Chapter 1464: Sharing Burdens and Earning Merit

"I understand!" Zhou Pu felt a wave of relief, believing that the strategy he had proposed had, after all, been adopted. "I will exercise proper discretion."

The Chancellor said nothing further for a moment, keeping his gaze fixed on the map of Japan—specifically, on the island of Kyushu—his brow furrowed in deep thought.

"By the way, I've heard that Japan strictly enforces maritime prohibitions, and that their sole trading port is the single city of Nagasaki on Kyushu, correct?" After a brief silence, the Chancellor asked again. "Whose domain is this Nagasaki city in now?"

"In reply, Chancellor, to control foreign trade, prevent the western daimyo from growing powerful through it, and to suppress Catholic missionary activities, the Shogunate enforces a maritime prohibition policy nationwide. Japanese ships are forbidden from trading abroad, Japanese people are barred from overseas contact, stowaways face the death penalty, and any missionaries sneaking into Japan are to be reported and arrested. Thus, Japan has virtually cut off all contact with the outside world, conducting trade with other nations only at Nagasaki." Zhou Pu answered promptly. "During the previous warring era, Nagasaki was the domain of the Omura clan, but after the Shogunate unified Japan, it was confiscated and is now under direct Shogunate control. The Shogunate designated it as a direct territory and dispatches an official to oversee foreign trade, called the Nagasaki Magistrate."

"So it's under direct Shogunate control... that makes things much easier." The Chancellor's expression cleared with understanding, and he nodded gently, as if having made up his mind. "Tell Shimazu Tadatsune: if they follow our lead, we'll give them this island of Kyushu once the matter is settled—except for Nagasaki, that is. After we sign a treaty with the Shogunate, Nagasaki Port is to be ceded to the Imperial Court, serving as the Court's central hub for trade with Japan. Once we occupy Nagasaki Port, we'll drive all other nations away... and when the time comes, we will absolutely forbid them from trading with Japan."

In other words, the Chancellor had already resolved that after this expedition, he would monopolize trade rights with Japan and exclude all other nations (which, in practice, mainly meant the Dutch). Japan was naturally rich in gold and silver; if it became an exclusive enterprise, the profits would be considerable indeed...

"I understand the Chancellor's intent. While in Japan, I will do my utmost to help the Court secure Nagasaki Port." Zhou Pu hastily agreed.

"I'm not telling you to do your utmost; I'm telling you that you must take Nagasaki. Only when you've taken it will your mission be considered complete." The Chancellor looked at Zhou Pu with a solemn expression, appearing extremely serious. "In this campaign, the military will fight with desperate valor to earn merit. When they win, they'll reap great rewards. If you fail to take Nagasaki, won't you just be watching the soldiers put on the show? If you merely follow the army's tempo, how will you demonstrate your own worth, and how could we possibly reward you?"

Zhou Pu was momentarily stunned.

Only then did he realize that the Chancellor had already set him a difficult task: beyond getting the Shogunate to agree to the Court's terms, he also had to find a way to wrest Nagasaki Port from Japan, and only then would his deeds be recorded and rewarded. With Nagasaki Port added, this mission had grown several degrees heavier than before.

"Zhou Pu, are you confident?" At that moment, seeing Zhou Pu's hesitation, Kong Zhang, who had remained silent all along, finally spoke up. "Rest assured, the Chancellor does not impose conditions on you for nothing. You toil for the nation, and of course the nation will support you with all its might... With the Chancellor's name behind you, are you afraid you can't keep people in line?"

Because of the Chancellor's earlier words, this proposal was not merely about monopolizing trade rights with Japan; it was also about competing for influence with the military. By extracting greater benefits from Japan, they would demonstrate the vital role of the Foreign Affairs Department under the Cabinet.

And as the head of the Foreign Affairs Department, he naturally had no objection to this idea.

Having received his superior's hint, Zhou Pu finally grasped the Chancellor's meaning: he was being told to extract as many benefits as possible beyond the military's objectives.

"I understand. I will make a deliberate and strenuous effort to ensure Japan agrees to all of our conditions." He bowed solemnly, indicating that he had comprehended both his superiors' intentions.

"Very good, a promising talent indeed." Seeing how quickly Zhou Pu had understood his implied meaning and how full of drive he was, the Chancellor could not help but feel even more satisfied. "Then I must trouble you with this journey. Zhou Pu, I am entrusting all matters concerning Japan to you. I intend to promote you to Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Department and appoint you as my and the Cabinet's Special Envoy Plenipotentiary, granting you full authority to handle all related affairs. Should the army engage in any improper conduct or act contrary to the plan, you may also exercise restraint on my behalf. A heavy responsibility rests on your shoulders; I hope you will not disappoint me."

It had finally come.

Deputy Director of the Foreign Affairs Department, Special Envoy Plenipotentiary of the Cabinet... official ranks and titles came crashing down upon this young man's head all at once, nearly making him dizzy. The words "Plenipotentiary," in particular, granted him an opportunity to act with impunity during the campaign against Japan. As long as he seized this chance, was there any fear of not being rewarded?

"I... I... many thanks, Chancellor..." Overcome with emotion, the young man was already somewhat incoherent.

"Of course, this is merely the preliminary arrangement. If you handle the matter well, you will be rewarded as you deserve." As if feeling the impact on him was not yet great enough, the Chancellor continued with a smile. "This time, naturally, we do not intend to merely blow a gust of wind through Japan. After the campaign, though the main army will withdraw, some people will always be left behind in Japan. Furthermore, we shall, of course, follow the precedent of Goryeo and leave a legation in Japan, responsible for overseeing all of our nation's affairs there. And moreover, granting noble titles to great contributors is only to be expected. Zhou Pu, I have made myself perfectly clear; the rest depends on your own efforts."

Follow the precedent of Goryeo...

Ever since the Great Han intervened in the deposition of Goryeo's king and forcibly restored the deposed monarch Yi Hon to the throne, the Foreign Affairs Department, under the Chancellor's direction, had maintained a legation in Hanseong to handle all Great Han affairs in Goryeo. This legation was headed by an ambassador holding the rank of Deputy Director, was of considerable size, and had even demarcated an area in Hanseong as an embassy district.

Naturally, their presence there was not merely to handle Great Han's affairs in Goryeo; leveraging Great Han's power, they interfered directly in Goryeo's state governance. Because the Goryeo king had been blinded during the previous coup, he was not much inclined to govern anyway, and since he owed his restoration entirely to Great Han's support, he was practically obedient to the Great Han envoys. Thus, the Great Han legation could often control the entire country of Goryeo from afar, acting almost like a power behind the throne.

Within the Foreign Affairs Department, officials great and small all regarded a posting to the Goryeo legation as an extraordinary plum assignment, and countless people secretly envied those who had the chance to go. Zhou Pu, because he was proficient in the Goryeo language, had also entertained the idea of enjoying himself there, but since Director Kong Zhang valued him highly, he had not been able to go.

Now the Chancellor's meaning was abundantly clear: as long as he completed the tasks entrusted to him by the Emperor and the Chancellor, they would follow the Goryeo precedent and establish a legation in Japan as well, and he would continue to hold the title of Deputy Director while becoming the ambassador stationed in Japan. If the Goryeo legation could act with impunity in Goryeo, wouldn't he then be able to do the same in Japan?

And what's more, there was even a noble title... In all the dozens of generations of Zhou Pu's family, who had ever been ennobled? If he truly accomplished this, wouldn't that be bringing the greatest glory to his ancestors? Perhaps even his deceased grandfather would smile in the netherworld...

At the thought of this irresistible reward, of Japan's gold, silver, and jewels, of those bewitching women he had once seen in Nagasaki—amidst these overlapping visions, Zhou Pu suddenly felt his mouth water, and he gulped audibly.

"What a weak-willed boy!" Kong Zhang, seeing his expression, could not help but curse with a laugh. "Hurry up and accept!"

Jolted by his superior's rebuke, Zhou Pu finally snapped back to his senses.

"I thank the Chancellor for his nurturing grace. On this journey to Japan, I shall spare no effort unto death, giving my all until my last breath!" He instinctively moved to kneel, but at the last moment suddenly recalled that the new dynasty forbade kneeling rituals between officials, so he checked his body, his knees bending and wobbling slightly—a rather comical sight.

Seeing him like this, the Chancellor could not help but laugh as well.

"Alright, with such resolve, I am at ease. Go and strive." He waved his hand, gesturing for Zhou Pu to return to his seat. "Since troops may be deployed by summer, you must hurry. This New Year likely won't be an easy one for you; set out for Japan early."

"When sharing the nation's burdens, what does the New Year matter!" Zhou Pu answered loudly. "I can be ready to depart in just a few days!"

"There's no need to say a few days. The necessary preparations must still be made; otherwise, if you simply run over there claiming to be an envoy of the Great Han, who would believe you?" The Chancellor smiled, signaling him not to be impatient. "I will assign you the necessary subordinates; just wait patiently a few more days. By the way, the Foreign Affairs Department should still have quite a few people proficient in Japanese. Pick some assistants from among them and submit the list to Director Kong; he will make arrangements for those people later. As an imperial envoy of the Court, you must maintain proper dignity..."

The Chancellor's face was wreathed in smiles, his tone gentle and soothing, giving one the feeling of a spring breeze. Zhou Pu's restless heart gradually calmed. "Thank you, Chancellor. I will make the arrangements immediately."

"Good, then you may withdraw for now. You've worked hard." The Chancellor waved his hand again, dismissing him. "I will read your memorandum tonight and make some annotations. I'll return it to you then; just do your best to follow my annotations."

"I take my leave!" Zhou Pu stood up again, bowed once more to the Chancellor, then turned and strode proudly out of the side hall.

Watching his spirited retreating figure, the Chancellor's face remained wreathed in smiles.