At the end of August in the fifth year of Ansei (1858), Naohide officially took over the Hakodate administration. His jurisdiction spanned the two large islands of Ezo and Northern Ezo, which also attracted some anti-barbarians to follow him in the north.

"Everyone has his own hobbies. The fragrance of orchids, sunflowers, and cogongrasses makes everyone good, but there are those who chase odors by the seaside."

This sentence means that everyone has his own ambitions, and everyone has different views on the same thing.

Therefore, although everyone in the world knows that "Lucia refuses to give up, the third battle will happen sooner or later in the North." Therefore, wise people hide far away, but there are still many people who dare to take chestnuts from the fire or fight with nothing.

few.

By the beginning of November in the Japanese calendar that year, the number of "anti-barbarians" had accumulated to twenty or thirty, and there was no way to delay it like this, so Hakodate followed the Horinao Show and began to receive these people in batches.

In fact, for more than two months, the practice has not completely ignored these people.

The newly-appointed Hakodate Town enshrined Okubo Ritsuchi and Banzawa Murasaki as Prime Minister. The two had negotiated with these people, but the results were not good. These people identified Naohide and insisted on meeting him - According to Okubo

, Sawamura and two people reported that these people thought that the conditions they gave were "too poor" and therefore were not satisfied.

Let's meet when we meet. It has snowed several times in Hakodate now, but these people still refuse to leave. Considering that it is not easy for these people to go north and they have been "patiently" waiting for more than two months, it is appropriate to meet them once.

In fact, it is not safe to do this. At least in the eyes of a group of people at the original Hakodate Office, Naohide is the Tokoku official of the shogunate. How can he see the big body and the flag when they meet each other? Besides, there is a difference between high and low.

, it would be embarrassing if during the meeting, someone took the opportunity to make some unreasonable suggestions.

Sure enough, Naoxiu was disgraced!

All in all, the origins of these anti-barbarian people are quite complex, including merchants, warriors, ronin, and some so-called secret envoys who do not know whether they are true or false.

The businessmen came to Hakodate to focus on the business opportunities in the next year. According to the agreement between the shogunate and Mi Ren, Ranguo, England, and France, starting from June 2, the sixth year of Ansei (July 1, 1859), Nagasaki

, Kanagawa, Hakodate’s foreign trade.

Therefore, some well-informed businessmen came to make arrangements in advance.

And the reason why we use the name "Repelling the Barbarians" is because it sounds very righteous.

Speaking of which, although the Westerners protested several times against the term "rejecting the foreigners", the shogunate secretly condoned it. Even the ministers sometimes mentioned it openly, but in short, they were not strict enough. They tightened externally and relaxed internally, and even stopped them

The anti-barbarian decree was never officially issued.

Therefore, after the trade agreement was signed with the Western countries, not many people in the government and the public talked about the benefits of this matter. On the contrary, many people talked about resisting the foreigners, and it actually became a trend.

Besides, most of the talk about resisting the barbarians in Hakodate was directed at Lucia. Fuso and the Lu people were still at war, so there was no need to worry.

Originally, Naoxiu was quite interested - he thought that this businessman must be donating money and materials to resist the foreigners, which was a good thing.

But who knew that after meeting, these businessmen would make the same suggestions:

"The Southern Barbarians are cunning and capricious, making management very difficult after the trade. According to the old practices of Edo, Osaka, and Kyoto, a Zhuzhongjian can be set up. In this way, the adults can hang their clothes high and all businesses can flourish."

Naoxiu understood immediately when he heard it. This was a business requiring a special franchise, a so-called robbery on the road, and profit sharing.

Establishing Zhu Zhongjian sounds easy, but actually it contains a knife!

In the twelfth year of Tenpo (1842) and the thirteenth year of Tenpo, the shogunate twice ordered the dissolution of Zhunakama, abolished commercial privileges, and promoted circulation, hoping to alleviate the rise in prices.

However, in the fourth year of Jiayong (1851), the shogunate returned to its old ways and approved the re-establishment of Zhu Zhongjian.

In the seventh year of Jiayong (1854), Zhu Zhongjian was ordered to be disbanded by the shogunate.

This repeated tossing is not just for fun, but because it involves very important interests:

Zhuzhongjian was composed of wealthy merchants who specialized in selling goods.

Zhuzhongjian, established in an important city, actually controls the circulation of Fuso products.

Rich merchants took advantage of this to make profits, and the shogunate and daimyo profited from wealthy merchants in the name of "unshangjin" (business tax), "Minggajin" (franchise fees) and other names.

Among them, because most of the transportation centers and important ports are located in the "royal area" directly under the jurisdiction of the shogunate, Zhuzhongjian actually became a means for the shogunate to control Fuso's economy.

However, because the wealthy businessmen in Zhuzhongjian often manipulated prices to seek huge profits, the public was very angry. In particular, the famous people were not willing to be exploited in vain, so Zhuzhongjian was repeatedly disbanded.

Turtle son, don’t harm anyone!

straight nose

He was almost furious. He knew how powerful this was, so he would never wade into this muddy water.

In addition, regarding franchising, the two examples of two hundred and fifty-strong companies in later generations are vivid, but it is blind. Even if the shogunate ordered the establishment of Zhunakama again, Naohide would never agree to such nonsense in Hakodate.

However, the wealthy businessmen who have the ability to participate in Zhuzhong are often very powerful, and there may not necessarily be someone standing behind them. They may be some shogunate boss or powerful name.

No wonder the town's observant Okubo asked him to meet these people in person. They are all gods and cannot be offended easily.

These businessmen are probably colluding, and they have some common requirements, such as priority for merchant ships to enter and exit the port, a licensed warehouse in the dock area, a good shop location, etc. In short, they have made clear arrangements for the box shop in the future.

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These businessmen were not unwilling to bleed. They basically presented some precious gifts to the meeting, and said that "after the establishment of Zhuzhongjian, it will have its own results." However, once Naoxiu asked if there were any bulk commodities recently, these people ignored them.

Talk about him from left to right.

So they are just trying to hide the rabbit before they see the hawk. Maybe, even if they agree to their conditions, these businessmen will have to wait for the outcome of the war with Lucia before they are willing to make a big bet! I guess now, they are just throwing stones to ask Luke to occupy the seat.

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Naohide didn't know, it was because he was young and inexperienced - Naohide was thirty-three years old in 1858, and he was still bullied because he had no background. In short, these vultures were eyeing the fat piece of Hakodate.

It is estimated that anyone else would have had no choice but to agree to these requests.

After all, in Fuso at this time, merchants controlled the circulation. Therefore, even if they did not agree to these people, they still had to win over a group of other merchants.

Otherwise, after the new official takes office, the circulation of goods will be inconvenient, and then prices will skyrocket and people's livelihood will be difficult. How can it be sustainable? Moreover, in order to prepare for the war with Lucia next year, we need to reserve supplies, so merchants are indispensable.

No wonder these businessmen are using the banner of resisting the foreigners. They must think that they are destined to be defeated!

However, this thought was in vain.

The straight-showing White Master line is not short of support from businessmen:

Inside, there are Karakuya, which has been operating in the Ezo land since the sixth year of Kayei (1853), Kimeya, which has been deeply cultivating the northern Ezo land, and even Shikiya, which built the entire Fuso trade route;

Externally, although the business focus of Rihachi's Kinokuniya is not in the north, the grain trade has continued; as for the imperial merchants of Tosa, Hizen, Saga, Satsuma and other vassal states, they also often come and go; even, over the years, they have maintained close ties with foreign merchants.

Secret trade is also growing.

Therefore, Naoxiu just comforted these businessmen with his kind words. As for any special requests, just let the old cat smell the salted fish - don't even think about it.

Faced with Zhixiu's promise of "fair treatment", the businessmen were on the verge of tears - we don't like what is fair, so we want a franchise!

However, there is a difference between high and low. Since Naohide didn't care about the background and support they hinted at, these people had no choice but to say goodbye - as for the lowly businessmen and the Tokoku followers of the shogunate, there were really no people who were crazy about gains and losses.

In this regard, Naohide remembered an example from later generations:

They all sell mousetraps. If there is no license, everyone will work hard to make the traps good and cheap; but once there is a license, everyone will focus on how to prevent others from entering and selling.

In fact, Zhixiu still values ​​businessmen very much, otherwise he would not receive them first.

But the result is like this. It can only be said that it is the trend. I hope these people can stay and participate in the construction of the Northland. To be honest, after talking, Naoxiu is not very optimistic about these people being able to stoop down and make hard money.

As for the anti-barbarians we met later, they were also full of tricks. Anyway, they just didn’t follow the usual path:

There were some young warriors who were traveling abroad to study, but when they heard the news that "the Northland had defeated Lucia twice, and then the third war was imminent," these young people got excited and came over by boat.

To these people, Naohide can only say that his courage is commendable.

You should know that the authority of the shogunate is still there, and the "Samurai Laws" clearly states that "it is a serious crime to associate with samurai from outside the vassal without permission."

As a dignified minister of the shogunate, Naohide felt quite involved in meeting these people.

And similarly, these people went to Hakodate in the name of a study tour, and after meeting Naohide, they went back and talked to the family owner, wondering if they could fool them - maybe they would be like the Yoshida Nobukata of the Choshu Mori family who traveled privately, and were caught.

It is possible to reduce the salary or even cancel the samurai status.

Taking such a big risk, but after meeting, these young people who are rebellious made Naoxiu greatly disappointed:

It’s fine if you’re not proficient in orchid science, but you’re not even familiar with Western weapons and military systems, so how can you resist the invaders? Do you rely on swords? What a child’s play.

Moreover, after Naohide asked about the study tour permission, he discovered that a few of them had actually sneaked here. As for how they would explain to the head of the family in the future, these young people had never thought about it - they would naturally show up when the boat arrived at the bridge, they are so generous!

But who has never been young?

Even from a utilitarian point of view, samurai who can study abroad must either have a strong will or have money at home, both of which are rare. If you receive a good relationship today, you may be able to use it in the future.

Therefore, Naohide first apologized to these young samurai, saying, "I have just arrived and was busy with official duties, so I am very sorry for the delay." Then he arranged for them to study in the countryside and practice in the group for several months.

Moreover, Naohide wrote very considerate letters to the heads of the families who had sneaked away the samurai, saying, "Your family is talented and outstanding, and it has been of great benefit to Naohide. I hereby offer you a special product from the North to express my gratitude."

The gifts were delivered to every house in Edo. No one would dare to embezzle the wishes of the Tokoku shogunate.

Given this face, I think these young people will not be embarrassed when they go back.

Besides, this gift is really a specialty product, such as belts, leather shoes, mounted goods, aquatic products, perfumes, and cosmetics. Although there are only three small items, it comes with a product catalog. Naoxiu took this opportunity to advertise and market. He felt that it was necessary

It would not be a loss if we could open up one more trade route!

These young people had never received such kindness before. They were all grateful to Naoxiu and wished they could change their jobs immediately.

The next people to meet were the Ronin and the Secret Envoy.

Not all ronin lost their jobs. Some were the second and third sons of samurai. Because their masters could not arrange it, they had to find work on their own.

To put it bluntly, a ronin is a person who is unwilling to lose his status as a samurai and looks for opportunities everywhere.

These people are not easy to arrange. Official fans are always terminally ill!
To be continued...