Volume 1: The Stormy Weather of Kawajima Island Chapter 26: The Three Generations of Vassals of the Takeda Family

  Li Xiao happened to see Masayuki Sanada at this moment, a pair of eyes staring at himself, that complex and vivid expression, if it can be described in language, the meaning expressed is roughly 'Where did this turtle warrior come from?'

  Li Xiao stepped forward with a calm demeanor and introduced himself, "I am Li Xiao, a Ming dynasty warrior employed by the Takeda family. I currently serve under Lord Suwa Yorishige as an instructor of gun techniques. May I ask if you are Sanada Yukimura, also known as Sanada Nobuyuki?"

  Sanada Masayuki finally had an epiphany, as a Ming national, Li Xiao didn't have to follow the rules in the Takeda household, this was a personal promise made by Takeda Shingen.

  "It was Lord Li Xiao, your honor's outstanding performance in the Battle of Chongqing Island is often mentioned by my father." Sanada Masayuki replied with a serious tone, although young but his speech was far more mature than his peers.

  "So it seems that the Battle of Kawajiri Island was your first battle, sir." Li Xiao asked.

  "It was then that I followed my father in a separate unit, circling around to attack the enemy's rear headquarters at Wife and Daughter Mountain, but unfortunately did not find the enemy's main force. Moreover, it is shameful to say that in later battles, I also had no achievements."

  "I see," Li Xiao nodded, patted the shoulder of Sanada Masayuki and comforted him, "Don't be discouraged, you will have many opportunities to establish merits for the Takeda family in the future."

  Li Xiao's intimate gesture, however, caused Shinada Masayuki to furrow his brow, clearly disliking others touching his body. This expression only flashed for a moment, and on the surface he still showed great respect towards Li Xiao.

  Li Xiao happened to see his expression at this moment, and secretly thought: At such a young age, he has already learned the trick of being two-faced. As for Li Xiao, due to his height being far above that of people in Japan during this era, patting familiar people on the shoulder had become a habitual action for him.

  At this time, Sanada Masayuki looked at Takeda Katsuyori and said respectfully: "I heard that in the Battle of Kawahara Island, Lord Katsuyori was also a novice, but he took down an enemy general. I am deeply impressed by your bravery, sir."

  Takeda Shingen heard someone flattering him, with a youthful heart, he was very pleased and burst out laughing, then humbly said a few words, which were nothing more than that his brother wanted to keep a low profile, but unfortunately his name shook the four directions, and no one didn't know.

  Li Xiao listened and secretly shook his head, thinking that this little friend Shi Rui was still immature. Why not learn from the lucky little friend in front of you? He is so steady and at a young age, he knows how to flatter people just right.

  Takeda Nobutaka said, "The Battle of Kawanakajima, Lord Li Xiao, wasn't that also his first battle? He took seven heads, two of which were famous warriors from Echigo."

  As soon as the words fell, the two brothers, Hōjō Ujiyasu and Hōjō Tsunashige, who were watching from the side, looked at Li Xiao with unparalleled admiration. And Takeda Shingen also admired Li Xiao's words since the Battle of Kawanakajima: "That's right, that's right, Mr. Li's marksmanship is the best in the world, and he even helped our lord drive back Uesugi Kenshin."

  Sanada Masayuki's gaze at Li Xiao also had a few more surprises, and the other was only twenty-one or two years old, but he achieved such a record in his first battle. On the field, only Li Xiao laughed and waved his hand, as if it was not worth mentioning, but whether he was secretly pleased or not, no one knew.

  Everyone chatted briefly, and then Li Xiao introduced the two brothers of Bao Ke to Takeda Shingen. Takeda Shingen naturally put on a lord's attitude, saying things like being loyal to the Takeda family and killing enemies well.

  Actually, Li Xiao suddenly realized that among the seven people present, some were city masters, some were family masters, and some were family elders, but in fact, except for Li Xiao being slightly older, everyone else was under twenty years old.

  Takeda Shingen's father, Takeda Nobutora, was the head of the Takeda family at that time. Along with his contemporaries, the great generals Itagaki Nobukata and Kaneko Ietane, they can be called the first generation of vassals of the Takeda family. Now most of these great generals have passed away.

  The current Takeda family's vassals under the command of Shingen, can be considered as the second generation, and they were all active in the front line of the Takeda family's conquests, serving as high-ranking generals of various armies. Among them were the family elders, such as Takeda Nobushige, Takeda Nobukado, and the four great vassals of the Takeda clan: Sanada Yukitaka, Baba Nobufusa, Hoshina Masanao, and Oyamada Nobushige.

  As for Takeda Shingen's future heir, Takeda Katsuyori, and in this room, Takeda Nobuhiro, Mochizuki Chikai, Sanada Masayuki, Hoshina Masanao, and Hoshina Masamitsu can be considered as the third generation of vassals of the Takeda family, the future main force of the Takeda family.

  Especially after Shingen's death, these people had grown into the core of the Takeda family and continued to assist the succeeding head of the house, Katsuyori Takeda, in his campaigns north and south.

  At this time, due to the circumstances, they happened to gather in this house, and neither of them was aware of their future fate. Takeda Katsuyori still couldn't see any hope of inheriting the Takeda family business, but he was already the head of the Suwa clan, with a fief of 40,000 stones.

  Takeda Nobukatsu and Mutsu Munemori, on the other hand, directly inherited their family business from the previous generation. Under the prestige of their fathers and uncles, everything came too easily for them without having to struggle on their own.

  Sanada Masayuki currently has two older brothers, and he himself did not expect that one day he would be able to inherit the Sanada family's leadership. Li Xiao can always see from his eyes the desire to make a name for himself and stand out. This point, no matter how deep Sanada Masayuki's city is in the future, cannot be concealed at this age. Similarly, among the people present, his behavior is the most mature, revealing a youthful yet mature demeanor, truly worthy of being a future hero.

  Hoshina Masanao and Hoshina Shōgetsu, two brothers from a similar minor daimyō family, also yearned to carve out their own future with one sword and one spear.

  Six young people on both sides, each with their own ambitions and plans, also determined the fate of the Takeda family in the future.

  At this time, Takeda Katsuyori suddenly proposed to hold a tea ceremony, and this proposal was immediately approved by the majority of people present, even Sanada Masayuki showed great interest.

  Sado? When Li Xiao heard this word, it was a mix of emotions. Alright, as a Taikou 5 player, you may not know Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin and others, that's okay. But there is one person you must know, he is the one who opened the tea house in Sakai-machi, Sen no Rikyu.

  I remember when I played Taikou Risshiden before, at the beginning, Li Xiao's military commander always had to take out a few coins from his pocket and go to Sen no Rikyū to buy tea utensils, learn about the Way of Tea. After the tea ceremony skill reached two stars, he went all over Japan to find other commanders to drink tea with, improve their friendship, cheat on cards, and learn skills.

  The way of tea was the most popular social means among the upper class in Japan during the Warring States period, and its status is even more popular than going to a KTV or a bar after work now. This is something that must be learned when mixing in Japan, it's very important.

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