Chapter 8: The Changes in Sanhe

"Yes! I, Minister Hattori, am grateful for your grace, esteemed Master! I am willing to serve the Kira family with loyalty and diligence, never forgetting your great kindness for all eternity!" Minister Hattori had also considered increasing his salary, but to have his annual salary doubled so easily was somewhat surprising. Having twice the amount of provisions would significantly improve living conditions, meaning that this winter, the clan members would not have to worry about starving or freezing, nor would they need to engage in lowly trades and compete with the poor for survival. At Minister Hattori's invitation, the members of the Hattori clan bowed deeply in gratitude.

Of course, this is merely the basic living expenses. The ninja's intelligence gathering requires operational funds, and the costs for daily training, weapons, and clothing have not yet been accounted for. In the past, when Matsudaira Hirotada was alive, there were some additional support and rewards available, but once Matsudaira Hirotada passed away, all of that ceased. Not only that, but even the salary was no longer provided.

Even if all 85 stones of rice were exchanged for coarse grains, it would only double and still not be enough to eat. Therefore, Chief Hattori kept his head down, feeling awkward and silent. The twenty or so Hattori clan members who accompanied him were different; they had little affection for the Matsudaira family. Each of them clenched their fists in righteous indignation, gritting their teeth, indicating that the Matsudaira family had indeed not done much good.

Based on the grain prices from Sanhe, one could probably purchase approximately 8 dou and 5 sheng of rice

This eighty-five stones of rice may seem plentiful, but an adult consumes one stone and eight dou of grain per year. Eighty-five stones are still insufficient for the men of the Hattori family; are the women and children expected to survive on nothing but the wind from the northwest

The term "Kichū" refers to the warriors who serve as household guards. The Ashikaga shogunate also had a group of Kichū to protect the shogun. Below the shogunate, the title of Kichū was generally not used; instead, titles such as "Umakai" and "Kibun" were employed. All these individuals were non-productive warriors, who spent their time honing their archery and equestrian skills, and during times of war, they were responsible for military service and the protection of their lord.

Six stones of rice are more than enough to sustain a family of three; thus, ten people can support thirty individuals. This immediately alleviates the economic burden on the head of the household by thirty people. Furthermore, considering the two hundred coins in salary and various allowances, it is not impossible for the living conditions to improve twofold compared to staying with the Matsudaira family.

Observing the angry expressions of the Hattori family members, Kira Bansho Maru said: "I have heard that Lord Iwami intends to transfer his allegiance to our family, and we are exceedingly delighted by this news! As a gesture of our family's acceptance of the Hattori family's sincerity, we hereby appoint Hattori Iwami no Kami Yoshimori as the head of our family's affairs, with an annual salary of 200 kan.

In addition to Hattori Yasumitsu serving as the head of the Matsudaira family and receiving an annual salary of 100 kan, there were originally some lower-ranking samurai among his relatives who served the Matsudaira family. Although they could only earn a few kan in annual salary or were merely provided with support rice sufficient for one person, they managed to get by, belonging to the group that barely struggled to meet their basic needs.

If replaced with coarse rice, millet, wheat, or tubers, it could double, purchasing one hundred seventy stones of grain

"I see! The actions of the Matsudaira clan are truly disheartening!" Kira Bansho Maru smacked his lips, feeling somewhat intrigued by this lesser-known dark history of a famous figure. He then remarked, "To expect Lord Shimane to support nearly a hundred members of the Hattori clan with an annual salary of one hundred kan is indeed rather harsh!"

Having the ninjas serve the same treatment as the Ma clan is undoubtedly significant news. Observing the somewhat distracted demeanor of the Hattori clan, Kira Mansamaru compassionately instructed, "Everyone has traveled a long way to seek refuge with our family; we must ensure their accommodations are arranged. Zenjiro! The arrangements for the Hattori clan will be entrusted to you"

Yamamoto Kansuke seized the opportunity to intervene in a timely manner, alleviating his concerns. With his background from Mikawa Province and his identity as someone who had roamed various countries for over a decade, he easily gained the recognition of Hatamoto Yasunaga. After a period of interaction and repeated persuasion, Hatamoto Yasunaga finally decided to leave the Matsudaira family and embrace the Kira family.

"In that case, one hundred guan of copper coins can only buy eighty-five shi of rice! Is there no other way?"

"Yes! We are willing to serve the esteemed master of the mansion with utmost loyalty and dedication!" The members of the Hattori clan were extremely excited, as the new lord was very generous towards the Hattori family. Right from the start, he made a significant investment. It is well-known that the Kira family provides high treatment for their samurai, covering the costs of fodder for the horses, as well as the expenses for training losses such as arrows and weapons. Additionally, each person would receive support in the form of rice, amounting to six koku of rice.

"It seems that it still feels insufficient..." The two, in a question-and-answer manner, seemingly without any malice, stripped away the last shred of decency from the Hattori family.

"Yes!" Shanzirō responded and stood up. Hattori Yasunaga, along with the Hattori clan, expressed their gratitude repeatedly before joyfully following Shanzirō out of the Honmaru. They were accommodated in the samurai residence originally known as Sotokuruma, now renamed Sanmaru. The entire Saijō Castle, including the samurai residence, had been completely rebuilt by Yamamoto Kansuke.

For the past six months, the Habuto clan has not received a single penny in salary, relying solely on the meager savings accumulated over the past decade or so. Habuto, the clan leader, has attempted to seek assistance from the senior retainers of the Matsudaira family to resolve the issue, but none of them are willing to speak on his behalf. Those with a kind heart might offer a little food relief, while the unsympathetic simply drive him away.

Kira Bansho-maru inquired, "Master, how much rice can one guan of copper coins buy now"

The Saijo Castle of the Kira family was originally built during the era of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third head of the Ashikaga clan, which was a pillar of the Kawachi Genji warrior family. As the residence of the Kira family for over three hundred years, it largely retained its original wooden structure resembling a fortress until the eleventh year of the Tenbun era, when Yamamoto Kansuke arrived at the Kira family. After several years, he rebuilt a Saijo Castle that was more in line with the new era, revitalizing the castle with new strength

"Shijian Hall is responsible for the family group’s observation and reporting, and the personnel quota must not be less than 20 individuals. The equipment used for observation will be paid for separately by the family. I entrust this matter to Shijian Hall!" After the salary was negotiated, it naturally became an obligation. Kira Manshomaru did not make things difficult for him, and he was given preferential treatment regarding supplies and equipment. He then added, "Additionally, you must provide ten loyal and brave ninjas to serve as the family’s interrogators. The treatment for these ten will be the same as that of the family’s cavalry!"

The commonly used copper coins in Sanhe are known as "yazhuan," which are inferior copper coins cast by local warlords who did not possess the craftsmanship to mint official currency. In the early years of the Tianwen era, one hundred guan of yazhuan could still purchase one hundred shi of rice. However, with the rampant private minting of yazhuan, prices continued to rise, and by the eighteenth year of Tianwen, one hundred guan of yazhuan could only buy eighty-five shi of rice

Within the Matsudaira family, no one cared whether the Hattori clan, who were not originally from Mikawa, lived or died. Sakai Tadao suppressed them without anyone stepping forward to help. The meager stipends supporting the Hattori clan, consisting of over a hundred members, were abruptly cut off under some pretext. With no income, their livelihood became a pressing issue. Hattori Yasuhiro found himself in a state of confusion, uncertain of where to go after leaving the Matsudaira family. Neither the Imagawa nor the Oda clans had any need for ninja troops. If he were to leave the Matsudaira family at this time, he would only be able to lead his clan members into a life of wandering.

The illustrious Iga ninja Hattori clan has unfortunately fallen to the point of relying on the charity of others, which is indeed quite disgraceful. Aside from seeking help from others to find a solution, the Hattori family has had to resort to secretly entering the mountains to hunt animals and fishing in the rivers to make ends meet. The women of the clan gather together to weave fishing nets and wicker baskets, which they sell in the town below Okazaki Castle. Whenever they encounter the samurai of the Matsudaira family in the town, they are always filled with humiliation and anger, and the Hattori family's goodwill towards the Matsudaira has unknowingly been exhausted.