Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

As mentioned the other day, the Mori clan appealed to the shogunate, requesting that the shogunate send troops to attack the Yamana clan and strike at their support for the Amago Re-establishment Army. Nobunaga approved this request, and after some deliberation, he decided to appoint Kinoshita Hideyoshi as the commander-in-chief and lead an army of 20,000 to attack the Yamana.

Yes, around the eleventh year of Eiroku's reign, Hideyoshi was already the de facto general of the Oda clan.

Of course, Nobunaga didn't have more than 20,000 troops to send to Hideyoshi at the moment. So, in the name of Ashikaga Yoshiaki and the Muromachi Shogunate Kanrei, he summoned the various provinces of Tanba Province, the Isshiki family of Tango, and other forces that would fight the Oda clan to the death in the future, and they gathered to fight.

Hideyoshi had previously lost several hundred men at Minosaku Castle, but Nobunaga directly bolstered his forces by providing him with over four hundred regular foot soldiers. As a result, Hideyoshi's resources not only did not decrease but increased, and he was promoted to the rank of lord with five thousand kan (a unit of currency), before leading his army to Tajima.

The order was carried out immediately. In any case, the envoy of Higo Sagara Yoshihiro returned to Kyushu after presenting Yoshiaki with one hundred taels of gold. The situation in Kyoto had also basically calmed down, and it was no longer necessary for several magistrates to divide their troops to maintain order.

Shichibei also received another mission: to repair Shogun's Castle, located east of Kyoto, for Ashikaga Yoshiaki. This castle was a temporary fortified castle built by Hosokawa Takakuni as a link between Omi and Kyoto. Historically, Akechi Mitsuhide also deployed troops there, confronting Enryaku-ji Temple and the Asakura army for several months.

A few years ago, Miyoshi Nagayoshi relentlessly pursued and beat Ashikaga Yoshiharu and his son Ashikaga Yoshiteru. The two former emperors initially fled from Kyoto, only to find that they couldn't even find refuge in Shogun's Castle. In the end, they burned down Shogun's Castle and sought refuge with Rokkaku Yoshikata.

Now that the Shogun's palace in Kyoto has been burned down, Ashikaga Yoshiaki is residing in Honkoku-ji Temple. In case of any emergency, problems could easily arise. Nobunaga is somewhat reluctant to spend tens of thousands of kan to build him a new castle. He suggests that Yoshiaki collect taxes at the seven gates of Kyoto; with two years' worth of savings, he can build the castle himself.

Just in case, they made some urgent repairs to Shogun's Castle. If anything happened, Yoshiaki could lead his men to Shogun's Castle, hold it for a few days, and then Nobunaga's heavenly army would arrive.

As for why Shichibei was asked to repair the castle, it was because a few days ago Shichibei had told Nobunaga that the timber and stone materials from the demolished castles such as Kannon-ji should be kept in preparation for Ashikaga Yoshiaki to build a new palace, thus saving some money on materials.

It's better not to bother two masters with one matter. Besides, Nobunaga is currently overwhelmed with people, while Hideyoshi has become the commander-in-chief of an army of over 20,000 men, which speaks volumes.

They planned to dismantle a few outposts in the Jiangnan region and head towards Shogun's Castle, maybe even taking down a small castle tower along the way—just a token gesture. They weren't really expecting Shogun's Castle to hold out for a year if anything serious happened. After five days, Nobunaga arrived with several thousand regular troops.

What could we do? Nobunaga had given the order, so we had no choice but to obey.

Last night I was puzzled by the presence of Kotaro Jizo and Hanbei Takenaka. This morning, when someone came to summon Shichibei, I was terrified. I thought Nobunaga had finally made a decision to punish Shichibei and was going to do something to him.

When asked, they were told that the invitation was for Shichibei to have breakfast. This dramatic emotional rollercoaster was truly difficult for the two of them to accept.

Even Kotaro So said, "Is it possible to lure Shichibei away under the pretense of having breakfast, and then punish him?" But Takenaka Hanbei was smarter, saying, "With Nobunaga's reputation, why would he need to lie? He could just send troops over and easily kill him."

So when Shichibei returned to the camp with Nobunaga's new orders, the two of them were already getting impatient. They almost rushed up to touch Shichibei's head to see if it was still on his shoulder, and then check Shichibei's eyelids.

Forget it, you two. Come with me to General Mountain and see how to fix the ruins.

The fire that Ashikaga Yoshiharu set earlier was quite thorough. Of course, it's also possible that Japanese farmers, true to their Sengoku period nature, rushed in to salvage anything usable as soon as the fire started.

The mountain where the castle is located is called Mount Uryu, so the castle is also called Uryuyama Castle. The mountain is about two hundred meters high, Shichibei estimated. There are also two sites of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva within the castle, one is a grotto, and the other is a small temple. It is unknown whether they are relics of the previous lord or offerings made by farmers in recent years.

In Japanese anime, statues of Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva often appear along rural roadsides. There are also legends about poor but kind people who tied a straw hat to Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva at night to shield him from the wind and snow, and in return, Ksitigarbha Bodhisattva gifted them a cartload of delicious food.

It's just a folk belief; people have nothing better to do than offer prayers.

The repairs were completed by reopening the embankment, building earthen ramparts, erecting fences and arrow towers, and setting up a gate with some defensive capabilities. It wouldn't cost much, and wouldn't even require many laborers.

The hill, about two hundred meters high, is actually the best defense. Attacking a mountain city from above is difficult even for a low-level army to organize and launch an attack.

"Hanbei, I'm leaving this castle to you. I need to go back to Kannonji Temple." Shichibei made a mental calculation.

Arguing with Nobunaga is one thing, but reporting a budget to him and writing a list for him is quite another. Since he hasn't come to behead us and hasn't taken back his favor, we have to serve him.

Regardless of your satisfaction or dissatisfaction, serving the public is a never-ending road; you work until you die.

"It's a small matter." It's just asking Takenaka Hanbei to build a small fortress; it's no big deal at all.

"Remember to ask Jubei if the Lord might have any requests." Shichibei only gave this one extra reminder; he was reassured about everything else.

Asking Akechi Mitsuhide was tantamount to asking Ashikaga Yoshiaki. If Yoshiaki needed any special auxiliary buildings constructed, they would try their best to fulfill his requests. Currently, Yoshiaki and Nobunaga's relationship was passable, still at the point of mutual support. However, in Shichibei's opinion, they weren't far from becoming estranged.

Whether they will turn against each other, with the leader fighting the general, or the emperor fighting the general, depends on how things develop.

Upon returning to Kannonji Temple, there was certainly no news of Nobunaga and Shichibei's affairs. The land survey case was proceeding as usual, and it was nearing completion. Aochi Shigetsuna, who remained behind, submitted the registers to Shichibei for review.

In total, it amounted to only about 300,000 koku. Besides the fact that Koga County still belongs to Rokkaku, it is also related to the fact that many territories in Shiga County are temple and shrine territories that are not subject to the censors.

Since Nobunaga is still operating within the framework of the old order of the Muromachi Shogunate, temples and shrines that have obtained the privilege of not being subject to the imperial examinations have no obligation to report to Nobunaga. In any case, whether they have more or less is none of Nobunaga's business.

After the burning of Mount Hiei, Nobunaga granted Akechi Mitsuhide full authority, and Mitsuhide began a comprehensive land survey of Shiga County.

"Thank you all for your trouble!" Shichibei bowed to the other four officials.

"No, no, not at all." The others quickly returned the greeting to Shichibei.

"Next, we will be preparing the streets from Ogaki to Setabashi. Your cooperation is still needed."

Before Shichibei could finish speaking, a rider sped through the town below Kannonji Castle and headed straight for Odani Castle.

148. Hanging up radishes to urge the horse to run.

Asai Nagamasa, sulking in Odani Castle, drank cup after cup. Oda Nobunaga's refusal to petition Ashikaga Yoshiaki to grant him the position of Governor of Kohoku and to receive Kyogoku Takakichi weighed heavily on his chest, causing him resentment and dissatisfaction.

My sworn brother is conquering the world, and he needs people like us. What's the use of winning over a good-for-nothing like Kyogoku Takayoshi?

Before the idiot could even utter a curse, a servant outside reported that an angel from the shogunate had arrived, urging the lord to go and receive him immediately. An angel from the shogunate? What angel? It's all bullshit! They're all just Oda Nobunaga's lackeys; what kind of message could they possibly deliver?

At this time, the retainers of the Asai family were not quite aware that Asai Nagamasa and Oda Nobunaga had a falling out and had a dispute. They were only puzzled that Nagamasa had already withdrawn his troops back to Odani Castle, but Nobunaga's rewards had not yet been issued.

Therefore, they were still somewhat curious about the Shogunate's angel. Unlike Asai Nagamasa himself, who had given up all hope and even felt there was no need to meet him at all.

But even as he picked up and put down the wine dish, Nagamasa still stood up.

Nobunaga was absolutely right. Nagamasa only had a fortune of 300,000 koku, and was merely the leader of the provincial coalition. He simply didn't have the strength to contend with Nobunaga, who had now become the ruler of the entire country. So what could they do? The shogunate sent envoys; they could only accept it for now.

When the shogunate's messenger unfolded Yoshiaki's imperial edict and showed it to Azai Nagamasa, Hisamasa, and other senior members of the Azai clan, they were overjoyed to see that it bore the joint signature of Yoshiaki and Nobunaga.

Following Shichibei's suggestion, the shogunate granted Azai Nagamasa the position of Muromachi Shogunate Attendant!

Although the actual rank of the Gogongshu (御供庻) was not high within the overall framework of the shogunate, the name itself reveals that it was a position meant to serve and entertain the shogun. In feudal societies, whether in China or Japan, the greatest honor was not necessarily how high your official rank was, but how close you were to the core of power.

Even if you are just a lowly servant, if you serve at the ruler's bedside, you will enjoy a title far superior to that of ordinary people.

In theory, as an attendant to the shogun during his travels, falconry, and Buddhist pilgrimages, Azai Nagamasa would have to serve Yoshiaki. In the early years, only the second son of a prominent family or the head of a minor governor's household was qualified to lead the shogun; now, it's mainly an honorary role.

In addition to the title of "Gokōshū" (御供庶), they were also granted the privilege of using felt saddle covers and white umbrella bags to demonstrate their nobility and status as warriors beyond that of ordinary samurai.

In addition, the angel conveyed Nobunaga's message to Azai Nagamasa, saying that he was recommending Nagamasa for the position of Junior Fifth Rank Bizen no Kami, but since the imperial court's procedures would take some time, Nagamasa was asked to wait a few days.

As for the position of Governor of Omi, Nobunaga was indeed reluctant to grant it to Azai Nagamasa, so he took a compromise. Nagamasa's grandfather, Azai Ryomasa, had served as Governor of Bizen. Regardless of whether he claimed the position or actually bought it from the Imperial Court, at least there was some basis for the claim.

Now that Nobunaga has recommended Nagamasa for the position of Bizen no Kami, it can be considered a continuation of the family business. If the Asai family can continue to pass on the position from generation to generation, it will become a custom to have each generation start as Junior Fifth Rank Bizen no Kami.

Like the Shimazu family of Satsuma, who rose through the ranks to become Junior Fifth Rank Repair Officers, they secured a position within the feudal order of the imperial court.

How many people spend their entire lives trying to secure a position within the system?

Now that he had succeeded, how could he not be happy? How could he not be pleased? Asai Nagamasa was already preparing to kowtow and accept the document from the shogunate. His father, Asai Hisamasa, having lived a few more years in obscurity, tugged at his son's sleeve, indicating that the other man hadn't finished speaking.

Sure enough, the angel produced another letter. This letter was Oda Nobunaga's own document, and it contained only one thing: he hoped that Azai Nagamasa would lead 5,000 troops to accompany Hideyoshi to Kanzanaga.

The Asai army's strength is only around ten thousand men. They just sent out five thousand men, and now they're going to send out another five thousand. Isn't that a bit excessive?

Not excessive at all!

If things were going too far, why would Nobunaga have written a letter in his own hand? Because in the letter, Nobunaga explicitly told Azai Nagamasa that the Azai army's starting point was too low, unlike his own, which had already swept through the Kinai region and possessed a strong and well-equipped force. To gain a higher rank, they needed to wage war everywhere, establish their reputation, and accumulate military merit. Only after achieving sufficient military merit could they receive rewards from the shogunate and Nobunaga himself.

Now that the realm has just been pacified, and people's hearts are still in turmoil, Nobunaga must be clear about rewards and punishments. Nagamasa served Yoshiaki in Kyoto, so he was given the position of a retainer of the Imperial Guard and a memorial was submitted on his behalf for the appointment of the governor of Bizen.

If you want to advance further, you have to fight hard, and the better you do, the more opportunities you'll have. For example, you could start by serving as the acting governor of Jiangbei, right?

Jiangbei Guardian!

Upon seeing this, Asai Nagamasa's heart stirred. "Why didn't you say so earlier? Why play these tricks on your brother?" Asai Nagamasa, himself a ruler and a vassal lord, immediately imagined the situation. "So my sworn brother was playing hard to get, dangling a carrot in front of me to urge me to work harder."

Nobunaga only wanted the Asai clan to send more troops to fight for him, so that Nobunaga would be willing to give them official positions.

Having said that, the angel indicated he had nothing more to add. Changzheng immediately dismissed the angel, telling him that a banquet and gifts would follow, and urged him to enjoy himself.

Once the angel left, Changzheng quickly unfolded the two letters and carefully studied them. Jiuzheng and the others gathered around, some sighing, some puzzled, some gasping in astonishment…

"The Lord Regent certainly knows how to manipulate us..." Asai Hisamasa's words were a bit sarcastic, but the attitude he expressed wasn't bad.

The Asai family had been vassals for hundreds of years, and had only been the leader of the national alliance for a few decades; they hadn't fully adjusted from the attitude of a vassal. They didn't inherently resist the orders of their superiors.

Judging from Hisamasa's meaning, it was nothing more than that he and other powerful local lords would once again be ordered around by the shogun above them. But the word "will" indicates that he thought being ordered around was acceptable; at least Nobunaga had given him a sweet treat and even hung a carrot in front of Nagamasa—the deputy governor of Kohoku.

If you want to be the guardian of Jiangbei, then send troops to defend it.

"I originally thought my sworn brother was generous, but now it seems he's actually quite shrewd and calculating." Changzheng nodded.

When Oichi married into the Oda family, her dowry alone amounted to no less than two thousand kan. That's why Nagamasa was willing to marry a daughter of the Oda clan, with whom he had no prior connection. Now, looking at Nobunaga's demeanor, he seems a bit "stingy."

Yes, Nagamasa had quickly transformed Nobunaga's arrogance and contempt into mere stinginess. He now believed that Nobunaga's refusal to grant him the title of Governor of Kobe was simply due to stinginess. Nobunaga expected Nagamasa to put in several times the effort in exchange for a single governorship.

Although a stingy lord is difficult to serve, as long as he's willing to give you a little something, you might as well do it.

At least they still received some imperial favor, so they might as well serve the country. At worst, during battles, the Asai army would slack off and quietly skim the surface. Anyway, in those days of war, everyone slacked off and secretly did nothing. If they were really that brave, how could they have kept Japan's population growing during the Sengoku period?

"They've always been like this!" Since Jiuzheng had abdicated anyway, it didn't matter if he made some outrageous remarks; he didn't consider himself a ruler at all.

"Then send troops?" Nagamasa looked again at the elders on either side.

The elders fell silent for a moment.

Nagamasa's ambition to become the governor of Jiangbei stemmed from his desire to transform himself from the leader of the local alliance into the true leader of Jiangbei. Now that Nagamasa has secured the position of Imperial Envoy and been appointed as the governor of Bizen Province, the Kanrei has promised to immediately appoint him as the acting governor. From this day forward, they are truly subordinate to Nagamasa.

The result was what Nagamasa wanted, but not what they wanted.

Nagamasa, who had been sulking and drinking alone, suddenly felt like he was on a much higher level. He stopped asking the elders what they were doing and instead ordered the servants outside to immediately make him a felt saddlecloth and a white umbrella bag.

It's all about the pretentious spirit, that's what I'm after—this hollow feudal hierarchy. Having finally obtained this capital to show off from the shogunate, wouldn't it be a waste of time if I didn't use it?

As for sending troops to Tajima, the old rules apply: Nobunaga can provide the food and money, but Nagamasa must provide the troops and also attack the castle. Only by winning the battle well and defeating Yamana Sukeyoyoshi can one have a chance to become the deputy governor of Kohoku.

It's done!

Then, Shichibei, who was in charge of preparing the streets at Kannon-ji Temple, saw several riders from the Asai clan following the shogunate's envoy back to Kyoto. It was unclear whether they were going to Kyoto to pledge their loyalty to Nobunaga, or to have a major argument with him.

Forget about it, Shichibei needs to keep a low profile now. Offending Nobunaga is definitely not a good thing; only by being humble and subservient can he survive in the long run.

Aochi Shigetsuna transported a portion of the taxes collected in southern Omi to Takenaka Hanbei, who was repairing the castle at Shogun's Castle. Upon returning, he told Shichibei that the lord had granted Otani-dono the position of Imperial Attendant, and that Otani-dono was sending 5,000 troops on an expedition to Tajima.

ha?

Nobunaga really knows how to do business!

Shichibei was truly surprised to hear this news. When he advised Nobunaga, he had proposed a reward. But now Nobunaga's intention seemed to be an exchange.

Nagamasa was a complete liability, easily manipulated by Nobunaga. He was overjoyed by a mere retainer, and actually led 5,000 troops on an expedition to Tajima Province.

"There's one more thing. The Emperor is already preparing to withdraw from the capital." Aochi Shigetsuna sat down to drink water and rattled off all the news from Kyoto.

"Have they retreated?" Shichibei nodded slightly upon hearing the news.

Indeed, Nobunaga, with over 60,000 men, had been lingering around Kyoto for about two months. The situation in Kyoto was now largely stable, and the Miyoshi Triumvirate's forces had been driven out of the Gokinai region.

Yoshiaki also issued the decree of becoming shogun, completing the many steps of succeeding to the position. Furthermore, lords and daimyo from all directions sent envoys to the capital in an endless stream to offer their congratulations. Residing in the capital, sitting in the palace, granting titles and ranks to lords across the land, mediating disputes among samurai families, and having everyone listen to you—then you are a true shogun.