Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

"Commander, the military fortune is indeed strong..."

The news of Nobunaga's swift victory over the Miyoshi Triumvirate in one night had already spread throughout Sakai, which was probably one of the reasons why Hideyoshi was able to collect the money so easily. Yamana Hirotoyo, who was in Sakai, probably had some thoughts of raising an army to revive the dynasty before, but after hearing how fierce Nobunaga was, he probably lost even his last bit of courage.

"My lord is a man of great talent and ambition, with a heart set on conquering the world." Anyway, the conversation was rather pointless; Shichibei was mainly just looking at these historical figures and had no real plans.

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Yamana Yuyu stopped talking and just sighed.

“It seems that Prince Kingo intends to maintain harmony with the Kanrei-dono,” Tsuda Munekichi, who was sitting to the side, suddenly remarked.

"Hmm?" Beg for mercy? Why are you telling me that? Send someone to Kyoto to kowtow to Nobunaga.

Shichibei blinked. Talking to Shichibei about this was really useless. Nobunaga had the final say on diplomacy and military affairs. Shichibei's advice almost got him into serious trouble.

"But I don't know about the Lord of the Palace..." Tsuda Munechika emphasized one point.

"Oh..." I understand.

It's likely that Yamana Hirotoyo wasn't sure whether Nobunaga would forgive the Yamana family. If he didn't, sending someone now would not only be useless, but might also result in being humiliated by Nobunaga. For a prestigious family like the Yamana family from the previous era, their former prestige had long been lost, leaving them with only a shred of dignity.

If Nobunaga were to slap them in the face again, they would have to throw away even their last bit of worthless pride. Therefore, they dared not send anyone to Kyoto on their own initiative, hoping to find a respectable person to ask.

“I am not responsible for this matter.” Shichibei glanced back at Hideaki.

It was Hideyoshi who brought down the Yamana clan, and following the usual practice of the Sengoku period, Hideyoshi became known as the Yamana clan's successor. If any matters concerning the Yamana clan needed to be handled, Nobunaga would most likely have Hideyoshi do it.

Hideyoshi shook his head. Although he followed Hideyoshi, he was unaware of his brother's attitude towards the Yamana family. Who could have imagined that things would turn out this way?

"What if we offer a thousand strings of silver?" Yamana Hirotoyo asked Shichibei.

167. What if we hand over the silver mountain?

One thousand strings of silver?

What a grand gesture! Sakai, such a large self-governing town, only handed over 20,000 kan of arrows to Nobunaga. And how many Yongle coins could 1,000 kan of silver be exchanged for?

It was probably around 40,000 kan, so when Shichibei learned that Hideyoshi had sent troops to Tajima and plundered 1,000 kan of silver from the Ikuno Silver Mine during the New Year, he almost smiled and said to him, "I heard you've made a fortune!"

It was during this period in Japan that the world's largest gold and silver mines were gradually being developed. It was said that Japan's annual silver production accounted for half of the world's total.

At other times, a thousand strings of silver would be an unimaginable amount.

However, trying to buy Nobunaga's forgiveness with this money will likely be difficult. As I've said, now is the time for Nobunaga to establish his power, and he's most concerned with saving face.

Having just defeated Yamana Sukeyo, immediately announcing forgiveness would be a loss of face for Nobunaga. Therefore, let alone a thousand kan of silver, even ten thousand kan...

Wait a minute, if it were 10,000 kan of silver, Nobunaga would probably reluctantly accept it. Nobunaga could resist 40,000 kan, but 400,000 kan? Let alone Nobunaga, even a god would hesitate.

According to Zhao Da next door, the poor man is narrow-minded; he could fill his dilapidated house with 100,000 strings of cash. But if he brought 400,000 strings of cash, not only the poor man, but even those generals who commanded large armies would have to stand up and toast Zhao Da.

"This is not a decision I can make." Shichibei dared not make a decision for Nobunaga.

"Fine..." Yamana Hirotoyo discovered that Shichibei was truly a "perfect" person.

He would either chatter about pointless gossip or beat around the bush. When he finally got straight to the point, practically asking directly, Shichibei would politely decline.

He simply didn't want to get involved, so what could Yamana Hirotoyo say? It was pointless. Shichibei didn't want to get involved in his business; money was secondary.

Since that's the case, Yamana Hirotoyo got up to take his leave. Anyway, he'd already seen the person; Shichibei was just looking around, so he could leave as he pleased. It didn't matter whether he stayed or left.

A flicker of emotion crossed Tsuda Muneyuki's eyes as he quickly rose to see Yamana Hirotoyo off. Although he was the governor of Tajima, a country that had lost its territory, he was still a descendant of a prestigious family, the current direct descendant of the Yamana clan.

You might say that old nobles are worthless, look at Yamana Hirotomo, he has no territory left, he's just a figurehead. But you could also say they're valuable, if some powerful lord came along and seized them, they could attack Inaba, Tajima, or even Mimasaka, Bizen, Harima and other provinces, they would have a claim to them.

The only valuable thing is this claim.

After seeing the man off, Tsuda Muneki forced a smile and asked Shichibei the purpose of his visit. What purpose could he possibly have? He was simply here to make an appearance and announce the arrival of Oda Nobunaga's era, declaring that from now on, Sakaimachi would bear the surname Oda.

Weapon purchase agreements and maritime embargoes are all matters for later. The main focus is on declaring Nobunaga's rule, and at the same time, Shichibei, as the daikan (deputy governor) of Sakai, needs to find a collaborator in Sakai.

Shichibei's foundation lies in Noo, and in Nobunaga, a lord whose power is constantly growing. It would be unwise to devote all his attention to Sakaimachi. As long as Nobunaga's prestige remains, Shichibei can gradually expand his influence in Sakaimachi.

So, find a partner and start building your reputation in Sakaimachi.

Since Shichibei wasn't very familiar with anyone else, the only collaborator left was Tsuda Munekichi. Tsuda Munekichi was secretly delighted; by getting on Shichibei's good side, he could at least maintain his influence and commercial power in Sakaimachi during Nobunaga's era.

Even in the next era of Hideyoshi, it is highly likely that it can be preserved.

“Shichibei, actually…” With no outsiders around, Tsuda Muneki relaxed a little.

The main reason was that he realized Shichibei wasn't there to interrogate him, so Tsuda Muneki was able to act like a big brother in front of Shichibei, relying on his seniority.

"What can the Grandmaster teach me?" With no one else around, Shichibei pulled over a small armchair and leaned against it.

"Actually, regarding the matter of Yamana Kingo..." Tsuda Munekichi, as a great tea connoisseur, was also quite a social butterfly.

Or perhaps "socialite" isn't quite the right word; "broker" is a more accurate term. Their main role is to connect people with those in power. When someone comes to them for help, they have to lend a hand. If they succeed, their reputation and prestige grow, and eventually, they can even shed their broker identity and appear in public.

The reason Yamana Hirotoyo came to him was because Tsuda Munekichi had recommended Matsui Tomokazu to Shichibei, who then pushed him to Nobunaga. Now Matsui Tomokazu was Nobunaga's subordinate, although he didn't meet Nobunaga every day and wasn't exactly a top favorite.

But at least there was a chance to deliver a message to Nobunaga!

The leader has an office, and the person you see every day is the director of the office. As for the other liaisons, secretaries, and other staff, would you dare to neglect them?

Even those on duty in the motor pool, and even the security officers, are all treated the same way. Anyone who can get close to the leaders is someone important.

Not to mention that Matsui Yukan is still Nobunaga's tea master. Whenever Nobunaga entertains guests with tea parties, Matsui Yukan is in charge of serving tea to the guests.

"Let's not mention the matter of Yamanami-dono anymore. My lord has his own plans." Shichibei waved his hand. A thousand kan of silver is a difficult sum to come by.

"I do have an idea, but I don't know..."

"uh-huh?"

“Help him return to his country, but hand over the Ikuno Silver Mine.” Tsuda Muneki gave this suggestion, which was actually worth more than 10,000 kan of silver.

"hiss……"

If he could truly seize the Ikuno Silver Mine for Nobunaga, Nobunaga would surely agree to forgive and pardon Yamana Hirotoyo. He might even send troops to escort Yamana Hirotoyo back to Tajima and reaffirm his position as the governor of Tajima.

Previously, Yamana Hirotoyo had actually fallen out with the Muromachi Shogunate because Ashikaga Yoshiteru, in an effort to win over Amago Haruhisa, had appointed Haruhisa as "Yin-Yang Ichi Taisho" (the title of "Yin-Yang Ichi Taisho"). This title included the Inaba Shugo (guardian position).

At that time, the governor of Inaba was Yamana Masatoyo, and the two families split. After Yamana Hirotoyo eliminated Yamana Masatoyo, he appointed his younger brother Yamana Yutaka as the deputy governor of Inaba.

He wanted the shogunate to recognize his younger brother Toyosada as governor, but the shogunate transferred the position to Amago Haruhisa. This caused a rift between him and the shogunate. Naturally, the shogunate could no longer recognize his Tajima governorship, which he had essentially claimed himself.

"Do you think this condition is acceptable to the Lord Regent?" Tsuda Muneki noticed that Shichibei was gasping for breath, and knew that this condition was tempting.

"No, no, no, I wouldn't dare make a decision for my lord." Although Shichibei was surprised, he would never blindly agree to anything for others.

"Why don't you try going back to Kyoto later?"

"What? You really agree?" Shichibei felt that Yamana Hirotoyo wasn't crazy after all.

How much silver could Ikuno Ginzan produce in a year? It was all given to Oda Nobunaga. Even if Yamana Hirotoyo returned to Japan, he would be penniless.

“But there’s a 20-30% chance.” Tsuda Muneki gave a somewhat complicated expression, the kind that’s hard to describe, a mixture of sympathy, pity, doubt, and even disdain.

Glancing outside, Tsuda Munekichi said that Yamana Hirotoyo had two sons who, after his younger brother Yamana Toyosada, both served as deputy governors of Inaba. However, one died suddenly at the age of twenty-one, and the other at the age of eighteen, so the main branch of the Yamana clan is currently extinct.

I just noticed that Yamana Hirotoyo is approaching sixty, and it's highly unlikely he'll have any more children. The Yamana clan, a prestigious family among the Japanese samurai, is on the verge of extinction.

Actually, the saying that Japanese people value family lineage more than blood ties is somewhat problematic. While family lineage is indeed more important than blood ties, most people would still choose to have a son-in-law inherit the family business if given the option.

Once he has a son with his daughter, at least they'll be related to him in some way.

But Yamana Hirotoyo doesn't even have a daughter, so there's no guarantee heir. Unless he goes outside to look for someone from the same clan or a branch of the family.

Given the current situation and your advanced age, if you were Yamana Hirotoyo, what would be your best choice?

Stop arguing, stop making a scene. Let's just settle down, go back to our old territory in Tajima Province, and be content with that, passing on our family name. I might kick the bucket tomorrow anyway, so what's the point of fighting?

Who knows who will succeed the Yamana clan later? Tired, weary, let it be, whatever. Returning to the old territory, dying and being buried in the Bodhi-ji Temple in Yamana is enough to not disgrace the ancestors. Trust in the wisdom of future generations.

"I see..." After Tsuda Muneki said that, Shichibei felt that it might actually be possible.

"Why don't you give it a try? The Ikuno Silver Mine is a huge fortune." This statement had a hint of persuasion.

However, Shichibei knew absolutely nothing about mining. Although he knew about the Ash Blowing Method, it was only something he had seen demonstrated by so-called "ancient" mining techniques on Bilibili in later generations. Getting Shichibei to actually try it out was completely impossible.

Shichibei had no knowledge of the management of the silver mines, the construction of the mining tunnels, or the manufacture of the pumping equipment. Was Okubo Nagayasu already with the Takeda? Or was he with the Tokugawa? Shichibei wasn't sure, and besides, he certainly wasn't called that now.

Wealth and status are desirable, but they are only truly valuable if you can control them.

"Let's discuss this matter later. Please, Grand Master, gather the Sakai Alliance for me." Shichibei was tempted, but having seen his share of great things, he wouldn't reveal his greed so easily.

He came to Sakai-cho to announce Oda Nobunaga's imperial decree; other matters aside for now.

Upon hearing this, Tsuda Muneyuki smiled. He had clearly seen Shichibei's hesitation and indecision. As a wealthy merchant, he was quite adept at reading people. He was certain that Shichibei was interested, so he could proceed slowly from there.

So you're calling for a meeting, huh? Then let's do it. Public political action certainly can't be carried out within a so-called villa or thatched hut. Like Tsushima, Sakai also had a meeting place. It was a place for people to meet, discuss, or conduct certain transactions. Even in modern Japan, there are still terms like "merchant and guild hall."

As for why "club" has become a synonym for another type of entertainment venue in China, it's not surprising; it's normal for language and writing to evolve over time.

For example, the words "典," "孝," "急," "乐," and "绷" have taken on new meanings on the internet in the new era. This is the wonder of language change, and it's really hard to say whether it's good or bad.

Never mind that, Shichibei appeared before the so-called representatives of the thirty-six wealthy merchants of Sakai. Actually, there weren't thirty-six people; it was just a figure of speech. But there were still about twenty people seated below, and over a hundred standing in rows outside the clubhouse.

After looking around, Shichibei was still searching for Sen no Michi. A moment later, he realized he didn't know Sen no Michi at all, and didn't even know if he was there. How ridiculous!

Having already consciously become Shichibei's "collaborator," Tsuda Muneyuki turned to face the assembled wealthy merchants and formally announced Shichibei's identity. At the same time, Shichibei also presented the document bearing Nobunaga's signature to the crowd, clearly demonstrating his legitimate political appointment as the Sakai Daikan (Deputy Governor of Sakai).

The crowd murmured amongst themselves, but they visibly relaxed upon learning that Shichibei was a merchant from the Tsushima River Village. They had all expected that a low-ranking samurai like Hideyoshi would be appointed as the Sakai Daikan (a high-ranking official in the Sakai region), never imagining that Nobunaga would send a fellow samurai.

It's definitely easier and more convenient to deal with fellow warriors than with uncouth lower-ranking samurai.

Regardless of their opinions, Shichibei focused on establishing the two restrictions Nobunaga had demanded. Weapons and equipment could only be sold to Oda from then on, and all ship rentals and departures had to be registered.

Tsuda Muneyuki must have discussed these two points with them beforehand, as no one expressed any objection. After confirming them several times, Shichibei ordered everyone to sign an oath; anyone who broke it would face an iron fist.

168. Let's see who gets impatient after a year.

Nobunaga glanced at the oath of the Sakai clique, then casually tossed it aside. Oaths these days, huh? Just look at them. If you're powerful, you don't need oaths; surrenders will come in droves. If you're not powerful anymore, your coattails have lost their shine, so what if you force people to write eighteen oaths a day?

Especially for Nobunaga himself, what kind of betrayal hadn't he experienced? Even his own mother and younger brother wanted to kill him. To him, perhaps a so-called oath was less valuable than toilet paper.

After all, toilet paper can clean your bottom, but a pledge might just stain it black.

Shichibei understood, knowing that Nobunaga didn't value such vague promises. He simply gave a detailed report on his statements in Sakai and the reactions of the people there.

Needless to say, Kawamura-ya will immediately become a member of the Sakaimachi Association, and soon Kawamura-ya will set up a branch in Sakaimachi. Afterwards, a mature and reliable family member will be sent to Sakaimachi to serve as the branch manager, becoming a "junior daikan," that is, a daikan's daikan.

Normally, Shichibei would have to serve Nobunaga wholeheartedly, and in times of war, he would also have to raise troops to manage the supply lines for Nobunaga. He probably wouldn't be able to go to Sakai Town to actually manage it for many days throughout the year, so he could only appoint a "substitute official".

The issues of weapons manufacturing and sales that Nobunaga was concerned about were relatively easy to handle because of the precedent set by Kunitomo Village. For example, even something as simple as a cannon barrel could take a master craftsman several days, working from dawn till dusk. Although there was some simple mechanical assistance, it still required a large amount of manpower.