When it comes to pretending to be a Qing Dynasty person, the most worrying thing is not the identity document, nor the age, but the big braid on that end. However, Mitsui Takasui is a smooth person all his life. Although he has doubts, he will never say There are no words of "disbelief", let alone asking where Huang Xuan's big pigtails went.
He gave up a smile and stopped answering. Instead, he said: "Come here, send this gentleman back to rest."
As he spoke, he bowed to Huang Xuan again and said, "My lord, please rest here first. If you are going to Kyoto, we will prepare your luggage early tomorrow morning."
Mitsui Takasui was not prepared to prove his true identity at all. This kind of thing was not something he could do, and he got into trouble for no reason. His current idea is to send Huang Xuan away safely. As for any problems in the future, it will be the government's business.
Huang Xuan also considers himself a businessman, so naturally he can understand his thoughts. He smiled slightly and said: "Mr. Mitsui, Mr. Iwasaki, could you please take a step to speak?"
To be precise, calling two businessmen "Your Excellency" was a bit too polite, but to the ears of the two of them, they naturally liked it.
Mitsui and Iwasaki looked at each other, and it was Mitsui who said: "Then go inside."
Next to the Kabuki theater is a small room for people to rest. They are all Japanese-style sliding door structures. People can sit inside and drink tea. Of course, they have to pay.
Huang Xuan followed him unsteadily, ignoring the hostile looks of several ronin. It was obvious that Mitsui Takasui didn't really want to talk to Huang Xuan. This lounge was really not meant for talking.
After taking off his shoes and sitting down, Mitsui squinted his eyes and stopped talking. Huang Xuan knew that at this time, he had to make the other party interested or confident in the meeting before he could continue. Otherwise, everything he had just done would be in vain.
He thought for a moment and said, "Does Mr. Mitsui want to make his own foreign gun?"
"Huh?" Both of them raised their heads.
Dian Wei sat at the door with a majestic look on his face, but he didn't pay much attention to the conversation between the three people.
Huang Xuan considered it and said: "I got the complete drawings of mechanically manufactured foreign guns from the Germans. If you two are interested, I can transfer them to you at a very low price."
At this time, China had just begun its Westernization Movement. Mitsui Takasui knew about it. He also specifically asked shippers traveling between China and Japan and learned that the Chinese had already established the "Jiangnan Manufacturing Administration" and the "Anqing Ordnance Institute." industrial institutions and use foreign technology to produce foreign guns and foam. When he heard the news, he felt very strange.
He had originally planned to develop the military industry, especially the shipbuilding industry, after the overthrow was successful. What Huang Xuan said about the production of foreign guns immediately opened his eyes.
If you can produce foreign guns yourself, it will be the only one in Japan. Nowadays, in workshops such as Osaka, all muskets are produced by hand with poor performance. In order to equip the rebels with new weapons, Osaka's businessmen have spent a lot of blood.
Mitsui Takasui did not look at Iwasaki. He smiled on his thin face and said, "What does the envoy mean?"
Huang Xuan pretended to take something out of his pocket and pulled out two drawings. These were both made by Lorraine using biomass and the cost was high.
Due to time constraints, Lorraine took out the design drawings of the Mauser gun. Although it only had the most basic design parameters and dimensions, it still made Mitsui Takasui look at it intently.
Both he and Iwasaki are Japanese who are familiar with the West. They can't quite understand such things, but they can always get a general idea.
"Can you stay for us to take a look?" Mitsui Takasui said very carefully. He naturally wanted to find someone knowledgeable to take a look. At this time, he no longer cared about whether the other party was from the Qing Dynasty.
In the face of real interests, an aging empire thousands of miles away is actually not important at all.
Huang Xuan smiled and nodded, but explained: "I originally showed it to you. Mr. Li Hongzhang specially ordered that Greater East Asia must prosper together. Haha, if there hadn't been a storm on the ship, the braid would have been entangled and cut off. "Yeah, I might have arrived in Osaka a long time ago." He said, looking at the other person's face, and said: "There are many drawings, some of which need to be drawn by me, so don't worry."
He was anxious in his heart, but of course he couldn't say that. Mitsui Takasui immediately put away the drawings. Iwasaki Yataro couldn't let him put it aside, so he immediately said: "Your Excellency Huang Xuan, let's have a light meal together tonight. There are many Everyone wants to meet you."
"That's fine." Huang Xuan finally returned to his rhythm.
…
Before it got dark, Yataro Iwasaki and Takasui Mitsui came hand in hand. Their eager attitude made Huang Xuan secretly funny. In his impression, Japanese people are still very smart when talking about business. It is not an exaggeration to be respectful all the way and regard the opponent as God. In terms of efficiency and purpose of negotiation, the Japanese are indeed world-class.
Accompanying the two were three or four businessmen, all in their fifties and sixties, who were submissive and did not talk directly to Huang Xuan.
If Huang Xuan hadn't been involved, the businessmen at this time would have been busy dealing with the overthrown troops, but guys like Mitsui didn't have to be so low-end.
In a restaurant almost hidden in a corner in the east of the city, Yataro Iwasaki knelt down and poured sake for Huang Xuan and said, "Your Excellency, you have traveled thousands of miles to come here. You have had a hard time on the road."
The so-called ryotei are actually relatively secretive small shops. Usually, only regular customers can enter for the first time. They are a bit like those clubs in modern China, but Japanese ryokan have a long history, starting around the early 18th century. Since the shogunate prohibited daimyo from all over the country from secretly gathering in the capital, and the daimyo really had such a need, the ryotei hidden in the corner came into being. After the fall of the shogunate, the vitality of the ryokei became even more vigorous. In Huang Xuan's memory, Huang Liming once boasted that four people spent tens of thousands of dollars on a restaurant he went to in Japan, and they were only half full...
Huang Xuan looked around. The owner of this restaurant was also a short and fat middle-aged man. He spoke pleasantly and was always humble and bent, just like his waiter. But apart from this, in terms of decoration and other aspects, , nothing special can be seen at all.
After a few casual greetings and two sips of sake, the atmosphere became lively. The businessman accompanying the drink looked at Huang Xuan, Yataro Iwasaki and Takasui Mitsui consciously. They would never take the initiative to speak, nor would they. Participating in the conversation, Huang Xuan also sighed: In Japan in the 19th century, business rules were very strict.
After drinking for three rounds, Mitsui Takasui said cheerfully: "Master Huang, today's drawings, we showed it to His Excellency Kido Takayun... Oh, I'm sorry, without your consent, but His Excellency Kido Takayun likes it very much. of this drawing.”
Kido Takayun is one of the three heroes of the Restoration. His original name was Katsura Kogoro. At that time, Japanese people could change their names several times in a lifetime, but Huang Xuan didn't know which one they were, so the look on his face was just light and simple. He said: "The drawings were originally prepared to be left to you, but Lord Li Hongzhang hasn't come yet, so I can't give them to you now."
"Ah?" Mitsui Takasui was a little surprised. Iwasaki had probably reached an agreement with him and quickly smoothed things over: "We know that people in the upper dynasty like to eat abalone. This time, we specially invited Master Kazuhito Komoto from Edo to cook it. You Taste it.”
He clapped his hands as he spoke.
Huang Xuan naturally smiled and stopped talking, while a little girl in kimono brought up seven portions of abalone.
Speaking of which, Huang Xuan actually doesn't eat abalone very often. This kind of thing may be more suitable for entertaining guests rather than for daily consumption. At least few people in the Huang family hire a master to make abalone at home, and with Huang Xuan's With my age, I naturally don’t have many opportunities to taste it. In fact, if you invite guests to your home, it itself expresses a cordial atmosphere. If abalone is served at this time, this cordiality will be diluted.
However, Huang Xuan naturally also likes abalone itself.
The most famous abalone in Japan should be on the table. Huang Xuan blinked and looked at the abalone as big as his palm, and couldn't help but ask Lorraine: "How much does this thing weigh?"
"800 grams." Lorraine is the weight of dry abalone calculated based on volume.
Huang Xuan almost hit his head on the table.
Everyone knows that abalone is about the head. How many abalones are enough to weigh one pound (Hong Kong scale, about 600 grams), that is, how many abalones there are. The smaller the number, the more expensive the price will be. Generally, the price of better varieties of dried abalone, such as net abalone and top-quality abalone produced in Mexico and Japan, is more than 10,000 yuan. Due to the slow growth of abalone and the harsh environment, by the turn of the century, all four abalone have been It is hard to find a trace. It is said that it is difficult to buy two-headed abalone if you have money. As for one-headed abalone, it has been only a legend since about the 1960s.
Nowadays, the so-called several heads of abalone in many restaurants are actually fresh abalone, while the dried abalone is actually reduced by nine-tenths. In addition, the mainland is currently used to talking about how many heads of abalone are in market weight. The same 0 heads of abalone will cost It's 5 grams smaller than other people's, which is enough for the abalone to grow for another two years. In 2000, if any Hong Kong restaurant saw a Japanese abalone, they would probably pay a sky-high price to use it as a treasure.
As for 800 grams, Huang Xuan's mind was a little confused. Is this considered 0.7 abalone
If you take it home, I'm afraid it will be enough to buy a thoroughbred horse.
Seeing Huang Xuan not moving his chopsticks for a long time, Iwasaki asked in confusion: "Is this... not to your taste?"
"No." Huang Xuan was actually sighing. He didn't expect plane travel to have such benefits. When he was at home, he often heard people say that if you eat one abalone, you will lose one. I'm afraid you won't be able to eat 8 abalones in the future. Thinking that I can still taste 800 grams of abalone now...
"That's good." Iwasaki said nonsense, "Master Huang, I wonder when Master Li Hongzhang will come?"
"It will take 10 days anyway." Huang Xuan tasted the abalone and said vaguely: "Is this abalone from Aomori Prefecture?"
Japanese abalone is produced in Aomori Prefecture.
"It's from Chiba Prefecture." Iwasaki corrected, and Huang Xuan was stunned. He was looking at the energy screen when he spoke. Little did he know that abalone was originally from Chiba Prefecture, but later on, the seawater was polluted, and Aomori Prefecture became famous instead.
The craftsmanship of this chef Kazuhito Omoto is indeed good. It is tender and smooth in the mouth and rich in umami. Huang Xuan tastes it carefully. Seeing this, Mitsui Takasui and others waited quietly.
It wasn't until he swallowed the whole abalone that Huang Xuan patted his belly with satisfaction and said, "It's delicious." When he said this, he looked at Mitsui Takasui.
Everyone quickly agreed.
After eating abalone, Huang Xuan didn't want to eat anything else. When he kept it at home, if he said he was full after eating abalone, he would be called bragging.
Iwasaki moved slightly and continued what he had just said: "Sir Huang, is Mr. Li Hongzhang planning to land in Nagasaki?"
"Probably." Huang Xuan said without hesitation: "I came out early because I wanted to wait for Mr. Li here."
"That's it." Several people laughed, not knowing what they were laughing at.
Huang Xuan also laughed twice and said: "But the drawings don't have to wait for Mr. Li Hongzhang to come."
The laughter stopped immediately.
Mitsui Takasui waved his hand and several of his guests stood up to leave. He then said with a smile, "I wonder what Mr. Huang thinks?" He had already asked someone to look at the drawings yesterday. The Mauser gun was invented two years ago. It represents the highest design level of rifles in the world. If there are no problems with the indicators, foreigners will never sell such foreign guns to Japan, so his expectations are far higher than Huang Xuan imagined. After all, in this era, it is easy to buy a machine, but it is even more difficult to get a drawing.
Huang Xuan didn't show off, drank tea, and said: "It's my duty. I have to wait for Mr. Li Hongzhang to arrive before I can start the work of comfort. But these days, Japan is not quiet."
"Haha." Mitsui Gaosui smiled reluctantly.
"I heard that you are going to march into Edo?" Huang Xuan stabbed out a needle, immediately breaking through the disguise of the two people. Iwasaki Yataro couldn't help but said: "This is a military and national matter and has nothing to do with me and other common people."
"Relevant." Huang Xuan protracted, and Lorraine translated it very well, allowing the other party to clearly understand the meaning.
He held the tea and covered his hands and said: "Edo was destroyed before Mr. Li came, and General Tokugawa Keki died. I can't explain this. It's my duty that I didn't fulfill."
Neither man spoke.
Huang Xuan took out the drawings that he had prepared long ago from his arms and said: "This is what I drew in the afternoon. Some of the drawings were soaked by the oil paper, so I always have to draw them. If I accidentally make a mistake, I can't do it." Sorry. That’s it for now. Take it back and look at it.”
As he spoke, he put a dozen drawings on the table, then slowly stretched out a finger and said: "For 10 days, as long as the overthrowing army does not set off within 10 days, these drawings will be given to you two for free."
Mitsui Takasui and Iwasaki Yataro looked at each other and seemed not to care about the intimidation in Huang Xuan's words. The latter said: "Sir Huang, how can I, a businessman, decide what the samurai think."
"If there are not enough bullets, any warrior will be useless." Huang Xuan lowered his voice and said: "In 10 days, you will supply them with sufficient ammunition, armor, and food. Master Li will also be here by then, and my responsibility will be We have done it, otherwise Mr. Li will be furious, and not only me, but you all will have nothing to gain. "
He didn't say anything about the more serious consequences. As a later generation, he knew that the Qing Dynasty's dominance over Japan had dropped to a freezing point. However, for the two Japanese businessmen, such a statement made it easier for them to accept it. Mitsui Gao Then he took the blueprint into his arms and said, "I'm afraid it will be a big deal."
Huang Xuan squinted his eyes for a long time before taking out another stack of drawings from his arms and whispered: "This is the design drawing of a small steamer, with a cannon on it. It's only half of it. Take it and take a look."
He spread the drawings on the table and said: "The sun has set in the shogunate. When it will be over is only a matter of minutes. Once the army leaves, it is possible to surrender directly. At that time, if Lord Xuanwei is here , both our countries look better." He flicked his fingers and said: "Although Osaka is close to Kyoto, the samurai don't understand business. They have consumed countless bullets in the previous battles, how can they be here? The preparations will be completed within 10 days. It will be beneficial to both parties to wait for 10 days. I won’t say much. After 10 days, regardless of whether Mr. Li can arrive or not, I will hand over the drawings to you as promised. "
Yataro Iwasaki has a lower status, and he will always say anything that offends anyone. After just a moment, he said: "Although we believe in you, there are so many shops, we can't just say it, and we still need Mr. Huang. Show something real and show it to many people.”
He wanted Huang Xuan to give him the drawings first and then do the work.
"I'm alone, how can I deceive you?" Huang Xuan said impatiently: "It's okay, but if it's not, I'll pull you down."
"How about the 5th? These days, you can still afford to wait." Yataro Iwasaki began to bargain.
Huang Xuan refused. There will be heavy rain in the 10th day, but there will be no rain in the 5th day. He patted Yataro Iwasaki on the shoulder and said: "I can't only draw these two kinds of drawings. Why are you so anxious?"
"ah?"
"How many of these abalones do you have?" Huang Xuan crossed his legs and changed into a comfortable position.
…
Other than the word count: 5,000 words are very filling. There is still more in the afternoon. On the last day of the month, if there are readers who have not voted, don’t waste it. I will leave it here for the time being and listen to it. (To be continued)