Hearing Chen Daolong's explanation, Fan Liang understood the reason, if what Chen Daolong said was true, wouldn't it mean that their idea of using refined salt to open up the Japanese market and make a lot of money was empty talk?

Thinking of this, Fan Liang couldn't help but be annoyed: "I didn't expect that there was such a factor here?" Alas, after all, Japan's national conditions are very different from those of the Ming Dynasty, and it is common for them to have some differences, but it is a pity that the general soldier has a lot of thoughts. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ”

Chen Daolong smiled and comforted: "General Fan doesn't have to be discouraged, the path of the lower level can't be followed, isn't there still the upper level?" Although Japan is a small land, the nobility is no less than that of the Ming Dynasty. These islanders naturally worship the strong, and we have not learned the modesty and prudence of the Ming Dynasty, but we have learned a lot of extravagance and luxury. Yesterday I had already told the Nagasaki Governor about General Fan's intentions, and judging from the current situation, it will only take three or five days for the Olympians to reply. As long as you go through the road of Daao, are you still afraid that these ships of goods will not be sold? ”

"Alas, that's the only way," Fan Liang sighed

This trade fair may be a mixed blessing for Fan Liang, but it is a rare feast for ordinary Jiaozhou businessmen. In this trade fair, the merchants of all sizes in Jiaozhou have basically sold out the goods they brought and made a lot of money. Along with the sale of goods, these discerning merchants bought large quantities of local Japanese goods such as copper, iron, amber, crystal, sulfur, mercury, white beads, green jade, and some local products. In addition to the first time, many products such as seafood (such as sea cucumbers, shark fins, abalone, etc.) and crafts (gold-painted lacquerware, gold leaf screens, fans, Japanese Japanese swords) are also popular among Jiaozhou merchants.

However, in need, Fan Liang did not buy a large number of commercial finished products like ordinary businessmen, but purchased some copper ore, sulfur, saltpeter and other strategic materials that were in short supply in Shandong. In addition to the first time, Fan Liang also contacted the Dutch Merchant House through Chen Daolong's relationship, and purchased a small amount of some Western armed merchant ships, ready to be transported back to Jiaozhou for reference for the shipyard.

On the third day after the end of the fair, through Chen Daolong's covert influence, Fan Liang waited for news from the Edo side as he wished. After learning of Fan Liang and the others' request, Tokugawa Iemitsu finally spat out and allowed Fan Liang and the others to go to Edo and his party.

Early the next morning, Fan Liang set off for Edo Castle with a large number of entourage. For this trip to Edo, Fan Liang made full preparations, not only brought a large number of gifts, but also brought Liu Fan to his personal guard of honor.

The distance between Nagasaki and Edo (Tokyo) is not too close. One was on Kyushu Island and the other was on Honshu Island, and it was horseback riding and boat riding on the way, and it took nearly three days for Fan Liang and his party to set foot on the land of Edo. The group first rested in the post house for a day, burned incense and bathed, and washed away the dust before being summoned by Tokugawa Iemitsu.

As the centerpiece of the shogunate's proclamation, Edo Castle was no less luxurious than Kyoto, where the Japanese emperor was located. Edo Castle is mainly composed of Honmaru (including Honmaru Goden and Castle Tower), Ninomaru, Sannomaru, and Nishimaru, and Honmaru Goden is divided into Omojo, Chuoku, and Ooku (including Goten, Nagaki, and Hiroshiki).

The Honmaru Imperial Palace, which includes the shogun's residence, the Shin-Goden, and the side room, as well as the various places established to serve the shogun, the Imperial Observatory, and the side room, as well as the "Gofuku-ma" (sewing clothing), the "Imperial Dining House", the "Shipa-ma-ma", the "Go-Buddha Mama", and the "Chidori-ma" and many other institutions are not inferior to the Emperor's Imperial Palace.

The place where Tokugawa Iemitsu summoned Fan Liang and the others was in the palace, and the group, under the guidance of the chamberlain, entered from the entrance of the Oku of the Imperial Bell Corridor, and passed through the Imperial Buddha Pavilion to the front of the palace.

"On the orders of the general, the envoy of Xuanming Kingdom will meet you!" The corners of Fan Liang's mouth twitched when he heard this, and he secretly slandered himself in his heart, I don't know how strong this Tokugawa Iemitsu is, but this frame is really big! Actually made it like an emperor.

Although he was very dissatisfied in his heart, Fan Liang was now asking for help, so he could only honestly follow the inner servant and slowly enter the main hall. Quietly looking at the Japanese-style hall in front of him, Fan Liang's eyes fell on the young man with the moon head in the center of the hall. This is Tokugawa Iemitsu?

Before Fan Liang's idea could be confirmed, the chamberlain who was kneeling beside the man suddenly opened his mouth and scolded, "Bold, why don't you kneel and salute when you see the general!" ”

Fan Liang's eyes froze, he forcibly suppressed the anger churning in his heart, and arched his hand, "I've seen General Tokugawa!" Then he calmly looked at the chamberlain and said, "I am a minister of the Ming Dynasty, and I only worship the king of the Ming Dynasty in this life." Although the Tokugawa shogun is a nobleman, it is not a reason for me to bow down. Besides, this time I waited to represent the Ming Dynasty, if I kneel, where does the majesty of the Ming Dynasty exist? Huanghuang Daming, the kingdom of the Heavenly Empire, how can you be humiliated when you wait for a small night? ”

The waiter's face turned red when he heard this, and he glared at Fan Liang angrily, but he didn't dare to continue talking. The majesty of Da Ming is not something that one of his little chamberlains can ignore. Tokugawa Iemitsu didn't speak, and the chamberlain was even more unconfident.

"The messenger doesn't have to be polite!" A plain and magnetic voice sounded, Fan Liangwen looked out, and saw the young man kneeling there speak.

"Daming and I have always applauded Japan, so some false courtesies will be waived!" Tokugawa Iemitsu said, "I wonder why the envoy came to Edo this time?" ”

Tokugawa Iemitsu beat him with two words, which not only eliminated the tense atmosphere just now, but also gradually calmed down the anger in Fan Liang's heart. Hearing the inquiry, Fan Liang bowed down and replied, "On the orders of the chief soldier of my family, I have come to visit General Tokugawa." Come on, bring the gifts! ”

As soon as Fan Liang's words fell, Zhao Yan behind him immediately waved his hand, and the soldiers immediately carried up a few large boxes. The box was opened, and it was full of gold, silver, jewelry, silk and satin. Suddenly, the dazzling light of the jewels reflected in the entire hall, and the eyes of almost everyone in the hall were attracted by the light.

"Two hundred large silver ingots cast by the official, 10,000 taels."

"Tea leaves for a hundred stones."

"Hardcover bird guns and sub-medicines, three hundred."

"Fifty stone of fine raw silk."

"A hundred tribute satins."

"Green Salt 500 Stones"

"Twenty boxes of porcelain from Dehua official kiln ......"

Zhao Yan read it endlessly, and it took a while to finish reading the entire list, and then handed the gift list to the attendant beside him.

"This is a small gift from the general of my family, and the general soldier of my family heard that the third generation of the Tokugawa family is brave and resolute, and the heroic and talented Da Luo specially sent a humble post to Edo Castle to pay a visit to the shogun!" After reading the gift list, Fan Liang said (to be continued.) )