Chapter 52

"Mitsuhiko, we have obtained West Tōtōmi, but we should consider this as temporary."

"Now, our vassals have been annihilated, but Lord, you should want to give Tōtōmi to Nobuyasu, right?"

Mitsuhiko obtained West Tōtōmi, but he considered it temporary.

Shōshin also agreed and was currently prioritizing the reinforcement of Hamamatsu Castle.

Due to the Takeda army, many refugees were flowing in from East Tōtōmi and Suruga, and Mitsuhiko understood why he was given West Tōtōmi by Nobunaga.

If the current Tokugawa clan were left in charge, it could lead to the collapse of Mikawa.

If the governance of Mikawa collapses, the damage would spread to Owari.

And it seems that Shingen is aiming for that.

This is why Mitsuhiko must do something about it.

"The deficit is so large, there's nothing we can do about it."

With a large number of refugees flowing in, ensuring their resettlement and basic needs, as well as reinforcing Hamamatsu Castle and the military, the finances of the Shinchi family were in a severe deficit.

Of course, this was the official financial situation.

"Right now, we have savings, so we can manage..."

Shōshin couldn't tell Mitsuhiko to complain to Nobunaga here.

As the lord of Ise Shima, Iga, and Kii, Mitsuhiko is viewed with suspicion by many of the Oda family vassals.

The Takeda family and others are likely spreading rumors and working to cause defections.

Nobunaga doesn't trust him, but his attitude could change at any time.

Managing the Shinchi family is not easy, and to avoid suspicion from the Oda family, Shōshin thought it was necessary to accept some losses.

"There's no point in only talking about gloomy things. Let's have a meal."

"That's right."

Today, the senior officers of the Shinchi army gathered for a meal.

"The best thing about Hamamatsu Castle is the abundant produce of Lake Hamana."

Mitsuhiko heard that it was a freshwater lake a few decades ago, but it became a brackish lake due to an earthquake and tsunami.

Lake Hamana is famous for eels, sea bass, goby, flounder, oysters, fresh nori, and soft-shelled turtles, and the sea of Tōtōmi Bay is also rich in seafood.

The most famous are shirasu and hamo, and of course, Mitsuhiko had everything brought in with money.

"I've made eel dishes for lunch."

"Wow!"

To reward his vassals, Mitsuhiko served eel dishes for lunch.

The standard unadon, hitsumabushi, liver soup, and bone crackers were enjoyed by Shōshin and Seishō.

"I know it's tough, but please do your best."

"If we can eat such a feast, we have motivation to work hard."

"That's right. The unadon is delicious, but this hitsumabushi, when hot broth is poured over it, can be eaten endlessly."

"My energy is renewed."

Shōshin and the others were very satisfied and headed to their afternoon work.

"Look forward to dinner too."

For dinner, there were sea bass sashimi, muni, hōjizakana, fried, sautéed, simmered, and grilled skin dishes.

Since it was an era with little environmental destruction, sea bass was an excellent ingredient with no waste.

"Tonight's meal is also excellent."

"We are away from our families, living in Hamamatsu Castle. Let's enjoy good food."

No vassals or soldiers had brought their families to West Tōtōmi.

Since the battlefield could appear at any time, everyone was living alone.

To relieve stress, Mitsuhiko often had good meals.

"Today, we have shirasu don and simmered flounder."

"Wow!"

"Today, I've had grilled oysters, fried oysters, oyster pot, oyster rice, omelet with oysters, and oyster soup prepared."

"Wow, it looks delicious!"

"For a snack, I've made Hamana Lake baked goods."

"The flavor of shirasu and nori is the best!"

"Tonight, it's all hamo dishes! Steamed, soup, tsubu steam, hamo sushi, tempura, grilled hamo, and fried hamo!"

"Hamana Lake is truly an excellent fishing ground."

Mitsuhiko served delicious dishes to his vassals every few days to keep their morale up.

The biggest reason was that he wanted to eat them himself, but he was living alone in Hamamatsu Castle, separated from his family.

He thought this level of luxury was acceptable.

Then, while he was thinking about what to have the chef prepare today, Shōshin suddenly rushed in.

"Lord! Lord Nobunaga is coming here soon!"

"Huh? I didn't hear anything..."

Mitsuhiko didn't expect Nobunaga to come to Hamamatsu Castle, which could be a battlefield at any time.

"Anyway, prepare for his arrival!"

"Understood!"

Mitsuhiko and everyone else prepared and managed to get the minimum preparations ready before Nobunaga arrived.

"Lord, I'm surprised by your sudden visit."

"Yes, I have responsibilities to Nobuyasu."

Nobunaga seemed to have extended his visit to Hamamatsu Castle while on his way to Mikawa.

Nobuyasu, who had just succeeded the Tokugawa family, is his son-in-law, and he probably thinks he needs to help him.

"Takechiyo... Ieyasu and I have been close since childhood..."

Nobunaga, with a reflective expression, explained that because of their close relationship, he formed an alliance where the Oda family would control the area west of Owari, and the Tokugawa family would control the area east of Mikawa.

"When I unify the country, I intended to entrust the eastern provinces to Ieyasu... But I never thought he would waste his talent out of impatience... No, it's over now. Since Shigenori is responsible for this defeat, I must take care of Nobuyasu. An equal relationship is impossible, but I must at least guarantee Mikawa and Tōtōmi. This is the only way I can console Ieyasu."

"That's right."

In the future, the Shinchi family might lose West Tōtōmi, but Mitsuhiko did not object.

"I'm sorry."

"No, don't worry about it."

Nobunaga knew he was being unreasonable to Mitsuhiko, so he changed his schedule to meet him.

Mitsuhiko reconsidered and thought Nobunaga wasn't such a bad lord after all.

"Without Ieyasu, I have no choice but to entrust the east to Mitsuhiko. This is just a plan for now..."

It seems that the Shinchi family will be entrusted with the eastern provinces in the future.

Mitsuhiko prepared himself for a possible move.

"Let's stop the difficult talk here. By the way, I hear that Mitsuhiko is enjoying the produce of Lake Hamana with Shōshin and Seishō every day. I will stay for about three days."

"Understood (I see...)."

Mitsuhiko, feeling a bit disappointed, reconsidered and thought Nobunaga wasn't a bad person.

Nobunaga stayed at Hamamatsu Castle for three days and enjoyed various dishes and desserts made from Lake Hamana produce before returning to Azuchi.

"Masaari, I'm back."

"Welcome back, Lord (Lord, the produce of Lake Hamana is so delicious...)."

Masaari, who was on duty in Azuchi, noticed that Nobunaga, whom he hadn't seen for about half a month, had gained some weight and wished he had gone along.

"Masaari, this is a gift from Mitsuhiko."

"For me?"

It wasn't that Masaari's thoughts were read by Nobunaga, but rather a thoughtful gesture from Mitsuhiko, who thought Masaari must have been busy while Nobunaga was away.

"I also received this. The oysters, clams, and eel tsukudani are exceptionally delicious. They are best when added to hot water."

"Thank you, Lord!"

Masaari, feeling motivated to work hard from the next day, happily received the gift from Nobunaga.