Late Ming Dynasty: So what if Emperor Chongzhen was inactive?!

Chapter 243: The Lion Opens His Mouth

Zhu Youjian often summoned foreign officials to the inner court to show his closeness to them, so the Japanese were naturally not allowed in. Therefore, the meeting place was chosen to be the Wenhua Hall.

This place was originally where the emperor held "lectures on the classics," but Zhu Youjian was particularly averse to studying and never held a lecture on the classics since he ascended the throne.

During this period, many people submitted memorials reminding him to hold lectures on Confucian classics to demonstrate the emperor's emphasis on Confucianism and the way of the sages. Even just one lecture would be helpful in calming people's emotions.

If it were any other emperor, he would have been half-heartedly persuaded, but Zhu Youjian was thick-skinned. No matter how these ministers tried to persuade him, he insisted on playing dead. Once this happened once, it would happen again!

The emperor disliked neither Confucianism nor Buddhism and Taoism, and had little interest in poetry, calligraphy, painting, music, chess, and even carpentry. The emperor's lack of interests often left his ministers feeling at a loss: how could a person be like this? How could they possibly cater to his tastes?

Before entering the Wenhua Hall, Ii Naotaka was searched for the third time. According to regulations, foreign officials should wear their own country's official robes when paying homage to the emperor. He forgot the homage etiquette taught to him by the officials of the Honglu Temple, and took off the outer shoulder garment of his samurai court robes and folded it by the threshold. Then he also took off his boots, which made the accompanying interpreter want to kill him.

Inside the hall, Zhu Youjian sat imposingly in his chair, coldly observing Ii Naotaka's subtle actions.

Naotaka Ii sported a classic chonmage hairstyle, which looked increasingly familiar to Zhu Youjian. How could it bear such a striking resemblance to the hairstyles of the Jurchens? Could it be that the saying "the Japanese are the ancestors of the Aisin Gioro family" was actually true?!

This first impression was etched into his mind and he couldn't shake it off. Zhu Youjian already had a deep-seated prejudice against the Japanese, and now, looking at Ii Naotaka, he found him even more displeasing.

On the surface, Naotaka Ii appeared quite respectful. He was a rather sturdy man with a thick beard, yet he walked with extremely awkward little steps.

Fortunately, he did not completely disregard the etiquette teachings of the Court of State Ceremonial. He wisely maintained an appropriate distance from the emperor. Of course, this may also have been due to the physical intimidation brought by the half-drawn embroidered spring knife of the Han general.

Ii Naotaka bowed, prostrating himself on the ground like a toad on a lotus leaf. He touched the ground with his hands and his forehead lightly touched the back of his hands, but he refused to kowtow to the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. In his view, kowtowing was a samurai's exclusive etiquette to his lord, and no matter how noble the emperor of the Ming Dynasty was, he was not worthy of kowtowing to him.

"I, Naotaka, the hereditary lord of the Hikone Domain in Mikawa and the successor of the Edo Shogunate, respectfully pay homage to His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Dynasty on the orders of the Tokugawa Shogun of our country. May His Majesty enjoy long life and may the Great Ming Dynasty prosper."

Naotaka Ii, speaking what he considered to be perfectly standard Chinese, delivered the lines he had meticulously written, revised multiple times, and rehearsed hundreds of times in his mind.

Zhu Youjian had no idea that in just a few minutes, Ii Naotaka had thought of so much and had such a rich inner monologue. He just felt that Ii Naotaka was making too many small movements and seemed a little dishonest.

So he decided to give him a break. Zhu Youjian stared blankly at the door, while Ii Naotaka received no response for a long time. The pressure in his heart was getting bigger and bigger, and cold sweat gradually broke out on his back.

Compared to previous rulers in Japan, the Tokugawa Shogunate's governing style was more conservative. Their failed conquest of Korea inevitably made them somewhat apprehensive when facing the Ming Dynasty.
The attitude of Japanese samurai towards the Ming Dynasty shifted from expansionist ambitions to pragmatic reverence, while also harboring resentment at defeat. This complex emotion was deeply rooted in the heart of Naotaka Ii.

"Your Majesty, may I ask what orders you have given me in summoning me here today?!" Ii Naotaka finally couldn't hold back any longer. He didn't dare to get up, but simply raised his forehead a few inches away from his palm, his forehead furrowed, his eyes slanted upwards, trying to peek at the Ming Emperor, hoping to see something from Zhu Youjian's face.

Unfortunately, his posture only allowed him to see the position of Zhu Youjian's belt. Looking at the exquisite fabric, he couldn't help but feel a little envious. As if afraid that his thoughts would be discovered, he lowered his head as if he had been electrocuted.

"I heard that your Tokugawa family used to be retainers of Toyotomi Hideyoshi?!" Zhu Youjian finally asked.

However, these words sent a chill down Ii Naotaka's spine. He quickly replied, "The Tokugawa family has never sent troops to Korea. We were forced to cooperate only under the coercion of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. My Tokugawa family has never had the idea of ​​opposing the superior nation!"

Zhu Youjian ignored his answer and continued counting on his fingers: "Toyotomi Hideyoshi was a retainer of Oda Nobunaga, Tokugawa Ieyasu was a retainer of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and you are a retainer of the Tokugawa family."

"Tokugawa Hidetada is dying, and you've been appointed Tairo (chief advisor). So, are you planning to replace the Tokugawa family and become the next shogun? Should I ask the Ming Dynasty to lend you some troops?!"

Naotaka Ii's face turned pale, and he said repeatedly, "Your Majesty, I am loyal to my master and have never had any disloyal thoughts. I hope Your Majesty will not sow discord between us!"

"You Japanese people also have loyalty?!" Zhu Youjian asked in surprise.

Naotaka Ii's face turned pale and then red, and he could only protest in silence!
Zhu Youjian changed the subject, saying, "You've read 'The Popular Romance of the Three Kingdoms,' haven't you?!"

Ii Naotaka didn't understand what the emperor meant, only feeling that the emperor's thinking was a bit erratic, but he still immediately replied: "In Japan, the Records of the Three Kingdoms is a must-read for every samurai. I have been familiar with this book since childhood and can understand it thoroughly!"

"Very well, you Japanese are indeed related to the Jurchens, both of you love to use 'Romance of the Three Kingdoms' as a military guidebook," Zhu Youjian thought to himself.

Zhu Youjian had no grudge against the Japanese Emperor, but he was still happy to trick her. So Zhu Youjian casually made up a story: "Since you have read the Records of the Three Kingdoms, you should know what an 'edict in the belt' is, right? Alas, recently, the Japanese Emperor secretly sent an envoy to our Great Ming Dynasty, begging our Great Ming to send troops to help her expel the powerful minister and return power to her."

"This, this is impossible!" Naotaka Ii exclaimed in disbelief. They had always kept that girl under strict surveillance, requiring her permission even to see anyone. How could she possibly have the ability to ask for help from the Ming Dynasty, thousands of miles away?!

She also said that after the matter was accomplished, she would cede the Tsushima Domain to me as a thank you gift. The people of Tsushima Island number only ten thousand households, and the land is only a thousand acres. My Great Ming Dynasty is rich in the four seas. What use is this tiny place to me? However, her words were earnest, and I was very moved by her plight.

"Back then, our founding emperor listed Japan as a country not to be conquered, so it was inconvenient for our Great Ming to directly send troops to conquer it. Therefore, we discussed important matters with Your Excellency to support the Japanese royal family. But I wonder who this powerful minister who is deceiving his lord that your king is talking about?!" This kind of veiled tone is exactly what the Japanese like, and Zhu Youjian's words were practically a direct statement. In any case, Ii Naotaka understood that the Great Ming wanted Tsushima Island!

Just now, he thought that the Ming Dynasty was going to declare war on them and launch a punitive war. The Han people have a saying that "even a feud of ten generations can be avenged", so it is reasonable to retaliate against the offense of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. But he did not expect that the Ming Dynasty was only "asking for a small favor". "Then you should just say it. Is it necessary to scare me like this?" Ii Naotaka was almost crying!

However, on the other hand, Naotaka Ii really didn't dare to agree directly. Tsushima Island guards the Korea Strait and is the outpost and springboard for Japan's invasion of Korea. It is also their first line of defense for protecting their own country. During the Yuan Dynasty, they resisted the Mongol invasion on Tsushima Island and successfully resisted for half a day!
He wanted to stall for time, so he said that he couldn't make the decision himself, but he would definitely persuade his general to agree when he got back.

"Agree to what? Agree to your general relinquishing power to the Japanese king?!" Zhu Youjian continued to feign ignorance.

Naotaka Ii felt aggrieved, but he dared not refute. His eyes rolled around for a long time before he finally organized his words and said, "My shogun serves the emperor sincerely. The so-called 'powerful minister' is nothing but a malicious slander against my lord by petty people in the court."

"Upon returning, this foreign subject will surely expose the treacherous officials in the court, reveal their conspiracies, and beg for His Majesty's forgiveness. These are minor matters that need not be of concern to His Majesty the Ming Emperor. As for the Tsushima Domain promised by His Majesty, we will do our utmost to fulfill it."

"So that's how it is. What I hate most are those petty people who spread rumors and frame loyal ministers. If you hadn't reminded me, I would have really fallen for their tricks. What a sin I have!"

"Alright then, I've heard that you sailed here to pay homage, facing near-death experiences, likely due to your small boats, weak forces, and unfamiliarity with the waterways. I now possess a navy of 300,000 men and over 10,000 ships of various sizes; let them escort you back to your country!"

"Huh?!" Naotaka Ii's eyes widened in shock. "Absolutely not! Absolutely not! I am a lowly subject, how could I possibly deserve such courtesy from Your Majesty!"

"Ah, don't underestimate yourself. I see that you have an extraordinary bearing and are intelligent and insightful. You are destined to be a pillar of the nation. Tokugawa Iemitsu is just a child. You can replace him in the future!"

Naotaka Ii felt a chill run through his body. He finally felt the malice of the great Ming Dynasty. If the Ming Dynasty wanted to invade them directly, based on their understanding of the Ming Dynasty, which was currently beset by internal and external troubles, it might not have the strength to do so.
However, if the Ming Dynasty wanted to sow discord and support the opposition forces of the Tokugawa Shogunate within Japan, or even dismantle them from within, it would have a very high chance of success!

In Japan, there are many people who are dissatisfied with the Tokugawa family's rule. They say that the so-called "Emperor's secret edict" is obviously fake, but if the Ming Dynasty really sends troops, then the fake will become real, and the Emperor and the court officials will definitely cooperate fully!

As for him personally, Tokugawa Hidetada had been incredibly kind to him, and he had no intention of betraying him. However, he couldn't bring himself to lay bare his heart to his lord. If the Ming Dynasty insisted on sowing discord, his lord would surely become suspicious.

Even if we follow the principle of "better safe than sorry," we will still marginalize him. He's scared. It's best to obediently hand over Tsushima Island. He really can't afford to mess with the Ming Dynasty!

After some haggling with Zhu Youjian, Ii Naotaka reduced the "200,000 troops" to 2,000 and the warships to 50. He was also allowed to travel on his own merchant ship, with the Ming navy only serving as escorts. He could also visit Japan and inquire about the health of their Grand Prince Tokugawa Hidetada.

Zhu Youjian remembered that Tokugawa Hidetada would pass away next spring, leaving him with only one year to live. He must be in very poor health now, probably already bedridden.

After Tokugawa Iemitsu came to power, he began to implement a policy of national isolation. Japan's national isolation was not in the interests of the Ming Dynasty. It would be best for both sides to reach a deeper cooperation before it started, so as to avoid the implementation of Japan's national isolation policy in the future.
If all else fails, Zhu Youjian wouldn't mind using cannons to blast open their country's gates and teach them what fucking free trade is all about.

Although Zhu Youjian bullied Ii Naotaka, it wasn't just coercion; giving him a "carrot" was still appropriate.

Zhu Youjian signed a 300 million coin agreement with Ii Naotaka to purchase 3500 2-inch portable cannons from the Tokugawa Shogunate. These cannons were made of wrought iron, the same material as the Ming Dynasty's tiger-squatting cannons, and were similar in function, both being portable small cannons.

However, the Tiger Crouching Cannon was more powerful, and it required digging a pit and securing it with iron spikes. The Japanese version, on the other hand, was handheld, more mobile, and better suited for mountain warfare, ambushes, and sniping. It wasn't that the Ming Dynasty couldn't manufacture it itself, but purchasing it from the Japanese was more cost-effective.

These 300 million coins were not Chongzhen Tongbao, but Kan'ei Tsūhō from Japan. As for why the Ming Dynasty could mint Kan'ei Tsūhō, the Japanese minting technology was extremely poor. They were not capable of imitating the Ming Dynasty's currency. It would have been very easy for the Ming Dynasty to imitate their currency, and they could have even made it more exquisite and cheaper, thus achieving the goal of good money driving out bad money.

In the past, Yongle Tongbao was the main currency exported to Japan, but unfortunately it has been banned by Japanese law. Of course, it is still secretly used by the public. Yongle Tongbao was a hard currency throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia.

Naotaka Ii was well-educated, but his knowledge of economics was lagging far behind that of the entire East Asian country at the time, and he had not yet realized the hidden dangers brought about by this batch of copper coins.

He was smugly thinking: if he could facilitate this deal, his lord and the other daimyo would be very grateful to him, and he himself would be able to make a lot of money from it.

The entire shogunate doesn't even have 2,000 heavy cannons right now. Yes, 2 inches is enough for them to use for sieges, and 3500 cannons is a huge amount for them. No single entity could possibly handle it.

For the Ming Dynasty, 300 million coins was equivalent to 300,000 taels of silver, or about 200,000 taels if only the cost of casting was considered. The Tokugawa Shogunate stipulated that "1 tael of gold = 50 mon of silver = 4000 mon of coins," meaning that gold and silver were cheaper in Japan, and copper coins were relatively more valuable.

Within the Ming Dynasty, minting coins could be profitable, but not much; however, using them for export to Japan would yield considerable profits. Currently, they were only used as payment for goods, but it would be more convenient to exchange them for gold and silver in the future, making it difficult for the shogunate to stop them.

Of course, this was just an intention. Diplomacy during this period was too arduous. Unless the envoys were given sufficient authority, both sides had to run back and forth to negotiate. This back-and-forth would take several months. This was the constraint of the times. Productive forces determine the relations of production, which in turn affect social relations and national relations.

Zhu Youjian achieved his goal through a combination of persuasion and pressure, but this whole process left him exhausted. He still preferred a more direct approach and thought it best to leave matters like meeting envoys and discussing cooperation to professionals. As an emperor, it was better not to engage in reckless actions!

(End of this chapter)