A samurai who doesn't want to be a daimyo is not a good onmyoji

Chapter 76 The Surrender of Saburo Michikawabei

Not far away, although they were all eating barbecue, the guards, as well as some hand guards and trainees (store clerks) who had been paying close attention to what was happening here, couldn't help but froze for a moment when they saw what was happening.

The reason why they were still willing to continue serving the family when the previous generation of master passed away and the family was in trouble was because they saw the wisdom and determination of the little master. But now the little master is facing a man who has only met him for the first time less than half an hour ago. The stranger samurai made a big salute and seemed to be willing to serve him?

Asai Nagamasa was also stunned. He knew that the other party intended to show his kindness to him, but he did not expect that the other party would be so straightforward. He resolutely chose to join him without any conditions.

What did this young man like about himself?
Or is it that the other party is already in trouble, so they have to make such a move to save the ship?

However, even if there must be some trouble behind the young man who came to his door, Asai Nagamasa decided to accept it temporarily. He didn't dare to say anything else. As long as the other man was willing to go to Miyabe Castle and had the cheap apprentice Miyabe Tsurun to protect him, Absolutely no one dares to touch him easily.

"I am Asai Nagamasa. As you can see, I am a samurai and I am currently traveling around the world."

It doesn’t need too much introduction. Even if Asai Nagamasa himself has not done anything great yet, at least in the surrounding area, no one who cares will be completely unfamiliar with this name, because he and Asai Hisamasa, the famous name of the Asai family, There is only one word difference.

When Saburo Michikawa heard this, he was immediately overjoyed. Perhaps among the many famous names in the world, the Asai family was not the most powerful force, but perhaps only a second- and third-tier force. But for him, a small businessman from Tsuruga, The Asai family is the thigh that he will never be able to hold on to in his life.

But now, with his own boldness, this opportunity is close at hand!

Thinking of this, he immediately bowed deeply without hesitation and threw himself on the muddy ground: "I, Saburo Kawabei, are willing to be loyal to Lord Asai Nagamasa, and I hope that you will give me a chance next time!"

Seeing the rather gorgeously dressed little businessman throwing himself down in the mud just for a chance, Asai Nagamasa couldn't help but sigh. This was the first young man who came to seek refuge with him, even though he had not yet performed the Tiger Body. What about Yi Zhen’s skills?

However, he still has a lot of curiosity in his heart. In addition to seeing his own potential and identity, the other party must also have something unspeakable, right?
"Get up, Michikawa Saburo, but why did you choose to join me? I am just a warrior who has just entered the Yuanfu, and I don't have much power in my hands."

"Of course it's because I'm impressed by your talent and magnanimity, sir, that I'm willing to follow you."

First, he slapped him on the ass without hesitation. Looking at Asai Nagamasa's half-smiling look, Michikawabei Saburo calmed down and continued: "My lord is wise and I will tell you the truth. My family has been in the city for generations. He was engaged in business activities and obtained a part of the franchise rights of green rhizome from a merchant, reselling it to Omi, Mino or Owari and other areas, selling it to merchants who made paper, and buying fresh fish on the beach and selling it to inland area."

After calming down for a while, looking at Asai Nagamasa's expression that hadn't changed at all, the little businessman knew that he didn't need to show off his tricks in front of the other party. He simply felt relieved, and then uncovered his old cover. If he could If you get the support of the other party, what does your little secret mean?

"Although the original income was not high, it was able to support everyone. But now the merchants are getting worse and want to take back the franchise rights of the family, and the checkpoint fees have also increased by [-]%. It is really difficult for the family to continue. We have always been our bitter rivals, and our family is really at the point of life and death, so I have no choice but to ask you for help!"

Asai Nagamasa heard this and understood that this was another typical case of businessmen doing evil.

Merchants are a special class in Nibon, similar to various merchant guilds in the West. However, merchants' initial privileges came from the court, so their rights are much greater in comparison.Within their own jurisdiction, their privileges include formulating and collecting taxes, designating the business scope of any merchant, and even setting up checkpoints to openly collect taxes, etc.

Ordinary small businessmen and traveling merchants worked hard, but most of the money they earned had to be handed over to them. As for the lords and daimyo who were the real rulers of the local area, they could not make much profit.

Because the merchants were theoretically sent by the imperial court, and the daimyo were just lords from various places, even if the imperial power fell and the generals were weak, it would be difficult for them to intervene and steal money from the merchants.

Because the merchants in various places are extremely united when facing this kind of thing, and because the merchants are rich enough, they can also afford to hire a lot of force to fight against the daimyo.

Therefore, in order to avoid public anger and unnecessary conflicts, even if the big names from various places want to make money from businessmen, they usually just formulate new tax regulations to bully those small businessmen and traveling merchants, who are easy to bully. How much more?
From this point of view, the Kitanomi area, which has been in chaos before and has gradually stabilized in recent decades, has an advantage, that is, the strength of the merchants there is relatively weaker, because many merchants have Failed to take sides in a war that lasted for decades, only to be killed by the victorious enemy.

"So that's it, I probably know it. But as you can see, I'm just a ronin traveling around, and I don't have much power at my disposal."

Although he had expected it before and told himself repeatedly that he was very lucky to be able to hold the other person's lap, after actually hearing Asai Nagamasa's words, the small businessman still couldn't hide his disappointment.

But on the surface, he still held on and said: "I understand, please rest assured, my lord, my family will be able to support you until your return."

Asai Nagamasa nodded lightly, he was quite satisfied with the quality of the other party. Although he had no impression of this name, since the other party chose him, at least it shows that his vision is still very good, and he is not an idiot. Give him a chance!

He reached out and handed over a token, and he casually ordered: "Take it to Miyabe City Lord Miyabe Tsurun. There is nothing he can do about it for the time being, but if it is fresh fish, there are quite a few in Lake Biwa."

Michikawa Bei Saburo was immediately overjoyed. He kowtowed quickly: "Thank you so much, my lord! Thank you so much, sir!"

As one of the top five or even top three lakes in Nippon, and has almost never been developed, there are not only a lot of fresh fish in Lake Bipa, but he will believe it even if there are kappa and mussels in it!
After thanking him again and again, Saburo Michikawa left two bottles of red wine and led the caravan to set off again with a smile. With the Lord's promise, no matter how much Tsuruga's merchants went too far, they at least had a way out.

But soon he trotted back. Asai Nagamasa thought that the other party wanted something else, but he didn't expect that he wanted to give him a map as a gift.

His family is not big, and the size of the caravan is average, but he is quite familiar with the geography of Owari, Mino, and Omi areas. After all, what the caravan pursues is to travel the safest road as quickly as possible.

Asai Nagamasa naturally expressed his gratitude for this. Neither he nor Axiu were particularly familiar with the surrounding area. They almost walked along the road and asked for directions everywhere.

But after opening the map, he was still a little disappointed. The map only roughly marked the locations and directions of mountains, rivers, and villages, and added some special products about certain villages. It was obvious that he was a businessman. used, but don’t think about the specific scale. In short, this is a map with low accuracy, which can only be said to be better than nothing.

　Sorry, no more today
　　
　
(End of this chapter)