Great Song Super Scholar

Chapter 526
Just as Fan Ning continued to inspect the counties and military camps in Kunzhou, as Fan Ning's early envoy, Cheng Qing, the prime minister of Jin County, arrived in Heian-kyo, the capital of Japan.

At this time, the civil war in Japan has ended, but the power of the relatives Fujiwara, the imperial power, and the samurai class has become more intense.

When Fan Ning was in charge of Kunzhou, the Fujiwara family obtained the rich Changqi through the Song Army and became the biggest winner. However, with the death of Kanbai Fujiwara Yorimichi, the Fujiwara family went into a downturn, and the control of Changqi Port was gradually taken over by the The samurai class headed by Minamoto Laiyi took away, causing the Fujiwara family's financial resources to gradually face crisis, and the Fujiwara family, eager to find another source of income, looked for opportunities everywhere.

And at this moment, Cheng Qing arrived in Ping'an capital as Fan Ning's early special envoy.

Cheng Qing had just submitted the Guan Wen to the Zuofu Palace in charge of foreign affairs in the morning, and in the afternoon, an official from the Zuofu Palace invited Cheng Qing to the Zuoxiang Mansion.

In the guest hall, Cheng Qing just took a sip of tea when there was a heavy cough from outside, and an old man with white beard and hair walked into the hall, Cheng Qing recognized this person at a glance, it was the person who went to Kunzhou in person that year Fujiwara Gyotsutsu, who negotiated with Fanning, is also the current regent of Japan, Guan Bai, and the patriarch of the Fujiwara family.

Cheng Qing hurriedly stood up and saluted, "Cheng Qing, the envoy of the Overseas Economic and Strategy Office of the Great Song Dynasty, is meeting Lord Guan Bai!"

Seven or eight years have passed in a flash, and Fujiwara Gyotsu is already 75 years old.

Breaking out for the Fujiwara family became his ruling wish in the last few years.

"I should have seen you!"

Fujiwara Jiaotong still had an impression of Cheng Qing, "You were Fan Zhizhou's translator back then, right?"

Cheng Qing smiled slightly, "I am the county magistrate of Jin County in Kunzhou, and this time I am taking the lead in envoy to Japan under the order of Mr. Fan."

Fujiwara Shotsu happily said, "Sir, please sit down!"

The two sat down among the guests, and Fujiwara Shotsu asked excitedly: "Is the former Fan Zhizhou the overseas economic and strategic envoy of your country?"

Cheng Qing nodded, "Fan Zhizhou is already a high-ranking official of the imperial court, and he is fully responsible for the overseas affairs of the Song Dynasty. He is currently patrolling in Kunzhou, and will soon come to Ping'an Beijing to visit the regent Guan Bai."

Fujiwara Kentsu sighed: "I am also looking forward to his visit very much. I wonder why Fan Shijun visited Heianjing?"

Fujiwara Gyotsu had dealt with Fan Ning countless times, and he knew that Fan Ning would not go to the Three Treasures Hall for nothing, and he would only come to Heian Jing if there was something important.

Cheng Qing hurriedly said: "This is exactly my duty as an advance envoy. I need to inform your country in advance of the purpose of Mr. Fan's visit to Ping'an Capital, so that your country can prepare in advance."

"Please tell me, sir!"

Cheng Qing said unhurriedly: "Emissary Fan Jinglue's visit to your country this time has two purposes. The first is to sign another agreement to hire Japanese laborers, which is needed for the development of Ryukyu Prefecture. The number of people is about 5000; the second is to I want to open the second trading port between Da Song and Japan."

Fujiwara Kyotsu was not very interested in the first purpose. Hiring labor was something that interested the country in various places. It was of little significance to him. It was the second purpose, the opening of a second trading port, which lifted his spirits. Is it what he wants?
"I don't know where Fan Shijun intends to open a second trading port?"

"This is where we need to negotiate with your country, but Mr. Fan personally prefers Chiba County in Xiazong Kingdom. It is closer to Kunzhou and has a good bay, a natural harbor and a large plain."

Fujiwara Komichi pondered for a moment. The Shimosong Kingdom is the territory of the Huanwu Heira Clan. Although the Heira Clan and the Minamoto Clan are rivals, it is also a very powerful family. It is not easy to control itself, which is not good for the Fujiwara Clan.

"Has Mr. Fan considered establishing a second trading port in Setjin?"

The Shimoso country proposed by Fan Ning is today's Tokyo, but the basic territory of the Fujiwara family is in the Settsu country, which is Osaka. Of course, Fujiwara Kotsu hopes that this port will fall on the territory controlled by his family.

Cheng Qing smiled slightly: "This requires both parties to negotiate with sincerity!"

Fujiwara Kyotsu immediately understood that it didn't matter to Fan Ning where the trading port was located, what he wanted was the actual conditions.

Five days later, Fan Ning finally arrived in Heian-kyo, Heian-kyo is today's Kyoto, the sun has set, and under the twilight, the building of the black shadow pupil is more like a symbol of a declining era, old, old and lifeless.

In more than ten years, the Fujiwara clan will completely decline, the Heiankyo era in Japan will come to an end, the emperor will move the capital to Kamakura, the Minamoto Yoritomo’s Kamakura era will start, and Edo will rise. Is it wise to visit Japan at this time?
However, Fan Ning knew in his heart that under his own intervention, Minamoto Yoritomo's expedition to Mutsu Kingdom failed miserably, and his strength was greatly damaged. It is still unknown whether he can defeat the Heira family. Even if he wins in the end, the Kamakura era will go backwards. Postponed.

Following Cheng Qing to the wharf to meet Fan Ning was left minister Fujiwara Shishi. Fujiwara Shishi is the son of Fujiwara Yorimichi and the heir of the Fujiwara family. He is about [-] years old and very smart and capable.

Fujiwara Kyotsu is 75 years old, and time is running out. The person who really wants to deal with Fan Ning should be Fujiwara Shimi.

Of course, Fujiwara Shimi also knew what it meant to establish a trade port with the Song Dynasty in Heianjing, which meant that Heianjing would not only be the political center, but also the wealth center of Japan.

He attached great importance to Fan Ning's arrival, and Cheng Qing told him that Fan Ning could represent Da Song, which made Fujiwara Shishi even more afraid to neglect.

Fan Ning lived in the VIP Mansion in Ping'an City. At night, eight young and beautiful concubines served Fan Ning in the bath and changed his clothes. After dinner, Fan Ning waved them back. Cheng Qing leaned over and smiled, "Fujiwara The family spent a lot of money to entertain the envoy, and the eight concubines are all from Fujiwara Prefecture, and the most beautiful one is the niece of Fujiwara Shishi, so the envoy can bring her back to the Song Dynasty."

Fan Ning said with a faint smile, "It's okay to taste it by chance, but taking her into the house would involve a political marriage. I won't do such a thing."

Fan Ning didn't want to mention this matter, so he took a sip of tea and praised: "The tea here is good, it's actually Jingting, when did Song's No.3 coffee table enter Japan?"

Cheng Qing is from a family of merchants, and he is very familiar with this aspect. He explained: "Da Song tea culture has been popular in Japan for decades, including Da Song tea cakes and tea sets, which are very popular in Japan, but like Jing Ting There are very few famous teas in Japan, and only the imperial palace has them. Most of the skulls on the market are relatively low-end skulls, but even if they are skulls, the price on the market is higher than that of Jingting in Tokyo, which shows the huge profits."

"Can't Japan grow tea?"

"Japan has tea, but their tea is the same as in the Tang Dynasty. They boiled it in a pot with ginger, scallion, and salt, and then drank it all. There is no tea cake like ours. Moreover, they worship Song tea and are proud of drinking Song tea. They despise the local people very much. Tea, so people above the middle households drink Song tea, mainly sencha, and only the wealthy can order tea."

Nodding, he asked again, "What did the Fujiwara family say about labor and trade?"

When it came to the business, Cheng Qing quickly put away his idle smile, bowed and said: "I want to report to the envoy, I have talked with Fujiwara Kotsu and Fujiwara Shishi, and the attitudes of the two are slightly different."

"Be specific!"

"Their attitudes on trade are the same, and even Fujiwara Gyotsuru pays more attention to it. He is looking forward to Shijun's second trading port in Dongcheng County of Jinjin Kingdom, which is where Shijun landed. It was Japan in the Tang Dynasty. It was only after the rise of Nagasaki Port that it gradually declined. Of course, the more important reason was the interests of the Fujiwara family. The "Jinjin Kingdom" was the traditional territory of the Fujiwara family, and the "Xiazong Kingdom" was the territory of the Huanwuping clan. The Hira and Fujiwara clans are allies, but Fujiwara still doesn't want the money to flow out."

"What about Fujiwara Shimi's attitude?"

"Fujiwara Shishi is a little more concerned about importing Japanese products than Fujiwara Gyotsu. He doesn't want Kunzhou's grain to be imported into Japan. It will cause the price of Heianjing to plummet and countless farmers to go bankrupt. Other than that, everything else is easy to say. As for trade As for the port, he also hopes to put it in Dongcheng County of Jin State."

"Trade is mutual, so what can Japan import into Song Dynasty?"

Cheng Qing smiled and said: "Actually, I know very well that Japan is short of resources, but its silver production is very high, or it is some seafood and handicrafts, such as lacquerware, bamboo ware, paper, folding fans, etc. The price of other items is lower than that of Song Dynasty. High, how can it compete?"

"What about seafood?"

"Seafood products are mainly dried fish, tortoiseshell, pearls, coral, conch, etc., which sell well in Song Dynasty, but if you trade with Song Dynasty, the import of silver into Song Dynasty is definitely a big one. There are only three kinds of tea cakes, porcelain and silk. Sooner or later, things will empty out Japan's silver."

"Since this is the case, why is the Fujiwara family still so keen on trade? I think it should be locked up to prevent the outflow of Japanese silver."

"This is where the interests of the Fujiwara family lie. The current Japanese emperor was not born to the daughter of the Fujiwara family. The Fujiwara family was suppressed by the royal family and the samurai class rose. The Fujiwara family invested a lot of money in Nagasaki Port, but in the end they couldn't hold the port. , was taken away by Minamoto Yoritomo, the Fujiwara family suffered heavy losses, and the Fujiwara clan's talent withered power began to decline obviously. In order to revive the family and expand their financial resources, they temporarily ignored Japan's interests, let alone Japan's rule of the country There are many, and the local separatism is serious, he Fujiwara clan does not want this port, then the Hengwuping clan of the Xiazong Kingdom will definitely welcome it."

Fan Ning nodded, "Trade can be negotiated slowly, but I have to negotiate for [-] workers this time. What's the attitude of the other party?"

Cheng Qing smiled slightly and said: "Please rest assured that the laborers don't need to talk to the Japanese court at all. It would be better to negotiate with other countries."

"why?"

"All countries want silver! Japan's silver is mainly produced in Shanxi and Dongbei Province. Then other Dongkaidao and Nankaidao need to buy materials from the Song Dynasty. What if they don't have silver in hand? They use land to exchange for silver from laborers. Only the gold dust in their hands can satisfy their desire for tea, porcelain and silk."

Fan Ning finally understood that he could build a port in Tosei County in Tsutsu, but he still hoped to build a smaller port in Kamakura in Shimoso. The two major forces in Japan had to be balanced.

(End of this chapter)