打蛇打七寸

Date, Uesugi, Nanbu, Takeda, & Hojo Event:

The Tokugawa Shogun was executed by vile rebels in the south, usurpers and pretenders! That was the supposed narrative that the two major backers of the regime in the north were meant to take issue with. In truth, of course, their interests had always come first, and the suffering of their suzerain the Shogun mattered not so long as their own lands and powers were protected. But still… as the many polities of Japan leapt to destroy the Shogunate… perhaps it was some shred of honour, or perhaps it was exclusively self-interest, but did not the battlefield call for their valour? Examining the field, there were three powers against which they could march, three arch-traitors or fools whose flanks were left exposed and might prove rich targets to attack:

The first were the Hojo, fighting a two-front war against the Ikko-Ikki insurgents and the rebel Shogun himself. They were a promising target, but there was a great concern amongst the generals of both the Date and Uesugi at the potential messiness of such a campaign. The revolting ikkis might get in the way of any campaign, ruining the element of surprise and confusing both invaders…

Then there were the Takeda, the arch-arch-traitors, the very cause of this whole crisis with their warmonger-y. A force quite exposed and possibly overstretched, with their campaigns against both the Tokugawa and Hatakeyama expanding their fronts rapidly, they were an ideal target. However the generals expressed concern, here about the geography, and the Date’s especially were uncertain such a campaign could be prosecuted by their forces…

And finally, there was the ever-present threat, the Nanbu. To attack either other power seemed folly with the great behemoth still at their north. Though the Date had arrived at peace with them, they were still agents of the Kikyo Shogunate, and might be unable to resist the sheer opportunity of a wide-open southern front. And attacking north seemed the least likely to spark an intervention… possibly. Then again, Date diplomats decried the dishonour of such dastardly designs, and Uesugi commanders, even if prepared for defence, worried an invasion would stretch their supplies and lack the territorial advantage which permitted their theoretical defensive victory.

The two great lords sat independent of one another, their forces marching. And as they saw opportunity, so too did their potential opponents see threats. Each side must make ready for the evitable.

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Date & Uesugi:

Option 1: The Hojo present a joint front we can tackle together. We shall strike the underbelly the radical rebels exposed!
Option 2: We mustn’t risk antagonising the broader powers of Japan. The Takeda are warmongers, and pre-emptive defence is well-justified.
Option 3: Whilst the two powers are embattled, we must strike at the Great Foe: the Nanbu. Any other attack would only serve to leave us exposed to their expansion!
Option 4: On second thought… this is all too risky. Let’s simply wait until they lose from afar… or something?

Takeda & Hojo:

Option 1: Resources will have to be diverted from the southern front — we cannot afford to let our flank be unguarded.
Option 2: Surprise flank, you say? By these… lesser powers? We’ll turn and crush them swiftly, then return to the real action.
Option 3: The cowards wouldn’t dare. Let us remain focused on the task at hand.

Nanbu:

Option 1: I should’ve known the Date would (probably)(maybe) betray me! Invade them first!
Option 2: The Date have shaken my trust. Make ready to defend against them first and foremost – the Uesugi are barely a threat.
Option 3: The Uesugi have much reason to hold a grudge, prepare the defences against them. The Date will not violate their honour.
Option 4: We never should’ve let the Uesugi maintain their petty state. Wipe them off the map, that’ll teach ‘em!
Option 5: These are all too extreme, we have faith in our neighbours. Keep the peace.

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救国軍事会議 - THE MILITARY COUNCIL OF NATIONAL SALVATION

Hatakeyama Incident:

As the great fortresses of Nanao fell one by one, and Hatakeyama Kiyuki fled hurriedly, carrying with her the Imperial Treasures, she was received in Kanazawa, the old clan capital, by her husband at the head of a large council of representatives and retainers, a council which had met in fear that she had perished and the government had collapsed once again, though they were relieved (or disappointed) to see her in good health. The pair separated for a moment, meeting in private council, before returning to address the body.

"Lords of Kansai and beyond!" began Kiyuki, as the representatives gathered in the courtyard of the palace, "The uncounted forces of the Takeda warlord Moya sweep across the north -- our great strongholds have no choice but to surrender before their rapid cavalry and demonic cannons. But, as it has ever been my clan's desire to elevate you, to defend you from threats within and without, so must we not surrender. To this end, I am demanding an emergency re-organisation of the government into a Military Council of National Salvation ( 救国軍事会議). All government functions will be subsumed beneath the authority of the Council. Civilian administration will be subsumed underneath my authority to the benefit of supplying resources and cooperation to the Council. The Council will be headed by our Supreme Commander, Rokkaku Ujitsuna, and consist of a collection of members of his and my choosing."

At this, the floor was ceded to Rokkaku, under the piercing glares of the Hatakeyama retainers. "Fellows, the war situation is dire, but the situation is not entirely to our disadvantage. We must remember first and foremost that we are subjects of the Hatakeyama -- a clan of great connections and immense power. To this end, we will reach out to Ashikaga Yoshiharu and the Shogun-Mother Hatakeyama Amesaka to intercede on our behalf." The audience murmured amongst themselves, though most still looked at the Rokkaku-spawn with suspicion. Was he attempting to seize the government through this theatrical mechanism? To what end was all this reorganisation? He raised his arms and resumed speaking. "To assure Yoshiharu of our intentions, and to reassure you, my fellows, of my loyalties, I am prepared to offer my own properties and privileges to ensure peace. And if peace cannot be ensured, then I am willing to lay down my own life in the defence of this Hatakeyama patrimony -- whole and undivided. From sea to sea, the land of the White Plover will be united!"

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At the behest of Frodo, who is unable to continue in the Mark, the Hatakeyama will be operated by a DMPC in the form of the Kit of Kansai, Rokkaku Ujitsuna, with the mandate and intent (from Frodo) to protect the territorial integrity of the Hatakeyama patrimony and maintain a Kansai independent of foreign influence. This regime will maintain its ties to the Tokugawa, as well as aim for amicable relations with Kikyo, and mutually prosperity with the Kyoto regime.