Chapter 218 - 152: Can Also Be a Brother-in-Law

Words : 1763 Updated : Sep 29th, 2025

The faint light of dawn carefully slipped through the thin clouds and gently spilled over Qingzhou City, draping all things in a misty golden veil. A soft breeze brushed by, rustling the leaves, accompanied by the clear songs of birds, joining into a natural melody of morning. The air was filled with the fresh scent of earth, mixed with a hint of floral fragrance, making each breath feel as if it should bring peace to the heart. Ikegami Keisuke hurried through the corridors, not feeling any such thing—he only wanted to wake Oda Nobunaga as soon as possible. He passed through the outer and inner verandas and sliding doors, entered the sleeping quarters, and crossed one small inner room after another—Qingzhou City was built long ago, with a history of over a hundred years, not constructed in the new Academy style, but rather with an interior divided into partitioned living spaces. At last, Ikegami Keisuke knelt before Oda Nobunaga’s chamber and called out, a bit loudly, "Your Highness, urgent news from Lord Shinshu Pills." There was no response from inside. Ikegami Keisuke repeated his words. This time, someone finally stirred within. Oda Nobunaga gave a grunt in reply, so Ikegami Keisuke knelt and slid open the door to enter, seeing his Lord already sitting up, pressing painfully at his temples—Oda Nobunaga had only recently settled in Qingzhou City, having taken in a large group of powerful clans; to appease them, he’d drunk heavily at the banquet the previous night, so now he had a splitting headache. Ikegami Keisuke hurried to fetch a fur robe for him to wear against the chill, then ordered a maid to quickly prepare tea. After some fuss, Oda Nobunaga at last cleared his mind a bit and asked, "What’s happened now?" Ikegami Keisuke quickly presented the secret missive. It came from Shinshu Pills’ council—a "Ninja" force reorganized from mountain bandits and river pirates at Oda Nobunaga’s hand—urgent intelligence sent from the Bai Chuan Pass frontline. Oda Nobunaga instinctively glanced at the clay seal and insignia, saw nothing amiss, then opened the letter to read. Barely two lines in, he flew into a rage, crumpling the paper and slapping it onto the tatami with a muffled thud like a fart. Ikegami Keisuke hurried to pick up the letter, unfolded and smoothed it out. One look, and a flash of shock crossed his face, but he quickly fetched an iron box, sealed the letter inside, and held his tongue—though inwardly he was seething with thought. The Imagawa family’s forces stationed along Bai Chuan Pass had withdrawn over the previous days, seemingly with considerable losses. According to further news from the council, Nozawa had managed to withstand a fierce assault by the Imagawa family. About ten days ago, the two sides reached an agreement: Nozawa had carved out a foothold at the midpoint of the western coast of Chita County. From now on, he would be an independent lord. It seemed unbelievable. By most reckoning, Nozawa was doomed—after all, no power would allow an outsider to carve out a domain deep within their "heartland." Such people were always killed. For a tiny force like Wanjin’s—three to five hundred of the Lang Faction—crossing the water to wild lands and fighting the powerful Daimyo who ruled the Three Kingdoms, it looked like certain death. Even the Oda Danjo Chonosuke family no longer dared provoke the Imagawa family; even if Chita County was lost, even if a quarter of Kasugai County was taken, Oda Nobunaga could only grit his teeth and defend, never attack. That said it all. Anyway, Ikegami Keisuke knew in his heart he would never dare anything so reckless. Still, he didn’t dare speak. Nozawa had seized the chance while Nagano Castle was attacking Qingzhou City with all its might, and took his whole family to the Chita Peninsula without so much as a word. When it was discovered, Oda Nobunaga erupted, overturning the nearest table and sending men at once to haul Nozawa back—roaring that he’d teach him a lesson. Nozawa refused outright, replying with a letter full of nonsense claiming he wanted to live on the peninsula. This infuriated Oda Nobunaga even more, who kicked over the table again and scowled for a week straight. During that time, Nozawa’s name practically became a taboo within Qingzhou City—no one dared even mention it. Ikegami Keisuke simply knelt and waited in silence for Oda Nobunaga’s orders. Oda Nobunaga, draped in his robe, strode furiously around the room, finally standing by the window and gazing out for a long time. Only after calming did he turn with a dark expression and order, "Bring Manchiyo and Okainu here!" These personal attendants lived together with Oda Nobunaga, and even though it was barely daybreak, they weren’t hard to find. Soon, Niwa Nagahide and Maeda Toshie arrived one after another. With both present, they greeted from outside and entered the chamber. Oda Nobunaga’s anger was now nowhere apparent; seeing the pair, he ordered, "You two know Nozawa better than most. Prepare to travel to Chita County." Niwa Nagahide and Maeda Toshie were baffled. Oda Nobunaga waved at Ikegami Keisuke, who at once produced the now-crumpled intelligence and handed it to them. After reading it, both men were visibly shocked—Maeda Toshie’s jaw dropped most; he’d been preparing to plead for Nozawa’s forgiveness after his expected defeat and return, hoping Oda Nobunaga would overlook his "defection." After all, even Lin Xiuzhen, Oda Shinsei, Katsuyori Shibata and a host of Household Retainers who’d rebelled hadn’t been executed. Nozawa was only half an "insider." Even if he "defected," it was an emotional wound, not a moral one; surely he deserved a chance to make amends. But all his words were wasted. Facing the Imagawa family—the force that’d driven the Oda Danjo family from West Sanhe to Central Owari—Nozawa, incredibly, had not been defeated but had held firm. Niwa Nagahide likewise couldn’t understand how Nozawa did it. Barely a year ago, Nozawa had sheltered at Takeshige Manor, reduced to ruin and carried out on a stretcher, nearly dying. After borrowing a patch of land to regain his strength, he could now challenge a powerful Daimyo ruling the Three Kingdoms head-on? How could the powerful families of Kasugai County tolerate it? Those people, now facing the Imagawa and Matsudaira families across the river—even though not the main target, still lived in daily fear, vacillating between thoughts of surrender and a desire to move west to Qingzhou City or Nagano Castle. The Nozawa family was now on another level entirely—as if they were from two different worlds. Both finished reading the report, each shocked in his own way, until Niwa Nagahide tentatively asked, "My Lord, do you want us to persuade Lord Nozawa to return... or do you want us to find out what happened?" The latter would be easy enough—they had a history together. But the former... He was eloquent, but even he doubted his abilities. Nozawa had taken his entire clan to fight on the peninsula; his decision to leave Dan Zhengzhong’s house was clearly resolute. There was no bringing him back. Oda Nobunaga did not answer at once, only gazed at the painted ceiling for a while. At length, he looked at the two and said, "No. I intend to marry Okoton to him." Niwa Nagahide, Maeda Toshie, and Ikegami Keisuke were all startled, but Oda Nobunaga, fully thought out, would brook no dissent and waved his hand: "My mind is made up. That’s decided!" The three exchanged glances, and Ikegami Keisuke cautiously reminded, "Lord, Princess Ton is already betrothed to Lord Fufukuhei Zuomen..." "Is she?" Oda Nobunaga paused, remembering the agreement—made not long ago. With instability among the local clans of Kasugai County, he’d arranged the marriage to strengthen ties in that region. Lately, however, he’d been so consumed with anger at Nozawa that he’d forgotten. He’d always treated Nozawa well, saw him as a kindred spirit, never forced him to serve as a page, even granted him land, hoping that once he built a castle, he could become a powerful local lord in Owari, settle, and build a legacy. Yet the bastard ran off without a word. He couldn’t help but be angry but... He switched course: "Then Okainu. I intend to betroth Okainu to him. See to it." Princess Inuhime, on the other hand, was not yet engaged, so she could be used for a marriage alliance. But still Niwa Nagahide and the others traded glances, and Niwa Nagahide gently asked, "My Lord, should we discuss this with the others, or at least ask Lady Tsuchida’s opinion?" Marriage alliances were a major family matter. Niwa Nagahide suspected that when news of Nozawa’s "successful defection" spread, the old retainers would be up in arms. After all, they’d long disliked Nozawa, thought a wandering Samurai from outside, running a crass business, had snatched their land—he deserved to die. Besides, the saltpeter business was a huge temptation. Among the magistrates, several had hinted at taking the workshop under direct control. Only major, exceptional merit should earn land-grants. Nozawa’s direct reward smacked of favoritism and tradition-breaking. Offering up the saltpeter workshop would make things seem right again. Of course, this wasn’t for the sake of Oda Danjo Chonosuke—it was for themselves. Niwa Nagahide knew that several families had sent men to sea to hunt the strange rocks that produced saltpeter, but without "Nozawa’s saltpeter-making secret," they couldn’t succeed. They hoped Oda Nobunaga would obtain it for them—after all, a single pound of saltpeter was worth several kan, the yield of two or three acres of paddy. Who wouldn’t covet that? But now, with everything split apart, all that money was gone. Of course those men would rage and curse any marriage alliance. What’s more, Oda Nobunaga’s mother was still alive—just confined—not dead. In such a matter as his daughter’s marriage, surely she should be consulted. In short, it was complicated. As steward of internal affairs, Niwa Nagahide had many concerns. But Oda Nobunaga never cared for the old-guard retainers and said outright, "No need, just see to it! Use your friendship, whatever it takes, get this done!" He might have taken odd approaches, but he was practical and understood how to govern through compromise, not simply by slaughter. Now that Nozawa was an independent power, anger was pointless. He had to patch things quickly, and nothing was more direct than a marriage alliance to bind them with an independent lord. If Nozawa refused to serve as foster son or personal attendant—so be it. He could become Oda Nobunaga’s brother-in-law!

Chapter 218 - 152: Can Also Be a Brother-in-Law

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