on a mountain

Autumn 1547
Hattori have eradicated Saito and established trade relationships with me. Actually I am coming to a point, where I would quite like to fight against someone. I upgrade my market in Mikawa.
Winter 1547
Takeda establish trade relations with me. I arrange a marriage with a Kitabatake princess. At the same time I send over a ninja to check out their provinces. They look about as strong/weak as me. Hattori is not really friendly with me. But he is locked up in a battle with Ikko Ikki up north. As far as I can see the Hattori provinces are defenceless. Unfortunately, yes, again, I can not declare war.
I upgrade the Owari market, and hire another unit of bowmen.
Spring 1548
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Summer 1548
I upgrade my castle in Owari to level three. I spot a Ikko Ikki army on Hattori territory.
Autumn 1548
Rice is getting low. I have to do more research on the Chi side, but I feel I should first get the top of the Bushido Pyramid, in order to stand a chance at surviving in the battlefield.
Winter 1548
I upgrade my Mikawa castle to level 3. Lots of money, but I guess my armies are pretty weak.
Spring 1549
I wound a Hattori general, my ninja goes up a rank, earning him a geisha costume, and some basic attributes. I hire more yari samurai and bowmen. Food is getting scarce in my provinces.
Summer 1549
After learning the basic bushido skill, I actually go back to study equal land distribution. Rice is important. I upgrade both harbours to trading level.
Autumn 1549
I assassinate an important Hattori general. Hattori is about to send a very substantial army into the last remaining Kitabatake province. At the same time they offer me ninjutsu knowledge for money. Well, why not?
I build a Buddhist shrine in Owari. The logic behind this is that Buddhist monks can help to speed up your research levels. Also, they can incentivate rebellion in provinces. I need a province…
Winter 1549
Kitabatake is no more. Hattori now owns a large swath of land to the NE of Kyoto. To my right also Takeda seems to be expanding.
Another assassination attempt on a Hattori general. I fail, despite a 66% chance of success. I commission better roads for Owari and Mikawa.
Spring 1550
Hattori declare war. Mikawa is on the brink of rebellion. I commission more troops over there.
I take the weakly defended Mino. My general gains a rank. This is a strategically important settlement, as it covers my right flank (to the north are mountains). I now expect an imminent attack, probably in Owari.
My ninja fails again.