Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

"Actually, they are all stored in the Tōji-in Temple in Ryōyang." Ashikaga Princess wasn't afraid that Shichibei would try to steal them.

Historically, all of these items were eventually presented by Ashikaga Yoshiaki to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who then kept them for himself or distributed them as rewards to feudal lords.

Can I go rob someone now?

No!

The thought had barely formed in his mind when Shichibei suppressed it. What respectable feudal lord would rob the Ashikaga family temple? Oda Nobunaga maintained a facade of respect for Ashikaga Yoshihide, and naturally protected and recognized Tojiin Temple as well.

However, in that case, the legend of Ashikaga Yoshiteru wielding Dojigiri Yasutsuna and fighting against the Miyoshi Triumvirate is really just a legend.

If I hadn't asked, I probably wouldn't have known about this.

Dozens of famous swords were stuck into the tatami mats on the floor. One sword would chip, then another would be used, and the battle raged on relentlessly until death. It seems the Japanese, like people in other parts of the world, enjoy these tragic tales of heroic sacrifice. Even in death, they strive for a glorious end, as if dying for the shogunate.

Who would have thought that dozens of Ashikaga Yoshiteru's famous swords were all kept in the Tōji-in Temple, and are still in good condition, and theoretically still belong to Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

and many more!

Why should it belong to Ashikaga Yoshiaki? It should belong to Ashikaga Yoshihide. Ashikaga Yoshihide was a genuine Grand Councilor, holding the rank of Junior Third Rank, Gon Dainagon. He was now officially recognized by the Imperial Court as the patriarch of the Ashikaga clan and a pillar of the Kawachi Genji.

While Shichibei and Ashikaga Yoshihide's relationship wasn't exactly inseparable, they were at least close enough to sit down and laugh heartily together. Back when he was poisoned by the Miyoshi Triumvirate and Matsunaga Hisamichi, it was Shichibei who fed him mung bean soup, saving his life and allowing a doctor to arrive alive.

Given this favor alone, it wouldn't be an unreasonable request for him to simply open the gates of the temple and give me two valuable items as a gift.

Hey, this Ashikaga Yoshihide is so clueless. He's already back in the capital, but he doesn't even bother to socialize with Shichibei or send him something on his own initiative.

Their family's Higashiyama treasures and famous items are all of orderly lineage, with treasure records maintained for generations. It's better for them to be passed down to Shichibei than to Osaka Castle, where they'll eventually disappear into the heavens.

"Are you going out to a banquet tonight?" Seeing that Shichibei was silent, Ashikaga Princess took the initiative to ask.

During Shichibei's stay in Sakai, there were large banquets every three, six, and nine days, and smaller banquets every day. As the lord of the Oda clan who oversaw all commercial activities, every member of the Sakai community was eager to treat Shichibei to a meal by himself.

After all, while Shichibei primarily managed the Kawamuraya business, he was also practically a soldier in disguise. Whenever Nobunaga went to war, Shichibei would most likely have to go too. He didn't have much free time throughout the year, not even enough time to have children. If it weren't for the well-established organization of the trading company, it would be strange if Kawamuraya didn't go bankrupt with Shichibei constantly on the move.

"Yes, there's a banquet at Notoya." Shichibei simply nodded.

"Then I will arrange the bathwater," Ashikaga Princess replied.

Don't overthink it; it's just that Shichibei is being bathed to sober up, not that she wants to bathe him. Shichibei didn't say he was staying overnight at the Noto-ya, which means he's going to stay at home. As a concubine, it's her duty to prepare bathwater and a bed for Shichibei.

"Okay, thank you for your help."

"Of course."

Then Ashikaga Princess quietly left the room and went outside, instructing that Shichibei be dressed appropriately for the banquet, and that Shichibei's servants prepare lanterns and candles in advance.

As the daughter of the Ashikaga family, Princess Ashikaga received a more comprehensive education as a samurai woman than the young general, and even acquired skills such as flower arranging, tea ceremony, and painting.

Marrying Yoshitsugu Miyoshi was a complete waste. Yoshitsugu Miyoshi was brave, but he's already gone to report to Yomotsu Hirasaka.

While attending a banquet, by sheer coincidence, he ran into Oda Nagaaki, a magistrate under Akechi Mitsuhide. After exchanging toasts and a few questions, he learned that Akechi Mitsuhide had already begun his offensive against Utsuyori Shigeshige.

Who told Utsuyoshige to jump around so excitedly, thinking he had a superior position in Tanba? Back when Miyoshi Nagayoshi was alive, he led tens of thousands of troops under the command of Naito Munekatsu to attack, but they couldn't conquer it.

The one jumping around so enthusiastically will definitely be the first to get cut.

As for Oda Nagaaki's visit to Sakai, it was neither to deploy arquebuses nor weapons, but to buy two decent Western gadgets and then visit Ashikaga Yoshisaka.

The powerful Kawakatsutsugu clan of Imamiya in Kuwata District, Tanba, had ancestors who were known for their virtue and had established connections with Ashikaga Yoshiteru, becoming a retainer of the shogunate recognized by Yoshiteru. They always considered themselves legitimate retainers of the Muromachi shogunate, and theoretically, they were naturally influenced by Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

But now there's Ashikaga Yoshihide, who's also a legitimate shogun. So Akechi Mitsuhide's idea was quite simple: he saw that Utsu Yorishige was a bit difficult to defeat, so he planned to lure away the Tanba garrison around him and then attack from both sides.

Oda Nagaaki planned to buy two Western gadgets as gifts for Ashikaga Yoshihide, and then have Yoshihide write a letter to Kawakatsu Tsuguji, urging him to defect. If he defected, not only would he be able to keep his seven or eight thousand koku of land, but he could also take a share of Utsu Yorishige's territory.

It's just a simple matter, nothing more.

During Japan's Sengoku period, although everyone was constantly at war, the best outcome was to subdue the enemy without fighting. Akechi Mitsuhide was a hard worker and a diligent scholar, but that doesn't mean he was naive.

Mitsuhide is clever enough to let the anti-Nobunaga faction in Tanba disintegrate on its own; that would be best. Why waste his own family's lives filling that ravine in Tanba? Besides, even filling the ravine might not be enough to take it down; a strategic move might just lead to its collapse even faster.

If they could have taken it, why did Naito Munekatsu spend his entire life trying to conquer Tanba and make it his territory?

By the way, speaking of this, haven't the clocks and watches that you asked Tsuda Muneki to order arrived yet? Even Shichibei's Milanese children's breastplate has arrived, so why hasn't the gold timepiece arrived yet?

Tsuda Munekichi, who was accompanying them at the table, said that this thing had to be ordered from Macau, so the round trip would be rather slow. The ferry from Macau should have already returned to Hakata by now, and they would be back in Sakaimachi soon, so there was no need to rush.

Ordering from Macau? You don't need to go to Goa, India to place the order, do you? If you go through all that trouble, it might take three to five years to get your hands on it.

Oda Nagaaki even asked what a gold clock was, and he couldn't explain it clearly at that moment, since it's very difficult for humans to describe things they haven't seen before.

In the end, Oda Nagaaki simply regarded it as a novel Western contraption and didn't take it too seriously. He bid farewell to Shichibei and the other bigwigs of Sakaimachi. The bigwigs even invited Shichibei to stay at their homes, but Shichibei repeatedly declined, saying there was no need, and that there was nothing special about staying there. "There's no place like home," he said.

When he got home, Ashikaga Princess had indeed prepared hot water and was even scrubbing Shichibei's back.

However, Shichibei drank a bit too much tonight. He dried himself off, lay down, and snored loudly without anything happening.

The next day, before Shichibei even got out of bed, he heard a commotion outside. People were shouting and yelling, saying they were looking for him. Still half asleep, he struggled to get up, opened the door, and asked, "Who is it this time who wants our Lord Kawamura to uphold justice?"

Upon closer inspection, something seemed off; the person looked strangely familiar.

"Master, master, something terrible has happened, master!" The man saw Shichibei and immediately knelt down to pay his respects, shouting that something had happened.

"Which branch are you from? What's the matter?" Hearing that he was being addressed as "boss," Shichibei composed himself and beckoned someone to come closer.

"Akai Akuemon of Hyojo County launches a fierce attack on Takeda Castle, and Ikuno Ginzan is in grave danger." As soon as he said this, Shichibei remembered who it was: a sergeant under Tsuchiya Nagayasu.

Akai Akuemon is actually Akai Naomasa. Among the Tanba lords, his stance is ambiguous, but he is loosely considered to be on Nobunaga's side. Because he is hostile to the Naito Nyoruan family, he supports Akechi Mitsuhide's campaign against Naito Nyoruan.

Unexpectedly, taking advantage of Akechi Mitsuhide's campaign against Utsuyori Shigeo and Naito Joan, this fellow felt secure in his rear and directly crossed the border to Tajima, attacking Takeda Castle, where Yamana Suetoyo was living in seclusion. Meanwhile, Ikuno Ginzan was located near Takeda Castle.

Chapter 336 Responses from All Sides: All Come to the Rescue

Shichibei, who was still a bit hungover, immediately sobered up. The Ikuno Silver Mine was a large mine with an annual output of more than 5,000 kan of silver. Before the Iwami Silver Mine was fully exploited, it was the premier silver mine in Japan.

This Akai Naomasa is incredibly audacious. Doesn't he know that Oda Nobunaga has a stake in Ikuno Ginzan? In this day and age, he actually dares to directly provoke Oda Nobunaga, let alone do so?

If your name were Takeda Shingen, I wouldn't care. But your name is Akai Naomasa.

It can only be said that information is transmitted too slowly these days, or perhaps it is isolated in remote areas that has dulled the minds of some people, to the point of being hopelessly dulled.

With Nobunaga's current strength, you think you can hold your ground in a strategic location? Fine, do you think you can outmaneuver Nagashima? A year's siege will starve you to death. Even the impregnable Osaka Hongan-ji Temple is now facing a tightening siege. Once the siege of Nagashima is complete, the death knell for King Nobunaga will be sounded.

Could a mere Kuroi Castle in Tanba-Hyou-kami District withstand the thunderous force of the Oda army?

"Fine, fine, you dare mess with me? Oda Nobunaga doesn't even need to lift a finger; I can take care of you all by myself. I'll show you what it means to be a sword-wielding merchant, ruling the world with impunity."

"Sanbei!" Shichibei shouted, summoning his foot soldier, Noda Sanbei, over.

"I order all members of the Gifu main force to gather at Sakamoto Castle within seven days. I order Kyoto Munekotaro to procure packhorses and provisions, and the Sakai troops to provide gunpowder and fire ropes. We shall depart immediately. I will take attendance at Sakamoto Castle seven days later."

I am but a humble merchant, not someone to be trifled with.

The other two messengers were sent to different places. One was sent to Oda Nobunaga to request permission for Shichibei, explaining that he was going to war and that they shouldn't worry about not being able to find him for the time being. The other was sent to Sakamoto Castle to inform Akechi Mitsuhide that he needed to borrow the castle town to assemble his troops, as he was going to beat up Akai Naomasa.

If Mitsuhide is no longer in Sakamoto Castle, then those left behind are either Mizono Shigetomo or Saito Toshizo, both old acquaintances of Shichibei. If you tell them, they will open the castle to welcome him.

He didn't eat breakfast. Several maids immediately dressed Shichibei, and the servants brought him a horse. Shichibei mounted the horse and rode off towards Sakamoto Castle.

Several bigwigs from the Sakai Gaisha clan sent someone over early in the morning, saying they wanted to invite Shichibei to their house for dinner that evening. But when they arrived at the door, they saw Shichibei rush out. Upon further inquiry, they learned that Akai Naomasa of Tanba was causing trouble in Tajima Province, and Shichibei had mobilized a large army to go to Tanba to subdue him.

That's right!

Upon hearing this news, the wealthy merchants of Sakai were once again certain of one thing: Shichibei was not only Lord Okata, who was in charge of commerce, but also a senior retainer under Oda Nobunaga, and was more than a legion commander.

Takeno Munekata, who had transformed himself into one of the Naya-shu, immediately stepped forward and said that he should raise money for arrows for Lord Kawamura and send him weapons.

Previously, Shichibei helped him divide his assets into 50,000 kan. Although Imai Munehisa's total assets were several hundred thousand, most of them were fixed assets. If 50,000 kan were suddenly withdrawn from his working capital, his business would not be able to operate.

Therefore, under Shichibei's supervision, a portion of the Sakai-cho warehouse belonging to Imai Munehisa was sold to Takeno Munekata at a discounted price. In addition, Takeno Munekata was given 20,000 kan in cash.

Takeno Shōō was originally one of the members of the Sakaimachi Guild, but now that Takeno Munekazu has allied himself with Shichibei, he will naturally take over his father's position and continue to be a member of the Guild.

Everyone agreed enthusiastically, and in a short time, they raised more than three thousand kan. They handed it over to Takeno Munekata, who, as the representative of the Sakai people, was to escort saltpeter, lead pellets, matchlock ropes, and medicine to Sakamoto Castle to support Shichibei's campaign.

Shichibei, who arrived at Sakamoto Castle on horseback, actually ran into Akechi Mitsuhide. He had initially ridden to Utsu-sho in Kuwata-gun, Tanba Province, to take a look, but found that the area between two mountains, forming a basin, was difficult to attack. Therefore, he did not immediately launch a large-scale attack, but instead sent Oda Nagaaki to buy goods from the southern barbarians, to curry favor with Ashikaga Yoshihide, and to win over Kawakatsu Tsuguji.

Oda Nagaaki hasn't returned yet, but he did see Shichibei.

The Kawamura family's messenger arrived earlier than Shichibei, so he already knew the basics of what had happened between Tanba and Tajima. Now that he saw Shichibei, he had something to add to Shichibei's story.

To attack Kuroi Castle and relieve Takeda Castle in Tajima through a strategy of attacking Wei to rescue Zhao, it would be necessary to pass through the territory of Hatano Hideharu, the lord of Yagami Castle. While Hatano Hideharu certainly hoped that Akechi Mitsuhide would kill Naito Joan, he also had a history with the Akai Naomasa family, making them allies.

If the attack were against Naito Nyoru, Hatano Hideji would definitely support it wholeheartedly, and might even be willing to send troops to assist Akechi Mitsuhide. However, if the attack were against Akai Naomasa, Hatano Hideji's attitude might be ambiguous.

Ow...

So you knew all along.

Historically, when Mitsuhide was halfway through his conquest of Tanba, he was betrayed by Hatano Hideharu and nearly suffered defeat and death. Shichibei, believing Mitsuhide had been suddenly attacked and unaware of the situation, was thus defeated.

Now that I hear it, it seems Mitsuhide actually knew quite a lot. But he was far too certain.

Hideharu Hatano and Joan Naito are sworn enemies. Their ancestors, Harumichi Hatano and Munekatsu Naito, fought so fiercely that people's brains were practically turned to mush. Going back further, Tanemichi Hatano and Kunisada Naito even fought each other for the position of Tanba Governor.

Therefore, Mitsuhide was certain that if he went to fight Naito Joan, Hatano Hideharu would definitely not betray him. However, considering history, Hatano Hideharu did indeed betray him.

Well, that's a matter for later. Mitsuhide will make his own judgment. Shichibei's current priority is to preserve the Ikuno Silver Mine in Tajima.

"How about this? I was going to send troops anyway, so let's station them at the foot of Yagami Castle first. That way, you won't have to worry about advancing into Kuroi Castle." Mitsuhide gave a suggestion after a moment's thought.

He led several thousand men and stood beneath the walls of Yagami Castle. Even if Hatano Hideharu was ambivalent, he couldn't possibly defect on the spot. Compared to the Oda clan, which had begun to partially separate soldiers from farmers and had its retainers live in concentrated communities, the Hatano clan still needed to mobilize its territories and local people to fight. Otherwise, the two or three hundred samurai from his castle alone wouldn't be enough to form an army.

If Hatano Hideharu makes any unusual moves, Akechi Mitsuhide will definitely notice, and may even be able to directly mobilize troops to surround Hatano Hideharu inside the castle, preventing the mobilized troops outside the castle from entering.

"Excellent! I'll take all the military provisions and rewards from Hyuga-no-kami!" Shichibei was very accommodating when others offered their help.

As long as Mitsuhide stays at Yagami Castle, everything he eats and uses will be on Shichibei's behalf. Shichibei can afford that amount, and Mitsuhide hasn't even asked for a thank-you gift yet.

"It's nothing, it's nothing. I was going to march to Tanba anyway." Mitsuhide agreed. Friendship is friendship, and money is money. Even brothers should keep clear accounts.

"What's the matter?" Oda Nobunaga's voice suddenly came from the moment the two were bowing.

Upon hearing this, the two immediately knelt on one knee and bowed to Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga nodded, indicating that they should stop kneeling and get to the point, emphasizing that matters of war were the most important.

"Someone actually dares to plot against our family, what a fool!" Nobunaga sat down with an imposing air and immediately gave Akai Naomasa a stern assessment.

Nobunaga, who was building Azuchi Castle, received an urgent letter from Noda Sanbei. His first thought was to be brothers with him, and to fight alongside him in times of trouble.

Although he and Shichibei were not brothers, they were still considered close lord and subject. If Shichibei's property was in trouble, it was both morally and logically his duty as the lord to protect his vassal.

Besides, what is this Akai Naomasa? What a nobody! Never even heard of him, he's just making trouble. If Oda Nobunaga doesn't take care of this guy today, he'll be letting down his reputation as a ruthless killer who can kill anyone who gets in his way and even burn down Mount Hiei.

"Your subject, Shichibei, will immediately advance to attack, just as I have ordered. He glanced at Akechi Mitsuhide and quickly replied."

However, the Masono Silver Mine was managed by Shichibei, and Tanba Province was conquered by Akechi Mitsuhide. Now that Akai Naomasa has this incident, the two of them will definitely have to cooperate closely.

"My lord!" Nobunaga was still pondering when a page ran up to report from outside the hall.