The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

The sixth year of Eiroku (1563) was indeed a good time to make contact with the Asai clan.

The "Guanyin Temple Disturbance" broke out in this year in history.

After the Battle of Norada, Rokkaku Yoshikata was forced to become a monk and passed the headship of the family to his son, Rokkaku Yoshiharu.

Rokkaku Yoshiharu was even more incompetent than his father, and after becoming the head of the family, he murdered Goto Kentoyo.

Goto Kentoyo was one of the "Two Rokkaku Rokkaku," and a key retainer who assisted three generations of Rokkaku clan heads: Rokkaku Takayori, Rokkaku Sadayari, and Rokkaku Yoshikata.

Rokkaku Yoshiharu's killing of a senior retainer naturally caused internal divisions, from which Azai Nagamasa benefited.

At this time, Oda and Asai formed an alliance, which was due to both the external conditions of the Rokkaku-Saito alliance and their internal needs for mutual benefit.

Although history changes, the internal conflicts within the Rokkaku family remain the same, and the "Kannonji Incident" will most likely still occur.

Nagayoshi was preparing to implement his plan before Rokkaku Yoshiharu went astray.

"My lord, I have a request!"

"speak!"

"Please, my lord, adopt Lin Xiuzhen's daughter and marry her to Asai Nagamasa!"

Chang-ching had considered why he chose Lin Hsiu-chen's daughter.

Since it's possible to sacrifice the daughter of a high-ranking official to form an alliance anyway, and we can't sacrifice Oichi, we might as well choose the person we can offend the most.

Although Hayashi Hideyoshi was a senior retainer, he was conservative in his thinking and often disagreed with Nobunaga's new policies. In any case, given Hayashi Hideyoshi's personality, he would be dismissed by Nobunaga sooner or later.

Several retainers present exchanged glances, and Lin Xiuzhen stood up to express her dissatisfaction.

Nobunaga raised his hand to silence him.

"reason?"

"Lady Hayashi is the chief retainer of the Oda clan. Your lord's adoption of her as your goddaughter is a great favor to a senior retainer. If I had a daughter who could become your goddaughter and marry a young hero like Azai Nagamasa, I would be more than happy to have her."

Hearing this explanation, Lin Xiuzhen sat down helplessly. As a daughter of the Wu family, her fate was never entirely in her own hands.

"Yes, alliances and such are unimportant, Nagayoshi. Remember, as long as Asai Nagamasa guarantees not to enter Mino, I will not interfere in matters of Omi."

It seems that Nobunaga had not yet thought about "unifying the country by force" at this time.

……

Three days later, with the help of Kawabe no Kōjun, Chōkyō once again entered northern Omi.

The reception ceremony was more grand than the last one.

Asai Nagamasa personally greeted him at Ninomaru, and when he saw Nagayoshi, his eyes flashed with undisguised joy.

"Master!" Changzheng strode forward and grasped Changqing's hand. "I didn't expect to see you again so soon!"

Master? Even if the two are in a master-disciple relationship, it would be more appropriate to address each other as "sir" in public.

"Lord Asai," Nagayoshi returned the greeting with a smile, "The Oda family highly values ​​its friendship with the Asai clan and has specially sent me to visit again."

Nagamasa, however, changed the subject, saying, "The Mori's reputation has spread throughout the land. I've come here to learn from you again."

The group entered the castle tower and took their seats according to their status as guests and hosts. Kaihoku Tsunachika and Akao Kiyotsuna were also present, and their attitude towards Nagayoshi was much milder than before.

After exchanging pleasantries, Changqing gestured to his attendants to present the gift list.

"This is a small token of the Oda family's appreciation. A complete set of Nanban (Southern Barbarian) clothing to protect against arquebus fire; one Nanban arquebus, whose range and accuracy are superior to Japanese-made arquebuses; in addition, ten sets of Echizen lacquerware, twenty bolts of Kyoto silk, and five hundred kan of Yongle coins..."

With each item read aloud, the expressions of the Asai retainers present grew more astonished. The sheer weight of this gift list far exceeded that of ordinary diplomatic exchanges.

Nagamasa was quite surprised: "Lord Oda is too kind."

"Furthermore," Nagayoshi took out a letter from his robes, "the Oda family has a proposal that we hope Lord Asai will consider."

He unfolded the book and read aloud: "The Oda family wishes to form a marriage alliance with the Asai family and is willing to adopt the daughter of the senior retainer Hayashi Hidesada as her daughter and marry her to Lord Asai Nagamasa, in order to strengthen the friendship between the two families."

Nagamasa remained silent, knowing that his retainers would speak for him at this moment, so as not to harm his relationship with Nagayoshi.

Kaibei Gangchi was the first to jump out.

"We appreciate the Oda family's good intentions. But if I may be frank, there is no need for an alliance between Omi and Owari, as Rokkaku and Saito are separated by them."

"Lord Kaihoku, I haven't even mentioned forming an alliance yet. We each get what we need: the Asai clan can focus on dealing with the Rokkaku clan, and the Oda clan can focus on dealing with the Saito clan. We only ask that we don't invade each other's territory."

Akao Kiyotsuna laughed, "Lord Oda's plan is far too ambitious. Saito is currently weak, and Rokkaku is unlikely to achieve anything significant. We are also eager to advance into Mino!"

This is nothing but a threat.

Then let's fight fire with fire.

"That's fine, as long as an agreement is reached. But I must say this first: almost all the powerful clans in Nishimino have sided with Oda. If we raise an army, Oda's flags will be everywhere in Nishimino, and you won't have any benefit to gain."

Akao Kiyotsuna looked at his colleagues and smiled, "Since that's the case, and our family benefits nothing, then why cooperate?"

Laughter suddenly erupted from the castle tower.

"Isn't this just blatantly trying to take advantage?"

"The Oda clan is far too foolish to think of their own clan!"

Changqing smiled slightly, "Who said there are no benefits? The Rokkaku family will be thrown into chaos within three months. The head of the family, Rokkaku Yoshiharu, will kill the senior retainer Goto Kentoyo, and Kannonji Castle will be stained with blood. At that time, if the Asai family wants to take advantage of the situation to advance westward, seize the entire northern Omi, or even enter southern Omi, it is possible."

A hush fell over the castle tower; everyone was shocked by the prophecy.

Nagayoshi continued, "At this time, the Oda clan will not stab you in the back; instead, they will focus on conquering Mino."

Ōgaki Castle. It was a strategic stronghold controlling western Mino and threatening Omi Province.

"The Asai and Oda clans will have to face this problem sooner or later: either become allies who help each other, or... become enemies who must draw their swords against each other."

"Are you threatening the main family?" Akao Kiyotsuna's hand was already on the hilt of his sword, but he suddenly remembered Nagayoshi's reputation and immediately withdrew his hand.

"I didn't mention an alliance, it was just a pact. My Oda clan is so sincere, even planning for the Asai clan, everyone gets what they need, I really don't understand why you would refuse."

Nagamasa finally raised his head.

"Lord Changqing," he began slowly, "you said that within six months, the Six Corners would be in chaos. What if they aren't?"

"Even if not, the Oda clan will still conquer Mino."

In short, Nagayoshi's message was clear: no matter what, he would ensure that the Asai clan wouldn't gain any advantage over the Oda clan.

The Asai family had more or less heard about Nagayoshi's desperate defense of Moribe Castle. If they went to fight for Ogaki Castle, they might be ambushed by the Rokkaku family.

Changzheng laughed. He didn't think Changqing was provoking him; on the contrary, he felt a desire to compete with Changqing.

He longed to fight a great battle against a renowned general of the Mori clan, a man of great courage and pride.

"I understand the Oda clan's meaning. I need to discuss this with my retainers. Please stay with Lord Nagayoshi for a few days, and I will give you a reply."

"I will not wait here. This is the oath written by Lord Nobunaga. If anything changes at Kannonji, please send a messenger to deliver the oath from the Asai clan, and we will fulfill our marriage vows. If nothing changes, please burn it, and I will go hunting with you at the foot of Ōgaki Castle."

Upon hearing this, Nagamasa's inner courage, suppressed by his retainers, suddenly erupted.

"Hahaha! Great!"