Anti-Qing: Starting from the Jintian Uprising

Chapter 486 The Japanese's Bold Idea (8K Return 7)

The passers-by who had been dodging on both sides of the road to make way for the daimyo saw the conflict and fight between the samurai masters and the foreigners under the daimyo. They could not afford to offend either side, so they dispersed in an instant without being told.

Scramble to escape!

In the narrow streets, the only things left were warriors and foreigners fighting each other.

Chaos, blood, and killing took place on the streets, and screams and wails continued to ring out...

However, just as the fighting became more and more intense, there was a sound of clattering footsteps.

A line of patrolmen carrying rifles came running from the end of the road.

"Stop, stop everyone!"

"What are you doing?!"

"Stop what you are doing immediately, or you will bear the consequences!"

The leading patrol captain first pulled out his pistol and fired a warning shot.

After the gunshots rang out and drew everyone's attention to himself, the patrol captain finally started shouting.

Seeing the patrol police coming, the foreigners and warriors who were pointed at with guns dared not move.

Of course, the reason these people behaved themselves was not just because the patrolmen had guns.

It’s more because of the uniforms these patrolmen wear.

That is not the patrol uniform of the Japanese shogunate, but the patrol uniform of the Tang Dynasty!
To put it bluntly, these patrolmen are actually from the Tang Dynasty.

The reason they appeared at the Edo Port was because they were commissioned by the Tokugawa Shogunate to come to Edo to maintain public order.

The reason why the Tokugawa shogunate asked the Tang Dynasty to send patrol police to help them maintain public order was because Edo was currently in the state of being an open port.

There were many foreigners coming and going in and out of the port.

And those foreigners in the Far East are notoriously arrogant, rude, trouble-making, and difficult to manage...

The deterrent power of the Tokugawa shogunate was obviously not enough to keep these foreigners in Edo.

However, if it was the Tang Dynasty, it would be different.

Foreigners dared to be arrogant in front of the Japanese, but when facing the Tang Dynasty, they would subconsciously restrain their arrogance.

Because the Japanese did not dare to touch foreigners for fear of causing diplomatic disputes, but the Tang Dynasty was not afraid.

If a foreigner really falls into the hands of the Tang Dynasty, his death would be in vain.

Therefore, the Tokugawa shogunate requested the Tang Dynasty to send patrol police to be stationed in Edo to help them maintain order.

Well, it’s mainly to manage those foreigners.

Of course, this was also due to the fact that the Tokugawa shogunate was trying to curry favor with the Tang Dynasty.

Patrol police, although on the surface their function is only to maintain law and order.

However, patrol police all have guns, which means they are armed forces.

When a country actively invites the armed forces of another country to station on its territory, the attitude it wants to express is quite clear.

Upon seeing this, patrol captain Liu Ping waved his hand to signal his subordinates to step forward and control the man.

"Quick, control everyone and disarm them!"

"Also, send the injured to the hospital immediately..."

"What the hell are you doing?! To make it like this? It's really a big scene!"

The patrol captain Liu Ping, who was leading the team, looked at the bloody scene all around him and the broken limbs and arms scattered on the ground, and couldn't help but ask questions.

The daimyo sitting in the sedan chair saw the patrol team arrive and maintain order at the scene, and he immediately stepped forward to negotiate.

"Captain Liu, I'm sorry to trouble you!"

Shohei Matsuda bowed as soon as he came up.

Japanese people are all like this. They have no other advantages except that they have a positive attitude.

Upon hearing this, Liu Ping couldn't help but hold his forehead with his hand.

"Matsuda-san, what on earth is going on?"

Liu Ping and Matsuda Shohei know each other.

As one of the daimyo of the Tokugawa shogunate, Matsuda Shohei had dealt with the Tang Dynasty many times, so Liu Ping was naturally familiar with him.

Upon hearing this, Shohei Matsuda simply spoke.

"These foreigners intended to assassinate me. My guards were loyal to their master and paid a huge price to protect my safety..."

Shohei Matsuda actually knew why there was a conflict between his men and the foreigners, but he still subconsciously wanted to shirk responsibility.

Put the blame for this conflict on the foreigners.

Liu Ping frowned subconsciously when he heard this.

"Mr. Matsuda, those foreigners were only injured, not all dead..."

Liu Ping's words implicitly reminded Matsuda Shohei not to talk nonsense.

Although he didn't know what had just happened, he knew that Shohei Matsuda was talking nonsense.

This is Japan, and those foreigners don't know him, Shohei Matsuda.

Why did they have to assassinate Shohei Matsuda in the street?
There is no motivation!
When Matsuda Kuangping heard this, the corners of his mouth twitched, but he still insisted.

"Captain Liu, this is what happened. I didn't lie."

Seeing this, Liu Ping opened his mouth but said nothing more.

He just waved his hand and ordered his men to send the injured people to medical treatment, and take the dead and the innocent back to the patrol station for temporary detention.

At the same time, we are investigating the whole incident and waiting for the Tokugawa shogunate and the British embassy to rescue the people...

On the streets of Edo Castle, bloody clashes broke out between Japanese samurai and foreigners, and several people were killed, with many more injured.

Such things may turn into diplomatic disputes or even lead to war at any time.

For such a major event, even Liu Ping did not dare to do anything unnecessary before getting the signal from above.

……

Shogun's Palace!
In the palace, the senior councilors Masamune Horita, Masahiro Abe, Tadamichi Matsuda, Nobumasa Ando and others were discussing the matter.

Horita Masamune spoke up.

"With Ii Dairo assassinated and the Shogun the latest to take the throne, the current situation within the shogunate is precarious."

"Everyone, tell me, what should we do to stabilize the political situation of the shogunate?"

Ever since Ii Naosuke was assassinated in the Sakuradamon Incident, Horida Masamune had the intention of becoming a powerful figure.

The main reason for this is that Masamune Horita has a very good relationship with the Tang Dynasty.

In recent years, most of the exchanges between the shogunate and the Tang Dynasty have been handled by Horida Masamune.

Well, this move by Masamune Horita can also be regarded as "using foreign powers to bully others"!

Upon hearing this, Abe Masahiro spoke first.

"The most important thing now is to ensure that His Excellency the General secures his position."

"As long as the Shogun is firmly in office, we can then think of ways to suppress the anti-shogunate faction and the outer daimyo who are eyeing the shogunate."

Upon hearing this, Masamune Hotta picked up the teacup, took a sip, and then spoke.

"You don't have to worry about this."

"I have received news that the Tang Dynasty is preparing to send an imperial edict to confer the title of Emperor General."

"Once the imperial edict from the Tang Dynasty arrives, who in Japan will dare to oppose the shogun's succession to the throne?"

Hearing this, everyone nodded.

These days, the enthronement from the Celestial Empire is the most powerful endorsement for the succession of a vassal state's monarch.

An Teng Xinzheng continued.

"Then there is the threat from the anti-shogunate faction and the outer daimyo."

"Those people may be shouting slogans like 'Respect the King and Expel the Barbarians', but they are not expelling the barbarians, they are obviously expelling my shogunate!"

Due to the difference between today's international situation and the original historical line, the slogans of Japan's anti-shogunate faction are also different.

In the original historical line, the anti-shogunate faction respected the emperor and expelled foreigners.

But now, the barbarian to be expelled has become the Tang Dynasty.

This was naturally unacceptable to the shogunate.

The reason why the current shogunate rule is so stable is due to the support of the Tang Dynasty.

Even with the support of the Tang Dynasty, Japan has now closed several trading ports in succession, especially the trading ports held by the outer daimyo, such as Shimonoseki, Fukuoka, Nagoya, Kobe, Kagoshima, etc., which were forcibly closed.

Today, in the whole of Japan, Edo is the only port that is still operating normally.

Seeing that Japan's plan to close its doors to the outside world was about to be completed, how could the shogunate possibly offend the Tang Dynasty at this time?

However, in Japan, respecting the emperor and expelling the barbarians was a huge political correctness that made it impossible for the shogunate to openly oppose it.

Well, when the Tokugawa shogunate seized power, the slogan they raised was "respect the king and expel the barbarians."

So, don’t mention how difficult it is for the shogunate right now!
Upon hearing this, Abe Masahiro suddenly thought of an idea and proposed it.

"I do have a way that may be able to resolve the threat posed by the anti-Qing Dynasty faction."

Upon hearing this, Horita Zhengshou, Ando Nobumasa, Matsuda Tadatsugu and others all turned their eyes to Abe Masahiro, as if waiting for his answer.

Masahiro Abe stroked his beard and spoke.

"Perhaps we can promote the integration of public and military forces."

"Let the Shogun marry the Emperor's sister and the Princess of the Imperial Palace. If the Shogun marries the Princess of the Imperial Palace, it will greatly ease the gap between the shogunate and the Emperor."

"This way, perhaps the anti-shogunate faction will lose the emperor's banner..."

The imperial family has ruled Japan for more than two thousand years. Although it was only a nominal rule, its influence was still considerable.

In Japan, the Emperor is a topic that can never be avoided in politics.

If the shogunate could deal with the emperor, it would be much easier to politically suppress the anti-shogunate faction and the outer daimyo.

Upon hearing this, An Teng Xinzheng nodded thoughtfully, then asked.

"Didn't you say you were engaged to Prince Miyauchi?"

"And the one she is engaged to is Prince Arisugawa Akihito..."

This guy with a long name is not very famous in later generations, but his presence in history is not low.

He served as Chief of Staff of the Japanese Imperial Headquarters during the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895, and planned the invasion of China and Korea.

Upon hearing this, Horida Masamune made the final decision.

"It does not matter."

"As long as we don't formally get married, I think His Majesty the Emperor will not object."

how to say?

The situation in Japan is becoming increasingly tense.

However, the anti-shogunate faction insisted on using themselves as a banner to oppose the shogunate, and Emperor Komei was actually quite straightforward.

Fearing that he would accidentally fall into the water and die, the shogunate replaced the emperor with an obedient one.

You must know that the current shogunate is not the same shogunate in history.

With the support of the Tang Dynasty, the shogunate expelled foreigners, closed trading ports, trained new troops, participated in the Tang Dynasty's foreign conquests, and even carried out a certain degree of internal reforms that imitated the Tang Dynasty...

Well, it’s almost a copy of the Westernization Movement, and it’s even less profound than the Westernization Movement.

Today's Tokugawa Shogunate is a prosperous and dynastic era, and no one would think that the Shogunate's rule cannot be maintained.

In other words, the current shogunate's rule is much more stable than at the same time in history.

Since Emperor Komei agreed to marry Nobuhime in the original history, there is no reason to object now.

Several people looked at each other and expressed their approval.

Suddenly, Matsuda Tadatsugu, who had been silent, spoke up.

"Rather than asking for the hand of the Prince of the Palace, I think it would be better for the General to ask for the hand of the Princess of the Tang Dynasty..."

"If the general can marry the Tang Dynasty, the political impact it can bring will definitely be far greater than the political impact of marrying the prince of the palace."

When everyone heard this, they all looked thoughtful.

Horita Masamune spoke up.

"Maybe give it a try."

"If the Emperor of the Tang Dynasty agrees, that would be the best. Even if he doesn't agree, there will be no loss."

Upon hearing this, everyone seconded the motion.

An Teng Xinzheng said.

"Very good, then this is settled for now."

"First try to ask for marriage from the Tang Dynasty. If the Tang Dynasty does not agree, then negotiate with Kyoto..."

However, at this moment, a chaotic sound of footsteps suddenly came from outside their meeting room.

Soon, a servant ran in hurriedly from outside and reported with a serious face.

"Report! Dear elders, there is an accident at Edo Port!"

"The daimyo Matsuda Shohei clashed with the British merchant Roger and others at the Edo port, and a bloody incident broke out..."

As soon as the attendant finished speaking, Horida Masamune and others could not help but jump up from their seats.

"what?"

"what happened?"

"What exactly is going on?"

Upon seeing this, the attendant had no choice but to step forward and explain everything he knew.

"Matsuda Daimyo led his men on a trip to the port to receive a batch of industrial equipment purchased from the Tang Dynasty. On the way, they encountered those foreigners blocking the way, and then the two sides had an argument over the issue of giving way."

"Those foreigners humiliated Daimyo Matsuda, and the samurai under Daimyo Matsuda fought with those foreigners to protect their master."

"When the patrol team responsible for maintaining public order arrived at the scene, many people were killed or injured on both sides. Five foreigners were killed and twelve were injured, while seven of us were killed and fifteen were injured..."

After hearing the attendant's report, Horida Masamune and others couldn't help but look at each other in surprise.

No, isn't it such a big deal?

……

On the other side, the British Embassy!
After the British opened the door to Japan, they set up an embassy in Edo to facilitate contact and communication with the Japanese side, as well as to manage British expatriates in Japan.

The current British Minister to Japan was a Scotsman named Bezov.

It was lunchtime, and Bezov sat at a nearby table, enjoying grilled lamb chops, Scottish style.

The meal is accompanied by Japanese specialty sake.

Bezov took a bite of the tender and cumin-flavored lamb chops and chewed them gently, an expression of enjoyment on his face.

Then, he took another sip of sake.

The wine diluted the mutton smell when it went down the throat, which was very suitable.

In fact, Bezov’s favorite liquor is still Scottish whiskey, but since he is in the East, he naturally has to learn to integrate with Eastern culture.

So, he began to try drinking white wine.

But unfortunately, the alcohol content of the white wine was too high and Bezov could not accept it for a while, so he planned to get used to it by drinking Japanese sake with a lower alcohol content first.

Just as Bezov was enjoying his lunch, taking a bite of mutton and sip of wine.

An embassy official on duty rushed into the restaurant.

"Your Excellency, something has happened!"

As he spoke, the officer on duty quickly walked over to Bezov, leaned over and whispered something in his ear.

The expression on Bezov's face changed drastically, and he slammed the table in anger.

"Shit, these damn Japanese dwarf monkeys dared to kill my British citizens!"

"I will never let them go!"

Bezov shouted.

"Jack, go get the car ready right now. I'm going to go to the port patrol station myself."

Upon hearing this, Jack, the servant beside him, nodded in agreement.

Soon, the embassy's car was ready, and Bezov got in and headed towards Edo Port.

Soon, a car flying the British flag stopped outside the patrol station.

Bezov got out of the car and went straight inside.

The guard at the door saw this and did not stop them. Instead, he told the driver to drive the car to the side so as not to block the road.

Bezov entered the patrol station, and patrol captain Liu Ping took the initiative to come forward to greet him.

"Mr. Bezov, why are you here?"

Bezov glanced at Liu Ping and asked directly.

"Where is your Director Song? I want to see him!"

In Bezov's opinion, Liu Ping's level was not enough to have a direct conversation with him.

Liu Ping was not annoyed when he heard this, and still responded very politely.

"Excuse me, Mr. Bezov."

"Our Director Song is in a meeting right now. If you want to see him, you have to wait until the meeting is over."

"How about I take you to the reception room first?"

Bezov heard this and shook his head.

"No, take me to visit those British sailors you arrested in the port today."

"I think this should be okay, right?"

Liu Ping nodded and said.

"Of course."

"However, those British sailors have just returned from hospital treatment. If Mr. Bezov wants to visit them, he has to wait until we finish taking their statements..."

It was obvious that Liu Ping was deliberately delaying time.

How to say it? After all, the current Japanese shogunate is a vassal of the Tang Dynasty. If there is a bloody conflict between the Japanese and the British, there is no need to ask which side the Tang Dynasty will stand on.

The reason why Liu Ping delayed time was to buy time for the Tang Dynasty's personnel stationed in Japan to communicate with the shogunate.

Before the Tang Dynasty and the Tokugawa Shogunate of Japan reached a consensus, he had to control the impact of the matter as much as possible and prevent it from spreading.

Buy time for Datang and Japan to do py transaction.

Well, that’s exactly why Director Song didn’t show up.

Upon hearing this, Bezov realized the other party's perfunctory attitude. He looked at Liu Ping coldly and spoke.

"The peace talks between Tang and Britain have just ended. Do you hope to cause another diplomatic conflict or even a war?"

The smile on Liu Ping's face remained unchanged, and he just continued speaking.

"Mr. Bezov, I don't understand what you mean by that?"

"Our Director Song is indeed in a meeting right now. As for the visit, I didn't say no, but they have to finish taking the statement first."

Although Liu Ping wanted to shirk his responsibility, everything he did was apparently in compliance with the regulations, and no one could find any fault with him.

Bezov snorted coldly, but did not explode in the end. He just raised his wrist, glanced at the watch on his wrist, and then said.

"One hour. One hour should be enough for you to finish taking the statement, right?"

"In an hour I want to see the captured British sailors!"

Upon hearing this, Liu Ping spoke immediately.

"Of course no problem!"

"Mr. Bezov, please go to the reception room and wait. I will ask someone to make you a cup of good tea."

After hearing this, Bezov's expression relaxed a little.

Liu Ping led the way, took Bezov to a reception room, and asked someone to serve tea.

Soon, a pot of English black tea and a few small saucers of snacks were served.

They are all Western snacks such as sandwiches, tiramisu, macarons, etc. that are very much in line with British tastes.

Although Liu Ping was delaying time, it was obvious that he did not want to ruin the relationship with the British.

Otherwise, he would not have specifically ordered people to serve Western-style snacks.

……

Bezov had just finished lunch and was feeling a little thirsty.

After Liu Ping took his leave, he poured himself some tea and started drinking it.

While Bezov was drinking tea, Song Yan, director of the Port Patrol Bureau, was meeting with Matsuda Tadamichi, a senior councilor of the Tokugawa shogunate.

Together with them was Chai Zhixin, the Tang Dynasty's ambassador to Japan.

"Matsuda-san, as it stands now, the responsibility for this incident lies mostly with you."

"The samurai under Shohei Matsuda are too impulsive..."

Based on the confessions of relevant personnel arrested by patrol officers at the port, Song Yan has now figured out what happened.

In his opinion, this was a conflict that should not have happened.

Isn't it just a road?
Is it really that important who leaves first and who leaves later?
As he spoke, Song Yan handed a confession and case briefing in his hand to Matsuda Tadatsugu who was sitting opposite him.

Matsuda Tadatsugu flipped through the briefing in front of him, his face slightly gloomy.

Seeing this, Song Yan asked.

"I wonder how the shogunate is going to deal with this matter?"

Upon hearing this, Matsuda Tadatsugu took a deep breath and asked.

"I wonder how the Tang Dynasty is going to deal with this?"

Song Yan was silent for a moment, then spoke.

"If the Japanese side has no other opinions, we will handle it impartially."

"The Japanese side must hand over the murderer and pay compensation and apologize to the British side."

As for the other opinions mentioned by Song Yan...

How to say it, very easy to understand!
If Japan is willing to pay the price, the Tang Dynasty can help them suppress the matter.

How does the saying go? The power of judicial interpretation lies with me, and I have the final say on how to judge!

Although on the surface, Japan is the party at fault in this conflict.

However, there is still room for negotiation.

For example, Japan has clear laws that stipulate that when a daimyo travels, ordinary people must give way to him.

If they refuse to give way and dare to insult the daimyo, the samurai under the daimyo will naturally take action to protect the daimyo's dignity.

Even if you kill someone, it will be in vain!

Most of those who were killed, such as Roger, were civilians and had no titles. According to Japanese law, killing them would be in vain.

Moreover, although Japan and Britain have signed a treaty on extraterritoriality and consular jurisdiction.

But the problem was that the conflict broke out at the port of Edo.

The judicial power of Edo Port was transferred from Japan to the Tang Dynasty.

In other words, the laws of the Tang Dynasty have the highest effect on cases that occur within the Edo Port.

Therefore, in the final judgment, should the case be tried in accordance with Japanese law or British law?

There’s a lot of room for maneuver here!

What the final outcome will be depends on which side can afford the price.

As for fairness?
Haha, when has there ever been true fairness in this world?

Laws have always been a tool used by rulers to maintain their rule, rather than a norm to maintain fairness and justice.

Upon hearing this, Matsuda Tadamori couldn't help but feel conflicted.

"I wonder what the Tang Dynasty wants?"

Matsuda Tadatsugu asked.

The reason why he asked this was not just to save Shohei Matsuda. Both of them had the surname Matsuda, so their relationship was obvious.

More importantly, it is for the interests of Japan.

Once it is determined that this matter is Japan's responsibility, Britain will inevitably demand compensation and use this as an excuse to gain more interests in Japan.

Even send troops to fight!
By then, the policy of isolation that the shogunate had worked so hard to promote would be destroyed, which was something the shogunate absolutely could not accept.

After being silent for a while, Chai Zhixin finally spoke.

"The Tang Dynasty wants to establish a concession in Edo for Tang expatriates to live and work."

The Tang Dynasty’s desire to establish a concession in Japan has been going on for a long time.

It’s just that the Japanese side had been unwilling to give in, so the Tang Dynasty did not force it.

However, this conflict between Japan and Britain gave Chai Zhixin an opportunity.

So I thought about pushing this matter forward.

Well, if it succeeds, that’s the best, but if it doesn’t, that doesn’t matter.

Anyway, the Tang Dynasty will not suffer any losses!
Upon hearing this, Matsuda Tadatsugu spoke with a somewhat conflicted expression.

"Isn't it too much for the Tang Dynasty to ask for such a small thing?"

In his view, it is a very simple matter to confuse right and wrong. For such a simple matter, the Tang Dynasty wanted a concession, and the Japanese side was reluctant to give it up.

Chai Zhixin smiled and continued.

"Things are not as simple as Matsuda-kun thinks."

"If the Tang Dynasty wants to suppress this matter, it can do more than just argue with the British through legal procedures."

"We also need to help Japan resist British pressure diplomatically, and there is even the risk of a military conflict with Britain."

"Otherwise, does Matsuda-kun think that the British side will let it go?"

"So, the Tang Dynasty doesn't want much!"

Many times, it is easy to resolve a matter from a legal perspective.

But that also depends on whether you have the ability to fight with the other party!

Otherwise, if you want to argue with others and they just send troops to attack you, you can't do anything about it, right?
But now Japan does not have the strength to fight against the British at all.

If they want to cover up this incident, they can only hope for help from the Tang Dynasty.

To put it bluntly, in this incident, so-called fairness is actually the least important thing.

What the Tang Dynasty, Japan, and Britain care about is never fairness, but interests, naked interests.

Matsuda Tadatsugu opened his mouth and then spoke.

"I still need to discuss this matter with His Excellency the General, and I dare not make a decision on my own..."

Chai Zhixin smiled and nodded.

"of course can!"

Song Yan stood up from his seat and prepared to meet the British ambassador.

To a certain extent, Liu Ping did not lie just now.

Director Song Yan did go to the meeting.

However, he held this meeting together with the Japanese.

……

The Old Summer Palace, a peaceful and tranquil place for the whole country!

Li Yi was still reviewing memorials.

The memorial he is reviewing now was submitted by the Ministry of Construction.

In this memorial, the Ministry of Construction reported to Li Yi on the current railway construction status of Datang.

First of all, the most commendable thing is that the Beijing-Shenyang railway line connecting the interior of China and Liaodong has been completed.

The Beijing-Shenyang Line connects Beijing and Shenyang, passing through important cities such as Beijing, Tangshan, Qinhuangdao, Jinzhou, and Shenyang.

To put it simply, the Beijing-Shenyang Railway runs through the Liaoxi Corridor.

From today on, it will only take a few days to travel from inside the Great Wall to outside the Great Wall and back.

Doing so will greatly increase the efficiency of the Tang Dynasty's development of Liaodong.

I believe that it won’t take long before Liaodong can be developed and become another major granary of the Tang Dynasty.

In addition, several railway lines such as the Beijing-Guangzhou Line, Beijing-North Line, Beijing-West Line, and the Liangjing Line have made good progress.

According to the current progress of the project, Datang’s first round of railway construction plan will be completed in three to five years at most.

By then, the Tang Dynasty will surely usher in a new round of economic take-off.

After closing the report sent by the Ministry of Construction, Li Yi's face was filled with a sincere smile.

In addition to the report sent by the Ministry of Construction, there was also a disaster relief report sent by Henan.

After receiving relief supplies from the imperial court, Henan's locust control and disaster relief work began to proceed in an orderly manner.

So far, it has been quite effective.

There are almost no swarms of locusts in Henan Province, and only a few scattered locusts remain. I believe that it won’t be long before Henan will be able to completely eradicate the locust plague.

In addition, after the locust plague was almost eradicated, Henan Province has begun replanting winter wheat.

We are preparing to plant another round of winter wheat before winter.

Strive to restore production and reduce dependence on disaster relief from the imperial court.

Looking at these, Li Yi couldn't help but have a good impression of Henan Provincial Governor Liang Feng.

Later he planned to send people to Henan to conduct an open and secret investigation to see if the disaster relief, locust control and replanting work reported by Liang Feng in his memorial were true and not just a hoax.

Li Yi was ready to promote him!
For an official like Liang Feng who can really get things done, Li Yi doesn't mind letting him make progress in the officialdom.

At this moment, Wang Zhong ran in hurriedly from outside.

"Your Majesty, Minister Zhang of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs is asking for an audience outside the palace. He said that there is urgent news from Japan..."

Upon hearing this, Li Yi was stunned at first, then he spoke hurriedly.

"Quick, bring the person in!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Wang Zhong turned around and went out to pass the message. Soon, he brought Zhang Jinglin in from outside.

Zhang Jinglin walked quickly to Li Yi, bowed first, and then began to report.

"Your Majesty, the latest news has come back from Japan."

"A Japanese daimyo had a conflict with British merchants at the Edo port over the issue of giving way. A bloody incident broke out, with several people killed on both sides and many more injured."

"Ambassador to Japan Chai Zhixin reported that he intends to take this opportunity to promote the establishment of a concession in Edo City by the Tang Dynasty..."

"..."

……

PS: After finishing this chapter, I still owe two chapters!
Finally it’s almost finished…

(End of this chapter)