Takenaka Shigeharu seemed to have come back to her senses, with a sickly rosy look on her face, as if her strength had returned to her body, and she spoke her last words of advice with all her strength.
Hideyoshi Hashiba pursed his lips and said.
"You once said that I can do it...I can catch up with him..."
Takenaka Shigeharu sighed.
"This time, that time.
Saints can be the starting point for igniting your ambitions, but they should not be the shackles that restrict your future development.
I admit that I underestimated the saint's ambition.
If the saint only circulates in the circle of traditional martial arts, as long as you replace Oda, as long as you are strong enough, then there is hope for the saint and you.
But the saint's decision was beyond my expectations. He actually followed the path of the gods, suppressed human desires with divine power, sacrificed his own chastity, and hatched various families of Sibo gods.
He has completely ignored historical evaluation, and does not care that he will be ridiculed as a slut by future generations, and he only focuses on spreading his bloodline.
The saint was selfless, and the sacrifices he endured were so great that I cannot describe or imagine them, and you have completely lost the opportunity to stand side by side with him."
Hideyoshi Hashiba's breathing became a little heavier, unwilling to give up.
"Why, why can Oda Nobunaga do it, but I can't..."
The emperor and his ministers knew each other well, and there were no outsiders here. Hideyoshi Hashiba also openly revealed his true feelings and wanted to know more about it.
When Takenaka Shigeharu was about to die, there was nothing he could not say, so he spoke it out quickly and explained it clearly.
"It is impossible for Oda Nobunaga to realize her wish. The merger of Oda and Shiba is just her wishful thinking and cannot come true.
When a saint takes up the path of God and rules the island country with divine power, all people lose the qualification to be his partner.
In the past, only gods chose mortals to propagate their bloodline, and no mortals could stand shoulder to shoulder with gods.
Oda Nobunaga thought she could, but in fact the more she struggled, the closer she came to death.
The majesty of gods cannot be challenged. Even if the gods themselves do not intend to cause harm, others will uphold the sanctity of divine rights and thoroughly strangle mortals who violate divine rights.
Sibo's divine right is not the private property of one saint, but is jointly maintained by all martial artists who obey the divine right and respect the gods.
Oda Nobunaga, she is looking for death. And her self-destruction will also be your best opportunity to soar into the sky.
My lord, if you want to conquer the world, you must defeat two people. Only by defeating Oda Nobunaga's tyranny and Shiba Yoshigan's Shinto can you become the master of the world.
There is no second choice, no second way, because your background is too low.
The Wu family respects bloodline and even worships the strong.
Only by defeating Oda Nobunaga and Shiba Yoshigan and proving that you are the strongest can the samurai abandon the theory of blood and truly worship at your feet.
Your road is difficult and bumpy, and there is no room for any personal affection between children. Every fantasy you have about the saint will turn into a sharp sword and pierce your heart.
Oda Nobunaga will serve as a warning for you, please read carefully and think clearly about her fate.
Mortals, if you want to understand your situation, the only way is to kill the gods and not to walk with the gods."
Hideyoshi Hashiba narrowed his eyes, clenched his fists and said nothing.
She was born as a servant, and indeed she was as humble as dust, and was despised by the Wu family.
Over the years, she has been working hard to climb up, but she just held her breath for the sake of the delusion in her heart.
She wanted to become the woman of Sibo Yiyin, and she wanted to hold the most noble man in this island country under her.
Conquering the world and obtaining Sibo Yiyin, these two things have become her obsession. The two complement each other and constantly stimulate her to move forward bravely.
Hideyoshi Hashiba never imagined that there would be a day when conquering the world and obtaining Shiba Yiyin would become contradictory points.
Takenaka Shigeharu said it right, if she wants to win the world, she must give up Shiba Yiyin.
Yoshigan Shiba's Shinto has taken shape, and there is no place for mortals beside the gods. Oda Nobunaga's ambition will inevitably fail. She is too arrogant and wishful thinking.
Hashiba Hideyoshi was far inferior to Oda Nobunaga in all aspects. If he insisted on following Oda Nobunaga's old path and wanted everything, the final result would be even more miserable than Oda Nobunaga's, and he would get nothing.
So, which one is more important, the world? or the Sibo Yiyin?
Even if Hashiba Hideyoshi didn't say anything, he gradually had the answer in his heart.
She has gone through countless hardships and finally climbed to where she is today. She is ambitious and wants to replace Oda Nobunaga and become a world leader. How can she give up her great ambition for a man?
Why should a good daughter have a husband?
Takenaka Shigeharu kept staring at Hideyoshi Hashiba's eyes, watching her eyes change from confusion to determination to determination, and he already understood her choice.
Smiling slightly, Takenaka Shigeharu let go of his worries, but his body suddenly started to tremble as if it collapsed, and he spurted out a large mouthful of blood mist.
Hashiba Hideyoshi was startled and stood up to call the doctor, but was grabbed by Takenaka Shigeharu.
Takenaka Shigeharu's fingers were very strong, not like a patient at all, tightly holding Hashiba Hideyoshi's wrist.
Her face flushed, and her voice was much louder than before.
"My lord, please don't leave! Listen to me!"
"But you're vomiting blood!"
"Please, Lord, hear me out! I have no time!"
Hashiba Hideyoshi looked at Takenaka Shigeharu who was pleading, gritted his teeth, and sat back.
"you say."
Takenaka Shigeharu took a deep breath, wiped the blood stains on his lips, and said.
"I am very touched that the Lord is willing to listen to my advice and abandon the love of his children for the great cause.
I can no longer hold on, so I have two final strategies, which I offer to the Lord.
First, please ask the Lord to reuse Takataka Kuroda.
Kuroda Takaka is extremely talented and her strategy is not inferior to mine, and the Lord needs her strength."
Hideyoshi Hashiba thought.
"Is this the reason why you did not hesitate to anger Oda Nobunaga, but also tried your best to speak for Kuroda Takataka and save the Kuroda family?"
Takenaka Shigeharu nodded.
"good.
Kuroda Takataka devoted himself to serving the Oda family, but he was accidentally imprisoned in the local area while trying to persuade the local samurai to surrender to the Oda family.
Oda Nobunaga didn't know why, and thought she was betraying him, so he actually wanted to kill the whole family that Kuroda Takataka sent to Azuchi Castle as hostages. This is arrogance!
Kuroda Takataka is talented and ambitious, and is familiar with the geography and humanities of the Western Kingdom. She is actually more suitable than me to assist you in launching the strategy for the Western Kingdom. Even if I am healthy, I cannot compare to her in this matter."
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded and said.
"That's a good thing.
But Kuroda Takaka escaped from death this time, leaving disabilities on his body and his temper became much gloomier.
Moreover, her family members who were taken as hostages were also implicated and frightened, and I was afraid that she would become resentful and turn back on me."
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
"Resentment is human nature, but with her intelligence, she naturally knows who to hate.
She can hate Oda Nobunaga, but she cannot hate you.
Because she needs you to use her talents, and you need you to set a stage for her to make contributions in this troubled world.
A thousand-mile horse always exists, but a bole does not always exist.
Kuroda Takataka is very smart. The stage in the Kodera family is too small. She needs a bigger stage and will not ruin her own future just for the sake of temporary excitement."
Hideyoshi Hashiba sighed.
"The more you say that, the more uneasy I feel. Driven by profit, it won't last long after all.
These Ji warriors who believe in the Nanman religion are really a bit unruly and uneasy."
Zhu Zhongzhi Zhengse Dao.
“Use people for their strengths and tolerate their weaknesses.
I know that you are wary of the Nanman Cult, but now is the time to employ people, so please be tolerant and generous, so that you can attract the world's heroes to join you.
Kuroda Takataka and Konishi Yukinaga are both rare talents, and the Nanman Cult are also powerful collaborators. You cannot turn against them at this time."
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded.
"I understand that I will reuse Kuroda Takaka. But I don't think she can replace you. She is not as loyal as you, nor as open-minded as you.
In short, she is far inferior to you."
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
"It is my great fortune in this life to receive such an evaluation from my lord, that I will die with no regrets, and to be able to be with you as my master.
As an alternative, I would like to ask you to accept the daughter of the Ukita Nao family and raise her as an adopted daughter.
Ukita Nao's family is seriously ill, and there is not much time left. At this moment, he is anxious and uneasy, fearing that after he dies, his daughter will follow his own path and drift like a rootless duckweed in troubled times.
If you can be kind to her daughter and treat your adopted daughter as your own, the Ukita Nao family will definitely help her sincerely, and the two countries will be settled."
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded.
"I will personally interview the Ukita Nao family to show my sincerity.
If she is willing, I can advance Yuanfu for her daughter and give her daughter my own Xiuzi, Ukita Xiake, which sounds very good.
If she is still worried, I will give the name Miao to her daughter as well.
I am not married yet and have no children. If my adopted daughter is willing to marry me, I will treat her favorably. If I am with Hideyoshi Hashiba, Bizen will belong to her daughter and no one can take her away."
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
"I have always admired the Lord's ability to win over people, and I am not worried about it.
As long as you are willing to win over her, the Ukita Nao family will definitely believe and accept her. She is going to die soon, and she really has no choice but to trust you."
After talking about the two strategies, Takenaka Shigeharu seemed to relax, and the pent-up energy in his chest instantly dissipated. His hands immediately lost strength and could no longer hold Hashiba Hideyoshi's wrist.
Hashiba Hideyoshi quickly grabbed Takenaka Shigeharu's hand with his backhand. In just a moment, the flush on Takenaka Shigeharu's face faded and turned pale.
"Bakenakahime!"
Takenaka Shigeharu took a few deep breaths and forced a smile.
"I'm sorry, I couldn't see the day when you came to dominate the world. It's such a pity.
Lord, please continue your efforts and forge ahead, and you must win the world! The world!"
Hideyoshi Hashiba's face was filled with tears and he was choked with sobs and could not speak. He just kept nodding his head.
Takenaka Shigeharu coughed up another mouthful of blood foam, and then coughed violently as if he was being choked. Hideyoshi Hideyoshi didn't know what to do.
Hashiba Hideyoshi's hand was grabbed by Takenaka Shigeharu again, but this time the strength was weak and shaky.
Takenaka Shigeharu seemed to be using up his last strength and said weakly.
"Oda Nobunaga will not die well. You must make preparations in advance and replace him... Yoshigage Shiba... Shiba..."
Halfway through the words, Takenaka Shigeharu's eyes widened and he died.
Hideyoshi Hashiba closed his eyelids for her with tears in his eyes, and firmly grasped her hand that had dropped.
"I will win the world! Zhuzhongji, I promise you, I will win the world!"
———
Takenaka Shigeharu died young, and Hideyoshi Hashiba lost his arm. In grief, he held a large funeral. He spent a lot of money to invite the monks from the surrounding temples to come and perform rituals to see Takenaka Shigeharu off.
In the middle of the night, Hideyoshi Hashiba sat cross-legged on the throne and looked coldly at Takataka Kuroda in front of him.
When Kuroda Takataka persuaded the local samurai family to surrender, he was accidentally imprisoned and suffered mistreatment.
Not only was her left knee broken, she was also infected with moss due to the dampness in the dungeon, which made her look embarrassed.
The once high-spirited girl has now become a disfigured cripple, and her temperament has become much gloomier.
Having paid too many sunk costs, Kuroda Takaka became more and more utilitarian. She would not let herself suffer all these costs in vain. She must get more rewards.
Hashiba Hideyoshi was good at observing people's words and emotions, so he was naturally aware of Kuroda Takaka's changes in his mind and was a little more wary.
Takenaka Shigeharu's final advice was reasonable, and Hideyoshi Hideyoshi had to accept it.
Kuroda Takaka was extremely intelligent and familiar with the geography and culture of the Western Kingdom. She was the best counselor to assist Hashiba Hideyoshi in conquering the Western Kingdom, even more suitable than Takenaka Shigeharu himself.
No matter what Hashiba Hideyoshi thinks of Kuroda Takaka, now is the time to employ people, and she cannot ruin the overall situation of the expedition just for her personal tastes.
But tonight, Takaka Kuroda came to admonish him, but Hideyoshi couldn't help but get furious.
Hideyoshi Hashiba said expressionlessly.
"Bamboo Princess dedicated her whole life for me, shouldn't I give her a grand burial?"
Kuroda-hime, please don’t forget that it was Takenaka-hime who rushed to vouch for you when she was ill, so she begged the palace to save someone and saved your family.
Are you ungrateful?"
Kuroda Takaka bowed slightly and said solemnly.
"I should keep Takenaka-hime's kindness in my heart and never forget it.
But the Lord is giving her a grand burial at this time, which is not a good thing for her or for you.
You know the character of the main hall very well. Takenakahime is dead and she has no use value to the main hall.
As the general of the Western Kingdom, you are not immersed in military affairs, but you are wasting money and time for the beauty of Princess Zhuzhong. You are delaying the palace's strategy for the Western Kingdom. How can the palace be happy?
If this offends the main hall, changes course, or sends someone to urge you to constrain and supervise your actions, Takenaka Hime's strategy for the Western Kingdom that she has worked so hard to plan for you will have more variables.
Takenakahime’s spirit in heaven, is she willing to see this result?”
Hideyoshi Hashiba narrowed his eyes and said nothing.
Kuroda Takataka continued.
"Outside the army, there are always heroes who have unrealized ambitions and died midway, with their bodies wrapped in horse leather. It is a common practice in the army to keep everything simple. The Lord must turn grief and anger into strength, so that the dead can rest in peace.
Today, Harima Kingdom is still unstable. Although the Akamatsu and Urakami families submit to the Oda family in words, they secretly have constant correspondence with the Mori family.
The days of the Ukita Nao family in Bizen were short. She used conspiracy to seize and suppress Bizen and Bizen. The local samurai feared her but did not love her. The rule of the Ukita family was not popular among the people.
For the current plan, it is best to stabilize the hearts of Harima and Bizen as soon as possible, press the front line to the Bichung line, and be careful of the attacks that may come from the Mori family at any time.
Fortunately, the Shiba family was on the front line of San'in to assist in the battle, so there was no need to worry about the Maori army's outflanking on the flanks, which saved a lot of thought and effort.
Preparing for China is the bottom line that Maori cannot give in.
The Ukita Nao family was full of cunning and scheming. They teamed up with the Maori family to eliminate the Mimura family who had prepared China, and then turned back to cooperate with the Oda family. The Maori family was betrayed by the Ukita Nao family, and they must be unwilling to accept it.
Behind Bizhong is Bingo country. Ashikaga Shogun opened his palace in Tomon in Bingo country. This is an important political place that the Maori family must protect.
Therefore, the Maori family will never give up preparing for China and will take action soon.
The Ukita Nao family's time is running out and they are no longer able to control the situation. We need to reach an agreement with her as soon as possible to stabilize the Ukita family's territory in Bizen and Bizhong.
But you, at this time when every second counts, hide in front of Takenaka Hime's soul and feel miserable.
Takenakahime’s spirit in heaven also hopes that you can cheer up as soon as possible and will recognize my suggestions. I also believe that you will never let Takenakahime down.
Please, Lord, make a decision as soon as possible!"
