Traveling through the late Ming Dynasty to promote Chinese civilization

Chapter 410 Red Hairs and Japanese Pirates

More than half a month later, envoys from Batavia and Satsuma arrived in Ringo. Both sides sent familiar faces: Batavia sent Putmans, the former high-ranking official, and Satsuma sent Shimazu Mitsuhisa.

Putmans had been a prisoner of war in Ringo for a time and had seen everything there. But Shimazu Mitsuhisa had lived in Kagoshima since childhood and this was his first time abroad. When he saw Ringo's bustling port and its neat and imposing buildings and streets, he was so surprised that he couldn't even speak.

"As expected of the Celestial Empire, the streets are wide and beautiful, and any one of the buildings on both sides is taller than our castle tower. So this is the place you've come to, sister!"

Walking down the street, Mitsuhisa Shimazu said to Chiyo Shimazu, who was leading the way, in a rather exaggerated manner.

Chiyo Shimazu replied expressionlessly, "My younger brother seems to greatly admire this place. How about we switch places? I'll go back to Kagoshima to be the head of the family, and you can come here?"

Mitsuhisa Shimazu awkwardly evaded the topic: "It's been a while since I've seen General Liu. I miss him very much and hope to hear his teachings in person. Sister, let's hurry up and go, I can't wait!"

Liu Ye met with the two envoys privately in the Nanyuan Council Hall. Because the operation of this matter was somewhat dishonorable, he did not inform anyone else, especially the patriotic and concerned Sun Yuanhua.

"Hehe, you two are old acquaintances, I didn't expect to meet you again." Liu Ye greeted you with a smile. "Mr. Putmans, are you having a good time in Batavia? Lord Shimazu Mitsuhisa, I presume you have already succeeded to the position of head of the Satsuma Domain? Are you settling into Lingao?"

Putmans smiled wryly and said, "Thanks to you, sir, I now only have a sinecure in Batavia, just loafing around and waiting to die."

Shimazu Mitsuhisa was much more excited. He knelt respectfully on the ground and bowed: "Thank you for your concern, General Liu. I am fortunate to have inherited the position of head of the family. This trip to the Ming Dynasty has been worthwhile, and I have learned a lot. For example, your great ship that can travel a thousand miles a day, and the beautiful and grand houses and streets of this city, have all left me in awe."

The large ships he mentioned, capable of traveling a thousand miles a day, were the "Yuanhang" and "Yangming." To improve efficiency, Liu Ye dispatched the "Yangming" and "Yuanhang" as two fast ships to take Shimazu Chiyo and Van Bommel to Japan and Southeast Asia respectively, and then bring the envoys to Lingao. Otherwise, while the Dutch situation was manageable, with the Japanese small boats, it was unknown when they would reach Lingao.

After exchanging pleasantries, Liu Ye got down to business.

"Gentlemen, Chiyo and Van Bommel may have already informed you of my plan. The specific arrangement is as follows: the East India Company's fleet will be responsible for attacking the areas of Kinmen, Penghu, and Zhongzuosuo in Fujian; the samurai of the Satsuma Domain will land in Zhejiang and Fujian and attack the local government. You two will work together to create the impression of a large-scale offensive and make the Ming Emperor nervous."

Putmans asked tentatively, "Last year, I led a fleet to attack these places, but apart from replenishing fresh water and food from the various islands, we gained nothing and suffered a crushing defeat at the hands of Zheng Yiguan. I don't understand why you want us to repeat last year's scenario along this route. The company doesn't see any value in doing so, so can we choose to give up?"

“Mr. Putmans, I hope you understand one thing: you are now working for me, not running your own trade routes. You have no right to choose. You only need to execute the orders; whether it's worthwhile is up to me. However, considering your responsibility to shareholders in the Netherlands, I can cover the corresponding expenses of your fleet deployment, including but not limited to paying the salaries of soldiers and crew. In return, I can increase the quantity of your company's raw silk and tea shipments.” Liu Ye answered firmly.

Putmans' expression was priceless upon hearing this, a mixture of helplessness and smug satisfaction. Although it didn't sound honorable for the prestigious East India Company to serve as temporary mercenaries, it seemed like a very worthwhile deal if they could avoid the expenses of war and obtain more hard currency such as raw silk and tea.

He shrugged and replied, “It seems we can’t say no? Very well then, I will convey to Governor Petersson Kun that I believe he will persuade the council to send a fleet to the Far East to cooperate with your actions for the sake of raw silk and tea. However, I still have a question: when I led the fleet to attack Kinmen and Penghu, I was met with fierce resistance from the local government. Will we encounter the same situation this time? I think Governor Kun does not want too many soldiers to be killed or wounded.”

"Don't worry about that. Zheng Yiguan, who caused you so much trouble back then, has disappeared from this world, and Zhongzuosuo Garrison City has been completely destroyed. Even if there is sporadic resistance from officials along the Fujian coast, it will be difficult to form a significant force. If necessary, I will send a fleet to follow behind you to assist in repelling any threatening resistance, but I will not easily intervene to avoid giving myself away. What you need to do is to make the Emperor of the Empire believe that you want to openly declare war again."

Putmans said happily, "With your warships and cannons escorting us, I think Governor Quinn will have no doubts."

Liu Ye nodded and turned to Shimazu Mitsuhisa: "Mr. Mitsuhisa, do you have any questions or requests?"

Shimazu Mitsuhisa replied respectfully, "We will follow General Liu's lead. You only need to tell us: how many samurai do you need the Satsuma Domain to send, where to attack, and to what extent?"

Liu Ye chuckled. No wonder the Americans of later generations were never willing to give up Japan as their little brother. As long as the Japanese were thoroughly intimidated, they would be very obedient lackeys, much better than the profit-driven Dutch.

He thought for a moment and said, "I've heard that back then, a few dozen Japanese samurai could chase after thousands of Ming soldiers, and a few hundred men dared to venture deep into the interior to attack cities and seize territory... Let's go big. Can you muster a thousand samurai?"

Shimazu Mitsuhisa proudly puffed out his chest and replied, "The Satsuma Domain is one of the strongest domains in all of Japan, with a rice yield of 770,000 and more than 100,000 subjects. It wouldn't be a problem for them to raise tens of thousands of troops, let alone a mere thousand samurai."

Liu Ye was shocked. He had underestimated the Shimazu clan. He hadn't expected their total population to be nearly ten times that of Lingao, with tens of thousands of troops. A thousand or two samurai would naturally be no problem for them.

However, the number of "Japanese pirates" must be kept within a certain range. He is only putting on an act and does not intend to create an ancient version of the invasion of China. If he really causes the Satsuma Domain to send out tens of thousands of troops to land, and he loses control of the situation, causing great suffering to the people of Zhejiang and Fujian, then he will become a sinner.