His words elicited a chorus of echoes. Dahan's behavior really made them feel a little incomprehensible.

That's right, the shogunate's suspension of copper exports to the Dahan was not a temporary decision, but a joint decision made by this group of high-ranking officials in private.

They did this because of multiple considerations.

In the pre-Ming era, the shogunate was very eager to trade with the Ming Dynasty, and when Tokugawa Ieyasu was alive, he authorized his close retainer Honda Masasumi and Nagasaki Governor Hasegawa Hirochi to write to Chen Zizhen, the governor of Fujian at the time, to request trade.

Honda Masamu's words are very sincere, at the beginning, it was "the country and China, the question has been asked for a long time, the internal and external historical books, the history can be collected, and the audience knows ......" and then pushed the previous contradictions between the two countries to the head of the dead Toyotomi Hideyoshi, telling the Ming court that the current Tokugawa shogunate has absolutely no hostility, and only wants to trade with the Ming Dynasty, and finally "the disadvantages are located in the corner of the sea, and the so-called Yuer country is also." China means big characters and small characters, fortunately there are familiar pictures! As an ending, the gesture can be said to be placed in a very low place.

However, the Ming court, which had just fought with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, did not trust the sincerity of the Tokugawa shogunate, and still implemented a maritime ban policy against Japan, and official trade was always banned. The shogunate had no choice but to attract all kinds of smugglers from the sea to trade with Japan, and provided various preferential terms.

The shogunate was much more tolerant of Chinese merchants who looked like the Japanese, and the shogunate granted Chinese merchants the seal of the seal (a charter generally granted only to Japanese merchants), and also stipulated that the Ming merchants who traded in Nagasaki could enjoy greater autonomy - in order to ban Catholicism and eliminate Western influence, the shogunate stipulated that Portuguese and Spanish merchants were only allowed to operate in the port of Nagasaki, and Dutch and British merchants were only allowed to operate in the port of Hirado, but Chinese merchants were allowed to visit relatives and friends in other places as they pleased. It is also more free to choose the inn residence to complain and trade, and does not have to be handed over to the official unified purchase.

Stimulated by these preferential conditions, Japan's trade with the Ming Dynasty also developed quickly, and a group of maritime merchants engaged in maritime trade were also cultivated, and the Zheng Zhilong family developed and grew under such conditions, and was even able to settle in Nagasaki, marry and have children.

Since the fall of the Ming Dynasty and the replacement of the Han Dynasty, the new Central Plains Dynasty changed the previous Ming Dynasty's rejection of overseas trade, actively sought to expand maritime trade, and actively sought the Japanese shogunate to establish diplomatic exchanges and expand trade between the two countries. The shogunate, which had always wanted to expand trade with China, was unable to do so, and thanks to the efforts of both sides, the volume of trade between the two countries has steadily expanded over the past few years, and now it has reached a very impressive figure.

The expansion of trade allowed the shogunate to extract more tax revenues from it, and officials up and down to receive more benefits from Nagasaki outside of the formal realm, which seemed to be a happy thing, but after a few years, it caused great trouble for the shogunate.

The reason is that the trade between the two countries is simply too unequal. The shogunate's appetite for trade with China was great, and the handicraft industry in Japan at this time was completely less developed than that of the mainland, so that many necessities of life and production had to be imported from China. From candy, Tsing Yi, hemp, raw silk, silk, and medicinal herbs, they all rely heavily on imports.

Since Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, the Japanese mainland has not suffered from large-scale continuous wars, and the Battle of Sekigahara and the two conquests of Osaka by the shogunate were all quickly understood, and did not cause a nationwide disaster. At the same time, daimyo everywhere, including the shogunate, actively opened up their gold and silver mines and other metal deposits, and as a result, Japan has become the world's largest silver-producing country.

When the world was stable and there was money on hand, Japan began to pursue luxury, and even the low-level peasants began to use silk fabrics, which were originally luxury goods. According to the records of the Spaniards, "tens of millions of solid or embroidered velvets, solid amber weaves, satins, tulles, and other fabrics of all kinds from China were sold out every year, and men and women wore all kinds of colored clothes, whether maidens or unmarried, even old women".

Originally, Japan produced silk fabrics, such as Kyoto, there are many workshops, but the Japanese have always favored high-quality and cheap silk from China, and even workshops around the country also import high-quality raw silk from China to expand their own production, and they have to import 35,000 quintals of raw silk from China in a year.

After the Han Dynasty took the initiative to trade with Japan, the import volume of various mainland products surged more and more, although it met the strong domestic demand for Chinese goods, but also brought a huge trade deficit to Japan.

There are not many goods that Japan can export to China now, only a few handicrafts, and the rest can only be filled with copper, gold and silver. The result of such a trade was, of course, the consequence of a large loss of precious metals, which was initially not large and could be tolerated by the shogunate, but after several years of trade expansion, the outflow of precious metals has reached a point where the shogunate cannot bear it.

In order to alleviate this trade crisis, the shogunate has discussed it many times, and it can be said that it is very painful.

The reason for this was that they did not want to completely end trade with China, because Japan needed Chinese goods, and the shogunate needed the revenue from trade. However, it is even more difficult to completely allow the outflow of gold and silver, and it is necessary to find ways to limit the excessive outflow of gold and silver and maintain the stability of the Japanese economy and the rule of the shogunate.

After several meetings and many discussions, a consensus was gradually formed among these old and Chinese people: it is necessary to restrict trade and exports to China in a certain way, and at the same time, it is necessary to try to control the intensity so as not to anger China, so that the Han and the Ming Dynasty once again choose to impose a trade blockade on Japan.

After careful planning, the shogunate finally suspended copper exports to China at the beginning of this year, citing the needs of the Dutch.

The Dutch did need a large amount of copper, and asked the shogunate to increase imports, but this requirement could be met by Japan in other ways, and it was not necessary to stop exporting copper to the Great Han Dynasty.

However, the shogunate did it anyway, firstly, it was a test to see how much importance the Han attached to trade with Japan, and in the shogunate's view, copper was much less important to the Han than gold and silver, so that it would not completely anger the Han, but it could also be seen from the attitude of the Han.

Second, through the ban on copper exports, it can also demonstrate Japan's determination and strength to trade control to the Han Dynasty, and lay a good foundation for further tightening of trade in the future.

They had already judged from the beginning that the Han would come to the shogunate's representative in Japan to inquire about the matter after receiving the news, so they decided not to tell the representative in China, Yagyu Motosai, about everything, but only asked him to explain to the Chinese court the troubles of the shogunate in the official letter sent to him, asking him to maintain the trade relations between the two countries as much as possible, and at the same time asking him to maintain domestic contacts and write a detailed document every few days describing the specific details of his negotiations with the Han court.

Yanagi Yuanzhai didn't know what was going on, and after receiving such a reluctant order, he was naturally quite annoyed with the bosses who acted arbitrarily, but he had no choice but to follow the orders of the country, and he had been staying in the capital of the Han Dynasty for a while, trying his best to negotiate with the Han court, and according to the instructions of the country, he had been writing a report on the negotiation matters and replying to the country, which was brought back by merchant ships.

However, the report he sent back made this group of old and central rulers fall into confusion.

The attitude of the big man was too strange, as if he was very anxious and angry, but he did not show a particularly anxious appearance, while reprimanding and intimidating Yanagi Motosai with harsh words, and putting forward all kinds of difficult conditions, but he has not taken formal action, let alone interrupted the negotiation and ordered him to explain the situation to the country immediately.

It would seem too bold to continue to push for trade restrictions because the Han had not made any concrete moves, but it would be too timid to stop the ban on copper exports now, and the change would be damaging to the shogunate's reputation.

At present, the old and Chinese ministers in power can only look at each other, and no one can come up with an accurate countermeasure. Because there is no perfect solution to this situation, no matter what kind of advice is made, it may backfire and end up being the focus of others' attacks, so it is better to simply keep silent.

After the atmosphere reached an impasse, everyone invariably set their eyes on the most senior old man Naotaka Ii in accordance with the usual practice. His status and prestige are the highest, and even if he makes a decision that is not in line with the will of some people, no one will openly stand up against it.

Feeling everyone's gaze, Naotaka Ii remained silent, with a calm face and didn't know what he was thinking.

"Is Yanagi still negotiating with Chinese courtiers in the capital of the Han Dynasty? Can you let him go and ask for a higher courtier? Judging from the report he sent back, the Chinese court has only sent a few ministers to negotiate with him, and it does not seem to be very urgent. ”

“…… Okay, I should have explained it to him, and it would be better to tell them a little bit of the inside story. Sakai hesitated slightly, then immediately nodded in response. If he could, it would be better for him to ask him to meet the cabinet minister in charge of business himself, and if he could meet the minister himself, many things would be much easier. ”

The two of them were ostensibly saying that they should let Yanagi go to see higher-level officials, but in fact they were already expressing their own positions, Ii Naotaka said that the Han was not in a hurry, and the subtext was to support further restricting the scale of trade and stopping the outflow of precious metals, while Sakai Tadashi vaguely said that it was better to talk about it again and test the meaning of the Han court.

These people were all the highest officials of the shogunate, but they all had their own backgrounds, and they were in harmony with each other on the surface, but in fact there were many internal struggles, and in order to avoid one person taking responsibility, these people were very much admired for "belly gong", and no one would speak directly, but used subtle hints to express their opinions.

"Indeed, it is more appropriate to negotiate further." Seeing that some people expressed their positions and took different positions, Naito Tadashige, who was in charge of trade between the two countries, also dared to express his opinion, "The Han Dynasty is now prosperous and powerful, and if it accidentally angers the Han court, it will not be a good thing for our country." ”

The two old and middle schools expressed their stance together, and the situation suddenly tended to ease the means. The other elders didn't speak, as if they were still pondering.

Naotaka was a little impatient, but he didn't want to force them to do what he wanted, as an elder, it wouldn't be too difficult for him to force them to act at his own pace, but he didn't want to appear arbitrary. Besides, since Dahan's attitude is not in a hurry, there is nothing wrong with taking a slow time and waiting.

"Okay, let's let Liu Sheng find a way to negotiate with the courtiers of the Han Dynasty a few more times and negotiate a specific solution." Naotaka Ii said coldly, "However, we should also set a deadline for Yanagi's side, completely restricting copper exports is not a long-term solution, and extending the ban will be even more detrimental to the trade between the two countries." ”

The other elders also nodded their heads in agreement.

The complete ban on the export of copper to the Han Dynasty, if it lasts too long, will definitely anger the Han court, and it will also be very harmful to Japan's own trade interests, since the attitude of the Han is not particularly fierce now, then simply set a deadline for Yanagi's side, if this period is exceeded, while canceling the ban on copper exports to the Han Dynasty and resuming copper exports, while secretly restricting the scale of trade between the two countries and slowing down the outflow of gold and silver.

"I agree with the elder, this matter cannot be delayed forever, it is not good for both countries." Another senior member of the Sakai family, Tadashi Sakai, immediately expressed his opinion, "Now that spring is already in the spring, we are using the excuse of supplying copper ore to the Dutch, we can't use it forever, or we will just lift the ban before the summer, right?" ”

"Let go in the summer?" Naito was a little surprised.

He has the lowest status and foundation among the old and middle schools here, so he has always been reluctant to take the initiative to speak, preferring to listen to the people in front of him discuss a result, but now he still can't help it. "Now that the summer is only a month or two away, it is impossible for Liu Sheng's side to negotiate a satisfactory result with the Han court anyway...... Besides, it is difficult to formulate a perfect strategy in two months. ”

"There is no one-size-fits-all strategy, so choose the best strategy to use." Naotaka Jing replied unhurriedly, "If there is no particularly serious feedback from Yanagi's side, then we will lift the ban on copper exports in two months, and then issue a trade control order to stipulate the maximum amount of gold and silver outflow for one year, and then negotiate with Dahan to stipulate a one-year material import limit......"

Then, as if thinking of something, he raised his head and swept them over the faces of the old middlemen, "At that time, the pressure on our country will definitely be heavier than it is now, and the court of the Han Dynasty may be angry...... This matter is too serious to be left to Yanagi alone. ”

Yanagi Motosai was directly under the jurisdiction of Lao Zhong in the shogunate, and his official position was already very high, if he couldn't negotiate with the Han, then the meaning of the old man was that he wanted an old man to go to the Han to negotiate in person.

This was not a good errand, the Han valued business, and trade with Japan was extremely important to them, so one can imagine the pressure that the delegate sent to negotiate would have to face.

However, no matter how uncomfortable it was, these people knew that what the elder said was indeed true, so although their faces became more and more gloomy, no one spoke out against it.

However, their eyes soon focused on Naito Tadashige.

Naito Tadashi took a lot of effort not to let the dissatisfaction in his heart show, he knew in his heart that his status was the lowest, and there was really no room for resistance, since this annoying errand was handed over to him, he couldn't hide from it. But this tacit understanding that everyone tacitly chose themselves directly made people a little annoyed, and they clearly regarded themselves as the easiest people to support.

"Negotiating with the Han is indeed very important, and I can't give it to Liu Sheng alone, since I am the person in charge of dealing with the Han, then it is logical for me to go when the time comes." After suppressing the anger in his heart, he said in a cold tone, "However, I still feel that two months is too rushed. If nothing else, what is the annual trading volume of gold and silver? The stakes are high and should be recognized in advance. ”

"Since you are responsible for the trade of the Han Dynasty, you should discuss these matters with your subordinates first, and then give a specific trade rules, and then hand them over to everyone to discuss." Naotaka Ii immediately replied, "However, I have thought about this question before, and I think it is best to use the outflow of normal trade between the two countries......

The words in front are just polite, and the back is the real will, Naito Tadashige naturally understands, but this goal is too oppressive, so even if he is afraid of the elder, he can't help but protest. It's unreasonable to put all the task on yourself in a few words.

"I'm afraid it's hard for Dahan to agree to this condition...... Now that the trade volume between the two countries has been several times that of the initial trade, if the outflow is reduced several times at once, I am afraid that it will cause a great shock in the court of the Han Dynasty, so it is better to be lenient. ”

"Gold and silver are the property of the ground, not rice, and after digging it out, it will not be able to grow any longer, and now we will not use it, and when it comes to future generations, what should they use to establish themselves?" Because he has always been a supporter of trade restrictions, Sakai Tadashi's attitude is also very blunt, "Please think more about Japan." ”

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There was a problem with the author's area last night, and I couldn't open it alive or dead, so it was a toss-up