Prime Minister Bizen

Chapter 671 Sudden Madness

Xiuzhao knew the fact that Xiujia's right thumb was severed, but Xiujia had never said how it was caused. He always thought that it was the "heroic" brother who lost it on the battlefield.

In his impression, although Hideyoshi is often strict, he has always been a kind elder in general.

But I didn't expect that Xiu's family would directly admit that the severed finger was related to his father today. This news made this simple child somewhat unacceptable.

He looked at his father in horror, and couldn't figure out what was going on between him and the Xiu family, why he forced the number one general under his command to the point of cutting off his fingers to survive.

Who would have thought that Hideyoshi, who was originally a bit angry, would see the restraint on Hideyoshi's face after seeing Hideyoshi's petty expression, and said with a regretful expression, "Xiaozhu really raised you up and useless." , What a spirituality you were back then, but now you are such a womanly benevolence."

Then he looked at his son Xiu Zhao, smiled and said to him: "Your brother's severed finger was completely accidental, don't think too much about it."

Looking at the expression of a little resentful woman in the Xiu family, Hideyoshi began to gradually relax his guard against the Xiu family. In his opinion, the Xiu family had indeed lost the vigor of the past, and the long-term confinement to live with his family and relatives made him feel uncomfortable. He became a cowardly daimyo who grew up in the deep palace.

But Hideyoshi was still not completely relieved about Hideo, he decided to test Hideo one last time.

He leaned forward slightly, stared at Xiujia with eagle-like eyes and asked, "Do you still remember the story just now? You told me that Tokugawa Dian was a person who could endure what others couldn't. You Compare it to Wang Mang in the Han Dynasty.

In fact, there has always been a question that has troubled me. You said that His Highness Tokugawa’s humility is fake, so what kind of humility is real?How can you let me rest assured that this world will be handed over to Hesong? "

To be honest, Xiujia was already confused by Hideyoshi's question.This question is actually very simple to break down, that is, the boss is asking you how to distinguish whether a person is really loyal or not.

But such a question has troubled all the rulers, and those in power have not been able to answer it for thousands of years. Now that Hideyoshi asks Hideka this question, how can Hideka answer it.

Now the Xiu family suddenly felt like they had dug a hole for themselves.

At that time, Xiujia told the story of Wang Mang, hoping that Hideyoshi would be vigilant against Tokugawa Ieyasu, and it would be best to kill him directly.

Unexpectedly, after several battles, Hideyoshi would rather continue to squeeze and test Tokugawa Ieyasu in the end, just to take Tokugawa Ieyasu down.

What Hideka didn't expect was that the story that Hideyoshi used to remind Hideyoshi to value Tokugawa Ieyasu turned out to be the reason why Hideyoshi doubted his loyalty.

However, at this time, Hideyoshi was still pressing on Hideo every step of the way, "Can't you say it?"

The Hide family really had no other choice. They really couldn't think of any reason to receive Hideyoshi's question, so they could only bite the bullet and answer, "My boy has always said before that he follows his uncle and Hanbei Shifan as an example. As Zhuge Liang of Toyotomi's family, this period will not change whether it is past, present, or future!"

After saying that, he turned to Xiu Zhao's direction, saluted him and said, "Young master, wherever there is a need to order me, I will definitely die."

One must know that Xiu's family used to call Xiu Zhao, and privately called him He Song's younger brother, and they were also suspicious of Xiu Zhaodian's name in public, and it was indeed the first time that Xiu Zhao was called "Young Master".

Hearing Xiujia's statement to him, Xiuzhao was flattered and said, "Brother Balang, please get up, He Song has already received your wish."

However, Hideyoshi, who was sitting on the stage, still refused to give up and sneered at Hideo, "It's just that, Hachiro. Can just a few words prove your loyalty to me and Tsurumong? I thought you would What can I offer as proof of your loyalty to the Toyotomi family?"

"Offer. Offer what?"

"It's like Iyo Territory and Besshi Copper Mine"

"Iyo. Besko" Xiujia did not expect that Xiujia's appetite would be so big, so he directly asked Xiujia for a Besshi Copper Mine with a knowledge of more than 20 shi and the number one copper mine in Japan. Asked to be speechless in surprise.

Hideyoshi still instigated from above: "Why didn't you arrive in North Korea on schedule, shouldn't you give me an apology? According to the law, even if I directly reduce your seal and change it, it will be light. Now I will give you a chance to prove yourself Wouldn't it be nice to offer up the opportunity of loyalty yourself?"

From the time the Xiu family transferred the seal of Kanto, Yiyo has indeed become an enclave in the country ruled by the Xiu family.

Since most of Iyo's territory was entrusted by the Hide family, the Hide family did not enjoy the intellectual output of Iyo's land, so they could not directly collect taxes on the 17 shi territory.

In order to rule Iyo, the Xiu family even had to send an elder to live in Iyo.

Coupled with the daily maintenance of Matsumae Port and the expenses of dispatching Iyo's permanent garrison, the cost of Hideka's rule of Iyo far exceeds the income from the land money collected from Iyo.

However, the geographical location of Iyo is very important. This is the most important transfer point for trade between Xiujia and Ryukyu, and Ming Dynasty. In addition to the output of Besshi Copper Mountain in Iyo's territory, Xiujia's actual income far exceeds The tax income that grows in the ground.

Not to mention that Yiyo has so much extra income, even without these things, the territory is completely maintained by land income, and it is not something that the Xiu family can pay tribute just by saying it.

Although this territory was rewarded by Hideyoshi to the Xiu family, the Xiu family also divided it up. These lands had the most direct rulers, and the Xiu family became their patrons.

If one day their patrons tell them that I can no longer protect you, and someone more powerful wants me to hand over this land, it will undoubtedly be a great blow to the prestige of the Xiu family.

This is different for those who were forced to cede the land after the defeat in the Warring States period. The defeat and cede the land were inferior to others, and the lord who guarded the land should be the first to be responsible.

But right now it is a period of peace. If the Hideo family, as daimyos, donate their territory to Hideyoshi for the sake of "flattery" (in the following view, it is a flattery), then the ruling power of the Toyoharu family will collapse immediately.

After becoming a daimyo, there is a saying that Hideo has always kept in his heart: "It's not that you become a king, so the people below listen to you. It's because the people below listen to you, that's why you can become a king."

It is impossible for Hideyoshi, who is Guanbai, to be unclear about these issues, but he is still pressing the Xiu family: "What's wrong? Is it difficult to make a choice? Aren't you also implementing small collar restitution in your own territory?

Is it very difficult for you to bring Iyo country up first?Or are your so-called loyal words just now false? "

Seeing that Hideyoshi did not give an answer, Hideyoshi raised his voice once again, and asked Hideyoshi, "Answer me, Hachiro. Is it very difficult for you to return Iyo!"

I don't know what's going on, but the Xiu family, who had already decided to continue pretending to be cowardly, actually turned back directly after hearing Hideyoshi's forced questioning: "It's something that my subordinates can't accept!"

"What?" Xiujia didn't expect Xiujia to give such an answer, even he was stunned, "What did you say?"

"I..." Even Hideyoshi himself didn't expect that he would blurt out a word against Hideyoshi.

However, the words have already been spoken, and the Xiu family can only bite the bullet and push Hideyoshi back, saying, "I just said that I just said that I should make my son innocent and return Yiyo, I can't do it!"

"You bastard!" After hearing this, Hideyoshi threw the folding fan in his hand towards Xiujia's face, Xiujia didn't even try to avoid it, and let the folding fan hit him on the head.

Hideyoshi stood up from his seat in a jerk, walked to Xiujia's side and kicked the prostrate Xiujia to the ground on his back, muttering incessantly, "You really have been pretending all this time, huh?" ! Now it’s finally revealed!”

Xiujia protected his head with his arms to prevent being kicked by Hideyoshi, and explained to Hideyoshi, "My son's loyalty to my father and the young master can be learned from the sun and the moon. I did this for you and the young master. For the sake of fame, for the sake of the Toyotomi family's world!

The minister did not make any mistakes. Since ancient times, there has never been a story about a wise lord reducing the title of a minister who did not make mistakes. Father, please think again! "

"Nonsense!" Hideyoshi didn't stop, and he was still exporting to Xiujia, "You didn't arrive on time as we asked, and you said you didn't make a mistake! Besides, I asked you to donate soil voluntarily, so how can you reduce the letter?" explain!"

Hideyoshi's atrocities directly frightened Hideaki who was beside him. At this moment, he looked at Hideyoshi curled up like a hedgehog and the tyrannical Hideyoshi, his face turned pale with fright, and he couldn't say a word for a long time.

The Xiu family was already old, plus he was sick. In fact, he didn't have much strength to kick the Xiu family. It didn't cause any harm to the Xiu family, but it just looked a little scary.

Seeing Hideyoshi getting angry and beating Hideyoshi, Ishida Mitsunari took the initiative to step forward to hold Hideyoshi, and kept reassuring him not to get angry, and even slapped Hideyoshi twice for this.

Ishida Mitsunari does not have a deep relationship with Hideyoshi. When faced with Hideyoshi's lesson, Ishida Mitsunari would take the initiative to help Hideyoshi.

It was also because of poor health, after kicking a few times, Hideyoshi's body was a little shaky and retreated a few steps, and Ishida Mitsunari, who was sitting by the side, quickly stepped forward to support Hideyoshi who was about to fall.

"You, you bastard." Hideyoshi, who expended too much energy, pointed at Hideyoshi but was unable to say a word for a long time.

Seeing Hideyoshi being seated again by Mitsunari Ishida, Hideyoshi once again said to Hideyoshi, "In addition to not being able to bear to damage my father's reputation, I can't bear to let my son be confiscated if he is innocent!"

"What did you say?" Hideyoshi raised his voice again when he heard Hideo confront him once.

"My son said: 'My son's loyalty to my father and the young master has never changed' and should not be divided into a punishment like reducing the title! My father should not only confiscate me, but should give me a great reward!" The last sentence Hideo said to Hideyoshi as if he had exhausted all his strength.

Hideyoshi was stunned for a moment when he heard that, the fierceness in his eyes gradually faded, and his looking eyes began to become blurred.

Suddenly, without knowing what was going on, Hideyoshi rushed in front of Xiujia again, but this time instead of beating Xiujia, he hugged him in his arms and said, "Xiaozhu, Xiaozhu, you are back! I knew You won't leave your brother and leave alone!"

Hideyoshi's sudden insanity beat Hideo with his hands, and Sudden insanity hugged Hideo, mistaking Hideo for Hideonaga's move, which made Hideo feel at a loss for a while.

He comforted Hideyoshi again and again, even though Hideyoshi's pus-stained cheek was rubbing against his body, he still didn't dislike him, and at the same time looked at Hideyoshi and Ishida Mitsunari for help.

It wasn't until now that Xiujia realized that the two of them seemed to have become accustomed to Hideyoshi's behavior as shown in the picture.

At this moment, Hideyoshi broke free again from the embrace of the Hideo family, knelt down in front of the Hideo family, and prayed to the Hideo family, "Xiaozhu, my health is failing, and the Toyotomi family will be entrusted to you in the future. Take care of the two children, Tsurumong and Shimaru."

Seeing that Hideka didn't make a statement, Hideyoshi mistakenly thought that Hideonaga didn't accept, and continued to plead, "I know that I am incompetent as a brother, and I have wronged you for so many years, and I have wronged Hachiro even more.

Hachiro is a good boy, but his ability makes me jealous!He is much stronger than He Song, I have to be wary of him.

Although you are Hachiro's father-in-law, you are also He Song's uncle.He Song is the real nephew whose blood is thicker than water with you!You can't favor one person over another! "

As he spoke, he bowed to the Xiu family and said, "I beg you, my elder brother."

Hideyoshi, who saw Hideyoshi saluting to him, finally recovered from his panic. He helped Hideyoshi who fell on the ground, looked at his gray hair on both sides, and looked at his festered face due to illness, and asked in surprise, "" Father, why did you become like this, father!"

"Father?~" Hideyoshi's eyes were full of doubts, but soon became clear once, as if the voice of father brought him back to reality.

After seeing clearly that the person in front of him was not Hideonaga but Hideyoshi, Hideyoshi shook off Hideyoshi's hand holding him, and took two steps back in shame, with a look of panic on his face.

"Father." Hideka called to Hideyoshi again.

However, Hideyoshi stretched out his hand to stop Hideka who wanted to go forward and said, "It was just my situation, I have received Hachiro's loyalty, and I ask Hachiro not to talk about today's matter."

"Father. Your body"

Hideyoshi mentioned his aura, put on an airy look and said to Xiujia: "I'm fine! I can live for another ten years, and I can still see Tsurugasong reigning in the world!"

Then he told Hideaki and Ishida Mitsunari, "Tsurumatsu, let's go back first. Saji, please help me see off my guests."

After saying that, without looking back, she left the flower that summoned Hideka, turned around and walked towards Oni.

"His Royal Highness Dai Nayan" Hideka looked at Hideyoshi's back, unable to recover from the shock for a long time, until Mitsunari Ishida called softly beside Hideyoshi, and then recalled Hideyoshi to reality.

"Please don't care about it, His Highness Da Nayan. His Highness Guan Bai didn't mean it. Please also keep this secret for the Toyotomi family."

Hideka looked into Ishida Mitsunari's eyes, it was the first time Hideka saw such clear eyes from this man's eyes, as for the secret he was referring to, needless to say.

Hideka asked Ishida Matsunari, "How long has Father been sick? Have you ever consulted a doctor?"

However, in the face of the Hideo family's inquiry, perhaps it was related to Hideyoshi's privacy, and more about the reputation and authority of the Toyotomi family, Ishida Mitsunari pursed his lips and said, "It's just that His Royal Highness has lost love after leaving. is that so?"

(End of this chapter)