Dazaifu is located in Chikuzen Province, Kyushu, Japan, on the east side of Hakata Port. As the "distant court of the great king", it is known as "one of the great cities in the world".
As the "Western Capital" built to promote the country's majesty. This was the birth of an international metropolis with frequent exchanges of foreign envoys and merchants and a dazzling array of imported goods. Dazaifu is responsible for receiving foreign envoys and conducting trade. The envoy initially stayed at Chikushikan (Honglukan) on the Hakata coast, and from there arrived at Dazaifu.
In the Dazaifu Government Office, Shao Er Zi Neng, the Kamakura Shogunate's Jinxi Guardian, the Kyushu Defense Force Commander at the top, and members of the royal family such as Kikuchi Miyako, Shimazu Hisao, and Otomo Minai gathered together, all of them with expressions on their faces. dignified.
Since the 12th century AD, Japanese samurai groups have risen and gradually participated in political struggles. In 1192 AD, Minamoto Yoritomo, the leader of the Japanese samurai group, was appointed as the general to conquer the barbarians, and founded the shogunate in Kamakura, Kanto, which was called the Kamakura shogunate. This ended Japan's public era and entered the 600-year-old samurai family. era.
After Minamoto Yoritomo's death, Minamoto Yoritomo's father-in-law, Hojo Tokimasa, took real power and became the actual master of the Kamakura shogunate as an "executive power". Later, Hojo Yoshitoki and Hojo Taitoki successively came to power in the Kamakura shogunate. During the Kamakura shogunate era of Hojo Taitoki, the emperor was completely reduced to a puppet, and the shogunate controlled Japan's military and government.
In terms of diplomacy, the Kamakura shogunate continued the passive diplomacy of the Heian period. Except for some trade activities and Buddhist exchanges, it cut off political contacts with the dynasties on the mainland. Especially due to the death of Zhou An, the uncle of the Song Dynasty, and the severing of diplomatic relations with the Song Dynasty court, Japan was basically in a state of isolation.
In recent years, there have been a lot of rumors about the Song Dynasty using troops against Japan. The Song Dynasty court even stationed a large army in Goryeo Hepo Port across the sea from Hakata Port. The navy entered and exited the Tsushima Strait with great momentum. Japan's Kamakura shogunate had to order Kyushu's guardians and locals to strengthen coastal defenses. It also ordered the imperial family stationed in Kamakura to return home. Imperial families from Shikoku and China went west in order to strengthen Kyushu's security.
During the Kamakura shogunate period, the shogun gave "royal favor" to the samurai chiefs called "royal family members", and these "royal family members" had to swear allegiance to the shogunate. The so-called "royal favor" means that the general recognizes the land ownership of the "royal family" and grants them new territories, and appoints them to official positions such as "guardian" or "land head". Correspondingly, the "royal family" must obey the general's orders and send troops to fight when there is war.
The imperial family Shaoer Zineng, Kikuchi Miyako, Shimazu Hisao, Otomo Sanai and others located in the Dazaifu Hall were the "guardians" and "fields" appointed by the Kamakura shogunate across Japan to fight against the invasion of the Song army. Everyone was sitting on their knees, all of them looking serious.
"The Song Army is coming with great force!"
The young man put a newspaper on the table in front of him, and it turned out that the Song Army was going to use troops against Japan.
"Yes! The Song Dynasty's warships have strong guns, hundreds of thousands of troops, thousands of steamships, and artillery on board. It is indeed difficult to compete."
Half a month ago, the Navy of the Song Army stationed at Hepo Port in Goryeo attacked Tsushima Island in the Tsushima Strait. Abiru, the guardian of Tsushima Island, led more than 3,000 samurai to fight. They were outnumbered and died in the battle. Only a few people survived and rushed to Hakata to report the battle situation.
Ten days ago, the Song Army landed on Iki Island. The guardian of Iki Island, Daihira Keitaka, led more than 2,000 imperial warriors to meet the enemy, but they were all killed by the Song army.
At this point, the Song army occupied Tsushima and Iki Island, the two most important islands in the Japanese Strait.
Five days ago, the Song army attacked the Matsuura Peninsula along the Hizen coast. More than 3,000 Japanese samurai in Matsuura were also defeated, either dead or injured. However, the Song army did not go deep, but retreated.
"It seems that the Song Army is definitely going to use troops against Japan!"
Guardian Juchi had a sullen face and said angrily.
"What are you afraid of? Our Japanese country has hundreds of thousands of samurai in Chikuzen. Although the Song navy is powerful, it is not that easy to go ashore and defeat our Japanese samurai!"
Satsuma guarded Hisao Shimazu, his face full of dissatisfaction.
The Japanese samurai during the Kamakura shogunate era despised the languid life of domestic nobles and advocated the "bushido spirit" of "loyalty to the emperor, integrity, integrity, bravery and perseverance". The Shimazu Hisaos were not afraid of the Song army's invasion.
"You read in the newspaper that the Song Dynasty people said that they want to destroy our Japan. It's not a small talk! I have 8 million people in Japan, and he wants to occupy our Japan with 100,000 Song Dynasty people. It's a wishful thinking!"
Kikuchi said loudly, seeming to be giving himself confidence.
"The Song Army defeated the Tatar Kingdom, which shows how powerful it is! Since the breakup of diplomatic relations with the Song Dynasty, there has been basically no overseas trade, and Bodo Port has also been a lot deserted. Now it is not easy to eat Champa rice. There is no overseas trade. , our life is not easy."
Sashi Kono, the royal family member of Matsuura Island, frowned.
Matsuura Island is located next to Hakata Port. There is little cultivated land on the island and it relies entirely on overseas trade. The Song Dynasty court terminated trade with Japan, including Goryeo, Champa, and other Southeast Asian countries, all of which also cut off trade with Japan. Not only Matsuura Island, but also many places in Kyushu and Japan have been affected.
"Xinghei and Mitsusuke are a pair of idiots! They have harmed the whole of Japan! These idiots!"
The guardian of Nagasaki was surprised, Ma Yaishiu, and said with a dark face.
As soon as Yorihide finished speaking, Hisao Shimazu retorted angrily.
"I'm surprised. Although Xing Bian and his son recklessly killed the uncle of the Song Dynasty, the emperor's request was too much! If it were you, would you accept it? Baga!"
The two perpetrators, Xing Bian and Guang Zhu, were bound to the Song Dynasty and punished in the Ming Dynasty;
The compensation is 2 million yuan, which will be transported to the Song Dynasty by itself;
Bodo Port and the surrounding thirty miles were leased to the Song Dynasty for 50 years;
The Japanese market was all opened to the Song Dynasty, allowing merchants of the Song Dynasty to trade freely in Japan.
If you don't agree to any of them, the two countries will have no choice but to fight!
Isn't this obviously bullying! It would be strange if the Hojo Taitoki in power could agree to these conditions!
Shimazu Hisao's anger was seen in his eyes, and Mo Laixiu was surprised and stopped saying a word, while Shao Erzi Neng shook his head.
"What Lai Xiu said makes sense. However, the Song people went too far and tried to scare us, Japan, with force. We can only fight the Song army to the end."
Hakata Port and the surrounding thirty miles were his territory. It was leased to the Song Dynasty for 50 years. What would he eat and drink?
The surprised Yorihide lowered his head and said nothing, but Sashi Kono shook his head and continued:
"The Song Army has strong ships and artillery, and captured Tsushima and Iki Islands, which shows that their navy is powerful. The Song Army can also defeat the Tatar army with mostly cavalry, and infantry combat cannot be underestimated. Once a fight breaks out, it will probably be A fierce battle. Maybe it will be very tragic when the time comes!"
Over the years, the Song Army has been fighting, fighting out of mountains of corpses and seas of blood, and these are battles involving tens of thousands of people and hundreds of thousands of people. They have rich combat experience and can be said to be brave and good at fighting.
On the other hand, Japan has been experiencing peace for a long time. The last time a thousand people fought in the Kamakura Shogunate was probably twenty years ago.
It was hard for him to be optimistic with the Song Army's battle-hardened troops facing these Japanese rookies.
"The Song Army fought fiercely at sea and on the plains, but we have built a long wall on the shore of Hakata Port, making it difficult for the Song Army to assemble on the shore. We Japanese samurai all risk their lives, and with the right time, place and people, we will definitely be able to Defeat the Song army!"
Shimazu Hisao said loudly and impassionedly, his face glowing red.
Ever since the Song Army stationed troops across the Tsushima Strait, people in Hakata and even Kyushu have been in panic. But for the Kamakura shogunate and the imperial samurai under its rule, most of them were not afraid of the possible war, but were looking forward to a battle with the Song people.
"The general is here!"
Everyone was having a heated debate when the voice of a warrior outside the door sounded. Everyone stood up and bowed to the young general who came in.
"Meet the General!"
"Everyone, please!"
The young Kujo Noriyuki was pale, with dark circles under his eyes, but he looked handsome.
One of the veterans behind him was Xiyuan Temple Gongwang, who had been envoy to the Song Dynasty. He was also his uncle in terms of seniority.
As the fourth-generation general of Japan's Kamakura shogunate to conquer barbarians, the 20-year-old Kujo Yoritsune relied on the influence of his father, the Japanese Shogun Kujo Taoist and the foreign affairs official, the Eastern garrison minister Saionji Kōsuke, in the court. However, due to Kujo's The struggle for power between the Saionji clan and the Hojo Taitoki, the leader of the Kamakura shogunate, also made the position of Kujo Noriyuki's general who conquered barbarians somewhat unworthy of his name.
For example, the imperial family Shaoer Zinou, Miyagi Kikuchi, Hisao Shimazu, Minai Otomo and others in this hall are all guardians and locals appointed by the Kamakura shogunate, Hojo Yastoki, and they are loyal to Hojo Yastoki, not He is the general who conquered the barbarians.
However, it can be speculated that when the Song army invaded the country, his father and grandfather must have reached a reconciliation with Hojo Taitoki, and then they allowed him to come to Kyushu to supervise the army and boost morale.
"Shao Er, Juchi, the Song army is about to attack. How is our army's defense strength?"
Everyone knelt down and Kujoyori asked step by step.
As the general who conquered the barbarians, he had only the name but no real power. The battle still relied on the command of samurai leaders such as Shao Er Zineng and Kikuchi.
"General, from south to north, there are 20,000 troops each in Hizen, Chikuzen, Bunzen, and Nagato. There are 30,000 troops stationed in Dazaifu. There are also more than 500 warships and 10,000 naval troops. A total of 12 soldiers have been gathered in Kyushu. Wan, everything is ready.”
Shao Erzi replied respectfully.
The Song army was approaching fiercely, and the warships and troops in the Hakata Bay area stayed on the north coast of Kyushu for a long time, responsible for the defense of the sea area. The governor of the shogunate, Hojo Taitokimune, also replaced the guardians of Kyushu and several other countries (Chikugo, Hizen, Higo, Shubo, Nagato, Iwami, Hoki, Echizen, Noto) and other places with his cronies. So that we can go up and down and be consistent with the outside world.
"General, the shogunate has issued a "Prayer Order for the Surrender of Foreign Countries" to various temples. Among the 120,000 troops currently participating in the war, about 30,000 are young monks from various temples. They are all highly skilled in martial arts and have a strong desire to fight."
Kikuchi followed suit.
"It's better to drag them to the shore for a decisive battle! The Song warships are tall and strong, with powerful artillery, but our Japanese warships are too small. It would be great if we could take advantage of the wind and waves."
Kujo Noriyuki said worriedly.
The Song army had been stationed on the other side of the strait for several years, and they were inseparable from their inquiries. The Song Navy in Hepu alone had more than 300 warships, and they were all steamships with a weight of more than 1,000 tons, and they were all huge.
These Japanese warships, which cost about 500 materials, do not have artillery on them, which really makes him lack of confidence in a naval battle.
"General, the Song Army relied on the large number of people and strong soldiers and horses to bully Japan. Although the Song Army has tall warships, they are not familiar with the terrain of Japan. As long as they dare to go ashore, I, the Japanese samurai, will definitely kill them. Leave no trace behind!"
Shimazu Hisao said impassionedly and loudly.
"General, the stone wall built by our army along the coast of Hakata stretches for 50 miles and is 2 meters high and 3 meters wide. It can defend against attacks by the Song army. Even if the Song army lands on the beach, it will be difficult to form a formation. Our army can kill them calmly."
Juchi looked respectful on his face, but secretly despised him in his heart.
Sending such a cowardly general is really unnecessary.
"The Song army is powerful, everything must be prepared!"
Kujo Noriyuki nodded, looking much brighter.
"Generals, don't worry, just fight with your heart. The Hojo ruler has sent Liu Boluo's guide, Fu Zhongyudu, and 60,000 cavalry to Kyushu. When the time comes, they will repel the Song army in one go. Everyone, go down and prepare."
Young Master Zi Neng, Ju Chi, and other generals were all excited when they heard this. ,
The 60,000 elite cavalrymen from Guandong will definitely make the Song army lose their shit.
All the royal family members and generals retreated. Kujo Noriyuki frowned, looked at Xiionji Gongwang beside him, and said hesitantly.
"Uncle, tell me, can Japan defeat the Song Army?"
"No one knows whether the shogunate can defeat the Song army. However, the court's instructions must not be forgotten."
Gongwang of Xiyuan Temple had a profound meaning and whispered a warning.
