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

[Maltz]

Chapter 10. Plan of Expansion



Kagetora: "The first plan that comes to my mind is to expand toward the northeast. If the Nagao clan has the entire northeastern Japan, we will be able to expand steadily toward the southwest. There will be few armies required, so there will be less pressured on the clan's finance, and we can invest further in infrastructure."
Yaya:
Maoko: "Yeah. Minimizing the need for defence is crucial. Ideally, all armies are assigned on a certain campaign, not just a defensive role."
Kagetora: "But as we know, we will have a lot of ground to cover in the northeast, and not so many people live there. The expansion will be quite slow. Yet there aren't any particularly powerful clan in the northeast. So this is a slow but sure plan."
Maoko: "Yes. A stable and prosperous 'backyard' builds the foundation of a powerful clan. Isn'y it right, Miss Yaya?"
Yaya: "May I have a question?"
Kagetora: "Of course, please."
Yaya: "My geography is not very good... where is the Ashina clan?"
Maoko: "Let's discuss the next plan."
Kagetora: "It is such an embarrassment to discuss this in front of Miss Ashina. I am very sorry."

Since Ashina's territory Fukushima is part of northeastern Japan, this plan implies that Nagao will have to somehow get rid of Ashina.

Yaya:
Kagetora: "Actually, I did not like this plan for many reasons. First, we just signed a long-term trade and military access deal with the Mogami clan. We have no excuse to suddenly attack them. The Honma clan on Sado island helped my father to return to Echigo, so I cannot simply invade Sado island like an ungrateful bastard. Finally, we are very friendly with the Ashina clan, as Miss Yaya can testify."
Maoko: "Yeah. Lord Kagetora wishes to follow the righteous path. Betraying people's trust is the complete opposite."
Yaya: "Oh! So Ashina clan is in the northeast? Please do not attack us."
Kagetora: "Nagao will not. I hope that Nagao's friendship with Ashina would last a long time."
Yaya: "Is it possible to further improve our clans' relationship through marriage?"
Kagetora: "That's certainly possible."
Yaya:

[Maltz]

Kagetora: "The second plan is to expand west toward the Honganji-controlled Hokuriku region, including Echizen and Kaga, with the goal to eventually convert Jodo Shinshu Buddhists there. This plan will enable Nagao to own a good number of sea ports and to trade with other clans. The fertile farmland in Kaga and Echizen will help our food production tremendously."

Yaya again looks at Kagetora with admiring eyes.

Maoko: "Makes sense. Jodo Shinshu has been a bitter enemy of the Nagao clan for at least three generations. Their religious doctrine is shallow; their followers are radical. They are usually called a 'mutant' of Buddhism, or not really Buddhism at all. As a follower of Zen Buddhism, we almost have a responsibility to get rid of these deviants."

Kagetora: "I understand why people think so... Honganji makes a strong appeal among the lower class, and the lower class are already hated and disgusted, aren't they? If we simply hate them, wouldn't this make us just like one of them? When I was in Rizenji, I once had a discussion with Master Tenshitsu..."

Yaya: "Sorry to interrupt - what is Jodo Shinshu? Some kind of dojo (exercise ground)?" "

Maoko: " Jodo is 'pure land', Miss Yaya. You must have heard of their rebellions as 'Ikko-Ikki', meaning 'rebellions from people with a unity of mind'. Jodo Shinshu is a branch of Buddhists who believe that reciting 'Namo Amitaabha' alone is enough to carry one's spirit to the western paradise, the pure land, after their death."

Yaya: "Yeah, I know Ikko-Ikki! They are crazy religious zealots. Sounds too easy to be true to reach paradise like that. What if they do all kinds of bad things while reciting Namo Amitaabha?"

Maoko: "That's exactly what happens now. They even don't chant it anymore - just paint it on lanterns. And they make typos..."

Kagetora: "Well, 'bad' is in the eyes of the others. The Ikko-Ikki also think we are the bad people. The conflict between conventional Buddhism, like Zenshu (Zen), and Jodo Shinshu is now essentially a clash between the samurai noble class and the lower peasant and jobless class. As long as there is still inequality within the society, the tension will build up and eventually erupt, whether through religious rebellion or some other form of conflict. Elminating the Jodo Shinshu only bury the problem temporarily, if ever possible."

Yaya: "Sorry, can you explain this with easier words?"
Maoko: "Miss Yaya must be tired from all the tours we had today."
Kagetora: "Let's not bore Miss Yaya with this..."
Maoko: "So my lord wishes to maintain peace with Honganji?"

Kagetora: "If possible. Besides, this is not a very long-term plan. While defeating Ikko-Ikki might not be that difficult if we act quickly, once we reach Echizen, Nagao's territory will be stetched very long, almost in the shape of a dragon."

Yaya: "How great - the Dragon of Hokuriku!"

Kagetora: "Thanks, Miss Yaya. But this will leave us very vulnerable to multiple wars at the same time. And we will have to leave a significant army to defend while working on our next expansion targets. If we are unlucky, we will be stuck with constantly defending against invasions. I cannot let luck decide our clan's future."

Maoko: "Indeed. Honganji will not let us go easily - we will have to leave a heavy garrison in Kaga and Echizen. This further slows down our future campaign. Hokuriku is a hot potato. Isn't it, Miss Yaya?"

Yaya: "I... I know how to make potato salad..."

Kagetora: "Since we are both under Buddhism, I hope to avoid war with Honganji as much as possible. I believe peaceful co-existence works better for everyone's benefit. Hatred and revenge is a never-ending painful cycle."

Maoko: "I am afraid that Honganji does not think like my lord. They have a bad record..."

Note: Honganju (本願寺) is the main temple of Jodo Shinshu, located in Settsu province at the time but sadly is completely omitted in the TW:S2 game. As Nagao can be referred to as Kasugayama Castle, Jodo Shinshu is referted to as Honganji.

[Maltz]

Kagetora: "The third plan is to expand south, all the way into Kanto and the sea. Didn't our officers warn about the alliance of Takeda-Hojo-Imagawa? If we allow them to grow, there is going to be trouble for Echigo. It will not be easy to challenge three clans at the same time. But again, if we act fast and smart, it is not impossible."

Maoko: "This could be a little more difficult than the other plans. But it shouldn't be a problem for my lord."
Yaya: "My lord Kagetora can handle three on the battlefield? But please handle only on woman at home, ok?"
Maoko: "Miss Yaya..."
Kagetora: "Actually we do not have to think Takeda-Hojo-Imagawa differently. Any clan could be our enemy. If we defeat them, our new neighbors will be our new potential threat..."
Maoko: "That's true. Good allies are hard to find in Sengoku Jidai."

Kagetora: "And if we simply declare war on these three clans and attack relentlessly in the name of 'pre-emptive strike on a potential threat', what does it separate us apart from a warmongering expansionist like Takeda Harunobu?"
Maoko: "Yeah. These hypocrites should be ashamed of themselves!"

Kagetora: "And like the previous plan, or even worse, we will be vulnerable to multiple wars at the same time. We will be constantly losing ground and taking them back... many wars and miseries upon the people. This is simply not right. I don't want to walk this path."

Maoko: "Yep. This is too chaotic to make a good story for our next generations. Right? Miss Yaya?"
Yaya: "The Ashina clan can handle the east side for Nagao!"

Kagetora: "As in a military alliance? If Ashina focus on Satake and Satomi... yeah, Ashina will be our best ally."
Maoko: "(Sounds like a long shot...) But what if Ashina runs out of province to attack one day?"
Kagetora: "Hm... maybe we have to meet Ashina on the battlefield when that day comes."

Yaya: "Please don't! Kagetora, please do not pick this plan. Please!"

Kagetora: "I hope not. But the above three plans are all I could think of. None is perfect... It will be the best if we do not expand at all, right?"

Maoko: "Then we are just waiting to be overpowered..."
Kagetora: "I hope I will not live long enough to see that day."
Yaya: "Lord Kagetora, please do expand and live a long life!"
Kagetora: " What would Bishamonten do? The dynasties are nothing but passing clouds of the sky. Only the spirits of Buddha remain. Why shall we bother expanding?"
Maoko: "For the happiness of all staff of the Kasugayama Castle!"
Yaya: "For the well-being of your future family!"
Kagetora: "Yeah, of course."

Kagetora made an embarrased smile.

[Maltz]

Yaya: "Lord Kagetora, I have an unrelated question..."
Kagetora: "Sure."

Yaya: "I have seen many statues of Bishamonten, the God of War. But why does he hold a tower in his hand? Does the tower have any use for battles? Like... storing dead enemies' ashes?"

Kagetora: "Good question... how come I never thought about that before?"
Maoko: "We might have literatures in the libary..."

Bishamon Tenon, the chief of the four heavenly kings, has been regarded as the God of War in Japan since the religion's arrival 1000 years ago.

Maoko the Housekeeper guides Kagetora and Yaya through Kasugayama Castle's book vault. They retrieved a few old Buddhism sciptures, translated by monks during Tang Dynasty (618-907AD) of China. Kagetora flips through the pages carefully, as the literature is literally falling apart.

Kagetora: "Interesting. Interesting. Bishamonten is not really a God of War."
Yaya: "He does not exist?"

Kagetora: "Bishamon is a sound translation from Hindu. But his name means "The Knowledgable", Tamon (多聞) as he frequently listened to Buddha's lectures. He is a God of Knowledge."
Yaya: "So he uses the tower to store his lecture notes?"

Kagetora: "While the Holy Halberd on his left hand symbolizes his ability to defeat evil, the tower on his right hand is a Tower of Fortune. He also delivers fortune to the needed. He is a God of Fortune, too. Most people worship the God of Fortune due to their greed. But the Tower of Fortune only opens for those in need."
Maoko: "What such versatility and kindness, he deserves to lead the other three!"

Yaya: "So... if what people say are true, the Lord Kagetora is an avatar of Bishamonten, Kagetora must have all the world's knowledge and fortune to pass it to people. Is it right?"

Kagetora: "AH..."

Kagetora feels dizzy, as he suddenly had a trance of realization. This is enlightenment. This is his destiny.

Kagetora: "Miss Yaya, you must be a Bodhisattva (enlightened and compassionate savior) on earth. You have shown me a great path of life!"
Maoko: "What is it, my lord?"

Kagetora: "The key of leading a clan is not just about war, but also knowledge and fortune. This is where the Nagao clan is heading! We cannot be satisfied with knowledge of Echigo, but also the entire Japan and its surrounding countries. We cannot be satisfied with the port and farms of Echigo, but also all other means to increase our fortune - not for our personal gain, but for all those in need!"

Maoko: "To learn about foreign countries and earn a fortune? Must be Foreign Trade! Right, Miss Yaya?"
Yaya: "Can a Bodhisattva marry a Tenon?"
Maoko:

Note: The educated in Japan at the time could read and write Chinese, pretty much like medieval Europeans could communicate in Latin - although some words may have slightly different meanings and variants.

[Maltz]

Yaya: "Aren't there lady Bodhisattva?"
Maoko: "Yes. There are many Bodhisattva. They are willing to help and enlighten the others. For this purpose, some may decide to marry."
Yaya: "So they can marry an avatar of a deity?"

Kagetora: "Sure, they can. Housekeeper, did you mention foreign trade? What is it about?"
Maoko: "Please let me explain.

(1) Great Ming: Silk Trade

Shiny, soft, and durable, Chinese silk is a prized luxury of the world. The silk road has existed for more than a thousand years to export Chinese silk to Europe. We will have to obtain Great Ming's official trader certification. Then we will be the only vender of Chinese silk in Japan.

Kagetora: "Sounds good. What can we trade with Great Ming?"
Maoko: "Well, Japan is full of volcano activities. We have sulfur and copper."
Kagetora: "Good!"

(2) Great Ming: Cotton Trade

Cotton is not as luxurious as silk, but it is the most practical clothing material for its softness and air permeability. Everybody can afford cotton. China has been cultivating cotton since Song Dynasty (960-1276 AD). We can negotiate cotton trade at the same time as silk trade.

Kagetora: "Nice! But how come all I hear about is Korean Cotton Trade?"
Maoko: "Strangely everybody thought it is Korea cotton... I double checked - cotton is not grown in Korea, which is famous for Ginseng (human-shaped roots of certain plants)."
Yaya: "I heard Ginseng is good for health! We should import Korean Ginseng!"

(3) Southern Ocean: Incense Trade

Incense is burned daily in temples and many upper-class household. Widly cultivated from a distant continent, incense reach Japan through a long sea trade route, in the hands of traders of island nations in the south. If the Nagao caln becomes the sole supplier of incense throughout temples of Japan, we will naturally receive some extra supports from temples.

The above three are the most profitable foreign trades.

Kagetora: "This is great! How much income do they add up to?"
Maoko: "I have seen some records... minus the maintenance fee of the trade fleet and variations of trade route, they add up to 5,000 to 10,000 koku per season."
Kagetora: "Wow. That's 3 to 6 times of how much we make."

Maoko: "The majority of Nagao's income come from our families' own farms and businesses, which are unrelated to taxing the population. If we only compare tax income and foreign trade, the above foreign trade is equivalent to 10 to 20 provinces of tax income! There is more than how much the Emperor or the Seii Taishogun (The Shogun) makes!"

Kagetora:
Yaya: "So Lord Kagetora will become a rich, handsome, and potentially tall gentleman? You are going to grow taller in the next few years, right?"
Kagetora: "I certainly hope so... So why don't we establish those trades as quickly as possible?"
Maoko: "There is a big problem..."
Kagetora: "What is it?"
Maoko: "All those trade routes pass through southwestern Japan. They are very far from Echigo."
Kagetora: "That's true. If we use Echigo's port, we are very vulnerable to raids and our ships cannot get repairs in time should they get damaged from pirates or other clan's attack. We need to control a port in southwestern Japan to carry out thsoe trades... Which one is the best?"

Maoko: "Hizen's port."

Kagetora quickly grabs a map of Kyushu and study its geography carefully.

Kagetora: "Interesting. Hizen is just like Echigo, with good ship-makers. Lands in northern Kyushu are very fertile - from there a significant portion of Japanese culture was born. I wish I can sail there... maybe with an army one day..."

Yaya: "Standing in front of the ship, feeling the sea breeze on my face with both arms open? How romantic! Can you take me with you if you go to Kyushu, Kagetora?"

Kagetora: "Sure..."

Maoko: "But how do we defend Echigo?"
Kagetora: "Splitting the army in two places could mean losing both... Abandoning our home certainly sound crazy. What would Bishamonten do?"

Kagetora falls into deep thoughts for a moment...

"Well, I have to give it a try. Please inform all the high-level clan officers for a meeting right here, tomorrow after lunch. We will have a serious discussion about this."
"Does Lord Kagetora have a good plan to pursuade our officers?"
"Not really... but I will do my best."
"Maybe I can think of something to help... For now, please take a good rest, my lord."
"Thank you, you too."
"Lord Kagetora, I am staying in Rizenji tonight. It is not a long walk from here. If you cannot fall asleep..."
"Oh yes, Miss Yaya. What a pleasure to meet you. I hope that Nagao and Ashina maintain a good relationship, and we will see each other again in the future."
"What? Is that good night and goodbye?"
"What's wrong? Is Rizenji not treating our guest properly?"
"Don't push me away, or I will jump down the Kasuga mountain from here!"
"Ah... Miss Yaya. There is still tomorrow! Let's chat more when we return to Rizenji! Good night, my lord!"

[Maltz]

"WAAAAAA~~~"
Ashina Yaya bursts out crying as soon as she gets back to her room in Rizenji.
She completely breaks down and rolls back and forth on her bedding mat.

Rizenji Munechika (Nun): "What's wrong with our guest? What's troubling her?"
Maoko: "Miss Yaya, please do not disturb Master Tenshitsu's sleep..."
Munechika: "Oh no worries, Master Tenshitsu snores like a thunder storm. Was Miss Yaya harrassed by an impolite guy? Beautiful ladies like Miss Yaya must have encountered troubles like this."
Maoko: "Actually, she was not harrassed... Lord Kagetora was very focused on the clan's future, so he unfortunately ignored Miss Yaya."
Yaya: "Just now in the Kasugayama Castle, my eyes were fixed on Kagetora, but he did not give me even one good look! I gave him so many hints, but he ignored me completely! WAAAA~~~"

Ashina Yaya screams in pain. Tears and waters from her nose are blurring her makeup, which is now all over the place on the new linen that Munechika just made.

Being a famously beautiful girl, Ashina Yaya is used to being the focus of men's attention. But tonight, Kagetora did not even look at her face for more than 10 seconds. The huge gap between her pink expectation and the cruel reality truly devastated this poor girl.

Munechika: "Ignored? Well... look at me. I am ugly, and my family is dirt poor. I was given to Rizenji when I was five. But then I studied the scriptures. Tomorrow I am officially Nagao clan's monk! A well-paid permenant position! "

Maoko: "A modest appearance is a blessing - it allows one to focus on what's truly important. Munechika is now a holy messenger of Buddha and gets to travel for free all year round! What a dream job to have!"

Munechika: "Thanks! Miss Yaya, passion between men and women are an obstacle of enlightenment. Please clam down and think about what will happen after marriage - for passion only last a few years at best. The Buddha only enlighten those that fate allows. A religious relationship with Buddha is what we should seek the most."

"He pushed me away! I wanna die! Give me a knife! WAAAAAA~~"
Yaya of course has no room in her mind for Buddhist teaching now.
She screams and rolls around on the mat, kicking and throwing pillows around the room.

Munechika: "Er... what should we do, housekeeper?"
Maoko: "Actually I have a solution. I can stop Miss Yaya's crying and make her smile. But this method involves well-intended deception involving Lord Kagetora, the clan officers, and Miss Yaya's father. Munechika, am I allowed to do that?"

Munechika: "Deceiving is generally a bad idea, but there are exceptions. Are there serious consequences of the deception?"
Maoko: "Seriously good, not seriously bad."
Munechika: "Is there going to be anyone hurt or killed?"
Maoko: "Nope."
Munechika: "Anybody going to have a heartbreak or suffer?"
Maoko: "Not really."
Munechika: "Any little animals hurt, tree saplings damaged?"
Maoko: "Probably not."
Munechika: "Anybody who is going to regret their decision from misguided information?"
Maoko: "Possibly not."
Munechika: "Well, then. It seems that such deception is generallly beneficial. Why not?"

"I am not good enough for Kagetora. I will marry some nasty stinky stupid man. WAAAA~~"
What a blow to her heart. Kagetora did not even mention she is a good person.
If all Yaya has is beauty, and Kagetora completely ignores beauty, she is nothing but a transparent floating bubble in front of Kagetora.

Maoko: "Miss Yaya, tomorrow we will take the first step to form a wonderful marriage bond between Nagao and Ashina! Big sister Maoko will make it happen easily! But we have much to prepare tonight - there is no time to be emotional!"

Yaya: "What? Tomorrow for marriage? Is it between Kagetora and me?"
Maoko: "Who else?"

Suddenly Yaya starts smiling with her eyes wide open!
The blurred makeup has formed a contemporary art on her face. You can pretend you understand it.
How could Maoko facilitate the marriage between Yaya and Kagetora, who has no interest in woman?

[Maltz]

(Next morning, Kasugayama Castle)

About ten high-level clan officiers now sit in a circle. The first one on Kagetora's right is Nagao Masakage, head of the Ueda Nagao family. Usami Nomi sits close to the middle of the ring as the acting lord of Biwa Island Castle.

Kagetora: "I am sorry for calling this urgent meeting. But we have an important decision to make. The sooner we make up our mind, the earlier we can prepare for it. I have realized that foreign trades, namely silk and cotten trade with Great Ming and incense trade with southern oceanic countries, are critically important ways to propel the Nagao clan into prosperity. I wish to hear your opinion on this."

"Oh..."
"Hm..."

Maybe they just had lunch not long ago, the clan officiers show little energy in their response. The decision sounds like a no-brainer anyway - if you know a way to make money, why not just go ahead?

Kagetora: "But the Naoetsu port of Echigo is too far away from foreign trade routes. Our navy will have great difficulty to resupply. In other words, the Nagao clan is going to take a port in Kyushu's Hizen province!"

"Hizen? Hahaha..."
"That's a good one."

Nomi: "It looks like Lord Kagetora is serious..."
Masakage: "Hm... we can't blame a clan leader to be creative and visionary. But do we have the ability to launch a campaign to Kyushu? How many ships do we need?"
Kagetora: "We have help. Please bring in the emissary."

As the clan officers turn their head, they see Maoko the housekeeper leading an elegantly dressed lady emissary into the room. She walks in very small steps and keeps her head down. When she finally walks to the front of officers, she kneels down and bows to them. Finally, she looks up.

"WA..."
"Angel..."
"So beautiful..."

The clan officers exclaimed. Some regret that they got married too early.

"I've seen her..."
"I was fooled..."

Kagetora: "May I introduce you - the emissary from the Ashina clan, daughter of Fukushima daimyo Ashina Morikiyo, Miss Ashina Yaya."

"Pleased to meet you."
Yaya bows to the clan officers.
She is such an eye catcher, especially with proper dress and make-up.
She is everybody's dream lover, suitable for poster on the door and wallpaper on the window's screen.
The clan officers are compelled to take another look at her.
One more look. Yet another look.

"It is my honor to bring Fukushima's good wishes to Echigo. We wish that the Nagao clan will walk the path of prosperity under the leadership of Lord Kagetora. I am here to invite the Nagao clan to join Ashina in a very meaningful pursuit of fortune. As the Kyushu clans have fallen into chaos and their existing foreign trades largely ignored and abandoned, the Nagao and Ashina clan will cooperate closely in order to take over these foreign trades."

Ashina Yaya spent a long time memorizing her scripts overnight.
But she does it quite well under the motivation of love.

"Oh... so developing foreign trade is not a random fantasy."
"It looks like that foreign trade is an oppurtunity up for grab. Maybe there are other competitors... We have to act fast."
"The Ashina clan produces high quality woods, and can build fine ships. But the Nagao clan trains high-quality sailors."
"How do we cooperate?"

Yaya: "Nagao travels west along the northwestern shore while Ashina advance along the southeastern shore. Our navy will meet in Kyushu, and we share trade profits."

Masakage: "Thanks for looking at us so highly. Ashina's land is relatively rich, so you might be able to afford many ships. But Echigo will have trouble supporting a strong navy and a trading fleet..."

Yaya: "The Ashina clan is willing to contribute to Nagao's campaign on one condition: Nagao must allow Ashina to freely expand in northeastern Japan."

"Oh... an interesting strategic alliance."
"That's why they want to talk to us, hm."
"Is Kyushu Nagao's land for grab?"

Yaya: "Yes. All Ashina asks for is the northeast."

"Hm... so essentially we are borrowing money from Ashina. That does not sound too good."
"How much can you lend?"

Yaya: "3500 koku. In the name of purchasing military access - you do not have to pay it back."

"Oh? Essentially a gift to Nagao?"
"A very attractive proposal..."

Masakage: "This certainly looks good to me. We can make use of the fund and a good neighbor. What do you say, clan leader?"
Kagetora: "We have enjoyed friendship with the Ashina clan for a long time. Cooperation benefits both. There is no reason to object."
Masakage: "Anybody favor a campaign to Hizen with the help of Ashina?"

"Eee-Eee-Oh!"
The clan officers agree in unison.

"Oh, no, I am so sorry, I forgot to mention the second condition."
Yaya's face turned red all of a sudden, like a ripe apple that anybody wants a bite.

"Since this is a significant agreement between the two clans, we hope that Lord Kagetora can sign this deal in person in Kurokawa Castle."

Kagetora: "What do you all think?"
Masakage: "There is no way we would agree if the treacherous Jinbo asks for a signing in Toyama Castle. But Ashina is a trust-worthy friend... should be all right?"
Nomi: "Yep. There is no danger in this."

"Eee-Eee-Oh!"
Nagao clan officers agree again.

Masakage: "But we need to prepare for an attack of Etchu. It is no big deal. I can lead the army and start marching the infantry first. Kagetora can catch up with the bodyguards later."
Nomi: "We can handle the rest."

Yaya: "Thank you very much for agreeing with us. We will be eagerly waiting for Lord Kagetora's arrival in Kurokawa Castle."
Housekeeper Maoko: "I will safely escort Miss Yaya back to Kurokawa Castle."

Ashina Yaya bows again, stands up, and leaves the meeting room in small steps.
The clan officers reluctantly watch her slow exit.
Seeing such a beautiful woman today, at least they did not climb the stairs in vain.