Chapter 1567: The Elders

His words drew a chorus of agreement. The Han Empire's actions truly struck them as somewhat difficult to understand.

Indeed, the shogunate's suspension of copper exports to the Han Empire was not a temporary decision, but a joint resolution reached privately by these senior shogunate officials.

They had multiple considerations for doing so.

During the former Ming era, the shogunate had been extremely eager to trade with the Great Ming. While Tokugawa Ieyasu was still alive, he had authorized his trusted retainer Honda Masazumi and the then-Nagasaki Magistrate Hasegawa Hirotomo to separately send letters to the then-Fujian Governor-General Chen Zizhen, requesting trade.

Honda Masazumi's words were exceedingly earnest, opening with: "Our humble country and the Central Plain have long exchanged inquiries; the historical records, both domestic and foreign, bear clear witness, as Your Excellency well knows..." He then shifted all blame for the previous conflicts between the two nations onto the deceased Toyotomi Hideyoshi, assuring the Ming court that the current Tokugawa shogunate harbored absolutely no hostility and only wished to trade with the Great Ming. He concluded with: "Our humble domain lies secluded in a corner of the sea, a mere trifling nation. May the Central Plain, with the magnanimity of the great sheltering the small, graciously consider this!" His posture could be said to have been placed exceedingly low.

However, the Ming court, having just fought a war with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, did not trust the Tokugawa shogunate's sincerity and continued to enforce the maritime trade ban against Japan, with official trade remaining entirely prohibited. Left with no choice, the shogunate had to attract various maritime smugglers to trade with Japan, offering all manner of preferential terms.

Compared to the Westerners, whose appearance was greatly abnormal, the shogunate was far more tolerant of Chinese merchants, who looked no different from the Japanese. The shogunate granted Chinese merchants the Vermilion Seal Pass (a permit normally issued only to Japanese merchants) and stipulated that Great Ming merchants trading in Nagasaki could enjoy considerable autonomy — in order to eradicate Catholicism and exclude Western influence, the shogunate decreed that Portuguese and Spanish merchants were permitted to operate only in Nagasaki harbor, and Dutch and English merchants only in Hirado harbor, but Chinese merchants could freely visit friends and relatives in other places, choose their own inns and lodgings, and trade with relative freedom, without having to submit to official monopoly purchasing.

Spurred by these various preferential conditions, trade between Japan and the Great Ming quickly flourished, and it also fostered a group of maritime merchants engaged in overseas trade. It was under such conditions that the Zheng Zhilong family grew and expanded, even being able to settle in Nagasaki, marry, and have children.

After the Great Ming fell and the Han Empire replaced it, the new Central Plain dynasty reversed the Ming's former rejectionist attitude toward overseas trade, actively seeking to expand maritime commerce. It took the initiative to seek out the Japanese shogunate to establish diplomatic relations and expand trade between the two nations. The shogunate, which had always hoped to expand trade with China, naturally could not have asked for more. Through the efforts of both sides, the volume of trade between the two countries had been steadily expanding over the years, and by now had reached a very considerable figure.

With the expansion of trade volume, the shogunate could extract more tax revenue, and officials high and low could also obtain more extra-legal benefits from Nagasaki. On the surface, it seemed a matter of universal delight. Yet after persisting for several years, it had brought the shogunate an enormous vexation.

The reason was that the trade between the two countries was simply far too unequal. The shogunate's desire for trade with China was immense. In this era, Japan's handicraft industry was nowhere near as developed as the mainland's, to the point that many necessities of daily life and production had to be imported from China. From candies, blue cotton cloth, ramie, raw silk, silks and satins, to medicinal materials — all were extremely dependent on imports.

Since Toyotomi Hideyoshi unified Japan, the Japanese homeland had not suffered large-scale, sustained warfare. The Battle of Sekigahara and the shogunate's two campaigns against Osaka were both swiftly concluded, causing no nationwide devastation. Peace had prevailed for several decades, and all trades flourished. At the same time, the shogunate, along with the various regional daimyo, were actively opening gold, silver, and other metal mines. As a result, Japan had become the world's largest silver-producing nation at the time.

With the realm at peace and money in hand, Japan began to pursue luxury. Even peasants at the lowest rungs began using silk fabrics, originally considered luxury goods. According to Spanish records: "Millions upon millions of pieces of pure or embroidered velvet, plain amber-weave fabrics, silks, fine gauzes, and all other kinds of cloth from China sell out every year. Men and women alike wear garments of every color; be they young girls or unmarried maidens, even old women do the same."

Originally, Japan itself produced silk fabrics — Kyoto, for instance, had many workshops — but the Japanese had always favored the high-quality and inexpensive silks from China. Workshops across the country even imported premium raw silk from China to expand their own output, requiring three to five thousand piculs of raw silk imported from China each year.

After the Han Empire took the initiative to open trade with Japan, the import volume of various mainland products surged even more dramatically. Although this satisfied the domestic demand for Chinese goods, it also brought Japan a massive trade deficit.

Japan currently had very few goods it could export to China — only a small quantity of handicrafts. The rest had to be made up with copper, gold, and silver. Such a trade outcome naturally led to a massive outflow of precious metals. Initially, when the trade volume was not too large, this outflow was something the shogunate could tolerate. But after several years of trade expansion, the current rate of precious metal outflow had reached a point the shogunate could no longer bear.

To alleviate this trade crisis, the shogunate's top brass had deliberated repeatedly, racking their brains to the point of exhaustion.

The reason for their headache was that they did not wish to completely terminate trade with China, for Japan needed Chinese goods, and the shogunate also needed the fiscal revenue from trade. Yet completely allowing the outflow of gold and silver to continue unchecked was even more unacceptable. They had to find a way to limit the excessive outflow of precious metals and safeguard the stability of Japan's economy and the shogunate's rule.

After several meetings and much discussion, a consensus gradually formed among these Elders: they would restrict trade exports to China in a certain manner, while also carefully controlling the intensity so as not to provoke China and cause the Han Empire, like the Great Ming before it, to once again impose a trade blockade on Japan.

Following meticulous planning, the shogunate finally, at the beginning of this year, used the Dutch demand as a pretext to suspend copper exports to China.

The Dutch indeed required large quantities of copper and had requested increased imports from the shogunate. However, this demand was something Japan could satisfy through other means; it was by no means absolutely necessary to halt copper exports to the Han Empire.

Yet the shogunate did so anyway. First, it was a probe to gauge how much importance the Han Empire placed on trade with Japan. In the shogunate's view, compared to gold and silver, copper was far less critical to the Han Empire, and thus this move would not completely enrage them, while still allowing the shogunate to discern the Han Empire's attitude.

Second, by prohibiting copper exports, they could also demonstrate to the Han Empire Japan's resolve and capacity to control trade, laying the groundwork for further tightening trade restrictions later.

From the very beginning, they had judged that upon receiving the news, the Han Empire would send someone to the shogunate's representative in Japan to inquire about the matter. They therefore decided not to inform their representative in China, Yagyu Motoaki, of the full situation beforehand. They merely instructed him, in the official dispatch sent over, to explain the shogunate's difficulties to the Chinese court, demanded that he do his utmost to maintain trade relations between the two countries, and also required him to stay in contact with the homeland, writing a detailed report every few days describing the specific details of his negotiations with the Han court.

Yagyu Motoaki, kept in the dark, was naturally quite vexed with his superiors' arbitrary actions upon receiving such an unreasonable order. But he had no choice and could only comply with the homeland's commands. He had been staying in the Han Empire's capital all this time, negotiating with the Han court with all his heart and effort, and, following the homeland's instructions, had been writing reports on the negotiation proceedings and sending them back home via merchant ships.

Yet the reports he sent back left these Elder Regents in a state of bewilderment.

The Han Empire's attitude was far too strange. It seemed both anxious and angry, yet it did not display any particular urgency. On one hand, they used harsh language to rebuke and intimidate Yagyu Motoaki, raising all sorts of vexatious demands, but on the other hand, they had consistently delayed taking any formal action, much less suspending negotiations and ordering him to immediately clarify the situation with his homeland.

If they pressed forward with trade restrictions simply because the Han Empire had taken no concrete action, it seemed far too reckless. Yet if they rescinded the copper export ban now, it seemed far too timid, and such flip-flopping would also damage the shogunate's reputation.

Now, the ruling Elder Ministers could only look at one another in dismay, none able to propose a precise countermeasure. Because there was no foolproof plan for this situation; whatever suggestion was made could backfire and ultimately become the focus of others' attacks. That being the case, it was better to simply keep silent.

As the atmosphere reached an impasse, everyone, following long-standing custom, tacitly turned their gazes once more toward the most senior Great Elder, Ii Naotaka. His status and prestige were the highest; even if he made a decision that went against some people's wishes, no one would openly stand up to oppose it.

Feeling everyone's eyes upon him, Ii Naotaka remained impassive, his face dark as he pondered something.

"Is Yagyu still in the Han Empire's capital negotiating with the Chinese court officials? Can we have him request an audience with higher-ranking court officials? Judging from the reports he has sent back, the Chinese court has merely dispatched a few minor functionaries to negotiate with him thus far, and does not appear particularly urgent."

"... Very well, we should indeed explain things to him, and it would be best to reveal a bit of the inside story to them as well." Sakai Tadayo hesitated slightly, then immediately nodded in agreement. "If possible, it would be best to have him request an audience with the Han Empire's cabinet minister responsible for commerce himself. If he can meet the minister in person, many matters would become far more convenient."

On the surface, the two were discussing sending Yagyu to seek an audience with higher-ranking officials, but in reality, they were already stating their respective positions. Ii Naotaka said the Han Empire was not urgent, the subtext being his support for further restricting the scale of trade to halt the outflow of precious metals. Sakai Tadayo, however, subtly indicated that it was best to talk further and probe the Han court's intentions.

These men were all the shogunate's highest-ranking officials, but each had his own background. On the surface, they maintained an air of complete harmony, yet in reality, internal strife was just as prevalent. To avoid bearing sole responsibility, these men were all ardent practitioners of "belly art," none willing to speak bluntly, instead expressing their views through veiled hints.

"Indeed, further negotiation is the more prudent course." Seeing that others had spoken up, and with differing stances, Naito Tadashige, who was himself responsible for trade with the two countries, now dared to express his own view. "The Han Empire is now in a state of national prosperity, its strength formidable. Carelessly provoking the Han court would be no good thing for our nation."

With two Elders speaking up together, the momentum suddenly tilted toward a conciliatory approach. The other Elders, however, did not speak, as if still deep in thought.

Ii Naotaka grew slightly impatient, but he did not wish to force them to act according to his will. As Great Elder, it would not be very difficult for him to forcibly press them to follow his pace, but he did not want to appear autocratic. Besides, since the Han Empire's attitude was not urgent, there was no harm in slowing down and observing for a while.

"Very well then, let Yagyu first find a way to negotiate with the Han court officials a few more times and work out a concrete resolution." Ii Naotaka said coolly. "However, we should also set a deadline for Yagyu's side. Completely restricting copper exports is no long-term solution, and prolonging the ban will further harm trade between the two nations."

The other Elders also nodded in succession, expressing agreement with his view.

If the complete ban on copper exports to the Han Empire continued for too long, it would certainly provoke the Han court, and it would also greatly harm Japan's own trade interests. Since the Han Empire's current attitude was not particularly fierce, they might as well set a deadline for Yagyu's side. Once that deadline passed, they would, on one hand, lift the copper export ban against the Han Empire and resume copper exports, and on the other, secretly restrict the scale of trade between the two nations to slow the outflow of gold and silver.

"I support the Great Elder. This matter cannot be delayed indefinitely; it is bad for both nations." Another Elder from the Sakai clan, Sakai Tadakatsu, immediately voiced his opinion. "It is already early spring now. We are using the pretext of supplying copper ore to the Dutch, and we cannot keep using it forever. Why not simply lift the ban by summer?"

"Lift it by summer?" Naito Tadashige was somewhat taken aback.

Among the Elders present, his status and foundation were the lowest, so he was generally disinclined to speak up proactively, preferring to listen as those before him discussed and reached a conclusion. But this time he could not help himself. "Summer is only a month or two away now. No matter what, Yagyu's side cannot possibly negotiate a satisfactory outcome with the Han court in that time... Moreover, within two months, it would also be difficult to formulate a foolproof plan."

"If there is no foolproof plan, then we shall choose the best strategy and use it." Ii Naotaka replied unhurriedly. "If Yagyu's side reports no particularly grave developments, then two months from now we shall lift the copper export ban, then issue a trade control decree, setting a maximum annual outflow quantity for gold and silver, and then negotiate with the Han Empire to set an annual import quota for goods..."

Then, as if something had occurred to him, he raised his head and swept his gaze across the faces of the Elders one by one. "At that time, the pressure our nation will have to bear will surely be even heavier than now. The Han court may well be enraged... This matter is far too serious to be left to Yagyu alone."

Yagyu Motoaki was directly supervised by the Elders in the shogunate, and his official rank was already very high. If he could not be the one to negotiate with the Han Empire, then the Great Elder's implication was that one of the Elders must personally go to the Han Empire to conduct the negotiations.

This was no pleasant assignment. The Han Empire placed great importance on commerce, and trade with Japan was also extremely important to them, so one could well imagine the pressure the delegate sent to negotiate would face at that time.

Yet no matter how distasteful it was, these men also knew that what the Great Elder said was indeed sound reasoning. Thus, although their expressions grew increasingly grim one by one, no one spoke up to object.

Their gazes, however, quickly converged once more upon Naito Tadashige.

It took Naito Tadashige great effort to keep the displeasure in his heart from showing on his face. He knew full well that his status was the lowest and he indeed had little room to resist. Since this vexing task was assigned to him, there was no avoiding it. But this tacit understanding, where everyone unspokenly singled him out, was truly infuriating. They were blatantly treating him as the easiest person to order around.

"Negotiating with the Han Empire is indeed exceptionally important and cannot be entrusted solely to Yagyu. Since I am the one responsible for dealings with the Han Empire, it is only logical that I go when the time comes." Suppressing the anger in his heart, he spoke in a cold tone. "However, I still feel that two months is far too rushed. Setting aside other matters, what exactly will the annual trade volume for gold and silver be? This question carries immense implications and should be confirmed beforehand."

"Since you are responsible for trade matters with the Han Empire, discuss these matters with your subordinates first. Produce a set of specific trade regulations when the time comes, and then present them to everyone for further discussion." Ii Naotaka answered immediately. "However, I have also considered this issue before. I think it would be best to use the outflow volume from when normal trade between the two nations first began as the standard..."

The preceding words were mere pleasantries; the latter part was his true will. Naito Tadashige naturally understood this, but the target was simply far too oppressive. So even though he feared the Great Elder, he could not help but protest. To heap the entire task onto him with just a few words was far too unreasonable.

"I fear the Han Empire will find this condition hard to accept... The trade volume between our two nations is now several times what it was when trade first opened. To suddenly slash the outflow volume by several times would likely cause a tremendous uproar in the Han court. Let us be a bit more lenient."

"Gold and silver are products of the earth, not rice. Once dug up, they cannot grow back. If we do not use them sparingly now, what will our descendants use to establish their lives and livelihoods?" Having always been a supporter of restricting trade, Sakai Tadakatsu's attitude was also very rigid. "Please give greater consideration to Japan."

There was a problem with the author's section last night; I couldn't get it to open no matter what. What a hassle.