The War Court and Lap Pillow, Austria's Mandate of Heaven

Chapter 1631 Testing
In the distant East, the various domains of the Tokugawa shogunate suffered severe losses of gold and silver due to long-term trade with the Austrian Empire, but their domestic economies were exceptionally prosperous.

In fact, the Austrian Empire's paper money inadvertently broke through the original constraints imposed by the various domains of the Tokugawa Shogunate, providing them with a stable and reputable currency.

After eliminating those wealthy merchants, the shogunate and the various domains regained control of the treasury. Cheap grain and sugar became their best tools, and no peasants could revolt anymore. The historically powerful farmers and merchants were all swept away, and the rule of the shogunate and the various domains became as solid as a rock.

The large-scale export of raw silk and tea brought in substantial foreign exchange, which in turn led to a large influx of Austrian goods. Of course, the foreign exchange earned by Japan in exchange for exported laborers remained considerable, and the various domains showed no sign of stopping.

After all, the names of Eta and Hijin reveal their status in the eyes of the daimyo, and those wandering samurai were nothing but a scourge and destabilizing factor for the shogunate system.

The various vassal states would not feel guilty at being able to export these people in exchange for foreign exchange; in fact, they would feel fortunate.

The shogunate and various domains also attempted to imitate the goods and technologies of the Austrian Empire, but so far they have not succeeded due to the huge technological gap between the two sides.

The shogunate and various domains also tried to emulate the envoys to Tang China during the Asuka and Nara periods by sending students to the Austrian Empire to learn advanced technologies.

However, the Austrian Imperial government made it clear that it would only accept female students. The disparity in strength and status between the two sides was too great, and the shogunate and various domains had no choice but to compromise.

Therefore, they could only carefully select some outstanding women, since the Austrian Empire's exams were not easy to pass, and failing the exams required paying a considerable tuition fee.

Unfortunately, the students they sent abroad, whether they were exemplary samurai women, brainwashed ninjas or assassins from childhood, or extraordinary women from the common people with unique skills, all quickly disappeared without a trace, as if they had vanished into thin air.
The daimyo of various domains and the staff of the shogun once believed that the Austrians were monsters who ate people.

However, the reality is that those international students don't want to go back to Japan at all. The so-called homesickness doesn't exist. The high-sugar diet keeps them in a state of happiness for a long time.

Due to the huge differences between the two countries in society, system, ideology, culture and other aspects, they quickly experienced a crisis of identity and values.

As a result, these women will instinctively choose the stronger party, the one that is more advantageous to them.

Especially the samurai women on whom the shogunate placed high hopes, the Bushido they learned from childhood made them even more determined to stay in the Austrian Empire.

Left with no other option, the shogunate and various domains could only increase their investment, hoping to catch one or two fish that slipped through the net.

However, Franz didn't care about this, since one or two slip-ups couldn't make up for the overall gap between the two sides.

Moreover, the Austrian Empire did not have the ability to completely block the Shogunate's technology. Rather than blocking all the way and forcing the other side to take desperate measures, or even defect to the enemy, it was better to avoid doing so.

It would be better to leave them with the most difficult path and let them figure it out slowly.

Due to the outbreak of the Taiping Rebellion, trade between Europe and the Far East was disrupted, and Japan's status as a meal replacement suddenly rose.

However, since the British had not gained any benefits before, they remained in a wait-and-see attitude, while the Russians were preparing to get involved.

Franz wasn't sure if this was Nicholas I testing him or the Russian Far East Governor's own initiative. But for the Austrian Empire, it was the same: no one could be allowed to snore beside their bed.

Austrian Empire's exclusive colonies were naturally not to be easily shared with others, especially since the Russians didn't even bother to ask, which was clearly a sign of disrespect.

It was impossible for Franz not to retaliate. When dealing with weaker countries, one can let the other party guess where one's bottom line is, but when dealing with powerful countries, especially allies like Russia, one must let the other party know where the bottom line and boundaries exist.

Otherwise, it will lead to endless trouble in the future.
Inside the Nishinomaru Palace of Edo Castle.

The chief councilor of the shogunate and representatives of various domains gathered together, the atmosphere heavy with tension. "Russian warships intend to seize our northern territories and force us to trade with them. What is the reason for this?"

Matsudaira Haruaki, the chief elder of the shogunate, spoke first. Although they had previously driven away the British fleet, no one was now willing to send troops to the north.

"Although the Russian ships have no steam power, their gunnery is superb, and we should not underestimate them!"

The lord of the Satsuma Domain, Shimazu Nariakira, made this rather bland remark and then said nothing more.

Matsudaira Haruaki's eyelids twitched involuntarily, and he cursed inwardly, "Old fox!" but his face remained solemn as he spoke.

"The Russians' words are like knives at our hearts. If we agree to this, our country will cease to exist! We will all be sinners for all time!"

The representatives of each vassal state remained silent, keeping their mouths shut and their minds closed.

Two hours later, someone finally got up because their legs were too numb and said something.

"Your Excellency Chief Elder, please allow me to report that our domain is located in a remote area and has always relied on agriculture. Years of poor harvests have left our treasury empty. We are already struggling to raise funds for the army. If we were to request additional elite troops, I fear we would be unable to do so."

At this moment, another lord chimed in.

"The Yamato people have a long coastline. The attack by their ships is likely a trap. If we send out all our forces, leaving our rear vulnerable, we will be at the enemy's mercy and bring about our own destruction."

In an instant, all sorts of excuses and excuses rose and fell throughout the Nishinomaru Palace, from insufficient troops to financial difficulties, from favorable timing and location to birth dates and times—they used every possible reason.

Ultimately, none of the domains wanted to lose their strength. Although the shogunate was stronger than before, the domains were also stronger, and in terms of relative strength, the shogunate was even somewhat weakened.

Unfortunately, trade with the Austrian Empire led to the modernization of the armed forces of the shogunate and various domains, and in a sense, everyone was back on the same starting line.

In reality, the Russian fleet was not strong, consisting of only four sailing warships with a total crew of no more than 800 men. At that time, the shogunate's strength was sufficient to drive the Russians away, but Matsudaira Shungaku dared not allow the Edo navy to launch an attack and drive the Russians out.

On the one hand, the shogunate had too little intelligence about Russia. He was afraid that the Russian fleet was just as powerful as the Austrian fleet. If the Edo navy was defeated by the Russian fleet, then the rule of the shogunate would probably come to an end, and the Warring States period would be repeated. Matsudaira Shungaku did not want to be written into history books in this way.

On the other hand, he also feared that the various domains would take the opportunity to expand and even directly attack Edo. After all, without the protection of the navy, Edo Castle would no longer be impregnable.

Furthermore, Matsudaira Haruaki had heard that Russia and the Austrian Empire were allies, and he was unsure of the Austrians' stance. If the Austrians supported Russia, he couldn't afford their wrath.

Left with no other choice, Matsudaira Haruaki had to lead a group of feudal lords to the shrine of the Austrian Empire to meet Kagura.

The feudal lords had no objection to this; they also wanted to hear the Austrian Empire's opinion, since their rule still depended heavily on the Austrian Empire.

In truth, Kagura felt nothing but disgust for the shogunate and the various feudal lords; strictly speaking, she felt they all deserved to die. However, Franz's mission still needed to be completed. Having been influenced by her surroundings since childhood, and having once spent time by Franz's side, Kagura possessed a considerable talent for feigning supernatural abilities.

"The gods do not protect those who are divided, and the mandate of heaven does not extend to those who kill one another!"

Although it was not explicitly stated, the shogunate and the various domains already understood what to do.