Chapter 2786
Based on Shimadzu's diplomatic experience, it is naturally difficult to imagine Haihan's long-term strategy for Japan. Use non-military means to continuously penetrate the Kyushu region and gradually enhance Haihan's local influence. After a period of time, this region will naturally become attached to Haihan in economic, cultural, political and other aspects, and the implementation effect will even be It is better than taking military measures to forcibly occupy it.
After the Satsuma clan receives support from Kaihan, it will have more confidence to fight against the shogunate. This approach has fully proven its feasibility when Haihan supported Xu Xinsu, and it is not a bad idea to apply it to Japan.
As long as the Japanese archipelago can be brought back to the Warring States era of division and separatism, Haihan will never be stingy about investing more resources to "aid" local forces. It will be a good thing for Haihan and East Asia as a whole to maintain the coexistence of multiple small countries in this region for a long time.
Bai Kesi's statement undoubtedly gave Shimadzu a shot in the arm. The Satsuma Domain has always been unwilling to obey the shogunate's orders, but due to its limited strength, it dare not take too drastic measures of resistance. This purchase of arms from Kaihan to strengthen war preparations and discuss trade cooperation can be considered a big move.
But if Kaihan is willing to provide more support to the Satsuma Domain, especially military protection, it means that the Satsuma Domain can have greater room for maneuver and use Kaihan to resist the suppression of the shogunate.
"Master Bai, can I interpret what you just said to mean that as long as I, the Satsuma Domain, agree to your conditions, Haihan will provide us with military support in the future, even if we are against the shogunate?"< br>
Shimazu Hisamichi was afraid that he might understand it wrong, so he had to confirm it again.
Baikes nodded and said: "That's right. Based on our cooperation, our country will provide all kinds of support needed by the Satsuma Domain and protect the Satsuma Domain from military attacks from the shogunate. These contents will be entered into us in writing. In the agreement to be signed”
The big stone in Shimazu's heart finally fell to the ground, but he still asked curiously: "Then your country is not worried at all that this will cause dissatisfaction with the shogunate?"
Baikes said: "The shogunate may be dissatisfied, but so what? Our country's foreign policy is formulated based on our country's interests and needs, and will not be shaken by the shogunate's attitude. If the shogunate wants to challenge our country's authority, then they will The corresponding results will be obtained.”
After Bai Kesi made a strong commitment, Shimadzu's attitude also changed, and he added an additional military purchase project on the spot.
After the meeting ended and the people of the Satsuma clan were sent away, Bai Kesi did not leave the meeting room immediately. Instead, he retreated and then asked Bai Letong: "What do you think of the meeting just now?"
Bai Letong said: "Judging from the scale of Satsuma's military purchases, their economic situation is not as good as we expected, and there is still a big gap with the shogunate. This may affect their future military strength."
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Baikes said: "Our goal is not to let the Satsuma Domain's military strength surpass the shogunate, but to give the Satsuma Domain the courage to confront the shogunate and actually break away from the shogunate's rule."
Bai Letong asked: "But if the shogunate is dissatisfied with the Satsuma Domain's actions and uses military means to suppress them, then do we really want to send troops to help the Satsuma Domain?"
Bai Kesi said: "The possibility of things reaching that point is very small. At least it will not deteriorate to that extent in the past two years. Do you know why?" Bai Letong thought for a while and replied: "Because there is no longer anyone under the shogunate who can Even if they have an idea, they have to wait until the warships purchased from our country are in place and form a combat-effective fleet before they can launch an expedition against the Satsuma Domain."
Bai Kesi nodded and said: "That's right. Japan has been implementing the lockdown order for more than 20 years, and the navy has been sparse for a long time. Let alone combat, in terms of the ability to deliver troops by sea, the shogunate may not be able to match the ability of having a large number of troops. The Satsuma clan, which has a merchant fleet, is not sure of winning. How can the shogunate easily organize troops to cross the sea and expedition to Kyushu? This is also the biggest confidence of the Satsuma clan now. "
Bai Letong suddenly said: "In a few years, when all the shogunate's warships are in place, the Satsuma clan's armed fleet should also take shape. By then, a new strategic balance will be formed, and the shogunate will still not be sure of victory."
Bai Kesi said slowly: "By then, the Satsuma Domain will probably not be the only target that the shogunate is afraid of."
The Satsuma Domain is not the only target of support. During the last mission's visit to Japan, they also came into contact with the royalist forces in Tsushima and the Kyoto area. These are also local forces that are willing to break away from the rule of the shogunate.
Although the Tsushima Domain is not as large as the Satsuma Domain, due to its unique trade status, its economic strength is stronger than that of the Satsuma Domain. Moreover, the domain leader Mune Yoshizhin is also very interested in the cooperation model proposed by Kaihan. Sooner or later, he will ask Kaihan Buy arms.
As for the royalist forces in the Kyoto area, their resistance to the Tokugawa shogunate is even stronger. Once there is a suitable opportunity, the royalist forces will definitely stand on the front line against the shogunate.
It will not be too difficult for Haihan to provide some support measures to these local forces in the next few years. By then, more and more local forces will have the strength to break away from the shogunate's rule, and it will be difficult for the shogunate to focus on the Satsuma Domain.
Ten days after the shogunate's delegation left Hangzhou, the Satsuma clan's delegation also concluded its visit. Although the amount of armaments purchased from Kaihan was far less than that of the shogunate, the actual gains of the Satsuma Domain were higher than those of the shogunate. The value of the military protection promised by Kaihan alone was difficult to measure in terms of specific monetary amounts.
Shimazu Hisumi was obviously quite satisfied with the outcome of the negotiation. After leaving Hangzhou, he made a special trip to Ningbo Prefecture and bought dozens of acres of land on the bank of the Yongjiang River, intending to use it to build the Satsuma clan's commercial center.
After presiding over the two arms sales negotiations, Bai Kesi spent another half a month in Hangzhou inspecting the progress of the projects related to the capital relocation plan.
In March, Bai Letong held a banquet at the residence and invited these close friends to gather. He also announced that he would leave Hangzhou and go north to investigate with his father Bai Kesi. He was not expected to return to Hangzhou in the short term.
Everyone was not surprised when they heard the news. Bai Letong had already revealed this arrangement to them, and they all knew that it would be a matter of time before they said goodbye. At this time, Tao Hongfang, Ha Jianyi, Zhu Zian and others had already joined the company in Hangzhou, and it was inconvenient to move around. Only Ning Zijing had plenty of time and no specific errands, so he could go north with Bai Letong.
(End of chapter)