Chapter 50

Eiroku 11 (1568) Early June, Kaga Province, Ishikawa District, Oyama Mibō, Kihachirō Kō

As Jūzō stood up, he bowed his head and walked to the right. Indeed, there is someone there. That must be the person from the Hachimon. The two of them started talking. It's a bad trend. Jūzō questioned the other person twice, thrice. It seems the other person brought some important information. Everyone watched Jūzō silently.

Jūzō came back, his expression stiff. He sat down on the floor cushion.

"Is there a problem, Jūzō?"

"Yes, it's a bit of a troublesome situation."

"What happened?"

I hope it's not that Onii and Miyake were executed. That would affect the future developments...

"The Saigashira of Kii seem to have defected to the Miyoshi."

There was a moment of silence. Then, Echizen-no-kami muttered, "What?"

I also want to say, "What?" I'm surprised. The Saigashira defecting to the Miyoshi? Was that a historical fact?

"Jūzō, did the Hongan-ji move?"

"Probably. It seems they are also trying to influence the kokujin of Kii."

Jūzō nodded as he answered, and everyone murmured. In other words, the Miyoshi and Hongan-ji are on the offensive.

"According to the report, it seems that Sakai is involved in persuading the Saigashira."

The murmurs grew louder. I raised my hand to quiet them.

"What's going on, Jūzō?"

"Perhaps it's about purchasing saltpeter."

"I see, that makes sense."

"Yes."

"Is this from the report from Hazuki?"

"Yes."

That lady is doing a great job. I haven't seen her in a while. She's well-endowed, soft, and full of natural charm. She's quite amusing. Although, I might be the only one who finds her amusing.

"Saltpeter... Do the Saigashira know how to produce it? I'm not sure. The Saigashira are famous for their firearms and mercenaries, but they also have a navy and are actively involved in maritime trade. They must be purchasing saltpeter from overseas. However, they might also be buying it from Sakai. It's not a good idea to anger the suppliers. Before that, how did the Saigashira make their firearms? Where did they get the iron? Kō initially purchased iron from the San'in region through merchants from Wakasa. What about the Saigashira?

Sakai, my grandfather mentioned that Sakai and Tsuruga are in competition. Historically, Tsuruga didn't have much influence during the Sengoku period. But in this world, it's the front door to Kō. It's certainly an eyesore for Sakai. It seems my grandfather's concerns were justified... If Koyama also defects, it would be quite a problem.

"I apologize, I was late."

Jūzō got off the floor cushion and knelt on the ground.

"Stop, Jūzō."

"But if I had known a little earlier, we might have been able to prevent it."

His voice was anguished. He must be blaming himself. It shows how serious the matter is in Jūzō's eyes.

"Knowing earlier would have been nice, but thinking you can control everything to your advantage is arrogant, Jūzō. It's also dangerous. The world is interesting because things don't always go as planned."

"..."

"Hōjō Masahide, are you aware that your position is unstable?"

Jūzō shook his head. Hōjō Masahide might be a capable warrior, but he seems to be poor at information warfare. He's probably not good at intrigue either.

"It's surprising that Hōjō himself hasn't noticed. It's a wonder that the Hachimon did. Thank you for the report."

I deliberately praised Jūzō. I don't need to blame the Hachimon. Jūzō is already blaming himself. I need to make sure he doesn't blame himself too much.

"The Miyoshi will likely attack the Hōjō while we are in the Hokuriku. The Hōjō won't win. They will probably suffer a significant defeat."

Ohayashigoro Hanbei, don't say that so casually with that cool face.

"The balance of power in the Kinai region will change. The Miyoshi's momentum will increase. Only you can stop them."

The handsome Jūbei smiled. He's probably imagining a great war between Kō and the Miyoshi. He might have a habit of fantasizing. Please don't dream about conquering the country.

"If the Hokuriku stabilizes, the Hōjō's defeat won't be a big loss. If Oda takes Mino, Kō can concentrate its forces to the west. I'm not saying it will be an easy victory, but I don't think we'll lose to the Miyoshi."

Everyone nodded at my words. Even if Oda takes Mino, he will maintain an alliance with Kō as long as the Imagawa exist.

"Jūzō, send someone to Ise. After the Hokuriku is settled, the next target will be Ise."

"Yes."

Jūzō nodded but looked puzzled. Everyone else had the same expression.

"The Saigashira, Miyoshi, Hongan-ji, and Sakai. To attack them, we need to do more than just land operations. We need to attack from the sea as well. First, we'll use the pirates of Ise to strike the Saigashira's navy. If they can't trade, the Saigashira will quickly cry for help. Without money, they can't buy saltpeter or iron. Then, we'll cut off the connection between the Kinai and Shikoku to pressure the Miyoshi."

Everyone started murmuring excitedly. If anti-Miyoshi activities arise in Shikoku and the control of the sea is threatened, the Miyoshi will weaken quickly.

"Officially, the attack on Ise will be to suppress the Ikko-ikki at Nagashima, but the true goal is different. Jūzō, establish a connection with the pirates of Ise. I'll give them an interesting battle to fight for the future."

"Yes."

Jūzō answered, and Sanada Masahide burst out laughing.

"Interesting! As expected of you, you are truly the greatest strategist of our time. I am deeply impressed. Truly interesting!"

"Flattery won't get you anywhere, Masahide."

Everyone laughed. It's not that big of a deal. I'm just imitating Nobunaga. I'll ally with Kuki and build ironclad ships. It will be fun.

I need to talk to Nobunaga. We'll take Ise and suppress Nagashima. Nobunaga will attack Mikawa, Tōtōmi, and Suruga to crush the Imagawa. Will it work? If not, that's fine too. I'll suggest a strategy for taking Nagashima. In exchange, I'll aim to secure the right to use the pirates of Ise.

Eiroku 11 (1568) Mid-July, Nakanikawa District, An'yōji Village, An'yōji Mibō, Kō Kihachirō

"Damn you, Kō Daisan no Kami Kihachirō! Your actions defy the Buddha, and divine punishment will come upon you!"

A monk, bound and bleeding from the head, screamed. The battle was over, and we were all sitting on floor cushions, catching our breath. I shouldn't have had an audience with the prisoner.

"Do you mean the killing of armed followers or the destruction of An'yōji Mibō?"

"Both, of course!"

What a noisy guy. I don't need to shout to hear him. Looking up, I saw thick black smoke spreading. An'yōji Mibō, an important stronghold of the Echizen Ikko-ikki, was burning. It's burning beautifully. Another stronghold of the Hongan-ji destroyed, of course, by me. I have no guilt at all. I offered them a chance to surrender, but they refused. It feels very refreshing. I want to share this feeling with the monk screaming in front of me. Yes, I'll share it. Maybe we can become friends. No, we should be able to.

"Stop shouting, I can hear you without you shouting. Kengyō, why don't we calm down and talk?"

"Who would talk to you! You cursed one!"

Laughter could be heard from the surrounding people. What a bad guy, laughing at an excited person. Or were they laughing at me? Am I the cursed one? I don't agree with that.

"Kengyō, you accuse me of being cursed, but isn't it against the Buddha to incite followers to kill people?"

"To create a Pure Land in this world, it is inevitable!"

The monk screamed again. He must like shouting. The monks of the Hongan-ji are all strange, hitting things and shouting. Is there a problem with their doctrine?

The captured monk, Kengyō, was a leader of the Echizen Ikko-ikki. His wife was the daughter of Hosokawa Harumoto. No wonder he is so hostile towards me. But Hosokawa Harumoto is really useless. He causes trouble everywhere.

"Is the Pure Land a good place?"

"Of course. The Pure Land is named so because it is a place of only joy, free from all suffering. And the Pure Land is a world of purity and coolness. It is a world you have no connection with."

I see, it sounds like a good place, but it might be boring to live there. There would be no scandals or scoops. Media workers would be unemployed. Wait, the Pure Land seems to have no excitement at all. Wouldn't people eventually become numb and emotionless? True, there might be no conflict.

"Can they go to the Pure Land when they die?"

"Of course. We who believe in the teachings of Amida Buddha will go to the Pure Land. That's why we are not afraid of death. As I said, it is a world you have no connection with."

My retainers started to murmur, but I calmed them down. Kengyō looked at me with a "Hmph" expression, seemingly pleased to have insulted me. He seemed to be in high spirits.

"Not really. I am doing good deeds, so I think I will definitely go to the Pure Land, even though I don't believe in Amida Buddha."

"Ha! What good deeds have you done? You Buddha's enemy!"

There it is, "Buddha's enemy"! I couldn't help but laugh.

"I am sending you to the Pure Land."

"What?"

Kengyō was stunned.

"In Echizen and Noto, I have sent about thirty thousand people to the Pure Land. They are now living in a world of only joy, free from all suffering, with no worries, peacefully. They must be happy now and grateful to me. I think this is a great good deed. What do you think?"

"What a terrible thing! You call killing us a good deed?"

Hey, your voice is trembling. Why are you so surprised? You people kill others too.

"That's not what I mean. I am saying that sending you to the Pure Land is a good deed. After Noto, it will be Ise and Nagashima. I will leave Mikawa to Lord Oda, and then it will be the Hongan-ji. There is still a long way to go. Many people are waiting for me. I need to continue doing good deeds."

"Devil! Kō Daisan no Kami is a devil!"

Kengyō screamed. Now he's calling me a devil? He seems emotionally unstable. I need to handle this gently.

"Kengyō, it must have been hard for you."

"What?"

"How difficult it must have been to order the followers to take up arms and kill people, even though you are a monk. It is the most forbidden act for someone who lives by the Buddha's teachings. I understand your struggle."

I deliberately blinked. Kengyō looked stunned.

"If this continues, your karma will only deepen. I can't bear to see it. I will liberate you from this suffering and deepening karma. Go to the Pure Land in peace."

"..."

When I spoke solemnly, Kengyō was speechless. He must have been moved by my kindness.

"Farewell, Kengyō. Take him away."

Two soldiers carried the monk away. I thought I heard things like "divine punishment will come upon you," "Kō's devil," and "the sixth demon king," but they weren't about me. I am a kind liberator sending the followers to the Pure Land. Kengyō will be freed from his karma and go to the Pure Land with a clear heart. It's a refreshing feeling. Doing good deeds feels really good. I might be more suited to being a monk than Kengyō. I might consider being a monk in my next life.

When I looked at my retainers, they all avoided my gaze. Some of them seemed to be trembling around their shoulders. Maybe I'm not suited to be a monk.

"The pacification of Nakanikawa District is complete."

"It's good that we could pacify it with minimal damage."

"Well, it's thanks to the conflict between the Kuroda and the Ikko-ikki."

That's right. The successful pacification of Nakanikawa District was largely due to the chaos between the Kuroda and the Ikko-ikki.

The Kuroda were supposed to cut ties with the Ikko-ikki and surrender to the Uesugi-Kō alliance. But the Ikko-ikki were angry about this. They thought the Kuroda were using them and then abandoning them to survive. It was a natural reaction. The lower-ranking soldiers of the Kuroda also sympathized with the Ikko-ikki's anger. After all, they had fought together for a long time and had some bonds.

The Kuroda split into the surrendering faction and the resistance faction. The resistance faction of the Kuroda allied with the Ikko-ikki and started fighting the surrendering faction. The resistance faction of the Kuroda and the Ikko-ikki alliance dominated the battle. In the end, the surrendering faction had no choice but to seek help from the Uesugi-Kō alliance. They were in a desperate situation. It's a bad example of what happens when you associate with bad people.

The Uesugi army of 20,000 and the Sukenaga army of 3,000, totaling 23,000 soldiers, attacked the resistance faction of the Kuroda and the Ikko-ikki alliance in the Namerikawa and Tsubakuro districts. It should be resolved soon. On the other hand, the Kō army advanced from the south of Nakanikawa District, capturing Inari Castle, Iwa Castle, Zuisen-ji, Noshiri Castle, Ichijō-ji, and An'yōji Mibō, and driving out the Ikko-ikki forces. Although it was no longer a joint operation with the Uesugi, the internal conflict between the Ikko-ikki and the Kuroda made the conquest easier. Otherwise, it would have been quite damaging.

"What will happen to the Kuroda?"

When Numata Kōzuke no Suke tilted his head and asked, everyone looked at each other.

"Their territory will definitely be reduced. Even if they surrendered, the situation was as it was."

Everyone nodded at Kuroda Gunma no Kami's words. If they had surrendered and shown loyalty, it might have been different, but with internal division and seeking help, maintaining the status quo was out of the question. Besides, the Kuroda were hated allies of the Takeda for the Uesugi. The Sukenaga would not recognize it either.

"We will go to Masuyama Castle. Prepare yourselves."

Everyone bowed and responded. We will go to Masuyama Castle, the residence of the Kuroda clan. The Uesugi and Sukenaga should come to Masuyama Castle after crushing the resistance faction of the Kuroda and the Ikko-ikki alliance. There, we will decide how to handle the Kuroda. But why isn't anyone talking about Kengyō? I think it's a memorable scene that might be remembered in history. Ignoring him is unfair to Kengyō...

Eiroku 11 (1568) Late July, Nakanikawa District, Masuyama Village, Masuyama Castle, Naie Kōzuke no Kami

When I called "Excuse me" and entered the tent, Lord Uesugi and Lord Sukenaga turned their gaze towards me. I approached and knelt on one knee.

"You have arrived."

"Yes, the Kō army of 20,000 is about five cho away from here."

Lord Uesugi nodded in satisfaction.

"I am eager to see you. Kōzuke no Kami, have you sent a messenger?"

"Yes, already."

"It's been nine years, Kōzuke no Kami."

"Indeed, much has changed since then."

"Mutual, it's a strange thing."

It is truly a strange thing. Nine years ago, Lord Uesugi achieved his second entry into Kyoto. He was appointed as the Shōgun's deputy and the Kantō Kanrei by the late Yoshitada, and his entry into Kyoto was a great success. However, at that time, Lord Uesugi faced strong enemies, the Hōjō in Kantō and the Takeda in Shinano. The situation was not good. I remember that Lord Uesugi often looked troubled.

But the situation changed dramatically. The Battle of Kawanakajima in Eiroku 4. Lord Uesugi, who usually fought boldly and divinely, must have fought in accordance with divine will in that battle. He penetrated deep into the Takeda territory and dragged out the usually battle-averse Shingen, and without leaving any troops to guard against flank attacks, he crushed the Takeda army in one battle.

"Where there is no life, there is death. There is no such thing as fate in this world. Only by fighting with all your might can you find life. Do not fear death. Cross it. Shingen's head will be there. Bet everything on this one battle."

The words Lord Uesugi spoke to everyone before the battle. The Echigo army aimed for the Takeda main camp and Shingen's head, with those words in their hearts. I didn't know those words were given to Lord Uesugi by Daisan no Kami.

When I was told to be careful not to make any mistakes and left the tent, I was immediately caught by Honjō Mimasaka no Kami and Saitō Shimotsuke no Kami.

"Kōzuke no Kami, is it to welcome Daisan no Kami Kō?"

"Yes, I was told to be careful not to make any mistakes, Honjō-dono."

They both nodded.

"Kōzuke no Kami, how about it?