Edict to Open National Harbours: Yes
Tenpo Reforms: No
[Provincial Daimyo]
[Kyushu]
((Double Roju term from 5 years to 10 years: No))
While the first edict is an excellent step towards improving trade to better learn the ways of the West, I feel that the Tenpo Reforms are not as well refined. The first clause states that the Shogun takes all crops from our farmers, but does not provide compensation for such an action. Do we expect all our farmers to go destitute while the Shogun hordes their grain? This system forces the farmers of Nippon to rely solely on the kindness of the Shogun or the Daimyos for their survival, which is a dangerous precedent. Farmers should at least be paid for their crops if they are to have them all claimed by the Shogun. I also feel that implementing a new currency will add unnecessary complications to our economy. The third clause alone has my full support though.
- Daimyo Ito Katashi of Miyazaki
On the Tenpō Reforms. Article One states that peasents will be given enough produce to satisfy their basic needs. It is essential that the Shogūn stockpile surplus crop so that he can feed the people of Nippon in times of strife. If such a system had been in place when the Tenpō Famine struck far fewer would have died.
The implementation of a new currency is essential. On a visit to Deijma I found that the Nanban were taking hoards of gold and silver for trinkets, clearly a more ordered currency with a set value for trade with the Nanban will suit Nippon better. Current Tokugawa coinage valued at £1 has a material value of £100. That is a £1 coin, if melted down, is worth £100 to the Nanban. If we are going to trade with foreigners we might do well to avoid such exploitation.
~Yoshito; 1st Lord Fureno-Shizuoka
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