Original subtitles

Tokugawa Ieyasu

Episode 17: Bloodless Victory

Autumn in first year of Tensho...

news about another movements of Takeda were brought to Ieyasu.

Oh, good work.

Right, this year we have to start to store it earlier,

until all the raw rice is harvested.

Hey you, over there. What's with your leg?

Ah, nothing. Nothing wrong.

Sprained ankle?

I'm very sorry for this.

No need. Let go to treat it right now.

Lord! Lord! I'll take that thing!

Shinsuke?

Listen.

The news about withdrawing from Nagashino...

I'm sure that Takeda will come to Hamamatsu before end of this year.

In that case, whole Mikawa is in danger. It may be terrible.

- You understand? - Yes!

Sir! Sir!

You may go now.

How many left?

About forty.

And according your direct instructions, everyone must take time to relax.

Then, I'll go back and rest a little.

Heyoji! Returning! Lord is returning!

Last forty left! Watch your steps! There's other work as well!

Sir!

What's up, Shinsuke?

Tired?

No, no. Not at all.

Sir! Farmers had many complains about us collecting it very strictly.

Even so, if it's harvested by enemy, they won't be able to sell it, right?

That's why you're taking care of it?

Who is talking about taking it?

I'm putting it in storage for the sake of people.

So, just a little. Let's go, hurry!

Right, right, let's go to work.

Farmers were complaining that Ieyasu was collected the rice forcibly.

This day, when he was sure that everything had been finally stored,

he returned to main palace.

Takeda started to move?

Yes.

As you predicted, sir, he's secretly heading to Toutoumi.

So he really....

And, any news from lord Uesugi?

About that, we've got a letter to Kakegawa Castle

via chief retainer Murakami Gengo.

Lord Uesugi Kenshin brings more and more soldiers...

and is going to support you at the time when you call for it.

Because soldiers are turned towards us,

I assume that Oda's clan has the same correspondence.

If so, then lord Oda who's raised all his efforts towards Asai,

wouldn't be doing the same now because of Takeda?

That may be.

And then, Uesugi may feel dissatisfied...

or Takeda may negotiate with Uesugi.

About the negotiation....

Aren't Uesugi and Takeda enemies for long time?

No. Lord Uesugi Kenshin has changed a little.

Changed?

His old rival is without doubt Takeda Shingen.

He would enjoy to prepare himself into the war with Shingen...

and easily accept Shingen's fooling, but...

I think that Katsuyori definitely isn't an enemy to Kenshin.

I think the same.

While being between those two

and relyingon using an argument against their relationship

we must be prepared.

First, let's make a gap in our alliance with Uesugi and Oda.

However, will Uesugi agree with this?

They may, or they may not.

Well, right now, lord Oda cannot move as Uesugi thinks.

When Takeda comes out with all his power,

Oda's reinforcements are very helpful.

At that time, Nobunaga has finally defeated Asai's Odani castle in Oumi.

Lord Asai Nagamasa...

entrusted his wife Oichi, sister of Nobunaga,

and their daughters to Hideyoshi

and committed seppuku inside the flames.

Oichi and their children were immediately

brought to Nobunaga's main camp.

Oichi...

staying alive for the sake of children is definitely not meaningless.

I've given an answer to you already.

Shut up!

You think your pain will disappear?!

Did you really love your husband Nagamasa so much?

Alright.

If you love him so much,

I will send you to him.

Brother.

I'm going to serve Buddha.

Changing your mind?

I'm thankful.

For my sake...

He was no good!

You want to disappear from me?!

Oichi.

What Nagamasa really wanted was...

you staying alive.

Don't you understand it?

I do. Therefore...

I said I wanted to serve Buddha.

Do you really mean it!?

Yes.

Alright.

Then, go to the temple.

Is there anyone!?

Hideyoshi!

Yes!

You called?

Oh, such pretty girls.

I'm really envious of Lord Nagamasa. Well then, you little princesses...

what kind of children will you have and where?

I'm looking forward to it.

- Hideyoshi. - Yes?

You will accompany Oichi to Gifu.

As you wish.

Oichi stopped me with her words from my doing, but...

she is not saying the truth at all.

- That's too cruel, I think.... - Silence!

I know it's only excuse, but...

once you said that, why don't you keep it in protection then?

Listen.

When she tries to die by eating a meal,

you will let her eat, even with full mouth.

I'm not sure whether I'll be able...

to do something like that....

I understand. I will send her for sure.

In the end, Oichi who has not changed her mind about suicide...

was accompanied to the encampment by Hideyoshi.

Sir Hashiba?

Do you know where my husband's head is?

I understand you grief...

...but don't worry. Once you've decided,

we can always die.

There is nothing more cruel than having to identify the dead.

It's against the Buddha's teachings to embarrass the dead.

That's just fine. The corpse is but a nest for maggots.

You must identify the dead quickly or he'll rot immediately.

Even you, once you're dead,

you'll become a stinking corpse infested with maggots.

That's the Buddha's punishment,

for becoming attached to human beings.

Look, just like that!

Lord, now that he has destroyed the Asai-Asakura armies,

the Lord of Oda has no enemies in Echizen.

It's as if he's established himself as the country's ruler.

Nobunaga has fulfilled him promise to advance west while I go east.

I would have to congratulate him on victory.

You're too lenient.

Do you intend to let Oda dominate you?

Sakuza...

I won't fall for that.

The Ashikaga Regency in Kyoto...

has now been abolished.

Now, the way is clear for the Lord of Oda to gain supremacy.

Wait...

Nobunaga was victorious only because

I held the strong Takeda army at bay in the east.

Hang on... you're always taking on unfavourable positions.

Fool...

I'm preparing an attack on Takeda for our sake.

I'm surprised we've survived for 10 months,

since our defeat at Mikatagahara.

It's due to your efforts.

It's because Nobunaga is keeping control of the west.

Isn't that what an alliance is for?

You're becoming more skilled

at putting down this cantankerous old man.

If I make a move,

Katsuyori would move, too.

We, the Tokugawa, will control the east.

Inform all the retainers of this.

Understood, my Lord!

However, in Okazaki, his wife, Sena, and Oga Yashiro

were out to destroy Ieyasu's plans.

A letter to Lord Katsuyori...

what shall I say?

Listen...

tell him to send his army to Nagashino.

Then, our Lord would have to send his army to counter him.

We will attach his army,

and welcome Lord Katsuyori here to Okazaki castle.

I'd like to see Lord Ieyasu's face when that happens.

Nobunaga returned with his troops to Gifu.

Due to your distinguished service in this past war,

I shall grant you the Asai's territories.

I appreciate it. I'm deeply honored...

Was Oichi alright?

Yes... there's nothing to worry about.

What did you tell her?

I don't know... she changed her mind as we walked together.

Monkey...

I'm giving you Odani castle and the Asai territories.

Yes, I appreciate it.

There's more to it.

What?

Don't you like Oichi?

I pity her.

You made her want to live again.

So? Do you like her?

Well... I like her very much.

Then you can have her.

I'm afraid that...

You have Nene, so not as your wife.

I must refuse.

Why?

The lady is your sister. I'm a foot-soldier's son.

Fool! So what?

You don't understand! I will be corrupted!

Corrupted?

You, my lord, are my only hope. But, to be completely honest,

I am even more scared to be promoted to the status of a lord.

Moreover, if I marry your sister,

people would think I'm conceited.

Then, I won't be able to speak my mind in deference to others.

That would affect my service to you!

Above all...

Lady Oichi...

is too good for me.

Though I feel deeply heart broken...

I must refuse!

I see.

You like her but your refuse.

Don't worry about her. She will be alright.

She will live.

You told her something?

No but I showed her a rotting corpse of a soldier.

A corpse?

It was infested with maggots and covered with flies.

She started at it blankly for a while,

then covered her face, and started to run after her girls.

That's when she abandoned her wish to die.

I see.

Forget about Oichi.

I can't accept the lady, but in her place,

please give me and Nene one of her daughters.

No!

I realise it's better for you not to.

No... I give up!

Lord... a messenger arrived from the Uesugi clan.

News from Ishikawa Kazumasa!

What is it?

Once the Takeda clan enters Totomi,

the Uesugi instructs you to attack them.

The Uesugi, will also, attack from behind then.

Lord Katsuyori is fighting this war for his late father,

but he was a little late in coming into the Tomtomi area.

Too late?

We have harvested our rice.

We stored hulled and unhulled rice.

He may set fire at random but that would only incur in grudge.

Tame...

aren't you glad we took the fire from the farmers?

This is the letter form Okazaki, from Lady Tsukiyama and Oga Yashiro.

If we set off for Nagashino,

they will lead us into the Okazaki castle.

That's not possible.

Our army has gone to Enshu.

We can't send part of it to Nagashino.

We decided to attack Ieyasu at Hamamatsu from Tomomi.

I agree, but Okazaki is where Ieyasu store his provisions

and that's his original castle.

I'm afraid I'm opposed to you replying on such a traitor's schemes.

He is the wedge that I planted to separate the Oda and Ieyasu alliance.

That's a makeshift solution!

What?!

If we send our men to Nagashino

the Oda reinforcements may be there, and we'd lose our men.

I know that!

We'll go before the reinforcements.

I have a request.

What is it?

The Oda clan is the supreme ruler of the Kinki areas.

So what?

Uesugi controls Echigo through the Hokuriku whereas

Ieyasu controls the Mikawa-Totomi areas.

With enemies on all three sides,

where do you intend to place your emphasis?

Reduce the three sides to two. That would balance the power

and increase our allies' chance for victory.

Then, the morale will improve.

Shut up! You want me to submit to Ieyasu?

No...

...to Uesugi to Echigo.

What?

He's my father's enemy! You want me to beg for Mercy!

Exactly!

Of all the lords in the land today,

none is as heroic as Uesugi.

When your father was alive,

Uesugi was chivalrous enough to send salt to the enemy

trapped in landlocked territories.

That was just to buy us over!

No... when he heard rumours of Shingen's death,

he pulled back his army and cried.

Uesugi would agree to form an alliance with you

if you tell him that Nobunaga is immoral

for he burned the temples at Mt. Hiei.

Tell him that you need his help for the good of our country!

Please decide, my young lord.

You have no other choice to form an alliance with the Uesugi.

In other words...

...you're all admonishing me, are you...?

We're thinking of the good of our clan.

All right!

I'll negotiate peace with the Uesugi!

Instead, I'll get that cursed Ieyasu's head!

I'll go mysef and destory Hamamatsu castle in one blow!

...so Katsuyori made his move...

That means...

he might have negotiated peace with the Uesugi.

Right.

How big is the army?

Fifteen thousand.

How far away are they?

They're looking for a crossing in Tenryu river.

This is his first battle after Shingen's death.

I'm sure he'll fight hard to display his strength.

He set fire along the way to scare the peasants.

Send the following message to Kazumasa...

'A wounded bore is loose. Dodge ad shoot him.'

'Dodge and shoot him?!'

Hide some gunmen along the way.

Shingen died from a gun wound.

I'm sure Katsuyori hates guns.

I understand, my lord.

Yes.

Go on.

As Ieyasu made plans to fight the Takeda army,

a young woman visited him.

It was Aki, the younger sister of Ofu,

the Okudaira's hostage who was executed by Katsuyori.

Your sister's death hurt you, didn't it?

Tell me exactly how you feel.

Lord Katsuyori is cruel.

Beheading is one thing, he crucified her...

You must hate Okudaira's men who caused this to happen.

My lord adopted me from the Natsume family.

I see, to take your sister's place...

Did that erase your rancor?

There's nothing I can do.

Why not?

Because we're at war.

Please tell me, my lord.

Will we have wars forever?

You curse the wars, it seems.

Yes.

I, Ieyasu, too hate the wars!

Therefore, I want to bring about peace as soon as possible.

In order to accomplish that,

I must become strong so that nobody will try and fight me.

Aki...

why do you think I called you here?

Aki...

you may tell him what you think.

The Lord of Okudaira welcomed me to his family

in order to save my sister's soul.

Now, I'm a hostage...

...sent to take the place of your Princess Kame.

Do you really think that?

Thank you for being honest.

When I was young,

I too experienced hardships of a hostage.

You're not our hostage.

Yes...?

I really wanted you to be happy in the place of Ofu.

That's why I called you.

Yes.

I won't force you...

but I have a half-borther.

His name is Matsudaira Sadakatsu.

I want you to marry him. What do you think?

How about it?

I guess you can't answer me yet.

Very well.

Oai, you can be her good companion.

Katsuyori killed Ofu,

but I want her sister to live.

You're excused.

Go and have a good rest.

Eleven regiments of the advance guard will go to Tenryu river.

Each regiment will consist of 60 men.

Shout at them once the enemy crosses the river,

it will sound like the thousands to the enemy.

Indeed.

My main army will then attack.

That's good.

We've fought too many battles this year.

I don't want to lose any men.

I'll just show how careful we are and drive Katsuyori away.

Get ready for battle immediately!

- Mother. - Lord Nobuyasu!

The time has come for me to fight Katsuyori.

I, Nobuyasu, am off to war.

It's cold up at Nagashino.

Take care.

Totomi is our battlefield, not Nagashino.

What?

Katsuyori will attack Hamamatsu with an army of 15,000 men

to avenge his late father.

I'll go fight for my father.

Wait. What's all this about?

Don't worry. I'll do well...

so take care of yourself.

What's going on...

The Takeda army lead by Katsuyori,

has crossed the Tenryu river!

Very well! Let's go.

Open the gates.

Blow the shell, beat the drums!

Excuse me!

Sir Yashiro, I was looking for you.

What's this battle all about?

I was ordered to transport the provisions to Nagashino.

But Lord Nobuyasu is going to Hamamatsu.

That's when my glib tongue will come in handy.

I'l convince my lord to fight at Nagashino.

Look forward to our return.

Never mind.

What?

I said, never mind.

Wasn't it you who wish to get back at your husband

by aiding the Takeda clan, and leaving the castle?

Then, there's hope?

That's why I'm here.

The lord does not know that,

Lord Katsuyori has formed an alliance with the Uesugi.

Really?

The Tokugawa-Oda-Uesugi alliance has been broken.

And my hateful enemy, the Oda?

Once the Uesugi and Takeda form an alliance,

that upstart Oda will be crushed.

Then, Lord Katsuyori will come and fetch me...

Reporting...!

The enemy which crossed the Tenryu river

is heading straight towards the banks!

Cross with one thrust,

and set fire to Hamamatsu town!

What a stupid son!

He should stay at the fort at Kanadai.

and reinforce his territory first! That's youth for you!

He'll realise when he reaches Magome river.

There, Ieyasu's 11 regiments set out to scare them.

They're behind us. It's our allies, I hope.

It couldn't be from Kakegawa castle.

Again... it's not just one area...

Go to see Baba, Lord of Mino!

It's Lord Baba!

What's wrong? Why did you leave?

We can't cross the Magome river.

That Ieyasu foresaw our move

and he's set up his men at various points behind us.

Then that noise...

I brought our spy here.

Bring him in!

Speak!

It's not definite but there are

11 regiments each with around 200-300 men.

And over 30 gunmen are hidden amongst the peasants.

Guns?

You're excused!

The enemy strategy is to lure us to their castle,

attack our provisions, and drive us into a predicament.

He's pointing his gun at me, too.

What shall we do?

Does that mean retreat?

I'll be laughed at for generations

that I was a coward who couldn't fight Ieyasu.

That has no relation to victory or loss!

Fight when we can and retreat when we must!

War is to be fought with strategy.

Report from the rear guard!

Excuse me!

Don't tell me the provisions were attacked! Tell us in detail!

Once we crossed the Tenryu river, the enemy attacked.

- You were attacked? - Yes.

Then another unit attacked us from upstream!

You're all useless!

Lord...

Send the reinforcements to the rear guards!

Alright! Send 200 from the Anayama regiment!

Lord...

Please think carefully,

as a Kai general whether you will strike terror into Ieyasu's heart

by attacking Hamamatsu castle now,

or by retreating like a swift wind.

Ieyasu has already harvested his rice

and already stored it.

If our priovisions are attacked...

Shut up!

Ieyasu would be shocked if you retreat now.

Shock?

Yes.

Shall we shock Ieyasu?

I believe that's a wise move.

But...

We can't retreat quietly...

Precisely.

I would pass by the newly constructed fort and castle

retreat to Kofu, and let our men rest.

Then Ieyasu will think that you

came to check the Hamamatsu castle security.

Far from despising you, he'll regard you highly.

Alright!

If we retreat now, there will be no casualties.

If we proceed, we may win Hamamatsu or lose half our men.

We will...

wait for the right moment.

That's the best.

With Katsuyori's retreat, the Tokugawa men returned.

Reporting!

What's all that commotion?

The young Lord has returned.

Lord Nobuyasu?

That's too early...

Is he wounded?

No. Lord Katsuyori suddenly retreated.

What?

Our young lord was deeply disappointed.

That's ridiculous.

Why would he retreat?

What are the men thinking?

The farmers at Hamamatsu castle were ecstatic.

Thank goodness!

Had I kept my rice, the Takeda would have burned it away!

I told you to let our lord keep it.

You complained the loudest that he was being too strict!

Thank goodness!

Congratulations, my lord.

Congratulations, my lord.

Why so formal?

We drove the Takeda's back on our own

without the help of the Uesugi or the Oda clans.

Because we avoided the war.

That Katsuyori...

only earned the hatred of the peasants. He must be mortified.

It's more important to save one's energy

for victory than to run into conflicts.

I agree.

In his heart, Ieyasu knew

that katsuyori's father, Takeda Shingen,

was the very one who taught him that lesson...

To be continued.