"To understand why Japan should establish relations with the British Empire, we must first recognize the current situation properly. Russia is at war with Qing China, and most likely Qing will lose Primorye to Russia."
"We are aware of that much. We have also heard that Korea is trying to sign a non-aggression treaty with Russia through the British Empire."
"Exactly. So the Japanese side might think, 'Then we should simply do the same as Korea.' But is it really that simple?"
"What do you mean…? Are you suggesting that Russia has its eye on us?"
"Of course. And Russia is not the only one. France will likely swallow the Nguyễn dynasty in Vietnam, and afterward it will set its sights on Japan. This land is essentially a bridgehead into the Pacific from Asia. It is far more valuable than you think."
Mōri, who had spent his life as a frog in the well of Northeast Asia, naturally failed to fully grasp what I was saying.
Which was only natural, since I was largely speaking off the cuff anyway.
But when someone spoke seriously in an authoritative tone about complicated matters, people with less knowledge tended to feel overwhelmed.
"But if that is the case, Korea is not so different."
"It is different. From Russia's perspective, Korea is connected by land. They believe they can march south whenever they wish. A non-aggression treaty? It sounds impressive, but history is full of countries that trusted such promises only to be betrayed later. Japan, however, is an island surrounded by sea. When the opportunity arises, Russia will want to establish relations with you somehow. And from the standpoint of France—and even Britain—if Russia expands its influence to Japan, then all Asian colonies will be endangered. Naturally, they will try to prevent that."
By mixing a bit of exaggeration with a scenario that seemed plausible enough, I created a sense of looming danger. Mōri's expression gradually grew more serious.
"Are there many daimyo who oppose establishing relations between the shogunate and Britain?"
"…Not exactly oppose. However, even with Your Highness present, Britain is still a Western nation. So there are those who feel uneasy."
"I understand that sentiment completely. But when a storm is already approaching, if one merely prays for it to pass instead of reinforcing the house, the house will be swept away along with everything else. Should you not prepare now?"
"And that preparation is relations with the British Empire?"
He still seemed unconvinced. I nodded lightly and continued the argument, twisting logic as needed.
"As the Shogun himself declared, I am also a member of the Tokugawa family. In other words, there is no one more suitable to serve as a bridge between Britain and Japan."
"I must admit, after seeing how Your Highness conducts yourself and hearing what you have said, I too have been surprised. I imagine many others feel the same."
"Exactly. And everyone in Britain knows my background. If you asked which European nation feels the most sympathy toward Japan or Korea, the answer would undoubtedly be Britain."
"Well… it is the homeland of the Prince Consort, after all."
"Indeed. That is why I intend to emphasize that this treaty will not mean Japan establishing relations with a Western nation. Rather, it will mean establishing relations with Britain—a brotherly nation. If that is the case, France or Russia cannot claim, 'If Japan opened relations with Britain, why not with us as well?' And as for Russian aggression, there is no need to fear. However tempting this land may be, Russia would hesitate to attack a country that Britain has declared to be a brother nation."
That argument did not conflict with the ideology of those shouting Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians.
Japan would not be befriending foreigners—it would simply be maintaining ties with a brotherly nation.
"However, there are concerns that opening the country may cause great social turmoil. Does Your Highness perhaps have a solution for that as well? Of course, I am not saying that I oppose relations with Britain. I merely mean that some people worry…"
"I understand very well. Opening the country and becoming closely entangled with Britain would certainly bring various incidents and complications. We trade with Asian countries such as India and Qing China, so we know what kinds of side effects can arise. Those matters will be carefully considered when drafting the treaty, so there is no need for excessive concern."
"I see. I had not realized that Your Highness was giving so much thought to the welfare of Japan. I may have spoken out of turn, yet you listened so patiently. I do not know how to express my gratitude."
"I have heard that the true spirit of the samurai is to risk one's life to offer honest counsel when one's lord walks the wrong path. In that sense, you too possess the true spirit of bushidō. I admire that, so please do not worry."
After filling him with praise—first pride in Japan, then pride in the samurai—Mōri's lips twitched upward before he quickly forced them down again.
He was not a seasoned diplomat, merely a young man who had recently inherited his domain. How starved he must be for recognition.
"I did not realize that Your Highness possessed such deep understanding of our culture. Your words have washed away all my concerns."
Perhaps the praise of his samurai spirit had been more effective than expected. Mōri Takachika offered a deep bow and rose from his seat without further objections.
Perhaps the sales pitch had worked too well. After that, not a single person from Satsuma or Tosa came to test me.
At least for the time being, I would not have to worry about some lunatic rushing at me in the street with a sword.
That was reassuring.
Having successfully created a favorable impression among those with the greatest potential to oppose the shogunate, the next step was naturally a meeting with the Shogun.
After all, that was the official reason I had come to Japan.
The Shogun hosted lavish banquets for me every day. There were performances by geisha, and the tables were filled with every imaginable delicacy.
When he realized that my officers could not properly eat raw fish, he even prepared special dishes just for them.
After my meeting with Mōri, the daimyo from powerful domains such as Satsuma and Chōshū no longer showed any visible discomfort.
To be honest, even if the hospitality had been sincere, a few banquets alone would not suddenly make us close friends.
This was simply a ceremony meant to show the outside world that we were on good terms.
Still, the ceremony proceeded smoothly enough, and perhaps satisfied with the result, the Shogun soon arranged a private audience between the two of us.
"You have been in Edo for several days now. How do you find it?"
"If I had to summarize in one sentence… it feels as though I have returned to my homeland. Thanks to the Shogun's hospitality, every day here has been a pleasant one."
"Ha ha… your homeland, you say. Yes, one's homeland is always special."
"Indeed. Although I arrived only recently, it feels like stepping into a place I already knew."
I had actually visited Japan several times two centuries later—half for travel, half for… less honest purposes—so the place naturally felt familiar to me.
But the Shogun seemed to interpret my words differently.
He murmured the word "homeland" a few times, then raised his cup toward me.
"Surely it is the Tokugawa blood flowing in Your Highness's veins responding to this land. After all, we are distant relatives. When discussing diplomatic matters in the future, perhaps we should approach them with a more relaxed spirit rather than excessive formality."
Was this what people called the Ripley effect?
After forging the genealogy to turn me into a Tokugawa, he now pushed the story even in private, as if determined to believe it himself.
Once he had publicly declared me a Tokugawa before everyone, there was no retreat.
If he ever admitted it was fabricated, the authority of the shogunate would collapse overnight.
"Ha ha, I would welcome that. In fact, I too have begun to feel more attached to this country. I hope that the Shogun and I may maintain a friendly relationship in the future."
"Oh? What gives you that impression?"
"I like the peaceful and refined atmosphere here. Personally, I find Qing China far too extravagant and noisy. True elegance lies not in size or excessive ornamentation, but in restrained beauty."
"Your Highness truly possesses a discerning eye! Ha ha!"
As I continued describing Japanese culture—repeating observations I had once read in museums and books—the Shogun's smile widened further and further.
In his eyes, I must have seemed like a man newly acknowledged as a Tokugawa descendant, eagerly studying the culture of his ancestral land.
As we exchanged cups of sake, the Shogun subtly began probing my views about other Asian countries.
"To be honest, I expected that Your Highness would visit Korea before Japan."
"Did you?"
"Yes. Though Tokugawa blood flows in your veins, you were born in Korea. They say that a person never forgets the place where he was born and raised."
"That is true. But tell me—if during your childhood in that homeland you were persecuted and eventually driven out, would you still feel attachment to it?"
"…Are you saying Korea treated you that way?"
At first he looked shocked. Then he lowered his head and poured more sake into my cup.
He was probably hiding a smile.
The less attachment I had toward Korea, the more advantage Japan—being the first to establish contact with me—would gain diplomatically.
"There is no need to repeat the story. Since we are alone, I will speak frankly. If I were to return to Korea, I am not sure I could remain calm. There is too much resentment. Perhaps that is why I avoid going there."
"How unfortunate… To treat a man like Your Highness in such a way. It seems Korea has very poor judgment."
"Indeed. Whereas the Shogun recognized my worth without even meeting me."
"Ha ha ha! You flatter me. But our policy has always been to value talent above all else. I cannot understand how Korea could fail to recognize a man like you and let you slip away."
Excellent.
He was reacting exactly as I had hoped.
"Still, it seems Korea is beginning to reflect on its mistakes, so I am at least listening to what they have to say. But as a human being, my feelings naturally lean more toward this side."
"We can only be grateful. By the way, I heard that Mōri of Chōshū visited you recently. Did he perhaps say anything inappropriate?"
"Inappropriate?"
"Nothing, I hope. There have been rumors that voices opposing relations with the West are rising in domains such as Chōshū and Satsuma. I was merely concerned."
"Ah, I see. He did not say anything directly… but… ah, so that was the reason."
When I left the suggestion hanging in the air, the Shogun's relaxed expression instantly stiffened.
"Did he say something else…?"
"Hm. It was said in confidence, so I am not sure whether I should repeat it to the Shogun. But blood is thicker than water, is it not? I suppose I must prioritize family ties."
"…What secret discussion…?"
"He asked me whether I had heard of the phrase sonnō jōi."
The phrase had only recently appeared and had not yet spread throughout Japan.
Unless someone in Japan had told him, the Prince Consort of Britain could never have known it.
The Shogun's face twisted instantly.
"You mean they said such an insolent thing in front of Your Highness?"
"No, not exactly. The 'expel the barbarians' part has nothing to do with me personally. But if the ideology of revering the Emperor becomes linked with hostility toward the West, I cannot help but wonder what effect it might have. After all, from our perspective, if we are to establish relations with this country, it would be better if Japan's government remained strong."
In other words, he understood the implication.
If left alone, that movement would eventually grow into a force advocating the overthrow of the shogunate in the name of the Emperor.
But the shogunate was not strong enough to crush the powerful domains outright.
And the domains themselves were not yet strong or united enough to overthrow the shogunate either.
Which meant there was only one possible outcome.
I leaned back calmly.
Now I could simply sit back, eat sushi, and wait to see who would come running to seek my support first.