Akechi Mitsuhide curled his lips when he saw Yoshiyin and said with a smile.
"Tomorrow, I would like to ask my lord to invite His Highness Ninagawa and His Highness Hatakeyama Takamasa to pay a visit.
If you want to take it back, it will be me and the two of them who will cooperate with the general in the future on the Kyoto shogunate side.
Without your words, I'm afraid they won't believe me."
Yiyin rolled his eyes and said.
"You also know that there is something wrong with your character, but others can't believe it, right?"
Akechi Mitsuhide covered his mouth and chuckled, then suddenly couldn't help but yawned.
Yiyin looked at her tired face and felt a little distressed when he remembered that she hadn't rested since she arrived yesterday.
"You, don't work too hard. Just stop here today and have a good night's rest first."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled and saluted, and was about to leave, when Yoshigan suddenly stopped her.
"Mitsuhide."
Akechi Mitsuhide turned back to look at his master, Yoshihiro said slowly with a complicated look on his face.
"The methods of these people in Kyoto are very dark. After I leave, you must protect yourself."
Akechi Mitsuhide was so moved that he wanted to cry, but his face looked charming.
"What, I thought the master wanted me to stay and sleep with him."
Yoshigan felt his teeth itch after hearing this. He finally let go of his guilt towards Ashikaga Yoshiteru and expressed concern for Akechi Mitsuhide. This vixen dared to tease him.
Pointing at the sliding door, Yiyin said coldly.
"Get out!"
Akechi Mitsuhide swept the tip of his tongue across the corner of his mouth, narrowed his eyes and smiled.
"Don't worry, I've long been used to the muddy waters of the shogunate, and I won't be harmed by those idiots."
After saying that, she bowed gracefully and walked out.
Yiyin looked at her leaving figure and couldn't help but cursed in a low voice.
"What on earth am I thinking about...really..."
Yiyin has complicated thoughts.
On the one hand, he felt sorry for Ashikaga Yoshiki, because he had to use the person who killed her to expand his harem, and he felt full of guilt.
But on the other hand, he couldn't bear to see Akechi Mitsuhide looking so tired that he couldn't open his eyes.
What Akechi Mitsuhide did was actually of no benefit to herself at all. She was really carrying out her ideals and love, dedicated herself to Yiyin, and died.
Yiyin took a deep breath, his eyes were confused, he was such a bastard.
———
Akechi Mitsuhide walked out of the room, his heart filled with sweetness.
She thought she could have a bleak future with a smile on her face and be hated by Shiba Yiyin without any regrets.
But the moment she felt that Shiba Yiyin cared about her, the fortress in her heart was as brittle as thin paper.
She walked all the way back to her room, her eyes moist, and she gradually couldn't see the road ahead clearly. She covered her mouth, afraid that she would cry.
She told herself that it was really ugly, Mitsuhide Akechi, but she couldn't help but feel happy and felt that her death was worth it.
In the dead of night, Mitsuhide Akechi hides in a corner, licking the scars in her heart. Tomorrow, she will turn back into the feared poisonous warrior.
———
The next day, Ninagawa and Hatakeyama Takamasa were invited to Shiba's mansion to attend a small tea party hosted by Yoshihiro Shiba. Akechi Mitsuhide was among the guests.
When the tea man was performing, Hatakeyama Takamasa glanced at Akechi Mitsuhide. Ninagawa himself had a close relationship with Akechi Mitsuhide, but Hatakeyama Takamasa only found out today that Akechi Mitsuhide had returned to Kyoto.
Hatakeyama Takamasa could vaguely sense what Mitsuhide Akechi, who was good at dancing, had done in Kyoto.
Seeing that Yoshigan Shiba called Akechi Mitsuhide to Kyoto, Hatakeyama Takamasa was full of thoughts and was absent-minded about the tea party in front of him.
In fact, not only her, but also the concubines sitting here were not interested in the attentive tea man in front of them.
When the tea man served the tea soup, Yi Gin motioned to the Hamo family to take her down to receive the reward. He picked up the tea bowl and looked at the curling green smoke without saying anything.
Hatakeyama Takamasa couldn't hold it any longer and asked.
"Odaisho, what do you think of Ninagawa's last suggestion?"
Yoshigan glanced at Mitsuhide Akechi, who was full of bad feelings. Mitsuhide took a sip of tea and smiled.
"Ninagawa-sama's loyalty to the shogunate is commendable, and I admire you very much. It's just this suggestion. I have some different opinions."
Hatakeyama Takamasa glanced at Ninagawa Akiko and saw that she looked calm, and her objection to Akechi Mitsuhide was obviously known in advance.
Thinking that the leader he had obtained was about to fly away, Hatakeyama Takamasa suddenly became agitated and spoke in a bad tone.
"There is a saying in the heaven that when you serve as a minister, the king will worry about his ministers working hard, and the king will humiliate his ministers to death.
Today's shogunate is dominated by villains, and the Odaisho is also suffering from it. We, the shogunate samurai, have been blessed by the shogunate for generations, so we should stand up for it.
The general has just returned to the secular world and is not familiar with martial arts politics. We serve as the general to command the princes and respectfully request the Grand Imperial Palace to provide guidance on politics. What's the problem?
Lord Akechi thinks it’s inappropriate, but I’m also curious and want to hear your opinion.”
Hatakeyama Takamasa slapped him with the label of disloyalty, but Akechi Mitsuhide said with a smile.
"My lord is famous all over the world for his benevolence and justice. Even if the shogunate is in debt to the lord, it cannot carry out military advice.
Outsiders don't know the inside story of the shogunate, and they think that the master has evil intentions. It will be very thankless, and the reputation of the Shiba family will be ruined."
Hatakeyama Takamasa glanced at Akechi Mitsuhide. This person always did things unscrupulously, but now he became coy and coy.
“In extraordinary times, extraordinary things are done.
The villain is in power and poisons the good. If we don't clean up the emperor, will the garbage disappear by itself? If the broom is not available, the dust will not escape by itself.
Sir Akechi, you are too pedantic."
Akechi Mitsuhide smiled, changed the topic and said.
"I have carefully thought about Ise Sada, and it is definitely not a good idea for her to try to bring peace between the two families in Lisboa.
Both the general and the Grand Imperial Office were full of disgust for her behavior. No matter who gained power in the future, she would not be able to escape the fate of settling her scores.
If that's the case, why does she have to stir up trouble and insist on being the one who takes the lead?
Last night, my lord told me that Ise Sakyo is helping His Highness Oda to get the Rakuchu legal system passed in the shogunate review.
Only then did I realize what her back-up plan was.”
Ninagawa Makoyo, who was listening quietly next to him, frowned and interrupted.
"She wants to join the Oda family?"
Akechi Mitsuhide nodded and said.
"Neither the Ashirisbo family can tolerate her, so the only way out is for her to seek refuge with His Highness Oda.
Originally, she was still creating smoke, trying to cover up her true intentions. But she didn't know what happened, and she suddenly became anxious.
This urgency revealed its traces, allowing me to see her trump card.
If Ise Sakyo has long been determined to defect to His Highness Oda, then we need to be more cautious in any countermeasures against the general.
Gu Zhi
With the Ise Sadaka's sophistication, she would incite His Majesty Oda to send troops to suppress it as long as the soldiers came forward with advice.
The Oda family did not have a strong reputation, but their military strength was indeed strong. The Shiba family did not have enough troops in the capital, and they could not defeat the Oda army with only their Ashikaga horses.
If the military remonstrance fails, the general will be forced to rely heavily on the Oda family, which will be very detrimental to us."
Hatakeyama Takamasa frowned and stopped talking. Akechi Mitsuhide looked at her speechless and wanted to laugh secretly.
The so-called reasons why they can't use weapons are all excuses. The real intention of the Shiba family is that Yoshihiro Shiba retires and takes over the throne, shrinks his strategy, and leaves the battlefield to the Ashikaga and Oda sides.
Yoshigan Shiba refused to retreat, and Nobunaga Oda was like a fisherman who laughed at the fight between snipe and clam. Only by jumping out of the chessboard could Yoshigan Shiba catch the opportunity of the mantis stalking the cicada, with the oriole behind.
But if you tell Takamasa Hatakeyama frankly about this reason, it will be difficult to convince her. Because the Shiba family's strategic contraction will not be of any benefit to the Hatakeyama clan.
Hatakeyama Takamasa is different from Ninagawa himself.
Ninagawa himself received Mitsuhide Akechi's promise, and the Ninagawa family would be satisfied if they could take over the Shogunate Group.
But Hatakeyama Takamasa's desire for power as an empty general, with Shiba Yoshigan as the boss behind the scenes and himself as the leader in front of the curtain, Akechi Mitsuhide could not satisfy her.
Akechi Mitsuhide rambles on, but in the final analysis, he should talk more about difficulties and less about hopes, trying to depress Hatakeyama Takamasa's psychological value.
At this time, seeing Hatakeyama Takamasa frowning and saying nothing, Akechi Mitsuhide comforted her instead.
"However, the post of shogunate governor has been vacant for a long time. Your Highness, Hatakeyama, is the governor of the Hatakeyama clan and is qualified to serve as shogunate governor.
We still have to try our best to fight for this matter."
Hatakeyama Takamasa's eyes lit up.
Although Ashikaga Yoshiaki cannot be ignored, it would not be a loss for Hatakeyama Takamasa if he could get the title of leader.
With Shiba Yoshigan's support behind her, she, as a steward, has a certain status in the shogunate and will not be reduced to a marginalized decoration.
Seeing that Hatakeyama Takamasa's expression improved, Akechi Mitsuhide had already figured out her bottom line, changed the subject, and said with a smile.
"Your Highness Hatakeyama, the Ise Sadato has joined His Highness Oda. How do you think she will help His Highness Oda get involved in shogunate politics?"
Hatakeyama Takamasa shook his head.
"It's hard to guess what this old fox is thinking."
Akechi Mitsuhide said.
"I do have some ideas. Do you think she will follow Sanhao Changqing's old plan?"
Hatakeyama Takamasa squinted his eyes and thought for a moment, then nodded.
"Yes, it's very possible.
When Miyoshi Changqing came to Luo, Ise Sadao was wavering.
The Miyoshi family is the head of the Hosokawa clan, and Miyoshi Nagakei wants to use his identity as the head of the Hosokawa family to exercise the power of stewardship for the Hosokawa family, calling himself the steward."
Hatakeyama Takamasa glanced at the calm Shiba Yoshigan and cursed bitterly.
"These treacherous traitors!"
Miyoshi Nagakei slaughtered the Hosokawa clan, and the Oda family also massacred the Shiba clan. Although Oda Nobunaga was not the one to do it, two Odas cannot be written in one sentence. Oda Nobunaga was not unjust.
It sounds like they are all three in charge of the important ministers, but in the end it is these ministers who are the most ruthless to the master.
If Ise Sadakyo repeats its old trick and makes Oda Nobunaga the head of the Isuba clan and becomes the head of the clan, then it will be a loss to Hatakeyama Takamasa.
She is bound to get the leadership position.
Oda Nobunaga became the leader as the head of the Shiba clan. Naturally, the position of leader could no longer be given to the Hatakeyama clan. This was against the rules.
Akechi Mitsuhide's few words stirred up the fire in Hatakeyama Takamasa's heart, and within a short time she hated the Ise Sadato sect to the core.
Yiyin looked on and shook his head secretly.
Hatakeyama Takamasa's mind was not bad, but she was greedy for profit and was tricked by Akechi Mitsuhide, and was tightly tied to the Shiba family's chariot.
Compared with the righteous favors used by Ui Bank, Akechi Mitsuhide's provocation method of playing with people's hearts is not very popular, but it is really effective.
All three shogunate leaders were defeated, the two clans of Hosokawa and Shiba were destroyed, and Takamasa Hatakeyama, as the governor of the Hatakeyama clan, was also trapped by the important ministers of the Yusa clan.
If it hadn't been for Shiba Yoshigan's action and the annihilation of Yusa's religion, the fate of the Hatakeyama clan would probably not have been much better than that of the other two clans.
She was still frightened, resonated with Akechi Mitsuhide's words, and shared the same hatred.
Akechi Mitsuhide said.
"The Odaisho does not want to give the Oda family an opportunity to let the Ise Sadato's conspiracy succeed. Therefore, we cannot use force against the general.
In a few days, the Grand Imperial Office will send a letter to the shogunate to retreat to his residence and become a monk."
"What!"
Hatakeyama Takamasa was shocked, bowed to Shiba Yoshigan and said.
"Odaisho! Absolutely not!"
The shogunate cannot be without a grand imperial palace for a day, and the center cannot be without a pillar supporting the sky!"
Yiyin took a sip of tea and said.
"Your Highness Hatakeyama, the situation in Kyoto has become a mess. The only way to break the situation is to get out of the situation.
Shen Sheng died inside, and Chong'er was safe outside. His Highness Hatakeyama's family history, you must have heard this sentence, right?"
Hatakeyama Takamasa felt at ease. Yoshigan Shiba just wanted to temporarily avoid the spotlight, but was not giving up the power of the shogunate. She could still accept it.
Yiyin continued.
"After I leave, Akechi Mitsuhide will take charge of Kyoto affairs for me.
Your Highness Hatakeyama, Lord Ninagawa, I hope you can continue to support the Shiba family and Akechi Mitsuhide.
I am very aware of your loyalty to the shogunate. The days ahead are long, and we will not fight over the gains and losses that can be made in one day.
I promise you that your efforts today will be richly rewarded one day."
Hatakeyama Takamasa and Ninagawa Lord kowtowed together and said.
"I will follow the teachings of the great emperor."
Seeing the always crazy Hatakeyama Takamasa being fooled into a coma by Akechi Mitsuhide, even Ninagawa himself admired him for his honesty.
With Akechi Mitsuhide in Kyoto, Ninagawa himself was not afraid that the pro-Shiba faction would suffer in the confrontation with the shogunate. However, this person's mind was too sinister, and being in a relationship with her was really unsettling.
Fortunately, Yoshigan Shiba promised in person, which reassured Ninagawa. She couldn't trust Mitsuhide Akechi, so could she still not trust Yoshigan Shiba?
Sibo Yiyin is a kind-hearted man, and he has always kept his word and made every promise.
With his assurance, Shiba, Hatakeyama, and Ninagawa could unite closely and patiently deal with Ashikaga Yoshiaki and his faction in Kyoto.
Ninagawa and Takamasa Hatakeyama are gearing up and full of fighting spirit, but their predictions about the future are still a bit superficial.
Yoshigami nodded slightly to Akechi Mitsuhide, officially handing over the leadership of Kyoto affairs to her.
According to Mitsuhide Akechi's strategic vision, the future of the Shiba family will not be easy. From strategic defense, to strategic confrontation, to strategic counterattack, it will be a long and difficult time.
Don't look at the fact that Ninagawa and Hatakeyama Takamasa are sworn here today, looking like they will always follow the great leader Yoshigan Saba.
At a time when Oda Nobunaga's power was overwhelming and samurai families all over the world were trembling in fear, Yoshigan had no idea whether their position would waver.
It sounds ridiculous, but perhaps it is true as Mitsuhide Akechi judged. Only the infatuated Fujitaka Hosokawa can truly be relied upon at critical moments.