Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

"We need sandy land at the river mouth."

"No wonder." Xin Kang's interruption was actually a good thing, at least it diluted the seriousness of accepting Christians.

"Shichibei, hmm." Nobunaga gestured for Shichibei to share his thoughts.

"If the Northern forces were also under the Lord's command, things would be much simpler."

Look at Kita Ise, the Ikko-shu sect is shining brightly there, yet we haven't seen any trouble at Tsushima Ushito Tenno-sha or Ise Grand Shrine. And what happened to Yamashina Hongan-ji in Kyoto? It was fiercely attacked by Tendai monks and burned to the ground.

Japan is such a small place, and to put it in a fantastical way, the power of faith is limited. The Tendai sect is truly top-tier, while our Tsushima Ox-Head Heavenly King faith is probably only third-rate, not even as good as the Ikko-shu. Being able to protect our stronghold of Tsushima Town is already a testament to our ancestors' good deeds.

"Shichibei!" Nobunaga raised his hand and called out to Shichibei.

Needless to say, Shichibei immediately understood and didn't utter another word. The matter of northern Ise was still a secret, and it wouldn't be appropriate to discuss it further. However, Shichibei's statement was quite straightforward: to place them in Ise Province across the Kiso River.

On the contrary, the Long Island Ganshoji Temple can be used as a scapegoat. With tens of thousands of followers, the Ikko-shu sect is so conspicuous, while the Christian sect with only a few followers is a minor player among minor players.

Once Nobunaga entered Kyoto and began to pay attention to Christianity, or the huge profits from trade with Spain and Portugal behind Christianity, as well as the convenience of importing large quantities of iron cannons and saltpeter, everything would be fine.

The conversation had ended, and the arrangements for Tokugawa Nobuyasu's horse purchase were complete. Nobuyasu wouldn't even need to drive the horses back to Mikawa himself; Shichibei would arrange for them to be gathered in Atsuta first, and then transferred to Okazaki. Since Nobunaga was so quick to pay, Shichibei would definitely deliver the horses to his doorstep.

As night fell, Nobunaga sent another man to Kawamura-ya to summon Shichibei to the castle.

As expected, it was about Kita-Ise!

The three men of Nishimino are basically on good terms with the insiders, and Tokugawa Ieyasu's reinforcements have been arranged. Now all that's left is to launch a fierce attack on Inabayama Castle.

We need to bring up the case of intercepting Ryūō's escape and discuss it again. Nobunaga had thought of this matter when Shichibei mentioned northern Ise that afternoon.

Shichibei didn't handle this himself, but instead delegated it to Sokotaro. He had inquired about the progress a few years ago and had already received support from some of his close friends.

Shichibei even hinted to some small-time tycoons with a few hundred kan that if they surrendered with courtesy when Nobunaga's banner arrived, they could not only live in peace but also possibly become Nobunaga's followers in the Ise region.

They stormed in, took the dog in, let the dog go first, seized the house, gave the dog a bone, and left the dog to guard the door.

Even we understand the tricks, so of course Nobunaga would.

Having learned of the progress, Nobunaga was quite satisfied. His primary strategy for dealing with the major warlords of Kobe, Nagano, and Seki was undoubtedly to subdue them. After all, these were local strongmen, and if he could annex their samurai groups, Nobunaga's empire could expand rapidly.

If we drive them all away, there's not only the possibility of them launching an uprising or plotting something, but also the lack of numerous samurai groups to govern the area.

With Saito Tatsuoki fleeing, a number of Mino samurai will inevitably leave. Even a wrecked ship has three pounds of iron, let alone the Saito family, which has been operating in Mino for three generations. Taking away a hundred or so legitimate samurai at once is a thorny issue.

Kinoshita Hideyoshi was unique in that he rose from the ranks of foot soldiers and common soldiers, as well as farmers and townspeople; there was no one more inspiring than him in the world.

"What benefits will I get from helping you place Bantenren?" After discussing military matters, Nobunaga changed his tone.

"Hmm? I am dull-witted." Shichibei indeed did not understand at first.

Does this mean they want Shichibei to use a portion of the income from the red flower to recruit samurai? Or do they want Shichibei to take on more military service?

"Five hundred acres of safflower, that's six thousand kan a year," Nobunaga muttered to himself.

Nobunaga might look down on 300 kan, and he wouldn't even consider 500 or 800 kan, but 5,000 or 6,000 kan would be a different story. 6,000 kan was the price he could use to get Takeda Shingen to form an alliance and demand that he send troops to help him in battle.

"Your subject can pay the transport fee." Regardless of the immediate consequences, let's make our stance clear.

"That's not necessary..." Nobunaga waved at Shichibei, motioning him to sit forward in front of him.

Since they've already waved, Shichibei definitely has to move forward. Who knows what little secret or hobby Nobunaga might have to share?

"If I were to become the chief minister of Owari, could you hold your own?" Nobunaga asked sincerely.

The term "okata" is no longer used in modern Japan, or it is only used in construction companies that have been around for hundreds of years to refer to the master carpenter leading the team.

However, the term "oyato" is used more widely nowadays. The "oyato" that Nobunaga referred to was the "sōshō" who commanded all the merchant heads and town leaders within a province.

Merchants like those in Tsushima, Atsuta, and Kiyosu were all under the command of this oyakata. With power came obligations. When Nobunaga asked for money, the oyakata immediately gave it and then asked his subordinates to share the responsibility. When Nobunaga asked for horses, the oyakata immediately brought them. When Nobunaga asked for gunpowder, the oyakata immediately delivered it.

From then on, Nobunaga conducted all commercial activities in the country directly on a one-on-one basis, consulting only with his own people, without needing anyone else to participate.

80. First, prepare the annual tribute to save capital.

It's tempting, but there's a problem: Shichibei's current resources are completely insufficient to support such a large organization and heavy responsibility as his own.

If he could sell 60,000 safflowers a year, that would be about right. With a cash flow of 100,000 to 200,000 kan, Shichibei could confidently assume the position of shogun and oversee the nation's commerce.

Nobunaga's main reason for wanting a pro-government official was to "lazy governance." Just like the King of Ho, who also appointed five so-called Royal Assets (Funds) Management Committee members to assist the King in collecting various direct and indirect taxes.

They collected over 100 million francs in taxes from the people and handed them over to the royal family. At the same time, they were able to extract at least 130 million francs from the people.

These tax collectors thus realized their dream of becoming incredibly wealthy. They even began lending money to the French royal family at interest rates as low as 0.8% or even 0.1%.

Because of their good reputation in the financial world, the French rentier class often entrusted their money to these five commissioners for management at an interest rate of two or three percent.

Needless to say, Nobunaga's thinking was the same as Louis XIV's in beheading. Right now, his wars mainly relied on annual tribute revenue, but what if he gained allies?

By handing over all commercial power in a country to the Oikata, the Oikata would be obligated to provide Nobunaga with funds for war at any time. Nobunaga would then mortgage the rights to collect various taxes such as monbetsu, yazen, and danzen to the Oikata, who would then collect them.

Interest still had to be paid, and a certain profit margin had to be given to the relatives. However, Nobunaga was also freed from the constraints of fighting in the autumn and could fight all year round.

Mutually beneficial in a certain sense...

However, it's hard to say whether it will eventually develop into some abnormal state. After all, Louis XVI, the founding father of the United States and Vietnam, was beheaded too quickly, and this model was destroyed by the French before it could develop into its ultimate form.

Based on Shichibei's current status and wealth, he can't even get close to the Osaka faction. But if Nobunaga deliberately supports him, it's hard to say. Just like when he directly helped Shichibei build his samurai corps, if a powerful force intervenes, many objective economic laws will temporarily exhibit inexplicable developments.

Although the tangible forces of economics ultimately cannot circumvent economic laws, it does not preclude the effectiveness of their intervention during those few days.

After all, the first time you take Viagra, even 25mg, it can keep you energized all night. After taking it a few more times, even 100mg, you'll need some time to adjust.

"I have considered this matter myself, you just prepare it." Nobunaga's territory was growing larger and larger, and wars were becoming more frequent, requiring faster and more controllable financing channels.

"Yes!" Shichibei never thought that becoming a kinsei would be enough to monopolize the horse-riding business and live a life of pleasure.

But now that Nobunaga has mentioned it, Qibingwei can't help but dream. But Qibingwei is now...

By the way, about Takenaka Hanbei.

"My lord, the Mino campaign is over, and we need someone to help us..." Shichibei was trying to organize his thoughts, as this was the first time he had asked for someone and he had no experience.

"Besides those three, you can pick any two or three others." Nobunaga waved his hand dismissively, not caring at all.

As is historically true, Nobunaga's allocation of resources in Mino and the region was somewhat arbitrary. After all, Nobunaga wasn't a time traveler and didn't have any foresight to pave the way for his son's future.

"I understand." Since Nobunaga had already agreed, Shichibei didn't need to say anything more or go on to explain.

In matters like these, Nobunaga made quick decisions; he was indeed a very decisive person. Take the Battle of Okehazama, for example. He held a fruitless meeting with his retainers in the first half of the night, then drank and danced in the middle of the night, having Oichi beat a drum and reflect on the past fifty years of life. Before dawn, he rushed out of Kiyosu Castle and headed for Atsuta Shrine.

When faced with such a momentous life decision, Nobunaga considered it for no more than four hours.

Even considering the three to five days he spent learning of Imagawa Yoshimoto's uprising, it takes extraordinary courage to make a decision. Li Congke hesitated in Luoyang for two months, ultimately waiting for Shi Jingtang to lead the Khitan army to the city walls. Upon seeing Shi Jingtang arrive, he hesitated again, but then he was forced to commit suicide by self-immolation.

"Do you have 10,000 kan now?" Nobunaga didn't take Shichibei's question to heart and continued to ask about Shichibei's strength.

"My lord, you think too highly of me..." If I had ten thousand strings of cash, I would go find a mountain sect to become a monk and start eating, drinking, gambling and whoring.

"You're really poor?" Nobunaga clicked his tongue, speaking as if he were treating Shichibei like family.

"Oh, this."

"So what?" Shichibei was completely taken aback by Nobunaga. "Is this even fair? You yourself probably don't even have 10,000 kan in cash, and you're looking down on me?"

It's only natural that the Kawamura family, with a mere 380 kan of official rank, wouldn't have at least 10,000 kan in cash. You, a dignified lord of Owari Province, with three and a half districts of Nakano and nearly a million koku of land, would be shameful if you didn't have at least 10,000 kan.

"Oh dear, this is such a hassle." Nobunaga actually crossed his legs, as if he were sitting on a heated brick bed, no longer kneeling properly.

"..." Normally, Shichibei would have said, "I am terrified," but now, it's best to say nothing.

It's likely that Nobunaga's ambitions are far too grand, and Shichibei simply can't keep up with them for the time being. Perhaps Nobunaga himself just had a sudden thought and decided to give it a try—a typical "I think so" attitude.

"I originally wanted you to take charge of the annual tribute rice." Nobunaga's muttered words made Shichibei straighten up immediately.

By this time in Japan's Sengoku period, the wars of annexation had entered their middle and later stages. Those who could control entire provinces and counties had begun to emerge, and powerful local lords capable of unifying their regions had appeared in almost every province and region. Previously fragmented markets and trade routes gradually improved through the combined efforts of local lords and the further development of commerce and handicrafts.

Similar to rice from the Biwa Lake region, a very mature sales market has already been established. Annual tribute rice was transported to places like Imahama and Otsu for sale.

Sakata in the Tohoku region has now become a premier rice trading center, and will soon give rise to wealthy merchants with capital of hundreds of thousands or even millions.

Meanwhile, western Japan, including Shikoku Island, began transporting grain to Sakai, a major consumer market, for centralized sales. This trend became even more pronounced after Osaka was established.

Osaka will become the largest rice trading market in all of Japan, even larger than the future Edo period.

Nobunaga's words made it clear that after the various regions paid their annual tribute of rice and money to Komakiyama Castle, Shichibei would be responsible for the exclusive sale of the tribute rice.

For example, Nobunaga actually received 100,000 koku of rice. Shichibei gave him a figure, and Nobunaga took half of it to pay for various daily expenses and to distribute money to the foot soldiers and those samurai who only received stipends.

The other half was kept on Shichibei's counter, and Shichibei later provided Nobunaga with various goods that Nobunaga needed. These included basic weapons and armor, firearms and saltpeter, as well as daily necessities for Nobunaga himself, his harem, and his children.

If there are any unexpected expenses or if you're short of money, you can withdraw from Shichibei's account. It's practically impossible to have any surplus; Shichibei will have to make up for it.

The following year, when the tribute rice arrived at the granary, Shichibei continued to purchase it. This cycle repeated itself, saving Nobunaga trouble and allowing Shichibei to profit. As long as rice could still grow on the ground, the entire system could continue.

If the rice harvested the following year wasn't even enough to pay off previous debts, then the messy situation of the Shimazu and Mori families in the Edo period, where debts were repaid in installments over one or two hundred years, would occur. Or the shogunate might seize on a pretext to demand that you contribute 300,000 or 500,000 kilos to the shogunate; if you failed to do so, your property would be confiscated, you would be exiled, and the debt would be wiped out upon your death.

Of course, under normal circumstances, the shogunate and daimyo would default on debts and rob money, but they did relatively little killing or confiscating property.

After all, it was satisfying to kill and confiscate property today, and it made a fortune. But once this wave is over, no one will be willing or able to do it again.

Just like Shichibei now, even if he wanted to get into this line of work, he wouldn't have the capital to enter. Unless you're a very wealthy merchant, you simply don't qualify for these jobs. Eighty or one hundred thousand yen is just the entry-level requirement; ideally, you need several hundred thousand yen in liquid assets to navigate the world of daimyo with ease.

"I can take on 20,000 koku this year!" Shichibei knew that this was a rare opportunity, and Nobunaga would not delay his great cause of unifying Japan because of his current appreciation for Shichibei.

Assuming Shichibei's capital expansion couldn't keep up with his pace of growth, Nobunaga wouldn't mind embracing the existing wealthy merchants. Many of these merchants, such as those from Sakai and Kyoto, had in fact defected to Nobunaga, working for him and securing annual tribute rice contracts on his behalf.

Nobunaga will only favor you for a long time if you have value to him.

“Twenty thousand koku is no small amount.” Nobunaga blinked, as if calculating Shichibei’s financial resources.

Nowadays, a shi (a unit of dry measure) of rice costs roughly five or six hundred qian (a unit of currency). In any year other than a famine, the price doesn't usually go up. Especially in grain-producing areas like the shores of Lake Biwa and the Nobi Plain, the price of rice has long remained around six hundred qian per shi. If it's a large-scale bulk purchase, a shi only costs five hundred qian.

Don't think this price cut is too steep, because the rice still needs to be transported to rice markets like Sakai or Kyoto. As rice is a bulk commodity, the transportation costs are also very high.

Twenty thousand koku of rice is equivalent to ten thousand kan, which is a huge sum of money. Just now, Shichibei said he didn't have ten thousand kan in cash, but now he says he wants to buy all twenty thousand koku of rice. Nobunaga will naturally have to do some evaluation.

"After the autumn harvest, I can first provide five thousand kan for Your Majesty to resell, and the rest can be used to procure goods for Your Majesty in Sakai," Shichibei immediately promised.

"Oh~~~" Nobunaga's tone went from low to high, with a hint of "I see."

"It's man-made."

"Granted!"

Nobunaga, even in the dead of winter, couldn't be without his tattered fan, which he used for the Atsumori dance. He actually took it out and tapped Shichibei's forehead as he bowed his head in agreement.

Upon hearing the word "prepare," Nobunaga stood up, indicating that Shichibei should make himself at home. "It's getting late. I can't let you stay overnight in the castle. Go home early."