Haihanneng has made cross-border trade unparalleled in the world. In addition to its forward-looking vision and advanced navigation technology, the statistics and sorting of various trade data are also an indispensable part.
The Kyushu clans, including the Fukuoka clan, all have corresponding statistical data on the annual trade volume with Haihan, what commodities are bought and sold, and the changes in the transactions of each commodity.
After these data are compiled by the Ministry of Commerce, combined with intelligence information from the Military Intelligence Bureau, a corresponding analysis report can be issued after summarizing.
For example, the Haihan products that Fukuoka Domain was most interested in had a detailed list in the relevant report. Shi Diwen could quickly grasp a large amount of information in just a few minutes.
Even Kuroda Mitsuyuki himself may not have such a level of understanding of the Fukuoka Domain's trade status. After reading the list presented by Shi Diwen, his face changed slightly. Because the report not only lists the transaction volume of various commodities, but also analyzes the use of Fukuoka Domain in purchasing these commodities.
For example, the Fukuoka Domain has purchased large quantities of iron cooking utensils and agricultural tools from Kaihan in the past few years. This behavior is considered to exceed actual needs in the report, and it is very likely that it is hoarding the steel resources that the Fukuoka Domain lacks. , used to create weapons and equipment.
If the Fukuoka Domain wanted to establish itself, it had to strengthen its armed forces. However, there were no local iron ore resources, so most of the weapons and equipment needed had to be obtained through outsourcing. But if you directly purchase arms from Haihan, it may arouse the suspicion of the shogunate and cause unnecessary trouble.
Therefore, Mitsuyuki Kuroda chose a curveball method to save the country. In the name of purchasing civilian supplies, he imported steel from Haihan, then transported these iron products to the mountains, quietly refined them, and then built his own equipment.
Kuroda Mitsuyuki thought that this arrangement was very clever and would not attract the attention of the outside world. Unexpectedly, Haihan actually guessed the truth of the matter through trade.
Kuroda Mitsuyuki only refuted that the report issued by Shi Diwen was not factual, and the conclusion drawn based solely on trade figures was absurd and unreliable.
Of course, Shi Diwen would not say explicitly that Haihan actually sent Japanese spies throughout Kyushu. The basis for making these inferences was not just trade figures.
He just reminded the other party in a circumstantial way that it was not a secret that no one knew about the furnaces that Fukuoka Domain built for smelting steel in the mountains east of Hakata Bay. If Kaihan can master this information, then the Tokugawa Shogunate can also know the small actions of Fukuoka Domain.
Of course, Kuroda Mitsuyuki could understand the implication of this warning, but he still shook his head and said: "There is no conflict between the Fukuoka Domain and the shogunate, and there is nothing to hide from the shogunate. You must be overthinking."
Shi Diwen said slowly: "Perhaps this is just wishful thinking of Master Kuroda... As far as I know, the shogunate has begun to restrict the import of pig iron and saltpeter to the Kyushu region five years ago, including the Fukuoka Domain. Inside, it seems that General Tokugawa’s trust in you is very limited!”
The restrictive measures enacted by the shogunate against the Kyushu region were of course intended to control the armaments of the Kyushu vassals and prevent these local forces from expanding their military power and posing a threat to the shogunate.
Although the Fukuoka Domain was considered a faction of the shogunate, it was classified as a restricted object, and it was obvious that it could not gain the complete trust of the shogunate.
After Kuroda Mitsuki took office, he sent an official document to the shogunate asking about this matter. However, the shogunate responded that once the restrictions on the Fukuoka Domain were relaxed, these military supplies might spread to other areas through the Fukuoka Domain. To put it bluntly, they were worried about the Fukuoka Domain. Take the opportunity to make profits as a middleman.
This matter is not a major secret, and it is not surprising that the Haihan people knew about it. However, Shi Diwen specifically pointed out this matter, obviously thinking that the Fukuoka Domain's secret purchase of iron products was related to this.
At this time, Kuroda Mitsuyuki couldn't deny it anymore, so he could only prevaricate: "No matter whether the shogunate's decision is reasonable or not, as a daimyo, I can only accept it. Lord Tokugawa must have considered it." Shi Diwen smiled. Smile, knowing that you hit the target of the other person's pain.
Among the vassals in Kyushu, there are only five or six strong ones, but the others have good relations with Haihan and don't care about the shogunate's attitude. They can freely buy arms from Haihan, but the shogunate has no good way to deal with them. However, if the Fukuoka Domain wanted to maintain its relationship with the shogunate and did not want to fall behind in the arms competition, it would have to use some unconventional means.
Shi Diwen said directly: "Master Kuroda, if the Fukuoka Domain does not want to lag behind others in the military, the only way out is to cooperate with our country."
"Our country can provide everything you need, including personnel training, weapons and equipment, ordnance technology, and even military alliances! As long as you are willing to cooperate, we can negotiate these projects."
Mitsuyuki Kuroda still refused to let go: "The Fukuoka Domain is loyal to General Tokugawa and cannot cooperate with your country."
Shi Diwen smiled and said: "The situation in Japan will change soon. I think you should also have a premonition. At that time, can the shogunate provide shelter for the Fukuoka Domain?"
Kuroda Hikaru: "There is no feudal clan in Kyushu that dares to say that its strength is greater than that of my Fukuoka clan. What should I fear?"
Shi Diwen said: "Among the powerful vassals of Kyushu, only the Fukuoka vassal is on the side of the shogunate. Do you think that if each vassal wants to raise troops and overthrow, should they first cross thousands of miles of sea territory to attack Edo, or should they first solve the nails at their doorsteps?"< br>
Kuroda Mitsuyuki's face was already very ugly, but he still refused to let go.
Of course he knew that all the vassals in Kyushu had been expanding their armies and preparing for war in recent years, and the person behind this was Haihan who was supporting them. Every year, the number of samurai officers sent by each domain to Sasebo Bay for training ranges from one hundred to eighty. Of course, this is not just a simple military exchange.
When the military strength of each domain is formed, they will definitely declare their independence from the shogunate rule, and war will definitely break out by then. Even if Kuroda Mitsuyuki wants to stay out of the matter, the feudal clans in Kyushu will probably not let him go.
If it is one-on-one, Fukuoka Domain certainly does not need to be afraid of anyone. Even if Satsuma Domain, which is currently recognized as the strongest, comes to attack Hakata Bay, it will definitely not be able to get a favor.
But if several other powerful feudal lords formed a coalition to attack the Fukuoka Domain together, with Kaihan's support behind them, then Kuroda Mitsuyuki would really have little confidence in defeating the invading enemy.
Especially not long ago, he witnessed with his own eyes the Haihan fleet sailing into Hakata Bay. It was a despairingly powerful armed force. Even if Fukuoka's navy had several times more warships, it would be impossible for it to be a match for the Haihan fleet.
"The Kuroda family cannot become the opponent of the Tokugawa shogunate. This is an ancestral precept that cannot be violated!"
Under Shi Diwen's constant coercion and inducement, Kuroda Mitsuyuki had no choice but to express his bottom line.
Shi Diwen said: "If a civil war breaks out, the Fukuoka Domain can choose to remain neutral and not participate in any party's military operations. What do you think?"