Ogawa Saburo Was Still an Honest Man!

The three-month deadline arrived in the blink of an eye.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo had originally planned to make a personal trip to Nagashima to give Shimotsuma Yorinari his "quarterly report," but unexpectedly, Shimotsuma Yorinari came to him instead.

Shimotsuma Yorinari arrived at Unuma Castle aboard a merchant ship. Through Horio Yoshiharu, "Ogawa Jiro," he found Yamauchi Kazutoyo, who was transferring lumber at the foot of Igi Mountain.

After buying lumber from Shichibē, they had opened up the trade route to Hida, so Yamauchi Kazutoyo increased his lumber purchases.

There was now someone in Owari Province desperately short of lumber: Oda Nobunaga of Kiyosu Castle.

At the start of July, Oda Nobunaga began constructing seven or eight wooden forts around Odaka Castle and Narumi Castle. Owari's lumber shortage was far too severe, so Tsushima merchants took the initiative to approach the Ogawa Band to purchase high-quality Hida lumber.

Owari Province produced very little high-quality lumber. The small amount available was concentrated in the northeastern mountains, and those areas were currently controlled by Oda Nobukiyo.

Saito Yoshitatsu of Mino likewise would not sell lumber to Oda Nobunaga, while lumber from Kii could not be shipped to Tsushima and Atsuta because Ise Bay had been sealed off. Thus, the merchants under Oda Nobunaga could only transport Hida lumber through the Ogawa Band.

"Lord Shimotsuma, what brings you here?"

"Look at this... You came without even notifying me in advance. I did not even have time to change clothes. How discourteous of me."

At the Igi Mountain docks, Yamauchi Kazutoyo was bare-chested as he carried lumber onto a ship.

Though he was the "leader" of the Ogawa Band, Yamauchi Kazutoyo handled everything personally and carried none of the airs of authority. Before long, he had become one with the rough laborers.

"What, am I not allowed to come?" Shimotsuma Yorinari narrowed his eyes, his gaze gradually settling on the mountain of lumber piled at the docks.

"This is not a place to talk. There is a tea room over there. Please, Lord Shimotsuma, come this way." Yamauchi Kazutoyo set down the lumber on his shoulder, and an Ogawa Band man beside him promptly took it up and continued carrying it aboard.

Shimotsuma Yorinari nodded and slowly followed behind Yamauchi Kazutoyo.

It was called a tea room, but it was really just a canopy made from several reed-woven curtains.

"There is no need for tea!" Shimotsuma Yorinari raised a hand to stop Yamauchi Kazutoyo. In a dump like this, there was surely no good tea to drink.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo sat down awkwardly. "May I ask what instructions Lord Shimotsuma has for coming here?"

"Two matters!"

The two warrior monks behind Shimotsuma Yorinari stepped forward, taking positions to Yamauchi Kazutoyo's left and right.

"First, three months have passed, yet the Ogawa Band does not appear to have fulfilled our prior agreement."

"Second, there have recently been rumors that the Ogawa Band has sold a great many goods to Tsushima. I am afraid that is rather hard to justify, is it not?"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo was not surprised by Shimotsuma Yorinari's interrogation.

Shimotsuma Yorinari had hoped that Yamauchi Kazutoyo would bring the entire Kiso River under control, but Yamauchi Kazutoyo had only operated around Inuyama Castle, falling far short of Shimotsuma Yorinari's expectations.

Moreover, Jodo Shinshu's aim was to monopolize river transport on the Kiso River and completely blockade Oda Nobunaga's Tsushima Harbor. Yet now, merchant ships entering and leaving Tsushima Harbor were instead becoming more numerous.

Shimotsuma Yorinari's visit was less an inspection of results than a mission to call someone to account.

"Lord Shimotsuma, you have truly wronged me here!"

"As you can see, in just three short months, our Ogawa Band has acquired more than forty ships. Counting the nearby fishermen who have joined us, we now have over a hundred men under our command."

"To have achieved this much in such a short time is already quite impressive."

Shimotsuma Yorinari nodded lightly. If the Ogawa Band had truly accomplished nothing, he would not have come in person.

Then Yamauchi Kazutoyo changed his tone. "But you also know that we have only just gained a foothold. Aside from Inuyama Castle, this area also has the Maeno family of Matsukura Castle. None of them are easy to provoke."

After hearing Yamauchi Kazutoyo's explanation, Shimotsuma Yorinari neither agreed nor disagreed.

After a moment of silence, Shimotsuma Yorinari continued, "Let us put the rest aside for now. Why have you allowed ships to pass through to Tsushima?"

"Because of money!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo replied. "Merchants profit by transporting goods to Tsushima, and our Ogawa Band profits by charging tolls. It is the same principle."

"These merchants are the parents who feed and clothe us. If we cut off their road to wealth, where would I collect money from?"

What a joke. More than seventy percent of the merchant ships traveling the Kiso River were headed to Tsushima for trade. If they blocked the route, what would the Ogawa Band eat?

Before Shimotsuma Yorinari could speak, Yamauchi Kazutoyo beckoned into the distance. Kichibē soon came over carrying an account book.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo set the ledger before Shimotsuma Yorinari. "Lord Shimotsuma, over these three months, we collected more than one thousand kan in tolls."

"After deducting the money needed by the Ogawa Band itself, five hundred kan of that is for Jodo Shinshu."

"Of course, I only wrote down two hundred kan in here. The other three hundred kan is specifically for you." Yamauchi Kazutoyo winked, wearing an expression that said they both understood without needing words.

Shimotsuma Yorinari's hand trembled as he hurriedly picked up the ledger and flipped through it.

After reading the accounts, Shimotsuma Yorinari found himself speechless.

If Yamauchi Kazutoyo had wanted to discuss hardship and difficulties with him, Shimotsuma Yorinari would not have had the slightest interest.

But when it came to money...

"Do not let it happen again!"

Shimotsuma Yorinari silently put away the ledger, then turned his gaze toward Yamauchi Kazutoyo. The meaning was obvious: where was the money?

Yamauchi Kazutoyo leaned forward and whispered into Shimotsuma Yorinari's ear, "Lord Shimotsuma, with your status, surely you would not be satisfied with merely these three hundred kan?"

Shimotsuma Yorinari's eyes narrowed. Licking his lips, he said, "What do you mean?"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo's eyes darted around in every direction, making him appear extremely cautious. "At present, our Ogawa Band controls the upper Kiso River around Inuyama Castle, but the Ibi River, the Nagara River, and even the more distant Hida River are beyond our strength."

"Just imagine it, Lord Shimotsuma. Inuyama Castle alone can bring you three hundred kan in profit. If the Ogawa Band were to seize all trade across the Kiso Three Rivers..."

Shimotsuma Yorinari took a deep breath and could no longer sit still. "What do you need me to do?"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo rummaged around in his robes for a moment before pulling out a document. "Please have a look, Lord Shimotsuma."

Shimotsuma Yorinari examined it for a while, unconsciously stroking his chin.

Written on the paper was a list of goods, detailing the merchandise sold throughout the Kiso Three Rivers. Hida lumber, paper from Fuwa District in Mino, ironware from Seki Castle, and so on—all sought-after goods that never lacked buyers.

"You can get your hands on these goods?" Shimotsuma Yorinari forcibly suppressed the stirrings in his heart.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo nodded. "I have signed an agreement with the Ando family of Mino, and the channels in Hida have also been secured. But the problem now is that I do not have that much capital."

"How much do you need?"

"The more, the better, naturally!" Yamauchi Kazutoyo answered. "At the very least, we need to prepare two thousand kan!"

Shimotsuma Yorinari's expression stiffened. "I cannot produce that much money."

"How could we possibly make you pay it all by yourself?"

Yamauchi Kazutoyo hurriedly explained, "There must be at least several dozen Jodo Shinshu temples of all sizes around the Kiso Three Rivers. Lord Shimotsuma only needs to have each temple contribute a little, and the money will be there."

"When the profits are divided, Lord Shimotsuma's share will not be one coin short. The other temples will gain benefits too, and they will surely think well of you."

"Then, when you return to Ishiyama Gobo, will your back not stand straighter as well?"

Shimotsuma Yorinari's eyes immediately lit up.

Jodo Shinshu had KPIs internally as well. He had been sent by Ishiyama Gobo to Owari and Ise precisely to revitalize the temple economy of Jodo Shinshu along the Kiso River basin.

If things truly went as Yamauchi Kazutoyo said, he could both give Ishiyama Gobo an answer and draw these local temples to his side, increasing his political leverage.

When the path for internal promotion opened in the future, would he, Shimotsuma Yorinari, not be one step ahead of the other temple officials?

"But this is no small sum. How can you expect me to entrust it to you with peace of mind?" Shimotsuma Yorinari did not agree at once. He had not reached this position by merely drawing breath.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo patted his chest. "Lord Shimotsuma, our Ogawa Band can make a living on the Kiso River only because of Jodo Shinshu's support. Even if I had the audacity to swallow the sky, I would never dare cheat you of your money!"

"I can still tell the difference between one full meal and being full meal after meal."

After considering it carefully, Shimotsuma Yorinari felt that was true enough.

The Kiso River was a treasure basin. Even at their current pace, the Ogawa Band could obtain two thousand kan within two years at most. They would not abandon a mountain of gold to kill the goose that laid golden eggs, would they?

Besides, after offending Jodo Shinshu, could this Ogawa Saburo still make a living on the Kiso River?

After lowering his head to ponder for a moment, Shimotsuma Yorinari chose caution and did not agree outright. Instead, he said, "I will not take these three hundred kan for now. Consider it my investment in you."

The old rule: when lending money, one could not call it a loan; it had to be called an investment.

"Next month, I will send someone to take a look. If the profits are truly substantial, I will inform the temples then."

Yamauchi Kazutoyo immediately said with overwhelming gratitude, "Rest assured, Lord Shimotsuma. Handing money to me, Ogawa Saburo, is absolutely a wise choice."

"Even if the business loses money, I will pay from my own pocket rather than let you suffer a loss!"

"Mm!" Shimotsuma Yorinari nodded in satisfaction. This Ogawa Saburo was indeed an honest man. Having gained benefits, he had not forgotten Shimotsuma Yorinari. His past support had not been wasted.

Thinking this, Shimotsuma Yorinari said with a smile, "You are quite good. When I return to Ishiyama Gobo, I will put in a good word for you before the Chief Priest."

"Many thanks, Lord Shimotsuma!"

"Take care, Lord Shimotsuma. Do come often when you have the time!"

After standing at the ferry crossing to watch Shimotsuma Yorinari depart, Yamauchi Kazutoyo could finally no longer conceal the smile on his face.

Once this job was done, he did not know whether Shimotsuma Yorinari would stand tall before Honganji Kennyo, but his own purse, Yamauchi Kazutoyo's purse, would certainly be filled to bursting.

"Lord Yama... Lord Ogawa, what has you so happy?" an Ogawa Band man passing by asked curiously.

Yamauchi Kazutoyo waved a hand. "Nothing. I merely remembered something pleasant."

"Be more careful, all of you. This batch of lumber has to reach Matsukura Castle before nightfall. Ogawa Shirō is already urging us again."

"Put your backs into it, everyone! Tomorrow, have Ogawa Jiro hand out miso and dried fish to everyone!"

"Oh!"

For a time, the place rang with cheers.

Whatever else could be said, following Lord Ogawa truly came with good treatment!

Not only did they get fish to eat every few days, but their daily rice balls even had pickled plums inside. Their lives were nearly as good as the village lords'!

"These days truly give a man something to look forward to!"