Chapter 823: Inside Hikone Castle
The Tenshu Tower in Hikone Castle, Omi Province, had a typical Fenglin architectural style. It functioned as both a fortress and a residence.
The Tenshu Tower had a traditional hip-and-gable roof, complete with balcony parapets. The outer appearance did not match the interior layout. The main keep consisted of two main floors and a three-story observation tower, making it five stories tall from the outside. However, the hip-and-gable eaves were staggered and interwoven with the upper rooflines, creating six internal floors. The top floor’s veranda was set back within the outer walls, which were finished with white plaster. The gable ends had decorative variations, and the windows were designed like sliding doors, giving the structure a grand and elegant outlook.
Taking inspiration from the palace gardens of the Qi Dynasty, the Ii Clan had constructed Genkyu-en Garden within Hikone Castle. From the Hoshodai within, one could look upward to view the castle, a site typically reserved for the daimyo to receive honored guests.
Strictly speaking, Toyotomi Hidemochi was not the true master of Hikone Castle—the Ii clan was. However, due to the deteriorating political situation, Toyotomi Hidemochi had taken up residence here. As the Ii clan was a vassal of the Toyotomi clan, and with the daimyo of Hikone no longer residing in the castle, Toyotomi Hidemochi had instead assumed command over its daily operations.
At this moment, Toyotomi Hidemochi was having tea with a guest at the Hodashai in the Genkyu-en Garden. He had adopted customs from the Central Plains, wearing his hair in a topknot rather than shaving it in the sakayaki style. At 32 years old, he looked young, with delicate features. However, he was dressed in the fully traditional attire of a daimyo—a crested and folded black eboshi secured with decorative cords, a formal robe called the naga-hitatare, and long pants called the hakama, adorned with various sashes and layered sleeves. A ceremonial dagger hung at his waist while he held a ceremonial folding fan.
The man seated across from him wore a boat-shaped eboshi cap and plain outerwear, clearly dressed in the manner of a samurai.
The samurai held his teacup with two fingers, gently turning it but not drinking the tea. His gaze wandered over the landscape before settling on Toyotomi Hidemochi. “The Celestial Empire’s Sage Qingwei has named Your Highness as the next Kampaku, which is a tremendous honor, and yet, Your Highness does not seem pleased?”
Toyotomi Hidemochi gave a bitter smile. “Lord Hidesugu, Lord Hideyoshio, and Masahiro have all died suspiciously, and Lord Naosada was publicly beheaded. The omens of this path are far from certain.”
The samurai replied, “Fortune is always found in danger.”
Toyotomi Hidemochi lifted his cup in silence.
The trip to Xiujing was undoubtedly perilous, but should he survive it, he would become the new Kampaku. Even if he later passed the title on, he would still hold the honorific of Taiko granted to a retired regent.
That was why he had not refused.