The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Although it was only a wedding in name only for the two children, the marriage between Oda and Tokugawa was no small matter, and the banquet was still held in a grand manner.

Tokugawa Nobuyasu's feigned maturity and Tokuhime's deliberate reserve made the guests present unable to suppress their laughter.

After the wedding ceremony, the two were sent off to have some fun.

Ieyasu began to show concern and care for Nagayoshi.

Tokugawa retainers such as Sakai Tadatsugu, Ishikawa Kazumasa, Honda Tadatsugu, and Torii Mototada also drank with Nagayoshi in turn.

Honda Tadakatsu, Hiraiwa Chikakichi... these young men who followed Ieyasu to Kiyosu in the past are now around twenty years old.

"Lord Mori, please."

Ieyasu raised his glass, a gentle smile on his face.

Changqing quickly returned the greeting and drank it all in one gulp.

Dishes were served one after another, mostly fish and wild mountain vegetables.

Sanhe is located by the sea and has abundant fish, but the dishes on the table are simple, which is in line with Ieyasu's consistent frugal style.

Changqing saw a plate of fish meat, which was clearly part of the fish tail. Just by looking at this part, one could guess how big the original fish was.

His chopsticks paused for a moment in mid-air.

Ieyasu's breath hitched for a moment, then he immediately smiled and picked up a piece of fish.

"These are fresh fish caught from the river today. Please enjoy them, Lord Mori."

Changqing felt a vague unease rising in his heart, but he kept his expression unchanged and picked up a small piece of fish and put it in his mouth.

Having been reborn for so many years and eaten so much fish, he knows exactly what kind of fish tastes like.

It's a carp... Is Tokugawa the old turtle really that brave?

Nagayoshi put down his chopsticks and looked towards the courtyard. That afternoon, he had personally witnessed Ieyasu release the three carp into the pond there, and Ieyasu had said at the time, "I'm not at ease if I don't keep them by my side."

The laughter and conversation at the banquet continued. He recalled Nobunaga's words before his departure: "Don't let little Nobunaga die." At the time, he thought it was just a joke his lord made on a whim, but now, reflecting on it, it was clear that Nobunaga had foreseen this.

Changqing used the excuse of going to the restroom to quietly leave his seat.

He walked towards the pond.

At this moment, the fish in the water hardly moved at all, and two large carp nestled together in one corner of the pond.

The biggest "Little Nobunaga" is gone...

Changqing's heart sank, and he silently examined the area again.

The pool water was crystal clear; there was absolutely no way to be mistaken.

It seems that the fragments of "Little Nobunaga" are inside his stomach.

Almost simultaneously, footsteps sounded behind me.

"Is Lord Mori drunk, standing here in the wind?"

Tokugawa Ieyasu's voice sounded slightly flustered, clearly indicating that he had already sensed something while eating the fish.

The night was so quiet that even the subtle changes in the air did not escape Changqing's ears.

The lantern light shone on his face, obscuring Ieyasu's expression and only outlining his taut jawline.

"The numbers are correct!" Ieyasu suddenly roared.

"Yes." Ishikawa Kazumasa rushed out.

"Who was in charge of watching the pond this afternoon? Also, call the kitchen staff here!"

"No need to call anyone, I instructed the kitchen to prepare the fish!"

Changqing turned his head and saw Honda Shigetsuji running out of the house.

Shigeji was one of the few men in history who dared to disrespect the people of the land, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, yet he possessed exceptional political acumen.

He dared to fight back for his lord, and he was also willing to take the blame.

If Ieyasu had simply remained patient and tolerant, he would never have been able to conquer the country.

Honda repeatedly knelt down in front of Ieyasu with a thud, his back straight and his head held high.

"You! What did you say?" Ieyasu's breathing quickened, his face turning ashen. "Who gave you the audacity?!"

"My lord, please forgive me. Today I heard Lord Mori speak to you about fish. Lord Oda used fish as a metaphor for people, placing you alongside him, which seems respectful but is actually malicious!"

Ieyasu snatched the knife from the young man's surname.

The scabbard struck Honda Shigetsugu's shoulder, but it did nothing to stop him from continuing his protest.

"The fact that he made you raise fish for him and constantly inquired about his whereabouts clearly shows that he treats Tokugawa as a retainer!"

Ieyasu clenched his fists, and veins bulged on his forehead.

"shut up!"

"I believe that rather than having our lord worry day and night about the life or death of a fish, it would be better to sever this invisible shackle. Oda and Tokugawa are allies, not lord and subject. If we must be so fearful of even a fish, how can we have equal dialogue in the future?"

The courtyard was deathly silent. Even the cicadas had stopped chirping; only the gentle lapping of the pond's water against the shore could be heard.

Tadatsugu Sakai, Kazumasa Ishikawa, and others rushed over upon hearing the commotion and knelt down on the ground.

Torii Mototada crawled forward on his knees and grabbed the scabbard, pleading with Ieyasu not to be angry.

Ieyasu's voice was as cold as ice, "Do you know that the cut you made when you slaughtered the fish wasn't severing shackles, but rather the bond between Tokugawa and Oda?"

He turned abruptly to face Nagayoshi and bowed deeply: "Lord Mori, Shigetsugu has acted recklessly, ruining Lord Nobunaga's good intentions. I, Tokugawa Ieyasu, have failed in my duty of discipline and cannot escape blame."

Changqing stood quietly.

He looked at Ieyasu's slightly trembling shoulders, then at Shigetsugu's straight spine, and then at the tense yet unified expressions of the Tokugawa retainers around him.

"Honjo Shigejima!" Ieyasu's voice suddenly rose, "You shall commit seppuku!"

Changqing was taken aback.

No! Old turtle, just pull it up directly! Play the emotional card!

"My lord!" Sakai Tadatsugu was the first to rush forward. "Shigetsugu may be reckless, but his loyalty is unquestionable! I beg you, my lord, spare his life!"

Ishikawa Kazumasa crawled forward on his knees: "Today is the young master's wedding day, it is not auspicious to see blood, my lord!"

Torii Mototada kowtowed deeply: "I have served my lord for many years and have repeatedly rendered meritorious service. Please, my lord, remember our past friendship!"

The young Hiraiwa Chikayoshi raised his head, tears welling in his eyes: "If Lord Shigetsugu is guilty, then we who failed to dissuade him are also guilty! Please punish us as well, my lord!"

Honda Tadakatsu knelt silently to the side, his hand on the hilt of his sword, seemingly preparing to act as a second.

This bastard isn't planning to kill me to cover his tracks, is he?!

Changqing's gaze swept across everyone's face.

Tadatsugu's anxiety was just right, Kazumasa's advice was reasonable, and Mototada's sincerity was genuine. Even the younger generation's performance was impeccable.

Could this be an organized and premeditated scheme?

Ieyasu saw that Nagayoshi remained silent, his shoulders trembling slightly, as if he was trying to suppress his grief.

After a long while, he slowly turned around, tears glistening in his eyes.

"How...how am I supposed to explain this to Nobunaga?"

Honda Shigehiro repeatedly pulled out the wakizashi he had prepared beforehand, as if deliberately reminding Nagayoshi to offer some advice.

"Please, Lord Mori, act as my second!"

Everyone looked at Changqing.

Changqing finally couldn't hold back his laughter.

"Since I ate that fish, I should have committed seppuku. Lord Nobunaga himself had no intention of belittling the Tokugawa; Lord Honda has misunderstood!"

Ieyasu leaned on his sword, wiping away his tears.

"How about this, I'll say we accidentally ate 'Little Ieyasu,' since Lord Nobunaga didn't clearly see which fish was 'Little Nobunaga' at the time!"

The Tokugawa forces were caught off guard and could only watch as Nagayoshi continued to perform.

Tokugawa Ieyasu, however, understood the deeper meaning behind it.

Killing oneself—doesn't that mean one has completely surrendered?

No, absolutely not!

"Or, everyone can just pretend they don't know! If Lord Nobunaga asks you about it later, you can just give him the same answer as usual."

Nagayoshi changed his story again, leaving Ieyasu both amused and exasperated.

"Lord Mori, I appreciate your kindness, but please report back to Lord Nobunaga truthfully! I accept all the punishment for Shigetsugu."

Nagayoshi didn't want to make things difficult for Ieyasu, and besides, Nobunaga wouldn't really punish Shigeji.

After all, Takeda would eventually march on Kyoto along the Tokaido, and Tokugawa was the first line of defense.

If Ieyasu was unwilling to be Oda Nobunaga's subordinate, he would naturally not be willing to be Takeda Shingen's lackey.

He walked slowly to the edge of the pond and looked down at the two remaining carp in the water.

They huddled together, as if comforting each other.