Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

At least some saplings have been planted on the hilltop. Let's wait and see; it will take twenty years to clear the hilltop completely. By then, the fir and poplar trees planted in the last two years will be almost ready, and we can cut them down to fill in the alleyways.

Having received advance notice from Shichibei, Tsuchiya Nagayasu had already...

They were greeted at the Tada Copper Mine. Tsuchiya Nagayasu himself was mainly in charge of the Ikuno Silver Mine and the Tada Copper Mine, while Hiyo's Kamioka Silver Mine was operated independently, as it was called a silver mine but was actually a lead-zinc mine. The gold mines in Kai and Suruga were managed by Yonekura Nobutsugu, but other people had been involved in the operation of the gold mines, and they no longer relied entirely on the old people of the Takeda clan.

Everything is fine at the copper mine. The annual output of red copper has stabilized at over 700,000 catties, in addition to a small amount of associated silver ore. Silver is considered a side income for the miners, continuing the agreement made at the Ikuno Silver Mine. The Ikuno Silver Mine also produces a little gold, which Shichibei also doesn't inquire about.

"So, you can earn 200,000 kan a year?" Oda Nobutada was quite good at math; he calculated the figure as soon as Tsuchiya Nagayasu finished his report.

“That’s true in theory, but it’s not true in reality at all.” Shichibei was taken aback at first, then understood.

"uh-huh? "

"Even if 700,000 catties of raw copper are produced, half of it goes to the miners." The principle of "five public and five private" is easy to understand, isn't it?

Of the 700,000 catties, 350,000 catties were given to Shichibei completely free of charge. However, the remaining copper was sold and disposed of by the miners who contracted the mines. Although it was still sold to Kawamura-ya, they had to pay their own costs.

Some might say that Shichibei just got 350,000 catties of copper for free, but the production and operating costs were all borne by the miners below Tsuchiya Nagaan.

That's incorrect. The mine actually belonged to Oda Nobunaga. Nobunaga subcontracted it to Shichibei, who then organized subcontractors to carry out production. Therefore, Nobunaga was entitled to a share of the profits, and it was a share of tens of thousands of kan per year.

Making money? What kind of money? Shichibei's main goal was to directly control the source of precious metals and maintain a continuous supply of currency.

The model of heavy assets and low profit margins is like this, but times have changed. Even with heavy assets, Kawamura-ya still has a huge cash flow. It just goes to show that you can't just copy things blindly.

However, it's true that Oda Nobutada said Shichibei minted at least 200,000 kan of copper coins a year. And the actual amount was even higher, but Nobunaga never inquired about such accounts. Nobunaga simply enjoyed spending his money, a completely hands-off manager.

It's quite strange that Xinzhong came to ask today.

Most Japanese lords didn't have this kind of economic acumen; as long as their swords were strong enough, they'd have money to spend. Since that's the case, why ask any questions?

“Shichibei, logically speaking, we are sworn brothers…” Nobutada listened to the explanation, just smiled and nodded, not bothered at all about how much money was needed.

"Your Highness, please don't mind." Shichibei was a little confused and hoped that Oda Nobutada could explain it more clearly.

“You are known in your family as a kind and honest person, gentle and generous, and you never make enemies with anyone. From senior retainers to commoners, everyone praises you.” Oda Nobutada walked in front, with Shichibei following behind.

"I am just a small merchant, and I need to make friends with everyone." This is not only because Shichibei has no ambition to conquer the world, but also because of the necessary needs of Shichibei in running a business.

In business, those who go against their customers never end well. Even potential customers deserve proper hospitality and treatment. Takeda Shingen said that people are the city, and Shichibei said that people are wealth; the so-called acquisition of wealth is more about acquiring people's hearts.

Once a reputation is ruined, the signboard is destroyed.

"Hmph, so this is your strength. The Oda clan is so large, and people's hearts are so complicated. Perhaps you are the only one who can keep everyone at arm's length." Nobutada stopped and smiled at Shichibei.

“Blind, they’re all from the lower four counties.” Shichibei smiled in response.

We're all brothers, from the old Owari, the old Oda, the old Shimotsu-no-kō. Who knows, we might have even run naked through the streets together back in the day? How could we not be close? It's just that Shichibei was born a bit late; if he'd been born ten years earlier, he could have run naked through the streets of Kiyosu or Nagoya with Oda Nobunaga.

"That's precisely why I'll need your help in the future." Nobutada raised his hand and patted Shichibei's arm, his intention to win him over was quite clear.

Come work with me, it's only a matter of time anyway.

As one of Oda Nobunaga's most important political legacies, the Kawamuraya lineage, from Shichibei to Oda Nobutada, would ultimately belong to him. If Shichibei lived long enough, it might even have been passed down to Oda Nobutada's son.

"No, no, Your Highness, if you give the order, I will surely respond." Shichibei was definitely going to take the opportunity to back down. Nobutada had already said so much, and besides, Shichibei didn't really have any intention of rebelling.

As long as Nobutada continues his father Nobunaga's attitude of completely abandoning business and simply enjoying the profits, Shichibei should be eager to support Nobutada.

There aren't many good leaders like this anymore; we should seize the opportunity to retain them.

As for Xinzhong himself, he was actually able to sense it as well.

His father had raised his retainers to be too strong and too fat. Azai Nagamasa possessed 450,000 koku in Echizen and 350,000 koku in Kaga; Sakuma Nobumori possessed no less than 1.2 million koku in skill and strength; Hideyoshi and Mitsuhide were slightly less, but both had several hundred thousand koku.

Although the rank of the generals was the same as the rank after Yorimitsu joined, as we mentioned before, there are significant differences between different Yorimitsu. Those whose territories were placed under Nobunaga's name were not yet considered lord and vassal. Those whose territories were placed under Yoshichika's name were, in effect, lord and vassal.

Nobunaga's aim was to strengthen the power of each legion commander, ensuring that each commander had the ability to lead independently. Moreover, he himself enjoyed extremely high prestige; if he were to come now and seize either Sakuma Nobumori's or Hashiba Hideyoshi's army, no one would question him, nor would they dare to question him.

He can handle it, but Xinzhong might not.

Therefore, Xinzhong decided to win over one faction and attack the other. Those who relied on their seniority and couldn't see their own position were the ones who would be attacked. Those who posed no threat to him and were relatively honest and obedient were the ones he would try to win over.

It's hard to say which faction will be attacked yet, but Kawamura Shichibei Nagayoshi is definitely among the factions that will be won over.

"Hmph." Nobutada laughed and rode back to the Arioka camp, not even staying for a meal.

He acted as if he were simply doing his job, merely completing the final formalities for selling prisoners. Shichibei had wanted to persuade him to stay, but seeing his expression, he kept quiet. The man didn't need the meal; he just needed Shichibei's gesture.

Tsk, Xinzhong is at least a ruler who maintains the status quo.

Next door, there's a high-ranking official named Taizong.

Alright, let's send the prisoners down the mine. The mine staff saw that so many prisoners had been brought in and said that it would be difficult to manage such a large group. It would be better to send half of them to Ikuno Silver Mine.

I understand. Times have changed. In the future, if you had a pistol with seven bullets, the first bullet would kill one person, and the next six bullets would be enough to intimidate a hundred people.

We only have arquebuses now, firing one shot at a time, which isn't a complete deterrent. Therefore, it's best to disperse the personnel and reorganize them into mixed units. Furthermore, we must keep our promise: if they work for the mine for three years, they will definitely be released. They must also be provided with food and lodging during their work period, and given travel expenses upon departure. This will give the prisoners a sense of security and prevent them from rebelling or rioting.

Shichibei didn't have time to manage the specifics; he entrusted everything to the mine. Deaths were no big deal; people die every day these days, it's just a matter of burying them in some alley. As long as it didn't cause a big fuss, and 700,000 catties of copper were delivered to Sakai, there wouldn't be any problems.

If things really get out of hand, Settsu will immediately send a large army to suppress it, but it's never a good look to cause trouble, so we should try our best to calm it down.

Seeing that Tsuchiya Nagaan was also working diligently for our cause, and that Shichibei still had a few small, scattered territories in Izumi, we simply summoned him and granted him the title of Tsuchiya Nagaan, a fief of 200 koku.

In this way, Tsuchiya Nagao not only had one of the thousand trees in the Kawamura-ya family, but also a hereditary fief of 200 koku, which was much better than what he had received before in the Takeda family.

From now on, he would be a respectable lord. In the Edo period, a lord with a fief of 200 koku or more would be a hatamoto (a high-ranking official) of the Tokugawa shogunate. Although he might not be given any important positions, his status was undeniable. When he went out, he would ride a tall horse and have people clearing the way for him with lanterns.

Tsuchiya Nagasu expressed his gratitude repeatedly, and then invited six courtesans to entertain Shichibei with a large drinking party. All the money was kept on the mine's account, ensuring that it wouldn't cost Kawamuraya any money.

Who cares? Shichibei was just touching it, and there might be plums outside. It's better if we just wash up and go to sleep.

I have a home all over the world, and people of all shapes and sizes are different, but I am not greedy.

Just as I lay down, someone knocked on the door from the outside, stating bluntly that Shichibei had a great...

Joy? What is there to be happy about? But since someone knocked on the door, Shichibei put on his clothes and got up.

Lady Ii in Luoyang has given birth to a daughter.

Oh my, Shichibei's spirit trembled open completely, revealing the Kawamura family's first daughter. Actually, although Shichibei has had quite a few wives, they've all been found in the last two years, and not many have yet succeeded in fathering a child.

The only couple with the principal wife, the young general, had children: one son in addition to the eldest son, Shichibei. Shichibei was at war when the second son was born, and second sons are not highly regarded in Japanese culture, so they were rarely mentioned.

"Okay, okay!"

Shichibei clapped his hands repeatedly and immediately took out a small gold coin as a reward to the retainer of the Sanegae family who had come to deliver the news. Ii's sister-in-law, without any official title or status, was the first to give birth to a daughter for Shichibei; oh well, what can I say?

Shichibei had originally planned to stay at Tada Copper Mine for another two days to inspect several mines and the smelting and screening projects. Now, he's too busy; sorry, we have to go back to Kyoto.

He ordered Sanada Masaaki to lead three hundred men to assist Tsuchiya Nagayasu in transferring the prisoners to Ikuno Ginzan, while Shichibei rode off to Kyoto.

However, within a day, Shichibei arrived at Kawamura's residence in Kyoto and opened...

He strode into the house. The baby was already more than half a month old, and had long since shed its yellowish skin at birth, becoming fair and tender.

Previously, Shichibei was stationed in the Arioka-Toyoshima camp in Settsu, making it impossible to contact him. It was only after learning that the conflict between the Oda army and the Honganji army had ended that they sent someone to Arioka to look for Shichibei. However, they heard that Shichibei had gone to Tada Copper Mountain again, and after running around for most of the day, they arrived at nightfall.

"You've really worked hard." The Kawamura family business will definitely be inherited by the young general's son. As for Shichibei's other families and wives, it would be best if they gave birth to daughters. Shichibei would be happy, and they would be fine too.

"I heard you won a great victory in the Settsu Campaign. Congratulations." Ii Naotora lowered his eyes and observed Shichibei's expression. He realized that Shichibei truly liked girls and breathed a sigh of relief.

These days, the preference for sons over daughters is no big deal; samurai families value having many sons. Although the Kawamura family has no throne to inherit, they have a vast fortune, so having many children is certainly a blessing.

"Haha, since that's the case, then let her win." Shichibei was quite happy, holding his daughter tightly.

"What a good name." Ii Naotora was certain that Shichibei truly liked this child.

"Is there anything inconvenient for you in the capital? Please tell me." Let's not even mention...

With busy affairs at the village house in Minokawa, Shichibei himself had to serve Nobunaga's military duties and fight fires in the Kinai region, so he definitely neglected Ii Naotora.

Well, there's no other way. Let's give her some financial compensation. Whatever she wants, as long as it's not the stars in the sky, Shichibei can get it for her. Southern barbarian goods, Tang goods, Kyoto goods—money can buy them all.

"No inconvenience, everything is fine." At this moment, Ii Naotora's two sons also came over. The older one was already able to greet Shichibei, while the younger one was still learning to speak.

After the older brother, Ii Toramatsu, finished bowing, he carefully observed Shichibei. Shichibei was just teasing him, letting him see his younger sister.

Ii Naotora naturally picked up the child and presented him to Shichibei and Okatsu. They really do look alike; they were indeed born from the same mother. Although he was Saegusa Moritomo's son, he was now considered Shichibei's son.

"Is Husong five years old this year?"

“She’s almost six years old,” Naotora Ii added.

"Yes, we need to find him a good tutor." Even though he's a burden,

They need to be properly educated.

444. A single word can make or break a nation.

With Shichibei's connections, he could easily seduce any grand temple or shrine in Kyoto, or any courtier willing to serve as a retainer of a feudal lord. He could learn classical Chinese texts, practice horsemanship and archery, and play football—whatever he wanted, he could have.

Let Sister-in-law Ii keep an eye on it for now. She can share her ideas when she has them, and Shichibei will definitely help.

Although these are other people's sons, since their mothers have come with us, they won't get any of the family property. We can train them and give them some capital to start a business.

With Shichibei's words, that was enough. Ii Naotora didn't hesitate and, right in front of Shichibei, began breastfeeding his daughter, Okatsu. Oh dear, why bother? Flowers may bloom again, but youth never returns.

Sometimes, I wish I were a child again.

Let's stay in Kyoto for a couple of days, just to keep them company. There are so many things in the world to do; if you want to do them, you'll never finish. If there's nothing urgent right now, let's put it off for later.

At night, I can sleep in the same bed with Sister-in-law Jingyi and chat about our life ideals, which is a good way to relax. I'm busy outside all day, so it's rare to have time to lie down like this.

What a pity! I got up early this morning and was in the yard watching how far my adopted son, Ii Toramatsu, could pee, when I received two urgent reports from Tsuruga.

Two letters? What important matter has Ishigami Tsuguyoshi had that warranted two letters delivered by Feijiao? He doesn't know how to manage money; he's from a government background, after all, so careless with his finances.

Upon opening the first letter, Shichibei felt a sudden pang of anxiety, for Ishigami Tsuguyoshi had delivered crucial military intelligence about Kanazawa Castle. It revealed that Asai Nagamasa within the castle had already run out of food, and the castle's soldiers were now emaciated, their eyes gleaming at the sight of any food.

In an attempt to deceive the merchants of Tsuruga into transporting grain into Kanazawa Castle, Asai Nagamasa offered a staggering price of one hundred taels of gold for a mere thirty taels of rice.

You should know that thirty taels of rice are normally worth less than ten taels, let alone a hundred. Asai Nagamasa must have been starving to do something like this.

Sure enough, there were some fearless individuals in Tsuruga who, using the same familiar bows of ships navigating the northward trade routes, prepared to transport military provisions into the city. Just as this letter was being sent to Shichibei, another ship likely sailed into the Asano River and arrived at Kanazawa Castle.

However, according to Ishigami Tsuguyoshi's estimate, it wouldn't even be a drop in the ocean. If Kanazawa Castle were completely without food, they could only send thirty [units of food] every three days.

The rice they put in wasn't even enough for thin porridge. Unless someone brought it to them every day, there was probably no chance they could survive on thin porridge.

How could Shichibei not be shocked upon hearing this news?

Uesugi Kenshin had completely besieged Kanazawa Castle, and the castle's garrison was running out of food. If Azai Nagamasa's 20,000-strong cavalry force were to fail, the Oda clan's situation in the Hokuriku region would be extremely dire.

Asai Nagamasa's eldest son was only fourteen years old, a very awkward age. He was too young; he could have come of age at sixteen. But he was also too old to manage the vast estate of 450,000 koku in Kitasaku, Echizen Province.

If Nobunaga weren't currently commanding over ten thousand troops and stationed at Kitasho Castle, Shichibei would have jumped up and immediately informed Nobunaga, urging him to quickly organize reinforcements. Kitasho couldn't be allowed to fall to Uesugi Kenshin, especially since their Tsuruga was located in Echizen Province.