Chapter 34

"New Earth has sent a seasonal greeting, it seems."

"Yes, my lord."

"That is something to look forward to."

Emperor Go-Nara, who ascended the throne after the death of Emperor Go-Nara in the third year of Kōji, was unable to hold the enthronement ceremony for three years until he received a tribute from Mōri Motonari. This was because, like the previous Emperor Go-Nara and the emperor before him, the emperors and court nobles of this era were invariably in financial distress.

Now, with the regular contributions from various warring daimyōs seeking official positions, the donations from the Hongan-ji head priest Kennyo, and the recovery of the imperial estates due to Oda Nobunaga's entry into Kyoto, the financial situation has improved considerably.

Moreover, his brother-in-law, Shinchi Mitsuharu, who ruled Ise Shima, never ceased to make large donations and seasonal gifts. Especially at the end of the year, he sent a variety of items.

For the New Year, he sent abundant ingredients such as mochi, dried shiitake mushrooms, kazunoko, kelp, dried fish, dried Ise shrimp, new salmon, ikura, tarako, taro, yurine, kohi, black beans, whale meat, baked dried oysters, duck, sugar, honey, and water candy.

These ingredients were prepared in the imperial palace, and everyone celebrated the New Year together. The grandeur of the celebration pleased Emperor Go-Nara and many court nobles. There were also regular donations of a fixed amount, and he had even sent rare treasures and famous Chinese porcelain.

He also received gifts such as silk clothing, quilts made of feathers, and convenient household items. The warmth and lightness of the feather quilt captivated Emperor Go-Nara.

"The loyalty of Shinchi is worthy of praise."

Although they have been very kind to us, they have never made excessive demands. It was just a matter of slightly altering the family tree to grant them an official position. In fact, altering family trees to grant official positions was not such an uncommon practice. The Matsudaira family of Mikawa, for example, was dubious about whether they were truly descendants of the Nitta clan, but there were many other daimyō families with questionable lineages, so it was not a significant issue.

As long as the land was well governed, it was fine, and both the imperial family and the nobility were poor. They needed financial support, and both Matsudaira Ieyasu, who had been renamed Tokugawa Ieyasu, and Shinchi Mitsuharu had made substantial donations.

To express gratitude to those who contributed to the court, it was not wrong, and many nobles thought so internally. Of course, they also had the ulterior motive of wanting a bit more benefit.

'Nobles and court suppliers, Myoo.'

'Even if we sell in the same market, the prices are completely different. We make a profit by combining mass-produced items with high-end brands.'

The Shinchi family had the same ulterior motives, so this was a mutual arrangement. The Shinchi brothers were not so naive as to give away things for free.

"There are still few who make donations."

Many warriors from prestigious families, despite boasting of their lineage, have fallen into poverty and even lost their loyalty to the emperor. While some nobles care about lineage, Emperor Go-Nara believes that among the many courtiers, a few upstarts can be tolerated, as long as they have the magnanimity to do so.

Of course, not too many are needed.

"Can we make Shinchi a court noble?"

It would be necessary to meet him in person at least once and express gratitude. For that, he would need to be raised to the fifth rank, which would allow him to enter the imperial court.

"However, his lineage is questionable..."

"That's the problem. Then, why don't we enhance his status?"

If he were to marry a noblewoman, it would be acceptable to raise his rank. Emperor Go-Nara thought it was a great idea.

"To the Shinchi family?"

"He is a vassal of the Oda and also my brother-in-law. Given Oda's great achievements, we should raise his rank and position, and explain the need for a noblewoman to marry into the Shinchi family to facilitate his entry into the court."

"That sounds good."

The noble who agreed decided to offer his daughter. The engagement money alone would help stabilize the family's finances, and he could also expect annual support and seasonal gifts.

"Shinchi's younger brother already has a wife from the Karahashi family."

"Then, he is already accustomed to noblewomen. There should be no problem."

"As long as it doesn't disrupt the hierarchy of the main wife and Nobunaga's sister."

Thus, without Shinchi's knowledge, his rank was raised, and a third marriage was arranged. Even if Shinchi wanted to refuse, the nobles had already smoothed things over with Nobunaga, leaving him no choice but to accept a new wife.

"The Sanjōnishi family?"

"A ministerial family."

"Why would such a high-ranking family marry into our family? Did they eat something bad?"

"There's no such thing! If it were the current emperor and nobles, they might still eat something rotten and get sick..."

"Why are they so poor?"

In Shinchi's imagination, the imperial family and nobles were supposed to be celebrities, but he confirmed that this was a fantasy when he saw them in person during his visit to Kyoto. The first time he saw a noble's residence, he thought it looked like a haunted house.

"I'd like to know too. But, just because they are poor, we can't look down on them..."

The conversation between the lord and vassal was absurd, disrespectful, and impolite.

Shinchi was summoned to Gifu and informed that a daughter of the Sanjōnishi family would marry into the Shinchi family. When he was informed, he had no right to refuse... and there was no such right to begin with, but Nobunaga made it a royal command to avoid refusal.

"To make Mitsuharu a court noble, they even raised my rank without my consent. There's no reason to refuse."

The efficiency of the nobles' actions made Shinchi feel that 'Nobles are not to be underestimated!' First, the reason he contributed to the court and made donations was that in the Akitsushima Republic where he lived, there was also a royal family, and he wanted to show off a bit by making donations, as they were popular among the people.

He considered the food and items he contributed as advertising expenses. Just the fact that the emperor and the nobles used them made the Shinchi-produced food and items trade as luxury goods.

"Even if I enter the court, will I be able to handle the etiquette?"

"I had a hard time with it before. Mitsuharu, you should learn too!"

If Nobunaga said so, he couldn't refuse. Shinchi thought about looking for materials in Kanagawa. He hoped that there would be many similarities with business etiquette, as he was also in charge of sales and knew basic business manners.

Although he had more to learn, Shinchi saw it as learning the skills necessary for a senior executive in the Oda Corporation through internal training.

"That's the end of that. But, there's a troublesome issue..."

"The shogun?"

"Yes, that shogun."

Yoshizumi became even more arrogant after becoming shogun. He started sending letters to all the daimyōs, demanding that they come to Kyoto to pay their respects, as he was the shogun who governed Japan.

"It seems he hasn't received any favorable responses."

The daimyōs in northeastern Japan were busy with minor conflicts and couldn't come to Kyoto. The Hōjō family in Kantō was busy fighting other daimyōs in the region. The Uesugi and Takeda families were busy fighting each other. The Imagawa family was under attack by the Matsudaira family, now renamed Tokugawa, and couldn't come to Kyoto. The Mōri family was busy fighting the Amako and Ōtomo families. In Shikoku, the Miyoshi family was not doing well, and the Chōsokabe family, which was expanding its influence, was also too busy. The Ryūzōji and Shimazu families were busy fighting the Ōtomo family.

All of them were busy with battles and had no plans to come to Kyoto. If Shinchi received a letter from Yoshizumi, he would definitely not go to pay respects, as it would bring no benefit.

"What about the Asakura family in Echizen?"

"They seem to be busy preparing for the Ikkō-ikki in Kaga."

Yoshizumi, upon hearing this, was reportedly furious, thinking that they were looking down on him as shogun. He only got angrier, and sent an envoy to Gifu without even informing Akechi Mitsuhide, who was appointed as the Kyoto governor.

"The lord has ordered us to attack the Asakura family for not responding to the call to come to Kyoto."

The envoy was Akechi Hidenari, whom Shinchi disliked. Even considering the circumstances that Hidenari had no choice but to follow Yoshizumi's orders, Shinchi still didn't like him. Hidenari was the only living inheritor of the ancient tradition and was trusted by the court, but Shinchi didn't like his condescending tone and attitude.

"Is it alright with you, Lord Shinchi?"

Shinchi, as a vassal of Nobunaga, was being treated like a vassal daimyō and was being asked to send troops to attack Echizen along with Nobunaga.

"Before that, shouldn't we try to negotiate with them again to come to Kyoto?"

"That's already being done by Asai Nagamasa."

Asai Nagamasa, who had an alliance with the Asakura family, was already negotiating with them. However, the results were not good. The Asakura family considered Yoshizumi to be a mere figurehead, and Nobunaga, as the guardian of the Oda family, was not in a position to command the prestigious Asakura family.

"Anyway, I have conveyed the lord's orders."

Hidenari returned to Kyoto after conveying Yoshizumi's orders.

"We need to consult with Lord Nagamasa."

"Yes."

Nobunaga was in a bad mood. He didn't want to attack Echizen. The Asakura family was a buffer against the notorious Ikkō-ikki in Kaga, and he thought it would be troublesome to attack them.

"Shouldn't we involve Lord Nagamasa...?"

The letter from Yoshizumi, which Hidenari brought, also politely requested that the Asai family participate in the attack on the Asakura family, as Nagamasa had failed in the negotiations.

Shinchi and Nobunaga were both exasperated by Yoshizumi's arrogant attitude.

"(That bald head...) What is his intention? The Asai and Asakura families have a three-generation alliance..."

"Hmph, most likely, he wants to show the world that his authority as shogun is greater than the three-generation alliance between the Asai and Asakura families. Also, there's Takeda Motomitsu."

Nobunaga understood Yoshizumi's thinking and his expression darkened even more. The guardian of Wakasa was the Takeda family, but now it was under the control of the Asakura family, and the head, Takeda Motomitsu, was a hostage of the Asakura family. Yoshizumi also seemed to want to restore Motomitsu as the guardian of Wakasa.

"It might be difficult for the Asai family to participate."

"Because of the retired head, Hisamasa."

The previous head, Hisamasa, who was pro-Asakura, was forcibly retired by Nagamasa but still had the support of pro-Asakura retainers and maintained significant influence in the Asai family. Asking them to send troops to attack the Asakura family could cause confusion in the Asai family.

"We can only hope for Nagamasa's abilities. We can only emphasize that it is an order from Lord Yoshizumi. Also, Lord Tokugawa..."

As a thank you for the position of guardian of Mikawa and the inheritance of the Nitta clan, Yoshizumi also ordered the Tokugawa family to send troops.

"I don't want to go."

"It's ridiculous."

Nobunaga and Shinchi both sighed. Still, as an order from the shogun, even if he was just a figurehead, they had to attack the Asakura family.

The Oda, Shinchi, and Tokugawa armies invaded Echizen, captured Handa Castle, and then Tsuruga Castle, forcing the castle commander, Asakura Kagekatsu, to commit suicide. The campaign was going smoothly, but the Asai army was nowhere to be seen.

"Nagamasa isn't coming."

"Maybe he's taking time to persuade Hisamasa and the others."

Since the campaign was going smoothly, Nobunaga wasn't angry. He understood that the Asai family couldn't participate in the campaign against the Asakura family.

"He will come eventually..."

It would be enough if he just led a small force and came to pay respects at the end. Nobunaga thought this about the Asai family, but the situation took an unexpected turn. Suddenly, a messenger rushed into the camp.

"I have a report! Asai Hisamasa, leading the Asai army, the monks of Mount Hiei, and former Rokkaku retainers, is trying to attack us from both sides!"

The messenger was sent by Wada Koremasa, who controlled the Kōga district. Koremasa had learned that the former head, Hisamasa, had been reinstated and was raising troops to rescue the Asakura family, and quickly sent a messenger to Nobunaga.

Moreover, they had formed an alliance with the former Rokkaku retainers and Mount Hiei. It seemed that Hisamasa had been secretly plotting for quite some time.

"From Shikoku, Shinohara Nagafusa, supporting Miyoshi Nagayoshi, is advancing to the capital!"

Nobunaga just nodded at the continued reports. The Asakura family, not being a mere stone by the roadside, had sent envoys to move the Miyoshi family. He thought it was only natural for them to do so to survive.

"Miyoshi, Asakura, Asai, and Mount Hiei."

All of them were troublesome forces if they became enemies. Mount Hiei, the headquarters of the Tendai sect, had become an enemy because the Oda family had conflicts with them during the process of dominating southern Ōmi. Mount Hiei had many estates throughout the country, and there were many conflicts with the Rokkaku family in southern Ōmi. Even after the ownership of southern Ōmi shifted from the Rokkaku family to the Oda family, the relationship remained the same.

"Retreat! Monkey! I leave the rear guard to you!"

Nobunaga immediately decided to retreat and entrusted the rear guard to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. If they were caught in a pincer attack, the Oda army's defeat was certain.

"Yes! This Toyotomi Hideyoshi will do his best for the lord!"

"Flattery is fine! Just survive!"

Nobunaga showed a brief smile to Hideyoshi, mounted his horse, and rushed to Kyoto with a small retinue.

"If we pass through Kōdokugaya, I will handle the negotiations."

Casually, Matsunaga Hisahide, who was also in the army, left the command of the troops to his son Hisahide and accompanied Nobunaga.

"Indeed, Lord Hisahide."

Surviving in any situation. Shinchi was impressed by Hisahide's pragmatism in a certain sense.

"Well, it will be difficult for Hideyoshi alone."

"Indeed, I will help as well."

Not only Shinchi, but also Akechi Mitsuhide, who met him for the first time in this campaign, volunteered to join the rear guard. His participation with many firearms was welcome.

"Then, the men from Mikawa will show their mettle."

Tokugawa Ieyasu also volunteered to participate, and thus the rear guard of the four armies was decided.

"Among us, Lord Shinchi, who has the largest force, what do you think?"

The main force of the Oda army began to retreat to Kyoto, and one of the four remaining, Akechi Mitsuhide, asked Shinchi for a strategy. Mitsuhide, like Hidenari, was a man of considerable education but was practical and did not look down on Shinchi, who was a former merchant. He seemed to have had a hard life and treated Shinchi politely. In Shinchi's view, he was a capable and sensible uncle.

"When fleeing, just flee without thinking. But now is not the time for that. We should strike hard once and break their momentum."

A plan to set up an ambush against the pursuing Asakura army was immediately put into action.

"Kill Nobunaga!"

As the Asakura army, led by the vanguard commanders Yamauchi Yoshinari and Uozumi Kagemasa, pursued the fleeing Nobunaga, they were suddenly attacked by gunfire and arrows from the bushes.

"Ambush!"

The firearms and arrows of the Shinchi and Akechi armies continuously attacked the Asakura army, and many soldiers fell.

"Don't panic! The arquebuses have a limited number of shots!"

Yoshinari tried to calm the confused soldiers, but the gunfire did not stop. The accuracy was high, and Asakura soldiers continued to be killed and wounded.

"Impossible! Why!"

"If there were weaknesses in the arquebuses, it would be natural to try to compensate for them."

With an intellectual expression, Mitsuhide joined his carefully organized firearms unit and fired his arquebus. He was also a shooting expert.

"Stop the gunfire!"

After a long period of gunfire, the Asakura soldiers were relieved when it stopped, but then the Kuroda and Tokugawa armies charged in. This completely broke the Asakura vanguard.

"Hey! Don't run! Who are you?"

"A retainer of the Tokug