The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

The following morning, Akechi Mitsuhide was overwhelmed with emotion upon learning of Nobunaga's decision.

After years of wandering and waiting, he finally saw hope.

Upon learning of Mitsuhide's report, Ashikaga Yoshiaki immediately set off and changed his name to Ashikaga Yoshiaki, which was imbued with the intention of revitalizing the shogunate.

At the same time, Nobunaga began to make intensive preparations for marching to Kyoto.

On May 20th, Nobunaga convened a military council at Gifu Castle, where all his senior retainers gathered.

Nobunaga announced loudly: "On June 10th, I will lead an army of 36000 to Kyoto to escort the Shogun back to the capital. The primary objective is to clear the obstacles in Omi Province."

The high-ranking officials were abuzz with discussion.

Shibata Katsuie spoke first: "My lord, although more than 30,000 men is not a small number, the Rokkaku clan has been entrenched in Omi for many years and also has more than 10,000 troops. Once they hold onto the castles, our army will find it difficult to hold out for long."

"Thirty thousand men are enough," Nobunaga said confidently. "The provisions will be handled by Hayashi Hidesada and Niwa Nagahide."

Hayashi Hideaki and Niwa Nagahide immediately accepted the order. Nagahide then asked, "My lord, with the army mobilized, how should the defenses of Mino and Owari be arranged?"

Nobunaga was prepared.

"Takigawa Kazumasu will guard northern Ise to defend against the Kitada clan in southern Ise. As for Mino," he looked at Nagayoshi, "it will be under the command of Mori Nagayoshi."

……

After the meeting, Nobunaga kept Nagayoshi behind alone.

Nagayoshi was most active in the Mino campaign, capturing two more mountain castles. Nobunaga had no choice but to inquire about the details of Nagayoshi's southern Omi campaign.

"Guanyin Temple City, do you have any good ideas?"

Kannonji Castle is the foundation of the Rokkaku clan, standing on a mountain over 400 meters above sea level, and like Odani Castle, it overlooks Lake Biwa.

Historically, Nobunaga relied on a surprise attack to quickly sever the connections between the castles of the Rokkaku clan, which frightened Rokkaku Yoshiharu into abandoning the castle and fleeing.

Changqing, of course, would not let go of this opportunity to increase his influence, and prepared to follow the example of Guo Jia in the Three Kingdoms period and make some divine predictions.

"Rokkaku Yoshiharu is nothing but a fool; after the 'Kannonji Incident,' his retainers have become disloyal. The army only needs to be divided into three routes. One route should be given to Hashiba Hideyoshi (who has changed his name) and Maeda Toshiie, ordering them to launch a fierce attack on Minosaku Castle and cut off its connection with the other powerful clans..."

"Please hand over the entire route to Shibata Katsuie and instruct him to attack Wadayama Castle..."

"The other route should be led by the lord himself, and ambushed in Iga Province... The remaining generals should surround the various strongholds and fortresses, thus dividing them into two groups."

Nobunaga tapped the table in frustration, having listened for so long without getting the answer he wanted.

"I'm asking you how to take Kannonji Castle! And why do I need to go to Iga Province?"

"My lord, just go ahead. I think Lord Hashiba will be able to conquer Minasaku Castle in a day, and within two days, Rokkaku Yoshiharu will abandon the castle and flee to Iga Province. He can't believe the power-hungry Matsunaga and Miyoshi, so he can only flee there."

Nobunaga's expression softened slightly.

His plan was also to completely annihilate the Hexagonal Clan, since no one wants a powerful clan that wants to restore its former master to exist in their territory.

He already felt some regret for letting Saito Tatsuoki go; now that guy is said to have fled to Echizen.

Since conquering the Amago clan, the Mori clan has been constantly annoyed by the former retainers of the Amago clan.

Ever since Takeda occupied Shinano, he had been constantly harassed by powerful clans such as Ogasawara and Murakami, who had fled to other daimyo.

The simplest and most brutal way to rule a country is to destroy its former ruler or to steal its appeal by adopting a son.

"We'll do as you say!"

Changqing then prepared to take his leave.

"By the way, A-Shi is pregnant. How is she doing?"

"All is well, thank you for your concern, my lord."

"Your child... I, as his uncle, have to think about him. From now on, he can live with me!"

Changqing was nearly speechless with shock.

So soon you want your own child as a hostage?

He quickly weighed the pros and cons in his mind.

The child definitely had to be handed over, otherwise Oda Nobunaga wouldn't feel at ease.

If it were a daughter, it would be terrible. She would most likely be adopted and sent away to be married off. In any case, it would be impossible for her to marry the children of other important officials.

If it's a son, Xin will most likely keep him close when he grows up.

You can't catch a wolf without risking your cub. Since Nobunaga is using this tactic, I'll be even more ruthless.

In case Nobunaga were to die from some accident, such as from acute iron poisoning or abnormally high body temperature, I could use my status as a member of the "One Sect" and my son to make a fuss.

"If it's a son, then please, my lord, adopt him!"

"Oh?" Nobunaga stroked his chin, unable to tell whether Nagayoshi was expressing his loyalty or scheming something.

"Let's talk about it later. After all, they are your legitimate son and daughter; we can't be so hasty..."

When Nagayoshi saw Nobunaga laughing it off, he knew that Nobunaga was paranoid.

"I will obey any order from my lord!"

"Alright, alright! I have something for you to do!"

"Please speak, my lord!"

"To get Ieyasu to send troops, you have to offer him some benefits..."

"Does my lord require me to deliver the military funds to Lord Ieyasu on your behalf?"

Nobunaga grinned and summoned his daughter, Oda Gotoku, born to his concubine.

Is this what they call a benefit?

The little girl is only 6 years old. Historically, she was 8 years old when she married Takechiyo (Tokugawa Nobuyasu), and it doesn't seem to have been any better.

Tokugawa Ieyasu's first wife, Tsukiyama-dono, was no ordinary woman; the mother-in-law/daughter-in-law relationship was a major problem.

"Tomorrow you will escort Princess Toku to Hamamatsu Castle. Ieyasu and I have already discussed it. The Takeda clan still has an alliance with us. When you leave Tōtōmi, go to Tsutsuzaki Castle to ask for a daughter of the Takeda clan for Kyoki-maru (Oda Nobutada), and also to test the Takeda clan's attitude."

Why did Nobunaga make me wary of Takeda and then send me on a mission to Takeda? Wasn't he worried that he might be secretly colluding with Takeda?

Changqing felt a little uneasy, but had no choice but to agree to the task.

Nobunaga waved his hand, dismissing Nagayoshi, and then summoned Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide, who were hiding in a separate room.

"Did you hear everything?"

"yes!"

"I'll leave Minozaki Castle to you two. Let Monkey and Toshiie attack Wadayama Castle!"

"This?" Shibata Katsuie didn't understand why his lord had changed Nagayoshi's suggestion.

Nobunaga curled two fingers and cupped his cheek.

"We can't do everything he says... Hideyoshi and Toshiie are too close to him, maybe Minosaku Castle will be easier to take..."

Niwa Nagahide immediately understood: Nobunaga was worried that Nagayoshi might be trying to win over the rising generation of the Oda clan.

After the two left, Nobunaga summoned Nohime from behind the screen.

"Are you dissatisfied with Changqing?"

She walked gracefully to Nobunaga's side and sat down to massage her husband.

Nobunaga placed his hand on Nohime's. "My intuition is usually right. He rose to power too quickly and is still very young. I want to leave him to Nobutada!"

"Does my husband mean we should suppress Changqing now?"

"I'm not sure yet... but I don't plan to let him participate in the Kinki campaign."

"But if, as he says, we really do capture southern Omi quickly, we can't just leave him unrewarded, can we?"

"I really need to shut you up, you're talking nonsense again!"

Nobunaga grabbed Nohime's hand tightly, almost lifting her up completely...

The servants immediately and sensibly closed the door.

……