Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

He thought that if he didn't surrender, Yoshiaki would be even angrier and order Nobunaga to launch a full-scale attack on the castle, determined to exterminate the entire Kitabatake family. That's why he made up his mind to open the castle gates, at least to preserve the Kitabatake clan's name, and then plan for the future.

In reality, Yoshiaki's idea was to beat Kitabatake Tomokyo black and blue, so that he would know who the big boss was and come to kowtow.

But now the die is cast. The Kitabatake clan's entire army has been taken in and imprisoned by Nobunaga, and Sakuma Nobumori and Takigawa Kazumasu have already occupied Ōkawachi Castle. There is no chance to reverse the situation.

Alas, what can be done but lament?

Having learned the whole story, Mibuchi Fujihide immediately reported the news from Ōkōchi Castle to Ashikaga Yoshiaki. This was a matter of great importance, and Nobunaga, using Yoshiaki's influence, had swindled the Kitabatake clan out of everything.

Yoshiaki, who was in Kyoto, thought he had mediated another dispute between feudal lords and that Kitabatake Tomonori was about to come to Kyoto to kowtow and apologize to him. The prestige of the Muromachi Shogunate was rising again.

I never expected things to turn out this way.

Some might ask, isn't allowing Kitabatake to remain independent but subservient to the shogunate the same as making it a vassal daimyo—both are ways to enhance the prestige of the current shogunate?

No, there's a procedural issue here.

As the supreme ruler of all samurai families in Japan, Yoshiaki granted Nobunaga certain powers, and Nobunaga could do whatever he pleased within those authorized limits. This was because Nobunaga's power, theoretically, originated from Yoshiaki. Yoshiaki, even if he was merely a figurehead or a puppet ruler, was still the head of all samurai families in Japan, and thus, he was still a sovereign.

I am the ruler, and you are the subject; this distinction is unshakeable and cannot be reversed.

The current situation is that Oda Nobunaga is using Ashikaga Yoshiaki's power to seize his own interests without Yoshiaki's consent. This has severely damaged the already fractured cooperative relationship between the two sides.

Playing within the framework of the old order means that no matter how you play, there will still be an order. Nobunaga and Mitsuhide, however, personally trampled this old order under their feet.

In reality, trampling on the order framework of the shogun's authorized rule over the country was more painful for Yoshiaki than killing him outright.

Even if Yoshiaki were killed, the Ashikaga family would still have descendants and a clan of the same lineage. As long as there was demand, someone could always become the Ashikaga shogun. Toyotomi Hideyoshi even considered becoming Yoshiaki's adopted son, acquiring the Ashikaga name, and becoming the head of the Minamoto clan. But to destroy the power structure of the Muromachi shogunate would be to undermine the very foundation of the entire shogunate.

Upon hearing this, Ashikaga Yoshiaki was furious and unable to control himself.

They've rebelled! They've rebelled! Oda Nobunaga has rebelled!

For a moment, Ashikaga Yoshiaki wanted to issue a formal letter to Oda Nobunaga, rescind the peace treaty between Nobunaga and Tomonori, and force Nobunaga to restore the old borders of the Kitabatake clan. However, Yoshiaki also knew very well that Nobunaga was at the height of his power, and to resent him now would be tantamount to turning against him.

Did the shogunate have the power to turn against Nobunaga? If they did, was it possible for them to kill Nobunaga? If not, they could gather reinforcements from all over the place, but could those reinforcements kill Nobunaga?

There are many problems, and they are very big problems. Forget about fighting Nobunaga; right now in Kyoto, Oda Nobuhiro is leading troops to protect the Nijō Palace. Oda's troops are stationed directly in Kyoto, ostensibly for protection, but also for surveillance.

No, no, no, I have to restrain myself. Even if I have to break up with Nobunaga, I have to be more prepared.

At this thought, Yoshiaki, who was originally so angry that he wanted to summon Nobunaga immediately and curse him, finally restrained himself.

He believed that the way to counterbalance Oda Nobunaga's increasingly arrogant rule was to introduce more external forces to achieve a new dynamic balance. This would be crucial, as long as the forces restraining Oda Nobunaga were strong enough that Nobunaga dared not trample on the old order of the shogunate.

Therefore, Ashikaga Yoshiaki, as the supreme arbiter of this old order, would have the potential to rule the country from the center, mediate disputes everywhere, and appease everyone. With gradual restoration, the Muromachi Shogunate might not be without a chance for revival.

Without hesitation, Ashikaga Yoshiaki immediately began writing letters all over the world. He prepared to write to anyone with influence. He even sent a letter to Asakura Yoshikage, who had not come to Kyoto to congratulate him on his ascension to the throne.

Now that Nobunaga has brought down Kitabatake Tomokyo, his next main target is Asakura Yoshikage and the Miyoshi Triumvirate. Asakura Yoshikage must be quite anxious.

182. Xiu Chang was the first to have a legitimate son.

Although he hadn't achieved any great feats, he hadn't made any mistakes either, and had even gained a bunch of junior samurai. Shichibei felt that he had fought the battle fairly well and could pack his bags and go home to rest.

Compared to Shichibei's relaxed and cheerful demeanor, the 75,000 troops summoned seemed somewhat somber. The most somber were Hori Hidemura and Higuchi Naofabu from Kohoku. As soon as the battle was over, Nobunaga gave them 500 kan and sent them back to their domain in Sakata District, Kohoku, while also reporting the situation of the battle to Azai Nagamasa.

More than two thousand men came, but more than two hundred were killed and more than three hundred were wounded. It was a serious blow. Even if Nobunaga gave them some money and food, it wouldn't be enough to make up for the losses, so they had to go home with long faces.

Before the Mikawa and Okazaki forces could even begin their human assault on the castle, Nobunaga had already started the siege of Kagaki. Ultimately, there was a difference in loyalty; Ieyasu's younger brother surrendered earlier, while Nagamasa's younger brother surrendered later.

The biggest beneficiary of this battle was Oda Chashinmaru, who has now changed his name to Kitabatake Nobuo (Kitabatake Nobuyoshi) and took control of Ōkōchi Castle, where he is also temporarily under the supervision of Takigawa Kazumasu.

Next in rank was Kuki Yoshitaka, who finally restored the Kuki family to its former glory, becoming a major power in Shima Province and also gaining a portion of Kii territory.

In addition, even Mokuzo Tomomasa, who had defected early in the hope that he could succeed the Kitabatake clan, was greatly disappointed and felt that he had been deceived by Nobunaga.

Almost none of the generals received any rewards. Just as Ōtani Yoshitsugu said to Ishida Mitsunari in "The Castle of Puppets," if a water attack were launched, it would only result in a siege and a death trap, and the generals would not be able to achieve any merit, naturally leading to dissatisfaction. Mitsunari's one-sided consideration of himself and others was by no means a good thing.

The Ōkōchi Castle is now under siege, and the generals are starving to death. Since they have accomplished nothing, there is no need for rewards. Nobunaga can openly and legitimately distribute the land to his own son without fear of damaging his reputation.

Your loyalty and dedication to public service are what earn you new imperial favor.

Before the battle even started, the city was completely besieged. How could there be any talk of loyalty and dedication?

So, most people just muttered a few complaints to themselves. Even someone like Shichibei, who was only interested in giving up, actually wished for a war like this. Fighting this kind of war wouldn't result in any deaths; it was just a matter of sitting back and fighting, and they could still eat Oda Nobunaga's rice, saving their own family a meal. Why not?

After Nobunaga had arranged the retainers and vassals assigned to Kitabatake Nobuo, and completed the sorting and registration of the original Kitabatake clan's retainers, he heard people talking about how Kawamura Shichibei had taken several hundred people with him when he retreated from the castle.

Oh my, Shichibei has this skill?

The packs were already tied up and being loaded onto the carts. Meanwhile, Shichibei had already returned many horses to the various post stations along the way. A sudden chill ran through him, making him shiver. It was indeed autumn; the autumn air was chilly. He needed to wear an extra layer.

Nobunaga, who had previously ignored Shichibei, now clearly understood Akechi Mitsuhide's feelings after this ordeal, and his affection for Akechi Mitsuhide deepened even further.

Although Nobunaga had given some instructions before entering the city, he hadn't gone to this extent. Mitsuhide not only fulfilled his demands comprehensively, but also subtly expressed his intention to gradually abandon Yoshiaki and pledge allegiance to Nobunaga.

When Nobunaga offered Mitsuhide a stipend of 4,000 kan, Mitsuhide calmly refused, saying that serving Nobunaga would be an act of inhumanity, unrighteousness, and untrustworthiness. At that time, Nobunaga probably felt that his fragile heart had been slightly hurt. He was also a very confident person, the kind who wanted what he couldn't have.

Now that Mitsuhide had used this method to express his feelings, Nobunaga felt only joy and had no doubts whatsoever. After all, Nobunaga was confident that he could control all the talented people in the land; it would be strange if others didn't pledge their allegiance to him.

As for the claim that Akechi Mitsuhide could betray Ashikaga Yoshiaki and possibly betray Oda Nobunaga in the future, let's not even mention that such a thing has never happened. As for Nobunaga, he probably thinks it's impossible in his lifetime, that there's absolutely no such probability.

With the victory in the war, Nobunaga sent Mitsuhide Mibuchi and Mitsuhide Akechi back to Kyoto. The banquet was filled with laughter and conversation, and the parting gifts were very generous.

To be honest, if Shichibei were there, he would definitely say that they were a pair of adulterers.

Nobunaga dropped the pretense; since there were no outsiders around, his affection for Mitsuhide was completely undisguised. You ask what Mitsuhide thought? Mitsuhide couldn't bear to look.

Seeing this, all they could do was smile. Nobunaga and Mitsuhide's actions had effectively trampled on the old order of the shogunate. Compared to such a momentous event, the flirtatious exchange between the two men was a completely insignificant matter.

More importantly, Ashikaga Yoshiaki didn't react!

Perhaps Nobunaga was initially somewhat worried. As the first time he had assumed power in the shogunate and the first time he had challenged the old order of the shogunate, he lacked experience and was bound to have some concerns. However, Ashikaga Yoshiaki did not send anyone to reprimand him, nor did he even inquire about the matter.

As if nothing had happened, Ashikaga Yoshiaki remained completely oblivious, as if he were blind. This attitude secretly pleased Nobunaga, who was delighted and immediately rode back to his main camp in Gifu to write a letter to the Emperor, praising his victory in suppressing the rebellion.

The Kitabatake clan was one of the three powerful states during the Sengoku period, and held some influence in the imperial court. Nobunaga did not sever the Kitabatake line, and even allowed his son to succeed him. This action was a way of saving face for the imperial court, preventing them from being completely disregarded.

Meanwhile, Shichibei, who was returning to Gifu with Sakuma Nobumori, Niwa Nagahide, and others like cattle, somewhat sensed that Nobunaga seemed to be getting a little cocky.

In the past, Shichibei would have exchanged a few words with Nobunaga upon seeing him. But now, his younger brother Azai Nagamasa is kneeling firmly, showing no signs of rebellion, so he probably doesn't need a reminder.

The retreat from Kanesaki is highly unlikely to occur, so let Nobunaga drift a bit; he'll wait until he eliminates the Asakura clan with their 750,000 koku. With their territory exceeding 3 million koku, the Oda clan has effectively overwhelmed all the feudal lords in the country and possesses the momentum to unify the land.

At that time, even if it's floating, it won't be called floating anymore; it should be called having the power to swallow ten thousand miles like a tiger.

"Congratulations on your victorious return, my husband." Shichibei leaped off his horse, and the women who had stayed at home, led by the young general, came to the Kamo-i residence to welcome him.

"You've worked hard!" Shichibei's thoughts were interrupted, so he shook his head to stop thinking and instead greeted the young admiral with a word of comfort.

There was no other way; living in Japan's Sengoku period, men were all out fighting and killing, leaving the women to manage the household. He was gone for over two months, and the family was kept quiet thanks to his younger sister, Ai, before, but now it was up to the young major general.

"The bathwater has been prepared." The young general stood up and took the Kindness Sword from Shichibei.

By the way, marrying a woman from a samurai family has its advantages. Shichibei secretly entrusted his sword of kindness to the young master for maintenance. Normally, samurai swords are not meant to be maintained by women in the household, but Shichibei isn't a samurai; he's been learning to collect horse manure since childhood, so he wouldn't know how to do that.

Now she's married to a young major general; she's from a military family and often watched her father and brothers do these things. Even though she's never actually done it, she's seen it all and quickly got the hang of it.

How wonderful! It saves Shichibei, this sword of kindness, from breaking down before he even reaches the age of sixty-three.

"Is there anything important happening at home?" It was definitely nothing serious; Shichibei was just asking a routine question.

Then came a piercing scream that almost shattered eardrums, coming from the samurai residences a little further away. The back side of Shichibei Street was lined with the residences of district magistrates, samurai generals, and foot soldiers—all renowned samurai. Who was so agitated?

"Yes..." The young major general who was rubbing Shichibei's back was also startled. Who was shouting so loudly?

"Hmm?" Shichibei sat in the tub and began rubbing his toes.

"Aci gave birth to a boy."

"What!" Shichibei's voice rose involuntarily as he was trimming his toenails.

"Your sister, Aci, has given birth to a boy. Mother and child are both safe." Having just been frightened, the young major general only paused slightly while wiping his back.

"Koichiro has a son? He actually has a son?" Realizing that his reaction might have been a bit too much, Shichibei sat down again.

Unbelievable! After Hideyoshi had a biological daughter, Hidenaga has now had a biological son, and he was born right now.

If this son had grown up normally, by the time Hideyoshi passed away and the Battle of Sekigahara was about to begin, the Toyotomi family would have had a powerful and energetic Ōwa Dainagon (Great Councilor) around thirty years old.

At that time, the Toyotomi clan will have a powerful figure who can fully support them.

Wait, Hideyoshi shouldn't be like that...

It's unlikely. He's suffering from dementia, and his main concern is anything that could threaten Hideyori's right to succession. The son of Koichiro Hidenaga in front of us is the heir to the Yamato Dainagon family.

Well, it's hard to say. After Toyotomi Hideyasu's very unfortunate death, Hideyoshi didn't find him an heir, which led to the extinction of the Yamato Dainagon family line.

Whether there was any consideration of excluding other heirs involved is not something that can be said with absolute certainty.

It seems the one who just shouted was Hidenaga. However, Hidenaga doesn't seem to have the same strong desire to carry on the family line as his brother, and he seems indifferent to whether or not he should have a son. Given his historical status, what kind of woman couldn't he have? He could have easily married a prince's daughter.

But he was clearly more interested in money than in women. When Hideyoshi died, he left behind a large group of women. After Hidenaga died, he left behind several rooms full of gold and silver.

"Has someone been sent to deliver the congratulatory gift?" Shichibei picked up the scissors, preparing to trim his nails.

"It's already been delivered." The young general was, after all, a woman raised in a proper samurai family; she knew all the details, even without Shichibei's help.

"That kid got there first," Shichibei muttered.

I thought the two brothers were both incompetent, but I never expected that they would both have children in the end, while Shichibei had no children at all.

"Do you know what His Highness's military strategy is?" Shichibei asked, looking at the young general who was bending down to fetch water and pour it on his back.

"Huh?" Being a daughter of the Wu family is one thing, but conquering cities and seizing territory is another.

"I'll teach you..."

The enemy city is a small castle nestled between two mountains, with inner and outer walls, yet surprisingly sturdy. A direct assault is not advisable now. Instead, troops should advance covertly, ravaging the streets and towns below the city, repeatedly squeezing the living space within. Only when the city is powerless to resist and begins to groan in secret can the next step be taken.

We should take advantage of the enemy's inattention and swarm around from the rear, surrounding the castle with multiple layers of fortifications. We must firmly control the city, making it our domain to take whatever we want from the enemy.

By this time, the enemy city should probably be as soft and rotten as a bone. But we still cannot be careless. We should send a brave and spirited force to break open the moat, so that water can gush out from the narrow opening and completely breach the castle's defenses.

A brave and spirited squad charged straight in, spears in hand, leading the charge and shouting. However, enemy generals remained on the city walls, offering repeated resistance. Waves of attacks were inevitable, one after another, like wind blowing through a birch forest, or two waves pushing against each other, determined not to give the enemy even an inch of respite.

Therefore, breaching the city is not difficult. With just a few tricks, the enemy general will surely come out of the city naked and surrender politely.

"My lord's military strategy is so profound that I have only grasped the basics." Shichibei supported the young general in his arms and used a gourd ladle to wash away the sweat and heat from her attentive listening.

"It's...it's...it's profound..."

Teaching is really tiring. By the time Shichibei came out of the inner room, it was already dark. I was originally thinking of going to the Kinoshita family to ask before it got dark. Now that it's dark, it would be like I'm rushing to freeload a meal.

They had to wait until the next day. Unfortunately, Nobunaga was holding a victory banquet in the castle to celebrate the success of the Battle of Minami-Ise, so the lord of the territory couldn't give everyone any more. Money, fine horses, famous swords, and the like were still given as rewards.