The first thousand and eighty-fifth chapters split the two Guandong
Hojo Ushimasa thought for a while and asked.
"So, Terutora Uesugi insists that we recognize her as the leader of Kanto and will never give up easily?"
Hojo Genan looked solemn and nodded.
There are no land disputes between the two parties for the time being. The conflicts are all focused on the identity of the leader of Guandong. They are very sharp and difficult to reach a compromise.
The allied forces composed of the Kanto generals and the two Uesugi families were defeated by the Hojo family in the night battle of Kawagoe, and the original Kanto system was defeated and disintegrated.
The Kanto general Ashikaga Haruji was brought back to Odawara Castle by the Hojo family, and died in an unknown manner. The Kanto governor Uesugi Kenmasa fled all the way north, and the castle surrendered at the Kaicheng of Hirai Castle. The whole family was massacred by the Hojo family.
The Hojo family supported Ashikaga Haruji's daughter, Ashikaga Yoshiji, to become the new Kanto shogun. Then, she appointed Hojo Ujiyasu as the new Kanto governor, forming a new Kanto system.
The old Kanto system headed by Ashikaga Haruji and Uesugi Kensei did not completely die out.
Kenmasa Uesugi went to Echigo Kingdom to find Terutora Uesugi with a handwritten letter signed by the Ashikaga Haru clan requesting Echigo to send troops to quell the rebellion.
By this time, the Ashikaga Haru clan had died, and the Yamauchi Uesugi family had been exterminated by the Hojo family.
Kensei Uesugi simply accepted Terutora Uesugi as his adopted daughter, and gave her the name of the Uesugi family and the position of Kanto governor in a package package for her. He only asked her to go south to attack the Hojo family and avenge the deaths of her clan members.
After that, Uesugi Teru went to Kyoto to find Ashikaga Yoshiteru, got her recognition, and officially inherited the old Kanto system headed by Ashikaga Haruji and Uesugi Kenmasa.
Originally, the old and new Kanto systems had an incompatible relationship. However, the surrender of Ashikaga Yoshiji made the political situation in Kanto more complicated.
Under the persuasion of Yoshigan Shiba, Ashikaga Yoshiji turned to Uesugi Teruhora. Uesugi Teruhora accepted Ashikaga Yoshiji, which confirmed her status as the new Kanto general.
Terutora Uesugi completed the ceremony at Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine and became the new Kanto leader recognized by Ashikaga Yoshiji.
Now the problem arises. Ashikaga Yoshiji successively recognized two Kanto governors at Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, Hojo Ujiyasu and Uesugi Terutora.
Who is orthodox?
Because he had defected to the Hojo family and the Uesugi family successively, the Ashikaga Yoshi clan had become the laughing stock of the Sekihachishu samurai family, and the Kamakura Ashikaga family was in disgrace.
But also because both Kanto systems recognized Ashikaga Yoshiji, the Kanto general, there were signs of integration.
The sharp conflict that cannot be reconciled between Hojo Ujiyasu and Uesugi Terutora lies in who is the real leader of Kanto, the nominal second person in Kanto.
The Hojo family was defeated in the Sano Territory, and all the elite members of the family were lost. Hojo Ujiyasu was in a weak position, and her only request was not to recognize Terutora Uesugi, the Kanto governor.
Uesugi Teruhora is a bit more powerful.
She had previously laid siege to Odawara Castle, and even if she could not defeat it, under the watchful eyes of a hundred thousand troops, she still had to force Hojo Ujiyasu to bow his head and offer his sword as a vassal, acknowledging his position as the leader of Kanto.
But now, there are only 20,000 of the 100,000 Kanto Allied Forces left. Although Uesugi Teruhu is as tough as before, he lacks the confidence to crush the Hojo family.
Hojo Genan's headache is here, how to make Uesugi Terutora, a proud samurai family, accept the reality and be willing to make concessions.
Hojo Umasa also figured it out, she sneered.
"The Kwantung Allied Forces have fallen apart. The 20,000-strong army is afraid that they will not even dare to cross the Pianse River, and even Yusheng City will not be trapped.
What qualifications does she have for Terutora Uesugi to be strong-willed? She expects to get it at the negotiation table when she can't get it on the battlefield. It's simply wishful thinking!"
Compared to Hojo Ujimasa's excitement, Hojo Genan was very calm and said.
"Echigo's 8,000 soldiers defeated our 20,000 troops in Sano Territory.
Maybe 20,000 people can't surround Odawara Castle and Tamana Castle, but it's enough to wreak havoc on our territory and make us unable to breathe."
Now the Hojo family and the Echigo army are fighting from two ends.
The Hojo family was afraid that the 20,000-strong army would destroy their territory, and the Echigo family was afraid that the backyard they had just conquered would be unstable and the army would be trapped and die on the front line.
In fact, both sides are willing to cease the war, but they can't agree on the conditions.
Hojo Ushimasa frowned.
"Before coming, Mother drew the bottom line.
As a last resort, we can recognize Teruhora Uesugi's leadership in Kanto, but it would be best if we can win over each of the two families."
Hojo Genan thought deeply, she understood what Hojo Ujiyasu meant.
After all, the Hojo family had lost the battle and was relatively weak at the negotiation table. There were 20,000 enemies walking back and forth in their own territory, which made them feel numb.
It seems that the situation has reversed and the crisis has turned into safety. However, if the Echigo army does not withdraw for a day, the Hojo family will not be able to rest assured for a day.
But if feasible, it is best to stick to two Kanto, each representing one side. Both sides are governed by Kanto, each occupying one side, and each speaks his own words.
Hojo Genan said.
"This is not easy.
The Odaisho planned to march to Kamakura and take over the throne to present the sword, just to let my family recognize His Highness Uesugi as the governor of Kanto.
At least when I left Hachimangu Shrine, he had not given up on this idea. As long as he supports His Highness Uesugi, Echigo will be quite stable internally and will be difficult to shake."
Of course Yoshigan Shiba and Teru Uesugi could not accept the two Kanto proposed by the Hojo family.
As the orthodox heir to the old system, and the stronger side that won the battle of the Sano Territory, the Echigo side's demand is for the Hojo family to become vassal.
The Kanto Commander is the second-ranking figure in the Kanto system. Ashikaga Yoshiji, the Kanto general, is weak, heartbroken, and almost a puppet.
Whoever becomes the leader of the Kanto Kingdom will be the central head and supreme leader of the ten Kanto Kingdoms. This is very beneficial to the layout after the Kanto Strategy. This political title must be secured.
What does Hojo Ujiyasu mean by creating two Kantos? Is he trying to split the Kanto system?
The Echigo side can temporarily tolerate the Hojo family occupying the Sagami Musashi corner, but the political status of both parties must be within a Kanto system, which is a relationship between the central and local governments.
Uesugi Teruhora was the king, and Hojo Ujiyasu was the minister. The relationship between the two parties was between the central and local governments. Uesugi Teruhora's future military actions were for the central government to send troops to quell the rebellion of the local rebel parties, taking full moral advantage.
This is of great benefit to Echigo's Kanto strategy, and they will not give up easily, which makes Hojo Genan feel a little headache.
But she was unwilling to retreat to Hojo Ujiyasu's bottom line. The Hojo family gave up their independence and surrendered to Uesugi Teruhu.
Although doing so can quickly untie the knot at hand, the Hojo family will fall into moral passivity if they fight the Echigo army in the future.
Seeing her distress, Hojo Ujimasa smiled.
"Auntie, I have an idea."
"Your Majesty Ujimasa, please speak."
Hojo Ushimasa took out a white flag and stretched it from side to side with both hands.
Hojo Genan looked at this unique Ashikaga Futiki family flag unexpectedly and asked.
"This is... the Ashikaga white flag, the imperial flag?"
Hojo Umasa nodded with a complicated expression, couldn't help but tighten his hand holding the corner of the flag, and said.
"Yes, it is the imperial flag.
This is the royal flag of Yoshigan Shiba that Lord Tsunari Hojo fought desperately to bring back on the battlefield of Sano Territory."
Hojo Ushimasa gritted his teeth and even omitted the honorific.
The sitting Yasunari Hojo's body was shaken, his eyes turned to the battle-scarred imperial flag, mist appeared in his mouth, and he murmured.
"Mother.."
During the period when Hojo Tsusunari was the Dai of Kawagoe Castle, Hojo Yasunari actually took over the defense of Tamana Castle.
Sano led the battle, and her mother died in the battle. She also showed her ability by defending Tamana Castle and lived up to Hojo Ujiyasu's expectations.
Hojo Umasa bowed to the ground and spoke sincerely to Hojo Yasunari.
"I'm very sorry! Lord Tsunari Hojo died in battle because of my wrong decision-making. All of this is my responsibility!"
Hojo Yasunari avoided her front and bowed in return.
"Your Majesty Ujimasa, please don't say that.
It is the fate of the Wu family to die on the battlefield and be buried in horse leather. My mother died gloriously on the battlefield, and I am proud of her."
Hojo Umasa shook his head and said firmly.
"No, this is my fault. I will never forget the help given to me by Lord Tsunari Hojo and the Hojo family of Tamana Castle.
Kang Cheng, please forgive me, continue to assist me, and lend me your strength."
Hojo Yasunari's eyes filled with tears, he kowtowed to the ground and said.
"Hi!"
Hojo Genan looked on with pleasure and nodded secretly, saying that the Hojo clan has done a very good job.
She decisively used the imperial flag incident to draw closer to Hojo Yasunari and sympathize with him. She promised not to forget her kindness and to use him in an important way to calm people's hearts.
The Tamana Castle Hojo family is an important branch of the Hojo family and an important family.
Hojo Tsusunari married Hojo Ujiyasu's brother, was given the Miao name Hojo, entered the Hojo clan, and served as the Tamanagi Castle representative. Her branch of the Hojo branch was called the Tamanaho Hojo family.
Tamana Castle can be said to be the most important territory of the Hojo family besides Odawara Castle. The Tamana Hojo family, which leads the Tamana clan, has a very high status.
Before the battle at Sano, Hojo Ushimasa distanced herself from Hojo Tsunari and guarded against Hojo Tsunari. She mercilessly handed over Kagotsu Castle to Daidaiji Morimasa, which finally caused Hojo Tsunari to fight to the death and lose the Sano leader.
If she can't win over Yasunari Hojo, the Yusengzu, an important force in the Hojo family, will have problems sooner or later.
Now it seems that whether it was Hojo Ujiyasu's instructions or Hojo Ushimasa's own enlightenment, the result is still quite good.
In fact, Hojo Yasunari also had her own difficulties. After Hojo Tsusunari died in battle, she was unsure about the future of the Yushen Sect. The family governor came to admit his mistake in person, so she had no reason not to accept this good offer.
The Hojo clan will definitely give sufficient compensation to the Hojo family in Tamana Castle and help Hojo Yasunari secure the power of Tamana Castle.
Although the death of his mother is tragic, the family business will not be shaken and it is possible to move to a higher level. Hojo Yasunari certainly knows how to choose the most advantageous option.
Seeing that the two of them were treating each other well, Hojo Genan smiled while stroking his hands. Then, the three of them returned to the topic.
Hojo Genan asked.
"Your Majesty Ushimasa, do you want to use this Ashikaga white flag to force the Imperial Palace to make concessions?"
Hojo Umasa nodded.
"exactly.
I heard that this imperial flag was personally given to Yoshigan Shiba by General Ashikaga when he first entered the capital, and this was how he started his invincible journey to conquer the north and south.
Thinking about it, he must be willing to pay some price to get back this imperial flag. As long as he is willing to let go, this opportunity will open regardless of whether Uesugi Teruhu wants it or not."
Hojo Genan is thoughtful.
Yoshihiro Shiba and Terutora Uesugi were in lockstep, which was the biggest headache for the Hojo family. Ujiyasu Hojo tried every means to expand the differences between the two and create discord between them.
It is true that we can work hard on the return of this royal flag. Even if it cannot open up the situation, it will be a good thing for the Hojo family if the two people can no longer coordinate their steps.
Hojo Genan looked at the white flag covered with smoke, fire, and arrow marks with respect.
No matter how they calculated Shiba Yoshigoshi behind their backs, this man who refused to show mercy to women still gained the respect of all the Kanto samurai families, and the Hojo family was no exception.
As he quelled the rebellion in Echigo, joined forces at Kawanakajima, went into battle at Echichu, and led Sano in the joint battles, he performed heroic feats time after time.
The Kanto samurai had to admit that this Ashikaga military god who came from Kingo was indeed a strong man worthy of the name.
There is a strong admiration for the strong in the samurai society. This handsome young man really makes the Hojo family both respected and afraid, with mixed emotions.
Hojo Ushimasa was also looking at the imperial flag, and his mind had already flown to Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine.
The Plate Armor Princess Knights arranged by Yoshigan Shiba in the Sano Territory were the main culprits that led to the collapse of the Hojo army.
Although the two had a fierce battle at Sano, Hojo Ushimasa had never seen the famous Odaisho, Shiba Kenshin, with his own eyes.
Ever since the Sano leader was defeated and returned to Odawara Castle, she had never had a good night's sleep. In her nightmares every night, the blurry-faced Shiba Yoshigan would always stab her chest with a gun, waking her up.
Squeezing the royal flag in his hand, Hojo Ujimasa came to negotiate this time not only to clear the stain on the Sano leader, but also to overcome his own inner demons.
She secretly thought, Sibo Yiyin, no matter what kind of savage beast you are, I will never be defeated by you again, I am not afraid of you.
In this negotiation, she was aggressive and determined to win.
The three of them discussed some details. Hojo Genan saw that Hojo Ushimasa was exhausted and knew that she was traveling hard, so she bowed and said.
"Your Majesty Ujimasa, it's getting late, please have a good rest tonight.
Tomorrow, we will cross the river to Kamakura, go to Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine and have a good talk with the Odaisho, His Highness Uesugi."
Hojo Umasa nodded in agreement, and the three of them bowed and dismissed the meeting, each taking a rest.
That night, there was a heavy snowfall and a freezing wind. The next morning, heavy snow had covered the plains, and the silver-covered scenery was particularly inspiring in the eyes of Hojo Ushimasa.
She wished that the wind and snow were blowing day and night, making the Echigo army stationed on the expedition even more miserable.
A group of people rode horses to the Katase River. The river had been frozen. A Hatamoto stepped onto the ice first, walked back and forth, and reported that the ice was thick and they could move forward.
Hojo Umasa pointed at the ice and said to Hojo Genan.
"Auntie, God is really helping me. Such is God's will, and it is hard to disobey the destiny."
She couldn't help but look up to the sky and smile, feeling more confident about the upcoming negotiations.
Winter has arrived and water transport is frozen.
The logistics line of the Echigo army mainly relied on the Tone River, Tama River, Sagami River, etc., the river water transportation of the Ueno Musashi Sagami Three Kingdoms, and was supplemented by the transportation of farmers and soldiers from the local samurai.
Now that the river is frozen, the Kanto samurai families have gone home, and the local peasants and soldiers are not sure whether they can still be used. The logistics support of the Echigo army will definitely be under great pressure.
This pressure is placed on the negotiation table, which adds another bargaining chip to the Hojo family.
