Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 315 All the Tang Dynasty wants is an attitude!

Upon hearing this, Abe Masahiro said with a smile.

"As long as Liang Jun likes it."

Liang Geng just nodded and motioned for Abe Masahiro to continue drinking tea.

The two of them drank tea and chatted casually.

Finally, Abe Masahiro couldn't hold back any longer and started talking about business.

"Mr. Liang, I wonder what the Tang Dynasty thinks about the shogunate's proposal to send envoys to the Tang Dynasty, hire Tang soldiers as instructors, and purchase Tang weapons to train the shogunate's new army?"

As the Eight-Nation Alliance and the Tang Dynasty forced the shogunate to sign trade treaties, the shogunate's authority suffered a great blow.

Influenced by this, daimyos from all over the country began to complain about the shogunate's rule.

The powerful domains among the outer daimyo, such as Choshu, Satsuma, Hizen, and Tosa, seemed to be colluding with each other and threatening the rule of the shogunate.

Under such circumstances, the shogunate was eager to strengthen its power to stabilize its rule.

Whether it was sending envoys to the Tang Dynasty or forming a new army, these were responses taken by the shogunate in order to maintain its rule.

The reason why we need to contact the Tang Dynasty instead of Britain, France and other countries.

The reason is very simple, Japan admires the strong.

The Tang Dynasty was not only the traditional big daddy of East Asia, but it had also just defeated the Eight-Nation Alliance and was at the peak of its power.

Naturally, Japan would choose to ask the Tang Dynasty to intervene in the Japanese situation.

Seeing that Abe Masahiro finally couldn't help but bring up business, Liang Geng knew that he had almost left him out in the cold, so he stopped delaying and spoke with a serious expression.

"Regarding the shogunate's proposal to send envoys to Tang Dynasty, hire instructors, and purchase arms, I have already submitted a request to the court."

"The king also gave an answer!"

At this point, Liang Geng paused, and Abe Masahiro looked at him with expectations in his eyes.

It seemed as if it was waiting for the answer from the Tang Dynasty.

Liang Geng smiled and continued.

"Sending envoys to the Tang Dynasty is easy. The Tang Dynasty has never refused envoys or students from other countries to come to the Tang Dynasty for exchange and study."

"But the court refused to assist the shogunate in forming a new army."

"In principle, the Tang Dynasty will not interfere in the internal affairs of other countries at will, so this matter is a bit troublesome."

The reason why Li Yi agreed to the shogunate's request to send envoys to the Tang Dynasty was not because he was not wary of Japan.

It was precisely because he was wary of Japan that he agreed.

Because Li Yi understood that if the Tang Dynasty did not accept the Japanese envoys, Japan would probably choose to send students to study in European powers such as Britain and France.

By then, Japan might be trained by Britain and France to become a vicious dog placed in East Asia to contain the Tang Dynasty.

In this case, why not let the Tang Dynasty accept Japan's envoys to the Tang Dynasty, find ways to control Japan's reform process, completely eliminate the possibility of the Meiji Restoration, and train Japan to be a loyal dog of the Tang Dynasty.

As for assisting the Tokugawa shogunate in forming a new army, Li Yi actually agreed.

The main reason why Liang Geng expressed this was to get the shogunate to pay more money...

After hearing the first half of Liang Geng's words, Abe Masahiro couldn't help but smile.

But after hearing the second half of the sentence, the expression on his face couldn't help but fall.

But he also heard the deep meaning in Liang Geng's words, and immediately bowed deeply and then said.

"Please teach me, Mr. Liang!"

"The Western Barbarians are so powerful that they have even advanced into East Asia, forcing all of our East Asian countries to open up to trade and missionary work, and become their colonies."

"In East Asia today, the only country that can still maintain its independence is the Tang Dynasty."

"This is the great defeat of our East Asian civilization to the Western barbarians."

"Japan and the Tang Dynasty are both East Asian countries, with the same language and race, close neighbors and blood ties."

"Japan is willing to stand with the Tang Dynasty to jointly resist the pressure from the Western Barbarians and revitalize our East Asian culture."

"I hope the Tang Dynasty can help!"

At this time, Japan had not yet been completely westernized, and a considerable part of its domestic cultural architecture was copied from China during the Tang and Song dynasties. Even the writing system was mostly written in Chinese by Japanese high-ranking officials.

In addition, during the Tang and Song dynasties, Japan sent many women to China to borrow sperm.

Therefore, it is not an exaggeration to say that we all share the same culture and ethnicity.

Liang Geng put down the teacup in his hand and said with a meaningful expression.

"The Qing government was so cruel that it blew up the Yellow River levee, causing the Yellow River to change its course. I'm sure the shogunate should have heard about it, right?"

Masahiro Abe nodded.

"The Tatars of the Qing Dynasty really have no bottom line and are extremely evil. The Shogun was also deeply shocked when he heard about this."

Liang Geng continued.

"Currently, the king is at the Shandong front, busy directing disaster relief efforts."

"As winter approaches, the weather is getting colder and colder, and people in the disaster-stricken areas are short of food and clothing, and life is very difficult."

"If the shogunate could donate some food and clothing to the disaster area at this time, I'm sure the king would appreciate it."

"Afterwards, if the shogunate asks the Tang Dynasty to send instructors or sell weapons and military equipment to help the shogunate organize a coalition, the king will definitely not refuse."

Upon hearing this, Abe Masahiro showed a thoughtful expression.

"I wonder how much food and supplies the Tang Dynasty needs?"

Liang Geng still spoke with a calm expression.

"Haha, the shogunate just needs to do its best."

"After all, all the Tang Dynasty wants is an attitude."

Abe Masahiro's expression changed for a while, but finally, he spoke.

"Please wait a moment, Mr. Liang. This matter is of great importance. I still need to discuss it with the general."

Liang Geng nodded and picked up the teacup again.

Abe Masahiro understood that this meant serving tea to the guests.

So, Abe Masahiro stood up, said goodbye to Liang Geng, and turned to leave.

……

After leaving the Tang Dynasty's embassy in Edo, Abe Masahiro got on a sedan chair and returned to the Tokugawa Shogunate.

After being informed, Abe Masahiro entered the residence of the current Shogun, Tokugawa Iesada.

Jiading, 30 years old this year, suffers from severe brain injury-induced paralysis. Not only does he like to tilt his head back when talking and stomp his feet in front of others, he also has severe social phobia and does not like to communicate with outsiders.

Almost like a useless person!
Almost all the government affairs of the shogunate were entrusted to a few people including the senior councilor Abe Masahiro.

Abe Masahiro arrived outside the residence, and after reporting, he walked into the residence and came in front of Tokugawa Iesada.

"General, I just went to meet the envoy from the Tang Kingdom."

Tokugawa Iesada tilted his head back, stamped his feet loudly, and asked in a low voice.

"What did the Tang envoy say?"

Masahiro Abe repeated the content of his recent interview with Liang Geng.

Of course, Abe Masahiro's purpose was not to report to Tokugawa Iesada, but to communicate with Matsuda Tadamichi, Ii Naosuke, Horida Masamune and others.

We are all elders of the shogunate, and many things can only be done if we communicate with each other.

After Abe Masahiro finished speaking, Matsuda Tadatsugu asked.

"In other words, the Tang envoy wants my shogunate to donate a batch of food, clothing and other supplies to the Tang Dynasty?"

"But my shogunate is not well-off in terms of food..."

Japan has never been a grain-producing country.

In addition, this place has frequent earthquakes and tsunamis and a harsh climate, so Japan actually has a big gap in food supply.

Even many members of the samurai class had never had a full meal since they were young.

Masamune Horita stroked his chin and expressed his opinion.

"If a batch of food can be used to exchange for Tang's support for my shogunate to train a new army, then the Japanese people can go hungry."

"The Japanese have always been a herbivorous nation!" Ii Naosuke also said.

"It's fine to provide a batch of food to the Tang Dynasty, but the Tang Dynasty cannot take away Japan's food without any reason."

"The Tang Dynasty must make a public commitment..."

Although Japan was also short of food, these old Chinese did not think it was a big problem to donate a batch of grain to the Tang Dynasty.

Even if some Japanese people starved to death by doing so, they didn't care.

Abe Masahiro said.

"Now we need to consider how much food to donate."

"If it's too much, the shogunate can't afford it. If it's too little, I'm afraid the Tang Dynasty will be dissatisfied..."

When everyone heard this, they nodded to show that this was a good idea.

Then they started discussing at once.

……

On the official road leading to Jining, a team of people riding horses were carrying the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom flag.

Accompanying them was a troop of Tang cavalry.

Responsible for monitoring and protecting the safety of the mission.

Huang Yukun was riding on a horse, looking at the wheat seedlings in the farmlands around the official road, and spoke to Li Hongzhang beside him with a slightly amazed tone.

"Winter wheat has already been planted. The Tang Dynasty's disaster relief efforts have been very effective."

"Prefect Li is indeed a capable minister of the country, worthy of being trained in the secretariat of the King of the Tang Dynasty."

Huang Yukun had been in contact with Li Hongzhang for such a long time, so he was very clear about Li Hongzhang's identity and background.

Li Hongzhang said with a smile.

"Governor Huang, you are too kind."

"This is all thanks to the king who is in charge of Jining and has a clear command. We officials are just following orders."

Huang Yukun said.

"The Tang Dynasty must be rich. It provided relief to millions of disaster victims and had more than enough to launch an offensive against Dagukou."

"Unlike our Heavenly Kingdom, it is a bit overwhelmed just to provide relief to several prefectures in Henan."

The Taiping Heavenly Kingdom now mainly occupied the two provinces of Shaanxi and Henan.

Although both provinces have large plains and are grain-producing areas, Henan and Shaanxi are also extremely densely populated areas, so the grain production is not abundant.

Disaster relief is quite difficult.

But the situation in the Tang Dynasty was much better. Huguang and Jiangnan were both grain-producing areas, and they could basically achieve two harvests a year, instead of just one harvest a year in the north.

Therefore, grain production is still relatively abundant.

In addition, the Tang Dynasty could also obtain food from Southeast Asia, Korea, Japan and other overseas countries, so disaster relief was naturally easier than the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom.

Li Hongzhang complimented him.

"Governor Huang is really too modest."

"Your disaster relief work in Henan is also very effective..."

The two men exchanged politeness and headed towards Jining along the official road.

Soon, they arrived outside Jining City.

Looking at Jining City in the distance, Huang Yukun felt a little nervous for some reason.

When Li Hongzhang and Huang Yukun arrived at the city gate on horseback, an official from the attendant's room came forward and said.

"Governor Huang, Magistrate Li."

"The king is not in Jining City now, but has gone to inspect the farmland outside Jining City."

"Do you two plan to settle in the city first, or go directly to meet the king?"

Without waiting for Li Hongzhang to answer, Huang Yukun spoke up.

"Please lead the way."

"As a foreign minister, I should first meet the King of Tang before doing anything else!"

"Otherwise, it would be disrespectful!"

Huang Yukun had just received the latest news that although the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom had driven the rebels out of Shaanxi, it had pushed the front line to Gansu.

But the subsequent battle was not smooth. Because of the influence of religion, the rebels' fighting will was even stronger than that of the Taiping Army.

In addition, the Taiping Army was unfamiliar with Gansu and even suffered several defeats.

Influenced by this, Huang Yukun was eager to complete peace talks with the Tang Dynasty so that he could continue to draw troops from Henan to reinforce the Gansu-Shaanxi war situation.

Of course, it would be great if we could get assistance from the Tang Dynasty.

Even if the Tang Dynasty could not send troops to interfere in the war in Gansu and Shaanxi, if the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom could get a batch of arms from the Tang Dynasty, it would be a great help to the war.

As we all know, the Tang Dynasty's military equipment is more advanced than that of foreigners!

Seeing this, Li Hongzhang could only say.

"Mr. Huang is right. Let's go and pay our respects to the king first."

Upon hearing this, the official in the attendant's room immediately nodded in agreement, then led the way, taking Huang Yukun and Li Hongzhang to a piece of farmland outside Jining City.

……

Farmland in the east of Jining City.

Li Yi was wearing casual clothes and leading his men along the ridges of the fields.

A man dressed as an old farmer stood beside Li Yi and introduced the growth of wheat seedlings to him.

"This year's natural disaster came too suddenly. The villagers didn't have time to react before everything was gone."

"Thanks to the timely disaster relief provided by the Tang Dynasty, which also brought us grain seeds, we were able to plant another round of winter wheat before winter."

"The weeds in the field have been cleared. Judging from the growth of the wheat seedlings, there may be a good harvest tomorrow..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi patted the victim on the shoulder and spoke in a gentle voice.

"This year's disaster is really serious. I have already issued an order to exempt the disaster-stricken areas from taxes for three years so that the people can rest and recuperate."

"Don't worry, things will get better in the future!"

Upon hearing this, the farmer immediately knelt down in front of Li Yi and kowtowed.

"I...I thank the king for his grace..."

Li Yi reached out and helped the man up, speaking in a gentle voice.

"No gifts, no gifts!"

At this moment, a crisp crackling sound was heard from the wheat field in the distance.

A burst of thick smoke gushed out.

The camera captured a freeze frame of Li Yi bending down to help the farmer.

Li Yi came to the farmland today to inspect the replanting of winter wheat, but it was certainly not possible for it to be just a simple inspection.

The most fundamental purpose is to show off!

Since it's a show, photos are definitely necessary.

In addition to this photo of the farmland, there are several other photos of Li Yi personally serving porridge to refugees in the refugee camp, distributing winter clothes, and holding refugees' hands and asking about their well-being.

Afterwards, Li Yi planned to print out these photos and distribute them throughout the country through newspapers to win the hearts of the people.

Although the technology for printing pictures had not yet been invented in this era.

But this did not prevent Li Yi from ordering people to make woodblocks using the photos as templates, and then use the most primitive woodblock printing to print the pictures on newspapers.

Well, it just costs more and the printed image is blurrier.

But it doesn’t matter, political propaganda doesn’t care about cost.

……

PS: I’m stuck with writer’s block today, so there’s only one chapter to write, sorry.

(End of this chapter)