Yongli Ming Dynasty

Chapter 362: Dongming
In the government office, Zhu Zhiyu was not prepared to beat around the bush with Cai Jian anymore, and he spoke directly

"Mr. Cai came to visit me this morning. He must have something to discuss. If you have something to discuss, please speak directly. There is no need to hide anything."

Cai Jian's face froze when he heard this. He was silent for a moment, and then suddenly said in a deep voice:
"Since Lord Zhu has spoken directly, I will not try to hide anything anymore."

"I came to disturb you early this morning because I have an important matter to ask you. May I ask, Lord Zhu, why does the imperial court station troops in Ryukyu?"

Cai Jian did not wait for Zhu Zhiyu to speak before he spoke again.

"I hope Mr. Zhu will tell you the truth. I have lived in Ryukyu for a long time. If there were Qing merchant ships passing through the country, we would definitely not be unaware of it."

Zhu Zhiyu's expression froze when he heard this, but soon his face regained its composure.
Cai Jian stared at Zhu Ciyu in front of him. Zhu Zhiyu's eyes flickered slightly, and then he spoke

"Thank you for your hospitality, Mr. Cai. Since you have asked, I cannot hide anything from you."

"The Ming court has lifted the maritime ban. Last year alone, there were no less than 70 or 80 merchant ships from the Ming Dynasty heading to Ryukyu."

"But last year's lifting of the maritime ban was just a trial. This year, the seas will be officially opened. According to the court's estimates, there will be no less than a hundred ships from our Ming Dynasty heading to Japan this year, and even more in the next two years."

"But last year, the court received a report that the merchant ships sent by our Ming Dynasty to Japan were repeatedly attacked by Dutch barbarians and Japanese pirates, so the court decided to station troops in Ryukyu."

"There is one thing that is a secret and should not be said in detail, but Mr. Cai is not an outsider. Among the ships that were attacked last year, several had some relationship with the palace. These foreign pirates are really lawless, which caused the anger of the court."

Cai Jian was also suddenly enlightened when he heard this. Zhu Zhiyu's statement was more convincing to Cai Jian than Jin Yingyuan's guess.

The Central Plains was in the midst of a war, and Gui Jianguo had to open up maritime trade in order to raise money, and at the same time he personally went to the battlefield.

But Gui Jian Guo had never thought that the ships sent by him, the emperor, were hijacked by pirates. At this time, Gui Jian Guo must have been furious, so he decided to station troops overseas to escort the ships.
Thinking of this, Cai Jian couldn't help but ask

"May I ask Lord Zhu, which ships are the property of the palace?"

"I don't know about this, and it's not something you should ask, sir. Besides, I never said there were ships in the palace."

Cai Jian saw Zhu Zhiyu frowning and realized that he had lost his sense of proportion.

In addition to earning profits from maritime trade, the ships in the palace must also have some unknown tasks. How could the court easily tell outsiders the ship numbers?

The title of emperor cannot suppress pirates. As long as the timing is right and the operation is done cleanly, pirates dare to rob even the ship of the emperor.
Zhu Zhiyu spoke again at this time

"The court decided to station troops in Ryukyu. After some investigation, we found that Japan had ulterior motives and had secretly taken control of Ryukyu while the Ming Dynasty was unprepared."

"The matter of garrisoning troops was decided by His Majesty the Regent himself. The situation in the Ryukyu court is complicated now. Mr. Cai is a famous person in Ryukyu. Would Mr. Cai be willing to assist the court in completing the matter of garrisoning troops?"

Cai Jian remained silent upon hearing this. Zhu Zhiyu felt a little depressed when he saw that Cai Jian was silent for a long time.

There was silence in the room for a moment, then Zhu Zhiyu's eyes turned and he suddenly spoke again.

"I heard from Deputy Envoy Jin that the Kume samurai have not had a Sansi official for decades. The Kume samurai are from the Central Plains and are all from wealthy families. If we talk about the ability to assist the country and govern, I'm afraid that the other samurai in the Ryukyu Kingdom may not be able to compare with the Kume samurai."

"The core reason why the Kume samurai have lost their power in the court is that they have no soldiers behind them."

"Now the Japanese in the Ryukyu Kingdom control the government. Even if the Kume samurai are capable of governing, no one in the court would dare to use them if the Japanese draw their swords."

"But now it is different. If Mr. Cai can help us successfully station troops, then we, the Ming Dynasty garrison, can support Mr. Cai and the Kume samurai to return to the court and even regain control of the government."

"The Kume clan originated from the Central Plains, and we share the same roots. In this foreign land overseas, we will only support you, the Kume clan."

"There was a lot of debate in the Ming Dynasty about stationing troops overseas. It was only because His Royal Highness the Regent overcame all objections that this was possible."

"Mr. Cai, you should know that not every prince in the Ming Dynasty is so enthusiastic about overseas affairs."

"The overseas stationing of troops is not only an order from the Emperor, but also a golden opportunity for you, the Kume samurai."

"If this is accomplished, it will not only benefit me, but also your Kume clan. Do you agree, Mr. Cai?"

Cai Jian looked at Zhu Zhiyu's calm expression, and his heart began to waver. The power of the Kume clan in the court had fallen sharply since Zheng Jiong. Although the Kume clan did not say anything, how could they be willing to accept it?
Today, the Naha samurai family is the only one in power in the Ryukyu court. Almost all three judges are from the Naha samurai family. Why can the Naha samurai family control the court? Isn't it because the Japanese are standing behind the Naha samurai?
Kume Shiren had no choice but to do it before, but now it is different.

In order to gain the benefits of maritime trade, the Ming Dynasty government reformed the system and opened up the sea. At this time, it even planned to station troops in Ryukyu.

If Zhu Zhiyu and others can successfully station troops in Ryukyu, the Kume clan will also have a military force to support them.

The Ming Dynasty had been a vassal state of Ryukyu for hundreds of years, and its power in the Ryukyu Kingdom was far beyond the reach of the Japanese shogunate. If the Ming army supported them, the Kume samurai would surely be able to return to the court and restore their former glory.

Although Cai Jian was shaken, he remained silent.

Seeing that Cai Jian still refused to speak, Zhu Zhiyu's eyes flashed with a hint of sternness, and he said softly
"There is one more thing Mr. Cai needs to think about. Although the Kume clan has lived in Ryukyu for a long time, they are descendants of the Ming Dynasty after all."

"The Japanese are fierce and vicious. After we propose to station troops this time, whether it succeeds or not, I'm afraid the Kume people will be suspicious of the Japanese."

Cai Jian looked at Zhu Zhiyu, who looked calm, and a hint of anger flashed in his eyes. How could he not hear that Zhu Zhiyu was threatening him?

But after thinking for a while, Cai Jian felt powerless. Even though Cai Jian knew that Zhu Zhiyu was threatening him, he had no way to stop him.

Although the Kume clan was far away from the Central Plains, they had long been tied to the Ming Dynasty.

As long as Zhu Zhiyu proposed to station troops in the Ryukyu Kingdom, the Kume people would inevitably be hated by the Japanese. The Japanese might even think that this matter was secretly planned by the people of Kume Village.
The only way to stop this is to ask Zhu Zhiyu and others not to propose stationing troops in the country.

But this is simply impossible. At this time, not to mention Cai Jian, even Zhu Zhiyu is powerless to do anything about it.

His Majesty the Regent has issued an order. Regardless of whether the stationing of troops can be realized or not, Zhu Zhiyu must announce the order. Once the order is announced, the Kume clan will immediately be caught in a whirlpool.

When Cai Jian thought of this, he finally made up his mind and said

"Although we, the people of Kumejima, live alone overseas, we dare not forget where our ancestors came from. Now that our motherland has issued an order, how dare we not obey it?"

"Master Zhu, please tell me how you want me to act." Zhu Zhiyu was relieved to see that Cai Jian finally agreed.
Although the military force of the delegation is not weak, they are outsiders after all.
Moreover, what they have to do is not just soldiers can do, with the help of local people like the Kume samurai, many things will be much easier.
Zhu Zhiyu thought for a moment and then said

"It is hateful that Japan secretly manipulates the affairs of the Ryukyu Kingdom, but Mr. Cai should also know that at this time, our Ming Dynasty is fighting against the Eastern Tartars. If possible, it is not appropriate to start a war on two fronts."

"I want to know the situation of the Japanese magistrate in Ryukyu. I would like to ask Mr. Cai to find the Japanese magistrate. I want to meet with him."

Although Cai Jian had expected this, he couldn't help but sigh when he heard what Zhu Zhiyu said.

Although the Ming Dynasty wanted to station troops in Ryukyu, its main purpose was to maintain the maritime trade routes and ensure the safety of the palace fleet, not to overthrow Japan and help the Ryukyu royal family regain power.
The Ming Dynasty would obviously not easily provoke a conflict with Japan for the sake of Ryukyu.
Cai Jian thought for a moment before speaking.

"The Ryukyu Bugei of Satsuma Domain is usually replaced every two years. The current Bugei is Kamata Sakyo, born in the famous Kamata family of Satsuma. He just arrived in Ryukyu to take up his post a few months ago."

"It is not easy to find this person at this time. After the news of the imperial court coming to confer the title on him spread into the city, this person must have fled the city."

Although the Satsuma Domain had already established the Magistrate's Office in Ryukyu, in order to avoid being discovered by the Ming court that Japan had secretly ruled Ryukyu, it had already developed a complete set of concealment methods.
Since the Ming Dynasty banned maritime activities, except for the enthronement of the new king of Ryukyu, basically no official ships would arrive in Ryukyu.
In order to conceal these Ming envoys, whenever a fleet was coming to confer an appointment, the Japanese officials stationed in Naha and the accompanying Japanese would collectively retreat to the countryside of Ryukyu to prevent the Ming envoys from discovering the existence of Japanese in the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The Ryukyu government had already received the news that the Ming Dynasty's envoys were coming, and at this time, all the Japanese officials in the East and West villages of Naha must have evacuated and hid in the countryside.

Zhu Zhiyu frowned when he heard this and said

"Mr. Cai has lived in Ryukyu for generations and is familiar with the internal affairs of the country. He may be able to find the traces of these Japanese. If possible, I would like to meet with the Japanese magistrate first."

"The Japanese are extremely powerful in Naha and Shuri. My Kume clan is in an awkward position in the court now, and we have no power in these two places."

"The Japanese must have evacuated Naha by now. In the short term, I'm afraid only the regent Shang Sheng can contact those Japanese."

"Although Shang Sheng is a descendant of the king of the country, he was supported by the Japanese country. This person cannot be trusted."

Cai Jian saw that Zhu Zhiyu insisted on meeting with the Satsuma magistrate, and he had some understanding of the Ming Dynasty's attitude. Zhu Zhiyu obviously wanted to bypass Ryukyu and negotiate with Japan privately.
Although Cai Jian had guessed this, he didn't care. No matter what the Ming Dynasty planned to do, it would make no difference to the Kume clan.
As long as the Ming army can station troops in Ryukyu, the Kume samurai will surely return to power.
Although Cai Jian had previously strongly opposed participating in the garrison, after discovering that the Kume clan had no choice, Cai Jian began to actively plan.

If the Ming and Japan did not go to war in the end, the future situation in the Ryukyu Kingdom would most likely become one where the Ming and Japan hid behind the scenes and their respective agents fought each other in the court.

This is also the result that Cai Jian and others want to see the most. The Kume clan has now joined the Ming army. Once the two sides go to war, the people of Kume Island will definitely be involved in the war and suffer heavy casualties.
Therefore, the most urgent task for Cai Jian and others was to facilitate the stationing of the Ming army without the two sides going to war.
Cai Jian obviously has his own ideas on how to peacefully station troops.

Cai Jian saw that Zhu Zhiyu still wanted to contact Japan, so he spoke directly

"Master Zhu, I think we should not contact the Japanese magistrate at this time."

"If Japan knew the intentions of the court in advance and was prepared, they would definitely mobilize the treacherous officials in the court to stop us."

"I think the most urgent task at this time is to find a way to get the Ryukyu County King to agree to station troops as soon as possible."

"As long as the Ryukyu prince agrees, we will have gained the righteous cause, and Japan will not dare to act rashly again."

Although Satsuma secretly controlled the Ryukyu court, Ryukyu was still an independent kingdom in name only.
As long as the King of Ryukyu agrees to the Ming Dynasty's request for garrisoning troops, then the garrisoning will be a matter of mutual consent between the Ming Dynasty and Ryukyu, and Japan will not find any reason to intervene and oppose it.
As long as they can take the lead in making the garrison a reality, the subsequent response methods that Japan can take will be greatly reduced.

By then, Japan would either acquiesce to this matter or gather its troops to attack.

Based on Cai Jian's understanding of the domestic situation in Japan, Japan is most likely to acquiesce in this matter.

The heroes of the Japanese Warring States period have now passed away one after another. Although their descendants still inherit the names of their former families, it is not something that everyone can make up their mind to suddenly gather troops and declare war on the Ming Dynasty.

Zhu Zhiyu heard what Cai Jian said and understood Cai Jian's intention, but Zhu Zhiyu frowned and said

"Mr. Cai's words are true, but Ryukyu has been controlled by Japan for decades."

"According to what Mr. Cai said, the Ryukyu government is now full of ministers supported by Japan. Does the King of Ryukyu really dare to go against Japan's wishes?"

Although the Ming Dynasty was a well-known country, Japan had already stationed troops in Ryukyu.
No matter how great the reputation of the Ming Dynasty is, it may not be able to withstand the swords in the hands of the Japanese. In this case, does the King of Ryukyu really dare to make his own decision and agree to station troops?
Upon hearing this, Cai Jian nodded and said

"Lord Zhu is very insightful. The Japanese have been secretly in power for decades. The Ryukyu Prince is now like a puppet and would not dare to make decisions on his own. However, I have another way to make the Ryukyu Prince agree to this matter."

A hint of sternness flashed in Cai Jian's eyes, and he said in a cold voice
"Master Zhu can stop paying tribute and ask the Ryukyu Prince to agree to station troops there."

Although Zhu Lang had previously threatened Mao Taijiu, Jin Yingyuan and others with the threat of cutting off tribute, Zhu Lang did not realize the seriousness of this matter to the Ryukyu Kingdom or the Ryukyu royal family.

For Ryukyu today, paying tribute is no longer simply for profit, but is related to the survival of the Ryukyu Kingdom.
The reason why Japan still allows Ryukyu to maintain its independence is because of the right of tribute in the hands of Ryukyu.

Once Ryukyu lost the right to pay tribute to the Central Plains, the existence of the Ryukyu Kingdom would no longer be meaningful to the shogunate.

The reason why Japan has not annexed Ryukyu is that it is afraid of the reaction of the Ming Dynasty and it is for tribute.

The Ming Dynasty's presence in Ryukyu has already exposed Japan's control over Ryukyu. Zhu Zhiyu and others now want to cut off Ryukyu's right to pay tribute. Japan no longer has any scruples.
Regardless of whether the Ming Dynasty and Japan will fight in the end, as long as the Ming army led by Zhu Zhiyu and others withdraw from Ryukyu, Japan will inevitably formally annex Ryukyu in the next step.
This is absolutely unacceptable to the Ryukyu royal family.

Although the Ming Dynasty was unable to expel Japan at this time, it was able to overthrow the throne of the Ryukyu Kingdom. For the Ryukyu King Shangzhi, both the Ming Dynasty and Japan were capable of killing him.

The Ryukyu King cannot afford to offend anyone now. After Zhu Zhiyu and others propose the issue of stationing troops, the Ryukyu royal family will soon find out that they can only agree to the Ming stationing troops.

Only by letting the Ming Dynasty and Japan fight and check and balance each other can the Ryukyu royal family continue to exist. This is also the only chance for the Ryukyu royal family to survive now.

Zhu Zhiyu was amazed when he heard this. Cai Jian was indeed a nobleman who had lived in Ryukyu for generations. He was well aware of the situation in Ryukyu and had grasped the key point of Ryukyu at once.
Cai Jian did not notice the expression on Zhu Zhiyu's face. He looked serious and spoke again.

"Since Japan took control of the government, it has banned Ryukyu from purchasing and forging any weapons and firearms. Ryukyu no longer has any soldiers available. Now the only ones on the island who can really fight are the 100 foot soldiers under the command of the Japanese magistrate."

"When Lord Zhu goes to confer the title, he can bring the Heavenly Soldiers of the Great Kingdom with him to the court to announce the decree. When the court sees our Heavenly Soldiers of the Great Ming, they will surely be able to recognize the current situation more quickly."

Zhu Zhiyu nodded slightly when he heard this. He did not agree with the saying that he who has the army is the king, but he had been with Zhang Kentang in the past and had personally witnessed Zheng Zhilong's tyranny and abuse of power, so he also knew the importance of military force.

In this era, morality without weapons will not accomplish anything.
Cai Jian and other Kume samurai were gradually squeezed out of the Ryukyu court over the past few decades, so they naturally understood the reason better.
Zhu Zhiyu thought for a moment and found that Cai Jian's suggestion did not conflict with his plan, so he spoke directly.

"Mr. Cai is an elder in the country and has thought everything through. If this is the case, we will act according to Mr. Cai's advice."

Three days later, news came from the Ryukyu court that Shuri Castle was ready to receive the imperial edict, and three ships also left Kume Island and headed for Naha Port.

(End of this chapter)