Cursed Mountains and Seas

Chapter 289 Sihai Trading Company: Firing the First Shot in the Counterattack Against Qingliu!
Wang Cheng and Shen Yueye didn't rush back immediately after they came out.

The [Mirage Cloud Dragon Ship], which can now cruise at a high speed of 30 knots (55 kilometers per hour), was summoned and took a tour of the major arsenals in the East China Sea.

The retainers, Tachibana Dōsetsu and his daughter, along with Takahashi Shōun, the "Invincible General" who had half his shoulder and an arm shot off by Shen Yueye, and his eldest son, Takahashi Tōtora, accompanied them.

Despite being one of the two pillars of the Otomo family, the Takahashi family ultimately did not choose to be buried with the Otomo family.

The main members were all trapped by Wang Cheng's lending ability using the Five Emperors' Coin Sword, and were required to pay excessive loyalty as interest at any time.

By this time, Takahashi Shōun's injuries had almost healed, and he even had a lifelike prosthetic arm made by the Divine Strategist. His combat power as a fifth-rank [Samurai] had not decreased much, and he could still continue to fight on the battlefield.

"My lord, it turns out we've been guarding a treasure mountain without even realizing it."

The Ōtomo family ruled the northern Kyushu region for hundreds of years, starting with the first head of the family, Ōtomo Yoshinaka, but never truly explored the potential of this land.

Only now, with you ruling the nine northern provinces, has this old minister truly understood the meaning of the ancient Chinese saying, "Treasures belong to those with virtue."

Before taking over the Buzen and Chikuzen kingdoms from the Otomo family, the Tokai Kingdom had three main arsenals.

The gunpowder factory at Mount Aso, rich in sulfur; the flintlock musket factory at Yasuki, with relatively abundant iron and coal resources; and the Tsuchiya bronze cannon factory, located at the site of the largest single copper mine in all of Japan.

It basically covers the entire process of the military industry and is now working hard to completely equip the army and navy across the country, while also fulfilling orders from certain agents outside the island.

After seizing the key towns of the Northern Kyushu Domain from the Otomo family, the industry was upgraded once again.

Takahashi Shōun had analyzed before the war that these two countries not only had extremely high strategic value, but were also important ports and strategic locations that were the most contested by military strategists.

Whether attacking Jiufan Island from the main island or attacking the main island from Jiufan Island, this is a necessary route.

Most importantly, the Yawata region is rich in coal and iron ore!
Having taken over this area, the experienced technicians from Wufeng Banner immediately set about establishing the Bawa Steel Plant.

With the help of each class's unique skills, the efficiency was not much slower than that of large machinery. In just over a month, one large blast furnace after another rose from the ground.

When Wang Cheng and his group arrived at the Yawata Steel Plant, the workers had already started making steel.

call--!
As the furnace door opened, hot air blew through, and the glowing red molten steel reflected on the faces of the group.

Even if the East Sea Kingdom is blockaded from the outside, its coal and steel reserves alone are enough to support its war against the entire Yingzhou, and even feed every one of its people with steel.

Several former retainers of the Otomo family were deeply moved by the contrast between the past and present, seeing these blast furnaces as if they were witnessing the future of technology.

Tachibana Dōsetsu sighed along with Takahashi Shōun:
"The iron smelting technology of Yingzhou is far inferior to that of Dazhao."

The inherited skills are insufficient to support the official rank of [Blacksmith]; there is only [Swordsmith], not [Blacksmith].

We have been developing iron mines in the Yawata region, but we can only smelt iron sand and charcoal at low temperatures for a long time, eventually forming porous, sponge-like 'tamahagane'.

They were then sent to a swordsmith to be forged into samurai swords, which was one of the most important goods exchanged between Yingzhou and Dazhao at that time.

In the last hundred years or so, there have been eleven recorded trade agreements, during which approximately 20 swords were imported into Da Zhao.

A significant portion of it comes from here, but that's all.

Tachibana Yukichiyo touched the treasured sword [Raikiri] at her waist.

Looking up, Wang Cheng was already over 1.8 meters tall. Compared to the towering figure of Takahashi Tomotora beside him, his porcelain-like face was also shining brightly.
"A single samurai sword uses four catties of steel. The daily production capacity of one furnace here is 230 tons of molten steel, which is equivalent to 460000 catties. It only takes two furnaces of molten steel to make the total number of swords and blades that have been made in the past 100 years."

The factory also has hydraulic forging hammers, boring machines, and stamping machines that can be used to manufacture farm tools, iron pots, and other household utensils.

The extent of productivity gains has exceeded the limits of our imagination.

"My lord, is this what you meant by the landed gentry and feudal lords being destined for nothing, and that you intend to use them, along with us high-ranking members of the Five Banners who have submitted, as tools to make a fortune?"

Wang Cheng smiled and nodded at her:
“Yes!
I will exchange my shares in the Four Seas Trading Company for ownership of the land you hold; you will definitely not lose out.

Holding shares in these companies, the annual dividends alone far exceed your past agricultural output.

We can then exchange our various industrial products for agricultural products from other famous countries, and obtain a significant profit margin, which is far more profitable than farming.

"Just watch, from now on, Shi Gao will no longer be able to limit your wealth. Any one of you could easily surpass the wealth of those daimyo who possess the resources of an entire nation!"

Dealing with the wealthy and powerful clans of Yingzhou, who have no worries about food and clothing, is different from dealing with ordinary civilians who live hand to mouth.

While powerful clans may not place much importance on lineage, the hereditary family name and the land, subjects, retainers, and economic interests tied to it are their lifeblood!

So much so that in the past, after a daimyo quelled a rebellion and killed the entire family of the traitor, they still had to find someone to inherit the family name.

The Tachibana family was once a surname belonging to a traitor, but it was later given to Tachibana Dōsetsu, the "reiki" (a type of Japanese ghost).

The Donghai Kingdom forcibly reclaimed the ancestral businesses that all the powerful clans had built up over hundreds of years, and since it wanted to continue to use their power to fight against other daimyo, it naturally had to offer them some incentives.

Otherwise, he'll likely end up with a villain seeking revenge from morning till night, with "carbon-based guided bombs" rushing up to take him down with them every day. Although he's not afraid, it's too much of a hassle.

Therefore, while Lu Yunchen was still exploring how to deal with those landed gentry and candidates for the Ninth Rank, Wang Cheng had already begun social practice.

Not only did they master a new generation of means of production with productivity far exceeding that of land, but they also personally took the lead in cultivating an entire new class, firing the first shot in the counterattack against the Qingliu gentry!
Looking at his retainers, whose faces were fervent and whose breathing was almost as rapid as that of the Japanese traitor Yakuya Hanpei, Wang Cheng had already devised a top-level plan for economic development.

And they arranged everything perfectly:

"The Sihai Trading Company, which is state-owned by the Donghai Kingdom, is just the first testing ground."

In the future, the state will monopolize industries related to people's livelihood, national security, and major economic development. Examples include: banking, healthcare, metallurgy, military industry, coal, and ocean shipping.

After summarizing the problems, other industries should be appropriately opened up to allow for full competition, stimulate market vitality, and encourage these powerful clans to start their own businesses. Retainers of other daimyo who pledge allegiance can also exchange land and shares in this way; with such role models, there's no need to worry about them not taking the bait.

"Anyway, a monopoly is impossible, and there's no need to worry about these people becoming too powerful to control."

If they behave themselves and watch the "Edict of the Beginning of Royal Transformation" be implemented to the end when we conquer the entire Yingzhou, then so be it.

If there are any unusual developments, it would only take a word for me to forcibly reclaim their shares, without spending a single penny.

Yes, this is also a secret technique that the bald eagle taught me.

Even if they choose to enjoy wealth and comfort, after one or two generations, their family name and corresponding shares will fall into the hands of the Tang family, who possess the paternal lineage of the Great Zhao, thus truly completing the peaceful evolution within the country.

The samurai class will also disappear completely from history, which can be regarded as a prelude to the replacement of the landed gentry.

Of course, the reforms within the Daijo Kingdom may have already begun at that time.

Wang Cheng's "Three Victories and Three Defeats Theory" for that virgin queen is even more effective when used in conjunction with this set of methods.

Once he has amassed the corresponding economic power, and with this favorable wind, even a pig could fly to the sky.

The title of "Water Balance Commandant," representing the highest economic power, could even be used to crown the shadow emperor behind many small states!
Cry when I tell you to cry, laugh when I tell you to laugh.

This is the promotion plan that Wang Cheng has made for himself.

He never doubted his ability to be promoted to the third rank.

If someone possesses such a supreme treasure as the "Treasure of the Four Seas," yet cannot even cultivate it to the level of a living ghost or god, they might as well buy a block of tofu and smash their head against it to their death.

Tachibana Yukichiyo and her father exchanged a glance, as if they had made up their minds. Suddenly, she knelt on one knee and pleaded with Wang Cheng:
"Your Highness, I, Miyako, no longer wish to be a samurai."

"Reigui possesses an innate spiritual ability to 'hear thunder.' Could you please use your power to sell official positions to take away my samurai rank and then grant Yukichiyo the rank of Daisho no Hourou?"

Wang Cheng turned around and stared into her eyes, asking with great interest:

"Oh? Why?"

Yukichiyo first looked at her father again, and then said very seriously:
“In the past, a samurai’s sword could solve all problems, but that may not be the case in the future.”

Whether it's the red-haired barbarians who collaborated with Otomo, or the ideas and industrial production you brought, they all tell us that times may have changed.

My father also felt that the most powerful thing in the world in the future might no longer be the sword of a samurai, but the credit of a court official!

Yukichiyo also wants to follow in your footsteps.

Wang Cheng glanced at Tachibana Dōsetsu, who was over seventy years old and looked quite frail, and was somewhat surprised.

After squeezing the business plans for "Sihai Development Bank" and "Sihai Shipping Insurance Company" in his sleeve, he had to admit that this old man's vision was indeed quite good.

Although the banking and insurance industries in the Netherlands had begun to emerge and develop, their influence was far from reaching the East. The fact that they had this awareness now can only be attributed to their innate keen sense of smell.

At seventy-something years old, one is in the prime of life and should seek employment again, venture out into society, and live a second, wonderful life.

Wang Cheng even suspected that this old ghost had long ago seen through the true nature of his "Wang Hua Zhao Shi Ling" (王化肇始令), but simply hadn't said it.

Takahashi Shōun's son, Takahashi Tōtora, standing nearby, anxiously advised:
"Yukichiyo, only swords are the true power and the truth."

Throughout history, the monarchs and nobles of China and the world have been known for their extravagant spending. Whenever they ran out of money, they would plunder it from the people, and when a popular uprising was imminent, they would plunder it from the merchants.

Merchants were like piggy banks for emperors throughout history. Whenever they ran out of money, they could bang on things at will, and the emperors had no power to resist.

How will merchants become the most powerful people in the future?

Don't be impulsive!

Only after saying that did he suddenly realize that he had acted impulsively because of that little unspeakable thought, forgetting that his lord was also a [Chaofeng Lang].

He immediately knelt down and begged for forgiveness:
"Your Highness, I was not referring to you. Please forgive me."

Tachibana Yukichiyo ignored his words, looking at her lord with respect and determination.

Wang Cheng smiled with satisfaction. The differing opinions of the two powerful retainers, the Tachibana family and the Takahashi family, represented the completely different choices made by the samurai family at the crossroads of history.

Those who adapt to the times are extremely rare; the vast majority will cling to tradition and ultimately be eliminated by the times.

It was their own choice, and no one can blame anyone else.

"Yukichiyo, come find me at the Ryutō Palace after you get back."

"I will give you the opportunity to see a wider world."

Tachibana Yukichiyo bows respectfully:
"Yes, Your Highness, thank you so much for your kindness!"

Looking at the most beautiful woman in Kubuqi Island whom he had known since childhood, Takahashi Tomotora felt that the two, whose ideals were incompatible, would probably drift further and further apart in the future.

I feel a sense of emptiness, as if I've lost something important.

Wang Cheng didn't need to care about anyone's opinions and led them to the last stop of their trip.

Today there's another major event: the Fukae-ura Shipyard, located at the southern tip of the former Hizen Province, has finally built its first domestically produced sailing warship!
(End of this chapter)