The Lotus Abode is the place where Tianjie Temple entertains eminent monks and accomplished masters from all over the world. The temple is quiet at the moment. An old monk with a white beard is sitting cross-legged under the flowers, holding a small bowl of fine white porcelain from Ding Kiln.
Savor it carefully.【】
What he drank was not tea, but soup. In ancient times, there was no MSG, but there was a condiment that was more delicious and nutritious than MSG: stock. It’s just that ordinary people always have stock on hand when they don’t have the time or financial resources. Stock.
There are meat and vegetables. This old monk is a monk, so the soup he drinks is naturally vegetarian soup.
After drinking a bowl of soup, the old monk smacked his lips and said with endless aftertaste: "In this Lotus Temple, even a bowl of soup is extremely delicious."
"Master, master, the situation is not good!"
A man hurriedly walked in from outside the courtyard while talking. He was dressed similar to the platycodon shop owner in "Smart Ikkyu". He had a short figure and wiped the sweat on his cheeks with a handkerchief. It was only early spring and the sky was still there.
It wasn't too hot, but he was actually sweating when he walked out, looking really anxious.
The old monk put down the soup bowl, turned to look at him, and said in Japanese: "Ah, it's Fatty. Why are you so worried?"
The man who walked in was Feifu, the deputy envoy of the country. Feifu was a big businessman who was extremely keen to reopen trade with the Ming Dynasty. It was under the impetus of him and a group of people that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu made up his mind to try to reopen trade with the Ming Dynasty.
To explore trade, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu sent monk Zua to the Ming Dynasty this time, specifically making him a deputy envoy.
Feifu bowed to Zua, sat cross-legged on the futon opposite him, and said anxiously: "Master, I went out to inquire, and the situation is not good. Many officials in the Ming Dynasty are opposed to re-opening trade with Ben. The reason is
It is our pirates who continue to harass the Ming Dynasty's waters, and our country is ineffective in cracking down on the pirates, and is even suspected of condoning them, so they asked the Ming Emperor to refuse to trade with our country. The news the day before yesterday was true, and they mentioned it again when they went to court today.
, my people from the Great Ming Li Department always delay us, and this may be the reason."
"No, no, no, no..., you fat man, you don't understand the people of the country, hehehehe..."
Zua remained calm, stroked his beard and smiled: "Don't worry, what you said will not happen."
Zu'a said happily: "This country is a country of gentlemen who care about reputation but not profit. "Disciple Rules" says: "Study only on virtue, only on talent and skills. If you are not as good as others, you should strive for it. If you are not as good as others in terms of clothes and food, don't do it."
Relatives. The only thing the Chinese care about is Tao, and the carrier of Tao is etiquette, and the appearance of etiquette is name. If they are stronger than you, they think it is the victory of Tao. If they are weaker than you, it means that their weapons are inferior to others, and the Tao will always be
With it in their hands, they think they will always be invincible, do you understand?"
"not understand!"
Fei Fu shook his fat face and replied: "What the master said is really too profound. Fei Fu didn't understand."
Zua laughed and said: "To put it bluntly, I just love saving face!"
Fei Fu suddenly realized: "Ah! Master said this, I understand!"
Zuadao: "The entire country, from the emperor and the ministers of the court to all the scholars who control the foundation of the Ming Dynasty, they only live for one thing, face! Even though they put all kinds of beautiful words on it, for individuals
, that is, a gentleman is concerned about the road but not about food, a gentleman is concerned about the road but not about food. A gentleman is known as righteousness, and a villain is known as benefit. To the country, that is the heaven above the country, and the kindness to the barbarians is far away."
"So, even if some officials put forward different laws, their emperor and the ministers in power will not care. They will only care about whether we are professed and respectful. As long as we do this, that is their way.
victory, the Chinese people's persistence in saving face is as tireless as your businessmen's pursuit of profits, which is incredible.
However, this is the guarantee that our mission to the country will be successful. Don't worry, when their Emperor receives us, we only need to show our humility and give them enough face, and we will definitely win the favor of His Majesty the General.
The benefits you want! Goods, coins, poems and books... everything!"
"Ha ha ha ha!"
"Hehehehe!"
When they talked about their happy moments, the two of them laughed together.
At the gate of the courtyard, Xia Xun asked the interpreter of Honglu Temple who had just caught up with him in confusion: "I said, what are these two people talking about?"
The interpreter was tall, thick-set, and had a full beard. He looked like a wild warrior. He glanced into the courtyard and said in a low voice: "I don't know, sir. I just chased you when I heard something
'Everything!'"
Translators are not necessarily knowledgeable. Especially at that time, the translators were not serious scholars, and they had not even read books at all. They were just proficient in foreign languages. Since the Ming Dynasty had more contact with
They are all from the northern ethnic groups, so at that time most of the translators in the Translation Institute were selected from Liaodong, including Jurchen translators, Korean translators, translators, translators, etc.
This tall, bearded Japanese translator is a Jurchen from Liaodong. His mother is a woman kidnapped by Jurchens when they went out to sea and robbed the coast. Therefore, he is proficient in Jurchen, Chinese and three languages.
Interpreter, the highest level.
Xia Xun nodded and signaled to the young novice Yuantong. Yuantong walked in and said to the envoys of the two countries: "Master Zu'a, the rich benefactor, and the Duke of the Ming Dynasty, Yang Xu, have arrived."
"Ah! Who is the Duke of Fuguo?"
Zu'a's face changed slightly. He turned around and saw Xia Xun standing at the door of the courtyard. He stood up quickly and hurriedly walked to Xia Xun. He clasped his hands together and saluted with a straight face: "This must be Mr. Fu Guogong, Lao Na."
Monk Zu'a of Guoluyuan Temple has met you!" Unexpectedly, this man actually spoke fluent Chinese. Xia Xun glanced at the translator next to him and thought to himself: "This man is of no use."
The fat man on the side also hurried over and bowed to the ground with a very respectful attitude.
Xia Xun bowed slightly and returned the salute, saying: "Master Daoyi sent the eminent monk to my country, Ming Dynasty, right? My father-in-law has been busy fighting against Japanese pirates these days. Master Lao has been waiting for a long time."
After Zua heard this, he raised his eyebrows slightly and looked at Xia Xun again, with a look of surprise on his face.
The Ming Dynasty regarded itself as a kingdom of heaven, and had never deliberately understood the surrounding countries, nor did it treat the same. When Ashikaga Yoshimitsu first sent an envoy to establish diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, he used the name of "Conquering General Minamoto Yoshimitsu". Zhu Yuanzhang
He rejected the request of the Muromachi shogunate because at that time, the Ming Dynasty mistakenly believed that Prince Huaira of the Southern Dynasty was the emperor of the Ming Dynasty, and "Ji Mei" (the then head of the Imperial family Ji Mei Yuan) was a rebellious minister. Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was a military commander of the "Ji Mei" faction.
, let alone communicate with them.
When the dynasty was founded, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu Shimazu Mitsuo and Shin'emon went to the Ming Dynasty to pay tribute in the name of "Kokushun Sangogen Doichi". At that time, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu had already become a monk, but the Ming Dynasty did not accept this
Not knowing anything about it, Emperor Jian was very happy when he saw the foreign country coming to court, and made Ashikaga Yoshimitsu the "King".
After that, the original regime changed, Zhu Di ascended the throne, and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu once again sent envoys to the court. This time, he used the name of the king granted by the Ming Dynasty. The Ministry of Rites always called him this, and never knew that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu had become a monk. But this
Not only did the Duke of the Ming Dynasty know that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu became a monk, but he also called out his Buddhist name, which showed that this man was very familiar with the situation in the country, so Zua couldn't help but be a little cautious.
Zu'a and Feifu let Xia Xun into the Zen room. The environment in the Zen room was quiet, with light sandalwood. There was a tea set on the low table. Feifu brought water. Zu'a poured tea and performed a tea ceremony for Xia Xun.
Ran sat cross-legged on the futon and waited until Zua brought the tea with his hands, took the tea and took a sip.
Zua smiled and said: "Although General Yoshiman has become a monk, he is still the actual controller of the country and is the king of the Ming Dynasty. This time, Lao Na and Fei Fu paid a pilgrimage to the Ming Dynasty on the order of the king. They are pious and respectful and respect the Ming Dynasty.
As a monarchy, I pray to the Heavenly Kingdom to reopen the door to trade, so that our people can inherit the grace of the Heavenly Emperor.
We have been in Beijing for some time. Officials from the Ministry of Rites said that His Majesty the Emperor has entrusted this matter to Your Excellency. I wonder when Your Excellency can introduce us to the Emperor? Our king is eagerly looking eastward, and he is already eager to see. "Fei Fu.
As I hurriedly responded, I found out that this rich man could also speak fluent Chinese.
Xia Xun said: "I know that Minamoto Yoshimitsu is still the actual ruler of the country, and he is qualified to represent the Ming Dynasty. But there is one thing that the master did not understand!"
Zu'a quickly and respectfully said: "My lord, please speak!"
Xia Xun said: "My Majesty, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, has given me full authority over this matter. It is full power, not just responsible for reception. Therefore, I can decide whether the Ming Dynasty accepts the country as a vassal state and whether to reopen trade with the country. These
Before the matter is finalized, I, His Majesty the Ming Emperor, will not recognize the title granted to you by the Jian Dynasty, so naturally there is no need to meet you!"
Zu'a and Feifu looked at each other. They had never expected that the Ming Emperor would completely delegate the power to establish diplomatic relations with Japan to the young Duke in front of him. After being stunned for a while, Zu'a tentatively said: "Then, the Duke has already passed our country.
Credentials? Our relationship with the Ministry of Rites..."
Xia Xun interrupted him and said bluntly: "No, I don't have those things! I believe in your sincerity in establishing diplomatic relations with the Ming Dynasty, but I have no interest in those false etiquette! Sincerity must be reflected with honest actions! The master is a monk
, I have profound spiritual practice and have insight into human feelings. Do you think what I said is correct?"
Zua said cautiously: "So, what do you think we should do to express our sincerity?"
Xia Xun said: "When you become a minister, you must fulfill the obligations of a minister. How did your country of Korea do it? Our emperor wanted to recruit horses, so they collected all the horses in the country and let me, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty, choose. There are not enough horses.
Even the plowing cattle were taken on board. Our emperor wanted to recruit some Korean women, so they banned all girls of marriageable age from getting married until they selected women to worship the Ming Emperor. This is only respectful. Kowtow a few times and shout a few times.
"Long live this, what's the use of this false courtesy?"
Zu'a was stunned. The Ming Dynasty Fu Guogong in front of him was completely beyond his understanding. He had never seen a Ming official who was so straightforward and cared about actual interests. He had never thought about this at all.
The fat man was startled when he saw Zuafa. He was a little anxious. He was a businessman, just a pure businessman. He only cared about the interests and the huge benefits he could get after re-opening trade with the Ming Dynasty. As for surrendering to the Ming Dynasty, it was only a matter of etiquette.
He doesn't care whether he wants to become a minister or fulfill these obligations.
Fei Fu glanced at Zua and said quickly: "Your Excellency, regarding the two points you mentioned, I think... we can also do it. Of course, this must be agreed by our king, but we can report the matter.
King, I believe in our king..."
Xia Xun waved his hands and said: "I'm just giving an example, I'm not asking you to do this!"
Are you kidding me, horses? There were no Oriental tall horses at that time. Oriental horses were bred through the introduction of improved breeds after the Meiji Restoration. Horses at that time were not much bigger than donkeys. The height of 1.60 meters was Yamagata Shokage and Racecourse Nobbo
Riding a "donkey", waving a long knife, and shouting "Yeah, give it to me" seems like that. If a bunch of horses are really recruited to ride for the strong men of the Ming Dynasty's frontier army, it's not like that.
Did he crush the horse? As for the woman, if she could wash off the white dust on her face and grow her little eyebrows a little longer, she might be a little more charming, but he is not a pimp.
Xia Xun said: "My Majesty, the Ming Emperor, is very satisfied with Minamoto Yoshimitsu's respectful attitude, but I hope he can prove his reverence with actual actions."
Zu'a had recovered his composure at this time and hurriedly asked: "So, what does His Majesty the Ming Emperor want us to do?"
Xia Xun said: "It's very simple, fight against pirates! You know that your country is now in trouble with pirates. They not only rob our coastal people, but also treat ships at sea without distinction, killing people and stealing goods, and do all kinds of evil. They are the common enemy of the Ming Dynasty!
If our two countries establish tribute trade and trade ships, but they are used by pirates, this is what our Emperor does not want."
Zua and Feifu have nothing to do with pirates, and they are not opposed to fighting against pirates. However, this kind of thing is not so decisive, and the relationship between a country's pirates and its people is more complicated. On the one hand, the government's fleet is not strong.
, on the one hand, if they take the slightest action, the news will be leaked in advance. Even if they are determined to suppress the bandits, they are often exhausted and return without success.
War requires money. Even for the Ming Dynasty, being tied up in a long-term war is a huge drain on national power. With the country's financial resources, they cannot afford the trouble. At the same time, Zua always thought that he had the right number.
The Ming Dynasty was unwilling to be led by others, so he said hesitantly: "Your Excellency, we also hate pirates deeply, but the country has only a few soldiers and a weak national power, so I'm afraid..."
Xia Xun said: "This is simple. Combating pirates requires our full cooperation. However, considering the strength of your country's navy, the main task will of course be borne by us. We only need you to do three things: First, crack down on the trade of dirty goods, arrest
Hunt down dirty pirates and attack and suppress the islands occupied by pirates that have been detected; secondly, provide information to each other and provide information about the pirates we have. When our navy needs your cooperation, we must work together and join forces.
Fight; third, since our Ming Navy is the main force in suppressing bandits, when we go to sea to fight, you must open the port and allow our Ming warships to dock, rest, and replenish!"
Zu'a frowned tightly: "These conditions are not within my authority..."
Xia Xun said readily: "I know! Therefore, I suggest that Master Zua stay in the capital, talk more about scriptures and Taoism with Master Daoyan, and exchange each other's opinions. Master Daoyan is proficient in the scriptures of Buddhism, Taoism and Confucianism. I believe you
Our discussion can benefit both sides a lot. As for this rich deputy envoy, you might as well ask him to go back to the country, meet the moral master, and tell him our terms. If he agrees, you will be treated by my Ming Dynasty immediately.
With the audience of His Majesty the Emperor, the door to trade will be reopened."
Xia Xun smiled slightly, stood up on his knees, and Zua quickly stood up to stop him: "The Duke is staying, we can discuss this matter carefully."
"Not negotiable!"
Xia Xun said simply: "Negotiation is a very time-consuming matter. Determine your attitude, understand your opponent, make tentative contacts, make various negotiation plans, engage in verbal exchanges, intrigues, and sometimes be devious to be straightforward, and sometimes retreat.
Enter..., haha, Yang also knows a little bit about these. But in front of Master Zua, I think we don't need to work so hard.
The master is a virtuous monk. You should know that the straight heart is the dojo. Only by being consistent in your words and words can you save others. Therefore, please be frank and tell us frankly. This is our bottom line. This is also the only and most important condition.
.I know that the master cannot be the master, so on this matter, please ask His Highness Minamoto Yoshimitsu to come and give an answer, okay?"
"this……"
Faced with such a person who only wanted profit nakedly, and the initiative in the negotiation was in the hands of the other party, and it was himself who was asking for help, Zua was really at a loss. The original calmness and calmness were swept away, and he suddenly felt that everything
It was all out of his control. In an instant, he was transformed from the king's special envoy to a dispensable messenger. The auxiliary Duke had passed over him and directly sent a message to His Excellency General Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.
Is my mission going to end here?
Zua was still making his last struggle, trying hard to retain Xia Xun. Xia Xun smiled and said: "Master, unless I don't want to stay, I really can't get away. I will rush to eastern Zhejiang soon to preside over the suppression of Japanese pirates."
For one thing, I will be there, waiting for your good news! Master, farewell!"
※※※※※※※
Dear friends, half of the month has passed, I wonder if you have saved up, please, please give me a recommendation ticket today!