The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 322 Qiufan Tower

On the fourteenth day of the first month of the second year of the Tianqi reign, at Niuguan Port, Nagato Domain, Honshu Island.

On the sea with a gentle breeze, masts are like forests, warships are like clouds, and the main battleships of the Combined Fleet gathered at Niuguan Port.

The decks of the flat-armored ships and the Fukufu ships were crowded with people, and the soldiers and pirates who had just arrived from Mikawa and Kagoshima were all looking towards the shore.

Even the sampans were filled with sailors watching the fun.

A black battle flag with a pattern of dragon, tiger, eagle and bear fluttered over the dock. Under the flag, representatives of various units of the Guards, weapons in hand, lined up from the side of the warship to the bottom of the Qiufan Building on the shore.

Akihanro is the most famous restaurant in Nagato Domain. It is said that the puffer fish cooked here is the most delicious. Every spring and autumn, diners from various domains come from far and wide, risking being poisoned, just to have a taste of the tender puffer fish meat.

However, starting from the tenth day of the first lunar month, the shogunate decided to start peace talks, and Qiufanlou was blocked by the Kaiyuan army because the first peace treaty between Japan and Japan, the "Niusuki Treaty", was about to be signed here.

At this time, the area from the restaurant entrance to the private living room on the third floor was densely packed with guards.

Pei Dahu, captain of the central army guard, looked ahead with sharp eyes.

A huge pear wood long table was placed in the center of the living room.

Ping Liao Hou sat facing south, and next to him were Zheng Yi Guan, Qiao Yi Qi, Sun Chuanting, Ma Shiying, Yuan Chonghuan, Deng Changxiong, Mao Yuanyi, Li Dan, Luo Man and others.

Near the door stood Tokugawa Hidetada, Tsuchikawa Toshikatsu, and about thirty representatives of daimyo from Honshu and Shikoku.

The two sides did not communicate much beforehand. Liu Zhaosun did not understand Japanese and was too lazy to talk to the Japanese.

Tokugawa Hidetada seemed quite attentive. He kept bowing and asking Ping Liaohou again and again whether the Kaiyuan army would really give up attacking Edo after the signing of the Niuguan Treaty.

Liu Zhaosun gave the Shogun a positive answer. Hidetada finally breathed a sigh of relief and whispered something to his retainers. He also chatted with a group of daimyo around him who had ulterior motives.

Finally, he asked Ping Liaohou what would happen if the vassal states disobeyed after the signing of the treaty.

After the Battle of Osaka, the authority of the shogunate reached its lowest point, and Hidetada's worries were not unfounded.

Ping Liaohou looked at Zheng Zhilong and asked him to translate to the daimyos present at the top of his voice.

"If anyone violates the treaty, you may fight the Ming army again. However, I have a warning: if we meet you in battle again, there will be no surrender or negotiation! The Kaiyuan Army will follow the Korean way and kill everyone without mercy."

The daimyos who had been whispering just now immediately fell silent. The strongest among them, Mingshan and Toriyama clan, were no match for the Kaihara army, and no one dared to act rashly anymore.

On the contrary, many daimyos have already begun to consider how to leave a good impression on the powerful Marquis Ping Liao.

They had heard that the Ming Dynasty intended to merge the various feudal domains again. The daimyo who were close to Ping Liaohou could take the opportunity to expand their territory, while those feudal domains that performed poorly would most likely disappear directly from the map of Japan.

Liu Zhaosun looked past the crowd opposite him, at the calm Kanmon Strait and his combined fleet, his thoughts in a frenzy.

At this time, Ma Shiying came forward and whispered that the auspicious time had arrived. Ping Liaohou finally reacted and said loudly:
"I now order the Emperor of Japan and the representatives of the Shogunate to sign the Treaty of Niuguan at the designated location!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Tokugawa Hidetada walked tremblingly to the table with the help of the samurai.

Just as the Shogun was about to sit down, Pei Dahu stepped in front of him, waved his hand and said sternly:
"Hand over the sword!"

Hidetada was like a stone sculpture, stunned for a long time, his face flushed. He looked around hesitantly, and his eyes fell on the majestic Ping Liaohou, his eyes full of unwillingness and anger.

The elder of the Tsuchikawa family kept winking at him, and after a while, Hidetada slowly took off the long sword that symbolized the dignity of the shogunate and handed it to Ping Liaohou with both hands.

All the family elders present handed over their swords.

Liu Zhaosun took the Shogun's sword and drew it out of its sheath. The sword shone coldly. He took a quick look at it and handed it to Pei Dahu.

"Shogun, you may sign now!"

Hidetada examined the two treaties written in black and white on Korean paper, confirmed that they were correct, and then returned to the family elder.

Tsuchikawa then whispered a few words in his lord's ear, and Tokugawa Hidetada then walked to the long table and sat down.

He took off his hood and placed it on the table, then leaned into the chair, leaned on the edge of the chair, took off his gloves, picked up the treaty and looked at it for a long time.

Pei Dahu was about to urge him, but Liu Zhaosun waved his hand, indicating that he should not be rude.

The Shogun sighed heavily, like a scholar trapped in the imperial examination, scratching his head at the scroll.

Finally, he finally took the brush and signed the two treaties with difficulty.

After writing the last word, Hidetada's legs went limp, sweat broke out on his forehead, and he was helped down by the samurai.

After the Tsuchikawa family elder had signed, Ping Liaohou raised his brush and quickly signed the Treaty of Oxford in a flamboyant handwriting.

From then on, tomorrow the two sides will formally sign the "Niuguan Treaty" (hereinafter referred to as the Treaty)
The full text of the treaty is as follows:

Today, the Ming Dynasty and Japan have long-standing exchanges in trade, Kyushu conflicts, shipping affairs, and Catholic beliefs.

The Emperor of Ming and the Emperor of Japan are concerned about making proper arrangements to protect the people forever. Therefore, the two emperors have agreed to establish regulations on peace, indemnity, trade, ships, and missionary affairs to benefit each other, so that the two countries and their subjects can restore peace and share happiness and prevent future disputes.

His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire has specially appointed the Governor-General, First-Class Plenipotentiary Minister, Prince Taifu, Wenhua Palace University, Minister of War, Liaodong General Commander-in-Chief, Ping Liaohou, Marquis of Ping Liao, and Prime Minister of Korea, Liu Zhaosun; the Imperial Envoy and Plenipotentiary Minister of the Great Ming Empire, Minister of Revenue, Liaodong Censor, and Minister of Foreign Affairs, Qiao Yiqi; His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Plenipotentiary Minister, Shogun Tokugawa Hidetada; and the Minister of Plenipotentiary Affairs of Japan, Senior Councilor of the Shogunate, Tsuchikawa Toshikatsu. They have mutually reviewed the imperial edicts and have determined that they are all correct and flawless. They have jointly agreed upon the following clauses, listed below:
first set

Afterwards, the Emperor of Ming and the Emperor of Japan, as well as all the people of both countries, were forever at peace. No matter who they were, wherever they were, they were all blessed with good fortune and wealth.

Second paragraph

Japan paid approximately 100 million taels of silver to the Ming Dynasty as compensation for military expenses. The payment was made in six installments:
The first payment of 20 million taels shall be paid in full within six months of the ratification and exchange of this agreement;

The second payment of 20 million taels shall be paid within twelve months after the exchange of ratifications of this treaty;

The remaining balance shall be divided equally into six installments and paid annually;

The rules are as follows: the first equal annual payment shall be paid within two years, the second within three years, the third within four years, the fourth within five years, the fifth within six years, and the sixth within seven years; no matter when the compensation should be paid, whether in full or in part in advance, it shall be paid at the convenience of the Ming Dynasty.

Paragraph 3

Japan will manage the rights of the Xiakai area and transfer all fortresses, military equipment, factories, forests and all public property in the area to the Ming Dynasty forever.

First, Kyushu Island and its affiliated islands. From the Kanmon Strait westward to Fukue and Naruura, and southward from Tsushima Island to the Satsuma Islands. All previously mentioned cities and towns in this area are included.

Second, the Ryukyu Islands and all their affiliated islands.

Paragraph

The boundary demarcation referred to in the preceding paragraph shall be completed within one year after the exchange of ratifications of this Treaty by two or more officials from each country who shall serve as a Joint Boundary Demarcation Commissioner to conduct an on-site survey and determine the boundary.

However, if the demarcation line is revised by the relevant committees, the demarcation line stipulated in this treaty shall prevail until both countries have ratified it.

Paragraph

Within two years after the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, Ming will permit the inhabitants of the ceded territories of Japan who wish to relocate outside of the ceded territories to sell all their property and move out of the territory. However, those who have not relocated after the expiration of this period will be considered subjects of Ming. Furthermore, Kyushu Island will be handed over within two months of the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, with each country sending a high official to Kyushu.

Article 6

Japan agreed that after the exchange of ratifications of this treaty, it would promptly dispatch plenipotentiaries to join forces with the plenipotentiaries sent by Ming to conclude a treaty of commerce and navigation and a charter of overland trade.

First, in addition to the existing Japanese port of Nagasaki, additional ports should be established to facilitate the free movement of Ming citizens to and from the country, as well as their commerce and craftsmanship.
Osaka Castle was directly under the control of the Honshu Shogunate.

Mikawa Castle of Okazaki Domain on Honshu Island,
Nagato Domain Monji Castle on Honshu Island,
Tamura Castle, Tosa Domain, Shikoku Island
Second, the mining and sale rights of the Iwami Silver Mine in Shimane Prefecture, San'in region of Japan were handed over to the Ming Dynasty to guarantee Japan's reparations.

Third, when Ming subjects purchase manufactured goods from various Japanese fiefdoms, such as their own products, or when they wish to temporarily store imported goods for transport to the interior, they do not have to pay taxes or any other fees, but may temporarily rent warehouses to store the goods.

Fourth, Ming subjects can freely engage in various manufacturing processes in Japanese trading ports and cities; they can also freely import various machines and only pay the prescribed import taxes.

Article 7

Ming troops stationed in Japanese territory shall be withdrawn within three months after the exchange of ratifications of this treaty; however, they must be handled in accordance with the provisions of the following paragraph.

Article 8

To ensure Ming faithfully implements the terms of the treaty, Japan will permit Ming troops to temporarily occupy Mikawa, Okazaki Domain. Furthermore, upon the payment of the first and second indemnities stipulated in this treaty and the agreement between Ming and the Japanese shogunate on a comprehensive and appropriate settlement, Ming will not withdraw its troops until the final indemnity is paid, unless the Japanese shogunate immediately agrees on a security arrangement. However, until the trade and missionary treaties are approved and exchanged, Ming will not withdraw its troops, even if the indemnity is paid.

Article 9

From the date of exchange of ratifications of the treaty, the hostilities should be suspended.

Article 10

If any Japanese harbor resentment against the Ming, the various feudal domains should carefully investigate and mediate. If a dispute arises and mediation is not possible, the matter should be referred to the Ming officials of Kyushu Island for assistance in handling the case, thoroughly investigating the matter, and bringing it to a fair conclusion.

Article 11

In the future, if Ming citizens are framed, insulted, or harassed by the Japanese in the Four Ports, the local officials of each domain will suppress the rebellion and try to protect them. The officials of each domain will immediately order their officers to expel the accomplices, arrest the criminals, punish them severely according to the law, and recover the stolen goods and compensate them.

Article 12
Ming citizens residing in areas covered by Articles 6 through 4, regardless of their number, may rent land and build their own houses and houses. Ming subjects may also build chapels, schools, and cemeteries. Local officials in each domain will determine where appropriate for residence and construction. If any Japanese violate or damage chapels or cemeteries, local officials will, as usual, arrest and punish them severely.

After this treaty is ratified by His Majesty the Emperor of Ming Dynasty and His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, it shall be exchanged in Lushun on February 5, the second year of the Tianqi reign (i.e., February 5, the eighth year of the Kan'ei reign in Japan).

To this end, the plenipotentiaries of the two countries signed and sealed the agreement to show their commitment.

His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Ming Kingdom specially appointed the Governor-General, the First-Class Plenipotentiary Minister, the Prince's Grand Tutor, the Minister of War of the Wenhua Palace, the Commander-in-Chief of Liaodong, the Marquis of Pingliao, and the Prime Minister of Korea, Liu Zhaosun (with seal).

Qiao Yiqi, the Imperial Envoy and Plenipotentiary Minister of the Ming Dynasty, Minister of Revenue, Censor of Liaodong, and Minister of Foreign Affairs (with seal).

His Majesty the Emperor of Japan, Minister Plenipotentiary to Conquer the Barbarians, General Tokugawa Hidetada (Oshiyin).

The Minister of Plenipotentiary Affairs of Japan, the Shogunate Councilor Tsuchikawa Toshikatsu (with seal).

It was signed in Niuguan on the 20th day of the first lunar month of the second year of the Tianqi reign, which was the 20th day of the first lunar month of the eighth year of the Kanei reign in Japan. It was copied in two copies.

(End of this chapter)