different warring states of japan

Chapter 2163: Tokugawa Ieyasu Following the Strong
Hideyoshi Ichijo's strategic goal was to fight a decisive battle at Sekigahara, so he had to open up Settsu, Yamashiro, Omi and reach Gifu Castle as soon as possible.

She wanted to force Sasaki Yoshigin to not break through the barrier and stop her without being fully prepared, thus creating a situation where the Sasaki family would have to fight.

The so-called decisive battle of Sekigahara was to destroy the reputation of Sasaki Yoshikane and the vitality of the Sasaki family in one fell swoop.

Only by severely damaging the Sasaki family in a war and undermining the already solid foundation of the Sasaki theocracy can the Ichijo family gain a glimmer of hope.

In this strategy, not only did Hideyoshi Ichijo need to move quickly enough, he also had to find ways to hinder the support of the Eastern Army of the Sasaki family and delay it for enough time.

Therefore, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who occupied the two countries of Mikawa and Totomi and blocked the entrance and exit of the Tokaido, became particularly important.

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Totomi Province, Hamamatsu Castle.

Tokugawa Ieyasu rose to power in Mikawa. Although he always admired the loyalty and bravery of the Mikawa princesses and samurai, he knew better than anyone what kind of people those samurai families in East and West Mikawa were.

Therefore, shortly after conquering Totomi Province, Tokugawa Ieyasu moved his residence from Okazaki Castle in Mikawa Province to Hamamatsu Castle in Totomi Province.

She claimed that she moved to the city in order to more conveniently guard the new territory, but in fact she wanted to train her own Yuanjiang people to check and balance the old men in the East and West Three Rivers.

The East and West Mikawa people were not satisfied with this, but the Mikawa people and the Totomi people restrained each other, which made Tokugawa Ieyasu's life easier.

Especially after the death of his aggressive ally Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, with the support of Sasaki Yoshikane, fought a war with Ichijo Hideyoshi, secured his independent status, and his life became more and more prosperous.

The Tokugawa territory served as an economic link between the Sasaki and Ieyasu families. The transactions of food coupons for supplies were basically completed in the Tokugawa territory, which made Tokugawa Ieyasu collect a huge bridge toll.

The finances were prosperous and life was easy. The Mikawa and Totomi peoples also calmed down. Tokugawa Ieyasu finally secured his position and no longer worried about repeating the mistakes of his grandmother and mother.

But good times always come to an end. As the war situation of the Yi Legion went against him, Sasaki Yoshigin began to raise interest rates to squeeze Yi Hideyoshi's capital chain, trying to force Yi Hideyoshi into desperate measures.

The advantage of the Tokugawa territory being sandwiched between the Sasaki and Ichijo families has begun to turn into a disadvantage.

It was hot in midsummer and the situation became increasingly tense. At this time, Ishikawa Sukemasa, a former Nishimikawa bannerman under Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had fled to join Ichijo Hideyoshi, returned to his former master's Hamamatsu Castle.

Inside the room, Tokugawa Ieyasu looked at Ishikawa Suzemasa. The once close monarch and minister now had no private friendship to talk about.

Ishikawa Suzumasa was lobbying his former master in a serious manner, she said.

"Today's world situation is just like the Chu-Han contention, with Tokugawa sitting in the middle of the conflict, just like Han Xin was in Qi back then.

Han Xin was unrivaled in military affairs, but short-sighted in politics. He eventually died at the hands of his husband, which is really sad. Please think twice, Your Highness Tokugawa."

Ishikawa Sukenori was talking about how Han Xin resolutely sided with Liu Bang, which resulted in the Han Dynasty unifying the country. Han Xin, who had never lost a battle, finally died at the hands of the womanizing Lu Zhi.

Compared to now, she just hopes that Tokugawa Ieyasu will not easily turn to Sasaki Yoshikane, so as to avoid being liquidated in the future after Sasaki takes over the world.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was also from a famous family, so he had naturally heard the story of the Chu-Han War. He was well aware of Ishikawa Suzumasa's metaphor, and she said with a smile.

"Ishikawa-hime is well versed in Chinese studies and fully understands Han Xin's situation. Do you know the origin of the idiom 'pushing clothes to get rid of food'?"

Ishikawa Shu's face turned red, and he didn't know how to answer for a moment.

She wanted to talk about Chu and Han, so Tokugawa Ieyasu chatted with her about Chu and Han.

At the critical moment of the Chu-Han contention, Xiang Yu sent people to persuade Han Xin, who was what Ishikawa Suzeraina just mentioned, to remain neutral and divide the world into three parts.

But how did Han Xin answer?
He said, the King of Han gave me the seal of a supreme general, granted me tens of thousands of troops, and fed me with his own clothes and food. This is the origin of the idiom “解衣放食”.

What I mean is that Liu Bang has been so good to me. If I betray him, would I still be considered a human being?

Ishikawa Sumomasa compared Tokugawa Ieyasu's situation with Han Xin in the Chu-Han Contention, and Tokugawa Ieyasu counterattacked by talking about Han Xin's loyalty.

Tokugawa Ieyasu was very kind to Ishikawa Sukemasa, but when Ichijo Hideyoshi went to war with Tokugawa Ieyasu, Ishikawa Sukemasa fled to Ichijo Hideyoshi and joined him, causing political turmoil within the Tokugawa family.

Today, Ishikawa Suzera comes again to persuade his old master. How can this man have the nerve to do this?

Ishikawa Suzera was so ashamed by Tokugawa Ieyasu that he couldn't even face his face and could only utter a word after a long while.

"I am sorry, Your Highness, but I kept my mouth shut in the Ichijo family and never said a word."

Tokugawa Ieyasu was dejected. She naturally knew why Ishikawa Suzemasa ran away.

At that time, when the Sasaki theocracy had not yet taken shape, Tokugawa Ieyasu, with his keen political sense, realized that the descendants of Sasaki had a promising future.

Therefore, when Tokugawa Ieyasu entertained Yoshikin Sasaki who was passing by, he added a little seasoning to the food, hoping to ascend to the throne in one fell swoop.

The person responsible for this despicable act was Ishikawa Suzemasa, a former confidant of Tokugawa Ieyasu.

As a result, Sasaki Yoshikane did not fall into the trap and the whole thing ended in vain, but it planted the seeds of discord between Tokugawa Ieyasu and Ishikawa Sukemasa.

If Tokugawa Ieyasu really ascended the throne and gave birth to a descendant of God, Sasaki Yoshikane would have known afterwards that he was being framed. Given his personality, he would have probably just pretended to be ignorant of the matter.

But now the matter has not been accomplished, and the sin of blasphemy against the saint is still there. If the truth comes out one day, who will bear the charge of blasphemy against the saint?

The Spo God-Descendants Group has already taken shape, and the Saint can no longer sleep with anyone he wants. None of those God-Descendants Mothers are simple creatures, and they have been keeping a close eye on his Jill for a long time.

Matsue Sae was favored by the saint and was almost killed by Date Masamune. This was the best result after ascending the saint's throne and receiving the saint's protection.

Tokugawa Ieyasu has neither been able to ascend the throne nor given birth to a descendant of God, and the rich territories of the two countries are coveted. If this matter is exposed, the Tokugawa family will be killed by the Sasaki God Group with a clear reason.

Tokugawa Ieyasu could not bear the blame, and as one of the only two people who knew about the incident, Ishikawa Suzumasa was of course afraid that Tokugawa Ieyasu would kill her to silence her, so it was understandable that she ran away decisively.

At this moment, Tokugawa Ieyasu did not want to use the idiom of "taking off clothes and giving away food" to humiliate Ishikawa Suzemasa. All she needed was an answer. Did Ishikawa Suzemasa reveal this matter to Ichijo Hideyoshi?
Ishikawa Suzemasa told the truth out of shame. Tokugawa Ieyasu seemed not to care, but he was actually staring at Ishikawa Suzemasa's response.

Seeing that Ishikawa Sukemasa did not seem to be lying, Tokugawa Ieyasu felt relieved.

It’s good that Ichijo Hideyoshi didn’t know, otherwise Tokugawa Ieyasu would have no choice but to be tied to the Ichijo family’s chariot.

Having already obtained the answer he most desired, Tokugawa Ieyasu had no interest in continuing to argue with Ishikawa Suzemasa, she said lightly.

"I understand what the Chancellor means. Please ask Princess Ishikawa to go back and tell the Chancellor that the Tokugawa family's loyalty to her has not changed."

After talking for a long time, he only got an ambiguous statement. Ishikawa Sukemasa was a little unwilling, but Tokugawa Ieyasu had already signaled to send him away, so Ishikawa Sukemasa had no choice but to bow and leave.

Ishikawa Suzemasa was not valued in the Ichijo family, and the war between Ichijo and Tokugawa was eventually resolved through diplomatic means, which meant that Ishikawa Suzemasa was no longer of any use.

So in the past few years, Ishikawa Suzera has been marginalized. She hopes to be reused, so she volunteered to share Hideyoshi Ichijo's worries and came to Tokugawa Ieyasu to lobby.

But the result was not satisfactory. Tokugawa Ieyasu's lukewarm attitude left Ishikawa Sukemasa helpless and he had to leave empty-handed.

After Ishikawa Suzemasa left, Tokugawa Ieyasu clapped his hands, and a figure appeared under her seat and knelt down. It was the ninja chief Hattori Masanari.

"After Ishikawa Suzumasa leaves my territory, kill her. Do it cleanly."

"Hi."

Ishikawa Suzemasa ran away too quickly before, and Tokugawa Ieyasu didn't have time to do anything, but this time, she will not miss the opportunity again.

The Shiba Ichijo family was on the verge of a war, and on his way back, Ishikawa Suzera had to pass through the former Oda territory and the Kyoto area, and there were all kinds of people along the way.

If Ishikawa Suzemasa died on the road, anyone could have killed him, and Hideyoshi Ichijo would not have suspected Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Was it worth it for Tokugawa Ieyasu to kill the envoy and offend the Ichijo family because of a traitor and a small lobbying? Probably not.

No one could guess why Tokugawa Ieyasu wanted to kill Ishikawa Sukemasa.

Hattori Masanari's figure disappeared under his seat. Tokugawa Ieyasu couldn't help but sneer. Hideyoshi Ichijo really had a good plan, trying to trick others into helping her get out of troubled waters.

The three routes of Kanto and Kansai, Hokuriku Road, Nakasendo Road, and Tokaido Road.

Among them, the Zhongshan Road has rugged mountain roads and is difficult to march on.

Maeda Toshiie had been operating the Hokuriku Road for many years and had already infiltrated Echizen Province to the point where it was leaking everywhere. Hideyoshi Ichijo did not expect to be able to block this road.

Only in Tokaido, Tokugawa Ieyasu controlled the two countries of Mikawa and Totomi, completely blocking the entrance and exit.

As long as Tokugawa Ieyasu does not surrender to the Sasaki family, even if he simply remains neutral, he can slow down the speed of support from the Eastern Army.

Although Hideyoshi Ichijo was very calculating, Tokugawa Ieyasu also had his own ideas.

There is a saying that an incomplete innovation is the same as no innovation at all.

The unification of the world is just around the corner. The sage has been planning for many years. How could he let Hideyoshi escape death?

Tokugawa Ieyasu has been standing between the Sasaki and Ichijo families over the years and has made a lot of money by being a middleman, but she is not confused. She knows very well why she can maintain neutrality.

No one knows how to be a human being better than Tokugawa Ieyasu. Her childhood experiences taught her one thing: to respect violence.

You have to respect whoever holds the strongest violence. The greatest truth in this world is that the stronger the fist.

Those who are proficient in the rules rely on them to make profits, but they cannot resist the rule makers.

Those who make the rules must rely on violence, because violence is the most powerful force in the world.

Violence can really solve problems.

Yoshikin Sasaki and Hideyoshi Ichijo confront each other. Who possesses greater violence?

Shiba Yoshigane!

Hideyoshi Ichijo sent people to lobby, and even though they spoke eloquently, they could not overturn one thing, which was that she was afraid that she could not defeat Yoshikane Sasaki.

The reason why Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to move among various powers and grow from a powerless hostage to a local lord was because she always respected violence.

She will follow whoever is stronger.

Imagawa Yoshimoto, Oda Nobunaga, Ichijo Hideyoshi, and Sasaki Yoshikin, whoever is the strongest person in the world, Tokugawa Ieyasu will follow closely behind him.

The Wu family admires the strong, and it is not shameful to follow the strong. The important thing is to clearly distinguish who is the strongest person. If you follow the wrong person, it will be terrible.

Tokugawa Ieyasu had a good eye and he never followed the wrong person.

This time, it won’t be wrong.