Chapter 53

Eiroku 11 (1568) Late November Omi Ika-gun Shiozumi Beach Shiozumi Beach Castle Kuki Mototsuna

The cause of our current headache can be traced back to the father of Umeda Samon Daisuke Masahide, Umeda Samon Jiro Takahide. This man died about seven years ago, but he was not actually a member of the Umeda family. He was an adopted son from the Rokkaku family, the son of Rokkaku Takayori, and thus the younger brother of Rokkaku Masayori, who is famous as the deputy shugo. In short, the current Umeda Samon Daisuke Masahide is a cousin of Shokan Nyudo. I didn’t realize this until I seriously considered the Ise campaign.

The reason why the Rokkaku family sent an adopted son to the Umeda family can be seen by looking at the Umeda family's territory. The Umeda family's territory is located at a strategic point that controls the Hachifudo Road, which connects northern Ise and Omi. Umeda and Tami, which are part of the Umeda family's territory, are places where merchants are permanently stationed and conduct business. In short, it is a key location for both military and economic control, and it is a place that must be secured when advancing from Omi to Ise.

The Umeda family also had a purpose in welcoming an adopted son from the Rokkaku family. It was to expand their influence in northern Ise using the power of the Rokkaku family. This happened before I was born, but the Nagano family, based in Annu-gun, tried to expand their influence by moving north. Their target was Kuwana. The Rokkaku and Umeda families cooperated to suppress the Nagano family's northward advance and expand their influence in northern Ise. It was after this that the Rokkaku family turned their attention to Kuki.

Juzo has made contact with Umeda Samon Daisuke a few times. I sent him a letter, but I haven't received a clear response.

"Shimotsuke no Kami, does Samon Daisuke hate me?"

When I asked, Shimotsuke no Kami had a troubled look on his face. Did I ask a stupid question?

"Well, he probably doesn't think kindly of you. But by the time of Sakyo Daisuke, the two families had already become estranged. I don't think you need to worry too much about it."

"Hmm."

Well, it's a bit of a comfort. Shimotsuke no Kami is kind. The collapse of Kannonji happened in Eiroku 6, so for about five years, Umeda Samon Daisuke has been estranged from the Omi forces. In both historical fact and in this world, when the Rokkaku family had internal strife and their power declined, northern Ise became independent. What about the historical Umeda?

"After the collapse of Kannonji, was there no talk of a successor from the Umeda family?"

"Well, it wasn't completely absent, but in the case of Samon Daisuke's son, the bloodline is a bit distant."

"I see."

It must not be interesting. Perhaps he thought it would be better to have a successor from the Umeda family, who fought with him in Ise. By the time he thought this, the Rokkaku family had been destroyed. I destroyed them. It's not strange for him to have a strong grudge against Sakyo Daisuke and me.

"Lord, should we try to threaten him?"

"Threaten... If he doesn't join us, we'll attack and destroy him?"

"Hai."

"..."

I guess I didn't seem very enthusiastic. Ueno no Suke leaned forward.

"Umeda has an enemy to the south, the Nagano family. The Nagano family has welcomed an adopted son from the Kitabatake family, eliminating their concerns. Umeda can't afford to have Kuki as an enemy on top of the Nagano family."

That makes sense. If the Umeda family joins the Kitabatake, it will be troublesome. That's why I sent an envoy. But it's not a good strategy to let things drag on.

"Lord, what will you do?"

Sanada Danjo asked. No, I think he's pushing me to make a decision. Everyone is looking at me.

"We can't go to war. We won't fight Umeda."

"Lord!"

Ueno no Suke looked like he wanted to say something, so I held him back, "Wait a moment."

"Umeda Samon Daisuke has Rokkaku blood. He fought with the Rokkaku family in Ise. There are several local lords in southern Omi who fought alongside Umeda against the Nagano family. Understand? Umeda is one of the people who created the glory of the Rokkaku family. Don't forget that. He's different from Sakyo Daisuke."

Everyone looked at Shimotsuke no Kami hesitantly. Shimotsuke no Kami was silent.

"If we fight Umeda, Kuki will have to invade Ise beyond southern Omi. What if chaos breaks out in southern Omi at that time? It would be disastrous."

"I don't want to see a stone monument erected in Ise, in Tahara or Umeda, commemorating the place where Kuki Kizan Daisuke Mototsuna was killed."

Someone let out a small sigh. It's a sad sound. But it's not impossible. If Kuki invades Ise, the Hongan-ji will likely consider it part of the Nagashima campaign and try to prevent it. They might realize the relationship between Umeda and the local lords of southern Omi at that time. Fighting Umeda is not a good strategy, no, it's dangerous.

"I think there are two reasons why Umeda won't join Kuki. One is that he dislikes me. It's a matter of the heart."

A weak laugh was heard. The atmosphere became a bit lighter.

"The other is a matter of money. Umeda is well-off from the taxes paid by merchants at the checkpoints. But Kuki doesn't recognize checkpoints. He probably thinks there's no benefit in joining Kuki."

This time there was no reaction. The atmosphere became heavy again.

"It's a matter of emotion and profit. So far, I've relied on Juzo, but from now on, I'll ask Saito and Mekada to persuade Umeda. It might be a bit harsh for them, but I don't want to destroy Umeda, and I think they feel the same way. If they, as former Rokkaku retainers, persuade Umeda, he might be moved. Besides, they are also members of the council, which can serve as a guarantee that the Umeda family will not be treated unfairly if they submit to Kuki."

Several people nodded.

"Also, after the Ise campaign, I plan to give Umeda about 20,000 koku as a reward and establish a separate family. In this chaotic era, it's better to have more branches."

There were no objections. Well, we don't know if it will work, but let's try it. If Umeda joins us by the end of the year, we will advance to northern Ise in early February. The campaign in northern Ise will be temporarily halted in April. By then, there should be some movement in Noto. We will send troops to Noto.

If the Noto campaign is completed by June, or at the latest by July, we will resume the Ise campaign. This time, southern Ise will be the main battlefield. We want to finish it as soon as possible. We need to be a bit creative. What should we do...

Eiroku 11 (1568) Early December Omi Ika-gun Shiozumi Beach Sanada Yukitaka

"Welcome back, my lord!"

"I'm back."

At the entrance, I called out and entered. My wife came running up.

"Welcome home. Oh, what is that?"

She looked curiously at the pot I was carrying.

"It's a good thing, I'll explain now. Follow me."

In my room, I placed the pot, and my wife looked at me expectantly.

"This is a pot made in Echizen, called Oda-yaki."

"Oda-yaki?"

My wife tilted her head. She's always like a young girl, no matter how old she gets. But that's why she has comforted me in difficult times...

"Have you heard of it?"

"Well, in this area, we usually hear about Shigaraki or Tokoname. Oda-yaki is not very... Did you buy it?"

"I received it from the lord."

"Oh!"

My wife looked at the pot again. It's a pot with a reddish-black base, simple but with a certain charm. I think I'll grow to like it.

"Oda-yaki is made for everyday use, such as pots, jars, and mortars. That's probably why it's not very well-known."

"I see."

My wife nodded in admiration.

"It's quite sturdy. The lord is considering using Oda-yaki pots for storing sake and water. Kuki's clear sake in an Oda-yaki pot will sell well."

"Yes. So, what about this pot? You said you received it from the lord?"

"Yes, the lord bought about thirty pots and tea bowls and told us to take what we liked. I chose this pot."

My wife examined the pot closely.

"But why is the lord doing this?"

"If we use it and find it good, others will buy it too. If more people buy it, the name of Oda-yaki will spread."

My wife was impressed. I was getting excited, so I pushed a bit more.

"Every year, the Kuki family presents various items to the court. You know that, right?"

"Yes."

"This year, they plan to present salt from Tsuruga in Oda-yaki pots. They will also present the pots themselves and agate from Wakasa. If this happens, the court will know the name of Oda-yaki and the agate from Wakasa."

My wife clapped her hands and smiled.

"I understand."

"Do you really understand?"

"Yes, it's not just about maintaining a connection with the court, but also about spreading the name of products made in the Kuki domain."

"Exactly."

"He's a strange man, isn't he?"

"Yes, he's a bit different from other daimyo. The first time I met him, I was introduced to the top floor of the castle with Shiga Shichiro and Ashida Shirozaemon."

"Yes."

"I thought he would talk about the Kuki family's troops or equipment, but he talked about the ships entering the port."

"Oh!"

My wife laughed. I couldn't help but laugh too.

"From the sea of Tsuruga to Omi, and from the port of Shiozumi Beach to Lake Biwa, and then to Kyoto, Ise, and Mino using the Lake Biwa route. The reverse is also true. Controlling Omi means controlling Lake Biwa and the flow of goods. Shiga, Shichiro, and Shirozaemon and I were stunned and didn't understand what he meant."

My wife laughed again. This, this, don't laugh at your husband like that.

"It's a problem, isn't it?"

"Indeed, it's a problem. I only understood the meaning of what he said after being ordered to defend Tsuruga."

That's why I asked to have my sons serve by his side, but he refused, saying they would learn more by staying in Tsuruga. I hope he understands...

"Tsuruga, I want to go there too."

"It's a good place. I'll take you there sometime."

"Yes."

The fish was delicious. Sea fish are different from river fish; they are rich in fat. Dried fish is good, but fresh fish grilled with salt or served as sashimi with clear sake is even better. Crabs were also delicious. In mountainous regions like Shinano or Kai, you can't enjoy such delicacies. If I receive a domain, I want it to be by the sea.

Eiroku 11 (1568) Mid-December Omi Ika-gun Shiozumi Beach Shiozumi Beach Castle Kuki Mototsuna

"For the supply route for the Ise campaign, I think it's best to use the Hachifudo Road. The Senjo Road should be used when the Hachifudo Road is unavailable, or when the campaign in Ise is going smoothly and the army has moved south."

"Umm. In that case, where will the supplies be placed, Uncle Uemon?"

When I asked, Kuki Uemon-no-jo Naotsuna, Kuki Samon-no-jo Terutaka, Yamaguchi Shintaro Noritaka, and Yamane Iemon Ietoyo grimaced.

"They will be placed in southern Omi."

"..."

"Lord, from Shiozumi Beach, it's quite a distance..."

"Yes."

Supplies will be placed in southern Omi. We still need to persuade Umeda. The four men's expressions were not good, indicating some unease about southern Omi. The expressions of Gamou Shimotsuke no Kami and Tazawa Matasuke were also grim.

"Specifically, where will they be placed?"

"We plan to place them in two locations. One at Kannonji Castle, and the other around Eizanji. Eizanji can be used for both the Hachifudo Road and the Senjo Road."

Iemon answered my question. Kannonji can be used to gather supplies via Lake Biwa. Using it as a rear base and Eizanji as a forward base... Constant vigilance and protection of the supply routes will be necessary. The Ise campaign will not be easy for Masaharu. The Sanada might disrupt the supply lines to hinder the campaign and force a focus on Kyoto...

"I have no objections. Please proceed with this plan."

The four men bowed.

"Lord, can we assume the Ise campaign will start in February?"

"Yes, I hope so. Umeda has become quite cooperative. One more push should do it. Besides, even if the Hachifudo Road is unavailable, we still have the Senjo Road."

It was a good decision to send Saito and Mekada to persuade Umeda. According to them, Umeda is gradually coming around. At least, there's no distrust towards me. However, there's still some resistance.

Senjo Jirozaemon Tadaharu, who controls the Senjo Road, has pledged to follow Kuki. Tadaharu is the younger brother of Goto Tango no Kami. He became an adopted son of the Senjo family as part of the Rokkaku family's plan to conquer Ise. He had heard good things about me from Goto Iki no Kami and Kogura Sakon no Shosho, and responded positively to our overtures. The close relationship between me and Goto Tango no Kami is becoming a reality. The Ise campaign will require the power of the local lords in southern Omi. We can't fight in a way that makes them uneasy.

"I have a request."

"What is it, Shintaro?"

He seemed unusually tense. Not just Shintaro, but all four of them. Are they going to ask for a change in roles?

"Please improve the roads within the Kuki domain."

"Roads?"

"Hai."

I see, that's important. It will have benefits not just for military purposes but also for economic reasons. I've been focusing too much on water and sea transport via Lake Biwa and the sea.

"Understood. First, let's improve the roads from Shiozumi Beach to Tsuruga, from Tsuruga to Kita no Shiro, and from Kita no Shiro to Mihama. After the campaign in northern Ise is completed, we will improve the Hachifudo Road and the Senjo Road. Is that acceptable?"

"Hai."

Shintaro bowed in relief. The other three did the same. Gamou Shimotsuke no Kami and Tazawa Matasuke were trying hard to hide their surprise.

After a few more confirmations, the meeting with the supply officers ended, and the four men left the room. Improving the roads within the Kuki domain... In this era, daimyo are not always enthusiastic about road improvements, as they think it will make it easier for enemies to attack. The four men were tense