The hot spring mist filled the air, and Yiyin couldn't help but moan in comfort.
The island country is barren, and even the ruling class lives in poverty. The living standards of the samurai lords are not even as good as those of ordinary people in the land of plenty and plenty in China.
Fortunately, this volcanic island has no shortage of hot springs, so I finally had a good experience to cleanse my body and mind.
Hot springs can relieve pain and restore energy. For the Ji warriors who have been fighting all year round and are sick, it is the best place to recuperate.
Hot springs in this era were still exclusive to nobles. The best hot springs in various places were often classified as private property by rulers and could not be enjoyed by ordinary people.
At this time, Hakone Mountain was still an important strategic checkpoint, and it was impossible to open it to the outside world casually. There was no manpower and material resources to explore more springs.
Among the few springs, Tonozawa is a warm soup, between hot and cold. The water temperature is 30 to 40 degrees, which has a miraculous effect on injuries of muscles and bones.
Yiyin walked into the hot spring room alone, wetted his body with the pool water, and sat in the hot spring, which was very comfortable.
One side of the soup room is paved with precious wooden boards, stone bricks are built around the spring to surround the water, and a bamboo fence is used to block the water in the distance. However, the pool is divided into two halves, which looks a bit strange.
Yoshigan didn't think too much about this two points. What he was worried about now was how to ask Hojo Ushimasa for Imagawa Uzuma.
Hojo Ushimasa is different from Takeda Shingen in that her relationship with Yoshigan is not that close.
Takeda Shingen and Yoshigan gave birth to a daughter, and the two were already tied to the same boat. Yoshigan made some excessive demands, and Takeda Shingen was willing to give in.
Because the long-term interests of the Shiba family and the Takeda family are consistent, Takeda Shingen is willing to believe that his daughter will be rewarded twice as much in the future if he makes some concessions today.
But the Hojo family was different. The Hojo Ujimasa and Yoshigan only met a few times. Most of the time when they met, Yoshigan suppressed the Hojo Ujima, beat the Hojo family, and forced the Hojo family to bow their heads and surrender.
Today's Hojo family has indeed given up their former unruliness, actively bowed to Yoshigan, and actively integrated into the Kanto Palace.
But the more this happens, the more Yi Bank wants to protect the interests of the Hojo family.
Precisely because we are outsiders, we need to negotiate strictly and be fair, just and open to avoid misunderstandings and new troubles.
This is Yoshigan's trouble, because he really has nothing to offer to trade with the Hojo family now.
The Hojo family has been in business for four generations and has a deep foundation. The Hojo clan will not be tempted by ordinary benefits.
For example, in the current crusade against the Eastern Masses, as long as there is no one to stop them, the Hojo family themselves can defeat the Satomi family.
The rise of the Satomi family in Anbo country was supported by the second generation of the Hojo family governor.
It's just that after the rise of the Satomi family, they were not greedy enough. They joined forces with external forces such as Satake and Uesugi to aggressively advance the two countries from the top to the bottom, and backhandedly competed with the Hojo family for territory.
However, the Satomi family's strength could not support such a big ambition, and the Hojo family often caused internal and external troubles, making them disgraced.
If it weren't for the interference of various external forces, just relying on the Satomi family's own strength, the Hojo family would have been beaten to the ground and surrendered.
The Uesugi family and the Takeda family needed the support of the Kanto Palace to conquer the people of the East. For the Hojo family to conquer the Bosou Peninsula, they only needed the Kanto Palace to not obstruct their opposition.
So, can Yiyin use no objection to trade? No.
Because the crusade against the Eastern people was the reward for the Kanto families to support the war between the Yoshigan and the Oda family, this was a political promise that the Yoshigan must fulfill.
If Yoshigami uses something he has already agreed to do to embarrass the Hojo family, he will slap himself in the face and damage his political prestige.
Yoshigan was also impressed by the tenacity of the Hojo family.
The rise of the Hojo family was not easy. They were beaten by various Kanto families many times and fell to the brink of collapse several times. In the end, they survived.
One of the big reasons is that Odawara Castle, which the Hojo family worked so hard to build, is too strong.
Backed by the natural dangers of Mount Ashigara and Mount Hakone, Odawara Castle stretches to the coastline, allowing external supplies to be obtained. It would be difficult for enemies from Kanto to attack the castle, and it would be impossible to encircle it, so they had no choice but to retreat.
At that time, Yoshigami and Uesugi Kenshin also led troops to attack Odawara Castle, but failed in the end.
Before Hojo Ujiyasu's death, he took advantage of Uesugi Kenshin's mistakes and launched a desperate counterattack, leaving Hojo Ushimasa with a relatively complete fundamentals.
Back then, Yoshihiro couldn't break open the turtle shell of Odawara Castle. Now the political environment in Kanto is based on unity. He can't take the initiative to provoke a war and forcefully kill the Hojo family.
Utsunomiya, Satake, Satomi of the Oriental People, Date and Mogami of the Ou area, they all disobeyed the righteousness and jumped out to seek death.
However, the Hojo family has always been very cooperative with Shiba's new ideas for the peaceful development of Yoshigan. Before unifying the world, Yoshigan really can't make any use of it, and there is no reason to take action against the Hojo family.
If you can't move, you can only trade. But as I said before, the Hojo family lacks everything, and Yoshigan does not have the chips suitable for trading.
If he really wants to offer higher conditions for Imagawa, Yoshigan is a little worried that the Hojo family will become unmanageable in the future.
The Hojo family has already occupied the Izu Peninsula and the Miura Peninsula. After taking over the Boso Peninsula, the entire Sagami Bay and Edo Bay will become the inland sea of the Hojo family.
If Yiyin wants to offer higher conditions, not to mention his own reluctance, the other families in the Kanto House will not allow it, and it will break the balance of power.
Thinking about his thoughts, Yiyin's body gradually became hot while soaking in the spring, and his head began to feel dizzy.
If that doesn't work, why don't you create some trouble for the Hojo family? Take the initiative to create some bargaining chips and then make a deal with the Hojo family?
Yoshigan's thoughts became more and more distorted as he thought about it in his drowsiness. He thought of the young and beautiful Hojo Umasa at the banquet just now, and the embarrassment and shyness on her face made him think dirty thoughts.
Or seduce the Hojo Ujimasa? Then use her to accuse him of intending to molest him, and treat the Hojo family as a disrespectful person? Anyway, I have a life to protect my body, so no matter how angry I am, it will be pure and innocent.
As he thought about it, Yiyin couldn't help but laugh out loud. He was really too bad, no, he couldn't do this, it was too immoral.
The laughter echoed several times in the soup pool and gradually faded away. At this moment, on the other side behind the bamboo fence of the soup pool, Yiyin heard the sound of someone entering the water, and his face darkened.
"Who! Who is there!"
The air seemed to be stagnant at this moment. I don't know how much time passed, but Yiyin didn't wait for a response. He couldn't help but snorted coldly, and was about to get up and leave.
The son of a rich man cannot sit down in the hall.
Yiyin's status is so noble. When he encounters an accident in a strange place, he must go out and join the others as soon as possible to ensure his absolute safety.
And his reaction seemed to stimulate the other side of the bamboo fence, who heard a shy female voice.
"Sage, please stay. It's me, Hojo Ushimasa."
Yiyin's body stiffened just as he was about to land. He looked back at the bamboo fence in surprise, stunned and speechless.
Could it be that all your wishes have come true? I was just thinking about how to set a trap for the Hojo family when the opportunity came to my door.
The Hojo family's hot spring pool originally had two sides in one body, allowing two noble people to bathe at the same time.
Yiyin, who was overjoyed from the sky, immediately pretended to be angry and scolded the bamboo fence.
"Who allowed you to enter the bath at this time? Hojo Ujisei, don't you know that men and women can't be intimate with each other?"
Opposite me, Hojo Umasagi was horrified. She seemed to have walked to the edge of the bamboo fence and mustered up the courage to speak.
"Saint, it's not that I'm not polite, it's just that I can't find a better opportunity to be alone with a saint and express my true feelings.
Actually, actually I am very fond of the saint..."
Hojo Umasa was so shy that he couldn't speak any further, and Yoshigan was also stunned for a moment on the other side.
Isn’t it? Not only was a pillow given to me when I was napping, but a bed was also given to me? Does God take such good care of me?
Yoshigan didn't know anything about Hojo Umasa's love for Yoshigan.
Who would have thought that Hojo Ushimasa, who was beaten to a pulp by Yoshigan because of Sano's leadership in the battle, and who still bears the original sin and has difficulty raising his head in the Hojo family, has actually been secretly in love with Yoshigan.
Yiyin was silent for a while and said.
"Your Highness Hojo, please stop talking. You can leave immediately. I will treat this as if it never happened."
Hojo's secret words reveal his admiration for him, but Yoshigan is not sure of her authenticity.
After all, Yiyin has already embarked on the Shinto path, and all the martial arts families in the world know that sleeping with him has great benefits. If you are lucky enough to give birth to a child, you will get glory and wealth at your fingertips.
How does Yoshigan know whether Hojo Ushimasa is greedy for his own body or greedy for greater interests? Therefore, he will not fall into the trap easily.
Anyway, Hojo Ushimasa had already made a mistake. Not only did he invade the hot spring where Yoshigan was taking a bath, but he also expressed his love for Yoshigan at this time.
These reasons are enough for Yiyin to go out and show off later, conjure up chips out of thin air, and trade the Imagawa clan with the Hojo family, which is already a pleasure.
Yoshigan's calculations were ringing in his mind, but he didn't know that Hojo Ushimasa was not just a hothead who came in to confess, but was backed by the firm will of the entire Hojo retainers group and came to show off.
Hojo Ushimasa's personal emotions are actually not that important. The entire Hojo family's fear of the future and uneasiness about the future are the biggest driving force for Hojo Ushimasa to come and express his love.
A mere Imagawa clan is nothing. The Hojo family is prepared to exchange chips for tickets to go to bed, but it’s hundreds of thousands of koku of land!
With this determination and power of action alone, the Hojo family is worthy of being one of the top tyrants in Kanto. They are really willing to spend a lot of money to catch up with this group of gods!
Yoshigan thought he had a plan, but the following words from Hojo Umasa almost scared him to death.
"Saint, I will not leave.
After the defeat of Sano Ling, I was angry, frustrated, lost, and unwilling to accept it.
But my mother taught me to truly understand your enemy and not to blindly fall into useless anger.
Therefore, I have collected a lot of information about you. I know everything about you and how you overcome all difficulties and dangers, overcome obstacles and brave the wind and waves along the way.
I really admire you. You are the greatest and most determined warrior in my heart. You are the person I want to be but cannot be. I like you, I admire you, and I have been watching you silently.
I'm here and I won't leave.
Please let everyone come and arrest me, this disrespectful person who has no respect or inferiority. I am willing to pay the price for what I said today."
The Hojo clan's attitude of ruining the government made it impossible for the Yoshi Bank to be restored.
Yoshigin's head began to sweat, not because of the hot springs, but because of Hojo Ushimasa's stubbornness.
After all, you are also the governor of the Hojo family. Why are you stubbornly confessing your love like an ignorant little girl? What should I do?
Can you be more mature? We are all engaged in politics. Politics is the art of compromise. If you don’t know how to advance or retreat, it will be difficult for you to end up!
Yiyin just wants to get some chips to get the Imagawa clan back.
But if they really break up with the Hojo family and cure the Hojo family governor of wanting to eat swan meat, how can the Hojo family have the honor to continue to stay at the Kanto Palace in the future?
If it really causes a violent shock, whether it is within the Hojo family or the Kanto Palace, it will affect the subsequent war against the Eastern people, and even the future political situation of Kanto.
The Hojo family, an important corner of the eight states, has become turbulent, which is not good for Yiyin.
You know, Yoshigan is still worried about Uesugi Kenshin at the moment. Since having a daughter, Uesugi Kenshin has become more eager to take action.
The internal stability of the Kanto Palace requires strong lords like the Takeda family and the Hojo family to balance it.
If the Hojo family was punished by Yoshigan for rejecting Hojo Ujimasa's rude confession, God knows how many people's interests would be affected in terms of emotions and politics.
Yoshigan's dilemma at this moment fell into Hojo Genan's calculations.
Hojo Genan is an old fox. The reason why she dared to provoke the young Hojo clan to make a political move was because she recognized Yoshigan's character of taking the overall situation into consideration.
If the matter is minor, Yiyin dares to punish him. If the matter is really serious, Yiyin will numb his claws, cover up, and appease him.
In desperation, Yoshigan could only scare Hojo Umasa, hoping that she would retreat in spite of the difficulties.
"Your Highness Hojo, do you know what you are talking about? Do you know what price the Hojo family will pay because of your rude words?
I still say the same thing, if you go out now, I will treat it as if nothing happened. I hope you can calm down and don’t make any mistakes!"
Hojo Umasa had already said everything she should and shouldn't say at this moment, but she was relaxed, smiling, and faced it calmly.
"I am very calm now. I have prepared the land in the East Musashi Edogawa River Basin to dedicate it to the saint and apologize for the Meng Lang I am today.
So, I want to say to you... I love you, I have always admired you!"
Hojo Umasa finally shouted out his inner voice, almost using all his strength, his body softened, and he leaned on the bamboo fence in front of him contentedly.
But she didn't expect that the bamboo fence was strong on the outside and strong on the inside. It seemed to be standing tall, but when she touched it even slightly, it collapsed, causing a wave of water.
Then, Hojo Ushimasa and Yoshigami looked at each other, looking at each other.
Hojo Umasa cursed in his heart, Hojo Genan! Ahhh! You didn’t fix the bamboo fence on purpose! It must be!
Yoshigan was sweating. He was now more powerful than the collapsed bamboo fence in front of him. He did not expect that the Hojo Clan Council could do this to confess to him.
What to do now, what to do? Do we really need to severely punish the Hojo family? Then won’t Kanto be in chaos again?
What did Hojo Umasa just say about offering hundreds of thousands of stones of land to Tomusashi? Is she herself crazy? Or is the entire Hojo family accompanying her in her madness?
Regardless of the possibility, Hojo Ushimasa's move really frightened Yoshigan.
In the distance, the Kamao clan and several fellow warriors rushed out the door, and they also heard Hojo Ushimasa's last scream.
Through the paper door, Kamoji asked eagerly.
"Sage, are you okay?"
Yiyin now had a splitting headache and shouted angrily outside.
"Everyone, get out! No one is allowed to come in without my order!"
"Hi!"
Hearing the footsteps of the Princess Warriors retreating away, Yoshigine turned around and looked at Hojo Umasa, only to see her shyly lowering her head, not daring to look at Yoshigan's upper body standing in the pool.
Yiyin sighed and said helplessly.
"Hojo Umasa! What do you want me to do now! You are so fucking awesome!"