Nitta's father, Masahiro, lived in the stronghold of the Hachinohe clan, which is now Hachinohe City. As the heir of the Nitta family, Yoshimatsu (later known as Nitta Masahiro) received his education in the Tanabe domain, which faces Mutsu Bay, under the tutelage of his grandfather, Nitta Masahiro.
The Tanabe domain has a revenue of 3,000 koku, but this is the "stipend" and not all of it belongs to the lord. The Nitta family has traditionally collected taxes on a "five public, five private" basis, so half of it, 1,500 koku, goes to the Nitta family. From this, they must pay the stipends of samurai and foot soldiers, as well as cover daily living expenses.
"In other words, we are poor, right?"
At Yoshimatsu's response, Masahiro couldn't help but laugh. Indeed, they were not wealthy. However, the Nitta family was quite fortunate. They were a branch of the Nanbu clan, which ruled Mutsu from Tsugaru, and had descended from the "main family" of the Nanbu clan, which had roots in Kamakura. Although the Mutsu Nanbu family is now the main family, both the Hachinohe and Nitta families wield considerable power in this region and can be considered second only to Nanbu Umasuke Harumasa. In return, they must provide troops for battles, but this is also an opportunity to expand their influence.
When Masahiro answered this way, Yoshimatsu shook his head.
"That's not what I mean. Look at the people of Tanabe. They are all thin. Their clothes are shabby, and their houses are dilapidated. In winter, cold winds will surely penetrate their homes. I've heard that some families even sell their daughters. Where is the wealth in this? I apologize for speaking ill of you, Grandfather, but what have the successive heads of our Nitta family been doing?"
A two-year-old child looked at him with a serious expression. Masahiro couldn't help but feel angry. What did a child know? Before the Oishizaki Rebellion, the northern part of the Tanabe domain was ruled by the northern royal family and was relatively prosperous. However, it declined significantly after the rebellion. He and his son, Masahiro, had worked to restore it.
However, Yoshimatsu's words were not wrong. The Nitta family was fortunate, but the people of Tanabe were far from wealthy. This was the northernmost part of Yamato, and the land to the north was the territory of the Ezo. The lifestyle here was different from the warmer southern regions, and that was inevitable. However, it could not be used as an excuse. As a lord, one must strive to protect the people. That is the true duty of a "dedicated" leader.
"I spoke too much. I apologize. Grandfather, I will make Tanabe prosperous. In three years. Just watch what I do for three years."
"…Understood. Do as you please."
Are these really the words of a two-year-old? Masahiro felt sweat trickle down his back.
"Master, the blacksmith Zenjiro and the carpenter Saburo have arrived."
Yoshiemon, who served Yoshimatsu, brought Zenjiro, the blacksmith, and Saburo, the carpenter, who worked in Tanabe. The Tanabe mansion, though called a "mansion," was essentially just a "northern fortress." There were no tatami mats, and it was common to sit cross-legged on the wooden floor.
"Thank you both for coming. I am Nitta Yoshimatsu."
"Hai, hai," they both replied.
Two middle-aged men bowed to a two-year-old child. Even Yoshiemon, who served him, could sense their discomfort. Of course, Yoshimatsu, who was essentially an old man with a wealth of life experience, had already understood their feelings. However, he did not show any signs of it. Even if he was just a two-year-old, he was the acting head of the domain. If he was to lead as a leader, the first impression was crucial.
"I have something I want you to make. Yoshiemon."
Yoshiemon stepped forward and handed over a piece of paper. Although it was a rare item, it was the best way to give instructions. The two men looked at the paper, then at each other, and then at Yoshimatsu, waiting for an explanation.
"I want you to make three of each. The deadline is by the end of the year."
These were farming tools, building materials, and weapons: a foot-operated rice thresher, an oil press, a hand-operated well pump, bricks, concrete, and crossbows. The paper contained instructions and designs for each.
"The top priority is the foot-operated rice thresher and bricks. With the thresher, we can save labor during the harvest, and I want the extra hands to help with brick-making."
"If you say so, we will start, but what exactly are these…?"
Zenjiro, Saburo, and even Yoshiemon, who had written down the instructions, tilted their heads in confusion. Yoshimatsu had anticipated this question and was not flustered.
"These are tools to make Tanabe prosperous. In fact, a certain person appeared in my dream and taught me about them."
"Ask no more. With this paper, you should be able to make them. Try making prototypes, even if you think it's a trick. Even if you fail, I will not blame you."
The two craftsmen nodded, their eyes wide with surprise at the unexpected language from a two-year-old.
"Did you call the blacksmith and carpenter and give them some instructions?"
"Yes. The planting is already done this year. The real work will start next year. But there are things we can do. First, we need to get through the winter. I am having them make tools for that."
As long as the head of the family, Nitta Masahiro, was in the stronghold, Yoshimatsu had to manage the Tanabe domain. Masahiro, the grandfather and heir of the Nitta family, thought this way. However, the heir, Yoshimatsu, was showing a sharpness that could be called a prodigy.
"Grandfather, I have a question. This is just between us. Don't tell Father."
"What is it? Some mischief?"
"Something like that. If the Nitta family became stronger than the Hachinohe and even the Nanbu, what would you do?"
At this question, Masahiro almost burst out laughing, but then he felt a chill. Could a two-year-old really ask such a question? Looking at Yoshimatsu's eyes, he saw a strong resolve. He felt that Yoshimatsu was serious.
"…The Nanbu family originally descends from Nanbu Saburo Shigehiro. From Ichi-no-he to Kuni-no-he, Ishikawa, and even the northern and southern families, they all share the same roots. For 300 years since Shigehiro built the Heiyo Castle, the Nanbu family has ruled Tsugaru and Mutsu, with the Mutsu family as the main family and the stronghold as the leading branch. Of course, there have been conflicts between Mutsu and the stronghold, but they are all part of the same Nanbu family."
"I see. So it would be difficult for the Nitta to replace the Nanbu, right?"
He couldn't tell him not to say such things. The two-year-old in front of him fully understood the danger of the words he was speaking. That's why it was "just between us." And it was far more terrifying than a child's idle talk.
Noticing his grandfather's expression, Yoshimatsu chuckled.
"Hahaha! Grandfather, it's just a child's talk. Forget it. By the way, I have something I've been thinking about. I want to hear your opinion on cursive writing."
The topic changed. Masahiro exhaled and smiled.
"These bricks are quite interesting. When combined with Mutsu lacquer, they can create even stronger walls."
"Yes. They can be used as new building materials when constructing houses. They are also heat-resistant and can be useful in building charcoal kilns."
As the harvest approached, the "new technologies" that Yoshimatsu had instructed were brought to the courtyard of the Tanabe mansion. He had provided instructions on how to use the tools, the steps to make them, and even the blueprints. Even craftsmen from the Sengoku period should be able to make them.
"The oil press will take a bit longer, but the soap you mentioned can be made from bear fat. It does clean well, but the smell is quite strong."
"I have a plan for that. There is a camellia forest in Natsuzakai. Oil can be extracted from these camellias."
"Camellia, you say. I've heard of it. It is said that Prince Sanehito found a mountain of camellias while boating in the past. No one has confirmed it, but it does exist, right?"
"Grandfather, it does. But don't ask how I know. Just think I saw it in a dream."
The camellia, a native species of Japan mentioned in the Manyoshu, has its northernmost natural habitat in the "Camellia Mountain" of the Natsuzakai Peninsula. With over 10,000 camellia trees, the mountain blooms in early summer, creating a spectacular sight.
"It should be near the coast of Natsuzakai. No one is using it, so let's make use of it in Tanabe."
In this era, there was no concept of "nature conservation." To preserve the famous Camellia Mountain for future generations, it would be a good idea to promote camellia planting. As he gave the instructions, Yoshimatsu thought this.
(=゜ω゜=): Sometimes I think, when you write numbers as "12" and "十二" or "一二," on a smartphone in horizontal writing, "12" is better, right?
(´・∀・`): When publishing, it's in vertical writing, so it's better to use "一二" from the start.
(=゜ω゜=): Then, why not revise it when publishing? Shouldn't it be reader-friendly? Also, I think "三千石" is easier to read than "三〇〇〇石."
(´・∀・`): It depends on the readers' opinions on Narou. It's too much trouble to revise the drafts.
(=゜ω゜=): …You don't really have the intention to be a writer, do you?
* If you could bookmark or rate this, it would boost my motivation.
* 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!