My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 315 The Story of Wang Xuance

Zhu Juntang's mind was in complete disarray after hearing Huang Wenbin's words.

But this is where the power of Chinese history comes into play, because Chinese civilization is so ancient and its historical records are so abundant.

It's actually quite easy to find examples of what happens on island nations in ancient China.

Zhu Juntang quickly completed the analogy and figured out the situation.

Zhu Juntang said:
"So, what Brother Huang means is that Japan is similar to the Three Kingdoms period, with Oda Nobunaga being the Cao Cao of Japan, Takeda Shingen being the Yuan Shao, and our Shimazu clan being equivalent to Sun Quan, who was confined to a corner of the country?"

Huang Wenbin corrected him, saying:
"The Shimazu clan cannot be considered Sun Quan; at most, they are a regional power in Jiangnan. Only the entire Kyushu region combined can be considered Sun Quan."

Then Huang Wenbin sneered and said:
"These mere Japanese dare to call it Kyushu Island; they are far too arrogant."

Zhu Juntang nodded in agreement. The region they were in was Kyushu, Japan, and the Shimazu clan was a warlord who controlled Kyushu.

After criticizing the Japanese, Huang Wenbin said with concern:

“These days, I’ve heard from those Japanese that the Shimazu family is in a rather bad situation.”

Zhu Juntang quickly asked:
"What's wrong?"

Huang Wenbin said:
"The Shimazu clan was able to unify Kyushu—let's just call it Kyushu Island—thanks to their navy and firearms."

"Because Kyushu is located in the southernmost part of Japan, it traded with the Portuguese very early on. The Portuguese arquebuses and cannons were imported into Japan from here, and the Shimazu family also had the largest arquebus squadron in Kyushu."

"However, these days, the Shimazu family and the wealthy merchant Imai Munehisa of Sakai Port have fallen out. Imai Munehisa has banned the supply of saltpeter to the Shimazu family, which has left the Shimazu family without gunpowder."

"The Shimazu family treats us so well in order to win us over and get us to smuggle saltpeter from the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Juntang's expression was somewhat unpleasant. He said:
"Brother Huang, the Japanese have developed firearms so rapidly! We must bring this news back to the Ming Dynasty!"

Huang Wenbin nodded and said:

"Of course. I have also secretly seen the Japanese arquebuses these days. They are still the same style as those used in our Great Ming Dynasty more than ten years ago, and cannot be compared with the firearms of the Great Ming Dynasty today. But I must also remind the officials of the court that they must not leak the new arquebus technology to the Japanese."

Zhu Juntang said:
"Brother Huang, what should we do?"

Huang Wenbin thought for a moment and said:

"The best course of action now is to pretend to cooperate, as long as we can get back to the Ming Dynasty."

Zhu Juntang nodded, deciding to first pretend to cooperate with the Japanese.

As expected, after the two showed a cooperative attitude, Shimazu Takahisa's attitude towards them improved considerably.

Shimazu Takahisa brought up the matter of smuggling saltpeter, and the two of them gave vague answers.

However, Shimazu Takahisa saw hope, and the two received better treatment.

The two could even leave the Shimazu family's castle and wander around the castle area, accompanied by Japanese samurai.

Then Huang Wenbin taught Zhu Juntang Japanese at night. Zhu Juntang, who was able to pass the imperial examination, was already very intelligent. Now, in the Japanese language environment, coupled with the pressure of survival, Zhu Juntang made rapid progress and could now hear the discussions of the Shimazu servants.

On February 10th, Zhu Juntang suddenly rushed into the room and said to Huang Wenbin, who was reading a book on Chinese characters, "Brother Huang, something terrible has happened!"

"what happened?"

"Today I heard from the servants of the Shimazu family that a distinguished guest has arrived who can help their master solve a problem!"

Huang Wenbin was taken aback. The biggest problem for the Shimazu family was the shortage of saltpeter and gunpowder.

The current battle between Oda Nobunaga and Takeda Shingen presented an opportunity for the Shimazu clan to expand their power.

Unfortunately, due to a shortage of gunpowder, they had to watch this golden opportunity slip away.

Shimazu Takahisa needed the two men's help to solve the saltpeter problem, which is why he treated them with such courtesy. If the Shimazu family had solved the problem themselves, would they still have been treated with such courtesy?
When that time comes, the positions of the two sides will be reversed, and Shimazu Takahisa might coerce them.

The two men had seen how inhuman the Japanese were these days.

The samurai of the Shimazu clan could beat, scold, and kill nearby farmers simply because they didn't like the look of them. The farmers around the Shimazu clan were all short, thin, and as weak as monkeys.

These lower-ranking samurai are then bullied by higher-ranking samurai.

Huang Wenbin then asked:

"What method did Shimazu Takahisa use to solve the saltpeter shortage problem?"

Zhu Juntang tried hard to recall, and then said:

“I think I heard those warriors mention the barbarians.”

Huang Wenbin's expression changed, and he quickly analyzed:

"That's right! In the entire East today, besides the Ming Dynasty, the only ones who can supply gunpowder to Japan are these Western barbarians!"

Huang Wenbin stood up and said:

"The Portuguese and the Shimazu family had long-standing relations; the Portuguese cannons and arquebuses were all brought by the Portuguese."

"It's clear that the Shimazu family has re-established contact with the Portuguese and is preparing to buy saltpeter from them!"

Huang Wenbin thought for a moment, then took out two short knives from under the blanket.

These two short swords were obtained by Huang Wenbin from the Japanese samurai who were escorting him when he went out to play outside the castle.

Huang Wenbin stuffed the dagger into his clothes, then said to Zhu Juntang:
"Shimazu Takahisa must be holding a meeting at the castle tower. Let's go there now. You will follow my orders!"

Zhu Juntang's heart skipped a beat, but he didn't hesitate and stuffed the dagger into his clothes.

Back then, when he and his father braved the border to appeal to the emperor, they were pursued by assassins sent by the Prince of Dai, making the situation even more perilous than it is now.

If we were able to get through it back then, we can get through it now too!
The two left the bedroom and headed straight for the castle tower.

At first, the Japanese people in the castle all knew that the two were honored guests of the head of the household, so they all gave way to them. But when they were about to reach the castle tower, sword-wielding samurai began to block them.

Huang Wenbin directly reprimanded the warriors in Chinese. He spoke loudly and said a lot of things the warriors couldn't understand, but the gatekeepers were frightened instead.

Huang Wenbin was not tall, but Zhu Juntang grew taller after studying at the Imperial Academy, and was now close to 1.8 meters tall.

This size would be considered "giant" in Japan.

Huang Wenbin was a Jinshi (a successful candidate in the highest imperial examinations) of the Ming Dynasty, and when he cursed people, he naturally had the air of a superior. These Japanese samurai dared not stop him.

Huang Wenbin and Zhu Juntang thus entered the castle tower in a seemingly legitimate manner.

The two pushed open the door of the castle tower and, as expected, saw Shimazu Takahisa sitting in the seat of honor, with a Westerner dressed in a black robe sitting below him.

Shimazu Takahisa was also stunned; he hadn't expected the two to barge in. But Huang Wenbin stepped forward and spoke to Shimazu Takahisa in fluent Japanese:

"Head of the Shimazu family, didn't you want to do saltpeter business with us? Why are you contacting the Portuguese?"

After saying this, Huang Wenbin pulled out a short knife and stabbed the Portuguese man.

Everyone present was stunned, but the Portuguese man was quick enough to move aside, but he was soon blocked by the tall Zhu Juntang.

"Do it!"

Huang Wenbin said in Chinese, and this time Zhu Juntang no longer held back. He pulled out a short knife and plunged it into the chest of the Portuguese man.

The Portuguese man didn't even have time to react before he died!
At this moment, the Shimazu samurai rushed in, shielding Shimazu Takahisa behind them, their blades surrounding Huang Wenbin and Zhu Juntang. Shimazu Takahisa's face was grim; he glared at Huang Wenbin and roared:

"So you understand our language. I misjudged you. You must be spies for Imai Munehisa!"

Huang Wenbin immediately threw away the dagger and said in fluent Japanese:

"You didn't even ask me if I understood Japanese, and it's not like I asked you to designate a translator."

"As for the Imai Munehisa you mentioned, I don't know him."

Zhu Juntang stood behind Huang Wenbin and looked at Shimazu Takahisa with composure.

Shimazu Takahisa's face flushed red and then turned pale. Finally, he waved his hand, and the Japanese samurai surrounding the two of them withdrew, but the samurai around him still surrounded him.

Having just witnessed Zhu Juntang's actions, Shimazu Takahisa dared not be alone with him in a room.

Shimazu Takahisa said with a cold face:
"Then why did you kill the Portuguese envoy?"

Huang Wenbin said coldly:

"As I just said, didn't your Shimazu family want to do business with us and buy saltpeter? Why are you contacting the Portuguese?"

“We can get saltpeter for your Shimazu family.”

Shimazu Takahisa's expression softened somewhat. He stopped looking at the dead Portuguese man and instead stared at Huang Wenbin, saying:
"Huang Sheng really managed to transport saltpeter?"

Huang Wenbin, imitating Yang Sizhong of Da Yintai, adopted a mysterious and inscrutable expression and said:
"Just some saltpeter, what's so difficult about that? Whatever amount the master wants, I, Huang, can bring it!"

Shimazu Takahisa revealed a look of delight and said:
"When I met you two that day, I felt that you were extraordinary. It was not in vain that I treated you so well for so long."

"Someone bring wine!"

Shimazu Takahisa waved his hand, and the samurai blocking his way sheathed their katana and stepped aside.

Zhu Juntang calculated the distance between himself and Shimazu Takahisa. If he rushed forward now, he should be able to kill Shimazu Takahisa with one blow.

But if we kill this old Japanese, we two will probably die here too.

Zhu Juntang then looked at Huang Wenbin, only to find that the other man's expression was calm.

Since Huang Wenbin did not give the order, Zhu Juntang sat down with Huang Wenbin, directly next to the pool of blood of the Portuguese.

A moment later, the maid serving the wine pulled open the sliding door of the Japanese-style room and saw the Portuguese man lying dead with his eyes wide open. She was so frightened that she almost spilled the wine.

Huang Wenbin accepted the wine and then began to converse with Shimazu Takahisa in Japanese.

Zhu Juntang's Japanese was not good; he could only understand everyday language. He couldn't understand what Huang Wenbin and Shimazu Takahisa were saying, only that the two kept mentioning the Portuguese.

As the negotiations drew to a close, Shimazu Takahisa's attitude became even more enthusiastic, and he even removed the samurai around him.

In the end, Zhu Juntang helped Huang Wenbin back to his room.

Once back in the room, Huang Wenbin immediately got off Zhu Juntang's shoulder.

"Brother Huang, are you alright?"

Huang Wenbin laughed and said, "This Japanese sake is even worse than sugarcane wine. When have you ever seen me drunk on the ship?"

Since Huang Wenbin wasn't drunk, Zhu Juntang quickly asked him what he had said to Shimazu Takahisa.

Huang Wenbin said, "The Portuguese man who was killed by Brother Zhu was a Jesuit missionary."

"The Jesuits?"

Huang Wenbin said:
“When I was in the Office of General Affairs, I read the report of the Nanyang General Affairs Bureau. The Jesuits were a branch of the Continental Church.”

"The missionaries preaching in Macau, the capital of the Ming Dynasty, are these Jesuit missionaries."

"These European 'monks' seem to regard missionary work as the greatest merit, and Jesuit missionaries are even more enthusiastic about missionary work. They travel all over the world to preach, and many natives of Luzon have also converted to Christianity."

"These Jesuit missionaries were also infiltrating the coastal areas of our Great Ming Dynasty. They even built a church in Macau, which was eventually demolished after Su Hanlin petitioned the court."

Zhu Juntang asked, puzzled, "Then didn't I kill the wrong person?"

Huang Wenbin shook his head and said, "Brother Zhu didn't cut the wrong tree. These Western monks are just like our monks; they also like to do business."

“The Jesuits also have a lot of businesses and close ties with the high-ranking Portuguese and Spanish officials. If we hadn’t rushed in just now, Shimazu Takahisa would have reached an agreement with him.”

Hearing this, Zhu Juntang felt a wave of fear and secretly rejoiced at Huang Wenbin's decisiveness.

Huang Wenbin continued:
"There is only one thing that Shimazu Takahisa and the Jesuit representatives have not reached an agreement on."

"whats the matter?"

"The missionary proposed to do business with the Jesuits, and Shimazu Takahisa wanted to allow the Jesuits to preach in Kyushu."

Zhu Juntang exclaimed in surprise:

"No wonder Shimazu Takahisa was unwilling to agree."

Huang Wenbin sneered:
"The dangers of missionary work are well understood not only by our Great Ming Dynasty, but also by Japan."

"The Jesuits are preaching in Sakai Port, and now they have developed 10,000 believers in Sakai Port. Even the big businessman in Sakai Port, Imai Munehisa, has converted to the faith."

Zhu Juntang had also heard stories of how cults and sorcerers could bewitch people with their deceptions.

These Western monks were the intellectual class among the barbarians of continental Europe, and their methods of developing followers were certainly more rapid.

Huang Wenbin said, "That's why I said we don't need Shimazu Takahisa to open up missionary work; we can provide them with saltpeter as long as we pay them."

Zhu Juntang said:

"What did Shimazu Takahisa say?"

"At first, that old fox didn't believe me, but then I said that you were a royal merchant of the Ming Dynasty and a relative of Li Wentong, the son of the Earl of Wuqing. As long as you give me a ship to Penghu, I can transport saltpeter back."

"Wait! Brother Huang, when did I become a relative of the Marquis of Wuqing's son?"

"Aren't you a member of the Ming imperial family? The heir of the Earl of Wuqing is a relative of the emperor, so aren't you family?"

"..."

Zhu Juntang said speechlessly:

"Did Shimazu Takahisa agree?"

"He agreed, but he's only willing to let me go; he wants to hold you hostage."

Zhu Juntang said without hesitation:

"Brother Huang, you may go ahead. I am willing to stay behind as a hostage. As long as the message can be sent back to the Ming Dynasty, I don't care if I die in Japan!"

Huang Wenbin said:

"Who said you were allowed to stay? Your Japanese is barely scratched the surface, what use are you here?"

“I told Shimazu Takahisa that you would go to Penghu to buy saltpeter, and I would stay here as a hostage.”

(End of this chapter)