Chapter 309: The Shimadzu family! The rising jackals of Kyushu!
"Have you said enough? Then let me say a few words~" Du Fei looked at these businessmen who were chattering but actually had no courage at all and said helplessly: "First of all, we have to find out why the Shimazu family suddenly helped the Otomo family.
If the invasion of Kitakyushu is just the wish of the daimyo, it will be nothing. The change of rulers will have little impact on us. But if it is the idea of people from the Minami Kyushu business district, then it will be a bit troublesome."
The Shimai clan, one of the three directors, also said: "You are absolutely right. After all, the Shimazu family has always been at odds with the Ryuzoji family. There must be a reason for this sudden attack~~~ If they are really colleagues in the Southern Kyushu business district.
If we covet our territory and try to replace it, we will be in really bad shape!"
"Nan Kyushu has rarely had contact with us in recent years. Longchuan seemed to have had a serious dispute with them in the past. At that time, they seemed to have a large amount of natto that they couldn't dispose of, so they asked Longchuan to help pull the strings and sell it to the Nanman people. As a result, Longchuan
It seemed that he thought his channel would be replaced by others and did not agree. As a result, the Minami Kyushu Chamber of Commerce suffered heavy losses that year, and it took a while to recover. I guess he started to hate us at that time?" An older merchant representative frowned
He said with a frown.
Du Fei knew all about the current situation of the Southern Kyushu Chamber of Commerce, so he just urged everyone not to panic and let everything continue as usual; then he hurriedly ended the meeting.
After the meeting, he found the Shimai clan and learned some news from him about the southern Kyushu business district:
It turns out that the Minami Kyushu Business District has the same director responsibility system as the Kitakyushu Business District. But their system is obviously more stringent.
Directors must be replaced every year and are decided by a vote of all merchants. Directors cannot use public power to do things for themselves. Otherwise, once discovered by the Chamber of Commerce Supervision Department established voluntarily by the merchants, all property will be confiscated and driven away completely.
Exit the Minami Kyushu business district.
If merchants resist the orders of the Chamber of Commerce, they can be directly executed! Those who seriously harm the interests of the Chamber of Commerce and all merchants will be directly executed after consulting the local daimyo!
Du Fei was a little surprised after hearing this: "What a tyrannical rule!! Who is the general director of this Southern Kyushu Chamber of Commerce?"
“It doesn’t actually matter who the general director of the Minami Kyushu Chamber of Commerce is. What’s important is the actual controller behind them—the Satsuma Tanegashima family!
In fact, no matter who is replaced as the general director of the Chamber of Commerce, the business lifeline of Minami Kyushu is still firmly in their hands!
The folk customs of Satsuma are strong and fierce. They are very straight-forward and aggressive. Whether doing business or doing work, they all pay attention to one, one, two, two. They don't know anything about cheating, and they are proud of it.
The Tanegashima family, a powerful family in this land, certainly has the same temper. For decades, they have been able to suppress and monopolize the business of tobacco, salt, Chinese tea and other in-demand goods. And through the tool of the Chamber of Commerce, they have used a well-established, relatively fair and strict system.
The rules of the association united the loose merchants and created an era of their own family in Satsuma Country under the rule of the Shimazu family in Southern Kyushu.
When the 16th generation head of the Tanegashima family officially became a Shimazu retainer, the power of the Tanegashima family became even more powerful.
They were not only satisfied with the small and barren southern Kyushu, but also began to gradually extend their tentacles to central and northern Kyushu. However, because the daimyo Shimazu family they supported was still very weak at that time, their ambitions were temporary.
Silence fell.
"Nowadays, the Shimazu family is powerful and has the momentum to sweep across Kyushu. It has united with the difficult Otomo family again! I think the Ryuzouji family is in trouble this time!" Even smart people like the Shimai clan began to
Pessimistic: "The people of Minami Kyushu have been eyeing our Hirado Port. If we let them get their wish, we will probably be expelled!"
Du Fei rolled his eyes: "Expulsion? It's really new. We are just businessmen~ Those big names are here, we just pay taxes as usual~ It won't be so serious?"
"In the past, we wouldn't have had to worry about this, but now the leader of the Tanegashima family, Tokiyao Tanegashima, has officially become a retainer of Shimazu! This means that they are basically an integration of government and business! Their interests have been linked together, and the Tanegashima family has
Earning a large amount of money through trade supports the Shimadzu family in purchasing arms and recruiting troops; the Shimadzu family also accelerates its development by conquering nearby daimyo and occupying areas that are important to the Tanegashima family," said the Shimai clan.
Wan shook his head and said sadly: "Years ago, the Ganfu family was destroyed by the Shimadzu family because of their suggestions. Unfortunately, we became their next target!"
Du Fei was stunned for a while after hearing all this, but then he stood up and patted the Shimai clan on the shoulder: "Don't be pessimistic! Everything is operating as usual. I will solve this matter properly!"
Seeing Du Fei walking out of the venue confidently, the Shimai clan sighed softly.
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dividing line
In fact, there was a big controversy within the Shimadzu family regarding their strategy for Kitakyushu.
The conservative Shimazu retainers headed by Saruwatari Nobumitsu and Kiiri Tadanna believed that the war with the Ito family of the Hyuga Kingdom was currently underway, and it was not appropriate to start a war with the Ryuzoji family at the same time.
However, Shimazu Yoshihiko, Shimazu Tokihiro and other young masters are extremely supportive of Tanegashima Tokiyao. They believe that with the current strength of the Shimazu family, not to mention starting a war with two daimyo at the same time, even if they can win the entire clan in one go.
Kyushu is not impossible.
Shimazu Takahisa, the governor of the Shimazu family, was a man of great military ability and strategizing, but he also had a big flaw.
That is, there is often something that he thinks is good, and he does it immediately as soon as his mind is full of enthusiasm. But after finishing it, he starts to think about it again, fearing this and that and keeping him awake all night.
The internal disputes among Shimadzu's retainers made him even more troubled. Although Tanegashima Tokiyao was nominally his retainer, he also had another identity, that is, the sponsor of the Shimadzu's arms. To be honest, sometimes he said something
It really makes Shimazu Takahisa have to think about it. If he offends this God of Wealth, it will be uncomfortable for him to reduce his financial support to the family next year.
However, the opinions of Saruwatari Nobumitsu and other senior ministers also hit upon what he has always been worried about: fighting two daimyo at the same time, he doesn't know how much he can bear! Otherwise, the angry Ryuzoji family will find a way to sign an armistice agreement with the Otomo family, specifically
Come and deal with yourself!
By that time, I will be taken advantage of by the Ito family to counterattack, and will also be attacked by the two families! With the joint strength of Ryuzoji and the Ito family, it is estimated that more than 8,000 soldiers can be mobilized. And I only have a mere 5,000 soldiers at most.
.They are fully capable of destroying themselves.
At this moment, his eldest son Shimazu Yoshihisa came.
The eldest son is Shimazu Takahisa's favorite and admired one, because he is not only capable, talented in commanding and military, but also has a compassionate heart. He is a devout Buddhist and is also relatively popular among the people in the territory.
.
But what Shimazu Takahisa values most is his ability to judge and make decisions about the current situation! Although his younger brothers Yoshihiro, Suiku, and Iehisa are also capable, they never have a clear overall picture.
He is always confused by the petty gains in front of him. This is why Shimazu Takahisa wants to pass the position of family governor to Yoshihisa.
Without the courage and brains to see the overall situation, even if you use your troops as brave as you can, you can only be regarded as a reckless general. It can easily become a tool for others to attack the city. Only those who can see the current situation thoroughly and make correct judgments
Only then can you have the last laugh.
"Father!" Shimazu Yoshihisa bowed respectfully to Shimazu Takahisa and said, "Excuse me, why did you summon me?"
Shimazu Takahisa lowered his head and was silent for a moment, then said slowly: "Yoshihisa, you are the most optimistic among my father's retainers. Tell me, which side should I support in the recent disputes among the retainers?"
"What father is talking about ~ conquering Kitakyushu?" Shimazu Yoshihisa looked indifferent, as if the matter had nothing to do with him, which made Shimazu Takahisa a little annoyed.
That's the bad thing about this kid! No matter what he encounters, he always looks like it doesn't matter. It's really annoying! Shimazu Takahisa's originally kind face suddenly became much stiffer.
"Father," Shimazu Yoshihisa seemed to have noticed the change in his father's mood: "You don't need to be upset about this. Then I will be blunt. I think there is only one person in the Kitakyushu Ryuzoji family who can organize us.
, that is Nabeshima Naoshige! He has now obtained the real power of the Ryuzoji family, and with his defensive ability, we probably have no chance now."
"You mean, give up the strategy for Kitakyushu?" Shimazu Takahisa actually had the same idea in his heart. He also preferred a stable development path.
"But~~" Shimazu Takahisa pondered for a moment and then said: "The Tanegashima family and your brothers seem to be very enthusiastic about this! The Tanegashima family also promised that if the attack on Kitakyushu is completed, they will do it all at once
Give us a lot of funds! We are constantly expanding our army, and we really need money! That tax alone is definitely not enough! In addition, we have to purchase arms~~consolidate city defense~~all of which cost money
ah!"
Shimazu Yoshihisa lowered his head and smiled.
"Why are you laughing? I'm telling the truth!"
"Father~! We need a lot of money, but we have to understand that we are the masters! No matter how rich the Tanegashima family is, they are just our subordinates! We must not let them claim the throne!" Shimazu Yoshi
Jiu became excited at this time and raised his voice: "We must not let a businessman lead the way. Even if we support each other, we must obey the unified strategic command!"
He suddenly stood up, pointed at the map of Kyushu behind Takahisa and said: "Currently in Kyushu, the only ones with the strength to rule the roost are us and the Otomo family, plus the Ryuzoji family under the leadership of Nabeshima Naoshige!! The rest, such as Sagara,
Ito and other forces are already in decline, and will be destroyed one day sooner or later. Therefore, we are now trying our best to help the Otomo family eliminate Ryuzoji Temple, and there is still a large area of the Ryuzoji family's territory separated by the Sagara family.
It can be said that we can't get enough. Although those businessmen may get a lot of benefits, we will suffer a big loss! Once the Ryuzoji Temple that restrains the Otomo family is destroyed, the power of the Otomo family will be rampant in Kitakyushu! That
When we confront him, we have no advantage at all! Therefore, we must not wade into this muddy water! We actually have a better environment than the Otomo family and the Ryuzoji family, and the surrounding Ito and Sagara are extremely weak.
, now we only need to steady our pace and annex these guys one by one to establish an absolute advantage, and then plan a crusade against Kitakyushu! At that time, our Shimazu family’s ambition to dominate Kyushu will be realized soon!"