~ The Road to Kyoto ~
A Hiraizumi Fujiwara AAR
Shogun 2 - Rise of the Samurai
The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR (Abandoned)
~ The Road to Kyoto ~
A Hiraizumi Fujiwara AAR
Shogun 2 - Rise of the Samurai
Last edited by Hitai de Bodemloze; February 01, 2014 at 11:38 AM.
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 1.1
Broken Bonds
1175
It is unfortunate that we must begin our tale with such a macabre episode. When one reads the classic fictions and stories of heroes, rarely do they ever begin with murder and betrayal. Perhaps I am not then a hero. I shall let the history books decide that. Whatever the consequences, I know I am doing what is right - and that is all that matters.
The year is 1175. We are in the seventh year of Emperor Takakura’s reign and, perhaps even more detestably, Taira no Kiyomori’s regency. It is galling to have government policy dictated to us by a Taira cur. The usurpers now tighten their hold over the throne. We have let them run amok, unmolested, for too long now, ever since the schism twenty years ago. Our once proud family was fractured in two, its power destroyed piecemeal. We retreated to our homes, licking our wounds, vowing to stay out of politics forever more. That was my father, Hidehira’s, policy and that of his brothers too. Both the Kubota and Hiraizumi houses have been silent for too long and both maintain to keep it that way. But my father’s time is coming to an end. He is old now; decrepit in his years and in his body. It is time for his son and heir to take control of the clan and I do not intend to pursue this policy of peace any longer!
Our cousins of the Kubota house did not warm to my strategy. I begged them to march to war with me, but they would not hear of it. They saw no hope for our clan, no way of regaining our former glory. They would not join me. How unfortunate for them. If they would not willingly stand with us, I would have to convince them another way.
That autumn I crossed the borders of our lands with six hundred good men. My father was too ill to leave the capital and all clan matters began to fall to me. I had the backing of the house and its retainers. The Hiraizumi wanted war and I would not fail them.
We marched through Ugo province with our eyes fixed on the castle town of Kubota. We were not deterred by the scything rains or punishing snows. As the first day of Spring dawned, we reached the hilltop town.
‘Fire!’ I cried. At my command, four hundred arrows were released into the air. I didn’t pause to see them fall, but I heard the screams of the Kubota from atop the hill. I spurred my horse onward, away from the rather pitiful return volley. We were approaching from the south, but I’d ordered my men to spread out as we slowly surrounded the town. We had the advantage in numbers; the enemy, led by the cowardly Kubota retainer Iwaki Kanekata, numbered but half of my host. Avoiding the return fire from his archers, I brought my cavalry around to the east. We paused momentarily to loose a few arrows of our own. Meanwhile, on the other side of the hill, my naginata levy approached from the west. Two hundred strong, they surged forward, quickly clearing the meagre town fortifications, which, to my surprise, had been unmanned. Iwaki’s force was positioned to the north of the village, at the highest peak of the hill. As my contingent approached from the flank, I quickly assessed the enemy force. Their archers had been broken by the combined fire of the Hiraizumi levy, but two hundred Kubota naginata warriors remained; ready to meet the charge of my men.
*
Without thinking, I swung my horse around and began to gallop toward Iwaki’s host. From across the battlefield, I locked eyes with the portly courtier. He looked upon me with hatred in his eyes, incensed at the temerity of my betrayal. I smiled wickedly, hoping that through the sheeting rain he would notice. I was rewarded soon after, as I saw him raise his sword and begin charging towards me; falling for the bait that was my bodyguard and I. My men fired off another volley, letting him close the gap, before retreating away. Iwaki’s contingent was hot on our heels, but it was soon isolated outside of the town. I turned around to see, in the distance, my infantry take the hill; easily slaughtering the remaining levy in the town.
Realising his mistake, Iwaki attempted to regroup, but his men soon faltered; scurrying from the battlefield like rats. My men cheered as they watched their cousins flee into the forests surrounding the town. I smiled and looked up to the sky. The rain ceased and a tentative sun appeared from behind the clouds. Spring had arrived at last. Soon the Fujiwara clan would regain their former power. The bloodshed would end and I, Fujiwara Kunihira, would sit at the Emperor’s side as Shogun.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Last edited by Hitai de Bodemloze; March 29, 2013 at 07:40 PM.
Sugar free
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Looking good.
Look forward to more. +rep
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Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Thank you, that's most kind of you (and if I might say so, you're own AAR is of course a huge inspiration). Chapter 1.2 is all fired up and ready to go, but I think I might mess around with some picture editing first, as the above images look a little dry to me. Not long to wait though I'm sureOriginally Posted by Robin de Bodemloze
Looking good.
Look forward to more. +rep
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 1.2
Broken Bonds
1176
‘So, how does it feel to kill your own family?’
I looked up to see Gin gliding into the room. The Shirabyoshi was clad in an elegant robe and her face was painted white. The courtesan smiled at me, her eyes gleaming in the soft candle light.
‘I’m doing what has to be done,’ I replied evenly. ‘I’m just finishing the work Yorinaga started.’
I was referring to martyr of the Fujiwara clan, who had cast of the shackles of servitude in an attempt to restore the clan to power. In what became known as the Hogen ‘rebellion’, Yorinaga was slain by his cousin Tadamichi, who had sided with the despicable Minamoto and Taira. The end result was a schism between the two halves of the family; a wound which I now desperately wanted to heal.
Gin nodded, although she seemed to be losing interest in my words. She stood in the doorway of a small office I had requisitioned for my use in the centre of Kubota town. It was lit by a flickering candle set atop the desk I was currently perched at. A small window let in a shimmer of moonlight, helping to illuminate the scrolls I had been perusing before the intrusion.
‘They will be better prepared next time,’ Gin remarked cautiously, her voice softer. I nodded in agreement. My surprise attack on Kubota had caught our cousins off guard, but now I knew that I needed to move fast to keep the initiative. The Kubota Fujiwara, though unaccustomed to warfare for many years now, were still a formidable force. I had managed to defeat a small garrison, but the Kubota army was another matter entirely.
‘Don’t worry,’ I replied. ‘War is not a woman’s business anyway; do not worry yourself with it.’
Gin laughed. ‘Coming from a man who has yet to even read Sun Tzu,’ she chided him. Trained in the practice of Chinese language and calligraphy, Gin was more than just a simple courtesan; she was an intellectual and a writer, a poet and a scholar. I knew that she had read more than just the Art of War. As such, quite frankly I tended to avoid any conversation with her that might put me at a disadvantage. Most conversations really…
‘What brings you here?’ I spoke after a pause, ignoring her veiled criticism. ‘I’m busy planning the invasion and I don’t particularly need any distractions.’
‘Fine,’ she replied curtly, taking the hint. ‘I was just passing and I thought you might enjoy the company. My mistake. Good night my lord.’
With a swish of robe, she was gone. Silence descended over the study once more and I returned to the scrolls sprawled across the desk, somehow more alone than before.
*
Kiyohara Fusahira gripped the side of the boat as the waves crashed against the hull. Despite the almost serene snowfall that trickled from the sky, the sea raged about them furiously. It was all Fusahira could do to stop himself from being thrown overboard.
The Kiyohara family had been serving as loyal retainers for the Fujiwara for nearly a century; ever since the Minamoto had subdued them in the Gossanen War. The Fujiwara had protected them ever since, proving to be capable and kind rulers. Fusahira was proud to serve under the Fujiwara banner, even though he was but only a captain of a small scouting vessel.
His small vessel had been sailing out from the port at Hachinohe when Fusahira had spotted an unknown vessel in the distance. They had tracked it south for three days before losing it in the snowstorm that now swirled around them.
His men, samurai warriors, were freezing. Not expecting to be still out at sea in this weather, they had neglected to carry any winter clothing. Clad in just their armour, many had already succumbed to frostbite. With no cover from the elements, Fusahira was debating simply turning the vessel around and sailing home.
‘There!’ came a cry. Fusahira glanced up. The snowstorm parted briefly to reveal the unknown ship they had been tracking. It was sailing away from them, but it was moving slowly.
Seizing the opportunity, Fusahira ordered the boat forward, commanding his men to sail forward at full speed. All around him his men were gathering their weapons. Some were already sliding arrows out of their quivers, whilst others were unsheathing swords.
An arrow suddenly whistled past Fusahira’s head and embedded itself in the woodwork of the vessel. The enemy ship had spotted them. ‘Return fire!’ Fusahira ordered. His archers let loose a volley and he saw a few men collapse into the choppy waters, arrows protruding from their chests.
Fusahira dodged a return volley and spurred his rowers onward. They were quickly within range. As they drew close with the other ship, grappling hooks were thrown across by his men. Thick ropes adorned with metal hooks cascaded across the gap between the boats, drawing them together. Fusahira unsheathed his own katana and let out a battle cry. With a roar he vaulted over onto the other ship, accompanied by his samurai host. His sword cut a swathe through the enemy sailors, who attempted to retreat away – but there was nowhere to retreat to. In a matter of minutes, the vessel was theirs.
Panting slightly with adrenaline and exhilaration, Fusahira turned to see the ship’s banner. He smiled when he saw the Kubota crest. Perhaps, Fusahira thought, he wouldn’t remain a humble captain forever.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Sugar free
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Bravo! I liked the conversation at the beginning. You seem to have grasped this female character thing nice and early.
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Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Many thanks again! I'm glad you like Gin. She's hopefully going to feature quite prominently in the story, so I'm happy she made a good first impression on you. I just finished Chapter 2.2, so I guess I can upload 1.3 nowBravo! I liked the conversation at the beginning. You seem to have grasped this female character thing nice and early.
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 1.3
Broken Bonds
1177
A lone rider appeared on the horizon, accompanying the rays of the rising sun. I watched the horseman’s approach as, all around me, my army began to wake. We were camped at Akita in southern Ugo Province, slowly making our way toward the Kubota heartland.
Nearby, a few guards attempted to move forward against the rider, but I waved them back. This wasn’t an assassin; it was a messenger.
The horse galloped into the camp. The rider kept his head bowed, avoiding the acid glares of the Hiraizumi soldiers. He came to a halt in the centre of the camp, dismounting and then kneeling before me.
‘My lord Fujiwara Kunihira,’ he began in a reverent tone, ‘I come with word from my master lord Fujiwara Motofusa. These hostilities are needless. We are only hurting the clan by fighting. Let us not draw swords against each other, but against our enemies. Together we can fight for our cause.’
I let him babble on for a while, until he finally ran out of breath. He looked up at me in fear and apprehension. At one command, I could have one of my men behead him. He wouldn’t have been the first diplomat to meet such an end.
‘Fujiwara Motofusa,’ I began vehemently, ‘is a coward.’ The messenger’s eyes widened as he realized I was not going to accept his terms. ‘He had his chance to join me and he refused. Now, he will suffer the consequences. He is weak and unfit to even bear our glorious name; unworthy of being a Fujiwara. Our clan claims the longest and greatest heritage of all in this nation and he spat upon that inheritance when he turned his back on me. And now he wants peace? Run back to your master and tell him his time has come to an end.’
The courier quickly scurried to his feet, tripping over himself as he mounted his horse. He fled from the camp as fast as he could, the jeers of my men hounding him all the way.
*
We marched throughout the autumn as the trees shed their leaves and into the winter as the snows soaked the ground. After recruiting many men in Ugo Province to our cause, my army had now swelled to over eight hundred men. The Kubota had tried to sue for peace again, but again I turned them away. By December, we had surrounded Yamagata, the last Kubota stronghold.
We approached from the north-east. Like Kubota, Yamagata was situated atop a hill. The north-eastern approach was the only one to offer some level terrain, where my army wouldn’t be at a disadvantage. I formed up my 800 men on this slight incline, with my archers positioned at the fore. Arrayed against us was a similar sized army of Kubota soldiers, all clustered around the town tenshu.* Behind their walls and buildings, the Kubota force undoubtedly had a strong defensive advantage.
As our respective archers began to trade, I divided up my infantry into two components. Both would flank around the town tenshu and collapse on the Kubota force from the wings before crushing their centre. My naginata levy would pin down the main Kubota contingent around the tenshu on the left flank, whilst my sword attendants would spearhead a charge on the right. The enemy archers were deployed far out of position and if my swordsmen could break through their ranks on the right flank, they could easily turn the battle.
Battle was soon joined. From afar I saw my heavy swordsmen tear into their unprotected bow levy on the right flank. Their two-handed tachi spun ruthlessly in the ensuing melee, cleaving down the Kubota warriors in droves. Blood speckled the snow and the bowmen were broken almost instantly, such was the ferocity of the Hiraizumi charge.
On the left, a slightly more even battle ensued, when both naginata levies met head to head. Steel met steel in a brutal encounter. Even from a distance I could see men falling left and right on both sides. As the charge ground down into a ferocious melee, the long-shafted naginata became unwieldy in such tight confines and the fight became a merciless brawl. However, as the Kubota left wing collapsed, the levy soon followed; giving ground inch by inch before finally breaking themselves.
The meagre Kubota defences had been crushed. In a brief campaign, I had seized Kubota and Yamagata, destroying my cousin clan and claiming lordship over Tohoku. The civil war that had begun nearly thirty years ago was finally at an end. The Fujiwara were united once more. I had broken my bonds of brotherhood, but renewed them in blood.
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
* I realise that this term is anachronistic, but it still appears in the game regardless. Unless someone can point me to a more appropriate term, I will continue to use this.
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 2.1
A Clan Revived
1178
‘Iwaki Misako?’
I felt my insides churn at the thought. Even the name alone was enough to turn my demeanour sour. Across from me sat Gin; a wicked smile playing upon her lips. I wasn’t quite sure what she seemed so happy about; perhaps she just enjoyed torturing me.
‘That is your mother’s request,’ Gin began to explain, fulfilling her role as handmaiden. Whilst a bright young courtier herself, she had somehow found her way into the clutches of my mother - Lady Miken – becoming the latter’s personal maidservant. I suspected that this was part of the reason she had accompanied me on my campaign; to act as my mother’s spy. That and to keep me on a leash.
I scoffed. ‘My mother’s request? Since when did my esteemed mother decide my bride-to-be?’ That was of course the point of contention. Moments before, Gin had burst into my office unannounced and uninvited (something she seemed to do quite often) and declared that I was to marry some poor peasant girl named Iwaki Misako.
‘Since you decided to slaughter half of the clan,’ Gin replied sharply. ‘You may think you have healed the wound in the clan, but your work is only just beginning. The Kubota Fujiwara still have no wish to follow you into battle. If you marry Misako, they will likely come around to your side soon.’
I still wasn’t happy with the proposal. ‘The Iwaki are odious in their ways. As retainers of the Kubota, it was they who whispered in the ears of my cousins and preached peace when war was needed. They have to be held accountable for that. I cannot marry into such a clan.’
‘You do not have a choice,’ Gin responded bluntly, locking eyes with me. ‘This is the will of your mother and by extension your father, who, as you should know, is not dead yet. You are not daimyo yet Kunihira! You will obey your elders!’
I said nothing as the shirabyoshi turned to leave, merely staring after her venomously. As she reached the door, she turned and glanced back at me. ‘The ceremony is in two days. Also, I’d start thinking up an apology if I were you. You did kill your father-in-law after all.’
With that, Gin swept out of the room, although not before I caught a glimpse of that wicked smile of hers. I sat there in stunned silence for a moment. Iwaki Misako…Iwaki Kanekata…
Spurring my horse on through the forests, we began to close in on the fleeing Kubota warriors. With a battle cry, I brought down my sword, cutting the closest man across his spine. My cavalry impacted with the retreating soldiers and a massacre ensued. Some turned to fight, although they were cut down without mercy. Then there was a sudden cry. I glanced around in shock as one of my guard fall from his horse, a naginata impaled in his chest. I looked down to see a defiant samurai of the Kubota crest, a look of fury in his eyes. Iwaki Kanekata. I rushed forward atop my steed, ready to impale the man on the tip of my katana. As I drew near, he rolled out of the way, bringing his own sword to bear upon my right leg. My armour blocked the blow, but it still set me off balance, causing me to collapse off of my horse and onto the forest floor. With a cry of his own, Kanekata charged at me. I blocked his first swing, but I had yet to find my balance, still struggling to get into a fighting stance. Kanekata was ruthless, not giving me any time to think. His eyes were overcome with bloodlust and his sword came at me again and again and again. I found my feet once more, but his hammering blows kept forcing me back. Then, I felt the hard trunk of a tree at my back. With a gleam in his eye, Kanekata rushed towards me, attempting to skewer me to the tree with his sword. At the last moment, I dodged away. Caught up in the momentum of his charge, Kanekata found his sword impaled in the bark. In a quick, deft stroke, I took his head from his shoulders.
Ah, so I was to marry his daughter. Excellent…
*
The ceremony was a short and simple affair. Despite my misgivings, my bride was in fact quite beautiful, if a little young. I declared a formal apology for my murder of her father and she accepted it graciously, as did the gathered crowds in Yamagata. They cheered and, as Gin had predicted, began to look towards me with reverence instead of disgust. Perhaps this marriage was what the clan needed.
After the wedding, Misako soon found herself under Gin’s wing. Now a Fujiwara lady, she was to be schooled in the arts and educated as per her position demanded. I would have preferred sending her to a proper tutor, but since Gin was already with me in Yamagata, it made sense to have the shirabyoshi begin schooling my new bride in the recently captured town. Misako, although born into perhaps the most prestigious Kubota retainer clan, was still not educated much beyond that of an average peasant girl. If anyone could transform her into a lady befitting of being my wife, it would be Gin.
After the proceedings, I retreated to my war room to begin planning the next stage of the campaign. Even despite the wedding, some elements of the old Kubota regime resisted me. A few days after my marriage to Misako, a messenger found me at my desk.
‘My lord,’ he began breathlessly, ‘the temple at Mt. Shirataka was set ablaze earlier today. Kubota rebels were behind the attack.’
I leapt up, furious. How dare they defile a holy place? Did they know no honour? ‘I will ready the men,’ I spoke briskly. ‘We shall sally out to put down these rebels before they can cause any more harm.’
‘My lord,’ the messenger spoke again tentatively, ‘the rebels have already been defeated.’
‘What?’ I questioned him, aghast. ‘By who?’
‘The monks of the temple, my lord.’
Miles
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Hooray! Another AAR, and this time for ROTS! I'm definitely following this. Keep your pace and you will soon gather more readers. I'm enjoying it right now.
"I know you. I can see right through you. You're swearing now that one day you will destroy me. Remember, far better women than you have sworn to do the same. Come look at them now."
-Atia
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Thank you for taking the time to comment, it really means a lotHooray! Another AAR, and this time for ROTS! I'm definitely following this. Keep your pace and you will soon gather more readers. I'm enjoying it right now.
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 2.2
A Clan Revived
1178
After the last remnants of the Kubota attacked the temple at Mt. Shirataka, the local populace finally lost faith in their old masters. Such a blatant display of disrespect towards the Buddhist faith rightfully angered my new people and they soon flocked to my banner. The monks themselves, who had fought off the raiding party, pledged themselves to my cause. Sōhei warrior monks paid heed to the Fujiwara clan once more and I was glad to have them counted amongst my host. Aside from the fledgling samurai class, there were no finer warriors in all the land.
We departed Yamagata that autumn. After many months rest and recuperation, my army was ready to travel and do battle again. Fukushima was the last area of Tōhoku still not under my control and the castle there at Aizuwakamatsu was to be my next target. It would serve as a perfect staging ground for my main advance into the heart of Honshu. There was some debate over whether or not we should advance into Echigo instead, but I ultimately decided against it. The road was too long and arduous. Our supply lines would become stretched and Sendai would come under threat. The mountains around Fukushima would at least offer some form of natural protection whilst we planned our next move.
I felt a warm glow swell up within me as we crossed back into Hiraizumi lands. Although the campaign against the Kubota had gone swiftly enough, I had still been on the frontlines for three years. The bustling town of Sendai soon came into view and I fought to keep a smile off of my face.
We were greeted by a host of cheering crowds upon our entry to the town. People flocked the roadsides to congratulate the returning army. Some of the newer recruits we had picked up at Ugo looked slightly taken aback by the reception, but the soldiers from the home provinces of Miyagi and Iwate looked positively overjoyed. I was even touched to hear a few members of the crowd shouting my name. Although I knew my people had desired re-unification, I was glad to have my actions justified. The Fujiwara were whole once more and the people were overjoyed.
*
‘Brother!’
‘Oh dear,’ I muttered to myself as I saw Tadahira approaching. Most of my army had disbanded for the night; some setting up camp outside the town and others re-joining their families. My guard and a few other retainers were now making our way to the town tenshu. The tenshu from which my brother Tadahira was now running out from towards us.
‘Family is family.’
I turned to see Gin smiling at me, atop a horse of her own. Without another word, she departed herself, steering her steed down a conveniently placed alleyway off of the main boulevard. Shaking my head in defeat, I turned back to see my youngest brother now by my side. I deftly dismounted my horse and bowed my head slightly as he clasped my hand.
‘Three years!’ he cried, adolescence still colouring his tone. ‘You didn’t even write to me.’
‘I was busy,’ I half-apologised, striding past him toward the tenshu. ‘There wasn’t really time to write.’
Tadahira kept pace with me, dogging my footsteps as we entered the structure. ‘You missed the wedding by the way,’ he remarked offhandedly.
‘No, no, I was at my wedding. I think I would remember,’ I replied dully. After the long march from Yamagata to Sendai, I had little patience for my younger brother’s hyperactive commentary.
‘Not yours brother, mine!’
I stopped and turned to look at him, eyebrow raised quizzically. ‘You got married?’
‘That’s right!’ Tadahira affirmed, beaming with pride. ‘Oh, you have to meet her! She’s called Kadoko and she’s the prettiest thing. Hey, do you think that your wife would like to meet her? And what about…’
‘Tadahira!’ I cut him off sharply. He fell silent immediately, looking abashed. ‘We don’t have time for this right now. Are my samurai ready for battle? I left you here specifically to oversee their training. Attendants and levy were acceptable for my battles against the Kubota, but I’ll need samurai for my next campaign.’
Tadahira looked down at his feet, scratching his head. ‘Well, not quite,’ he replied tentatively. ‘But the Bushi Training Grounds are complete, as per your request. We just might need a few more seasons to do the actual training.’
I let out a sigh. Of course the boy hadn’t done what I’d asked of him. It wasn’t the first time. ‘Well, we’re camped here now for the winter anyway. In the spring we’ll begin the next stage of the campaign. It seems we’ll have to make do without the samurai for the moment.’
‘Brother,’ Tadahira spoke up, still sounding hesitant. ‘You keep saying “we”…’
‘Oh, that’s right Tadahira,’ I replied gravely. ‘It seems you can’t be trusted to manage matters here at home. You will be accompanying me on the front lines from now on.’
Sugar free
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Really good chapter. I'm really liking how this is unfolding right now. One thing - Aizuwakamatsu Castle wasn't built until the 1300's.
Like Kratos said, it takes time and length to attract followers. It will come - keep up the good work.
The Wings of Destiny - A FotS AAR (Chapter 12 - Updated Apr 24)
Takeda - a Shogun 2 AAR (Completed) Reviewed by Radzeer
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Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Aye that did crop up in my research, but apparently it didn't concern the creators of RotSReally good chapter. I'm really liking how this is unfolding right now. One thing - Aizuwakamatsu Castle wasn't built until the 1300's.
Like Kratos said, it takes time and length to attract followers. It will come - keep up the good work.A lot of the names and places (and units actually) are anachronistic, but I have to work with what the game gives me when I can't find any alternatives. Hopefully I can just create enough suspension of disbelief to cover my tracks
Thanks for the kind words yet again
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 2.3
A Clan Revived
1179
I had my reservations about bringing Tadahira along with me to the frontlines and at times I began to wonder if my impulse decision had in fact been the right one. Certainly he was annoying, but I hoped that war would toughen him up and finally help him blossom into a man. Bringing him so close to battle did put his life at risk however. I wasn’t sure how happy I was about that prospect. I wasn’t sure if I could cope with having my brother’s death on my hands. I was just hoping the boy had enough wits about him to avoid getting himself killed.
Gin was certainly surprised at my decision and she shot me a perplexed look when the boy rode out with us the following spring. She could make of it what she would; I couldn’t control the shirabyoshi, nor the information she relayed to my mother, so I’d resolved to stop trying. She was tolerable enough, so long as she kept her distance. Having her too close by made me uneasy.
It seemed like only a few days had passed since I had returned to the home provinces, now I was already departing. As spring dawned, we made our camp at the Shirioshi Pass, on the border between Miyagi and Fukushima. As night drew nearer and the soldiers began to succumb to sleep, I called my war council.
We met in the centre of the camp, in my personal tent. We knelt together in torchlight, all subdued. Our last campaign had been justified to some degree. Even though the Kubota had been our cousins, we had effectively been at war for decades. Our actions had been the culmination of tensions between divided peoples who should by all means have been united. Now, as we made camp on the Fukushima border, we were arrayed against a country of innocents: the Soma clan. We had coexisted peacefully for many years and it was difficult to justify the coming invasion. I knew many of my men were struggling with this burden.
‘Tomorrow,’ I began finally, after a weighty silence, ‘we march on Aizuwakamatsu. We will be swift and we will be decisive. The castle will be in our hands before the enemy can react. Our target is Soma Joki. We slay him and the castle will be ours. When we remove the head, the body will follow. We kill Soma Joki and the people will accept our rule.’
‘Are you sure you want to go through with this brother?’ Tadahira spoke up. As but a mere boy, he seemed to be struggling the most with our attack on the Soma. ‘These people have not wronged us. This doesn’t seem like an honourable battle.’
‘Tadahira,’ I spoke softly, ‘You know our cause. You know why we fight. We must reclaim our former glory and rid the nation of the Taira and Minamoto usurpers. We must subdue Tōhoku and establish ourselves on the central plains. It is unfortunate that the Soma lie in our path, but you must remember that, whilst they have not wronged us, they have not supported us either. They did not back us when we tried to restore our rightful place at the Emperor’s side thirty years ago and they did nothing to aid us in our exile afterwards. They are just as guilty of betrayal against us as the Taira and Minamoto – as are all who stand in our way.’
My words were blunt, but persuasive. Tadahira nodded solemnly and a murmur of assent ran through the group. They no longer looked disenchanted, but committed. It was a start. Commitment was all I needed. I had plenty of time to mould that into fervour and zeal.
‘Gentlemen,’ I addressed my gathered council, rising as I did so, ‘send out the messengers and inform the Soma that we are now at war. Tomorrow, we take our first step on the road to Kyoto!’
‘Have you seen this?’ Gin enquired, brandishing a scroll at me. Summer was drawing to a close and we were encamped on the shores of the tranquil Lake Inawashiro, on the outskirts of Aizuwakamatsu. The Soma had not taken our declaration of war lightly, although Soma Joki had yet to sally out to meet us in battle; content instead to hide behind his high walls. As the weeks dragged on, we prepared ourselves for the coming battle.
*
‘No,’ I replied, not particularly interested in whatever bit of paper Gin was fascinated by. I was sat by the lakeside, watching the summer sun sparkle on the calm waters.
She gasped in mock horror. ‘But my dear Kunihira, this is a copy of the Eiga Monogatari. This is a Fujiwara treasure! I can’t believe I found a scroll here in Fukushima of all places. I’ve been dying to read it for so long.’
‘A load of court ladies babbling on about who they slept with or who’s sleeping with who or who the emperor’s real mother is – quite frankly Gin, I couldn’t care less.’
The shirabyoshi snorted in contempt. ‘I thought you of all people would have a greater appreciation for your clan’s history and culture.’ With that, she departed, leaving me in peace by the lakeside.
The Eiga Monogatari. I had read it of course. Whilst a lot of it was devoted to the diaries of courtesans and geisha, it did serve as a chronicle of a time when Fujiwara power was at its height. It was inspiring to read of a time when my clan was at its apex and it did indeed provide me with motivation to propel the Fujiwara to those heights once more. But I knew what Gin wanted out of the scroll and I had little patience for that kind of sordid conversation.
I let the matter drop from my mind, as a leaf from a tree, and looked back out across the lake. The waters were bottle blue and beginning to mire as the first of the leaves began to fall from the trees. Summer had come and gone so fast. I had expected a quick campaign in Fukushima, but poorly serviced roads had hampered the march of my army, putting us far behind schedule. Six whole months to travel from Shirioshi Pass to Lake Inawashiro; a snail's pace.
‘My lord!’ came a cry. Putting my concerns to the back of my mind, I turned to see one of my soldiers scurrying towards me. I rose and bade him speak as he came to a halt by the water’s edge. ‘We just received word from our scouting parties. Amakasu Chikanaga has been spotted to the north of us, leading a host the equal of our own. Likewise to the south, Satake Masakiyo is approaching with a similar sized force.’
Amakasu and Satake. They were names I hadn’t heard in a long time. Neighbours of the Soma - from Echigo and Hitachi respectively -, they had all lived peacefully for some time. Why were they now moving against Aizuwakamatsu? Were they allied against us? There had been no declarations of war from either of the two states. Did they both just want Fukushima for themselves? A more probable prospect. Fukushima was the gateway of the north; a vital crossroads between Tōhoku, Kanto and Kōshin'etsu. Whoever controlled Aizuwakamatsu could project their influence across any of these three regions. I obviously wasn’t the only one after such an important prize. Preliminary reports from my scouts had given their estimate of the Soma garrison at 2,000 men. My own force was 1,000 strong. If this latest report was correct, 5,000 men were currently manoeuvring into position around Aizuwakamatsu. Whatever happened, battle would be inevitable.
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 2.4
A Clan Revived
1179
‘Aizuwakamatsu is mine!’
I sighed as Satake Masakiyo plunged into his self-righteous rhetoric. Tadahira and I had travelled to the Satake camp on the other side of Lake Inawashiro to attempt to cajole them into an alliance. We had already travelled to the Amakasu camp at Yugawa a few days before and the response had been much the same. No one wanted to forfeit the prize of Aizuwakamatsu to a potential ally.
‘My lord Satake,’ I began again, ‘we face a common enemy here. Both of our banners can fly high from the walls of the castle. Once I have passed through Fukushima, you are welcome to the castle.’
Masakiyo, a short repugnant man, snorted in disbelief. ‘So you wish to make me your vassal; to watch over your lands whilst you’re away, like some faithful dog? I will not stand for that you insolent boy! Your time has passed. The Fujiwara are no longer a great family. You’ve spent too long rotting away in the north to even imagine wielding any form of power. You are a spent force. I will not yield Aizuwakamatsu or Fukushima to you.’
‘Then this meeting is over,’ I replied solemnly. After a formal bow, I made my way out of his company, towards my waiting horse.
‘How did it go?’ Tadahira asked anxiously. He looked slightly nervous being left alone in the Satake camp, unaccustomed to the armies of other clans.
I shook my head in defeat as I saddled my horse. ‘He refused to co-operate. Much like Amakasu Chikanaga, he wants the castle for himself.’
‘What do we do then? We can’t fight the Soma, the Amakasu and the Satake!’
I was silent for a while as the pair of us made our way out into the fields of Fukushima. Autumn was at its zenith now and the trees about us were stripped to the branches. Cold winds were blowing in and winter would be upon us soon.
‘We won’t last the winter,’ I spoke up eventually. ‘We can’t maintain a siege throughout the snows… damn the rest of them! We march on Aizuwakamatsu tomorrow!’
‘What?’ cried Tadahira, nearly falling sideways off of his horse.
I felt a fire spring up within me, a sense of righteousness that had been dulled by the past few days of unfruitful diplomatic endeavour. ‘Damn the Amakasu and damn the Satake! We are the Fujiwara! Our destiny lies in Kyoto and no one is going to stand in our way! We will take Aizuwakamatsu before these lowly peasants can do a thing about it and we will destroy them in turn if they dare mount an attack against us.’
Tadahira was aghast. ‘You heard Chikanaga and Masakiyo, they won’t let Aizuwakamatsu go without a fight.’
‘Then let them come!’ I cried resolutely. ‘Tomorrow Tadahira; tomorrow we ride for Aizuwakamatsu!’
The next day, we decamped from Lake Inawashiro and marched on Aizuwakamatsu. Our force was a thousand men strong and each man yearned for battle. Many were veterans of the recent Kubota campaign, whilst others were fresh recruits. However, all of them to a man believed in the Fujiwara cause and all would happily lay down their lives to see the glory of the clan restored.Spoiler Alert, click show to read:
*
We approached the castle from the north-east, eventually calling a halt on the slopes of Mt. Takayama. To the south, stretched out before us like a painting, was Aizuwakamatsu. The only obstacle in the way was Mt. Iimori, another small peak, partially obscuring our vision of the castle-town. We would have to cross it in order to reach our prize, but the task gave me no pause for thought. Something else however, did.
The late autumn rain descended heavily around us, beating down upon our armour like the vengeance of a god. I was about to signal the advance when something caught my eye atop Mt. Iimori opposite us. A single white banner. And then another. And then a whole host. Soma Joki had sallied out his army.
‘What’s going on?’ cried Tadahira, galloping toward me upon his steed. The boy was soaked to the skin; giving his form a shrunken look and making his armour look even more out of place upon his already lithe frame. ‘Are those Soma flags?’
‘It looks like Lord Joki is gracing us with his presence on the battlefield today,’ I replied over the scything rain. ‘That old dog must have tricked us. He knew that all us of – the Fujiwara, the Amakasu and the Satake – would fight amongst ourselves for the prize of his keep. He knew we wouldn’t combine our forces for an assault, so he’s going to destroy us piecemeal. Well, that’s what he’d like to think.’
I couldn’t make out Tadahira’s expression through the beating rain, but I could tell he was concerned. This was his first battle. ‘What are we going to do brother? The enemy outnumbers us two-to-one! The Soma host is two thousand strong! We can’t fight a pitched battle against them!’
I chuckled to myself. ‘Perhaps I should send you to school alongside my wife. Gin could teach you a thing or two as well,’ I remarked, although I wasn’t sure he heard me. I raised my voice. ‘We will use their numbers against them! Once their army clears Mt. Iimori, they’ll be on the low ground and we’ll have the terrain advantage. His archers will be at a disadvantage in this weather. They will have to bring their battle lines to the foot of Mt. Takayama to be effective and then we’ll have them right where we want them.’
Tadahira swallowed nervously, although he seemed reassured that I at least had some semblance of a strategy. ‘What are your orders?’ he asked, beginning to compose himself.
‘Form up our naginatas and swords on the crest of the mountain. Put the archers in the fore, on the slopes. Bring the cavalry together in the rear and I’ll meet you there.’
My brother nodded and spurred his horse away. I watched him go before turning my attention back towards the encroaching Soma. They were coming down the northern slopes of Mt. Iimori now. If I won here, Aizuwakamatsu would be mine and all of Japan would be open to me.
I looked up at the heavens, letting the freezing rain hit my face. I wondered if the gods – if there were any gods – were watching me. Destiny was on my side, I knew that much. As I stared upwards, the rain grew colder and colder, harder and harder. Hail. Winter was coming. If I was to lose here, all my hopes and dreams would be buried under the snow. I wasn’t about to let that happen.
Sugar free
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Interesting build-up to the battle. The contrast between Tadahira and Kunihira is quite intriguing. Very nicely done.
The game diplomacy is getting interesting as well. Been a while since I last tasted the everyone-on-everyone affair that RotS is.
The Wings of Destiny - A FotS AAR (Chapter 12 - Updated Apr 24)
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Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Wow, you have a really good AAR going here.
Your dialogue is quite good, and this character Gin seems quite interesting.
+rep
EDIT: To try and gain a few more readers why not post in the Advertising Board? Also if you get the chance pop into the Writers' Study chat thread and let everyone know about this!
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Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
CheersInteresting build-up to the battle. The contrast between Tadahira and Kunihira is quite intriguing. Very nicely done.
The game diplomacy is getting interesting as well. Been a while since I last tasted the everyone-on-everyone affair that RotS is.
It's my first time tasting it (as it were)! This is actually my first RotS campaign, so I'm not really sure what's going on
Thank you very much ShankbotWow, you have a really good AAR going here.
Your dialogue is quite good, and this character Gin seems quite interesting.
+rep
EDIT: To try and gain a few more readers why not post in the Advertising Board? Also if you get the chance pop into the Writers' Study chat thread and let everyone know about this!
Thanks for the heads up. I posted in the Advertising Board a few days ago and I don't really want to keep spamming it. I think a visit to the chat thread is long overdue actually, I should really get around to properly introducing myself to the community here
Re: The Road to Kyoto ~ A Shogun 2 RotS AAR
Chapter 2.5
A Clan Revived
1179
‘Men of Miyagi, men of Iwate, men of Ugo, men of Uzen – today we take our first step on the road to glory!’ I cried out to my assembled army. A thousand Fujiwara soldiers looked up towards me attentively. The icy rain continued to bombard the earth, but my men paid it no heed, all of them steeling themselves for the coming battle. ‘We have united our warring houses and now we have been given the chance to show the world our strength! This is our trial by fire! This is the day that will underpin all our efforts from now onwards; this is the day that will go down in history as the day that we were reborn. The Soma outnumber us two-to-one, but I know that every Fujiwara man is worth ten of those dogs. I would happily take you to battle against 10,000 with the knowledge that you would triumph. They might have the advantage in numbers, but we have the advantage in spirit! Show them your spirit now my sons! Show it in your sword and in your bow; show it in your eyes and in your arms. Show that you are not afraid and the enemy will falter! Strip them of their confidence with your battle cries and send them running!’
My men roared their approval, in a sound that drowned out even the thunderous rains. The cries of a thousand men shook the earth and rattled the heavens. Give me commitment and I’ll give you fervour, I thought wryly.
The Soma host was advancing steadily down the slopes of Mt. Iimori, undeterred by the rain and hail. More kept appearing on the crest of the mountain until the entire cliff was visible no more. White clad soldiers stretched from summit to base and even I couldn’t help but be slightly intimidated. Over 2,000 warriors were arrayed against us.
‘Bows, ready!’ I cried from atop the mountain. My order carried down the slopes and, below me, my four hundred archers each plucked an arrow from their quivers. ‘Wait for my command!’
The rain obscured visibility on both sides and drastically decreased the effectiveness of the bow. However, this meant that the Soma archers would have to give up their position on Mt. Iimori to get into range, bringing them into the lowland of the valley between the two mountains. I watched the first of the white clad bowmen scuttle down into the basin, their movements inhibited by the thick mud that had congregated at the base of the twin cliffs. Now they were in range.
‘Fire!’
On my command, four hundred arrows were loosed into the sky, scything down towards the entangled Soma vanguard. Return fire was sporadic at first, but soon the enemy’s main contingent or archers was in position and my men began suffer casualties.
Tadahira wore a worried look about his countenance. ‘We won’t win this exchange,’ he spoke fretfully, from atop his horse besides me. We were positioned at the top of the mountain, slightly behind our main battle line. ‘The enemy have far too many bows. Even though we have the terrain advantage, if Soma Joki decides to wait us out, he’ll come out the victor.’
I raised a hand to silence. ‘Do you know one of the main problems of fielding such a large army Tadahira?’ I asked him. Out of the corner of eye, I saw a white banner approaching on the right flank; a banner far out of position. The Soma host was advancing in full, as its naginata warriors caught up with the archers in the van, but one regiment was further than all others. They were sprinting across the muddy valley, directly towards the right flank of my army. ‘The soldiers get overconfident.’
‘What?’ he asked, perplexed.
My archers were beginning to bear the brunt of the ranged exchange now and casualties were mounting. ‘Archers of the left!’ I called, struggling to make my voice heard over the raging elements. ‘Withdraw!’
At my command, two hundred bowmen immediately turned on their heels and retreated up the mountain to the rear of the Fujiwara force. Two hundred still remained on the right, directly in the path of the advancing Soma regiment.
‘What about the archers on the right?’ Tadahira cried in shock. ‘They’ll be slaughtered!’
‘Wait for it,’ I murmured under my breath.
The extended Soma unit, a hundred naginata levies, was fast approaching; already beginning to scale the incline of Mt. Takayama. I called almost see the bloodlust in their eyes. As part of a host 2,000 strong, they knew no fear. Victory was certain for them, for how could they lose when their numbers were so great? A fatal mistake.
‘Archers of the right, withdraw!’ My remaining two hundred archers finally began to creep back up the mountain, barely metres away from the advancing Soma soldiers. ‘Naginatas of the right, charge!’
With a battle cry which sent a shiver down my spine, one hundred of my naginatas charged down the mountain. The Soma troops faltered. They had been expecting to catch my archers out of position, but now they found themselves detached from the rest of their army and facing down a sudden counter-attack. Carried forth by the downhill momentum, my naginatas plunged into the bewildered Soma warriors. Battle had been joined.
As arrows continued to fly overheard, Soma Joki must have realized the mistake his troops had made. As battle was met on the slopes of Mt. Takayama, a second contingent of Soma troops began advancing on the right flank, hoping to provide their friends with reinforcements. The main body of Soma troops was still trudging down into the valley and the left flank was fatally overextended. As the second Soma regiment joined the battle on the right, I ordered another of my units forward.
‘The Soma can afford to throw troops away,’ Tadahira remonstrated, looking thoroughly scared as rain and arrows descended with equal measure from the heavens. ‘We’ve just committed our entire right flank to this skirmish!’
He was right. A third of my infantry were now fighting an isolated skirmish on the far right of the battlefield. The main body of the Soma army had yet to engage, although they were approaching fast; no doubt inspired by their comrades already in the fray.
‘Patience Tadahira,’ I replied, dodging an incoming arrow as the words left my mouth. ‘This encounter will decide the entire battle. I know what I’m doing.’
Tadahira looked like he wasn’t so sure, but I ignored him. The Soma army was now struggling up the slopes of Mt. Takayama and the true battle was but moments away.
‘Men of Fujiwara!’ I called to my army one last time. ‘Battle has been joined. Now is your chance to prove yourselves. If you die today, it will be a glorious death. If you live, you will walk as gods upon this earth forever more. This is your time! Naginatas of the left, swords of the centre, charge!’
With a deafening roar, the Fujiwara warriors descended down the mountain slopes and steel met steel in a clash that echoed throughout the valley. A thousand warriors met two thousand foes in a battle to decide the fate of the Fujiwara clan.
‘Brother!’ hailed Tadahira, distracting me from the ensuing slaughter. ‘The right!’
I whirled around to see even more Soma men piling into the battle on the right flank. Soma Joki had committed all of his reserves to overpower the right wing of my force; trying to exploit the opening his vanguard had made earlier. Now, his men threatened to turn the flank of my beleaguered soldiers. If they managed to break into the rear of my formation, the battle would be over. I knew what had to be done.
‘Tadahira,’ I spoke softly, staring off into the distance. ‘Is you sword sharp?’
‘Yes,’ he stammered.
‘Is your mind clear?’
‘Yes.’
I looked over at him; a boy in ill-fitting armour atop a steed nearly his own age. He looked terrified, but somehow still resolute. I smiled. This was his time to prove himself.
‘Tadahira, we ride!’
My cavalry were only fifty strong, but that was all I needed. I trusted every one of them with my life and I knew they would, to a man, give their lives for me and the clan. Hand-picked from the most loyal Fujiwara retainers, these samurai were the elite of my force. We had once chance to make our impact on the battle count and this was it.
*
We rode hard to the right, descending down the mountain parallel to the unfolding battle. As we reached the base, we swung around to the south, moving onto the flank of the Soma troops, who had by now begun to penetrate the flank of my naginatas on the right. Tadahira kept pace beside me, spurring his horse onward. I couldn’t make out his expression through the rain, but I hoped he had quelled his fear.
We swung to the left, toward the melee. Urging my steed onward, I began to overtake my bodyguard. I raised my sword high above my head for all to see. ‘Samurai of Fujiwara,’ my voice rang out over the din of battle, ‘ready your swords! Let us turn this battle!’
What came next was a blur. We smashed into the Soma rear. I saw startled faces and frantic movement. My tachi swung relentlessly, eviscerating men left and right. I lost myself in the battle briefly; concerned only with trying to distinguish friend from foe as my sword carved its way through the throng of soldiers.
When I came to, the Soma were scurrying away; fleeing for their lives. The Soma left flank had been broken with my cavalry charge. As I looked across the battle field, I suddenly saw white banners retreating elsewhere. The centre collapsed almost instantaneously, finally giving up the fight when they saw their brothers flee past them. The Soma right collapsed not long after. A chain rout.
‘Men of Fujiwara!’ I called across the battlefield, although I wasn’t sure how many of my men could hear me. ‘Pursue them! Don’t allow them a moment’s respite!’
Perhaps they had heard me, perhaps not, but as the Soma began to fall back, my men descended on them with a ruthless ferocity. No mercy was shown as my soldiers cleaved their way through droves of fleeing Soma warriors. The Fujiwara had no respect for cowards.
‘Tadahira!’ I hailed my brother, looking around frantically. My eyes eventually fell upon him and I breathed a sigh of relief. He was drenched in blood and his eyes were wide. I didn’t pause to give him a second thought; the battle wasn’t over yet. ‘We ride to the right! Let’s chase them down!’
Despite being the ones hit by my cavalry charge, the left wing of the Soma army was still the most likely to reform, as it was the most numerous. We had to inflict as many casualties as possible on them to secure victory.
In the centre of the Soma lines, I could see Soma Joki attempting to rally his forces. His archers were still raining death down upon my advancing men, but more and more were beginning to falter every minute.
I lost sight of the main battle as my cavalry descended into another Soma unit, but after we rode them down, I caught another glimpse of the fight, which was now unfurling on the slopes of Mt. Iimori. The Soma bows had routed and only Joki and his samurai retainers remained, holding fast against the approaching mass of Fujiwara. I watched from afar as my men overwhelmed his meagre guard and sent him tumbling from his steed.
‘Soma Joki is dead!’ Tadahira cried. I turned to look at him, but I still couldn’t gauge what was going through his mind.
‘The battle isn’t over yet,’ I replied. ‘Let’s go. We’ll hound them all the way back to Aizuwakamatsu!’
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