Chapter 118
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Mid February, 1573.
General Yoshiaki Ashikaga had been driven into a desperate situation due to his own actions. The Takeda army, considered the strongest in the Sengoku period and the backbone of anti-Oda ideology, suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Oda-Tokugawa alliance, which was considered inferior. They had misread the current situation. The regional lords who had joined the anti-Oda alliance scattered like spiders. Asakura, despite having an army of 20,000, fled back to his domain of Echizen without ever engaging in battle. The vanguard of the anti-Oda forces, Honganji Temple, was trapped in a self-imposed confinement due to accepting the remnants of the defeated Nagashima Ikko sect. Since Nobunaga had only provided the surviving soldiers with the bare minimum of food, by the time they reached Honganji Temple, they had become hungry and desperate refugees. If Honganji Temple abandoned them, they would lose their claim to saving sentient beings. If they accepted them, it was clear that they would soon face a shortage of food. Bound by their doctrine and unable to resist Nobunaga’s strategy that would lead to their destruction.
The internal collapse of Yoshiaki’s camp had also begun. First, Hosokawa Fujitaka, who had supported Yoshiaki since the assassination of Yoshiteru, defected through Mitsuhide and joined the Oda. Before Hosokawa Fujitaka defected, his last words to Yoshiaki were “I have had enough of you.” Araki Murashige, the lord of Ibaraki Castle, also declared his allegiance to Nobunaga, having previously switched from the Miyoshi clan to the Oda clan.
No matter how hard Yoshiaki tried, there was no one to support him, and there was no extraordinary force that would dare to send out troops at this point. In this situation, Nobunaga, who led the Oda army that had defeated the Takeda army in a single blow, came to Kyoto. Not only Yoshiaki, but also the regional lords who had joined the anti-Oda alliance spent sleepless nights, living in fear of the inevitable approach of death.
“Hehe, what a lovely fellow.”
Nobunaga had become a prominent figure overnight, but he was captivated by Western cats. Not only him, but also Konoe Sakihisa, the head of the court nobles, Mitsuhide, who was the key figure in the Oda clan in Kyoto, and Hosokawa Fujitaka, who had abandoned Yoshiaki, were the same. The regent who had controlled the court, Nijo Haruyoshi, lost his power and was despised by Nobunaga, and Yoshiaki, who had supported him, was isolated and allowed Sakihisa (Konoe) to return to Kyoto due to an imperial petition. Sakihisa (Konoe) was planning to establish a new residence in front of Nijo Castle, but until then, he had been staying in Gifu as usual.
“What an adorable gesture…”
Today, they were specially invited under the pretext of showcasing imported cats. Moreover, their friendship had deepened beyond that, as they all owned Turkish Angora cats through Nobunaga.
“Meow meow.”
“Meow.”
Although they were a distinguished group, it didn’t matter to the cats. The cats behaved freely, and no one reprimanded them. As a result, the tatami mats were torn to shreds, and the sliding doors and fusuma were full of holes. Instead of criticizing their behavior, Nobunaga and the others smiled as they groomed the cats. They loved the free-spirited lifestyle of the cats, who were not bound by anyone and didn’t even touch the luxurious sweets prepared for the nobles.
“It’s like a cat cafe, isn’t it?”
Shizuko, who knew about modern animal cafes, accidentally let slip her thoughts. Seeing their relaxed expressions, she thought it would affect their dignity, so she had stayed behind, but her thoughts were correct. The current state of the four of them would be something they couldn’t show to their subordinates. They were required to strictly discipline themselves and live in constant tension. Perhaps it was because of this that they were captivated by the adorable and beautiful appearance of the cats and their dignified and carefree behavior. As she thought about this, she noticed that the cats were yawning widely and curling up to sleep. Shizuko, realizing that it was nap time, stood up and clapped her hands loudly so that everyone could hear.
“Alright, it’s time to finish up!”
The four of them turned around without hiding their dissatisfaction. However, they had to let the cats rest because it would be too much of a burden for them. Shizuko made an “X” sign with her finger and firmly declared.
“No, it’s not allowed. The cats will dislike it if we continue any longer.”
There was no choice but for the four of them to back down if they didn’t want to be disliked by the cats.
“Well then, let’s let the cats rest. Shall we play a game of shogi next to them?”
“I will be your opponent, Lord.”
“I will keep a record.”
“Then I will go outside for a bit to get some fresh air.”
As the four of them began to move, Shizuko noticed that their actions were strange and called out to stop them.
“Wait! What are all of you carrying in your pockets?”
The four of them froze as if they could hear the sound of a needle dropping, and they blatantly turned their backs on Shizuko to avoid her gaze. At the same time, cat meows could be heard from somewhere. Shizuko understood everything. Each of them had secretly hidden their favorite cat in their pockets. Shizuko was frustrated by their unexpected bad habit.
“Well then, let’s do this. Each of you can keep one cat at most as a concession.”
“Alright! We’ve got them to agree. Bring them in, everyone!”
With Nobunaga’s words, attendants carrying cat carriers specially designed for transportation entered through the entrance. They entrusted the cats they had taken out of their pockets to their respective attendants and instructed them to let the cats sleep in the carriers. Shizuko couldn’t close her mouth in astonishment at how well-prepared they were. Eventually, the four of them left the room with Nobunaga carrying a Siberian, Sakihisa (Konoe) with a British Shorthair, Mitsuhide with a Norwegian Forest Cat, and Hosokawa Fujitaka with an Egyptian Mau. Shizuko put the remaining cats in cages with the help of the servants and sat down, taking a breath.
“It’s amazing how obsessed they are with cats. Even the Emperor and the people of Kyoto are crazy about Turkish Angoras.”
Emperor Shijo, who received a Turkish Angora as a gift from Nobunaga, loved it deeply. Like Emperor Uda, he wrote a cat diary every day and boasted to those around him, saying, “My child is the cutest!” Not satisfied with just the diary, Emperor Shijo built a dedicated house for the Turkish Angora and appointed five people as caretakers, with a veterinarian on standby nearby. His enthusiasm made the women who competed for the Emperor’s favor jealous, and the ladies-in-waiting and court nobles were speechless at the mixed scene of love and hate.
A little later than Emperor Shijo, Turkish Angoras were also given to the people of Kyoto, who called them “Oshiro-sama” and adored them greatly. Without being told, the people of Kyoto volunteered to take care of the Turkish Angoras, and even the children willingly became playmates.
Shizuko thought that the unpredictable background of the era might have been one of the reasons why people were infatuated with cats, which were like pets. Dogs were also pets, but the image of stray dogs that had once wreaked havoc in Kyoto had become ingrained, making it difficult for dogs to regain their popularity.
“By the way, isn’t Ashimitsu-san negotiating with the Shogun? Konoe-sama said there shouldn’t be any problems, but I wonder if everything will be alright.”
In this negotiation, Ashimitsu was supposed to present Yoshiaki’s son as a hostage to Nobunaga and have his retainers admonish him during his house arrest. However, Yoshiaki, who was emotional, would become stubborn and ignore his surroundings. Taking advantage of not being executed, there was even a possibility that he would take a stance of thorough resistance. In this negotiation, it would be a test of whether Ashimitsu could control Yoshiaki.
“He might hold a grudge and provoke another battle.”
Shizuko grumbled, anticipating such a future. What Nobunaga had told Shizuko as his goal was only the minimum, and his true aim was something else. Nobunaga’s true goal was to (…) close the shogunate himself (…) The Ashikaga shogunate would hand over the reins, and Ashimitsu was the perfect person for that.
The negotiations between the Oda clan and the Ashikaga shogunate could hardly be called negotiations. Ashimitsu immediately imposed his demands without listening to the other side.
“If you have any objections, speak up. At that point, you will become my enemy.”
In the silent room, Ashimitsu glared at those who served the Ashikaga shogunate. His appearance could only be described as extraordinary. Ashimitsu, who was supposed to be the negotiator for the Oda clan, sat in the seat where Yoshiaki should have been. Yoshiaki, on the other hand, was placed under Ashimitsu’s buttocks, serving as a cushion. Yoshiaki’s face was swollen and covered in bruises, indicating that Ashimitsu had punched him to silence him.
“Oda intends to support this foolish child as the shogun. But I will not allow such a thing. It is the natural flow of the world for the Ashikaga shogunate to return the role of the Seii Taishogun.”
“Oh, brother… That’s too much… Guh!”
Yoshiaki tried to argue back, but Ashimitsu ignored him and stepped on Yoshiaki’s head, rubbing his face against the floor. Yoshiaki, unable to resist Ashimitsu’s strength, groaned as his forehead rubbed against the floor.
“Do you still not understand at this point?! You fools. In times of peace, the world will continue to turn even if you incompetent fools play around. But now it is a time of chaos. If you cling to the shogunate with all your might and continue to expose your incompetence, the people will begin to despise the shogun who has been passed down for generations. If Takeda defeats Oda, the Ashikaga era will return? That’s nonsense! Takeda replacing Oda alone will not bring back the Ashikaga era. In times of chaos, weakness is a sin. There will be no one who follows a weak shogun. The Ashikaga shogunate is nothing more than a stopgap measure until its power base is solidified, and once its usefulness is gone, it will be blamed and condemned for all the sins.”
Even if Takeda were to defeat the Oda-Tokugawa alliance and succeed in entering Kyoto, Shingen, who used even his own religion for political purposes, would not hesitate to use the authority of the Ashikaga shogunate. Just like Nobunaga, or even more ruthlessly, he would use Yoshiaki, repeatedly carry out purges, and attribute all of them to Yoshiaki’s sins in order to reshape the balance of power. In the end, the Ashikaga shogunate, which had no fighting power, was nothing more than a weakling that would be devoured.
“Do you wish to be destroyed along with the capital, or do you prefer to leave without causing any trouble? Choose whichever you like. Before reaching a conclusion, let me tell you one thing. When you raise your flag against Oda again, I will be at the forefront.”,Ashimitsu places his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. The members of the Ashikaga Shogunate look up at Ashimitsu and swallow their words.
They tremble at the sight of Ashimitsu’s expression. Those who know him from the past are perplexed by his transformation. Ashimitsu’s expression is not something that a normal person would have, but rather something that resembles an evil demon. Without even expressing their opinions, just by meeting his gaze, they know they will be killed. As they are met with his strangely intense and chilling gaze, they vividly imagine a future where they are beheaded by his sword, and they can’t even lift their faces.
Even Toshiie, a member of the military family, is silent. Although there may have been some bold individuals among them, they all remain silent, trembling and looking down. They are in awe of Ashimitsu. Some even think that it is not a human, but the manifestation of a vengeful spirit who died an unnatural death.
“Let me make it clear, I do not hold any grudge against Toshiie who abandoned me, not even a bit. I weigh various factors and choose the best path for Toshiie.”
Ashimitsu speaks jokingly, but no one laughs. No, they can’t laugh. The moment they laugh, no one can imagine what action Ashimitsu will take, and no one is willing to gamble their life on it.
“I am not a demon. If you accept my conditions, I will give you a beautiful ending. Toshiie should explain that he was instigated by Takeda (…). I will speak to Oda on behalf of Toshiie.”
“Understood, I will convey that. I accept all the conditions from the Oda family and surrender.”
In the end, this was not a negotiation, but merely a venue to announce the surrender conditions from the Oda family. The Ashikaga Shogunate had only two options from the beginning: surrender or die. With Oda’s victory over Takeda, the tide of the world shifted towards the Oda family. Even the local lords who had been supporting the anti-Oda alliance began to defect one after another, and even Honganji Temple, which had been at the forefront, started to have differing opinions. The Ashikaga Shogunate, completely isolated, couldn’t even step onto the stage of negotiations.
“Don’t forget those words.”
After saying only that, Ashimitsu stands up from Yoshiaki and leaves the room without paying attention to the surrounding gazes. As his footsteps fade away, the members of the Ashikaga Shogunate let out a sigh of relief.
Nobunaga had several conditions for Yoshiaki, but the main ones were as follows: First, Yoshiaki voluntarily steps down as the Shogun and returns the position to the Imperial Court. Second, Yoshiaki hands over all the treasured and famous swords, as well as other private properties, to the Oda family (in reality, to Ashimitsu). Third, Yoshiaki leaves Kyoto and becomes entrusted to Toshiie. Fourth, Yoshiaki’s legitimate son, Yoshihiro, is handed over to Nobunaga as a hostage.
After being informed that the negotiations with Shogun Yoshiaki had also concluded, Shizuko found herself with nothing to do. All that was left was to return with Nobunaga, but the news of their departure did not come. They had been preparing to stop by Ise Shrine on their way back, but even that was finished, and Shizuko found herself with nothing to do in Kyoto, where there was no farmland. At first, Shizuko was at a loss as to what to do, but she decided to conduct an investigation unique to Kyoto.
It was a market survey. While they had a grasp of the details in Owari and Mino, Kyoto was a different story. Shizuko thought it would be important to investigate which stores were sourcing what products from where, how much was flowing into the market, and where the surplus was going. Understanding the market mechanism was important, but another major objective was to find out where the financial veins of the temple and shrine forces were.
The temple and shrine forces, represented by Honganji Temple, had formed a network like a spider’s web in the Kinai region. They conducted business operations similar to monopolistic enterprises, manipulating the supply of crops and goods to maintain high market prices and greedily pursue huge profits. With armed warrior monks and market manipulation through exclusive products, they were a huge organization. To crush them, relying solely on brute force would be inefficient.
That’s where Shizuko focused on the economy. If we were to discuss the economy, it would require the field of economics, but as a high school student, Shizuko felt overwhelmed by that and left it to Ashimitsu, who was the most knowledgeable in that area. However, having received a modern education in Japan, Shizuko had a vast amount of basic knowledge, and her interest in history allowed her to grasp the movements of the economy to some extent. Although Japanese history and economics may seem unrelated at first glance, they were actually inseparable from politics and economics. Especially, the policies adopted by Nobunaga were rooted in the economy, and as a result, he was not understood by the people of that time and was considered a heretic. In later years, Nobunaga would be called a person who feared no god, precisely because he directly confronted the temple and shrine forces that worshiped the gods and buddhas believed to govern the fate of commercial affairs influenced by luck and fortune.
“Hmm, daily necessities are quite expensive. Especially oil.”
During the Sengoku period, oil was in high demand as lamp oil. Temples and shrines in particular had many nighttime events, so there were many oil merchants called “aburaza” who monopolized oil and even had oil merchants called “aburajinin” who had the qualification of a divine person. One of the most famous aburaza was the Oyamazaki aburaza of the Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine. However, their power also declined along with the loss of authority of the shogunate during the Onin War.
“But I guess it’s not something we can do anything about right away.”
There were opportunities to exploit. However, if the timing was wrong, they could face unexpected counterattacks.
“Shizuko-sama, Lord Nobunaga has arrived.”
As Shizuko was contemplating what kind of intervention would be desirable, a page informed her of Nobunaga’s arrival. Since there was no urgent matter to attend to, she ordered the page to let Nobunaga in first and prepared herself.
“Everyone except Ashimitsu, leave.”
When Nobunaga and Ashimitsu, who accompanied him, and Shizuko, who welcomed them, took their seats, Nobunaga immediately ordered everyone else to leave. The pages were taken aback, but they couldn’t defy Nobunaga’s silent pressure and stood up. Only Ranmaru had a subtle expression, but he had no choice but to obey Nobunaga’s command and leave the room with everyone else. In the room with only the three of them, Nobunaga took a sip of the prepared tea and spoke.
“So, what are you plotting?”
“Huh?”
“…Lately, you’ve been sniffing around here and there under the guise of a market survey. I assume you’ve come up with some plan again. Tell me what you intend to do before anything else.”
Shizuko pretends to be clueless in response to Nobunaga’s question, and Nobunaga sighs and explains the situation. When Shizuko started the market survey, it immediately reached Nobunaga’s ears. However, no one knew what she was aiming for or how it would be useful. To the eyes of an amateur, it seemed like she was just examining sales, which any merchant would have a grasp of regarding their own products. The fact that Shizuko, who is known as the sword of the ruler, would personally handle it was unthinkable.
“Ah… well, to put it simply, it’s to weaken the power of Honganji Temple.”
Blowing a dog whistle to alert the dogs in the surroundings, Shizuko clears her throat and reveals her plan.
“Honganji Temple and other temple and shrine forces have a monopoly on the economy in the Kinai region. Therefore, their financial power is immense, and even if we try to overpower them with military force, they will continue to resist with their economic power as a background. So, my idea is to cut off the economic power that supports their supply. We will investigate the products they monopolize and flow them into the market at lower prices. If the same products can be bought at a lower price, any shrewd merchant would jump at the opportunity. If that happens, they will have no choice but to lower their prices and will no longer be able to raise funds as they please. In any era, military power is supported by economic power. If they lose their economic power, their ability to sustain their military forces will be compromised.”
“Hmm. It’s different from Ashimitsu’s approach.”
“Oh, did Ashimitsu have something in mind too?”
“…To put it simply, it’s financial policy. To do that, we need to control the currency issuance rights. Once we have that, it doesn’t matter who tries to exercise any rights. As long as commerce relies on money, no matter who tries to dominate the market, we can surpass them. The one who controls the currency, in other words, becomes the ruler of the economy.”
By using credit to create money out of nothing and circulating it, more money can be generated and profits can be obtained. That is what Ashimitsu aims for. The basic principle of commercial transactions is bartering, and currency exists to make it more convenient. If all commercial transactions are conducted with currency, the one who manufactures the currency becomes the controller of the value of goods. This is why the Tokugawa shogunate’s rule in the Edo period was unshakable. Although the actual coinage was entrusted to others, they monopolized the currency issuance rights and continued to control the economy. One could say that the control of currency issuance is a symbol of power.
“Well, are you going to issue paper money?”
“Yes, and it will be non-convertible paper money.”
Non-convertible paper money refers to paper money that is not guaranteed to be exchanged for gold or silver coins. It circulates based on the government’s credit without being affected by the value of gold and silver, so it is also called credit money. Advanced countries in modern times use non-convertible paper money and maintain the credibility of the currency value through economic policies and supply adjustments. This is called a managed currency system.
On the other hand, the paper money from the 19th to the early 20th century was called convertible paper money, which was a paper money that was intended to be exchanged for gold or silver coins. It was more of a deposit certificate for precious metals such as gold and silver, which are the actual currency, rather than a currency itself. Unlike non-convertible paper money, it is affected by the value of the gold and silver that are exchanged.,”We can secure authority and credibility through the imperial court and the Oda clan, and if we cooperate with temples and shrines, it will increase their recognition when they use it.”
Unconvertible banknotes are essentially just pieces of paper. There are conditions for making that piece of paper valuable. These conditions include trust, recognition, and a sufficient supply in the market. Trust is guaranteed by the imperial court, but it was effective because the currency itself had value in precious metals. In order to secure unconvertible banknotes that have no value in the currency itself, the support of the Oda clan was necessary in addition to the imperial court.
Of course, the Oda clan also bears the burden, but in return, various privileges are obtained. First of all, if the imperial court entrusts the currency issuance to the Oda clan, they can punish those who counterfeit the currency as enemies of the court under the pretext of righteousness.
It is also significant to gain recognition from the imperial court. Even if the political power of the imperial court is lost, the authority of the emperor, which has been passed down for generations, is unparalleled, and having a backing is a great advantage.
Finally, no one knows what changes will occur by issuing unconvertible banknotes. Not only the military, who are unfamiliar with economics and finance, but also the court nobles and temples and shrines cannot deal with unknown circumstances. By the time they realize what benefits it will bring to the Oda clan, it will be too late.
“Honganji Temple will have no choice but to make peace with the Oda clan now that Takeda has been defeated. They already have a lot of baggage. It would be suicidal to confront the Oda clan now. At that time, we can make various demands as conditions. They are planning to turn against us eventually, so they will pretend to accept the conditions as a formality.”
“Soon, Song coins and Ming coins will reach their limit. We need a new currency. However, relying on Tang as we do now will be influenced by Tang to some extent. The exchange rate between refined coins and cast coins was determined by the Senzenrei issued in the 12th year of Eiroku (1569) and there are many complaints from merchants about the inconvenience. In that case, it is best to control the issuance of the new currency.”
“The authority of the currency is guaranteed by the imperial court, its value is secured, and the Oda clan is responsible for its production and issuance, while temples and shrines promote its circulation. That’s why, reducing the economic foundation of the other party at this time is not a good strategy.”
“That’s right. We can use the circulation of temples and shrines to introduce the new currency. However, Shizuko’s plan is not bad either. Right now, we should prioritize the currency.”
Shizuko understood and agreed. Nobunaga also wanted to reduce the economic power of the temples and shrines, but it would be more convenient to utilize the network held by the temples and shrines to promote the circulation of the new currency. Nobunaga decided to prioritize the circulation and increase the recognition of the new banknotes, believing that even after the currency circulated, he could still reduce the economic power.
“Then, along with the circulation of the new banknotes, it would be good to make it mandatory for merchants to keep records. Instead of paying high taxes imposed from above, we can impose taxes based on sales, which may be more time-consuming, and use them to refund overpaid taxes or tighten the screws on those who try to evade taxes. Those who do not comply with record-keeping can be imposed with higher taxes in advance to make them suffer.”
“I see, record-keeping. It’s not a bad idea.”
“I don’t know what a record is, but if it allows us to see the flow of money, then we should implement it.”
“I will teach you later. For now, let’s secure the right to issue currency. This is the first and most important matter. With or without this, the situation will be completely different. When Honganji Temple comes to make peace, we must never give up on this point.”
“Understood. We must also allow Honganji Temple to accept tax reforms and land reforms, but we must definitely ensure the right to issue currency.”
When Honganji Temple proposed peace, Nobunaga had intentions to impose several conditions. These included road construction, resolving land ownership issues, tax reforms, and market reforms. Road construction was necessary to improve circulation. Even if it was developed as a military road, it would be very useful for everyday circulation. If shortcuts were available, it would naturally promote the flow of people and goods.
The issue of land ownership refers to the problem of multiple owners for a piece of land. There were cases where those who had been governing the land for generations and those who received it from the shogunate claimed ownership and the disputes escalated into armed conflicts. Even in this situation, each party collected taxes, and the peasants sometimes had to pay taxes to multiple sources, and in some cases, even triple. Nobunaga’s land reform aimed to resolve this situation. Specifically, it involved conducting cadastral surveys using the differential allocation method to clarify land ownership. This nationwide cadastral survey using the differential allocation method later became known as the Taiko Land Survey.
“But land issues are likely to cause conflicts, aren’t they?”
“At that time, we will intimidate them with our military forces.”
“Ah, I see.”
Shizuko made a comment, but Nobunaga already seemed to have considered it and responded without hesitation. In other words, they must comply with the differential allocation method, or else face death. It was quite forceful, but Nobunaga believed that without such measures, the land issues would never be resolved.
“When the landowners are clearly determined, the court nobles and temples will lose their rights to the manors. However, the common people will no longer have to worry about complex multiple taxation and will be relieved of their burdens. For the Oda clan, it simplifies the governance system and makes it easier to manage. That’s the idea.”
“That’s right. Market reforms go without saying, such as the Rakushiki Rakusa decree. The content may vary depending on the local requests.”
“That’s right. First, we will improve the roads to promote circulation, then we will organize the land, and finally, we will carry out market reforms. Currency issuance needs to be continued from the beginning, so it will be done in parallel rather than in sequence.”
“That’s right. The general plan has been decided. We will make detailed adjustments later. I’m hungry now. Prepare something delicious.”
As the discussion ended, Nobunaga relaxed and made such a comment. Shizuko left the room to prepare the meal, thinking that his quick change of attitude was as usual.
As Nobunaga’s official duties were completed, Shizuko also returned to Gifu. On the way, she stopped by Ise Shrine and donated 3,000 kanmon as funds for the Shikinen Sengu ceremony. The priests of Ise Shrine were in a panic due to the sudden visit of the Oda army, but they were relieved when they heard the reason for the donation. In addition, it took longer than expected for Shizuko to return to Gifu because Nobunaga encouraged his retainers before leaving. Finally, she arrived in Gifu and returned to Owari, only to be shocked.
“It’s huge.”
Shizuko realized that while she was in Kyoto, her mansion had been completed and they had already moved into the new residence. Moving was not a problem. She had already discussed the matter with Aya in advance. The problem was that the gate of her house was much larger than before. Although it was not a castle, there were still soldiers guarding the gate as before.
“It’s so big.”
Shizuko couldn’t think of any other comment when she saw the house. The house was divided into three main sections. First, there was the largest main hall. It was more of a political facility than a house. It served a role similar to a modern government office building and could be used even if someone other than Shizuko was conducting politics. Considering that Nobunaga would also use it for politics and policy-making, it had a stronger aspect of being a facility for the governance of the Oda clan rather than Shizuko’s house. Of course, Shizuko would also use the main hall for audiences and meetings.
Next was the slightly smaller rear hall. This was the private space that could be confirmed as Shizuko’s house. However, since retainers and their families also stayed here, it was not entirely her personal space. Although there was a kitchen in the main hall, the rear hall was closer to the food storage warehouse, and there were also water sources and baths. Shizuko, Aya, and Shou had their own rooms. As the rank decreased, the rooms became smaller, and the maids shared rooms. There were also sleeping quarters for the animals Shizuko owned, such as the Wittman family, Turkish Angora cats Tama and Hana, Snow Leopard Yukki, and White-tailed Eagle Shirogane.
Lastly, there were the side halls. These were the facilities where Nobunaga and other military commanders would sleep. Due to the existence of the main hall as a political facility, this type of facility became necessary. Unlike the others, they were simply smaller versions of samurai residences lined up. Only Nobunaga’s quarters were slightly larger, serving as a clear landmark.
In addition to these, there were various facilities such as greenhouses, fields, warehouses for storing food and weapons, storage for the swords Shizuko collected, tribute items, areas for raising livestock such as chickens and ducks, stables, accommodations for the soldiers responsible for defense, workshops, and more. They were all surrounded by walls, with a moat on the outside. Shizuko’s new residence was more like a base than a house. The staff working at the new residence had also increased significantly.
“All I can do is laugh at this.”
Shizuko muttered while entering the rear hall.
“By the way, you guys should have your own rooms, right?”
Shizuko noticed that Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and the usual members were gathered behind her as she tried to enter.
“I can’t relax in such a big place.”
“I am a horse attendant, so…”
“Oh, I don’t mind, but the cats won’t let go.”
Shizuko thought that even after moving to the new residence, things were still the same as before. Ashimitsu and Takatora (Yokichi Toudou) said they would look around and left, but from their words and actions, Shizuko wondered if they would also move to this base. It seemed that things would continue as usual.
“In the end, it’s just like before.”
While muttering such things, Shizuko entered her room to relax.
“Oh, you finally came back.”,Shizuko’s sense of unease was correct. In the master’s room where the master Shizuko should be relaxing, there was Nohime, who was even more relaxed than Shizuko. She wasn’t the only one. Ichi, Matsu, Nene, and others, the usual faces were all gathered.
“May I ask what you are doing?”
“Can’t you see? I’m relaxing.”
“No, I understand that. My question is why are you relaxing in my house?”
“We came to celebrate the new home, but the important house owner is absent. So I’m allowed to relax until the house owner returns.”
The first and second halves didn’t connect at all, giving Shizuko a headache.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, finally. I’ve been waiting.”
As Shizuko let out a heavy sigh, Aya entered carrying something on a tray. After bowing to Shizuko, Aya placed the tray in front of Nohime and the others. There was pudding on the tray. It wasn’t yellow like modern pudding, but white, and it had a beautiful surface without any “su”.
“Are you planning to eat up all the food in someone else’s house?”
“Since it will probably go to waste and rot anyway, I’m making effective use of it.”
“Ouch, right on the sore spot…”
For Shizuko, who had more supply than consumption, someone who would consume the ingredients was appreciated. However, Shizuko was only worried about how much Nohime would consume, as she didn’t know. Of course, since there was a high chance of them rotting if they weren’t consumed, the consumption of ingredients should be welcomed.
“By the way, you’ve gone all out with the tatami flooring.”
“We can’t keep up with the production of tatami, so there are still rooms without tatami.”
“Thanks to the successful research I’ve been doing, mass production has become possible.”
Tatami mats were a luxury item until the Edo period when Tokugawa Yoshimune carried out the Kyoho Reforms and land reclamation was actively promoted, leading to a large-scale production of the raw material, igusa, and a decrease in price.
Of course, Nobunaga also followed Shizuko’s advice and actively carried out land reclamation, dramatically increasing the production of igusa. The cultivation of igusa is basically divided into three stages. The first is the seedbed (first seedlings), which is a field where the original seedlings are grown like any other. The seedlings are planted around December and left until the following August when they are transplanted. When the time comes, the igusa is moved from the seedbed to the second seedling field. The seedlings are pulled out, the mud is washed off, and the seedlings are divided and planted one by one. Immediately after planting, it is just one seedling, but the vitality of igusa is strong, and new shoots come out one after another. In a few months, the initial weak atmosphere is completely gone, and the seedlings grow into splendid ones. These seedlings are then planted in the main field for cultivation. The work is the same as moving the first seedlings to the second seedling field, but since the seedlings are larger, skilled hands are required for the work in the field where they are cultivated. In July, two years after planting the seedlings, the igusa is harvested. After that, it is soaked in water with a dye called mud dye, dried, and finally completed.
Cultivating igusa requires skilled hands, but Shizuko conducted research to substitute most of the entire process with machines and successfully succeeded, greatly increasing the production of igusa in Owari.
“By developing dedicated machines such as transplanters for igusa, harvesters, and weaving machines for tatami, it became possible to mass-produce high-quality tatami. However, now the demand has skyrocketed, and the supply is not keeping up.”
“Mass production has its pros and cons.”
“But if we don’t do it, the quality of life will not improve.”
“Well, aside from that, I’m craving something delicious as a tea snack. Could you order something?”
When told that, Shizuko looked at the tray. All the pudding that was on the tray had disappeared without her noticing.
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Mid February, 1573.
General Yoshiaki Ashikaga had been driven into a desperate situation due to his own actions. The Takeda army, considered the strongest in the Sengoku period and the backbone of anti-Oda ideology, suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Oda-Tokugawa alliance, which was considered inferior. They had misread the current situation. The regional lords who had joined the anti-Oda alliance scattered like spiders. Asakura, despite having an army of 20,000, fled back to his domain of Echizen without ever engaging in battle. The vanguard of the anti-Oda forces, Honganji Temple, was trapped in a self-imposed confinement due to accepting the remnants of the defeated Nagashima Ikko sect. Since Nobunaga had only provided the surviving soldiers with the bare minimum of food, by the time they reached Honganji Temple, they had become hungry and desperate refugees. If Honganji Temple abandoned them, they would lose their claim to saving sentient beings. If they accepted them, it was clear that they would soon face a shortage of food. Bound by their doctrine and unable to resist Nobunaga’s strategy that would lead to their destruction.
The internal collapse of Yoshiaki’s camp had also begun. First, Hosokawa Fujitaka, who had supported Yoshiaki since the assassination of Yoshiteru, defected through Mitsuhide and joined the Oda. Before Hosokawa Fujitaka defected, his last words to Yoshiaki were “I have had enough of you.” Araki Murashige, the lord of Ibaraki Castle, also declared his allegiance to Nobunaga, having previously switched from the Miyoshi clan to the Oda clan.
No matter how hard Yoshiaki tried, there was no one to support him, and there was no extraordinary force that would dare to send out troops at this point. In this situation, Nobunaga, who led the Oda army that had defeated the Takeda army in a single blow, came to Kyoto. Not only Yoshiaki, but also the regional lords who had joined the anti-Oda alliance spent sleepless nights, living in fear of the inevitable approach of death.
“Hehe, what a lovely fellow.”
Nobunaga had become a prominent figure overnight, but he was captivated by Western cats. Not only him, but also Konoe Sakihisa, the head of the court nobles, Mitsuhide, who was the key figure in the Oda clan in Kyoto, and Hosokawa Fujitaka, who had abandoned Yoshiaki, were the same. The regent who had controlled the court, Nijo Haruyoshi, lost his power and was despised by Nobunaga, and Yoshiaki, who had supported him, was isolated and allowed Sakihisa (Konoe) to return to Kyoto due to an imperial petition. Sakihisa (Konoe) was planning to establish a new residence in front of Nijo Castle, but until then, he had been staying in Gifu as usual.
“What an adorable gesture…”
Today, they were specially invited under the pretext of showcasing imported cats. Moreover, their friendship had deepened beyond that, as they all owned Turkish Angora cats through Nobunaga.
“Meow meow.”
“Meow.”
Although they were a distinguished group, it didn’t matter to the cats. The cats behaved freely, and no one reprimanded them. As a result, the tatami mats were torn to shreds, and the sliding doors and fusuma were full of holes. Instead of criticizing their behavior, Nobunaga and the others smiled as they groomed the cats. They loved the free-spirited lifestyle of the cats, who were not bound by anyone and didn’t even touch the luxurious sweets prepared for the nobles.
“It’s like a cat cafe, isn’t it?”
Shizuko, who knew about modern animal cafes, accidentally let slip her thoughts. Seeing their relaxed expressions, she thought it would affect their dignity, so she had stayed behind, but her thoughts were correct. The current state of the four of them would be something they couldn’t show to their subordinates. They were required to strictly discipline themselves and live in constant tension. Perhaps it was because of this that they were captivated by the adorable and beautiful appearance of the cats and their dignified and carefree behavior. As she thought about this, she noticed that the cats were yawning widely and curling up to sleep. Shizuko, realizing that it was nap time, stood up and clapped her hands loudly so that everyone could hear.
“Alright, it’s time to finish up!”
The four of them turned around without hiding their dissatisfaction. However, they had to let the cats rest because it would be too much of a burden for them. Shizuko made an “X” sign with her finger and firmly declared.
“No, it’s not allowed. The cats will dislike it if we continue any longer.”
There was no choice but for the four of them to back down if they didn’t want to be disliked by the cats.
“Well then, let’s let the cats rest. Shall we play a game of shogi next to them?”
“I will be your opponent, Lord.”
“I will keep a record.”
“Then I will go outside for a bit to get some fresh air.”
As the four of them began to move, Shizuko noticed that their actions were strange and called out to stop them.
“Wait! What are all of you carrying in your pockets?”
The four of them froze as if they could hear the sound of a needle dropping, and they blatantly turned their backs on Shizuko to avoid her gaze. At the same time, cat meows could be heard from somewhere. Shizuko understood everything. Each of them had secretly hidden their favorite cat in their pockets. Shizuko was frustrated by their unexpected bad habit.
“Well then, let’s do this. Each of you can keep one cat at most as a concession.”
“Alright! We’ve got them to agree. Bring them in, everyone!”
With Nobunaga’s words, attendants carrying cat carriers specially designed for transportation entered through the entrance. They entrusted the cats they had taken out of their pockets to their respective attendants and instructed them to let the cats sleep in the carriers. Shizuko couldn’t close her mouth in astonishment at how well-prepared they were. Eventually, the four of them left the room with Nobunaga carrying a Siberian, Sakihisa (Konoe) with a British Shorthair, Mitsuhide with a Norwegian Forest Cat, and Hosokawa Fujitaka with an Egyptian Mau. Shizuko put the remaining cats in cages with the help of the servants and sat down, taking a breath.
“It’s amazing how obsessed they are with cats. Even the Emperor and the people of Kyoto are crazy about Turkish Angoras.”
Emperor Shijo, who received a Turkish Angora as a gift from Nobunaga, loved it deeply. Like Emperor Uda, he wrote a cat diary every day and boasted to those around him, saying, “My child is the cutest!” Not satisfied with just the diary, Emperor Shijo built a dedicated house for the Turkish Angora and appointed five people as caretakers, with a veterinarian on standby nearby. His enthusiasm made the women who competed for the Emperor’s favor jealous, and the ladies-in-waiting and court nobles were speechless at the mixed scene of love and hate.
A little later than Emperor Shijo, Turkish Angoras were also given to the people of Kyoto, who called them “Oshiro-sama” and adored them greatly. Without being told, the people of Kyoto volunteered to take care of the Turkish Angoras, and even the children willingly became playmates.
Shizuko thought that the unpredictable background of the era might have been one of the reasons why people were infatuated with cats, which were like pets. Dogs were also pets, but the image of stray dogs that had once wreaked havoc in Kyoto had become ingrained, making it difficult for dogs to regain their popularity.
“By the way, isn’t Ashimitsu-san negotiating with the Shogun? Konoe-sama said there shouldn’t be any problems, but I wonder if everything will be alright.”
In this negotiation, Ashimitsu was supposed to present Yoshiaki’s son as a hostage to Nobunaga and have his retainers admonish him during his house arrest. However, Yoshiaki, who was emotional, would become stubborn and ignore his surroundings. Taking advantage of not being executed, there was even a possibility that he would take a stance of thorough resistance. In this negotiation, it would be a test of whether Ashimitsu could control Yoshiaki.
“He might hold a grudge and provoke another battle.”
Shizuko grumbled, anticipating such a future. What Nobunaga had told Shizuko as his goal was only the minimum, and his true aim was something else. Nobunaga’s true goal was to (…) close the shogunate himself (…) The Ashikaga shogunate would hand over the reins, and Ashimitsu was the perfect person for that.
The negotiations between the Oda clan and the Ashikaga shogunate could hardly be called negotiations. Ashimitsu immediately imposed his demands without listening to the other side.
“If you have any objections, speak up. At that point, you will become my enemy.”
In the silent room, Ashimitsu glared at those who served the Ashikaga shogunate. His appearance could only be described as extraordinary. Ashimitsu, who was supposed to be the negotiator for the Oda clan, sat in the seat where Yoshiaki should have been. Yoshiaki, on the other hand, was placed under Ashimitsu’s buttocks, serving as a cushion. Yoshiaki’s face was swollen and covered in bruises, indicating that Ashimitsu had punched him to silence him.
“Oda intends to support this foolish child as the shogun. But I will not allow such a thing. It is the natural flow of the world for the Ashikaga shogunate to return the role of the Seii Taishogun.”
“Oh, brother… That’s too much… Guh!”
Yoshiaki tried to argue back, but Ashimitsu ignored him and stepped on Yoshiaki’s head, rubbing his face against the floor. Yoshiaki, unable to resist Ashimitsu’s strength, groaned as his forehead rubbed against the floor.
“Do you still not understand at this point?! You fools. In times of peace, the world will continue to turn even if you incompetent fools play around. But now it is a time of chaos. If you cling to the shogunate with all your might and continue to expose your incompetence, the people will begin to despise the shogun who has been passed down for generations. If Takeda defeats Oda, the Ashikaga era will return? That’s nonsense! Takeda replacing Oda alone will not bring back the Ashikaga era. In times of chaos, weakness is a sin. There will be no one who follows a weak shogun. The Ashikaga shogunate is nothing more than a stopgap measure until its power base is solidified, and once its usefulness is gone, it will be blamed and condemned for all the sins.”
Even if Takeda were to defeat the Oda-Tokugawa alliance and succeed in entering Kyoto, Shingen, who used even his own religion for political purposes, would not hesitate to use the authority of the Ashikaga shogunate. Just like Nobunaga, or even more ruthlessly, he would use Yoshiaki, repeatedly carry out purges, and attribute all of them to Yoshiaki’s sins in order to reshape the balance of power. In the end, the Ashikaga shogunate, which had no fighting power, was nothing more than a weakling that would be devoured.
“Do you wish to be destroyed along with the capital, or do you prefer to leave without causing any trouble? Choose whichever you like. Before reaching a conclusion, let me tell you one thing. When you raise your flag against Oda again, I will be at the forefront.”,Ashimitsu places his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. The members of the Ashikaga Shogunate look up at Ashimitsu and swallow their words.
They tremble at the sight of Ashimitsu’s expression. Those who know him from the past are perplexed by his transformation. Ashimitsu’s expression is not something that a normal person would have, but rather something that resembles an evil demon. Without even expressing their opinions, just by meeting his gaze, they know they will be killed. As they are met with his strangely intense and chilling gaze, they vividly imagine a future where they are beheaded by his sword, and they can’t even lift their faces.
Even Toshiie, a member of the military family, is silent. Although there may have been some bold individuals among them, they all remain silent, trembling and looking down. They are in awe of Ashimitsu. Some even think that it is not a human, but the manifestation of a vengeful spirit who died an unnatural death.
“Let me make it clear, I do not hold any grudge against Toshiie who abandoned me, not even a bit. I weigh various factors and choose the best path for Toshiie.”
Ashimitsu speaks jokingly, but no one laughs. No, they can’t laugh. The moment they laugh, no one can imagine what action Ashimitsu will take, and no one is willing to gamble their life on it.
“I am not a demon. If you accept my conditions, I will give you a beautiful ending. Toshiie should explain that he was instigated by Takeda (…). I will speak to Oda on behalf of Toshiie.”
“Understood, I will convey that. I accept all the conditions from the Oda family and surrender.”
In the end, this was not a negotiation, but merely a venue to announce the surrender conditions from the Oda family. The Ashikaga Shogunate had only two options from the beginning: surrender or die. With Oda’s victory over Takeda, the tide of the world shifted towards the Oda family. Even the local lords who had been supporting the anti-Oda alliance began to defect one after another, and even Honganji Temple, which had been at the forefront, started to have differing opinions. The Ashikaga Shogunate, completely isolated, couldn’t even step onto the stage of negotiations.
“Don’t forget those words.”
After saying only that, Ashimitsu stands up from Yoshiaki and leaves the room without paying attention to the surrounding gazes. As his footsteps fade away, the members of the Ashikaga Shogunate let out a sigh of relief.
Nobunaga had several conditions for Yoshiaki, but the main ones were as follows: First, Yoshiaki voluntarily steps down as the Shogun and returns the position to the Imperial Court. Second, Yoshiaki hands over all the treasured and famous swords, as well as other private properties, to the Oda family (in reality, to Ashimitsu). Third, Yoshiaki leaves Kyoto and becomes entrusted to Toshiie. Fourth, Yoshiaki’s legitimate son, Yoshihiro, is handed over to Nobunaga as a hostage.
After being informed that the negotiations with Shogun Yoshiaki had also concluded, Shizuko found herself with nothing to do. All that was left was to return with Nobunaga, but the news of their departure did not come. They had been preparing to stop by Ise Shrine on their way back, but even that was finished, and Shizuko found herself with nothing to do in Kyoto, where there was no farmland. At first, Shizuko was at a loss as to what to do, but she decided to conduct an investigation unique to Kyoto.
It was a market survey. While they had a grasp of the details in Owari and Mino, Kyoto was a different story. Shizuko thought it would be important to investigate which stores were sourcing what products from where, how much was flowing into the market, and where the surplus was going. Understanding the market mechanism was important, but another major objective was to find out where the financial veins of the temple and shrine forces were.
The temple and shrine forces, represented by Honganji Temple, had formed a network like a spider’s web in the Kinai region. They conducted business operations similar to monopolistic enterprises, manipulating the supply of crops and goods to maintain high market prices and greedily pursue huge profits. With armed warrior monks and market manipulation through exclusive products, they were a huge organization. To crush them, relying solely on brute force would be inefficient.
That’s where Shizuko focused on the economy. If we were to discuss the economy, it would require the field of economics, but as a high school student, Shizuko felt overwhelmed by that and left it to Ashimitsu, who was the most knowledgeable in that area. However, having received a modern education in Japan, Shizuko had a vast amount of basic knowledge, and her interest in history allowed her to grasp the movements of the economy to some extent. Although Japanese history and economics may seem unrelated at first glance, they were actually inseparable from politics and economics. Especially, the policies adopted by Nobunaga were rooted in the economy, and as a result, he was not understood by the people of that time and was considered a heretic. In later years, Nobunaga would be called a person who feared no god, precisely because he directly confronted the temple and shrine forces that worshiped the gods and buddhas believed to govern the fate of commercial affairs influenced by luck and fortune.
“Hmm, daily necessities are quite expensive. Especially oil.”
During the Sengoku period, oil was in high demand as lamp oil. Temples and shrines in particular had many nighttime events, so there were many oil merchants called “aburaza” who monopolized oil and even had oil merchants called “aburajinin” who had the qualification of a divine person. One of the most famous aburaza was the Oyamazaki aburaza of the Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine. However, their power also declined along with the loss of authority of the shogunate during the Onin War.
“But I guess it’s not something we can do anything about right away.”
There were opportunities to exploit. However, if the timing was wrong, they could face unexpected counterattacks.
“Shizuko-sama, Lord Nobunaga has arrived.”
As Shizuko was contemplating what kind of intervention would be desirable, a page informed her of Nobunaga’s arrival. Since there was no urgent matter to attend to, she ordered the page to let Nobunaga in first and prepared herself.
“Everyone except Ashimitsu, leave.”
When Nobunaga and Ashimitsu, who accompanied him, and Shizuko, who welcomed them, took their seats, Nobunaga immediately ordered everyone else to leave. The pages were taken aback, but they couldn’t defy Nobunaga’s silent pressure and stood up. Only Ranmaru had a subtle expression, but he had no choice but to obey Nobunaga’s command and leave the room with everyone else. In the room with only the three of them, Nobunaga took a sip of the prepared tea and spoke.
“So, what are you plotting?”
“Huh?”
“…Lately, you’ve been sniffing around here and there under the guise of a market survey. I assume you’ve come up with some plan again. Tell me what you intend to do before anything else.”
Shizuko pretends to be clueless in response to Nobunaga’s question, and Nobunaga sighs and explains the situation. When Shizuko started the market survey, it immediately reached Nobunaga’s ears. However, no one knew what she was aiming for or how it would be useful. To the eyes of an amateur, it seemed like she was just examining sales, which any merchant would have a grasp of regarding their own products. The fact that Shizuko, who is known as the sword of the ruler, would personally handle it was unthinkable.
“Ah… well, to put it simply, it’s to weaken the power of Honganji Temple.”
Blowing a dog whistle to alert the dogs in the surroundings, Shizuko clears her throat and reveals her plan.
“Honganji Temple and other temple and shrine forces have a monopoly on the economy in the Kinai region. Therefore, their financial power is immense, and even if we try to overpower them with military force, they will continue to resist with their economic power as a background. So, my idea is to cut off the economic power that supports their supply. We will investigate the products they monopolize and flow them into the market at lower prices. If the same products can be bought at a lower price, any shrewd merchant would jump at the opportunity. If that happens, they will have no choice but to lower their prices and will no longer be able to raise funds as they please. In any era, military power is supported by economic power. If they lose their economic power, their ability to sustain their military forces will be compromised.”
“Hmm. It’s different from Ashimitsu’s approach.”
“Oh, did Ashimitsu have something in mind too?”
“…To put it simply, it’s financial policy. To do that, we need to control the currency issuance rights. Once we have that, it doesn’t matter who tries to exercise any rights. As long as commerce relies on money, no matter who tries to dominate the market, we can surpass them. The one who controls the currency, in other words, becomes the ruler of the economy.”
By using credit to create money out of nothing and circulating it, more money can be generated and profits can be obtained. That is what Ashimitsu aims for. The basic principle of commercial transactions is bartering, and currency exists to make it more convenient. If all commercial transactions are conducted with currency, the one who manufactures the currency becomes the controller of the value of goods. This is why the Tokugawa shogunate’s rule in the Edo period was unshakable. Although the actual coinage was entrusted to others, they monopolized the currency issuance rights and continued to control the economy. One could say that the control of currency issuance is a symbol of power.
“Well, are you going to issue paper money?”
“Yes, and it will be non-convertible paper money.”
Non-convertible paper money refers to paper money that is not guaranteed to be exchanged for gold or silver coins. It circulates based on the government’s credit without being affected by the value of gold and silver, so it is also called credit money. Advanced countries in modern times use non-convertible paper money and maintain the credibility of the currency value through economic policies and supply adjustments. This is called a managed currency system.
On the other hand, the paper money from the 19th to the early 20th century was called convertible paper money, which was a paper money that was intended to be exchanged for gold or silver coins. It was more of a deposit certificate for precious metals such as gold and silver, which are the actual currency, rather than a currency itself. Unlike non-convertible paper money, it is affected by the value of the gold and silver that are exchanged.,”We can secure authority and credibility through the imperial court and the Oda clan, and if we cooperate with temples and shrines, it will increase their recognition when they use it.”
Unconvertible banknotes are essentially just pieces of paper. There are conditions for making that piece of paper valuable. These conditions include trust, recognition, and a sufficient supply in the market. Trust is guaranteed by the imperial court, but it was effective because the currency itself had value in precious metals. In order to secure unconvertible banknotes that have no value in the currency itself, the support of the Oda clan was necessary in addition to the imperial court.
Of course, the Oda clan also bears the burden, but in return, various privileges are obtained. First of all, if the imperial court entrusts the currency issuance to the Oda clan, they can punish those who counterfeit the currency as enemies of the court under the pretext of righteousness.
It is also significant to gain recognition from the imperial court. Even if the political power of the imperial court is lost, the authority of the emperor, which has been passed down for generations, is unparalleled, and having a backing is a great advantage.
Finally, no one knows what changes will occur by issuing unconvertible banknotes. Not only the military, who are unfamiliar with economics and finance, but also the court nobles and temples and shrines cannot deal with unknown circumstances. By the time they realize what benefits it will bring to the Oda clan, it will be too late.
“Honganji Temple will have no choice but to make peace with the Oda clan now that Takeda has been defeated. They already have a lot of baggage. It would be suicidal to confront the Oda clan now. At that time, we can make various demands as conditions. They are planning to turn against us eventually, so they will pretend to accept the conditions as a formality.”
“Soon, Song coins and Ming coins will reach their limit. We need a new currency. However, relying on Tang as we do now will be influenced by Tang to some extent. The exchange rate between refined coins and cast coins was determined by the Senzenrei issued in the 12th year of Eiroku (1569) and there are many complaints from merchants about the inconvenience. In that case, it is best to control the issuance of the new currency.”
“The authority of the currency is guaranteed by the imperial court, its value is secured, and the Oda clan is responsible for its production and issuance, while temples and shrines promote its circulation. That’s why, reducing the economic foundation of the other party at this time is not a good strategy.”
“That’s right. We can use the circulation of temples and shrines to introduce the new currency. However, Shizuko’s plan is not bad either. Right now, we should prioritize the currency.”
Shizuko understood and agreed. Nobunaga also wanted to reduce the economic power of the temples and shrines, but it would be more convenient to utilize the network held by the temples and shrines to promote the circulation of the new currency. Nobunaga decided to prioritize the circulation and increase the recognition of the new banknotes, believing that even after the currency circulated, he could still reduce the economic power.
“Then, along with the circulation of the new banknotes, it would be good to make it mandatory for merchants to keep records. Instead of paying high taxes imposed from above, we can impose taxes based on sales, which may be more time-consuming, and use them to refund overpaid taxes or tighten the screws on those who try to evade taxes. Those who do not comply with record-keeping can be imposed with higher taxes in advance to make them suffer.”
“I see, record-keeping. It’s not a bad idea.”
“I don’t know what a record is, but if it allows us to see the flow of money, then we should implement it.”
“I will teach you later. For now, let’s secure the right to issue currency. This is the first and most important matter. With or without this, the situation will be completely different. When Honganji Temple comes to make peace, we must never give up on this point.”
“Understood. We must also allow Honganji Temple to accept tax reforms and land reforms, but we must definitely ensure the right to issue currency.”
When Honganji Temple proposed peace, Nobunaga had intentions to impose several conditions. These included road construction, resolving land ownership issues, tax reforms, and market reforms. Road construction was necessary to improve circulation. Even if it was developed as a military road, it would be very useful for everyday circulation. If shortcuts were available, it would naturally promote the flow of people and goods.
The issue of land ownership refers to the problem of multiple owners for a piece of land. There were cases where those who had been governing the land for generations and those who received it from the shogunate claimed ownership and the disputes escalated into armed conflicts. Even in this situation, each party collected taxes, and the peasants sometimes had to pay taxes to multiple sources, and in some cases, even triple. Nobunaga’s land reform aimed to resolve this situation. Specifically, it involved conducting cadastral surveys using the differential allocation method to clarify land ownership. This nationwide cadastral survey using the differential allocation method later became known as the Taiko Land Survey.
“But land issues are likely to cause conflicts, aren’t they?”
“At that time, we will intimidate them with our military forces.”
“Ah, I see.”
Shizuko made a comment, but Nobunaga already seemed to have considered it and responded without hesitation. In other words, they must comply with the differential allocation method, or else face death. It was quite forceful, but Nobunaga believed that without such measures, the land issues would never be resolved.
“When the landowners are clearly determined, the court nobles and temples will lose their rights to the manors. However, the common people will no longer have to worry about complex multiple taxation and will be relieved of their burdens. For the Oda clan, it simplifies the governance system and makes it easier to manage. That’s the idea.”
“That’s right. Market reforms go without saying, such as the Rakushiki Rakusa decree. The content may vary depending on the local requests.”
“That’s right. First, we will improve the roads to promote circulation, then we will organize the land, and finally, we will carry out market reforms. Currency issuance needs to be continued from the beginning, so it will be done in parallel rather than in sequence.”
“That’s right. The general plan has been decided. We will make detailed adjustments later. I’m hungry now. Prepare something delicious.”
As the discussion ended, Nobunaga relaxed and made such a comment. Shizuko left the room to prepare the meal, thinking that his quick change of attitude was as usual.
As Nobunaga’s official duties were completed, Shizuko also returned to Gifu. On the way, she stopped by Ise Shrine and donated 3,000 kanmon as funds for the Shikinen Sengu ceremony. The priests of Ise Shrine were in a panic due to the sudden visit of the Oda army, but they were relieved when they heard the reason for the donation. In addition, it took longer than expected for Shizuko to return to Gifu because Nobunaga encouraged his retainers before leaving. Finally, she arrived in Gifu and returned to Owari, only to be shocked.
“It’s huge.”
Shizuko realized that while she was in Kyoto, her mansion had been completed and they had already moved into the new residence. Moving was not a problem. She had already discussed the matter with Aya in advance. The problem was that the gate of her house was much larger than before. Although it was not a castle, there were still soldiers guarding the gate as before.
“It’s so big.”
Shizuko couldn’t think of any other comment when she saw the house. The house was divided into three main sections. First, there was the largest main hall. It was more of a political facility than a house. It served a role similar to a modern government office building and could be used even if someone other than Shizuko was conducting politics. Considering that Nobunaga would also use it for politics and policy-making, it had a stronger aspect of being a facility for the governance of the Oda clan rather than Shizuko’s house. Of course, Shizuko would also use the main hall for audiences and meetings.
Next was the slightly smaller rear hall. This was the private space that could be confirmed as Shizuko’s house. However, since retainers and their families also stayed here, it was not entirely her personal space. Although there was a kitchen in the main hall, the rear hall was closer to the food storage warehouse, and there were also water sources and baths. Shizuko, Aya, and Shou had their own rooms. As the rank decreased, the rooms became smaller, and the maids shared rooms. There were also sleeping quarters for the animals Shizuko owned, such as the Wittman family, Turkish Angora cats Tama and Hana, Snow Leopard Yukki, and White-tailed Eagle Shirogane.
Lastly, there were the side halls. These were the facilities where Nobunaga and other military commanders would sleep. Due to the existence of the main hall as a political facility, this type of facility became necessary. Unlike the others, they were simply smaller versions of samurai residences lined up. Only Nobunaga’s quarters were slightly larger, serving as a clear landmark.
In addition to these, there were various facilities such as greenhouses, fields, warehouses for storing food and weapons, storage for the swords Shizuko collected, tribute items, areas for raising livestock such as chickens and ducks, stables, accommodations for the soldiers responsible for defense, workshops, and more. They were all surrounded by walls, with a moat on the outside. Shizuko’s new residence was more like a base than a house. The staff working at the new residence had also increased significantly.
“All I can do is laugh at this.”
Shizuko muttered while entering the rear hall.
“By the way, you guys should have your own rooms, right?”
Shizuko noticed that Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and the usual members were gathered behind her as she tried to enter.
“I can’t relax in such a big place.”
“I am a horse attendant, so…”
“Oh, I don’t mind, but the cats won’t let go.”
Shizuko thought that even after moving to the new residence, things were still the same as before. Ashimitsu and Takatora (Yokichi Toudou) said they would look around and left, but from their words and actions, Shizuko wondered if they would also move to this base. It seemed that things would continue as usual.
“In the end, it’s just like before.”
While muttering such things, Shizuko entered her room to relax.
“Oh, you finally came back.”,Shizuko’s sense of unease was correct. In the master’s room where the master Shizuko should be relaxing, there was Nohime, who was even more relaxed than Shizuko. She wasn’t the only one. Ichi, Matsu, Nene, and others, the usual faces were all gathered.
“May I ask what you are doing?”
“Can’t you see? I’m relaxing.”
“No, I understand that. My question is why are you relaxing in my house?”
“We came to celebrate the new home, but the important house owner is absent. So I’m allowed to relax until the house owner returns.”
The first and second halves didn’t connect at all, giving Shizuko a headache.
“Sorry to keep you waiting.”
“Oh, finally. I’ve been waiting.”
As Shizuko let out a heavy sigh, Aya entered carrying something on a tray. After bowing to Shizuko, Aya placed the tray in front of Nohime and the others. There was pudding on the tray. It wasn’t yellow like modern pudding, but white, and it had a beautiful surface without any “su”.
“Are you planning to eat up all the food in someone else’s house?”
“Since it will probably go to waste and rot anyway, I’m making effective use of it.”
“Ouch, right on the sore spot…”
For Shizuko, who had more supply than consumption, someone who would consume the ingredients was appreciated. However, Shizuko was only worried about how much Nohime would consume, as she didn’t know. Of course, since there was a high chance of them rotting if they weren’t consumed, the consumption of ingredients should be welcomed.
“By the way, you’ve gone all out with the tatami flooring.”
“We can’t keep up with the production of tatami, so there are still rooms without tatami.”
“Thanks to the successful research I’ve been doing, mass production has become possible.”
Tatami mats were a luxury item until the Edo period when Tokugawa Yoshimune carried out the Kyoho Reforms and land reclamation was actively promoted, leading to a large-scale production of the raw material, igusa, and a decrease in price.
Of course, Nobunaga also followed Shizuko’s advice and actively carried out land reclamation, dramatically increasing the production of igusa. The cultivation of igusa is basically divided into three stages. The first is the seedbed (first seedlings), which is a field where the original seedlings are grown like any other. The seedlings are planted around December and left until the following August when they are transplanted. When the time comes, the igusa is moved from the seedbed to the second seedling field. The seedlings are pulled out, the mud is washed off, and the seedlings are divided and planted one by one. Immediately after planting, it is just one seedling, but the vitality of igusa is strong, and new shoots come out one after another. In a few months, the initial weak atmosphere is completely gone, and the seedlings grow into splendid ones. These seedlings are then planted in the main field for cultivation. The work is the same as moving the first seedlings to the second seedling field, but since the seedlings are larger, skilled hands are required for the work in the field where they are cultivated. In July, two years after planting the seedlings, the igusa is harvested. After that, it is soaked in water with a dye called mud dye, dried, and finally completed.
Cultivating igusa requires skilled hands, but Shizuko conducted research to substitute most of the entire process with machines and successfully succeeded, greatly increasing the production of igusa in Owari.
“By developing dedicated machines such as transplanters for igusa, harvesters, and weaving machines for tatami, it became possible to mass-produce high-quality tatami. However, now the demand has skyrocketed, and the supply is not keeping up.”
“Mass production has its pros and cons.”
“But if we don’t do it, the quality of life will not improve.”
“Well, aside from that, I’m craving something delicious as a tea snack. Could you order something?”
When told that, Shizuko looked at the tray. All the pudding that was on the tray had disappeared without her noticing.
Mid February, 1573.General Yoshiaki Ashikaga had been driven into a desperate situation due to his own actions. The Takeda army, considered the strongest in the Sengoku period and the backbone of anti-Oda ideology, suffered a devastating defeat at the hands of the Oda-Tokugawa alliance, which was considered inferior. They had misread the current situation. The regional lords who had joined the anti-Oda alliance scattered like spiders. Asakura, despite having an army of 20,000, fled back to his domain of Echizen without ever engaging in battle. The vanguard of the anti-Oda forces, Honganji Temple, was trapped in a self-imposed confinement due to accepting the remnants of the defeated Nagashima Ikko sect. Since Nobunaga had only provided the surviving soldiers with the bare minimum of food, by the time they reached Honganji Temple, they had become hungry and desperate refugees. If Honganji Temple abandoned them, they would lose their claim to saving sentient beings. If they accepted them, it was clear that they would soon face a shortage of food. Bound by their doctrine and unable to resist Nobunaga's strategy that would lead to their destruction.The internal collapse of Yoshiaki's camp had also begun. First, Hosokawa Fujitaka, who had supported Yoshiaki since the assassination of Yoshiteru, defected through Mitsuhide and joined the Oda. Before Hosokawa Fujitaka defected, his last words to Yoshiaki were I have had enough of you. Araki Murashige, the lord of Ibaraki Castle, also declared his allegiance to Nobunaga, having previously switched from the Miyoshi clan to the Oda clan.No matter how hard Yoshiaki tried, there was no one to support him, and there was no extraordinary force that would dare to send out troops at this point. In this situation, Nobunaga, who led the Oda army that had defeated the Takeda army in a single blow, came to Kyoto. Not only Yoshiaki, but also the regional lords who had joined the anti-Oda alliance spent sleepless nights, living in fear of the inevitable approach of death.Hehe, what a lovely fellow.Nobunaga had become a prominent figure overnight, but he was captivated by Western cats. Not only him, but also Konoe Sakihisa, the head of the court nobles, Mitsuhide, who was the key figure in the Oda clan in Kyoto, and Hosokawa Fujitaka, who had abandoned Yoshiaki, were the same. The regent who had controlled the court, Nijo Haruyoshi, lost his power and was despised by Nobunaga, and Yoshiaki, who had supported him, was isolated and allowed Sakihisa Konoe to return to Kyoto due to an imperial petition. Sakihisa Konoe was planning to establish a new residence in front of Nijo Castle, but until then, he had been staying in Gifu as usual.What an adorable gestureToday, they were specially invited under the pretext of showcasing imported cats. Moreover, their friendship had deepened beyond that, as they all owned Turkish Angora cats through Nobunaga.Meow meow.Meow.Although they were a distinguished group, it didn't matter to the cats. The cats behaved freely, and no one reprimanded them. As a result, the tatami mats were torn to shreds, and the sliding doors and fusuma were full of holes. Instead of criticizing their behavior, Nobunaga and the others smiled as they groomed the cats. They loved the free-spirited lifestyle of the cats, who were not bound by anyone and didn't even touch the luxurious sweets prepared for the nobles.It's like a cat cafe, isn't it?Shizuko, who knew about modern animal cafes, accidentally let slip her thoughts. Seeing their relaxed expressions, she thought it would affect their dignity, so she had stayed behind, but her thoughts were correct. The current state of the four of them would be something they couldn't show to their subordinates. They were required to strictly discipline themselves and live in constant tension. Perhaps it was because of this that they were captivated by the adorable and beautiful appearance of the cats and their dignified and carefree behavior. As she thought about this, she noticed that the cats were yawning widely and curling up to sleep. Shizuko, realizing that it was nap time, stood up and clapped her hands loudly so that everyone could hear.Alright, it's time to finish up!The four of them turned around without hiding their dissatisfaction. However, they had to let the cats rest because it would be too much of a burden for them. Shizuko made an X sign with her finger and firmly declared.No, it's not allowed. The cats will dislike it if we continue any longer.There was no choice but for the four of them to back down if they didn't want to be disliked by the cats.Well then, let's let the cats rest. Shall we play a game of shogi next to them?I will be your opponent, Lord.I will keep a record.Then I will go outside for a bit to get some fresh air.As the four of them began to move, Shizuko noticed that their actions were strange and called out to stop them.Wait! What are all of you carrying in your pockets?The four of them froze as if they could hear the sound of a needle dropping, and they blatantly turned their backs on Shizuko to avoid her gaze. At the same time, cat meows could be heard from somewhere. Shizuko understood everything. Each of them had secretly hidden their favorite cat in their pockets. Shizuko was frustrated by their unexpected bad habit.Well then, let's do this. Each of you can keep one cat at most as a concession.Alright! We've got them to agree. Bring them in, everyone!With Nobunaga's words, attendants carrying cat carriers specially designed for transportation entered through the entrance. They entrusted the cats they had taken out of their pockets to their respective attendants and instructed them to let the cats sleep in the carriers. Shizuko couldn't close her mouth in astonishment at how well-prepared they were. Eventually, the four of them left the room with Nobunaga carrying a Siberian, Sakihisa Konoe with a British Shorthair, Mitsuhide with a Norwegian Forest Cat, and Hosokawa Fujitaka with an Egyptian Mau. Shizuko put the remaining cats in cages with the help of the servants and sat down, taking a breath.It's amazing how obsessed they are with cats. Even the Emperor and the people of Kyoto are crazy about Turkish Angoras.Emperor Shijo, who received a Turkish Angora as a gift from Nobunaga, loved it deeply. Like Emperor Uda, he wrote a cat diary every day and boasted to those around him, saying, My child is the cutest! Not satisfied with just the diary, Emperor Shijo built a dedicated house for the Turkish Angora and appointed five people as caretakers, with a veterinarian on standby nearby. His enthusiasm made the women who competed for the Emperor's favor jealous, and the ladies-in-waiting and court nobles were speechless at the mixed scene of love and hate.A little later than Emperor Shijo, Turkish Angoras were also given to the people of Kyoto, who called them Oshiro-sama and adored them greatly. Without being told, the people of Kyoto volunteered to take care of the Turkish Angoras, and even the children willingly became playmates.Shizuko thought that the unpredictable background of the era might have been one of the reasons why people were infatuated with cats, which were like pets. Dogs were also pets, but the image of stray dogs that had once wreaked havoc in Kyoto had become ingrained, making it difficult for dogs to regain their popularity.By the way, isn't Ashimitsu-san negotiating with the Shogun? Konoe-sama said there shouldn't be any problems, but I wonder if everything will be alright.In this negotiation, Ashimitsu was supposed to present Yoshiaki's son as a hostage to Nobunaga and have his retainers admonish him during his house arrest. However, Yoshiaki, who was emotional, would become stubborn and ignore his surroundings. Taking advantage of not being executed, there was even a possibility that he would take a stance of thorough resistance. In this negotiation, it would be a test of whether Ashimitsu could control Yoshiaki.He might hold a grudge and provoke another battle.Shizuko grumbled, anticipating such a future. What Nobunaga had told Shizuko as his goal was only the minimum, and his true aim was something else. Nobunaga's true goal was to close the shogunate himself The Ashikaga shogunate would hand over the reins, and Ashimitsu was the perfect person for that.The negotiations between the Oda clan and the Ashikaga shogunate could hardly be called negotiations. Ashimitsu immediately imposed his demands without listening to the other side.If you have any objections, speak up. At that point, you will become my enemy.In the silent room, Ashimitsu glared at those who served the Ashikaga shogunate. His appearance could only be described as extraordinary. Ashimitsu, who was supposed to be the negotiator for the Oda clan, sat in the seat where Yoshiaki should have been. Yoshiaki, on the other hand, was placed under Ashimitsu's buttocks, serving as a cushion. Yoshiaki's face was swollen and covered in bruises, indicating that Ashimitsu had punched him to silence him.Oda intends to support this foolish child as the shogun. But I will not allow such a thing. It is the natural flow of the world for the Ashikaga shogunate to return the role of the Seii Taishogun.Oh, brother That's too much Guh!Yoshiaki tried to argue back, but Ashimitsu ignored him and stepped on Yoshiaki's head, rubbing his face against the floor. Yoshiaki, unable to resist Ashimitsu's strength, groaned as his forehead rubbed against the floor.Do you still not understand at this point?! You fools. In times of peace, the world will continue to turn even if you incompetent fools play around. But now it is a time of chaos. If you cling to the shogunate with all your might and continue to expose your incompetence, the people will begin to despise the shogun who has been passed down for generations. If Takeda defeats Oda, the Ashikaga era will return? That's nonsense! Takeda replacing Oda alone will not bring back the Ashikaga era. In times of chaos, weakness is a sin. There will be no one who follows a weak shogun. The Ashikaga shogunate is nothing more than a stopgap measure until its power base is solidified, and once its usefulness is gone, it will be blamed and condemned for all the sins.Even if Takeda were to defeat the Oda-Tokugawa alliance and succeed in entering Kyoto, Shingen, who used even his own religion for political purposes, would not hesitate to use the authority of the Ashikaga shogunate. Just like Nobunaga, or even more ruthlessly, he would use Yoshiaki, repeatedly carry out purges, and attribute all of them to Yoshiaki's sins in order to reshape the balance of power. In the end, the Ashikaga shogunate, which had no fighting power, was nothing more than a weakling that would be devoured.Do you wish to be destroyed along with the capital, or do you prefer to leave without causing any trouble? Choose whichever you like. Before reaching a conclusion, let me tell you one thing. When you raise your flag against Oda again, I will be at the forefront.,Ashimitsu places his hand on the hilt of the sword at his waist. The members of the Ashikaga Shogunate look up at Ashimitsu and swallow their words.They tremble at the sight of Ashimitsu's expression. Those who know him from the past are perplexed by his transformation. Ashimitsu's expression is not something that a normal person would have, but rather something that resembles an evil demon. Without even expressing their opinions, just by meeting his gaze, they know they will be killed. As they are met with his strangely intense and chilling gaze, they vividly imagine a future where they are beheaded by his sword, and they can't even lift their faces.Even Toshiie, a member of the military family, is silent. Although there may have been some bold individuals among them, they all remain silent, trembling and looking down. They are in awe of Ashimitsu. Some even think that it is not a human, but the manifestation of a vengeful spirit who died an unnatural death.Let me make it clear, I do not hold any grudge against Toshiie who abandoned me, not even a bit. I weigh various factors and choose the best path for Toshiie.Ashimitsu speaks jokingly, but no one laughs. No, they can't laugh. The moment they laugh, no one can imagine what action Ashimitsu will take, and no one is willing to gamble their life on it.I am not a demon. If you accept my conditions, I will give you a beautiful ending. Toshiie should explain that he was instigated by Takeda . I will speak to Oda on behalf of Toshiie.Understood, I will convey that. I accept all the conditions from the Oda family and surrender.In the end, this was not a negotiation, but merely a venue to announce the surrender conditions from the Oda family. The Ashikaga Shogunate had only two options from the beginning: surrender or die. With Oda's victory over Takeda, the tide of the world shifted towards the Oda family. Even the local lords who had been supporting the anti-Oda alliance began to defect one after another, and even Honganji Temple, which had been at the forefront, started to have differing opinions. The Ashikaga Shogunate, completely isolated, couldn't even step onto the stage of negotiations.Don't forget those words.After saying only that, Ashimitsu stands up from Yoshiaki and leaves the room without paying attention to the surrounding gazes. As his footsteps fade away, the members of the Ashikaga Shogunate let out a sigh of relief.Nobunaga had several conditions for Yoshiaki, but the main ones were as follows: First, Yoshiaki voluntarily steps down as the Shogun and returns the position to the Imperial Court. Second, Yoshiaki hands over all the treasured and famous swords, as well as other private properties, to the Oda family in reality, to Ashimitsu. Third, Yoshiaki leaves Kyoto and becomes entrusted to Toshiie. Fourth, Yoshiaki's legitimate son, Yoshihiro, is handed over to Nobunaga as a hostage.After being informed that the negotiations with Shogun Yoshiaki had also concluded, Shizuko found herself with nothing to do. All that was left was to return with Nobunaga, but the news of their departure did not come. They had been preparing to stop by Ise Shrine on their way back, but even that was finished, and Shizuko found herself with nothing to do in Kyoto, where there was no farmland. At first, Shizuko was at a loss as to what to do, but she decided to conduct an investigation unique to Kyoto.It was a market survey. While they had a grasp of the details in Owari and Mino, Kyoto was a different story. Shizuko thought it would be important to investigate which stores were sourcing what products from where, how much was flowing into the market, and where the surplus was going. Understanding the market mechanism was important, but another major objective was to find out where the financial veins of the temple and shrine forces were.The temple and shrine forces, represented by Honganji Temple, had formed a network like a spider's web in the Kinai region. They conducted business operations similar to monopolistic enterprises, manipulating the supply of crops and goods to maintain high market prices and greedily pursue huge profits. With armed warrior monks and market manipulation through exclusive products, they were a huge organization. To crush them, relying solely on brute force would be inefficient.That's where Shizuko focused on the economy. If we were to discuss the economy, it would require the field of economics, but as a high school student, Shizuko felt overwhelmed by that and left it to Ashimitsu, who was the most knowledgeable in that area. However, having received a modern education in Japan, Shizuko had a vast amount of basic knowledge, and her interest in history allowed her to grasp the movements of the economy to some extent. Although Japanese history and economics may seem unrelated at first glance, they were actually inseparable from politics and economics. Especially, the policies adopted by Nobunaga were rooted in the economy, and as a result, he was not understood by the people of that time and was considered a heretic. In later years, Nobunaga would be called a person who feared no god, precisely because he directly confronted the temple and shrine forces that worshiped the gods and buddhas believed to govern the fate of commercial affairs influenced by luck and fortune.Hmm, daily necessities are quite expensive. Especially oil.During the Sengoku period, oil was in high demand as lamp oil. Temples and shrines in particular had many nighttime events, so there were many oil merchants called aburaza who monopolized oil and even had oil merchants called aburajinin who had the qualification of a divine person. One of the most famous aburaza was the Oyamazaki aburaza of the Rikyu Hachimangu Shrine. However, their power also declined along with the loss of authority of the shogunate during the Onin War.But I guess it's not something we can do anything about right away.There were opportunities to exploit. However, if the timing was wrong, they could face unexpected counterattacks.Shizuko-sama, Lord Nobunaga has arrived.As Shizuko was contemplating what kind of intervention would be desirable, a page informed her of Nobunaga's arrival. Since there was no urgent matter to attend to, she ordered the page to let Nobunaga in first and prepared herself.Everyone except Ashimitsu, leave.When Nobunaga and Ashimitsu, who accompanied him, and Shizuko, who welcomed them, took their seats, Nobunaga immediately ordered everyone else to leave. The pages were taken aback, but they couldn't defy Nobunaga's silent pressure and stood up. Only Ranmaru had a subtle expression, but he had no choice but to obey Nobunaga's command and leave the room with everyone else. In the room with only the three of them, Nobunaga took a sip of the prepared tea and spoke.So, what are you plotting?Huh?Lately, you've been sniffing around here and there under the guise of a market survey. I assume you've come up with some plan again. Tell me what you intend to do before anything else.Shizuko pretends to be clueless in response to Nobunaga's question, and Nobunaga sighs and explains the situation. When Shizuko started the market survey, it immediately reached Nobunaga's ears. However, no one knew what she was aiming for or how it would be useful. To the eyes of an amateur, it seemed like she was just examining sales, which any merchant would have a grasp of regarding their own products. The fact that Shizuko, who is known as the sword of the ruler, would personally handle it was unthinkable.Ah well, to put it simply, it's to weaken the power of Honganji Temple.Blowing a dog whistle to alert the dogs in the surroundings, Shizuko clears her throat and reveals her plan.Honganji Temple and other temple and shrine forces have a monopoly on the economy in the Kinai region. Therefore, their financial power is immense, and even if we try to overpower them with military force, they will continue to resist with their economic power as a background. So, my idea is to cut off the economic power that supports their supply. We will investigate the products they monopolize and flow them into the market at lower prices. If the same products can be bought at a lower price, any shrewd merchant would jump at the opportunity. If that happens, they will have no choice but to lower their prices and will no longer be able to raise funds as they please. In any era, military power is supported by economic power. If they lose their economic power, their ability to sustain their military forces will be compromised.Hmm. It's different from Ashimitsu's approach.Oh, did Ashimitsu have something in mind too?To put it simply, it's financial policy. To do that, we need to control the currency issuance rights. Once we have that, it doesn't matter who tries to exercise any rights. As long as commerce relies on money, no matter who tries to dominate the market, we can surpass them. The one who controls the currency, in other words, becomes the ruler of the economy.By using credit to create money out of nothing and circulating it, more money can be generated and profits can be obtained. That is what Ashimitsu aims for. The basic principle of commercial transactions is bartering, and currency exists to make it more convenient. If all commercial transactions are conducted with currency, the one who manufactures the currency becomes the controller of the value of goods. This is why the Tokugawa shogunate's rule in the Edo period was unshakable. Although the actual coinage was entrusted to others, they monopolized the currency issuance rights and continued to control the economy. One could say that the control of currency issuance is a symbol of power.Well, are you going to issue paper money?Yes, and it will be non-convertible paper money.Non-convertible paper money refers to paper money that is not guaranteed to be exchanged for gold or silver coins. It circulates based on the government's credit without being affected by the value of gold and silver, so it is also called credit money. Advanced countries in modern times use non-convertible paper money and maintain the credibility of the currency value through economic policies and supply adjustments. This is called a managed currency system.On the other hand, the paper money from the 19th to the early 20th century was called convertible paper money, which was a paper money that was intended to be exchanged for gold or silver coins. It was more of a deposit certificate for precious metals such as gold and silver, which are the actual currency, rather than a currency itself. Unlike non-convertible paper money, it is affected by the value of the gold and silver that are exchanged.,We can secure authority and credibility through the imperial court and the Oda clan, and if we cooperate with temples and shrines, it will increase their recognition when they use it.Unconvertible banknotes are essentially just pieces of paper. There are conditions for making that piece of paper valuable. These conditions include trust, recognition, and a sufficient supply in the market. Trust is guaranteed by the imperial court, but it was effective because the currency itself had value in precious metals. In order to secure unconvertible banknotes that have no value in the currency itself, the support of the Oda clan was necessary in addition to the imperial court.Of course, the Oda clan also bears the burden, but in return, various privileges are obtained. First of all, if the imperial court entrusts the currency issuance to the Oda clan, they can punish those who counterfeit the currency as enemies of the court under the pretext of righteousness.It is also significant to gain recognition from the imperial court. Even if the political power of the imperial court is lost, the authority of the emperor, which has been passed down for generations, is unparalleled, and having a backing is a great advantage.Finally, no one knows what changes will occur by issuing unconvertible banknotes. Not only the military, who are unfamiliar with economics and finance, but also the court nobles and temples and shrines cannot deal with unknown circumstances. By the time they realize what benefits it will bring to the Oda clan, it will be too late.Honganji Temple will have no choice but to make peace with the Oda clan now that Takeda has been defeated. They already have a lot of baggage. It would be suicidal to confront the Oda clan now. At that time, we can make various demands as conditions. They are planning to turn against us eventually, so they will pretend to accept the conditions as a formality.Soon, Song coins and Ming coins will reach their limit. We need a new currency. However, relying on Tang as we do now will be influenced by Tang to some extent. The exchange rate between refined coins and cast coins was determined by the Senzenrei issued in the 12th year of Eiroku 1569 and there are many complaints from merchants about the inconvenience. In that case, it is best to control the issuance of the new currency.The authority of the currency is guaranteed by the imperial court, its value is secured, and the Oda clan is responsible for its production and issuance, while temples and shrines promote its circulation. That's why, reducing the economic foundation of the other party at this time is not a good strategy.That's right. We can use the circulation of temples and shrines to introduce the new currency. However, Shizuko's plan is not bad either. Right now, we should prioritize the currency.Shizuko understood and agreed. Nobunaga also wanted to reduce the economic power of the temples and shrines, but it would be more convenient to utilize the network held by the temples and shrines to promote the circulation of the new currency. Nobunaga decided to prioritize the circulation and increase the recognition of the new banknotes, believing that even after the currency circulated, he could still reduce the economic power.Then, along with the circulation of the new banknotes, it would be good to make it mandatory for merchants to keep records. Instead of paying high taxes imposed from above, we can impose taxes based on sales, which may be more time-consuming, and use them to refund overpaid taxes or tighten the screws on those who try to evade taxes. Those who do not comply with record-keeping can be imposed with higher taxes in advance to make them suffer.I see, record-keeping. It's not a bad idea.I don't know what a record is, but if it allows us to see the flow of money, then we should implement it.I will teach you later. For now, let's secure the right to issue currency. This is the first and most important matter. With or without this, the situation will be completely different. When Honganji Temple comes to make peace, we must never give up on this point.Understood. We must also allow Honganji Temple to accept tax reforms and land reforms, but we must definitely ensure the right to issue currency.When Honganji Temple proposed peace, Nobunaga had intentions to impose several conditions. These included road construction, resolving land ownership issues, tax reforms, and market reforms. Road construction was necessary to improve circulation. Even if it was developed as a military road, it would be very useful for everyday circulation. If shortcuts were available, it would naturally promote the flow of people and goods.The issue of land ownership refers to the problem of multiple owners for a piece of land. There were cases where those who had been governing the land for generations and those who received it from the shogunate claimed ownership and the disputes escalated into armed conflicts. Even in this situation, each party collected taxes, and the peasants sometimes had to pay taxes to multiple sources, and in some cases, even triple. Nobunaga's land reform aimed to resolve this situation. Specifically, it involved conducting cadastral surveys using the differential allocation method to clarify land ownership. This nationwide cadastral survey using the differential allocation method later became known as the Taiko Land Survey.But land issues are likely to cause conflicts, aren't they?At that time, we will intimidate them with our military forces.Ah, I see.Shizuko made a comment, but Nobunaga already seemed to have considered it and responded without hesitation. In other words, they must comply with the differential allocation method, or else face death. It was quite forceful, but Nobunaga believed that without such measures, the land issues would never be resolved.When the landowners are clearly determined, the court nobles and temples will lose their rights to the manors. However, the common people will no longer have to worry about complex multiple taxation and will be relieved of their burdens. For the Oda clan, it simplifies the governance system and makes it easier to manage. That's the idea.That's right. Market reforms go without saying, such as the Rakushiki Rakusa decree. The content may vary depending on the local requests.That's right. First, we will improve the roads to promote circulation, then we will organize the land, and finally, we will carry out market reforms. Currency issuance needs to be continued from the beginning, so it will be done in parallel rather than in sequence.That's right. The general plan has been decided. We will make detailed adjustments later. I'm hungry now. Prepare something delicious.As the discussion ended, Nobunaga relaxed and made such a comment. Shizuko left the room to prepare the meal, thinking that his quick change of attitude was as usual.As Nobunaga's official duties were completed, Shizuko also returned to Gifu. On the way, she stopped by Ise Shrine and donated 3,000 kanmon as funds for the Shikinen Sengu ceremony. The priests of Ise Shrine were in a panic due to the sudden visit of the Oda army, but they were relieved when they heard the reason for the donation. In addition, it took longer than expected for Shizuko to return to Gifu because Nobunaga encouraged his retainers before leaving. Finally, she arrived in Gifu and returned to Owari, only to be shocked.It's huge.Shizuko realized that while she was in Kyoto, her mansion had been completed and they had already moved into the new residence. Moving was not a problem. She had already discussed the matter with Aya in advance. The problem was that the gate of her house was much larger than before. Although it was not a castle, there were still soldiers guarding the gate as before.It's so big.Shizuko couldn't think of any other comment when she saw the house. The house was divided into three main sections. First, there was the largest main hall. It was more of a political facility than a house. It served a role similar to a modern government office building and could be used even if someone other than Shizuko was conducting politics. Considering that Nobunaga would also use it for politics and policy-making, it had a stronger aspect of being a facility for the governance of the Oda clan rather than Shizuko's house. Of course, Shizuko would also use the main hall for audiences and meetings.Next was the slightly smaller rear hall. This was the private space that could be confirmed as Shizuko's house. However, since retainers and their families also stayed here, it was not entirely her personal space. Although there was a kitchen in the main hall, the rear hall was closer to the food storage warehouse, and there were also water sources and baths. Shizuko, Aya, and Shou had their own rooms. As the rank decreased, the rooms became smaller, and the maids shared rooms. There were also sleeping quarters for the animals Shizuko owned, such as the Wittman family, Turkish Angora cats Tama and Hana, Snow Leopard Yukki, and White-tailed Eagle Shirogane.Lastly, there were the side halls. These were the facilities where Nobunaga and other military commanders would sleep. Due to the existence of the main hall as a political facility, this type of facility became necessary. Unlike the others, they were simply smaller versions of samurai residences lined up. Only Nobunaga's quarters were slightly larger, serving as a clear landmark.In addition to these, there were various facilities such as greenhouses, fields, warehouses for storing food and weapons, storage for the swords Shizuko collected, tribute items, areas for raising livestock such as chickens and ducks, stables, accommodations for the soldiers responsible for defense, workshops, and more. They were all surrounded by walls, with a moat on the outside. Shizuko's new residence was more like a base than a house. The staff working at the new residence had also increased significantly.All I can do is laugh at this.Shizuko muttered while entering the rear hall.By the way, you guys should have your own rooms, right?Shizuko noticed that Keiji, Saizo, Nagayoshi, and the usual members were gathered behind her as she tried to enter.I can't relax in such a big place.I am a horse attendant, soOh, I don't mind, but the cats won't let go.Shizuko thought that even after moving to the new residence, things were still the same as before. Ashimitsu and Takatora Yokichi Toudou said they would look around and left, but from their words and actions, Shizuko wondered if they would also move to this base. It seemed that things would continue as usual.In the end, it's just like before.While muttering such things, Shizuko entered her room to relax.Oh, you finally came back.,Shizuko's sense of unease was correct. In the master's room where the master Shizuko should be relaxing, there was Nohime, who was even more relaxed than Shizuko. She wasn't the only one. Ichi, Matsu, Nene, and others, the usual faces were all gathered.May I ask what you are doing?Can't you see? I'm relaxing.No, I understand that. My question is why are you relaxing in my house?We came to celebrate the new home, but the important house owner is absent. So I'm allowed to relax until the house owner returns.The first and second halves didn't connect at all, giving Shizuko a headache.Sorry to keep you waiting.Oh, finally. I've been waiting.As Shizuko let out a heavy sigh, Aya entered carrying something on a tray. After bowing to Shizuko, Aya placed the tray in front of Nohime and the others. There was pudding on the tray. It wasn't yellow like modern pudding, but white, and it had a beautiful surface without any su.Are you planning to eat up all the food in someone else's house?Since it will probably go to waste and rot anyway, I'm making effective use of it.Ouch, right on the sore spotFor Shizuko, who had more supply than consumption, someone who would consume the ingredients was appreciated. However, Shizuko was only worried about how much Nohime would consume, as she didn't know. Of course, since there was a high chance of them rotting if they weren't consumed, the consumption of ingredients should be welcomed.By the way, you've gone all out with the tatami flooring.We can't keep up with the production of tatami, so there are still rooms without tatami.Thanks to the successful research I've been doing, mass production has become possible.Tatami mats were a luxury item until the Edo period when Tokugawa Yoshimune carried out the Kyoho Reforms and land reclamation was actively promoted, leading to a large-scale production of the raw material, igusa, and a decrease in price.Of course, Nobunaga also followed Shizuko's advice and actively carried out land reclamation, dramatically increasing the production of igusa. The cultivation of igusa is basically divided into three stages. The first is the seedbed first seedlings, which is a field where the original seedlings are grown like any other. The seedlings are planted around December and left until the following August when they are transplanted. When the time comes, the igusa is moved from the seedbed to the second seedling field. The seedlings are pulled out, the mud is washed off, and the seedlings are divided and planted one by one. Immediately after planting, it is just one seedling, but the vitality of igusa is strong, and new shoots come out one after another. In a few months, the initial weak atmosphere is completely gone, and the seedlings grow into splendid ones. These seedlings are then planted in the main field for cultivation. The work is the same as moving the first seedlings to the second seedling field, but since the seedlings are larger, skilled hands are required for the work in the field where they are cultivated. In July, two years after planting the seedlings, the igusa is harvested. After that, it is soaked in water with a dye called mud dye, dried, and finally completed.Cultivating igusa requires skilled hands, but Shizuko conducted research to substitute most of the entire process with machines and successfully succeeded, greatly increasing the production of igusa in Owari.By developing dedicated machines such as transplanters for igusa, harvesters, and weaving machines for tatami, it became possible to mass-produce high-quality tatami. However, now the demand has skyrocketed, and the supply is not keeping up.Mass production has its pros and cons.But if we don't do it, the quality of life will not improve.Well, aside from that, I'm craving something delicious as a tea snack. Could you order something?When told that, Shizuko looked at the tray. All the pudding that was on the tray had disappeared without her noticing.
