When the news came that Kumamoto Clan was defeated and Hosokawa Tadayoshi was killed in battle, the various daimyo who were marching immediately retreated.
Everyone was terrified.
Even the most powerful Kumamoto clan was defeated by the Shimabara rebels. They finally put away their arrogance and realized that the situation was getting serious.
What they are thinking about now is no longer how to profit from it, but how to quell the riots and consolidate their rule.
If the Shimabara rebels continue to cause trouble, I am afraid that the entire Kyushu Island will be turned upside down.
Since the Shimabara rebels could kill Matsukura Katsuie and Hosokawa Tadori, they could naturally kill other daimyo.
At the moment of life and death, the smallest dirty thoughts are no longer important.
It doesn't matter even if the Tokugawa shogunate takes the opportunity to take dominance on Kyushu Island.
As long as it can continue its own rule, it is not impossible to be a dog for the Tokugawa shogunate.
Under such circumstances, urgent documents from various daimyo were sent to Matsudaira Nobutsuna's head.
At this time, the information received by Matsudaira Nobutsuna was far more detailed than that of various daimyo.
"Baga, it is impossible for these untouchables to have iron cannons and the collapse of the country. Someone must be secretly sponsoring it. Send someone to investigate immediately."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna knew very well the virtues of Japanese farmers.
It is naturally very strange that a group of farmers who don't even have all the farm tools now have large-scale muskets and artillery.
While speeding up his advance, Matsudaira Nobutsuna presented the situation to Tokugawa Iemitsu.
When he led his army to land on Kyushu Island, he finally got the details.
"Xia Guo's artillery? Have you seen it for real?"
The deserters of Kumamoto clan knelt in front of him and swore to the sky.
"We can clearly see that the artillery used by those untouchables is exactly the same as the weapons on the boats of the Xia Navy."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna's heart was in turmoil, and Xia Guo's involvement made him feel a little bit of fear.
That powerful country has caused a psychological shadow on him.
What is Xia Guo's purpose?
But in any case, the Shimabara rebels had muskets and artillery, which undoubtedly made counterinsurgency more difficult.
"Send a message to Nagasaki immediately and ask him to negotiate with Xia Guo. This matter must be settled."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna decided to give priority to cutting off the weapons source of the Shimabara rebels.
As long as the Shimabara rebels don't have powerful firearms, it will be easy to counter the rebellion.
Shen Yuanzhi made an urgent appointment with Shen Tingyang, and became angry as soon as they met.
"Master Shen, why are you secretly funding Shimabara's mob?"
Shen Tingyang's face was full of surprise.
"What are you talking about, Master Fengxing? Please say it clearly and don't beat around the bush."
Seeing him pretending to be a fool, Shen Yuanzhi bit him tightly.
"The shogunate's army discovered that the Shimabara mob was using your country's weapons to commit crimes. Will Mr. Shen not give an explanation?"
"Oh, so that's what happened."
Shen Tingyang pretended to be suddenly enlightened, smiled and didn't care.
"What does this matter have to do with our Xia Kingdom?"
Shen Yuanji was so angry that he almost broke his teeth.
"That is the weapon of the Xia Kingdom! General Da'ao is very angry. If this affects the relationship between our two countries, you will have to bear all responsibilities."
Nice romance
Shen Tingyang was still calm and composed.
He told a story.
"In our country of Xia, there is a hawker selling kitchen knives. One day, a man bought his kitchen knife, and when he turned around, the man killed someone with the kitchen knife. Sir, what crime should the hawker selling kitchen knives deserve?"
Kamihara's job is a bit baffling.
"What do you mean by this?"
Shen Tingyang's face turned cold.
"Our Xia Kingdom sells countless weapons to foreign countries, and the number of people who buy them is even more countless. As for where the people who bought the weapons use them and who they give them to, what does it have to do with our Xia Kingdom? Japan can't even think about throwing dirty water indiscriminately. Take the opportunity to cause trouble. Otherwise, our country, Xia, will never sit idly by and ignore it."
Seeing that Shen Tingyang refused to admit it, Shen Yuanzhi was so angry that he became angry.
But Shen Tingyang's statement was not wrong.
Unless there is solid evidence, it is really difficult to blame Xia Guo.
After Kanhara returned home, he immediately reported the results of the negotiations to Matsudaira Nobutsuna.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna, who was experienced in accidents, could tell at a glance that Xia Guo refused to admit it.
Anyone with a discerning eye knows that the weapons of the Shimabara rebels must have been provided by Xia Guo.
But Shen Tingyang is confident.
Why?
It is the great strength of Xia State.
As long as there is no evidence, Japan has no choice but to suffer this dumb loss.
Japan did not dare to fall out with Xia Guo rashly.
No one wants to have Xia's navy come back again.
Once it reaches that point, the Tokugawa shogunate will completely lose its prestige and find it difficult to suppress the heroes.
But with the Xia Kingdom continuously providing weapons to the Shimabara rebels, can the shogunate still suppress the rebellion?
Matsudaira Nobutsuna inquired in detail about the defeated troops of Kumamoto Domain and learned about the fighting situation at that time.
Coupled with the previous naval battle at Tsushima, Japan had already realized the power of Xia's weapons.
Moreover, the Kumamoto clan, which originally relied on as the main force, has lost its combat capability, which has cast a cloud over the counter-rebellion.
After thinking about it, Matsudaira Nobutsuna only found one way.
"Send an order to the Satsuma Domain and ask their navy to block the coast of Shimabara and not allow any ships to enter or exit."
Since they don't dare to cause trouble to Xia Guo, the only option is to cut off the source of weapons for the Shimabara rebels.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna even thought about if he could capture the ship transporting weapons from Xia Kingdom. When the evidence is conclusive, Japan can take the opportunity to make a big fuss and win back a victory.
There was a storm on Kyushu Island, and the sea was also affected.
The remaining naval forces of the Satsuma Domain were ordered to dispatch, and they were spread all over the sea near Shimabara.
Any passing ship was scrutinized.
"Captain, can we rush over?"
A sailboat sailed quietly in the dark sea.
A young man was lying on the bow of the boat, trying hard to see clearly what was ahead.
However, the night was like a curtain, and he couldn't see far, so he couldn't see anything clearly.
But there is no other way.
The Satsuma domain's navy has blocked the sea, and if they want to deliver weapons and ammunition to the Shimabara rebels, they can only use the cover of night.
Everyone knows the risks.
But under the order, everyone did not hesitate and did not care about their own safety.
In order to minimize the noise, the sails on the boat have long been removed, and they can only move on the water little by little by rowing.
If it weren't for the compass, the people on the boat would have lost their way.
The young man in the lead had a resolute face. While observing the situation, he kept praying for a smooth trip.
However, what are you afraid of?
Suddenly, a large black mass on the sea directly in front rushed forward.
Immediately afterwards, Japanese chatter began.
"Who is it? Stop the ship immediately for inspection."
The young man's scalp was numb and he shouted quickly: "Turn around and go!"
In an instant, shouts of death rang out on the originally calm sea.
