Nagasaki Confucian Grand Academy

[sparkingac195]

'Upon arriving in Nagasaki, Hasshi knew that in order to start an empire, one would need an efficient Civil Service and Bureaucracy, and in order to have an efficient Civil Service and Bureaucracy, you would need efficient Civil Servants and Bureaucrats, and a place to train them. Having been educated in a Confucian Academy in Guangzhou Himself, Hasshi figured that he would need an Academy of his own if he was to achieve anything, and hearing there was a Confucian place of worship in Nagasaki, he decided to check it out.

When he arrived at the Temple, he was disgusted by what he saw, the whole place had fallen into disuse: the stone pathways had begun to erode and many were cracked, with weeds sprouting up already, the statues of Confucius had rusted, and the wooden ancestral hall was green with moss, with much of the paint peeled by the sun. It was practically unhinhabited and unattended to, save for the grounds four elderly 'caretakers' and dozens of spiders and rats who made homes in the dilapidated structure. There wasn't a glimpse of enlightenment or learning in sight.

Hasshi resolved then to destroy the current 'temple' there and then, and build a glorious academy in it's place'

(Obviously, when this place is actually built it will have a description worthy of it's name)

[sparkingac195]

Building the Academy- Part One:

Warning: This is quite long, and most of it is back-story rather then actual work, that comes in parts two and after

The day after his surveying of the 'temple', Hasshi awoke bright and early that morning (Which was unusual, considering he usually awoke later in the day) with only one thought on his mind, the destruction of that eyesore which he had visited yesterday.

Hasshi rode from his current home in Saga Castle to the Capitol in Central Nagasaki, where he was greeted by his courtiers, all dressed in the finest red and white silken robes they could find, as befitting an administration of the Ming Dynasty, and his Minister of Agriculture Hasekura Shinta, who was dressed more conservatively in a Japanese style Kimono, dyed black to cover any stains he may get during his daily inspection of the fields.

Hasekura had some urgent news for Hasshi, hence why a minister who normally spent his time out in the fields of Hizen would be there in the capital city waiting for Hasshi, from his presence alone Hasshi knew there was a matter requiring his urgent attention, that being said he was far more exited about his academy then anything else, not even an invasion by a nearby clan would distract him from his goal.

Hasshi dismounted, and proceeded to his small office in the Capitol, followed by his courtiers and civil servants, Hasekura made several attempts to attract Hasshi's attention, but they were all for naught, not because Hasshi was oblivious to them, but because he didn't want to respond to them, nor did he want to tell Hasekura off, he would need his help.

Upon arriving at his office, Hasshi sat down and finally addressed the impatient Hasekura:
'Whatever it is that needs my attention can wait, Shinta, i need your help with something much more important' he said coldly, as one of his courtiers poured him his cup of morning tea.

'Damn it Hasshi! this concerns the fate of the entire province! and you tell me that something else is more important than thi...'

Hasekura didn't have time to finish his sentence, as it was rudely interrupted by a loud whack, the sound of wood hitting ones cheek, as Hasekura fell to the floor, his cheek already beginning to swell a painful red.
'Shinta, you should know better than to address me in that tone, let alone by my first name...' said Hasshi, retracting his wooden fan (what he used to hit Hasekura with on the cheek) and placing it on his desk, before taking a sip of his tea.

Hasekura bowed in forgiveness, and apologised. He knew that he had been lucky to have his head still attached to his body after his outburst to Hasshi, and that Hasshi's decision to spare him meant that whatever Hasshi wanted his help for was a matter of great importance, just as Hasshi knew that whatever Hasekura needed to tell him was important enough to have him risk his life for, a position Hasshi respected. He gestured for Hasekura to stand, and asked him to tell him his matter first.

'My lord, your recent policy of recruitment after taking Hizen has resulted in a lack of manpower in the fields, and many of he farms are struggling to cope with the quota of Rice you have set, this morning I traveled down to the fisheries here in Nagasaki and talked with many of the fishermen and their wives, and they have told me that their productivity has been hampered ever since their sons and comrades have been drafted into the army, which is why I'd like you to...'

'Decrease the rice and fish quotas?' interrupted Hasshi
'No milord, reverse your recruitment policies and bring back more men into the fields'
'You know that's not possible Shinta, because we are unlike the other Daimyo'
'Unlike them?' replied Hasekura, puzzled by what Hasshi had just said
'Yes, for while every other Fief and province in Japan possesses an army, the Sho Faction Army possesses a Province' smiled Hasshi
'Whatever do you mean milord?' replied Hasekura, still puzzled by what Hasshi had said
'What i mean is, Hizen is currently a Military dictatorship, and until we can establish a better form of governance, we will remain a Military Dictatorship; and as one, we cannot afford to have a weaker army than our rivals, so i must regretfully inform you that there can be no reversal of my draft policies'
'But My Lord, if this continues we won't be able to feed our population nor would we be able to provide enough food for that army...'
'I understand Shinta, really i do, but you will have to find some other way to sure up the numbers' replied Hasshi sympathetically

'Yes Milord, now what is it that you wanted to talk to me about?'

'Ah yes, as i was mentioning to you earlier i have need to establish a proper form of governance over these lands, which i cannot achieve until i have a place of Learning and Culture to train said civil servants, which is why i intend to transform that eyesore you call a Confucian temple and replace it with an Academy, filled with a Grand Library, lecture halls, and the like; Aesthetics of course will be an important part of this new academy, and since I'm not much of a Landscaper, i want you to design me a garden... or seven'

'You want me to design for you a garden?'
'Seven gardens'
'Our people, are on the brink of starvation because there is not enough food and there isn't enough food because there aren't enough people in the fields and you want me to design Gardens! Damn it Hasshi I...'

A loud whack was once again heard throughout the capitol building, as Hasshi put his fan back on his desk and finished his cup of tea, Hasekura lay at the floor, his other cheek starting to bleed, this hit was harder than the last one.
'Shall we go, Shinta?' asked Hasshi
'Very well milord' replied Hasekura, wondering if this is what Tanaka-san meant by turning the other cheek.

A short while later, Hasshi arrived at the site of the Future Academy, Hasekura and the other courtiers in tow, where they were greeted by the four elderly attendants and Tanaka-san, who had just finished taking some troops out for their morning drill, the men saluted Hasshi as he dismounted, their numbers almost one thousand; also present was a prominent local Fung Sui master and his disciple, and three surveyors and geometers who Hasshi had brought in to assist him. (Mathematics never really was his strong point, and divination is best left to the experts in Hasshi's opinion)

Hasshi greeted the men, as did Hasekura and his other courtiers, and they soon presumed to sit down at a makeshift table, with only Tanaka and the soldiers standing. Hasshi then laid out his designs for the future academy on the table, which were carefully observed by those present. being somewhat familiar with the principles of Fung Sui, Hasshi had designed the academy according to it's rules, so the Diviner found no problems with the design, although no measurements had been taken by Hasshi, hence the presence of the Geometers and Surveyors, who then proceeded to put Hasshi's designs into effect, measuring out his designs and that of the space available, the Fung Sui master also felt it was important to bless the grounds before construction, and so he and his disciple accompanied the Surveyors and Geometers, leaving only Hasshi, Hasekura, the caretakers and a few of his courtiers sitting at the table. Hasshi used this time to address the caretakers.

'Since there is nothing that we can do until the measurements are completed, i was hoping to ask the four of you on the condition of the former grounds library, how many copies of The Analects do you possess? 100, 200?'

'None, sir' replied the most senior of the caretakers

'i see..., so this is a temple of the Mengzi school? In that case how many copies of Mengzi do you possess? 100?, 200?'

'None, sir.' replied another caretaker

Hasshi grew white with rage, he knew this temple was underfunded, but not possessing EITHER of the Analects or Mengzi was an outrage, 'What is the point of a Confucian Temple if it doesn't possess the two texts which most Confucian teachings are derived from?!' he thought.

'Do you have Any of the Four Classics?' he replied, clearly Irked.
'No, sir...' replied a third caretaker meekly
'In that case, what do you have?'
'The Dhammapada' replied the fourth Caretaker, just as meekly as the third.
'The What!?, This is supposed to be a Confucian Temple!'

Hasshi then proceeded to go into one of his patented fits, which Tanaka, Hasekura and his other courtiers were unfortunately all too used to by now. By the time he'd finished yelling and breaking things, mainly in the direction of the caretakers, the Surveyors and geometers had finished, and returned to the makeshift table. None were surprised by the smashed teacups which surrounded it, though it must be said that they were all secretly surprised that the four caretakers were still alive at this point, considering both the condition of the Temple and the loudness of Hasshi's fits.

The Head Geometer addressed Hasshi with a respectful bow and reported his findings to him:
'Milord, our survey of your plans and the available ground has determined that in order to build your academy, we would not only need to knock down the current temple, but most of the surrounding residential area'
'How much is most?' replied Hasshi
'Around Three Square Kilometres worth, Milord' Replied the Geometer
'and how many people live within those Three Square Kilometres?'
'Around Three to four thousand, milord'
Hasshi smiled, and then turned to Tanaka and Hasekura, 'It seems there is a solution to Both our problems Shinta...'

Both Tanaka and Hasekura understood what he meant, and Tanaka ordered half his men to forcibly evict all those living within the 3 square Kilometres and take them to farms in the countryside, and the most Fit and Healthy to the Nagasaki fisheries, while the other half started the demolition of the temple and surrounding structures. The Caretakers were taken, along with the Geometers, to accomadation in Saga Castle, while the Fung Sui Master and his disciple, along with Hasekura stayed with Hasshi and his courtiers; It was Midday and much work was left to be done, and there was nothing further Hasshi could do here, so he re-mounted his steed and got ready to travel...

'Where are we going now Milord?' asked Hasekura
'Kofuku' replied Hasshi coldly
'Why?' asked Hasekura
'Bronze'

(Bit tired right now, so i'll post up Hasshi's quest for Bronze tomorrow)

[sparkingac195]

Building the Academy Part Two: The Dhammanagari

By the time Hasshi had reached Kofuku-ji, it was twelve-thirty in the afternoon. Hasekura, who still had no idea what Hasshi would be doing at a Buddhist Temple, was asking questions the entire journey, to which Hasshi just ignored, as he was far too busy embroiled in thought; scheming of a way to let the Monks part with their precious Bronze Bells and Holy Statues.

Upon his arrival at the Temple gates, the monks were busy in meditation, as was audible by the sound of their Gavels banging as they recited the sutras, the sound disturbed Hasshi, so he ordered that all the monks meet him outside the Temple gate, which they did immediately, as Hasshi's intolerance towards Buddhist Monks was to them very well known.

The Monks met outside the gate, and bowed respectfully towards Hasshi as monks do, in the traditional Amitabha fashion and the most senior of the monks asked Hasshi what he was doing here.

'Oh great and powerful lord, for what brings you here to Kofuku-ji?'
Hasshi dismounted, and opened his fan, fanning himself as he replied; 'As i am sure you know, I have recently obtained the lands of Hizen, and as such have needed to recruit many new troops into my armies for the tranquility and prosperity of Nagasaki and the rest of Hizen province'

Hasshi Continued; 'While we have enough men to defend Hizen, we are in short supply of weapons, and the bronze needed to make spear and arrow heads, which is why i've been required to pass a New Edict, which i call the Dhammanagari...'
'The Dhammanagari?' interrupted one of the Monks
'Yes, the Dhammanagari, which requires the confiscation of all statues of Buddha among the populace and clergy to be confiscated, with the intention of them being melted down and made into spear and arrow heads, which will be kept in reserve to be distributed amongst the peasantry in order to defend Hizen in times of need.'

This revelation shocked the monks, who collectively bowed and chanted Amitabha before Hasshi. One of the younger and more impetuous monks stepped forward and questioned Hasshi.
'But Milord, there is no such Edict...'
'There is Now' Hasshi replied firmly
'But Milord, surely you don't need that much bronze for weapons, why not leave us a few of the Holier statues?' retorted one of the other monks
'Because, as my Minister of Agriculture will be happy to tell you, we also are in need of Farming Tools, ever since a large portion of Nagasaki's population decided to give up City life voluntarily and work in the fields for the good of the State; not to mention the ones that we have in current use are old and worn out and could do with a replacement'

Hasekura, a Buddhist, was greatly disturbed by this recent chain of events. he knew that despite the recent influx of Farmers, there were plenty of farming tools to go around, and that the ones in current usage were fine, as he inspected many of them last week. In Hasekura's mind, there was no reason to go to such extreme and potentially blasphemous measures, he had to say something.
'But Milord, our farming tools are in great condition, and we have more than enough to go around...'

'As my Minister of Agriculture, who greatly values his status and position, not to mention his home and the wellbeing of his wife and their three lovely daughters has stated, we need the bronze.' Hasshi grunted
'But Milord!' retorted Hasekura 'I siad nothing of the sor...'
'Who greatly values the wellbeing of his wife and three lovely daughters...' Hasshi threatened once again, the rest of his courtiers and the monks were suddenly silent.
'Yes... That's exactly what i meant Milord...' replied Hasekura meekly, he didn't approve of what his lord was doing, but he had no choice but to obey him, for his family's sake.

'Right then, if there are no FURTHER objections, then let us take the Bronze that we need, monks if you would be so kind as to take us to your Bronze statues of Buddha...' Hasshi ordered, clearly pissed off by the insubordination he had faced at the temple.

The Monks knew that they had no choice but to let Hasshi take their precious bells and statues, so they proceeded to show Hasshi around the temple, with Hasshi taking every single bronze item in site and placing it outside the temple, most of this he did himself, but for some of the larger items, such as the temple Bells, he asked the Monks and the Courtiers to help him with, Physical Strength not being a virtue of his.

It took about Four Hours to strip the entire temple of bronze artifacts, and Hasshi and the others were rather tired after all the heavy lifting, so Hasshi arranged to have a Vegetarian meal at the temple, before heading out in the evening.

Hasekura was perplexed by two questions, Why did Hasshi need all this bronze? and How exactly was he going to move it from the Temple? Hasekura brought up both points but Hasshi only responded to the second;
'Why, that's rather simple Shinta!' Hasshi said with a smile 'The soldiers must have returned from the Countryside by now and would be tired from all that marching, not to mention those involved with the demolition work would be tired as well, so naturally Tanaka would take them back to Saga Castle to rest, while taking out the soldiers who have rested and would normally have an evening drill to continue with the demolition..'
'But what does all this have to do with us?' Interrupted Hasekura
'MUST you be so simple Shinta?, If Tanaka normally takes the Spearmen out for their Morning and Evening Drill, but instead enlists them to help with building the academy, Then he who normally takes the Archers for their drills will enlist their help in carrying the bronze'
'But... That's You' interrupted Hasekura once again
'EXACTLY!' exclaimed Hasshi, 'I will ride ahead and meet up with the archers ready for their drills at Saga, return with them here, and have them deliver the Bronze to the Smelters in the City, isn't it obvious!?'
'Why didn't you just say that in the first place then, Milord?'
'Because i like being difficult' Smirked Hasshi, who then left the table, mounted his steed, and Rode to Saga castle, leaving Hasekura and the rest of his Courtiers behind.

By the Time Hasshi arrived at Saga, Tanaka had returned with the soldiers from the demolition duty for their evening meal, and was getting ready to send in the evening troops for demolition duty. Tanaka reported that the demolition was going well, and that he had hoped to have the whole area cleared and the populace evacuated by next week. Happy with the way things were going in Nagasaki, Hasshi left soon after with his archers, and they arrived at Kofuku-ji at around 6PM, where he was once again greeted by Hasekura and his Courtiers. Hasshi then ordered the men to carry the Bronze by hand all the way to the Smelters in the Merchant District, after which the men were dismissed back to Saga castle, their work done for the night, and Hasekura and the other courtiers were sent back to the capitol, with only Hasshi staying at the Smelting Workshop.

Hasshi entered the decently-sized workshop, upon which he was immediately greeted by the Blacksmiths and Apprentice blacksmiths alike, Hasshi opened his fan and fanned himself while waiting for the Head Blacksmith, a man by the name of Tetsujin to arrive.

Obviously Tetsujin wasn't his birthname, and he wasn't really a man made of iron, but his extrodinary skill with metalworking, not to mention his strength and physique, had earned him his nickname. He was a simple man with simple values, not to mention a man who was a little too fond of sake and imported Tobacco (as anyone with a nose within a Kilometre of the man would be able to decipher) and despite these habits which Hasshi despised utterly, he still greeted Tetsujin warmly when he arrived, Tetsujin reciprocating Hasshi's welcome.

'Now if you had to come down here, you must have something important for me to do' Tetsujin, straight to the point as usual.
'Of course' Hasshi replied, 'i have a couple hundred catties of Bronze for you to smelt, they're waiting for you outside'
'This isn't a joke is it, seriously, i don't like jokes'
'It's not a joke, there really is a whole heap of bronze outside, there's so much it probably wouldn't all fit in here'

Knowing Hasshi wasn't the type to joke around, Tetsujin took a look outside and sure enough, there was a whole heep of bronze statues, bells and artifacts for him to smelt; He was happy, as nothing gave him greater joy than smelting, and the more there was to smelt, and the more difficult the end product was to be, the happier he was.

Tetsujin ordered his fellow blacksmiths and apprentices to help load some of the bells and statues inside, he then turned to Hasshi and asked him what he wanted to do with all this bronze.
'I want you make some statues out of it' Hasshi replied
Tetsujin sighed and frowned, 'but there already are some statues here...'
'I want you to make new ones, statues of Confucius and Mengzi'
'Who?' asked Tetsujin, scratching his head with embarrasment.
Hasshi sighed, remembering that Tetsujin probably had no idea what he was talking about. 'Don't worry, i'll do a quick sketch'

While the apprentices were busy loading the bronze in the Workshop's stores, Hasshi drew a quick sketch of Confucius based on a scroll he remembered from his days in Guangzhou, which he then showed to Tetsujin.
'yeees, i can make this for you! no problem!' he replied happily
'i think it would be better to start with a small one first, if i'm happy with it, you can make a bigger one'
'okay boss, let's get started then!' answered Tetsujin happily and the two of them set to work, with Tetsujin doing the smelting and Hasshi directing him every now and then. Once they were both satisfied with the figure, Hasshi and Tetsujin were confident enough to get started on a life-size version, and with the apprentices and other blacksmiths, the group of them worked long into the night...