"Takechiyo is still as good-tempered as before. Speaking of which, His Highness Oda's character is as bad as ever. It has not changed in these years."
Tokugawa Ieyasu had a taste of it and his mind became more active.
Tokugawa Ieyasu needed the tiger skin of the Nitta family bloodline very much. The local samurai respected the bloodline family character, which was very beneficial to the rule of the Tokugawa family.
Oda Nobunaga went to Luo and asked Tokugawa Ieyasu for help, but Tokugawa Ieyasu had to go.
First, the condition given by Oda Nobunaga was for the shogunate to recognize her as a descendant of the Nitta family. This was the status that Tokugawa Ieyasu lacked.
Secondly, the threat from the Takeda family was looming on his back, and Tokugawa Ieyasu desperately needed the support of the Oda family to fight against the terrifying Tiger of Kai.
For more than half a year, Takeda Harunobu took a nap in his territory, which frightened Tokugawa Ieyasu so much that he would sleep with one eye open.
However, although the incident at Shangluo was a foregone conclusion, Tokugawa Ieyasu was actually not satisfied because the alliance between the Oda and Tokugawa families was becoming increasingly unequal.
Initially, the alliance between the two parties was back-to-back, with one east and one west expanding in opposite directions. However, with the rapid growth of Oda Nobunaga's power and her arrogant and domineering character, the alliance has gradually become unbalanced.
Tokugawa Ieyasu knew very well that with Oda Nobunaga's style, it would be the Tokugawa family who would contribute the effort this time, and the Oda family would eat the meat.
But she couldn't refuse, and she had to play with the Master Ji sister with a smile. The result would be that the Oda family would become more powerful, and the Tokugawa family would probably become a subordinate.
Now according to Shiba Yoshigan, he wants to bump fists with Oda Nobunaga and discuss the conditions for joining Luo.
Tokugawa Ieyasu's heart moved and he sighed.
"Sister Master Ji has such a temper, don't argue with her.
Actually...sigh...there's something I don't know whether I should say?"
Yiyin glanced at her and said.
"But it doesn't matter."
Tokugawa Ieyasu said in a low voice.
"Toshiiehime had an accident a while ago. It is said that she was summoned by the Oda Palace to go to Gifu Castle and scolded her severely. She was driven back to the territory of Kamigun, Mino Province, and was put in solitary confinement to think about her mistakes."
Yiyin narrowed his eyes and asked.
"Oda Main Hall?"
Tokugawa Ieyasu nodded and said.
"Ever since we conquered the Meinong Country and gained a million-stone territory, everyone has become accustomed to calling Master Ji's sister "Main Dian", and I also followed suit."
Yiyin was smiling on his face, but secretly he was burning with anger.
Oda Daiden? What an Oda Daiden! Maeda Toshiie is the Shiba family’s acting magistrate of the Owari territory, but she can order punishments. What does that mean?
Tokugawa Ieyasu made a few provocations, and when he saw Yoshigoshi Shiba's eyes flashing, he became even more determined.
Yoshigan Shiba has the reputation, and Nobunaga Oda has the strength. If the two of them work together, this trip to Luo will be successful.
Tokugawa Ieyasu passed on small talk, not for any other reason than to prevent Oda Nobunaga from becoming more powerful and overwhelming the Tokugawa family.
She, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was used as a girl by Oda Nobunaga without her sincerity.
The Oda family only occupies two and a half lands of Owari Mino and Northern Ise, and Oda Nobunaga has already treated Tokugawa Ieyasu as his little sister.
If she is allowed to go to Luo and successfully obtain the power of the shogunate, I don't know what kind of cheap sister Tokugawa Ieyasu will be in the future, a servant girl?
Tokugawa Ieyasu said with a worried look.
"Li Jiaji and I have a deep relationship. When Mikawa was always in turmoil, it was she who led the troops to help. I will remember this kindness to this day.
Now I don’t know why she offended Oda-den, well, I’m really worried.”
Yoshigan Shiba knew in his heart that what happened to the Maeda Toshi family was because of the message sent to him.
He decided to return from Tokaido, catching Oda Nobunaga off guard, and also exposed the Maeda Toshi family's tip. Speaking of which, he still couldn't help her.
As for Tokugawa Ieyasu's concern for Maeda Toshiie in his words, he was trying his best to show it to Yoshigan Shiba, who had a relationship with the Shiba family.
Repeatedly mentioning one Ii Naotora and one Maeda Toshiie, Tokugawa Ieyasu's attitude has been very clear. She was not willing to become a subordinate of Oda Nobunaga and shed blood and sacrificed for the growth of the Oda family.
Yoshigan smiled. Tokugawa Ieyasu gave me face, and he wanted to reciprocate the favor, so he said.
"Your Majesty Tokugawa, you are a good man who always repays gratitude. I know this."
Tokugawa Ieyasu was overjoyed when he heard that Yoshigan no longer called himself Takechiyo but Tokugawa Miao.
"Odaisho, you are too polite. My name, Tokugawa Miao, comes from my ancestor..."
Tokugawa Ieyasu also wanted to perform a part about recognizing his ancestors, but Yoshigan stopped him with his hand. He turned back and pointed at the royal white flag on the horse of Kamao clan and said.
"Your Highness Tokugawa, look at this flag."
Tokugawa Ieyasu said respectfully.
"Could this be the white flag of Hachiman Taimu of the White Flag Shrine in Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine?"
Shiba Yiyin nodded proudly.
After he decided to return to Konji from Tokaido, the first thing he did was to publicize the Kamakura Miracle through all possible channels.
Regardless of whether it is the martial arts family, businessmen, ninja people, or other channels, as long as there is a propaganda outlet that can speak out, everyone will use their full strength to promote it for me!
Even before Yoshigan left Echigo Country, this incident had already spread to the whole world, creating enough momentum for his return to the near future.
Therefore, Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to find out what this flag meant instead of being silent.
Sibo Yiyin said solemnly.
"I hold the imperial sword edict of Ashikaga Shogun, and carry the white flag of Hachiman Tainiang on my back. I call you Tokugawa, and you are the bloodline of Kawachi Genji Nitta.
You don’t need to explain anything. If someone doesn’t believe it, just ask her to ask me.”
Tokugawa Ieyasu was overjoyed and bowed deeply.
Although Yoshigan Shiba's strength is far inferior to that of Oda Nobunaga, no samurai group in the world can beat him due to his reputation.
The golden seal of the sword was given by Ashikaga Yoshiteru, the dead Ashikaga shogun, and the white flag was given by the spirit of Hachiman Tainiang Minamoto Yoshi's family. Is there any more orthodox righteousness in the world than him?
Even Ashikaga Yoshiaki, the twin sister of Ashikaga Yoshiteru, is theoretically a maternal daughter with blood but no family status. Strictly speaking, she cannot be considered a direct descendant of the Kawachi Genji family, and her status is barely there.
Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted to laugh in his heart. The family status he had been pursuing so hard was achieved without any effort. Perhaps, this is what Yoshigan Shiba wanted to express.
She raised her head and looked at brother Yiyin whom she hadn't seen for many years, feeling awe-struck in her heart.
The powerful Oda Nobunaga and the righteous Shiba Yoshigan, who knows what kind of sparks will collide when the two meet.
Tokugawa Ieyasu showed a trace of expectation on his lips, bowed and said.
‘‘Odaisho is so powerful, I sincerely ask you to allow me to accompany you and go to Owari Kingdom with you.’’
Yiyin said in surprise.
"His Majesty Tokugawa is also going to Owari Country? Why?"
Tokugawa Ieyasu said respectfully.
"Oda Daiden was overjoyed to hear that you were returning from Tokaido.
She has returned from Gifu Castle in Mino Province to Kiyosu Castle in Owari Province to welcome you back."
Tokugawa Ieyasu's kind words were harsh to the ears of Yoshigan Shiba.
Not far outside Qingzhou City, there is the ancestral village of the Shiba family with 1,500 koku. Back then, Yoshihiro Shiba drank Big Bear Tea twice with Oda Nobunaga just to keep the 1,500 koku.
Oda Nobunaga, she is waiting for Yoshihiro Shiba to return at her old place in Kiyosu Castle. Is this a welcome? Is this nostalgia? This is a demonstration!
She is still so arrogant and domineering.
She can do whatever she wants to a weak ally like Tokugawa Ieyasu. It’s just that the current Shiba Yoshigan is no longer the former Shiba Yoshigan, and she cannot tolerate her being so presumptuous!
Sibo Yiyin narrowed his eyes, smiled and said.
"In this case, I happen to be traveling with His Highness Tokugawa. I am not familiar with the two countries of Yuanjiang and Mikawa. It is also a good thing to have His Highness Tokugawa to lead the way."
Tokugawa Ieyasu had been paying attention to his expression, and when he saw that his eyebrows were filled with anger, he was excited in his heart and was ready to watch a good show, so he answered respectfully.
"It's a great honor to be able to lead the way to the imperial palace."
The two looked at each other and smiled, seemingly reunited after a long separation, with deep love and deep friendship.
———
Qingzhou Castle, inside the castle tower.
Oda Nobunaga put down the letter in his hand and said gently to Niwa Nagahide.
"Mi Wuniang, thank you for your hard work. You worked hard and achieved great results this time. I will not forget it."
Niwa Nagahide bowed and thanked, and then said.
"When I came back from Kitaomi, His Highness Ashikaga Yoshiaki asked me to forward this letter to you. She will move to Mino Country in late winter and early spring."
Oda Nobunaga smiled sarcastically.
"A nameless twin girl dared to write to me in the form of a royal letter.
It seems that His Highness Yoshiaki can't wait for Shangluo to succeed to the throne, should I change my name to Lord Gongfang and let her be happy first?"
The social laws of the samurai family were strict, and the imperial letter was the format used by Ashikaga shoguns to communicate with local daimyo in the form of private messages.
The military preparations of the Ashikaga shogunate have been in decline for many years. During several major rebellions, the Ashikaga shogun called on the powerful local daimyo. In the name of the imperial minister, he mobilized Kamiro to help the shogunate and serve the Ashikaga shogun.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki was not an Ashikaga shogun, and he was not qualified to call on the local daimyo to serve as a minister in the form of a royal letter.
Niwa Nagahide said with a smile.
"Three good things have gone awry, the shogunate has collapsed, and the whole world of the Wu family has shown signs of collapse of rituals and music.
That’s why loyal warriors like you, my lord, are needed to step forward and fight for the world.”
Oda Nobunaga laughed so hard that he couldn't close his mouth, pointing at Niwa Nagahide and laughing loudly.
"Mi Wuniang, you went to Jinji once and learned a lot from those shogunate pranksters."
Niwa Nagahide didn't want to flatter him, but what he said next was a bit unpleasant, so there had to be a foreshadowing. Let Oda Nobunaga be happy first, and then he could speak.
Taking advantage of Oda Nobunaga's good mood, she tentatively said.
"Main Hall, the day of going to Luo is getting closer and closer. His Highness Ashikaga Yoshiaki is coming to Mino Country soon. I'm afraid you will be inconvenienced if you stay in Qingsu Castle for a long time."
Oda Nobunaga's smile froze, and she looked at Niwa Nagahide and snorted fiercely.
"I knew that Mi Wu Niang was not Hideyoshi. How could she be so shameless to make me happy? She was actually waiting for me here?"
Niwa Nagahide sighed.
"The main hall, today is different from the past. There are some people and things that cannot be viewed from the past."
As the power of the Oda family expanded, Oda Nobunaga's residence moved several times, from Kiyosu Castle to Komakiyama Castle, and finally to Gifu Castle in Mino Country.
This time she deliberately came to Kiyosu Castle to greet Shiba Yoshigan. She seemed to be respectful but actually had a hidden secret. She had already caused quite a commotion in the Owari Takeshi family.
When Niwa Nagahide came back for an audience, Shibata Katsuie, Maeda Toshiie and others either met or wrote letters, and they all sent messages to her overtly or secretly.
Everything he said was nothing more than a hint that what Oda Nobunaga did was too provocative and abusive, and would harm the interests of the Oda family.
It is not a secret among the Owari samurai family that the Shiba clan was exterminated by Oda Nobubu, and that Shiba Yoshigan borrowed troops to defeat Oda Nobubu.
After Yoshigan Shiba borrowed troops, he was invited to drink tea by Oda Nobunaga, and he was drunk all night long.
After Tianming left, the first thing he did was to let Takada Yono publicize the tea drinking incident to all Owari.
This was to coerce Oda Nobunaga so that she would not dare to openly swallow the Shiba family's fifteen hundred stone quarry.
Therefore, the fact that Shiba Yoshigan was drank tea twice by Oda Nobunaga is a rumor abroad, but here in the Owari Take family, it is really not the truth.
After that, Sibo Yiyin went to Luo and skyrocketed from then on.
He revived Shiba, became his unmarried fiancé with Shogun Ashikaga, and was the leader of a powerful local faction in the shogunate holding nearly two hundred thousand koku.
After that, Yoshigan Shiba went to Kanto. Echigo suppressed the rebellion and massacred all parties. Shinano and Kawanakajima destroyed the Takeda family. The Echichu attack made the Takeda family afraid of the fanaticism. They always bowed their heads and admitted defeat.
Finally, he teamed up with Uesugi Teruhora to kill the Hojo family in Kanhachishu, and performed miracles at Kamakura Tsurugaoka Hachimangu Shrine, and received the royal white flag given by Hachiman Taimu.
At this time, Shiba Yiyin was no longer the poor nobleman who had lost his family and exchanged his body for reinforcements. He was now an unparalleled genius who was respected by martial arts families all over the world.
The Kanto warriors even respected him as a heavenly being and a living god. On the way back to the Imperial White Banner, all the eight great names in Guanzhou regarded him as a vassal, and dispatched a group of knights to escort the Imperial Guard back to the north in accordance with traditional etiquette.
Oda Nobunaga went all the way to Qingsu Castle to receive such a powerful Odaisho. In the castle tower where she forced him to drink tea, how special was it to receive him!
Isn't this just looking for trouble? The Oda family has already reached this level of excellence. Invincible in the world can do whatever they want?
Oda Nobunaga raised his eyebrows and said.
"According to your opinion, if such a noble person returns to his hometown, I shouldn't come to serve him?
Ashikaga Yoshiaki is a puppet with no reputation and status, but I still have to sit quietly in Gifu Castle and wait for her to come to my door. On the contrary, the unparalleled Shiba Kenshin doesn't receive my warm hospitality?
Mi Wuniang, there is something wrong with your thinking, have you lost all the loyalty of the Wu family?"
Niwa Nagahide sighed, Oda Nobunaga was acting rogue.
"In the main hall, the retainers are very worried..."
Oda Nobunaga interrupted arrogantly.
"Then tell me, who is worried? I will explain to them and make them feel comfortable!"
Niwa Nagahide was stunned and speechless. She couldn't persuade the boss to act like a rogue.
The Oda family occupies two and a half lands of Owari, Mino, and North Ise, with a stone height of 1.4 million koku. It is already one of the most powerful lords in the world. However, because Oda Nobunaga rose too fast, the retainers group was very complicated.
The Northern Ise samurai family had just surrendered, in name only. The Eastern and Western Mino people were divided, with the Western Mino wooing them, and the Eastern Mino suppressing them, and they basically surrendered.
The time that these peripheral samurai families took refuge with the Oda family was too short to be considered loyal at all.
