Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

Although there were no formal promises or anything explicitly stated, Ke Chang did offer some hints. He said something like, "Your brother-in-law is still young, who knows? Maybe, perhaps?"

The implication was that Oda Nobunaga's successor, Tokugawa Nobuyasu, was merely a local tyrant in Mikawa, while Hatakeyama Akitaka was the most prominent, being both older and more noble.

If anything were to happen to you, this family fortune, this vast empire, would belong to you, Hatakeyama Akitaka.

The young man was so easily fooled by his father-in-law that he almost knelt down and called him "Dad" on the spot. But since he was indeed his father and father-in-law, Akihiro Hatakeyama wasn't wrong to call him that.

How wonderful, I got to eat my father-in-law's meal ahead of time.

Regardless of whether the rice was hot or cold, soft or hard, Nobunaga personally handed over the bowl.

Such immense fortune, someone else wouldn't even get to enjoy it.

After Shichibei escorted Hideko-hime to Kyoto and she settled at Myokaku-ji Temple, Nobunaga summoned Hatakeyama Akitaka again and formally and publicly announced his intention to marry his daughter to the Hatakeyama family.

Princess Hideko's biological father was Saito Dosan, the lord of Mino Province. Regardless of how Dosan usurped Mino's power, his status as the deputy governor of Mino was genuine. Thus, Princess Hideko not only came from a prestigious samurai family but was also the adopted daughter of Nobunaga, the regent of the shogunate, making her more than a suitable match for the Hatakeyama family, the governors of half of Kawachi Province.

"Let her marry him," Nobunaga said, adding 3,000 kan of dowry money and 1,000 kan of cosmetics to send Hideko-hime to the Hatakeyama Kingo family in a grand and lavish manner.

A thousand kan of cosmetics equals a thousand kan of land. Ostensibly, Nobunaga provided the funds, but in reality, it was Ashikaga Yoshiaki who did. Ashikaga Yoshiaki, oblivious to his subordinate's feelings, couldn't do anything openly, so he could only secretly reward him with some gifts to appease him.

The real power of the Hatakeyama family was held by the Kawachi governor, Yusaji. He gave Hatakeyama Akitaka an extra 1,000 kan of land, which allowed him to place twenty samurai who would serve him.

Going to the battlefield to kill and set fires is acceptable, as is carrying out assassinations behind the scenes or directly attacking Yuza Shinkyo.

Looking at Hatakeyama Akitaka happily bringing his wife back to Takaya Castle, Shichibei breathed a sigh of relief. His mission was accomplished and he could hand it in.

Why am I feeling a little disappointed...?

Well, speaking of this, Nobunaga finally remembered Shichibei's wedding. He said that since the New Year, he has been busy, either killing or being killed. He promised to help Shichibei arrange it in the second half of last year, but now he has the free time.

"I'll get on it as soon as I get back to Gifu," Nobunaga promised. Shichibei wasn't in a hurry; it wouldn't matter if he waited until the girl was twenty. By twenty, she would be fully developed, with her pelvis and other organs fully formed, making natural childbirth much less risky.

Our family business isn't huge, but it's not small either. We still hope to have a proper son to inherit it.

Even if things don't go well, if you choose a decent and capable son-in-law, you still need to marry off a daughter to him, right? The family name will continue to be passed down to the grandson.

Back in Kyoto, even after signing the Nine Articles of the Dominaka, Nobunaga still felt uneasy. He wanted to monitor the execution, and he felt that leaving only Akechi Mitsuhide alone seemed insufficient.

Therefore, Shichibei's father-in-law, Oda Nobuhiro, led 500 foot soldiers to "protect" the shogunate.

Nobuhiro is now a trusted and trusted general of Nobunaga. By leaving his brother in Kyoto, he can act as Nobunaga's "regent" when necessary, and also prevent Yoshiaki from contacting the outside world. He will definitely work harder.

"The marriage?" Shichibei asked.

What's the big deal? Look at Hideko-hime; she was taken to Kyoto by oxcart, the wedding was over in three days, and she was sent directly to Takaya Castle to become the Hatakeyama family's principal wife. Political marriages are all about interests, and the procedures can be completely simplified. Besides, this marriage was directly presided over by Nobunaga and Lady Nohime, so it won't embarrass Shichibei.

Since Nobunaga had said so, Shichibei agreed. After appointing Munekotaro as the head of the branch offices in Sakai and Kyoto, and effectively making him a "junior magistrate," the Kawamuraya group, who had been entrenched in Kyoto for five months, retreated to Gifu.

With Inase Yoshinari in charge of the Gifu main store, everything is fine. He has also properly settled the matter with the people sent by the Takeda clan to sell horses, and has bought another eight hundred horses from the Takeda clan.

Are they all gone? Shichibei quickly drafted a letter and had it delivered to Kai Tsutsujizaki-kan, asking his elder brother, Nobutsugu Yonekura, to help him find a samurai musician with a junior rank in the gold mining industry in Kai, Shinano, and Suruga.

His name was unknown; all that was known was that he was a musician from the monkeys and was around twenty-five years old.

Moreover, one thing is clear: at this time, Okubo Nagayasu did not obtain the title of Chi-kai in the Takeda family, but should only have a certain status of receiving a salary.

Why am I so certain? Because historically, Oda Nobunaga issued a hunting order for Takeda. All the samurai who were clearly informed in the Takeda military command were on Nobunaga's list of those to be slaughtered and their families exterminated.

Almost all the named and respected Takeda samurai were massacred by the Oda army. Only those samurai who received stipends but did not actually receive any favors from the Takeda clan were protected by Tokugawa Ieyasu because of their lowly status.

That's all the information I have. I hope Nobutsugu Yonekura can help me out.

Judging by his age, Okubo Nagayasu should have been working for the Takeda clan for eight to ten years. Although historical records are lacking, he should have learned most of what he needed to learn.

Shingen was currently engaged in a struggle with Hojo Ujiyasu, and I don't remember the specifics. Because Imagawa Ujizane was still holding out at Kakegawa Castle in Tōtōmi Province, Hojo Ujiyasu's harassment of Suruga hadn't ended. It's estimated that Shingen really needs to march to Odawara Castle, make a thorough sweep, and only after Imagawa Ujizane is completely defeated will the two families reconcile.

The day when Takeda and Hojo reconcile will be the day when Takeda and Oda clash.

This has nothing to do with whether or not there was an encirclement of Nobunaga. After making peace with Hojo Ujiyasu, the only directions Shingen could try to attack were Tokugawa Ieyasu and Oda Nobunaga along the sea route.

Even without Ashikaga Yoshiaki's secret order, Shingen would most likely have come up and tried to pull off a heist.

"Brother-in-law, everyone down in the city says you're getting married as soon as you return?" Inase Yoshinari saw Shichibei finish writing the letter, took it, and helped put it in a bag.

"Yes, the lord has already promised. It may be within the next two or three days." Although Japan also pays attention to auspicious times, it is an auspicious time, right? Nobunaga went to Atsuta Shrine to shake it, and any day would be auspicious.

171. Radical Monism in Jiangbei

It's quite unbelievable that upon hearing of Shichibei's upcoming marriage, Azai Nagamasa from Kohoku even sent a congratulatory gift to Gifu. The gift consisted of reed mats, mosquito nets, white silk, and Shigaraki ware, all local specialties from northern Omi.

Tsk.

Shichibei, who received the congratulatory gift, was somewhat bewildered. However, upon reflection, he realized that he was the one who had announced Azai Nagamasa's appointment as the deputy governor of Kohoku. In a sense, he and Azai Nagamasa were practically acquaintances.

If someone from the Ministry of Personnel came to announce your promotion, you'd have to prepare a good feast and give them some travel expenses, wouldn't you?

Hearing that Shichibei was getting married, it was quite reasonable for him to send some gifts. Asai Isonori, who came to deliver the gifts, had met him before and had fought alongside him. Naturally, Shichibei invited him to stay for a drink at the wedding.

I should ask that old bastard Nagamasa Asai what he's been up to lately.

After seeing him receive his title as the Shogunate's Imperial Attendant and the Deputy Governor of Kohoku, he was as happy as if he'd eaten bee droppings, beaming with joy every day. Now he's temporarily taking a break from his military campaigns and is diligently trying to have a baby with Princess Oichi in Odani Castle.

Perhaps it was because he had drunk several cups of wine, and also because Shichibei had done some favors for the Asai clan in a certain sense, so Asai Iki was not so restrained in his speech.

Since officially being appointed as the deputy governor of Kohoku from Nobunaga, Azai Nagamasa finally began to legitimately and legally rule the entire Kohoku region. He was now a proper "monarch," no longer the leader of the Kohoku Provincial Alliance.

In terms of strength, Azai Nagamasa possessed over 120,000 koku of rice in both Azai and Ika districts, and half of the Azai family's property was directly under his control. In terms of official status, the appointment certificate for the position of Gogongshu/Shugodai (a high-ranking official in charge of official duties) bore the signatures of both Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki and Regent Oda Nobunaga.

For both public and private reasons, the people of Jiangbei should submit to Asai Nagamasa, change their status, and begin serving Nagamasa as retainers.

Moreover, there had been a very good opportunity before, when Oda Nobunaga issued the "Bureau of Samurai Repairs," requiring the daimyo of more than twenty provinces in the Kinai region to conscript men and pay money to build a palace for Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

As the acting governor of Kohoku, Azai Nagamasa had the authority and public authority to conscript able-bodied men from Kohoku and to temporarily collect extra money from the city.

If you don't build a house for the general, you're a traitor!

Under the guise of the shogunate and Oda Nobunaga, they began to unify the Jiangbei region. The first step was to gather all the local lords of Jiangbei and, under the leadership of Azai Nagamasa, establish a plan to assist in the construction of the shogun's palace.

The rights and obligations of the powerful clans and noble families of Jiangbei were clearly defined, and each of them was required to fully utilize their initiative and offer suggestions for the construction projects of the Shogun's Palace under the command of Lord Azai Nagamasa.

The salami-slicing tactic has been used throughout history, both in China and abroad. Today, we are still establishing a temporary style, but what about tomorrow?

Asai Iori's words hinted at something unusual. Shichibei simply nodded slightly; after all, which daimyo didn't want to unify their domain these days?

Some even argue that the reason the Mori clan was willing to sell Shimizu Muneharu to Hideyoshi in order to secure a peace treaty was because Shimizu Muneharu was a native of Bichon, and his life or death was of little consequence. A victory would open up new territory and ease tensions within the clan. A defeat would eliminate a local thorn in the side and similarly stabilize the situation within the clan.

Of course, this is probably also related to the early death of Hoida Motochika. If Hoida Motochika were still alive, the Mori family's control over the Mibei region and their strategic situation would have been different.

It's not too late to unify the territory at this stage. Look at Uesugi Kenshin; he never truly unified the territory in his lifetime. It wasn't until Uesugi Kagekatsu finally quelled the Ikkano-Niibata Rebellion that he completely pacified the country and achieved full Uesugi family rule over Echigo.

Wishing Nagamasa Asai success!

Who knows, given the discontent of the local lords in Kohoku, there might be another Kokujin uprising waiting for Azai Nagamasa. It's quite possible that in the end, this good brother-in-law might have to send someone to beg Nobunaga to send troops to help suppress the Kohoku Kokujin uprising.

Nobunaga would be quite happy. He used to regard Azai Nagamasa as an ally, but now he sees Nagamasa as a subordinate. Once Nagamasa comes to Nobunaga for help, and Nobunaga sends troops to assist him in stabilizing his domain, this master-servant relationship will be firmly established.

Isn't Tokugawa Ieyasu of Mikawa, the neighboring daimyo, now a loyal vassal? In the later years of Nobunaga's reign, Ieyasu was the de facto commander of Nobunaga's army. Even the peace treaty for Suruga Province was issued by Nobunaga. There's no doubt that the two sides already had a de facto, clear-cut relationship between ruler and subject.

Shichibei glanced at Nobunaga, who was drinking with Oda Nobuhiro, who had rushed back at the last minute, and felt that he should mention this official matter to him.

Nobunaga ordered his family to take the already drunk Asai Iki to rest, while Shichibei casually approached him. Nobunaga had actually already noticed Shichibei "testing" the Asai family's envoy, but had simply remained silent. Now that Shichibei had come closer, he stopped drinking.

I told Nobunaga about how Nagamasa was trying to unify the country and was using the righteousness of the shogunate to establish a clear domestic system. Nobunaga just nodded slightly.

Everyone here knows how much effort Nobunaga himself put into unifying the entire Owari region. He succeeded his father Nobuhide, quelled his younger brother Nobuyuki's rebellion, exposed his elder brother Nobuhiro's plot to rebel, and fought a bloody war with his brother-in-law Isshiki Yoshitatsu for several years. He also successively defeated the Iwakura Oda and Inuyama Oda clans, and miraculously withstood the invasion of the Suruga Imagawa clan. In total, it took him more than ten years.

Even Nobunaga had put so much effort into it, so Nagamasa's unification of the realm would definitely not be achieved smoothly and peacefully. The uprising that Shichibei predicted would likely break out, and that would be Nobunaga's chance to shine.

"I have found a good son-in-law for my brother!" Nobunaga nodded with a smile and said to Oda Nobuhiro.

"Haha, Shichibei is a clever and quick-witted person." Oda Nobuhiro was the chief retainer and general of the Oda clan, and such news was usually discussed among them.

"By the way, Shichibei, don't you also have a stable near Odani Castle?" Nobunaga clearly hadn't just remembered.

"It has been set up for a year." This was an important success of Shichibei's offering of 3,000 kan of gold to Nagamasa, which led to the monopoly of the horse-carrying service in the Asai domain.

"Afterwards, I will hand over the reins to you with Saemon." Nobunaga was referring to Sasa Narimasa of the Moi-shu.

"clear."

I understand. It's just sending two spies to the outskirts of Odani Castle. Actually, it wouldn't be a problem to have the shop assistants from Kawamura-ya shop do it. Merchants are inherently very sensitive to information. Gathering information from various places is practically in a merchant's nature.

Before Nobunaga went to Kyoto, Shichibei would regularly send people to Sakaimachi to learn about major news in Kinai, transcribe it, and send it to Tsushima for display. Even now that Shichibei has become the governor of Sakai, he has not stopped this practice, and has even expanded it to cover the entire country.

They sent people to Oshu and Ushu, and to Kai and Kanto, both to do business, to understand market conditions, and to gather information from various places. Otherwise, how would they have known that Imagawa Ujizane went to Kakegawa Castle to seek refuge with Asahina Yasutomo?

"Alright, alright, let's not delay Shichibei's good deed." Oda Nobuhiro put down his sake cup and pulled Nobunaga away.

"Give birth to a legitimate son soon!" Nobunaga even raised an eyebrow at Shichibei, which clearly meant that he wanted a little ox or horse to carry his spear for Nobunaga as soon as possible.

"Yes, yes, yes..." Pshaw, if it weren't for your prompt payment, huh...

By the way, Shichibei had previously provided a large number of horses to assist Nobunaga's thousand cavalry in a surprise attack on the main camp of the Miyoshi Triumvirate at Shogun's Castle day and night. After the battle, Shichibei, Sasa Narimasa, and Akechi Mitsuhide were ranked first in merit. Sasa Narimasa was the first to break in and disrupt the Miyoshi army, while Akechi Mitsuhide opened the castle gates and fought desperately to drive away the Miyoshi army.

Therefore, all three of them were honored with the highest merit and received rewards. However, the reward for Shichibei was more subtle, which was one of the reasons why Nobunaga wanted to officiate Shichibei's wedding this time.

Like with Hideko before him, Nobunaga bestowed upon Shichibei's wife 1,200 kan of cosmetics. Although the lord was still nominally his wife, in reality, it was still Shichibei who managed and organized things.

Seeing Nobunaga's protruding rear, the guests sitting inside and outside the mansion also stood up, and many of them offered their congratulations to Shichibei again. Since the wedding sake had already been drunk, and the bride had long since been brought inside, they were now ready to celebrate.

Earlier, Hideko-hime wanted to tell Shichibei what the bride's name was, but after asking her today, she still knows.

When Shichibei first heard the name, he was slightly surprised. "You're also called Young Admiral?"

That young general from Shikoku, hailed as the most beautiful woman in the world, was pursued by five or six men, all of whom were powerful figures. They were either feudal lords or powerful governors. The man who ultimately won her over, Chosokabe Motochika, was even known as the "Bat of Birdless Island."

What's even more remarkable is that this young major general was very fertile, having children with almost every husband, resulting in a number of half-brothers who were constantly at odds with each other.

Looking at the young Major General before him, she was indeed just a frail little girl. Although she was already sixteen or seventeen years old, she still had a body as slender as a willow in the wind. Perhaps it was because her frame was naturally small that she could only grow this big.

For a moment, Shichibei felt a little hesitant to make a move.

Regardless of others, Shichibei was a time traveler after all. What interest could he possibly have in a little girl who looked to be at most a middle school student?

However, the young Oda was very proactive. It was because his parents, including Oda Nobuhiro, had told her before she came that she should take good care of Shichibei and give birth to a legitimate son as soon as possible.

The little girl, dragging a huge quilt, had to run from one end to the other just to smooth out the corners of the quilt, because her arms weren't long enough.

As he lay down on the couch, Shichibei silently repeated to himself, "What a sin, what a sin..."

....................................

To be fair, the young general was well-educated and trained in Japanese feudal morality. She got up before Shichibei did and started busying herself in the kitchen, helping Shichibei's three younger sisters and the household maids and servants prepare breakfast.