Chapter 36

"Are you aware of the weight of my command as the Shogun?"

Having narrowly escaped the pursuit of the Asakura army and finally made it to Kyoto after much hardship, Mitsuhiko and his companions expected no words of comfort from Yoshimasa, but instead found themselves being scolded alongside Nobunaga.

Mitsuhiko did not want to hear the insincere words of gratitude from Yoshimasa, but he certainly did not want to be scolded.

Feeling inwardly irritated, he waited for the storm of Yoshimasa's reprimand to pass.

"I am worried that this defeat will tarnish the authority of the Lord."

By Yoshimasa's side, Fujitaka spoke grandly, as if borrowing the authority of a tiger.

Whether due to the transmission of ancient wisdom or not, Fujitaka was Yoshimasa's favorite and always spoke with a condescending air.

Considering all the circumstances, Mitsuhiko still disliked him.

("You guys are just decorations; you don't have any authority anyway!")

Mitsuhiko spat venomously at Yoshimasa and his followers in his heart.

"The Miyoshi army has landed in Settsu again, and the allied forces of the Asakura, Asai, and Mount Hiei have surrounded Kyoto. It is your duty to quickly eliminate them and restore peace to the shogunate."

Though it was a fair statement, Fujitaka's tone was still infuriating.

Even Mitsuhoshi, who had some connection with him, felt slightly irritated.

Firstly, such a quick counterattack was impossible.

The withdrawal strategy had been successful, minimizing casualties, but they had left behind a large amount of supplies in their retreat.

While the Asakura army had suffered significant losses, it was not enough to hinder their military actions.

The Asai and Mount Hiei could make up for the numbers, so the damage could be ignored.

"It will take some time, but we will surely defeat them."

Nobunaga calmly and quietly accepted Yoshimasa's command.

Mitsuhiko was impressed that he didn't lose his temper.

"Then, I will offer a reward."

"A reward?"

Surprised by Yoshimasa's offer of a reward, Nobunaga showed a rare look of bewilderment.

"Following the example of Shogun Yoshinori, I will order Nobunaga to punish Mount Hiei. The authority to punish temples and shrines is a legitimate right granted to the shogunate."

As he spoke, Yoshimasa handed Nobunaga a document that read, "Punish Mount Hiei! I formally permit it."

Nobunaga, who received it, was trembling slightly.

("Wow, he's really angry.")

In this era, temples and shrines were independent forces that surrounded manors and territories, engaged in money lending and business, and operated towns in front of famous temples, rejecting the rule of daimyo and local samurai.

The farmers, local samurai, and monks who followed them were also armed and had military power.

Under the name of the gods, they would attack other sects, political enemies, and daimyo, and might even be worse than daimyo.

At least, daimyo did not use gods or Buddhas as excuses for war.

"I look forward to your efforts, Nobunaga."

Finally, after hearing the encouraging words from Fujitaka, everyone left the palace.

"Mitsuhiko, are you angry?"

"Religion is just a tool for worldly gain, in my opinion."

As a resident of a far future, Mitsuhiko did not hold religion in such high regard.

There had been various fraudulent religious leaders and cults, and even cases where religious extremists engaged in piracy for profit.

He understood the fear of fanatics better than anyone.

When he captured pirates, they would scream incomprehensible things and commit suicide while praying to their gods, which would make anyone question religion.

Therefore, while he protected ordinary temples with monetary support, he worked behind the scenes to weaken the power of Nagashima.

"Monks hold vast incomes from tribute and manors, and can mobilize their followers. They are no different from samurai, aren't they?"

"Indeed, you are right, Mitsuhiko."

Ieyasu, who had recently struggled with the Ikko-ikki, agreed with Mitsuhiko's opinion.

"If they have become our enemies, it is inevitable that we must destroy them."

"Indeed."

Nobunaga sought permission from the court as a precaution.

The court, which did not want the destruction of Mount Hiei, proposed a peace plan, but the Mount Hiei side rejected it.

They must have realized that without their support, the Asai-Asakura alliance alone could not defeat Nobunaga.

Feeling insulted by Mount Hiei, the court granted permission for its destruction.

Now, Nobunaga had no choice but to punish Mount Hiei.

"Is it really okay to destroy Mount Hiei?"

"There are many temples in Japan, so it won't make much difference if one burns down."

"Mitsuhiko, you sometimes say scary things."

Though he was called scary, Mitsuhiko truly believed it.

He wondered why they split so easily despite worshipping the same gods and Buddhas.

He also questioned whether they needed so much money and land for their gods and Buddhas.

"Let's burn and disinfect Mount Hiei."

The Oda army, led by Nobunaga, returned to Gifu to secure supplies and then reassembled a large army to counter the Miyoshi forces in Settsu.

They would face the combined forces of the Asai, Asakura, and Mount Hiei...

"Did I speak too boldly? We have to deal with the monks of Mount Hiei..."

The Shinchi and Kuroda armies, totaling 15,000 men, would face a combined force of 28,000 men.

"If we can hold out until the Lord returns victorious against the Miyoshi, we will win."

"At least, the enemy is not in a perfect state..."

The Shinchi-Kuroda allied forces were facing the Asai, Asakura, and Mount Hiei allied forces, which numbered 28,000.

Though they were at a numerical disadvantage, Hideyoshi did not seem too worried.

"The Asai clan's morale must be low due to the confinement of Nagamasa."

The young retainers who supported Nagamasa, who had contributed to the expansion of the Asai clan, were strongly opposed to his confinement.

Nagamasa had made no mistakes, yet he was forced into retirement by the incompetent and war-averse Hisamasa.

It was unlikely that he would be treated well.

Moreover, most of the senior retainers who had agreed to Hisamasa's confinement were now supporting Nagamasa's confinement and siding with Hisamasa.

Many of the local samurai who supported them did not send troops, and the current Asai army numbered only about 5,000.

Many of the retainers and local samurai who were forced to send troops were reluctant.

"The Asakura clan is also concerned about the Ikko-ikki in Kaga."

The Asakura clan could not send their entire army.

They needed to prepare for Kaga.

Similarly, the relationship between the Tendai sect of Mount Hiei and the Ikko-ikki based in Ishiyama was hostile, and it was impossible for them to cooperate against the Oda clan.

They would rather fight each other for followers and interests.

"Their coordination is also lacking."

Chokichi, also known as "Hanbei," who served as a retainer to Hideyoshi, did not seem to feel much urgency.

"They have never trained together. The monks of Mount Hiei are elite, but the followers are not. We should take advantage of this and aim to divide the enemy."

Hanbei was a wise man known as "Konsho" and served as a strategist for Hideyoshi.

("Konsho sounds cool. I wonder if I could be called 'Kohaku' or something?")

Seikichi, who heard this, looked envious, but Mitsuhiko felt sympathy for Hanbei, who had such a nickname.

He thought only his younger brother would be happy with such a nickname.

"With 12,000 men, including 7,000 arquebusiers, I would not fight Shinchi head-on."

The battle began, and the Asai, Asakura, and Mount Hiei armies attacked simultaneously.

They must have thought they could win with their numerical advantage.

Since they lacked proper coordination, attacking all at once was their only option.

"On the contrary, they don't expect proper coordination. They can only rely on their numbers."

Following Hanbei's strategy to create a gap in the attack, the arquebusiers focused their fire on the Asai army.

"Stay calm! It's just what they want!"

"The vanguard..."

The Asai army's vanguard was annihilated in an instant by the concentrated fire of thousands of arquebuses.

"That's why you shouldn't have betrayed the Oda clan!"

Miyabe Tsunemasa, who had no choice but to join the battle with Nagamasa as a hostage, grimaced at the Shinchi army's gunfire, which caused over 300 casualties at once.

"Asakura clan! You betrayed the Asai clan and are holding back on reinforcements!"

The Asakura clan sent only about 10,000 men as reinforcements, citing the need to prepare for the Ikko-ikki in Kaga.

Tsunemasa wondered why they didn't send more troops at this critical moment for the Asai clan.

He was also frustrated by the fact that the largest force, the Mount Hiei army, consisted mostly of destitute vagrants.

"Is the Oda army just stalling for time?"

As they attacked, the Oda army retreated while maintaining a steady rate of gunfire, causing many casualties.

Especially among the Mount Hiei vagrants, the gunfire caused chaos, and some were already fleeing.

The experienced monk soldiers tried to stop them, but they were also hit by gunfire and arrows, causing many casualties.

Tsunemasa was impressed by the skill of the Shinchi army's arquebusiers, who could aim and shoot accurately.

"At least, we must defeat them before Nobunaga returns!"

The Shinchi and Kuroda allied forces did not force a decisive battle.

By evening, the Asai, Asakura, and Mount Hiei allied forces had suffered many casualties.

Tsunemasa was impressed that the enemy's forces had not yet collapsed.

"If this continues..."

Judging that night battles were dangerous, the fighting resumed on the second day.

Tsunemasa regretted that they could not attack as soon as the gunfire slowed down.

The Mount Hiei forces suffered the most.

After a loud explosion, many of their men fell, and others fled in panic.

Though the allies still outnumbered the enemy, the Mount Hiei forces, consisting mostly of destitute vagrants, fled when hit by gunfire, but their supply lines seemed to be well-stocked.

As a former monk, Tsunemasa reaffirmed the power of religion.

He was not a pure believer, but his knowledge of the inner workings of temples made him understand their reality.

"Why doesn't their gunfire stop?"

The number of arquebuses and the amount of gunpowder and ammunition in the Shinchi army were beyond what Tsunemasa considered normal.

"Our allies are unreliable."

The Asakura army, led by commanders Asakura Kageakira and Asakura Kagekatsu, were more concerned about Echizen and did not fully engage in the battle.

They clearly intended to stay in the rear to avoid casualties, leaving the Asai and Mount Hiei armies to take the brunt of the gunfire.

Losing troops would weaken their own forces.

It was common for samurai of this era to avoid unnecessary casualties.

"This is ridiculous!"

After two days of increasing casualties, Tsunemasa was shouting in the night camp.

He wondered why they had to lose men in such a pointless battle.

"Be quiet, Tsunemasa."

Abe Masahisa, who was nearby, scolded the shouting Tsunemasa.

"How can I not shout? Masahisa, what do you think?"

"Whatever, as long as Nagamasa is in that state, there's nothing we can do."

The young and capable Nagamasa had the support of many retainers.

Since he was being treated like a hostage, they had to follow Hisamasa's orders and send troops.

Some were still observing the situation, but the Asai clan had no time to deal with them.

"Are the three retainers and Naotada still arguing?"

"Yes, as usual."

In response to Masahisa's question, Tsunemasa answered in a mocking tone.

The "three retainers" of the Asai clan, who had supported Hisamasa's coup and confined Nagamasa, and Naotada, who was loyal to Nagamasa, were in conflict within the army.

Naotada was reluctantly cooperating with Hisamasa to protect the confined Nagamasa and his family.

This situation inevitably led to disagreements with the three retainers.

"There's nothing we can do. We may need to make a decision."

That decision was to abandon the Asai clan.

Loyalty to one's lord was important, but preserving one's own family was more crucial.

Switching to the stronger Oda clan would not be criticized.

"First, if we prolong this, defeat is certain."

"But a forced offensive will only increase casualties from gunfire."

Tsunemasa and Masahisa had no options, and the battle dragged on.

The Shinchi and Kuroda allied forces tried to minimize their own casualties while sparing no ammunition.

With a steady supply, they fired without restraint every day.

As a result, the Asai, Asakura, and Mount Hiei allied forces suffered many casualties, and their morale was low due to internal conflicts.

"Defeat the enemy of the Buddha, Nobunaga!"

The only ones who seemed enthusiastic were the monk soldiers.

Nobunaga was considered an enemy of the Buddha, but Tsunemasa did not understand why.

As a former monk, he understood that Nobunaga was an enemy of temples, not of the Buddha.

Monks would label anyone who was inconvenient as an enemy of the Buddha and have their followers eliminate them, leading to corruption and the rise of new sects, which would then become corrupt.

As a former monk, Tsunemasa had a pragmatic view of temples.

"Well, it will be over soon."

Why were the Shinchi and Kuroda forces stalling for time?

Five days into the battle, the reason became clear.

The main Oda army, having driven the Miyoshi forces back to the sea, arrived as reinforcements from Settsu.

"Charge!"

With Nobunaga's command, the forces of Shibata, Sasaki, Kuroda, Takigawa, Akechi, and Matsunaga attacked the Asai, Asakura, and Mount Hiei allied forces, causing them to disintegrate like a punctured balloon.

"Retreat!"

The three forces scattered in retreat, but the Asai army was largely left behind.

("My Lord, the Asai can be swayed through diplomacy, I think.")

("Let's try it.")

Before the battle, Hideyoshi had suggested this to Nobunaga, and it was accepted.

Therefore, they did not pursue the retreating forces, and few of the local samurai returned to Kannonji Castle.

Only the three retainers, who were now in a desperate situation, and Naotada, who was concerned about Nagamasa, remained, and the rest returned to their own territories, gradually surrendering to Hideyoshi's diplomacy.

"Seek refuge in Mount Hiei!"

The Asakura army, suffering from relentless pursuit, managed to retreat to the gates of Mount Hiei, planning to hold out and wait for reinforcements from Echizen.

"The authority to punish is granted by Lord Yoshimasa."

"Should we inform the daimyo and others as a precaution?"

"Why do you think so?"

While surrounding Mount Hiei with the entire army, Nobunaga asked Mitsuhiko, who had advised him, about his intentions.

"The current Lord is a key figure in the shogunate, defending Lord Yoshimasa. People tend to criticize such figures. While it's inevitable, it's not good to be misunderstood as suppressing temples without reason. We should clarify the situation to reduce opposition."

"Should we inform them in detail?"

"Yes. Oda Shogun is punishing Mount Hiei by order of Lord Yoshimasa."

"Alright. Should we stop the attack until then?"

"No, a report after the fact will suffice."

Nobunaga initially ordered the monks and followers in Mount Hiei to evacuate and did not attack those who came down the mountain.

The Mount Hiei side, due to concerns about food supplies after taking in the Asakura army, instructed those who would not be useful in the fight against the enemy of the Buddha to leave.

As the two sides faced off, Mount Hiei was finally set ablaze.

The Oda army spread oil at the base of the mountain and set it on fire, launching flaming arrows to burn the gates.

Those who tried to escape were met with relentless gunfire.

"You, enemy of the Buddha, Nobunaga! How dare you attack Mount Hiei!"

Trapped by the flames, the leaders of Mount Hiei, including the abbot, were consumed by the fire.

Except for a few who managed to escape, all were beheaded, and many buildings were reduced to ashes.

With the destruction of the main temple, the Tendai sect lost much of its power, and the Oda clan confiscated the temple lands they deemed excessive.

The Asakura army, including many soldiers and commanders led by Asakura Kageakira and Asakura Kagekatsu, shared the fate of Mount Hiei.