Great name!

Chapter 260: Teaching Nobunaga a Lesson, Kuroda Meets Nobunaga
The viewing session lasted for a long time, ending only at dusk. Xinhu sent the others away, leaving only Xinlong behind. The two of them came to the study one after the other.

Nobutora asked Tsurusaki Naoshige to stand guard outside because he wanted to have a secret talk with Nobunaga.

Xinlong noticed this, and his originally relaxed state suddenly became tense.

Xinhu opened the doors around him and made sure that there was no one in the dark room before sitting down.

Xinlong hurriedly stepped forward and poured a cup of tea and handed it to Xinhu.

Xinhu sat down, took the teacup, took a sip, and said, "Do you know why I have to be so careful?"

Xinlong's forehead suddenly broke out in sweat. He was really afraid of his brother's criticism, but he also knew that after the criticism, his brother would give him some advice.

He said with a stiff upper lip: "I thought that given your status in the family, you were being so cautious to show your attitude to the head of the family."

"As long as you know."

Xinhu had a stern face.

"Even I have to be careful, but what about you?"

Facing Xinhu's questioning, Xinlong was a little confused. He raised his eyes and asked in a low voice: "Brother, what did I do wrong?"

Xinhu was furious, but when he saw that his brother was already in his thirties, he could only let out a long sigh.

"Alas, you don't even know where you are wrong. If someone wants to harm you, you will definitely die."

When Xinlong heard the serious consequences, he immediately asked humbly: "Brother, please save me!"

Xin Hu snorted and said, "Forget it. Who told you to be my brother? Did you complain at the banquet today that the master of the family did not give you the position of the corps commander?"

Xin Long thought about it carefully and replied, "I think I did say that. What's wrong with that? Many people have complained about the Master's actions."

Nobutora immediately glared at Nobunaga and could not help but scold him, "You still don't care? I think you forgot who you are after calling yourself Oda's surname!"

When Xinlong saw Xinhu's color change instantly, he quickly admitted his mistake and said, "Brother, please calm down. I know I was wrong and I won't do it again next time."

Xin Hu was still a little angry, he waved his left sleeve, leaned on the table, glared at Xin Long and said: "I think you haven't figured it out yet!

You think that just because I am unscrupulous in the Oda family, you can also be lawless? "

Xinlong lowered his head in embarrassment when his thoughts were revealed.

Xin Hu snorted coldly and said, “I think if you continue like this, you will lose your life sooner or later.

Although I am arrogant and domineering sometimes, that is towards people like Sakuma, but I never act domineering in front of the master of the family.

No matter what the master of the family does, I will obey his orders and execute them without hesitation.

And you, because the master of the family did not give you the position of legion leader, you dare to complain, where is your loyalty?"

When Xinlong heard this, his face suddenly changed, and he quickly explained: "Brother, you know that I am loyal to the Oda family!"

Xin Hu looked at him with disdain and said unhappily, "What do you say? What if someone speaks up in front of the master? The master might think that if you complain to me today, you might rebel next time.

You idiot, if you give the master of the family such an impression, how can you still get a good result?"

When Xinlong understood what was said, his face turned pale all of a sudden.

He quickly bowed and said, "Brother, how can I remedy this now?"

Xinhu was somewhat relieved to see his brother Xinlong correct his mistakes. He straightened his body and said, "Don't worry for now. We should remain unchanged in the face of all changes.

The people at the table today are either relatives of my Tsuda family or close friends, so not many people will know about this.

If the master of the family knows about this, don't make any excuses, just admit your mistake directly."

Xinlong was a little puzzled and asked: "Brother, why are you so cautious?"

Nobutora shook his head slightly and said earnestly: "Nothing in this world is unchanging. In the past, the Oda family was still small, and the head of the family and I complemented each other. Now, the Oda family has the strength to conquer the world, and the head of the family has begun to fear me."

This time, Xinhu really felt it.

Xinlong was puzzled. He couldn't believe that such a thing would happen: "But the master of the family rewarded you with a priceless treasure."

Xinhu chuckled and shook his head slightly: "This is all for others to see. Before I got this tea bowl, the head of the family had a secret conversation with me for a while. He clearly knew the situation of the Takeda family, but he still asked me. This was to test me.

After that, he asked about the general situation in the world, still testing my loyalty. If the war with Honganji goes badly, he will let me be the commander of the army in Gyeonggi Province, which is also a test.

I think the reason why the head of the family didn't let you be the legion commander is that he was worried that my power would be too great and difficult to control.

And you still dare to complain. If I don't remind you, you will be killed sooner or later."

Xinlong suddenly realized, and then said indignantly: "How can the master of the family do this? My Tsuda family has served the master for generations and has never had any ambitions.

"Since the end of the Tenbun period, we have been working diligently for more than 20 years, conquering cities and expanding territory for the Oda family, and we have never slacked off. The head of the family still doesn't trust us? This is so disheartening."

Nobutora frowned and said, "What's wrong with hereditary retainers? Lin Xiuzhen, Sakuma Nobumori and others are not like that. When the master of the family first became the head of the family, how many hereditary retainers betrayed him?
I tell you, Xinlong, you must never be arrogant because of your favor. Although I have made countless contributions, I must never act domineering in front of the master of the family.

At this time, I have to be more cautious. "

"I remember, brother, there won't be a next time."

Xinlong was not in a good mood, but he still agreed.

However, from beginning to end, the two brothers never thought of killing Oda Nobunaga.

Given his brother's current situation, if Nobutora really rebelled, there wouldn't be many people to respond. The only people who would follow Nobutora in rebellion would probably be his younger brother Nobunaga, his elder brother-in-law Mori Katsukiyo, his son Tsuda Nagatobu and a few others.

With this kind of strength, Xinhu naturally didn't dare to think of taking a gamble. After all, this kind of thing was no joke. If he lost, his whole family would die together.

If they died together, all his efforts over the years would be in vain.

Anyway, it's already the third year of Tensho, so we just have to endure until the tenth year of Tensho at most.

Xinhu taught Xinlong a lesson and let him go.

After this, Nobunaga never asked Nobunaga about the army commander again. Nobunaga immediately realized that it must be Nobutora who talked to Nobunaga.

Nobunaga sat alone in his study and thought for a long time. He decided not to mention the matter anymore. As for Nobunaga's rude remarks at the viewing party, he no longer cared about it.

……

On this day, Nobutora met Kuroda Kanbei again.

Kuroda Kanbei saluted to Nobutora with some pride and said, "Sir Jingzhao Yin, I have lived up to your trust and have persuaded the master of the family to submit to the Oda family!"

Xinhu was not too surprised by this.

At the beginning of this year, the Mori family's foreign monk Ankokuji Keike began lobbying the forces in the Chugoku region to join forces with the Mori family to deal with the Oda family.

Most of the people in the feudal states such as Harima and Tajima were inclined towards the Mori family.

Kodera Masanori of Gokaku Castle also favors the Mori family. After all, in Harima Province, they are more familiar with the Mori family, while the Oda family is a force to the east of the capital, far away from Harima, and they are not clear about the Oda family's style of doing things.

Furthermore, Oda Nobunaga's notoriety for burning down Hieisan Temple and massacring the Nagashima Ikki still brought a lot of negative impact.

More importantly, Oda Nobunaga expelled Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and destroyed the Muromachi shogunate, which was a heinous act for the Harima lords.

As for the Mori family, Mori Terumoto asked Ankokuji Ekei to go to Kii and invited Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Tomo in Bingo, giving him adequate treatment.

Comparing like this, the Maori family has a good reputation, so naturally everyone would choose a boss with a good reputation to follow.

Therefore, after the Mori family extended an olive branch to the Kodera family, Kodera Masamoto summoned a group of retainers to discuss whether to agree to the Mori family's request for hostages or to surrender to the emerging Oda family.

Although it was a discussion, in reality it was just a process. In fact, Kodera Masatoshi already had the idea of ​​agreeing to the Mori side's request in his mind. The purpose of meeting with the important ministers this time was to confirm whether the opinions of the important ministers, especially Kanbei, were the same as his own.

Sure enough, under the leadership of the chief family elder, Ogawa Mikawa-no-kami, many people agreed with what Kodera Masamoto was thinking and believed that they should side with the Mori side.

Among them, even Kuroda Kanbei's brother-in-law, Kushibashi Sakyochin, stood against Kuroda Kanbei.

However, Kuroda Kanbei knew the weakness of Kodera Masatoki, and he said directly: "The situation in the world, is it not clear to the head of the family? The Takeda family has lost to the Oda family for the third time. The Takeda family no longer has the strength to go to Kyoto. Next, the Oda family will definitely pacify the capital, go west to the western part of the country, go south to Shikoku, pacify Kyushu, and unify the world!

If we follow the Mori family, we will be crushed by the Oda family's army!"

After being frightened by Kuroda Kanbei, Kodera Masanori suddenly lost his resolve. Others immediately began to refute him, especially his brother-in-law Kushihashi Sakyochika, who was the loudest.

But Kuroda Kanbei already had a countermeasure. He immediately said, "The head of the Oda family, Nobunaga-dono, is brave and resourceful. His general, Tsuda Kyōjoin-sama, is a famous general in the world. He tied with Takeda Shingen and defeated Takeda Katsuyori three times in a row. So far, he has never lost once!
Ask yourself, after the death of Lord Motonari of the Mori family, who else can achieve such a great feat? Who else! "

Seeing that no one could refute him, Kuroda Kanbei took advantage of the situation and said, "Master, joining the Oda family is the only way to save the Kodera family!"

After hearing what Kuroda Kanbei said, Kodera Masatoki decided to join the Oda family.

Regarding Kuroda Kanbei's persuasion of the Kodera family, Nobutora praised him and said, "Very good, Kanbei, my Oda family will send troops to the capital next, and you have made a great contribution.

You take a rest first, I will take you to see the master of the family tomorrow."

Upon hearing this, Kuroda Kanbei's face showed joy. He was very excited in his heart, as he would be able to see Nobunaga-dono soon!
The next day, Nobutora brought Kuroda Kanbei into the Honmaru. He first went to report the matter to Nobunaga, and left Kanbei waiting in the side room.

Kanbei looked at the furnishings of the side room, which were no worse than those of the Tsuda Mansion, which made him feel even more deeply about the strength of the Oda family.

"As expected of the Oda family, this is so luxurious."

He touched the cushion he was sitting on. The material of this cushion alone was enough to cover the expenses of his Kuroda family for a month.

The suit he was wearing didn't seem to be worth as much as this cushion.

Just as he was sighing with emotion, Mori Ranmaru came up and asked, "But Lord Kuroda?"

Kuroda Kanbei quickly saluted: "Yes, I am."

Mori Ranmaru replied, "The master of the family is calling you, come with me."

Kuroda Kanbei quickly stood up and walked to the outside of the hall. He tidied himself up before walking in.

This hall was very spacious and brightly lit, with many important officials sitting inside.

The officer and soldier bowed his head slightly, walked to the front stiffly, sat cross-legged and saluted.

Nobunaga waved his hand, and Nobutora said directly: "Kanbei, just speak directly."

Kuroda Kanbei took a deep breath. This was his first demonstration in the Oda family and he couldn't afford to make any mistakes!
He said loudly: "Nobunaga-dono, my lords, although the Oda family has defeated the Takeda family and has many territories such as the East China Sea and the capital, it is too weak to defeat the Mori family, so the Oda family's military expansion throughout the world is out of the question.

Now, I have persuaded the head of the family, Kodera-dono, to submit to the Oda family. Nobunaga-dono is going to send troops to attack the Mori family, and my Kodera family is happy to serve as the vanguard! "

Shibata Katsuie was somewhat dissatisfied. The Oda clan sent troops to attack the Mori clan, so what should he do with Hokuriku?
He immediately said, "Nonsense, the most urgent task for the Oda family is to completely eliminate the Ikki in Hokuriku, and also to deal with Uesugi Kenshin in Echigo. The Mori family, that's a matter for the future."

Kuroda Kanbei responded calmly, "You are the Oda clan's most courageous general, Lord Shibata of the Shibata of the Cutting Bottle, right?

Lord Shibata is right. The Honganji Ikki is indeed a major threat to the Oda family. The Mori family has already joined forces with the Honganji. The combination of the two is disadvantageous to the Oda family.

If we can take down Harima, we can cut off the connection between the Mori family and Honganji, which is a good thing for the Oda family."

Oda Nobunaga knew that Kuroda Kanbei was introduced by his elder brother Nobutora, so he said, "The Mori family has invited Ashikaga Yoshiaki away, which shows that they are determined to be enemies with my Oda family.

I think what Lord Kuroda said is right. Taking over Harima will be a good thing for our Oda family.

Lord Kuroda, how many soldiers does your Kuroda family have?"

Kuroda Kanbei replied directly: "You can send 500 troops."

Oda Nobunaga was choked for a moment. How should he respond to this?
Niwa Nagahide said bluntly: "No wonder you chose to come to my Oda clan, it turns out you have too few soldiers and horses."

Kuroda Kanbei immediately defended himself, "The key to victory is not the number of soldiers. Didn't Nobunaga defeat the Imagawa army with a small number of soldiers? Besides, Sun Tzu said: The art of war is the art of deception."

Niwa Nagahide said bluntly: "I know the military strategy even if you don't tell me."

Akechi Mitsuhide took the opportunity to say, "In fact, I also think that it is only a matter of time before we send troops to attack the Mori family. The head of the family can make arrangements in advance."

(End of this chapter)