The Product of 10 Months of Labor.

Today is a special day. It's not a workday for me but…

"Iwasawa-sama, there's another request from them!"

"Kou-sama, can you look after this?! I need to check the other table!"

"Kou-sama! When will this end?!!"

I feel like I'm still at work…

"GAAA!!! This is why I told everyone to prepare early, didn't I?!" Already exhausted to the brim, I didn't care if anyone else was here and simply shouted in protest.

The reason for all of this fuss is both important and annoying.

"Happy Birthday, Rinne!"

It's the birthday of our favorite twerp. With the request of her grandfather and grandmother, I allowed the celebration to be held inside Naka Castle's dining chamber.

"Nyahaha!!! It's my birthday! Bow to me, peasants! Ita-!"

"Tch! You're not supposed to say that!"

"Owwie…."

With her bratty order that almost sounded like a Sentai-show villain, her grandmother hit her head even in front of the guest which was already a common sight for us.

As for the reason why Me, Chiyo, Masami and Toshinori-san sounded like we're dying earlier…

"Hah… Hah… I can't believe a little kid can make the highest-ranking officials of this province to just go and cook something for her birthday."

With the other maids already busy with cooking the regular dishes and serving the guests in the chamber, I was left with Chiyo and two of my ministers who knew the recipe of Spaghetti.

"Ahaha… Don't say it like that, Iwasawa-sama. I don't want to see Rinne-chan sad on her special day."

"I know, I know… It's just so tiring."

As Nagisa-san carried the food we cooked and Toshinori-san followed her to join his daughter who was also inside the dining chamber, I was left exhausted to the bone at the kitchen along with Chiyo.

"Still… It's almost a year already, huh?"

"Yeah. A lot of things changed already but I still feel like I am inexperienced…"

It's been 10 months already since I became the lord of Kiko. And within that time, a lot has changed in these lands.

"It's fortunate that the Shinju clan vowed loyalty to you, Iwasawa-sama. You've got everything you needed for these things… Now that I remember it, I called those stars, didn't I?"

She looked up for a moment and looked at me with a wide smile.

"Huh? Oh, that? Ahaha. Yeah, it was fun to hear that from you."

I looked up too and saw the glowing lightbulb in the kitchen ceiling. I then remembered her question back when we she finally went home from being a Page of her former boss.

"Muu… Don't laugh at me, Iwasawa-sama." She pouted and lightly threw an apricot to me which I caught and bitten.

"Why not? It's not like I was laughing to mock you. Your innocence back then was plenty adorable, you know?"

"…Still, I don't like it."

Looking at her now, I'm glad that I made the decision of asking Chiyo to be my assistant especially now that things are getting hectic for me. Kiko has, as I already said, changed a lot to the point that someone who came here before I became the Daimyo wouldn't recognize it.

To summarize the things that I've done for the past few months, let me lay a simple timetable so that I can narrate it as quick and concisely as possible.

I became the Daimyo during the middle of Spring which placed me in April. At that time, I taught the farmers about crop rotation of food and cash crops, fertilization of the soil using leftover flesh and the use of pesticides and herbicides to avoid bad harvests. With that, we were able to re-stabilize the food shortage that the Akizuki regime created.

During also that time, I've studied and inspected the rules of trade is Kiko and found out that the ancient laws are indeed ancient because of how many loopholes there was in it. So, with the permission and support of Jirou-sama, who is the current head of the Misanagi clan, my first step was to reverse the taxation in the products of Kiko.

In my revision, I made basic goods less taxable to ensure that the common citizens can have more of it with less money. With that, I've raised the taxation for luxury goods such as silk, jewels, works of art and other non-essential products. Of course, there was some friction with the merchant guilds and families, but by reminding them of what the Kawasumi clan did which is turning their profits into products that can be taxed less before selling them here for the original value, I convinced them that this is something meant to make everything fairer for everybody.

The rest of the changes is credited to Toshinori-san who amended the other loopholes. Being a merchant himself, he knew the tricks of the trade and handled everything else. Thanks to him, the stagnation of trade and wealth in Naka harbor where the richest elites of the merchant groups retained their wealth, was resolved to the point that even the simple soldiers of my castle often talked of what to buy next to sell after their shift has ended.

Summer quickly came and things began to take shape for the entirety of Kiko.

First of all, the project of creating a school, a clinic and windmill in every village and a training center, hospital and a watermill for every town was put into place. Most of the citizens felt grateful with this change.

Most of the time, it was left to the family to teach their children about speech and writing and to herbalists and monks to heal those with diseases, but now that I've provided them with certified experts, they are now able to function more as I've freed them of these responsibilities. And as a bonus benefit, their children can now pursue better careers than being stuck in the same trade, ensuring that there is a cycle in the system that I provided.

In the topic of hospitals and clinics, I've not mentioned it before, but I sent the sample of Penicillin that I made in my house at Aoya to a doctor that Fumikage-sama endorsed was the most capable in Kiko. I've heard that he successfully replicated my process of culturing the penicillin mold to extract the antibiotic, but he hasn't found out a way to mass produce it yet. So for now, only major hospitals has a few vials of it and it is reserved for diseases of highest concern.

Autumn quickly came, harvest season was the time for me to win over the people.

And fortunately, it worked. Everything that I did worked in our favor. I've received reports all around the province from the scholars that I sent. They reported a bountiful harvest of grain, vegetables and fruits overflowing the storage sheds and barns that most farmers feared that it will rot before they can even sell all of it. With that in mind, an idea came to me that I thought wouldn't be that bad to do.

I sent a messenger to Shinka, the land of the Kusanagi clan, and informed them that I'll be sending over a caravan of foodstuffs as a sign of continued collaboration and payback for the help they sent for the last few months like wood, iron and coal. I received a complacent reply, but with the words it contained, it probably came from a secretary than from the female daimyo herself.

The use of water mills on the rivers to automatically grind the grains of the harvest helped a lot to introduce people to machinery because that too, was something that will be coming soon in their lives.

It all started in Naka harbor when soldiers dug holes at every corner of every alley and avenue and stuck poles in them where copper wires coated in lacquer was hanged. Some of the citizens became afraid because back in Sengoku Japan, this is something only seen during war where enemies are crucified or tied on a stake and a lot of torture happens until they die. But that is, of course, not my reason to do this.

"I heard that the lord asked everyone to gather in the nearest pole by sunset."

"What could it possibly be? Will there be an execution?"

"No, there's been no wars since the deposition of the Akizuki daimyo. I doubt that it will be something like that."

These were the common chattering of the people at that night while they are looking up at the mysterious poles that was placed near their homes. And as I promised them, by sunset, the normal darkness was replaced by the light that came from man-made stars.

"Uwaaah!"

"So bright!"

"W-What is this sorcery?! S-Stars?! In these poles?!"

For those who are asking how in the hell I was able to light up 500 electric poles with 1000 lightbulbs, the answer is simple, I didn't sit on my ass for the last 8 months. I've already trained a bunch of artisans by my second month of being a daimyo how to make glass from sand and even got the machinery to produce these products created such as the vacuum pump. Instead of high melting point metals, I followed Edison's patent and used a carbon filament lightbulb to light up the streets and for the power supply, does anyone remember the dam that we destroyed when we attacked Naka castle? Yeah, I ordered for it to be repaired and lined up 2 water turbines in each of the 4 gates of the dam and just like that, Naka harbor can now run and do trade 24/7 because there are no more dark nights in here and after more modernizations in producing them, electric lightbulbs will also come to the other towns of Kiko.

To commemorate all of these achievements, the merchant guilds, along with some of those artisans and mechanics that I trained, created a clock tower with bells in the middle of Naka whose mechanical inner workings came from the grandfather clock I made for my office. In the plaque of the tower was my name, but with my request, they also placed the name of every merchant guild and workers who worked on it. With that, the people has also learned to organize their time, waking in the morning at the chime of the clock's morning bell and ending their works at the chime of the evening bell.

And just like that, we've finally come to this day.

To a semi-developed Kiko province who are living steadily now.

"Well, let's go and catch up with the others already. Rinne and the others must already be waiting for us."

"Mm! Well said, Iwasawa-sama."

But even with all of these achievements, something was still bothering me.

"Happy Birthday, Rinne!"

"Uwaah! Hiroshi-nii! Lift me up!"

"Alright, come here! Hup!"

Because deep inside the halls of this castle, there is a constant problem of handling the mire of political fighting and militaristic brinksmanship with the other neighboring provinces.

Even though I have achieved those things, I am being dragged by the leg with these problems.

"I'll handle the clean-up of the dining chamber, Iwasawa-sama. I apologize that I cannot help in the meeting tonight."

"No, no. It's alright. We all have our jobs here so there's no need to apologize for something like this."

I want to take it all by myself… that is one of my dumb reasons to justify this.

"Shimura-kun."

"I am aware, Iwasawa-sama."

In my office where no bulbs or candles created any light, I talked to my general every night whenever we had major problems for 10 months already. From handling bandits, pirates, corrupt or scheming bureaucrats, to spying on the other provinces, it was me and Nobisuke who always talked, planned and sent people to do it.

And from those, both of us learned things that we didn't want to know.

Slave trade, genocide, bandit attacks, inhumane living conditions for peasants and many more… Our spies that went to the provinces beyond the southern triad brought news from the places that is nearer to the seat of power. And one of that news was something that I was sure would come out at the visit of someone important tomorrow.

"Tomorrow is her visitation. It hinges on the decision of the Daigo clan princess whether we will continue to receive the Kusanagi clan's support or not."

"I know… but with how Kiko looks now, I doubt that she will make any drastic actions."

"…I understand that."

Tomorrow, the Daimyo of Shinka that I am serving as a semi-independent daimyo for, will visit Kiko with another person who will judge my reconstruction and technological advancement efforts that we have done.

One might ask why I am still depending on the Kusanagi clan when I literally have one of the most technologically advanced places in the entire world, and there are 2 answers for that. First of all, Kiko has nothing to boast other than its river valley lands that produce lots of foods. Because of that, we are dependent on trade for ore and minerals and wouldn't you know it, Shinka is the largest iron-producing province in the southern triad. Another reason for that dependence is because my approval to the people is just above average. If I won't appease the Kusanagi clan, there would be a war which will be hard for the people of Kiko and thus, create a rift between me as the government and the people.

"About that news… if she will really ask for our help, what would you do, Iwasawa-kou-sama?"

"…"

That news is nothing more but a headache for me… because from the letter sent by our spy in Kingo city of Kise province, the Amanogawa shogunate has fallen through an attack from the northern provinces. The Amanogawa Shogun was able to send his child to a certain province in hopes that the kid can continue their rule in the future, what province specifically wasn't told but because of that, the daimyos near us has pointed fingers at each other and began amassing their troops in a hide-and-seek to secure power and influence that turned to a free-for-all war.

"Kusanagi Kyoko… she's facing an impending attack from one of her 4 neighbors. She's bound to ask for us to help her out."

"I know… that's why I am trying to think of a way for us to keep our losses to the minimum. The army has finished their training course, but they still haven't seen any actual combat. There's a saying in the military that the only way to filter the men from the boys is to let them hear bullets flying past their ears, artillery shells detonating in front of them and carrying their comrades' corpses into ditches where ravens and rats can feast of them…"

"With our current equipment, we can do that… but that would be too inefficient and a lot of waste."

"What the-?! Are you seriously thinking about killing them, Shimura-kun?"

"I would prefer not to, but if there is no other way to train them…"

"Refused. There's no way we can do that. We only have 6000 personnel at hand. We can't lose a substantial amount of them."

With no other ideas in my mind, I just told Nobisuke to prepare the demonstration tomorrow and asked Asada-san to wake me up early so I can go to Aoya to welcome our guests.

"Hah… so tired."

In my bedroom that has stack upon stacks of record books, old documents and the blueprints of my future inventions, there was nothing but silence for me to hear.

*Tak, tak*

A light knock came from my door and I came to it to see the familiar face that always comes here at night.

"Good evening, Hiroshi-sama."

"Good evening too, Chiyo."

Ever since she became my assistant, Chiyo has also been someone that I leaned on greatly to escape from the stress of being the Lord of Kiko.

"Your hair became longer… You've been very busy after all."

While my head was on her lap and she's combing my long, unfurled hair, she spoke.

"Yeah… I don't even have time to sleep properly for the last few days…"

It is a secret that me, Chiyo, Nobisuke-kun and Takeshi-sama are keeping from the others, but me and Chiyo has been engaged for a month now.

"I know that traditions are traditions… but if I'm gonna be honest, I do want to stay here to sleep beside you every night."

"I love the thoughtfulness, but as you've already said. It's a traditional test of loyalty and respect for couples to not do anything before marriage. Isn't that the reason why Kiko has stable and whole families? Because those who are about to be married must endure this test?"

"Well said. You sound like you've actually grew up here."

"Mm. Thank you."

I spoke and took her hand that was combing my hair and kissed it.

"What's up with all this sweetness? Are you really that worried for tomorrow?"

"I am. I talked with Nobisuke earlier about it, but we haven't been able to conclude anything. At this point, if she will ask for help in the upcoming war, I will have to comply while swallowing my grief…"

"…"

Hearing that, Chiyo held her breath in surprise before placing her hand over my eyes.

"Don't be afraid to do what you have to do, Iwasawa-sama."

She referred to me in a way that she uses normally. One which doesn't use my first name.

"You're the daimyo of Kiko. But that doesn't mean that you have to bear everything on your shoulders. Remember, we're always here for you."

With that, she planted a kiss on my cheek that relieved the grief that I was carrying.

"Thank you, Chiyo. I'm really blessed to have someone like you at my side."

She slowly made me turn to my side which was my normal sleeping position, placed a blanket over me and bid me a good night before opening the door where Nobisuke was standing by to watch over us and left.

"I'm sorry… Chiyo."

I lied to her.

It wasn't because I was worried tomorrow that I have been losing sleep or being nervous… It was because of the things that I allowed to happen and permitted to happen that I am always worried when I am around you.

"The razing of Aoya's pleasure district, the assassination of slave merchants, the massacring of the mountain and forest bandits at Hikigaya domain, the killing of pirates at the wharfs of Fumikage domain… too much bloodshed that I allowed and permitted…"

I am not a stranger to killing people, I have done it once on the kidnappers who took Toshinori-san's daughter. But this magnitude… the bodies that has been piled under my feet to make me rise up.

"It's overwhelming me…"

I am no different from the people that I have killed. I am not a saint as most people call me. And because of that, I have to bear all of it on my shoulders. Because it is my fault.

"But I have to move… I may bear these burdens, but I have to move."

I will move forward, until my problems have been solved or destroyed. That is what I promised to myself. So that once I can finally take her hand, there is nothing more for me to worry about.

"Iwasawa-dono. It's time to wake up."

"Mm… Thank you. What time is it?"

"It's the middle of the morning's 4th hour, my lord. I have already prepared your breakfast and the other servants are preparing a warm bath for you."

"Okay. I'll follow later. Please prepare my clothes and inform Commander Ishida that we will be leaving by the 5th hour."

"As you wish, Iwasawa-dono."

After my breakfast of fried eggs, rice and some leftovers from Rinne's birthday, I took my bath and left the castle with my soldiers by 5 o'clock.

"I trust that everyone has already rode this."

"Umm… no, sir. Only some of us had the experience."

"… No choice but the try it then."

I forgot to mention earlier because it was only finished this month, but the train that I left to that overly enthusiastic castle smithy and his friends is now on partial operation with only three stations, namely Naka, Aoya and the newly built trade town in the riverbank of Iso named Tohou. It also has only two steam locomotives each having only three passenger wagons due to the limited amount of horsepower of the engines.

"Urk-!"

"Pull yourself together! We're here with Iwasawa-sama today!"

Still, it was pretty fast for something like a 3rd try of those guys in designing it. Because of that speed, the usual 3-hour horse-riding trip from Naka to Tohou only took 45 minutes which let my men to recompose themselves from their motion sickness.

"Iwasawa-kou-sama! Welcome, welcome!"

Once we arrived at the town center of Tohou, the minister of trade and industry beckoned me a welcome to the town that he was handling.

"Toshinori-san. The town is already lively at this hour, huh."

"Oh yes. It's a mercantile town after all. As you've always said, the early chicken gets the yellow corns."

"What? It's the early bird gets the worms…"

As reward for his service and loyalty to me, I gave him the position of governor in this new trading spot which was near to the lands of the Kusanagi and Yamaguchi clan as well as the domains of Aoyama and Fumikage clan.

"Wait, never mind that. Did the guests already arrive here?"

"Oh, we received word that they are still crossing the bridge. They said that the Daigo princess' palanquin went first so the following contingent has also slowed down."

Nobles, really… even in this world, they like to make unnecessary extravagance. And I can say that since I don't wear anything or do anything that is unessential to what I am doing.

"If that's the case…"

"Kou-sama?"

"Wanna play Shogi until they arrive?" I whispered to him.

"I'd only play if there are bets."

"Ahaha… as you wish, old man."

As expected, it took another hour for the guest to arrive which was fortunate for both me and Toshinori-san since it's been already been the 5th time for the bag of coins that we betted on in the first game to exchange hands.

"Finally, they're here." I spoke as I stood up from my seat.

"Draw?" Toshinori-san asked me.

"Yeah, let's draw this and take our bets… betting in this game kinda feels useless."

I wore my coat and rode the horse prepared for me in order to meet our guest at the same level.

"It's already been almost a year, huh?"

A voice that has a strong undertone greeted me. It was undoubtedly from that woman that has unfairly treated me when I once worked for her.

But that's already in the past. If I'm still angry about something that I should be expecting, I'd look like a child in front of other people.

"It is. Welcome to Kiko, Kusanagi-kou-dono. To you too, Daigo-hime-sama."

With a courtesy bow, I greeted the two. One was the already familiar tough face of the warrior princess Kusanagi Kyoko and the other one who hasn't opened the window of her palanquin was the princess of the Daigo clan that will judge what I have done to Kiko.

"A new town and a bridge… aiming to attract merchants from Shinka and Fuku, aren't you?"

"You're right."

"Tsk! As expected from you. You're covering your weaknesses so you can cut the treaty as quickly as possible."

"Well, if that's how you'll look at it."

My relationship with her as the lord of Shinka is… it's like having to work with someone you hate for a common goal.

"But to be fair, your gift during the harvest season saved a lot of my people from our partially bad harvest. If not for that, most of them wouldn't be able to stock up for the winter."

"You're welcome. I'm happy if it helped the others."

But as a person, I do not see her the same way. She can be brutal, she can be a pain in the head, but she isn't an unreasonable prick.

"Now, can you introduce me to the inspector for today?"

"Oh, yeah. Shizuka-chan, you can get out now."

From her palanquin, an adolescent girl of about 12 years old came out. With a hair that is styled in elaborate ways and highly decorated golden pins, I no longer doubt what the other merchants say that the Daigo clan is indeed the richest daimyo family in this part of the country.

"I am Daigo Shizuka from Kise Province. I am here today at the request of Lady Kyoko for the inspection of Kiko province.

She spoke elegantly but when I noticed it, the one thing that confused me was that she was wearing a Miko's dress.

"Confused, aren't you? Let me explain, the women of the Daigo clan are also treated as holy maidens. The virgin women in their family dresses like that to symbolize their purity until marriage."

"I… I see. Again, welcome to Kiko, Daigo-hime-sama."

I don't really care. But I guess that's something good to learn about.

"Now then, I heard that we will be leaving our horses here, why did you request that?"

Kyoko asked me after getting off her horse and that's when I told her about the train we'll be taking to Naka.

"Turein?"

"Hah… you can just call it a "Ressha". It's a vehicle that runs on steam."

"S-steam?! Ich-! Kukuku… Steam? Who's going to believe that vehicle exists?"

While we are walking to the train station with the princess still on her palanquin as she requested, the female lord beside me was already having her field day laughing at what I wa saying.

Just wait until we get to the train station and I'll order the conductor to make the train run as fast as possible, so you'll get motion sick.