After Saji and Kuro left, I made preparations again, but it didn't take long, that is, two days of work. After all, the entry of the daimyo into Beijing was a major event at first sight, and it could not be too unsolemn.

After arriving at Raising Castle, I waited another day for the boat that would pick me up from Awaji. At this time, it was announced that my health was not completely good, so I didn't see the Tokawa Depositor and Hosokawa Mayuki who came to see me off, and as for the head relatives of the Chozong Ministry, they didn't come at all for some reason.

My request to enter Beijing was sent out before I left for Shengrui City, but I didn't get a response until I got on the boat, but most of the things in the court were procrastinating, so I didn't pay much attention to it. Anyway, according to my plan, I will have to spend two more days in Sakai Town, and then the imperial court will have to give an attitude!

A dozen warships led by Hinomaru carried me and 2,000 guards and slowly sailed in the direction of Izumi, and the shadow of Shikoku was no longer visible behind him, and the closer I got to the sea of Sakaimachi, the busier the scene became. From time to time, large and small ships appeared in front of or near the course, but at once they lowered their sails in respect, and hurriedly dispersed.

"Your majesty is so great!" Shimazu Coral came behind me at some point, and she was always so elusive. I don't know if it's because the Shimazu family is close to the sea, and she seems to be particularly interested in the boat, and she hasn't seen enough of it all the way from Kyushu to Shikoku, so she "inspects" it up and down again.

"You are also a member of the Zhuxing family now, is it not good for me to have such a 'majesty'?" I didn't mind what she said, on the contrary, I was a little happy in my heart. "Today, it is common to convince people with strength, but it is the 'form' of the person that is obeyed, not the 'heart' of the person. Look at me again, since the establishment of the Zhuxing Water Army, when have they done things such as burning, killing and looting, or even eliminating water thieves to protect the waterways, they have not asked the merchants to pay protection fees. Isn't it very natural to compare hearts to hearts, who they support and who they are against! ”

"He is worthy of being the 'first benevolent and righteous gentleman' in the world, and such things have been done!" The complimented Hua came out of her mouth, and it sounded like sarcasm.

"What is this, you can also suggest it to the Shimazu family!" I turned to look at her and smiled.

"And to say this kind of cheap words, if the Shimazu family raises a water army like this, how many people will starve to death!" Shimazu Coral said with a little snort, but there was a little helplessness in the meaning that could not be concealed.

"Then there's no way, you can't ask others to work for you, and you can't pull out a dime!" I shrugged my shoulders and walked to the back of the ship, she pouted, but followed me anyway.

In Japan, there is no difference between the navy and the water thief, which is also a certain historical reason, most of the traditional strong navy is at a serious disadvantage on land, if there is a fertile and vast land, who will go to the sea to brave the wind and waves to be born and die? Don't talk about the Maori family, before Kobayakawa Takakei integrated the Western Navy and incorporated Mishima, the Maori Army's Navy was a fart! In comparison, the Shimazu family's success in this regard can be regarded as quite good.

Since they take such a risk because they can't survive, then they will naturally ask to live better, and a navy like Mishima can also collect some "clearance fees" and "protection fees", and the small navy can only do it themselves. Therefore, the main purpose of the initial appearance of the water army is to produce, so there is no need to say what it will do!

"Your sailor here doesn't seem to be much different from Qiben!" After boarding the ship, looking at the sailors who were holding the steering wheel or adjusting the sail line, Shimazu Coral suddenly said.

"It's basically the same, most of them have a small piece of land in Awaji or Kii!" I nodded, but added, "However, their land is generally slightly smaller than that of Qiben, and although they are also not subject to taxes, they cannot sustain a large population, or a life that is too rich. Fortunately, this land can be hereditary, and it can be regarded as a samurai status to the children and grandchildren! ”

"Won't they have any worries?" She was a little surprised to hear my answer, and in her opinion, I have always been more "sassy".

"Because they don't need to bring their own equipment, and they have to stay on board all year round!" I leaned out and stroked the outside of the ship's side, and the traces left by the Kyushu expedition had been cleared. "My boat is very different from the traditional warship, and as time goes on, there are fewer and fewer of the first generation of tough 'water people'. So in order to be sustainable, these people have to learn from a very young age in a very heavy job, so a high salary is essential. Relatively speaking, the flag book is much easier, and the service time is much shorter than that of the crew, but they are all descendants of meritorious heroes, and the crew is different from the crew whose ability is measured as the standard! ”

"So your soldiers and horses are really some elite soldiers, but it's still a little less to bring such a few people back, right?" After being silent for a while, Shimazu Coral asked rhetorically, "You left most of the soldiers and horses in Shikoku, and even the elite of the guards are only about 2,000 after all. Yushiba Hideyoshi must have been sharpening his knife now, are you enough for this little man? Although the navy is a strong ship, you can't drive directly to Kyoto after all, and you don't want someone to invite you to Kyoto! ”

"Why not, I've always believed that justice is in the hearts of the people!" I walked over to the guardrail in front of the helmsman, and in the distance there were small black dots on the sea level, which were supposed to be the masts of the ships moored in Sakaimachi Harbor. "I treat people with a sincere heart, not necessarily that others cannot understand them. Now that the situation in and the imperial court has deteriorated, I do have the idea of standing up for the people of the world. Of course, this has to be understood and supported by everyone, and I will not force it! ”

"Including Hideyoshi Hashiba?"

"Including His Highness Yuchai, of course!" I answered in the affirmative. "You may have some knowledge, but I dare say you definitely don't know him as well as I do. We have been friends for more than 20 years, and you don't need to doubt his 'character'. Now that the situation in has reached this point, maybe he needs my help! ”

"Do you really think I'm going to be so naïve, let's lie to the ghost with these words!" Shimazu Coral scoffed at my claims, but could not find any conclusive evidence. Although she has heard some of my orders sporadically these days, she has not been able to connect them all together, let alone know the core content.

"Believe it or not!" I said with an incomprehensible smile.

At this time my fleet began to enter the harbor, and the ships that had been inside avoided the sides, giving way to the deep-water channel in the middle and a few frontal trestles. I just felt that there was no sense of war here, and there were more ships from all over the world, and even merchant ships belonging to the Hanseatic League. But it seemed that they already knew who I was, and there were many crew members on deck waving to me while I hung half-sail.

"Father, brother, and Takenaka-sama are here to greet you!" At this time, Tiger Chiyo, who had been playing on the foredeck, ran up from the stairs, Teng, Teng, and Ishikawa Sadayuki in the back followed closely as if he was afraid that he would fall.

"Oh!" I glanced ahead, and there was indeed a small boat for port inspection slowly approaching from the side. Maybe it's because the "Hinomaru" is so huge that I didn't even see it just now.

"I'll step back first!" Shimazu Coral whispered behind me.

"Hmm!" I nodded. With her identity, she should naturally visit Xianzhi first, and there is no reason to see my eldest son first.

"Father, I've worked hard all the way!" As soon as Senkomaru came up, he saluted me respectfully, and the half-guard of Takenaka stood slightly back.

"Alright, get up!" I looked at my son and said with satisfaction. After a few months of training, Xian Limaru seems to be more stable, maybe it should be called more temperamental, and now I feel that some things can be assured. "You've done a good job in these past few months, I'm very satisfied!" I complimented it.

"Erchen is just following his father's instructions, and he relies on the assistance of all the adults!" Xian Koi Maru has always been peaceful, and he didn't seem particularly proud when he heard my compliment.

"The young master is indeed a talent for governing the world, and the directors have been unanimously praised in the court in the past few months!" Takenaka Hanbei also praised it on the side.

I was very happy with Takenaka's words, but of course I can't take it completely seriously, and the subordinates have quite a lot of skill in speaking to their superiors. However, compared to others, Takenaka Hanbei is relatively upright, if he doesn't want to tell a lie, at least he can not say it, since he said it, it means that he has a positive attitude towards Xian Limaru. But I also know in my heart that my son is not a genius, but at least he is not a loser now.

"Has Maeda-sama's affairs been arranged?" I asked Senkomaru about it, and the half-guard of Takenaka wanted to speak, but I stopped him.

"I rushed to Kishiwada Castle to deliver it when Maeda-sama left, and now the fleet must have arrived at Funai Castle!" Senkomaru replied. "Of course, the first batch to leave is only Maeda-sama with a group of backbone retainers and troops, and the family members and vassal retainers are still preparing, and it may not be until the end of the year when everything is completed. After Kii's territory arrangement, the retainers drafted a rough plan, and asked my father as a reference! ”

"Yes, really good!" Senkomaru has done more than I could have hoped for, and I seem to have seen a bright future for the Star Family.

"Bang!" At this time, there was a sudden muffled sound in front of the boat, although it was light, but the people around it had already felt a certain vibration. The attendants around him suddenly became nervous, and there were quite a few people running on the foredeck. I didn't rush to ask, and after a while, Imu Banqi came running to report to me.

"The ship that came from the port to deliver emergency news accidentally crashed into our ship!"

"What's the matter?" My face was as plain as water, but in my heart I felt a flame burning.

"His Royal Highness General Oda Right was assassinated in Kyoto early this morning, and at the same time a fire broke out in Azuchi Castle. Fortunately, His Royal Highness the Third Master is safe and sound......"