Chapter 80

"Uncle, it is finally time to use the combined strength of all the northeastern lords to secure victory over the Tsuda family."

Moriaki Yoshiaki sighed as he listened to his nephew, Date Masamune, confidently explain his surefire strategy right before his eyes. As the new head of the Date family, Masamune had lost all his territories, including his base in Yamagata, to the Tsuda family. With the help of Yoshiaki, he had destroyed the Onodera and Tazawa families, and acquired new territories.

Furthermore, he had subjugated the Asahina, Yuzi Twelve Clans, and Ando families, and actively pursued diplomacy with the Nanbu and Oshika families, successfully forming a coalition army that included almost all the northern lords of Mutsu.

Such difficult tasks were carried out by Masamune, who was only thirteen years old. Yoshiaki was amazed by his nephew's abilities, but at the same time, he found it troublesome.

Just as he had finally brought the powerful clans of Kaneyama, Tendo, Shiratori, and Sakanobuto under control, he now had to participate in the war against the Tsuda family.

"What a brat, what is he up to!"

To Yoshiaki, Masamune's actions were nothing but a nuisance. He was already struggling to defend his territories against the powerful Tsuda and Uesugi families, and the idea of attacking the Tsuda family was sheer madness.

"What do you think of the Tsuda family's national power and military strength?"

"Yes, Uncle. We are planning to open two fronts. The Nanbu, Oshika, Kuji, Waga, and Hekurashi families will aim for the former Kasai and Osaki territories."

"Damn it..."

Yoshiaki could see through Masamune's intentions. He was planning to draw the main forces of the Tsuda family to the Nanbu army, and during that time, the Date and Mogami coalition army would retake Yamagata and force the Tsuda army to retreat through negotiations.

The Nanbu and other families might have seen through Masamune's intentions, but they might not have an accurate grasp of the Tsuda family's military strength. However, they had a sense of crisis after witnessing the fall of the Kasai and Osaki families, and thus formed a coalition army despite their previous internal conflicts.

Yoshiaki thought it was fair to acknowledge that Masamune had skillfully exploited this situation. However, he believed that the idea that they could win with this strategy was overly optimistic.

"Can we win without the entire army facing the Tsuda forces?"

"Uncle, that is impossible."

Indeed, it was impossible... or rather, extremely difficult. The constant bickering and disputes among the lords meant that forming a coalition army could lead to poor coordination.

Dividing the army and establishing two fronts was not a bad strategy. It would prevent betrayal on the battlefield and allow them to focus on their respective objectives.

Yoshiaki found himself disliking this line of thought, but unfortunately, this was the reality of Mutsu at the time.

"Wouldn't it be better to build up our strength a bit more before acting?"

"No, that won't work."

Yoshiaki thought he understood. Masamune had planned a rebellion of the local samurai in Yamagata, but it had not gathered much support. The prosperity provided by the Tsuda family had suppressed their movements.

When the rebellion had occurred on a large scale during the fall of Yamagata, it turned out to be a trap set by the Tsuda family. Many were killed or surrendered, and now, even if a rebellion were to occur, the numbers would be too small to make a difference.

If the Tsuda family's rule over Yamagata continued, a rebellion against the Date family might occur when they tried to reclaim it. Masamune's timing to act before the Tsuda family's influence took hold was correct, but whether they had the necessary military strength was another matter.

"Of course, we need your participation, Uncle. This is the collective will of all the northeastern lords. Surely, you won't refuse to participate, will you?"

"...I will send troops."

If he did not participate, the Mogami family might be destroyed by the Tsuda family as traitors. Reluctantly, Yoshiaki agreed to send troops, but at the same time, he began to scheme in secret about how to survive.

"Lord, please let me command the separate force."

"Please convey my regards to the Nanbu and Oshika. I probably won't see their faces."

After the autumn harvest, the Tsuda army, consisting of 100,000 troops, invaded the enemy territories from two directions. The Tsuda army would not hesitate to attack enemy territories first to prevent the destruction of their own developed lands.

Commanders like Shimakage Kiyotaka and Takebe Kibei launched a rapid attack on the Waga territory, and the Waga family was destroyed before the Nanbu and Oshika reinforcements arrived. They then attacked the Hekurashi territory and engaged in a full-scale battle with the Nanbu, Oshika, and Kuji coalition army.

The separate force, consisting of 50,000 troops, including 40,000 muskets and 300 bronze small cannons, launched a fierce attack. The coalition army suffered over 20,000 casualties and retreated, and the Tsuda army ravaged the area up to the Tsugaru Peninsula in about a month.

Southern lords such as Nanbu Harumasa, Harutsugu, Nobunao, Kita Nobuyasu, Oshika Masahide, Kuji Masahide, and Waga Yoshitada were killed, and almost all the lords were destroyed.

"Attack begins!"

The coalition army, led by the Date and Mogami families, aimed to retake Yamagata, but they were hit by a preemptive attack by the main force led by Tsuda Mitsuaki.

"Lord Takanaga Matsu, killed by gunfire!"

"Lord Shimura Mitsuaki, killed by cannon fire!"

"Lord Sakanobuto Masahiro's whereabouts are unknown! He is probably dead!"

Reports of the deaths of the Mogami family's vassals came in one after another, and the soldiers were falling to gunfire. Even when they finally got close, the Tsuda army was not weak in hand-to-hand combat.

Equipped with uniform and splendid weapons, the Tsuda soldiers attacked with their sturdy spears and swords. Yoshiaki had hoped that the mercenaries hired by the Tsuda family would flee in a chaotic battle, but unfortunately, their morale was high.

They received daily rigorous training, and while the lower-ranking soldiers were not hereditary, they had a system where they could recommend their relatives or acquaintances for positions if they were killed in battle or retired. They also received a substantial consolation payment and job placement for their families if they were killed or injured. If they were recognized as deserters, they would lose these rights, so they fought desperately, and Yoshiaki's plans were thwarted.

"Big guns!"

It seemed that the coalition army was able to approach the Tsuda main camp easily because they were also firing guns from the rear. Near Yoshiaki, the ground was dug up by the impact of the guns, and soldiers hit by direct hits were torn apart.

"Masamune!"

Yoshiaki was furious with his nephew, Masamune, who had caused this situation, but now was not the time for that. He hurried to prepare for a retreat, but Masamune had already fled with his troops.

"That damn brat!"

Yoshiaki cursed Masamune without reservation. The Date army had no command over the Mogami army, so fleeing was not a problem, but he was frustrated that the coalition army's leader had fled first.

"Surrender! Can you follow Masamune?"

Realizing that the situation was hopeless, Yoshiaki decided to surrender to the Tsuda army. He was immediately disarmed by the Tsuda army and placed under house arrest in a temple with his surviving vassals. All the castles in the Mogami territory fell, and his family was also placed under house arrest. Many local samurai who fought to the end were wiped out along with their families.

As for Masamune, who had fled...

"Hmph! If you want to cut off my head, do it!"

He was quickly surrounded by the separate force that had taken control of the Tsugaru region and surrendered without a fight. When brought before Mitsuaki, Masamune did not beg for his life but shouted defiantly.

"Wasn't your estimation of our military strength a bit too optimistic?"

Mitsuaki tried to speak to the young Masamune, who was even younger than his own son, Nobuteru. Seeing him face to face, he found it difficult to immediately order his execution.

"I thought it would work."

"I see."

"If I get another chance, I will definitely defeat the Tsuda army!"

Masamune's bold declaration left Yoshiaki feeling dizzy. He wondered what the point of being so defiant was and silently advised Masamune to be a bit more humble for a comeback.

"Hmm, can you win next time?"

"Yes, I will definitely win!"

"Then, let's look forward to the next opportunity. However, you must work hard in Ezo."

"Whether it's Ezo or not, I will definitely rise again!"

Masamune's grand words were recognized by Mitsuaki, and the Date army was released. However, they were immediately sent to Ezo on Tsuda navy ships. They were given some weapons and food, but they had to survive on their own after that.

"Hmph! We just need to attack Kakioka!"

Still, the Date family was a prestigious clan. Vassals and their families, as well as the families and vassals of the defeated northeastern lords, joined together, and nearly 10,000 people landed in Ezo.

"Uncle, will you not raise a banner in Ezo?"

"No, I will decline..."

Yoshiaki declined Masamune's invitation. He thought it would be better to surrender to the Tsuda family and serve them rather than go to such an undeveloped and extremely cold land.

"I will conquer Ezo and the north and challenge the Tsuda family!"

Masamune, without any remorse, set out for Ezo with the goal of defeating Tsuda Mitsuaki in the future.