Chapter 6

Yama Masaharu, hearing this, became furious but then calmed down and replied, "Your Highness, we have barely fifty men at most. How can we deal with three castles? If time drags on, the old villain Shinomiya Sadahisa will surely send reinforcements. By then, we will be hard-pressed to resist."

Date Masahiro smiled and responded, "What do you think Nakayama Noritoki will do when he learns that a group of only about forty men is approaching his territory, intent on seizing the land near Kagerou Castle?"

Yama Masaharu slapped his thigh and answered, "He will surely mobilize his entire army to fight us to the death, using his superior numbers to crush us and take the opportunity to seize Kagerou Castle."

Date Masahiro picked up the black oil lamp beside him and gently shook it, saying, "At that time, we will have its help." The three of them discussed the plan and then began intense training.

Ten days passed quickly, and the brief period of peace finally came to an end. During this time, no one dared to provoke the anger of the Date clan's remnants, nor did anyone dare to challenge or seize Kagerou Castle. Neither Shōbu and Shinomiya Sadahisa had spoken about the final归属 of Kagerou Castle, leaving it a mystery.

The family behind Kagerou Castle finally reached a decision. The two small castles were divided, with the father becoming the lord of Kamigahara Castle and the son becoming the lord of Shimogahara Castle. The territory was split 40-60, with the father getting 40% and the son 60%, just as Date Masahiro had predicted, leaving them severely weakened.

News from Nakayama Castle also came in. The Nakayama clan had recently received a batch of weapons and provisions and had begun recruiting ronin and training peasant soldiers. Normally, this would be impossible during the spring planting season.

Strike first, or suffer the consequences.

As the order for assembly rang out, Date Masahiro, who had almost fully recovered and gained a couple of pounds, finally appeared before the men. The samurai stood at the front, and the ashigaru, holding long spears, stood behind them in neat rows, looking somewhat elite.

Date Masahiro stood angrily at the front of the formation and shouted at the top of his lungs, "Everyone! Nakayama Noritoki and Hiraoka Hisachika have brutally killed our relatives, burned our homes, and shamelessly seek to seize our land, making us their slaves to work in the Nakayama copper mines. This is an insult to us. What do you say we do about it?"

"Kill them! Seize their land!" Nijō Sakujiro shouted from the back of the formation, causing the others to join in with loud cries. They were all family members of samurai retainers, not mere peasant soldiers, and many had lost relatives in the last battle at Kagerou Castle. With the enemy already bullying them, hiding in the Umayado Temple would be of no use; they could not show weakness.

Although some were worried, no one thought of deserting or betraying them.

Date Masahiro was quite satisfied with the current morale of his men but knew they had many concerns. He decided to stoke their resolve further, shouting, "You all know that Shōbu has already promised his daughter to me. He has great faith in me, and this expedition is by his command. He will send reinforcements to support us. What is there to worry about? Everyone, pick up your weapons, take two days' worth of rice balls, and after the battle, each retainer will be rewarded with land according to their merit. Each ashigaru will officially become a samurai of the Date family, a noble samurai. Dismissed!"

"Yes, Your Highness!" The group, hearing Date Masahiro's orders, was extremely excited. Their worries vanished, knowing that Shōbu would send reinforcements. A small Nakayama Castle would be easy to capture, and the rewards of land and the promotion of ashigaru to samurai were highly motivating. The difference between being a samurai and a peasant was vast, and many would risk their lives for the status of a samurai.

Everyone immediately responded loudly and then dispersed to prepare.

Yama Masaharu and Nijō Nobuhiro, after arranging the logistics, came to Date Masahiro's side and asked in a low voice, "This time, when we sent envoys to Matsuyama Castle, they did not ask us to attack Nakayama Castle, nor did they mention any reinforcements. Why is that?"

Date Masahiro looked around and lowered his voice, saying, "I lied to them."

Nijō Nobuhiro, hearing this, rubbed his hands and said admiringly, "What a clever plan, a clever plan. It's like quenching thirst by thinking of plums. But what will we do if the morale drops when there are no reinforcements?"

Date Masahiro replied, "Umayado Temple is about an hour and a half from Nakayama Castle, while Matsuyama Castle is at least a day and a half away. If we haven't captured Nakayama by then, we won't have a chance. By the way, have you prepared what I asked for?"

Yama Masaharu nodded and said, "I bought fifty jars, enough for us to use."

"Very good, act according to the situation when the time comes." Date Masahiro adjusted his long spear, which he was not used to, as he was more accustomed to bamboo spears. He found it even harder to adapt to swords, having distributed the seven tachi he had captured to others, with Nijō Sakujiro receiving one.

After some thought, Date Masahiro said, "Nobuhiro, you stay behind. Don't get too excited. For the safety of those left behind, once we leave, take all the remaining food and hide in the forest on the back mountain. If you see a fire on the eastern hill in two days, come out. If not, disperse everyone."

Nijō Nobuhiro wanted to argue, but Yama Masaharu also advised, "Nijō, those left behind are all our family. If they are lost, we will not be at ease, and morale will plummet, making it impossible to fight. Your task is also very important. Please take care of the rear."

Hearing this, knowing that he was being left behind due to his age and the importance of the safety of those left behind, and understanding that if the battle dragged on, Nakayama Noritoki would surely act, leaving them without morale, he reluctantly promised to ensure their safety.

Date Masahiro left the remaining spears and tachi, feeling reassured, and led the forty-six spirited soldiers out of Umayado Temple, heading towards Nakayama Castle.

Since the Date clan received support from Matsuyama Castle, they began intense training. Many monks, traveling merchants, and even fishermen appeared around Umayado Temple, speculating about the Date clan's next move.

On April 17th, a sunny day, it had not rained for over ten days, and the weather was showing signs of drought.

From a distance, they looked like an army of ants, advancing at full speed towards Nakayama Castle. Upon learning of the situation, the nearby people were in an uproar, fearing to draw attention, they followed at a distance, with most going to report to their lords.

In Nakayama Castle, Nakayama Noritoki, upon receiving the news, was not nervous but laughed heartily, calling it divine assistance. He immediately gathered the forces from the three castles and led a total of about 280 men to meet them.

In Shimogahara Castle, the ambitious lord, Miyahara Shigemasa, immediately organized his forces upon receiving the news, ready to seize the opportunity once the battle turned.

Other ambitious local lords also mobilized, closely watching the battle that would decide the fate of the Nakayama and Kagerou regions.

Alas, a skirmish involving over 300 men in the small country of Bitchū could be called a battle, which is somewhat embarrassing to say.

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