Masahiro Abe opened the "U.S.-Japan Friendship Treaty" and what he saw was harsh and dazzling content.

First, the Japanese shogunate compensated the crew of the American whaling ship for losses of 1 million taels of silver and military expenditures of 10 million taels, for a total of 11 million taels of silver.

Second, Kanagawa, Nagasaki, Hakodate, Niigata, Hyogo, Edo, and Osaka were opened as trading ports.

Third, the United States and Japan can send ministers to each other, and the United States can station consuls in opening ports. The U.S. diplomatic envoys in Japan can travel in the Japanese mainland when performing official duties.

Fourth, in the places where ports are opened, American citizens have the right to enter and exit freely, enjoy the rights of residence, the right to rent warehouses, the right to do business, and the right to consular jurisdiction.

Fifth, respect the principle of free trade. Private trade between the United States and Japan is not subject to any restrictions and can be conducted independently without interference from Japanese officials.

Sixth, Japan and the United States must negotiate tariffs between Japan and the United States.

Seventh, American citizens can open banks in places where ports are opened, and American currency can circulate freely in Japan tax-free.

Eighth, if Japan has a dispute with other countries, the United States can mediate and mediate at the request of Japan as a client.

Ninth, the treaty will take effect from the date of signing and will be valid for 15 years. At that time, a new treaty can be revised according to the actual situation.

Masahiro Abe had thought that the requirements put forward by the United States would be very harsh, but he did not expect that the treaty would be so harsh that he could not accept even one of it.

This is simply outright blackmail!

Although he could not control the raging anger in his heart, Masahiro Abe, as a qualified shogunate cabinet member, did not let his impulse go to his head. He still remembered that the purpose of his trip was to stabilize and hold back these Americans.

"The treaty covers a wide range of areas, especially the terms of opening ports, which can only be decided after the shogunate has discussed with the feudal lords. In order for the treaty to be signed smoothly, I hope the two generals will give me some time."

Masahiro Abe said with a smile.

"We are not unreasonable people. We can give your country half a month to think about it, but you are thinking about it on land. We have to stay on the bumpy sea for half a month to wait for your results. This is a bit unreasonable. ?" Liang Yao said.

"What do you mean, general?" Masahiro Abe closed the treaty and asked.

"My soldiers and I need to go ashore to rest. Of course, we, the United States, have always been a country of civility and etiquette. We informed Mr. Abe of this out of courtesy."

Liang Yao's attitude was very obvious. He only informed Masahiro Abe that he and the officers and soldiers of the expeditionary force were going ashore, and he did not discuss it with Masahiro Abe.

Even if the Japanese shogunate disagrees, he will go ashore.

"This is natural. Just to avoid unnecessary misunderstandings and troubles, I would like to ask the general to allow me to report this matter to our general so that I can provide accommodation for you two and the American soldiers. I will give you an answer tomorrow. "Masahiro Abe said to Liang Yao and Perry.

After the negotiation, when Abe Masahiro was about to disembark and leave, Nabeshima Naomasa called out to Abe Masahiro.

"Lao Zhong Abe."

"Nabeshima-kun."

Abe Masahiro paused and looked at the haggard Nabeshima Naomasa.

"These Americans, especially Liang Yao, are familiar with our country's national conditions. They are very shrewd and cunning, and they are by no means kind." Nabeshima Naomasa reminded Abe Masahiro.

"Nabeshima-kun, there is something in his words." Masahiro Abe looked at the prisoner with disdain.

"There is something in the words, but they are not pleasant to the ears." Naomasa Nabeshima said with a wry smile, "Our wisest choice now is to accept the treaty proposed by the Americans and stop the losses in time. Otherwise, the Americans will only want more, Nagasaki This is a lesson learned from the past!”

"Nabeshima, don't exaggerate the enemy's strength to justify your own failure! This is a shameful and cowardly act!" Abe Masahiro suddenly raised his voice, "The strength of the shogunate is not comparable to that of your small Saga clan!"

"For these Americans, there is no essential difference between the Saga Domain and the shogunate." Nabeshima Naomasa's smile became increasingly bitter, "Having said this, I have finished everything I want to say. This letter is also Please transfer it to Mr. Abe, please!”

With that said, Nabeshima Naomasa bowed deeply to Masahiro Abe and handed over a letter with both hands.

After Masahiro Abe hesitated for a moment, he took the letter from Naomasa Nabeshima.

"The Japanese seem to be very sincere, but I always feel that this negotiation went too smoothly."

Perry said as he watched Masahiro Abe leave in a small boat.

"It's not that it went too smoothly, but that the Japanese were not sincere in this negotiation." Liang Yao expressed his conclusion.

"I feel the same way. Faced with the treaty we proposed, Masahiro Abe didn't even bargain. It's really abnormal." Perry nodded and said.

On this point, his view is the same as Liang Yao's.

"There is no need to bargain for a treaty that we do not intend to sign," Liang Yao said.

"The Tokugawa shogunate wants to delay time with us, so we will waste time with them. It just so happens that the soldiers of the California Infantry Regiment and Arizona Infantry Regiment also need to go ashore to take a good rest. I also need to recharge my batteries and give them A little time doesn’t hurt.”

In the early morning of the next day, the shogunate authorities quickly responded to Liang Yao's request to go ashore to rest and recuperate, allowing Liang Yao and his troops to rest and recuperate in Kanagawa, but they were not allowed to enter Edo.

Just like in Xiangshan, there were other garrison camps around Liang Yao's station.

The difference is that when he was in Xiangshan, it was Guangdong's Green Camp who monitored Liang Yao, while in Kanagawa, it was the shogunate's army.

Liang Yao didn't feel too uncomfortable at all. The Guangdong Green Camp in Xiangshan couldn't do anything to him, and the shogunate army in Kanagawa naturally couldn't do anything to him either.

The shogunate was on the right track. Liang Yao just casually mentioned the matter of geishas to Abe Masahiro. Abe Masahiro, an old boy, didn't care whether he was healthy or not, and sent twenty geishas at once.

But not all of the twenty geishas were for him, ten of them were for Perry.

"General, please take a look. These are all geishas from Edo. They are proficient in music, chess, calligraphy and painting. They are also accomplished in tea ceremony, poetry and prose. They are excellent in both sex and art." Masahiro Abe introduced these geishas to Liang Yao.

"Oiran is the leader of flowers. If there are too many of them, they are worthless." Liang Yao said.

"The oirans in Edo are all under the general's account. If the general is not satisfied, I will send people to Osaka to select oirans for the general." Abe Masahiro said to Liang Yao in a very wretched manner, "These oirans are usually performing in Edo. Those who don’t sell their bodies, even though they are virgins, have been trained, I think the general will like them.”

"I hope your country can be so sincere in signing the treaty in half a month." Liang Yao said to Masahiro Abe.

"Our general has always been very sincere. I hope the general can wait patiently. If you have any needs in Kanagawa, please come to me. Abe will do his best to meet the general's needs." Masahiro Abe patted his chest and said to Liang Yao.

"These oirans are enough to meet my needs. Mr. Abe, please come back." Liang Yao glanced at the oirans and said to Abe Masahiro.

Abe Masahiro and Liang Yao looked at each other and smiled.

Tap the screen to use advanced tools Tip: You can use left and right keyboard keys to browse between chapters.

You'll Also Like