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Tokugawa Ieyasu

Episode 37: A Fierce Bird Held Captive

The end of January, 1599.

Ieyasu, who had sent back the messengers from Osaka,

was invited to see a play at the Arima mansion.

This was Todo Takatora's plan

to let Ieyasu mingle with the lords after the play

to listen to their thoughts.

Lord Todo would like to serve you some tea.

I appreciate that.

The messenger who brought the news to expel our Minister

was sent back, and Ishida, Lord of Jibu, realized his weakness.

The other lords realized, also, that this was Jibu's plot.

They won't let this be.

Jibu has shown us his true intentions.

We must not make a commotion now.

If Councilor Maeda and you would hold a meeting,

things would settle for now.

Then Jibu would be cornered.

Don't worry.

I don't think of him as my enemy.

But...

Don't rush, we'll only aggravate the situation.

Please relay my thoughts to the others.

I understand.

But please be very careful.

Todo Takakura's fears proved to be justified.

Do you know that the Minister rides on this palanquin!

The Minister's escorts, listen!

We have set up guards along the way to your castle!

Leave this place to us and go!

Alright! Let's go!

That Jibu...

We haven't had the Regent's funeral yet...

My Lord?

What's the matter?

Mitsunari's night of torture was over.

Mitsunari, who was ostracized by Hideyoshi's retainers,

knew that he didn't have the power to fight Ieyasu alone.

He had plotted to assassinate Ieyasu and failed.

That good-for-nothing...

It's nobody's fault that things didn't work out.

You panic and blame not only yourself but others as well.

That's hell for me.

Osode...

You're an interesting woman.

I'm not.

I pity you now that I've served you for a while.

You pity me...?

I won't leave this mansion alive.

I was ordered by Shimai Soshitsu of Hakata

To spy on you to see if you intend to join the Minister,

or go to war against him.

You'll never join the Minister,

so I'll never leave this mansion alive.

You have been too fortunate.

Everything happened the way you wanted it to.

But the star of ill fortune is above you.

How do you know?

That's because I'm used to ill fortune.

At times people fall into quicksand,

and the more they move, the deeper they sink in.

Let things be for a year or two.

It's too late now.

The Minister has called his army from Edo.

The only way left is to make Councilor Maeda attack Fushimi.

Has it gone that far...?

Don't worry.

When war breaks out, those loyal to the Regent will help me.

There's no turning back now.

Mitsunari risked everything on Councilor Maeda's response.

...Lord Jibu, be careful.

You are greatly misunderstood.

Lords Kato and Asano must've said something.

It is not right to cause a disturbance

before the Regent's funeral.

You'll have to do what is morally right.

I disagree.

The Minister has selfishly broken his promise before the funeral,

and I can't allow it!

What?

You can't allow it?

The Regent has entrusted me with his legacy!

And I can't bear to watch his heir fall into a predicament!

Even if the lords of the country submit to the Minister,

I intend to remain loyal to the late Regent.

I admire your loyalty.

Then is that how you feel?

Yes, but I'll settle the matter peacefully with an oath.

I don't intend to fight the Minister.

I shall protect the heir, so you may attack Fushimi alone.

I'll try to prevent the others from obstructing you.

Please wait.

I don't intend to attack immediately.

Right.

You may restore your pride,

but there's no chance of victory.

You may die in honor or be patient.

I must think which would benefit our heir.

Forgive me for my impudence.

I shall follow your judgement.

News reached Nene,

who most feared war between the Maeda and Tokugawa clans.

...Mitsunari gave in to the Councilors persuasion.

Now the Councilor intends to go to Fushimi himself

to exchange the peace treaty with the Minister

to expel all doubts of conflict between them.

He's in ill health, yet he himself will go...?

I see.

The Regent has a fine friend.

I have a request.

Some of our heir's retainers want to involve the Maeda clan in wars

fought in the name of loyalty to our Regent.

Who knows what they might do to the Councilor in Fushimi.

I, Asano Yukinaga, and Hosokawa Tadaoki,

would like to escort him upon your orders to prevent trouble.

This is a crisis for the Toyotomi clan.

Please allow us.

I understand.

I'll send official orders out.

Can you ask the Minister to visit the Councilor in return?

In return?

The Minister and the Councilor are the two greatest powers.

One is ill, yet he is visiting the other.

Unless the Minister visits the Councilor in return,

the people may think the Councilor submitted to him.

I understand.

For the sake of the country,

I'll relay your wishes to the Minister.

Councilor Maeda arrived in Fushimi.

Ieyasu sensed the tenseness between the clansmen,

and summoned Sakakibara Yasumasa and Ii Naomasa.

You called?

I'll go to greet the Councilor at the harbor.

There's no need for you to go...

He's taking the trouble to come when he's ill.

It would be rude not to greet him.

That may be a strategy...

I thought you understood, but obviously you haven't.

Listen, Yasumasa and Naomasa.

If anyone is rude to the Councilor,

I shall personally execute him.

Keep that in mind!

The boat carrying the Councilor arrived at around four.

It was pitiful to see Toshiie suffering from his illness.

Stay back.

I'm glad you came.

You seem to be tired.

Thank you.

Toshiie was prepared to die in Fushimi.

His illness may worsen, or Ieyasu may kill him.

But Ieyasu summoned 3 doctors to their side

and allowed Kiyomasa at their side

to show that he had no malice.

I thought you'd be tired and intended to visit in the morning

so excuse my unpreparedness.

I'm sorry to trouble you.

Minister, I'd like to forget everything to this point

for the sake of our country and our heir.

We weren't successful in arranging the marriage.

But today, we are able to welcome you here.

That's quite enough for me.

What a relief. I believe you are no longer angry.

That's right. Let me test for poison.

What are you doing here, Shinano?

The Minister summoned me here to be at your side.

Shinano was the Councilor's most trusted Maeda clansman.

I will never forget your hospitality, Minister.

You have come all the way. I will never forget this day.

It was worth my trip to Fushimi now that peace is established.

Now we will prepare for the funeral.

I would like to visit you in Osaka in return,

but please wait until the funeral is over.

I didn't expect you to visit me...

I won't be satisfied until I pay my respects.

If I visit you before the funeral,

people will think we forced ourselves to reconcile

for the funeral, and it wouldn't be fair to the late Regent.

Therefore, I shall visit you after the funeral.

This meeting broke the ice between Ieyasu and Toshiie.

But Mitsunari was different...

Can you read this?

I can't.

They're apologizing to Ieyasu.

Barely 6 months have passed since our Regent died...

You must regret it.

Can't you see that you're driven by ambition

to take the place of the Minister?

It's not ambition, I'm repaying the Regent.

That's alright, too.

What do you mean?

You're killing the Minister to repay the Regent?

I've decided. I won't take orders from you.

Then why should it bother you so

that the Councilor paid his respects to the Minister?

There's no time to get drunk and fall into despair.

Sode! You...!

Kill me with one blow!

Fight, my lord.

If you remain in Osaka, someone will kill you

by labelling you the heinous traitor

who took advantage of the young heir and tried to usurp power.

You don't want me to be labeled a traitor?

I'd like to live in a world in which truth wins out.

You have no intention to be a traitor.

I'd like the future generations to know that.

There's only one way left...

to fight and die here.

If it wasn't for you,

I'd've died, bearing that tainted name.

You're ready to fight?

I am. Once I decide, there's no turning back.

Then kill me.

Fool...

Stay with me as long as I live.

The wheels of time moved once again

with Hideyoshi's funeral held between Feb. 18 - 29, 1599.

With Ieyasu and Toshiie's reconciliation,

Hideyoshi's earnest desire for peace was about to be realized.

However, trouble brewed once again.

Ieyasu was to visit Osaka.

A meeting was held to discuss how to greet him.

The Minister has arrived.

Lord Asano cannot be found.

His excuse was that he is ill,

but I heard he's at the Maeda's.

Is he entertaining the Minister, then?

Where is the Minister staying tonight?

At Todo Takatora's mansion.

His luck has run out!

All we have to do is surround it and set it on fire.

We'll send our men to attack after their feast.

Our concern is that the Minister has tricked the sick Councilor

and may be plotting to confiscate our fifes.

Wait,

The discussion has progressed too quickly

to the killing of the Minister.

You will just sit and watch the Minister usurp power?

The Tokugawa's are careful.

We can't kill him easily.

What do you think?

I'd like to hear Sir Geni's opinion and decide.

Konishi Yukinaga and Ukita Hideie were aggressive,

and Mitsunari grew more confident of his plans,

as the two elders joined the discussion to rid Ieyasu.

Just then Ieyasu was visiting Maeda Toshiie.

Minister.

I shall bid you farewell with this cup.

Our armors were heavy during our lifetime,

I can remove my armor but it's weight remains on my shoulders.

You're right.

This is our destiny.

Minister.

What a relief.

Our heir calls us the 'Grandpas in Kaga and in Edo'.

I am leaving my inexperienced sons behind.

Please take care of my heir and my sons.

As long as I live, I intend to carry out your wishes.

I appreciate that.

Why is he here?! Kill him!

What is it?

Lord Jibu is here to see how you are, my lord.

What? Jibu?

Excuse me.

I bet he came to see who were assembled here.

They all hold a grudge against him.

But unless he comes,

It would be difficult to take refuge here later on. The fox!

I got news that he had a meeting with the 2 elders

and the 4 magistrates at Yukinaga's residence.

He's so secretive!

Excuse me.

I told Lord Jibu that you had company,

and he said all he wanted to know was how you were feeling,

and he excused himself.

Ieyasu left immediately after.

Toshiie's condition worsened.

My lord!

I wanted...Ieyasu...to die.

What a thing to say!

But I asked Ieyasu to take care of my family.

My lord!

Mitsunari, on the other hand, is after Ieyasu...

Calm down, my lord!

Calm down, my lord!

It's regrettable that a man of Maeda Toshiie's caliber

would crumble at the face of death!

What're you doing?

I won't crumble...

News of Maeda Toshiie's death reached Mitsunari the next day.

He said a warrior must not outlive his karma,

and threw up blood and died.

Has Lord Toshinaga been notified?

The adviser to our heir has passed away.

The lords have sent their condolences to our heir.

Will you be going to the castle?

No.

As I instructed earlier, protect this mansion well.

And the castle?

Kiyomasa and Nene's followers are there.

I don't want to go to cause trouble.

I'll carry out your orders.

Osode.

I have decided.

What?

Aren't you being too reckless to stay in this mansion?

You think Kiyomasa and his men may attack me?

Yes.

You'd better escape and avoid trouble here.

Where in the world can I seek refuge?

At Nene's mansion.

And another place...

Another place...?

Reporting!

There's an urgent message!

Kato Kiyomasa and 7 men have left to come kill you!

I see.

I must hurry.

Report to the Uesugi and Ukita clans about my escape.

About an hour later,

Kato Kiyomasa and 7 men raided Mitsunari's mansion.

Just then a small boat carrying Mitsunari headed for Fushimi.

I've heard about you from Shimai Soshitsu.

We'll confine you in Jibu's absence.

Lord Jibu.

What an unexpected visit, come in.

I need to talk to the Minister in private.

I understand.

But my lord has a visitor now.

Please wait in the guest room.

Who is the visitor?

A man from the Shimazu clan.

What? A Shimazu man?

Do you know that the 7 men are on their way to get you?

Those Barbarians left Osaka?

What a problem.

They'll probably come here.

How do you intend to beg our lord to protect you?

Shut up!

It's rude to say I came to beg for protection!

Alright! I'll show the 7 men in when they arrive.

You talk to them directly.

Wait!

I didn't clarify myself.

I don't intend to see them here.

So, you're begging my lord to protect you...

Even then, who knows if you can be protected safely.

I'll see if the guest has gone.

Excuse me.

Mitsunari was deeply humiliated.

But he had escaped a crisis by leaving his mansion.

I have brought Lord Jibu.

Come, Lord Jibu.

Excuse me.

I heard what happened. You're in trouble.

Now that you've entered my mansion,

I won't hand you over.

You'll protect me?

Protect you?

You were the Regent's favorite retainer.

It's inexcusable that the 7 men came after you

as soon as the councilor died.

I shall admonish them.

Reporting!

The 7 men have arrived.

They want to talk to you directly, my lord.

Why didn't you tell them

that I'm preserving peace within the country

and will not allow conflicts which may lead to war?

I didn't tell them that, but they insist...

That's unforgivable!

How can I control the country

if I allowed illegal conflicts within my own mansion?

Tell them to leave!

Ieyasu's behavior surprised him, and

Mitsunari suspected that this may be a ploy to trick him.

I will not forgive their violence.

But what are we to do now?

Do you have an idea?

An idea?

Even if they were wrong, they were the Regent's men.

We cannot confiscate their fiefs or order seppuku.

If you and the Mori, Ukita, and Uesugi clans would admonish them,

they may reconsider.

With that, can you return to Osaka feeling safe?

What's done is done, but you are to blame, too.

Then was there a better way?

You don't seem to have a better idea, so I'll state mine.

The only way to avoid a confrontation,

is for you to retreat to Sawayama.

Return to my fief?

You can proceed,

but you must know when to retreat, or you will stumble.

Sometimes, what's most importance is patience.

You are facing a difficult ordeal.

Calm down and think hard.

I'm telling you this because

I have endured many times what you are facing now.

I'll say nothing more.

If you go to Sawayama, I vow to protect you from the 7 men.

Rest a while, and decide.

Show him to his room, Sado.

Yes, lord.

Let's go, Lord Jibu.

I am deeply grateful for your kindness.

I'll accept your kind offer and stay.

Lord Jibu.

In spite of his tears,

Mitsunari vowed never to submit to Ieyasu.

Knowing that Mitsunari only felt cornered,

Ieyasu felt sad as he knew his efforts were in vain.