Xiao Letian's scolding was hurtful enough, and Jin Changsen's scolding was aggrieved enough, because Xiao Letian now simply uses his knowledge that spans the ages to abuse others, which is really a bit overwhelming.
However, although Xiao Letian scolded him harshly, the truth he expounded was indeed true. Why did the Japanese Shimazu family secretly control the Ryukyu Kingdom for more than two hundred years without destroying its ancestral temple? Is it really a discovery of Japanese conscience or do they not have the strength?
The answer is definitely no. In fact, the key point is still interests. The ancient Ryukyu Kingdom was a maritime country recognized by the mainland government. Although it was weak, it still had tribute and trade rights. The gold seal was always under the control of the King of Ryukyu.
The Shimazu family needed this name so much, because when the Tokugawa shogunate rose, the Shimazu family was already on the wrong side and became the enemy of the Tokugawa shogunate. Although the relationship later eased, they were unable to obtain the most important right to develop alliances. Fortunately, the Ryukyu Kingdom is directly south of the Shimazu family, and the Ryukyu Kingdom is still so weak. Please come to more and faster chapters.
The use of military means to control the Ryukyu royal family and disguised control of the Ryukyu Kingdom's trading rights allowed the Shimazu family to accumulate a large amount of wealth over hundreds of years. This was the fundamental reason why the Ryukyu ancestral temple was maintained.
Now, the commercial status of the Ryukyu Kingdom is on the verge of collapse, and the civil war in the Qing Dynasty has also made the tribute trade exist in name only. The customs of the Qing Dynasty were forcibly opened by foreigners, and the exploration and cooperation trade naturally withdrew from the stage of history.
The prospecting trade may sound complicated, but in fact Xiao Letian understands very well that this is just a large-scale procurement led by the government. The main reason is mainland civilization, that is, the Ming and Qing dynasties closed the door to free trade and chose inter-governmental transactions on merchant ships traveling between the mainland and overseas countries. If there were no gold seals for trade, then the Ming and Qing dynasties would The DPRK had a pretext to arrest and kill people. Transactions without contracted trading rights are regarded as smuggling.
But now, Britain and France have used artillery to blast open the closed customs of the Qing Dynasty. Western businessmen who do not have the right to explore and trade are flocking in. The Qing government has long been frightened by the fire in the Old Summer Palace, and the exploration and cooperation trade has been forcibly swept into the garbage pile.
It is against this background that the status of the Ryukyu Kingdom has become lower and lower. The Ryukyu specialty products such as sugar, coral, and pearls have been replaced by better goods from Southeast Asia. In addition to gold and silver and other precious metals, Japanese domestic goods In addition, the rest of the Qing Dynasty is not needed at all, and the commercial status of Naha Port is getting weaker and weaker.
Of course, there is another very important reason, which is the development of navigation technology. In 1865, the clipper trade had already spread across the ocean. This extremely fast sailing ship had escaped the shackles of the trade winds and truly became the king of ocean trade.
The speed of a clipper ship can reach up to 20 knots, and it takes up to 30 days to cross the Pacific. It takes less than 100 days to travel from Guangdong to London, England. Moreover, the tonnage of merchant ships at this time was getting larger and larger, and the number of sailors needed was decreasing.
For example, the Corsican Captain's Lucky Ship was loaded with bristles from Tanggu Port to return to Europe. The fresh water and food he carried when he set out were enough for him to travel all the way to Calcutta and even to the Arabian Peninsula. This powerful endurance capability was unimaginable by European navigators during the Ming Dynasty.
At that time, Portuguese merchants took simple sailing ships and slowly moved towards Asia along the trade wind belt of the earth. They had to stop at almost every larger port to replenish food and fresh water, so the Naha Port at that time It is really a must-stop port for all merchant ships on long voyages. The reputation of Wanguo Jinliang was established at that time.
"Stupid man, do you know what the progress of the times is?" Xiao Letian said contemptuously to Jin Changsen and the ashen-faced pro-Japanese faction, "Naha Port did not have the support of industry and agriculture. In the past, When the tonnage of ocean-going merchant ships was small, your Naha specialties such as sugar, coral, pearls, and earthen porcelain could fill several cargo ships. But what about now? Look at the large-tonnage cargo ships built by foreigners. Your goods are enough for others to carry. One trip?”
"You can't make any money here, and it's not of much use as a supply port. To borrow what you just said, Naha is only a short distance away from the Japanese mainland. Do you think they are short of food and fresh water for that day? They just bypass it. Can’t you Ryukyus go to Kagoshima and Hakata to supply supplies?”
"Have you idiots figured it out now? Naha has been marginalized, and you have become the weaklings of the Shimadzu family. What will be the final fate of Ryukyu that cannot make money? Jin Changsen, at your age, let me ask you, use you Give me an answer with your wisdom, what do you think your fate will be?"
Xiao Letian's lips were so tired that they were parched. He really didn't want to talk nonsense to these people, but now he still had to unify the thoughts of Ryukyu's monarchs and ministers. If the rest of the play wanted to continue, he had to ensure that King Shangtai no longer wavered.
Under the crushing force of Xiao Letian's knowledge that spans the ages, Jin Changsen and those pro-Japanese factions collapsed first. Let's ignore those outright pro-Japanese factions. First of all, Jin Changsen is not a pure pro-Japanese faction. He still identifies with his identity as a Ryukyu native. , everything he did was actually because of his judgment of the situation.
Jin Changsen broke free from the shackles of the soldiers and knelt down in front of King Shangtai with a bang, crying bitterly: "Your Majesty, I am confused. I almost killed Your Majesty. Please clarify the punishment and kill me to deter all the evildoers in the court..." I just ask Your Majesty to spare the lives of my family for the sake of my loyalty..."
With Jin Changsen taking the lead, the rest of the pro-Japanese faction knelt down and "begged your majesty to clarify the punishment, and begged your majesty to forgive the lives of my family members..."
As things have developed so far, the pro-China faction has grown in strength. At first, they still had some doubts about their beliefs. It was only now that Xiao Letian revealed his final trump card that they realized how correct everything they had done was. .
Yes, they all know the story of cunning rabbits dying and running dogs being cooked, and birds disappearing and hiding their bows, and they are even more aware of the greedy and selfish nature of the Japanese.
"Fortunately, there is Mr. Xiao in the Qing Dynasty. Fortunately, we have read "Journey to the West". Fortunately, we have Wang Yingming. Otherwise, the Ryukyu Kingdom would have perished in your hands... Bah!"
At this time, King Shangtai finally woke up from his dazed nightmare. After hearing Xiao Letian's analysis, he was shocked into a cold sweat. Sure enough, choosing the mainland was the right choice. If he really listened to the old guy Jin Changsen, he would only be able to survive for a few years at most. Thinking of this, King Shangtai walked up to Xiao Letian and bowed deeply.
"Thank you, Prime Minister, for breaking the myth and enlightening me... My dear ministers, I declare to you that Xiao Letian is my teacher, and Xiao Aiqing is the Prime Minister of our Ryukyu court. No matter whether it is military or political, Mr. Xiao is worthy of his words..."
The crowd was in an uproar, Imperial Master? And he's still prime minister? King Shangtai actually restored the prime minister system of ancient China? Oh my God! He didn't even discuss it with the ministers. Updated as soon as possible. But it was only then that the fool jumped out to object. Under the leadership of Cai Hao and Lin Yuanmiao, all the courtiers bowed at ninety degrees and saluted.
"See the Prime Minister, the Ryukyu Kingdom is blessed!"
Not to mention that the Ryukyu Kingdom was small, and that Xiao Letian and his wife were indifferent to others. However, facing the officials who were saluting, and looking at the maids, eunuchs and waiters who were kneeling, Xiao Letian couldn't help but swell up and straighten his waist. Three points.
Looking at the subordinates behind Xiao Letian, all of them were so excited that their eyes were filled with tears. They have followed the master and fought desperately until now. Isn't it just for this honor? Look at Luo Huo who is holding the flag, his chin is almost raised to his forehead.
After Xiao Letian's short fart, his mind quickly calmed down. The Japanese were not resting now. When they looked up, they could see the Japanese building defensive walls all over the mountains and plains. They were staring at them like injured wild wolves. Shuri Castle.
"Your Majesty, now is not the time for small talk. Prepare for war immediately... Lord Lin Yuanmiao, you immediately mobilize the chamberlains and maids in the palace to prepare food and water. You don't need to make porridge in a big pot... General Cai Mao, You, Mr. Shi and the soldiers around me, hurry up and select elites among the people. The city wall must be defended..."
Xiao Letian now occupied the magpie nest and began to issue orders instead of King Shangtai. However, no one in the civil and military forces of the Manchu Dynasty dared to resist. They saw a continuous influx of Chinese from the south gate. These were all warriors who had been baptized by a night of bloody battles. Shuri Castle is really no match for this group of people now.
It is impossible for all the more than 100,000 Chinese in Naha Port to follow Xiao Letian. In addition to those who were killed, many people fled in all directions and went into the mountains with the Ryukyu natives. Updated as soon as possible. There are forty to fifty thousand Chinese who are fighting with Xiao Letian like this. These men, women, old and children are almost exhausted. The men can hold on for a while, but the women, children and the elderly must get rest.
After a while, all the squares in front of Shuri Castle were crowded with women, children and the elderly, and soon the aroma of rice porridge began to fill the air.
On the city wall, Cai Mao, Shi Dakai and many middle-level generals are arranging manpower for defense. The weapons depot of the palace has also been opened, and all the swords, guns, swords and halberds that have been stored for an unknown period of time have been brought out. There is even Ming Yongle in there. Production of iron armor and steel knives during the year.
"Prime Minister, let's have some hot porridge..." While Xiao Letian was inspecting the city wall, Lin Yuanmiao, the Secretary of the Ministry of Revenue, came over with someone carrying rice porridge to flatter him. But he didn't expect that Xiao Letian actually glared at him, "If the soldiers haven't eaten, I won't eat. I will quickly distribute it to the soldiers and the people. When everyone has drunk the hot porridge, I will drink... Go, just give me a glass of water." !”
I have to say that people in ancient times were still simple. These people who have not been bombarded by the news media do not have so many twists and turns in their hearts. If anyone treats them better, they can really take out their hearts. Xiao Letian even made all the Chinese people around him cry.
"Prime Minister...Mr. Xiao...Your Excellency..." The crowd choked and took the hot porridge, tears welling up in their eyes. Xiao Letian was also a little touched by himself. He turned around, rubbed his stomach and sighed secretly, "There is a price to pay for pretending to be cool. I'm so hungry that my chest is touching my back."
Time passed minute by minute. When the pocket watch pointed to seven o'clock in the morning, the sky and the earth were already bright. At this time, standing on the city wall, one could already see the situation of the entire port, the burning city, the fleet on the sea, and The Japanese who were defending on the mountainside were clearly visible.
"General Cai Mao! Find me a telescope quickly. Do you think those ships on the sea are the Japanese fleet?" Just when Xiao Letian took over the gilded brass monocular, suddenly a flash of light flashed on the sea. There was a flash of fire, followed by bursts of thunder.
In the blink of an eye, clouds of smoke and dust suddenly rose from the west wall of Shuri Castle, and the entire Shuri Castle shook.
"It's the Japanese fleet, their customs ship... These bastards opened fire, they opened fire on the imperial city..." General Cai Hao covered his helmet and rushed towards the west wall.
At this time, Kayama Rigen finally breathed a sigh of relief, "Yo Xi, Yu Xi! Our navy is still trustworthy. Now that they have taken action, we will not lose this battle... Those weaklings of the Ryukyu royal family will soon He will surrender!"
