In Tachibana, the long-awaited harvest season has finally arrived. Grains such as rice, barnyard grass, and wheat, as well as vegetables like eggplants, radishes, and burdock, and mushrooms and mountain vegetables in the hills, are all ready to be harvested. Three thousand people work together to gather these crops.
"Record the amount of each harvest. Especially for the mountain bounty, note the approximate location where it was found."
Bears, deer, and wild boars are brought in. These are the results of the hunting team's efforts. The use of crossbows has significantly increased the success of the hunts. Deer, in particular, have a strong reproductive rate, and regular forest management has led to a rapid increase in their numbers. The captured animals are bled, their meat cooled in the river, and their hides carefully removed. The furs are used as winter bedding and are also essential for coats and footwear. Therefore, the forests are maintained to ensure a constant presence of wildlife. This wisdom has been passed down from the time when this land was still known as Ezo.
"The dried fish and kelp are fine. The scallop adductor muscles are even better than last year. The pickles are good, and the barnyard grass sake is also good..."
By the month of Kannazuki (the 10th month of the old calendar), snow will start to fall in Tachibana. Preparations for winter must be completed before then. It is truly a "war against the harsh winter." Jisaburo, who commands the field, carefully checks each task as it progresses. For this purpose, several warehouses and underground storage facilities made of Mutsu lacquer (concrete) have been prepared. The harvest is neatly transported into these facilities.
"This year, we should be able to get through the winter easily!"
Everyone smiles. Thanks to Kiyomatsu's reforms, Tachibana is experiencing unprecedented prosperity. In the Nanbu domain, Tachibana can be considered the most prosperous land. However, Kiyomatsu himself is not at all elated. On the contrary, his brow is slightly furrowed. Masaharu notices his expression and speaks to him.
"Kiyomatsu, what's wrong? Is there something you're dissatisfied with?"
"No... I just think it's a bit too good. This year is good, but we don't know if we can achieve the same harvest next year. Therefore, we need to further improve productivity through more reforms. After the winter preparations are complete, I will reflect on this year and consider the challenges for next year."
Kiyomatsu is not satisfied with this level of success. There are countless things that need to be done and that he wants to do. However, there are not enough people or resources to accomplish everything at once. He must tackle each task one by one.
"Master, Kinzakiya has arrived."
Anticipating the harvest season, Kinzakiya Zenemon has come for the final trade of the year.
"Indeed, the 500-koku ship we borrowed is excellent. The matsumi sail makes it much faster."
Kiyomatsu orders his page, Matsujiro, to serve barnyard grass sake. This is the final trade of the year, so it is acceptable to treat him well.
"Let's offer 300 koku of rice, soap, and charcoal, as well as this barnyard grass sake. How many people did you bring from Oshu?"
"Yes, 50 people. Lord Wakasa (Kizaki Kihiro) has made peace with the Ezo. He seems to be focusing more on trade. However, this has narrowed the range in which the Matagi can operate, and many want to move to other lands. Yes."
The Matagi's job is not just hunting. As "people of the mountains," they worship and protect the forests. In Tachibana, Matagi exist in the mountains, including the Mount Osore range, and they engage in hunting, thinning, and gathering mountain bounty. Kiyomatsu plans to add shiitake cultivation to the Matagi's work.
"I am glad to have those who can read and write, and especially those who can speak the Ezo language."
"They seem to be the children of Ezo and Wajin, and they have had a hard time."
A woman named Abe Nanaka arrives. She is about 20 years old, with the deep-set eyes and large, bright eyes characteristic of the Ainu, making her a beauty. However, by the aesthetic standards of the Wajin in the Sengoku period, she might be considered unattractive.
"Then, it's about time... Master, I'm a bit early, but thank you for your hospitality this year. I wish you a good year..."
The 500-koku ship is loaded with rice and charcoal, and Zenemon sets sail for Oshu again. This time, he will buy salmon and kelp in Oshu and sell them in Echigo, a triangular trade.
Kiyomatsu leaves Abe Nanaka, an Ainu half, among the 50 immigrants. The others are assigned by Jisaburo, but Kiyomatsu wants to keep Abe Nanaka as a lady-in-waiting to take care of him.
"I want you to teach me the Ezo language and culture. In return, I will teach you the Yamato script."
"I... I'm not very good at talking."
"That's fine. In this land, no one will discriminate against Abe Nanaka. I, as the lord, will not allow it. By the way, can you make Ezo cuisine for me tonight? I believe it's called Kamuohau?"
Abe Nanaka nods, her large eyes blinking.
Ainu cuisine "Ohau" refers to a pot dish. Kamuohau means a pot dish with meat, seasoned only with meat, vegetables, and salt. The gamey smell of the meat is suppressed by wild garlic and mountain wasabi, and mountain vegetables like bamboo shoots, fuki no to, and udo, as well as root vegetables like radishes and burdock, are added. The broth is not strained. The Ainu believe that the broth has medicinal properties, so it is eaten as is.
"The meat is well-flavored. It's not bad. It also goes well with this barnyard grass sake."
Masaharu sips the freshly made barnyard grass sake. In the Tachibana mansion, only Masaharu drinks alcohol, but with Abe Nanaka's arrival, the alcohol consumption is likely to increase. Abe Nanaka, Matsujiro, and Umejiro are eating in a separate room. They are eating the same food, but in different rooms, maintaining the distinction between master and servant.
"Still, to welcome an Ezo woman as a lady-in-waiting..."
"Technically, she is half Ezo. Once she is here, everyone is a citizen of Tachibana. I have instructed Jisaburo and others not to discriminate against her."
In the Sengoku period in Oshu, the Ainu were not a significant target of discrimination. The Matagi, who are also considered to have originated from the Ainu, are people of the mountains. In such a harsh environment, survival is the priority, and there is no time for discrimination.
"I have obtained beans from Tango. Next year, we will make beans and miso."
"We are also raising cattle, horses, and chickens. The people seem to be getting used to it. Next year, we can entrust more tasks to them."
"You are right. While new farming methods are still being learned, I plan to entrust tasks like rice cultivation to those who learn quickly."
(The people of the Sengoku period are like a hybrid of a modern corporation and a yakuza organization. Think of it as the New Tachibana Group. Administrative officials who can read, write, and calculate are one thing, but I can entrust the supervision of existing production lines to some extent.)
While Tachibana was moving smoothly towards further growth, in the stronghold, the new castle steward, Kyo Sei, was overseeing the Date clan. The stronghold is a beautiful flatland castle on a hill along the Mabuchi River, surrounded by five baileys and dry moats. The Mabuchi River, with its upstream castle of Mihoku and downstream port, is a rich river where rice cultivation is thriving along its banks.
The stronghold, with its rich land and the benefits of the Mabuchi River, holds a stone value of nearly 20,000 koku, making it a significant role in the Nanbu family. It is frequently involved in battles with Takahashi and Shizukishi, and each time, it sends troops. Therefore, life in the stronghold is not particularly prosperous.
At such a time, news of an unprecedented bountiful harvest from Tachibana, the original base, arrived. Kiyomatsu, who led the reforms, increased the harvest from about 3,000 koku to over 7,000 koku. The distance between the stronghold and Tachibana is about 40 ri (120 km). Considering the mountains and fields, it takes at least five days one way.
However, Kiyomatsu has opened a new settlement called Daibata, from which ships can reach the port of Hachinohe in two days. He happily wrote in a letter that he wants to do this within two years.
"What a presumptuous thing to do..."
Sei read the letter with a bitter feeling. Compared to his father, Masaharu, he is aware of his own mediocrity. He can act as the lord of the stronghold because he has made his son the head of the Date clan. In about ten years, his eldest son, Kusamatsu, will come of age and take over as the lord of the stronghold. When that happens, it is uncertain whether he can continue to stay in the castle as a guardian. The head of the Date clan will remain in place.
"Lord Steward, Lord Higashiyama and Lord Kudamaki have arrived."
"Keep them waiting. I'll be there now."
Sei, who had put Kiyomatsu's letter in a document box, stood up with a sigh.
(=γΟγ=): Finally, a female character appears! (*Β΄Πο½)
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): No, I don't think there will be any fan service scenes in the future.
(=γΟγ=): The Ainu cuisine looked delicious. How is it actually?
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): To be honest, it might not suit modern palates. The Ainu did not use miso until the Meiji era, so they added umami with dried kelp and other ingredients. It probably had a simple, rustic flavor.
(=γΟγ=): But the Ezo region is mentioned quite a bit in the story, right?
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): The Ezo region is a treasure trove. The protagonist knows this from his previous life's knowledge. I'll write more about it as the story progresses.
β»Your bookmarks and reviews will boost my motivation.
β»The third volume of my modern fantasy "Dungeon Busters" will be released in June.
I would be happy if you could read it.
The first volume of this work, "Until the Crescent Moon Becomes My Land!" is published by Earth Star Novels. Please pick it up!