Inside the Echigo Imperial Palace, Uesugi Shiba and Uesugi Shiba were fighting openly and secretly, and even the Hojo heirs of the Kitakami Numata family were brought out for attack.
However, Hojo Ujiyasu in Odawara Castle was depressed. He thought about the young girl who was hurriedly sent to Numata Castle and felt depressed.
She was called the Sagami Lioness by the samurai family. She experienced countless ups and downs in her life. She never lost in the confrontation with Takeda Harunobu and Imagawa Yoshimoto. She even captured the Kantō General and destroyed the two Uesugi families, Hideo Hojo.
But now, she couldn't save her young daughter and had to send her to Numata County.
It is said that he inherited the Numata family, but in fact it was to delay the march of Echigo's army southward and buy time for the Hojo family to adjust their strategy.
The Numata family was alone and far away from Echigo's bed. Hojo Ujiyasu knew clearly that there was no way the Hojo family would send troops to get along with each other.
She sent her young daughter just to stabilize the Numata retainers and make them believe that the Hojo family would not give up on them, so that they would do their best to stop the Echigo army.
As for the personal safety of the young girl, it is insignificant compared to the Hojo family fortune. We can only hope that she will be blessed and come back alive.
Hojo Uyasu took two mouthfuls of rice and found it hard to swallow, so he put down his bowl and chopsticks.
She asked Hojo Umasa, who was accompanying her at the table, and then put down his rice bowl and asked softly.
"Mother, does she miss Sanniang?"
Hojo Ujiyasu sighed.
"I feel sorry for Sanniang. I knew that Numata Castle was a tiger's den, but I still sent her there. I hope she won't blame me as a mother."
Hojo Ushimasa disagreed. Hojo Sanniang was just a naive child learning to talk. What did she know?
But the mother's affection for licking the calf was so deep that she had to comfort herself, Hojo Ushimasa said.
"Don't worry, mother, Sanniang went there just to stabilize the Numata retainers group.
I have given clear instructions to the Ji warriors accompanying me. Once the situation changes, they will quickly retreat south with Sanniang.
The two long tails of Shirai Headquarters will not offend us to death, and will definitely let them go secretly. With the support of the Nagano family of Amabashi City, Sanniang's safety is absolutely guaranteed."
Hojo Ushimasa looked at his sworn daughter and felt a little disappointed. Hojo Ushimasa was not a playboy, but he could not be said to be outstanding. He could only be said to be a mediocre and conservative king.
It's really ridiculous that she would be so naive as to place her sister's safety on the Ueno samurai family's respect for the Hojo family.
Hojo Ujiyasu was vaguely worried. One day he would close his eyes forever. It would be difficult for his daughter to develop a family business, and she would have to guard this territory and live in chaos.
But do the Hojo family have the right to be conservative? They are surrounded by jackals, tigers and leopards, and if they reveal any flaws, they will be surrounded by a group of people.
Ise women changed their name from Miao to Hojo and opened up the family business for three generations, but the Hojo family governors of each generation never felt safe in their hearts.
The Hojo family is an outsider. When the family fortune is rising, things go smoothly, but once it shows signs of decline, it will be overthrown by everyone.
Seeing that Hojo's political minister picked up his rice bowl again and began to eat with peace of mind, Hojo's heart was filled with anger.
Don’t forget to be prepared for danger in times of peace! This bastard daughter just eats what she wants so carelessly. Does she really think that the Hojo family has a long and prosperous family business and can sit back and relax?
Hojo Umasa took a mouthful of rice, and his mouth felt a little dry and light.
The harvest was poor in the disaster year, so even she, the governor of the Hojo family, could only eat brown rice every day. The so-called superior status meant that it was paired with a bowl of tea soup to enhance the flavor.
Hojo Umasa poured the tea into the rice bowl and mixed it. Hearing a clink, Hojo Umasa looked up and saw his mother glaring at her angrily, not knowing why.
"Mother?"
"Didn't you pour tea before? Why did you add it again?"
Hojo Ushimasa was a little confused by his mother's scolding, so he explained.
“Not enough was poured in the front, the rice was a bit dry..”
"Shut up! You can't even figure out how much tea should be poured into a bowl of rice, and you have to pour it twice.
The rise and fall of a family's fortune can only be determined by a few inches. How can we not calculate every step of the way? How can I trust you with my family's fortune if you look like this!"
After saying that, Hojo Ujiyasu stood up in anger and walked straight out, cursing as he walked.
"There was a severe drought and the harvest failed. How many people in the Hojo family lived on porridge? It's good if you have dry rice, but you also need tea? If you add more, you need to add more!
You rebellious girl! Sooner or later, the Hojo family will be destroyed in your hands!"
Hojo Umasa looked at the job in his hand, and then at his mother who had walked away, and suddenly felt a little aggrieved.
Although I don't understand what happened, I can feel that I deserve death if I take a breath now.
She gritted her teeth and put down her job, got up and ran after her mother.
"Mom, calm down, it's my fault."
Hojo Ushimasa quickly walked out of the room and chased his mother through the hallway. He saw her mother suddenly slow down. She walked forward a few steps and saw a young man kneeling and saying something.
Hojo Ujiyasu waved his hand for Xiao to go down, looked back at Hojo Umasa who followed in panic, and said.
"Master Huan'an and General Kantō are here. Come with me to the meeting hall to meet them."
Hojo Umasa nodded intently.
The two of them walked towards the meeting hall one after another, their expressions gradually softened, and there was no longer any clue.
———
In the meeting hall of Odawara Castle Castle, Hojo Genan and Ashikaga Yoshiji sit on the left and right respectively.
Hojo Genan has been very busy recently. He first went to Toe Country to mediate a truce between the Imagawa and Takeda families, brought back Imagawa Clan, and settled him in Izu Country.
On the Ueno side, they also contacted the Nagano family of Amabashi Castle, instigated the Numata retainers group to riot, and expelled the family governor, Kenyasu Numata.
Ashikaga Yoshiji is purely idle. She has a noble status. She lives in Kasai Castle, a branch of Odawara Castle, and has an independent military force in her hands.
After the Hojo clan's deliberation, the leaders of all parties returned to preside over local military affairs. Ashikaga Yoshiji, as the nominal chief of the Hojo clan, had nothing to do.
She was also very nervous about the attack of the Echigo army. Uesugi Teruhu's political justice was to deny the legitimacy of her rise to power.
She was actually dissatisfied with the conservative defensive posture of the Hojo family. Taking advantage of the opportunity of Hojo Genan's return to meet with the family governor, she also came with her, hoping to persuade him to change something.
The Hojo mother and daughter came in and met with the two leaders of the sect. After greetings, they sat separately in the room. Everyone present was their own people, and the seating and conversation were much more casual.
Hojo Ujiyasu bowed slightly to Hojo Genan and said.
"My aunt worked hard all over the place to ensure the safety of the Hojo family. Ujiyasu is very grateful."
After Hojo Genan returned the gift, he said a few words of humility and then turned to the main topic.
"Has Sanniang been sent to Numata Castle?"
Hojo Ujiyasu nodded sadly.
"Counting the days, we should pass through Mangqiao City, and we'll be there in a few days."
Hojo Genan sighed.
"Sorry Sanniang."
Hojo Ujiyasu shook his head.
"We are all descendants of Hojo, so we should sacrifice ourselves for the prosperity of our family business.
Auntie, how much time do you think this chaos in the Numata family can buy us?"