Under the pressure of internal and external pressure, Kirigakure chose to sacrifice the interests of the Kingdom of Water to cede territory for compensation in order to concentrate on dealing with the menacing Kumogakure ninja army.
Compared with the Tokumitsu Shogunate, Kumogakure is the enemy that may affect the survival of the Ninja Village.
In this way, Uchiha Tokumitsu has to thank Kumogakure's group of barbarians for the amazing assists, which allowed him to pick up a big mistake!
After the armistice document signed by the Third Mizukage and announced to the Ninja Village was delivered to the shogunate camp, Uchiha Tokumitsu ordered the withdrawal of the occupying Ninja troops from the Eastern Islands and Daming Prefecture Kinki.
It was only when Loquat Juzo asked for the return of the Daimyo Prefecture that Uchiha Tokumitsu put forward another condition, requiring that the Daimyo of the Land of Water personally sign an edict declaring that the Tokumitsu Shogunate's jurisdiction over the Southern Islands was a permanent control supported by the legal principles of a great power. OK.
Although neither the shogunate nor Kirigakure fully understood the binding effect of such an empty document that could be torn up at any time, Juzo Hako, who was responsible for the negotiations between the two parties, had no choice but to go north again to meet with the daimyo and ask him to issue an edict to agree to the transfer of governance. .
Since the ninja army of Gotachibana Yagura was defeated in the Battle of Kinki, the garrison of the Water Country daimyo was also moved to the northern archipelago.
However, in recent days, due to Kumogakure's attack, the northern archipelago has become somewhat unstable. Coupled with the negative impact caused by Mizukage's massacre of the elders, the daimyo, ministers and nobles have also been frightened three times a day, and are in panic all day long.
Now the Third Mizukage went beyond him, the nominal supreme ruler of the Water Country, to secretly negotiate peace with a foreign warlord and signed an agreement to cede territory, which really made the Daimyo feel embarrassed.
…
"...The people of the shogunate have big plans!"
When Loquat Juzo arrived at the daimyo station to convey Uchiha Tokimitsu's request, the noble official who came out to greet him delayed for a while on the grounds that he still needed to discuss it in front of the palace.
The daimyo also summoned his ministers to discuss countermeasures.
The ninjas may not take the edict seriously, but in the eyes of the nobles who are experienced in political affairs, the significance of the edict to cede territories is of great importance.
This is equivalent to establishing a separatist force within the Kingdom of Water that does not listen to propaganda...
The Daimyo of the Land of Water would rather allow the southern and eastern islands to be occupied by the shogunate's ninja troops than issue such an edict to cede territory.
"Your Highness the Daimyo, I know that this matter is a shame to the Kingdom of Water, but I still hope that Your Highness will bear with you for the sake of the country in order to restore order..."
However, the ministers and nobles had long been concerned about their mansions and gold and silver treasures placed in the Daming Palace, and they were really unwilling to continue to worry and tighten their belts to support Kirigakure to continue fighting against the Tokoku Shogunate.
"Although Mizukage is arrogant and rude, he is the leader of Kirigakure after all, and he still needs to lead his troops to resist the Kumogakure tigers and wolves; and although the Tokumitsu shogunate is tyrannical, it can be done to a certain extent by accepting him as a nominal vassal through an edict. To a certain extent, it can check and balance the Kirigakure Ninja Village. In this way, it can also prevent the ninja power from being dominated by one family. His Highness the Daimyo can just sit in the middle and mediate, sit back and watch the fight between the other generations, and reorganize the government army..."
The eloquent Konoe Atsushi persuaded him hard.
Other ministers and ministers also had the same attitude.
No matter how tyrannical the Tokumitsu shogunate was, they would not commit the evil act of killing nobles like Kumogakure.
Besides, ceding the Southern Islands would only sacrifice the interests of the local nobles. What does it have to do with the ministers of Daming Mansion?
What's more, after experiencing the devastation of the war, the original local nobles of the Eastern Islands returned by the shogunate were all but ten, which was just suitable for the ministers of the Daming Prefecture to enclose and expand their sphere of influence.
This is a win-win!
The Tokumitsu shogunate got the southern islands, and the ministers took the eastern islands. As for the only ones who suffered were the daimyo and those unlucky local nobles.
"Now that Kirigakure has been defeated in many battles, the ninja army is scattered. It still needs to regroup to face Kumogakure. This is a major matter related to the survival of the country of water... Please put aside your honor and disgrace for the time being and take on more responsibilities for this country."
The minister of Taizheng also spoke out to persuade.
The daimyo's attitude began to soften a little, but he still had some scruples, "If the shogunate separatizes the southern archipelago, how will the defense of Kinki be arranged? How will business transactions be taxed?"
This is a very practical question.
The former is about whether the daimyo can sleep well, and the latter is about whether the daimyo can eat well.
"Kirigakure can be responsible for the ninja troops stationed in Kinki. After the war, another 3,000 ninja troops will be mobilized to form a guard force..."
The Minister of Taizheng said: "As for the tax issue... we don't care about anything sold abroad. Everything going to and from the country must be levied according to the domestic tax rate!"
The smuggling business that Uchiha Tokumitsu once initiated with the Kirigakure Ninja Clan Alliance was well known to the nobles and nobles. In fact, they were also one of the beneficiaries of the smuggling trade.
At that time, specialties from all over the ninja world were continuously transported to the hinterland of the nobles, and all that was required was the meager and worthless catch of the humble fishermen.
As for the smuggling trade, who suffers the most?
Of course he is the one who collects taxes throughout the territory!
However, although the ministers and nobles exist dependent on the daimyo, it does not mean that their interests are consistent with the daimyo.
Especially at this critical moment when the territory of the Eastern Islands is about to be obtained, being able to evade more taxes from the daimyo's tax collectors means that more gold coins can be kept in their treasury.
After rounds of persuasion from close ministers, the daimyo finally relented and agreed to issue the edict, but he also requested that envoys be sent to the shogunate's residence to discuss tax issues between the two parties and the location of the concession in the Eastern Islands.
There was no choice but to work hard, Juuzang Juzo could only take the daimyo envoy and set off south again to continue negotiating with Uchiha Tokumitsu.
…
The person who came to sign with Uchiha Tokumitsu on the order of the Daimyo of the Land of Water was Konoe Atsushi, who had prospered in officialdom since he was sent to the shogunate.
Uchiha Tokumitsu was also very interested in this person. He felt that he was a person who knew current affairs and had a soft body. He might be of great use in the future, so he summoned Konoe Atsushi in the meeting hall of the station as usual.
"General Tokumitsu, on the orders of the sacred name of our country, came to discuss..."
Before Konoe Atsushi finished speaking, he was interrupted by Uchiha Tokumitsu.
"Should the name be signed or not!"
"The southern islands can be classified as shogunate territory, but there are still other matters that need to be negotiated."
Konoe Atsushi also explained the purpose of his visit: "The first is taxation, and the second is concession. Until these two matters are decided, the daimyo will never issue an edict!"
"Tell me~"
The appearance of Konoe Atsushi kneeling and punching was indeed interesting, and Uchiha Tokumitsu also explained it accordingly.
"...the shogunate shall not restrict the movement of the people under the jurisdiction of the southern archipelago, and they shall be free to choose to stay or return north."
"That's no problem~"
Uchiha Tokumitsu agreed to Konoe Atsushi's first request.
"But the freedom of movement of people is mutual, and the areas under the jurisdiction of daimyo must not restrict the southward movement of their citizens."
"no problem!"
Konoe Atsushi also agreed, and then continued: "Secondly, the Southern Islands should implement a tax rate consistent with that of the country."
"...Does the daimyo still want me to pay taxes to him?!"
Uchiha Tokko frowned.
"A tax payable can be deposited into the shogunate's treasury, but the tax rate cannot be changed on its own."
Konoe Atsushi explained.
"Domestic commercial taxation can be implemented according to the water country tax rate, but foreign-related taxation is an internal matter of the shogunate, and the daimyo is not allowed to interfere."
Uchiha Tokko thought for a while and made his own request.
"no problem!"
This is exactly what Konoe Atsushi wanted.
Subsequently, the two discussed and finalized some content regarding the establishment of the Tariff Agreement Department, and the tax issues in the Southern Islands were also finalized.
The last item is the concession issue that both parties are most concerned about.
From the daimyo's point of view, he was naturally unwilling to let the Tokoku shogunate retain its tentacles of influence in the Eastern Islands. Even if he could not refuse, he would throw it to an uninhabited island and let the shogunate catch seabirds for fun.
But Uchiha Tokumitsu naturally didn't want to do this. In his eyes, the concession must be set up in the county of the Eastern Islands of the Land of Water.
Just like the garrison detachments established by the Eastern Border Defense Force in the eight eastern counties of the Land of Fire, Uchiha Tokumitsu hoped that the concession would become a medium for contacting local noble officials, thereby expanding the influence of the shogunate on the local area.
But the daimyo is not stupid, so he is naturally unwilling to let go of this issue.
"The shogunate will set up concessions in the seven counties and cities of the Eastern Archipelago!"
Uchiha Tokumitsu spoke loudly first, "In addition, shogunate consulates and commercial offices need to be set up in various waterways!"
"No way!"
Konoe Atsushi refused, then took out the map and presented it to Uchiha Tokimitsu: "The location of the concession proposed by our country is as shown above. Please use this to open the concession and establish the boundary."
Uchiha Tokumitsu picked it up and looked at it, and immediately cursed: "It is absolutely impossible to set boundaries like this! Does the daimyo still want to continue the war?"
"But General Tokumitsu's request is too much!"
Konoe Atsushi did not give in, and retorted righteously: "The Kingdom of Water is a big country, does it mean that by humiliating a big country like this, it doesn't take into account the criticism of the ninja community?"
"Besides, ninjas seek wealth and nobles seek stability. How about we both give in?"
Seeing Uchiha Tokumitsu's expression turn cloudy, Konoe Atsushi immediately changed his words and said: "The shogunate can choose three counties and cities to set up concessions, and they can open commercial consulates, etc. within the concession area."
"...and two more waterway concessions!"
Uchiha Demitsu thought for a while and added a condition.
"Can!"
Konoe Atsushi agreed without even thinking about it.
This made Uchiha Tokko feel that he was at a disadvantage.
Could it be that the bottom line of the Daimyo of the Land of Water is much more than this?
"The concession is not subject to the laws of the Water Kingdom. The rules of the shogunate are implemented within the jurisdiction, and the consuls and consular residents stationed there enjoy extra-legal jurisdiction."
Uchiha Tokko added another request.
“What is extra-legal jurisdiction?”
Konoe Atsushi asked humbly.
Uchiha Tokumitsu explained to him the meaning of extrajudicial power.
"Ninjas with shogunate status can enjoy extra-legal jurisdiction, but ordinary people need to follow the legal requirements of the place where they are."
Konoe Atsushi thought about it and made a patch for Uchiha Tokumitsu's request.
"Can!"
Uchiha Tokko immediately agreed.
Is it difficult to become a shogunate ninja? The worst case scenario is to award some titles like lifelong honorary genin to the merchants and the like, so wouldn't they also have the status of shogunate ninja?
Moreover, with this title and the extra-legal jurisdiction of the concession, there are actually a lot of political means that can be manipulated.
For example, providing shelter to some frustrated nobles of the Water Country.
However, the title of lifelong honorary genin still doesn't sound intimidating enough. You can also consider adding a non-powerful position such as a justice of the peace or a member of the public security committee.
In this way, both parties felt that they had taken a big advantage, and the preconditions for the land cession agreement were happily reached.
Later, Konoe Atsushi was afraid that Uchiha Tokumitsu would go back on his word, so he took the initiative to ask for the seal authorization from the shogunate, quickly returned to Damingfu and immediately issued the edict.
…
In December of the thirty-seventh year of Konoha, the Daimyo of the Kingdom of Water announced that the southern islands under the jurisdiction of the country would be designated as the jurisdiction of the shogunate, nicknamed the Southern Settlement Shogunate, under the jurisdiction of Uchiha Tokimitsu.
At the same time, Kirigakure Mizukage issued a declaration of war, officially declaring war on Kumogakure, who was harassing the coastline of the Land of Water!
The ninja world, which originally signed an agreement to achieve peace with the efforts of the daimyo of the major powers, has resurfaced! The daimyo's face was torn off along with the Third Mizukage's declaration of war, and was thrown to the ground and stomped on.
Although the Second Ninja War is over, the war between the great powers is still going on!
The original content of this chapter has been stuck for a long time, and I couldn't get it through changing it over and over again, so I had no choice but to rewrite it.
(End of chapter)
