"Being alone in a foreign land as a stranger, thinking of your relatives every festive season!"

At the southern tip of Tsushima Island, the highest peak is Mt. Yatate.

The weather is still very cold, it is snowing heavily, and the Dongying Bo Yan Shifan is full of emotion, looking at the west and chanting poems affectionately.

Beside him was a man who had shaved off the middle of his head, leaving only two sideburns and a bun at the back of his head. He was from the neck down, but his clothes were loose.

Hearing his words, the man asked, "Yan Sang, is this a verse from the kingdom?" ”

"Exactly." Yan Shifan turned his head to look at him, "Yi Tiaojun, this is Wang Wei's "Memories of Shandong Brothers on September 9th" by Wang Wei in the Tang Dynasty. Now you are also the guardian of the next generation of horses, you nobles want to write Chinese characters, these poems are not the content to be learned? ”

Zong Yituo bowed his head a little ashamedly: "My father has always been a monk, and I never thought that I would have a future identity, and there was no need to learn these in the past. ”

Yan Shifan smiled: "In the past, there have been endless disputes on the island, but now there is finally a co-master. It's not too late to start now. ”

"So my father asked me to follow Yan Sanduoduo for advice, and he warned me that your knowledge is unfathomable."

"Unfathomable?" Yan Shifan snorted, "If that's the case, I'll be a Jinshi and an official in the Ming Dynasty, why bother to venture all the way to come here and recite the chapters of Siqin in the wind and snow?" ”

Zong Yi took a step aside and stretched out his hand: "Yan Sang, the weather is cold, let's go down the mountain and return to Jinshi City and drink hot bars." Yan Sang came back from Daming, and his father has always been very concerned about Yan Sang's newly opened up sales. ”

"Okay, it's time to pay a visit."

Tsushima Island is mountainous and there are few fields available for farming.

It has always been a place to eat by the sea, and on a good day, you can see Busan in North Korea and Kyushu Island in Japan.

The difference is only more than 100 miles.

Because of this, the history of Tsushima was not peaceful.

At that time, Meng Yuan occupied Tsushima Island twice, and the clan took root in Tsushima Island because the first generation of ancestor Zongziguo only led more than 80 people to fight against dozens of times the Yuan army here.

Of course, there was no surprise in the result, although the Zong family fell to the ground and fell to sleep on the spot, the Zong family moved the Kamakura shogunate, and eventually became the guardian of Tsushima for generations.

But the Zong family has actually become a grass on the wall since then. More than 100 years ago, when Korea sent troops to Tsushima, the Zong family relented and accepted the official position of North Korea in the Cargill Treaty.

Therefore, the clan was not only a local daimyo recognized by the emperor and shogun, but also worshipped Joseon as the suzerain.

With the advantage of its geographical location, Tsushima Island has become a transit point for trade between Japan and Korea. The sumac, pepper, and ivory of the South Seas, the copper, tin, knives, and lacquerware of Japan, and the cotton, rice beans, honey, and ginseng of Korea, under the governance of the 11th generation of the clan governor and the guardian of Tsushima, Tsushima Island prospered for a while.

At its peak, the island was already overpopulated, and they had to be encouraged to get out. At that time, there were more than 3,000 Japanese who went to Miura, Korea, which eventually led to the Miura War, which was recorded in Joseon, and also led to the blockage of trade, which in turn led to the civil strife of the Zong family for more than ten years.

This civil strife lasted until last year, and Yan Shifan mistakenly supported Zong Qingkang, the fifteenth generation of the Zong family, who had won in the first place.

Today, the core of Tsushima's power is located in the "Kinshiya Shape", which was newly built more than ten years ago.

In Japan, the term "house" is called by the residence of a person with a certain status. The highest level, which can be called the Imperial Palace, is not limited to the royal family. The second level is the public family, the martial nobles, such as the clan guard. In addition, there is also the importance of the official number.

Yan Shifan only felt chaotic, and he had the feeling of forcibly going up the grade.

In fact, this golden stone house is not large, and there are not many people living around.

Golden Stone Castle is located next to a small harbor on the southeast side of Tsushima Island, and is built on a mountainside, which is a mountain town.

Next to the harbor is the ruins of the old castle in the shape of a pond house, which was once the residence of the clan governor, but it has now developed into a small port castle.

There are ordinary low-level people over there, and the big people on Tsushima Island have gathered a lot in Jinshishan Castle.

The largest building in the city is the "Hiroma" in the shape of a golden stone house, and in the eyes of the samurai of the Zong family, Yan Shifan walked in familiarly, and looked at Zong Qingkang, who looked like a monk...... The painting that hung on the alcove behind him.

"Eagle".

The corners of Yan Shifan's mouth showed a smile, this is also his handwriting, as a congratulatory gift for Zong Qingkang to become the governor, and is regarded as a treasure by Zong Qingkang.

Because the creator of the painting, signed by the famous Song Huizong. There is not only a signature, but also a praise, praise: "The royal pen is dripping, and the eagle is written; The golden eyes are the eyes, and the jade snow is the clothes; Rigid like a sword, claws like a cone; How to solve the problem, fly thousands of miles; Respect and favor, only praise; Xuanhua Hall bachelor Cai You Zanyun. ”

And voila! The monarch of the Song Dynasty of Shangguo wrote it himself, and the important ministers praised it, how much face? The white eagle is lifelike, the rope has been untied, and it flies thousands of miles, what does it mean?

In fact, it is a lot of folk commercial fakes in the Ming Dynasty today.

But Yan Shifan cherished it and exchanged it for a lot of benefits.

Seeing Yan Shifan, Zong Qingkang sat there and bent over, and performed a Buddhist salute: "Yan Jun, I've been waiting for a long time." ”

"Zongsang, you are now a guardian, and you still uphold the Buddha's rituals?" Yan Shifan returned the salute and sat in the guest seat.

"I have been a monk for many years, and I can't change it." Zong Qingkang looked like a kind old man, but at the age of sixty-six, he hung this eagle in his wide room, naturally he was not really desireless.

Originally, the position of the governor of this family naturally had nothing to do with him.

Previously, he was a monk at Kokubunji Temple. According to what Yan Shifan knows now, this Guofen Temple is not simple. Eight hundred years ago, the emperor ordered the construction of Kobunji temples in various places in order to protect the country. Japan is divided into many small countries, and it can be said that one country has one kokubunji.

Zong Qingkang became a monk at Kokubunji Temple until he was sixty-five years old, but he was able to win the dispute among his nephews in the end, and was invited by the retainers of the Zong family to serve as the governor of the family.

This golden stone house was built many years ago, when Zong Qingkang was still a monk at Kokubunji Temple, but this golden stone house was built next to Kokubunji Temple in Tsushima, is there no reason?

Of course, this is now also mixed with some of Yan Shifan's efforts.

Therefore, Yan Shifan seemed casual when talking to him.

Of course, there are reasons why he has a lot of money and materials as an outsider, but also because Yan Shifan doesn't regard Zong Qingkang as a powerful figure at all in his bones.

At least for now, it still seems a bit hypocritical: obviously ambitious, why pretend to be indifferent to fame and fortune?

After Zong Qingkang finished greeting him, he opened his mouth to get down to business: "Yan Jun went back to Daming to visit relatives, I wonder if he brought back good news?" On the North Korean side, Yin Ming is fighting in secret, and now no one wants to be held by the other party. There are only twenty-five ships a year, which is not enough. ”

Yan Shifan seemed to smile: "The appointed person of the Zong family is only allowed to bring twenty-five ships, but my Huizhou Haimao is a Ming merchant, hasn't it been exempt from this prohibition in the past few years?" Zong Sang can't believe me? ”

Zong Qingkang stared at him.

Originally, trade between Tsushima and Korea was practically free from the restrictions of twenty-five ships. However, since a few years ago, the Emperor held the longevity ceremony, and the DPRK said that the Japanese tribute envoys had looted Ningbo in the past, and the Ming Dynasty was still holding grudges, and specially pointed out the problem of trade with Japan to the Korean envoys. The lord of Korea did not want to annoy the Ming Dynasty, so he demanded that the rule of twenty-five ships a year not to be broken that year.

Zong Qingkang also understands this. The Korean ministers were in charge, and the Korean lords were worried that the evil Ming Dynasty would lead to the pressure of the army, so they had to rely more on the ministers and even let them contaminate the military power. And this incident can be used as an excuse for the ministers to accuse each other of the other faction's bad intentions.

It's just that in this way, it is no coincidence that this Huizhou sea trade came to Tsushima at the right time.

Zong Qingkang looked at Yan Shifan's face and always felt that he was very mysterious.

He is a young man with good skills and excellent knowledge. Is there really no excellent way out for such a character in Daming? After staying on the Falklands for several years, the Zong family is not qualified to trade directly with the Ming Dynasty, and the share of trade with North Korea is extremely dependent on him as an intermediary.

"Of course I can trust Yan Jun. It's just that the Ashikaga shogun once promised the 800 territories of Kita-Omi, and if the clan wants to really get it back, they need more than just some money. Yan Jun, who fought for tribute and plundered the Ming Dynasty, was the Ouchi clan and the Hosokawa clan, and had nothing to do with Tsushima. I don't know about the Kanhe, the Korean trade, and the musket, this time from the Ming Dynasty can be gained? ”

Yan Shifan still didn't answer him, but asked: "Zongsan, the North Omi Asai family and the South Omi Rokkaku family are in-laws, and the Kyogoku clan, which was expelled by the Asai family, is the original clan of the Nizi clan. If you want to get the 800 kan territory promised by the Ashikaga shogunate, the real enemy is the Niko clan, which is very likely to be fought for, isn't Sosan worried that the Niko clan will take Tsushima Island instead? ”

Zong Qingkang's eyes flashed: "Now that the Niko clan is fighting with the Ouchi clan and the Maori clan, isn't it a good opportunity?" As long as the 800 territories of the North Omi River were returned, and there was maritime trade with Korea and the Ming Dynasty, the Gyeonggi countries would rely on Tsushima to obtain a steady stream of money and materials. ”

Yan Shifan looked at him, and then at Zong Yituo.

Look at the spiritual head of the old man, he is sixty-six, and he also has the ambition to compete for the throne.

Who gave him courage? That is naturally the scale of trade that has opened their eyes after the Huizhou sea trade came in the past few years, as well as the artillery on the escort warship in Yan Shifan's hands and the bird guns in the hands of the generals hired by the Great Wall Company on the sea.

Yan Shifan reminded him: "Zongsang, Tsushima has sold so many goods to the Niko, Ouchi, and Maori clans, they must have been vigilant. Nearly half of the silver that Iwami Ginzan excavates every year reaches Tsushima Island. If I'm not mistaken, I'm afraid they're all fighting Tsushima's idea, and maybe they're already building warships. ”

Zong Qingkang smiled: "Will Yan Jun watch them come to attack Tsushima Island?" Compared with the strangers, the Zong family trusted Yan Juncai more. ”

Yan Shifan also smiled: "I help Zong Sang defend against foreign enemies?" So if Zongsang succeeds, what will I get? ”

Zong Qingkang put away his smile, and then said seriously: "Yan Jun, I appreciate your talent very much. As a merchant with great strength in the Ming Dynasty, I also know very well what you want when you choose Tsushima as a trading base. If you can no longer keep it for me, what if I succeed and if I can establish a new shogunate, Tsushima will be given to you? ”

“…… Will Tsushima, give me? Yan Shifan laughed, "Zong Sang actually has the ambition to create a new shogunate?" ”

Zong Yituo was also startled, and looked at his father in disbelief.

Zong Qingkang's face remained unchanged: "Yan Jun said that he was alone, if he was willing to be my righteous son, Tsushima Island would be guarded by you in the future, why not?" ”

“……”

Yan Shifan also put away his smile and looked at him, only to see Zong Qingkang's eyes sharpened.

Being alone is his own rhetoric, but Yan Shifan, who has been in Tsushima for so long, also knows that the Japanese side sees Yoshiko very formally. If there is such a relationship, it really doesn't matter if the original family business on Tsushima Island is given to him.

But......

Yan Shifan said lightly: "It seems that during the time I left Tsushima Island, you, who had just become a guardian, spent a lot of time to find out my origins?" ”

Zong Qingkang owes himself: "I have no malice towards Yan Jun. It is my sincerity, if I can get the help of Yan Jun to create the shogunate, I must become the righteous son of the shogun, so as not to insult Yan Jun's identity. ”

Zong Yituo suddenly felt that his father's posture was a little low.

Yan Shifan's smile suddenly bloomed again: "My identity? Does Zongsang know my identity? ”

Zong Qingkang's eyes were as sharp as the eagle on the painting behind him: "The power of the Great Ming Firearm is extraordinary, if Yan Jun is just a civilian businessman, how can he have such a well-trained guard?" Moreover, the ancestors of the clan are people who crossed from North Korea, although they can't go to Daming, they can explore one or two through North Korea. I still know some of the important ministers in the Ming Dynasty. Yan Jun can carry out such a large-scale trade, I don't know if he is the same as Yan Weizhong, Minister of State of the Ming Dynasty? ”

“…… Gee. ”

Yan Shifan was softly speechless.

This is not surprising, I know a little about Da Ming but I don't know enough, the limit of speculation is that Da Ming's important ministers let their clan juniors go into business, and help him grab wealth through power and connections.

Yan Shifan's strength here is indeed strong enough, and Zong Qingkang was not idle after Yan Shifan went back last year, and asked about some information about Daming from the North Korean side.

Since there is a surname Yan among the important ministers, and it is Yan Song, who originally handled the case of Japan's tribute struggle and later asked for the resumption of the Zhejiang City Bo Division, it is normal for him to ask such a question.

It seems that if he didn't have himself, Zong Qingkang wouldn't dare to think about creating a shogunate at all, and he would still say it in front of him.

He laughed again: "Zong Sang wants to get my support, and after success, he will sincerely surrender to Da Ming through me and obtain His Majesty's canonization?" ”

"Small overseas countries have always been ministers of the Celestial Empire. Now the heroes are rising together, and they are in turmoil, and even invading the kingdom. If stability can be restored, it will be a blessing for Japan, and it will be more in line with the prestige of His Majesty the Celestial Empire, and more in line with the needs of Yan Jun. Zong Qingkang asked sincerely, "Yan Jun thinks, is this the truth?" ”

"That's the truth. If I succeed, I can do business all over Japan. Yan Shifan laughed, "It seems that Zong Sang and I want to go together." ”

Zong Qingkang was overjoyed: "Yan Jun agreed?" ”

"It's not okay to be Zongsang's righteous son."

Zong Qingkang's expression stiffened slightly, and he fell silent.

Without such a relationship, how could he trust this person more? This person already has a wife in Daming, which Zong Qingkang knows.

Who knew that Yan Shifan said again: "My father is still here, I am an only son, how can I be Zongsang's righteous son." ”

“…… Yan Jun, not alone? ”

"I'm just in Japan alone, but I'm not without relatives." Yan Shifan smiled all over his face, "Didn't Zongsang mention my father's name just now?" ”

Zong Qingkang and Zong Yituo both opened their mouths wide and looked at him in disbelief.

"Yan Jun's father is ...... It's ......"

Yan Shifan looked at Zong Yi Diao: "I said why after I came back this time, Zong Sang let Yi Tiaojun accompany me all the time, it turned out that I had long guessed that I had an extraordinary background and had such ambitions." Now Zong Sang knows that his father is the state affairs of the Ming Dynasty, I wonder if he still makes the original plan? ”

Zong Qingkang's face was cloudy.

The ministers of state of the Ming Dynasty came to Tsushima Island to do business, so was it still a simple minister seeking wealth?

Zong Qingkang is not sure, could it be that Da Ming has any thoughts about Japan?

“…… Yan Sang just said, go with me? ”

Zong Qingkang tentatively said, but the title became more respectful.

"That's right, Your Majesty also said that if Japan continues like this, it will be a blessing and a curse for the Ming Dynasty."

“…… Your Majesty...... Say it too? ”

Yan Shifan's heart was very refreshed, and his face had the kind of joy that he could let go of his hands and do it: "Your Majesty's holy message: Japan is not a king, a minister is not a minister, there are endless wars, and the lives of the people are ruined." The livelihood does not exist, and the grass falls into the grass, for the suffering of the Ming Dynasty and the feudal domains, Yan Shifan is specially named as the Eastern Ying Bo, holding the holy decree, ordering the Japanese lord and the general of Zhengyi to give me an explanation, and capture the thief chieftains of Ningbo who pretended to fight for tribute and rob the people of the Ming Dynasty to tie up the Ming Dynasty and sacrifice the dead. ”

“…… Dong Yingbo? Zong Qingkang, who had been sitting upright, stood up now, "Yan Sang, you ......"

Yan Shifan was still sitting, and asked him with a smile: "The Ashikaga clan can't capture the Ouchi clan and the Hosokawa clan, Zongsan, can you catch it?" If you can catch it, you will have the fact of conquering the general, and Uncle Ben will have to go back to the decree. ”

Zong Qingkang was stunned for a while, and then finally knelt down in ecstasy, and sat down very formally, and pulled his son along.

How can he dare to be the only son of the Minister of State of the Ming Dynasty and the father-in-law of the earl?

But it doesn't matter, there are already bright opportunities now.

"Foreign minister Zong Qingkang is lonely and weak, if there is no help from the Supreme Kingdom, it may be difficult to subdue the traitors."

"Sweeping away the traitors, that's too far, how long will it take?" Yan Shifan shook his head, "Why should Zongsang worry about the eight hundred territories in the North Omi? Uncle Ben's will is to first see if the Japanese lord and the general of Zhengyi can do it. If they couldn't, the Ming Dynasty abolished the canonization of the Japanese lord and the general of Zhengyi. Although it has long existed in name only, it needs someone to go there. Righteous Tune Lord, are you willing to do it? ”

Zong Qingkang's face changed suddenly: Can you come back?

Yan Shifan smiled: "Just ask on your behalf." Daming's disposition will not be edicted to them on the spot. So-san, the Ashikaga clan knows that the Great Ming will be unfavorable to the Ouchi clan and the Hosokawa clan, but I'm afraid that it's too late to rejoice, and I will give you some help. The will of this uncle is to take back the thief chief and go to Daming. If you can do it yourself, or with Niko Haruhisa, that's what you can do. If you want to create a shogunate, how can you rely on the help of the Ming Dynasty? ”

Zong Qingkang's heart fluctuated, it seems that Da Ming is really going to go through Japan.

But they chose Tsushima, did they think they had that ability?

Nowadays, among the nations of the world, there is not enough to see Marco.

He looked at Yan Shifan's calm smile, and only felt that he might not care whether the Zong family could succeed or not.

But can you turn down this opportunity?

The Mongols may eventually be succumbed to the kamikaze of the sea, but none of Tsushima escaped the fate of being cleared.

Yan Shifan, who showed his identity, brought him great oppression.

Even if you don't go to be this cannon fodder, Daming's footsteps have come to this island.

And this young man who talks and laughs freely in front of him, does he have such a prominent status and is not worried about his own safety?

If you don't get the actual support of the armor or even the troops, you need to take the risk of selling your life first, if the Zong family is unwilling, but turns against him first?

Yan Shifan only has one eye, but the light in his eyes is sharper than Zong Qingkang.

Zong Qingkang hesitated for a while, and finally lowered his head: "The dog is capable of doing it!" ”

He didn't have a choice, the foundation of the sect family was in Tsushima.

Tsushima, on the other hand, is an island, only a hundred miles from North Korea, and the huge merchant ships and escort warships of the Ming Dynasty have been able to come here familiarly.

If you don't want to be a pioneer hound of the Ming Dynasty, this young man with a lovely smile is afraid that he will suddenly show his fangs.

The Ming Dynasty, who drove the Mongols to a distant and bitter cold land, remembered a grudge from nearly 20 years ago to the present, which shows that they have made up their minds: Japan will be the loyal dog of the Ming Dynasty again.

It was his honor to pick him.

(End of chapter)