Reincarnated as a Warlord in a Sengoku Era - Chapter 9
Translator: Nisarah Editor:Nisarah
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A Favor, then a Return
Koji 2nd year (1556 A.D), 1st month, Wakasa Province, Kumakawa.
Along with Denza, I’m on my way to Kumakawa so I can meet Uncle and give him a new year greeting.
“Today is colder than usual.”
“We are currently walking through a forest path so that is why it feels colder than usual.
Denza held the horse reins while I’m sitting behind him. I am now 5 years old so I want to start learning how to ride a horse. I also need to start training my archery and swordsmanship. Maybe it’s also a good time for me to start learning Four Books and Five Classics, The Art of War, and Han Feizi [1]. I have a mountain of things to learn.
It seems like I need to become especially proficient in riding and archery because the Wakasa Takeda clan is famous for both. It’s like…um…How to explain it… the clan’s art of archery and riding is the ‘most beloved’ art that has been passed down since ancient times. My goal seems to be able to shoot arrows while riding a horse.
I heard that Yamagata Magosaburou will become my teacher. Of course, Father and Grandfather will also teach me. That’s how deep my connection is to the Wakasa Takeda clan.
“Young master. What kind of present has Genshirou-dono prepared?”
“It’s this.”
I show a sword to Denza. As expected Genshirou did his job well to prepare a sword. After all from what I remember, my uncle Yoshiteru is someone who loves swordsmanship soo much to the point he gained the nickname ‘Swordmaster Shogun’ . A tachi like this is a perfect gift for him.
But well, Uncle is an avid swords collector to the point he has 4 out of 5 Greatest Swords Under the Heaven so sending a tachi that is below his standard might make the whole thing become awkward. Still, I’m his nephew. He won’t just because a gift insulted his nephew that came the long way to give a new year greeting so I should be fine.
“So it’s a tachi. Is it a famous tachi?”
“Of course. But I ended up owing Genshirou a favor. This is going to cost me in the future.”
I mean, imagine owing a favor to a merchant like Genshirou. He will definitely make some crazy requests in the future.
Thanks to that favor though I got my hand on one of Sakakura Zaki School’s tachi. I heard it’s a work of Masatoshi.
While carefully carrying that tachi, we went to the residence of the Numata clan in Kumakawa.
The second we arrived, tears and snots covered Kouzukenosuke charged at me.
“Y…Young master….!!!”
“Yikes! You’re disgusting, Kouzukenosuke. What happened!?”
As soon as I got off the horse, Kouzukenosuke clung to me. I want him to get off.
Though it’s late. My clothes are already drenched with his snots and tears. I won’t get angry but still…
“So, just what happened?”
“The cultivation of the shiitake mushrooms has succeeded.”
“Truly?”
“Yes!” With his entire body radiating happiness, Kouzukenosuke answered.
This is great. With this, I earned a huge source of income. With money, there are many things that I can do in the future, but at the same time, the success of shiitake cultivation makes me anxious. If I fail to become a clan head, everything will be for naught.
“Kouzukenosuke. How many shiitakes do you have now?”
“About 20.”
“Can you give me 10 of them? I want to present them to the shogun-sama.”
“That will not be a problem. After all, from now on, we will be able to get as many shiitakes as we want.
I exchanged glances with Kouzukenosuke and laughed with hearty and loud laughter.
Starting the cultivation project cost me quite a bit of money but from now on, I can look forward to the return of that money. It’s winter so it might be hard to start the mass cultivation now but starting from the spring to fall, the cultivation of the shiitake mushrooms can begin in earnest.
After laughing to my heart’s content, I asked Kouzukenosuke about the soldiers. It’s been only 2 months since the soldiers started their training so I don’t have any big expectations.
“The military training has been going on without any problems. As I have been concentrating on researching shiitake cultivation, my father has been taking care of the training. If you wish to deploy them, I would like to ask you to wait for about 3 months. But as the soldiers are all farmers they cannot move during the planting or harvest season,” Without the trace of his smile dimming, Kouzukenosuke answered my question.
As expected, 5 months of military training is needed before the soldiers can be deployed.
Plus since the soldiers are farmers, they won’t be able to move during the planting season in March until their rice fields stabilize. The best course of action is to employ actual foot soldiers with money. Let’s use the money from selling the shiitakes for this first.
“Kouzukenosuke. Employ about 50 elite soldiers with money. The military training will continue but prepare the 50 elites for my mounted guards.”
“Understood,” says Kouzukenosuke while bowing.
After that, I and Kouzukenosuke spent the whole night in a fervent discussion about how to hide the shiitake cultivation and where to sell the mushrooms. With this, both money and soldiers will no longer be a problem.
“Kouzukenosuke. From now on, I will have you return what you’ve borrowed.”
“Of course. I shall return it with my entire life.”
After that, we both smiled. I have created the foundation to build my own army. Now I need to build the building above the foundation. I still need to be careful.
“Young master, is this not a good thing?”
“That’s right Denza. I can finally afford to create a bit of trouble.”
[Current State of Affair]
Takeda Magoinumaru – 5 years old (Sengoku Era age)
Vassals: Kumagai Denzaemon, Numata Kouzukenosuke
Equipment: Wakizashi made by Norishige from Etchu
Position: Heir of Wakasa Takeda clan
Territory: None
Specialty: Shiitake Mushrooms (from Kumakawa)
Currently Investing: None
Number of Soldiers: 50
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T/N
[1] All of them are famous Chinese books. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/The_Art_of_War https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Han_Feizi https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Four_Books_and_Five_Classics ?