Chapter 3: Matsudaira Motoyasu’s Contact

Ōigawa Castle – Isshiki Masataka

1561. Spring.

Matsudaira Motoyasu, or better known as Tokugawa Ieyasu, who’d later establish the Edo shogunate, was the husband of my cousin. Indeed, Sena-sama, who was better known as Lady Tsukiyama¹Her proper title in Japanese is Tsukiyama-dono, but I want it to be more specific. Well, this is the proper translation anyway so it works out. I’ll be doing the same to all the female characters who have the same title in the future. in history, was my cousin. But even that fact wasn’t enough to keep him loyal to the Imagawa clan.

In fact, in the actual history, in his attempt to get close to Oda, Motoyasu forced Sena-sama and his oldest son, Nobuyasu—both had the Imagawa blood—to commit suicide²This is known in history as Nobuyasu Incident. The way it happened in history was that Nobuyasu’s wife, which was Nobunaga’s daughter, found out that Nobuyasu and Lady Tsukiyama were conspiring to make Motoyasu join hands with Takeda. She reported it to Nobunaga, and Nobunaga ordered Ieyasu to execute both of them. Although, the more recent theories said that Motoyasu did it on his own to unite his clan and suppress the pro-Takeda faction who were spear-headed by his wife and son.. All to show Oda that he had completely abandoned Imagawa and chose to work with them.

Well, that was a rather understandable move to make. After Lord Yoshimoto’s³Just in case, the raw don’t use ‘-sama/様’ but ‘-ko/公’ so I just translated it within the context instead of keeping it as it is. Later on to the series, if you see why there are both ‘-sama’ and ‘Lord’ in the same sentence, this is why. death, Oda only grew stronger, while Imagawa grew weaker. Anyone could see which side they should take in such a situation.

Anyway, it was a peaceful day in spring. Matsudaira Motoyasu, the main source of my anxiety, sent me a messenger.

“It’s a pleasure to see you in good health. Also, please receive our condolences. Your father, Isshiki Masafumi, was a great man.”

“Okehazama. That battle certainly changed a lot of things. Lord Yoshimoto fell in that battle. His successor, Lord Ujizane, is now struggling to keep the clan together. These days, even the senior vassals are leaving the clan, and the Matsudaira clan is among them. However, I can understand Motoyasu’s position. Passing on this chance to seize Mikawa for himself means that he is lacking as a head of a clan. Considering how the Matsudaira clan had suffered for many years, I could completely sympathize with him.”

The man who was bowing before me was none other than Sakai Tadatsugu⁴Here’s another big name. He is the man who’ll eventually become the highest rank general among Tokugawa. One of the Four Heavenly Kings of Tokugawa. Somehow, he isn’t playable in Samurai Warriors yet, but Lady Tsukiyama is., someone who had served the Matsudaira clan for many years.

From Imagawa’s perspective, they had been betrayed by Matsudaira, but from the latter’s perspective, or rather, from Motoyasu’s perspective, he was finally free from his life as a hostage. With that, his first move was to gain a foothold. Reasonable and understandable.

“I offer my humblest gratitude for your understanding. As for why I have come all the way here, it’s to discuss something. However, it appears to me that there are quite a few people here.”

Tadatsugu said as he glanced around. At his words, the retainers in the room started making a fuss.

“Be quiet. Since this seems to be an important matter, there’s no harm in him being so cautious. All of you, except the Four Retainers, are permitted to leave the room. I will call you back when we’re done.”

The retainers made a dissatisfied look, but they still obeyed my words and left the room anyway.

Seeing this, Tadatsugu nodded, clearly satisfied.

“That was a wise decision. However, may I know why Hana-sama is still present?”

“I deemed that this matter is something that Mother has to know. Or am I wrong in assuming that this is that kind of talk?”

“Ah, truly, your wisdom is impeccable.”

Standing behind me, to my left, was Mother.

On both sides of the room were the Four Retainers.

And in front of me was Tadatsugu.

Honestly, I already had an idea what kind of matter it was that he wanted to talk about with me. Or rather, this was the only guess that I could make. After pausing for a bit, Tadatsugu slowly began to speak.

“We hope that you are willing to take Motoyasu-sama’s elder sister, Hisahime-sama, as your wife.”

“Wha–?!”

Ono Michifusa cried out in surprise. He seemed like he was about to get up from his seat, but I gestured him to sit back down with a gentle motion.

“I won’t ask for what purpose you’re proposing such a thing.”

“Would that truly be okay?”

I stared right at Tadatsugu’s eyes, but he didn’t look shaken at all.

In history, Matsudaira joined forces with Oda in 1562. To strengthen their ties, he sent his eldest son, Nobuyasu, to marry Nobunaga’s daughter, Tokuhime. However, that was a year away from now.

Right now, though Imagawa was in shambles, Matsudaira still didn’t have enough to take over Mikawa on their own.

We here at Ōigawa couldn’t be his allies on that front either. If anything, proposing such a thing would only prompt me to report this matter to Ujizane-sama. Now, if that were to happen, he’d be put under the watch of Imagawa’s most loyal retainers, whether he liked it or not.

How this talk would turn out would probably become a major turning point for Motoyasu.

“Unfortunately, I am but a vassal of Imagawa. I cannot unilaterally decide on a marriage with anyone from Matsudaira as they had declared independence. You understand my predicament, don’t you?”

“Indeed. We only hope to hear a positive response.”

Tadatsugu bowed his head again.

Still, I wonder what Mother was thinking about after hearing this? As stated, Motoyasu’s wife, Sena-sama, was Mother’s niece. The Imagawa blood running in her veins was thick.

But now, she was with Motoyasu in Okazaki Castle. Would she be able to survive? Should I go against what happened in history and save her? After all, she was still my cousin.

Although, if I were to do that, I had to prepare various things just in case. Among the most important would be to ensure that the Imagawa’s name didn’t fall into disrepute. If the Imagawa clan had a strong hold in Tōkai, Motoyasu would have to consider his next move carefully.

At the very least, he wouldn’t just obey Oda’s demand and order his wife and eldest son to commit suicide.

If possible, I would like to get Motoyasu to our side and make him the vanguard against Oda. I heard that the Mikawa’s soldiers were quite strong, so they should be useful.

Well, that was just my wishful thinking. There was no way Ujizane-sama’s vassals, who had turned into staunch conservatives after Lord Yoshimoto’s death, would agree to follow my plan.

Hence, for now, I’d dedicate myself to become a sturdy shield to protect the Imagawa Residence from this very castle.

“Give me time. I will send someone with my answer at a later date.”

That should be it for now. Tadatsugu wasn’t expecting an immediate answer from me anyway.

“Then, I pray for a positive response. I will now make my return to Mikawa.”

Still, I couldn’t believe that he actually did this. Motoyasu really was up to some crazy things, huh? This would impact the events that would happen in the future.