Late Ming Dynasty: Conquering the world starting from riding and cutting

The two businessmen were sarcastic and mocking Ryukyu Crown Prince Shangyi, and they walked in the direction of Zhang Hu boldly.

"Looking at the armor he is wearing, it seems to be similar to the style of the Hatamoto samurai under Lord Shugo and Lord Mino Mamoru!"

"Hmm! Maybe it's the trophies that your Excellency seized from the Ming people in Korea?!"

The two people had a tacit understanding of each other's words. One acted as a supporter, the other acted as a starter, and the other acted as a partner, looking for fun with Zhang Hu in front of him.

He had no idea what happened to his guardians and Japanese daimyo back then.

"What are you two laughing at? Get out of here." Although I couldn't understand what the two of them were saying, seeing the two guys getting happier and happier as they talked, I knew that these two Japanese businessmen wearing clogs had bad intentions. Zhang Hu pressed the button on his hand To the hilt.

"Hey!! Look! Akito's monkey put his hand on the handle of the knife. I wonder if his sword will be as carefully maintained as our samurai's swords. I heard from seniors that Akito's swords and guns are all It’s just like this, it’s not on the same level as our samurai swords, otherwise there wouldn’t be so many samurai swords sold to the Ming Dynasty every year.”

"I bet you, this guy is just as good as a knife!"

The two low-status businessmen were so oblivious just because they had been in Ryukyu for a long time and were spoiled by the people in Ryukyu. If they knew that their masters were no rivals, they would have lent them ten pieces of money. No one dared to talk such nonsense in front of Zhang Hu.

After all, my eyesight is poor!

"His Royal Highness, what should we do? Do you want to dissuade him?"

Shangyi quietly knocked on the lever of the shoulder blade, signaling the people around him to wait and see what happened.

The distance between the three parties was only a few steps away. As they were talking, the two businessmen came to Zhang Hu. With their eyes closed, they looked at the Chinese characters on Zhang Hu's military uniform and the identification flag behind him, "Keelung Army Lectures on Martial Arts Hall Zhang..." What bullshit Keelung Army?”

"Nani?! Keelung Army?"

Keelung speaks the same Japanese and Chinese, and looking at their arrogant and domineering demeanor, even a fool would know that they are looking for trouble.

Zhang Hu didn't get used to it. Just when the other person exclaimed at his companion's slip of the tongue, it was too late! It’s over!

The stainless steel sword was pulled out from the scabbard, and drew a beautiful and firm arc in mid-air, completely cutting off the rude guy Tian Ling Gai, and then fell on the right shoulder of another businessman. Cut off the head at the neck level.

People looked at the swing of the knife in horror. It was a real cut in two. With one swing of the knife, the lives of two people ended!

Zhang Hu, who was covered in blood from his neck, was holding the steel knife produced by the Hsinchu Steel Factory. He only had one thought in his mind, "Damn it! This knife is indeed a good knife! It can really cut two pieces in half." ah!"

He turned his head and looked at the Shuntian camp soldiers behind him, "These two Japanese were said to be unclean and insulted our Keelung army, so I killed them."

From the words, expressions and movements of the two guys, the soldiers around them could already tell that what these two people said was definitely not good. The two Japanese dwarfs would be killed if they were killed.

Are we still killing a few people? What are you afraid of!

"What? Two Shimazu businessmen were beheaded by a Keelung Army colonel?"

"Father, everyone on the dock could see it with their own eyes, and I could also see it clearly from the carriage. The two corpses stood upright for a moment before falling to the ground."

In the palace, everyone below Shang Ren was shocked by Zhang Hu's sword. It turned out that the Satsuma merchants who were showing off their power in Ryukyu were like ants, pigs and dogs in the eyes of a small school in the Keelung Military Region. They could only be killed if they wanted to. Kill without any scruples?

Wang Chao wasted no time in bragging for himself, "According to him, even the head of the Shimazu family of the Satsuma Domain would not dare to be so arrogant even if he knew about it. Even if all his samurai Ashigaru were sent to the battlefield, they would not be the only ones in the Keelung Army." Enemies of the Round.”

Political power comes from the barrel of a gun. In other words, whoever has the biggest fist will listen to whoever has the power.

I originally thought that the Shimazu family had a big fist, and since this fist was close to Ryukyu, I naturally had to look at it differently. But today, a bigger and harder fist came, and it was not far away, but the King of Ryukyu inadvertently offended them!

"How many troops did General Qin bring to Ryukyu?" Prince Shangren unknowingly held on to the crown again, for fear that he might make a fool of himself by not paying attention.

"Reporting to Your Highness, according to what my subordinates have heard, the general is accompanying Shuntian in a battalion of about a thousand people, and there are six large and small ships, including boatmen and sailors. They carry at least more than 200 large and small artillery pieces. No. If you dare to hide it, please let the Lord decide!”

Wang Chao's words were very humble, but the threatening tone in his words could be heard even by the servants who were waiting for Prince Shangren to change.

Because of his earlier business relationship, he had developed some friendships, and because he saw the impressive appearance of the Keelung Army on the dock, Wang Chao was already a die-hard pro-Keelung Army faction in Ryukyu.

Faced with the pro-Keelung faction that seemed to have the upper hand, the officials began to quarrel, curse, blame each other, and shirk responsibility.

Whether he will follow the Satsuma Daimyo or be the younger brother of the new strongman, no one can tell.

"Your Majesty, it's not good!"

A guard captain rolled and crawled from the yard to King Shang Ren, panting heavily, and knelt down in front of him, as if he had something to say, but he was out of breath from running away, but Pointing outward.

"Why panic!"

The King of Ryukyu just scolded the captain, but he couldn't help but stand up, walked to the yard and looked in the direction of the two gates of Naha Port and Ryukyu Castle.

In this era, there is no industrial pollution or smog. Observation indexes such as air quality and visibility and atmospheric transparency are excellent. Although he does not have the telescope of Keelung Army, Shangren can clearly see the situation in the distance.

What was faintly fluttering on the fort was no longer the royal flag of Ryukyu, but a huge flag with the word "Qin" in it.

The Keelung Army has already occupied the port, leaving Ryukyu with no chance at all.

Shang Ren suddenly felt dizzy, his vision went dark, and he was about to fall backwards.

Several servants and guards hurriedly stepped forward to help Prince Shang and helped him back to the bedroom. They ordered people to bring tea and called for a Japanese doctor. There was a rush.

Looking at the crowd gathered in front of him, Shang Ren felt annoyed and waved his hands to make the crowd of nuisances leave, leaving only the Prime Minister, the Crown Prince and several other courtiers in front of him.

He wanted to discuss with these close confidants how to deal with this aggressive general from Keelung.

"Mr. Wang, why don't you get out of here quickly! Didn't you see that His Highness is going to discuss matters with me?!" The Prime Minister showed off the power of a country and wanted to drive out this unsightly guy who didn't know how to advance or retreat.

"Your Highness, my family has just come to the mansion to look for me. I have been assigned by Master Qin to convey the wishes of General Qin of the Keelung Army. If our Ryukyu Kingdom is not willing, they will definitely not force it."

This sounds a bit mindless. Prince Shangren couldn't help but signaled the prince to bring a chair over to Wang Chao, motioned for him to sit down and said.

"How can you say such a thing to a humble person?"

"Your Highness, that's it. A few days ago, the Keelung Army said that if they form diplomatic relations with Ryukyu. To show their sincerity, the Amami Islands in the north of Ryukyu that the late king ceded to the Shimazu family of the Satsuma Domain can be taken back for us by the Keelung Army.

General Qin came here to discuss with the prince to see if he was willing to accept these places. "

I do!

Prince Shangren almost shouted!

Being able to regain the land lost in the hands of my father, no matter what method is used, is a great achievement that will be remembered in history in front of the people and officials in the country. In the future, when you meet your ancestors under Jiuquan, you can also comfort them!

Looking at Shang Ren who lowered his head in deep thought and said nothing, Wang Chao felt enlightened, but deliberately acted like he was at a loss when he came out, "Your Highness, I will go and tell the Keelung Army right now, my land in Ryukyu, I will give you nothing to do with it, Keelung Army." Let’s pretend to be kind and we’ll pick up all the islands in Amami ourselves!”

Is this okay?

Before Shang Ren could speak, the prince Shangyi had already handed a cup of tea to Wang Chao.

"Lord Wang, please be patient. Your loyalty to Ryukyu and my father is evident to all. I think my father is also happy about the Keelung Army returning the Amami Islands. It's just that. It’s a big thing, but you have to think long term!”

"I'm afraid it's a long night and a lot of dreams!"

Wang Chao continued his role as a die-hard pro-Keelung faction.

Continue to use one word after another to destroy the psychological defenses of the Shang family father and son, the Prime Minister and the officials of the six ministries.

"I heard rumors among the Keelung army that this time the army came with great enthusiasm, but unexpectedly they were met with such a cold shoulder. The mood in the army was fierce. Some people advocated sending troops into the city and severely punishing them, while others advocated a strict investigation of our Ryukyu people. The merchant ship went out to sea and said that it would no longer trade sugar cane and rice with Ryukyu!"

As soon as these words came out, everyone couldn't help but exclaim loudly, "Please Mr. Wang, please speak on your behalf, you can't do this, you absolutely can't do this!"

No matter which of these two methods of disposal is executed, the Ryukyu King will die and his country will be destroyed.

Not to mention sending troops into the city, Keelung would no longer engage in sugar cane-for-rice trade with Ryukyu, which would be enough to starve Ryukyu everywhere and leave them with bones.

"So what if the sugar cane and rice trade is stopped? His Keelung Army's losses are much greater than ours! We won't starve to death anyway!"

An official said such a sentence without knowing the importance of it, which immediately made the colleagues around him look at him with hygienic eyes.

As an official, how can he not be despised by his colleagues if he says such ignorant and ignorant words?

"you you!"

Prince Shangren pointed at this ungrateful guy with his finger, and was so angry that he couldn't speak.

"Get out of here quickly!"

Prince Shang held it in for a long time, then threw the tea cup in his hand at the young official with a hard word.

Since the Shimazu family conquered Ryukyu, they have forced the rice fields to be destroyed and planted sugar cane, a high value-added cash crop, and squeezed sugar from the sugar cane in exchange for money. However, for ordinary people, sugar is just a condiment and luxury product, not a necessity like rice.

Since the destruction of fields to cultivate sugar cane, islanders starving to death due to insufficient food rations have appeared from time to time in the so-called three provinces and thirty-six islands of Ryukyu.

Today, a large amount of sugar cane is still grown on various Ryukyu islands, but the buyer of the sugar cane has been replaced by a Keelung businessman who seems to be easy to talk to. He trades sugar cane with white rice and also exchanges for the extracted jaggery, allowing islanders from all over Ryukyu to Able to have food and clothing.

Now, just because of etiquette issues, the Keelung Army wanted to sacrifice this magic weapon that left Ryukyu with almost no room for resistance. It seemed like an understatement, but it was killing people without blood.

"How much grain and rice are there in various treasuries in the country? Including the grain and rice shipped by merchants?" Shang Ren seemed to have his spinal cord taken away, and there was no strength in his body.

Several people looked at each other and exchanged the information they had in a low voice. The Prime Minister stepped forward and reported to Shang Ren the amount of grain and rice currently stored in Ryukyu.

"The amount of grain and rice in various treasuries, village communities, and shops is only enough to last until the time of sugar cane harvesting, which will take at least half a month."

This figure proposed by the Ministry of Revenue official made King Shangren slump on the throne like a puddle of mud.

"They are planning their actions before they act! They figured out that we are at this juncture, so they treat us like this!"

"Father! Let's go to the capital of the Ming Dynasty to sue him! Sue him for Qin Hao's abuse of the sect and his evil intentions!" Shangyi was young and energetic after all, and he actually came up with such a way to deal with it.

Everyone present looked at Shangyi as if they were looking at a fool. Now that the troops have been transported to the city wall and the gunboats are on the dock, taking over the outbound port, you are going to complain to the Ming Dynasty at this time?

Not to mention whether you can reach the Ming Dynasty, even if you are lucky enough to reach the Ming Dynasty, the documents are delivered, and many other steps are completed. I am afraid that the people in Ryukyu have been plowed before the lawsuit is filed. !

Furthermore, who can be sure that this group of people are from the Ming Dynasty? Not everyone who speaks Chinese dialect is a Ming Dynasty official.

After all, Shang Ren has been on the throne for a long time, so he still has a sharp eye. Although this group of people are flying under the banner of Ming Ren, they may just be a powerful force on the sea behind their backs.

In this turbulent period, I just hope that they will not be too cruel. Shangren has already given up the extravagant hope in his heart.

The world is getting more and more chaotic. Without force, you are just a lamb waiting to be slaughtered. You can eat whenever you want. You are more punctual than the Lord of Hell.

In the distance, bursts of noisy shouts suddenly came from the streets outside the palace, growing louder and louder, mixed with panic and fear, and the cries of many people.

"What's going on outside?!"

The captain of the guard who was on duty went out and walked around, and then returned to the king with a frightened expression to report.

"Your Majesty, people outside are saying that there are two gunboats carrying hundreds of soldiers heading towards Kume Island!"

At this moment, the Prime Minister and everyone else collapsed to the ground!

Nakume Island is a gathering place for the families of officials. In Ryukyu, it can be regarded as a residential area for the upper class.

Nearly all the family members of officials at all levels of the palace were there, and the island was only protected by hundreds of militia guards. How could they be a match for the wolf-like and tiger-like officers and soldiers of the Keelung Army?

What's more, there are two gunboats there to help, and you can imagine how the situation will develop next with your heels.

"Father!"

"Son!"

The usually aloof adults in the palace began to cry bitterly.

Ryukyu's current situation is like that of a thin boy who was hit in the head with a firecracker by a strong man. There was a plate of exquisite food in front of him, and there was a sharp knife pressed against his lifeline under his crotch. Son, so strange, so dangerous.

Whether to cut off the sugar cane and rice trade, or to put a bludgeon on the forehead, it all depends on one thought.

"I beg Your Highness to make a decision as soon as possible!"

From the Prime Minister down, all the officials and the personal guards outside the door knelt on the ground in front of Shang Ren.

Should he eat the exquisite food from the Amami Islands and gain fame and fortune, or should he refuse the goodwill released by the Keelung Army for the sake of etiquette?

If the latter was chosen, the group of people kneeling in front of them would rise up and tear the Shang family father and son into pieces without the help of the Keelung Army, and then go out of the city to meet Qin Hao.

Looking at Wang Chao standing alone, Shang Ren wanted to kick this guy to death, but he didn't dare.

The current situation forced him to make a decision as soon as possible, otherwise, he might lose his life in just one breath!

"Mr. Wang, could you please go and speak to the general? Xiao Wang will immediately go to the dock to pay homage to the general!"

"All the people in the city, from the father and son of the widow, to the nobles and above, must all dress up and go!"

"Every street in the city will be paved with loess, clean water splashed on the street, and colorful sheds will be erected to welcome the general into the city!"

"In compliance with the king's order, my subordinates will go to the Keelung Army to convey His Highness's decree."

The dark clouds hanging over everyone's heads disappeared in an instant with the edicts issued by Ryukyu King Shanghito, and smiles began to appear on people's faces.

If I had known today, why would I do it in the first place!

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