Crossing the large Kiso River, Nobunaga's messenger delivered the note to the gate of Hideyoshi's castle. Here, too, the spring had passed peacefully, and the flowers of the mountain wisteria swayed in the shade of the artificial hill in the garden. Behind this hill, on the edge of the wide garden, were a newly built lecture hall and a small house for Takenaka Hanbei and Oyu.
The lecture hall was a dojo where Hideyoshi's retainers could practice the martial arts. With Takenaka Hanbei as their teacher, the retainers were lectured on the Chinese classics in he morning, and vied with one another in techniques of the spear and sword in the afternoon.
Later Hanbei would lecture on the military precepts of Sun Tzu and Wu Chi late into the night. Hanbei applied himself zealously to the education of all the young samurai in order to discipline them in the martial habits and customs of the castle; most of Hideyoshi's retainers were the wild ronin who had once been members of Hikoemon's band.
Hideyoshi knew that he had to work constantly to improve himself, to overcome his faults, and to increase his capacity for self-reflection, and he was determined that his samurai must be made to do the same. If he was to play an important role in future, retainers armed with brute strength alone were not going to be useful. Hideyoshi was anxious about this. Thus, along with embracing Hanbei as a retainer, he also bowed to him as his own teacher and looked up to him as his instructor in military science, and entrusted to him the education of his retainers.
Martial discipline improved greatly. When Hanbei lectured on Sun Tzu or the Chinese classics, men like Hikoemon could always be seen on the listener's platform. The only problem was that Hanbei was not very robust. Because of that, the lectures were canceled from time to time, and the retainers were disappointed. Today, too, he had exerted himself during the day and said that he was canceling the evening lectures. When evening came, he quickly had the sliding doors of the house shut.
The evening wind from the upper reaches of the Kiso River chilled Hanbei's weak constitution all the more, even though the season was late spring.
"I've laid out your bed inside. Why don't you sleep?" Oyu placed a medicinal decoction next to his desk. Hanbei was reading, his usual occupation when he had some leisure time.
"No, it's not so much that I feel bad. I canceled the lecture because I think a summons may come from Lord Hideyoshi. Rather than preparations for bed, arrange my clothing so that if there is a call, I can go out quickly."
"Is that it? Is there a meeting in the castle tonight?"
"Not at all." Hanbei sipped the hot decoction. "A little while ago when you closed the door, you yourself told me that a boat with a messenger's flag from Gifu had crossed the river, and that someone was coming toward the castle gate."
"Is that what you're talking about?"
"If it's a message from Gifu for Lord Hideyoshi, there's no limit to what or where this business may lead. Even if I'm not summoned, I can hardly loosen my sash and sleep."
"The lord of this castle respects you as his teacher, and you venerate him as your lord, so I hardly know whose respect is greater. Are you really so resolved to serve this man?"
Smiling, Hanbei shut his eyes and turned his face toward the ceiling. "I guess it's finally come to that. It's a frightening thing for a man to be trusted by another. I could never be led astray by the beauty of a woman." Just as he was saying this, a messenger arrived from the keep. He announced Hideyoshi's request that Hanbei come quickly, and left. Shortly thereafter a page came before Hideyoshi, who was alone in quiet contemplation, and made an announcement. "Master Hanbei has come."
Hideyoshi looked up from his musings and quickly left the room to welcome Hanbei. The two returned to the room and sat down.
"I'm sorry to have called you here in the middle of the night. How do you feel?"
Hanbei looked squarely at Hideyoshi, who, for his part, was apparently going to treat him as his teacher to the very end. "This consideration is uncalled for. If you, my lord, speak to me like that, how am I going to be able to respond? Why don't you say something like, 'Oh, it's you, Hanbei'? I think this kind of solicitude toward a retainer is inappropriate."
"Really? Well, do you suppose this is no good for our relationship?"
"I just didn't think my lord should respect someone like me the way you do."
"Why not?" Hideyoshi laughed. "I'm uneducated, and you're quite learned. I was born in the country, and you're the son of the lord of a castle. Anyway, I think of you as my superior."
"If that's the way it's to be, I'm going to be more careful from now on."
"All right, all right," Hideyoshi said playfully. "We'll gradually become lord and retainer. If I become an even greater man."
For the lord of a castle, he was going to extraordinary lengths not to stand on his own dignity. In fact, he was willing to stand completely naked before Hanbei in terms of his own foolishness and ignorance.
"Well, then, why did you summon me, my lord?" Hanbei asked politely.
"Oh, yes," Hideyoshi said, suddenly recalling the object of their meeting. "I've just received a letter from Lord Nobunaga. This is what it says: 'With a little leisure, I've suddenly grown bored even with the prize of Gifu. The wind and clouds are peaceful, and I would like to look at them once again. The beauties of nature have still not become my friends What shall we do about this year's plans?' How do you suppose I should answer it?"
"Well, the meaning is clear, so you should be able to answer it with a single line."
"Hm. I understand it, but how could I answer it in a single line?"
"Be a friendly neighbor; make plans for the future."
'"Be a friendly neighbor; make plans for the future'?"
"That's it."
"Hm. I see."
"I suspect that Lord Nobunaga is thinking that, having taken Gifu, this year is the time to put his internal administration in order, rest his troops, and wait for another day,” Hanbei said.
"I'm sure that's what his plans are, but with his disposition, he can't just let the day pass in idleness. That's why he sent this letter asking about policy."
"Planning for the future, allying himself with his neighbors—I think the present is probably a splendid opportunity for that."
"So?" Hideyoshi asked.
'It's just my humble opinion, because you, rather than I, are the one who is said to be capable in so many areas. First, answer with just one line: 'Be friendly with neighbor; make plans for the future.' Then, at a convenient moment, go to Gifu Castie and explain your plan in person."
Why don't we each write down which province we think it would be best for the Oda to ally itself with, and then compare to see if we're thinking the same thing?"
Hanbei wrote something first, and then Hideyoshi put the brush to a piece of paper.
When they exchanged the papers and unfolded them, they found that they had both Written "Takeda of Kai," and they broke out in laughter, delighted that they were both thinking along the same lines.
The lamps were bright in the guest room. The messenger from Gifu was given the seat of honor, and Hideyoshi's mother and wife were also in attendance. When Hideyoshi took his seat, the lamps seemed suddenly even more cheerful and the room more lively.
Nene thought that her husband seemed to be drinking a good bit more sake these days, at least compared with the past. She watched his easy attitude throughout the banquet as though she saw nothing at all. He was entertaining his guest, making his mother laugh, and he seemed to be enjoying himself. Even Hanbei, who never drank, put the sake cup to his lips and sipped a little to toast Hideyoshi.
Others joined the banquet, and it soon became quite boisterous. When his mother and Nene had retired, Hideyoshi walked outside to sober up. The blossoms of the young cherry trees had already fallen, and only the fragrance of the mountain wisteria filled the night.
"Ah! Who's that under the trees?" Hideyoshi called out.
"It's me," replied a woman's voice.
"Oyu, what are you doing here?"
"My brother is so late in coming back, and he's so weak, I was worried."
"It's a wonderful thing to see such a beautiful relationship between brother and sister."
Hideyoshi walked up to her side. She was about to prostrate herself, but he caught her hands. "Oyu, let's walk over to the teahouse over there. I'm so drunk that I'm not sure of my footing. I'd like you to make me a bowl of tea."
"My goodness! My hands! This isn't right. Please let go."