Chapter 15

Eiroku 2 (1559) Mid-February, Omi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Shimizu Castle, Take Wakamaru

"Surprised, aren't you? I never thought I'd meet you, Lord Take Wakamaru, here at Shimizu Castle."

The merchant from Wakasa, Furukawa Rihyoe, let out a light laugh.

"Are you happy?"

"It's not just that; we can now use the Anegawa River freely."

He laughed again, feeling as if it was the spring of his life, or so it seemed.

"I still don't know. The shogunate will mediate a peace agreement with the Rokkaku family and the Nagata clan the day after tomorrow. Depending on the terms of the peace, it's uncertain what will happen to the territories."

"Yes, but Lord Takashima, whose territory will be returned to whom? There is no one to inherit it anymore."

"..."

The head of the Tanaka family and his successor were killed in battle. The heir of the Takashima family was also killed, and the lord was captured and beheaded. The young illegitimate son living in Shimizu Castle was betrayed by his retainers and handed over to the Kuki family, who also killed him. There was no one left to inherit... The strategy I had prepared in advance had hit the mark. The Takashima and Tanaka families did not put up much resistance. The head of the Takashima family, Hayashi Yojiro, also surrendered to the Kuki. This man possesses a navy, which will be necessary for the Kuki in the future.

"Moreover, the Takashima family and others attacked without heeding the words of the shogun's family. Even if the Rokkaku family wanted to return the territories now..."

Furukawa laughed again. How much does he know? Does he know that the Rokkaku family was pulling the strings behind the scenes...

"I would like Wakasa to be governed by Lord Take Wakamaru if possible."

Furukawa looked at my face. Though he was joking, his eyes were not smiling; he was serious.

"Don't ask too much."

"Is it really impossible? I'm not the only one who thinks so."

Furukawa smiled meaningfully. It seems that the group leader, Tanaka, also wants me to govern Wakasa. For merchants, a country ravaged by war is the most painful thing. Still, they want me to govern... It must be a serious matter.

"Is Wakasa in bad shape?"

"It's in bad shape. Lord Takeda is fighting with his family over the succession, and when that ends, his retainers rebel. Lord Takeda cannot control it. There is constant conflict in Wakasa. The taxes are heavy, and the people are exhausted from being conscripted as soldiers. If this continues, a rebellion may break out. It's a difficult situation."

"I see."

The fire is not extinguished. We may have to confront Wakasa in the future. It's a headache.

As a result of winning the recent battle, the Kuki family obtained the territories of the Takashima and Tanaka families. As a result, the Kuki family now controls most of the Anegawa River, which flows from the Tamba Highlands to Lake Biwa. The only part of the Anegawa River not controlled by the Kuki is the area around Funaki, where the river flows into Lake Biwa, which is the territory of the Yokoyama family.

The Anegawa River has been used for logistics since ancient times. Some people set up checkpoints on the river, but I have abolished them. I believe this will enrich the territory... However, I have good reviews from merchants, but bad reviews from other lords. This was one of the reasons for the recent battle.

After Furukawa left, my grandfather came into the room.

"You're finally getting used to this castle."

"Are you missing the Kuki, Grandfather?"

"Well, a little. But this castle is not bad."

My grandfather laughed and sat down.

"Let me prepare some tea."

"Sure."

I called a maid and asked for tea. After a while, the maid brought the tea. My grandfather and I drank the tea together. It was cold in Omi in February, and the hot tea was delicious.

"Grandfather, Furukawa said that Wakasa is in bad shape."

"I see."

"Eventually, the Kuki may have to confront Wakasa."

"It's a difficult situation."

My grandfather frowned.

Indeed, it is difficult. Wakasa has about 80,000 koku, while the Kuki, even with the territories of the Takashima and Tanaka families, have only slightly more than 25,000 koku.

"Grandfather, we must defeat those people if the Kuki are to survive. If we defeat them, the Takeda will not easily make the Kuki their enemy."

"That's true. If we don't defeat them, they may ally with Wakasa. But can we defeat them? The Rokkaku family is behind them. If we don't handle it well, the Rokkaku family will crush the Kuki."

"I have a plan, but I don't know if it will work."

I learned something from capturing Takashima Echuzen. As expected, the Rokkaku family was behind Echuzen. Initially, the Rokkaku family ordered Echuzen to cause trouble with the Kuki, but not to start a war. From this, it seems that the Rokkaku family intended to mediate between the Kuki and the Takashima family and show the Kuki the power of the Rokkaku family. However, the Rokkaku family's intentions changed halfway through. They wanted the Kuki to be punished...

This would make it easier to show the Kuki a favor, the Rokkaku family may have thought. But for Echuzen, it was a shock. He probably felt betrayed. Echuzen explained in detail, looking angry. The rest was war, but the Takashima forces did not want to fight. The rumors I spread through the Eight Gates had permeated even the retainers. There was a dispute over who would lead the vanguard, and in the end, the Takashima and Tanaka families had to do it. No wonder the war ended so quickly. No one had the will to fight.

"Lord Take Wakamaru, it seems that the Shogunate's Finebu Daifu and the Rokkaku family's Gohyoe will come."

"I see."

Gohyoe Sadahide, the grandfather of the famous Gohyoe Masahide. The Gohyoe family has a good reputation because Masahide was a famous general. But I don't trust Sadahide. He is a dangerous man, like a venomous snake. He does not have a good impression of the Kuki. His territory, Hino, and the Kuki are in competition in the lacquerware industry, and the Kuki are overwhelmingly superior.

Since Sadahide is coming, I cannot be careless. I told everyone that Echuzen was killed, but in reality, he is alive. I want to use him for my and the Kuki's benefit. I, myself, am becoming more and more evil, more and more dark. I might be disliked by Ayama-mama again...

Eiroku 2 (1559) Mid-February, Omi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Shimizu Castle, Finebu Sadahide

"This incident has nothing to do with our family. When I heard that a conflict had broken out in Takashima District, the head of the family, Sakyo Daifu, was so surprised that he asked for an explanation."

"Then you are saying that the Rokkaku family is not to blame?"

When I asked, Gohyoe Sadahide slowly shook his head.

"I am not saying that. Sasaki Echuzen, along with the Tanaka, Nagata, Higashiyama, and Yamazaki families, all of whom belong to the Rokkaku family, have acted against the will of the shogun's family, and I feel responsible for it."

I thought it was impossible. A kokujin lord like Sasaki Echuzen could not ignore the words of the shogun on his own. The Rokkaku family must have been involved somewhere, I thought... But I couldn't get a confession from Gohyoe Sadahide.

In a room in Shimizu Castle, eight men gathered. From the Rokkaku family, Gohyoe Sadahide, and the parties involved, the heads of the Nagata, Higashiyama, Yokoyama, and Yamazaki families. From the Kuki family, the head, Lord Take Wakamaru, and the guardian, Minbu Shosho. From the shogunate, myself. No one was armed, and the doors on all four sides were open, with no soldiers hidden. It was a sign that there were no secrets. The plum blossoms in the garden could be seen from the room, and their faint fragrance wafted in.

"Then I will ask you."

I directed my gaze at the four men, and they tensed up.

"Why did you go against the will of the shogun's family and attack the Kuki? Were you trying to mock the shogunate?"

The four men began to protest.

"We did not intend to go against the will of the shogun's family. However, Echuzen-dono is the leader of the Takashima Seven Heads, and when he insisted, we had no choice..."

"Indeed, and Echuzen-dono said he had the permission of the Rokkaku family... We never thought he would deceive us."

"Moreover, it is true that we have been inconvenienced by the Kuki."

"We did not intend to go to war. We just wanted to talk and have the Kuki yield. But Echuzen-dono forced the issue and led us into battle..."

In other words, they are saying that Sasaki Echuzen is to blame and that the Rokkaku family and they themselves are victims. Gohyoe Sadahide nodded as if to say, "Yes, yes." These men must have planned this in advance... If this continues, the blame will fall on Echuzen alone. A dead man has no mouth...

"Then this incident was solely the doing of Echuzen-dono, and the Rokkaku family is not involved, and you were forced into it, is that correct?"

Lord Take Wakamaru asked in a calm tone. Is this okay? This is exactly what they want...

"Indeed, I do not say that the Rokkaku family is completely blameless. I apologize for not stopping Echuzen and the others in advance. However, it is also true that this incident would not have happened if Echuzen had not had a foolish idea."

When Gohyoe Sadahide finished speaking, the four men of the Takashima Seven Heads also said they had been deceived by Echuzen. Lord Take Wakamaru and Minbu Shosho listened quietly.

"Lord Sakyo Daifu must be very angry. To be accused of something you did not do because of Echuzen-dono. Is that not so?"

"Indeed."

Lord Take Wakamaru's words may have contained a hint of sarcasm, as Gohyoe Sadahide's expression was grim.

"Grandfather, it seems we have also been deceived."

"Indeed."

Lord Take Wakamaru and Minbu Shosho exchanged glances and smiled wryly. They may have heard from Echuzen that the Rokkaku family was behind it. But with Echuzen gone, there is no way to confirm it...

"Finebu Daifu, to ignore the will of the shogun's family and use the name of the Rokkaku family without permission is unforgivable. If Echuzen-dono were still alive, he would not have escaped the death penalty. What do you think?"

"Indeed, he would not have escaped the death penalty."

Lord Take Wakamaru nodded and said, "Excuse me," and stood up. I thought he was going to the toilet, but when he left the room, he shouted, "Gorouemon," in the corridor. Gorouemon, the man who commanded the arquebusiers, appeared.

He was not alone. Behind him were a bound man and several warriors. A murmur ran through the room. "That's," "Echuzen-dono," "He's alive." Is that Sasaki Echuzen? He's alive? Gohyoe Sadahide's expression was tense, and the surviving members of the Seven Heads were pale. They looked at Minbu Shosho, who had a smile on his lips, a mischievous look on his face. Is this it? Is this the decisive moment?

"Gorouemon, take off his gag."

"Yes."

"Echuzen-dono, you really deceived us. The Rokkaku family has nothing to do with this incident. They are very angry that you used their name. The Nagata, Higashiyama, Yokoyama, and Yamazaki families also say you deceived them."

"No! It's a lie!"

Echuzen twisted his body and shouted.

"Nagata, Higashiyama, Yokoyama, Yamazaki, are you betraying me! You should know! This incident was a request from the Rokkaku family! Lord Gohyoe! Are you going to abandon this Echuzen!"

No one answered. The Nagata and others looked uncomfortable. Echuzen's words were true. The Rokkaku family was indeed behind it...

"I didn't want to fight the Kuki! Lord Sakyo Daifu forced me to!"

"Be quiet, Echuzen! It's shameful to say such things at this point!"

Echuzen's words were cut off by Lord Take Wakamaru.

"No one believes what you say."

"Me, I..."

"Gorouemon, take this liar away and behead him."

"Yes."

"Wait, I'm telling the truth! You said you would help me if I told the truth! Lord Take Wakamaru!"

"There is no mercy for a liar!"

Gorouemon dragged the still protesting Echuzen away. After watching this, Lord Take Wakamaru returned to his seat.

"I believe the blame for this incident lies with Sasaki Echuzen. If he were my father's enemy, I would have executed him myself. Do you have any objections?"

Everyone nodded. After exposing everything, Lord Take Wakamaru is trying to settle the matter. He is warning Gohyoe Sadahide that he knows everything and that he will not make it an issue. Or perhaps he is saying that he will not make it an issue as long as Echuzen is alive. It is a threat, not a warning. And he is probably telling me to inform the shogun. How does he intend to settle this...

"I consider this a matter of the Takashima Seven Heads. Therefore, I would like the Nagata, Higashiyama, Yokoyama, and Yamazaki families to make peace among themselves, and I would like Finebu Daifu and Gohyoe to be witnesses to their peace. What do you think?"

The four men, Nagata, Higashiyama, Yokoyama, and Yamazaki, nodded. Gohyoe Sadahide could not object. In this incident, the Rokkaku family is not a party.

"Then the territories of the Takashima and Tanaka families will be owned by the Kuki. Do you have any objections?"

The four men looked at each other and nodded. They probably thought it was just a confirmation of the current situation.

"Next, although you were involved, the fact that you attacked the Kuki is true. I would like you to apologize and provide a written apology."

The four men looked at each other and nodded again. This was not a real harm, and it was not difficult to accept.

"Finally, the leader of the Takashima Seven Heads, or rather the Takashima Five Heads, will be the Kuki family. Any disputes among the Takashima Five Heads will be resolved through discussion, not war. What do you think?"

There were no objections to the final request. Indeed, with the acquisition of new territories, it is necessary to make them firmly his own. For that, coordination with the surrounding areas is necessary. It seems that Lord Take Wakamaru is prioritizing the maintenance of the current situation. The position of the leader is necessary for that... The Koyasu Shinto charm was prepared, and the oath was written.

Eiroku 2 (1559) Late February, Omi Province, Gohyoe District, Kannonji Castle, Higashiyama Sadahide

I hurried to the castle at the urgent command from the castle