Almost following the footsteps of the Qing Dynasty, Japan's Tokugawa shogunate also began a policy of isolation from the country shortly after its establishment, and this policy lasted almost throughout the entire shogunate era.
Japan's seclusion has begun since the Tokugawa Ieyasu era. The second-generation general Tokugawa Hidetada and the third-generation general Tokugawa Iemitsu followed suit.
After Japan closed its borders, only merchants from the Ming Dynasty, Korea, Ryukyu, and the Netherlands were allowed to trade in Nagasaki.
Because Nagasaki was a shogun territory, the shogunate had a monopoly on the entire foreign trade of Japan, which was exactly the same as the Thirteen Banks of Guangzhou.
What is more realistic is that Catholicism developed rapidly during Japan's Warring States Period, with more than 300,000 believers gathered, and it was a powerful force that was uncontrollable.
For example, the Catholic tithe, not worshiping ancestors, trading muskets with daimyo without authorization, etc., all touched the back of the Japanese shogunate.
Later, when the Shimabara Rebellion broke out in 1637, the shogunate spent a lot of effort and suffered more than 10,000 casualties to suppress this major uprising, which was dominated by Christians.
The reason why the Dutch were able to occupy a place in Japanese trade was because Protestantism was more Buddhist and not keen on centralization.
Catholic missionaries are not here to spread God’s love and teachings, but to make profits.
For China, Catholicism is not worth mentioning, but for the feudal shogunate, it is a behemoth.
"Nagasaki——"
At this time, Tokugawa Iemitsu suddenly murmured and opened his long-closed eyes. The bright light made the ministers dare not look up.
"Yes, there are many Tang merchants in Nagasaki."
Abe Tadaki lowered his head and said in a deep voice: "During this period, Karamono swept across Edo, and the daimyo samurai were proud of Karamono. Our country's silver and gold were lost to foreign countries in large quantities. If things continue like this, I'm afraid it will be detrimental to the shogunate..."
"It can't be said that way." Baoke Zhengzhi shook his head: "Among the Tang Dynasty objects, most of them are the Four Books and Five Classics, and Zhu Xi's annotations. Now that the country is in retreat, it is the time to advocate the style of writing——"
Hoshino Masayuki loved Confucianism, and Tokugawa Iemitsu also did the same. In other words, the shoguns of the shogunate all loved Confucianism. Zhu Xi's study and Wang's study were extremely popular in Japan.
Originally, Buddhism was very good and could fool the people. However, it mutated in Japan. Not only could one eat meat, but one could also marry a wife and pass on the family business.
More importantly, they also like to mobilize and brainwash the people to rebel.
Under such circumstances, how can Confucianism not be popular? Especially when Toyotomi Hideyoshi failed to invade North Korea, the Mutang movement once again arose in the country.
When Tokugawa Iemitsu heard about the loss of silver, he sighed: "Our country's silver is cheap, but Tang's silver is expensive. This is also the basis for the exchanges between the two countries. Fortunately, Nagasaki is there, otherwise the losses would be even greater."
Sakai Tadakatsu on the side was silent.
For the Japanese, there is endless silver in the mountains, and they have to dig it out to buy things. Instead of buying domestic coarse cloth, it is more cost-effective to buy Tang cloth.
Even the female officials and concubines in General Daao are all keen on Tang cloth brocade.
"General Zhang, this is a silver coin brought by a merchant from the Tang Dynasty."
Sakai Tadakatsu said hello, and the young man on the side came quickly and presented a plate of silver, gold, and copper coins.
"I heard that the Tang Dynasty no longer minted square-hole coins such as Yongle Tongbao, but instead minted solid coins like the Nanman (referring to Westerners)."
As he spoke, Sakai Tadakatsu pointed to the wooden plate and said: "This is a copper round, which is worth ten copper coins; a silver round is equivalent to one tael of silver, and a gold round is equivalent to ten silver yuan."
Tokugawa Iemitsu was stunned, with some doubts in his eyes.
"Xiao Binhou means that our country does not have the skills to cast copper coins. It is better to learn from the Tang Dynasty and cast such round coins so that they can be used throughout the country."
Hoshina Masayuki bent down and explained.
The casting of copper coins seems simple, but in fact it is extremely challenging for technology, both today and in future generations.
Today, the copper coins of the Ming Dynasty are all circulated in Korea, Japan, Annan and other countries. The money of one's own country is not recognized and is called bad money. It can be broken in half if used.
Tokugawa Iemitsu's eyes narrowed: "I'm afraid it will be difficult in our country."
"Lan Country can do it."
Sakai Tadakatsu said: "This method should not be difficult for the Southern Barbarians."
"You can make one or two on a trial basis."
"In addition, Lan Guo and Tang Guo had a bad relationship due to officials. Although they reconciled, Zheng Yiguan still refused to allow Lan merchants to come to Nagasaki. I hope our country can persuade them."
"It would be better if I couldn't come."
Tokugawa Iemitsu sneered: "Although Lan Guo is peaceful, it is still a southern barbarian, different from us."
"That's all."
Suddenly, Tokugawa Iemitsu thought of checks and balances and changed his tone: "Let the people from Nagasaki persuade me."
"yes--"
Immediately, one incident after another, big and small, was reported one after another.
After nearly fifty years of governance by three generations of generals, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Tokugawa Hidetada, and Tokugawa Iemitsu, the Edo shogunate was officially on the right track.
Even though the events of the Ming Dynasty were thousands of miles away, they still caused ripples here.
The Zheng family, which was unscrupulous in the China Sea, remained rich and powerful after taking over Taiwan.
Zheng Zhilong serves as the commander-in-chief of the Donghai Navy. He is stationed along the coasts of Zhejiang, Fujian, and Jiangsu, and is stationed in the Zhoushan Islands.
Some of the old and weak members of the Zheng Jiajun under his command were sent to Taiwan Prefecture, where they distributed their fields and became farmers to settle down and start a family.
And some small boats, that is, sea-going ships with a size of two to three hundred materials, are basically placed in the Penghu Navy to protect the safety of Taiwan.
The remaining large ship was divided into three.
The First Division followed Zheng Zhilong to Zhoushan and established the Donghai Navy, with a scale of more than 15,000 men and more than 100 large and small warships.
The other one, in Guangdong, became the Nanhai Navy, with a scale of more than 10,000. The navy's chief soldiers were no longer members of the Zheng family, but were appointed and dismissed by the imperial court.
The last part, which is purely wild and unwilling to be recruited as soldiers, belongs to the Zheng family fleet, traveling between Korea and Japan, and dealing in commercial goods.
Although they no longer have a monopoly on Japanese trade, with the advantage of their fleet and their many years of routes, the Zheng family is still full of food.
"Brother, the Dutch are clamoring again and thinking about going to Japan!"
Zheng Hongkui came to Nan'an County and saw Zheng Zhilong who was at home on vacation. He opened his mind and showed his fat belly, and couldn't help laughing.
"It's okay to go, let him pay the membership fee."
Zheng Zhilong didn't take it seriously: "Don't think that if you build an embassy in Beijing and have the opportunity to see the emperor, you will be exempted from paying toll. It's a pretty idea."
"In the entire China Sea, except for the emperor's ship, everyone else paid money to me, even the prime minister's family was no exception."
"Of course, it's hard for the Dutch to pay."
"correct."
Zheng Zhilong suddenly thought of something: "Has the shipyard in Quanzhou finished building our warship? How long has it been?"
"No!" Although he only served as the commander-in-chief of Fujian, Zheng Hongkui said:
"I came to see you to talk about this. There is not so much Yin Mu."
"Besides, doesn't the palace need to be repaired? A lot of it has been cut down in Fujian, and your navy needs to ship out and transport it away."
"His uncle, he flatters the emperor and wants us navy to run errands!" Zheng Zhilong said angrily.
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