One of the fundantal purposes of negotiation is for both sides to establish a foundation of trust. This is sothing Harano has never managed—he cannot prove he will sincerely keep his word, and the Imagawa family does not dare believe he truly will honor his commitnts.
Toya Hongtong was silent for a mont, then sighed: "Lord Nozawa, please reconsider! If you are uneasy, I have a daughter nad Ato, my fourth legitimate daughter. I can betroth her to you. You need not worry about your position afterward, nor about being ostracized within the Imagawa family."
He paused, his expression growing solemn. "This is the greatest sincerity I can offer."
Asahina Taisuke and Yakai Chiyomoto were stunned—Lady Fuyuhi was none other than Imagawa Yoshimoto’s cousin, and could almost be called a princess within the Imagawa family. They had not expected Toya Hongtong to make such a sacrifice, willing to marry his daughter to an obscure provincial noble. Yet they only appeared shocked for a mont before their expressions returned to normal. Considering Harano’s martial prowess, exchanging a daughter for him was a bargain. Even rely judging by his physique, letting him improve the family’s stature would not be a loss.
Harano noticed the other side still did not trust him, and sighed as well. Yet he did not lose his composure, and said with a smile: "Thank you for your regard, Lord Toya, but I truly cannot beco a household retainer of the Imagawa family."
"Are you truly decided?" Toya Hongtong shook his head. "Then we will simply have to keep fighting. I shall write to Lord Abbess Setsuzai, and with my influence it’ll be no issue to request several thousand more n."
Harano nodded and rose to his feet, saying, "By all ans, bring them. But be prepared for to carry off several thousand of my own!"
With that, he turned and left, preparing to return and consider what kind of doomsday device he could still muster given the current conditions. He thought perhaps he would confront the Imagawa family head-on, a final struggle where the fish dies and the net is torn. Perhaps now was the ti to make a move—before the enemy reinforcents arrived, take a desperate gamble, attempt a near-suicidal sneak attack to break into the enemy camp and kill these three at once.
The negotiations seed to have broken down. Toya Hongtong watched in silence as Harano left, waited until he had walked seven or eight steps away before glancing at Asahina Taisuke and Yakai Chiyomoto’s deepening grimaces, then sighed loudly, calling, "Lord Nozawa, please wait! Let us now discuss the details of our oath of alliance!"
Even with his side outnumbering the opponent, they could not endure it; surely Harano could not, either. Moreover, from face-to-face observation, the little maid in disguise beside Harano—who posed as a personal attendant—though rude, had a trace of forced bravado in her words; clearly, even Harano’s subordinates were anxious and wavering. Thus, he had attempted to bluff, hoping to pressure Harano psychologically into accepting his generous terms, so that a graceful concession could be made. Yet Harano, though outwardly courteous, was incredibly stubborn; it turned out he was not rely posturing, nor bluffing—he was truly unafraid of death, completely unafraid to keep fighting.
Continuing the battle was not impossible—he truly could transfer more n from Jumogawa to Chita, or fill in the gap at the Bai Chuan Pass line. But there was no need—the two previous assaults had already caused far too many deaths...
If Harano were just a small nuisance, he’d have been casually crushed. But since no amount of beating could kill Harano, it was all the more necessary to preserve the peace.
This world is just that pragmatic.
Toya Hongtong’s attempt at blackmail had failed, but Harano did not take offense; after a brief mont’s reflection, he returned and sat down again. He truly could not defeat the Imagawa family for now; were he capable, he would not be subject to Oda Nobunaga’s constraints. So, as long as talks were possible, he would persist in negotiations.
A new round of talks began. This ti, neither side intended to play any tricks, and went straight to the point.
Toya Hongtong spoke directly: "Given how matters stand, we are willing to believe Lord Nozawa’s word, but we still ask you to swear an oath before the gods! Though for soone of the Oda Family this kind of oath may not be binding, it is still better than nothing."
Nozawa did not mind the mockery, rely reminding, "My lord, I have said many tis already—I am not an adopted noble of the Oda Family nor a personal attendant. I will keep my promise."
"Very well, let us hope so." Toya Hongtong beckoned for Asahina Taisuke to bring out a map, and pointed, saying, "Let us now discuss the details. Lord Nozawa may stay south of this mountain, north of this river, and west of the camp—on this piece of land. Not a single soldier may cross the border, nor may you attack the neighboring Chita nobles. Is that acceptable?"
Nozawa glanced at the map and said at once, "That will not do, my lord. The area is too small—I cannot support that many people. The eastern border may be the camp, but the north and south must be expanded. I hope you can grant the lands of the Oya Family, Takeda Family, Ebina Family, Taisha Family, and Takkan Family."
This was asking exorbitantly—the entire central western coastline of the Chita Peninsula was included. Toya Hongtong’s face instantly darkened: "Lord Nozawa, it is not as though we lost the battle!"
"Nor did I lose the battle!" Having asked for the moon, Nozawa now relented a little, saying, "If that will not suffice, then at least give the Oya, Takeda, Taisha, and Takkan families."
"You’re dreaming!" Asahina Taisuke could finally bear it no longer, slamming the table, "You previously promised never to attack the Imagawa family’s vassal nobles, and now you plan to break your word for your own gain?"
Toya Hongtong was not too angered—haggling was common in negotiations—so he shook his head: "Lord Nozawa, do not force us to take up arms again. None of us want to see that outco."
Nozawa began to explain his real difficulties, adding by way of explanation, "I am not attacking them. It’s just that I have several thousand subjects who must eat. I require land for them to till, and hope the Imagawa family can et this small request."
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