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

[Maltz]

Chapter 11. Twin Dragon

The summer of Echigo flies through over a series of congestions due to contrsuction.
The road is congested with cargo due to narrowed lanes.
The port is congested with ships due to reduced docks.
The farm is congested with water due to improved irrigation.
The castle is congested with workers due to its expansion into a stronghold.

And now the green leaves have again turned yellow.
The battle with the long-time enemy Jinbo is not far ahead.

Kagetora: "We are about to enter Etchu. My grandfather was betrayed and killed here. My father once fled Echigo to Etchu, and then returned to revenge for his father. Now I am here, too."
Masakage: "Nagao and Jinbo share a lot of negative memories. If we don't finish off Jinbo quickly and completely, there is going to be a new addition. Let's crush them once and for all!"
Kagetora: "But is killing the end of hatred?"
Nomi: "If the subject of the hatred is no longer alive, there is no one that still hates."
Kagetora: "Hatred has lived on in many forms. Even unrelated people who hear the story could carry the emotion. Besides, aren't we honestly a little afraid of Jinbo's revenge, so we are only trying to stop our own fear?"

Kagetora is not happy about such kind of answers. "An eye for an eye" is an out-dated approach that never solves the root of the problem - fear. Kagetora's understanding in Buddhism tells him that there must be a better way to deal with Jinbo. But they do not listen right now. A battle is inevitable.

Rizenji Munechika: "Lord Kagetora. I just returned from Jinbo's army. They have 600 men."

Munechika is now Nagao clan's monk (nun). Other than spreading Buddhism, she also serves as the army's eyes and sometimes the army's invisible arms. These "political monks" face a lot more danger than "temple monks" do. But Munechika still volunteered herself for the job because of the challenge and the chance to travel all over Japan. Plus, she trusts that Nagao Kagetora is not going to ask her to do anything against her values and principles.

Masakage: "Oh? So few men for Jinbo. Where did they go?"
Nomi: "Maybe we catch them off guard. Remember that a good strategist march quickly? We defeated Harugate in the spring, and we are ready for another action in the fall. Not bad!"
Munechika: "I have spread my lord's crushing victory in the Battle of Nagaoka, defeating 800 men with a loss of 28. Jinbo's men are definitely not looking forward to the coming battle."
Masakage: "Yeah! Let fear consum them!"
Nomi: "What if they are too afraid? They would hide inside the Toyama castle."
Masakage: "Oh, then that's not good for us. We have only 160 bow ashigaru. We will have to storm the castle and take very heavy losses."
Kagetora: "I see. So is there anyway we can convince Jinbo to fight us on the field?"

[Maltz]

Nomi: "You don't want them to retreat into the castle? It is easy. Just remove the fear factor. We will bring less men to the battlefield."
Kagetora: "The history is full of losing generals who look down on their enemies..."
Masakage: "Don't look at this so negatively. Essentially, we want them to look down on us for bringing so few men, so they think they can win on the field. We know what we can do to them, but they don't. "
Nomi: "There are also many generals in the history who won battles because of their sharp judgment and bold tactics. Don't worry, Kagetora."

Even tough Kagetora's first battle was a great success, he only had to fight his brother, who has no military talent. How about Jinbo? Two generations ago, they were so afraid that they made peace with an enemey. One generaiton ago, they were crushed in battle. Maybe they are not that tough now, either.

Kagetora: "How good is Jinbo Nagamoto in battle?"
Masakage: "I don't think he has fought any good battles... but we are not exactly famous generals, either."
Nomi: "We will be fine. Two generals, two units of Yari Ashigaru. That's enough."
Kagetora: "What? Without samurai and ranged support? Our tactics will be very limited..."
Nomi: "BAH. Battles are rarely about quantity, and only sometimes about quality. But battles almost always rely on tactics. Please allow me, the successor of Echigo-style Tactics, to show you the way!"

Nomi's father, Lord of the Biwa Island Castle Usami Sadamitsu, is a famous military strategist. Since Sadamitsu has no son, he passes all his knowledge on military tactics to his only daughter, Nomi. What tactics would Nomi suggest in this situation?

[Maltz]

September 17th, 1545

The autumn sun makes everything look aged.
The land of Etchu is entering yet another dormancy.
Kagetora marches to the north side of Toyama (Mount "To"). On his right, he sees the ocean without end. On his left, he sees a gigantic mountain so much larger from the surrounding hills, just like a huge stamp dropped from heaven.

"It looks like the long-time enemies have to fight after all."
Kagetora sighs quietly.

Kagetora: "Oh. There are two hills on the south. Wouldn't Jinbo Nagamoto hide inside one of them like Harukage did?"
Nomi: "And leave an undefended Toyama Castle for us to march straight into? He is not that stupid. See, there is Jinbo."

Kagetora follows Nomi's direction. The Toyama castle is located at the border of the ocean and the mountains, its roof tiles shines orange and gold colors. The Jinbo army is defending on a bald hill between the Nagao army and the Toyama castle, blocking Kagetora's way to Toyama castle.

Masakage: "Ah... you are so slow. I was here before the sun came out! It looks like that Jinbo Nagamoto really hates us - this is his challenges! He wants us to charge uphill and resolve this under the sun!"
Nomi: "Ha. If every battle is fought with two armies simply charging at each other, why do you even need a general? We will let him follow our plan instead. Let's see... we can let our ashigaru wait on this hill."

[Maltz]

Kagetora: "So Nomi, Lord Usami Sadamitsu is the creator of 'Echigo-style' Military Doctrine. Can you tell me how does your father's 'Echigo-style' compared to other styles of military doctrine?"

Nomi's pride is written on her face.

Nomi: "Well, let's take Takeda and Hojo as a comparison. Takeda's 'Kai-style' Military Doctrine focuses on ruthless and overwhelming attacks. Hojo's 'Sagami-style' Military Doctrine steady expansion and territory conslidation. These are two extremes of one dimension. 'Echigo-style' falls into the middle in this dimension - we are slower than Takeda, but faster than Hojo."

Masakage: "Just something in the middle? Sounds quite boring..."

Nomi: "I haven't finished yet! We the 'Echigo-style' have our own dimension - the loss of manpower. We do not worry about being fast or slow, but we do everything to minimize loss. We are not focused on burning the enemy like wild fire or squeeze out the enemy like a fat man in a lift. We are flexible, adaptable, irritable, peace-able, and borderline untouchable. Under Echigo-style, our enemies are distracted, confused, disorganized, disoriented, and defeated before they could deliver much harm to us."

Masakage: "Wow! Can I become a student of 'Echigo-style?'"
Nomi: "My father does not pass 'Echigo-style' Military Doctrine to outsiders. So I am the only successor. But you can learn from me little by little."

Kagetora: "What a great style of strategy - minimizing losses is the act of kindness and wisdom. It would be an honor of we can invite Lord Usami to become the official advisor of Nagao clan!"
Nomi: "Unfortunately, my father has no interest in mundane politics. 'Listening to stupid kids' whine is a waste of time,' he always says. He wishes to use his limited life time to develop 'Echigo-style' to its extreme, and he did accomplish much. "Echigo-style is much more than just battles. But I only know battles..."

Nomi suddenly lost her confidence on her face. Maybe Usami Sadamitsu has other students not in the Usami family?

Kagetora: "But it would still be an honor to invite him to give guest lectures..."
Nomi: "Sure. Being a scholar, he has to travel to some foreign country to recharge every five to six years. Last year he travelled to Great Ming (China)... he should return a few months later."
Masakage: "What? He takes sabbatical leave?"
Nomi: "That's why I am the acting lord of Biwa Island Castle."

Kagetora: "Wow! He is an international scholar! Is your father exchanging his military doctrine ideas in Great Ming?"
Nomi: "Actually he is just there learning Chinese..."
Kagetora: "It would be honor to have him with us... I read about so many great leaders in history who had good advisors. If we have your father's help..."

Oh oh, Nomi's face turns red!

"WHAT?! Are you implying that I am not good?! Let's use 'Treasure Box Opener' today!"
"Treasure Box Opener?"

[Maltz]

Kagetora: "What is a Treasure Box Opener?"
Masakage: "A key?"

Nomi: "It is just a metaphor. Let me quote from Echigo-style Miilitary Doctrine: 'For a mixture of yari and bows, it is common to see bows first as the box, and yari back as treasure. During a battle, the bow goes before yari to provide cover.'"

Nomi shakes her head left and right as she recites the military doctrine.

Kagetora: "Yeah, the yari units are like treasure if they are purposely protected. So how do we open the trasure box?"

Nomi: "Two hands - one opens the box in one direction, and the other steals the treasure in the opposite direction. The hand that opens can now release the handle, for the treasure maybe be too heavy for one hand to carry at home."

Masakage: "Can you just tell me what to do?"

[Maltz]

Kagetora: "I think what Nomi means is that Masakage and I will approach the enemy from both sies. One of us will draw the bow unit away, while the other draws out the yari unit all the way back and defeat it."
Nomi: "Not bad! Toyama is south, the sea of Japan is north. So we will approach from both north and south."
Masakage: "Got it! I will take the sea and draw out the bow unit. Kagetora, your father killed his father. Their yari will follow you all the way back."
Kagetora: "Sounds good."
Nomi: "Masakage, after Kagetora draws out their yari, you must quickly shake off the bow ashigaru and return here and command our own Yari Ashigaru."
Masakage: "Sounds like an important task! No worries!"
Kagetora: "We march along the hills! Yari Ashigaru, stay and wait for Masakage's command! We move out!"

The morning sun shines on Kagetora's katana, with a reflection of deep autumn's imminent passing and decay.

[Maltz]

Kagetora and his bodyguards march in the deep forest, landing on a soft layer of fallen leaves. More red and range colors drift to the floor, right in front of Kagetora's eyes. He recalls the peace of Rizenji.

But this is all in the past. Being a clan leader, his time has to be spent in constant stress - he bears the responsibility of tens of thousands of lives.

Nomi: "Kagetora, I heard that Yaya is expecting? Congratulations! When is the baby due?"
Kagetora: "Thank you. The baby is due next spring."
Nomi: "Good! You know what's interesting? Your brother Harukage threw himself into women, but he had no offsprings. Kagetora has a reputation of not into girls, but you have a son immediately after marriage."

Kagetora's thought goes back to a few months ago...

Yaya: "Kagetora, do you want a baby?"
Kagetora: "What? We just got married. Isn't it a little early to think about babies? I heard that babies make the grave of marriage."
Yaya: "Nonsense! I want to give birth to a team of little Kagetora. The Nagao clan needs successors! More family members means more helpers!"
Kagetora: "Successors can be adopted. I think Masakage and my sister will have a good baby."
Yaya: "NO! I want my own baby. How about let's... work on it tonight?"
Kagetora: "You know I need to pull my rubber bow. 1000 times each night."
Yaya: "Don't play with the rubber toy! Play with a real person!"
Kagetora: "It is not playing... HEY don't pull off my pants! NOOOOO~~"

***

Masakage: "Ha, look at that pair of black eyes! Must be some hard work at home, Kagetora. You know, we have been waiting for your approval on Kasugayama Castle's expansion project. If we don't hear from you by noon, we will have to demolish Rizenji to make room for Sake Den."

Kagetora: "I am very sorry. I will study the blueprint now."
Masakage: "There is not much to study. Just adding two arrows towers and add some height to the walls. The main purpsoe is to get the space for a Sake Den."
Kagetora: "Can the Sake Den be as far away from Rizenji as possible?"
Masakage: "Don't underestimate the power of information!"

***

Kagetora takes a few deep breaths.
There are now more duties on Kagetora's shoulder. He will have to spend quite a bit of his life with his wife and children, meaning he will have less sleep if he wants to be a responsible clan leader.

Nomi: "Kagetora?"
Kagetora: "Oh yes. Yes. We decided to have kids. How about you, Nomi? Are you planning to have a family in the future?"
Nomi: "I told you already. I took an oath under Bishamonten. I wish to receive his courage and wisdom, and for that I will forgo all of my bodily desires."
Kagetora: "I see..."

There is no doubt that Kagetora admires Nomi's lifestyle, as a simple and focused mind could accomplish tremendous tasks. But now Kagetora has made his choice. Maybe having a family is not that bad afterall.

"Dong-Dong-Dong-"
Suddenly, Kagetora hears drum beat from outside the forest.

Nomi: "Jinbo's Bow Ashigaru is after Masakage!"
Kagetora: "Guards, let's move out!"

Note: In history, Uesugi Kenshin never had a wife and child. His eventual successor, Uesugi Kagekatsu, was an adopted son from his sister and Nagao Masakage.

[Maltz]

Jinbo Nagamoto: "WHAT? Doesn't that three-umbrella sign belong to Nagao Kagetora?"

"Jinbo Nagamoto! You are no match of Nagao's army! Let's face Ikko-Ikki together like two generations before!"

Jinbo Nagamoto is suprised that Nagao Kagetora's voice sounds like a girl, probably due to his many vegetarian years in Rizenji. This deeply disgusted Nagamoto, as he cannot afford to lose to this girly opponent today!

Jinbo Nagamoto: "How dare you! Yari Ashigaru, go get him, I want him dead!"

"YAAAA!"
The Yari Ashigaru responded to order and charged at Kagetora!