“My lord, we all unite in humbly pleading for the life of this unfortunate man!” chorused the other three, as all threw themselves down with heads touching the mats before him.
“What are you all talking about?” said Terumasa, unceremoniously. “Who said I wanted the life of Nagai? Nothing is further from my thoughts. This is what I wish you to ask Lord Tokugawa—that he will use his influence with His Highness, the Regent, to have this fellow created a daimio, as soon as possible, with an annual income of, say, ten thousand koku.”
Amazement was depicted on the faces of the five men—amazement and relief. Iyeyasu, who behind a sliding screen had heard all that had passed, now pushed it aside and ran into the room. Clasping Terumasa’s hands in his he raised them to his head while he gave vent to his feelings as follows:—
“Terumasa, you have acquitted yourself nobly! I am unworthy of so magnanimous a son-in-law. What can I say but that I will do all in my power to further your truly chivalrous request.”
After the wedding Terumasa returned with his bride to the city of Nagoya, where Iyeyasu soon followed him. He told the whole story to the Regent and proffered his request. Hideyoshi slapped his knee in approval.
“Terumasa is a true samurai,” he said. “Rest assured his petition shall meet with immediate attention.”
Accordingly, Nagai Naokatsu, a minor vassal, of one thousand koku, from a place near Kawagoé, was at a bound promoted to the dignity of a daimio worth ten thousand koku yearly.
So you see that Ikeda Nobuteru did not fall by the sword of a nameless samurai!