Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

"How about the repairs on His Highness at Kitasho?" Uesugi Kenshin only had a handful of men, so Shichibei wasn't in a hurry.

Furthermore, it's uncertain whether Kenshin can even reach the pre-time travel area and enter the capital region. If he can't enter the capital region, it's a complete waste of time and effort.

"Beizhuang Hall is at Weishan Royal Square."

"What! "

How could Asai Nagamasa have left so quickly? Both Echigo and Echizen...

With heavy snowfall, the snow would take far too long to melt. Uesugi Kenshin had just made his vows at Kasugayama, so how could Azai Nagamasa have already rushed from Kitasho Castle to Oyama Gobo, or rather, Kanazawa Castle, which was about to be renamed?

“Last year, Beizhuang Palace has not regained its original skills in Echizen,” the attendant immediately replied.

"Hiss..." Shichibei had been in the Miki Formation all last year and had neglected to keep up with news from Hokuriku.

You asked why Azai Nagamasa didn't return to Echizen. It's actually quite understandable. Kaga Province had just been pacified, and there were many rebels. Azai Nagamasa thought of staying in the local area to suppress them and subdue Kaga Province as soon as possible.

Because of the repeated head-shaving incidents and internal strife in Echizen Province, it was now firmly controlled by the Asai retainers, so there was no need to worry about it too much.

Furthermore, Azai Nagamasa believed that it was best to defend the country outside its borders. Kita-sho was close to the border, and if it were besieged by Uesugi Kenshin, Echizen would be without a ruler. Even if Uesugi Kenshin failed to breach the castle, he would still launch a massacre in Echizen.

Uesugi Kenshin's ability to indiscriminately arrest and rob was well-known and widely recognized. If Uesugi Kenshin were to take advantage of him, Azai Nagamasa would have wasted at least three years of his life, and Uesugi Kenshin would have taken away at least 20,000 civilians.

Therefore, Azai Nagamasa remained in Kanazawa Castle to protect the 450,000 koku of Echizen territory and to subdue the newly established Kaga territory. He left the three members of the Fuchu Sanju, namely Maeda Toshiie and his group, in Echizen to defend the region.

The three generals of the Fuchu tribe, who were both Nobunaga's vassal generals and Nagamasa's military supervisors, would certainly defend Echizen to the death. If Echizen remained intact, then Azai Nagamasa's foundation would not completely collapse. Thus, he confidently stood at the forefront, preparing to engage Uesugi Kenshin in battle.

Now that Uesugi Kenshin has truly attacked, war is imminent.

"How many are there in total?" Shichibei asked hurriedly.

Asai Nagamasa could muster at least 20,000 men, and his campaign in Kaga also garnered support from some Kaga residents, bringing his total to roughly 20,000. Kenshin, with his abilities, could muster around 20,000 men in Echigo and another 20,000 in Etchu, while Noto could muster a maximum of 15,000. The exact number of Kaga yakusei he had gathered was unknown.

"It is said that there are over 30,000 cavalry."

So many!

Shichibei had previously estimated that Kenshin would likely leave his main force in Echigo at Kasugayama to guard against an invasion by Oda Nobuhiro and Takigawa Kazumasu. However...

Later, troops from the merged Echigo and Noto regions were mobilized and sent to Kaga. So the number of troops should also be over 20,000, as some areas also needed to be guarded.

How many rebels did he actually take in?

Alright, that concludes the report. The reason I specifically reported this to Shichibei is, of course, because Shichibei owns the Tsuruga district in Echizen Province. Logically and morally, given this situation, it was necessary to send someone to inform Shichibei.

Theoretically, Hara Nagayori, the deputy of Tsuruga District, was still in Shichibei's camp at this time. If something really happened in Echizen, Hara Nagayori would have to lead a thousand men back to Kanesaki immediately to set up defenses at Kinoshita Pass in Echizen.

After everyone left, the maids continued to rub Shichibei's hair, while Shichibei pondered to himself. Asai Nagamasa now held a fortified castle, and although his forces might be inferior, a back-and-forth battle would be roughly equal to Kenshin's.

Kenshin was also very poor at attacking cities, especially large, heavily fortified towns.

Let's not even talk about Odawara; Nanao Castle was only taken because they opened its gates due to internal strife. The main issue is Uesugi Kenshin's purpose in launching this campaign. If it was just to accumulate strength, then after besieging Azai Nagamasa in Kanazawa Castle, he could have easily plundered Kaga and Echizen.

If the goal is to reach Kyoto, then it would probably have to be in Nanao Castle and Asai.

Nagamasa is determined to fight to the death. Without eliminating Azai Nagamasa, he cannot establish a foothold in Kaga and Echizen.

By the way, Qianxin came prepared this time. What preparation? You might not believe it if I told you.

Murakami Yoshikiyo's son, Murakami Kunikiyo, was ordered to marry the orphaned daughter of Asakura Yoshikage, thus gaining the legitimate right to take over the Asakura clan.

It's truly absurd. Back when Asakura Yoshikage fled, all his concubines and other women were eventually captured and executed by Nobunaga, and even sent to Kyoto as a public spectacle. However, because he fled north, his entourage got separated along the way, and his youngest daughter was discovered by the Ikko-ikki who later stormed into Echizen.

Theoretically, Kyo-yori of Honganji Temple was this girl's brother-in-law, because Kyo-yori's legal wife was the daughter of Asakura Yoshikage. Therefore, she received protection, and not just one, but two.

One of them married Katsukōji Akiyuki of the Hokuriku Ikkōshū sect, while the other was recently given to Uesugi Kenshin. Kenshin did not hesitate to betroth this woman to Murakami Kunikiyo, and then raised the banner of reviving the Asakura clan.

You know what, according to the feudal laws of today, Uesugi Kenshin's attacks on Kaga and Echizen were acts of survival and continuation of the dynasty, which was in line with his lifelong advocacy of the so-called righteousness.

If Kenshin can conquer Echizen, Murakami Kunikiyo can immediately change his name to Asakura Kunikiyo under the guise of being his adopted son-in-law, succeed him as the governor of Echizen, and revive the prestigious Asakura clan of Echizen.

Before turning against Nobunaga, Uesugi Kenshin had clearly made extensive preparations, including in terms of military strength, supplies, and justification.

Who was the general who stayed behind in the mountain town in spring?

428. Some people only care about fame.

"The general of this castle is Uesugi Saburo, and the vice generals are Koshijuro and Yamamotoji Iyo."

“Uesugi Saburo!” Shichibei was somewhat surprised upon hearing the report. Uesugi Saburo was Uesugi Kagetora, who came from the Hojo clan.

He was said to be a renowned handsome man in the Kanto region. How handsome? So handsome that even Uesugi Norimasa, upon meeting him, greatly admired him, leading him to support Uesugi Kagetora during the Otate Rebellion. It should be noted that Uesugi Norimasa had a deep-seated hatred for the Hojo clan, a feud that led to their destruction and the annihilation of their nation, yet he still endorsed Kagetora.

Furthermore, the name "Kagetora" was a former name of Uesugi Kenshin. Kenshin bestowed this name upon him, which shows his deep affection for him.

"What about Uesugi Kiheiji?" Shichibei hurriedly asked about Uesugi Kagekatsu's whereabouts.

"Leading the Ueda troops, we will go into battle alongside the Kanrei-kun."

"Tsk tsk tsk..."

This arrangement is truly baffling. Uesugi Kagekatsu, from Echigo, was taken along, while Uesugi Kagetora, from the Hojo, was left behind as the general. Furthermore, Uesugi Kagenobu and Yamamoto-ji Sadanaga were ordered to assist in the defense of Echigo.

It seems the main force of the army didn't move much. They mainly brought Kenshin's own retainers, Hajime, and Uesugi Kagekatsu's Ueda retainers.

What was Uesugi Kenshin's true attitude towards choosing a successor? It's impossible for outsiders to guess. He doted on Uesugi Kagetora, but not much more so on Uesugi Kagekatsu. As for his other adopted sons, let's not even mention them; these two were practically equal in ability, each with a large following.

"I take my leave." The messenger who came to deliver the message took his leave under the guidance of his attendants, and Shichibei also finished his bath.

The events in Hokuriku are none of our concern, and even if they were, that would have happened after Uesugi Kenshin conquered Echizen. There's no point in thinking about it now; it all depends on Azai Nagamasa's abilities.

However, we must send a letter to Oda Nobuhiro. Since Uesugi Kenshin has officially become Oda Nobunaga's enemy, and Nobuhiro is about to set out for Echigo, we must urge him not to be greedy for merit and act rashly. The mountain roads from northern Shinano to Echigo are rugged and narrow, making logistics difficult. If he acts rashly, there is a good chance that the Echigo forces will cut off his retreat.

Historically, when Ōkuma Tomohide, the lord of Minokami Castle, sided with the Takeda clan and launched a rebellion, Takeda Shingen's reinforcements failed to reach Echigo to support Ōkuma Tomohide. This resulted in the loss of a golden opportunity, even though Minokami Castle is only twenty kilometers from Kasugayama Castle.

If Takeda Shingen could stabilize the situation at Minokami Castle and then shower the Echigo people with money, it's possible that the first sea Shingen would see wouldn't be the Pacific Ocean but the Sea of ​​Japan.

Be careful, be very careful, going to Echigo is no joke.

The next morning, Shichibei was going to have a tea party with Tsuda Muneki and others to arrange the allocation of military supplies. He also needed to plan ahead for what would happen later; if Kishiwada Castle was destroyed, he would have to mobilize laborers to repair it.

In addition, it is necessary to follow Nobunaga's orders to expand the harbor below Kishiwada Castle so that the Kuki Navy, which was later reorganized, and the Awa Navy of Morimura Haru could be stationed and docked.

At the tea ceremony, Shichibei presented the Nitta Kabuki, which he had "traded" with Nobunaga, and the tea spoon and blue hoof bestowed upon him by Nobunaga. The tea masters and owners on either side of him were all praising and exaggerating. It was just a formality; once the praise was over, they could discuss the real business. How many swords, spears, armor, gunpowder, cannons, and so on needed to be mobilized.

At the banquet, a big boss said that the chaos in Echigo would inevitably affect the northbound ships heading to Naoezu. Due to transportation problems and the war in major ports along the way, the freight costs for soybeans, ramie, and rice from Kanto and Oshu would increase by at least 20% to 30%.

Soy sauce, miso, vinegar, sake, and a range of other handicraft products

Production will be affected by this. Inevitably, the prices of these goods will rise.

They informed Shichibei in advance to avoid a situation where, if prices in the Kinai region rose later, Nobunaga would punish Shichibei, and Shichibei would punish them in return.

It's understandable; high prices are normal under the influence of war.

As long as the prices aren't outrageously high, Shichibei also has connections in Tsuruga and Kohama. The price of handmade goods in Kyoto and Sakai is allowed to increase by the same amount as the landed price, with a 5% fluctuation range allowed above and below.

Upon hearing this, all the big bosses breathed a sigh of relief. It was only the magistrate, who came from a merchant background, who could understand normal market fluctuations. The bureaucrats of the shogunate and the new government had no concept of anything other than selling at a fair price.

Even such normal fluctuations are considered hoarding and speculation, and should be strongly cracked down on.

Of course, it's true that all merchants are unscrupulous, and it's perfectly normal to put pressure on officials and merchants; in fact, it was a necessary policy in classical feudal times. Agriculture and warfare were the two fundamental principles of social operation. The common people were best off knowing only how to farm and weave in peacetime and fight in wartime, remaining ignorant and like beasts of burden for their entire lives.

Merchants who travel far and wide become less easily deceived. Furthermore, quick riches would tempt farmers to engage in commerce, undermining the stability required by feudal rule. The ideal was for people to live in peace and prosperity, free from worldly ties, where they were born in their villages and died in the wilderness, with no contact between them – that was what feudal rulers desired.

If Shichibei were a feudal ruler, he would definitely crack down on merchants as well. It's a matter of bias. Right now, Shichibei is on both sides of the merchants and the feudal ruler, so he can still speak normally. But the day he settles on one side, he won't be able to treat everyone fairly.

After finishing their conversation, Shichibei got up to leave. Konishi Ryōsō and Hibiya Ryōke stopped him; Hideyoshi owed Shichibei a huge debt, and they had come to demand a promissory note signed by Hideyoshi.

They needed an IOU to repay Hideyoshi's debts; Hideyoshi had spent 5,000 kan just on building the platform in three days. Other rewards and contributions also needed to be accounted for.

Upon hearing this, Shichibei told them to send someone to Kawamura-ya to retrieve it. There was no need for the two owners to go personally. However, the two men smiled and said that it was safest to go themselves.

understood.

You have private matters to discuss quietly, right? You could have just sent someone over beforehand to give Shichibei a hint. Why make it seem like it's a real matter?

On their way back to Kawamura's residence, they invited their family to serve tea and dismissed everyone else before revealing the purpose of their trip.

Lord Numama Echigo Nyūdō of Ayai Castle would like to ask Shichibei what he would give in exchange for opening the gates of Kishiwada Castle.

for free.

"Oh dear," Shichibei said, slightly surprised. Just a few days ago, it was announced that anyone from Izumi Province who surrendered within ten days would be pardoned for past transgressions. And now someone has already found a way to sell themselves to Shichibei for a good price.

The first person to get in touch with Shichibei asked for no money, so obviously he wanted land, right? Izumi only had a little over 100,000 koku, which Nobunaga had clearly divided up, so there wasn't much land left for him.

"No, no..." Konishi Ryusuke and Shichibei were old acquaintances, and Konishi Ryusuke helped pass on the message. There wasn't much of a conflict of interest between them, so Konishi Ryusuke was quite outspoken.

"uh-huh? "

"The Matsuura clan, the successor to the Izumi governorship, has died out." This was the sentence Shichibei said with a smile and a nod.

"Oh..." I see, that explains why it was free.

This might be hard to understand in other countries, but it's perfectly understandable in Japan. The Numa family originated from Numamura and Nomura in Sennan District.

He developed his skills as a collateral descendant of the Matsuura clan, who were the guardians of the clan. He may not have had any intention of joining the main branch, but with Sogawa Kazutsugu forcibly taking over as the son of Matsuura Nobuteru, and now Matsuura Yasutau forcibly taking the Matsuura name, he has become ambitious.

The Matsuura clan of Izumi originated from the Saga Genji and Watanabe clans. They were the backbone of the "Tsujiguchi Warriors" established during the reign of Emperor Saga [Note 1], and served as guards and protectors of the Emperor and the Forbidden City for a long time.

To put it bluntly, it's a "prestigious family" with historical ties; otherwise, they wouldn't have become the deputy governor of Izumi. Compare that to the neighboring mainland, they're like the imperial bodyguards of the Qing dynasty. Meanwhile, the warriors of Tsunoguchi in Japan are allowed to carry bows and arrows in forbidden areas.

Now, Numama Echigo Nyūdō hopes to adopt his grandson to the deceased Matsuura Nobuteru, so that he can be adopted into the main branch as a collateral branch and become a new pillar of the Tōguchi warriors.

Whether it's official or not, that's a matter for later; he just wants that official status.

"Speaking of which, it's a cost-effective thing," Hibiya Ryoke chimed in, explaining that they had been entrusted with a task and had to be loyal to it.

"Yes!"

Shichibei only hesitated for a moment before agreeing to the request. Kishiwada Castle was a formidable fortress; pushing it down with human flesh would result in too many casualties.

It's a complete waste. Shichibei already had a plan to divert attention, but he originally intended to use money to buy his way in. Now, someone has volunteered to bring their own food to open the gate, so what's there to say?

As for the procedures for being adopted into the Matsuura family, the deputy governor of Izumi? Shichibei drafted a document for Nobunaga, and Nobunaga simply marked it.

Nobunaga's general attitude towards former noble families like the former governors and their successors was to support them with a small amount of money. He could support two former shoguns, as well as regents, officials in charge of government offices, and other staff, so supporting one more Izumi governor's successor was not a big deal.

Shichibei himself was supporting Ikeda Tomomasa, the governor of Settsu Province, whose elder brother had gone to conquer the western provinces. Shichibei was to give Ikeda Tomomasa 2,000 kan a year to support hundreds or even thousands of family members left behind. Ikeda Tomomasa himself served as Shichibei's attendant, keeping Shichibei company and chatting with him to pass the time.

a piece of cake.

"Please provide a written statement." Konishi Ryūsō and Hibiya Ryōkei quickly bowed.

They need to take this written document back before they can persuade the Numama Echigo Nyūdō to open the gates of Kishiwada Castle. Without a written agreement, it's hard to gain their trust.

"Please wait a moment." That's easy, Shichibei picked up his pen and started writing.