Solovyov in Tsarist Russia 1796.

Speaking of which, Edo Castle was indeed a place where fires were relatively easy to occur.

In Japan, where the streets are full of wooden buildings, even a tiny spark could ignite a massive fire.

The part of Edo Castle that was burned down in 1657 has not yet been rebuilt.

Decades later, it will be burned down again, forcing the general's family to move to the undamaged Nishinomaru.

Then, it was Li Mei's turn to barbecue. However, Li Mei didn't intend to burn down the Imperial Palace; he just blew up the Xiaguan area, and then the fire spread to other parts of the country.

As a result, all of those modern buildings are post-war reconstructions.

What we can see now is what Edo looked like after the Great Fire of Furisode.

As for the Japanese, given the limited area, it was quite normal for them to be summoned separately by climbing the city walls.

Moreover, Zhaolian's title is too high. Even if Tiannao Heika were placed at the same level as the emperor, the shogun and the eldest son of the Iron-Capped Princes would only be considered equal in status.

After Zhaolian arrived here, he had to sit cross-legged like those samurai.

Although Manchus and Han Chinese from the north are accustomed to sitting on a kang (heated brick bed), it is still relatively rare to see them sitting like this in public.

However, the Shogun also had a thorough exchange of opinions and even presented Prince Rei with gifts.

"The Qing Dynasty is, after all, a superior nation. The Japanese government should send a high-ranking official to Beijing to explain the situation. As for the matter of reducing the fiefdom, I wonder if His Highness agrees?"

"This approach is reasonable. I know that the former lord of Satsuma who has gone into seclusion was General Taizan, and since we are related, this is a difficult decision to make. Reducing the fiefdom is a reasonable course of action."

As for the shogunate, they will probably have to give Jiaqing an explanation this time, and they will probably go to offer their congratulations when the emperor celebrates his 60th birthday in the 24th year of Jiaqing's reign.

The shogunate's reclusive lifestyle will not change; going to Beijing is just a formality.

As for Jiaqing's side, as long as the shogunate takes action and no one is permanently stationed in Ryukyu to cause these kinds of trouble, it will be acceptable.

Moreover, what if the measures to reduce the lockdown are reinstated later?

That's something that no one can take care of.

The Qing Dynasty and the shogunate also exchanged some opinions. The shogunate also had "tribute" to the emperor. At that time, the Qing Dynasty should also send an official envoy to land in Nagasaki and confer the title of shogun according to the standard procedure.

The difference between monkeys and raccoons is that monkeys really can't see the immensity of the sky and the earth.

After the old tanuki, although the shogunate was conservative and closed off the country, they were still able to see the situation clearly.

The idea of ​​the Qing Dynasty and Russia, two behemoths with vast territories, joining forces is frightening enough.

Although Russia's homeland is far away, it seems that their fleet will become active in the Far East in the future.

Even if the Qing army was not very strong, it still had a million soldiers.

Although they were both existentialist armies, the number was astonishing, and although the elite Eight Banners troops had been mobilized, they had not been mobilized to their full strength.

If the Qing army were to engage in a fight, they could still muster tens of thousands of troops.

On the other hand, the shogunate had to support tens of thousands of hatamoto samurai, which required them to eat a lot of white rice.

They just eat and do no work; they might even be used as test subjects for their knives on the street.

It's the Dorgon version. After the war, they wanted to take pictures, but it didn't say that they could kill people without reason within seven days on a personal level, right?

It was mainly Russian warships, with dozens of cannons lying across one side, which was frightening to look at.

So much so that while the shogunate was providing supplies to the Russians, they were also piling up rice at the docks to demonstrate their own strength.

Indeed, due to the vast differences in environment and the small size of the country, the different climates in Japan lead to different farming methods among farmers.

The old farmers in Hokkaido might even go so far as to irrigate their fields with hot water, and eventually they will be able to cultivate rice varieties that can be grown at high latitudes.

Their stone height is indeed calculated based on rice.

Even someone as extravagantly luxurious as Tokugawa Ienari would probably be furious upon seeing the modern environment and order the agricultural cooperatives to commit seppuku.

They're supposed to be able to pay salaries, but some companies have started paying rice instead, regressing to the samurai era, which is kind of ridiculous.

However, there was no problem with the shogunate distributing rice at this time.

Tokugawa Ienari's conversation with Akira was also a way of testing the waters.

At least he could confirm that the Qing Dynasty had no intention of attacking him.

After all, the Qing Dynasty had a vast territory and abundant resources, and could be called the Celestial Empire. Now that a prince had been sent, there was no intention to raise an army. The punishment was merely to condemn the Satsuma Domain, and the main body of the shogunate was not affected.

This always puts his mind at ease; it's always better if there's no war.

As for the relationship between the two sides, the Qing Dynasty had no intention of making the shogunate a vassal state.

Previously, it was just a trade relationship, usually with the governors of Fujian and Zhejiang acting as intermediaries between them and the magistrate of Nagasaki.

In terms of formal diplomatic relations, Japan is probably the only country in East Asia that is not a vassal state.

The shogunate never paid tribute to the emperor.

However, Solovyov had already sent gifts, and Zhaolian himself had also copied the prayer text. Although his calligraphy was not as good as Prince Yongxing's, his knowledge was not bad, which was also somewhat meaningful.

The shogunate sent envoys to Beijing precisely to avoid war.

From the perspective of tributary states and neighboring countries, the problems of the Qing Dynasty were actually relatively easy to resolve.

The problem that Ryukyu was worried about was the Satsuma Domain, because if the Satsuma Domain caused trouble, the shogunate would have to come and quell it.

What the shogunate was worried about was the arrival of various southern barbarians.

Even though the British didn't come often, it was already a huge embarrassment for the shogunate.

What about Russia?
Solovyov climbed the city walls and entered Edo Castle, where he saw what the Japanese castle looked like before it was destroyed.

While waiting, he didn't stay idle; instead, he chatted with Tokugawa Saishu, the lord of the Mito Domain, who had come over.

After all, the previous family had Mito Kōmon, who, although a pioneer of the incognito-visit genre in TV dramas, was also a famous scholar. Besides serving as a voice-over and opening narrator explaining the three generations of Tokugawa, he also pioneered "Mito Studies," which was reformed based on "Zhu Xi's Learning." Furthermore, the Mito Domain had been compiling "Dai Nihon Shi" (Great History of Japan), so the cultural undertakings within the domain had made some progress.

The "Great History of Japan" was started in 1657, but it was not until the Meiji era that it was finally completed with the proofreading of Kurita Hiroshi and others, establishing the concept of the Southern Court as the legitimate dynasty. By this time, both the shogunate and the Japanese imperial court were already aware of this, so it is no wonder that the Tokugawa family remained unmoved when mentioning the nickname of the Muromachi shogun, the rival of the Muromachi shogunate.

The issue he argued with Tokugawa Nariaki was that the relationship between Balhae and Japan should not be regarded as a tributary relationship.

After all, even a great scholar like Choi Chi-won, who was able to pass the imperial examination in Tang Dynasty, had to write an article to show that Silla was superior to Balhae.

As for Silla, Balhae, and Japan, they all had tributary relations with the Tang Dynasty and should be classified as part of the tributary system.

This process ended after the Yuan Dynasty launched two campaigns against Japan, which was subsequently plunged into civil war.

By the time of the Ming Dynasty, it was hastily designated as a country not to be conquered.

As a result, there were Japanese pirates and monkeys invading Korea, and the fighting went on until the old fox closed the door, and only then did things finally settle down. Speaking of which, under the isolationist system, the early rule of the shogunate was relatively prosperous and stable, except for the persecution of Kirishita, which triggered the Shimabara Rebellion, a large-scale war.

After 180 years of peace and stability, Japan reached this point.

"In that case, Princess Mito should know the whole story, right?"

"That's right. The Earl is indeed a learned man from the West, just as Lord Zhaolian said."

At least the people of the Mito Domain didn't always regard Europeans as southern barbarians.

A southern barbarian invasion? What kind of nonsense is this?
They came all the way from the west, and the shogunate has received Europeans before for its own use, so they shouldn't be mistaken.

As for the vastness of the world, it has indeed exceeded the imagination of many Japanese people.

But at this moment, the beating of the drums should, according to the established order, signal the arrival of the Russian envoy.

Even if it wasn't an audience with the emperor, it was still a matter of official rank. Above the shogun was the emperor, and the highest-ranking military officer was the Shogun (or Sei-i Taishogun).

Solovyov, on the other hand, was a hereditary count and a second-class military officer in Russia. He was exempt from kneeling before the Qing emperor, let alone when he came to the shogunate.

Therefore, Tokugawa Ienari was quite cautious in his reception of them.

He instructed Matsudaira Sadanobu and Okubo Tadamasa, who had previously been in charge of receiving guests, to make the introductions, and Solovyov walked slowly through the corridors of the shogunate.

To be honest, walking like that is very uncomfortable.

He often couldn't shake off his habits from his time in the army.

It's no wonder that Japanese etiquette can drive people to the brink of nervous breakdown.

Upon their audience, the samurai of the shogunate appeared taller and more imposing compared to Solovyov, who was rather short among the Russian officers.

Even if Katya came along, she would still be taller than many of the samurai here.

As for Tokugawa Ienari, his position is currently vacant.

He always has to put on airs. Actually, he had already met with Zhaolian before, so he could have just sat here to receive her.

But the laws and regulations were so rigid under the shogunate.

"The General has arrived."

Solovyov sat there cross-legged; bowing was all he needed to do.

The shogunate had seen Dutch people come to perform their duties before, but they were always dressed as merchants.

When Solovyov arrived, he was adorned with medals and wore a folding fan instead of a dagger, which was indeed rather odd.

However, the fan he was given was chosen by Zhao Lian, and when opened, one could see Ji Yun's calligraphy.

Considering that Zhao Lian had some personal relationship with Ji Xiaolan in his later years, it is not surprising that this calligraphy appeared in his mansion.

According to basic etiquette, Solovyov also had to present his credentials.

After reading it, Tokugawa Ienari instructed his attendants to accept the letter of state and the "national gift" presented by the Russian side once again.

In addition to the emperor's gifts, Solovyov also legitimately acquired some official kiln wares and celadon imported from Korea.

These treasures were all carefully selected. Solovyov had no plans to visit Japan, but he still had to make arrangements for the Shogunate's affairs.

Tokugawa Ienari was satisfied and asked, "What position do you hold in Roku Province?"

The first question asked about his official rank, and Solovyov readily rattled off his long list of titles.

"What is the relationship between the current Tsar of Russia and the former Empress?"

"After the Queen's death, the late Emperor Paul succeeded to the throne, and then His Majesty the current Emperor."

"Why do you call the ruler of the Kingdom of Lu an emperor?"

"The title of Supreme Commander, in Latin, means 'Imperado,' which is a triumphant general and Supreme Commander, quite similar to the position of the General."

The shogunate, being the actual supreme rulers, found Solovyov's words to be true and appreciated them.

"What about the Emperor in Japan?"

"Since Ieyasu publicly established the shogunate, the shogun is the eleventh shogun. This is to be entrusted with a tool and put to use, and there is no other interpretation."

Upon hearing this, Tokugawa Ienari frowned and remarked to the senior councilor Mizuno Tadashige beside him, "He does possess some wit and eloquence."

Solovyov could see the subtle movement, but he couldn't say anything about it.

Tokugawa Ienari did not immediately reply to the letter he presented, but instead began to mention the disputes between Russia and the shogunate in Ezo and Kunashiri.

Upon hearing this, Solovyov knew that the other party was still highly vigilant.

"Since the general is aware of this matter, we should also examine this dispute. The land of Ezo, except for Hakodate, originally belonged to Ezo. The shogunate's current defenses against this harsh and cold land are of no benefit. Our country's focus is on Europe and our territories in North America. We have no intention of seizing Ezo territory, but only seek to trade with the shogunate. Therefore, the shogunate should give us a reply on where it is appropriate to conduct trade."

Although Solovyov's tone was calm, the things he said were indeed taken with a tough stance.

"If that's the case, then trade should naturally take place in Nagasaki."

Tokugawa Ienari remained silent, but it was the senior councilor Mizuno Tadashige who spoke.

"What do you think?"

For the shogunate, this was a very good solution.

Solovyov had no objections, but the Dutch trading post was a source of considerable frustration.

Therefore, he proposed to go ashore. After Tokugawa Ienari went up to the castle and saw the giant ship, he realized the strength of his opponent.

In the end, the Dutch trading post, along with the Russian trading post, was allowed to enter Nagasaki, except for the old building in its original location, but they still had to be under the jurisdiction of the Nagasaki Magistrate.

That's not a problem. Solovyov himself said that Emperor Jiaqing only allowed Russian and Dutch trading posts to enter Guangzhou, and officials had to follow the arrangements of the Governor-General of Guangdong and Guangxi and the Governor of Guangdong. That's not a big deal.

As for establishing an embassy, ​​don't expect the shogunate to understand it.

On the Qing Dynasty side, Solovyov also tried a lot of persuasion, but in the end he was unable to get the embassy to open in Beijing.

With the Shogunate's blockheaded mind, this matter was even more difficult to understand.

In fact, the Qing Dynasty may have realized the problem earlier than Japan, but there was greater internal resistance.

This problem is much easier for Japan. Whether it's the shogunate rule, the union of the court and the military, the alliance of powerful domains, or the restoration of imperial rule, as long as the opposing forces are dealt with, many reform measures can be implemented.

There are few places in the world as exploitative as Japan.

In the end, Tokugawa Ienari only agreed to allow trade with Nagasaki. (End of Chapter)