The head of the Red Mansion

Chapter 302 The 'Difficult' Process
What will it be like when we arrive at the shore?
The Russian delegation, led by Vice Minister Bazir Ackerman and General Iris Roberts, had been paying close attention to the demeanor and appearance of the Zhao soldiers, though they were also quite interested in the weapons in their hands.

Very good. Although these people also have muskets, they don't have the six-shot muskets that drove them back on the battlefield.

They had always wanted to capture a few, take them back, disassemble them, and see if they could replicate them. Unfortunately, the soldiers of the Great Zhao were very protective of those muskets. The musketeers were also accompanied by swordsmen and shieldmen, and further back, there were horse-drawn cannons, cavalry, and infantry ready to charge at any time...

Therefore, this wish has not been fulfilled to this day.

They wanted the missionaries here to help them get one for a hefty sum, but they said it was completely impossible; even some of the military nobility couldn't get their hands on such a thing.

The emperor of the Great Zhao Dynasty kept a very tight rein on this thing.

hateful!

If the fighting continues, not only will the Qing Dynasty fall to the Qing, but even the Mongols... will all turn to the Great Zhao.

Now, the only option is to negotiate.

Judging from the appearance of the Zhao army, such six-shot muskets were obviously quite rare; otherwise, the first line of defense around the capital would have had at least a few of them.

Vice Minister Barzel Ackerman and General Iris Roberts exchanged a glance, both quite confident about the negotiations.

The two men didn't really pay much attention to the Japanese approaching them.

If they hadn't said they could control the main tax-collecting areas of the Great Zhao, neither of them would have bothered bringing them along.

Their boat first stopped at the shore.

Two interpreters who could speak the Da Zhao language disembarked to negotiate.

Soon, Yu Zhijian, the prefect of Tianjin, arrived.

The Russian and Japanese kingdoms had long ago invited the Jin people and missionaries to discuss peace talks with the Great Zhao and send envoys. The envoys thought they would be able to land soon, but they did not expect that the other side seemed to only know about this. The prefect Yu first verified their identities repeatedly with the translator, and then went on the ship to check. Not only that, he said that they could not listen to one side's opinion, and he had to send someone to the capital to ask the language-speaking official of the Ministry of Rites to come and verify.

So, they had no choice but to stay on the ship.

Left with no other option, Barzel Ackerman and Iris Roberts had to back down and let the Japanese delegation go first.

I heard that most of the people in this Japanese delegation can speak the language of the Great Zhao Kingdom fluently.

The two men wanted to use them to prove their identities and to reach a settlement as soon as possible.

But something even more unexpected happened.

As soon as the Japanese delegation's ship docked, a group of soldiers rushed at it like wolves.

Just as Ichiro Ishii was about to shout out his identity, the two soldiers who had surrounded him slammed his leg hard with their scabbards.

"Ah~~~~"

When Ichiro Ishii knelt down in agony, not a single Japanese man on the deck escaped. In a short while, they were all smashed to the ground. Many soldiers rushed into the cabins and not only smashed all the remaining Japanese, along with the ship's crew, but also dragged them off the ship with ropes amidst screams and howls.

"Lord Yu, Lord Yu..."

Ichiro Ishii never expected his mission to end this way.

He knew very well that there was no point in talking to these ordinary soldiers; he needed to find the real commander—Yu Zhijian.

But would Prefect Yu listen to him?

"Lord Yu, save me! I am Ishii Ichiro, the Left Minister of the Great Japan..."

"I am Nakamura Yoshiya, the Grand Minister of State."

Nakamura Keiya, who had just been dragged out of the cabin, shouted, "We are acting on the orders of our Emperor..."

"Paws!"

Yu Zhijian's voice was cold, "What do you mean, 'Great Japan'? What gives you the right to enter my Great Zhao? The Emperor, no less? Knock out three of their teeth for me."

He initially disapproved of the Jia family's underhanded tactics, but this time, that bastard Jia She had become clever and actually sent his sister, Jia Min, to take the route of becoming the wife.

Yu Zhijian came from a poor family and failed the imperial examinations for many years. His wife supported the family with her dowry, and he felt ashamed in front of her.

But Jia Min was worried that she couldn't handle his wife on her own, so he mobilized a group of his old girlfriends to write her letters.

For those who lived far away, she even had them deliver letters via the military passageway.

Yu Zhijian was speechless.

The lady's old friends are scattered all over the country, and some of them haven't been in touch for many years.

When we finally got in touch this time, she cried several times at home.

Yu Zhijian humbled himself and coaxed him repeatedly until he was completely defeated.

He eventually agreed.

Isn't this just to teach this so-called Japanese delegation a lesson?
The entire court, from top to bottom, hated these bastards who followed the Russians.

It's impossible that the Jia family's actions went unnoticed, yet the Censorate remained completely silent.

Clearly, everyone is probably looking forward to it.

Caught between several pressures, Yu Zhijian gritted his teeth and stomped his foot, finally agreeing.

As long as no one dies, he feels he can hold on a bit longer.

If I really can't take it anymore, I'll just do as my mother says and go back to my hometown.

My mother is getting old, and since last year she has been talking about her hometown and returning to her roots.

My hometown is so poor...

Yu Zhijian was prepared for the worst.

Unexpectedly, Ichiro Ishii and Keiya Nakamura actually dared to talk about Great Japan and even the Emperor.
shit!

Yu Zhijian was furious. "If you don't know your place, then stay in jail for me!"

Although relations deteriorated due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi's invasion of Korea, the Chinese dynasties had always addressed them as the King of Japan.

This still sounds good.

Many people in the public directly refer to him as the King of Wa.

But these bastards, how dare they talk about the Emperor?
They're trying to take advantage of their Emperor Zhao!

They want to take advantage of everyone in Dazhao.

This is intolerable!

Yu Zhijian turned and left.

He actually knew that with him there, it would be harder for his subordinates to deal with these bastards.

Yu Zhijian left in a huff, showing great respect. The first thing he did upon returning was to write a memorial detailing every single word of the arrogant remarks made by Ishii Ichiro and Nakamura Keiya.

Great, with all their nonsense, he doesn't have to worry about starving when he goes back to his hometown.

He was not unangry when Madam Shen of Ningguo Mansion was assassinated.

A noblewoman of the first rank, who had rendered great service to the Great Zhao Dynasty, was killed by these Japanese on her own territory...

He couldn't stand the thought of it.

And they still fantasize about killing people indiscriminately on the land of Dazhao while also wanting to negotiate?
Is this peace talks?
Pooh!
Yu Zhijian knew that many people in the court were afraid that the Great Zhao Dynasty would fall into the same trap as the previous dynasty, suffering from the chaos caused by Japanese pirates.

But what if they don't come?

They clearly know they're afraid, which is why they dare to act so recklessly.

Jiangnan...

Yu Zhijian frowned repeatedly.

Jiangnan is the most prosperous region in Dazhao. However, in recent years, due to the complex power dynamics of the two emperors in the court, although the Zhen family and various royal mansions have fallen, the emperor has not touched the Jiangnan officialdom in order to stabilize the court.

If Da Zhao remains stable, that's fine. But if Da Zhao becomes unstable, it will inevitably remain a place where Japanese pirates run rampant.

With that in mind, Yu Zhijian picked up another document and started writing again.

He wrote furiously here, forgetting the two missions, but the two missions could not forget him.

The experience of the Japanese delegation, including Ichiro Ishii, greatly surprised both Russian Vice Minister Bazel Ackerman and General Iris Roberts.

They were a little far away, and although they were shouting loudly, they couldn't understand them.

They could only watch helplessly as everyone on the ship was chained up and taken away, not knowing where they were going to be dragged.

This...how is this possible!
Even when two countries are at war, they don't kill envoys. They are currently at war with the Great Zhao, and they don't receive this treatment.
What exactly did these Japanese people do?
Could it be that they were implicated by these Japanese people and couldn't go ashore? Soon, their translator arrived in a small boat to inquire.

Retreat at this point... they both knew it was simply unrealistic.

Putting aside the major issues, the supply chain is a huge problem.

If we don't let them go ashore, how will they survive without food and water?
While Barzel Ackerman and Iris Roberts anxiously awaited the translator's return, a fast horse was en route to the capital.

Ichiro Ishii and Keiya Nakamura, who were thrown into prison, had mouths full of blood.

The two of them looked extremely unpleasant.

Since Toyotomi Hideyoshi turned against the Ming Dynasty, they have all forgotten how much the people of this land once despised them.

Qin Dynasty, Han Dynasty, Tang Dynasty, Song Dynasty, Yuan Dynasty, Ming Dynasty, Zhao Dynasty...

Did they designate the character "大" (big) themselves?

Can't other people call out?

Their emperor is called the Son of Heaven, so why can't the emperor of Great Japan be called the Emperor?
The two men covered their cheeks. If hatred could kill, they could probably kill everyone within a hundred miles.

After a long while, the servants who had been crying out in pain fell silent after their legs were accidentally broken, and only then did footsteps be heard outside.

Ishii and Nakamura exchanged a glance, adjusting their expressions as they considered how to humble themselves and plead for reconciliation. Just then, three burly men, heavily chained, were pushed in by the constables.

"You all better behave yourselves."

The head constable sized up the people crammed into the cell, then cracked his whip with a 'snap', saying, "If you keep spouting nonsense, my whip doesn't discriminate."

"My lord, my lord, we have a misunderstanding."

Ichiro Ishii took out a jade ring from his pocket and humbly handed it over, saying, "We are indeed a Japanese delegation, and we request to see your highest-ranking officer."

"Japan?"

The constable scoffed, "Isn't it Japan now?"

"No, no, no, it was just that the wind was strong on the boat."

Ishii shook his head hastily, his words slightly slurred, "We are Japan, we..."

"Wait!"

The constable wouldn't let him finish speaking, saying, "Our superiors are very busy right now."

Ishii Ichiro: "..."

He saw them turn and leave, and knew that these people still wanted to suppress their temper.

Today... you can forget about going out.

Ichiro Ishii glanced at the three new people who had entered and gestured for his servant to go and ask them about the news outside. However, just as the servant got up and went over, one of the big men kicked him.

bang~
"Oh~~~"

The servants flew up and knocked down several people.

"Damn it, what bad luck, all of you get the hell away from me."

The burly man spat a mouthful of phlegm right in Nakamura Keiya's face. "You...you didn't hear that?"

As they spoke, the thick chains on their hands rattled loudly.

As one of the Japanese men, who was indignant, was looking down at him, the three burly men smashed the chain on his hand.

Ishii Ichiro's brow bone twitched, and the man was knocked down on the spot.

"Ahhhh~~~"

The man was in so much pain he wished he could die on the spot.

The soldiers had previously used their sword sheaths to strike his legs, which was very painful, but only one person was unlucky enough to break his leg.

But now, he feels that his leg is really broken, and that it is broken from the thigh.

Even bones could pierce the flesh.

"Shut up!"

The burly man stepped on the man's face, saying, "I'll count to three. If you shout again... you're all done for!"

What?
"Early morning, he's leading the way!"

Ichiro Ishii hurriedly asked someone in Japanese to pull him back.

At this moment, Ishii suspected that these three burly men were the ultimate ordeal for them while they were in prison.

The officials of Dazhao sent them to this cell so they would beat people.

That's actually it.

The three burly men were specially selected by Jin Muchuan from among tens of thousands of soldiers in the Beijing garrison.

It can fight and take a beating.

Taking such blatant action on the ship is risky; things could go wrong, and it will put Lord Yu in a difficult position.

People are willing to turn a blind eye, so they can't harm him.

But things are different in prison.

If you get three guys who can fight and take a beating, it's not a big deal as long as you don't kill anyone.

If we really want to argue, then it's a fight between us.

The Japanese are numerous; if they don't rise up in resistance, are they just going to wait to die?

At most, they'll be fined a small amount of money.

These Japanese could only suffer in silence...

Ishii had an idea, but his subordinates were very dissatisfied.

They represent Japan and His Majesty the Emperor. It's one thing for them to be bullied by the soldiers and officials of the Daisho, but why should they also be bullied by three prisoners?

When one person starts making a fuss, a whole group stands up.

The results speak for themselves.

The clanging of chains and screams echoed throughout the prison cells.

The prisoners who had just been moved to the surrounding cells were initially trembling with fear when they saw how badly they were being beaten, but in the end, when they realized that the ones being beaten were Japanese, they all became excited.

The prisoners on both sides were kicking and scratching each other, having a great time.

……

In the capital, the emperor finally received the letter.

He took a deep breath, mentally preparing himself to be angry, before opening it.

But you don't know until you see it...

slap~
He excitedly slapped the table.

"Haha, well done, Yu Zhijian."

Both he and Mr. Liu had only intended to make things difficult for the Japanese delegation, but they never expected that Yu Zhijian would be so capable as to make things difficult for the Russian delegation as well.

Wow, what a talent!

No, they are meticulous people.

It's perfectly normal not to let them disembark before their identities can be fully confirmed!
Although the capital is close to Tianjin, it's normal that the official who understands Russian is suffering from diarrhea and can't leave for the time being, isn't it?
Actually, this didn't require the emperor's instruction.

Those who could earn a living at the Ministry of Rites were all quite capable.

Now that the Russians are eagerly seeking peace talks, it's perfectly normal for things to escalate a bit more!

The two officials who were fluent in the language of the Rakshasa Kingdom were given two days off without knowing anything about it.

This benefit... is something you can only dream of, but it suddenly came to you. The two of them are very happy to stay at home with their wife and children.

Of course, staying at home is a testament to their dedication to their job.

In Tianjin, if anything unexpected happens, Shangguan can reach them at any time, and they can set off immediately.