Chapter 136

Chapter 136: Iwami (2).

“It seems like we have a lot to talk about. Follow me.”

For Ouchi Yoshitaka, Iwami silver mine was more important than anything else, and he needed to hear more details from the Hojo clan who came to serve him for this matter.

The two entered the room and soon began a serious negotiation.

Ouchi Yoshitaka was the first to open the door.

“So, you have heard about my clan, haven’t you?”

“We have learned a lot of information while trading with the products of the Wakan Tanka Empire. Even before that, we had heard rumors about the Iwami silver mine.”

“I see.”

There was no one as quick and sharp as the merchants who traveled around the country. 

Therefore, Ouchi Yoshitaka nodded in agreement.

“And when we heard about Iwami, we couldn’t help but lament.”

“Hmm?”

“The area where the silver mine is located has been the territory of the Ouchi clan since ancient times. But look at the situation now. As soon as a large amount of silver was mined, they tried to take away the silver mine from its original owner. This is not right.”

“Hmm. That’s true.”

In fact, he had lost the ownership of the silver mine at present, so Ouchi Yoshitaka nodded his head.

Of course, it was not something that he, a man of the Hojo clan, should say.

The Hojo clan had recently expanded their territory by forcing the neighboring daimyos to collapse with their superior firearms and advanced tactics.

In this era of bloodshed and turmoil, attacking a neighboring territory for profit was not a fault at all.

But neither of them mentioned this.

“The true owner of Iwami is the Ouchi clan. And this Hojo Ujitsuna wants to help Lord Ouchi.”

“…You?”

“Yes.”

Ouchi Yoshitaka’s eyes narrowed.

“I want to hear more.”

He leaned forward and showed great interest.

Hojo Ujitsuna also looked straight into his eyes.

“As I said before, our clan has adopted the excellent firearms and advanced tactics of the Wakan Tanka Empire and expanded our territory greatly. We are also working hard to adapt the many soldiers we have absorbed to the new tactics.”

“That’s something to envy.”

Having seen the power of the empire’s weapons himself earlier, Ouchi Yoshitaka sincerely envied him.

“Then are you saying that you will sell me the weapons you brought from the empire?”

“Haha. In the long run, of course we have to.”

“In the long run…”

Ouchi Yoshitaka’s eyes narrowed.

But Hojo Ujitsuna did not show any change in his expression.

“There are not only merchants from our clan who trade with the empire in this land. Lately, various merchants have been visiting many territories. It is possible that an imperial delegation will visit here soon. But do you know this?”

“What are you talking about?”

“The empire uses silver as currency.”

“…That’s not a strange thing.”

“That’s right. But think about it. If they hear about Iwami silver mine, won’t they visit Iwami directly?”

It was an obvious story.

Merchants sailed across the vast sea through high waves in pursuit of profit.

In this regard, trade with a place like Iwami silver mine, where silver was mined, was an act that gave great benefits to merchants.

“But now Amago clan has occupied Iwami silver mine. What if they contact the imperial merchants at this moment? Or can you be sure that they haven’t contacted them yet?”

“…”

As the story continued, Ouchi Yoshitaka’s face hardened.

‘If those damn Amago bastards get their hands on the weapons of the empire…’

Shiver!

A chill ran up his spine.

After they fully accepted the new weapon system, they realized that it would be difficult to reclaim Iwami again.

“It’s been a year since they took over the Iwami silver mine. That should be enough for them to secure a very generous amount of imperial weapons.”

“We have plenty of wealth too. If they can buy imperial weapons, so can we.”

“That may be true for now, but if the front line remains stagnant, we will be at a disadvantage in terms of financial power. And it would be better to settle this before the imperial vanguard reaches this area.”

“Why is that?”

“What if they promise to give a certain percentage of the profits to the merchants in exchange for helping them defend the silver mine? By the way, the weapons of the imperial merchants are incomparable to the firearms I showed you earlier. Those are just relics of the past that were used in the empire.”

“…Are you serious?”

Ouchi Yoshitaka was greatly surprised by this.

Those weapons were so advanced and they were relics of the past. He could not believe it.

“The imperial military is truly terrifying. If they are captivated by the steady income of the silver mine, can you handle it?”

“Hoo… I can’t believe what Hojo-sama is saying.”

“Why don’t you ask the Hakata merchants who have had contact with the imperial vanguard? Of course, this will take some time, and I can’t guarantee what will happen in the meantime.”

Of course, Hojo Ujitsuna knew.

The fact that the empire was extremely reluctant to project their military power to other regions.

Unless it caused significant human and material damage to the imperial citizens, or invaders from completely different regions invaded with the purpose of colonizing, they usually avoided military intervention.

Especially in this kind of military conflict.

But this was not easy to know unless one was well-versed in the affairs of the empire like Hojo Ujitsuna.

Perhaps because his head hurt from these new facts, Ouchi Yoshitaka pressed his temples and asked in a sharp voice.

“So what do you want? There must be a reason why you are telling me this.”

At that, Hojo Ujitsuna got to the point.

“My clan will help Ouchi clan. As I mentioned, my clan’s troops are fully armed with imperial weapons and tactics. If you wish, I will return the Iwami silver mine that Amago clan has occupied to Ouchi clan with my clan’s troops alone.”

“…Is that possible?”

“Of course.”

Hojo Ujitsuna nodded confidently.

‘I have already prepared everything.’

He did not come to Ouchi clan because, as he had told him earlier, the Iwami silver mine belonged to Ouchi clan.

He just visited because he did not have ownership of the Iwami silver mine at present.

There was nothing to gain if he cooperated with the clan that already had the silver mine.

‘I have also secured the cooperation of Swift Rope-nim.’

Hojo Ujitsuna had started planning to secure funds for reform since he saw the reality of the empire with his own eyes.

After a long deliberation, he came up with the idea of ​​the Iwami silver mine.

So Hojo Ujitsuna asked Swift Rope.

“Please help me transport my clan’s troops, weapons, and supplies.”

It was difficult for Hojo clan alone to carry them all the way to the distant Iwami silver mine.

He needed a huge ship from the empire for a smooth plan.

Hojo Ujitsuna promised to give him the right to negotiate first with the clan that would rule over the silver mine as a reward for helping him.

Of course, this required negotiation with Ouchi clan anyway.

“You won’t just do that for me. Yeah, what do you want?”

“I want two things.”

“Hmm… Let me hear it.”

Hojo Ujitsuna said with tension.

“First, give 20% of the silver from Iwami silver mine to my clan.”

“20%…”

“I think that’s a fair price for shedding our soldiers’ blood. And if you want, I’ll also help you defend the silver mine after taking it back.”

Of course, it wasn’t over just by taking over the silver mine.

After that, it was only meaningful if he could protect the silver mine.

And currently, there were many surrounding forces that wanted the silver mine.

For the Hojo clan, protecting the silver mine was also a very important matter.

‘It seems like a not bad condition.’

Anyway, the Kantō and Iwami silver mines were far away.

In other words, it was practically difficult for the Hojo clan to occupy Iwami alone. It was reasonable to cooperate with someone local and get some benefits.

Ōuchi Yoshitaka nodded his head and asked.

“What is the second one?”

“There is a force of the Empire that has a relationship with our clan. Please give them the priority trade right.”

“Priority trade right?”

“It means the right to negotiate first when trading with the Empire’s merchants. If the prices are similar, you just have to promise to trade with them.”

“What if there is a big difference in price…”

“It is not possible to trade at a loss. Then you can trade with other merchants without any problem. They promised to transport our clan’s troops and supplies with their large and fast ships. The priority trade right is the price for that.”

“I see.”

It was a quite reasonable reason.

If Hojo Ujitsuna succeeded in retaking the Iwami silver mine as he said, he could not ignore the merit of the swift rope.

“Only if you promise these two things, the Iwami silver mine will return to the Ōuchi clan soon.”

After all the proposals were finished.

Ōuchi Yoshitaka nodded his head.

‘It’s not a bad condition.’

Surely 20% was a quite large price.

But on the other hand, it also meant that he could take 80% of the profit stably.

The Hojo clan would do their best cooperation to protect 20% of their profit.

‘Even if he fails, we have no loss.’

No, it was a profit anyway.

If he succeeded in the plan, the Iwami silver mine would be in his hands, which was a profit, and if he failed, he would weaken the power of the Amago clan, which was not bad either.

‘The most important thing is to take over the Iwami silver mine as soon as possible.’

Wasn’t the wealth of the Amago clan accumulating at this moment?

If he changed his mind later, he could break his promise with them.

He sorted out his thoughts and made a decision.

“Good. I accept the request of the Hojo clan.”

“You have made a very good decision.”

“I look forward to working with you.”

“Likewise.”

***

After discussing the details, they made a treaty.

After finishing everything here, Hojo Ujitsuna moved quickly.

And shortly after, he returned to his stronghold.

“Son, I’m back.”

“Yes. Did it go well?”

“Yes.”

Hojo Ujitsuna explained the details of the treaty to his father.

After his son’s explanation was over.

“You did well.”

Hojo Ujitsuna patted his son’s shoulder.

“Is everything ready?”

“Haha. Of course. I finished all preparations while you were gone.”

It was as he said.

He had already prepared to send out his troops.

The warships supported by the swift rope were also anchored.

Hojo Ujitsuna looked at Hojo Ujitsuna with sharp eyes and said.

“This expedition is a matter of fate for the Hojo clan. So you must win and come back.”

“I will definitely do so, father.”

He wanted to lead the army himself and go on an expedition, but Hojo Ujitsuna could not do that.

He had to defend his expanded territory from surrounding enemies.

“I trust you.”

“Yes!”

And a few days later.

Hojo Ujitsuna led a large army and boarded warships, heading for Iwami.