Chapter 84

The chaotic battle under the walls of Yumotomachi Castle, which had lasted for nearly ten days, finally came to an end. The Tanno family suddenly withdrew their troops while facing the joint forces of the Akasaka and Rishika families. As a result, the Akasaka and Rishika families formally and completely occupied Yumotomachi Castle. The Tanno family's territory was reduced by one-third, and the loss of subjects was severe, significantly weakening their overall strength.

When Masahiro received this news, it was already May 21st. According to Masahiro's original plan, he intended to take advantage of the chaos, but seeing the current situation of the Roshika family, it was clear that he was powerless to do so and could only watch the opportunity pass.

"According to reports, the main reason for the Tanno family's withdrawal is the unusual activity of the Uekura family, a powerful clan across the river. Therefore, they had to retreat to ensure the safety of their main castle, Tanomotomachi Castle," reported Ino, who had just returned from Furai Castle, replacing Oishi Kuni.

"So, there might still be some changes over there," Masahiro's eyes lit up as he immediately said, "Ino, you immediately arrange for a few people to go there and closely monitor the situation of the powerful clans. Report back immediately if any abnormalities occur. At the same time, notify Oishi Kuni to move the remaining 25 ashigaru from Furai Castle back to the camp near the lord's residence, and be ready to respond at any time."

"Yes, my lord," Ino bowed and then turned to make the arrangements.

"My lord," as Ino had just left, the Roshika family's public official, Kido Shigetada, quickly walked in, "Good news! A messenger from the Hukusaki family has arrived at the checkpoint."

"Ah?" Masahiro was quite surprised. The war had ended two days ago, and the nearby powerful clans had shown no signs of movement, seemingly still in shock. Now, it was the Hukusaki family, separated by several powerful clan territories from the Roshika family, that took the first action, which was indeed surprising, "The Hukusaki family? It's at least a two-day journey from here."

"My lord, your recent victories over five powerful clans within half a month have already spread throughout the region east of Jōgao Mountain. Even in the region west of Jōgao Mountain, where the main roads are controlled by our family, the news will soon be known through the sea," Kido Shigetada, seeing Masahiro's puzzled expression, immediately smiled and said, "My lord, you are now a formidable figure, causing the surrounding powerful clans to be on edge."

"Even so, the Hukusaki family, with nearly 200 standing samurai and long-term control over the maritime traffic of Genkai Beach, is still a formidable opponent. Why would they suddenly send a messenger?" Masahiro asked.

"Hehe, my lord, I speculate that it is related to the conflict with the Sashiki family," Kido Shigetada said.

"Oh?" Masahiro clearly did not know about the conflict between the Hukusaki and Sashiki families.

"A month ago, a Hukusaki family merchant ship was attacked near Karatsu Bay, and all its cargo was plundered. This incident even alarmed the dominant Watanabe family of Higashimatsuura, but they were unable to determine who was responsible," Kido Shigetada, seeing Masahiro's interest, immediately continued, "However, the Hukusaki family insists that the Sashiki family is responsible. The Sashiki family, which has been vying for the second dominant position in Higashimatsuura, naturally denies it, so tensions between the two families have escalated."

"Do you mean that the Hukusaki family's envoy has come mainly to seek our help in restraining the Sashiki family?" Masahiro thought for a moment and then asked.

"Yes, my lord," Kido Shigetada bowed and said, "Originally, our family was not even on the Hukusaki family's radar, but with our recent string of victories, our name has spread throughout Higashimatsuura, which aligns with the Hukusaki family's needs."

"It seems that being too famous is not always a good thing," Masahiro felt a bit uncomfortable at the thought of being used as a pawn and was even considering whether to meet the Hukusaki family's envoy on some pretext.

"My lord, this is precisely an opportunity for our family to become even stronger!" Seeing Masahiro's troubled expression, Kido Shigetada knew his chance had come and immediately bowed to speak.

"Stronger? Explain," Masahiro, hearing Kido Shigetada's words, looked up and said.

"Currently, the powerful clans near our family to the east are mainly divided into two camps. The Taku and Nagakura families are friendly with the Hukusaki family, while the Myōgō clan is allied with the Sashiki family. Among these, only the Sashiki family has the strength to directly crush our family, while the others are either on par with us or even weaker," Kido Shigetada said, "The Taku and Nagakura families are related by marriage, with the Nagakura family's eldest son's concubine being the eldest daughter of Taku. Although the two families have been secretly at odds, they may join forces against our family after our recent rise. The Sashiki family, on the other hand, has been eyeing Nakao Castle, and if not for the Hukusaki family's interference, it would have already been occupied."

Masahiro nodded, indicating for Kido Shigetada to continue. He had not expected the relationships among these powerful clans to be so complex, especially the Taku family, which was clearly skilled in marriage diplomacy.

"My lord, given the current situation, a conflict between the Hukusaki and Sashiki families is inevitable. Our family can take this opportunity to seek aid from the Hukusaki family and simultaneously weaken the nearby powerful clans," Kido Shigetada, seeing Masahiro's encouragement, became even more excited.

"Good, the more chaotic it is, the more opportunities there are," Masahiro laughed and said, "Shigetada, go and make the arrangements. I will receive the Hukusaki family's envoy here." If the waters are not yet murky enough, then the Roshika family will stir them up.

"Yes, my lord," Kido Shigetada bowed and accepted the order.

Soon, accompanied by Kido Shigetada, an elderly man with white hair slowly approached Masahiro. The old man seemed very calm, first scanning the environment of the council hall, then leisurely looking at Masahiro, and finally slightly bowing, "I, Oishi Tomomitsu of the Hukusaki family, pay my respects to my lord."

"Hehe, Lord Oishi, there's no need for such formalities," upon hearing the old man's introduction, Masahiro was momentarily taken aback. This man might not be well-known, but his son, Oishi Tomomitsu, would later betray the Watanabe family and become a vassal of the Sō family, known as the first great general of the Sō family. This family had a tradition of changing masters. When the Watanabe family invaded the Hukusaki family, this old man turned against the Hukusaki family, and later, when the Watanabe family fell into internal strife, his son defected to the Sō family.

The old man knelt down and stared at Masahiro without reservation, seemingly intent on examining every detail of his face. Despite the seemingly rude behavior, Masahiro maintained a calm exterior while inwardly smiling. Want to play a psychological game with me? Old man, you can't match me from the future. Thus, the two men, one seemingly interested in observing the other, and the other smiling slightly, as if not minding the rudeness, the council hall fell into a brief silence.

Seeing this, Kido Shigetada, sitting below, was inwardly excited. His lord was indeed not an ordinary person and would surely have a bright future.

"Ha ha ha, indeed," Oishi Tomomitsu suddenly burst into laughter and then bowed respectfully to Masahiro, "I heard from the Taku family about a young and capable powerful clan that recently emerged nearby, defeating several powerful clans within half a month. I was quite surprised, so I came to visit today."

Hearing the praise, Masahiro smiled slightly in response.

"I didn't expect that today's meeting would be so impressive. I now fully believe the facts as stated by the Taku family," Oishi Tomomitsu, seemingly not minding Masahiro's silence, continued to laugh, "I wonder if my lord can tell me whether the Roshika family has already completely controlled the territories of the other clans?"

"Ah! Lord Oishi, you have already seen the situation of our family, haven't you?" Masahiro did not directly answer the question but sighed and pointed to the surroundings of the council hall, "Even the place for receiving guests is so simple, showing how weak our family still is." In fact, the council hall where Masahiro was now was indeed very simple, with only enough space for a few people to meet, and the outer walls were already dilapidated, with several small holes. Even all the castles in the Roshika family's territory were essentially expanded and fortified fortresses, and there was not yet a true castle.

Seeing the two men engaging in a mix of truth and falsehood, Kido Shigetada could not help but sigh inwardly. Indeed, they were both foxes, one old and one young.

"It seems that my lord has a clear understanding," seeing Masahiro's plea of poverty, Oishi Tomomitsu directly agreed and then straightened his posture, his expression suddenly becoming serious, "My lord, do you know that the crisis for the Roshika family is imminent?"

Masahiro had already prepared to respond to the praise after his plea of poverty, but he did not expect the old man to directly agree with his modesty. He was momentarily taken aback but quickly adjusted. Hearing the old man's final words, Masahiro knew that the main topic of the day had arrived. He straightened his posture and looked at the old man, seemingly waiting for him to continue.

"My lord," Oishi Tomomitsu bowed again, "The Sashiki family has long had the ambition to invade this area. I believe my lord is well aware of this. With the current strength of the Roshika family, it is impossible to resist the Sashiki family. I am here today to help my lord resolve this crisis."

"Please, Lord Oishi, enlighten me," Masahiro immediately pretended to be very eager and said.

"What does my lord think of the Hukusaki family?" Seeing the other party's willingness to cooperate, Oishi Tomomitsu clearly felt that the young lord was teachable.

"The Hukusaki family, as the second dominant power in Higashimatsuura after the Watanabe family, is not something our family can easily discuss," Masahiro bowed and said.

"Ha ha ha, indeed, how can the Hukusaki family be compared to a small local tyrant like the Sashiki family," hearing Masahiro's response, Oishi Tomomitsu was even more pleased, "Now, the Sashiki family is causing trouble everywhere, clearly becoming a public enemy in Higashimatsuura. I wonder if the Roshika family has considered joining our camp to jointly suppress the Sashiki family?"

"This...," Masahiro seemed somewhat interested but also somewhat hesitant, finally asking in a low voice, "Is this the will of Lord Hukusaki?"

"Ha ha ha, no, this is currently just my idea," O