Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"Let's go, we'll talk in the hall!"

Before the harbor, Kaozaki Mitsuhiro pondered briefly before making a decision. In the Capital City, those who can be addressed as "The Exalted" are only the Emperor and the Shogun. And it must be a "great matter" that urges Mori no Kiyoshi to rush over, it must be... the Shogun! It's only been a short while, and trouble has arisen for the Shogun once again!...

Kaozaki Mitsuhiro felt heavy-hearted, pulling Mori no Kiyoshi along, hurrying to the horses. He extended his hand, pointing to the pony led by Sukezaburou, with an apologetic smile.

"House owner Mori no Kiyoshi, please ride this horse and hurry to the hall with me..."

The elderly merchant Mori no Kiyoshi observed the pony before him, with a shoulder height of only about one meter twenty-three; it was of the common Nanbu horse appearance, likely from the main island's Dewa Province. This was a typical native horse, not tall, and not heavy.

Then he glanced at Kaozaki Mitsuhiro's warhorse, with a shoulder height around one meter fifty, towering over the pony by a whole head. This horse was entirely snow-white, with a robust physique; a fine horse rarely seen even in the Capital City!

"What a splendid horse!"

Mori no Kiyoshi exclaimed in admiration. His expression shifted, recalling the purpose of this visit, he asked with a smile.

"Mitsuhiro, is such a fine horse from across the continent over the North Sea?"

"Yes!"

Kaozaki Mitsuhiro nodded affirmatively. He didn't conceal before an old acquaintance, replying frankly.

"This was exchanged from the Ezo People on Birch Island. It is said they got it from the Deer people further north, the Saha people (i.e., Yakut). This Saha horse is not picky with food, very sturdy, not afraid of cold, familiar with woodlands, suitable for snow and mountain forests. Even in the heavy snow of Ezo land north, it can run as fast as flying!"

"Oh! The vast mountains and forests of Ezo land, samurai venturing to campaign against the barbarians certainly need such fine horses!"

Upon hearing this, Mori no Kiyoshi nodded with a smile. His gaze shifted thoughtfully, and he recalled another matter from memory.

"Mitsuhiro, about your father's chestnut-colored Jurchen horse... is it still around?"

"Hmm? You mean the chestnut one? It died of old age and illness."

Kaozaki Mitsuhiro touched his half-bald shaved head, casting a puzzled look at Mori no Kiyoshi.

"Now my father rides another reddish-brown deer horse, also a Jurchen horse..."

"Oh! Jurchen horse!"

Hearing this, Mori no Kiyoshi's eyes lit up. As he surmised, within the whole realm of seventy nations, the places to truly find good horses are only in the Upper Country, Lower Country, and Matsumae of Ezo land. Because here, through the Shandar Trade, one can get rare high-headed horses from the hunting tribes across the sea.

"Let's go!"

It wasn't an appropriate situation, so Mori no Kiyoshi didn't ask further. The two mounted their horses and galloped towards Victory Mountain Manor without delay. As for the young merchant Matsushita Zou Jirou, he would walk over once the grain from the ship was unloaded.

Victory Mountain Manor was built in the mountains, not far from the sea. After a short ride, they arrived at the white-walled black-roofed Japanese mountain fortress. Then, they handed their horses to attendants, removed their shoes, and walked into the hall.

From afar, Mori no Kiyoshi glimpsed the stable, vaguely spotting a large horse that seemed even taller than Kaozaki Mitsuhiro's white horse. His eyes flickered, and he followed Kaozaki Mitsuhiro into the guest tea room.

"The tea room is somewhat simple... but outside the window is the picturesque view of snowy mountains and sea, perfect for sipping tea while watching."

"Indeed! 'The window holds eternal snow from the western ridge, the door anchors a thousand miles of ship in the eastern Wu.' The Tang poet Du Shaoling's scene can be seen here, a unique moment of Zen!"

Mori no Kiyoshi smiled warmly in his reply. In this era, regardless of public house, Martial Family, or monks, most were familiar with Tang and Song poetry, often exchanging verses in Chinese, and even writing poems in Chinese. Because the literature of Wa people's upper-class society originally came from the Celestial Empire, written in traditional Chinese characters. The true rise of Haiku would be another hundred years away.

Kaozaki Mitsuhiro summoned a page to brew tea, bowed apologetically to Mori no Kiyoshi, and departed in haste. Since something major occurred in the Capital City, he naturally needed to invite the Victory Mountain Manor master, his family head father, Takeda Nobuhiro to come.

Mori no Kiyoshi leisurely sipped his tea. Though his heart was urgent, his demeanor remained calm and composed. It was not until Kaozaki Mitsuhiro returned, leading a gray-haired, resolute-faced old samurai, that Mori no Kiyoshi promptly stood, bowing deeply in respect.

"Miya Mori no Kiyoshi, pay respects to the Kai Takeda Minamoto Clan's branch, Upper Country Protector representative Lord Nobuhiro!"

"Ha! Mori no Kiyoshi, my old friend, sit together, no need for formalities!"

Takeda Nobuhiro laughed boldly, waving his hand. As they took their seats according to propriety, Mori no Kiyoshi observed Takeda Nobuhiro closely. Over ten years apart, he had obviously aged considerably, with even his hair turned white. But his sharp, fierce gaze remained similar to before, possibly even more dignified.

"Your grave enfolds beneath clay-dissolved bone, I wander amid a snow-crowned head..."

Mori no Kiyoshi pursed his lips, pondering the Capital City news he brought and seeing the elder appearance of his friend Takeda Nobuhiro. He felt poignant emotion, quietly reciting Bai Juyi's poem. Bai Juyi's poetry was widely spread in Wa Country, easily quoted by any warrior of the time.

"Lord Nobuhiro! That Wa people could win against Koshama In's battle, defeat the Ezo People, and firmly establish themselves in Ezo land, is entirely due to your bravery and strategy! That praise, I am entirely sincere!"

"Haha! Those were events from over thirty years ago!"

Hearing his friend mention the most satisfying achievement of his life, Takeda Nobuhiro laughed heartily, even his eyebrows twitching. His experiences were also quite legendary, rumored to be from Kai Takeda Minamoto Clan's branch, the Second Family Head of the Wakasa Takeda Clan, guardian of Wakasa and Tango provinces, son of Takeda Nobuyoshi.

Of course, Mori no Kiyoshi didn't believe such a rumor, as Takeda Nobuyoshi probably only predated Takeda Nobuhiro by 12 years, couldn't have bravely fathered a son at 12, could he?...

However, as an informed Omi merchant, he knew, Takeda Nobuhiro, a fellow townsman, indeed hailed from Wakasa Takeda Clan. And Wakasa Takeda Clan didn't come forward to rebuke or refute this rumor. The other party should be of Wakasa Takeda lineage, as for being Lord Nobuyoshi's elder's illegitimate child, it's uncertain.

In any case, Takeda Nobuyoshi had been deceased nearly 20 years, no one could clarify this further. At a little over 20, Takeda Nobuhiro left Wakasa Takeda Clan, ventured to Kanto. He first took refuge at the Koga Kubo Ashikaga Nagamasa's camp, obtained a document, and was transferred to Mutsu Daimyo, the family head of the Sannohe Nanbu clan, Nanbu Mitsumasa's command. Later, gaining support from the Nanbu clan, he sought opportunities in Ezo land.

Soon, he was favored by the Ezo land Hanazawa Manor master Kaozaki Kishige, accepted as a son-in-law and changed his surname to Kaozaki. At the age of 25, he established himself in Ezo land within four years!

Two years later, severe conflict arose between Ezo land's Ainu People and the northward expanding Wa People, known as Koshama In's battle. Ten of the twelve halls in Ezo land's southern path were consecutively overrun. Only Takeda Nobuhiro, brave and fierce, managed to withstand it with Wa People warriors. Then, gathering scattered warriors, he counterattacked various Ainu tribes, personally shooting dead the Ainu leader Koshama In near Nanaehama, quelling the Ainu tribes. This Nanaehama later became Hakodate.

Through this battle, Takeda Nobuhiro's name became prominent in Ezo land! His father-in-law Kaozaki Kishige died in 1462, transferring the Kaozaki Family Head position to the then 31-year-old Takeda Nobuhiro. In the same year, Takeda Nobuhiro began constructing his residence, Victory Mountain Manor, truly establishing his foundation in Ezo land...

Reflecting on this story-like experience, Mori no Kiyoshi felt a deep emotion. Takeda Nobuhiro's eyes also revealed profound nostalgia.

For a moment, the tea room remained silent, until a page came over with hot tea, Takeda Nobuhiro regained awareness, smilingly picked up a bowl of hot tea, savoring it in sips, his eyes returning sharp.

"Mori no Kiyoshi, you said a great matter occurred in the Capital City, concerning the Exalted... what exactly is this matter?"

"Lord Nobuhiro, it involves the General's Family, and it's a matter affecting the whole realm!"

Mori no Kiyoshi pondered for a while, his expression heavy, sighing deeply.

"This news has spread throughout the Capital City, it's no secret... The retired Eighth Shogun Yoshimasa is gravely ill, unable to manage affairs. And the Ninth Shogun Yishan, died eight months ago while campaigning against the Guardian of Omi, Six-Pointed High Lai..."

"Hence, there is no successor to Yoshimasa's lineage. After the Yingren's Chaos, the deposed Shogun Yoshimasa's younger brother Yishi has already brought his son Yicai to the Capital City, returning to Kyoto! It seems the Shogun position, after much turnabouts, will fall back into Yishi's lineage hands once more!..."

"The ten years of Yingren's Chaos, endless warfare, countless casualties in Kansai, who knows for what purpose!"