Chapter 643 Sir, Times Have Not Changed!
Abe Masahiro was confused again. He didn't know what medicine the other party was selling. Don’t Westerners and orchidologists always like to say, “Sir, times have changed!”
But what does this mean in front of me? Did the Austrians cross the mountains and seas just to tell the shogunate that times have not changed? Are you trying to help us close the country? So why are the guns pointed at us? .
Countless questions almost burst through Abe Masahiro's mind. He smiled, politely but not awkwardly, because he really didn't know how to answer.
Abe Masahiro and his staff had been thinking day and night about how to respond to the Austrians' request for the founding of the country. He even prepared for the worst plan, that is, to "kill himself for justice."
The result now told him that what he had done before was all in vain. Masahiro Abe felt very unwilling and felt that happiness came too suddenly, but at the same time his intuition told him that it was not that simple.
Then Masahiro Abe started laughing up to the sky, laughing until he could hardly breathe before he stopped.
The surrounding retainers and warriors looked at each other in confusion. They didn't know what happened. They even suspected that the chief Lao Zhong had been possessed by some kind of enchantment. After all, the leader of the opponent seemed to be a witch.
"The only things you have to worry about are disorderly people, profiteers, disobedient people, and foreigners."
Kagura's understatement pointed out the four things that the shogunate was most worried about at this time. In fact, the shogunate could tolerate the three things of rebellious people, profiteers, and foreign barbarians, but it was really the word "disobedience" that it couldn't tolerate.
"What does it mean to be disobedient?" Masahiro Abe was sitting upright at this moment, without any hint of madness at all.
"I think you know the situation in Japan at this time better than I do. The foundation of the Tokugawa family has been shaken, and the world is just waiting for a capable person to replace it."
"What do you want to say!"
"I have explained my purpose before. We are here to help you. The Austrian Empire has food and money. Not only can it help you tide over the difficulties, but it can also help you tame those hateful illegal businessmen.
You should know how important the "imported iron cannon" (also known as the introduction of iron cannon) has been to the direction of Japanese history, right?
But your so-called iron cannons and those painted clocks are nothing more than a pile of rubbish in front of Austria's weapons.
You should have seen the weapon in my hand, it can improve the strength of your army by more than one level. "
"Why does the Austrian Empire want to help us?"
"I told you that the Austrian Empire has money and food, but its population is not enough to rule the newly conquered territories.
And Japan has too many untouchables, which happens to be the source of its troubles."
This is completely incomprehensible in the eyes of Abe Masahiro. After all, population was regarded as the "root of all things" in ancient times, and Kagura also said that population is the source of disaster, which makes the former completely incomprehensible.
Then Kagura came up with the "Malthusian Trap" theory that Franz had prepared for a long time. In short, Japan's population had exceeded its upper limit at this time, so it created the current chaos, but this once again made Abe Masahiro's pig brain is overloaded.
But the latter understands that this is Japan's "big change that has not happened in a thousand years." His decision now will determine his future status in history. Whether he will become a sinner through the ages or a savior who can turn the tide, it all depends on him. .
Therefore, Abe Masahiro hesitated, which was more difficult than breaking his jade. "Everyone is destined to die. It may be heavier than Mount Tai or lighter than a feather."
However, for Abe Masahiro at this time, it was not a question of severity, but the possibility of being nailed to the pillar of shame for eternity. It was really a step from heaven to hell.
So he was afraid. A kind of fear of the future, the unknown, and uncertainty made Abe Masahiro hesitate to move forward. He thought of the drag technique.
Historically, the shogunate only delayed for eight years. Just like his choice in history, Abe Masahiro wanted to delay it even longer.
"Sir Son of God, I have learned the lesson, but please let us think about it again and again."
After finishing speaking, Abe Masahiro made a move that surprised all the Japanese present. He actually left his seat and made a standard soil seat.
Dogeza is a Japanese etiquette, which is to prostrate yourself on the ground to apologize or petition. In ancient times, it was used to express humility to people of noble status.
In the Edo period, if the person who apologized used the Dogeza method to apologize, he would generally be forgiven, but at the same time, the person who apologized would also take it as a great shame and humiliation.
And Abe Masahiro actually used this to request Kagura, which can be said to have completely abandoned face and dignity.
To be honest, Kagura was also shocked. She could not imagine that the supreme ruler of the shogunate would do this.
But Kagura does not have the right to make decisions. Franz once said, "This nation knows small etiquette but not great justice, sticks to trivial matters but does not have great virtue, values trivial matters but neglects shame, fears power but does not harbor morality, and is bound to be a robber and bandit. Weakness will lead to subjugation. Only by leaving Asia and joining Europe can we change our bad nature."
Kagura remembered again how the shogunate bureaucrats massacred the people, used the opportunity of negotiation to make the rebels take it lightly, and then took the opportunity to mobilize troops to launch a sneak attack, killing children, young and old, and even the "Kamiko (みこ)" who were hiding in the shrine. )" and don't let it go.
Yes, only by allowing those people to receive a new type of education and live in a new environment can we help them get rid of their inherent bad habits. Archduke Franz was right, and her behavior was also correct. It was the world that was wrong. We are just Just saving the world
Kagura brainwashed herself again, and the emotional fluctuations just now were completely replaced by the enthusiasm in her heart. She spoke with firm eyes and without any hesitation.
"Three days."
"Three days?!" Abe Masahiro was stunned. He didn't care about his face in exchange for three days? His face was distorted due to being too shocked, but he still put on a smiling face and lay on the ground, looking up at the other person.
"Otherwise, please ask the Goddess (Miko) to stay in Nagasaki temporarily. We are willing to build a palace for you to show our sincerity. What do you think?"
Kagura shook her head and looked down at the servile man in front of her. At this time, she finally overcame the fear of class in her bones, because she had completed the "transformation".
"No, at most three days. Mr. Abe Masahiro, I think you should understand that the Austrian Empire can help the shogunate, your emperor, or even any daimyo.
You don't have much time to choose. After all, the unfaithful people are not ambitious today."
Kagura's tone was still gentle, but her sharp eyes made Abe Masahiro, who was second to none in the shogunate, feel terrified.
The latter wiped the sweat from his forehead, swallowed his saliva and tried to squeeze out a few words.
"Thank you very much, Miko-sama (みこ). I will definitely give you a satisfactory answer!"
"Well, let's stop here today."
"Farewell, Miko-sama (みこ)." Abe Masahiro couldn't get up.
Kagura and the Austrian Imperial Navy Guard of Honor left the battle, and Abe Masahiro still didn't get up. The retainers and samurai didn't know why the chief elder did this.
Finally, someone mustered up the courage to touch Abe Masahiro, only to find that the latter had fainted.