Owari Yumeki Golden Day

A chill pierced his mind as Kitabatake Tomomichi scrutinized every retainer in the palace. Since Mokuzo Tomomasa had been the first to collude with the Oda clan, many of the Kitabatake samurai had become their guides.

Outsiders knew that there were no traitors in the Kitabatake family, but Kitabatake Tomokuni didn't know. Even his own brother had rebelled, so who knew if there were any traitors in the family?

Was it that a traitor informed Oda Nobunaga of the impending food shortage in the city, which is why Akechi Mitsuhide dared to enter the city and propose such horrifying peace terms?

Let Akechi Mitsuhide and Shichibei retreat first. The more Kitabatake Tomomi thought about it, the more scared he became, and the more likely it seemed.

"With such conditions, Kitabatake Naganori will never agree." Shichibei and Akechi Mitsuhide were taken to a house. Shichibei quickly stopped them and asked anxiously.

"That may not be the case..." Akechi Mitsuhide smiled and sat down very relaxedly.

"Why?"

"There are no horses neighing in the city."

"what!"

Shichibei suddenly understood. He knew a little bit about watching smoke from cooking fires. Even if he hadn't eaten pork, he'd seen pigs run. He'd fought alongside the Oda army day in and day out, so he knew this basic military knowledge.

During the siege, smoke from cooking fires did rise from the city, so Shichibei only estimated that the city was running out of food, but he had no solid evidence.

As a result, Akechi Mitsuhide listened carefully to the sounds inside the city as soon as he entered. Apart from the wailing and movement of the people, he could hardly hear any other complicated sounds.

The Kitabatake army had a full 8,000 cavalrymen entering the city to defend it, so they must have had at least several hundred, close to a thousand horses. Horses were needed to communicate with other branch cities, launch surprise attacks, and ultimately escape.

But now there's no sound of horses neighing in the city. What does that mean? It means most of the horses have been killed for meat.

Even the horses were eaten, how much food was left in the city? It definitely wasn't much.

Since the city was about to run out of food, and the Oda army could hold out for more than a month and a half, why not offer a higher price?

"So just watch." Akechi Mitsuhide appeared very confident.

“…” Shichibei didn’t answer, but just stared at Mitsuhide.

Although he was an old handsome man, Shichibei had only thought of him that way before. But looking back now, Mitsuhide, who exudes confidence, does have a unique charm.

Looking at it this way, it's understandable why some women in later generations like uncle-type boyfriends. A man in his thirties or forties who's well-maintained, rich, and well-established has plenty of girls paying him in.

"Wait for good news." Mitsuhide added.

Isn't Shichibei just waiting for good news? The strength of the Oda army is known to everyone, and the Kitabatake family is surrounded by the Oda clan's territory. It is impossible to call for any external help unless they cross the sea to find the Miyoshi Three to go on an expedition.

It's unrealistic. The Three Good Men don't have that ability.

Given the lack of food, Kitabatake Munekyo had no choice but to open the city and pay tribute. Mitsuhide's conditions even included a clause to preserve the Kitabatake family name, which was considered an extraordinary favor to the Kitabatake family.

180. Peace agreement reached and recruited people

After nightfall, Kitabatake soldiers brought rice balls and rice wine. There was no scene where the attendants who delivered the food drooled. The slaughter of horses within the city to satisfy hunger was likely also to satisfy the hunger of the civilians. The samurai group serving as the main defenders of the city should have had salt rice balls to eat.

In later times, there was a folding screen depicting a Korean battle formation, which showed a scene where Kato Kiyomasa, who was defending the city, killed horses and drank their blood when he had nothing to eat.

Akechi Mitsuhide picked up the rice ball very calmly and ate it. Poisoning was impossible. If they really wanted to kill Mitsuhide and Shichibei, they could just draw their swords and kill them. It wouldn't be a big deal.

Shichibei was a bit scared at first, as it was his first time being a hostage, but now he's calmed down. He picked up the rice ball and started eating, chatting with the attendant who brought him the food.

How many soldiers are there in the city? Who are the generals? Actually, these are all public information. Having lived through the Japanese Warring States period, everyone knows how many soldiers can be mobilized. As for the generals and samurai? They are even more familiar. Otherwise, why would they use their names during battle? To tell the enemy, "Your grandfather, I'm here!"

The attendant didn't hold back, answering every question from Shichibei. He even boasted about someone in the city, a world-renowned archer whose arrows never missed their target. The implication was that if the Oda army dared to scale the city walls, they would surely suffer a devastating blow from the Kitabatake army.

tsk...

Hideyoshi, oh, Hideyoshi, my Hideyoshi...

Did they temporarily arm the civilians driven into the city? That way, they could recruit a few thousand more weak soldiers. When the time came to fight to the death, they could encourage them to lead the way and charge the Oda army, while the elite Kitabatake warriors would come out from behind to fight.

In "Castle of Puppets", because Narita Ujirakawa brought 500 standing troops into Odawara Castle for defense, the soldiers in Oshi Castle were weak, so Narita Nagachika called on more than 3,000 peasants to enter the city to help defend it.

The peasants of the Japanese Warring States period still possessed a strong martial spirit. When the time came to fight, they were quite capable. However, they lacked organization, and their morale fluctuated.

When the Dejing Ikki was launched, they could fight back and forth with the monks and guards of the temples and shrines. After all, they were fighting for their own interests. When they were actually forced to go to the battlefield, they lacked the resilience to fight.

When discussing this, the Kitabatake retainers shook their heads, explaining that the castle was short of food and rations, and that they had not recruited civilians on a large scale. Furthermore, Kitabatake Munekuni and Kitabatake Munefusa's plan was to defend Ōkouchi Castle until Oda Nobunaga ran out of food and retreated.

The 75,000-strong Oda army still managed to frighten Kitabatake Muneori, who dared not leave the city to fight in the open. If he did not leave the city to fight in the open, he would ultimately be at a disadvantage and would be in a passive position.

The Oda army outside the city, internal strife is impossible, but they are just working without putting in any effort, right?

Now that things have come to this, Shichibei asked the attendant, you look like a descendant of a samurai family. Once the Kitabatake clan surrenders and welcomes the young master of the Oda clan, are you ready to serve the Oda clan?

The attendant, who had been so talkative earlier, suddenly became deflated and hesitant. He stammered, unsure how to respond. After all, if they truly surrendered, even though it was commonplace during the Japanese Warring States Period, they would be killing each other today, and kneeling down to kowtow to the Oda clan tomorrow. It was hard to accept for a while.

Akechi Mitsuhide on the side was amused. He said that it was not necessary for him to kowtow to Nobunaga. He might also chop off our heads and hang them on the city gate to show his determination to fight to the end.

As he spoke, Akechi Mitsuhide laughed. His laughter was quite loud, completely unlike his usual refined manner. Kitabatake, suddenly having received an answer, nodded in agreement.

Yes, yes, maybe I will be ordered to chop you two off soon. Let’s talk about today’s matters today, and tomorrow’s matters tomorrow.

Shichibei was amused by this. He thought the attendant was quite down-to-earth, so he asked his name. The attendant introduced himself as Mori Jirozaemon. His family was originally from Kuwabe Village in Amabeng County, Kitaiise. When he was young, he was sent to the Kitabatake clan as a hostage. Later, his family was driven out by the Oda clan, and he settled down with the Kitabatake clan.

It was funny to think that the war in his hometown was really going on back then. Kuwabe produced a type of bamboo with very smooth shoots. So when the Oda army attacked, they mobilized manpower to wrap the walls outside the city with a layer of bamboo shoots.

It is true that the Oda army could not climb up because the bamboo shoots were slippery, but the bamboo shoots would shrink quickly after dehydration. When the Oda army saw this, they set fire to the city. The fire burned the entire city to ashes.

Seeing that the young man was simple and honest, Shichibei stood up and asked if he could take a walk around the neighborhood.

Logically, this was definitely not an option. The two sides were still in a hostile relationship, and whether peace talks would be successful was still uncertain. If Shichibei saw what was happening inside the city and reported everything to Nobunaga after leaving, wouldn't the Kitabatake clan be at a disadvantage?

But Mori Jirozaemon did not refuse, because he told Shichibei that he could only walk near the inner city and he would follow. Anyway, Shichibei had already seen many places in the inner city, so it didn't matter if he looked at them again now.

It's fine to be able to see the inner city, but Shichibei mainly doesn't want to be cooped up in the house. Akechi Mitsuhide is an old handsome man, but no matter how handsome he is, he is not gay, and it's boring to just sit there.

Once outside, Shichibei spotted several foot soldiers stationed along the route. However, due to the severe autumn chill, they were huddled together around a fire. Furthermore, being in the inner city, there was little chance of an attack. As long as Shichibei remained within their sight, they didn't question him.

"Jirozaemon, the firewood in the city is starting to run out." Shichibei pointed to the bridle path. Logically, there should be a bonfire every few steps.

But only the outer walls were set up, and the area around them was crowded with people. There were very few inner walls. Isn't this a lack of firewood? What is a lack of firewood?

"Ah, this..." Mori Jirozaemon didn't know how to answer.

"It's okay, it's okay. I'm just asking." Yeah, it's his job, so it's really hard to answer such questions.

"If you don't need heating, there's actually no shortage of it." Mori Jirozaemon replied in a low voice.

The reason for all this was the influx of nearly 30,000 people. Without these civilians, Ōkōchi Castle wouldn't have been in any danger at all. Despite all his calculations, Kitabatake Tomonori hadn't anticipated Nobunaga's chain of tactics. He first had Shichibei purchase a large amount of grain in Minamisei, resulting in so much that even the Kitabatake clan had to sell some extra.

When the war broke out, although the army still had a certain amount of food, the people were also struggling to get enough food. At this time, the Oda army arrived in large numbers, sweeping the people into the city, and Ohkawachi Castle was stretched to the limit.

The matter is clear as day. Either people die in Ohkouchi or the city is opened, otherwise this matter cannot be stopped.

"Well, have you ever thought about this, once the city is opened, will you continue to serve Kitabatake, or run away? If you serve Kitabatake, then I'm afraid you will never have the chance to return to your old territory in this lifetime." Shichibei was also trying to make conversation.

Anyway, to tell the truth, the old territory of the Mori family was in Inabe County, but now Inabe County has been taken over by Oda and is administered by Takigawa Ieyasu. If they want to go back, they have to defeat Oda.

Looking around, is there any family that has the strength to fight back to Northern Ise and restore his family's reputation?

"It's nothing more than a chance to win." Mori Jirozaemon was quite honest and he did not hide his words.

The preservation of family name and territory were the most fundamental political and economic aspirations of Japanese samurai during the Warring States period. I would join whoever could help me achieve this. When my territory became untenable, I would flee and seek new masters to continue my struggle. Reclaiming my old territory was best; if not, I could always find a new place elsewhere.

At least the family name has been passed down.

"Instead of voting for Sanhao, you might as well vote for me." Shichibei said this subconsciously.

When the young major-general married Shichibei, he brought 1,200 kan of cosmetics with him. This territory also needed to be filled with samurai, retainers, and the strength of the Oda Central Powers' small pack corps.

It didn't matter who he picked. There wasn't any deep-seated hatred between Oda and Kitabatake, so there was no reason to forbid the recruitment of Kitabatake's former retainers. There were already samurai available, so wouldn't it be nice to recruit a hundred or so?

"Huh?" Mori Jirozaemon never expected that Shichibei not only came into the city to persuade people to surrender, but also came to recruit people.

"Besides, if you vote for me, maybe you can return to your old territory in Inabe County." Seeing that Mori Jirozaemon did not refuse sternly, Shichibei took the opportunity to add another bet.

Originally, Shichibei's former territory of over a thousand kan was all located near Tsushima, not far from Inabe County. If the territory were to expand further in the future, it would indeed be possible for him to gain some knowledge and business from Inabe County.

"No, no, no. I am now a retainer of the Kitabatake family. Your Highness did not mention any peace talks, nor did he mention welcoming the young master Oda." Mori Jirozaemon waved his hand to refuse, indicating that this was not possible and could not be done.

Is it really impossible?

In the dark night, a rare glimmer of light flashed in Shichibei's eyes. Mori Jirozaemon saw it and lowered his head to avoid looking at Shichibei.

He still has some sense of self-discipline, young man. If the Kitabatake family doesn't surrender, then he has to be loyal to them. If the Kitabatake family surrenders, then the system of feudal rights and obligations will be broken. You can't help me take back Inabe County, then there is no need for me to continue serving you.

Of course, that's just one way of saying it.

When faced with a decision about the future, people always need some reasons to convince themselves. No matter how unreliable the reason is, having a reason is better than having no reason at all.

"It's not a bad thing to make preparations early. If there are people who are on good terms with you, you might as well come and join me." Shichibei patted Mori Jirozaemon's shoulder.

Finally, he seemed like a big shot, and that feeling was particularly evident in the now lowly Mao Li. In just a few words, he was able to offer Mao Li an offer that was hard to refuse, which made Mao Li waver.

In front of Nobunaga, Shichibei was just a logistics team leader, a small merchant carrying a bag on his back. But outside, Shichibei was a genuine and powerful official of the Oda clan, and he was very impressive.

“…” Mori Jirozaemon didn’t answer, but bowed to Shichibei and ran away.

Maori, you are so young.

How can you survive in the chaotic world of the Warring States period if you are so thin-skinned? No matter how poor your background is, no matter how many years you have worked, you must continue to learn.

Back at the house, Akechi Mitsuhide had already laid out the blankets for Shichibei. Kitabatake Tomonori might need to think all night; staying up all night waiting wasn't the right thing to do; getting some sleep was the right thing to do.

Just now, Kitabatake had mentioned that he would send someone to Kyoto to ask Ashikaga Yoshiaki if the envoy for peace talks was sent by Yoshiaki. Now he didn't mention it anymore, which clearly showed that he was really hesitant and hesitated.

Go to sleep.

The next day, I woke up early, and once again, Mori Jirozaemon brought me breakfast. The young man's eyes were red and bloodshot, clearly having not slept well the previous night, perhaps even all night. I imagine he must have been struggling intensely, but I wonder if he'd made a decision.

When he saw Shichibei, he didn't dare look at him directly. He just silently brought in the tray and asked Mitsuhide and Shichibei if they needed anything else.

What do you need? I need your Kitabatake Gukuni to surrender immediately.

After a night of deliberation, Kitabatake finally arrived. He now demanded that someone be sent immediately to Kyoto to clarify that the peace talks would be presided over by Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Regardless of whether Yoshiaki came in person or sent an envoy, Ashikaga Yoshiaki had to act as the guarantor.

There is no need to rush to Kyoto. Akechi Mitsuhide was really sent by Ashikaga Yoshiaki. It is absolutely true.

But since Kitabatake Munekuni had requested it, there was no choice but for Fujikata Asanari to be sent out of the city and led by people sent by the Oda army to Kyoto to confirm with Yoshiaki in person.

If you go back and forth quickly, two or three days will be enough.

Shichibei put a lot of care into the construction of the post stations and horse carriages within the Oda clan's territory. There were stables on the main roads, where horses could rest but people could not, so they could gallop day and night.

Kitabatake Tomonori also put forward a request, which was to first lift the siege of Shikagaki in Okawachi Castle and release 30,000 civilians. Nobunaga would give them three days of food and let them flee on their own.

After a brief pause, Nobunaga agreed to Kitabatake's request, evacuated a corner of Shikagaki, and began to accommodate the released civilians in the city. However, he did not immediately let them escape, but instead gave them three days' rations and detained them near the Oda army camp.

Many of the civilians were family members of the soldiers, who needed to be identified and also served as temporary hostages to prevent Kitabatake Guinori from deceiving Nobunaga in order to continue defending the city.

It took two days for the endless stream of people to leave the city. On the third day, Fujikata Asanari also ran back and obtained a letter from Ashikaga Yoshiaki, confirming that Akechi Mitsuhide was indeed the shogunate official sent by the government to mediate.

Finally, Kitabatake Tomomichi gave up and accepted all of Mitsuhide Akechi's demands. He married Oda Chasamaru as his heir, married Kitabatake Yukihime, and moved into Ōkouchi Castle. Kitabatake Tomomichi and his son moved to Tamaru Castle. Mitsuhide accepted all of his other demands, as outlined.

At this point, the Kitabatake family officially surrendered to the Oda family and became a vassal daimyo under the umbrella of the Oda family.

The news spread quickly throughout the castle, and many of the Kitabatake samurai were deeply displeased. Kitabatake Tomochika and many of his fellow warriors immediately erupted in a commotion. Some immediately fled Ōkouchi Castle, fleeing to other areas. Others formed groups to protect themselves and gathered at Shichibei's temporary residence.

181. Trampling the old order of the shogunate

"Jirozu, it seems you have made a decision."

Shichibei stood on the eaves, looking down at the arriving Kitabatake warriors. Mori Jirozaemon, having probably already thoroughly worked through his thoughts, remained calm and composed, unlike the others.

"I have done my best to serve the public." Mori Jirozaemon replied.

Indeed, he loyally defended the castle until Kitabatake Munikyoshi decided to open it. From that moment on, Kitabatake Munikyoshi's promise to defeat the Oda clan and restore the imperial court completely collapsed. Without that favor, his service to the throne naturally came to an end.

"Very good! Come with me out of the city." Shichibei jumped down from the eaves, ran barefoot to Mori, and took Mori's hand.

Following Mori Jirozaemon were dozens of foot soldiers, most likely refugees from Amabe County who had come to the Kitabatake clan to seek refuge with them. They were hoping to regain their former territory with the Kitabatake clan, but now that Kitabatake Tomonori had surrendered, what was left for them to serve?

When I left the house, I found hundreds of men, women, young and old in the alley. They were probably the families of these samurai foot soldiers. Most of them were panicked and some were even crying.

There was an internal conflict in the city. Many Kitabatake samurai, accompanied by Kitabatake Tomochika, had just rushed out of the city. They rushed in disorder and even two fires broke out. The specific situation was not very clear.

When the peace agreement was reached, Akechi Mitsuhide escaped from the city, acting as a link between Kitabatake Munekuni and Oda Nobunaga, who swore an oath to each other. Only Shichibei remained in the city, along with Mori Jirozusa's group, so there had to be a reason for their departure.

Nobunaga, who was outside the city, also discovered the chaos in Okouchi Castle and ordered Sakuma Nobumori and Takigawa Ikmasu to enter the city to gather 8,000 Kitabatake troops and escort them all out of the city.

Shichibei, surrounded by Mori Jirozuo, rushed out of the city. Some within the city wanted to hold out, while others wanted to flee. If they had held out, perhaps this situation wouldn't have been so severe. But once the order to open the city was issued, the people dispersed and immediately fell into chaos. This shows that the morale of the people in Ohkouchi Castle had long been in turmoil.

Many people along the way saw Shichibei and Mori Jirozu leading the team out and blending in with the others. In the midst of chaos, any hint of order would immediately make people yearn for it and try to join in.

There was no point in worrying about expulsion at this moment. Shichibei just wanted to get out of the city as quickly as possible, so he shouted at these people to follow the end of the team, not to make any loud noises, and to shut up and follow.

When they escaped from the city, they happened to see Sakuma Nobumori riding in. The Oda army was about to advance to suppress and disperse the crowd, but when they saw Shichibei surrounded by the crowd, they stopped.