The invincible Meng Yuan was twice defeated in Japan.

In the depths of Shimazu's heart, he did not believe that the Ming Dynasty could really conquer Japan, but Satsuma was afraid that he would have to go through a bitter battle.

In such a situation, how to turn the crisis into an opportunity?

A day later, a lot of people went out from Satsuma.

Someone went to the Ryukyus to confirm some more information from there.

Someone went to the territory of the Ouchi, Niko, and Mori clans in the north to check the situation there.

There were also people who went to the location of the emperor and the shogunate.

If he really wants to do anything, perhaps through the appointment of the emperor and shogun, who have already declined, he will be given an important position on the surface, and at least he will be able to nominally command the army of Kyushu against foreign countries.

On the Ryukyu side, King Shokiyo sat in the main hall of the royal palace in Shurijo Castle.

At this moment, there was silence in the hall.

Although the royal palaces of the Ryukyu Kingdom are smaller in scale and slightly different in architectural style, they are modeled after the Forbidden City. The difference is that their main hall faces west.

The reason for this is that Shuri Castle has mountains in the north and south and ventilation from east to west, and the other reason is that it is "a big thing".

This kind of big thing is reflected in this morning: Shang Qing took his ministers and knelt at the main gate of Shuri Castle to see off the Ming Xuanjiao envoy and set off for Daming. Traveling together, there are also his sister-in-law Shang Yuan and the important minister Mao Longyin.

Now back in the palace, the forty-five-year-old Shang Qing's heart is heavy.

"Lone has seen the matter of that Taiyuan person, but I am afraid that the envoy of Shangguo will also know about it. In the past month or two, quite a few people have fled across the ocean from there. Ryukyu Wanguo Jinliang is all dependent on maritime trade. Now that the upper country has set up a border area to suppress the Taiwan Yuan, there is news that Japan will be conquered. The Ryukyus were in war at both ends, and the trade routes were cut off. I don't know what ...... future."

The Ming Dynasty wanted to accept Taiyuan as solid land, and of course Ryukyu had nothing to say.

The Ming Dynasty wanted to conquer Japan, and Ryukyu was not qualified to put a beak.

However, the origin of the saying "Mankokutsu Liang" comes from the location of the Ryukyus.

In the past, due to the restrictions imposed by the Daming City, Ryukyu was actually a transit point for maritime trade in the Oriental region. Many of the smugglers of the Ming Dynasty from Japan, Korea, Luzon, Siam, Aceh, Java, Manraka and many other small countries would gather in the Ryukyus.

Now, the Ming Dynasty has greatly developed maritime trade and border trade, and although the status of Ryukyu has declined somewhat, as long as Japan, the only country currently excluded from the border trade system of the Ming Dynasty, still has demand, the value of Ryukyu's existence is still not small.

The Wanguojin Liang Bell, cast 83 years ago, is still hanging at the door of the main hall of the royal palace.

But what about the back? What is the purpose of Daming?

Shang Qing, as the head of a small country, is self-aware.

Over the years, the deference to the Ming Dynasty can be called the most sincere among the Ming vassal states.

When the Ming Dynasty was founded, Ryukyu accepted the 36 surnames given by Taizu to the Min people and the 36 surnames of the Ming people who migrated to the Ryukyus. Over the years, the Ming people have even been the Minister of the Ryukyus.

Every year, the Ming Dynasty would issue the following year's calendar from Fujian to the Ryukyus.

Last year, it was set that this year will be changed to the Common Era, and the measuring standard utensils given by the Great Emperor are also enshrined in the palace by Shangqing. Ryukyu uses the Chinese language, the Ming calendar and the year, and now the Ming Dynasty Tongbao and silver dollars are in circulation.

Now, the Ming Emperor has asked all countries to send envoys to conclude a treaty, a matter that has worried Shang Qing and his courtiers for months.

Since the mission came back at the end of last year, they have been worried.

The envoy of the Propaganda Department visited the politics and people's livelihood of the vassal country, and Shang Qing did not dare to stop it.

This year, he was going to send important ministers, and he sent his own heirs and the heads of officials.

Now Shang Qing asked, and another real name among the ministers was called He Weimei, so he said: "The king doesn't have to worry, Lord Mao will definitely be able to deal with it properly." ”

"I don't know if I met that Taiyuan person, and the angel of the kingdom didn't know that Lone was deceived. He falsely claimed to be a retainer of the Chiwei Zhai Society, and Lone met with him, but he didn't know that Chiweiyu had been seized by the Taiyuan thief army, and they cried in front of Lone for help, and Lone only then did he know ......"

"I only found out last night that Master Mao would explain it to the angel on the way."

The so-called walled shrine is a unique product of an archipelagic country like the Ryukyus. There is no way, the islands are naturally divided by the sea, the islands have their own local powers, the small islands are actually local autonomy, and the large islands are also clan divisions.

The guarantee of the unification of the Ryukyus was that the people forbade the private possession of weapons, and the military was controlled by the central government, forming a kind of Kuri military system. In the vicinity of Shurijo Castle, a number of pro-military guards were set up, each of which was subordinate to the three Kurori.

The three Kuri guards only took turns guarding the area around Shuri Castle.

On the other islands, there is basically no regular army, only a few brave villagers. Even such a villager is brave and the people are only allowed to organize some local chiefs to form a village to protect themselves, which is the origin of the word "village community".

Therefore, Shang Qing seems to have the martial arts of the "Northern Expedition", but it is actually nothing.

At this time, the entire Ryukyu army was equipped with only more than 500 bows, 300 iron spears, 300 collar armor, and some knives and spears.

With such force, what can you do in front of Da Ming except to lie down?

Outside the port of Naha, the fourteen-year-old prince happily boarded the Ming Dynasty Seal Boat, which was guarded by the Ming Oriental Sea Division, while Mao Longyin, an important minister with the official name of the Law Division and the commander of one of the treasury, looked back solemnly at the port city.

With the Wave-Chopping Wave class Ming warships he saw now, if there were three or five such ships, the archipelago country would have no ability to resist.

And by the dock, the Kumi Shi clan was saying goodbye to the Ming Dynasty.

The so-called Kumishi people are the 36 surnames of the Min people who migrated to Ryukyu more than 100 years ago. Most of these people are scholars, craftsmen, or other people with skills. In the Ryukyus, they lived in a place called Kume and were respected by everyone from the royal family to the common people.

They worship Buddha and Taoism, while most of the locals of the Ryukyus believe in Shinto, which is the Dragon Palace, the sister god, the Imperial Mountain, and the ancestral spirit.

On today's wharf, high monks, old Taoists, and Ryukyu maidens all come to pray for the voyage.

Na Zhu Nu is the highest-ranking person in the Ryukyu Shinto belief system and the leader of the goddesses. In the past, the power of Zhu Nu used to be very large. Seventy or eighty years ago, after the reform of the ritual government and the appointment of the king's daughter as a priest, the religious status of the priest began to be lower than that of the king, and it was often held by the king's daughter.

Today's Zhu Nu is Shang Qing's eldest daughter. Behind her, there is also a sister who is traveling with her, the second daughter of Shang Qing, who is only eleven years old, is also preparing to become a blessing girl.

After the departure ceremony, an invitation came from the palace, and all 36 of Kume's surnames were invited to the palace for a banquet.

Shang Qing sat on the throne, facing west.

Before the dinner party showed favor to the thirty-six surnames of Nakume and listened to his position, he was still discussing possible developments and countermeasures with the ministers.

Until dusk, the setting sun shone into the hall, and Shang Qing was in a trance for a while.

Too passive, no clue.

The future of the Ryukyus was at a loss, and he looked at the palace, which was dyed orange by the setting sun, and did not know where to go.

A few days later, when Shang Yuan and Mao Longyin watched in amazement as the Ming escort warships destroyed several small boats fleeing east from the island of Taiwan, Shimazu Takahisa's retainers had just arrived in the Ryukyus.

Closer to the island of Taiwan, a lot of information is not difficult to verify.

As one of the countries in Japan that has the closest ties to the Ryukyus, Satsuma's role as a retainer is also very useful here.

This time, he spent nearly 10 days in the Ryukyus before returning to Satsuma.

By the time I returned to Shimazu Takahisa, it was already the beginning of August.

More information was gathered here at Takahisa Shimazu, and he and his retainers looked grim again.

"Zong Qingkang really became Daming's dog! He sent his son, asked to see the emperor and the general, and conveyed the interrogation of the Ming Emperor. The reason for the choice is that the Ouchi clan and the Hosokawa clan envoys fought and killed the Ming people in the Ming Dynasty more than ten years ago! ”

"Lord Guijiu, it seems that the Ming Dynasty is really going to crusade against our Japanese countries! The Shang Qing of the Ryukyus was already frightened, and he was unwilling to help our ship supply in the Ryukyus, let alone help the Taiyuan people with us! ”

Shimazu Takahisa nodded: "In the more than one month that you have been to the Ryukyus, the news has spread. Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiharu had just been defeated in a war with Hosokawa Harumoto and fled to the Omi Sakamoto area. Knowing the interrogation of the Ming Emperor, he made a big announcement, saying that he would welcome the Ming Dynasty to capture the ministers of the troubled country, the Hosokawa clan and the Ouchi clan. Such an attitude has provoked many changes in various countries. Now, the Hosokawa clan reprimands the shogunate for betraying the country and is planning an encirclement war against the shogunate! And the shogunate is wantonly sealing officials......"

“…… In more than a month, there have been so many changes! Kihisa-sama, what about us? ”

Shimazu Takahisa gritted his teeth: "Everyone knows that if Da Ming comes, he will definitely not just bring back the so-called sin chief!" Ashikaga Yoshiharu was bewitched by his retainers, but he was afraid that he had secretly discussed it with Zong Qingyasu! Kyushu and four countries are all places he can give up. However, the Ouchi clan and the Hosokawa clan have always been at odds, and they are afraid that they will each set up a banner and will not be able to work together. Weaken Zhuxiong first, and he will have a chance to revive the prestige of the shogunate! Bigger troubled times are coming! ”

Powerful foreign enemies are eyeing each other, and ambitious heroes are ready to take advantage of this upheaval. Some people do not hesitate to cooperate with foreign enemies, while others want to gain greater prestige and stronger strength in the process of defending against foreign enemies.

"So what do we do?"

Facing the worried retainers, a cold glint appeared in Shimazu Takahisa's eyes: "If the Ming Dynasty wants to attack, it is nothing more than Tsushima Island, or Ryukyu!" Now the Hosokawa clan is wooing me, and the shogunate has sent someone over. But in the minds of the shogunate, I'm afraid that Zong Qingyasu is much more important than our Satsuma. He mainly wants to attack Hosokawa, how can he not pass through Kyushu and encircle on several sides? On the contrary, the Hosokawa clan has always been at odds with the Ouchi clan. ”

"What do you mean by ......"

"That's at least one thing right! If the Ming army wanted to come, Satsuma was at the forefront. Whether it's for the danger that is coming soon, or for the future, Satsuma can't avoid it! But first of all, we have to buy time for ourselves, and we can't be the first to be attacked by the Ming army! ”

"Please give me orders!"

Shimazu Takahisa's eyes became firm: "Since you said that Ryukyu is so weak now, then...... Destroy the Ryukyus first! No matter what, the Ming army can't be allowed to easily reach Kyushu without worries! Just coming from Tsushima Island, the Niko clan and the Ouchi clan on the way won't sit idly by! Let them be in front! Now that the Ming Dynasty has the intention of crusading against Japan, many people are no longer afraid of annoying the Ming Dynasty. I heard that there have been ronins going to sea, and they want to make Daming uneasy, and it is difficult to take care of it! ”

The Satsuma samurai, who had just largely pacified the civil strife, began to prepare for a sneak attack on the Ryukyus.

In the midst of the storm, some of those who are accustomed to hoarding pirates to plunder their wealth are also prepared to do more undisguised things.

If there is any big movement, it will not lose the name of heroes among the heroes, and maybe it will rise in the troubled times?

The Ryukyus, which had an average agriculture and fishing, had accumulated a lot of wealth over the years by relying on entrepot trade.

Although the status of the Ming Dynasty declined with the great development of the Ming Dynasty, and in history, it really fell into decline and became financially unsustainable after the opening of Longqing, but the Ryukyus are now beginning to face crises in advance and were invaded by Satsuma in advance.

This time for something else.

After this time, Ryukyu will not become the future Okinawa of Japan.

All this, Shang Yuan and Mao Longyin, who had arrived in Ningbo, did not know.

They are feeling the prosperity of Ningbo Shuangyu Port.

On the island of Shuangyu Port, three young people have just arrived.

Seeing the closure of the boat entering the port, Zhu Zaiqian asked in surprise: "Is that the envoy of the Ryukyus?" ”

Zhang Juzheng looked at the costumes of those people and nodded: "At last year's longevity ceremony, the Ryukyu envoys were dressed like that. ”

Qi Jiguang reminded: "Big brother and second brother, I heard that there are many fish and dragons on Shuangyu Island, so it's better to be careful." The three of us have been targeted four times along the way! ”

Zhang Juzheng smiled: "Yuan Jing's martial arts are strong, isn't there no danger?" ”

Qi Jiguang was helpless: "This Shuangyu Island is not as good as land. The younger brother heard that there are gangsters who bought firecrackers from Nanyang and hid them privately! ”

“…… That's right. The three of us looked young and had our own bearing, and we really looked like ignorant rich children traveling abroad. First find a hostel to settle down, and see the prosperity of maritime trade today, so go from Fujian to Guangdong by land. If it weren't for the fact that the naval division was suppressing bandits in Taiyuan, many bandits would have wandered around, and it would have been best to go to Guangdong from the sea. ”

Qi Jiguang was convinced: "This Shuangyu Island shouldn't come either!" No matter how good the younger brother is, what can he do if the ship encounters wind and waves? ”

Zhang Juzheng disagreed: "The old man must be looking forward to Brother Ming's courage." Besides, I was originally going to take the big ship of the Shipping Bureau, and I would ask Brother Yuan Jing to arrange it in advance, so what could be a big problem? ”

Zhu Zaiqian nodded: "It's okay, Zhang Feng is right, how can I not see Haijiang?" You must know that my father often mentions coastal defense and maritime trade! ”

On the southeast side of the ocean, there were merchant ships bound for the Ryukyu trade, as well as frigates of the Great Wall Company on the coast.

In the vast sea, there are also pirates sent by the Hosokawa clan, the Ouchi clan and some other well-intentioned people who have been named as the "sin chieftain", who want to sneak attack Korea, Tsushima Island, Ryukyu and even the Ming Dynasty to plunder wealth at sea.

At the moment of the war, more wealth means more strength and fame.

North Korea has also sent ministers with sufficient qualifications: Yoon veteran, who is now in a relatively weak position in the battle between the big and small Yoons, and even between the younger Yoon brothers.

And the little Yin brothers originally advocated sending Wang Shizi, but they failed to facilitate this matter under Yin Ren's full opposition.

If something goes wrong on the way, then the crown prince of North Korea will not have to fight.

In the end, it was Hai Anjun Li who was sent out.

As soon as the two arrived in Jiulian City, news came from behind them: There was a rebellion in Gangpu Port again, and Yin Yuanheng asked to send troops to quell the chaos.

Yuan Lao Yin not only hoped that his younger brother could take the opportunity to win over some generals, but also worried that his younger brother's strength would become stronger.

This trip to the country has been separated from North Korea for several months, and I don't know if the situation will be more passive after I go back.

He looked at Li, who was related to the impossibility of the throne and had only assisted in taking care of Li Yi's Wang Ye Bureau over the years, with a smile on his face: "The Son of Heaven of Shangguo had a lot of appreciation for His Royal Highness in his early years, and this time when he went to the capital of Shangguo, he asked His Highness to say a lot of good words." Previously, the king was deceived and bewitched by traitorous ministers, and he actually had the faux pas of inviting troops to the country to clear the king's side. Now that I am an envoy, if there are good words from His Royal Highness as evidence, after returning to China, His Royal Highness will naturally be more stable in the Royal Industry Bureau. ”

Li was actually very touched in his heart.

My father was forced to ask Daming for help, which shows how dangerous the situation is.

Although he is in the Wang Ye Bureau, the border trade with Daming was first controlled by Jin Anlao; After the death of Jin An's old family, they are now controlled by the Xiao Yin brothers.

Li is nominally supervising the Wang Ye Bureau, but in fact, he can only be a hands-off shopkeeper. The accounts submitted every year, he just signed and printed them directly, how can he really manage things?

Is Elder Yin promising him the benefits after he goes back?

He didn't actually work in the first place......

As for the "loyalty" of the Xiao Yin brothers in front of the great tomorrow...... Li remembered the Ming Emperor who he hadn't seen for a long time, and just nodded to Yuan Elder Yin first.

The last Jin Qi who accompanied him to the Ming Dynasty has probably been reincarnated now.

There is no longevity ceremony in Beijing this year, and the summoning of envoys from all countries to sign the covenant is in October.

At present, the final plan for the transfer of generals has been discussed at the military affairs meeting.

Outside the port of Naha in the Ryukyus, many small boats approached in the night, full of greedy people with katana swords.

To the east of Shuangyu Port, there are also Japanese robbers who take advantage of the night gap of the Ming coastal defense warship patrol, waiting for a good opportunity.

In the Qianqing Palace, Zhu Houxi couldn't help but smile when he looked at the report sent back by Yan Shifan: "Respect the emperor and the general? The Commander of the Imperial Guard? ”

"Your Majesty, the Marquis of Yangwu will ask for guilt again. The failure to encircle Taiwan resulted in the remnants of the bandits fleeing and leaking the news, and this matter ......"

Zhu Houxi looked at Lu Bing: "He asks you to ask for sin?" Did Toling intercede? ”

Lu Bing was a little embarrassed.

"It's not that you don't know, I don't care, and I won't punish it, but you will do it." Zhu Houxi looked at Yan Shifan's report again, and said in his mouth, "Taiwan Island is very big after all, and it is only a training exercise for marines to suppress bandits, so do you really send warships to blockade the island with hundreds of patrols?" Missing some people, that's normal. It's just that he is greedy for merit, and his generals should always learn a lesson this time. ”

After reading it, Zhu Houxi put down the secret recital.

"My army hasn't gone yet, but some people in Japan have already begun to use me. Ashikaga Yoshiharu wants to use me, and Yoshitaka Ouchi and Harumoto Hosokawa also want to use me. It's good now, Japan has a new change, three great generals? ”

Zhu Houxi is quite amusementingly lamented the changes he has brought to Japan.

In Japan, can the name Shogun be used casually? It was exclusive to the shogunate.

Now......

Zhu Houxi became happy: "It seems that Japan has found a way to die." ”

(End of chapter)