Rule over Ming Dynasty

Chapter 510 A resistance from the whole of Japan
Shikoku Island fell into the hands of the Ming Dynasty. It is said that it should be digested slowly and then followed up, but Xu Shiying always believed that the best defense was to attack.

The day after he captured Shikoku Island, he sent a fleet to capture Awaji Island as well.

Awaji Island is the largest island in the Seto Inland Sea. It is bounded by Daimon Bay to the east, Harima Beach to the west, Akashi Strait to the north, and Naruto Strait to the southwest. It is an extremely important maritime throat.

With Awaji Island as a springboard, the Ming Dynasty could launch surprise attacks on Bitchu, Bizen, Harima, Settsu, Kawachi, Izumi and Kii in the Seto Inland Sea at any time. This has become a nightmare for any force.

Although the Ming Dynasty fleet had not yet invaded the territory of Honshu Island, when the Ming Dynasty captured Awaji Island, the neighboring daimyo were already having trouble sleeping and eating.

At noon, in a courtyard outside Tokyo.

Personnel from both sides sat facing each other. Everyone's face was very serious, especially their eyes showed a bit of hostility. It seems that as soon as there is a disagreement, both sides immediately draw their swords at each other, and everyone seems to be on a string.

It was already midsummer, and the wind blowing in from the courtyard rattled the manuscripts placed on the negotiation table, adding an even more mysterious quality to the negotiation.

As for the gloomy sky, it looks like a storm is about to come, and everything is full of unknowns.

Hosokawa Masamoto's eyes flashed with an unknown light, and he slowly said: "General, you should have noticed the Ming Dynasty's ambition by now, right?"

There are many people with the same thoughts as Yamana Masamoto. Hosokawa Masamoto lost the territory of Tosa Kingdom, and now his base camp is threatened by the Ming fleet. He immediately has the idea of ​​calling for the establishment of Japan's anti-Ming alliance.

Of course, the threat of Ming Dynasty is on the one hand, and on the other hand, he failed to eliminate Ashikaga Yoshisai's military power in one fell swoop last year. Now this battle has dragged the entire Hosokawa clan into the quagmire.

Although forces everywhere hope that an incompetent general will emerge, the general he supports, Ashikaga Yosumi, is only twelve years old. The longer he delays, the louder his doubts become.

That's why he wanted to take advantage of the Ming Dynasty's annexation of Shikoku Island to not only take the initiative to make peace with the general Ashikaga Yoshikai to resolve the embarrassing situation he was in, but also to take the opportunity to strengthen his reputation and power.

Ashikaga Yoshisai is wearing a traditional shogun's costume, has a brush beard, and holds a paper fan in his hand. He is an adult in his late thirties.

He did not answer immediately, as if he was weighing every possible consequence, or trying to understand Hosokawa Masamoto's true intention.

In fact, he did not dare to continue fighting this battle. Although he had the great righteousness of the shogun, it was already clear how much appeal he had left.

The corners of Ashikaga Yoshisai's mouth raised slightly, but he pretended to be confused and said: "Hosokawa Family Governor, I'm sorry! My general is only focused on winning this battle and keeping his position. I don't know anything else!"

"Stop pretending to be confused here. How could you not know about Ming Dynasty's annexation of Shikoku Island?" Hosokawa's retainer said angrily when he saw Ashikaga Yoshisai pretending to be confused.

The general's retainers are naturally not just decorations, but also tit-for-tat: "How outrageous! My general has been forced into the palace by traitors. I wonder if the situation outside is normal?"

For a time, the atmosphere at the negotiation table seemed tense.

After hearing the movement, the personnel from both sides waiting outside had already put their hands on the samurai swords at their waists, as if they were ready to rush in at any time.

However, they had decided to throw the cup as a sign, and they did not dare to rush in with a knife until they heard the cup inside falling to the ground.

"Stand down!" Hosokawa Masamoto did not want a direct conflict and scolded his retainers.

Although he knew that the opponent was pretending to be confused, he couldn't find any flaws, so he couldn't help but take a high look at his opponent.

In fact, he originally did not want to risk the power of the world and support Ashikaga Yosumi to ascend to power, but the general in front of him was too capable and had grown his power through successive battles.

It was originally planned that when Ashikaga Yoshisai led his troops to leave Kyoto, he would take the opportunity to appoint Ashikaga Yosumi as the new shogun. Unexpectedly, Ashikaga Yoshisai was already prepared.

Ashikaga Yoshisai also did not want a head-on conflict, and said playfully: "Hosokawa Ichigo, what happened to the fall of Shikoku Island, I would like to hear the details!"

Relaxing and relaxing makes the atmosphere here feel like a roller coaster. Ashikaga Yoshisai is indeed a master negotiator.

"The Great Ming Dynasty announced a crusade against the Ryukyu Kingdom, so when the East Sea Fleet on Kyushu Island was preparing for war, Shikoku Island was quite lax. But who would have thought that the East Sea Fleet would go to the deep sea to raid Tosa Island, and take over the entire Shikoku Island in less than half a month. Now that Awaji Island has fallen into the hands of the East China Sea Fleet, our Western Kingdom has been exposed to its guns. Now, the Ming Dynasty's fleet may be on its way to Kyoto. We, Japan, are in a precarious situation. Let's work together to form an anti-Ming alliance, and we will surely regain the Shikoku and Kyushu, and drive the Ming Dynasty out of our great Japan." Hosokawa Masamoto threw out the prepared rhetoric, looking like a hero for the country's righteousness.

The negotiators present could not help but secretly give a thumbs up to Hosokawa Masamoto, he is indeed a master of lobbying.

Ashikaga Yoshisai knew that negotiations could not follow the opponent's pace, but he deliberately questioned: "Governor Hosokawa, this is empty talk. Regarding the fall of Shikoku Island, how can I, the general, not receive the official letter?"

Normally, official letters would naturally be sent to the shogun's palace, and the shogun was indeed the first to know. It was just that after Hosokawa Masamoto supported Ashikaga Yosumi, official letters from various places were sent to the shogunate of Ashikaga Yosumi.

Although Japan has two shoguns, the forces in the west seem to only recognize Ashikaga Yosumi.

Now that Ashikaga Yoshisai has said it so openly, it is not only a negotiation strategy for Ashikaga Yoshisai, but also a naked dig at Hosokawa Masamoto.

"This is an official letter from Shikoku Island and the West Country. Please take a look at it, General!" Masamoto Hosokawa did not get angry and took out the official letter as if he was well prepared.

Ashikaga Yoshisai was slightly surprised, he didn't expect the other party to be so well prepared.

In fact, how could he really not know about such a big thing as the fall of Shikoku Island? Now looking at the contents of the official letter and the words asking for help, I don't feel much in my heart.

When they were besieged by the rebels led by Masahiro Hosokawa, these people all sat on the mountain and watched the fight between tigers and tigers. Now that they were annexed by the Ming Dynasty, they felt very happy.

Ashikaga Yoshisai pretended to read the official letter, and then slowly said: "The Ming Dynasty is indeed a major concern for us in Japan! If you are sincere enough, I, the general, can indeed join forces with you!"

"Sincerity?"

The negotiators present looked at each other in confusion, but they had no idea what Ashikaga Yoshisai was planning.

"Sir General, I wonder what kind of sincerity you want?" Hosokawa Masamoto looked at his opponent deeply and asked calmly.

The corner of Ashikaga Yoshisai's mouth raised slightly, and he put forward his own conditions: "First of all, since we want to join forces to fight against the Ming Dynasty, shouldn't we unite ourselves now?"

"Of course, this is what I want to promote!" Hosokawa Masamoto nodded in approval.

The smile on Ashikaga Yoshisai's face became even thicker. He looked at Masamoto Hosokawa and said seriously: "Since we want to unite, can one mountain accommodate two tigers? There is only one emperor, and there is only one shogun. Dare I ask? Who will we choose between me and Ashikaga Yosumi? "This..."

The negotiators present looked at each other, they were trying to force the palace!
"Shogun, why don't we put aside the dispute for the time being and make resisting the Ming Dynasty our first priority?" Ise Sadamune had been listening and now expressed his own opinion.

Ashikaga Yoshisai's smile suddenly froze, and he immediately put on a arrogant attitude and said: "If consensus cannot be reached on this point, then there may be no need to continue this peace negotiation!"

In fact, when I said this, there was an element of gambling in my heart.

Even though the outcome is still undecided between the two sides, if they continue to waste their time, they will definitely be completely defeated. It's just that he believes that Hosokawa Masamoto is more urgent than himself, so this is the bargaining chip that allows him to speak loudly.

"I promise you! As long as we can form an anti-Ming alliance, you will be the only shogun in Japan!" Hosokawa Masamoto knew that he had to make way, and he expressed his stance happily.

The battle has reached this point, and he has actually lost the ability to forcibly correct Ashikaga Yosumi, otherwise there would not be today's negotiation meeting. Now it is better to use a bargaining chip to destroy Ashikaga Yosumi and reach cooperation with Ashikaga Yoshisai.

Ashikaga Yoshisai put a smile on his face again and spoke slowly: "Secondly, I want to marry Rokkaku Takayori's sister, so please return the position of guardian of Omi to Rokkaku Takayori!"

This……

As soon as these words came out, the negotiators present looked at each other.

If the first condition just now is a relatively reasonable request, then Ashikaga Yoshizai, who has the support of the Rokkaku clan, may be really difficult to be controlled by others.

It is so difficult for them to defeat Ashikaga Yoshisai now. With the support of the Rokkaku clan, who can suppress Ashikaga Yoshisai in the future?

"Takayori Rokkaku agrees to this marriage?" Hosokawa Masamoto naturally did not need Ashikaga Yoshisai to marry the Rokkaku clan, but he expressed doubts.

The corners of Ashikaga Yoshisai's mouth raised slightly, and his eyes were a little proud as he said: "Normally, he would not agree easily, so we have the conditions to return the position of Omi's guardian to him!"

Huh?
Ise Sadamune's eyes widened and he looked at the general in shock.

Judging from this request, it is simply the work of a monster. Ashikaga Yoshisai knew that he would not be able to successfully marry Rokkaku Takayori's sister, but if the position of guardian of Omi was returned here, then there would be room for maneuver.

Once Rokkaku Takayori agreed to the marriage, Ashikaga Yoshisai not only resolved the conflict with the Rokkaku clan, but also received a big boost.

If they want to depose Ashikaga Yoshiki in the future, it will no longer be an easy task. There is no chance that their power will be swallowed up by Ashikaga Yoshiki in the future.

Ise Sadamune looked at the general seriously, but shook his head imperceptibly.

If this general has such wisdom, then it is really too terrible. But if it is not the wisdom of this general, then whose wisdom can it be?
"I don't know what this matter has to do with our peace talks?" Hosokawa Masamoto naturally saw the dangers of the marriage between Ashikaga Yoshisai and the Rokkaku clan, and couldn't help but question it.

Ashikaga Yoshitai seemed to be sure of victory, so he slowly said: "This is the sincerity that the general is talking about! If you don't even have this bit of sincerity, then how can we talk about cooperation?"

If it was just a small bet just now, now it is a big bet.

After all, the title of a shogun does not have much effect. Now that various daimyo have established themselves, there are fewer and fewer daimyo who truly support the shogun.

But if he successfully marries the Rokkaku clan, then this is a real benefit, a powerful foreign aid.

"Okay, I agree!" Hosokawa Masamoto knew that he was being manipulated by the other party, and he seemed to agree bitterly.

Ashikaga Yoshisai's last condition was not outrageous, he just asked for some property.

Property, this kind of thing is common, but it is reasonable to put it here. Fighting costs money, and construction also costs money, not to mention that Ashikaga Yoshiki needs to expand his army?
Hosokawa Masamoto was determined, but he finally chose to bleed a lot and finally agreed to all the conditions of Ashikaga Yoshiki.

As the two parties signed the contract, they not only stopped fighting, but also quickly launched a joint fight against the Ming Dynasty and formed an anti-Ming alliance army.

"Drive Ming Dynasty out of our land!"

"Recover the Four Kingdoms and Kyushu, recover our mountains and rivers!"

"Japan is invincible, and Ming and I are at odds with each other!"

……

The mood in Japan was very high. Many daimyo chose to contribute both money and effort. Many wandering samurai from various places came to vote, causing the anti-Ming alliance army to grow rapidly.

It was under the joint call of the shogun and the Hosokawa family that this anti-Ming alliance army quickly took shape, and Hosokawa Masamoto got his wish and served as the commander of this army.

Although Masamoto Hosokawa paid a lot in the transaction, it seems that everything is worth it now.

After the Japanese Anti-Ming Alliance Army was established, Hosokawa Masamoto also led the army to leave Kyoto and head towards Shikoku Island via land.

Faced with Japan's anti-Ming alliance, Xu Shiying had to give up the plan to acquire territory on Honshu Island. He seemed to be very decisive in returning to Shikoku Island, and even directly gave up Awaji Island on his own initiative.

The Ming fleet is strong in naval battles, and it is also the magic weapon that can almost maintain victory in total annihilation.

Since Japan is about to attack, they naturally don't mind retreating. Now it depends on whether they can cross the Seto Inland Sea and get a chance to fight the Ming Dynasty on land.

Xu Shiying did not expect that Japan, which was clearly in a state of division, would quickly unite, but he was not sure that this was just the product of a temporary sentiment of family and country, or that it could really be united.

He knew that no matter whether Japan was pretending to be united or was really united, it could not stop Ming Dynasty's expansion. However, now that the Japanese anti-Ming alliance is coming fiercely, it needs to avoid its edge.

Xu Shiying was personally in charge of Shikoku Island, but suddenly turned his attention to the southwest: "It should be over there, right?"

(End of this chapter)