Nagahama, Omi Province.
Upon receiving news from Masamoto that the Grand Hall of Ceremonies was complete, I headed to that place...
Near the shore of Lake Biwa, there was an enclosed area of 80,000 square meters, constructed from compacted mud.築地塀Tsuijibei
It measures approximately 400 meters from east to west and approximately 200 meters from north to south.
The wall, constructed to form a rectangle, was about 10 meters high.
A wall built using the rammed earth method, with a wooden framework erected on a stone foundation.
A uniform roof made of wood and tiles was placed on top of it, giving it a neat appearance.
These walls, which have been used for the residences of court nobles and temples since ancient times in Japan, stand majestically, as if guaranteeing the status of the buildings within.
To enter the vast space surrounded by the earthen wall, one must pass through the gates located on each of the four cardinal directions: east, west, north, and south.
The eastern gate was called [name] and was built in a style known as [style].春麗門Shunreimon薬医門Yakuimon
Behind the two main pillars are supporting pillars, and a gable roof sits on top of them.
As with the other gates, the roof tiles placed along the edge of the roof had the Asai family crest burned into them.
The West Gate is called the Yakui Gate, and like the Shunrei Gate, it is a Yakui Gate.錦秋門Kinshumon
However, what sets it apart from the eastern gate is that the gate itself is painted with red lacquer.
It is a gate that opens onto the shore of Lake Biwa, so naturally, few people will pass through it.
The South Gate is called [name of gate] and takes the form of [type of gate].夏瑶門Kayoumon四脚門Customers
A gate was positioned between two main pillars, and supporting pillars stood on all four sides, surrounding it.
The columns are joined together, and a structure is built that serves to transfer the load of the roof and other structures to the columns.頭貫headless斗栱Today
It was quite formal and magnificent.
It is called the North Gate and is one of the largest gates .冬宮門Tokyumon二重門Twenty-one
It is a two-story building, with tiled roofs on each floor.
There were three doors, and the framework of the doors was embedded with roof tiles of various sizes, each bearing the Asai family crest.
And to the north, where the Winter Palace Gate is located, stands the imposing and magnificent Grand Hall of Ceremonies, which was recently constructed.
"Well, this is... quite something..."
A tour of Nagahama accompanied by Ichihime and Haruhime.
The building was so magnificent that Naotsune, who was accompanying them, couldn't help but let out a gasp of admiration.
The main hall consisted of a central structure with nine bays in the front and five bays on the sides .寝殿造Shinden construction
Originally, Shinden-zukuri referred to the architectural style of residences used by high-ranking aristocrats who lived in Kyoto during the Heian period.
The house's structure is like an inverted U-shape, and it basically comes as a set with a garden featuring a pond on the south side.
However, no pond has been dug in the main hall; instead, a vast, empty garden covered with pure white gravel stretches out before you.
This magnificent main hall is not the only structure standing within the space surrounded by the earthen wall.
Several mansions stand beside the Xiayao Gate to the south.
That area is the living quarters for the maids who assist us in our daily lives, and I imagine the number of residents will gradually increase from here on out.
And to the west—near the Kinshumon Gate—there was a building that, compared to the Daireiden Hall, was smaller, but also had a Shinden-zukuri style exterior.
A pond has been dug here, fed by water from Lake Biwa , and a bridge has been built to an artificial island floating in the pond.釣殿Tsuridono
"...These are the facilities of the Nagahama Imperial Palace that have now been completed."
Masamoto, who was giving me, Ichihime, and Haruhime and Naotsune a tour of the facilities, wiped the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand and said:
What he meant by the Nagahama Imperial Palace was, in other words, the palace built around the main hall...
It refers to a space enclosed by a Tsukiji wall.
"And this will be your brother's new home."
Masamoto said this, wiping the sweat from his forehead with the back of his hand.
The problem with good looks is that they can do anything and still look good.様Summer
"This residence on the Kinshumon side was built according to your brother's wishes. The furnishings for your wife and Mr. Takenaka have already been delivered, and you can move in immediately."
After saying all that, this highly capable finance and administrative bureaucrat fell silent for a moment before looking me directly in the eye.
"No, actually, I think it would be better if you moved from Sugawa Castle to this residence starting today."
He said this not only to me, but also to Naotsune, who was accompanying us.
"It would be rather embarrassing for the leader of northern Omi to continue living day to day in a vassal's castle. Of course, I am grateful to Lord Endo, I am grateful, but... that is a separate matter."
That's quite sudden.
However, what Masamoto said was quite reasonable and realistic.
Currently, we are at Sugawa Castle, but that's because we left Odani Castle, which was temporarily occupied by the Asakura family.
In short, right now I'm like a rootless weed, lacking my own independent foundation.
Sugawa Castle is Naotsune's base, not mine.
In short, Masamoto is telling me to quickly create my own space.
"But I feel bad about that towards Naotsune..."
I involuntarily turned to look at the face of my one and only loyal retainer, and hesitated to speak.
"We've built a new house, so we're saying goodbye"—that's simply not something that can be allowed.
Given the deep help I've received up until now, I think I should definitely follow the proper procedures before moving—
"I suppose Lord Masamoto is right."
--Naotsune nodded deeply, as if it were the most obvious thing in the world.
"My castle can only offer you a simple residence. However, you are a falconer who has achieved great feats of falconry... My castle's residence is no longer suitable for you."
Naotsune said that and looked at me.
"Now that such a magnificent mansion has been built, there is absolutely no need for the lord to remain in Sugawa. People should live where they belong; that is the natural order of things..."
"...Understood"
I nodded.
It seems I'm destined to put an end to the extraordinary circumstances that have continued for so long since the Odani Castle Incident.
"But, Naotsune"
"teeth..."
"I will never forget the days I spent at Sugawa Castle. Naotsune, it is because of you that I am standing here today."
"Those words are more than I deserve...!"
Naotsune said this with great effort, tears streaming down his face.
"I, Naotsune, will remain loyal to my lord no matter where he may be...!"
"I know, I know... I know you are my one and only loyal retainer."
I gently took his tightly clenched right fist with both hands, loosened the tension in his fingers, and said as I held it in my hand:
"The urban development of Nagahama will now begin in earnest. But the fact that we've been able to get this far is largely due to your patronage. No one would deny that."
"..."
"We must properly reward Naotsune for his service. I will have a residence built here in Nagahama, so you can use it along with Sugawa Castle. Please continue to support me by my side... I'm counting on you."
As I gently patted Naotsune's shoulder, who was sobbing, Masamoto smoothly and naturally stepped to stand beside me.
"Brother, I need to talk to you about that matter."
Masamoto said, showing consideration for Naotsune.
"The construction of the 'Nagahama Palace,' including the Grand Hall, is complete for the time being, but Nagahama Castle is still not finished. That said, I think you should consider improving the townscape as soon as possible. Oh, and also... regarding the procedures for when you, brother, want to hire a zashiki-warashi in the future—"
"ah..."
It seems that even though they're moving to a new place to live...
It seems they don't give you much time to rest.
◆
Is it because of the time of year, or is it due to the climate in Nagahama...?
The nights in June retained the heat of the day, and were mild, though not necessarily muggy.
"...Haa"
It was already 8 PM.戌dog
Just a moment ago, Masamoto and I were having a detailed discussion inside the mansion.
After having dinner with me, Masamoto left the mansion in high spirits, but...
In contrast, I'm so exhausted that I've collapsed onto the floor.
There are many decisions to be made, and many things to worry about.
The completion of the construction of the Grand Hall in Nagahama was a good thing in every sense of the word.
This would also serve as an unveiling of the Grand Hall, and by having the Zashiki-warashi perform rituals and performances in which they act as the rulers, their employment could be justified.
This would allow for smoother cooperation with the people of Tomokuni Village, and it might even make it possible to secure their firearms and iron-making technology.
Alternatively, it might become possible to provide official support to the Takamine Party.
But the problem is—
(How am I supposed to cut off the north...?)
—They were in the position that Nobunaga had requested of the Asai family.
In the tripartite alliance formed between the Oda and Tokugawa families, the Asai family was expected to subdue the various families in the north.
However, the northern part of Omi Province—Wakasa Province and Echizen Province—was under the control of the Asakura family.
Ichijōdani, the core of the Asakura family, was economically prosperous, and the population of Echizen Province was extremely large.
(To begin with, expecting half of Omi Province to take on the entire provinces of Wakasa and Echizen... that's just ridiculous.)
Nobunaga probably thinks I'm capable of doing it.
However, I think that's impossible.
I am, after all, just an ordinary person—and it was quite difficult to imagine myself governing such a vast territory.
"Lord Nagamasa..."
Seeing me lying on the floor with a pained expression on my face, Ichihime approached me quietly, looking worried.
I was aware of it, but I couldn't give a proper reaction.
(I don't want to think about anything anymore today... There were just too many things I had to think about and decide.)
Here's why:
The first thing Masamoto proposed was the development of the town, including the housing for his retainers.
"Brother... whether Nagahama prospers or not depends entirely on the initial actions taken."
My younger brother spoke with the same passionate intensity as the summer sun.
However, the reason I felt a refreshing rather than sweaty smell was probably due to his appearance.
"We are planning to construct Nagahama Castle just south of this 'Nagahama Palace.' This is intended so that in times of emergency, my brother can quickly travel from this residence to the castle..."
With that, he showed me the map of the territory, which he said he had meticulously designed with Tanaka Yoshimasa and the three generals of Akaumi Ume.
According to this, it seems that Nagahama Castle will adopt this design.梯郭式Teikakushiki
Simply put, this style involves placing the main keep at the edge of the castle grounds and surrounding it with baileys.
The terraced layout could only be adopted if there was a natural fortification such as a lake, pond, or mountain range behind the main keep, and it was a style that could only be used because it bordered Lake Biwa.
According to Masamoto, he planned to place and submerge stone walls even in Lake Biwa, allowing ships to enter and exit directly through sluice gates installed within the castle grounds.
I was worried about whether the budget would be sufficient, but since he's a finance bureaucrat and is leading the project, it's probably fine.
And it appears that part of that financial base lies in the silkworm farming factory that has already begun operations.
Incidentally, Masamoto had some of the silk that had just started being produced at the factory hidden in his pocket, and he even showed us the actual material.
"Although silk production is still in a transitional phase... Kyoto's kimono merchants are quick to notice and have already placed many orders."
From my time, the raw silk that Masamoto showed me was of poor quality, probably only second or third grade.
But still... this is silk, and in the age of warring states, it is the most precious thing of all.
To begin with, even if something is of second-grade or lower quality by modern standards, whether it would be considered that way in the Sengoku period is a completely different matter.
In fact, Masamoto's face gleamed with respect for me for bringing up the idea of a silkworm farm, and with pride in the quality of the silk he held in his hands.
In this world, it would probably be considered a high-quality item.
"Therefore, first we need to develop a commercial district centered around silkworm farms. People will gather if the town prospers, so how much we can promote this will be crucial."
According to him, merchants from Kyoto and Sakai have been requesting to set up shops there for business transactions.
In terms of supply and demand, demand is currently overwhelmingly in excess.
Considering the future finances of the Asai family, this was undoubtedly very good news.
"Furthermore, we must also proceed with the settlement of our retainers in parallel with that."
Masamoto said, pointing to a map of Nagahama.
"Until now, our retainers have been in their territories, and our soldiers have been semi-farming. However, given the current situation, it would be best to be able to quickly mobilize our officers and soldiers. We also have mercenaries like foot soldiers. How we can keep them in Nagahama...that will be a major driving force for the development of the castle town."
Watching him effortlessly spout such highly rational and enlightened ideas, it's almost frightening how brilliant he is.
In short, what Masamoto is proposing is a combination of policies aimed at centralization and the development of a new capital...
Conversely, this is moving in the direction of bringing about transformation in the existing social structure.
It seems that Masamoto basically wanted to build samurai residences around the Nagahama Imperial Palace, and he had a proposed location for them.
The complex of facilities, centered around the main hall and surrounded by a mud wall, is connected to the outside world by four gates on the east, west, north, and south sides.
Of these, the South Gate was planned to connect directly to Nagahama Castle, and the West Gate to the shore of Lake Biwa, so the North and East Gates were the ones that presented the problem.
It's a universal truth in any era: the closer you get to the center of power, the higher your "honor" becomes.
In other words, the degree to which each samurai residence is adjacent to my location adds prestige or creates a hierarchy among the living spaces within it.
And so, while we were going back and forth about allocating land for the residences of the senior retainers and prominent vassals, and determining the size of each plot, it got this late into the night.
"You look tired, Lord Nagamasa..."
"...Ahhh"
"Excuse me."
Ichihime sits down beside me, lifts my head, and gives me a lap pillow.
She smiled like a loving mother and gently stroked me with tenderness.
A peaceful and warm time that I wish would last forever.
Feeling a deep sense of peace, I gently stroked Ichihime's knee.
"Lord Nagamasa..."
"What is it?"
"I love you."
Unwavering eyes and a gentle voice.
Without a word, I turned around and buried my face in my wife's growing belly.
I'm certain that Ichihime wasn't looking for an answer from me; she was simply revealing her true feelings.
"It's warm..."
Thump, thump, the unseen life growing inside my wife's womb.
If you bury your face in it and listen carefully, you can feel its unmistakable breath.
It is a symbol of the bond between me and Ichihime, and it is the one who will pass on the traces of our lives to the next generation.
"I wish he would show his face soon..."
"Hehe..."
When I began talking to the baby in her womb, Ichihime must have felt an indescribable joy.
With a sigh of pure and beautiful peace, she ruffled my hair.
"...It's grown so much."
I can tell that the subject of those words is her stomach, and certainly not her breasts.
Ichihime's beautiful, large breasts have grown plumper and bigger due to her pregnancy, making me want to touch them right now...
It's the kind of love that makes you yearn for them.
"I would be happy if the baby is healthy..."
"It's okay."
I said to Ichihime and the child in her womb.
"He's my and the city's child. How could he not be happy?"
"Well... yes, that's right."
With a mischievous look on her face, Ichihime let out another sigh of happiness, relaxing her shoulders.
"Even half of your father's energy would be more than enough."
"Hey, Ichi... what do you mean by that?"
"That's exactly what it means. You could calm down a bit..."
As I lay on my back, my wife gently stroked my cheek and then softly pressed her lips against mine...
I became aware of the actions I had taken unconsciously and blushed.
"Well, since he's your child... he'll probably grow up to be very affectionate."
"Lord Nagamasa, you're being mean..."
I can't help but find my wife adorable when she pretends to be sulky and haughty.
I slowly sat up and placed my hands on Ichihime's cheeks.
Shyly, she gently closed her eyelids and hesitantly pouted her lips.
"i love you"
"The city too... hah..."
They pressed their lips together, exchanging each other's hot breaths.
Never entangle your tongues.
That's the rule that Ichihime and I have agreed upon when we kiss.
If they were to share a deep kiss, they would lose all reason and devour each other like animals.
That was because I was so certain of it.
"Lord Nagamasa... Lord Nagamasa..."
"city..."
"I adore you... More than anyone else in this world... Forever and ever..."
Ichihime presses her lips against mine without thinking, whispering words of love each time she takes a breath.
As I grasped her shoulders, as she clung to me with the innocent charm of a young girl, I looked at her beautiful face and asked her a question.
"Let's go to the bathhouse."
"Eh...? Ah..."
Ichihime's face exuded a lewd scent that hadn't been seen in a long time.
I took her hand and guided it to my crotch, and as I made her grasp my big sun which was starting to assert itself, I said:
"Let's take a bath together and talk about our love for each other."
"Oh... it's so big..."
Ichihime gripped my rigid penis through my kimono and rubbed it up and down, letting out a hot sigh.
"Tonight, the one who'll be sleeping next to me is... you, right?"
"yes..."
Ichihime lets go of Big Sun's hand and clings to him tightly.
I gently stroked her head, then lifted her up into my arms—and carried her in a princess carry towards our destination.