Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

The two exchanged pleasantries, probing back and forth, before revealing their intentions, placing their pieces without regret. When their minds met, they exchanged a smile, both showing a hint of greed.

The old Samurai, Takeda Nobuhiro, remained sharp and ambitious. He contemplated for a moment, slowly extended a finger, and said with a smile.

"Mori no Kiyoshi, my first condition, is the premise for working for you. I need a good ship, preferably a Tang Ship from the Ming Dynasty, to voyage the seas of the Far North. The waves are large in the North, this ship must be bigger, sturdier, and capable of transporting Jurchen Stallions!"

"A good ship? Transporting horses?"

Upon hearing this, the great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi was momentarily stunned. He pondered for a while, then asked.

"Lord Nobuhiro, how did you acquire your Jurchen Stallions?"

"Ha! My current horse is called Ruma. It was tribute from the Ezo Tribe of Birch Island to show their allegiance, brought from the North for me! Of course, I also gave them some ironware in return."

As Takeda Nobuhiro talked about this, he displayed a sense of pride on his face. He shook his head with a smile and continued.

"The hall hosts periodic Shandar trades, exchanging products from the Far North through the Ezo Tribe of the Kutadai Peninsula and Kuril Islands. But this kind of transaction is very slow. What can be exchanged is also very uncertain... Mori no Kiyoshi, your affairs cannot wait for so long. And to obtain good things, you must personally go to the Far North to directly trade with Wild Man Jurchen, Evenk Tribes, and Kamchatka Tribes!"

"And to directly trade in the Far North, the hall's small customs ship is not suitable. The waves there are unlike anything you've ever seen, quite different from the large basin of the Seto Inland Sea! I need to dispatch the hall's warriors to brave the sea's challenges for you, so you must invest more... Hmm, don't you have connections with Ming Country merchants? If you can procure a sturdy Tang Ship, that would be best!"

"A ship for transporting horses... Ming Dynasty Tang Ship..."

The great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi pondered for a long time before slowly nodding.

"Speaking of Tang Ships, I do recall one... There's a replica Ocean Shielding Ship at Sakai Port, modeled after the Song Dynasty's Tang Ship style, built by Korean shipwrights, capable of navigating deep waters and large waves! This Ocean Shielding Ship was initially prepared by Sakai Port merchants for validation trade. However, validation trade permits were based on ships. This ship is small, only two hundred materials, not very profitable, hence it was left unused."

"Oh! Two hundred material Song Dynasty style Ocean Shielding Ship? Korean shipwrights?"

Upon hearing this, Takeda Nobuhiro showed interest.

"How did Korean shipwrights come to build ships at Sakai Port?"

At this point, the great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi's eyes twinkled, smiling as he spoke.

"It was naturally the warriors from the Southwestern Fiefs, who invited them from Korea, and later they were invited by Sakai Port merchants..."

"Invited? Oh! Invited by warriors with swords... The location of the Southwestern Fiefs, being able to go to Korea and the Ming Dynasty, is truly enviable!"

Takeda Nobuhiro appeared to understand, shaking his head with a smile, expressing admiration. Then, he furrowed his brows, asking in confusion.

"What kind of ship is this Ocean Shielding Ship? Capable of navigating deep waters, not afraid of large waves?"

"Hmm, I have traveled on this ship; although the style is older than Ming ships, it is truly an ocean-going ship!"

Speaking of this, the great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi displayed confidence, affirming. He had always paid attention to validation trade and had some knowledge of these sea ships.

"...Ocean Shielding Ship, which is essentially a Song-style Sand Ship. Though it is a Song-style Sand Ship, not as advanced as current Ming Ships, it is still far superior to our country's customs ships! It features a square bow, square stern, a wide deck, a deep and small hull, and low gunnels... It has numerous masts and can sail against the wind and water! Additionally, the ship has water-shedding planks along the sides, a raising and lowering stern rudder, and compartments below decks... I've personally traveled on it twice to Ryukyu; it is indeed a fine ship!"

"..."

Upon hearing the description of these ships, the old Samurai Takeda Nobuhiro stroked his chin, pondering silently. His understanding of ships was actually quite limited, not as knowledgeable as Mori no Kiyoshi. However...

"Mori no Kiyoshi, what did you go to Ryukyu for?"

"...For business, only it turned out unsuccessful."

The great merchant Mori no Kiyoshi chuckled, offering a vague answer. This was a matter from several years ago. Ryukyu had tribute ships from the Ming Dynasty, with Ming Dynasty goods that could be sold at high prices. They were granted special privileges by the Emperor of Ming, allowing them "one tribute per year," even "multiple tributes a year," which made the Wa People envious...

But when he arrived in Ryukyu, he discovered that business there was monopolized by the merchants from the various fiefs of Kyushu. If it weren't for his connection with the Miao Courtyard, he might have been hacked to death by the ruthless Western Country warriors.

"Hmm... Two hundred material Ocean Shielding Ship..."

Takeda Nobuhiro didn't think much about it. He just furrowed his brows, contemplating the size of two hundred material.

"Material" is a unit of volume. A two hundred material Ocean Shielding Ship was roughly six zhang long, one zhang wide, half a zhang deep, with a volume of around two cubic zhangs. Simply put, one hundred materials provides a volume of one cubic zhang. Calculating based on 3.1 meters per zhang, the ship's dimensions would be approximately 20 meters long, 4 meters wide, 2 meters deep. And one cubic zhang is equivalent to 30 cubic meters. The volume of a two hundred material Ocean Shielding Ship is around 60 cubic meters...

Overall, the size of this ship is comparable to the Alliance's oar-sailed longship, but the technological advancements mark at least a generational difference.

"Although it's a bit small... it's sufficient for trading valuable goods."

Takeda Nobuhiro pondered for a while, then made his decision. He looked at Mori no Kiyoshi, smiling freely as he agreed.

"Great! Mori no Kiyoshi, the Northern Coast thaws around March as spring begins. If you can deliver the ship by March, I can arrange manpower and set sail north in April! This way, by navigating the coast and returning by October before it freezes over, the ship can return with its cargo!"

"Oh! Sailing in April, returning in October? May Buddha bless us!"

Upon hearing his old friend's response, Mori no Kiyoshi couldn't help but smile. He looked at Takeda Nobuhiro, smiling as he asked.

"Lord Nobuhiro, that's just the first condition. What is your second condition?"

"Ha! The second condition is not difficult for you."

Takeda Nobuhiro stroked his beard, his tone becoming gentle. Since the negotiation began, the attitude between him and Mori no Kiyoshi had subtly shifted, with Mori no Kiyoshi taking a more aggressive stance. After all, it's said that the hand that takes becomes soft, the silent wealth grows.

"As you mentioned earlier, a thousand stones of rice, a hundred bolts of silk, and a hundred sets of armor and weapons, you wouldn't bat an eye. Beyond these goods, I'm developing in Ezo land and although there are some ordinary craftsmen, I lack good craftsmen!... For instance, shipwrights, leather workers, carpenters, blacksmiths, goldsmiths... Help me bring one or two families of each from Kansai…"

"Hmm... Gathering these goods is not difficult. I can deliver them to you when I bring the ship in March. But craftsmen…"

At this point, Mori no Kiyoshi's eyes revealed a playful glint as he observed his old friend's expression, chuckling.

"Shipwrights for repairing fishing boats, leather workers for tanning leather, carpenters for constructing houses and furniture, blacksmiths for manufacturing weapons and farming tools... These craftsmen are indeed needed in your place..."

"Lord Nobuhiro, but what do you need goldsmiths for? Have you discovered a gold mine in Ezo land? Or have you acquired some sand gold in exchanges with the Ezo People?"

"...Mori no Kiyoshi, your nose is too keen... How can one 'cut off all senses and transform them into accomplished wisdom, fulfilling all deeds for sentient beings?'"

Takeda Nobuhiro glared with old eyes and jokingly scolded his friend.

Upon hearing this familiar rebuke, Mori no Kiyoshi lowered his head, eyes reflecting memories. After a moment, his expression turned devout as he recited in a low voice, quoting from the "nose passage" of the Shurangama Sutra.

"...Sudatta rose from his seat, bowed before the Buddha, and said: 'I lack the ability to recite and memorize extensively...'"

After reciting the passage, Mori no Kiyoshi sighed and spoke with a smile.

"Lord Nobuhiro, I can't help it. My greed is just a bit heavy. If you have a substantial amount of sand gold, selling through me will definitely fetch a higher price than elsewhere!"

Takeda Nobuhiro chuckled without comment. Then, he assumed a serious demeanor and spoke solemnly.

"In addition to these two conditions, I have the final and most important condition!"

Seeing Takeda Nobuhiro's stern look, Mori no Kiyoshi straightened up and sat upright.

"Please, speak clearly!"

"If the time is ripe... my Kaozaki Clan wishes to break away from the Ando family and be recognized as an independent country by the General!"