While Zhu Jinghong was chatting with Zhen Qin, Hidetoshi Okamoto, who had been accommodated in the official residence in Beicheng, received an uninvited guest.
"Two delivery guys? He wants to see me?"
On the hospital bed, a weak-looking Okamoto Hidetoshi asked his samurai in surprise.
The warrior replied: "Exactly, that man said he was here under orders to discuss important matters with you!"
At this time, the accompanying official interjected: "When something goes wrong, there must be a monster, sir... At such an extraordinary moment, I think it is best not to see it!"
This man was also injured, and one hand was still hanging on his chest with a cloth. His condition was not much better than that of Hideyoshi Okamoto.
After thinking for a while, Okamoto Hidetoshi said: "Bring him to see me and see where he came from!"
"yes!"
A few breaths later, two burly men were brought in. Just looking at their temperament, it was clear that they were not ordinary people.
"Sir, please step aside!" one of them said.
Okamoto Hideyuan didn't understand Ming Dynasty Mandarin, so he looked at the translator on the side.
After learning the intention of the visitor, Okamoto Hideyoshi asked: "Who are you?"
"Our identities can only be told to you. Please ask anyone who has nothing to do with you to get out!"
Okamoto Hideyuan said in a deep voice: "The people here are very loyal. If you have anything to say, you can say it on the spot!"
Seeing that these two people still didn't speak, Okamoto Hideyuan said coldly: "If you don't tell me, you can leave now!"
After a few breaths of silence, just when the Japanese samurai were about to chase them away, one of the men said: "I am from the Zasak Mission..."
Although Okamoto Hideyuan lay in bed for a few days, he did not stop inquiring about outside news. He knew exactly what envoy Zasak had done recently.
"You said you are an envoy, do you have any evidence?" Okamoto Hideyuan looked wary.
Obviously, the following conversation must be taboo. It is extremely normal for Okamoto Hideyoshi to have doubts.
"This is a handwritten letter from our lord of the mission, with our lord's private seal stamped on it!"
After saying that, the person who spoke took out the envelope from his arms and handed it to the samurai standing in front of him. The latter gave the letter to Hidetoshi Okamoto.
Okamoto Hideyoshi recognized the Chinese characters. The content inside was just a brief condolence, and the seal at the end was the key.
In the past few days, more than a dozen envoys have sent condolences, including envoy Zasak, who also had a letter of condolence that time.
"Compare it with the last letter!"
"yes!"
The room fell into silence again. About ten minutes later, an official rushed over and informed that the seals were exactly the same.
Therefore, the person in front of me is from the Zasak Mission.
"Why did you come here?"
"The fact that your envoy was beaten in the palace has spread among envoys from other countries. We all hope that you can get justice and severely punish the perpetrators!"
"The Ministry of Punishment will be held at noon tomorrow. We will summon envoys from various countries to observe and support your accusation of Zhu Jinghong's crimes!"
"Even if the Ministry of Punishment goes to the side, we will support you, so don't be afraid!"
"With our help, Akito will never dare to bully you. You can save your face!"
Okamoto Hideyuan is not a young man, and his blood will surge when he hears a few words from others. At this moment, he is thinking about the purpose of the Zasak people.
Ten minutes later, the Zasak people who completed their mission left, leaving only Hideyoshi Okamoto and a few confidants in the room.
"Sir, we must be careful about this matter and be careful not to be taken advantage of by them!" one of them said.
Okamoto Hideyuan nodded and said: "As far as I know, among the various tribes and alliances, only the Dzungars are rebellious and have still not accepted the canonization of the Ming Dynasty!"
"The Zhasak Khanate accepted the canonization of the Ming Dynasty more than sixty years ago, and has always been loyal...why are they the ones to rebel now?"
Speaking of this, Okamoto Hideyoshi boldly made a judgment: "Could it be that... the Zasak people also have objections?"
A subordinate officer thought: "This... I'm afraid it is very possible. The Zhasak people and Junggar people are close to each other. Maybe they have reached a secret agreement!"
Their Japanese country also accepted the canonization of the Ming Dynasty, but they also have ulterior motives and impure intentions, so they can understand the Zasak people very well.
According to the current tribute system, the Zasak people who accepted the canonization had to pay tribute of a large number of horses, cattle and sheep every year, which was a huge burden for them.
Of course, even if the Junggars did not accept the canonization, in order to maintain the face of the Ming Dynasty, they would pay tribute to a group of cattle, sheep and horses every year.
"I think the purpose of the Zasak people is to let more people see clearly the tyranny of the Ming Dynasty through our affairs, and to make more people oppose the Ming Dynasty... to restore the structure of sixty years ago!"
Speaking of which, the grassland's submission to the Ming Dynasty has always been in a wavering stage, so since the resurgence of Shizu, there have been countless large and small conquests.
It has become more stable in the past ten years, but there are also instability in Junggar and Annan, but large-scale war has not broken out yet.
Of course, Japan, which also accepted the canonization, also had the intention of spying on the Ming Dynasty.
Only those tribes and alliances that accepted canonization and even handed over the command of the army were dogs tamed by the Ming Dynasty.
"I think there will be a big war in the northwest!"
Just after Okamoto Hideyuan finished speaking, someone came to report from outside.
"Sir, someone is coming from the palace!"
"Is there someone from the palace?" Okamoto Hideyuan looked confused.
At this time, an official replied: "This one and the other...could it be that the imperial court already knows about the movements of the Zhasak people?"
Okamoto Hideyoshi replied: "Whether it is true or not, listen to what he says later, we have done nothing now, and we finally have a clear conscience!"
The person who came to the palace naturally represented the emperor. Even though his whole body ached, Okamoto Hideyoshi had to go to the front hall to greet him at this moment.
After about a few minutes, Okamoto Hideyuan was supported by two samurai and came to the front hall.
"Your Majesty Okamoto Hideyuan, please pay my respects to our Emperor!"
Even if he was injured, respect for the emperor was indispensable. Okamoto knelt down tremblingly.
After hearing the translation, Wang Qing stepped forward with a smile and helped Hideyoshi Okamoto up.
"I came here today not because of the Lord's orders, so you don't have to be polite!"
Although the eunuch in front of him had a warm smile, it made Hideyoshi Okamoto feel cold in his back, as if he was being stared at by a poisonous snake.
Since it was a private visit, there was no need to be polite, so Wang Qing asked Hideyoshi Okamoto to sit at the same table with him.
"I am Wang Qing, the eunuch in charge of the East Factory. Tomorrow the Ministry of Punishment will hold a trial. There are some things... I have to remind you, sir!"
Even if Hidetoshi Okamoto is Japanese, he has heard about what kind of organization Dongchang is.
"Please give me some advice, father-in-law!"
"My lord, the divine, cultural and holy warriors, the world will be unified, the common people will enjoy the prosperous age, and the nine provinces and the four seas will return to their hearts!"
When it came to business, Wang Qing put away his previous warmth, as if he had really turned into a poisonous snake.
"This all depends on the Lord's holy virtue and the grace of heaven's protection and education!"
"Yes Yes!"
If it is so upright, who can say it is not!
The next moment, Wang Qing changed his tone: "In this conflict, regardless of the facts, don't you have nothing wrong?"
Okamoto Hideyuan was furious when he heard these words. They went to worship the emperor with humility, but they were beaten up by drunken guards for no reason. He really couldn't think of anything wrong with him.
Without waiting for Hideyoshi Okamoto to answer, Wang Qing continued: "Since you are also wrong, you should admit your mistakes in time!"
"If you insist on holding on, or if you are bewitched by someone, you will do something unwise..."
Being bewitched by someone and doing something unwise... This has a certain meaning.
This surprised Okamoto Hideyoshi, and he knew that neither he nor the Zasak people could escape Dongchang's surveillance.
"If your impulsiveness damages the prestige of the Celestial Empire and even the saintliness of the Lord... your sin will be great!"
Having said this, Wang Qing picked up the teacup and drank tea, giving Hideyoshi Okamoto time to think.
(End of chapter)
