Japan's Warring States Period: The Rise of the Wakasa Tiger

Chapter 64 Peace Achieved
Although they fought and negotiated at the same time and Asakura Muneshige's conditions changed again and again, Nobushige was indeed not sure where the Asakura clan's bottom line was, but his own bottom line was certain, that is, he would never hand over Tsuruga County.

In this situation, Sanjo Kan'ei's ability to mediate will indeed be tested.

On February 13, in order to show his sincerity, Nobushige asked Takeda Motomitsu to go to Yuji Castle with Sanjo Konori to meet Asakura Soteki, which was considered a final effort to achieve peace between the two sides.

These days, Asakura Soteki was not having an easy time either. He could not break through the Kirishiro Ridge line. In the east of Kaga Province, the governor Shimomama Yoriyoshi appointed by Honganji organized thousands of monks and an uprising of 100,000 people to launch a large-scale attack on the Asakura castle on the right bank of the Kuzuryu River, in order to avenge the time when Asakura Soteki joined forces with the Noto Hatakeyama clan to attack Kaga.

Faced with the aggressive Ikko Ikki, the Asakura army was unable to effectively resist by relying solely on the mobilization of the northern three counties. Jinguji Castle, Horokikan, and Kawaguchi Castle fell one after another. Shimomama Yoriyoshi even built a new temple on the site of Yoshizaki Gobo as the command center of the Echizen Ikko Ikki, intending to spread the war throughout Echizen.

For this reason, Asakura Kagetaka repeatedly sent people to urge Asakura Muneshige to reach peace with Nobushige as soon as possible and lead his troops north to resist the Ikko clan.

Asakura Sotei originally wanted to take back the Kirei Pass to create the conditions for retaking Tsuruga in the future, but he was helpless against Nobushige's firm attitude and he did not gain the upper hand on the battlefield. Just when he was in a dilemma, the visit of Sanjo Konori seemed to give him hope for a turnaround.

Inside the zashiki of Itadori Castle, Sanjo Konyori, Takeda Motomitsu, and Asakura Soteki sat together to discuss a solution acceptable to both parties.

Takeda Motomitsu and Asakura Sotei are old acquaintances. It was Asakura Sotei who arranged for Asakura Takakage to marry Motomitsu's daughter. Now meeting on the battlefield makes Asakura Sotei quite embarrassed: after all, the reason why they are sitting here is because the Asakura army invaded Wakasa first, and the Takeda clan counterattacked Echizen later. From this point of view, the Asakura family is indeed the party in the wrong.

During the reign of Asakura Takakage, many nobles, court nobles and cultural figures who could not bear the war in Kinki came to Echizen, where the economy and culture were prosperous, to seek refuge or temporary stability.

Sanjo Konori also came to Ichijodani Castle several years ago and lived there for a while. Asakura Sotei discussed Buddhism and culture with him and they got along quite well. Later, when Kyoto became more stable, Sanjo Konori returned. I think it has been three to five years since we last met.

Now that these three old friends are sitting together, there is no need to hide some things.

Asakura Soteki spoke first, and he bluntly said that he would make the biggest concession, that Tsuruga Port could be given up, but the Kirei Fortress Group must be handed over to the Asakura clan;

Although Takeda Motomitsu had retired, he still had the necessary political sensitivity. How could he not know what Asakura Munen was thinking: Now that the Ikko clan was making trouble in the north, he could only lower the conditions as much as possible in exchange for peace; but once the Ikko clan was defeated, Tsuruga, without the natural barrier of Muling, would be another piece of meat in the mouth of the Asakura family. At that time, the ownership of Tsuruga County would no longer be decided by the Takeda clan.

Therefore, before coming, Takeda Motomitsu still supported Nobushige's attitude, that is, the entire Tsuruga County must be ceded to the Takeda clan, and as for the compensation, it could be discussed further.

Sanjo Konori, who originally had no confidence in bringing about reconciliation between the two families, felt that this was a good opportunity after learning about the Ikko sect's rebellion, and it was a good way to put extreme pressure on the Asakura sect, so he already had a preliminary idea in his mind.

The three of them chatted from morning until late at night. Although there was some progress, Asakura Sotei still refused to give up the Kiring Fortress Group, which made Takeda Motomitsu want to get up and leave. Fortunately, Sanjo Konori persuaded him to stay.

Seeing that no results could be achieved for the time being, Sanjo Konori and Takeda Motomitsu decided to return to Tsuruga the next morning to discuss the matter. Asakura Soteki did not stop them, lest they see through his inner anxiety. But that night, a war report was delivered to Asakura Soteki.

"I'm afraid Goie Jingyi can't hold on any longer." Asakura Sotei held the secret letter tightly in his hand and couldn't help but sigh.

This Mizoe Jingyi was the lord of Mizoe Castle in Sakai County. The Mizoe clan was a branch of the Asakura clan, and the heads of all generations were important retainers of the Asakura clan. Mizoe Castle was located in the heart of Sakai County. The attack there showed that the Ikko clan had pushed the battle line further south than a few days ago.

"Compared to the Takeda army, the Ikko clan is more terrifying." At this time, the Asakura generals all suggested to quickly negotiate peace with the Takeda clan and march north to resolve the urgent problem.

"This is the only way." Unable to resist everyone's persuasion, Asakura Sotei had to compromise.

The next morning, just as Sanjo Konraji and Takeda Motomitsu had finished their breakfast and were preparing to return to Kanezaki Castle, Asakura Soteki hurried over, claiming to be seeing them off, but in fact taking the opportunity to make one last attempt.

"I know that you two princes are sincere, but I have been entrusted by the master of the family, so I have to insist. Please forgive me." Asakura Soteki pretended to be helpless.

"Since you know what we mean, why can't Lord Sotei take a step back?" Sanjo Konori turned to Takeda Motomitsu and said, "Hoshinji-dono, please give way as much as possible so that I don't make this trip in vain."

Seeing that Sanjo Korai had taken the bait, Asakura Sotei was secretly delighted. He turned his head away and sighed in dissatisfaction, "Well, since the Prime Minister has spoken, I will make another concession on behalf of the master! I don't need this Muling Fortress Group! But what price can Faxin Temple offer me? I can also report to the master."

"That's great!" Faced with this huge concession from Asakura Soteki, Takeda Motomitsu was overjoyed. He nodded with satisfaction and after thinking for a moment, he gave the highest price he could offer. Of course, this was also the final bottom line determined after discussing with Nobushige before leaving.

"How about this, since Your Highness Munetsuji is sincere, our Takeda clan is also willing to make some concessions. The compensation we demanded before can be reduced to 200 taels of gold and 10,000 strings of Yongle coins... At the same time, our clan also promises that the merchants of the Asakura clan can freely use Tsuruga Port and freely do business in Tsuruga Town. Our clan will treat them equally and will never drive them away or make things difficult for them."

To be honest, Asakura Sotei didn't really care about the amount of the compensation. After all, a lean camel is bigger than a horse, and the Asakura family can still afford the money.

However, Echizen merchants can use and travel freely to Tsuruga Port, and this condition makes Asakura Soteki very satisfied. In this way, the Asakura family can continue to make profits through Tsuruga Port, and merchants will not flee Echizen on a large scale, which to a certain extent ensures the stability of Echizen's economy.

"Well, since the temple has made such concessions, how can I refuse? Well, let's go according to this condition!" Asakura Soteki concealed the joy in his heart and sighed heavily.

(End of this chapter)