The name of the great swordsman begins in Okehazama.

Chapter 86 The Prosperity of the Retainers (Part 2)

The sunlight shines obliquely on the terraced fields at the foot of the mountain.

The thick snow piled on top looked like layers of cake.

In the distance, the torii gate of the Okuni Shrine has been erected, and the main hall is also taking shape.

There are eight small shrines on both sides of the main hall that have not yet been built; these were intended for deities to reside in when they visit.

Inside the castle tower of Iwamura Castle.

Looking at the new look of Yancun Town, Changqing proudly crossed his legs.

"My lord, you're back."

"I'll be leaving after the New Year, so I'll see how you all are doing! Hanbei, you've worked hard these past few days."

"Not at all." Takenaka Shigeharu walked in and stood beside him. "The rice terrace harvest should be good this year, and the shrine's progress is also in time for the year-end relocation ceremony. I've already heard about what happened to you in Kyoto, my lord."

"The news travels fast."

"That's what Lord Maeda said when he came back," Shigeharu Takenaka paused, "He also brought someone back with him."

"Ogasawara Nagatoki? He's been in Shinano for almost a year, hasn't he?"

"Yes, they just arrived this morning. They said they wanted to report to the lord on the results of the campaign in Shinano."

Changqing nodded: "Alright. We'll host a banquet tonight and invite Lord Toyama and Lord Sato as well."

As dusk fell, the main hall of the citadel was brightly lit.

Naoren Toyama was the first to arrive; he was still deeply disturbed by the death of Keinin Toyama.

Seeing that there were no unfamiliar samurai around, he felt relieved and entered.

"Toyama Naoren greets Lord Mori. Your prestige grows stronger every day—"

"Lord Toyama is too kind." Nagayoshi invited him to sit down. "You and the Sato family both contributed greatly to the Battle of Ise, and I will appropriately reduce your military service."

Toyama Naoren expressed his gratitude, saying, "We've fought several battles in the past few years, and our family's income has been insufficient to make ends meet. Since becoming your assistant, we've only fought one battle in the past year or two, and the harvest in our territory has improved. It's only right that I contribute."

"Yes!" Sato Tadanori followed in, stroking his beard. "My family is quite wealthy, and we are already very grateful to you, sir."

3

It seems that Hattori Haruyasu did a lot of work helping local lords manage their territories while he was away.

"Then I won't stand on ceremony; military service will remain unchanged."

Hattori Haruyasu and Takenaka Shigeharu smiled to themselves.

After several rounds of drinks, Ogasawara Nagatoki finally arrived.

He was busy integrating his old subordinates in Shinano and had not seen Nagayoshi for a year.

"My lord, I have not failed you in my year in Shinano."

Ogasawara Nagatoki took a roll of map from his pocket and unfolded it in front of Nagayoshi.

"This is a map of Shinano." He pointed to the marks on the map. "I have contacted the remaining retainers of the former Ogasawara clan. Once we attack Takeda, we can take the opportunity to start a rebellion."

Looking at the dense markings on the map, Nagayoshi nodded inwardly. Ogasawara Nagatoki, as expected of someone from Shinano Province, knew this land intimately.

"Alright." Changqing raised his wine glass. "This glass is for you."

Ogasawara Nagatoki was flattered and quickly presented the cup with both hands, saying, "Thank you, my lord!"

At that moment, Maeda Keiji came in from outside, carrying a large wooden box in his hands.

"My lord!" He placed the wooden crate on the ground with a dull thud. "The Great Nation Armor you requested is ready!"

Changqing's eyes lit up: "Open it and take a look."

Maeda Keiji opened the box and put the armor on the prepared lacquer stand.

The hem is made of black iron, with a square and majestic shape. In front of it is a reed made of pure gold, and above the reed, a setting sun made of red copper hangs in mid-air.

The armor, stomach, and testicles of the limbs were all black, gleaming dimly in the light.

Keiji carefully tucked the crimson tengu mask into his pocket, instantly transforming his entire suit of armor into something ferocious.

Legend has it that the first Great Tengu, Atago Yamataromaru, was also the guardian of the father god Izanagi.

"This—" Changqing walked over and gently stroked the "Great Power Armor".

Everyone praised it.

The armor was indeed imposing, but Changqing felt it was too fierce.

"My lord, would you like to give it a try?" Keiji suggested.

Changqing thought to himself: Since I intend to take advantage of the emperor's will, I might as well go all the way.

"Well done—but let's wait until the shrine is completed and the offering is made there for a while before making any further plans. Keiji, thank you for your hard work."

It wasn't until late at night that Naoki Toyama and Tadayoshi Sato took their leave.

After seeing them off, Changqing returned to Guangjian, where his retainers were still waiting for him.

Clearly, there were some things they couldn't say to the powerful clans.

Hattori Haruyasu, Takenaka Shigeharu, Maeda Keiji, Ogasawara Nagatoki, Honda Masanobu, Hineno Hironari, Ōmiya Dainojo, and Kana Saizo.

In the past two years, his retainers have grown in number.

"They're all gone, get to the point!"

Honda Masanobu rose and bowed: "My lord, the results of this year's land survey are in, and I would like to report them to you tonight."

Changqing nodded.

Honda Masanobu took an account book from his sleeve and presented it with both hands.

Changqing took it and opened it. The ledger was filled with dense records of the stone weight of every inch of land within the territory of Iwamura Castle.

"My lord's Iwamura Castle territory is worth 20000 koku (including the original 2000 koku of Takenaka)," Honda Masanobu said, pointing to the first page. "Adding the Akechi and Toki territories given by Lord Nobunaga, it comes to exactly 24000 koku."

"How much is it actually?" Changqing asked directly.

Honda Masanobu secretly rejoiced, "The entire Iwamura Castle territory contains a total of 28000 koku."

In less than a year, he still didn't know where these people got 4000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

"Zhengxin, thank you for your hard work." Changqing returned the account book to him. "You did a great job with the land survey."

Honda Masanobu accepted the account book: "My lord, you flatter me. This is my duty."

Changqing thought for a moment and said, "Bring me the list of all the household retainers."

Honda Masanobu was prepared and took out another booklet from his pocket.

Changqing glanced at them. He thought to himself, "It's almost New Year's, why not give these capable retainers some credit?"

Hattori Haruyasu, the magistrate of Iwamura Castle, received 2000 koku. He was also one of Nagayoshi's former subordinates. After Marume Nagayoshi left, Nagayoshi had always wanted to promote him to be his chief retainer.

Add 500 stones!

The lord of Daqing Castle, Takenaka Shigeharu, had a fief of 3000 koku, 2000 of which were originally his own. He made the greatest contribution to the governance of Iwamura Castle, but the construction of Daqing Castle also cost his family a considerable amount of money.

Changqing wrote a stroke of his pen and added 300 shi (a unit of dry measure)!

Maeda Keiji had a stipend of 1000 koku and accompanied him to the perilous battlefield during the Battle of Ise.

We need to add 300 stones.

其他家臣：小笠原长时500石、本多正信500石、日根野弘就500石、大宫大之丞400石、可儿才藏20石。

Ogasawara Nagatoki and Hineno Hiroshi already had considerable reputations and status, and now that they were wealthy, they had to show some sincerity.

Nagayoshi then appointed Hiroshi Hineno as the castle lord of Akechi Castle with a salary of 1000 koku, and Nagatoki Ogasawara as the castle lord of Toki Castle with a salary of 1000 koku.

Honda Masanobu was rewarded with 700 koku for his successful governance of the territory.

As for the Grand Chancellor and Kōji Saizō, they had no achievements to speak of, so they should just be given some New Year's money.

Despite such lavish spending, Changqing still had over 17000 shi (a unit of dry measure) of directly administered land.

The retainers were naturally overjoyed by this bestowal of rewards.

Hirono Hino and Nagatoki Ogasawara were moved to tears. Now they had their own territory, though not much, but at least it would give their old subordinates a place to stay.

"Hongjiu and Changshi, you are both loyal and righteous men. Quickly make proper arrangements for your families!"

The two quickly stated that they would leave the hostage in Iwamura.

Changqing raised an eyebrow slightly. Why would 1000 shi (a unit of grain) require hostages? It would make him seem petty.

"No need. You can send your children over when you each have your own fief of 10,000 koku. Takenaka and Chun'an will teach them military strategy and tactics so that they can continue the family line."

Changqing's words made the two even more grateful.

He suddenly recalled Hideyoshi's behavior and instructed, "Alright, alright, everyone, call your retainers here so I can get to know them. If you want to increase your stipend in the future, you'd better perform many merits for me!"