Kanenori understood perfectly that the talk of not daring to act without permission and asking him to decide was essentially nonsense.
The first sentence of the first article of the "Laws and Regulations for the Inner Palace and Public Affairs" in classical Chinese read: "Among the Emperor's arts and skills, the first is academic learning."
Of course, if one were to read the full text of the first article of the "Laws and Regulations for the Inner Palace and Public Affairs," it would become apparent that "academic learning" did not mean "studying dead books." Instead, it entailed studying classical Chinese texts such as the "Essentials of Governance from the Zhenguan Era" and books left by ancient Japanese emperors like the "Kanshou Rescript."
The key point was that the Tokugawa shogunate only focused on the first sentence. The dignified Emperor of Wa could only stay in the Imperial Palace to engage in "academic learning" and, at most, take on the part-time job of a human imperial seal.
As for the affairs of state and power in Wa, they were essentially all held in the hands of the Tokugawa shogunate.
Take this treaty for example. If Tokugawa Ienari did not agree, he would not have come to the palace to ask for his instruction. Since Tokugawa Ienari had come, it meant he agreed with this treaty.
It was just that this scoundrel, Tokugawa Ienari, needed him, the Emperor of Wa, to express his stance first, or rather, this treaty absolutely had to be promulgated in the Emperor's name.
This was equivalent to him diligently engaging in academic learning in the Imperial Palace, and a huge pot of trouble was suddenly dropped onto his head!
Thinking about academic learning, the previous honorific title incident, and now this big pot of trouble hanging over his head, Kanenori almost wanted to kill these bastards of the Tokugawa family with a single sword!
After a long while, Kanenori forcibly suppressed his anger. If he really killed Tokugawa Ienari, the consequence would likely be the end of the eternal imperial lineage.
Kanenori looked at Tokugawa Ienari and said, "Then, what is the Shogun's intention?"
Tokugawa Ienari naturally intended to sign the "Treaty of Friendly Relations for Tomorrow."
Closing the country was not about closing one's eyes and mind.
At the very least, Tokugawa Ienari was well aware that the Tokugawa shogunate's rise to power was largely due to Toyotomi Hideyoshi being defeated by the Great Ming, and with the outbreak of the "Tenmei Great Famine," the Tokugawa shogunate's rule had already begun to shake.
To prevent the potential collapse of the Tokugawa shogunate, Tokugawa Ienari and Matsudaira Sadanobu successively introduced the "Kansei Reforms" and the "Theory of the Delegation of Political Power."
The so-called Kansei Reforms required shogunate officials to practice frugality, strictly control the shogunate's finances, and rigorously suppress public thought. The so-called delegation of political power meant that the power of the shogunate to rule the country was granted by the Emperor, and Wa did not belong to the Shogun.
On one hand, they did their best to reduce expenditures and strictly control the thoughts of the common people of Wa. On the other hand, they shifted the blame onto the Emperor.
Unfortunately, the current situation in Wa was like a heavy cart going downhill. The "Kansei Reforms" and the "Theory of the Delegation of Political Power" did not stop the decline of the Tokugawa shogunate.
To salvage the situation, it would be better to gamble the nation's destiny on the Great Ming, as Matsudaira Sadanobu had said. Gamble that the Emperor of the Great Ming Empire still had some sense of shame, gamble that the Great Ming Empire could truly designate Wa as a non-conquered country, and gamble that Wa could regain its vitality with the favor of its "father," the Great Ming.
Fortunately, Kanenori was very cooperative.
With a sigh in his heart, Tokugawa Ienari bowed and said, "Reporting to His Majesty the Emperor, I believe that this treaty is greatly beneficial to Wa. As for the disadvantages, although there are some, they can be ignored."
If a play is to be performed, it must be a complete one. Otherwise, why call it a play?
Kanenori said with a solemn expression, "Please explain in detail, Shogun."
Tokugawa Ienari first responded with a "hai," and then slowly explained, "Since the Tenmei Great Famine broke out, the people of Wa have been in constant turmoil, and some unruly elements have even dared to attack government offices."
Ignoring Kanenori's slightly twitching facial muscles, Tokugawa Ienari continued, "Now that the Great Ming has granted me tribute every two years and also lifted the ban on trade, the problem of the imperial court's financial difficulties will be alleviated."
"This means that Wa can purchase some grain from the Great Ming to address the impact of the Tenmei Great Famine."
"Furthermore, the Great Ming has also allowed me and the people of this country to work in the Great Ming. There is much to be gained from this. As long as the money is not given to them personally, but settled through the imperial court and the shogunate, it is equivalent to opening up another source of wealth for Wa."
Kanenori hummed and said, "What the Shogun says is correct. But you have only spoken of the benefits. What about the disadvantages?"
Tokugawa Ienari still responded with a "hai" before continuing, "Your Majesty, the disadvantages are actually very obvious. They are nothing more than the matters concerning the Satsuma domain and the Amami Islands."
"However, I believe that the issue of the Ryukyu and Amami Islands precisely explains why these disadvantages should not be called disadvantages."
"Your Majesty, think about it. If the Great Ming thinks of Ryukyu today, it will naturally think of our Wa tomorrow."
"For the future of the entire Wa, it is acceptable to return the Amami Islands. It also saves us the trouble of worrying about the endless rebellions in that place every day."
Kanenori, however, asked, "What about the Satsuma domain? You know that Kyushu Island was originally under the jurisdiction of the Satsuma domain. Are you going to move the fief of the Satsuma domain?"
Tokugawa Ienari nodded and said, "In the past, the Tokugawa family moved their fief to the Kanto region for the sake of Wa. Now, the Satsuma domain can also move its fief to Ezo Island for the sake of Wa."
At this point, Tokugawa Ienari added with a veiled threat, "Your Majesty has lived in the palace for a long time and may not know that the Great Ming recently fought on three fronts simultaneously, deploying troops against Jiaozhi and the Xuanwei Divisions of Gansu and Duogan. Have you heard of this?"
"The result was that the Annam Kingdom completely became the Jiaozhi Provincial Administration Commission of the Great Ming. Burma and Siam submitted overnight. The Xuanwei Divisions of Duogan and Gansu surrendered upon seeing them. Now, the Great Ming is deploying troops against the Great Qing, Joseon, and the Xuanwei Division of U-Tsang."
"If Your Majesty refuses to sign this treaty, I fear that once the Great Ming is free, it will be our Wa's turn to be attacked."
Threatened by Tokugawa Ienari, Kanenori simply nodded and said in a strained voice, "This treaty, I approve."
When a noble speaks, it is called a "crane's cry." What is a crane? Regardless of how it is described as an immortal crane, a crane is still a bird. When the Japanese royal family speaks, they must modulate their voices and tones to achieve the effect of a "crane's cry."
Tokugawa Ienari felt that he had heard enough of this awkward way of speaking. He found the rural accent of the Kanto region more pleasing to the ear.
Forcing down the urge to vomit, Tokugawa Ienari said, "From now on, please refer to yourself as '孤' (gu) or '寡人' (guaren), and no longer as '朕' (zhen)."
Kanenori immediately fell silent.
Kanenori had not considered this possibility, but he had never imagined that this moment would arrive so quickly.
After a long silence, Kanenori nodded and said, "I understand."
...
After Tokugawa Ienari took his leave, Kanenori remained kneeling in the hall, without moving at all.
How incredibly stifled he felt!
The Emperor of the eternal lineage might continue to be eternal, but this Emperor would have to be enfeoffed by the Emperor of the Great Ming before ascending the throne, and could only call himself "孤" (gu) or "寡人" (guaren), not "朕" (zhen).
Was this what one could call an Emperor?
Look at the Emperor of the Great Ming; his words were law, and he received the mandate of heaven.
In fact, even without Wa becoming an outer vassal of the Great Ming, he, a deity from Takamagahara, the Emperor of the eternal lineage, was nothing more than a mascot.
When they were useful, these scoundrels of the shogunate would use his name to conduct affairs.
When they were not useful, they would not take the Emperor seriously. They would even dare to repeatedly slap the Emperor in the face.
For example, the "Purple Robe Incident" during the reign of Emperor Go-Mizunoo, or the "Honorific Title Incident" a few years ago.
But what could he do?
He could do nothing. He could only probe and try to find ways to reclaim the power that rightfully belonged to the Emperor.
Now, the Emperor of the Great Ming suddenly wanted to enfeoff Wa as an outer vassal, which paradoxically gave him an opportunity.
Could he take this chance to send some envoys to the Ming to study?
Whether it was their advanced technology or other things, the Celestial Empire always seemed generous, accepting all who came and letting go of all who left?
Once some students loyal to him had studied the Ming system, would he, the Emperor, truly be able to have absolute authority, with his words being law, just like the emperors of the Ming Dynasty?
Could it be that after the Ming army arrived on Kyushu Island, he could send people to contact the Ming army and have them eliminate the shogunate under the guise of quelling a rebellion?
...
Just as Emperor Kanenori and Tokugawa Ienari were each with their own hidden motives studying the "Treaty of Friendly Relations for Tomorrow," Ji Yun, also known as Ji Xiaolan, finally arrived in Jinan Prefecture with his family.
It was quite amusing. As the Chief Censor of the Great Qing, Ji Yun, after entering the territory governed by the Great Ming, expressed sentiments similar to those of the barbaric French like Pierre.
The common people had smiles and hope on their faces, completely unlike the dejected state they had been in under the rule of the Great Qing.
Especially the railway tracks being built outside Jinan Prefecture towards Zhili, which greatly broadened Ji Xiaolan's horizons.
Of course, there were indeed many things that displeased Ji Xiaolan.
For example, whether in the cities or in the fields, everyone wore the attire of the Han, Tang, Song, and Ming dynasties. No one wore the qipao and瓜皮帽 (guapi mao - melon rind hat) in the style of the Great Qing.
What displeased Ji Xiaolan even more were the hairstyles of the people under the rule of the Great Ming.
Some had hairstyles from the previous Ming Dynasty, some had hair that was only an inch long, all sorts of messy hairstyles, but not a single one was in the "money rat tail" style of the Great Qing.
How could Ji Xiaolan not feel indignant about these matters? In such a short time, these unruly people had forgotten the attire of the Great Qing!
Closing the curtains of the carriage, Ji Xiaolan slowly took off his peacock feather hat and then sighed involuntarily.
The Great Qing's fortune was nearing its end. What should he, the Chief Censor of the Great Qing, do?
With another long sigh, Ji Xiaolan's gaze gradually became firm. "I, Ji, have received the nation's grace for generations and must naturally be loyal to the Great Qing!"
Holding this thought, Ji Xiaolan directly had the coachman drive the carriage to the entrance of the Court of State Ceremonial. After alighting from the carriage, he straightened his peacock feather hat and loudly declared, "Ji Yun, Chief Censor of the Great Qing, sent by Emperor Qianlong of the Great Qing, has come on an envoy mission!"
Unfortunately, Ji Xiaolan's heroic performance only moved himself. No officials came out to welcome him from the Court of State Ceremonial. Instead, the passing civilians curiously pointed and discussed Ji Xiaolan's background.
Some even took the opportunity to educate their children: "Do you see? That's the treacherous official the Emperor spoke of. If you dare to be like him in the future, I'll break your legs!"
"Tsk tsk, is this the renowned Ji Yun, Ji Xiaolan? So he's someone who has forgotten his roots!"
"Alas, he not only forgets his roots, but he also sleeps with five women a day. That kidney, tsk tsk."
"..."
Listening to the undisguised discussions behind him, Ji Xiaolan frowned and shouted again, "Ji Yun, Chief Censor of the Great Qing, sent by Emperor Qianlong of the Great Qing, has come on an envoy mission!"
After shouting, Ji Xiaolan turned around and reprimanded the people of the Great Ming, "You are so impolite!"
A voice from the crowd replied, "Courtesy is used for people. Do you count?"
As the crowd burst into laughter, a minor official finally emerged from the Court of State Ceremonial. He looked at Ji Xiaolan and said, "What kind of envoy mission is this? Is it an envoy from an inner vassal, an outer vassal, or an envoy from another country?"
"If you are coming as an envoy from an inner or outer vassal, please present the authentication document issued by the Ministry of Rites. If you are coming as an envoy from another country, please present the letter of credentials."
"Oh, right, the Great Ming does not recognize the Great Qing you speak of as a formal country. Therefore, your letter of credentials from that deaf and blind old dog is useless."
"If you intend to come as an official sent by the Commander of the Jianzhou Left Guard of the Great Ming, then you should go to the various ministries and government offices, not come to the Court of State Ceremonial to embarrass yourself. If you don't find it embarrassing, I do!"
After saying this, the minor official turned and walked directly into the office of the Court of State Ceremonial, leaving Ji Xiaolan out in the cold at the entrance.
Ji Xiaolan was instantly enraged and rushed towards the back of the retreating minor official.
Ji Xiaolan intended to rush into the Court of State Ceremonial to find the so-called Minister of State Ceremonial of the Ming and ask them if they understood etiquette at all!
Unfortunately, as Ji Xiaolan took two steps forward, the soldiers guarding the entrance of the Court of State Ceremonial raised their firearms, pointed them at Ji Xiaolan, and shouted, "Stop! Warning! Take another step, and we will shoot!"
After Ji Xiaolan stopped, a squadron of锦衣卫 (Jinyiwei - Imperial Guard) officers wearing flying fish robes emerged from within the gate of the Court of State Ceremonial. The leader sized up Ji Xiaolan and said with a smile, "Attempting to storm the gate of the Court of State Ceremonial. You have truly opened my eyes."
After saying this, the leading hundred-household officer of the Jinyiwei waved his hand behind him and shouted, "Guards! Seize this traitor and all his accomplices!"
Ji Xiaolan's face immediately changed.
Traitor?
Accomplices?
The traitor must be referring to himself, but he charged forward alone, where were the accomplices? Could it be his family?
As Ji Xiaolan pondered, someone from the opposite Jinyiwei rushed forward, took out ropes, and bound Ji Xiaolan securely. Some other Jinyiwei officers directly rushed to the carriage where Ji Xiaolan's family was, forced his family out of the carriage at sword and gunpoint, and then bound them all.
Ji Xiaolan was furious and shouted, "In broad daylight, do you have no law?"
The leading hundred-household officer of the Jinyiwei sneered and said loudly, "Listen up, everyone! He asks if there is any law in broad daylight!"
ps: How should this guy be dealt with?