The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Chapter 122 Rewards Galore

Oda Nobunaga continued to utilize his strengths, personally pursuing the Takeda army.

It was late at night when the Oda army caught up with Iwamura Castle. Thanks to the support of Kosaka Masanobu, the Takeda army successfully retreated along the mountain road.

Uesugi Kenshin received a plea for help from Kosaka Masanobu and headed south from Hida, deterring Nobunaga from pursuing him further.

Changxin took advantage of the night to quietly retreat, thus preventing Iwamura and Daqing from being burned down.

The Takeda suffered heavy losses in this battle, with nearly ten members of the "Twenty-Four Famous Retainers of Takeda" and "Hōdai-shū" dying in battle, following Takeda Shingen.

Mori Nagayoshi did not participate in this pursuit.

It wasn't that he didn't want to chase, but that the troops were simply too exhausted to run any further.

He already had enough achievements to spare, and there was no need for him to compete with Sakuma and others who had been wronged.

Takeda Shingen, Baba Nobuharu, Oyamada Nobushige, Ichijo Nobutatsu, Anayama Nobukichi, Takeda Nobutoyo.

The system awarded prizes to the top three winners.

[No knife required]

【Yinluo】The ultimate technique of spearmanship, guiding the opponent's weapon away from the target, using their force against them.

【Shot of the Last Arrow】The ultimate technique of Hioki-ryu archery, where every arrow is shot as if it were the last, thus increasing accuracy.

Early the next morning, Nobunaga convened a post-war assessment meeting at Iwamura Castle.

When Changqing arrived, he hadn't even had time to change his clothes.

He walked into his spacious room, which, although called a spacious room, was actually only about 20 square meters.

Nobunaga was already seated in the main seat, surrounded by a large number of people.

This scene is so similar to the council meeting held behind Okehazama back then —

Niwa Nagahide shifted slightly, making room between himself and Sakuma Nobumori.

"I'm late!" Nagayoshi bowed to Nobunaga and then sat down next to Niwa Nagahide.

"Is everyone here?" Nobunaga tossed his helmet aside. "Let's begin."

Niwa Nagahide unfurled the scroll: "In this battle, our army killed over 3,700 enemies and captured 36 foot soldiers of the rank of general or above—"

""

He read aloud the names of all the generals whose names were being demanded.

"—In addition, we captured 1,200 people, seized 37 flags and seals, 200 horses, and 150 cannons." Changxiu closed the scroll. "The specific battle achievements await the lord's decision."

Nobunaga nodded. "Thank you all for your hard work this time, Mitsuhide!"

Akechi Mitsuhide was startled and struggled to turn his body to the side in the crowd, bowing his head to Nobunaga.

His scalp, which Nobunaga jokingly called "Kumquat Head," was shiny with oil.

"exist!"

"You did a great job as the commander-in-chief of the reinforcements! You've already conquered half of Tanba Kingdom. Keep up the good work! The entire territory of Tanba Kingdom is now yours!"

Nobunaga didn't know if he had heard some rumors, but Mitsuhide actually became the first senior retainer in the consolidation of his territory.

"Thank you, my lord! I, Mitsuhide, will go through fire and water for the Oda clan!"

"Hmm! A monkey!"

"You're quite something to come up with a plan to have Nobumori feign surrender. I saw your efforts at the castle tower. The 100,000 koku of rice in Himeji, Harima Province, is yours!"

Hideyoshi kowtowed several times, saying, "Yes!"

"Sakuma Nobumori".

When Nobumori saw that the two had received a generous reward, he bowed down with great joy.

"exist!"

"In this campaign to capture Hongan-ji Temple, less than one-tenth of our army survived. Considering your loyalty, I will not pursue the matter further. Once Hongan-ji Temple is taken, Settsu Province will be yours!"

Shin-sung frowned, but he kept his head down, so no one could see his expression.

He felt it was unfair, but he didn't dare to contradict Nobunaga.

At this moment, he only regretted not having won the position of general.

He glanced at Hideyoshi sideways, but Hideyoshi pretended not to see him.

"Understood, Your subordinate will work even harder to conquer Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple!"

Changqing couldn't help but chuckle.

Others' achievements are real territory, but Sakuma truly received his own death warrant.

Nobunaga nodded and continued, "Lin Xiuzhen's rebellion is well-documented, and both he and his son have committed suicide. But how could I let such a villain go so easily? Nobumori, when you return to Kiyosu, exile his entire family!"

Nobumori and Hayashi Hidesada were both veteran retainers of Owari, so it was inevitable that they would feel a sense of shared sorrow.

"Nobumori! Are you trying to plead for the Hayashi family?" Nobunaga's tone grew increasingly dissatisfied.

Everyone looked at Shinsei.

"I dare not! The Lin family deserved to die. It is already an act of leniency that my lord has not executed them. I will return to Owari immediately to handle this matter."

"Nobutada!"

"Father!"

"So, the Lin family's territory is all being handed over to you?"

"This?" Xinzhong could hardly believe his ears.

Nobunaga had previously given him the direct control of Mino Province, and if the Hayashi clan's territory were added, he would soon have a territory of 70 koku.

He felt he had not made any significant contribution in the battle and that it was inappropriate for him to receive such a large reward.

Nobunaga was a rather hypocritical person. He was strict with his retainers, but the standards for rewarding and punishing his sons were not the same.

In a way, Mori Nagayoshi also benefited from being a servant of Nobutada; otherwise, his punishment last time wouldn't have been so lenient.

"Just take it! You're the future head of the family; I'll give it to you sooner or later!"

Therefore, Xinzhong naturally could not refuse.

"Mori Nagayoshi!"

"exist!"

"Asai Nagamasa!"

"exist----"

"As I just said, it's the Lin family being exiled!"

Changzheng slammed his fists down on the floor.

Nobunaga took his father's life, and now he wants to exile his wife!

While it is true that Oda Yukihime was Nobunaga's adopted daughter, in the context of the rebellion, Nobunaga could still classify her as a blood relative of the rebels.

In Nobunaga's eyes, Azai Nagamasa was a traitor, and the Hayashi clan was also a traitor—a family of traitors.

Changqing never expected that the marriage he had arranged would cause so much trouble.

"Nagayoshi, Nagamasa is your retainer, so you shall give the order!" Nobunaga's voice was as cold as a knife.

Nagayoshi recalled the whole story and thought: Nobunaga must have known that Hayashi Shusei had secretly come to Iwamura to see him, so he deliberately tested him.

As long as Nagamasa is forced to kill Yukihime, he will surely reap a great reward.

But if I do this, how will I face Nagamasa in the future?

Nagamasa is probably already thinking about how to fight to the death!

No, that's not right. If Nobunaga wanted to cause trouble for me, why would he wait until today?

Changqing stood up, walked to the small open space in the center, sat down again, and straightened his back.

"My lord, please forgive me for pleading for Yukihime!"

"Pleading for mercy again?"

Hideyoshi Hashiba frowned. He secretly glanced at Nagahide Niwa, only to find that his colleague remained calm.

"Lin Xiuzhen's adopted son-in-law, Lin Tongzheng, did not participate in the rebellion. Instead, he came with me to rescue our lord. Should such a loyal and righteous man also be punished as a family? If that's the case, then in the future, if one person rebels, the whole clan will follow, and there will never be another loyal minister like Lin Tongzheng!"

"You really dare to say that!" Nobunaga chuckled, then called out, "Tsunobu!"

"exist!"

"You will inherit the Lin family and become the city lord of Mingzhi City. From now on, you will be Changqing's right-hand man."

"Thank you very much!" Tongzheng bowed in gratitude, wiped the sweat from his forehead, and stepped aside.

"Sakuma Morimasa!"

"exist!"

"You've grown a lot, so don't be the castle magistrate of Furuya anymore. Go serve Shibata Katsuie! Your salary will increase by 5000 koku!"

"Yes!" Sheng Zheng was naturally pleased, as it would be easier to get ahead by following his uncle.

"Mori Nagayoshi!"

"exist!"

"I'll allocate 100,000 koku of land to you from Nobutada. I won't pursue the matter of Yukihime. After we conquer Shinano, you'll have the whole area to yourself."

Shinano, that's where Nagayoshi planned to establish his empire.

He had already prepared a backup plan for this land; otherwise, why would he have only made an exception for Akiyama Nobuyuki and Sanada Yukitaka?

Moreover, there was something he needed there—Suwa Taisha—a shrine dedicated to Mitsurugi Nakata, the son of Ōkuninushi.

Nagayoshi regarded Ōkuninushi as his guardian deity, while the Takeda clan regarded Mitsurugi Nakata as their guardian deity.

Isn't this a father beating his son?

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