The sun never sets in America

Chapter 319 The Emperor Becomes a Domain King

In the palace, Liu Peng was doing Tai Chi, stretching his fists and legs. There were some palace maids standing around, ready to serve him at any time.

Liu Peng stretched out his cloud palm in a tiger-like manner, pushed it out gently, and finally exhaled a breath of "white energy" and finished the exercise.

After finishing the exercise, two palace maids came forward immediately, one of them was holding a tray with towels and tea in it.

Liu Peng wiped the sweat from his forehead with a towel, took a sip of spring tea, and was about to return to the palace when he heard footsteps not far away.

"Your Majesty, a telegram from Japan."

Wen Ting held a telegram in front of Liu Peng with both hands.

Liu Peng took it and took a look, with a hint of joy on his face. Then he fell into deep thought and said to Wen Ting:

"Reply the call and say that King Shotai of Ryukyu sent someone to complain. Since the Satsuma clan was destroyed a few years ago, Shotai should be released and restored to the kingdom——"

"Yes, Your Majesty!!"

"I'll do it now."

After hearing this, Wen Ting immediately agreed.

"By the way, since the crown prince of Japan's Emperor Komei, Mutsuhito, has ascended the throne, he will come to Han and be granted a title. I'm sending a telegram to Ma Shaojun to do it as soon as possible!!"

Wen Ting nodded and left casually at Liu Peng's signal.

"Plop", a water float was hit by Liu Peng with a pebble. It jumped seven or eight times in a row before falling into the water.

"Go back to the palace!!"

After the beating, Liu Peng shouted and asked people to go back.
-

[Selling newspapers, selling newspapers, Prince Muren succeeded to the throne, and changed the Yuan Dynasty to the Meiji period. 】

[Excuse the nickname, Emperor Meiji conferred the title of Duke of Edo on General Tokugawa yesterday]

On the street, a thin newspaper boy kept shouting today's news in the crowded street, hoping that someone would buy his newspaper.

There are thousands of young newspaper boys like him in Japan. They take the commission from Weibo. No matter it is cold wind or scorching summer, they still hold thick newspapers and run around on the streets, just to support themselves. That miserable livelihood.

The clothes of people on the street are also more fashionable than many people in Japan at present, and some women are still wearing the latest styles that are popular in Imayama.

Even when seeing people from outside Japan, they will look at them with arrogance. If the other person speaks Japanese, even if they understand it, they will not speak it. They will even deliberately communicate in Mandarin, just to be in front of those " "Country people" feel the superiority of Japan's big cities.

Although this behavior was criticized by Shun Takeuchi as "artificial", in the eyes of many Japanese in coastal areas, this is a matter of course, or as some Japanese say, Japan has changed and become smaller. Became divided.

Except for some people related to the shogunate, most people on the street didn't pay much attention to the newspaper in the hands of the newsboy. There was even a faint feeling of 'contempt'. Although it was not obvious, it could be seen from the atmosphere. come out.

For these people, they have not paid attention to things in Japan for a long time, or they "don't care".

For them, a small incident in Han may attract their attention, but if it is an incident in Japan, unless it is a major event such as a typhoon and earthquake, it will be difficult to attract their attention.

Therefore, this news with a very strong "signal", in addition to causing a big stir among the upper echelons of Japan, did not cause any public turmoil in many other places, even the rule of the shogunate and the core of Edo, or in other words, this gang The "compradors" who were economically dependent on Han could no longer see Japan.

But among Japan's top brass, this small piece of news allowed them to decipher a large amount of information. Thinking of the fact that the Han minister had frequently visited the palace recently and the general had summoned him many times, some smart people had already guessed "Seven, seven, eight, eight".

"Hello, General!!"

"Mr. Minister, please sit down!!"

Tokugawa Iesada "hurriedly" arranged for Ma Shaojun to take his seat.

Ze Tengliang, who was waiting on the side, directly asked the serving servants to leave. After all, if the recent matters discussed are not completed, once spread out, it is likely to cause a big stir.

When everything was ready, Tokugawa set his sights on Teng Liang.

Sensing the familiar "panic", Ze Tengliang felt that I was "Zhongfu" in his heart, and said to Ma Shaojun angrily: "Mr. Ma, I want to know whether His Majesty the Han Emperor conferred the title of Prince or County. king??"

Tokugawa Iesada on the side also looked at Ma Shaojun with "expectation" and "anxiety", like a young man's "pleading".

Ma Shaojun chuckled, and then replied jokingly:

"Whether it's a prince or a king, it's all a favor from the king. General, you should know that."

After that, he turned his attention to the "cowardly" general.

From his body, Ma Shaojun could not see a trace of the "Tokugawa Iekei" of the past, but he was very cowardly.

So much so that when Ma Shaojun came into contact with him these days, he felt that the other person was Tokugawa Ieki's son, could he be...

On the opposite side, Tokugawa Iedada naturally didn't know that this "cunning" Han minister had imagined him as a "disgrace".

He just replied "naively":

"Of course, we naturally have to obey the arrangements of the Emperor of Han. After all, His Majesty the Emperor will not treat us badly, right??"

After finishing speaking, he looked at Ma Shaojun with "sincere" eyes, as if he was "trusting".

Ze Tengliang on the side could only follow and said:

"Yes, everything is the grace of the Emperor of Han. No matter what, we must abide by it!!"

Ze Tengliang showed an aura that he would go through fire and water for the big man.

"In that case, let the King of Ryukyu be restored to his kingdom!!"

Ma Shaojun's words left the two of them at a loss.

Looking at the two people who didn't understand, Ma Shaojun said with a straight face:

"A few days ago, Ryukyu King Shoutai sent people to Han to complain, saying that the Satsuma clan invaded and occupied the Ryukyu territory. However, until now, the Satsuma clan has been destroyed for so many years and has not yet recovered. It is sad!!"

"Envoy Shangtai cried loudly directly in the main hall. I, the Han Emperor, are kind and can't bear to see this evil scene, so I sent me to ask the general, when will the Ryukyu Kingdom be restored?"

"General, please give me a clear explanation!!"

Having said that, he bowed his hand to the "bewildered" Tokugawa family, as if he was being polite, but in Ze Tengliang's eyes, it was a threat, an unabashed threat.

Tokugawa Iatesada groaned a few times, as if he really couldn't say anything. In the end, he could only reply: "Everything is decided by Han!!"

At this time, Ze Tengliang, who had reacted, said: "If the Emperor of Han is willing to give Japan something in return, it's just Ryukyu, so why not!!"

Ma Shaojun smiled and moved his lips slightly:

"With such a large population in Japan, there is really little space. Han Dynasty just needs a helper in the South Pacific. It is better to send Japan's excess population south, which can be regarded as an act of opening up territory!!"

"If the general succeeds, he will not lose the achievements of the first general!!"

Upon hearing this, Ze Tengliang flashed the "Map of South Pacific" in his mind, and then said quickly:

"Nantai is British territory, if..."

"The British are on the mainland, not on the islands. As long as they don't enter Australia's wild continent, the British will be fine!!"

Ma Shaojun shook his head "affirmatively".

It not only expresses support, but also expresses the nature of the matter.

Ze Tengliang received the accurate "endorsement" from the Han State, and immediately looked at the "dumb" general, his eyes full of "reminders".

Tokugawa Kaisada seemed to have not woken up and asked directly:

“How about Xijing in the South Pacific??”

As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere instantly solidified, but Ma Shaojun reacted quickly, "haha", and then replied with a smile:

"If the general is willing to do what Emperor Wen of Han did, he will rebuild Japan within ten years!!"

At this time, Ze Tengliang was afraid that Tokugawa Iatesada would not understand what Emperor Wendi was, so he immediately blocked the other party's speaking rhythm and spoke first:

"Japan is a weak country. If it is opened up by immigrants, it will cost a lot. I'm afraid..."

When Ma Shaojun heard this, he cursed "greed" in his heart. After thinking for a while, he finally said: "Hanguo Bank can provide Japan with a low-interest loan, and the repayment can be deducted with Japanese raw silk!!" After hearing this, Ze Tengliang's face was full of "joy", while Tokugawa Iesada looked at it blankly, and finally laughed "haha".

"Now that everything has been settled, I would like to ask the general to issue an order to allow Shangtai to return to the country!!"

Ma Shaojun bowed to Tokugawa Iesada, the leader.

Tokugawa Isada looked back, and Ze Tengliang immediately gave him a "reassuring" look, and then pretended to be "calm" in his answer:

"Inform the Ryukyu County Magistrate to evacuate Ryukyu and allow the Ryukyu people to return to the country." (Japan learned from China and called the county magistrate, not the original governor)

After finishing speaking, he specifically said to Ma Shaojun: "Mr. Minister, is that so?"

Ma Shaojun looked at the "smart" Ze Tengliang, then at the "sensible" Tokugawa Iedada in front of him, and replied with a smile:

"What the General said makes sense and is in line with God's will!!"

As for what “God’s will” is, it’s hard to say! !

After Ma Shaojun left, Tokugawa Kesada seemed to "relax". He slumped down on the tatami, opened a folding fan with Chinese poems written on it, fanned himself continuously, and muttered:

“I’m so tired!!”

“I really don’t want to be this general!!”

Ze Tengliang, who was on the side, immediately stepped forward and said comfortingly: "General, please be patient for now. After the canonization by the Han Dynasty court, you will be the legitimate king of Japan. You can do whatever you want to do at that time!!"

"Then, if I see someone I don't like, can I kill him?"

Tokugawa Iedada first showed an expression of "expectation", and then looked at Ze Tengliang "timidly" and replied.

His two hands kept rubbing his gorgeous clothes, like a nervous child.

Ze Tengliang was a little "sluggish" at first, but then he felt a lot more "reassured" after seeing Tokugawa Isada's expression. It seemed that he was indeed overly concerned. General Tokugawa was still a "child" and had nothing to be afraid of.

Then he replied jokingly:

"The General will be the king from now on. Whoever dares to go against you in the whole of Japan will be judged by whoever is dissatisfied. With a decree, his head will fall to the ground. At that time, you can even choose to have him commit seppuku or shoot him!!"

Ze Tengliang had a "funny" expression on his face, as if he didn't believe that this "idiot general" was capable of killing people.

"I'm afraid you won't even dare to kill a chicken, right?"

Ze Tengliang secretly laughed in his heart.

"I see!!"

Tokugawa Kaisada's childlike and innocent face showed an expression of "sudden realization", and then said happily:

"We must kill those nasty guys in the future!!"

"Hi!!"

"General, we will definitely be able to kill them!!"

Ze Tengliang echoed Tokugawa Kesada's "joke" like "coaxing a child".

After all, in his eyes, this is just a child's "joke", nothing special.

Until he left, Ze Tengliang was still thinking about what benefits he would get after the establishment of the Kingdom of Japan. Whether it would be an earl or a marquis, probably a duke. After all, he was his "secondary father"! !

After he left, Tokugawa Iesada, who had been "laughing and scolding" just now, changed his "child" expression and said in a very cold tone: "The King of Japan, huh, is not bad, although he lost the four countries." , but in the end, we have gained the rightful status. As long as we have the status, the Tokugawa family will not be at a loss!!"

"And Nan Tai, let that ignorant Zeiteng go when the time comes. It's best not to come back!!"

.............................................

In the emperor's residence, Mutsuhito, who was less than ten years old, was fully dressed, while Queen Xiaoming next to him looked at Mutsuhito with tears in her eyes as if she was "reluctant to part with him."

Because just a few days ago, Minister Ma from the Han Kingdom said that he would take Mu Ren to Xijing, and he also said that he might have to stay for a long time. This made her, a mother, very worried. After all, how did her husband die? Clear as day.

"Mother, after I leave, you can stay at home and don't worry about me. Minister Ma said that he will protect you."

"The Tokugawa family has made a deal with the Han Dynasty, and they will not be like before."

There was a strong sense of "dependence" in Mutsuhito's tone. Even though Emperor Takamei's early death forced him to mature prematurely, he was still a child after all, and missing his mother was a normal thing.

"Mujin!!"

When Queen Xiaoming heard this, she immediately hugged Muren and started wailing.

Mu Ren let his mother hug him for a long time, and finally pushed away the arm that was holding him, and said in a "pretending to be calm" tone:

"Mother, although I lost the position of emperor this time, it is a good thing. When my father was still in Seito, he said that the emperor is a yoke that has been carried for thousands of years. No matter who is in power, whether it is the shogunate or Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Or generals, they will only treat us as puppets that can be "played with" and will not give us any rights at all!!"

"When I went to Han this time, Minister Ma had promised that after the canonization was completed, he would have half of Japan's ruling power. Although it is only as small as the four countries, I believe that with my efforts and everyone's efforts, There will be a day when Japan will be restored, and when that time comes, I will ride back to Edo, not like now!!"

Although Mu Ren was very young, he knew his "situation" very well. His future could only depend on the Han Kingdom, or the "sacred" Emperor Longwu, his future emperor.

Before he can completely gain power, he must rely on the Han Dynasty. This is his only way to regain Japan! !

Empress Xiaoming, who was pushed away by him, shed her last tear looking at her "smart" son, nodded vigorously, and stuffed a handkerchief into Muren's hand.

Mu Ren looked at the handkerchief embroidered with the "Chrysanthemum" logo and nodded with a serious expression. His young face was filled with "maturity" that did not belong to his age.

The shogunate on the other side was holding a grand ceremony in advance, because at seven o'clock this morning, a telegram finally came from the Han Dynasty, and the Han Emperor Liu Peng signed the canonization edict.

Although the edict is still on the way, according to the requirements, he can "proclaim himself king" in advance.

On this day, the entire Edo City became "serious". The streets were filled with army soldiers holding Lightning II rifles. Garrisons across Japan received orders to "keep on guard", just for fear that at this time, there would be "nothing". "Brainless" bastard, come out to try to "unify the emperor".

In the solemn shogunate, Tokugawa Iesada, who was dressed in a hastily made and gold-threaded python robe, wearing the six crowns of princes and kings under the Han system, slowly walked up to the high platform to accept the worship of the ministers.

(The Han Dynasty stipulates that all kings with different surnames can only use six crowns, and only kings with the surname Liu can use nine crowns. Although they are both kings, the difference is easy to see)

"Edict of the Great Emperor of the Han Dynasty: The Tokugawa family inherited the ancestral legacy. His father's family celebrated, revived Japan, and promoted Eastern culture. His son inherited it for several years and was also virtuous and talented. In gratitude to God and the creatures of the East, I hereby confer a virtuous title. The Kawa family is appointed as the king of Japan, on behalf of my herdsmen, with the heart of peace for the Japanese people..."

(Because the imperial edict is still on the way, this is an edict written in telegraph, that is, enfeoffment)

Wow! !

A large area of ​​people knelt on the ground. Tokugawa Isada himself also knelt on the ground and kowtowed several times in the direction of the Han Kingdom.

Finally he stood up and shouted:

"Thank you, Emperor!!"

There was another burst of "singing praises" from the audience. Only Ze Tengliang looked up and saw the "calm and composed" look of Tokugawa Iedada in a python robe. He always felt that something was wrong, but he couldn't notice where it was. In the end, it can only be explained by the fact that he has received "training" in advance.

In the Edo port, Mutsuhito, who had already boarded the ship, looked at the "busy" inside and felt "lost" in his heart. He understood that he would have to say goodbye to all of this for a long time.

This was especially true after he was awarded the title of "King of Japan".

But he believes that as long as he works hard, one day, "Chrysanthemum" will return to Japan and return to Kyoto, where he "misses day and night".

"Your Highness, what are you thinking, the ship is about to leave??"

Ma Shaojun, who was escorting him, looked at the young but very "tough" King of Japan and asked curiously.

"Uncle Ma, I just feel like I miss my mother!!"

Mu Ren used his mother as a "cover up".

"Haha, I didn't expect His Highness to be a filial son!!"

"If the Queen Mother Xiaoming knew about it, she would definitely be happy for you!!"

Listening to Ma Shaojun's words, Mu Ren did not answer, but just focused his attention again on the port that had begun to move away until it completely disappeared from his eyes.

　Monthly ticket reward, I hope everyone will support me

　　

　

(End of this chapter)