In the spring of 1530, Our Lord Shimazu Takahisa (EuroSan), Daimyo of that clan, called a great council of his most trusted generals and advisor.

"My Generals," said he, "The Emperor sits, a mere figurehead in his castle, while bandits and ronin ravage the countryside. I will unite Japan, and lead it from the turmoil which has it in it's awful grip." The question for you, is how shall we proceed, with enemies to all sides?

The advisor (Shuko) stepped forward, bowed, and spoke: "My Noble Lord, I have been training my men this past winter, and we will be ready when you call us. My position is not so great, but if you will allow, I would suggest the following course of attack: 

We need first to unite our island of Kyushu as soon as possible, to secure our borders and make ready for a longer campaign against the clans to our east. 

With that in mind, I say we send a large array of men, under command of general Ijuin Shigenobu (Vanya) to take the province of Chikuzen. We should also begin the training of new samurai, as we will need to replace any losses we incur. I also suggest we begin to construct a castle at Nagato, so that we may begin to train soldiers there, as well. The weapon smiths there have much good iron to work with, and we should make use of it for your army.

If we are successful, Lord, I would suggest that you, in your benevolence, lower the taxes for your peasants for the rest of the year. The peasants of Chikuzen, seeing your great generosity, will be happy in your service, and will think no more of their former Daimyo. 

Following that, in the summer, we could immediately invade Chikugo. I suggest that you yourself lead this attack, for your presence on the battlefield will surely inspire your troops in battle, and victory can again be ours. Following that, we may attack lord Imagawa's final province on this island, leaving You, Great Lord, with sole ownership of this island. With that, Sukemoto again bowed, and stepped back into the line of advisors.

The general Ijuin Shigenobu (Vanya) then stepped forth. My Lord, and advisor, he began: while I agree with much that has been said, I also offer the following advice: that You, our Daimyo, march with your personal bodyguard to Higo. In the Meantime, have all your troops currently stationed in Nagato march immediately to Buzen.

It may be that lord Mori will take advantage of our absence, but such is the nature of war. If we quickly take all of the provinces from lord Imagawa, the income from those lands will be great, and will allow us to build an army to conquer all of Nippon. The next season, Lord, you could lead the attack against Chikugo at the same time as we conquer Chikuzen.

Rather than building a castle in Nagato, though, where it might be taken by lord Mori, I would suggest that we increase the size of your castle here in Satsuma. I would further say that you should take your emissary to Chikugo, so that you may decide if you would like to send him to speak to some of the distant daimyos. Beyond that, I say that we take the southern island, thus ridding the lands of the scourge of ronin that now plague it. 

At that, the Daimyo himself spoke up. 

I agree that it would be wise to allow our new peasants to see the kindness of ourselves, versus the greed of their soon to be former lord. The taxes shall be set lower. Make it so! 

The general Toshisue Akizuki (VoodooChild) was next to speak. Though to outward appearances, he was but a general of peasants, his words carried great weight, for he was also secretly the spymaster for our Lord. 

I agree that the Imagawa dogs must be thrown into the sea. I will dispatch my courier there immediately, that he might bring back word of the forces that await us. I too disagree that we build in Nagato. If Mori were to attack, such aggression will be dealt with in time, but it would be a waste of valuable resources right now. Rather then spend our koku on buildings, I say that we begin raising as many troops as possible. The blood that is shed in gaining new lands must be replenished, that all may know and fear the strength of Shimazu!

With those words still ringing in the room the Daimyo said:

This then, will be our plan: Move the Samurai Archers stationed at Nagato to Buzen; march the Spearmen from Higo to Bungo; the forces currently camped at Buzen and Bungo shall go to attack Chikuzen; Feint an attack at Chikugo with the Archers currently at Higo; I will move with my men to Higo, while the emissary will travel with me; I order us to begin construction to enlarge this castle at Satsuma; I order that three units of Yari Samurai begin training immediately. I will wish to speak with you again in the winter, make yourselves available to me at that time. Until then, may the compassion of Buddha go with you all!