The daimyo manor's decree for selecting consorts spread throughout the entire Land of Fire.
The decree made no mention of force, but rather, under the theme of the new king's rise, praying for the nation's blessings, and extending the national destiny, it was beautifully worded and sincere.
The decree stated that the daimyo, grateful for his subjects' support, wished to share glory with all people.
Therefore, this selection of consorts was not a privilege of the old nobility, but was open to the entire Land of Fire.
Any woman who was at least eighteen, unmarried, and of dignified character and appearance, regardless of her background, could voluntarily participate.
Once selected, not only would the individual receive honor, but her family would also receive generous rewards and protection.
This was unlike a selection of consorts.
It was more like a celebration that could change one's destiny.
On the day the decree was issued, the capital completely erupted.
In the streets and alleys, taverns and tea houses.
"Have you heard? Civilians can also participate in the consort selection! If our daughter is chosen, she'll be set for life!"
"My second daughter, she's absolutely stunning!"
"Your second daughter? The one who looks a bit like your neighbor Old Wang?"
"Yes, that's her. It's strange, actually..."
The public's discussions were simple and intense, though mixed with some secrets, they also saw this as further proof of the daimyo's kindness.
However, inside the high gates and grand courtyards, the atmosphere was entirely different.
The noble families of the capital almost simultaneously held emergency meetings.
They saw deeper than the civilians.
This was not a selection of consorts. This was an invitation to political alignment.
"We must choose the most outstanding daughter from our family! This is the only chance for our family's hundred years of prosperity!"
"The rewards are secondary. Establishing a bloodline connection with the daimyo manor is a priceless treasure!"
Countless greedy eyes fixed upon this grand event.
If possible, they also wanted to compete for that sole position of wife.
Unlike the noise outside, the daimyo manor was very quiet.
In the study.
Shin leaned by the window, leisurely sipping tea and listening to the report from the old butler, Takeshi.
"My lord, some nobles have sent portraits of their daughters, which have already been compiled into a book."
Takeshi's tone barely hid his excitement.
In his view, for his master to widely expand his harem and have many descendants was a great blessing.
"Very good."
Shin put down his teacup and suddenly asked, "Takeshi, do you think I really lack women?"
Takeshi was a bit confused, not understanding why his master would ask this, and could only respectfully bow his head. "You are of great appeal, my lord, and all women under heaven are drawn to you."
"You only flatter me!"
Shin shook his head.
"What I lack is not women, but an opportunity to see all of them clearly."
His gaze fell upon the people coming and going below, each with their own intentions.
"In this selection of consorts, appearance and talent are secondary."
"This is a large-scale loyalty test, a place that can reveal everyone's true nature."
Shin turned around, his eyes sharp.
"Abolish the selection criteria you set before."
"I have only one requirement—to investigate the family power behind the candidates."
"Their loyalty, their ambition, their usefulness—these are the key."
"As for the candidates themselves..."
Shin paused, his smile playful. "What I want, precisely, are mere vases."
"The more exquisite, the more they only know how to please me, the more simple-minded the vase, the better."
Takeshi was full of confusion.
Shin saw through his thoughts and explained. "An ambitious, capable woman will think, will scheme, and will bring unnecessary trouble, and I hate trouble."
"Whereas a beautiful vase—her only value is to firmly bind the family behind her to my chariot."
"What I need is absolute loyalty and control, not a bedmate with hidden motives."
"Do you understand?"
Takeshi immediately understood.
So behind this selection of consorts, there were so many hidden layers.
"I understand, my lord!"
"Oh, and one more thing!"
Shin suddenly gave an order.
"Issue an order for the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Internal Affairs to act jointly and conduct a tax audit of all Hyuga clan properties in the capital."
"I want to know if the source of every single penny they have is clean."
Shin's order came very suddenly.
It wasn't because the Hyuga clan refused to send a family woman to participate in the consort selection.
Rather, it was because they held a hostile attitude toward the daimyo, toward him.
They had to be taught a lesson!
As a top noble family of Konoha, the Hyuga clan owned vast properties in the capital, which was the economic lifeblood of their family.
This kind of audit wouldn't cause significant damage, but it was a great humiliation!
Shin used this method to tell the Hyuga family—your hesitation is making you lose face.
Either kneel.
Or be liquidated.
"Yes!"
Takeshi bowed and withdrew, his steps hurried.
Shin sat back in his chair.
He knew that Hyuga Hiashi would understand this signal.
At the same time this order was given.
Inside the guesthouse in the capital.
Minister of Finance Tanaka was entertaining envoys from the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind.
This time, Tanaka didn't take them to the fancy noble districts, but instead led them through several seemingly ordinary streets.
Here, they saw a different scene.
The air was filled with the genuine laughter of the people.
"Please look, honored guests," Tanaka pointed to a busy fabric shop, smiling as he introduced, "The owner was once a genin of Konoha, who was wounded in the leg during the last war and could no longer perform missions."
"It was the daimyo himself who issued the Disabled Shinobi Support Program, which allowed him to receive his first interest-free loan and open this shop."
The owner saw Tanaka from afar and immediately ran out, his face bright with enthusiasm, and bowed deeply.
"Minister Tanaka!"
That gratitude was not fake.
Afterward, Tanaka led them past a tea house.
It was filled with resting civilians and shinobi, who were discussing the consort selection ceremony.
Each heartfelt expression of support gradually stiffened the polite smiles on the faces of the two envoys.
They exchanged silent, serious glances.
The frightening thing about the Land of Fire was not just its wealth, but also the popular support it commanded!
The dinner, moreover, pushed this invisible pressure to its peak.
There was no singing or dancing at the banquet.
The envoy from the Land of Earth picked up a white porcelain teacup. It felt light in his hand.
An unfamiliar delicate fragrance drifted into his nostrils.
He took a sip, finding the tea smooth and the aftertaste sweet.
This reminded him of the rock-top moss tea that the daimyo treasured.
That tea had a rough texture and always carried an earthy smell.
Compared to this, the difference was like heaven and earth.
The envoy from the Land of Wind subtly clutched the napkin by his side.
Smooth silk, with a fine texture.
In the Land of Wind, such material was enough to drive noble ladies wild. Even at the daimyo's banquets, only thick linen was used.
But here, it was merely a disposable napkin.
This luxury made his heart race.
What shocked them most was a condiment called white sugar.
When desserts drizzled with glistening syrup were served, the two envoys' movements paused.
Their own countries' means of obtaining sweetness were limited to honey and fruit syrup that could only be boiled down in specific seasons. Production was scarce, making them absolute luxuries.
But judging by Tanaka's expression, this sweetness seemed to be commonplace in the Land of Fire.
Tanaka enthusiastically raised his cup, his face bright, not mentioning trade at all, but talking entirely about the daimyo's love for peace and his concern for the people's livelihood.
"Honored guests, having traveled such a long distance, you are the most distinguished guests of our Land of Fire."
"Our daimyo often says that war only brings destruction. True prosperity comes from peace and exchange."
He changed the subject, his tone becoming subtle.
"Therefore, the daimyo specifically instructed me, hoping to engage in deep cultural exchanges with your esteemed nations, to deepen the friendship between our three countries."
Cultural exchange?
The envoys from the Land of Earth and the Land of Wind felt their hearts skip a beat.
They were not fools.
Behind Tanaka's gentle smile, a hook was hidden.
As soon as the banquet ended, the two envoys immediately returned to their rooms, and with the fastest speed, urgently reported everything they had seen and heard that day, along with Tanaka's meaningful words, back to their countries.