The first wooden box was opened, and upon closer inspection, there were no traps or poisons or explosives.

But as his men scrutinized it, the contents of the other boxes were turned out one by one.

Looking at those things, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's old face became darker and darker.

"Yaga!"

Ashikaga Yoshi's eyes were sharp, and he turned back like an angry wolf.

The eagle looked at the wolf, and the samurai and ninjas around him were silent.

"General Mingguo, dare to insult me like this?!"

His roar echoed throughout the Deer Park courtyard.

It turned out that in those large wooden boxes, there were popular women's clothes of the Ming Kingdom, including horse-faced pleated skirts, as well as exquisite silk fabrics and more than ten fine Shu brocades.

How could Ashikaga Yoshimitsu not be angry?

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu pulled out the katana at his waist and slashed it down, and the blade was directly stuck by the good solid wood box.

It is even more angry Ashikaga Yoshimitsu gritted his teeth.

"Master, please stop ...... anger"

Seeing his frantic appearance, the samurai hurriedly persuaded him, but to no avail.

In the end, Gu Jian Miao quickly stiffened his head and said: "Your Excellency, don't get excited, I think there must be a special reason for this, otherwise with the bearing of the general of the Ming Kingdom, he would never do such a villain's thing!" ”

Gu Jianmiao's tone of voice was very slow, which made people sound extremely comfortable.

Moreover, the words spoken by this eminent monk are often justified, which is also an important reason why he is respected by everyone.

Most importantly, as a confidant of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, he is deeply trusted by Ashikaga Yoshimitsu.

"Oh? Master, please go back to the house and continue......"

Sure enough, hearing this, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu calmed down a lot, and his eyes returned to clarity.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Furuken Miaoke quickly returned to the room, and the sliding door was closed, leaving only the two of them in the room.

"Your Excellency, I think the great general of the Ming Kingdom will not give you such a ridiculous gift for no reason." Gu Jian said quietly and quickly.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu suddenly said, "Is it possible that it was sent by mistake?" These gifts, perhaps, should be sent to the Imperial Observatory? ”

Gu Jian Miaokuai frowned slightly when he heard this, he thought that with the habits of the people of the Ming Kingdom, there should not be such a careless mistake, but in fact, this kind of thing does have a slight possibility.

"Then I'll send someone to ask?"

"Go ahead."

A moment later, news came back from the Imperial Observatory.

General Ming did give a gift to the Imperial Observatory, but Hino only said that she liked it very much, and as for what it was given, it didn't bother the owner of the Deer Garden.

In front of his wife, he touched the gray Ashikaga Yoshimitsu again, and basically ruled out the possibility of sending the wrong one.

First of all, according to the description of Gu Jianmiaokuai, Li Jinglong, the general of the Ming Kingdom, was a person full of aristocratic majesty, knowledgeable and rigorous, and it was hard to believe that he would give the wrong gift.

Secondly, because since she gave such a valuable gift with an extremely obvious personal tendency, with Hino's character, if she didn't like it, she would never lie.

Then there is only one conclusion, Li Jinglong, the general of the Ming Kingdom, deliberately sent a few boxes of women's clothes and silk to the former Japanese general Zhengyi, and now the de facto ruler of Japan, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu!

At this time, the time of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's rage had passed, and he did not continue to be angry, but asked his soul questions one after another.

"Why?"

"Is this Ming General tired of living?"

"Doesn't he know whose territory this is?"

Gu Jian said quickly: "Li Jinglong, the general of the Ming Kingdom, is not a person who is reckless or deliberately humiliates us Japan, on the contrary, he is different from most Ming people and has a considerable degree of understanding of Japan. ”

"What do you mean?" Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked with a frown.

"Not only did he know a lot about Japan's customs and customs, but what surprised me the most during the conversation was that the general of the Ming Kingdom also talked about our topography, history, and the spiritual qualities of our Japanese people based on these two points."

"Spiritual traits?"

"Not bad." Gu Jian Miaokuai explained, "Li Jinglong believes that it is precisely because of the special terrain of our Japan that we Japanese people have spiritual traits such as learning self-improvement, paying attention to the collective, and looking down on life and death. ”

Well, as Jiang Xinghuo's outstanding student, Li Jinglong is now learning and selling.

With the quick relay of the ancient sword, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu became very serious, especially when it came to the content of the "view of shame".

"So, he knows us very well in Japan and has no prejudices?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked himself in confusion, "Then what is his purpose in doing this?" ”

"Li Jinglong must have guessed your hobby." After a pause, Gu Jian Miao quickly analyzed: "Therefore, if he prepares such a gift that is completely not in line with your heart, it must have his intentions. ”

"Well, it is reasonable and well-founded, and it is very much in line with the habit of high-ranking officials of the Ming Kingdom who always like to use hints to express their political views."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu nodded.

He naturally knew that in the Ming Kingdom, all the exchange of political interests was carried out under the table.

This exchange of interests is full of compromises, concessions, betrayals, and so on.

But in any case, when high-ranking officials of the Ming Kingdom expressed their political views, they were always accustomed to using allusions, things, and other things that seemed unrelated to the matter to imply.

According to the habit of the Ming Kingdom, if you don't understand this hint, they will usually laugh on the surface, and in their hearts, they will treat you as a dirt bun who doesn't understand anything, and will adjust their attitude towards Ling from now on.

Li Jinglong was not just the chief envoy of the Ming mission.

At the same time, he is also the general of the Ming Kingdom, the prince of the country above 10,000 people under one person.

To a certain extent, when he went overseas, he already had full authority to represent the meaning of the Ming Emperor.

Since Li Jinglong was able to come up with this kind of congratulatory gift and risk angering himself, it also showed his extraordinary courage.

This kind of person should not be underestimated!

Therefore, these boxes of women's outfits and Shu brocade must be hinting at something!

"I don't know much about the history of China." Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked cautiously: "Master, you have traveled to the Ming Kingdom for a long time, and you are very familiar with the historical allusions of China, do you know that giving women's clothes and silk has any special meaning in the history of China?" ”

Gu Jian Miao quickly pondered for a while, and just when Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was almost disappointed, he suddenly slapped his bald head.

"I see!"

"What does the mage understand?" Ashikaga Yoshimitsu hurriedly asked.

Gu Jian said quickly: "Your Excellency, I have thought about the Chinese allusions that I have studied, and finally thought of an allusion that is extremely appropriate, perhaps, this is the true intention of the general of the Ming Kingdom." ”

Gu Jian Miaokuai did not go around the pass, and directly explained the allusions and dishes he thought of.

"About 1,100 years ago, China split into three countries."

"Among them, the most powerful one occupies the northern part of China, which is called 'Wei', the weakest one that occupies the southwestern part of China is called 'Shu', and the one that occupies the southeastern part of China, which is where the capital of the Ming Kingdom is now located, is called 'Wu'."

"Shu is the remnant of the 'Han' of the once unified dynasty of China, established by the uncle of an emperor, Shu has a very great prime minister, called Zhuge Liang, who is determined to unite Wu in the southeast to fight and eliminate the Wei forces that have stolen the 'Han' power in the north."

"And in the last crusade to the north of this Zhuge Prime Minister, Wei sent a powerful minister named Sima Yi to lead an army to resist Shu."

"Shu's combat effectiveness is not weak, and at this time Wei is fighting on two fronts, this powerful minister of Wei has a cautious personality, and only intends to defend, not to attack."

"And the prime minister of Shu, Zhuge Cheng, in order to make Wei take the initiative to make a mistake, sent an envoy and gave Wei's powerful minister Sima Yi a few women's clothes in an attempt to provoke him."

"This powerful minister of Wei, Sima Yi, is very old and scheming, he is secretly trying to let his family usurp Wei's power, so he will not easily rush in and cause defeat, so that other political enemies can catch the handle."

So after the rage, the powerful minister Sima Yi gladly accepted the gift of Prime Minister Zhuge Cheng, and after Prime Minister Zhuge died of illness, he returned to the court. Some years later, he staged a military coup called the 'Gaopingling Rebellion', which usurped Wei's country. ”

"Subsequently, the descendants of the powerful minister Sima Yi launched a war of unification and destroyed Shu."

And this powerful minister Sima Yi is said to have sharp eyes and a ruthless person, like an eagle. And you can also look back like a wolf when your body is not moving. ”

Speaking of this, the more Ashikaga Yoshimitsu listened, the more terrified he became.

very old ministers; The character is scheming; in the hands of the army; secretly trying to usurp power; Able to look at wolves.

Why don't you just give me my name?

Gu Jian Miaokuai added at this time: "It is worth mentioning that the Shu brocade you just saw was a special product of Shu back then, and it was also an important source of money for Prime Minister Zhuge to launch the war, and it has continued since then. ”

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu stood up.

"I finally understand General Li Jinglong's good intentions!"

Then, he bowed deeply to the ancient sword.

"Thank you for your dissuasion, otherwise, I'm afraid I'll cause a big disaster!"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu paced back and forth on the tatami mats in the meditation room, explaining his views to Furujian Miaoku.

"General Li Jinglong of the Ming Kingdom is using this allusion to imply to me that the wealth that can bring huge benefits to Shu Jin is the exploration and trade between Japan and the Ming Kingdom!"

"And if you want to get the 'Shu Brocade', you must endure the insults of the other party like the powerful minister Sima Yi."

"I think General Li Jinglong is hinting to me that the edict of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty may be very unkind, and I can only get permission for the exploration trade if I endure all this and make the face of the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty look good!"

"At the same time, combined with General Li Jinglong's understanding of Japan's 'view of shame' just now, his gift has a second meaning."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said excitedly.

"That is, as long as I, like the powerful minister Sima Yi, endured the shame of women's clothing, controlled my anger, and obediently obeyed the Ming Kingdom, then the Ming Kingdom will support or acquiesce to our Muromachi shogunate, just like the powerful minister Sima Yi replaced the Wei regime, replacing the emperor who has become a wood carving clay sculpture!"

"It's like what Lee Korea did."

"Even if it is not now, when I die and my second son becomes the new emperor, then the Ming Kingdom will understand and support."

"And the premise of all this, General Li Jinglong has given a clear hint."

In fact, it is no secret that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu intends to usurp the position of emperor with the Muromachi shogunate, in the eyes of his henchmen.

Six years ago, at the end of the fifth year of Meitoku, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who had been promoted to minister of the Imperial Throne at the time, asked the ministers to perform the imperial salute on him.

Five years ago, in the first month of the year, when Sekihaku Ichijo went to the Muromachi Hall to prepare an offering for the minister's greeting party, he gave Ashikaga Yoshimitsu a "court ceremony". The so-called "courtyard" refers to the place where the emperor, the emperor, or the empress dowager lived, and it was clear that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who had already become a monk, placed himself in the position of the emperor.

At the same time, since Go-Komatsu's mother, Go-Fujiwara Ikuko, is now in very poor health, it is said that there may only be these last few years left in her life.

If Fujiwara Mitsuko died, it stands to reason that Emperor Komatsu should serve a year of mourning, which is known in Japan as the "Ceremony of Forgiveness".

However, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu had long conspired with his henchmen, planning to make Emperor Go-Komatsu recognize his young wife, Yasuko Hino, as his godmother on the grounds that it was not suitable for a generation of emperors to serve mourning twice, so that he would naturally become the father of the emperor.

Subsequently, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu also planned to make his most beloved second son, Ashikaga Yoshitsugu, the adopted son of Go-Sokoin, and then force Emperor Go-Komatsu to abdicate.

Ashikaga Yoshiman's heart will soon be known to passers-by.

The butt decides the head, and it is not surprising that Ashikaga Yoshimitsu can come to this "reasonable" conclusion after receiving Li Jinglong's women's clothes and Shu brocade gifts, and hearing the allusions told by Gu Jian Miaokuai.

Gu Jianmiao is like a tide of sycophants: "You are worthy of being the most brilliant politician in Japan, and your control of politics is like an art that is pleasing to the eye." ”

Ashikaga Yoshiman laughed proudly, took the cup from Gu Jianmiao's courier and took a sip of water, relieving his slightly reddened face from excitement.

Gu Jian Miaokuai continued: "However, do we really need to do what General Li Jinglong of the Ming Kingdom wants? After all, the Ming Kingdom is a big country of thousands of miles."

"What's the point of accepting a little insult? I know what you're worried about, don't worry, I've thought it through. ”

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu took another sip of water before putting down the cup and saying.

"What about the Ming Kingdom, do they dare to go directly into Japan? No, I believe that Ming Guo would not dare. ”

"Although we in Japan are now in a weak state compared to the Ming Kingdom, I don't believe that the new Great Emperor of the Ming Kingdom will be stupid to this extent."

"Because, the Great Emperor of the Ming Kingdom has just ended the civil war and ascended to the throne, and the Ming Kingdom does not have enough ability to launch another cross-sea expedition."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said confidently, "So, I feel that I am fully qualified to exchange with Ming Kuni. ”

"For example: let my second son, Ashikaga Yoshiji, inherit the throne of the emperor, and in exchange, I am willing to accept even slightly excessive conditions from the Ming Kingdom."

"My life is numbered, and I hope to help my second son, Ashikaga Yoshiji, become the new emperor before I die!"

Gu Jian Miao nodded quickly, and suddenly remembered a question.

"Your Excellency, why did you say General Li Jinglong?"

Hearing this, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu also fell into deep thought.

Yes, why use such a subtle allusion to imply?

Why do you want to help your side know what Ming Guo will do next?

"Excuse me?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Koken Miaokuai thought of an answer at the same time.

(End of chapter)