"If we abolish the tribute trade, no longer restrict the amount of tribute envoys and tributes, and allow the people to come and go freely, strengthening the trade between our dynasty and the Heavenly Dynasty, frankly speaking, we are very much in favor of it, but we still have some doubts about some things."
Uchiha Yoshinori picked up his cup and drank a mouthful. He said, "Today I will be frank with the two Daren, I will tell you the truth. Let me give you an example. In the past, when we were conducting trade, Ming Destiny's imperial court was generous and generous. The gifts they bestowed upon our dynasty were indeed generous, but they were far from meeting the needs of our dynasty.
Because of this consideration, when I pay tribute to Ming Destiny, the tribute envoy often carries a lot of goods and sells them to the local rich merchants at the big ports along the way, such as Suzhou, Hangzhou, and Jinling. But many of the private merchants have all kinds of reasons and don't pay. In order to collect the debt, the people of our dynasty have to travel by boat, and even bring the case to the administrative office, but still can't get protection. I would like to ask, if the private merchants trade freely, how does Ming Destiny protect the interests of our merchants? "
Yang Ling smiled at Uchiha Uchiha and said, "We have already thought of this problem. In fact, once the trade is free, there will definitely be a lot of merchants going to Japan. Therefore, we have decided: First, we will set up a special government office and formulate special maritime laws and trade laws to protect the rights and interests of merchants from both sides. Of course, your country will also need to set up a similar department to protect each other. The formulation of the relevant laws will require both sides to send people who are proficient in the law to jointly formulate them. "
"At the same time," Wang Hua bowed and said, "In order to ensure that the government offices enforce the law impartially, your country can send permanent envoys to be stationed in our capital as well as the cities that have close relations with both countries. They can supervise the law enforcement offices. If the law enforcement offices are unjust, as envoys, they have the right to file a lawsuit against the government offices one level higher or even three levels higher than the government offices. Of course, we will also send special envoys to your country to be in charge of the relevant matters. We will have equal rights. "
After Wang Hua said that, he and Yang Ling looked at each other and smiled. The economy would always have the support of politics and the law. Wang Hua's suggestion was reasonable. The Minister of Justice and Courage felt relieved and couldn't help but nod repeatedly.
However, he did not know that the Ming Destiny Celestial Empire, which had always been arrogant and looked down on the small foreign countries, actually had another purpose for making this suggestion. Ming Destiny knew nothing about the rise and fall of the Nippon Imperial Family and the Shogunate, their ability to control the country, and the political attitudes of several powerful vassal states in Kyushu.
Under such circumstances, they couldn't even find the right person. Cooperation, especially military cooperation, was basically a castle in the air. Yang Ling proposed to send ambassadors to Japan, with officials from the Six Ministries as civil officials and officials from the Imperial Guard as military officials. They would be sent to Japan to collect intelligence on their politics, military affairs, and economy. Only by knowing themselves and the enemy could they ensure that the relevant national policies could be implemented.
Hosokawa Seimei smiled and said, "Lord Wang's suggestion is very good. Once the two countries open the sea to trade, the merchants will be as numerous as the clouds, the sails will be like the flags. It is inevitable that there will be many disputes. If there is no strong yamen to ensure fairness, it will inevitably cause a lot of trouble among the people.
In addition, our Celestial Empire needs a lot of goods from Ming Destiny. Whether it is raw silk, cotton cloth, mercury, magnets, medicinal herbs, seasonings, calligraphy, paintings, and Buddhist scriptures, once these things are sold to our country, the price will increase tenfold.
But the goods that our Celestial Empire sells to Ming Destiny, other than some screens, fans, boxes, swords and sabers, most of them are raw materials such as copper, sulfur, hematoxylin, pearls, and so on. The increase in price is very small. Isn't it unfair? "
Yang Ling smiled and said, "These things depend on the demand of the people. Besides, once these raw materials are shipped, our Celestial Empire will have to reprocess them. We have to give them some profit, right? Does Minister Hosokawa have any good suggestion? "
Hosokawa's expression lit up and he said, "Can Ming Destiny allow our Celestial Empire's people to set up their own shops and factories in Ming Destiny, hire Ming Destiny's craftsmen, learn the manufacturing techniques, transport the materials, produce the goods on the spot, and then sell them?"
He then complained, "In addition, like pearls, it is extremely dangerous for a spider picker to go into the sea to collect spiders. But when the pearls are sold to Ming Destiny, the profits are not very high. On the other hand, Ming Destiny's jewelers can double their profits after processing the pearls. Our Celestial Empire's processed pearls have always been boycotted by Ming Destiny's jewelers and cannot be sold. Isn't this unfair?"
Wang Hua laughed out loud. He flicked his sleeve and said, "Minister Hosokawa's words are wrong. To think that our Ming Destiny's silk brocade also needs to be cultivated from mulberry planting, silkworm rearing, silk spinning, and brocade making step by step. How can it be any less difficult? What Ming Destiny sells to your country is silk, not a finished kimono. "
Yang Ling also said with a smile, "If Japan wants to set up their own factory in Ming Destiny, it is not impossible to hire Ming Destiny's craftsmen. But if we ask your country to allow our Celestial Empire's people to hire craftsmen from your country to learn the technique of extracting silver from white lead and the technique of forging swords, will your country agree?"
Hosokawa Seimei couldn't help but feel suffocated. They only had a few special skills. If they were all learned by the people of Ming Destiny, with their capital and strength, would they still be able to survive?
Yang Ling gave him another reassuring pill and said, "Of course, we have just opened up the sea trade. There may be many things that we can't think of now. The establishment of the Yamen is also for timely communication so that both sides can continuously improve the laws. When the conditions are ripe, I think your proposal will also be gradually relaxed, as long as it is beneficial to the people of both sides and the Celestial Empire of both sides."
Wang Hua coughed and said, "Yes, these things can't be done overnight. We still need to plan slowly. I think the most important thing is how to solve the biggest obstacle of opening up the sea trade: pirates! They wander around the sea, choosing people to devour. With them around, lifting the ban on trade is just empty talk. Ming Destiny's navy and your country's navy working together to annihilate the pirates is the most important thing. I wonder if you have a plan for cooperation? "
When Ōuchi Yoshinori and Hosokawa Seimei heard this, their expressions tightened. They looked at each other cautiously, and their bodies involuntarily leaned forward. Just now, they could go their own ways and not interfere with each other's business. But sending the navy to cooperate with Ming Destiny to annihilate the pirates would involve military affairs.
In today's era of rising daimyo, a strong navy would be of great help in unifying Japan. The Ōuchi and Hosokawa families were the two most powerful daimyo. Whoever could control them would continue to grow in the process of annihilating the pirates of the four seas. It would be the most useful for dominating the world in the future. The two messengers naturally wanted to know Ming Destiny's opinion and take this mission.
Yang Ling saw the expressions of the two and remembered what Cheng Qiyun had said, 'If there are two buyers, we can raise the price. If there are two sellers, we can lower the price. 'He couldn't help but smile. Of course, he would not allow one of the two daimyo to take advantage of the situation. Anyway, Ming Destiny wants to build four navy. He can suggest that the other side's navy should work with Ming Destiny to maintain their balance. "
So the two sides started to argue and bargain about the formation and cooperation of the navy.
Yang Ling naturally had his own reasons for taking this matter so seriously. The sea was vast, like Korea, Ryukyu, Luzon, Penghu, and Taiwan. Among the countries, regions, and tribes facing Ming Destiny across the sea, Japan was still the most powerful even now when the daimyo of Japan were rising and there was frequent civil strife.
Yang Ling's plan was to get the Great Ming Dynasty to open up the sea and communicate with the other countries. He also wanted to further absorb the advanced technology, ideas, and systems of the other countries. In order to maintain the Great Ming Dynasty's advanced position in the world, he needed a peaceful sea border. At a time when the Great Ming Dynasty's new navy was still not able to reach far, he needed the cooperation of Japan.
What's more, there were still foreign pirates. Yang Ling remembered coming across some information when he was playing the Great Voyage game. Portugal, Spain, and other countries traveled tens of thousands of miles to the Great Ming Dynasty, settling down in Penghu and Taiwan as their bases. They stayed there for hundreds of years, relying on smuggling.
They took advantage of the fact that the Great Ming Dynasty forbade the sea to trade with other countries and became the main force of smuggling. From then on, they became more and more powerful, until they lured the countries in the far west to gradually focus their attention on the fertile land of the east. Moreover, their ambitions continued to grow, and the idea of using force to plunder once gained the upper hand.
Now that Ming Destiny opened the sea ban, the foundation of the western pirates' base of smuggling had disappeared. But most of the fleets of the western countries that traveled around the world were pirates. In a situation where there was no profit, they were bound to change from smugglers to pirates. Then, when the Wokou were gone, foreign pirates would appear.
If the Great Ming Empire could only rely on itself to exterminate the Wokou pirates and foreign invaders, who knew how many sacrifices they would have to make and how much military expenditure they would have to fork out? Since both China and Japan had common interests in this process, why not let them contribute? Only when the foreign pirates were beaten up badly and scared, would they give up their robber ambitions and do business with Ming Destiny. As for the Japanese navy taking advantage of the situation, Yang Ling was not worried. With the current strength and solid foundation of Ming Destiny, in the process of synchronized development, Ming Destiny would definitely be much faster than them.
Naturally, it was impossible to solve all the problems in one day. But it was clear that Ōuchi Yoshiaki and Hosokawa Seimei were very sincere, and the two sides had reached an agreement on many matters. The opening of the sea ban was made possible by Yang Ling, and it was his biggest political matter.
Now the side that opposed the opening of the sea ban had only lost temporarily. They were waiting for the leaders who had left the capital to return, and at the same time, they were paying attention to all the matters of the two sides discussing the opening of the sea. If there were any problems, they would seize the opportunity to deal the final blow. So, Yang Ling naturally did not dare to be careless. Seeing that it was effective, he could not help but feel secretly happy.
※ ※ ※
The two sides talked from early morning until noon. Both sides' envoys had lunch together, and only then did Yang Ling and Wang Hua take their leave. Wang Hua still had to take the contents of today's discussion back to sort out, and at the same time, prepare for tomorrow's discussion, so he hurriedly bid farewell to Yang Ling and returned to the Ministry of Rites.
Yang Ling was also anxious to go back and tell Cheng Qiyun, his personal think tank, about today's discussion, so that he could have a plan for the next step. The spring sun was not strong, and it shone warmly in the village. In the ridges, the farmers were working hard, driving the cattle, and under the guidance of the trained craftsmen, they were sowing corn seeds. On the hillsides and ridges, they were planting sweet potatoes and other crops. It was a scene of vitality.
Yang Ling rushed back to the courtyard. The courtyard was quiet, and a breeze blew gently. Yun'er was sitting under the porch, holding an embroidery work in her hands, but she was already leaning against a pillar and dozing off. On the gravel paved path, there were occasionally a few birds lazily walking back and forth.
Yang Ling did not disturb her, and walked over lightly, directly turning into the inner study. Cheng Qiyun was wearing a white robe with flowers and ink, which made her lips rosy and teeth white, infinitely amorous. The robe was not even fastened, and looked loose and casual. But occasionally, when she moved, the robe would flutter, and one could feel her slender waist, and her jade body.
Seeing Yang Ling come in, Cheng Qiyun gracefully got up, and greeted him with a smile, "Your Excellency, how was today's discussion?"
Yang Ling said, "I saw that both sides did not have too many objections to the main issues raised by each other. It is just that some details, and problems that involve their internal division of power, will probably need to be discussed. I estimate that in another two or three days, we can ask His Majesty to summon the tribute envoy."
Cheng Qiyun's face lit up, and she raised her eyebrows, saying, "This is very good. I see that when Your Excellency does things, it is always bumpy. Almost everything has to be done with swords and weapons, and without blood, it is impossible to distinguish who is better or worse. This time, it is finally safe and smooth."
Yang Ling laughed in spite of himself, and said, "What are you saying? You are saying that this official is like a jinx. "
Just as he finished speaking, Yun'er had already rushed in, and said in a panic, "Master is really back."
Yang Ling frowned, and said, "Why did you come in without calling me? What is there to make a fuss about me returning to the residence? "
Yun'er stammered, "No, Master, the old housekeeper asked me to invite Master to the front hall. The Assistant Minister of War, Liu Yu, Liu Daren, wishes to see you."
"En?" Yang Ling and Cheng Qiyun couldn't help but look at each other. Liu Yu was originally the Imperial Messenger, and after Liu Da Xia was removed from his post, Jiao Fang had placed him into the Ministry of War as the Assistant Minister, and the ultimate goal was for him to take over as the Minister of War. This person could be considered to be on Yang Ling's side, so why did he rush over in such a hurry?
Yang Ling anxiously said, "I will go take a look!"
Cheng Qiyun walked back to the side of the table, and picked up a purple sash from the chair. As she nimbly tied it around her waist, she said, "In any case, this is a private residence, and it is not an outsider. I will accompany Daren."
The two of them hurriedly walked to the central hall, and saw Liu Yu occasionally rubbing his hands, and walking back and forth with a head full of sweat. When he saw Yang Ling come out, he was overjoyed, and said, "Daren, something big has happened. Daren has sent the Imperial Bodyguards, and has repeatedly exhorted them, but how could these masters who serve the Emperor care about those Wokou people …"
He had not finished speaking when Yang Ling's expression changed, and he said, "What happened? A conflict between the Imperial Bodyguards and the people from the diplomatic mission? "
Liu Yu stamped his feet, and said, "How could it be? The Wokou people from the diplomatic mission were strolling the streets, and the Imperial Bodyguards didn't care about those ordinary wanderers. Not a single one of them followed them. Ever since this dynasty was established, these Wokou people have always come to pay tribute, and they have always caused trouble! There was a Wokou called Kōno Kameshiro, who went to the streets and got drunk. He pretended to be crazy, and took liberties with the daughter of the owner of a bone shop. In the end, he got into an argument with the owner, and during the fight, this barbarian actually pushed the old man into a big pot of soup, and he … he was stewed alive! "
Yang Ling's expression changed in an instant. Cheng Qiyun's eyes moved, and she looked at Yang Ling, and anxiously asked, "Then what about the murderer?"
Liu Yu said, "When this Wokou person saw the wine, he woke up in fright and ran back to Four Barbarians Building to hide. Because this is a foreign envoy, the patrolling imperial messenger didn't dare to make a decision on his own. He sent his troops to surround Four Barbarians Building first, and then presented it to the magistrate of Shuntian Province, requesting for the arrest of the murderer. However … Lord Zhang You, the magistrate of Shuntian Province, also didn't dare to make a decision, so he presented it to the three departments of law.
Some of the officials of the three departments of law felt that barbarians have never learned etiquette, and furthermore, they had made a mistake when they were drunk, and they came to pay tribute because they admired our heavenly face. If they punished them severely, they would lose the hearts of the people. During the Chenghua years, the Wokou envoy had also stabbed someone to death on the streets, and the emperor had pardoned him with the name of 'Faraway Barbarian'. Therefore, he followed the old custom and requested for a pardon.
Some of the officials of the three departments of law firmly opposed it, and felt that the murderer should be severely punished. In the end, the matter reached the cabinet, and the six ministries and nine ministers all had their own views, so they couldn't come to a decision. When the matter reached Hanlin Academy and Imperial College, everyone was furious, and now this matter … this matter has blown up. "
The previous magistrate of Shuntian Province was Mou Bin's man, and after he was beaten to death by Liu Jin, he was replaced by his trusted aide, Zhang You. Opening the sea and lifting the ban was beneficial to the Department of Rites, so he naturally wasn't willing to obstruct Liu Jin's path of money for an old man who had died a wrongful death at a street stall.
As for the three departments of law and the six ministries and nine ministers, there were now Yang Ling's men, Liu Jin's men, and the old ministers of the original Hongzhi dynasty. Other than those old ministers, no matter if it was Yang Ling's faction or Liu Jin's faction, they naturally had to protect their masters. They weren't willing to create enmity with the japanese envoy and ruin the cooperation plan.
"Just because they're drunk, they can push people into the soup pot to cook them alive?" Yang Ling's face turned black.
Liu Yu hesitated for a moment, "Grand Scholar Yang has already come forward to suppress the situation, requesting Hanlin Academy and Imperial College to temporarily stabilize. Grand Scholar Jiao has sent me to listen to lord's opinion."
He also knew how much effort Yang Ling had put into opening the sea and trade. Since ancient times, a general's success was achieved by ten thousand people. In order to accomplish a huge matter and obtain long-term benefits, what did sacrificing countless lives count as? To be a qualified politician, one had to be cold-blooded.
Thinking until here, he couldn't help reminding, "Lord, in the ninth year of Hongzhi, the country of Japan sent the monk Yaofu Shou as the official envoy to pay tribute to our dynasty. On the way back, there was a warrior of the envoy in Shandong's Jining who killed him with a knife. Our dynasty … also issued a decree to pardon him, bringing the envoy back to our country to punish him severely."
When he said until here, he didn't say anything else. The meaning behind his words was that all the emperors had adopted the same national policy. Even if lord let the ronin off for the sake of a huge matter, with the precedent set by the Former Emperor, no matter how angry the officials were, they wouldn't dare to do anything to you.
Cheng Qiyun had suffered misfortune since young and had no one to help her. She had long developed a vicious and merciless personality. If it wasn't someone she truly cared about and loved, it was impossible for her to have pity on them. However, after interacting with Yang Ling for so long, she already understood Yang Ling very well, so she naturally knew Yang Ling's personality.
She had the intention to persuade Yang Ling to endure this matter for the time being. After understanding the intentions of the Japanese envoy, he would then decide whether to arrest the river turtle. This was the most rational method. After all, what Yang Ling was plotting involved the interests of millions of people. However, when the words reached her mouth, she only moved her lips before swallowing them back.
Looking at Yang Ling's fiery eyes, Cheng Qiyun was speechless: "If this matter really falls apart because of the river turtle's punishment for killing people, I will do my best to start all over again. Whatever he wants to do now, I will follow him to do it, whether he is right or wrong! "
In addition to the extreme anger of his fellow countrymen, Yang Ling did not consider the possible impact on the Tribute Mission. However, even though Ming Destiny had always been forgiving of the Japanese envoy's barbarism, even though no one in the court could touch him if he let this matter go, even though he had gradually integrated into the world of the Ming Dynasty, he could not use the thinking of a Ming Dynasty politician to think about this matter.
Yang Ling suddenly raised his head and looked straight at Liu Yu. He said word by word: "Quickly, inform Elder Jiao to immediately arrest the murderer, and then … hand him over to Dongchang. This person, must be killed! And must be killed openly! Fair and Proper Punishment of the Earth! Kill a tooth for a tooth! I am going to see the Emperor now. "
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