"The hard thing is to strengthen the defense of the Kyushu region, increase the number of troops in Nagasaki, and build new batteries at the same time, in short, we must use a series of means to tell the Han that even if they continue to blackmail us in the future, we will not make more concessions, and let them look at the problem realistically and prudently."

When he said his opinion, Tokugawa Iemitsu kept a calm face and did not comment, just quietly pondered.

Finally, he looked at another old man, Toshikatsu Doi. "What do you think?"

"Your Majesty thinks what the previous elders said makes sense." Toshikatsu Doi, who has never spoken, finally expressed his opinion this time, "I think, first of all, we have to clarify our bottom line, and let Dahan understand that we are by no means the object of bullying. Therefore, whether it is to show our determination or to guard against the invasion of the Han Dynasty, we must quickly reinvigorate our armaments, especially to strengthen the defense of Kyushu. ”

This is the first time that someone among the old middle schools has clearly mentioned that the big Han may invade, and the other old middle schools also suddenly changed their faces. Since the founding of the Han Dynasty, the country has prospered and fought everywhere, which can be described as a great martial art. If they really planned to invade Japan, it would be a nightmare, and since Naito Tadashige did not provide direct evidence in his letter, but only wrote a few words of concern, the important ministers present tacitly bypassed this concern in front of the general, so as not to provoke the general's punishment and the ridicule of others when the matter turned out to be false, and they were regarded as unfounded cowards.

Only Toshikatsu, who is not a Tokugawa vassal and a major minister of the lineage, but only a close confidant of two generations of shoguns, dares to speak so bluntly to the shogun.

"Invasion ......" Tokugawa Iemitsu repeated coldly, and then suddenly became stern. You don't think an invasion is likely. ”

"There is too little information to make an accurate judgment now, but judging from the information that has been obtained and Naito Tadashige's description, the Han army's movements are not frequent, and it doesn't seem like he is gathering a large army to prepare for an invasion of our dynasty." Toshikatsu Doi said what was in his heart, "But ...... Everything is prepared, regardless of whether the Han has any intention of invading or not, since the situation has become so tense, it is also appropriate for us to take some precautions - my lord, I think it is imperative to strengthen the garrison of Kyushu whether it is to show strength or to guard against invasion. ”

His words were reasonable, so the others did not object, but nodded secretly.

"However, since it is not certain that they will invade, it is best for us not to do something too irritating them, and we still have to treat the Han merchants in Nagasaki with due respect, and we cannot arrest them at will." Seeing that everyone agreed with him, he implicitly expressed his opposition to Sakai Tadashi just now, "We can do both to strengthen our defense and seek a compromise, and in my opinion, this is complementary to each other, and the more we strengthen our defense, the more the Han will adopt our opinion." ”

After a pause, he added, "However, I also agree with the elder's opinion that we can make some concessions on trade issues and put forward some opinions that are more acceptable to the big man, so that there are steps to go down on both sides, and a disaster can be eliminated invisibly." ”

Seeing that Doi Toshikatsu was still inclined to himself after all, the eldest old Ii Naotaka couldn't help but nod his head in approval.

"Be safe and serious, this is the minister who seeks state affairs, and he deserves to be the chief pen of the old man."

"This is just my personal opinion, and everything is up to the general himself." Toshikatsu Doi just smiled slightly and said no more.

I have to say that his performance is what Tokugawa Iemitsu likes the most. As a minister, he should discuss matters when the Lord inquires, and he should not express his opinions without authorization when the Lord has not spoken, and Jing Yi and Sakai really make him feel a little uncomfortable.

That's why he likes to use people from humble backgrounds.

"So, who has any other opinions?" He nodded slightly, then turned to look at the other ministers.

Although some people still feel that these measures are not enough, now that the Shogun has already expressed his position, no one dares to express a different opinion.

"Since we want to show our strength to the Great Han, then why don't we directly let the Great Han's envoy come to Edo to welcome the general, and then follow us to Shangluo next year, right?" Another old man, the young Matsudaira Nobutsuna, suddenly spoke, "The Shogun summoned him in Edo to express our friendship; Watching the military formation of our Shangluo can also let them see the military strength of the shogunate, so that they can feel our strength without angering the Han, and presumably it can also achieve deterrence. ”

Last year, Tokugawa Iemitsu had already decided to go to Luo next year, because he intended to show off his force to the imperial court, so he had ordered the generals' domains and relatives to start gathering troops, preparing supplies, grain and grass, and preparing to raise a large army to Shangluo next year, which would be an unprecedented army, enough to let the world see the unstoppability of the shogunate, and also silence those who still had suspicions about the Tokugawa shogunate.

And if when he went to Luo, the envoy of the Han Dynasty was also with him, and he saw his huge army at close range...... As soon as he thought of this scene, Tokugawa Iemitsu suddenly felt a little excited.

It has to be said that Matsudaira Nobutsuna was worthy of being the man who had stayed by Tokugawa Iemitsu since he was a child, and he knew that doing so would greatly satisfy Tokugawa Iemitsu's vanity - and indeed necessary.

"I really need to show them the might of the shogunate." Before anyone else could speak, Tokugawa Iemitsu immediately agreed to Matsudaira Nobutsuna's proposal, "Whether it is to deter or resist a possible invasion, the gathering of troops must be accelerated, and the order must be passed on, so that all localities can quickly recruit soldiers and assemble in Edo, and the banner of Kanto must prepare himself and the attendants in the fief within the next month, and then come to Edo under orders." In addition, I will send someone to Nagasaki to summon the envoy of the Great Han in Nagasaki to Edo, and I will let him see the army of our shogunate with his own eyes! ”

Then, he threw the folding fan he had just broken on the table directly to the ground, "The rest of the things, you can do it yourself, just follow today's resolution." ”

Then, he stood up from the ground and walked forward.

A group of attendants from the general's side immediately gathered around him, welcoming them out of the temple and back into the depths of the mystery.

The rest of the elders and elders looked at each other with different thoughts, and then each left the Omoteden, and the entire Edo Castle fell silent again.

Just as the envoys sent by the Tokugawa shogunate left Edo one after another, Zhou Pu, who had participated in the military council of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince, soon returned to Kyushu Island by ship provided by the Shimazu family.

This time, however, he landed not in Nagasaki, but in Kagoshima, the Satsuma Domain.

As soon as he came to the island, he directly proposed to meet the lord of the domain, Shimazu Yoshihiro, and Shimazu Yoshihiro also fulfilled his wish, and came to Kagoshima from the main castle of the Shimazu domain to meet Zhou Pu.

It's been more than half a month since he last shaved his hair and went to Kyoto, so the shaved hair on the top of his head has grown a thin section, which looks a little nondescript, but Shimazu Yoshihiro and his henchmen certainly don't feel strange about it.

"Lord Zhou has worked hard all the way." In a small room, Yoshihiro Shimazu greeted him indifferently. "When I went back this time, I have already met His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of your country, right?"

"Yes, feudal lord, I have already met with His Royal Highness the Crown Prince in Goryeo." Zhou Pu saluted Shimazu Yoshihiro, then took out a letter from his arms and handed it to Shimazu Yoshihiro, "And I have already handed over the letter written by the feudal lord to His Royal Highness, His Highness is very happy, and replied a letter to the feudal lord, and entrusted me to say hello to the feudal lord." ”

"Oh? Please give it to me! Shimazu Yoshihiro was a little pleased and beckoned to Zhou Pu.

His Royal Highness the Crown Prince of the Central Plains Dynasty wrote a letter to him as a feudal lord, which was an unprecedented honorable event, and although he knew what price he would have to pay for it, he still couldn't help but feel very happy. In this era, the Son of Heaven and the imperial family of the Central Plains still have a very high status in the hearts of the Japanese.

Then Zhou Pu respectfully handed the letter to the other party, and Shimazu Yoshihiro took it and looked at it carefully.

The content of the letter is very simple, that is, some words of encouragement to him, and at the same time thanking him for standing up when his own court is in danger, and asking him to actively cooperate with the actions of the Han army in the future.

In this section, His Royal Highness the Crown Prince clearly approved the price determined by Zhou Pu's bargaining with him, and said that after the war, the entire island of Kyushu would be given to him except Nagasaki, and these words were more effective than any encouragement and kind words, and the blood in his whole body boiled.

Unlike Zhou Pu, as the crown prince of the Han Dynasty, he can't tell jokes, and the Han court will not violate his promise, so now that he has clearly promised this in the letter, he doesn't have to worry about the Han Dynasty regretting it after the war.

"Good, good." He quickly regained his composure, and then put the letter away, "Then may I ask my lord, when will the Great Han enter the army?" Presumably His Royal Highness the Crown Prince has already told you this, right? ”

"Yes, we've set the time, just ten days from now." Zhou Pu replied casually, as if it were an insignificant matter.

"Ten days later?" However, Shimazu's reaction was of course much greater, "So fast? ”

"Didn't the feudal lord urge us to march as soon as possible? Now that we have answered the call of the feudal lord, isn't that a good thing? Zhou Pu asked with a smile. The faster we marched in, the less prepared the shogunate would be, and the easier it would be for the feudal lord to respond, right? ”

"Your Excellency is right, but if it is only ten days, I am afraid that the preparations will be a bit hasty...... Hey, if only you had said it earlier. Shimazu Yoshihiro smiled bitterly, "We're going to have to be busy now." ”

"We also decided recently. Previously, it had been suggested that His Royal Highness the Crown Prince should prepare more and then enter the army next month, but in the end, under my persuasion, it was finally decided to enter the army as soon as possible...... In my opinion, it's better to march early than to delay the time, right? Now that the shogunate is wary of us, it must be difficult for the feudal lord to have a hard time. ”

"That's just as well." Yoshihiro Shimazu nodded.

Recently, he has been purging the discontent forces in the domain, although it has been very secretive, but after all, the news has been revealed, not only Nagasaki has sent people to check, but even the Kyoto Sidai side seems to have paid attention, if the time drags on, the shogunate will inevitably find out about his private actions, and then he will be under more pressure.

"Okay, then I'll do what you said, and start to make preparations in the next few days, and then start an incident before your country sends troops, so that Kyushu will be in chaos."

"Everything depends on the feudal lord." Zhou Pu saluted him again, "We will go back to prepare in the next few days, and then escape directly from Nagasaki, I hope that the feudal lord can send someone to pick us up and escape from Nagasaki as soon as possible, as long as we can escape into the countryside of Kyushu, we will always have a way to slowly sneak into your domain." ”

"That's fine, of course I'll do that." Shimazu Yoshihiro immediately agreed, "Next, I will send some subordinates who are familiar with the situation in Nagasaki to infiltrate Nagasaki and wait for the dispatch of the adults, and with the help of their strength, it will not be difficult to escape from Nagasaki." Is there anything else we need to do? ”

"There's only one more...... I ask the lord of the feudal lord to send a few men to Kyoto, and let them bring my letter and that of His Royal Highness the Crown Prince to the people of the Imperial Court, and then tell them the news that we are about to march into the army, and let them immediately take charge of the matter and assist the king of your country to escape from Kyoto, and if possible, flee to Kyushu, and if this is not possible, hide in the village and wait for our good news. ”

"What?" Yoshihiro Shimazu was really surprised this time. "When did you negotiate?"

Although he knew that the young envoy of the great man had already been to Kyoto once, he did not expect that he would reach a tacit understanding with the ministers and the emperor in Kyoto so quickly. As far as he knew, these people were old-fashioned and ridiculously pedantic, and they had never been people with flexible brains, how could they turn the corner so quickly and join forces with the big man?

"The shogunate is greedy and rampant, and Kyoto has long hated it, and when they hear that we want to teach the shogunate a lesson, they will naturally respond." Zhou Pu didn't intend to talk to Shimazu Yoshihiro about the twists and turns, so he simply vaguely said, "I think this is also a great thing for the feudal lord, right?" As long as the imperial court of your country issues a general order to the whole country, calling on powerful and wealthy clans to rise up against the shogunate, the pressure of public opinion on your feudal clan will be much less. ”

"Hmm...... Sort of. Shimazu Yoshihiro was not very happy, but just bowed his head slightly.

As a daimyo who has been active since the Warring States Period, of course, he is the same as other heroes, and he doesn't have any public opinion and psychological burden at all, as long as he can get the ground and benefits, he doesn't care even if he is pointed out by a thousand people. It is of course a good thing to have the righteous name of the imperial court, but if the imperial court rises again after the war and has great strength with the support of the Han Dynasty, then the Shimazu family that occupies Kyushu Island will be under great pressure - the shogunate is in Kanto, and it may turn a blind eye to the Satsuma Domain, and the imperial court in Kansai will not skip the Shimazu family that occupies the entire island of Kyushu.

"May I ask what kind of agreement your country has reached with the imperial court?" He pretended to be casual and asked, "What kind of position will the imperial court be in after the war?" ”

"Lord, we have come to uphold justice and crusade against the unruly, and since the court of your country is so cooperative and willing to take risks to help us, then we should naturally repay it. After the war, if all goes well, at least in the region of your country, the imperial court of your country should be directly under the central government. Zhou Pu replied unhurriedly, as if it was really just idle talk.

"region...... Is it? Shimazu Yoshihiro pondered for a moment, if the imperial court's skills were limited to the region, although it was a behemoth, the threat to Kyushu was not particularly great, "What about Sanyo Road?" ”

"The issue of Shanyang Dao can only be solved in the future, this is the internal affairs of your country, and it is inconvenient for us to interfere." Zhou Pu skillfully shirked the past, not ready to give any promises to the Shimazu family, "Think about these problems, and then your country can solve them yourself, and then the feudal lord, as a powerful daimyo, should also play an important role in your country's national politics, and should not live in seclusion." ”

Shimazu Yoshihiro pondered again, although this arrangement was not the best result, but it was already acceptable to him, as long as the imperial court did not extend its hand into his territory after the war, then everything was easy to say, and looking at the posture of the Great Han, it is estimated that he wanted to divide and rule after the war, and did not intend to let the imperial court rule the whole of Japan.

Although this is not a good thing for Japan, which shows that the Han wants to contain each other, and then balance it and reap the benefits, it is a good thing for the Shimazu family, because it shows that the Han will not sit idly by and watch the balance be broken, and will not let the imperial court reach into the territory of the Shimazu family. It is equivalent to saying that in fact, in the letter of the prince of the Great Han, there is a double guarantee to the Shimazu family.

"Then I, I'll let Togo Shigekata go to Kyoto, since he has already been there once before, he naturally knows how to complete the task better." After a while, Shimazu Yoshihiro finally agreed, "The shogunate has been rampant for many years, and it has already caused resentment throughout the country, and if the imperial court calls on everyone to work together, then I believe that it will be a help for us to be able to call on a large number of people." But...... The people of our country have always been the most realistic, and they cannot move the hearts of the people just by being righteous, and they still have to rely on gaining advantages on the battlefield to solve problems. ”

"Of course, we are very aware of this, so let's wait and see." Zhou Pu laughed. "Alright, feudal lord, I'll take my leave first."