Chapter 95

In the third year of Genki (1575), early August, in the village of Kasugamura, Koshigun, Echigo Province, Kasugayama Castle, Kuki Kizanori.

"Big, isn't it?"

"Hai."

Kasugayama Castle was indeed a large castle. Even Kannonji Castle and Ishiyama Honganji were large, but this Kasugayama Castle was no exception. It wasn't just big; it controlled the port of Naoetsu and the traffic routes to Koshi, Kanto, Shinano, and Etchu. In modern times, Niigata City is the center of Niigata Prefecture, but in this era, things were different. To control Shinano and Etchu and enter Kanto, it was more convenient to use Kasugayama Castle. I think Kasugayama Castle was a fitting residence for Uesugi Terutora, the Kanto Kanrei who wielded power over Etchu, Shinano, and Kanto.

"This way, I will guide you to the main keep."

"Thank you."

Led by Naoe Kaga-no-kami Kagesada, I, Gamou Shimosakami, Kurono Shigetake, Kasayama Keisaburo, Kasayama Keishiro, Taga Shinnojo, Suzumura Hachiroemon, and a few other pages entered the main keep, the honmaru, through the back gate. Uesugi's retainers followed behind. It was quite a spectacle, almost absurd. No matter how much Naoe Kaga-no-kami said, "Lord Terutora wishes to meet the young general and has been begging me to persuade you..." and even cried, it didn't mean I would readily go to Echigo...

I couldn't laugh at the lightness of the Lord Chancellor's waist. My family and senior retainers all opposed it, citing danger and issues of status. They were right; I lacked dignity. I knew that going further would only complicate matters. But I wanted to meet Terutora, I thought I should.

In this world, the Uesugi clan controlled Echigo, Etchu, and Hida, and most of Shinano. The Hojo's territory was limited to Izu and the western half of Sagami. Most of Kanto was either under Uesugi influence or neutral. The name of the military god Uesugi Kenshin, or rather Uesugi Terutora, was far greater than in historical records. It would be impossible to refuse an invitation to meet such a man.

Terutora wasn't as severely ill as in history. His life wasn't in danger, but he had paralysis on his left side, making it difficult to walk, and his hand was numb. He also had trouble opening his mouth, making it hard to speak smoothly. As a general, he might still be able to contribute strategically, but he couldn't go to the battlefield. It would be difficult for him to rule the Uesugi clan as its head. Moreover, there was a possibility of another stroke. If that happened...

Terutora was alive but would have to retire. He would step down from the front lines and support the new head from behind, I thought.

On the way to the main keep, I met Uesugi's retainers. They all thanked me, but their expressions were dark. The situation wasn't good, and there were concerns about the future. However, it was much better than if Terutora had died without a successor. That would have caused tremendous chaos, and people might have looked at me with bloodshot eyes, even trying to kill me.

Terutora was supported by a woman and sat up. When he saw my face, he smiled with half his face, looking happy. It was as if he was frowning, and it made my heart ache. I approached and held his hand.

"Y-You... c-came..."

"It's nothing, it's only natural. I'm relieved to see you looking well. Don't surprise me."

Terutora nodded, and for some reason, I felt like crying.

"K-Kihachiji."

"Hai."

A young samurai bowed. Kihachiji? From his age, it must be Kihachiji Kagekatsu.

"Lord Shogun, this is Lord Terutora's nephew, Nagao Kihachiji Kagekatsu."

"I am Kihachiji Kagekatsu."

Naoe Kaga-no-kami introduced Kihachiji Kagekatsu, who then introduced himself.

"I am Kuki Saisho Kizanori."

"Lord Terutora is considering adopting Kihachiji."

Kaga-no-kami's words were met with a nod from Terutora.

"S-Shogun."

"What is it?"

"C-Can we... continue?"

Continue? Terutora looked pleading. My nose tingled. For the military god to cling to me...

"What are you being so sentimental about... Lord Kanrei, the friendship between the Kuki and Uesugi clans isn't limited to our generation."

Terutora nodded, looking relieved. I couldn't help but shed a tear.

"Kihachiji, I hope we can remain close."

"Thank you, I am young, so I ask for your guidance."

Terutora smiled, despite his difficulty speaking.

"L-Let's... once more, t-together."

Once more together?

"To battle."

Once more to battle? You want to go to war? With me? A feeling welled up in my chest.

"What are you being so weak about... I haven't forgotten fighting alongside Lord Kanrei in Etchu and Noto. Thanks to Lord Kanrei's strength, the Hokuriku region stabilized in that battle."

Sobs could be heard from all around. I didn't mind; I was crying too.

After the meeting with Terutora, I was led to another room. Two men and one woman from the Uesugi side were there: Naoe Kaga-no-kami, Nagao Echizen-no-kami Masahide, and his wife, Aya. In other words, Kagekatsu's parents. In history, his father was dead, but in this world, he was alive. Probably because in the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima, Shingen suffered a crushing defeat, and there was no betrayal or death.

"Thank you for coming, Lord Shogun."

Echizen-no-kami bowed, and the other two followed.

"No, I have a twenty-year friendship with the Kanto Kanrei. It's only natural to visit, so there's no need to worry."

"We are grateful."

They bowed again. Shimosakami and Shigetake had serious expressions. It was a good decision to bring them; if someone had a foolish expression, it would ruin everything.

"Regarding Kihachiji's adoption, will he officially become the head of the Uesugi clan and succeed the Kanrei position?"

"No, he will only join the Uesugi clan for now."

"Then there won't be a succession?"

"Hai."

Kaga-no-kami answered, while the other two had solemn expressions.

"Lord Terutora wants to pass the leadership to Kihachiji, but there are concerns that he is too young."

"I see, there are voices saying that taking on both the Uesugi headship and the Kanto Kanrei position at once is too much..."

"Hai, we cannot damage the Kanto Kanrei position. He should first become a member of the Uesugi clan and gain experience as a deputy."

That makes sense, regardless of the intentions behind it.

A deputy is someone who represents the lord in battle. Takeda Shingen's son, Takeda Katsuyori, was said to be a deputy. He would have significant power but not be the lord. Kihachiji Kagekatsu is young, but he has a father and Terutora. He should have completed his first battle. With support from the retainers, he should be able to manage, but there will likely be strong opposition. After all, Kihachiji's succession to the Uesugi clan is a stretch.

Echigo is a bit of a complicated country. Originally, the Uesugi clan held it as a guardian. The Nagao clan, Terutora's original family, was a vassal and deputy guardian. In the Sengoku period, Echigo naturally fell into chaos. Terutora's father, Harukage, overthrew the Uesugi clan and took control of Echigo. Naturally, there were many who opposed this. Some families split from the Uesugi, and some were branches of the Nagao clan. Echigo is long from north to south, and the northern part, known as the Yohoku group, has a strong sense of independence. Harukage must have struggled.

After Harukage's death, Echigo naturally fell into chaos again, and Terutora had to reunify it. The guardian Uesugi clan was cut off, and Terutora's Nagao clan, known as the Fuchu Nagao clan, became the guardian with the shogunate's approval. However, the turmoil in Echigo didn't subside. It was so bad that Terutora even ran away from home. I think he took over the name of the Yamashina Uesugi clan and the Kanto Kanrei position to gain the authority to control the Echigo people. His visit to Kyoto was also to strengthen his ties with the center and enhance his authority.

Now, Kagekatsu is being considered as a successor, but his real family, the Ueda Nagao clan, is a delicate family in Echigo. As the head of the clan, they held significant influence in the household, but from the time of his grandfather, Masanaga, they had a history of rebellion, which many found concerning. According to Kobayashi, the term "Ueda group" itself carries a connotation of discrimination or contempt, suggesting they are untrustworthy.

It's understandable. Even Kagekatsu's father, Echizen-no-kami, had opposed Terutora and lost, only to submit later. One of the conditions for reconciliation was that Terutora's sister, Aya, would marry Echizen-no-kami. The idea of their child becoming the head of the Uesugi clan... I sighed. The opposition to Kagekatsu, who had the blood of the Ueda Nagao clan, was likely a factor in the support for Kagekatsu in the Otemon Rebellion.

Terutora should have had more children. If he had, the people of Echigo wouldn't have complained. The succession would have gone smoothly... Echigo will undoubtedly fall into chaos, and what will happen to Kanto? I have no idea. The people in front of me probably know the situation best, but I can't ask them. It's heavy. I said the friendship with the Uesugi would continue, but what can I do...

"Lord Shogun, I have a request."

Lady Aya spoke with a determined voice. She looked beautiful on TV, but in reality, she was a middle-aged woman in her fifties. I could see that she must have been beautiful in her youth, but she looked quite worn out. Her husband, Echizen-no-kami, did too. They were under a lot of pressure. I could guess what she was going to say...

"What is it?"

Lady Aya swallowed.

"Could you give your daughter, Princess Take, to Kihachiji as his wife?"

Shimosakami and Shigetake exclaimed, "What?" and "Is that?" I raised my hand to stop them.

"Princess Take is only seven years old, and she is not a suitable match for Kihachiji."

"Please, Lord Shogun, could you be Kihachiji's guardian?"

Lady Aya bowed, and the other two followed. Shimosakami and Shigetake shook their heads, disagreeing. They understood the weakness of Kihachiji's foundation, which was natural.

"Raise your heads, we can't talk like this."

"Please, please."

The three continued to bow. I sighed.

"Does Lord Kanrei know about this?"

"No, it's just our idea."

Kaga-no-kami answered. The old man, over sixty, was desperately bowing with his white hair. The other two had gray hair. It was heart-wrenching. Terutora wanted to meet me, so they must have thought to use this opportunity.

"Kaga-no-kami, be honest. Echigo will fall into chaos if things continue, won't it?"

"..."

"Is my daughter necessary to unify Echigo?"

"Please."

Kaga-no-kami only bowed.

"Another 'please'?"

What a troublesome group. I couldn't help but smile. Even in such a situation, humans can still laugh.

"Alright, I will send Take to the Uesugi clan."

The three raised their heads and said, "Thank you!" and bowed again. Shimosakami and Shigetake exclaimed, "My lord!"

"I don't want the Uesugi clan to collapse, do you?"

Shimosakami and Shigetake were silent.

"Besides, Take is a girl with the blood of the Kuki and the Kibitsuhiko Shrine's chief priest. Her influence extends to Echizen, Kaga, Noto, Etchu, Echigo, and Sado. She is the only one who can help Kihachiji."

The two reluctantly nodded.

I never expected this when I took Yuki as a concubine. Not just me, but Yuki and the chief priest probably didn't expect it either.

"I will send Take to Echigo next spring or summer due to the misfortune at Asukai this year. We will choose an auspicious day for the ceremony."

The three rejoiced, and the two exclaimed, "What?"

"A promise alone is not enough. It would be meaningless."

Shimosakami and Shigetake reluctantly nodded.

"Kaga-no-kami, I want to meet Lord Kanrei and Kihachiji again. Please arrange it."

"Hai."

"I plan to ask Lord Kanrei to give my daughter to Kihachiji."

Shimosakami started to say something but stopped.

"Kihachiji will become my chosen son-in-law."

"Thank you, we will never forget this kindness."

The three cried again. They were quite busy.

"Kaga-no-kami, the real challenge is ahead. There's no time to cry."

"Hai."

Kaga-no-kami wiped his tears, and Echizen-no-kami and his wife did the same.

"Echizen-no-kami, never try to take the top position. Always support your son as a vassal."

"Hai."

"Lady Aya, I entrust my daughter to you. Please raise her as a mother. She is still a child who knows nothing."

"Of course."

Echigo will be fine. The problem is Omi. I almost sighed but held it back.

In the third year of Genki (1575), late August, in Hachimantown, Gamou-gun, Omi Province, Hachiman Castle, Kuki Kizanori.

"I heard you decided on a fiancé for Take? Someone from the Uesugi clan?"

Yuki, with her belly protruding, asked. It was about two months away.

"Yes, Nagao, or rather Uesugi Kihachiji Kagekatsu. I will send Take to Echigo next summer."

"Really, to Echigo?"

Lady Aya let out a high-pitched voice. I smiled and nodded.

"Is a promise enough? Take is only seven years old. Can't you send her when she's older?"

"It's better for her to go to her future home early and get used to it. They are eagerly awaiting her arrival."

The first part was a lie, but the second part was true. Terutora was overjoyed.

"Even so, Yagorou-dono."

"Kihachiji has two younger sisters. They will take good care of her."

I tried to sound cheerful, but I felt guilty. Yuki was silent, as if she had realized something. I felt even more guilty. It was a good thing Saya was also pregnant. If she had come here, it would have been the worst.

"Kihachiji is a quiet but strong man. I heard he is twenty years old this year."

"Twenty years old! That means he is..."

Lady Aya let out a shrill voice.

"Yes, he is thirteen years older than Take, Mother. But there aren't many suitable matches for Take."

"That's true, but..."

"Kihachiji is a young man who will inherit the Uesugi clan and become the Kanto Kanrei. There is no better match."

Lady Aya looked dissatisfied but remained silent.

"I visited the Kibitsuhiko Shrine in Tsuruga and asked the chief priest to take care of Take, Yuki. The chief priest agreed strongly."

"That's good."

Don't look like you're about to cry.

"He said that with a grandchild on the way, the celebrations will continue."

"Hai."

"Take is a girl with the blood of the Kuki and the Kibitsuhiko Shrine's chief priest. She will be treated well in Echigo. There's no need to worry."

Yuki smiled, but it was a sad smile.

"Mother, don't tire Yuki."

I urged Lady Aya to leave Yuki's room. I would come back later and talk to her slowly. Would she cry and call me a terrible father? It can't be helped. The eastern defense line is on the verge of collapse. If it falls, the Kuki will be surrounded by enemies on both sides. It's only natural to reinforce it. Whether it's a daughter or a son, I will use anyone who can be of use, even a seven-year-old child...

Kagekatsu isn't bad. In history, he is portrayed as a man who can grab his luck at the last moment. When his father died, Kagekatsu could have been killed or sent to a temple. But he became Kenshin's adopted son. After Kenshin's death, when a succession dispute arose, Kagekatsu, who was initially at a disadvantage, won by allying with the Takeda.

If the Honno-ji Incident had been ten days later, Echigo would have been destroyed by the Oda. But after surviving, Kagekatsu allied with the Toyotomi and survived brilliantly. Even when the Takeda and Hojo were destroyed, the Uesugi survived. At the Battle of Sekigahara, when the Western Army lost, many daimyo were destroyed, including the Ukita, Ishida, and Konishi. But the Uesugi, though reduced to 300,000 koku, survived. Even when the Toyotomi-favored daimyo like the Kato and Fukushima were destroyed by the Tokugawa, the Uesugi survived tenaciously.

Kagekatsu is a man who can survive. There is no one more reliable than him in the Sengoku period. What will happen to the world in the future is unknown. The Kuki might be destroyed. If that happens, the Kuki bloodline could continue in Echigo. Kagekatsu isn't bad.