Chapter 93

### Genki 3rd Year (1575) Early March Kishu Province Sanwa District Hozoin Castle Miyazaki Yoshitsugu

From the Three Pine Maru of this castle, one could see Kyoto, as well as Kishu and Izumi. This was a castle that the Miyazaki clan used as an important base for their conquest of the Kinai region. Using this castle and the Katsuragawa Castle in Settsu as their bases, the Miyazaki clan dominated the Kinai region. It had been eleven years since his adoptive father died, and the Miyazaki clan, which once dominated the Kinai region, was now split between the Kinai and Shikoku. Of course, it was not the Miyazaki clan that was dominating...

"Lord"

When he was called, he turned around to see his wife, Shi, standing there. There were no retainers in sight; it seemed that Shi had dismissed them.

"Is something wrong, Shi?"

"That's what I want to ask you. You've been coming here often lately and looking outside. Is something bothering you?"

Shi looked worried. He suppressed a sigh and looked outside again.

"I was reminiscing about the past, about the days when Lord Shokoin was still alive."

"..."

"The view from here hasn't changed, but the world has changed greatly. It's a strange thing, isn't it?"

"Are you hesitating?"

"..."

"Did you receive a letter from your brother?"

"..."

Shi stood next to him in silence.

"I received a letter from the Kanpaku."

From the Kanpaku? Yes, the Kanpaku is Shi's cousin. He seems to be worried about Shi.

"Your brother has been sending letters to various daimyo, including me, urging them to attack Shogun Sakyō."

"Can't you hide it from me?"

When he answered, Shi let out a breath as if she had been holding it. Looking at her, she had her eyes downcast.

"Shogun Sakyō declared that he would attack the Hongan-ji in April. Your brother has been sending letters repeatedly, urging us to rise up and attack Shogun Sakyō from both sides."

"..."

"What will you do?"

"I'm hesitating. ...Frost Platform, Bizen-no-Kami, has said he will act with me. Your brother knows this, which is why he is urging me to rise up."

"Can we win?"

"..."

"It will be difficult. No, we will lose, and we will be destroyed."

Shi sighed. But it was clear that they couldn't win. Since the Kōga incident, there have been people around your brother who are in contact with Shogun Sakyō. This means we can't catch them off guard. There is no chance of winning.

"Please don't do it. There's no need to uphold your loyalty to me or your brother."

"Shi..."

Shi had a sad expression.

"The Ashikaga family is a family with a deep curse."

"Samurai and warriors are like that."

"No, they are not."

"..."

Shi was staring at him intently.

"The Ashikaga family is a cursed family, bound by the position of Shogun and Seii Taishōgun. They try to prove their worth as Shogun by defeating the strong. There is no limit to this. And in the process, Ashikaga members also die..."

"I'm sorry. The one who killed the 13th Shogun was..."

Shi said "No" and shook her head.

"The one who killed your brother was not you, but the Seii Taishōgun. He took the position without the necessary power, and thus he was killed by the wrath of the Seii Taishōgun."

"..."

That might be true. If he hadn't been a Shogun, he wouldn't have died. He died because he tried to be a Shogun... But I was the one who killed him.

"I was truly happy when Shogun Sakyō helped reconcile with the Kōshō Kōbō family. This way, the blood of the Ashikaga wouldn't have to be shed. But..."

Shi's breath was heavy.

"Instead of rising up to help your brother, can you not rise up to prevent his death?"

Shi looked at him pleadingly. To prevent your brother's death and his own death...

"If you can't do that, I will ask for a divorce."

"What are you saying?"

Shi was shaking her head.

"I don't want to see anyone die because of the Ashikaga. I want you to leave the Ashikaga."

"..."

"Don't worry, I won't rise up."

Shi let out a relieved breath. I won't rise up, but your brother won't give up. Letters will continue to arrive, and the days of depression will continue.

### Genki 3rd Year (1575) Early March Yamashiro Province Katsurano and Ayanokōji Districts Muromachi Palace Hosokawa Fujitaka

"Minbu-taifu-dono"

When he turned around, Ueno Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono was approaching.

"Brother, is Dainagon-dono well?"

"Yes, he is not complaining of any particular discomfort."

Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono nodded in satisfaction and started walking. They naturally walked side by side.

"Dainagon-dono's confinement will soon be lifted. The Kōbō-sama said that permission will be granted soon."

"Indeed."

"Umm, Kōbō-sama is currently negotiating with Frost Platform-dono."

"..."

"Indeed, the attack on the Hongan-ji is imminent."

Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono frowned.

"Saikyō-taifu-dono has said he will not rise up. It seems he believes the Hongan-ji will not last long."

"That's likely. Shōi has left the Hongan-ji, and everyone must have doubts about his power."

"Still, to seek help from Kuki is quite a choice..."

Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono spat out angrily.

It was indeed unexpected, but no daimyo would accept ten thousand followers. Shōgun-sama accepted them as part of the strategy against the Hongan-ji. And Shōi pledged to follow Kuki's law. Kuki, known for its strictness, can no longer be criticized. For the followers, Kuki will be the last refuge and a difficult opponent.

"Mount Shigisan is isolated and unsupported; it won't last long."

At his words, Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono bit his lip. As long as Awaji is under the control of the Awa Sanada, the Mōri cannot easily send reinforcements. The Kii kokujin, the Saiga, fear angering Kuki's navy. It's clear that the Hongan-ji has no chance of winning.

"Since Saikyō-taifu-dono will not rise up, neither will Frost Platform-dono or Bizen-no-Kami-dono. What do they think of the Kōbō-sama's will... It's a sad state of affairs."

As long as Saikyō-taifu-dono does not act, it will be a while before my brother's confinement is lifted. It's a depressing situation. It seems that neither the Kōbō-sama nor his surroundings understand the situation.

The Kōga incident orchestrated by my brother, the Kōbō-sama and his surroundings acted without consulting Frost Platform-dono, thus humiliating him. They think that Frost Platform-dono is angry and demanding punishment for my brother. They believe that time will heal the anger. Or perhaps they think Shogun Sakyō doesn't know about it. Either way, it's a foolish and incomprehensible situation.

Frost Platform-dono will forgive my brother when Saikyō-taifu-dono decides to fight Shogun Sakyō. Until then, he won't forgive him. If he forgives him, Shogun Sakyō's troops might advance from Kōga to Yamato... In that case, Saikyō-taifu-dono might also become a target. Currently, there is no particular tension between Shogun Sakyō, Saikyō-taifu-dono, Frost Platform-dono, and Bizen-no-Kami-dono. They won't act in this Hongan-ji attack. But there is no guarantee that they will recognize Shogun Sakyō's dominance. What will happen...

"Do you know that Shogun Sakyō is working on the issue of gold and silver with the court?"

"I am aware. It's about setting the exchange rate for copper coins and gold and silver to facilitate trade. I heard that merchants from all over the country have been gathered for this."

"Samurai shouldn't be so focused on money. They seem more like merchants, don't you think?"

Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono distorted his face and spat out. Kuki has come this far with the power of money. The Kōbō-sama also became Shogun with Kuki's money. The previous Kōbō-sama was able to return to Kyoto with Kuki's money. There are many who are unhappy with the Kōbō-sama and his surroundings. They see it as presumptuous and disrespectful. But if you talk about money, it's a different story. Anyone who can't provide money has no say...

"Kuki can move a large army, and they need a lot of money to prepare provisions. It's enviable."

"Envious?"

Nakatsukasa Shōsuke-dono looked puzzled.

"I'd like to make a purchase with gold and silver at least once."

"I see."

The frightening thing is that Kuki has the power to gather merchants from all over the country, and the fact that merchants have recognized the exchange rate for gold and silver means they have recognized Shogun Sakyō's ideas. Shogun Sakyō's power is gradually growing. The Kōbō-sama and his surroundings don't seem to understand this...

### Genki 3rd Year (1575) Late March Ōmi Province Hōshū District Hachiman Town Hachiman Castle Kuki Moritaka

"Lord, I apologize, but I believe this is a misunderstanding. My father would never go against you..."

The man in front of him was bowing his head to the floor.

"I understand, Yatarō."

My head hurts; I knew something like this would happen... The sound of footsteps running down the corridor approached. I could hear someone shouting, "Lord!"

"Lord!" Saya burst into the room.

"Lord! This must be a misunderstanding. My father, my father would never..."

"Saya."

"Please, I beg of you, do something for my father."

"Please, I beg of you."

No, you two are just bowing and won't listen to me. Do I really look that scary? I mean, I am the one who kills the most people in the Sengoku period, but...

"Saya, Yatarō."

"Lord, my father..."

"My father would never..."

"Quiet!"

Both of them were surprised. My head hurts.

"Listen to me for a moment!"

They nodded.

"Your father's troops provided provisions to the Hongan-ji."

"That's..."

"Listen!"

They nodded again. I'm not Nobunaga, and your father is not Araki Murashige. Don't worry so much.

"Your father's troops are mercenaries. They can be swayed by money. The amount of provisions provided was not significant. Don't make a fuss."

Both of them looked a bit relieved.

"I have never thought that your father was against me. He has fulfilled his duties in Settsu. Especially, bringing Shōi to Kuki is a great achievement, equivalent to conquering a province. After dealing with Mount Shigisan, I plan to grant him new territories. Don't worry."

"Oh!"

Both of them cheered.

"Yatarō, take my letter to your father. Tell him not to be swayed by trivial rumors and to trust me. I trust your father and have no reason to doubt him."

"Understood."

"Be vigilant and keep an eye on the Hongan-ji until April."

"Understood."

When I said, "Paper and pen," Kato Magojirō brought them. What should I write?

'This incident with the provisions is trivial. I find it amusing that my brother and wife are making a fuss. I have no doubt in your father. I am satisfied with his work so far. It is important that your father trusts me and is not swayed by others. Please listen to my brother for more details. I am sending this to Settsu.'

Is this good enough? I'll leave the details to Yatarō.

I signed my name and had Magojirō stamp it with the "Lord and Vassal Prosper" seal. Magojirō, who was stiff, stamped it. When I gave it to Yatarō, he read it carefully and said, "Thank you," and bowed. He will go to Settsu, "I count on you." Saya, crying, said, "Thank you," and bowed repeatedly. I told her, "I understand, now go," and made her leave.

"Shimotsuke-no-Kami, Jūzō, do I look that scary? Am I a merciless man who doesn't forgive the mistakes of his vassals?"

When I asked, Shimotsuke-no-Kami and Jūzō smiled.

"I don't think so, but the Hongan-ji is a different matter. You have been fighting them for ten years, and it's understandable that my lord and Yatarō are worried."

Jūzō answered, and Shimotsuke-no-Kami nodded. Is that it? I feel like I'm being treated as a tyrant, which is not what I want. It's sad; I feel like I'm not understood.

"When we surround the Hongan-ji, I plan to urge them to surrender. The condition is to leave Kuki's territory. What do you think?"

Shimotsuke-no-Kami and Jūzō looked at each other.

"Are you not planning to cut them off?"

Shimotsuke-no-Kami asked in a puzzled voice. I guess I have a reputation for being cruel. It's depressing.

"Killing them is not as useful as using them. Kōshō can go to Kii, Harima, or Aki. If he goes to Kii, he will fight with the Hatakeyama, which is not bad. Harima is also fine; we will attack it anyway and crush it before it can solidify. Aki is far, but for the Mōri, Kōshō could be a threat to their position. This can be used to our advantage."

Both of them nodded. "As expected of my lord," Jūzō said. For some reason, I can't feel genuinely happy. Kōshō is like the joker in a game of Old Maid. The country that draws the joker will face chaos and bloodshed. They will regret accepting Kōshō. Gradually, the countries that accept Kōshō will disappear. In the end, they will either be destroyed in the chaos or beg for mercy and live under Kuki's law. If I kill Kōshō now, he will become a martyr, and his followers might unite. That would be a bad move.

After obtaining Mount Shigisan, I plan to use it as a rear support base. It's the perfect location to attack from Harima into the Chūgoku region. I will appoint a provender officer as the castle lord, but it will be temporary. Should I appoint my uncle? No, my father-in-law is already in Settsu, and I don't want them to compete. ...I'll appoint Imaemon. I will make Yamauchi Imaemon the castle lord. He has a good character and is suitable for the role. I'll also assign a few young men to assist him.