Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

Don't be fooled by Nobunaga's current illustrious and extravagant appearance; it's just a passing fancy. You, Ryūō, are nineteen years old this year (actually twenty, by the traditional reckoning), while Nobunaga is already thirty-four. That fellow is fifteen years older than you; he'll definitely die before you.

Once he's dead, when we march back to Meinong, won't we be met with overwhelming support? Wherever our army goes, the people will wholeheartedly welcome us.

Nagai Michitoshi, however, did not see it that way. First, Nobunaga had stripped Tatsuoki of his Mino skills, shattering his foundation with a single blow. Second, he was going to marry a woman from Oda to Tatsuoki. What did this mean?

It's very simple. Once this woman from Oda gives birth to a baby boy, Ryuko will either fall off his horse and die, or die from drunkenness, or even choke to death while eating a steamed bun or choking to death while drinking water.

When the time comes, it will be perfectly logical for Nobunaga to use this baby boy, whose surname has been changed to Oda, to seize the core samurai group of the Saito family.

Most of Saito's samurai would accept their fate and eventually follow the Oda clan in battle. This was a method of killing with a dull knife, a method that saw no bloodshed.

Even if we accept Nobunaga's conditions now, we'll only be able to survive for another two or three years. And we'll be giving away the Saito family's wealth accumulated over three generations to Nobunaga for nothing.

Even if we die, we won't let Oda Nobunaga get away with it.

Alas, the differing opinions of the two senior ministers have put Longxing in a very difficult position. Those who have remained loyal to him to this point are undoubtedly the most devoted, and it would be disastrous to offend either of them.

What to do then? Nobunaga couldn't wait too long, at most a day or two.

………………

"In this battle, Shichibei deserves the greatest credit. He devised a plan to lure Ryūō out and captured Ryūō and four others!"

Nobunaga sat upright inside the main building of Inabayama Castle and announced loudly. No one on either side would object, for these were genuine achievements, and no one could refute them.

"Therefore, Shichibei Kano was granted a fief of one thousand kan."

"I am extremely apprehensive!" Shichibei thought it would only be five hundred kan, but he never expected that with the two merits combined, he would be awarded one thousand kan.

"Furthermore, Kotaro Sō, who assists in the project, has been newly appointed as a stable boy and is awarded twenty large gold coins. Kawamura Shichibei will continue to be given support and two hundred kan of new acquaintances." Nobunaga beckoned Kotaro Sō to come over and gently tapped his head with his folding fan.

He actually apologized to Kotaro in a very low voice, barely audible to the two of them. After all, he had almost kicked Kotaro into a ditch.

"Your Highness's grace will never be forgotten." Before coming, he was still thinking about the reward of one thousand kan of cash, and now he was almost incoherent.

"Fujikichiro, you have done well. I hereby award you 500 kan of credit." Nobunaga waved for Kotaro to leave and pointed at Hideyoshi.

Hideyoshi worked very hard in the attack on Inabayama Castle. Now that the castle has fallen, this is the reward he deserves. As long as you serve Nobunaga, Nobunaga will reward you accordingly.

"Your retainer is also very good. Grant him fifty kan of credit and use it to serve you." Nobunaga was in high spirits at the moment and continued to announce before Hideyoshi could express his gratitude.

Horio Yoshiharu was still standing outside the citadel, completely unaware that he had become a samurai with a reward of fifty kan. He knew, of course, that he would be rewarded, but he never expected to receive the reward so immediately.

Like Sou Kotaro, who thought he would get a large sum of cash, but ended up with only two hundred kan (a unit of currency). Nobunaga was certainly not stingy.

Others also received rewards, such as Mori Yoshinari, who also participated in the siege. Those who held their ground and killed Saito's samurai during the Dragon's Rise night raid were also rewarded with gold, warhorses, and precious swords.

Only those who demonstrate outstanding ability in knowledge and action can be granted rewards; otherwise, they are simply given money or goods.

Or, like one of Nobunaga's foot soldiers who killed a famous samurai of the Saito family and was thus promoted to foot soldier captain, and so on. They received a raise, a stipend, or money, but not a one-time payment; it was a continuous increase in basic salary as long as you carried a gun for me.

That's a pretty good perk; if you carry a gun for a long time, you'll most likely eventually get the title of Chigyo. Nobunaga is already the ruler of two countries, a true daimyo with millions of followers; all he needs are people willing to carry his gun.

"Finally, there is one more thing to announce."

Everyone was discussing enthusiastically, as Nobunaga's victory celebration banquet was just around the corner. It might be held at Inabayama Castle or Komakiyama Castle, but Nobunaga treating everyone to a meal and drinks was a must.

Hearing that Nobunaga had something to announce, everyone stopped their discussion and waited for Nobunaga to speak. However, Nobunaga did not speak immediately, but waited a moment.

A person walked in so grandly from outside, someone we're all quite familiar with now, someone we've met several times recently.

Saito Tatsuoki!

"I will be granted Kiyosu Castle as my fief, and I will work with you all from now on!" Nobunaga's words immediately ignited the entire room.

Yesterday they were shouting for war, wishing they could eat Longxing's flesh and sleep on Longxing's skin. Today, Longxing kowtows to you, and you shake hands and make peace.

Ryūō, however, did not show any obvious emotional fluctuations. He simply went inside and sat down to Nobunaga's left. Nobunaga introduced them to each other, and the Oda retainers in the same hall got to know each other.

It's hard to say whether Shichibei should call Oda Nobunaga a big-hearted person or a bold one.

87. New Policy on Joint Public-Private Partnership

Kotaro took out the twenty gold coins, roughly round, which Nobunaga mainly used as rewards. Each coin weighed about two and a half ounces and had a stamp on it, signifying its gold content and reliability.

The distribution was fair; each of the nine people received one, with an extra one for those who actually helped and an extra one for those who jumped into the water to rescue people. Based on the principle of maximizing effort, no one objected.

Nine men stood in a circle, looking up at the sunlight to examine the quality, then biting down to test its softness and hardness. This raid on the hunters was a satisfying one; they'd each earned a gold coin. Weapons and armor, which they'd have to secretly exchange for money, were definitely not as satisfying as simply handing out cash and rice.

"Congratulations, Kotaro." Shichibei patted Kotaro on the shoulder, "Little brother, you've finally made it big."

"No, no, no, no..." Kotaro was grinning from ear to ear. He still didn't dare? No wonder Nobunaga kicked him for nothing.

"It's like eating bee droppings," Shichibei muttered to himself. Kotaro didn't hear him clearly and continued laughing.

"Hey, Shichibei, Shichibei." As soon as he turned around, Hideyoshi came running over to greet Shichibei.

Hideyoshi is now a renowned samurai with a thousand kan (a unit of currency), a higher rank, but Shichibei is not far behind, also a renowned samurai with a thousand kan.

"What, brother, aren't you going back to Suna?"

"We'll return after the lord's victory banquet." This must be referring to the victory banquet held for Oda's trusted retainers.

It is said that in history, Nobunaga had his brother-in-law made into a sake cup, which was used at an internal drinking party attended only by Omamaru, his retainers, and a group of important retainers. Everyone who saw it was utterly astonished.

But this explanation seems unreliable. Why make an example of someone? What are your trusted retainers supposed to intimidate? You should take out your wine cup and show it to those powerful and influential people, your ministers and lords.

It would be more effective to show it to Tokugawa Ieyasu than to Kinoshita Hideyoshi.

"Of course, indeed."

"Oh my, have you heard how much credit has been given to Mino no Kami?" Hideyoshi whispered in Shichibei's ear.

"What Mino no Kami? That's just Saito Harubu." Shichibei patted Hideyoshi, pointing out his slip of the tongue.

"Oh right, it's Saito Harubu."

"It would have to be at least 10,000 kan, otherwise I wouldn't be able to place many retainers." It's quite simple; for example, Nagai Michitoshi has three or four sons.

He himself would need 500 kan, and each of his sons 200 kan. Otherwise, he wouldn't even be able to afford a single warhorse, let alone produce arquebusiers and retainers. His family alone would require 1,000 kan to be settled. If it were less than 10,000 kan, Ryūshō simply couldn't accommodate so many Saitō family samurai.

"Kiyoshi owes 15,000 kan, making him almost the head of the retainers and also ranking among the top retainers," Hideyoshi immediately stated the number.

"Tsk tsk tsk..." Shichibei smacked his lips several times.

Nobunaga was really willing to offer a high price, since he was indeed short of manpower at the time. When he destroyed the Takeda clan, he directly ordered a massacre, not allowing any Takeda samurai to surrender. Even Oyamada Nobushige, who came to surrender, was beheaded. It was only because Anayama Baisetsu surrendered early and was willing to lead the way that he was spared.

This, however, greatly benefited Tokugawa Ieyasu, allowing him to gather a large number of capable henchmen. Dozens of families emerged as future daimyo of the Edo Shogunate alone.

By the way, our acquaintance in Kai, Yonekura Nobutsugu, had descendants who served under Tokugawa Ieyasu. They eventually rose to become lords of the Minagawa and Rokuura domains, each with a 15,000 koku of rice, and this continued until the end of the Edo period. During the Meiji era, he even earned the title of viscount.

"If I hadn't killed quite a few people at the foot of Zuiryuji Mountain a few days ago, I'd probably be settling down with 20,000 kan by now." Hideyoshi, a mere samurai with only a thousand kan, naturally felt a sense of awe towards a fortune of 20,000 kan.

"Hey, how many people are you planning to recruit?" Shichibei's status isn't quite up to par for discussing this kind of thing. Let's talk about what we can talk about.

"Use this to recruit twenty-five arquebusiers." Hideyoshi wasn't actually that short of samurai.

As in history, he also demanded the support of the Makimura and Maruge families from Nobunaga. Since there were already samurai, supplementing their projectile firepower and preparing arquebuses would be a very appropriate arrangement.

Just before the rewards were distributed, the small noble families and people from the small provinces of Mino all came to surrender to Nobunaga. Nobunaga appeased them one by one and even accepted the precious swords or horses they offered. Nobunaga immediately assigned the Takenaka family to Shichibei (as pre-arranged), and Hideyoshi, seeing this, seized the opportunity to ask for it.

"You've got a convenient position." Shichibei has now gained a thousand kan of new knowledge, and he really needs to greatly expand his retainer group to meet Nobunaga's expectations.

"And you?" Hideyoshi was quite curious about this, because Shichibei's main duty was to serve merchants, not to be a samurai.

The duties of the governor of Kaito District were assisted by twenty men appointed by Nobunaga. In battle, Shichibei did not need to charge into battle, and there was no need for archer foot soldiers or arquebusier foot soldiers.

I?

In fact, Shichibei is currently preparing for a major assignment, which is the "adopted kinship" that Nobunaga mentioned before.

To cooperate with Nobunaga's powerful influence, Shichibei must secure at least 20,000 koku of rice as tribute this year, gradually accumulating capital. Ultimately, he will become Nobunaga's chief commercial agent in Owari Province, responsible for all economic activities related to commerce.

The most important thing about this job is the money; manpower is secondary. After all, what Nobunaga wants is money that can be withdrawn and spent at any time; he can relinquish all other commercial power.

"Let me think about it later." Shichibei didn't have an answer right now, but he wasn't in a hurry. He could continue thinking about it when he got back to Komaki Mountain.

We gathered our various tools and followed Nobunaga's main force back to Komakiyama. We wondered when Nobunaga planned to move to Inabayama Castle; our branch shop near Komakiyama Castle would also have to relocate there.

Komakiyama Castle was not a crucial commercial and trade hub unless a large number of Oda retainers gathered there.

Passing by a post station set up on the border of Nobi, Shichibei unloaded some of the soldiers' rations and hay. This was to be stored at the post station for Nobunaga's use during his rapid marches in the future.

The caravan stopped inside and outside the post station. Shichibei led all the horses into the stables, as they would be spending the night at the post station and needed to settle the horses in.

Just as they were feeding the horses, two farmers passed by the stables to fetch manure from the dung pit behind it. After the summer harvest, rice would be planted, and the fields definitely needed fertilizer. Earlier, Shichibei had made an agreement with the farmers around the post station that they would regularly collect the manure from the station, giving them an additional source of fertilizer and saving the Oda clan the trouble of sending people to clean the post station.

The two farmers even asked Shichibei if they needed to sweep horse manure tomorrow.

Of course we need it. You can come and sweep as soon as our team sets off.

By the way, speaking of which, Shichibei wanted to ask you something. Why are you asking me? Shouldn't you be asking the innkeepers?

The two farmers opposite laughed. This post station was built for His Highness's military use. They didn't use it at all. Instead, they conscripted laborers, with Niwa Nagahide, the head of the family, signing labor contracts with the local villages and sending someone to the post station to prevent fires and thefts, stay and watch over the house, and occasionally feed the horses.

After all, there's food and hay in the post station, so someone needs to sleep in the barn. As for the empty houses, fire prevention is sufficient.

Ow...

This was indeed a common practice in feudal times: recruiting farmers from around the post stations to serve as couriers. The Inca Empire is said to have done this, and the neighboring Yuan and Ming dynasties also did it for a period of time.

However, their post stations also included a plot of land for the postmen to cultivate and for their horses to be cared for; if a horse died, the postman had to compensate for it. The core idea was the same: to shift the military or political expenses that should have been borne by the feudal government onto the peasants, making them bear the burden.

Come to think of it, what good ideas could Niwa Nagahide possibly have? He couldn't possibly support two people specifically to guard a rarely used post station. That would be such a waste. With that money, he could just hire another foot soldier.

and many more!

If Nobunaga and Niwa Nagahide don't want to support them, how about assigning this job to Kawamura-ya?

Setting up stables in various locations ultimately meant that Shichibei's business was still his own. Although Shichibei himself was a samurai, Kawamura-ya was a regular commercial establishment. What if Kawamura-ya's stables were completely integrated with the Oda clan's post stations?

You dare cause trouble? Attack the government!

You dare to renege on your debt? Take this!

Since they were going to serve Nobunaga anyway, why not try to tie their duties to their own business as much as possible? In feudal times, all successful merchants were either officials or merchants.

In feudal times, neither officials nor merchants could survive and thrive. They had to be bound to the government in order to grow bigger and stronger and maintain the monopoly power they obtained from the government.

Don't be afraid of being an official or a businessman; if you're afraid, you won't accomplish anything.

Now that Shichibei has received an additional 1,000 kan of credit, he can hire 100 foot soldiers for 10 kan a year. With 100 men, he can easily bolster 30 post stations.

A groom, a scribe, and a guard.

The grooms took care of the mules and horses and the granary, while the scribes recorded expenses, people who had passed by, and local gossip, and guarded against fire and theft.