A tour of Japan's Warring States Period

Kodaira was not afraid of the Hojo family opening the port, because there was almost no conflict in the trade goods between the two. Yamauchi was mainly exporting raw silk, while Hojo was definitely mainly exporting sulfur.

This is determined by the special natural environment of the region. Shinano is mountainous and watery, which is suitable for mulberry planting. Many farmer families have sericulture as a side job. Later, Perry forced Japan to open a port. The raw silk produced in Shinshu, Koshu, was the first to be marketed around the world and gained wide acclaim.

The Hojo clan is located in the Kanto Plain, and its main focus is the production of rice and wheat. But Izu's national hot springs have volcanoes, are rich in sulfur, and have some other minerals, even obsidian.

Sulfur may have been of little use in further antiquity, but now in the age of gunpowder weapons, any region producing sulfur and saltpeter automatically became a center of trade.

Even if the annual output of hundreds of thousands or even millions of sulfur jins after entering the fields, it will not have an impact on Hamamatsu's trade. At most, the Nanman merchant ships will have to travel one more stop and stop at one more port.

Raw silk is needed by Nanman merchant ships, and sulfur is also needed by Nanman. This will not change because of any events.

But what's going on with missionary work?

Could it be that the country was really opened by seventy-two cannons?

Thinking about it, this is the most reasonable and realistic statement. After all, no matter how strong the city wall is, no matter how brave the soldiers are, they will all be reduced to nothing under the roar of the cannon.

The Hojo family did not bow to Uesugi Kenshin, who was armed with a sword, but bowed to the Nanman who had cannons.

"Father William didn't come back?" Xiao Pingtai looked at Qi Gui who ran back to report the news.

"The priest went to Xiamian to establish a church. He said that his kingdom of God has arrived."

"The Kingdom of God has arrived?"

William opened the door to a pagan country with a population of more than one million. As long as the news reaches Rome, his name will be directly on the throne of St. Paul's Cathedral. It is almost inevitable to be canonized after death, and there will also be miracles and manifestations of holy grace in the future.

Even if Naojo Naojo changes his religion, the seat of Rome is not far away, so it is not impossible to build him a golden crown like the King of Japan.

From now on, a Saint William, a Saint Hojo, the Great Sage, the patron saint of the Kingdom of Heaven on earth will be confirmed!

It's no wonder that William agreed to teach Hojo cannon-casting technology and artillery skills. In his heart, spreading the glory of his family leader was more important than anything else.

"Are you coming back to report this to me first? Where is Pingliu? And where are the soldiers and horses in the mountain?"

"Stay in Xiedian temporarily and help Father William take over Xingquan Temple and transform it into a hall of Nanman Sect."

"It seems that the Hojo family will also master the art of cannon casting and cannon maneuvering very soon. It should not be underestimated." Hosokawa Harumiya was a little worried.

The territory of the Hojo family is enough to mobilize 45,000 to 50,000 people. Although almost all of them are hostile forces on all sides and must deploy troops to put out fires, this does not hinder the reality that the Hojo family is strong.

In the battle in Kanto next year, we may find that the Hojo army is pulling a Franco machine gun and firing ruthless artillery fire at the enemy who still holds the sword and spear.

"As long as you are prepared, what else can you do?" Uncle Tsunaliang sighed.

"Eat, eat, Nanaki, please sit down and eat together." Life must go on, and it cannot stop just because the Hojo clan has the Franco Machine Gun.

Naturally, these people are all talking about the same thing, and they don't know the taste of the food.

…………

“The Spokesperson on earth of the Lord God in the arms of all glory, Lord of the great Holy City of Rome, Successor of the Apostle Saint Peter, sits under the Apostolic Crown at the right hand of the Holy Father.

Your humble servant, Guillaume of Wallonia offers you the highest respect.

Since I left Rome fifteen years ago and traveled to the Land of the Rising Sun, my years of hard work have finally received the promised favor of the glorious Holy Father!

The three most powerful Grand Dukes in the entire East Japan, the Grand Duke Ashikaga of Shinano Country, the Grand Duke Hojo of Sagami Country, and the Grand Duke Fujiwara of Echigo Country, all allowed the Lord’s permission under the inspiration of the Holy Father. Evangelism.

The entire Kingdom of the Rising Sun has 12 million people and 66 states, of which about 20 states and 4 million people will soon become the lambs in the arms of the Lord.

Recently I baptized the uncle of the Grand Duke of Hojo, Earl Yoshito, who has 1.7 million people and ten kingdoms. The Grand Duke of Hojo is very interested in Catholicism. Although he himself is a pagan, this is just to be with him. It’s just that the people of the territory maintain the unity of belief.

I believe that as long as they continue to work hard, the above three grand dukes may fall into the arms of the Lord.

In addition, there is Count Fujiwara in the Kingdom of Shinano. He serves as the national judge of the Kingdom of the Rising Sun. He also serves as the tutor and palace minister of the Grand Duke of Ashikaga. This is a nobleman who is resourceful, brave and courageous, and has great goodwill towards the Catholic Church.

It is said that his family can be traced back to the period of Charlemagne. It has a clear origin and is the most standard noble. If it hadn't been for the earl's acceptance, China's missionary career in East Japan would not have gone so smoothly.

Not long ago, he even donated a huge building complex of more than five acres to the church free of charge to serve as the church's synagogue in the Land of Three Rivers.

His own understanding of the world far exceeds that of the average Japanese. The Grand Duke of Ashikaga he assists is of the same race as the current Japanese king, and has the supreme right to claim the throne. Today's Japanese king has no heirs and is surrounded by many challengers.

Perhaps this is the most valuable thing about their kindness.

Here, your humble servant Guillaume, once again pays you my most sincere respect.

It is hoped that the Church will continue to send more missionaries to Hamamatsu, where there is already a large Catholic community with thousands of believers and magnificent synagogues.

There are more lost lambs waiting for the Lord’s salvation! "

William was full of excitement and wrote this long letter with trembling hands and sealed it with fire paint. The shipowner of the East India Company was entrusted to deliver the letter to the Jesuits in Macau, and the Jesuits forwarded it to the Pope in Rome.

Although it may be three years or even longer before he receives a reply, William's fifteen years of missionary experience in a foreign country have sharpened his determination and he can afford to wait.

He looked at the hall of Xingquan Temple, which was still full of Buddhist decorations. Although all the Buddhist statues, scriptures and other things had been taken away by the monks, including the ten thousand characters in the courtyard, the Arhat murals on the walls, the lotus flowers on the beams and columns, etc. Keep it all.

The imprint of Buddhism must be erased. William has learned things like painting and architecture anyway, so he can do it himself. Now there are hundreds of people helping him, and he is even more ambitious. He wants to turn this temple into a Catholic cathedral in one day, filled with all kinds of holy paintings.

Of course, what he didn't know was that the Jesuits in Macau had decided to consecrate him as the bishop of Hamamatsu Diocese and sent four deacons to Hamamatsu to help him establish a church school to train local missionaries in Japan.