Azuma County is just north of Minawa Castle, and Haruna Mountain is a natural moat for others, but it is not a problem for the Sanada clan samurai.
It is not convenient for the two masters to deal with Nagano Yamasa, so we can actively become pawns to intimidate Nishi Ueno."
Sanada Nobushige frowned.
"But I only belong to the Ten Thousand Stones Territory, and the strength of the people of Nishi Ueno is more than ten times stronger than mine."
Umino Riichi said.
"Only when we are weak can the two masters favor us. Only then can we act radically and put tremendous pressure on Nagano Yasumasa.
You are an important minister of the Kanto Palace, a member of the unified war effort, and a high-ranking county magistrate with a position in the shogunate.
Although Ishigao is only a fraction of the Nishi Ueno people, as long as we don’t quarrel with each other, Nagano Yasumasa doesn’t dare to do anything to us openly.”
Sanada Nobushige thought for a while and said.
"In this case, the Hao family cannot stay. Azuma County must be completely controlled by me, and I cannot give Nagano Industry a chance to divide."
Umino Riichi ruthlessly said.
"Please rest assured that everything has been arranged.
After returning home, Saito Nori and Ikeda Shigeyasu from the Higashiagazuma clan will come forward to accuse Yukiyo of being self-interested in public affairs, using the Sui Ni Council to create unjust cases, annexing territories, and excluding dissidents.
Yukiyo Yukiyo and her three daughters will receive a fair and just trial and die before the beginning of spring.
All of this is a spontaneous act of justice by the Azuma County warrior family, ensuring that they die in a clear death, so that outsiders have no reason to make excuses."
Sanada Nobushige nodded, she knew that the outsider Umino Riichi was talking about was Nagano Yamasa. Habi Yukiyo's eldest daughter, Yukizen Hao, was Nagano Yamasa's eighth daughter-in-law.
she asked.
"Didn't we agree at the beginning that we could save Yuwei's life and be expelled from Azuma County?"
Umino Riichi said coldly.
"At first, I thought that the Kanto strategy would continue to advance. We had to focus on the Kanto war, and it would be inconvenient to break up with Nagano Yamasa.
Now that the Kanto strategy has stalled and the Western Ueno strategy has been put on the agenda, it is natural to eradicate the situation to prevent Nagano Yoshie from using Hanao Yukiquan to infiltrate Azuma County.
The Yuwei family went against the grain and took advantage of the opportunity to suppress the rebellion and kill Zhongliang. Now that the truth has been revealed to the world, you are compassionate and rehabilitative, and you will definitely be supported by all the samurai families in Azuma County."
Sanada Nobunaga touched his chin and asked.
"Would it be possible to alert the enemy?"
Umino Li glanced at her and said.
"I just want to alert the enemy.
Nagano Yasumasa was very old, and his eldest daughter, whom he had carefully cultivated, died in battle, and his younger daughter's prestige and abilities were immature.
The rise and fall of the Nagano family in Minawa Castle all rested on the shoulders of this grey-haired old samurai family. It must be a huge pressure, right?
Killing her eighth daughter-in-law, wooing her eldest daughter-in-law, dividing the Jilun people, and constantly causing trouble for her. Such an old woman, like a candle in the wind, had trouble sleeping and eating all day long, and was worried.
What do you think? How long can she live?"
Sanada Nobushige looked at Umino Riichi's expressionless expression and took a deep breath.
"If it were me, I would definitely kick off my legs next year and reach bliss early.
Liu Niang is amazing. This kind of stupid plan to give birth to a daughter is something Liu Niang can come up with."
Facing Sanada Nobushige's words, which he didn't know whether they were compliments or sarcasm, Umino Ri twitched his eyebrows and gave them a cold look.
"Sima Yi."
"Huh? What?"
"This is what Sima Yi came up with."
Sanada Nobushige said with a slap in the face.
"I asked why it sounded so familiar. It turned out to be the guy who gave birth to a daughter without a pair of eyes. The Romance of the Three Kingdoms is my favorite."
Umino Ri's forehead twitched. He didn't know whether Sanada Nobushige was really stupid or pretending to be stupid. He was too lazy to argue with this wanton master.
———
Unbeknownst to Shiba Yiyin, the Ji warriors under his command who covet him have already made their own plans before he has even returned.
Hojo Genan went to the Kanto Allied Forces Camp to express his condolences and was received by Yoshigan Shiba and Terutora Uesugi.
The two sides are still in a state of war. Even if they are willing to negotiate for peace, they still need to be reserved. Under the guise of remembering Ashikaga Yoshiteru, they have a little contact and hint at some conditions.
Hojo Genan quickly returned to Odawara Castle and directly entered the castle tower to have a secret talk with Hojo Ujiyasu and Hojo Umasa who were waiting for her.
Hojo Ushimasa said in astonishment.
"That's the only condition?"
Hojo Genan nodded and said.
"Yes, the imperial office only raised this condition.
Tamana Castle has lifted its hostilities, and the Kanto Allied Forces must not be hindered from going to Kamakura to hold the succession ceremony for His Highness Uesugi's Kanto Governorship.
His Highness Uesugi was also present at that time and did not raise any objection."
Hojo Ushimasa said hesitantly.
"Isn't this a false plan to conquer Guo? Taking advantage of Yusheng City's unpreparedness, we took the opportunity to capture the city."
Hojo Genan shook his head and said.
"It's unlikely. We just refrained from taking hostile actions and did not give up our vigilance.
Lord Ryuzan Hojo and Tsunari Hojo, the two generations of leaders of the Jade Rope Clan, were killed in the battle by Sano Ling. The samurai under their command who were related to the Jade Rope Clan suffered numerous casualties, and almost every family wailed.
In today's Tamanagi Castle, Lord Hojo Yasunari is the daughter of Lord Hojo Tsusunari, and will never slack off easily. He must be vigilant and will not give the Kwantung Allied Forces a chance to make a sneak attack."
Hojo Umasa touched his chin and couldn't help but feel a little happy.
"In this way, Yutai is indeed sincere.
It seems that the Kyoto Incident had a great impact on him. He was anxious to quell the Kanto War and go back to put out the fire. This condition is quite favorable to my family."
Hojo Ujiyasu and Hojo Genan looked at each other, both worried. Hojo Ujiyasu sighed and said.
"You are wrong, this is the worst outcome."
Hojo Ushimasa was stunned, bowed and asked.
"My daughter is stupid, please mother, please tell me clearly."
Hojo Ujiyasu stretched out two fingers and said.
"First of all, the conditions are so relaxed, and Uesugi Teruhora present didn't express any objection. Don't you think it's strange?
This shows that before we went there, the Odaisho and her had already reached a compromise on the Kyoto Incident. Our plan to divide the Echigo duopolies may not achieve our goal.
Terutora Uesugi has always been arrogant, but he didn't expect to obey this Odaisho's words, which makes people shudder. Kenshinbu Shiba is more terrifying than imagined."
Hojo Genan agreed.
"His Royal Highness Ujiyasu is right, when I saw the Imperial Palace, I was shocked.
Shiba Kenshin is an extraordinary handsome man with outstanding temperament. He is truly the most beautiful man I have ever seen in my life.
What’s even more frightening is that he is not only handsome in appearance. He is also capable of strategic planning and military skills. He is invincible in battles and invincible in all attacks. He is really a terrifying and powerful person."
Hojo Ushimasa thought of his defeat in the Sano Territory and the royal flag belonging to Shiba Yoshigan in his room, and subconsciously snorted.
Hojo Ujiyasu glanced at his daughter and said seriously.
"Don't underestimate this opponent. We have suffered too many losses and cannot make the same mistake again and again."
She thought about the situation, but she didn't know what was going on in her daughter's mind. The man destroyed the Hojo clan's first battle as the governor of the family, almost broke her spine, and changed her life.
This complex emotion cannot be understood by others. Even the mother Hojo Ujiyasu does not know the mixed feelings in her heart.
If he loses to a woman, the Hojo clan is nothing more than harboring hatred and will fight to the death to repay this humiliation.
But the other person was a man, and he was said to be the most beautiful woman in the world, and he was the royal palace of Ashikaga Shogun. This strangeness made her feel extremely troubled.
Hojo Umasa suppressed his thoughts and asked solemnly.
"Mother, after the first one, is there a second one?"
Hojo Ujiyasu didn't think too much about his daughter's little intention to change the subject, and continued to explain.
"Secondly, this condition may seem simple, but in fact it contains evil intentions and is intended to destroy the fruits of my hard work over the years.
Ashikaga Yoshiji was promoted to the position of general of Kanto by me and appointed me as the commander of Kanto.
If I agree to the conditions of the Kanto Alliance and allow Uesugi Teruhora to go to Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to complete the succession ceremony, does that mean I give up my position as the Kanto Commander?"
Hojo Ushimasa was shocked. She didn't expect that this simple condition actually concealed a sinister political intention.
She pondered for a long time and said solemnly.
"The imperial office used this condition to imply that you give up your position as the Kanto Governor, but we can pretend not to know.
It is only a superficial release, and the Hojo family will not make any other statement. In the future, the two Kanto governors will each express their opinions. What can Uesugi Teruhora do to us?"
Hojo Ujiyasu sighed.
“It’s not that easy to pass.
After the succession ceremony of the Kanto Governor, according to the custom, the martial arts subordinates of the Kanto system should present swords to show their respect to the Kanto Governor.
If Terutora Uesugi asks me to present the sword, should I offer it or not?
If I offer the sword, it will confirm my status as a minister, and the New Kanto system that I have worked hard for many years will be destroyed in one day.
If she doesn't sacrifice, her 100,000-strong army will come back immediately. I used the death of Ashikaga Shogun as an opportunity to ask the samurai family to unite to attack Miyoshi, and she successfully broke it."
Hojo Umasa was stunned and couldn't think of a solution after thinking for a long time. Cold sweat dripped from her forehead, and she gritted her teeth and said bitterly.
"What a poisonous plan, what a poisonous man."
Hojo Ujiyasu frowned and scolded.
"What nonsense are you talking about! That's the imperial office, you've spoken out of your mind!"
Hojo Umasa reluctantly bowed and admitted his mistake and said.
"Really sorry."
Hojo Ujiyasu glanced at Hojo Genan and said.
"Fortunately, there are only aunts here and no outsiders. Such words are not allowed to be said again in the future. It would be unethical to spread the word."
Hojo Genan smiled and spoke softly.
"His Majesty Ujimasa was also furious for a moment. The plan adopted by Odai is very clever. It's a pity that he doesn't know enough about the Kanto samurai family."
Hojo Ushimasa heard the change in her tone and was about to ask, but Hojo Ushimasa stopped him and said sternly.
"Calm down and listen carefully."
Hojo Ujiyasu turned to Hojo Genan and asked.
"My aunt went to the Kwantung Allied Forces camp this time and chatted with many old friends?"
Hojo Genan nodded and said.
"As His Highness Ueyasu expected, Terutora Uesugi is domineering and has caused dissatisfaction among many samurai."
Hojo Ujiyasu asked with a smile.
"Really? Who has come into contact with my aunt?"
Hojo Genan said with his fingers.
"There were many secret advances to me, and several people who had taken refuge with Ueda Asahi also expressed their shame to me, talking about their helplessness out of self-protection.
What surprised me the most was Narita Choyasu and Sano Masatsuna, they actually expressed sympathy for my family's situation."
Hojo Ujiyasu's brows trembled. She really didn't expect these two people to show kindness to the Hojo family.
Narita Choyasu's Ninja Castle and Ota Shimasa's Iwatsuki Castle are the two largest noble families in North Musashi, and they are also the last local people in Musashi to bow to the Hojo family.
Hojo Ujiyasu's tax reform was very unfavorable to these local prominent families, and they had always been wary of it. Their apparent surrender was just out of helplessness.
After the defeat of the Hojo army in the Sano Territory, the Hojo Musashi family, instigated by Narita Choyasu and Ohta Shimasa, raised troops and were the first batch of local people to resist the Hojo family.
Narita Choyasu was a thoroughly anti-Hojo sect among the Musashi warriors.
Sano Masatsuna was the first powerful neutral samurai to raise his flag and surrender to Uesugi Teruhora when Echigo's army went south.
She defended Karazawa Mountain Castle and introduced Hojo Ushimasa's army into the Sano Territory, which resulted in a combined battle in the Sano Territory and caused heavy losses to the Hojo family.
Narita Choyasu and Sano Masatsuna, how could they secretly communicate with Hojo Genan?
Hojo Umasa who was standing by was even more frightened when she heard this. Only then did she realize that Hojo Genan went to the Kanto Allied Forces camp not just to negotiate peace terms with Yoshigan Shiba and Terutora Uesugi.
Secretly, Hojo Genan is also responsible for contacting the Kanto samurai family, looking for dissatisfied people, and waiting for opportunities to divide the coalition forces.
Hojo Ujiyasu glanced at his surprised daughter and said seriously.
“Don’t give up until the last minute, keep at it, maybe there will be a turning point.
This world never centers on anyone. It ebbs and flows, and everyone falls into a trough sometimes.
Giving up on yourself and venting your emotions will not solve the problem. The only way is to persist in seeking truth from facts and patiently seek solutions to problems."
Hojo Umasa bowed to the ground and said.
"I remember your mother's teachings."
The cunning and cunning Hojo Ujiyasu taught the new family governor Hojo Umasa a good lesson on what it means to take advantage of every opportunity and take advantage of the situation.
The Kanto samurai family are all slippery and selfish guys. They are not satisfied with the Hojo family's expansion of territory and harming their interests.
Could it be that Uesugi Teruhora's expansion of territory would not harm their interests? The Echigo samurai family didn't even eat, so why didn't they want the benefits?
Any political change will eventually involve the distribution of interests. As long as there is distribution, there will be beneficiaries and losers. This is a zero-sum game. There is no win-win situation in politics, only winner-take-all.
The Kwantung Allied Forces consisted of 100,000 people, mixed with the six kingdoms samurai including Echigo, Ueno, Shimono, Shisoso, Musashi, and Sagami.
If Terutora Uesugi had the ability to level this bowl of water and convince these bastards from all over the country, Hojo Ujiyasu would voluntarily admit defeat, and the Hojo family would not die unjustly.
Unfortunately, even Narita Choyasu and Sano Masatsuna were dissatisfied, and the level of Uesugi Terutora, the Lord of Echigo, was not very good either.
Hojo Ujiyasu asked.
"What's going on with the two of them?"
Hojo Genan replied.
"After Sano led the siege, Echigo's army occupied Sano Castle and refused to return it. Uesugi Terutora directly rewarded the castle's favor to his samurai family.
The Hanyu Territory, which Narita Chotai fought so hard to conquer after he raised his army, was scolded by Uesugi Teruhora and withdrew, and was returned to the old owners, the Hirota family."