Akechi Mitsuhide looked at Matsunaga who was drinking tea in front of him with a smile. It was not Matsunaga who took the initiative to visit today, but Akechi Mitsuhide invited her here.
Feeling frightened by Akechi Mitsuhide's half-smiling eyes, Matsuzaki Nagahide put down his teacup and asked softly.
"What is Akechiji laughing at?"
Akechi Mitsuhide said.
"I laughed at the fact that Miyoshi Yoshitsugu was as stupid as a pig and a dog. He was persuaded by the general's imperial letter and rushed back to the nearest country in order to make great achievements.
She also didn't want to think about whose hands her mother died, and why her adoptive mother died in depression.
People, the easiest thing is to trust others easily, but the hardest thing is to see yourself clearly."
Matsunaga bowed his head and remained silent.
She followed the Mihaoshi and the four sisters into Jinge. At that time, the Sanhao family was so prosperous that it swept Jinji and made the martial arts in the world awe.
It's a pity that it was destroyed in the hands of that man.
Miyoshi Nagakei's successor Miyoshi Yoshihiro, Miyoshi Yoshiki's mother Toga Ikumi died. Miyoshi's dream of ascending the shogunate in Luo was severely shattered by Yoshihiro Shiba in the Battle of Yamato.
Time is also fate.
Matsuzuki Nagahide felt a little stuffy in his heart and asked in a low voice.
"Akechi-hime called me here just to ridicule Miyoshi Yoshitsugu?"
Akechi Mitsuhide glanced at Matsu Nagahide in surprise. This world-famous young man was a bit angry. She really had some feelings for Miyoshi Nagakei.
"Matsunaga-hime misunderstood. I just lamented that Miyoshi Yoshitsugi didn't know people well and mistrusted the general.
I just came back from Nijo Castle, and Mr. Kokata has changed his mind and admitted that the Gouchishu incident was caused by someone's deception, and the moral basis for Miyoshi to return to Konki no longer exists."
Matsunaga was shocked, how could Ashikaga Yoshiaki be so stupid?
She is the Ashikaga General. She said that the imperial letter she sent out was that she was bewitched by others. Isn't this nonsense?
The Imperial Letter is a way for the Ashikaga General to seek help from local samurai families through private letters. It is not an official letter from the shogunate. It represents the Ashikaga General's personal prestige.
If Ashikaga Yoshiaki can even change his private messages, who will dare to help her in the future? If she refuses to admit it afterwards, how unjust the death of the person who helped will be, just like Miyoshi Yoshitsugi.
Matsunagahide was puzzled. Although Ashikaga Yoshiaki was ridiculed as a poor man, after all, he was a Todo Kōni who was born in Kofukuji Temple and still had a normal brain. How could she be so stupid?
Akechi Mitsuhide saw her thoughtfully and explained with a smile.
"This is not the result of my coercion or inducement, or the result of overstepping and deceiving Lord Gonggao. It is the deep shadow that the Miyoshi family has brought to the shogunate ladies, making them unable to accept the general's behavior.
Even if they know that Miyoshi Yoshitsugu is not Miyoshi Nagakei, and that the Miyoshi family today is far inferior to that of back then, everyone in the shogunate is not worried about it. Who can guarantee that the Miyoshi family will not be revived?
Lord Gongfang actually dared to use the imperial letter to contact Mihaoshi's family. It was destined that sooner or later she would not be able to bear the pressure and would have to change her story and admit her mistake.
The Hatano family and Ninagawa family of Tanba country finally got rid of the threat of Miyoshi family. The past of Miyoshi Yoshihide's invasion of Tanba country is still vivid in my mind, and I dare not forget it.
The Izumi-Hosokawa family, the Kitakauchi Mibuchi family, and the Minami-Kawauchi Hatakeyama family were under attack from the Miyoshi family at this time.
The leaders of the shogunate, the acting officials of the government offices, the famous shogunate families, and several powerful feudal lords in recent years are all putting pressure on the shogun.
However, Wada Weimasa was dead, Niki Yoshimasa was living in seclusion, and even the shogunate samurai family of the Ashikaga family could not find many talents to help him.
The Ashikama Hui clan's positions and salaries were not secure, military supplies were in short supply, the morale of the general public was low, and dissatisfaction with the general was spreading.
At this time, our general actually wanted to have an affair with the Miyoshi family, and in the name of the righteousness of returning the Miyoshi family to Japan in the name of the royal family, it finally aroused public outrage.
I didn't do anything, I just complained casually to a few colleagues in the shogunate.
Everyone hopes that Tsuta-don will come forward and drive away the Miyoshi family again, but the general supports the Miyoshi family with imperial letters. It is difficult for Tsuda-don to come out and oppose the general. Please understand Tsuta-don's difficulties.
Who would have thought that everyone would be so trusting of my family, Jinduoden, and all the families put pressure on the general, who pinched his nose and denied the existence of the imperial book."
Matsuzuki Nagahide snorted secretly and complained casually? I believe you are a ghost!
Akechi Mitsuhide took advantage of the fear of the Miyoshi family among the samurai inside and outside the shogunate and launched a large-scale conspiracy, forcing Ashikaga Yoshiaki to give in due to public anger.
Ashikaga Yoshiaki's retreat was a real disaster for the Miyoshi family. Of course, it also did great harm to Ashikaga Yoshiaki's already depleted prestige. It was considered a loss for all Ashikaga Miyoshi.
But Akechi Mitsuhide talked for a long time, but Matsunaga still didn't understand the reason why she asked him to come for an interview.
Matsunaga Hide has clearly stood in the Oda Nobunaga camp and broke with the Miyoshi family. Whether Ashikaga Yoshiaki is miserable or not is none of her business.
Akechi Mitsuhide changed the topic and said again.
"Yodo Castle, Matsunaga-hime's territory, controls the waterways between the Yodo River and Settsu Mountain Castle.
Today, the entire shogunate has the same hatred towards the Miyoshi family for breaking the agreement and invading again. The lord of my family is supported by the shogunate concubines and will unite all forces to confront the treacherous Miyoshi family.
This war involves the five countries of Yamashiro, Settsu, Izumi, Kawachi, and Tamba. We also ask Matsunaga Hide to support the shogunate's decision and stand on the side of justice."
Akechi Mitsuhide spoke righteously, but Matsunaga Hide sounded particularly twisted.
After Miyoshi Yoshiaki surrendered to the shogunate, he indeed fulfilled his original mission and followed Ashikaga Shogun wholeheartedly. But she was stupid and failed to see clearly the unreliable Lord Ashikaga Yoshiaki.
In the battle for the Kyoto shogunate, among the three giants Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Shiba Yoshigan, and Oda Nobunaga, Ashikaga Yoshiaki is obviously the worst boss.
Because of his gullible trust in Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu sent troops to Konkyu, and was blamed for having ulterior motives and breaching the contract to land, and he became a traitor punished by the Konkyō samurai.
He was obviously working for the shogunate, but by doing so he turned himself into a traitor. Isn't it true that Miyoshi would continue his injustice?
Matsunaga said after considering it.
"Akechi-ji, I naturally responded to the shogunate's call and stood on the side of justice.
It’s just that Yodo Castle is not strong enough, and His Highness Oda ordered me to strictly guard the gate, so it’s really hard for me to act rashly.”
Matsunagahide didn't want to fight with the Miyoshi family. She had just helped connect Araki Murashige and Miyoshi Yoshitsugi to achieve harmony between them, and she hoped to win more benefits from both sides.
At this time, the end result is water and wet feet. It will be difficult to pretend to be a neutral cube in the future.
Akechi Mitsuhide naturally knew that Matsuhisa was slippery, so he invited her here today just to trap her, so he was naturally prepared.
"I understand Matsunaga-hime's difficulties very well.
However, His Highness Oda personally told Tsuta-dono that he hoped Tsuta-dono could help maintain peace and stability in Western Konki.
The two masters have reached an agreement. As subordinates, we should do our best to serve you. How can we bow our heads in the face of difficulties and embarrass our superiors?"
Akechi Mitsuhide took out a piece of information from his pocket, handed it to Matsunagahide, and continued.
"This is the news I just received. I think Matsunaga-hime will be interested in it."
Matsuhisa Nagahide took it suspiciously, read ten lines at a glance, his eyes widened, and he lost his voice.
"how so?"
Akechi Mitsuhide covered his mouth and chuckled, with a gentle tone and cold eyes.
"You can make the people of Higashi Settsu turn against each other and help Araki Murashige kill Wada Weimasa, and Araki Murashige can also reveal this matter to Wada Weinaga.
Wada Weinaga knew the truth about her mother's death, but could not get His Highness Oda's protection. She must be so frightened and desperate in Takasuki Castle.
Under such circumstances, her idea of deceiving Gaoshan Chongyou into Gaogui City to ambush him was not inappropriate.
It's just that she didn't do it well enough, so Shigemo Takayama noticed the matter, and the two sides got into a fight, hurting both sides, and taking advantage of Shigee Araki, who was watching from the other side."
Sweat broke out on Matsunaga's head. Holding the thin piece of paper, her fingers trembled as if it were as heavy as a stone, and she whispered.
"Wada Weichang was seriously injured and returned to Minami Omi, and Takayama Shigetomo was seriously injured and surrendered to Araki Murashige.
Takaki Castle has been controlled by Araki Murashige, and now, she is truly the protector of Settsu."
Akechi Mitsuhide looked at the pale-faced Matsunaga with a smile, but his eyes were so cold that there was no smile at all. She knew very well what Matsunaga was afraid of.
Oda Nobunaga was killed in battle because of Mori Katsunari, and Asai Asakura's coalition forces approached Kyoto, but they had no choice but to abandon Nishi Konki and led their troops back to Kyoto to put out the fire.
However, in Settsu Province, there were also powerful local samurai such as Araki Murashige, Wada Taimasa, Matsu Nagahide, and Mibuchi Fujihide who were loyal to Oda Nobunaga.
Araki Murashige was an important minister of the Settsu Ikeda family, Wada Taimasa was an important minister of the Ashikaga Yoshiaki family, and Matsunaga Hide was an important minister of the Miyoshi family. All three of them deserted their old masters and followed Oda Nobunaga.
Mibuchi Fujihide failed in the internal fight between the Hosokawa Mibuchi family and had no choice but to seek refuge with Oda Nobunaga, hoping to use the power of the Oda family to retain his power in Kitakawachi.
Speaking of which, these people are not good people, and Oda Nobunaga does not believe them.
But Oda Nobunaga is a utilitarian. As long as they serve the Oda family well, Oda Nobunaga's rewards will be very generous, and both parties will get what they need.
Originally, after Oda Nobunaga retreated, he hoped that these people could block the Miyoshi family's military front, so that the Oda family could be free to deal with the Asai Asakura family first.
Matsunagahide has severely offended Wada Weimasa and Mibuchi Fujihide due to various previous instigations.
Worried that these two people would be detrimental to him, Matsunagahide simply took the initiative and contacted Araki Murashige to kill Wada Yaimasa, the only remaining guardian of the Settsu Three.
Araki Murashige was determined to monopolize Settsu Country, so he was naturally happy to cooperate with Matsuhisa Hide.
Higashisettsuzu was once a subordinate assigned to Matsunagahide by Miyoshi Nagakei, and Takayama Shigetomo was an old minister of Matsunagahide. Matsunagahide only had a little manipulation, and Wada Weimasa died in an unknown manner.
Then, Matsunagahide brought together Araki Murashige and Miyoshi Yoshitsugu to make peace, and asked Miyoshi Yoshitsugu to turn the target of his next attack to Izumi and Kawachi, and lead the troops as far as Mibuchi Fujihide in Kitakawachi.
Wada Weimasa died unexpectedly, Mibuchi Fujihide was in panic all day long under the attack of Miyoshi's army, and Matsunagahide, who was behind all this, also successfully eliminated two mortal enemies.
This good trick made Mitsuhide Akechi couldn't help but applaud her, it was really amazing.
But things in this world are never isolated. Matsushita Nagahide set the dominoes, dooming Oda Nobunaga's arrangement in Nishisettsu to completely collapse.
Because of the death of his mother Wada Weimasa, Wada Nobunaga ran to Oda Nobunaga's seat and cried, asking for a decision.
But Oda Nobunaga has too much time to take care of himself at this time, and she still needs to rely on Araki Murashige for matters related to Settsu Country. How can she help Wada Nobunaga speak for her.
As a result, Wada Nobunaga was dismissed by Oda Nobunaga, and Araki Murashige received Oda Nobunaga's promise to become the new guardian of Settsu.
Originally, Oda Nobunaga expected Araki Murashige to continue to cooperate with his strategy to stop the invasion of the Miyoshi family in Settsu Country, so that Oda Nobunaga could return to Kyoto with peace of mind and clean up Asai Asakura.
But for his own benefit, Matsunagahide helped connect Araki Murashige and Miyoshi Yoshitsugi, so that the two people could reach peace.
On the other hand, after Wada Nobunaga was reprimanded by Oda Nobunaga, when he returned to Takatsuki Castle, he became more and more frightened and resentful as he thought about it.
When Wada Weimasa was alive and serving Ashikaga Yoshiaki, Wada Nobunaga secretly sought refuge with Oda Nobunaga and betrayed the shogunate's intelligence in the hope that the Wada family would ride on the Oda family's chariot and prosper.
Now that Wada Nobunaga died tragically, Oda Nobunaga turned a blind eye to the person who killed Wada Nobunaga, making Wada Nobunaga the laughing stock of the samurai. This ruthlessness chilled Wada Nobunaga.
Under the instigation of Araki Murashige, Wada Weinaga decided to strike first and deceive Takayama Shigetomo, a powerful samurai from the Higashikatsu community, into Takaki Castle and kill him.
As a result, Wada Weichang was seriously injured and fled back to his hometown in Minami Omi. Takayama Shigetomo was seriously injured and surrendered to Araki Murashige. The entire Settsu Kingdom was controlled by Araki Murashige.
Oda Nobunaga could tolerate Araki Murashige killing Wada Weimasa and control the entire Settsu Kingdom.
However, Araki Murashige did not start a war with the Miyoshi family, and even watched with a smile as the Miyoshi family attacked Mibuchi Fujihide, who belonged to the Oda family. This completely shattered Oda Nobunaga's layout in Nishisettsu.
And the truth that Arakimura Shige revealed to Wada Noinaga also exposed the villainous behavior of Matsunaga Hide in it.
Although Oda Nobunaga did not find any evidence, everyone knew who caused the complete collapse of Oda Nobunaga's strategic deployment in Western Konki.
The Oda family governor is famous for his vengeance. When she frees up her hands, will Matsunagahide have a good life?
Therefore, when Matsunagahide found out that Wada Nomaga and Takayama Shigeto had merged and Araki Murashige had occupied Takaki Castle, he knew that he was in dire straits.
Oda Nobunaga could not tolerate his over-the-line behavior again and again, especially when it caused such serious consequences and harmed the interests of the Oda family.
Oda Nobunaga's checks and balances on Araki Murashige were destroyed, and he had to tolerate the arrogance of the new Settsu guardian.
All this is because of Matsunagahide's selfishness. Will she be able to live a good life in the future?
Matsunaga looked at the calm and composed Akechi Mitsuhide and knew that she should be a close friend of this sinister woman again. She simply kowtowed to the ground and shouted.
"Akechiji, save me!"
Akechi Mitsuhide shook his head and sighed.
"Matsunaga-hime, I really don't know what to say about you. You are so clever that you are mistaken for your cleverness. Your Majesty Oda's plan for the Miyoshi family was ruined by you.
For this plan, you can only cooperate well with Tsuta-dono and allow Tsuta-dono to successfully complete His Highness Oda's entrustment, and then I can help you to speak and plead for mercy."