Japan's Warring States Period: The Rise of the Wakasa Tiger

Chapter 116: Dividing the River and Governing
Upon hearing that something happened in Oi County, Yamamoto Shigeyuki was stunned for a moment, but then he realized: "Could it be that Suruga no Kami has raised an army?"

"From the secret letter we intercepted along the way, he hasn't started the war yet, but he's almost there." Yoshishige looked troubled. "We underestimated him. This time, he not only contacted Isshiki Yoshiyuki in Tango and gathered the ronin from the Naito and Awaya families, but he also reached an agreement with the Yamana family in Tajima. The latter is willing to allocate 2,400 troops to attack Tango with him."

"Why does the Yamana family want to get involved? What benefits will it bring to them?" Yamamoto Shigeyuki was puzzled by Yamana Yutoyo's sudden participation in the war.

"The two families agreed to divide Tango after the deal was done, and Yamana Kingo (Kingo was the Tang name of Uemon-no-kami) was even prepared to recommend to the Shogunate that Suruga-kami serve as the guardian of Tango." The information Yoshishige got from the secret letter was very limited, and the reasons he gave were also dug out from the few words in the secret letter.

"It's simply a foolish dream." Yamamoto Shigeyuki said helplessly, "Although the Tajima Yamana family is stronger than the Tango Isshiki family, they are not strong enough to covet Tango. Moreover, the Inaba Yamana family to the west of them is also eyeing Tajima, and has the support of the Amago family. In this case, how dare he withdraw the army to attack the main family?"

"I don't quite understand it, but it is true. I called you back this time because I want to hear your advice on whether to strike first or to use calm to overcome dynamics." Yi Zhong said.

"My lord, I think we can attack Oi County before the Yamana army has assembled, eliminate Suruga no Kami first, then enter Tango and pacify Isshiki Yoshiyuki who responded to his uprising, and finally use the secret letter in our hands to invade Tajima Province and force Yamana Kingo to cede territory and surrender. In this way, the instability factors in Wakasa and Tango will be completely eliminated."

"But you have to understand that Tajima is located in a long way. If we attack Tajima further west, the battle line will only be longer. I am still very conflicted about the long expedition. But what you said makes sense. If we solve Tajima, the problems of Wakasa and Tango will also be solved. So, tell me, should we fight this war? If we do, where should we fight it?"

Hearing Yoshishige's question, Matsumiya Kiyonaga took the lead and said, "Of course we have to fight. We must not allow Suruga-no-kami to continue to occupy Oi County, and we must not allow him to divide Tango with the Yamana family. My lord, you must not hesitate at this time. For the survival and development of the main family, you must ensure that Tango is not lost."

"I also think that this war must be fought, but not only to eliminate the rebel forces, but more importantly to show other surrounding forces, so that they can clearly understand the combat power of our family and then dare not covet our family's territory. Therefore, I ask my lord that once the war starts, we must fight to Tajima and force the Yamana family to kneel down and beg for peace." Kagawa Morihisa also clearly supported the use of force to quell the rebellion of Itsumi Masatsune.

"My lord, I have a plan that can reduce the number of troops participating in the war in Tajima Yamana." At this time, Yamamoto Shigeyuki expressed his opinion in a low voice.

"Tell me in detail." Yizhong suddenly became interested.

"As I just said, Inaba Yamana is also ready to make a move. If the main family reaches a tacit agreement with him and urges him to attack Tajima, will Yamana Kingo still dare to send so many soldiers to Tango?"

Yamamoto Shigeyuki's short words enlightened Yoshishige, and he asked, "If I send an envoy to Inaba to agree with Yamana Samasuke (Yamana Seimichi) to raise an army together and divide Tajima after the success, do you think it is feasible?"

"Of course it is feasible. I believe that not only is it feasible, but the famous Inabayama family would be very happy to have it." Yamamoto Shigeyuki answered confidently.

"What do you think?" Yoshishige looked at Kagawa Morihisa and Matsumiya Kiyonaga beside him. After thinking for a moment, they nodded in agreement.

"If that's the case, then it's settled. But who do you think is suitable to send as an envoy to Inaba?" Yoshishige asked.

"I think that if Master Yunfeng Ryuxing is willing, that would be great." Yamamoto Shigeyuki replied, "As far as I know, Yamana Samasuke believes in the Rinzai sect, so it shouldn't be a problem for Master Ryuxing to take action." "It seems that you know the Inaba Yamana family very well." Yoshishige pointed his finger at Yamamoto Shigeyuki and said with a smile.

"As a subject, shouldn't you plan ahead and prevent disasters before they happen?" Yamamoto Shigeyuki bowed.

"I will go and ask Master Longxing to come out of seclusion later. I hope he can take the trouble to make this trip for the sake of our family." At this point, Yoshishige remembered something else: "Are the family members of Suruga no Kami still in the castle town of Takeda's mansion?"

Kagawa Morihisa nodded and said, "The women are all here, but he and his two sons are still staying in Suidoyama Castle. Only the ten-year-old son is staying in the castle town."

"This is to paralyze us." Matsumiya Kiyonaga snorted coldly, "In my opinion, it is better to use these family members to threaten Suruga-no-kami and others to surrender. Maybe we can quell the rebellion without using force."

"Since he left his family here, he won't be afraid of us using it to threaten him. On the contrary, if the lord uses this trick to threaten his subjects, I'm afraid his prestige will be damaged." Yamamoto Shigeyuki analyzed.

"Then let's not alert the enemy for now," Yoshishige agreed with Yamamoto Shigeyuki's opinion and began to deploy: "My plan is to mobilize the territory immediately after the famous family of Inaba Yamada agrees to cooperate. In addition to the garrison in the Tsuruga Wood Ridge area to guard against the Asakura clan, all other powerful families and people in other places will be mobilized. This time, let those guys see that I, Takeda Yoshishige, am not so easy to bully."

After the discussion, Yizhong immediately set out for Honcheng Temple to ask to see Yunfeng Longxing. Unable to resist his nagging, Yunfeng Longxing finally agreed to make this trip for Yizhong.

On the twelfth day of the twelfth lunar month, Yunfeng Ryuoki set out from Obama, arrived at Inaba Province via the open sea, and on the fifteenth day he paid a visit to the Inaba guardian, Yamana Samasuke Seimichi, at Tenjinyama Castle.

Yamana Masamichi attached great importance to the arrival of Yunfeng Ryuxing, especially after hearing that he came on behalf of Yoshishige to discuss the division of Tajima, he became even more enthusiastic and summoned important officials in his family to listen to the plan brought by Yunfeng Ryuxing.

"It's a good thing to be able to divide Tajima, but has Wueden told the master where the boundary will be when the two sides divide it?" Yamana Makoto asked tentatively.

"Mue-dono did tell me that if Your Highness is sincere enough, the Takeda family is willing to make certain concessions, but of the eight counties in Ma, all three counties of Nikata, Mikan, and Nanami will belong to Your Highness, and most of the land west of the Enyama River in Keta and Yafu counties will also be assigned to Your Highness. The Takeda family only wants the three counties of Kinosaki, Izushi, and Asago, as well as a small part of the land east of the Enyama River in Yafu and Keta counties."

"Bring the map of Tajima." Yamana Masamichi asked the young man to get the map of Tajima Province from the study. Based on Yunfeng Longxing's description, he carefully searched the map.

After a long while, he smiled contentedly and said to Yunfeng Longxing: "According to what you said just now, six points of Tajima belong to me, and four points belong to the Takeda family?"

Yunfeng Longxing did not answer directly, but further stated his purpose: "Six points or four points, Your Highness can tell by looking at the picture. I am only here to pass on a message on behalf of the Takeda family. If you agree, my mission will be accomplished; if you do not agree, I will hurry back to report."

(End of this chapter)