Owari Yumeki Golden Day

So Hotta Uma said nothing more, smiled and left Kawamura-ya, leaving behind Shichibei, with sweat all over his back, standing at the door to watch him leave.

Okay, now I'm fine. I've lost my appetite for lunch. What's going on here? Why do they want me to go to Kai with their dowry? I have such a large foundation in Owari. This is impossible.

Ai, who had watched the whole process, still brought a bowl of rice porridge to Shichibei. Shichibei didn't eat it. Instead, he found a pen and paper and began to write down in detail the method of making wood wax according to the process taught by Takeda and Yonekura Nobutsugu.

To ensure ease of understanding, Shichibei also included some sketches. Previously, Yonekura Nobutsugu had held Shichibei's hand and asked him what wild ash fruit looked like, and then the group went to the woods for a long time to search for it. I've included them here as well, along with a list of other species of trees that can be used to make wax, such as cotoneaster and maple.

After several hours of agonizing work, and until it was almost dark, Shichibei carefully folded the final draft and put it in an envelope. He also wrote his name on the outside and a brief introduction to the content.

The next day, someone had the letter delivered early to Horida Uma, who was stationed in Tsushima Town. Horida Uma had originally planned to have his retainers deliver it to Komakiyama on horseback, but then he decided to go there himself. Nobunaga had asked him to test Shichibei, and he needed to report everything he had seen and heard in detail to Nobunaga, so as to avoid any suspicion.

33. Nobunaga praised my good tactics

"Wow, Shichibei, your business is huge."

Yamauchi Ichitoyo, who had just entered Kawamura's house, was peeking around, sighing naturally. He looked here, touched there. Of course, he wasn't there to see a friend; he was there to deliver Nobunaga's message.

Shichibei still didn't quite understand. Nobunaga gave you 45 kan, and you were willing to work for him? Human nature is so unpredictable. The revenge for his father's murder was easily forgotten. Looking at Yamanouchi Ichitoyo's current state, he was definitely going to serve Oda Nobunaga wholeheartedly.

Tut tut...

"It's just an ordinary business." Shichibei still didn't know what the oral message brought by Yamauchi Kazutoyo was.

"Are there any good horses?" Yamauchi Kazutoyo wanted to buy a horse last year, but never had the chance.

"Yes, yes, there is exactly one." In front, Genshiro Iitomi gave one of his war horses to Shichibei, but Shichibei was not a military man and had no need for it.

When the horse arrived, Goto Yoshibei, who was following Yamauchi Kazutoyo, nodded. "What a fine horse!" Although it wasn't particularly majestic, its shoulder height, length, and tack were all very satisfactory for a warhorse.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who immediately got on the horse to try it out, was full of praise. Compared to his status of 45 kan, this horse was completely worthy of his status, which was enough.

"how much is it?"

"Well, since it's Inoemon, then thirty kan will be enough." Shichibei was not sure about the price because he had never played with a war horse before.

"It's worth it, absolutely worth it, but I can only give you ten strings of cash first. Can I give you the rest when I get my salary in the fall?" Yamauchi Ichifeng didn't pretend and said directly that he didn't have enough money.

But he was confident because he was the leader of Nobunaga's foot soldiers, and he had salary, rewards and support. As long as he didn't die in battle, he would be guaranteed to be paid back.

"Okay!" Shichibei agreed immediately.

If it were in the past, Shichibei would definitely have said, "Go get the money and come back." But now that Yamauchi Kazutoyo had the final say, how could Shichibei refuse? He had to agree.

It must be said that Yamauchi Ichifeng was still young and not very cunning, and his happiness was clearly visible on his face. He immediately asked Goto Yoshibei to pay and asked Shichibei how much the horse feed and horse shoes cost.

I'll give it to you, I'll give it to you, thirty bundles of alfalfa, all right. As for the horse shoes, go home and ask your family to get some straw to weave them yourself. If you can't weave straw shoes, what are you doing in the Japanese Warring States period?

"My lord asks you to go to the city tomorrow." At this time, Yamanouchi Kazutoyo finally conveyed Oda Nobunaga's oral order.

"Are you going to pay a visit to the Lord of the Palace or to the family elders?" Shichibei had to ask clearly.

"Of course, I'll go up to the city and pay my respects to the lord."

"understood."

What was to come had to come. It was too late for Shichibei to regret his dealings with the Takeda samurai, and he could only respond accordingly. Hotta Uma had come to inquire about the situation and asked Shichibei to write a detailed explanation. This meant that Nobunaga had sent someone to summon Shichibei two days after entering the castle, and it was unclear what the matter was.

"Goodbye." However, judging from Yamauchi Kazutoyo's expression, it seemed that when he passed the order to him, he did not convey it in a very stern manner.

Although Nobunaga granted Yamanouchi Ichitoyo the salary and authority, he could not go to the village personally to manage the land. He still had to live at the foot of Komaki Castle and manage and command the fifteen foot soldiers assigned to him for Nobunaga.

He'd been hanging around in the city for over half a year, so no matter how useless he was, he'd have a few friends and colleagues to chat with. If there was any rumor going around in Komakiyama, like someone had angered Nobunaga, the people below him would definitely spread it.

If they didn't spread the rumor to him, it was either because he was stupid and had a bad life, or because there really weren't any rumors spread to him, so he had no special feelings towards Shichibei and just treated him as an ordinary acquaintance.

It is obvious that Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who will become the protagonist of the Taiga drama in the future, is at least not a fool.

It should be okay, it should be okay, Shichibei comforted himself.

Since we were going to meet Oda Nobunaga tomorrow, we had no choice but to rush to Komakiyama Castle tonight. We grabbed the horses, set up the cart, and drove the thirty bundles of grass promised to Yamanouchi Kazutoyo to Komakiyama.

The accommodation is simple, you can stay in a tavern or an inn, it is not difficult to stay at Yamanouchi Kazutoyo's house, or even at Sugaya Nagayari's house.

Let's wait for Nobunaga's summons.

I woke up early, cleaned up, and headed down to the castle to wait. Komakiyama, with its stone walls and turret gates, was a new castle Nobunaga had built to intimidate the Inuyama and Oda clans. The castle's scale and grandeur were formidable, and it was clear that some of Oda Nobumasa's retainers must have been intimidated by its imposing presence. Naturally, Shichibei managed to squeeze in a seat at the turret gate.

In the movie "Battle of Sekigahara", there is a scene where Ishida Mitsunari is tied up and kneeling at the door. Some people laugh at him, some people spit at him, and he even curses at people.

That door is a very standard oar door. People can enter through the door opening and shoot arrows and guns outside. The defense is greatly enhanced and it is not affected by weather.

The key point is that there's plenty of space under the door, with a dedicated weapons rack. It's not wartime, so there's no need to get too serious. Everyone just sits on the weapons rack and chats.

Someone saw that Shichibei was unfamiliar and asked him where he was from. He learned that he was from the family of Kawamura, a leader of the Tsushima clan, and asked Shichibei what he was doing in the city as a leader of the clan.

After the summer harvest this year, Oda Nobunaga seemed to have no intention of using his troops against Nakanō. He had to give Toyama-hime and 5,000 kan to Shingen before he could confidently send his troops.

Therefore, it is highly likely that the troops will be dispatched after the autumn harvest. Since there will be no troops, there is no need to recruit a large number of horses, and Shichibei, who is in charge of delivering horses, will be of no use.

Well, how should I know why I'm here? I'm here on orders too.

Someone was about to ask, could it be because of the street post station incident that happened last winter that he was going to be promoted? Obviously, there were well-informed people at the city gate who knew a lot.

Promotion? Then I'll lend you my blessing. But Shichibei wasn't a samurai serving Nobunaga exclusively; he had his own duties. Just like Ito, the head of the Tsushima clan, he was a merchant for the Oda clan and had no need to serve at Komakiyama. The truth was, he was in Tsushima, procuring saltpeter, sulfur, and charcoal for Nobunaga.

Of course, managing the daily business operations of the entire Tsushima, gathering the people of Tsushima for meetings, and presiding over the daily work of the town hall are also within his responsibilities.

As they chatted, they heard the sound of a spear from the guards outside, and everyone stood up and bowed their heads. It turned out to be the family elder, Sakuma Nobumori, entering the city. The Sakuma family had long bet on Nobunaga. Nobumori's eldest brother, Morishige, had defended Marugane Fort to the death, buying Nobunaga at least two or three hours to launch a surprise attack at Okehazama.

They were the ones who paid the blood tax for the Oda army and were Nobunaga's original shareholders.

Dismounting outside the gate, Sakuma Nobumori paid no attention to the samurai waiting at the gate. Under normal circumstances, he would have walked in with great strides. But today, it was unusual because he saw Shichibei and stopped to greet him.

He was naturally aware of Shichibei's summons to Nobunaga, and it seemed to be related to candles. As a businessman, making candles made sense. Plus, Shichibei's retainer was quite sensible, which was why he rarely stopped.

Needless to say, Shichibei bowed his head and asked how Sakuma Nobumori was doing. Nobumori nodded and entered the castle without saying anything.

Hey!

As soon as Nobumori left, everyone immediately looked at Shichibei with a higher regard. So you're from Sakuma Nobumori? You should have told me earlier. Nobumori was Nobunaga's trusted family elder, known as the "retreat from Sakuma" family leader.

After all, Hayashi Hidetada rebelled against Nobunaga, and Shibata Katsuie was still in hiding. The most useful family elder at this time was Sakuma Nobumori.

Before he could finish his compliment, someone called out Shichibei's name, telling him to come into the city. Nobunaga had already finished his breakfast and was starting to handle his official business. The first name called was Shichibei's, so hurry up.

He quickly checked to see if his clothes were appropriate, took off his sword, handed it to the foot soldier guarding the gate, and followed the visitor in small steps towards the city.

Inside the castle palace, Oda Nobunaga sat very upright, not lying on a woman's lap, or a black man's lap, while conducting official business. Seeing Shichibei come in, he took a serious look at him, but he didn't have a strong impression of him, after all, they had only met twice before.

After the attack, Shichibei knelt down and performed his greetings, Oda Nobunaga calmly asked Shichibei why he taught the samurai of the Takeda family to make candles but not the samurai of the Owari family?

Besides the young man behind Nobunaga, Sakuma Nobumori and Niwa Nagahide were also present. Nobumori was the family elder, while Niwa Nagahide was responsible for the incident, so their presence was justified.

How to respond? Shichibei had been thinking last night that Nobunaga would definitely ask about this. Unfortunately, Nobunaga was a man who was "wise enough to refuse advice," so it would be difficult to convince him easily.

Annoying.

"In fact, I have already tried to grow safflowers in Tsushima." After thinking about it all night last night, Shichibei felt that it would be better to show off his achievements instead of covering up his mistakes.

I didn't hide the fact that I taught the Takeda family's samurai skills, but instead explained that I contributed to the development of Owari. I wanted to shift the focus of the entire incident and not be led by the Takeda family's affairs.

If Shichibei could get some initiative, then this matter would be alive. Because Nobunaga has always been a man who uses people to move forward, as long as Shichibei is useful, then Nobunaga will forgive the past.

"Safflower?" Nobunaga, who had already taken the instruction manual handed to him by the young man and was ready to listen to Shichibei's excuses, asked in confusion.

"Yes, safflower, like madder and indigo, is a dye crop." Shichibei explained hurriedly. As long as he could persuade Nobunaga and open up the conversation, he wouldn't be afraid that Nobunaga wouldn't take the bait.

"Where did you grow it?" Niwa Nagahide thought to himself that he was familiar with the political affairs within the Owari territory and had no such impression at all.

"It's right at the mouth of the Kiso and Tsushima rivers."

"How can sandbars be used for farming..." Niwa Nagahide and Nobunaga looked at each other. In their impression, sandbars at the river mouth were drifting and could not be used for farming at all.

"Sandbar!" Instead, Nobumori Sakuma, who was sitting on the other side, suddenly exclaimed softly, because the sandbar at the river mouth was the land that he had granted to Shichibei as a share.

His initial thinking was simple: the sandbars were unclaimed and flooded every year. Murai Sadakatsu said he had personally seen that they were indeed deserted, so he granted the land to Shichibei.

Just now...

"Can planting alfalfa stabilize the sandbar?" This was the only reason Nobumori Sakuma could think of.

"Because I have lived in Tsushima for many years and observed the conditions of the sandbars over the past decade or so, I found that there are actually several sandbars that are roughly fixed." Shichibei couldn't say that he got a Luoyang shovel and explored them bit by bit.

"So you exchanged the sandbar for the exemption of the horse price!" At that time, Nobumori Sakuma didn't understand why he wanted such a bad place like the sandbar, but now he understands.

Then Nobumori told Nobunaga about the exchange of sandbars for the price of horses. Nobunaga didn't think much of it at first, but when he heard that Shichibei had actually replaced all the sandbars with the mowed land that he was in charge of, he knocked on the floor several times with his folding fan.

"Hehe, Shichibei, you're quite resourceful. No wonder you're able to provide horse hay to our city. Tell me, how much can you earn from horse hay every year?"

"I dare not deceive my lord. There are two seasons a year, and each season is 90 strings of cash." Shichibei only said that the money was sold out, and did not say what he kept for himself.

"What a shrewd businessman he is. He exchanged the price of a horse for 7 kan of coins for a sandbar worth 180 kan per year." Now Shichibei has become a famous figure in Nobunaga's mind.

It's roughly equivalent to secretly and quietly extorting 180 kan from Oda Nobunaga last year.

My money, my money, you take 180, and I only save 7.

"After growing alfalfa for a year, I am now trying to grow barnyard grass and safflower." Very good, the incident with Takeda Candle is finally over.

Even if we were to investigate Shichibei's trickery and acquisition of the sandbar, it wouldn't be a big deal. After all, Shichibei was involved in the circles of the old Owari, old Oda, and old Shimo counties. Just treat it as Shichibei developing new land. At worst, he'll have to resume military service next year.

I have completed my military service this year.

"I can earn 180 strings of cash a year by growing alfalfa. How much can I earn from growing barnyard grass and safflower?" When it came to talking about money, Nobunaga was interested, very interested.

"If it's weeds, there may be three hundred strings of cash. Honghuachen is also a talented farmer, so he doesn't know it yet." Shichibei didn't say enough.

"Good, good, really good." Opening the folding fan one by one, Nobunaga praised Shichibei three times in a row.

"I also think it's a waste to leave the sandbar vacant..." Let me tamper with everyone's memory. It's not me, Kawamura Shichibei, who set my eyes on the sandbar and came to seize it.

I saw the sandbar lying there empty and unused, which was a shame. I wanted to plant something there to make it more useful. The difference between the two is huge.

The former is considered deceiving the emperor in a positive sense, while the latter is considered to be hard-working, frugal and virtuous in a positive sense.

"Hehe, Goroza, don't you always say that you don't have any good helpers? I think this Shichibei is a good helper." Nobunaga ignored Shichibei and turned to look at Niwa Nagahide.

"Yes, Shichibei is quite capable." Niwa Nagahide nodded in agreement. He could tell that Nobunaga had no intention of punishing Shichibei.

"In that case, Shichibei, before the summer harvest, you will be responsible for inspecting the land in the four counties!"

34. This inspection site is not that inspection site

No, that's not how you say it.

Is land inspection something a human being can do? How did Sasa Narimasa die? He died during the Higo Land Inspection. Why is Ishida Mitsunari hated? Because he was in charge of the Taiko Land Inspection. While this is only one of the reasons, it is definitely the main reason.

Besides, what virtue and ability do I have? What is my status? How much knowledge and practice do I have? Am I worthy? I am not worthy.

You could let Nobumori Sakuma take charge of the land inspection; he has connections, so it's possible. Even if you let Nagahide Niwa go, he's your son-in-law, and he knows the land well and has connections.

Who am I?

Shichibei had no strong facial control, and his eyes widened immediately, wanting to plead with Nobunaga to be relieved of this task. Nobunaga snorted, tapped the ground with his folding fan, stood up and left, not giving Shichibei any chance to explain or defend himself.

As soon as Nobunaga left, Shichibei turned to Niwa Nagahide and Sakuma Nobumori, but they were also unable to help. Nobunaga's thoughts were sometimes so erratic that they might not be able to keep up.

But the two men also said that they would let Shichibei take on this task first, and they would find a chance to mention it to Nobunaga. Such a heavy responsibility would really be difficult for a samurai like Shichibei, who only had 60 kan of salary.

The population of the four upper counties of Owari is at least 100,000 or 200,000, and the territory is at least about 100,000 kan. It is impossible for Shichibei alone and seven or eight other families to inspect the territory of more than 100,000 kan.

I just can’t do it, it’s too much work.

If you want me to die, just say it directly, why are you using this trick? Shichibei was completely helpless. Nobunaga neither gave money nor people, but just asked for the land inspection of the four counties in Owari. He was really driving Shichibei to a dead end.

After leaving the city, Shichibei plopped down on the ground. Fortunately, he didn't burst into tears, which was a bit of adult self-control.

Even if you cry, you have to go home quickly, write a suicide note, and then explain all the family affairs before you can cry. After crying, you can commit seppuku or jump into the river. Both are painful, but better than being beheaded.

Shichibei, with his heart bleeding and tears streaming down his face, was just about to walk out when he bumped into Kinoshita Koichirō who was coming out of the city. Koichirō had a scroll of documents tucked under his arm.

"Hey, isn't this Xiaozhu..." They were semi-acquaintances, both serving under Oda Nobunaga, so Kinoshita Koichiro naturally greeted him.

He must have greeted him from his side, because he and Inase Kotake were from the same boat. When he saw Kotake's brother-in-law, he almost blurted out "Hi."

"Oh oh oh, it's Koichiro." Kinoshita Koichiro was a retainer of Fujiyoshiro, and logically speaking, he was still a retainer under the command of a subject, so Shichibei could just call him by his name.

"Why are you going up to the city wall today?" They were all minor characters, but in fact they were related. Xiaoyilang walked to Shichibei and walked down together.

"I was summoned to the city for some official business." Shichibei was afraid that if he told it out loud, it would scare Kinoshita Koichirō to death.

"Me too. It's almost noon. How about..." Koichiro asked Shichibei if he had any plans for lunch.

Koichiro was a man of many talents, a compliment to his social skills. Otherwise, how could he be called the mediator within the Toyotomi regime? He had a lot of connections and was well-connected to all parties.