Reincarnated as a Warlord in a Sengoku Era - Chapter 5.2
From a Private Talks, to Fishing (2)
This time we actually go to the riverbank. I got completely ignored the second we got there as Denza and Kouzukenosuke created their fishing competition. So Denza is also good at fishing.
As for me, this is my first time fishing. What people in my previous life ‘If you want to be happy for the rest of your life then learn fishing!’ seem to hold some truth. Plus, fishing is also a good thing to do while thinking.
“Look, Kouzukenosuke. My catch is more than you!”
“It’s just 1 difference! I will overtake you in a flash!”
They both went to their own world as I hadn’t succeeded in catching any fish. Those two, are their rods enchanted with fish bewitching magic? Why do all fish come their way and not to me? I was already out of picture from their fishing competition. It was then. My stomach grumbled.
“Y…Young master. Let us cook the fish I have caught! It’s going to be delicious!”
“No need! I will catch my own!”
I was determined, so I rejected Denza’s proposal. I regret refusing him. Denza shows a pitiful, sad, and hurt expression like my refusal means the end of this world.
I feel like my refusal just ruined their fun. As if agreeing with my feeling, my stomach grumbled again.
Argh…no! Let’s just stop thinking about it lest I get depressed. There’s still time before the sun sets, so I must catch at least one fish! Just.1.fish! Let’s not be impatient and wait until the fish takes my bait. In the meantime, I can think about my plan to avoid destruction.
From now on, the Mori clan in the west will keep getting stronger, and in the end, they will outnumber the Amago clan[1]. It’s best to form a good relationship with the Mori clan. I also want to strengthen my ties with the Kai Takeda clan. If I did that, the Uesugi clan in Echizen would become my enemy.
Mother is the shogun’s younger sister, so Miyoshi is my enemy. But since Grandmother came from the Rokkaku clan, the Rokkaku is my ally. That means in the future the Azai clan will become my enemy[2]. For me, the Azai clan is in a troublesome position.
As for Mino, because Jubei served Saito Dosan in Mino, it’s more or less an ally, but when the head of Saito clan changes, Mino will become my enemy [3]. Then Oda clan will become my ally while the Imagawa clan is my enemy, at least according to the historical record. But I wonder… Wait. It’s not the time to think about the future.
The current Wakasa 80.000 koku will be swallowed whole if I do nothing. Not to mention the whole 80.000 koku of Wakasa isn’t wholly united. My ally inside the clan is only Kumagai and Numata clan. Three of the Four Elder, Awaya, Naitou, and Mutou, and the clan executive like Matsumiya and Henmi are all my enemies. Don’t enemies from all sides surround me?
My most tricky enemy in the clan will be the Naito clan, who is Wakasa deputy[4] shugo[5]. As for Kumagai, despite being one of the Four Elders, the status of Kumagai clan is lower compared to the other elder. Plus, I say Kumagai is my ally, but it’s actually just Denza. I have yet to gain the trust of the whole Kumagai clan.
While my other ally, the Numata clan’s status, is even lower because they are only a rear vassal. But Numata is now my most trusted ally. That’s why I planned to let the Numata clan handle earning money and raising soldiers for me.
“Ah!”
I feel a strong pull from my rod as if to bring me back to reality. Kouzukenosuke came to my side and gave me passionate advice. It must be a big fish.
Kouzukenosuke patiently guided me on when to pull the rod to the left and right. There’s no convenient thing like a reel in this era, so my match with the fish depends on just this one rod and string. When Kouzukenosuke say, ‘Now!’ I pulled the rod with all my strength.
“Wow, this is a splendid fish!”
“Young master, this is an Ayu[6] fish.”
Yey! I caught one fish! I’m glad because it didn’t seem I ruined their fun. Both Denza and Kouzukenosuke also look happy.
“Denza. I’m sorry for earlier. Without realizing it, I become obsessed to catch my own fish and refused your goodwill.”
“It is fine, young master. How about we cook the fish now? I will start the fire.”
Denza started to make a fire while Kouzukenosuke skillfully removed the gut out of the fish and put them on skewers.
I stroked my chest feeling relieved because I had apologized to Denza. I have never known that apologizing to someone is this difficult.
If left alone, a small mistake can become a festering wound that breaks apart a relationship. It’s something that I have painfully learned.
I don’t want that ever to happen again. I want to rise in this world together with them.
“It’s done. For you, young master.”
“Thank you.”
I took a bite from the freshly cooked fish. It’s good, but I feel it will be even better if you put salt on it. Still, maybe because it’s a fish that’s just been caught, there is fat remaining, and it tastes pretty good. I finished the fish in an instant.
“Young master. The sun will set soon so how about we return to the mansion?”
Denza, who had finished eating two Ayu faster than me, offered, and I nodded.
Kouzukenosuke tidied up our fishing tool. He then tied up the remaining fish he caught on the fishing rod and put it on his soldier.
“Kouzukenosuke. Bring Denza’s catch with you too and share it with everyone at your house.”
“May I?”
Kouzukenosuke looked at me with a guilty look. Though Denza’s face is a bit unwilling, he gives Kouzukenosuke a big nod. Denza must have remembered the state of Kouzukenosuke and his house.
The three of us returned to Kumakawa residence. We didn’t say anything en route, but the feeling between us wasn’t bad. This is the mark that we have started to open our hearts to each other. What’s left for me to do is to convey my feeling with words properly. I wonder if I can do it.
Don’t be afraid. This time I will properly convey my feelings with words. No one would understand my feeling if I didn’t say them with words. I took one deep breath and said to Kouzukenosuke.
“Kouzukenosuke! I believe you! It’s fine if you fail but never betray me!”
“Y…Yes!”
Kouzukenosuke stopped his track, walked two steps back, and prostate. What should I do in this kind of situation?
After thinking a bit, I grabbed Kouzukenosuke’s soldier and raised his head. Ah… so this is what his face looked like from up close.
His cheeks are sunken, and his skin is rough. All this time, he must have battled bitterly with poverty. I nodded to him, full of determination.
His eyes were welling up with tears. He lowered his head again, and said with a voice mixed with snorts.
“I will definitely cultivate the shiitake successfully!”
“Don’t force yourself. If you’re stumped then come to me. The three of us will think of a solution together. Didn’t they say that three heads are better than one?”
I chuckled. I lightly patted Kouzukenosuke’s shoulders and helped him stand. After that, we continued our way to Kumakawa residence.
After arriving, Kouzukenosuke saw Denza and me off with his back facing the setting sun. Denza and I rode the horse we left at Kumakawa residence and returned to the manor. While riding the horse, Denza stated, “Dear me! I was surprised that young master is trying to cultivate the Shiitake mushrooms.”
“Surprised? you better come up with a better lie. Didn’t you see the content of the basket too?”
“I thought you are planning to give the shiitake to bring Numata clan to your side. I was wondering why you choose Numata clan, but after thinking about it more, it is true that Numata clan won’t bring any attention. I was perplexed by your keen eyes, young master.”
“Save your praise after the shiitake cultivation succeded.”
“Understood. Hahaha”
Denza’s laugh and the horse’s footstep reverberated in our surroundings.
?????????????
[Current State of Affair]
Takeda Magoinumaru – 3 years old (Sengoku era age)
Vassals: Kumagai Denzaemon, Numata Kouzukenosuke
Equipment: Nothing
Position: Heir of Wakaa Takeda clan
Territory: Nothing
Specialty Product: Nothing
Current Investment: Nothing
Soldiers: 0
T/N:
[1] Originally Mori clan’s lord but ended up being defeated by Mori clan. https://sengokujidai.org/characters-and-clans%E3%80%8C%E4%BA%BA%E7%89%A9%E3%83%BB%E6%B0%8F%E3%80%8D/clans/amago-clan-2/?
[2] Azai clan is originally the vassal of Rokkaku clan who rebelled. https://sengokujidai.org/battles%E3%80%8C%E5%90%88%E6%88%A6%E3%80%8D/battles/battle-of-norada%E3%80%8C%E9%87%8E%E8%89%AF%E7%94%B0%E3%81%AE%E6%88%A6%E3%81%84%E3%80%8D/?
[3] This is because Dosan is killled by his son in the future. Since Jubei served Dosan, he automically become enemy with his lord’s killer.
https://samurai-archives.com/wiki/Battle_of_Nagaragawa?
[4]deputy shugo or shugodai is title given by a shugo to their vassal as their representative. ?
[5] Official title given by shogun. A person with this title is officially the daimyou of one or more province. Unlike kami this title held power. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Shugo ?
[6]also known as sweetfish. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ayu ?
