Necessary Corruption 18 (Patreon)

Necessary Corruption
Chapter 18

-VB-

Last time on Necessary Corruption

“If you believe that bad things can happen, then let me take a share of that burden. Will you come to the Land of Rivers with me and marry me?”

…

“Of course, milord. All of your men and women are firmly aware of your stern guidelines. No woman - or man - would do any of what you ask unwillingly.”

…

“Very well. As long as you do not use the Wave ports during your times of war, I am more than happy to give you that concession for your help in securing the Dokigoro House.”

…

-VB-

New possible ally or puppet remained a second priority.

My first priority lay with my newly promised lady wife.

Sailing back to his homeland, he held Tsunami’s hand while she smiled back at him in response to the gesture.

“So someone like me will become a daughter of a noble clan,” she muttered, clear despite the winds and waves trying to muffle her words. “I still can’t believe it.”

I briefly stared out into the calm sea.

I couldn’t believe it either. I found a woman I fell in love with, and would soon make a pledge to her as she would for me. The time I’ve spent with her only made me more sure of my path, even if I have heard some of my courtiers and retinues bemoan the loss of opportunity.

I mentally scoffed at the idea of marrying a retainer. Sure, while such a marriage was normal, especially for stronger retinue members or factions and the younger siblings or children, but not the heir, of a noble clan, I gave so many of my retinues “supernatural” powers. To favor one was to court disenfranchisement with the very people I trusted my security to.

Even if it wasn’t taken as such initially, the one retinue I married would have unparalleled authority unless I directly objected, which would not only decrease my authority but also breed resentment.

Most importantly, I chose my retinues mostly for their work ethics, skill, and loyalty, not beauty or strength of their personality.

Tsunami was beautiful (to me), and she was one of the kindest souls I’ve met. Kind yet enduring.

“You can believe that I love you,” I replied easily, and grinned cheekily at the blush that rose up to her cheeks. A maiden, Tsunami was not, but she was still a pure hearted woman.

She huffed. “You and your words.”

“I am a noble for a reason,” I harrumphed. “Words and pen, after all, hold more power than a sword.”

“Does it?” she asked. It was a serious question, though.

I nodded. “At the end of the day, even the most powerful must compromise because they are, at the end of the day, only one person. A single ninja, no matter how powerful, cannot lay down roads alone. A single noble cannot administer a whole province alone. A single daimyo cannot enforce laws alone. A single farmer cannot protect all of his family and farm alone. When these people gather for not only mutual protection but also a community, for we humans are social creatures, they form a hierarchy based on strength and weaknesses. There are multiple ways to maintain this hierarchy.

“Sword, or brute force in general, can be used to keep this up. However, to do so, you need a warrior caste who force their will upon the populace. Generally, this leaves the populace fearful and resentful.

“Words and pen, an agreement, can be used to keep up the same hierarchy. By reaching an agreement, people are less likely to rebel from their class against their betters.” I paused. “That isn’t to say that a commoner is worthless,” I added quickly. “It’s just that at any given point, your average noble or ninja or samurai or courtier has more responsibilities and knowledge than your average farmer or fishermen.”

She nodded slowly.

“Of course, words and pen cannot exist without a sword just as a sword cannot exist without word and pen. Enforce one without the other and you are left vulnerable.”

“And where do you stand… husband?”

I couldn’t help the smile threatening to split my face in half. “I would like to say that while I have many very powerful swords, I am definitely a man of pen.”

“Truly?” she asked as she glanced meaningfully at the men and women standing guard on deck of my private two decker ship. She knew that all of them were powerful. As she had been the matron of the house that housed the ninjas, she had been privy to some of their conversations, which she’s told me.

Kakashi apparently regarded me as a powerful player on par with a small hidden ninja village.

“I do not brute force my way upon everyone,” I hummed. “I make trade contracts, negotiate port access, and raise up others who may rule justly. I do not demand work and supplies at sword point, after all.”

“I-I didn’t mean to say that you do-”

“And I know you don’t mean it,” I chuckled. “I don’t think you would have accepted my proposal if that was the case.”

I knew that she did feel a bit of pressure. A noble lord asking a peasant woman to marry him? Refusal might mean death. But I had, prior to that proposal, made myself honest and amicable to her. I made my position clear that I would not harm her.

“I wouldn’t have,” she admitted. “I wouldn’t marry a Gato, no matter how handsome they are.”

“You think I’m handsome?” I asked with a chipper tone.

She blushed again. “... Yes.”

I felt like I was in heaven.

“... Anyways, did you ever see me point a sword for what I wanted?”

“No,” she replied honestly. “You always paid full price for even the smallest of trinkets and snacks.”

“Indeed, and do you know why?” I asked as I fished out a ryo coin.

“No…?”

“Because this, Tsunami-” I began as I held up the coin. “- is an agreement. Not a verbal agreement but one of understanding. We place value on ryo, and exchange goods according to how much we value it. The merchant wanted to sell me trinkets because he valued this coin and its worth just as I saw and agreed that the trinket he sold me was worth, approximately, to this coin.”

She slowly understood.

“No one forced anyone to use the ryo, Tsunami. I am sure you know of people who prefer to barter goods directly.”

She nodded. “Father would sometimes fix houses in exchange for food.”

“Just like that, this coin is an agreement. The exact mechanics of ryo and the banks and commerce are complex, though one you will have to understand as you take up your role as my wife.” I paused. “So the merchants, ninjas, soldiers, daimyos, nobles, and even farmers use the coin. Sure, force is required to prevent people from minting their own coins, but use of force is not everywhere the coins are. It’s directed at people who would break and dilute the agreement made within the wider community we live in.”

“But why would minting more coins be so bad to need force to stop it?”

I smiled. She was curious. I found that charming in people, but in a woman I loved, I found it lovely.

I began another explanation, one of many in our voyage to the Land of Rivers.