Owari Yumeki Golden Day

The club was full of familiar faces, including the big businessman Ito we mentioned earlier, as well as branches of the Ohashi, Hengchuan and other families, and business representatives from other industries.

The number of such people is not entirely certain, as it depends entirely on the size of their family business. They compete with each other internally and reject each other externally.

The meeting was chaired by Horita Uma, whose father, Horita Michikū, had facilitated a meeting between Oda Nobunaga and Saito Dosan at Shotoku-ji Temple, and therefore held connections with both sides. To thank the Horita family for their efforts, Nobunaga appointed Horita Michikū as one of the deputies to Tsushima, responsible for communicating information from above.

The Horita family itself is also the "Nei" of Tsushima Shrine, that is, a priest under the shrine's chief priest, and has a lot of connections in Tsushima.

After everyone sat down, Hotta Uma cleared his throat and began to announce the reason for his sudden call. To put it simply, it could be summed up in one sentence.

He asked the Tsushima people to serve as officials of Owari Province and pay Doubetsu money to help protect the family.

When everyone heard this, they immediately burst into an uproar. How could there be any official business in Owari Province? Owari shugo Sasaki Yoshikane was chased and exiled by you, and Owari shugodai Oda Nobutomo and Oda Nobuaki and others were either dead or on the run.

The entire Owari shogunate guardian institution has been ruined by you, Nobunaga. Without the "public power" to guard, how can there be the "public business" to guard?

Dobetsu-zen was a temporary tax levied by the shugo-shi and shugo-dai to cover construction expenses for the shogunate and the imperial court. Without the shugo-shi's documents, the Tsushima people were not supposed to pay such money.

In the second year of Eiroku, Oda Nobunaga led 500 soldiers to Kyoto to meet Ashikaga Yoshiteru and seek the position of guardian of Owari, but he never heard that the shogunate would agree to this.

Rather than seeking the position of Owari guardian, it would be more accurate to say that he went to Kyoto to observe the situation of the Muromachi shogunate and find out whether the shogunate had collapsed under the continuous attacks of Miyoshi Nagayoshi.

After all, if anyone else, as a citizen, had killed the Shugodai and exiled the Shugodai one after another, it would have been a heinous act of treason. If the shogunate still had some dignity, they would have called on the feudal lords to attack.

As a result, when Nobunaga saw that the Ashikaga family had fallen into such a state, he went home happily.

Now it’s even better. They directly usurp the “public power” of guarding the house and order the collection of Dongbie money.

But after all, even if Nobunaga overstepped his bounds, what could you do about it? The current discussion is simply an attempt to bargain. Five hundred becomes three hundred, two hundred becomes one hundred.

But what was he helping with the Shugo family's official business? Shichibei remembered that the Oda family shouldn't have any major problems that would require hundreds or thousands of kan of money all at once.

Hotta Uma, who was standing above him, pounded on the floor repeatedly. Shichibei listened carefully and finally understood. How could he have forgotten this? Oda Nobunaga was going to give his sister to the Hubei Eagle.

4. Originally sent to send sister to Omi

No wonder it costs money.

It wasn't so much a marriage as it was an attempt to win over the eagle of Hubei. Once the Inuyama Oda clan was defeated, Nobunaga would focus all his efforts on conquering Mino. The Asai clan, conveniently located near Mino, provided a ready-made ally.

On the other side, Nobunaga's father had already won over his ally, Toyama Tomomito, who was Nobunaga's uncle. Once Nobunaga got to Owari, he could bring his brother-in-law and uncle along to fight his nephew.

If he wanted to win over Asai Nagamasa, he probably wouldn't agree without a dowry of several thousand kan. After all, Nagamasa had already offended the Rokkaku clan, and if he offended the Saito clan as well, he would be attacked from two sides, and his geographical environment would be greatly restricted.

So, how much building fee do the Tsushima people have to pay?

Shichibei was too lazy to bother anymore, so he said, "Just tell me how much it is." As soon as he opened his mouth, the bosses and owners who were still arguing immediately shut up. In fact, they were all waiting for this young man to ask Hotta Uma how much he wanted to collect at the last minute.

Especially since I have just paid the arrow money and have already paid a temporary tax, how much is this building fee?

Nobunaga didn't bother to calculate land area or capital situation, but simply demanded 500 kan from the Tsushima people and 500 kan from the Atsuta people. He also ordered all the local lords under his jurisdiction in Owari to collect "dan rice", with the target being 1,500 kan.

Adding up the three, at least 2,500 kan in cash would be needed to barely bribe Asai Nagamasa.

It's all about profit, not favors. Without this dowry, wouldn't Asai Nagamasa have been fine marrying the Asakura family's daughter? Asakura Yoshikage would probably have given a dowry of no less than 2,000 kan, and he could have helped Asai Nagamasa secure an official position.

Asai, who was born into the Kyogoku clan as a deputy, has only been rich for two generations. He has a weak foundation and little reputation, so he needs the support of the slightly older Asakura family.

Five hundred kan, almost double the amount of arrow money last time.

The owner of the fish shop next to him nagged Shichibei, asking him to ask again if it could be a little less. Shichibei was young, not stupid, so he should just be the first to step forward. Even the big boss Ito didn't step forward, so why should I?

He had dozens of large thongs and was very wealthy, but ten Shichibei tied together were not as valuable as a hair on his waist. He didn't even ask, so why did Shichibei keep talking?

The entire venue was silent. Without the young man like Shichibei, everyone naturally looked at the representatives of Ohashi, Tsunekawa and other families, as well as the boss Ito.

If you want to resist taxes, you need someone prominent to take the lead.

Even without anyone taking the lead, it was still passed by applause and unanimous vote. It was a conference of victory, unity and progress.

Alas, I haven't made a penny. I've only been here a few days and I've already lost money twice in a row. This guy is causing trouble. If the Kawamura family continues to operate like this, they will lose all their capital sooner or later.

The meeting quickly drew up a plan for the distribution of the money. Shichibei's family wasn't large, and he wasn't a big shot with voting rights, so his share was less than two kan. But even that much money would take the entire messenger room ten to eight days to collect.

After the ceremony, one of Hotta Uma's retainers approached Shichibei. He asked for two favors. One was to exempt him from the next year's military service, and in a few days, Shichibei would lead a team of horses to Komakiyama Castle to provide the bride's dowry. The other was that, in addition to the military service, Nobunaga would pay him double the wages for this trip, as part of the journey might require crossing enemy territory.

Hey guys, wait for me here.

No wonder Sugaya Nagayari said a few days ago that there was no good business. So this is it. This business is not that good. Even with Nobunaga's army protecting it, it can't withstand Rokkaku Yoshiharu jumping out to attack and kill people.

As if to confirm these words, Sugaya Nagayari appeared outside the Kawamura horse-carrying house in Tsushima Town. He not only delivered Nobunaga's orders but also inspected the Kawamura family's horses. All twenty-two serviceable packhorses were to be brought out, ready for Nobunaga's sister's wedding.

"Shichibei, how's business?" Sugaya Nagayasu looked as if they were meeting again.

"Thanks to you." Shichibei could only smile.

I can be exempted from next year's military service fees and serve this year. It seems like I'm getting a huge bargain.

"The written document will be conveyed to you later, so don't delay your schedule." Sitting in the corridor of the inquiry room, Sugaya Nagaya was still looking around.

The Kawamura family was not a wealthy family, nor did they like luxurious decorations like many wealthy machiya merchants, which disappointed Sugaya Nagayasu who wanted to broaden his horizons.

If you want to see a luxurious mansion, you have to go to the home of the big boss Ito. Or you can go to the Horita family. The Horita family is both a priest and a wealthy family, and their residence is very spacious.

"Yes, sir." Ai offered the tea and Shichibei pushed it to Sugaya Nagayari.

"By the way, what was the reaction of the Tsushima people to the collection of Donbetsu money?" Sugaya Nagayari asked casually.

"This is 'official business' and no one is dissatisfied." Shichibei closed his eyes and spoke.

What can you do if you are dissatisfied? You still have to pay for it.

"Oh..." Sugaya Nagayari, holding a teacup, smiled meaningfully.

Sugaya Nagaya naturally recognized the perfunctory response. But the two weren't close acquaintances, so a perfunctory response was perfectly normal. Opening up to a stranger after just a few words was truly foolish. Shichibei's ability to control his mouth was a good habit.

After tea, Sugaya Nagayari visited Ohashi Shigenaga, then returned to Komakiyama with the 500 kan handed over by the Tsushima clan. Since they didn't have a large quantity of lead ingots this time, there was no need to hire private horsemen. Nobunaga could carry the troops himself.

Looking at his receding figure, the guys started talking about it. They had only just learned about the news that they were going to escort A-shi to get married.

As a princess of Owari Province, no matter her appearance, she would be rumored to be a great beauty. Aside from the daughters of Sasaki Yoshitsugu and Sasaki Yoshikin, she was the only princess with the highest status in the entire Owari Province.

Nowadays, ordinary people always have a vague imagination and longing for those in power, which is the same as the story of the emperor using a golden hoe to farm and the queen eating persimmon cakes every day.

If she had not been born in Oda Danmasetada's family and happened to meet a man as famous as Nobunaga, Aichi might not have been hailed as the most beautiful woman in the Warring States Period.

The three ladies of the Warring States period, Kicho, Nene, and Osomatsu, were all women with connections to Oda Nobunaga. Without Nobunaga's turbulent history, they would probably have been forgotten by the public.

The guys might speculate about how beautiful Aichi is, but Shichibei is different. With my ugly appearance of 1.42 meters tall, I'm afraid I wouldn't even be able to get the title of Aichi.

Anyway, they are things that cannot be seen or touched. Shichibei never has any extra feelings for such existences. He just lets them do whatever they want.

5. If Hideyoshi can sell it, so can I

Nobunaga's sister's wedding was indeed a grand occasion. In addition to the twenty or so horses from Shichibei's side, forty or fifty horses from Atsuta's horse chief, Kato Clan, were also sent. Add to that the dozens of horses prepared by the Oda clan themselves, and the entire procession, winding out, must have been at least two town chiefs.

The guards numbered over five hundred, and the servants, attendants, and samurai who served as retainers of Aichi numbered several hundred. As for the dowry, it was an extravagant sum exceeding three thousand kan.

Obviously, Nobunaga also knew that 2,500 kan was probably just the average amount. If he wanted to completely win over Asai Nagamasa, he would have to add a large sum of money.

Speaking of which, Nobunaga was indeed generous with his money. He fully embodied the principle of spending where he could and saving where he could, meaning that if he wanted to spend money, he would squeeze the common people, right?

A dozen years later, Uesugi Kagekatsu married Takeda Katsuyori's sister for 10,000 taels of gold. Furthermore, it is said that he bribed Takeda Katsuyori's associate, Atomo, with 2,000 taels of gold, which is truly astonishing.

As for your question about A-shi?

Well, despite saying one thing and doing another, Shichibei followed the crowd and took a look. It's hard to describe, but it doesn't quite fit Shichibei's aesthetic. But the soldiers and servants around him were all stunned by her beauty.

Indeed, besides her status, her main attraction was her white complexion. Compared to the peasant women you could see along the road, or even the daughters of many samurai families living in the city, Princess Aichi was indeed very fair.

The Japanese greatly appreciate snow-white necks. Whether it is the depictions from the previous Heian period or the later Edo Shogunate, they all highly praised women having snow-white necks.

That's exactly what happened to A-shi. Not even a mole could be seen. She was as bright as the moon.

It's pretty good. I guess Asai Nagamasa would like it. After all, it fits the current aesthetic of Japanese people.

Let's go! Besides the Oda clan's troops, Ichibashi Nagatoshi, lord of Mino Fukutsu Castle on the Asai side, is also in the procession, acting as Nagamasa's liaison and escort. Nobunaga dispatches retainers such as Sakuma Nobumori, Shimada Hidemitsu, Sugaya Nagayaori, and Fujikatsu Nagakatsu to see him off and negotiate with him.

The entire journey would take four days if walking slowly, or two days if walking quickly. Oda Nobunaga only wanted to send Aichi to Odani Castle as quickly as possible to marry Asai Nagamasa, so he naturally chose to march quickly.

Two daimyo, only needing a day's worth of land to march, fought for decades, hundreds and thousands of people died, tsk...

It is better not to mention that at this time, the retainers of the Asai clan were positive about the marriage alliance with the Oda clan. Previously, Asai Nagamasa had dismissed the daughter of Hirai Sadaumi, the adopted daughter of Rokkaku Yoshitaka. Since Asai Yoshitaka changed his name to Asai Nagamasa, he had actually torn relations with the Rokkaku clan.

Although the Asakura clan had their backing, they still needed to seek external aid to strengthen their rule. The Oda clan's request for an alliance was actually exactly what the Asai clan wanted.

Naturally, Asai Nagamasa sent people directly to the border to welcome the Oda family's wedding party, and rebuilt Odani Castle for this purpose so that Aichi and her attendants would have enough living space in Odani.

The wedding was a grand affair, attended by nearly all the powerful families of Hubei. The Asai family had previously been embroiled in a civil unrest, with powerful retainers, similar to the Renbanshu, exiling Asai Hisamasa and enthroning Asai Nagamasa. While the two sides have reconciled, and Asai Hisamasa has returned to Kodani Castle and Komaru, he remains at odds with his retainers.

Now that Nagamasa was in trouble, the Asai retainers who had supported him naturally wanted to show their support. Strengthening Nagamasa's prestige and power would be the only way to suppress Hisamasa and his close associates.

However, no matter how grand the wedding was, it was a matter for the samurai. Although Shichibei was also invited, it would be better for him to retreat to the city and have a meal with his fellow soldiers instead of sitting in the corridor to accept the banquet.

The banquets in the city weren't great either. The Hubei people loved sushi, which involved burying raw fish from Lake Biwa in rice soaked in vinegar and fermenting it. The taste was truly unpalatable. Even after three or four hundred years, few Japanese people enjoyed it.

In some places, the cleaned fish meat is simply buried in the vinegar rice. It is said that some brave or lazy people do not even pick up the fish, but bury it in the rice with the scales and internal organs.

what……

Sigh, why bother.

The Oda soldiers and servants at the castle were also treated to hospitality by the Asai clan. At least there was plenty of alcohol and plenty of soup and rice. Omi, fueled by Lake Biwa, thrived not only in agriculture but also in commerce. The Asai clan even added dried goods and kelp shipped from the distant Ezo Island to their soup and rice.

If you think about it, even though the Asai clan didn't control Tsuruga, Kusatsu, or Otsu, key trading hubs for the north, they were still on the transport routes. Simply by setting up customs posts, they could have made a killing.

At this time, the powers of Kinai were competing to establish customs posts along the sea and canal shipping routes. On the Yodo River alone, there were 260 customs posts. Their density was so high that even the customs posts on the Weser River in distant Europe pale in comparison. At its peak, the Weser River had only about 130 customs posts.

After dinner, Shichibei was bored, so he wandered around the castle town. Like Tsushima or Atsuta, Odani's castle town also had a daily market, not a 24-hour market.

Even though Hubei's local business was equally prosperous, there weren't any large-scale shops operating continuously. But today, I was lucky: a shrine in Hubei was holding a grand festival, and a market was being held continuously for seven days.

Shichibei wasn't interested in anything mysterious or mysterious. The goods at the market were what caught his attention. He'd finally made it onto a "cross-border trip," one protected by the military. He'd be a fool not to bring back some Omi specialties to Owari.

Someone will definitely say that Kunitomo Village is here, bring some teppo back to Owari, and Nobunaga will definitely love you.

But it was too late to make this thing. Ever since the introduction of the iron cannon, it had always been a hot commodity. People were waiting for the iron cannon, not for the iron cannon to wait for people. After two days of rest in Odani, the wedding was completed, and the secret talks between Sakuma Nobumori and Asai Nagamasa were concluded, it was time to return to Owari.

Obviously, it would be impossible to build a cannon for Shichibei to take back to Owari in just two or three days.

There are also many other specialties, such as linen, silk, rice, vinegar, fish, wine, dried persimmons, and castings. As long as you pay, you can pick up the goods immediately.

However, Odani Castle Town wasn't large enough. The two major markets in Jiangbei, one in Imahama and the other in Minoura, were both located near water. Without waterfront access, it wasn't certain that a place could develop these days.

Anyway, after a brief stroll, Shichibei returned to his base to rest. The Oda clan would be staying in Odani Castle for a few more days anyway, so he had plenty of time to visit Imahama. As a major commercial town in Hubei, Imahama might offer Shichibei a broader perspective.

If all else fails, just buy some iron needles and sell them. If Hideyoshi can sell needles, so can I.

6. No wonder 30% of farmers don’t cultivate their fields

Imahama.

It was not far from the future Nagahama, or perhaps the two could be considered the same place. After Nobunaga and Hideyoshi took control of Imahama, they dredged the river on a large scale, renovated the castle town, and attracted merchants, making it a first-class commercial and prosperous place in Hubei.

As a mountain city, Xiaogu was mainly used for defense. If we really want to talk about the richest city in Hubei, it has to be Changbang.

Mountain fortresses like Xiaogu will gradually become obsolete. After all, building flat or mountain fortresses that can accumulate large amounts of wealth and grain, and control the circulation of iron cannons, horses, and weapons, is the inevitable choice of increasingly large power groups.

Even Tokugawa Ieyasu, a country bumpkin who knew nothing about business, knew to move the base to Hamamatsu and Sunpu, let alone others.

As the rice and cloth market in Hubei, Imahama's most famous product is ramie cloth, or linen, woven from ramie imported from Echigo. Because ramie fiber is relatively white, it is suitable for later processing, eliminating the need for bleaching, making the resulting linen cloth highly sought after.

Why did Japan import not only silk from China, but also raw silk? Because a significant portion of Japanese raw silk was of substandard quality, skewing yellowish and considered inferior. It required an extremely complex bleaching process before it could be used for textiles.

In theory, buying some Omi hemp and selling it back to Owari would be a good business, but there was a problem: cloth, whether silk, satin, or linen, was a monopoly in Owari.

It's not like you can sneak into the village to sell a piece of linen and no one will bother you. But if you enter the city or the commercial town, you will be checked and your money will be confiscated.

This was not uncommon in various provinces of Japan. The daimyo granted the merchants monopoly rights, and the merchants provided "unshojin" to the Ming Dynasty, which was the protection fee for the monopoly rights.

Based on this, the daimyo needs to ensure the monopoly of the seat within the territory and cooperate with the seat merchants to crack down on anyone who tries to challenge the monopoly.

The punishment could be confiscation and expulsion at the very least, or a knife in the neck at the worst.

Anyway, the cloth trade in Tsushima Town was monopolized, and as a member of the Tsushima clan, Shichibei needed to defend the guild's monopoly. Because if it weren't for the monopoly, Shichibei, with his frail arms and legs, would have been squeezed out by other brothels long ago, and wouldn't even be alive today.

Other commodities like rice, miso, soy sauce, vinegar, and so on were all monopolized by merchants. Even some less commonly used goods were monopolized, such as mercury produced in Ise and mosquito nets produced in Imahama, whose production and sales were protected by guilds.

The funniest thing is that Yoshitatsu, the Isshiki Kyozhao doctor of Mino and Nobunaga's brother-in-law, once issued a monopoly document to Falcon of Mino.

What is a falcon? It's the hawk used in falconry.

To gain wealth, each daimyo would sell even monopoly rights worth ten or twenty kan. Nagao Tamekage of Echigo earned less than six thousand kan a year, but he was a passionate daimyo who spent nearly every year on the battlefield. Therefore, even squid and coptis root were specially designated, and merchants were granted monopoly rights to sell them, hoping to generate income.