Chapter 11 Part 3 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!
1535 (Tenbun era, year 4)
TL: YuinaEditor: Yuina
[1] Toki Yoritaka was a Japanese military commander in the Sengoku period (period of warring states). Also known as Hachiro. He was the eighth son of Toki Masafusa, hachi (八) meaning eight in Japanese.
Mino Province, Inabayama Castle
Upon our return to Ogaki Castle following the meeting at Kamaha Castle, we learned that Yorinori-sama had conducted the 17th memorial service for the late Toki Masafusa without prior consultation with my father, Sakon no daibu Norihide.
It was reported that the former retainers of the Nagai clan, who were now part of my father's inner circle and loyal followers, did not participate in this memorial service. The attendees were limited to Yorinori himself, his brothers Washizu Rokuro Mitsunori and Toki Hachiro Yoritaka [1], his eldest son Inohoshimaru and his clansman Kagami Morimasa, along with trusted vassals including Takatsukasa Yojuro Fuyuaki also known as nii-dono, and Nagai Moriyasu.
Officially, it was a memorial service for close relatives. However, its true purpose was to assert Yorinori's claim as the rightful successor to his father. It is said that almost all of Yorinari-sama's brothers were gathered there to welcome their estranged brother, Toki Masayori, who had sought refuge under the Asakura clan.
Needless to say, this event was orchestrated solely at the discretion of Yorinori-sama. When my father first heard about it, he couldn't believe it. After hearing the same report again from my uncle, Hayatonosuke Michitoshi, he let out a deep sigh and commanded his subordinates:
"We may end up in conflict with the Asakura and the Rokkaku clans. Make preparations as soon as possible. In the worst case, ensure the evacuation of the residents of Inoguchi [2] to Inabayama Castle."
An apt modern-day analogy would be akin to a scenario where subordinates diligently negotiate with a prominent corporation, believing the successful conclusion of the business deal to be imminent. However, to their dismay, the corporation's CEO, acting solely on his own accord, unexpectedly delivers a press conference that not only undermines the negotiations but also strains the relationship with the mediating company. It's a situation that happens more often than you'd expect, and it's quite troublesome.
Upon our return to Inabayama Castle, they were greeted with a series of distressing news.
"It has been reported that the followers of the Hongan-ji Temple suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of a united force comprising the Hosokawa and Miyoshi clans on the outskirts of Ishiyama in Settsu Province. It appears that the revolt instigated by the Hongan-ji Temple followers within the Kinai [3] region is gradually being quelled."
"Regrettably, a faction of the forces loyal to Masayori Toki has seized control of Oga Castle. As we speak, Masayori-sama is on his way back to Echizen Province."
"We have received a formal letter of protest from the Asakura clan. Rumors circulating within Echizen suggest that they are contemplating an offensive campaign following the end of the harvest season. The Rokkaku clan is also actively mobilizing their forces."
The whispered words escaping my father's lips, "In this word, things seldom unfold according to our desires," seemed to echo the sentiments of renowned warlords of the Warring States period.
And, alas, the situation further deteriorated on the ill-fated day of July 1st. Torrential rain engulfed the region, causing the Nagara River to swell once again, resulting in a moderate-scale flood. While not as catastrophic as the floods witnessed during last year's and this year's winter, the castle town still bore the brunt of the calamity.
In the northern reaches of Mt. Inaba, the area most affected by the disaster, it is said that Edahiro Palace, the very location of the memorial service, lay in ruins. Fortunately, the retainers of the Toki clan were absent from the castle, attending the meeting at Mt. Inaba, thereby minimizing the casualties. Nevertheless, the people of the castle town began to whisper that the calamity was a divine retribution for Yorinori-sama's audacious orchestration of the memorial service.
To compound their woes, distressing news arrived in October, bearing tidings that a formidable combined force of 14,000 soldiers, comprising the Rokkaku and Asakura clans, had appeared on both the Omi and northern Echizen borders.
[1] Toki Yoritaka was a Japanese military commander in the Sengoku period (period of warring states). Also known as Hachiro. He was the eighth son of Toki Masafusa, hachi (八) meaning eight in Japanese.
[2] The castle-town of Inoguchi was later renamed Gifu.
[3] Kinai (畿内, Capital Region) is a Japanese term denoting an ancient division of the country. Kinai is a name for the ancient provinces around the capital Nara and Heian-kyō.The five provinces were called go-kinai after 1760.
The simple map really helps.
ReplyDeleteI think so too. ^^'
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