Chapter 11 – The Beginning of Change

Side: Kuon Kazuma

「Now then, we have to think of what exactly we’re gonna do after becoming retainers.」

The matter was quite sudden, but since we’ve already decided to serve as Nobunaga-san’s retainers, we’ll have to think up plans for the future.  I decided to immediately consult with Elle and the others. 

「I think we need to manufacture coins first.  One of the problems that need to be dealt with in this era is the lack of good-quality coinage.」

The first thing Elle suggested concerned money.  Well, it’s true that the coins currently in circulation weren’t of very good quality.  We managed to obtain money early on in order to do some shopping in the market, but we were surprised to find a lot of bad coins that were either too worn out, chipped, or just badly smelted.  

I have already read about such a matter in historical e-books, but I was still quite appalled when I saw just how bad it was in person.  Even their monetary value wasn’t fixed.  Heck, there isn’t even an official currency. 

The currency of this era was basically reliant on importing coins from the Ming dynasty, but it’s said that the quality of the copper coins imported from there has declined.  I knew that currency materials were mined and smelted privately here and there within Japan as well. 

As a result, the economy can be said to have stopped functioning properly due to the shortage of currency in general and the increase in the quantity of poor-quality coins. Moreover, there was actually a theory that it was the Ashikaga shogunate itself that distributed a large amount of poor-quality currency all over the country. 

Well, it’s true that manufacturing superior-quality coinage will greatly benefit the Oda clan. 

「Let’s collect copper through trading and make copper coins out of it. Since the technology for processing crude copper ore in this era is still quite immature, we’ll likely get some gold and silver out of them too. We’ll be making enormous profits from this.」

「Cupellation huh? Yeah, we can probably do something like that even with the tools available in this era.」

We will be extracting gold and silver from crude copper ore as well huh?

「Shall we introduce the cupellation method to the Oda clan? It’s gonna be troublesome to take care of all of that with just us.」

「I think that’s a good idea. Let’s have the Oda clan also participate in the casting of copper coins. We’ll need to train craftsmen who can handle the processing techniques.」

I see. Simply having technology was useless. You’ll need to train qualified people to handle the technology as well. The problem was that the Oda clan still wasn’t under Nobunaga-san’s leadership. His father, Nobuhide-san, was still the clan’s lord.  We’ll have to demonstrate the cupellation process in order to convince him then.  I suppose we need to make some preparations for that.

「I’d like the next ship to mainly carry goods that can be used as tributes this time around. Let’s also increase the number of ships we can use.  It will also be necessary to conduct trades with Emishi and Luzon.   Ten galleon-type transport ships should suffice.」 

「Yeah. Just one ship isn’t nearly enough.」

「But let’s make sure to keep the number of our ships and our trade routes a secret.  If people who really are from Western Europe come across us, we’d seem plenty suspicious in their eyes.   But smuggling is rampant in this era, so we can probably get away with deceiving them.  There’s no way one person would have full control of all smuggling activities, even if it’s limited to just East Asia.」

I’m now a bit afraid of what the history books would say about us.  Will they classify us as a clan of Japanese pirates? 

「Come to think of it, according to the original historical records, Nobunaga-san will have a really hard time until Owari is completely unified under the Oda clan’s banner. What should we do about that?」

「I think it’s better not to mind how the historical records progress for the most part. It’s unlikely that the events will occur in the same way in the first place. However, I think it’s still necessary to make preparations for the next battle the Oda clan will undertake.」

「Oh, the one where they lost huh?」

「Yes. The second battle of Azukizaka will be taking place next year.」

「Mikawa huh? It has a poor reputation and is known for housing a lot of Ikkou-shuu.」

So, we can’t really rely on the historical records huh? Does Nobuhide-san really want Mikawa that much? Personally, I think it’s better to completely unify Owari first.  Well, it’s not like that’s gonna be easy either.  Especially in this era where social position greatly mattered. 

Anyway, I haven’t even met Nobuhide-san yet, so it can’t be helped. 

「For the time being, we should actively sell goods to Nagashima, and Imagawa.  Both seem quite wealthy.  If we can take control of the flow of money and goods, it will allow us to gain an advantage against Imagawa and the Ikkou-shuu.」

「It won’t just end with gaining an advantage.  But we also have Sakai and Ominato to take into account, so it won’t be that simple.  If we can control the flow of goods and money even if just a bit, we’d also be able to collect vital information that may allow us to decide victory or defeat even before a battle even starts.」

「Engaging in saltpeter trade would be bad though. So, it’s either silk, cotton, or foodstuffs huh?」

「Sake and sweets would be especially good. Let’s come up with a list of tradeable goods.」

Even if it’s impossible to accomplish it the normal way, we should be able to gain control of the flow of goods and money within Nagashima and Imagawa-controlled territory by making use of our goods transported through galleon ships.  

In particular, Nagashima and its Ikkou-ikki were the banes of the Oda clan.  If we do it well, we’d be able to preemptively deal with those Buddhist monks.  

Well, even if we fail at that, we’d still be able to enrich the Oda clan through Nagashima and Imagawa’s wealth, so it was still worth doing. 

Side: Oda Nobuhide

「Father, I’ve acquired the services of a man who owns Nanban ships.」

This whelp always springs these kinds of surprises on me without any warning.  He has once again said something so outrageous without batting an eye. 

「Hou. That is indeed quite an accomplishment.」

「Yes. Their way of life and looking at matters are quite different from us samurai. Furthermore, they are quite informed about matters outside of Hinomoto.」

I knew that a Nanban ship belonging to a merchant had suddenly come to Tsushima and settled down there and that Saburo had gone to visit that merchant several times.  

However, I did not think he would actually acquire that merchant’s services.  I have heard that it was his wives that were actually from Nanban, and that the merchant was born on a remote group of islands. 

「Those snacks were quite sweet and delicious.」

One day, Saburo brought me sweetened manjuu as souvenirs. 

For some reason, the sweets made by that merchant’s Nanban wife possessed a sweetness and elegance that elevated them above the usual fare. 

「Father! Those people are exactly what Owari and Hinomoto need!」

Our vassals often frowned upon Saburo’s usual behavior, and he has refused to change his way despite this. However, I personally think he was fine the way he is. 

Saburo’s way of looking at things greatly differs from mine and the other samurai.  

「Hinomoto, is it? Do you really wish to put an end to this war-torn era with your own power?」

「Yes, that is indeed my will, Father.」

His eyes were as unfaltering as always.  I do hold high hopes for Saburo, who displayed a firm conviction and claimed that he wanted to put an end to this war-torn era.  

All men held grand dreams when they were young. However, before I noticed, I was already in the middle of my thirties.  I was already too old to chase after such dreams. 

However, if it was Saburo…… 

「Do as you please. However, be sure to inform Gorozaemon about your plans.  Only he will never betray you no matter what.」

Saburo’s greatest shortcoming was his inability to understand the feelings of the others around him. 

He does indeed have his own thoughts regarding matters in that brilliant head of his, so he must find it hard to understand the thoughts of other people who were less brilliant than he was. 

Hence, I had assigned Gorozaemon as his guardian, but this whelp does not even care to tell his own guardian about his thoughts. 

I do wonder what that man who married wives of Nanban descent had shown Saburo to make him so enthusiastic.  

Mm. I believe I should meet with him at least once as well.

Side: Ohashi Shigenaga 

I did not think the Young Lord would actually appoint Kazuma-dono as his retainer. 

「I believe I will continue to be indebted to you in many ways from now on, Ohashi-sama. I will be in your care.」

「Kazuma-dono, what exactly are you planning on doing from here on out?」

I do not know what others would say, but if I were in the Young Lord’s position, I would probably do the same as him. 

After all, you would obtain the services of Nanban ships as well as extensive knowledge regarding foreign trade after enlisting Kazuma-dono.   But what would Kazuma-dono obtain in return for serving under the Young Lord? It did not seem that he particularly desired status or authority. 

「I plan to bring change to the flow of goods and money.」

「That is……」

「I believe we can do it. After all, we have knowledge and technology from Nanban and the Ming dynasty.」

I see! This man plans to conduct even bigger business through the Oda clan and Tsushima! A change is coming.  With this man’s extensive knowledge of Nanban and Ming methods, things will definitely undergo earthshaking changes.

With his influence, Tsushima might be able to surpass Ominato and take control of Ise’s sea trade. 

As I thought, this man was far from ordinary.  After all, he can make use of such a large ship at will at his age. 

「Then, allow me and the people of Tsushima to assist you in that endeavor.」

I need to grasp this opportunity immediately.  It would be too late once others realize just what Kazuma-dono was capable of. 

Interesting. Things were now getting quite interesting.  No one has ever come to Tsushima bringing such an opportunity to gain enormous profits. 

I couldn’t help but look forward to how things would turn out. 

***

TL Notes:

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