Odani Castle, the residence of the Asai clan, was one of the most formidable fortresses of the Sengoku period, built on Mount Odani in Omi Province.
In 1573, it fell to a fierce attack by the Oda clan, which took advantage of the defection of the Abe family, relatives of the Asai family. However, it was said to be a state-of-the-art mountain castle that incorporated the best of the castle-building technology of the time.
However, there were also problems.
It's cold. And not just cold, but unusually cold.
And perhaps because it's located in a mountainous area, it's also very humid.
A damp, heavy air envelops the castle's living spaces, creating a somewhat gloomy atmosphere.
Incidentally, after Oda Nobunaga occupied Odani Castle, it was dismantled by Hashiba Hideyoshi, and its materials were reused in the construction of Nagahama Castle, which became his residence.
There are various theories as to why Hideyoshi dismantled Odani Castle.
According to one side of the story, Hideyoshi, who harbored romantic feelings for Ichihime, did not want to be in the castle where she had spent her honeymoon with Nagamasa, and therefore requested Nobunaga to dismantle Odani Castle.
However, as long as I'm around, I will absolutely not let the Asai family be destroyed, and Odani Castle will never be dismantled. It shouldn't happen. I hope so.
(Even so, I really want to do something about this living situation...)
As for the natural cold, there's nothing we can do about it, but the problem is the bedding.
The futons from the Sengoku period are quite different from the ones from my time.
In the Asai family's case, it was simply three pieces of cotton cloth sewn together and laid on top of the tatami mat.
Furthermore, there were no blankets, and they were using the thick kimono jacket that Ichihime was wearing as a makeshift quilt.
At times like these, I find myself longing for the bed I used to have in the welfare facility where I lived.
It would be wonderful to be able to cuddle with Ichihime in a soft, fluffy bed or futon...
(I've decided, I'll start by changing things around me.)
And that wasn't just limited to the Asai family...
I wanted to share the benefits we would receive with everyone in the Asai territory.
Cotton and silk are needed to make bedding.
However, in this era, cotton had to be imported from China.
During the Sengoku period in Japan, cotton was cultivated only in the Mikawa and Tokai regions of the Tokai area.
However, production capacity was extremely low, so it was not possible to distribute nationwide, and therefore, they basically had no choice but to rely on China.
Of course, silk requires silkworms.
Yes, it's the insect that's used as teaching material in elementary schools in Japan, and which some students have even raised for their summer vacation projects. The fibers extracted from this insect's cocoons are supple and beautiful, and it's a well-known fact that they became a major commodity for earning foreign currency when the Meiji government of Japan pursued a policy of enriching the country and strengthening its military.
Fortunately, sericulture was introduced to Japan during the Yayoi period, and by the Nara period, silkworms were being raised almost nationwide, so we should be able to procure them here in Omi as well.
While thinking about such things, I looked at the sky through the window.
Although it was still dark, it was slowly beginning to get lighter.
It was probably around 4 a.m.
In stark contrast to the biting cold outside air, I released my arms from Ichihime's warm and cozy body and decided to slip out of the futon so as not to wake her.
When I looked into her face, she had a very peaceful expression and was breathing softly in her sleep.
There's no trace of the lewd expression she had last night when she first stroked my penis with her hand, took it in her mouth, caught my ejaculation, and smeared my semen all over her chest.
After that, I kissed Ichihime, who was completely dazed, and she immediately became affectionate. I should probably report that her cuteness and endearing nature made my heart flutter, and we ended up having a second and third round of night battles in quick succession.
As I kneaded and stroked her breasts and nipples, which were now slippery with semen, I pushed my penis into her warm, soft vaginal opening and we kissed deeply again and again.
During this time, Ichihime reached orgasm multiple times, and by the time the third round was over, she was completely exhausted.
Incidentally, although she must have been extremely tired, she still didn't close her eyes before me. It must have been her pride. As expected of Oda Nobunaga's sister.
I changed my clothes and tidied myself up while Ichihime slept beside me.
There are some things I want to take care of early in the morning.
To get that done, waking up at the time Ichihime wakes me up won't be nearly enough time.
This is because individual meetings with the retainers, whose schedules Ryōchika had arranged, begin today.
I took one last look at my beloved wife's sleeping face before leaving the room.
And there, bowing at the waist, were the ladies-in-waiting of Princess Ichi.
Incredibly, they had been waiting for me to leave in the cold corridor of this mountain castle.
I couldn't help but feel respect for the Oda women who had left their homeland far behind to come to Odani Castle, bearing the responsibility of being ladies-in-waiting.
(Is there any way to repay their dedication?)
I was thinking about such things as the maids saw me off.
◇
When I finished my errands and returned to Ichihime's room, she was being cleansed and dressed by her ladies-in-waiting.
It seemed to be something that men weren't supposed to see, as Princess Ichi's face turned bright red, and one of her ladies-in-waiting gave me a reproachful look.
Oh, I see. This is that common trope in light novels where the protagonist stumbles upon the heroine changing clothes!
That makes no sense.
Ichihime's skin isn't particularly exposed, and she'll probably be finished dressing once she puts on a few more layers of clothing.
As a man, it's not exactly a pleasant surprise.
I leaned against the pillar at the entrance of the room, making a gesture that meant, "Hurry up and get changed."
When the ladies-in-waiting realized I had no intention of leaving, they quickened the pace of getting me dressed, and Ichihime was gazing at me with the same passionate look she had during our lovemaking.
It seems it will take me a while longer to understand the sensibilities of women during the Sengoku period.
"N-Nagamasa-sama... what exactly happened...?"
To put it in modern terms, Ichihime had been subjected to constant voyeurism while changing clothes, and she asks me this question with a bashful expression.
I held up the furoshiki (wrapping cloth) I was carrying, walked to the middle of the room, and then untied it.
"What is this...?"
"It's a crepe."
I roll up the circular piece of dough, which was still slightly warm, and show it to them.
Yes, my purpose was to prepare gifts for the warlords I would be meeting with today.
Therefore, early in the morning, before the cook had woken up, I would sneak into the kitchen, borrow rice flour, eggs, and sugar, and bake it on my own.
Of course, since frying pans didn't exist in Japan, cooking had to be done in pots. As a result, the shapes were irregular, and since wheat flour wasn't available, rice flour had to be used as a substitute.
Nevertheless, there's no doubt that this is a crepe.
Incidentally, crepes had not yet been introduced to Japan, where trade with the Southern Barbarians had just begun, so it seemed that Ichihime was seeing them for the first time, and she blinked in surprise.
The ladies-in-waiting also watched from the corner of the room, looking very interested.
"Western... no, it might be easier to understand if I say Southern Barbarians in the city. These are sweets that Southern Barbarians eat."
"Is this...?"
Ichihime gazed intently at the crepe and let out a small sigh.
"It's like the moon... I find it very elegant."
"Oh, I see..."
"Is this edible?"
"Ah, actually, I was going to give these as souvenirs to the retainers I'm meeting today, but I ended up baking enough for you and the ladies-in-waiting."
"Wow!"
Ichihime's face lit up.
The look on her face was one of joy at the fact that food had also been prepared for her ladies-in-waiting.
That's so typical of her, someone who cares so much about others.
"Tsubaki, Kaede, Sakura, you all come over here too."
Ichihime summoned her ladies-in-waiting, and they exchanged glances, unsure of what to do, before cautiously approaching after a short pause.
When the daimyo couple were together, one of the ladies-in-waiting's duties was to avoid disturbing them. That's probably why they were separated.躊躇hesitation
Ultimately, the city used its power to force them to go, so they couldn't resist.
"Now, roll it up like this..."
"Well... it's pretty cute."
I rolled up the circular crepe and handed it to Ichihime.
Then she hands them out to the three ladies-in-waiting in the same way.
Then they bent over, bowed deeply, and received it, their bodies trembling.
If you think about it carefully, it's absolutely impossible for the head of a daimyo family to make sweets for a lady-in-waiting and hand them to her in person.
Even tea ceremonies were not permitted for vassals until they were recognized by their daimyo.
The maid, Kaede, who had been glaring at me reproachfully just moments ago, is now so overwhelmed with emotion that she has begun to sob.
Hmm, it's still hard to get used to.
Seeing my troubled expression, Ichihime smiled and said, "Lord Nagamasa, I will gratefully accept your kindness," and then opened her cute mouth and took a bite of the crepe.
"Ah... so sweet...!"
Ichihime's eyes widened in surprise as she let out a cry of admiration.
Faced with their mistress's astonishment, the ladies-in-waiting hastily put their crepes into their mouths. Then, they froze in that position and began to shed tears.
In those days, sugar was still a precious commodity.
However, by the late 1560s, brown sugar from Ryukyu and white sugar obtained through trade with the Nanban (Europeans) had begun to flow into northern Kyushu, Osaka, and Kyoto.
The price of sugar is centered around Kitakyushu, Kyoto, and Osaka, and the further you get from these areas, the higher the price becomes.
While Owari, where Ichihime's family lived, was indeed a prosperous commercial region, its considerable distance from Kyoto meant that sugar was expensive and undoubtedly a luxury item. In other words, it was virtually impossible for a low-ranking lady-in-waiting to ever consume it throughout her life.
However, since the Asai family's territory in Omi Province was adjacent to Kyoto, they could directly purchase sugar from the Kyoto market, making it relatively easy to obtain.
I watched the women moving their mouths mindlessly with a cheerful feeling.
Yeah, food is really important, isn't it? Eating something delicious makes you feel better.
(I really wish we could do something to improve the dietary habits of this era...)
Sometimes, the only seasoning available was salt, but remembering the rather meager meals compared to modern times, I couldn't help but sigh.
◇
"The time has finally come, Lord Nagamasa."
"ah"
In my room, Ichihime let out a voice that sounded nervous.
It was now the hour of the Snake, which in today's time zone is 10:00 AM. It was finally time for the individual meetings with his retainers to begin.
The interview will be held in my own room, and when the time comes, Ryoshin will bring the warlord over.
By the way, the person coming today is Naotsune Endo .磯野員昌Isono Kazumasa
Naotsune is the strongest general in the Asai family, but he had actually met Ichihime before, having gone to the Oda family to invite her into the Asai family.
Kazumasa was a fierce general of the Asai family, on par with Naotsune, and in the Battle of Anegawa, where the Oda-Tokugawa allied forces clashed with the Asai-Asakura allied forces, he broke through 11 of the 13 lines of Oda Nobunaga's army and came within a hair's breadth of reaching Nobunaga's main camp.
What's even more surprising is that the Oda generals defeated by Kazumasa included Shibata Katsuie, considered the most skilled military strategist within the Oda clan, and Hashiba Hideyoshi, who would later become the unifier of Japan.
Indeed, if the Asakura army had been able to withstand the Tokugawa offensive for just a little longer... Japanese history might have been drastically different.
As I was fantasizing about such historical "what ifs," the door opened, and I could see the face of Ryoshin, bent over.襖Fusuma (sliding doors)
"Lord Nagamasa, it is Ryōchika. Lord Endō Naotsune has arrived."
"Okay, go in!"
"Well, but..."
Ryochika said, sounding bewildered.
"We had informed Lord Isono Kazumasa that he would be meeting with Lord Naotsune after him, but Lord Kazumasa misunderstood the order and had already arrived at the castle—"
I asked with a sigh.
"I suppose he's competing with Naotsune for the turn, right?"
"No, that's not it..."
Ryochika said with a look of disbelief.
"Lord Naotsune said, 'I have served you since you were a child. No matter what happens, I will never lose my loyalty to you. Therefore, I do not have much to say. I cannot leave my friend Kazumasa idle, so I would like to ask you to introduce me and Kazumasa together to you in your presence.'"
I couldn't help but give a wry smile.
Historically, Endo Naotsune was also one of Asai Nagamasa's most trusted retainers.
The reason Nagamasa entrusted him with his responsibilities was not only because of his unparalleled loyalty and military prowess, but also because of his character itself.
In short, he was a person of exceptional character, extremely rare in the Sengoku period, and even rare in modern times, who would seek to gain the benefit of his master or friend even at the expense of his own interests.
"I understand. That's the kind of man Naotsune is. It's not what we planned, but bring both of them."
"I understand."
With that, Ryochika withdrew and went to summon the two most prominent figures of the Asai army.
Ichihime said with a wry smile.
"Lord Endo Naotsune and Lord Isono Kazumasa... both are well-known generals within the Oda clan. However, Lord Kazumasa is quite an interesting character to have gotten the order wrong. Perhaps he came to the castle because he wanted to meet Lord Nagamasa as soon as possible."
"That might be true."
I was impressed by Ichihime's composure, as she showed not a trace of nervousness.
Normally, I think it would be natural to feel nervous when two fierce generals from the Asai family appear before you, but I suppose that's to be expected of a princess from the Oda family.
I might be more nervous than she is.
"My lord, it is Naotsune."
"Lord Nagamasa, it is Kazumasa."
While this was happening, I could hear the voices of the two of them.
Fortunately, I met Naotsune soon after I traveled to this era, so I can't mistake their faces or names.
"Come in."
I placed the two furoshiki (wrapping cloths) behind me and raised my voice.
The sliding doors swiftly opened, revealing Naotsune and Kazumasa bowing their heads and bending at the waist.
"What are you doing? There's no need to be so formal, just come over here quickly."
"Hah"
Two strong men, known for their bravery, step forward in front of me.
A flame of loyalty burned in their eyes.
Unlike Naotsune, Kazumasa sided with the Oda clan in their attack on the Asai clan, but this was partly because Nagamasa did not fully trust Kazumasa, stopped supplying him with aid, and even executed his mother, who was being held hostage at Odani Castle.
Kazumasa continued fighting even after his supplies were cut off, but his patience finally snapped when his mother was killed by Nagamasa, and he surrendered to the Oda clan.
As someone who lives in a later era and knows this, I am convinced that not only Naotsune but also Kazumasa are trustworthy individuals.
He fears having his family killed, of losing those close to him. That's why he takes up arms and fights.
Whether I can become someone close to Yuan Chang, and whether he will feel that he is willing to sacrifice his life for me, will probably depend on today's meeting.
That's why I decided to be frank with the two warriors.
"The reason I wanted to speak with the Asai family is simple: I wanted to have a frank discussion with you about the future of the Asai family."途road
Naotsune and Yuan Chang looked at each other, then turned their gaze back to me.
First, Yuan Chang prefaced his question with, "Excuse me for asking this, but..."
"What exactly is the path that Lord Nagamasa is proposing for the Asai family? Is it correct to understand that this means changing the Asai way of doing things up until now?"
"That's right."
I said, staring intently into Yuan Chang's eyes.
"As I explained in the hall before, I will rebuild the province of Omi. To that end, there are many things that must be done. Therefore, our policies will change significantly."
"..."
Both Naotsune and Yuan Chang are staring intently at my face.
They, too, are seriously thinking about the future of the Asai clan, whom they serve.
His eyes show a determination to thoroughly examine what I say and offer advice if necessary.
That's why I was able to confidently reveal my true feelings.
"I do not aim to unify the entire country. Therefore, I do not wish to become the ruler of the country. And—I do not aim to unify Omi Province either."
"Wow!"
The two generals leaned forward, their eyes shining with determination.
That was only natural. Up until now, the Asai family had been vying with the Rokkaku family for supremacy in Omi Province.
"Excuse me for asking, Lord Nagamasa! But how do you intend to deal with the threat posed by the Rokkaku clan?!"
Yuan Chang asks in a voice like thunder. His voice contains the raw emotions of a man who has experienced countless battlefields...
Kazumasa was the lord of Sawayama Castle in southern Omi Province. Just a stone's throw away was Kannonji Castle, the stronghold of the Rokkaku clan, the shugo daimyo of Omi Province, with whom Nagamasa had been in constant hostility ever since he launched his war of independence.
Kazumasa and successive heads of the Isono family have managed to protect the castle by sacrificing the lives of their family and retainers on the battlefield for the sake of the Asai family.
Given the historical context, Yuan Chang must have felt a strong sense of crisis regarding my statement.
And presumably, Naotsune felt the same way. After all, he too had lost many relatives and retainers on the battlefield during the war against the Rokkaku clan.
That's why I have to give him a proper answer to his sincere question.
"Let's give it to my brother-in-law, Lord Nobunaga."
"—What?!"
Naotsune and Kazumasa's eyes widened in astonishment. And from behind me, I heard Ichihime's surprised voice.
That's understandable. After all, Oda Nobunaga was in the midst of conquering Mino Province against the Saito clan, and had absolutely no time to extend his influence to Omi Province.
"Naotsune, tell me the current date."
"Ah, uh..."
Though flustered by my completely unrelated question, Naotsune responded.
"It's January 16th, my lord. What kind of thing could that be...?"
"My brother-in-law will begin cutting down the northern Ise area at the end of February."
"W-why—"
He was probably about to ask, "Does your lord know about such things?" Naotsune glanced at Ichihime and quickly fell silent.
At that moment, Naotsune must have interpreted it as, "My wife has whispered the details of the Oda family's military actions to my lord." Kazumasa probably thought the same thing.
Yes, one of the reasons I had Ichihime present was to encourage them to read between the lines.
I mobilized the knowledge I gained from studying the history of the world I originally came from,
"My brother-in-law intends to conquer northern Ise with Lord Takigawa Kazumasu as his commander. In northern Ise, there is also Seki Morinobu of Ise Kameyama Castle, who is a vassal of the Rokkaku clan. The Rokkaku clan will have no choice but to send reinforcements from southern Omi to Ise Seki in northern Ise via the mountain roads, or to gather troops in southern Omi to keep my brother-in-law in check. If that happens, the Rokkaku clan will not be able to easily divert troops to northern Omi."
"Hmm..."
"In other words... there will be no major war between us and the Rokkaku family from at least the end of February until the end of this year. Naotsune, Kazumasa, do you understand what I'm trying to say now?"
"Hah"
The two fierce generals bowed their heads to me.
"This year will be crucial in strengthening the Asai clan's power and the strength of northern Omi... Is that the correct interpretation, my lord?"
"That's right."
I nodded at Naotsune's answer.
"The Asai family's finances largely depend on tolls imposed on merchants and travelers moving across Lake Biwa. But that's not enough. We need to develop industries within our territory and secure new sources of revenue."
"New industries and sources of revenue... is that what you mean?"
For me商business , tilting his head.
Next to him, Yuan Chang clapped his hands together in a look of satisfaction.
"I understand about the source of funds! Could this possibly be what Lord Nagamasa meant the other day when he said, 'We don't have enough people'?"
"That's right."
I nodded to Yuan Chang.
"The more people we have, the wealthier the Asai family becomes. While land tax is heavily influenced by the year's harvest, money is different. It's collected equally as a poll tax, regardless of wealth. Even considering that, the more people we have, the better."
"The number of soldiers will increase, too."
Naotsune said, breathing heavily.
Well, if you have too many soldiers, you have to prepare more food and pay, so you have to somehow keep the number down to a reasonable level.
It would be a tragedy if strengthening the army resulted in the empire being ruined by its financial burden. I absolutely do not want a repeat of the ancient Roman Empire.
"Industry is similar. You create a product, add value to it, and then take as much money as you can from the other party. I'm thinking of starting up the sericulture and cotton industries, but..."
"Cotton for silkworm farming?!"
Yuan Chang leaned forward and slapped his knee, saying:
"Indeed, if the production of high-quality silk and cotton gets on track, the people involved in manufacturing will surely prosper. The kimono merchants from Kyoto will also come to our territory. Then the castle town will become lively, and many people will move here—"
"That's it, that's exactly it! Naotsune, Yuan Chang, listen carefully!"
I appealed to them with all my might.
"In reality, Rokkaku's strength is far superior to ours. This is because he has a significantly larger population living in southern Omi."所為because of . Currently, northern Omi has virtually no industries and little to attract people. But what would happen if industries were to develop, the castle town became more vibrant, and more people migrated there? Where would those people come from?"
"oh...!"
It seems that Naotsune and Yuan Chang have finally come to understand.
"That's right! The people are not infinite, but finite...! If we can attract the attention of the people of Southern Omi in particular and get them to move to Northern Omi...!"
"Our territory will prosper, and the Rokkaku clan will be strained financially, making it impossible for them to take military action as before...!"
"Do you understand now? My point of view!"
I got down from my seat of honor and, overwhelmed with excitement, took both of their hands.
Asai's fierce generals were also excited, and they kept nodding as they looked at me.
"This is a battle. A battle to avoid unnecessary bloodshed...!"
I looked them both in the eye and blurted out my true feelings.
"Japan is in a difficult situation right now. The war continues, and while we may be alright, the people are suffering, exhausted, and struggling. Naotsune, Kazumasa, are you fighting because you want to? Do you like the battlefield? I don't think so. In today's world, you can't survive unless you fight...that's all there is to it. It's cruelly that simple."
The two fierce generals let out a deep sigh and their shoulders slumped.
Those words must be a painful blow to them, having killed more soldiers than anyone else in countless battles.
No, that's precisely why—
"We have to change things. This kind of world, this era of warring states, must end. We must create a world where people can live with smiles on their faces... That is our responsibility. I will do it. I will make it happen here in Omi, no matter what."
When I told them not to lend me their strength, the two of them quietly bowed their heads.
Then, slowly raising his head, Naotsune, who had served Nagamasa since his childhood, smiled happily.
"Lord Shinkuro has changed. Since marrying his wife, he has become much more open-minded and has a broader perspective on the world. The marriage to the Oda family was indeed a great success..."
The day without war may be closer than we think.
Naotsune and Kazumasa...the fierce generals that the Asai family was so proud of, were arguing about such things, and then they wept uncontrollably in front of me and Princess Ichi.