Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 317 The Battle of Sasha ([-])

That afternoon, Zhao Xin met Shibata Juzo in his office.After hearing the story of Date Shigemura's assassination, he knew it was time for him to seize the Lingkari (sound with Yi) gold mine.

As early as more than 40 years ago, gold mines were discovered in the Linggari area in the northern part of Isa County, Kitakyushu. The Satsuma domain has conducted intermittent exploration and small-scale mining in these years, but only limited to the upper mines with low grades above 230m above sea level; The bonanza is in the lower part.

Although this gold mine is known as a "world-class gold mine" in another time and space, based on the drilling conditions of the 300th and 18th centuries, if Zhao Xin didn't dig, basically no one would find it; The minimum depth is to dig [-] meters straight down the rock. Later Sumitomo Mining analyzed it for ten years and drilled [-] holes to determine the location of the vein.

Some people say it's wrong, how did you dig the Sado Gold Mountain?

In fact, the excavation of the Sado Gold Mine is quite difficult. Due to technical limitations, the deepest depth is only a few hundred meters down to the end.The ancients did not have drilling exploration technology, so they usually first opened a small hole on the mountain that only one person can drill into, which is called a "beaver's den", and then looked for mineral veins in it.If there is, dig a large area; if not, give up and search again.

The 400-meter-long mine excavated by the Tokugawa shogunate can only reach a depth of 10 centimeters per day; and a ventilation tunnel must be excavated at the same time.With the lighting level of oil lamps in this era, trying to find gold and silver ore in tunnels where you can't see your fingers, you don't know how many people were blinded.

At this time, Shibata Juezang said again: "Master Yigushou and Genlishou implore Zhao Wangdian to send troops to Qingye City first to reassure people's hearts." After he finished speaking, he saw Zhao Xin's expressionless face, so he continued: "To show sincerity, I Each clan will recruit another 800 people, and [-] people will be handed over to you."

Zhao Xin suddenly asked: "How much foreign debt does the Sendai Clan have?"

Shibata Juzou hesitated for a moment, and replied with some embarrassment: "According to my personal knowledge, the internal and external debts of the domain are now as high as 300 million taels of gold."

Well, it's basically a bottomless hole!
Since the beginning of the eighteenth century, the Sendai Domain has basically been unable to make ends meet due to the depletion of gold mines, water damage, famine at dawn, and the performance of Shenqin's confession and spending money to buy officials.Zhao Xin and Katsuyama Densan's Beihai firm allowed those samurai to invest in shares, which only reduced the personal debts of the samurai, and did not help Sendai Fan's finances.

And since the freezing disaster in the third year of Tianming, the most stupid thing that the financial officer of the Sendai Domain did was to transport all the rice in the territory to Edo and sell it, making a lot of money.As a result, when the harvest failed in the second year, the Sendai Fan had no grain left, so they could only buy high-priced grain.The few batches of rice that Zhao Xin sold almost emptied the storage of the Sendai Clan.

According to the notes of literati during this period, the business within the Sendai domain was in decline, and the towns and towns were sparsely populated. It did not look like a territory of 62 koku daimyo at all, which shows how poor it is.

Zhao Xin thought for a while and said, "Have you ever thought about what to do after defeating Satsuma?"

Shibata Kakuzo said: "Master Igumori wants to force the shogunate to release the young master by teaching the Shimadzu family a lesson."

Zhao Xin shook his head and said, "Either you don't do this, or if you do it, you must make up your mind to turn against the shogunate. Otherwise, the shogunate will hold your nose and admit it, but you still have nothing to do if you don't let Shikisaburo and his mother go back. "

Shibata Kakuzo was stupid when he heard it, and turned against the Tokugawa family?How could this fucker move!

Not to mention anything else, there are tens of thousands of people from the Tokugawa family's banners and royal family alone, and they can go back and forth a few times in line from Nihonbashi to the gate of Aoba Castle.Moreover, from an economic point of view, the Sendai Fan has a foreign debt of 300 million taels of gold, and the special products in the territory are only rice and other goods, and at most some handicrafts.

After hearing what Shibata Juezang said about the difficulties, Zhao Xin smiled: "Beihai Town can provide an interest-free loan to the Sendai Fan. 300 million taels, ten years."

Shibata Kakuzo: "!!!"

Early the next morning, Shibata Juezang took a truck back to Beihai Town, and then went back by boat.The matter that Zhao Xin mentioned to him yesterday was too big, he couldn't make the decision at all, so he had to go back and report it to Shi Chuancun Wen.

Pingtai did not go back with him, he had another important matter to report to Zhao Xin.So Zhao Xin set aside an afternoon to discuss the situation of the "Eternal Family" with Tai Heping.

"That one is just 16 years old this year, and has been on the throne for seven years. His biological father, Xianyuan Gong, is still alive and well. That one is ranked sixth. Besides him, he has nine sons and two daughters."

As an islander, Pingtai is actually very scrupulous, after all, that person is not a human being at all.In the eyes of ordinary people in the island country, he is the representative of "God" in the world.Therefore, when Pingtai reported to Zhao Xin, he never dared to call him by his first name.

"Damn it! It's really possible to give birth." Zhao Xinyi heard that besides that one, he had nine sons, and this matter was long-winded.But he thought about it. After all, they are a group of people who are just waiting to die. They keep marrying wives and giving birth to sons. That's their job. How can it be their turn to manage such trivial things as the country.

Pingtai continued: "There is also the Fushimi Palace family. His family now has three sons and five daughters. In addition, 44 years ago in the 1743th year of Kanbo ([-]), the fourth son of Xianyuan Palace was called Jun Gong. Yes, he was adopted to the Yingsi family, named Yingsi Fuping, and this person was just awarded Guanbai this year."

Zhao Xindao: "How many children does Yingsi Fuping have?"

Pingtai said: "There are one son and daughter each, and three children each from the concubine."

Zhao Xin counted that relative with his fingers. Forget it, don't count, ten fingers are not enough.He thought for a while and said to Pingtai: "Then let's start with Yingsi's house."

This matter is too important, so Zhao Xin has not told anyone except Pingtai so far.But now it's time to prepare to do something, Zhao Xin decided to find two people to be Pingtai's helpers, and at the same time to monitor each other.

Seeing Pingtai's restless look at this time, he said: "Pingtai, you have been with me for four years. We walked from Yanki Mountain to Aomori, and then crossed the sea from Aomori; in my heart, the seven of you including Shino There is also A Miao, who is already the same as her relatives. Now that you have naturalized and changed your Chinese surname, you must stand on the side of China in everything you do. You have been with me all these years, and I am not a rabbit. A person who cooks like a dog. Do things with confidence, and you will have a bright future in the future."

"Yes! I am willing to die for my lord!"

Zhao Xin laughed, and said to Pingtai: "Get a wife as soon as possible, and spread the branches and leaves, so that you can be worthy of your deceased family."

A few days later, Shibata Juezou returned to Aoba City, and he first went to find Wen Ishikawa.

"Meet Lord Igumori!"

Ishikawa Cunwen asked eagerly: "How is it? Does Zhao Dian agree to send troops?"

"Zhao Dian has agreed!"

"Great!" Ishikawa Cunwen was overjoyed when he heard that, and hurriedly asked, "When will Zhao Dian arrive?"

"My lord, I still have something to report to you."

"Oh?" Ishikawa Murakami frowned and looked at Shibata Juzou, and said in a deep voice, "What's the matter? Tell me."

Shibata Juezou said: "Zhao Dian wants to lend a sum of money to the clan to solve the financial difficulties of the clan."

Pie in the sky?Shi Chuancunwen smiled and said: "How much will Zhao Dian will lend us?"

"300 million taels, ten years, no interest."

"What?!" Ishikawa Cunwen "Teng" stood up, closed and opened the folding fan in his hand, opened and closed again, after a long time, he couldn't help sighing.

From the age of 13, he was able to take charge of the 62 koku territory of the Kakuda Ishikawa family and become the elder of the [-] koku daimyo. Fumi Ishikawa is not stupid.He quickly understood Zhao Xin's intention, which was to force the Sendai clan to fight against the shogunate!

Shibata Juezou looked at the gloomy Ishikawa Cunwen, and said in a deep voice: "What Zhao Dian means is that if this feudal clan doesn't do this, even if they teach the Satsuma clan a lesson and avenge the former lord, the Edo side will also be punished." It may not be possible to admit defeat. Instead of doing this, it is better to show force and let the shogunate release people."

"What crime did I do in my previous life? How could I meet someone like Zhao Dian!" Ishikawa Cunwen lamented, "Do you know that if the feudal clan relies on Zhao Dian and opposes Edo, there will be no peace in the world?" day!"

Complaints are complaints, but Ishikawa Cunwen knows in his heart that it is not certain whether he can survive the New Year if he does not seek help from Beihai Town just because the six hundred vassal warriors gave it to Zhao Xin!

Shibata Juezang leaned over and said, "Igu Shou, no matter what purpose Zhao Dian has, he has no ambitions for our country. Otherwise, with the strength of Beihai Town back then, it would be no problem to occupy Ishijumaki or attack Qingye City. Besides, Zhao Dian After Tan bombarded Edo last year, he only asked the shogunate to open ports in Yokohama and Jugahama in the main feudal domain; with the soldiers and horses he brought at that time, it would be easy to take down Edo Castle."

After he finished speaking, he moved forward a few times, approached Ishikawa Village and said, "My lord, according to my humble opinion, what should the world do in the future, and the Date family should also have the right to speak."

Ishikawa Murakami turned his head suddenly, and stared at Shibata Juzou with a knife-like gaze. Seeing that there was no false color in the other party's eyes, he waved his hand and said lightly: "You have been running around for days, go down and find a quiet room to rest .Warari Mori, Kurihara Mori, and Kurokawa Mori will come over in the evening, and you will have to work hard then."

"Haha!" Shibata Juezang bowed to salute, and then exited the secret room.

The attendant was about to close the door of the secret room at this time, but Ishikawa Murumi said no.He stared at Shibata Kakuzo's back until he disappeared behind the pillar, and then slowly got up while leaning on the wall.He walked out of the secret room and looked at the camellia tree in the garden, with a faint smile on his lips.

Ten days later, Shibata Juezang came to Beihai Town by boat again.

At this time, Zhao Xin had already returned from Fuldan City, and on the road leading to Fuldan City, two regiments of the North Navy were heading south at a high speed.

After exchanging greetings, Shibata Juezang took out a letter from his pocket and handed it to Zhao Xin respectfully. "Zhao Dian, this is a handwritten letter from Master Yigushu, please read it."

This letter was written by Ishikawa Cunwen to Zhao Xin on behalf of the 77 families of the Sendai clan.In the first half of the letter, apart from words of thanks, the core content is how to divide the Satsuma domain after the Shimadzu family is defeated; Ishikawa Murakami proposed that the two families divide the [-] shi territory equally.

As for the second half of the letter, Ishikawa Murakami requested that after Shikisaburo succeed as the head of the family, he would bow to Zhao Xinxing; in contrast, Zhao Xin needed to help the Sendai Fan to withstand the military and economic pressure of the shogunate.Finally, there are the collective signatures of the sixteen family heads.

After Zhao Xin read the letter, he thought about it for a long time, said nothing, then picked up the letter and read it again.This time, he watched for half an hour.

Seeing that Zhao Xin didn't express his opinion for a long time, Shibatian Juezang felt that he was not satisfied with the conditions mentioned in the letter, so he couldn't help but said: "If there is something inappropriate, please tell Zhao Dian clearly."

He didn't know that Zhao Xin wasn't hesitating how to carve up the Satsuma domain at all, but that his Japanese reading skills were too poor, and he was too embarrassed to ask, so he pondered for a long time before he understood the meaning of the letter.

"Izumi County, Isa County, and Ryukyu County belong to me. You can participate in the Ryukyu trade, but don't follow the Shimadzu family's idea of ​​going to Ryukyu again."

After hearing this, Shibata Juezang finally breathed a sigh of relief. He didn't expect that Zhao Xin only needed such a little territory.Although it is a pity to give up Ryukyu, that place has never been his own, and it is already very good to be able to conduct sea trade through there.

"Just do what Zhao Dian wants." After finishing speaking, Chaitian Juezang bowed and said, "When will the troops be dispatched?"

"Seven days! Seven days later we will set off by boat!"

The Northern Navy is going to send troops to fight Satsuma!The news was spread by those who cared, and soon spread among the island residents.Not long after the news came out, an island soldier did not go to Chai Zhong, but directly applied to meet Wang Yuanfang.

"Sergeant Quan Shan, salute the chief!"

Quan Shan was the farmer Quan San who was rescued by Zhao Xin in the sea after he left Yokohama.Now he has also become a naturalized citizen, and he directly used the surname "Quan".Among the hundreds of surnames, there are really surnames, which are said to be derived from the surnames Zi and Mi.

Wang Yuanfang had some impressions of Quan Shan, otherwise he would agree to meet him.This person worked very hard during the recruit training, and was also among the best in the assessment.

"Relax. What do you want from me?"

"Chief, Ting Shuo is going to Dasha, Shamo Fan?" Quan Shan's Mandarin is not very fluent, and he stumbled.

"Yeah. Talk straight!"

"I, I request to participate in this operation."

Wang Yuanfang heard about what happened to Quan Shan, he said with a chuckle, "What? Want to go back for revenge? But I heard that your family is in the Baihe clan, and we won't stop the boat there."

Quan Shan grinned and said: "It's okay, yes, as long as you can fight back. Let those warrior masters also taste the badness of my muddy legs."

"Okay. Count you in, and I'll help you out. Is there anything else?"

"No, it's gone. See you at the chief's village!" After speaking, Quan Shan saluted, turned and left.

On the first day of September, the Jinglei had completed a wave of transshipment work to bring the refugees, and after resting for two days, it slowly left the port with two regiments of the Beihai Navy and a Green Leaf Battalion.

On the deck, Zhao Xin and others waved frequently to the crowd on the pier seeing them off.At this time Lin Ziping and Sato Nobuhiro looked at the island residents around them cheering to see them off, and felt that these people could no longer be considered islanders, and no matter how they guided them, they would not listen to them at all.

Although he has been naturalized, he still considers himself an islander because of the pride of a literati.Faced with Beihai Town, where all kinds of novel technologies and magical equipment emerge in endlessly, although he admires and envies him, he still wants to spread it back to make the shogunate even stronger.

At this moment, Lin Ziping looked at the Jinglei that was slowly going away, thinking of the dangerous Satsuma clan ahead, and thinking of not knowing when he would be able to set foot on his way home, he couldn't help feeling worried.After a lot of mental agitation, Lin Ziping seemed to be talking to himself, and seemed to be warning Sato Nobuhiko next to him: "If they leave, the world will never have peace again!"

(End of this chapter)