That afternoon, Zhao Xin met Shibata Kakuzo in his office. After he heard about the assassination of Date Shigemura, he knew that the time had come for him to seize the Hisikari (pronounced the same as Yi) gold mine.
As early as more than 40 years ago, gold deposits were discovered in the Hisikari area in the northern part of Kitakyushu Isa County. The Satsuma Domain has carried out exploration and small-scale mining intermittently over the years, but it was limited to low-grade upper mines above an altitude of 230m;
The real riches are at the bottom.
Although this gold mine was known as a "world-class gold mine" in another time and space, based on the drilling conditions of the 18th to 19th centuries, if Zhao Xin did not dig, basically no one would be able to find it; because of the rich mineral veins here
The minimum depth required a straight excavation of 300 meters under the rock. Later, Sumitomo Mining analyzed it for ten years and drilled 18 boreholes to determine the location of the vein.
Some people say it’s wrong. How did Sado Jinshan be dug?
In fact, the excavation of the Sado gold mine is quite difficult. Due to technical limitations, the deepest digging can only go down to a few hundred meters. The ancients did not have drilling exploration technology, so they usually opened a small hole in the mountain that only one person could drill into.
The hole is called a "raccoon hole", and then see if there are any mineral veins in it. If there is any mineral vein, dig into it in a large area; if not, give up and try again.
The 400-meter-long mine dug by the Tokugawa shogunate could only reach a depth of 10 centimeters per day; a ventilation tunnel had to be excavated next to it. With the illumination level of the oil lamps in this era, it was necessary to
Searching for gold and silver ore in tunnels where you can't even see your hands has blinded many people.
At this time, Shibata Kakuzo said again: "Igumori and Watarisori-sama sincerely request Zhao Wangdian to send troops to Qingye City first to reassure people." After he finished speaking, he saw Zhao Xin's expressionless face, so he continued: "To show sincerity, I will
Each feudal clan will recruit another five hundred... no, eight hundred people will be handed over to you."
Zhao Xin suddenly asked: "How much foreign debt does Sendai Domain still have?"
Shibata Kakuzo hesitated for a moment and replied with some embarrassment: "As far as I know personally, the debt within and outside the domain is now as high as three million taels of gold."
Well, it’s basically a big bottomless hole!
Since the early 18th century, the Sendai Domain has basically been unable to make ends meet due to depletion of gold mines, floods, famine at dawn, as well as the need to pay for appointments and pay for officials. The Hokkai business of Zhao Xin and Katsuyama Denzo allowed those samurai to become shareholders.
, all it alleviated was the personal debts of the samurai, and it did not help the Sendai clan's finances at all.
And starting from the freeze disaster in the third year of Tenmei, the stupidest thing the Sendai Domain's financial officer did was to transport all the rice in the territory to Edo and sell it, making a lot of money.
As a result, the harvest failed in the second year, and the Sendai Domain had no grain reserves, so it had to buy high-priced grains. Just the few batches of rice sold by Zhao Xin almost emptied the Sendai Domain's treasury.
According to the literati's notes of this period, the business in Sendai Domain was in decline, and every town was sparsely populated. It did not look like a territory of 620,000 koku daimyo at all, which shows how poor it was.
Zhao Xin thought for a moment and said, "Have you ever thought about what to do after defeating the Satsuma Domain?"
Shibata Kakuzo said: "Igumomo-sama wants to force the shogunate to release the young master by teaching the Shimadzu family a lesson."
Zhao Xin shook his head and said: "Either you don't do this, or if you want to do it, you must be determined to fall out with the shogunate. Otherwise, the shogunate will at most pinch its nose and admit defeat, but if Shikisaburo and his mother are not allowed to go back, you still can't do anything.
"
When Shibata Kakuzo heard this, he was dumbfounded. He fell out with the Tokugawa family. How could he be so stupid?
Not to mention anything else, there are tens of thousands of Tokugawa family members including Hatamoto and Imperial family members. They can queue up from Nihombashi to the gate of Aoba Castle several times. And economically speaking, the Sendai clan has a lot of money.
With a foreign debt of three million taels of gold, the only special products in the territory besides rice are figurines, and at most some handicrafts.
After listening to the difficulties described by Shibata Kakuzo, Zhao Xin smiled: "Beihai Town can provide Sendai Clan with an interest-free loan. Three million taels, with a ten-year term."
Kakuzo Shibata: “!!!”
Early the next morning, Shibata Kakuzo took a truck back to Beihai Town, and then took a boat back. The matter that Zhao Xin mentioned to him yesterday was too big, and he couldn't make the decision at all. He had to go back as soon as possible and talk to Ishikawa Murabumi.
Report.
Pingtai did not go back with him. He had another important thing to report to Zhao Xin. So Zhao Xin dedicated an afternoon to Pingtai to discuss the situation of the "Eternal Lineage".
"That one is just sixteen years old this year and has been on the throne for seven years. His biological father, Xianyuan Gong, is still alive and well. That one is the sixth in line. Besides him, he has nine sons and two daughters."
As a native of the island country, Pingtai was actually very scrupulous. After all, that person could not be considered a human being at all. In the minds of the people of the island country, he was the representative of "god" in the world. Therefore, Pingtai never dared to speak directly when reporting to Zhao Xin.
Call his name.
"Oh no! It's really possible to give birth." Zhao Xin was embarrassed when he heard that besides the one he had nine sons, he thought about it. After all, they were just a bunch of guys who were waiting to die and kept marrying wives.
It is a person's job to keep having sons, and it is not their turn to do something as trivial as running a country.
Heita continued: "There is also the Fushimi Miya family. His family now has three sons and five daughters. In addition, in the tenth year of Kanbao 44 years ago (1743), the fourth son of Hanin Miya was named
The one from Chun Palace was adopted to the Yingsi family and named Yingsi Fuping. This person was just granted the title of Guanbai this year."
Zhao Xindao: "How many children does this Ying Si Fuping have?"
Pingtai said: "The legitimate sons and daughters each have one, and the concubine's children each have three."
Zhao Xin counted that person's relatives with his fingers...Forget it, it's better not to count, ten fingers are not enough. He thought for a while and said to Ping Tai: "Then let's start with Ying Si.
Let’s start at home.”
This matter is too important, so so far, Zhao Xin has not told anyone except Pingtai. But now that he is preparing to take action, Zhao Xin decided to find two people to be Pingtai's helpers, and at the same time, they will also monitor each other.
At this time, he saw Heita looking uneasy and said: "Heita, you have been following me for four years. We walked from Iwaki Mountain to Aomori, and then crossed the sea from Aomori; in my heart, the seven of you including Shino
And A Miao, we are already like relatives. Now that you have been naturalized and changed your Chinese surname, everything you do must stand on the Chinese side. You have been with me all these years, and I am not a dead rabbit.
People who are like dogs, if you work with confidence, you will have a bright future."
"Yes! I am willing to die for you!"
Zhao Xin laughed and said to Pingtai: "Marry a wife as soon as possible and spread your branches, so that you can be worthy of your lost family."
A few days later, Shibata Kakuzo returned to Aoba Castle. He first went to Ishikawa Murafumi, who asked eagerly as soon as he came up: "How is it?"
"Zhao Dian agrees to send troops!"
"Great!" Ishikawa Murafumi was overjoyed when he heard this, and quickly asked: "When will Zhao Dian arrive?"
Shibata Kakuzo said: "Igumomo, Zhao Dian not only agreed to send troops, but also said that he would lend us a sum of money to solve the financial difficulties of this domain."
Pie in the sky? Ishikawamura Wen smiled and said: "How much will Zhao Dian lend us?"
"Three million taels of gold, for ten years, with no interest."
"What?!" Ishikawa Murafumi stood up immediately. The folding fan in his hand closed and opened, opened and closed again. After a long time, he couldn't help but let out a long sigh.
Being able to take charge of the 21,000 kaku territory of the Tsunoda Ishikawa family since he was thirteen years old, and becoming the patriarch of the 620,000 koku daimyo, Ishikawa Murafumi was not stupid. He quickly understood Zhao Xin’s intention.
We must force the Sendai clan to engage in a confrontation with the shogunate!
Shibata Kakuzo looked at the gloomy Ishikawa Murafumi and said solemnly: "What Zhao Dian means is that if this domain does not do this, even if the Satsuma domain has taught a lesson and avenged the former lord, Edo will not be able to do so."
We may not admit defeat. Instead of doing this, we might as well show force and ask the shogunate to release them."
"What evil did I commit in my last life? How could I meet someone like Zhao Dian!" Ishikawa Murafumi lamented: "Do you know that if this domain relies on Zhao Dian and goes against Edo, the world will never be peaceful again?
day!"
Complaints are complaints, but Ishikawa Murafumi knew in his heart that just because the six hundred feudal samurai were given to Zhao Xin, if he did not seek help from Beihai Town, it was not certain whether he would survive the New Year!
Shibata Kakuzo leaned over and said: "Igumomo, no matter what Zhao Dian's purpose is, he has no ambitions for our country. Otherwise, with the strength of Beihai Town at the time, there would be no problem in occupying Ishinomaki or attacking Aoye City. Besides, Zhao
After the bombardment of Edo last year, he only asked the shogunate to open ports in Yokohama and Juqigahama of the main domain; with the troops and horses he brought at that time, even taking Edo Castle would be easy."
After he finished speaking, he leaned forward twice, approached Ishikawamura Wen and said: "Sir, from my humble opinion, the Date family should also have the right to say where the world should go in the future..."
Ishikawa Murafumi suddenly turned his head and stared at Shibata Kakuzo with a knife-like gaze. He saw that there was no false color in the other person's eyes. Then he waved his hand and said calmly: "You have been running around for days, so go down and find a quiet room to rest first."
.Watari Mamoru, Kurihara Mamoru and Kurokawa Mamoru will come over in the evening, so you will have to work hard then."
"Haha!" Shibata Kakuzo leaned over to salute, and then exited the secret room.
The attendant was about to close the door of the secret room when Ishikawa Murafumi said no. He stared at Shibata Kakuzo's back until he disappeared behind the pillars, then he stood up slowly while holding on to the wall. He walked out of the secret room and looked
Looking at the camellia tree in the garden, a subtle smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
Ten days later, Shibata Kakuzo came to Beihai Town by boat again.
At this time, Zhao Xin had returned from Fuldan City. On the road leading to Fuldan City, two regiments of the Northern Navy were rapidly heading south.
After some greetings, Shibata Kakuzo took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Zhao Xin respectfully. "Zhao Dian, this is a personal letter from Lord Igumori to you. Please read it."
This letter was written by Ishikawa Murafumi to Zhao Xin on behalf of the 16 families of the Sendai Domain. In addition to words of thanks, the first half of the letter contained the core content of how to carve up the Satsuma Domain after defeating the Shimazu family. Ishikawa Murafumi proposed
The two families equally divided the territory of 770,000 shi.
As for the second half of the letter, Ishikawa Murafumi requested that after Shikisaburo succeeds as the head of the family, he will bow to Zhao Xin. In contrast, Zhao Xin needs to help the Sendai Domain withstand the military and economic pressure of the shogunate. Finally, the sixteenth
The collective signature of the heads of the family.
After reading the letter, Zhao Xin thought about it for a long time without saying a word, then picked up the letter and read it again. This time, he read it for half an hour.
When Shibata Kakuzo saw that Zhao Xin had not expressed his opinion for a long time, he thought he was not satisfied with the conditions mentioned in the letter, so he couldn't help but said: "If there is anything inappropriate, please let Zhao Dian make it clear."
Little did he know that Zhao Xin was not hesitating about how to carve up the Satsuma Domain at all, but that his Japanese reading skills were too low and he was too embarrassed to ask, so he thought about it for a long time before he understood the meaning of the letter.
"Izumi County, Isa County and Hisikari County belong to me. You can participate in Ryukyu trade, but don't follow the Shimazu family's idea of going to Ryukyu again."
Shibata Kakuzo finally breathed a sigh of relief after hearing this. He didn't expect that Zhao Xin only had such a small amount of territory. Although it was a pity to give up Ryukyu, that place has never been his own, and it was good to be able to conduct sea trade through it.
"Just do what Zhao Dian wants." After saying that, Shibata Kakuzo leaned over and saluted: "When will we send out troops?"
"Seven days! We will set off by boat in seven days!"
The Northern Navy is going to send troops to attack the Satsuma Domain! This news was spread by thoughtful people, and soon spread among the island residents. Not long after the news came out, an island soldier did not go to Chai Zhong, but directly applied
Meet Wang Yuanfang.
"Sergeant Quanshan, salute the chief!"
Quan Shan is the farmer Quan San who was rescued by Zhao Xin in the offshore after leaving Yokohama. Now he has become a naturalized citizen and directly adopted the surname "Quan". Among the hundreds of surnames, Quan is really the surname.
It is said to be derived from the surnames Zi and Mi.
Wang Yuanfang had some impressions of this Quan Shan, otherwise he would have agreed to meet him. This man worked very hard during the recruit training and also ranked among the best in the assessment.
"Have a rest. What do you want from me?"
"Chief, Tingsuo is going to fight against Shamo Fan?" Quan Shan's Mandarin was not very fluent and he was stumbling.
"Yes. Say what you have to say!"
"I, I request to participate in this rebuke operation."
Wang Yuanfang heard about what happened to Quan Shan. He chuckled and said, "What? You want to go back for revenge? But I heard that your home is in Baihe Domain, and we won't stop the boat there."
Quan Shan grinned and said: "It doesn't matter, yes, as long as you can fight back. Let those samurai masters also have a taste of the troubles of my mud-legged paper."
"Okay. Count you in, I will help you. Is there anything else?"
"No, no. See you at the chief's village!" After saying that, Quan Shan saluted, turned around and left.
On the first day of September, the Thunderbolt completed a wave of transportation work to clear out the refugees, and after resting for two days, it slowly left the port with two regiments of the Northern Navy and an Aoba Battalion.
On the deck, Zhao Xin and others waved frequently to the crowds seeing them off on the pier. At this time, Lin Ziping and Sato Shinbuchi looked at the island residents who were cheering to see them off, and felt in their hearts that these people could no longer be considered islanders, so what if they themselves
Guidance, they will not listen to themselves at all.
Although he has been naturalized, he still considers himself an islander because of his pride as a scholar. Facing Beihai Town, where all kinds of novel technologies and all kinds of magical equipment are emerging in an endless stream, although he admires and envy him, he still wants to spread it back so that people can use it.
The shogunate became more powerful.
At this moment, Lin Ziping looked at the Thunderbolt slowly receding, thinking of the dangerous Satsuma Domain ahead, and not knowing when he would be able to return home, he couldn't help but feel worried. Under the agitation of his mind, Lin Ziping seemed to be talking to himself,
It also seemed to be warning Sato Shinbuchi next to him: "Once they leave, there will no longer be peace in the world!"