AHN – Chapter 14 Africans taken captive in Ezo (Part 2)

Thus, Jirosa began contacting merchants within the domain through Jindayu, importing goods from the mainland and starting trade with the Ainu people in the Ishikari River basin.

At first, he struggled with unfamiliar trading practices, incurred losses, and was undercut by savvy Ainu and merchants. However, leveraging his local reputation, his business gradually got on track.

He made regular visits to greet Kalheka, the supreme leader, always emphasizing that his presence was beneficial for the Ainu.

During the Ezo uprising, the supreme leader was Hawukase, who had already retired and become an elder. Hawukase was a type of person Jirosa was not good at dealing with. When Hawukase’s piercing gaze seemed to see through him, Jirosa felt as though his own heart was being scrutinized. Jirosa tried to avoid him as much as possible.

“Hmph, just you wait,” Jirosa thought.

The supreme leader and the elders would eventually become mere figureheads. I will become the king of Ishikari.

To fulfill his ambition, Jirosa put even more effort into his trade.

※

Several years passed.

One day, Jindayu visited Jirosa. Noticing Jindayu’s gloomy expression, Jirosa invited him into his home.

“What’s with the long face?” he asked.

Jindayu hesitated for a moment, then leaned in towards Jirosa.

“I heard a rumor that a ship from the Mito Domain is coming to Ishikari.”

“The Mito Domain?”

“Yes,” Jindayu nodded. “Have you heard of it?”

Jirosa stared into space.

“The Tokugawa family… one of the three great houses, right? It’s at the edge of Mutsu Province.”

As a fisherman, Jirosa hadn’t known such details, but he had naturally acquired this knowledge through trading conversations.

“So, what’s the matter with Mito?”

“Don’t you get it?” Jindayu glared at Jirosa.

“If they’re coming for sightseeing, there’s no problem. But if they’re coming for trade, that’s a different story.”

Jirosa’s face grew tense.

“That would be… problematic.”

“Very problematic.”

Jindayu nodded.

Jirosa had complete discretion over trade terms with the Ainu. For instance, deciding how many dried salmon to exchange for a measure of rice. He manipulated the market using goods that the Ainu desired but found hard to obtain, controlling the exchange rates as he pleased.

The marine products he bought cheaply from the Ainu were sold through official channels, but he also sold his own share separately for profit. Of course, part of this was used as bribes for Jindayu, so any disruption would also affect Jindayu.

“Can’t you stop them?” Jirosa asked.

Jindayu made a bitter face.

“There was a similar situation before. That time, I bribed the senior retainer to convince the lord to dismiss it. I didn’t want outsiders causing trouble for me. But this time, for some reason, the lord seems keen on it. The winds are not favorable.”

Jirosa fell silent.

“I might not be able to stop it this time. Can you do something about it on your end?”

Jirosa placed his hand on his chin, pondering for a while.

“In short, as long as the negotiations fail, it’s fine, right?”

Jindayu nodded. Jirosa smirked.

“I might have an idea. Let’s give it a try.”

※ ※ ※

Demba suddenly opened his eyes.

It was dark.

He heard the sound of dripping water.

He touched the wall with his hand. The cold, rough rock surface was firm.

It was a low cave where a person could barely stand upright while crouching.

He looked at a spot a bit further away.

He saw an entrance made of thick, latticed branches reinforced with vine. Beyond it, the faint light of the stars was visible.

It was night. To an ordinary person, it would have been pitch dark, but Demba, accustomed to the African night, could clearly sense the presence of people beyond the lattice.

“Kanga, are you awake?”

“Yes,” came a small voice from beside him.

Kanga crept over to Demba.

“This is a strange situation.”

“Indeed.”

The two had been captured and put into a cave cell.