In December 1489, the third year of Chōkyō, South Ezo land, Victory Mountain Manor.
In the Tsugaru Strait in December, there were still no signs of freezing. Vast birch forests covered the mountains on the north coast of the strait, with a light dusting of snow over the forests and mountains. In the valley between the mountains, a long river quietly flowed westward, rging into the vast sea.
The valley in the mountains was long and flat, and the continuous mountain forests cleared away here. On the thin layer of snow, stood a village of Wa People style, along with two Japanese-style castles in the mountain, commonly called "Castles." Of course, in this barren and cold Ezo land, the two small castles had no tenshu, their structure was quite low, and thus could also be called "Halls."
The north wind stirred slight waves, and the near-sea waters were clear. Two deeply laden customs ships slowly docked at the harbor. The harbor was very small, a natural fishing port, with only four Samurai guarding it. Their main job was not to guard the harbor, but to collect fish catches as tribute from the small fishing boats coming back from the sea.
Seeing the two customs ships arriving, the four Samurai were surprised. They discerned the small flag on the ship and recognized the familiar leader on the ship’s bow, which made them slightly relax.
"Huh? Kono Group Leader, why have the rice house’s ships arrived so early this year? And why are there two customs ships?"
"I don’t know. Sukezaburou, ride at once and report to the Manor. The people from the rice house have arrived, it seems there might be so important matters."
"Yes!"
The four briefly exchanged a few words, and one of them imdiately rode the only small horse, rushing to report to the Victory Mountain Manor miles away. The remaining three carried their swords and went to the harbor, directing the shipworkers to assist in docking.
Soon, the two customs ships docked at the shore, and from the ship disembarked an old and a young pair. Both were dressed in thick cotton long coats, wearing ear-covering cotton hats. They carried no swords, clearly both were rchants.
Kono Kenichi, the group leader, squinted his eyes and examined closely. The elder rchant was about forty or fifty, with a weathered expression and gentle eyes, looking not like a typical rchant but rather with a hint of a monk’s deanor. He did not recognize this man’s origin, but he noticed the silk small sleeves peeking between the deep blue cotton coat, and he slightly bowed his waist.
As for the young rchant, the others did recognize him, nad Matsushita Zou Jirou, who was the headman from the rice house who ca for trade with the Manor every year, and could also be called the shopkeeper.
As the customs ship docked, the ship workers busied themselves, unloading the rice bags from the ship. Matsushita Zou Jirou stepped forward and smilingly took out a small paper packet, slipping it into the hand of Kono Kenichi.
"Kono Group Leader, thank you for your trouble!"
Kono Kenichi orderly commanded the shipworkers in their tasks. He accepted the paper packet, gave it a slight weigh, and then smiled.
"Ha! It’s necessary. With these two ships of grain, the Manor’s New Year this year will be much more prosperous."
Following that, Kono Kenichi waited for a mont and glanced at the elder rchant nearby, yet saw that Matsushita Zou Jirou showed no sign of introducing him. His waist bent again, and he smilingly asked.
"Why have the grain ships arrived so early this year? Is there so important matter?"
Upon hearing this, Matsushita Zou Jirou bowed, smiled politely, and still did not respond. Seeing this, Kono Kenichi understood. He no longer inquired and stepped aside, sharing the proceeds with the Samurai.
"Snowy plains and forest seas, the mountains layer upon layer. And a long river flows, clearly reflected."
Soon, the surroundings quieted down. The elder rchant, with a wandering expression, watched the clear river rging into the pale blue sea, softly admiring.
"Still water can reflect the heavens and earth, a calm mind can communicate with spirits... The scenery by the Amano River, seeing it again after more than ten years, is still equally calming!"
Hearing this, Matsushita Zou Jirou bowed and laughed in response.
"Indeed! Among all the rivers in the world nad Amano, only this place is truly the ’Northern Heavens Field’..."
The elder rchant nodded, his gaze following the Amano River extending towards the East. On both sides of the river, under the thin white snow, appeared patches of grey-yellow, which were the rice stalks left after the harvest. The patches of rice stalks extended deep into the valley, and around the rice fields, were the thatched houses of the He Ren Farrs.
Matsushita Zou Jirou, noticing the other’s gaze, tily smiled and said.
"Master, the rice from this Ezo land, compared to the Capital City, has a distinct serene taste, which is unforgettable!"
"Hmm, Ezo land’s rice..."
The elder rchant reminisced for a mont, smiled faintly, and replied.
"Where there are rice fields, there are Wa-jin Land. Unfortunately, in this vast Ezo land, the only part where rice can be cultivated is this circle on the Southern Island..."
The two chatted for a while, then saw two riders rushing from afar from the mountain "Manor." The elder rchant gazed at the mountain manor and smilingly said.
"It’s been so many years, and the Upper Country Manor’s scale has only grown larger!"
Hearing this, Matsushita Zou Jirou lowered his head, carefully reminded him.
"Indeed! Master, the scale of the Upper Country Manor has continuously expanded, and now it is the largest among the Twelve Halls. And it also has a new na, called Victory Mountain Manor..."
"Hmm? Victory Mountain Manor?"
"Yes! This na was given specifically by the forr Guardian of the Upper Country, Nobuhiro, over ten years ago, to commorate the victory of the Koshama In battle..."
"Ah!"
The elder rchant understood. He smiled again, glanced at Zou Jirou beside him, and nodded.
Soon, the two riders from the Victory Mountain Manor arrived nearby. The leading middle-aged Samurai wore a black feather weave coat, with a warm fur lining inside. He had deep-colored long hakama on his legs, and a Samurai’s Tachi was inserted into his waist.
Looking closely at the front of his long hakama, there were neat five folds, representing the Samurai’s moral doctrine, the Five Ethics and Five Constants, naly ruler and minister, father and son, husband and wife, brothers, friends, and benevolence, righteousness, propriety, wisdom, faith. On the back of the long hakama, there were also two folds, representing heaven and earth, yin and yang, loyalty and filial piety.
The elder rchant’s first glance was at the other’s face, the second began examining the attire. Seeing the well-defined folds, he smiled. The middle-aged Samurai, ten paces away, reined in his horse, dismounted, and walked on foot. Seeing the elder rchant, he first appeared surprised, then delighted.
"Mori no Kiyoshi Master, why have you co in person?!"
"Ha! Mitsuhiro, after more than ten years, you’ve beco as steady as mountains, a Samurai as strong as a ghost!"
"Haha!"
Upon hearing this, the middle-aged Samurai laughed heartily, quite pleased. Yes, in Wa people’s tradition, "Ghost Warrior" is undoubtedly a complint.
The elder rchant Mori no Kiyoshi stepped forward with a smile and warmly conversed with the middle-aged Samurai Kaozaki Mitsuhiro.
The two were acquaintances of over twenty years, Kaozaki Mitsuhiro having t this fellow from his father’s hotown on the west bank of Lake Biwa even when he was a child. And in the monotonous and dull Ezo land, eting soone from the Capital City and discussing the customs and features of the Kansai region was an exceedingly rare pleasure.
After a brief conversation, Kaozaki Mitsuhiro looked at Mori no Kiyoshi and also asked a similar question.
"Mori no Kiyoshi Master, did you co in person because of so important matter?"
"It is an important matter."
Mori no Kiyoshi nodded, glanced around, and Kaozaki Mitsuhiro asked a few Samurai to disperse. Then, Mori no Kiyoshi’s expression grew solemn, and he whispered sothing, causing Kaozaki Mitsuhiro’s face to change dramatically!
"It’s an important matter from the Capital City, concerning a significant issue..."
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