Chapter 2733

"So we have been busy for a long time, but the shogunate has become the beneficiary?"

After finally clarifying the stakes, Tao Hongfang couldn't help but sigh: "Had we known this, we shouldn't have raised this matter with the shogunate at all. That would still have left some room for maneuver."

Shi Chengwu also nodded solemnly and said: "This matter should have been handled in a better way, but we were careless."

Ma Boran said: "Although I knew that the Satsuma Domain and the shogunate were at odds, I did not expect that there would be such a deep conflict... It was my fault that I did not do enough preparations in advance, which led to a misjudgment of the relationship between the Satsuma Domain and the shogunate."

Although Ma Boran took the initiative to plead guilty, no one really wanted to blame him. This matter of Satsuma Domain was originally a temporary task assigned to the mission by the Executive Committee. Although Ma Boran was notified by telegram in advance, there was not much preparation time left for him.

Moreover, the Satsuma clan also had manpower stationed in Edo. If he launched a public investigation on this matter, the secrets might be leaked, so he could only make his own judgment based on limited information, and the preliminary investigation work was therefore not comprehensive enough.

If enough comprehensive information could be collected in advance to make an accurate judgment on the relationship between the Satsuma Domain and the shogunate, the mission would be able to formulate a better solution.

The mission does not have to raise the matter with the shogunate, but first communicates with Satsuma Domain, which can make things develop in a completely different direction. The main purpose of Satsuma Domain's control of Ryukyu is to make money through borrowing money and conduct trade activities with foreign countries, and Kaihan

I don't mind maintaining trade relations with them. I can promise some better trade terms to the Satsuma Domain in exchange for the restoration of Ryukyu. As long as the Satsuma Domain can get actual benefits, the possibility of it happening is extremely high.

Furthermore, Kaihan can also make full use of the contradiction between the Satsuma Domain and the shogunate to provide military assistance in exchange for Ryukyu's restoration. Military strength is a necessary condition for the Satsuma Domain to confront the shogunate, and Kaihan's

The military strength is obvious to all, whether it is providing personnel training or selling arms and equipment, it will definitely be very attractive to the Satsuma Domain.

As long as the Satsuma clan is willing to cooperate, the next step is to gradually support it into a pro-Kaihan force, and it is not impossible to fight against the shogunate in the future.

But now that the mission has raised the matter with the shogunate first, no matter what the attitude of the shogunate is, after the news spreads, it will be a little difficult to win the trust of the Satsuma Domain. And the shogunate will definitely pay attention to the mission and the Satsuma Domain in the future.

If you pay attention to the trends of the mission, it will become more difficult for the mission to change its strategy.

"Let's all put it together and see if there are any other solutions to this matter."

Shi Chengwu knew that this matter was not handled well, but the current situation cannot be blamed on any one person, and now he can only try to remedy it. In fact, it is also because these young people have gone too smoothly in their previous trip.

No matter how difficult the task was, it was always easy to solve, so this time I relaxed my vigilance and did not make solid enough preparations, which is why I made such a mistake.

"Now that the matter has come to this, we might as well make it clear and contact the Satsuma Domain directly, bypassing the shogunate. Even if the Satsuma Domain gets the news, as long as we can come up with meaningful terms, we should have a great chance.

Convince the Satsuma Domain to accept our plan." The method proposed by Tao Hongfang feels like burning the boat, but it is still a feasible method.

Bai Letong said: "I think Hongfang's approach is too radical. Our error in judgment was caused by rushing in. I think we should be a little more cautious this time. Report the situation first and ask the executive committee for the next action."

Even if the plan proposed by Tao Hongfang has a certain degree of feasibility, the ensuing risks need to be borne by the mission. Making a mistake once is not a big deal, but if you make three mistakes one after another, it may be difficult to explain after you go back. Everyone is here

The achievements accumulated during this mission may also be greatly affected by the mistakes at the last stop. Bai Letong's caution is not unreasonable.

Shi Chengwu's attitude is more inclined to Tao Hongfang's solution. He believes that although the matter has risks, it is generally controllable. The worst situation is that the Satsuma clan refuses to cooperate, and Haihan needs to take further measures to solve it.

Problem. The relationship between Kaihan and the shogunate is based on superficial cooperation and small actions in private. No matter how the Satsuma Domain's problem is solved, it will not have much impact on it.

Shi Chengwu asked Ma Boran: "Do you have any way to contact the Satsuma clan's agency in Edo?"

Ma Boran understood what he meant and responded with a wry smile: "The personnel stationed in Edo from such a remote vassal state are nominally envoys, but in reality they are hostages. They have no real power. In extraordinary times, they may even become victims. Even if

Our contact with them will not have much practical effect. The most they can do is send the news back through letters as soon as possible. Instead of struggling in Edo, it is better to contact Sasebo by telegram and let General Amakusa try to negotiate terms with Satsuma Domain."

Sasebo is thousands of miles away from Edo, but the Haihan official who has the most contact with Ma Boran is probably Amakusa Shiro who is far away in Sasebo. Ma Boran knows very well what it means to have a mission composed entirely of young officials.

How could he make low-level mistakes in intelligence work if the regiment was pressed too hard? Compared with his peers who needed political achievements, Ma Boran trusted Amakusa Shiro who was far away in Sasebo.

Moreover, Sasebo is close to the Satsuma Domain, so it is more timely to take action now. Otherwise, it would have to wait until the mission returned home after completing its business in Edo before going to the Satsuma Domain. By that time, the other party would have already received the news and it would be time to negotiate terms.

You will become passive.

Of course, if this matter is left to Amakusa Shiro, it is not the best arrangement for the mission. If Amakusa Shiro can persuade the Satsuma Domain to cooperate in the restoration of Ryukyu, then the mission will be rewarded based on their merits.

It won't take up a big share. If the people in the mission were more selfish, they probably wouldn't agree to Ma Boran's suggestion.

However, Ma Boran is obviously overly worried. These young people are not so eager for political achievements. They are more concerned about completing the mission of this trip as soon as possible and returning to China as soon as possible. As the saying goes that it is better to stay at home than to go out, they just set off from Zhoushan

The freshness of that time has long since disappeared, replaced by the exhaustion after running around for dozens of days.

This group of people just want to return home as soon as possible, and they don't care if Amakusa Shiro will take away the credit. If Amakusa Shiro can really take down the Satsuma clan and help Ryukyu regain its kingdom as soon as possible, then they will actually thank Amakusa Shiro for saving them.

It took a lot of time and energy.
Chapter completed!