Chapter 7

I have been keeping you waiting for a long time.

February 20, 1552

■Sagami Province, Ashigara Lower District, Hojo Genan's Kuno Residence, Mita Yoshiro

The new year had begun, and when I learned that Old Man Genan was even making salt, I told him about the raised beach salt fields, the flow-down salt fields, and the method of concentrating the brine using bamboo. He then took me to the sea and had me participate in the salt field renovation.

During this time, I explained the principle of the Archimedes' screw for efficient water lifting and the natural drying method using bellows, and with the help of the craftsmen, we actually made them. As a result, we could efficiently lift seawater to the salt fields at a higher elevation, and we could produce a more concentrated brine, which increased salt production several times over and improved the quality. Old Man Genan praised me and gave me a large share, so I became financially satisfied.

After a while, the Hojo army attacked and captured the Ueno Hirai Castle, the residence of Kanto Kanrei Uesugi Kenshin. Since Lord Uesugi Kenshin and Old Man Genan were advancing to Ueno, my training with Old Man Genan was on hold, and I was taking the time to organize my thoughts.

For example, there are two methods to create nitric acid from saltpeter. One is to mix alum and saltpeter and distill them, and the other is to burn saltpeter and sulfur, add steam, create sulfuric acid, mix it with saltpeter, and distill the vapor, which cools to form nitric acid. Once we can produce artificial saltpeter through cultivation, we can proceed with this.

Sulfur can be obtained from Hakone, and fortunately, there is an alum and quartz mine in Ukusu, north of Ogonzaki on the west coast of the Izu Peninsula, which can be mined through open-pit mining. It turns out that the Hojo domain has many mineral resources.

The Tsuchioka Gold Mine has not yet been discovered in this era, and the Shibazawa Gypsum Mine is untouched. The Chichibu Mines are also yet to be discovered. Tokugawa Ieyasu effectively used these treasure troves, but I don't want to let the cunning old man use them since I know about them.

Criticism of Tokugawa Ieyasu aside, his methods of taking control of the country are too dirty, and his treatment of the common people is too harsh, so I don't like him. For example, peasants were not allowed to drink tea, and the cultivation of wasabi was kept secret. Moreover, he was very stingy, which is why I can understand why蒲生氏郷 said that people wouldn't follow such a miser. Without the obedience of the Mikawa samurai, he wouldn't have been able to take control of the country.

Anyway, putting criticism aside, if we can produce nitric acid, it will greatly enhance the production of gunpowder, but the problem is that we need to create the manufacturing tools. We need a retort for distillation and dry distillation, and we must first get a potter to learn glassblowing, which will require a lot of detours.

Not only glassware, but also pottery, such as porcelain and glazed pottery that doesn't leak water, must be made. Once we can do that, we can make a business out of porcelain, glazed pottery, and glassware, and Old Man Genan won't oppose it. Once we have the experimental equipment, we can start making gunpowder, but there are many issues.

I know how to produce guncotton, but frankly, it's only possible to produce experimental quantities at the current state. Mass production is impossible because to produce guncotton, which is essentially smokeless gunpowder, we need to nitrate cellulose, and it requires washing with clean water for dozens of hours. If metal powder mixes with the guncotton, it could cause an abnormal explosion. Since the current water source is river water, it's inevitable that impurities will mix in.

Mass-producing breech-loading rifles is almost impossible with the current production capacity, but if we want to make a prototype, it's possible. The biggest problem is that the metal cartridge cases can't be made due to the lack of pressing machinery. A simple press might be possible with water wheel power, but a drawing die press for making rims is out of the question.

Lathes and turret lathes can be powered by water wheels, but I don't know their structure. Even if I try and fail, I can't do it alone and must use existing technology to the fullest. The best way is to train a large number of gunsmiths, but this would only strengthen the Hojo clan, which is a very difficult situation.

As I thought before, rifles were already created in Europe in the mid-15th century, so if we can introduce that technology, it should be possible to add rifling. However, since that technology hasn't reached Japan, we have to create it ourselves.

Even if we use water wheel power to bore the gun barrels, it's impossible because we don't have forged iron blocks. Since it's very difficult to melt iron in this era, we can only cast it in bronze. I have the design in my head, so if we use different molds for the mechanism, barrel, and bolt, we should be able to create a revolutionary infantry rifle for this era.

The only dilemma is that brass cartridge cases can't be made. In that case, we could use paper cartridge cases with percussion caps like the Prussian Dreyse or French Chassepot, but attaching the percussion mechanism to the bolt is very difficult. I know the principle, but knowing and being able to make it are different. Also, how to convey this to a skilled craftsman is a problem.

I know from my reading that fulminate of mercury, which is used in percussion caps, can be made with nitric acid, mercury, and alcohol. A similar explosive, methyl nitrate, can be made by distilling methanol, which is produced from wood vinegar during charcoal production, and then dry distilling it with nitric acid. It seems that percussion caps could be made relatively quickly, but it's just theoretical, so it's uncertain.

Even if smokeless gunpowder is impossible, brown gunpowder, which burns slower than black gunpowder and is suitable for rifled guns, can be made immediately. Just mix 18% brown charcoal (which is stopped from burning completely black), 79% saltpeter, and 3% sulfur.

However, I never thought that the miscellaneous knowledge I acquired as a library committee member in my student days would be useful for something like this. The knowledge of wood vinegar comes from a certain iron arm program, and since it can be used as a pesticide, it can be produced without arousing suspicion.

That's right. People only see weapons, but in this era, even a thousand-tooth rake doesn't exist. I should have it made to reduce the farmers' hard work. If we also make a cotton gin, it should give the rural areas some leeway. While we shouldn't over-mechanize, a certain degree should be acceptable.

If I just give ideas, I can say I thought of them by chance, or that they were divine guidance or a dream, and since people in this era are devout and fear superstitions and curses, I can get away with it. But I'm worried about the mines. If I say they were divine guidance, it might be okay, but I might be seen through by that old man. Since he's not here, I could use dowsing to find the mines and trick Lords Shinjiro and Genzaburo, but what should I do?

March 20, 1552

■Sagami Province, Ashigara Lower District, Hojo Genan's Kuno Residence, Mita Yoshiro

After that, Lord Uesugi Kenshin is resisting in northern Ueno, but it's like a mantis trying to stop a cart, and he's gradually weakening. Since I know the historical outcome, I know that after this, the adopted son of the Uesugi family will go to the Satake family and offer the Uesugi name and the Kanto Kanrei position to Lord Satake Yoshiaki. However, this is only recorded on the Satake side, so it's uncertain whether it will become historical fact.

After that, he will offer the Uesugi name and the Kanto Kanrei position to Lord Nagao Kagekatsu in Echigo. Because of this, my Mita family took the wrong path, and since I've been with the Hojo, I've felt that they provide a better life for the people. Considering the damage from the Kanto invasion, I have a nagging feeling.

Regarding the mines, I haven't been able to mention them at all due to the war. Everything else is still theoretical.

The mansion is getting noisy. Old Man Genan and the others must have returned, so I need to go and greet them.

"I just returned."

"Welcome back, sir."

"Father, brother, I'm glad you are safe."

"Hey, Yume, how have you been?"

"Yes."

By the way, Yume is Old Man Genan's seven-year-old daughter.

"Lord Genan, Lord Tokinaga, Lord Tsunahira, Lord Nagahiro, I'm glad you are all safe."

Greetings are important.

"Haha, Yoshiro, I can see your disappointment at the thought of starting training again."

As expected, the old man can read my mind.

"Father, please, Yoshiro is troubled."

Nice one, Lord Tokinaga.

"Alright. We need to continue the pacification of Ueno, so Yoshiro, you will study and train with others for a while."

Ah, that's right. Old Man Genan will pacify Ueno and even capture Numata Castle for a while, but then he will have to retreat due to the fierce attacks of Nagao Kagekatsu.

"Pacification, is it?"

"Yes. We have captured Lord Uesugi Kenshin's castle, Hirai Castle, and he is now resisting in northern Ueno."

"Also, we captured his son, Ryuakumaru."

Ah, that reminds me. Lord Uesugi Kenshin's heir, Ryuakumaru, was betrayed by the turncoat retainer Tashiroda Shinnojo (Ryuakumaru's wet nurse's husband) and executed by Lord Uesugi Kenshin, I think. He was around eleven years old. Because of this, Lord Uesugi Kenshin adopted Nagao Kagekatsu, but what will happen?

If things continue this way, Ryuakumaru will be executed. It's pitiful, but can't he be used instead? If we send him back to Lord Uesugi Kenshin, it will show the Hojo family's generosity to other Kanto daimyo, and with his legitimate heir alive, will Lord Uesugi Kenshin really give the Uesugi name and the Kanto Kanrei position to Lord Nagao Kagekatsu?

Even if he does, the legitimate successor of the Uesugi family will be very difficult to handle. Especially during the adoption issue of Nagao Kagekatsu, a faction might arise to make Ryuakumaru the adopted son of Lord Nagao Kagekatsu and have him succeed the family. The resentment of the Ueda group against the Echigo group is significant, so if a third party is introduced here, it will only add to the confusion. It's better not to let Ryuakumaru be killed.

"Lord Genan."

"What is it? You seem serious."

"What will be done with Lord Ryuakumaru?"

"Are you concerned because he is the heir of your former lord?"

"Not exactly, but I heard he is only about ten years old."

"Yes, he will likely be crucified."

Indeed, this is where we must challenge history!

"Please don't do that."

"Yoshiro, don't say that. It will cause trouble not only for you but also for your family."

"No, it's not out of compassion."

"What do you mean?"

"Yes, if a parent's child is killed, they will surely be enraged, but from the battles so far, it's clear that Lord Uesugi Kenshin is not a significant threat. However, if he has no heir and there is a strong family that has adopted from the Uesugi, what will happen?"

Old Man Genan started thinking.

"Yes, he might rely on them, but I don't think the Satake are ready yet."

As expected, you know about the Satake, but not about the Nagao.

"No, not the Satake, but the Nagao of Echigo."

"But the Nagao are of the Taira clan, and the Uesugi are of the Fujiwara clan, and there is no blood relation, is there?"

"Yes, the Nagao of Echigo have no blood relation, but the Nagao of Shimousa, who are relatives, have adopted from the Uesugi before. If we interpret this broadly, we can say that the Nagao have the blood of the Uesugi."

"I see, that's a clever argument. Moreover, the current head of the Nagao has shown talent in warfare from a young age, so it might be better to have an ordinary person as the head of the Uesugi."

"That's right."

"But that alone might not be convincing enough."

"In that case, the Nagao have been committing evil deeds for generations."

"You mean the regent and the lord's murder."

As expected, Old Man Genan knows, but does he know this much?

"Yes, Nagao Kagekatsu's father, Terukage, killed the regent, Uesugi Zenkunen, and the previous lord of Echigo, Uesugi Masanori.

Moreover, during the Koga Battle, the Nagao cruelly killed the infants, Shunno and Anno, the heirs of the Kanto Shogun, Ashikaga Motouji, who were captured as prisoners, on their way to Kyoto. Furthermore, Terukage betrayed his lord, Uesugi Masanori.

Considering this, the Nagao have been disloyal to the Kanto Shogun, the regent, and the Uesugi family. In contrast, the Hojo family, while we exiled Ashikaga Chachamaru in Izu, it was the Takeda who killed him, and the exile was ordered by Shogun Yoshizumi. The attack on the Koga Shogun was also ordered by my brother, Ashikaga Yoshimi, and all of it was done by the shogun's command."

Old Man Genan was impressed by Yoshiro's argument.

"Indeed, compared to the Nagao, our family has fewer reasons to be criticized. However, we cannot deny that we fought against the regent."

"Yes, but in that regard, our family has the blood of the Hojo Uesugi, but not the blood of the regent's family. If we consider this, returning Lord Ryuakumaru might make the regent think."

Old Man Genan quickly calculated the benefits to the Hojo and decided to persuade Lord Uesugi Kenshin.

"Understood. I will inform Lord Uesugi Kenshin immediately."

After that, unlike the historical record, Lord Ryuakumaru was returned to Lord Uesugi Kenshin, who was resisting in Ueno Shirai Castle, through the mediation of the Koga Shogun, Ashikaga Haruuji. Now, how will history unfold? It's unclear whether Uesugi Kenshin will be born, but I want to do something.

The thousand-tooth rake and the cotton gin, when shown to Old Man Genan, were immediately put into mass production and will be used from this year's harvest. When I pointed out the granary, it was decided to try storing millet, barnyard grass, and buckwheat. I hope this will prevent the farmers from starving during famines.