[Part 6/10]
The northern region of Fusō-kuni had a very ambiguous boundary line.
Apart from Fusō-kuni, the vast northern lands had no organized nations. Instead, there were a few Ezo tribes scattered across the region, each with a population ranging from a few dozen to a few thousand people at most. Additionally, there were Fusō settlers' villages, roaming bandit groups, numerous youkai dens, and the coastal enclave of the Eastern Trade Corporation, which served as an exiled imperial capital. The situation was so complicated that it was extremely difficult to establish clear national borders.
Well, perhaps that ambiguity was convenient for Fusō-kuni. After all, since its founding, Fusō-kuni had a history of incorporating and expanding its territory through a mix of diplomacy and subjugation of the surrounding small groups. Therefore, the fact that the boundaries of its sphere of influence were ambiguous was proof that there was still ample room for expansion.
...However, there was a specific northernmost land that undeniably belonged to Fusō-kuni.
Within that territory, there existed a province called Hyokai, known as the Land of the Frozen Sea, where several Ezo tribes coexisted. Its capital, Shiratomi, had a population of approximately 15,000 Fusō inhabitants, and with the addition of foreign residents for various reasons, the population would reach nearly 20,000. This city served as a bustling hub for ships arriving from both the continent and the 12 Big Ports (湊館) in Washinoki. Not only was it the capital city, but it also housed the Hokka Garrison, a specially trained military unit stationed there. Thanks to joint investments from the imperial court and wealthy merchants, the port facilities and city roads were well-developed and maintained.
In short, "This city is under the full control of the imperial court and thrives greatly through trade."
The main trading partners were mainly the various Ezo tribes and the Hokuteki (Northern barbarians) nomadic people from the continent. In most cases, they traded sea products such as salmon and herring for animal fur, continental horses, and dairy products. Occasionally, through the mountain trade, they would acquire artifacts from the mainland, such as those unearthed from Chūgen (central plains) or Koji (barbarian land). From Fusō-kuni, they sold crafts such as fans and folding screens, lacquerware, soap, textiles, chemicals, rice, salt, tea, soy sauce, and alcohol. They also engaged in the resale of spices and sugar imported from the southern region and Tenjiku (ancient India-like).
...It is also said that there is some secret trade in ironware, including swords, as well as youkai and human trafficking between certain merchants and tribes, but there is no confirmation.
Trade negotiations, contracts, and other business activities were conducted at a trading post located near the harbor, capable of accommodating dozens of anchored ships. This trading post served as the headquarters for a commercial association formed by the Tachibana Trading Company and local affluent merchants, acting as a central meeting point. Observing the constant hustle and bustle of people both inside and outside the building, it was evident that the prosperity of this place rivaled that of bustling metropolises located inland. The residents of the port city, Shiratomi, were deeply convinced of their own affluence.
However, even for them, they couldn't help but be unsettled by the guest they were attending this time.
"I understand that I am unfamiliar with the customs and circumstances of this land. Nevertheless, I would like to ask a question. I have heard that disputes with the various Ezo tribes, our trading partners, have been increasing recently. I would like to know what measures the trading post is considering regarding this matter," said a sweet, cute, and even childlike voice, echoing in the conference room where nearly a hundred people were gathered. Understanding the meaning of the question's content, the attendees exchanged troubled expressions and glanced at each other, then shifted their gaze to the top seat.
The voice belonged to a Nanban-like beautiful girl with honey-colored, vibrant golden hair, fair skin that exuded freshness and elasticity, and eyes that sparkled like jade. Her gentle smile made someone in the room mistakenly think that an innocent young lady had accidentally attended the meeting.
However, by recognizing the family crest engraved on her kimono and her elegant demeanor, any prejudices filled with such thoughts would be blown away.
"Miss Kayo Tachibana..."
Someone among the attendees murmured quietly.
Kayo Tachibana, the only daughter of the chairman of the Tachibana Trading Company, one of the top wealthy merchants in Fusō-kuni and ranked among the top three in overseas maritime trade. Her pointed out remark left the people in the room perplexed as to how to respond.
The joint assembly at the trading post took place once a week. It was an occasion for exchanging information, resolving disputes, making reservations for harbors, ships, horses, and inns, and discussing future business plans and fundraising. In this context, Kayo Tachibana was a complete guest and a distinguished person.
This young girl, a candidate for the next chairman of the Tachibana Trading Company, visited various branches of the company in the northern region. Despite her youth, she was known for being capable and skilled, which made the prominent merchants, store owners, and branch managers in Shiratomi wary. However, after spending a few days in the city, her demeanor became gentle, her attitude humble and peaceful, even seeming pure. And when she showed a radiant smile that accentuated her beauty, it was enough to dissolve any sense of wariness.
As a result, the influential figures in the city entertained her with utmost courtesy for three days and nights. They proudly explained the details of the city and its trading, and on the day before she was to leave the city, they summoned her to a meeting at the association's office. It was a gathering held strictly for formalities, with her being a decorative guest. However... that was precisely why the words she uttered at the end of the meeting caught them completely off guard.
"Well, well... This is quite a sudden request, Miss Kayo," said the owner of a local big store, the first to recover from the silence, while wearing a wry smile. He showed an attitude as if responding to a child's prank.
"I apologize, Lord Tensho-ya," Kayo replied to the wealthy merchant, "but it would be inappropriate for us to conclude our discussion without addressing this matter, especially considering the gracious hospitality I have been shown over the past three days." She spoke directly and respectfully, adhering to proper etiquette. Her tone exuded confidence and a natural ease, leaving no room for reproach.
"M-Miss... You mean..."
Standing beside her was the branch manager of the Tachibana Trading Company's branch in Shiratomi. He attempted to stop her, but she silenced him with a lively expression and continued.
"I sincerely appreciate the hospitality I've received over these three days. Therefore, as an outsider, I would like to share my opinions regarding the questions I have about the local business transactions."
Kayo mainly pointed out the relationship and the precariousness with various Ezo tribes.
During these three days, Kayo had personally observed the city and gathered information through those who accompanied her. She had sensed the shadows lurking behind the city's vibrant prosperity.
The imbalance and unfairness in trade were one aspect, as well as conflicts between locals and swindlers involved in mining and fishing disputes. There were rumors of smuggling weapons and human trafficking. These various factors had led to sporadic disputes with the Ezo tribes. Although officials dispatched from the central government and the local shogunate had intervened as mediators, the fundamental issues remained unchanged.
"Of course, we do not take the problem lightly. That is why we have not neglected efforts to maintain unity among them," one wealthy merchant responded respectfully to Kayo's doubts.
It wasn't as if the Ezo tribes shared a common sense of brotherhood. Each tribe was treated differently in trade, and conflicts were instigated or youkai were manipulated. It was rumored that friendly tribes secretly received mercenaries and weapons to attack hostile tribes. That was the situation.
"Of course, I am aware of that," Kayo replied. "However, I have heard that even friendly tribes are experiencing turmoil recently. Attacks from hostile tribes have also increased."
"That's true," the merchant acknowledged. "It was due to the increase in youkai attacks as well."
"The suspension of the northern colonization project is also a factor," another merchant added, frustration evident in his voice. "It was a policy decided by the imperial court. We have no choice."
The nationwide expansion and the increasing damage caused by youkai over the past year, along with the halt of the northern colonization project aimed at rebuilding the ravaged areas of the Northern region, intensified the animosity of the Ezo tribes towards Fusō-kuni.
The escalating distribution costs had worsened the existing trade imbalance too. But amidst the chaos, opportunistic merchants took advantage of the situation and inflated prices for their goods. This was particularly troubling for the Ezo tribes that maintained friendly relations with Fusō-kuni, as the traded goods were vital to them, and the price hikes were deemed unacceptable.
For the hostile tribes, the situation was a matter of life and death. They, too, faced shortages of supplies due to frequent youkai attacks. The suspension of the colonization project had resulted in the disappearance of small villages, which were easy targets for looting. Additionally, the probability of failure or significant casualties in raids on well-fortified large villages and cities made their predicament increasingly desperate. Importing goods from Fusō-kuni through other tribes was becoming increasingly difficult. Slowly but surely, they were being pushed into a corner.
"Anyway, wouldn't it be better to avoid unnecessary conflicts for temporary gains with the former?"
"Hahaha. Miss Kayo, there's no need to worry about such things, is there?"
"I agree. Those barbarians are nothing more than a group of tribes, and their main assets are fur garments and bone-tipped arrows. They are mere savages."
"Indeed. At last year's meeting, there were even suggestions to provoke them and trigger a conflict."
In response to Kayo's proposal, the attendees could only laugh.
Certainly, they had also received reports that iron weapons were being used more frequently by the Ezo tribes recently. However, they were merely tribes, and their primary assets were fur garments and bone-tipped arrows. They were nothing more than wild people.
On the other hand, the garrison stationed in Shiratomi consisted of a large forces of over a thousand members. They were heavily armed, wearing iron armor, and possessed several hundred matchlock guns and a dozen cannons. In case of need, even sailors, laborers, and other townspeople could easily be armed. And if things went awry, they could call for reinforcements from the central government. The outcome of any battle seemed clear.
"We might even have an opportunity to make them submit unequivocally."
"Does this mean we will annihilate the hostile tribes?"
"Hahaha, that would be splendid. If those scoundrels were completely wiped out, the expenses we bear for self-defense would also decrease."
"It will be a sizable expedition, and we merchants can profit from it."
The wealthy merchants engaged in optimistic conversations, not merely as an act of bravado, but because they genuinely believed in their forthcoming victory and were already envisioning the distribution of profits after the war.
It was a classic case of counting one's chickens before they hatched.
"..."
And amidst such scenes, the fair-haired young lady directed a cold gaze in silence. Unfortunately, few merchants noticed it...
"Miss, was their behavior at the meeting earlier really appropriate...?"
As the meeting, which had turned into casual conversation, concluded at dusk, Kayo alighted from the carriage upon returning to the Tachibana Trading Company's Shiratomi branch. She smiled at the blond boy, a worried servant boy who muttered beside her.
"It's alright. I was able to gauge the crisis awareness of these people here."
She felt a slight disappointment, but it was within her expectations. After all, despite being one of the foremost port cities in the Northern region, it was still a frontier. Well, it seemed that these second-rate merchants were preoccupied with short-term matters and had a narrow perspective.
(The local merchants here seem to be uninformed about the central government's information. Hadn't any news reached the travelers?)
While Kayo had become somewhat of a spectacle at the meeting, she remained composed and indifferent, silently observing and evaluating the participants. How many of them had actually taken notice?
The nationwide youkai disturbances of the past few months had caused some damage to Fusō-kuni's logistics, but its collapse was far from imminent. However, it seemed that the Imperial Court had a different view.
Due to their origins as imperial noble family and their dealings with imported luxury goods, the Tachibana Trading Company had close ties with the court nobles. Through this connection, Kayo was able to gather information on the court's policy direction relatively early, thanks to letters from her father.
(If they knew that the troops here were being withdrawn to the capital, they wouldn't be so at ease.)
According to her father's letters, a faction centered around the Minister of the Right was planning to temporarily redeploy a portion of the garrisons stationed in the four directions to the capital and the central region. They were also considering extending the period of Joraku (imperial travels to the provinces) and the security assignments to the exorcist families in the capital.
Of course, Shiratomi's garrison troops are also mentioned as one of the targets for withdrawal. However, judging from their behavior at that meeting, it seems that no one is aware of it. Moreover, even the personnel from the main branch of the shops located in the central region, like the Tachibana Trading Company, are not aware of such a situation.
(Do they still not know the situation at the imperial court, or is it that the superiors are aware but haven't informed those on the field...?)
In any case, with that attitude... and with those idiots behaving like that, she doesn't owe them her lives.
"Please inform the branch manager later to come and see me."
Kayo orders the servant boy by her side. If the information she has gathered so far is correct, the dissatisfaction among the Ezo tribes will explode within a year, at most two.
It's hard to believe that the Imperial Court would eventually lose, but there's a problem with how it might happen. They might suffer losses in specific areas... to the point where Shiratomi City itself could be destroyed. If the troops and other merchants stationed there can't be trusted, then she has to protect herself... it will be expensive, but let's hire more mercenaries as bodyguards. The branch should also strengthen itself to be ready for unexpected situations.
During the chaos, a lot of rich merchants in the city will probably lose their money or even their lives. It will require a significant amount of time and effort to rebuild the port... it's a challenging task, but it's necessary. Should I take advantage of the chaos and take control of managing the city? She thought so.
"...Dealing with those fools is tiring."
"Miss?"
As Leo enters the trading house, he doesn't quite hear the words muttered in a cold voice. Without realizing it, he accidentally calls out to his master. Feeling the unsettling gaze directed at him, a chill runs down his spine, but it lasts only for a moment. In the next instant, the Nanban girl in front of him had a gentle smile like the sun.
"At the northern end, on top of the spiritual vein, this city is cold, isn't it? Leo-kun, take care of your health, okay?"
She says so and hands her scarf to one of the employees who had been waiting at the entrance of the trading house. Ignoring the bewildered boy, she gives instructions to some of the employees and briskly walks towards her own guest room.
"Otsuru, are you here?"
"I'm here, Miss... You've returned quite early, haven't you?"
Just before entering the guest room, Kayo calls out to the elderly maid whom she has a long-standing relationship with. Otsuru, on the other hand, quickly responds to Kayo's call but wears a puzzled expression. It seems she was expecting her to come back a little later.
"I was invited to dinner by everyone, but I declined all of them. I'll have my meal in my room, but I want to rest for a while, so please don't let anyone into the room for a moment, okay?"
As Kayo casually declares, Otsuru becomes exasperated. As a merchant, it is only natural to engage in socializing and entertain others to establish connections, but... especially after Kayo abruptly issued orders the other day, there has been dissatisfaction within the trading company. Otsuru warns that she shouldn't create more grounds for criticism at this point.
"Because! They will definitely bring their sons and try to introduce them to me. I don't want that. Dealing with these unsophisticated nouveau riche from this remote countryside!"
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