Quantum Leap - Vol. 6 Kingdom Building Garnering Wealth

C001 Fasuto Japan KabushikiGaisha

Hiko-sama produced the receipt for the stamps and I paid him back as usual. To us, business is business, and there was no mix of any in-between relationship and friends. Hiko-sama liked my way of doing things, always paid up in full when the orders had been completed and that makes Hiko-sama be a runner to attend to our needs as well as handling the monetary part.

He told me that the garden furniture would be arriving together with the Head of Buildings and Constructions so we can look forward to having our meals on our newly bought garden furniture. Hiko-sama desired to have the furniture placed slightly in front of the house and more to the left side since it would be somewhere in the middle of the new house that was going to be built.

I looked at the furnishings and find that the low table, cushions and the rocket stove would be opted out. I would prefer to opt-in for a long table and 2 benches instead. This would be placed as a worktable for the female helpers. Surely there would be other slaves that could be freed, and the more we are able to free them, the better.

I saw that the living space was a bit spacious and wished to add another room. So it's going to be a 3 bedroom house and easily fits 12 occupants. Well... We have to wait for the arrival of the Head of Buildings and Constructions then and see what he has to say about the new rectifications.

"Sensei, could I ask you a question and a proposal?"

"What is it, kid? You wanted to know more about the house or something else that you have in your mind?"

"Actually for the house, I would prefer to ask the Head of Buildings and Constructions myself, but I need to ask you something else. Would you like to have your own business trade name? With a business trade, you could even sell your pottery, right? I know you used to make them and sell as part of your livelihood before since you do not wish to work for other people."

"What are you trying to propose, kid? You want me to have my own business trade in selling pottery?"

"Not only pottery, Sensei. A business trade name could also be used to sell the Karada Soap to other villages and other parts of Japan as well. If there is no business trade name, its difficult to enter the business district. Is there such an office in Kitakata governmental office that render such services?"

"It sounds like a good idea, kid. No... It is a wonderful, idea! I like the way you think. So we both would be our own bosses, right? I like your idea, kid. I like it very much! You really make my life a bit better and different. Here, drink with me on this wonderful day!"

Hiko-sama offered me a cup of yumeshu and I gladly accepted, raised and clinked his cup as I drank up. He was wondering what is the purpose of clinking the cup for and he just followed me my lead. "If anyone offers a cup of liquor and we clinked once, there can be several meanings. If between strangers, each of the contents would be sloshed together, right? If one is offered poison, both will die, am I right? But in terms of friendship, it is a sign of celebration. In other cultures, they would cheer "Yaaaaaaaaaammmmmmmm Seeeeennnnnnnnggggg!" before they clinked everybody's cup and drink, while others say "To your good health!"

"Ah...I see! It's called, " KANPAI!" over here in Japan, kid, in case you want to know. We do not serve ourselves a drink unless you drink alone like me. I would pour yours and you will then pour mine. But in this case, I won't mind pouring for myself and yours. Here, another cup for you."

"KANPAI...!" we both chorused, raised our cups, clinked and we both laughed at ourselves for the silliness.

Soon after a handcart and a wagon came our way and 4 assistants from the furniture store hauled the garden furniture down. The Head of Buildings and Constructions came along with them for the negotiation part.

Seeing the two idiots having a drinking session and looked so merry before lunchtime, the Head of Building and Construction could only swallow his saliva as it was not right for him to be drinking especially during work hours.

"Good mid-day to you, Samurai-San and Young Master. The furniture is here and where do you want us to place them?"

Both Hiko-sama and I exchanged pleasantries and highlighted to the Head of Buildings and Constructions whom by now was referred by his first name as Kayu-San as we pointed to the spot where Hiko-sama wanted the furniture to be placed earlier. Some ladies who walked in front of the house peered at us and slightly bowed, and was kind of delighted in seeing that their neighbour was having a good time, and also buying new furniture to decorate the surroundings.

"Samurai-san and Young Master, you both smelled very nice. Is that a kind of perfume for men that you both are using?" Kayu-san inquired as he sniffed the air and was seen to be delighted with the scent that somehow had tickled his nostrils and raised his interest.

"Oh, you like it too, Kayu-san? Maybe you would be our first customer in the coming next week once the house is ready. Please get ready 5 pieces of gold for these fine products. You would not be disappointed at all. If you want to buy for your missus or your secret lover, it would just cost a mere 5 gold coins each." I mentioned about the price and the secret lover and Kayu-san seemed rather piqued.

"Oh...money is no problem for me. Is it a perfume that you are using? It is very nice, smooth and pleasing to the nose and heart." Kayu-san showed his interest as it grew more into the product that we both were using.

"It is a mix of two items. Don't worry, we would be sending it to you once it's ready. Just let me know how many batches you require for as each batch costs 5 gold coins."

"Sure... No problem, Young Master. So, could we get down to business then? We can sit here in your newly acquired garden furniture." Kayu-san gestured to the stools and sat down.

"Ah, finally a formal place to sit and discuss and have supper and more drinks." thought Hiko-sama as he sat down on one of the stool, took out the balance amount to be paid and handed Kayu-san the rest of the gold coins.

I took out the business proposal and decided to forgo the furnishings for the living room first except for the tatami flooring mat as I find it unnecessary to have them yet. I decided to forgo 1 vanity table instead and made another partition for another room and adds 8 more Takamura, 1 wooden chest and 1 large tatami mat. All three rooms would be identically sized.

Kayu-San then strikes off the orders and replaced the ones that I had mentioned. As for the price, it remained the same as it was. I asked for 4 collapsible partitions to be made with a height of 1.6 meters x 50 centimetres x 50 centimetres x 50 centimetres so that it could be folded 3 ways.

"The 250 gold coins for the construction of the house with its furnishings that would be made by 10 carpenters for a duration of 10 days, is it agreeable by our young master here?" Kayu-san voiced out his estimation for the progress of the construction of the new house.

"Not really Kayu-san, since its 11 men including the foreman for the 10 days, we would be providing them mid-morning tea, lunch and mid-afternoon tea for the whole duration, right?" I made a quick mental note for lunches that would be 1 gold and 5 silvers for 2 people x 6 would be 6 gold and 30 silvers or 9 gold to be exact x 10 days would amount to 90 gold coins.

The estimated amount for their mid-morning and mid-afternoon tea break would roughly be 90 gold too for the 10 days. So the total would be an estimated 180 gold on top of the 250 gold for the materials.

"That's right, young master. The host would provide three meals for their whole duration here." Kayu-san replied and I immediately countered by saying, "How about this, I agree only to pay for the construction of the house and furnishings within 7 days by 10 men at a cost of 250 gold coins."

"However, if it is delayed for one day more, then I would only settle it for 200 gold coins. I believe that you already had the fabricated materials in your factory and as soon as you finish the job within 7 days, 250 gold coins would be yours. The lesser time you spent on the construction, the fewer wages you need to pay to the men, right? That's my final offer and it would stand in that way."

I purposely held the bundle of gold coins that I had received from Hiko-sama earlier and jiggled it in front of him. Body language shows that he was after the money and the building of the house could be also completed within 5 days, he wanted to. His eyes followed where the money was held and he swallowed hard as he thought of the profit he would make. "Hiko-sama, would you like to break open another jar of sake while our guest here is thinking about his construction and plan?"

I signalled to Hiko-sama and winked at him as we played along and he immediately retrieved another jar and took another cup. He poured one for each of us and placed the jar right in the centre of the table, obscuring the view of the bundle of gold coins in front of Kayu-san.

Kayu-san immediately pushed the jar slightly so that he could feast his eyes on the bundles of gold coins and subsequently smacked his lips. "You will receive these 50 gold coins first, but you need to start work immediately tomorrow, then the 50 gold coins would be yours. Any problems with the price and the conditions I had decided?"

I used the word 'decided' so it closes the deal instead of using any other term. "Yes... Yes... Young Master is so matured and so talented. I have all the materials ready in my factory. I could deliver the base materials for constructions tomorrow early morning with the 10 men and work on the sewage line first."

Kayu-san drained the brimful of a cup filled with Yumeshu as Hiko-sama refilled it. I took a sip and looked casually at Kayu-san. Don't need to mention about Hiko-sama since he brought his earlier jar by his sides and had drunk from it with me.

"After that, they will lay the basic foundation on the ground about six inches to prevent moisture and build drainage around the new foundation to make way for excess water from collecting such as rain or snow."

"The pillars of the house would be built and we would use the Traditional King Post Roof Truss at a low angle so we won't need to use too much bamboo reed roofing materials. Also, in Kitakata here, we do not suffer from heavy winds, so a single-tiered low elevated roof would be implemented."

"I promise you over my *hic* father's grave that I *hic* would oversee the whole operations *hic* myself. If I, Kayu-San would not be able to complete the *hic* sewage line, the basic foundation *hic* of this house, the pillars and the *hic* traditional king post roof truss by tomorrow evening, *hic* keep the money young master! I promise you, no... I swear to you, young master that *hic* me and my men will complete it by tomorrow evening. *hic* I swear to you, young master."

It seems that Kayu-san could not handle his drink well and was getting intoxicated in every minute passed.

"Very well, let me write something here so you would sign and agree to it, do you understand, Kayu-san?" I instructed as I took his copy of the proposal, took a writing Reed and wrote that "I, Kayu-san in witness of Hiko-sama and Yokoso-sama would complete the sewerage, drainage, basic foundation, pillars and traditional King rooftop truss in one day, or a 50 gold discount would be deducted from the original cost of 250 gold. I agree that the house would be completed in 7 days or shorter. If a delay occurs, the cost would be reduced to 200 gold with a discount of 50 gold making it a total of 150 gold instead."

I completed writing it and requested for Hiko-sama assistance. "Sensei, help me copy this into the other paper and according to the new orders. I want him to commit to this agreement." I whispered to Hiko-sama and he quickly copied the changes of the order and the terms and contract.

"Listen carefully, Kayu-san. The original cost is 250 gold, am I correct to say that? If you can't complete the task tomorrow as you mentioned, then this 50 gold is mine, and the price is reduced to 200, don't you think so?" Kayu-san nodded in acknowledgement as he took another drag at his cup filled with yumeshu.

"So you must complete it with 7 days or shorter, am I right to say that again? And if you delay just one day, the cost of 200 gold coins minus the one in my hand now and became 150 gold coins, do I make myself clear?" I drove a point to him and ensuring that he knew of the penalties he would face if he defaults on the progress.

"Yes... Yes... Young Master. I agree to everything *hic* you said. If you want me to deliver the things today, *hic* I will definitely do it, young master. You are so talented. Let me tell you a secret, *hic* the building materials I got, was from *hic* a company that had winded down. *hic* So the prices were very cheap as everything *was* on auction."