“The risks are high, and the returns are naturally high.
Don't allow others to snore and sleep on the side of the couch. There is only a thin line between North Omi and South Omi. The main hall is always watching you and guarding you. If you want to develop and grow, it will be difficult to reach the sky.
Therefore, we need to go to the Western Kingdom and stay away from the eyes of the main hall, so that you can slowly build up your own family's strength."
Hideyoshi Hashiba asked.
"Why Western Country? Can't we go to Kanto via Hokurikudo?"
Takenaka Shigeharu shook his head and said.
"Hokurikudo is not a good choice for three reasons.
First, the Sage would not allow the Oda family to extend their hands into Kanto. Whether it was the Shiba family themselves, or strong resistance through the Kanto feudal lord, it would be difficult for the Oda family to penetrate.
Secondly, even if the Oda family gnaws a corner in Kanto, it will still be the protruding part of the power boundary of the Shiba Oda family. They are always watched by the masters of both sides, which is worse than your situation in Kitaomi.
Thirdly, you should know better than me who Shibata Katsuie is. She has too much clique consciousness and cannot even be subdued by the power given by the main hall, let alone cooperate with you, an outsider.
You go to Hokurikudo to develop, the Kanto samurai family is not happy, the saint and the main hall are focused on you, Shibata Katsuie is not willing to share the benefits with you, what are you going there for?"
Hashiba Hideyoshi shook his head. From this point of view, the development of the Hokuriku Road is indeed a piece of cake and has no meaning.
The biggest difference between Hideyoshi Shibata and Katsuie Shibata is that Hideyoshi Hashiba is very good at life.
Whether it was Masakatsu Hoshiga or Shigeharu Takenaka, Hashiba Hideyoshi could digest the power Oda Nobunaga sent to Hideyoshi Hashiba and turn them into his confidants and arms.
What about Shibata Katsuie? She clings to the small circle of the old Shimowari Takeshi family. She is too conscious of Xiaoshantou. She has spent many years using the power assigned to her by Oda Nobunaga, but in the end she is still loyal to Oda Nobunaga.
On the contrary, Shiba retainers like Maeda Toshiie were able to receive Shibata Katsuie's care because they were born in Owari and once served under Shibata Katsuie.
If there is no distinction between friend and foe, inside or outside, then even if Shibata Katsuie can fight again, what's the use? She's just a reckless woman, nothing to worry about.
Hideyoshi Hashiba was good at uniting people and making friends. He could always make many friends and few enemies.
Comparing the two, although Shibata Katsuie's 400,000 dan is higher than Hashiba Hideyoshi's 120,000 dan, Hideyoshi's political methods are still more powerful.
Hashiba Hideyoshi touched his chin and asked.
"The Western Kingdom is not something I can go to if I want to, and the Hokurikudo is not something I can go to if I don't want to. My wealth and life are all in the hall, so what can I do?"
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
“So, you need to make mistakes and then pay for them with merit.
Although the 120,000 stones in Kitaomi are good, they are taken by the main hall and are not your own. It is actually not a pity to lose them.
Hidden dragons emerge from the abyss and soar across the world, but there is always a price to pay. As long as you can get the opportunity to conquer the Western Kingdom and escape the eyes of the main hall, you will have real development.
Now, there is a best opportunity.
Settsu fell without a fight, and Kaga was unstoppable, already making the main hall feel a little complacent.
The main hall forced Sakuma Nobumori to capture Ishiyama for half a year. What is the difference between this and forcing her to die? Since ancient times, how can there be any reason to discipline one's own important ministers and generals in wartime? This should not cause people to panic?
However, this is a great opportunity for you.
The main hall wanted to kill Sakuma Nobumori, an important minister, to scare the monkeys and frighten the retainers.
Sakuma Nobumori was a powerful figure in the family who was comparable to Lin Xiuzhen. She was designed and manipulated by the palace in this way, and the retainers must have felt sad.
Now, it is certain that Sakuma Nobumori will go to war, her fate has been decided and cannot be changed.
If something happens to you again at this time, will the palace still punish you severely?"
Hashiba Hideyoshi's eyes lit up.
"You mean, the palace will be merciful and lenient to me? But with her no-nonsense character, will she really let me go?"
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
“Killing chickens to scare monkeys may be useful, but killing two in a row may be counterproductive.
Last time, the main hall killed a chicken to scare the monkeys.
Lin Xiuzhen and Ando Mamoru seemed to be expelled together, but Ando Mamoru secretly communicated with Saito Yoshiryu, and the evidence of the crime was conclusive, so they punished her severely. The Mino samurai family also felt that it was reasonable.
This time, the main hall repeated its old tricks.
Sakuma Nobumori can be compared to Lin Xiuzhen, but you are not Ando Moriju. You have made great contributions to the Oda family. You have made many friends over the years and gained the sincere friendship of many people.
Shibata Katsuie was arrogant and arrogant. Except for the Shimowari old samurai family, not many people in the Oda family liked her. The retainers who were born in Mino, Omi, and Ise generally did not get close to her.
There is a dispute between you and her. No matter who is right or wrong, everyone is definitely on your side emotionally.
If the palace punishes you severely, coupled with the chain reaction of Sakuma Nobumori's incident, it is very likely that the intimidation of the retainers will fail, and instead it will lead to a lot of resentment, and going too far is not enough.
The palace needs its retainers to be obedient and follow their own will. But toughness must be tempered. If you insist on being tough to the end, the result will be counterproductive."
Hashiba Hideyoshi thought for a while and said worriedly.
"Military affairs are different from government affairs. Failure to obey military orders is a serious crime. Even if everyone sympathizes with me, I'm afraid no one will dare to stand up and speak for me.
If I don't do it right, I might lose everything. The palace doesn't even give me a chance, so how can they expect to send me to the Western Kingdom to atone for my sins?"
Takenaka Shigeharu said.
“For things like war, if you win, it makes sense no matter what you say, but if you lose, it doesn’t make sense.
You have a dispute with Shibata Katsuie. If it is because of her wrong decision-making that the Oda army was defeated, then your disobedience to the military order is justified, and everyone will naturally intercede for you.
The main hall always only looks at the results when doing things. She values your talent and enterprising spirit and will not give up on you easily.
You are a talent she has cultivated with her own hands. If she abandons you so easily, it will not be easy to find another capable person.
The main hall is very ambitious, and when it comes to employing people, it is not the time to burn donkeys and burn bridges, but she has the patience to tolerate your mistakes and can also encourage you to achieve greater success."
Hashiba Hideyoshi nodded and asked.
"You think Shibata Katsuie will suffer a huge defeat in Kaga Country and let me go through danger, but this is impossible, right?
Kaga has always been frightened out of his wits, Nanari Yorishu's Obo who is defending Kanazawa doesn't dare to attack at all, Shibata Katsuie has already captured Kaga's half country, and it's only a matter of time before he sweeps across the entire territory."
Takenaka Shigeharu sighed.
"Of course Shibata Katsuie won't lose against Nanari Yorisu, but she will lose to the greed of the main hall.
If there are clouds in the sky, you can look to Shu from Long.
Daidou just captured Settsu and will soon attack Ishiyama. Do you think she wants to capture Echichu Noto after capturing Kaga?"
Hashiba Hideyoshi said in astonishment.
"It's impossible. The two countries of Vietnam and China, Noto, are loyal to the saint. The main hall has bowed its head and recognized the Fushimi Castle system. It is willing to unite with the Shiba family to unify the world, so it will not easily cause friction with the Shiba family."
Takenaka Shigeharu sighed.
"May I ask, Your Majesty, can the Sibo family occupy the Sibo Territory with a stone's land in the middle of Vietnam? Is there an oath of allegiance from the local military family?"
Hashiba Hideyoshi was stunned and shook his head.
"I don't know that."
Takenaka Shigeharu solemnly said.
"I carefully reviewed the relevant information about the Saint and His Highness Uesugi's participation in the Echu battle, and found some interesting details about the attribution.
The war in Vietnam that year was carried out in the name of His Highness Uesugi as the Kanto Governor. The peace agreement signed after the war was also subject to His Highness Uesugi's signature.
When the saint first arrived in Kanto, it was with the help of the Echigo group of the Uesugi family that he was called the shogunate envoy when he went to battle in Echichu, calling for peace among all parties.
In other words, the agreement that endorses the security of Noto and Vietnam and China is guaranteed and signed by His Highness Uesugi in the name of Kanto Governor.
Although everyone knows that the Saint is the real planner and controller behind the Vietnam-China Noto peace agreement, he does not exist in black and white.
Therefore, if the main hall really wants to pretend to be confused and try to influence Vietnam, China and Noto, it will not actually violate the Fushimi Castle System Cooperation Agreement.
Her Highness Uesugi, who openly endorses the two countries, is naturally not afraid of the main palace. She will definitely make a move on Echichu Noto to test the saint's reaction.
Therefore, Shibata Katsuie’s military front will never stop at Kaga Country, and she will definitely cross the border.”
Hashiba Hideyoshi frowned.
"Even if it is true as you said, Shibata Katsuie may not lose."
Takenaka Shigeharu shook his head and said.
"Shibata Katsuya will definitely lose.
If you think about it carefully, which of the three main roads in Kanto and Kinki, Tokaido, Hokuriku Road, and Nakasen Road, is not controlled by the forces belonging to the sage?
The saint is integrating the martial arts family in Kanto, and wants to unify Kanto under the name of the Kanto Palace. In the saint's heart, the land of Kanto is already the private property of the Shiba family. Can he allow the main hall to reach out?
Even if the Sage is unable to let the Shiba Army and the Oda Army directly confront each other due to the Fushimi Castle system, he can still send troops through His Highness Uesugi.
Shibata Katsuie is a reckless woman who is unfamiliar with the place in Hokurikudo. His Highness Uesugi relies on the saint to have the right time, place and people. How can Shibata Katsuie win?
The only difference is whether the loss looks better or the loss looks ugly.
Therefore, as soon as you arrive in Kaga Country, you must deny any cross-border decision made by Shibata Katsuie and refuse to give in even an inch, even if you return to Kitaomi without authorization.
The order given by the main hall to Shibata Katsuie will definitely not explicitly include a guide to Echichu Noto, because the main hall has to pretend to be confused and cannot quarrel with the saint.
Shibata Katsuie must cover up and use other names to break through the border and invade the territory of Vietnam, China and Noto.
Therefore, anything that crosses the line can only be decided by Shibata Katsuie, and you have a dispute with her and return to Kitaomi. Although you are wrong, as long as she loses, you will not be considered unforgivable.
You said earlier that if you offend Shibata Katsuie, it will be difficult to get along with the Oda family in the future.
But if you think about it carefully, you have 120,000 koku in Kitaomi, and Shibata Katsuie has 400,000 koku in Echizen. Your two territories are close to each other.
The relationship between you is good, is this what the main hall likes to see?
You have no choice but to fall out with Shibata Katsuie, return to Kitaomi and accept the trial at the main hall, and wait until Shibata Katsuie is defeated in Hokurikudo before you can clear up the relationship and ask for mercy.
This approach is what reassures the main hall the most.
After the Settsu Stone Mountain is captured, the main hall will turn its attention to the four countries in the West. If you recommend yourself, the main hall will probably give you a second chance.
She can't just defeat Sakuma Nobumori with her front foot, and then kill you with her back foot? The death of Tuantu, a retainer, will be tragic, but it will not be conducive to the palace's will to expand.
But in this case, Kitaomi's 120,000 koku will definitely not be saved.
Going to the Western Kingdom is like entering the sea. The future is uncertain. Whether it is a dragon or an insect is unknown.
It's up to you to make this decision yourself; as an aide, I don't dare to make it for you."
Takenaka Shigeharu said he did not dare, but Hashiba Hideyoshi knew very well that once he cowered, Takenaka Shigeharu would be disappointed, and he would lose the sincere assistance of this famous strategist.
This Takenaka Shigeharu did not seek wealth or profit, but only wanted to become famous and become the world's best military strategist in order to avenge the humiliation of Oda Nobunaga when he defected to Oda in disgrace.
Takenaka Shigeharu wanted to prove himself and did not hesitate to worry about Hideyoshi Hideyoshi, but Hideyoshi Hideyoshi didn't have his own desires?
If she hesitates and stops here, she will never have the chance to catch up with Shiba Yiyin.
Hideyoshi Hashiba's eyes were filled with heat, he squeezed Takenaka Shigeharu's hand and said resolutely.
"Hime Takenaka doesn't have to test me, I can tell you right now, I choose the West!"
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled slightly, bowed deeply and said.
"I knew the Lord would not let me down."
The two looked at each other and laughed. It was rare since ancient times for the king and his ministers to understand each other and have the same mind.
As the territory of power grows larger and larger, the marginal effects of Oda Nobunaga's iron-fisted centralization of power are slowly becoming apparent.
Whether it is the tradition of consensus among the samurai family or the fragmented geographical features of the island country, it is difficult to support Oda Nobunaga's arbitrariness over the huge territory.
The faster the Oda family developed, the weaker Oda Nobunaga's control became. However, she did not compromise, but chose to once again kill the chicken to scare the monkeys and intimidate the ministers.
Under Oda Nobunaga's huge power, which no one seemed to dare to disobey, things gradually changed within the Oda family.