Swallow Return

According to his understanding, the relationship between the emperor and his subjects under the feudal system was very complex.

Within Japan, high-ranking samurai naturally preferred their retainers to be by their side constantly, allowing them to fully exploit labor while effectively monitoring their movements and preventing them from becoming too powerful to control. As time progressed, this eventually led to policies of "separation of samurai and farmers" and "retainers living together in groups."

But the lower-ranking samurai had more complex thoughts. While some were eager to make their presence felt in front of their lord and curry favor, many more simply wanted to return home and tend to their own small plot of land. Who wouldn't enjoy the feeling of being far from the emperor's reach, akin to a local tyrant behind closed doors?

This creates a contradiction.

Therefore, during the Warring States period, the actual situation was determined by power and the right to speak.

A strong ruler can fully control his retainers, making them as close as his own limbs and ordering them around at will, while also having the ability to provide compensation to appease his subordinates' emotions.

A weak ruler who lacks both sufficient prestige and the resources to compensate his subjects will inevitably have weak control and can only watch helplessly as his retainers act on their own.

Kinoshita Tokichiro had just been sent to northern Omi by Oda Nobunaga and had not yet fully established himself. He had not had time to implement any centralized reforms, and his current power was still quite weak.

Therefore, his control over the minor lords is currently quite lenient.

Only when combat is required, or for other reasons, will someone be sent to notify the mobilization.

They are allowed to move around freely at other times.

The mobilization lasted only seven or eight days before it ended, and the assembled troops were all disbanded.

This was the norm during the Warring States period.

The local people of Omi, under the rule of the Asai family, were already accustomed to a loose monarchical system.

However, Kinoshita Tokichiro was ultimately backed by Oda Nobunaga, a figure who transcended eras and promoted centralization and unification. This situation likely wouldn't last long.

I wonder what methods that guy will use to deal with the local lords of Omi? Will he use a soft approach, a hard approach, or a combination of both?

—and so on.

On his way back home, Liu Yun tried to think about his current situation from a political perspective.

Well, he's already the lord of the Omi Sasaki family!

It is said that the territory has a thousand bushels of grain, and there will be further bonuses soon. He should be considered a middle-level figure. It is really not appropriate for him to only know swords.

I was rushing around and didn't have time to think it over, but now I finally have some time to consider it.

However, as Liu Yun rode on his horse, he pondered and deliberated, but could only come up with some vague and ambiguous concepts.

There is absolutely no effective policy that has any practical significance.

Upon further reflection, he realized that as a transmigrator, he didn't possess a farming system or resource wormholes, nor did he master steelmaking or glassmaking techniques, nor did he remember the minutiae of historical events. The only thing that could be considered a "cheat code" was his superhuman physique and martial arts talent.

In the short term, it seems that we must take the route of increasing combat power.

Without these martial arts skills, there's really nothing to offer Oda Nobunaga, Kinoshita Tokichiro, and the others.

Even if someone can name things like "Happy Market and Happy Seats," "Separation of Scholars and Farmers," and "Sword Hunting Order," but doesn't know the specific implementation details or the causes and consequences of the broader context, how can they be convincing?

Thus, he concluded that although he was a transmigrator from a civilized era with higher education, he could only rely on brute force to gain a foothold in this barbaric and backward era.

sorrow.

But why do I feel a vague, inexplicable sense of exhilaration?

Could it be that deep down I actually enjoy being reckless?

Is it because you were in a civilized society in your previous life that your nature was restrained?

……

Starting from Yokoyama Castle, Ryuun and his entourage returned to Sasaki Village with ease, taking just over an hour.

Naturally, the current situation is no different from the last time I came. It remains a state of poverty and destitution.

But whether it was psychological or not, Liu Yun felt that the village had regained some vitality.

As they rode closer, they encountered several villagers carrying pitchforks. They immediately knelt down and bowed respectfully.

Liu Yun waved his hand and said, "No need for formalities."

Those people quickly got up and ran back, spreading the word in all directions: "Be careful, the adults are back!"

Hearing these words gave Liu Yun a rather peculiar feeling.

Although the people's attitude was clearly more fearful than respectful, they at least fully accepted the new lord's position.

A moment later, Lady Iori, barefoot in wooden clogs and wearing a white blouse, came out of the Sasaki residence to greet him. Upon reaching the doorway and meeting Ryuun's gaze, she immediately bowed her head and knelt, bending down like a mimosa, and softly said, "Thank you for your hard work, please come in and rest!"

This gentle and sweet voice is extremely soothing to the ear, as if it can wash away one's fatigue.

Looking up, one could vaguely see Iori's eyes shimmering with tears, and a faint smile playing on her cherry lips.

In an instant, Liu Yun truly felt a sense of returning home after a long absence, and a strange feeling welled up in her heart.

A moment later, Uncle Xinghe and Junior Brother Suifeng also rushed over.

The two monks were covered in dust and looked worried, as if they were anxious about something.

Upon seeing them, Liu Yun should have felt even more at ease, but instead, her emotions calmed down.

The ambiguous and subtle feeling I had when I met Lady Iori was gone.

This subtle feeling is essentially still about lusting after someone's body, but it's not just about the little thing three inches below the navel; there are more complex factors involved.

As a modern person from the civilized world of the 21st century, one should have spiritual goals that transcend ordinary material desires and should pursue a higher level of pleasure that combines the spirit and the body.

How could it be so vulgar?

Taking advantage of others' weaknesses and bullying them, even if one's lustful desires are satisfied, what's the point?

Thinking about it, it's actually quite interesting...

No, no, given the noble character of a time traveler, of course I find it boring!

Liu Yun greeted Lady Iori in a very calm and natural manner, without having any ulterior motives.

After entering, Liu Yun simply said, "I was ordered to deliver military funds, and there was no danger."

That's all I'll say.

For no apparent reason, I subconsciously didn't want to appear like a boastful person in front of Iori.

But if I were to recount this experience, it would sound like I was bragging.

So when Iori asked, "Was the journey smooth?", Ryuun waved for Aotabo to answer.

Of course, most of the villagers were still unaware of the monster's true nature and still thought it was just a tall servant named "Aqing".

Aotabo was straightforward and guileless, and immediately recounted his encounters with Imai Munehisa and Karasu Tengu on the road, as well as his two battles with the Anti-Demon Ninja.

I just don't know if it was intentional or not, but I didn't mention the name "Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei".

Lady Iori gasped repeatedly, covering her mouth in surprise. Finally, she took a deep breath, bowed deeply in a dogeza (a traditional Chinese Buddhist posture), and said to Ryuun, "Thank you for your hard work!"

The same sentence, said a second time, evokes completely different feelings.

Iori stared intently at Liu Yunduan for a moment, then quickly looked away.

Her tone and actions seemed to convey a deep respect for Liu Yun's abilities, yet also a touch of trepidation stemming from their unfamiliarity.

Perhaps it's because I've never been with a truly capable man who doesn't boast.

Uncle Xinghe, still looking worried, forced a smile and interjected, "You'll be quite taken aback when you first see Liuyun's martial arts, Madam. You'll get used to it gradually."

Junior Brother Sui Feng, on the other hand, was sullen and silent.

Further away, Eguchi Sukezaemon listened with great excitement, feeling quite honored to be a part of it.

Kurotabo frowned and smiled bitterly as he looked at Aotabo, who acted as if he were a retainer of the Sasaki family.

After talking excitedly for a while, Aotabo remembered a crucial matter: "At Yokoyama Castle, Lord Kinoshita said that he would give the Sasaki family an additional 500 koku! If bringing back the head of the man in black does indeed prove useful, an extra 500 koku will be given!"

Upon hearing this, Eguchi Sukezaemon hurriedly leaned forward and asked, "How much land is 500 koku?"

Aotabo thought for a moment and replied, "It seems—I remember, Lord Hachisuka said that Sasaki Village now has a population of about 1,000 koku."

Eguchi Sukezaemon was immediately overjoyed, gesturing wildly and laughing heartily: "Isn't that a huge piece of land? Lord Ryuun is amazing! Lord Ryuun is truly amazing!"

Everyone around them was also delighted.

Only Lady Iori, upon hearing the news, was initially startled, then somewhat uneasy, before finally smiling and bowing again to Ryuun, saying, "Thank you for your hard work..."

Liu Yun observed this, but neither quite understood nor gave it much thought. He simply changed the subject, asking, "What's going on inside the territory?"

Iori quickly composed herself and replied respectfully, "Everything in the village was fine before. The people knew that a new lord had been appointed, so they could work with peace of mind. However..." She looked troubled and said apologetically, "The matter of building a temple for Master Xinghe and Master Suifeng has encountered setbacks. I am incompetent and have disappointed you."

Upon hearing this, Sui Feng understood why his uncle and junior brother had looked so worried earlier, and asked directly, "What's the problem? Are you short of people or money?"

“That’s not the case…” Iori explained cautiously, “We have enough money, materials, and manpower. However, there’s a rather prestigious temple nearby called ‘Kōshō-ji’ that heard about this and sent people to obstruct us, not allowing us to build the temple privately.”

Upon hearing this, Liu Yun frowned: "Why is that?"

Iori clasped her hands in front of her chest and answered cautiously, "I suspect it's because weddings and funerals in the twenty-odd villages around here are traditionally held at Kosho-ji Temple, which generates a hundred kan of incense money for the temple each year... If we build a new temple..."

"I see." Liu Yun nodded and asked directly, "How many monk soldiers does Guangzheng Temple have?"

Iori was startled and paused for a moment before hesitatingly whispering, "There may not be many monk soldiers, but the temple behind this... the matter behind it is quite significant."

Without hesitation, Liu Yun pressed on, "How could it involve such a significant amount of money?"

Iori lowered her head and said, "Kōshō-ji Temple belongs to the Tendai sect and is the last branch of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei. I've heard that Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei has close ties with many high-ranking officials and nobles, and no daimyo in the world dares to disrespect them..."

Upon hearing those familiar words, Liu Yun burst into laughter: "That's perfect! I was just looking for trouble with Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei!"

Upon hearing this, Iori turned pale with fright and stammered, "This is a famous temple with a thousand-year history..."

"What famous temple!" Liu Yun scoffed, "That's exactly what we're doing, attacking a famous temple!"

Chapter Twenty: Winning People Over with Virtue (Part 1)

"末寺" means a subordinate temple.

Kōshō-ji Temple is a subordinate temple of Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei, so to deal with Kōshō-ji Temple is to slap Enryaku-ji Temple in the face.

When Liu Yun said he was going to slap Enryaku-ji Temple on the face, the others were surprised but didn't think much of it.

They only knew that the temple had a history and a prestigious reputation, but they didn't know just how significant its history and prestige were.

Only Iori was dumbfounded, anxious and terrified.

As the daughter of the Kyoto Kakaiin family, even though she was not highly regarded, she had been exposed to social occasions among the court nobles and vaguely knew some things about the imperial family, court nobles, scholars, and artisans.

The monks at Enryaku-ji Temple on Mount Hiei specialize in spreading their faith among high-ranking officials and dignitaries who control public opinion.