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

Chapter 140: Appointment over the Water
The main reason why Yoshishige did this was not to please Katsunao Kumagai, but because he had his own plans.

Miyoshi Toshinaga has not yet married, and he has "reserved" his future "wife". Under such circumstances, betrothing Kumagai Saki to the Miyoshi family not only solves Miyoshi Toshinaga's marriage issue, but also brings the Takeda and Miyoshi families closer together.

Compared with sworn brothers, this kind of in-law relationship seems to be much more reliable, especially since the two of them are actually brothers-in-law, which makes them even closer relatives.

Of course, the Miyoshi clan was a prominent family after all, while Kumagai Saki was just a daughter of a local, and the difference in family status was too great. In order to make up for this gap, Yoshishige initially wanted Takeda Motomitsu to adopt her as his daughter, and then marry her to Miyoshi Toshinaga under this name.

However, as soon as this proposal was made, it was flatly rejected by Takeda Motomitsu, who was returning to Wakasa to visit Gentaro and staying for a few days.

"Hikogoro, have you let your recent victory go to your head?"

Takeda Motomitsu was originally playing with his grandson. When he heard Yoshishige's proposal, he immediately flew into a rage. He didn't care that Nagisahime was right beside him, and said bluntly: "You are wasting your efforts. Not only will the Miyoshi family not appreciate your kindness, but Asaki will also suffer because of it in the future. How can you say that you are a matchmaker?"

When Yoshishige heard this, he was stunned for a moment. He did not expect Takeda Motomitsu to react so strongly. He quickly asked, "Father, what do you mean by this? I can marry Nagisa, so why can't Magojiro marry Asaki?"

"Don't mind me, Nagisa. I'm just telling you the truth," Takeda Motomitsu glanced at Nagisa, then said to Yoshishige:

"What was your status when you married Ah Zhu? Not to mention that you had just returned to secular life and were not the legitimate son of your family, I helped you arrange this marriage because I wanted to get closer to the Kumagai family and to give you a strong support when you were still unstable.

As for how you worked hard to quell the civil strife, inherit the family business, and expand the territory in the later period, to be honest, I didn't consider it at the beginning. I'm going to say something that may make Zhu uncomfortable. If I knew you had such achievements, I would definitely not let you marry Zhu. Look at the Rokkaku family and the Hatano family, aren't they rushing to offer themselves to you? There is no place for the Kumagai family."

Takeda Motomitsu's words were blunt but true. Yoshishige subconsciously looked at Nagisa beside him and smiled apologetically at her, "Father is just so direct. Don't mind it."

Nagisa smiled back and shook her head quickly: "It's okay, father is right."

Seeing that Nagisahime was not angry, Takeda Motomitsu continued, "Look at the Miyoshi family now. Not only is it the guardian of Awa in name, but it actually controls the three countries of Awa, Sanuki, and Awaji, as well as part of Settsu.

Moreover, that Miyoshi Iga-no-kami is different from when you married Nagisa. He is now the real head of the Miyoshi family. Even though he respects you and calls you "brother", his strength is actually above yours.

In this situation, you still can't see the situation clearly. You want to marry Asaki, the second daughter of a countryman, to him as his principal wife. I'm afraid you have been beaten stupid on the battlefield?"

"I was thinking of asking you to adopt Asaki as your daughter and marry her to the Miyoshi family under this name. Wouldn't that be more appropriate..." Yoshishige said with an awkward smile.

Before Yoshishige could finish his words, Takeda Motomitsu hit him hard on the head and sighed depressedly:

"It doesn't make much sense for me to adopt her as my daughter. It won't change the Miyoshi family's view of her. Even if you force her to marry, the relationship between our family and the Miyoshi family won't improve. Instead, it will be Miyoshi who will suffer the most in the future."

"Then what do you say we should do? I've already said it, I can't go back on my word." Yoshishige pleaded with Takeda Motomitsu to think of a solution. After all, he had made such a big promise in front of Kumagai Katsunao, it would be embarrassing if he couldn't do it.

"Who made you make such a careless promise in the first place?" Takeda Motomitsu sighed helplessly.

"Father, please help me." Thinking that what Takeda Motomitsu said made sense, Nagisahime couldn't help but persuade him. "Well, Nagisa has already spoken, let me think about it..." Takeda Motomitsu stroked his gray beard, pondered for a long time under the gaze of Yoshishige and Nagisahime, and finally gave a suggestion.

"How about this? The envoy of the Kanrei hasn't left yet. I'm quite familiar with him. I'll ask him to help pass on a message to see if it's possible to get Hosokawa Kyocho to adopt him as his daughter. If successful, perhaps the Miyoshi family will take Asaki as a concubine for Hosokawa Kyocho's sake."

"Concubine?"

Yoshishige felt a little sorry for Kumagai Katsunao, so he glanced at Nagisa, but she nodded slightly in agreement: "I think it is great to be a concubine of the Miyoshi family. Your Highness does not need to worry about your father. I will definitely comfort him."

"You little brat, are you still not satisfied? The concubine of the Miyoshi family is not something that an ordinary daughter can have. Believe it or not, Miyoshi Iga no Kami would have to accept this concubine reluctantly." Takeda Motomitsu said and hit Yoshishige's head hard again.

"As long as Hosokawa Kyojo agrees, I will talk to Iga-no-kami." Yoshishige was quite confident about this.

"Then I'll go and give it a try. Hey, you're really a worry to me." Takeda Motomitsu sighed again, then got up and went to find the messenger of the governor.

In mid-March, the envoy came to Wakasa again and brought good news to Yoshishige: Hosokawa Harumoto agreed to adopt Kumagai Saki as his adopted daughter, and was willing to send an envoy to Koshimizu Castle to help Yoshishige arrange this marriage.

For this, Yoshishige was extremely grateful, and immediately proposed to the envoy that he would like to donate 50 strings of cash as repair materials for the governor's residence.

However, the envoy declined the offer, telling Yoshishige that Hosokawa Harumoto did this not for any reward, but just hoped that the Takeda family would come back to Kyoto from time to time in the future, and that would be enough. Yoshishige knew what Hosokawa Harumoto meant, and agreed immediately.

In early April, Yoshishige arrived at Koshimizu Castle with Shigeki, the Kumagai brothers, and envoys from the Hosokawa family.

This was the first time that the sworn brothers Miyoshi Tosinaga and Yoshishige met again after more than half a year. As soon as they met, Miyoshi Tosinaga congratulated Yoshishige on capturing Higashitajima, and Yoshishige congratulated Miyoshi Tosinaga on expanding the territory in Settsu. The two were very happy to meet each other and had endless things to say.

However, when Yoshishige proposed to matchmake for Miyoshi Toshinaga, Miyoshi Toshinaga was still a little surprised, especially when he learned that the woman was Yoshishige's wife's younger sister, Kumagai Saki, from the Kumagai clan in Wakasa Province. The originally cheerful and harmonious scene suddenly fell into a silence.

Miyoshi Toshinaga knew that Yoshishige wanted to take this opportunity to become his brother-in-law, so that the relationship between the two families would be closer. He also thought this was a good thing. However, the status of the Kumagai family was indeed low. It was okay to be a concubine, but it was too much to be a concubine of the Miyoshi family. Even if he agreed, his retainers would not be happy.

Just when he was worrying about how to reply to Yoshishige, the messenger from the Hosokawa family spoke and said bluntly that this girl was already the adopted daughter of Hosokawa Harumoto and there was no need to worry too much about her family background.

When they heard that she was Hosokawa Harumoto's adopted daughter, the atmosphere on the scene became a lot more relaxed. The retainers of the Miyoshi family sitting on both sides also relaxed their expressions a little and decided to let Miyoshi Toshinaga make the decision himself.

"I'll leave this matter to you, brother!" Sanhao Lichang thought about it again and again, and finally agreed to the marriage, and bowed solemnly.

Yoshishige, the Kumagai brothers, and the Hosokawa family's envoys all breathed a sigh of relief when they saw this. Yoshishige even sighed, "I won't dare to be a matchmaker anymore."

(End of this chapter)