Great name!

Chapter 277: Sakuma is exiled, Araki plots rebellion

Sakuma Nobumori was soon transferred back to Azuchi Castle. When he saw Oda Nobunaga again, he lowered his head in fear and said, "Nobunaga-dono, this battle was mainly due to the cunningness of the Saiga clan..."

"enough!"

Oda Nobunaga directly interrupted Sakuma Nobumori's sophistry.

"I don't have time to listen to your nonsense, Sakuma, what use are you in?"

Sakuma Nobumori's heart trembled, and he quickly looked at several important ministers present.

Shibata Katsuie was still cleaning up his own mess in Hokuriku due to the Tedori River incident, while Niwa Nagahide had already taken over Sakuma Nobumori's mess.

The only people left at the table were Tsuda Nobutora, Ikeda Terumasa, and Hayashi Hidemasa. The only ones who could speak well of Sakuma Nobumori were old ministers such as Murai Sadakatsu, Hayashi Hidemasa, and Shimada Hidemitsu.

Nobumori Sakuma looked at Hayashi Hidetsugu and others for help.

Lin Xiuzhen glanced at Tsuda Nobutora, who was at the peak of his career. If Sakuma Nobumori lost power, his life would be difficult.

Whatever the truth was, he had to help.

Lin Xiuzhen bowed and said, "Nobunaga-dono, although Lord Sakuma messed up, the Sakuma family has served the Oda family for many years. Please give us another chance for the sake of our past friendship."

Oda Nobunaga looked at Hayashi Hidetada without giving her any face, and scolded her, "What do you know? Didn't I give him a chance? He boasted to me that he was stronger than Harada Naomasa, but in the end, even with the seven countries and forces, he couldn't defeat Honganji.

Now he was asked to watch over the Zaga clan, but he couldn't do it and was defeated by them. Tell me, what use is he still!"

Lin Xiuzhen pleaded bitterly: "Nobunaga-dono, we old ministers have served the Oda family for generations. Even if we have no merits, we have worked hard!"

Shimada Hidemitsu also advised: "Please, Lord Nobunaga, please give me another chance because Lord Sakuma has served the Oda family for many years?

If Nobunaga-dono treats an old minister like this, I'm afraid it will make others feel disappointed!"

Oda Nobunaga shouted, "So what? Now is not the past. The present and the future belong to my Nobunaga generation. Those who obey me will prosper, and those who disobey me will perish!

Sakuma Nobumori, you have repeatedly contradicted me and failed to complete the tasks I gave you. You only know how to talk big.

I, Nobunaga, will never allow someone like you to stay in the Oda family. From today on, your Sakuma family will be exiled and you must leave the Oda family's territory immediately!"

When Sakuma Nobumori heard this, he instantly became furious. The Sakuma family's hundreds of years of accumulation of heritage was destroyed just because of your one sentence?

He stood up and shouted, "Nobunaga-dono, you are going too far. Do you really want to deprive my Sakuma family of everything?"

Oda Nobunaga sneered and said, "Everything your Sakuma family has was given by my Oda family. If I can give it to you, I can naturally take it back!"

Sakuma Nobumori shouted loudly, and the samurai around him drew their swords. As long as Nobunaga said a word, they would attack together and behead Sakuma Nobumori on the spot.

Sakuma Nobumori looked around and saw his son Nobuyoshi tugging at his trouser legs.

He groaned in frustration, turned and left. Sakuma Nobuyoshi saluted Nobunaga before leaving.

The exile of Sakuma Nobumori caused a huge uproar. After all, he was the third patriarch of the Oda family, but he was deprived of everything and exiled. This made Shibata Katsuie and other family elders feel nervous.

Especially Shibata Katsuie, who had just experienced a crushing defeat in the Battle of Tedorigawa, not only failed to allow the Oda clan to capture Noto, but also suffered heavy losses in his troops.

Therefore, when Shibata Katsuie learned the news, he was shocked and frightened, and immediately decided to fight against Kaga's Ikko Ikki.

As for Hashiba Hideyoshi and Oda Nobunaga, who formed the Chubu expeditionary army, they just sighed and said they were confident that they would never follow the path of Sakuma Nobumori.

However, people like Lin Xiuzhen, Shimada Hidematsu, and Ando Morijō were worried.

……

There is Oka Castle.

Araki Murashige listened to the reports of Takayama Ukon and Nakagawa Kiyohide with a serious expression. He frowned and said in a deep voice, "Are you saying that some of our army colluded with the Honganji Ikki?"

Nakagawa Kiyohide nodded and said, "Yes, there are some people who believe in the Jodo Shinshu sect. Now that Honganji has reached a difficult time, Xianyu has widely issued a decree to call on believers, and many people have begun to secretly help Honganji.

Lord Araki, I'm afraid there are quite a few people there, and they not only gave us money, but also food. Some of the people even ran to Honganji Temple, but the soldiers guarding the checkpoint let them go."

Araki Murashige thought of Oda Nobunaga and his heart trembled. If Oda Nobunaga knew about this, he would be in big trouble.

"This matter must be kept secret and no one else should know about it. Also, Nakagawa, Gaoshan, you should secretly investigate and find out who is involved."

Nakagawa Kiyohide asked, "How does Lord Araki plan to deal with these people?"

Araki Murashige said irritably, "Let's find out who the person is first."

Nakagawa Kiyohide and Takayama Ukon immediately retreated.

After a while, Zuozheban came in and handed over a piece of information. Araki Murashige opened it and his face changed drastically.

It only said: Sakuma Nobumori, who had failed in the battle, had been stripped of everything and exiled by Oda Nobunaga.

This left Araki Murashige dumbfounded, and he didn't care that the note had fallen.

At this moment he was in a state of confusion.

He had not achieved any outstanding results in the first place, and now there were people in his team who were colluding with Honganji. If this got to Oda Nobunaga's ears, what would be his fate?
Sakuma Nobumori's family was the hereditary elders of Oda Nobunaga, so they were exiled without any mercy. As a retainer, he would certainly not be treated any better.

He had worked so hard to rise from a noble family, taking advantage of the world's situation and rising above his superiors to become the ruler of a country, but he lost everything in an instant. Naturally, he couldn't bear it!
"Absolutely not. Absolutely not!"

Araki Murashige gritted his teeth, his eyes revealing madness.

The impact of Sakuma Nobumori's exile was still continuing. When Ankokuji Keikei, who had been running around, learned the news, he immediately began to contact some affiliated forces of the Oda family, especially the Matsunaga family.

Matsunaga Hisahide told Ankokuji Keike that if he could persuade Settsu to rebel, he would raise an army in Yamato.

Ankokuji Huiqiong readily agreed and immediately rushed to Arioka Castle.

At this time, Araki Murashige already knew about Sakuma Nobumori's exile, and he had been restless for the past few days. Now the commentator informed him that the Mori family's foreign monk Ankokuji Keikyo had arrived.

When Araki Murashige thought about the possible consequences of being exiled, he subconsciously thought of another option. He thought he could talk to the Mori family.

As soon as Ankokuji Huiqiong saw Araki Murashige, he felt relieved. After all, Araki Murashige had not had a good rest in the past few days, and he drank too much, so he looked tired.

In order to seize the initiative, Araki Murashige threatened, "Master Huiqiong, what do you think will happen if I hand you over to Nobunaga-dono?"

Ankokuji Huiqiong smiled and replied, "I don't think it's a big deal. Perhaps Nobunaga-dono will think that it's just that Lord Araki and my Mori family didn't reach an agreement."

Araki Murashige's face changed, but he quickly recovered his composure and said with a fake smile: "Haha, Master Huiqiong, I was just kidding you."

Ankokuji Huiqiong said with a straight face: "I am not kidding you, Lord Araki."

Araki Murashige was already feeling guilty, and after being frightened by Ankokuji Huiqiong, he lost his composure. With a gloomy face, he asked, "Master Huiqiong, what do you mean by this?"

When Ankokuji Keikyo saw this scene, he was overjoyed. It seemed that the information provided by Honganji was correct. There were many people in Settsu Province who helped Honganji, and the lord Araki Murashige was now in a dilemma.

In addition, Sakuma Nobumori was exiled, so Araki Murashige must be worried about this problem at this time.

He smiled and said, "Don't worry, Lord Araki. We, the Mori family, will never do such a thing of taking advantage of others, nor will we be as cold-blooded as Oda Nobunaga.

Now everyone can see that a demon like Oda Nobunaga is ruthless and cannot be followed, especially Lord Araki, who is in trouble now. If Oda Nobunaga knew about this, Lord Araki would be in danger. "

Araki Murashige shouted, "Are you threatening me?"

Ankokuji Huiqiong shook his head and said, "Master Araki has misunderstood. I am just reminding you that there is no wall that is airtight. Even if it is airtight now, it will be airtight in the future.

Besides, I know about this kind of thing, which means that I am not the only one who knows about it. Even if the speed of this kind of thing spreading is slow, it will eventually reach Oda Nobunaga's ears."

Following Ankokuji Keike's description, Araki Murashige had already imagined how Oda Nobunaga would kill him after learning the news.

Araki Murashige said with an unpleasant expression: "Master Huiqiong came to me for more than just this, right? Tell me, what conditions can the Mori family give me?"

Ankokuji Eikei smiled and said, "The Mori family guarantees that Settsu belongs to you, Lord Araki."

Araki Murashige was very satisfied when he heard this condition, but he was a little conflicted. With the current military strength, he could not defeat the Oda family. What's more, the family patriarch Tsuda Nobutora was still in Tennoji, which put a lot of pressure on him.

He said: "Tsuda Shintora is in Tennoji. Without the support of the Mori family, it is useless for me to raise an army. As long as the Mori family supports me, I will raise an army immediately!"

Ankokuji Huiqiong was overjoyed. He quickly said, "Don't worry, Lord Araki. My Mori family will land in Settsu from Osaka Bay to support you."

Araki Murakami was overjoyed and immediately began to prepare for a rebellion.

However, this matter was soon revealed to Oda Nobunaga in secret. Oda Nobunaga was a little bit unbelievable. Araki Murashige was someone he had supported. How could this guy dare to rebel?
He immediately sent Akechi Mitsuhide to Arioka Castle. As soon as he saw Araki Murashige, he asked, "Lord Araki, are you really planning a rebellion?"

Araki Murashige's mouth was dry and he didn't know what to say. He knew that his excuses would not fool Akechi Mitsuhide.

When Akechi Mitsuhide saw this situation, he knew there was no way he could escape the charge of treason.

He was so disappointed that he accused her, "What's wrong with you? Can you beat Tsuda Shintora? Who told you to do this?"

Araki Murashige was also desperate and retorted: "Lord Akechi, there is nothing I can do. Someone under my command is colluding with Honganji Temple. If Oda Nobunaga knows about this, what good will happen to me?
Even a family elder like Sakuma Nobumori is doomed, so I will definitely not end well. Anyway, I have already negotiated with the Mori family. Lord Akechi, you and I are relatives, so don't help Oda Nobunaga anymore, come and help me!"

Akechi Mitsuhide was furious. It's bad enough that you dug your own grave, but now you want to drag me down with you? Dream on.

He said with a straight face: "I advise you to go to Azuchi Castle and apologize to Nobunaga-dono. Maybe there is still a chance. If you must go all the way, then send my daughter back before the war."

Araki Murashige gritted his teeth but still refused to give in. Akechi Mitsuhide immediately got up and left.

The next day, Akechi Mitsuhide's daughter was sent back to the Akechi family by Araki Murashige. While urging the Mori family to send troops for support, he gathered troops and rebelled in Arioka Castle.

When the news of Araki Murashige's rebellion reached Oda Nobunaga, Nobunaga was furious and immediately ordered: "Nobutora, you must attack Araki Murashige immediately. I must take Araki Murashige's head!"

Nobutora thought of Araki Murashige's beautiful wife. To be honest, the woman's beauty was just what he liked.

He said directly: "Nobunaga-dono, Araki's wife is very good. When we defeat Araki Murashige, his wife will be given to me as a trophy."

Oda Nobunaga laughed and waved his hand: "Here you go, what else do you want? Just a woman?"

Xinhu smiled and said, "That's all for now."

Tsuda Naganobu was somewhat puzzled by his father's request for a woman. After all, with his family's status, what kind of woman could he not have?

But as a son, it is difficult for him to ask about such things.

Nobutora saw his son Nagatobu's mentality and said, "I heard that Araki Murashige listens to his wife very much. She must be very smart. Compared with a woman who only cares about women, such a smart woman has more feelings."

The corner of Tsuda Naganobu's mouth twitched. He and Gotoku had a good relationship. They now had an eldest son, Taro, and an eldest daughter, Otake.

Moreover, Tsuda Naganobu always wanted to catch up with his father's footsteps, so he didn't care too much about women, so he still didn't quite understand what his father meant.

Xinhu also laughed and skipped the topic.

He was under a lot of pressure when fighting against the Takeda clan in the past few years, and he also had to deal with the suppression of Oda Nobunaga. He happened to be old, so he had less desire for women.

But now it's different. There are not many opponents who can make him nervous, and Nobunaga won't live for many more years. When he is in a good mood and sees a woman who makes his heart beat, he has ideas.

Look, Aquan and Azhu are already pregnant. He originally only had two sons and one daughter, and now he is going to have another one.

After a while, his second son Shinjiro will be able to enter the officialdom.

At that time, he planned to arrange for Shinjiro to manage the 50,000-koku territory of Minami-Omi, so that Naganobu could concentrate on managing the territory of Ise.

By sending troops from southern Omi and Ise, the Tsuda family can promptly participate in the campaign against Akechi Mitsuhide and have enough say. By then, the credit for revenge for Nobunaga will no longer be Monkey's alone.

As soon as Monkey retreats, his brother Oda Nobunaga will follow him back. When the dragon and tiger brothers join forces, Monkey will be suppressed.

(End of this chapter)