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The silkworm farm was built near the construction site where Nagahama Castle was being built.
The reason is clear: the construction of a factory was incorporated into one of the plans for building Nagahama Castle.
In short, the purpose of constructing a factory within the outer perimeter of Nagahama Castle was to use it as a defense and communication base in times of emergency.
In short, this factory was given a plot of land large enough to withstand wartime conditions...
"...It's big."
The factory turned out to be much larger than initially expected.
This was a time before electricity. Naturally, the rooms were dark, and it took some time to get used to the environment.
Just as my eyes finally adjusted to the dim light, I saw a large number of spinning machines.
Indeed, it was a machine designed to boil silkworm cocoons, dissolve sericin (a protein that acts as a coagulant, maintaining their round shape), and reel the cocoon threads into a single strand of raw silk.
In principle, it is extremely simple and not much different from what is found in the equipment used by farmers who raise silkworms as a side business.
Incidentally, modern Western silkworm factories typically owned around 150 to 180 reeling machines.
This means that our factory, which has 75 kettles installed, only has about half the production capacity.
(Well, it's probably ridiculous to compare it to a modern factory.)
In any case, the very existence of this much equipment during the Sengoku period, a transitional period from the medieval to the early modern era, is an exceptional case.
And the factory didn't only contain spinning machines.
A silk reeling machine is a machine that bundles and winds boiled cocoon threads into a reel.
Therefore, it's easy to imagine that the raw silk produced in this way would remain wet.
However, that water contains dissolved sericin, and if left as is, the raw silk that has been wound up will harden into a stiff mass.
The machine used to avoid this was a lifting device, and there were about 40 of these inside the factory.
"I'm amazed at how many machines you've managed to gather..."
I touched each piece of equipment, marveling at it.
This was an era when the concept of factories was practically nonexistent, and it was impossible to mass-produce standardized products.
Every machine here is handmade, and if you look closely at the details, you'll see that no two are exactly alike, even down to the way the wood is carved.
Behind this kind of machine manufacturing are the figures of skilled craftsmen, and that is something that was disappearing in the world I came from.
"Yes. I also thought that procuring these machines would be quite difficult..."
Masamoto said this with a smile.
"However, thanks to a certain merchant, we were able to gather this much. And although we haven't been able to pay for it all yet... he said he would put it on credit. He said, 'Although I am a merchant, I will accept any loss for the sake of Lord Bizen.'"
"...I can't believe there was such an eccentric merchant."
To be honest, I was surprised.
I had always thought that merchants, while influenced by those in power, would somehow slip through the cracks and act solely based on economic interests or calculations of profit and loss in order to expand their own profits.
In the world I used to come from, there were black companies—communities that were less like companies and more like organizations that made employees work like slaves just to enrich the boss—so perhaps I was forced to think that way all the more.
"Brother, do you know a merchant named 'Omiya'?"
"Omiya...?"
I've heard that name somewhere before, but I can't quite remember where.
"So, how about the name...? Or perhaps the name Yamashita Shinpachiro..."山下Yamashita宗亨Muneaki
"...Ah!"
Suddenly, a memory flashes through my mind.
When I had just arrived in this world, before going to the hot springs with Ichihime, I stopped by a rice wholesaler to get some rice—米糠Rice bran
I'm pretty sure that place was called "Omiya." It had a sign that said something like that.
"Although 'Omiya' is a rice wholesaler, it seems they naturally have strong ties to rural areas."
While I was in a state of mental paralysis due to the sheer shock, Masamoto continued to speak.
"When they heard that we were having trouble procuring machinery for sericulture, they apparently went to the trouble of gathering reeling machines from abandoned villages and farmhouses where there were no longer any spinners—even ordering the rest from craftsmen in Kyoto and Sakai. I hear that Shinhachiro, who will inherit the name of the next Muneyuki, was working energetically on this... but we'll see."
Masamoto let out a big sigh and looked at my face mischievously.
"Even so, my brother is a wicked man. He has managed to manipulate not only us, but also shrewd merchants without us even realizing it..."
"That wasn't my intention."
I said that to Masamoto, who was giving a wry smile, and then tried to recall their faces again.
However, perhaps because our encounter was so brief, I couldn't remember it very well.
Indeed, all that remained in Shinhachiro's memory was that he had a newborn baby—
(I don't think I have any obligation to work that hard...)
—The fact that that's all I remember makes me feel incredibly pathetic and sorry.
"...But I must repay this favor in some way."
"That is entirely up to my brother's discretion."
With a nonchalant expression, Masamoto said in a light tone.
"Although we were involved, this matter ultimately stems from the connection between my brother and 'Omiya.' While we are pleased with what 'Omiya' has done, we will not express our gratitude directly. It is my brother's duty, as the commander-in-chief of the Asai clan, to show gratitude and reciprocate."
If I were to express my gratitude to them on behalf of my brother, that would be an insult to them.翻Turning over
After saying that, Masamoto clapped his hands together and began to explain about the factory.
"First, regarding factory workers... for the time being, we are considering employing local residents. Then, once the factory's operations are on track, we will introduce new reeling machines and reeling equipment."
I had no objections to that idea.
First, just make good use of what you have now.
And only when the factory's capabilities have strengthened can we take the next step.
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After the factory tour, we then proceeded to inspect and receive explanations about the construction of Nagahama Castle and the Grand Hall, and before we knew it, it was starting to get dark.
In any case, what we have learned is that the factory will soon be operational, and that construction of the Grand Hall of Ceremonies is underway ahead of Nagahama Castle, meaning this ceremonial building can be completed in just two months.
The main hall is still under construction, and many laborers are working there.
And there were not only men but also various women present: their wives and daughters would come to the construction site to deliver lunches, women from nearby farming villages would come to sell vegetables, and prostitutes would try to seduce men.
Seeing such scenes reminds us of the obvious fact that the world is made up of men and women.
Men work hard, trying to impress women and make a good impression, while the women egg them on and try to manipulate them.
"...Even so, Nagahama is still very much a rural area."
"Kyuoooon"
In the dark night, my words drift away with the wind, and likewise, the cries of Indra and Moonflower drift away and disappear.
Indeed, my body was on her back, and we were on our way back to Sugawa Castle.
Masamoto and Kiyosada had set up a temporary residence in Nagahama to take charge of the construction work, and Masamoto in particular had suggested that I stay at his residence—but I politely declined, explaining my reasons.
Tonight was also the day when Tsubaki, who had been Ichihime's lady-in-waiting, would be given approval to marry the man she loved, even if it was just a mock wedding ceremony.
Ichihime is probably making the preparations, and since I've also asked Osamuhime to join us, if I don't return to Sugawa Castle tonight—it's obvious I'll end up buying something from them.大顰蹙Great disapproval
(That's something I absolutely must avoid...)
For me, Ichihime in particular is practically synonymous with my reason for existence.
If I were to do something that would make her hate me, I don't think I could go on living.
You can laugh at me for being effeminate, but that's how I really feel, so there's nothing I can do about it.
My world revolves around Ichihime, and if that center is lost, all that will remain is collapse.
I wonder what Taishakutsukimo is thinking as he carries me on his back while I'm lost in thought.
That thought suddenly crossed my mind when I saw the light of the torches from Sugawa Castle in the distance.
Zashiki-warashi are beings capable of communicating with spirits. If we trust the words of Toushirou of Tomokuni Village, one of them, then Taishakutsukige is Hirai Yoriko, the first wife of Asai Nagamasa.
And that's probably true.
In this world, horses are apparently monsters that "cannot lie."
And Taishakutsukige, the fox-horse that inherited that bloodline, could not escape it either—that was the almost certain realization I had.理rule
I tried to say something to Taishakutsukimo, but then I realized I didn't know what to say.
It was like a primary school student who is speechless in front of their first love, but I also found a part of myself that thought maybe that was okay.
Taishakutsukimo is an irreplaceable presence to me, in a different way, or perhaps on a different dimension, than Ichihime.
I love the existence of Taishaku Tsukimo, and I think she probably feels the same way about me.
I arrived at Sugawa Castle while my mind was racing with unproductive thoughts.
Today, once again, Taishakutsuki will squeeze out the male horses, transforming their energy into her own strength within her womb.
After watching her go into the stables, I hurried to the mansion where I was living with Ichihime.
For the vows exchanged between man and woman. To celebrate the birth of a new family.
It was around the hour of the rooster (18:00). I managed to return to Sugawa Castle at the very last possible moment.