Chapter 27

In the sixth month of Eiroku 5 (1562), at the beginning of the month, in the village of Shiozawa in Ika County, Omi Province, at Shiozawa Beach Castle, Kuki Mototsune:

"Then, what about the next complaint?"

When I called out, Kiyomune, the chief of the public affairs, Miharayama Yabuemon Shigeyoshi, bowed slightly.

"The last complaint of the day. The complainant is Asai Gun Tsuchigaki Castle Lord, Asami Tsushima-no-kami. The defendant is also from Ika County, Koyama Castle Lord, Koyama Shogon. The complaint is that Asami Tsushima-no-kami claims the repayment of borrowed rice and the interest are unjust."

At Kiyomune's words, the councilors frowned. Repayment of borrowed rice and interest, these are relatively common cases. They must be tired of them.

I hold the council three times a month at Shiozawa Beach Castle. Various officials come for approval, and I consult with the councilors to make decisions. However, in emergencies, I make the decision and report it to everyone later. The most important thing is the public affairs, that is, the trials. These must be decided in the council. The councilors agree that the verdicts are not based on my arbitrary judgment.

"Kiyomune, what does 'unjust' mean?"

"Yes. The borrower is Asami Tsushima-no-kami, and the lender is Koyama Shogon. The contract was made two years ago. Asami Tsushima-no-kami borrowed fifty koku of rice and was to repay it within a year. The interest was twenty-five koku, making the total repayment seventy-five koku, including the principal and interest."

Fifty percent interest. The interest rate in this era is high. It's almost usurious. Although I set the interest rate cap in the Kuki Kana Mokuroku quite low, it still seems usurious by modern standards.

"The repayment after one year was fifty-five koku. Twenty koku remain unpaid, and the complaint is about the interest on this. Koyama Shogon demands ten koku, making the total repayment thirty koku, including the principal and interest. However, Asami Tsushima-no-kami claims that according to the Kuki Kana Mokuroku, the interest cap is two koku per ten koku of rice, making the total repayment twenty-four koku, including the principal and interest."

The councilors' faces became even more serious.

"Didn't Koyama and Asami agree on how to handle the unpaid portion?"

"Yes, they agreed to repay thirty koku, including the principal and interest, in December of last year. There is a document, and I have confirmed its contents with Koyama Shogon. Here it is."

In response to the old man's question, Kiyomune answered and handed the box containing the document to the old man. After the old man finished reading it, he passed it to the uncle next to him. After the seven councilors finished reading, the document was handed to me. Indeed, it is as Kiyomune said. They agreed in December of last year. ...Here we go again. Everyone was looking at my face.

"Then the complaint is not accepted. For cases before the issuance of the Kuki Kana Mokuroku, the contract between the parties should take precedence, right?"

Everyone nodded.

"Lord, please write the judgment."

"Kiyomune, do I have to write it? It's fine if someone else writes it and I sign and stamp it, right?"

"Lord, your handwriting has meaning. Your unique upward slant is appreciated by everyone. Please."

Kiyomune bowed, and the councilors laughed.

"...Alright."

There are a lot of strange people in this world.

"Regarding the complaint by Asami Tsushima-no-kami against Koyama Shogon, it is not accepted. Since this case occurred before the issuance of the Kuki Kana Mokuroku, the agreement between the parties should take precedence. As agreed in December of Eiroku 4, Asami Tsushima-no-kami shall repay twenty koku of principal and ten koku of interest, totaling thirty koku."

I wrote the date, my name, and stamped it. "Kunshin Ho-raku," meaning that from the lord to the common people, everyone enjoys a prosperous life. Although it has a different meaning in modern times.

When Kiyomune approached, I handed him the judgment. He read it carefully, bowed, and put it away. He then returned to his seat. I sit at the top, the officials on the right, and the councilors on the left. The subordinates of the officials wait in the next room.

"Is there anything else? ...If not, the council is over. Everyone, thank you for your hard work."

Everyone bowed. I stood up and left the council room (a new room built for the council). Everyone followed me out of the room.

When I returned to my room, a maid had prepared tea. Her name is Mitsu, I think. She is the daughter of a Kuki family retainer and should have come to the castle this year. It seems she is also learning etiquette, but she often stays near Yon. They are close in age and get along well. Unlike Natsu, she is the daughter of a Kuki family retainer, so something like that won't happen.

"Lord."

A voice came from outside the room. The door opened, and Shusai's face appeared. I appointed Shusai, along with Shintaro and Iemon, to the grain department. My uncles are struggling with how to manage the grain. I appointed Shusai and the others as attendants, and so far, they are doing well. They seem to have received a strict handover from Shintaro and Iemon.

"What is it, Shusai?"

"Lord Kurokawa Echizen-no-kami, Amamori Yabuemon, and Anjo Saburozaemon are here."

The three outsiders visited after the council ended. Are they dissatisfied with the Kuki's handling? I thought things were going well...

"Understood, come in. Please have tea prepared for them."

"Yes."

The three entered. They seemed a bit nervous, which is not a good sign.

"The tea will be here soon. Let's talk after it arrives."

"Yes."

They are tense but not excited. Are they not angry?

"Regarding the people of Fubuki County..."

"Yes, it went well."

"Yes, but there is a bit of a problem..."

"Hmm?"

"It's about Sakata County..."

When the tea arrived, Kurokawa spoke hesitantly. This is unlike him; he is usually straightforward. Amamori and Anjo remained silent. I remember they hardly spoke during the council. They must have been very worried about this matter.

The successful invasion of Mino by Rokkaku Yoshikata in April was a surprise. I thought it might be a mistake, but no matter how many times I pinched myself, it didn't feel like a dream. I had to force myself to accept it as reality. I hurriedly sent a congratulatory message to Kannonji Castle, and my father, Rokkaku Yoshitaka, was apparently delighted. He is considering retiring and passing the headship to Yoshikata.

"They are asking for help."

"Help?"

When I asked, Kurokawa nodded.

"They are in a difficult situation."

"I don't understand. What kind of help?"

The three exchanged glances.

"...To the Kuki family..."

"...To seek refuge..."

"Huh?"

Are you serious? This will lead to war between the Kuki and the Rokkaku.

Thinking about it, the root cause was more the foolishness of Isshiki Ryu-ei, or rather, his immaturity. I never thought it would have such an impact... Yoshikata's military action in April must have made his father, Yoshitaka, uneasy. He assigned two of the six councilors, Gamou and Mikumo, to accompany Yoshikata. It seems Yoshikata was reluctant to have anyone else assigned. The Rokkaku's household is not well united.

As expected, Yoshikata did not coordinate with the Oda. However, Mikumo used the Koga ninjas to spread false information in advance. The message was that Chousokabe Hanbei was dissatisfied with Ryu-ei and believed his own talents made Ryu-ei's support unnecessary. This must have been going on for a while. It's possible Mikumo suggested the Mino invasion to Yoshikata. The fact that Hanbei's wife was the daughter of one of the three leaders of Western Mino, Ando Morinari, also worked against him. To Ryu-ei, the three leaders of Western Mino were merely troublesome.

When Yoshikata led ten thousand troops into Fubuki County, Hanbei naturally requested reinforcements from Ryu-ei, but Ryu-ei ignored the request. "Hanbei doesn't need my support. Let's see how much he can handle." I was surprised when I heard this, and Hanbei must have been shocked too. Even if he wasn't favored, it's natural to expect support when the enemy is attacking. Without reinforcements, the castle had no chance of winning. Outnumbered, Hanbei abandoned Mount Hoto and moved to Omi County's Daigodo Castle. Fubuki County fell to the Rokkaku.

It's beyond foolish. If I were Ryu-ei, I would have shouted, "Don't let Hanbei die!" and rushed to his aid. This might have made Hanbei think, "Ryu-ei is usually a pain, but he's reliable in a crisis. Maybe he's a tsundere. He might be kind of cute." But in reality, Ryu-ei is now claiming that Hanbei invited the Rokkaku forces. There's no cure for fools.

The Rokkaku forces secured Fubuki County and left about a thousand troops in key positions before withdrawing. Isshiki Ryu-ei is now preparing to retake Fubuki County. The Rokkaku were trying to stabilize the eastern border, but they have created a conflict zone. This is putting heavy pressure on Sakata County. When war breaks out, the people in the affected area suffer the most. The land, people, and property are devastated.

"The people of Sakata County suffered significant damage in the battle at Noura. They were treated unfairly when the Asai fell and became subjects of the Rokkaku. They were exempt from military service but were ordered to supply grain..."

Anjo spoke softly, looking down. Don't create such a gloomy atmosphere. It's depressing. I was the one who fought at Noura and handed Sakata County over to the Rokkaku. It makes me feel like the blame is on me.

"And now the Isshiki forces are advancing on Fubuki County. Naturally, the people of Sakata County will be ordered to provide reinforcements or grain. The longer the war with Mino continues, the heavier the burden on Sakata County will become."

"I understand, but why do they want to become subjects of our family?"

They could join the Mino and embarrass the Rokkaku. The three exchanged glances again.

"Because Lord is kind to the people, they feel safe."

"Kind?"

This time it was Amamori Yabuemon. When I asked, he nodded.

"We were taught how to make soap and received cotton seeds. Despite being young, Lord created the Kuki Kana Mokuroku and is seriously working on the domain's affairs. He does not discriminate against former Asai retainers. The situation for the people of Sakata County is very different. Therefore, they wish to join through us. We, who once served the Asai, cannot ignore them..."

I sighed. There are more former Asai retainers than Kuki. If I discriminate, it will be a disaster.

"Did you agree?"

"No, we conveyed their hopes."

"Who wants to join?"

"Endo, Nishiyama, Ohgaki, and Hori."

Poorly done. Nishiyama is not that influential, but Endo, Ohgaki, and Hori are powerful figures in Sakata County. They are trying to distance themselves from the Rokkaku. Once things start, the people of Sakata County will likely defect to the Kuki en masse...

"I cannot accept them. As long as the Asakura are in the north, cooperation with the Rokkaku in the south is essential. Losing it for the sake of Sakata County would leave the Kuki vulnerable to attacks from both north and south. The Saito in the west would also move. We would be destroyed in no time."

"We understand that. Therefore..."

They hesitated again. They seem to have something difficult to say. What is it?

"Therefore, what? Echizen-no-kami, speak clearly."

"The method to make soap and the cotton seeds..."

"Do you want to pass them on to those people?"

"Yes, we seek your permission..."

The three bowed. This was their goal from the beginning. The people of Sakata County know that joining the Kuki would lead to war, which is meaningless...

"Everyone will support you in a conflict with the Rokkaku."

"Stop it, Echizen-no-kami. ...If money comes in, they can buy grain and hire soldiers. ...Alright, I will allow it. I will talk to Naganuma Shinsaburo and Miyagawa Matasuke. Echizen-no-kami, you handle the arrangements. However, the Kuki family must not be involved. The people of Asai County should pass them on to the people of Sakata County. Also, abolish the checkpoint. Otherwise, it won't be effective."

"Thank you, Lord."

The three bowed and left the room.

There's no other choice. It's not a good idea for the Kuki to get involved in the chaos in Sakata County. I had no choice but to accept. Kurokawa and the others wouldn't bring up such a matter under normal circumstances. They must be in a difficult situation. There are probably relatives of the people of Sakata County among the local lords of Ika and Asai Counties. Even if not, they were once comrades. There must be close friends. They must have come to Endo and the others for help. Kurokawa and the others couldn't ignore it, and neither could I.

If Endo, Nishiyama, Ohgaki, and Hori start, others will likely follow. Sakata County will become economically tied to the Kuki domain. Politically, they will belong to the Rokkaku, but economically, they will be tied to the Kuki. This could become a complicated situation. A split with the Rokkaku? The key will be the collapse of Kannonji, or something similar... Will it happen?

In the late ninth month of Eiroku 5 (1562), in the capital of Yamashiro Province, at the Nijo Palace, with Hosokawa Fujitaka:

"So, how is it?"

"Yes, regarding the situation in northern Shinano, in the battle in July, the Takeda were consistently pushed back by the Uesugi and retreated. The five counties of Minami, Takai, Nago, Hachiko, and Azumi are now under Uesugi's control. The Takeda are struggling to hold onto Kotsuke, Saku, and Suwa, and it's unclear if they can maintain their hold. The Kiso clan in Chikuma is also distancing themselves from the Takeda. The Takeda can't manage that far."

When I reported on the situation in Shinano, the Lord nodded.

"What about Kanto?"

"Yes, the Kanto Hojo Ujiyasu is trying to reclaim the territories taken by the Uesugi, but..."

"Is it not progressing?"

"Yes. The Uesugi's military power is strong, and the local lords in Kanto are losing faith in Ujiyasu."

"Um."

The Lord nodded in satisfaction.

"Indeed, it is the Uesugi. I will bring the Uesugi to the capital. This will move the Asakura, Rokkaku, and Kuki."

"Yes."

"The movements of the Rokkaku and Kuki, how are they?"

"The Rokkaku invaded Mino in the spring and took territories from the Isshiki. Since then, the Isshiki have been trying to reclaim their territories, leading to intense battles. The Isshiki are also in conflict with the Oda in Owari, making the situation very difficult."

The Lord clicked his tongue in frustration.

"The Rokkaku, invading Mino was unnecessary. It only benefits the Saito."

"..."

"I will mediate between the Rokkaku and Isshiki. The Isshiki are also in conflict with the Oda. They will likely accept it."

"Yes."

"What about the Kuki, Mototsune?"

The Lord leaned forward, showing particular interest in Lord Mototsune.

"Yes, Lord Mototsune is rapidly consolidating his domain. The Kuki domain is rich in resources, and merchants from nearby areas are gathering. The local lords are also uniting under Lord Mototsune. His influence is growing stronger every day."

"Um, indeed, Mototsune is impressive."

The Lord nodded in satisfaction.

"I would like to see the armies of the Uesugi and Kuki. The Uesugi, who defeated the Takeda at Kawanakajima, and the Kuki, who swiftly conquered northern Omi. If these two forces combine, the Saito would be no match. They will surely show the Saito a thing or two."

The Lord gazed into the distance.

He must be imagining that day. But