CHAPTER 129: CHAPTER 80: WHAT SHOULD WE DO!

Since ancient times, every hero who managed to achieve something great has possessed an exceptional "persona."

A good persona can rapidly establish a personal image, gain others’ recognition and affection, showcase a unique flair and charm—the benefits are endless. The most classic example is Liu Bei, Liu Xuande.

Lord Xuande was magnanimous, treated people with tolerance, was good at listening to others’ opinions, deeply respected talented individuals. Although his martial skills weren’t remarkable, nor was he especially clever, his abilities were pretty average compared to the other heroes of his era. But he won at being "sincere." As a lord, he was incredibly successful. Just by grabbing someone’s hand, eyes red with tears, sighing, "What can I possibly do?" he could instantly arouse a powerful urge in his subordinates to protect him. Thus, his advisors would devise strategies, his warriors would sacrifice themselves, and his enemies would end up keeling over dead on the spot.

At the very least, someone would risk his life seven times over to rescue his wife and child; at worst, there would be someone desperately covering the retreat to make sure he escaped first.

Looking at all this, Harano figured he should follow Liu Bei’s path.

Firstly, he was also pretty kind by nature, had a high moral index, wouldn’t harm civilians, was willing to see things from others’ perspectives. As long as it didn’t breach fundamental principles, he usually didn’t mind small slights, so he fit Liu Bei’s mold well and wasn’t likely to blow his persona.

Secondly, his own martial arts were so-so—at best, he could say he wasn’t lacking in height and strength. If he were to personally put on armor and charge into battle, it wasn’t impossible, and if pushed to the edge, he was courageous enough to risk it all. But it really wasn’t his strength—grabbing someone’s hand and sighing "What can I possibly do?" was way easier for him.

Third, "benevolence" is an awesome shield; hardly anyone wants to kill nice guys, since that would ruin their reputation. And traits like "relying on subordinates and letting them shine," "caring for the people," and "weak but highly ambitious" are a uniquely attractive charm. If that kind of charm spreads, people might flock to him from a thousand miles away. He could just sit at home and wait, ending up with strategists like clouds and warriors like rain.

Lastly, he had modern science and tech as his fallback; making money was no problem, so he totally had the capital to be "benevolent." Other families struggled to eat rice every day, but for him, spending a few coins per person per year on rice wouldn’t even make him blink.

So, Harano figured that for surviving in chaotic times, planning ahead and building a good "persona" in advance was absolutely necessary, and Liu Bei was just so fitting for him in every way. So of course, he had to follow the wise and worthy—starting today, he’d be Yuan Bei, Yuan Xuande!

He was the sort who practices what he preaches. Since he was determined to imitate the sages, he immediately jumped into character, grabbing the rough hand of the excited Maeshima Shichiro and sincerely said, "Master Shichiro, my abilities are mediocre, I’m not up to the task. The livelihood and lives of my whole family will all depend on you in the future!"

Maeshima Shichiro was already really moved. Though Harano hadn’t officially taken him as a Household Retainer, he’d massively improved his treatment and appreciation for all to see. Now, seeing Harano grab his hand and earnestly entrust him, he felt deeply valued—as if his long years as a Wandering Samurai were finally over. His voice choked as he said, "Lord Nozawa, please rest assured. I’ll give it everything I’ve got and live up to your trust!"

Harano nodded slowly, giving his hand another firm shake to express trust and respect, all the while wondering inside: So this is what being in charge feels like? I didn’t even say anything that over the top, and he’s already this touched?

Looks like it works pretty well! Is this guy just too young, or did ancient people really eat this stuff up?

I’ll have to try it on someone else later!

Thinking this, he called together the key household members, solemnly introduced Maeshima Shichiro to everyone, then held a banquet with plenty to eat and drink to officially welcome him aboard. From now on, he’d go to the soy sauce workshop as production manager, overseeing all odd jobs—except not handling money or personnel, but managing everything else.

Ah Man, Ah Qing, and the others welcomed Maeshima Shichiro joining the "Nozawa family" a lot too. After all, he’d been hanging out with them for a while. They all knew what sort of person he was, and nobody had any problem with a hardworking guy like him pitching in.

So the next day, for the first time in his life, Maeshima Shichiro felt what "being valued" meant and threw himself into his new work, wholeheartedly managing the soy sauce workshop and instantly freeing up Ah Man. On Harano’s orders, Ah Man packed up, took some rations with her, and went off in search of the monkey—a mission that lasted ten days straight.

Ten days later, she came back caked in dust, her little face streaked with grime. As soon as she saw Harano, she started complaining, "Didn’t find him—you’re totally losing it. I’ve checked every village in Haidong and Aichi Counties, and there just isn’t anyone like the person you described!"

"No one?" Harano wavered a bit. Could the historical record really be wrong—was monkey not from commoner stock after all?

"Really no one! I asked around every single village—there’s just no fifteen, sixteen, seventeen-year-old who looks like a monkey and has a bit of knowledge like you said!" Ah Man was almost ready to swear. If she hadn’t had a horse, she’d have died running around.

Harano trusted her professionalism. If she said the person wasn’t there, then nine times out of ten she was right; that would only mean the record was wrong and monkey wasn’t born a pure peasant after all.

If that was the case, it would explain why he knew some martial arts and could read and do math.

But what was his real background?

Harano paced around the desk, racking his brain, finally remembering that monkey had supposedly once served as Oda Nobunaga’s attendant, and there’s that tale of him warming straw sandals against his chest and offering them to Nobunaga, who praised his loyalty and made him a Samurai on the spot.

At first blush, the story sort of checks out—has a bit of chicken-soup wisdom to it—but Harano had been in Japan’s Warring States Period awhile now, and knew, even with his butt, that this couldn’t possibly happen. There were tons of Lang Faction warriors who’d racked up military exploits on the battlefield and still couldn’t get Samurai status. You had to keep stacking up certificates of loyalty and piles of merit, and only when you had enough that nobody could question would you maybe have a sliver of a chance for a change in status. Success was one in a thousand. But monkey handed over a pair of straw sandals and pulled it off? The Oda Danjo Chonosuke household would’ve fallen apart long ago.

No matter how unconventional or flamboyant Oda Nobunaga was, he probably wouldn’t do something this mindless. It’s practically an insult to all the Samurai around him—his Lang Faction would be totally disloyal!

But that monkey had served Oda Nobunaga as a follower, and performed unquestionable feats of heroism at Okehazama, then leapt into the ranks of Samurai—that, at least, was very likely. So maybe, right now, he was already a Lang Faction retainer under Oda Danjo Chonosuke, just too junior to make it into Nobunaga’s personal circle yet, which is why Maeda Toshie didn’t know him?

Or maybe he was the son of a Lang Faction member and would take over his father’s job, inherit his father’s accumulated merit, and that’s how he started out at Nobunaga’s side and worked in the Oda family home?

Harano thought it over and immediately told Ah Man, "Maybe he’s already a Lang Faction member in the Oda Danjo Chonosuke household. Go ask around among the Lang Faction especially near Nagano Castle—ask the grooms, sweepers, chamber pot washers, don’t leave anyone out. And check the Lang Faction’s households—see if anyone fits the bill."

"Fine!" Ah Man absolutely couldn’t understand why Harano was so hellbent on finding this monkey-like person, but eating his rice, she really couldn’t say no—she’d just have to go nuts alongside him. She grabbed his teapot, gulped down the last of his tea, wiped her mouth, and went back out.

Three days later, she burst back in, even more ticked off than last time, yelling at Harano, "There’s just no such person! Are you so bored that you’re messing with me for fun?"

Harano was about to shoot back with a "You think I have that much free time?" when he suddenly remembered his new persona, quickly centered himself, didn’t argue, and heaved a long, sorrowful sigh.

Ah Man paused, hesitated, her anger fading. After waiting a bit, she cautiously asked, "What’s wrong?"

Harano sighed again. "This person is really important to me, but now he’s nowhere to be found. What can I possibly do?"

Ah Man’s curiosity was piqued. "Why’s he so important, anyway?"

Harano froze. If the lord is this troubled, isn’t this when you’re supposed to enthusiastically offer up ideas or at least loudly promise to find this person even if it kills you? Why are you interrogating me instead? But there was no way to explain to Ah Man why monkey was important—monkey was a menace. Harano’d gotten himself isekai’d to Japan Warring States Period and just wanted to track monkey down while he was still weak, take Ah Man and Ah Qing to waylay him, smack him till he’s brain-damaged... or just plain kill him.

This kind of thing had to be done sooner than later—who knew what the future held? He might suddenly return to the modern era, and if nothing’s been accomplished, he’d be taking a massive loss!

But there was no way in hell he could say all that to Ah Man. All he could do was sigh deeply again. "He’s just really important. No matter the cost, we have to find him as soon as possible!"

Ah Man had never seen Harano sigh twice in a row. Sure, he was often all over the place, but he really hardly ever sighed; he was almost always coming up with ways to solve problems, always faced difficulties head-on, had an amazing amount of grit. But now, looking so troubled and sighing endlessly, this thing had to be really serious.

She got serious too. Honestly, Harano had always treated her really well—never stingy with food and drink, never minded her being rude, always let her try anything good first. Now that he was this down, there’s nothing more to say; she, Ah Man, couldn’t let him down!

The resentment was gone. She racked her brains and even rubbed her smooth little chin, imitating Harano and thinking hard. But she genuinely felt she’d already done her best—searched every village in Haidong and Aichi, checked among the Oda Danjo Chonosuke Lang Faction and their families, and still hadn’t found anyone like that. So where else was she supposed to look?