A Time Traveller's Guide To Feudal Japan

To his left, Motoyasu coughed uncomfortably, interrupting. "I don’t disagree with anything you’ve said, Great Elders, but Miura is not the type of Daimyo you can control through flattery."

They blinked owlishly in response to the words that were clearly quite awkward for him to deliver. "Well, that makes things easier then. Frankly, I’m rather cold. Can you get the fire going a little better?"

"It will grow soon enough. A little patience, and it’ll soon burn hot enough to warm all of us. Now, if you would allow me to speak, I’ll explain my reason for gathering you." There was an edge to his words that strove for a middle ground between them. Whilst he did not intend on being tyrannical like Imagawa and forcing them to become dogs, nor would allow them to push him around to the same end.

A slight nod met his words, and they ceased their complaints.

"Good. Matsudaira, I appointed you Grand General so that you might sit at the back, and watch over the battlefield from a distance. You will be more familiar with Takeda’s style of fighting, and I hope that you will be able to protect our forces from his strategy."

"I understand, Miura. Shingen will be a difficult opponent, but I am confident that I will be able to manoeuvre our men well enough so that we are not overrun."

"That means no fighting, at all. Take a bodyguard of fifty men, and play shoji."

"...I understand." His reply came a bit more reluctantly this time. He was a man, by nature, that wished to fight on the front lines alongside his men. That was how he had fought his entire career.

"Elders, I would have you assume the role of general, and use your personal forces to defend our left-wing."

"I think we can manage that much responsibility, kuku." A creepy laugh escaped one of the elders, causing Gengyo to pull a face and turn to Matsudaira for explanation.

"Back in their prime, their names were feared on every battlefield that they entered. They taught me everything that I know in regards to strategy and combat." He explained.

"Hoh... I expect great things then. Now, as for the right-wing... father, I’d have you take command of it. Take a thousand of our men and drive forwards. I’m counting on you to crush the men in front of you, and wrap around, and we’ll rout them."

"Eh... Me? Are you sure?" Morohira perked up in surprise. He had expected some responsibility, given that his son was the Daimyo, but he hadn’t expected this. For a man like him to assume the role of general, was that not a bit much?

"Absolutely. There isn’t a single man who’d dare hold back with you in command. Your aggressive fighting style is what we’re relying on. I need you to breakthrough as soon as possible, and help support the peasants."

"Heh... If you put it like that, then I’m your man. We’ll leave the left-wing in so far in the dust that they’ll start getting lonely." He patted his tensed bicep confidently, sharing a grin with Rokkaku.

"I’d like to see you try, pup." One of the elder’s bit back aggressively, roused by his provocation. "It is you who should be trying to keep up with us."

"We will find out soon enough." Gengyo stated, continuing on. "I will command the centre. Akiko, Rin, take the left centre. Jikouji and Togashi, take the right centre. I warn you though, your role will be difficult. It will not take much for the peasants to start running. Have your captains spread throughout to keep morale up."

"You can count on us, Tadakata. We’ll hold them up." Akiko assured him.

"Yup! No problem. I can take on at least two thousand by myself." Rin joined on.

"Well, I’m not sure about taking on two thousand, but I’m somewhat used to motivating the peasantry." Jikouji acknowledged a little more conservatively.

"I won’t let you down." Togashi asserted seriously.

"I’ll be counting on you. Everyone else, you will be hundred man commanders, tying everything together as best you can. Sasaki, Rokkaku – even you Ii – I’m counting on you."

"If I see anyone routing, I’ll kill them myself! We’ll hold up until the very end." Rokkaku announced.

"Mhm, good. Remember, we only need to survive this battle. Survive. That’s it. Just remain standing, and we win. Give it a month or two more, and the Takeda will no longer be able to pose a threat. That much I promise you."

All jokes were forgotten when confronted with the seriousness of his gaze. They all knew how much was on the line here. Any newfound authority they had achieved would mean nothing if they were to all die. It was exciting, but they had the sense to look upon it conservatively. Getting through tomorrow was what everything hinged upon.

"I’ll leave you to think through the strategy tonight, Matsudaira. It might be sensible to simply sleep, though, unless you know how Shingen will act."

"I will make sure we are prepared." Matsudaira stated firmly, clenching his fist. There was no doubt in any of their minds that the Matsudaira Motoyasu that descended onto the field tomorrow would be a different man. Never before had he fought with such purpose, nor had he ever devoted himself entirely to strategy. Great results were there to be reaped, they hoped.

"Well, good, I would expect nothing less. It will be interesting to see the strategy that I have studied finally manifest upon the field of battle. It would seem I’ve fallen into the bad habit of displacing strategy for chaos." His words were said with a smile upon his lips, uttered in good humour.

"I wouldn’t call victory a bad habit." Jikouji murmured, scratching at his beard.

"No, perhaps not, but you always falling to playing with your beard seems to be. Regardless, let us disperse for now. We’ve a long day ahead of us tomorrow and I want you at your best."