Chapter 16

"It smells good."

"It's curry! Curry is coming out!"

The day after the Saito army's attack on Sumata Castle was repelled, the construction work by the Kikka army continued. The soldiers of the Shinchi army were overjoyed, sniffing the scent that wafted through the air. They were delighted to learn that their favorite dish, curry rice, would be served for the meal.

In this era, the spices used in curry were very expensive. Many of them were also used as medicine, and they were not easily obtainable.

The Shinchi army had a medical corps to treat the wounded and a cooking corps to prepare meals. The medical corps was currently busy treating the wounded, while the cooking corps was preparing a feast to celebrate the victory.

Under the policy of Kosei, the Shinchi army paid attention to the meals served to the soldiers, but during battles, it was not always possible to do so. Therefore, they always made sure to serve delicious meals after a victory. The soldiers fought hard to survive and enjoy the delicious food.

Among the most popular dishes among the Shinchi army soldiers was curry rice.

"Today, we have a lot of wild boar meat simmered."

"That sounds great."

Many people had heard the rumor that the Shinchi army was buying food locally and brought hunted game, such as wild boar, deer, rabbits, pheasants, and ducks, hoping to earn money. Birds were less common, and some avoided them for religious reasons, but Kosei did not mind, and most people ate them unless they were of very noble birth. With the good smell of curry, no one in the Shinchi army refused to eat.

"There's more meat than I expected."

Money is a powerful thing. Many people brought not only wild boar but also deer, rabbits, pheasants, and ducks to earn money.

"Let's use the leftover meat to make other dishes."

The cooking corps prepared various dishes in addition to curry rice, such as meat marinated in miso and grilled, and miso soup with vegetables and meat. In fact, the cooking manual was created by Kosei. They were provided with efficient cooking tools for large groups.

"Doesn't it look delicious?"

"This is a feast."

Not only the Shinchi army but also the Maeda and Kikka armies were served, and the curry rice was particularly well-received.

"The aroma and spiciness are addictive."

"Indeed, the famous Shinchi army even serves such luxurious meals to their soldiers."

Toyokichi ate the curry rice with relish, and Hachisuka Masahiro, the new vassal of the Kikka family, was amazed by the wealth of the Shinchi family.

"Lord Shinchi, thank you for the food for our men as well."

The conscientious Maeda Toshiie thanked Kosei for providing meals for his own soldiers.

"Since it's a victory, let's all enjoy the meal together."

"I am grateful. I will report to the lord."

The Maeda army and the mounted guards, who were reinforcements from the Oda family, were to return to Owari after the meal. Toshiie had the duty to report the results of the battle in Sumata to Nobunaga.

"It's a clear victory. I'm sure the lord will be very satisfied."

After the meal, Toshiie bid farewell to Kosei and Toyokichi and returned to Owari. Although the reduction in troops was a bit worrying, after such a great defeat, Toyokichi predicted that the Saito army would not send troops immediately. They continued to fortify Sumata Castle and had already dispatched Kojirou to the surrounding villages and samurai residences to begin propaganda and persuasion. If they could gain their support, the Kikka family would be recognized as the lord of the Sumata area.

"With more allies, we can manage."

About three days later, while the Shinchi army was helping with the defense and construction of Sumata Castle, a letter from Nobunaga arrived. When Hideyoshi opened and read it, it stated that Nobunaga himself would come to inspect Sumata.

"Why would the lord come to such a dangerous place?"

Kosei was surprised that Nobunaga, a lord, would come to the front lines. Was this a sign of agility, or was it simply reckless? It was a difficult judgment to make.

"At the Battle of Okehazama, the lord fought at the forefront and led the troops. He often stood at the front during the unification of Owari. However..."

"However, what, Toyokichi-dono?"

"The letter states that the lord desires curry rice. It seems he has mistaken it for some special battlefield food."

It was unimaginable even to Hideyoshi, who revered Nobunaga, that the lord would come to the front lines just to eat curry rice.

"Monkey! Is the construction of Sumata going well?"

"Yes, we have also begun to persuade the local lords and samurai."

"Then it's good! Mitsui! Send reinforcements to the Monkey!"

The next day after the letter arrived, Nobunaga appeared at Sumata Castle with only a small escort. It seemed he had left Kiyosu immediately after sending the letter.

"(Lord, how much did you want to eat curry...?)"

Nobunaga came with about ten men and gave a brief word of encouragement to Toyokichi and Kosei. He did not like to talk too much, as he believed that his intelligent vassals would understand even with fewer words.

Hideyoshi, Ieyasu, and Nagahide were intelligent and thus favored by Nobunaga. Toshiie, though not as smart, was honest and loyal to Nobunaga. He could also absorb new knowledge flexibly, which is why he was favored and succeeded the Maeda family.

"Lord, the meal is ready."

"Good, I'm hungry, so let's eat."

Nobunaga thought Kosei was a bit of a mystery. He had above-average abilities and had achieved much abroad with his wife. He was doing well as a samurai and was loyal to Nobunaga, but he did not flatter in the usual way, which made him a natural and trusted person.

"Today's menu is..."

There was not much in quantity, but they brought a small amount of ingredients produced in Kanagawa. They made a more luxurious katsu curry by deep-frying the wild boar meat with breadcrumbs. They also prepared a balanced meal with bamboo shoots, dried shiitake mushrooms, taro, mountain vegetables, miso soup with vegetables and duck meat, and grilled fish marinated in miso, using the available ingredients.

"This curry is delicious. The fried meat on top is also well done. Shiitake mushrooms are my favorite. The simmered dish is very tasty. I commend you."

Nobunaga was in high spirits, had a second helping of curry rice, and finished all the food.

"Mitsui, bring me some sweets."

"Since it's a battlefield, we don't have much to offer..."

Kosei handed Nobunaga a stick of rock candy, which was artificially synthesized in Kanagawa and often given to soldiers after battles to replenish their energy and reduce fatigue.

"It's easy to eat and I like it!"

After finishing the rock candy, Nobunaga received a jar of rock candy from Kosei, mounted his horse, and returned to Kiyosu with a flourish. The entire visit lasted only about an hour. Kosei was surprised by the speed, but Toyokichi was used to it.

"The lord is impatient, so it's surprising he stayed for half an hour. He must have really liked the curry."

As a token of appreciation or a reward for the success at Sumata, both of them received a sword and a bag of gold.