Chapter 25: Building Merchant Ships, Bounty from the Sea

Ōigawa Port – Isshiki Masataka

1561. Fall.

“Sorry for asking you this so suddenly, Hikogorō.”

“Please, don’t be, my lord! If anything, as the Water Magistrate, I am honored that you chose to pick up Hisa-sama by the sea route!”

There was a good reason why I came here, to the Ōigawa Port. Even after I thought of plenty of safety measures, the journey from Ōigawa to Okazaki was simply too far. Especially considering that I’d have to traverse through the territory that Motoyasu had effectively controlled—western Mikawa.

I considered ordering Rakudo to deploy the Sakae in a bunch of places and bring enough troops with me, but there was a great chance that it’d provoke Mikawa’s lords who were still wavering to pick a side between Imagawa and Matsudaira instead.

Not only was it too unrealistic, considering the complications it’d bring in the future, I concluded that it was too risky to proceed with that plan. When I was wondering what to do, I saw Hikogorō delivering the fish to the castle, and that was when a stroke of brilliance hit me.

If the land route was a no go, what about the sea route? Of course, compared to the 2021’s modern ships, the ships they were using in this era were flawed, but the merchants had done their best to suppress the number of accidents when boarding those ships.

Also, considering my position as the castle lord, it shouldn’t be a bad idea to try those ships out.

“I see. Anyway, where’s Kureishiya?”

“I believe Shōbei-dono is over there, on that ship, my lord.”

“Got it. Sorry for interrupting your work.”

I parted ways with Hikogorō, who bowed to me as I did, and headed to where Kureishiya was. The ship was one of his company’s ships that would take our entourage to Mikawa’s Yoshida Port—a sekibune¹A medium-sized warship of this period. Its role in a fleet is like a cruiser, a ‘multi-purposes vessel’ of sorts. Pictures below..

“Oho, if it isn’t Masataka-sama!”

“Sorry for the trouble, Shōbei. Asking you to send a boat to Mikawa out of nowhere like this.”

“No need, no need! We’re planning to go to Kyōto for business too! We’re just making one more stop along the way, it’s no big deal!”

Shōbei was a merchant, so he acted more casually with me compared to my retainers. I didn’t mind it, of course, especially when the thing that connected us was a simple common interest.

“But, how will you return? If you choose to return by the sea, I can arrange for someone to pick you up.”

“Then, I’ll leave that matter to you. Whatever arrangement you have, I’m sure Hisa-sama will be pleased.”

“Alright! Take care, though, it’s this time of the year already, it’s gotten a little colder.”

Shōbei’s belly jiggled as he laughed. You could see how well off he was from that.

After we chatted for a bit more, Michifusa approached us from behind, followed by the men he assigned as escorts.

“Is everything ready?”

“Yes, my lord. We’re all ready to depart.”

“Good. Alright, Kureishiya, I’ll be in your care.”

“Understood! The goods we’re bringing along will make it feel a little cramped, but please make yourself comfortable!”

Shōbei then took me on the ship and guided me to the room assigned for me. From what I could see, they had modified the ship quite a bit. It was more comfortable than the usual sekibune.

Apparently, they used this room to do business meetings and such, so it wasn’t a wonder that it was so great.

“I still didn’t expect that you’d choose to go by the sea, my lord…”

“Considering everything, I don’t think this is something that surprising. Motoyasu also said that he’s ready to pick us up at Yoshida Port. Besides, going by the sea is safer. The fleet is well guarded by the Kureishiya men, and even accompanied by several kobaya²Small warship of this period. Its purpose is for raiding, scouting, any tasks that requires swift mobility on the water. Picture below. and other ships. Not only that, each of the ships is armed, and on top of that, we’re led by someone who’s used to traverse by the sea route. Really, it can’t be any more safer than this.”

“…After hearing all that, I can see why you think going by the sea is safer than by the land.”

Well, as long as the ship didn’t sink on the way or anything, we should be fine. The fleet was strong enough to fend the pirates that roamed the water around this area.

I’d been a little worried about getting attacked by pirates, but that didn’t end up happening and we arrived at Yoshida Port safely.

As Motoyasu had said, someone was there to pick us up at the port, and it was none other than Sakai Tadatsugu.

Considering that he was the one who delivered the marriage proposal to me in the first place, he was probably treated like someone who was in charge of the matter.

“We’ve been waiting for you. Please let me express my pleasure for your safe arrival. Although, I never expected you’d come by the sea.”

“Is that so? That aside, thank you for the welcome.”

“Please, there is no need to thank me. The lord and Ohisa-sama are waiting for you in Okazaki. Will you let me escort you to the castle now?”

The distance from Yoshida Port to Okazaki Castle wasn’t that far. Honestly, I was a little excited to see Hisa-sama again after so long.

Sekibune:

Kobaya: