VOLUME FOUR: RIVERS OF BLOOD
Sakura on snow,
A worthy battle
What do we fight for?
XXXI: Storm clouds
1559 - Summer
Ashikaga Yoshiteru sighed at the sight of the row after row of houses across Kyoto. Like festering corpses they sprawled in all directions towards the horizon in their various states of dilapidation. As his eyes scanned the ancient city he could only imagine the Heian-kyo of centuries past spoken of so fondly in the manuscripts, for what lay before him was little more than a wasteland of ramshackle wooden structures on the verge of collapse. Most of the houses had long been abandoned by their one-time inhabitants, and had started to crumble under their own weight – not unlike the once-proud shogunate he inherited from his forefathers, Yoshiteru mused.
What had seemed like a masterstroke three years ago merely served to bring about the destruction of the Imagawa – one of the few clans who still held some form of reverence for the shogunate. Trade with the Takeda had brought a temporary reprieve to the shogunate’s finances, but the aggressive nature of the newly named Takeda Shingen was known to all, and it was open knowledge that he had not taken lightly to the schemes emanating from Kyoto. Perhaps it would be only a matter of time before the Tiger of Kai would set his sights on Yamashiro itself? Or perhaps Nobushige – the diplomat of the Takeda brothers – would be amenable to reason? The shogun’s thoughts were broken by the entrance of Miyoshi Nagayoshi. His “advisor” had fattened himself on the shogun’s coffers much to his chagrin, yet as much as Yoshiteru despised the poor excuse of a samurai, he realised that Nagayoshi served a purpose. He needed someone to do his bidding outside of Kyoto, and Nagayoshi’s lack of true valour or a backbone meant he could at least be trusted to be a faithful mouthpiece of sorts while Yoshiteru himself maintained an image of neutrality. Crucially, despite his corrupt nature Nagayoshi was at least loyal still to the old order of the Ashikaga shoguns, a rare quality in these times.
Yoshiteru frowned upon hearing the latest reports coming from Nagayoshi’s scouts. After sweeping through the Tokaido provinces – advancing from Suruga to Owari in little over two years – the Takeda army had now camped on the border of Mino province for more than six months. The undefended Imagawa capital was at the Takeda’s mercy, yet they made little effort to claim it. Rumours that the Takeda daimyo was away from the army encampments made the situation all the more perplexing to Yoshiteru, whose annoyance grew each time Nagayoshi protested his ignorance. Being aware of the latest developments helped him little, but it at least afforded him the comforting illusion of control.
“Yoshiteru-sama, perhaps the Takeda and Imagawa are negotiating a peace settlement? It makes little sense that the Takeda do not attempt to take Gifu.”
“Why would they negotiate peace when they have the blasted Mino-no-kami title within their grasp?” Shooting the old samurai a cold stare, Yoshiteru continued dejectedly, “Do you suppose the famed Takeda Shingen is as spineless and fearful of war as you are?”
Ashikaga Yoshiteru watched as Nagayoshi shifted uncomfortably, desperately searching for something acceptable to say in order to deflect the shogun’s attention. Yoshiteru had trusted his man once, but after the entire Takeda tribute was squandered in favour of a towering mansion in the middle of Kyoto that dwarfed even the imperial shrines, there was little doubt that the little man’s loyalty was towards his own purse first and foremost. Still, Yoshiteru hoped for a somewhat intelligent answer to the threat they faced.
“Yoshiteru-sama, as the humble and loyal servant to you that I have always been, I am willing to travel these lands in search of those still loyal to the shogunate. Despite being allies to the Takeda, Uesugi Kenshin still professes his loyalty for the older ways, and there is support still in the southern provinces. Perhaps if we were to unite the clans there would still be hope?”
Yoshiteru looked at the excuse of a man cowered before him. Despite his pathetic outlook Nagayoshi’s idea was not without merit, and if the man were willing to put himself about to preserve the shogunate then perhaps the outlay of gold on this character would not be wasted after all…
“So be it, Nagayoshi. Indeed you have been a great servant to the shogunate, and thus I appoint you now to travel the islands to seek support for the rightful cause. I trust you still have ample finances from the previous repair of the imperial shrines? I will next see you when you have favourable news to report.”
Nagayoshi’s face bore an ashen look as he exited the shogun’s quarters. He had expended much effort to ensure that the use of the repair funds could not be traced to his dishonest practices, and his surprise at Yoshiteru-sama’s harsh diatribe was considerable. The present venture he foolishly volunteered for would be an expensive one, and except in the unlikely event that Uesugi Kenshin’s loyalty to the shogun exceeded his faith in the Takeda alliance it would surely be fruitless. Still, at least he had leave to depart from Kyoto now. Perhaps with what remained of his gold he could live the life of a hermit in one of the holy mountains, or maybe the Takeda were in need of someone in the Imperial court?
* * *
Rain cascaded incessantly from the starless sky, battering mercilessly against the wooden walls of the tenshu, running down the slanted roofs in torrents and plunging as waterfalls where they ended. Puddles collected in the courtyard below as rainwater formed rivers on the gravelly surface. Still Inazawa castle lay still in stoic defiance, holding fast against the angry howling winds. Amidst the dark thrashing tempest, the silhouette of a solitary man stood opposite an open window atop the tenshu, surveying the scenes before him.
It is time for the Tiger to fall and this most dangerous of follies to be put to an end. It is unfortunate that events must unfold in this most ironic of fashions, but the alternative is regrettably far less palatable…
“Tono, it is done. The preparations are in place,” a second figure spoke now, bowed deeply next to the first, “the deed shall be done, and the Tiger shall meet his death at the appointed location. We shall move once he returns from Suruga.”
“Very well, your efforts are well appreciated. I only hope that our plans succeed in saving the clan from the endless madness that engulfs us all. Upon our success you will be rewarded as we have agreed. Kill the Tiger, and you shall be granted your choice of reward.”
“I will exhaust my means to bring you victory, yet it must be you who strikes the fatal blow. While it is easy for me to do so the consequences of such an act would be grave for all involved. The others would only respect you as one of their own, as their new leader, and so it must be-“
“Enough,” there was a wisp of doubt in the man’s voice now, “a part of me still wishes that it does not have to be this way, and the thought of that fills me with hesitation at times, but we must put an end to the madness before it consumes us all. Go and make the final preparations. It is not good for us to be seen meeting in such a manner. May the gods grant us victory.”
“Now is not the time for hesitation and doubt, tono. When the time comes you must steel yourself and do what must be done.”
“You are right. I understand. Now go.”
It will not be pleasant, but it will have to be done.
It is time.
As quickly as they had gathered, the two men separated and disappeared into the dark depths of the castle, their words vanishing into the stormy night…