"What the general is worried about is nothing more than the spread of Western Catholicism in Japan to confuse the people, which has led to the instability of the notice. Pen ~ fun ~ pavilion www.biquge.info but you should also understand that our Ming Dynasty is different from those Western colonizers. Since the Han and Tang dynasties, the relationship between Japan and the Central Plains Dynasty has always been very close. Japan's writing, culture, and lifestyle were greatly influenced by the Tang Dynasty, and it is not an exaggeration to say that they are all in the same line. If this is the case, then the trade between the Ming Dynasty and Japan will not cause cultural and customary and ideological conflicts. And once the two sides are traded, not only can they bring a lot of wealth to Japan, but they can also use the influence of the Ming Dynasty to consolidate your dominance. Let the Tokugawa family be more justified in Japan, which is also beneficial to the Tokugawa shogun! ”

Tokugawa Iemitsu involuntarily nodded in agreement, "The envoy is right, the Ming Dynasty and Japan are separated by a strip of water, and they are friendly and good-neighborly countries. The strength of the Ming Dynasty is also admired by the Japanese people. It was for this reason that Shogun never banned trade between Japan and the Ming Dynasty, as evidenced by the Karato Town in Nagasaki. However, this is not a reason for Japan and the Ming Dynasty to fully trade. The Lockdown Decree is a basic national policy formulated by the Tokugawa Shogunate, and it is related to the efforts of three generations of the Tokugawa family. If the Emissary skill stops there, then please go back! ”

"Slow!" Fan Liang shouted loudly, and gasped hurriedly, "The general's lockdown order is aimed at Western colonists and those missionaries, not me, Daming. The general will not deny this! That is the case, why did the general refuse to be thousands of miles away? The world is changing rapidly, and even with our billions of people and millions of people, we dare not say that we can be invincible. What's more, in the land of Japan's three islands, there are less than 10 million people? From Europe to Africa, from the Americas to the South Seas. Except for the Ming Dynasty and Japan, as well as the Ming vassal states such as Annam, almost all parts of the world were prostrate under the brutal rule of Western colonizers. They destroy the country and exterminate the nation at every turn, so isn't Japan afraid of the same fate? Or with the wisdom and courage of the Tokugawa shogun, can you guarantee that your children and grandchildren will be as strong and wise as you? Aren't you worried about what will happen to Japan if the monarch is weakened? ”

"Uh" Tokugawa Iemitsu's face was suffocated when he heard this, and Fan Liang's words could be said to have hit his weakness. If I didn't know if I was too worried, Japan would not have issued a lockdown decree to expel all those Western businessmen. As Fan Liang said, Tokugawa Iemitsu did not dare to guarantee that his descendants would be able to save Japan from being harassed in such a dangerous situation. After a struggle in his heart, Tokugawa Ieyasu still shook his head and sighed, "Maybe what you said is very right, but the national policy is not so easy to change, the envoy doesn't need to say much, please go back!" ”

Although he refused again, Tokugawa Iemitsu's attitude was obviously not as tough as just now. Fan Liang also felt this very clearly, so he hurriedly continued: "The general only saw the benefits of the lockdown order, but did not see the disadvantages of it?" Now that Japan has just ended a hundred years of war, the people's livelihood is withering, and the people are displaced, I am afraid that the life of the Tokugawa shogun is not very easy, right? Moreover, once the absolute external access is completely cut off, how can Japan's small territory and scarce and barren arable land alone ensure that it can feed millions of people? Since the general insisted on refusing to fully trade with our Shandong, the junior general did not insist on it. The young general will return to the Ming Dynasty, and the general will change the object of cooperation to the Nanyang countries. I believe that they will not let go of the massive wealth and friendship of the Ming Dynasty, and refuse us to cooperate with us! ”

After Fan Liang finished speaking, he was about to take people away. Seeing this, Tokugawa Iemitsu couldn't help but feel a little anxious, and just when Fan Liang and the others were about to walk to the door of the main hall, Tokugawa Iemitsu finally made up his mind and said, "The messenger stays!" Full trade is not in line with the national policy of the Tokugawa family, and it cannot be changed. But it's not that there's nothing to talk about, why don't you and I take a step back? ”

"How to retreat?" A smile appeared on the corner of Fan Liang's mouth, and he turned around unhurriedly

Gritting his teeth, Tokugawa Iemitsu said with a tangled face, "I can allow you to do business in Nagasaki, but the scope is limited to Nagasaki and its surrounding areas, and it cannot be crossed. As compensation, how about the Tokugawa family make concessions and give you tax exemptions on a small amount of goods, as well as opening up all Japanese goods without interfering with your normal trade? ”

"Hmm!" Fan Liang pondered for a moment, and then asked, "Then what do we need to pay?" ”

Tokugawa Iemitsu replied without hesitation, "Not much, you just need to guarantee that when Japan is invaded by foreign enemies, we will send troops to help immediately!" ”

"This..."Fan Liang hesitated for a moment, shook his head and said, "I can't agree to this condition." You and I are just a partnership, not a subordinate relationship. We are not obliged to shed blood and fight for Japan! Fan Liang's meaning is very clear, the conditions given by Tokugawa Iemitsu are too low, and it is not worth their effort.

It seemed that he knew that his request was a bit excessive, and seeing Fan Liang's refusal, Tokugawa Iemitsu hurriedly changed his words and said, "It's okay not to send troops, but you must provide their help." Such as material resources, financial resources or positive support! ”

"We can agree to this condition, but the premise must be that the Tokugawa shogun signs a written treaty with us to clearly establish stable trade relations between Japan and Shandong!" Fan Liang thought about it for a moment and replied

"Yes!" Without even thinking about it, the Tokugawa family immediately agreed, saying that there was actually nothing to lose for him in this condition. In exchange for such a big reinforcement with a piece of paper, no matter how you look at it, it is all earned!

Tokugawa Iemitsu's intentions Fan Liang can guess somewhat, but the exchange of these non-binding terms for unhindered trade in Japanese is also a thing worth celebrating for Jiaozhou. Let's not talk about whether Japan, which is closed off from the outside world, will not be invaded by Westerners, even if such a thing really happens, all Jiaozhou has to do is stand aside and wave the flag and shout, and there is no loss for Jiaozhou.

In order to enhance the relationship between the two parties, Fan Liang also agreed to sell a batch of the most advanced arquebuses of the Ming Dynasty at a price of 20% below the market price. As a return gift, Tokugawa Iemitsu also warmly invited Fan Liang and others to be guests in Edo Castle. And convened the middle-aged and elders, and the retainers to a grand feast to entertain these distinguished guests from the Ming Dynasty.

After staying in Edo Castle for four or five days, Fan Liang and his party took their leave and began to return to Nagasaki. Although the results of this trip to Edo made Fan Liang a little dissatisfied, at least the basic tasks assigned to him by Liu Fan were completed, and Fan Liang was worth the trip! (To be continued.) )