Chapter 54

"Thanks to Lord Takeda's envoy, Takei Yūan, the peace agreement with the Hojo family has been successfully concluded."

"Perhaps it's time to turn the tide?"

"We cannot go against Lord's orders, can we?"

"Well, maintaining the status quo is a sufficient victory, isn't it?"

In the spring of the third year of Genki, Kōki was listening to reports from Honda Masanobu in the renovated Sunpu Castle. The unexpected chaos that began after the decisive battle with Shingen at Hamamatsu Castle had finally subsided.

Kōki decided to pursue Shingen to finish him off. However, considering the supply lines, it was also necessary to pacify eastern Tōtōmi and Suruga, so he entrusted a part of his forces to Seikō to carry out the pursuit.

Everyone in the Shinchi family thought Shingen had fled to Sunpu, but in reality, he had escaped to Kai by crossing the mountains from Futamata Castle via the upper reaches of the Ōi River. Neither Kōki nor Seikō had anticipated this move. They captured Futamata Castle, Kakegawa Castle, Yokosuka Castle, Takatenjin Castle, and Sunpu Castle in succession, eliminating the Takeda garrison forces and making the local lords of Tōtōmi swear allegiance to the Oda family. When they reached Kōkokuji Castle in eastern Suruga, they found that the Hojo army was attacking the Takeda garrison at Kōkokuji Castle.

The Hojo family, the powerful lords of Kantō, had begun their attack to seize eastern Suruga, as the alliance with the Takeda family had been dissolved due to the invasion of Suruga.

"Masanobu, do you think the Hojo army will retreat if we tell them to?"

"Of course not, they won't be that easy."

"Yeah, I thought so... I just wanted to ask, just in case."

There was no proper negotiation route between the Oda and Hojo families, let alone an alliance. While Kōki was desperately trying to eliminate the Takeda forces and take Suruga, he couldn't let the Hojo family take it away. However, a full-scale confrontation would be unwise, so he sent an envoy first to convey his intentions.

"Suruga will be ours, and Sagami and Izu will remain with the Hojo family."

"Given that they have invested so much effort and resources, they won't accept it. They won't leave empty-handed."

"Still, I want to leave a record that we tried to negotiate. But, is it safe for the envoy?"

"I don't think they will kill the envoy outright... The Hojo family is somewhat concerned about public opinion..."

"Hmm, somewhat..."

"Lord, I will go to the Hojo army's headquarters as an envoy."

The one who volunteered was Kishimura Noriaki, a rather unassuming figure in the Shinchi family. Though not particularly outstanding, he was willing to take on tasks that others were reluctant to do, and Kōki favored him for his support from behind the scenes.

Noraki was content with his current treatment, understanding his own capabilities. He was not a person who pushed himself and got along well with other senior retainers of the Shinchi family.

"But, isn't it dangerous, Noriaki?"

Although Noriaki said he was fine, Masanobu was a bit worried since they were from the same Mikawa group.

"Since Lord Masanobu, the wise advisor of the Shinchi family, thinks it's safe, it should be fine. Even if something happens to me, my son Jūro will ensure the Kishimura family's safety."

Jūro, Noriaki's eldest son, was the best friend of Kōki's eldest son, Tarō. Though still a child, Jūro showed signs of talent, and Kōki and Kyouko believed he would become a powerful aide to Tarō. Knowing this, Noriaki confidently stated that it would be fine even if he were killed by the Hojo army.

"Don't provoke them. Just calmly convey the conditions."

"Lord, I don't have such talent. I will just go as an envoy."

Noriaki went to the Hojo army's headquarters as an envoy but returned quickly, reporting that his proposal had been rejected.

"Lord, I'm sorry. I failed."

"I'm the one who should apologize for pushing you into a futile negotiation. It was necessary to have a record that we tried to negotiate."

"I see, that's important."

The Hojo army did not kill the envoy, but they were furious at the proposal and responded with, "We will enforce our will with our bows and arrows!" The attempt at a peaceful resolution failed, and a battle with the Hojo army ensued.

"Is the general, Ujiie, easily provoked?"

"Being young, he might be carried away by his bloodlust."

The Hojo army, led by Ujiie, included Matsuda Yasakata, Daidōji Masahiro, Ōtsubo Hidetada, Shimizu Yasuhide, and Nishina Moritō, with a total of 18,000 men. The opposing Shinchi army had about 15,000 men. The Hojo army, lacking information about the Shinchi forces, was thoroughly defeated by the well-prepared Shinchi army. The Hojo general, Ujiie, along with Ōtsubo Hidetada, Shimizu Yasuhide, and Nishina Moritō, was killed, and Daidōji Masahiro led the remaining troops to retreat to Sagami.

"What are those Shinchi people, anyway!"

Surprised by the abnormal strength of the Shinchi army, Daidōji Masahiro led the defeated troops to retreat to Sagami with a resolve to die.

The Shinchi army relentlessly pursued the Hojo forces, achieving significant victories. However, the issue was that they had entered a state of war with the Hojo family. Kōki had taken Kōkokuji Castle and pacified Suruga, but this was also because the few Takeda garrison forces had abandoned the castle and fled during the battle with the Hojo army.

However, their end was tragic. Most of them were killed by local peasants who had realized the decline of the Takeda family.

"Will Shingen come out?"

"I don't think he has that much leeway..."

Although the conflict with the Hojo family had escalated, Kōki received a letter of support from the Shogun, Yoshiaki.

"The Hojo family is a rebel who treats the Koga Kubō as a puppet and disregards the Ashikaga Shogunate!"

The letter from Yoshiaki stated this, and for some reason, Kōki continued the attack. However, the lack of a clear end to the offensive was a concern, so he also asked Nobunaga to negotiate with the Hojo family.

"Should we take Izu..."

"That seems to be the best course of action."

Attacking Odawara would lead to a full-scale war, so Kōki decided to attack Izu, where the influential leader Shimizu Yasuhide had been killed, causing confusion. He quickly occupied the southern Izu, including the port of Shimoda, and the Izu navy, led by Kajiwara Kagesuke, surrendered to the Shinchi navy.

Kajiwara Kagesuke, originally from Kii Province, submitted smoothly as Kii was already part of the Shinchi family's territory.

Having secured Izu, the Shinchi army then governed Tōtōmi, Suruga, and Izu while restraining the Hojo and Takeda families, waiting for a peace agreement.

Initially, the Hojo family aimed to retake Izu and eastern Suruga, but the defeat of the Hojo army led to increased activity among the local lords in Kantō who raised the anti-Hojo banner. The fourth-generation head of the Hojo family, Ujimasa, who had just lost his great father Ujiyasu, had no choice but to conclude a peace agreement with the Oda family.

"All of Suruga and Izu will go to the Oda side. A ceasefire on these terms..."

The Hojo family, fearing a pincer attack, was forced to accept a peace agreement favorable to the Oda family. However, they did not mention the ceasefire period, indicating they had not given up on a counterattack.

"We also have to deal with Uesugi Kagekatsu, so a ceasefire in this area would be ideal."

Thus, the peace agreement was concluded, and Kōki received a reward from Nobunaga.

"Tōtōmi, Suruga, and Izu. In exchange, the confiscation of Kii and the western part of Owari...?"

The territory increased, but the Shinchi family's base, which they had developed with great effort, including the town and Shinchi Castle, became a direct territory of the Oda family. The same applied to Kii, which they had also pacified with great effort.

"Well, there's no choice. We'll have to work hard to develop it again."

The stone yield would increase, but the transfer of the original territory was a common practice by Nobunaga. This was to strengthen the Oda family while also making the retainers understand the gap between the lord and the vassals. He also observed whether the retainers could govern the new territories effectively, not just in battle.

Kōki understood that opposing Nobunaga would not be beneficial and accepted the terms.

"This time, the reward is enormous."

"Yes, a mountain of gold dust that dazzles the eyes."

It was likely to help with the development of the new territories. In addition to swords and paintings, a large amount of silver and gold dust was given as a reward. Nobunaga was showing consideration for Kōki.

"The transfer will take time, so we'll consider that period..."

The Shinchi family had many things to transfer, and they would be given time to do so. In terms of stone yield, they were receiving twice what they had lost in Kii and Owari.

There were many good ports along the coast, and with development, the income should increase significantly.

"So, that's the situation."

"Understood. Brother, let's move the base to Sunpu."

"Agreed."

When Kōki visited Seikō, who was hiding in Shinchi, he suggested moving the base to Sunpu.

"Lord probably wants to control all the maritime routes in Ise Bay. The confiscation of Ise is also possible."

If Kōki took Kantō, there might be a situation where he had to return Ise to the Oda family. Seikō suggested temporarily moving the functions of Shinchi to Sunpu.

"I'll leave it to you, Seikō."

"I'm on it. We'll transfer everything that can be moved. I'll hide in Sunpu this time."

"Try to go out sometimes..."

"Maybe when I feel like it."

"I doubt that day will come..."

Thus, the transfer of the base and the development of the new territories began. The Oda family was still in conflict with Ishiyama Hongan-ji, and Akechi Mitsuhide was engaged in a fierce battle with Akai Naomasa in Tamba. Azai Nagamasa had subdued Ichikawa Yoshinari in Tango, and Yamana Sakihisa in Tottori had also surrendered to the Oda family.

The Kinai region was relatively stable, but it was still being troubled by periodic uprisings by the Ikkō-ikki. In Kaga, Shibata Katsuie was continuing to suppress the Ikkō-ikki who had invaded from Echizen.

"Sunpu is a beautiful place."

"It's warm."

"I heard it was devastated by the Takeda army..."

Today, Oichi, and Hachiko, along with the children, had also moved. They made the new Sunpu Castle, which was being transferred from Shinchi, their base, and finally, the family could live together again.

The appointment of new retainers and the replenishment of troops were busy tasks, but Kōki was also planning the invasion of Kai. Hideyoshi and Ichiyasu, who were in southern Shinano, were to coordinate and invade northern Shinano.

Nobunaga, who wanted to eliminate the threat of Takeda Shingen as soon as possible, had approved the plan.

"Another war?"

"Leaving Shingen alone, what do you think?"

"No, it's extremely dangerous."

"That's why."

Today also thought that Shingen's existence was malicious. She stopped complaining about Kōki's frequent departures for war and agreed with the plan.

"If we take Kai, we can have a peaceful life for a while."

While saying this to Today, Kōki continued to prepare for the invasion of Kai. Of course, he knew it wouldn't be that simple.