The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Chapter 115 Lin Xiuzhen's Visit

Chun'an and Zhengxin have already sorted out the trivial matters concerning the territory of Zuohe Mountain City.

With the recent cessation of warfare, the Marume family's territory is very close to Sawayama Castle, so Masanobu will help Nagayoshi govern the territory.

Marume Nagayoshi has distinguished himself in battle under Sakuma Nobumori and is now a castle lord with a fief of 10,000 koku.

On his way back to Iwamura Castle, Changqing made a point of meeting with a few people and also brought Tōdō Takatora and Ishida Sakichi back to Iwamura.

Takatora Todo is now 16 years old, about the same age as Saizo Kana. Nagayoshi made them, along with Shigemasa Yamazaki, his hatamoto.

Ishida Sakichi became a member of the koshu (a term referring to the householders of minor officials), and usually studied government affairs under Nagayoshi.

As soon as Nagayoshi arrived at Iwamura Castle, he was greeted by Asai Nagamasa and Isono Kazumasa outside the castle.

Akechi and Toki were taken back by Nobunaga, and the two of them moved to Iwamura.

"My lord—"

Changzheng wanted to offer some words of comfort, but he saw that Changqing showed no sign of disappointment.

"Nagamasa, my retainers are growing younger and larger, so I don't feel disappointed. No need to comfort me! Have your wives settled in yet? Tonight is a good time for our families to get to know each other!"

He passed through the city gate, and the three of them walked up the stone steps.

Looking at the towering three-story castle tower, he regretted building the triple castle, as it was too far to walk from here to his residence.

In the evening, he hosted a banquet for his retainers. To ensure that the women got along well, he also arranged a banquet in the next room.

Because Kuniko was a woman from Izumo, she was called "Izumo-dono" by her retainers, while Yuki-hime was called "Toyama-dono".

Fine wine and delicious food, along with the laughter of women, temporarily dispelled the gloom surrounding the Mori family.

As the sun was setting, Ishida Sakichi suddenly entered and reported: "My lord, the governor of Sado has been captured."

"What is Lin Xiuzhen doing here?"

He said he was visiting his daughter and son-in-law.

Logically speaking, Oda Yukihime has no connection with the Hayashi family anymore, but considering that Hayashi Hidejin is old, it's normal for her to miss her relatives.

"Lord Lin also said that he would like to pay a visit to the lord while he is at it."

On the way?

Changqing felt that something was amiss, so he instructed Zuoji to take Lin Xiuzhen to Changzheng's temporary residence.

Lin Xiuzhen was a chief retainer during the time of Oda Nobuhide. Now over sixty years old, her hair is completely white.

In the past two years, Nobunaga has kept him in Kiyosu, and he has rarely participated in battles in the Kinai region, thus becoming a marginalized figure.

However, the territory he controlled was second only to Shibata Katsuie, who was favored by Nobunaga, and it amounted to at least 200,000 koku.

Many historians believe that Nobunaga exiled Hayashi Hidesada for two reasons: first, to adjust the structure of his retainers, and second, to reclaim the territory of Owari.

"Lord Lin, it's been a long time—"

Changzheng and his wife followed Changqing in.

"Lord Mori, I apologize for my intrusion in visiting you."

Oda Yukihime helped Lin Xiuzhen to a seat. Changqing had never seen Lin Xiuzhen smile before.

Nagayoshi gestured to Ishida Sakichi to serve tea.

Lin Xiuzhen remained silent for a moment, then bowed to Changqing.

Changqing was startled and quickly returned the courtesy with a slight gesture of support. "Lord Lin, what is the meaning of this?"

"Yukihime is my daughter. This bow is to thank Lord Mori for saving my daughter and son-in-law's lives."

After returning to Kiyosu, Yuki told her father that she would live and die with Nagamasa. Hayashi Hideyoshi pleaded with Nobunaga, who was fighting in Echizen at the time, but Nobunaga didn't even bother to reply.

"Sado-no-kami is too kind—I was the one who sent Yukihime there, and Nagamasa is also a close friend of mine. Naturally, I wouldn't stand idly by and watch them suffer. However, this happened a long time ago, so isn't your gratitude today a bit too deliberate?"

When they defeated Takeda Shingen last time, Hayashi Hideyoshi didn't mention it at all.

Lin Xiuzhen gave an awkward smile and replied, "It's good that I'm alive."

Changqing then asked Changzheng and his wife to go out first.

"Has Lord Mori ever seen his lord angered?"

"certainly."

This wasn't the first or second time Nobunaga had lost his temper with himself.

Lin Xiuzhen smiled bitterly, "We naturally speak softly to someone as accomplished in battle as you, sir—but our lord has always lacked respect for his other retainers. Last year, during the campaign against Asakura, he berated his generals so harshly they couldn't even lift their heads. Lord Mitsuhide pleaded for you a few days ago and was even beaten. Our lord seems used to it, but the humiliated retainers inevitably live in fear—"

"Lord Lin," Changqing interrupted him, "you've come today, surely not just to visit your daughter?"

"Just take this as an old man complaining—"

Changqing had no choice but to let him continue.

"To prevent his retainers from becoming too powerful, the lord forbids the territories from being too concentrated."

Nagayoshi was also troubled by Nobunaga's actions.

Now, in order to deal with the war in the East, we still need to transfer troops and supplies from Omi.

Lin Xiuzhen was relatively fortunate, as her territories were not far apart. The other retainers, however, did not fare so well. Not only was governing their territories troublesome, but assembling troops also took up a lot of time.

Take Sakuma Nobumori, for example. His current territory exceeds 100,000 koku, but it's spread across Owari, Omi, and Nishi-Mikawa. He's been fighting in Settsu for a long time and is simply unable to effectively manage his territory.

Although Shibata Katsuie had many territories, they were scattered across Owari, Mino, Omi, and Echizen, making each military expedition extremely troublesome.

When they were hastily deployed, their main force consisted almost entirely of powerful clans.

"My lord is capricious and unpredictable. I am nearing the end of my life and will likely only cause trouble. I won't be able to hold on for much longer."

"Sado no Kami came to see me, presumably hoping to live out his remaining years in peace?"

"Yes." Lin Xiuzhen nodded.

His son, Lin Xin'erlang, did not die in battle as he did in history, so he can be considered to have a successor.

"Return the territory to Nobunaga, let Hayashi Shinjiro succeed as head of the clan, and then you should retire!"

Lin Xiuzhen thought for a while, and finally shook her head.

"My territory was fought and fought alongside Lord Nobuhide, how can it be returned!"

For an old man who dedicated his life to the Oda clan, handing over his territory was tantamount to denying his entire life.

"Since Lord Lin has made up his mind, I will not say any more. Whether it will be a blessing or a curse in the future is up to fate! Tomorrow, I will have Changzheng accompany you for a stroll in Yan Village to help you relax."

Changqing got up, intending to leave.

"Lord Mori, I have one more thing to say."

"Speaking."

"You—you should also be careful."

"Our lord has always been worried about you. Don't you think your actions and knowledge don't match your achievements?"

Nagayoshi knew perfectly well that ever since he let the monks go, Nobunaga had been suspicious and paranoid.

But he was certain that Nobunaga would not discard him now that he had served his purpose.

Nobunaga didn't care whether he was a former subordinate of Owari or his brother-in-law; Nobunaga only cared whether he could keep up with his ambition.

All his actions were like Okehazama time and time again, rushing to the front and then looking back at the group that had followed first.

"Thank you for the reminder, Lord Lin."

Changqing was unwilling to waste any more words with him.

Some people, even though they sensed danger, still stuck their heads out to find out what was going on.

Back at the citadel, the banquet had already ended.

Sakichi said that it was Izumo-dono who ordered the dispersal.

Changqing only felt that the princess was understanding.

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