"Hah..." Shingen sighed, hearing those words coming from his mouth. "By alliance, you an servitude, correct?" He had been intending to force Gengyo into the sa position at the start of all this. How foolish those words seed now that he looked back on them. It would be impossible to ta soone like him.
"A harsher word, but that is the essence of it." He replied with a shrug, not bothering to hide anything.
"I’m sure you already know my answer before you even asked. A tiger cannot be chained."
"I thought as much." He nodded, still disappointed nevertheless.
"However..." It seed Shingen was not yet done, as he drew their attention back with a raised palm. "This battle, I cannot pass to the grave without expressing what an honour it was to war with you. This might have been the best I have ever fought. It is certainly the best my n have fought. What manner of training have you put your soldiers through for them to beco so strong?" The usually stern-faced man could not let go of this last opportunity. It was with excitent that he intended to discuss such an exciting battle with n that he respected.
"Ah..." Gengyo scratched his head awkwardly. "I might have you to thank for that. I spent so ti at nryo-ji when I was recruiting n from Kai. Their techniques have provided assistance."
Hearing of nryo-ji, Shingen’s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "nryro-ji..? All the years I tried to employ their help, and they gave it to you." He could not help but chuckle. So things were simply not ant to be. "What of those soldiers that ca in later, bearing the Matsudairan flag? Their fighting style was different, but they proved resilient."
"We have our own ways," Matsudaira responded cryptically, struggling to hide his smile. They were n who had done nothing for decades but practise their blade. They were the peak of their profession. To be able to be compared to those with nryro-ji training would be a great honour for them.
"Of course. There is no point in sharing too many secrets with a dead man. But you, Matsudaira Motoyasu, your hand in strategy is troubleso. You were wasted under Imagawa." Shingen had liked to fancy himself as a master of strategy, and so had focused his attention on other weaknesses, but there was actually a man that had gone even with him.
When one was praised by the Tiger of Kai, it was impossible not to bow their heads with gratitude. "We made up for what we lacked in orderliness with a good few surprises. The Gods bless , freeing of my chains. Your Houen, however... That was sothing we overlooked."
"Haha! I’m glad to hear it. To have all my moves predicted would be crushing indeed." Shingen chuckled once again, startling his remaining two Generals and his n. Their Lord never smiled. Not even once. "Hah..." He went quiet once again, mournful that it had to end here, but there was truly no other way. He dismounted from his horse, Nobunaga watching him carefully, suspicion written all over his face.
"Miura Tadakata, Matsudaira Motoyasu, today you have won my respect. Though I will not be joining you in future campaigns, I would not see you weakened as a result of our clash. Before I grant you a gift, can you promise that you will rule my people with a lenient hand? They need not suffer for the mistakes of their Daimyo."
"I can promise that... But, Shingen, are you certain? What of your son?"
ntion of his son evoked a sad smile from the defeated Lord, and he shook his head. "My son has been plotting betrayal for a while now. With word of my defeat, he will take the reigns, but he does not have the strength to rule, nor to defend against the Uesugi. My people will be overrun and tortured."
There was nothing Gengyo could say to comfort him after hearing that. When betrayal ca from soone so close, it would be a sore spot, no matter the man, hence why his son still drew breath.
Shingen stepped forward to address his n, and Nobunaga shot Gengyo a sharp glance with a question written in it, ready to stop him at any second, but Gengyo shook his head. There would be nothing underhanded here.
"Yamagata, Yamamoto, I give you one final order: do not follow in seppuku. Enough Takeda n have died here today. I ask that you follow this man for ," he pointed to Gengyo, "and ensure that he achieves what he is capable of. Akiyama and I will need sothing entertaining to watch when I et him again."
His two Generals – n of hard hearts and cold steel – could not help themselves, receiving that final command of their Lord. The tears ran rapidly, and they clenched their fists, still daring to nod as an example to the troops.
"Thank you." He turned from his Generals to the rest of his n. "I want you to serve under Miura. He will ensure that your families are kept safe against the Uesugi. Do not feel sha in your surrender. Today, you have fought harder than any man has right to. You’ve given pride, and more still. For today, and for all you’ve done in the past, I thank you. It has been an honour to serve as your Lord." And then the prideful Daimyo of the Takeda lowered his head, and bent his body ninety degrees at the waist, bowing deeply to those that had severed him.
His n stood up, moved, and returned the gesture, bowing deeply despite the aching of their muscles. Thousands of n, at once. They knew him to be a true Lord, for even when he had forfeited his own life, and been rendered defeated, his thoughts and concerns lay with them, his people. Let him be an example to all that might rule after.
Reviews
All reviews (0)