Pillars of the Wu family

This battle once again demonstrated the prestige of the Nagao family. Saito Asanobu spread the name of Echigo Zhongkui to the Kanto countries by virtue of his outstanding performance in the two joint battles. Echigo's reserve team such as Honjo Shigecho was also famous. Of course, this is not the point. The most surprising thing is that Nagao Jinghu took less than three days to go out to the East Ueno, sweep the East Ueno, and return to the West Ueno to repel the Hojo Army's glorious record.

Marching tens of kilometers in half a day, and participating in an important joint battle to defeat the tens of thousands of Hojo family's army, this story was widely circulated by the people of Ueno, and soon the eight countries of Kanto and even the whole world knew that there were such a few powerful famous generals. The field operation is also called "Ueno Great Return".

The name of the Dragon of Echigo spread around the world along with his unique dragon flag. Many curious samurai, cultured people, and ape musicians began to collect information about him. The brother-in-law of the famous shogunate Kira Yoshitoki, who started the army at the age of 14 In order to kill brothers and enemies, the invincible history of more than ten years was revealed, and people realized that there were actually two famous generals in Echigo.

Coupled with the Shinano Punishment Battle that was also spread and the earlier Battle of Kawanakajima, the Kira Army easily defeated the Takeda Army and created an extremely brilliant record. Both wars have been victorious, and its war potential is beyond people's expectations.

The Kanto samurai, who were dubious about the "Echigo myth", gradually corrected their mentality and began to pay attention to the strong neighbors in the north. More and more information pointed to the extraordinary influence brought by the downfall of the Kira family. The world's first country with 10,000 million shi is even more bizarre than the Arabian Nights.

If there are still doubts before this, supporting two wars with a scale of over [-] and high intensity at the same time is enough to defeat all doubters' voices of doubt. I have never seen an example where a brilliant record can be achieved at the same time in a front-line battle.

Echigo leapt to become a top power. The Kira family and the Nagao family were also the first samurai to achieve great fame with the power of a single country. At the same time, Echigo’s strange system was exposed. Many people once suspected that the two retainer groups were mutually exclusive Whether the systems that blend with each other and are distinct will cause greater hidden dangers? Of course, they will not get any answers when they ask the Echigo Samurai, and the answers will always be hidden in the deepest part of their hearts.

"Where will Echigo go?" Hearing the doubts from the outside world, Nagao Jinghu smiled, and his sharp eyes gradually turned firm and peaceful: "I, Jinghu, have never doubted that he will...never!"

The punishment of the Shirakura family and the Kuragano family made the Ueno people recognize the strength of the Nagao family, and the Uesugi constitutional government who was nagging like a mother-in-law all day long disappeared, replaced by swords and guns as brave and good at fighting. The Echigo Legion, they only used one decree of the Uesugi constitutional government to easily drive the two of the Shangzhou eight families out of Ueno, and the principle that authority is based on strong force has once again been fully demonstrated. [

The Kira family imitated the methods of some overlords, and used military blackmail and diplomatic means to forcefully blackmail the entire Ueno territory. This display of soft power has opened the eyes of the Kanto people. When have you seen the Hojo family being beaten up? , and when did I see Hojo Shikang suffer a loss, admit cowardice and shrink back, this time it was seen clearly.

The aboriginal people in the Kanto know better than anyone else the arrogance and dominance of the Hojo family. After taking the Furukawa government, they clamored to annex the Ueno country and ascend to the throne of the Kanto governor. Only by killing the descendants of the Uesugi family in the mountain and killing Uesugi Constitution himself can he forcefully climb to the top on the grounds that the Uesugi family is extinct.

The Hojo army happily went to Ueno, and returned to Odawara dejectedly. Hojo Ujiyasu was so angry that he couldn't eat for a few days. His Hojo family had never suffered from this kind of cowardice. Back then, Kawagoe fought against [-] troops at night. The [-] army was forced to admit defeat by the flirtatious words of the Kira family. This defeat is really heartwarming.

The Hojo vassals also suffered a blow. They lost the fat of the Ueno country and were beaten to the point where the Edo people were maimed. They lost nearly 1000 lives. If they hadn't been commanded properly as samurai, such a high battle loss would definitely collapse. The price paid by the Nagao family is only the loss of more than 2000 people, and the Ueno people have carried the five-color equipment of the Hojo family several times.

Within a few days of returning to Odawara Castle, Hojo Ujiyasu was so angry that he couldn't afford it. Hojo's retainers were in a hurry. Hojo Ujiyasu was not in good health. Hojo Uzuna died of illness at the age of 64, Hojo Ujiyasu's younger brother Hojo Weishang died of illness at a young age, all of which cast a shadow over the future of the Hojo family.

"Kotaro! Don't stand outside, come in!" Hojo Ujiyasu sat up with difficulty being supported by the Mizukein hospital. He hadn't been sick for more than ten days and now he has just recovered, and the sickness and tiredness on his face can't be concealed.

"Yes! My lord!" The tall and burly Fumo Kotaro tried his best to shrink himself into a ball, slightly lowered his head, and said, "I'm sorry! Your Highness!"

"Kotaro is the minister of my Hojo family, but Shinkuro often mentions it to me." The dignified and generous Mizukiin is now nearly [-] years old. This smiling woman has an extraordinary affinity. Any occasion where Mizukiin attends will be warmly welcomed. Her actions have made great contributions to the peace of the Hojo family, and she has also won the unanimous love of the Hojo family.

"I'm going to see how the children are doing their studies, so I won't bother you with business matters anymore! Yes, you must drink this bowl of soup and medicine!" Rui Keyuan smiled and stood up, nodded to Fumo Kotaro and left slowly go.

As the daughter of the Imagawa family and the younger sister of Yoshimoto Imagawa, when she married into the Hojo family, the relationship between Imagawa and Hojo was at its best. She secretly formed an alliance with the Takeda family behind the Hojo family's back, when she was just pregnant with her first child.

Because of his brother's betrayal, he was blamed by the Hojo family. The shameful and angry Zuigiin soon affected the fetus in his womb. When he needed help the most, he chose to remain silent, so after the fact, he loved Ruisianyuan very much, and she gave birth to several sons and daughters of the Hojo family.

Even if she was hit, Rui Kein was still so generous and kind. The more friendly she was, the more the Hojo retainers feared and respected her. This woman has become a symbol in the Hojo family. She represents the soft side of Hojo Ujikang. For her husband, she worked hard to get along with the wives of various families, and to appease the people of the country who had suffered losses.

Hojo Shiyasu swallowed the unpalatable soup with a bitter face, and seeing that Fuma Kotaro was still distracted, he smiled and said: "My family has been ill for so many days, and I haven't heard a single political issue from you except for visiting patients. Have you said it? Tell me what happened recently!"

Fumo Kotaro said cautiously: "Recently, everything is safe at home, as long as the master's health can recover, I will rest assured..."

"Tsk! Is Kotaro starting to fool the family with clichés? Get to the point." Hojo Shiyasu pointed at his pale cheeks and laughed at himself, "Is Kotaro so scary in my opinion? Like that heart-eating monster?" [

"No! I do have something to report to the lord." Fumo Kotaro was almost sweating, and said with a deep breath, "It's about that matter."

"That matter? You mean...the news about the knife?" Hojo Shiyasu sat up suddenly, staring at him for a long time with a pair of tiger eyes before calming down: "Tell me what's going on."

"That knife appeared in Hunr Mountain City in March this year. During that penetrating assassination, it was given to Honjo Echizenshu by Kira Left Guard Governor as a reward for his service in escorting the Savior..." Fumo Kotaro said this An explanation was clear, he had been carefully observing Hojo Shiyasu's expression, and found that his face was getting uglier, and he couldn't help but beat his heart.

When he heard the news, Hojo Ujiyasu's head went blank at that moment, and his mouth couldn't help saying: "Why did you tell the family now? Why didn't you tell the family before my Hojo family was defeated?"

"Because I couldn't confirm the authenticity of the news, I sent the Fumos to verify the reliability of the news through many relationships. For this reason, dozens of ninjas were recruited, and the entire intelligence team of Echigo was wiped out, and then I sent a few more ninjas Going to Sanhe, Omi investigates the source of the so-called buying knife.

Later, I discovered a very important piece of information. More than a month before the Great Kanto Earthquake, the Hattori family suddenly left the Matsudaira family and switched to the Kira family. It is said that the reason was that the Matsudaira family treated the Hattori family harshly. China, Sagami and other places spread rumors, and found that there were fragments of information on the presence of unidentified outsiders at that time, but a major earthquake destroyed all the information, and after so many years, the impact of earthquakes and floods made information collection very difficult. Can only be verified here. "

In the past few months, Fuma Kotaro has been running back and forth to verify this information. He is well aware that the impact of this matter is not trivial. It involves a member of the Ashikaga family, who is a small overlord in the Kanto with the situation of the Hojo family and threatens all countries. The lord is okay, it is absolutely irrational to confront the Kira family in an all-round way.

His starting point is good, unverified information is likely to be false information, if he brings the false information to Hojo Shiyasu, he will be fully responsible for all the bad consequences caused, the so-called two evils choose the lesser, weigh the pros and cons I still decided that I would rather bear the responsibility of concealing information, and I must verify it clearly before reporting it.

"Is that why you have been preparing for half a year without telling my family?" Hojo Shiyasu's complexion was very bad, his hands trembling as if he was trying to suppress the anger in his heart, and angrily said: "No matter how you deceive my family, you have to bear the crime, and my family will punish you." You will be demoted by one grade, and your salary will be cut in half, so don’t commit the same crime next time and you will definitely not be spared!”

Repelling Fuma Kotaro, the anger in Hojo Shiyasu's heart was burning, he tried his best not to yell at his retainers, this is his style and habit, his father told him since he was a child that he should not be in a hurry or panic about major affairs, and only by not losing the demeanor of the family governor can the retainers take it from the bottom of their hearts Awe, panic, impatience, fear, and anger are all enemies. To be a good governor of the Hojo family, you must learn to overcome these enemies.

"I didn't expect that the enemy that my family, Kang Rye, was looking for was you! His Royal Highness Yoshitoki, the governor of Kira's left soldier and the general guarding the government! How did our family offend you, and made you go to great lengths to frame our family? Because of a knife? No, no! It will never be that simple, why on earth?" Hojo Shiyasu roared angrily, tearing the quilt fiercely, as if this was Kira Yoshihide, wishing to tear him to pieces immediately.

He can't remember how long it has been since he lost his composure. It seems that during the Hanakura Rebellion 20 years ago, he and his father heard the news of his cousin Yoshimoto Imagawa's betrayal. It was smashed to pieces.

Harvest was betrayed 20 years ago, and Harvest was framed 20 years later. Every blow is fatal to the Hojo family. He has been responsible for killing the public for so many years. His reputation and the reputation of the Hojo family have been wiped out overnight. For several days and nights, he had been praying to his father to forgive his stupidity. Now, when he learned that the mastermind behind the scenes was Kira Yoshi, how could he bear it any longer.

After tossing for a long time, I couldn't bear the exhausted sick body, lay down sweating profusely, and said bitterly: "No matter why! I, Hojo Shiyasu, will definitely come back with revenge! My family will wash away the grievances of many years! Let the truth come out!"

……

Kira Yoshitoshi, who was far away in Echigo, knew nothing about the changes in the Hojo family. He was busy with the evaluation meeting. The two largest evaluation meetings a year are arranged at the beginning of the first month and the beginning of October. It has special significance. The former is the new year. Planning and prospecting, the latter is to count the agricultural output of the year after the autumn harvest is over and the late rice is dried and stored in the warehouse.

"This year is a good year with good weather and good weather. According to the preliminary statistical data, it should not be a big problem for this year's grain output to stabilize at 210 million shi. The detailed data needs to be carefully calculated. I believe the error can be suppressed below [-] shi. ..." As the important host of the evaluation and return, the family tree of Kira was determined and carried out on behalf of everyone, Hosokawa Fujitaka was not happy because of the good harvest, and even his tone seemed very blunt, and many retainers present kept their mouths shut.

"Now let's talk about the problems we have encountered. Why is there only 210 million shi? We took the lead in opening two small polders, but in one fell swoop, we added 200 town steps of high-quality rice fields, as well as sporadic expansion of new fields in various places. Add up to more than 210 town steps, why can’t the increase in grain production increase? Last year’s [-] million shi, this year’s [-] million shi, what’s the problem?”

"The new fields will be opened one day, and the wasteland that is easy to reclaim will be fully developed within three years. In order to ensure the density of the forest and protect the water and soil, the next step will be to prohibit the felling of the forest. Then the only land we can develop is Niigata Town. And the more remote Uonuma County, so we always open new fields to plant new grains. What problems have we found in the past three years? What laws have been summed up and what have been harvested? This needs to be discussed freely by all of you. Let's talk." Hosokawa Fujitaka asked a few questions in succession, causing the followers to fall into deep thought.

"The Palace of the Ministry of War said it well! I am going to talk about the new food problem discovered in the last year." Honjo Shino raised his hand and recruited a few surnames to send a thin document to all the retainers present, and then said : "Look, gentlemen, this is the yield per unit area that is not against the land. According to the statistics from Joetsu Neck, Chuoetsu Uonuma, Mishima County, Xiaetsu Urahara County, and Iwashu County, compare the yields in the last two years. different degrees of decline.

After my consultation, I learned that this involves the hybridization of grain seeds. I don’t understand this. I only know that I have been doing research continuously. With the current situation, I can only bring out the best grain seeds in Omi for cultivation, and cultivate them every year. It is best not to save the high-yield grains that have been used, but it is not enough to rely on Omi's improved varieties without saving seeds. We must establish a test field in Echigo to meet the corresponding needs. "

Farming is a science. Of course, this knowledge is not something that warriors like them can understand. It is not easy for a group of Echigo bosses to read these incomprehensible nouns patiently. As for the difficulties, they don’t care , as long as the problem can be solved, I am willing to applaud as an audience.

There are many samurai who can’t understand, but as the followers of the Nagao family, they must understand, not only to understand, but also to keep up with the rhythm. Saito Asanobu scratched his head and said hard: “The test field is one aspect. I think the potato There are still some problems with planting. The main reason is that it is not suitable for storage. If you dig a cellar for storage, many potatoes will have mildew in the spring of the second year.

There are also many cases of food poisoning caused by eating moldy potatoes by mistake. The yield per unit area of ​​potatoes has been declining. "

Now the Echigo samurai who don't understand the professional vocabulary also understand, and they all nodded in agreement. For them, potatoes are a good thing and a bad thing. Echigo has abundant rain and snow, especially in winter when the precipitation is the highest in a year. It is also said that the snow will freeze as soon as it falls in the cold weather, but the soil humidity and air humidity are very high, especially the potatoes stored in the cellar are easy to deteriorate, and eating a little by mistake will cause big trouble.

The high-yield halo of new grains has attracted too many people's attention. As the halo gradually fades, various problems have been reported one after another, such as the decline in yield per unit, uneven plant height, adverse effects of diseases and insect pests, and The exploration and improvement of watering and drainage facilities has become a top priority for followers and agricultural experts.

Adhering to the public has a heavy responsibility, and ensuring a steady increase in food production is the most important task at the moment. The people depend on food for food. After the people have high-quality land resources and warm and humid climate conditions, so many new fields will increase the total food production. The speed has slowed down, last year 200 million shi, this year 210 million shi is to ring the jng bell for all followers. Will the next step of the slowdown be a decline? Falling below 200 million shi will affect nearly 50 civilians in Echigo What a blow to confidence.

This year, the Kaixin field has increased by [-] towns, but the grain output has only increased by more than [-] shi. That is to say, the increase in cultivated land has not increased the output much. Compared with the same period last year, it is equivalent to a continuous decline. If the output of rice and wheat is included in the stable increase, then the decline in the new grain will have to wait a lot.

So many problems focus on the excessive decline in the per unit yield of potatoes, and the large amount of fertilizer needed to maintain high yields of corn and pumpkins. In some places, the fertilizer cannot keep up, or the artificial slowdown of fertilization has caused a large-scale landslide in per unit yield. People headaches.

After careful analysis and demonstration, Yoshitoki Kira also nodded and admitted: "This is indeed something that the family has never noticed before! However, Omi is currently studying the related technologies of harvesting the queen of autumn rice, planting autumn potatoes and harvesting at the end of winter. With the current progress It seems that the experiment will be successful in the past two years... Let’s not talk about this, let me talk about your thoughts on the second phase of the work, after all, there have been many experiments in the past three years in various places, and what fruitful results have been obtained?"

"I'll come first!" Naoe Mizuna coughed, indicating that he was about to start his speech, please listen carefully.

"Several crop rotation methods have been summed up so far. The first is the rice-wheat rotation method from the Ming Dynasty, which is the traditional second-phase cropping method. The second is the corn-wheat rotation method. The third is the rice-soybean rotation method. There are four kinds of rice and potato rotation methods. I think the climate in Echigo is more suitable for rice-wheat rotation and corn-wheat rotation. Leaving aside the second phase of cropping, let’s talk about the most advanced hybridization technology of corn grains. The yield of corn is relatively high. Stable, so we can reduce the planting amount of potatoes and increase the amount of corn, and use the corn-wheat rotation method to ensure the total grain income."

"Another point is that potatoes are not as good as rice and noodles as vegetables. It is better to try crop rotation with other vegetables! There is also the cabbage seeds brought by the scholar of the Ming Dynasty. According to him, they can also be used as corn and cabbage rotations. I just don’t know what’s going on,” Saito Asanobu said.

Soon the followers on both sides began to discuss in a hurry. Without the second phase of overwintering, there would be an output of more than 200 million shi. If the crop rotation technology of wheat, soybeans, cabbage, and potatoes were popularized, it would not be surprising that the grain output would increase by [-] to [-] percent. .

Take part of the experimental fields in the Guanchuan River Basin for rice-wheat rotation. A total of [-] croplands were tested. The average yield of winter wheat and summer rice reached about [-] shi. It is four or five times higher than five years ago, but correspondingly, five or six stones of compost and manure need to be added.

Echigo has changed from a small agricultural country to a large agricultural country, and is now studying how to transform from a large agricultural country to a strong agricultural country. For example, Nagao Masaki proposed to divide the flat land in some mountains in Uonuma to plant wheat and corn in terraces, and use Uonuma The county's abundant water resources and high precipitation ensure that Uonuma County does not lag behind in agricultural production.

Another example is that Ben Zhuang proposed to standardize the method of cage farming of fish and shrimp, and formulate corresponding regulations in order to follow the detailed rules to guide fishermen in various places to raise fish, and to raise grass carp and loach in rice fields.

This meeting alone lasted from early morning to evening, and three meals a day were simply dealt with in the evaluation room. Just after the first watch, many warriors started to fight with their eyelids, seeing a group of followers who were enthusiastic Without the slightest tiredness, they decisively chose to leave.

It's a pity that Ji Liangyi was alone, Nagao Jinghu left early in the name of "cultivation", only he had to keep his eyes open to listen to the endless discussions of the followers, but fortunately they also noticed Ji Liangyi yawned The day after day ended hastily in the middle of the night. (To be continued.)