Yamato, Yoshino.
Inside the palace of Emperor Daigo.
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and Emperor Daigo sat opposite each other. After Ashikaga Yoshimitsu gave in, Emperor Daigo finally chose to believe in Ashikaga Yoshimitsu for the time being.
After all, if it is true as Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said, it will definitely be beneficial to Emperor Daigo without any harm.
The Ashikaga family is the closest force to the Ming Dynasty's Iwami Castle. If they really turn against the Ming Dynasty, then the Ashikaga family will bear the brunt.
When the time comes, the Ashikaga family will drive the Ming Dynasty out of the Japanese islands, and their vitality will be severely damaged, but they will not be damaged at all. Taking advantage of the Ashikaga family's weakness, they can regain the capital in one fell swoop, wouldn't they be able to reunify the Japanese islands?
While Emperor Daigo was thinking, a young eunuch suddenly walked in from outside and whispered a few words in his ear.
But after hearing the news, Emperor Daigo's eyes changed slightly, and the expression he looked at Ashikaga Yoshimitsu also changed.
After the young eunuch left, Emperor Daigo shouted at Ashikaga Yoshimitsu and asked:
"Why are you gathering troops in Kyoto? Do you want to fight me to the death?"
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was stunned for a moment, then explained:
"His Majesty the Emperor has misunderstood. The reason why we gathered troops in Kyoto is to catch the Ming Dynasty by surprise!"
"If we gather troops in Shijian City, I'm afraid Ming Dynasty will notice it, which will result in failure."
Emperor Daigo did not immediately believe what Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said, but continued to shout:
"I heard that you are sending troops this time to retrieve the three Japanese artifacts?"
"Only by recapturing the three artifacts of Japan will Ming Dynasty be willing to ally with you."
"You are not trying to deal with Daming at all, but you are trying to deal with me? Am I right?"
Cold sweat broke out on Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's forehead. He didn't know who leaked the contents of the Muromachi meeting. It seemed that there was a spy in the family.
But his expression remained as usual, he forced himself to calm down, and said calmly:
"Our head of the family has seen through that seizing the three artifacts is a counter-measure of the Ming Dynasty. He will never do anything that harms others and does not benefit himself."
"Please rest assured, Your Majesty, our army has only one purpose, and that is to drive the Ming Dynasty away from the Japanese island."
Seeing the sincerity of what Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said, Emperor Daigo nodded slightly, just as he had thought before.
If the Ashikaga family really wants to fight with him, not only will they not be their opponents, they may also be attacked from behind by Ming Dynasty and eventually be destroyed.
The only chance they have now is to unite themselves to have a chance of survival.
Thinking of this, Emperor Daigo's face gradually softened and he said:
"In that case, let's conclude a peace treaty and form an alliance to fight against the Ming Dynasty together."
"I hope your country will keep your word and don't let me down again, otherwise we will unite with the Ming Dynasty and destroy your Ashikaga family first."
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu finally convinced Emperor Daigo, and he was overjoyed. He quickly knelt down and kowtowed:
"I will never let you down your Majesty again."
"I will go back now, report the good news to the head of the family, and ask for a peace treaty with His Majesty."
"You don't have to go back for such a small matter."
Emperor Daigo stopped Ashikaga Yoshimitsu from retreating and said:
"You'd better stay in Yamato. I'll discuss it with you from time to time. As for your return, you can just find any of your subordinates to go back."
Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's expression changed, Emperor Daigo actually wanted to hold him as a hostage.
But thinking about the upcoming situation of the Ashikaga family, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu bit his gums, put a smile on his face again, and said:
"That being the case, I obey your order."
"Hahaha."
Seeing how knowledgeable Ashikaga Yoshimitsu was, Emperor Daigo laughed loudly and said:
"With full righteousness, the future is boundless."
The two chatted happily, and Emperor Daigo had a very good impression of Ashikaga Yoshimitsu after just one meeting.
If the Ashikaga family can really be conquered in the future, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu would be a good assistant minister.
The two were chatting in the palace, but they didn't know that hundreds of miles away in Luoyang, Kyoto, a storm was brewing that would sweep everyone on the Japanese island away.
...
In the study room.
Zhu Yuanzhang received a secret letter from Zhu Biao again.
It clearly states the reserves of the silver mountain, which can be said to be the largest silver mountain in the entire China since ancient times.
If all the reserves of Yinshan are really mined, the Ming Dynasty will no longer be short of silver, which makes Zhu Yuanzhang, who is short of silver, deeply gratified.
Liu Bowen's advice to Li Jin and Zhu Biao was also recorded in the secret letter. Zhu Yuanzhang nodded repeatedly after reading it.
If it is true as Liu Bowen said, then the Ming Dynasty will soon complete the comprehensive attack on the Japanese islands, and it is time to speed up the process of sending a large army to the Japanese islands.
At the same time, the secret letter also clearly stated Li Jin's suggestions on how to use the money if 300,000 taels of silver were taken every month.
"Big infrastructure?"
Zhu Yuanzhang murmured to himself. Thinking of infrastructure, he also thought of the highway he asked Hu Weiyong to build. He didn't know what the progress of the construction was now.
"Come here, call Hu Weiyong."
A Xiao Huangmen took the order and left, and then Hu Weiyong, who was drinking tea in Zhongshu Province, quickly entered the upper study room.
"Hu Weiyong, how is the highway we asked you to build?"
Zhu Yuanzhang got straight to the point.
Hu Weiyong obviously came prepared. He cupped his hands towards Zhu Yuanzhang and said:
"Your Majesty, the highway has been built and pedestrians can use it, but the toll collection has not started yet."
"oh?"
Zhu Yuanzhang couldn't help but be surprised to hear that Hu Weiyong was so fast. He was busy with maritime affairs these days and didn't pay much attention to the highway.
Unexpectedly, in just two months, there would be such progress, which made Zhu Yuanzhang very happy.
"Hahaha, okay, good job, we didn't misjudge you!!"
Hu Weiyong was very happy to receive Zhu Yuanzhang's praise, and he didn't dare to say it.
"But can you tell us why you haven't started charging yet?"
Zhu Yuanzhang's next words made Hu Weiyong's heart skip a beat.
"We built the expressway to collect fees from businessmen and provide convenience to businessmen. Now you are using it for free. Why?"
Hu Weiyong quickly knelt down and replied:
"Your Majesty, I am doing this to let these businessmen taste some of the sweetness of the expressway."
"In this way, businessmen will find the expressway convenient. If we start tolling, we will get twice the result with half the effort, and businessmen will be willing to pay to use the expressway."
When Zhu Yuanzhang heard this, he nodded slightly and said:
"It makes some sense, but you can't make any arbitrary decisions next time. You need to inform us first. Do you understand?"
"Wei Chen understands!"
Hu Weiyong wiped the cold sweat from his forehead and agreed quickly.
Zhu Yuanzhang thought for a moment, thought of the matter at Dengzhou Port, and said to Hu Weiyong:
"Now that the highway in Shanghu County has been completed, you can start building the highway from Yingtian to Dengzhou."
"Dengzhou will be of great use in the future!"
"I obey the decree."
Although he didn't know what Zhu Yuanzhang's use was for Dengzhou, Hu Weiyong did not dare to hesitate.
Seeing that Hu Weiyong was so obedient, sensible, and efficient, Zhu Yuanzhang nodded happily and said:
"Wei Yong, do things with your heart and we won't treat you badly."
When Hu Weiyong heard these words, his heart jumped. He knew what Zhu Yuanzhang meant. Considering the age of his mentor, it would not take long for him to reach the coveted position.
...
Outside Luoyang, Kyoto, hundreds of thousands of Japanese troops gathered around Luoyang, and there was still a steady stream of ronin warriors joining the army every day.
Within the Muromachi shogunate, Ashikaga Takauji and Ashikaga Yoshiki, father and son, were discussing the march plan.
Ashikaga Takauji gently pointed his finger at a city on the map and said:
"The army has now been assembled and it is not appropriate to stay any longer."
"Starting tomorrow, the army will take a rest, hide themselves, and head towards here."
Ashikaga Yoshiki looked at where Ashikaga Takauji was pointing, and was suddenly shocked. He looked at Ashikaga Takauji with disbelief and asked in a shocked voice:
"Father...Father, why...attack here?"
