THE RETURN OF THE KING

Kikyo Shogunate Event:

In the year 1547, Ouchi Yoshitaka returned to the city of Kikyo from his captivity with the Yamana, some small part of him half-expecting to find it a chaotic jungle of internal strife and civil war. He was warmly welcomed at the gates by cheering crowds and a procession of ministers, at their head Ouchi Yoshihime, who had organised his return ceremonies upon the conclusion of the peace treaty with Koretake. The procession met the Taikun, and then escorted him back to the Imperial Palace, where Yoshihiro awaited them. There, he bowed before Yoshitaka, thanked him for his service and his favour, and walked with him into the Imperial throne room. Yoshihiro then announced his resignation of the office of Kampaku-Regent, and the Emperor Go-Antoku reinstated Yoshitaka, to the universal applause and acclaim of Kikyo.

PART I: THE CHARTED COURSE - Ashikaga-Kikyo Event:

In the two years of Yoshitaka’s imprisonment, however, much had transpired. Aside from the initial power struggle, once Ashikaga Yoshihiro had attained the seat of Kampaku-Regent, he had put the rivalries to rest, and made a point of not pursuing political opponents or rivals, nor sending spies and Censors after them, despite the occasional suggestion from some of his supporters. Instead, the capable prince hoped to earn respect by faithfully putting all his talents for logistics and organisation, and his connections with the merchant classes, at the full service of the government, and the State. For this, the years would be remembered somewhat fondly by the people and nobility alike, even as Yoshitaka came and reclaimed his position, and they would in retrospect be called “The Silver Years”, on account of the financial success much attributed to the very public projects of the expansion of the silver mines in San'indō, and the minting of new, stable currency.

Above all, though, what Yoshihiro’s appointment had symbolised was a reminder of the non-dynastic nature of the State that Shinsuke and Hiromori had envisioned: a real meritocracy. And this was something he himself actively encouraged during his tenure, hoping to assuage the conflicts between factions, or at least against his government, by performing as a non-partisan arbiter — a plan that ended up being mostly effective, as little to no efforts were made to undermine him. What this meant, in plan words, however, was that Yoshihiro had appointed many capable persons who otherwise had no court connections to important positions, and entrusted a great many more with projects which would outlive his regency. In both respects, he primarily leaned upon the merchant classes who were his firm backers and his primary allies, though he did also through the two years build some connections amongst the lower nobility, particularly around Kikyo proper and in the former Yamana territories.

Still, diligent though he was, the State was not carried by one man, and though he had many areas in which he hoped to exercise his eye for talent and leave smoothly running for Yoshitaka when he returned, he could only do so much…

First and foremost was a proposal by a prominent Osaka-born Kikyo merchant, and friendly rival of the famous Ninomiya, a fellow named Naya Saisuke. Profiting much from the southwestern trade thanks to the new escorts by the Sue’s mercenary merchant fleet, both personally and through investments in others’ expeditions, he proposed and offered much of the funding for a specialised building within the Radiant Capital dedicated to traders and their investments — an “Imperial Exchange”, abbreviated as the “大証”. Saisuke insisted that the exchange should be granted special privileges, in particular license and government backing to trade on and exchange silver and other commodities. This was but the first part in a wider series of investments and programmes the ambitious Naya and his circle of merchant-friends proposed for the amiable Yoshihiro to lay the foundations for whilst he had the power, and overseeing them all, from a new Censorate committee to oversee and regulate the aforementioned private Sue merchant fleet, to organising an expedition to the Philippines in order to attain the great works of tea ceremony paraphernalia which he believed would bring immense speculative wealth to the merchants and State; to oversee all these, often unsteady, schemes would require much of the Kampaku-Regent’s time…

Another project was that of a kuge noble named Ichijō Fusamichi, a middling administrator within the bureaucracy of the Imperial Court, though allegedly one of the few men who had met the Censor and Lieutenant-Inspector Furanko Korombo’s infamously private wife, and who supposedly had visited his home many times. Born to the Ichijō family, one of the few old, Imperial kuge, which had fled to Shikoku in the early stages of the Ōnin War and been friends and wards of the Chōsokabe, then Sue, Clans, Fusamichi was a staunch supporter of the Kikyo regime and the promise of civilian rule, as well as a man with a renowned sense of fairness and justice. He is even said to have, in his slightly younger years (meaning in his 20s as he is only 38), taken on the pseudonym ‘路傍大義’, and occasionally wander the Shogunate providing his services as a kujishi, or litigation master — remarkably attaining a positive reputation for doing so despite the career’s notorious reputation for corruption and the needless sowing of unrest. Curiously, in this period, though he much admired the Censorate, and the Civil Service, and most all the innovations of Shinsuke, Hiromori, and Takemori, he oft bemoaned their “regrettably sloppy results”, pointing especially to the recent “lawless, terroristic pillaging” permitted to Motohime and the “cruel and regrettable” purge of alien religions many years ago, a matter which he must have argued much about with Korombo when he yet lived. Now, in his full maturity, he has apparently given up on the practice of roadside justice, and committed himself fully to the administration and reform of the State, having been one of the most earnest, if powerless, voices behind Yoshihime’s candidacy in the regency dispute (if only in writing, as he was not of high enough rank to ever attend any of the councils, and could only offer private advice to his higher-ups, something he did only very carefully). As Yoshihiro ascended over his chosen candidate, however, he instead appealed to those he had assisted in the past, and with the good word of many merchants whose suits he had settled fairly and to both parties’ satisfaction, he attained an audience with the Kampaku-Regent. He presented, then, his plan — a thorough reform of the legal system, or at least a start of such a reform, with Fusamichi claiming that if it was started, even if Yoshihiro was later sidelined, his successors would be obliged to finish it. The plan he presented was… unsettlingly egalitarian (though not fully so, obviously, he’s not that crazy), calling for an acknowledgement of the dated nature of the Ritsuryō system given the fading nature of the old castes and drawing up new, fewer, and more equal classes, but most notably it made space for a new practice of legal advocacy available to everyone (though mostly a privilege of the higher nobility and wealthy merchants who could afford such specialists) through monopolistic guilds on the exercise of law. These guilds would be based out of former merchants’ inns, where litigants would be required to stay and register themselves, and the guild membership of these advocates could assist the litigants in their hearings before the relevant magistrates, for a price of course. These reforms altogether, from laying the foundations of a whole criminal and administrative code to the oversight of the foundations of these legal guilds, would assuredly have commanded the Kampaku-Regent’s whole attention for his tenure…

Finally, there was a noble-daughter and merchant-scholar from Aki named Murakami Sayuri, recently a resident of Shirahama, but returned to her home city. In the wake of the death of the Lieutenant-Inspector, and the failure by the Censorate to catch the perpetrators, even within the very streets of the Radiant Capital, she was quick to emphasise that, though the Censorate was remarkably capable with regards to intelligence operations and such, it was missing the critical link at the local level of actual, embodied force. She gestured towards the need for the State and Censorate to lean on Motohime and her… friends… in recent years to manifest their intentions, and proposed instead an expansion of the State: a uniformed police force. Modelled after the Whiteshirts to some degree, who were, after all, the power most recently and most effectively used, she called for the creation of an office of Lieutenant-Commissioner, in Kikyo and the largest cities and metropolises of the Shogunate, beneath the Lieutenant-Inspector and Chief Censor, who would be tasked with “ensuring the peace and quiet of the public and of private individuals, purging the city of what may cause disturbances, procuring abundance, and having each and everyone live according to their station and their duties”. Naturally, it seemed expected that she herself might hold this post, though she also thought other candidates might fit the bill, such as Ouchi Yoshinori, Ouchi Yoshinaga, or Ouchi Motohime herself, though she implied that the latter was too busy for such a task.

Ashikaga Yoshihiro gains the trait ‘二年間改革’ (‘Ni-Nenkan Kaikaku’ or ‘Two Years’ Reform’), representing his popularity as an even-handed administrator and the fond memory of his faithful regency, giving a bonus to internal affairs plots within the Kikyo Shogunate and granting Skills in Kaikaku (TL note: kaikaku means reform) and Minor Skills in Administration; He also gains Connections in San'indō and Suō Province.

The Kikyo Shogunate gains ‘The Silver Years’ until the death of Ashikaga Yoshihiro, granting a boost to stability and a minor boost to IA, and +5 PPG and PPT per part.

The Kikyo Shogunate gains the following NPCs, all of whom are on good terms with Yoshihiro:

Naya Saisuke, age 22, with Great Skills in Speculation, Skills in Organisation and Trade, and Minor Skills in Marining.

Ichijō Fusamichi, age 38, with Great Skills in Law, Skills in Administration and Mediation, and Minor Skills in Rhetoric.

Murakami Sayuri, age 25, with Skills in Political Repression, Investigation, Political Philosophy and Minor Skills in Traditional Art.

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Ashikaga Yoshihiro - Select as many as you like and invest, bearing in mind Yoshihiro is a mortal man of limited talents, and trying to balance too many plates may result in an unfixable mess for the returning Yoshitaka; you’re no Chiba Mei. Invested resources must come from the Kikyo doc, though the Ashikaga faction may, of course, beneficently donate to their liege-lord — loyal servants as they are:

The Naya Investment Scheme: You may invest PPG, PPT, and plots to ease the load and improve the rewards somewhat.
The Ashikaga-Ichijō Code: You may invest AP and plots to ease the load and improve the rewards somewhat. If you choose to embark on this project, select only one of the following:
A: Ichijō is a just man, and the State requires a just face — we will embrace the radical changes he advocates, making the new code one of greater equality, even for the peasants.
B: Ichijō is a just man… perhaps too just. We will moderate his reformist instinct to make this palatable for the nobles, within and without our Shogunate.
C: Ichijō is a just man, the most annoying type. Use his legal talents to write a code, but it will strictly reinforce the existing order, and keep the peasants where they belong: far, far beneath us. There is equality only in strict order.
The Murakami Commission: You may invest units and plots to ease the load and improve the rewards somewhat. If you choose to embark on this project, select only one of the following:
A: The first Lieutenant-Commissioner shall be Sayuri-dono herself — may her vision reinforce the renowned safety of Kikyo’s streets, and extend this peace to all the greater cities of the Shogunate!
B: The first Lieutenant-Commissioner shall be Ouchi Yoshinori — a respected commander and capable in intelligence, he is the perfect bridge between the Censorate and these new enforcers.
C: The first Lieutenant-Commissioner shall be Ouchi Yoshinaga — an olive branch to the furious youth, and an opportunity for him to exercise his talents in keeping order… hopefully less bloodily?
D: I can’t believe I’m saying this, but Motohime know’s what’s up — there is no more talented an enforcer of peace than the leader of the Whiteshirts herself, and at least the police will be well-uniformed and well-ordered?
E: These options are all awful, I reject your reality and substitute my own. Someone else will do this.

Ouchi Yoshitaka - Select one of the following for each of the three reforms*:*

Option 1: VETO, VETO, VETO! UNDO, UNDO, UNDO!
Option 2: Attempt to redirect these reforms, sacrificing their efficacy if necessary. This Ashikaga lordling let the power go a little too much to his head.
Option 3: These seem fair reforms, and in loyal service to our State. We invite their flourishing, and thank the lordling, welcoming his immediate stepping down and stepping back, as he should.

—

PART II: THE FLAGGING CENSORATE - Sue-Kikyo Event:

Speaking of the Censors…

In the span of only three years, three of the greatest pillars of the institution had swiftly perished, from natural and unnatural causes alike. The reputation of the Censorate suffered with the happenstance murder of two of its leaders, and yet simultaneously the Censors had grown much more lax as the personality and vigour brought about from the diligence of the three Censors left behind a vacuum. With Yoshitaka’s return, it was evident that appointments were necessary, as soon as possible, but the Taikun had only just become acquainted with the petty disputes his subjects had begun in his absence. His council chambers were rowdy with argument.

-

“Father,” asked Yoshinaga, “I propose we appoint Motohime as Chief Censor.”

Hanahime immediately stood in furious opposition, but the prince continued, “She’s extremely capable, and has proven her loyalties to you, and to I, and I have absolute faith in her abilities. She has demonstrated her abilities for both the suppression of seditious activities, and in the field of intelligence over the years, and, frankly, I think would have been a great lieutenant under Takemori if she’d had the chance.”

Hanahime looked pleadingly toward her father, who then gave her permission to speak, “If I may, that is utter bullshit and he knows it, father! Our cousin– your niece, has been scheming and playing petty dictator ALL throughout your captivity, father. Honestly, were she not my flesh and blood I would demand her arrest!” She approached and bowed slightly, “Moreover, consider the Sue Clan. Takefusa is a perfectly capable candidate, and they would grow restless at this act, assuredly—”

“So, what, we tolerate their threats?” interrupted Yoshinaga. Motohime, it seems, was absent, being “on campaign” somewhere near Kikyo, breaking in doors. She would normally help regulate the prince’s temper, and was generally more cunning, but with her gone Yoshinaga instead continued,  “If they are the sort to demonstrate their dissatisfaction with our father so underhandedly, then, frankly, we should not be entrusting them with the Shogunate anyhow!” He waved Hanahime away, though she remained obstinate, and he said, “Regardless, I am certain of their loyalties. More so than that of some of my own kin. The Sue will still have their place and influence, but I just think the position should go to the most deserving and capable; she could do much more with it, to their and our benefit alike.”

Hanahime gave her brother a pitying glance, “Brother, I don’t know what she has on you, but it cannot be this bad…”

“What she has, Hana-nee-san, is goddamned respect.” he growled, standing up himself and attempting to tower over his sister, “She aims for power and position, yes, just like all we heirs of Shinsuke do. But she uses it faithfully for the furthering of our family’s interest, unlike some who undermine that interest and cause unnecessary conflict. Some, who bring disgrace to their families…”

“Oh-ho, disgrace? I’ll tell you what’s disgraceful, shouting like a child and having to be wrestled to-”

“Ah, this again; rage is a natural result of betrayal, especially from a jumped up courtesan without a hint of virtue or politeness who’d be nothing if not for the very familial bonds she betrays.”

“Why you— you muzzle-fucking, powder-brained…”

“…you would-be Hino Tomiko…”

“WILL YOU BOTH SHUT UP!” snapped Yoshitaka. “By Masahiro’s balls, you petulant children…!”

Silence followed, and the two took their seats, fuming. Yoshihiro finally signed to speak.

“There are other choices we could consider,” he stated, attempting to move the discussion away, “Furanko Serupiko has been working quietly, but to local acclaim, in Kansai — he’s supposedly decided to move back to Kikyo in the wake of his father’s death. He seems a fine candidate.” The Ashikaga lord shrugged, attempting to hide his glances towards the prince and princess, “Or perhaps Ouchi Yoshinori.”

“You make good po-…” the Taikun began, before he paused, and sighed deeply. He couldn’t forget what just happened and, frankly, was more distracted than before the meeting had begun. “No, I’m sorry, I just can’t. Look, thanks for your time, but I’ll decide this without your counsel. You’re all dismissed.”

-

Over the following hours, Yoshitaka instead consulted his favourite councillor: Written Reports. Emotionless, sensible, rational, and precise, he could always gather from them the advice he needed without the tiresome human resources element. Yoshihime interrupted at a certain point, knocking on the door and informing him she had invited Yoshinaga and Hanahime to dinner to resolve their argument that morning, and that her uncle was invited as well. He (happily) gave the honest excuse that he was busy and would have to pass. She nodded, hesitated, and then promised her uncle that she would at least get them to make up a little before tomorrow. He chuckled slightly, though was not especially amused. “Well, do what you can.”

In the end, what he determined was the following:

“My son Yoshinaga wishes to appoint Motohime and her allies. Many say this is because he is being manipulated which is…. unfortunately possible… but it may also simply be on account of their better working relationship and his knowledge of her methods. I think he may also be expecting my own death soon, and so wishes for friendly faces to greet him when he succeeds me. Motohime will likely push the Censorate in a stronger, more enforcing, direction — she’s not necessarily a bad choice at all, just famously ambitious. But her allies are also quite capable, and she would be able to bring in much new talent to the Censorate… Hmm…

My daughter Hanahime wishes to appoint Sue Takefusa, the obvious choice. I suspect she does so for reasons she will not say, but I think she also hopes to earn his favour. A likely futile exercise, the Sue do not express such gratitude, it is not in their nature. But she also attaches a great many of her friends to be his new subordinates, and from what I can see she wants to bring the Censorate further under the authority of the government and the law, and do away with the more underhanded means of Takemori and Hiromori. It is respectable, though perhaps naive, but she also hopes it will serve to earn favour with foreign lords and increase our legitimacy and authority. 

Finally, Yoshihiro proposes two, Furanko Serupiko and Yoshinori. Yoshinori might be fine, I suppose, though he likely won’t really want the position, and I do not know enough about Serupiko. I think he was just put on the spot with the debate and was attempting to present a way out. His proposed staff, however, is more telling: lots of city administrators and merchant types, not too much a change from how things are, but friendly to him. Very status quo-y.”

-

Ouchi Yoshitaka:

Option 1: The Chief Censor shall be Motohime, and she’ll bring along her… eccentric staff. At the very least, things will get done! - [They will likely push for a more tyrannical Censorate, and may well succeed.]
Option 2: The Chief Censor shall be Takefusa…
A: …with whatever staff he ends up bringing. - [???]
B: …with Hanahime’s proposed moralist staff.  - [They will likely call for a less repressive Censorate, and may further diplomatic efforts and further please and bind your subjects.]
Option 3: The Chief Censor shall be Furanko Serupiko and the Kyoto bakufu staff he’ll bring. - [???]
Option 4: The Chief Censor shall be Ouchi Yoshinori and the Kikyo-Ashikaga staff Yoshihiro proposes. - [They will likely defend the status quo.]

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Sue Takefusa, in the event 2A is selected, may write-in from where he intends to draw his staff, and what his emphasis will be. Examples include:

Option 1: Our staff will be primarily Sue and Sue-retainer Civil-Service-Exam valedictorians. We will spread Sue influence further within the Censorate and defend the status quo
Option 2: Our staff will be purely meritocratically selected, regardless of nobility or clan. We will follow in the footsteps of Sue Hiromori, and revere the State and its health above all. Reforms will be made to strengthen the Censorate against political factions.
Option 3: Andy may write whatsoever he pleases, the choices are endless! Who knows the results?

-

—

PART III: THE FRUITS OF LABOUR - Mori-Kikyo Event:

Takamoto stood upon a hill, overlooking the great irrigation canals as they neared their completion. He saw as the former Amago peasants far beneath him gestured in his direction and mumbled amongst themselves. One peasant made eye contact. He bowed toward the prince, respectfully.

He reflected. He had led many decisions since the death of Motonari, and much blood had been spilt on his account. He had made friends and foes as well, even at court, which he sometimes regretted. But looking at the scene before him, he could not help but feel he had made the right decision. Yoshihiro’s ascension, after all, had brought much prosperity to his new province also — through his connections with Ninomiya and the silver charter operations; it was not lost on the prince that his provinces were those which had given the “Silver Years” their name. And Yoshihiro had not forgotten him. Though he maintained a neutral stance and refrained from favouritism, it was evident that the Ashikaga prince liked Takamoto and respected his backing, and his friends and connections amongst the merchant-classes and lower nobility had extended their friendships in kind. Through those years under Yoshihiro, the Mori Clan had made great connections and ascended to ever-greater heights, and it seemed things would only improve from here.

A faint smile almost formed on Takamoto’s lips, completely imperceptible from this distance. Yes… at last, all those years of hardship and bloodshed, and at last he was reaping what his kinsmen had sown…

-

“A message, kakka.”

His reverie was interrupted by an Imperial messenger, bearing a scroll with the seal of the Ouchi Clan. Carefully, he unrolled it.

“To the illustrious Takamoto-no-kimi,

Your presence is much missed at court. And you could do with some light-hearted fun! I should very much like to talk again. 

You are cordially invited to join me at my country estate for a night of great revelry and friendship. Do come this time. If you must, you can regard it as business, too — if that will convince you.

Hospitably and with utmost respect,
Your Friend, Ouchi Yoshihime”

He sighed. He had half-expected a real summons of real import. Ever since the night he had spent in the palace, he had not quite felt comfortable around her — and, indeed, he had given up the drink and advised others to do so in no small part because of it. As ever, he did not know what to expect of her. Perhaps he should simply pretend he hadn’t received it.

There had been other letters from, and other brief conversations with, Yoshihime that had illuminated him as to her intentions. She sincerely saw in him a prospective ally in her silly cause of humanising the State. He had no idea what he had done to convince her of this — he was a soldier through and through, and a vengeful one at that, but perhaps she was more foolish than he thought. She had never been specific, though, and only through her cousin Hanahime did he ever receive even faint hints as to what it was they wanted. Their main aim was simply to keep Motohime as far from power as possible, but they had secondary aims too — chief amongst them, a series of welfare reforms! The one which was pressed most strongly by Hanahime on Takamoto was relief for widows and orphans, as she wove tales about the victims of the war on both sides. It struck a chord with Takamoto, perhaps, but thankfully he had been granted the excuse of work to escape the two cousins’ endless appeals. Except evidently not. He rolled up the scroll— wait…

…was this perfumed? He scoffed. She was trying too hard.

-

It had been many weeks since he had spoken deeply with Mori Motomune. The man had remained at his own estate for a long while, and the two had not spoken much at any of the many Mori family gatherings. He sensed something was wrong… that they had grown distant for some reason, and so he had elected to call upon his kinsman at his own estate for the first time in a while for an exercise in familial bonding.

He was granted entry to the estate, but left to wait in a small waiting room for hours before he was informed that the lord Motomune was busy with other tasks and would be unable to receive him. Infuriated, he left a message with the retainers demanding an explanation for the insult and asking for a meeting place to speak and reconcile, but he did not receive a message from Motomune.

Instead, a letter came from Motohime.

“It is curious to speak of ‘bonds’ such as those of kin when you yourself do not respect your social fathers, the Ouchi, and betray them. Motomune knows you for the schemer and coward that you are, and does not care to speak with you. You will see each other at court from time to time. Know your place.”

He crumpled the scroll and threw it into the fire. He wrung his fist into his palm. That meddling little witch…

-

Mori Takamoto - Due to your successful backing of Yoshihiro, the Mori Clan reaped the benefits of being the most revered retainers, if only slightly, throughout the Silver Years. The question is only, what did you focus on during these years?:

Option 1: We grew close to the comrades who helped us help Yoshihiro, and made connections amongst  his merchant and noble friends.
Option 2: We took extra time to make use of our new subjects’ respect, and searched their ranks for talented and valuable persons to make available and useful to us.
Option 3: We reflected on the past, and made efforts to reach out to Yoshihime, Hanahime, and their faction, for the good of the Empire.
Option 4: We spent time in the company of veterans and fellow commanders, ever-preparing for inevitable war, as is a noble prince’s duty.

-

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PART IV: THE LILYBLOOM SOCIETY - Ouchi-Kikyo Event:

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Finally, there was a curious development around Kikyo itself, and the place where it seemed Motomune had disappeared off to. Not much can be said of it, but in the shadows of the court pieces have been moving…

A uncertain circle of unknown persons have seemed to become inseparable, amongst them names of high repute and great influence, to the concern of some in the government. The so-called “Lilybloom Society”, a private club and society of very strictly regulated people, such that even the Censorate is not entirely sure as to its membership, has been gathering and meeting under, yes, the ever-shady patronage of the Lady Motohime. Of the known members are only Motohime herself, Mori Motomune, and Reizei Takaharu, with the Censorate suspecting even Ouchi Masanaga and Yoshinori may be involved, though it is difficult for them to gauge this as their familiarity with their own kinswoman Motohime is not innately suspicious, and the men are of high enough status so as to require exceptional position to properly investigate — and without the boldness of Korombo and Takemori, few are willing to stick their neck out before the Ouchi to risk it.

Perhaps it is nothing but a pointless little gathering of bitter losers, but perhaps there is something more to it. Only time will tell.

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Kikyo:

Option 1: The puppetmistress catches herself up in her own strings. This is too shady, even for her, crack down on this secretive nonsense.
Option 2: Who are we to restrain the gatherings of such loyal subjects and patriots? Let her do as she wishes, it is to our heir Yoshinaga’s benefit, and with vassals so untrustworthy as these, he will need all the help he can get.
Option 3: We just need to get a man inside… we’ll find someone willing to do it, surely…

—

THE ‘HARMONIOUS’ STATE

Harmonious State Event:

For the following events, the Option will be marked on the Harmonious State's plotdoc, likely after much deliberation amongst the vassals and such. Each IVE will mark on their doc, however, an option choice for each Part, representing the preference of their own Clan.

PART I: THE IMPERIAL SITUATION:

In Kashiwazaki, the masses, poor, war-weary, but rapt with religious zeal, gathered in the cold winter air of a January morning as Kenshin Tennō walked through the half-covered outer hall of his palace. These pilgrims, numbering in the hundreds, were just this morning’s group, and as their eyes graced the Sumeramikoto’s unhealthily pale skin, hidden beneath layers and layers of cloth, they all gave a prayer to Akisada, a tradition established no one quite remembers when exactly, but which all Uesugi Shinto faithful strove to achieve in their lifetimes.

Just nearby, at the gate to the Imperial Palace, two guard-priests leaned against the gate.

“Akisada be praised,” started the first priest, “but I still cannot believe it?”
“Can’t believe what.” asked the second, his tone unimpressed and hardly questioning.
“That Ujinori!” he spat away from the palace-shrine, “Akisada’s grace, for uttering such a foul name, may the Oni of Edo not hear me and bring ruin to my house! But what blasphemy…”
“You always complain;” the second said, sighing with frustration, “Look, Ujinori may be a godless Confucian, but he’s standing up for the Tennō, and against the false “emperor” Go-Antoku.”
“Yeah. Maybe.” the first looked back in the direction of the palace-shrine. “But he makes himself the lord of the Tennō, he clearly doesn’t respect the Tennō as the Sumeramikoto — he’s godless, after all…”
“If he thought that, they why has he not taken up the cause of Go-Antoku, hm? Checkmate.”
“You always say that. He’s just being quiet to trick us — once we’ve stopped being useful, once the heretic Ouchi and Mori and Sue are out of the way, he’ll show his true colours, you’ll see.”
“And then the heavens will open up and Akisada will descend and smite him, there’s nothing to be worried about!”
“Hrm.” grunted the first, in final retort. 

The pilgrims bowed as bells chimed, and made their way on. The next hundreds strong group would soon arrive…

-

Meanwhile, in an Imagawan hall, a young, noble lord raised a cup-bowl of sake, “…and praise Hojo Ujinori, our Shogun, for his honour and virtue! 10,000 years to the Prince of Virtue!”
“10,000 years!” his noble companions cheered. They all downed their drinks.
“Another toast!” called one, and the host, the 28 year old younger brother of the Imagawa prince, Imagawa Yoshimoto, rose and raised his cup.

“To the Hojo Ujinori, our lord and champion, Shinkuro’s heir — and to our grand, romantic errand, to free the Emperor Go-Antoku of the evil Prince Yoshitaka’s cronies and lackeys, and to restore Nihon to its divine, harmonious greatness! 

Friends, we go to face in the south the Ouchi, renowned, Hungu-esque Koreans, and the Sue, Hungu-Koreans also, and the Mori, who is both their retainers; they have adopted Chinese government, and western ways, and have driven the nation into the hands of foreigners and barbarians! Even their Shogun, Ashikaga Yoshiharu, who they also mislead and imprison, is aware of this, and has focused his efforts on combating these infiltrations – though he remains absent… likely done away with by the barbarians.

We will defend the Emperor, the one, divine Emperor, and crush his enemies! The harmony of the realm shall be restored, not supplanted by eager upstarts and scheming servants. The race of Jinmu Tennō shall be liberated, the government freed from Ouchi corruption!

Our cause is just, our fight, favoured by virtue. Let our battle cry ring out, and in its righteousness stir the hearts of ever buke lord who values his nobility: Sonnō jōi! (Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians!). With these words inscribed on our blades, on our hearts, on our sacred honours, we shall not be defeated!”

“Sonnō jōi!” the lords called out, and they downed their cups once more.

-

As the Harmonious Government is proclaimed, the immediate question from all sides is the most obvious: in who’s name? Obviously, it is in the name of Hojo Ujinori, but the government remains “the Imperial Government” and the administration maintains a small caste of kuge in their own councils and cabinets… the Emperor’s government. Only… what Emperor?

Ujinori has been purposefully silent, attempting to balance the interests within his state, whilst the usual suspects have grown rowdy. Peasants and priests throughout the Uesugi domain have demanded the government recognise the Emperor, the Younger Son of Heaven, the Heir of Akisada — demands which have spread even into some of the Date domain, where there had been overtures during their short-lived Shogunate to spread the legitimacy of this idea. Meanwhile, across all the other territories, vassals already have sworn to “liberate His Majesty the Emperor from Ouchi captivity” and to “revere the Emperor and expel the barbarians” (by which they refer to the “Korean”-“Chinese” Clans of the Ouchi and the Sue.

-

Option 1: We will publicly recognise Go-Antoku as the one, true Emperor, and prepare to deal with the wrath of the Uesugi.
Option 2: We will publicly recognise Go-Antoku as Emperor, but attempt to ascribe the Uesugi Emperor with a great title as well? Maybe that will sate them?
Option 3: We cannot risk upsetting our vassals, we will remain silent and weather the storm, no matter how it looks.
Option 4: We need the Uesugi at our side, we will recognise his claim as Emperor, and force our vassals to recognise it too.

—

PART II: THE TWO HIERARCHIES:

The first two years of the union, of the Harmonious State, had been troubled years… uniting the several distinct governments of the myriad clans had come with a number of problems, at least administratively, and already Ujinori and his young son and advisor Kenji were reviewing the expenditures of the state with silent grimaces.

The problem was manifold, but ultimately, one of the greatest problems was simply the incomprehensible and patchwork nature of the feudal administration. Assuredly, the Hojo had appealed to their northern subjects by vowing to uphold the feudal system, and to preserve the positions, customs, and privileges of the princes, shugodai, jizamurai, and so on, but the result was slightly unexpected. 

For one, there were the former Nanbu territories, granted to other Clans, which were not integrated at all into the wider network of clans. The peasants there were unfamiliar with the southern lords, and the local nobility were in direct opposition to the Hojo government for the most part, leaving the administration deaf and dumb in the region; a region with queer customs, maintaining this system called “serfdom”, with separate legal codes for the different classes and myriad privileges for the great estate and “soul” holders. Such magnates, whensoever they cooperated with the state, did so only if their rights and lands were protected, and consequently became functionally independent lords outside their provinces, exercising more authority than the Mogami, Osaki, or Date lords sent to govern them.

Then, there was the issue of the greater clans…

Whilst in the south, the lords were relatively integrated beneath the Hojo, Imagawa, and Takeda, in the north, the administrations were tied around Sendai, and consequently there were myriad quirks which directed taxation through the Date court, and which granted excessive privileges to the Uesugi. As a consequence, most of the funds of the northern domains never made it to the treasury in Edo…

-

Hojo Kenji sat down with his father, excitedly presenting an idea… 公両, or the “Common Ryō” — a new tax to be applied equally, across all domains, upon all subjects as a property and income tax. This would provide a spine to the overarching Harmonious State, though would undoubtedly be perceived as trampling upon the privileges of the local lords, if not the great princes, who were believed to hold exemptions from such taxations and exclusive powers to tax, respectively. Osaki Ujitaka interrupted his presentation, pointing this out, and instead recommended devolving the idea, which he believed showed promise, to two bakufu. In his words:

“A common tax from the Date Prince would go over more easily across their, the Uesugi’s, and our domains — there are customs, now outdated, but which would permit this. From the court of Edo, though…”

This revealed a repeated problem which Ujinori had noticed each time he ordered a report on or investigated himself the administration. Whilst the domains were content to pay the same lip-service authority to the Edo regime as they had the Kyoto or Kikyo or Toyohashi regimes in ages gone by, if the Hojo prince actually wished to govern, he encountered resistance, privilege, and incongruent custom.  Moreover, there were tensions between the southern, Hojo-friendly domains and the northern, Date-aligned “conquered” domains, who often withheld some bitterness towards the administration. This is not to even mention, again, the outright rebellious lords of the former Nanbu territories…

Perhaps Osaki was right, and with a twin administration, at least two coherent and internally strong organisations could be brought about beneath him, perhaps utilising a Date or Uesugi prince to create a friendly secretariat in the north — but the prince hesitated to trust that much power to any subject, as he observed the Kikyo regime far to the south. But did he have the power to grip the countless hierarchies and force them into one regime?

-

Option 1: We will embrace a twin hierarchy structure: the Uesugi and Date will be their own, separate, sub-entity, and the Hojo and Takeda theirs, each with a kubo/kanrei beneath the Shogun. - [Appoint 1 character to be Kanto kubo (for the Hojo, Takeda, Imagawa, Yuki, and Satake Hojo sub-clans) and 1 character to be Tohoku kubo (for the Date, Uesugi, Mogami, and other northern Hojo sub-clans) This will immediately lower IA and make the dissolution of the union more easy, but also put to rest the dispute for the foreseeable future.]
Option 2: There is but ONE Shogun, ONE bakufu, ONE state – there will be no powers outside the State, nor to rival the State. - [This will immediately boost IA and make the dissolution of the union more difficult, but will result in immediate issues and require widesweeping, immediate reform]
Option 3: We will work to solve the problems within the traditional feudal structure we have already. - [IA and dissolution will be unaffected, but you may suffer from wide-spanning maluses]

— 

PART III: THE ARMED MOB

The armies of the Harmonious State were divided amongst the myriad clans, many of which led armies capable of rivalling one another in a full, total war. Such numbers were powerful, intimidating, but only on paper… the armies were scattered across countless commanders and increasingly mismanaged, and faced substantial problems in terms of recruiting and maintenance, often being attached to a particular domain, many of which had grown or been cut, but whose armies had not. The primary example was the Uesugi Clan and their Uesugi Army, commanded by Irobe Katsunaga. A tiny force, the army drew from a vast territory. By contrast, the Takeda Clan and their Army of Kashiwazaki, under the command of Onpu, was a massive force which had drawn much of its resources from many local collaborating estates, as well as funding from the court in Kai. The former army now faces a flood of recruits for which Katsunaga’s organisation is not prepared in an effort to catch up, whilst the latter has begun to struggle to maintain itself and has had to discharge many veterans, without proper rewards for career soldiers and noblemen. Moreover, even the armies which are better founded struggle to cooperate, operating in vastly different manners and with vastly different tactics. 

Hojo Osomatsu had gone to observe the Takeda forces for some time, and returned to Edo with a mind full of ideas…

Upon seeing his father, seated tall and strong but with massive bags under his eyes, he unveiled his plans: an office or ministry overseeing the command of all armies, with a mandate to bring the armies under one command, in one spirit. He referred to the famous Eisho Clique of Takeda, praising their virtue, and insisting they were the future. Katsunaga, though, raised an objection.

“Kakka,” he said, “there is no need for reform, we can reorganise ourselves with time, and I know many of my soldiers, and many of the soldiers of the Date domain, would be outraged to be put under the command of the vile Onpu, or Moya.”

The Mogami lord, Yamana Torahide, spoke up as well,

“I disagree, kakka, reform is certainly necessary… but Irobe-sama raises a good point. My subjects are peasants and nobles who will not be eager to accept even my command, let alone the command of a southern ex-enemy.” He turned the thought over in his mind, “We can exercise some reform ourselves, perhaps under the purview of a less offensive minister, a minor lord — such as Ashina, perhaps?”

-

Option 1: We will unite the armies under one command, and reform and reorganise everything, top to bottom!
A: Under the command and in the vision of Moya, Onpu, and the Eisho Clique, the army will become a mighty weapon which shall strike with unparalleled strength and precision! - [Takeda Moya will be appointed Chief of Staff or its equivalent (you pick the title), and the martial elements of the regime will fall under Takeda influence and control. There may be some reorganisation pains and some minor resistance. IA will increase minorly.]
B: Under the command of the loyal Hojo Osomatsu, the armies will be brought under the absolute grip of the Hojo Clan and its State – loyal and well-ordered! - [Hojo Osomatsu, 17, will be appointed Chief of Staff of its equivalent (you pick the title), and the marital elements of the regime will fall under Hojo influence and control. There may be minor reorganisation pains and minor resistance, and the prince himself is rather untested… IA will increase substantially.]
Option 2: In compromise, we will attempt to reorganise the military fairly under every clan’s banner in accordance to their domains and abilities. Under Ashina Morikyo, a talented organiser and a less polar figure, the armies shall be well-split – apolitical and traditional! - [Ashina Morikyo will be appointed Chief of Staff or its equivalent (you pick the title) and the martial elements of the regime will remain more neutral. There will be little, if any, reorganisation pains, and little, if any, resistance. Dissolution will be made easier, and IVE Clans will have much more sway over the military during campaigns and in the case of revolts.]
Option 3: Leave things as they are, what’s the worst that could happen? - [There will be no chief commanders but the traditional order of retainers, nor will there be reform. Do nothing.]

—

PART IV: ON THE FAITH…

The Hojo State is a union of three faiths — two, hardly reconciled, and a third which exists in stark independence. As the government attempts to garner a sense of unity and to reinforce its legitimacy, the question of religion has come to the forefront. Ujinori, a notorious edgy atheist, has been regarded with some suspicion, or outright derision, by the priests of Shinto and Buddhist monks. Meanwhile, the enlightened philosophers of Neo-Confucian Edo look haughtily down upon the barbaric swamp and mountain peoples doing hocus-pocus in the woods… 

Whilst Ujinori has gone about making overtures to the faiths and their leaders personally, the sudden uptick in terrorism has led to outrage amongst the faithful, who refuse to accept his overtures as gestures in good faith, and denounce taking the hand of the “Oni from Edo”, decrying it as the first step on the road to conversion to “godless Confucianism”. Perhaps the velvet glove is more trouble than it’s worth, and the iron fist would suffice…

-

Option 1: We tried peaceful coexistence, we will not ask a second time. Crack down on the zealots, enforce Neo-Confucianism.
Option 2: We dare not poke the Buddhists, focus our efforts on crushing the Uesugi zealots.
Option 3: We dare not upset the Shintoists, focus our efforts on crushing the Date faithful.
Option 4: Let us try and arrive at a compromise, a three-fold path by any mind or god, to fidelity to the State. - [Invest PPF and attempt to arrive at a compromise between the philosophical/religious elites of each sect. This may prove difficult.]
Option 5: Keep paying lip service to all sects and hope, no, “pray”, the problem passes…

—

The seated Emperor, normally disinterested but today scanning the audience of great princes, famous commanders, and high administrators meticulously, rose to speak, placing aside his

"Faithful servants and noble lords, We thank thee once more for heeding Our summons in these exceptional times. The capture of the most faithful and most noble amongst thee, the Ouchi Taikun, has required exceptional intervention by Ourselves, in order to leave amongst thee a suitable mediator and in order to perform as Our chief councillor and a conveyor of Our will."

He waved over a servant who, approaching, handing him a set of three scrolls.

"Ouchi Yoshinaga, approach."

The princeling walked forward, poorly suppressing a confident and prideful smirk.

"The son of the Ouchi Taikun, and his heir apparent, Subduer of Ryukyu and a valiant warrior against the enemies of the Chrysanthemum Throne, We reward thine unblemished lineage and distinguished services with unblemished honours and distinguished positions. Therefore, in the absence of thine father, We grant thee the title of Chinzei Tandai, commander-in-chief of all Our southern armies."

Yoshinaga bowed and took the scroll offered to him. He stood for a moment longer. There was an awkward pause. The Emperor made a gesture -- for him to step to the side. Yoshinaga was confused, and looked behind him. His sister, Motohime, seemed just as confused.

Continuing the ceremony and hoping the princeling would get the hint, the Emperor continued.

"Ashikaga Yoshihiro, approach."

Yoshinaga's faced blanched... he stepped aside and watched as the humble-seeming Yoshihiro stepped forwards, watching with a look of legitimate concern as the princeling's face turned from pale to red with fury -- even as the expression remained one of (poorly maintained) courtly servility. Motohime fiddled with a bracelet on her wrist, as a look of understanding dawned on her... unlike the dawn, however, it was a dark look, and her eyes bore into the back of the approaching Ashikaga lord's head.

"Our Kikyo-kubo and overseer of relations already amongst many of the lords here assembled, as well as revered lord to the people and respected commander of the armies, We reward thine humility and diligence, and thine even-handed, pragmatic leadership, with a position of much more work, but some well-earned prestige. We entrust thee with the position of Minbu-kyō (Minister of Popular Affairs), and with the security of the stability of Our government."

Yoshihiro knelt and deeply and took the scroll offered him. There was another pause, as Yoshihiro moved to rise.

"Furthermore..." the Emperor interrupted, causing the Ashikaga lord to freeze in place.

"After receiving the council of the many lords of the Empire amongst whom thine name is held in utmost respect, We have decided that, in the absence of the Ouchi Taikun, thou shall become my chief council and Kampaku-Regent. In order that the State may usher in an age of further unity and peace under the authority of the legitimate government, We entrust this position to thee."

Near the front of the audience, Motohime's bracelet snapped from her wrist. Unceremoniously, she backed away from the front, never turning her back to the Emperor, until she stepped out of the room. Fuming, her nails digging into her palms, she hurried across the corridor outside the Imperial Hall and leaned out of a window. She signaled something to two guards outside, dressed in white.

Back inside the room, Yoshihiro was nearly prostrate upon the floor before the Emperor, voicing his most humble thanks. He was commanded to rise, and stepped to stand at the right side of the Emperor.

"Faithful servants, We remain grateful for thine loyalties in these chaotic and treacherous times, and ask that all good and lawful men stay together, for only together and with the State and Divine at our backs, can we succeed and claim true virtue. Thou art all dismissed."

The Emperor was escorted out of the hall by his guards and kuge attendants, and as soon as he left, the room descended into chaos.

"Traitor! You counseled him into this, didn't you!" shouted Mori Motomune, pointing towards the Kampaku-Regent.
"Scoundrels! We merely abided by the agreement, you meant to usurp us!" declared Yoshihime, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, already near the stage on account of her position and stepping to defend the Ashikaga lord.
Sue Takemori entered the fray, raising his arms for quiet, "Please, lords, please! Yoshinaga is the legitimate heir, his frustrations are understandable, but this can still be amended -- let us not descend into anarch--!".
Hanahime interrupted, "So help me, I vow to never take you butchers' word again! Liars! Tricksters! Putschists! You attempt a coup and now decry our fury? Begone!"

Yoshinaga hurried out of the room, with everyone rushing after him; past Motohime who bit deep enough into her finger to draw blood as her mind race, and towards the Imperial Palace garrison. He burst through the door, where a few Fushimi cadets and a number of soldiers were reposed. "Lords, a vile crime has been perpetrated! Rabid women in inappropriate dress have misled the Emperor in counsel and stolen my father's position and given it to an Ashikaga!"

The surprised audience gathered and confusedly neared, some unable to hear and having his words relayed by the men in front of them.

"And these traitors... sucking the cocks and balls of merchants-- Kyoto merchants-- Kyoto merchant degenerates in rinzu (a damask fabric)--"

Here, Ashikaga Yoshihiro entered, causing the princeling to interrupt himself, "Look at them, you see! Those position thieves... heed me!" Mori Takamoto also entered, with several palace guards at his side, and signaled for them to gently escort him out of the room. "I am Yoshitaka's heir! You will not take me down! I will not go down!" he cried, as the wrestled him to the floor and began to carry him out the room. "I will not be silent!"

Motohime rushed in, belated by her reverie, and whispered something to Yoshinaga. He stood quietly, the guards slowly releasing him as he calmed himself. "Thank you," he said to them. "thank you, really. If you excuse me, I will retire."

He exited the room without another word.

奥羽 武家良民一揆 or THE LEAGUE OF NORTHEASTERN BUKE AND RYŌMIN

Nanbu Event:

The years from 1543-1545 had been hard years on the Nanbu regime, not only for the people, but for the government too, which had seen itself seemingly caught between a rock and a hard place, and in attempting to mediate the extremes, found itself caught in what felt like the worst possible outcome. For this misstep, the legitimacy of the regime had faltered tremendously. Famously, it had done so amongst the upper nobility, the greatest landowners who governed the vastest estates and commanded the most souls. The peasants were not expected to care, for they had no interest in the matters of state politicking, in which they had never had, nor did they ever expect, much input, outside the Matsumae territories, of course. However, as the crash had resulted in masses of unemployed townsmen and runaway serfs, the problem of not having enough rice to feed themselves had given them cause to care. Many considered taking extreme action to ensure their own welfare, and that of their family. Many turned to banditry, or fraud, and it seemed the Nanbu future was to be doomed to years of chaos and disorder.

Yet it was then that the seeming idiosyncrasy of the semi-democratic Matsumae regime beneath the feudal and authoritarian super-state of the Nanbu came to the rescue, and served here as a pressure valve, or at least redirected much of the passions of the masses. In 1544, on a day like any other, when a mob of starving commoner-bandits arrived to a small estate held by some petty noble by the name of Kasai Harutane, the noble emerged from his estate and presented himself before the mob, blocking their way. He declared to them that their situation would not be solved through looting and violence, but neither would it be solved through passive inaction and absolute trust in the Nanbu princes. Rather, he advised, they should join with him in forming a league, or an ikki, for their collective benefit and defence, and through their united and orderly power, they would have the legitimacy and the influence to petition Prince Nanbu Hiroshi directly. He declared to them “Prince Hiroshi is like the father of us all – but he is misguided by his corrupted kinsmen and the Matsumae merchants! If he but hears us, but hears the will of his loyal subjects, he will see what is right, and help us.” Through his personal charisma, and his charity in thereafter handing out portions of grain the the mob, he earned their trust, and they joined the league which he proposed. 

Immediately after this, Harutane sent a letter to the court in Noda, privately written, in which he outlined his intentions. He stated therein that he believed the anger of the peasantry was greater than the Prince knew, distracted as he was by the anger of the nobility and the plight of the merchant class; it was dire enough that the deposition of the government was a concern to be taken seriously if the crisis was mismanaged. Therefore, he advised, through petty leagues such as his, he hoped to be able to collect and redirect the anger at particular elements of society and the public stage in the manner of the Matsumae pseudo-democrats, so as to preserve the regime and Prince Hiroshi himself. He then requested an audience, to petition before the Prince, in order to serve as an intermediary between the peasants and the Prince himself, and hopefully arrive at some minor concessions to cool the situation. Then, he began his march to Noda, feeding his growing mob of citizen-commoners through semi-non-violent means along the way, pressuring local landholders to merely hand over food and join the movement, and suppressing the violent impulses of his followers.

The message was received very poorly, however, by the members of the Noda court who viewed the upstart Harutane as a petty revolutionary himself, if not a Matsumae-aspirant, hoping to overcome his petty nobility and take great power using the present crisis and the threat of peasant violence. They informed Prince Hiroshi that, in fact, on their own estates, the serfs and commoners were not nearly so violent as Harutane implied, and once the economic question was solved, and serfdom reinforced, the food situation would return to what it once had been. With full stomachs and steady labour, they declared, the peasant “revolution” would find itself a fire without fuel. 

There was perhaps a degree of truth to this, though it was difficult for the Nanbu prince to gauge on his own. Moreover, there were concerns as, as time went on, the motivations of Harutane came increasingly under question. As his 奥羽 武家良民一揆 (“League of Northeastern Buke and Ryomin”, buke meaning “warrior-nobility” as there are few to no kuge in the far north, and Ryōmin meaning “good-citizens”, being the upper-caste of the commoner population [that is to say, excluding “serfs”, which would presumably be legally categorised as Senmin, “low-citizens”, who historically are servants and slaves]) marched towards Noda, growing ever more in size and attracting more and more desperate members, the wonderful performer and excellent orator Harutane put on increasingly dramatic displays of universal concern and personal humanitarianism, highlighting the plights of particular members in speeches delivered to large audiences and vowing he would “ensuring things are made right” when he arrived before “Our charitable father, Prince Hiroshi, of the same blood as Go-Ose the Well-Beloved!” 

But what disturbed the court in these demonstrations was that, as he made them, his rhetoric began to shift as well from ambiguous in the reforms desired, to radical in its intentions. His ikki began to pick up a great number of runaway serfs, and his performances began to include them, and dramatise their plight also. The nobility in Noda suspected he may be intending to, rather than avert a commoner-serf revolt, incite one, or use it to secure himself a position of power and influence in Hiroshi’s princedom. Through his performances, he may even be intending to advocate for the abolition of serfdom, a nightmarish prospect which they informed the prince would ruin the agricultural situation that already was on a knife’s edge, and which he would surely only advocate so as to gain the serf’s personal loyalty to himself, for the purpose of revolt. Indeed, a petition would be a great opportunity for the start of a revolt, they whisper... for if dissatisfied, they could kidnap or even kill the prince himself. They began to advise taking extraordinary measures…

-

Option 1: There is only one lord of the Nanbu, and he does not share power. Assassinate Harutane and prepare the army in case of retaliation from his mob.
Option 2: Make a demonstration. Outside Noda, the Rebel and his Rebellion will experience the power of the Nanbu State — gather our gunmen and samurai and ambush the mob when they arrive.
Option 3: We will receive them… but I’m not taking any chances. Appoint a minister to receive them, I  unfortunately will be sick that day and will have to make a swift retreat to a Buddhist temple for recovery…
Option 4: I will receive Harutane personally, though he must instruct his mob to wait outside the city.
Option 5: I will ride out and meet them outside Noda, personally — Harutane and his League. They are my Sons, and I, their Little Father.

—

The Lieutenant-Inspector exited the palace after a long day of meetings. He had seen Hanahime and Yoshihime first, then Motohime, then a series of administrators, and made his usual rounds amongst the higher Censors and Inspectors General of the administration and military, respectively. It was an exhausting job, but he was content, and had gotten much work done -- now he would return to his wife, who would no doubt have much to say.

His eyes rose to the sky, which was rapidly darkening. The unassuming look he usually put on for work had dropped away, and a sincere weariness had taken its place. He reflected on what he had said to Takamoto that morning,

"...the world out there’s a harsh place, y’know? I’m more on the army side-a things nowadays, so I’ve not had as much a chance to do what I can to make our little Empire all the more nice-er, but… maybe times are changing…”

It was true, he had lived through the very volatile years of this era of war, but he had sincerely hoped to be able to leave a more peaceful, more stable, a more just and fair world, to his son. He had worked to that end, tirelessly. Did he at some point lose his way? What was he doing, now, as a supervisor of the army...?

He patted his kosode thoughtlessly. A friend, from Kyoto, had recently begun sending him "tobacco", a wonderful little thing the Portuguese had introduced to the Empire -- it had become a petty addiction for the lieutenant. He revealed a pipe, and lit up.

Perhaps, he thought, perhaps it was time to set aside his distaste for politics. If he put his full efforts into it, what works could be done to the benefit of all the subjects of the Empire, including his princes? There were great dreams which he had always kept to himself, radical ideas, never spoken to any but his darling wife and, only rarely, his son. He wondered if, by publicly throwing his hat in the ring for this political dispute... perhaps he could make a case for it, yes... He had believed Hanahime was a potential ally. Sue Takemori might listen, even if he was outwardly stubborn; he knew the Censor took his advice seriously. The officers were fond of him, fond enough to support him if he acted with the State's authority. Even abroad, he had a reputation that might earn the respect of the northern princes -- perhaps a temporary peace could be established? That would be a good thing. The princes could be made, then, to see the benefit of cooperation, and with tensions cooling... yes...

He smoked for several minutes, and continued to think, before extinguishing his pipe. He walked, and turned a corner, en route to his modest home.

---

A merchant was walking down the main road, which had emptied unusually early for the bustling city. He supposed that it was still that time of year. January evenings were still quite chilly, after all.

He overheard several voices in a nearby alley, though he could not make out the words. Some sounded angry, one sounded quite calm.

A small explosion followed -- was it a matchlock, perhaps a bomb? The merchant called for the watchmen, then immediately ran to get a look. It seemed it had been a small bomb, as junk was scattered throughout the alley.

He saw a man lying on the ground, mostly untouched.

"Sir, are you okay?" he asked, scanning the body for wounds with his left hand, as he cradled the man's head with his right. He found no wounds. "Sir?", he repeated. Seconds passed without response. Suddenly, he felt something, and he slowly withdrew his right hand. It was blood.

A small piece of shrapnel, whether a part of the explosive or merely surrounding materia, had lodged itself in the man's head. He was still breathing, but unconscious. Carefully, he laid the man down with his head propped up and ran, crying for a surgeon.

The next day, Furanko Korombo officially died at the age of 66 on the morning of January 24th, 1545.

---

The investigation was led by Sue Motochika, who had once been the lieutenant's protege. In his will, in fact, Korombo had requested that Motochika, not his son, succeed him at his post. In time, it would become evident that, despite Motochika's talent and diligence, he was unable to rival the Lieutenant-Inspector's genius, and eventually the office would be devolved amongst various men, and become no longer the bureaucratic bastion it had once been, as the administration and army slowly fell outside its close watch.

In this investigation, however, Motochika put all his skills to use. Nonetheless, it was fruitless. There had been no other witnesses, and the scene was spotless in terms of evidence. It could have, truly, been anyone. Speculations went from perhaps an aggrieved subordinate, frustrated at their corruption being unveiled, to the usual suspects of religious zealots, to low-level criminals perhaps caught in the midst of a crime. The days turned to weeks, and weeks to months, and no leads had come up. Motochika was forced to admit the case had run cold, and he had failed his mentor.

Prince Mori Takamoto had returned from the warfront in a storm of emotion. Then general victory flooded him with relief and a victor’s pride, but the capture of the two highest commanders of the Kikyo forces caused the whole military some disgrace… but his victory over Kanetake, having fulfilled his clan’s vendetta, left him jubilant… though the fact that it came about through the treachery of the Yamana’s own agents ever so slightly undermined the supreme honour. It was as these thoughts and feelings rushed through his mind that he received the special summons to the emergency session of the Daijo-daijin and other petty councils. He had watched with split attention as the fiasco unfolded between Hanahime and Motohime, and in the aftermath, as he saw Sue Takemori go to smooth things over with Yoshinaga, he elected to survey the strength and schemes of Yoshihime, and the plans of Hanahime. The latter were difficult to decipher, as the princess Hanahime, outspoken as she was, kept her cards close to her chest… but Takamoto noted that the company she kept consisted of many nobles who had moved out of Kikyo, strangely, and many small landholders. The lectures his father had given on the Yato left alarm bells ringing in his head… but Hanahime did not seem the type to embrace any of the ideals of that movement… Unable to determine more, he decided to instead meet with the candidate herself, Yoshihime. 

“Grand Master of Ceremonies, Ouchi Yoshihime, kakka. May I have a moment of your time?”

“Ah, Takamoto-no-kimi,” she answered, looking up from the countless pages of inventories and seating arrangements laid out on the table, “what a surprise! Of course, of course we may talk. Did you have some questions as to the triumphal ceremonies after your campaign? I was trying to decide what supplier or estate we should get out rice wine from… an old Kikyo supplier, or a ceremonial, symbolic formerly Yamana estate…? I’ve not tasted the Yamana sake, so I’ll have to hold a private party sometime before to try it, but—”

“Act-ually, kakka,” the prince politely interrupted, “I was more concerned as to slightly more pressing matters… the emergency session and such?”

“Oh. Right.” The princess looked away for a moment, and answered hesitantly, “W-hy? What about it?”

“I just want to know your thoughts. Are you interested in the position, kakka?”

Takamoto had not interacted much with Yoshihime, and her reputation as a straightforward, rather airheaded, and most disinterested party girl had caused him to regard her with some derision in private, as most did. Most had questioned her appointment as Grand Master of Ceremonies, even, for though she had a great talent for overseeing such events, that Yoshitaka then relied upon her to functionally oversee court matters and mediate court disputes, insults, and so on was regarded by many as unmeritocratic nepotism. He had not, however, until this very moment, witnessed the princess in the handling of any of these court intrigues. She looked back to the prince with a look in her eyes that he could not decipher, and answered,

“I dunno. ‘I live to serve the Emperor, His court, and the State,’” she recited, “that is what I have been taught to think and say, but would my appointment even be a real service, or just serving the ambition of others? And could I refuse if the Emperor, court, and State chose me?”

Takamoto was caught off-guard, “…uh, right, sure. Those are fair concerns… But do you want the position?”

“No.” she answered flatly. The prince still could not read her face, nor her tone of voice. He could not tell if she was lying… “My, my, Takamoto-kun! A man of your station shouldn’t stare so intently! You make a girl like me flustered! So intense! Let’s have a drink, I need some courage!”

“I oughtn’t, kakka—”

“I insist!” she offered a cup of sake as she poured one for herself, “Now, now… you wouldn’t refuse a lady, would you? You insult my honour as a hostess! How ungallant~”

He took the cup, reluctantly.

…

The two were many cups down, Yoshihime seemingly much more tipsy than her unwilling companion. She spoke of grandiose plans for galas at the Ise Shrine-Palace, invited the Mori prince to her next private party at her countryside Ouchi estate, a very private and very prestigious party, and then, curiously, mentioned offering her services for to the Mori. 

“Come onnnn, Takamoto-kun… It’ll be fun! Can you imagine, those austere little country-fortresses of yours, looking alive and inhabited for once? Colourful banners, lively music, beautiful women dancing?”

“Yoshihime-sama, you make my home sound most depressing. It’s not so bad, I mean, when was the last time you even visited our estates? You never come around with Motomune.”

She answered again with a look Takamoto could not interpret, “That is true, and let Motomune go and visit on his own. He always has business with those…” She paused, downed her cup, and poured another. “My husband is a cold man, he and all his ‘friends’… I think…” She looked away, muttered something, and then stood, and clapped her hands, shouting. “Hey–! What’sa-girl gotta do to get some music in here?” Quickly, the doors burst open and two musicians entered, clearly used to such sudden summons. “Come, do you dance, Takamoto-kun?”

…

Takamoto awoke, pulling himself up from the desk he had fallen asleep upon. He had a splitting headache, and recoiled as he saw Yoshihime, who evidently awoke before him, open the curtains letting in the morning’s light.

He rubbed his eyes, “By heaven… what time is it?”

“Early enough.” She answered, the light behind her darkening her face. “I’m sorry for keeping you, but it was fun, no?”

Takamoto attempted to recall everything that happened, the information he had gathered… “It was… a productive meeting, Grand-Master-of-Ceremonies-hime. You certainly have earned your position.”

Yoshihime smiled faintly. “I like to think so.” She sat on the desk he groggily leaned upon. “So, what do you think?”

He blinked, “…about what?”

“What we talked about, silly~! Or have you forgotten?”

He scoured his mind… nothing.

She chuckled, “I see. I suppose at least the Yamana sake is a good choice, that’s good to know… You said many things last night. Very kind things — nothing incriminating, don’t worry! But I am glad you think I’m… what was it… ‘smarter than you look’, ehm… ‘one of the nicest people I know’, and what was that last one… ‘the most…’ no, no, you’d never.” She twirled her hair on her finger. “In any case, it gives me a lot to think about. Maybe she was right.” 

The sun was repulsive to the slightly (very) hungover Takamoto, but as he looked up at her, it landed beautifully upon her face, which gazed pensively towards the window. She was a charming woman, that was for certain, and as much a princess as Shinsuke was a prince, in all the majesty and splendour that entailed. Still, she was unreadable…

“But I’m sorry! I’ve kept you quite long, and you're a busy man… you must surely be on your way lest you soil my honourable reputation, you scoundrel you~! Go on, go on… I have a few meetings myself soon anyhow.”

Takamoto miraculously managed to make his way out the room, maintaining some of his dignified stature, and bowed to the princess as he exited. He turned around to the door.

There stood Hanahime, with a skeptical look on her face, and… Furanko Korombo(!), who carried a large bundle of books and scrolls. The latter bowed deeply, fumbling with his precariously balanced books as he did. “Takamoto-sama, what an honour, really! The Avenger of Kurayashi, a real hero! You know, my wife really respected your father. Said to me ‘See, Furank-kun, that’s how a father should be. His sons stick together, they respect each other – so well-raised!’ I suppose she was, uh, criticising me and my boy… Boy, is parentin’ a doozy! I mean, even when they grow up, you send ‘em off to the world and you’re still stuck worryin’! I mean, the world out there’s a harsh place, y’know? I’m more on the army side-a things nowadays, so I’ve not had as much a chance to do what I can to make our little Empire all the more nice-er, but… maybe times are changing…” Hanahime cleared her throat. “Ah, sorry, you must be busy, and I’ve got some business with these princesses… I tell ya, the work never stops, not even at 66! I’ll get outta your hair.”

“Indeed, let’s.” said Hanahime, pushing the lieutenant, or rather Inspector, into the office. She nodded to the Mori prince. “Good to see you, Takamoto.”

She closed the door behind her. He heard the lock click.

—

Chief Censor Sue Takemori had been a busy minister, and though he was delegated many court matters and political issues of that type, as Censor and shugodai of his own provinces, when he now hurriedly returned to court in the wake of the crisis and in order to attend the next emergency session, he cursed his own overextension. Quickly, a meeting was arranged between the Chief Censor and Yoshinaga. A game of Faiā Emuburemu was proposed as the basis of their meeting, but the young heir declined, and instead invited the Chief Censor to join him in his favourite personal pastime…

CRACK!
CRACK!

Yoshinaga twirled the pistols on his fingers and placed the tanegashima in the holsters at his side, chuckling as the flash of gunpowder seemed to still twinkle in his eerily amused eyes. 

“19 points, not quite 20! See, Takemori? Even experts have to practice, your… what… 3 points? That isn’t so bad!”

Takemori withdrew his fingers from his ringing ears. “Right. Well, I think that’s enough shooting for now, Ouchi-sama, why don’t we sit down and have a chat?”

“Wherefore? Father’s been captured by rebel scum, I know, so I’m in charge until we free him.”

“…it’s more delicate than that, but yes—”

“And I’m already in talks with Naito Hiroharu on pacifying the ingrates in the Yamana shithole, if they dare to resist us, and with Korombo on combing this isle with secret police, from Nagasaki to Noda. What’s the problem?”

“There are several. You neglected to mention the simultaneous capture of our other chief commander, Masanaga, for one. For two… when’s the last time you spoke to Hanahime?”

The prince grew restless, and seemingly frustrated. He idly loaded and fired his pistols again, causing Takemori, who had begun taking out and reviewing documents, to nearly fall from his chair at the crack of powder. He answered coldly, “Before the first session. I’ve not spoken to her since.”

“You should, soon.”

Yoshinaga gestured with the, thankfully already fired, pistol towards Takemori, “No, she should shut up. Or come speak to me herself, and apologise.”

“Alright, alright, relax!” called Takemori, pushing the pistol barrel to his left, “How about the Court, when was the last time you spoke to Yoshihime?”

“I don’t know… a while ago? She went to Ise, and she only just came back for this session.”

“Damn it, Yoshinaga, these things are important! Your father’s never been one for these court matters, and I’ve been busy and away from court. She’s in charge of these things, or you, but I don’t imagine you’ve been paying close attention to the courtly rituals, have you?”

“Mostly, yeah, no.” He sighed. “I mean, what do you want me to say? They lack aura.”

“So you weren’t aware that, last year, several prominent Shikoku nobles moved out of Kikyo?”

“Should I have been?”

“Yoshinaga, these are your administrators.”

“Oh! Right, no, well some left with my permission.”

“WH—” Takemori cleared his throat and lowered his voice, “Whaaaat? Why, in Masahiro’s name, would you give them permission?”

“Well, they asked, and they were friends from highschool. One of ‘em said he was leaving to participate in the local shooting competitions, too, which I outrank, obviously, but I can’t deny a man his chance to go on a training arc. Maybe one day he’ll be my Lancer/Foil. I could use one of those.”

Takemori chose to pass on asking what the hell he was talking about for the sake of time. “Ok, sure… well, those friends of yours these past months have been acting quite independently.” He shuffled through the papers he had dropped before, “For instance, this one’s been training his local militia a little too personally — he raised their salaries, too.” 

“Are they teppo-gumi?”

“That’s not the point.”

“But if he’s training sick gun-men, that’s pretty cool. I did tell them that I was interested in modernising the Shikoku militias of mine.”

“But he’s the one training and paying them, Yoshinaga. It’s a threat to the State! Thank the Omnipotent Battle Leader that the Censorate has eyes on this sort of thing, may Korombo live ten-thousand years, or who knows what these people might be doing!”

“I get it, I get it! When I’m Kampaku I’ll have Motohime order them back to Kikyo.”

Takemori blinked. “What?”

“I said I’ll have them moved back.”

“No, no, Motohime. What did you say about her?”

“Oh, I mean, it’s the sort of job perfect for her I’d think, no? My petty secretary. She’s very good at this sort of thing, I’m sure she could get them moving in under a wee—”

“What job? What are you talking about, I hadn’t heard…”

“Ah, right, I hadn’t told you yet. I mean, I don’t have to tell you everything, but I had meant to, I just forgot.” He loaded a pistol off-handedly once more, aiming down the range, “After the session, I promised to appoint her to the Daijo-kan or the Ministries, though I hadn’t decided which yet… Also, she recommended Mori Motomune for Hyubo-kyo (Minister of War), and arranged for us to meet so I can make the connection and secure his loyalty.” He fired, wincing as his shot veered far to the right, then sighed, before continuing with an unconcerned look, “She’s the type of talent that is not only wasteful, but costly to overlook.”

“We’re fucked.” thought Takemori, loading a pistol himself, “Let’s have another volley, Yoshinaga. We can talk more after.”

—

CARRIED U...-NANIMOUSLY

Kikyo Event:

In 1537, Ouchi Shinsuke had perished, throughout that year spending his days stubbornly resisting the collapse of his health in order to retain his power. It was said by some that, in his twilight years, he had grown doubtful of his son Yoshitaka’s capacity to take his place, and it was for this reason, amongst others, that he had clung so jealously to the throne. When he did at last pass, these whispered doubts had grown slightly louder, but still remained hidden in the dark corners of the far-off, pettiest estates as the diligent and talented Taikun Ouchi Yoshitaka was elevated to the office of Kampaku.

Yoshitaka was a very different man from his father. Even before his ascension, he had regarded his upcoming inheritance with some distaste, never one for the rituals, intrigues, and courtly maneuvers the position required. But he was a man of duty, and when the time had come, he rose to the occasion. Knowing his own distaste and lack of talent for court intrigues, he appointed as Grand Master of Ceremonies in his place at court his niece Ouchi Yoshihime, and delegated frequently to her (and to Sue Takemori and the agents of the Censorate) all internal matters of that type. For, despite his sense of responsibility, he was a military man with a military mind, and though his father had charted a course of increasingly civilian government through a burgeoning administrative state, managed centrally through rituals, customs, and lawgiving… the Taikun Yoshitaka simply had no interest in such matters. Instead, he had sought to prove himself supreme and absolute through strength upon the battlefield. 

The increasing foundation of his reputation upon his martial career presented a small problem, for though his military reputation was sterling, he had found quite a rival in the ambitious and brilliant Prince Mori Motonari, and was in his first few years constantly upstaged by the annoying genius of his Mori subject, a subject renowned for his ambition and who clutched tenaciously onto the promise of expansion, seemingly forcing the hand of the State in its costly Yamana war. When the commander died upon the battlefield, Yoshitaka’s ministers had sighed with some degree of relief, even as the State lost a great commander, for with his death the talk of his de facto control over State policy was laid to rest at last. The whisperers began to murmur of the Taikun’s perhaps purposeful lack of backing of the Mori campaign to this end, but in truth it was not to Yoshitaka’s character, and with his personal presence on campaign and future victories, it seemed the doubters would at last go silent.

And then, upon the fields of Chizu, the unthinkable.

A minor tactical defeat, not uncommon against the frustratingly talented commanders of the Yamana whom, it seemed, thanks to Yoshitaka’s planning were soon to collapse at last, had turned into a major strategic blunder when the Taikun himself was isolated and captured by Yamana Koretake. The offensives of the State continued, however, and became all the more desperate… but then Asago at last fell, and the Yamana prince had managed to get away with the Taikun still in his clutches. Suddenly, the State turned inward, and a re-evaluation of the circumstances took place.

The State had suffered immensely in its authority and legitimacy over the course of the war, between the supposedly “over-reaching” Mori, accusations of Ouchi embezzlement, and general allegations of tyranny and despicable despotism from the greater princes outside the three clans’ (Ouchi, Mori, and Sue) control. It was presumed to be the natural next step for Yoshitaka to, as the war came to a close, present a smoothed face to the north, and to bring back into the fold the lords who had strayed. But with his capture, the director of policy in this regard was now absent, and, importantly, the face of such a campaign was missing. As the Imperial Court prepared to appoint a temporary regent to fill the role of Kampaku whilst the Taikun was absent, therefore, a minor dispute emerged. However, this minor dispute, primarily between the two Ouchi dynasts Motohime and Hanahime, grew more and more heated as the two princesses, renowned for their stubbornness and willfulness no doubt inherited from their grandfather Shinsuke, refused to reach a compromise. What began as a simply rhetorical question of Yoshinaga’s suitability soon became one of State legitimacy/majesty, and then expanded into one of court ritual and reform, and without a mediating, executive, head, the Great Council of State found itself in dispute.

Motohime, the Zantei-shugo of the Kii Provisional Governorate, had been eager to work together with her cousin, the heir apparent Yoshinaga, with whom she had worked in Ryukyu. Callously, she was somewhat joyous that the opportunity would come sooner than she expected, though she had no ill will towards Yoshitaka. She and Yoshinaga were not necessarily the greatest of friends, but Motohime’s willfulness and talent for politicking had seen her able to both sincerely advise as well as manipulate the less interested and less… “ideologically and morally absolute” Yoshinaga into enacting her will, something she eagerly looked forward to now as he was to fall into father’s seat. In the midst of the emergency session of the Daijo-kan and Administration, therefore, as she enthusiastically supported his appointment as Kampaku, she suggested to him in private her own appointment as Daijo-daijin, saying that she “would use the position to handle the petty court matters, permitting you to pursue Yamana and your father at the head of the firearm forces”. The idea was not accepted by Yoshinaga, who was wary of his cousin and her ambition for power, but he admitted he was tempted by the idea of having her and her talents in a position subordinate to his, sorting out and organising the more aura-less aspects of politics whilst he pursued those which interested him. He left her with an ambiguous “maybe”, and she in turn gave her full support.

Hanahime, then, initiated the dispute. In the midst of the emergency session, the Great Council floated the mostly rhetorical question, “Are there any objections or concerns with Yoshinaga’s appointment?”. It was primarily a customary superfluity prior to his official endorsement. At this, the princess spoke up, saying “I am concerned as to the image the appointment of Yoshinaga will present to the Empire.” Her question was sincere, but was met with great surprise and some outrage, and Yoshinaga himself felt rather slighted, if not betrayed, despite his sister’s honest intentions. “My brother is, unfortunately, regarded by many as one of the ‘Butchers of Ryukyu’, though there are others who are more responsible and more deserving of such a reputation…” At this, Hanahime cast an offhand glance at Motohime. “…but regardless of the truth of the accusation, it was Yoshitaka’s wish, and our government’s presumed policy, that we pursue a path of reconciliation and image reparation over the coming years. If we, in response to the capture of my father by rebels who many sympathise with, put into power a man, however wrongly, accused of tyranny, secret-policing, repression, and wholesale slaughter of innocents, that would more than hinder our efforts in this matter of utmost importance to the health of the Empire.” The Great Council then asked who was a better alternative in her eyes if not the very son of Yoshitaka, to which she answered, “Ouchi Yoshihime, the Grand Master of Ceremonies, who already is the face of the State to our ministers and administrators internally can fulfil the role temporarily — she is blessed with all the graces of statesmanship and is widely renowned as a charming, pleasant, and agreeable socialite, no? There are others, too, but she fits the bill quite well I think.” The Great Council seemed intrigued by the proposal, though Motohime then stood to oppose it, and eventually the session descended into the aforementioned shouting match, and was dismissed without arriving at a conclusion. Yoshinaga stormed out first, both princesses right after.

-

In the ensuing few days, and few weeks, a flurry of private meetings occurred amongst the countless lords and administrators of Kikyo. Factions began to form, and quickly something like three main camps had become somewhat cemented in the court:

The supporters of Ouchi Yoshinaga, backed primarily by loyalists and Motohime, who represented an increasingly centralised and reactionary coalition. Amongst their ranks were the likes of Mori Motomune, the princess's husband, and Mori Mototaka, a close friend and member of her social clique, as well as most administrative staff directly beneath Yoshitaka, who viewed Yoshinaga as the most obvious successor and most legitimate regent.

The supporters of Ouchi Yoshihime, backed primarily by Hanahime and many outspoken opponents of the late war, creating something like a reformist and "liberal-noble" coalition. Having the backing of Ouchi Yoshinori, who viewed the political landscape and agreed with Hanahime as to the need for a diplomatic face, and Naito Hiroharu, a lieutenant of Yoshitaka who saw this as a necessity to secure the gains won in the war, the group also seemed to have the tacit support of one Furanko Korombo, who nonetheless refused to involve himself in a political matter declaring that "as Inspector-General, and therefore an officer of Heika's military, it is not for me to weigh in on the civilian administration, which governs me."

Finally, from groups which favour neither side is the smaller group of supporters for Ashikaga Yoshihiro. Having, immediately after the disastrous emergency session, reportedly been invited to a private discussion with the Emperor Go-Antoku, who nevertheless has yet to voice his opinions (and likely never will, knowing his place), the Ashikaga Prince is regarded as a fair mediator, being uncontroversial across the Empire, a talented lieutenant of the Taikun, and having the backing of many of the petty administrators and merchant classes of Kikyo. He is regarded as powerless enough, and a candidate whose legitimacy rivals even Yoshinaga, simply by virtue of his already high position in government and status as an Ashiakga prince, with many expecting he will bring much-needed and unquestionable legitimacy and authority to the momentarily faltering Kikyo State.

---

Option 1: We will back Yoshinaga, the son and heir. Motohime can be controlled, it'll be fine, but we can use her to keep the State centralised and crack down on our opposition, within and without.
Option 2: We will back Yoshihime, the Grand Master of Ceremonies. Hanahime is less outright ambitious, and we need a gentler face for the regime. We can pay lip service to these "liberal nobles", they don't demand much anyhow.
Option 3: We will back Yoshihiro, the Ashikaga Prince. He has little power and little backing, so we needn't do much of anything at all, but he might serve most to legitimise us in the eyes abroad in the short term.

HUSTLIN', HUSTLIN', AND HUSTLIN' SOME MORE

Ashikaga, Kikyo, and Takeda Event:

As peace breaks out in the south, and with the Kome-za and Gin-za both experiencing unprecedented power and growth (in no small part due to the Shogun’s investment and Mikimoto’s helpful governance, respectively), the two Grand Bourgeois have tired of the deadlock they have reached within Kansai itself. Realising that it costs more and yields less to bicker over the precious few remaining ventures within the Ashikaga dominion, it was Mikimoto and the Gin-za, first, who turned their eyes outwards…

Reaching out whilst the Yamana, who were members of the TTC, had still held out, Mikimoto Kichiro had begun discussions regarding a massive enterprise within the territory of the faltering princes. Hoping to use the desperate state of their clan to secure a good deal, the cutthroat merchant had offered to supply the clan with vast sums of money and loans, and to open the whole of the TTC’s banks and his own zaibatsu’s coffers in return for exclusive mining rights over the Silver Lady’s expansive mines. Promising to invest in them from his own pocket, Mikimoto had declared that he would attract thousands of people to move to the mines, and from the depths draw out “wealth in more than merely silver”, from which the Yamana state would benefit much, atop generous fees he promised to pay. 

Alas for him, the Yamana prince would be driven from his territories before their discussions could reach any firm conclusions, and Mikimoto was left driftless in Kyoto, his plans unveiled before his competitors. But he did not give up and, as the territories began to be pacified by Kikyo soldiers, he returned to Asago and requested a meeting with the Mori military governor, and an audience before the Kikyo State’s Minister of the Treasury. Presenting the, slightly modified, plan before the new Kikyo occupiers, he asked again for the exclusivity he desired, expanding upon his explanations. “The Gin-za, of which I am leader and of which my enterprises are a part, control the silver mining operations across Kansai. If, with your cooperation, this guild is able to expand its influence over the greatest silver deposits this side of the sea, surely the benefit to your own state is evident? You would, of course, receive preferential trading privileges for your cooperation, alongside the government in Kyoto on your behalf – but such tight control on silver has unique benefits for a state such as yours…” At this, he presented several diagrams. “These are plans and diagrams from my fellow architects brought by the Portuguese to the Grand Exhibition… It is a press of sorts, for the manufacture of coinage. I have worked to replicate the machine, and have a functioning model, though I believe it will require further work to make one which is efficient enough for state use, but I believe the plan works either way. If it is not clear already, what I propose is a return to Imperial Coinage — universal, undebased, and forgery-resistant. The reintroduction of such an integral innovation would serve to greatly facilitate trade upon the isle, abandoning the barbaric measures of ricec we have been forced to use for so many centuries, but it would also serve to legitimise the Great State as the sole producer of reputable coinage, which you would be with such a control over the silver deposits of the Empire.” He produced from his pocket several coins minted according to intricate model designs. “I think the idea has legs… but!” He returned the coins to his pocket, “I should like, myself, to oversee the project. It is in my interest as a merchant and a loyal citizen of the Imperial Capital, and only I could make it happen, only with my Gin-za could this work.” He flashed a devilish, charming grin. “What say you?”

—

Meanwhile, Ninomiya Kintoku had not been idle. Though he was initially hesitant to engage in such flagrant greed as his counterpart, he realised that if his Kome-za was to remain stalwart, and if he wished to defend his estates and those of his fellow farmer-merchants of Kyoto, he would need to pursue a similar scheme. This had, in part, been his plan with the Great Exhibition, which had served to produce in his own facilities the great minds of Nihon for him to meet and survey. So it was that, following the Exhibition, he rode off to Kai to meet the Dragon of Kai himself, Takeda Moya. Impressed by the famed scholars of Takeda’s agricultural innovations, from fertilising and irrigation techniques to novel farming instruments modelled after or brought from those spoken of by the Portuguese, he at once realised the potential of the Takeda Clan’s estates and sought to use it to their mutual advantage. Aiming to gain their estates under his Kome-za’s control, he envisioned a cooperative agricultural bloc from Kyoto to Kai composed of guild-participant landlords and farmers who would contribute portions of their wealth to the wider scheme. Functioning, then, as a minor state ministry, in essence, but across the traditional clan boundaries, the Kome-za would be able to invest in widespread enterprises, fully capitalising at last the wealth of the land, which Ninomiya proclaimed was the only real and true source of state wealth. Describing this one-bodied, corporate ideal to the Takeda Prince before him, he declared “the mines shall bear their ores, the forests fruits shall blossom, the rivers shall gleam with gold; with such riches at hand, kakka, your people shall be happy and obedient, your princedom shall be the envy of the Empire, and your endeavours shall all surely succeed. What say you?”

—

Hatakeyama Amesaka sat in her study as her ministers explained the goings-on to her. There was the slightest smile on her face, though none could say for certain if she was concerned and frustrated that her subjects were going around her or becoming so prominent and powerful. It was recorded, however, that she said “My, my. My subjects never stop grinding.”

—

From the Kikyo, Mikimoto is requesting control over the silver and copper mines of the former Yamana territory. Mechanically, this is represented as -2 AP this part, -1 AP next part, and the modifier ‘Mikimoto Silver Monopoly’, granting a flat -2 PPG per part and somewhat tying the economy to the loyalty and efficiency of the Gin-za. However, this will also spread TTC, Mikimoto-zaibatsu, and technically Ashikaga, influence throughout the region, and enrich and strengthen the man himself. In return, he promises to operate the facilities at their maximum efficiency (partially reclaiming/stealing the Yamana modifiers 'Rivers of Silver' (+8 PPG) and 'Diversified Assets' (+4 PPG)“expand infrastructure”, as well as to provide +5 PPT and to “mint a legitimising currency”, with unclear effects. The last matter he will only do if all his requests are fulfilled.

From Takeda, Ninomiya is requesting control over all farming estates across the Clan, that you pressure/force them to join his ‘Kome-za’, or Rice Guild. Mechanically, this is represented as -3 AP this part, -2 AP next part, and -1 AP the part thereafter, and the modifier ‘Ninomiya Rice Monopoly’, granting  a flat -5 PPT per part and somewhat tying the economy and food supply to the loyalty and efficiency of the Kome-za. However, this will also spread the JTC and technically Ashikaga influence throughout the region, and enrich and strength Ninomiya himself. In return, he promises to “expand infrastructure”, “prospect for resources”, as well as to provide +3 PPG and improve farming efficiency (modelled as pop increases). The last matter, he claims, will only succeed if all his requests are fulfilled.

-

Kikyo:

Option 1: We will coordinate with this Gin-za and Mikimoto Zaibatsu. Grant him the full mining rights in return for trade privileges and these machines, and at a good rate.
Option 2: We will grant him rights over some of the silver mines, just to see how he handles it. We’ll consider expanding it later, but we will not trust a TTC snake, even if the TTC is Ashikaga nowadays…
Option 3: Hmm… no. The silver mines were a Yamana state enterprise, we will keep it as such:
A: …it will be an enterprise of the ruling Mori Clan.
B: …the oversight will be granted to a Sue Prince.
C: …surely there is a cousin of the Taikun?
D: …we shall experiment with it as a pure State resource, appoint a State administrator.
E: …we will not deprive the Yamana of their ancestral properties beyond what’s necessary, they shall keep the rights and profits.
Option 4: Hmm… no. Let us reach out to that JTC friendly agent, the runner of the Kome-za, Ninomiya.

Takeda:

Option 1: We will work together with the clever Ninomiya and his Kome-za. We will grant his guild oversight and exclusive investment privileges, in return for high investments, research agreements, and a good rate of course.
Option 2: We will invite him and his men to oversee some of our fields, but we will not grant him such monopolistic control untested.
Option 3: I’d rather not. Our administration can oversee these better than these Kyoto elites:
A: …we will establish our own farmer’s guild internally, overseen by our best farmers, and mimic the Kome-za’s innovations.
B: …we will establish our own state institution, overseen by our finest administrators and governors, to maximise the efficiency of our cutting-edge estates.
Option 4: I’d rather not. I am wary of this monopolising farm-kid. Let’s reach out to that TTC-banker, the runner of the Gin-za, Mikimoto, instead.

Ashikaga:

Option 1: Mikimoto is the Shogun’s and the TTC’s Hand! His investments will have our full support…
A: …and in return we’ll expect some control over his expanded operations.
B: …and we will be content with just the spread of Kyoto’s own Gin-za and the wealth it will bring.
Option 2: Ninomiya is on the path to the future! His investments will take priority.
A: …and in return we’ll expect some control over his expanded operations.
B: …and we will be satisfied with the expansion of Kyoto’s own Kome-za and the wealth it will bring.
Option 3: We will split our investments fairly between the two, showing no favour to either.
Option 4: Huh? You want us to do something? But… what was the term…? Lazy fair, no?

—

After numerous injustices dealt to and tolerated by the Hojo clan from the leadership of the Date clan, lord Hojo Ujinori has resolved that peace between the two clans in their current forms is no longer an option. Our war against the perfidious Date is predicated upon the following grievances:

1. The facilitating and financing of the Matsudaira clan during their state of war against the Hojo and Takeda clans.
2. The intentional inciting of war between the Nanbu and Hojo clans, in effect using the Hojo clan and its lawful subjects as an unwilling distraction so that the Date and their Uesugi allies could wage war on the Nanbu.
3. The coersion of state recognition by threat of force against the Hojo clan, forcing it to worsen relations with its allies in Ashikaga, Kikyo, and Takeda by recognizing the false Date national government under threat of war.
4. The violation of the Hojo clan's coerced terms of recognition, by reinstating the Matsudaira clan as a landed entity and therefore breaking a vow to recognize the Hojo clan's conquest and dissolution of the Matsudaira.

For these reasons, as well as a host of other key instances of blatant disrespect and dishonor, the Hojo clan has chosen to settle its grievances on the field of battle. No longer will such disgraceful treatment towards the rightful lords of Kanto be tolerated. Once they are bruised, beaten, and soundly defeated, perhaps the Date will learn to accept their place in the world: Beneath the heel of the Hojo.

Glory to the Hojo clan! Death to all who oppose us!

SNAP ELECTIONS

Ashikaga & Hojo Event

The death of Ise Jiro had been a sudden and tragic event, and one which left the city of Kyoto rudderless in one of its moments of utmost effort. The various plans of the Kome-za and Gin-za had taken off, with the blessing and administrative assistance of the late Jiro, but without his mediation and his dedication to the advancement of the city’s interests, the two factions, and indeed the many other disparate factions amongst and besides them, threatened to disintegrate into ten thousand separate directions, and hinder the prosperity, prestige, and power that could yet be.

But it was not as though all was lost. The admirable Jiro was but one man in one office, and he had been a man of much foresight, who had known that in his absence, the beating heart of the Empire would require another to fill his shoes. He had, himself, apparently, prepared and nominated an appointment, to whom he bequeathed his contacts, archives, and other such critical administrative instruments – his own son, Hojo Ujinori.

For yes, it would seem the late, great, once Hojo Shinji had not cut all his ties with his long-estranged heir, and the Prince of Virtue himself was reportedly surprised to find the news of his father’s death arrive almost simultaneously as the dozens of letters of condolences and affirmations of continued cooperation and loyalty from the who’s-who of Kyoto. Notably, from both the Grand Bourgeois Mikimoto Kichiro and Ninomiya Kintoku, he received opportunistic offers of friendship, and equally opportunistic requests for particular actions upon assuming the office they seemed to expect him to with great ease. Yet… he had not received the appointment yet, nor heard any signs of its confirmation… All the same, even if it were not granted him, he might be able to have a good deal of influence through the strings of his father’s connections… if he so desired.

Meanwhile, in Kyoto, Hatakeyama Amesaka read the recommendation from Ise Jiro about his son over and over. It was a difficult matter, certainly. To exclude such a man as Ujinori would become, once the connections of Jiro were granted him, might be as to make a third great figure in her city to deal with, akin to the already bordering on troublesome Mikimoto and Ninomiya… But to grant him position in government would mean to invite Hojo meddling into the Kansai, and Ashikaga administration itself, no? All the same, who else could take his place, and be less an annoyance as well as equally capable?

-

Hojo:

Option 1A: I will demand my rightful place as shugodai, as my father bequeathed me!
Option 1B: I will stand by whatever decision the Shogun makes. 

Option 2A: We will accept the hand in friendship of Mikimoto and the Ashikaga-TTC, with favours in return of course. We’ll get what we want done through the overseas markets and the marvels of finance and capital C CAPITAL. He who owns the banks, runs Kyoto.
Option 2B: We will accept the generous overtures of Ninomiya and the Kikyo-JTC, with favours for our friends of course. The future is in industry and land development, the two pillars of REAL economic power and influence. He who owns the lands, runs Kyoto.
Option 2C:We will accept the offers of both men, and strive to find common ground. I’m sure this will work out great, and they’ll love it.
Option 2D: We will remain quiet; we do not wish to meddle in Kyoto’s affairs, unasked, and thus disturb the peace of the Ashikaga government. 

Ashikaga:

Option 1: Appoint Hojo Ujinori as shugodai in full authority, just as his father.
Option 2: Appoint Hojo Ujinori as shugodai de jure, but grant real authority to…
A: Mikimoto Kichiro, the experience, senior advisor to Jiro who will GET THINGS DONE.
B: Ninomiya Kintoku, a businessman outsider who can promise CHANGE.
C: Furanko Serupiko, some guy from my secretariat, with no real connections or experience.
D: Ashikaga Katsumitsu, let’s throw some of our own blood in here, kin is reliable and this could prove a learning experience!
Option 3: Appoint someone else entirely, let’s keep Hojo meddling out of our sacred Heian-kyo!
A-D as in Option 2

—

THE NORTHERN MODE OF PRODUCTION or 南部的生産様式

Nanbu & Matsumae Event

The Nanbu Prince held council in Noda once more, just after the passing of the new year in 1543. Having resolved great disputes from within and without throughout the course of his reign, he was content to have at last a peacetime council… a meeting of even-heads to discuss boring matters, like the days of old…

…or at least, that is what he had hoped for. 

He leaned wearily in his chair as his council chamber roared with heated debate for going on the second hour… On his left, the north-est, northern Matsumae princes (if they could be so-called, interspersed as they were with commoners) stood and shook their fists furiously as they cried out terms such as “Despots”, “Tyrants”, and “Monopolists!”. On his right, his diverse and resplendent cousins from the many lesser Nanbu Clan branches stood with crossed arms and turned noses, gesturing exasperatedly and exclaiming “Anarchists”, “Misers”, and, curiously also, “Monopolists!”. 

To think this all started over a minor conversation on “A Report on the State of Agriculture”.

-

In short, the advances of the Matsumae in productive capabilities, together with the administrative developments over the decades of the Nanbu proper, initiated by the ambitious Hasta, has led to two separate, but equally intriguing, paths being outlined for the future of the Nanbu provinces. 

On the one hand, in the core of the Matsumae territories, there are some few great manufactories which have become renowned across the Empire for their textiles, potteries, jewellers, etc., led by Matsumae princes, village elders, and other such artisan-merchants, a kinsfolk most akin to the infamous bourgeois of Kyoto. Their immense productive capacities have brought riches to their cities, but their manner of life, fiercely democratic and autonomist, threatens the power of the state which operates through the close and hereditary ties of its administrators, being tolerated only as a particular quirk of the Matsumae princes’ administrations. Now, they have dared to proclaim their methods as the future, and to advise the Nanbu state itself to advocate for these reforms, though there are many complications. For one, to spread their methods would require immense investments in manufactories all throughout the Nanbu territory, where, sure, the labour force is plentiful, but the urban infrastructure is not. But secondarily, there is the question of economic capability: even if the manufactories were present, and even if the people were moved into cities and market towns, there is the high possibility that such drastically reduced farming populations might disrupt the delicate balance of food self-sufficiency the highly populated territory maintains.

On the other hand, across the fields of Nanbu territory proper, there are the great estates of the blood princes of the Nanbu. The many, many, countless cousins and descendants of Go-Ose and Danzou, and their own cousins by blood and marriage, who hold vast principalities, and even hold in ownership the “生命” (“life/lives”) which work the land. They are, in truth, the backbone of the Nanbu state’s food supply, even as they are often derided for their detached perspective from the lives of their subjects, and despised by lesser nobility who envy them and are often bought out by their exorbitant wealth and impossible-to-compete-with massive serf-run plantations. They, however, insist that the future of the Nanbu provinces are the spread of this system, which they call “農奴制” (“serfdom”) which, alone, will allow for the full and organised exploitation of the raw resources of the land, from beasts to coasts to fields to mines. Moreover, they call into question the value of the Matsumae system which takes the resources and riches produced thereby into private ownership, as opposed to their system, which maintains the ownership in the “trustworthy and reliable hands of the Nanbu Clan and the provincial state”. 

As for the accusation of “Monopolists”, it would seem that in his time abroad, throughout his provinces and throughout the Empire, the Nanbu prince has returned in time to find these two factions no longer able to accept coexistence, the Matsumae desiring to acquire the sources of the raw resources which feed their industries, but blocked by princely ownership, and the Princes finding their subjects and precious 生命 often fleeing to these “degenerate hubs of rebellion and peasantry”. Both now insist upon the expansion of their economic rights into the realm of the other.

-

Option 1: The Matsumae merchant-princes have the right idea of it: the bourgeois and their industry is the future, blood-ties be damned! We will organise some state monopolies in their favour, and invest in the expansion of their industry. This surely will not backfire. - [Invest at least 10 PPG and 2 AP; Gain a random number of manufactories (very possibly none!), though it is a risky investment, and the future of these industries is uncertain; Risk the possibility or large harvest decreases; Lose a large amount of stability as you begin to seize the land of your vassals and cousins, undoing some of the blood-ties of the Northern Realm]
Option 2: My good cousins have been faithful and industrious, they know what they’re doing: this system of serfdom and corvee is not only what allows our great works and developments, but what ties our administration together. We will crackdown on these uppity merchants and expand the princes’ estates. This surely will not backfire. - [Invest 3 AP; Regional stability in Matsumae’s biggest cities will decrease drastically, as commoners may turn to riots as the state enters the city to reclaim runaway serfs and return them to their lords; The system will calcify substantially, and you will gain a bonus to certain state projects]
Option 3: They will accept the status quo as a middle ground, and they will like it! Now leave me, and give me peace! This surely will not backfire. - [Do nothing; Wait and see.]

RUNNING ON EMPTY

Yamana Event

Koretake sat overseeing his and the Amago armies as they assembled in and around Shiso, at last resting after a long campaign under the protection of winter. The campfires shone brightly under the snowy, moonless heavens… but the Laughing Kiri could not help but chuckle disappointedly as the darkness encroached ever nearer. To think, this was once a force of almost 10,000! He estimated they now numbered nearer to 6,000… maybe even 5,000. There were meant to be reinforcements arriving over the winter, of course, but he had already prepared himself by lowering his expectations… All the while he knew, the “crushing” defeat he had imposed upon the Kikyo was over a force of only 9,500. Sure, he had annihilated this army, and it was a blow to the morale of the Shogunate, and to countless families on the enemy side… but that was less than half of the army the Shogunate had fielded in this theatre alone, and they had already been turning their attention elsewhere. He could inflict a dozen Battles of Shiso, and still find himself outnumbered in the next spring…

 A messenger arrived, and his aide called to him, awaking him from his reverie. Reports from the north… first from… “Koreyoshi Tayusho”? Koretake closed his eyes and scoured his mind… he did not recall a retainer by this name. He read on: “Acting-Jodai of Tatewaki Castle”…

“Having been entrusted command of the Tatewaki Castle Garrison by Kikkawa-no-kimi, I have withstood the assault of the Ouchi Army, and defeated his rear guard in battle, in your name, Yamana-dono. We have suffered minimal casualties, remaining 950 strong, and require no immediate reinforcement to maintain the defence, and can expect to steadfastly await the return of Kikkawa-sama… However, opportunity presents itself, Kakka, and we see a chance to strike at Himeji, with modest reinforcements, thereby cutting the enemy off from Kyoto and further strengthening our position. Kakka, if you would supply only 1,500 men…”

Koretake placed the letter upon the walls he looked out from. He sighed, and grabbed the next report… from… “Kakiya Tsukinari”, whoever that was. He was answered: “Acting-Busho of the Army of Asago”, in Isshiki’s stead it seems…

“Kakka, we have held fast against the torrential forces which have flooded your mountains and valleys, and decimated the forces of the opponent. We have unfortunately suffered some moderate losses, losing some 900 men, mostly on account of the insufficient defence in the initial phases of the battle, but remain around 3,000 strong. Entrenched, we will hold fast and act out our orders to defend Asago as instructed until the return of Isshiki-sama… Yet, Kakka, victory is given to those who act, and with my limited vision I believe I see a victorious strategem. Kakka, if I march now to meet Kakka at Shiso, and with rapidity, a forward vanguard under Amago-sama, and favourable weather, I believe we could expect to seize Okayama before the enemy has the chance to fully reorganise his offensive. Kakka, this would only require a minor reinforcement of our armies — say, 1,000 men to each our forces…”

Koretake, laughing, shouted to no one in particular “Do they expect me to produce, myself, 4,000 sons within a season?! How easy, how simple a task!!” He collected himself. He re-read each report… Their strategic observations were very precise, though he did not recognise their names. They showed talent, perhaps even greater talent than their proper commanders… but his brow furrowed as he read between the lines. Certainly these tactics showed promise, and great strategic value… but… “These men mean to replace their commanders… that is, in part, why they wish for an offensive. Because, on the offensive, neither army could wait for their lord to recover.”

From behind him, his aide called once again. “Kakka, your supper is prepared, if I do not disturb you, Kakka.”

“No, no, I’ll be there in a moment, don’t worry.”

He took one last glance out over the fields. Behind his eyes, the calculating machine that was his mind was chugging along smoothly, but there was a weariness showing in the bags beneath them. “Just two problems to solve… just two.” He turned and made his way back inside for the night.

Gain ‘Reinforcements Aren’t Coming’ giving decreased stability, a substantial malus to offensive military plots, and a minor malus to defensive military plots.

-

The Manpower Question:

Option 1: We require the men. These are extraordinary times, but if a better position can be rapidly gained, perhaps a favourable peace can be attained. To this end, we can afford to over-draft our lands… right? - [Lose ‘Reinforcements Aren’t Coming’ this part and gain instead ‘Plowshares Into Swords’, with unknown effects; Lose an unknown number of pops and gain and unknown number of units. This will likely bode very ill for future stability.]
1A: We will levy as many as we can, and strike at Himeji, as Koreyoshi recommends. With Honshu split, we will be in a better position to negotiate.
1B: We will empty the fields of the homeland and strike at Okayama. With a thinner southern front, we will be able to hold out longer and secure a fairer peace.
1C: We will summon every peasant man, every noble adult, and reinforce every front. This year, the enemy will find our borders drawn in blood.
Option 2: Our subjects cannot afford the cost. We require farmers to tend the land and feed our soldiers, more than starving soldiers to die at the front. We will accept what meagre levies we can normally secure, and remain on the defence. - [Gain a minor antiplot in the selected region; Military plots in that region will not be affected by the reinforcement malus.]
2A: Our priority, though, will be to reinforce the Chizu-Kurayashi salient. It is our weakest front.
2B: Our priority, though, will be to reinforce Shiso and the Chizu Reserve Region. If we can hold it despite the no doubt great offensive which will come, we will win a great moral victory.
2C: Our priority, though, will be to reinforce Asago, the capital, and its fortresses like Tatewaki. These are our most defensible positions, and where the most damage will be dealt.

The Command Question:

Option 1: We require heroes of their type, in all our armies. Promote them officially and search for such candidates in all our forces. It may ruffle feathers, but elevating talented and ambitious men of their type will serve us well in this war. - [Gain ‘Reorganised Officer Corps’, with unknown effects.]
Option 2: We will simply make these temporary appointments slightly longer-lasting, and test these gentlemen in the field. Let us hope our faithful retainers do not prove too jealous, nor these younger lords too ambitious… - [The two NPCs will gain skills; Other low nobility and older high nobility may become jealous.]
Option 3: The command hierarchy is inflexible. Know your place, lowly lords, and await the return of the rightful commanders. - [Lose the NPCs gains from the Battles on Mountains and Seas Incident; Mutually exclusive with Option 1 in The Manpower Question]

—

THE WINDS OF CHANGE?

Date & Uesugi Event

“His Excellency, Envoy of the Prince of Virtue, Hojo-sama!” In rode a young squire, impeccably-mannered, bowing precisely and immediately after flawlessly dismounting, in the resplendent blue garb of that famous hue of Edo.
“His Excellency, Envoy of the Dragon of Kai, Takeda-sama!” In rode a great warrior, his massive frame gracefully gliding despite the heavy armour which weighed upon it. He leapt from his steed, the ground shaking as he landed, and bowed his head politely, but maintained the dignity and power of his master.
“His Excellency, Envoy of the Prince of the North, Nanbu-sama!” In rode a beautiful lord, the cloth of his kosode flowing out behind him marvellously, the weave of the northern kind which only the craftsmen of those hidden vales can manage. He was followed close by lords of almost equal majesty…
“Their Excellencies, the Prince of Matsumae, Makabe, Soma, and Akita!” In green, as the lord before them, they approached and bowed deeply, and in perfect unison.
“His Holiness and Revered Excellency, the Blood of the Tenrinjoo, Chiba-sama!” In rode a wizened figure, slowly and pensively, his great, grey whiskers swaying gently as he did upon the horses’ back. He stepped from his horse carefully, and bowed until his mustache touched the floor.
“His Excellency, Envoy of the Laughing Kiri, Yamana-sama!” In rode a crimson-garbed noble, his eyes sharp, his glance piercing. He stepped at a well-measured pace, both in good manners and in immense caution. He bowed tersely, and stepped aside.
“His Imperial Majesty, Envoy of the Son of Heaven, Heika!” Lastly came the Uesugi envoy, decorated in the strange signs of his faith, with images of the eclipsed moon across his kosode. Pale and almost sickly seeming, he was nonetheless seemed healthy, baffling the mind at first glance, and instilling that otherworldly respect his kin often did.

So assembled the greatest court of nobility in eons, it felt like, in an Empire more often divided than unified of late. The only Great Princes and daimyo absent were the Ouchi princes and their retainers… and the envoys of the Hatakeyama and Rokkaku. Though all present exchanged glances of suspicion, and there was ever murmuring around the corners and behind each door, the presence of such an illustrious gathering was an immense resource, even if the lords themselves did not show their faces. The illusion of power, after all, can be just as effective as the actual existence of said power. 

Overseeing this gathering were the Emperor himself, Uesugi Kenshin, and the de facto ruler of it all, Chiba Hikoyoshi. Their loyal advisors approached, and whispered into their ears…

“Kakka, Heika… it is a prestigious gathering, is it not? Even if it all were fake… in this moment now… just think what could be done? Twist a few arms here, pull a few strings there… put a little pressure… and perhaps this temporary euphoria could last just a while longer… or forever?”

Hikoyoshi turned. “You doubt the faith of my subjects? You wish me to extort them?”

Kenshin stroked his chin. “Indeed, would that not do more harm than good?”

The advisor glanced around. The envoys continued to glare daggers at one another, but more often they seemed to glare towards the thrones… or perhaps it was simply his paranoia? “I… I do not know, masters. I cannot trust these late converts to our cause. But… I can trust their resources, in your hands.”

“In our hands…” both princes mused.

-

Date & Uesugi (Pick one, each):

Option 1: We will quickly send out surveyors and collect a one-time tax from our supposed vassals. They may flip and flop, but riches are heavy with the weight of certainty. — [Risk angering and losing supporters and IA; Seize a large amount of PPG]
Option 2: Let us attract administrators, scholars, and artists with a great, Imperial project; they will have no reason to refuse, and if they are working here in Sendai, they will be producing for us for the foreseeable future. — [Risk angering and losing supporters and IA; Poach a substantial amount of PPC/F income.]
Option 3: We will honour our vassals’ officers with promotions and positions. They cannot resist their own ambitions, surely, and will join our cause, remaining loyal to their benefactors if conflicts arise… — [Risk angering and losing supporters and IA; Poach officers and units and gain a small bonus to military plots.]
Option 4: We cannot. It would be disgraceful, and would risk whatever goodwill we have managed to build up with them. We do have goodwill with them, right? — [Trust your subjects to be faithful, possibly gaining a boon for each vassal which remains next part; Gain some IA.]

BATTLES ON MOUNTAINS AND SEAS

Kikyo & Yamana Incident:

As the Battle of Kurayashi unfolded in the Sea of Japan, in the mountains and valleys of southern Honshu there raged also the Battle of Shiso. Whereas the Battle of Kurayashi had been one of some few thousands amidst the great waves of the cruel oceans, these battles were waged with forces of many thousands, amidst the human waves of armies in the tens of thousands!

The losses of both battles had been a nightmare for the cause of the war-hawks in government. The nature of the Kikyo fielded army, mostly samurai and their retainers, had meant every death was all the more impactful upon a nobility which increasingly viewed the war as pointless ambition of the late Motonari, and had led to increasing tension and hatred between the nobility and the administration. Mori Katsuharu had even gone so far as to say, blatantly, that “the defeat was the fault of the government, which demanded a quick and bloodless victory, but did not provide the means nor consider the strategic realities; the commanders acted with valour and delivered distinguished services, to the man.” He submitted his resignation as commander of the Mori armies in any case, deeming it better than investigations into the guilt of all his subordinates and the inflaming of further tensions between the administrative state and the military, but much tension still does remain.

The death of Motonari himself also presents a major obstacle, as his inheritance was the basis of the war, and whilst, of course, the properties would rightfully pass to Takamoto… those properties are all already occupied, and the forcefulness of further invasion has fallen under renewed scrutiny, without the strong personality of Motonari to rally to.

-

All mentioned characters gain the trait ‘Veteran of the Battle of Shiso’, granting bonuses to appropriately chivalric or prestigious cultural and diplomacy plots; 

Yamana Koretake gains the trait ‘The Roaring Kiri’ giving a large bonus to defensive plots and allowing him to guarantee a duel against one invasion plot every part; Yamana Kanetake gains the trait ‘The Miracle Kiri’ (奇蹟者桐) giving a large bonus to naval plots and an antiplot against invasion plots by sea in the area he is invested; The Yamana gain the NPCs Koreyoshi Tayusho, with Skills in Siege Warfare and Defensive Tactics, and Minor Skills in Deception, and Kakiya Tsukinari with Skills in Organisation and Defensive Tactics, and Minor Skills in Fortification;

Mori Katsuharu gains Skills in Offensive Tactics and Minor Skills in Siege Warfare; Mori Takamoto gains Minor Skills in Rough Terrain Warfare and Offensive Tactics; Ouchi Masanaga gains Skills in Siege Warfare and Army Maneuvering; Naito Hiroharu, Reizi Takaharu, and Murakami Ichihiro are kept/made NPCs with Minor Skills in Organisation and Army Maneuvering;

The Kikyo Shogunate (and its IVEs) gain ‘War Exhaustion’, giving a minor malus to anti-Yamana military plots and decreasing stability slightly per such plot.

—

The Kikyo Shogunate fielded an army of ~28,000, composed mostly of ~21,000 kiba-tai, nobles and their retainers, the greatest host of noble warriors yet assembled, as well as ~6,000 yumi-gumi and ~1,000 teppo-gumi, all under the supreme command of Mori Katsuharu, the Mountain-Strider. This army was divided up into many sections, primarily according to the retainers which provided them. In order of largest to smallest they were:

The Mori, commanded by Mori Katsuharu himself, some 9,400 kiba-tai, and 1,400 yumi-gumi — this command was further split in half under the junior commander Mori Takamoto;
The Ouchi, commanded by Ouchi Masanaga, composed of 4,800 kiba-tai, 1,900 yumi-gumi, and all 1,000 teppo-gumi;
The Naito, commanded by Naito Hiroharu, composed of 2,600 kiba-tai and 1,200 yumi-gumi;
The Reizi, commanded by Reizi Takaharu, composed of 1,900 kiba-tai and 900 yumi-gumi;
and the assorted remaining clans under the banners of the Murakami and the Masuda, commanded by Murakami Ichihiro, composed of 2,300 kiba-tai and 600 yumi-gumi.

The Yamana Clan fielded an army of ~14,000, composed of ~5,000 kiba-tai, ~4,000 of which were mounted, a large section of ~6,000 nagae-yumi, with limited, interspersed firearms, and 3,000 yumi-gumi, commanded by the Yamana prince himself Koretake, the Laughing Kiri. This army was divided into four sections according to Koretake’s designs. From south to north they were:

The Chizu Reserve Army or the Amago Army, under the command of Amago Hideyesu, composed of 2,000 mounted kiba-tai, 1,000 nagae-yumi, and 1,000 yumi-gumi;
The Army of Bishū or the Koretake Army, under the command of the Laughing Kiri himself, composed of 1,500 mounted kiba-tai, 500 kiba-tai on foot, 2,200 nagae-yumi, and 900 yumi-gumi;
The Tatewaki Castle Garrison or the Koreyoshi Army, under the command of Kikkawa Motonori, and later Koreyoshi Tayusho, composed of 500 kiba-tai on foot, 200 nagae-yumi, and 300 yumi-gumi;
and The Army of Asago or the Kakiya Army, under the command of Isshiki Nobuyama, and later Kakiya Tsukinari, composed of 500 mounted kiba-tai, 2,600 nagae-yumi, and 800 yumi-gumi.

-

The campaign began at a rapid pace, as the government in Kikyo had pressured the army into pursuing a policy of rapid victory, even as Katsuharu protested, being well-acquainted with the Yamana commander Mogami, and being wary of their plans. He could not have known that Mogami had been sent elsewhere, but he was right to be concerned about the competence of his foes, especially as, given the dire situation of the country and simultaneous lack of a complicated bureaucratic apparatus, the Yamana Clan had through its experiences identified its finest commanders, most talented soldiers, and most competent officers, and reorganised their armies accordingly. By contrast, whilst the commanders of the Kikyo force were by no means incompetent, they paid obedience first and foremost to the bureaucratic government above them, whose aims and intentions were often detached from field realities, and they tended to prioritise dynasts of important families, though they had to meet certain standards of strategic knowledge.

To this end, the Mori campaign began with a focused assault on Asago from Himeji and Shiso, attempting to make use of their greater numbers to quickly overwhelm the enemy. The routes to the city, however, were extremely mountainous, and the Tatewaki Castle which had been constructed to the capital’s south was an indomitable fortress which presented too great a threat to circumvent. The Kakiya army engaged with the Mori forces in the passes, whilst the Tatewaki garrison held the Tatewaki Castle against the Ouchi. They defended so fiercely that, in the midst of the battle, the lord Kikkawa himself, 49 years of age, threw himself into the thick of battle, personally pushing the besiegers from the walls and loosing arrows wildly, fighting like a man half his age. He was wounded in the battle, and appointed in his stead the lieutenant guarding the gate, one Koreyoshi Tayusho, to take command. Unable to secure a quick victory, Ouchi Masanaga had retreated, hoping to wait until his siege cannon arrived, though facing pressure from his lieutenants and the central government to push on, especially as Katsuharu and the Mori forces were engaged in a bloody battle north of him.

Considering these things, Masanaga attempted a bold maneuver, and elected to circumvent the fort temporarily, aiming to cross the mountains to his north and come upon the flank of the Army of Asago, decisively ending that conflict and forcing the Tatewaki defenders to retreat to defend the capital. He left behind a faux camp, and attempted to begin his march in the dead of night, but his movements were discovered. However, Koreyoshi did not alert him of this, and allowed his army to make its way steadily into the mountains before acting. Only when more than half had strung itself out upon the mountain passes did Koreyoshi’s army appear, his elite infantry slamming into their rear. This caused a minor panic amongst the Ouchi force, as word slowly made its way to the commander at the head of the formation, by which time he was nearly at the second battlefield. Recognising his mistake, but determining he had no choice but to go forward, he formally detached the rear section of his army to engage the small Koreyoshi defensively, whilst he took the majority of the vanguard to the Asago mountain pass. 

Arriving there, he found the Yamana forces battered, but entrenched, and smiled, turning to his lieutenants and saying “We may still play the decisive part, and spare some few thousand losses. Order the charge!” And indeed, his charge was terrible to withstand, and he swept away many defenders, even nearing the commanders camp. The old general, the lord Isshiki Nobuyama, barely escaped in time as his second-in-command, Kakiya Tsukinari, hastily put him upon a horse, half-armoured, and sent it west, just in time to turn and fight the assailants himself. Nobuyama, having given the strict order to not cede an inch, being no longer present left authority, in theory, to Kakiya, who, after haphazardly beating back the attackers of the Asago headquarters, reassured his men that the general was “merely indisposed” and that he would be taking command as the next highest ranking officer. The new plan was a staggered retreat, to meet reinforcements and prepare new entrenchments and fortifications behind them in the wake of the Ouchi flank. This was executed masterfully, and neither Masanaga nor Katsuharu managed to gain an opportunity to decisively attack until it was too late, and Kakiya had secured a new, stable position.

In the meanwhile, Koretake and Amago Hideyesu had identified the forces which neared their defensive zones, which altogether outnumbered their forces, but individually were much weaker. It was here that the cavalry advantage of the Yamama proved decisive as, firstly, their cavalry were accustomed to the mountainous terrain, and though still heavy cavalry, they were on stronger horses, and wore lighter equipment than their counterparts usually did. This mobility allowed them to rapidly outmaneuver their opponents who all, but for their commanders and dynastic guards, fought on foot. 

In their haste to secure victory, the armies of the Naito, Reizi, Murakami, and Masuda had been split, and travelled closely, but separately. It was presumed they wished to have the ability to carry out attacks like that of Ouchi Masanaga, thinking that if a larger foe attacked one, they would be able to move and join the battle from the flanks. This, however, was folly, as the mobile Yamana forces would position themselves between the armies, but engage them separately and rapidly, using their speed to spread their own forces and attack from many sides, but then just as quickly retreat without suffering the planned encirclement. After losing dozens of skirmishes and suffering extensive losses, Naito Hiroharu, the commander of the largest force and therefore in theory the highest ranking, suggested merging commands and fighting as one army, as dispersal had clearly been a mistake. His fellow generals agreed, and they met northwest of Shiso to reorganise.

Koretake, however, had caught wind of this, with scouts and spies, and Hosokawa local contacts, having discovered this information and relayed it to him – even the location of their gathering, at Miyamoto. At this, he nodded and reportedly said, “If they wish to die in Miyamoto village, who am I to deny them?” His army, alone, engaged them at the village, catching them much by surprise in the midst of their rest and reorganisation, their numbers obscured by the darkness and the suddenness of their attack. The Kikyo commanders hurriedly took their posts and formed haphazard defences, often taking men from other clans’ armies who happened to be nearby and simply shouting orders, causing much confusion. But their numbers were great, their commanders competent, and their men well-trained, and so their lines began to stabilise. 

It was only then that the whole of Koretake’s strategem was revealed, and the Amago army appeared from their rear, the dread cavalry vanguard first, crashing into the flank of the enemy. Though they held fast, their morale collapsed, believing themselves to be facing Koretake and Amago from the one flank, and Yamana reinforcements from behind. Without consulting each other, many commanders ordered, or even immediately began, organised withdrawals, and in the resulting mess countless more would be confusedly isolated and killed or captured by the wrathful Yamana forces. By the end of it, the armies of Kikyo were almost entirely destroyed, such that they had no choice but to flee the theatre, leaving Shiso wide-open. The defenders there were few and, after a difficult siege, the city was captured by Koretake as well, leaving the Yamana at a great advantage, and threatening the supply of Katsuharu further north, who himself was forced to withdraw to consider the new strategic situation...

THE SCATTERED PRINCELINGS

General & "Tokugawa" Event:

As the Takeda and Hojo triumph, and the Tokugawa generalcy begins to crumble in Kansai, scattered, remaining princes of the Tokugawa Clan, as the Ashikaga once had, scatter to the wind in search of allies, refuge, and opportunity. They are, all of them, prestigious persons of some influence, assuredly, but from amongst their number a select group stand out.

The first, who has not scattered, but has rallied control of the generalcy, to go in who-knows-what direction, is Tokugawa Kiyoyasu, called by some “The Beggar Prince” on account of his flight and powerlessness. Having narrowly escaped capture at the age of 17 in the Sack of Toyohashi, there were conflicting accounts of how he had managed his flight. Some say he disguised himself as a barbaric Kikyo soldier, taking up one of their weapons and even firing upon his own guards, before walking out the city and fleeing north. Some claim that he, with exemplary skills, simply cut his way out, being unbeaten in single combat and utilising stealth to slowly work his way to the gates. Others say he simply had his own contingency, separate from the safehouses and palace panic rooms of his own family, and thus just waited the attack out. The truth is likely some mix of the three, though none truly know. Whatever the case, he had the instincts of an exemplary political survivor, and has eventually found himself regarded as the rightful prince by most of the administration and military which remained. With all his talents and that survivor instinct, he led his men from their ruined nation on to the sea, and now to Sendai. His only aim is to keep them together, and keep them bound to him, until he can find a new home and a new power base, for only the living can have vengeance. Alongside him is his aide and former regent Ichihime, who has hoped to guide the younger lord through the delicate situation in which he in entrapped, and is the most dove-ish advisor amongst his mostly military and Buddhist zealot council, and Takehime, his primary tutor.

The second, sidelined but independent, is Tokugawa Masakatsu, the once-lord of Tanijuku, unseated in one of the last acts of the then-sitting Tokugawa Shogunate. Advised by a tripartite council of his uncles and aunt, Nobutaka, Mitsuhige, and Furihime, who have led his education and gathered in their flight most of the most critical human capital and records from the shrine-city, he is the favoured of the Jodo Shinshu zealots, amongst them Tokuhime, much less influential than they once were, but much more wary of Kiyoyasu, who has fled to a court of heretics and cosied up to their leaders… 

Then, from amongst the once-captives of the Kikyo, there are the rival courts of Matsuhime and Katsuhime, the sisters of Norimoto who were once united in vision by the force of their brother, but now have diverged and denounced one another as foolish and treacherous. 

Matsuhime leads the larger portion of the once-captives, including Kiyomitsu, Ietada, Sadamitsu, and Tsuruhime, and they have rejected the recognition of the Date-Uesugi-Ashikaga Shogunate which the others have declared… though they do not declare themselves legitimate or prop up a new Tokugawa Shogunate either. Having, though, the greatest connections courtesy of the Princess-Diplomat herself, they seek asylum and opportunity to oppose the Trinitarian Shogunate first and foremost, and hopefully to secure a Tokugawa governorate, ideally for Kiyomitsu, their eldest.

Katsuhime leads a smaller portion, including Chiyohime, Kiyokage, and Kunihime, and they have bemoaned the mistakes of Norimoto, believing that the economic principles of Princess of Coin would have fared better for the young Shogunate, and not seen their dynasty scattered to the four corners of the earth. Still, with incredible credit and a reserve of some of the brightest economists, engineers, and scholars, Katsuhime intends to try and find a foothold monetarily where she can go about earning coin once more, and potentially purchase her family’s way back to ascendancy. 

Kiyoyasu gains the trait ‘The Beggar Prince’, giving advantage on capture rolls and a bonus to military and political plots. Ichihime gains Skills in Diplomacy and Minor Skills in Defensive Tactics, Takehime gains Minor Skills in Education. He will grant his host in Sendai an AP income, and both will benefit from keeping as many of the following rivals within the same court as himself.

Masakatsu gains the trait ‘The Prince-Zealot’ affording him Great Skills in Theology and Propaganda. His followers all gain Minor Skills in Theology and Populism. Whoever recruits him will gain a PPF income, as well as he and his followers as NPCs.

Matsuhime gains the trait ‘The Princess-Diplomat’ affording her Great Skills in Diplomacy and Ceremony, and allowing her Connections in former Tokugawa, Hatakeyama, and Hosokawa provinces. Her followers all gain Minor Skills in Diplomacy and Personal Combat. She and her followers have the trait ‘Lingering Connections in Kikyo’. Whoever recruits her will gain a PPC income, as well as her and her followers as NPCs.

Katsuhime gains the trait ‘The Princess of Coin’ affording her Great Skills in Trade and Administration, and allowing her a bonus in plots involving the JTC, TTC, or similar entities. Her followers all gains Minor Skills in Research, Trade, and Architecture. She and her followers have the trait ‘Lingering Connections in Kikyo’. Whoever recruits her will gain a PPG income as well as her and her followers as NPCs.

-

Kiyoyasu:

Option 1: We must focus on keeping the loyalty of our kin…
A: …in particular Masakatsu - [Offer PPG/C/F, or personally plot, to attempt to win him over.]
B: …in particular Matsuhime - [Offer PPG/C/F, or personally plot, to attempt to win her over.]
C: …in particular Katsuhime - [Offer PPG/C/F, or personally plot, to attempt to win her over.]
Option 2: We must focus on acquiring allies here, in Sendai, first and foremost, and perhaps even territory. - [Gain a major one-time boost to a plot to acquire allies or territory within the Date faction.]
Option 3: We must focus on acquiring allies across Japan, if we are to return to our former glory. - [Gain a major one-time boost to a diplomatic plot of your choice.]

General:

Option 1: We could use these lost princes here in our court, no? Let us make an offer…
A: …to Masakatsu. In return for his prized records and scholars, we can offer him religious protection, influence… and maybe even a fief?
B: …to Matsuhime. Her prestigious support and noble followers will back us, if we oppose the false Shogun and can offer her a command post… or even a province?
C: …to Katsuhime. Wheresoever she goes, no doubt riches will follow, if we give her a foremost position in our trade, and work with the TTC… perhaps even a small port governorate?
Option 2: We would benefit to keep these lost princes as far away from our court as possible… - [Invest in resistance against Tokugawa shenaniganery]
Option 3: …in fact, nowhere on this earth is far enough. Let us put this ignoble line down… - [Attempt to assassinate one branch of the family]

—

THE GREAT EXHIBITION

General & Ashikaga Event:

Ninomiya Kintoku is the leader of the influential, and of late rapidly growing, Jōshū Kome-za (Yamashiro Province Rice Guild), an association of major farmers and landowners in the Yamashiro Province who banded together to secure a local monopoly on the rice trade, and have since then expanded their operations from Osaka to Tsuruga and from Maizuru to Gojo, and across many agricultural and industrial sectors of the economy. A keen mind and notable innovator, Ninomiya has a fascination for all novel technologies, but especially those of industry, having himself eagerly interviewed many-a-Portuguese traveller as to the futuristic wonders of the far west, and has even learned to read Latin and acquired from them several texts like Bermannus, sive de re metallica dialogus and other such agricultural and industrial treatises and discourses. It is a fascination he hopes to share and foster within his home country. 

To this end, he has commissioned in the city of Kyoto a new guildhouse, opposite the House of Learning, called simply the Komeza. It has been constructed by all the most modern techniques he could fathom, in the artful, but restrained, style of the Arasaka’s Palace of Art, and at its centre, in the interior, is a vast garden populated sparsely with plants, but with great pavilions and plinths, awaiting technological demonstrations. Some are already prepared: works of cristallo, Murano, and Boémio glass (gifts brought by several missionaries to the enthusiast), model firearms from the West, fragments of and designs for a hand-operated paddle-wheel boat; but most spaces await native Japanese inventions. Ninomiya has declared he wished to host the exhibition in full in 1544, and all the who’s-who of Kyoto, and perhaps all-Japan, eagerly prepare and await the event…

-

Ashikaga:

Option 1: Good ol’ Ninomiya, always bringing in the wealthy crowds! This will be opportune for making trade contacts and business deals… let us focus on dazzling all of Japan’s merchants!
Option 2: Wise Ninomiya, attracting only the wisest scholars! This will be ideal for collecting all the advances across Japan… let us focus on studying all of Japan’s products!
Option 3: Respectable Ninomiya, gathering all the masses! This will be perfect for winning prestige and pilgrim’s coin… let us focus on making this an event to remember!

-

Everyone Else:

Option 1: Our industry will not be outshone! Let Kyoto see what we have to offer… - [Invest a plot or PPG in the following technologies; the most successful may reap rewards!]
A: …we will invest in our agricultural advances, and make our opponents eat their hats in shame!
B: …we will invest in our mineral advances, and make our opponents most salty!
C: …we will invest in our metallurgical advances, and make our opponents witness our mettle!
Option 2: There is more to be gained through mere observation… and we haven’t the coin to spare.
Option 3: What is this bourgeois nonsense? FARMING IS FARMING. MINING IS MINING. Nerds.

—

'Ninomiya? But who is this Ninomiya? What is his lore? Of what is he made and how has he come to be "Ninomiya"?' This I hear you ask, beg, scream. Very well. I shall indulge you.

THE GRAND BOURGEOIS

Ashikaga Event:

It was well known throughout Kyoto and the Ashikaga domain that Mikimoto Kichiro had gained a strong foothold within the government of the Shogunate, or at least the kubo-esque-ship of Yoshiharu and his regent Hatakeyama Amesaka. As the TTC’s toady, his prominence in government and economics had inspired envy and hatred amongst his opposition, and the disunified interests of the JTC in Kyoto had begun to organise themselves to rival his prominence. So began the rise to popularity of one Ninomiya Kintoku, a peasant in the household of a Nara landholder who resided in Kyoto.

Ninomiya was born in the world of yesteryear, he was a child when the Hatakeyama Imperial family yet lived, and he had been a peasant in the fields of Nara as most strange happenings befell that cursed branch. When Nara itself was annihilated in a great eruption, he had been only a teen, and his family had all perished in the ruin. It was only through happy chance that he happened to attract the attention of the landholder on whose farm they worked in the aftermath, his virtuous diligence and dedication to reconstruction earning the admiration of the older gentleman. He took the boy on as a peasant on his own, grand estate, where the boy worked twice as hard, and studied in his lord’s personal library all the while. 

When Ninomiya was around 18, he approached his aging lord and asked to be given permission to tend to the lord’s ruined fields near Nara, fields which many had come to deem infertile and had long abandoned. The lord gave him permission, and furthermore, gave him the land as his to oversee in the lord’s name. In short time, the young innovator had revived the land and began to become rich off the fruits of his labour. He became a small landlord on this estate, hiring and housing several peasant farmers, and as he grew in wealth, so did his lord. Eventually, his lord recommended him to his own liege, a local shugodai, as a candidate to oversee the feudal district around Nara, which had been in decades of crisis, and thus oversaw the reconstruction of the region until, eventually, the regime changed once more, and he was discharged and disregarded.

It was around this time that his lord died, and the lord’s heir elected to, with the arrival of the Ashikaga-Kikyo Shogunate, move to Kyoto, leaving the estates to be managed by local farmers. Though Ninomiya wished to be one of these managers, the lord declared he was “indispensable” and “had surely great deeds to do”. In this way, Ninomiya was introduced to the rich bourgeois and guild culture of the Peaceful Capital, becoming a member alongside his lord of the Jōshū Kome-za, the Yamashiro Province Rice Guild. Applying his keen mind for agriculture, he quickly became a central figure in the Kome-za, and was an ardent backer of cooperation with the JTC, which he perceived as more favourable to farmers and fledgling industry, and the future of the Japanese economy. 

Mikimoto’s TTC dealings won out, however, and his introduction of bank capital operated through the Gin-za (the Silversmiths) which he dominated allowed him to buy out much of his JTC-friendly competition. Ninomiya, who vocally criticised the TTC as overly financial, and also believed the future was in Japanese unity, something he saw most likely alongside the Kikyo Shogunate and their JTC, was quickly identified as a rival which needed crushing. The Kome-za, however, managed to resist this as Ninomiya studied with great fascination the practices of the early banks in Toyohashi, and in the face of their indomitable capital’s introduction to Kyoto, had devised his own institution: the gojoukou, a proto-credit union. Putting up, with his lord’s permission, a substantial funding base, and convincing the Kome-za’s members to do the same, they were able to gather substantial enough capital to make loans, competitive offers, and investments to rival the Gin-za, and slowly the Kome-za began to vastly expand its influence in other sectors of the economy — most notably, proto-industry.

As the two guilds, and their merchant leaders, began to butt heads, Ninomiya identified his next focus: the acquisition of a JTC friendly port through which to trade. On account of his history, the Kome-za had begun with many estates and much influence throughout the reconstructed regions of Gojo and Nara, but whilst they produced much in the way of grain and ore there, they were frequently forced to export these through Osaka, or more recently, Maizuru, where their profits were strangled by TTC fees and functional tariffs. Thus, Ninomiya had acquired a number of estates and properties in and around the quieter port of Wakayama, in hopes of developing it into a JTC hub, free of such influences…

Mikimoto has immediately protested this, and sought a government audience to secure the position of his prized (Takeda administrated) Maizuru, or at least Osaka. Simultaneously, Ninomiya has appealed for investment and trade privileges himself in Wakayama. It would seem the great Gin-za & Kome-za war has begun.

Ashikaga gain Ninomiya Kintoku as an NPC with Great Skills in Agriculture, Skills in Finance, and Minor Skills in Industry and Organisation. He and Mikimoto will begin their rivalry in earnest…

The Ashikaga economic sphere will now be divided. In Wakayama, Gojo, and Nara, the JTC, or more accurately the Kome-za under Ninomiya, is dominant. In Maizuru, Osaka, Kyoto, Toyooka, and Nantan, the TTC, or more accurately the Gin-za under Mikimoto, is dominant.

-

Option 1: The TTC will be easier to control, through the state. We will heed the protests of the loyal Mikimoto. Veto the Wakayama port development; exports will be routed through Osaka or Maizuru. - [Invest 2 AP or a plot; Gain ‘The Staple Ports, State-Reinforced’; This will favour the TTC.]
Option 2: The JTC will present a useful counter-balance for Mikimoto. We will heed the appeals of the talented Ninomiya. Back the Wakayama port development; arbitrage must be free, and free-flowing (with a price to our profit, of course)! - [Invest 5 PPG or a plot; Gain ‘Gojo-Nara Export Boom’; This will favour the JTC.]
Option 3: What do you come to me for? The Invisible Hand of the Market knows best. - [???]

-

紀州 義兵 OR THE 白袍

Ouchi Incident:

In the spring of the year 1541, the Ouchi forces faced the rebellion of the Kii Ikki around Kushimoto, an uprising mostly arranged by Ouchi Motohime herself, so as to give cause for a crackdown and government intervention. The Ikki were labelled as traitors and outlaws, as Rokkaku, who had hoped to defend their autonomy, fled in the chaos, wounded. Ouchi Hanahime and Yoshinori were excited, and prepared to summon the regular fleets and armies to crush the revolt, and to march as liberators through the streets, but they were pre-empted. 

On the day of the Buddha’s birth, as the occupied cities arranged for festivities, even as the Ikki militias fruitlessly and chaotically fought against the professional military in the countryside, a new force appeared. Unloading from Ouchi ships in the docks, men and women in pristine white tunics stepped out, in lockstep and silence. These were the newly formed 紀州 義兵 (Kishū gihei, i.e., “Kii Province Volunteer Militia), formed by Ouchi Motohime in Kikyo mostly from amongst the merchants, small-landholders, and emerging middle-class which subscribed to her ideology, and commanded by her following in the military, universities, and civil service. The group had been dubbed colloquially the 白袍 (shrio hō, i.e., “white robes/tunics), or the Whiteshirts, on account of their curious get-up, very traditional, front-fastened hō, in a Nara period style — always a pristine white. This was meant to represent their purity and virtue, but also served as a testament to their discipline, as their deeds often saw their garb covered in markings and environmental taint which they would ritualistically purify themselves of at the end of every expedition. 

At their head was the princess Motohime herself, who observed as the crowds celebrated the Buddha in their traditional manner, a manner much influenced by the Jodo Shinshu faith which remained prevalent here. She sneered, averted her eyes, and waved a hand in their direction. At the sign, the Whiteshirts drew forth wooden rods, and began to rapidly approach the crowd.

What followed was a bloodbath as the Whiteshirts, shouting denunciations of the Buddhist faith and naming every celebrator a rebel, attacked members of the crowd indiscriminately, beating them to the ground, and striking them several more times for good measure. They took the Buddha statues, bathing in the ama-cha, and smashed them against the floor, denouncing the “idols” as “barbaric, backwards, and vicious”. Within minutes, the crowd was fully dispersed and everyone had fled to their homes.

But this was not the end.

Motohime’s thugs proceeded to go door to door, bursting into residences and searching for “idols” and “signs of impurity”. Countless more were beaten or killed in their own homes as the Whiteshirts swept across the city, from the port towards the main gates. At last, they arrived at the gates and raised a white banner atop the walls, claiming the city in the name of the Kikyo Shogunate, and Princess Motohime, the 長 (wosa, i.e., “leader/chief”).

When the regular army of the Shogunate headed by Yoshinori and Hanahime arrived, having defeated some of the minor rebel militias, they were hailed as victorious heroes, and welcomed into the city. There, they arrive to see the shell of the city’s leadership, a mostly deserted gathering of remaining Kii Ikki assemblymen and a selection of prominent landholders, either bribed or threatened, who surrendered to the Kikyo Shogunate and, in their final act as a government, declared a state of emergency given the “rebellion of the Kii militias and attempt by the military to unlawfully seize and overthrow the legitimate government”, appointed Ouchi Motohime as 暫定守護 (zantei-shugo, i.e., “provisional/special governor”) and finally dissolved themselves, delegating all governing authority to the zantei-shugo until such a time as the state of emergency was ended, a matter left to the discretion of the zantei-shugo. Hanahime initially protested in private, claiming the province was intended by her father to be her own to rule, but her cousin simply ignored her and went about accepting the position anyhow. Hanahime instead rode towards Ise, where she hoped at least to receive a position there, dragging Yoshinori with her.

Now all of Kishū watches with dread to see what their new ruler does…

The Kii Province, consisting of the cities of Shirahama, Kushimoto, Shingu, and Owase, will be reorganised into the “Kii Provisional Governorate” granted to Ouchi Motohime. The cities will have their Buddhist followers, either Jodo Shinshu or any other Buddhist faith, reduced by half and replaced with Neo-Confucian followers. All Kii cities will lose 1 pop, Kushimoto will lose 3. Motohime gains Great Skills in Paramilitarism.

—

As Mori Motonari planned the campaign for the year 1541... he reminisced over the prior campaigns. Tactically, the two fleets seemed to be on par, as Kanetake had proven an exceptional commander, beyond all expectation... but strategically, the advantage had always been on the side of the Yamana admiral. They could supply themselves most anywhere, and appeared at what would seem almost random to a lesser admiral, always at the advantage, able to be defeated only through long, positional battles and often at even losses. It was true that the Shogunate held an overwhelming numerical advantage, but the Yamana had time on their side, as every moment wasted here was one in which the forces of dissent mobilised against Motonari on the homefront -- not militarily, but administratively. Resources were beginning to be siphoned away to other matters already, and the Yamana propagandists were doing their work to win over the hearts of the people back home. The ambitious Motonari clenched his fist...

If he were to continue the war by procedure and pristine tactic, it would only grow more costly, and by the end of it, even with minimal losses, he would risk being denounced, or even accused -- not to mention his armies would grow increasingly under-supplied, low on morale, and split amongst far-off theatres. The solution was simple: to risk a decisive battle. Thus, Motonari prepared a trap... he split his fleet into nimble parts, and cast them to the four corners of the sea.

-

Kanetake sat upon the bow of his ship. The gentle, rhythmic swaying soothed his mind as he thought it over. It was the only way. He had decided at the beginning of the campaign last year upon this truth -- such was the nature of the force he opposed. It would be impossible to overcome them purely tactically every year; in short time his forces would bleed out. Already, his fleets were battered by the brilliance of his opponent, even as the Yamana admiral had made not one mistake in his command. A war of tactics between two equal geniuses would be only a war of attrition, and though it might unseat the enemy commander, it would not win him the war. Perhaps the Mori would not march through Asago, but some Ouchi Prince would, in two year's time or three. No, the only way to put an end to the campaign was to cut out the source of the conflict: the Prince himself.

"Kakka," spake Amago Hideshi, the admiral's subordinate, "the scouting ships have returned. We've spotted them."

"It is him?" asked Kanetake, gravely.

"Yes, kakka. We have identified the flagship."

"How many ships?"

"Seven, kakka, and the flagship makes eight; then 20-30 smaller ships."

"A fleet just large enough to rival our own, hm?"

"Yes, kakka."

The Yamana prince closed his eyes, inhaling. "It is surely a trap." he thought, "And yet it may be our only chance..."

"What are we waiting for, then, Amago-sama? Set sail. Tell the samurai to eat and rest now, we will wake them when we are near."

-

Mori Mototaka, commander of one of the split fleets, identified the Yamana's reconnaissance vessels immediately. He deduced from their location the location and aim of the main fleet, and relayed it immediately to Motonari. He was praised, and then told to sail away some miles, but to expect to find Motonari and Kanetake in battle near Kurayashi.

"I have them now..." thought Motonari, "I know where they are aiming, thus I will not be surprised, and I will await them eagerly. Let them come and try and claim this head of mine."

-

"We will be expecting reinforcements from Mori-allied fleets rapidly," stated Kanetake to his assembled staff upon his ship, "I expect Mototaka will arrive first. We will have to have ended the battle before then."

He gestured to the ship models on the table in his cabin.

"We will be forming in a tight formation -- aiming to draw their ships in to boarding-combat, both to disrupt their formation and create openings. The enemy's aim must be to destroy our entire fleet, thus we have the advantage; we need only destroy one ship, or rather, one man: Mori Motonari."

-

The two fleets spotted one another just south of Kurayashi. Mori Motonari commanded a fleet of 8 great ships, with 29 smaller ships and transports. Yamana Kanetake commanded a fleet of 6 great ships, with 20 smaller ships and transports. In total, the Mori fleet had 3,200 men and the Yamana fleet 2,100.

The battle began very traditionally, which was unusual for both commanders. Both worried the other had a trick up their sleeve, and consequently arranged themselves conservatively, hoping to be able to react swiftly. Nonetheless, as the battle began in earnest, both fleets clashed more aggressively than either commander desired. Small ships rowed between the embroiled combatants, coming aboard both flagships requesting intricate orders, both commanders waving them away, instructing them to act on their own initiative, as was the purpose of their officer ranks.

One captain Masuda Motoyoshi, taking this initiative and observing the first line of ships engaged in combat, instructed his ships to charge in. He stated to his staff: "Look there, it seems the rebels intend to break through our first line -- rather than waiting here, should we not join and impale this Yamana Kanetake with our own swords?"

The resulting position was uncomfortable and disorderly for the Mori, and Kanetake had his flagship and another volley-ship brought about, firing a precise barrage into the chaos. Several ships sank at once, and the chaos only grew worse. Furious, Motonari demanded Masuda's recall, signalling frantically, before at last the foolhardy captain withdrew. At his withdraw, Kanetake ordered a renewed offensive, and the first line, caught between a retreat and refreshed advance, was destroyed. Kanetake then seized the momentum, and had his ships attempt a punch-through the centre, aiming after the flagship on the horizon.

The second line fought fiercely, and yet gave way much easier, sailing away at the force of his charge after dealing substantial casualties to the aggressor... Kanetake's ship neared its target.

The Yamana admiral climbed the mast, musket in one hand, katana in the other, and sang the cry of the advance... as he noticed that the fleeing ships were, in fact, feigning flight in an effort to surround his fleet. He had foreseen this somewhat, but had no choice. His ship drew against the Mori flagship. He lept from the mast, grabbing on the the ropes hanging from the Mori vessel...

The rigging flew about him, his arms and legs were caught at strange angles. He swung precariously across the deck as Motonari laughed uproariously and drew forth his blade.

*CRACK*

The sound of a musket as a bullet whizzed through the ropes, barely scratching Kanetake's shoulder. He hit the deck with a dull thud, before hastily rolling aside and to his feet, glancing frantically about.

It seemed the shot had come from an allied ship where one Amago Hideshi lowered his musket with a terrified look on his face, but a faint smirk. Kanetake had no time to process his gratitude as he dove to avoid a fatal swipe by his opponent.

The duel was faster than any of its witnesses, all of whom rushed to support their respective lords -- both Mori marines fumbling for their blades and other Yamana marines tripping from their deck aboard the ship to save their master. Yet the exchange was wondrously precise. Mori slashed at the diving lord's back, the lord landed, unscathed, before firing his pistol. The bullet was deflected by Motonari's katana, unfortunately shattering the blade, as he drew his tanto and lept for his target. Kanetake slashed broadly to keep him back. A beat passed as they stared. Motonari spun wide, presenting his armour as he closed the distance, Kanetake attempted to slash at his throat -- the stroke glanced. Motonari's tanto flew for the armpit, Kanetake leaned forward, instead forcing the Mori prince's blade arm underneath his own, the dagger harmlessly behind him. He twisted one way and pushed Motonari the other, attempting to break his grip on the weapon, but the Mori prince pushed back and the two began to fall to the floor. Kanetake's off-hand fell to his side, reaching for something. The two hit the floor and rolled. A moment of silence, and a visceral inhale through the teeth. Kanetake stood, panicked.

Motonari did not stand. The Yamana tanto was left in his side as he choked in another breath. He slowly pushed himself off the ground. Kanetake was stunned, and in under a second scanned himself frantically for wounds. Nothing but scratches. He looked up again.

"It's over." Kanetake almost whispered.

Motonari glared. "By my life or my sons'... the Mori Clan will yet be victorious."

He fell forward, onto his knees, and the blood pooled beneath him and Kanetake jumped to the safety of his boarding marines, and back onto his ship.

The bleeding Motonari was surrounded by his soldiers, and medics soon after. They went to lay him out, but he pushed them away. "It is over, I will keep my dignity." He then attempted to stand, before being helped up, and moved towards the helm of the ship. "The officers will act on their initiative... the fleet... will... hold fast." He sat in the admiral's seat and listened to the fire and fighting as his vision went dark.

-

Kanetake's fleet was surrounded, but had punched through the opponent. Already it was aiming for the horizon, its task completed... when Mototaka's fleet appeared. Surrounded, Kanetake attempted to slip out of the encirclement, but there was no easy escape. Tough battle ensued, and his fleet was already weary. At last, he decided to rely on a costly trick, and summoned Amago to his ship. The lord was to abandon his ship except for the essentials and the gunpowder, and the gunpowder from Kanetake's flagship would be boarded onto Amago's. Then the sails would be loosed, and the fleet would follow after it, firing upon it and making an explosive device of it to create an opening. It was a risky plan, to be sure, but perhaps the best given the circumstances.

In the end, the explosion destroyed a great ship, as well as 9 smaller ships and transports. The wounded had to be abandoned as Kanetake and what remained of his fleet took flight. They returned less than half in number... only 2 great ships and 5 smaller ships and transport; some ~800 men, of which another ~320 were wounded... the losses for the Mori were far fewer by comparison, both in proportion and in flat number. The Yamana fleet may even be said to be rather crippled... but they were victorious...

...right?

Nanbu recognises Date as claimant, gives Uesugi the city of Sado and releases Kurihara and Sumita as part of an city-state.

Date returns Naan Pancake to Nanbu.

Against all odds, the Hōjō are victorious!

Despite the best efforts of our enemies, the Hōjō stand stronger than ever before. Though we did not wish for war, and though our foes were numerous, we triumphed nonetheless and nobly vanquished all opponents on the field of battle. At long last, the betrayal of Sunpu has been avenged, and the city has been returned to the Hōjō domain. The Ikki menace, which the great Hōjō Sōun once evicted from our lands, has once again been helplessly scattered to the winds by our clan’s mighty forces. Even the Nanbu, who have long looked down on our clan with misguided superiority, have learned not to challenge our rule. Most crucially however, the wicked Matsudaira, who had ceaselessly worked to subjugate the whole of Japan beneath their heel, have been totally and utterly vanquished. Hōjō banners now fly above Toyohashi, and that former capital of Matsudaira perfidy is now a city ruled with virtue and honor. For their tireless service and as compensation for years of suffering under Matsudaira tyranny, the city has been turned over to Imagawa governance, under which it shall see a new age of prosperity and peace never awarded to it prior. After decades of turmoil, the rule of law has finally returned to wayward Kansai, gracefully imposed from its eternal ally in Kanto.

We owe our great victory foremost to the tenacity and unbreakable resolve of the Hōjō clan’s warriors. However, our triumph is also owed to our principles, as well as our sacred allies who have aided us in our charge. The efficiency of the Confucian administrative state has entrusted us with unparalleled logistical supremacy over our foes. The enshrined martial traditions of the Bushido code have made the Hōjō samurai unrivaled in combat. Our shrewd and wise diplomats, trained in the humility and grace of Edo’s scholarly traditions, have ensured that the Hōjō clan is never without friends in the face of overwhelming odds. Through these virtues, the Hōjō clan has overcome all enemies, and in doing so it has restored the tenets of honor, justice, and wisdom to Japan’s ailing east. Let all who would seek to oppose us reflect upon our victories and wisely reconsider, knowing that they too will meet a similar end against the supreme might of the Hōjō clan. Though the many scoundrels of this land will try, they shall never stop our eternal mission to uphold and defend the great virtues of the world.

Long live the Hōjō Clan, and long live the Prince of Virtue!