Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

As one of Nobunaga's key retainers in Kyoto, Shichibei entertained Araki Murashige.

Anyway, Shichibei didn't notice anything unusual about Murashige during the meal. If he were going to rebel, he should have done so in Tanba, directly killing Akechi Mitsuhide and destroying the entire Akechi army.

Then, taking advantage of the fact that Hosokawa Fujitaka, the lord of Katsuryuji Castle, and Takayama Shigetomo, the lord of Takatsuki Castle, were also on their way back from Kyoto, they returned to Arioka Castle in Settsu, raised the banner of rebellion, and joined forces with Ishiyama Honganji.

Sometimes being prescient can be quite annoying, because you know the outcome but not the cause or process, and you can't deduce it from there.

Just like Bessho Nagaharu, no matter how eloquently Shichibei and Nobunaga talk, Shichibei still doesn't understand why he rebelled.

Forget it, whatever size ass you have, that's some things we really can't control.

After seeing off Araki Murashige's army, they could still see Hosokawa Fujitaka and Takayama Shigetomo's large armies marching back.

Shichibei prepared a welcome reception. At this moment, Nobunaga returned with his eldest son, Nobutada, and also brought back his other eldest son, Nobukatsu.

It seems the plan is for Nobutada to lead 15,000 men as commander-in-chief, and Nobukatsu to lead 5,000 men as deputy commander, to besiege Nobutaka Castle together. Nobukatsu had previously led 6,000 men to defend Gifu Castle during the Battle of Kamono, so he had done his part. He's finally gone from being on parole to having served his full sentence. If Matsunaga Hisahide puts in a good job this time, he might be able to make a full comeback.

With Nobunaga in Kyoto, Shichibei could attend to his own affairs. For example, Morimura Haru, who was recommended by Miyoshi Nobutaka, had gone through a long and winding journey before finally appearing before Shichibei.

What a dark, charcoal-like face!

He was short and stocky, with thick hands and big feet, and his whole body was tanned dark, but it was a healthy, glossy black. Living by the sea, he ate fish every day, so he had no shortage of protein and oil. He also did heavy physical labor, which made Morimura Haru look like a strongman carrying a Buddha statue.

It seems Miyoshi Nobutaka didn't just randomly choose this candidate; the one he recommended, Morimura Haru, at least looks like a leader. What a pity, why isn't it the Morishita family name? Then I could loudly proclaim to you...

He said it.

Let's talk. Shichibei seemed to vaguely recognize the name Morimura Haru, but couldn't recall where he had seen it before. Since he couldn't remember, he had no choice but to investigate on-site.

Although we ourselves know absolutely nothing about online trolls, we have someone who does understand them recuperating in Kyoto, and we can ask him to come. Atakagami Goro Kiyoyasu received the best efforts of Dr. Kusai and his life was saved.

However, according to the doctor, he's done for for life; he'll be bedridden for the rest of his life.

Well, although they didn't saw off both legs, they were completely useless. They couldn't stand up, walk, or jump anymore, let alone go to sea to board and fight for their lives.

Since the Ataka navy still had a few shoals and several hundred men, they were still useful to Nobunaga, who desperately needed a navy at the time. Therefore, Nobunaga not only ordered all efforts to save Ataka Kiyoyasu, but also bestowed upon him 1,000 kan as compensation for the remnants of the Ataka rebellion. At this point, we must mention Ataka Nobuyasu's cleverness; one of the conditions for his surrender to Oda Nobunaga was to receive the Izumi Sakai South Estate.

This incident also became the catalyst for the conflict between Nobunaga and Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

One reason, but whatever the reason, the Ataka faction still has at least one stronghold in Sakai South Village. With territory, manpower, and naval technology, they're bound to rise again someday.

Historically, Ataka Kiyoyasu's son, Ataka Hideaki, joined Ishida Mitsunari's forces, becoming a ship commander under Mitsunari and continuing the glory of the Ataka navy. The Ataka family only truly collapsed after Ishida Mitsunari's defeat and death.

Although Kiyoyasu Ataka is still recuperating, Shichibei couldn't find a more suitable person to assist him, so he brought Haru Morimura to him for evaluation.

Kiyoyasu asked him a few questions and seemed quite satisfied. While Morimura Haru's answers were somewhat disorganized, they were clearly acceptable in Kiyoyasu's eyes. How much education could a samurai with only thirty-eight kan of rank possibly have? Knowing a few characters, being able to read and write, and leading a hundred foot soldiers into battle was considered a talent.

If you can answer all the questions from Kiyoyasu Ataka now, that's already pretty good.

Do you have a boat? How many people do you have? Not just ordinary rowers and boatmen, but more like manual laborers. They're easy to recruit; as long as you provide enough rice, plenty of people will be willing to come.

The Barbary pirates of North Africa and the Mediterranean even needed to capture white slaves in southern France to row their ships. They engaged in the slave trade for hundreds of years, selling at least two million white slaves. In Japan, there was absolutely no need for that. Until World War II, peasants recruited from the countryside were put to work as laborers for the navy in factories. They were grateful to be served rice mixed with half beans or wheat, and felt that the world had become brighter.

There was no boat, but there were several people. Haru Morimura said his grandfather's generation had been working in Awa.

He initially served as a ship captain for the Hosokawa family, then later for the Miyoshi family of Hashu, for three generations. He was gradually gaining influence, but then the Miyoshi family of Hashu also declined, and Niwa Nagahide and Miyoshi Nobutaka stormed in, capturing Katsuzui Castle. After the castle fell, Morimura Haru surrendered to Miyoshi Nobutaka. Nobutaka's goal was to subjugate Shikoku, and he wasn't particularly concerned with building up his navy. If his father hadn't urged him, he might not have even done it. After all, Nobutaka had gained a foothold in Katsuzui Castle, and even without supplies from the Kinai region, he wouldn't starve.

"Nonsense, Shichibei doesn't have time to listen to revolutionary history. I'm just asking you how many ships you can bring. If I give you an Atakebune, can you manage it properly?"

Knowing full well that this was likely his last chance to rise in rank, Morimura Haru immediately gave his word. He had a large number of uncles and brothers, as well as family members who followed them in their risky business at sea. Organizing a navy immediately would be difficult, but as long as the money and ships were in place, given two years, he would definitely be able to restore half of the Awa Navy's former strength.

Two years? And only halfway through?

Fortunately, Shichibei wasn't a contrarian, nor was he the kind of boss who only made empty promises. But two years was simply too long; Nobunaga couldn't possibly wait that long.

Throw money at it!

Shichibei wasn't stingy. Zhang asked Morimura Haru how much money it would cost to rebuild two Atakebune, thirty Sekibune, and one hundred and fifty Kobayashi, along with some Kaibune, to form a fighting force capable of breaking through the siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple. Although he had heard that Shichibei was wealthy in the Kinai region, Morimura Haru was of a very low rank, with only a dozen or so men and seven or eight guns. How much could he possibly know? In his eyes, ten or twenty thousand kan was probably an unimaginable sum.

So Morimura Haru mustered his courage and quoted a price of 10,000 kan, while also peeking at Shichibei.

"Ten thousand!" Shichibei thought this number was outrageous; the cost of just the Otakebune alone was over a thousand kan.

That's why even when Nobuyasu and Kiyoyasu of Ataka went into battle, they felt the battle was won. How could such a massive ship, built at such great expense, be destroyed by a mere Kobayashi?

Ten thousand strings of cash is nothing! You're not trying to scam me, are you? You're planning to run away with the money, aren't you?

"Lord Kawamura, this price of ten thousand kan is already the lowest I can offer; it can't be lowered any further."

"Oh, right." Morimura Haru thought Shichibei was complaining about the price, so he quickly explained.

His idea was that since both the Kuki and Ataka navies had collapsed, all ships needed to be rebuilt. However, usable timber could be salvaged from abandoned old ships and used as material for the new ships. This was a common practice in the Seto Inland Sea, where the shipping industry was highly developed, and this type of timber was very cheap, much cheaper than using new timber that had been air-dried for two or three years.

The shipwrights were readily available, and some of the materials were recycled. With a large number of orders, they could even negotiate lower prices. As for the rewards for recruiting men, Morimura Haru saved himself the trouble. He would first bring the men to fight a battle, and if they won, he would ask Nobunaga for the rewards.

"I'll give you 20,000, no, 30,000. Can you get the water done within a year?"

"Bring out the army!" Shichibei knew very well that Kuki Yoshitaka would be the main force.

That kid boasted to Nobunaga, putting on a big show, but ended up losing everything. Now he's in the stage to redeem himself; if he doesn't work his ass off, he'll face Nobunaga's wrath.

Therefore, it is highly likely that the Awa Navy was formed primarily to participate in the siege of Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple. Secondly, it served as a backup for Kuki Yoshitaka, preventing the Oda clan's navy from becoming too powerful and difficult to control.

Even if Shichibei only brought out a makeshift hut, it wouldn't matter, as long as it looked presentable to Nobunaga. Nobunaga wasn't a naval commander; he only cared about the outcome. If a second Battle of Kizugawaguchi wasn't actually required, the mission would be considered a great success.

“Three…three…thirty thousand kan.” Morimura Haru never expected Shichibei’s price to be so high, and was momentarily speechless.

"Is that enough? If not, I'll send more from Kyoto. I want results within a year." Shichibei, mimicking Nobunaga, thought, "I'll definitely pay the full amount. If it gets done, I'll give you a big reward."

Can't you accomplish this? Hmph.

"Yes! I will fulfill your command!" Without further ado, Morimura Haru...

He almost stood up and hugged Shichibei's big golden legs.

"Let me make this clear from the start: if you can't achieve this, you won't get a single bit of credit from me." Shichibei had to make the unpleasant point clear beforehand, and make it perfectly understandable.

The navy will most likely be directly under Nobunaga's control; for now, it's just that Miyoshi Nobutaka and Shichibei are in charge of its preparation. Once it proves effective, and Nobunaga's expeditions to Kanto or Kyushu require large-scale water transport, he will inevitably incorporate the Naval Forces of Naga Province. Therefore, Shichibei is currently only paying Morimura Haru a salary, without any other benefits.

"First published on 705u.com - Book Club"

Nobunaga estimated that he would reward Morimura Harusan with three to five thousand koku of rice upon seeing the navy regroup. The navy's main income didn't come from land; having a base was enough. Of course, they would certainly be happy to become a pirate daimyo.

Araki Murashige took a breath after sitting down on the tatami mats at Arioka Castle, and then began to recount the battle of Tanba to his disciple, Araki Motokiyo.

It wasn't just about the war; it also praised Akechi Mitsuhide as a truly remarkable figure. He was not only wise and resolute, but also possessed the air of a leader. No wonder Oda Nobunaga appointed him lord of Sakamoto Castle, overseeing the campaigns against Tanba and Tango.

It is clear that Mitsuhide's efforts to win over Araki Murashige were successful, as evidenced by the series of positive evaluations he has given Mitsuhide.

Araki Motokiyo nodded in agreement. As a newly enthroned daimyo who had been exiled for treason by the Ikeda clan, he too needed a powerful patron within the Oda clan's power structure. Clearly, Akechi Mitsuhide was a very suitable patron, someone worth befriending.

As the unification of the country accelerates, these senior retainers of the Oda clan will all become pillars of the future. Hideyoshi might become the governor of western provinces, Mitsuhide the governor of Kinai, and Takigawa Kazumasu the governor of Kanto. By aligning themselves with any of them, they can secure a place in the government.

As the two were talking, someone announced that their retainer Hisatari had come to pay his respects. Araki Murashige didn't think much of it and ordered his servants to bring Hisatari in. However, it turned out that it wasn't just Hisatari who came; there was another man with him.

who?

General Gui Yuan.

The name sounded off immediately, because it sounded too similar to that of Katsura Motosumi, a senior retainer of the Mori clan. Araki Murashige frowned and looked at his retainer Hisatari, a follower of the Jodo Shinshu sect who maintained close ties with the Ishiyama Hongan-ji temple. He had previously visited Ishiyama Castle...

He was one of the people who transported grain by land.

With everyone present, Araki Murashige inquired about the purpose of Katsura Motomasa's visit. Katsura Motomasa replied that he had been entrusted by Lord Koriyama to lead troops to Iwaya Castle on Awaji Island. He explained that Awaji now boasted a force of 10,000 Mori soldiers who were about to land and launch a large-scale attack on Izumi and Settsu, which were under the control of the Oda clan.

The Mori family will soon seize power and become the new rulers. I wonder what identity and position Araki Arioka-dono intends to hold when facing Mori Terumoto in this new world?

Chapter 399 Justice must precede private feuds

Bessho Nagaharu, returning to Miki Castle in Harima, was quite pleased with himself, after all, he was now the legitimate governor of Harima, officially recognized by the imperial court. He displayed the imperial edict to his senior retainers, who all offered their congratulations.

A grand banquet was held, inviting not only his own family but also local gentry and nobles from the eight districts of Higashi-Harima. It was widely announced that he, Bessho Nagaharu, was now the Governor of the Province.

On Hideyoshi's side, Shichibei has already sent a letter explaining the situation. It's not about causing any trouble for Hideyoshi; it's purely to appease Bessho Nagaharu.

This is to prevent him from being misled by Mori. Besides, this matter has been approved by Nobunaga.

Now, the power to appoint officials within the samurai family rests entirely with Nobunaga; he cannot be appointed to an official position even if he disagrees.

Tell Hideyoshi not to think there's anything serious going on. A general out there will definitely overthink and speculate. If we make things clear, it will save us trouble.

So Hideyoshi simply watched as Bessho Nagaharu went around inviting people to banquets, and did not do as...

What? Let this scoundrel run rampant for a few more days. Once we've wiped out the Mori, he'll come back to get you eventually.

At that time, the events that happened between Bessho Yoshichika and Hideyoshi at the Kakogawa Victory were relayed to Bessho Nagaharu in a mix of truth and falsehood.

Upon hearing this, Bessho Nagaharu frowned. How could such a thing happen in his family just because he went out to buy an official position? That country bumpkin, Hashiba Hideyoshi, would still be playing in the mud if not for my father Oda Nobunaga's selection. What right does he have to treat Bessho Yoshichika like this?

Needless to say, Bessho Nagaharu was certainly dissatisfied, but because he felt Oda Nobunaga's care and love for him, he did not harbor any thoughts of rebellion against Nobunaga.

I just felt that Hideyoshi was a bad guy, daring to look down on my family, the Bessho clan, the governor of the eight districts of Higashi-Harima. You should know that Bessho Nagaharu has a mobilization capacity of up to 8,000 cavalry. According to the custom of the Sengoku period, when attacking the Akamatsu clan of Sōyō, Bessho Yoshichika led 4,000 men to join the battle to provide support.

Hideyoshi was able to gain a foothold in Harima not only because of the strong support of the Kodera family, but also because of the sponsorship of my Bessho family.

Therefore, Bessho Nagaharu's first thought was to go to Oda Nobunaga and impeach Hideyoshi for his tyrannical and oppressive behavior, his failure to launch a swift attack on the Mori clan, and his instead of resting in peace in Himeji.

Nobunaga took such good care of me; in his heart, I might not be any less important than Hideyoshi Hashiba.

When Bessho Nagaharu's first thought was to file a complaint, Bessho Yoshichika felt it was pointless. Nobunaga's conquest of the land had now reached the stage of deploying troops in all directions for a comprehensive campaign. With a complete army under his command, Hashiba Hideyoshi was undoubtedly one of Nobunaga's most prized possessions.

Even if I love you as my half-son, it won't surpass Hideyoshi's love. Besides, you're only half a son; his real biological son, Nobukatsu, has been imprisoned for two and a half years. What makes you think you can compare to Hideyoshi?

However, Bessho Yoshichika did not make a fuss, but instead allowed Bessho Nagaharu to write a letter of complaint.

The petition was sent to Kyoto, accusing Hideyoshi of being difficult. Nobunaga would certainly side with Hideyoshi.

It will be Yoshimi, not Nagatoshi. At that time, Nagatoshi will inevitably be reprimanded, and Nagatoshi's boundless gratitude towards Nobunaga will likely be shattered.

Who is the Oda clan's samurai magistrate? It's Sakuma Nobumori, who is currently killing Mika Yorimitsu at Mika Castle. Who is the Oda clan's Kyoto magistrate? It's Murai Sadakatsu, who is providing logistical support for Oda Nobutada and Kita-Tomi Nobuo, in order to kill Matsunaga Hisahide and his son.

Where is Oda Nobunaga of the Oda clan? He sent a letter to his eldest son.

Tadashi was out killing people and wasn't in Kyoto at the moment. So the lawsuit ended up in the hands of Matsui Tomokazu, Nobunaga's right-hand man. Matsui Tomokazu certainly didn't dare to open it, but instead took the lawsuit to Shichibei, the garrison commander who was in Kyoto building the Awa Navy.

There is only one important minister in Kyoto. If it is not Shichibei who is left to guard the capital, then who is?

You asked why Shichibei isn't doing Nobutada's logistics anymore? Isn't that what Shichibei usually does? It's because Hideyoshi took away Shichibei's more than 6,000 men, so he can't do it for the time being, and Murai Sadakatsu has to fill in temporarily.

Upon seeing Bessho Nagaharu's lawsuit, Shichibei's head spun. Wait, wasn't he quite happy when he left half a month ago, you silly kid? Why is he writing a lawsuit and coming to Kyoto so soon after returning home? What's going on? I haven't heard anything major happening in Harima.

Nobunaga's previous orders stipulated that all lawsuits involving samurai, temples, shrines, and court nobles should be adjudicated according to precedents set during the Muromachi Shogunate era. Regarding the previously mentioned case of the appointment of the head of the Kofuku-ji temple, Nobunaga specifically requested that it be handled according to established practice, and that no arbitrary changes to existing precedents be permitted.

After becoming the de facto ruler of the land, Nobunaga absorbed a portion of the old order into his new one. Without affecting...

As long as it affected his rule, he tended to maintain the old order.

Therefore, Shichibei can now refer to past precedents to handle the case of Bessho Nagaharu suing Hashiba Hideyoshi.