"Uesugi Teruhora is so complacent that she really thinks that our Hojo family is like a piece of cake on the chopping board, and that she can already dominate the Kanba Prefecture.
Okay, very good. What about the Odaisho? Why didn't he persuade Uesugi Terutora?"
She was keenly aware of something strange, and there didn't seem to be any peace within Echigo.
Hojo Genan smiled.
"His Majesty Ujiyasu Hidemei, this is what I feel is wrong. The internal affairs of Echigo may not be as harmonious as they show.
There must be a rift between Godaisho and Uesugi Terutora, but they just don't want to expose it to outsiders. But from this incident, we can still get a clue.
The Imperial Office had no choice but to evade Uesugi Teruhora's jurisdiction over the Kanhachishu samurai family. Even though she acted harshly, the Imperial Office did not express any opinions to stop her from governing."
Hojo Ujiyasu clapped his hands with satisfaction and agreed with Hojo Genan's idea.
Realizing that Echigo's duopoly was unstable, her mood suddenly improved a lot.
Don't be afraid of the enemy being strong, but be afraid of the enemy being united. Strong fortresses tend to collapse internally rather than being crushed by external forces.
The Kanto Allied Forces are full of contradictions. Externally they are dissatisfied with the Kanto samurai family, and internally there are differences between Shiba Yoshigan. Uesugi Teruhora has not yet won, and Hojo Ujiyasu has not yet lost, and there is a chance to turn the situation around.
Hojo Ujiyasu was still thinking, Hojo Genan said.
"Of course, there are also some people who are ignorant of current affairs. I went to visit Oishi Sadahisa, and her attitude was quite indifferent."
Hojo Ujiyasu said calmly.
"Really? That's such a shame."
Under her seemingly nonchalant tone, she was actually very angry.
The Oishi family was originally a retainer of Uesugi in Yamauchi and the hereditary guardian of Musashi. They were a prominent family in Musashi country.
In the Battle of Kawasaki, the Kanto generals and the two Uesugi family coalition forces were defeated, and Oishi Sadahisa had to bow to the Hojo family. In order to appease the Musashi samurai family, Hojo Ujiyasu was quite tolerant to her.
The Oishi family's Takiyama Castle is not far from Tsukui Castle and is an important border town that has influence on the three kingdoms of Ueno, Musashi and Sagami.
This time the Kwantung Allied Forces passed through Matsuyama Castle and Takiyama Castle, crossed Sagamihara, and arrived at Odawara Castle.
The Hojo family's Sagami defense line, Tsukui Castle, Koki Castle, and Tamana Castle were not lost, but because of the surrender of Takiyama Castle, Uesugi Teruhora was able to pass between Tsukui Castle and Koki Castle.
Nowadays, Oishi Sadahisa's attitude is cold and ruthless, which makes Hojo Ujiyasu even more afraid. The Oishi family of Takiyama Castle has become the nail that Uesugi Teruhora wedges into Hojo's territory, and must be removed.
Dealing with Oishi Sadahisa was still the second priority. Hojo Ujiyasu put aside this worry for the time being and talked about the conditions for the withdrawal of the Kwantung Allied Forces.
"Aunt, thank you for your hard work and make another trip to the coalition camp. I agree to the conditions of the Imperial Palace. Yusheng City will release its defense line to ensure that the Kwantung coalition forces can pass without hindrance."
Hojo Ujimasa was puzzled.
"Mother, since you have seen through Yutaisuo's plan, why do you still follow his wishes?"
Hojo Ujiyasu shook his head and said.
"So what if I see through it? This is a conspiracy, and the imperial office is not afraid of me seeing through it. The army is approaching the city, and I have no choice.
But this doesn't mean that I have to watch his plan succeed. There are still many things that can be done.
Auntie, if you want to clear the way for the coalition forces to clear up obstacles from the defenders on the way forward, please stay in the Kwantung coalition formation and get along with your old friends for a while."
Hojo Genan is thoughtful.
"Your Majesty Ujiyasu, you want me to follow the Kwantung Allied Forces to Kamakura to supervise the release of the defense line by the Tamadomen?"
Hojo Ujiyasu smiled.
"Let Hojo Yasunari suffer a little injustice, and guard Tamana Castle strictly and don't give Uesugi Teruhora a chance to take advantage.
In all other matters, etiquette was strictly followed, and she was served with the etiquette towards a Kanto leader. The coalition forces readily agreed to requests for supplies, showing the hesitation and humility of the Hojo family.
I will try my best to make up for the losses suffered by the Yushen people. Please continue to support the Hojo family and don’t hold any grudges."
Hojo Ryuzan and Hojo Tsunari, two generations of leaders of the Tamashiro clan, were killed in the battle by Sano leader. Almost all the accompanying tribesmen fell on the battlefield, many of whom were Hime warriors from the Tamashira clan.
When the enemy crosses the border, they are expected to greet them with a smile and spit on them. Is this what humans do?
And Hojo Ujiyasu wanted to achieve this effect, using the humbleness of the jade ropes to express the helpless surrender of the Hojo family.
Hojo Ushimasa asked.
"Mother, is this a arrogant soldier's plan?"
Hojo Ujiyasu smiled slightly and did not answer her. Instead, he said to Hojo Genan.
"My aunt has a wide network of contacts and is well-informed. When you arrive at the Kwantung Allied Forces, please pay more attention to the current situation of your old friends.
Before and after the succession ceremony of Teru Uesugi, planning for the post-war distribution will inevitably begin. Each family has different relationships and information is not smooth. My aunt can be a good person to help them communicate and get information. "
After saying that, Hojo Ujiyasu turned to his daughter and asked.
"Ujimasa, do you understand?"
Hojo Ushimasa smiled.
"I understand, Mother.
Although our family suffered heavy losses, its core territory is far away from Echigo Country, and it is impossible for Uesugi Teruhu to come to Sagami Country to occupy the territory for the time being.
The Echigo army worked hard and made great achievements. After the war, they must be generously rewarded. These benefits came from the pockets of the Kanto samurai family near Echigo, and they would definitely be dissatisfied.
Are you trying to accelerate the intensification of the conflict between Echigo and the Kanhachishu samurai family?"
Hojo Uyasu said happily when he saw that his daughter responded quickly.
"Yes, Uesugi Teruhu is arrogant, so I will magnify her arrogance.
As the representative of the shogunate, the Odaisho wants to avoid suspicion and ignores the internal affairs of the Kanto system. Let's wait and see what happens with Teruhora Sugi's past rough governance methods in Echigo."
Hojo Ushimasa said hesitantly.
"But mother, we still opened the road to Kamakura. Once Terutora Uesugi completes the ceremony, she will definitely ask my family to surrender with a sword.
Can what you have done really lead to the outbreak of internal conflicts in the Kwantung Allied Forces and prevent the conspiracy of the Imperial Palace against us?"
Hojo Ujiyasu sighed and said.
"It's up to people to plan things, and it's up to God to make things happen. I've done my best, and then I have to see whether God's will is what I want."
The three people present were speechless for a moment.
Odawara Castle was besieged by a hundred thousand troops. Although Hojo Uyasu always seemed confident, was it really as easy as she showed?
The army outside the city is watching eagerly, and if you are not careful, your family and property will be completely destroyed.
People are like swordsmen, and I am like fish and meat. Hojo Ujiyasu can only be himself and hope for a turning point.
———
As Hojo Ujiyasu accepted the terms, the Kwantung Allied Forces turned to Kamakura.
Under Hojo Genan's negotiation, the Yushen people were so humiliated that they endured this humiliation. Villages along the way donated food one after another, and the samurai came out to welcome them.
All the samurai saw the humility of the Hojo family. Hojo visited Genan every day and complimented Terutora Uesugi. The Kanto samurai were not to be outdone. Regardless of whether it was sincere or not, flattery was enough.
Amidst all the laughter and laughter, Sibo Yiyin became somewhat alert.
Hojo Ujiyasu seemed to have surrendered, and treated Terutora Uesugi with extremely high courtesy, as if he recognized her as the governor of Kanto.
But apart from etiquette and supplies, Hojo Genan never let up on his status.
In other words, Uesugi Terutora needed the Hojo family's recognition of the distinction between monarch and minister, the distinction between superior and inferior, but Hojo Ujiyasu still did not provide it.
Yoshigan couldn't help but wonder, what on earth is Hojo Ujiyasu thinking? Is she going to wait until the last minute? Will she wait until Uesugi Teruhora completes the succession ceremony and asks for the sword sacrifice before she is willing to admit her failure?
In the end, the Kwantung Allied Forces passed through Tamana Castle and were not greeted by Kaicheng. Under Hojo Genan's respectful attitude, Uesugi Teruhora magnanimously forgave Hojo Yasunari for his vigilance in guarding the city.
At this time, Uesugi Terutora already believed that Hojo Ujiyasu would soon surrender, and she rushed to Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to hold the succession ceremony.
It was not convenient for Shiba Yoshigan to interfere in the internal affairs of the Kanto system, so he hesitated to remind Uesugi Teruhora. In the end, he looked at the wall of Tamana Castle in a daze, and chose not to say anything.
Everything should be fine, right? Then don't make things extra complicated.
Regarding the return of Shiba Yoshigan, Uesugi Teruhora had already resigned herself to humiliation, and Yoshigan did not want to irritate her over some trivial matter.
Nowadays, Uesugi Teruhora is enshrined by the Kanto samurai family. It is the time when the fire is cooking and the flowers are blooming. With her proud and rich second-generation temperament, Yoshigan's advice may not be heeded.
If the tone accidentally aroused her temper, and then went back to the emotional disputes that Yiyin was most afraid of, it would be nothing to do. Yiyin thought about it, but she still kept her mouth shut.
Passing Tamana Castle and heading south across the Katase River, you will arrive in the Kamakura area.
At that time, the first generation governor of the Hojo family, the Ise woman, traveled to Kanto via the Tokaido route, and with the help of the Imagawa family, she conquered the country of Izu.
After completing a series of preparatory work, she crossed the Hakone Mountains and began the Hojo family's great cause of conquering Kanto. Her first goal was Odawara Castle.
Sagami country is divided into two parts: the east belongs to the Kanto Plain and the west belongs to the Kanto Mountains. The Ise women first conquered Odawara Castle in Nishi Sagami and used it as a base to expand eastward.
Her campaign in Kanto did not go well. The governor of the Uesugi family, Ogitani, and Kensada Uesugi tried their best to counterattack, and even captured Odawara Castle for a time.
But in the end, Ise Woman succeeded in defeating Uesugi Kensada in Musashi Kawahara and captured Sagami Country.
In her later years, the Ise woman focused on consolidating her new territory and completely controlling the Sagami Kingdom in the hands of the Hojo family. To this end, she built Tamana Castle.
The successive castle lords of Tamana Castle were all military generals from the Hojo clan, because of Tamana Castle's special status.
The Hojo family first occupied the land of Sagami Province outside the Miura Peninsula. Tamawa Castle was built north of Kamakura to prevent the hostile forces on the Miura Peninsula from counterattacking.
Kamakura is located in the northwest of the Miura Peninsula, guarding the entrance to the Kanto Plain. The Kamakura area is surrounded by mountains to the east, north, and west, and is bordered by Sagami Bay to the south.
Sagami Bay at the mouth of the Katase River is the Shonan coast, Enoshima, and the location of one of the author's favorite comics, Slam Dunk.
The Kamakura shogunate imitated the Five Mountains and Ten Temples of Jiangnan Zen Buddhism in the Song Dynasty and established the Japanese Five Mountains system and nun system. This is the Kamakura Five Mountains.
Kamakura is surrounded by mountains on three sides, and the five official temples appointed by the shogunate are located here. In the center of the valley surrounded by mountains is Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
Traveling through the Kamakura Mountains requires passing through the narrow Kamakura Seven Gates, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Minamoto Yoritomo established the prototype of the samurai shogunate, the shrine here. Later, the rise of the Kamakura shogunate ushered in a new era of the samurai shogunate.
Four hundred years later, the Go-Hojo family occupied Sagami Country and finally defeated the hostile forces on the Miura Peninsula.
At this time, Tamana Castle took on a more important responsibility, that is, to replace Odawara Castle and become the forward base for the Hojo family to conquer the Kanto Plain.
Miura Peninsula and Boso Peninsula face each other across the sea, separating the two offshore waters of Sagami Bay and Edo Bay. As the connection point between Odawara Castle and Edo Castle, Tamawa Castle is crucial.
Whether it is conquering Musashi Kingdom or crossing the sea to invade the Boso Peninsula, Tamana Castle is an important fulcrum.
At this time, Kamakura was no longer what it was during the Kamakura Shogunate era. Amidst the continuous war, the bustling city degenerated into a village.
The Kamakura Ashikaga family had long since moved to the Furukawa area of Shimono Province, leaving only the memory of the samurai family's traditional holy places, such as Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, the Genji Shrine.
The third generation of shogun Ashikaga Yoshimitsu massacred the emperor's ministers, and Shintoism, which was closely connected with the emperor, was eradicated. The only Shinto shrine left was Hachimangu Shrine.
The Hachiman God in Shintoism is a trinity, also known as the Hachiman Three Gods. Among them, the main god, Emperor Ogami, is regarded as the ancestor of the Genji samurai family, and the Hachiman God therefore becomes the clan god of the Genji family.
During the Kamakura period, the descendants of Kawachi Genji became the pillars of the samurai family and conquered the world. The Hachiman God also further became the god of war and the patron saint of the samurai family.
As a direct descendant of the Genji family in Kawachi, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the pillar of the samurai family, would not dare to destroy the Hachimangu Shrine, which enshrines the three gods of Hachiman, even if he destroyed Shintoism.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine in Kamakura is a sacred place for the samurai family. It enshrines the pillars of the Minamoto clan, the imperial white flag of the Minamoto no Yoshi family, Hachiman Tai Ni, and the imperial white flag of the first shogun, Minamoto Yoritomo.
The ceremony for the Kamakura Ashikaga family and the Uesugi family to inherit the Kanto shogunate and the Kanto governorship must be held at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine to show orthodoxy.
This is also the reason why Terutora Uesugi has to go to Kamakura. Without going through the succession ceremony at Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, she, as the leader of Kanto, will not be truly recognized by all the samurai families of the ten Kanto countries.
It was impossible for all the 100,000 troops to enter the Kamakura Mountains. Most of the troops were stationed there after crossing the Katase River.
Only a small number of noble samurai continued to follow Uesugi Teruhora, passing through Kamakura Shichikou and entering Kamakura Tsurugaoka.
Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine is also called Kamakura Hachimangu Shrine.
Five hundred years ago, Minamoto Yoriyoshi persuaded from Seishishui Hachimangu Shrine in Kyoto to build a new Hachiman Shrine in the Yuigahama area of Kamakura.
Four hundred years ago, the first shogun Minamoto Yoritomo moved the shrine to the Yukinoshita area of Kamakura and expanded it into Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, called Tsurugaoka Wakagu Palace, which was also the center of the Kamakura shogunate.
Terutora Uesugi led countless nobles of the Kanto samurai family through the Kamakura Mountains and along the Shonan coast until they reached the Yuigahama coast, where the ceremony would begin.
As a digression, as early as a thousand years ago, the Hachiman God moved from the Yuigahama area to the Yukinoshita area, which already predicted the ending of a certain novel.
As an aside, the author has a friend who is a staunch Yuigahama Party. The reason is very simple. Whoever has the bigger bear is right.