Chapter 18                                                             �

Zhou Mengchen was also a little surprised when he heard the words of the Prince of Ryukyu. However, after thinking about it carefully, he found that the Prince of Ryukyu should not be lying. There is also reasonableness in this. So he accepted this matter.

The reason is very simple. The reason for this phenomenon of Japanese pirates is very complicated. Of course, there are many internal factors of the Ming Dynasty and many external factors. The biggest external factor is Japan.

Why Japan?

Because Japan is a big country, and Japan is in the Warring States Period.

Many people think how could Japan be a big country? The Warring States Period of Japan was simply a village chief fighting, how could it be said that Japan was a big country? In fact, it was unscientific to measure countries around the world by the size of ancient China. In this way, the size of modern China was only three countries that could be called big countries, the United States, Russia, China itself, Britain and France. And this was even more so in ancient times. If the Ming Dynasty had to be a big country, that country could be called a big country, and that country during the same period could be called a big country? The Ottoman Empire was also somewhat different.

Therefore, China should be more than the top. Although Japan is a little smaller, its population is tens of millions, and some even say it is 30 million. In contrast, in terms of population, it is not smaller than that of Western countries at the same time.

During the entire Japanese war, there were several battles of more than 100,000 people. When they were out, they could raise hundreds of thousands of troops. Although this size was probably the size of the seven heroes of the Warring States Period, it might be a little stronger. But in the whole world, except for the Ming Dynasty who thinks that Japan is small, do you think that country thinks that Japan is very small?

In Japan, there were quite a lot of defeated soldiers. This number was about tens of thousands, which was normal. Not to mention that fighting was just about money. The Warring States Period in Japan was much more unstable than in my country's Warring States Period. Any daimyo may die because of one thing. Oda Nobunaga was like this. Therefore, every daimyo faced such a situation where the whole family died if they were not careful.

So every daimyo is seeking strength at all costs and seeking more money to invest in the military.

Sino-Japanese trade has always been a treasure pot, and Japanese Daming knew this, otherwise there would be no tribute. In order to compete for tribute power in Hangzhou, the two sides fought hard to occupy the power of tribute trade.

Then the court banned Japan's tribute and cut off Japan's Daimai's wealth.

Since normal means are no longer possible, then use abnormal means. As for why Japanese Daming is not afraid of the Ming Dynasty?

Who are the Japanese daimyos? It’s not that they don’t know how powerful China is, but for them, it’s meaningless to think about how powerful China is. Because China is too far away and its neighbors are too close. China may not send troops because of their offense, but if they lose in the war with their neighbors, they will undoubtedly die.

Where else should I consider the Ming Dynasty?

Of course, there is another bad reason. The Ming Dynasty performed too weakly in its fight against Japanese pirates. Japan has always been a country that bullies the weak and is afraid of the strong. Since the Ming Dynasty is so weak, they naturally become more and more robbed.

It took Zhou Mengchen more than a year to deal with various problems within the Ming Dynasty, and it cannot be said that he had completely dealt with them. But has the situation changed between China and Japan? There has been no change.

It is true that Wang Zhi is gone, I don’t know whether it is death or life. Without this intermediary, the Japanese pirates would have some troubles to come to China, but it was just a little trouble. China-Japan trade is still cut off, even more powerful than before.

Because although there was a maritime ban before, the smuggling trade between China and Japan has never been cut off. But now it is different. Zhou Mengchen has integrated the coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty and is organizing the start of the Southeast Asian trade.

For most businessmen, it is legal to go to Southeast Asia and supported by the court. Even the courts endorsed the Nanyang countries. In every place, there are Chinese districts. Although the court did not send officials, the heads of the Chinese district were connected to the country. The connection between them was like the connection between the magistrate and the gentry. Although it was in China, in fact, it gave people the feeling that the connection between the domestic ones was not cut off.

Sometimes people are sent to take mail home, and some people even say that there will be naval cruising on the sea in the future. Of course, they will check for tax evasion by the way. But it can also give legal businessmen a sense of security.

It is different to go to the East. The court does not allow it, it is a violation of the ban. Now the navy in the court also looks very powerful, and one accidentally gets caught. That can implicate the whole family. It makes money in Nanyang and in Dongyang. The risks of the two are completely different. Thinking with your toes, you will know what choices most merchants will make.

In this way, the goods imported from China to Japan were completely interrupted.

The price of goods in Japan will naturally rise wildly. The higher the price increase here, the higher the wealth brought by the Japanese, the higher the wealth brought by plundering the Ming Dynasty. Naturally, many people can't help but the temptation of huge profits.

So theoretically speaking, it is very likely that Japan will form a new wave of Japanese pirates to move south.

Moreover, Zhou Mengchen vaguely remembered that the Japanese pirates lasted for many years in history, almost intermittently until the end of Jiajing. Among them, there were naturally supplements of the Japanese pirates, not only the unworthy people in the country, but also Japan came to seek death.

Understanding this, Zhou Mengchen felt a little guilty and said, "I miscalculated it. I thought opening the sea was a solution to satisfy the interests of all parties. It would prevent the Ming Dynasty from having pirates, but it would be a way to remove the firewood from the underworld. But he ignored the Japanese side." Then he snorted coldly in his heart and said, "I originally wanted to let go of Japan, but I didn't want them to rush to seek death."

Zhou Mengchen always had the idea of ​​running a battle with Ri in his heart. Any normal Chinese would think like this when he returned to the past. Besides, this was not a collision with Zhou Mengchen.

But now the matter of opening the sea is very busy, and there are too many things in front of you. Zhou Mengchen regarded this matter as a long-term plan and put it aside first, but he didn't expect that the Japanese were not willing to be lonely.

There is a lot to say here, but in fact, it only takes a few moments in the human mind. After Zhou Mengchen figured it out, he said: "Your Highness, can you tell me in detail? How did you know this news?"

The prince of Ryukyu said everything in front of Zhou Mengchen. He said everything in detail like a bamboo pole pouring beans.

The Prince of Ryukyu said: "I dare not hide it from the Lord. Ryukyu and the Japanese Shimazu family have always had some holidays. The Japanese Shimazu family has been ill-intentioned to Ryukyu. It has not been a year or two. The Shimazu family has always wanted to include Ryukyu under his command. It was just because the court did not dare to do anything randomly. However, there have always been many things that Shimazu samurai come to Ryukyu for misconduct. Small countries have few people and dare not provoke them. They can only endure it, fearing that Shimazu can get better, so they sent some to Kyushu for their eyes and ears. This time, when the Japanese pirates gathered, the Shimazu family participated a lot, and then the small country learned about it. So they came to report to the Lord immediately."

Zhou Mengchen did not ask why Ryukyu did not ask the court for help. On the one hand, he knew that the Ming Dynasty might not support Ryukyu because of trivial matters. On the other hand, it was like a gangster harassed civilians. What's the use of calling a policeman? It was just a verbal lesson and then put it back. It was impossible to let the court send troops to conquer Japan because of Ryukyu?

So Ryukyu can only compromise and be alert.

Zhou Mengchen asked many questions carefully. Some of the princes of Ryukyu could answer them, but some could not answer them. Only then did he realize that the intelligence organization of Ryukyu Kingdom was actually very bad. However, the Japanese pirates did not cover up at all in the local area. It was almost well-known news, so that the Ryukyu people knew and the news came out.

Zhou Mengchen said: "Prince of Ryukyu, please rest assured. The court will not forget the ministers who have made meritorious. After this battle, I will ask for merit for you in the court."

The prince of Ryukyu's heart moved and immediately knelt down on the ground and said, "It is a great honor to have a small country to serve the Celestial Empire. The small country does not ask for any credit, but the Shimazu family has been bullying people too much. The small country asks the court to send a military force to station Ryukyu to warn Shimazu to allow them to restrain themselves. This is already a big disaster for the small country."

After hearing this, Zhou Mengchen hurriedly helped the prince of Ryukyu up. Although the country of Ryukyu is not even as good as some county towns in the Ming Dynasty, it is the prince after all. Even if Zhou Mengchen does not respect the country of Ryukyu, there are princes who respect the imperial enthronement, so he naturally cannot accept his great gift. He helped the prince up and said, "Criminal, do you really want to make a contribution?"

"Just news, how can you make a contribution? I just hope that Shimazu family will be more peaceful from now on." said the Prince of Ryukyu.

"Don't worry." Zhou Mengchen said, "The Shimazu family will definitely be peaceful." Zhou Mengchen said in his heart: "It is not certain whether there is Shimazu or not in the future."

The Battle of the Conquest and Japan was the Battle of Establishing authority planned by Zhou Mengchen. Of course, there must be a target of establishing authority, and it seems that the Shimazu family is good.
Chapter completed!