family is at its peak, and the unification of the world is just around the corner. Nizi Shengji has followed the saint for many years and is deeply trusted. This return to the Western Kingdom is unstoppable, so why should we look forward and backward?
Wakasa Bay is not owned by Tsuruga County alone, Tango Kingdom also has a good port.
Akechi Mitsuhide, newly appointed as the guardian of Tango, was willing to organize a fleet to help Nizi's old party skip the Hoki Kingdom and directly return to the Shimane Peninsula and enter the Tsukiyama Tomita Castle. This was an eye-catching strategic attack.
Although the Yamano family that controls both Tajima Inaba countries has been divided into two groups, they are all well-known shogunate families, and naturally they are not willing to fight against the Shiba family, which represents the central shogunate, for the sake of the Mori family.
The Maori family could only set up a defense line in the mountains of Boqi country to block the Sibo family's offensive.
But the Izumo country behind Boqi Kingdom was Nizi's hometown. The local samurai family and Nizi's family were inextricably linked. It was by no means a relationship that could be severed after a few years of Maori family rule.
The foundation of the Nishi family is in Getsyama Tomita Castle, and the Nishi Ten Banners as Tatehara Hisatsuna calls them are the powerful local samurai families who occupy the ten branch cities around the Getsyama Tomita Castle.
The way the Nizi family rules in the Izumo Kingdom is to unite the local people for their own use, and the Nizi ten flags are the representatives of the people.
In the first battle of Tsukiyama Tomita Castle when the Ouchi family invaded Izumo Country, the Niko family's Shingu Party tried their best to stop the Ouchi family.
Seeing that Nizi's family business was stable, Nizi's Ten Banners came to help, repelling the powerful Dauchi family and helping Nizi's family stabilize their hegemony in the Western Kingdom.
But after that, the New Palace Party was massacred in the internal fighting in Nizi's family, and Nizi's family suffered heavy losses.
During the second battle of Tsukiyama Tomita Castle, the Mori family instigated a rebellion against the Nizi Ten Banners, resulting in the rapid destruction of the Nizi family.
And Nizi Shengjiu was the orphan left behind by the massacre of the New Palace Party.
Therefore, the main reason for the collapse of the Nizi family was the family governor’s own mischief.
In this troubled world where everyone is deceived and deceived, if a family at the core of one's own family is slaughtered and their vitality is severely damaged, how can one expect the people in the peripheral countries to fight for their own family?
In the traditional rule of the Wu family, one family is the core foundation of the family business. One's own family may be domineering, but outsiders are even more unreliable.
The Maori family is also a traditional martial arts family. It relies on the loyalty of the people to rise rapidly. Maori Yuan herself is very aware of this weakness, so she said.
If the Maori family loses one battle, they will lose half of their territory, if they fail twice, they will shrink back to Aki Kingdom, and if they fail three times, they will perish.
In order to unite one community and all the people, Maori Yuan left the Maori two rivers system for the Maori family, trying to unite one community and all the people as much as possible instead of weakening one community and all the people.
Perhaps after three generations, this approach will lead to conflicts within the Maori family due to blood estrangement, but at least for now, the internal unity of the Maori family is far better than that of many samurai lords.
The Maori family was able to quickly take over the Izumo country and eliminate the Nizi family, relying on the rebellion of the local samurai family. However, success was a failure, and the Maori family's rule in the Izumo country was therefore very weak.
The power of the Shiba family has already frightened Nizi Shiqi, who once betrayed the Nizi family. It is impossible for them to accompany the Maori family to fight against the central government.
The Nizi family was destroyed, and the old family governor had become loyal to the Maori family and was placed elsewhere.
Nizi Shengjiu was an orphan of the New Palace Party, and Nizi Shiqi betrayed the lineage of the old family governor who massacred the New Palace Party. Careful calculation showed that there was no resentment between the two parties, but rather some local ties and blood ties.
Therefore, as long as Nizi Katsuhisa returns to Izumo Country with the banner of reviving Nizi, she will definitely be supported by the local samurai family in Izumo Country with the support of the Shiba family.
In particular, the city where Nizi's Ten Banners are located is originally the ten branch cities that surround and protect the Tsukiyama Futian Castle. With their support, Nizi Katsuhisa's return to the Tsukiyama Futian Castle will be as stable as Mount Tai.
With the logistic support of Mitsuhide Akechi of Tango Kingdom at sea, and the military support of Hideyoshi of Mimasaku Kingdom as an ally of the Oda family on land, Nizi Katsuhisa can advance and retreat freely.
As the saying goes, how can you lose when flying dragon rides on the face!
Nizi's old party headed by Tatehara Hisatsuna couldn't understand why Nizi Katsuhisa still hesitated with such a huge advantage? What on earth was the governor thinking?
Of course, Nizi Katsuhisa knew how great his family's advantage was. Nizi Juqi almost secretly wrote a letter asking for peace and supported the Nizi family's return to Izumo.
Tango Kingdom was captured by Akechi Mitsuhide, but the two mountain masters of Mayinba did not dare to act rashly. Hashiba Hideyoshi's Oda army swept through Harima, Bizen, Mizusaki Three Kingdoms, and the Maori army of Hoki Kingdom could not sustain the overall situation.
The situation is not only great, it is extremely good, super good!
In fact, Nizi Katsuhisa couldn't tell what was wrong, but when she thought of Akechi Mitsuhide's smiling face, and when she thought of Akechi Mitsuhide's sincere advice, she felt uneasy.
Who is Akechi Mitsuhide? The ruthless strategist who sent General Ashikaga Yoshiteru on his way with a smile, a real poisonous snake.
Nizi Shengjiu's fear of her was almost instinctive.
As long as it is Akechi Mitsuhide's proactive and enthusiastic hospitality, he must think over it again and be cautious.
However, Nizi Katsuhisa couldn't find any loopholes. Faced with Tatehara Hisatsuna's doubts, Nizi Katsuhisa could only remain silent.
The return of Nizi's family to the Western Kingdom was a promise made by the sage to Nizi Katsuhisa nine years ago. It was a strategic plan announced by the sage himself at the Kinki Shiba Council in the New Year this year.
Even if Mitsuhide Akechi had great courage, would she dare to disobey the saint's will?
Cooperating with Nizi Katsuhisa's strategy for the Western Kingdom is the task that the saint placed on Akechi Mitsuhide! If Nizi Katsuhisa's strategy fails, Akechi Mitsuhide will also be held accountable!
No matter how you think about it, there is nothing wrong with Akechi Mitsuhide's suggestion. It's just that Katsuhisa Nizi himself is suspicious. It's no wonder that Tachihara Hisatsuna, who has always been loyal, would become angry because of his old age.
If you don’t take what God has given you, you will be punished by God! If you are not in a good situation and you still have to hesitate, how can the Nizi family be revived!
Tachihara Hisatsuna devoted her whole life to reviving Nizi's family. She was more eager to return to her homeland than Nizi Katsuhisa.
Nizi Shengjiu breathed out a deep breath. She had no choice. Whether it was the kindness of the saint or the expectations of the old party, the situation had pushed her to move forward. She must move forward.
Nizi Shengjiu smiled and said
"Now that everything is ready, let's take action.
Let’s go back, go back to Tsukiyama Tomita Castle, put up the Nizi family’s flag again, and let everyone know that the Nizi family is back!”
Tachihara Hisatsuna's eyes filled with tears and he fell deeply to the ground.
"Hi!"
Nizi Shengjiu looked into the distance, his blood was boiling, his guard was gone, and the suppressed impulse in his heart couldn't help but emerge. The Tsukiyama Tomita Castle in his dream was finally going to return to the embrace of Nizi's family.
Maybe, I really worry too much...
———
Nizi Shengjiu mobilized with all his strength and used all the manpower, material resources and connections he had accumulated over the past nine years.
With the support of the saint, the storm of the Nizi family's return swept across Shanyin in an instant.
From the moment Nizi Katsuhisa set foot in Izumo Country, the local samurai changed sides. Nizi's troops quickly exceeded 6,000, captured Mayama Castle, and then began to march towards Tsukiyama Tomita Castle.
The Maori family's rule in Izumo Province was in turmoil, and they could only concentrate a small number of military forces on the defense of Tsukiyama Tomita Castle. Letters for help were sent to the Aki Province Maori family like snowflakes, and they were waiting for help.
While the situation in San'in was excellent, Hideyoshi Hashiba suffered setbacks in Sanyo.
Hashiba Hideyoshi was appointed as the Lord of Harima by Oda Nobunaga, and was ordered to conquer Sanyo Road and win over the local samurai family in Harima to be used by the Oda family.
Under the persuasion of Kuroda Takataka, the local Kodera family voluntarily gave up Himeji Castle to help Hashiba Hideyoshi gain a foothold.
However, Bessho Choji, who was also a powerful local samurai, was dissatisfied with Hideyoshi Hideyoshi's behavior of getting close to Kodera Kuroda, and started a new round of rebellion.
Hideyoshi Hashiba, who had just captured the country of Meisaku and was preparing to assemble the three countries of Harima, Bizen, and Meisaku to confront the main force of Maori on the front line of Bizen, found himself in trouble again.
In front is the menacing main force of Maori, and behind is Besho Nagaharu's rebellion.
The Bessho family had been operating in Higashi-Harima for many years and was deeply entrenched. The Three Kingdoms samurai family, which Hideyoshi had finally clenched into a fist, was once again on the verge of splitting.
Just when Hashiba Hideyoshi was in a dilemma, not knowing whether to deal with the invasion of the Mori family first or concentrate on suppressing Bessho Choharu, Akechi Mitsuhide came to her Himeji Castle.
Himeji Castle, tea room.
Hashiba Hideyoshi and Akechi Mitsuhide sat across from each other drinking tea, leaving no one around.
Akechi Mitsuhide raised his glass.
"I didn't expect that in just half a year, Hashiba-hime would be promoted by His Highness Oda as the lord of the Harima country. She would sweep through Harima and Bizen, and lead the Three Kingdoms beautifully, and her military fortune would be prosperous. I admire her endlessly."
Hashiba Hideyoshi raised his glass in return.
"Mingzhiji is so complimentary. This is all the favor of the palace. I just did some small things that I could do for the palace.
The lord of the Harima Kingdom, Akechi Ji is trying to kill me, I am just a pawn in the palace.
Besides, you have also become the head of Tango Kingdom, why bother using these false names to shame me."
Akechi Mitsuhide waved his hand and said.
"I'm different from Hashiba-hime. Your king is the result of military exploits. Who wouldn't be convinced?
As for me, I am just trying to show off my rhetoric, not my ability. I am just lucky enough to be favored by the Saint and His Highness Oda.
Not to be compared with you, no."
Hideyoshi Hashiba smiled.
"Akechi-hime is so humble. Who doesn't know that Akechi-hime is in charge of Fushimi Castle and has done the most to connect and communicate with the Shiba and Oda families.
In the Battle of Ishiyama last year, Akechihime took action and persuaded the Nishikinki samurai to reject Mori and besiege Honganji Temple. The Oda army quickly captured Ishiyama and everyone was overjoyed when they arrived at the main hall smoothly.
Your position as the head of Tango Kingdom is also full of merits, who dares to be dissatisfied?"
Akechi Mitsuhide shook his head and sighed.
"I just work hard, running errands for the saint and His Highness Oda.
On the front foot, the saint just asked me to help Nizi Katsuhisa clear the name of Tajima Inaba's two mountains. On the back foot, he asked me to speak for Miyoshi Yoshitsugi and help her get a share of the Shikoku strategy.
I was like the rat in the bellows, caught in a dilemma. Whatever the saint wanted, I had to convince His Highness Oda. If His Highness Oda was not happy, I had to suffer.
Alas, it’s difficult.
In order to help Miyoshi Yoshitsugu board the ship to conquer the Four Kingdoms, His Highness Oda really tried his best to embarrass me. He also asked me to deal with the Hatano family in Tanba Kingdom, and also asked me to go to Tosa Kingdom to negotiate with the Chosogabe family.
Fortunately, Niwa Nagahide-sama is capable and has persuaded Nobuyasu Anzaya of Awaji Country to join the Oda family. Otherwise, believe it or not, His Highness Oda will definitely let me go to Awaji Country again.
I am a life of hard work."
Hideyoshi Hashiba smiled.
"Those who are capable work hard. Not everyone is lucky to be valued by both the saint and the main hall. I don't know how many people below envy you, Akechi Ji."
Akechi Mitsuhide sighed.
"Don't talk about blessings. You and I are both ministers, and we are nothing more than loyal.
I just settled the matter in Tanba Kingdom, sent my old father up the mountain as a pledge, and finally coaxed Hatano Hideharu to go down the mountain to Azuchi Castle to pay homage to His Highness Oda. I believe the meeting between the two parties will be very pleasant.
No, I have to rush to Tosa, Shikoku Island, and have a good talk with the Chosoga family.
Passing through Harima Country, I remembered that your friend is here and came to have a cup of tea. I believe you won’t mind, right?”
Hideyoshi Hashiba laughed.
"Why would you mind? A distinguished guest like you can't even ask for it."
The two toasted each other. The atmosphere in the tea room was harmonious, but their thoughts were wandering separately.
They are all foxes of thousands of years, so naturally they will not believe in any fairy tales.
Hashiba Hideyoshi is in trouble, and Akechi Mitsuhide happens to be here, but his purpose may not be simple.