Chapter 68

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early September, Omi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Kureki Fujimasa

"It's been a while, hasn't it? It's rare for the four of us to sit in a circle and drink like this."

"I often drink with you and the elder brother, but the two younger ones are always busy running around. It's not easy to get together."

The second youngest brother, Naritsuna, shook his head. The four of them sat in a circle, drinking. In front of each of them were a cup, a sake bottle, and some pickles. They used to drink like this often in the past.

"There's no choice. We often have to go out for road maintenance and purchasing. When we were in Kyoto, we used to drink together a lot."

"Indeed, but it felt like we were always complaining. The sake wasn't very good."

The four of them looked at each other. There were no smiles on the faces of the three, nor on mine. When we were serving the shogunate, the future was uncertain and the days were hard. I took a sip of sake, and now I can honestly enjoy its taste.

"Going to Kyoto, I never thought such a day would come..."

"It feels strange. Do you believe it, brother?"

Naritsuna asked me. The other two were also looking at me intently.

"No, I can't believe it. The Kizaki and Asakura couldn't do it, so it's hard to believe that the Kureki could."

The three younger brothers nodded. It's hard to believe, considering how powerful the Miyoshi were. They are still powerful today. I put a piece of pickled eggplant in my mouth. There were no chopsticks, so I had to pick it up with my hands.

In the past ten years, the world has changed dramatically. The Kizaki, Asakura, and Asai have all been destroyed, and their territories are now under Kureki control. The Kureki's territory now extends from the Hokuriku to the Tokai region. In Echizen and Kanto, the Uesugi and Oda, who are close allies of the Kureki, rule. It has been about twenty years since our lord became the head of the Kureki family. Who could have believed it? Sometimes I wonder if this is all a dream. I put another piece of pickled eggplant in my mouth.

"At that time, if the Kureki had the power we have now, what would have happened?"

Hiketada muttered quietly, his gaze still on his cup. He must be thinking about Lord Yoshitada. Hiketada was the closest in age to Lord Yoshitada.

"We would have used the Kureki's power to defeat the Miyoshi and go to Kyoto. But after that..."

We all looked at each other.

"Lord Yoshitada would have tried to suppress the Kureki's power."

"But Lord Yoshitada trusted you."

"Saburo, even if Lord Yoshitada trusted you, what did the people around him think? They probably saw it as a threat."

Hiketada's face darkened at Naotsuna's words. The power of the Ashikaga shogunate is weak. If the shogunate wants to influence the provinces, it must maintain its authority. A prominent figure like the Kureki would be a hindrance. Hiketada drained his cup in one gulp and poured himself more sake rather roughly.

"Will it be the same this time?"

Hiketada asked.

"It will be the same. Look at the Takeda and the Kitabatake. It's clear that they are trying to suppress the Kureki's power. And Lord Yoshiaki doesn't trust you as much as Lord Yoshitada did."

"Our lord understands this well. It's not unreasonable that he is hesitant about going to Kyoto. He probably sees it as a bad idea."

The voices of the younger brothers were dark. They all looked serious.

"Perhaps the shogunate will start sending us letters again."

Using relatives and vassals connected to the shogunate to manipulate the daimyo to their advantage is a common tactic of the shogunate. We have received many such letters in the past, all of which we have passed on to our lord.

"Don't forget, we are relatives and vassals of the Kureki family, not shogunate officials. Focus on serving our lord."

The three of them nodded solemnly. It might be another annoying and noisy period.

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early September, Omi Province, Takashima District, Anegawa Village, Shimizu Castle, Kureki Masatsuna

"The preparations for battle are progressing."

"Yes, they are."

The response was lackluster.

"Are you not in the mood?"

"Something like that. I don't like being a helper in a battle."

Our lord, Kureki Daisen-no-dai, sighed heavily. It was a sigh of resignation.

"Both Yoné and Yuki are getting bigger. They will give birth by the end of the year. I won't be able to be there for the birth again. I'm a terrible father; I've never been there for any of my children's births. I wonder what Yoné and Yuki think..."

"Both Lady Yoné and Lady Yuki understand your feelings. They know you don't take them lightly. Besides, you haven't taken any new concubines."

"The issue with concubines is just troublesome."

We should change the subject. If our elder brother were still alive, he might have been able to calm our lord down...

"By the way, what is the purpose of your visit today?"

"You're right, there's no point in complaining to you. I asked you here today because of the Tosa issue. A letter has arrived from a man named Togi Sakamoto-no-kami Masahide."

"Togi Sakamoto-no-kami! He is the chief vassal of the Tosa Ichijo family. He has a tonsure and the Buddhist name Sosan. What does Sosan say?"

"It seems that he has been receiving frequent letters from Chosokabe. He is troubled because he is suspected by the Shosho."

Our lord took the letter from his desk and handed it to me. I opened it and confirmed that it contained what our lord had said.

"It's hard to believe. According to the Iga scouts, Sosan is a loyal vassal of the Ichijo family and would never betray them. What is the Shosho thinking?"

Our lord grunted.

"Is this man well-respected, Uncle?"

"He is, my lord. He is a renowned general, and the Ichijo family is said to be stable as long as Sosan is alive. It was Sosan's idea to seek our help. If he were going to betray, he wouldn't have come to us."

Our lord tilted his head slightly to the right, a habit when he is thinking. I waited for his thoughts.

"The Shosho is in his late twenties, right?"

"Yes."

"...Uncle, do you think the Shosho wants to believe rather than actually believes? Sosan, who is well-respected, has become a hindrance. Could that be it?"

"..."

"Being the chief vassal, he has probably advised the Shosho several times. It has become annoying, and he can't stand being treated like a child. What do you think?"

"Indeed, to control the Ichijo family as he wishes, Sosan is a hindrance. So he wants to believe that Sosan has betrayed."

Our lord nodded. It's possible.

"Chosokabe Naomasa's goal is not to make Sosan defect but to have the Shosho execute him. If a loyal vassal is executed, the other vassals will lose faith. This will make it easier to manipulate the Ichijo family, and they will collapse quickly."

"Indeed."

Our lord nodded.

"Perhaps Chosokabe Naomasa is spreading rumors that the Shosho is unreliable. Or perhaps there is such an evaluation within the Ichijo family. He lost a battle in Iyo a few years ago, which might have influenced this. Chosokabe Naomasa might be trying to take advantage of this."

Chosokabe Naomasa, to think of such a plot. It's truly a frightening mind.

"Should we warn the Shosho? He might accept advice from you."

Our lord shook his head.

"Perhaps not. He might react negatively. Sosan might be killed, but his advice will be ignored. This will make Sosan react."

"That's..."

"He doesn't seem incompetent, but his lack of patience is a problem. He might think he can do everything and try to control things as he wishes. Those who get in his way are enemies. Chosokabe Naomasa has seen through this and is acting accordingly."

Our lord sighed deeply. His expression was grim.

"What will you do, my lord?"

"Hmm, I don't have a clear idea. It's not difficult to tear apart the relationship between a lord and his vassals through manipulation, but it's not easy to repair. There will be lingering resentment."

"Should Sosan be retired?"

"That would leave no one to control the Shosho."

"But it would be better than being killed, wouldn't it?"

Our lord's expression became even more grim.

"Perhaps the Shosho should be retired. His son should be made the head of the family, and Sosan should be his regent. That might be better..."

"That's a bold idea."

"Would you oppose it, Uncle?"

"No, it's a good idea, though drastic. But will the Shosho agree? It won't mean anything if he doesn't give up his power."

Our lord sighed deeply.

"Perhaps we should take the Shosho into our custody. There is a precedent with the Takeda."

"Indeed, but the Shosho's wife is from the Oda family."

"It's complicated... For now, let's call Sosan here. There's a possibility that my assessment is wrong. We'll decide what to do after hearing him out."

"How will we bring him here? We need an excuse."

Our lord sighed deeply again.

"Let's have him participate in the Kyoto campaign. Send him with about twenty men. Tell the Shosho that it will improve the shogunate's impression of him in future battles with Chosokabe. We will provide the provisions, so he doesn't need to worry. What do you think?"

"I'll have the Iga scouts investigate the relationship between the Shosho and Sosan. I might have focused too much on Chosokabe."

"Thank you. I'll send a messenger to Sosan. Tell him to come here immediately."

"Hai."

As I was about to leave, our lord called out, "Uncle."

"Things are not going well. We will send a ship to Tosa next month. It should reach Ryukyu by November. I hope it goes well... If not, it will be unclear why we even bothered with Tosa."

"Indeed."

"If anything happens, report it immediately. If the Kyoto campaign goes well, I plan to discuss the Tosa issue with Ichijo Kanronin."

"Understood."

The heavy expression on our lord's face made my heart ache. Even as the governor of eight provinces, he finds no peace. He is trying to expand trade using the sea routes of Ise, but if the Ichijo family declines, it will affect this. I hope the Shosho doesn't launch a reckless campaign while our lord is away. If Sosan is not there, who knows what will happen... We might need to use the Iga scouts.

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early October, Omi Province, Shiga District, Sakamoto Village, Sakamoto Castle, Kureki Masatsuna

The Kureki army of 50,000 has gathered in Sakamoto. The final war council is being held in the main hall, where many generals have assembled. They come from as far north as Noto and as far south as Ise. The pirates of Shima are already attacking the Saiga navy and merchant ships in the Kii Channel. Everyone is excited, and it's understandable. It has been years since a regional daimyo has marched to Kyoto. At least twenty years, and not since I was born. Incidentally, Togi Sosan is also here, having barely made it from Tosa.

"The Miyoshi army has not been able to call for reinforcements from Kii."

A murmur of surprise followed Juzo's report. Of course, with Kuki and Horiuchi causing chaos in the Kii Channel, the coastal local lords are reluctant to leave. Moreover, the Takeda are in the eastern part of Kii, and they are likely attacking the western half of Kii, which the Miyoshi recently took.

"Furthermore, in Settsu, the Ikeda and Ido have joined our side. With the support of the Hatakeyama in Tamba and the Isshiki in Tango, the Miyoshi are under pressure from the north of Kyoto."

The Ikeda and Ido of Settsu, when I told them to join the Miyoshi, they panicked and said they would join the Kureki. They probably wanted to be lured by the promise of rewards. I was surprised when I cut them off. The Ikeda, Ido, Araki, and Nakagawa, the local lords of Settsu, are notorious for their frequent betrayals. I acknowledge their abilities, but I cannot trust them. They are joining us this time, but who knows what will happen next. It's suspicious.

However, the surrounding areas seem to have judged that the Kureki are overwhelmingly superior. The Hatakeyama in Tamba and the Isshiki in Tango have openly declared their support for Yoshiaki. They probably don't intend to seriously fight the Miyoshi. They are just keeping them occupied at the border between Yamashiro and Tamba. But they are drawing away some of the Miyoshi's forces, which is helpful. The main concern is the Hongan-ji, but they have not moved yet. What is Kennyo thinking...

"Furthermore, thanks to the efforts of the Iga and Koga scouts, a significant portion of the Miyoshi army has been drawn to the Yamato region. Currently, the Kureki army is facing about 30,000 troops in Yamashiro. The enemy's commander is Miyoshi Buzen-no-kami Masahide, supported by Miyoshi Hyuga-no-kami Nagayoshi."

Impressive. They have 10,000 troops with the Hatakeyama and Isshiki, 30,000 in Nara, and 30,000 here. They have hired ronin to supplement the peasant soldiers for this decisive battle. It's no wonder, given their control of the advanced regions of Yamashiro, Kawachi, and Settsu. They have the money. Moreover, Miyoshi Buzen-no-kami Masahide and Miyoshi Hyuga-no-kami Nagayoshi are serious. We have the numerical advantage, but we cannot be complacent.

"As you have heard, the Miyoshi army is in a disadvantageous position, being attacked from all sides. We are facing 30,000 troops here. But do not be complacent. The Miyoshi have overcome many difficult situations to become the dominant force in the Kinai region. Their strength in decisive battles is unmatched. Do not let your guard down! Give it your all! Drive the Miyoshi out of Kyoto!"

A shout of "Ou!" rose up.

"Let's march!"

I stood up and left the main hall, followed by everyone else. Being a general is tiring.

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early October, Yamashiro Province, Uji District, Yamashiro, Kureki Masatsuna

The Kureki and Miyoshi armies, totaling 80,000 troops, have gathered in Yamashiro. They are about two kilometers apart. This is the second time we are fighting in Yamashiro. Last time, the combined forces were about 30,000, but this time it's more than double. In history, the First Battle of Yamashiro will be described as a preliminary skirmish, and the Second Battle of Yamashiro as the main event. Last time was also serious, though.

The deputy commander is the handsome Akechi Jubei, who still feels a bit strange. Previously, it was