Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

"Tsk..." Nobunaga probably knew about this tactic too, and secretly rejected it in his heart.

"It's better to form alliances with powerful feudal lords than with Tokugawa." Shichibei thought to himself that Tokugawa Ieyasu had a daughter who was not yet married.

This refers to Tokugawa Tokuhime, who was historically betrothed to Hojo Ujinao. At this time, neither the Honnoji Incident had occurred, nor had Ieyasu chosen a new son-in-law, so Tokuhime was still alive.

Lady Oichi married Ieyasu, and Ieyasu's daughter came to the Oda family.

523. Support the establishment of Toyama Yuanfu

With the weakening of the rebels in Kanto, Nobunaga's power extended throughout the land, and the Imperial Court finally officially dispatched a team consisting of the current Regent Kujō Kanetaka, the former Regent Konoe Sakihisa, and the Minister of the Left Ichijō Nakiri to openly inquire about the "three positions" from Nobunaga.

If Nobunaga were to become Shogun, the shogunate would be immediately proclaimed. If he were to become Kanpaku, Kujō Kanetaka would immediately resign. If he were to become Daijō-daijin (Grand Minister of State), Emperor Ōgimachi would issue the decree in his own handwriting.

Although it had been made clear in private that Nobunaga was not prepared to accept the three posts, the formalities still had to be followed. The three court nobles came on three separate occasions, over three days, representing the Emperor, to inquire about the matter, and Nobunaga declined each time.

After declining the three positions, Nobunaga announced his resignation as Minister of the Right, retaining only the rank of Junior Second Rank, and began his final sprint to become Minister of State.

After advising Nobunaga to marry Tokugawa Ieyasu's daughter, Shichibei prepared to flee. It seems that Nobunaga, after weighing his options, was already inclined to pass the position of heir apparent to Nobunaga.

Nobuo is a man whose story is truly difficult to describe in a few words.

But it's not our place to object; Shichibei has already passed away.

That was the stage of strongly advising and remonstrating. Before that, everyone was fully on Oda Nobutada's side. Nobutada was the eldest son and the heir apparent, so there was practically no opposition within his family.

Now that Nobunaga wants to make Nobukatsu his successor, it's definitely not just Shichibei who thinks it's not entirely appropriate. Even with Nobunaga's current power, there will certainly be people trying to pass on information to him in one way or another.

Although Nobunaga is now the undisputed ruler and has truly unified the country by force, he is already forty-eight years old. This age is a very delicate one, to put it bluntly.

How many more years do you have left to live?

Kita-tomi Nobuo was the adopted son of the Kita-tomi family and had been sent away for almost ten years, so he was completely unfamiliar with the hereditary retainers. The hereditary retainers didn't just refer to old daimyo like Shichibei, Hashiba Hideyoshi, and Niwa Nagahide; they also referred to the lesser daimyo with 20,000 to 30,000 koku, or even 10,000 koku.

This also includes the foot soldiers under Nobunaga with rank of 3,000 or 5,000 koku, and even the foot soldiers with rank of 500 koku. These people formed the core and backbone of the Oda clan.

Without maintaining good relations with the Owari samurai, one cannot secure their position in the Oda clan.

When Akechi Mitsuhide and Azai Nagamasa rebelled, almost none of the smaller lords in the Kinai region, especially the hereditary vassal lords who had been placed in charge of the rebellion in Nobunaga and Nagasu, joined the rebellion. They either fought to the death or fled to Rogishi and Wada, waiting for a counterattack.

Their acceptance of the Oda clan is deeply ingrained; their fates are intertwined, one prospers, the other suffers. They support and help each other, and are racing towards the goal of becoming the people of Owari.

As for Nobukatsu, he had long been adopted into the Oda clan and had even been sentenced to two and a half years in prison, so he was no longer familiar with the Oda clan's hereditary retainers. If Nobunaga could support him for at least five more years, then he might still have a sliver of hope.

If we can't help him establish authority within the hereditary retainers and become the hereditary successor, then there will definitely be chaos ahead.

In the end, if things get out of hand and both the senior retainers and the hereditary rulers are dissatisfied, Nobunaga might just kick the bucket and explode on the spot.

He had just fled back to Anshiwada Castle, and before he even had a chance to hear a report on the Kishu land survey and suppression work, Saegusa Morinao came running to tell him about Lieutenant General Kitatomi's separation from Kitatomi Yukihime.

At this very moment, Kitafu Nobuo is still in Azuchi City, handling real estate lawsuits across the country. Before the lawsuits are even finished, merely seeing Kitafu Nobuo return to public service, he's already so eager to leave.

Sure enough, it was still Nobuo.

"My lord, my lord!" Watanabe Ryo and Goto Mototsugu rushed from Iga to pay their respects upon hearing that Shichibei had returned to Shigaraki and Wada.

"How's the new territory?" Shichibei asked, looking at the two young samurai who had stepped forward under his command, temporarily putting aside the matter of Kita-Tomi Nobuo.

"After a thousand and one threads, we've finally sorted out a single line." Goto Mototsugu returned to Dongbo and pulled out all his old brothers and buddies who had fled and gone into hiding, as well as those who had returned to farming, and finally he had a cohesive team.

Shichibei also gave him two hundred regular foot soldiers and instructed his subordinates to allow Goto Mototsugu to borrow money from Kawamura-ya. At this point, the half of Iga province he had acquired at least had a semblance of order.

"By the way, where's Juro Yano?" Shichibei turned to Watanabe and asked.

"I have retired to a life of seclusion and become a monk. My eldest son, Yano, serves me, and my eldest son-in-law, Honma, serves Ryohei." Watanabe Ryo glanced at Goto Mototsugu and replied with a smile.

This was indeed the proper course of action. Takino Yoshimasa himself, for his treason, even though he later acted as an inside agent, would only be spared the death penalty, but not escape punishment. However, in order to stabilize Iga Province as much as possible, they chose to appoint his son and son-in-law to official positions.

This method not only splits the Yano retainers in two, weakening their strength, but also appeases their family.

None of the retainers of the Tsunano family lost their jobs, and they were even able to live peacefully thanks to Tsunano Yoshimasa's surrender, so naturally they had no complaints. With such a traitor in place, Watanabe Ryo and Goto Mototsugu's rule was easier to implement.

"That's reasonable. If there's anything lacking, feel free to tell me." The two people in front of him were both ambitious young people, so Shichibei had nothing to worry about.

"We will certainly not disappoint you." The two quickly bowed.

Although Iga is not a major route for entering and exiting the Tokaido from the Kinai region, it was the route that Tokugawa Ieyasu chose during the Honnoji Incident. The other main road, the one from Omi to Sekigahara and then from Ōgaki Castle into Mino, is easier to travel, but it was a strategically vital location and attracted greater attention.

Nobunaga completely controlled the Jiangbei region, entrusted western Mino to Inaba Sadamichi, Kawajiri Hidenaga, and Sakuma Nobueshige, who loyally served Nobutada, and entrusted Iga to Watanabe Ryo and Goto Mototsugu. There was a deeper meaning behind this.

The most important matters should be handled by oneself, the next most important by loyal ministers, and the least important by the combined efforts of loyal ministers; all these should be entrusted to trustworthy individuals.

However, based on the current trend, if Nobukatsu really takes control of Azuchi Castle and assists Nobunaga in handling the affairs of the realm, then Iga will also have to become a vassal state. It is highly likely that Watanabe Ryo and Goto Mototsugu will be transferred to southern Ise, going to the outskirts to guard the gates of the Kinai region.

After comforting the two, Shichibei lay back down in the Ninomaru mansion. Lady Takaya, who was helping Shichibei change his clothes, unusually spoke up a few times. She was Oda Nobunaga's adopted daughter, Saito Dosan's biological daughter, and married to Toyama Akitaka. In fact, she was a noblewoman who could participate in politics and even influence politics.

But at this moment, she was content to remain by Shichibei's side as a concubine without any title or status. Unlike Lady Ashikaga and Princess Ichi, who were wives of rebels and were given to Shichibei as concubines by Nobunaga in a legitimate manner.

She had no official title, yet she still devoted herself to serving Shichibei, clearly with ulterior motives.

"Jiro Shiro is gradually coming of age..." Lady Takaya carefully helped Shichibei undo his belt.

Previously, there had been great turmoil in the Kinai region, and the veteran retainers who remained in charge brought out Toyama Jiroshiro to stabilize the situation. Of course, Nobunaga fled to Kishiwada Castle within two days, so he did not play much of a role.

They've finally made their appearance and established a presence, especially considering the Toyama and samurai families...

If this prestigious family doesn't rise up soon, it will truly decline. Currently, Shichibei is barely at Lady Takaya's beck and call, and is a clearly visible key figure in the Oda regime. If we don't seize this opportunity to elevate Toyama Jiroshiro, who knows what might happen in the future?

Furthermore, a territory of over 60,000 koku is more than enough for the Toyama family to maintain their prestige and become a minor feudal lord, projecting the image of the previous ruling family to the outside world.

"Genpuku?" Shichibei was an old man, and Lady Takaya understood perfectly well as soon as she opened her mouth.

Why did Lady Takaya test them? Because the Toyama clan's retainers were completely wiped out by Toyama Akitaka's attack, with dozens of key retainers killed in battle. Now, only a handful of retainers remain, with a territory of over 60,000 koku, entirely managed by a deputy governor dispatched by Shichibei, who only provides living expenses to Toyama and his mother.

Extra? You don't mean you want more? Impossible.

The difference in status represents a significant financial gain, and a considerable one at that. Lady Takaya will certainly have to carefully inquire with Shichibei to avoid upsetting him.

"Hmm..." Lady Takaya didn't say anything. Anyway, the position was just right. Shichibei was standing, and she was kneeling to help him undo his belt.

"Eh, you..." Shichibei didn't actually object, and was even about to say yes

It wasn't about helping to write a letter to Nobunaga on behalf of Tomiyama Jiroshiro to request the character "信" (xin, meaning trust/faith) as a bestowal of a title.

Originally, Nobunaga explicitly stated that this land was to be granted to the Toyama family. Nobunaga is currently in the process of building a new order, but those who can organically integrate into the new order from the old order will also join when the opportunity arises.

Look at Hosokawa Akimoto, he was also granted 50,000 koku of land in Tanba-Taki District. The three Kanrei families actually all have representatives now. For example, Mōri Hideyori, the son of the previous Shiba Yoshitō, was granted 50,000 koku of land in Shinano Ina District.

Nobunaga wouldn't give such a family important positions, but he was happy to provide them with a mere bone to keep them alive. Consider them just decorative objects used by the new regime to create a facade of peace and prosperity.

To everyone's utter surprise, before Shichibei could even voice his agreement, Lady Takaya had already finished the act...

"I will immediately submit a petition to my lord." Shichibei trembled slightly, but spoke with righteous indignation, displaying remarkable clarity and seriousness.

"I entrust everything to you." Lady Takaya bowed her head, her wish fulfilled, and prostrated herself before Shichibei.

Let's go take a shower first, a simple one, thank you.

Nobunaga, of course, wouldn't refuse Shichibei's request. Since Shichibei, as the foster father of Toyama Jiroshiro, had requested to come of age, Nobunaga certainly had no objection and agreed to bestow the name "Shinobu" upon him. So, what about the name...?

The character then becomes self-evident: "Toyama Nobutaka".

To show respect, Nobunaga ordered Hori Hidemasa to come and, on his behalf, put on the eboshi hat for Toyama Nobutaka. Shichibei then served as the so-called barber, shaving Toyama Nobutaka's head.

However, the twelve or thirteen-year-old Toyama Nobutaka was naturally delighted to have come of age. Born into a prestigious family and theoretically possessing territory, he naturally did not want an unknown stepfather above him.

After the coming-of-age ceremony, Shichibei frankly explained to Toyama Nobutaka that although the Toyama family still had territory, they had too few retainers to maintain their 60,000 koku of land.

The old guard of the Toyama family is probably too old to even maintain their 6,000 koku territory. Given this reality, Shichibei gives Toyama Nobutaka two options.

First, he followed the example of Hosokawa Akimoto, becoming a "taka family" in Kyoto, relinquishing his territory, and assisting Nobunaga in establishing a new order of merging the court and the military. Taxes were naturally collected by a magistrate in the territory, and any problems were the magistrate's fault; Nobunaga would then send people to suppress the territories.

Secondly, he followed the example of Mori Hideyori, serving as a Umakai-shu (a type of samurai) and a general in the Momo-shu (another type of samurai). Leading trusted samurai, he recruited men and followed Nobunaga closely. He charged into danger wherever it was necessary, braving arrows and stones, risking his life to achieve wealth and status.

Both paths are viable, like that of Mori Hideyori, who later defeated either the Uesugi or Hojo clans, potentially even expanding his territory. After all, he was a formidable figure, having fought alongside Nobunaga at the forefront of battles.

Even after that, the Shiba family will remain a high-ranking family with a koku of 100,000 or 200,000 koku, and they will have a chance to become the daimyo of Kunimoto.

Aside from a few exceptionally gifted and outstanding individuals, most twelve- or thirteen-year-old boys are gradually entering their rebellious phase, exhibiting a variety of behaviors. Some think their peers are idiots, while others think their parents and teachers are idiots. Nobutaka Tomiyama is slightly better; he only thinks that Shichibei is an idiot because he slept with his mother.

He froze when Shichibei asked him that question. The wonderful vision he had imagined after coming of age, when he could immediately command thousands of followers, be invincible, and have thousands kneel before him, and rule as king over his territory, was instantly shattered.

Nowadays, once a lord or daimyo is confirmed to hold a fief, they will send troops to fight. Nobunaga basically requires you to produce 400 men for every 10,000 koku of rice. You produce fewer men in poor areas and more in rich areas. Everyone is asking for land surveys, and there is a lot of unexplained income in the territory.

Nobutaka Toyama only thought that he could make decisions for himself, but he didn't expect that he would have to send troops to fight soon.

Given the current situation, Nobunaga has sorted out the Kinai region, the western provinces, and...

The Kyushu Campaign is about to begin in full swing. We must either destroy or subjugate the Mori clan to hold a grand Oma-zen (meeting before the emperor's horse), further merging the court nobility and the samurai class to create a unique feudal aristocratic ruling group in Japan.

Now that you've come of age, the Toyama family's territory of over 60,000 koku must immediately muster an army of 2,500 men to follow Nobunaga's chosen successor and make a trip to Yoshida-Koriyama Castle in Aki Province.

"No rush, you can go back and discuss it with your retainers first. If there is anything lacking, send someone to tell me." Shichibei had no ill intentions towards Toyama Nobutaka, and he was practically a son to him, so helping him out was just a favor.

His mother had worked so hard to raise him, and Shichibei couldn't just ignore it, not touch it, not say anything about it.

"I understand." Nobutaka Toyama's excitement subsided considerably.

"If you want to go to Iwamuro Castle, I'll send another two hundred men with you." I'll go all the way, but this is a loan, not a gift.

Sooner or later, Nobutaka Toyama will separate from the family, and Shichibei can't just throw good money after bad.

"I am extremely grateful." Reminded by Shichibei, Toyama Nobutaka decided to go and check on his territory immediately.

His father had a brother in Ta-gun, but he was the head of the branch family of the Toyama clan in O-shu, so they weren't blood brothers according to the patriarchal system. The old Toyama family had fallen to this state; if they were invited here, they could probably write about two different Toyama clans in one stroke.

524. Trust is high and trust is strong.

Kishu pointed out that the results of the land survey were in: 398,000 koku, excluding 21,000 koku from Mount Koya.

Mount Koya did not bestow a title upon Shichibei; he remained an independent religious group, as he was spared execution after surrendering. The more than 30,000 armed monks of Mount Koya, having not undergone a full shaving of their heads, naturally possessed a degree of confidence.

For now, the affairs of Mount Koya will be kept under control. As long as he doesn't cause trouble, Shichibei won't interfere excessively with the affairs within his temple territory. As for the territories discovered elsewhere, various types of annual tribute will be levied according to this stone level, along with military mobilization.

Those transferred from various parts of Kinai and Nobi were also assigned to new territories and settled in. Suzuki Shigehide was recruited by Todo Takatora and temporarily hired as a strategist.

To put it bluntly, it's about leveraging the power of local bullies; in later generations, there was a similar role called a grid administrator. However, Todo Takatora offered Suzuki Shigehide a very high price, which surprised even Shichibei.

Five hundred strings of cash plus the support of a thousand people.

With an office budget of 500 kan, plus rations for 1,000 people for a year, this was more than enough for Suzuki Shigehide to establish a sizable small gang in Kishu. As an assistant to the district inspector, Todo Takatora, he played a crucial role...

use.

"Prepare for military service as soon as possible; the war will not stop." Shichibei said this to Fujiyama Nobutaka, and also to Todo Takatora.

“Wakayama Castle also needs to be guarded.” Todo Takatora still had to ask.

"This matter is not urgent. The guards of Wakayama Castle will each perform their duties in rotation. We will discuss the selection of a castle deputy later." Originally, Shichibei had no candidates and was still considering this matter.