Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"What! The Eighth Generation General Ashikaga Yoshimasa is gravely ill? Ashikaga Yoshimi has taken Ashikaga Yoshizumi to the Capital City?!"

"Is it possible that the position of General could fall back into the hands of the Ashikaga Yoshimi lineage?"

In the tea room, upon hearing such shocking news, Takeda Nobuhiro and his son Kaozaki Mitsuhiro exchanged glances, rendered momentarily speechless.

The Ōnin War has raged for ten years, and the land has been in chaos for the same duration. Although the Ezo land was not directly affected, tales of battles challenging the Shogunate's authority frequently reached them. This devastating war, although essentially a power struggle between the General's Family, the Hosokawa Clan, and the Yamana Clan, was viewed by the world as an internal conflict over the succession between General Ashikaga Yoshimasa's son Ashikaga Yoshihisa and his brother Ashikaga Yoshimi.

With great difficulty, Ashikaga Yoshimi was defeated and exiled, restoring peace to the Capital City, and the position of General fell to Ashikaga Yoshihisa. In the following years, Ashikaga Yoshihisa led large armies on various campaigns, gradually restoring some of the Shogunate's authority... unexpectedly, the 25-year-old Ninth Generation General Ashikaga Yoshihisa died suddenly while on an expedition. And merely eight months later, the Eighth Generation General Ashikaga Yoshimasa became gravely ill and was near death...

"Ashikaga Yoshimi has ascended to the Capital City with his son Yoshizumi..."

Takeda Nobuhiro's expression changed as he contemplated for a long time. Then, with a serious demeanor, he inquired.

"Mori no Kiyoshi, if General Ashikaga Yoshimasa passes away, who will succeed him?"

"According to the Martial Family's laws, it would be Ashikaga Yoshizumi who succeeds as General, with Ashikaga Yoshimi as the Chancellor, effectively controlling the Shogunate's affairs."

Mori no Kiyoshi answered without hesitation. He had pondered this question many times before, and his influential figure behind the scenes had hinted at it before his departure.

"Lord Nobuhiro, as you know, during the Ōnin War, the leader of the Hosokawa Clan sided with Yoshimasa's lineage, and now that Yoshimi's lineage has returned..."

"The animosity between the leader of the Hosokawa Clan and Yoshimi's lineage, coupled with Lady Tomiko, the wife of Yoshimasa..."

Takeda Nobuhiro spoke heavily, lamenting aloud.

"The seeds of internal conflict have been sown... from now on, the Shogunate will be rife with troubles!"

"Indeed!..."

Mori no Kiyoshi sighed deeply. The irreconcilable conflict between the General's Family and the Chancellor's Family meant that the Capital City would henceforth face more hardships! And as a great merchant in the Capital City, how could he struggle and survive in such a vortex of power?

Both men remained silent for a long time, understanding the severity of the situation. The Shogunate's internal strife continued, with frequent changes of Generals, and the combat among the leaders weakened the Shogunate's authority. The shocking phenomenon of the lower overthrowing the upper was becoming increasingly common. People with rich experiences like them could vaguely sense that a tumultuous era was gradually unfolding!...

After a while, Mori no Kiyoshi changed the topic, wearing a slight smile with sincerity in his eyes.

"The Tang people once said, 'Therefore, in a troubled autumn, obscure the traces and hide the ends, lest they be the precursors of the green woods.'... Lord Nobuhiro, your establishment of a foundation in the distant and peaceful Ezo land, which is increasingly prosperous and stable to pass on to descendants, is truly enviable!..."

"Ha! With the many troubles of the General's Family, the mission to 'conquer the barbarians' falls on us samurai, and we must strive together..."

Takeda Nobuhiro laughed and shook his head, his words harboring ambition. He pondered a moment, then casually brought up the earlier Tang saying.

"The metaphor of this 'troubled autumn' is quite vivid, but where does it originate?"

"Oh, it is from the Song people's 'North Dream Trivia,' purchased from a Tang Ship. The text is quite interesting. I have a copy on my ship, and if Lord Nobuhiro is interested, I can have it sent over later."

"Ha! The wilderness of the Northern Land, if only I had some Tang's Books to peruse, that would be splendid!"

Takeda Nobuhiro nodded readily, silently noting the term "Tang Ship." He pondered, smilingly inquiring.

"Mori no Kiyoshi, my old friend, you came to inform me of the great matters in the Capital City... is there any affair in which I might be of assistance?"

After some maneuvering, they finally arrived at the main topic. The great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi was invigorated, respectfully bowing and sincerely requesting.

"Lord Nobuhiro, I indeed have something to ask this time!"

"No problem! We are fellow countrymen and have known each other for many years. Whatever the matter, please tell me!"

"Yes!"

The great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi bowed low, narrating earnestly.

"Over the years, I've made a living in the Capital City under the protection of the Tiantai Sect's Nan Rui Mountain Miao Courtyard, and fortunately opened a rice house at the Seven Street Rice Market in Kyoto..."

Upon hearing this, Takeda Nobuhiro raised an eyebrow, his thoughts racing, pondering deeply.

"The rice house in the Capital City... Seven Street Rice Market... Tiantai Sect's Nan Rui Mountain Miao Courtyard..."

The information in this statement was actually quite substantial. Firstly, in the Wa Country, rice was the most important staple food, and "rice trading" was never in short supply, ensuring stable cash flow and being one of the most profitable industries in the land! Those who could open a rice house in the Capital City rice market were top-tier great merchants with incredibly solid connections and methods. Because operating such a profitable livelihood industry in Kyoto without the backing of significant figures in the Capital City would be akin to seeking death, and absolutely impossible to continue!

Mori no Kiyoshi mentioned the Seven Street Rice Market, which was the lower rice center in Kyoto, not far from there lay the Main Hall of the Rengeō-In. This temple was founded by former Emperor Go-Shirakawa and constructed by Taira no Kiyomori. Its status was exceptionally prestigious, often presided over by members of the Imperial Family, with a majestic and splendid style, and thirty-three spaces between its beams and pillars, hence also known as the "Hall of Thirty-Three Spaces." The famous "Hall of Thirty-Three Spaces New Year's Shooting Festival" of the Edo period was held in this temple. And this temple belonged to the "Tiantai Sect's Miao Courtyard."

"Mori no Kiyoshi, we've been friends for many years, and I've always been honest with you! You've had such a relationship with the Miao Courtyard behind you but kept it from me for so long, truly a difficult thing to keep from me!"

Takeda Nobuhiro contemplated deeply, with a hint of anger on his face, and his words became more forceful. In truth, he had known Mori no Kiyoshi for many years, having guessed about the background behind him long ago.

The name "Kiyoshi" symbolized the "sincerity of heart" in Buddhism. Such a name could not be given by any ordinary merchant, and must have been a gift from a high-ranking monk in a Buddhist temple. At that time in the Wa Country, the fusion of gods and Buddhas was flourishing, with Mahayana Buddhism closely integrated with the upper class, giving the Buddhist Sects immense influence, especially in the Kansai region. The Tiantai Sect's strength was paramount among the Buddhist Sects and could naturally influence the nearby Seven Street Rice Market.

With the changing winds in the Capital City, Mori no Kiyoshi had traveled from afar with a request, undoubtedly under orders from a significant figure in the Miao Courtyard...

Analyzing this way, Takeda Nobuhiro had some guesses about Mori no Kiyoshi's intentions. He was merely feigning anger now to take the initiative in the subsequent conversation, to secure more benefits!

"...Lord Nobuhiro, we've known each other for many years, and our friendship is genuine! I won't hide from you; in the Miao Courtyard, there are significant figures from both the public house and the Martial Family, seemingly prestigious, yet truly a bottomless vortex. Though my rice market business has earned some profit, most have to be offered to the elites... previously, I did not mention it entirely out of sincerity, not wanting to involve you!..."

Seeing Takeda Nobuhiro's anger, Mori no Kiyoshi immediately understood. He bowed low to the floor, finally expressing his purpose.

"The winds in the Capital City are changing, beyond everyone's expectations! Within a year, the Ninth Generation General suddenly died, the Eighth Generation General is critically ill, and the Tenth Generation General is about to ascend..."

"The successive Generals' opposing stands even resorted to drawn swords, affecting the entire country... even the significant figures in the Miao Courtyard cannot remain aloof, with any misstep placing them under high walls of danger..."

"The Ezo land and the Shandan on the continent have always had trade relations, even extending through Birch Tai and the Thousand Islands, venturing far into the Far North... Lord Nobuhiro, your renowned reputation further receives tributes from various Ezo tribes... I have come this time, having been entrusted by others, unable to refuse, to seek some rare tributes from you, Lord Nobuhiro..."