Chapter 288: The First Expedition to Japan

On December 14, the sixth year of the Tongzhi reign, in Naha, the capital of the Ryukyu Kingdom, Shuri Castle, and Gouchihara.

Yes, the calendar is correct. Ryukyu has always been a loyal vassal of China. It used to use the Ming calendar, but now uses the Qing calendar.

Shuri Castle is the palace of the Ryukyu king, with a pure Central Plains style. The 36 surnames of Fujian people entered Ryukyu, and Ryukyu had always been a Chinese territory.

In the Imperial Court, Ryukyu King Sho Tai was wearing the attire of a Ming Dynasty prince and had a worried look on his face.

This - although Ryukyu was a vassal state of the Qing Dynasty, it still retained the clothing of the Ming Dynasty.

Now Prince Shang Jian of Ie has been sent to the Qing Dynasty to pay tribute, but will the Qing Dynasty protect Ryukyu?
It's difficult. We are loyal to China, but the imperial court can't protect us. Instead, Japanese pirates have invaded many times. We have no choice but to be vassal of both Japan and the Qing court at the same time. We have been serving two masters for so many years, and the imperial court has not cared about it, right?

Arrogant footsteps were heard from the main hall next to Gouchihara. Three Japanese warriors, wearing double swords on their waists, strode out of the main hall without any notice. "Shang Taidi, where is he?"

Shangtai hurriedly entered the main hall through the side door.

Hanging in the main hall is a plaque with the words "Zhongshan Myriad Lands" written by Emperor Kangxi. The title of the King of Ryukyu in China was King of Zhongshan.

Now, in this solemn place, three Japanese pirates were standing there in a disdainful manner.

Sho Tai, who was leading the way, knew the "Zaifan Bugyo" who was sent by the Shimazu family of Satsuma Domain to Ryukyu for surveillance.

The magistrate seemed to be very polite. He bowed 90 degrees and pointed at the two Japanese pirates behind him. "Lord, these two are the envoys sent by the Shimazu family, Narahara Kogoro and Ichi Chisunori. They are here to convey the order of the Gokokumoto."

Shangtai didn't dare to argue. I am not a feudal lord, I am the King of Zhongshan. You can say whatever you want. I will endure it.

Narahara Kogoro raised his head and said, "The New Year is coming. Have you prepared the tribute to the country of Fuso?"

Shangtai smiled and said, "We have prepared the tribute and will go to Edo as scheduled."

Kogoro glared, "The shogunate is rebellious, and the various feudal domains have joined forces to suppress it. You are no longer allowed to pay tribute to Edo. I am here to inform you that this time you must go to Kyoto to pay tribute to the emperor."

"Yes Yes."

"Also, in your tribute letters, you are not allowed to call yourself 'King Sho Tai of Ryukyu'. You must change it to 'Sho Tai of Ryukyu'. From now on, you will no longer be under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs, but the Ministry of Internal Affairs, and your taxes will be handed over to the Ministry of Finance. Do you understand?"

Shang Tai argued, "Your Excellency, that is our tribute, not tax."

Ichi Chisou-no-sho, who was standing beside him, said amiably, "The great country of Fuso favors Ryukyu. After paying tribute this time, you will be appointed as the feudal lord and listed among the nobles. This is your honor. The feudal lord must follow the trend of the times and return the territory together with our Satsuma Domain. In the future, the Ryukyu Domain will be Okinawa Prefecture and will use the Meiji era name. You, the feudal lord, will also be changed to governor."

Ignoring Shangtai's opinion, the three Japanese pirates turned and left.

Shangtai was stunned. It was over, it was over.

I, the King of Zhongshan, was originally on the same level as the Japanese pirates' "King of Japan", but I will soon be appointed as a feudal lord by the Japanese pirates, a level lower than that, and then I will not even be a feudal lord, and I will soon become a county governor...

I don't agree! ...But what can I do?
Shangtai walked out of the palace with difficulty and led his people to the Holy Temple.

There is a statue of Confucius in the Temple of the Sage, with a plaque in the middle that reads "Teacher of All Ages", and two plaques on the left and right that read "Teaching without Discrimination" and "The Sage is in Harmony with the Times".

Shang Tai knelt down respectfully, "Sage, I am incompetent and have been bullied by the Japanese pirates. The territory of China is about to be lost, and the Chinese clothing is about to be transformed into that of the barbarians. How can I face you, Saint?"

If you draw your sword, you will commit suicide.

It was impossible for him to commit suicide, so his men quickly stopped him and snatched the sword. Sang Tai slammed his head to the ground and cried. "Your Majesty, Your Majesty, Prince Sang Jian of Yijiang has returned."

This "prince" was older than Sang-tae, and was not Sang-tae's son, but a branch of the royal family. When he saw Sang-tae's appearance, he quickly helped him up and said, "Your Majesty, don't be sad. I have already invited the heavenly soldiers from the upper country to fight against the Japanese pirates!"

Are the imperial soldiers finally here? Shangtai shouted, "Open the main gate to welcome them!"

After Shang Jianshen, Shao Quanzhong dismounted from his horse and led his guard platoon into the Holy Temple.

Shao Quanzhong personally helped Shang Tai, who had hurriedly knelt to greet the imperial envoy, up, turned around and waved, "Bring him up!"

The three Japanese pirates who were so arrogant just now were brought up by the soldiers of the Imperial Guards Brigade, with dozens of Japanese pirate foot soldiers tied behind them.

"Fusang sent Japanese pirates to invade the Celestial Empire. This is an unforgivable crime. Kill them!"

After a few gunshots, "bang bang bang bang", all the Japanese pirates fell to the ground.

Shao Quanzhong ordered dozens of Japanese pirates and Satsuma envoys to be killed easily, and looked at Shangtai with a smile, "We will go and take back the Amami Islands for you, you can send someone to manage it."

"But our military strength is weak, and the Japanese pirates have already colonized the island. What should we do if they don't listen to us?"

Shao Quanzhong sneered, "What do you mean by colonization? Those who invade our Chinese territory are all bandits and will be killed without mercy! There will be no more colonization on the island."

Shao Quanzhong turned around and knelt down in front of the statue of Confucius. "Saint, you teach everyone. I will protect your sons like Ryukyu who listen to you. I will kill the rebellious sons like the Japanese pirates who don't listen to your teachings! I will kill them until they are willing to listen to your teachings!"

"Please invite the imperial envoy of the superior country to come into the city. We will do our best to show our hospitality."

The main gate of Shuri Castle was opened wide, and the plaque with the words "Shuri Castle" was taken down and replaced with a plaque with the words "A Country of Observance of Etiquette" to welcome the angels.

Shao Quanzhong waved his hand, "Don't bother with that nonsense. I don't have time. Just send some strong men with me to take over the Amami Islands."

Shao Quanzhong, along with Shang Tai and the Ryukyu ministers, turned around and left Shuri Castle and came to Naha Port.

When Shangtai saw the endless fleet of huge ironclad warships on the sea, his heart was filled with emotion. It was rumored that the upper country had become a powerful country, and now he saw it with his own eyes. Ryukyu was finally saved.

Two hours later, Shang Jian brought several Ryukyu officials and five hundred Tangte men on board the warship, and the South China Sea Fleet set off immediately and headed straight for Amami Oshima.

The next morning, the fleet arrived at Amami Oshima. Several sailing warships flying the Shimazu clan's "Shizumaru" flag approached them and tried to negotiate. Liao Rong's face was icy cold, "Kill!"

The four Wangfu-class battleships did not move at all. Deng Shichang led the vanguard battleships, led by the Zhiyuan, and sailed over without firing any cannons, smashing several small Japanese pirate boats into pieces.

Song Laosan led the Guards Brigade to land, and gunshots soon rang out on the island.

In the evening, Song Laosan reported, "All the adult Japanese pirates have been killed. Please ask Shang Jian to lead people to the island to take over the territory and the Japanese pirates' women and children."

Shang Jian was extremely grateful, "Thank you for your concern, but what if Satsuma comes to retaliate?"

"We are just getting started. We can't just keep going like this. We have to make sure you are completely safe and prevent the Japanese pirates from ever reaching Ryukyu again."

Shao Quanzhong pointed north and said, "Everyone, attack Kagoshima. The first step is to destroy the Shimazu family!"

(End of this chapter)

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