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

Chapter 78: Ashigaru Group Leader
Nobushige looked in the direction of the voice and noticed Kuchiki Hidemitsu standing next to Yamagata Yoriyuki.

"What's the matter, sir? Do you know this person?" Nobushige looked at Kuchiki Harutsuna curiously. He didn't expect that a person who was so polite just now would be so out of control at this moment.

"This man's original name is Kuchiki Hidatsune, and he is also from our Kuchiki clan." Perhaps realizing that he was being a little rude just now, Kuchiki Harutsuna hurriedly bowed to Nobushige and said:

"He was expelled from the family for some reason and was not allowed to use the family's common name, so he changed his name to Kuchiki Hidemitsu. He was recently allowed to return to Kuchiki Valley. As for the reason, it is a private matter of our Kuchiki family, so please forgive me for not being able to explain it in detail."

Hearing what Kuchiki Harutsuna said, Nobushige thought that this was the Kuchiki family's family affair after all, and it was inconvenient for him as an outsider to interfere. At the same time, he also didn't want Yamagata Morinobu to get involved, so he asked, "Do you know this Lord Kuchiki?"

Yamagata Morinobu nodded and said, "We just met not long ago. This person was recommended by my uncle. He hopes to serve in our Takeda family."

"Oh? He was recommended by Shinbei, so he must be an extraordinary person." Before Nobushige could say anything, Takeda Motomitsu, who was sitting below, became interested in Kuchiki Hidemitsu.

"Hoshinji-dono, right? This person was expelled from the main family, and I heard that he had traveled to many countries and served many daimyo. Are you sure you want to employ such a person?" Kuchiki Harutsuna asked back with ulterior motives.

"This..." Hearing what he said, Takeda Motomitsu hesitated. He asked Yamagata Morinobu and Yamagata Yoriyuki, "Do you know all this?"

"Yes." Yamagata Morinobu answered readily, "The father and son of Yahachiro were driven out of Kuchikidani for their failure to suppress the uprising. Later, they served in Hosokawa, Rokkaku, Hatakeyama, etc., and they even served as the general of the foot soldiers. I have personally witnessed their archery and spear skills. They are indeed rare talents."

"Oh? That's what he told you?" Kuchiki Harutsuna showed a strange smile on his face, "He said that he was driven out of Kuchiki Valley because of his failure to suppress the uprising?"

"Isn't it?" Yamagata Morinobu was stunned for a moment, and looked at Yamagata Yoriyuki and Kuchiki Hidemitsu, but saw that Kuchiki Hidemitsu pursed his lips, lowered his head, and did not dare to look directly at his "mentor" Yamagata Yoriyuki.

"What's going on?" Yamagata Yoriyuki realized something was wrong and turned to question Kuchiki Hidemitsu.

"Yahachiro, you're embarrassed to say it, do you want me to say it for you?" Seeing Kuchiki Hidemitsu hesitating, Kuchiki Harutsuna decided to make this "private family matter" public, regardless of Kuchiki Uezuna's repeated blinking.

"Your Highness, I didn't want to tell you at first, but seeing that this boy is going to be employed by Your Highness, for the sake of Your Highness and the reputation of the Takeda clan, I have to make the truth public." Seeing that Nobushige did not express his opinion, Kuchiki Harutsuna continued:
"His father's name is Kuchiki Kiyotsuna, and he is my uncle. In other words, this Lord Hidemitsu is my cousin.

The reason why their family was driven out of Kuchikidani was not because they failed to suppress the uprising, but because they took advantage of the fact that the main family followed the Rokkaku clan to fight against Asai during the Daiei era to launch a rebellion and intended to seize the position of family head. After the rebellion failed, my father, out of consideration for the brotherly love, did not kill them all, but expelled them from the country, which was the most righteous thing to do.

Recently, my grandfather was seriously ill, and the family allowed him to come back to visit. I thought he would behave himself, but he actually had evil thoughts and wanted to serve the Takeda clan. I couldn't help it, so I told him the truth. If I have offended you, please forgive me, Your Highness."

"So this is really the family affair of your Kuchiki clan." Xin nodded and said thoughtfully.

"My father died of depression not long after he was driven out of Kuchikidani. I have been struggling alone for many years to gain my current talent. Why can't I serve the Takeda family? Do you have to exterminate our entire clan?" Kuchiki Hidemitsu could not hold back his resentment and anger, and retorted loudly:

"Besides, my grandfather also favored my father. If those old ministers had not been bribed by you and spoke for you, how could the position of the head of the family have been passed down to your lineage?" "Is it interesting to talk about this now?" Kuchiki Harutsuna sneered, "Oh, it seems that you still don't want to repent. Your Highness Izu no Kami, you have also seen that this guy is so rebellious against the main family. How can he be willing to be under someone else for a long time?"

Nobushige did not answer him directly, but asked Yamagata Yoriyuki: "Old man, you brought the person here, what do you think?"

"Let me say that this person is extremely talented and is indeed a rare talent. As for the past right and wrongs... after all, so many years have passed. I don't think it matters very much."

Hearing what Yamagata Yoriyuki said, Kuchiki Hidemitsu was deeply moved.

"Yes, I also think that the previous troubles between him and the Kuchiki clan should not be an obstacle for the main family to employ him. Didn't the lord say that we should 'recruit talents regardless of their background'?" Yamagata Morinobu also took the opportunity to express his own point of view. Like Nobushige, he valued personal ability more than the so-called family name.

"Thank you very much, my Lords," Kuchiki Hidemitsu was so moved that he almost cried, "Your Highness Izu-no-kami, I don't want you to make things difficult for the Takeda family, so I will leave Kuchikidani now."

"Your Highness the Ministry of Civil Affairs, I see that you have not spoken a word, and I am a little curious." Xinzhong looked at Kuchiki Uesugi beside him and asked politely.

Kuchiki Uetsugu politely replied, "The dispute between our family and Yahachiro is a private matter of our Kuchiki family. Since it is a private matter, it should not be used to influence Your Highness. Whether to employ this person is still for Your Highness to decide."

"As expected of an important official of the government, his words are so flawless." Xinzhong smiled and muttered to himself.

"In that case, then... Yahachiro, if you are willing, you can serve under my brother, starting as a foot soldier. The annual salary is 70 koku. Can you accept it?"

"Seventy koku?!" Yamagata Morinobu was quite surprised and said, "My lord, Yahachiro was once a foot soldier general. Seventy koku is really too little..."

"Gennai, 70 koku is not a small amount." At this time, Yamagata Yoriyuki tried to dissuade him, "Yahachiro, can you accept it?"

"Seventy koku..." Kuchiki Hidemitsu thought for a moment, gritted his teeth, and nodded: "I can accept it. From now on, my life will be handed over to the Takeda family!"

After saying this, Kuchiki Hidemitsu knelt down and saluted Nobushige. Seeing this, Kuchiki Harutsuna said disdainfully: "Humph, a fellow like you is only allowed to be the head of the foot soldier group by the Izu no Kami. You must serve him wholeheartedly in the future and never do anything rebellious again."

"In that case, then you can go ahead." After saying that, Nobushige raised his glass and toasted Kuchiki Uetsuna with a smile.

"I'm sorry to trouble your Highness with these trivial matters at home." Kuchiki Uezuna replied respectfully. The moment the wine entered his throat, he glanced at Kuchiki Hidemitsu who was about to walk out of the hall with his peripheral vision, his eyes were cold and sharp.

(End of this chapter)