My Portable Ming Dynasty

Chapter 332 What does Li Tongzhengshi think?
Li Yiyuan naturally recognized Zhang Hong, who was a popular eunuch serving the Crown Prince.

Although Li Yiyuan was an important official, he was unwilling to offend such a eunuch, so he met with Zhang Hong.

"Da Yintai, the Crown Prince sent me to the Office of Transmission to inquire whether the Crown Prince's memorial has been sent to the Grand Secretariat."

The Crown Prince's memorial?!

Seeing Li Yiyuan's appearance, Zhang Hong said, "It was just delivered. The Crown Prince is a bit anxious, so he sent me to inquire again. The Grand Silver Office is very busy, so please send it up as soon as possible."

Li Yiyuan quickly agreed, and after Zhang Hong left, he hurriedly called Xu Shuli over to inquire.

When Xu Shuli brought the memorial, and after reading it, Li Yiyuan saw the final signature and felt as if the sky was falling.

The joint memorial submitted by the Crown Prince and Su Ze was still related to the affairs of Japan!
I can't believe I didn't send the memorial to the emperor immediately!
Li Yiyuan recalled the fear he felt when he was the Commissioner of the Court of Judicial Review and was controlled by Su Ze.

No, this memorial not only has Su Ze's signature, but also the Crown Prince's signature and seal!
Thinking about this, Li Yiyuan felt even more that his future in the Ministry of Justice was bleak.

He no longer had the strength to get angry at Xu Shuli, and instead said:

"Quickly, send this memorial to the cabinet! No, I will deliver it myself!"

This memorial was sent to the cabinet. After Grand Secretary Gao Gong finished reading it, he asked Li Yiyuan:
"Commissioner Li, what are your thoughts on this memorial?"

Li Yiyuan quickly said:
"The Crown Prince's memorial is clear and reasonable; our Great Ming Dynasty is blessed with a bright future."

Gao Gong stroked his beard and nodded, and the other elders also nodded in agreement.

The crown prince is crucial to the future of the country, and the ministers naturally hope that he can also be a wise ruler.

This memorial marked the Crown Prince's first involvement in government affairs. Although it concerned intelligence about Japan, the Crown Prince's ability to explain the matter so clearly and offer his suggestions greatly pleased the Grand Secretaries.

Of course, the Grand Secretaries also knew that Su Ze had played a part in this, since Su Ze's name was signed after the Crown Prince's.

Zhang Juzheng stroked his beard, saying that Su Ze's education of the crown prince satisfied not only the emperor but also the cabinet ministers.

Starting with the less sensitive issue of intelligence on Japan to pique the Crown Prince's interest in politics is indeed a good choice.

Gao Gong then asked:
"This memorial concerns matters of the Office of Transmission. What is your opinion, Li Tongzheng?"

What do I think?
Li Yiyuan originally did not support it.

The people in the Office of Transmission were afraid of being sent to other posts, and he, as the Grand Secretary, naturally knew this. Having just taken office, he should also speak up for the interests of the Office of Transmission.

However, if I delay the Crown Prince's memorial today and then oppose it in the cabinet, it would be a slap in the face to the Crown Prince.

Li Yiyuan was also someone who had almost entered the cabinet; how could someone who wanted to advance openly oppose the Crown Prince?

Li Yiyuan had no choice but to say:
"I believe the Crown Prince's words are appropriate. We should establish the Japan Administration Office and appoint these two as its chief officials to be responsible for intelligence gathering against Japan."

Gao Gong was very pleased, and Li Yiyuan did not object. The memorial was approved in principle, and he then said:

"Since Li Tongzhengshi has not objected to matters concerning intelligence on the Japanese, we will ask the Six Ministries to review them after His Majesty has finished his imperial edict. There is no need to circulate this information further."

The cabinet ministers also nodded.

When it comes to important military intelligence work, the memorial only needs to be submitted to the Six Ministries after the emperor's approval.

The Six Ministries rarely objected to memorials concerning foreign military affairs, so theoretically this memorial had already been approved.

In their draft opinions, the cabinet ministers highly praised the Crown Prince's progress and suggested that the Emperor approve the memorial as an affirmation of the Crown Prince's diligence in government affairs.

The Longqing Emperor was like an old father seeing his son's perfect answer sheet, with high praise from his son's teachers on the paper, and he was naturally overjoyed.

However, fearing that the officials were only trying to please him, he sent someone to the Office of Transmission, which was specifically responsible for this matter, to inquire whether the Crown Prince's plan was feasible.

Li Yiyuan swallowed his bitter pill and could no longer voice his opposition. He could only repeat what he had said in the cabinet.

Now the emperor was completely relieved, so he approved the memorial and promulgated it.
-
The memorial to establish the Japanese Intelligence Agency was passed, with Huang Wenbin as the chief officer and Zhu Juntang as the deputy officer. They collected a large amount of intelligence on Japan and gained great prestige there.

This intelligence provided a reference for the Ming Dynasty's policy towards Japan, and even centuries later, the "Two Envoys to Japan" incident became the starting point of Japan's modern history.

[National fortune +1.]

[Remaining Prestige: 1210]

Inside the Imperial Household Department, Su Ze smiled as he watched the memorial pass through at lightning speed.

However, the Japanese are quite abstract; they actually bowed to the two of them.
The Ming Dynasty version of the Black Ships, right?

It can only be said that this nation's admiration for the strong is ingrained in their bones; as long as someone is stronger than them, they can be trampled on at will.

However, while treating the Japanese like dogs, we must also be wary of this fickle and capricious people who are prone to overthrowing their superiors.

These two were also an unexpected surprise.

Su Ze originally wanted to petition for the establishment of the Japan Communications Agency, which would be specifically responsible for collecting intelligence on Japan.

However, the imperial court remained very sensitive about the issue of preparing for war against the Japanese pirates.

Unfortunately, the anti-Japanese war during the Jiajing era left a psychological scar on the court officials who experienced it.

The Ming emperor and his officials were very cautious in dealing with matters concerning Japan.

But this time, it was practically delivered to their door.

Huang Wenbin and Zhu Juntang ended up in Japan and even established contact with the head of the Shimazu family.

Su Ze wouldn't let go of such an opportunity presented by fate.

He then jointly submitted a memorial with the Crown Prince, ensuring the matter was approved.

Next, we just need to wait for Zhu and Huang to gather more intelligence and send it back so that we can formulate a targeted strategy against the Japanese.
-
"Huang Jun".

The door to Huang Wenbin's room was opened, and a samurai walked in carrying lunch.

Ever since Huang Wenbin killed the Portuguese man inside the castle tower, the entire Shimazu family has held him in the highest esteem.

Samurai would bow respectfully when they saw him, and members of the Shimazu family would greet him with respect.

Huang Wenbin even felt that if he left the Shimazu family's castle now, no one would stop him.

Huang Wenbin initially found it strange, but as he had more contact with the Japanese, he no longer found it strange.

The Japanese are drawn to strength.

Upon witnessing Huang Wenbin, a seemingly weak scholar, kill the Portuguese without batting an eye, Shimazu Takahisa not only did not complain about ruining his business with the Portuguese, but also thought that Huang Wenbin was indeed a noble person worthy of the Celestial Empire!

A nobleman from a superior nation should have the bearing of a superior nation! What does it matter if one or two Portuguese are killed?
In the eyes of the Japanese today, the Ming Dynasty is still the most important.

He had no other choice but to do business with these Western barbarians. Now, with a new option, Shimazu Takahisa wouldn't mind abandoning the Portuguese if he could open a trade route to the Ming Dynasty.
Shimazu Takahisa's breathing became rapid!
Shimazu Takahisa was well aware of how profitable trade with Ming Dynasty China was.

The Shimazu clan tried every means to infiltrate Ryukyu, hoping to use Ryukyu's status as a tributary state to gain the privilege of trading with the Ming Dynasty.

The entire Japanese nation is desperate to trade with the Ming Dynasty!

Upon learning of Zhu Juntang's "identity," Shimazu Takahisa immediately fulfilled his request, ordering his trusted retainers to pilot the Shimazu family's best ship, laden with Japanese deerskin, lead, and knives, to Tainan Port in Penghu.

The Shimazu family risked everything to establish a stable trade route!

Japan had a great deal of trade demand from the Ming Dynasty.

Originally, Japan's trade with the Central Plains mainly consisted of importing silk, which was supplied to the upper class of Japan. Japan also had its own domestic textile industry, but the amount used was not very large.

However, during this period, as Japan entered the Warring States period and firearms became more widespread, the daimyo of the Warring States period recognized the importance of firearms.

Japan has a traditional sword-making industry, so firearms manufacturing shouldn't be a problem.

The technology involved in the production of the breech-loading cannon and the arquebus was not advanced; Japanese craftsmen could make them by hand.

However, the saltpeter used to make gunpowder was in short supply in Japan.

The Ming Dynasty was aware of this and had been reducing its trade in saltpeter with Japan, setting export restrictions and prohibiting Japanese ships from leaving the Ming Dynasty with saltpeter.

This is the current state of trade between the Ming Dynasty and Japan.

The Ming Dynasty had almost no demand for Japanese goods. The Ming Dynasty could produce raw silk and knives from Japan itself, and deer hides were not only exported by Japan, but also by Korea, which was a major exporter.

However, the Ming Dynasty possessed saltpeter, which was in dire need of Japan, as well as various high-grade silks, books, and various high-end industrial products of the Ming Dynasty.

This enormous trade demand is also the reason why the Shimazu family went to great lengths to open up trade with Ming China.

The fact that the Shimazu family's ship had been at sea for so long without returning was causing anxiety throughout the entire Shimazu family.

However, Huang Wenbin was not anxious at all. He spent his days writing books in his room and would take walks in the castle and talk to some Japanese samurai whenever he had time.

Shimazu Takahisa tried several times to rush over and question Huang Wenbin, but he was always intimidated by Huang's demeanor and dared not ask. So he could only wait day after day.

After writing a page, Huang Wenbin finally finished organizing the manuscript.

This book is his analysis of Wa (Japan) based on his observations and experiences while living in the Shimazu family.

Huang Wenbin was actually unsure of himself.

Will Zhu Juntang be able to come back? If Zhu Juntang just runs away like this, what will happen to me?
Huang Wenbin didn't know either.

So he wrote books in his room, wanting to summarize his experiences and record his observations of the Japanese.

Even if I die, I can find a way to bring this book back to the Ming Dynasty.

The Ming Dynasty could then formulate targeted policies against the Japanese pirates.

Huang Wenbin used the chrysanthemum, a favorite flower of the Japanese, and the Japanese sword as his starting point:
"I wandered to Satsuma and stayed in the castle tower of the Shimazu family for several months. Observing the behavior of the Japanese, I felt more and more that their temperament was like the struggle between yin and yang, just like the strange harmony between the 'chrysanthemum' and the 'sword' in their legend."

“In the bones of the Japanese, there is nothing more than the eight words: ‘admire the strong and respect them, be loyal and fickle.’”

"Its temperament is not consistent; rather, it is like a small boat on a stormy sea. When strong, it bows its head like a dog; when weak, it devours its master like a wolf. This is because Japan is a small island nation with frequent wars, and these characteristics have become its means of survival."

"Their admiration for the strong is ingrained in their very bones. When I first arrived at the castle tower, I killed a Portuguese man with my own hands. Not only did I not incur the wrath of the Shimazu patriarch, but I also attracted samurai to kneel and worship me. Shimazu Takahisa revered me as a nobleman from the Celestial Empire, and his words and actions were filled with the utmost respect. They regard the strong as gods and Buddhas to be worshipped. Whenever they encounter someone whose military might or demeanor surpasses their own, they immediately shed their fierce appearance and bow down obediently."

"However, this admiration for strength also breeds the treacherous and sinister nature of the 'sword.' The Japanese are not loyal people; they are fickle like the tides. I personally witnessed the Shimazu family wavering between the Portuguese and the Ming Dynasty."

“They used to collude with the Western barbarians to trade, but now that I have appeared, they will discard me like worn-out shoes. The Warring States period's custom of ‘subordinates overthrowing superiors’ is prevalent in Japan. Those who bow down today may be the ones who kill their lords tomorrow.”

"Therefore, I often reflect on myself, living in this den of tigers and wolves, I should take the 'chrysanthemum' as my symbol, collecting folk songs and writing articles; and take the 'knife' as my mirror, secretly preparing for killing."

Huang Wenbin closed the book; he would be able to finish it in another month.

If Zhu Juntang does not return soon, I will have to find a way to send the book back to the Ming Dynasty.
-
Since this matter concerns the Crown Prince, the Office of Transmission is handling it with special consideration.

After the emperor issued the decree, the Office of Transmission sent a fast horse to Zhigu Port, and the clipper ship sailed south with the wind, arriving at Tainan Port in just over ten days.

Upon receiving the imperial edict and a personal letter from the Crown Prince, Li Wenquan, the Emperor's brother-in-law, swiftly ordered the release of the detained Japanese sailors and permitted Zhu Juntang to act as a trade representative, directly engaging in business with Ming merchants.

Then, under the guise of a banquet, Li Wenqun invited Zhu Juntang to his residence and showed him the imperial edict.

Upon seeing the imperial edict, Zhu Juntang wept bitterly.

Zhu Juntang wasn't sure either.

He could have abandoned ship and fled, but he was worried about Huang Wenbin.

He didn't know how the Ming government would treat them if he explained the situation to Li Wenquan.

Zhu Juntang was already on the verge of despair, trapped on the boat.

At this moment, Li Wenquan brought the emperor's edict, and the emperor even personally named the two men, ordering them to gather intelligence in Japan.

He also issued an imperial edict ordering Li Wenquan to cooperate with the two.

How could Zhu Juntang not be grateful?

He said:
"To have earned the trust of His Majesty and the Crown Prince so much, even if I die in Japan, I will definitely send the intelligence from Japan back to the Ming Dynasty!"

Li Wenquan quickly said:
"Scholar Zhu, please don't say such unlucky things. Now that the Japanese Ministry of Communications has been established, with the Ming Dynasty as our backing, you two only need to focus on gathering intelligence."

"His Majesty's decree also states that Scholar Zhu should tell me whatever his request is!"

Zhu Juntang calmed down and continued:

"Please ask the Imperial Brother-in-law to prepare the saltpeter needed by the Japanese. Are there any discarded muskets in Penghu?"

Li Wenquan nodded and said:
“Salt is simple. Penghu is a transshipment port for saltpeter trade. I, the Crown Prince, can just pay to buy it.”

"There is a batch of old arquebuses in the mansion that were discarded during the anti-Japanese war in the southeast. They are all old and some are even rusty. They were used to scare the local people."

"Then please have the Imperial Brother-in-law pack these muskets into boxes as well. With these goods, we can gain Shimazu Takahisa's trust."

"After returning to Japan, Chief Huang and I will establish a trading post to serve as a cover for the Japanese Ministry of Communications. We will also ask the Emperor's brother-in-law to recruit a group of patriots to join the Ministry of Communications."

Upon hearing that Zhu Juntang's plan was clear and well-organized, Li Wenquan immediately agreed.

Soon, Li Wenquan gathered the goods that Zhu Juntang needed, and the Japanese ship finally returned to port.

(End of this chapter)