Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

The other younger sisters were all smiles now, firstly because they were happy that their older sister's matter had finally come to fruition, and secondly because their older sister didn't have to leave home.

It's obvious. If Xiaozhu comes to work at the Kawamura House, then Ai will definitely still be living her daily life with them.

According to the custom of Japan's Sengoku period, Otake would naturally become a member of the main household, serving Shichibei, the head of the family. Of course, this wouldn't be unpaid labor; he would be paid a fixed salary.

Then our main store needs a slight expansion, at least to create a private living room for Ayi and her husband. That way, they won't have to suppress their marital intimacy and worry about their siblings overhearing them.

"Aji, Aji..." Shichibei thought to himself, "If one is marriage, then two is marriage. How about you and Kinoshita Koichiro?"

The five younger sisters who had been chattering around Ayi suddenly started asking about Aci. Aci would be sixteen by the New Year, and in this day and age, she was perfectly capable of getting married.

"That Koichiro is a bit of a blockhead, extremely dull." That's what Aji said, but he said it with a smile.

That's fine, at least I don't have any bad feelings about him. Besides, Kinoshita Koichiro is a blockhead? He only acts like a blockhead because he's lusting after your body. Outside, he's quite clever.

"I understand." Shichibei held out his hand, signaling you to stop talking; he knew what he was doing.

If they date a little longer and things get close enough, they can get married. Shichibei's fiancée is only thirteen this year; even nowadays, some people get married at that age. But whether or not he gets married will most likely depend on whether Tenkui arrives.

Having children is a prerequisite for fertility. Nowadays, in addition to various interests, the continuation of offspring is still a very important aspect of marriage.

Or rather, these days, the main reason for getting married and settling down is to have offspring. Not only can the family name be passed down, but it also provides security in old age, with someone to take care of you.

The reason is quite simple: being unable to have children is considered a major taboo these days.

However, Shichibei wasn't in a hurry. His fiancée had already been adopted by Oda Nobuhisa. And don't blame Shichibei for having any ulterior motives; since she could be adopted by Oda Nobuhisa, she might just try to climb even higher.

The other day, Sakuma Nobumori started trying to win me over on a small scale. If I stay in this position for another two years, who knows, maybe someone of a higher rank will try to win me over?

While a wife's background may not have a significant impact, status and social standing are important these days. Marrying a woman of higher social standing can bring convenience in many matters.

The most famous example is Kyogoku Takatsugu, the daimyo of the Firefly clan. Because his wife was Asai Hajime, Lady Yodo, Hideyori's mother, repeatedly mediated and demanded that Kyogoku Takatsugu and Ōtsu Castle surrender to the Western Army.

Thanks to his wife's connections, he managed to hold off 37,000 Western Army soldiers for thirteen days, indirectly changing the outcome of the Battle of Sekigahara.

If 37,000 men were deployed to the Battle of Sekigahara, the outcome would be far from certain.

Just dreaming a little about the future, right? Having time-traveled, am I not allowed to dream? The family happily spent the New Year like this.

Yonglu ninth year, spring, January.

Time flies. After celebrating the New Year in Tsushima, Shichibei arrived at Komakiyama Castle and, together with Kotake's older brother Inase Sukeemon, presided over Kotake's coming-of-age ceremony.

The Inase family had no established foundation, had never produced a samurai, and had no family lineage. To be able to invite Shichibei as a guest was already an unexpected delight. After all, Shichibei was a legitimate lord of 260 kan (a unit of currency), while Kinoshita Tokichiro's current stipend was only 100 kan. Inase Sukeemon, on the other hand, only had a paltry 50 kan and served as Nobunaga's head servant.

Shichibei came to give Kotake a haircut. Basically, he just tied her hair into a small braid and put on a crown symbolizing adulthood. Outside, this would be called a "bowl-wearing barber," but the Inase family had no tradition of this and didn't pay attention to such things; "coming-of-age ceremony" was simply called "coming-of-age ceremony."

Since our Shichibei is called Kawamura Shichibei Nagayoshi, let's give Yoshi to Kotake. After Kotake's coming-of-age ceremony, he changed his name to Inase Takeichiro Yoshisei.

He was not a famous general of the Sengoku period at all, nor did he have any connection with any famous generals, and he was clearly not from a prominent family of the Edo period. He came directly to serve as Shichibei's assistant, which is to put it bluntly, just an assistant.

The marriage between the two families was discussed openly, and Inase Yoshinari's older brother, Sukeemon, readily agreed. He even went to great lengths, pulling out fifty kan (a unit of currency) to promise a grand wedding for Inase Yoshinari and Ai, along with all the necessary household items.

Oh my, for a samurai like him with a stipend of fifty kan, this might be all his savings. He took it all out to give to his younger brother for his wedding; how kind and righteous!

Don't worry, Shichibei doesn't care about dowries or anything like that; it's not like he's selling his daughter. Inase Yoshinari doesn't even need to prepare a house himself; he'll just live at the Kawamura family's house and work for us.

All are happy.

After leaving the Inase family home, Shichibei's remaining task was to give his younger sister a grand wedding. While considering who to invite, his assistant stationed in Sakai took the first repatriation ferry of the new year back to Owari.

Many things happened before the new year, but they can be summarized into one thing. Matsunaga Hisahide's younger brother, Matsunaga Hōun, also known as Naito Munekatsu, died in battle, greatly weakening the Matsunaga faction and causing them to be ousted from the Miyoshi family's central leadership by the Miyoshi Triumvirate.

Matsunaga Hisahide and his son Hisamichi, who were originally just vying for power within the Miyoshi family compound with the Miyoshi Triumvirate, turned against them, changed their stance, and sent someone to present Ashikaga Yoshiaki with a tachi and money.

45. Xin Sheng went out to build the city.

Naito Munekatsu was the adopted son-in-law of Naito Kunisada, the deputy governor of Tanba. Under the Muromachi shogunate system, he was the legitimate ruler of Tanba. However, Naito Munekatsu did not come to power peacefully. Instead, he ruthlessly eliminated Naito Kunisada's forces, forcing Naito Kunisada to sign a humiliating treaty before finally succeeding to the Naito family.

As Matsunaga Hisahide's younger brother, they supported and helped each other. One was in Tanba and the other in Yamato. They echoed each other from the east and west and were able to threaten the rule of the Miyoshi Triumvirate in Settsu, Izumi, Yamashiro, Kawachi and other provinces.

That's why Matsunaga Hisahide and his son Hisamichi were able to compete with the Miyoshi Triumvirate and the Awa Miyoshi family who supported them. Since everyone had the strength to gather 20,000 to 30,000 people, they had no choice but to sit down and negotiate.

At his peak, Naito Munekatsu ruled all of Tanba Province except for half of the Hikami District, and was even able to intervene in the conflicts in Wakasa. He was also a very capable fighter, suppressing Hatano, Akai, and others.

However, there is definitely a "but." The Matsunaga brothers rose from humble beginnings and lacked a large group of retainers and the support of their clan. Furthermore, Naito Munekatsu was ruthless when he attacked Naito Kunisada.

His death in battle led to the rapid decline of the Naito clan's power; within just two or three months, the entire Naito family was on the verge of collapse. Naito Joan, along with his sister, had already sought refuge with Matsunaga Hisahide.

Without any support, Miyoshi's position as the head of the Miyoshi family was naturally in jeopardy. Matsunaga Hisahide withdrew from Iimori Castle and returned to Tamonyama Castle.

But would he be content with a life of solitude, confined to his small territory in Yamato? Of course not. So, after the Miyoshi Triumvirate supported Ashikaga Yoshihide's move to Sakai to seek succession, the Matsunaga father and son immediately sided with Ashikaga Yoshiaki, preparing to use Yoshiaki's legitimacy to continue their conflict with the Miyoshi family, which was led by the Miyoshi Triumvirate.

"The situation in the Kinai region is truly complex and complicated..." Sakuma Nobumori nodded repeatedly.

Ultimately, Sakuma was nothing more than a retainer under Kiyosu-san, the former magistrate. He was no longer a retainer of a retainer, but a retainer of a retainer's retainer. He had spent the first half of his life as a nouveau riche; how broad could his horizons possibly be?

People need to gradually venture out and see more to broaden their horizons. What can you know if you stay in a well and only look at the sky? Don't believe the saying that a scholar can know everything without leaving home.

"I have already written the report and sent it into the castle." He said that he had come to Sakuma Nobumori because of their friendship, but reporting to Nobunaga was an order from his superior.

"Of course, of course." Even if Sakuma Nobumori were angry, he wouldn't be angry with Nobunaga.

It's just that the situation changes too quickly. Not long ago, Matsunaga and his son had murdered Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru, but now they've surrendered to Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Human hearts are indeed fickle.

"That……"

"You go about your business. Jinkuro." After asking, Sakuma Nobumori ordered his son to see Shichibei out. The future Sakuma Nobueshi was neither annoyed nor in a hurry, and very obediently saw him off.

By the way, it seems that Sakuma Nobueshige eventually became a Umakai-shu under Oda Nobutada, so in a sense he was a promising talent. But that was all predicated on Nobutada not dying; if Nobutada had died, it would have been all for nothing.

After leaving the Sakuma residence, Shichibei returned to the Kawamura-ya house near Komakiyama Castle. During the winter, they had hired villagers who were off-season for farming and built three houses on land allocated by Nobunaga. At least now, near Komakiyama Castle, they didn't need to stay at someone else's house or in a tavern or lodging.

There's no place like home.

Seeing that Ashikaga Yoshiaki's stock was showing signs of being manipulated by speculators, Nobunaga immediately sent someone to Yashima to deliver New Year's gifts to Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Due to the internal strife within the Miyoshi clan, which controlled the Kinki region, the Hatakeyama clan, which had previously been suppressed by the Miyoshi clan, also began to rise in strength.

Hatakeyama Takamasa requested Ashikaga Yoshiaki to bestow a name on his younger brother, Kojiro. Thus, Kojiro was given the name Hatakeyama Akitaka (later Hatakeyama Akitaka), which meant he had sided with Ashikaga Yoshiaki.

Despite his enmity with the Miyoshi clan, the governor of Kawachi, Yusa Shinkyo, surprisingly restored harmony with the Matsunaga family and also supported the support of Yoshiaki Akira.

Indeed, things these days are all interconnected, with one thing rising as another falls.

So, after giving Ashikaga Yoshiaki a belated New Year's gift, Nobunaga convened another meeting of the Oda clan's retainers. The priority was to rebuild Sunomata Castle; with Sunomata Castle, they could make more informed decisions about whether to further conquer Mino or advance south into the eight districts of northern Ise.

At first, Nobunaga seemed to favor his adopted son-in-law, Niwa Nagahide, but Niwa Nagahide was ordered to deliver a congratulatory gift to Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Although Yajima is not far away, the round trip would take about a month.

Nobunaga didn't want to wait that long, because after spring, the busy farming season would arrive, making it difficult to mobilize the people on a large scale. His idea was to take advantage of the time difference and set off immediately after the snow melted. He aimed to complete the construction of Sunomata Castle within ten to fifteen days, then ask all the farmers to return home. Nobunaga would personally lead the regular foot soldiers to garrison within Sunomata Castle to guard against Saito Tatsuoki.

Therefore, we can no longer wait for Niwa Nagahide. After looking at the top leaders of the Oda clan, Sakuma Nobumori is the most reliable.

Hirate Hirohide, the good son of Hirate, doesn't seem to be a very strategic person, but he's quite brave in battle. Hayashi Hideyoshi is a direct pass-off; he's an old traitor. If it weren't for his hereditary retainers, Nobunaga would have kicked his family out long ago.

Nobumori Sakuma, who was named, was not in a hurry. He had been planning this since last year, and the plan was already in place.

Before the snow melts, please ask Oda Nobunaga to mobilize all villages and hamlets to send at least four thousand pieces of timber, each as thick as an arm and one and a half rooms long, to Komakiyama Castle.

Then there's a lot of rope, the more the better. If you don't need it, you can use it to tie sticks together and stick them in the ground to wedge your feet in. It won't hurt anyone, but it's annoying.

it is good!

no problem!

After listening to Sakuma Nobumori's explanation, Nobunaga roughly understood Nobumori's thoughts. He then made a promise with Nobumori that if Nobumori could finish digging the trench in seven days, he would lead two thousand regular foot soldiers, page soldiers, and babishi to support him.

With trenches and palisades for cover, even Takeda Katsuyori couldn't break through Oda's army formation, let alone Saito's. Could Saito Tatsuoki possibly compare to Takeda Katsuyori?

In addition, Sakuma Nobumori also demanded that Nobunaga pay the farmers who had been mobilized to perform ordinary labor service.

Working for the public good, right? The work is never-ending, so why risk your life? What good will you get for risking your life? In the end, it's the warriors who get the credit anyway. They even ask farmers to bring their own tools, so who are they trying to impress by risking their lives?

We must encourage the farmers to dig a large trench, at least four meters wide, that surrounds the 3,000 square meter area within six to seven days.

If you want to motivate people, give them money. Money is the most real and touching thing.

No problem. Nobunaga was never stingy when it came to spending money. He immediately offered to pay the farmers who participated in the project double their wages, and promised to return five liters of rice to them if they could complete the entire moat project within seven days and return to Komakiyama Castle.

This inspired the farmers' initiative and motivated them to do their utmost to serve Nobunaga.

With this in mind, Nobumori was full of confidence, and his next step was to mobilize the available transportation capacity in Owari. Shichibei indeed received the order to take all the horses, pull the carts if there were any, and use the horses to carry the timber if there were no carts, and take as much timber as possible to accompany the army to Sunomata to assist Nobumori in building the castle.

Having already discussed the matter, Shichibei immediately got to work. Meanwhile, Fujikichiro, who had been preparing earlier, arrived with Hachisuka Koroku and collected another two hundred kan.

They first need to purchase enough logs from the forest farm upstream. Shearing the logs is a huge undertaking; these days, it's either done by hand or water power, both are very troublesome. It's nowhere near as easy as the future when machines can shear a large log into several planks in just a few minutes.

They bought hundreds or even thousands of logs, mobilized the Hachisuka faction's men, women, and children to cut them, and two hundred kan might not even be enough. Shichibei told them to come and get more if they needed more; after all, he had already promised.

According to Hachisuka Koroku's estimate, they would be cutting planks until April or May. Thousands upon thousands of planks that could be directly joined together—it's a huge project!

Come on.

Back to Sakuma Nobumori's job, since it was just after the New Year and there was no other business, and this time more than two hundred horses had been dispatched, Shichibei had to be on duty. With all their assets tied to these horses, it was only right that the company's boss personally took charge.

Nobunaga, probably worried that Sakuma Nobumori's fence wouldn't be enough, mobilized several hundred oxen to help pull carts carrying timber to Sunomata. These weren't just a few thousand thick logs; if you counted one log carried by each of the farmers, there were probably tens of thousands.

Indeed, it was enough for Nobumori to set up layers upon layers of fences on that small island of Sunomata. This time, it could be put to good use; once the castle was built, it could even remain outside as an outer defensive fortification.

Driving the packhorses, Shichibei walked the entire way. The large group of four or five thousand people seemed to stretch endlessly before and after them. Fortunately, the streets had been repaired by Niwa Nagahide last year; otherwise, with several thousand people and over a thousand large animals trampling them, the roadbed of the muddy road might have collapsed.

After crossing the Kiso River pontoon bridge and entering Mino, many of the villagers between the Nagara and Kiso Rivers had fled, with most settling in the former Inuyama territory. Once Sunomata Castle is completed, the people who fled south from Nakano will fill the area between the two rivers. All this is to escape the war; the lives of ordinary people are cheap, who cares?

Around two or three in the afternoon, the group finally arrived in Sunomata, crooked and haphazardly arranged in a chaotic mess. Perhaps because it was located near flowing water, the snow in Sunomata melted earlier, and there was still some snow remaining at the foot of Komakiyama Castle.

There was no trace of Shibata Katsuie's battle last year. The bodies of the fallen soldiers and the discarded tools and weapons must have been completely wiped out by Saito's army.

Everyone looked at Sakuma Nobumori, "Sir, what do you suggest we do?"

While ordering his soldiers to keep the farmers from running amok, Nobumori rode horses around Sunomata Island with a few trusted men. He had looked at the map before he arrived, but at this point in Japan, well, it was just something to look at, nothing interesting. Once on the ground, Nobumori still trusted his own judgment.

When a horse runs, the distance of each step is roughly the same, so you can calculate the distance by counting the number of steps. Then dismount, take a strong bow, and shoot in all directions, using the landing points of the arrows as markers.

We won't test fire the cannons; once the projectiles fly out, who knows where they'll land.

The farmers then set up camp within the area cordoned off with ropes, lit fires, and built sheds in preparation for work. Meanwhile, the Sakuma clan's soldiers began to advance to scout ahead, ready for any possible battle.

Shichibei was only responsible for unloading the goods, unloading large quantities of timber and ropes into the "rope stretcher" area, and then handing them over to a suitable family or worker to guard along the river in units of twenty or thirty horses.

It's too late to get back today. Once it gets dark, many people are night-blind. People who get lost can be found the next day, but a lost horse might not be so easy to find.

Since we can't leave yet, let's just take a look.

The Owari farmers, promised wages and rice upon their return, were still quite motivated. Despite Nobunaga's past reputation as a fool in Owari, he was still quite popular there.

The character Narita Nagachika in "The Castle of Puppets" bears a resemblance to the early Nobunaga. The peasants of Shimoo-Owari didn't treat the ten-year-old Nobunaga as their lord; children would follow behind his horse, even stealing melons together.

It is said that there was a monster in a pond in Owari, and no one dared to fetch water from it. Nobunaga then mobilized everyone to drain the pond, only to find that there was nothing in it, and the people were having a good time.