Therefore, from the moment that Shiba Yoshigan offered generous terms in exchange for Nizi Katsuhisa's safe return, the people who wanted to kill Nizi Katsuhisa became members of the Oda family and the Shiba family.
Only when Katsuhisa Nizi dies in the Western Kingdom will the negotiations between the Saint and the Mori family be interrupted, and the strategy of the Western Kingdom will not be affected and can continue to advance.
Hideyoshi Hashiba shook his head and sighed for the saint, this is called caring and chaos.
If it weren't for the saint's mistake, Hashiba Hideyoshi would not have been able to make up his mind and cooperated with Akechi Mitsuhide to assassinate Nizi Katsuhisa.
The current situation is that the Sage wants to talk, but the Shiba Oda and the two Hime Samurai Orders are unwilling to talk, so the negative impact of Nizi Katsuhisa's untimely death will be minimized.
Because the two retainer groups of Shiba and Oda were happy to see this result, they were willing to put the blame on the Mori family and continue to advance the Western Kingdom strategy.
Therefore, the real murderer does not need to bear too much pressure and can get away with it.
However, Nizi Shengjiu himself also had a way to die.
She had followed the saint for so many years, and the saint was even willing to give up his strategy for the Western Kingdom for her. With such a deep love, why didn't she climb onto the holy couch?
As long as Nizi Shengjiu climbs onto the holy bed and obtains the divine seed, no one will dare to touch her.
If you want to blame, blame her for being too honest, because she strictly adhered to the etiquette of a monarch and a minister, so she died a bad death.
Hideyoshi Hashiba narrowed his eyes and said decisively.
"Kuroda-hime, the ninja sent by Mitsuhide Akechi will be in charge of contacting you.
Remember, I must never let Nizi Shengjiu step into my sphere of influence, and let her die early in the United States."
Kuroda Takagao nodded and stopped talking.
When Hashiba Hideyoshi left this matter to himself, he was using himself as his confidant.
For Takataka Kuroda, there are pros and cons.
The advantage is that Takaka Kuroda comes from behind and can easily sneak into the core decision-making circle of the Hashiba family.
Damn it, after doing such dirty work, Kuroda Takataka will never be able to clean herself up. Hideyoshi Hashiba may one day become afraid of her, and her future is unpredictable.
Although Ushiba Hideyoshi captured the country, Hashiba Hideyoshi, who rebelled in the rear, had very weak control over the country, especially the border area close to the Maori family's sphere of influence, which was like a no-nonsense zone.
The chaos in Tango Kingdom is still uncertain, and it is impossible for Katsuhisa Nizi to retreat from the sea. There are many forces on the front line of Sanin, and the road is bumpy, so the risk of retreat is even greater.
If the Mouri family wants to release them, they must release Nizi Katsuhisa and his accomplices from the United States, and the twilight zone between the Mouri family and Hashiba Hideyoshi is the best place to start.
The Maori family couldn't explain why Nizi Shengjiu was killed here. This dead rat had to be eaten even if he didn't want to eat it.
———
These days, Nizi Shengjiu's mood is as gloomy as ever.
The Nizi army, which was advancing vigorously, was blocked in front of Yueshan Futian Castle. The Maori army defended the city and resisted with the help of the favorable geographical location.
The situation was originally very good, but Nizi Shengjiu fell from heaven to the abyss, but only in a few days.
Terumoto Mori led the main force of the Mori family to suddenly attack. The local samurai family in Izumo country could not stop it. Thousands of troops suddenly dispersed.
Nizi Katsuhisa led his troops into Zhenshan Castle, but was trapped in the isolated city by Mori Terumoto. Because there was no preparation in advance, the city quickly ran out of ammunition and food.
Nizi Katsuhisa was ready to commit seppuku and committed suicide. He only hoped to use his own death in exchange for Nizi's old party who came to Izumo country to leave alive.
These Nizi's old party wandered from the Western Kingdom to Kinki and had been loyal to Nizi Shengjiu for many years. Nizi Shengjiu couldn't bear to have them follow him and destroy the city and people.
Just when Nizi Shengjiu was determined to die, the Maori family outside the city sent a diplomatic nun, Anguo Temple Huiqiong.
According to Huiqiong of Anguoji Temple, the sage decided to make peace with the Maori family in exchange for Nizi Shengjiu's safe return. The Maori family readily accepted it and was willing to let Nizi Shengjiu leave the country.
Although Nizi's old party could leave Izumo Country safely, Nizi Katsuhisa was not happy at all.
Nizi's old party worked hard for more than ten years, and finally waited for a great opportunity to return to the Izumo Kingdom, but it was shattered due to their own strategic mistakes.
The strategy of the Western Kingdom was ruined, and the saint had no choice but to give up the many benefits at his fingertips in order for Nizi Shengjiu to survive.
The feeling of shame and guilt made Nizi Sheng unable to sleep for a long time.
Along the way, the Maori family treated each other with courtesy and sent gifts out of the country. Except for the fact that they were not allowed to bring weapons and horses, they were not treated harshly in terms of food and treatment.
Several hundred members of Nizi's old party were brought to the border of the United States. Huiqiong of Anguo Temple stopped to say goodbye and gave them ten days of dry food.
Freedom and peace did not make Nizi Shengji feel any joy, but made her more and more uneasy, not knowing how to face the saint.
Nizi Katsuhisa was thinking about something on his mind, but his foot accidentally slipped and he almost fell down. Tachihara Hisatsuna, who was standing by him, had quick eyesight and quick hands, and he helped Nizi Katsuhisa.
Seeing Nizi Katsuhisa's pretty face getting increasingly haggard due to insomnia, Tachihara Hisatsuna couldn't bear to say.
"My lord, keep the green hills and don't worry about running out of firewood. As long as you are alive, we will still have a chance. Please take care of yourself."
Nizi Shengjiu smiled bitterly.
"Opportunity? The saint paid a huge price for me and did not hesitate to make peace with the Maori family. The Western Kingdom strategy ended because of me. I don't know how much complaints there should be from His Highness Oda.
Saint... I feel sorry for Saint, how can I have the nerve to go back and see her."
Tachihara Hisatsuna felt uneasy.
If she and Nizi's old party hadn't promoted the situation and forced Nizi Katsuhisa to take the risk of returning to Izumo Country from the sea, resulting in being isolated and helpless, how could Nizi Katsuhisa be in the predicament he is in today?
She gritted her teeth and said.
"I don't blame you for this. If I do, blame me for being old and foolish and taking risks.
Who would have thought that there would be a sudden rebellion in Tango Kingdom, a fire broke out in the backyard on Sanyo Road, and both Shiba and Oda were in trouble at the same time, resulting in our being trapped in Izumo and defeated miserably.
This is God’s will and is not a crime of war. Lord, please do not be discouraged!”
Nizi Shengjiu sighed and murmured.
"Is it really just a coincidence..."
The Shiba family supported from the sea, and the Oda family responded from the land. The strategy of breaking into Izumo should have been a sure thing, but in the end, problems occurred in both directions, and it was better to trap Nizi in a desperate situation.
Nizi Shengjiu also had doubts in his heart.
Akechi Mitsuhide so enthusiastically suggested the Nizi Army's strategic adventure. Did he anticipate today's results?
But what does she want? What good does her failure do to her?
The Shiba family's strategy for conquering the Western Kingdom was a complete failure, Katsuhisa Nizi suffered a bloody misfortune, and Mitsuhide Akechi could not escape the involvement.
Nizi Shengjiu shook her head. She had not been able to eat well or sleep well these days. She was mentally exhausted and her body had reached its limit. She should not overthink.
Let's worry about it later after we go back. It's just... it's just a pity that the saint has a great opportunity to open up the Western Kingdom.
Shiba Yiyin's choice made Nizi Katsuhisa feel a strange feeling in his heart.
The saint gave up the interests of the entire Western Kingdom for himself. I am just a warrior Ji. How could he be so stupid?
Nizi Shengjiu couldn't help but feel a little crazy.
That year, Yamazaka Yukimori was entrusted by Tatehara Hisatsuna and went to Tofukuji Temple to pray for his return to secular life and the revival of the Nizi family.
This silly girl is young and ignorant. If the saint had not come to help her, she would have become the plaything of Hatakeyama Taomasa.
In order to repay the saint, Nizi Katsuhisa and Yamazaka Yukimori followed him to Iga country, willing to help him.
Who would have thought that this would be the beginning of a legend, and it would be the most correct decision that Nizi Katsuhisa has ever made in his life.
The sage persuaded the Iga people to defeat the Miyoshi army in Yamato and Hanoi and other places. The battle was so satisfying that Miyoshi Nagakei, who was determined to seek the shogunate, found his teeth everywhere, ending the Miyoshi family's path to hegemony.
Nizi Katsuhisa originally thought that she would retire with success, but it was Yamanaka Yukimori, a silly girl, who dared to drink and lose her moral integrity at the celebration banquet of Koriyama Castle and give the saint to...
At this moment, Nizi Shengjiu was still feeling complicated when thinking about the events of that night.
In order to atone for Yamazaka Yukimori's sins, Nizi Katsuhisa sold Nizi's family to the saint and worked wholeheartedly for the Shiba family in order to ask the saint to forgive Yamazaka Yukimori's animal-like behavior.
It was also for the sake of Yamanaka Yukimori, a little idiot who loved his sisters. Nizi Katsuhisa had just ignited his worship and admiration for the saint, but he silently suppressed it in his heart and was willing to play a supporting role.
From then on, she became a loyal minister of the Shiba family and the most trustworthy retainer of the saint in Kinki.
Yamazaka Yukimori finally climbed onto the holy couch, and Nizi Shengji silently blessed her. But Nizi Shengjiu had not gotten married in these years.
Nizi Shengjiu calls herself a pure minister, but whether she has any feelings for the saint hidden in her heart is a question she doesn't want to think about or face.
Rumors once spread in Kinki that the unmarried ministers of Shiba had evil intentions towards their lord.
Maeda Yoshida, Akechi Mitsuhide, Yamanaka Yukimori, Shima Katsuruo, etc., they all got angry after being exposed, but Nizi Katsuki was as stable as a mountain, and his expression remained unchanged.
Because Nizi Shengjiu knew that he would not rob the man in the mountain, and there was only a pure monarch-subject relationship between himself and the saint.
Nizi Shengjiu showed his loyalty to the saint, and the saint entrusted Nizi Shengjiu with important responsibilities. The relationship between the two should have been such a simple one.
The monarch and his ministers work together to complete this life and leave a perfect story of loyalty to future generations.
But...
Nizi Katsuhisa shook his head, used Tachihara Hisatsuna's arm to straighten his body, and looked into the distance.
He is actually willing to give up the entire Western Kingdom for me. His kindness is overwhelming, so how should I repay him?
The trace of affection that Nizi Shengjiu thought he had extinguished long ago seems to be taking root.
The saint's love was like a pot of boiling oil poured on the fire in his heart, which made Nizi Shengjiu feel a faint pain in his heart.
The attack on the Western Kingdom was defeated, and Nizi's family's greatest ambition was deprived. Nizi Shengjiu really didn't know that he still had the face to go back to see the saint.
When he was depressed, Nizi Shengjiu even had the slightest thought of giving up on himself.
It would be fine if he died in the Western Kingdom. As long as he died, the Maori family would not be able to fulfill the agreement, then the saint would no longer have to be in trouble, and the Shiba family's strategy for the Western Kingdom could continue to advance.
Perhaps, only by dying here can I repay the saint's kindness and be worthy of the emotion hidden in my heart.
In a daze, Nizi Shengjiu looked into the distance. The autumn wind in the distance slightly blew the branches, and the gaps between the branches and leaves revealed a trace of metal-edged reflection in the sunlight.
Nizi Katsuhisa's pupils shrank, and he subconsciously pushed Tatehara Hisatsuna away. He lowered his body and tried to dodge the arrow. However, the body and mind tortured day and night had already become numb, and he was too slow to dodge the arrow that penetrated his chest.
An arrow pierced the heart. Nizi Shengjiu stared blankly at the arrow feathers on his chest, with a wry smile on his face as if relieved, his knees slipped and he fell to the ground.
Tachihara Hisatsuna's eyes were red after he was pushed away. He stepped forward and hugged Nizi Katsuhisa. With his back to the woods, he protected Nizi Katsuhisa with his body and shouted.
"There are assassins! Protect the Lord!"
The Nizi old party around them became commotion, and the Ji warriors rushed to the archery point in the woods.
Although the Maori family sent them out of the country as gifts and gave them dry food, they did not give them weapons. They could only wave their fists to look for the assassins.
After the assassin succeeded, he disappeared among the branches immediately, and no trace could be found again.
Tachihara Hisatsuna also wanted to get up and chase the assassin, but was firmly caught by Nizi Katsuhisa.
Nizi Katsuhisa's heart was pierced. She felt sober as never before. She had last words that she had to convey to Tatehara Hisatsuna and to the core retainers of Nizi's old party who had gathered together.
The collapsed heart could no longer supply blood, the brain was gradually deprived of oxygen, and breathing was difficult. Nizi Katsuhisa's organs were bleeding, and her vitality was rapidly leaving her body and escaping.
At this moment, Nizi Shengjiu had forgotten about the great cause of rejuvenation of Nizi's family. A heavy burden was lifted, and he felt relaxed as never before.
Her vision gradually became blurred, and the vision ahead gradually became blurry and blurred, depicting the appearance of a saint.
He..I..We..
It was only at this moment that Nizi Shengjiu, who had given up everything, dared to think about it and truly face the emotion in his heart.
I... love... him... It turns out... I have always loved him... I love him very much...
Nizi Shengjiu, whose vision was becoming increasingly blurry, felt something pouring out of her eyes and flowing down her cheeks. She didn't know whether she was crying or bleeding.
She grabbed Tachihara Hisatsuna's arm tightly and wanted to say another word, but every word she vomited turned into coughing and blood.
Nizi Shengjiu's eyes widened. She could no longer clearly see the appearance of the retainers in front of her, but she tried her best to pronounce every word clearly.
"Inherited from the mountain...I...everything..."
After saying these words, Nizi Shengjiu seemed to let go of her worries, her hands relaxed, and with the love she had never expressed before, she closed her eyes and left this troubled world.
There seemed to be a relieved smile on her lips, as if she was blessing someone.
Yamanaka, please take my share and love him well, be loyal to him, have children for him, and do things for him that I can no longer do.
Please, my sister. Farewell, my saint.
Summer passes and autumn comes. At the turn of summer and autumn, on the border of Izumo Misaku of the Western Kingdom, Nizi Katsuhisa was assassinated and died.
The death of this Conglong minister, former Acting Governor of Kinki Shiba, and general of the Western Kingdom of the Shiba family was like the first breeze created by the fluttering wings of a butterfly, which was about to set off a huge political storm.
As the largest force in the Shiba family and the supreme leader of a party in Nizi Mountain, the unexpected death of Nizi Katsuhisa has a far-reaching impact.
The future of the Nizi family, the Shiba family, and even the entire Wu family has undergone profound changes at this moment, and history is about to enter a new stage.