The Self-Cultivation of Warring States Warriors

Page 62

Kaji Hisakatsu shook his head, smiled bitterly, and remained silent.

Hearing this, it seems that recruiting this person would indeed solve a problem for Sakai-cho.

However, Shinzaburo had another question: "Why would someone from Kanto, originally a retainer of the Sagami Hojo clan, travel all this way to come and join you?"

Upon hearing this, Kaji Hisakatsu looked puzzled: "Didn't I mention before? My family is a collateral branch of the Sasaki clan, originating in the Kanto Kamakura area. My grandfather's generation moved to the Kinai region. It's perfectly normal to have relatives in our hometown."

Ah this...

Shinzaburo was speechless for a moment.

I thought everyone was just a bunch of peasants making up their family trees, but I never expected that the other party was actually from a proper samurai family in the Kanto Kamakura region.

Suddenly I realized that we wouldn't be able to play together anymore.

slip away...

116 This is the debate on the hanging river.

After much deliberation, Shinzaburo decided to try and subdue Harumi-shitaka.

As mentioned before, this man, wielding a wooden stick, could defeat more than a dozen strong men. Even when facing ordinary civilians, his martial arts skills were quite impressive.

As for his personality, he may be a bit simple-minded, but he seems to be honest and kind, so there's not much of a problem.

I've "progressed" a bit too fast in the last two years, and I'm really short-staffed. I don't have the option to be selective, so I'll just make do for now and train them slowly later!

So they chatted for a while longer, I asked a few questions, and gathered some information. Finally, I had a plan in mind, and I said I wanted to talk to Harumi-shi.

Kaji Hisakatsu smiled wryly, "That would be perfect. Out of consideration for family ties, we can't just kick them out, but if they stay in Sakai, they'll probably only keep causing trouble!"

At this moment, Harumi Ujitaka is being locked in a small room in the Magistrate's Office for "reflection".

Kaji Hisakatsu led Shinzaburo inside, gave him a stern reprimand, explained the whole story, and instructed him: "This Lord Kubo Genban is currently the most famous 'recluse' in the Kinai region. You should learn from him!"

Then he left alone.

Shinzaburo smiled, sat down gently, and said calmly, "From now on, I entrust everything to you. I hope we can create a great enterprise together."

Judging from his appearance, Qinghai Shigao was a melancholy and sorrowful artistic youth. He wasn't particularly tall, but he was strong and well-proportioned, clearly someone who had been trained for a long time. However, he had obviously not groomed himself for several days; his hair was loose and his beard was messy, making him look disheveled and dejected.

After hearing Shinzaburo's words, the man nodded weakly and said, "That's all we can do. I am very grateful to Lord Kubo Genban for not abandoning me."

Clearly, he had only accepted reality with resignation, but he was still very unwilling to accept it.

Shinzaburo wants to recruit people who can fight bravely; the current situation won't do.

Fortunately, I had prepared my answer beforehand, and I immediately spoke without hesitation: "I heard about the fight you had with the townspeople a few days ago. It certainly caused a lot of trouble."

Upon hearing this, Harumi-shitaka's expression darkened. After a moment of silence, he spoke in a low but firm tone: "I have asked the high monks in the nearby temples and shrines, the elders among the merchants, and the Magistrate, and no one has said that there is a rule prohibiting outsiders from working in the town. If that is the case, then the local people forming a 'revolt' and privately collecting one-third of the wages is illegal."

“Well said!” Shinzaburo nodded in appreciation: “Not only does he have his own judgment on right and wrong, but he also knows to consult relevant people. He has thought things through to this extent, surpassing most people.”

"Huh?" Harumi-shitaka was stunned by these words, and after a long while, he stammered, "My lord... Lord Kubo Genban, do you... do you think I am not wrong?"

"Haha..." Shinzaburo couldn't help but smile, shaking his head and laughing, "It seems your confidence just now was all an act. You don't actually dare to say you're not wrong, do you?"

"This..." Qinghai's face showed a mixture of resentment and helplessness: "Since everyone is criticizing me, I can only reflect on whether my personality is too strange..."

“There’s nothing strange about it,” Shinzaburo said with certainty. “It’s only natural to question things we disagree with. However, we should still learn more about the background and the whole story before making a decision.”

"Is that so..." Harumi-shitaka seemed to be thinking, and after a moment of silence, he bowed and said, "I have heard that Lord Kubo Genban is a wise and brave general of Tanba. Please do not hesitate to teach me!"

“No need for formalities.” Shinzaburo waved his hand calmly: “On the surface, this matter is that five thousand people around Sakai Town formed a ‘revolt’ and arbitrarily levied one-third of the taxes on laborers from other areas without the permission of temples, shrines, merchants, and magistrates.”

"..." Qinghai bent over and lay motionless on the ground, not in a hurry to express his opinion.

He clearly understood that there was more to the story.

Shinzaburo nodded to himself upon seeing this.

Although this person is straightforward and honest, he is not stupid and possesses basic patience.

Then Shinzaburo continued, "However, what's strange is that temples, shrines, merchants, and even the magistrate all tacitly allow the local people to 'act recklessly.' Why is that?"

Harumi sighed and said, "I really can't figure it out. Please enlighten me, Lord Kubo Genban."

"I wouldn't presume to offer any answers, but I do have some thoughts," Shinzaburo said with a smile. "As the wealthiest place in Japan today, Sakai Town is practically rolling in money every day. It's bound to attract the covetous eyes of petty villains, right?"

“Of course,” Qinghai Shi Gao said without hesitation, “So the merchants dug a moat four zhang wide, built a wall fifteen chi high, and hired hundreds of arquebusiers as guards.”

"Is that enough?" Shinzaburo asked. "Do you think Sakai Town is already impregnable?"

Qinghai began to ponder, remaining silent.

Shinzaburo waited a moment before continuing, "First, it's easy to dodge a spear in the open but hard to guard against an arrow in the dark. Merchants and monks in Sakai Town don't have the energy to constantly distinguish whether there are spies among those coming and going. However, the local people can deter those with ill intentions by keeping an eye on the migrant workers."

“This…” Qinghai hesitated, “What you said makes sense, but… but…”

Before the other party could respond, Shinzaburo immediately added the following lines: "Secondly, if a large army were to invade, the moat, the castle walls, and the guards alone would still be insufficient. More than ten years ago, several thousand Kii rebels attempted to plunder the city, but the local people bravely fought to help them, which is how Sakai Town was kept intact."

"Ah..." Harumi was speechless with surprise.

Shinzaburo said leisurely, "It is said that two or three hundred villagers died in that battle. Their descendants' demand for a monopoly on labor in Sakai Town doesn't seem unreasonable."

Harumi sighed and said, "If that's the case, why not write the rules down clearly?"

Shinzaburo laughed and said, "What if the local people become emboldened after it's written down and stop focusing on defending Sakai Town?"

Qinghai frowned, and after a moment said, "The rights and responsibilities of both parties should be clearly stated, allowing the nearby people to form a 'revolt' to monopolize labor, and requiring them to assist at all times."

“I’m afraid that won’t work.” Shinzaburo still smiled slightly. “Only a lord and his subjects can enter into such a contract. Does Sakai-cho intend to declare itself the lord of the surrounding people?”

“Ah…” Harumi-shitaka hesitated for a long time before slowly nodding and saying, “Lord Kubo Genban is right. I did indeed act without thinking.”

“That’s not entirely true,” Shinzaburo added. “It’s always right to stop them from beating outsiders too violently. But as for other things, it’s best to just let it go for now.”

"Thank you for your guidance." Harumi bowed sincerely, then immediately fell into a new doubt: "Back then, when I accused a senior retainer of the Hojo clan of accepting lavish gifts from merchants, was I perhaps too inconsiderate?"

“It’s not convenient to comment on that.” Shinzaburo shook his head frankly, adopting an upright and dignified attitude: “How can I make a conclusion about something I don’t understand? Although I have some guesses in my mind, I can’t just talk nonsense to show off my intelligence.”

“Indeed!” Harumi-shitaka nodded vigorously, his face showing complete acceptance. “I should also follow Lord Kubo Genban’s example and refrain from making hasty judgments about things I do not yet understand!”

Shinzaburo turned around, stood with his hands behind his back, and smiled without saying a word.

117 Two Special Talents

After a long and eloquent debate, the wandering man from Kanto, Qinghai, was completely convinced and utterly convinced.

Then he asked, "What does Lord Kubo Genban need me to do?"

Shinzaburo replied, "My current duty is to protect the mines under the jurisdiction of Tada Copper Mining Company, but soon I may have to join the battle to suppress a rebel group that has seized the imperial estate."

Upon hearing this, Qinghai Shigao's eyes lit up, and he nodded repeatedly, saying, "This is precisely the duty of a member of the martial family. I am willing to be your soldier!"

Shinzaburo laughed and said, "Of course you'll have your chance to show your skills! Right now, I'm worried that I don't have enough strength to quell the rebellion, so I came to the bustling Sakai town to see if I can find a reliable ronin."

Harumi pondered for a moment, then shook his head and said, "Lord Kubo Genban may be disappointed. Although Sakai Town is not lacking in skilled ronin, most of them have accepted the recruitment of merchants and temples and become 'Yoshiki-bang' types. The rest are mostly just mediocre."

Shinzaburo thought to himself, "Actually, right now, I don't even have enough mediocre samurai under my command."

But it's not easy to say those words out loud.

Just as he was pondering how to express his meaning, Harumi Ujitaka suddenly thought of something, his eyes lit up, and he excitedly raised his head and said, "I have two friends who are both very skilled in arquebusiers, but their identities are somewhat special, and they are not accepted by the wealthy merchants and high monks of Sakai Town. But with Lord Kubo Genban's magnanimity, he would never care about such trivial matters."

"Birthplace?" Shinzaburo thought to himself that in this chaotic Warring States period, being able to fight was the only way to win, and being obsessed with family background was just plain stupid.

Moreover, I've never heard of merchants and monks in Sakai Town looking down on people from poor families.

Shinzaburo asked in confusion, "May I ask who these two people you mentioned are?"

Qinghai sighed and said with a wry smile, "One of them is a southern barbarian who admires Japanese culture and wants to settle here; the other is someone who was pursued by enemies in Tang China and fled here."

This is even stranger.

Shinzaburo shook his head in bewilderment: "The southern barbarians have their own 'Qiezhidan' church for protection, why do they need to be accepted by wealthy merchants and monks? As for visitors from Tang China, there is no reason for them to be ostracized in Japan."

Qinghai explained carefully: "These two friends are in rather strange circumstances. The southern barbarian said he wanted to break away from the Qiezhidan and convert to Buddhism, which angered his own church, but he was not taken in by any monks. As for the visitor from Tang, he... um... he is neither male nor female, but what is called... a person with a physical disability."

It turned out to be the case.

That's truly amazing.

Whether it was the southern barbarians converting to gods and Buddhas or eunuchs fleeing overseas, these were extremely rare occurrences.

What are the reasons for this?

Shinzaburo pressed for details, and Harumi Ushitaka looked somewhat embarrassed, but still offered an explanation.

The southerner, named Vega Garcia, was a gunman on a merchant ship. He had no interest in beautiful women, preferring only men, which was unacceptable to the "Cheshigan" (Chinese). After arriving in Japan, he heard that the local temples and shrines did not oppose the "Buddhist religion," so he gladly wanted to convert, but was refused.

The visitor from Tang China was named Meng Peiyu. He was formerly a eunuch in the Great Meng Dynasty and had served in the military, so he was knowledgeable about various firearms. Later, he lost the struggle and his patron fell from power, so he had no choice but to pack his belongings and escape on a smuggling ship.

Because of their social status, these two individuals were not well-received by the merchants and monks of Sakai Town.

But Qinghai Shigao didn't think it was a big deal.

He said with great confidence, "Although the ways of the 'Many Paths' are not the proper path, if it is consensual and not forced, then it is acceptable. It is unreasonable for Qiezhidan to prohibit it outright. As for physical defects, they are not a big deal. As long as the mind is still sound, one is no different from an ordinary person."

Shinzaburo laughed and said, "It seems you think these two are trustworthy."

Harumi nodded and said, “During my time in Sakai, I have witnessed the power of firearms and hoped to learn from them, but I was repeatedly turned away. Only these two friends were willing to teach me. Moreover, although they are somewhat eccentric, they have never committed any crimes and have been looked down upon by others, but they have never been angry about it. Such people are certainly trustworthy.”

After a moment's thought, Shinzaburo made his decision: "If you can persuade these two to come to me, I will welcome them with all my heart."

……

Next, Shinzaburo followed Harumi Ujitaka to a small house near the port, where he met Vig Garcia, a southern barbarian who had just climbed out of the belly of a male prostitute.

This person is not very tall, has a dark complexion, black hair and black eyes, well-defined facial features, and slightly curly hair. He has a typical Latino appearance, and his ancestral lineage must be quite extensive.

Qinghai spoke up, saying he could introduce her to a stable job so she wouldn't waste her days here.

Navigator Garcia, his enthusiasm waning, nodded reluctantly and said in a very strange tone, "Having work to do is certainly not bad. But the real problem now is, I have given up on God and have not received the Buddha's care, what will happen after I die?"

There was nothing Qinghai could do about this.

But Shinzaburo said it wouldn't be a big problem: "My wife's uncle is a high-ranking monk of the Daitoku-ji school of the Rinzai sect. As long as he gives the word, it will be easy for you to convert to Zen."

Wiegard Garcia was somewhat bewildered after hearing this: "Rinji sect? Daitoku-ji school? Is this an independent religious order?"

Shinzaburo didn't waste any time explaining, and pointed southeast: "Nanso-ji Temple next to Sakai-cho belongs to the Daitoku-ji branch of the Rinzai sect."

"Oh!" Vig Garcia was immediately delighted. "Owning such a large temple complex must mean you're a very powerful faction! If you can help solve this problem, I'd be happy to go to the battlefield as a mercenary. It would be even better if I could acquire land and become a lord in the future. The country's firearms technology isn't very advanced right now, but I can show you some real technology!"

As expected of Europeans, even though they came to Sakai and learned Japanese, they didn't understand the fake politeness of East Asians at all.

Anyway, at least one was finally settled.

Then, following Harumi-shitaka through a maze of twists and turns, they arrived at a house on a slightly elevated spot in the northern part of Sakai-cho, where they met the Tang Dynasty visitor named Meng Peiyu.

This person must have entered the palace at a young age. He still looks like a handsome young man whose gender is hard to discern, and his voice has a delicate and clear quality that is different from that of a man.

Harumi made his intention to recruit Qinghai very direct.

Meng Peiyu hesitated for a moment, then bowed slightly and asked, "May I ask... what are your thoughts on those of us with physical disabilities, Lord Kubo Genban?"

What's there to say about this...?

Shinsaburo was at a loss for words. After thinking it over, he suddenly remembered a widely circulated article he had read online in his previous life, "Ode to the Eunuch Party," which was very suitable for today's situation.

After carefully considering his words, he said with great emotion: "In the Han Dynasty, Marquis Cai invented papermaking, passing on knowledge and making a contribution that will last for thousands of years; in the Tang Dynasty, Duke Yang Guo conquered the south, and was invincible in every battle; in the Ming Dynasty, Eunuch Zheng He sailed the seas, his power reaching distant lands and his name resounding throughout the world. Why should a person with great ambitions care about physical disabilities?"

Meng Peiyu stood there stunned for a long time, tears welling up in his eyes. He solemnly bowed and said, "With your words, my lord, dying on the battlefield for you would be a worthy death!"

The southern barbarian, Vig Garcia, completely misunderstood and asked Qinghai Shigao, "What... what does Lord Kubo Genban mean?"

Qinghai was also confused and couldn't explain it clearly.

Shinzaburo smiled and said to them, "That's why you still need to read more books and improve your knowledge!"

118 Everyone loves the rural sages

After reaching a cooperation agreement, the next step is to discuss the commission issue.

Wigg Garcia, as a former sailor, earned a salary of forty or fifty strings of cash a year. Meng Peiyu, when he was an official, earned even more, both openly and secretly.

Of course, they all agreed that times have changed and that kind of treatment could not continue.

Sailors' high salaries were to compensate for their harsh working conditions, while in the Ming Dynasty's officialdom, there were shady "fees." Making a living in the chaotic Warring States period through personal ability was naturally different.

Meng Peiyu was rather indifferent, saying that as long as he could serve a wise ruler who knew how to recognize and utilize talent, salary was not a problem.

But the southern barbarian Wigg Garcia did not understand the subtlety of the Easterners and clearly expressed his desire for better treatment.

Finally, they came up with a straightforward solution.

That is, a small round bamboo tray with a diameter of about one foot was hung at a distance of 25 rooms (about 45 meters) as a target, and the iron cannon was fired 25 times. The number of shots hit was the amount of cash the annual salary would be.