Chapter 9

"The battle ended much sooner than expected. I am grateful for your efforts. Cheers!"

"Cheers!"

With Oda Nobukiyoshi's surrender, the winter battle in Owari came to an end. It might happen again soon, but only Nobunaga knew that.

A victory banquet was held under Nobunaga's cheerful lead, with many of the Oda clan's powerful generals in attendance.

"Mitsu, well done!"

Despite being a newcomer, Hikaru was seated not at the end but in a higher position in the middle, receiving a cup directly from Nobunaga. He had captured Oda Nobukiyoshi alive, and Hōtai had commanded the Shinchi army with order, Mōsuke had been the first to reach the castle and taken three helmets, and Ichitō had also taken a helmet near Mōsuke.

Nobunaga rewarded their outstanding achievements by giving them higher seats at the banquet.

"Thank you for this honor."

If he only showed humility, the senior generals might dislike him, so he decided to sincerely thank them and pour drinks for everyone. Starting with the people in the higher seats, he greeted and poured drinks for them.

"From now on, be sure to act within your bounds and continue to excel."

The first person was a man named Hayashi Shishin. He seemed to be one of the top-ranking ministers in the Oda clan, perhaps disliking the idea of a young newcomer disrupting the hierarchy. His tone was quite authoritative.

"Are you Shinchi-dono? I hear you have a large collection of Chinese porcelain?"

The second person was a man named Sakuma Nobumori. He also seemed to be quite important. He didn't look like a bad person, but he gave off an impression of being stingy and greedy.

"If you can perform as well next time, that would be great!"

The third person was a bearded man named Shibata Katsuie. He was strong in battle and had performed exceptionally well in this one. He seemed to be a sports-type person, good with his subordinates, and well-liked.

However, Hikaru thought he didn't get along with him. If he had to compare him, he would be like a skilled senior in a sports club, well-liked by juniors, but the type who would envy a junior who surpassed him.

"Shinchi-dono, I look forward to working with you."

The fourth person was a man in his mid-twenties named Dan羽 Chōshū. He was also skilled in battle and had Nobunaga's trust. He was good with people and seemed to have high communication skills, getting along well with everyone.

"Shinchi-dono, I look forward to working with you."

The fifth person was a man named Takigawa Kazumasu. He was also skilled in battle and was probably the best at handling firearms in the Oda clan. He seemed to have been promoted from an outsider and didn't act arrogantly towards Hikaru.

"The Shinchi family's Tanegashima unit is excellent. It seems they have been improved."

As a firearms specialist, Kazumasu seemed interested in the firearms equipped by the Shinchi unit.

"Yes, such improvements are also being made overseas."

"I see, the Southern Barbarians are the original home of the Tanegashima."

The conversation continued, and it seemed Kazumasu was also interested in tea ceremony. He envied Hikaru for having many famous items.

"Sometime, when I am more successful, I would like to collect such famous items."

"I would be happy to lend them to you. How about we have a tea ceremony sometime?"

"I would be honored. Do you have knowledge of the tea ceremony, Shinchi-dono?"

"My wife is more skilled at it..."

Kyouko, who had been a widow since her days at the military academy, had taken up ikebana and tea ceremony as hobbies. She held certificates in both and had recently started teaching Hikaru and Seiki. Now, she was teaching the retainers as well.

Incidentally, when Seiki first heard about her hobbies, he said, "That doesn't suit you!" and was beaten up by Kyouko, which was a good memory.

"What a wonderful wife you have."

The conversation continued, and Seiki and Kazumasu became good friends. He also greeted and conversed with various other retainers, and another person became a good friend after Kazumasu.

"I am Kudayama Fujitarō, the construction commissioner. I look forward to your support."

Finally, he greeted a small, mid-twenties man seated at the end. He had been promoted from a low-ranking position to a commissioner, an outsider in the Oda clan.

"Shinchi-dono..."

"You don't need to use 'dono,' Kudayama-dono. We are both retainers of the Oda clan... and I am also a newcomer."

"Is that so? Please call me Fujitarō."

Both being newcomers, and not being well-liked by others except for Dan羽 Chōshū and Takigawa Kazumasu, Hikaru found Fujitarō's conversation engaging and quickly became friends.

"Fujitarō-dono, it would be nice if you could come to a tea ceremony."

"Is that alright?"

"I am just starting to learn, so it's no problem."

One week after the victory banquet, Hikaru held a tea ceremony in a tea room owned by a merchant in Kiyosu. He had sent Ichitō and a few guards back to the domain after the campaign, and Kyouko had come to Kiyosu with tea utensils.

"My wife Kyouko will teach us, so let's all learn together."

Kyouko, who held a certificate as a future Urasenke tea master, taught the basics of tea ceremony to Hikaru, Kazumasu, Fujitarō, and his younger brother Kōichirō, practicing the movements.

"I am Kudayama Kōichirō."

"I was born a peasant, so my only retainer is my younger brother Kōichirō. Is it alright if he also learns?"

"Of course, it's no problem if one more person joins."

"Thank you, Shinchi-dono. Kōichirō, say thank you."

"Thank you. We are very grateful for your kindness. We rarely meet someone who is so kind to us."

For retainers from prestigious families, many would think that Fujitarō and Kōichirō, who had risen through their own efforts, were a nuisance. They would never casually teach them tea ceremony.

"Let's try it out. Shall we start?"

After Kyouko explained, she became the host, and the tea ceremony began. Everyone tasted the sweets distributed and then drank the tea Kyouko had prepared, followed by a discussion of the utensils used.

"Is this a Goryeo celadon?"

Kazumasu, who had studied to some extent, correctly identified the name of the tea bowl.

"Yes, it's from a sunken ship."

"One of the top merchants in Kiyosu lent us this place for the tea ceremony. Shinchi-dono, you are amazing."

Since setting up his base in Shinchi, Hikaru had changed his business methods. First, he sold the Chinese porcelain he had salvaged at a slightly lower price to merchants in Kiyosu and Tsushima. When these merchants sold the items, they paid a portion of their profits to the Oda clan.

He also conducted currency exchange services, exchanging the Oda clan's bita money for Yōraku tōbō at a rate of four to one. He collected the bita money at a rate of six to seven for one Yōraku tōbō, so the Oda clan benefited just by exchanging with Hikaru. Hikaru also didn't lose money, as he could melt four bita money to get at least two and a half Yōraku tōbō.

For the merchant who facilitated these transactions, Hikaru and his group were excellent customers. They wouldn't refuse a request to lend a place for a tea ceremony.

"Let's have tea ceremonies occasionally from now on."

"That sounds good."

"I will work hard to learn the tea ceremony. What do you think, Kōichirō?"

"Yes."

Until tea ceremonies required Nobunaga's permission, Hikaru regularly held them and successfully made many good friends.