Chapter 6 Chapter Six: Xu Fu's Journey to Japan

Xu Fu is a native of Qi.During the Spring and Autumn Period and the Warring States Period, Yan Qi had many alchemists.Xu Fu was an alchemist in the Qi State at the end of the Warring States Period.Many alchemists come from among the people, are familiar with the people's production technology and practical experience, and know some alchemy, medicine, astrology, and navigation.Residents of the Shandong Peninsula have always had a long history of sailing.In order to avoid the scourge of war and official pursuit, some people have sailed to the Korean Peninsula and the Japanese archipelago.Most of the alchemists in Yanqi Sea can go to sea and sail long distances.Because of their special skills such as sailing, they are sometimes received by emperors and nobles and given special missions.

In order to get help, Xu Fu lied to Qin Shihuang that he had arrived in Penglai, but the immortal thought Qin Shihuang's gift was too thin, so although he had seen the elixir, he could not get it.He also said that he once asked the gods how much it would cost to ask for medicine?The God of the Sea said: It is necessary to bring a large number of grains and thousands of men and women. "Qin Shihuang was very happy, and sent Zhen (meaning "boy") three thousand men and women to work with all kinds of grains and all kinds of crafts." ("Historical Records · Huainan Hengshan Biography") Xu Fu never came back after going to sea for the second time.Xu Fude said that "the plain is vast, and the king will not come" ("Historical Records Biography of Hengshan Mountain in Huainan").

Where exactly is "Plain Guangze" located?One said it was "Dan [dan Dan] Zhou".In the second year of Huanglong (AD 230), Sun Quan "sent generals Wei Wen and Zhuge Zhi to send thousands of soldiers to the sea to seek Yizhou and Danzhou. Danzhou was in the sea, and the elders rumored that Qin Shihuang sent alchemist Xu Fu to send thousands of boys and girls , Begging for the Penglai sacred mountain and the celestial medicine, only this state will not return it. From generation to generation, there are tens of thousands of families, and the people on it sometimes go to Kuaiji to buy goods. The location is far away, and the dead cannot get it." "Three Kingdoms · Book of Wu · Master Wu Biography") One said it was "Three Gods Mountain". "These three sacred mountains are said to be in the Bo (Bo) Sea, and they are not far away from people. When affliction arrives, the boat wind will lead them away. There are always those who arrive." ("Historical Records·Feng Chan Book") Xu Fu himself also told Qin Shihuang said that he would go to the "Three Gods Mountain" to find the medicine of immortality for Qin Shihuang.No matter where "Plain Guangze" is, it must be an island far, far away from the mainland.According to expert research, Penglai in the Sanshen Mountain refers to Japan.In other words, Danzhou is also Japan.

So, which voyage route did Xu Fu take to go to Japan?According to research, it may start from Langye Port to the north—Chengshanjiao—to the west to Zhifu Port—Penglaitou—to the north along the Miaodao Islands—to Laotieshan at the southern end of the Liaodong Peninsula—to the northeast to the mouth of the Yalu River— Go southeast to the southwestern coast of the Korean Peninsula—go east to Busan at the southeast corner of the Korean Peninsula—go southeast through Tsushima Island and Tsushima Strait—the coast of Kitakyushu—go east to the Seto Inland Sea—go east to Osaka Bay—finally Go to Kumanotsu (now Kumano Beach) in Waka Shingucho.

Japan's "Historical Sites and Famous Places of Wakayama County" records: Qin Xufu's tomb is in Xingong Town, and there is a stone tablet in front of the tomb, which is engraved with "Qin Xufu's Tomb". , carrying grain seeds and farming implements to Japan, landed in Kumanozu, engaged in farming, raised men and women, and the descendants became the elders of Kumano, and passed the day in peace." This can also be used as a kind of circumstantial evidence, which is a more reliable statement. Xu Fu led boys and girls to Japan to the east, which shows that my country's navigation ability in the Qin Dynasty was in the leading position in the world.Their overseas pioneering spirit is a great inspiration to future generations.They brought China's advanced culture and production technology to Japan, enabling Japan to end the life of fishing and hunting and start farming life, prompting Japan to quickly enter the stage of civilized society.