New Shun 1730

Liu Yu was not the last one to arrive, and several others filed in.

After meeting the emperor, they were all given seats.

When everyone was present, the emperor asked Liu Yu first: "You have trained the navy for several years. How confident are you that you can beat the Japanese navy now?"

When Liu Yu heard about this, his heart skipped a beat and he became excited.

"Your Majesty, I am 100% sure, there will be no surprises. There will be no divine wind when we set sail in the autumn. The Japanese navy is too weak."

Several people who had already known about the news had various ideas, thinking that this day had finally come.

Supporters and opponents, the attitude was meaningless at this time.

The emperor had set up a small circle, obviously because he did not want others to know, and anyone who could be summoned here was a "great honor", which meant the emperor's trust.

At this time, it would be blind to say this or that, waste of money and labor, etc.

But after the emperor asked Liu Yu, he still found a legitimate reason.

"In the 37th year of Wanli in the previous dynasty, the Shimazu clan of Japan attacked Ryukyu and looted the royal city. They also sent people to monitor it, so the Ryukyu Kingdom had to pay tribute to both sides, paying tribute to the Celestial Empire and participating in Edo."

"After this dynasty, the King of Ryukyu also concealed the truth and dared not tell the truth. Although I hate him for deceiving the emperor, I think that he did not do it out of his heart, but was forced by the tyranny. The sin of the King of Ryukyu can still be discussed and I can forgive him."

"But I really can't tolerate the situation of Japan. Although I am a diplomat, how can Japan be included in the list of diplomacy? This time, it is a serious crime to compete with the Celestial Empire for a tributary country."

"I sent people to Japan and got a lot of news. You may want to take a look at some things."

After that, he took out the "Battle of Koxinga" that Kang Budai exaggerated and fanned the flames, and distributed it to everyone present.

Some places were specially marked in red by the emperor. After reading it, a few people who were not very supportive also understood that this battle was inevitable.

The contents of the book certainly fanned the flames, but whoever was discussing matters here, how could they be so angry that they could not bear to see the anger of a few words?

But the emperor pretended to be angry, so the ministers had to pretend to be angry too. The red mark on the book was just to tell these important ministers that I had made up my mind.

Sure enough, after a round of scolding of "wolf ambition", the emperor said: "I am not the kind of king who is militaristic. After the war in the Wanli period of the previous dynasty, I thought that the Japanese knew that the Celestial Empire was unshakable and would give up. Now it seems that they have not changed their minds."

"It just so happens that the Russian Kingdom should send an envoy, and Sweden and France will also send people. Ying Suobo said that England, Gui and Li are also possible. Since all the Western countries have come, it is just right for them to understand where the border of the Celestial Empire is."

"When the Duke of Qi signed a boundary treaty with the Russians, he said that the Japanese Kingdom was the Celestial Empire. According to the Westphalian system of the Western Barbarians, if it is a tribute, there is no diplomacy, and all major and minor matters must be reported to the Celestial Empire. "

"It is not enough for the Rakshasa Kingdom to know, and the other Western countries must also know it. "

"Furthermore, if you turn a blind eye to the affairs of the Ryukyu Kingdom, it will not be a long-term solution. Once it is leaked, you will lose the face of the Ryukyu Kingdom? But what is lost is the face of the Celestial Empire. "

"A tributary country actually participated in Edo, which is intolerable. "

In fact, the fact that the Ryukyu Kingdom paid tribute to both sides is not a secret in Dashun.

It's just that no one dares to say that this is not a secret, after all, this matter is too embarrassing for the emperor.

Some experienced people believe that fighting Japan for Ryukyu is a waste of money and manpower, and only a false name, which is meaningless.

After all, Ryukyu is not Korea. If Japan attacks Korea, Dashun will definitely send troops; but to Ryukyu, across the sea, it will just turn a blind eye.

The memory of the Yuan Dynasty's attack on Japan is still in the history books, and it is not worth fighting.

Now the emperor "exclaimed" that there was such a thing in Ryukyu, and the ministers could only exclaim that it was intolerable.

Seeing that this matter was related to diplomacy, the Duke of Qi hurriedly said: "Your Majesty, I think that an envoy should be sent to Ryukyu to question this matter."

"Even if the Ryukyu Kingdom was forced by the tyranny, it is still guilty. The emperor can forgive the crime, but he must be reprimanded."

"I often hear Ying Suo Bo say that the navy cannot be built in a day. Even if it is sent to Ryukyu, the Japanese country will be alerted, and its navy cannot be built within a year."

"Therefore, I think that Ying Suo Bo should be sent to Ryukyu. First, it demonstrates the military power of the Celestial Empire, and second, it also lets the King of Ryukyu know that the Celestial Empire has its own means to protect his country and make it calm down. Moreover, intimidation and appeasement should be used together. Ying Suo Bo went to intimidate himself, and another envoy should be sent to appease him."

The emperor hummed, but did not comment.

After a while, he said, "Ying Suo Bo said it well. Before a war begins, we should know how to end it. There must be a purpose for fighting."

"My purpose is a few points."

"First, deal with Shimazu clan and escort him to the capital for trial; Wa must pay tribute and the Celestial Empire will confer a title."

"Second, the Celestial Empire's conquests consume military expenses, which should be paid by the Japanese."

"Third, open up trade. Celestial Empire merchants can sell goods in the East without restrictions; since their countries pay tribute, they can trade with Western countries without the permission of the Celestial Empire."

"As for stationing troops, occupying, ruling and setting up governments, I don't have such intentions."

"This time, I am just punishing them for their disrespect."

After talking about these war goals that must be achieved, those who were somewhat opposed in their hearts also relaxed.

Since it is not for the purpose of destroying the country, it is legitimate for the Zhou emperor to conquer the disloyal.

And in this way, it will not consume too much money, food and manpower, especially after the Dashun Army reform, the battle of Altai Mountain has doubled the confidence of many people in the court, and they believe that it is no problem to win with fewer troops.

Moreover, if Japan can be made to pay compensation, the war will not be lost.

Besides, Japan is not the Junggar, and there is a sea between them. Even if they lose, they don’t have to worry about the shock of the world.

Several people looked at Liu Yu and knew that the key to the success or failure of this battle lies in Liu Yu’s navy.

The emperor had asked Liu Yu if he was sure before. Since he said 100%, everyone felt that although Liu Yu was young, he was accurate in the matter of war.

If he said 100%, then it was 100%.

However, the emperor did not ask Liu Yu to express his opinion, but said: "Since the military reform, the Privy Council has been acting as a consultant. Everything is planned in advance, and if it is not planned, it will be abandoned. It has also consulted on some ways to go to war with Japan. Of course, it may not be used, but it is just to make some preparations in case of an emergency. As for Annan, Myanmar and other places, they are also on record."

"In recent years, many spies have been sent to Japan. Although Japan is closed and it is difficult to know its true strength, it can be found that its military strength is not strong."

"Since the Wanli period of the previous dynasty, there have been few wars and the military preparations have been relaxed. The Privy Council's consultants think it is possible to fight. You might as well listen and discuss this matter together."

"First, verify the power of the military reform; second, try out the consultant system."

Giving a wink to Jiang Chen on the side, Jiang Chen handed over a He took out the map of Japan, and then smiled at Liu Yu and said, "Although this is the army's business, it will not work without the navy led by Ying Suobo. But if it is like a play, the protagonist of this play must be the army."

"Ying Suobo only needs to do two things this time. Defeat the Japanese navy; transport troops to the right place. In the past, when the Western Region was preparing for a war, Ying Suobo made my Western Army cry with resentment, and many people who wanted to be awarded a title gave up their thoughts. Don't let this happen again this time."

"Last time it was all the army. If this happens again this time, it will be a disagreement between the army and the sea."

Jiang Chen just told a joke to liven up the atmosphere. The others were laughing, but Liu Yu was the only one who muttered in his heart, thinking that this joke was not funny at all.

Fortunately, if Dashun wants to expand in the future, it can only make sense to fight southward, and the dispute between land and sea will not be irreconcilable.

After laughing awkwardly, Jiang Chen talked about the battle plan.

First, the navy will land with about 3,000 people, capture Kokura Castle, cut off the Shimonoseki Strait, and fight the enemy.

Then transport the army, occupy Nagasaki, store food and troops in Nagasaki, and defeat the enemies in various places on Kyushu Island.

After clearing the Japanese army on Kyushu Island, negotiate with the shogunate and ask the shogunate to agree to all conditions, and then withdraw the army.

In this way, as long as the navy is strong enough, only more than 10,000 army reforms will be needed to succeed.

It does not cost much money and food.

Food and grass, etc., sea merchants go to Nagasaki to trade every year, which is definitely cheaper than fighting Junggar, and they can even buy food in Nagasaki at the price in the capital.

The plan sounds simple, but Liu Yu thought that this is feasible. The navy has completely become a servant of the army, so it will help the army to seize the right to control the sea?

The emperor was very confident about this simple plan and said with a smile: "This time, the merchants were very enthusiastic about the transportation of grain and there was almost no loss. There were many merchants in the Celestial Empire who went to Japan for trade and had also transported rice to Nagasaki. War costs money, and the most expensive thing is the baggage."

"This time, the merchants can come forward to transport the grain and baggage."

"In the future, I will allow them to trade with Japan. However, the merchants will benefit from the future trade, and they will still have to pay for the military expenses."

"But I don't know how much these merchants are willing to pay?"

Liu Yu thought that this was a lot. If Japan could really open up trade and allow the trading of precious metals such as copper, gold and silver, the profit would be huge.

Not to mention gold, Japan's gold and silver prices, if silver can be used to buy gold, it can make a lot of money.

Besides, if it can be opened, and the Dutch are squeezed out, hundreds of thousands of taels a year will definitely be willing to pay.

But if you want to get it, you must show it in this battle.

"Your Majesty, I think that if Japan is punished, the merchants will be enthusiastic. If war is declared against Japan, the merchants will not be able to go to Japan for trade in a short period of time. According to the Western system, all merchant ships can be requisitioned, and the trading company has some large ships for long-distance voyages, so logistics and supplies are not a problem."

"Grain and rice from Jiangnan can be directly transported to Nagasaki; wheat and food from Liaodong can also be transported to Kokura. The transportation costs do not need to be paid to the merchants, but only counted as monopoly fees in the future."

"As for how much they are willing to donate to the army, this matter... I think it is not appropriate to donate. If they are allowed to monopolize trade and clearly mark the price, merchants are all profit-seeking and will not do it if there is no profit."

"How about this, the war against Japan is limited to two years. Within two years, the transportation costs of grain and grass will be reduced to The monopoly right is two years. "

"When the treaty is signed and trade is opened, the monopoly fee will be negotiated. First, merchants have no idea how much income they will get after two years. If the profit doubles after two years, they will naturally be willing to pay more."

"The Songjiang trading company will definitely be able to take care of this. But once this matter is decided, it cannot be delayed."

"Since the Duke of Qi said so, I should go to Ryukyu and question the Ryukyu Dynasty about the fact that the Japanese will be alert. Fortunately, the Japanese are closed and slow to react. Before they are alert, it is necessary to decide to go to war."

"It is best to start the war in the golden autumn of this year, and we can also get food from the enemy. The Japanese are feudal, with six officials and four people. As long as our dynasty is benevolent and collects less food and grass, the Japanese people will welcome the royal army with food and drink."

"There is no need to worry about the war. The Japanese will surely lose. The only thing is that the Japanese have their own king, the shogun in power, who uses the Japanese king to control the daimyo. If they are really asked to pay tribute, who should be conferred the title?"

"I think that the Celestial Empire should maintain its shogunate system, so that the market is unified and it is convenient to sell goods. After this war, the shogunate's prestige will be damaged, and it will be difficult to subdue the daimyo. At that time, they will surely ask the Celestial Empire for help, and let the shogunate be the territorial official of the Celestial Empire. Isn't it wonderful?"

"Therefore, I think that in this matter, don't put etiquette and law first; put interests first."