Satisfied with the effect he had caused, the Shimai clan continued to explain the motives of the Sakai merchants with a respectful face.

To put it simply, it was because the Murakami Navy controlled the Seto Inland Sea to the detriment of the merchants of Sakai City.

The Seto Inland Sea, located in the middle of Japan's three islands, is the inland sea of the whole of Japan, and has been a thriving area for trade in ancient Japan. Sakai City is the commercial center of this sea, and it has accumulated a great deal of wealth on the Seto Inland Sea.

But in such a place where ships come and go frequently and wealth is concentrated, in the troubled times of the Warring States, a large number of pirates will naturally be generated. In addition, the Seto Inland Sea is densely populated with islands, and it seems that the turmoil is calm, but in fact the shipping route is very complicated, which creates excellent conditions for the pirates to control the shipping route and become bigger and stronger.

Of course, Sakai City has a lot of money, so it is natural to take the form of recruitment and bribery, and build a powerful naval army to protect its own waterways. However, in Japan, the status of merchants was low, and even if they had money, they could not recruit good generals and samurai to work for them. Therefore, it is no problem to deal with ordinary pirates, but it is not enough to fight against those daimyo who go to the sea.

For example, Murakami's water army.

Because the Murakami Navy occupies three key strongholds in the Seto Inland Sea - Nojima, Innoshima and Kurijima, it is also called the Mishima Navy, which is different from the Mishima Wako who robbed the daimyos, and its strength is completely different.

Although the Mishima Navy has been separated for 150 years, they have always been closely connected, both developing and supporting each other. Eventually, he gradually became the overlord of the Nishiseto Sea. They set up checkpoints on the islands and levied 'sail money' from passing ships, that is, one-tenth of the price of the goods loaded by the ships, but when they were short of money, they would also find an excuse to confiscate all the goods they carried.

Therefore, it is completely understandable that the merchants of Sakai City hated the Murakami naval army, and it was very reasonable that they were willing to pay two million taels to hire the Ming fleet to destroy them.

And at such a high price, it is natural that there is also the idea of forming a good Ming Dynasty fleet and occupying a favorable position in the tomorrow's trade, which will explode in the future-Sakai City's business network covers the three islands of Japan, even if they are only domestic importers in Japan, they will soon be able to earn back these two million taels.

Wang Rulong and Ma Yinglong both believed it. But Zhao Hao sneered.

"Gong, why is Childe laughing?" The Shimai clan was laughed at by Zhao Gongzi.

"Hahaha, I think you're beautiful, not only do you look beautiful, but you also think beautifully." Zhao Gongzi laughed twice, leaned over and looked at the Shimai clan who was kneeling on the ground and said, "This son is willing to make friends with people who are generous." Two million taels, it's no problem to help you take out the Mishima Water Army! ”

As he spoke, he gave four thumbs up and said, "That's it, you add another two million taels, and I'll help you finish off the real pot water army again!" ”

The Manabe Navy is another tyrant of the Seto Inland Sea, and the Murakami Navy is divided into two ends of the sea area, and they are also the henchmen of Sakai City.

"This ......" The Shimai clan showed a look of embarrassment, and hesitated for a moment: "Thank you for the kindness of the childe, this matter of the villain went back to Sakai City, and discussed this matter with the people." Only this time, it's definitely too late......"

"Hehehe, okay." Zhao Hao nodded with a smile and agreed happily.

The Shimai clan, who had a false alarm, hurriedly made an appointment on the spot. After the two sides signed and drew the pledge, Zhao Gongzi dusted off the letter of agreement written in black and white, and suddenly smiled faintly and said: "Actually, Mr. Shimai doesn't have to hide it, you were sent by Oda Nobunaga, so what does it have to do with me?" As long as the money is sufficient, whose business is not done? ”

Zhao Hao's tone was very gentle, just like pulling a family routine, but when the Shimai clan heard this, it was like being struck by lightning, he never expected that Zhao Hao knew about the situation in Japan like a pattern in the palm of his hand. Even the merchants of Sakai City who had recently surrendered to the Oda family knew about it.

He understands that no matter how much he hides it, he can only completely isolate himself from the other party. He leaned over on his knees and immediately cried bitterly: "The villain really doesn't dare to deceive Childe, I was sent to Kyushu by Nobunaga, but contact with Childe is not what Nobunaga meant, but my Sakai City businessman's self-help." ”

Wang Rulong and Ma Yinglong were completely confused, and said in their hearts that the relationship between the heads of counties and townships in Japan was too complicated, and they didn't know what happened to the son.

Without it, play more 'Nobunaga' and 'Taiko', and you'll know everything.

Zhao Hao still maintained an unfathomable expression on his face, and quietly listened to the explanation of the Shimai clan.

In fact, it is also very simple, Sakai City is in Osaka, and it is also close to Kyoto, so it has always had a close relationship with the shogun. Later, the three of Miyoshi killed the sword hero general Ashikaga Yoshiteru, and Sakai had to rely on the Miyoshi family. Unexpectedly, Oda Nobunaga repelled the Miyoshi and three people, successfully went to Luo, and forced Sakai City to provide military funds and obey the Oda family.

The Shimai clan is a big businessman who is active in Sakai City and Hakata, why would he support the relatively weak Otomo Sorin, in this offensive and defensive battle between the Maori family and the Otomo family? In fact, it was because Oda Nobunaga wanted to contain the overlord of the Western Kingdom, Mori Motosa, so he ordered the merchants of Sakai City to support the Otomo family.

But Nobunaga's position was also not secure, especially since he issued a series of decrees this year to limit the power of the shogun, and he was at odds with the shogun Ashikaga Yoshiaki. Moreover, the Miyoshi Sanren, Ishiyama Honganji, the Takeda family, the Mori family, and other powerful forces were also hostile to the Oda family. This made the merchants of Sakai very worried, and the Oda family would be drawn into the war, thus destroying everything they had worked so hard.

It was with this mentality that the Shimai clan could not only curry favor with Oda Nobunaga, but also pull an Austrian aid for Sakai, and hurried to Usuki Castle to contact the Ming Dynasty fleet.

His wishful thinking was that as long as he could establish a relationship with the Ming Dynasty and become their most important distributor in Japan, the Ming Dynasty would not sit idly by and watch Sakai get involved in the war, so as not to affect normal trade. With the powerful Ming Dynasty fleet as the backing, no matter whether Nobunaga won or lost, no matter who was in charge of Kyoto, Sakai City could continue to be neutral.

Take 10,000 steps back and say that even if you can't reach an alliance with the Ming Dynasty, you can sweep away the Murakami Navy and make the Seto Inland Sea completely peaceful. Because the other tyrant of this sea area, the Manabe Water Army, has also returned to the Oda family after Nobunaga Kamiraku.

Therefore, when Zhao Hao said that he would add some more money and help him destroy the real pot family, the Shimai clan would shirk it, because they were now considered a family.

It was from this that Zhao Hao tried it and knew Shimai's position.

That's why you can't, play a game with someone who has opened the whole map, you can't hide it from him!

In the end, Zhao Gongzi clearly told Shimai that it was no problem to get his own protection, and the key was to show sincerity. For example, Otomo Sorin's exclusive right to Kyushu's foreign trade and military spending of one million taels a year was given. So what price is Sakai willing to pay?

This is obviously not a question that Shimai can answer, he has to go back to the Sakai meeting and report to the people, and then democratically decide on a charter.

Of course, the agreement of two million taels to eliminate the Mishima Navy is still still counted.

At this time, Zhao Gongzi served tea to the guests, and Shimai hurriedly saluted in awe. Otomo Zonglin also said goodbye together, but he heard Zhao Gongzi say quietly: "Since someone is willing to make a big head, this time I will cheapen you, and I will discount 500,000 taels in half, and I won't cry poor anymore, right?" ”

"Hey, it won't." 500,000 taels of arrow, but also for the life of Otomo Zonglin, obviously the pain is about to die, and he has to be grateful.

After that, how can you please a wife?

~~

After sending away a group of Japanese, Zhao Hao, accompanied by Wang Rulong and Ma Yinglong, prepared to go to the large conference room to attend the last combat meeting.

When I came out of the cabin, I saw two missionaries probing their brains there.

"Childe, Zhao Gongzi, can we talk?" As soon as he saw him, Father Coelho said in a loud voice.

"Childe wants to attend the meeting, you might as well another day." Secretary Ma is on a business-like road.

"Zhao Gongzi, let's say a few words!" But Coelho didn't give up.

"Let him come." Zhao Hao stood still, asked the guards to let the two of them step forward and said, "Give you ten minutes." ”

"Childe, then I'll make a long story short." Coelho gritted his teeth and said, "After discussing with Father Louis, I feel that in principle, we can suggest that the Macao side accept the terms of future trade with the Ryukyus. As he spoke, he glanced at Zhao Hao and said with anticipation: "If Gongzi can become the protector of the Chezhitan Church in the East, we can persuade the Portuguese Empire to stop at the Ryukyus and not go north." ”

"Does that mean to baptize me?" Zhao Hao looked at the priest who wanted to be a peach and asked, "Then I'm sorry, my faith makes me unable to convert." I believe that the priest would not be willing to accept a person who is so hasty with his beliefs to join the Chechitan religion, right? ”

Father Coelho said in his heart, "No, I do." As long as you can help us preach, it doesn't matter if you believe in God or Allah.

"Protectors don't have to be baptized, for example, His Excellency Otomo Sorin, who is the patron of our church in Kyushu, still retains his faith." Father Coelho had no choice but to retreat: "Of course, it would be better if Childe was willing to follow God, so that we could even help Childe's fleet open trade routes with Europe and the Americas." ”

"That's right." Zhao Gongzi showed an eager expression, as if the conditions offered by the priest made him very excited.

After a moment of pretended contemplation, he solemnly extended his hand to Father Coelho and said, "Yes, I am willing to be this patron. ”

"Thank God!" This made the two priests very happy, and Coelho immediately held Zhao Gongzi's hand tightly, shook it vigorously a few times, and kissed the back of his hand. "Don't worry, Childe, as soon as I get off the boat, I will write to the Governor Domingo of Macau to ensure that the matter will not be stabbed to Malacca, so that the two sides can be friendly as a family!"

"That's great, I'm looking forward to it." Zhao Hao held back his disgust and smiled: "Priest, please rest assured, we will treat Colonel Pinto and his party well and let them get the best treatment." ”

"Praise the Lord and believe in Childe." Father Coelho took his men and bowed happily.