Chapter 1926 Yushiba Ikeda’s lips are dead and his teeth are cold
Hideyoshi Hashiba was pressed for time, as the army was still waiting at the border.
She must defeat Mitsuhide Akechi before the saint in Kanto gets the news and returns to Kinki, and obtains the right to avenge Oda Nobunaga, so as to lead the post-war power change of the Oda family.
The support of Ikeda Tsuneaki is very important to her. Only when Settsu Country becomes her rear area and logistics support base can she march into Shangluo with all her strength and kill Akechi Mitsuhide as soon as possible.
At this time, hearing Hashiba Hideyoshi mention Oda Nobunaga, Ikeda Tsuneaki's eye circles suddenly turned red.
Ikeda Tsuneki's mother was Oda Nobunaga's wet nurse. The two were wet sisters who were raised by the same mother. Their relationship was far closer than others.
Regardless of how big a blow the death of Oda Nobunaga had to Ikeda Tsuneaki's foothold in Settsu Country, just talking about feelings, Ikeda Tsuneaki was also one of the Oda retainers who was most eager to avenge Oda Nobunaga.
But even though his mood was stirred by Hideyoshi Hashiba, Tsuneaki Ikeda was still wary.
It had only been four or five days since Oda Nobunaga was killed, and Settsu Country had just received the news. How come Hideyoshi Hideyoshi's army had reached the border of Harima Settsu?
Shouldn't Hashiba Hideyoshi be competing with the Mori family in China at this time, and the fight is inseparable? How could she return to Kinki so quickly?
With a trace of doubt and concern in his heart, Ikeda Hengxing said cautiously.
"I am very moved by Hashiba-hime's loyalty to the main hall, but the current situation in Kyoto is unclear, and it is definitely not the best idea to march rashly.
I have already sent someone to report to the Shikoku Army, it is better to wait for His Majesty Kitahata and Lord Niwa to come back and we can march towards Kyoto together, which will be more reliable."
Ikeda Tsuneki didn't care about Kitahata Shinbao, the good-for-nothing who was always causing trouble. What she was actually waiting for was Niwa Nagahide.
When it comes to loyalty to Oda Nobunaga, Niwa Nagahide is by no means inferior to Ikeda Tsuneki.
The commander of the Shikoku Army was nominally Kitahata Shinbo, but in fact Oda Nobunaga handed over the leadership to Niwa Nagahide who assisted Kitahata Shinbo.
According to Ikeda Tsuneaki, waiting for Niwa Nagahide to come back to take charge of the overall situation is the most appropriate choice.
After hearing this, Hideyoshi Hashiba remained calm on his face, but secretly anxious in his heart.
Niwa Nagahide has the air of an elder and is highly respected in the Oda family. When she comes back to take charge of the overall situation, what chance will he have?
Furthermore, if time delays for a long time, Shibata Katsuie of Hokuriku will also react.
Shibata Katsuie is a second-generation veteran of the Oda family, and Koji Fuwa is a big boss in Nishi Mino. Once they organize their legions to go south, the Oda retainers in Owari, Mino Omi and other places will inevitably respond.
By that time, Hashiba Hideyoshi would have no say in the military at all, let alone lead the change of power in the Oda family by relying on post-war military achievements.
Seeing Ikeda Tsuneaki politely rejecting his proposal, Hashiba Hideyoshi didn't say anything, just lowered his head and covered his face and cried. He burst into tears for a while, leaving Ikeda Tsuneaki at a loss.
"Hashiba-hime, why is this?"
Hideyoshi Hashiba shed tears and cried.
"When I heard that the Great Hall was killed, I was heartbroken in the Western Kingdom. Without the cultivation of the Great Hall, how could I, an unknown servant who was born as a servant, be as wealthy as I am today?
In order to avenge the main hall, I humiliated Maori, signed an armistice treaty with Maori even though I had the advantage, and gave up the easy-to-get preparation for China. Only then can I lead the army back to Kinki quickly.
Akechi Mitsuhide is ruthless and vicious, and always does things thoughtfully. I'm just afraid that if I delay for too long, she will really escape.
After all, she is a retainer of Shiba, a descendant of the saint... If she can escape the blame like this, how can I have the face to face the tragic death in the palace?
I would rather risk sending troops to have a showdown with Akechi Mitsuhide and die by her sword than sit back and watch this poisonous snake succeed!
Since Ikeda-hime has no intention of making things convenient for me, then I will go alone! Even if I am the only one left, I will go to Kyoto to avenge the palace!
Great Hall! Please wait for me for a while. If I can't avenge you, I will follow you underground and continue to serve you!"
Hashiba Hideyoshi's words deeply touched Ikeda Tsuneaki's heart, but they were indeed Hashiba Hideyoshi's sincerity.
The existence of Oda Nobunaga was the glass ceiling above Hashiba Hideyoshi's head. The obstacle that restricted her from continuing to grow in power had to be broken.
However, Oda Nobunaga is really her noble man. Without Oda Nobunaga, there would be no Hashiba Hideyoshi today!
Oda Nobunaga died, the ceiling was broken, but the big umbrella that could protect Hideyoshi from the wind and rain was gone. From then on, she had to face the difficulties and ups and downs of the future alone.
The future was uncertain, whether it was good or bad, and Hashiba Hideyoshi actually had no idea. Speaking of Oda Nobunaga at this time, he also had mixed feelings and sincere emotions.
Tsuneaki Ikeda felt melancholy in his heart, and was immediately touched by Hashiba Hideyoshi's cry.
Oda Nobunaga was a nobleman of Hashiba Hideyoshi, who was also a nobleman of Ikeda Tsuneki.
Without the sisterly relationship with Oda Nobunaga, how could Ikeda Tsuneaki climb to the position of guardian of Settsu in a few years?
You must know that Settsu Province has been the gateway to Kyoto since ancient times. It faces the Seto Inland Sea and has direct water transportation to Kyoto. It is one of the most prosperous and strategic places in Kinki.
After the establishment of the Ashikaga Shogunate, this place was guarded by the Hosokawa family, which shows how much the shogunate attached great importance to this place.
Oda Nobunaga handed over Settsu Province to Ikeda Tsuneaki. How could Ikeda Tsuneaki not be grateful for this trust and honor?
Furthermore, Tsuneki Ikeda and Hideyoshi Hashiba were both new leaders of the Oda family who were left alone.
After the death of Oda Nobunaga, the future of Hashiba Hideyoshi's Harima Kingdom and Ikeda Tsuneaki's Settsu Kingdom will go. The future is truly uncertain.
Oda Nobunaga died, and the sky above Ikeda Tsuneaki fell. No one missed Oda Nobunaga more than her.
Hashiba Hideyoshi is a master who is good at moving people with emotion and winning over allies. She keenly sensed the uneasiness in Ikeda Tsuneaki's heart, and in a few words, she pulled the two sides into the same trench, and they became inseparable.
To the north of Settsu Country is Tanba Country, where the rebellion is still pending.
After Hatano Hideharu was killed, the Tanba samurai family became more and more hostile to the Oda family. Once Oda Nobunaga died, there was no guarantee that they would not have the idea of going south to attack Settsu country.
Izumi Province in the south, Kitakawachi, and Sakai Port are all the territories of the Izumi-Hosokawa family.
Hosokawa Fujitaka has given birth to a divine descendant and his status is stable. As Izumi Hosokawa's family business is booming, he will also covet Settsu Country. You must know that Settsu Country itself is the traditional territory guarded by the Hosokawa clan.
Ikeda Hengxing is also suffering internally. It was so refreshing to suppress the Settsu samurai family before, but now it is so uncomfortable to be stared at and get chills on the back.
Oda Nobunaga, who was feared by the Settsu samurai family, is dead, and Ikeda Tsuneaki can also die.
If Hideyoshi Hideyoshi's rule in Harima Bizen and the two countries could not last, and the power of the Mori family was allowed to extend, Ikeda Tsuneaki would not dare to close his eyes when sleeping in the future.