Chapter 23

Eiroku 4 (1561) Mid-May, Omi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Shimizu Castle, Kudono Koyoshi

"Ah, this is..."

Before her eyes lay a lake and a vast landscape stretching far into the distance. Natsu, who had come with her from the Hōjō family, also let out a voice. Then, laughter could be heard.

"Do you like it?"

"Yes."

"That's good. It was worth bringing you here. I also like this view and often come here. Takechi, or should I say Yagorō, used to laugh at me."

When he said that, Lord Kudono Minbu Shōsuke Tadatsuna laughed again.

"Shimizu Castle is a large castle, isn't it?"

"Compared to Kannonji, it's smaller."

"That's true, but I think it's large. You can see such a view from here."

"Well, it's a castle in Takashima, so it's a bit larger."

"Yes."

Lord Kudono Minbu Shōsuke Tadatsuna laughed again.

"Have you gotten used to this castle a little?"

"Yes, thank you for your concern."

"I'm sorry, if Yagorō could have been more relaxed, but the Hōjō family made a move. I have to go to Shiozu Beach. It's not that I'm neglecting you."

"Yes, I understand."

Lord Kudono Minbu Shōsuke Tadatsuna nodded. Lord Yagorō left Shimizu Castle as if he were flying away after the ceremony ended.

"You were given such a grand ceremony. I think you are valued."

"Is that so?"

The wedding was grand. It was incomparable to the first wedding held in Odani. Not only the wealth of the Kudono family, but the splendor of the guests was surprising. I had been taught about the Kudono family by my father, but the connections of the Kudono family were beyond my expectations.

From the Rokkaku family, Goto Tamba-no-kami and Shintō Yamashiro-no-kami. From the shogunate, as the representative of the shogun, Hosokawa Hyūga-no-suke, and others, such as Ōdachi Saemon-suke. From the Asukai family, Jūnin Asukai Masahiro, Chūnagon Asukai Masahiro, and Jōdo Shinshū Takada school's Kyōei. I didn't know that Kyōei was from the Asukai family and was Yagorō's uncle. My father was also surprised.

From the court, as the messenger of the warrior families, Kanshūji Toshitō, and Hōbashi Kuniaki. Then, the councilor Yashiro Yorifusa and the vice-Chūnagon Yamashina Noritsugu. They were Lord Kudono Minbu Shōsuke Tadatsuna's adoptive brothers. But the most surprising was the presence of the Chancellor Konoe Sanehiro. The Chancellor, who had been in Echigo, attended the ceremony with the representative of the Kantō Governor Uesugi Masatora. I had been taught that the Kudono family had connections with the Konoe family, but I never thought he would return for the ceremony. I also didn't know that the Kudono family had connections with the Kantō Governor Uesugi family.

Merchants were also invited to the ceremony. From Sakai, Omi, Wakasa, and Tsuruga in Echizen. Tsuruga was under the rule of the Asakura, but the merchants from Tsuruga attended the ceremony. The Kudono family accepted them without hesitation. Most of the cargo passing through Omi to Echizen went through the Kudono-controlled territory to Tsuruga. Both the Kudono and the merchants valued their interests, as Yagorō had taught me.

"When will Lord Yagorō return?"

Lord Kudono Minbu Shōsuke Tadatsuna shook his head.

"I don't know. It's a critical time to take Kinosaki."

"Kinosaki?"

"Yes. If we take Kinosaki, we can control the Hokkoku Road. It will separate the Asai and Asakura. If we move north, we can reach Echizen, and if we move south, we can reach Tora-no-mae. In either case, Odani will be isolated."

"Ah, I knew the Kudono family was on the offensive, but to this extent..."

"I don't know what will happen. After all, the Kudono family is the smallest among the four families: Asai, Asakura, Rokkaku, and Kudono."

"..."

"For the next few months, the Kudono family will face a difficult period."

"Why is that?"

Lord Kudono Minbu Shōsuke Tadatsuna averted his gaze.

"It's the planting season. The Asai and Asakura will move their troops. The Kudono family has been in a favorable position during the farming season."

"..."

"Well, it's a sorry state of affairs, but we can only rely on Sakkyō Daifu."

Indeed, I heard that the Kudono family's troops were hired. The farming season doesn't affect them. The next favorable period will be the rice harvest... I should write to my father and ask for help for the Kudono family.

Eiroku 4 (1561) Mid-May, Omi Province, Ika District, Sawayama, Kudono Tadatsuna

"I am Kudono Kōshū-no-kami Masahiro."

"I am Kudono Yagorō Tadatsuna."

A man in his forties visited the Kudono fort on Sawayama. Kudono Kōshū-no-kami Masahiro, I never thought he would accept our invitation... I have received reports from Chizō, but I need to confirm this carefully.

The Kudono family is one of the four families of northern Omi, along with the Iseno, Akao, and Amagase. They have considerable power. Moreover, Masahiro's sister, Agata, is the wife of Asai Hisamasa. Masahiro is Agata's brother. In other words, the Asai Shinjiro Norihide, whom I killed, is Masahiro's nephew. I know from Chizō's reports that Masahiro is dissatisfied with Hisamasa, but I don't know what he thinks of me.

"You say you will join our side. Is that correct? The Kudono family is closely related to the Asai family."

I started the conversation while drinking tea. No need to rush, take it slowly.

"It's a well-considered decision. I can no longer tolerate the actions of Sakyō Daifu."

Masahiro expressed his frustration. Oh, he's in a hurry.

"You seem quite dissatisfied."

"Indeed."

Masahiro began to speak, or rather, to vent his frustration.

The Kudono family has long managed the irrigation of the Takatoki River in the Ika District of Omi. The Takatoki River flows south from the northern end of the Ika District, passing by Odani Castle and entering the Asai District, where it joins the Sasa River. Water is essential for rice cultivation. The Kudono family had a strong influence in the Ika District and the northern part of the Asai District. They were an indispensable presence for the Asai family.

Masahiro's father, Masahiro, was a vassal of the Kyōgoku family, like the Asai family, but he gained power in northern Omi during the internal strife of the Kyōgoku family and became a senior vassal of the Asai family. The Kudono family became one of the four families of northern Omi largely due to Masahiro's efforts. He was a capable man. Considering his management of the Takatoki River's irrigation, Masahiro was more of a collaborator than a vassal to Asai Masahiro.

Masahiro trusted Masahiro deeply. He was even given command of Tora-hime Castle, which is right next to Odani Castle. However, Masahiro died in the Battle of Minato in a conflict with Rokkaku Takayori about thirty years ago. He died as a substitute for Masahiro. When Masahiro died, his successor, Masahiro, was still a boy, and his sister, Agata, was a young girl.

For Masahiro, Masahiro and Agata were the surviving heirs of his life-saving benefactor. Masahiro took Agata in and raised her himself. Masahiro was also doted on. About ten years later, Masahiro married Agata to Hisamasa. This could be seen as a way to repay his life-saving benefactor, but it also tied the Kudono family to the Asai family. Masahiro probably wanted to strengthen his influence over the irrigation of the Takatoki River, which would also strengthen the Asai family's control over northern Omi.

This was perhaps the most prosperous period for the Kudono family. However, when Masahiro died and Hisamasa became the head of the Asai family, the situation changed. Hisamasa didn't like the wife his parents had forced on him. He sent Agata, who was pregnant with Shinjiro Norihide, as a hostage to the Rokkaku.

Rokkaku Takayori must have been surprised. At the time, Hisamasa had several daughters. One of them was the daughter of his wife, Agata. He probably expected that the hostage would be this daughter. However, the hostage was his pregnant wife. In this era, the gender of the unborn child was unknown. Norihide had several younger brothers, all born to concubines, and they were relatively close in age. It was clear that Hisamasa was trying to distance himself from Agata.

Masahiro's frustration continued. The Asai family grew under Masahiro, but this was due to his personal abilities. Hisamasa aimed to transform the Asai family from a confederation of local lords to a daimyo family. He strengthened internal control and established a centralized authority. The Asai family's decline during Hisamasa's reign was due to this.

Hisamasa believed that strengthening internal control and building power was more important than expanding influence. He thought that without this, they couldn't survive the warring states period. Despite being called mediocre and lacking in spirit, he aimed to become a daimyo. It's not an easy task, and I think Hisamasa was a cold-hearted man. Naturally, the Kudono family was targeted. They were suppressed in various ways. Sending Agata away might have been one of the reasons.

Masahiro endured. He thought that if his nephew, Norihide, became the head of the Asai family, the Kudono family would be favored again. However, with Norihide's death in the Battle of Nōdahara, that possibility was lost. The future of the Kudono family was closed. Although he didn't say it, Masahiro felt that Norihide had been killed by Hisamasa... After finishing his story, Masahiro drank the tea in one gulp. I asked Shintarō to bring more tea.

"I understand your anger. It is justified. However, I have a concern. The Kudono family defeated and killed Asai Shinjiro Norihide in the Battle of Nōdahara. Is it acceptable?"

"In a battle, it couldn't be helped. I am not resentful, though I am regretful. However, I cannot tolerate the actions of Sakyō Daifu. I cannot follow him with peace of mind."

Masahiro shook his head.

"..."

"Yagorō, the Kudono family was originally a local lord like the Kudono. I believe you understand my feelings."

"I understand."

Seeking protection because of weakness is natural. However, the one who should provide protection has become a suppressor. Feeling betrayed is natural. Local lords often betray when they feel they are not protected or have been betrayed. Greed for profit is not as common. Good deals often have hidden risks and are dangerous.

"The conditions are two: the confirmation of our territory and the maintenance of our rights over the Takatoki River. Will you accept our allegiance?"

It seems he wants to maintain the status quo. He doesn't seem greedy. Perhaps his dissatisfaction with Hisamasa is the reason for his betrayal.

"I am delighted. Having your support would be a great encouragement."

"Indeed."

It's not a lie. One of the four families of northern Omi betraying the Asai family would have a significant impact. It could shift the balance in favor of the Kudono family. Shintarō brought the tea, and Masahiro bowed slightly, saying "Thank you."

"Let me reiterate my pledge. Kudono Kōshū-no-kami Masahiro, I will serve you."

"Indeed. I hope you will work hard for our family."

"Understood."

"Can you also work on the others?"

When I asked, Masahiro's face lit up with joy.

"Of course. The lords of Tsukigase Castle and Yamamoto Castle are my relatives. I have already spoken to them. Both have agreed to support the Kudono family. They asked me to convey their greetings to you."

"That's excellent. Kōshū-no-kami, your quick work is impressive."

I deliberately laughed and expressed my joy. Masahiro also looked pleased. Unfortunately, the names of Akao and Amagase were not mentioned. Is that too greedy?

"By the way, what about the Asakura's movements?"

"They are slow. Sakyō Daifu has repeatedly requested troops, but there is no sign of movement. It seems the Asakura are divided internally. They are unreliable."

"I see."

This matches the reports from Chizō. Ōno Gunji, Asakura Kagemitsu, opposes the deployment due