"Alright, kid. I'm off to the governmental District to check if the plot of land can be used to build another house or not. Then I drop by the architectural department, as they may have some blueprints I could borrow to see what type of design you would like for the new house."
"I would then visit the carpentry at the trading district to see if he could give me some advice on the building of the house, the cost of the materials and manpower needed. I will see how the price goes and will try to negotiate with them."
"Then, I'm going to make stamps for the 5 scents and I make sure Kuro-san had prepared the coins and I come back to collect the 60 [Refined Iron] plates and pass it to him. I'd bring back the gold coins for you later, ok kid?"
"You take care, hear me? Rest if you feel unwell. Don't rush on your work. Today is the last house you are going to clean, and then follow up by next week as well. See you at lunchtime then."
Just at the break of dawn, he walked out and waved at me and I waved back as I sat there and took a steamed banana and ate while drinking a cup of green tea. Maybe I'm just too tired and does not have reserve energy right after I clean the house and then jumped into the Realm of Mind.
This whole week I had spent cleaning then back to the Realm of Mind and perform tasks over there and then back to the real world. There isn't much time for myself but if I didn't take the initial job to clean Hiko-sama's comrades' houses, then I do not have any silvers, to begin with.
I ate a steamed sweet potato and once I am done with breakfast, I cleared up the leftover skins and placed the basket of steamer back in the kitchenette. Once I had "packed" the house, I then left for my task at Kami-sama's house with 10 pieces of hangers.
Once there, I started off with the laundry and followed by the kitchenette.
---Meanwhile, on Hiko-sama's part---
Hiko-sama walked past the flower shop and noticed Izumi and Riko were arranging the bouquets of flowers at the shop front. Riko saw Hiko-sama and greeted, "Good morning, Hiko-dono! How are you today? Are you heading somewhere? Is Senpai with you?"
Hiko-sama looked at Riko and wondered why this girl is so bubbly and energetic in the morning. "Ah, Yes... Good morning to both of you too. I'm fine and I'm heading to the governmental District to arrange some business stuff. Senpai is back home having breakfast and then he would be off to work. You had your breakfast yet?"
"Hmm... Hmm... Yes, we did, Hiko-dono. Yesterday, we didn't finish some of the suppers and we had it for breakfast today instead. See you later at dinner time, yes?" Riko called out to Hiko-sama as she was anticipating dinner tonight with us.
"Yes, do come for dinner. I see you both later." Hiko-sama replied as he waved at the two girls and headed to the business district and then to the governmental District. People whom he met along the way bowed to him and he bowed back. Even though he was no more considered as a governmental employee, but people still recognised his contribution to the village and the country.
He walked up to the government building and was greeted by the guards standing at the grand doorway. Hiko-sama asked where he could find the architectural as well as the plot and land department and he was ushered to the office.
There were some people in the office and he asked about his plot of land and inquired about the taxes and other regulation that were required if he builds another house on it.
He was told that he had to pay additional taxes and the land and plot department would come and assess it yearly. He was told if he builds another floor to his existing house, the tax would be slightly higher than usual.
He was advised to go to the plot and land department to inquire about the building he was supposed to build as there were aqueduct and sewage line running underneath and it would be best that these people would mark out the areas and the depth so that the builders would not disrupt or destroy those lines underneath the ground.
He entered the plot and land department and informed the people there that he wanted to build another house in the plot of land. They then took out the plan layout belonging to his house after some time and passed a copy to Hiko-sama and was made to sign a loan form for the blueprint.
The blueprint of the layout shows the sewage and aqueduct line in red and blue ink. It was created by a draftsman some years back when they made the inner cluster for the employees of the militia, the imperial army as well as the samurai shogunate.
Each land was allocated on 10x10 meters of plot. The blue and red line was running parallel to one another and was marked to be about 2 meters apart. Their depth was also clearly marked. The water tower beside the present house indicates where the main aqueduct line was running and since it was buried some 5 meters deep, building a house on it would not hinder its operations.
After Hiko-sama had signed the loan form, he asked which is the best option for him to approach the building of a house. He soon was ushered by a bespectacled young man to another office called the designs department. He entered and an elderly man approached and Hiko-sama explained what he needed.
The elderly man rattled some places where he could go and get the house done and gave him some names in the trading district for the materials and manpower needed for the construction. He saw that one of the names given was the carpentry cum furniture shop that he had purchased the furniture from.
Hiko-sama thanked the elderly man and went out of the building. He walked down the district and went straight to the carpentry. He entered and after exchanging some pleasantries, Hiko-sama told him that he was recommended by the Designs Department of the governmental District to get some advice for him.
Hiko-sama showed the blueprint plan of the house and asked about making a similar building on the edge of the plot of land. The shopkeeper who happens to be the head of construction and buildings looked at the blueprint and said that they need to dig into the sewage system and install a pipe through there. With the pipe exposed on the ground, they could at least estimate on how much land they could use.
Based on the blueprint given, Hiko-sama was told the pipe extension into the sewage system would only take 1 to 2 hours at most. He explained that they would be using a goose-neck sewage pipe that would be an extension from the ground and from there, it would be smooth sailing.
The shopkeeper took out his sketch pad and asked the materials to be used. Based on the main drawing of the house, the shopkeeper made the following calculations based on fabricated products on hand.
The main house set up as follows:
1 sliding main front door
2 sliding bedroom doors
5 sliding windows 50 cm x 1.5 meters
2 kitchenette louvres 25 cm x 50 cm
1 bathroom louvre 25 cm x 50 cm
1 bathroom sliding door
Bamboo Reed roof (cheap and common)
Traditional King Post Roof Truss low elevation
Elevated floorings (standard)
Treated Wooden panellings
Treated wood floorings
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Basic bathroom setup:
Copper water piping
Copper tap
Brick water tub
Squat type water closet
1 corrugated washing board
Basic kitchenette setup:
Dirty kitchen area with a rocket stove
Clean kitchen area for food preparation
1 three-layer steamer
1 frying wok
1 frying pan
1 pot
1 ladle for soup
2 ladles for frying
1 tong for food
1 tong for firewood
1 set kitchen knives
2 cutting boards for meat and non-meat
1 Overhead cabinet
1 cabinet below the clean kitchen area
Cement Washing basin area
Copper water piping
Copper tap
Basic bedroom setup:
2 wooden chests for each bedroom
2 vanity table with mirror stand
2 full-sized tatami mats
4 Takamura
2 comforter sets
Basic living room cum dining area
1 large low square table with steamboat accessories
6 large soft cushions
1 large tatami mat
1 rocket stove underneath the table for steamboat and for heating the house
Estimated of construction: 5 to 10 days
Manpower needed: 10 people
Working hours: dawn to dusk
Conditions: meals to be provided by the owner
Negotiable costs: 250 gold pieces
After the shopkeeper had shown this, Hiko-sama told him to come over to the house by midday to discuss with the Master. He had to mask myself as the Master so that Hiko-sama could use my identity to help suppress the price down or complete the work faster
The shopkeeper agreed and will come over to meet the so-called Master during midday. Hiko-sama informed the shopkeeper to bring in the furniture by today and full payment would be made upon delivery.
The shopkeeper called to his assistant and told him to get the wagon ready to haul the furniture to Hiko-sama's place by midday and the assistant scurried away to get more help to move the furniture on the wagon.
Next trip, Hiko-sama went to the stationery shop. He entered and there was a tinkle at the door and saw a tiny bell attached to the door and made a tinkle everyone someone entered.
A young apprentice that looked like he had just finished his school approaches and greeted Hiko-sama. The latter then informed that he needs to make stamps with a red ink pad and was ushered to the counter. He drew something like =(JASMINE)= for example, and handed it to the person at the counter.
Then he made =(ROSE)=, =(LAVENDER)=, =(GREEN TEA)= and =(LILAC)= designs for the stamp. He asked for the receipt and delivery once it has been completed and was told that the stamps would be ready in the evening. Hiko-sama mentioned the address and told it would be paid in full upon delivery. The shopkeeper noted of this and took the designs to the back and handed it to his assistant. It costs 1 silver each with 5 red ink stamp pads and 5 small refill bottles.
Hiko-sama bade farewell and made his way to the Blacksmith. There he met Kuro-san and exchanged pleasantries and the former asked if the gold coins were ready. The latter then showed a chestful of coins that had been threaded. Satisfied, Hiko-sama said he would go back and fetch the [Refined Iron] plates and asked for 2 assistant as the plates are quite heavy.
Kuro-san soon called for 2 of his assistant and followed Hiko-sama home to carry the plates back to the shop. Upon reaching home, Hiko-sama made 2 bundles of plates and had the 2 assistants to carry it back to the Blacksmith.
Upon returning back there, Hiko-sama informed Kuro-san to inspect the [Refined Iron] plates.
"Ah... Don't you worry so much, Samurai-san. We trust you that these are the [Refined Iron] plates that had been forged by the Forge Master. However, it would be safe than sorry, so let my apprentice have a run through them."
"Take your time to count the gold coins, Samurai-san. I hope the amount is correct. The next shipment would be 7 days from now, Samurai-san? Am I right?"
"Ah... That is correct, Kuro-san. It is 7 days from now. Furthermore, since the Forge Master only supplies to you, he prefers to keep it that way. As he mentioned to me, whatever you wish to do with it should be no problem for the Forge Master. Business is business and all he does is to supply the [Refined Iron] plates to you every week for the next 2 coming weeks. Even if you sell the plates to other Blacksmith or forge weapons and armour, it doesn't matter to the Forge Master. As long as no one breaks his trust or betrays him, he would not go after that person."
Upon hearing the last sentence, the Blacksmith's eyes were wide open and the blood drained away from his face. He remembered the Odachi was forged by the Forge Master that can cut through other weapons like a hot knife through butter. In order to be on the Forge Master's good book, he withdrew another gold coin bundle that contained 20 gold coins and handed to Hiko-sama.
"Samurai-san, this is additional for both you and the Forge Master. Don't worry, take it as a gift for me. Be seeing you next week then. Thank you..." Kuro-san bowed and ushered Hiko-sama out.
Hmm, seems that this man sure is in a hurry. In his sleeve right now, he had 320 gold coins and he decided to give everything to me since he does not need any at the moment as I am proving dinner, Supper and sake as well.
The moment Hiko-sama had left the Blacksmith shop, he quickly called for 2 messengers. He took 2 pieces of paper and wrote the same messages on each of them "Do not tell anyone you got the [Refined Iron] plates from me. The plates have arrived. Please send someone to collect."
He paid 5 coppers each to the messengers and told them to send these to the east and west side of the Blacksmith shops immediately. A normal rate for same-day delivery of messages would cost only 1 copper each. Express service depends on the generosity of the customers. So these messengers immediately took off to the east and west side of the village to send to each respective Blacksmith shops.
---Meanwhile, back at Hiko-sama---
Hiko-sama is not easily blinded by greed or by shimmering gold coins. He had a fair share of savings that would not move for a long time in his savings account since he knew that I would be footing the bills for almost everything since I am the new Boss already.
So Hiko-sama walked back to his house slowly and he reached home earlier than usual. He entered my room and placed the 320 gold coins on the wooden chest that contained the rest of the coins Hiko-sama had changed earlier for me.
Since he got nothing else to do, he decided to remove the dirt from the pile of weapon parts and placed them into the buckets which were all placed at the side of the house near the clothesline. After he had filled about 2 buckets, he then carried it to my room so that I could start smelting them down.
He looked at the pile and once he decided that the pile of broken weapon parts were sufficient, he went to the steamer and took another sweet corn that had been cool since it was boiled this morning. He removed the ears and the sweet watery juices dripped and he locked his hands.
He loved the sweet corn very much since his childhood and carried it on a plate to the front. "Sigh...I guess I am like Himura after all, always wondering what time it would be most of the time. I was wondering how much would a weight and pendulum clock would costs. Definitely, it would be worth gold coins but at least it is something useful."
"Maybe a simple pocket windup watch would do. At least it is more personal and more affordable. I think after lunch I'd go around and ask for one and see how much it would cost."
Hiko-sama sat there and ate the steamed sweet corn and savoured every kernel. He then threw the cob and washed the plate in the kitchenette. Remembering that he had a few bars of soap, he went to his room and took one and smelled it. It smelled of jasmine and he cut a small portion and keep the rest.
He discovered that the soap had hardened a bit and would take another 6 days before its complete. Seems another few more days his comrades would be returning from the expedition and he still has more than 16 jars of sake to share around.
He brought the soap to his nose and inhaled the fragrance. So this soap would be the centre of discussions among women in Kitakata. "I wondered how much Himura would be selling these soaps for. It smelled like perfume and its refreshing for showering because of the psi energy he had injected into it."
Hiko-sama brought it to the kitchenette and used the jasmine soap to wash his hands. The smell during and after washing stayed in his hands and he places the soap on a small dish plate and set it next to the tap.
After washing the soap suds off his hands, he walked to the terrace and sat down with his usual jar of sake and cup.
Occasionally he would lift his hands and smell it and it smelt wonderful. Such actions brought a certain joy as each breath that filled his nostril with the flowery scent, gave him a sense of freshness.
---Meanwhile, back at Kami-sama's house---
"Huaaarrgghh..... My back! I should have taken a bath today morning so I would be refreshed but then I would sweat again and need another shower. Although Hiko-sama does not pay for the water utilities then I can't be showering every time." I stretched my back as I emerged from the kitchenette after clearing it.
"At least the laundry, kitchen and bathroom are completed. Now let me take a rest and then I head back to the house for lunch. I wondered what Hiko-sama was doing and hoped he had completed all his tasks."
"Since he had helped me so much, I was wondering if he would ask for payment or accept any forms of payment if I were to give it to him." I wondered because even Hiko-sama is my Sensei, I am so-called the paying master in the household right now.
"Even if I knew how much money Hiko-sama earned as a Samurai but then, I don't really need the money much here in the era. Let me go to the marketplace to check out the price of the perfume and beauty soap they had there. I forgot the price and should have written it somewhere for future reference." I thought to myself as I shut the sliding door and walked on the path towards the marketplace.
I reached the beauty and cosmetic shop in the marketplace. I looked at my reflection and I had some streaks of soot on my face and I quickly rubbed them off to have a more presentable outlook.
I entered and a sales lady approached me after she had scanned me from head to toe. Seeing her look at me in that manner I spoke up first. "Good day One-sama, I am an errand boy and my noble mistress asked me how much is the cost for a vial of perfume and also scented soap for her bath. She had run out and asked me to ask the price first before I return and take the money with me to purchase. She was asking about different vials of perfume and the type of scents available."
She turned around without saying and went to the display counter and wrote something on a paper and then passed it to me. I looked at it and it showed the type of scent and the price of the perfume. Also, the scented soap was priced and there was only one scent which was not in our range of product. It was goat' milk.
I thanked the lady and exit the shop. Luckily I disguised myself as an errand boy because I had soot on my hair and maybe the sales lady looked at me in disgust.
I took the paper the sales lady had given me. Each perfume was priced at 2 gold coins and the soap was priced at 1 gold 5 silvers. So expensive! I think only those nobles could afford to throw their gold coins away like these as if it were coppers.
"Well, in this world, the rich get richer and the poor get poorer." I thought aloud and wanted to change my perspective. I also thought about slavery and shook my head and sighed as I walked back to the house.
I was greeted by Hiko-sama who was sitting on the terrace and drinking his midday sake. He soon rattled off what he had done in the morning after he had gone to the governmental building, then to the plot and land department and the designs department.
Hiko-sama said he had gone to the proposed carpentry cum furniture shop by the elderly man from the governmental office. The carpentry cum furniture proprietor was also the head of construction and building and he gave a proposal for the lost of things that are needed to be done.
Hiko-sama said that he used me as a young Master that he serves and told me to go and shower and change my clothes to complete the disguise. He told me to hurry and then told me the gold coins were already on the wooden chest in my room and have an extra 20 gold coins as a gift for us.
"Bring the coins here to count while I show you the blueprint plan and the proposal the head of building and construction had given to me."
"Okay, Sensei..." As I rushed to take a shower with the green tea soap which I had missed earlier in the morning.
As I was showering, I remembered something which had to do with business-related matters. I wondered if in this era there was such thing called Registry of Companies such as private limited or sole proprietor. It would save a lot of hassle in the future on disputes as well as business ventures and other unforeseen circumstances.
The green tea soap was refreshing as the scent wafted to my nostrils as I took a deep breath. No wonder Hiko-sama was so happy when he showered. The scent lingered long after I had rinsed it off and I changed into a fresh pair of gi and hakama to present myself as the so-called young master that Hiko-sama was 'serving'.
I took the gold coins that had been placed on the wooden box from my room and joined Hiko-sama at the terrace.
"Its been a while since I smelled this nice, Sensei. Without you, nothing of these would be possible." I said as I looked at Hiko-sama in an appreciative way. I counted the coins and it was exactly 320 coins.
"So Kuro-san chased you off once he had received the [Refined Iron] plates? I wondered what he was up to." I asked Hiko-sama as I find the behaviour of the Blacksmith was a bit off.
"Ah, I said that if anyone dares to double-cross us, you would go after them. Haa... Haa... Haa..." Hiko-sama laughed out loud as he slapped his thighs. I laughed along with him, thinking no wonder he was chased out after receiving the money. It was a verbal threat that people might misunderstand.
"OK, kid. Here the proposal that the head of building and construction gave me. He should be here right after lunch."
I looked at the long list and asked, "How much you think he pays for the labourer? So we have to provide all the meals, right? Hmm... Maximum 10 days plus all the building materials and the furnishings. Do you think we could reduce the price?"
"Well, the price is negotiable. At 250 gold coins for the construction of the house on 10 days maximum... I think we could negotiate at 200 gold. Let's say the construction could be reduced to 7 days, we could throw in another 10 gold that amounts to 210. We could cater mid-morning tea, lunch and mid-afternoon tea for them. As for breakfast and dinner, they would normally have them before and after work at their own houses."
"Hmm, let me ponder on this as I end this chapter to a close." I thought to myself as this chapter has exceeded more than 4k words.
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