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Thread: Making a God of War (Uesugi: Legednary, Domination)

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    War Story Recorder Senior Member Maltz's Avatar
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    Default Re: Making a God of War (Uesugi: Legednary, Domination)

    Chapter 3. Crisis of Nagao Clan

    Rizenji, litearlly the Forest Spring Temple, stands humbly on the side of Kasuga mountain. The temple belongs to Soto, one of the major branches of Zen Buddhism. Originated in China's Jiangxi, the Soto branch stresses the value of meditation. Different from the Rinzai branch, which makes good connections with the Shogunate regime, the Soto branch is popular among the lower-class samurai (who compose the samurai army) and common folks.

    Before ascending to the factual ruler of Echigo, the Nagao clan was originally lords of rural domains in the province. As a result, Nagao clan enjoys a close tie with Rizenji. Clan members often hold their conversion ceremony, weddings, and funerals in the temple. Youngsters of the clan also spend years in the temple to develop their knowledge and mind.

    Torachiyo was sent to Rizenji at the age of 7 for his bizarre temper. Yet the decision was for his own good. This year (1937), his father, Nagao Tamekage, resigned from the Guardian of Echigo citing health-related issues. The rulership of Echigo was passed to his oldest son, Nagao Harukage. At the time it was common for an elder clan leader to retire before his life reaches the end, so their successor receives more on-the-job training. As Harukage assumes power, it was safe for Tochiachiyo, the alternative heir of the clan, to un-develop an interest in power.

    Torachiyo was lucky to study under the famous monk, Tenshitsu Koiku (天室光育 not Ten Shit-su, but Ten Shi-tsu), the 6th master of Rizenji.

    Nagao Tamekage held the actual power of Echigo until he finally passed away in 1943. He was buried in Nagao's family cemetery, not far behind Rizenji.

    Yet Nagao Harukage does not possess leadership for Echigo. He frequently gets sick, and yet he demands plenty of entertainment from alcohol and women. These two things give rise to each other. Harukage somewhat held back when his father was alive, but now he spends no time ruling Echigo. Cases accumulate quickly - officers' disputes, landlords's demands, Ikko-Ikki's riots... nothing is resolved. The ruling of the Nagao Clan in Echigo quickly destablizes.

    The clan's officers deeply worry. Then they recall there is an alternative heir in Rizenji - Torachiyo, who is 20 years younger than Harukage.

    December 29, 1544

    Torachiyo sits beside the window, silently stares outside.

    Snow drizzles from the just-turned dark sky, quietly accumulates on Rizenji's roof tiles. Just like the external and internal pressures on Echigo - it accumulates silently, until the roof collapses.

    Tenshitsu Koiku: "Torachiyo. Seven years have passed. You have learned much and did it quickly. Master thinks you should seriously consider the clan officer's plea. Today a few more visited us - you should see the worries on their face."

    Torachiyo: "Master. Isn't it a good life to become a Zen master like you? Managing a temple and lives a quiet life."
    Koiku: "Ha. It is not that simple. Master has to worry about fundings. The application I submitted last year has not been approved - and we are now at the end of this fiscal year! The younger monks have to go out and ask for donated food. Hard work and frequent diarrhea."

    Torachiyo: "So it is like what they say, my brother does not rule Echigo, but leech on it like a parasite?"
    Koiku: "Maybe those visiting clan officers did not receive salary themselves. Torachiyo, master has observed you for 7 years. You do not rest before finishing sweeping the end of the hallway. You feed the smaller and more timid squirrel with your own bread. You are a responsible, fair, and compassonate person. You will pay your officers on time and support your monks."

    Torachiyo: "But betraying an elder brother is one of the worst offences..."
    Koiku: "There are many contradictions among principles: buddhist principles, confusian principles, job requirement, ethics, morality, faith... Life is a constant struggle and growth from learning and overcoming such contradictions. Did your father Tamekage not expel the Uesugi clan, Guardian of Echigo? When a regime needs to reform but does not realize it, and the replacement cannot come in place naturally, revolution is probably the only way."
    Torachiyo: "Hm..."

    Torachiyo ponders his master's words. Suddenly, there was a loud series of bang on the gate.

    "KOKOKOKOKO"

    "Is Master Tenshitsu here? Is Torachiyo here?"

    Torachiyo: "Hm, who is this?"
    Koiku: "There is a sign beside the door - visitor hours ends at 5 p.m."

    The visitor came in by herself - a woman with some age.

    Torachiyo: "Oh! Isn't this aunty Maoko?!"
    Maoko the maid: "Yes, young master Torachiyo! It has been 7 years! You have grown so much!"

    The two hug each other tightly, with tears in their eyes. Maoko was Torachiyo's caregiver before he came to Rizenji. Maoko also helped during the birth of Torachiyo 14 years ago.

    Maoko the maid: "There are soon going to be important guests from Kasuagayama castle! I am here to give you a heads-up so you do not go to bed too early tonight and miss an opportunity of history."
    Torachiyo: "What opportunity of history?"
    Maoko the maid: "You will see in a moment. First, please change to more formal clothes..."
    Koiku: "Do you mean our monk clothes look cheap? Why not approve our budget?!"

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