In the seventeenth year of Tenmon (1548 AD), the month of Fumizuki (the seventh month of the old lunar calendar) had arrived. In the Kyushu region, the rice harvest had already begun, but in Mutsu, the rice plants were just beginning to bear fruit. It was probably about a month until the harvest. However, by looking at the number of rice stalks, one could predict the extent of the harvest.
"Wow, amazing. I've never seen so many rice stalks!"
The people of Tanabe were wide-eyed. It was only natural. In the vast fields of 3,000 hectares, the rice stalks swayed like a sea. Thanks to the straight-row planting method, the rice stalks undulated like waves.
"It's all thanks to everyone following my instructions. We can harvest in a month. Let's celebrate then!"
As Yoshimatsu called out from his horse, the people raised their fists in unison. However, it wasn't as simple as harvesting and immediately threshing the rice. After bundling the rice, a natural drying process called "ine-kake" had to be undergone before threshing could begin. This process dried the rice to make it last longer and improved the taste by spreading nutrients to the grains. After that, the process moved on to hulling and polishing, which utilized a "water wheel" built on the Tanabe River. Once threshing was complete, the rest could be polished semi-automatically.
"The growth of barnyard grass and vegetables is also going well. Starting next year, we will begin crop rotation with soybeans, wheat, and rice. That's why we've gathered people. This will dramatically boost Tanabe's economic growth."
"Expanding the fields is for that purpose, then. Still, with such a bountiful harvest, it should easily exceed 5,000 koku. The people of Tanabe won't go hungry."
"Old man, 5,000 koku isn't enough. My goal was 6,000 koku, but it will probably exceed 7,000 koku. Next year, it will surpass 10,000 koku. We will create similar settlements in Oshu and Kawauchi, and in a few years, the new fields will exceed 50,000 koku. I will become one of the leading samurai of the Nanbu clan, with a standing army of 1,000 men."
"Ho, that's ambitious. But that's fine. Without such ambition, Tanabe will stagnate in the future."
Mori Masaharu's words were true. He had received a letter from his father, Shintaro Masaharu, warning him not to overdo it. At the council meeting in Mutsu Castle, he was questioned about the reason for gathering people in Tanabe. When Yoshimatsu heard this, he felt a chill. Tanabe was growing rapidly due to increased productivity and the development of specialty products. However, in the mountainous Shimokita Peninsula, the limit was probably around 100,000 koku. With other crops like wheat and soybeans, it might be possible to support around 3,000 soldiers. But if the Nanbu clan put their full effort into it, they could mobilize thousands of soldiers. Tanabe would be defenseless and overwhelmed.
(We can't stop. Stopping means death in this age of warring states. For Tanabe to survive, we must stand out.)
"Old man, I want to gather a standing army next year. About 100 men to start."
"By standing army, you mean they won't do farming? With the usual increase in population, we could probably have around 300 soldiers?"
"100 elite soldiers are better than 300 ordinary ones. A standing army is indeed a burden, but their specialized combat readiness outweighs it. Most importantly, farmers can focus on farming, and craftsmen on their crafts."
"I see. Your first battle is still far off. By then, you might have hundreds of elite soldiers."
However, the Nanbu clan's actions exceeded Yoshimatsu's expectations. When he returned to the mansion, a messenger had arrived. It was said that Ishikawa Takahiro, a senior retainer of the Nanbu clan, was visiting in person.
Ishikawa Takahiro was the second son of Nanbu Yasushige, the 23rd head of the Nanbu clan who had rapidly transformed the clan into a powerful daimyo. He was a renowned general, both wise and brave, and as a senior retainer, he oversaw the politics and military of the Tsugaru region, second only to the clan head, Nanbu Harumasa.
(In later generations, it was generally believed that he was Yasushige's younger brother, but it seems he was Harumasa's younger brother. That makes sense. Otherwise, he would have had a child at 50 and fought Tsugaru Sanechika at 80.)
Ishikawa Takahiro was born in 1520, making him 29 years old this year. Like his brother, he was in his prime. In historical simulation games, he is often depicted as a stern middle-aged man with a beard, but in reality, he appeared as a sincere man with a thin mustache. However, his eyes were powerful, exuding both wisdom and culture.
"Lord Left Minister, thank you for coming all this way. I'm afraid we can't offer much in this rural area..."
Ishikawa Takahiro sat in the seat of honor, with the former head, Shintaro Masaharu, and his heir, Yoshimatsu, sitting below. The Shintaro family, though nominally vassals of the Nanbu clan, were actually sub-vassals of the Nanbu clan's vassals, the Sannomiya family. As the head of the Nanbu clan's chief retainers, Ishikawa Takahiro was of a different rank. However, he paid no mind and smiled warmly, using polite words with the older Masaharu.
"No, I came suddenly. Don't worry. I had heard rumors, but indeed, there is a great momentum here. The roads are wide, the people's faces are lively, and the rice is growing well. Your skills in making Tanabe flourish are impressive."
"All this is thanks to the protection of Lord Horse's Helper (Nanbu Harumasa). We are prepared to dedicate our lives to the clan."
Masaharu bowed deeply, and Yoshimatsu followed suit. Lowering one's head and sticking to one's principles was foolish. For the sake of the goal, one should bow and even prostrate oneself. Even perform a naked dance. Pointless pride served no purpose. The end result was all that mattered. Yoshimatsu understood this.
Ishikawa Takahiro was surprised by the taste of the burdock tea. Masaharu self-deprecatingly called it "a countryman's wisdom," but Takahiro seemed to enjoy it. The burdock, which grew wild in the mountains, could be harvested next month. Yoshimatsu thought about giving it as a gift.
After that, Ishikawa Takahiro asked several questions about the state of Tanabe. He was told about the new rice planting methods and the improvement in hunting. However, there were many things even Masaharu did not know. Salt water selection, shiitake cultivation, and wood vinegar, among other important matters, were not mentioned.
"Who came up with these ideas? I hear that a man named Kichizaemon is giving instructions to the people?"
Masaharu, resigned, patted Yoshimatsu on the shoulder.
"I will speak the truth. These ideas were conceived by this Yoshimatsu. He claims to have been taught in a dream, but when tested, they proved effective, so I decided to entrust him with the task..."
Saying this, Ishikawa Takahiro turned his gaze to the child. Yoshimatsu met his gaze steadily. Though he looked like a child, his mental age was over 80, and he had engaged in fierce debates with seasoned business leaders. He was not one to be intimidated by a 30-year-old in the age of warring states.
(He's probably testing to see if I'll make excuses or bow. In such situations, it's best to remain silent until the other person speaks. The more you talk, the more it sounds like an excuse.)
After a few moments, Ishikawa Takahiro laughed.
"Ha ha ha... Indeed, a prodigy. Even though you're a child, it feels like I'm talking to someone much older. I have a son named Kikukuro, and I want him to learn from you. Now, I have a question for you, Yoshimatsu. Is that alright?"
"Of course, if I can answer..."
"What is your goal, Yoshimatsu?"
His tone didn't change, but Masaharu felt the room's atmosphere slightly drop. There was no longer a well-mannered young man but the head of the Nanbu clan's chief retainers.
"The prosperity of Tanabe. I am only three years old and cannot go to war. But I want to at least make Tanabe flourish and support my brother and lord, Sannomiya Hisamatsu."
He answered steadily, looking directly at Ishikawa Takahiro. Of course, his true intentions were different. Yoshimatsu aimed to make the Shintaro family, a local samurai family, as large as possible. If the Nanbu or Sannomiya clans got in the way, he intended to eliminate them without hesitation. But he wasn't foolish enough to show this. On the surface, he appeared sincere, showing a desire to support his brother.
"If so, we are the same. I also want to support my brother as much as possible."
Ishikawa Takahiro smiled.
That night, after being entertained at the Tanabe mansion, Ishikawa Takahiro lay in his guest room, staring at the well-maintained ceiling. Tanabe was more prosperous than he had imagined. The rice, though a mix of grains, was properly cooked, the fish was well-fried, and the mountain vegetables were elegantly arranged. The sake, though just a cloudy brew, was surprisingly delicious, something he couldn't even find in Mutsu.
(I don't think he's lying, but something feels off. It's too exemplary. Could he have calculated my position and given such an answer?)
As he closed his eyes, his father's face came to mind. His father, Yasushige, had transformed the Nanbu clan from a single castle to the largest daimyo in Oshu. Even his brother, who had inherited much of his father's blood, had yet to surpass him. To Ishikawa Takahiro, his father was a "giant." The image of this giant overlapped with the child he had met today.
(Could someone with such wisdom be content with just the land of Tanabe? Those with power seek a place to use it. Could he be quietly sharpening his ambitions under that carefree smile?)
He might need to be eliminated. Ishikawa Takahiro thought this. But at the same time, he wondered if his abilities could be used for his brother, Harumasa. It wasn't impossible. Though distant relatives, the Shintaro family still had Nanbu blood. And Nanbu Harumasa only had a daughter.
"I was thinking of Kikukuro, but... Should I talk to my brother?"
History was about to change, regardless of Yoshimatsu's will.
(=゜ω゜=): But isn't Ishikawa Takahiro Nanbu Harumasa's uncle?
(´・∀・`): That's the general belief, but the author has serious doubts.
(=゜ω゜=): What's the evidence?
(´・∀・`): As mentioned in the story, one issue is the age discrepancy. If he were Yasushige's younger brother, he would be 76 in 1571 when he fought Tsugaru Sanechika. Could he have lived that long in the warring states era? Moreover, the oldest family tree of the Nanbu clan records him as Harumasa's younger brother.
(=゜ω゜=): There are examples like Asakura Soteki, but you're right, it would be an exceptionally long life for the time.
(´・∀・`): Ishikawa Takahiro received full trust from Nanbu Harumasa and was given control over all of Tsugaru. Would a nephew be entrusted with such responsibility