Chapter 14 Part 2 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!
1536 (Tenbun era, year 5)
TL: Yuina Around the middle of spring, I received waste oil, originally used for cooking, and tried to make a sample of soap from wood ash.
The process was not that difficult, so I was able to make something.
"This soup smells bad."
"As I thought."
That's what my father said, after I showed him the first samples. Well, it seems to take a long time to solidify, so I only managed to make liquid soap, also, the waste oil would leave a bad smell. Thus, I've made something no one would want to use.
"Get rid of the smell. It would be convenient if it could really be used in the same way as the Soap Berry [1]."
That's why, I added seaweed ash and unused vegetable oil, mixed with peppermint oil that I was able to squeeze out.
It turned out to be solid, though a little soft, and smelled good.
"Hmm, I guess I can use this."
Therefore, my father tried it together with his vassals.
It is said that it was a great way to get rid of the dirt, and the vassals made a big fuss about having to wash their bodies. Someone who wasn't aware of the situation may have even suspected that they were no longer the same person, after their washed faces became white.
It was not only because they were surprised by the cool and soothing smell of peppermint.
Afterwards, my father used it and screamed, but it was only because he asked me to put in a large amount of peppermint. *evil grin*
However, we can't make soap without importing seaweed. As for oil, my family is a former oil seller, and with their connection to the oil trade guilds, they were able to increase production in their territory, so they were able to manage the initial production schedule.
Since seaweed was such a precious resource, I suggested that we buy it via Oda Nobuhide[2]. We can carry a large amount of it from Tsushima[3].
"Why did you sollicit the Danjo no Chu[4]? Is it not possible to rely on the shugo, Buei-sama (of the Shiba clan), who already sent us his congratulations?"
"The person who controls Tsushima is Nobuhide, who took over as the family head the other day, and even though he is a samurai, he seems to be a person who'd be interested in establishing a profitable deal."
Although it is an impression, the Oda clan seems to have become strong through the power of money. That's why, I don't think they'll refuse knowing that there is money at stake.
Moreover, if we get to know each other through this, Kicho and Nobunaga might be able to get engaged sooner than in the historical facts, and I'd also be able to transfer the territory to Nobunaga early on.
"Indeed, he is a clever man. That's fine. Let's contact Buei-sama and negotiate with the Danjo no Chu. I have to ask the guild to introduce me to the merchants of Tsushima."
My father was in a good mood at the prospect of making some money. After that, I let other vassals try the new soap, and about half of them screamed, seeing that, my father and I had a good laugh.
However, my uncle was ready and didn't panic because he already heard the rumors. My father and I showed disappointed faces, and my uncle knocked me lightly on the head.
"After all, it's as they say. Like father, like son. Shinkuro still has time to grow, you shouldn't learn such bad habits."
You got it wrong, I'm a full-grown man...
On the other hand, my mother, Miyoshino and Omi no Kata[5], were completely unfazed and were genuinely pleased that their skin had turned white. Mothers are really strong.
"Ahhhh! Wow!"
Kisho, the little Saito Princess was overjoyed to discover the soap bubbles. Her excited laughing voice could even be heard from outside the house. The nurse reported with a tired face that she had a hard time preventing her from putting it in her mouth after she had finished bathing her. The child seems to be full of curiosity.
And I decided to have my three playmates wash their bodies regularly as well, which made them very happy. Toyo and Sachi were especially giddy. The little boy, Shinshichi, was still surprised by the soothing sensation at first. He had a grin plastered on his face all along.
When they found out the price value of this soap later on, everyone was so surprised that they were on their knees. Luckily, I was able to convince them to keep using it, saying that it was necessary to keep those around me clean, so I wouldn't get sick.
I started the soap production, hiring a few families who lost their jobs during the flood, after allocating them a small space inside the castle. They were happy to work in a live-in environment. Since I can't give them overtime pay, I only need them to keep their working hours.
In the meantime, my father has told me to produce a certain amount, and that it is up to the son of an oil seller to decide how to sell his own products, other than those left for private use.
When I was making charcoal from beech, I found a small amount of tar and wood vinegar, but I had thrown it away, so I rushed to collect it. The wood vinegar was sprinkled in the herb garden and the tar was stored in pottery for the time being.
Apparently, not many people know that wood vinegar is a natural pesticide. For now, I will let them use it in the area I was entrusted with.
Later, when I obtain a distiller, I'll have to make wood creosote. This is actually an essential element for making gastrointestinal medicine.
In addition, Kenzo-san, 63, a lumber wholesaler, said that the surplus tar can be used as an preservative. It would be a shame not to put it in good use.
My father said he was going to renovate Inabayama Castle, so should I have him use it there? Or should I ask him to use it for the Jozaiji Temple and Kashi-mori Shrine, which will be rebuilt soon?
Author's Note:
I feel like I'm going to mislead the public.
I knew there are some anecdotes about screws related to the MC, but I don't know much about them.
I'm not sure about history, but I do know that soap is a hygienic thing that you can't do without if you're a medical cheat.
It'll be also easy to mass produce thanks to the close relationship of Masatoshi and Dosan with the oil industry.
Besides, the cultivation of peppermint is going to become an added value.
[1] Due to its high saponin content, the fruits can be used as substitute for soap and for restoring and brightening tarnished silverware.
[2] Oda Nobuhide (織田 信秀, 1510 – April 8, 1551) was a warlord and magistrate of lower Owari Province during the Sengoku period of Japan. His father was Oda Nobusada and Nobuhide was the father of Oda Nobunaga.
[3] Tsushima is a city located in Aichi Prefecture in the Chūbu region of Japan. During the Sengoku period, the area was controlled by the Oda clan.
[4] It was one of the posts of the Danjodai (Board of Censors) which conducted inspections and played the role of the police in the Sengoku period in Japan.
Danjodai was one of the government offices, which was established based on the Dajo-kan (Grand Council of State) system under the Ritsuryo system (a system of centralized government based on the ritsuryo code), and mainly engaged in inspection and maintenance of security, and existed in ancient times, as well as in the modern period (early Meiji period).
[5] Just a reminder, Miyoshino is Saito Dosan's concubine and our MC's mother. Omi no Kata is Saito Dosan's legal wife and Kisho's mother.
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