Reincarnated as a Warlord in a Sengoku Era - Chapter 3
A Prodigy, but is a Coward
Translator:Nisarah Editor: Nisarah
Tenbun 23 (1554 A.D), 10th month, Nochiseyama Castle, Residence of Takeda Clan.
He’s here! The famous Akechi Jubei is sitting in front of me!
He’s sitting cross-legged with his back straight.
Both of his hands are closed and placed on his lap.
Luis Frois [1] described him as ‘A man very keen on treason and conspiracy, cruel and tyrannical. His craftiness earned him favor from Nobunaga’ Let’s see how much of that description is actually true.
This year Jubei must be around 25-26 years old. He has a masculine face with a thin mustache. As he sat, Jubei radiated a dignified feeling.
I wanted him. Now then, what should I do to rope him…
“Allow me to express my delight at your willingness to travel the long way here. I am Takeda Magoinumaru.”
I lowered my head as I said that. Jubei is my second cousin. Ah, no. Jubei’s child will be my second cousin.
“Please don’t be that stiff. It’s my honor to be able to meet you, Magoinumaru-sama. Mother has asked me to also send her regards to you.”
The people that visited me were Akechi Jubei and his attendant Fujita Dengo.
As it was too far, grandaunt refused my invitation. That’s why there are only Jubei, Dengo, me, and Denza in this room.
“Magoinumaru ‘sama’ is such a distant address. We are relative so please just call me Magoinumaru, Jubei-dono.”
“Then, please also call me Jubei.”
“I cannot do that. To address someone who is older without any honorifics is against the teaching of Confucianism, so please allow me to address you as Jubei-dono.”
After I said that, Jubei’s eyes widened. Who wouldn’t be shocked when hearing a three years old talking about the teaching of Confucianism?
For me to be able to bring Jubei to my side, I want him to think that despite my young age, I’m a prodigy with great future prospects. Let’s see if it works out.
“How is Wakasa? It’s close to the sea so it must be quite different compared to Mino”
“Yes, well, I had the chance to stroll the Obama Port. It’s quite lively. I envy Wakasa to have such a port.”
The Mino Province where Jubei lives didn’t have any sea. But it’s a fertile land worth 500.000 koku, six times that of Wakasa.
To always think of your neighbor’s grass as greener is fascinating human nature. If it was me who lived in Mino, I would also envy Wakasa’s lively port. Thinking about that, I began to smile.
“Jubei-dono, what is your thought about Wakasa?”
“My thought?”
This is what I really wanted to ask. No matter what the era, others’ objective opinion is always useful to catch any bias I may have in my opinion.
“Yes. About the Wakasa Takeda clan. I hope you will be willing to give me your honest thoughts.”
I said that while bowing my head. It’s a correct attitude to take when asking from others but it seems to make Jubei flustered.
It must be our difference in status. Though not my intention, I might have planted the impression of valuing him. Lucky.
“Please raise your head.”
“Not until you give me your answer.”
I can imagine Jubei’s confused face. It’s a shame that I can’t see it
I hope with this I can gain Jubei’s attention and in the future his trust. I’m prepared to do anything to gain these two things.
Jubei took a gulp of hot water that’s been prepared and finally answered me.
“Very well. With enemies closing in both from the inside and the outside the current Wakasa Takeda clan is chaotic. The momentum of Miyoshi in the Kinai region[2] shows no sign of weakening. The Miyoshi won’t lay their hand on you, Magoinunaru-sama, as you’re the nephew of both the shogun-sama and the Rokkaku clan. But I reckon they will use either Awaya-dono or Henmi-dono to further create chaos in the Wakasa Takeda Clan.”
Same as my thought. Then there’s a chance that after seeing Miyoshi’s momentum, grandfather will cut ties with the Ashikaga family by disinheriting father. Father of course won’t accept it and a full blown war between father and grandfather will occur. Miyoshi will then use Awaya or Henmi to further fan the flame of war.
If that happens the clan will be like a sitting duck. Then starting with Miyoshi, Azai [3], Asakura [4], Rokkaku, and even Hosokawa will attack us from all direction. I definitely need to prevent that situation.
“Is there anything that I can do?
“I am afraid that I am unable to provide you with any solution. The situation between my lord, Yamashiro Kami, Saito-sama[5] and his heir Shinkuro mirrored the situation between your father and grandfather. If only I had a solution for this problem, how great it will be.”
After saying that, Jubei stopped speaking. The room becomes silent. I opened the door to change the stiff atmosphere. A chilly wind, marking the beginning of winter entered the room.
“…I see. So even someone of Jubei-dono’s stature didn’t know.”
It was a sentence that I said to myself, but Jubei replied with “My apologies.”
But I still can’t give up. Welling up with determination, I clenched my hand.
“I still cannot give up. Jubei-dono, allow me to once again extend my gratitude for your willingness to come all the way here and for your valuable advice. I now know what I need to do in the future. It has been a truly meaningful conversation.
“Thank you for your kind word. I apologize for not being able to help.”
“I will remember this as a debt. That is why, Jubei-dono, if in the future you have trouble you need my assistance with please do not hesitate to contact me. I will be waiting.”
“I am grateful for your kind intention.”
I replied to his sentence with a smile. With this Jubei’s job interview ended.
After Jubei left, Denza started to speak.
“It’s a shame that Maki-sama cannot come”
“No, this is fine. I succeeded in planting the seed.”
“Pardon?”
“It’s nothing”
Now I only need to wait for two years and I’ll be able to harvest the fruit. Until then, I need to prepare more things.
***
At least, that was my plan. In the end, I never invited Jubei again in these two years. I was afraid. What if he hates me? What if he rejects me? I can only blame my own weakness.
Even though I know that I need comrades to survive this chaotic era together and I know I need to show my feeling with words. After all, the only thing that can move others’ hearts is your own passion.
I slapped both of my cheeks to regain my spirit.
That’s right. I need vassals that move not because of father, grandfather, or the clan but because of me and me only.
?
T/N : One of my favorite Japanese historical figure, Akechi Mitsuhide a.k.a Jubei is here! I’m excited!
[1] A christian missionary that came to Japan in sengoku period. He wrote book “History of Japan”? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Lu%C3%ADs_Fr%C3%B3is
[2] Referring to 5 province near Kyoto https://id.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kinai ?
[3] Clan in sengoku period Japan. Famous for being the in-law that betrayed Oda Nobunaga. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Azai_clan ?
[4] Clan in sengoku period Japan. Old ally of the Azai clan https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asakura_clan ?
[5] He’s referring to Saito Dosan. another famous daimyo in sengoku Japan. He’s Nobunaga father-in-law https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Sait%C5%8D_D%C5%8Dsan ?