Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

I noticed that Xinqin seemed nice and didn't have any bad reviews, so I asked the question.

Motochika was overjoyed, saying that it would be a wonderful surprise to marry the daughter of the Kawamura family. He never imagined that he would be able to get involved with the second powerful figure in the Oda clan, besides Akechi Mitsuhide.

Nobunaga's momentum to seize power was unstoppable. Although Motochika's ambition had not yet been extinguished and he still wanted to expand his territory, this did not mean that he would not follow Nobunaga.

After the establishment of the new shogunate, the Chosokabe family could maintain friendly relations with Oda by relying on the Akechi family, who were assisting in the central government, and the Kawamura family.

"We'll make a vow with a high five!" The two of them were walking on the road at this point, so there was no way they had any paper or pen.

"Good!" Motochika immediately stretched out his hand and struck Shichibei.

The marriage was thus settled. Once Yiyu had sorted things out and Nobuchika had returned to Okafuchi, the matter would be handled for him. It didn't matter whose daughter it was.

Having been raised under Shichibei's care for so many years, they are no different from his own children. Their fathers were already dead, and now Shichibei is doing his best to find good husbands for them; that's more than enough.

473. Randomly rescuing a large wild animal

Harada Nobumasa then arrived at Kurushima. He first went to Yuzuki to meet his two brothers, Nobutaka and Nobusumi. He told them that Nobunaga had sent him to scout ahead, so he might stay a little longer and look around.

Don't misunderstand, it was purely preparation for leading Nobutada to attack Yoshida-Koriyama Castle later.

Shin-hyo and Shin-cheng understood perfectly well that Shin-jung was paving the way for Shin-chung, who was destined to rule the world. Shin-jung might even take over a country, and his active efforts to come now were a way of securing his own future.

They were all Nobunaga's sons and nephews, and the eldest son, Nobutada's, position was unshakeable. However, the position of regent was something these eldest sons were vying for. If vying for the throne wasn't enough, they'd vie for 100,000 koku, a large castle lord, or a territory. To live a respectable life, one needed corresponding strength and land.

Anyway, Nobunaga was still alive, and Nobutada had the prestige and power to suppress the whole situation. Even if these young men wanted to make a name for themselves, they could only do so secretly.

Harada Nobumasa was assisted in coming to the island, and a dozen or so samurai who had come with him to investigate were settled. He also summoned Morimura Haru, who had assisted Nobutaka in transportation, and assigned Morimura Yoshi to Nobumasa. Shichibei was then able to return.

I also need to report everything I've seen along the way to Oda Nobunaga. And while I'm at it, I'll mention the engagement with Chosokabe Motochika. Nobunaga does care for Nobuchika, so winning him over is essential.

We still have to drive Chosokabe's troops to attack Aki and Bingo, so we can't stop offering small favors.

Leaving Tangzhu Castle, beheadings were taking place at the city gate. There wasn't much to see; captured local samurai who refused to submit to Nobuzumi were bound to be executed.

When Kanekoyama Castle surrendered, it was perfectly acceptable for you to run away. Kagawa Nobuzumi invaded Kita-Iyo specifically for the unclaimed territory of Tomoyo. Now, not only are you not running away, but you're also raising an army against Nobuzumi. Who else should we kill but you?

It was just a common practice in Japan's Sengoku period: killing men, seizing women, burning villages, and capturing castles. Since they were born into samurai families, they had to be prepared for this.

Shichibei's horse galloped past, and in that short time, two local bullies were beheaded. Their heads were then stuck onto bamboo poles and displayed along the streets so that all the people of Iyo could see them clearly. This was both a declaration of the end of the old rule and announcing the arrival of the new ruler.

"He's really surrendering, he's really surrendering!" A samurai, whose hands were already bound behind his back, had a sword at his neck.

"How did you manage to subdue him and then kill him?" Shichibei's horse was right in front of this man, hence his curiosity.

"His elder brother is the lord of Ōnoyama Castle."

Oh, it's Ōno Naomasa's younger brother. Ōno Naomasa is currently besieging Ōno Castle in Floating Ana District, waiting for a change in the situation in Iyo. Two days ago, Shichibei paid 5,000 kan as a gift to Chōsokabe Motochika to besiege Ōno Castle.

After a siege of three to five months, the city will run out of food, and the battle will come to an end. How many men does Ōno Naomasa have on his own? A thousand? A thousand two hundred?

“My brother is stubborn and unyielding, but I truly submit to him.” Naoyuki Ohno had finally managed to escape the pursuit of the warrior hunters and the Kagawa army and come to Yuzuki Castle.

Without a word, they tied him up, which was partly Kagawa Nobuzumi's doing. After taking in Kaneko Motonari, he had enough of the Iyo no Kōbu forces. Nobuzumi didn't want any more Iyo nobility to surrender; he wanted to kill them all so he could install his own carefully cultivated group of retainers.

This is completely understandable. Since the local guides are already in place, the rest are just "thieves" in the face of the new conquerors.

"Ouch." Shichibei, who knew perfectly well what was going on, had no sympathy for Ohno Naoyuki.

So be it. Killing him will make room for the Kagawa retainers. Besides, this is a matter for Kita Iyo, and Shichibei shouldn't interfere.

"I know the path behind the Great Castle!" With his hands tied behind his back, Ono Naoyuki went all out and shouted out in front of a crowd of living and dead people, no longer bothering to hide it.

"Wait a minute!"

Oh dear, why didn't you say that sooner?

Shichibei, who had taken five steps forward, turned back and gave an order. The Kagawa samurai, who had already raised his sword halfway, immediately stopped. Shichibei was a god of wealth comparable to Ebisu, and Nobusumi had just escorted him all the way to the castle gate. Wada Bizen-no-kami, the chief retainer, had even personally arranged Shichibei's horse and attendants.

"Go back and report to the commander of Bizen, saying that this man is useful." Shichibei stopped his horse in front of Ono Naoyuki, without ordering the samurai around him to untie him.

Who knows if this guy is just making a fuss to save his life? Let's not rush to alarm Kagawa Nobusumi. Let him talk. If he speaks convincingly, then we can introduce him to Nobusumi's maternal uncle, Wada Bizen-no-kami.

"How so?"

"Please untie me. It's hard to explain in a few words. If you have paper and pen, that would be best." Although Naoyuki Ohno didn't know who the person in front of him was, he saw that Shichibei had a certain air of authority, like a superior who had been giving orders for a long time, so he probed further.

"Hmm." Shichibei didn't dismount, but waved to the Kagawa samurai.

With Shichibei's orders, they could naturally be untied. There was no fear of Ōno Naoyuki escaping; there were so many people present, including seven or eight archers and arquebusiers.

"Over there." As soon as he was untied, Shichibei gestured to the Kagawa samurai on the other side.

"Ohno Naoyuki, you will be condemned to eternal damnation!" The Iyo samurai on the other side clearly recognized Ohno Naoyuki and, seeing that he was about to be beheaded, immediately cursed him.

But he only managed to utter that one curse before the blade at his neck came crashing down. His head landed, rolling a meter or two. The rest of his body was kicked aside, and the next person was sent flying.

"Speak," Shichibei said casually, simply giving Ohno Naoyuki a chance.

"Yes, yes, yes..." Ohno Naoyuki clearly sensed that Shichibei in front of him was no pushover either, he just looked a bit "kind".

The servant brought down paper and pen. Wada Bizen-no-kami, who had just seen Shichibei out, was also summoned over. A shield was laid down, and Ōno Naoyuki knelt on the ground, sketching a rough draft of the Great Castle.

Although the drawing was terrible, Shichibei managed to understand it with the help of Ohno Naoyuki's explanation. Wada Bizen no Kami, on the other hand, was still trying to comprehend the sketch and reinforce his memory.

"Report to the Chamberlain." Shichibei glanced at Wada Bizen-no-kami.

If we break through Ōno Castle as soon as possible and kill Ōno Naomasa, the 30,000 koku of Ukina District can be turned into Kagawa Nobusumi's territory more quickly, making it easier for him to install new people.

The two turned their heads and found Nobusumi Kagawa already standing by the horse. He pointed out that the latrine passageway of the "Nai Shou Men" (a type of gate) could also be blocked during wartime, and wasn't necessarily always open.

“It’s better than being besieged for half a year,” Ohno Naoyuki blurted out. He didn’t even know Kagawa Nobusumi.

"That's true." Shichibei thought to himself, "For things like this, there's no need to be 100% certain; just give it a try."

Dachu City was another disgusting, deadly Japanese-style mountain castle. You could fill it with human lives and still not be able to. You'd have to either cut off its water supply, its food supply, or dump the excrement of plague patients inside.

Even with indirect fire, it would be difficult to be completely effective against castles on hilltops or slopes two or three hundred meters high. After all, current indirect fire cannot reach such heights.

"Give it a try." As Nobusumi's chief retainer, Wada Bizen no Kami's territory is 30,000 koku. Where do you think that 30,000 koku came from?

"Ohno..."

"Ono Kii no Kami Naoyuki." Kagawa Nobusumi clearly didn't know what Ono Naoyuki's name was, and Ono Naoyuki immediately responded.

“Alright, Kii Ohno, if we can conquer Oochu Castle, you will be the lord of Oochu Castle and receive a salary of three thousand koku.” Nobusumi Kagawa certainly knew the difference between more than thirty thousand koku and three thousand koku.

You ask why Ohno Naoyuki didn't say anything earlier? First, such secrets can't be revealed in public, because they lose their value if spoken publicly. Second, his timing was bad; it was right when Kagawa Shinji was clarifying things. Finally, and most simply, his brother Ohno Naomasa had essentially "rebelled," and a traitor's brother coming to Yuzuki Castle would certainly not be trusted.

"If we can pacify Yushu soon, my lord will be overjoyed." Although Shichibei was not the military supervisor or magistrate, he was about to return to report the war situation in Shikoku to Nobunaga.

The more good news there was, the more important Nobusumi became in Nobunaga's heart.

Some. These young men are all working hard to build their futures.

"I hope Your Excellency will put in a good word for me." Kagawa Nobusumi had no right to pretend; he was just a good nephew.

"No problem."

As the group chatted, the execution of the Iyo samurai kneeling outside the city, awaiting beheading, was suspended. Ono Naoyuki, mustering his courage, made a request to Kagawa Nobusumi. He suggested allocating the money to a few of the men he knew.

Even latrines need to be crawled through; you can't expect the samurai of the Kagawa family to crawl through them.

Yes, yes, that makes sense. Since we promised Ōno Naoyuki 3,000 koku, sending a few cannon fodder to work in the latrines is a way to build up his retainer group later.

Those who resisted within the city were considered traitors and rebels, and their entire families would certainly be killed.

Shichibei watched as about ten people were led away by Ono Naoyuki. The remaining men were filled with a mixture of grief, longing, and lamentation. If it were a simple beheading, with no one left to live, then these men would accept it; after all, they would have company on their journey to the underworld.

In just a short while, Ōno Naoyuki not only managed to obtain the title of a high-ranking official with a salary of 3,000 koku, but also...

The seal was drawn, and more than a dozen acquaintances were also taken away. Suddenly, the hope of survival appeared, and the will to live naturally became active.

So Shichibei patted Ohno Naoyuki on the shoulder and said, "Why not pick a few more? It'll be a good deed. As for the rest, don't cut them down. Sell them to Shichibei as slave laborers and oarsmen."

After Oda Nobutada's campaign in Aki, Kawamura's navy had to prepare an enormous Atakebune. This is the Nihonmaru from the later game "Total War: Shogun," requiring at least four hundred slave laborers and oarsmen to make the ship move smoothly.

Regardless of whether Nobutada sits or not, you still need to have the Nippon Maru.

Just like the emperor's three palaces and six courtyards, seventy-two concubines, and three thousand beauties, whether or not to use them is the emperor's business, and whether or not they exist is a matter of face for the entire feudal family empire.

At their level, such ostentatious displays of power had to be greatly lavished. The Southern Song emperors' retinues at their peak numbered 15,000 to 16,000 people, with a 2,000-strong orchestra leading the procession and another 800 following behind the carriage. Regardless of anything else, this display of extravagance and grandeur was undeniable.

Upon hearing that they could be sold for money, and that they could be sold to Nobutada's brother as slave laborers and oarsmen, Nobutada readily agreed. A friendly price of 300 mon per person would suffice. Take them away, take them all away! Those captured later will also be sold to Shichibei. Just enough to make a total.

There were over four hundred people, to prevent anyone from being killed. Any extras were all given by Nobusumi Kagawa.

can.

At the command, the group of captured samurai who had not been beheaded stirred slightly. The long spears of the left and right foot soldiers rained down, but they quickly calmed down again.

Meanwhile, in Kyoto, Nobunaga and Nobutada met again and clarified their itinerary for marching westward through the provinces. Nobunaga's plan was straightforward: to use Hideyoshi and the forces of Shikoku as the vanguard, allowing them to first weaken the Mori army's fighting strength in Aki, Bingo, and Izumo, while Nobutada would then lead 30,000 troops to attack Yoshida-Koriyama Castle.

If Nobutada finds the siege too difficult, he will mobilize Akechi Mitsuhide and Azai Nagamasa as backup. Kawamura Nagayoshi will be appointed as the military supply commissioner, and a force of over 100,000 men will be sent to annihilate the Mori clan.

Nobunaga's main force will not be deployed, because if he were to go, the credit for destroying the Mori clan would inevitably go to him. Therefore, Nobunaga will only see them off in Azuchi or Kyoto for this expedition.

It would be perfect if Xinzhong returned victorious and reported the victory to the court, and then held a ceremony in front of the imperial horse.

Nobutada also approved of the plan, but he felt that Akechi Mitsuhide was the right person to take it.

In the encirclement of the Eighth Route Army, Asai Nagamasa was still licking his wounds; there was no need to drag these two groups into it.

Even if the Mori clan still has 70,000 to 80,000 men, it is almost certain that Nobutada will lead 100,000 men to attack.

Nobunaga, however, disagreed. He told Nobutada that the battle to destroy the Mori clan had to be won swiftly. Only by completely annihilating the Mori clan and killing Mori Terumoto's entire family could he establish a renowned military reputation that would shake the entire nation.

Since the army's food supply is managed by Shichibei, there's no fear of the army going hungry. Therefore, for the sake of stability, the more men the better. We'll launch attacks from all sides, taking on both the north and south banks of the San'in Mountains, aiming to annihilate the Mori clan within three months.

Alright, Nobutada then began planning the expedition against Anki.

Deploying from Mino and Gifu to Aki and Koriyama is considered a large-scale, long-distance military operation even in modern Japan. A few months of preparation is barely sufficient.

"My lord! Good news!"

As the father and son were discussing the matter, a servant's shout came from outside the barrier.

"Where!" Nobunaga replied immediately. If Hideyoshi were to breach Takamatsu Castle in Bitchu by now, the prerequisite for invading Bingo would be completely fulfilled.

It's matured.

Once Nobutada has mobilized the troops of Nobi and Nobunaga, they can immediately set out. In any case, Nobunaga has already ordered preparations to begin on Shichibei's side, sooner or later.

"Danzhou Bashang City!"

"Huh?" This was clearly not the answer Nobunaga and Nobutada wanted to hear.

"The brothers, Lord Hatano Uemon and Lord Hachigami Castle, have arrived in Kyoto to plead guilty and surrender." The attendant, perhaps pleased or perhaps having received a gift from the Akechi family, did not notice the change in Nobunaga's tone.