The young Jiro Saburo (that is, Tokugawa Ieyasu), who was thought of by Imakawa Yoshimoto, was kneeling in a wooden house in the Rinji Temple in Junfuku.

This wooden house was once before the death of Taiyuan Xuezhai, the chief military advisor of the Imagawa family (Taiyuan Xuezhai passed away in October of the first year of Hongzhi, at the age of 60. After his death, he was awarded the posthumous title of "Zen Master Baozhu Guguo"), and he stayed at the last moment.

These two years have indeed been a very interesting year for this young man. In March, with the painstaking efforts of his retainers, Imakawa Yoshimoto finally personally awarded Takechiyo's black hat and held a Yuanfu ceremony for him. Imakawa Yoshimoto originally wanted to hold the Yuanfu ceremony for Takechiyo when he was fifteen years old, but he could not withstand the repeated requests from Okazaki's retainers, so he finally advanced the ceremony a year.

At the time of the ceremony, Imakawa Yoshimoto was always in good mood. Takechiyo put on adult clothing made under Yoshimoto's instructions, put on a black hat, and accepted the word "Yuan" given to him by Imakawa Yoshimoto, and the crown ceremony ended. From this day on, Takechiyo began to shave off his forehead and change his name to Jiro Matsuhira Saburo Motonobu, and officially entered the ranks of adults.

The joy of the ministers of Okazaki was naturally no problem. But the shadows still enveloped everyone's hearts, because the pain caused by the death of Mrs. Huayangyuan in November of the previous year was still lingering.

After arriving at Jun Mansion, Genyoni (the wife of Huayangyuan) even had to appear to have no contact with Takechiyo on the surface in order to avoid suspicion from the world. She is a sad person abandoned by this world, a person living in the shadows. Although she always pays attention to Takechiyo's food and clothing, she secretly gives him unlimited care. However, she was never allowed to take care of Takechiyo in Imagawa Yoshimoto's mansion. In order to avoid suspicion, she never showed up in the residence of Shaofu's mansion of Questuku.

On the night when his grandmother Huayangyuan's wife passed away, Jiro Saburo lay down beside her pillow and cried all night. The last passage that grandmother left him was about his biological mother in Aguju City.

"One day Lord Imakawa will go to the capital. At that time, you will undoubtedly follow him. In this way, Kariya and Aguju will become fierce battlefields. But don't forget that there is your mother on that battlefield. Do you know? Your mother must be secretly considering your future. You want to ask Lord Imakawa to arrange for you to meet with your mother and see her safely. Remember this at all times."

Jiro Saburo Motonobu opened his eyes wide and repeatedly chewed his grandmother's last words. If he couldn't do something for his mother, what else would he do? As a general, what should he do if he had to attack the castle where his mother was? Fourteen-year-old Jiro Saburo Motonobu had no solution. He sent his grandmother away in a daze. Not long after, he received the marriage order again, and at the beginning of this year (1556), he married Ah He, Imakawa Yoshimoto's niece (that is, the Kazuyama Temple in history).

But after getting married, Jiro Saburo became even more upset. Because he remembered what Zen Master Yusai, who has been his teacher since he came to Junfu Kingdom, said to him before his death. That was one afternoon after Jiro Saburo learned that he was about to marry Ah He, the niece of Imakawa Yoshimoto, he was taken to Zen Master Yusai lying on the hospital bed.

"Come to the pillow." Jiro Saburo also clearly remembered that the Zen Master asked him to come to the Zen Master's tatami.

At that time, Jiro Saburo was nervous, but still walked to the pillow respectfully, "How is the master's condition?"

Zen Master Xuezhai's voice was very calm: "What a good weather! Look over there." Jiro Saburo looked out the window and saw the plum blossom branches shining in the bright sunshine of early spring.

Xuezhai murmured, "Just lying here like this, I myself became the sun and the plum blossoms. It's so good!" There were only three leaves left of the plum blossoms reflected on the window. "Spring passed, it was summer. When autumn ended, it became winter. The power of nature was so great."

"Master, how is your condition?"

"I don't know. Winter has arrived. Do you understand?"

"yes."

"So, you must leave some seeds for you, you are in spring."

Xuezhai's eyes were a little confused. With a smile, his expression revealed the bone-broken coldness of winter. "I also want to celebrate your wedding, but your wedding is coming to spring... Yuanxin."

"yes."

"Speak to your heart, for your sake, I want to avoid this wedding."

“You mean…”

"You don't understand yet? In this way, you add another burden. The favor of the Imakawa family is another heavy burden."

Jiro Saburo nodded.

"In the past, your father and Imakawa's family formed an alliance for interests. But once they marry Imakawa, then the next generation of the two families will be related to blood."

"yes."

"So, at the beginning I strongly opposed it...but after repeated consideration, I decided to agree. Do you understand?"

"not understand."

"Just as I once told you, I finally realized that the heavier the burden in life, the better. Patience and burden can help you grow up quickly... You have a kind of tenacity to bear heavy burdens, right?"

"yes!"

"Because of these things, I agree. But I have been confused for a while and don't know how to explain it to you." After these words, the snow-white quilt on the Zen master's body began to shake violently. Yuan Xin knew that Zen Master Xuezhai's death was approaching, so he couldn't help but sigh and his eyes suddenly became wet.

"For you... what a burden is, I didn't want you to know... but that might leave regrets. In the end, I decided to tell you... In fact, I saw the sun and cherry blossoms from the windows of this room, and saw the birds and the moon playing on the branches of plum blossoms. From that time on, I decided to tell you."

"yes."

"You are a child with a long-term vision. You have probably considered... By marrying Yoshito's niece, you can seek harmony between the two families, but have you considered the death of Monk Xuezhai? You have to speak your heart." Jiro Saburo shook his head gently, and finally, a tear fell on his knees.

"I haven't considered it. That's not surprising." Zen Master Xuezhai said this and closed his eyes gently. "I wouldn't encounter such a thing when I was young, so I naturally don't know how to die. But people will die. What if I die... The lord was anxious to head towards the capital, and he forgot about death.

"But my death will speed up his pace of entering Beijing. After completely stabilizing Hojo and Takeda's family, and at the same time, stabilizing the rich families of the Mikawa Kingdom and making internal preparations, it will be his day to enter Beijing."

Jiro Saburo stared at Zen Master Xuezhai's eyes tightly and nodded constantly. Under the sunlight, the old man's expression was like a wooden sculpture, very calm and peaceful.

"Of course, when passing Ohara, it is probably necessary to flatten Oda's army to enter Beijing smoothly. But the Oda people are not ordinary people. They form an alliance with Echigo to restrain Kakai and form an alliance with Mino to block Imakawa (when Yukisai said this in Taiyuan, the battle of Nagaragawa has not yet happened, and Saito Dozo is still in Mino). In this way, the lord's army will have to fight with Mino and Ohara's allies. If I come to command, I will slowly look for fighter opportunities in the confrontation, but the lord can't do it."

"Why? He is not that kind of irritable and reckless person."

"He is not impatient. But what happened behind him cannot keep calm. If I come to command the battle, the lord will stay in Jun Mansion and always monitor the actions of the Odawara Hojo family until the victory or defeat is decided; but if he comes out to command himself, then the one who stays in Jun Mansion is Shima. The lord will be worried about Shima and will inevitably move forward in a hurry, and..."

He said this and pointed to the kettle beside his pillow, "I'm thirsty. Come bring water..."

Jiro Saburo hurriedly handed the kettle.

"And, the Lord's habit of fairness is extremely unfavorable when he is about to fight. Not to mention playing Cuju, or playing Wakao, even if he eats delicious food, he will not be able to stand the long-term battle. This is also one of the reasons why he is eager to fight the final battle..."

With the thrust of Zen Master Xuezhai, Jiro Saburo felt that the fog on these issues was incredibly dispelled.

"So... since we have to fight in a hurry, in order to accumulate enough troops to destroy the enemy, we must send all the troops out... The leader of its vanguard is undoubtedly you." Jiro Saburo clenched his fists sharply. He had never considered what would happen to the Imakawa family after the death of Zen Master Xuesai.

"Yuan Xin...what will you react if the lord and your retainers are in the forward position? You must think more about it."

At some point, a white-cheeked bird flew over the window. Listening to its free chirping, Jiro Saburo suddenly breathed rapidly.

"The most important thing about being a great man is to be prepared for everything. If my observations are different from your ideas, you can say it. I think things will definitely develop like that, what do you think?"

"Yuan Xin… also thinks so."

"At that time, your wife was still in Jun Mansion. With a wife, you would have children. The lord would probably say that to ensure that you have no worries, she would stay in Jun Mansion and let you fight to the death... What should you do if you do?"

Jiro Saburo finally saw his true situation clearly. He once thought that by marrying Imakawa Yoshimoto's niece and becoming relatives with the Imakawa family, the security of the Matsuhei family in the Mikawa Kingdom could be guaranteed; but now it seems that even if it is not a willingness, it cannot be said that it is beneficial or harm to the Matsuhei family. In the eyes of Zen Master Xuesai, this marriage is more like a trick Imakawa Yoshimoto tried to bring Jiro Saburo Matsuhei into his pocket.

"Your wife, the child was left in Jun Mansion as a hostage. And you were forced to fight bloody battles on the battlefield..."

After carefully lowering his voice, Jiro Saburo's body tensed tightly and said, "Do you have to answer here?"

Zen Master Xuezhai suddenly opened his eyes and shook his head gently and smiled: "This is the last knot I left for you. But... when this knot was untied, I was probably dead. At that time, Yuan Xin... Why did I leave this knot for you? Why didn't I give advice to my lord to let him manipulate you better, but instead took the lead in calling you to my pillow..."

Jiro Saburo shrugged his shoulders and cried. He knew that Zen Master Xuezhai loved him deeply, but he had never felt this so deeply as he is now. No, this is not narrow love, but deep and broad care. It is the great compassionate wish of a monk who tried to create the ultimate Buddhist paradise and equipped it with the sword of benevolence and the powerful monk who dominated the troubled times.

Just as Jiro Saburo sobbed, Zen Master Xuezhai closed his eyes again and breathed faintly.

"Master, I will answer you now." Jiro Saburo wiped away his tears. After the Zen master died, he naturally could not see any results. He wanted to see the master's satisfied smile. The young passion and passion were filled with his chest without realizing it.

"Oh. You mean you can untie this knot now?"

"able."

"Tell me."

"Yuan Shin will forget his wife and children who remained in Junfu."

"Forget them and die in battle?"

"I don't know."

"Why don't you know?"

Hearing this strong question, Jiro Saburo suddenly felt hot on his cheeks, "Forget his wife and children, put the overall situation first. If all the people of Monkino can bring peace after they die in battle, then they will sprinkle blood on the battlefield together. If not, then I will never implement the orders of Lord Imagawa!"

"Damn it!"

Jiro Saburo shrank up in horror, but his left shoulder was already slapped. This was the teacher's wake-up call for him.

"Hmph! Say it again."

"Yes. I can say it countless times. Even Lord Imakawa's order..."

Jiro Saburo was talking. He was hit by the head. He remained silent. Why was the master so angry? He was surprised and even more afraid that the excitement would make the master's fragile fire of life extinguish in an instant, and he couldn't help but fall to the ground. Zen Master Xuezhai lay down again, and the heavy breathing sounded in the room. Jiro Saburo was crying softly.

"Yuan Xin..."

“In…in.”

"Why do you talk so casually about things that are impossible to know... You don't have a wife and children yet. It's impossible to know what you feel. How casual and irresponsible it is to say you want to forget what hasn't happened yet."

"yes……"

"If we could forget our wife and children so easily, there would be no sorrow and sorrow in the world."

Jiro Saburo's rash answer angered the teacher. He wanted to apologize sincerely. If he knew that the teacher would teach him like this, no matter how unbearable it was, he would endure it.

"Your mother may be praying for your peace, and she may be able to communicate with you in Aguju City... This is the mother's heart... Do you understand... The mother's heart is also the heart of nature in heaven and earth."

"yes."

"Denied this kind of love is a violation of the heart of heaven and earth, and..." He said this, shook his hand and asked for water to drink. "You said you don't obey your lord's orders, so do you think the lord will forgive you easily? Don't you think that it's nonsense?"

Jiro Saburo felt the blood in his body as if it had solidified. Imakawa Yoshimoto, who had mobilized all his troops, would not let him violate military discipline at all. He originally wanted to comfort the aging teacher, but he did not expect to say such a frivolous word that disappointed the teacher.

"Please forgive me!" Thinking of this, he suddenly burst into tears.

Zen Master Xuezhai closed his eyes again. The sunlight on the window had moved away, and the light gradually darkened, and the birds stopped chirping.

Jiro Saburo finally stopped crying. Zen Master Xuezhai said again: "Go back. I can also hear the untied knot in the underworld. Do you understand? Once it is made into a big mistake, my soul will not be reborn and you will be in a dangerous situation. Then, bad luck will always follow you."

"I will definitely work hard, sure! Please forgive me..."

"It seems that someone is coming outside the mountain gate. You go back!"

"Then...just leave."

"You, you said this again. Have you forgotten what I just said? This is not a distinction. From this spring, my blood will flow in your body."

"yes."

"If you meet someone on the road, don't say that I asked you to come. Just say that you came to me as usual to study scriptures."

"Yes. Then, Yuan Xin said goodbye."

"Take care."

"yes."

"Don't panic in everything. Panic makes people blind."

"Yes...yes." When Jiro Saburo withdrew, people who learned that Zen Master Xuezhai were sick came one after another. Just as Zen Master Xuezhai expected, no one doubted the reason why he arrived first.

Imakawa Yoshimoto personally visited Xuezhai. He was very surprised by the seriousness of the Zen Master's condition and hurriedly ordered six doctors to come for diagnosis and treatment. However, as Zen Master Xuezhai himself sighed, the winter of life that has arrived is something that human power cannot stop.

Within a few days, Zen Master Xuezhai left the world. When he learned about Zen Master Xuezhai's death, Saburo Jiro lit incense in his bedroom. He couldn't help but recall the last words of his grandmother and Zen Master Xuezhai. His grandmother asked him to try his best to avoid the war with his mother, while Zen Master Xuezhai asked him to inherit his will. Both of their last words pointed out the root of the tragedy, which was the entry of Yoshimoto Imakawa into Beijing. Whether it was the last wish of his grandmother or the knot left by Zen Master Xuezhai, the fourteen-year-old Saburo Jiro could not give an answer easily.

But today after getting married, when he was still quite loving with his wife, he remembered the words the teacher said that day, "Why do you talk so casually about things that you cannot know at all... It is impossible for you to know what you feel without your wife and children. How casual and irresponsible it is to say that you should forget what has not happened yet."
Chapter completed!