Under the leadership of Lin Changjing, Su Ze and Lin Mojun arrived in front of the palace in Shuri City.
Looking at this typical Ming Dynasty-style building, Lin Mojun finally understood what Su Ze called "Ryukyu's many types of China" and how similar Ryukyu is to the Central Plains.
Su Ze looked at the Ryukyu Royal City, which was built in the same style as the palace of the Ming Dynasty prince, and felt quite emotional in his heart.
In fact, the expansion of Chinese culture was not as restrained and gentle as later generations thought, but very overbearing and had a strong ability to assimilate.
All civilizations in East Asia that come into contact with Chinese civilization will, without exception, be assimilated by Chinese civilization.
Before modern times, Chinese civilization had always been the teacher of East Asian countries.
Even Southeast Asia, which seemed more Indian, was increasingly influenced by Chinese culture after the tribute system was established.
These countries all chose to pay tribute to the Ming Dynasty and accept the laws and systems of the Ming Dynasty, but did not choose to be loyal to their cultural suzerain country, India, which has illustrated the influence of Chinese civilization in Southeast Asia.
It is a pity that the Ming Dynasty insisted on the no-sea system and ignored the immigrants who immigrated overseas. After the Europeans came, these vassal countries gradually became Western colonies.
For example, Managa (Malacca), a vassal state of the Ming Dynasty, repeatedly asked for help from the Ming Dynasty after the Portuguese arrived, but the Ming Dynasty ignored them. In the end, Managa was occupied by Portuguese colonists, and many vassal states in Southeast Asia turned to the Portuguese to pay tribute. .
After the Spaniards came to Southeast Asia, they instigated the natives to massacre Chinese immigrants. Some ministers suggested to the court that they send troops to help the overseas Chinese. However, the Ming court believed that the overseas Chinese were the lowest of the four peoples, and believed that "there is no regrets in abandoning them. On the contrary, they will work hard" and let the Manila Massacre go unchecked.
Western colonists and indigenous people even felt that the Chinese could be bullied. After that, many massacres occurred, but the Ming court remained indifferent.
From then on, Chinese culture began to lose its expansibility. By the Qing Dynasty, even the Japanese countries, which had been learning Chinese culture, began to fully westernize.
Ryukyu and Malacca, these are the shackles of the island chain that the Chinese nation will strive to break through in later generations, but now they are easy to get.
Putting away these messy thoughts, Su Ze and Lin Mojun led ten bird gunners and walked towards the Ryukyu King City in a grand manner.
The guards guarding the door looked at each other, and finally an old guard stepped forward and begged Su Ze to hand over his weapon.
Su Ze waved his hand, and the gun hand handed over the gun. The guards looked at the sabers on their waists. Su Ze snorted coldly, ignored the guards guarding the door, and walked into the palace with his men.
The old guard didn't dare to stop him, let alone search Su Ze, so he had to store the gun temporarily. After all, he was disarmed, right?
At this moment, in the largest main hall of Shuri Castle, Shang Ning, the leader of the Ryukyu Kingdom, felt very complicated.
For small countries like them, diplomacy is a top priority.
The function of this hall is to worship ancestors and meet with envoys of the Ming Dynasty.
When Shang Ning was the Crown Prince of Ryukyu, envoys from the Ming Dynasty often came here. The gorgeous official uniforms of the Ming Dynasty and the many treasures given by the Ming Dynasty implanted in the heart of Shang Ning, who was still young at the time, that "the Ming Dynasty is the most important person in the world". The most powerful nation" idea.
But after Shang Ning inherited the throne of the country, the envoys from the Ming Dynasty came less and less.
When Emperor Jiajing suspended the Ryukyu tribute, Ming envoys never set foot in this hall again.
He asked Ming Dynasty for help many times, but in the end nothing happened.
So this time when Japan sent an envoy, Shang Ning hesitated.
If the conditions of the Japanese country were not too harsh and Shang Ning had to go to Kyushu Satsuma Domain in person to pay tribute, Shang Ning would almost agree to pay tribute to the Japanese country.
It can only be said that the timing of Su Ze's arrival was too coincidental. Since he had a choice, Shang Ning was naturally willing to meet these "envoys".
Lin Changjing exaggeratedly described Su Ze and his party as envoys of the Ming Dynasty. When Shang Ning saw Su Ze and Lin Mojun, he immediately believed Lin Changjing's words.
When the tribute trade had not stopped, Shang Ning also met merchants from the Ming Dynasty. How could any merchant have the magnanimity of Su Ze?
There is also the heroic general next to Su Ze. With his straight waist, he looks like an elite general.
Su Ze saw the Lord of the Ryukyu Kingdom sitting on the throne, and after saluting, he said, "We are businessmen from the Ming Dynasty, and we would like to come and make a deal with the Lord Monk."
Shang Ning immediately said: "Your Majesty, sir, please speak."
Su Ze said: "We brought armor and weapons this time, and we want to establish a long-term trade relationship with your country."
Hearing the armor and weapons, Shang Ning was even more sure of Su Ze's identity. How could any businessman sell these things?
However, armor and weapons were what Ryukyu urgently needed, so Shang Ning naturally agreed.
After they finished talking about the trade, Shang Ning said hesitantly: "Sir, is there anything else?"
Is it just trade?
What Shang Ning expected was that the Ming Dynasty would send troops to help him quell the rebellion on Amami Oshima, and he even hoped that the Ming Dynasty would help him eliminate Japanese pirates at sea.
Su Ze kept silent about this, which made Shang Ning disappointed. However, with a batch of weapons and armor in hand, he could train the army at least.
But what should I do with the Japanese envoys in my palace?
Shang Ning's brows were still furrowed, and he still looked uninterested when discussing the details of the trade.
Su Ze noticed something strange about Shang Ning. Shang Ning had been very anxious since the negotiation. When he heard that Su Ze had brought armor and weapons, he didn't look too happy.
This is not normal.
Su Ze frowned. At this moment, there was a noise outside the door.
Hearing the familiar voice, Shang Ning's face turned pale. He quickly said to Su Ze and Lin Mojun:
"Sir, please go sit in the back hall for a while. I have some urgent matters."
After saying that, the female officers gathered around and took Su Ze and his party to the back hall, while Shang Ning walked quickly to the door.
"Master Shang, do you agree or not? If you don't give me an explanation today, next time I will bring the elite navy of Satsuma Ban!"
It turns out that was the case. Su Ze winked at Lin Mojun, and Lin Mojun, who had a tacit understanding, immediately drew out his saber and shouted back the female officials who were surrounding him.
Shang Ning was about to take Ganfu Zongxiu and others back to the other courtyard for discussion, but suddenly he heard Su Ze's voice behind him, and he was so frightened that he was scared to death.
Ganfu Zongxiu also saw Su Ze and Lin Mojun dressed in Ming dynasty. He must have had a good eye to be able to go to Ryukyu as an envoy. Su Ze and Lin Mojun's demeanor was very different from the Ryukyu people.
He suddenly thought of the reason why Shang Ning abandoned them and left in a hurry - it turned out that he was having a secret conversation with the people of Ming Dynasty!
Ganfu Zongxiu was surprised at first, and then happy again.
What happened to Daming? The Ming Dynasty has declined, and it can't even handle its own rogue bandits in coastal areas, so how can it interfere with Ryukyu affairs.
Gansuke Munehide has always been a fanatical expansionist of the Satsuma family. His idea at this time was to kill Meike and force the leader of the Ryukyu Kingdom to completely surrender to the Shimadzu family.
Gan Fu Zongxiu's thoughts were already very fast. He put his hand on the Japanese sword and was about to rush forward and chop Su Ze down.
But he didn't expect Lin Mojun to move faster than him.
Lin Mojun drew out her saber and quickly reached Gan Fu Zongxiu. She raised the knife and slashed Gan Fu Zongxiu's arm.
Gan Fu Zongxiu screamed, and Lin Mojun kicked him to the ground with another vigorous step, then stepped on Gan Fu Zongxiu's abdomen and pressed the knife edge against Gan Fu Zongxiu's neck.
Ganfu Zongxiu howled in pain. He really didn't expect that the Ming Dynasty man who didn't look strong could have such terrifying explosive power!
Ganfu Zongxiu is a so-called "kendo" master, but he is not Lin Mojun's enemy with one move!
What is the origin of this Ming Dynasty man! ?
The remaining Changning Guard soldiers also cooperated tacitly. They quickly drew their sabers, and followed Lin Mojun to knock down the Japanese warrior who was trying to draw his sabers.
Shang Ning's face turned completely pale, and Su Ze said coldly:
"It turns out that Lord Shang is still in contact with the Japanese. No wonder he doesn't care about our trade."
Shang Ning quickly said: "Your Majesty, please forgive me! These Japanese are just here to trade!"
Su Ze sneered, walked to Lin Mojun and winked at Lin Mojun.
Lin Mojun understood immediately, raised the knife in his hand, and blood flew, and the blood spurted onto the vermilion doors and windows of the hall. Ganfu Zongxiu was beheaded like this.
The other Changning Guard soldiers also raised their swords and killed the Japanese pirates in front of them!
Shang Ning had never seen such a bloody scene before. He was so frightened that he sat on the door frame and looked at the head in Su Ze's hand in despair.
"Is Shang Guo going to pay tribute to the Japanese pirates instead?"
Shang Ning knelt directly on the ground and said: "Excuse me, sir! The Japanese are forcing me to Liuqiu. I have asked for orders many times but can't wait for the envoys to come. This king is just a temporary measure. I don't really want to surrender to the Japanese!"
Su Ze threw away Ganfu Zongxiu's head and said to Shang Ning:
"Open the Naha port. In the future, my Ming Dynasty's own ships will come regularly to support you with weapons and armor, but you will have to spend money to buy them."
Shang Ning was surprised when he heard the first part of the sentence, but when he heard the second part he said with a sad face:
"After the imperial court stopped paying tribute, Ryukyu became increasingly poor. If we could afford weapons, we wouldn't be so humiliated by Japanese pirates."
Su Ze said: "Listen to me and continue. When I return to the Ming Dynasty, I will help you operate it. Please ask the court to reopen the tribute trade with Ryukyu!"
Shang Ning looked at Su Ze and almost fainted with joy!
Since the cessation of tribute, Ryukyu has spent a lot of gold and silver and bribed senior officials and even eunuchs of the Ming Dynasty, but they have not been able to restart tribute.
But the Ming envoy in front of him actually said that he was sure to persuade the Ming court to reopen the tribute?
As long as there is money, the Ryukyu Kingdom can purchase weapons and train soldiers. If it is not possible to directly spend money to hire people, it can also drive the Japanese pirates out of the country!
Shang Ning almost knelt on the ground and said gratefully to Su Ze:
"If your honorable envoy can persuade the imperial court to reopen the tribute, then he will be a great benefactor to us in Ryukyu! We will buy no matter how many weapons and armors we have!"
Su Ze continued: "What's the use of just having weapons? Can you defeat the Japanese pirates?"
Shang Ning raised his head and looked at Su Ze.
Su Ze said: "Send your prince to follow me back to the Ming Dynasty, then select young officers from the army, and ask General Lin to teach them how to practice battle formations."
The same request was made for hostages, but Shang Ning almost agreed this time.
Su Ze pointed to the corpses on the ground and said: "Hang the heads of these Japanese pirates on the port, declare Ryukyu's anti-Japanese attitude to passing ships, and expel all Japanese merchants from the island."
Of course Shang Ning knew that these orders would completely break up with the Japanese, but thinking that Su Ze had a way to restart the tribute trade, Shang Ning still gritted his teeth and agreed.
Although the leader of the Ryukyu Kingdom has a weak personality, he is still decisive when it comes to taking sides.
"May I ask, your honorable envoy, how to reopen the tribute?"
Su Ze said: "After we return, the king will send an envoy to Fuzhou Prefecture, and I will handle the rest."
"Okay, okay, then let's take Lin Changjing as the envoy and head to Fuzhou Port with my Ryukyu credentials and trade cooperation in hand!"
Next, Su Ze unloaded the weapons and armor on the ship from the dock, took Shang Ning's fifteen-year-old crown prince Shang Feng, and twenty young officers selected from the Ryukyu Army, and embarked on the voyage back to Changning Guard. .
Lin Mojun already understood Su Ze's plan, and she asked:
"Are you really planning to take these people back to Changning Guard?"
"No, just settle them on Dong'ao Island."
"They won't have any problem?"
"They are here to learn how to fight against Japanese invaders, so naturally they can stay on Dong'ao Island to practice."
"As for the Crown Prince of Ryukyu, after I finish going to Fuzhou, I will take him back to Changningwei to study."
Lin Mojun's threshold was also raised step by step by Su Ze.
Originally he just violated the imperial ban and went to sea to fight, and then he pretended to be a Japanese pirate to collect protection money. Now Su Ze coerced a Ming vassal state like Ryukyu and abducted the crown prince of Ryukyu. She was no longer surprised.
But Lin Mojun still had doubts about reopening the Ryukyu tribute trade. She asked:
"Are you sure you can get the court to reopen Ryukyu tribute?"
Su Ze smiled and said: "I'm 60% sure."
"How dare you say that to the King of Ryukyu with only 60%?"
"It all depends on manpower. Sixty percent is already a lot. If it doesn't work out, we can just help the Ryukyu people fight Japanese pirates."
Lin Mojun still asked doubtfully:
"You put so much effort into it just for Ryukyu?"
Su Ze shook his head and said: "Of course it's not just for Ryukyu. Do you know how much money the big shipowners of Langbaiao can make from a Sino-Japanese trade?"
Lin Mojun shook her head, and Su Ze reported a number that surprised her.
"Six hundred thousand taels of silver."
"What!"
Lin Mojun exclaimed, what is the concept of six hundred thousand taels of silver!
The imperial court's annual military expenditure is only one million taels of silver!
Lin Mojun used to be the head of Changning Guard. Before Su Ze came to Changning Guard, the guard couldn't get out 600 taels of silver.
This is six hundred thousand taels of silver!
Lin Mojun said again: "Wait a minute, didn't you kill some of the Satsuma clan's envoys? Even if you control Ryukyu, Japan won't do business with you, right?"
Su Ze shook his head and said: "The Shimazu family is just one of the great names in Kyushu of Japan. There are many great names better than him in Kyushu of Japan. If you don't do business with the Shimazu family, you can do business with other families."
"In addition to Kyushu, there are many famous names in Japan who are willing to buy goods from the Ming Dynasty."
Following the monsoon at the end of October, Su Ze returned from Ryukyu smoothly.
Looking at Dong'ao Island not far away, the system popped up a prompt:
[Navigation skill experience +10, Lv5, 1/1000]
[Skill 'Navigation' breaks through Lv5, please choose passive skills! 】
(End of chapter)
