The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

After this battle, through the mediation of Takigawa Kazumasu, a large number of wavering noble families sided with Oda.

The Kuki Navy of Shima Province was the leader of this force.

Kuki Yoshitaka, the head of the Kuki clan, was one of the most famous naval commanders of the Sengoku period.

Historically, he was extremely active in Nobunaga's conquest of Nagashima Castle, Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple, and the Mori clan, and was known as the "Pirate Daimyo".

In November of the ninth year of Eiroku (1565), Nagayoshi, following Nobunaga's orders, accompanied Takigawa Kazumasu to quell the surrounding powerful clans.

Now two-thirds of Ise has fallen into Oda's hands, and Nobunaga has recalled reinforcements.

The Takeda clan is now taking advantage of the heavy snow blocking the mountains to launch a renewed invasion of Ueno. Without Kenshin's help, the remnants of the Nagano clan in Ueno will not be able to hold out for even a month.

In Gifu Castle.

Nobunaga was reading through the military reports sent by Takikawa Kazumasu.

"Mori Yoshinari fought valiantly in the first battle, slaying three enemy generals..."

"Ikeda Tsuneoki, having secured the flank advance, has broken through two enemy lines and is now protecting friendly forces..."

Nobunaga read every battle report carefully, bestowing titles and rewards where appropriate, without any hesitation.

There was only one battle report that he repeatedly picked up and put down.

That was Mori Nagayoshi's military merit certificate.

The above details the key turning points of this battle.

Mori Nagayoshi led his army through seven battle lines to reach Kitada's main camp, disrupting his command and causing chaos in Kitada's army, thus securing victory in one fell swoop.

The inspector even used superlative terms like "unparalleled bravery" and "demon of the battlefield."

"Damn it!" Nobunaga muttered under his breath, it was unclear whether he was cursing the surveyor for writing too blatantly or his brother-in-law.

He originally intended to suppress Changqing.

After the capture of Kannonji Castle, Nobunaga intended to temporarily sideline Nagayoshi, hoping to promote him later after his coming-of-age ceremony.

Who would have thought that, after just one trip with the army, this guy, like a wolf that has smelled blood, seized the fleeting opportunity and once again stole the limelight from everyone in a shocking way.

Not rewarding them? Absolutely not.

Clear distinction between rewards and punishments was the foundation of the Oda clan's cohesion and the creed upon which Nobunaga relied to rule over his lords.

The merits of this battle were witnessed by all the generals and known throughout the land. To show no appreciation would not only discourage the soldiers but also make one appear narrow-minded and intolerant.

A reward? How?

The rich lands of Mino and Owari cannot be given to him anymore.

Should Changqing be enfeoffed in southern Nanjing?

Nobunaga shook his head violently.

No, absolutely not.

Once Nagayoshi arrives in southern Omi, it means he will be involved in every campaign in the Kinki region.

He has many capable generals under his command, such as Shibata Katsuie and Niwa Nagahide... aren't they all loyal and easy to control? He can expand his territory just as easily by relying on them.

The night outside the window grew deeper and deeper. Nobunaga finally stood up in frustration, walked to the corridor, and took a deep breath at the night sky.

He already had a plan in mind, but he couldn't say it out loud.

"Someone come here," he said in a deep voice, "summon Lin Xiuzhen."

Lin Xiuzhen arrived very quickly.

As the chief retainer of the Oda clan, he and Nagayoshi were never on good terms from the start.

After Changqing sent her beloved daughter to southern Ōmi, Lin Xiuzhen slandered Changqing on many occasions.

After listening to Nobunaga's brief account, he stroked his beard and fell into deep thought.

After a while, he raised his somewhat cloudy eyes.

"Your Majesty's concerns are very valid. Lord Mori Nagayoshi is indeed highly accomplished, but I have also heard about the structure of his retainers. His retainers control seven or eight tenths of the rice grains, and it is hard to guarantee that they will not coerce Nagayoshi to join another side in the future."

Nobunaga smiled slightly, thinking to himself that this old man was quite quick-witted when it came to taking revenge.

Lin Xiuzhen continued, "In that case, openly reward Mori Nagayoshi handsomely to enhance his knowledge and conduct, thus demonstrating the lord's benevolence. Secretly, we can promote Prince Marume Nagae to the rank of Imperial Censor and transfer him to southern Omi."

Marume Nagayoshi had participated in several battles and made great contributions, so Nobunaga quite liked him.

Seeing the joy on Nobunaga's face, Lin Xiuzhen felt that she had come up with a brilliant plan, and her tone became lighter.

"There are three benefits to this. First, Marume Nagayoshi, having been directly enfeoffed by his lord, will surely feel honored and may sow discord among the Mori retainers. Second, Nagayoshi's retainers will no longer have the hidden threat of coercing their lord. Third, Nagayoshi will save 8,000 koku of credit, which is quite a reward, isn't it?"

Nobunaga slapped his thigh and laughed, "Well said! I'll leave this matter to you. You write letters to Nagayoshi and Nagayoshi for me!"

Nobunaga also praised Hayashi Hideyoshi to the page beside him.

"Sado is truly a shrewd and experienced strategist!"

……

When the order for rewards arrived, Nagayoshi was accompanying Takigawa Kazumasu in comforting the surrendered noble families.

Maeda Keiji chased after them from the city, his face full of displeasure.

"My lord! Have you heard? Lord Nobunaga's rewards have been announced! He will make Marume Nagayoshi his loyal retainer and transfer him to southern Omi."

With Takigawa Kazumasu beside him, Nagayoshi could only reply calmly, "Understood!"

Keiji scratched his head. "What's this?"

Southern Omi had long been reduced to a wasteland, and although it was said to be worth 8,000 koku, Nagae could not actually obtain that much at all.

This could be considered a way of saving himself 8,000 shi as a reward?

Nobunaga could hear the sound of him calculating on an abacus in Gifu, and Nagayoshi could hear it all here.

"Is it too late to see Changhui one last time?"

"They should be on their way already," Nagae's voice was steady. "Lord Nobunaga wants you to return to Iwamura to oversee things."

On second thought, it's all good; I can't stop my subordinates from pursuing a bright future.

Takenaka Shigeharu had once warned him that sharing the same salary as Marume Nagayoshi would only cause him trouble.

He just couldn't listen to reason at the time; after all, Nagae was his first retainer.

Moreover, when retaliating against the three powerful families of Mino, Nagae risked his life and followed suit in his foolish actions.

"My lord..." Keiji said urgently.

Changqing waved his hand to stop Keiji from continuing.

"Happy Spring Festival!"

"Here!" Chun'an ran over from the front of the group.

"Go back to Iwamura first and deliver the Sozo Samonji to Nagae. Also, please comfort Nagae for me."

"What happened?"

"Go quickly!"

Keiji immediately pulled Haruaki away and ran to the side.

……

For Changqing, Changhui's departure was not unacceptable. If Changhui could bring his territory to join him when he conquered the world in the future, that would be wonderful.

I just hope that he won't let me down when the time comes.

December 1, the ninth year of Yonglu (1565).

When Changqing returned to Yancun City, Ashi was about to give birth.

The female healers and midwives in the city were already prepared, and Oichi's suppressed groans of pain could be heard from the inner room.

Changqing stood in the courtyard as the first snowflakes fell softly, wetting his shoulders.

A loud cry suddenly broke the silence.

The midwife, beaming with joy, opened the door: "Congratulations, my lord! It's a healthy young master!"

Changqing strode in and saw Ashi holding the swaddled baby with a tired but tender expression.

He carefully took his son. According to custom, he should first choose a nickname for him, and then decide on his official name when he came of age.

"Let's call him 'Confused Pill'," Changqing said in a low voice.

His name reveals a hint of his disappointment.

The road ahead looks increasingly difficult.

Aichi laughed when she heard the name.

"Your brother named his son 'Miracle Pill,' but you named your own child 'Foolish Pill'... What a family!"

"A family?" Changqing smiled crookedly and wiped the sweat from Ashi's hair.

Ashi shrank her neck shyly.

"My lord, everyone's watching!"

"Let him watch. What's shameful about taking care of your wife?"