Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

Before Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple surrendered, these two naval forces were to tightly block the waterways leading to and from the temple, preventing even a single sail or plank from passing. Although the conquest of Iyo was also urgent, it was ultimately only a flanking operation. Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple, on the other hand, was the biggest and most intractable problem on the main battlefield in the Kinai region, the kind of place Nobunaga was determined to eliminate.

Which is more important? Nobunaga made the distinction very clear; he couldn't transfer the Awa Navy away.

"There's no need to say anything more. Sanju has just been pacified and needs a year or two to recover. Shichibei was able to restore both armies within two years, so why can't you?" Nobunaga waved his hand dismissively.

Even if it's his own son, he remains impartial in matters of military and political affairs. He treats each matter as a separate issue and won't show any special favoritism just because Xinxiao is his son.

Especially within the broader context of Japanese samurai society, sons who were not the eldest sons were all retainers. Even after World War II, when Emperor MacArthur entered Japan and implemented the nationwide land redistribution policy, it was discovered that some second and third sons were effectively serving as household slaves to the eldest sons, without marriage or private property.

“Two years…” Miyoshi Nobutaka didn’t understand the composition of the navy, and could only sigh.

"I'll give you 30,000 kan. Shichibei can do it, but you can't?" Nobunaga didn't want to say anything more and just handed over the money.

"Your Majesty, I am terrified." Miyoshi Nobutaka noticed the change in his father's tone and immediately agreed.

Nobunaga dismissed Nobutaka, who was still somewhat dissatisfied. Building a navy would take two or three years; by then, Toyotomi Hideyoshi would probably have already invaded Bingo Province.

As previously agreed, Kagawa Nobusumi inherited the Kagawa clan of western Sanuki, and after seizing northern Iyo, transferred eastern Sanuki to Nobutaka. Otherwise, why would Nobutaka have been so proactive in helping Nobusumi attack northern Iyo? Helping Nobusumi was tantamount to helping himself.

If the online army can't keep up, everything will remain just talk and can't be implemented.

He felt that his father was unreasonable and unwilling to reason with Shichibei properly (and pressure him). He also wondered how Shichibei could accept and take in the navy that his father, Nobunaga, had funded and built up, making them his retainers.

In reality, his father contributed neither money nor effort, except for his words. The debt wasn't recorded in Nobunaga's account until the navy was fully established and passed his inspection. Nobunaga had just sold the annual tribute rice, but upon closer inspection, the money hadn't actually reached Shichibei's pocket; Nobunaga still owed him. This year's new rice was all to pay off old debts.

It was Shichibei who put in a lot of effort and spent money to get the navy together.

Unfortunately, Shin-hyeong didn't really want to wait. Even if he did, it would only be three to five months at most. That wasn't enough time to build an online army.

He then hatched another plan, intending to return to Kishiwada and work with Shichibei on business.

He'd like to see if it was possible to divide the Awa navy in two. He didn't want all of it, just half. The rest could be used as a transport fleet by hiring ships from Sakai. That should be about right.

He first moved his troops to northern Iyo. Once a major war broke out, he could use the war to pressure others and push the situation forward, demanding that resources be diverted to northern Iyo.

455. Gao Hu predicted that the match would not succeed.

No, buddy...

Shichibei simply couldn't agree to Miyoshi Nobutaka's request, or rather, his negotiation. To split the Awa Navy in two? That was impossible.

It was absolutely impossible before the opening of the castle at Ishiyama Honganji.

Kuki Yoshitaka returned to Shima and, along with Minami Ise and Kita Tomie, was incorporated into Oda Nobuhiro's massive eastern naval force. With his departure, Osaka Bay and Awaji Island were left with only the naval forces of Ataka Kiyoyasu and Morimura Haru.

One route requires blocking the waters surrounding Ishiyama-Osaka Castle, and the other requires blocking the Akashi Strait north of Awaji Island and the Naruto Strait to the south. Only by blocking these two outlets can the maritime forces of the Seto Inland Sea be prevented from entering Osaka Bay.

Some might suggest that the Seto Inland Sea navy could risk circumnavigating the entire Shikoku islands and entering Osaka Bay from the Kishu Sea. Theoretically, this is possible, and it could be done. However, a large-scale fleet would be impossible, and in reality, it's unthinkable.

Simply put, this shipping route relies primarily on the Kuroshio Current, flowing from Satsuma and Hyuga in Kyushu, bypassing Kossa in Shichi, and heading towards the Kii Islands. Because this Kuroshio Current...

The presence of the tides attracts a large number of fish and shrimp to this route, which is why a special scenic spot card called "Muroto Oki" was added in "Taiko Risshiden 5".

Off the coast of Muroto in Tosa Bay, you can see pods of whales actively hunting large numbers of fish and shrimp. Such a spectacular sight certainly deserves a picture.

However, navigating a ship into the Kuroshio Current requires extensive maritime experience. Given the disastrous defeat of Mori Murakami's navy, how many experienced captains would remain?

Even if some ships remained, and even if some were willing to risk taking this route and successfully reach Kishu Beach and enter Osaka Bay, how could one or two ships possibly face Oda's navy at the mouth of the Kizugawa River?

Even if this ship is incredibly powerful and invincible, having stormed into Ishiyama Osaka Castle, how will it get back?

The land forces have surrounded them on all ten sides, with earthen ramparts and barricades already erected. The ships on the water are under tight blockade. Could they possibly fight their way out of the naval encirclement once again, one against a hundred?

Okay, let's say this ship's captain is the most invincible warrior in the world, and he fights his way out again. Then he can only return via the north or south side of Awaji Island, because the Kuroshio Current flows from southwest to northeast, and ships entering the Kuroshio Current simply cannot make it back to Kyushu.

How many times can Mori Murakami send a ship that can never return to its former course?

Therefore, by blocking the straits on both the north and south sides of Awaji Island, the possibility of the Maori navy coming to the aid of Ishiyama would be effectively cut off.

At such a crucial juncture in the war, you're telling me to take half of Awa's navy away? Unless Shichibei is an idiot, he would never agree to that.

If the Mori army's supply ships were to enter Ishiyama-Osaka Castle due to lax defenses, Nobunaga would surely order Shichibei to commit seppuku.

This is a grave sin, essentially giving Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple an extra year or two of life. It has given Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple hope, allowing it to continue its steadfast commitment.

Don't mention it again; there's no way I'd give you half.

Borrow? Borrowing is out of the question. We only have about three hundred ships at most, and we can't even manage our own, let alone borrow. Even if you wave gold coins at us, there's no chance of borrowing.

We'll discuss when Ishiyama Honganji Temple will reopen.

Miyoshi Nobutaka hadn't expected Shichibei to be so resolute, leaving absolutely no room for discussion. But he was also anxious. Why not seize the opportune moment when their military might was at its peak, their retainers and samurai had received substantial rewards, and the Kono clan was weakened? Should they wait for the Mori to subdue the Kono before attacking Iyo?

“No matter how much Katsurui tells me, there’s nothing I can do.” Shichibei is usually kind to everyone and is known as the most honest and kind person in old Owari.

Even Oda Nobutada deliberately courted Shichibei, showing him favor and hoping to make him work for him. During New Year's or other festivals, people would shower Shichibei with gifts. The number of people inviting him to dinner during the New Year was so high that the line stretched from the beginning to the end of the year, it was impossible to keep up.

But there's really no way today. Even if you asked me to lend you 20,000 or 30,000, I could lend it to you.

The only thing that can't be addressed is the use of online trolls!

"Why be so cautious, Osaka? Mori Murakami's navy has suffered heavy losses and is no longer able to reinforce Osaka." Miyoshi Nobutaka still refused to give up because it concerned his own interests.

"If Lord Shengrui insists, then I have no choice but to see you out." Shichibei frowned, a rare occurrence for him.

No matter how much you talk, it won't change the fact that Shichibei is tasked with blocking Osaka Bay. The fact that you can't conquer Iyo just means your territory won't increase. If I ever had a Mori supply ship enter Ishiyama-Osaka Castle, I'd literally commit seppuku.

"You!" Nobutaka Miyoshi almost jumped up; he couldn't accept it. Clearly...

Shichibei is such a kind-hearted person, how come he's so "inflexible"?

"Show him out, show him out!" Shichibei lost interest in the conversation after being pointed at by Miyoshi Nobutaka. He got up and left, no longer wanting to argue with Miyoshi Nobutaka.

Nobutaka also stormed off. His father wouldn't help him, and neither would Shichibei, who was known as a kind-hearted man. What bad luck he had today, being targeted by everyone.

When he reached the city walls, a man chased after him from inside the city – it was Todo Takatora. He had listened to the entire conversation from the sidelines, and after the two sides parted on bad terms, Shichibei took a few steps. Ultimately, his businessman's nature kicked in, and he didn't want to completely antagonize Miyoshi Nobutaka. So he ordered Todo Takatora to tell Nobutaka that it wasn't impossible to lend the money, but on one condition.

They devised a plan to persuade Nobunaga to agree with Akira as well.

Didn't Master Kennyo propose to Nobunaga, through the Imperial Court and Niita Shigeyasu, the terms of surrendering Ishiyama-Osaka Castle, handing over Ishiyama-cho, and Master Kennyo and other monks retiring to Kishu's Sagimori-gobo for 100,000 koku of rice?

Nobunaga adhered to the principle that only dead Jodo Shinshu followers were true believers, so Shichibei thought Nobunaga wouldn't agree to this condition. But now that Nobutaka insisted on borrowing the navy, he had no choice but to ask Nobunaga to facilitate the peace talks.

Once the peace agreement is reached, Ishiyama Osaka Castle will be opened to the public, and the entire navy can be deployed to the Seto Inland Sea to compete for supremacy.

Fight however you want, use it however you want. As long as the request is reasonable, both Nobunaga and Shichibei will provide the corresponding support. Originally, Nobunaga was building up the navy in preparation for a future expedition to Kyushu. Although it is currently under Shichibei's command, he has not completely relinquished his identity as a force to be reckoned with.

Perhaps in the future, Shichibei will be transferred to Hiroshima in Aki and Bingo provinces with a fief of 490,000 koku, and then the two naval forces will also be transferred there to assist Nobunaga, Mitsuhide, and Hideyoshi in attacking the various provinces of Kyushu.

Stopped by Todo Takatora, Miyoshi Nobutaka didn't say much. He immediately rode back to Kyoto to inquire about the progress of the peace talks between Oda and Honganji.

Although he harbored some resentment towards Shichibei, Nobutaka was still able to prioritize. His hatred for Shichibei was of no use to his grand plan to conquer northern Iyo. Bringing out the navy was the most important thing at the moment.

So what happened to the agreement between Oda and Honganji?

The process went surprisingly smoothly.

After receiving a private message from the Imperial Court, Nobunaga relayed two conditions. First, the main hall outside the Ishiyama Palace of Hongan-ji Temple must be demolished.

The defensive fortifications were left exposed in the well-protected town of Ishiyama (Ishiyama Rokucho), allowing the Oda army to occupy Ishiyama and effectively control the town.

Secondly, the idea of ​​transferring Kennyo Shonin to Kishu was pure fantasy and utterly impossible. Nobunaga disagreed with transferring Kennyo Shonin to Kishu, where he had a strong popular base and where people's lives and livelihoods had not suffered significant damage.

As per Nobunaga's request, the 100,000 koku of land required by Kennyo Shonin can be fulfilled. However, the specific location for the transfer should be 100,000 koku in Enuma and Nomi districts of Kaga province.

You're saying Kaga is still under the control of the Ikko-ikki and Murakami Kunikiyo? No problem. Kenru Shonin personally went to pacify Kaga, and once he succeeded, he was immediately granted a fief of 100,000 koku.

In fact, if the Enuma and Kanomi districts were properly developed, they could easily yield more than 200,000 koku. But now the land is barren, and the people have all died. Let alone 100,000 koku, they might not even have 30,000 to 50,000 koku.

Of course, with the appeal of Master Xianru, the last remaining believers from all over the country will be swayed to the Hokuriku region, and the Buddhist kingdom on earth will surely be rebuilt in Kaga soon.

How great.

It is said that Nobunaga did not want to discuss this; he hoped that the Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple would be the place where it was located.

The believers and monks are all dead. But now a major change has occurred in the Eastern Kingdom, and he needs the tens of thousands of troops in the capital region to be freed up.

Whether it's quickly ending the war against the Mori or joining the campaign against the eastern provinces, it's far better than sitting idly in a corner of the Kinai region. At this moment, Nobunaga and Nobutaka are quite similar, able to temporarily put aside their likes and dislikes and get things done first.

Let's talk it over. Once Nobutaka runs back to Kyoto, Nobunaga's terms will have already been sent back to Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple through the Niwada family's channels. We're just waiting for Kennyo Shonin's opinion.

Upon hearing the news, Miyoshi Nobutaka visited Nobunaga again, urging him to relax the conditions slightly. Taking Ishiyama-cho first was no problem; it was a golden goose, and Nobunaga was determined to have it. However, regarding the transfer of fiefdom, perhaps 100,000 koku in Kii Province wouldn't be out of the question.

Apart from the coastal areas and the Kii River valley, most of Ki Province is rotten land. Moreover, this place is located in a corner of the capital region, so it is almost impossible for it to affect the capital region anymore. Maybe we should just give in to Master Kenryo and get him to open the city gates as soon as possible; that's better than anything else.

Even a blind man could see Nobutaka's reasons for pushing for peace, but Nobutaka was, after all, Nobunaga's son, and one of his more capable and reliable sons at the moment. Nobunaga thought it over and decided to soften his stance a little for the sake of his eldest son. If Kennyo Shonin was unwilling to go to Hokuriku...

Then let's go to Kishu.

The conditions for handing over Ishiyama Town cannot be changed; Ishiyama Honganji cannot be allowed to maintain such strong economic power.

Meanwhile, the news reached Shichibei. Saegusa Morinao was stationed in Kyoto, doing this very job. Of course, the secret meeting between Nobutaka and Nobunaga was not leaked, and Shichibei remained unaware of it.

Nobunaga actually agreed to make peace with Honganji?

Times have truly changed. In the past, when both sides negotiated peace, Nobunaga was exhausted from fighting fires on all sides. Now, Nobunaga holds an undeniable advantage. The Honganji Temple's two largest external allies, the Saiga party and the Mori clan, have both been severely damaged by Nobunaga and can no longer support Ishiyama.

What's the point of talking then? If they continue to starve for another year or two, everyone at Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple will starve to death.

The fact that talks actually took place was clearly not due to the court's influence or Shin-hyeong's merit, but most likely due to changes in the situation in the Eastern Kingdom.

"Toryou, do you think this peace treaty can be successful?" Shichibei asked Todo Takatora very bluntly.

"The conditions offered by both sides seem quite different." Todo Takatora seemed to be referring to...

The two are completely opposite: Kaga's 100,000 koku and Kishu's 100,000 koku.

"so what? "

"I'm afraid it might not work out." Todo Takatora moved closer to Shichibei and sat down.

"Does it mean that Master Xianru is unwilling to go to California?"

"No, it's the Regent's Palace that demands the abandonment of the Lower Palace Outer Ward first, and that our army occupy Ishiyama Town before opening the castle." Todo Takatora's thoughts were not on the territory.

"How so?" Shichibei craned his neck to get closer.

"The Battle of Shishan has lasted for over a decade, and the two sides have reached a point of no return."

Because of the war between Nobunaga and Kennyo Shonin, no fewer than 300,000 to 500,000 followers of the Jodo Shinshu sect have died. In the Hokuriku region alone, more than 200,000 people died. Historically, when Maeda Toshiie entered Fukuin, he collected 40,000 corpses of the Ikko-ikki.

Nobunaga virtually wiped out the entire base of followers of Jodo Shinshu, killing so many that believers everywhere were utterly terrified. Even those few remaining dared not continue to practice Jodo Shinshu.

Meanwhile, the Honganji Temple utterly crippled Hanawa Naomasa's army, forcing him to relinquish his entire family business and appoint Harada Nobumasa as his successor. (Mori Yoshinari's army...)

In fact, because of the collapse of Honganji Temple, Mori Yoshinari would not have died so quickly if he hadn't been hit by two cannons at Tennoji Fortress.

The number of other generals and soldiers killed was countless, and the number of Oda clan members who died or went missing in the battle to conquer Honganji Temple was at least 20,000.