The news of the "Nitta family's independence" spread among the main local lords within the Nanbu territory within a few days. This was due to Kiyomatsu's efforts to clarify the issues and establish a fait accompli. On the surface, it was a family dispute within the Nitta family, but in reality, it was an independence from the Hachinohe family, meaning they were no longer vassals of the Mihoku Nanbu family. What Kiyomatsu truly desired was precisely this position.
"But it's also dangerous. Nanbu Shichiro Sadahiro, who governs Nobeoka, is on good terms with the Kunohe clan. There are the Rokuhara in Ogawara. Even if we have laid the groundwork, I don't think they will allow our independence indefinitely."
Nitta Masaharu, Kiyomatsu's grandfather, ultimately decided to stay at Tanabe Castle. One reason was that he needed to calm Kiyomatsu, but he also didn't want to leave the familiar Tanabe. Moreover, it was Kiyomatsu who had elevated the Nitta family. If the Nitta family became direct vassals of the Mihoku Nanbu, they would be on par with the Hachinohe family. As a grandfather, he was almost proud of Kiyomatsu, even if he was no longer the head of the family.
(If I were in my son's position, I would focus on strengthening the old Hachinohe family's retainers and work to stabilize the castle of Negoro Hachinohe. As a direct vassal of the Mihoku, I would also need to form alliances with other families. Since our position has changed from vassals to direct vassals, our actions should also change accordingly.)
However, Kiyomatsu did not focus on such matters and tried to act as he pleased as the castle lord of Hachinohe. This created friction within the castle, which Kiyomatsu ultimately exploited.
"Grandfather's words are reasonable. But, on the other hand, it means that the area up to Kurauchi (now Rokkasho Village) is still ungoverned. It belongs to no one, and if we must say, it belongs to the mountain people. In Tanabe, we have deep ties with the mountain people. We will take over Yokohama (now Mutsu Yokohama) in one go."
Historically, in 1555, the Yokohama Castle was rebuilt, and its lord, Shichiro Keinori, a collateral line of the Shichiro family, began to call himself the Yokohama clan. Yokohama was a key point for land travel to Tanabe, and Kiyomatsu's plan was to secure this area first to establish the security of Tanabe.
Regardless of the Nitta family's internal strife, Tanabe was smoothly entering the third year of the "Kiyomatsu era." Crop rotation of rice, soybeans, and wheat had begun, and trade was going well. Immigrants arrived almost every month, and people were assigned based on their experience. Among them, Kiyomatsu particularly focused on the construction specialist team, the "Kuro Monshu."
"Take a break every three days. Insert a half-hour break every two hours. And take a two-hour break at noon, serving rice balls, pickles, and meat soup."
At Ensoji Temple in Tanabe, a sundial and a bell were placed adjacent to each other. The bell would ring every two hours to indicate the time. In the Sengoku period, the concept of time was underdeveloped. However, this lowered work efficiency. The awareness of "finishing this by the next bell" accelerated skill acquisition.
"Construction work will be eight hours in the morning and eight hours in the afternoon. With breaks, it's 19 hours of labor a day. But you can eat and receive rice as a stipend on a monthly basis. Eventually, I plan to change the stipend to copper coins. I have already acquired some good coins and will produce a large number using refined copper obtained through cupellation."
In the Sengoku period, a monetary economy had permeated the Kinai region, but in the Tohoku region, it was still a barter system. A monetary economy starts with something to buy, then pricing, and finally the use of money by people, which spreads. Without the ability to supply, money is useless.
"Production. We will obtain production capabilities that exceed our consumption in Tanabe, then control prices, and finally issue a large amount of currency. I will engrave the Nitta family's emblem on the back of the coins and call them Tanabe coins. If we issue a credible currency, we can eventually eliminate even Song coins."
Kiyomatsu's vision was the realization of an overwhelming economic power. Settlements were already beginning in Ohata and Kawachi. In Ohata, gunpowder production was planned, and in Kawachi, pottery. To organically connect these new settlements, a solid road network was needed. The Kuro Monshu was for this purpose.
"Lord, a man claiming to represent the mountain people has come."
"It's Ikitsuka. Let's meet. Call Abenanka."
Ikitsuka was a man who led the mountain people in the Tanabe area and was originally from the Ainu. Therefore, his name was not a Japanese name but an Ainu name. While some families like the Kakioka in Oshu had forced name changes, Kiyomatsu did not recognize the necessity and respected the mountain people's way of life.
"Kiyomatsu of Nitta. Thank you for coming."
"I am Ikitsuka. I have been thinking of greeting those who have recently been contacting us. The sake you provided was delicious. I thank you for it."
The words were in Ainu, so they could only be understood through Abenanka. The impression of the mountain people toward Tanabe was not bad. Some Matagi could speak Yamato, and it seemed that Kiyomatsu's respect for the mountain people was widely known.
"Currently, we are asking the mountain people to thin the forests to protect the mountains, hunt deer and boars, and cultivate shiitake mushrooms. I would like to add two more tasks. Of course, we will return the favor with rice, wheat, and sake."
"Saltpeter production and surveillance of the mountains."
These two tasks did not exist in the Ainu language, so Abenanka was confused. Kiyomatsu explained what saltpeter was in simple terms.
"Saltpeter is a medicine made from feces and urine. Surveillance means to inform us if you see any suspicious people. We might be attacked from the south. So, if you see a group of people with swords and spears heading north, please let us know."
In Mutsu, there were no specialized intelligence organizations like the Iga, Koga, or Fuma. Even the "Kuro Hakama Group" created by Date Masamune had its base in Iwaki Province (Fukushima Prefecture). Kiyomatsu was considering creating a specialized intelligence organization in the northernmost part of Honshu. Of course, this was not easy. The mountain people had different languages and cultures. However, they were everywhere. Half of Japan is mountains. In extreme terms, the people could be divided into those living on the plains and those living in the mountains. Their information network, if used properly, could become a respectable intelligence activity.
"Could you at least establish contact with the mountain people up to Lake Ogawara? I'm not asking you to constantly monitor. Just let us know if you notice something."
"That shouldn't be a problem. We have acquaintances on the Karamata Mountains (Mount Hakkoda). It's easy to spot people traveling through this area. We understand the medicine. If you teach us how to make it, we will do it ourselves."
In Tanabe, there was no formal tax from the mountain people. They were independent and sent meat and hides as voluntary gifts. Kiyomatsu established a system of "contract work" with the mountain people, paying them in return. This payment would eventually become currency, and the mountain people would come down to the plains to shop. To obtain currency, they would serve Kiyomatsu.
(Fighting and subjugation is something brainless people do. By incorporating them through economic power, we can absorb the productivity of the Ainu people. Eventually, we will build schools and educate the children. In a hundred years, they will be fine Yamato people.)
Kiyomatsu's day was busy. Upon returning to Tanabe Castle, he approved a letter to the Kakioka family. The content was not particularly special. He sent a seasonal greeting and expressed his desire to expand trade, along with 20 koku of rice. He briefly mentioned the Nitta family's turmoil. The Kakioka family had the Hachinohe Ando family behind them. If the details reached Ando, it could lead to a misunderstanding with the Mihoku Nanbu family.
"It's not a misunderstanding. I will not submit to anyone."
In a few months, winter would come again. Heavy snowfall was harsh for Tanabe, but it also provided security. In this part of Tohoku, where the army could not move for half the year, there was no real off-season for farming. For the Nitta and Hachinohe families, who relied on farmer-soldiers, attacking Tanabe would require significant resolve.
"This year, Tanabe will surpass Hachinohe in stone value. Let's start with a standing army of 100 men."
In June of 1549 (Tensho 18), with its economic power established, Tanabe finally embarked on military expansion. Kiyomatsu was four years old at the time.
(=γΟγ=): I thought it would be a battle, but there was no movement, just a letdown.
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): When Nanbu Harumasa came of age, he had already taken control of Tsugaru, but Harumasa's influence did not expand that much throughout his life. Why do you think that is?
(=γΟγ=): Is it because of a sense of camaraderie among the people of Tohoku?
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): Harumasa is one of the Sengoku daimyo, regardless of his achievements. There's no way it's about camaraderie. The correct answer is that there were no battles. There were small skirmishes at the front lines like Kunohe Castle, but there were only a few large-scale battles involving thousands of troops. The reason, as written in the text, is that they couldn't happen.
(=γΟγ=): How long was the actual period when battles could occur?
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): Unlike modern times, in an era where snow remained until May, the farming season was from mid-April to mid-October in the old calendar. Winter would come immediately after, lasting until the end of February in the old calendar. The actual off-season for farming was only one and a half months from March to April.
(=γΟγ=): But isn't it true that once the rice seedlings are planted, you can just leave them alone?
(Β΄γ»βγ»`): No way! As written in the story, even in the Sengoku period, various maintenance tasks were required, just with different tools!
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!" has been published by Earth Star Novels. Please pick it up!