Chapter Three - Tranquility

Matsuura Takanobu

"Why have you come to Hirado instead of Nagasaki? Most Portuguese ships now dock around Yokoseura. Do you not know this?"

Matsuura Takanobu, the twenty-fifth lord of the Hirado Matsuura family, poses this question to the sun-tanned foreign woman before him. Raquel perceives in his expression clear wariness, a touch of irritation, and something akin to inner conflict. However, she cannot yet discern what lies at the root of these emotions.

The man translating Raquel's Portuguese is Tagawa Seibei, an apostate Christian. He received baptism when Christianity first arrived in Hirado and, as a Christian, had dealings with Portuguese merchants and Jesuit missionaries. This is how Tagawa described himself. She must be cautious of this man as well. Raquel chooses each word with careful deliberation.

"The Portuguese merchant I befriended in Macao was intimately acquainted with Lord Wang Zhi. His name is Pereira. There are territorial disputes among Portuguese merchants as well. Those who frequent Yokoseura or Nagasaki likely have weaker connections to Wang Zhi. I hold the advice of trustworthy friends in highest regard. Following Pereira's counsel, I determined that if I were to enter Japan, I should first seek an audience with Lord Matsuura. Given these circumstances, I must shamefully confess I know almost nothing of other Japanese ports."

"Wang Zhi, you say. How nostalgic. He was a remarkable man. Calm and composed, yet bold and swift when action was required. His dealings were always honorable. Yet the Ming captured such a man and simply executed him. In this, I felt keenly the decline of the Ming. When a nation can no longer recognize and nurture talent, it begins to shrink."

Takanobu's expression as he reminisces about Wang Zhi reveals the sorrow of one who will never meet his friend again. In that expression, Raquel sees something that overlaps with Pereira's when he spoke of Wang Zhi.

"I too have heard of Lord Wang Zhi's character from Pereira. After Wang Zhi fled to Japan with his subordinates, Pereira sold him goods from India and Portugal, cooperating in his trade. Pereira expended considerable effort to expand this commerce. Of course, he dealt with Wang Zhi because there was merchant profit in it. However, allying with a fugitive naturally entails danger. Pereira chose to continue trading with Wang Zhi despite these risks. I believe he too deeply trusted Wang Zhi."

Tagawa translates Raquel's words. Naturally, Raquel cannot understand Japanese. However, as Tagawa's interpretation progresses, she can see the suspicion fading from Takanobu's expression. Tagawa's Portuguese seems reasonably trustworthy.

"Pereira, a merchant who believed in Wang Zhi. You, who have connections with that Pereira, have come to visit me through Wang Zhi's former subordinates. I too wish to cherish such bonds. Raquel, tell me what you wish to do in this Hirado. I shall provide what assistance I can."

After conveying this to Raquel, Takanobu's expression suddenly turns stern as he adds:

"However, Christian evangelism is forbidden. Is that understood?"

This was the first appearance of Takanobu's face as the ruler of Hirado that Raquel witnessed. She senses with her entire being that these words, spoken in Japanese, are not to be defied. Fortunately for Raquel, complying with this command is exceedingly simple.

"Lord Takanobu, while I am a Christian, my profession is that of physician and merchant. A physician must devote herself to healing patients' bodies and saving lives. The salvation of souls is not my primary calling. I will make no attempts whatsoever to convert the people of Japan to Christianity here in Hirado."

Here Raquel pauses, waiting for Tagawa's translation. She can clearly see Takanobu's expression soften upon hearing it. If I am to remain in this land for some time, I must quickly learn Japanese as well. Keeping this thought in a corner of her mind, Raquel continues.

"Lord Takanobu, what I would request your permission for is to establish a modest medical clinic here in Hirado. Based on the medical arts I acquired in Portugal, I have traveled from country to country, learning and researching the medicinal herbs used in each land, their preparation methods, and prescriptions. I wish to put these skills to use serving the people of Lord Matsuura's domain. And if my clinic proves useful, I will import additional medicinal materials and spices from foreign lands, which could develop into substantial commerce depending on the goods. I will present a portion of the commercial profits to Lord Takanobu. Of course, should there be anything Lord Takanobu desires, I would request it from Pereira in Macao to procure and present to you. We could also export Hirado's products."

Takanobu shows obvious interest in Raquel's words.

"I see. You wish to demonstrate the usage and efficacy of your wares yourself, then expand trade accordingly. Like a silk merchant selling thread while displaying foreign garments made from it. Interesting. I shall support your clinic. My retainers and subjects suffer endless ailments and injuries. If your clinic proves useful, it will benefit us as well. Now then, what do you mean by 'a portion of the commercial profits'? What percentage do you intend to present to us?"

Raquel is surprised by Takanobu's quick comprehension and judgment, and the sharpness of his questions. To think that in this first audience, with just a few exchanges, the discussion would reach profit distribution. Raquel maintains her composure to avoid revealing her inner urgency while desperately working her mind. How should she respond? She must judge immediately and answer correctly.

"Fifty percent. I will present fifty percent of trade profits to Lord Takanobu. This commerce is only possible under Lord Takanobu's protection. Properly, I should present seventy or even eighty percent. However, this port of Hirado is a natural fortress. The intricate inlets, complex currents and topography, the constantly changing winds - we too might not have been able to enter without Chinese ship guidance and skilled navigators. The burden on ships is considerable. The costs of ship reinforcement, crew enhancement, and repairs all come from our profits. Taking this into account, I propose fifty percent."

Raquel has conducted such negotiations countless times. It is the core of being a trade merchant. Yet no matter how often she repeats it, there is no clear answer. Some greedy individuals fly into rage even at seventy percent, claiming it insufficient. On the other hand, few associates are satisfied with a fifty percent share. What would Diego, waiting in another room, say if he heard this? He would likely be indignant, saying fifty percent is unacceptable. In reality, there is a possibility the business could operate at a loss. However, gaining Takanobu's trust and securing safety takes priority over trade profits now. Diego should understand this.

"Forty percent. That will suffice for what you should present to us. Furthermore, I will provide ship repairs, provisions and water necessary for voyages, and laborers if needed. However, thirty percent of trade goods must be allocated not to medicinal materials but to securing bullets and gunpowder as a priority. The more the better. I will purchase everything you collect. And naturally, you must not conduct trade with anyone other than Hirado. In Japan, the Matsuura alone shall be your trading partner. Understood?"

Raquel has no room for objection. And indeed, Takanobu's proposal was remarkably astute. If sixty percent of profits could be obtained, voyages could be conducted continuously. Moreover, she neither could nor intended to trade with other lands besides Hirado anyway. She had no objection to the Matsuura family holding exclusive rights. The problem was bullets and gunpowder. However, this would have to be managed through cooperation with Pereira.

"Lord Matsuura, ruler of Hirado. Your generous disposition deserves my deepest gratitude. I accept everything. Under the king's protection, we shall first establish the clinic successfully, then devote our efforts to contributing to the king through trade."

After Takanobu gives a small nod to Raquel's response, he rapidly commands Tagawa in Japanese.

"This woman's proposal is worth testing. We shall proceed. Lend her the mansion Wang Zhi used. However, monitor her carefully to ensure this woman's medical arts are not fraudulent, or that she is not plotting something using poisons. First, have her examine prisoners who are ill or injured. We shall test her skills there. If she proves useless, send her back to Macao."

Tagawa nods silently. There is no way Raquel could understand this exchange. However, the intuition that has kept her alive this long grasps the situation almost accurately. In any country, when using a physician for the first time, one tests them on criminals or slaves. She would do the same if positions were reversed. She need only carry out her work matter-of-factly.

Takanobu gestures to Raquel while standing up, then leads her to an observation point overlooking the mansion's exterior.

"Lady Raquel. A beautiful landscape, is it not? Hirado is a small territory. Yet it has both sea and mountains, and islands of various sizes. It is a fertile land. My clan and the people of Hirado have been protected by this land for generations. It is also the gateway where foreign cultures and civilizations reach Japan earliest. And now you have appeared. This too must be fate. Can you see the small hill beyond the inlet? There stands a mansion Wang Zhi once used, and a small temple. You may use that mansion. It should have sufficient space for all your companions to reside comfortably."

"I am deeply grateful from the bottom of my heart."

While observing his profile, Raquel mentally summarizes her assessment of this ruler she has met for the first time. Though short in stature, this appears common to all people of this country. In this nation, Raquel would be considered quite a large woman. As for Diego, from the Japanese perspective he would seem like an ox or horse. However, from Takanobu's small frame emanates an irresistible dignity that silently compels those around him to submit. Yet while projecting such authority, he is not arrogant. This is a king worth staking one's immediate fate on. Raquel reaches this judgment.

"Lord Matsuura Takanobu, ruler of Hirado. For your generous benevolence toward foreign visitors who arrived suddenly with nothing but a single letter, Raquel and her company express our deepest heartfelt gratitude. We have loaded silk, glasswork, silver tableware and such aboard our ship at port. Though modest items, they are all goods from the Southern Barbarians. As our first trade goods, we present all of these to Lord Matsuura."

Takanobu's expression brightens with interest, and he immediately inquires:

"Are there bullets as well?"

Raquel shakes her head in response.

"Lord Matsuura, unfortunately we carry no lead. However, we do have some saltpeter that can be used for gunpowder. We shall present all of it to Lord Matsuura."

"Oh! Is that so! That is excellent news. I am grateful. While you reside in this Hirado and operate your clinic, this Matsuura shall guarantee your safety and livelihood."

Raquel respectfully receives these words. In her mind, she recalls Pereira's face. She must certainly convey her gratitude to him. As Raquel's thoughts turn in this direction, Takanobu drives home his point once more:

"However, as I stated earlier, Christian evangelism is absolutely forbidden. I do not order you to abandon your faith, but evangelism is prohibited. Understood? I shall send men to collect the saltpeter and other cargo at the port. Be prepared for this."

With that, Takanobu disappears into the depths of the mansion without waiting for a reply. The interpreter Tagawa hurries after him. They will likely discuss something further.

Left alone in the spacious audience chamber, Raquel quickly organizes the situation in her mind. It seems certain that no Portuguese merchants remain in this Hirado. Even Wang Zhi's subordinates had urged them to go to Nagasaki rather than Hirado when they expressed their desire to head for Hirado. However, Raquel insisted on Hirado. Acting alongside merchants with no direct connection to Pereira and Wang Zhi would be extremely dangerous. Above all, she believed the trust relationship between Pereira, Wang Zhi, and Takanobu should not be disregarded. And this judgment appears to have been correct thus far. Takanobu is a wise ruler. While Pereira was also an intelligent man, Takanobu's judgment, leadership, and insight surpass even that.

And there is one more thing she has learned. The lord of Hirado is extremely wary of Christianity. The reason is unclear.

(How troublesome.)

Raquel smiles wryly to herself. Having fled to the ends of the earth to avoid being hunted by Christians, now pretending to be Christian might endanger her life. Is this too another trial from Yahweh? As she murmurs this in her heart, the interpreter Tagawa returns.

"Lady Raquel. As Lord Matsuura commanded, I shall guide you to Wang Zhi's mansion. However, I will come later. I shall have another guide you, so rest inside when you arrive."