Chapter 5

With a bit of free time, I'm updating this.

Since the childhood name of Kihisa is unknown, I created it based on the child's name.

The name of the daughter of the Hojo family is also unknown, so I created it.

In cases where the age is unknown, it is also a creation by the author.

Please understand.

February 10, 1551 (Tensho 20)

■Odawara Castle, Sagami Province, Ashigara Lower District - Mita Yoshiro

While being scolded by Grandpa Genan, I crossed the Tama River, raided Takatsuki Castle, moved south along the Sagami River through Atsugi, Hiratsuka, Oiso, and Futago, crossed the Sakawagawa River, and finally arrived at the foot of Odawara Castle. I had seen reconstructed images and such, but even though the total fortifications are not yet complete, it's still a massive castle. My own castle looks like a storage shed in comparison.

Moving through the castle town, what I felt was that the people all seemed cheerful and lived comfortably. Even in this era, when anyone could be killed at any time, everyone seems to be enjoying life. On the way here, in every village, everyone was grateful to Grandpa Genan, and the tax reform of 40% to the government and 60% to the people, which made it difficult for intermediaries to exploit, has also brought a sense of ease to their lives.

It's not like the castles of the Edo period with their white plastered great keeps, but it's still a castle with a formidable presence. I've visited Odawara Castle Park several times, but the main keep in this era was located further north than in the Heisei era, so it feels a bit strange, but it's still a solid castle. After all, neither Uesugi Kenshin nor Takeda Shingen could easily capture it.

Monkeys could capture it, but only through trickery, like when they captured Osaka Castle.

If it were me, I would surround the walls with concrete, build pillboxes, and prepare underground counter-attack routes to repel them, but that's impossible. Ideally, I would build a fortress on Ishigakiyama to prevent the monkeys from using it. But it's fine, isn't it? The blood of a Sengoku otaku just can't help but get excited.

In the case of the Hojo family, their policies and efforts to improve the lives of the people are commendable. Uesugi Kenshin, known as a righteous general, had heavier taxes and was always at war, not really caring much for the people, and when they came to the Kanto region, they engaged in arson and plunder. Considering this, the Hojo family, despite being my sworn enemies, are still superior. The only match might be Oda Nobunaga, who was strict with his vassals but kind to the people.

What surprised me, however, was that the Hojo family had already set up suggestion boxes. I thought it was a Tokugawa Yoshimune exclusive, but it was quite different. The free market and theater, which are said to have been first implemented by Oda Nobunaga, were actually first done by the Sasaki Rokkaku family, and the keep was not by Nobunaga either. History is quite a mystery.

However, what comes to mind is the intense exchange with Grandpa Genan. I was completely tricked, so I need to be a bit more calm. That was a big mistake at the time.

"It's Yoshiro."

What do you think, can't even greet properly, huh? I might be cut down if I'm not careful.

"Sir, what kind of greeting is this? I apologize, but I am not yet ten years old."

Tsunahiro, don't do unnecessary things! If Grandpa Genan is unimpressed, it's all over. Wow, he has a penetrating gaze.

"Hmm, it seems Yoshiro-dono is quite reluctant to go to Odawara."

I know, Grandpa. I can tell the whole family is holding their breath.

"No."

"Hmm, to me, Yoshiro-dono's eyes seem to say he doesn't want to go to Odawara."

"It must be a delusion of Genan-dono."

"Hmm, things like water wheels and irrigation, a fool couldn't do."

"It's a matter of chance."

Grandpa is persistent and doesn't give up easily.

"Things like sake and pickled vegetables, a mere child couldn't do."

"I have only heard about these things and asked Kinsuke to do them."

What do you think, Kinsuke, go to Odawara.

Sorry, Kinsuke. If I let your father serve, he will surely have a clear path to becoming a Tokugawa hatamoto, so please bear with it.

"Can Kinsuke's achievements be considered significant?"

Yes, Kinsuke, say it's true.

"There is no such thing. Everything I did was based on Yoshiro-dono's ideas. I only assisted."

Gah! What are you saying!! Grandpa's eyes are shining even more!

"Kinsuke, you have done well."

"Thank you."

"Now, Yoshiro-dono, no lies, no lies."

Uh, his eyes aren't smiling, is he in serious mode?

"Yoshiro-dono, why do you emphasize firearms?"

If he's in serious mode, I have to bluff here. Come on, me, show some acting skills!!

"Because new things are interesting."

Grandpa Genan narrowed his eyes, wow, his gaze is sharp.

"Hmm, so Yoshiro-dono wants firearms without understanding anything about them."

"That's right."

"Such expensive toys, even our family has only recently started to increase them. They are quite expensive toys."

Wow, with Grandpa's words, the anti-firearm faction is nodding. If this continues, even staying at home, the deployment of firearms will be hopeless. I need to increase the pro-firearm faction as much as possible!

"They are not expensive toys. They can pierce armor at a distance of one cho, and if used for sniping, they can take off a helmet and neck."

The room is buzzing, I can hear "cowardly" being said.

"Hmm, at a distance of one cho, a horse would immediately kick them away. What do you think about that?"

Grandpa, you're sixty, in an era where humans live fifty years, you should be frail, but you're still energetic. Is the Hojo grandpa a monster?

"Increase the number, and it can be solved."

"That won't work. Horses are cheaper than firearms. I think increasing the number of cavalry is more reasonable."

Ugh! Is this a leading question? He knows my thoughts too well! Damn! If this continues, firearms will be considered a useless weapon and that will be the end of it.

"If we dig trenches and build sturdy fences on the battlefield, we can defend against cavalry. We can snipe from the gaps with firearms."

"Hmm, but what about an encounter battle? You can't dig trenches or build fences."

"In that case, we will protect the firearm unit with a spear formation and prepare to fire."

What do you think? This is a battle! Wait, did I get tricked?

"Hmm, firearms can't fire rapidly. With that, they will be kicked away."

"If we make ammunition packets with gunpowder and bullets wrapped in paper and have the soldiers carry them, rapid fire is possible."

Everyone is already staring blankly, not knowing what we're talking about.

"Hmm, but even then, firearms are expensive. What do you plan to do about that?"

"Produce them domestically."

"Domestically? But I hear it's quite difficult to make."

"Perhaps we could hire the Koyasan and Kunigami groups with high salaries. If we invest in advance, we will eventually benefit."

"Saltpeter is imported, and that is also expensive."

Here it comes, I can use my scientific knowledge to make saltpeter.

"Saltpeter is indeed imported, but I hear that in Tang and the West, saltpeter is made artificially."

"Hmm, where did you hear that, Yoshiro-dono?"

"From a traveling monk."

"Then what is his name?"

"His name is Takuan."

Takuan, I'm sorry for using your name. You haven't even been born yet.

"Hmm, to hear that and put it into practice, Yoshiro-dono is a great talent. I look forward to your future."

Ahh, dangerous, I was completely tricked. I need to say something nasty here.

"Genan-dono,"

"Reveal."

"Genan-dono, although you are a monk and the chief priest of Hakone Gongen, why do you still engage in war and killing?"

"Monks becoming samurai is a form of convenience and disguise. My father, Ise Soun, also became a monk after creating me."

Gah! Completely countered, he's a cheat grandpa, I can't win.

"Boy, boy,"

Kijiro's voice brought me back to reality.

"Ah, what is it?"

"It's almost time to reach the lotus gate, prepare to dismount."

"Ah, I understand."

"Yoshiro, from today, this will be your home."

Grandpa, you're too energetic.

February 10, 1551

■Odawara Castle, Sagami Province, Ashigara Lower District

"Father, why must we all meet a mere hostage from an outer clan?"

The second son, Matsuchidomaru (Ujimasa), spoke to Ujiyasu in a sulky manner.

"Don't say that, the fourth son of Mita is said to be a great talent recognized by Genan-dono. It's not a waste to meet him."

The eldest son, Shinjiro, spoke in a soothing manner.

"He is called Yoshiro, and although he is two years younger than me, I hear he is quite a person."

The third son, Fujikichimaru (Ujiteru), spoke with a maturity beyond his age.

"Hmph. A brat being a great talent. Genan-dono must be senile."

The fourth son, Otachidomaru (Ujikuni), spat out venomously despite his young age.

"What kind of person is he?"

The fifth son, Takechidomaru (Ujikuni), was excited and acted like a seven-year-old child.

"Brother, if Genan-dono's assessment is correct, he must be an interesting child."

The fourth brother, Ujimaro, spoke boldly.

"What kind of child is he?"

The eldest daughter, Aya-hime, who in reality was called Hayakawa-dono and was the wife of Imagawa Ujizane, spoke cheerfully to her sisters.

"If he is a great talent, wouldn't he be a good match for Mio?"

The second daughter, Maki-hime, who in reality was the wife of Hojo Ujimasa and called Shinko-in, teased her sister.

"Sister, that's embarrassing."

The third daughter, Mio-hime, who in reality was the wife of Chiba Masahide and called Oizaki-dono, blushed.

The fourth daughter and younger were still too young to attend.

"Are you crazy? We can't marry a Hojo princess to a mere hostage from an outer clan who can't even inherit the family name!"

Matsuchidomaru, taking Maki-hime's joke seriously, became angry. Maki-hime and Mio-hime were on the verge of tears.

"Matsuchidomaru, don't bully your sisters!"

Ujiyasu's stern reprimand made Matsuchidomaru fall silent.

"Lord, Genan-dono has returned."

A retainer informed Ujiyasu of Genan's return.

"Please call Genan-dono."

After a while, Genan brought a child about ten years old to the large hall where Ujiyasu and the others were waiting.

"Left Minister, I have kept you waiting."

"Genan, you have worked hard."

This was a formal occasion, so the meeting was conducted with proper etiquette.

"Is this child the one Genan calls a great talent?"

"Indeed, he has excellent insight."

While being told this, Yoshiro, who was bowing, could not see the expressions of the two men, making him nervous.

"Mita Yoshiro, raise your head."

At Ujiyasu's words, Yoshiro slowly raised his head and saw Ujiyasu sitting there, looking very much like the portrait of Ujiyasu in Odawara Castle Park. After all, it is a portrait of him, so it should look like him, but some portraits are modified.

"To see your noble face is a great honor. I am the fourth son of Aume Shizunagajyo Castle lord Mita Danjyo-no-suke Tsunahiro, Yoshiro. I hope you are well, Left Minister."

The impressive greeting made those present hold their breath.

"Excellent, isn't it, Left Minister?"

Ujimaro spoke to his brother in a boastful tone.

"Yes, Yoshiro. I have heard about you from Genan and others. Use your insight to serve our family. In about three years, I plan to have you come of age and serve as a retainer to Shinjiro. Work hard."

"Understood."

Despite feeling "Ugh" inside, he did not show it on his face, a skill from his previous life as a working adult.

"Yoshiro will be entrusted to Genan for a while."

"Leave it to me. I will raise him to be a fine warrior."

Thus, the first meeting ended.

After Yoshiro and the old ministers left, Ujiyasu and Ujimaro talked in Ujiyasu's room.

"That child will become quite a person."

Ujiyasu nodded at Ujimaro's words.

"Regarding the Tama River irrigation, I had the Fuma investigate, and it seems to be in a perfect location."

"Hmm, what kind of thing is it?"

"It is a beautifully drawn map showing it running along the ridge."

"I see, that alone is valuable."

"Not only that, but he also seems to know a lot about firearms."

"Firearms. We have started to increase them, but they are not easy to use."

"But this shows his extraordinary nature."

Ujimaro was surprised when he saw the letter that was handed to him.

"Brother, this almost eliminates the shortcomings of firearms."

"Yes, at the age of eight, he is already such a person. It would be too dangerous to leave him in a rival country."

"Wouldn't it be a waste?"

"Yes. If we can have him in our own ranks, he could be of great use to the Hojo."

"Then what will you do?"

"Let Genan raise him for a while. If his potential is as expected, we will have him come of age at twelve or thirteen and marry him to Mio."

"Have him start a family?"

"Yes, Mio is only a year older. They would make a good match."

"But what about Chiba?"

"Chiba is more important than that child. We will arrange for her to be adopted."

"Perhaps a daughter of the Matsuda family?"

"Likely."

"But it's quite interesting. If Soun-dono knew about this, he might come out of his grave."

"Ha ha ha."

The lights in the room did not go out until late that night.