Chapter 100

In the fourth year of Genki (1576), mid-May, in Hachiman-cho, Takashima District, Omi Province, at Hachiman Castle, Kuki Moritsuna.

"Good work, Jirozaemon."

"Hai."

"Is everything well with the people of Echigo?"

"No, there are no particular issues. Everyone sends their regards to the lord. Moreover, I received words of congratulations on the pacification of Harima from Lord Kenshin, Lord Kiyomitsu, Lord Echizen-no-kami, and Lord Yamato-no-kami."

"I see, thank you for your hard work."

When I praised him, Megata Jirozaemon bowed and said, "Thank you for your kind words." Yes, he is already one of the senior retainers of the Kuki clan.

"Did you give the item to Lord Echizen-no-kami?"

"Hai, I delivered it. Lord Echizen-no-kami was very grateful."

"Um."

I gave a gift to Lord Echizen-no-kami's wife: a comb, hairpins, a fan, and Ming silk. Since she will become my mother-in-law, I had to prepare accordingly. Yet, Saya and Yuki look at me with suspicious eyes, as if they think I have a mistress outside. According to them, it's not right to have a secret relationship outside. In other words, they want me to get their permission first. When I told them that the woman is over fifty, they looked even more suspicious. They say I am soft on older women. The basis for this is a letter from the widow of the Sengoku clan, who wrote that she is lonely after the death of her husband, Danjo. It's ridiculous.

In the calendar room, besides me and Jirozaemon, there were also Hachisuka Shigetaka, Kurono Shigetaka, Saito Shigetaka, Ise Yojiro Sadahiro, Ise Inaba-no-kami Sadahiro, and Ise Kazusa-no-suke Sadahiro. The Ise family is a house of etiquette, and it seems that Jirozaemon and Shigetaka often consult with the three Ise. The wedding arrangements are managed by Shigetaka and Jirozaemon, but the three Ise are in a position to advise them.

"Regarding the matter of the official rank for Lord Kiyomitsu, how did it go?"

"Hai, he said he would like to request it. This is written in the letter from Lord Kenshin to the lord."

Jirozaemon handed me a letter box. I took it and read the letter inside. The handwriting was steady, so it was probably written by a scribe. The content expressed gratitude for our consideration and a request to proceed with the matter.

"Good, I will ask immediately."

I will speak to the Chancellor, Nijo Udaijin, and my uncle, Asukai. I will meet them in person in June, but it would be better to write a letter beforehand.

"Jirozaemon, does Lord Kiyomitsu's position not go well?"

When Hachisuka asked, Jirozaemon looked troubled.

"It's not that it's bad, but it hasn't changed from before. Lord Kenshin recognizes him as an adopted son, but whether he is recognized as a successor... there are some who are not convinced."

"..."

"Moreover, there is no one who openly opposes it. I think it will gradually be accepted..."

Someone let out a suppressed breath. It was probably one of the three Ise.

"Lord, if you push too hard, won't you provoke their opposition? That would be counterproductive..."

Hachisuka looked worried. Everyone had similar expressions, probably sharing the same concern.

"Hachisuka's concern is valid. I don't want to be too forceful. However, Lord Kenshin's health is not in perfect condition. If he has another seizure, he might lose his life. And we don't know when that might happen. If things continue as they are, chaos will ensue. We have to act quickly, even if it means being a bit forceful."

Everyone nodded with grim expressions at my words.

"Moreover, Lord Kenshin is also very positive about this. Perhaps he himself is concerned about his health."

Everyone nodded again, this time with serious expressions.

"Don't worry, I have no intention of getting further involved in the Uesugi succession issue. The rest is something Lord Kiyomitsu should win on his own. All I can do is make the wedding as splendid as possible. Have you discussed the procession?"

When I asked, Jirozaemon said, "Hai," but he looked a bit troubled.

"He was surprised."

Everyone smiled at Jirozaemon's answer.

"Was he surprised? Does he have any objections?"

"Hai."

"Then it's good. It's a wedding, let's make it lively. Shigetaka, Jirozaemon, please arrange for fireworks. Let's have fireworks in Naoetsu. Let's brighten everyone's hearts and make them forget the chaos of the warring states."

Shigetaka said, "It's a good idea," and everyone agreed. That's all I can do.

"Is there anything else?"

When I asked, Jirozaemon said, "Lord," in a formal tone. Oh, there seems to be something. Everyone was also paying attention to Jirozaemon.

"A letter from the Shogun has arrived in Echigo."

"..."

"It says, 'How can you proceed with the marriage with Kuki without my permission?'"

I sighed. I'm not the only one; everyone is tired of this.

"The letter says that the appointment of the Kanto Kanrei is his right."

I couldn't help but sigh.

"He doesn't seem to understand the situation in Uesugi at all. If this marriage is called off, Lord Kiyomitsu's position will become even more unstable, and the Uesugi will fall into chaos."

Everyone nodded at Shigetaka's words.

Shigetaka is right. Yoshizumi doesn't understand anything. The marriage between Take and Kiyomitsu Kagekatsu is meant to stabilize the Uesugi and maintain the cooperative relationship between the Kuki and Uesugi. If the Uesugi and Kuki are stable, the Oda will have no choice but to cooperate. In other words, the cooperation of the Kuki, Uesugi, and Oda will stabilize the Kinai, Hokuriku, and Tokai regions, and if things go well, even the Kanto. The era of the warring states will come to an end.

If I were Yoshizumi, I would join this. I would seek a way for the shogunate to survive. I would live as a mediator between the Kuki, Uesugi, and Oda. By doing so, I would try to maintain the authority of the Ashikaga and the shogunate. I would have the wedding between Take and Kiyomitsu Kagekatsu under the leadership of the shogunate. ...But Yoshizumi only thinks about making the Kuki smaller. Therefore, he does things that will destabilize the Uesugi, who are trying to stabilize by allying with the Kuki. He cannot gain the trust of those around him.

If the Uesugi collapse, who will succeed as the Kanto Kanrei? The position of Kanto Kanrei has a history of almost disappearing. It was revived by Kenshin. If the Uesugi collapse, what will happen? It will be destroyed by Yoshizumi's whims. Everyone will distance themselves from the position of Kanto Kanrei. In other words, there will be no one to unify the Kanto, and the authority of the Ashikaga will collapse. He doesn't understand this at all.

"Jirozaemon, what do the people of the Uesugi say?"

"They are not concerned. There is no unease about proceeding with the wedding."

"But those who are dissatisfied with Lord Kiyomitsu's succession will raise their voices. Lord Kiyomitsu's position will remain unstable."

"That is a concern that cannot be denied."

"Extra work."

Listening to everyone, I thought, "Exactly." He is good at doing extra work. What should we do...

How far have Kenshin and Kagekatsu decided? Are they prepared to give up the position of Kanto Kanrei, or do they think Yoshizumi will eventually give in...? For me, the collapse of the Ashikaga's authority is a blessing. But thinking about Kagekatsu and the Uesugi, giving up the position of Kanto Kanrei is difficult. It would be better to have the position of Kanto Kanrei to strengthen Kagekatsu's position. So...

"Should we do a Gosho-maki?"

When I suggested it, everyone's faces twisted.

"Lord, is it not possible? Shigetaka."

Shigetaka nodded vigorously. Everyone nodded. Yes, it's not possible. I don't want to do it either.

Gosho-maki, well, it's a kind of confinement, a coercive act. It's not a rebellion, but it's one step before a rebellion. The retainers surround the lord's residence and threaten to take his life if their demands are not met. This Gosho-maki did not exist in the Kamakura period or the Edo period. It only appeared in the Muromachi period. The first time it was done to a shogun was when Takauji Ashikaga was targeted by the brothers, Takashige and Takatoki. Their demand was the surrender of Takauji's brother and rival, Noriyoshi. If he was handed over, he might have been killed. Takauji avoided this by making Noriyoshi retire and become a monk.

However, this Gosho-maki is not easy to do. It forces the shogun to accept the demands, and the shogun, feeling humiliated, will seek revenge. It is said that most of the Takauji clan were killed by Noriyoshi's supporters, with Takauji's permission. Shigetaka's face twisted. For Shigetaka, the cause of the decline of the clan was the Gosho-maki. The murder of Yoshitaka in the historical record might also have been a Gosho-maki. It was a matter of life and death for both the perpetrators and the victims, requiring a delicate balance.

"Lord, should we receive a poem from the Shogun?"

Everyone looked at Shigetaka.

"Is it to receive his permission by receiving a poem?"

"Hai."

It might be softer to receive permission for the marriage of Kuki and Uesugi this way. There would be less resistance. However, it won't be easy. Shigetaka and Hachisuka shook their heads, saying it wouldn't be easy to write a poem. It will require some ingenuity.

"Let's prepare for war."

Everyone looked at me.

"We will gather 40,000 troops. When the preparations are complete, we will march to Kyoto. We will request a poem just before that."

Everyone looked at each other.

"Are you going to threaten him?"

Hachisuka confirmed.

"That's a bad way to put it. It's not a threat, just a way to make him nervous. It's just a poem, after all. Let's see what happens..."

Everyone looked at each other.

"According to the report from my uncle Asukai, the Miyoshi, Matsunaga, and Naito have sent poems. Let's gather them in Kyoto, with their troops."

Yoshizumi has no reliable allies. How far will he push his stubbornness...? At the last moment, I will try to persuade Yoshizumi to write a poem through Hosokawa Fujitaka. It would be better to discuss it in advance by letter.

Then there's the Hatakeyama. The Miyoshi, Matsunaga, and Naito have sent poems, but the Hatakeyama has not. It means he is against me. Fine. Until now, he didn't have to fear me because of the wall of Kii, Kawachi, and Yamato. But I will make him understand that the wall no longer exists. I will have Kuki attack Kii from the sea. I will also have the Sengoku and Nagano attack Kii from Ise. The attack from Ise is just for show; it's difficult to actually attack. But the Hatakeyama cannot ignore it. And in Kyoto, the Kuki, Miyoshi, Matsunaga, and Naito will gather. After the attack on Harima, I think it will have an effect...

In the fourth year of Genki (1576), mid-May, in Hachiman-cho, Takashima District, Omi Province, at Kurono Kagehisa's residence.

When I returned to my residence after descending from the castle, Kosakai Shusuke greeted me.

"Leader."

"Shusuke, stop calling me that. I am no longer the leader of the Hachimon."

I scolded him, but he didn't seem to care. How many times has this happened?

"A rare guest has come to see the leader."

"Guest?"

"Hai."

When I asked who it was, he just smiled and didn't answer. I changed into my clothes and went to the guest room, where there was indeed a rare person.

"This is rare."

"Long time no see, Shigetaka."

The guest was Nakahara Kinsuke, a merchant from Suruga, formerly known as Sasaki Echizen. We sat facing each other and caught up. He looked like a merchant, and it was hard to believe he was once a samurai. I felt the passage of time.

"When did you come here?"

"Today."

"I heard you left Suruga?"

"The merchants of Tsushima and Ito Sojuro are with Oda. Those who dealt with the Imagawa, Takeda, and Hojo are at a disadvantage. I decided to cut my losses."

He had a calm expression. It wasn't just his appearance; the harshness of his samurai days was gone from his face.

"Still, it's bold. There are many people in Omi who know you from the past. If your true identity is discovered, it will cause a commotion."

Kinsuke laughed.

"There is no more Azai or Rokkaku. No one cares about the life or death of Sasaki Echizen. Isn't that right?"

"Indeed, that might be true."

"The world has changed so much. These ten years feel like a hundred."

Kinsuke sighed. Indeed, it might be true. I don't think anyone could have predicted the current state of the world ten years ago.

"Where are you going next?"

"Um, I discussed it with Kobae, and we might go to Nagato."

"The Mori?"

Kinsuke nodded with a smile.

"There, we can do interesting business with the Mori, Ouchi, and Miyoshi."

"Indeed."

We can cooperate secretly while doing business.

"The Mori have the Seki clan. Be careful."

"I know. I will focus 90% on business and 10% on cooperation. The Seki won't notice."

"If that's the case, it's fine."

It should be fine. He has been deceiving the Imagawa, Takeda, and Hojo for over fifteen years...

"Have I been of any help?"

"Not just a little. I am grateful for the valuable information you have provided many times."

Kinsuke shook his head.

"Originally, I could have been killed as my father's enemy, so it's nothing. But if I have been of some help..."

"It has been more than enough."

Kinsuke nodded, looking satisfied.

"Will we meet again?"

"Who knows? It's hard to say."

"Indeed."

"Will you meet the lord?"

After thinking for a moment, I shook my head.

"Let's not. He was a mysterious person to me. It's better to leave it at that, to leave him as a mysterious person."

A mysterious person, indeed. From my perspective, he is a mysterious person.

"Shigetaka, I discussed this with Kobae. The Mori are not easy to deal with, but it's important to keep an eye on the Tokaido."

"What do you mean?"

"It's a strange story, but after I gave up being a samurai, I understood samurai better. There seems to be some friction between Oda and Tokugawa from time to time. It's not noticeable now, but..."

Kinsuke's expression became serious.

"The Tokugawa in western Mikawa are peasant soldiers, but the Oda are hired soldiers. However, the bravery of the Mikawa soldiers on the battlefield is unmatched. Oda wants to take Tokugawa to the battlefield, which means Oda has to consider Tokugawa. This is frustrating."

"I see."

I nodded, and Kinsuke nodded as well.

"Oda will attack Kai, Izu, and Sagami. Ideally, he would place his base in Enshu. It's possible. Kuki and Uesugi are allies, after all. But if he does, Tokugawa will be between Oda's base in Owari and Mino. If Tokugawa has any strange ideas, Oda will be cut off in Mikawa. The Takeda and Hojo will surely regain their strength."

"Is there any movement from Tokugawa?"

Kinsuke shook his head.

"Not now. But Tokugawa is frustrated. He is surrounded by Oda. He can't grow on his own. To grow, he needs rewards from Oda. But if Oda gives rewards, it means Oda has gained more territory. Gradually, he will be unable to move."

"The Ikkoku Ikki in Mikawa and the threat of the Imagawa are gone. Only frustration remains..."

"Oda and Tokugawa are patient now. But if one of them loses patience..."

"If one of them loses patience?"

"Oda will crush Tokugawa. And Tokugawa will likely ally with someone else."

Kinsuke looked at me intently. Is that what you mean...

"Kuki?"

"It will be Kuki. If Kuki attacks from Omi to Mino, from Ise to Owari..."

"Tokugawa will be revived..."

It seems that not only the Uesugi but also the Oda have a source of conflict. The end of the warring states era will take more time, it seems.