Chapter 8 Part 2 - Since I was reborn as Saito Yoshitatsu, I'm aiming to hand over the territory to Oda Nobunaga and live longer!

1535 (Tenbun era, year 4)

TL: Yuina

Editor: Yuina

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　The outskirts of Inoguchi [1], Mino Province

　On a fine early summer day, I was ordered to accompany my father, Sakon no daibu, as he conducted an inspection of the surroundings near Inabayama Castle. I presumed we would be visiting the local merchants, but to my surprise, we swiftly passed through the town of Inoguchi and headed towards the sprawling farmlands surrounding the castle. My attention was drawn to the peculiarly misshapen rice fields, giving me an unsettling feeling.

　As we approached the village, I rubbed my aching backside from riding on horseback. Several farmers in ragged clothing lined up and respectfully bowed their heads. Father approached them, observing the condition of the rice crops. One person, who appeared slightly more presentable than the rest, acted as their representative and responded to father's inquiries.

"Raise your heads. How is this year's crop fairing?"

"We suffered fewer damages compared to last year's devastating floods, but we still experienced casualties due to the recent flooding..."

"I see. In that case, I shall reduce the tax for this year. However, I will need your assistance in the winter for a little favor."

"Of course, we will be honored to assist. We had a difficult time with the previous lord, who relentlessly pursued exorbitant taxes. We are grateful for your benevolence, Sakon no daibu-sama."

　Indeed, the previous year (Tenbun 3, 1534) and the current year (Tenbun 4, 1535) had been arduous for the province of Mino. Heavy rains caused the Nagara River [2] to overflow, altering its course and creating a new stream.

　The surrounding area of Inabayama also suffered, with some buildings collapsing and heavy casualties in the castle town of Inoguchi.

　Adding to the misery, heavy rainfall occurred in February this year, causing landslides in certain areas. The rising water reached the castle town of Inoguchi, flooding it. The embankments were also destroyed, resulting in a dire situation. We had to take shelter in the castle and observe the devastation from there. Speculation spread among the neighboring regions, attributing the calamity to the absence of a rightful shugo, while Yorinari, the self-proclaimed Taishu (Governor-general) was more active in seeking an official appointment as shugo by appealing to the shogunate.

"I will dispatch a magistrate to assess the situation in more detail as the harvest season approaches. I request your cooperation. Furthermore, this is my eldest son, Toyotamaru. From next year onward, I have decided to entrust him with the responsibility of overseeing this region, so I thought I'd show him around."

"I understand. I'm called Yahei, the village elder. Toyotamaru-sama, I look forward to working with you in the future."

　Wait, what does this mean?

"Why are you spacing out? Starting from next year, this land will be under your management. I will provide you with manpower, and it is your duty to ensure the people's welfare and the timely collection of taxes for me."

"Yes... Um, I'm Toyotamaru. Pleased to meet you all."

　It appears that, from next year onwards, I will be involved in such administrative tasks. While I have spent a year learning about herbal medicine, labor may not be my forte. Furthermore, I will be in a position of authority over those older than me. It seems like a typical scenario where I will be surrounded by subordinates who speak ill of me behind my back while maintaining a superficial relationship.

　As my father's face drew closer, I longed to express to him, just once, It's because of your intimidating expression, with those creases between your eyebrows, that Chiyoki won't warm up to you!

"Don't make such an anxious face. Stand tall and confident."

　But it wasn't anxiety that troubled me; it was the fear your face instills in me and the dissatisfaction I feel towards being forced into child labor (under the guise of a managerial position).

　Afterward, as I casually observed the rice fields and their surroundings, I realized the source of my earlier uneasiness. The rice fields were different from those I had seen at Ryusuke-san's (age 72) home in my past life.

"Ah, I guess it's because the rice fields are not square-shaped. They don't seem to practice proper row planting. [3]"

　I made that remark casually, but it seemed to catch my father's attention, as his eyes gleamed sharply.

"Toyotamaru, tell me more about it."

　At that moment, he firmly grabbed my shoulders, and our eyes met directly. I was like a frog being stared down by a snake. No, I was more like a toad being stared down by a viper.

Realizing that I couldn't escape, I reluctantly revealed everything I had seen at Ryusuke-san's house, claiming that it came from books of Ming.

"Proper row planting? It sounds too complicated. When people with different strides stand in a single line to plant, it actually takes more time. Besides, land surveying is necessary to shape the fields properly. It's bound to cause disputes, so unless we come up with a solution, it's not feasible. I'll just keep it in mind for now."

　Father's face was similar to that of a parent whose son came back with a 30 points test score, barely avoiding a failing grade. If that was the score I was going to get anyway, I wish you hadn't interrogated me so thoroughly... I've sweated so much from nervousness, what if I catch a cold? I silently cursed him in my mind.

　When I was finally released in the evening, I made a solemn promise to myself to be cautious and avoid speaking thoughtlessly in the future.

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[1] The castle-town of Inoguchi was later renamed Gifu.

[2] The Nagara River has its source in the city of Gujō, Gifu Prefecture, and its mouth in the city of Kuwana, Mie Prefecture, Japan. Along with the Kiso River and Ibi River, the Nagara River is one of the Kiso Three Rivers of the Nōbi Plain.

[3] Planting seedlings in the rice field at the same intervals and in straight rows is called the Seijo planting style. The spread of this proper row planting style is said to have occurred in the Meiji era.