Chapter 93

The night in Naha was peaceful, especially without the disturbance of summer typhoons. The people of Naha slept soundly and peacefully, but high-quality sleep belonged only to ordinary civilians. The high-ranking officials in Naha Port were all suffering from insomnia, especially the Japanese, who had a sleepless night.

After seeing off Xiao Letian, Kurihara Rikigen locked himself in his study and wrote one secret letter after another. These letters, containing the Shimazu family's secret code, could only be understood by the head of the family and the high-ranking officials around him. In the letters, Kurihara Rikigen detailed every aspect of Xiao Letian's visit to Naha Port.

"My subordinate is incompetent and still cannot determine the source of Xiao Letian's intelligence. However, I can confirm that Xiao Letian's understanding of Japan is very deep, far surpassing our understanding of him... It is now certain that Xiao Letian has learned all the details of the four southwestern domains' efforts to overthrow the shogunate. Whether to win him over or eliminate him, I hope the head of the family will give clear instructions..."

The trouble Xiao Letian has brought is no longer just about the redistribution of power in the Ryukyu Kingdom. He can now influence the political balance in Japan. The response to Xiao Letian is no longer something Kurihara Rikigen can decide alone.

In Japan, the conflict between the Tokugawa shogunate and the southwestern anti-shogunate forces has reached a boiling point, and war is inevitable. However, both sides have not yet fully prepared for war. If the war starts now, it would be a huge gamble for both sides.

On the delicate balance, every additional grain of sand could be decisive. Although Xiao Letian is just an ordinary scholar, if he openly supports one side, the chain reaction would be terrifying.

Regardless of how much money Xiao Letian has or how many troops he commands, his status as a master of Western learning alone can sway the pro-Chinese faction in Japan. For thousands of years, the Japanese have been eager to learn from the mainland, and they have a natural affinity and admiration for scholars from China. If Xiao Letian were to rally for one side, he could win over a large number of neutral factions.

In the delicate political situation where both sides are wary, the neutral factions who observe calmly often determine the outcome. If Kurihara Rikigen really pushes Xiao Letian to the Tokugawa shogunate, the consequences would not be as simple as seppuku; his family's status as samurai might even be revoked.

The letters were taken away by Kageyoshi, and under the cover of night, a ship set sail for northern Kyushu. The Japanese were very familiar with this route, and even traveling at night posed no problem. However, Kageyoshi did not know that there was another Japanese man, dressed as a common foot soldier, on the ship, also carrying a secret letter back to Japan. This letter was written by Takei Inoue.

"Mr. Ryoma, it has been a year since we parted in Nagasaki. I heard that you have been following Mr. Shinsai to mediate the bombardment of Shimonoseki, and your achievements are truly commendable... Recently, a very thorny issue has arisen in Ryukyu. The master of Western learning from Qing, Xiao Letian, has had a serious conflict with the Shimazu family, which could negatively impact the restoration movement. I hope Mr. Ryoma can advise me..."

Takei Inoue was not just an ordinary civil servant; he was a vanguard of the restoration movement, one of the earliest Japanese to open their eyes to the world. However, due to his abilities and opportunities, his influence in the restoration movement was not significant.

Xiao Letian, as an outsider, based his analysis of Japan's situation on the data from his previous life. If he knew how disunited the Japanese were, his strategies would be even more daring.

Kurihara Rikigen represents the interests of traditional daimyo. Their anti-shogunate movement is merely using the restoration movement to overthrow the Tokugawa shogunate and strengthen their own power. They represent the traditional forces of Japan.

On the other hand, Takei Inoue represents the most advanced forces of the restoration movement. They want to thoroughly westernize Japan and seek a constitutional monarchy like Britain. They have a broader vision and more ambitious goals. Faced with Xiao Letian, a troublemaker, their first thought is not to seek the opinions of feudal lords but to consult with their own elite.

Finally, we cannot forget the fiery-tempered general, Yamamoto Kiyoshi. Despite his lack of brains and frequent dissatisfaction, he represents a powerful force in Japan, that of pure bushido.

This is a loose alliance of ronin, wandering samurai, and lower-ranking samurai from various families. They lack a strict organization and excellent leadership, and can only rely on various factions to become the vanguard of war. These passionate lower-ranking samurai desperately need war to change their fate and improve their social status to escape poverty. The Shinsengumi, a notorious violent group, is a typical example of this class, willing to kill for the sake of samurai spirit and money, without considering the consequences.

In the minds of these lower-ranking samurai, they only seek the thrill of killing and the rewards of victory. Whether they will fail or harm Japan's future is not something they consider. Short-sighted and brutal, this is the hallmark of their class.

Yamamoto Kiyoshi is essentially such a samurai. Despite being a general of the Shimazu family, his way of thinking is no different from that of ronin like Akahachi.

"General Yamamoto, you must do something for us. These Qing slaves are so arrogant that they have undermined our rule in Naha Port. More than ten Chinese merchants have explicitly refused to pay us protection fees and have secretly contacted Xiao Letian..." Akahachi, with one eye bandaged, knelt on the tatami and bowed repeatedly to his master, Yamamoto Kiyoshi.

"What? The damned merchants dare to betray us? Do they really think this Qing slave is their savior? Two hundred years of rule in Japan cannot be overturned by a few hundred people... Akahachi, take your men and kill a few of them, to set an example..."

Under normal circumstances, Yamamoto Kiyoshi's order would make Akahachi rush out like a mad dog, but today is different. The dense gunfire has already terrified him. In his mind, Xiao Letian is a demon.

"General Yamamoto, it's not that I'm cowardly, but these Qing people are too powerful. You didn't see those guns; they are not something human strength can resist..." Before Akahachi could finish, Yamamoto Kiyoshi struck him with lightning speed, slapping him hard on both sides of his face.

"Damn, damn... Have you lost your samurai spirit? Not to mention whether you can survive if you disobey me, do you know the serious consequences of letting the Qing people run rampant in Ryukyu?"

Yamamoto Kiyoshi pushed Akahachi hard, sending him to the corner. Akahachi, unable to resist, crawled back on all fours, bowing like a machine.

"There is a proverb in the distant West: In a storm, a camel asks its owner to let it put its head in the tent to avoid the storm. The owner, moved by pity, agrees. But then the camel asks to put its neck, front legs, and front half in the tent. When the owner has no place to stand, the camel kicks him out... Do you understand now? If we give in from the start, we will surely lose Ryukyu..."

Yamamoto Kiyoshi looked at the trembling Akahachi and knew he had lost his courage. Reluctantly, he promised, "Akahachi, be brave. If we can get through this crisis, I will personally ask the head of the family to accept you as a new samurai..."

"Really?" Akahachi's face lit up with excitement at the prospect of a higher status. It is difficult for outsiders to understand the samurai class's obsession with status, which is closely related to the rigid class system in Japanese society. Compared to China, the channels for the lower classes in Japan to change their fate are much fewer.

Yamamoto Kiyoshi said solemnly, "The Qing people are not to be feared. Although they have powerful guns, their numbers are too few. If we choose to fight in the wild and scatter their forces, we can defeat them one by one. As for the samurai status you desire, I can assure you..."

Akahachi's face turned red and white, his mind in turmoil. After a long struggle, he slammed his fist on the tatami, "Yes... For the Shimazu family, I am willing to risk my life. I will mobilize the ronin now, and await your orders..."

While the Japanese were plotting, the Chinese were not idle. In Liang Kun's house, more than ten Chinese merchants gathered to discuss a rare opportunity.

"Mr. Liang, please be honest with us. Does Mr. Xiao have a chance of success? How many resources does he have? The lives of tens of thousands of Chinese merchants in Ryukyu depend on this today..."

Liang Kun understood the merchants' concerns. If the plan succeeded, they could escape the Japanese oppression, but if it failed, the Japanese retaliation would be brutal. This nation, known for its willingness to commit seppuku, is not only cruel to itself but even more so to its enemies.

Liang Kun did not want to deceive the merchants. After a long silence, he said, "I don't know how much resources Mr. Xiao has. What I know is not much different from what you know. What you don't know is highly classified, and I cannot tell you..."

"I can only say that the situation is not as optimistic as you think. The strength gap between us and the enemy is too large. If we fight head-on, our chances of winning are slim..."

The room was filled with gasps of shock. After a long silence, a voice of dissatisfaction emerged, "How can this be? Mr. Xiao's actions today are different from what you said. He beat up Japanese ronin at the dock and demolished a Japanese gambling den with guns. How can someone who is so arrogant not have the strength?"

"Yes, Mr. Xiao was treated with the highest respect by Kurihara Rikigen. Doesn't this prove his strength?"

The merchants in the room all wore expressions of dissatisfaction. They could not accept this reality. After two hundred years, a great figure from their homeland had finally arrived in Naha Port, perhaps the last chance in a thousand years.

Liang Kun, his face flushed, said, "Mr. Xiao certainly has the strength to be arrogant. The Japanese call him a 'peerless national scholar.' Even if the two countries go to war, he would be spared. But his reputation can only protect himself and those around him. Can he really save all the Chinese in this port?"

At this, everyone in the room fell silent. They knew Liang Kun was telling the truth. Whether their homeland truly cared about them, the overseas Chinese, was something they had seen over the past few hundred years. Sometimes, what they called hope was nothing more than a dream.

The night grew deeper, and the merchants, accompanied by their assistants, walked into the dark streets of Naha. The dim lantern light spread in all directions. Liang Kun, standing at the door, sighed, "Mr. Xiao, why did you bring so few people? Do you know how much hope your arrival has given the Chinese merchants in Naha?"

At that moment, a low voice came from the roof, "Deputy Commander Liang, you seem to have little confidence in the military advisor." Liang Kun looked up in surprise and saw it was Xiang Shaolong.

"Lord Long! You're back from the duel? Wait, why do you look so bad... Blood! You're injured..."

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