Owari Yumeki Golden Day

In other words, the imperial court was most likely inclined towards Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Asakura Yoshikage. Perhaps Ashikaga Yoshiaki as shogun and Asakura Yoshikage as kanrei would be the situation the imperial court would be most happy to see.

Therefore, after the imperial court granted Ashikaga Yoshiei the title of Left Horseman, it also granted Ashikaga Yoshiaki the title of Left Horseman, hoping that Asakura Yoshikage would rise up quickly and attack Kyoto.

With his commanding presence at Tsuruga, the gateway port for the Hokkai trade, and his 750,000 koku territory in Echizen, Asakura Yoshikage had the wherewithal to challenge the Miyoshi clan. The Miyoshi clan had just lost control of Tamba, and Matsunaga Hisahide's Yamato and Kawachi divisions had effectively split off.

There were endless internal conflicts in the family and his power gradually declined.

But Asakura Yoshikage just didn't take any action. After the summer harvest, Nobunaga went to deal with Ryūkyū, but after the summer harvest, Yoshikage actually sat in Ichijodani and helped Yoshiaki send imperial letters to the princes.

Either Asakura Yoshikage did not have the courage to seize the world, or the Asakura family was in some big (shielded) trouble and would not allow Yoshikage to go to Kyoto.

No matter what, Yijing didn't go to Luoyang even though there was such a good opportunity now, so the possibility of him going to Luoyang in the future will not be high either.

Based on this, Shichibei judged that Kinai, that is, the part from Sumata to Ogaki and then to Omi, would not undergo major changes in the short term. Even if Nobunaga conquered all of Mino, he would not suddenly intervene in Omi's affairs without any authority.

Since Nobunaga wouldn't interfere with Omi, setting up a stable in Sunomata would be a waste. If there's no communication between the two sides, why would there be a stable service?

On the other hand, Nobunaga would definitely launch a fierce attack on Inabayama in an attempt to capture the city. Even if this war would last for several years, and there were only a few people from Inabayama heading to Owari, there would definitely be a lot of people from Owari heading towards Inabayama, a constant stream.

I am a businessman, and of course I am aiming to make money.

"Then what do you think I can do?" Nobunaga's eyes lit up when he heard Shichibei's explanation. Shichibei did have his own judgment.

"How bold of you..." Shichibei raised his head and looked at Nobunaga.

"Just say it straight. Go ahead." Nobunaga actually pulled the small stool he was sitting on and moved in front of Shichibei.

"I think that before you suppress Mino, you are not qualified to make a move in the chess game of Kinai." You asked me to say this, so I said it.

You are not worthy of thinking about such nonsense. With your current status as the Lord of Owari, you are not even qualified to stir up trouble in Kinai. Those who are qualified to stir up trouble in Kinai are Ouchi, Hosokawa, and Miyoshi, all of whom had more than one million people at their peak.

Without a strong force, what is the point of playing chess? Why did Ashikaga Yoshiaki first choose to join Asakura Yoshikage? It was because Asakura Yoshikage was the standard-bearer closest to Kyoto and had the strength to play chess.

Kenshin Uesugi was qualified to play chess, but he was far away. The Ouchi clan had played chess before, but they were defeated. The Rokkaku clan was also quite powerful, but they were defeated after the Kanonji riot. Hosokawa Harumoto had already died, and was even more defeated. The Hatakeyama clan was being suppressed by the Miyoshi clan. If it weren't for the support of the Yukawa clan of Kishu, they would probably be dead by now.

Don’t think that Ashikaga Yoshiaki came to you before. He was just trying his best to find a solution. He even looked for Sagara Yoshiharu.

In my opinion, unless you have a fortune of 1.2 billion in both Nobi and Tainan, you'd better go to bed early and stop having these messy dreams. It's easy to miss them if you have too many of them.

"You!" Nobunaga stopped, holding the wine bottle in the air.

"I'm so scared!" Shichibei lowered his head quickly. Damn it, you asked me to say that, and you got anxious again after I said it.

"Okay, okay, okay, okay." Nobunaga dropped the wine bottle and came over to pat Shichibei on the forehead.

Not bad, Nobunaga was still listening and hadn't lost his cool yet. Shichibei breathed a sigh of relief and nodded repeatedly. Then Nobunaga pulled him up, suggesting he wanted to keep some food, presumably to talk while they ate.

Someone came over immediately to help Nobunaga change his clothes. While Nobunaga was changing, he asked Shichibei whether Ashikaga Yoshiaki would also see that Asakura Yoshikage was useless?

So what if he saw it? Besides Asakura Yoshikage, who else could he rely on? Your brother can only muster a little over 10,000 or 20,000 men, including Matsudaira Ieyasu's 3,000 or 5,000. Can he even fight his way into Kyoto? Awa Miyoshi's Shinohara Nagafusa can muster 20,000.

Yoshiaki is actually in a situation where he has nowhere to go.

Nobunaga did not respond. Indeed, the Miyoshi family was the only dominant family in Kinai now, and the other families were just underdogs. The Miyoshi family could not kill them, and they could only disgust the Miyoshi family, but could not kill them.

After entering the house and sitting down, Lady Nohime saw that Shichibei was just smiling and immediately guessed that Nobunaga wanted to keep Shichibei for dinner. The two were chatting happily, and Nobunaga would not stop there.

Since you want to leave some food, then prepare more. At this time, Nobunaga's meal was also very sloppy, without the much fanfare of a banquet, three dishes and a soup, four dishes and a soup, that's enough.

Shichibei had just stood up to pay his respects to Lady Nohime, and just as he sat down, he saw a girl of twelve or thirteen running over to whisper to her. She looked quite well-dressed, not a maid. But Nobunaga didn't have a daughter that old; Princess Tokuhime was only seven.

"That's Anon's sister." Nobunaga answered casually.

Historically, this was Dosan's youngest daughter. When Dosan died, she was still very young and was raised by Nagai Michitoshi. When Nagai Michitoshi was defeated, she was taken in and raised by Lady Nouhime. Later, Nobunaga arranged for her to be married off to Hatakeyama Akitaka as his adopted daughter.

67. It is extremely difficult to regulate Xinong (titled by Wen Patou)

Because Lady Nohime had no children, she now had a younger sister who was much younger than her, so she could be considered a half-daughter. Moreover, Saito Dosan was dead, and even Nagai Michitoshi had been driven away, so there was no one to take care of this little girl.

Firstly, Nobunaga and Dosan were father-in-law and son-in-law, so adopting his surviving relatives was a moral obligation. Secondly, she was just a little girl and could not possibly pose a threat to Nobunaga, so it was good for Nouhime to have another companion.

The only ones who were threatening were Yoshitatsu and Ryūoki, and Nobunaga had no problem striking them down. Nobunaga considered himself Dosan's successor, determined to maintain his orthodoxy in Mino, making Yoshitatsu and his son traitors.

What psychological burden can there be in killing traitors?

The two continued to chat. Nobunaga was opening his own thoughts and naturally didn't pay attention to other things. After he and Shichibei finished their meal, Nobunaga was still thinking.

Shichibei didn't think too much about it, he just sighed that Nobunaga was so sharp-minded. He actually guessed that Shichibei had some judgment about the future just because he only set up a stable in Sekijo but not in Sunomata.

He is truly the leader of the “Three Heroes of the Warring States Period”!

It's obviously impossible to get by under such a smart boss. If you show off too much, you might end up like Lin Xiuzhen and Sakuma Nobumori.

If another boss came to power, who would bother to find out where their own royal merchant had opened a stable? Even if he was caring for his retainers, it would be nothing more than a little concern for family matters. At most, he would be concerned about Shichibei's marriage, just like before.

When they reached the foot of the city, a little maid came out from the city and asked Shichibei to send someone to Sakaimachi to bring some red wool yarn imported from the Ming Dynasty.

Japan rarely raises sheep, even in the 21st century. So, if they want wool yarn, they have to import it from neighboring Daiming. But what does Lady Nohime need the yarn for? She certainly doesn't want to knit a pair of woolen gloves for Oda Nobunaga.

No, it could be silk. Shichibei argued with the maid for a while about what kind of yarn it was made of. As expected, she found out it was cotton.

This cotton is what the Ming dynasty called cotton spun into yarn, not the kapok used in Japan. There is a natural difference between the two, as Japan doesn't grow cotton anymore.

How many pounds do you want?

The maid found herself at a loss for words, so she asked Shichibei to wait at the door while she went to ask him questions and then returned. That's what servants do. Running errands, delivering messages, passing orders up and down the line.

Nobunaga was standing in the corridor, lost in thought, when he saw the maid run off to find Lady Nohime. It seemed the maid had been assigned by Nohime to her sister, so why was she running around? Soon after, the maid ran out again, heading towards the city walls.

Nobunaga wanted to know about Komakiyama Castle, so he just waved. It turned out he'd gone to ask Shichibei for some red yarn, and he'd given the order right at the castle gate. Perhaps Nohime's sister needed the yarn for something.

hiss……

In terms of age, it was just right. But Shichibei was already engaged, and the girl was already married to Oda Nobuya, so Shichibei would soon become Nobunaga's grandson-in-law.

However, Shichibei had a rare clarity of vision. After all, the Oda clan's samurai retainers had evolved from the retainers of the likes of Kiyosu Sanbukyō, who were often humble country bumpkins. Few of them possessed foresight and vision.

Never mind, that's all in the past. Nobunaga only thought of it after seeing it. Shichibei was right. They didn't even occupy the two countries of Nobi, so how could they possibly interfere in Kinai affairs?

Not worthy.

Before conquering Mino, Nobunaga shouldn't pay too much attention to the outside world's information. Sometimes knowing too much can make you unhappy.

The West Mino trio must be pacified as soon as possible!

It was half a month later when Shichibei returned to Komakiyama Castle with the necessary dowry and the red woolen yarn requested by Lady Nohime's maid.

Upon reaching the castle walls, he saw Kinoshita Hideyoshi retreating with a scowl on his face. Shichibei tried to greet him, but he didn't hear. It was only when Shichibei slapped Hideyoshi that Hideyoshi finally realized what was happening, and he quickly uttered a few "ohs." This was truly bizarre, and it immediately piqued Shichibei's appetite. Since he had official business to attend to, Shichibei asked him to meet that evening.

After handing over his dowry to Lady Nohime, he hurried back to the Kinoshita household. Only Nene and two or three maids remained at the Kinoshita household. The main household members and servants, especially the men, had moved to Sunomata Castle. As the castle lord, Hideyoshi was responsible for defending the castle. Normally, the castle was primarily guarded by the Kinoshita household's dozens of men, supplemented by Nobunaga's thirty archers and arquebusiers.

Seeing Shichibei arrive, Nene retorted, "Why didn't you tell me you were going to dinner with Lord Kawamura?" As a "poor couple," Nene had been together since Hideyoshi's humble beginnings, so it was natural for Nene to criticize Hideyoshi. Hideyoshi pleaded with Nene while inviting Shichibei in.

Despite all that talk, Ningning hurried out to buy tofu. Many of the wild vegetables at home were sent by Hideyoshi's mother, Ah Zhong, so they didn't cost anything. But she still needed to buy dried fish, tofu, miso, and even seaweed strips, which didn't grow in the fields.

What a good wife.

To be honest, Shichibei was really praising Ningning. Hideyoshi must have been secretly happy to have such a wife. If it weren't for Ningning, he wouldn't have been able to gather the dozen or so men and seven or eight guns he had when he started out.

The two sat down, and Shichibei naturally wanted to ask Hideyoshi why he looked so miserable. He had just entered the city, and Shichibei had not paid a visit to Nobunaga, and Nobunaga had not summoned Shichibei, so why would he come to visit without a reason?

Well, it's all about the West Mino Strategy. The Mino Three had a straightforward idea: nothing would change. They could surrender to Nobunaga, but Nobunaga had to guarantee their rights.

The greatest right is to obey orders rather than announcements.

I submit to you, Nobunaga, but that's all. I won't contribute to the attack on Inabayama Castle, or I'll only contribute symbolically, perhaps only two or three hundred men, no more.

Don't call me to war in the future. I'll just live peacefully on my own little piece of land. Let's not interfere with each other. I have the final say in all my territory. Don't send anyone or set up any facilities in my territory.

There is nothing but superficial submission.

The Nishimino trio is now in almost the same mode in the Saito family. They want to continue to maintain this mode, otherwise why would they defect to Nobunaga?

Could Nobunaga offer them better terms? Impossible, they were practically no different from independent daimyo.

The reason Nobunaga had rushed to Sunomata the previous time was also because of this. If Nobunaga hadn't conquered Nakanosuke, they wouldn't even want to talk. The fact that they were able to talk now was already a favor to Nobunaga.

68. Hideyoshi is caught between two ends

So what is Nobunaga's bottom line?

Anyway, there is no one at home. Ningning went out to buy tofu. We are like brothers and a family. There is nothing inconvenient to say.

Hideyoshi thought for a moment and said that during Nobunaga's last secret meeting with the representatives of the Nishi Mino Trio, one point was discussed - the need to establish a new military service account.

Nobunaga could give money, provide peace, and not send any general volunteers, including prosecutors and county officials. However, the West Mino Three were required to perform annual military service and send troops to support Nobunaga's war efforts when Nobunaga paid an equivalent amount of money.

Why were the West Mino Three so resistant to sending troops? The reason was simple: they were old-school lords whose military strength came from the land. Sending troops would not only cost them money and food but also affect farming. Any impact on farming would affect income, creating a vicious cycle.

For powerful clans like them, winning battles was actually a bad thing. Because by winning battles and making great contributions, Nobunaga could legitimately double their territory and then demand a transfer. For example, if the Inaba clan were granted 50,000 koku in Minosone and you were granted 100,000 koku in Usuki, Bungo, Kyushu, would you be happy with that?

It can be said with certainty that more than 90 percent are unhappy.

If you lose, it's an undeniable disaster. Those who die are all vassals with whom you have a sworn bond; every loss is a loss. A crushing defeat not only severely damages your own strength, but also risks attracting the covetousness of the daimyo, who might seek an excuse to attack you.

You don't even have the strength to resist, and in the end you will die.

Therefore, the best way is to guard your own turtle shell. Become the king of your own small piece of land. The daimyo will be afraid of you, a turtle, and will not make up his mind to deal with you.

perfect!

Nobunaga insisted that the three families serve in the army, even if it meant spending money. His intention was to weaken the three families' strength. Nobunaga could earn money, but the three families had to slowly cultivate their samurai and foot soldiers year after year.

After a few battles with heavy losses, these three families will have no choice but to surrender. Those who know the situation will transfer their fiefs, hand over hostages, send their sons, and turn their retainers into dragons. As for those who don't know the situation, hehe, there will always be a time when you make a mistake. Once you make a mistake, Nobunaga will strike with thunder and kill you.

"Aren't they afraid of the lord's full-scale attack?" Shichibei rubbed his chin.

The chin beard I shaved yesterday has grown a little bit today. It feels a bit prickly and scratchy, and I have an inexplicable feeling.

"These three families are closely related. If we put all our strength to besiege the city, it will be difficult to capture even if there are 10,000 people surrounding Ogaki Castle. We also have to be on guard against the reinforcements of the two families outside, which is very difficult." Hideyoshi had already observed the defenses of Ogaki Castle, and it was indeed a tough nut to crack.

This city is the throat of Xinong, and we have to take it down first. It's either a compromise or a forceful attack, there is no third option.

If history had not changed, Tokugawa Ieyasu would have had to attack either Ogaki Castle or Anotsu Castle if he wanted to advance to Kyoto. These were the only two main routes for military action, and there was no way around them.

"It's indeed troublesome." Shichibei was of course well aware of the principle that attacking the heart is better than attacking the city.

"But Ando Iga-no-kami's son-in-law is a sensible man," Hideyoshi remarked.

"Takenaka Hanbei?" Shichibei wasn't quite sure what kind of person this old man was.

He became so famous in later generations that he was listed as one of the "Two Most Valiant Guards of the World" together with Kuroda Kanbei. It is very likely that this was due to the role played by his son Takenaka Shigemon's book "Hokan".

(Kuroda, as for him, was a legitimate daimyo with 520,000 koku, which was a lot of money. He was even a marquis after the Meiji Restoration.)

Historically, Hideyoshi treated Takenaka Shigemon with considerable harshness. When Hanbei died, Takenaka Shigemon was only seven years old. Transferring the family business to Hanbei's younger brother, Takenaka Shigenori, was a perfectly acceptable practice within the military establishment. After all, granting a person territory and requesting their troops to contribute was perfectly natural.

However, not long after Takenaka Shigenori was killed in battle, Hideyoshi disregarded the entire Takenaka family without any mercy, leaving them with only a salary of 200 koku to survive.

If you were Takenaka Shigemon, wouldn't you be angry? You'd definitely harbor resentment. Later, he fought against the Tokugawa empire at the Battle of Sekigahara, captured Konishi Nobunaga, and actively worked for Ieyasu. It's also true that he sold the Takenaka clan to 80,000 koku.

Especially in the Battle of Sekigahara, where more than a dozen members of the Takenaka clan were killed, Tokugawa Ieyasu granted a compensation of 1,000 koku of rice. Although this was done to win over the people, the Takenaka clan did benefit.

By the Edo period, the Toyotomi family was ruined, and Shigeto and Hideyoshi had old grudges again. He stepped on Hideyoshi and praised his father Takenaka Hanbei. That was a product of political correctness.

When Hideyoshi was transferred to Harima, for example, Hosuka Koroku was transferred to Harima Tatsuno with 56,000 koku. Takenaka Hanbei, who was also a powerful figure in Hideyoshi's career, remained unmoved at Mino Bodhiyama with 10,000 koku (some say 8,000 koku), which is actually very telling.

Couldn't the Takenaka family mobilize 200 soldiers? Of course they could, but they didn't receive any promotion and followed Hideyoshi to Harima.

At that time, Takenaka Hanbei was probably just an ordinary force under Hideyoshi, and was not at all Hideyoshi's right-hand man who could not be separated from him at any moment.

"He thinks the lord is a magnanimous man and can be a supporting role." Hideyoshi obviously agreed with this and nodded as he spoke.

"That's right!" Oh, it seems that Takenaka Hanbei is not just bragging.

Nobunaga's generosity lies in his use of people. If you have talent, he will use you. As long as you are still useful, you will find your place in the Oda family. Unless your usefulness and your status are too far apart, you may be punished by Nobunaga.

To be honest, the Nishimino trio were all legitimate samurai, capable of fighting wars and managing government, so they wouldn't have any major problems. If they willingly joined Nobunaga, they could easily become samurai generals under him. Of course, they would be samurai generals who could be transferred at any time, and who would have to work very hard every time.

The key point is that the three families don’t want to be generals, they are just local kings.

"He said he would try his best to persuade Ando Iga-no-machi, but it was obviously ineffective," Hideyoshi continued.

"The three are led by Ogaki Castle. Even if Ando Iga-no-kami is willing, it will probably be of no avail." Shichibei certainly knew the reason.

Among the three families, Ujiie Bokuzen, also known as Ujiie Naomoto, had the greatest power. Otherwise, in history, he would not have served as the rear guard in the defeat against Ise and eventually died in battle.

Without a solid base of troops, it's impossible to be the rear guard. Currently, the Oda clan's rear guard is led by the family elder Sakuma Nobumori. Historically, during the Kanegasaki retreat, the rear guard included not only Kinoshita Hideyoshi, but also Akechi Mitsuhide and Ikeda Katsumasa. It's said that the future Tokugawa Ieyasu was also there, but this remains doubtful.

From this, we can see how strong Ujiie Bokuzen is. If he mobilizes all his forces and recruits more than 2,000 people to serve as scapegoats for the entire army, there will be no problem at all.

This is also why Hideyoshi said that if Ogaki Castle was besieged, 10,000 men would definitely not be able to take it. Even if 10,000 men attacked a castle defended by only 2,000 men, even if they could capture it, it would be at a huge cost.

Is there no compromise?