Chapter 27: Kuri Gets Back on Track
"Pfft, hahahahaha!"
Kozuki Sukiyaki lay on the tatami, listening to his subordinates report on Oden's recent situation, and could not help bursting into laughter.
"Is that so? It's truly unbelievable that Oden would actually work diligently in Kuri. It seems this Daimyo of Kuri really does have some tricks up his sleeve."
Kozuki Sukiyaki did not care at all about Oden being forced to work in Kuri to repay his debts. On the contrary, it was strange that someone with Oden's temperament could actually settle down and work honestly.
It seemed that Oden's 2 years of wandering had made him mature somewhat.
In fact, Oden had been arrested for misconduct once before, when he was only 10 years old. He had been sent to a stone quarry, where he eventually became the head stonemason.
The Kozuki Clan was, at its core, a hereditary family of craftsmen. For Kozuki Sukiyaki, if there was one thing worth mentioning in his life, it was his sword-forging skills.
Among the 2 Great Grade swords wielded by Oden, Ame no Habakiri came from Sukiyaki's own hands, along with Sandai Kitetsu. Being able to forge Great Grade swords alone was enough to prove that he was an extraordinary craftsman.
Because of this connection, Sukiyaki did not mind at all that Ren had Oden do hard labor. On the contrary, seeing Oden finally able to settle down and work honestly was exactly what he wanted.
A lawless troublemaker who could now earn money through labor to make up for his mistakes—this should have been normal. Yet because of Oden's past and status, it appeared especially precious in the eyes of others.
If this were publicized further, the people of the Flower Capital would believe that Oden had truly turned over a new leaf, and their evaluation of him would rise accordingly.
In that case, as long as the right opportunity appeared, Sukiyaki could reasonably restore their relationship and then pass Wano Country on to him.
Coupled with the large amount of grain tax sent from Kuri after the beginning of the year, Sukiyaki developed considerable interest and goodwill toward Ren, the Daimyo of Kuri whom he had yet to meet.
However, if he knew that Ren planned to let Oden go out to sea as a tool, he likely would not feel the same way.
"Lord Ren, this is this month's financial statement."
Yukiko presented the accounts. Compared to when she first began, her workload was now much lighter.
Ren had appointed her as the Chief Magistrate of Finance among the Three Commissions, placing her in charge of finances, a position of extreme importance. If someone else held this role, it would be easy to use its convenience to amass great wealth.
Kuri's finances were now in excellent condition, thanks to its abundant sources of income. Many of Kuri's fields were newly reclaimed, and all the crops grown there belonged to Ren.
At the same time, agricultural taxes were relatively light, while commercial taxes were heavy.
However, because corruption was rare in Kuri, merchants only needed to pay the taxes they were supposed to. They did not need to spend additional money, and in reality, their profits in Kuri were even higher than elsewhere.
As merchants earned more, Ren's wealth also increased, gradually forming a virtuous cycle.
"Have the debts to Hakumai been paid off?" Ren asked.
When Kuri was first established, it had also gone through a difficult period. Although Ren used his abilities to ripen crops and solve basic survival issues, construction required money everywhere.
Infrastructure, medical care, road building, and many other projects all required hiring labor. Those bandits alone were far from sufficient.
Some tasks simply could not be completed through brute force.
At that time, Kuri lacked both funds and manpower, so it could only borrow people and money from other provinces.
Aside from Hakumai, most regions were unwilling to help. The Kozuki Clan, seeing that Kuri had finally been pacified, provided money and labor, largely due to Orochi's persuasion.
Help given in times of need was still help. Once things stabilized, Ren repaid double the borrowed funds.
The borrowed manpower was also converted into gold and silver and repaid together.
Ringo had provided a small amount of manpower as well, but that had been exchanged for grain, so there was no issue. As for the other provinces, it was not that they were indifferent, but rather that they were occupied with their own affairs.
"It has been paid off," Yukiko nodded.
After wielding authority for some time, Yukiko's bearing had changed considerably. Once merely a small maid by Ren's side, she now held a noble status, and her temperament had sharpened.
Yet in front of Ren, she still resembled the maid she used to be.
"In the future, when conducting transactions with Hakumai, you can offer some discounts," Ren said.
"Lord Ren, what about Oden?" Yukiko moved closer, leaning slightly against him, her brows knitting together. "Won't keeping that man in Kuri cause trouble?"
She knew of Ren's and Orochi's plans, and under such circumstances, keeping Oden in Kuri felt like a hidden danger.
"Don't worry. He's just an idiot," Ren shook his head.
"Kozuki Oden looks bold and unrestrained, but in truth he lacks ambition. He's naive and foolish, obsessed only with going to sea, and incapable of bearing the responsibility of this country."
Ren reached out and pulled Yukiko into his arms, and a faint fragrance immediately enveloped him.
Yukiko's face flushed slightly as she grew shy, resembling a white plum blossom touched by color, her fair skin soft and delicate.
On the other side, Oden and the others, having just finished a full day of labor, sat exhausted in a small wooden house.
Since they would be staying in Kuri for a long time, they had not camped outdoors. Instead, they bought raw lumber and built houses overnight.
They had worked hard all day, and exhaustion weighed heavily on them.
"That hateful Daimyo of Kuri actually made us do hard labor!" Kin'emon complained. He had carried stones all day and felt more tired than a dog.
"But the pay is also high! We earned 10 gold today. At this rate, we'll only need 100 days to gather 1,000 gold," Denjiro said excitedly.
"You idiot," Kin'emon snapped back. "Do you mean we're going to go 100 days without eating or drinking?"
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