Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era - Chapter 52

Chapter 52




Middle of December, 1568.

Both Nohime’s personal chefs and Shizuko’s group were moving towards the village. Without meeting each other, Shizuko’s group arrived at the village first. After arriving at the village, she dismissed her five hundred soldiers and then unpacked her belongings. Keiji went to the bath with a drink in hand, Nagayoshi charged into the mountains still in his armor, and only Saizo remained as Shizuko’s escort. The soldiers were accustomed to this familiar scene.

After Shizuko finished tidying up her belongings, she moved to the field. It was the harvest season for Chinese cabbage, so she was looking for ones that could be harvested today. The Chinese cabbage she was growing was large, so only one or two could fit in a basket. That’s why Saizo also helped with the harvest by carrying a basket on his back. Shizuko harvested two in the basket she was carrying, Saizo harvested two in the basket he was carrying, and he also had one in his hand, making a total of five harvested.

“I wonder if I can make quick pickles in terms of time.”

“I have never seen crops like this before. I’m looking forward to this.”

In the Sengoku period, when crops were scarce, having access to a wide variety of crops alone was a form of entertainment. At first, the temperamental Saizo thought excessive luxury was a problem, but he agreed with Shizuko’s words, “All things are equal before the Buddha,” and decided to adopt her designated diet. Now that he has become accustomed to his new lifestyle, he only drinks alcohol in moderation and eats various meats such as chicken and deer, as well as dried seafood like dried fish and squid, and vegetables grown in the village without being picky.

“Shall we make pickled vegetables and salted vegetables? For dinner, maybe they can be used as ingredients for hot pot.”

“Please wait, Shizuko-sama. If I hear such things, it will make me hungry faster.”

“Oh, sorry. I can make quick pickles, so let’s make them right away.”

Shizuko returned home carrying the harvested Chinese cabbage. At that moment, she passed by Aya, who was looking for her. Thinking that Nohime was at Nobunaga’s villa, Shizuko began preparing the Chinese cabbage in the kitchen, which she normally didn’t enter.

“Asazuke (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Asazuke) only needs umeboshi and salted kelp.”

Basically, napa cabbage is not typically fermented with lactic acid bacteria to make pickles. Therefore, it is easier to make a simple pickle with napa cabbage compared to other vegetables. First, wash the napa cabbage well and remove any dirt. Then, cut the core into about 5 millimeters and the leaves into about 1 centimeter, and place them in a colander. Cut the salted kelp into appropriate sizes, and remove the seeds from the pickled plum and cut it into bite-sized pieces by hand. Put the drained napa cabbage, pickled plum, and salted kelp in a bowl, and gently mix the three ingredients together while kneading. Cover it with a drop lid and let it sit for about 30 minutes until it becomes soft.

“Yes, it’s finished!”

It’s complete by simply placing the washed and lightly squeezed napa cabbage on a plate without cooking it.

“…It’s a bit sour because it has umeboshi, but it’s delicious. The only downside is that it makes you crave rice.”

“Well, you know.”

While nodding in agreement, Shizuko divides one of the Chinese cabbages into four equal parts. She leaves the remaining three as they are and wraps them in cloth to store them in a cool, dark place. Chinese cabbages can be stored for up to three weeks at room temperature (between five and ten degrees Celsius), but they can last for nearly four weeks if kept in an environment close to zero degrees, like an ice room. Shizuko makes sure to harvest the necessary amount frequently when needed, but she also strives to preserve them for as long as possible.

“I will sun-dry this.”

“I am hungry. Come to think of it, I haven’t seen Aya-chan around. She shouldn’t be away from home for a long time during lunchtime…”

“It’s rare to see something like that, huh?”

After saying that, Shizuko goes outside the house with a bundle of Chinese cabbage for sun-drying. In that moment, Aya, who had just been mentioned in the conversation, passes by in front of her. However, she quickly stops and turns back towards Shizuko with great speed, rushing over to her.

“Phew, haa… I’ve been searching for you, Shizuko-sama.”

“Oh? Did a messenger come from the Lord (Oda Nobunaga)? I’m sorry, I was harvesting Chinese cabbage, so we might have passed each other somewhere.”

Shizuko looked apologetic as she wiped the sweat off Aya’s forehead and helped her calm her breathing. At first, Aya’s cheeks were flushed, but once her breathing settled, she returned to her usual poker face. Shizuko couldn’t help but think it was a waste.

“Nohime-sama is here for a visit. I apologize, but please take care of her.”

“Ugh, why again…”

“I wanted to boast about having an extraordinary chef who can cook anything… Ahem, I would like to introduce them.”

“That’s your true feelings, right? I understand. For now, I’ll help you out a little, although I feel sorry for Aya-chan. Oh, if there’s any leftover food, it would be appreciated if you could give it to Saizou-san.”

“No problem. There should be leftover rice from this morning’s cooking. I will serve it to Saizou-sama. I will be back later.”

Upon hearing just that, Aya immediately headed towards Saizo’s place.

Nohime was showing off her unusual cook who specializes in liver dishes, but Shizuko didn’t have high expectations. This is because Shizuko’s approach to cooking mainly focuses on dishes that are affordable, easy to eat, and nutritious. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with seeking gourmet food. Eating delicious dishes alone can also bring comfort to the soul.

“Did you bring a gourmet chef? I’m interested, but indulging in extravagant cuisine is excessive for me.”

“Oh, Shizuko has started saying it too. Well, it may not be interesting to you, or the Lord (Oda), but please indulge me in my whims.”

*sigh*

“Oh, by the way, I have been inviting Oichi to come and visit here occasionally in a letter, but it seems that Lord Asai does not give permission. Truly, it’s troublesome dealing with such a small-minded man.”

“(U-um, I’m not sure how to respond…) W-well, perhaps he’s worried about his wife…?”

Oichi and Asai Nagamasa are famous for their good relationship as a couple. Even after betraying Nobunaga, as recorded in historical facts passed down to the present day, their marriage remained strong and they continued to live harmoniously. Oichi had three children: Cha-cha (a concubine of Toyotomi Hideyoshi), Hatsuhime (the legal wife of Kyogoku Takatsugu), and Ei (the wife of Tokugawa Hidetada). It is said that Cha-cha was born in the 12th year of the Eiroku era, so she hasn’t given birth to any children at this time.

“(Ah, so maybe they won’t give permission because the baby is about to be born. If that’s the case, then I understand.)”

“What are you muttering about? By the way, is the dish using ‘Chinese cabbage’ still not ready? I can’t wait, I’m so excited.”

Nohime couldn’t help but feel excited. Her anticipation was evident. Surprisingly, this atmosphere had a calming effect on Shizuko, who remained unusually composed. She was more absorbed in her ongoing research and development than in the upcoming meal that would soon be served. Her current main focus of research was on washing machines. However, she had recently obtained a small amount of sulfur, which prompted her to start researching Factice (https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Factice) in parallel. Although it was uncertain whether it had the performance to be used in tire rubber, it was expected to have satisfactory performance as a substitute for rubber.

(By the way, I should make oatmeal from barley. It’s excellent as baby food… Although the smell of barley is strong, so it might be a hit or miss with preferences.)

The spelt that was cultivated had been planted around autumn, but it had already grown enough to be harvested. Since the exact variety name is unknown, it cannot be stated with certainty, but it is predicted to be a fast-growing variety that can be harvested in winter if planted in autumn, or around autumn if planted in spring. The reason for specifically harvesting the grains is because making oatmeal from spelt has a high cost-performance ratio as a baby’s weaning food.

The method of making oatmeal is simple, just crush or grind the hulled wheat into a powder. There are also many derivative products, such as oat bran, which uses only the soluble dietary fiber-rich outer layer called husk. There is also muesli, which is made by adding water or milk and adding fruits and nuts. Granola refers to a mixture that includes sugar or honey, coated with vegetable oil and baked in the oven.

The reason why oatmeal has a high cost-performance as a baby food is quite simple. First, oats require minimal cultivation effort. They have a strong vitality and can grow on their own even with minimal care. Of course, in a suitable environment, they will grow even faster, but unlike other crops, they do not require meticulous attention. Next, oatmeal is a highly nutritious food, with about 3.5 times more dietary fiber, twice the amount of iron, and five times the amount of calcium compared to brown rice. It is also rich in vitamins, minerals, and protein, making it highly balanced in terms of nutrition. Due to its low glycemic index (GI), it is less likely to be converted into fat despite being a carbohydrate, and it has a low insulin response, which can increase basal metabolism. As a dried food, it can be stored for nearly a year if properly preserved. It is often consumed in the form of porridge or rice gruel, and can also be used as a baby food by mashing it up.

Although oatmeal has many benefits, it is not without its problems. First of all, in its raw state, it is extremely hard and difficult to eat. Secondly, it has a strong smell of oats, which some people may find off-putting. And most importantly, simply boiling it in water does not make it taste good. However, if these issues can be addressed, oatmeal can become an excellent food.

(I think it would be better to make it more savory, like ojiya or risotto-style… How about cooking it with miso?)

“Excuse me. Shizuko-sama, a messenger has arrived from the Lord (Oda Nobunaga). It is an urgent summons.”

“…What kind of summons is this again…?”

“We have only been informed to come immediately. I apologize, but please hurry. We have already made arrangements for the horsemen and soldiers.”

(Was there such an urgent matter that you had to go that far?)

In any case, if I have been called, I cannot refuse to respond.

“What a shame. Oh well, I guess I’ll have to make those chefs cook some disgusting dish using ‘Chinese cabbage’.”

“I’m sorry. I will make this up to you at a later date…”

After apologizing to Nohime, Shizuko quickly prepared herself and headed straight to Nobunaga. At this time, Shizuko was unaware that Nohime’s personal chefs had been watching her from a distance. If she had noticed, she would not have been able to go to Nobunaga in a proper state of mind.

Shizuko, who had become a passing fate, arrived at Nobunaga’s place without realizing it. Since she had noticed the sun setting just before her arrival, she vaguely anticipated that she might have to spend the night at someone’s house. However, that was nothing more than her wishful thinking. On that day, the group called by Nobunaga took several breaks along the way, but ended up passionately discussing road maintenance until morning.

On a day in December, Nobunaga and his main retainers gathered in Shizuko’s technological district. Today, a flea market called “Nominoichi” was being held to sell porcelain produced in this town. Since the materials for porcelain are dependent on other countries, it is not openly allowed to buy and sell porcelain within the Oda domain. However, merchants take advantage of this and sell it at a high price to people from other countries by falsely claiming its origin.

The reason why such imitation is possible is because porcelain production in Japan began during the Edo period, before that, Japan relied on porcelain made in China. In other words, just the fact that it is porcelain makes it valuable, even if the design is not to one’s liking. But that’s not all. Porcelain can also be sold at high prices to Nanban people.

Originally, European nobility enthusiastically supported Chinese porcelain, calling it the “white gold.” German Meissen products, which are considered the pinnacle of European porcelain, are highly regarded worldwide. However, Meissen’s desire to produce porcelain originated from an admiration for Japanese and Chinese porcelain. Friedrich August II, the Elector of Saxony and the King of Poland in the Holy Roman Empire, had a deep love for Eastern porcelain. He even built a building called the “Japanese Palace” in Dresden’s Zwinger Palace to house his collection of Japanese porcelain. Not stopping there, he embarked on a national project to produce something similar to Eastern porcelain in his own country as a top priority.

The porcelain produced in Shizuko’s technology district mainly uses three colors: red using copper rust, black using iron rust, and blue using gosu (a type of cobalt oxide). Porcelain made with these three colors has a deep and rich hue, which captivated Nobunaga at first sight. In particular, he favored the “aka-e” style, which focuses on the challenging red coloration.

“Oh! This time, there’s quite a lot.”

Nobunaga was in a good mood as he admired the red porcelain in front of him. As he had said, there were various types of porcelain lined up. From avant-garde designed vessels to porcelain that seemed more suitable for decoration than for meals. The patterns were also diverse, with each one intricately designed, making it seem like there was not a single identical piece.

Although it is called “Akae porcelain,” it is not as vibrant as the original Akae porcelain created by Sakaida Kakiemon, who was the first to succeed in making it. Shizuko’s technique only uses a single shade of red, while the Kakiemon style uses three different shades of red: a bright “hanaaka” red, a deep “nouaka” red representing the color of persimmons, and a darkened “kaba” black for drawing lines. The method for creating these three shades of red is recorded in the “Akae-gu Oboe” passed down in the Sakaida family, but its contents are a secret known only to those who have inherited the name of Kakiemon. In a special part that was publicly disclosed, one of the ingredients mentioned was “deoxidized iron without salt.” Literally, it involves soaking iron oxide in water to remove the salt. This process requires a very long time, and it is said to take at least ten years.

Shizuko knows a different method to create red color for red porcelain, not using the Kakiemon style. However, it will take at least five years to gather the necessary materials. Until that is completed, there is no alternative but to use rust from copper as a substitute for red color.

“We have approximately four hundred pieces this time. We would appreciate it if each person could find their preferred porcelain. Now, we will begin the sale of porcelain.”

The Porcelain Flea Market was held along with those words.

Although it is called a flea market, there are several differences from a regular flea market. First, the amount of money involved in buying and selling is on a completely different scale. Even though porcelain is mass-produced, it is still considered a luxury item. Additionally, if you find a piece you like, you can directly give money to the artisan under the pretext of “pre-investment.” By selling their own works, artisans eliminate the middleman’s margin and can directly know their own evaluation. However, there are also artisans who stubbornly refuse to accept this.

(Hmm, I wonder if things are going well?)

Shizuko observes the flea market. Yoshinari Mori repeatedly nods while holding a large plate. It seems that he prefers large plates with blue decorations. Hideyoshi prefers gold-plated plates, the Takenaka brothers (Hanbei and Kyusaku) prefer practical everyday dishes, and Niwa Nagahide seems to prefer jars over plates. Each of them is searching for and purchasing porcelain that suits their preferences. On the other hand, Shibata and Sassa seem to prefer avant-garde designs for plates. Sassa, in particular, is delighted to see plates that have clearly lost their meaning as tableware.

“Oh wow, everyone seems so excited… Maybe I should buy something too?”

However, Shizuko does not consider porcelain to be as luxurious as Nobunaga does, so she cannot find any value beyond tableware and is not interested. While being approached by craftsmen and retainers along the way, Shizuko enjoys window shopping.

“Oh, this one is for Keiji-san… This one is for Saizo-san. And this one must be for Katsuzo (Mori Nagayoshi)-kun. Let’s buy this beautiful one for Aya-chan. Hmm, maybe I should also get a few plates for Honda-sama.”

In the end, she decided to buy souvenirs for Keiji and the others rather than for herself. After all, they couldn’t participate as participants or as Shizuko’s bodyguards. It’s unfortunate, but since the selection was done by Nobunaga, there was no choice but to accept it and give up.

“Lady Shizuko, are you also choosing porcelain?”

When I turned around in response to the sound, I saw Shibata and Sassa with big smiles on their faces. Shizuko, who had taken a step back, continued to speak, although she tried to hide her high spirits.

“I am truly grateful to be invited to such a seat.”

“I see. Even we, who do not hold you in high regard, can only feel ashamed of our narrow-mindedness when we witness your generosity in extending an invitation to us.”

“Oh, no… The one who decided the invitees was the Lord (Oda Nobunaga)…”

Shizuko’s voice does not reach them, as they are in a panic and caught up in their own excitement.

“Oh, excuse me for stopping you. Well then, we’ll end it here.”

“If you have any troubles, I will always be there to assist you. I apologize for any inconvenience.”

As they showered Shizuko with praise, the two of them left in high spirits. Shizuko, left behind, could only watch them in astonishment.

The porcelain flea market ended with great success. Shizuko, who left early and left various tasks to others, returned home and handed out the porcelain she had bought. She gave Keiji several types of sake cups, Nagayoshi a rice bowl, Saizo a teacup, and Aya several beautiful small plates. Shizuko also prepared a flat plate for Tadakatsu and requested it to be shipped together with a note. Everyone was delighted with the porcelain gifts from Shizuko. As soon as Keiji received the sake cups, he invited Saizo and Nagayoshi to the bath with a drink in hand.

After the Porcelain Flea Market ended, it was peaceful. However, Shizuko had little time to relax. With almost no farming work until the end of the year, she used her free time to try out various dishes. This was because she received a request from Nobunaga, asking if she could come up with a specialty dish that could be called “This is Gifu!” It wasn’t a formal order, but more of a question asking if there was something good she could come up with.

I tried making various dishes, but nothing seemed to please Nobunaga. Starting from tofu and aburaage made from soybeans, to inarizushi, squid rice, and karaage as individual items, and then moving on to donburi dishes like ebi tendon and oyakodon. I even prepared dishes like kiritanpo nabe, sukiyaki, and botan nabe using small clay pots. I considered eel as well, but it was excluded because eel is difficult to cook and there is already a popular dish called sugatazushi made with eel caught in the Uji River. The taste testers, Keiji and Nagayoshi, were impressed, but Nobunaga couldn’t bring himself to say, “This is exactly what I want.”

Nobunaga became interested in Suppon (soft shelled turtle) hot pot. Shizuko thought that soft-shelled turtle could become a local specialty if she could gather enough of them. However, it was not the right season to collect them. soft-shelled turtle hibernate when the water temperature is low, so it is difficult to gather them in winter. To start farming them, she had to wait until it gets warmer and until June, which is the spawning season.

(Draw a line here… When we fit it into the equation, this much distance is required… Yeah, this ensures the necessary space for the fish farm. Now, all that’s left is to leave it as it is until the time comes.)

The beginning of the softshell turtle aquaculture is of sufficient size. I went to check if the image of the blueprint matches the actual size, and although it felt a bit cramped, it was not a problem. We are running out of space to add more facilities, but currently there are no projects that require additional facilities. I will compile a plan for softshell turtle aquaculture and submit it to Nobunaga. It seems that Nobunaga did not think that softshell turtles could be farmed, as he urgently contacted Shizuko to come.

“If we can solve the issues of water temperature and noise, breeding softshell turtles is not that difficult. However, this is my first attempt as well. At this point, I cannot say for certain whether it is possible to meet the expectations of the lord regarding the cultivation of softshell turtles.”

“Hmm… I appreciate the attitude of taking on difficult challenges. It’s even better if it comes with good results.”

Upon hearing that, Nobunaga called for a pageboy. Immediately, a pageboy arrived in front of them, carrying a wooden box. After respectfully placing the wooden box down, the pageboy bowed and stepped back.

“Let’s pay the expenses in advance this time.”

“Oh, oh my!”

Inside the wooden box was gold. The amount inside was so significant that it could be called a large sum of money. Shizuko couldn’t hide her confusion at Nobunaga’s unprecedented behavior.

“You’re not very perceptive, are you? I also like Suppon (softshell turtle) hot pot, so I’m providing the funds for it. In other words, I have high expectations for your success.”

“Yes… I will do my best to meet your expectations.”

“Indeed, I will say it again, but I am expecting it.”

With a slight hint of a smile, Nobunaga said that.

Nobunaga, who was so busy that it made his head spin, approached the end of the year with a word on his lips. Among his achievements, the most significant one was securing a direct connection with the imperial court without going through Yoshiaki. Of course, this communication was unofficial, as officially, one must go through Yoshiaki, who is the shogun. If we were to compare this to a company, Yoshiaki, who is the shogun and the supreme commander, would be the head of the headquarters, while Nobunaga would be a department head under the headquarters. In a company, it is unheard of for an employee to bypass their immediate supervisor and directly communicate with the top management, which in this case is the imperial court. Allowing such behavior would lead to the collapse of the organization.

There is a reason why Yoshiaki sought connections with the imperial court, even though it would put him at a disadvantage if he were to be discovered. One reason is to drive out the power of the temple and shrine factions. Since the downfall of the Taira clan, which was aligned with the imperial court, the court has been in a vulnerable position, relying on others for support. Among the courtiers, the temple and shrine factions hold the most influence. However, in order to gain influence over the court, a legitimate reason is needed. That’s where Shizuko’s surname, Ayanokoji, comes into play. The Ayanokoji family lineage has been dormant since Ayanokoji Toshikazu. There was no revival of the family name until Ayanokoji Takau existed in 1613. It was the perfect opportunity to use this as a legitimate reason.

Nobunaga made donations to the imperial court and sent daily necessities such as Owari rice, porcelain, and paper. Anticipating the surprise of the court at the sudden gifts, Nobunaga included a letter explaining the reasons. The letter apologized for not being able to personally greet them due to illness, and also mentioned that Ayanokoji Toshikazu had a hidden child who was a girl, resulting in her being removed from the family lineage. Despite this, Nobunaga offered the profits obtained to the imperial court. The letter was written in an exaggerated manner, weaving truth and fiction together to stir the emotions of the reader. The Emperor believed everything written in the letter, even though it contained content that would make her laugh uncontrollably if she were to find out.

The imperial court’s finances were in dire straits, its authority was waning, and it had been abandoned by most of the nobles and warriors. The only individuals providing support, such as tribute, were Mōri Motonari, the head of the Honganji temple, Kennyo, and Nobunaga, who had come to the capital. Although the imperial court’s finances and authority were restored, the emperor understood that these individuals were offering financial aid not to help them in their dire situation, but to exploit the court’s authority. In that sense, the emperor understood his own position and the reality far better than Yoshiaki did. That is why he was deeply moved by the Ayanokoji family’s selfless tribute.

The Emperor believed this unconditionally because it was based on what Nobunaga presented. If Shizuko were Nobunaga, She wouldn’t bother using the Ayanokoji family name to present it. Even if she presented it in her own name, she wouldn’t present herself as a hidden child of the Ayanokoji family. The image of Nobunaga that the Emperor imagined from the rumors is a calculating person who is the opposite of selfless. He is definitely not someone who would do something like this.

The Emperor was deeply saddened by the fact that the illegitimate Ayanokoji child had no name, so he decided to give her the name “Nihime” using the character for “benevolence” (meaning affection for others) from his own personal name. He also issued a decree to Nobunaga, instructing him to provide medical care for Nihime. Lastly, he granted Nihime the unusual reward of the rank of “Jushiinoge” (a high-ranking court title). This shows that he valued Nihime more highly than Motonari Mori, who had presented a tribute of gold. This is because there is a significant difference between Nihime’s gift and others. While others may have a blatant mindset of “just give money and goods to the court,” Nihime’s gift was carefully chosen with the recipient’s well-being in mind.

The emperor himself understands that Nobunaga is saying sweet things. However, he has been abandoned by many courtiers and members of the imperial family, and has lost control over numerous manors. In the warrior class, they only think about using him for their own benefit. The emperor laments the current state where the temple and shrine forces have become armed groups that commit crimes in order to protect their own interests, even in times of chaos. He couldn’t help but shed tears at the heartwarming gift.

“…The court seems to be favoring Nihime quite a bit.”

After finishing reading all the letters received from the emperor, Nobunaga took a breath and expressed his thoughts. To him, the imperial court was merely a tool to be used. However, he did not underestimate the political power of the court. Therefore, he believed it was necessary to have connections with the court as a form of insurance.

“I was taken aback when you suddenly asked me to this. But I must say, you really go to great lengths.”

Nohime, who is next to Nobunaga, smiles softly. Currently, there are no attendants or servants in the room, only the two of them.

“It is not surprising. In battles, the outcome is determined by how well one prepares beforehand. The same goes for unifying a nation. The preparation for the post-unification period determines whether the subsequent pacification will be completed within a few years or if it will last for a thousand years.”

“For that purpose, did you go to the trouble of creating the pretext of reviving the Ayanokoji family?”

“That’s right”

“Ohoho, when Lord took Shizuko with him to Kyoto, I thought for sure he would use her to revive the Ayanokoji family… but I never expected him to resort to such cunning tactics. That’s why Lord is so amusing.”

“It is not surprising at all. If one gains power, their influence will increase. However, at the same time, it becomes difficult to act freely. Shizuko is satisfied with the current environment of freedom. Therefore, taking that away from her would be an act of disloyalty towards me.”

Unlike the Edo period, loyalty in the Sengoku period was not directed towards individuals, but towards the family. Taking the example of the Takeda clan, the actions of the retainers who expelled Takeda Shingen’s father, Nobutora, cannot be simply labeled as disloyalty according to the values of that time. Their loyalty was pledged to the “Takeda family” as a whole, not to Nobutora personally. On the other hand, Nobutora neglected his retainers and imposed heavy taxes on his subjects, prioritizing his emotions over moral principles, thus lacking the qualities of a competent ruler. It can be said that they betrayed him by recognizing the potential of Shingen (Nobushige), who was showing promise, and believing that he would bring a brighter future for the Takeda clan.

That’s why Shizuko, who pledges loyalty to Oda Nobunaga as an individual rather than the Oda family, is actually a very valuable asset. Furthermore, there is a tendency for conflicts to arise between retainers who pledge loyalty to the “family” and those who pledge loyalty to the “lord as an individual,” forming factions. However, Shizuko ensures a comfortable living environment, making such conflicts less likely to occur.

“Shizuko is devoted to serving the lord, you know. Oh, by the way, I was told to keep this book, so I read it since I had some free time.”

“…There were spies lurking around me, so I hid it at your place, didn’t I?”

“Oh, I see. However, it was quite stimulating content. It covered a wide range of topics such as the Seven Military Classics, The Prince (by Machiavelli), The Art of War, geopolitics, political science, and organizational structure, among others. It was so easy to understand that there was no need to worry. Shizuko wrote these, right?”

Nobunaga clicks his tongue. Nohime’s private room is an excellent hiding place, but he had forgotten that there was a possibility she could read what was written there. Nohime, who keenly understands the psychology of others, not only knows how to read and write, but also has a wide range of knowledge. Therefore, she was able to easily read Shizuko’s writings. Nobunaga is frustrated with himself for not considering that, but he realizes that there’s nothing he can do about what has already happened and lets out a sigh.

“I liked The Prince. What are your thoughts on The Prince, my lord?”

“…Due to a lack of detailed understanding of the background of other countries, there are some parts that I cannot comprehend. However, even disregarding that, I can appreciate the commitment to abandoning sweet ideals and adhering to thorough realism.”

“Well… Ah, I shouldn’t. It wouldn’t be right for me to consume any more of the lord’s treasured books. However, I would like to have a conversation with the lord.”

“…You’re still someone who loves playing with words. But I don’t dislike it.”

Nobunaga, who understood the meaning behind Nohime’s words, exhaled with a smile on his face.