Chapter 179: The Wise helper Is Gone
Night fell, and the silvery moonlight sprinkled softly like a thin veil over Iwakura Castle, exuding a… scent of decay and ruin. Primarily, the castle town of Iwakura had been completely destroyed and was now surrounded by layers of siege. Just looking at it, one could feel the despair of the defending troops within.
Yuan Ye stood in the shadow of the camp, gazing at the castle with a sense of relief, as if he were about to be freed.
The war between the Upper Four Districts and Lower Four Districts of Owari was so tedious it made one sick. After Oda Nobukiyo, Oda Nobunaga’s new brother-in-law, tied down Saito Yoshitatsu, Oda Nobukata, the new head of the Iwakura Oda family who had usurped power, was no match for Oda Nobunaga. After more than half a year of repeated struggles, bribery, betrayal, and unavoidable circumstances, Oda Nobunaga successfully tore open a breach in the outer defenses of Iwakura Castle, and then the two sides decided the outcome through open battle.
Oda Nobunaga brought out his trump card—six hundred Oda matchlock gunners and fifteen hundred elite ashigaru trained under the “separation of soldiers and farmers” policy. Oda Nobukata also gave his all, mobilizing all the strength of the Iwakura Oda family, with vassals and followers emerging in full force, leading a large number of rookie ashigaru in a desperate struggle.
The two sides clashed fiercely at Ukino, about ten miles west of Iwakura Castle. In the end, Oda Nobukata abandoned over a thousand followers and the corpses of dozens of vassals, fleeing back to the castle and being forced into a siege.
After this battle, the Iwakura Oda family was essentially finished, their reserves depleted, like a candle in the wind. However, Oda Nobunaga did not force an assault on the castle. He simply surrounded it and led his main force to confront the reinforcing Saito Yoshitatsu, thereby cutting off the last glimmer of hope for Oda Nobukata to rise again.
Yuan Ye, with the Wanjin Army, had participated in the entire battle, though without much fanfare, performing competently. He led over three hundred spearmen and over a hundred matchlock gunners, essentially just going through the motions. But he wasn’t without gains—in the battles to clear out a series of branch castles and manors, he had secretly captured quite a few people. Moreover, when war broke out, Owari’s “human trafficking business” became active again, and the prices for family retainers and servants plummeted. He also bought some at a low price.
In addition, while clearing out the outer strongholds of Iwakura Castle, the Wanjin Army unexpectedly injured and captured a historical figure—Monkey’s future trusted general, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, along with his stepmother and younger brother’s wife.
Indeed, Yamauchi Kazutoyo, with his father already fallen, did not have much hope for the future of the Iwakura Oda family and attempted to escort his family to escape. However, he was not as lucky as in history and ran headlong into the iron wall of the Wanjin Army, becoming a captive.
Yuan Ye found these people difficult to handle, as Yamauchi Kazutoyo’s mother was the aunt of Endo Chiyo, the “Chief Magistrate” of Xin Wanjin. Yamauchi Kazutoyo was also Endo Chiyo’s cousin and historical husband. Therefore, he notified Endo Chiyo, asking her to come and deal with them herself, while he went out for some fresh air and to enjoy the scenery—this was at least a show of respect for a capable assistant.
…
Yuan Ye gazed at Iwakura Castle under the moonlight, lost in thought, contemplating that the Battle of Okehazama couldn’t be far off and planning his own actions. Just then, a cloak was draped over his shoulders. He turned and saw it was A Qing. After a slight nod of thanks, he asked, “Are they finished talking?”
A Qing gently shook her head. She didn’t care about those matters. She just saw him standing there staring into the distance and worried he might catch a chill, so she came to give him a piece of clothing.
Yuan Ye wasn’t surprised. A Qing didn’t like to meddle in other people’s affairs. He gently squeezed her small hand, warming it as well. This battle had been a drawn-out affair. There was only one major engagement, but countless small skirmishes involving hundreds or even dozens of men. The siege of Iwakura Castle had dragged on past the New Year, and the weather was now cold.
If he and Oda Nobunaga had not both completed the “separation of soldiers and farmers” and had a large number of demobilized soldiers, this might have dragged on for another year or two. If you didn’t let the rookie ashigaru return for the autumn harvest and spring plowing, they would desert on their own, and the followers would become restless and lose morale.
A Qing also gently squeezed his hand back and stood beside him as a guard. Yuan Ye felt the warmth from her small hand and continued to look at the scenery.
Yes, he was seeing it less and less. Earlier, during the military council, he had heard Oda Nobunaga’s intention that Iwakura Castle was unnecessary. It could easily foster another powerful local lord that would be difficult to control. Therefore, after capturing Iwakura Castle, Oda Nobunaga planned to dismantle the large castle directly, as it had little economic significance anyway. The economic center of this area was at Shōtoku-ji Temple, not far from Iwakura Castle. Iwakura Castle was more like a fortress specialized for military purposes.
Yuan Ye watched for a while longer, feeling the night wind picking up. He began to consider finding a place with A Qing to warm up and perhaps roast some buns to eat. Just then, A Man emerged from the shadows and started to report to him: “Endo let Yamauchi Kazutoyo go.”
“Let him go…” Yuan Ye wasn’t too surprised. He had told Endo Chiyo earlier that she could handle it however she saw fit, and he had no objections. But he couldn’t help but ask, “She doesn’t intend to go with the Yamauchi family?”
A Man blinked, puzzled, and asked, “Why would she go with her Yamauchi family?”
“It’s nothing, I just thought they were her last remaining relatives.” Yuan Ye vaguely fumbled for an excuse, knowing he had asked a foolish question. Endo Chiyo was no longer the orphaned girl from history who fled from Omi to seek refuge with relatives. Now, she was thriving in Xin Wanjin, successful in her career, and had no emotional ties to Yamauchi Kazutoyo. Unless she was out of her mind, she wouldn’t get involved with Yamauchi Kazutoyo again.
History has truly changed. Yamauchi Kazutoyo’s “wise helper” was gone.
Even though he had anticipated it, Yuan Ye’s emotions were still stirred for a moment. After all… this was the first time he had personally witnessed history change, and perhaps he could do more in the future.
A Man couldn’t understand what he was thinking and still thought he had a problem with his brain, but she didn’t care and directly said, “She doesn’t have that intention, but she gave Yamauchi Kazutoyo a sum of money. If that bag was filled with silver tacks, I estimate it would be worth two to three hundred koku, enough for the Yamauchi family to live on for a long time.”
Endo Chiyo was also a bit of a rich woman, so giving out this much money wasn’t a big deal. Yuan Ye didn’t mind and continued to ask, “Did Yamauchi Kazutoyo mention where he planned to go?”
“I heard they’re going to Mino, and they’ll probably make a living there! In any case, there’s no place for the Yamauchi family in Owari.”
Yuan Ye nodded gently, thought for a moment, and then turned to instruct A Qing, “Return their weapons and armor to them, and send a squad of inner guards to escort them to the Kiso River, if they need it.”
Doing good deeds to the end, for the sake of Endo Chiyo, a capable internal affairs assistant, Yuan Ye didn’t mind lending a hand to ensure they could safely leave Owari.
A Qing nodded gently and turned to make arrangements.
Yuan Ye also turned to find Endo Chiyo, preparing to comfort her properly.
This girl was quite sensible. She knew he didn’t want samurai groups appearing in Xin Wanjin and didn’t even mention bringing the Yamauchi family to live in Wanjin. She had likely figured out his hints on the way—if Yuan Ye had welcomed the Yamauchi family, he could have simply sent a letter to her asking for her opinion and then sent them directly to Xin Wanjin, without needing to call her to the front lines.
Therefore, just for her intelligence and understanding of his concerns, he had to have a good chat with her to prevent her from having any lingering issues.
However, speaking of which, from a historical perspective, Yamauchi Kazutoyo was quite talented, capable in both civil and military affairs, and a person who could handle matters independently. It was a pity that someone from a local powerful family like him could not be used in Xin Wanjin—unless they were willing to give up their samurai status and corresponding privileges, which was clearly impossible.
Talent still needs to be cultivated slowly!
…
Yamauchi Kazutoyo’s escape was merely a microcosm of the downfall of the Iwakura Oda family, a tiny ripple lost in the long river of history.
After seeing Endo Chiyo off again, Yuan Ye, as requested by Oda Nobunaga, continued to guard the perimeter of Iwakura Castle, both to prevent any local lord from suddenly having a fit of madness and coming to his rescue, and to guard against him making a desperate attempt to break out and flee south. Oda Nobunaga’s main force was currently in the Kiso River area, and Yuan Ye’s Wanjin Army essentially served as the barrier for Kiyosu Castle at this time. If Oda Nobukata dared to emerge again, Yuan Ye would have to step up and engage him in a hard fight.
However, Oda Nobukata lacked such courage. After being besieged for another four months, a riot broke out in Iwakura Castle at night. When dawn broke, Iwakura Castle directly opened its gates and surrendered. Oda Nobukata committed seppuku in his residence.
Thus, the eight districts of Owari were unified, and Oda Nobunaga became the legitimate Shugo of Owari.
No longer a Shugodai, at this moment, Oda Nobunaga transformed from a “Shugo Daimyo” into a “Sengoku Daimyo.”
If this were a novel, it would mean the story had turned a new page, and the protagonist was about to leave the novice village.
