Chapter 187 The Meiji Restoration of Japan (1)
In dealings with the Japanese country, Li Hongzhang's strategy of contacting and containing, eliminating future troubles, and maintaining peace forever can be described as a gentle and graceful approach; however, the Japanese country at this moment is also undergoing a major change that has not been seen in three thousand years.
On July 8, 1853 AD, Commodore Matthew Perry of the United States of America led four warships to Uraga Port in Edo Bay and threatened to open fire without opening up the country.
Shogun Tokugawa Iekei was horrified and said: "Four barbarian ships, fully loaded with sixty-three cannons, can fire a single salvo, enough to flatten the port of Uraga. If the country does not open up, there will be disaster."
Abe Masahiro, the leader of Lao Zhong, said: Since the Edo shogunate took sole power, the country has been closed off for two hundred years. Peace has lasted for a long time, people are unaware of things, and the country was suddenly founded, causing chaos.
Tokugawa Iekei said: Although it is impossible to defend against foreign enemies with our military force, we are sure to suppress internal strife. The founding of the country must be postponed until the spring of next year.
After the Tokugawa family finished speaking, he was panting heavily, and everyone hurriedly helped him to the sleeping hall. Tokugawa Ieke couldn't find a good idea, and he was so anxious that he died at the end of the month. The crown prince, Tokugawa Iadadao, was appointed as the general to conquer the barbarians as usual.
Abe Masahiro sighed and said: The general who conquered the barbarians is weak by nature and unable to decide on military and state affairs. It’s hard for us to sing alone.
All the veterans seconded the proposal.
Masahiro Abe said again: Today's changes are unprecedented, and we really have no good way to deal with them. We can only open up our voices, listen to the opinions of the public, and quickly summon the lords of each vassal to discuss the founding of the country or the expulsion of foreigners.
In early October, the forty-one feudal lords gathered in Edo.
Tokugawa Saiaki, the lord of the Mito Domain, flatly refused and vowed to destroy the bells and cast cannons and fight to the death; Shimazu Saibin, the lord of the Satsuma Domain, Yamauchi Do, the lord of the Tosa Domain, Date Munejo, the lord of the Uwajima Domain, Matsudaira Keinaga, the lord of the Fukui Domain, etc. The fourteen feudal lords seconded the proposal.
The lord of the Hikone Domain, Ii Naobutsu, advocated the founding of the country by not using unintended troops and killing people. Among the forty-one lords, the only ones who supported Ii Naobutsu were the lord of the Aizu Domain, Matsudaira Yoho, and the lord of the Takamatsu Domain, Matsudaira Noriin.
The lords of the ten feudal lords, including the lord of the Choshu lord, Mouri Kinkin, were noncommittal.
There were different opinions among the vassals. The shogunate Tokugawa family was in great confusion and ordered the chief minister Abe Masahiro to deal with it properly.
Masahiro Abe led the order and quickly summoned Mito Domain Lord Tokugawa Saiaki, Satsuma Domain Lord Shimazu Saibin, Fukui Domain Lord Matsudaira Keinaga, Hikone Domain Lord Ii Naomi, Sakura Domain Lord Hota Masamushi, and Choshu Domain Lord Mori Kei Kin, Tosa Domain Lord Yamauchido and other powerful feudal clans discussed the matter.
Ii Naomi said: The American and barbarian ships have strong ships and cannons. Our country is surrounded by the sea on all sides and the armaments on the coast are loose. We will lose in battle. It is expedient to accept the peace letter in Uraga first.
Tokugawa Qi Zhao said: Expedient measures are only for the moment, not long-term strategies; why don't we work together to strengthen coastal defense and fight to the death?
Hota Masumu said: Ten years ago, due to the opium trade, the Qing Dynasty and the British Kingdom fought fiercely on the sea frontier, and finally settled the indemnity and ceded territory. How is our country's combat power compared to the Qing Dynasty?
Shimazu Qibin said: Sitting in a well and looking at the sky, isolating the country is definitely not a long-term strategy. Propagating industry, enriching the country and strengthening the army can consolidate the foundation for eternity. For the time being, we are willing to accept humiliation and compromise; we are building ships and training troops in secret, waiting for an opportunity to give it a try.
Makino Tadamasa, a veteran of the shogunate, said: Our country is surrounded by the sea, and the armed forces on the coast are lax. It is a temporary expedient to accept the letter in Uraga first.
Matsudaira Keiyong said: The top priority is to consolidate coastal defense. Mito Domain has a strategic location on the sea and is worthy of this important task.
Abe Masahiro said: Mito Domain Lord Tokugawa Noriaki has assumed the post of Coast Defense Officer, which can be said to be beneficial to both people and land. I will report it to the general and make it happen. By the general's will, from now on you all can participate in the discussion of state affairs, and foreign daimyo, feudal lords, samurai and even common people can also submit suggestions. From now on, all tributes from each feudal clan to the shogunate will be exempted. The previous prohibition on building large ships will be cancelled. It will also be abolished today.
When all the feudal lords heard this, they left happily. Abe Masahiro privately told the Satsuma feudal lord Shimazu Saibin: "The general who conquers barbarians is not good at national affairs; we must make plans in advance."
Shimazu Qibin said: General Zhengyi will marry his daughter Atsuhime within this year. If he has a son next year, everything will be fine!
Abe Masahiro said: haste makes waste, plan ahead, and we plan with all our heart to make things happen.
In March 1854, Matthew Perry again led seven battleships to knock on the gate; Shogun Tokugawa Iedada thought about it again and again, and finally signed and signed, agreeing to open ports for trade in Shimoda and Hakodate.
Soon, the warships of the Netherlands, Russia, Britain, and France successively cleared the way and signed the treaty in support of the case. In the following months, barbarians of all colors came to the stage in great costumes.
Haiphong and Tokugawa Qi Zhao saw that life was full of hatred, and he was so annoyed that he resigned in anger.
Masahiro Abe, the leader of the old army, advised: "The imperial court Taikaku Ying Siyongtong has a lot of people to take charge of the founding of the country, and His Majesty Emperor Komei has no objection; we must follow the trend." Suddenly, when the country was founded, all the vassals were in chaos and noisy. If the king refused, who would be able to clean up the mess?
Tokugawa Saiaki said: The senior shogunate Matsudaira Nozozen, Matsudaira Tadyu and Ii Naosuke all belong to the founding faction. Now that the Treaty of Kanagawa has been signed, Lord Abu and others can show their talents and help the country; I am dedicated to fighting against the barbarians, and my body is eating nothing. How can I not do this? retreat?
Abe Masahiro said: The general who conquered the barbarians is weak and careless about politics. Since the founding of the country, the world has been in chaos. If this continues, the country will be in danger.
Tokugawa Qi Zhao said: Ever since the barbarian warships knocked at the gate last year, the struggle between resisting the barbarians and founding the country has been endless. Now that the country has been founded, the general trend has been established. We, the faction that resists the barbarians, have the power to retreat in order to advance. While we have strengthened our troops and horses, we are waiting to watch the changes.
Abe Masahiro said: If the leader is weak and the ministers are strong, powerful vassals arise everywhere, which is not a blessing to the country. If you retreat bravely from the rapids and establish a faction in the country, there will no longer be any constraints. At that time, it may be like a huge wave that can overwhelm mountains and seas, and it will no longer be able to stop it.
Tokugawa Qi Zhao said: We must not allow them to cause trouble. I intend to immediately remove Matsudaira Norizen and Matsudaira Tadyu from their posts to stop their power. What do you want, Master Abu?
Abe Masahiro said: The common people and small officials are not allowed to do whatever they want when it comes to punishing Zang, let alone the senior middlemen of the second shogunate. To solve this situation, the only way is to force General Zheng Yi to marry Shimazu Qibin's daughter. The little girl will enter the Olympics and rest in the wind.
Tokugawa Qi Zhao said: Er Songping is arrogant and the country will never have peace. Please ask Mr. Abu to get rid of him immediately.
Abe Masahiro said: If you want to inflict a crime, there is no need to hesitate, just wait for the best opportunity.
The following year, Abe Masahiro reported to the shogunate and dismissed Matsudaira Nozozen and Matsudaira Tadyu from their positions as senior shogunate officials because of their incompetence.
Naomi Ii, leader of the founding faction and lord of Hikone Domain, angrily criticized Masahiro Abe for his reckless behavior.
Masahiro Abe said: All my actions are for the sake of the country; if the country can prosper, I can also resign, let alone the two elders!
Jing Yi Naobi said: As the saying goes, a gentleman has no jokes! If Mr. Abu leaves, who will be able to take on the big responsibility?
Abe Masahiro said: The lord of the Sakura Domain, Hota Masumu, is a great name of the generation. He is well versed in Western learning, and he especially hates seclusion. The first post of Laozhong belongs to him.
Ii Naomi said: Hota Masumu was once a senior lieutenant in the shogunate and had outstanding political achievements during his tenure. Now that he is the first senior lieutenant in the shogunate, he is very familiar with the road.
