Chapter 677: Wanting It All

Shanming Xiuqi heard and casually said: "The Dainei clan members sent out yesterday were probably the ones Dainai Jiaohong wanted to discard—after all, some in the clan refuse to obey; it's better they vanish than remain."

Takenaga Kuninaga: …

He actually found Shanming Xiuqi's words reasonable.

But if that's the case, they can't keep fighting.

This war, up to this point, is an expansion war for them;

for the Dainei clan, it is a war of survival.

He had a premonition that Pan Yun seemed unwilling to exert herself.

Under such a disparity in forces, Pan Yun's intervention is their only chance of victory.

Takenaga Kuninaga pondered: what method could make Pan Yun intervene?

Shanming Xiuqi urged him: "Have you reported to my father yet? When will the grain and supplies arrive? Should we reinforce? Are we still fighting?"

Takenaga Kuninaga smiled: "Young Lady, we have come this far; without annihilating the Dainei clan, we cannot hold the lands we've seized."

You get along well with Pan Yun—why not persuade her to intervene? If she agrees, our chances of victory increase by fifty percent."

Shanming Xiuqi narrowed his eyes, wary: "My father's orders haven't arrived yet—do you dare overstep your authority? Xue Shao was right: you have ulterior motives!"

Takenaga Kuninaga's face turned pale, both angry and terrified; he immediately bowed his head, gritting his teeth to apologize: "Your humble servant dares not—this was merely advice for the clan's sake, Young Lady. The Dainei clan is a ferocious tiger; if we cannot strike it dead in one blow, when it recovers, we may become its prey."

Shanming Xiuqi sneered: "He is a tiger, but my Shanming clan is no lamb—whose victory or defeat remains uncertain."

Takenobu Katada:... If they had the strength, wouldn't they have lifted their heads up long ago against the Uchimura clan?

Aren't they the established guardian daimyo?

This entire region originally belonged to them—the Dainei clan was their subordinate, their vassal!

Takenaga Kuninaga roared inwardly; Shanming Xiuqi seemed to hear it, narrowed his eyes, and stared at him suspiciously: "Do you intend to become the second Dainei clan?"

Takenaga Kuninaga froze in shock, immediately suppressing all expression, bowing deeply and respectfully: "Your humble servant dares not."

Yoshida Shintaro, hurrying over, caught the tail end of the conversation, halted his steps, wore a complex expression, then quickly smoothed his face and stepped forward with a smile: "Young Lady, Master Takenaga, the clan lord has sent someone."

Takenaga Kuninaga immediately abandoned the two and hurried off to meet him.

Yoshida Shintaro grabbed Shanming Xiuqi, who was rushing after, but kept his eyes fixed on Takenaga Kuninaga's back, whispering: "Young Lady, be wary of Takenaga Kuninaga."

Shanming Xiuqi halted, frowning: "Why?"

Yoshida Shintaro whispered: "His ambition is too great, and he shows no respect for you. Since the campaign began, he has never once asked for your battle strategy, nor reported to you afterward."

Today he can disregard you; tomorrow he may disregard the clan lord. When that time comes, I fear…"

Yoshida Shintaro trailed off.

Shanming Xiuqi's face darkened: "I fear he will become the second Dainei clan."

Yoshida Shintaro said nothing; all was left unsaid.

Shanming Xiuqi snorted and stormed off after Takenaga Kuninaga.

"What? Withdraw?" Takenaga Kuninaga paced frantically: "Victory is within reach—why withdraw?"

"Why not withdraw?" Shanming Xiuqi advanced aggressively, glared at Takenaga Kuninaga, then turned to the messenger: "Did my father order the withdrawal?"

"Yes," the messenger paused, then said: "But the clan lord also said that if Master Takenaga is confident of victory, you may advance—the supplies and grain will be fully provided."

Shanming Xiuqi looked bewildered: "So are we withdrawing or fighting?"

The messenger replied: "That was the clan lord's exact wording."

Takenaga Kuninaga quickly asked: "Where is the man?"

"The clan lord said five hundred troops are already sufficient; the farming season is near, and we cannot delay the peasants' work—no more conscripts can be raised…"

Takenaga Kuninaga: …

A flood of curses surged through his mind; his mouth opened, but no words came out.

Shanming Xiuqi was equally confused, too dazed to even question whether Takenaga Kuninaga intended to betray their family; he looked bewildered: "Why did Father order us to retreat?"

"This morning, Dainei's Naito Hirokane visited the clan lord…"

Shanming Xiuqi: "The Dainei clan wants to negotiate peace?"

The messenger nodded.

Takenaga Kuninaga felt a swirl of confusion, regret, fear, and relief—but mostly furious disappointment.

What a perfect opportunity! If the clan lord had only found a way to persuade Pan Yun and her group to intervene, or granted him more troops and warriors, he was certain he could seize Shankou Castle and annihilate the Dainei clan.

At that time, the Shanming clan would regain its glory, and he would become its most outstanding retainer in history.

The silence among the three stretched too long; the messenger shifted uneasily and asked Takenaga Kuninaga: "If you launch a direct assault on Shankou Castle, how great is your chance of success?"

Takenaga Kuninaga recalled the scout's report from this morning and smiled bitterly: "With our current forces, only a thirty percent chance…"

The messenger was also a retainer of Shanming Motou; though far below Takenaga Kuninaga in rank, he could still speak to Shanming Motou.

He stared in disbelief: "With only a thirty percent chance, you dared urge the clan lord to attack…"

Takenaga Kuninaga immediately said: "But if we can persuade Pan Yun to intervene, our chances rise to eighty percent; if the clan lord is willing to reinforce us, victory is still possible…"

"Naito Hirokane said the Dainei clan still has over ten thousand troops and has sent envoys to the Izumo Shrine for aid—the clan lord will not send any more men."

"Over ten thousand troops?" Takenaga Kuninaga challenged: "Such an absurd lie—would the clan lord believe it? How many people does the Dainei clan even govern? How could they possibly muster ten thousand soldiers?"

The retainer didn't believe it either, but Shanming Motou dared not gamble—and neither did he; he said gravely: "I asked. This morning, scouts confirmed two thousand troops gathered at Shankou Castle; eight thousand hidden inside isn't implausible."

Takenaga Kuninaga was speechless. After a long pause, he turned directly to Yoshida Shintaro: "Do you believe this?"

Yoshida Shintaro considered carefully: "It's not impossible. The Dainei clan has long controlled maritime trade—perhaps they've secretly maintained over ten thousand troops within the city."

Takenaga Kuninaga: …

The retainer smiled sweetly: "Of course, no matter how many troops, they mean nothing under the divine radiance—so the clan lord also said that if Master Takenaga can persuade Young Lady Pan Yun to intervene, he is willing to risk it."

Takenaga Kuninaga cursed inwardly: even Pan Yun is left to me to persuade—what risk am I taking?

Takenaga Kuninaga finally understood: the clan lord wants it all.

Risking five hundred men, if they succeed, Ishi Province becomes Yamato; if they fail, it's only the loss of five hundred men—and him.

Takenaga Takenori's face turned utterly black, yet he simply could not bring himself to abandon the achievement before him.

It was right within reach; if he just stretched out his hand, his fingertips could touch it…

Takenaga Takenori turned to find Pan Yun—he would try once more. (End of Chapter)