Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

Chapter 1944 1414: Mori no Kiyoshi's Connections, Linking Korea's Trade Route!

"Buddha's blessing! Uncle, your fleet is heading north to Ezo land, at which Daimyo domains are you stopping for resupply along the way? Given the current chaos, and with the ships fully loaded with goods, you must be extremely careful!…""Hmm, as the world grows increasingly chaotic, the land trade routes are always blocked, but the coastal ones are still passable... These merchant ships start from the Capital Region's Yakawa, to the shores of Lake Biwa, and then from the port of Wakasa Takeda Clan out to sea. Both your father and I hail from Wakasa, and we have a certain standing within the trading group of Omi. The shores of Lake Biwa have always been prosperous, producing rice, alcohol, tea, cattle, lacquerware, paper... it's a good place to trade all sorts of goods!"

Mori no Kiyoshi smiled warmly, talking about the prosperous scenery of the Omi region, thereby broadening the horizons of his "nephew" from Ezo land. Afterward, he dipped his fingers in the tea water, stretched out his hand over the table, and drew a map, outlining the two thousand li coastline from Wakasa to Ezo land, which is precisely the route the fleet is taking north.

"From Wakasa along the coast towards the northeast, the Asakura family occupies Echizen and the Ikko Sect occupies Kaga and Central Yuezhi. I don't have many connections in these places, not suitable for stopping. However, the Hosokawa Family, who occupy Noto, is one of the three major governors of the Shogunate and have always had close ties with the Capital City!… We will resupply on the Noto Peninsula, and also trade some locally produced fish, salt, rice."

"From the Hosokawa Family and further east, the Uesugi Clan is the Kanto Governor, a noble family where the True Dharma flourishes. By presenting the name of the Miao Courtyard, we can resupply in the Uesugi Clan's territory and trade in Yuehou. Yuehou produces rice, horses, and also good swords and bows…"

"However, currently the Uesugi Clan is divided by civil war, battling fiercely between the Yuehou and Yamauchi families. Our ship carries many weapons and armors, for safety's sake, it's better to stop at Sado Island. The Honma Clan on Sado Island holds little power and is very friendly to passing merchant ships. And Sado Island's specialty, hmm, is silver! I heard there used to be sand gold, but it seems it's already been exhausted, each time we stop there we can only trade a bit…"

In this era, Sado's Gold Mountain has not been discovered nominally. Whether the Honma Clan secretly mined it or not, no one truly knows. The island's apparent mining site is the Hezi Silver Mountain, which is just a strait away from the Sado Gold Mountain.

The Honma Clan's population is limited and hasn't mastered the ash blowing method. The silver mountain's yield is quite peculiar, neither too much nor too little, just enough to stay beneath the psychological threshold for surrounding powers to invade and annex. However, when the Uesugi Clan regains unity, they will surely influence this nearby precious-metal island, seizing its benefits!

And should the Sado Gold Mountain be discovered, such astonishing wealth, exposed to the Uesugi Clan… the fate of the Honma Clan would be, alas, certainly grim!…

"From Yuehou further northeast, Hachimantai is all small clans, not much worth noting. The Hachimoku Ando (Anton) Clan, your Kaozaki Family's main family, can stop by again to purchase some locally produced rice and horses!…"

At this point, Mori no Kiyoshi's lips curled into a smile as he turned to Kaozaki Mitsuhiro.

"Hearing that the fleet was heading north to Ezo land, the official from the Ando Clan even came by to inquire, asking about what the Kaozaki Family obtained from the Ezo people, whether it was some precious 'leather goods and medicinal materials,' to attract such a large fleet?… Guess how I answered?"

"Ah! Uncle, regarding the gold… Please keep it confidential towards the Ando Clan's main family!…"

"Haha! Mitsuhiro, don't worry! I showed the Ando Clan your promissory note, indicating a debt of two thousand stones… I told the official of the Ando Clan that Ezo land was invaded by Shandan, the territory badly pillaged. Out of old acquaintance with Lord Nobuhiro and Wakasa country ties, only for that reason did I loan a large sum to help the Kaozaki Family through hard times…"

"Then, I asked the Ando Clan whether, as the main family, they could settle the debt for their affiliate, the Kaozaki Family? Could they cover even just three or five hundred stones of it?… After all, the losses caused by the Shandan invasion also imply that the main family failed in their duty of protection… Guess what happened?"

"Ah? Present the Kaozaki Family's debt to the main family? They probably won't settle it, right?…"

"Correct! The official from the Ando Clan, upon seeing the amount of debt, immediately turned pale and respectfully withdrew. Then, the Ando Clan closed their doors, refusing to communicate with the fleet again, simply stating that the debt owed by the Kaozaki Family had nothing to do with the Anton Clan… Haha!"

Mori no Kiyoshi laughed heartily, shaking his head in dissatisfaction after a hearty laugh.

"The Ando Clan, as the main family, cannot assume the responsibility of protecting their affiliate; they don't even put on a show of attitude… Obviously, several months have passed since the news of the Shandan invasion reached them from Matsumae, yet they show no intent to send forces to combat the Shandan plunder… From this, I know that the Ando Clan lacks heroes and is destined to decline!…"

"..."

Upon hearing Mori no Kiyoshi's evaluation of the main family, Kaozaki Mitsuhiro fell silent for a moment, then nodded in agreement. If not for the decline of the Ando Clan, the Kaozaki Family wouldn't dare entertain thoughts of independence… He pondered and then asked.

"Uncle, after you proceed north from the Ando Clan, there remains the Nanbu Clan of Mutsu. Hmm, the fleet should be passing through two Nanbu Clan affiliates, the Oonari Clan and the Hokke Clan. How are these two families?"

"Ah, the Nanbu clan! They are allies of your Kaozaki Family, very enthusiastic, almost overly so. Unlike your main family, the Ando Clan, the Nanbu clan's vassals in Tsugaru, the Oonari Clan, have been inquiring about the 'Shandan invasion' of Ezo land... It seems the Oonari clan or the Nanbu clan behind them intends to send troops proactively to 'help'!"

Mori no Kiyoshi's eyebrows slightly furrowed. The ambitious Nanbu clan clearly seemed more aggressive than the divided Ando Clan, with a desire to intervene in Ezo land and expand their influence.

Fortunately, despite the decline and division of the Ando Clan, nearly ten thousand stones of power still remained. The Nanbu clan had many vassals, yet their hearts were not united, so they dared not send troops easily. Just like the Langgang Hokke Clan that built Langgang Castle...

"Mitsuhiro, the last place we stopped was the Langgang Castle of the Hokke Clan. I heard that a fleet from the Capital City came over, and the City Lord, Nagao Xianyi, personally met us for tea, discussing the scenery of the Capital City... The Langgang Hokke Clan does live up to their reputation as descendants of a noble family from the Capital City; whether in poetry, morality, Buddhism, or the tea ceremony, they excel in all, truly admirable! And Langgang Castle was built in imitation of Capital Region architecture, with a rather thoughtful design, deserving of its name as Langgang Palace!..."

After Mori no Kiyoshi praised the Langgang Clan, he glanced around. Kaozaki Mitsuhiro waved his hand, dismissing the guards. Only then did Mori no Kiyoshi lower his voice and speak seriously.

"Nagao Xianyi and I had a very pleasant conversation... At the end of the gathering, he suddenly mentioned 'King Gou Jian', praising him extensively..."

"King Gou Jian? Who is he? Is he a hero from Echizen or Yuehou?..."

"...It is a historical anecdote from the Spring and Autumn Period... The captured King Gou Jian of a conquered nation was humiliated by King Wu, yet he endured hardships with a heart set on restoration..."

Mori no Kiyoshi's mouth twitched as he patiently explained.

"The Langgang Hokke Clan was once loyal ministers of the Southern Dynasty. These words seem to be about the ancestors' history, expressing nostalgia for the Southern Dynasty... But now, though the Langgang Hokke Clan is a vassal of the Nanbu clan, they themselves come from a noble family, are high in status, and their style does not fit with the multitude of Nanbu clan vassals!..."

"I sense Nagao Xianyi hinted that he wants to secretly ally with the Kaozaki Family... No, he wants to ally with the Kaozaki Family's main family, the Ando Clan, and thereby break free from the Nanbu clan's control!..."

"Ah?! The Langgang Clan also wants independence?..."

Kaozaki Mitsuhiro widened his eyes, quite surprised. After all, the Langgang Clan was right across from the Kaozaki Family, with only the Tsugaru Strait between them. If the two sides were to ally and join forces...

"Mitsuhiro, although I understood Nagao Xianyi's hint, I did not respond at all. If he sends an envoy, the best choice for the Kaozaki Family is still to remain neutral!"...

Mori no Kiyoshi shook his head, reaching out to grasp Kaozaki Mitsuhiro's wrist. Mitsuhiro showed a puzzled expression and asked in a deep voice.

"Uncle, does the Langgang Clan not have the sincerity to ally? Their family is so esteemed, and you just praised them highly..."

"Buddha's protection! I admire the impressive family of the Langgang Clan and respect their inherited knowledge... But they are of public house origin! Though their academic skills are good, they cannot wield swords and spears effectively, unable to resist the hostile neighbors around them!..."

"Times have changed! The order of the Shogunate has collapsed! In this desolate and cold Northern Land, in this brutal era of conflict, once the Langgang Clan seeks independence, their future outcome..."

Mori no Kiyoshi pressed his lips together, shaking his head meaningfully. Then, he looked deeply at Kaozaki Mitsuhiro and spoke in a deep voice.

"The era of great contention has arrived! The Ando Clan is declining day by day, the Nanbu clan is in chaos... Mitsuhiro, you need to quickly strengthen your power, and must not be soft-hearted! It's time to act against Matsumae Guardian Ando Sadaki! Use the excuse of the Shandan invasion, leverage the hands of the Shandan people..."

"Buddha's witness! Mitsuhiro, only by quickly strengthening your power, unifying the twelve halls in Japanese Land, unifying Upper Country, Lower Country, and Matsumae... will you have the qualification to look towards the strait and wait for the situation to change, to join with the daimyo for tea at the table!..."

"And only when the Kaozaki Family grows strong, will this northern trade route have the potential for larger expansion! You must know, from Ezo Kaozaki to Mutsu Langgang, from Hachimantai Ando to Yuehou Shanshan, from Noto Hosokawa to Wakasa Takeda... Further along this trade route, in Chuyun's Nizi Clan, the Family Head was once acquainted with me... In Hizen's Shoni Clan, many vassals have exchanges with my sect... Finally, from Hizen across the strait, it leads to Korea's Jeolla and Gyeongsang provinces!"