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

Chapter 139 Yizhong Matchmaking
After returning to Wakasa last year, Yoshishige invited Takeno Joo to help him build a teahouse in the northeast corner of Takeda's mansion. There was a forest outside the teahouse, and there were many egrets in the forest. From a distance, it looked like snow, which was very spectacular. Therefore, Yoshishige named this teahouse "Heron".

After Yoshishige came out of Hiroma, he met with Katsunao Kumagai in this small "Sagi-an".

Yoshishige was not too surprised by his arrival. Not only was he not surprised, he also roughly knew the purpose of his coming. Before he died, he asked him to take good care of the Kumagai family and Nagisa when Gentaro was born.

However, the two of them had only chatted for a few words when Kumagai Katsunao's performance surprised Yoshishige.

"Father-in-law, please try my tea-making skills." During this period, Yoshishige and Takeno Jo'ou who came to visit learned some basic skills of the tea ceremony, so they really looked quite good at it.

"I am just here for a short while, please don't bother me, my lord." Katsunao Kumagai said politely.

"When we are together in private, you don't have to call me 'Lord'. Just call me 'Hikogoro'." Yoshishige handed the teacup to Katsunao Kumagai and said with a smile.

"How dare I? You are the governor of two countries and an attendant of the emperor. How dare I overstep my authority?" Katsunao Kumagai took the teacup from him and responded respectfully.

Although there was nothing wrong with what he said, it made Yoshishige feel that they were estranged. "Please don't say that. No matter what I am, I am still your son-in-law. I still remember that if it weren't for your and the Kumagai family's strong support, I wouldn't have achieved what I have now. I will never forget your kindness."

"My lord, do you really think that my Kumagai family has done you a favor?" Kumagai Katsuzhi asked.

"Of course." Yoshishige answered without hesitation.

"In that case, my lord, could you please agree to one of my requests?" Katsunao Kumagai asked Yoshishige with a serious expression.

"Please tell me, I will definitely do whatever I can." Although Yoshishige didn't know what kind of request Kumagai Katsunao was going to make, he knew that he must want to help the Kumagai family. As long as it was not too difficult, he would agree to it as much as possible.

"I ask my lord to make Fengyuedian the principal wife and demote Azhu to a concubine."

Kumagai Katsunao's words really shocked Yoshishige. He didn't expect that his father-in-law never made any demands on him, and the only request he made was to demote his own daughter to a concubine.

"Father-in-law, do you know what you are saying?" Yoshishige asked Kumagai Katsunao in disbelief, "Gentaro was just born, how could you make such a request?"

"It is precisely because of Gentaro that I ask you to do this." Kumagai Katsunao replied, "Now, the Takeda clan is no longer what it used to be. I made this request not only for the sake of the Kumagai clan, but also for the sake of my lord."

"What do you mean?" Yi Zhong asked.

"My Kumagai clan is only a member of Wakasa. In the past, I could have been of some help to you, my lord. But now you are the governor of two countries and six counties. My Kumagai clan is no longer of any benefit to you and the development of the Takeda clan. Rather than delaying you and the Takeda clan, it is better for me to make way for you so that you won't have trouble in the future."

"What you said..." Yi Zhong thought that the old man might be too cautious, and asked quickly: "Did you hear any rumors, or did someone gossip in front of Azhu? Tell me, I will never tolerate it!"

"My Lord, please don't ask," Kumagai Katsunao responded, "Whether anyone says it or not, I think that making Kaede-dono the principal wife is for the future development of the Takeda clan."

"What about Gentaro? Will he become a bastard?" Yoshishige asked in a depressed tone.

"It doesn't matter if I'm a bastard. As long as I can save my life, I think it's better than anything else in this chaotic world." Kumagai Katsunao said frankly.

"Ridiculous! As long as I'm here, no one can hurt Gentaro, and no one can pull Nagisa down from the position of the principal wife!" Yoshishige's statement seemed so firm and confident compared to Katsunao Kumagai's cautiousness and timidity.

"But, there are many people in the family who would like to see the relationship between the main family and the Rokkaku family further develop..." Although Kumagai Katsunao did not name anyone, he expressed his concerns. "I have heard about this to some extent." Yoshishige nodded, "But please rest assured, this will never happen. If I casually make the concubine my wife, how will others think of me, Yoshishige? Will other concubines also have bad intentions in the future?"

Seeing that Kumagai Katsunao still looked worried, Yoshishige simply told him the truth about what happened in Hiroma: "Let me be frank with you. The person I just met was the envoy of Hosokawa Kyojo. He hoped that I could reach an alliance with the Hatano family. I said on the spot that the alliance was possible, but it could only be a concubine, not a principal wife."

"The Hatano family? The one from Tamba Yajo Castle?" Hearing Yoshishige say this, Kumagai Katsunao became even more excited: "The Hatano Bizen-no-kami is a favorite of the Kanrei family. Although he doesn't have the title of guardian, he has the power of guardian. Now he owns most of Tamba. My lord, you can't offend them because of this."

"Then what do you think I should do? Should I let the princess of his family become my principal wife? What will Zhu think? What will Lin think? If another daimyo proposes a marriage in the future, do I have to drive the one from the Hatano family away?"

Yoshishige continued solemnly, "Don't worry about it. I have my own plans. No matter what, I won't let Gentaro and Nagisa suffer."

"If you insist, I won't say anything more." Kumagai Katsunao's brows relaxed slightly, and he realized that the tea in his hand had already cooled down. "I am going to die soon, and I have no other request. I just hope that Zhu and my grandson can be safe and sound, that's enough."

"Don't worry, I'm Zhu's husband and Gentaro's father. As long as I'm here, I will ensure their safety for the rest of their lives." Yoshishige responded with a firm look in his eyes.

At this point, Yoshishige suddenly remembered something. He smiled and asked Kumagai Katsunao, "Father-in-law, what is the name of Azhu's sister..."

"Are you talking about Asaki?" Katsunao Kumagai asked back.

"Yes, yes, it's Akane." Yoshishige tried to break the dull atmosphere with a smile, and ordered a new cup of tea for Kumagai Katsunao. "How old is Akane this year?"

"I'm only 28 years old, and I just shaved my hair last year," replied Katsunao Kumagai.

"Sixteen years old, the same age as the one from the Hatano family." Yoshishige couldn't help but feel secretly happy.

"Why is your lord asking this?" Seeing Yoshishige's mouth curled up, Kumagai Katsunao couldn't help but feel curious.

"Has Asaki been betrothed to anyone?" Yoshishige wanted to confirm it one last time.

Xiong Gu Shengzhi shook his head: "This girl has a carefree personality. She follows a group of boys around all day. I'm afraid that ordinary men can't control her."

"I do have a suitable candidate. I wonder if my father-in-law would like to hear about it?" Yi Zhong asked with a smile.

"Oh? The one introduced by the lord must be correct." Katsunao Kumagai suddenly became interested and thought that if he could find a good husband for Kumagai Saki before he died, it would put his mind at ease.

"It was no one else but the brother I recognized when I went to Luoyang, Sanyoshi Magojiro."

"Miyoshi Magojiro?!" Kumagai Katsunao was stunned: "Are you talking about the head of the Awa Miyoshi family, Miyoshi Igamori Toshinaga?"

Yoshishige nodded quickly and said, "It is Miyoshi Iga no Kami. He is one year younger than me and is a good match for Asaki. Not to mention his family status. I just don't know what your attitude is, father-in-law."

"If it can be done, it would be great!" At this moment, the cloudy face of Kumagai Katsunao finally cleared up, and his body unconsciously leaned towards Yoshishige, and pleaded excitedly: "I'll leave this matter to you, my lord!"

Can you see that Katsunao Kumagai’s move is to retreat in order to advance?

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(End of this chapter)