Chapter 22 Yukiko
As a unique industry—indeed, a very unique one—Ren would certainly not abolish the Yoshiwara just like that.
Among other things, this industry, no matter the place or era, has always been one of the most profitable. However, such an industry must not be allowed to spread unchecked, otherwise it would cause serious harm to society.
To avoid situations where good women are forced into prostitution, every courtesan or oiran must have her information meticulously registered, and the information recorded for oiran and courtesans is completely different.
Oiran actually refers to geisha who sell their art but not their bodies. However, this so-called "selling art but not the body" in other Yoshiwara is often just a matter of waiting for the right price. These oiran do not truly hold such noble status; if someone is willing to pay and is someone they cannot offend, do they really have a choice?
This, however, is not a concern in Kuri. Ren is already the highest-ranking authority in Kuri, so who else could possibly oppress these women there?
Every geisha must register her information to prevent the tragedy of women being forced into prostitution. Precisely because of this, the number of Yoshiwara in Kuri is very small compared to other regions, though it still exists.
In such a world, to survive or to live better, there are always people willing to sell their bodies.
Compared to backbreaking labor just to get food, is it not easier to lie down, spread one's legs, and let silver and gold roll in? One must know that in Kuri, no matter what kind of work you do, you only pay taxes and never additional money to the underworld.
As a result, many women from other regions who cannot even afford food are willing to come to Kuri to make a living. However, becoming a resident of Kuri is no longer easy.
If that fails, they enter the Yoshiwara in Kuri to become courtesans. Perhaps after a few years, they can buy themselves out, and by then, they will truly become people of Kuri.
Aside from those who voluntarily become courtesans, there are also those sold into the Yoshiwara due to debt. These people are not immediately recognized as courtesans. The debts must be repaid, but how they are repaid depends on their own wishes; if they choose to repay their debts through labor, they will not be sent to the Yoshiwara.
Many have even turned misfortune into blessing, gaining opportunities to work in the Daimyo's Mansion.
However, such individuals must pass extremely strict screening. First, their appearance must meet standards, and then their background must be clean. This matter has always been handled by Yukiko, whose goal is to build a grand harem for Ren.
Therefore, she deliberately selected women of various backgrounds, including but not limited to dancers, relatives of criminals, sisters, and even mother-and-daughter pairs. When Kin'emon and Denjiro spoke of the Yoshiwara, Oden felt a stir in his heart.
He had begun frequenting the pleasure quarters at 6 years old and had even formed a harem by stealing from temples and women at 15. But ever since he was expelled from the Flower Capital, he naturally had no chance to interact with women.
Compared to such matters, however, Oden was far more interested in Shutenmaru and Ren, the one who had defeated Shutenmaru.
He had heard that the battle that pacified Kuri was accomplished by the current Daimyo of Kuri alone. Moreover, it took less than a day to completely wipe out the Bandits of Mt. Kagehinata (Touyama).
Such strength made Oden feel overwhelmingly excited.
He lived in the isolated Wano Country. From birth, at 8 years old he fought drunken brawlers, at 9 he fought the gangs of the Flower Capital, and at 15 he stole the women of the Flower Capital's residents—not merely out of recklessness, but also to fight the husbands and families of those women.
Yet to this day, including the Mountain God White Boar that nearly destroyed the Flower Capital 2 years ago, no one had ever been his match.
If this Daimyo of Kuri was truly as powerful as the legends claimed, perhaps he could finally bring some excitement to Oden's dull life.
Moreover, Oden also hoped to gain the support of a Daimyo. Although some regional Daimyo, including those of the Kozuki Clan, were on good terms with him, even the Kozuki Clan was unwilling to support the idea of opening Wano Country.
This country was far too restrictive for Oden. Living in such a place was like being a frog at the bottom of a well, utterly unable to imagine how vast the world truly was.
Living in such a remote corner, ruling over a group of insignificant people and calling oneself king, how could one possibly comprehend the immensity of the outside world? Perhaps the so-called noble status of the Shogun of Wano Country was worthless in the eyes of those overseas.
And how foolish these self-isolated shoguns and residents of Wano Country were, immersing themselves in their own narrow world.
Oden had wanted to leave this country since childhood and had secretly attempted to sail out 38 times, failing every single time. Kozuki Sukiyaki had even severed their father-son relationship because of this.
"We can talk about the Yoshiwara later. Let's go see the Daimyo of Kuri first," Oden said.
Hearing this, Kin'emon and the others naturally dared not object. However, Kanjuro said worriedly, "Will such a noble existence as the Daimyo of Kuri be willing to receive us?"
"What are you joking about? Lord Oden is the son of the Shogun. A mere Daimyo of Kuri—" Kin'emon shouted, but Oden cut him off midway.
"Kin'emon, I have severed my father-son relationship with the Shogun. I am no longer the son of the Shogun, nor am I part of the Kozuki Clan," Oden said, waving his hand.
Along the way to Kuri, aside from the Kozuki Clan who had seen him once, the Daimyo of the other regions had all but ignored him. Oden did not care in the slightest, as this identity itself was a form of restraint.
"Even so… Lord Oden, you are the First Samurai of Wano Country. Even the Daimyo of Kuri—"
"Mr. 'First Samurai of Wano Country,' whoever is bragging over there, could you please stop shouting in the street?"
Kin'emon was interrupted once again, but this time it was not Oden. Instead, it was a cool, feminine voice.
The group turned to look and saw a woman in a kimono leading a squad of soldiers clad in purple armor and wielding naginata. It was obvious that they were troops of the Daimyo's Mansion, and their target was clearly Oden's group.
Oden's gaze immediately settled on the beautiful woman wearing a white kimono adorned with faint plum blossom patterns. At first glance, it felt as though he was not looking at a woman, but at an expanse of cold, pristine snow.
The weaker Izo and Kikunojo almost felt for a moment as if they had returned to the freezing land of Ringo.
"What a remarkable woman," Oden muttered softly. "Almost like the legendary Yuki-onna."
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