Chapter 76

Chapter 75 and 76 have been updated simultaneously.

Eiroku 15 (1572) Mid-August Omi Province, Takashima District, Hachiman Town Hachiman Castle Kuki Morinaka

"Lord Ise believes that it will take some time to make the Shogun resign. If we continue like this, Lord Yoshiaki will only grow more frustrated. One mistake and an angry Lord Yoshiaki might ruin the negotiations. He thinks it's necessary to calm his feelings."

"That's true. Is there anything we can do?"

When I asked, Koushou looked at Yujirou and Inaba no Kami. They nodded.

"Promote Lord Yoshiaki to Jugoi no Ge."

"Indeed."

Yoshiaki was a Jugoi no Ge Left Stable Master. I am a Jugoi no Ge Great Chamberlain, so he might be dissatisfied with that. If we promote him, he won't think we are treating him lightly. We'll raise his rank before he becomes Seii Taishogun. It might calm him down a bit. A month or two is the limit, but it's better than nothing.

"It will cost money."

"Yes, we would like you to provide the funds for that."

Probably, Lord Ise's true intention is this. Money is the leading factor in this world. It hasn't changed in any era.

"Very well. Tell Lord Ise to proceed with the promotion. Kuki will cover the expenses."

"Yes."

"Even if you add a little, it's fine. It must be tough for you, so consider it a reward. Don't hesitate to tell him that."

Koushou looked troubled, and Shimotsuke no Kami, Juzo, and Jubei burst into laughter.

"Also, I hear that the court has inquired about a new official position for you."

Again, I thought. The court has been sending inquiries from time to time to prevent the Miyoshi from counterattacking. I've been declining them each time.

"The court greatly appreciates your efforts this time. They also want to reward you for the repairs to the Imperial Palace."

"Tell Lord Ise that it's unnecessary. There's no need to make Lord Yoshiaki unhappy."

"Yes."

The three from Ise left without saying anything. If I had decided to accept, they would have tried to stop me. Lord Ise must have informed me about the court's movements, and nothing more. I'll accept an official position after the Hōjō submit and Lord Yoshiaki is appointed Shogun. When the Ashikaga are united and the conflicts in the Kinai region cease, there should be no complaints even if I accept an official position. If someone complains, it's probably a narrow-minded, jealous man.

After the three from Ise left, Shimotsuke no Kami spoke up.

"Lord, won't Lord Yoshiaki still be dissatisfied with Kuki even if he becomes Shogun?"

Juzo and Jubei nodded.

"Undoubtedly. Lack of real power, Kuki being too powerful—these are more than enough reasons."

"Then Kuki will be treated the same as the Miyoshi."

Jubei frowned, looking troubled.

"Can't be helped, Jubei. Kyoto is stable now because Kuki controls Settsu and uses Ise to control the Bakufu's government office. Without that, Kyoto would be in chaos, and the Miyoshi would invade from Shikoku again and again."

"…I understand, but…"

"Lord Yoshiaki can't repel them. It would only cause chaos."

The three nodded, albeit reluctantly. They must be uneasy about opposing the Ashikaga. In short, it's not good to make him dissatisfied but to make him angry.

"Shimotsuke no Kami, did Lord Sei Tei not aspire to rule the land?"

"…Rule the land?"

He looked surprised.

"If the Rokkaku didn't advance to Mino in the east and Kuki gained control of Echizen and Wakasa, the Rokkaku and Kuki could have directed about 50,000 troops westward. Combined with the power of the Hatakeyama, they might have defeated the Miyoshi. Didn't he consider that?"

Shimotsuke no Kami was deep in thought. Juzo and Jubei watched him with interest. If the Miyoshi were defeated, the Rokkaku's influence would have extended to Yamashiro, Kawachi, and Izumi. It wouldn't be strange for the idea of ruling the land to come to mind.

"Perhaps he didn't think that far. That's why he sent troops to Mino."

"Indeed, that might be the case."

I know the historical facts. The Ashikaga's rule is over. The rule of the Oda, Toyotomi, and Tokugawa is also over. Nothing is immutable. But for people other than me, the end of the Ashikaga's rule might be unbelievable. Aspiring to rule the land might seem like madness. Saya and Yuki would be worried, and they both looked anxious.

"Do you aspire to rule the land, Lord?"

Juzo asked. His expression was unreadable, as befitting a ninja. He's usually reliable, but now I feel a bit uneasy.

"It's not about aspiring or not. I think I'm in a position where I have no choice but to rule the land."

"…You mean a position where you have no choice?"

"Yes. I realized it after being pointed out by the Kanpaku. Perhaps I was avoiding the reality. I was forced to face it by the Kanpaku."

The three were stunned. They seemed surprised by the involvement of Konoe Sakihisa.

"Kuki has grown large and prosperous. You remember the Hatakeyama of Noto and the Kitabatake of Ise. Lord Yoshiaki interfered and caused trouble."

The three nodded.

"If Kuki grows any larger, it will be a problem, but we couldn't give up Noto or Ise. Kuki dominated them."

It was necessary to expel the Ikki from the Hokuriku and Tokaido. This wasn't just for Kuki; the Uesugi, Oda, and Tokugawa would agree.

"Kuki's only rivals are the Mōri and Uesugi. The Miyoshi have lost power by splitting and being driven to Shikoku. But the Mōri and Uesugi are far from Kyoto, while Kuki is right next to it. For the Ashikaga, Kuki is the most dangerous."

"…"

"I thought that if Kuki didn't interfere with Kyoto and didn't pressure the Ashikaga like the Miyoshi, a minimum level of trust could be maintained. Unfortunately, Lord Yoshiaki failed. To prevent the Miyoshi's counterattack, Kuki had to take Settsu and control Kyoto. It's true that Kuki had no choice but to grow by aiming for Harima from Settsu."

In the Sengoku period, stagnation is not allowed. Expansion into Harima from Settsu is non-negotiable.

"Then, Lord, do you think a conflict between Lord Yoshiaki and the Kuki family is inevitable?"

"Yes, Juzo. We can maintain the current situation until the Shogun's appointment, but after that, secret orders to attack Kuki will be sent everywhere. It's what was done to Lord Yoshitaka against the Miyoshi. The same will happen to Kuki."

The three looked grim. Don't make such faces; it will bring you down.

"But how do you plan to rule the land?"

Jubei asked, sounding confused.

"I don't know. Only two samurai have ruled the land: Minamoto no Yoritomo and Ashikaga Takauji. Yoritomo was lifted up by the samurai of the Kanto. Takauji was lifted up by the samurai disillusioned with the Kenmu Restoration. In short, they ruled the land with the support of the samurai. It wasn't done by one person. Therefore, if Kuki wants to rule the land, Kuki must gain the support of the samurai."

"Support of the samurai?"

Juzo looked confused.

"Not just samurai. Merchants have also become powerful. Their support is also needed. In extreme terms, the support of the people of this land is required."

The three exhaled deeply. Shimotsuke no Kami shook his head. I feel like shaking my head too. Is it possible for me?

"What specifically?"

Jubei asked, still confused.

"First, we need to show strength. We need to conquer more countries. Prosperity is also necessary. And trust."

"Trust…"

Shimotsuke no Kami muttered, frowning. Gaining trust in this chaotic world is not easy. I also felt like frowning. Of course, ruling the land is not easy. I will have to frown, shake my head, and sigh while trying to achieve it. That's how Nobunaga, Hideyoshi, and Ieyasu gained power. I'll think of it that way.

"What I'm doing now is also to gain that trust. Ending the internal conflicts of the Ashikaga and bringing peace to the Kinai region. Appointing Lord Yoshiaki as Seii Taishogun and restoring the order of the land. Kuki must work for the good of the land and earn the evaluation that we are doing well. If that happens, people will see that Kuki's control of the Bakufu through Ise is not for personal gain."

"…But then it will look like you are working for the Ashikaga."

Jubei asked, tilting his head. It seems he thinks the purpose is different.

"As I said, Lord Yoshiaki will eventually try to eliminate Kuki. He will send secret orders to the daimyo to attack Kuki. What will the daimyo who receive those orders think?"

"Indeed, they will doubt Lord Yoshiaki."

"Yes, Shimotsuke no Kami. It doesn't matter if the daimyo oppose Kuki. The important thing is to make them doubt Lord Yoshiaki, or rather, the Ashikaga. To make the daimyo of the land think that the Ashikaga are no good. That will be the foundation for ruling the land."

The three nodded at my words.

"From there, I don't know what will happen. After all, the two who ruled the land are dead, and we can't ask them for advice."

The three laughed lightly. Finally, they laughed. But I wasn't joking… I feel a bit unsatisfied.

"If you fail to rule the land, what will happen?"

Juzo muttered. If I fail, I don't really know. The Oda family collapsed, and Ishida Mitsunari lost his life. But in this world, those things are unlikely to happen.

"What about Lord Miyoshi Masahide? Did he not aspire to rule the land?"

This time, Jubei muttered. The other two were deep in thought. Miyoshi Masahide, indeed. He is a giant of the Sengoku period, though not highly evaluated in modern times. Did he not aspire to rule the land? Everyone would think so.

"Jubei, I think Lord Masahide once aspired to rule the land but gave up."

The three looked doubtful.

"At first, I think he aimed to destroy the Bakufu. The Rokkaku family has suffered for generations, and their resentment and disillusionment with the Hosokawa and Ashikaga were strong. It wouldn't be strange to think of destroying the Bakufu and creating a new one."

The three nodded.

"But as the Rokkaku family grew in power, the opposition from the Rokkaku, Hatakeyama, and other daimyo became severe. The Rokkaku family couldn't gain the support of the samurai. Without that, destroying the Ashikaga Bakufu and creating a new one was impossible. I think Lord Masahide had no choice but to give up, and he must have been frustrated."

"…"

"Having given up on creating a new Bakufu, I think Lord Masahide aimed to take over the Ashikaga Bakufu as a second-best option."

"Take over the Ashikaga Bakufu?"

Jubei asked, surprised.

"Yes, Jubei. That's why he drove Lord Yoshitaka away and left him for a long time. The Bakufu can function without a Shogun, and he showed that to the surrounding daimyo. He didn't kill Lord Yoshitaka when he fled. If he had, he would have had to welcome and support a new Shogun in Kyoto."

During Lord Yoshitaka's absence, Miyoshi Masahide took control of the Bakufu. That was the important part.

"But, Lord, you achieved peace."

Juzo, looking nostalgic. You worked hard then.

"At that time, the Bakufu was already under Lord Masahide's control. Even if Lord Yoshitaka returned, he could do nothing. And there were other reasons to bring Lord Yoshitaka back."

The three looked doubtful.

"To raise the status of the Rokkaku family. Lord Masahide became a shoshidai and a direct vassal of the Ashikaga, no longer a vassal of the Hosokawa. There were others from the Rokkaku family who became direct vassals of the Ashikaga. That was the goal, and Lord Yoshitaka was necessary for it."

"Did Lord Masahide aim to become a kanrei? That's why he became a shoshidai…"

Jubei asked, deep in thought.

"No, I think differently. As a kanrei, he would be on par with the Hosokawa, Shibata, and Hatakeyama. I think Lord Masahide aimed higher."

"What?"

"The shogun of the Kamakura Bakufu."

The three nodded, understanding.

"The Minamoto shoguns lasted only three generations. The Hojo became shogun and lifted up a puppet shogun to hold real power. It's the same thing—make the Ashikaga shogun a figurehead and monopolize the key positions of the Bakufu with the Miyoshi family. I think that was the goal."

Unfortunately, his eldest son, Yoshinaga, died, and Lord Masahide lost his spirit. If that hadn't happened, the Miyoshi family's takeover of the Bakufu might have succeeded. To rule the land, longevity is also a requirement. Ruling the land is a long-term project. A short life won't do. I need to be careful too…

Eiroku 15 (1572) Late September Yamashiro Province, Katsurano and Aoe Districts Muromachi Palace Hosokawa Fujitaka

"Then, will the Left Stable Master be promoted to Jugoi no Ge?"

My brother, Mibuchi Yamashiro no Kami, asked, and the Bakufu's government office chief, Ise no Kami, nodded slowly.

"Indeed, it should happen by the middle of next month, at the latest by the end. It's a truly auspicious event. Left Stable Master, congratulations."

Ise no Kami bowed respectfully to Lord Yoshiaki, who was seated on the upper dais, and everyone chanted, "Congratulations." Lord Yoshiaki nodded, his expression not bad.

"It's a good momentum for the Shogun's appointment. Government office chief, when will the Shogun's appointment for the Left Stable Master be?"

Ichii Kuni no Suke Akihisa asked, and Ise no Kami looked at him with a smile.

"Well, it depends on the negotiations with the Great Chamberlain."

"It won't be in vain, will it? There's no way the Shogun will resign. It would be better to immediately request the Shogun's resignation and the Shogun's appointment for the Left Stable Master."

Several people nodded at Kuni no Suke's words, and Lord Yoshiaki also nodded.

"The Great Chamberlain has requested a delay until the end of the year, and the Left Stable Master has accepted it. Kuni no Suke, you should know that."

"But—"

As Kuni no Suke spoke, Ise no Kami faced him directly.

"If you are dissatisfied, why don't you speak directly to the Great Chamberlain, Kuni no Suke? I won't stop you."

Kuni no Suke's face turned red, and he fell silent.

Seeing this, Uesugi Nakatsukasa no Kami called out, "Ise no Kami."

"I'm not blaming you, but please don't take it personally. However, we have doubts about whether the Shogun's resignation is really possible."

Ise no Kami faced Lord Yoshiaki on the upper dais.

"Today, I came to the Left Stable Master's presence not only for the promotion ceremony but also to make a request."

Many people looked doubtful. Nakatsukasa no Kami, who had been ignored, bit his lip.

"The Shogun is hesitant about resigning."

Ise no Kami's words caused a stir, but he ignored it completely.

"However, according to the Great Chamberlain, Lord Yoshimasa and Lord Yoshiyasu are not opposed to the Shogun's resignation."

The murmurs stopped, and everyone looked at each other.

"The request is for forgiveness for the Chosokabe Aki no Kami and the Miyoshi Settsu no Kami, who are in Shikoku."

"What are you saying! They are the traitors who killed my brother!"

"The Left Stable Master is right!"

"Ise no Kami, please hold back!"

Lord Yoshiaki, looking angry, and several people scolded Ise no Kami, who bowed slightly.

"The Shogun's hesitation is because of them."

"…"

"He cannot abandon those who helped him become Shogun."

Everyone looked at each other.

"Ise no Kami, does this mean that if they are forgiven, the Shogun will resign?"

When I asked, Ise no Kami remained motionless and silent. Does he not recognize the need to answer…

The room was filled with a heavy atmosphere. Everyone looked at each other and occasionally at Lord Yoshiaki, who was expressionless, as was Ise no Kami.

"Ise, will you not answer?"

Lord Yoshiaki ordered in a low voice, and Ise no Kami bowed slightly.

"If the Shogun resigns, given that Lord Yoshimasa and Lord Yoshiyasu have already expressed their support, it will mean that the Ashikaga family recognizes the Left Stable Master as the rightful successor."

Groans could be heard from various directions.

"I hear that there are voices around the Left Stable Master suggesting that if the Shogun is taken away and complains, he should be eliminated. Eliminating means eliminating those who do not recognize the Left Stable Master, which is far inferior to recognizing him and then appointing him as Shogun. Please consider this carefully."

Ise no Kami bowed deeply.