Swallow Return

I only understood the reason after experiencing it myself.

The seemingly impressive and massive encirclement network actually demonstrates a very low level of competence.

The biggest blunderer was Asakura Yoshikage of Echizen. He reportedly had 20,000 to 30,000 troops, but most of the time he just stationed them on the border, watching from afar in the north. Perhaps he was too scared after being defeated in the previous battles of Anegawa and Shiga.

Conversely, some local lords and temple/shrine forces in the Kinai region, in an attempt to protect their interests, overestimated their own capabilities and jumped out. However, their strength was too small, the timing was wrong, and they lacked overall coordination. They were quickly suppressed by the Oda clan's lords and district governors in various regions.

The Ikko-shu disciples in places like Ishiyama, Nagashima, and Kii are both capable in combat and well-organized. The problem is that they are only interested in protecting their homes and have little intention of launching attacks beyond their borders. So, leaving them alone for the time being is not a big deal.

The only forces capable of posing a direct threat to the Oda clan were Matsunaga Hisahide and the Miyoshi Triumvirate, who led an army of 30,000 to 40,000 men to attack Kyoto. However, Nobunaga also led the same number of troops to meet them, and his quality and command were clearly superior, resulting in an expected victory.

The members of this "encirclement network" totaled at least tens of thousands of troops, much like the eighteen warlords who formed an alliance to oppose Dong Zhuo in storytelling. They appeared to be a formidable force, but in reality, each had their own agenda and were just a motley crew.

The only one who fought valiantly and achieved victory was Takeda Shingen in the east.

The "Tiger of Kai" not only left Tokugawa Ieyasu in Mikawa and Tōtōmi exhausted and in a sorry state, but also routed the several thousand reinforcements that Oda Nobunaga had finally managed to send.

Although Tokugawa Ieyasu was exhausted and in a sorry state, he was still able to barely survive and managed to protect the flank of the Oda clan.

In contrast, Takeda Shingen retreated without warning, without delivering a fatal blow.

It is said that this was not a case of taking it easy and quitting, but rather that his health had deteriorated and he had to go home to recuperate.

At this time, a rumor quickly spread among the people, saying that Sasaki Ryuun of Omi went to the front line on behalf of the Oda family. Although he failed to reverse the defeat, he charged into the enemy lines alone, severely wounded Takeda Shingen, and then calmly retreated!

When the news spread, the reaction of the various Japanese nations was nothing short of cataclysmic.

The story is actually false.

Liu Yun had never been to the front lines, let alone fought in battle.

He had only gone to Ueno a year ago to destroy an evil magic circle that used living people as sacrifices.

However, the Takeda family knew that this rumor was detrimental, but they were unable to refute it.

Because if the truth is revealed, the trouble it causes will only increase, not decrease.

The only response is weak and obviously problematic statements like "Don't believe or spread rumors".

Those in the know will understand from this tone that rumors usually have some basis, and even if they are not true, they are not too far from the truth.

The names of the people involved also began to spread.

……

At this time, Liu Yun was resting in Sasaki Village because the fighting had eased up, and he was unaware that his fame had suddenly spread.

By the time the news reached his ears, some time had already passed.

Liu Yun could probably understand that Oda Nobunaga probably didn't want to make the so-called "longevity formation" public for some reason, so he used another method to create momentum.

The story was just a bit too crudely written and exaggerated...

This led to Liu Yun's reputation becoming quite exaggerated.

People he knew, such as Kinoshita Tokichiro, Takenaka Shigeharu, and Hachisuka Masakatsu, offered their half-joking congratulations.

Then, just a few days after the news spread, a monk who claimed to be from "Honnoji Temple, the main lineage of Nichiren Hoke sect" came to visit, bringing with him a thin sutra that was supposedly "handwritten by the previous head monk" as a gift.

The monk appeared to be a refined and learned scholar, speaking with a strong Kyoto accent. He quoted extensively from classical texts, speaking in a cryptic and subtle manner that made him difficult to understand.

The other person spoke eloquently for a long time, but Liu Yun felt that there was no real meaning in what they said. Apart from having a deep impression of the word "Honnoji", he was basically confused. If it weren't for Lady Iori's help, he wouldn't know how to reply.

After the guests took their leave, Liu Yun asked in bewilderment, "Why do I feel like that monk talked nonsense for several quarters of an hour?"

Lady Iori covered her mouth and chuckled, "That's how scholarly monks in Kyoto are. Today is merely an expression of goodwill, nothing substantial, so it didn't last long. If there were real matters to discuss, it would be common to spend several hours exchanging pleasantries."

Liu Yun finally breathed a long sigh of relief: "So it really was just nonsense! I was worried there was some hidden meaning, but I'm just too stupid to understand it!"

Iori smiled but didn't respond. After a moment, she said excitedly, "Even the monks from Honnoji Temple have come to visit and brought such a valuable gift. As far as I know, your reputation must have spread throughout Kyoto!"

Liu Yun thought that if all she could get in return was this kind of useless network of connections, she might as well give up her reputation.

Whether the so-called "handwritten copy by the previous generation" was actually copied by a high-ranking monk is unknown. In any case, it was just an ordinary paper book with only thirty-odd pages and no apparent special value.

Compared to monks, merchants' actions are much more direct and pleasing.

Imai Munehisa of Sakai-cho, whom I had met once before, said he was busy this time and sent his nephew over with twenty taels of gold and one hundred and fifty taels of silver, clearly stating: "This is a small token of our guild's goodwill. If we ever need your help in our business dealings in the future, please continue to look after us."

How could such a guest not be welcome?

At least from Liu Yun's perspective, businessmen are much more pleasing to the eye than bald monks.

To avoid unnecessary trouble, the merchant specifically stated: "We have always made arrangements with the nobles of the Oda family, and Lord Danjo (Oda Nobunaga) has always tacitly approved of this, so there will be no taboo against us."

Liu Yun politely said, "Isn't this a bit inappropriate?"

The other party immediately bowed deeply and respectfully, pleadingly saying, "Lord Sasaki, please give us this opportunity to express our respect to you!"

Liu Yun accepted it without hesitation.

Seeing this, the merchant breathed a sigh of relief and showed gratitude. He exclaimed, "Many noble families of samurai rank look down on us merchants who can't wield a sword but only make money, and refuse to have any dealings with us. Lord Sasaki, you have shown us no discrimination whatsoever. You are a true gentleman!"

Look at this art of conversation; he's clearly here to give you money, but he's acting like he's begging you to accept the gift.

It's easy to imagine that, unless there's a fundamental conflict of interest, no one will make things difficult for them in the future.

Following the merchants were the high-ranking officials.

A middle-aged man named Tomikoji Yoshinao, about thirty years old, wearing an old but clean hunting robe, came to visit with only one servant. He held the official rank of "Junior Fifth Rank Attendant" and claimed that he was "a family heirloom of waka and haikai, and hoped to exchange knowledge with Lord Sasaki."

Liu Yun has been in Japan for quite some time now, so he has a rough idea of ​​what "waka" and "haikai" are.

But what knowledge does he have to share with others?

Seeing that the guest had an elegant demeanor and was very polite, but looked quite poor, I felt a pang of sympathy for intellectuals and invited him to stay at my home for a few days, providing him with good food and drink every day.

Occasionally we would sit together and listen to "Junior Fifth Rank Attendant Tomikoji Yoshinao" explain some basic knowledge of waka and haiku, but it was all in one ear and out the other anyway.

A few days later, after being reminded by Iori, Liuyun finally understood and sent over a red envelope containing forty taels of silver.

They used the same gift money given by the merchant from Sakai Town last time.

The "Fifth Rank Attendant Tomioji Yoshinao" immediately accepted the money, took his leave with tears of gratitude, and solemnly promised as he departed: "I will definitely tell my colleagues in Kyoto that Lord Sasaki is a refined gentleman who is good at appreciating waka and haikai, and is by no means a vulgar warrior who only knows how to wield a sword."

Although the nobles were there to freeload, Liu Yun thought it was worth it to spend so little money to watch a good show and broaden one's horizons.

Monks are the most annoying; they neither give money nor are they interesting.

Unexpectedly, just as I was thinking this, a guest even more annoying than the monk arrived.

Speaking of which, he was a colleague of the Oda clan, and the nephew of Shibata Katsuie, Sakuma Morimasa.

Although they were colleagues, this guy's intentions were far from friendly.

Chapter 119 The Brat Comes to Provoke Us

"I've heard that you, Lord Sasaki Ryuun, were able to charge in and out of the Takeda army seven times, making you the number one warrior of the Oda clan! I, Sakuma Morimasa, am but a humble person who also enjoys swords and spears, and I hope to have the honor of learning from you, the number one warrior!"

This guy entered the house with a livid face, stood in the courtyard, and before even sitting down in the hall, he threw out such provocative words.

Sakuma Morimasa, the nephew of Shibata Katsuie, was handsome and refined, dressed in a green kimono with pink and white haori and a folded eboshi hat covering his chonmage, looking like a pretty boy. However, his words and actions were crude, violent, and extremely rude, clearly not a kind person.

Upon closer inspection, Liu Yun concluded that the other person was at most eighteen or nineteen years old, a complete brat who didn't know his place.

Although I am not very old, I have lived two lives and seen a lot of battles. What is there to argue with a child?

Within the Oda clan, Ryuun had always only interacted with the faction of Kinoshita Tokichiro, having no dealings with any other armies. Now, after suddenly becoming famous overnight due to rumors of "slaying Takeda Shingen," instead of other factions coming to curry favor, a troublesome guest has arrived!

To say that no one was deliberately instigating it, and that it was just the impetuous behavior of Sakuma Morimasa in his youth, would be illogical.

It's possible that Shibata Katsuie sent his nephew to intimidate them and suppress Kinoshita Tokichiro's faction. It's also possible that a third faction instigated this conflict, hoping to reap the benefits. Furthermore, it's not out of the question that an external enemy orchestrated this to incite internal strife within the Oda clan.

In short, they definitely had ill intentions.

Faced with Sakuma Morimasa's provocation, Ryuun ignored him but showed no fear, simply replying with a cold smile, "I'm too lazy to care about such boring talk as 'the number one warrior.' I would advise you to calm down and not be easily provoked."

I thought these words would make the other person reflect on their actions a little.

Unexpectedly, Sakuma Morimasa not only showed no alarm but was also very displeased. He frowned and shouted, "I've come here today as a fair and square challenge! All you need to do is answer, accept or not accept! Are you trying to fool me with these pointless words?"

At that moment, Saeko came out of the hall carrying a tea tray and asked in confusion, "Master, didn't you say that guests were coming and you were going to prepare tea and snacks? I didn't see any guests..."

Liu Yun helplessly pointed and said, "This guest seems to be here for a martial arts contest, and he's in a real hurry. He doesn't seem to be planning to go in for a cup of tea."

“Oh…” Saeko nodded, gave Sakuma Morimasa a pitying look, and then said to Ryuun, “Then, Master, I’ve put the tea in the living room. If you want some tea after the competition, it will probably still be warm.”

At that very moment, several small monsters with blue faces and fangs emerged from behind her.

That was entrusted to her care by the female demon, Tiger Gozen, before her death, and now it is kept as a pet in the Sasaki Mansion.

Keeping yokai is a bit strange for samurai families, but it's very common in the world of Onmyoji, so it usually doesn't attract much attention.

These little monsters already regarded Liu Yun as a clan leader, running over and whimpering as they wanted to be affectionate, while baring their teeth at the unwelcome guests in the courtyard to express their disdain.

Sakuma Morimasa was instantly enraged.

I don't know if it was Saeko's gaze that provoked it, or if it was the little monsters' cries that annoyed it.

In short, this guy raised his voice again, his eyes wide open, and roared, "I, Sakuma Morimasa, am here today representing my uncle, Lord Shibata! Out of the honor of a samurai, you must accept the challenge, otherwise I will have to tell everyone that Sasaki Ryuun is nothing but a cowardly fraud!"

Saeko was carrying a tea tray back when she heard this. She was very dissatisfied, turned her head and glared at him fiercely before leading the five little monsters into the house.

Seeing this, Sakuma Morimasa shook his head in a pretentious manner and said in a condescending tone, "It seems that the women and demon servants of the Sasaki family are not well-disciplined. It's not surprising, though; it's not uncommon for rural samurai families with no real foundation to behave this way."

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun felt a surge of anger. He thought to himself, "Why is this ignorant brat speaking so rudely? Isn't he just asking for a beating?"

There's a problem with their upbringing!

Since it's a matter of family education, we can only take the place of the negligent elders and teach them some principles of being a good person.

Since it's described as a "challenge" rather than a "duel," it means it'll be done with a wooden sword. Be careful not to kill anyone.

Just as he was about to roll up his sleeves and get to work, a farmer suddenly rushed over from the courtyard gate, knelt outside, pointed to the west, and gasped, "Master, master... Biwa Lake... Biwa Lake shore... there's a huge... huge monster by the lake... the monster eats people!"

Upon hearing that such a thing had happened, Ryuun realized that disciplining the brat would have to wait, so he coldly said to Sakuma Morimasa, "Deal with that evil monster first, then come and learn from me."

Sakuma Morimasa snorted arrogantly and said, "You are fortunate to have me here today. How can I stand by and watch the monsters do evil? The lakeside, is that it? I'll be right back!"

After saying that, the brat strutted away, head held high, and strode off in the direction the farmer had pointed out.

Liu Yun wasn't in a hurry. He thought it would be good to see Sakuma Morimasa's skills so that he could better control his strength during the match.

After all, he's just a brat who hasn't done anything heinous like murder or arson. It's enough to make him back down after being hurt; there's no need to leave him with permanent, incurable injuries.

Based on past life experience, a yokai that appears in such a densely populated area around Lake Biwa is probably not a very powerful character. It shouldn't be able to kill Shibata Katsuie's nephew in just a few moves.

Therefore, Ryuun calmly instructed Saeko to fetch his sword, and then leisurely followed behind with his hands behind his back.