Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

Oh dear, the big boss of Kawamura Village is like someone who has been longing for rain after a drought. Last year, Izumi suddenly encountered a major change. Mori's general Katsuramoto and Matsuura Yasutau rebelled, and the Saiga party also marched north, indiscriminately capturing and plundering everywhere.

Now that Shichibei has arrived, it means the righteous magistrate has arrived. There's no longer any need to worry about any unruly soldiers or bandits causing havoc in Izumi Province.

Others might not understand, but the merchants of Sakai understood it best. Although they profited from war, they preferred that other provinces of Japan were engaged in battle while Izumi remained a peaceful haven.

If Izumi falls into chaos, Sakai will not be able to survive on its own. If Sakai cannot exist, all of them, the members of the guild, will die.

Takeno Munekata, as Shichibei's junior officer, would shed tears at the mere sight of Shichibei. He lived in constant fear, terrified that Shichibei might one day turn on him.

With the car, his good days were over.

Alright, alright, here we are.

Matsuura Yasutaka, who was plotting a rebellion, originally had the support of several thousand Mori soldiers under Katsura Motonari. Kobayakawa Takakage transferred him to Settsu to participate in the battle in order to open up the situation. As a result, he encountered a head-on attack from Oda Nobutada and Akechi Mitsuhide. Not only did he fail to open up the situation, but Katsura Motonari also lost his own life.

The situation in Izumi is currently quite chaotic. The current magistrate of Sakai is Shichibei, but he has been absent from office for a long time. The junior magistrate is Takeno Munekata, whose methods are somewhat lacking. The lord of Sakai Minami-sho was Ataka Nobuyasu, who died in the Battle of Kizugawaguchi. The current lord is the lame Ataka Kiyoyasu, who also lacks real power.

Sakai Kitasho was under the control of the shogunate, but it was seized by Nobunaga, and the acting governor was Tsuda Muneyuki. In addition, Tsuda Muneyuki and Sen no Rikyu each had a fief of three thousand koku, which was also in Izumi.

In the central region, Kishiwada Castle was controlled by Matsuura Yasutau, encompassing a territory of several tens of thousands of koku in the surrounding area. The southern region, centered around Sano Fortress, was controlled by Saiga Magoichi of the Saiga faction. However, their control was relatively weak, as the area contained numerous temples, shrines, noble families, and estates belonging to the shogunate. Some of these temples even controlled powerful shrines (such as Negoroji, Nefukuji, and Negoroji), making them difficult to deal with.

In addition, there are some wealthy Chinese in the area, who originally intended to guard...

The original leader was Matsuura Nobuteru, but now most of them are independent political figures. The leaders of Numama, Manabe, Kuwabara, and Awawa are among those who each own several thousand koku of land and control ten or eight villages, making them local tyrants.

By the way, wasn't Matsuura Yasutau's original surname Terada? His brother, Terada Ikusa, owned several thousand koku of land at Terada Estate in Izumi District and was also an important figure who supported Matsuura Yasutau's rebellion.

Needless to say, the appearance of Shichibei in Sakai immediately restored order to Otori District of Izumi Province. The area hadn't completely descended into chaos to begin with, and there was still a core of order. When Shichibei's six thousand men arrived, they immediately calmed the situation.

The next step is Izumi County and Sennan County, and the key to success lies in Kishiwada Castle.

Shichibei, a local resident of a small country, had only one thing to say: those who surrender with courtesy will have their past transgressions forgiven. He didn't care whether Shichibei had any secret dealings with Kobayakawa Takakage or with the Honganji and Saiga clans. After handing over the hostages to Sakaimachi and sending reinforcements, Shichibei would reissue a letter of pledging for their safety.

The deadline is ten days. If you do not come after ten days, it will be considered as a violation of the law.

Although Shichibei didn't care much about territories that weren't major transportation routes or commercial centers, he had to make a show of force since Nobunaga had come with a mission.

Furthermore, while Shichibei himself had no intention of governing a large territory, it didn't prevent his subordinates from wanting to advance. Receiving an annual salary was certainly good, but having a hereditary title of Shichibei would be even better.

Furthermore, Namazue Sadaharu and his brothers couldn't remain guest commanders forever. After the Battle of Miki, Shichibei spoke with the six brothers, and they resigned themselves to their fate. It seemed that there was truly no powerful lord in all of Japan capable of destroying the Oda clan and reviving the Rokkaku clan. Their continued insistence was futile; at least in the short term, there was no hope in sight.

In that case, Shichibei plans to settle them down with a fief of 100 koku each, which requires a territory of over 60,000 koku. Of course, they will continue to receive their annual stipend of 50 kan each, which is understandable given their special military status and higher cost.

Sanada Masaki and his men numbered over a hundred, former members of the Sanada Cavalry and Takeda Yoshinobu's hatamoto (feudal retainers). They were supposed to work for Shichibei for free for three years as payment. After working for them for a while, Shichibei hadn't done anything bad for them, and few of them wanted to leave and roam the country.

These people will need 20,000 koku to be settled, and even 100,000 koku in Izumi might not be enough to settle them. After that, we might really have to seize 50,000 koku from Awaji. If we don't seize it, we won't have enough guest generals to settle.

To put it bluntly, Shichibei's unit survives solely on huge monopoly profits; it's the only one of its kind in all of Japan, with no other branches, making it somewhat "abnormal."

the concept of.

However, Shichibei didn't see anything wrong with this. Even if he had Nobunaga's favor and controlled a huge monopoly of income, he still needed the corresponding power to protect that income.

Supporting 100,000 or 200,000 people is completely unnecessary. With 100,000 troops at his disposal, Nobunaga would have to consider when to kill Shichibei.

With ten thousand elite troops at his disposal, Nobunaga was completely unconcerned, and Nobutada considered it a matter of course. Every post station, stable, rice shop, and trading post had bodyguards, and the fast riders and horsemen galloping on the roads were all from Kawamura-ya. They traveled as merchants, swords in hand, targeting the foolish.

That's all for later; let's focus on pacifying Kishiwada Castle first.

Although Shichibei wasn't particularly famous as a warrior, he was well-known throughout Japan, having accomplished some significant feats. Merchants from Kyushu, Shikoku, Oshu, and Ushu spread the news of Shichibei's plan to distribute Tensho gold coins, along with actual gold coins, throughout various parts of Japan through their respective channels.

Currency, especially physical currency made from precious metals, is the best medium for transmitting information.

At that time in Asia Minor and Mesopotamia, the ability to independently mint gold and silver coins was still a significant right. This was when the Ottomans first rose to power.

They couldn't even obtain the right to mint coins from Baghdad, and instead used the currency of the Eastern Roman Empire or other nearby regimes.

The Terada family and Matsuura Yasutau of Kishiwada Castle learned of the news almost as soon as Shichibei entered Sakai. While they weren't exactly living in constant fear, chaos was certainly brewing.

On one hand, he sent someone via Awaji to request aid from Kobayakawa Takakage, a member of the Bichu and Bigo (military garrisons). On the other hand, he immediately mobilized the peasant soldiers outside the castle to enter the castle, preparing to rely on Kishiwada Castle, which has a seaport, to deal with Shichibei.

Kishiwada Castle was surrounded by branch castles, which was a common defensive system during Japan's Sengoku period. Castles such as Sekizenji, Okayama Gobo, Ayai Castle, and Gokurakuji were all branch castles that protected Kishiwada Castle.

It's normal for temples to be branch castles; Daiju-ji Temple was even a branch castle of Okazaki Castle.

However, due to the previous wars and the long-standing inconsistencies in the administration of the Shimoizumi region, these branch castles gradually fell out of the control of the Matsuura family, the guardians of the area.

Never mind, let's ask the Saiga party at Sano Fort for reinforcements first. If we can get some arquebusiers, this battle is definitely going to be fought, and we can put up a good fight against Kawamura's army.

The message was then delivered to Saiga, where things were already brewing.

A considerable conflict arose. The main force consisted of local locals, the Saiga Ota clan, who were resisting the Toyama clan's protection. Also present was the Ikko-ikki uprising, led by Sagimori Gobo, and including Suzuki's group. They were currently embroiled in a protracted dispute over support for Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple.

The Ota family believed that Saiga was already exhausted and that governing its territory should be the priority, so they would temporarily decline the military service invitation from Ishiyama Honganji Temple. The Suzuki family, on the other hand, believed that rescuing the monk Kenryo Shonin was their duty as believers, and they must continue to do so.

The problem is that Oda Nobunaga and Sakuma Nobumori can afford to wait it out, but the Saiga faction can't.

The Saiga guild's conscription rate was exceptionally high, placing them among the top tier in Japan; practically every household was sending men to fight. For the time being, things were fine, as the mercenaries had ample funding. However, it seems that not only was the pay insufficient, but followers from all over the country were also required to transport military provisions into the city.

You can handle it, but I can't.

Forget about the plea for help from Kishiwada Castle; even the plea from Ishiyama Honganji Temple will have to be put aside for now. Let the Ota and Suzuki families settle their dispute first.

If Ota Ie-katsu wins, then the Saiga faction's priority will be self-preservation. If Suzuki Ie-katsu wins, then the Saiga faction will still be able to send troops into the Kinai region to continue fighting against Nobunaga.

427. Mrs. Gaowu entered my account

While the fighting raged outside, the town of Sakai remained peaceful. At least, Ashikaga Princess and Lady Takaya were doing well within Sakai. At Nobunaga's request, Shichibei had a special talk with Lady Takaya.

Toyama Jiroshiro will acquire the territory of Izumi District, which Nobunaga specifically requested as its southernmost part, Hine District. As this is an imperial decree, Shichibei must convey it carefully.

Upon hearing the news, Lady Takaya was naturally overjoyed. Her husband, Toyama Akitaka, had essentially squandered his own life, not only losing himself but also giving away most of the Toyama Kingo family's already few core retainers.

Otherwise, with a core group of retainers, he could at least have become a major figure under Nobunaga. Look at Ikeda Katsumasa; he led his Ikeda retainers to follow Hideyoshi to the western provinces. He volunteered to go to the front lines at Tatsuno; when Shichibei went to Miki last time, he didn't even see this guy.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, Ikeda Katsumasa will be able to earn at least 100,000 koku of rice, enough to prepare for the next 100,000 koku.

Those capable of expanding Nobunaga's territory will certainly be well-paid. It's a pity the Toyama family has nothing left but the bloodline of a noble lineage.

That's fine. Alternatively, you could ask Nobunaga for several thousand kan of support per year, recruit several hundred foot soldiers, and send them in any direction to seize new territories.

In fact, Jiroshiro Toyama also has an uncle named Masahiro Toyama, who is now the head of the Oshu Toyama family. Historically, it was Masahiro Toyama's son, Sadamatsu Toyama, who inherited the main Toyama family.

However, he is now a village chief in Arita County, Kishu, but he has fallen from grace and is unable to provide any assistance to Jiroshiro Toyama.

Lady Takaya even hurriedly gestured for Jiroshiro Tomiyama to bow to Shichibei, clearly indicating that Nobunaga had temporarily entrusted the mother and son to Shichibei's care. Although he lacked the title of "powerful," he possessed the substance of it.

Given the current state of the Toyama family, they simply lack the capacity to effectively govern their territory. They only have a few dozen remnants. Even if the territory were eventually granted to them, they would need to find someone to manage it temporarily. They would then gradually recruit retainers to restore their strength and eventually take control of the country.

Shichibei accepted Jiroshiro Tomiyama's bow without flinching. "We're going to Manhuntani and Wada Castle," he thought, "what's a little kid bowing to us like that?"

If someone were to give me a whole county's territory for free, I wouldn't hesitate to kowtow to them or even call them godfather.

Seeing Shichibei's "imposing" demeanor, Lady Takaya sighed inwardly.

Back then, Shichibei was just a minor local tycoon from Owari who escorted her to her marriage. Times have changed, and in just a few years, he has become her son's foster relative.

Her son, being an adopted son, is not only young but also lacks power. What will become of him? What will become of the Toyama family's fortunes?

On the other side, Shichibei noticed that Lady Takaya still possessed a youthful and charming appearance, and sighed inwardly. Such a beautiful young woman, and damn it, she was paired with that scoundrel, Toyama Akitaka. That guy didn't care much, and now he's dead, leaving behind such a pretty widow and her youngest son.

Sin!

Thoughts in one's heart will naturally be reflected on one's face. Shichibei wasn't particularly interested in Tomiyama Jiroshiro, but instead kept glancing at Lady Takaya. After all, Shichibei was at least a decent gentleman; he wouldn't kick down a widow's door at night.

The widow did kick down Shichibei's door that night, but wasn't Ii's sister-in-law pregnant? Shichibei had been besieging the city for over six months, and had spent a month recuperating in the capital. Aside from the occasional help from his sister-in-law, it hadn't been easy for him.

Although Shichibei's gaze wasn't overt, as a widow, and a beautiful one at that, Lady Takaya was naturally more sensitive than others. She clearly sensed Shichibei's "covetousness" towards her.

"Covetousness" is, of course, her opinion; Shichibei actually only "admired".

Thus, Lady Takaya stroked her eldest son's head and made a decision.

For the past year, he had been staying at the Kawamura residence in Sakai, where he witnessed the carefree and unrestrained life of Princess Ashikaga, who had someone to rely on. In any case, Shichibei didn't treat Princess Ashikaga as a proper wife; after all, she was a spoil of war bestowed upon him by Oda Nobunaga.

Because he didn't value it, he didn't care much about it either; Shichibei was simply setting up a home for himself in Sakaimachi. In addition, Ashikaga Princess had a family tradition of proper etiquette passed down through generations, which was quite useful, so Shichibei was happy to support such a decorative figure.

In these chaotic times, having a strong and reliable support is the best option for a widow and orphan like Lady Takaya. She had no one to rely on before, but now, that may not be the case.

At least this Kawamura Nagayoshi is quite interested in me.

Given the current state of the Oda clan and Shichibei's future prospects, relying solely on her status as the youngest daughter of Saito Michizo and the adopted daughter of Lady Nohime is far from enough to secure a good future for Tomiyama Jiroshiro.

That evening, Shichibei hosted a banquet for the soldiers, and Lady Takaya offered to take over the arrangements with Ashikaga Princess. Ashikaga Princess was already busy preparing.

Riki suddenly stopped, then gave Mrs. Takaya a meaningful look. But she didn't say anything. They were all helpless and wanted to cling to a powerful figure, right?

Alright, little sister, you do it.

Shichibei and his samurai were drinking and exchanging toasts. They had gathered from various places and had only rested for less than a month before going into battle again. It was only right that they be treated to a good meal.

When the maids brought up the sake bottles, Shichibei was quite surprised. Why wasn't it Ashikaga Hime serving him sake, but Lady Takaya?

But in an instant, Shichibei felt relieved. We were about to go help her son conquer the world, so what if she brought a bottle of wine? It was only right that we put on a smiling face and said nice things.

So Shichibei ignored this and continued feasting with his retainers. The retainers had gone to fight Miki purely to restore Bessho Nagaharu's kingdom; a victory would only earn them a few gold coins. Now, they were going to fight Kishiwada to build their own fortunes, and they were all filled with righteous indignation. Even though they had only rested for less than a month, they had no complaints.

Because he was going to meet with Takeno Munekata and Tsuda Munekata the next day to discuss the mobilization of military supplies, Shichibei was very restrained. He mainly chatted and joked with everyone, and didn't actually drink heavily. He was still careful with alcohol; Shichibei had previously resolved to avoid it.

After seeing everyone off, Shichibei instinctively called out to Ashikaga Hime, "Is the bathwater ready?" Why not take a bath when there's a way? The siege of Miki was an exception.

Besides, someone even helps scrub your back; it's pure enjoyment.

The one who responded was not Ashikaga Princess, but Lady Takaya. Shichibei was taken aback at first, and was about to ask me, "Where is my concubine, Ashikaga Princess? Where is my Ashikaga Princess who has six maids and can scrub her entire back at the same time?"

As soon as he lifted his foot, Shichibei suddenly understood. Unfortunately, there were no trusted men around, so Shichibei asked lecherously, "Are there any prostitutes in this city?"

"Is Madam willing?" Shichibei leaned closer to Lady Takaya, completely unhurried.

It's not that the veteran artist is composed; it's that Shichibei can't force this kind of thing—forcing it is pointless. The process is meant to be enjoyed, not something to be surrendered to in three seconds.

"Willingly..." Lady Takaya cursed Shichibei in her heart, but on the surface she simply bowed to show that she was willing.

"Then I'll have to trouble you, Madam." Shichibei thought to himself, "This is your own choice, so why should I be polite?"

After taking off his clothes, he soaked in the cypress wood bath, letting Mrs. Takaya do as she pleased.

To take action.

cool!

She had just finished washing and was instructing two maids to dry her hair with towels when a guard knocked on the door of the outer bathroom and quietly asked if Shichibei was home.

"What is the report?" Shichibei had nothing to hide, so he put on his clothes.

"Lord Uesugi has sworn an oath at Kasugayama and is about to lead his troops to Kazusa!" The servant's report made Shichibei, who was in a state of deep thought, tense up immediately.

What's coming will come eventually. If Uesugi Kenshin doesn't take advantage of the fact that Nobunaga hasn't fully freed up his hands to launch an attack now, he'll be in deep trouble once Nobunaga has quelled those troublemakers incited by the Mori clan.