Don't look at the long-tail family's current overseer of the Echigo guard, but in terms of the Echigo country, the dominance of the long-tail family is still unstable.

The former head of the Nagao family, Nagao is a master who can convince the public, and when he is in power, the people of Echigo have to give some face. But when Long Tail died in battle, the originally honest people began to move.

Who is willing to be suppressed all the time?

The stone height of Echigo is nearly 400,000 koku, and the Nagao family only occupies more than 200,000 koku, and the rest is occupied by Uesugi Dingshi and some of the countrymen.

Among them, the most powerful people are the Nakajo family, the Kurokawa family, the Ayukawa family, the Shinbata family, and the Shibe family, which are known as the Yangbei family. Yohokusa refers to the people of the country located in the area on the north bank of the Agano River, so it is also called Agahokushi.

If the Nagao clan wanted to completely dominate the Echigo country, they first had to subdue the people of the central and eastern Echigo (Shimo-Echigo regions). And this is also the reason why Nagao Haruki sent Nagao Keitora to Tochio Castle as the lord of the castle.

Tochio Castle is a famous castle in Echigo, located in the middle of Echigo, and is the gateway to Kasugayama Castle.

Speaking of which, Nagao Harujing also remembered Nagao Keihu, "With the guards, Kiheiji didn't cause you less trouble by following you to Tsukawa's house, right?" ”

"Not really! And His Royal Highness Kihei is very much valued by Lord Tsugawa. Of course, Naoe Minoru will not tell Nagao Harukei the truth, after all, Nagao Jinghu sneaking out without permission is also Naoe Minorutsuna's own dereliction of duty, and Naoe Minoru doesn't want to be bored.

"Oh?" When he stopped at Naoe Minoruta, Nagao Haruki looked curious, "Lord Dewasuke-sama actually values Kiheiji very much?" What is the reason for this? ”

"It's not clear what I'm talking about, but Lord Tsugawa intends to marry his daughter to Lord Kihei! Of course, when it comes to marriage, I don't dare to make decisions without permission, I don't know what the lord thinks of this matter? Minoru Naoe then asked.

"Ahem! What the? The Tsugawa family intends to marry the princess to Kiheiji? Nagao Haruheichi coughed again in excitement.

Nagao Haruga's eyebrows were lowered at this time, and he looked excited, weighing something in his eyes, even Naoe Minoru couldn't see joy and anger in Nagao Harukage's expression.

"If Kiheiji becomes the son-in-law of the Tsugawa family, then there will be support from the Tsugawa family behind him. If Xihei has a different heart in the future, it won't be a good thing for the family! Nagao Harukei secretly thought to herself, "And the Tsugawa family proposed marriage so suddenly, could there be a plan behind Tsugawa Soji?" ”

Thinking of this, Nagao Harujing also had to be cautious, "Yobei, you explain in detail the process of your mission to the Tsugawa family this time." ”

"Hah!" Naoe Minoru hurriedly told the story of Dewa's trip.

A quarter of an hour later, after listening to Naoe's narration, Nagao Harukei nodded with relief. As long as there is no collusion between Nagao Keihu and the Tsugawa family.

"But no matter what, Kihei II must not take the princess of the Tsugawa family. But for the marriage between the Tsugawa family and the main family, if there is no good reason, it is really difficult to refuse! Nagao Qingjing gently tapped the ground at this time, secretly thinking about countermeasures.

Suddenly, Nagao Harukage's eyes lit up, and then he looked at Naoe Minoru and said, "Yobei, you just said that this princess of the Tsugawa family is the adopted daughter of Tsugawa Soji, and her adoptive mother is just the side room of Tsugawa Soji?" ”

"Sure enough!" Naoe Minoru had long expected that Nagao Haruhuki might make a fuss about this, but for such a thing, Naoe Minoru didn't dare to hide it in the slightest, "Exactly!" ”

"That's it!" Nagao Harujing suddenly breathed a sigh of relief, "The main family and the Tsugawa family are equal in strength, and they are allies of each other!" Even if the Tsugawa family wants to marry, they have to marry their daughters! Xiping Er is the younger brother of his own family, and he was born in a concubine, how can he marry a concubine? ”

"With the guards, prepare another generous gift! When you return to the Tsugawa family in a few days to submit the official covenant, you must refuse this family business! Of course, in order to avoid necessary misunderstandings, you have to talk about it! The family has just established a relationship with the Tsugawa family, and they can't afford to resist the slightest storm! ”

"Hah!" Minoru Naoe hurriedly replied.

After saying that, Nagao Haruki seemed to remember something, and then asked, "That's right!" The weapon demonstrated by that strange person last time, has it been verified in the Tsugawa family? “

"It's been verified! There is indeed such a weapon in the Tsugawa family's domain, and Tsugawa Soji calls it a musket! Minoru Naoe hurriedly replied.

"Did you get some of that?" Hearing that the Tsugawa family really had it, Nagao Haruki hurriedly asked eagerly. Although Nagao Harui is weak and not diligent in political affairs, it does not mean that Nagao Harui is a mediocre leader. The musket was such a sharp weapon, and Nagao Harukei knew how powerful it was after Shadilo demonstrated it to the people of the Nagao family.

Minoru Naoe continued, "Fortunately, I managed to buy a musket in the next day!" ”

"Please bring in what I just carried!" Minoru Naoe turned his head and said to a small surname of Nagao Harukei.

After a while, the little surname brought in a musket wrapped in oiled paper.

"Lord, please look!" Minoru Naoe took out the musket and held it in his hand, "This is what Sandillo demonstrated to the family some time ago!" It is said that the Tsugawa family can already build on its own, and I think that the family can also arrange craftsmen to imitate it! ”

"Once the imitation is successful, it can be mass-produced! At that time, after the strength of the family is replaced with iron cannons, they will be invincible! At that time, whether it is to raise the north or protect the adults, there is no need to worry! Speaking of this, Minoru Naoe had a smile on his face.

"Exactly!" Nagao Harujing looked at the musket in his hand with satisfaction, and then said, "How much does it cost to buy this musket?" ”

"That's 20,000!" Minoru Naoe replied helplessly.

"So expensive?" Nagao Qingjing looked confused, and then reacted, and then said softly, "But this thing is also worth the price!" As long as the family can allocate troops to its command on a large scale, there will be no need to be so timid at that time! ”

"Haha! When the time comes, the family will have this weapon, and it will be easy to calm the collar, haha! The more he thought about it, the happier he became, "With the guards, the imitation of the musket is urgent, and you immediately arrange the craftsmen in the collar!" At all costs, the musket must be imitated in the shortest possible time, and the family can't wait to see the bastards of Uesugi Dingmi and Yangbeizhong, haha! Ahem! Ahem! As he spoke, he was so emotional that he almost coughed up his lungs.

"Lord, pay attention to your body, don't get too excited!" Minoru Naoe hurriedly stepped forward and gently patted Nagao Harukei's back.

Nagao Harujing waved his hand, "My family has long been used to it!" ”

"Alas! It's a pity that this body of the family can't pull a strong bow or ride a fierce horse, otherwise why would he let Uesugi Dingshi be so presumptuous! Ahem! When he thought of when his father was still alive, Echigo worshiped from all over the country, and then thought of his appearance after succeeding to the throne now, Nagao Harukei felt uncomfortable for a while.

After listening to Nagao Harukei's words, Naoe Minoru hurriedly said with relief, "The lord doesn't have to worry too much, His Royal Highness Kihei II has both ability and political integrity, and sooner or later he will be called the pillar of the family!" Then the lord can sit back and relax. ”

"I hope so......" Naoe Minorutsuna's words didn't react to Nagao's words.

But at this moment, a samurai covered in blood suddenly ran in from outside the main hall! Nagao Haruhue and Naoe Minoru recognize this person, this is the castle of Tochio Castle, Honjo Minoru!

Seeing Minori Honjo running in covered in blood, Nagao Harujing suddenly had a bad premonition in his heart, "Honjo Minoru, what's going on over there in Tochio Castle?" ”