Jingnan Strategy

Chapter 292 Interfering with the Shogunate

"I never thought that such an opportunity would fall on me!"

In Shaoer's family hall, Shaoer Zhenrai ignored the credentials. Instead, after learning the intention of the Ming Dynasty's envoy, he took the lead in reading the trade document.

From porcelain to raw silk, brown sugar, iron materials...all the products make Shao Er Zhenlai salivate.

Kyushu Island is not rich in resources, so since the Han Dynasty, the forces here have established maritime trade with the Central Plains. However, due to the immaturity of shipbuilding skills, this trade route has never attracted attention.

After the Sui and Tang Dynasties sent envoys to the Tang Dynasty to learn a lot of technologies and brought them back to Japan, the frequency of Japan's trade with the Central Plains became more and more frequent over time.

After the Yuan Dynasty, due to the melee between Japan and the Northern and Southern Dynasties, a large number of merchants acted as Japanese pirates, both doing business and stealing.

Their presence gave Chikuzen's young son Sadarai a headache. However, as the Ming Dynasty Ping Japanese Navy began to encircle and suppress Japanese pirates, the East China Sea and the Ming Dynasty Sea were cleared for a while.

Because of this, Shaoer Zhenlai undoubtedly knew the strength of the Ming Navy very well, and he thought that he had never offended the Ming Dynasty, so in his opinion, credentials were not important, trade was the most important.

After he finished reading the trade documents, he slowly opened the credentials written in Chinese and Japanese.

But when faced with the content of the credentials, Shao Er Zhenlai's expression changed and he cursed: "That idiot Huai Liang!"

The person scolded by Shao Er Zhenrai was Prince Huai Liang, the general of the Southern Dynasty Zhengxi General's Mansion who had massacred the Ming Dynasty envoys.

In order to solve the Japanese pirate problem, Zhu Yuanzhang specially sent five envoys to Japan.

However, Zhu Yuanzhang did not know that Japan was divided into the Northern and Southern Dynasties at that time, so the envoys he sent undoubtedly went to the Southern Dynasties and were received by Prince Huailiang.

However, facing the newly established Ming Dynasty and the successful Northern Expedition, Prince Huai Liang, who was also unclear about the situation in the Central Plains, thought that Zhu Yuanzhang did not respect him, so he killed three of the five envoys.

The two survivors, Yang Zai and Wu Wenhua, were also detained for a long time before being released.

Faced with this situation, Zhu Yuanzhang endured this and sent Laizhou Tongzhi Zhao Zhi and others to issue an edict to Japan again in the third year of Hongwu.

Although Huai Liang knew the strength of the Ming Dynasty at that time, he sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty to profess his vassal status, pay tribute to famous horses and artifacts, and return more than 70 people who had been plundered in the two counties of Ming and Tai.

However, within a few days of Warai's good days, he abdicated the throne under the attack of the Ashikaga Shogunate and retired to Yabe in Chikugo.

In the sixteenth year of Hongwu's reign, he died of illness in his seclusion. Counting the time, he has been dead for eighteen years now.

If it weren't for Ming Dynasty's credential, Shao Er Zhenlai might have forgotten this loser.

But now, in the letter of credence, Ming Dynasty clearly requires Huai Liang and Japan to apologize to the envoys of Ming Dynasty who were killed.

If Japan is willing to apologize, then the Ming Dynasty can canonize Ashikaga Yoshimitsu as the king of Japan. At the same time, it will open exclusive Japanese shipping markets on Oki and Sado Island, hand over a certain amount of tax money to the shogunate, and issue 20 yuan for mutual trade qualifications. symbol.

The second son, Zhen Lai, scolded Prince Huai Liang because this loser of the Southern Dynasty could still leave a lot of trouble after his death. As for the apology, he was fully confident in his heart.

Unlike the arrogant Southern Dynasty, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu of the Northern Dynasty had always wanted to join the Ming Dynasty's tribute trade and gain recognition from the Ming Dynasty.

As far as Shao Er Sadayori knew, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu had been planning from the beginning of the year to have the businessman Feifu and the monk Zua as envoys to the Ming Dynasty to proclaim themselves ministers, so as to join the Ming Dynasty's tribute trade.

Therefore, if Ming Dynasty is really willing to open trade, and it is open to trade exclusively with Japan, then Ashikaga Yoshimitsu will never be stingy on a few islands and rent.

As for the apology to the Ming Dynasty, it was just a matter of catching a few scapegoats from the Southern Dynasty.

After thinking about everything clearly, Young Master Sadayori immediately said to his retainer Fukuoka Nobuyoshi: "Let the bells ring at the port and let the kitchen prepare the best dishes. I want to entertain the angels of heaven!"

"Yes!" Fukuoka Nobuyoshi knelt down and nodded, then stood up and ordered people to go to Fukuoka Port to ring the bell.

At dusk, the ringing of the bell rang out from the port to the sea.

Hearing the bell, Zheng He prepared to go to Fukuoka to meet his second son Zhengyai, but his move was stopped by Yang Zhan.

"The Japanese have learned from the past. Anyway, there are officials from the Ministry of Rites on board who are proficient in the Japanese language. It is better to send them to negotiate."

"That's fine." Hearing what Yang Zhan said, Zheng He didn't know what to say. He just called an official from the Ministry of Rites and asked his name.

"Huang Wei, the official of Bohai, named Xingyi, is the deputy envoy of the seventh rank."

A young official in his early twenties came to the deck to bow and speak. Zheng He did not expect that this was an official from Bohai, but he had no personal opinions and just told Huang Wei how to deal with it.

After hearing this, Huang Wei repeated it to Zheng He. Until Zheng He was satisfied, he went to the port of Fukuoka under the escort of ten sand ships.

Welcomed by Nobuyoshi Fukuoka, Huang Wei successfully docked.

But facing the more than 200 "giants" brought by Huang Wei, Fukuoka Keiyi said awkwardly: "Fukuoka is very safe. Can the number of angel guards be reduced?"

Upon hearing this, Huang Wei looked at the lineup that looked like two hundred adults versus a thousand children, and turned back to Fukuoka Nobuyoshi and said, "How about I lead twenty guards?"

"Okay, okay." Fukuoka Keiyoshi didn't expect the angel to be so easy to talk to, so he nodded quickly.

Seeing this, Huang Wei only selected twenty naval officers from Liaodong to go with him to Shaoer's family residence.

Since the castle tower has not yet appeared, the residences of guardians everywhere are small buildings with three or four floors called pavilions, and the same is true for Shaoer's family pavilion.

However, the family mansion, which is relatively tall for Japan, is a bit low for Huang Wei.

Although he was born in Bohai, Huang Wei was a serious Han Chinese, and because Zhu Gaoxu was willing to spend money, Huang Wei, like most Bohai students, had no shortage of food and clothing. He was a middle-aged man, about five feet four inches (172cm) ).

Facing the ceiling that was almost reaching his head, Huang Wei could only endure the discomfort. Under the leadership of Fukuoka Keiyoshi, he saw the young man Zhenyai who was sitting in the main seat and was as tall as a child.

"The head of the Shaoer family, the guardian of the former kingdom, Zhenyori, is here to see His Royal Highness the Angel!"

Shao Er Zhenyori is currently involved in a struggle with the Ouchi clan, so for him, a behemoth like Ming is definitely a thigh that cannot be thicker.

He knew the importance of the Chikuzen Kingdom very well. If the Ming Dynasty really wanted to establish a shipping company on Oki and Sado Island, the Tsushima Strait would become an obstacle to them.

At this time, if he, who controls Chikuzen Country, chooses to take refuge, then Daming will definitely choose to invest in him.

As long as he can still control the Chikuzen Kingdom, the Ming Dynasty's waterways will be very safe.

Shao Er Zhenlai's thoughts had been guessed by Zheng He and others beforehand. After all, they had learned about Shao Er's plight from the Japanese pirates.

However, whether or not to accept Shao Er's loyal dog depends on how loyal this loyal dog can be.

"The seventh-rank deputy envoy of the Ministry of Rites of the Ming Dynasty came to discuss important matters with the head of the Shaoer family on orders from the emperor and envoy Zheng Zheng."

Huang Wei bowed in return, and then sat down at the bottom right seat under the guidance of Fukuoka Nobuyoshi.

Although he is a Bohai Han, Huang Wei has been studying Japanese etiquette at the Seiguan since last year, so he is very skilled at kneeling at the top.

He did not speak first, because it was not Da Ming who was begging for help, but Japan and Shao Erzhen, who were begging for Da Ming.

Young Master Zhenlai also understood, so he sat down at Huang Wei and said while the food was on the table:

"I, Shao Er, have always admired the Celestial Dynasty, especially the Emperor of Ming Dynasty, who is a noble existence that I, Shao Er, admire."

"I am truly lucky to be chosen by the angels as the stopping place this time."

Shao Er Zhenlai spoke humbly, because he knew very well the current situation of Shao Er's family.

He is already over forty years old, but his successor, Shaoer Manzhen, has not shown any talents worthy of attention.

Once he unfortunately dies, the second young man, Manzhen, will certainly not be able to stop the Ouchi clan's invasion.

But if the Shaoer clan climbs the high branches of the Ming Dynasty, they may not only be able to maintain the position of guardian of Chikuzen Kingdom, but even win the position of guardian of Chikugo, Bunzen, Hizen Kingdom, and even Kyushu.

"The head of the family has given too much credit. The reason why we chose Chichizen to land this time is because of the reputation of the Shaoer family. After all, you know that the previous Southern Dynasty did not seem to welcome us..."

Huang Wei seemed to have something to say, and Young Master Zhenlai also laughed when he heard this: "The Southern Dynasty that the angel said has been destroyed, and the situation of the Southern Dynasty royal family is not good."

"The Shaoer clan was also very indignant about the traitorous minister Huai Liang of the Southern Dynasty who murdered Angel. He once thought of rescuing Angel, but failed because of the Ouchi clan's obstruction."

"Is that so?" Huang Wei pretended to be surprised, but he was chuckling in his heart.

For him, who had been working in the Ministry of Rites for more than a year, the idea of ​​​​Shao Er Zhengyori was not too obvious. He just wanted to use the power of the Ming Dynasty to defeat the Ouchi clan.

In normal times, Huang Wei would have been too lazy to pay attention to Shao Er Zhenlai, but now that Ming Dynasty has arrived in Japan, he continues to support the local guardian.

If the Shaoji family can be controlled, then even if it is impossible to establish a shipping department in Onki, Sado and other places, a shipping department can still be established in Chikuzen.

As long as the opening is opened, the guardians and nobles of Japan will trade with the Ming Dynasty through the Shibo Division.

"I heard that the angel brought twenty talismans. I wonder if I can give one to the young master?"

After all, he had never experienced much political struggle. After a few words, Shao Erzhenlai revealed his true purpose.

"This..." Huang Wei pretended to be embarrassed, but Young Master Zhenlai quickly kowtowed: "Please!"

"This... okay." Huang Wei sighed: "After the trade with the Shaoer family is over, I will talk to the envoy about it after returning to the fleet, but whether it will succeed or not depends on the envoy. After all, All the forces on the ship have their own favorite families.”

"Have the Celestial Empire sent many people?" Shao Erzhen Lai asked carefully after hearing this. Although he saw hundreds of Ming Dynasty ships, due to the distance, he could not judge the true number of people in the Eastern Fleet.

"After all, our trip is to seek justice for the several adults who were slaughtered, so the imperial court sent one of the three fleets of the navy to escort us."

"There are now more than 3,000 warships, 140 horse ships, and more than 20,000 navy personnel on the sea."

Huang Wei's words made Young Master Zhenlai take a breath of cold air.

He had just seen the twenty soldiers who were responsible for guarding Huang Wei. If there were still 20,000 people like that at sea now, let alone Chikuzen, even the entire Kyushu would not be able to stop this force. "Fortunately, I chose to wait for the opportunity..."

While rejoicing, Shao Erzhenlai could not help but ignite hope.

Just one of the three fleets can have such power. If he can get the support of the Shoushi, the Ouchi clan, the Mori clan, and the Shibukawa clan will all surrender under the flag of the Shaoer clan!

"If the angel doesn't dislike it, I can give Noko Island in Hakata Bay to the angel. Even if Ashikaga General is unwilling to open Oki and Sado, the Celestial Empire can also set up a shipping department on Noko Island."

In order to retain the power of the Ming Dynasty, Shaoer Zhenlai was even willing to hand over his maritime portal to the Ming Dynasty.

Noko Island floats on Hakata Bay, with flowers blooming all year round. Although it only covers an area of ​​more than 200 acres, the island can dock thousands of ships with just a little tidying up.

Ming Dynasty did not know Fukuoka, so he thought that the bay adjacent to Fukuoka was Hakata Bay, but in fact Fukuoka was a region, and the town called Fukuoka by Ming Dynasty was actually the Hakata region in the Fukuoka region.

However, Shao Er Zhenlai did not intend to correct Huang Wei. Anyway, they could call him whatever they wanted, as long as they were willing to stay.

"Thank you very much."

Huang Wei also smiled when he heard this and took out a gift list from his sleeve.

"This is the gift list sent by the envoy to the head of the family. Please take a look at it."

The young man's eyes lit up when he heard this, and Fukuoka Keiyoshi also stepped forward quickly, took the gift list with respectful hands, and handed it to the young man.

Shao Er Zhenlai took it with both hands and opened it carefully.

The gift list was not too thick, just a piece of thin paper, but what was written on it made Shao Er Zhenlai's hands tremble.

One thousand kilograms of cycads and thirty bolts of silk and satin, two hundred kilograms of raw silk, one hundred kilograms of brown sugar, and one hundred pairs of bows and horns made young Zhenlai excited.

In this era when large armor had not yet been invented, lightweight armor such as tōmaru and abdominal scrolls began to become the mainstream, and the cheap ashigaru gradually replaced the mounted samurai as the main force in the war.

Therefore, a gift of one thousand kilograms of cycads and one hundred pairs of bow horns is very rare and valuable in Japan, not to mention thirty bolts of silk and satin, one hundred kilograms of brown sugar, and two hundred kilograms of raw silk.

Needless to say, the value of silk and brown sugar. Take raw silk as an example. In the Ming Dynasty, local raw silk was about 150 fen per catty, while the domestic price in Japan was 1,000 fen per jin. In some areas, it could even be sold for 3,000 fen per kilogram. One pound.

These two hundred kilograms of raw silk are worth no less than six hundred kilograms to Shao Er Zhenlai, which is enough to feed two hundred full-time soldiers.

As for the value of this gift list, it allows Shao Erzhenlai to support no less than a thousand full-time soldiers.

You must know that although the Shaoer family has more than 200,000 people under its control, there are only a few thousand full-time soldiers. The Ming Dynasty solved the finances of a thousand full-time soldiers by casually taking action. This shocked Shaoer Zhenlai and at the same time, he felt He also became more determined to seize Daming's thigh.

"The angel has spent money. If there is any use for it, feel free to speak."

Young Master Zhenlai kowtows in salute with a humble attitude.

When Huang Wei saw this, he just smiled and said: "Now we need the head of the family to send credentials to the envoy and help the envoy with turnover."

"Please leave it to me!" Young Master Zhenlai said firmly, and then began to exchange cups with Huang Wei in an attempt to bring the relationship closer.

When Huang Wei saw this, he did not pretend to be aloof. Instead, he drank and chatted with Shao Er Zhenlai. By the end of the banquet, the two had become good friends.

If Huang Wei hadn't said that he must return to the fleet, Shao Er Zhenlai would have even planned to let him rest and arrange a concubine for him.

Before leaving, Shao Er Zhenlai handed over a list of goods needed by Shao Er's family, and asked someone to prepare more than 14,000 yuan for trade.

This money has emptied the Shaoer family, but as long as the trade is successful, Shaoer Zhenyori can resell the goods to the guardians of various countries in the southern part of Honshu Island, and earn tens of thousands of dollars in one transaction.

If the Ming Dynasty could maintain long-term trade with him in Chikuzen, Shao Er Zhengyori would even be confident that Shao Er's flag could be planted all over Kyushu Island.

"Huang Jun, then I will send you here. Please be careful on the way. Please leave the credentials and Shibo matters to me. I will not let you down."

On the pier, Shao Er Zhenlai spoke sincerely, and Huang Wei also said goodbye to him "sincerely" and boarded the sand ship returning to the fleet.

Not long after, their sand boat disappeared into the night, drifting towards the distant lights on the sea.

Seeing them walking away, Young Master Sadayori turned around happily and said to Fukuoka Nobuyoshi: "Kingyi, you must take the people there personally this time. You must tell the general your credentials and the situation of the Ming Dynasty's official ships and fleets, and Tell the general that the Shaoer family firmly supports the Ming Dynasty in establishing shipping markets in Yinqi and Sado."

"Hi!" Fukuoka Nobuyoshi nodded upon hearing this, and that night he led dozens of cavalrymen on Japanese ponies to prepare to take a detour to Kyoto.

For several days after that, Huang Wei traveled between the fleet and Fukuoka. The Ming army also landed on Noko Island, expanded the dock and built houses on the island.

In the subsequent exchanges, Huang Wei also seemed to be moved by Shao Er Zhenlai's "sincerity", and promised to open a hidden shipping department on Nenggu Island and station 500 Ming troops. If Shao Er Zhenrai When the Er family is in danger, holding the Shao Er family head token can mobilize them to defend the Shao Er family against the incoming enemy.

However, once they are killed in battle, the Shaoer family will also need to give each person a pension of fifty guan.

Faced with such conditions, Shao Er Zhenyori nodded in approval without a moment's hesitation. After all, in his opinion, the combat effectiveness of the five hundred Ming army was comparable to that of three thousand ashigaru.

Anyway, he doesn't need to pay military pay. He only needs to give them a beard if he mobilizes them and dies in battle. Then he can completely regard these 500 Ming troops as the Shao Er family's last trump card.

I believe that with them, the Ouchi clan would not dare to be so arrogant anymore.

When he thought of this, Shaoyi Sadayori began to feel complacent, and Fukuoka Keiyoshi, who accepted his order, also took a detour to Kyoto.

On May 18, Fukuoka Nobuyoshi successfully arrived at Kyoto City in this era.

With the establishment of the Ashikaga Shogunate, Japan entered the Muromachi era, and Kyoto once again became the center of Japanese politics.

After half a century of management by the Ashikaga family, the layout of Kyoto has undergone tremendous changes. The entire city is divided into upper and lower parts according to the north and south. The two east-west roads have replaced Suzaku Avenue as the most important street in Kyoto.

Upper Kyoto is home to many aristocratic residences, including the emperor's residence, while Lower Kyoto is the main industrial and commercial area of ​​Kyoto.

This is not the first time Fukuoka Nobuyoshi has come to Kyoto, but this time it has been five years since he last came to Kyoto.

Five years have passed, and Kyoto has become more prosperous, with a population of 200,000. Even in the Ming Dynasty, it was considered a relatively prosperous city.

Of course, Fukuoka Nobuyoshi has never been to the Ming Dynasty, but he can see the prosperity of the Ming Dynasty from its actions.

Therefore, even after seeing the prosperity of Kyoto, Fukuoka Keiyoshi felt that it was not as good as the Ming Dynasty, and he also had the idea of ​​​​going to the Ming Dynasty in his lifetime.

"Please wait here for Tai Zheng's summons."

At the foot of Kitayama in Kyoto, when Fukuoka Nobuyoshi was taken outside the Kitayama Temple, he could see the bustling Kitayama Sanmon Gate.

After Ashikaga Yoshimitsu exchanged the territory in Kawachi Province with the Saionji family to acquire this villa, which was then called Kitayamadi, Kitayamadi began to be renamed Kitazanden.

Although it was only the private residence of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, its size was comparable to the Imperial Palace where members of the imperial family lived, and it became the political center of the Ashikaga Shogunate.

Seven years ago, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu gave up the position of general to his son Ashikaga Yoshimochi, but he still holds the real power and is in charge of the political affairs of Kitayama Palace.

The reason why Fukuoka Sueyoshi did not go to Ashikaga Yoshimochi was not because Ashikaga Yoshimochi had no real power, but because Ashikaga Yoshimochi's attitude towards Ming Dynasty was not friendly.

In comparison, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu understood the importance of trade with the Ming Dynasty and gaining the support of the Ming Dynasty.

Fukuoka Nobuyoshi waited for a long time and finally saw a figure walking down the mountain road.

He walked to the mountain gate and nodded to Fukuoka Nobuyoshi: "Taizheng ordered to summon you, cheer up and pay attention to etiquette."

"Yes!" Fukuoka Nobuyoshi nodded and followed the retainer to the Golden Pavilion of Kitayama Hall.

The Golden Pavilion relies on a pond and is three stories high. The first floor is called "Hosuiyuan". There are panel doors on the east and west sides, and the five doors on the north side are supported by the earth wall.

The second floor is called Chaoyin Cave, and the third floor is called the Ultimate Summit.

From a long distance away, Fukuoka Nobuyoshi saw the top covered with gold foil, and he couldn't help but feel a little greedy in his heart.

But after he was led into the Golden Pavilion, he immediately calmed down. Under the guidance of the samurai, he walked up to the top of the third floor and saw Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who was sitting on the balcony and was in his early forties.

He was dressed like a monk, but his clothes were very luxurious. The tatami he sat on had a green pattern that could only be used by the emperor and emperor, which clearly showed his ambition.

"The retainer of the Shaoer family, the Hakata warrior Fukuoka Nobuyoshi in front of Chikuzen, has come to see Taizheng!"

Fukuoka Sueyoshi knelt down and kowtowed. After hearing this, the ordinary-looking Ashikaga Yoshimitsu pretended to be focused on the pool outside the Golden Pavilion. After a while, he said:

"I heard that the official ships of the Ming Dynasty docked in Hakata in Chikuzen. You also brought their credentials?"

"Hi!" Fukuoka Nobuyoshi took out the trade documents and the Ming Dynasty certificate from his arms, and said while the samurai took them away:

"This time the official ships of the Ming Dynasty are not ordinary envoy ships. They have more than a hundred official ships, each of which can carry thousands of people. This time they came to open a market and to carry out the murder of Huai Liang. An envoy from the Ming Dynasty is here."

"Therefore, this time there are 20,000 troops accompanying the official ship!"

"..." When they heard that the Ming Dynasty actually brought 20,000 soldiers and horses, both the samurai who received the credentials and the originally absent-minded Ashikaga Yoshimitsu looked at Fukuoka Sutra in surprise.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu turned around and sat up straight, taking the trade documents and credentials from the samurai's hands.

He read everything at a glance, and while frowning, he also gave an order to the warrior who was still in shock: "Gather everyone from Yoshimichi, the governor, the minister's office, the inquiry office, and the political office to come to the Golden Pavilion to discuss the matter. "

"Hi!" The warrior who came back to his senses responded quickly and ran out of the Golden Pavilion in a hurry.

Soon, news of the Ming Dynasty's credentials and the arrival of the official fleet began to spread in Kyoto...

　"Records of Emperor Taizong of the Ming Dynasty": "In the fifth month of Dinghai, Zheng He sent a letter of credence to the Japanese capital. King Yuan Daoyi heard that the letter of credence from the Celestial Empire had arrived. He was frightened and bowed his head and spoke carefully."

　　

　

(End of this chapter)