(The HQ of the Mogami Clan: Yamagata Castle, Province of Uzen)
Under fire-red shiny armor, Mogami Yoshimori leans forward on his little foldable chair. In front of him kneels a courteous emissary in a modest but formal dress.
Maoko: "Lord Yoshimori. The new Acting Guardian of Echigo, lord Nagao Kagetora, dispatches me to bring Nagao clan's sincere blessings. We hope that Nagao and the Mgami clans' friendly relationship would continue to develop."
Mogami Yoshimori: "HAHAHA... but why does he send a woman? Did all Nagao emissaries die from the fued of brothers?"
Maoko: "Lord Yoshimori lives your reputation - always directly to the point. Indeed, Echigo has suffered from years of rebellions and proverty. We have lost a lot of men. Now women are in charge of most household."
Yoshimori: "Oh, I see. Sorry to hear that. So how would Nagao want to maintain a friendly relationship with Mogami? You cannot just tell us that you like us."
Maoko: "Exactly. Lord Yoshimori, we propose to the Mogami clan a chance to prosper."
Yoshimori: "Sure, tell me more."
Maoko: "Mogami's Ugo is famous for its granite. The upper-class women in Echigo love granite counter-top. If it is pretty, they pay without price negotiating. Mogami can sell these beautiful stones to Echigo for good profit."
Yoshimori: "Hm... but last year I asked Kagetora's brother, Harukage, to sign a trade deal with us, but he never responded."
Maoko: "Yes, he was a slacker. That's why we disposed him. "
Yoshimori:
Maoko: "I mean Lord Yoshimori, now Echigo is pretty much run by ladies. Our daimyo's chief bodyguard is a lady. The emissary in front of you is a lady. Later on we will have a nun from Rizenji. Soon I will look for a wife for Lord Kagetora. So please, trust me."
Yoshimori: "Well... hm, you sound sincere. And there is indeed good profit for Mogami. Why not? I will sign the trade deal with you."
Maoko: "But the problem is that Echigo has no specialty product to sell to Mogami. The trade will be one-sided."
Yoshimori: "Yeah that's true. An unequal trade does not last long. Hm..."
So what would be the equal trade?
Maoko: "Besides, there are a lot of bandits in the northeast. Right now Nagao does not have the manpower to guard the trading wagons. So Lord Yoshimori will have to guard the cargo with Mogami soldiers to the Kasugayama Castle."
Yoshimori: "That's not a problem. It is our goods and our profits. But... would you allow our army to enter your territory?"
Maoko: "Hm... how about this. We sell military access to Lord Yoshinari at a very discounted price. This way, our trades are quite equal, and Mogami has full trust from Nagao. Isn't that a good way to improve our relationship?"
Yoshimori: "Hm... strategic safety from one side sounds good, so I can concentrate on Date. How much do you ask for?"
Maoko: "How much would Lord Yoshimori sell military access for?"
Yoshimori: "If to Nagao? Hm... we are at good terms. 500 koku per season?"
Maoko: "Sure. We give you a special discount. 40%. 300 koku per season."
Yoshimori: "Eh... I meant to say 400 koku per season to Nagao. So can you give me 240 koku per season?"
Maoko: "Lord Yoshimori - women are not stupid. Please don't do this to me. Besides, Lord Kagetora already told me the bottom price. I cannot offer you whatever discount you want..."
Suddenly, Maoko lowered her voice.
"240 koku is higher than the bottom price. Lord Yoshimori, my husband just died from war. He is still lying there, without a coffin."
Yoshimori: "OH~~~ I see. How about 10 koku for the burial? That should be more than enough. You tell me the bottom price, and we have a deal, OK?"
Maoko: "I have two kids at 7 and 8. One is physically challenged and the other mentally..."
Yoshimori: "I am so sorry... 20 koku, ok?"
Maoko: "My parents just suffered a stroke and now has to rely on manual feeding."
Yoshimori: "OK, OK. I have 57 koku worth of silver on me. You can take them all. How's that?"
Maoko: "200 koku per season, for 23 seasons. 10 seasons of non-aggression afterward."
Yoshimori: "Deal!"
Maoko: "Thank you, Lord Yoshimori!"
***
Maoko: "Lord Kagetora, we signed a trade deal with Mogami. Sold 23 seasons of military access for a total of 4657 koku. They will pay the full amount by autumn."
Kagetora: "This is good! We now have the budget to expand the costal village, pave the roads in Echigo, and more! Please keep going!"
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