Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

After inheriting Nobunaga's legacy as Shichibei, Shichibei's mindset remained basically to serve Nobunaga and his son Nobutada for two generations, and he didn't think about anything else.

If something unforeseen were to happen and Nobunaga and his son Nobutada were to die, whoever took over would have their own faction. Just like Hideyoshi, who had Konishi Ryōsō and Hihiya Ryōke.

Shichibei's entire system was built on the commercial monopoly granted by Nobunaga. Frankly speaking, anyone could have built Kawamura-ya on that monopoly—even a pig or a dog could have done it.

After all, the managers below were all professional managers, merchants from Kato-ya, Ito-ya, and Kangon Denma-yaku, who had successively acquired Kawamura-ya. Under feudal tyranny, they were required to become Shichibei's subordinates. They were powerless to resist, nor could they resist.

It doesn't matter who the big boss of Kawamura-ya is. As long as this monopoly is still there, the business can continue and expand through inertia.

If you cut off or kick out Shichibei and replace him with another big boss, there will definitely be a lot of chaos at first, but it won't be long before things are put back together.

Nobunaga's reckless and chaotic actions not only affected his own destiny.

This also affected Shichibei's career.

After weighing the pros and cons, Shichibei decided to remonstrate. Nobunaga could not be allowed to continue like this. Even if he didn't issue a reprimand, he should at least appease Akechi Mitsuhide. At the same time, he offered prayers to the gods and Buddhas, ordering all his generals and followers to present a petition before the gods, signing their names and vowing never to betray them.

Sakuma Nobuege should be reinstated, and Sakuma Nobumori should be pardoned. Sakuma Nobumori should be given a pension of 3,000 or 5,000 koku and allowed to return to his former territory in Owari.

Whether Nobuyoshi serves as Nobunaga's female retainer or Nobutada's male retainer, it's all acceptable. At least he should give people hope for the future, so that they can go out and fight, and still revive their family and restore their former territory.

Only then could the other senior retainers of the Oda clan feel at ease, believing that Nobunaga was not a ruler who used people haphazardly and relied on those who came later to rise to power. At least a sliver of warmth remained, preserving a little bit of affection between ruler and retainer.

He hurriedly dispatched a messenger to the residence of the Right General, informing Nobunaga's right scribe, Matsui Tomokazu, that a map depicting the internal and external situation in Iyo had been obtained from Kurushima Michifusa. This map could be presented, along with a detailed account of the situation in the Seto Inland Sea region between northern Iyo, Aki, and Bingo.

Killing Mori Terumoto's entire family was a major event, and it would affect Nobutada's succession.

Because of his prestige, the news of Nobunaga's summons for Shichibei arrived very quickly. The very next day, Nobunaga arranged for Nobutada to meet with Shichibei.

Nobunaga and Nobutada respectfully presented the map, whispering amongst themselves as they pointed to the "secret" topographical map preserved in the village of Mishima. They needed to carefully decide whether to travel by land from Kyoto to Aki and Bingo, or to land directly in Bingo by sea.

Why did Nobunaga Nobutada, Shichibei, or even Kurushima Michifusa, who was more familiar with the area, not mention landing in Aki? Because it was very difficult to travel northwest from Iyo to what is now Hiroshima City in Aki Bay, or Kusatsu, where the Ota River flows into the sea.

Two currents: one near Etajima Shrine, and the other near Itsukushima Shrine.

On Etajima Island, the Urakasa Ura naval forces of Nomi Munekatsu are stationed. Although they have been decimated and are no longer what they once were, there are still a few remaining. How did Tao Qingxian die back then?

They died in naval and land battles in this area. Aki Bay is dotted with islands and reefs. Anyone who didn't know the waterways well was doomed if they went in.

Even with Kurushima Michifusa's assistance, he couldn't guarantee it would work. After all, Oda Nobutada was in the fleet, and if Nobutada were lost in Aki Bay, Nobunaga would definitely slaughter Kurushima Michifusa's entire family, shake their brains to pieces, and chop them up like earthworms.

Therefore, Kijima Michizusa suggested going through Bingo. The only place separating Bingo and Iyo is Mishima, located in Mishima Village. Kijima Michizusa could walk this place with his eyes closed and would never get lost; his family had been walking this path for hundreds of years and knew it better than anyone else.

Furthermore, on the side of Bingo that is close to the Seto Inland Sea, there are ports such as Mihara, Onomichi, and Tobiura, all of which are suitable for berthing and can quickly accommodate a large number of ships.

Landing in these places is completely risk-free. After all, if Xinzhong were to lead the army, it would be an army of 100,000, overwhelming like Mount Tai.

When it came to fighting, Nobunaga and Nobutada's expressions were quite different; they were very focused and serious, asking about the battle positions before departure, as well as Nobutaka and Nobusumi's preparations in Kita Iyo.

Nobunaga had previously agreed to the agreement between Shichibei and Chosokabe Motochika to marry his daughter to Chosokabe Nobuchika. Furthermore, he stated that he would adopt the daughter and marry her to Nobuchika as a daughter of the Oda clan. The dowry would be at least 5,000 kan, a substantial sum to appease the Chosokabe family.

Let Motochika and his son Nobuchika serve as the vanguard of the Shikoku Front Army and rush to the beach first to clear the way for Nobutaka and Nobuchika.

Hijacking them? Nobunaga's actually pulling this stunt. He'd left so many girls with Shichibei, raised them for so many years, and now he's trying to steal them away? What a scheme!

The beads bounced all the way up to Shichibei's face.

But what could he do? Nobunaga's actions were perfectly reasonable; he was supposed to arrange things for Shichibei's daughter anyway. Didn't we just say that Nobunaga betrothed Mitsuhide's daughter, Tamako, to Hosokawa Tadaoki the other day?

Let's do as agreed. Shichibei also needs to prepare a dowry. It's really unreasonable to take something from our house without spending a penny. Get him a complete set of furniture in the Kyoto and Tang styles, inlaid with mother-of-pearl and lacquered—the more expensive the better. This will impress Motochika and his son, Nobuchika, making them realize that the bride's family is powerful and influential.

Two powerful figures standing behind him!

After finishing discussing these important military and national affairs, Nobunaga said "Thank you for your hard work" and prepared to leave. He had a lot to do, and there were people waiting in line outside.

"My lord, please pardon Sakuma Kingo and return the old-age allowance for Owari. Reinstate Sakuma Jinkuro to appease the people." Shichibei, however, did not allow Nobunaga to leave. Seeing Nobunaga raise his buttocks, he quickly stepped forward and grabbed Nobunaga's sleeve.

"How dare you! Is this something you can say to me?" Nobunaga waved his hand dismissively, his hatred for Sakuma Nobumori clearly not having dissipated in the slightest.

"The people in the household are uneasy. Don't you, my lord, notice anything amiss?"

Shichibei wasn't entirely selfish; he did have some feelings for Nobunaga after all these years.

It's selfish to want to maintain relations with Nobunaga and preserve Kawamura-ya's monopoly. It's also understandable to want to prevent Nobunaga from becoming complacent and to accelerate the decline of the company.

"What are your intentions?" Nobunaga paused, no longer tugging at Shichibei's sleeve, but simply frowned.

Actually, he hadn't taken the matter of the Hatano brothers a few days ago to heart at first. Killing them was no big deal; they were just two surrendered daimyo, and he didn't care about the reputation. But after the news arrived yesterday that Mitsuhide's mother had been executed by Hatano Hideka because of his killing of surrendered daimyo, Nobunaga realized he had made a grave mistake.

But as the ruler of Japan, he cannot afford to make mistakes. Even if he does, he must shift the blame to someone else. If he were to issue an edict of self-reproach, he would have to abdicate, handing over the position entirely to Nobutada, and becoming the Grand Master himself.

In today's climate, he must be portrayed as a great man, a wise and powerful, legendary ruler. He must be depicted as having a divine mandate, commanding the submission of distant lands and the worship of all.

错?

Even if it's wrong, it's not wrong either.

As for how to appease Mitsuhide, Nobunaga hadn't decided yet. After all, this was the first time he'd dealt with such a situation, and he was afraid of rubbing salt into Mitsuhide's wounds if he lacked experience.

"I acted with the utmost impartiality." Shichibei truly did it for Nobunaga's good; shouldn't others be allowed to speak out?

"How much money did you take from Sakuma?!" Nobunaga seemed somewhat incredulous and demanded sharply.

In a fleeting moment, Shichibei's initial excitement and sincerity were extinguished. How could Nobunaga slander someone so easily? Shichibei had clearly dared to offer his advice for Oda's own good. And yet, he insulted me for my own good.

It's heartbreaking, but true heartbreak isn't about making a scene.

Shichibei's eyes welled up with tears in an instant. Indeed, Shichibei had acted selfishly before offering his advice. But now that he was offering it, it was for the sake of the stability and unity of the entire Oda clan.

Seeing Shichibei suddenly burst into large tears, Oda Nobunaga realized he had wronged him. Shichibei had genuinely come to advise him because of recent events at home.

"If that's how you see it, then I have nothing more to say." Shichibei released his grip on the sleeve and prostrated himself on the ground in a deep bow.

"..." Nobunaga opened his mouth, but didn't know what to say.

“Father, Shichibei is also loyal.” Nobutada quickly came over and offered a word of encouragement.

As for the servants and pagemen present, they all bowed their heads. Given Nobunaga's temper now, it would be normal for him to kick Shichibei and then slap him a few times with his folding fan.

At this point, let alone speaking up for Shichibei, even breathing heavily would be considered wrong and a sin. There was no guarantee that Nobunaga wouldn't take his anger out on him and send him to the front lines to die.

Only Nobutada, by virtue of his status as head of the Oda clan, was able to offer a few words of advice.

"Mind your own business from now on." With Nobutada's interruption, Nobunaga had a way out, and he turned and left.

Nobutada gave Shichibei a look, as if to say, "Why are you meddling in this? Your father, Nobunaga, is a wise ruler who can refuse any advice. He already has a pretty good idea of ​​what to do, but he just doesn't know how to handle it yet."

Moreover, Nobutada was also involved in the matter of dealing with Sakuma Nobumori, though he didn't make it public. Now that Shichibei is going to exonerate Sakuma Nobumori, Nobutada is actually a little unhappy about it.

"..." Shichibei couldn't discern so much from Nobutada's eyes.

I only understood one point: "deeply resembles my own body".

In terms of ruthlessness and cruelty, Oda Nobutada definitely inherited Oda Nobunaga's talent. He may not show it usually, but if something really happens, he might just strike without hesitation.

If a ruler treats his ministers like his own hands and feet, then the ministers will treat the ruler like their own heart and soul; if a ruler treats his ministers like dogs and horses, then the ministers will treat the ruler like a fellow countryman; if a ruler treats his ministers like dirt and weeds, then the ministers will treat the ruler like an enemy.

If Nobunaga and his son Nobutada treated their retainers like cattle and horses, what should the retainers do in return?

Moreover, those who could be considered as cattle or horses were only capable and competent retainers. Those who couldn't, like the elderly Sakuma Nobumori, despite his countless military achievements, were ultimately punished for negligence. At that point, they were no longer considered cattle or horses, but truly as worthless as weeds, and were not cared for at all.

Shichibei didn't even mention Akechi Mitsuhide's crime directly; he only hinted at it indirectly, yet it provoked such great displeasure from the father and son. If he had directly accused Mitsuhide of causing Mitsuhide's mother's death, who knows how furious they would have been.

I used to think that Nobunaga and his son Nobutada were wise and capable, able to maintain the status quo and govern well, but now it seems...

476. People's hearts are restless and uneasy.

Back then, Shichibei earnestly advised Nobunaga to treat Azai Nagamasa leniently. Although Nobunaga was dissatisfied, he listened to the advice. Now, Shichibei is sincerely advising, but Nobunaga not only refuses to listen but also falsely accuses Shichibei of accepting bribes.

Ah, the royal aura, the royal aura has dissipated.

Shichibei, who had fled the Right General's residence in a panic, left Kyoto almost without stopping, without even having time to inform his family, and headed for Kishiwada Castle.

Upon entering the city, he collapsed headfirst to the ground and fell into a coma.

As for Kawamura Nagayoshi's vehement remonstrance to Oda Nobunaga, since it took place in a public audience, it unsurprisingly spread among the Oda clan's generals.

Sakuma Nobumori, who was exiled to Mount Koya; Akechi Mitsuhide, who launched a fierce attack on Yagami Castle; Azai Nagamasa, who was licking his wounds; Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had many worries at home; Hashiba Hideyoshi, who was sitting in a standoff with the Mori clan; and even Oda Nobuhiro and Takigawa Kazumasu, who were organizing their large army on the eastern front, all received the news immediately.

Before anyone could react, they received another message from Nobunaga, who angrily rebuked Shichibei and ordered him to remain in the castle to await punishment, but Shichibei was bedridden.

News.

Just as he was being suppressed in Saku, he was also to be demoted to Kawamura.

Such cruelty might be tolerable if it were directed at a foreign enemy. But to treat such a long-serving retainer, who has served Owari for generations, with such ruthless methods is chilling.

While under attack on Yagami Castle, Akechi Mitsuhide, who was relentlessly assaulting the castle's main citadel, was deeply moved upon learning the purpose of the summons.

On the surface, pleading for Sakuma Nobumori and his son Nobueshige seemed to be a gesture of consideration for the old Owari samurai community. However, given the unrest within the family and the fact that the incident occurred after Nobunaga's murder of the Hatano brothers, Mitsuhide could actually understand Shichibei's act of remonstrance.

Although the goodwill was not directly directed at Mitsuhide, the act of offering advice because of these matters was, in fact, for Mitsuhide's benefit.

Within the Oda clan, undercurrents were surging even more fiercely. Asai Nagamasa, who was launching a small-scale probing attack on Kaga in the Hokuriku region, was particularly affected.

Because the monk Kennyo issued a decree ordering the Hokuriku Ikko-ikki to cease their resistance against the Oda clan and return to their temples and villages, this angered the Jodo Shinshu followers who had been fiercely determined to fight to the death.

Chaos ensued.

Having lost the support of the Ikko-ikki, Murakami Kunikiyo's power collapsed and dissipated. Furthermore, Kanazawa Castle was already in ruins, and Daishoji Castle had been severely damaged in the previous Ikko-ikki's attack on Tsukida Hiromasa. At this time, Murakami Kunikiyo could only temporarily reside in Matsuto Castle, preparing to resist the Oda army's attack.

Originally unable to launch a full-scale offensive, Azai Nagamasa, after probing the situation, discovered that Kaga's defenses were extremely weak. He immediately increased military spending and gained the support of allies.

Oda Nobuhiro has already sent someone to Nanao Castle in Noto to meet with Tomiyama Yoshiharu. Nobunaga asked him to submit to the Oda clan under the name Uesugi Masashige, as a legitimate reason for the Oda clan's conquest of Echigo and Kanto.

If he agrees, he can secure the territory of the entire country. If the campaign is successful, he can also secure the central half of the western Yue kingdom.

As an aside, Nagaretsu, the guardian of the Noto clan, was currently a guest in Kyoto. If Nobunaga had chosen not to support Nagaretsu, then all the powerful figures in Noto who had already been shaving heads by Kenshin and who had participated in the massacre of the entire Naga clan could have breathed a sigh of relief.

So, just as Azai Nagamasa launched his offensive, Tomiyama Yoshiharu also launched an attack on Kaga. Caught in a pincer movement, Murakami Kunikiyo was already on the verge of defeat.

"The Regent has once again committed such a perverse act." Asai Nagamasa was in the Kaga camp, opposite Isono Kazumasa, whom he had personally promoted.

"It is common knowledge that the people of Owari are in turmoil." Isono Kazumasa also did not expect that Oda Nobunaga would turn out this way.

More than a decade ago, when I first met Nobunaga, his spirited and unrestrained demeanor captivated me at first sight. His domineering and arrogant attitude inspired boundless respect in me.

Nobunaga in front of us is truly a perverse ruler. What are the reasons behind this?

"I don't understand it either." Asai Nagamasa indeed couldn't say he fully understood it.

But what he couldn't understand wasn't Oda Nobunaga's state of mind, but rather the state of the Oda clan's retainers, especially the senior retainers. Were they disloyal and disloyal, or were they subdued by Nobunaga's prestige and still prostrated themselves at his feet?

"My lord?" Isono Kazumasa, as a senior retainer of Azai Nagamasa who was promoted to a position with a salary of 60,000 koku, had a considerable understanding of Nagamasa.

Just from his tone, one could tell that Asai Nagamasa was not worried about the future of the Oda clan, but was considering other things.

"Is there anything in the world that lasts forever? The three great repairmen, the imperial guards..."