Hiruma Hayato

The Crab typically import a great deal of lumber to maintain the wall and meet their other needs in the often rocky terrain of their provinces. Chief among those providing it are the Scorpion, with the vastness of the Shinomen Forest being the source of much wealth for Ryoko Owari. About a year ago this led to a trade dispute.

A minor daimyo of the Hiruma, Hiruma Hayato, objected to an increase in the price of timber. The Hiruma were already one of the least wealthy of the Crab, having the vast majority of their lands when the Maw attacked and Shiro Hiruma fell, and Hayato was less well off than most. He felt that the Scorpion were abusing their position and raising prices simply out of habit. Each year they squeezed them further because they knew they could. But if the Crab stopped buying, it would cost the Scorpion more. All that money spent on cutting, storing, processing, and shipping lumber that simply rotted on the docks, unsold. Yes, it would be difficult, but if they held out, they would benefit in the long run. Knowing he couldn’t do this alone, he began talking his plan up among others within the family. If they held firm, something the Crab have long prided themselves on, and stuck together, they could win.

The Scorpion merchants, predictably, heard about this growing plan and immediately recognized the potential danger of it. And what if another clan seized the opportunity and used this as a way to steal this lucrative market? They might never recover.

The merchants sent an emissary to resolve the matter. He and his party were received with all appropriate courtesy and feasted as befit their station. Hayato would not fail to uphold the tenets of bushido nor would he allow himself to appear weak and poor. The matter was discussed at length, and while only those present know exactly what was said, the daimyo indeed held fast based on the sullen expressions of the Scorpions as they departed.

It was thus a particularly cruel blow when only a week later Hayato was found dead in bed by his servants in the morning. He had eaten dinner with his family, composed some letters in his study, and retired to his chambers the night before with no signs of anything amiss. There were no signs of struggle. No marks on his body or appearance of illness. He had simply died in his sleep. The timing was indeed suspicious, but what could be said of the matter? What testimony was there to be had of any wrong-doing?

Nonetheless, the message was clear. Hayato had died without an heir and his lands reverted back to those of the Crab Champion. They were reassigned to someone less inclined to rock the boat. The other daimyo who had been considering joining with Hayato in his boycott saw their defiance evaporate as they sent out their own agents to make deals and show that they had no intention of changing their custom.

Several of Hayato's samurai were livid that this insult was not being challenged and committed seppuku in protest. A few others did so out of loyalty on the passing of their lord. The majority were made ronin, his successor wishing to distance himself Hayato's from rebellion.

The Scorpion, in deference to the loss that had occurred, did not raise prices that year.