Chapter 87

"Only Kyushu remains, but before that, we need to redistribute the territories among the generals and establish governance in the newly conquered territories. But for now, let's express our gratitude for everyone's efforts."

The campaign to conquer China and Shikoku was successful, and Nobunaga had called the generals who participated in the operation to Ishiyama to celebrate.

"Kurō, you haven't aged a bit. As expected, you are still formidable, Shibata."

"Haha!"

Nobunaga, in a good mood, poured sake for the generals who participated in the operation and praised their efforts. He first praised Shibata Katsuie, giving him swords and tea utensils to show everyone that he was the chief elder of the Oda family. Katsuie received the cup from Nobunaga with great joy.

"Kinkan, it's a shame about the Chōsokabe, but you did well."

"No, I am grateful for the special consideration from Lord Nobunaga."

Next, Nobunaga spoke to Akechi Mitsuhide, who had made significant contributions to the conquest of Shikoku. Given the issue with the Chōsokabe's territory, Nobunaga was particularly considerate.

"Saru! You have supported Nobutada well."

"No, no, it is only due to Nobutada-sama's excellent abilities."

"You're still the same, Saru."

Nobunaga, putting the praise for his relatives on hold, focused on pouring sake for the hereditary generals and distributing temporary rewards.

The elders were seated in the order of Shibata Katsuie, Akechi Mitsuhide, Hashiba Hideyoshi, Dan羽 Nagahide, and Takigawa Kazumasu. However, Nobunaga was careful not to create too much of a hierarchy among them.

He also did not forget to give similar rewards and praise to Dan羽 Nagahide, a hereditary vassal, and Takigawa Kazumasu, whom Nobunaga favored.

Continuing, Nobunaga spoke to his foster brother Ikeda Tsuneoki, the head of the red mother-cloak guards Maeda Toshiie, the head of the black mother-cloak guards Sasa Narimasa, Hayashi Masahiro, Hachiya Yoshitaka, Mori Nagayoshi, Kawajiri Hidetaka, Kanamori Nagachika, and Fukufu Hidetaka. He also poured sake and gave rewards to his close retainers such as Sugaya Nagatada, Yabe Ienori, Hori Naomasa, and Hasegawa Hidekazu.

Next, he spoke to the quasi-family members Asai Nagamasa, his eldest son Ryo-mas, and his son-in-law Tokugawa Nobuyasu, and finally, Nobunaga spoke to Nobuteru.

"Mitsu, you have a fine heir."

Nobunaga spoke to Nobuteru with a pleased smile.

"Mitsu is governing Kanto and Tohoku well, and Nobufusa is also doing a good job. Son-in-law, how are you getting along with Fuyu?"

"Yes, I want to return to Fuyu soon. I should buy some souvenirs from Ishiyama."

"Alright, take care of Fuyu."

Although Nobuteru was called last among the sons, he had the longest conversation with Nobunaga. The other generals understood the special position of the Tsuda family.

---

"Father, Mother, I'm back."

"Go back to Fuyu soon. You're newlyweds, after all."

"That's right, prioritize your wife after marriage."

"Father and Mother are as usual."

The campaign to conquer China and Shikoku by the Oda family was successfully completed, and Nobuteru returned to Edo Castle to report to Kōki. Kōki was playing shogi with Honda Masanobu at the time.

Of course, Masanobu was overwhelmingly winning.

"Lord, you are always surprisingly weak."

"Losing in war is worse, isn't it?"

"That's true, but the young lord has something to report."

"Territory distribution?"

"Yes, there have been many changes."

Nobunaga frequently changed the territories of his vassals. He would increase their territories but give them distant lands to test their governance. As the unification of the country approached, he began to evaluate not only military prowess but also governance skills.

"Probably no increase for us, right?"

"Yes, thankfully."

Even now, many are wary of the Tsuda family like Katsuie. Any further increase would only harm the Tsuda family. Given the need for measures against Ezo, the formal reward was the reassurance of the Tohoku region they had already secured, excluding Dewa.

However, Nobunaga was considerate and gave Nobuteru swords, paintings, and gold dust.

Suruga remained with Matsudaira Ietada, Mikawa and Tōtōmi with Tokugawa Nobuyasu, Kai with Maeda Toshiie, and Shinano was divided among Morinari, Nagahide, Naritoki, Mori Nagayoshi, and Kawajiri Hidetaka.

Kaga was given to Sasa Narimasa and Ikeda Tsuneoki, and Echizen remained with Shibata Katsuie, who received an increase in Wakasa.

Asai Nagamasa was given Ōmi in exchange for abandoning Wakasa and Tango. Dan羽 Nagahide received Sanuki and Awa, Iyo remained with Oda Nobutada, Akechi Mitsuhide received Nagato, Suō, and Iwami, Hashiba Hideyoshi received Harima, Inaba, and Tajima, and Oda Nobutaka received Bitchū and Bizen. There were significant changes in the distribution of territories.

"Once the governance stabilizes, it will be Kyushu, right?"

"Yes, it seems that Lord Takigawa might be appointed as the governor of Kyushu."

Despite his low profile, Iemasu has consistently contributed to Nobunaga and is rumored to be appointed as the governor of Kyushu.

"From Yamato, huh? If that happens, we should have a farewell party for him."

"We should also invite Lord Hashiba."

"And Lords Dan羽, Murai, and Maeda as well."

He thought about who else to invite but immediately excluded Shibata Katsuie, who still harbored a strange hatred towards Kōki.

"What about that old man Shibata? Did you see him, Nobuteru?"

"Yes, he called me a cunning brat like my father."

"For Katsuie, that's quite a compliment."

Nobuteru went to greet Katsuie after defeating and surrounding Yoshinari, but was treated coldly. For Katsuie, the Tsuda family was like 'hating the monk and hating the robe.'

"That old man will die soon, so just ignore him."

"That's a harsh way to put it, Father."

Being unilaterally disliked, all efforts to reach out were in vain. In fact, he was not good at dealing with Katsuie's appearance, so he did not try much.

"More importantly, we need to prepare for the stabilization of the territories and the campaign to Kyushu. Don't be complacent."

"Understood."

The reason the campaign to Kyushu did not immediately follow the conquest of China and Shikoku became clear. The new lords faced rebellions from local samurai and farmers in the newly conquered regions. The Oda family did not recognize such intermediate exploiters, and the new lords' land surveys provoked resistance.

"Lord Tsuda, don't worry. We have already suppressed the rebellions."

Hideyoshi, as usual, welcomed Kōki, who visited Harima by ship to expand trade. He had quickly suppressed the rebellions in the newly granted Tajima and Inaba.

"Indeed."

"However, some have displeased Lord Nobunaga..."

The foremost among those who displeased Nobunaga was his second son, Nobutada, who received Iyo. Compared to his third son Nobutaka, who received Bitchū and Bizen and quickly suppressed the rebellions, Nobutada's efforts were lacking. Former vassals of the Kono clan, who once ruled Iyo, rose up, and Nobutada's control was limited.

"Lord Nobunaga reportedly said, 'Nobutada is not my son!' in great anger."

Senior vassals like Takigawa Nagamasa, Tsuda Yoshitaka, and Okada Shigetaka were also reprimanded. In their haste, they launched reckless suppression campaigns, leading to the death of Tsuda Yoshitaka.

"Since it's next to Lord Goroza, it will end if Lord Nobunaga orders intervention..."

Given a whole province, the second son who could not govern it properly. For Nobunaga, this hindered the strengthening of the Oda family's control and was a source of concern. Even with a biased view, Kōki did not think Nobutada was competent.

"Then, it's the rebellions by the local samurai in the former Mori territories. However, Lord Akechi is handling it well. He is a capable person."

In the campaign to Kyushu, the Mori army was expected to be the vanguard, and Akechi Mitsuhide was governing the newly granted Nagato, Suō, and Iwami well. The silver mines in Iwami also brought good fortune.

However, the suppression of rebellions in Izumo and Hoki was taking time, though not as bad as in Iyo.

"If this doesn't settle, the expedition to Kyushu will be impossible. There is also the marriage of my son Chōgi and Lady Chacha. It's quite busy."

The wedding of Hideyoshi's eldest son Hidetsugu and Kōki's daughter Chacha, arranged by Nobunaga, was to take place soon. Kōki visited Hideyoshi to prepare for it. Chacha was the first daughter of Oichi. She had five daughters, and the others were also planned to marry into the families of Tsuda family's senior vassals. Yae had three daughters, and their marriages were also arranged.

With all his daughters' marriages decided, Kōki's feelings were complex.

"Fathers are complex. My daughter is also planning to marry."

Nene's other daughter, Asahi, was to marry Ikeda Tsuneoki's second son, Terumasa, by Nobunaga's order. In this way, Nobunaga was promoting marriages among his vassals to maintain control.

"Lord Tsuda, are you planning to visit Lord Akechi?"

"Yes, there are discussions about Jirō's coming-of-age ceremony and marriage."

"We are at the age to discuss such matters."

Kōki, after a night of hospitality from Hideyoshi, sailed to Nagato and was welcomed by Akechi Mitsuhide.

"From now on, we will be relatives. Let's maintain a good relationship."

Mitsuhide, who rose from an outsider to an elder in just a few years, was a capable person. He welcomed Kōki and his party with his senior vassals.

"I heard the rebellions in Izumo are intense."

"In that case, I sent reinforcements and suppressed them."

Indeed, Mitsuhide had already suppressed the rebellions with reinforcements. Kōki thought he was far more capable than some second son.

"Lord Nobunaga was very angry."

Due to the poor handling of the rebellions, Iwami and Hoki's lords, Iwanari Masaharu and Fukufu Hidetaka, were reduced in rank. To maintain their status in the Oda family, they needed the necessary abilities. Just being good at war was no longer enough for advancement.

"In that regard, Lord Tsuda is excellent."

"Well... I'm doing my best."

Kōki could not admit to using half-truths and continued to chat warmly. After the reception, he returned to Edo. Finally, with the help of Dan羽 Nagahide, the rebellions in Iyo were suppressed, and in the new year of Tenshō 10, the campaign to Kyushu was launched.