After the Ming army captured Tsushima Island in the name of conquering the Japanese invaders, there was no important matter reported to the imperial court, as if the matter was over. Of course, Zhu Gaoxu's purpose was not to do this, and it did not mean anything to him to occupy Tsushima Island alone.

Maybe he's too anxious. After all, the diplomatic relations in this era can only change a little bit after several years. But Zhu Gaoxu really couldn't calm down and wait.

Because of his foreign strategy, the initial goal was to establish order in all areas east of the Strait of Malacca, and it was impossible for a single Japanese country to wait a few years, or even a decade or two.

Zhu Gaoxu decided to issue an edict to the court and convene ministers to discuss the matter of war against Japan.

The court discussion system formed since Hongwu has not changed much until now, and it can very well reflect the emperor's centralized power.

The process is that the ministers discuss a major matter before the emperor, but the results of the discussion are for reference only, and the final decision is still made by the emperor. However, the prestige of the emperor after Hongwu is obviously worse than that of Taizu, so it is best if the ministers cannot form a consensus, and the emperor can come forward to adjudicate; Or the conclusion reached is exactly what the emperor wants.

The palace issued an order to Honglu Temple, notified dozens of ministers who were about to participate in the court meeting, and after determining the relevant time, reasons and other details, Zhu Gaoxu also made some preparations and waited for the courtiers to discuss it.

On the afternoon of the day approaching, Qi Tai, the secretary of the military department, suddenly took the initiative to ask for a meeting outside the Rouyi Palace. Of course, Zhu Gaoxu ordered him to be allowed to meet him.

Qi Tai first bowed outside the hall, and then entered the hall to bow again. After the ceremony, he bowed his hand to the noble concubine Miaojin who was standing behind the bookcase.

Miao Jin responded: "How is Mrs. Qi? ”

Qi Tai asked for an audience, obviously for business, and when he heard the concubine ask this, he showed a slightly surprised expression, and then he was relieved. The emperor's concubine asked the minister's wife, and they were all women, which was more decent.

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly remembered Qi Tai's private affair, and Miaojin also knew it, and he said in his heart: Hello Miaojin, I'm afraid it's not just polite, I should really be interested in that kind of thing.

Qi Tai said: "Thank you concubine, humble Jing respects the queen and princess, presides over the internal affairs of the family, everything is fine." Soon after, it will be the Mid-Autumn Festival, and Humble Jing will also enter the palace and go to the Dashan Hall to meet the queen, and at that time he can also listen to the teachings of the queen, the imperial concubine, and the concubine in person. ”

Miaojin smiled and nodded.

Zhu Gaoxu only listened to their conversation, and his eyes swept over the file in Qi Tai's hand.

Qi Tai quickly put things on the table: "Regarding the affairs of Japan, the minister consulted the old files of the Great Treasury, which contain some records of the Korean State and the Yuan Dynasty. Then he informed Gao Xianning, the secretary of the Dali Temple, and interrogated the prisoners of Tsushima Island, Sotaro, etc., and wrote some humble opinions and strategies, and asked the saint to take a look. ”

Zhu Gaoxu bowed, stretched out his hand and dragged the file over, and asked directly: "Qi Butang thinks what is the key issue in this matter?" ”

Qi Tai said: "There is no need. ”

"Oh?" Zhu Gaoxu was immediately attracted to attention, and his movements stopped for the time being, and he couldn't help but look up at Qi Tai.

Qi Tai said solemnly: "After the Ashikaga Yoshimori, or Gen Yoshimochi Commander Muromachiden, the Japanese state Ashikaga Yoshimori, or Gen Yoshimori, seems to be implementing the national policy of closing the country, which poses no threat to the Ming Dynasty, and the sea route is far away. The reason why our ministers must discourage Japan from using troops is that they feel that there is no need to levy it. ”

"Hmm......" Zhu Gaoxu made a habitual voice again.

Qi Tai said softly again: "Actually, there is more than one thing, it is such a reason. ”

Zhu Gaoxu suddenly raised his eyes and looked at Qi Tai, who actually looked at him for a moment. According to the etiquette at this time, people can't look directly at people with higher status, so Qi Tai's subtle movements made Zhu Gaoxu pay special attention. Zhu Gaoxu didn't say anything for a while, and sat there thoughtfully.

Qi Tai also seemed to be deliberately silent and did not continue. Today's conversation between the monarch and the minister is also strange, and as soon as he opened his mouth to say two words, he became cold.

Concubine Miaojin was also beside her, savoring the atmosphere with great interest.

Zhu Gaoxu thought for a while, and finally spoke: "I don't want to completely destroy Japan, and the goal is still the Iwami Silver Mine. ”

Qi Tai said: "Holy Mingjian, as soon as the war starts, the imperial court had better prepare for the worst first and be prepared to accept the consequences of the war. When Jianwen cut the feudal domain, the minister also advocated this. ”

Zhu Gaoxu immediately nodded and said, "I agree with Qi Butang's opinion. What do you think is the possibility of a major war if Japan resists with all its might? ”

Qi Tai weighed it for a while and said, "The minister thinks that it is at least more than fifty percent." ”

Zhu Gaoxu stood up, paced two steps with his hands behind his back, turned around and asked, "Reason?" ”

Qi Tai said: "More than a hundred years ago, the Yuan army had two battles to conquer Japan. At that time, the Yuan army was like a fire in the prairie and had already conquered many places, and the prestige of the force was far and wide. However, the Japanese were not deterred and succumbed, which shows that they have the courage to fight fiercely. What's more, with the precedent of repelling the Yuan army, my confidence has increased greatly, and I will not give in easily. ”

"Hmm......" Zhu Gaoxu was noncommittal.

Qi Tai continued: "It has been more than 100 years since the Yuan army conquered Japan, and time has passed, and Japan is indeed different. During the Yuan Dynasty, Japan was ruled by the Shogun Seiyi in Kamakura, and now it is supposed to be the shogunate of Muromachiden. The minister consulted the old files and collected the news of the past two years, and found that they were very different from the past and the present.

According to the minister, Kamakura Prefecture is a bit like a feudal system. Some of the samurai forces loyal to the shogun, known as the 'Imperial Family', served the shogun, helping to build palaces, defend the shogunate, manage the region, and send troops to conscription; Generals, in turn, use their official positions and land to reward those who have merit.

And the Muromachi shogunate was completely different, and the situation was more complicated. The shogun Seiyi, who established the shogunate at that time, lived in a place called 'Hana-no-gosho', which was also called Muromachiden, so the locals used Muromachiden to refer to the power center of the shogunate.

The Muromachi Hall and the various feudal towns should not be simply subordinate, but rather a bit like the leader of the alliance in the guardian daimyo. The minister's view is also based on speculation about what has happened in the Ouchi clan in recent years.

After the death of the former governor Yoshihiro Ouchi in the 'rebellion', his two sons competed for the position of governor. The younger son surrendered to Muromachi Hall in the middle of the army, and was supported by the shogunate and appointed as the governor, and the eldest son rebelled; As a result, the eldest son of the Ouchi family won. His eldest son actually led an army to 'Kamiraku', and was finally forced to admit by Muromachiden. It can be seen that the Muromachi Hall had limited power over the guardian of the daimyo, and it seems that it is only equivalent to the leader of the alliance in arbitration. ”

"Qi Butang's interpretation of this makes sense." Zhu Gaoxu said, "Shangluo refers to forcing the palace? ”

Qi Tai said: "Back to the saint, it's not the same. Kyoto was originally called Heiankyo, modeled after the Tang Dynasty, called 'Luoyang' on the left and 'Chang'an' on the right; Bringing troops into Beijing is indeed suspected of claiming strength, but they seem to have formed some rules, the eldest son of the Ouchi family did not fight in Beijing, but only went to meet the general and the minister, and his attitude was very respectful; It's probably a combination of hard and soft posture. ”

Zhu Gaoxu pondered for a moment and said, "In other words, the rule of the Muromachi Hall is more loose? ”

Qi Tai hugged his fists and said: "According to the confession of the Zong clan, the Muromachi Hall is not necessarily more dispersed than the Kamakura Mansion, and they have a very complicated marriage alliance between them, and they hold each other together. And the current Ashikaga Yoshimochi has weakened the two most powerful forces, including the Ouchi clan, by instigating two 'rebellions'. Today, the prestige of the Muromachi Hall has reached its highest level. ”

When Zhu Gaoxu heard this, he immediately felt that the Japanese system was very strange, and it was different from all previous Chinese dynasties. Qi Tai was able to figure out the Japanese system from various clues, which was also quite difficult for him.

Qi Tai said: "The minister is therefore worried that in the face of foreign enemies, the current strength of the Muromachi Hall may be stronger than the Kamakura Mansion in the Yuan Dynasty. The Kamakura Prefecture used a reward system to recruit troops from each feudal town, and if there were no more official positions and land rewards, internal instability could occur.

However, the Muromachi Hall did not need a reward, and the alliances of the various guardian daimyo were complicated, and it was possible to send troops in the face of foreign enemies just to avoid being isolated. The safest way for our dynasty is to wait for the opportunity, and when there is a life-and-death infighting in this kind of alliance of theirs, it will be easier for our dynasty to profit from it. ”

How many years do we have to wait for history to evolve naturally?

Zhu Gaoxu said: "The Ouchi clan and the Muromachi Hall have a grudge, and the balance between them seems to be very fragile. Can we find a way to provoke and intensify the contradictions more quickly? ”

Qi Tai said: "What the saint said, the minister thought he could try." ”

Zhu Gaoxu thought for a while and said: "It's really not good, so I will use elite troops to attack and defeat the prestige of the Muromachi Hall first." The combat strength of our DPRK's officers and troops is no longer what it used to be. ”

Qi Tai said: "Then you will use a large army." Because according to the estimation of the Yuan army's conquest of Japan, the Japanese army may mobilize an army of less than 100,000 to meet the battle. If we have too few troops, I am afraid it will not work. ”

Zhu Gaoxu groaned, he had already guessed the conclusion of tomorrow morning's court meeting. Almost all the ministers should have dissuaded Zhu Gaoxu. From a certain point of view, the ministers are not wrong, but they are very dedicated.

If he follows the rules set by Taizu, Zhu Gaoxu can still wage war arbitrarily and legally; However, it is not a good thing to stand in opposition to all ministers in this way.

Qi Tai frowned and said: "The minister's opinion is that it is difficult to achieve the goal without sending a large army, and it is very likely that the labor force will move the people. The minister also considered a strategy of feint the Kyushu region and send troops to occupy Iwami Province directly. However, the Japanese army must have to attack Iwami Province again, and at that time, the waterways, grain routes, and military supplies of the official army will be longer. ”

Zhu Gaoxu exhaled, looked at Qi Tai and said, "Although Qi Butang opposes my proposition, I have to thank you, you are very reasonable." Reasonable, well-founded, dedicated, and really a good minister. ”

Qi Tai asked, "The Holy Lord has decided not to risk the sun?" ”

Zhu Gaoxu immediately shook his head.