Nagahama, the new core of the Asai family, is a region where the threat from external enemies has drastically decreased, thanks in part to the conquest of southern Omi by the Oda family, who possess formidable military power.
This sense of security, combined with other factors, led to a gathering of many people, but they were not farmers.
These merchants, both large and small, come from major cities such as Kyoto, Sakai, and Kiyosu.
In addition, many sailors who were engaged in water transport and had been living scattered around Lake Biwa also moved to the area.
This phenomenon is also a consequence of the Asai family gaining control of Nagahama in northern Omi, while the Oda family gained control of Omi Province south and west of the Aichi River.
Simply put, the sailors were faced with a choice: which territory—Asai's or Oda's—to live in.
Because they are engaged in the logistics industry, they are just as, if not more, sensitive to the restructuring of the power order in Omi as merchants.
And as merchants and sailors began to settle in Nagahama, it was only natural that prostitutes to cater to them would also gather there.
They aren't selling their bodies because they love men; they're only doing it to make a living.
The majority of the prostitutes were widows who had lost their husbands conscripted into war, or who had outlived their parents, siblings, or children.
While glancing sideways at the people who have begun to gather with various thoughts and feelings, the cows continue to live by eating the leaves of the tall trees that grow luxuriantly around Lake Biwa.
These monsters don't seem to think anything of humans encroaching on their living space at this stage.
Or perhaps they are simply waiting to see if their way of life is threatened.
"Vmooooooo"
Slowly passing by the gigantic monsters that were making gentle noises...
We were heading towards the Kinshumon Gate of the Nagahama Imperial Palace, which faces the shore of Lake Biwa.
Incidentally, the Kinshumon Gate can only be used as a passageway for people to enter and exit at around this time of year.
According to the layout of Nagahama Castle shown by Masamoto, the castle's stone walls were to be submerged in Lake Biwa, with a sluice gate to be constructed.
In that case, the left side of the Kinshumon Gate would be blocked by a stone wall.
But saying this would immediately cast doubt on the very existence and value of Kinshumon.
However, the Kinshumon Gate holds a very important meaning.
If you step out the gate and Lake Biwa is right in front of you, there's only one thing to think about.
The plan is to create a private beach that no outsiders can enter, and to establish a dedicated access route to it.
They made swimsuits out of silk and other materials, dressed Ichihime and Haruhime in them, and enjoyed swimming in the lake instead of the sea...
Isn't this the best? Isn't this the best?
(Well, it doesn't look like it'll be ready in time for this summer...)
However, if it doesn't work out this year, there's always next year—so there's no need to rush.
Rather, as the wise people of the past have said, "Haste makes waste."
In order to fulfill the masculine fantasy of "hiding behind a rock and sneaking around," it was necessary to carefully and systematically plan and execute the plan.
"Kyuooooon"
Just as he was daydreaming about Ichihime and Haruhime wearing swimsuits, albeit with a hint of embarrassment, and his nose was twitching with excitement, Taishakutsukimo let out a cry.
It seems that I had somehow arrived in front of the Kinshumon Gate.
The carriage stopped, and Yokichi and Kyoko got out, tending to their mother.
"Ah..."
Moriko let out an inarticulate cry as she gazed up at the dazzlingly bright, crimson-colored Kinshumon Gate.
Both Yokichi and Kyoko looked stunned, facing the same direction as their mother.
It's likely that the Todo mother and son had never left Todo Village before.
It's possible that he had never seen a gate other than his own home's—
"Big brother... what is this..."
"What do you mean...? It's the gate to Lord Bizen's mansion, isn't it..."
"It's so big..."
—He showed no sign of moving, simply standing motionless in front of the gate.
I patted the Todo siblings' heads with both hands, then picked up Moriko in their arms.
Then, I passed through the gate and headed towards the mansion.
There, a giant, fluffy white creature was already waiting for our arrival—BAM!
"Kyuuuuuuuuu"
"Oh, my lord...!"
"Lord Bizen-no-kami! Welcome back!"
There were two girls on top of Bontenmaru.
They greet us looking as if they want to get off but can't quite manage it.
"Kyuooooon"
Taishakutsukimo cried in exasperation and went over to Bontenmaru's side.
Then Hisashi began to dismount hesitantly and mounted Taishakutsukige.
Naoko followed, and the two girls finally managed to descend to the ground using their horse tack.
"...Could it be that you've been riding in it the whole time?"
Hisashi's face turned bright red in response to my question, and he nodded.
Then he said, looking embarrassed.
"Please... don't tell Lord Masamoto... um, well..."
"yeah...?"
I don't understand why the name of the reformist bureaucrat from the younger brother's faction came up there, but I'll just nod for now.
Then Hisashi looked relieved and stood in front of me, as if to lead the way.
Behind me, I heard a voice say, "So you're the newcomers!" and it seemed that Shuko had already launched an attack on Yokichi and Kyoko.
Do they have no discriminatory feelings towards zashiki-warashi (house spirits), or are they just naive and not thinking about it at all...?
I glanced back at the Todo siblings, who were taken aback by Shuko's completely innocent approach, and then headed towards my destination.侍所Samurai's place
Hisashi opens the sliding door to the samurai quarters.
The space was basically covered with tatami mats, and there was also a hearth for warmth.
The tatami mats have been removed only around the hearth, which is probably a fire safety measure.
The room is 12 tatami mats in size, which is more than enough space for a mother and her two children to live in.
"Welcome back, sir."
"Ah, I'm home."
And inside the Samurai Office was Princess Osamu.
It seems she had already completed the work I had asked her to do.
She lays out a pure white, fluffy bed and gazes at me and Moriko gently—and somehow sadly.
"Um, sir/madam. That person over there..."
"Yes, that's the mother of the Todo family. Oh, no, madam... you don't have to force yourself to speak."
He must have felt he had to say something.
As Moriko opened her mouth, she immediately choked, and he said this to her...
I laid her body down on the bedding that Haruhime had laid out for me.
"Ah..."
Even as he choked, he seemed to realize that what was enveloping his body was something entirely different from the bed he had been lying on until now.
Mrs. Todo cautiously examined the body she was lying on with her slender hands.
But is that really the case...?
I had instructed the silkworm factory to produce a modern-style one .布団futon
"Lord Bizen-no-kami...!"
"Oh, good. You've finally come, Yokichi and Kyoko. Come on in."
I said that and invited the Todo siblings to the Samurai Office.
It seems he was delayed because he got caught up with Shuko.
However, they must have quickly realized that the pure white bedding their mother was lying on was not normal.
They looked at each other, trembling slightly as they approached.
"Now then... madam, how is it? How is the sleeping experience?"
When I asked her that, Moriko desperately moved her thin, fragile neck, which looked like it might break at any moment, and tears began to fall in her eyes.
"That's a silk futon that I've only recently started having made."
"Ki... silk!?"
Yokichi and Kyoko's eyes widened in shock, and they let out sounds that were almost screams.
But that's probably a perfectly natural reaction.
Silk itself was a valuable material, and in the Warring States period, it was even used as a form of currency.
In short, their mothers—to put it in modern terms—are practically sleeping in a bed of cash.
"Yes, it's silk. It's not particularly difficult to make, you know? This is made by forming a silk fabric into a bag and then stuffing it with raw silk floss like this... I'm planning to distribute it throughout the country as a specialty product of northern Omi."
Incidentally, the set includes not only the rug, but also the pillow and blanket.
I explained this while pointing to Haruhime, who had gently pulled the comforter up to Moriko's chest.
"Ah, I haven't introduced her yet... This woman is Takenaka Osamu. She's one of my wives. Not only is she my wife, but she's also my strategist."
"Uh, oh... I'm so sorry!"
The Todo siblings immediately prostrated themselves.
But Haruhime immediately stopped him and sat down right next to me.
"It's a pleasure to meet you... I'm Takenaka Osamu. I've often heard about the Todo family from Asai Bizen-no-kami. Bizen-no-kami said he would allow you to live in this mansion, so we'll probably be seeing each other more often from now on. Please remember me."
Although Princess Osamu was smiling, her eyes did not reflect that smile.
It seemed they were assessing whether the siblings were a good match.
"Well, we'll get to know each other gradually..."
I said, looking at Yokichi and Kyoko's faces.
"From now on, I will give you this samurai quarters. You can use the room as you like. Also, there are two sets of futons in the corner of the room...the same ones your mother is sleeping on right now. They are samples sent from the silkworm factory. You should use them to sleep on starting today. I haven't used them myself yet, but there shouldn't be any problems."
"Eh... eh...?"
Anzu's eyes are wide open.
Glancing at it out of the corner of his eye, Yokichi asked hesitantly.
"Um... Lord Bizen-no-kami"
"What?"
"Lord Bizen-no-kami said that he hasn't used it yet."
"ah"
"Not only that, but they were also samples sent from a silkworm farm..."
"Yeah, that's right."
Seeing me slowly nod, he continued.
"So, the fact that there are three sets of bedding means... that they were originally meant for Lord Bizen, Princess Haruhime, and the principal wife, don't you think?"
"It belongs to you."
I responded in a firm tone.
In reality, what Yokichi pointed out is exactly right...
In this instance, the property was given to the Todo mother and son with the consent of Ichihime and Haruhime.
Therefore, I have no intention of dismissing his words.
However, it was essential to clearly communicate who owned it.
"I've decided to give these to you. There's no need to hesitate."
"...Thank you very much."
Sensing that my will would not be swayed, Yokichi prostrated himself.
Seeing this, Kyoko also hastily bowed her head.
"It's fine."
I said that with a smile.
"Besides, there's an ulterior motive. I don't deserve that much gratitude."
"Ulterior motives...?"
At Yokichi's words, Moriko, who was lying in bed, stirred slightly.
"That's right."
I looked the boy straight in the eyes and said:
"The idea that I... Asai Nagamasa would become Todo Yokichi's... Such an ulterior motive."烏帽子親Eboshioya
Suddenly, Moriko's body, which had been almost completely immobile, began to jump.
Then, rubbing his head against the tatami mat, he let out an inarticulate cry.
Tears spilled from her eyes, falling one drop at a time onto the tatami mat.
Yokichi, too, probably never imagined that I would utter a word like "eboshi-oya" (a term for a father who gives one's first hat to a woman's head).
With his mouth opening and closing, his gaze wandered between me and his mother, who was prostrate and crying.
Next to him, Kyoko was swaying precariously, looking as if she might fall over at any moment.
An eboshi-oya is a person who acts as a foster parent to a boy when he reaches adulthood and undergoes the coming-of-age ceremony (genpuku).
Since the parents are foster parents, any male who reaches adulthood becomes a foster child and is called an eboshi-ko (a child with a hat).
During the Kamakura period, even those who were not actually related by blood were treated similarly.
Ultimately, the head of the Asai family becomes a kind of "parent" to the Zashiki-warashi, a member of the discriminated class, and protects him.
Considering the status of the zashiki-warashi, who is outside the circle of people, this is something that is almost unimaginable...
The Todo mother and son had not expected this at all.
"When Yokichi comes of age, his name has already been decided."
I avoided looking at my mother and deliberately focused my gaze solely on Yokichi.
"And we will do it in full view of everyone. We will show the world that even a zashiki-warashi (house spirit) can be hired if he performs well, like Yokichi."
So I paused and asked the boy a question.
"However, that would be a kind of spectacle... what do you say, would you be willing to do it?"
"Understood"
Yokichi's reaction was quick.
He bowed his head again, then looked back at me with determined eyes.
"Is that intended to demonstrate what Lord Bizen-no-kami said before...that he intends to live in harmony with the zashiki-warashi (house spirit)?"
"That's right."
I nodded.
"When I perform your coming-of-age ceremony, I intend to wear the hawk armor—that ostentatious armor. To proudly demonstrate to the world that as long as the Asai clan exists, there is no need to fear anyone..."
"..."
"Follow me, you too, and all of you."
Anzu's body was rigid, Moriko's forehead was pressed against the tatami mat and her shoulders were trembling—and with Haruhime in mind, I spoke in a low voice that made my stomach tremble.
"My brother-in-law will end this era of chaos. But I, Nagamasa, will end the old age. Let us see together what lies beyond the end of this era of chaos and the end of the old age. A new world that future generations can be proud of."
"..."
"...Yokichi?"
The boy, who had been staring at me in a daze, finally seemed to come back to his senses when I asked him a question.
Give a firm answer and bow deeply.
Watching Yokichi like that, I called out to Kyoko, who was in a similar posture.
"I want Kyoko to take care of my wife, Osamu. Osamu is a very important woman to me, and I want you to take care of her. You understand what that means, right?"
"Y-yes!"
It's probably due to nervousness.
Anzu shrugged her head and gave a strained reply.
Seeing that, Osamu let out a chuckle.
"You should ask Shuko for details. She's doing a good job in her own way... Shuko!"
"Yes!"
The girl burst into the samurai quarters, slamming open the sliding door as if to say, "I've been waiting for this!"
Behind them, Hisa looked bewildered by Naosuke's boisterous and almost outrageous behavior.
Behind them, Bontenmaru is rolling around from side to side.
I don't care about Shuko, but even so, what on earth is that pure white ball of fur monster up to?
"...Now, I'd like you to show Yokichi and Kyoko, who are here, around the mansion. Kyoko, in particular, will be helping you take care of Osamu. For future reference, please make sure she memorizes the layout of the mansion."
"Leave it to me, Lord Bizen-no-kami!"
With a loud thud, Shuko slapped her developing breasts, typical of a young girl, and answered with a vigorous sigh.
Moriko, who had been laid down on the futon again by Osamu, looked at the short-haired girl with a truly surprised expression.
I can certainly understand how you feel.
"Okay then, I'll show you around! Ah... Yokichi... and Kyoko... was that her name...? Yes, that's right! Names don't really matter!"
"Ah... um... yes..."
"Come on, come on, it's an order from Lord Bizen-no-kami! Follow me! Oh, Hisa-chan is coming too! We'll do our best together from now on!"
Screaming and yelling, she was releasing the energy of about 10 people all by herself...
First, Shuko dragged the Todo siblings out of the room, and then, accompanied by Hisa, who had been anxiously watching what would happen next, they made a lot of noise and stomped out.
"Where's Osamu...ichi?"
"Yes, the mistress is urging her ladies-in-waiting to prepare dinner. She said that there is someone who is ill, so she will be personally preparing something else for them... she was very enthusiastic about it."
"I see..."
As I stroked Moriko's emaciated body, which was beginning to choke, I thought to myself.
This woman's life is already worn down, and there's not much time left.
The worn-out Tree of Life was decaying, and it was only by sheer willpower—the determination to see at least a little of the future of her son and daughter—that she miraculously continued to live.
And that miracle is about to be lost.
So, before I die, I must at least—at least let her see her son in his finest form...that's what I think.