Chapter 19

In the third year of Eiroku (1560), mid-July, in Anai River Village, Takashima District, Omi Province, at the Shimizu Castle, Take Wakamaru.

It's hot; this summer is going to be hot too. The rice in the fields is growing well. From the watchtower, the green rice fields can be seen. What a beautiful view. I understand why Grandfather often comes here. If this continues, we should have a normal harvest of rice. That's not bad. I received a report from Yagumo that the weather in Kanto, Koshin, and Etchu is unstable, and it looks like there will be a poor harvest. Probably, Mutsu will also be bad. Yagumo will make a huge profit from buying and selling rice this year.

I really want the sea. I want to use the sea for trade as Kuroki, not as Yagumo. Wakasa is close and the country is small, so it's suitable. However, it's connected to the Rokkaku and Ashikaga, so I have to be patient. Occasionally, I receive letters from Yoshiteru asking me to help Wakasa. He thinks that since I'm sheltering the Ashikaga and donating to the court, I can be relied on as a selfless good person. No way. I'm using the money for Kuroki's security.

"Lord."

"What is it, Shintaro?"

"Grandfather is here."

I see, Grandfather is coming. He must have come to enjoy the view. He must really like it if he hasn't gotten tired of it yet. When Grandfather comes to the watchtower, Yamaguchi Shintaro and Yamane Iemon step back a bit. These two are my attendants, and they are quite good.

"Grandfather, did you come to look outside too?"

I asked with a smile, but Grandfather shook his head.

"I came to call you. A strange guest has arrived."

"Guest?"

"Unosho, the lord of Unosho Castle, has come. He wants to see you."

"Hmm."

Indeed, a strange guest. Unosho Castle's lord, Unosho Bizen-no-kami Masaharu, is married to Grandfather's daughter, my father's sister. However, there is almost no communication now. Kuroki is an independent force, and Unosho is a loyal vassal of the Rokkaku. The communication between us has been cut off for a while. It's probably because Unosho is on the opposite side of Lake Biwa. To me, he is an uncle I have never met.

"Grandfather, is it about that incident?"

"It probably is. What will you do? Will you meet him?"

"He must have come as an envoy from the Rokkaku. I can't not meet him."

"No, he says he came as a relative, not as an envoy. You can refuse."

"Even so, if I don't meet him, it will be troublesome later, Grandfather."

Grandfather sighed. It's sad to be a weak force. It's sad to be powerless.

"It would be better to treat him as a formal envoy from the Rokkaku."

"That's right."

"Shintaro, Iemon, go ahead and gather the main people in the large hall. Grandfather and I will follow."

"Understood."

Shintaro and Iemon left.

"Unosho will probably ask for troops."

"Will you send them?"

"We have no choice. If we don't, we might be accused of colluding with the Asai."

"I see, it will be troublesome later."

"Yes."

The Rokkaku's methods are underhanded. To send Unosho, who has almost no communication, is probably to make it look like Kuroki made an independent decision, not by the Rokkaku's order. They don't want to ruin the Shogun's face by being too direct, so they want to avoid that.

And the Rokkaku wants to show that they have influence over Kuroki to the surrounding areas. If they go too far, they might end up like the Imagawa. Yoshimoto was killed by Nobunaga at Okehazama. Mikawa is back in the hands of the Matsudaira. This is historically accurate. The Imagawa will fall to the bottom.

Asai's Ahenosuke has come of age. His name is Shinjiro Masahiro. He received a character from Rokkaku Yoshitaka and came of age. He also married Oya, the daughter of Hirai Masahide, as Yoshitaka's adopted daughter. However, ... in short, the Battle of Nara is about to begin. I urged Grandfather and headed to the large hall.

In the large hall, Kuroki's vassals lined up on both sides, and a man who looked to be around fifty was in the center. This must be Unosho Bizen-no-kami Masaharu. He looks uncomfortable. I greeted him with a smile as I sat down.

"Uncle, it's the first time we meet. I am Kuroki Take Wakamaru."

"Ah, no, I am Unosho Bizen-no-kami Masaharu."

"Is Aunt Teru doing well?"

"Of course. She sends her regards to you, Take Wakamaru."

I see, then why didn't she send a letter? You must have been hesitant because of the Rokkaku. I held back the words that almost came out.

"Then, what is the purpose of your visit today?"

"It's about the Asai. You probably know, but Asai Shinjiro Masahiro, along with some of his vassals, has rebelled against the Rokkaku."

"I heard that he divorced and sent back Lady Oya, and that he sent his father, Sano-no-kami, to Itsukushima. He seems to have a rather intense personality."

It's just a matter of others, so I answered calmly, and Masaharu's face turned red.

"It's not just that. He has also turned Koyase Bizen-no-kami Masahiro, the lord of Hida Castle, to his side through persuasion."

"I heard that Hida Castle was besieged by water. It didn't go well, but Koyase must have been frightened. If we send a letter, he might return."

Masaharu shook his head vigorously, saying, "That's out of the question." He looks like a bulldog. His nickname is Bull-chan.

"The Asai family has been able to maintain their position only because of the protection of the Rokkaku. Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu) is very angry and wants to make Masahiro realize his ingratitude."

"I see, so it's going to be a battle."

"Indeed."

"Uncle, you will also send troops, I assume. I wish you good luck."

I said with an innocent smile, and Bull-chan looked a bit speechless.

There's nothing to it. Koyase betrayed. The water siege in April didn't go well. It was the planting season, so they had no choice but to stop the battle. But they can't let it go. They have to protect the Rokkaku's prestige. So, they want to crush the Asai before the rice harvest. If the Asai don't come out, they will destroy the rice fields and ruin the Asai's autumn harvest. This is happening on a national scale. There will be a famine.

"Then, Lord Take Wakamaru."

"Yes?"

"Would the Kuroki family also send troops? I think Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu) would be pleased if the Kuroki family provided support."

Finally, we get to the point.

"Uncle, is this a formal request from the Rokkaku?"

I asked, and Bull-chan shook his head nervously.

"No, it's my personal decision. I heard that the relationship between the Rokkaku and Kuroki is not good, and I wanted to do something about it out of concern."

"Hmm, the relationship between our family and the Rokkaku is not good? I can't let that go unchallenged. Our family has no grudges against the Rokkaku. Is there such irresponsible talk among the Rokkaku's vassals?"

Bull-chan said, "Ah, no," and looked flustered.

"Or does Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu) have a grudge?"

"No, no, Lord Take Wakamaru."

"Uncle, please be honest. Is it really your own decision, or is it a request from Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu)? If you don't tell me honestly, our family will make a wrong judgment. One mistake could destroy the Kuroki family. What do you think?"

I pressed, and Bull-chan fell silent. It's the sorrow of a middle manager. Should I help him?

"Everyone, please leave. I want to talk to Uncle alone."

Grandfather looked at me, and I nodded. Everyone stood up and moved to the next room. After confirming they were gone, I stood up and sat next to Bull-chan. He looked surprised at me.

"Uncle, we are alone. Please be honest. Is it really a request from Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu)?"

Bull-chan nodded, as if giving up.

"... The Kuroki family should make an independent decision to support the Rokkaku, that's what they want."

"Then what about the bad relationship?"

"... He thought you would send troops if he said that."

"Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu)?"

"No, ... it's the idea of Gotou Tango."

I see. The Rokkaku's two Gotous are involved. They say that when the wisteria is involved, the tree withers, but Kuroki is already withered. I don't want to go there.

"I understand. I appreciate your good intentions, Uncle. Our family will support the Rokkaku."

"Really?"

"Yes, I will write a letter to Left京大夫 (Sakyo-taifu) and tell him that I want to support you. Please deliver it."

"Lord Take Wakamaru, I'm sorry..."

He looks very happy. His eyes are red.

"I will send a thousand troops. However, I am still young and have not been in many battles. I can't do anything reckless. Please convey that."

"Understood. I will definitely convey it."

"This will save your face. From now on, I hope we can have a closer relationship. Our family, the Unosho family, and the Rokkaku family. I hope we can prosper together."

"Agreed."

Bull-chan nodded, looking relieved. Does he understand that he can hide things from the Rokkaku and that he is in cahoots with me?

Well, it's fine. He might be useful. I'll give him some dried shiitake mushrooms as a souvenir on his way back. I'll give a little more and ask him to pass it on to the Rokkaku. If it's just Bull-chan, he might be suspected of being in cahoots with me.

In the third year of Eiroku (1560), mid-August, in Nara, Aichi District, Omi Province, at the residence of Take Wakamaru.

"Lord, was it really okay?"

"Armor? Iemon."

"Yes."

"It's fine. I can't move in that."

I answered, and Iemon looked troubled. Shintaro felt the same way. Gorouemon... he has already given up.

It was the same at the war council. When I went in civilian clothes, someone said I couldn't wear armor, so I said the same thing. This is fine. I don't think Rokkaku Yoshitaka would send someone in civilian clothes to the front line. I aimed to be in the rear guard, and it worked. I don't want to shed unnecessary blood for the Rokkaku. Fortunately, I was in civilian clothes at the Battle of Kurokizawa, so it's not an odd story.

This Nara is south of Hida Castle. The Rokkaku and Asai are facing each other across the Uzumigawa River. The Rokkaku's formation is as follows: the vanguard, with Takasu Masahide, Nagahara Shigetaka, Shinoda Masahiro, and Ikeda Kagefusa, totaling four thousand. The second line, with Nara Iki-no-kami, Tanaka Yabu-no-taifu, Kido Shota, Wada Genba, and Yoshida Shigemasa, totaling four thousand. The rear guard, with Rokkaku Sakyo-taifu, Gotou Masahiro, and myself, Kuroki Take Wakamaru, totaling four thousand, making a total of twelve thousand. My uncle is in the second line. I am with my attendants in a place with a good view, a bit away from the Kuroki forces. I can't see the battle situation if I'm behind the troops.

On the Asai side, the Rokkaku's scouts report about six thousand. That sounds about right. Some say the Asai sent over ten thousand troops, but even at the Battle of Anegawa, they only had five thousand. It's impossible. North Omi's three districts, about two hundred thousand koku, so six thousand is not an odd number. It seems they have pushed to their limit. On the Rokkaku side, they can muster twenty-five thousand if they really try.

The Rokkaku's base is in southern Omi, but their influence extends to most of Iga, northern Ise, and part of Yamato. They have a solid eight hundred thousand koku. Twelve thousand is enough against the Asai, I guess. It's a two-to-one advantage, so it's not wrong. But they will lose, historically, the Rokkaku lost at the Battle of Nara...

"That flag, it's really good."

The Kuroki flag I made. "Rinpo Shaja Kajin Retsu Zen" (臨兵闘者皆陣列在前), a nine-character flag. It means, "The soldiers who fight, all arrayed before." It's not just for ninjas; it's also used by civilians and samurai as a protective spell, a charm, and a method for mental focus. Kuroki has many enemies and many who are neither friend nor foe, so we need charms and protection.

"Lord, the Asai troops are coming out."

When Gorouemon said this, I looked across the river and saw the Asai forces crossing the Uzumigawa, shouting. About two thousand, I think. They are crossing with momentum. The Rokkaku side fired arrows, but they continued without hesitation. The Asai's fighting spirit is high. The Rokkaku are disliked. I dislike them too, but I don't like the Asai either.

"They are about to clash. The Rokkaku side, ... it's the crane flag. They are heading for the Takasu camp."

"Is that so? Is the musket team ready?"

"Yes."

"Shintaro, go tell your uncle again. Tell him not to let the matchlocks go out."

"Understood."

Yamaguchi Shintaro ran off. I heard the neighing of horses. The Asai attacked the Takasu camp.

"They are pushing relentlessly."

"Can they break through?"

I asked, and Gorouemon shook his head.

"Not easily. They are handling it well. Eventually, the Asai will run out of steam. When that happens, Nagahara, Shinoda, and Ikeda will attack the Asai's flank."

I see, it's like a baseball commentary.

"It's getting hot."

"Yes, it's well past the hour of the snake."

Iemon's chin was sweating. It was past ten and approaching eleven. It's hot at eleven in midsummer. I'm in civilian clothes and I'm still hot. The armored soldiers must be even hotter.

"Iemon, send a messenger to tell everyone to drink water sparingly. Tell them to report if they feel unwell or dizzy. Also, tell them to sit down and rest without overexerting themselves."

"Understood."

Iemon ran off. Shintaro returned at the same time. He said the musket team was fine. I sat down, and everyone else followed.

"Lord, is it okay?"

"It's fine. There's no need to tire them unnecessarily."

Gorouemon looked worried, but I ignored him. What does it matter what the Rokkaku think? It's hot! If you have a complaint, tell the sun. If you don't like it, don't go to war in this season. I made a mistake; next time, I'll prepare a folding chair. Iemon returned. He hesitated at the sight of everyone sitting, but Shintaro told him to sit, so he did. Soon, the Kuroki forces started to sit down too.

The Asai are pushing, but they can't break through. It's a repetitive cycle. I can hear the shouts, but it doesn't feel real. Are they really fighting? The Battle of Kurokizawa was short but had more presence. I'm hungry; it must be around noon. According to history, the Asai's vanguard should collapse, but...

"The Asai are pushing, and they seem to be out of breath."

Gorouemon told me, but I couldn't tell. If I can't tell, I will eventually be able to, he said. I hope it's not just a consolation.

"They are collapsing."

This time, I could tell. The Asai forces were retreating, but they held their ground. Gorouemon said, "Huh," but then the troops of Nagahara, Shinoda, and Ikeda attacked their flank. They couldn't hold and collapsed with a sound. I see, just as Gorouemon said. Why is he in Kuroki? If he served Nobunaga, he could easily get a fief of one hundred thousand k