"Has that stupid son Nabeshima Tadanao sent back any news? Also, have the barbarians begun to attack Pyongyang City?"
"Not yet. After the Saga clan troops landed in Busan, Korea, it was said that the advance was very smooth. However, according to your instructions, Lord Nabeshima deliberately slowed down the march to allow the Koreans and barbarians to fight to the death."
Kyoto, Tokugawa family headquarters, Nijo Castle.
The second-generation shogun Tokugawa Hidetada and his family members walked along the Nijo Castle corridor toward the rockery pool in the backyard, followed by a group of heavily armed Hatamoto samurai.
The so-called "nijo" actually refers to the geographical location. Japan's Heiankyo was modeled after Chang'an and Luoyang, the capitals of the Tang Dynasty in China. Like the Chinese capital structure, the city is divided into square blocks.
The central axis of Heian-kyo is called Suzaku Street like Chang'an, and the east-west avenues divided from north to south are called No. 1, No. 2, No. 3, and finally No. 9, and Nijo Castle is located on the second street from the north.
Thick and tall stone walls and a wide moat make up this strong castle. During the Honnoji Incident, Oda Nobunaga died in a rebellion by his generals. This incident caused serious psychological shadow to all the feudal lords. The Tokugawa family was famous for their caution, and they were very cautious about themselves. Of course, the nest was managed even more painstakingly. After being built by the two shoguns, the Nijo Castle Imperial Palace has become an extremely strong fortress.
Everyone walked through the aisle and came to the gate of Ninomaru, which was an absolutely magnificent arch like a torii gate.
Its name is "Tangmen", which draws on the architectural style of the Tang Dynasty in China. The top is Tang Po style, but it incorporates Japanese style characteristics.
The lintels and broken-wind buildings are covered with Japanese imperial chrysanthemum patterns painted with gold foil. There are depictions and carvings of lions and peonies, as well as hollow reliefs of pine trees and cranes, all of which are particularly exquisite and delicate, making the overall appearance even more exquisite. Extravagant and luxurious.
The two corner pillars and two columns are also painted with gold. This gate is definitely the most luxurious building in the entire Nijo Castle. Its shape and specifications are unparalleled, which shows the power and status of the Tokugawa family.
Passing through the Tang Gate, you see the Ninomaru Palace.
"Come in and have a cup of tea," the elderly and frail Tokugawa Hidetada told a group of ministers.
The place where Shogun Ninomaru Goten met with guests and handled government affairs, and where the shogun rested and relaxed.
It is composed of six large compartments: Yuanshi, Shidai, Daguangjian, Sutiejian, Black Academy, and White Academy. There are exquisitely carved lattice windows between the rooms, and the interior decoration and details are also exquisite. Exquisite and luxurious, it is dotted with ornate decorative hardware befitting a general's residence.
Each room and partition door is also decorated with Kano-style barrier murals that represent the majesty of the Tokugawa family, such as pine trees, eagles, tigers, and leopards, as well as flowers that represent the four seasons, such as cherry blossoms.
"When General Zhengyi was alive," Xiuzhong said to his subordinates as he walked, "he taught me a lesson: to be as forgiving as possible when dealing with enemies."
Yes, Tokugawa Ieyasu is so tolerant that people like to call him a turtle.
There is a legend about the comparison of the personalities of Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi and Tokugawa Ieyasu: If the cuckoo stops singing, what will the three of them do?
Oda Nobunaga liked destruction and would kill the cuckoo; Toyotomi Hideyoshi would do anything to make the cuckoo sing; and Tokugawa Ieyasu was wily and cunning and would wait patiently until the cuckoo sings on its own.
"But, how long will we have to endure it? The lords of each vassal thought this was an opportunity. They all regarded Qi's Eastern Expedition as the Mongolian invasion of Japan, and they were determined to send troops to teach this group of barbarians who did not know life and death. Of course, they wanted to take revenge. .”
"Revenge? Is Liu Zhaosun also seeking revenge?"
Xiuzhong thought about the retribution mentioned in Buddhism.
The Kwantung vassals suffered heavy losses in the Ming army's invasion. They had an sworn hatred against the Qi. Now Liu Zhaosun was attacking North Korea and launching a war to destroy the country. The King of North Korea asked Japan for help. The Japanese thought this was an opportunity for revenge, and by the way, they could justifiably occupy it. Korea.
"I don't know whether the opponent is true or false. If it's like last time, what's the use of reinforcing North Korea? Have you forgotten how the Toyotomi clan was defeated?"
Sekiba Toyotomi Hideyoshi once made Tokugawa Ieyasu surrender. He completed the unification of the islands for the first time, ending Japan's long war era that began with the Onin Rebellion.
However, the Toyotomi family had to look forward to Shu, and instead of being greedy, they set their sights on their neighbor Korea to the west. They assembled a large number of troops to conquer Korea, hoping to use Korea as a springboard, and even considered the issue of establishing the capital after conquering the Ming Dynasty.
In the early days, the Ming Dynasty was unstoppable and captured Seoul, the capital of Korea, and Pyongyang, the capital of Korea. The Ming army reinforced Korea. Forty thousand troops crossed the Yalu River and pushed the Japanese soldiers all the way to Busan.
As the battlefield situation gradually deteriorated, Hideyoshi's dream of conquering the world came to nothing, and he eventually died of illness.
The Battle of Korea caused Toyonari Hideyoshi's power to plummet, and he did not participate in the Korean War. Tokugawa Ieyasu, who had always been contented, finally became the winner of the war through the Sekigahara Battle.
The Toyotomi family's loss of power was largely due to the huge attrition on the Korean battlefield.
"It is not appropriate for North Korea to increase its military strength. One thousand troops are enough."
Despite the dissuasion of his ministers, Tokugawa Hidetada insisted on sending only a thousand elite soldiers of the Saga Domain to reinforce Korea, and refused to send any more soldiers to Korea.
"I can't make the same mistake as Toyotomi Hideyoshi!"
Hidetada coughed violently, as if a collapsed rock mountain was about to collapse at any moment. The minister quickly called the imperial doctor (the head of the imperial doctor), and the white-haired and bald Yoshinobu Ishikawa held a cup of the decoction that had been prepared.
Hidetada grabbed Ishikawa's arm, like a dying man grabbing a straw.
"Do you know the immortality method of Shiranui monk Hui Ran?"
Ishikawa broke free from the shogun's arm, said goodbye to Hidetada in fear, picked up the medicine box and escaped.
·~~~~~~~
"My lord, the facts are now very obvious. After Liu thief destroyed North Korea, he will definitely attack Japan, and Liu Zhaosun will take revenge."
"revenge?"
Tokugawa Hidetada put down the exquisite cherry blossom cup, dragged his fat head, and stared blankly at the candlelight dancing on both sides of the tatami. He was like a statue, motionless for a long time, his eyes distracted.
This was the time for the general to meditate, and no one bothered him.
The second-generation shogun had this habit when his father, Tokugawa Ieyasu, was still alive.
After Ajiang's death, brooding became more frequent, similar to some kind of (Alzheimer's disease?) disease.
"Liu Zhaosun, why are you so persistent? Why are you still refusing to let go of our country?"
Hidetada was puzzled and scratched the bald spot in the center of Tsukiyo's head. The dandruff fell like snowflakes and the candle flame crackled.
"The gain outweighs the gain in such an expedition," the elder stepped forward and said in a low voice: "Master, I heard that the Liu thief has changed a lot in recent years. He killed many people in the Ming Dynasty, and also in Korea. He no longer flaunts his benevolence, righteousness, and loyalty. .”
The elder began to talk about the "Field Acquisition System of the Qi Dynasty" and described to the general in detail the system in which Baoqi operated. Private land was abolished, private property was abolished, and all people were soldiers. Ordinary people could choose to enter workshops, the army, and schools. It is said that in Baoqi, From the time young children enter the school until they learn and become talented, they are free of charge for room and board.
"They also established a considerable number of peasant soldiers to maintain order in various places and implemented a more stringent system of continuous sitting and protection."
"Is it similar to Wei Yang's reform in the Qin Dynasty?" The shogunate gasped for air. The changes that had taken place in the Kaiyuan Army made him feel inexplicably frightened.
The well-informed family elder carefully replied: "We believe that it is a harsher and more efficient system than the violent Qin Dynasty. Tens of millions of people are tied to a chariot. There is no such thing in the world." waived."
After hearing this, Xiuzhong sighed and said, "Liu Zhaosun is indeed a madman."
The elder agreed: "Yes, he has changed a lot."
"I have also changed a lot." Tokugawa Hidetada's eyes gradually gathered, and he reached out to hold the katana in the sword holder.
"After eight years of hard work, we have stronger warriors, more powerful firearms, and a heart for revenge."
The elder ignored the general's provocative action and continued:
"What the general said is reasonable. At present, the Liu bandits occupy several provinces of the Ming Dynasty. Even if they can conquer North Korea, they will be at the end of their efforts. It is a delusion to try to attack Kyushu again."
Tokugawa Hidetada nodded and agreed with his elder.
"However, if we reinforce North Korea with more troops, our country cannot afford it, and if we have fewer troops, it will not help. It is a troublesome matter."
"What exactly does Liu Thief want to do?"
Tokugawa Hidetada was in no mood to guess what the madman was trying to do.
The tragic war eight years ago came to mind. Under the threat of Liu Zhaosun, he killed his beloved woman and signed the "Niuguan Treaty" that was humiliating and humiliating the country.
It's time to make Liu Zhaosun pay the price.
~~~~~~
The panting shogun came to the garden with the support of the Hatamoto samurai.
Japan, which was recovering from years of war, finally showed a peaceful country and peaceful people after more than eight years of rest and recuperation, just like the imperial garden in front of it.
The imperial garden is grand and spacious, quiet and restrained. It is different from the craftsmanship of the Chinese courtyard and the miniature abstraction of the Zen temple courtyard.
Tokugawa Hidetada is full of green, passing through wide lawns and dense bonsai pines. Behind it is a large pond. There are three pieces of land in the pond symbolizing turtles, cranes and the Horai Island. There are small stone bridges between the three islands, which looks scattered. There is a cause.
"General, general!"
The shouts of the elders broke the tranquility in front of me.
"Nabeshima-sama and his elite soldiers of the Saga Domain encountered..."
"What happened?"
"It was defeated by the barbarian navy and the entire army was destroyed. Pyongyang was also besieged by the barbarian army and could be attacked overnight."
The elderly Tokugawa Hidetada heard that the Kyushu reinforcements that had just landed in Busan had been wiped out, and he could not withstand such a blow. He spurted blood on the spot, and the surrounding waiters rushed forward to help the shogun.
"He's coming, he's coming, Liu Zhaosun is coming."
There was a look of extreme horror in Hidetada's eyes, and then he fell to the ground with his feet in the air. Like his father, Tokugawa Ieyasu, he died suddenly in the posture of a tortoise, ending his miserable and pitiful life.
Three days later, the third shogun of the Tokugawa family officially succeeded to the throne, and it was Tokugawa Iemitsu, Hidetada's son.
During Tokugawa Iemitsu's administration, Japan was gradually encroached upon by Qi until it fell under the territory of Qi.
Therefore, there is a saying in later generations: Iemitsu, Iemitsu, ruined the Tokugawa family.
7017k
