Chapter 9: The Hidden Crisis

  Nishio Castle is a castle made of earth and stone, with high stone walls and a complex three-day moat in front of the gate. The Sanmaru was established inside the Otemon Gate to accommodate the vassals, and the various yagura were used to store food, grass, and weapons during peacetime, and as a hiding place for soldiers during wartime.

  The Ni-no-maru was divided into the Kita-no-maru and Hime-no-maru, with the ōtemon gate facing east towards the Yahagi River. The Nishi-jō castle to the south is just across Ise Bay, so the north side became the most likely area to face enemy attack, and thus the Ni-no-maru's northern side was separated into the Kita-no-maru specifically for planting samurai defenses, and completely isolated from the Honmaru by a riverbed, which also became one of the characteristics of the Yamamoto school of castle construction.

  The area opposite to it, Kijirō, is an independent region that is connected to the main circle but does not intersect with Kitamaru and Sanmaru. It was a place where the Yoshida family settled their families, so the concealment was done a bit better. The top of it is the main circle, and on the road connecting the main circle, complex tiger mouths and horse exits were designed, which also brought out the military function of this new Nishijō Castle to the maximum. After its completion, it immediately received consistent praise from the Yoshida family, and Yamamoto Kansuke was also accepted by the Yoshida family as a capable minister.

  After everyone withdrew, Yamamoto Kanetsugu said: "Using the Hattori clan as the lord of the mansion is indeed a good way to win over the Hattori family, but it seems that the lord of the mansion is particularly concerned about the Hattori clan. I have been thinking for a long time and still don't know what the reason is."

  "Because he is Hattori Hanzo!"

  "Huh? What's Master saying?" Yamamoto Kanetsugu's ears were sharp, and he immediately asked back after hearing his muttering.

  "Oh! This... because the Kiryū family has always lacked ninja support and sufficient intelligence sources, now that we've got one of the Iga Three Upper Ninja families, the Hattori clan, coming to our side, we should put more emphasis on it." Kiryū Manzōmaru hastily came up with an excuse to gloss over the fact that the Kiryū family already had its own Mōri troops and could easily come up with a new name to placate the Hattori clan.

  "It so happens that our house indeed needs intelligence support. According to Ishimori's information, at the end of this month, Taigen no Shiro will depart from Suruga and head to Okazaki Castle to take charge." Yamamoto Kanbei threw out this piece of news.

  "Taiyuan Chongfu Zen Master? How did he come at this time? Is it going to be another Anjo Castle Battle?" Kira Kosuke was extremely surprised, as the Anjo Castle Battle had just ended in early spring this year. As the vanguard of the Imagawa family, the Matsudaira army suffered a fierce counterattack from the defending Oda forces and ultimately retreated with heavy losses after the death of Honda Tadakatsu.

  The outcome of this battle also led to the sudden death of Matsudaira Hirotada, and the Matsudaira family, which had lost its leader, was in turmoil for nearly half a year. Even the Hattori clan, who had served the Matsudaira family for over a decade, had to seek a new path. Logically speaking, the Imagawa family should not have continued to attack the Oda side at this time, as the Matsudaira family, which was the cannon fodder of the Imagawa family, had not yet recovered from the blow of losing its leader, and attacking Anjo Castle again at this time was not a wise move.

  "The thoughts of Taigen, even the vassals cannot fully comprehend. This unusual movement by the Imagawa clan will undoubtedly have an adverse effect on our main house. I believe that the Imagawa clan has made up its mind to take down Anjo Castle in one swift motion and drive out their long-time arch-nemesis, the Oda clan, from Mikawa Province."

  Yamamoto Kansuke's words awakened Kira Mimasaka, scaring him out of his wits. He vaguely recalled that the Oda family had been driven out of Mikawa Province just a year or two ago, and that Tokugawa Ieyasu had been exchanged to the Imagawa family as a hostage, where he became a disciple of Udono Nagateru, while Oda Nobushige had also fallen ill and died not long after suffering a great blow.

  The Kiryū family's situation is unknown, but as the head of the Kiryū family, which opposed the Imagawa clan, their fate after the Imagawa clan took over the western Mikawa region can be imagined. In short, it won't be too good. He had always been one-sidedly thinking that the Imagawa clan would take care of their shared ancestral incense, but now it seems too naive.

  "It can't be! My life has just begun, am I to become the lord of a ruined nation?" Kiryū Motsu no maru suddenly realized that his situation was so precarious, it seemed that his good days were about to come to an end. Looking at Yamamoto Kansuke who was deep in thought with his eyes closed, he calmed down again, at least things hadn't gone that far yet, and he still had a chance.

  "Master! Is it possible that Taigen Sotetsu has come to Okazaki Castle because the Matsudaira family is in turmoil? The Matsudaira family, as a puppet ruler of Mikawa Province on behalf of the Imagawa clan, fell into internal strife due to the sudden death of their leader and showed signs of collapse within half a year. I suppose the Imagawa clan won't just sit back and watch the Matsudaira family perish, allowing western Mikawa to fall into chaos again."

  "Ah! The lord's words have enlightened me!" Yamamoto Kanetsugu, who was stuck in a logical deadlock, seemed to have gained some insight and said with an ashen face: "I finally understand the intention of Taigen no Shōsho! He wants to use my Kira family as a sacrifice!"

  "What?!" Kiryū Mantsumaru jumped up, unbelievably walking in front of Yamamoto Kan no Suke, grabbing his shoulders and urgently asking: "How is this possible?! The Honke is the main house of the Imagawa clan! How dare they treat the Honke like this?! This can't be! I absolutely don't believe it!"

  "Please calm down, sir!" Yamamoto Kanetsugu stared at him with one eye, without any intention of comforting him: "The Matsudaira family is in internal turmoil. The Imagawa clan has sent Taigen Shōshū to the Okazaki castle to quell the signs of internal unrest within the Matsudaira family. However, the Matsudaira family suffered a crushing defeat at the Battle of Akehama this year and now lacks the confidence to immediately strike back. If they hastily launch an attack on Akehama Castle, they will surely suffer an even greater blow."

  Taiyuan Snow Hall Zen Master must also understand, so find an opponent to fight a full victory, observing the western three rivers, apart from the Oda family's Anjo Castle, only my Kira clan is the most threatened. My Kira clan, as the head of the Imagawa family and the initiator of the anti-Imagawa call, will collapse if we defeat the national people who oppose the Imagawa in our hometown of western Mikawa. Now it's not fighting against our hometown, there's no better choice."

  It was okay at first, but when he got to the second half, it was simply shocking. Kiryū Mantarō's heart felt like a bucket of cold water had been poured over him on a freezing winter night, chilling him to the bone from the inside out. Yamamoto Kanbei's analysis was far more professional than his immature thoughts, but he wasn't in the mood for flattery now: "How could this happen to me? I'd rather never hear these words! Who did I provoke that I should encounter such a disaster? Can't even being a peaceful small lord be allowed?"

  Kira Yoshinori thought for a long time, holding his head in his hands, and said with a look of despair: "Indeed, there is no better choice, but can't the main house think of another way to avoid this?"

  "If I'm not mistaken, Master Taigen Seizan of the Snow Hall should have revived the Jikō Ankokuzan Temple eight years ago!"

  Yamamoto Kan no Suketsune suddenly asked a question that left Kira Yoshinaka bewildered, so he recited the history his father had told him: "The original name of Jikōan Temple was Jikō-ji. It was the bodai-ji (family temple) of the Honke clan's ancestor, Manta Kunitsugu, and also a branch temple of Myōshin-ji school of Rinzai Zen Buddhism. About 100 years ago, it was a famous large temple in Mikawa Province with thriving incense offerings, but it was destroyed by fire during the ōnin War. In recent years, my father strongly supported the revival of the bodai-ji and invited Taigen Sesshin, who had just come out of the mountains, to revive it as Jikōan Temple. The current chief priest is Taigen's younger brother, the high-ranking monk from Myōshin-ji in Kyoto, Nishiyama Muneki Daishi. What do you mean?"

  "Taiyuan Xuezhai Zen Master was a high-ranking monk of the Myoshin-ji school, I wonder if the Honorable Host has ever met Taiyuan Xuezhai? Unfortunately, I was still wandering in Suruga Province at that time and did not have the chance to participate. However, from what several nobles said, Taiyuan Zen Master liked you very much and even gave you a few books as gifts. Given Taiyuan Xuezhai's character, he must be a man who values courtesy before resorting to force!" Yamamoto Kansuke said thoughtfully.

  "First courtesy, then soldier... Is there anything else I can say? Let me think carefully again." Kiryū Manzōmaru smiled wryly, seeming to vaguely recall that when he was very young, a high-ranking monk from Kyoto had seen him and seemed to have some connection with his mother's family, saying many things he couldn't remember, but indeed giving him several books.