Chapter 148: Flowers in Bloom Must Be Picked

"Saga is the only legitimate feudal domain in Kyushu!"

"As the Keelung military and political authorities who have a long-term friendly cooperative relationship with the Saga family, we need to help maintain the political stability and social order in Kyushu!"

"The Keelung Army will assist the Saga family in defense, forming an integrated offense and defense, and help the Saga family resist all intrusions!"

On the ship that rushed back to Kitakyushu day and night, Saga Asaichi opened the copy of the document signed by the general with great interest, read it word by word for a long time, and slowly felt his eyes warm, and tears almost flowed out.

It is true that God will not destroy Saga, and God will not destroy Kitakyushu.

The beginning of the document is clear, announcing Saga's orthodox status in Kyushu, and then it expresses a critical attitude towards the unprovoked attack of the Kumamoto family and the Saga shogunate's sitting on the mountain and watching the tiger fight.

Walking outside the cabin, facing the fierce sea breeze, looking at the fleet in the distance, the large cargo ship like a hill, with a very low draft, is struggling to move forward against the sea breeze.

These twenty or so large ships were all filled with high-quality japonica rice, sugar, salt, cotton cloth, etc., which were all materials provided by the general to the Saga family, and in fact, they were also a kind of comfort to them.

"Five hundred thousand stones of high-quality japonica rice, two hundred thousand strings of Keelung Tongbao, what a generous gift!"

Having seen the prosperity of Keelung, Saga Asaichi could not help but have no patience for his own poor and remote place. If the general had not ordered him to come back, he really wanted to stay in Keelung to enjoy himself, anyway, he would not starve.

Being blown by the sea breeze for a while, his mind was slightly cleared.

Saga Asaichi, who was named the guardian of Kitakyushu, continued to return to his cabin to read the document.

At the beginning of the treaty, the purpose and significance of signing this document were stated.

"The people of the contracting party have the right to live, travel and engage in business, industry and other occupations throughout the territory of the other party, as well as the right to explore and develop mineral resources, lease and retain land; and enjoy the same economic treatment as local people, and shall not be insulted or harassed. If there are criminals, they will be under the jurisdiction of the local government."

"This is simply a blessing for my family!" After reading this, Saga Asaichi couldn't help but sigh. "May the Yaki Great God bless! It seems that my Saga family will have hundreds of years of fortune!"

Fairness and justice in business are of course conditional.

The Saga family must recognize Kui Island (Hokkaido Island) as Keelung territory and be under the jurisdiction of the Keelung Army.

Keelung has the privileges of living, traveling, operating industry and commerce, and mining in Kyushu and Kui Island.

In addition, the various products produced in Kyushu are organized by the Saga family to be sold to the Keelung Army General's Office, including seafood, agricultural products, forestry products, handicrafts, mineral products, etc.

The Keelung Army and Navy have the right to berth and anchor in all ports and islands along the coast of Kyushu. The Saga Shogunate must provide relevant conveniences and hire personnel for construction.

And when necessary, the Keelung Navy can fully control all ports in Kyushu, expel and retaliate against dangerous personnel, and the final right of interpretation belongs to the Keelung Navy.

In addition, whenever military equipment is purchased, the Keelung Army is obliged to provide education, training and other services to the armed forces of the Saga family, and provide related upgrading and replacement services. The relevant expenses shall be paid by the owner of the equipment.

At the same time, the Keelung Army can have the priority to open mines, build ports and shipyards, and build roads in Kyushu. If anyone else wants to choose a place to build or mine in the above-mentioned areas, Saga Chaoyi and his successors are obliged to consult the Keelung Army authorities in advance.

In order to ensure the implementation of the above terms, the Keelung Army has the responsibility and obligation to assist Saga in completely eliminating the rebels and hostile forces that are causing trouble in the Kyushu area.

The military clauses are completely humiliating, or they are for Saga Asaichi's consideration.

In business, it can be fair and just, and even taxes can be paid to the Saga family.

But in military terms, Qin Hao wants to completely split Fuso and learn from the beautiful country in later generations.

But Saga Asaichi Asaichi didn't care at all, and was overjoyed.

The general personally promised him that as long as he was loyal to Keelung, he would be allowed to establish an independent country.

The entire Kyushu Island belongs to the Saga family. The scope of Kyushu does not look large on the Keelung map, but Saga Asaichi knows that it is a huge force that their ancestors have never set foot on.

After getting rid of Shimazu and Kumamoto, Kyushu Island will belong to him, and the era of his Saga family will begin.

"Can the ship be faster?"

Saga Asaichi, who was anxious to go to northern Kyushu City, kept urging the sailors to speed up.

"Sir, the sails are full, we can't go any faster!"

"I don't care! The sails are full. You just organize people to row for me! Hurry up, hurry up! The general will arrive soon. If you are not well prepared, I will chop off your heads."

Amid the roar of Saga Asaichi, dozens of fully loaded ships shuttled through the turbulent sea like swordfish in the sea until they disappeared.

On the fifteenth day of the first lunar month in the second year of Chongzhen, the Nagasaki Wharf in Kitakyushu was crowded with people, flags flying, and gongs and drums roaring.

Countless small daimyo in Kitakyushu, retainers of the Saga family, and a large number of invited people gathered here, waiting to welcome the arrival of the Keelung army.

Although the sea breeze was fierce, the daimyo, hatamoto, samurai, and ordinary people did not dare to neglect it.

The general is coming, no noise is allowed!

Everyone remembered it in their hearts, and those who couldn't remember it were sent to see the Yaki Great God, and those small daimyo who depended on it were no exception.

Saga Asaichi did three things after he came back.

Fair!

Fair!

It's still fair!

He was really a master of the general.

"Here they come! Here they come!"

With the commotion of the crowd, a few black spots and white sails appeared between the sea and the sky, and then they became bigger and closer.

In a blink of an eye, more than a dozen three-masted square-rigged ships lined up to enter the dock in an orderly manner. When the first three-masted ship entered the port, several small ships followed, and they spread out one after another, controlling the entire Nagasaki water surface.

When all the ships entered the port, a larger ship protected by two frigates appeared at the side of the pier.

From the flag hanging high on the mast, people knew that this was the general's ship.

The samurai class headed by Saga Asaichi immediately greeted the people present, and prepared according to the etiquette of Taihe Toyotomi Hideyoshi to welcome the angel of the Ming Dynasty, and knelt on the dock to welcome the general.

Amid the sound of drums and music, a torrent of steel rushed onto the dock.

The armor and robes of the soldiers coming down from the ships almost dazzled the eyes of the adults present.

If you can use embroidered pillows to comfort yourself with armor and swords and guns, but the large and small cannons, which the Japanese called the big barrels and the national collapse cannons, made the eyes of the military families straighten and their hearts tremble.

"General, board!"

"General, mighty!"

"Mighty! Board!"

Some of the smart hatamoto and samurai were the first to shout slogans, but the one who shouted the loudest was Saga Asaichi, the head of the Saga family.

Amid the drums and cheers, 5,000 infantrymen boarded the dock like flying, neatly lined up, and the large square formation of five battalions, with twenty rows in both horizontal and vertical directions, was as neat as a knife cutting and an axe chopping.

Then, another 500-man troop landed and lined up. They were somewhat different from the above troops. This group was 500 gunners, and they were arranged on the side of the infantry team. Considering that it was more troublesome to carry, some big guys were not unloaded from the ship. Only those small Portuguese were unloaded and lined up in front.

Such a military force shocked people in the distance, but those who were close were terrified.

"After returning, quickly collect those shogunate flags found in the warehouse! So as not to bring disaster upon yourself!"

After seeing this military formation, a daimyo who had just taken the lead in shouting slogans to welcome the general secretly felt lucky and decided to unite unswervingly under the banner of the Saga family and attack the Kumamoto family.

As for those shogunate flags, they should be left in the basement and wait to be handed over to grandchildren!

The warriors of the Celestial Empire are by no means comparable to the shogunate.

If it was fifty years ago, Tokugawa Ieyasu and the elite of the Western Army were all there, relying on the local battles, there might still be hope. Now, it is better to surrender as soon as possible.

After a show of force, Qin Hao, accompanied by several accompanying generals, appeared in everyone's sight.

"Welcome the general in person!"

The people present, led by several daimyo such as Saga Chaoyi, knelt down on the ground in unison, looked down at the tip of Qin Hao's boots, and chanted to welcome the general who came to conquer the Kumamoto family.

"Who is coming?"

A Keelung official language with a strong Kyushu flavor floated above his head.

This is a Kyushu person. Many daimyo who knelt on the ground secretly guessed in their hearts, and even Saga Chaoyi was shocked.

Yamakawa Ichiro, the head of the Yamakawa family, dressed in Keelung military officer, was easily recognized. When did this guy worship the general?

Damn it, I would have done it earlier.

The small daimyo who knelt beside Saga Chaoyi were all regretful.

Ignoring the curses of his colleagues in their hearts, and not hearing the constant cordial greetings from the crowd to his ancestors and the female relatives and elders in his family, Yamakawa Ichiro continued to hold his head high.

"Who is coming?"

How dare you not bow your head when you are under the eaves?

Everyone had to secretly cast their eyes on Saga Asaichi, who was the leader of the welcoming ceremony.

What do you think we should do?

Or kill Yamakawa Ichiro and let me do it.

Saga Asaichi, on the other hand, was quite cultured.

Hearing this, he didn't care, but loudly reported his official position and rank.

He has already taken this benefit, so he doesn't care if others take some. If you want to be a dog, go ahead.

I, Saga Asaichi, will stand as the general's personal attendant.

Afterwards, according to the rules, the samurai family will be in the order of one by one, and everyone present will report their official positions, names, titles, etc.

After dozens of Kyushu daimyo, direct hatamoto and other military officials, and the court attendants had signed up one by one, Yamakawa Ichiro said something with an annoying face.

"Get up!"

Then, he turned around with his back hunched and smiled at Qin Hao, who was surrounded by the crowd like a star, "Reporting to the general, in front are the civil and military officials of northern Kyushu who are here to welcome the general. May I ask the general for instructions?"

"Thank you for your hard work. What virtue and ability does Qin have to dare to trouble you adults to come here to welcome me?"

After all, he is an upright person, and Qin Hao's behavior makes everyone feel much more comfortable.

"Please stand up, adults."

Qin Hao raised his hand in the air, and the civil and military officials, led by Saga Asaichi, kowtowed and thanked and stood up.

"Your Excellency, you have come all the way here in all the troubles. I would like to express my regards on behalf of my colleagues."

As an acquaintance, Saga Chaoyi used this vague but meaningful title to address Qin Hao, clarifying his identity.

"I don't deserve it, I don't deserve it."

Although Qin Hao refused, he accepted the title. Saga Chaoyi, this little brother, really did not accept the wrong thing. He knew what a small name meant.

That night, Kitakyushu City held a unique banquet.

This banquet can be described as a banquet where the Arhat invited Guanyin, with few guests and many hosts.

In the huge hall, there were two rows of short dining tables. Qin Hao sat alone at the first seat. On the right, Han Xian, Zhao Chang and other dozens of generals sat down one after another. On the left, there were a few retainers of the Saga family kneeling on the ground.

"Let's feast!"

With the order of the one-man family who served as the banquet officer today, nearly a hundred maids with white powder on their faces, wearing white socks, took small steps and carried huge dishes and slowly filed in, watching the crowd intently.

"Kyushu is desolate, not as prosperous as Keelung. I hope you will forgive me!"

The words were very modest and polite, but according to the custom of Eastern countries, the more you say this, the more you have to spend money.

"Damn! The little Saga pirates can gather so many women. It's extravagant, too extravagant." Zhao Dahai, the battalion officer of the third battalion of Shuntianying, looked at so many Japanese women and couldn't help but move his cheeks. As a single officer, he was the most active.

Outsiders watch the excitement, insiders watch the doorway.

These hundreds of women can basically be said to be the few remaining young women in Saga Domain.

Since the establishment of the matchmaking agency in Keelung, there are fewer and fewer beautiful women in the domain. This time, in order to celebrate the army, Saga Chaoyi lowered his face and asked many daughters from his retainers.

Several exquisite small plates were quickly placed on the small table, and the colorful ones were very beautiful. After arranging the plates, each maid sat on the straw mat behind the guests in a very polite manner, half kneeling and half sitting. Pour wine for the guests.

"Look! This is served!"

As the first person in Keelung to marry a Japanese bride, Qu Wan was not unfamiliar with this etiquette. At home, his Japanese wife would raise the rice above her head when serving him, and this was also the case when he married several concubines later.

However, etiquette is etiquette, and dishes are dishes.

At the suggestion of Qin Hao and Saga Chaoyi, the officers of the Keelung Army raised their glasses, which were not much bigger than their thumbs, and drank a few glasses of sake, waiting eagerly for the dishes to be served.

"Today's banquet cannot be without singing and dancing to liven up the atmosphere!"

Seeing that the guests all looked thoughtful and expectant, Saga Chaoyi clapped his hands and ordered to bring up the singing and dancing!

"Alright! It's better to watch the singing and dancing while waiting for the dishes than to waste time here!"

The non-commissioned officers comforted themselves.

However, the greater the hope, the greater the disappointment.

Everyone was eagerly waiting for singing and dancing or opera to come up to relieve the scarcity of food and wine, but unexpectedly, a few old-fashioned Kabuki with extremely white face paint and extremely red lips came.

Holding a fan in their hands, they sang and danced in a very slow tone and even slower movements.

This immediately aroused strong opposition from the Keelung officers.

"What's the point of these old women? Let's replace them with some young ones."

Zhao Dahai heard someone yawning next to him, and immediately expressed his dissatisfaction with this extremely boring singing and dancing.

"It's annoying to watch singing and dancing on an empty stomach! It almost made me fall asleep!"

Saga Asaichi was quite appreciative of such singing and dancing, and frequently raised his glass to Qin Hao to persuade him to drink.

"Your Highness, I wonder if this expedition against the Kumamoto family will be useful to me?"

"Of course, if you want to get Kyushu, you have to work hard to avoid others gossiping that you are not worthy of your position."

"Your Highness is right." Saga Asaichi replied in poor Chinese.

In the hall, the old singers had finished their songs and left. Several outstanding young geishas were replaced by the beautiful music, twisting their waists and posing gracefully.

This is the famous Asakawa Dance in Fuso.

Qin Hao's attention was also attracted by these young dancers, and his attention immediately became a little distracted.

The so-called Asakawa, translated as a small river.

What big rivers can Fuso have? Even singing and dancing are not elegant.

Asakawa Dance is a dance form of geisha, showing the story of a girl crossing Asakawa.

Several young girls came to a shallow river to cross the river. Since there was no bridge on the river, they had to lift their kimonos to cross.

However, the deeper the water went, the higher the kimono on their bodies had to be lifted. It is worth mentioning that the tradition of Japanese women wearing kimonos is not to wear underwear.

The long hair of the young dancers was like a black waterfall, falling on both sides of the temples.

As the storyline of the dance deepened, the beautiful kimono on the woman was also rising little by little. From the white cotton socks on the feet to the calves, and then upwards, a young naked body was gradually displayed in front of everyone.

As the sound of drums and music faded, the dance became more and more light and graceful, and the dancers slowly revealed their shoulders that were as white as frost and snow, their slender and straight legs, and their slim waists.

It appeared and disappeared from time to time, making everyone feel itchy, and they didn't care about the food and wine.

Qin Hao was a normal man after all, at the time of blood and vigor. Seeing such temptation, he was a little bit like a frog jumping with a gun, and just wanted to rush forward and sprint and cut it down.

Fortunately, there was still a ray of clarity in his mind. So many people were watching, it was not appropriate, it was not appropriate, and his mind was clear immediately.

"The shogunate will certainly not sit idly by during this expedition to the Kumamoto clan." Seeing Saga Asaichi, who was as nervous as a mouse seeing a cat when the shogunate was mentioned, Qin Hao could not help but put aside his thoughts on watching the singing and dancing and comforted him kindly.

"You don't have to be too nervous. The shogunate is in my hands. You have to hand over the defense of the territory, the topographic map of Kyushu, and the route to me in person. This is what you have to do. Do you understand?"

"I understand. I will do it myself and dare not slack off in the slightest."

Knowing that his task was not heavy, Saga Asaichi was overjoyed and bowed his head quickly.

Then he wanted to continue toasting to thank the general for his appreciation, but he didn't expect Qin Hao to focus on singing and dancing.

He stepped forward and asked in a low voice: "Great Hall, do you want to arrange a few servants tonight?"

Needless to say, Qin Hao wanted to go up and slap him a few times.

When flowers are in bloom, pick them now, don’t wait until there are no more flowers to pick.

“Three, virgins, no more.”

“I understand!”

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