Xinshun 1730

Chapter 175
Shi Shiyong was the emperor's confidant and a very traditional "scholar".

Especially after being with the emperor for a long time, he is very sensitive to the hierarchy.

Originally, he was somewhat puzzled by the fact that the emperor asked him to go to Japan.

But after living here for a few years, I think I've figured things out more and more.

The Japanese are so arrogant, arrogant, and self-proclaimed orthodox. If they are not punished, it will be very wrong.

This is different from North Korea. Although North Korea has always respected the Ming Dynasty, because of Wanli's aid to the Dynasty, there is also a traditional morality involved, and Dashun also acquiesces-as long as you don't respect Ming as orthodox when paying tribute, you secretly It's understandable that Dashun doesn't care if it's done poking and poking.

But Japan is completely different. No matter how arrogant North Korea is, it has never said that it can think "I am also orthodox, so I can replace it."

Liu Yu liked Shi Shiyong's attitude very much, it was exactly what Liu Yu wanted.

He didn't care about the information on military equipment and other information collected by Shi Shiyong in Japan, the high-level ones were out of reach, and the low-level ones were meaningless.

Instead, what he cared about was the content about orthodoxy and arrogance collected by Shi Shiyong.

If he wants to attack Japan, although Liu Yu's idea is to collect money, but the court pays attention to the integrity of the name, and he said that he wants to collect money, which is definitely not possible.

But this incident, coupled with the fact that Ryukyu had to pay tribute from both sides, was enough to cause a big turmoil.

The excuse is already there, just wait for an opportunity to detonate.

"Brother Pingcheng, aren't you feeling unhappy? It's just that there are some words, please remember that brother Pingcheng."

"please say."

"Don't take risks. Brother Pingcheng is someone close to His Majesty. Some things I say may not be useful to Brother Pingcheng. In a few years, Brother Pingcheng may find a chance to return to China. Before that, you must cherish yourself."

Shi Shiyong nodded and said: "Don't worry, I know what I'm here for. You can tell the severity of the relief. As Brother Shouchang warned before, I don't ask, just watch, and keep it in my heart. The Japanese want to learn. I will teach riding and archery, and I will not hide my secrets. Since your Majesty trusts Brother Shouchang, I naturally follow orders, and I am confident that riding and archery is out of date. However, I have been in Edo for several years, but I heard that 80 years ago, the Japanese also learned Have you ever been to the Western Army?"

"There is also a book "Siege Law: Alando Yulianmo Biography" written by a Swede. I also asked someone to help me translate it. The methods in it are far from those used by Brother Shouchang in the north. And Not to mention that it has not improved in the past 80 years, but to say that the content of this military book is difficult for the Japanese to reuse in my opinion."

Liu Yu thought in his heart, you said you knew what you were doing here, but I don't think you have any idea.

"Brother Pingcheng, you really don't need to care about the Japanese military equipment. I have a good idea of ​​the general Japanese military equipment. Is there any soldier in the world that can be used without fighting for a hundred years? It goes without saying that the military equipment is loose. Brother Pingcheng should pay more attention to it." This is a general idea of ​​their attitude towards the country. When you return to the country in the future, you will report to His Majesty."

Since the emperor said to let Shi Shiyong listen to Liu Yu's arrangements, and Liu Yu asked so, he readily agreed.

"Yes, I made a note of this. Brother Shouchang came here this time, you should be careful. Since you have left the town, you can't hide it if you want to. Those sea merchants said everything, and Brother Shouchang robbed them again. How can they not care about the trade letter card?"

Liu Yu laughed loudly and said, "Hiding? I didn't even think about hiding it. Brother Pingcheng didn't even think about it. For the first time in the trade, I would be able to bring you a master warrior like you, as well as uncastrated war horses. No matter how stupid the Japanese are, You should also know that my identity is not that simple."

…………

As Shi Shiyong guessed.

Tokugawa Yoshimune was very interested in Liu Yu's identity, and in the Tang Renfeng storybook sent by Nagasaki later, those businessmen from Jiangsu, Zhejiang and Fujian used various channels to find out Liu Yu's identity.

Although it is not clear, it is also known that it seems to be a prominent family.It's just that the businessman's status is low after all, so it is impossible to know too much about the affairs of the capital.

As a side branch who inherited the position of general and has seen the suffering of the bottom, Tokugawa Yoshimune can be regarded as a reformer.

It's just that the so-called reform is just to stabilize the rule of the shogunate.

He promoted Zhu Zi's Neo-Confucianism in culture, and carried out many reforms to maintain his rule in economy. He himself also likes to learn Western knowledge, especially mathematics and astronomy.

The problem of rice prices has been bothering him all these years.Until a few days ago, Nagasaki Makoto sent a pamphlet.

It roughly introduces the meaning of some currencies, and the writing is very superficial, but in this era, it is already shocking enough for heaven and man.

Tokugawa Yoshimune never suspected that Liu Yu was a spy sent by Dashun, because a spy could not really bring horses, doctors, military books, or even pamphlets about rice price reform.

The only doubt is what Liu Yu's purpose is.

After this pamphlet on currency reform was delivered, Tokugawa Yoshimune spent five days reading it carefully, and shared and discussed it with his confidantes, and they all felt quite reasonable.

Most importantly, this pamphlet provided a basis for "benevolence and righteousness" for the reform of the shogunate.

Recasting coins, and reducing the fineness, will definitely be regarded as "coin gaining profit" and "stealing by stealth".

However, this pamphlet gave a legitimate reason: the reason why the price of rice is so low is that the total amount of money is too small, making people unwilling to buy rice with money, but willing to keep the money to wait for appreciation.If there is less money circulating in the market, the price of rice will be lower; if you want to increase the price of rice, you need to mint more money.The fineness of gold coins and silver coins is reduced. If copper coins are not enough, iron coins can be minted instead.

This is not a pretentious robbery, but it has its own reasons.

After reading it, several close ministers and confidants all felt that it was quite reasonable, and they all praised that this person was talented. This kind of statement was not only very reasonable, but also enlightening.

But based on his knowledge, it can be seen that the identity of this person is quite different.

Businessmen must have no talent, but limited by their vision, it is difficult for them to think about problems from the perspective of a country...Of course it is not impossible, it is just a special situation in East Asia. That's all.

As far as this matter is concerned, they feel that Liu Yu's status must be noble, at least he is someone who has been exposed to state affairs since childhood.According to Japan's society where princes and generals do have species, it is indeed true to think so.

Tokugawa Yoshimune also became more and more confused. Even though he knew that Liu Yu had a strong background in China, he couldn't figure out what Liu Yu was going to do.
Is it because the Chinese side is embarrassed to say that the reunion is good, so they sent a person to explore the way by means of business?

If this is the case, it is not impossible to have some contact.It would be necessary if the former exploration and cooperation trade could be resumed, but the premise was that Dashun could not recognize Japan's maharaja system in the name of paying tribute to Japan.

Or does this person have other purposes?
Or, his family wants to accumulate strength and plot evil?

If this is the case, you can also learn more about it. If there is chaos in the mainland, it will also be good for Japan.

With this kind of curiosity, Tokugawa Yoshimune summoned Liu Yu by special permission, according to the specifications of the Dutch business hall.

Through the bamboo curtain, Tokugawa Yoshimune looked at Liu Yu who was outside. He was very young, too young.

He was about in his early twenties, wearing a very ordinary blue shirt, and his face showed the arrogance of a young man. The image that the watcher reported to the elephant three days ago and said "Wei Yigong is a good crane" gradually became plump.

Tokugawa Yoshimune did not ask the translator to inquire, but wrote some words in hand and asked someone to pass them on to Liu Yu.

He can write Chinese characters and understand some Four Books and Five Classics, but he can't speak Chinese.

The paper with the writing was in Liu Yu's hand, and the handwriting was not bad. Liu Yu looked at it and found that the question was really deep.

"As a minister of the Tang Dynasty, you know the difference between high and low among scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen. As a scholar, why do you feel inferior?"

Liu Yu picked up the pen and wrote a word on the paper.

"money".

The paper was handed over, and Tokugawa Yoshimune shook his head, not approving the answer, or rather dissatisfied with the answer.

He knew that money was very useful, but he always felt that it was unreasonable for a person of noble birth to love money so much.

He knew more or less about Dashun's system, and understood that it was not a system of enfeoffment.

Officials have salaries, but the salaries are not very high, at least from the collected regulations and systems of the Ming Dynasty, the salaries are really not enough.

He was a very frugal person. He only ate rice and vegetables for two meals a day, and he tried to make all the famous people in the world as frugal as he was.

Although it is not like the North Korea next door who thinks that money is the source of all things and even wastes money, Tokugawa Yoshimune's attitude towards money is really not very good.

Is it really for money that you dare to send warriors and sell war horses?

Tokugawa Yoshimune was very skeptical.

Traitors are looked down upon everywhere.

Although the shogunate is very happy to get contraband items such as war horses and intelligence from Liu Yu, but after all, this has the meaning of a traitor, and it can be used when it is used, but in my heart...

Especially after seeing Liu Yu return a simple and straightforward "money", Tokugawa Yoshimune felt a little contemptuous.

However, after contemptuously, after careful consideration in his heart, he felt that something was not quite right.

This answer is too simple and too broad.Going to Nagasaki to trade must be for money, but what do you need money for?
Is the family preparing to rebel?
Or for some other purpose?

Money is just money, what to do with the money is the real purpose.

Tokugawa Yoshimune thought he could tell the difference, but it was not easy to ask Liu Yu directly what he wanted the money for.

After thinking about it, he wrote another sentence full of ridicule and ridicule on the paper.

"Businessmen pay more attention to profits than righteousness. Therefore, scholars, farmers, businessmen, and businessmen are the most humble. You can see the meaning from it. You are a Tang official, and your salary is not enough?"

Liu Yu didn't talk nonsense, thought about the texts he had memorized before, and directly wrote an ancient text silently.

... King Qi said to Lord Mengchang: "I dare not take the ministers of the former king as ministers."Lord Mengchang established his country in Xue.Before reaching Baili, the people support the old and the young, and welcome the king.Lord Mengchang asked Feng Chen and said: "Sir, what you are doing is righteous, I have seen it today." Feng Chen said: "The cunning rabbit has three holes, so I can only save its dead ears. Now you have a hole, and you can lie down without a high pillow. Please dig out the second cave for Junfu"...

The three caves of Feng Chen were one of Xue Dishiyi; the second was to persuade Liang Wei to hire him in the hope that Liang Wei would know his talents;

Today, the Celestial Dynasty is no longer feudal, and I have done nothing of Xue Dishi's righteous deeds, and this cave is over.

Today, all over the world, is it the land of the king, and the land of the land, is it the king's ministers who lobby the Liang Wei and the world knows the cave of their sages, and it will be over.

Today, the son of heaven, Li Shi, and I am Liu Shi, are not qualified to sacrifice to the ancestors, and this cave is also closed.

Companion to the king is like companion to the tiger, so think of the way out first.

Money can be used in the Celestial Dynasty, in Japan, and in European countries such as the Netherlands. This is a real cave.I don't need three caves, only this one cave is enough.

Retiring bravely in the rapids is called knowing the opportunity, the fire is cooking the oil, the flowers are like brocades, and the building collapses in a blink of an eye.

The shabby room was empty, and the wat was full of beds; the decayed grass and poplars were once a singing and dancing venue.Yesterday the loess sent bones to the bones, and tonight the mandarin ducks lie under the red light tent.Because the gauze hat is too small, the shackles are carried. Yesterday, the torn coat was cold, but now the purple python is too long.After you sing, I will appear on the stage...

After the paper was passed, Tokugawa Yoshimune couldn't help laughing after reading it.

Of course he understands the story of the cunning rabbit and the three caves. Soshichiro Ogyu can compile a book like "Seven Classics of Mencius", so of course he has told such a story.

The behind-the-scenes jokes about the shabby rooms and empty halls are also interesting. It's really interesting to have such an intention to hide from the world at such a young age.

Looking at the previous content, it seems to be very reasonable.

Now the Celestial Dynasty is not feudal, and it does not have a fief like Xuedi, so there is no such thing as Shienmaiyi.

But the Qi State didn't keep the Lord, and the Lord went to vote in Wei State's cave, and he was gone.In the last cave, I am not a member of the clan, so I naturally don't have one.

However, money is a good thing.If you are rich, you are an uncle in China, you are also an uncle in Japan, and you are still an uncle in Europa.

As long as you have money, there is no need for three caves, just one cave is enough.

This principle is so clear and refined, it is simply a clear stream of treasonous remarks.

Tokugawa Yoshimune thought about it for a long time, but didn't know what to say.

In terms of talent, the person in front of him is undoubtedly talented. The pamphlet on currency reform alone is exactly the talent that the shogunate urgently needs at this time.

The cronies who are in charge of the reform around me know a little about things like monetary policy, but they don't have such a deep understanding.

This person's booklet is already in the category of "Tao" rather than "Skills". Tokugawa Yoshimune still understands the difference.

Moreover, in the previous Tang Feng storytelling, Nagasaki asked those sailors, and said that this person did not take the normal route, but sailed directly to Japan by navigation technology, which proved that this person's practical level is also sufficient.

Thinking of this, Yoshimune Tokugawa picked up his pen and wanted to reply.

He wanted to say that Dashun is not a feudal system, but Japan is, and you can try to stay here.

Secondly, Dashun is the land of the king, but this world does not include Japan. You may not be able to go to North Korea or Vietnam, but it is no problem to come to Japan one day.

However, as soon as he picked up the pen, he thought of the word "qian" that Liu Yu said, so he finally put down the pen.

This is a talent, but there is no loyalty.

Is talent important, or loyalty important?
It goes without saying that loyalty is naturally important.Besides, Emperor Dashun has given enough, and this person still feels that "accompanying the king is like a tiger", so why should I ask this person to be loyal?

After hesitating for a moment, he picked up a pen and wrote on the paper: I heard that you are going to Nagasaki to transport grain and rice by boat, isn't it out of compassion?

Liu Yu replied without any pretentiousness: It's not out of compassion, but because of the great hunger in Japan and the feeling of sending charcoal in the snow, just begging for a few more trade letter cards.A few boats of grain and rice can't relieve poverty, but I have something that can relieve people's hunger.

(End of this chapter)