If the Minamoto, Susano, and Fujiwara clans were considered imperial bloodlines, then the rest of the court nobles, daimyos, and even the samurais were merely clans of honor, or rather—clans of ministers!
According to the theory of bloodlines in Fusang, only the imperial clan bore the legitimate right to unify the entire Fusang continent and rule as the sovereign of all under heaven!
“Previously, the ruling clan was the Susano family, with the Minamoto and Fujiwara clans assisting. However, the Minamoto clan plotted in secret, slaughtered the entire Susano clan, and thus seized power…”
“The imperial family was massacred, and even though the Minamoto clan controlled the entire capital, their prestige was greatly diminished, officially ushering the land into an era of chaos…”
“Nevertheless, the Susano family had the protection of the deity Susano-o no Mikoto, and thus their bloodline would never be extinguished. Hence, Ushiwakamaru escaped… It has already been several years since then, hasn’t it?”
“Judging from Ushiwakamaru’s fate, family name, and fortune… he indeed has the potential to contend for the throne in the future!”
Wu Ming was very clear about the nature of ancient hegemonic wars.
Sometimes righteousness is merely a veil to cover shame, but at other times, without it, one simply cannot succeed!
“Right now, I bear the family name and status of the Oni clan, and with Taoist techniques concealing my true nature, I can barely deceive the eyes of deities into thinking I am just an ordinary samurai…”
“With this disguise, I can approach Ushiwakamaru and begin laying my plans…”
Wu Ming glanced behind him suddenly and smiled, “Ushiwakamaru!”
“Hai!” Ushiwakamaru gave a start and looked up abruptly.
“You seem to be someone of noble origins, but I won’t pry into that. As a farewell to the past, let’s change your name!”
“Eh?” Ushiwakamaru’s eyes reddened, but he stubbornly held back tears: “Yes!”
“Good. From today onwards, abandon the name Ushiwakamaru and change it to… Onimaru Take! That settles it!”
With a clap of his hands, Wu Ming joyfully announced this decision, as if mocking fate itself.
…
Tsukimi Mountain, Tomomaru.
“My lord, you’ve finally returned!”
Inside the main hall, several retainers were moved to tears upon seeing Wu Ming seated at the head.
“Yes… Sagata, Ken’ichi, and everyone else, I have seen your merits in the battle against the Sanada clan. You’ve all worked hard!”
Wu Ming looked at the two rows of kneeling retainers before him.
On one side were Matsushita Sagata and Matsushita Ken’ichi, along with the seven warriors known as Ken’ichi through Ken’go.
These seven had already earned the title of “Oni no Shichinin Senshi” (Seven Demon Warriors), secretly hailed as demons, their fearsome reputation was enough to silence crying children in the Naima District!
Indeed, their very presence now exuded a powerful and terrifying aura, causing Uba Hayoshi and Mauzo on the opposing side to tremble in fear.
“Wow… they’ve improved so fast, almost reaching the second level already?”
After checking their internal energy, Wu Ming had the urge to comment sarcastically: “I heard they even went mad during the battle. Could that be the main reason for their rapid progress?”
“To serve our lord!”
The seven stepped forward and knelt in unison.
“Good! Rewards must be given for merit!”
Wu Ming coughed slightly: “Sagata, Ken’ichi, I will grant each of you an additional fifty koku of stipend, bringing your total to one hundred koku. I will issue you with official documents to confirm this. From today onwards, you shall be hereditary samurais of the Oni clan!”
“Thank you, my lord!”
“Thank you, my lord!”
Upon hearing this, everyone in the hall was envious. Although Sagata and Ken’ichi already possessed superhuman strength, they still wept uncontrollably.
After all, a samurai family name and hereditary stipend represented the lifelong aspirations of ordinary people.
In the past, they had only been bestowed with family names by Wu Ming and served in the Oni clan with generous treatment. However, whether their descendants could continue serving or even retain the samurai title after their deaths entirely depended on whether Wu Ming remembered them.
However, with hereditary stipends and official documents, the situation was entirely different.
This meant that as long as the Oni clan persisted and these families still had male heirs, they would always be able to serve in the Oni clan. Their loyalty would be reciprocated with appropriate treatment befitting their status!
Such a relationship could last for seven or eight generations, spanning centuries, forming the true foundation of a clan!
With this, they had completely risen from the mud of commoners, and their descendants would forever be esteemed samurai lords.
The vast difference moved them to tears.
“Ken’ichi, Kenji, Kensan, Kensi, Ken’go!”
The other five warriors stepped forward and kowtowed.
“You have also earned merit in this battle. I hereby grant you the surname Koizumi, along with a reward of fifty kan each!”
They understood that their merits were insufficient to be promoted directly to samurai status. However, being granted a family name meant they were only a step away from becoming true samurais, filling them with joy.
Not only them, but even the newly joined retainers, Uba Hayoshi and Mauzo, gazed ahead with hope for the future glowing in their eyes.
“Cough… Alright, now I have several announcements to make!”
Wu Ming coughed lightly, and the hall immediately fell into silence.
“Firstly, these two individuals—Hayoshi Uba and Mauzo—have you all met them already?”
Being directly addressed by Wu Ming, the two naturally stepped forward, kneeling in the center.
“I am now appointing Hayoshi Uba as our Armory Commissioner and Mauzo as our Domestic Affairs Commissioner. Does anyone have objections?”
Wu Ming scanned the room and regretfully found that Sagata and the others were nothing but brutes who only knew how to wield swords, completely ignorant of the importance of domestic governance and civil administration. He sighed helplessly.
“As for specific duties, Hayoshi, you will be responsible for maintaining the armory, recording entries and exits, and documenting merits from each battle… Mauzo, you will oversee the operations within Tomomaru, conduct daily land inspections, and manage the granary and taxation. That will suffice for now!”
Wu Ming was almost in tears. This was exactly what it felt like to start from scratch.
Fortunately, he had found two new volunteers, sparing him the need to personally handle every task.
“Hai!”
The two below, upon hearing that they had been entrusted with such important responsibilities immediately upon joining the Oni clan, were overwhelmed with gratitude and silently vowed to work hard and achieve results.
“Good! However, your first task will be to construct a temple on the hill near Tomomaru. The scale doesn’t need to be large, but speed is essential. Ensure all necessary facilities are included… I will allocate a sum of money specifically for this project…”
In Wu Ming’s future plans, this would be the residence for Ushiwakamaru—no, Onimaru Take.
After all, this young man’s identity was special. Although he might not be recognized, it was still necessary to exercise caution and avoid unnecessary contact with outsiders as much as possible.
Just like this time, upon returning, Wu Ming had directly settled him outside Tomomaru without bringing him inside.
In a few years, when the boy had grown up, such precautions would no longer be necessary.
“Please rest assured, my lord. We will surely accomplish this task!”
Hayoshi Uba and Mauzo exchanged determined glances.
“Alright… If there’s nothing else, everyone may now return to their duties!”
Finally finishing these matters, Wu Ming waved his hand dismissively.
“My lord, there is one more matter! The Ko-jima clan has already sent a hostage and signed a pledge of submission. It is customary to meet them… Additionally, the Sanada clan has also sent their daughter here!”
“Oh? Let the representative from the Ko-jima clan come forward!”
Wu Ming slapped his forehead, almost forgetting about this clan.
Moments later, a young boy wearing a traditional shaved hairstyle and dressed in samurai attire entered the hall, accompanied by a page, and bowed respectfully to Wu Ming.
Although his every movement exuded a certain grace, Wu Ming inwardly shook his head. This one had merely acquired a superficial refinement; he was even somewhat inferior to Ushiwakamaru. However, upon noticing the accompanying page (a young attendant), Wu Ming’s eyes suddenly lit up. Another fortunate individual had appeared.
“With my martial clan’s fortune, I probably wouldn’t have reached this point. It must be the influence brought by Ushiwakamaru!”
Wu Ming’s gaze turned deep as he asked, “Hmm… You are Ko-jima Masataka? How old are you? Have you already undergone the coming-of-age ceremony?”
“I am fourteen years old and have already completed the adult rites. I am ready to take on responsibilities!”
Although trembling, Ko-jima Masataka still managed to speak these words, earning approving glances from others.
“Hmph, you may step aside. As long as the Ko-jima clan remains loyal to my clan, I will not mistreat you!”
Wu Ming casually asked, “Who is the one beside you?”
“He is Shisiro, my playmate who accompanied me here!”
Both Ko-jima Masataka and Shisiro stiffened slightly, answering with difficulty.
“Shisiro? Hmm… I need someone to serve in the temple I’m building. He will do! I grant you a surname. From now on, you shall be known as Amakusa! Amakusa Shisiro indeed sounds like a good name!”
“My lord… Shisiro only wishes to serve the young master. Please… have mercy…”
Still young and innocent, the page, now known as Amakusa Shisiro, knelt forward, but upon meeting Wu Ming’s gaze, he could not continue.
Despite being a child, his sensitive heart could still sense the terror within those eyes!
“Dare you defy my lord’s will? Do you want me to behead you right now!”
Sagata Matsushita angrily drew his sword, while Ken’ichi beside him had green glints in his eyes, licking his lips.
“What’s the matter? Do you, Ko-jima Masataka, also refuse?”
Wu Ming’s voice grew colder.
“I dare not!”
Defying Wu Ming’s will would not only endanger himself but might also bring disaster upon the entire Ko-jima clan.
In an instant, Ko-jima Masataka made his choice between his childhood companion and his family: “Shisiro! It is your honor to be chosen by my lord to serve. Remember, from today onwards, you are Amakusa Shisiro of the Oni clan, and have nothing more to do with the Ko-jima clan!”
“Understood!”
With tears in his eyes, Amakusa Shisiro bowed to Wu Ming: “Greetings, my lord!”
At that very moment, Wu Ming saw the connection between Shisiro’s fortune and the Ko-jima clan being severed, and he secretly smiled.
Even with fortune above one’s head, without deep roots transforming it into internal luck, he could sever it with a single finger, manipulating it at his will.
Tai Sui Yellow Amulet Paper FuLu Taoist Love Talisman Traditional Chinese Spiritual Charm Attracting Love Protecting Marriage