More than a month later, Liu Dahai returned to the Ryukyus. He was accompanied by Aso and his family. There was also an emissary from the Shimazu family. As soon as Liu Pei heard that Liu Dahai was back, he guessed that his trip should be very smooth. But he still thrifted Liu Dahai for the first time.

Sure enough, Liu Dahai's face was radiant when he came in. For meritorious officials, Liu Pei is not stingy. He poured a cup of tea and handed it to Liu Dahai, and then asked him to explain in detail what was going on?

After Liu Dahai and Aso Zhi went to sea, Liu Pei played a role in Aso's overtures. When he was on the boat, Aso Zhi helped Liu Dahai analyze all kinds of people up and down the Shimazu family in detail. After all, he was originally from the Shimazu family, and he was very familiar with these people.

Moreover, Aso Zhi clearly told Liu Dahai that he would never die, and even the oily skin would not fall off a little! But he has to get past the Shimazu family to intimidate him!

Aso told him that the Shimazu family is not without opponents now, and they also have many enemies. And once the Shimazu family is weakened, maybe allies will become enemies! Although the Shimazu family did not come out of the nest this time, more than one-third of his standing army was also dispatched, and they were all the best parts of the army. So these people the Shimazu family can't afford to lose.

And those ships, many of which were rented from merchant groups, and if they were not returned, the Shimazu family would be in great trouble. Therefore, as long as Liu Dahai's request is not excessive, the Shimazu family will definitely win. And Aso Zhi really pulled out the knife, so that Liu Dahai felt what it was like to have a knife holder on his neck. So the ship hasn't arrived in Kagoshima yet, and Liu Dahai already has a rough plan in mind.

When the Jiyuan arrived at the port, Aso Zhi came forward, and the Jiyuan entered the port without hindrance. The ship stopped, and Aso said to Liu Dahai: "Liu Jun, please be sure to stay on the ship and do not contact other people, so as not to leak the news of the defeat of the Shimazu family." ”

Liu Dahai said: "Are you afraid that the port people will talk too much? No problem with this! ”

Aso bowed and said, "Then thank you Liu Jun." On the one hand, it is indeed afraid that it will be bad for the Shimazu family if it spreads. On the other hand, it is also a way for Your Excellency to show favor to the Shimazu family. ”

After saying that, Aso went ashore and called two guards to guard the gangplank. Liu Dahai also restricted all sailors from disembarking and forbidding anyone to board the ship.

After all, Aso is a retainer of Kayama Kutakakabe, and everyone is familiar with him. And everyone thought that he had come back to report the good news to the governor, and they greeted him one after another. And asked him if he had won? Aso vaguely agreed to go to the city, but his heart was extremely bitter.

No one in the entire castle thought that this expedition to the Ryukyus would be a failure, and even Shimazu Tadashi received the news that Aso Zhi was asking to see him

Send good news. He also complained to the little surname on the side and said, "Huashan-kun is really too careful! He still chose to send someone back to report the victory. ”

The little surname bowed and said: "This is also the place where the family governor takes a fancy to Lord Huashan!" After all, there are quite a few people we sent out this time, and the house is a little empty. Lord Huashan was able to send someone back the news in advance, but he was also afraid that Lord Jiadu would be worried. ”

Tadashi Shimazu and the small surname came to the front room. As soon as Shimazu Tadashi saw Aso's face, he knew that something seemed to have changed. I couldn't help but feel a tightening in my heart.

When Aso saw Shimazu Tadashi, he immediately bowed and said, "In the Shimobiran family, Aso Shi, the retainer of the Shimonoyama family, is the governor of the family." ”

Shimazu Tadashi stared at Aso's back, was silent for a moment and said, "It's Aso, get up and talk!" Is there something wrong with the Ryukyus? ”

When Aso Shi heard this, he didn't get up, he continued to bow his head and said, "Lord Jiadu, the war in the Ryukyus has indeed changed. The enemy was very strong, we were defeated. ”

Although Shimazu Tadashi said that he was mentally prepared, the folding fan in his hand almost fell to the ground. As for the little surname on his side, he was so frightened that he took a step back. After a long while, Shimazu Tadashi hissed and said, "So, has the news leaked out?" ”

Aso raised his head and said, "Lord Jiadu, I can guarantee that there will be absolutely no leakage of the news." ”

Clicking on this and hearing this, he let out a long breath, and then said, "What happened to Huashan-kun?" ”

Aso lowered his head and said bitterly: "After the defeat of Lord Kayama, he has a seppuku!" ”

Shimazu Tadashi couldn't help but clench the folding fan in his hand. Hisaka Kayama was an important figure on his side. When Shimazu Tadashi had not yet ascended the throne, Hisakama Hisaka spared no effort to support him. Now that Kayama Hisaka is dead, this is a heavy blow to Shimazu Tadatsune.

Shimazu Tadashi took a deep breath, suppressed the boredom in his heart and said, "Let's talk about the details." ”

Aso bowed and said, "Yes! However, the next one came back on the ship of the pirate messengers. I implore the Governor to arrange for the people on the ship to come to the post house so as not to leak the news. The envoy of the other party has promised not to come into contact with anyone. ”

Shimazu Tadashi heard Aso call the other party's people messengers, and his eyes couldn't help flashing. He immediately understood what Aso didn't say, so he said to the little surname on the side: "Go and arrange people, and place all the people on the boat to the post house." Don't let them come into contact with anyone. Be kind. ”

Aso saw that the small surname bowed out. The whole course of the war was recounted. After Shimazu Tadashi listened, sweat was already on his forehead. He knew he had a terrible opponent. After thinking about it for a while, he said, "You first."

Go down and rest. You'll be summoned later. ”

After Aso's departure, Shimazu Tadashi sat in the room by himself for a long time. It wasn't until he had a clear idea in his heart that he ordered the important ministers of his family to come to the council chamber for a meeting.

In the past, Shimazu was always the last to show up at every meeting, and today is no exception. When he came to the council chamber, he happened to hear everyone talking about what the governor had invited them to come for. However, everyone speculated that it was because of the Ryukyu War. Because of the calculation of the time, the messenger of the good news should have arrived at this moment.

Shimazu Tadashi settled down outside the door, and walked into the conference hall with vigor and spirit. When he had entered, all of them rose up and saluted him. Shimazu Tadashi waved his folding fan and said, "Let's all sit down." ”

After everyone sat down, someone asked, "Lord Ie, did you summon us for the war in the Ryukyus?" Is the messenger back? ”

Shimazu Tadatsune lowered his eyes and said, "It's really for the war in the Ryukyus. However, the messenger did not bring back good news. Because Kayama Hidaka was defeated. ”

There was silence in the chamber, and then chaos. Everyone is asking what is going on? Shimazu Tadashi opened his eyes and shouted, "What are you all doing?" Is there still a bit of samurai physique? ”

Everyone was reprimanded by Shimazu Tadashi and sat back in place one after another. Shimazu Tadashi said: "Aso, a retainer of Kayama-kun, is outside, so if you have anything to ask in a while, just ask him." ”

Aso was soon summoned. At the request of the important ministers, General Aso explained everything after the departure of the army to the people present in detail. And these people kept interjecting and asking some questions as he spoke. Aso also answered one by one. After he finished speaking, the crowd interrogated him for a long time before he was asked to retreat.

Aso stepped back. There was a long silence in the chamber. Everybody knows that! The most serious problem facing the Shimazu family now is confidentiality. If the news of the defeat of the Shimazu family leaks out, God knows what kind of enemies it will attract? The second is how to redeem those soldiers and ships as soon as possible, so as to restore the Shimazu family's combat effectiveness. As for how much money will be spent for the time being, if these people and ships cannot be redeemed, the reputation of the Shimazu family will plummet!

Everyone understood what was going on, but no one dared to speak. Because no one wants to face the wrath of Tadashi Shimazu. Just when everyone thought that the silence would be delayed until the end of the day, Shimazu Tadashi finally spoke.

Previously, he didn't speak when these important ministers interrogated Aso. Just sit there with your eyes closed, motionless. It was only then that he finally spoke. He said, "Gentlemen, what do you think? Tell us about it. ”