Chapter 2785
Compared with the lavish shogunate, Satsuma's military purchases were relatively simple. Although the ten exploration-class warships in stock have been purchased by the shogunate, Shimazu Hisamichi has not changed his mind and is still targeting second-hand warships. He just has to wait for Haihan to transport the sealed old ships from other places. Come over, it takes a little longer.
However, Shimazu Hisamichi was not too anxious about this. According to his plan, he would use this period of time to let the sailors of the Satsuma Domain receive training in the Kaihan Army and learn how to control the exploration-class warships. In this way, after receiving the warships, effective combat power can be formed more quickly. After you become proficient in the drills, you can consider ordering the next batch of warships.
The Satsuma clan had even less interest in army equipment. Under Haihan's vigorous promotion, Shimazu Hisutong only ordered two hundred flintlock muskets and twelve artillery pieces, which was obviously far less important than the importance of maritime armed forces. Of course, this is more likely to be due to budget constraints and having to weigh the priorities and make choices.
As for the competitive relationship with the shogunate, Shimazu Hisumi's attitude is relatively rational. In his opinion, the Satsuma clan does not yet have the strength to fight the shogunate head-on, so there is no need to intensify the relationship with the shogunate. After the Satsuma Domain has stronger military strength, it will not be too late to make other plans.
The real focus of Shimadzu's negotiation was not the arms deal. Haihan has previously expressed his willingness to establish direct trade relations with the Satsuma Domain. This is exactly the goal that the Satsuma Domain desires, but how to operate still requires negotiation between the two parties on many details.
Due to the closed-door policy pursued by the Japanese shogunate, trade with China was restricted to a few places such as Nagasaki Port. Although the Satsuma Domain is located at the western end of the Japanese archipelago, it is not qualified to trade directly with China. It can only engage in smuggling activities secretly through Ryukyu, a third party.
However, Kaihan proposed that as long as the Satsuma Domain gave up its control over Ryukyu, they could set up commercial centers with the Satsuma Domain, establish commercial routes, and allow Satsuma merchants to engage in trading activities in Kaihan's area.
This sounds like a condition of exchange, but Shimazu Hisumichi understands that this is the step that Kaihan builds for the Satsuma Domain. If the Satsuma Domain is unwilling to give up indirect control of Ryukyu, Kaihan may use military means to intervene. In Ryukyu affairs, armed conflict will inevitably break out.
The Satsuma Domain has always maintained contact with the Sasebo base and is very aware of Kaihan's military strength. Therefore, before coming to Hangzhou for negotiations, the Satsuma Domain had already decided to agree to Kaihan's suggestion and exchange control of Ryukyu for trade rights.
However, open trade activities will inevitably be hidden from the shogunate, and the private actions of the Satsuma Domain will definitely become the object of the shogunate's investigation. One of Shimadzu's missions during this trip is to discuss an appropriate trade method with Kaihan, which can both Establishing a solid trade relationship with Haihan, and being able to hide this relationship from the shogunate.
"Master Shimazu, I think you are thinking too much. You have already met with the shogunate's special envoy in Hangzhou. Even if he doesn't understand, the shogunate is not all fools. Of course, I can imagine that your purpose of coming to Hangzhou is not just for Buy a few warships for self-defense. If the Satsuma clan wants to establish a stable trade relationship with our country, it will definitely be hidden. It is better to think about how to deal with the shogunate's accusation head-on."
Bax responded directly to the concerns raised by Shimazu. From Haihan's point of view, he did not want the Satsuma clan to maintain harmony with the shogunate, so he arranged for the two families to arrive in Hangzhou city. Even if Masuyama Masato hadn't jumped in a hurry and found the Satsuma clan's headquarters on his own, Kaihan would still have found another way to get them to meet and fight, in order to intensify the conflict between the two parties.
Shimazu Hisashi: "If the shogunate believes that the Satsuma Domain's actions violate the lock-down order, it may try to cut off the normal trade between the Satsuma Domain and other parts of the country and increase taxes to coerce us into submission. In short, as long as Satsuma can be improved Measures taken to improve the domain's financial situation will be suppressed by the shogunate. In the past few years, our mining of gold mines was strictly prohibited by the shogunate." Baikes knew something about the situation of the Satsuma domain and knew that what Shimazu Hisumichi said was also true. In order to revitalize the local economy, the Satsuma Domain also thought of many ways, such as mining the Nagano gold mine, importing local specialty brown sugar from Amami Oshima in Ryukyu, etc. However, these measures were all stopped by the shogunate after they were exposed. In the end, profits can only be obtained through the entrepot trade of Ryukyu.
The reason why the shogunate suppressed the Satsuma Domain is also very simple. If such a remote area is allowed to have too much power, the shogunate is likely to lose control of the area, which will lead to separatism and division. For the shogunate and the Satsuma clan, under the current power structure, this is basically an irreconcilable natural contradiction.
Baikes said: "Even if the Satsuma Domain has been timid and cautious, the shogunate will still not stop suppressing you. Master Shimazu, I want to remind you again that the purpose of selling arms and equipment to the Satsuma Domain is to let you Have the courage to say no in the face of external pressure! ”
Shimazu Hisashi: "But in every aspect, the strength of the Satsuma Domain is still far inferior to that of the shogunate. What if the shogunate really sends troops? Can we change the situation just by buying these warships?"
Baikes said: "As long as the Satsuma Domain signs a formal trade agreement with our country, then we can add a clause that allows our country to provide military protection for the Satsuma Domain when necessary. If the shogunate sends troops to attack the Satsuma Domain, we will deploy troops from the Sasebo base. To calm the dispute and ensure the safety of Satsuma Domain.”
The conditions proposed by Bai Kesi are undoubtedly very tempting. If they can get protection from Kaihan, the Satsuma clan does not need to worry too much about the attitude of the shogunate.
But Shimazu Hisumi is not a fool. He knows that there will be no good things falling out of the sky. Haihan's initiative to provide force protection will inevitably require it. It cannot be as simple as adding a line of words to the trade agreement.
Sure enough, Bai Kesi then made a clear request: "Of course, the Satsuma Domain must also publicly state its position and support our country's interests in the Kyushu region."
Shimazu Hisumi was puzzled: "What kind of interest demands?"
Bai Kesi said: "Our Haihan citizens can settle down, buy property, and engage in trade activities in the Kyushu region, and are protected by our country's laws."
Shimazu Hisumi felt something was wrong, but he couldn't tell what was wrong. But he knew that if the Satsuma clan stood up and made a public statement, it would essentially treat the shogunate as if it were nothing, and the relationship with the shogunate would only deteriorate further. As for the security of Satsuma Domain, it had to rely on the asylum promised by Kaihan to a certain extent.
(End of chapter)