Chapter 1586: Crimes

1586. Chapter 1586: Crimes

But very soon, his smile froze, because he noticed something even stranger.

The person kneeling behind the main seat in the center of the hall was not the Nagasaki Magistrate Takenaka Shigeyoshi, but an older-looking man. He wore the common warrior hairstyle and a folded eboshi hat typical of elderly samurai; his face was already lined with quite a few wrinkles, and his expression was extremely stern.

The real Nagasaki Magistrate Takenaka Shigeyoshi, however, was seated to his right, his expression calm yet tinged with something peculiar.

Had someone in the magistrate's office made a seating mistake?

No, highly unlikely. The Japanese are extremely strict about hierarchy and order, even more so than the Chinese in their concern for distinctions of rank and status. At a formal banquet like this, such an error was impossible.

There was only one possibility for this situation: this old man's status was even higher than Takenaka Shigeyoshi's.

What exactly was going on?

He had originally steeled himself to be publicly interrogated, but to his surprise, the situation was unfolding completely differently from what he had imagined.

"Is everyone here?" Just as Liu Jing was still puzzling over this, the old man suddenly asked the attendant beside him. After receiving an affirmative reply, he picked up the folding fan resting on the table and lightly tapped the desk.

At this soft sound, the previously somewhat noisy hall quickly fell silent. Those who had been whispering among themselves stopped talking, and all eyes focused on him. No one here was a fool; by now they could certainly tell that he must be a person of extremely high status within the shogunate, so none dared to act rashly before him.

Seeing that his first attempt had achieved such a satisfactory effect, the old man nodded with considerable approval.

"Greetings, everyone. Summoning you all here to this banquet on such short notice must have caused you considerable inconvenience, and for that, I am deeply grateful that you have taken time from your busy schedules to attend." His voice was cold and steady, unmistakably the tone of someone long accustomed to high office. "I am Naitō Tadashige, currently humbly serving in the post of Rōjū in the shogunate. I have come to Nagasaki recently on pressing official business. Since I was here, it was only fitting that I should meet with you all; I ask for your understanding..."

Since he was a Rōjū, one of the men holding the highest authority in the shogunate, naturally no one dared not to understand.

Only then did Liu Jing suddenly realize the truth — so this was the reason for today's unusual circumstances. He laughed inwardly at himself for letting his suspicions conjure up phantoms.

Before anyone else could react, Naitō Tadashige picked up the wine cup that an attendant had filled, raised it in a circle to those around him, then drained it in one gulp and set the cup back on the table.

"With a guilty conscience, I drink first to show respect."

Following his example, the others also raised their cups and offered toasts in turn. After a round of drinks, everyone involuntarily relaxed quite a bit, and the previously tense atmosphere eased.

"I came to Nagasaki when I was young. Back then, this place was still very small, with few inhabitants." After another cup of wine, Naitō Tadashige sighed with deep emotion. "But arriving here today, I could scarcely believe my eyes. In thirty years, this place has undergone earth-shaking changes, becoming a prosperous port filled with merchants from every country, its markets bustling with activity. Such a scene of peace and prosperity truly fills us old men who lived through the Warring States era with a thousand emotions... If this prosperity could continue forever, I would have no further regrets."

Then, he once again picked up the wine cup refilled by his attendant and raised another toast to these officials and merchants. "Nagasaki owes its present state in no small part to all of you. Without the efforts of its officials and merchants, I believe Nagasaki could never have become what it is on its own. Gentlemen, to today's Nagasaki, and to peace throughout the realm — another toast!"

"Cheers!" The others — including Liu Jing, who had been thinking all along of how to disrupt this very peace — also raised their cups and loudly echoed the Rōjū.

After a few cups of wine, Naitō Tadashige's face was slightly flushed, but his gaze remained as steady as before.

"Nagasaki has now become a vital source of revenue for our shogunate, and a window through which we receive fine goods from every nation. Its importance in the shogunate's eyes is irreplaceable. Even His Excellency the Shogun himself frequently inquires about conditions here, lest any problem arise. Since I have the rare opportunity to be here today — everyone, have your usual trading activities suffered any undue interference or obstruction? If so, you may take this chance to raise the matter with me. I may be old, but I still retain some authority to speak within the shogunate..."

Upon hearing these words, everyone set down their cups and looked at one another. Not a single person took this opportunity to voice any complaint to the Rōjū.

Without a doubt, due to the shogunate's trade policies and its de facto policy of national seclusion, all these merchants' trading activities were restricted to varying degrees. Even the Great Han merchants, who received the most lenient treatment, had always privately grumbled about the shogunate's practices. But who would dare to openly denounce shogunate policy in front of a Rōjū? One careless word might be taken as opposition to the shogunate itself.

As for the officials present, they were even less likely to speak up — how could they possibly criticize themselves?

Seeing the hall fall momentarily silent, Naitō Tadashige did not seem to mind. He shifted his gaze to the Nagasaki Magistrate Takenaka Shigeyoshi, who had remained silent all along.

"Magistrate, you are the highest official here and should be the most qualified to speak. Tell me, are there any such problems?"

Takenaka Shigeyoshi, who had already been looking somewhat ill at ease, now turned even paler. He hesitated for a moment, as if choosing his words, and only after a pause did he stammer out a reply.

"My lord, as for problems, it is not that there are none. After all, the number of merchant ships passing through Nagasaki each year is enormous, and there are always some that are difficult to manage or attend to. Some people do not receive the care they deserve and naturally feel somewhat dissatisfied. However, although minor issues do arise from time to time, the officials of Nagasaki are all diligent in their duties, and it is precisely because of their efforts that Nagasaki's trade volume is flourishing day by day. I believe that, given such results, even if there are some small problems, they are minor blemishes that do not detract from the overall achievement and need not be investigated too deeply."

He had racked his brains to craft this speech, which was extremely smooth. It highlighted his and his subordinates' achievements and contributions, implicitly seeking credit for them, while also not closing the door entirely by admitting there were some minor issues — leaving room to retreat if the Rōjū later challenged him.

"Only some minor issues? That is nothing to worry about, then." Naitō Tadashige did not press further, but appeared to accept his explanation, nodding lightly. "His Excellency the Shogun is not an overly demanding man. As long as everyone broadly keeps the interests of Nagasaki and Japan in mind, that is sufficient. If there are only minor matters, I imagine the Magistrate himself can handle them perfectly well without me coming here to add to the confusion..."

"My lord, what are you saying... Your lordship's personal visit to Nagasaki is our greatest honor. With your lordship's guidance, we will be able to do even better." Seeing that he had somehow managed to get past the Rōjū so easily, Takenaka inwardly breathed a sigh of relief. While showering the Rōjū with flattery, he raised his cup again. "May all go smoothly for your lordship!"

Seeing their superior do this, the other Nagasaki officials also raised their cups and toasted Naitō Tadashige alone. The old man did not make things difficult for them either; he raised his cup and drank it dry, appearing very amiable and not putting on airs.

Liu Jing, however, felt something was odd. He had a nagging sense that this shogunate Rōjū's words carried hidden meanings. But since it was none of his business, he said nothing, simply accompanying these shogunate officials in drinking and wondering when the banquet would end.

And so, amid the clinking of cups at the banquet, the Rōjū Naitō Tadashige took the opportunity to become acquainted with these commercial representatives stationed in Nagasaki.

"You are all prominent merchants of your respective nations and the people upon whom our country's foreign trade depends. Please continue to uphold your duties steadfastly. Furthermore, I know that many of you harbor considerable discontent with some of the shogunate's measures, but there are many things the shogunate does out of necessity." By the time the banquet had drawn near to midnight, Naitō Tadashige also seemed to be feeling the effects of the wine; even his speech was less articulate than before, though he still appeared to be lucid. "The reason I have hosted this banquet today is to tell you all that the shogunate is by no means opposed to foreign trade. As long as no missionary or other ulterior motives are attached, our country is absolutely welcoming."

Then, as if suddenly recalling something, he added, "Ah, yes, one more matter, also very important. In order to manage trade more effectively, the shogunate recently intends to replace the red-seal permits with a new format. All previous formats of red-seal permits will become invalid after one month. Therefore, I ask that you all send someone to collect the new ones in a few days, and also inform your home countries."

As soon as he said this, the entire room was shocked. Everyone looked stunned, and no one could utter a word.

The red-seal permit was the shogunate's trade license, personally issued by the shogunate. Only merchant ships possessing a red-seal permit could dock and trade with Japan. Through this method, the shogunate could also monopolize foreign trade in its own hands. One could well imagine just how critically important this document was to these merchants in Japan.

Yet the shogunate had announced this replacement without any prior warning, which truly caught everyone off guard.

In an instant, hushed whispers once again filled the entire hall. Even the shogunate's Nagasaki officials were included — no one understood why the higher-ups wanted to do this.

"May I ask... may I ask, my lord, what exactly has happened?" Even the Magistrate Takenaka Shigeyoshi himself was completely baffled and hurriedly asked the Rōjū.

He had thought he had already curried favor with Lord Naitō and had therefore been flattering him and drinking quite a bit. He had never expected that at this moment, he would suddenly hear such news from the other party.

Beyond surprise, what he felt more was terror. As the Nagasaki Magistrate, he was supposed to be the person in charge of all these matters. Yet the shogunate had made this decision without notifying him beforehand, and even after deciding, still had not informed him — only letting him learn of it today, together with these merchants. The implications of this were chilling.

He had already been somewhat tipsy, but now cold sweat broke out all over his body, and he began to tremble slightly. Even though asking such a question in front of his subordinates would make him lose face, he could not help but ask.

"Have I not spoken clearly enough?" Naitō Tadashige still wore that cold smile as he calmly regarded Takenaka Shigeyoshi. "The shogunate intends to replace the red-seal permits, and it will be done within one month."

"Why... why must this be done so suddenly?" Takenaka Shigeyoshi asked, somewhat cowed. "We... we received no word beforehand, and have made no preparations whatsoever... This will likely cause chaos among the merchants..."

"It is precisely to avoid causing chaos that I have summoned all these merchants here today." Naitō Tadashige was still smiling, though it was a smile that conveyed little warmth. "Although the time is tight and will certainly put them to some trouble, from another perspective, it could also be considered a good thing. At least, with such haste, few people will have time to tamper with things in between, correct?"

Takenaka Shigeyoshi's eyes suddenly widened, and then he abruptly lowered his head. "My lord... what my lord says is indeed reasonable. Your lordship's foresight surely carries profound meaning; my failure to grasp it in my haste is truly due to my own dullness... I beg my lord's forgiveness. Ensuring that the merchants smoothly transition to the new permits is our responsibility, and we will do our utmost to ensure everything proceeds without incident... Please rest assured, my lord!"

Yet Naitō Tadashige did not reply. He simply stared fixedly at Takenaka Shigeyoshi. His gaze was strange, and his earlier smile had vanished, replaced by something resembling anger.

Being stared at like this, Takenaka Shigeyoshi felt his skin crawl, but he dared not show it. He could only keep his head lowered, kneeling at his seat like a student being reprimanded.

The others also sensed that something was amiss. Now even more afraid to speak, they all sat dumbly in their places, watching what was unfolding at the head seat.

"Is that all you have to say to me?" After the silence had stretched on for a long while, Naitō Tadashige asked Takenaka coldly. Then, raising his voice, he barked, "Takenaka?"

He no longer addressed him by his official title, nor even by his full name, but directly by his surname — a clear sign that his attitude had worsened considerably. Hearing this, Liu Jing, who had been silently observing all along, finally confirmed that this Nagasaki Magistrate's days were numbered. He perked up and kept his eyes fixed on the scene, hoping to glean more intelligence about the shogunate.

"My lord...?" Takenaka Shigeyoshi raised his eyes and looked cautiously at the Rōjū.

"Stop playing dumb with me!" Naitō Tadashige bellowed again. "Why the shogunate kept the replacement of the red-seal permits from you, and why you are only being notified today — do you truly not know the reason?"

At this roar, Takenaka Shigeyoshi lurched backward with a thud and collapsed to the floor. The table before him toppled over as a result, and the wine bottles, cups, dishes, and other utensils on it crashed to the ground with a tremendous clatter. Yet no one came to clean up, and no one even made a sound, as if everyone else besides the two of them had turned into clay or wooden statues.

"My lord..." Takenaka Shigeyoshi tried to say something, but in his overwhelming terror, nothing came out. Wine from his stomach kept pouring from his mouth as he coughed violently, looking utterly wretched.

"You didn't really think the things you've done would never come to light, did you, Takenaka?" Seeing him in this state, Naitō Tadashige showed no pity, but instead laughed coldly. "If you hadn't been secretly issuing counterfeit red-seal permits to those merchants all along, why would we have gone to such trouble to replace all of them so suddenly? Do you... do you realize the magnitude of the crime you have committed?!"

"I… I…" Takenaka Shigeyoshi looked as if he wanted to defend himself, but because he kept coughing, his words came out broken and halting. "I absolutely never… never did these things, my lord! As a shogunate retainer, I would never disregard the shogun's orders, still less dare to privately issue licensed-trade permits… It may be… that someone below falsely used my name. I… I will investigate this thoroughly!"

"Even now you still try to exonerate yourself?" Naitō Tadashige's smile deepened, and he was clearly enraged to the extreme. "If we had not already investigated and verified everything clearly, how could we so utterly disregard your dignity!"

Then, with a sudden movement, he rose to his feet, crumpled several thick sheets of paper that lay on his desk into a ball, and hurled it straight at Takenaka Shigeyoshi.

The paper ball struck Takenaka Shigeyoshi on the body and then bounced to the floor. In full public view, this was an unbearable humiliation, but Takenaka Shigeyoshi could no longer afford to care. With a rustling sound, he reached out, picked up the paper ball, and unfolded it.

When he saw clearly what these papers actually were, Takenaka Shigeyoshi's face instantly turned deathly pale, and he collapsed to the ground once more.

"Nothing to say now?" Naitō Tadashige asked coldly. "This is the evidence that you privately and without authorization forged and sold vermilion-seal licenses!"

Indeed, these were the vermilion-seal licenses that Takenaka Shigeyoshi had privately issued.

Takenaka Shigeyoshi coveted wealth and goods. Having with great difficulty secured the post of Nagasaki Magistrate, he naturally intended to use it to make a fortune. Although Nagasaki Magistrate was already the highest-salaried post within the shogunate, and by leveraging his authority he could also obtain large sums of extra income, he was still not satisfied. In secret, he privately produced the shogunate's vermilion-seal licenses and sold them to foreign merchants, thereby reaping illicit profits.

As the highest official in charge of Nagasaki, these extra vermilion-seal licenses were valid as long as he approved them, and absolutely no one could detect anything amiss, so he had clung to a measure of wishful thinking right up to the end. He had never imagined that some of the vermilion-seal licenses sent overseas would actually fall into the shogunate's hands and now become the evidence used to convict him.

"My lord…" Summoning his courage, he still wanted to defend himself once more.