Fu Shanhe

Chapter 555 Diplomatic Efforts
Shogunate.

"You want me to send troops to attack Dayu? Are you crazy?"

Tokugawa Iemitsu asked in a bad mood.

The wealth of the Great Yu Empire was known throughout the world, naturally attracting attention from all sides, including Japan.

In pursuit of immense wealth and to realize its political ambitions of landing on remote islands, Japan has historically attempted to challenge the Great Yu Kingdom, but each attempt ended in tragedy.

It was precisely because of the mismanagement of their predecessors that the Japanese government fell into the hands of the Tokugawa family.

Having learned from past mistakes, Tokugawa Iemitsu behaved rather incompetently after taking power.

Internally, they established a system for the handover of duties to weaken the power of local lords; externally, they adopted a policy of isolation to restrict the activities of Western missionaries.

The relationship with the Great Yu Empire was also handled well.

No major diplomatic conflicts occurred, and bilateral trade continued to expand during this period.

Through a series of measures, the shogunate's rule was further strengthened, making the Tokugawa family the true masters of Japan.

Especially after the rise of the Annam Protectorate, the sea power was controlled by the Great Yu Empire, which extinguished his last hope of challenging the Great Yu.

"General, the Great Yu Empire is too aggressive. In the last ten years or so, it has destroyed countless countries."

This is a map of the territory issued by the Annam Protectorate. Compared with the old version of the Da Yu map, the territory area has increased by nearly half.

If they continue expanding like this, war will inevitably reach your country sooner or later. If that happens, how will the general handle the situation?

Fernando began to deceive.

Originally, this mission was supposed to be led by a delegation from the Kingdom of Myanmar.

Unfortunately, the Burmese, who are used to staying at home and living in their own little corner of the world, are complete novices in the field of diplomacy.

The missions they sent were indeed eloquent, but they failed to grasp the essence of diplomacy in their thinking and actions.

After a brief encounter, he realized it was unreliable and had no choice but to take matters into his own hands.

If there are no benefits to be gained, why would anyone go to war with the Great Yu Empire for the sake of Myanmar, which is thousands of miles away?
To put it bluntly, it's unknown whether the leaders of these countries have even heard of the Kingdom of Myanmar.

If you're going to use the "lips are cold, teeth are weak" argument to fool people, at least let them know the basic facts. Starting with a whole bunch of grand theories is just self-deception.

"Ha ha……"

After glancing at the map, Tokugawa Iemitsu let out a disdainful laugh.

“Mr. Fernando, I have many similar maps here.”

Every time the Annam Protectorate updates its map of new territories, I send people to buy it, but does that really mean anything?

They expanded southward, where the land was sparsely populated and rich in resources, whereas our area is a cluster of volcanic islands.

Unless the people of the Yu Dynasty were so rich they had nothing better to do, they wouldn't launch a war with such a severe mismatch between income and expenditure!
Moreover, internal strife is currently taking place within the territory of Dayu.

With the central government on the verge of collapse, where would the Annam Protectorate, located below, find the time to expand outwards?
Even if a new dynasty is established, their troubles will still lie in the northern frontier, and it will take several decades to resolve the border problems.

After the first few decades, their expansion cycle came to an end.

As long-time neighbors, we have a much deeper understanding of the history of the Great Yu Empire than you have!

Tokugawa Iemitsu's sarcastic reply left the delegation members quite embarrassed.

This wretched place called Japan has almost no value except for a silver mine.

If they wanted these mineral resources, they could have simply sent troops to seize them; there was no need to escalate the war.

Moreover, the Great Yu Empire holds a dominant position in the trade chain.

We can make a lot of money every year through normal trade; there's no need to resort to the most extreme means of war.

Of all the dynasties in Chinese history, only the Mongol Yuan dynasty considered conquering Japan. Other dynasties, after learning about the situation on the island, all chose to give up.

The daimyo system in Japan was also based on considerations of the cost of governance.

If the county system were implemented, the amount of tax revenue generated in Japan wouldn't even be enough to support its administrative system.

According to the thinking of Western colonizers, this desolate place, where one could only eat volcanic ash, had no value in conquering it.

Even when colonizing, in order to reduce the cost of governance, it is necessary to support local forces and manage the local areas on their behalf.

"General, there is an old saying among the people of the Yu Dynasty: times change."

Past experiences are gone; what we need now is to focus on the future.

Your country is not without resources; it's just that you've overlooked the resources you possess.

First of all, the land beneath your feet has strategic value in itself.

Taking over these regions would further consolidate their naval power.

Secondly, your country's abundant human resources are its greatest asset.

The Annam Protectorate had conquered vast tracts of land, and they needed more slaves to cultivate the land, clear wasteland, and mine resources for them…

Whether your country likes it or not, you will be drawn into war in the future.

But by then, all the neighbors will have fallen first, and you'll be fighting alone!

Fernando, without batting an eye, made up a story.

The wave of colonial partitioning had only just begun, and there were still vast amounts of unclaimed land in the world.

Often, a few hundred soldiers are enough to conquer a small country.

If there were an easy target, even if he were the emperor of the Great Yu Empire, he wouldn't send troops to gnaw on a bone.

It's okay to think that way in your heart, but you still have to keep lying to your face.

The Great Yu Empire is too powerful; to fight against such an enemy, we must win over more allies.

Although Japan is resource-poor, it has a long history of producing strong soldiers from remote and impoverished areas.

Arming them would make them stronger than the Burmese army, even if they couldn't match Yu's army.

By involving Japan, regardless of whether it can achieve anything militarily, at the very least, it can sever trade between the two countries and weaken the financial resources of the Great Yu Empire.

In fact, the most damaging thing right now is that these colonial countries block trade between East and West.

With the sudden loss of customs revenue, the Annam Protectorate's finances will be strained, and it will lose its ability to launch large-scale wars in the short term.

However, such things can only be thought about in secret.

They gave up their comfortable lives at home and risked going to the colonies to make a living; everyone was after money.

Anyone who dares to block trade is the common enemy of all colonists.

Running back to their homeland was useless, because the bulk of the profits from East-West trade ended up in the hands of the local elites.

Cut off their source of income, and they'll all die, no matter who it is.

"maybe!"

"However, I suggest that you go to the Tatars first."

They are mortal enemies of the Great Yu Empire, and have been a constant source of trouble for the northern borders of Great Yu for years. They should be interested in your proposal!

Tokugawa Iemitsu spoke slowly.

It was clear that he was moved by Fernando's persuasion.

Given the expansionist trend of the Great Yu Kingdom, it is not impossible that one day the flames of war will spread here.

The potential risks are indeed significant, but the risk of going to war with Dayu is even greater.

The former is a future danger, while the latter is an immediate life-or-death crisis.

The Westerners did not personally intervene, and the other members of the anti-Yu alliance were all land-based countries.

On land, they can contain the Yu army and share the military pressure, but the Yu army at sea is left unchecked. Once the shogunate gets involved, it will have to face the Great Yu navy alone, a truly hellish challenge.

"Thank you for your suggestion, General. Our next stop is the Tatar Kingdom."

However, we hope the General will carefully consider our proposal.

No matter when, the doors of the alliance will always be open to your nation!

Fernando answered calmly.

The anti-Yu alliance is not child's play; it's impossible to get a country on the war chariot with just one lobbying effort.

The fact that they didn't explicitly refuse is the best news.

He was worried that if he agreed immediately, the shogunate would inform the Yu Dynasty.

When it comes to matters concerning the future of the nation, those in power, unless they are foolish, will carefully assess the risks.

……

After a long and winding journey, passing through the Goguryeo Kingdom, they finally arrived at the Tatar Kingdom.

Contrary to expectations, they did not receive a grand welcome this time, and were even ripped off several times along the way.

If it weren't for good luck in encountering Nichileg Manchu, the mission would have almost been lost halfway through.

Despite having made contact with high-ranking Tatar officials, the mission's treatment remained unchanged.

The shogunate treated them with courtesy because they had trade relations and had interacted with each other before.

If it were the Tatar Kingdom, which knew nothing about foreign trade, their understanding of them would be limited to rumors circulating from the Great Yu.

Upon learning that they had been severely defeated by the Annam Protectorate and needed to seek an alliance, they were immediately labeled as a tiny, insignificant country.

If the strength is not equal, one will naturally not gain respect.

The reason they were willing to make contact with them was because Li Mu's reputation was so great that the Tatars knew that the Annam Protectorate was not to be trifled with.

If they were beaten by other troops from the Dayu army, they probably wouldn't even be qualified to stay at the post station.

After waiting in line for half a month, Hugjil finally got some free time.

Upon entering the palace, they were forced to perform a full kneeling ceremony, leaving everyone seething with anger.

"Tell me, what are you Westerners doing here, getting involved in this mess?"

Hugjil asked with a smile.

Allies are naturally needed by the Tatar Kingdom.

Even if you're looking for allies, you can't just hire any Tom, Dick, or Harry.

"Great Chanyu, the Great Yu Empire has stirred up wars everywhere, seriously affecting world peace. We are here to safeguard world peace..."

He had only spoken halfway when he was interrupted by a burst of laughter.

From its inception, the Tatar Kingdom was a disruptor of order; expecting them to maintain world peace is utterly ridiculous.

The unexpected scene left the delegation members in a very awkward position.

They were just following protocol, putting on a glamorous facade for their actions, never expecting that some people would not cooperate.

"Alright, I don't care why you came here, or who sent you."

"We can send troops to attack Dayu to relieve your military pressure in the south, but what are you willing to give in return?"

Hugjil asked bluntly.

No matter how glamorous the exterior, the essence of diplomacy is always interests.

After the Shanxi merchants were destroyed, the Tatar Kingdom's access to strategic materials was cut off.

In the past year or two, they have also had a tough time.

After the plan to lure the Great Yu back to their homeland failed, the Tatar Kingdom began to plan a new round of invasion.

The arrival of the anti-Yu alliance delegation came at just the right time.

Based on the principle that resources should not be wasted, Hugjil also wanted to make a profit off these people.

"Great Chanyu, as long as your country sends troops to attack Dayu, we are willing to sell you unlimited quantities of weapons and ammunition."

We can also sell a batch of strategic materials such as grain, cloth, and salt to your country.

Fernando answered, barely suppressing his anger.

They came here to find allies, not to be bullied.

These barbarians from the Tatar Kingdom have absolutely no understanding of diplomatic etiquette; how dare they insult their personal dignity!

If it weren't for the mission to carry out for the kingdom, he would have returned home long ago.

"So, we have to pay for our own wars?"

Interior Minister Sarina deliberately used veiled insults.

In fact, the Tatar leadership was quite satisfied with gaining access to new channels for purchasing strategic materials.

After all, the invasion of the south was part of the plan, and this was just doing someone a favor.

However, since it is a negotiation, we should naturally strive for better terms.

"If your country can bring the war to Nanjing, we are willing to provide 200,000 shi of grain, 5,000 shi of salt, and 10,000 bolts of cloth!"

The Myanmar representative answered with a nervous expression.

Frankly speaking, this amount of supplies is completely inadequate compared to their demands.

If a large-scale war were to break out, an army could consume this many supplies in just one month.

However, for the Kingdom of Burma, which was at war, to come up with so much stuff was already a huge expense.

The item itself isn't expensive, but the shipping cost is too high!
The Yu Dynasty navy blockaded the sea route to Liaodong, so if supplies were to be sent over, they would have to detour through the Goguryeo Kingdom.

Even taking a detour carries significant risks.

Once discovered by the Dayu navy, the entire ship and its cargo would be lost.

High-risk routes inevitably come with high freight costs.

"not enough!"

"From Liaodong to Nanjing, it is thousands of miles long, and there are countless fortresses and strongholds along the way."

During this period, we will also have to cross the natural barriers of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River, and the risks we need to take are too great.

With this little bit of equipment, we can at most hold back the enemy forces on the border!

Sarina resolutely refused.

According to the latest occupation by the Tatar Kingdom, they are indeed preparing to take over the Central Plains and confront the Great Yu Kingdom from the north and south.

However, plans are one thing, but when it comes to implementation, a series of problems still arise.

The core problem is that the northern part of the Great Yu is exhausted, and no matter how much they plunder the local areas, it is difficult to provide enough money, food and supplies for the army.

The best option is to cross the Yangtze River in one fell swoop and seize the fertile lands of Jiangnan and Huguang.

Undoubtedly, doing so will create new problems, as they lack a navy.

To cross the river rashly would be to hand over victory to the enemy.

……

(End of this chapter)