What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 32

Eiroku 3, Third Month, First Day – Kofukuji Main Hall – Yagyuu Munenori

At the edge of the chanting monks, a group of samurai stood in line, participating in Kofukuji’s Sanzoukai. 

From the Yamanaka clan were Yamanaka-dono, Shimizu Juuzou-dono, and Kizu Juemon-dono.
From the Matsunaga clan were Yuuki-dono and Kusunoki-dono. 

Then, there is myself and Furuichi-dono.

Among them, Furuichi-dono looked especially pleased.
At one point, he had replaced the Tsutsui clan as the leader of the shuto, but was shunned by the other four Yamato families and fell from power, unable to attend Kofukuji’s ceremonies. 

This time, he was the only one among the former Yamato kokujin to participate.

Sanzoukai, I was told, is a memorial service for Monk Xuanzang who brought the scriptures from India.

It is said to be unusual for warriors to take part in this memorial.
Everyone solemnly completed the memorial and is now being served tea in a separate room.

We were gathered here by Matsunaga-sama to receive orders for our future actions.
Participating in the Sanzoukai is merely for show, but it also signals our relationship with Kofukuji to both inside and outside parties.

Still, it truly seems Yamanaka-dono and Kofukuji have stepped into a deeper relationship.
Kizu Juemon-dono, representing the Yamanaka clan, and Souzen-sama, representing Kofukuji, are sitting together and speaking in a friendly manner.

In the past, there were many warrior monks throughout the town, but now, aside from the temple gatekeepers, none can be found.
I have heard that most of the warrior monks were absorbed by Yamanaka-dono. 

Also, the town’s atmosphere, once bleak, is now full of life.
A significant factor in this is that Yamanaka-dono is using a large number of workers to construct a castle at the Yamato Kaidou(Yamato Road) entrance.

“Matsunaga-sama’s orders are as follows.”

When Kusunoki Masatora-dono spoke, everyone straightened their posture.

This Kusunoki-dono, as his name suggests, is a descendant of Kusunoki Masashige-dono.
Kusunoki-dono was a key military commander for the Southern Court, and since the current emperor follows the Northern Court lineage, to avoid conflict, he lived quietly in the mountains of Ise under a different name.

There, he was recruited by Matsunaga-sama.
Recently, through Matsunaga-sama and the submission to the shogunate by the shōgun, it was granted that the Kusunoki clan would no longer be considered enemies of the Imperial Court, and thus, he returned to the Kusunoki name.

What a remarkable turn of events. 

Furthermore, Matsunaga-sama serves both the remarkable Miyoshi Nagayoshi-sama and the shogun, essentially working for two masters.
The implications and complexities of this are beyond the understanding of someone like myself, a simple swordsman.

“Furuichi-dono will become a retainer of Yagyu-dono. Yamanaka-dono will cooperate with Yagyu-dono to conquer the districts of Toichi and Takachi, while Yagyu-dono will focus on the Uda district. Yuuki-dono will provide assistance with five hundred soldiers.”

Hmm… as expected, this is the approach. 

And I have already anticipated that I will have to move troops into the Uda district.
I have already sent out spies.

Still, for the prestigious Furuichi clan to follow me…
I am fine with a normal alliance.

“There are no objections. Furuichi was a family destroyed once by the Tsutsui. This time, if Yagyu-dono hadn’t driven the Tsutsui out of Tsubakio Castle, we would not have even seen the light of day. From now on, we will serve as vassals of Yagyu-dono, working tirelessly.”

“Hmm, a noble resolve. I will return and report to my lord. What of Yamanaka-dono?”

“…”

Hmm, Yamanaka-dono seems to be contemplating something.

Yamanaka-dono’s recent achievements have been so incredible that it is hard to tell whether they are true or not.
He quickly conquered the Kizu region, and now, by seizing control of Kōfuku-ji and the southern capital, he has become a powerful lord with over fifty thousand koku.

It is an astonishing rise. 

Surely, he is overwhelmed with the aftermath of the territories he has taken.
I believe he must be saying he does not wish to engage in any more battles for a while.

Even though he serves as Matsunaga-sama’s representative, I can understand why Kusunoki-dono would be cautious.

“…I understand you are busy, but please, I ask for your help.”

“…I understand. Do not worry, I will begin immediately. What I had in mind was, Kusunoki-dono, you have acquaintances around the Katsuragi area. I was wondering if you could lend me your assistance.”

“Katsuragi area, you say? Certainly, I do have acquaintances there, but my duties in Kyoto…”

“Ah, no, of course. You serve close to the shogun. There is no benefit in helping someone like me. Please forget what I said.”

“No… If it pleases my lord, and with his permission, I would gladly lend my assistance. I, too, long for the vast natural beauty of the place where I grew up.”

“Then, may I ask Matsunaga-sama for permission?”

Kusunoki-dono nodded silently. 

I see now.
I understand, though vaguely, what Yamanaka-dono intends.

Some time ago, the younger brother of the shogun who had been residing at Kōfuku-ji apparently passed away after eating dried persimmons from Yoshino.
Gossips began spreading, calling it the “Curse of Emperor Go-Daigo.” 

Kusunoki, who claims to be a direct descendant of the southern court, must be feeling deeply uncomfortable serving near the shogun in Kyoto.

The southern court’s people are seen as enemies of the Ashikaga, and even enemies of the shogunate.
Matsunaga-sama’s bold move to request the pardon of Kusunoki is quite daring…

“Our current obstacle in our advancement to Uda by Yagyu-dono is the fortress of Ryūōzan in the Tōichi district. We cannot proceed unless we capture this place. Does anyone have a good plan?”

Yamanaka-dono’s chief retainer, Shimizu Jūzō-dono, continued the discussion.

Ryūōzan Castle, along with Takatori Castle in Tōkai District, is one of the largest mountain castles in all of Yamato.
If a proper force is stationed there, it will be impregnable. 

With only a few hundred troops from the Yagyu family, there is no way to take it.

“Ryūōzan Castle, you say…”

“…”

“Furuichi-dono, how many troops do you think are currently stationed at Ryūōzan Castle?”

“Well, that’s… In Tōichi, we have Tōichi Castle and Moriyama Castle, but I believe there are only around 300 to 500 troops stationed at Ryūōzan Castle regularly.”

Yamanaka-dono is asking Furuichi-dono, as Furuichi, being nearby, should be well aware of the situation in Tōichi.

“And what about the overall troop strength of Tōichi?”

“Well, before Matsunaga-sama advanced here, they had about 2,000 men, but after a battle where they were defeated by Matsunaga-sama, their strength has been reduced. Now, they can mobilize about 1,500 to 1,600 men.”

“Hm…”

Even so, 1,500 to 1,600…
If the remnants of the Tsutsui family join, they could reach 2,000.

Tōichi is a large force with influence reaching from Yoshino to Kawachi and Kishu.
Though Tōichi and Tsutsui had been rivals before, the Yamato warriors are known for their lack of loyalty and will easily unite if an external enemy arrives. 

If Hashio and Ochi also join, it could become a massive force, potentially reaching tens of thousands…

“Then let’s leave the mountain castles for later and first take Tōichi Castle, which is easier to assault.”

It was the first time that Yūki-dono, who was coming to assist, spoke up.

Yūki Tadamasa-dono, is known as a renowned swordsman and a general said to possess supernatural swordsmanship.
He is said to wield a divine-like sword. 

I, too, would like to learn from him someday.

Now that I think about it, when I met with Taneaki-dono and Yamanaka-dono after a long time, there was something different in their aura.
It felt like they had improved their skills, or perhaps reached a new level.

I wonder what happened…

“I too believe it would be best to leave the difficult-to-assault Ryūōzan Castle aside and first secure the towns and roads. This will gradually weaken Tōichi.”

“No objections.”

“I agree.”

“Well then, shall we all make our preparations and set out together as planned?”

“Sounds good.”

“Understood.”

Well, now the course of action has been decided.
Secure the towns and roads while pressuring Ryūōzan Castle, then proceed with the conquest of Uda. 

If Tōichi comes out of the mountain castle, we can trap them between Yamanaka-dono and Yūki-dono.