The Self-Cultivation of Warring States Warriors

Page 111

Fortunately, Shinzaburo also brought a folding fan with him today, though he had only bought it for 100 sen in Kohama Bay last year, and he didn’t know which third-rate craftsman painted the landscape on it, but it was still a comparable item.

He immediately followed suit and wrote "Presented by Kubo Sado to Oda Kazusa" vertically on his own paper fan, and politely returned the gift.

For a time, it was a case of heroes appreciating heroes, and kindred spirits appreciating kindred spirits.

Oda Nobunaga said in a serious tone, "If we unfortunately become enemies in the future, based on the friendship we have formed today, even if I win, I will never exterminate the Kubo family."

Upon hearing this, Shinzaburo replied, "If I really have to face Oda Kazusa, I will go all out and I probably won't have time to consider how much face I can save."

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Oda Nobunaga was very easygoing by nature. After a while, he shook his head and said, "Since Lord Kubo has no intention of promoting the Oda family, I will just have a casual audience with him, then visit Lord Yamashina Naizō, who has a long-standing relationship with my family, and then go to Nara and Sakai to broaden my horizons as soon as possible!"

Since there were no other people around, Shinzaburo, going along with the atmosphere, also said something outrageous: "Today the Oda family is waiting to be promoted, but who knows who will be promoting whom in the future?"

Oda Nobunaga laughed heartily.

After finishing their business, the two began chatting casually.

Unable to contain his curiosity, Shinzaburo asked who the young attendants behind the other man were.

Oda Nobunaga casually waved his hand and called out names: "Sasa Narimasa, Maeda Toshiie, Kanamori Nagachika, Hachiya Yoritaka..."

Don't let their current unremarkable appearance and somewhat reserved demeanor fool you; they are all characters who will appear in Koei Tecmo's games in the future!

Moreover, its attributes aren't bad.

I felt a little envious when I heard about Shinzaburo.

But thinking back, were these people born with great skills, or did they develop them gradually?

The latter is more likely.

Only a few can truly stand on their own.

Unfortunately, after looking around, I couldn't find a single samurai who looked like a monkey or a bald rat.

But seeing him wouldn't make much difference; could he possibly poach someone from another company on the spot?

209 Kubo faction? Really?

After chatting with Oda Nobunaga, exchanging gifts, and expressing mutual respect, there was no real significance to the conversation, but Shinzaburo felt quite pleased.

Next up are Saito's trip to Kyoto in Mino in April and Nagao's trip to Kyoto in Echigo in June. I don't have time to watch anymore, I have to go back and take care of important matters.

First, we need to organize troops to attack Dango, and then we need to see if there is any possibility of them intervening in Tajima.

The nobles of Kyoto did not value the lands of remote borderlands, but cared more about political influence. However, Shinzaburo was focused on practical benefits.

Just as they were packing up to say goodbye and leave, the monk Shitaka of Daitoku-ji Temple suddenly relayed that a guest had come to visit, specifically asking for a visit from "Lord Kubo Sado".

That's amazing!

Shinzaburo only stayed at Daitoku-ji Temple in the northern suburbs of Kyoto for seven or eight days. He never publicized it. So how did someone with ulterior motives come knocking on his door?

I wonder what the name of the visitor is.

The monk Ziying explained that the man called himself Araki Murashige and said that he served the Miyoshi family in Izumi and Kawachi. He looked dignified and had an extraordinary demeanor. Moreover, he was very perceptive and had given small red envelopes to everyone from the guard monks to the novice monks who served tea as he walked in.

So it was this guy.

Let's meet then, after all, we have a connection from the recommendation we received.

So Shinzaburo sat in the guest room and waited.

A short while later, Araki Village returned. Before even entering the house, they knelt down outside the door and kowtowed without saying a word. Only after receiving instructions did they rise, still bowing and keeping their heads down, and respectfully took small steps inside.

His posture suggested that he was not paying respects to Yoshiaki Kubo, but rather to Nagayoshi Miyoshi.

As the saying goes, those who offer unsolicited favors are either up to no good or are thieves.

But as the saying goes, flattery will get you everywhere.

Looking at the other party's servile manner, unless one is a saint with a heart as still as an ancient well, who could not be a little intoxicated?

Shinzaburo couldn't help but sneer: "Well done, Araki Jujuro. Did you go to Izumi, a place teeming with refined gentlemen, just to learn how to bow?"

He wasn't overly polite in his address. Since he was now a regional lord, being too polite would only make the other party uncomfortable.

"I am not a sycophant, but I was simply overwhelmed by the imposing presence of Lord Kubo Sado and unconsciously bowed down. I apologize for making you laugh."

Araki Murashige, however, possessed considerable composure, managing to utter such shameless words with a completely serious expression.

Shinzaburo didn't dwell on the details, nodded slightly and smiled, then asked, "I heard last time that you made many contributions in Izumi and were granted the land of nine villages and two temples. Now, several years have passed, how are you doing?"

“Sigh!” Araki Murashige’s face fell when the topic came up, and he shook his head and sighed repeatedly. “After being transferred from Izumi to the Kawachi front, I was about to become the castle lord of Eboshi-gata Castle.”

Wow, the pace of progress is really fast.

Eu Mao-xing Fortress is a fortress in southwestern Hanoi. To become the fortress's leader, one would probably have a salary of three to five thousand koku.

However, since we're talking about "originally," there will definitely be changes later on.

Shinzaburo didn't rush to ask questions, waiting for the other party to explain.

Araki Murashige said sadly, "The conquest of Kawachi was previously under the command of Lord Miyoshi Toyozen (Yoshikata), and things went very smoothly. But now... now he has some disagreements with his superiors and has resigned and returned to Shikoku. However, his superiors have not selected a new person to take command, resulting in a series of defeats at the end of last year. The southern part of Kawachi has fallen repeatedly, and Eboshi-gata Castle has already fallen into the hands of the enemy."

Shinzaburo had heard about this, but he hadn't had time to pay attention to the details.

The initial plan was for Sogo Kazutsugu to be in charge of Izumi, Miyoshi Yoshikata to be in charge of Kawachi, and Matsunaga Hisahide to be in charge of Yamato, with the three routes launching an attack to wipe out the anti-Mitsuyoshi forces in the Kinai region.

Everything seemed to be going smoothly until Yoshikazu Miyoshi and Nagayoshi Miyoshi had a falling out, and Yoshikazu Miyoshi was sent back to his hometown in Shikoku to reflect on his actions, which suddenly threw the situation into chaos.

Throughout history, how many good results have come from replacing generals in the heat of battle? Let alone abandoning a general in the face of battle, without even a replacement.

With the defeat at the front, southern Hanoi was once again controlled by the anti-Miyoshi coalition, and Araki Murashige's castle lordship was doomed.

What's the point of begging me if there's no hope for you?

Shinzaburo could only offer a few words of comfort and express his sympathy, but he didn't understand what the other person meant.

Then Araki Murashige asked, "In my opinion, sooner or later the higher-ups will have to appoint a new general to take charge of Hanoi; they can't just leave it unattended. I wonder which senior retainer it will be?"

good question!

Since Araki Murashige is working on the Hanoi front and is not yet capable of taking charge independently, it's natural for him to be concerned about the selection of his next superior. It's perfectly normal for him to inquire around.

Shinzaburo had indeed pondered this question. He already had the answer in his heart.

It was just a personal guess and there was no need to keep it a secret, so I immediately told the other party: "It might be that Miyoshi (Masayasu) who just returned to the fold will step down."

"Miyoshi has resigned..." Araki Murashige seemed puzzled, as if he didn't quite understand. "This person has been an enemy of the Miyoshi family for many years, and has only recently returned to the fold. Why would he be given such an important task?"

Shinzaburo didn't answer, but instead asked, "Have you heard about the tea party in Tsukikai-cho last time?"

"Tea party? Uh..." Araki Murashige looked bewildered.

“Since you’re active in the Kinai region, you can pay more attention to the tea ceremony in the future.” Shinzaburo calmly gave the order, and then said, “It is up to Lord Chikuzen no Kami (Miyoshi Nagayoshi) to decide who will take charge of Kawachi Province. No one can know for sure. But the most likely candidate at present is the newly retired Miyoshi.”

"Understood. From now on, I will follow Lord Kubo Sado's instructions and pay more attention to the tea ceremony!" Araki Murashige responded first, then sighed and lamented, "This Miyoshi Shiro has never dealt with me before, and I don't know if he's an easy person to talk to..."

At this moment, Shinzaburo understood the implication in the other party's words, so he smiled and said, "Araki Juro has come today hoping that I can act as an introducer and help you meet an important person."

“As expected, this thought cannot be hidden from Lord Kubo Sado.” Araki Murashige chuckled twice, then pondered for a moment before cautiously saying, “If I could get your introduction, I could prove to outsiders that I am also supported by someone in the Miyoshi family, and that I will not be looked down upon.”

what?

Previously, when faced with internal problems within the Miyoshi family, Shinzaburo had been considering which faction he should align himself with.

Unexpectedly, he was also regarded as a faction leader by Araki Village.

Shinzaburo stroked his beard, lost in thought, and remained silent.

Araki Murashige was still muttering to himself, "Seeing the conflict between Lord Chikuzen (Miyoshi Nagayoshi) and Lord Buzen (Miyoshi Yoshikata) this time, I realized that it's not enough to just focus on doing things; we also need to pay attention to the winds blowing behind us. Lord Kubo Sado is now deeply trusted by the young master of the Miyoshi family, and he commands a strong army in Wakasa Province. He also has the support of Settsu Ikeda. If we add myself to that..."

Araki Murashige wisely refrained from saying the rest.

But the meaning is already clear.

Shinzaburo was slightly surprised after hearing this, but then smiled and said only, "Interesting."

I genuinely find it interesting.

The current power structure within the Miyoshi family is roughly a three-way balance of power: the Shikoku faction, the Genjutsu faction, and the Shinzan faction, each possessing considerable strength. Shinzaburo's current territory is far from enough to make him the fourth person, but it's not impossible for him to make do and sit at the end of the table.

Speaking of which, could it be because of this that Yoshiyuki Miyoshi has been so friendly lately?

According to Shinzaburo's own idea, he only wanted to "delay declaring himself king" and should not express his ambition too quickly.

But... what if your boss actually wants you to say more? In that case, simply backing down and being humble would be inappropriate.

After pondering for a moment, Shinzaburo said, "Whether Miyoshi Shimosuke is in charge of Kawachi Province is still just my guess, so there's no rush to pay a visit. Since we're in Kyoto, let's take Araki Jujuro to meet Lord Yoshioki first."

"Ah!" Araki Murashige suddenly sat up, his expression a mixture of surprise and delight, his tone changing, "Is I really so honored?"

Shinzaburo smiled without saying a word.

After a brief moment of thought, he still held onto the same old idea: not to vie for central authority, but to seize control of the peripheral territories.

Unless it's to act as a mouthpiece for Miyoshi Yoshikatsu.

210 Before obtaining the Empress, we first look towards Tajima.

Next, Shinzaburo brought Arakimura to meet Miyoshi Yoshioki again, saying, "This is a talented person who fought on the front lines in Hanoi. He has always been loyal and brave. I happened to be passing through Kyoto, so I brought him here to show you."

Upon meeting, Araki Murashige was so excited he seemed to be acting out of character, though it was probably an act. Miyoshi Yoshiaki, on the other hand, maintained his usual demeanor, which could be considered respectful and courteous.

Yoshio Miyoshi was quick-witted and immediately understood the implication. Without hesitation, he revealed, "My father has decided to temporarily put Shimotsuke no Kami (Mio Masayasu) in charge of Kawachi Province. It is precisely the time when talent is needed. Since this Araki Jujuro is so loyal and brave, Kubo Sado can write a letter to recommend him. It would be a win-win situation."

This short passage reveals several key points.

Firstly, it demonstrates that Yoshiaki Kubo is a trustworthy confidant who can share information that has not yet been made public.

Secondly, having Yoshiaki Kubo write a letter recommending Murashige Araki, while Yoshioki Miyoshi did not do it himself, demonstrates an appropriate hierarchy.

Third, it affirms Yoshiaki Kubo's influence and implies that simply writing a letter is effective, without the need for additional endorsement.

Araki Murashige is probably still young and doesn't seem overly ambitious. He obediently accepted the arrangements and didn't do anything to attract attention.

Shinzaburo, of course, had to follow Miyoshi Yoshiaki's instructions.

At the same time, he also wrote a letter to his in-laws, the Ikeda family of Settsu Ikeda Castle, ostensibly to inquire about Akuri's sister's situation and casually mention Araki Murashige's matter—after all, she was a former retainer of their family.

It actually contained a bit of political innuendo, but I don't know if the father-in-law can understand it.

At Shinzaburo's current level, even a casual letter might involve confidential information, making it inconvenient to pass through the Hikaya. Instead, he would directly instruct his retainers or ask relatives and friends to deliver it.

……

The matter in Kyoto has finally come to an end.

Shinzaburo returned to Wakasa with a completely new understanding of the situation, quickly putting aside all other thoughts and focusing all his energy on conquering new territories.

His thinking was simple: if, as in the original history, Miyoshi Yoshioki died young, then the current factional struggles were all nonsense, and a complete reshuffling would be inevitable. Conversely, if Miyoshi Yoshioki survived due to the butterfly effect, it would be even simpler: he could just cling to the Second Hokage's coattails.

Therefore, you can focus on defeating Dango now and don't need to be distracted.

Wakasa is adjacent to the Sea of ​​Japan, and the temperature is slightly higher than in the inland mountainous areas, so spring planting ends earlier. In early March, Shinzaburo requisitioned a batch of fishing boats and merchant ships, which were combined with Nasa Yamatosuke's navy, making a total of 220 ships of various sizes. They transported more than 5,300 people to the Kumano and Takeno districts in western Tango Province.

Last year, Masataka Itsuki and Katsuhisa Awaya led a detachment to conquer this area. Although they ultimately failed to gain a foothold, it was not a waste of time. At least they mastered the terrain and figured out the way.

As soon as the army arrived this year, Itsuki Masatsune immediately came into play. He introduced that there was a local tyrant in Kumano County named Himura Kenmono, a small powerful clan with less than a hundred soldiers. He had already agreed to surrender the city, but only hoped to receive a reward of two hundred kan.

Shinsaburo was happy to pay the money and disbursed it on the spot.

Next, through that Himura Iwami-no-kami, he persuaded the nearby Hirata and Kuroi families to defect, for a price of one hundred kan each.

With only four hundred copper coins to pave the way, they occupied more than ten fishing villages in Kumihama and acquired three small towns at the level of mountain strongholds, which was quite a bargain.

Of course, money was secondary; the key was that Itsuki Masatsune had used his ingenuity to establish a certain level of mutual trust with the nearby samurai, which was a real achievement.

What happened to the promise that the people of Danhou would unite against the common enemy?

It depends on the situation.

The three families of Himura, Hirata, and Kuroi frankly stated that Naito Munekatsu led his troops to force their way in, plundering money, grain, and fortifications, which the locals naturally opposed.

Kubo Yoshiaki not only guaranteed the safety of the original territory but also gave an extra reward, which is a different matter altogether.

Of course, not everyone receives this treatment.

Both involve controlling three to five villages and commanding dozens of soldiers, but the first to surrender receives a reward of two hundred strings of cash, while the next two receive one hundred strings. The difference is significant.

Naito Munekatsu couldn't use a silver bullet approach. Although he was known as the "Prefect of Danzhou" and his territory seemed large, he didn't actually control many commercial areas, and his monetary income was quite limited.

The confessions of the three surrendered noble families prompted Shinzaburo to reflect on some things.

His intention in coming to Tango this time was to establish a firm foothold there. Therefore, he immediately issued an order to assign the Himura, Hirata, and Kuroi families as retainers of Itsumi Masatsune to assist in the defense of the area.