Chapter 161
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Translator: 8uhl
Chapter: 161
Chapter Title: Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity
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“Oh, is that so? Your Highness Killian has a truly profound understanding of our country. I never imagined you would even know of the famous landmarks here in Kyoto.”
“Kyoto is the very heart of Japan, where Your Majesty resides. It is only natural that I should know of it.”
Emperor Ninkō.
The 120th emperor of Japan, its current spiritual pillar.
Though he held little real power, he was a man who tried to faithfully fulfill his role, making efforts such as establishing an educational institution within the Imperial Household.
As the Shogun had arranged, the meeting with the Emperor was conducted in a rather free atmosphere, rather than one of strict formality.
This was possible because it took the form of the Emperor personally welcoming a descendant of the Tokugawa, rather than an official meeting with a foreign envoy.
“Given your mixed heritage, it must not have been easy to establish yourself in a foreign land. To see you rise to the position of the Queen’s husband is truly remarkable. I am not well-versed in these matters, but is the King of Britain powerful, like the kings of Joseon or Qing?”
“Not quite. While many such countries still exist in Europe, the British Empire is a cabinet-responsible system that governs strictly according to the law. The monarch reigns but does not rule.”
“Then it seems our situations are similar. Is there a position like the Shogun there as well?”
“There is a Prime Minister who leads Parliament. But the Prime Minister is not the ruler of the British Empire either. To be precise, what rules the British Empire are its laws and institutions. The Prime Minister, the monarch, and Parliament all operate the country based on these laws.”
The Emperor’s eyes sparkled with curiosity as he heard about a constitutional monarchy for the first time.
“How fascinating. Then what role does Your Highness Killian play? I hear you are a daimyo of a land even larger than the Qing Dynasty.”
“A daimyo… As the Duke of Canada and a plenipotentiary ambassador, my role is both similar and different. My position is guaranteed by law, not something that comes from being the Queen's husband or a duke.”
“I see. The more I hear, the more fascinating it becomes. Do you think, then, that our Japan will one day move in such a direction?”
“That is a matter that will depend on how the sentiments and circumstances of this country change.”
The man who had summoned me here.
The Emperor, relegated to a symbolic role behind the scenes, seemed surprisingly interested in the British system.
As someone who had tried to establish an educational institution, he must have been curious about the various systems of other countries.
Of course, he might have simply been deeply dissatisfied with the reality of being a powerless figurehead.
The Emperor asked me time and again, as if seeking confirmation, how other European countries were currently run and how they treated their kings.
Sensing his intentions, I went to great lengths to explain how, although the trend was toward weakening monarchies, kings still possessed immense power.
“...Thus, while it cannot be said that Her Majesty the Queen rules our British Empire, her legally authorized powers are incredibly strong. If she so chose, it would even be possible for her to dismiss the Prime Minister, who is the equivalent of Japan’s Shogun. Other countries are even more so.”
“So, although it is a rule of law, the law itself legitimizes royal authority. How interesting. The Shogun tells me that we will soon establish diplomatic relations with your country. If that happens, is it not possible that we will adopt your nation’s advanced culture and systems?”
“That is correct, Your Majesty.”
“I see. I understand. While the practical details will be handled by those in charge, I believe that if we are to establish relations, it should be with the country of Your Highness, in whom the blood of Tokugawa flows, rather than any other. However, there is one thing I wished to ask, which is why I summoned you.”
“I will grant whatever Your Majesty wishes.”
Emperor Ninkō smiled softly and lowered his voice so that even I, sitting right in front of him, could barely hear.
“For our country to develop, I believe it is right to accept the advanced ideas of foreign nations. What are your thoughts, Your Highness?”
“I think similarly. In fact, Japan has achieved its current prosperity because it was quick to adopt the advanced culture of the continent through Qing and Joseon in the past, adding Japan’s own unique color to it, is it not?”
“You speak nothing but the truth. Then, if we open trade, advanced Western scholarship and thought will naturally flow in… Is there no way to organize and systematize this? That way, this country can develop even further.”
His words sounded noble.
If one ignored the glaringly obvious intent behind them, that is.
The Emperor was only human, after all. How much helplessness must have built up from living his entire life as a powerless scarecrow?
In Joseon, just next door, even with the rampant clan politics, the ministers could never act in defiance of the king, and the Qing was on another level entirely.
It was not unreasonable for Emperor Ninkō to think that if Japan adopted a system like the British Empire’s, his own authority would become much stronger than it was now.
Even if it didn't, the power of the Shogun who had suppressed him until now would be limited, which he would not see as a bad thing.
To think the Emperor harbored such thoughts.
As if to prove it was the end of an era, the powerful domains, the Shogun, and the Emperor all harbored different ambitions, each looking for a chance to backstab the other. How beautiful.
But having learned of this situation, I couldn't just let it pass.
I had been trying to think of a suitable excuse to insert a certain clause into the trade treaty, and now he had just handed me the idea on a silver platter.
“Your Majesty is right. As I also wish for both our nations to prosper together, I will need to give it some more thought. Hmm… what would be good.”
Sipping my drink, I pretended to be lost in thought for a moment. After draining my cup a few more times, I spoke again.
“Then let’s do this.”
“……?”
Hearing my subsequent proposal, the Emperor’s eyes widened, and then he broke into a broad grin and nodded.
Of course, of course. The more channels there are for accepting advanced civilization, the better.
Seeing that the people in high places had their minds in the right place, I couldn't help but smile in satisfaction.
The people of Japan must be so happy.
How I envy them.
***
With the meeting with the Emperor having concluded successfully, there were no longer any obstacles to signing the trade treaty.
Now that Emperor Ninkō had officially announced his welcome of a treaty with Japan's friend, the British Empire, those who had been championing the "Revere the Emperor, Expel the Barbarians" slogan and fussing about diplomatic ties with the West were immediately silenced.
“The term ‘barbarian’ refers to the savages of the West. How can the great British Empire, home to His Highness Killian who carries the blood of Tokugawa, be considered barbarian?”
“Indeed! The barbarians we speak of are nations like France or Russia. The country of His Highness Killian cannot possibly be classified as barbarian in the first place!”
There's an excuse for everything. Look at how quickly they changed their tune.
The whole world was full of flip-floppers.
In any case, thanks to this turn of events, I was able to present a slightly modified version of the treaty I had prepared to the Shogun with great ease.
“This is the draft of the Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity. If you have no objections, we can proceed with signing it as is. Please take a look and give me your opinion.”
“Hmm… this is…”
Since it was, in name, a treaty of amity, I hadn't made the unequal terms too obvious, even though it was one.
The real shackles could be placed after the inevitable war between the shogunate and the powerful domains broke out.
“Article 1. There shall be permanent amity between the two nations of Britain and Japan and their peoples, regardless of person or place. I have no objections to this.
Article 2. The ports of Shimoda, Hakodate, Kobe, Niigata, Yokohama, and Nagasaki shall be opened. Tariffs shall be decided through mutual consultation, and within the open ports, the laws of the British Empire shall take precedence for British merchants. The opening of ports is fine, but the latter part is a bit…”
“This is unavoidable. The legal systems of our two countries are too different, and incidents in the Qing Dynasty have solidified European perceptions. If Japan establishes modern laws, we will of course abide by them.”
Extraterritoriality was considered a representative feature of unequal treaties, and rightly so, but by this time, Europe had already crafted the perfect excuse to justify it.
The pretext was that the instability of trade became too great under Eastern systems where the state could arbitrarily interfere in commerce, stretching and shrinking laws like rubber bands.
Still, since the principle was set on negotiated tariffs, the Shogun didn't raise any particular objections.
The rest of the articles were mostly standard: most-favored-nation treatment, handling of shipwrecked persons, permission to temporarily enter other ports during inclement weather, and communication through consulates established by both sides.
The truly important parts were the last two articles.
The Shogun carefully read Article 13, the one he so desperately wanted, over and over, checking for any deficiencies.
“The two nations shall form a mutual alliance. When either nation is attacked by another power, it is obligated to respond to a request for aid from the government. Alternatively, even without a request for aid, if the situation is deemed urgent, there is the right to send support troops temporarily.
Why was this last part added?”
“Well, if a situation is extremely urgent, a request for aid might not arrive in time. Besides, even if the Shogun requests support, is there not a concern that the message could be intercepted by hostile forces? It was included for such a time.”
“I see. Indeed, one must account for every possibility. It is better to be cautious.
With this article, even if Russia, France, or the United States came knocking on our doors demanding we open our ports, we would have the strength to refuse and resist.
If they were to engage in gunboat diplomacy, we could interpret it as an attack and request aid from the British Empire.
And should the provincial domains dare to rebel, he could first try to suppress them with the shogunate's forces, and if the situation became unfavorable, he could then request support. He probably thought he could now rest easy.
“But this last one… you say it was a clause requested by His Majesty the Emperor?”
“Yes. His Majesty is a true monarch who thinks of this country’s future. That is why I came up with this article, to be of even greater help to this nation.”
“The British Empire and Japan shall jointly establish the ‘East Asian Capability Enhancement and Development Fund’ and provide opportunities for study abroad to desired talents from both nations. Any Japanese students who wish may receive a free education in Canada? Why Canada? To truly see and learn from an advanced system, shouldn't they go to the capital of Britain…”
“That is not the case. This may be a little difficult for the Shogun to hear, but the difference between London and Edo right now is far too great. What emotions do you think the intellectuals of this land would feel upon arriving in London? Would they be fired up with a desire to make Edo just like it?”
“Well… wouldn’t they?”
“No. The first thing they would feel is helplessness. They would have no idea where to even begin to transform a city to such an extent. It would feel like facing a wall so high its top is out of sight. That is why I chose Canada. Canada is currently undergoing rapid industrialization, and in a dozen years or so, its major cities will likely grow to rival London. In other words, the students will be able to witness the entire process of a modest city developing into a metropolis rivaling London.”
Of course, that was a lie.
The students would be thoroughly vetted, receive a curated education, and be molded into loyal first-generation immigrants who would chant "All hail British Canada, long live Lord Killian Tokugawa!" and wish to settle in Canada for good.
But the Shogun, who had been doubtful, instantly brightened up.
“Ah, I see! From our perspective, as a nation just beginning to develop, it is far more efficient to observe Canada, which is currently in the midst of development, and apply that directly here, rather than looking at London. I understand immediately.”
“Precisely. And we plan to accept large-scale immigration, not just students. The experience of those who have actually learned skills on-site and operated factories will be just as important as that of a few intellectuals.”
This too was a lie.
While intellectuals were always welcome in Canada, the immediate need was for an absolute population pump, so I had to bring over as many people as possible.
The immigrants I planned to take would be from the lower classes, who were easy to manage. Would Japanese commoners who had established themselves in Canada really want to return to their home country?
They would sooner die than leave, clinging to my trousers and begging to stay.
“And if there are any subversive intellectuals in the country whom the Shogun finds disagreeable, you can simply hand them over to us. After receiving an excellent education in British Canada, they will return with all the hot air knocked out of them, transformed into true patriots dedicated to developing the nation.”
“Oh, I had no idea there was such a hidden meaning. Now that I hear it, I can simply send away those who are an eyesore under the pretext of studying abroad. I never thought you would adapt His Majesty’s proposal in such an exquisite manner.”
“The Shogun can trust in me and rest assured. As long as I am here, the Tokugawa clan will be celebrated for generations to come as the heroes who made Japan the most advanced nation in Asia! Hahahaha!”
This wasn't a complete lie, but about half true.
Of course, I didn't bother to mention that the "Tokugawa" I was referring to was myself, not Shogun Ieyoshi.
Still, my honeyed words seemed to have worked. My dear cousin, Tokugawa Ieyoshi, excitedly wrote his name on the treaty I had brought and affixed his seal.
I, too, signed as the representative of the British Empire and personally poured a cup of sake, offering it to the Shogun.
Here, here, drink up and be merry. At least you get to live in a happy dream for the rest of your life, right?
The first treaty Japan ever signed with a Western nation in history.
The Anglo-Japanese Treaty of Amity came into effect from that moment on.