Chapter 4

I'm moving, but I couldn't sleep, so I uploaded a new story.

Yoshishiro's life plans are starting to go awry.

January 1, 1551 (Tenshō 20)

■Musashi Province, Tashiro District, Katsunuma Castle

The Mita family, having reluctantly submitted to the Hōjō clan due to the changing times, was holding a New Year's banquet.

"Everyone, thank you for coming. May this year be a good one."

In response to Mita Danjō Shōsuke Tsunahide's words, the gathered family members greeted each other.

"Lord, we look forward to working with you this year."

"Come, though modest, enjoy yourselves."

Dishes were served to each person, and everyone drank and savored the food.

"Hmm, this is delicious. What is it?"

"Yes, it seems to be a radish, but it has a mysterious flavor."

"It goes well with the sake."

"This sake is clear and has a rich flavor, making it even more delicious."

"It's different from the Echigawa sake from Izu."

"Perhaps it's from the willows in Kyoto?"

As they talked about the pickled radish and the sake, Tsunahide spoke with a smile.

"That is called 'nukazuke,' a radish pickled in rice bran."

Many of the retainers, hearing this for the first time, began to discuss it.

"This sake is made by steaming and cooling ordinary cloudy sake, and the other is called 'mugi-shōchū,' a distilled liquor made from barley in the Satsunan region."

"Lord, that's amazing. Did you bring the sake from Satsunan?"

The old retainer, Taniawase Tarō Shigehisa, spoke in surprise, but Tsunahide laughed and pointed to his son, Yoshishiro.

"No, it's all Yoshishiro's idea. The actual arrangements were made by Kinsuke (Noguchi Kyūbu Shōmasa)."

The retainers looked at Yoshishiro with surprise. They had heard rumors, but they didn't know he had such talent. Some said, "He's a promising one," others said, "To make such delicious sake," and still others said, "I want him as my son-in-law," while some said, "For a younger brother, he's too arrogant!!" Various thoughts flowed through their minds.

For a while, everyone gathered around Yoshishiro, praising him, but the second son, Kizō Tsunayuki, and the third son, Gorōtarō, looked unhappy and glared at Yoshishiro. Except for the calm eldest son, Jūgorō Tsunashige, they were jealous of Yoshishiro, who was recently favored by their father and the retainers. They were angry that Yoshishiro's achievements were praised so early in the New Year and grumbled to each other.

After a while, the banquet ended, and everyone returned to their residences, but Kizō and Gorōtarō went to Kizō's room and drank while bad-mouthing Yoshishiro.

"Hmph. What good are pickled radishes and sake in battle?"

"Brother, exactly. He's just a mischievous page who urinates on the蓬 (note: this part is unclear, possibly a typo or missing context)!"

A shadow approached the room where they were bad-mouthing.

"Lord Kizō, it's Takeda Matahachi."

"Ah, Matahachi, what is it?"

"I heard you were drinking again, so I brought some sake and snacks."

"Very well, come in."

As Kizō spoke, the shoji door opened, and a small man with a forced smile but unsmiling eyes entered.

"What's the matter, Matahachi? Aren't you going to curry favor with Yoshishiro?"

Kizō asked with a slightly sharp tone.

"Out of the question, Lord Yoshishiro is just a page with shallow wisdom."

"Is that so, you think the same?"

Kizō and Gorōtarō spoke to Matahachi with delight.

"Compared to your intelligence, Lord Yoshishiro's actions are excessive."

"Ah, speak up. Matahachi, have a drink."

"Yes, I will have a drink."

Matahachi accepted the sake with a smile, but his eyes did not smile.

"Good drinking, have another cup."

This time, he received sake from Gorōtarō.

"Matahachi, what do you think of him?"

Matahachi spoke smoothly.

"Lord Yoshishiro relies on Kinsuke and Kyūemon, which is pitiful. Moreover, everything he makes is unrelated to war, like waterwheels and irrigation canals from the Tama River."

Kizō, in a good mood, spoke up.

"Exactly. He says the waterwheels are for irrigation, but ten liters of water at a time is useless!"

"Indeed, diverting water from the Tama River to Edo Bay is the act of a madman!"

"Exactly. For the lord to allow such madness must be due to that concubine."

"That vixen and her son are deceiving Father."

"Exactly, brother. If things continue like this, Yoshishiro might succeed Father."

"That's true. Jūgorō, the eldest, is somewhat lacking in handling the times, and he has no male heir, so I am the most suitable to succeed."

"Indeed, with you as the successor, I can serve with peace of mind."

While watching the brothers, Matahachi smiled inwardly but spoke seriously.

"Lord Tsunashige is not in good health. Despite being married for ten years, he has no heir. If things continue, Kizō will succeed him, but many people, including the lord, are deceived by Yoshishiro's petty tricks."

"Exactly, Matahachi, you're right. Such a trickster is not suitable for our lineage, descendants of Hachiman Taro."

"Exactly, brother."

"Introducing firearms is an insult to the samurai!"

"Yoshishiro's mother was of low birth, a dancing nun."

"We don't need a lord like Yoshishiro! Such a low-born person should know his place, but he is ingratiating himself with Father and the brothers. We'll show him!"

Gorōtarō was surprised by Kizō's determination.

"Brother, what do you plan to do specifically?"

"Poison is out of the question."

"Lord Kizō, Lord Gorōtarō, what about adoption or sending him to a temple?"

"True, if we use poison, I might be suspected. Adoption and a temple, I see."

"Yes, among those deceived by his tricks, there are several who only have daughters and want Yoshishiro as a son-in-law."

"Hmph. Who are they?"

"Kanda Sakkyo, Sakuemon, Kizaki Tanba, and Harajima Bizen."

"Interesting. Sakkyo is an elder, isn't he?"

"Harajima, though small, is like a semi-independent lord in Hara."

"Even if we send him, it should be to Sakuemon or Kizaki."

"Brother, but Sakkyo won't agree."

Kizō and Gorōtarō began to think, and Matahachi offered a helping hand.

"Lord, if adoption is difficult, sending him to Eihei-ji might be a good idea."

"But Father won't allow it."

"There is a way. If you actively build connections with the Hōjō clan and receive an order from Hōjō Ujiyasu, it will be fine."

"I see, that's a good idea."

"But, brother, if you build connections with the Hōjō clan without Father's knowledge, it could be dangerous."

Kizō thought about it.

"Then I will use my connections to build a connection discreetly."

"Ah, Matahachi, I'm sorry, please help."

"Leave it to me."

"To reward your loyalty, when I become the head of the family, I will make Takeda Matahachi the chief elder and grant you a part of my name. You can call yourself Takeda Shōsuke Shigetoshi."

"Thank you, I will serve Lord Tsunashige and Lord Gorōtarō faithfully."

"Very well, I count on you."

"Understood."

While saying this, Matahachi smiled inwardly, thinking it was easy to manipulate the naive young masters.

Kizō and Gorōtarō were completely unaware that they had been manipulated.

January 8, 1551

■Musashi Province, Tashiro District, Katsunuma Castle - Mita Yoshishiro

On this day after the New Year, for some reason, the family and retainers were gathered again. I was told to dress formally, so I did, but I wonder why? Did Kizō's marriage or Gorōtarō's coming-of-age ceremony get decided? If it were, it would have spread quickly through Otomi's kitchen network, but nothing has. What's going on?

Jūgorō is 27, born in 1525, Kizō is 20, born in 1532, and Gorōtarō is 15, born in 1537. Kizō's marriage or Gorōtarō's coming-of-age ceremony is the most likely, but I'll know when Father arrives.

After waiting for a while, Father and his cousin, Mita Mikawa-no-kami Tsunafusa, who is an elder, arrived, along with an unknown old man and a strong samurai.

"Everyone, thank you for coming. Some may be worried about what has happened, but it is a joyful occasion."

Father gave the seat of honor to the unknown old man. Who is he?

Everyone seemed to be wondering the same thing, so the room buzzed with whispers until Tsunafusa silenced them. Then the unknown old man began to speak.

"Everyone, I am Genan Sōtetsu, just a monk."

Recognizing the name, I wondered if it was Hōjō Genan, but most of the retainers, including my brothers, seemed unaware and looked confused.

"Genan Sōtetsu is the great-uncle of Hōjō Sakkyo-daiyu and the abbot of Hakone Gongen and the lord of Musashi Kogane."

Everyone gasped at Tsunafusa's words.

"Hehe, just a living monk."

Wow, a living legend who lived to 97, a monster of the Hōjō clan! But why is he here? He's bold to come to a place that was enemy territory just a few years ago.

"This time, by the direct order of Hōjō Sakkyo-daiyu, our family will send someone to Odawara."

True to the Mita family's fate after their fall, they are now serving the Hōjō.

"Tsunafusa, who has been designated?"

"Genan Sōtetsu will tell you."

"Last year, when Sakkyo-daiyu and I spoke, we were amazed to learn that the person who conceived the plan to greatly expand the Hayakawa waterway and bring water from the Tama River to the Musashino Plateau was a mere 8-year-old boy. When I heard that this boy was the fourth son of Danjō Shōsuke, Sakkyo-daiyu became very interested. I confirmed his abilities, and they matched the rumors. Sakkyo-daiyu wishes for him to serve as a retainer to his heir, Shinjiro."

Reactions varied: some were surprised, some disappointed, and some smiled slyly.

Oh no, this is bad! I've been targeted by an enemy!

Moreover, Hōjō Ujiyasu is a famous general. This is really bad. Is my chastity in danger? In this era, monks and warriors often engaged in male love!

"Quiet! This is a great honor for our family. As a reward, we will receive additional lands in Sagami's Sakagura, Musashi's Kitaokutomi, Miki, Hase, Shizuyama, and Sasai, totaling 4,000 koku, equivalent to a mid-level hatamoto in the Edo period. How much they expect from him!

"Yoshishiro, step forward."

Oh no, what should I do? If I go to Odawara, I'll be a hostage, then when Uesugi Kenshin invades, the Mita family will betray, and I'll be sacrificed as a scapegoat before the battle—my head will be on the chopping block!

I can't let this happen, I have to escape!! But can I? I'll pretend to be a fool. That's my only option.

"It's me, Yoshishiro."

I hope they think I'm a fool who can't even greet properly. I might be killed, but it's worth a try.

"What kind of greeting is that? I apologize, but he is not yet ten."

Tsunafusa, don't make things worse!

If Genan is unimpressed, I'm saved, but his eyes seem to see through everything.

"Hmm, it seems Yoshishiro is very reluctant to go to Odawara."

He sees through me. Everyone is holding their breath.

After a tense exchange, I lost to the old man.

"Stop pretending, will you?"

I surrender, I understand!

"Yes, please forgive my rudeness to Genan Sōtetsu."

"Hehe, then, Danjō Shōsuke, I will take Yoshishiro with me."

"Yes."

On January 20, 1551, I left for Odawara with Genan, accompanied by Kinsuke (renamed Noguchi Kinsuke Shōfusa), Kaji Hyūgakami Shōshige, and Fujihashi Manjirō Shōkichi, along with servants.

Everyone, including Kinsuke, was a second or third son of a retainer or a farmer sent to reduce the family's burden. They could be sacrificed if necessary. Historically, Kinsuke lived to 91 and prayed for the Mita family, so I trust him, but I don't want him to die needlessly.

Oh, how depressing. Why did this happen? Genan seems to see through me completely.

I have to find a way to escape or return!

"Yoshishiro, don't fall behind."

"Yes, I understand."

January 20, 1551

■Musashi Province, Tashiro District, Katsunuma Castle

While Yoshishiro was being taken away, Kizō, Gorōtarō, and Matahachi were drinking and talking.

"Good job, Matahachi. Father can't refuse with Genan involved."

"Indeed."

While saying this, Matahachi thought he hadn't done much, but if the foolish brothers believed it, he would go along with it.

"How delightful. This ends Yoshishiro's chances of succession. As the Kanto Kanrei is declining, the Hōjō will rule for a while, but anything can happen. Hostages are often killed easily."

"Brother, let's celebrate tonight. Let's drink until dawn."

"Ha ha, delightful, delightful."

"Lord, you drink well."

"Ha ha, you drink too."

I corrected the situation where the eldest, Tsunashige, had no heir.