Aztec Civilization: Destiny to Conquer America!

"Oh! The Shogunate and Ming Dynasty validation trade!"

In the quiet room, the stove's fire was warm. The water in the pot was slightly boiling, emitting a "huhu" sound, mixed with a faint aroma of tea. The Kyoto merchant Mori no Kiyoshi lowered his eyes, gazing at the slightly boiling water, just as turbulent as his inner feelings.

The Ming Dynasty strictly enforced the sea ban, prohibiting foreign merchant ships from trading, and also forbidding private individuals from going to sea. The so-called Shogunate and Ming Dynasty validation trade, in form, was the "Japanese King" Muromachi Shogunate's periodic tribute trade to the Ming Dynasty.

The Shogunate dispatched tribute ships to the Ming Dynasty, boarded by great merchants of their own country, carrying large quantities of Wa Country's special products, reaching the ports of Beijing and Ningbo, to conduct formal transactions with merchants officially licensed by the Ming Dynasty.

This overt trade included two parts: the tribute and return gifts to the Emperor of Ming, known as "public trade," and the goods traded by merchants from both sides on board, known as "private trade."

The trade items demanded by the Ming Dynasty from Wa Country included sulfur, copper, gold, silver, fans, swords, lacquerware, and screens. On the other hand, Wa Country's demands for Ming Dynasty goods almost covered everything, lacking in every aspect. Among these, especially in demand were Ming money Tongbao, books and paintings, silk, and porcelain.

Of course, whether it was "public trade" or "private trade," it was an official trade with the granting of privileges from both countries. The profits from this official trade for merchants on both sides were generally more than ten times, while for the Shogunate's tribute and return gifts, it was two to five times. The only one losing money was the Emperor of Ming.

"Ha! The real profit from the validation trade... is definitely more than ten times!"

The heart of Kyoto merchant Mori no Kiyoshi rose and fell, whispering to himself. He knew that the vast trade demands between the Ming Dynasty and the Wa Country, and the massive gap in goods, could never be satisfied by the annual Ming ships!

Between the Ming Dynasty and the Wa Country, there were not only overt official trades but also clandestine private trades by merchants of both countries. And the amount of such private trade was enormous, with profits so abundant. It resembled an iceberg floating in the far north sea, a gigantic object submerged underwater. In contrast, the overt official trade was just the tip of the iceberg, not even a thousandth.

Given such massive private trade between merchants of the two countries, why participate in validation trade at all? Why not just transport goods directly to the Ming Dynasty's seashore for private trade? Well, this question was carefully considered and boldly practiced by the southwestern countries of the Shogunate, resulting in them being regarded as pirates by the Ming Dynasty's government and hunted down.

The great merchants trading with them within the Ming Dynasty also constantly had the sharp sword of collaborating with pirates hanging over their heads. Once such private trade was exposed, they would be directly discarded by the big figures behind the scenes, facing relentless execution!

As for the Shogunate's side, merchants and samurais engaging in unauthorized private trade were also caught and executed. Only after the Yingren's Chaos did the Shogunate's prestige gradually decline, and its control over various countries weaken, leading to the increasing sea pirates.

"Ah! If one could participate in the validation trade, that would mean obtaining the official status of both countries... truly opening the door to private trade!"

Kyoto merchant Mori no Kiyoshi closed his eyes, envisioning great merchants in Hakata and Sakai Port, who, after engaging in validation trade, had bustling households and servants aplenty.

These great merchants, on their way to the Ming Dynasty, would prepare trade flags officially sanctioned, and trade authorization certificates with seals of both countries. Then, swiftly trade with acquainted Ming merchants near Ming shores. If encountered by Ming Dynasty's patrol fleet and unable to escape, they would raise tribute trade flags, claiming to be He Ships here for tribute!

Typically, Ming Dynasty's naval forces would only collect a tax and, claiming that the tribute time hadn't arrived, would drive away the He Ship. Even if the naval generals covet the wealth on the ship, they wouldn't directly seize an officially recognized tribute ship as a pirate. Because attacking a barbarian tribute ship was too risky, potentially ending their political careers and costing their lives.

"These limited, hard-to-obtain validation trade flags and permits... are protective talismans for private trade, capable of turning into a floating gold ship!..."

After contemplating for a long while, Mori no Kiyoshi finally opened his eyes, took a deep breath, then exhaled forcefully. With a wry smile, he looked at Takeda Nobuhiro, who had a faint smile on his face, shook his head, and sighed.

"My Tiantai Sect's method of practice has always been 'stopping and observing.' Only by stopping desires can the mind be calm, and only by peaceful observation can wisdom come, and when 'stopping and observing' are practiced together, one can cultivate 'calmness and wisdom'..."

"Lord Nobuhiro, you've stirred my inner greed, disrupting the practice of my peaceful mind, aiming to break my cultivation!..."

"Haha! Mori no Kiyoshi, Master Ji Zang once said, 'Without breaking, there is no collection; breaking the heresies entirely. The true Dharma of Buddhism can neither be affirmed nor denied, nor distinguished as inner or outer. The real aspect of all phenomena is neither existent nor non-existent, what can be broken, what can be collected?'"

With this, Takeda Nobuhiro folded his hands, revealing a solemn smile.

"So, in my opinion, the real aspect of all phenomena requires neither breaking nor establishing. You are thus attached to appearances!"

"..."

Hearing this, Mori no Kiyoshi shook his head. He did not argue with the other but replied with a wry smile.

"Lord Nobuhiro, yours is the method of the Sanron Sect, taking the path of sophistry... This is the evil view of 'wrongly grasping emptiness,' which does not align with my Tiantai Sect."

At this, Takeda Nobuhiro lightly smiled, remaining silent. He knew that his Buddhist knowledge was far inferior to Mori no Kiyoshi of the Myohua Monastery.

However, since the other responded this way, it meant his desires had been stirred. Once desires rise, the ambitions are large, and the balance of forces between both parties changes. Therefore, he would have to invest more capital, offering more benefits! To put it plainly, if you want better and more tribute gifts, to connect with influential figures, you need to add more money!

"Mitsuhiro, brew the tea!"

Takeda Nobuhiro solemnly instructed, and Kaozaki Mitsuhiro quickly put away his perplexed expression, respectfully beginning to brew the tea. Then, with a respectful demeanor, he handed two cups of tea to both of them. They consumed them in one gulp, with no further small talk.

"Validation trade, I indeed have the possibility to intervene. But the premise is, I must handle this matter well! I not only need to present rare and stunning tribute gifts to the newly inaugurated General's Family to fulfill the instructions of influential figures. I also need exceptional valuable gifts to satisfy the powerful figures behind me, the leader of the Xichuan, and the leader of Hatakeyama... Even so, my chance of obtaining the validation trade permit is only fifty percent!..."

Merchant Mori no Kiyoshi regained his composure, hiding his gentle expression, revealing for the first time a sharp demeanor. He looked at Takeda Nobuhiro, calmly stating.

"Lord Nobuhiro, everything in the world relies on human effort. Between us, one prospers, both prosper; one loses, both lose. If I obtain the validation trade permit, I will not forget your help today! And your furs, herbs, sand gold, and horses from the far north... if transported to the Ming Dynasty, could yield profits over thirty times!"

"I, Mori no Kiyoshi, vow to the Buddha! If this scheme succeeds, I will give you ten times the profit of thirty times!"

"Give me ten times?!"

Upon hearing this, Takeda Nobuhiro, with a usually calm expression, finally nearly lost it. After thinking for a moment, he finally nodded, solemnly taking an oath.

"Mori no Kiyoshi, I swear by the Takeda family name to the Buddha!... If so, your matter is my matter!"

"Good!"

Merchant Mori no Kiyoshi extended his hand, shaking hands with Head of the Kaozaki Family Takeda Nobuhiro, clapping heavily as a pledge. Beside them, Kaozaki Mitsuhiro's eyes widened, watching the exchange between the two, utterly dumbfounded. Then, once again, he heard his father Nobuhiro's loud command.

"Mitsuhiro, brew more tea!"

Takashi Mitsuhiro, standing nearby, hurried to obey, though his movements were a bit slurred and his expression was somewhat dazed, but no one spoke up. Mori no Kiyoshi slowly drank the tea, exhaled deeply after placing the cup down, and gave a wry smile, looking at the solemn Takeda Nobuhiro, shaking his head and sighing.

"Our Tiantai Sect's doctrine always practiced 'stopping and observing.' Only by ceasing desires can the mind be still, only by serene observation can wisdom be gained, and by cultivating both 'stopping and observing,' can one attain 'calmness and wisdom'..."

"Lord Nobuhiro, you've stirred my deep desires, disrupted my focused practice, and you wish to break my cultivation!..."

"Hahaha! Mori no Kiyoshi, Master Ji Zang once said, 'There is no breaking and no gathering; the errors are fully broken. The True Dharma of Buddhism cannot be said to have or to lack, nor is there any distinction between internal and external. The real aspect of all phenomena is neither having nor lacking; what to break, what to gather?'"

Saying this, Takeda Nobuhiro clasped his hands, displaying a solemn smile.

"So, in my view, the true aspect of all phenomena needs neither to be broken nor established. By seeing it this way, you are still attached to appearances!"

"..."

Hearing this, Mori no Kiyoshi shook his head. He did not argue with Nobuhiro but replied with a wry smile.

"Lord Nobuhiro, you are following the doctrine of the Sanron Sect and taking the path of sophism... This is the evil view you mistakenly hold, which does not agree with my path of the Tiantai Sect."

Hearing this, Takeda Nobuhiro knew his Buddhist understanding was far inferior to Mori no Kiyoshi of Miao Hua Temple and smiled without arguing further.

He understood that stirring Mori's desires was enough to achieve his aim, as greater ambitions lead to a change in the balance of power between them. Thus, more investment and benefits were called for! Simply put, if Mori wanted more and better tribute gifts, and to network with influential figures, he'd need to offer more!

"Mitsuhiro, prepare the tea," Takeda Nobuhiro commanded, and adjourned the conversation. Kaozaki Mitsuhiro, standing nearby, watched in a daze as the two of them engaged in negotiation. Then, at his father's urgent command, he set about brewing the tea, his movements a bit unsure, though unnoticed by both men.

After sipping the tea in silence, Mori no Kiyoshi finally set down the cup and took a deep breath, then exhaled it forcefully. He revealed a wry smile and shook his head while looking at Takeda Nobuhiro, who stood in front, seemingly amused.

"My cultivation within the Tiantai Sect has always emphasized 'stopping and observing.' Only through ceasing desire can the mind be calm; only watchful observation engenders wisdom, and practicing both 'stopping and observing' leads to 'calmness and wisdom'..."

"Lord Nobuhiro, you are stirring my inner greed, disturbing my peaceful endeavor; do you intend to disrupt my practice?..."

"Hahaha! Mori no Kiyoshi, Master Ji Zang once said, 'If you do not break, you cannot reassemble; once the heresy is broken, it is completely gone. The True Dharma cannot speak of existence or non-existence, nor is there any dichotomy of internal and external. The real nature of all things neither exists nor does not exist, hence there's nothing to break or gather!'"

At this, Takeda Nobuhiro folded his hands in a solemn smile.

"Therefore, to me, the real nature of all things needs neither breaking nor building. When you do this, you become attached to appearances!"

"..."

Hearing this, Mori no Kiyoshi shook his head. He did not argue with Nobuhiro, but responded with a wry smile.

"Lord Nobuhiro, this is the method of the Sanron Sect, and you are taking a path of sophistry... This is not in alignment with my Tiantai Sect."

Knowing this, Takeda Nobuhiro smiled slightly, understanding well that his knowledge of Buddhism could never compare to Mori no Kiyoshi of the Myohua Temple.

He knew that the desires within Mori no Kiyoshi had already been piqued. When desires arise, the ambition is immense, and further investment and benefits are inevitable! Simply put, if you want richer and more stunning tributes, you have to spend more! Make the connections with influential figures, and that means offering more!

"Mitsuhiro, prepare the tea,"

The surrounding Kaozaki Mitsuhiro immediately stepped forward to brew the tea the moment Takeda Nobuhiro sternly instructed, already following their negotiation closely. He watched their exchange wide-eyed and was left in a daze.

After slowly finishing his tea, Mori no Kiyoshi placed the cup down, took a deep breath, exhaled heavily, offered a faint smile at Takeda Nobuhiro, and shook his head with a sigh.

"Lord Nobuhiro, my old friend... Tell me, what do you desire?"