After that, my memory is a little trance-like, and it seems that I persuaded Nobunaga about the Kana trade to make him have some scruples, but his attitude was very firm. In his opinion, the conquest of Korea is not a question of whether it is necessary, but a question of when, once the time is ripe, it is imperative, even if it is a bad relationship with the Ming court and the loss of the income from the exploration trade.

Anyway, he controls the prosperous trading towns of Azuchi, Sakai, and Kyoto, and operates a money house and a money seat, as well as a large amount of territory and temple income, so he doesn't have to worry about missing any money. Not only that, but after the construction of Azuchi Castle, he didn't even have anything to spend special money on now.

In addition, in his tone, he despised the fighting power of the Ming court, and seemed to think that even if the Ming court sent troops to support North Korea, it could be easily defeated. This is really a very strange thing, he has not been in contact with the Ming army, why do you think so?

On the way back to Kira Jinya after leaving Azuchijo, I thought about it carefully and felt that his thoughts should be in view of the Ningbo tribute incident in the second year of Jiajing (1523).

In that year, both Ouchi and Hosokawa sent Kanhe trading ships to the Ming Dynasty, and the result was that the Ouchi family arrived in Ningbo before the Hosokawa family, and according to custom, they should trade before the Hosokawa family. However, Ryan, the eunuch who presided over the city's ship, accepted a bribe from Hosokawa to let the Hosokawa family come from behind, and gave him the courtesy of a far larger inner family at the banquet. The sect of the Ouchi family was extremely angry about this, and took advantage of the night to kill all the envoys of the Hosokawa family, and then with a force of 53 people (according to the relevant records of Hu Zongxian's staff Zheng Ruozeng, and the record of Confucius He Liangjun of the Nanjing Hanlin Academy, it was 72 people), he went deep into the Ming Realm to hunt down Song Suqing (a native of the Ming Dynasty, the deputy envoy of the Hosokawa family's fleet) who helped the Hosokawa family bribe. They scattered many official troops along the way, killed Liu Jin, the commander of the Bei Wadu, and Zhang Bo, the commander of Qianhu, and captured the commander Yuan Lian, until the first generation of Wuhu, Jiangxi, and even tried to attack the city of Nanjing. In the record of "The History of the Ming Dynasty", this is described very vividly: "Raided Huiji County, robbed Hangzhou, Tuhui County, Jixi, Jingde, slaughtered Jing County, approached Nanling, and went to Wuhu. Burn the south bank, go to Taipingfu, commit Jiangning Town, and go straight to Nanjing. ”

This incident shook the entire central Zhejiang, the Ming court was furious when it heard the report, and soon closed down the two cities of Ningbo and Quanzhou, and Zong Sheqiandao and others were also led by Cao Bangfu, the governor of Susong, and Wang Chonggu, the deputy envoy, to lead the envoy Dong Bangzheng, the commander Zhang Xuan, and surrounded thousands of officers and soldiers under the command of Lou Yu, and then all of them were exterminated.

It is unbelievable that fifty-three samurai who were scurrying like wild boars could stir up such a big storm. This fully exposed the internal military weakness of the Ming court, and also encouraged a small number of real and a large number of false Japanese to start frequently attacking the coastal areas of the Ming Dynasty.

And Nobunaga, I'm sure I've heard about it...... He didn't know that those samurai could achieve such a record because of the long-term peace at that time, the Ming Dynasty's domestic and local armaments were extremely lax, and the quality of the soldiers was extremely poor. However, in the border areas of the Ming Dynasty, there are still very elite troops, even in the Jiangsu and Zhejiang areas, after a long period of war against the Japanese invaders, there have been a number of elite generals and troops have grown up. If there is really a war with Daming, it is likely to be a lose-lose ending.

In the original history, Hideyoshi's later invasion of Korea was the most troublesome opponent of the Korean army of Yi Sunsin's navy (the so-called 6,000-year history of the Great Han Kingdom, which is actually the only one person who is really worth mentioning), so that even military supplies and supplies could not be transported smoothly, which brought great difficulties to the war. As soon as he himself died, he had to retreat, and was captured by the Ming and Joseon in the Luliang Sea, and suffered extremely heavy losses in the naval battle.

Today's situation is very different from history. The biggest variable is that I have a much more powerful naval army in my hands, and I probably don't have to worry about supply problems anymore. According to Nobunaga's predetermined arrangement, in the event of war, I will invade Korea as the commander-in-chief and confront the Ming Dynasty. This is not something I am willing to accept, both in terms of personal feelings and in terms of the future of the family.

Could it be that my efforts over the years to expand my territory and develop a naval army are just to accumulate strength and merits, and then become the vanguard and cannon fodder for attacking China and North Korea? Thinking of this, I can't help but feel a little frustrated.

In comparison, I don't really care about Nobunaga's desire to depose the Imperial Family...... When I returned to Kira Jinya, my mood still hadn't calmed down. Seeing Izuying's letter, I asked thoughtfully, "Keijiro, according to you, what is the current situation of our Kira family?" ”

"This family is the first gate valve in the family, according to the current trend, when the Lord determines the world, it will naturally be second only to the Lord Family's prominent martial artist!" Xinjing replied quickly.

"That's not the case," I shook my head, "I mean, if I only go so far and stop expanding the power of my family, do you think it will be enough to live up to the name of my family, and to all the adults who follow me?" ”

"Father's exploits are naturally extremely prominent," Xinjing's tone was full of reverence, "Even if you look at the whole world, it is difficult to find a few warriors like my father who started from scratch and conquered hundreds of thousands of stone territories, right?" The adults in the family, as well as our brothers, are naturally happy and convinced, so why is there any dissatisfaction? ”

He clearly didn't grasp the meaning of my words.

All right...... I put it more bluntly: "What would you think if I handed over the family business to you now?" ”

"My father is in his prime, how can he have such an idea?!" Xinjing was obviously taken aback.

"Answer me, do you have the confidence to win over the important ministers in your household? And keep the current family business? I continued to look at him and asked.

Xinjing thought seriously for a while, looked up at me, and replied cautiously: "If the father wants to see the child's ambition and strength, then at least now, the child really does not have this certainty, so that everyone in the family can return to their hearts and keep this family business in the troubled times." If you want to do it, you need more experience. Moreover, compared to the father, the child is really far behind, and may not be able to catch up in his life, after all, you are too dazzling...... With that said, will you be disappointed? Of course, if you think your brother is a better fit than me, then the child will have no objection. ”

"Where did you think of it? I didn't mean that. I sighed. It's no wonder that Xinjing thinks so, the matter of family business is too sensitive. In this era, there are many cases of conflicts and even enmity between biological fathers and sons and biological brothers over the sake of family business.

"Anyway, keep up the good work!" That's all I have to say.

"Yes." Xinjing walked out respectfully.

I sat down in the main hall and continued to think about it. Unexpectedly, after a while, Ishiya Laichen suddenly walked in.

"My lord, the young master just told me something. When His Majesty heard this, he felt very puzzled and wanted to confirm it to the lord! He said very solemnly.

"Did Xinjing tell you about such a thing?" I was slightly taken aback. But after thinking about it, I was relieved. After all, he is only a fourteen or fifteen-year-old child, and he has been assisted by retainers since he was a child, and if there is something, it is not surprising to ask the important ministers around him for advice. Moreover, Ishiya Yorichen is also his biological uncle.

"Yes," Ishiya sat down across from me, "Shinkage seemed a little worried, thinking that the lord was dissatisfied with his performance, but I knew that the lord didn't mean that, and I was so relieved. ”

"Good job," I nodded, "You might as well tell him that you don't have too much pressure, that you don't have to compare yourself to Zhou Jing, who led the territory to fight, and that you don't have to try to get close to me." If it is determined today, his responsibility is different from that of our generation, not in pacifying the world, but in how to govern the country or the center, which he has learned very well since he was a child. ”

"Your Majesty takes the order," Ishiya Laichen owed, looking at me with blazing eyes, "But, does the lord himself have any pressure?" …… Your Majesty thinks that the lord seems to have a plan to retire completely? ”

"You can see it!" I smiled and shook my head.

"If you talk about the ability to fight or govern, your subordinates are really not very good. However, when it comes to observing words and feelings, pursuing advantages and avoiding disadvantages, His Majesty still has some self-confidence," Ishiya Yorichen also smiled, with a slight self-deprecation, "Isn't this the reason why the lord asked me to stay in Azuchi to assist Xinjing?" ”

"So, what do you think?" I'm fine anyway, so I'll ask him for advice.

"Your Majesty feels that it is absolutely impossible," Ishiya Yorichen replied categorically, "First, Xinjing is still young and unprepared, and the sudden letting go of the lord will only cause chaos in the family, and also make you adults at a loss and lose confidence in the future; Second, apart from the lord, neither the newly enthroned Shinkage nor the long-term warlord Xiujing had enough prestige to unify the entire navy and the four kingdoms, and the family was currently facing challenges at sea and in front of the war, which only the lord could handle; Third, even if the lord wants to retreat, will His Royal Highness the Inner Mansion agree? …… The surname of His Royal Highness in the Inner Palace, unless it is his will, will never tolerate his subordinates to pick on the son for no reason, and at least call the lord to reprimand him, and force him to continue to fight for him; At worst, he confiscated part of his territory and alienated the Kira family...... Although the situation is different, the matter of His Royal Highness Naomasa Harada can't help but wake up the lord! ”

"You're right, it's true," I struggled to sit up, "and it seems that I was mistaken." ”

"Actually, the lord must understand these things! It's just that these things are contrary to the mood, so the lord is unwilling to accept it in his heart. Ishitani pointed out to me.

"But thank you for that," I sighed slightly, "though it does make it a bit difficult for me. ”

"Although I don't know what's going on, I hope the lord can cheer up," Ishiya Yorichen looked at me with some concern, his tone was both like an admonition and as if he was sighing, "After all, everyone, as long as they are in the red dust, can't escape their responsibilities!" …… For example, I'm lazy, I love the joy of mountains and rivers, and I don't have any ambition. However, because of the trust of the lord and the entrustment of Caicai, he had to cheer up and try his best to assist Xinjing. ”

"That's it," I nodded, "so I'm going to keep fighting...... In two days, I'll go back to Shikoku and launch an attack on the Maori navy! ”

"But doesn't it matter if you have a former country?" Ishiya Yorichen asked worriedly, "Kihachi and Teitaro have served as guards by Nana's side for several years. When she heard that they were trapped in front of the Uki family and besieged by the Uki family, she was also a little worried! ”

"You can rest assured," I smiled, regaining his ability and sensibility, "Ukita Naoya is a smart man, since he spent several months before and failed to capture Toneyama Castle, then now that I am back, it is even more unlikely that he will suddenly exert his strength at this time." ”

……，…… At the beginning of late June, I returned to Imabari Castle and gathered my headquarters and the naval forces of Shiosa, Shiosa, Atakata, Kurishima, and Murakami to directly attack Mihara Port in Hayakawa Takakei, Kogokoko. The entire fleet totaled more than 9,000 people, with more than 800 large and small ships, including three frigates of Dinghai, Ningbo, and Anlan, and three ironclad ships, Ise Maru, Kumano Maru, and Awaji Maru. Kobayakawa Takakei knew that he was invincible, so he ordered the navy to avoid other ports before the navy arrived, and then closed the gate of Mihara Castle and held on. Naturally, I was not polite, so I went straight to Mihara Port and wreaked havoc, and shelled Mihara Castle on the shore, knocking out several holes in the castle tower, and even half of the roof of the castle was destroyed.

This event not only announced my return to the entire Seto Inland Sea, but also showed the strength of the Kira naval army. Afterwards, when I arrived at Kojima Bay with the main force of the subordinate army and the main force of the navy, the Kojima navy that had defected before had already fled, and we were also successfully reunited with the defenders of Tokoyama Castle.

After confirming our identity, Miyata Mitsuji and Kazuki Joto immediately opened the castle gate and welcomed me and Hidekei into the castle tower.

"It's been a hard time for you these past few months," I said, looking at them, with a mixture of concern and relief. After this training, the two have obviously matured a lot, and they already have the demeanor of generals who are resolute and strict.

"It's all thanks to the concerted efforts and hard work of all of you to block the attack of the Uki family," Kazuki Joto owed, "This is also a loss of the majesty and benevolence of the Lord's justice!" ”

"The matter of defending the city, basically Keitaro is presiding, and his subordinates are mainly responsible for fighting, and he has also gone out of the city several times to obtain several generals from the Uki family," Miyata Mitsuji grinned, "Fortunately, the casualties of the triple reserve are not large, otherwise, the subordinates really can't be substituted for the main bus...... In addition, although there are not many iron cannons in the Uki family, they are very poisonous, and their subordinates have almost been hit several times. ”

"It's okay," I nodded, "I'll take care of the rest!" ”

(To be continued)