I am practicing in the Nianghua Warring States Period

They look exactly the same.

After all, this is how Nioh was designed, so let’s make some changes.

Chinese history is not without examples of beautiful young men and women being siblings, and they were actually princes and princesses. For example, the protagonist Murong Chong and his sister, Princess Qinghe, from the famous story "A Male and a Female, Flying into the Purple Palace Together" (a play about a man and a woman). In fact, there are many examples of princes from defeated kingdoms being taken into harems simply for their good looks. The most famous example is actually... Dracula.

He is the piercing man who loves to use a wooden stake to stab people from bottom to top relying on gravity.

"Father, Owari and Mino are different! What Owari can do, Owari may not be able to do. I've secretly sent people to investigate these days. Their family's capital turnover is extremely fast. Sometimes, they don't even need to give food to the samurai, just give them cash and let them buy food. The two ports of Tsushima and Atsuta are operating day and night. We can't intercept the gold flowing out of Kai, nor can we get the silver mines from the west. How can we implement the separation of soldiers and farmers under such circumstances..."

"You're so ignorant!—No, then you won't do it?" Saito Dosan angrily scolded him, then said, "How can I trust you with the future of the Saito family? Really... I'm afraid you'll end up pulling stirrups for Beidou Xinwei in the future."

"!!!"

Saito Yoshitatsu was not in tune with other country bumpkins since he was a child because of his handsome appearance. He also believed very objectively that he was not Saito Dosan's son.

How could a powerful genetic mother, considering the appearance of that old turtle, possibly not transform him into something grotesque and unattractive? Saito Yoshitatsu never saw his own mother since childhood. Could he be a beauty on the level of Yui Ikari? Otherwise, how could such a beautiful boy like him be born from the DNA of this old turtle?

Saito Yoshitatsu had heard about his mother's origins: she was the Toki clan's concubine. He suspected his mother was a woman similar to Zhao Ji, and that the relationship between Saito Dosan and the Toki clan's head might be akin to Ying Yiren versus Lü Buwei. Saito Yoshitatsu had always suspected he was a posthumous child, and that Saito Dosan wasn't his biological father. Furthermore, Saito Dosan had long used repressive parenting methods against him.

Saito Yoshitatsu had long been unhappy with Saito Dosan's extremely bad reputation.

"Today's meeting ends here." Seeing his own son looking at him as if he were an enemy, Saito Dosan couldn't help but...

It’s nothing.

He had done worse things in his life, and being stabbed to death by his own son today was worth it. Saito Dosan didn't take it to heart at all, but just ordered his nephew to stay: "Mitsuhide, pay attention."

"Yes!" Akechi Mitsuhide had originally planned to follow them out. He was sitting in the outer seat - after being called this time, he was glared at by the beautiful boy opposite him, Saito Yoshitatsu.

This left Akechi Mitsuhide baffled – “Oh, you’re not going to be gay, are you? Why didn’t you say so earlier? It’s not a big deal (it’s certainly not a big deal in history).”

"You go to Owari in person to meet my son-in-law." Saito Dosan's future plan was simple.

I hope to fight westward, preferably to Kyoto; the Oda family hopes to fight eastward, preferably to fight to the death with the Imagawa family for the rest of their lives.

This is the same thing that Oda Nobuhime hoped the Mikawa Tokugawa (Matsudaira) family would do after she conquered Mino.

"Tell him that as long as I'm here, Meinong will be their most secure base." The old man smiled happily and took out a letter he had prepared long ago: "This is for Guidie. Tell her to take good care of her husband and children. If you have the chance, come and see me. I will be satisfied."

"Yes." Akechi Mitsuhide lowered his head, indicating that this matter...

Your reputation is so bad it's hard to say if your daughter returns home for a visit with the first-generation heir of the Beidou family, she won't be taken hostage. You wouldn't want to rip someone off, but you're more likely to put them under house arrest and make them suffer.

"If the Oda clan wants to send troops to Imagawa," the old man patted his chest and promised, "I will send a thousand soldiers and three months' worth of military rations to support them!"

The abacus beads are almost jumping into people's faces across Mino. People can hear your calculations from Owari. But theoretically speaking, this is an open conspiracy -

Because the Imagawa family is too strong! The real million-koku daimyo next to you, how much energy do you have as an Owari? If you don't join forces with the Saito family, the Imagawa family will probably come to challenge you long ago. Now neither the Saito family nor the Oda family dares to turn against each other, they are the type of back-to-back. But the Saito family and the Oda family are back-to-back, so they can only declare war on the most terrifying enemy -

The Oda clan declared war on the Imagawa clan; the Saito clan prepared to go to Kyoto - neither of these two could handle it now.

So, Saito Dosan decided to stir up trouble—to muddy the waters so he could fish.

"My lord." Akechi Mitsuhide put away the letter to Saito Kicho. The young man looked puzzled. "But, should you pay attention to your relationship with the young master? The young master has recently..."

"It's just a rebellious phase. It won't cause much trouble. He's been like this since he was a child." Saito Dosan didn't take it to heart. "I'll prepare myself when I have time. I have to see my grandson no matter what, even with my old bones. I will definitely not lose. Hahahaha, I will definitely see him."

Chapter 162 As expected of Akechi Mitsuhide

September 10, 1552, autumn harvest season.

Akechi Mitsuhide came to the Oda clan with a diplomatic real name, and Oda Nobuhime seemed to praise Saito Dosan for his repeated diplomatic overtures towards her.

Few people treated her as a human being since she was a child. When she was in the most difficult time, Saito Dosan chose to marry her husband.

The in-law relationship between the two parties was pretty good, except that it looked a bit abnormal. At least the back-to-back alliance between the two parties was formed under the drive of interests.

"Well, from now on, I'll have to rely on Master Samasuke for the affairs of the two families."

Today was the first time that Oda Nobuhime met Akechi Mitsuhide.

She felt fine, except for the fact that the weather was as hot as a barbecue today, which made her a little uncomfortable and caused some strange changes in her mood. This meeting with Akechi Mitsuhide was a success.

"I dare not take away your kindness, Your Highness Masatada. I will do my best and will not be negligent in the slightest." Akechi Mitsuhide bowed his head respectfully to the ground.

He doesn't have the ability to jump now.

"However, when I came here, your Majesty ordered me to hand over a letter to Madam Guidie." Akechi Mitsuhide pulled out a letter from his bosom and unfolded it directly. He pushed forward and said to Oda Nobuhime, "I hope Your Highness can allow me to complete the task. I wonder..."

"Hmm." Oda Nobuhime took a peek at the letter in front of her, but didn't take it. She just looked down at it. After checking, she found that there was nothing wrong with the content: "I will let my men escort you to the Furuno Castle. I will not keep you here today-"

"Yes." Akechi Mitsuhide himself also came to Owari for a field investigation.

He'd actually noticed something was amiss when he arrived in Owari. Japan's national highways had practically disappeared, so how could the provincial roads be any better? As he left Mino, he encountered a group of farmers repairing a road. Akechi Mitsuhide was initially impressed, thinking, "The Oda clan is truly committed to an alliance, even widening the road to their home. Doesn't this prove they're unwilling to go to war with the Saito clan?"

When he arrived in Owari, he discovered that the provincial roads were so well-maintained, with several vertical and horizontal roads running through the city. He also observed the castle town of Kiyosu Castle, which was incredibly prosperous. He even managed to overthrow Oda Nobuhime for this reason. [Kiyosu Castle is truly prosperous.]

However, Oda Nobuhime looked a little embarrassed, and no one knew why.

of course.

A day later, he came to Nagune City and he knew why.

It's so prosperous, Qingzhou City can't even compare. It looks like there are at least tens of thousands of people living here! What kind of concept is that? ... In the feudal era, how could an agricultural population support a city of over ten thousand people? At least 10:3, at most 10:1 or even worse. Do you have a base of 100,000 agricultural population? How can a city like yours, Kuno City, be a town of over ten thousand people?

"How is this possible?" Akechi Mitsuhide murmured to himself as he looked at the prosperous castle town of Furuno Castle. "Such scenery... could it be a prosperous era..."

"Oh, there's a harvest festival going on at Furuno Castle right now," the guide said to Akechi Mitsuhide. "If you'd like, Master Akechi, you can spend some time outside the castle."

"This is Furuno Castle..." Akechi Mitsuhide followed the other party into the outskirts of the castle town. The laughter of the people made Akechi Mitsuhide linger.

He himself harbored some savior sentiments, but not much. He even harbored a certain hatred for the chaotic world, but not much either. He had longed for peace, possessing both the ability and ambition, but lacking the means to realize them. But now, finding himself in such a joyful and peaceful castle town, he couldn't help but feel dazed.

"Indeed," the guide said with a sigh, "It's like a dream, as if these troubled times are no longer here... Ah, how could the Wu family be so melancholic? I'm sorry to have embarrassed you, Master Akechi."

"No, you're right. It's truly as unreal as a dream. Your Highness, if it were him..." Akechi Mitsuhide had only one thought at this moment: "He's truly a capable official."

Hmm... Back in Hirado, Kyushu, the Otomo clan was probably quite powerful. But after their decline, the castle town was probably ruined.

"Swaying golden waves, a person wanders in time and space. At the end of that long journey, he returns under the moonlight."

Suddenly, Akechi Mitsuhide heard a melodious singing voice.

But it is completely different from all Japanese songs, yet there is a hint of similarity.

The melody is melodious and mournful, but sad rather than mournful.

"Hurry up, Master Akechi." The guide took Akechi Mitsuhide's hand, disregarding all respect and etiquette. He said excitedly, "Come on, come on, it's the shrine maidens singing!"

"...The shrine maidens? Singing?"

Chicken? Or a proper chicken?

As for the shrine maiden, no matter how nicely you put it, you have some chicken-like attributes—of course, in this chaotic world. In many cases, if you have a holy aura bonus, people will really stop treating you as a human.

"Yes, Atsuta Shrine. Our Lord Chiaki Kikyo is the chief priest of Atsuta Shrine. You must know that he is a miracle cure, right?" The person who led the way had a proud look on his face.

"Oh... like thunder and lightning." Akechi Mitsuhide nodded, squeezing through the crowd. He quite enjoyed the hustle and bustle. "I heard recently that she has the power to revive the dead and turn bones into flesh? If a woman with a difficult labor seeks her out, she can save both mother and child. Several of our elders are thinking of sending their wives here to nurse their babies..."

"Yes, it's Saint Platycodon—Not only is Lady Platycodon's medical skills as good as Hua Tuo's! With her around, even gods and ghosts are afraid! She's been performing rituals every year since the year before last, and our Guye City has enjoyed good weather, peace, and prosperity! She's also a renowned talent. This song is one of her nineteen surviving songs. It's said she sang it for His Majesty Beidou—"

"Sing to... His Majesty Hokuto?" Akechi Mitsuhide was stunned. This... Oh, does it mean that he has the upper hand over the other party?

"Yes, and then the little shrine maidens around her learned it. They perform it at festivals. Hmm, I thought it had spread to Mino..."

"Yes, I seem to have heard it before, but I haven't heard the original version. It turns out to be so good?" Akechi Mitsuhide nodded and finally squeezed into the front row.

"...flying towards the glorious sun in the sky, hoping this dream won't end, yet the ringing of the bells in my ears has already begun..."

Akechi Mitsuhide, the literary youth, suddenly wiped away his tears.

Completely different from the protagonist of the Honnoji BBQ Festival in the future.

"May Mino and Owari maintain friendly relations for generations to come and work hand in hand so that such a grand event can come soon." At this moment, Akechi Mitsuhide offered his heartfelt blessings for a beautiful world.

Then he paused and said in a voice only he could hear, "But, this is totally impossible."

Chapter 163: My father-in-law typed GG! His hands left the keyboard!

This wasn't the first time Beidou Xinwei had met Akechi Mitsuhide. Honestly, as a historical materialist, he believed that history was created by the people...

However, it was driven by important historical figures. It is as if the historical cycle is inevitable, but there are always heroes who stand up and offer an unimagined path.

Akechi Mitsuhide was such a person.

With or without him, the chaotic Warring States period would have ended. Even Oda Nobuhime's rise to power didn't necessarily require him, so Hokuto Nobuyoshi doesn't harbor much resentment towards him. It was simply a powerful figure in a turbulent time who failed to steer the ship properly. As for Oda Nobuhime's downfall... to borrow the historian Chen Shou's comment on historical figures: Defeat due to shortcomings is common sense.

Translation: Character determines success or failure.

You're lucky to be alive to see the pacification of the chaotic world, you bitch. With your bad temper and personality, you'd be lucky to be roasted. If you were thrown into an R18 game, the CGs of your defeat would fill the pages of a dictionary. Do you believe it?

"Lord Mingzhi, huh? I greeted you last time when I escorted the bride." Beidou Xinwei greeted him with a smile and ordered his men to serve tea. "You and I are already friends, aren't we? I don't have so many rules here—come on, let's have a cup of tea to relieve our fatigue after the journey. Let's have a simple meal together later."

Akechi Mitsuhide was either axed or simply ignored. Considering his relatively stable career for the first few decades, it was only later, when Oda Nobuhime's menopausal syndrome became catastrophic that he also became mentally unstable. It's normal for subordinates to work themselves to death and experience mental breakdowns when their bosses are inhumane.

"Thank you, Your Highness." Akechi Mitsuhide was surprised by the warmth of Beidou Nobuyuki. They had only met once before, and he hadn't expected him to be so kind to him.

"You're from Inabayama Castle." Beidou Xinwei asked first, "Do you have a letter from Master Daosan for Guidie?"

"Yes." Akechi Mitsuhide took out the letter from home and was about to open it and hand it to Beidou Xinwei for him to take a look first.

"Hey, don't open it." Unexpectedly, Beidou Xinwei stopped him directly: "This is a letter between father and daughter, why are you showing it to me? Okay, give it to me, I'll give it to my wife." Beidou Xinwei said as he took the other party's letter: "How is Master Dao San?"

"Your Highness is doing well." He didn't know if Beidou Xinwei was just pretending, but he looked like a happy couple with a good relationship. "And I've always been very fond of Madam Guidie, and I've always been full of praise for you. After Madam Guidie became pregnant, I specifically asked him to congratulate Your Highness."

"What the hell—"

"Your Majesty also said," Akechi Mitsuhide continued to repeat Saito Dosan's original words: "He wants to see his grandson no matter what, and he is looking forward to the birth of your child with Mrs. Guidie—"

"Oh, that's great." Beidou Xinwei nodded and said, "In that case, I'll be waiting..."

"Your Highness!"

Beidou Xinwei was about to continue to be polite with Akechi Mitsuhide, but he immediately heard the young man's apology.

A young man hurried over from the side, knelt on the ground and crawled to Beidou Xinwei's side, whispering quietly: "My lord, according to reliable information, Mino Saito Yoshitatsu led his troops in rebellion and has surrounded Saito Michiyama! - Saito Michiyama's retainers risked their lives to break through the siege and send a message for help! Look..."

"Hmm?" The timing seems off. Beidou Xinwei's body trembled violently upon hearing the news. Then, he struck out!

"Shimata!" he cried out. He stood up, hopping to his feet and saying, "Come on, the castle town celebration is suspended! Gather a thousand soldiers and follow me north!"

"My lord..." The young man hesitated beside Beidou Xinwei and said, "The Saito samurai who broke through the siege this time... was about to die. But, it is said that... when he broke through the siege, he saw that the camp of Saito Michizo was about to..."

"Master Dao San is blessed with great fortune!" Beidou Xinwei blushed as he said this. The fact that Saito Dao San, with such a bad character, could survive until now was simply a matter of fate. "Impossible, absolutely impossible! I must go and save my father-in-law! - Send a letter to Nobuhime, take as many men as you can, and set off immediately!"

"This... Your Highness?!" Akechi Mitsuhide was stunned. He pieced together some of the information he could hear from the words. This is...

There was a fire in my backyard.

"Saito Yoshitatsu is guilty of unforgivable crimes, having rebelled." Beidou Nobuyoshi said with a stern face, "They have already besieged my father-in-law in Sagiyama Castle—my father-in-law only led 2,000 soldiers, while Saito Yoshitatsu led 20,000! Knowing he couldn't escape, my father-in-law wrote a letter of resignation to Her Highness Nobuhime. He should have reached Her Highness Nobuhime's Kiyosu Castle by now... and he's forbidding us from coming to their aid! How can this be allowed?! My father-in-law has been so kind to me! Even if I die, I won't let my father-in-law's death be in vain. I will exterminate all nine generations of Saito Yoshitatsu's clan to avenge my deep hatred!"

The young man kneeling beside him looked confused.

What is [let the country be in a good condition]?

How come I don't know? Did I just say that?

Akechi Mitsuhide was also bewildered. Hokuto Nobuyoshi had indeed said he wanted to avenge Saito Dosan. But…but…it was Saito Dosan's son who rebelled against him. If you executed his entire clan, wouldn't that mean he would have no descendants? …I was so excited, was I wrong?

"Rise the army, rise the army! - Send a letter to all the retainers, their gathering place is Inuyama Castle! (The northernmost part of Owari), I will lead the troops directly to rescue! I must see my father-in-law one last time -"

Confirm that Saito Dosan is really dead.

This kind of person has been scheming his entire life, and it's hard to say what the outcome will be. What if he faked his death? What if it was all a scheme? This history is no longer believable, and other problems can easily arise. For example, Oda Nobuhime's mother, who didn't die in history, was already killed long ago.

And the most important thing is.

There is a civil war in the Saito family at this moment!

If I don't launch an attack and reap the benefits, won't I regret it for the rest of my life?

Just when Beidou Xinwei was gathering the regular army at the foot of the city, it would take about an hour to complete the assembly and then march quickly to the north.

"Avi!" However, there are still people in this world who care about Saito Dosan's life or death.

Although this old man is a worthless person, trash, treacherous, forgetful of principles when he sees profit, greedy when he sees money, and forgetful of words when he picks up a pen. But!——

"Avi! Avi! Please, please save my father!" Guidie hugged Beidou Xinwei's thigh as he rode on his horse before leaving. Almost pleadingly, she said, "My father is a piece of shit, but please save him! Minong never belonged to him, it belonged to you! Imprison him, make him a monk, and guard him until he dies! He's almost sixty, there's no way he can make a comeback! Let him guard his three acres of meager farmland for the rest of his life!"

The girl's voice was like sobbing, and to be more precise, she was already a young woman. This kind of extreme joy and sorrow was not good for the fetus.

...You are really good at judging people.

She is worthy of being my wife. She can tell what I am going to do at a glance.