The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Since the Imagawa and Tokugawa were locked in a standoff in Higashi-Tōtōmi, and the Takeda and Hojō were also facing off in Suruga, the only way to get to Kai was to first take the Nakasendo northward to Shinano.

Compared to the flat Mikawa Plain, the mountain roads were rugged and difficult to traverse, and it would take the team four or five days to reach the Kai Basin.

As Changqing rode his horse, gazing at the precipitous mountains around him, he couldn't help but recall the formidable reputation of Takeda Shingen as the "Tiger of Kai."

Historically, Shingen attacked the Tokugawa clan from both the Nakasendo and Tokaido routes.

To be able to train a world-renowned cavalry army in such terrain, Takeda Shingen was no ordinary man.

Five days later, the group finally arrived at Tsutsuzaki House.

Takeda Shingen had already received Oda Nobunaga's letter and even sent Takeda Akabane to greet him at the castle.

The crimson armor gleamed dazzlingly in the sunlight. Further away, hundreds of foot soldiers stood in neat rows, their formation impeccable and utterly silent.

Is this what "immovable as a mountain" means? Changqing sighed inwardly.

At the city gate, several military officers had been waiting for a long time. A middle-aged warrior with a serious expression stepped forward to greet them.

He was Nagayoshi's neighbor, Akiyama Nobutomo, through whom Nagayoshi met the other Takeda retainers.

Two of them have the most different backgrounds.

Nobuharu Baba, around fifty years old, had a resolute face and a neatly trimmed beard. After the death of Hara Toratane, he became the new "Oni Mino," and was historically known for fighting for forty years without ever being wounded.

Sanada Yukitaka, known as "Kōdanjō" (攻弹正), was about sixty years old and was the father of Sanada Masayuki, a man known as "Bōri Bikō" (表里比兴).

"Lord Mori, you have come from afar, thank you for your hard work." Nobuharu Baba stepped forward. "Lord Shingen is waiting inside the castle, please follow me."

Changqing returned the greeting: "Thank you for your trouble, Lord Machang."

The Tsutsuzaki Castle stands on the plain, its layout highly military in character, with three walls and three layers of trenches outside.

The city had wide roads, facilitating rapid troop movements. Behind it, on the hillside, were beacon towers and several outlying defensive high points.

Compared to the city where Changqing had lived, this place was more like a military fortress.

At forty-five years old, "Tiger of Kai" was in his prime. He was somewhat stocky, but his eyes were bright and piercing.

On both the left and right sides, half of the twenty-four generals of Takeda were prominently displayed.

Clearly, such a grand display could not have been intended to welcome Changqing.

It seems that Takeda will soon concentrate its forces to defeat Hojo and then completely conquer Suruga.

"Oda clan envoy Mori Nagayoshi pays his respects to Lord Takeda Shingen."

Nagayoshi bowed respectfully and presented Nobunaga's handwritten letter.

Shingen took the letter and glanced at it.

He still had some hesitation about the marriage.

Neither the Hojo nor the Uesugi were easy opponents, and expanding westward or northward would not be of much significance in the struggle for supremacy.

The only correct solution is to head west and reach Shangluo.

He was bound to betray Tokugawa sooner or later, so if he were to betray Nobunaga after the marriage alliance, wouldn't that be incredibly shameless?

"Let me think about this." Shingen closed the letter without saying a word.

He has always enjoyed making friends with heroes from all over the world. Even if they are separated by several countries, as long as he hears that a general has won a great victory, he will write a letter to praise him.

"You're Mori Nagayoshi, the one who achieved countless victories in conquering Mino?"

"It is I."

"Young and promising. Lord Nobunaga was fortunate to have a retainer like you."

Changqing humbly replied, "It was just luck. It all depends on our lord's strategic planning and the soldiers' bravery."

Nobuharu Baba interjected, "Lord Mori has considerable insight into military strategy. I heard that you used fire to defend the castle during the Battle of Moribe?"

"That was due to the circumstances," Changqing replied.

"What about in open terrain?" This time, it was Nobuyuki Akiyama who asked. "For example, on a plain, how would you respond to a cavalry charge?"

Changqing sensed a subtle atmosphere in the hall.

This was no ordinary conversation; it was a test of the Oda clan's generals by the Takeda clan's generals.

When two armies are at war, they will tell you how to fight. Telling you now is just asking for trouble!

Changqing lowered his head and chuckled, "Now that I know the enemy is cavalry, why would I rashly enter unfavorable terrain?"

Sanada Yukitaka raised an eyebrow slightly: "In the Battle of Moribe, the defense of the castle was unfavorable, yet Lord Mori still chose to hold out. Isn't that unwise?"

"Military strategy boils down to the right timing, the right terrain, and the right people. In my view, if you lack all three, even if you win, you will suffer. If you have any one of them, you can fight. Although the Mori tribe is difficult to defend, the whole army is of one mind, and reinforcements will arrive in a day. This is the right people. Why not defend it? Even if we don't have the right timing or the right terrain, we still have the strength to fight. It's much better than those who surrender at the drop of a hat and betray their former masters."

Sanada Masayuki's use of metaphors to describe inner and outer aspects is hereditary.

In his early years, Sanada Yukitaka fought alongside Murakami Yoshikiyo and Takeda. After losing the battle, he joined Nagano Narimasa in Ueno Province, but later betrayed Narimasa and secretly returned to Takeda.

He judged Nagano Nariakira by his own petty standards, mistakenly believing that Nagano Nariakira was going to hunt him down. In the end, he discovered that Nagano Nariakira had seen through his intentions all along and had simply let him go on purpose.

Although he felt guilty, he still "reluctantly" helped Shingen capture Minowa Castle.

Changqing's reply was barbed and pointed, making Xinglong's face flush red and then pale.

Shingen had no choice but to raise his hand to stop the farce.

That evening, the main hall of the Tsutsuzaki-kan was brightly lit.

After a brief exchange of pleasantries, Shingen raised his sake cup and said, "It is truly a pleasure to meet Lord Mori today. Come, Lord Mori, let's have another drink."

Nagayoshi quickly raised his cup in return. After drinking, Shingen suddenly asked, "How old are you this year, Lord Mori?"

"I am twenty-five," Changqing replied, vaguely sensing that the topic was about to change.

"Twenty-five is the perfect age to make a name for yourself," Shingen said, stroking his beard. "I have a suggestion."

"Please speak, Lord Xinxuan."

Shingen looked at Akiyama Nobutomo, who was sitting below him, and said, "Nobutomo has a daughter named Kikuhime, who is seventeen years old, intelligent and virtuous. I intend to adopt her as my goddaughter and betroth her to you. What do you say?"

These words immediately silenced the room. All eyes were on Changqing.

Changqing's hand, which was holding the wine bowl, froze.

Akiyama Nobuyuki's daughter? She came out and, while failing to resolve the marriage of Qimiao Maru, settled her own affairs as a second wife.

Alright, I have already found a way to die.

Changqing put down his wine cup and said solemnly, "I am deeply honored by Lord Shingen's kindness. However, as a retainer of the Oda clan and the brother-in-law of Lord Nobunaga, I must inform my lord before taking a concubine. How dare I make such a decision on my own?"

"Of course," Shingen said with a smile. "But I can ask for your opinion first. If you agree, I will write to Lord Nobunaga, and I'm sure he won't object to such a wonderful thing."

"Lord Shingen," Changqing rose and bowed deeply, "I am but a humble warrior, yet my lord has entrusted me with such an important task. Since you are willing to befriend me, you should certainly agree to the marriage of Qimiaowan!"

The generals at the banquet had different expressions, but most of them showed approval.

Shingen stared at Changqing for a moment, then suddenly laughed again: "Good, what a loyal and righteous man! We'll discuss this matter later. Come, let's continue drinking!"

The banquet lasted for another hour before it ended. By the time Nagayoshi returned to the guest room arranged by the Takeda family, it was already late at night.

The room was spacious and clean, and the outline of the Kai Mountains could be seen from the window, faintly visible in the moonlight.

"Knock knock knock".

A gentle knock on the door interrupted Changqing's thoughts.

"Who?"

A soft female voice came from outside the door: "Lord Mori, Lord Shingen has ordered me to bring you some hangover soup."

Changqing frowned slightly. It was already late at night, and it seemed rather inappropriate to bring him hangover soup at this hour.

He got up and opened the door, where he saw a young woman in a light purple dress standing outside, holding a wooden tray with a bowl of herbal soup on it.

The girl was about seventeen or eighteen years old and had a beautiful appearance.

"Thank you for your trouble." Changqing took the wooden tray, but saw that the woman did not leave. Instead, she slipped into the room and gently closed the door.

"What are you doing...?"

The woman bowed gracefully: "This servant is here to serve you tonight on the orders of Lord Xinxuan."

Lord Xinxuan is indeed a lecherous man... He knows my heart very well.