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

Hearing such praise from Sakakibara Nagamasa, Yunfeng Ryuxing and Kuchiki Hidemitsu finally put their minds at ease.

Although the conflict between the Wakasa Takeda clan and the Oda and Matsudaira clans had nothing to do with each other, Yunfeng Longxing and his party were now on the land of Nishi-Mikawa, and no one knew whether the person sitting opposite them was an enemy or a friend, and whether it would hinder their trip to Sunpu.

"I heard from the elders in the village that several nearby villages are managed by Lord Changzheng?" Yunfeng Longxing asked kindly.

Unexpectedly, Sakakibara Nagamasa shook his head helplessly and said with a wry smile: "It's called management, but it's just collecting rent for the lord."

"Collecting rent? It's a waste of talent." Yunfeng Longxing also sighed, "At your age, physique, and insight, you should be making achievements and showing your skills on the battlefield. It's a pity that you are now confined to the fields in the village."

"To be honest, the Oda army from Owari has invaded Mikawa, and I also want to fight bravely and serve my lord, but things don't always go as I wish." Sakakibara Nagamasa sighed.

"What do you mean, sir?" Yunfeng Longxing asked curiously.

"Now that things have come to this, I have nothing to hide anymore." Sakakibara Nagamasa replied, "You have all been in the village for a few days. You should know that my lord is the lord of Ueno Castle, His Highness Sakai Masanori Tadanori."

Yunfeng Longxing nodded and responded, "Indeed, I have heard that Sakai Masanori is a hereditary retainer of the Matsudaira family, right?"

"Haha, that was before." Sakakibara Nagamasa sneered.

"What about now?" Yunfeng Longxing knew a little about Sakai Tadanori's defection to Oda Nobuhide, but he still pretended to know nothing and "asked for advice" from Sakakibara Nagamasa.

"Now? Haha, he has already announced his independence from the Matsudaira family, and has reached peace with Oda Danmasa of Owari." Sakakibara Nagamasa responded with a hint of sarcasm and helplessness.

"I see, no wonder the war didn't reach Ueno Castle." Yunfeng Longxing deliberately provoked Sakakibara Nagamasa, "So, because the Oda and Sakai families 'turned enemies into friends', you can't go into battle and kill the enemy, and can only manage these villages."

"It was originally like this," Sakakibara Nagamasa teased himself, "It's my fault for being so stubborn. I thought that the Sakai family was a hereditary retainer of the Matsudaira family, so how could they reconcile with the Oda family who had captured Ansho Castle? I approached Sakai Masanori many times, hoping that he would turn back, send troops to help defend Okazaki Castle, and cut off all ties with the Oda family."

"What's the result?" Yunfeng Longxing asked.

"The result? The result is that I was 'exiled' here." Sakakibara Nagamasa said with a wry smile.

"I understand. It's a pity that you were treated like this despite your loyalty." Yunfeng Longxing nodded slightly, and then asked tentatively, "To this day, do you regret your decision? If you hadn't insisted on your loyalty, you would still be someone that Sakai Masakazu relies on, right?"

"Regret? For the sake of righteousness, I will never regret it. But, I am still very disappointed with Masagakure. He is the ancestor of the dignified Matsudaira family and has been blessed by generations, but he actually made peace with his enemy. Although I am just a vassal, I feel ashamed for him." Sakakibara Nagamasa responded righteously.

"Since you value loyalty so much, why don't you go to Okazaki Castle and join the Matsudaira family?" Yunfeng Longxing continued to ask.

"The current Matsudaira clan has a young head and his retainers fighting against each other and harboring their own ulterior motives. Facing the fierce attack of the Oda army, they are forced to ask for help from the Imagawa clan. I think this is like driving a wolf to swallow a tiger. The Matsudaira clan may gradually be controlled by the Imagawa clan. It is not a wise choice to go to Okazaki Castle at this time."

After listening to Sakakibara Nagamasa's analysis, Yunfeng Longxing admired him very much - he not only adhered to righteousness, but also had insight into the current situation. It was heard that his martial arts were also quite outstanding. All in all, he was a rare talent.

At this moment, Yunfeng Longxing was thinking of recommending him to Yi Zhong.

"Since you are disappointed with Sakai Masakabushi and are unwilling to join the Matsudaira family, I have something to say. Are you willing to listen to it?" Yunfeng Longxing asked tentatively.

"Master, please speak." Sakakibara Nagamasa responded.

"As the saying goes, 'A gentleman does not stand under a dangerous wall.' Right now, Mikawa is in chaos and it is not suitable for you to realize your ambitions. If you are willing, you can stay in Wakasa for a while, and it will not be too late to return after the situation here stabilizes." Yunfeng Longxing suggested politely.

"You want me to go to Wakasa? To join Wueden?" Sakakibara Nagamasa widened his eyes in surprise and looked at Yunfeng Ryuxing with disbelief.

Yunfeng Longxing nodded and said, "As long as you are willing, I am willing to be your guarantor. Wuwei Hall should give me some face. Now, it depends on what you think."

"Master, this is just the first time we meet. Why are you helping me like this?" Sakakibara Nagamasa asked excitedly.

"Wakasa is in need of talents right now, and Takeda is also eager to recruit talented people. I think that with your character and ability, you will definitely be able to make great achievements in the Wakasa Takeda family and accomplish something."

After hearing what Yunfeng Longxing said, Sakakibara Nagamasa could no longer hide his excitement, and responded with trembling lips: "Thank you, Master. If I can really serve the Wakasa Takeda family, I will serve you wholeheartedly and will not refuse even if I die!"

"Just serve the public with all your heart and soul, and be willing to die for it... I think you won't have this chance, haha." Yunfeng Longxing smiled and said, "Don't worry, sir, staying away from this place of trouble and serving in the Wuwei Palace is definitely the best decision you have ever made."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Master!" As he said this, Sakakibara Nagamasa bowed deeply towards Yunfeng Longxing.

"You are so polite, sir. Unfortunately, I am busy on this trip to the east and cannot go with you to Wakasa. However, I will write a letter and you can take it to the Takeda clan's mansion and give it to Wueden."

Hearing that Yunfeng Longxing was going to continue his journey east, Sakakibara Nagamasa suddenly remembered: "Just now I heard that you were going to Kanto, I wonder what it is about? I have some connections in Junyuansan, if there is any need, I will definitely do my best to help."

Now that it was said like this, Yunfeng Longxing no longer concealed the truth and said, "This time, I am going to visit you in Sunpu and enjoy the beautiful scenery along the Tokaido."

"Who is the master's senior brother?" Sakakibara Nagamasa asked curiously. "It is Jiuying Chengju who practiced with me in Kenninji Temple and studied under Chang'an Longchong." Yunfeng Longxing replied.

"Jiuying Chengju..." Sakakibara Nagamasa thought for a moment, and asked tentatively with a hint of surprise: "Isn't that the famous Taiyuan Xuezhai?"

"It seems that senior brother's reputation is really great and has spread to Sanhe." Yunfeng Longxing said with a smile.

"Master Xuesai's name is well-known to everyone in Shunyuansan and even Owari." Speaking of this, Sakakibara Nagamasa showed a trace of loss in his eyes, and said angrily: "If it weren't for this master, the Imagawa family would not be so powerful now, and would not extend its influence to Mikawa..."

"Sir, there is something I want to say but I don't know whether I should say it or not." Yunfeng Longxing said.

"Master, please speak," Sakakibara Nagamasa gestured.

"It can be seen that the Lord is loyal to the Matsudaira family and does not want the Matsudaira family to become a vassal of the Imagawa family."

Yunfeng Longxing first expressed his approval of Sakakibara Nagamasa's loyalty, but then he changed the subject and pointed directly to the problem:
"But as the saying goes, 'If you are strong, others will follow you'. To use a Ming proverb, 'The iron must be strong itself'. It was precisely because of the internal strife and weakness of the Matsudaira family that Oda and Imagawa took advantage of the opportunity.

Just imagine, when Kiyonari was still alive, would Oda and Imagawa dare to interfere in Mikawa affairs so blatantly? Shouldn't the Matsudaira family be responsible for all this?

Let's take a step back. Even if the Imagawa family didn't infiltrate, wouldn't the Kai Takeda family and the Mino Three take the opportunity to get involved in Mikawa? By then, would the Matsudaira family be able to get rid of its current predicament?"

After hearing Yunfeng Longxing's questioning, Sakakibara Nagamasa felt ashamed: Indeed, the decline of the Matsudaira family was caused by itself, and the Imagawa family was not to blame. On the other hand, if there was no support from the Imagawa family, after the "Battle of Anxiang Castle", the Matsudaira family might have been gradually eroded by the Oda family, and it would be a problem whether they could preserve Okazaki Castle.

"Master, what you said makes sense. I just thought it was too simple." Sakakibara Nagamasa said ashamedly.

"Your Excellency, this is not your fault. Who doesn't want the family to be strong? However, in this chaotic world, there are very few forces that can truly remain independent and not be controlled by others. As retainers, the only thing we can do is to help the ship of the family sail further and more steadily in this chaotic world."

Yunfeng Longxing's words made Sakakibara Nagamasa feel the same way, and then he nodded repeatedly and said: "With a retainer like Master, the Wakasa Takeda family will definitely achieve great things."

"Thank you for the compliment, sir. From now on, you and I will serve the same master. Then you will know that the Wakasa Takeda clan is full of capable ministers and generals, the lord is good at making plans and making decisions, and the monarch and his subjects are united. Such an atmosphere is hard to find in many places, let alone in Tokaido, even if you look across the country." Yunfeng Longxing said to Sakakibara Nagamasa confidently.

Hearing this, Sakakibara Nagamasa was also full of expectations. Although he still felt reluctant to leave the Matsudaira clan and Mikawa, he had no choice but to do so under the circumstances. Now, he only hoped that the Wakasa Takeda clan still had Yoshishige, and that he could really give him a chance to realize his ambitions as Yunfeng Ryūsei said.

"If we go east for another two or three days, we will reach the Imagawa family's castle in Mikawa. Since we are going to visit Taihara Yukisai, the Imagawa troops will definitely ensure your safety, and I won't be able to use my connections anymore," said Sakakibara Nagamasa.

"You are too modest, sir." Yunfeng Longxing replied with a smile, "You can never have too many connections. Even if you don't need them now, it doesn't mean you won't need them in the future. Even if you are about to leave for Wakasa, these connections are still a valuable asset."

"You are right," Sakakibara Nagamasa nodded in approval, "Speaking of connections, I have an unwelcome request, Master, can you agree to it?"

"Your Excellency, please feel free to speak." Yunfeng Longxing nodded.

"I have a good friend named Nagasaka Kuro Nobumasa, who is extremely brave and good at using a spear. He is known as 'Blood Spear Kuro'. He is in a similar situation to me and is also unwilling to serve the Imagawa family. I wonder if you can give him a chance so that he can have the opportunity to serve the Wakasa Takeda clan with me."

"Nagasaka Kuro... I have heard of this Nagasaka family when I was in Kyoto. I wonder what is the relationship between him and Nagasaka Kuro Nobushige who once served the Kubo?" Yunfeng Longxing asked.

"This Nagasaka Nobumasa is the son of Nagasaka Nobushige in Kyoto. After Lord Nobushige passed away, he left Kyoto and came to Mikawa, and eventually became a powerful general under Lord Kiyoyusasu." Sakakibara Nagamasa replied.

The Nagasaka clan originated from a branch of the Ogasawara clan. At that time, Ogasawara Morishige, the son of Ogasawara Mochinaga, the guardian of Shinano, served the Ashikaga Shogunate and lived in Nagasaka Village in Yamashiro Province. Later, he used "Nagasaka" as his surname and changed his name to Nagasaka Morishige. Nagasaka Morishige and his son Nagasaka Nobushige both served the Ashikaga Shogunate and won a certain fame in Kyoto with their outstanding marksmanship.

Therefore, Yunfeng Longxing, who had lived in Kyoto for a long time, had heard of the Nagasaka clan. When he learned that he was the grandson of Nagasaka Morishige and the son of Nagasaka Nobushige, Yunfeng Longxing did become interested in this person.

"Your Excellency said that this man's nickname is 'Blood Spear Jiulang'. It seems that he is quite accomplished in spearmanship. I wonder how he compares to you, Your Excellency?" Yunfeng Longxing asked.

"To be honest, my swordsmanship is slightly better than his, but my spearmanship... is indeed inferior to his. In the recent 'Battle of Anxiang Castle', although the Matsudaira army was defeated and retreated, Nagasaka Nobumasa volunteered to serve as the rear guard, and killed more than a dozen samurai and foot soldiers of the Oda family by himself. His bravery is truly evident." Sakakibara Nagamasa did not hide anything, and it was obvious that he very much hoped that Yunfeng Longxing could recruit this person.

"If he is as brave as you say, I am willing to recommend him." Yunfeng Longxing responded, "But we can't just listen to your one-sided words. This Kuchiki Yahachiro of our family is also good at using spears. If it is convenient, we can invite Nobumasa to come here tomorrow to learn from him. What do you think?"

"Master, you have indeed considered everything. After all, we are recruiting retainers for the master, so we still need to witness their strength with our own eyes." Sakakibara Nagamasa nodded, "I will rush to Okazaki Castle later. If there is no special situation, I will bring him here tomorrow and let you meet me. I will also have a good exchange with this gentleman."

Since it was settled, Sakakibara Nagamasa did not stay for long. He hurriedly bid farewell to Yunfeng Longxing and others, and headed excitedly towards Okazaki Castle.

After seeing off Sakakibara Nagamasa, Kuchiki Hidemitsu said with some concern: "Master, how many brave warriors can there be in such a small place? I think this person is exaggerating a bit."

"We'll know the truth tomorrow. You should also prepare well and don't lose face for the Takeda family." Yunfeng Longxing said slowly:

"If this man is as brave as he claims, I am willing to recommend him to you. If he is not as brave as he claims, I will not recommend him to you, but will doubt his ability. I will ask you to do more screening and testing in my letter to you. After all, I am the one who recommended him, and I must be responsible to you and the Takeda family." (End of this chapter)