Chapter 51

"Everyone, our family currently has over 300 subjects, 40 foot soldiers, but the actual agricultural output is less than 60 kan, which is about 120 koku of mixed grains. Including the small copper mine in the valley, the actual income of the domain is around 250 koku. Although we have gained a lot this time, it only solves the urgent needs of the domain. Moreover, the powerful local warlords and bandits are eyeing us greedily. If we are not careful, we will find ourselves in a difficult situation. What do you all think about this?" After the rewards were given, Masahiro straightened his body and said with a heavy tone.

"Adjacent to our domain are the Tawara family to the northeast and the Douya family to the southwest. These two families have always planned to annex our domain. In the past, they were mainly unwilling to face the threat of bandits directly, so they have not taken action. Once they learn that the bandits in our domain have been eliminated, even if they suspect our fighting strength, they may still act against us," Higashimura Heiji said first.

Masahiro also knew the importance of keeping the domain's information confidential, so he had already ordered Tsuda Masahide to arrange for people to guard the domain's entrances and exits day and night. At this moment, hearing Higashimura Heiji's words, he immediately looked at Tsuda Masahide, indicating that he should report the arrangements. Seeing Masahiro's gaze, Tsuda Masahide immediately bowed and said, "Your Highness, last night I arranged for ten foot soldiers to guard the entrances and exits adjacent to these two families, allowing only entry and no exit."

"Hmm, this is still insufficient! How about this, you add another ten foot soldiers, and you personally lead them to guard there; Heiji, you arrange for some subjects to assist them in building a secure fence at the two entrances and exits, and each helping subject will be rewarded with five to of mixed grains," Masahiro thought for a moment, still feeling it was not safe enough, and continued to give instructions.

The two bowed to accept the orders.

"Saburo," Masahiro frowned and thought for a while, then suddenly called out.

"Your Highness," the young retainer Saburo, standing behind Masahiro, quickly came to his front and knelt down, answering loudly.

"You will lead the patrol squad to follow Lord Masahide back to the foot of the mountain today, organize the patrol squad to strengthen patrols in the domain, especially near the two entrances and exits. If you discover any suspicious individuals, immediately alert Lord Masahide."

"Yes, Your Highness. I will ensure the task is completed," This was the first time Masahiro had formally assigned a task to him, and Saburo was extremely excited. He secretly decided that even if he did not sleep, he would complete this task well. Seeing his companion receive a significant responsibility, even the other young retainer, Kizaburo, who stood behind Masahiro, showed an envious look.

After repeated arrangements and ensuring nothing was overlooked, Masahiro finally let out a sigh of relief. But at this moment, Kousuke, who had been silent all along, suddenly bowed and said softly, "Your Highness, there is actually a small path near the bandit stronghold that leads directly from the eastern side of Yatake Mountain to the Tawara family and other powerful warlords' domains."

"What? Bastard, why didn't you say this earlier?" Masahiro was greatly alarmed. If the enemy could sneak up to his doorstep unnoticed, it would be very dangerous.

"Your... Your Highness, I only learned this after interrogating the captives last night. I intended to report it immediately, but Your Highness was already resting," Kousuke said with a sense of grievance. "Moreover, the captives revealed even more important information."

"What information? Speak quickly," Masahiro was a bit angry. It sounded like the guy was saying he was busy with his daughter last night and thus missed the report, but he hadn't even touched her.

"This small path is known only to a few of Itakoshi Dairo's subordinates, even the Tawara family does not know about it. However, Itakoshi Dairo has an agreement with the Tawara family to meet at a designated location at the foot of the mountain on the 15th of every month to exchange goods. This month, due to the changes in the bandit stronghold, the goods were not delivered as agreed, which may cause the Tawara family to suspect," Kousuke said cautiously.

"Phew," Masahiro took a deep breath. As long as the path has not been discovered, "What do you think about this?"

"Your Highness, I believe we should send someone familiar with the Tawara family to deliver some goods to the foot of the mountain, continue the exchange, and temporarily ease their suspicions. As for the reason for the delay, we can use any excuse," seeing Masahiro still staring at him, Kousuke had to grit his teeth and continue, "I humbly request Your Highness to allow me to be the person in charge of this exchange with the Tawara family and lead the team down the mountain." Who made him offend this devil just now? Although he was very unwilling to participate in such a dangerous mission, he could only inwardly cry and take on the task.

"Good! Very good! Kousuke, you are indeed another capable general of our family. This time, carry several hundred pounds of copper to exchange for grain," Masahiro was very satisfied with Kousuke's performance and praised him with a laugh, "But why does the Tawara family need so much copper? Are they forging counterfeit coins? And if they have such a good relationship with Itakoshi Dairo, why don't they take advantage of the lack of defense here to directly annex the domain?"

"No, Your Highness, the Tawara family also uses this copper to exchange with the Fugitake family. The Fugitake family controls a section of the important maritime route of the Nankaido in the Genkai Sea, earning a lot of tolls every year, which is a significant source of income for the Fugitake family, so they have a lot of resources," Kousuke explained quickly, "Itakoshi Dairo and the Tawara family are merely using each other. They appear to cooperate well on the surface, but they are secretly wary of each other. This area is directly under the control of the bandit stronghold, so the Tawara family will not act rashly without a solid plan."

"I see. It seems we still know too little about our neighbors. Now that I think about it, it's fortunate that we didn't send Heiji to the Tawara family to buy grain, otherwise, the Tawara family would have discovered our situation through the bandits. Kunitake, you need to establish a team to gather intelligence and information. I will discuss the details with you later," Masahiro once again felt the lack of intelligence in the domain.

Ogasawara Kunitake bowed to accept the order.

"Your Highness, I have calculated that, according to Your Highness's requirements, we need at least 100 people for recruitment at Yubu and Shinji, and about 20 apprentices. Currently, a large part of the domain's land needs to be cultivated, and there are occasional construction projects. With only about 180 able-bodied men (including women) in the domain, it is far from enough to meet the needs," Higashimura Heiji suddenly said.

"Yes, currently, the domain only has 40 foot soldiers. If we engage in a war with other powerful warlords, even if the entire domain is mobilized, we will only have 70 farmer-soldiers. But the current domain area basically includes the southeastern and southwestern directions of Yatake Mountain, up to Ishigahara Mountain and the deep forest of Kinoyama. Whether for cultivation or defense, the manpower is extremely insufficient," Ogasawara Kunitake immediately agreed.

Indeed, if calculated by area, the current domain is already four times the size of the Tawara family to the east. Of course, about six-sevenths of the current domain's land is wasteland and forest, which still requires human and material resources for cultivation. After a mental calculation: for Shinji, Yubu, and the mining area, at 5 to of mixed grains per person per month, plus free breakfast and lunch, it would require about 75 koku of mixed grains per month, totaling 600 koku for the remaining 8 months; the expenses for retainers and the lord's residence, totaling 300 koku; 40 foot soldiers will be promoted to samurai, excluding the cost of weapons, at an annual salary of 15 koku per person, plus free breakfast and lunch, totaling about 650 koku; reserving 2000 koku as military funds, and 600 koku for the next agricultural reform, the domain has a total of 6525 koku of mixed grains, leaving 2375 koku available for allocation. If there is another large-scale cultivation project or a large influx of refugees, these grains will be quickly depleted. However, the population base must be increased. "Let's consider recruiting refugees," Masahiro finally decided.

"Your Highness," Higashimura Heiji seemed to have a difficult request, "Currently, there are no refugees in the domain, and we can only recruit from other domains. Without revealing the domain's information, the number of refugees willing to settle in the domain will be very few, especially since this place is the most frequently attacked by bandits and is already well-known. Even if the refugees finally agree to come here, a large-scale movement of refugees will attract the attention of surrounding powerful warlords."

"Hmm, that is indeed a problem," Masahiro was taken aback. He had not considered this issue. "How about this: we will claim that bandits frequently attack us and we urgently need manpower to fight against them. This will also provide an excuse for suddenly building barriers and checkpoints at the domain's entrances and exits. As for the refugees, we will privately tell them that the domain will ensure they do not starve. If necessary, we will use various methods to lure them here, or even kidnap them."

"What?" Everyone was greatly alarmed, suspecting that the lord was planning to become a bandit. Higashimura Heiji immediately opposed, "No, Your Highness. Even if the refugees eventually enter the domain, they will bring instability."

"No, Heiji. Once the refugees enter the domain and learn the actual situation, they will have no complaints, especially those who cannot even solve their food problems and the outcasts. I believe they will eventually become a solid force in the domain," Masahiro had some policies that he had not yet announced, and once announced, they would likely gain further support from the subjects.

"This... Your Highness..." Everyone looked at each other, unable to organize a strong argument to persuade him.

(PS: This is the third week of the new book release, already A-signed, with over 130,000 words updated, and no plans to stop. Last week, it was on the Sanjiang Potential List, and this week, it is on the New Book Recommendation List. The happiest thing in the world is to have a book with collections, daily recommendations, and constant clicks. Cats eat fish, dogs eat meat, and Ultraman fights monsters. I bow to thank all the readers for your support. Thank you for your clicks, collections, recommendations, and rewards. Weakly asking, are there more? Enjoy writing, enjoy solitude.)

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