Cao Song had a gloomy face, stared at Kong Xilu and said: "I am ordered to investigate and deal with the case of the puppet emperor Jianwen's rebellion, and now Jinyiwei suspects that you have a close relationship with this case, please come with us to Beizhen Fusi!" ”

As soon as these words came out, the audience in Guozijian's lecture hall was in an uproar.

"What? How is this possible! Who told him the news! ”

"! How could Kong Gong do such a thing! ”

"That's it, it must be fake news, you're spewing blood!"

"That's right! We don't believe it! ”

The students were excited.

And Xun Zhan was happy.

Jiang Xinghuo, took a stinky move!

Arresting Kong Xilu in any name at this time will not bring good results, but will only completely ignite the already surging public opinion, and the boiling anger of the scholars will swallow Jiang Xinghuo and his reformers from beginning to end.

"Jiang Xinghuo, Jiang Xinghuo, you are smart, but you didn't expect to be so confused now."

Xun Zhan racked his brains and couldn't figure it out, Jiang Xinghuo was quite a smart person, but when he dealt with himself before, he was full of oppression, how could he make such a low-level mistake?

Kong Xilu still sat steadily, and he smiled lightly: "I don't know how Your Excellency concluded that I have something to do with this so-called rebellion case?" ”

Cao Song snorted coldly: "Last night, Jinyiwei captured a team of people outside the city who did not meet the provisions of the 'Kaizhong Law' and sold salted fish filled with salt grains. Some of the smugglers still gritted their teeth and resisted, but some of them had already confessed that these smuggling goods were instructed by one person, and the purpose of selling salted fish was to raise money for Jianwen's remnants. ”

At this time, Kong Anbang, a disciple and scholar beside Kong Xilu, angrily reprimanded: "Presumptuous! Kong Gong's prestige is outstanding at home, how can you be judged by Jinyiwei! ”

Cao Song said indifferently: "If you want to say that Kong Xilu's prestige is outstanding in the sea, it is true, but in the final analysis, it is still a white body, Jinyiwei's duty is to arrest Qin criminals, and the rebellion involving the remnants of the puppet emperor Jianwen is the Qin case that has already been decided, and my Jinyiwei can naturally try it, and no one has the right to interfere with Jinyiwei's case!" ”

Kong Xilu was a commoner, which meant that he was free to accept the invitation of the Guozijian to give lectures and express the views he wanted, but at the cost that Jin Yiwei could arrest him within his authority and without the need for a specific decree.

"You"

Kong Anbang was angry and just wanted to refute, but Kong Xilu waved his hand to stop him, then turned to face everyone, and said slowly but resolutely: "There is a cloud in Mencius: There is a Tao in the world, and you will die with the Tao; There is no way in the world, and he is martyred. It's useless to talk too much, I'll just go with you. ”

"Master!"

"Sir!"

"Kong Gong!"

Kong Xilu stood up and let the Jinyi guard hold him hostage, and he said loudly to the students of the Guozijian: "Since you have entered the Guozijian to study, you should know that we Confucian scholars uphold the mind of 'benevolence, fraternity, forgiveness, and self-cherishment', rather than only knowing interests and not distinguishing between good and evil. As disciples of the sages, we owe it to us to lead by example! ”

"Master Confucius said it well!"

"Mr. Kong is right, how can my generation of scholars be like Jiang Xinghuo, ignoring the suffering of the common people for their own interests, and ignoring the well-being of the people!"

The students of Guozijian echoed one after another, and some even fanned the flames, attracting attention from the surroundings.

Only a young man in a green shirt hidden in the crowd did not make any move.

He looked at Kong Xilu quietly, his eyes were hooked, as if he wanted to remember everything about this person.

"The ability to nourish qi and adapt to the situation is very strong, will build momentum, will incite public opinion to fall to themselves, and can maximize their positive image in a crisis situation before lecturing, and it can be seen in a few words that this person's Confucian skills are indeed rare in the world, and he is really a difficult opponent."

Jiang Xinghuo quietly left the scene.

"But that's just the beginning, don't you like to make a big deal out of it? Then I'll accompany you, and it's better to poke a hole in the sky. ”

The monstrous storm in the city of Nanjing is getting bigger and bigger, and the first formal confrontation between the new science, or science, and the science of science is about to begin.

In May of the first year of Yongle, the inside and outside of the Ming Dynasty, the historical line of the entire world was pried into another direction by Jiang Xinghuo in a rough way.

Lee's Joseon has succumbed, and several layouts for Annam and even Nanyang have been completed, Zheng He has already drifted into the sea, and now he is afraid that he will reach the city of Zhancheng.

And Li Jinglong, who has been in Japan for a long time, is finally about to complete his final mission and return to China, which means that the new cotton textile industry in the Ming Dynasty is about to obtain another commodity dumping market that has been laid out for a long time.

From both the ideological and material levels, the reform has entered a deeper and more unknown territory.

——————

On the other side of the sea.

Kyoto, Japan, Dekaen Temple.

Compared with last year, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is even more powerful, he wears a monk's robe, drags clogs, and walks in the peach blossom forest.

The peach blossoms in the air are colorful, flying with the wind, like a fairyland.

And behind this beautiful scenery, the peach blossoms have withered most of them, and the ground is covered with a layer of pink as thin as cicada wings, and the feet are soft when stepping on it, as if they can sink into it.

"The world is full of fragrant flowers in April, and the peach blossoms in the mountain temple are in full bloom, but it's a pity that I didn't have the opportunity to go to Daming to see Dalin Temple with my own eyes."

Gu Jian Miao followed him quickly and quickly, and did not say anything.

For an old man in his twilight, it is inevitable to touch the scene, especially in Japan, where flowers wither and life wither.

"Is there any news from Ninagawa Shinemon?" Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked suddenly.

Gu Jian said without missing a trace:

"Zong Chun is practicing very well in Anguo Temple, and there is nothing abnormal."

"That's good."

Zongchun, is a kyu Zongchun, that is, Jiang Xinghuo's previous life cartoon "Smart Ikkyu" in the protagonist's character prototype, young name Chiju Maru, a rest in Japan in the fifth year of the first month of the fifth year of Meitoku (1394) in Kyoto, his father is Emperor Komatsu after the Northern Dynasty, and his mother is Fujiwara Teruko from the Fujiwara clan, 7 years old this year, and was arranged by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu to practice at Ankokuji Temple.

There may be a strange point here, that is, it is clear that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu supported the Northern Dynasty, why did he send the son of the current emperor to be a monk, and even send someone to monitor it?

This is because Fujiwara Teruko tried to assassinate Emperor Komatsu, and after being discovered, Fujiwara Teruko escaped from the palace and sneaked to Sagano, and at the beginning of the first month, he gave birth to a rest of the country, and Fujiwara is inclined to the Southern Dynasty, which is equivalent to the Southern Dynasty of the Great Awakening Temple If there is a Kyu Zongjun, the son of Emperor Komatsu after the Northern Dynasty, then there is a hole card of the dove occupying the magpie's nest.

In fact, the dispute between the Northern Dynasty and the Southern Dynasty has never stopped, and since Ashikaga Yoshimitsu cannot pave the way for his descendants to become emperor like Sima Yi, it is natural to consider the balance between the Ming Temple and the Daikakuji Temple.

Among the children of Emperor Kameyama in the Southern Dynasty, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu didn't care much about putting the monk Yukimai Sakura (Prince Taikonai) in the Ming Dynasty, after all, the male is not passed on to the female, as long as the son of the Later Kameyama Emperor, Kokura Palace Hengtsun (the two unifications of the north and the south, the theoretical next emperor) is also under control, then naturally nothing else is to worry about.

As for Emperor Go-Kameyama, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu did not regard him as an opponent at all.

The peaceful reunification of the North and South Dynasties was accomplished in the hands of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, but this was the general trend of history and the desire of the Japanese people, not the balance of power between the North and the South.

In fact, during the reign of Emperor Go-Kameyama, the power of the Southern Dynasty was confined to the mountainous areas of Hanoi and Yamato, and only a few monks and samurai were left who supported the Southern Dynasty.

Due to the decline of the power of the Southern Dynasties, it was already an impossible task to seize Kyoto and confront the Northern Dynasty supported by the Muromachi Shogunate, and the collegial forces advocating peaceful integration with the Northern Dynasties gradually dominated the mainstream of the temples of the Southern Dynasties, and the integration of the Northern and Southern Dynasties has become a historical necessity, and the essence is that the magnates of the Southern Dynasties surrendered to the samurai regime of the Muromachi Shogunate and were absorbed by the Northern Dynasties controlled by the samurai.

At the end of the 30th year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty / the 4th year of Yingei in Japan (1397), Gokameyama dismissed his honorific title and military battle, and became a monk with the name Vajra Heart, and lived a life of seclusion.

As soon as the "Mingtoku Peace Treaty" was signed, it was impossible for the Southern Dynasty to recover from Emperor GoKameyama, as long as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu pinched Kokura Palace Hengdun, everything was not to worry about.

In fact, in the history of Jiang Xinghuo's previous life, if there was no intervention of the Ming Dynasty, then in another 7 years, the 8th year of Yongle of the Ming Dynasty / the 17th year of Oei in Japan (1410), because the Muromachi shogunate ruled by Ashikaga Yoshinori violated the conditions of the "Meitoku Peace Treaty" (the Southern Dynasty Daikakuji system and the Northern Dynasty Dynasty held the Ming Yuan system alternately inherited the throne), and prepared to appoint Prince Bowhito, the son of Emperor Komatsu of the Northern Dynasty, as the crown prince, instead of the son of the Emperor of the Southern Dynasty, Okura Palace Hengdun, the Emperor of the Southern Dynasty, Emperor Gokameyama suddenly went out to Saga, Secretly in the Yoshino Mountains, he gathered the forces of the old Southern Dynasty and established the Later Southern Dynasty, but it was quickly extinguished.

It can be seen that under the condition of Japan's political stability, Prince Bowhito is definitely on the side of the Muromachi shogunate, and the remaining changes with inheritance rights are ranked according to the strength of inheritance rights, that is, Kokura Miya Hengtsun of the Southern Dynasty, Ikkyu Munejun of the Northern Dynasty, and Yukimai Sakura (Prince Taikonai) of the Southern Dynasty.

The order of inheritance rights of Snow Dance Sakura is basically the first to the bottom, and many of Japan's rules are different from China's, Japan rarely takes physical means of physical elimination of politicians in Shimono, basically to expel them, become monks, and confine, once Snow Dance Sakura is a monk, it is equivalent to automatically giving up the right to inherit the emperor's throne.

For a woman who renounced her inheritance, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu expressed enough kindness.

"Your Excellency."

A young girl came running from the depths of the peach forest, she was wearing a kimono, clogs on her feet, her long black hair was scattered, and her facial features were delicate and beautiful.

Seeing this girl, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's eyes showed kindness.

"Thank you for your hard work."

"No, I don't."

Yukimai Sakura smiled sweetly and lovely, and she held Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's arm.

After taking a seat in the pavilion at the top of the mountain, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu explained his purpose-

"Today I want to talk with His Excellency Li Jinglong, the general of the Ming Kingdom."

"Oh, do you need me to do anything?" Yukimai Sakura wanted to ask about something, but she stopped talking.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu smiled, tilted his head slightly sideways and looked at the frame that had been parked at the entrance of the deer garden in the distance, and said.

"No, just listen to it."

Xue Wuying silently prepared pastries, snacks, tea soup and other things, and knelt in a corner.

Her eyes looked at a cauldron erected outside the pavilion at the top of the mountain, and she guessed the purpose of this misfit.

This beautiful place was originally owned by the Saionji family, but later they dedicated this "Kitayama Dai" of Kitayama in Kyoto to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who built a mountain villa here centered on the Relic Hall called "Kitayama Temple", and later transformed it into Shikaen-in Temple with Kitayama Hall as the main body.

The architecture and utensils here are a fusion of the cultures of the government, the samurai, and the Zen family, but no matter what kind of culture, Yukimai Sakura can be sure that there is absolutely no such thing as a "cauldron".

In fact, the Japanese diet has been developing in small quantities, and in the current era of the Muromachi shogunate, there was not much food on a plate, and even the wild people who drank the blood of Rumao in Ezo (Hokkaido) would not use this cauldron to cook.

Of course, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu knew what this cauldron was used for, and there was a look of expectation in his eyes.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was the de facto ruler of Japan, and he has done many things to date, including the unification of the Northern and Southern Dynasties, the complete rise of the shogunate, and the pacification of many opposing vassal states in the country.

It is definitely not too much to call him eloquent.

But there is only one thing that has haunted Ashikaga Yoshimitsu for thirty years, and it has not yet been achieved.

That is the exploration trade with the Ming Dynasty.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu had been eager to trade with the Ming Dynasty since he succeeded to the position of Shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate, and sent envoys to the Ming Dynasty several times since the seventh year of Hongwu.

From the seventh year of Hongwu to the thirteenth year of Hongwu in the Ming Dynasty, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu paid tribute to the Ming Dynasty in the name of "Japanese Conquering General Gen Yoshimitsu" and asked for trade with the Ming Dynasty, but Lao Zhu refused the request of the Muromachi Shogunate for a very simple reason, Lao Zhu has been dealing with Prince Huailiang of the Southern Dynasty, and believes that the "Japanese King Huailiang" of the Southern Dynasty Daijue Department is the orthodox monarch of Japan, while the Northern Dynasty is a chaotic minister, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is the general of the Northern Dynasty who holds the Ming system, and should not communicate with it.

Therefore, during the reign of Lao Zhu, the Ming Dynasty always refused to trade with the Muromachi shogunate.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu looked forward to it like this, and finally killed Lao Zhu Pan, and it was the turn of Jianwen Emperor Zhu Yunwen to take the throne.

After learning that the Ming Dynasty changed the emperor, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in the first year of Jianwen immediately sent the merchant Fat Fu and the monk Zua to the Ming Dynasty in the name of "Japan's National Quasi-Three Houyuan Daoyi", this time due to the decline of the power of the Southern Dynasties, Emperor Jianwen was not as stubborn as Lao Zhu, and simply named Yoshimitsu as the "King of Japan" to give a little sweetness, and asked Ashikaga Yoshimitsu to ban the Japanese and ban the exploration trade.

However, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was not happy for a few days, Zhu Di was difficult to raise troops, and the Ming Dynasty wanted to put down the rebellion with all his might, and there was no time to engage in exploration and trade with him.

In this way, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu looked forward to it for another four years, and the news of Emperor Jianwen's success in cutting the feudal domain did not come, but he got the news that Zhu Di was called emperor and the year name was "Yongle".

So Ashikaga Yoshimitsu wrote again, asking if he could send a large-scale mission to congratulate him, but because Japan was not a tributary trading country, it was necessary to confirm the relationship between the clan and the vassal before paying tribute, so Li Jinglong came with a delegation from the Ming Dynasty.

For this "over-spec" Ming mission, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu gave super high expectations.

And Li Jinglong also did not disappoint him, after months of negotiations, today, the Ming Dynasty has given the final conditions for the exploration of trade, as long as the negotiations go well, Li Jinglong can return to China with the documents of the Japanese side.

Li Jinglong and a few officials selected by the Ministry of Rites walked up the stairs and slowly walked along the mountain path to the outside of the pavilion.

As soon as they came up, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu greeted him with a smile and said, "Welcome to Your Excellency the Great General!" ”

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu raised his right hand to signal for everyone to be excused, and then said, "Please." ”

"Lord of the Deer Garden, please."

The two looked at each other and smiled, and walked side by side towards the pavilion.

Behind Li Jinglong, several officials of the Ministry of Rites also followed closely, not daring to leave half a step.

Li Jinglong looked left and right at the surrounding environment as he walked, he looked at the low table in the pavilion, and the white porcelain tea bowl with tea soup on the table, and sighed lightly.

In order to show sincerity, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu also bought a small jar of Shanxi old vinegar at a high price, and persuaded him to drink it every time, but such a strong taste really made Li Jinglong unbearable.

"Your Excellency General, I am really a little reluctant to think that you are about to return to China."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu picked up the tea bowl and said with a smile, completely missing the old dragon bell when he climbed the mountain just now, his face was ruddy, and he looked refreshed.

Li Jinglong smiled and nodded, and said meaningfully: "The master of the Deer Garden Courtyard doesn't have to be like this, I will come again." ”

But at this time, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu suddenly put down the tea bowl, and Yukimai Sakura stepped forward and picked up the wine jug next to him and poured two glasses of wine.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu introduced:

"This is the Taizi of our Dajue Temple, now called Snow Dance Sakura, who is about to return to China with His Excellency the Great General, and go to Master Dao Yan of the Great Ming Dynasty, a friend of Master Miaokuai, the ancient sword, to practice."

As he spoke, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu personally handed the wine glass to Li Jinglong.

"Thank you."

Li Jinglong stretched out his hands and caught the wine glass handed over by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

Li Jinglong took a sip of it, and suddenly felt a burning sensation arise spontaneously, and then there was a little sweetness, and he couldn't help nodding his head again and again.

"This is cistanche wine purchased from North Korea." Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said, "Its liquor is made using a special technique, which is not only delicious, but also has the effect of nourishing yin and nourishing the kidneys, which is good for men, especially the elderly and frail men."

"I see." After Li Jinglong listened, he immediately took another sip.

"This is what I usually use to maintain and drink, if Your Excellency the General likes to drink, I will ask someone to send a few more bottles?" Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked enthusiastically.

"No need." Li Jinglong shook his head and said, "I'm not strong enough to drink." ”

Although Li Jinglong had never heard of this medicinal material, he thought that since North Korea had it, then the Ming Dynasty must also have it.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu raised the wine in his glass and toasted with Li Jinglong.

The two chatted for a few more words, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu suddenly said: "Your Excellency, you know, I am not young anymore, in Huaxia words, half of my neck is in the ground, and my only wish is to be able to complete the exploration and trade between Japan and the Ming Dynasty in my lifetime." ”

Li Jinglong's heart jumped slightly, and he responded with a smile: "This is also my purpose today." ”

Jiang Xinghuo personally wrote the "Relevant Requirements on Adjusting the Tributary Trade Contracts of the Surrounding Vassal States of the Ming Dynasty" issued by the President's Law Reform Affairs Yamen, which had been sent to Li Jinglong, and the same copy was also sent to the Korean king.

Not long ago, Jiang Xinghuo showed Chen Tianping a powerful version.

"I know the character of His Excellency the General, and I'm not a verbose person, let's talk quickly and save time on both sides."

"Refreshing."

The two exchanged a few words of praise, and it stands to reason that it was time to talk about business next.

"That's right."

However, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu suddenly raised his hand and said, "There are still gifts for His Excellency the Great Shogun." ”

"What gift?"

Li Jinglong was slightly stunned, isn't it a box of Cistanche wine?

"Your Excellency the General will know about it soon."

As he spoke, he instructed the samurai beside him, "Send it up." ”

Soon, a shirtless, hanged upside down with limbs tied to a flat pole, was lifted over like a pig slaughtered for the New Year.

Seeing this, Li Jinglong was stunned, what is the situation?

I saw the leading samurai, who respectfully knelt on the ground and said, "The leader of the pirates has been brought here, and I would like to ask your Excellency to give me instructions." ”

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu explained with a smile: "The pirates in the Tsushima and Iki areas harassed the coast of the Ming Kingdom, and I sent the coastal guardian daimyo to capture the leader of them, a total of more than twenty people, and blow one up for you first?" ”

Li Jinglong vaguely remembered what Imagawa Ryokan had said to him.

"No need!"

"You're welcome, let's start with one."

The screams came, but Ashikaga Yoshimitsu did not relent, but was excited.

Li Jinglong looked at the uncomfortable scene in front of him, and his brows furrowed even tighter.

After a short time, the leader of the Japanese who had broken his hands and tendons and lumbar spine was burned alive.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu raised his glass and let out a burst of laughter as he watched the leader of the Japanese invaders be consumed by the boiling oil and rising flames.

"It's wonderful, don't you think? Your Excellency, General! ”

Li Jinglong looked at the Japanese opposite, but he secretly pondered in his heart.

This Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is even more perverted than he imagined.

"Is Your Excellency the General pleased with this gift? If not satisfied, there are about twenty more below. ”

Li Jinglong put down his wine glass and shook his head: "To be honest, this is not what Da Ming needs. ”

"Oh?"

A hint of incomprehension flashed in Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's eyes.

Daming, isn't the most important thing to need is face?

Li Jinglong said solemnly: "The Ming Dynasty has taken back Jeju Island from the hands of the Korean king Li Fangyuan, and you must be clear about this matter. ”

Cheju!

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu didn't expect that Li Jinglong would mention this stubble, he thought that Li Jinglong would not talk about it until he returned to China.

He was also prepared to act as if nothing had happened.

Otherwise, once the lid on this topic is lifted, in Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's opinion, it will not be easy to close.

The reason is also very simple, Jeju Island is like a dagger, stabbing between North Korea and Japan, and its geographical location is too sensitive.

Although from a legal point of view, it is a matter of course that Daming wants to return to Jeju Island.

And Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is also very clear that Jeju Island is one of the most important horse breeding grounds in North Korea, whether the Ming Dynasty supplies itself or restricts North Korea, it is determined to win, this lawsuit has been pulled from the Hongwu period of the Ming Dynasty to the present, the North Korean side has been prevaricating, and now the prevarication can not continue, and it is a matter of course to cede it back to the Ming Dynasty.

Japan has no reason, ability, or motive to prevent this from happening.

But in any case, for Japan, Jeju Island is a threat in the hands of the Ming Dynasty.

This is not conducive to the negotiation between the two sides on the exploration trade, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu really wonders why Li Jinglong would mention this matter at this time.

"Our Daming National Teacher, that is, Jiang Xinghuo, whom I often mention, is currently presiding over the affairs related to the reform of the Ming Dynasty."

Li Jinglong said slowly: "The national teacher intends to adjust the tributary trade system to help me complete the negotiation of the exploration trade between the Ming Dynasty and Japan, but."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was a little surprised, he didn't expect that Li Jinglong in the Ming Dynasty actually got the support of this standard-bearer of the reformers, the previous civil officials of the Ming Dynasty were generally very unconcerned about the exploration and trade with Japan, and the reformers came to power, if nothing else, the situation would obviously get some changes.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu may not understand the Ming Dynasty, but he understands the temple.

What the enemy supports, I oppose; What the enemy opposes, I support.

This principle is basically applicable to the temple struggle in any time and space.

"So how does Jiang Guoshi plan to adjust?"

"Ahem."

Li Jinglong cleared his throat, made a gesture, and then said: "The resistance between the DPRK and China is very big. ”

"You should know that conservative civil officials are strongly resistant to opening up the exploration trade beyond the limits of tributary trade. And to be honest, Japan did not leave a good impression on them, after all, the Japanese often attacked the coast of our Ming Dynasty. ”

"This"

Ashikaga Yoshishi is full of suffering.

He knew very well that Li Jinglong did not say anything exaggerated, on the contrary, these situations that prevented Japan from constructing and trading with the Ming Dynasty were all true, and they had existed not for a year or two, but for decades.

But the problem is that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu can't ban the Japanese at all, because on the current three islands in Japan, the area actually controlled by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is the central and western part of Honshu Island, Shikoku Island and Kyushu Island, in fact, it is ruled by the local feudal daimyo far away from the Yellow Emperor, and they have always been obedient to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu who does not listen to the announcement.

These more than ten feudal states will obey Ashikaga Yoshimitsu in most matters, but if their fundamental interests are really touched, they will not listen.

This is also the reason why Ashikaga Yoshimitsu demolished the Ouchi family and abolished Imagawa Rytoshi, the "King of Kyushu", but Shikoku Island and Kyushu Island are still full of princes.

Maritime trade and the accompanying Japanese gangs were the core interests of these local feudal states.

Why did Ashikaga Yoshimitsu keep thinking about the exploration trade?

It's because the exploration trade is an absolutely blood-making thing for him.

If nothing else, there are two immediate results.

First, we need to solve the shogunate's financial constraints.

Second, it is necessary to completely block the smuggling routes of the feudal states of Shikoku and Kyushu and weaken their strength.

In this way, the shogunate became strong and the feudal domains weakened, and within a few generations, the shogunate would completely complete its rule over all of Japan.

But the problem is that Japan gave the Ming Dynasty too bad an impression, so the Ming Dynasty never agreed to open the exploration trade, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu could not completely ban this.

"The shogunate's sailor is not strong enough."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu pondered the words: "Moreover, the pirates have a wide range of circulation, and it is difficult to completely exterminate them. Of course, the fundamental reason is that the Northern and Southern Dynasties produced a large number of bankrupt wandering samurai, and the local feudal states were also sensitive to this issue, and piracy and smuggling brought them a lot of wealth. ”

"Of course, the national teacher took into account the problems of the shogunate."

Li Jinglong smiled and said in a tone of "We are all for your sake": "The sailors of the Ming Dynasty can help the shogunate exterminate the pirates. ”

Hearing this, although Ashikaga Yoshimitsu did not turn his face, he immediately became alert.

This is not good news, although Daming has a good face, but he doesn't believe that Daming is a good person, Daming has claimed back Jeju Island from North Korea, and now he is coming to the coast of Japan to exterminate the Japanese invaders, what do you want to do?

The story of the false Dao Sword, he heard the ancient sword tell it quickly.

"I'm afraid it's not appropriate." Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's smile was a little stiff.

When Li Jinglong saw his appearance, he didn't know his concerns, so he laughed and waved his hand: "No, no, no, I know what your thoughts are, but I want to tell you, you want to go wrong, Da Ming has no malice." ”

Seeing that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu looked suspicious, Li Jinglong took out a picture of Kanyu from his sleeve.

This is a map drawn by the North Korean side about the waters around Jeju Island, which was handed over together when the entire island was returned to the Ming Dynasty, and was sent to Li Jinglong by the officials of the Ming Dynasty.

"What the national teacher means is that tributary trade cannot meet the needs of the Japanese side, and the resistance of exploration trade in the Ming Dynasty is too great, so why not make a little innovation between tributary trade and exploration trade?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu stared intently at the map, apparently not understanding what Li Jinglong was referring to by "small innovations".

"You also mentioned just now, Tsushima Island, Iki Island, these two islands are the nests of pirates, and behind these pirates, there are local vassal forces, it is inconvenient for the Japanese shogunate to send troops, so the Ming can help the shogunate send troops to clear these two islands, don't worry, of course the Ming does not want to occupy these two 'insignificant' islands, after clearing the pirates, it will still be returned to Japan, and it will be returned to the direct control of the shogunate, but."

Li Jinglong paused and continued: "It is worth noting that Tsushima Island and Iki Island, in this small innovation, will become an unarmed free trade zone between the Ming Dynasty and Japan, and in order to ensure free trade, both countries cannot station troops. ”

"Unarmed free trade zone?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu chewed on the fresh word.

"Yes, Daming and Japan negotiate a list of trade goods every year, as well as relevant tariffs adjusted according to price fluctuations, and after Daming's goods arrive on Jeju Island from the mainland, they go to Tsushima Island and Iki Island for trade, and the same is true for goods from the Japanese mainland."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu wanted to say, wouldn't that be a garrison of the Ming Dynasty on Jeju Island, and no Japanese garrison on Tsushima Island and Iki Island? What if the Ming Dynasty sent troops to Japan?

But when he thought about it, he realized that this was not the case, because if it was said that the Japanese mainland was behind the two islands, and once the Ming Dynasty showed the idea of hoarding troops and planning to cross the strait through Jeju Island, wouldn't it be faster for Japan to send troops to strike first?

At the end of the day, it's just about creating a free trade zone between tributary trade and exploration trade.

"What does this Jiang Guoshi mean is to use Jeju Island to circumvent the resistance caused by the Japanese caravan going to the Ming mainland for exploration and trade?" Ashikaga Yoshishi is full of understanding.

Li Jinglong nodded: "Yes, the Ming Dynasty is still implementing the maritime ban policy, and has never supported the form of trade of exploration trade, only tributary trade is in line with the concept of civil officials, and what you need is obviously not tributary trade, so it must be transited in overseas Ming land, and then free trade can avoid most of the disputes in the court." ”

In fact, of course, Jiang Xinghuo did not kindly meet the Japanese side's requirements for exploration and trade and took the initiative to find alternatives for them, but was paving the way for the cross-sea expedition to Japan.

At present, the main contradiction faced by the Ming Dynasty is that there is a sequence of conquest, while domestic cotton textiles are in urgent need of more commodity dumping markets.

Therefore, the best way is to first promote free trade in neighboring countries such as Japan, Korea, and Annam, and at the same time carry out military conquest one by one.

There is no doubt that Annan will be the first to be beaten, and he will be beaten soon.

And whether to let the Bei Japanese army set off from Shandong and cross the sea to transit from Jeju Island to conquer Japan, or whether it is easy and then difficult, first destroy the Jurchens, and then push away the weaker combat effectiveness of the Lee Joseon Ping, and finally use Korea as a big springboard to cross the sea to conquer Japan, this is still to be considered.

However, in any case, free trade with Japan must be carried out as soon as possible, and this is not only in line with Japan's urgent wishes, but also in the interests of the Ming Dynasty.

Li Jinglong took out a document from his arms and handed it to Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

- Tomorrow's Free Trade Pact (Draft).

"First, the Ming Dynasty regarded Japan as a special tributary state, and should follow the old example of Korea and set up angel pavilions in Kyoto, Japan, consulates in Tsushima, Iki, Hirado, and Nagasaki, and then set up consulates in other parts of Japan as appropriate."

"Second, the Muromachi Shogunate is regarded as the only official object of negotiation, and at the same time, the Muromachi Shogunate needs to ensure that the Makomachi Shogunate, the consul and the relevant officials in the embassy are not bound by Japanese laws and customs, and if there is any dispute, they will all be handed over to the Ming court to deal with in accordance with the "Great Ming Law", and the Japanese side has no right to interfere."

"Third, if the Japanese people file a complaint against the public, the Japanese side must first check who is who is and who is not persuaded to stop the lawsuit, so that no lawsuit will be filed, and no small matter will become a big case. In the event of a negotiation or lawsuit, the Japanese side cannot persuade or settle, so it will ask the consul of the Ming Dynasty to find out the matter. As for how the Ming people were convicted, the Ming side acted in accordance with the agreed regulations of the "Ming Law", and escorted back to China for trial and punishment. ”

"Fourth, the unarmed free trade zone shall be limited to the two islands of Tsushima and Iki and the surrounding 50 li sea area, and the armed free trade zone shall be limited to the ports of Hirado and Nagasaki and the surrounding 50 li sea area. As for the price of hiring a water diversion staff, it should be paid according to the distance and danger of each salvage, that is, it will be determined by the relevant consuls of the Ming Dynasty to decide impartially. ”

"Fifth, all four commercial vessels, each of which is allowed to berth in an emergency manner to repair or replenish fresh water, fruits and vegetables, grain and oil, etc., so that the stewards and their subordinates can strictly restrain the sailors and so on, so as not to cause trouble. However, if an official ship is not a cargo ship comparable, that is, it does not carry cargo and does not come for trade, its banknote tax and other fees shall be exempted. As for the import and export of official ships at emergency berth, the Ming consul will notify the Japanese side in advance. ”

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu hurriedly read the first five articles and didn't have any opinions.

Article 3 and Article 4 In his opinion, the Ming Dynasty is the upper kingdom of the Celestial Empire, and it wants to save face, so the officials and businessmen of the Ming Dynasty cannot deal with it if they commit crimes, this is a very normal thing, otherwise the people of the Ming Dynasty will be cut by you, where will the face of the Ming Dynasty go?

And the Ming Dynasty did not give him face, regarded the shogunate as the only object of negotiation, and directly crossed the Japanese emperor, in fact, he had already recognized his right to rule Japan.

The two sides were exchanged, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu didn't feel ashamed or lose anything.

As for the first article, it is obviously for the establishment of long-term free trade, and the fourth and fifth articles are not a big deal, the merchant ships of the Ming Dynasty need someone to bring water into the port, or if the official ship is damaged or needs to be replenished, what can be done if each of the four ports in Japan is allowed to stop one? Can a bow and arrow shoot out of a port, or can a ship bring down 10,000 people?

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu felt that the contract drawn up by Jiang Xinghuo was too detailed.

However, this also shows the sincerity and importance of the other party, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is still very happy, he then looked down, his gaze swept over a bunch of miscellaneous terms, to the most important part.

- Commercial tax.

Everything else is floating clouds, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu only cares about making money.

As long as there is money, the shogunate does not have to bow down to the merchants to borrow money to raise military expenses, and the shogunate can do whatever it wants, and money is the waist pole.

Well, yes, Japan is not the same as the Ming Dynasty, in the eyes of the old Zhu family, businessmen are leeks, but this is not the case in Japan, the status and energy of businessmen are still quite amazing.

"Eighteen, Japan needs to regard the Ming Dynasty as the only most favored trading country, in any trade conditions such as armed trade zone and unarmed trade zone, the overall tariff shall not exceed 5%, as for different goods, according to the price fluctuations at a fixed time each year to negotiate the tax rate, the fluctuation range shall not exceed 3% (the overall 5% cap)."

"19. Whoever imports goods by a merchant, that is, on the date of discharge; For exporters, that is, on the date of discharge. It is necessary to notify the relevant officials of the Daming Consulate in advance, and the Daming Consulate will forward it to the Japanese Customs, so that they can jointly inspect and have no loss to each other. ”

"20. In case of special commodities that exceed the list of trade commodities of this year, the tax rate shall be temporarily negotiated between the Ming Consulate and the Japanese side, and the temporary tax rate shall not exceed 4%, if the Japanese customs inspectors and the Daming Consulate cannot negotiate to assess the price, that is, five to seven merchants from each country are invited to come to inspect the goods, and those who are willing to buy the goods at a certain price will be set at the highest price for this goods, so as not to cause tax losses."

"21. The two sides may draft the "Regulations on the Insurance of Tomorrow's Commodities" for the import and export of commodities, and if the goods are damaged in the unarmed free trade zone and the armed free trade zone, the caravan can be fully compensated if it meets the "Regulations".

"22. If the goods have not been insured, if it is now agreed that the merchants shall seek their own merchants to trade after unloading the goods, no matter who they trade with, they shall be at their convenience. However, if a merchant of the Ming Kingdom escapes by deception and fails to return the goods in arrears, once he is accused of being brought to the official, the Japanese officials will immediately investigate and investigate and severely punish them. ”

3 tariff-related contracts and 2 insurance-related contracts are basically relatively fair, and there is no favoritism in free trade, but there are some clauses in some details to protect Ming merchants.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu didn't think it mattered.

Well, what he doesn't know is that fair free trade is sometimes quite unfair.

The same cotton cloth is made by the Japanese handicraft industry and costs 1.7-2 yuan per horse to return to the cost.

After the Ming Dynasty went through the water-powered spinning wheel and the concentrated labor of the factory, the cost price was 1 yuan, counting the 5% tariff of the sky, that is, 1.05 yuan, and dumping it could directly bankrupt Japan's cotton textile industry.

And the "insurance industry" is actually the first watermelon that Jiang Xinghuo prepared for the Ming businessmen.

The businessmen of the Ming Dynasty did not have the ability to engage in large-scale light industry in the country, and they must have gone to buy land after making money, so they simply brought the money overseas to do the insurance industry first, so that the money flowed out, which could not only relieve the pressure of the depreciation of the treasure banknotes in the Ming Dynasty, help the completion of the currency reform, but also incubate the first batch of mature maritime merchants outside.

As for whether the merchants of the Ming Dynasty will run abroad with the money?

Run, see if you run fast or if the Ming fleet conquers faster.

Even if you really run, when you hit Japan's mountains of gold and silver, sitting on eight million taels of silver a year, do you still need this bit of wealth?

The reason why Jiang Xinghuo opened the "insurance industry" is nothing more than to cultivate a mature business system, and there is really no shortage of money from businessmen.

"I don't know Daming's conditions, have you thought about it clearly?"

Li Jinglong took a sip of the wine in the glass, put down the glass, raised his head, and stared directly at Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu also put down the paper that he was crushing in his hand, and a fingerprint appeared on it.

"The conditions given by Daming are very fair, and some details may still need to be discussed, but the main body is fine."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said calmly: "It's just that before negotiating a specific contract, I still have a question I want to ask His Excellency the Great General. ”

"Oh? Let's put it bluntly. ”

"It has always been very difficult to change the law, and my concern is, if we negotiate and sign this contract, how long will it last? If the reform within the Ming Kingdom fails, will it lead to the invalidation of this paper contract? ”

Hearing Ashikaga Yoshimitsu mention this, Li Jinglong was stunned for a moment, and then laughed: "You are too worried." ”

"What kind of master is Jiang Xinghuo? Although he is far inferior to me in military affairs, whether it is strategy or talent, he is half a step stronger than me! Changing the law is the trend of the times, Your Majesty is extremely supportive, and success is only a matter of time, so you can rest assured. ”

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was stunned for a moment when he heard this, and then said tentatively: "As far as I know, the temple struggle within the Ming Kingdom is also fierce at the moment, and Your Majesty doesn't seem to have the extra energy to pay attention to tomorrow's trade, right?" ”

Li Jinglong couldn't see that he was confused, and said with a slight bow: "You are right, there are indeed many contradictions within the Daming Temple, and His Majesty has been considering whether to carry out free trade with Japan during this time, and on the whole, it is still supported, but the internal form of Daming is too complex and not easy to control, if you rashly sign a free trade contract with you, it is likely to lead to a fight between the reformers and the old faction over this issue, so I have been hesitating, but what?"

Li Jinglong said meaningfully: "If Japan can let the Ming court see the effect of the reform, you need to pay attention to this effect, not only refers to how much Jeju Island tariff revenue is brought, but also includes the effect of foreign etiquette, if it can be done, then the law changer has made achievements and won face for the Ming Dynasty, and of course Your Majesty will agree to sign the "Contract" more readily." ”

Ashikaga Yoshishi nodded with a smile and said, "Thank you for the reminder, I understand." ”

"But now...... As a sign of sincerity, I have decided that I would like to give a hundred large ships of Japanese goods as a gift to Your Majesty as a tribute. ”

Li Jinglong's heart was overjoyed when he heard this, and he stood up and arched his hand at Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

"Cool!"

If Ashikaga Yoshimitsu gave Li Jinglong a gift, Li Jinglong would not dare to accept it, he was greedy for money, but he chose his life between wealth and life.

But the gift of these 100 ships, you don't care what he pretends, if it is for Emperor Yongle as a tribute, then won't the face come?

Emperor Yongle was happy to see the role played by Li Jinglong, and Li Jinglong's precarious temple life was successfully saved through this trip to Japan, and the Fa-Reform faction also made a big deal.

Not to mention that it is not a big deal, among the surrounding countries, Japan is still a very important country, so that Japan can come to pay tribute with pleasure and sincerity, instead of just sending a mission to discuss the exploration and trade, this is a very meaningful event in terms of etiquette.

This incident is enough to prove that after the change, the Ming Dynasty is still the center of the inner world, and its status in the minds of neighboring countries is more lofty than before.

"Hahahaha, Your Excellency the General has an overreputation, sit down and say."

"Okay."

Li Jinglong sat back in his seat and continued to ask, "So do you still have any doubts now?" ”

"There's still one last one."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu opened his mouth and said: "On Jeju Island, how many troops does the Ming plan to station?" ”

This question is what Ashikaga Yoshimitsu is most concerned about.

"There are two guards (about 11,200 people) in the land division, and the ships of the naval division are not necessarily, but there will be no more than a hundred."

Hearing this scale, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu breathed a sigh of relief.

In the past, when the Mongols crossed the sea to conquer Japan, it was thousands of warships.

Of course, here Li Jinglong secretly changed a concept, that is, the size of a ship, we didn't say it

"Then there are no other doubts about the main issue, as for the details, it can be finalized slowly."

Li Jinglong did not shy away from saying: "Regardless of whether the unarmed free trade zone on Tsushima and Iki Island can be negotiated or not, the sailors of the Ming Dynasty must wipe out all the Japanese invaders." ”

Li Jinglong took it for granted, and instead of using "pirates" and "pirates", he used "Japanese pirates", and some did not take Japan in his eyes, which also made Ashikaga Yoshimitsu quite displeased.

But Ashikaga Yoshimitsu didn't show it, and still said with a smile on his face: "Your Excellency the Great General, there is a lot of support from the Shikoku Island and Kyushu Island Domains, even if I agree, I'm afraid they won't agree." ”

"Then let them go to the emperor to intercede!"

Li Jinglong snorted coldly in his heart after hearing this, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was afraid that the Ming Dynasty would interfere in Japanese affairs on the one hand, and on the other hand, he planned to sit on the mountain and watch the tiger fight to weaken the power of the local feudal states, this twisted posture really made people feel stingy.

Seeing that Li Jinglong was a little angry, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu relented.

"It's better to wait for Imagawa Toshi to return to the Ming Kingdom with His Excellency the General, and then negotiate the "Contract", and tomorrow the two sides will jointly send troops to completely exterminate the pirates, and then the shogunate will go all out to create a good environment for free trade, how about it?"

Li Jinglong nodded and raised his glass: "For free trade!" ”

"For free trade!"

(End of chapter)