In Takatsuki Castle, Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Wada Weimasa had secret discussions in the inner chamber, and calculated Oda Nobunaga carefully and clearly.
But Wada Weizheng didn't know that every move she made was betrayed.
As soon as she returned to Takatsuki Castle, her daughter Wada Nomanaga wrote a letter and sent it to Niwa Nagahide, revealing the details of the shogunate to the Oda family.
Niwa Nagahide, who was coordinating logistical supplies for the Oda Army, received this letter and did not dare to neglect, and immediately went to Oda Nobunaga's main camp.
At this time, the Oda army had advanced to the Ibaraki Castle area in the middle of Settsu. The dilemma was that they really didn't know who to fight.
The Miyoshi Army was huddled near Sakai Port, ready to escape by boat at any time. Continuing to the west is the Itami family, and continuing to the north is the Ikeda family. They are all Juyi samurai families who have awakened and defected to the shogunate.
It was also evening when Niwa Nagahide arrived.
After Oda Nobunaga scanned Wada Nobunaga's letter, he threw it into the brazier nearby. The letter instantly disappeared into nothing, she said with a sneer.
"What a good Ashikaga Shogun who knows how to repay his kindness, what a loyal minister of the shogunate, and what a group of Settsu people who know the righteousness."
Niwa Nagahide said worriedly.
“The shogunate is weak and cool, even if it is as virtuous and prestigious as Tsutaden, it is ruthless and can do evil things.
Before going to Luo, Your Highness accepted Takenaka Shigeharu's strategy of raising the bandits and respecting themselves, which was actually the best choice for my family."
Oda Nobunaga glanced at Niwa Nagahide and said.
"What, are you complaining that I sent troops too hastily this time? Do you think I did something wrong?"
Niwa Nagahide naturally knew that speaking like this would displease Oda Nobunaga, but she dared to speak out because of her extraordinary relationship with Oda Nobunaga.
"You are naturally wise and powerful, otherwise how could the Oda family be as prosperous as it is today?
It’s just that the shogunate has always used checks and balances to deal with foreign vassals, and its methods of weakening the strong and supporting the weak are hard to guard against, so we cannot deal with them carelessly."
Oda Nobunaga sneered.
"I didn't expect this general to be able to do anything. I made a mistake and was too weak in Miyoshi's family. Is Miyoshi Yoshitsugu, a coward, worthy of being Miyoshi Chokei's successor?
Even if they lose Settsu, Sakai Port, and the Miyoshi family, they are still one of the most powerful vassals in the world. As long as the Miyoshi family shows some ambition in this battle, even if they are defeated in a fierce battle, the martial arts families in the world will not dare to look down upon them.
But Miyoshi Yoshitsugi didn't even have the courage to fight, which is really unreasonable.
The poor people in Kanto all know that they should fight first and then negotiate terms. Itami, Ikeda and other Settsu members are so weak that they will kneel down without fighting.
The ups and downs of Setjin have opened my eyes and gained me knowledge."
Although Oda Nobunaga's tone was unkind, he still vaguely admitted his miscalculation. This meant that in front of Niwa Nagahide, she would never say a soft word if someone else was present.
Takenaka Shigeharu advised Oda Nobunaga in order to keep the Miyoshi family as a foreign threat so that the shogunate would rely on the Oda family and have no scruples in doing things.
But the Miyoshi family knelt down too quickly, and the Settsu people surrendered without fighting, which made Ashikaga Yoshiaki swell. In her eyes, Oda Nobunaga is now of little use and a great threat.
It's strange that Oda Nobunaga was impatient.
She deliberately planned to capture Sakai Port in order to control the supply of saltpeter and lead shot needed for the iron cannon. She accidentally pierced Miyoshi's tiger skin and took off Miyoshi Yoshitsugu's underwear.
Even though Ashikaga Yoshiaki now dares to look down on the Miyoshi family, without the strong intervention of Oda Nobunaga, Ashikaga Yoshiaki would definitely not dare to attack Settsu and attack the Miyoshi family head-on.
But it's too late to say regret now. The Miyoshi family has become cowardly, Ashikaga Yoshiaki is also crazy, and the strategy of raising bandits to respect themselves has been completely completed.
Since there is no point in regretting, Niwa Nagahide gave a direct reminder and stopped irritating the master's nerves, and turned to talk about other things.
"I heard that Hideyoshi did well in Sakai Port, and Tsuda Muneki, one of the three wealthy merchants in Sakai Port, has joined my family."
Niwa Nagahide passed the ladder to Mianzi, and Oda Nobunaga stepped down and said next.
"Monkey did a good job, give her credit."
The monarch and his ministers relaxed the atmosphere. Oda Nobunaga took a breath and sneered.
"Wada Weimasa has calculated everything, but she doesn't know that her daughter was persuaded by Mi Wu Niang to help us now when she was in Minami Omi."
Niwa Nagahide said.
"Wada Taimasa was obsessed with shogunate politics, but he couldn't see the reality of the decline of the Ashikaga family.
Today's shogun, she can't even tolerate the lenient Tsuta-den, and many people inside and outside the shogunate have already become cold-blooded. Wada Weinaga's defection to my family is also to leave a way out for the Wada family.
But even if we know the shogunate's plan, it will be difficult for us to fight back.
Settsu prioritized the generals over the main hall. This time we marched westward, no local samurai came to our side. On the contrary, it was the Itami-Ikeda family who colluded with Wada Yaimasa, and that's why we proposed the proposal of the three guardians of Settsu.
I was sent away from the Oda family just because I wanted to use a useless Sakai Port. It is really abominable.
Although the Miyoshi family has retreated, there is still Takada Harano stationed at Sakai Port from Tsutaden. The general will probably expand the power of the Shiba family in Sakai Port to check and balance my family's presence in Sakai Port.
Secretly, Sen Rikyu, who has a background in Kyoto, is the leader of the wealthy businessmen, and my family may not be able to take advantage."
Oda Nobunaga said coldly.
"Now I am a big influence, and everyone wants to take advantage of me.
The Nanman Sect wanted to lure me into Sakai Port and encourage me to fight against Ishiyama Honganji Temple. The shogunate, Lord Kōkō, also hoped that the Oda Shiba family would be at odds with each other at Sakai Port so that she could profit from it.
There are so many pairs of eyes here in Settsu secretly staring at me, waiting for me to get angry, be reckless, and make mistakes.
It’s interesting, as if I have to follow the pace they want and walk the road they paved.”
Niwa Nagahide's eyes lit up, as long as Oda Nobunaga didn't fall into the shogunate's scheme in a fit of anger. With the current capital of the Oda family, as long as he didn't mess up, there were plenty of ways to keep playing with the shogunate.
In the final analysis, the dispute between the samurai family is still a battle of strength. Ashikaga Yoshiaki is not strong enough, so he can only play some conspiracy and tricks, which is disgusting and cannot be put on the stage.
Niwa Nagahide was most worried about Oda Nobunaga losing his mind, which was why he was reminded of his previous advice. Now it seems that the master is very calm.
she laughed.
"Does the main hall have a countermeasure?"
Oda Nobunaga glanced at her and said.
"I came to Settsu for the supply of supplies to Sakai Port. With Hideyoshi controlling Tsuda Muneki, my goal has been achieved.
Tsudaden is a sensible person, he will not block my supply of goods, make me angry and turn my face, and benefit Ashikaga Yoshiaki in vain.
As for what the shogunate did to set the Three Guardians of Settsu and the Miyoshi family to surrender, what did they do to me?"
Niwa Nagahide was stunned. She did not expect that Oda Nobunaga would choose to settle the matter and take a step back to explore the world. This was not in line with her character.
At this moment, there was movement outside, a Hatamoto entered the formation and bowed, and Oda Nobunaga asked.
"What's up?"
"Lord Matsunagahide, please come in."
"Let her come over."
Watching Hatamoto bow and go out, Oda Nobunaga smiled, but there was no smile in her eyes. She said to Niwa Nagahide.
"Our general is truly a wonderful man.
She scooped up all the benefits into her own bowl, but let a group of moths under her men eat away at the bowl, leaving the air leaking everywhere, and she couldn't get much benefit from it.
Some people benefit, and some people suffer.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki did some stupid things that harmed others and benefited herself, all of which benefited the speculators who followed her. She didn't get any benefits, and she had to bear the blame for offending others and be hated by others.
The Wada, Itami, and Ikeda families may not be grateful to this foolish general when they gain substantial benefits. But if someone's interests are harmed, they will definitely be resentful.
I'm not in a hurry. The Oda family has a big business and can afford to suffer losses. I can take it slow, but some people may not be willing.
Look, isn’t Matsunaga Hide here?
This is just the first one, I don’t believe that all the Settsu people are monolithic. If the Ikeda family and the Itami family eat meat, will anyone be jealous?
As for the Miyoshi family, will everything be fine if they run back to Shikoku? Miyoshi Yoshitsugu has such a beautiful idea. The Miyoshi family has declined and the Shikoku samurai family, which has been suppressed by the Miyoshi family for many years, has no idea at all?
She helped Ashikaga Yoshiaki stumble me, and she will have to pay the price for it.
I heard that wars are raging in Shikoku right now, and the samurai families of Tosa and Iyo have been in trouble for a long time. Let’s see if there are any Shikoku samurai families worth supporting, and then add fuel to the fire to Miyoshi Yoshitsugu.
There are also the Sanhao retainers group, and the benefits that Sanhao Changqing helped everyone get are now spit out. How can they be happy?
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi, hey, I’m not having a good time, so don’t even think about it.”
Niwa Nagahide shook his head secretly. Just now he said that the master had changed his temper, but it turned out that he had not changed at all, and he would definitely retaliate.
The shogunate made a big profit from the Settsu strategy, but the Oda family actually did not suffer any loss.
With a place in the supply center of Sakai Port, the needs of the Oda family were met.
If he wanted to go further and completely control Sakai Port at this time, he would inevitably be used as a gunman. Oda Nobunaga wisely chose to stop here.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki's move of crossing the river and demolishing the bridge obviously angered Oda Nobunaga.
Wada Nobunaga, the guy who is adding fuel to the flames, has been targeted by Oda Nobunaga. In addition, Wada Nobunaga, the tip-off daughter, is here, Wada Nobunaga will be in serious trouble.
Niwa Nagahide said in a low voice.
"Matsuhisa Nagahide has a lot of connections in Settsu Country. She probably heard the news when she came here this time and wants you to make the decision for her."
Oda Nobunaga said coldly.
"Making the decision? Of course she can't. She must suffer the loss. Only when she suffers a big loss and harbors hatred can this person be useful."
Niwa Nagahide nodded.
Soon, Matsunaga Hide entered the main formation, with a look of bitterness and hatred on his face, and knelt down in front of Oda Nobunaga, saying with grief and anger.
"I sincerely ask the main hall to make the decision for me!"
Niwa Nagahide looked on with cold eyes, and she suddenly thought of a question.
Matsunaga is such a smart person. Would she not know that Oda Nobunaga was using her? Would she not know that the Oda family might use her as a gun?
If she already understood, then she immediately came to Oda Nobunaga and asked for an audience. This was to find a backer to gain confidence and prepare to fight back against Wada Nobunaga.
In the land of Higashisettsu, it seems that Wada Weimasa and Matsunagahide are fighting each other, but behind the scenes is the game between Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga.
After thinking about this clearly, Niwa Nagahide looked at the two people in front of him. Oda Nobunaga looked surprised and pretended not to know anything. Matsunaga Hide complained at the top of his lungs that the world was unfair.
Life is like a play, it all depends on acting skills.
———
After the re-establishment of the shogunate, the three giants of Shangluo changed from a cooperative relationship to a power struggle.
Yiyin has the strongest reputation and the highest prestige, so it was the first to be disgraced.
Under the guidance of Akechi Mitsuhide, he kept a low profile and withdrew from the competition. Relying on his unique physical advantage, he escaped from the eye of the storm in Kyoto and waited to see what happened.
Unsurprisingly, after a short honeymoon period, Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Oda Nobunaga quickly broke up. Although they were still smiling on the surface at this time, the two sides had already started to have feelings for each other in their hearts.
The Wu family is accustomed to using force to solve problems. It is likely that the two sides will not be able to resist fighting each other before long.
At this time, Yoshihiro, who was far away in Kanto, was still continuing his work of going to the countryside to inspect grassroots areas and win over the people in the middle and lower reaches of the Tone River.
Although Japan is an island country, it is an agricultural nation through and through. It is impossible to go to the sea, and it will only persist in throwing food into the land.
Honshu Island is located in a volcanic belt, and the movement of the earth's crust has pushed up the ridges. From the air, the mountain group with the Shinano Mountains as the center divides the land suitable for farming in the island country into countless small plains.
With the backward agricultural level in ancient times, there was not much land that could actually be cultivated. The ownership of land and how to distribute land and land income are core issues in political struggles.
The Emperor's court once studied the land equalization law of the Tang Dynasty, promulgated the class-field ownership system, and took over the tribal farmland and people as state-owned.
However, as the powerful and religious continued to annex land for various reasons, this ancient state-owned system soon became difficult to maintain and collapsed. The distribution method also became a manor system of private land ownership.
The rich and powerful enjoyed good life in the city and were unwilling to suffer losses in the countryside. Therefore, the Wu family who managed the manor took away the ownership of the land. In the end, the Wu family became the masters of the world instead of being guests.
However, when high-level warriors entered the city, they slowly transformed into powerful people. In addition to collecting taxes and recruiting troops, they also ignored the chores in the village to reduce the cost of governance.
The relationship between the upper and lower levels of the samurai family is like that of the emperor's ministers and the lackeys of the samurai family who managed the estate under them. History is indeed just a cycle.
In the Celestial Dynasty, this was called imperial power not going to the countryside. In the Wu family society, villages gradually formed a political ecology in which the local people were responsible for the daimyo, and the grassroots landlord groups were responsible for the local people.
High-level martial arts families only have the idea of levying downward taxes and recruiting troops, while the thankless management powers of administration, justice, and public security are left in a vacuum.
The power vacuum at the grassroots level was bound to be filled. As a result, the joint autonomy of landlords gradually took shape, taking over village management rights and forming a tradition of collective decision-making.
What’s more interesting is that the strengthening of collective consciousness has given the village a tendency towards public ownership.
As samurai territory, farmland is privately owned by the daimyo. However, the forests, orchards, hills, and streams within the village are the common property of the village.
Yiyin went to the countryside. It was a rare high-ranking daimyo who understood the people's sentiments and brought food to provide disaster relief. It was a strange thing that had not been encountered in thousands of years.
The common people in ancient times were landowners, large and small, and landless tenant farmers. Those were cattle and horses, but they were not human beings.
The big landowners are the land servants, and the small landowners are the land servants. When Yiyin goes to the countryside to bring warmth, it means caring about the land servants. As for the life and death of the cattle and horses, who cares about that thing.
Even if Yiyin is willing to care about the cattle and horses, does he have so much food? Is the local servant willing to be treated the same as the cattle and horses?