Samurai of the Takeda Family

Faced with Torres’s kindness to present a pocket watch, Li Xiao naturally must also reciprocate.

Chinese people don't often say that they come and go without being indecent.

If the items Li Xiao gave back to them, in fact, Hida and Shinano are so barren, there is nothing Torres can appreciate.

It is samurai swords, sake and so on, Torres can also buy other places in Japan.

Li Xiao thought for a while, and gave a few words to the Tibetan Changan.

Then Da Zang Changan took out a plate from under the Tianshou pavilion, which contained dozens of blown ashes silver refined from Shengang Yinshan.

There is nothing more practical than giving money these days, and Li Xiao immediately handed it over to Torres.

Torres was moved immediately, silver is a big good thing.

Li Xiao said, "I know your turnover is between Ming and Japan, so there is an urgent need for silver. This little gift is disrespectful to Ming people."

Of course, foreigners never engage in politeness.

Torres took the plate in Li Xiao's hand, and his heart was always moved. At that time, the Portuguese took the Nagasaki-Macau route and pulled a large amount of silver bought at a low price from Japan to the country in exchange for what they wanted.

And the value of the silver gift Li Xiao gave was far better than the pocket watch he had just now.

Torres sighed and said: "Respected Lord, Torres, servant of God, to show you the highest respect. You will always be the best and most reliable friend I know in this country."

When Li Xiao heard Torres say this, he thought ok, the foreigner was successfully bought by himself.

But then Torres was very unkind. He took advantage of his relationship with Li Xiao, who had just climbed up with a friend, and began to persuade Li Xiao to let him join the Catholic Church.

Of course, Li Xiao declined this euphemistically. The excuse was the same as when he turned down the Hongan Temple. He had already believed in other sects when he was in Ming Dynasty. Torres heard Li Xiao say so affirmatively and immediately expressed his infinite regret.

However, Li Xiao also showed respect and respect for Catholicism.

He also threw a bait to Torres, saying that if the lord Shingen Takeda did not object, he could allow Torres to teach in his own leadership and cooperate.

In the end, Li Xiao also expressed that he was willing to take him to see Takeda Shingen to see if he could persuade Takeda Shingen to let the Catholic Church preach in the entire Takeda family.

After hearing what Li Xiao said, Tosley couldn't help but feel sincerely grateful. Compared with Matsuura Takashin, he was only greedy for trade with Portugal, and allowed the consular community to believe in religion.

Li Xiao said nothing about the trade with Portugal, and the other party was willing to introduce him to his lord.

In this way, whether Torres can persuade Takeda Shingen or not, he has already inherited the favor of Li Xiao's boss.

For Torres’ gratitude, Li Xiao just shook his head. He also wanted to trade with the Portuguese, but the problem is that there is no port in the territory, and even the Takeda family does not have a sea port, so there is no way to talk about trade with overseas at the moment. rise.

But as far as Li Xiao is concerned, the real intention of his effort to make Torres is not here.

After that, Li Xiao asked Father Torres in a very casual tone: "Father Torres, I used to be in the Ming Dynasty. I like to eat potatoes and savory (corn) the two foods the most. Unfortunately, now I can’t eat it in Japan. I don’t know if Father Torres can help me send some seeds to plant in my collar so that I can eat potatoes and savory every day."

Then Li Xiao strenuously gestured to Torres, potatoes and scallops.

He didn't know much about Potato Torres, but he knew what Li Xiao was talking about, but he immediately expressed doubts and asked, "Dear Lord, is there such a food in Ming Dynasty?"

Li Xiao thought about it. It is still unknown whether Ranwen Novel.com corn was introduced to China at this time, but Li Xiao immediately opened the topic.

Instead, Li Xiao told Torres, describing the corn soup that he had eaten at KFC and McDonald's, how to put eggs, ham, savory, milk, and how to cook it. Torres was drooling.

After listening to Torres, he said with interest: "Master Li Xiao, if your Excellency can really make this kind of corn soup, I would be very interested in trying it, but I don’t know when you will find it. Chinese people have also started to drink milk and eat ham."

Li Xiaogan laughed and made an excuse at random to fool around.

Torres is quite kind. In his eyes, Li Xiao is a very knowledgeable person, so naturally he has no idea of ​​getting to the bottom of it.

In addition, he owed Li Xiao the silver gift and introduced Takeda Shingen, the favor of the two bosses, so he agreed.

He promised to send a batch of savory wheat to Li Xiao for planting before next year.

When Li Xiao heard this, the ecstasy in his heart was also beyond words.

Corn, this was the world's most productive food in Li Xiao's time.

Corn was first planted by Indians, then Spain and Portugal, and then it was brought back to the Americas for planting. After that, it was introduced to China from Malacca. By the end of the Ming Dynasty, corn had been planted in more than a dozen provinces in China.

Corn is not only hardy, but also suitable for cultivation in mountainous areas like Hida where the land is poor and dry and rainless.

In the late Ming and Qing dynasties, it was the large-scale cultivation of sweet potatoes, corn, and potatoes that supported the population expansion of the entire China at that time.

For Li Xiao, corn is not just a mysterious weapon that can open up the Shigao in the Hida Mountains.

For Hida, the most lacking is vast land, but most of these land is not suitable for growing wheat, rice, etc.

Therefore, the Tibetan Chang'an suggested that Li Xiao be in the Feida region and encourage farmers to open up wasteland to increase the stone height, but Li Xiao refused. This is the reason.

Li Xiao was worried about wasting funds and manpower but in vain.

But the emergence of corn can change this situation.

If nothing else, the corn was successfully tested in Hida and proved to be able to adapt to the Hida Mountains.

Li Xiao can then widely promote corn planting in Hida and Vietnam.

As long as one to two years have passed, the stone height in the collar can at least increase by 20,000 to 30,000.

At that time, Li Xiaoling of Ranwen Novel Network had an inner surface of 20,000 shi, but in fact the inner height was 40,000 to 50,000 shi.

Here, Li Xiao learns how Date Masamune turned 630,000 shi high into one million shi in Sendai.

Therefore, for Li Xiao, this Torres is really a lucky star.

If it weren't for the difference between men and men, Li Xiao could not wait to rush forward frantically... and give Torres a hug.

Immediately Li Xiao suppressed the ecstasy in his heart. For him, the benefits of making friends with the Portuguese are not only that, but there will be even greater uses in the future.

As long as Yuezhong gains access to the sea, Nanban Trade can be put on the agenda.

For Nanban Trading, Li Xiao's key product is still Shengang Yinshan.

You must know that the Ming Dynasty on the other side of Japan was just like the sun in the sky, standing in the east with great momentum.

In modern times, there are many sayings that Mingguo’s gdp accounts for one-third and one-half of the world.

The currency in circulation in the Ming Dynasty was silver, and the Ming country itself had no silver mines, so it was quite short of silver. In particular, Zhang Juzheng's reforms later implemented a whip method to realize the integration of revenue and service and implement the silver standard system. The income of land taxes in prefectures and counties is calculated in silver.

A large amount of silver from Portugal, Spain, and Japan flowed into China at that time, but despite this, the Ming Dynasty was still short of silver.

As for how much silver Japan sent to the Ming Dynasty until the death of the Ming Dynasty, there are many sayings between two thousand and two to two thousand.

Once Li Xiao got through the estuary, the ashes of silver flowing from Shengang Yinshan could be sold continuously to the Ming country through the Portuguese, Macau-Nagasaki route.

In this way, compared with Li Xiao selling silver to the Japanese who is not short of silver through the salt house Qiuzhen, selling silver to the Ming Dynasty through the Portuguese channel, this is the value of the profit Li Xiao earned. higher.

And Shengang Yinshan can also play a further role.

Therefore, Li Xiao's current investment in Torres is definitely worth it, and the two are also preparing to establish a long-term friendly relationship.

As for whether Takeda Shingen will allow Catholicism to spread within the confines, Li Xiao can say responsibly that there is not even a 1% possibility.

Of course, it is good to let even these Nanbarians run for nothing. These missionaries are people who don't hit the southern wall and don't look back.

However, Li Xiao still supports freedom of belief, and Oda Nobunaga does not also support the way of leading people to believe in Catholicism to check and balance Yixiangzong.

Moreover, as long as he gains access to the sea in the future, in addition to losing silver, Li Xiao plans to buy the legendary Franco machine guns and red cannons from the Portuguese to build his own artillery.

The one-day meeting with Torres and his missionaries was very pleasant.

A few days later, Li Xiao made arrangements for all the affairs of Chengshengcheng.

Li Xiao, the missionary teacher Torres, and the Portuguese left the Chengsheng City and headed to the Kuzuzaki Hall together.

On the way from Chengsheng Castle to Kamoka Castle, Rui Costa asked Li Xiao for an official position and became a Nanban warrior of the Takeda family.

Li Xiao did not directly agree, but turned to look at Father Torres who had been silent, and asked: "Father Torres?"

Torres certainly understood what Li Xiao meant. He said: "Dear Li Xiao, Rui Costa is a seaman I hired from Macau. He is completely free, so he can make decisions for his actions. Without permission from the bottom."

Rui Costa nodded and said: "Dear Li Xiao, your Excellency, as a Ming countryman, with your personal wisdom and bravery, you can become a...a great...lord in another country, such an achievement. It’s hard to imagine, so I want to follow your example and achieve this kind of business."

When Li Xiao heard that Rui Costa was about to leave the Takeda family, he felt a sense of absurdity in his heart, but when he thought about Miura pressing the needle when he came out of the Shitokugawa shogunate in the future, he was a little relieved.

Miura came to Japan at 1,600. He was the first Englishman to land on the island of Japan. He was also the first foreign samurai from Japan in another time and space where Li Xiao lived. He had two hundred and fifty shi Kochiyuki.

Later, American writer James wrote the book "The Shogun", in which the protagonist refers to the deeds between Miura and Ieyasu Tokugawa.

Tokugawa’s Miura presses the needle, Takeda’s Rui Costa.

When Li Xiao thought of this, a wicked smile appeared on his face.

However, Rui Costa's goal was actually the same as himself, but it was not easy to get out in the troubled times of the Warring States period.

This Rui Costa probably saw his own achievements, so he thought that he was in Nanban, which is equivalent to a gold finger, so Li Xiao can do it, he can do it.

That's why Rui Costa was born to emulate Li Xiao's intention.

While riding his horse, Li Xiao looked at Rui Costa. This southern barbarian was in his thirties and had a dark complexion. Obviously, this was caused by the perennial sailing wind and sun.

He had heard Torres briefly introduce this person before and knew his experience.

Rui Costa also knew that Li Xiao was looking at him, and he straightened his chest, showing a bit of audacity.

Li Xiao asked, "Rui, you are going to be in your own home. There is no problem. I welcome it, but what will you do?"

Rui Costa said without hesitation: "I am an excellent seaman. I have served as the second mate of the'Pharaoh' before, and I have the confidence to be a captain at any time, command a ship, I can observe.... "

Li Xiao made a stop gesture to prevent the other party from continuing to talk endlessly.

Li Xiaoyan said: "Second Mate Ruiyi, I know your sailing ability, but I don't have a navy. Where can the ship be driven for you?"

Rui Costa heard what Li Xiao said. He stretched out his hand and spared his head. Suddenly, his inspiration flashed, and he said: "Dear Lord, I can act as a gunner, and I can personally fire the cannon at any time, aim and shoot. competent."

"The gunner?" Li Xiao made a big question mark.

Rui Costa nodded and recounted how he had fired several shots on the Pharaoh.

Although the Pharaoh was a merchant ship, pirates were prevalent in the era of great voyages. The Pharaoh was also equipped with several three-pounder guns as a deterrent.

Rui Costa is a silly talker, and he talks endlessly whenever he catches the opportunity.

Rui Costa bragged about his'brilliant record' in front of Li Xiao: "At that time, when I was fighting pirates in West India, I personally used the ship cannon and fired it myself. There was a bang on the ground at that time, with a loud noise. Extremely, I saw a pirate ship seven or eight nautical miles away. It was hit by my artillery, and the main mast broke with a puff, and then it caused a big explosion. The whole ship was lit like a torch at sea. That scene, tut, tut , Tusk, it's spectacular."

"Seven or eight nautical miles?" Li Xiao couldn't help hearing half of it, tearing through Rui Costa's diorama.

I don’t know that Rui Costa’s skin is very thick, and his face is not red and heartbeat. He said: “Yes, it’s probably five or six nautical miles. The Chinese may not have seen it before, and I don’t know that the range of the artillery is so long that it can almost hit from one end of the sky to the other on the sea."

Li Xiao shook his head and said, "Rui, five or six nautical miles, let alone a three-pound gun, a six-pound gun, or even an eighteen-pound gun can't reach this distance, let alone an effective range."

Rui Costa laughed, but anyone with a discerning eye could see that this guy obviously used such a big laugh to hide his guilty conscience.

Rui Costa said: "Your Excellency, your knowledge is so profound. You are so clever. You know that our Pharaoh is equipped with an 18-pounder gun. Yes, I remembered it wrong. I did it with an eighteen-pounder, not a three-pounder."

Li Xiao suddenly became angry and said: "Mr. Rui, I hope you can be honest. According to you, the displacement of your Pharaoh is only a little over 100 tons at most. One shot of an eight-pounder gun, with its recoil, is enough to make the entire ship fall apart."

Facing Li Xiao's question, Rui Costa laughed twice, and finally couldn't brag, and then told the truth.

It turned out that the Pharaoh was equipped with only two or three three-pounder guns and a few one-pounder guns. They were all mounted above the deck. The under-deck was used to load cargo. It was impossible to put naval guns. .

This amount of force cannot fight pirates, so the Pharaoh usually only dared to take some safe routes.

As for Rui Costa’s firing of cannons, it was true. During a voyage, he planned to fire a cannon to shoot whales on a whim.

But after a fight, they were stopped by the ship's chief officer, and the two had a big dispute afterwards.

During this chat between Li Xiao and Rui Costa, Honda Masanobu and Shioka Kazuha shook their heads in disdain. If you want to be an official in the Takeda family and become a samurai, you must abide by the Confucian Five Virtues: Benevolence and Righteousness. , Li, Wisdom, Faith'.

Rui Costa ran the train with his mouth full, far from the letter.

Immediately, a retainer said: "The lord, forgive me, that such a person is unbelievable and is not worthy to be a samurai. If he becomes a samurai of my Takeda family, I will be ashamed with him."

The retainer was right. Rui Costa spoke big words more than Usopp in One Piece.

Rui Costa is also full of embarrassment~www.wuxiamtl.com~ He knows that his career is very difficult this time. He immediately looked decadent and said: "Dear Lord Lord, I am sincere and like this country. Women, oh, no, they like everything in this country, that's why they plan to become an official here."

"But you don't have a boat here to let me drive. Apart from being a seaman, I used to cast bells for churches in my hometown. I can't think of other talents temporarily..."

"What kind of bell?" Li Xiao became interested. He remembered that European artillery was first tinkered by a group of bellsmiths.

"Yes, whether it is a bronze bell or an iron bell. Respect your lord, you don’t have the need to make a bell. Although I want to be an official, but I don’t allow myself to be a bellsmith. , I refuse this."

Li Xiao laughed and said with a smile: "Rui, you don't have to refuse so fast. What if I hire you with a high salary? Well, in other words, this money can be enough for you to sleep many times. Women, or different women, and both She is a beautiful woman."

As soon as Li Xiao finished speaking, Rui Costa jumped off his horse, covered his chest with his hands, and said: "Respect Lord Lord, please give your orders. No matter what you ask me to do, I am willing.". ..