After the incident with Kobata Jiesheng, more than a thousand people in Yu Qiuping's five thousand stone territory always had the word "rule of law" on their lips. If a few people are chatting, if you don't say it within three sentences
If you use a word related to "rule of law", others will think you are too outdated. Whether it is an Ashigaru or an ordinary villager, before doing anything that has some problems, they will always ask the people around them:
"Isn't it illegal for me to do this?"
The ones that have changed the most are the Matsubara family and the Katsuda family in the territory. They originally regarded themselves as noble, and they always did things that were domineering and skirted the law. Because according to traditional tradition, samurai can indeed be lawless in front of the villagers. However, Xiaohata
After Jiesheng's incident, the two families immediately restrained themselves a lot. Yu Qiuping has made it clear that everyone is equal before the law, regardless of status. Even his old subordinates who followed him through life and death were fired for their bravery in breaking the law.
Naturally, there is no reason for the noble warriors to be spared. Therefore, the warriors within the clan dare not take advantage of the villagers. Instead, they abide by the law honestly and privately complain that Yu Qiuping, a man from the Ming Dynasty, does not value the dignity of Japanese warriors at all.
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The production of weapons has basically met the needs of all ashigaru. Yu Qiupei's Tokiwa Bei has finally completed the replacement, and the equipment of more than 270 people has been guaranteed. As for what the craftsmen should produce next
, Yu Qiupei has not made any plans yet. Naoe Tadayei suggested that he might as well continue to produce the tools. Even if they are not used by then, he can hand them over to Imagawa Yoshimoto as a thank you for providing a large amount of raw materials.
After more than two months of training for the new recruits, each recruit can have three or four veterans to guide him, and his progress is rapid. Although he has no actual combat experience, he may still encounter problems on the battlefield. But at least the military posture and formation are
In these aspects, they are not much different from the veterans.
On May 2, Yu Qiuping was suddenly called to Sunfu Castle Tower by Imagawa Yoshimoto. This time when Yu Qiuping went upstairs, he did not meet Imagawa Kaede, but went directly to Imagawa Yoshimoto's room.
"See the main hall." Yu Qiuping saluted respectfully at the door.
"You're welcome, come in, Yuqiu." Imagawa Yoshimoto waved his hand and said with a smile, "You seem to be in a lot of spirits, don't you?"
"Eh?" Yu Qiuping was surprised. How did Imagawa Yoshimoto know that he was mentally ill?
"Haha. You always look sad when I see you in the corridor." Imagawa Yoshimoto didn't ask too much, "Since you are much better, I won't be a mother-in-law anymore. I originally wanted to ask you what's wrong."
"Thank you very much for your concern." Yu Qiuping's heart warmed, "I wonder if the palace has asked me to come here. What are your instructions?"
"Do you know about Fuji County and Suruga County?" Imagawa Yoshimoto pointed to the map hanging on the side of the room.
"Are they the two counties east of Suruga, with Mount Fuji in their territory?" Yu Qiuping asked.
"That's right." Imagawa Yoshimoto nodded, "The reason why I called you here is related to this place."
Although the territory of Suruga Country is not small, most of the area is mountainous. Only the coast near the Pacific Ocean has fertile soil and developed commerce. As for Fuji County in the east of Suruga Country, most of the county is mountainous, and there are
The world-famous Mount Fuji. And around Mount Fuji, there are eight peaks, large and small. These eight peaks almost surround Mount Fuji in the middle, forming a concentric circle. Between Mount Fuji and the eight peaks, there is a surrounding
The path of Mount Fuji. To the south of these peaks, close to the sea, there is a plain area. From Suruga of the Imagawa family to Sagami of the Hojo family, you must follow the official road on this plain.
"Although Fuji County and Jundong County are part of Suruga Kingdom, they are not completely controlled by our Imagawa family." Imagawa Yoshimoto raised his head and looked at Yu Qiupei, "There is Fujiyoshida Castle of the Takeda family to the north.
Using the city as a base, it controls an area in the north and northwest of Juntō County and Fuji County." He paused, "And part of Juntō County to the east of Fuji County is controlled by the Hojo family."
"Speaking of which, these two counties were originally owned by the Hojo family." Imagawa Yoshimoto said with a smile, "Originally, the place where the Hojo family started was the Kokokuji Temple in Fuji County. Later, the Takeda family and I joined forces and invaded the east of Fuji River.
area, and captured Fuji County.”
"However, since these two counties are mainly mountainous, the land is barren, and the stone heights are not high. Therefore, we, the three parties of Jia Xiangjun, have restrained each other and have no intention of completely controlling these two counties. Many local people, wealthy families, and even
Bandits have occupied a lot of territory here, and we are too lazy to clear it because they generally operate in mountainous areas and will not threaten the southern plains."
"It's a little serious this time." Imagawa Yoshimoto said it was serious, but he laughed and pushed a stack of paper in front of Yu Qiuping, "Just take a look."
Yu Qiuping took the information handed over by Imagawa Yoshimoto and read the first page. There were a few words written on it: Diplomatic Courier Transaction Records. When he opened the first page, it seemed that the records started in March.
"We, the Three Kingdoms Alliance of Koshigashi Jun, have agreed that there will be a routine greeting between messengers every ten days." Imagawa Yoshimoto started to admire his calligraphy and painting again and said casually.
Yu Qiuping then began to look through the records.
On March 1, a messenger was sent to Uzakikan. A messenger was sent to Odawara Castle.
On March 3, the Takeda family's messenger arrived in Sunfu. The Hojo family's messenger arrived in Sunfu. On March 4, the Takeda family's messenger left, and the Hojo family's messenger left.
On March 6, the messenger sent to the Takeda family returned, and the messenger sent to the Hojo family returned.
On March 11, a messenger was sent to Uzakikan. A messenger was sent to Odawara Castle.
On March 13, the Takeda family's messenger arrived in Sunfu. The Hojo family's messenger arrived in Sunfu. On March 14, the Takeda family's messenger left, and the Hojo family's messenger left.
On March 16, the messenger sent to the Takeda family returned, and the messenger sent to the Hojo family returned.
On March 21, a courier was sent to Uzakikan and a courier was sent to Odawara Castle.
On March 25, a courier was sent to Uzakizakikan and a courier was sent to Odawara Castle.
Seeing this, Yu Qiuping frowned and was a little puzzled for a moment. He turned the page and continued reading.
On April 1st, a messenger was sent to the Tsukijikan, and a messenger was sent to Odawara Castle.
On April 7, a messenger was sent to Ugasakikan and a messenger to Odawara Castle.
On April 13, a messenger was sent to Uzakikan, and a messenger was sent to Odawara Castle.
On April 18, a messenger was sent to Uzakikan and to Odawara Castle.
On April 25, a messenger was sent to Uzakikan, and a messenger was sent to Odawara Castle.
The more Yu Qiuping read, the more frightened he became. Unknowingly, he had turned to the last page.
Since the couriers returned on March 16, all the couriers sent out have never returned, and no couriers have been received from the Takeda family and the Hojo family.
The communication between the Imagawa family, the Takeda family, and the Hojo family has been cut off for more than a month. Apparently, someone with malicious intentions cut off the communication lines around Mount Fuji. However, there is no one near the Three Kingdoms Alliance near Kashojun who can do this.
Enemy? Is it the Uesugi family?
"Main Hall!" Yu Qiuping stood up in a hurry, "This is a big deal."
Imagawa Yoshimoto was leisurely enjoying the calligraphy and paintings. After hearing Yu Qiuping's anxious voice, he reluctantly moved his eyes away from the flower and bird painting and looked at Yu Qiuping, "You are right." Imagawa Yoshimoto
Yuan nodded.
"What about the main hall..." Yu Qiuping almost blurted out. He was still watching birds here, so he simply stopped in time, "Why don't you think of a way to contact the two families through other means? You can contact the Hojo family by sea, and contact from the junction of Toe and Shinano.
The Takeda family!"
"That lion and that tiger didn't even bother to contact me," Imagawa Yoshimoto said with a childish smile, "Why should I be in such a hurry? It would be a shame to take the initiative to find them."
Yu Qiuping's forehead was covered with black lines at this moment, and he was speechless for a moment.
"So the main hall..." Yu Qiuping considered his words, "Have you contacted the two families?"
"No." Imagawa Yoshimoto looked down at the flower-and-bird paintings again, "Didn't I tell you, it would be too cheap to take the initiative to go to them."
Yu Qiuping's face was covered with black lines at this moment, and he was speechless again.
"Is this really the reason?" Yu Qiuping asked.
"Haha. Anyway, I just didn't look for it." Imagawa Yoshimoto replied.
"Then the main hall called me here, does it want me to take my subordinates to Fuji County and Jundong County to investigate?" Yu Qiuping asked.
"No, I'm just asking if you are willing to investigate," Imagawa Yoshimoto said nonchalantly, "It may be life-threatening, so I won't force you to go."
"Nani?" Yu Qiuping was shocked, "Who is so bold as to intercept and kill the people investigating the Imagawa family?"
"Our messenger has already gone without return, so why don't we dare to kill him?" Imagawa Yoshimoto said with a smile. "Besides, the mastermind behind this time is to provoke suspicion among the Three Kingdoms Alliance. Kill the Imagawa family.
Isn’t it true that our investigation team can achieve this effect?”
"But the messenger was alone, and the ambush was solved. I took more than two hundred elite soldiers, neatly dressed and went wherever I went. There is no way I could kill you quietly without a thousand people." Yu Qiuping said in surprise, "With this strength, I
Yes, there are only the Hojo family and the Takeda family. Send a thousand people to attack. Is it possible that they will declare war on the Imagawa family?" Yu Qiupei loves history and has a special talent for memorizing years and dates in history. I dare not say that it is just a glance.
I won’t forget, but I won’t forget what I want to remember.
For example, Oda Nobunaga's Okehazama surprise attack was on May 19th in the 3rd year of Eiroku (1560). And Oda Nobunaga himself encountered the Incident of Honnoji Temple on June 2nd in the 10th year of Tensho (1582). These
He remembered them all clearly. The breakup of the Zentoku-ji Temple Alliance occurred as far back as 1568. It is impossible for it to break up now.
"So, I don't plan to let you go there wearing armor and carrying a flag, but I plan to let you bring only 50 people and go as a businessman instead of the Imagawa family." Imagawa Yoshimoto explained.
"Ah? Why?" Yu Qiuping asked.
"Otherwise, the mastermind of this missing contact incident will not dare to kill you." Imagawa Yoshimoto said matter-of-factly.
"Pfft!" Yu Qiuping finally couldn't hold it back and yelled out. He finally understood why Sena Ujitoshi, a person who was so kind, calm, easy-going and easy to get along with, was scared half to death by Imagawa Yoshimoto.
"In order to make it easier for the mastermind behind the scenes to kill me, why do you ask me to take less people with me and not wear armor or flags?" Yu Qiuping asked in disbelief.
"Yes." Imagawa Yoshimoto affirmed again, "You did not carry the banner of the Imagawa family, but came forward as a businessman. Even if you are killed, the Imagawa family cannot denounce the murderer in a big way, and those behind the scenes can do nothing.
Let me kill you, Yuqiu, without any pressure."
"The main hall." Yu Qiuping really couldn't laugh or cry, "If there is anything I did wrong, please tell me directly from the main hall."
"I did nothing wrong." Imagawa Yoshimoto gently snapped his fingers in his ear, "It's just that I need a bait."