Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

Once the pledge is in place and written down, the troops will be able to follow Nobunaga into battle.

"The Saiga troops have retreated! The Saiga troops have retreated! The Saiga troops have retreated!" A series of extremely loud cheers came from the main camp of Sennan. Saiga Magoichi, who had held off the Oda army for five months without losing the upper hand, was forced to abandon the Takako Pass and retreat to Saiga Castle.

Hearing this shout, Shichibei secretly breathed a sigh of relief, as did Oda Nobuhiro. As for Nobunaga, with a flick of his whip, he was definitely going to kill Saiga Magoichi's entire family.

The army advanced smoothly and finally entered the heart of Kii Province, the middle and lower reaches of the Kii River valley plain. However, once inside the plain, they discovered that the Saiga forces were truly local strongmen, and extremely difficult ones at that. Men fought, women carried supplies, and men, women, young and old all joined the fray, waging a total war.

Centered on Saiga Castle, they built Mirokuji Mountain Castle in front of it, and then constructed Higashizenji Mountain Castle, Uesugi Fortress, Usuyama Fortress, and Nakatsu Fortress around Saiga Castle to the north. To the south, they built Kozaki Fortress, Tamatsujima Fortress, and Fubukihama Fortress. Finally, they set up large-scale palisades along both banks of the river to hinder Oda's army's march.

With the autumn harvest over and no grain stored in the fields, the various groups of Saiga retreated into the mountain castle, relying on the natural defenses of the mountains to continue resisting the Oda army's attack.

The Oda army has now mobilized more than 50,000 troops, surrounding the entire Saiga Castle defense complex with ten or twenty layers of defenses. The war between the two sides is far from over.

Everyone thought the war might be over, but well…

Perhaps his initial enthusiasm was dampened by the formidable defenses, after surveying Saiga Castle on horseback, Nobunaga wrote a letter of reassurance to Shichibei, instructing him to deliver it to the monks at Negoro-ji Temple. Since Negoro-ji had opened the passage and allowed Oda's army in, Nobunaga felt obligated to provide them with a safe haven.

Alright, this matter is Shichibei's responsibility, so I do need to go to Negoro-ji Temple.

While we're at it, we also need to send the father of the abbot of Negoroji Shōshin-in Temple back to him. He opened the door, led the way, and even surrendered to Nobunaga, so the hostage naturally needs to be released.

By the way, that abbot's name is Chengzhen Shaoyun. Shaoyun is his Dharma name, and Chengzhen is the name of Chengzhen Temple. He doesn't have a secular name because he was ordained as an adopted son when he was just over ten years old. In Japan, apart from sects like Jodo Shinshu, although the lineage isn't entirely from father to son, it's very normal for the robe and bowl to be passed down from master to disciple. The situation isn't that much different from that of a father and son.

Cheng Zhenshaoyun had an ordinary appearance, was quite young, in his twenties, and was a proper monk with a monastic rank. The Shingon sect had considerable influence in Japan; they were certainly capable of fighting, and their 20,000 followers were all their henchmen. However, in Japan, religions that couldn't fight generally wouldn't survive.

If you don't become a vibrant religious organization, you'll only be attacked for being lifeless.

Many Zen schools failed to thrive in Japan due to a lack of vitality, ultimately fading from the historical stage. Conversely, the Tendai school remained vibrant, and despite being attacked and burned by Nobunaga, it eventually revived.

The two leaders of the Nemoto clan and the head monk of the Shingon sect received their father's and Nobunaga's death certificate from Shichibei, and then passed them around for a while. Although they were called leaders of the warrior monks, they had essentially become local gentry. Like the Tsutsui family of neighboring Yamato, they were no different in essence from samurai groups.

The only difference is that samurai have castles, while warrior monks have temples. Samurai seize control of cities, while warrior monks seize control of temples. With the added benefit of religion, the fighting strength of warrior monk groups is not much weaker than that of samurai groups.

The people at Negoroji Temple had also heard of Shichibei's reputation, so they held a banquet to entertain him, and even arranged for several young and beautiful female believers and worshippers to serve him bathing at night.

Following the principle of "why not eat if you're going to waste it," Shichibei enjoyed a relaxing night in this tranquil Buddhist sanctuary.

The temple also offered Shichibei a tour, as Negoro and Mount Koya are considered important religious sites in Japan. There are countless worshippers there, and although Shichibei wasn't a believer, he figured he might as well take a look.

Since Negoro-ji had received a letter of surrender from Nobunaga and was now under his command, Shichibei thought that a large number of men were needed for the siege of Saiga Castle. So he instructed Narushima Shōun that it would be best for the Negoro clan to proactively send 8,000 to 10,000 men to Saiga Castle to participate in the siege, so that Nobunaga's opinion of Negoro-ji would be better.

The enormous temple territory of 720,000 koku is quite eye-catching. Nobunaga is reluctantly accepting it now, but he may not realize it's too much in the future.

Cheng Zhenshaoyun deeply agreed, indicating that he would seriously discuss the matter with those who truly held power in the next few days. He invited Shichibei to tour the Negoroji Temple together. Since Kishu is located near the Pacific Ocean, even if it snows in winter, the snow doesn't really stay, so normal movement isn't actually restricted.

On the other side, beneath Saiga Castle, Oda's army of over 50,000 launched an attack. They discovered that the Saiga forces had planted sharpened bamboo stakes (膊苡木) throughout the river to prevent Oda's army from crossing.

The Saiga party continued to harass and attack Oda's army day and night, leaving them exhausted. Therefore, Sakuma Nobumori suggested that they negotiate a peace treaty with the Saiga party.

After all, with Shichibei having taken the lead, the pressure of saying this now was much less. With December already approaching and the crucial goal of capturing Ashikaga Yoshiaki still unfulfilled, Nobunaga finally approved the proposal.

The Saiga party has not yet shown signs of complete defeat, so it is impossible for them to accept any unfavorable terms. They can surrender, but they will not cede territory, send troops, or hand over hostages.

To put it bluntly, it was a veneer of submission to Oda, but in essence, it remained a semi-independent force with its own autonomy. The only condition for acceptance was that the Oda clan be allowed to build Sano Fortress (present-day Izumi-Sano City) on the side of Takako Pass, so that the Oda clan could directly enter Kii Province next time without having to be bogged down in Yamaguchi for more than five months.

When the conditions were presented to Oda Nobunaga, his expression turned extremely unpleasant.

Chapter 350 Capturing Yoshiaki and Returning to the Front

Tsuda Kenmon is not the same Tsuda Sancho who appeared in later Japanese Sengoku period games. Tsuda Sancho was the founder of the Tsuda school of arquebusiers, and he passed away a few years ago. The one who inherits the name now is his eldest son, Tsuda Sansei.

The custom of "inheriting a name" is not unique to their family. In the neighboring Saiga Magoichi family, it is said that the name is passed down from generation to generation, and whoever becomes the head of the family is called Saiga Magoichi.

The current commander of the Tsuda school of arquebusiers is also skilled with firearms, and is currently demonstrating his family's Tsuda school of artillery techniques to Shichibei. Meanwhile, Naruto Shōun was running around at Negoroji Suginobō, and it wasn't for nothing that he received 2,000 kan from the Oda clan's army commanders. He managed to persuade the exhausted Negoro soldiers to organize another 6,000 men to go before Nobunaga and receive orders.

It's not that we don't want to recruit 10,000 people, but we've been fighting for half a year this year, which has delayed the autumn harvest, resulting in a sharp decrease in everyone's income. Taking advantage of the good weather before the New Year, everyone has gone into the mountains to cut timber and make charcoal.

Once the charcoal is burned, it can be sent to Sakai, Ishiyama, and Kyoto, where it can fetch a good price. With that money, the Nemoto clan can finally have a good New Year.

Although these people were monks, most of them were actually secularized, owning land and property. If they didn't have stable assets in Nemoto, they wouldn't have been able to resist Nobunaga's invasion so persistently. Those with stable assets have stable minds; they would certainly fight tooth and nail to protect their homeland.

Not bad, at least they mobilized 6,000 men. Shichibei didn't say much more. Tsuda Sansei should hurry up and take those 6,000 men to participate in the Saiga siege. With the men in place, their image in Nobunaga's eyes will be much better.

Nobunaga was never stingy with land; what he wanted were powerful armies capable of conquering and assisting him in unifying Japan. If your army arrived quickly and was not weak, Nobunaga would be lenient with you and allow Negoro-ji to continue occupying its vast territory.

The Kii River valley was muddy after the snow melted, but the Negoroku were all locals who were used to this kind of life. Carrying arquebuses and naginata, they followed the main force in an endless stream, led by Tsuda Sansei, to support Oda Nobunaga.

Looking at the morale of the Negoroji, Shichibei couldn't help but admit that these men were indeed excellent recruits. They had cleared mountains for charcoal, mined and smelted, cultivated fields and reclaimed wasteland, building up the vast territory of Negoroji. If they hadn't already been fighting for half a year, their morale would have been even better, and their strength even more abundant.

No wonder Nobunaga historically chose to use the Negoro clan to deal with the Saiga clan. The Negoro clan, who were also born and raised in Kishu, were obviously more adapted to the local battlefield and could better strike the Saiga clan.

After a day's journey, they arrived at the massive encirclement of Saiga Castle by the Oda army, which was surrounded by ten or twenty layers of defenses. Since Shichibei had sent messengers in advance, there was naturally no disturbance. Nobunaga himself was quite pleased that the Negoro clan had obediently sent troops to participate in the battle. The Negoro clan, like a decorated palanquin, kowtowed to the ground, acknowledging Nobunaga as their elder brother. Nobunaga, feeling honored, was naturally delighted.

Similarly, Tsuda Sansei also performed the Tsuda-style artillery technique in front of Nobunaga, and received praise and rewards from Nobunaga.

Nobunaga also gifted his own arquebus to Tsuda Sansei and treated him to a modest meal. As for Saiga Castle, it still stood there.

However, the Oda army had not been without progress in the past few days. Although the Saiga forces had not been defeated, they were quite exhausted after fighting continuously for half a year. Sakuma Nobumori, who strongly advocated for peace talks, sent someone into the castle to talk again with Saiga leaders such as Saiga Magoichi, and the two sides made a gentleman's agreement.

The Oda army continued to besiege Saiga, but did not attack the castle or fortifications. The Saiga faction also withdrew its forces that were attacking the Oda army, and ordered them to cease their attacks.

What are you doing?

He ordered a detachment of Oda's army to march south to Hidaka County and capture Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who was hiding at Kōkoku-ji Temple. This was Oda Nobunaga's most important objective in his attack on Kii Province; the appointment of the local governor was a matter for later.

The Saiga faction agreed, and the two sides entered into a sit-in war. They just stared at each other like this. The Oda army wanted to make some random arrests, but unfortunately, they couldn't do anything about the lord of Negoro-ji Temple. The Saiga faction, on the other hand, took the old and the young and went up the mountain to the castle, leaving no grain in the fields.

Ow...

How could Nobunaga possibly compromise? Shichibei silently went to ask Oda Nobuhiro and Hashiba Hideyoshi about this. The two of them pursed their lips, Oda Nobuhiro sighed, and Hideyoshi said that the snow in Kishu was so cold.

Only after Shichibei pressed them repeatedly did the two admit that Sakuma Nobumori, as a senior retainer, had repeatedly petitioned on their behalf, even vouching for them with his own body. They said to arrest Ashikaga Yoshiaki first, and discuss everything else later.

The generals all remained silent in response, expressing the same sentiment, and Nobunaga finally agreed. Thus, Sakuma Nobuege had already led five thousand men to pursue Ashikaga Yoshiaki, and the outcome would be forthcoming soon.

It turned out to be the case.

Understandably, after a prolonged siege of Kishu without success, and feeling confident in their abilities, the Mori clan began negotiating with Oda Nobunaga, who was already annoyed. Nobunaga didn't want to provoke him, fearing they might get burned.

"So how did that prince become?" Shichibei was still curious about this.

"I heard they're fleeing to Kumano, but I don't know the details." Oda Nobuhiro scratched his head, probably because he hadn't bathed in a long time and was a little itchy.

Unlike Shichibei, who's been taking baths at Negoro-ji Temple every day for the past few days. Yesterday it was Keiko, today it's Anan, and tomorrow it'll be Kiku, and they'll all be bathing together before they leave. If Shichibei hadn't come from a background of collecting horse manure and had a decent back, he might have died from washing his head in the temple, which would have been truly laughable.

“Kumano Sanzan might not accept it,” Hideyoshi remarked.

“As long as he’s in Kishu, he can’t escape.” Shichibei thought to himself, how could Yoshiaki, such a big target, possibly run away?

Historically, Ishida Mitsunari was a benevolent ruler in Jiangnan, earning the support and love of his people. If they had actually searched for him, he would have ended up being captured and beheaded anyway. On the other hand, Ukita Hideie, under the protection of Shimazu Tadatsune, fled across the sea to Satsuma, miraculously surviving.

Ashikaga Yoshiaki had no good policies in Kii Province. Negoro-ji Temple surrendered, the Saiga party was besieged, and the three Kumano sects were embroiled in internal strife. Mount Koya might have been able to protect Yoshiaki. However, given the Oda army's current massive force of over 60,000 men, Mount Koya might not necessarily stand by Yoshiaki to the very end.

"Gentlemen, gentlemen..." The group was chatting when they saw Yamauchi Kazutoyo lift the curtain and come in.

This young man, thanks to Shichibei's words, has been promoted to the rank of 2,000 koku (a unit of grain measure), placing him among the top bannermen even in the Edo period. While he hasn't achieved great fame or success, he has certainly revitalized his family. Since the fall of Iwakura Castle in Owari Province, the Yamanouchi family has finally returned to its former glory.

"How was it!" the three exclaimed almost in unison.

"The prince has been captured and is being brought here!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo's news came at just the right time.

"Good, good, good..." Finally, the agonizing conquest of Ki Province is finally coming to an end.

Ashikaga Yoshiaki has not yet been escorted to Saiga Castle, but the previously tense siege camp suddenly seemed to relax. The people who were tense like the strings of a harp were now chatting and laughing.

If everyone arrives quickly, they will still have time to return to their respective territories, celebrate the New Year with their wives and children, and enjoy a feast along the way.

Upon entering the main camp of the shogunate, even Oda Nobunaga, who had maintained a stern expression, relaxed, reverting to his usual unsteady posture. He was currently learning the so-called Tsuda-style artillery techniques from Tsuda Sansei, who was also sharing his father's experience with Nobunaga.

On a cold night, smelling frost (reflecting on the moment, holding onto the cold night and smelling frost, maintaining a unified spirit) with pure thoughts ( ).

In addition, Tsuda Sansei could also use a large iron cannon, also known as a tuna. However, he didn't rely on his own body to withstand the recoil of the tuna; instead, he made a case for it. By adding wooden blocks inside the case, he could increase the firing angle of the tuna.

Although he didn't have the concept of a mortar, Tsuda Sansei already had the idea of ​​indirect fire. However, the indirect fire range of a large barrel was very short, and the angle was nowhere near that of a mortar.

Why didn't they develop mortars? Firstly, their metallurgical capabilities were lacking, and secondly, cannons consumed a lot of gunpowder.

Riding this wave of momentum, Sakuma Nobumori sent envoys to Saiga Castle, indicating that a peace agreement could be reached. Although he hadn't received Nobunaga's approval, it was practically there; they would negotiate for now.

After waiting for two more days, Ashikaga Yoshiaki appeared at the siege camp beneath Saiga Castle. Meeting an old friend, there was no particular animosity; Oda Nobunaga simply smiled.

Killing is definitely not an option.

However, being imprisoned in a temple is a certainty. And it won't be a temple in Kyoto, but either a temple near Gifu Castle or a temple near Azuchi. This time, Ashikaga Yoshiaki can't escape again; he must be imprisoned until he dies.

"It's been a long time," Ashikaga Yoshiaki finally said to Nobunaga.

Nobunaga sat on a small stool in the main seat, watching Ashikaga Yoshiaki with great interest. On either side of him stood Oda's generals, creating the impression of a three-way trial. Ashikaga Yoshiaki, on the other hand, sat alone on a straw mat, the cool air from the ground seeping through the mat and reaching his buttocks.

"It hasn't been long..." Nobunaga looked at Ashikaga Yoshiaki with a mysterious smile, not like a tiger eyeing its prey.

"Congratulations, you are about to conquer the world."

"Almost there?" Nobunaga frowned and looked at Yoshiaki.

"Hahahaha, my second son has arrived in Sunpu. Even if you capture me, the righteous warriors who resist you will not give up." Ashikaga Yoshiaki laughed loudly, his laughter extremely unrestrained.

The Oda army generals, who had been relaxed, immediately tensed up and turned to look at Oda Nobunaga. Ashikaga Yoshiaki's escape to Kōkoku-ji Temple and the birth of his second son was truly unexpected.

Moreover, the second son was sent to Sunpu, which meant he was sent into the hands of Takeda Yoshiyori. The Takeda family has always aspired to conquer the country, and now they possess the four provinces of Kai, Sunpu, Shinto, and Totsuka, as well as half of western Kozuke. Their strength is formidable, like a hungry tiger lurking at the side of the Oda family.

For the Takeda clan, a boy from a general's family was indeed an excellent and righteous title.

"It's just Takeda." Nobunaga said calmly. He had already decided to attack Takeda after capturing Yoshiaki.

Ashikaga Yoshiaki, who was laughing heartily, realized that he hadn't seemed to provoke Oda Nobunaga at all, and his laughter gradually subsided. He then looked at Oda Nobunaga with a puzzled expression. He couldn't understand why Nobunaga wasn't in a hurry, even though the Ashikaga clan's legitimacy had already been given away.

Actually, Yoshiaki was just superstitious, believing that the Ashikaga brand still had much appeal in Japan.

Ever since Nobunaga recommended officials to the Imperial Court on behalf of Mori Terumoto, Shimazu Yoshihisa, and even Hosokawa Akimoto and Hatakeyama Akitaka, accepting the heavy responsibility of "pacifying the realm," the position of the pillar of the samurai class in Japan had effectively shifted to Oda Nobunaga.

The only thing Nobunaga lacked was the title of Shogun, but was it that Nobunaga couldn't obtain this title? Of course not, it was that Nobunaga didn't want it.

If Nobunaga were to express his desire to be appointed Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshihide would have to take the lead in urging him to accept the position and submit a memorial to the imperial court.

"You, you, you, you, you..." Ashikaga Yoshiaki's prepared lines were cut short by Nobunaga before he could even finish them.

"Send the Vice Admiral to Azuchi," Nobunaga instructed Nakagawa Shigemasa.

"Heh heh." Nakagawa Shigemasa leaped up from behind Nobunaga.

Suddenly, Ashikaga Yoshiaki started yelling incoherently, whether to embolden himself or to intimidate Nakagawa Shigemasa, it was unclear. In any case, when Nakagawa came to help him up, he actually stumbled back several steps. Shichibei was sitting quite close, but still couldn't understand what he was yelling about.

Only after Ashikaga Yoshiaki was dragged away did Nobunaga regain some composure. However, it wasn't out of rage or anything; he simply ordered Takigawa Kazumasu and Tokugawa Ieyasu to immediately dispatch spies into Takeda territory to confirm whether Ashikaga Yoshiaki's second son truly existed.

If that's true, it would actually be quite troublesome. The Ashikaga family's son is like a toad on the top of your foot—he doesn't bite, but he's annoying.

What can a one- or two-year-old child do? Nothing. But he has a title, which can be used by ambitious people from all sides.