"Hah…" s.h.i.+ngen sighed, hearing those words coming from his mouth. "By alliance, you mean servitude, correct?" He had been intending to force Gengyo into the same position at the start of all this. How foolish those words seemed now that he looked back on them. It would be impossible to tame someone 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 seemed s.h.i.+ngen was not yet done, as he drew their attention back with a raised palm. "This battle, I cannot pa.s.s 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 men have fought. What manner of training have you put your soldiers through for them to become so strong?" The usually stern-faced man could not let go of this last opportunity. It was with excitement that he intended to discuss such an exciting battle with men that he respected.
"Ah…" Gengyo scratched his head awkwardly. "I might have you to thank for that. I spent some time at Menryo-ji when I was recruiting men from Kai. Their techniques have provided a.s.sistance."
Hearing of Menryo-ji, s.h.i.+ngen"s eyes widened and his jaw dropped. "Menryro-ji..? All the years I tried to employ their help, and they gave it to you." He could not help but chuckle. Some things were simply not meant to be. "What of those soldiers that came 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 men 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 Menryro-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 troublesome. You were wasted under Imagawa." s.h.i.+ngen 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 grat.i.tude. "We made up for what we lacked in orderliness with a good few surprises. The G.o.ds bless me, freeing me of my chains. Your Houen, however… That was something we overlooked."
"Haha! I"m glad to hear it. To have all my moves predicted would be crus.h.i.+ng indeed." s.h.i.+ngen chuckled once again, startling his remaining two Generals and his men. 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, n.o.bunaga 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 me 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, s.h.i.+ngen, are you certain? What of your son?"
Mention 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 came from someone so close, it would be a sore spot, no matter the man, hence why his son still drew breath.
s.h.i.+ngen stepped forward to address his men, and n.o.bunaga 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 me in seppuku. Enough Takeda men have died here today. I ask that you follow this man for me," he pointed to Gengyo, "and ensure that he achieves what he is capable of. Akiyama and I will need something entertaining to watch when I meet him again."
His two Generals – men 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 men. "I want you to serve under Miura. He will ensure that your families are kept safe against the Uesugi. Do not feel shame in your surrender. Today, you have fought harder than any man has right to. You"ve given me 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 men stood up, moved, and returned the gesture, bowing deeply despite the aching of their muscles. Thousands of men, 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.