The allied forces of Asai and Asakura from Omi Province moved south, and the front approached Kyoto. Oda Nobunaga had no choice but to temporarily abandon Settsu Province, which naturally included Sakai Port.
Tsuneki Ikeda, who was stationed at Sakai Port by the Oda family, had no choice but to retreat with his troops, and the Miyoshi family once again moved into the Sakai Port Customs House. However, this change of power seemed to have no impact on Takada Haruno.
Today's Hokuriku Road trade route has developed into a behemoth, and a large number of interests are entangled in it, including the Xiangzong clan and the Miyoshi family.
Therefore, even though the Ichibuki clan and the Miyoshi family teamed up to expel the Oda family, Takada Haruno, who was in Sakai Port, still carried out business and lived a normal life.
But as a letter from Yoshihiro Shiba arrived at Sakai Port, Takada Haruno could no longer maintain a calm attitude and became impetuous.
Sakai Port, shops along the street.
The people coming and going were carefully avoiding a commercial house, but their eyes were secretly glancing at the Ji warriors standing at the door.
These Hime Samurai are wearing Yamagata Haori, with the Seiji flag on their backs. They are the Shinsengumi under the Shiba family.
Seeing the Miyoshi family and the Oda family going back and forth at the Sakai Port Customs, a revolving door of power, the Shiba family that always stood firm seemed to be even more awed by the merchants of Sakai Port.
The limit of ten members of the Shinsengumi set by the Miyoshi family and the shogunate was exceeded because of Yoshigan Shiba's words when he personally came to Sakai Port that Miburou would be incorporated into the Shinsengumi.
The Oda family who ran away had no objection to this, and neither did the Miyoshi family who had just returned to Sakai Port.
Ignoring the commotion outside the door, the interior of the commercial house was deserted. The family members of the owner of the commercial house were invited to rest in the inner room. In the main hall, Hijikata Toshizo was chatting with the boss Kikyoya Ritsumi in an amiable tone.
Hijikata Toizan looks like a sunny and gentle Samurai Hime. If you look carefully at the elegant smile on her face, there is also a hint of Akechi Mitsuhide.
But the owner of the Platycodon House sitting opposite her was sweating profusely. The valuable silk handkerchief in her hand was so wet that she could squeeze out water, but she still subconsciously wiped the sweat on her forehead.
The two sat opposite each other on the tatami, and a member of the Shinsengumi team was immersed in a notebook, recording their conversation.
Hijikata Toshizo asked casually.
"Boss Platycodon, don't be nervous, we have known each other for a long time, what are you afraid of?
The rice we use daily at the Shinsengumi station comes from you. The price you gave us is very favorable. We know it well and naturally we don't want to embarrass you.
Isn't this someone reporting you? We are just making a routine inquiry. Just say a few words so that I can go back and do my work.
By the way, have you had breakfast?"
Boss Platycodon relaxed slightly and said with a smile.
"Eat, eat.
Hijikata-sama, you went into the store so early in the morning and sealed the door, you really scared me."
Hijikata Toshizo shook his head and sighed.
"You are lucky. There are wars everywhere now. You are making a lot of money every day by doing this rice business. You can earn a lot and eat well."
We sisters are not so lucky. We are busy every day, obeying orders and making ends meet.
No, we were rushed out so early in the morning that we didn’t even have a chance to eat a mouthful of water or a bite of food.”
Boss Platycodon said quickly.
"The adults are running around for us and other townspeople, how can we let you guys go hungry? I will give you orders to prepare food and drink for you guys."
Toshizo Hijikata hooked his chin with his slender fingers, his eyes narrowed with a smile, and his eyebrows became more and more delicate.
"Why is this so embarrassing? Let's finish the business quickly and then eat."
Boss Platycodon looked a little relaxed again, smiled and nodded.
"You're right."
Hijikata Toshizo complained.
"You don't know how to be careful when doing things.
The rice produced by the Zhong Fund is specially supplied to the Shiba family's annual gold rice. The fixed price of two stones is always cheaper than the market price. It is the low-priced rice specially transported by the famous martial artists from all over the country for the sake of Tsudoden.
I know that many businessmen secretly put the rice they bought into the special supply rice, just to buy some goods at a low price and make more money.
Your case is not an isolated case, this is done outside. But you were unlucky and someone reported you, so I have to come over and go through the procedures, right?"
The boss of Kikyo coughed twice in embarrassment, but he never responded, closing his mouth tightly and saying nothing.
Hijikata Toisan raised his eyebrows, his eyes turned watery, and he looked at Boss Kikyo.
"Just because of you, countless people came to say hello and beg for mercy before I even went out in the morning.
I don’t know how many ways you have found or how much money you have stuffed, but it scared me.
But this matter has already been put into the paperwork, and you have to go through the process and sign and stamp it to get through it. I see that you are so calm, boss Kikyo, and I think you have some confidence in your heart.
Then just say a few words to make it easier for me to do business, do you think this is the truth?"
"Uh-huh."
"Why are you the only one doing such a powerful business?"
"It's such a troublesome business that I can't trust anyone."
"A good girl has three assistants, so someone needs to help you run errands, right? There are always a few assistants, right? Then you are not familiar with logistics and transportation matters, so why don't you share some benefits?"
"This, Fangcun, Seteng."
"They also play this. I see that they look honest. They are always worried that they will starve to death if they don't make money. They have been doing it for a long time to hide their wealth."
"That's right. There's a bright patch on the front of the clothes. I don't know who I'm fooling."
"Isn't this just a lie to a fool like me? No, it seems that the two of them can't handle the customs and can't pass the customs."
"Sakata was recruited into the customs office to run errands a while ago."
"Sakata did it secretly? When did she become so bold?"
"She has fallen in love with the courtesan in the verandah, and she is very short of money."
"Which oiran? It can't be the latest one, right? This girl Sakata is so pretty, and that young master's little face is so tender that it's watery every time you pinch it."
"That's the new one! That silly girl threw all the money she earned into the arcade and has no soul all day long."
"Have you been there with her?"
"Been there."
"You are the only one keeping company, why don't you sisters join us for fun?"
"We went together to Fangcun and Urahara."
"Why are you still here with Urahara? Setou has made so much money, why don't we go play together and relax?"
"That guy is afraid of her husband and doesn't dare to go. We don't want to take her there either. If her husband comes to make trouble, the situation will be embarrassing."
"Yes, her husband's family is rich and powerful, so she can only swallow her anger."
"That's the truth."
The two of them were chatting in a lively manner, and Kikyoya Riji-niang slowly let go of her guard and started talking more and more.
After talking for a while, Toshizo Hijikata nodded to the Shinsengumi member who was recording on the side, and that person handed the transcript to Toshizo Hijikata along with the list of people involved.
Tokura Toizan pursed his lips and blew on the wet ink. The boss Kikyo opposite him slowly turned cold, feeling that he had said too much.
"Boss Platycodon, please draw a pledge."
"this.."
"What's wrong?"
"There are so many names..."
"Oh, it's just a piece of paper, just go back and file it away.
I've seen this kind of thing too many times. Which commercial house doesn't have some secret side business? If you really want everything to be in compliance with laws and regulations, why don't you just follow the northwest wind?
These are all trivial matters, no business is done without dishonesty.
You sign the deposit first, and when I take the records back and file them, you can use some money to erase the files.
I just received the report last night, and before I even went out today, a large group of people came to plead for you. You have so much energy, why are you afraid of a piece of paper?"
Boss Kikyo smiled awkwardly, took the brush handed to him by the Shinsengumi team member with both hands, and began to write tremblingly.
"This...I really started writing?"
"Come on, what a big deal. I'm still waiting for you to prepare food and drink for me. My sisters are all hungry."
To be continued...