Anti-Qing: Starting from the Reincarnation of the Ming Dynasty

Tokugawa Ieharu, Tanuma Yiji and others were waiting in the shogunate.

Not long after, I heard a commotion outside, and then I saw Nishikawa Anyuan walking in with the Ming envoy holding a scepter.

Fan Tingxiang is wearing a green robe with a vivid white pheasant embroidered on the chest. He wears a black gauze on his head. His clear face is solemn and his three-foot-long beard looks majestic.

The scepter in his hand further indicates his identity as a messenger.

Surrounded by a group of samurai raised by the Tokugawa family, Fan Tingxiang walked into the festival hall of the shogunate in such a swagger.

When he saw Tokugawa Ieharu, he did not bow down, but casually raised his hands as a courtesy.

When Tokugawa Ieharu saw this, although he was dissatisfied, he would not get angry rashly, he just nodded slightly and said.

"Your Majesty is so polite!"

Although the messenger's attitude towards him was obviously negligent.

However, for the sake of the scepter in the messenger's hand, Tokugawa Ieharu decided to endure it for the time being.

Wen Sheng asked.

"I am the head of the Tokugawa Shogunate, the contemporary Shogun Tokugawa Ieji. I wonder why the envoy is here?"

Seeing this, Fan Tingxiang continued to ask with a cold face.

"I am Fan Tingxiang, a member of the Ministry of Rites of the Ming Dynasty. I am on a mission to the Japanese country on behalf of His Majesty the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty. I have no other purpose but to accuse the Japanese country of crimes."

"The King of Ryukyu, Shang On, who was enthroned by Emperor Ming, was assassinated in Ryukyu. According to the account of the captured assassin, the envoy was Shimazu Shigehao, the leader of Satsuma Domain in Japan."

Although the assassins sent by Shimazu Shigego were all elite warriors, each of them had very hard bones.

But with the help of Ming Dynasty Jinyiwei and Dongchang's great memory recovery skills, they even explained clearly the things they had done when they were children: wetting the bed and spying on their neighbors taking a shower.

There is no doubt that the messenger was Shimazu Shigehiro.

Hearing this, Tokugawa Ieharu and Tanuma Yiji looked at each other and saw the look in the other's eyes.

Sure enough!
After a long time of turmoil, the Satsuma clan is really causing trouble...

Fan Tingxiang finished speaking, paused briefly, gave Tokugawa Ieharu time to digest, and then continued.

"His Majesty the Emperor was furious when he received this bad news. He ordered me to go to Japan as an envoy to ask the Japanese side to give me an explanation for the Ming Dynasty!"

"If the Japanese country cannot give me a satisfactory answer to the Ming Dynasty, they will inevitably go to war with swords and swords everywhere. Don't say that you are not prepared!"

In order to put pressure on Tokugawa Ieharu, Fan Tingxiang directly raised the threat of war.

Hearing this, Tokugawa Ieharu felt aggrieved, but he did not vent it out immediately, and spoke with a smile.

"I'm afraid Ming Dynasty may have misunderstood."

"The Satsuma clan is just another name. By analogy, it is the independent vassal towns that existed in the late Tang Dynasty."

"The Tokugawa Shogunate has only nominal jurisdiction over the Satsuma Domain, but no actual control."

"If the envoy had not mentioned the assassination of His Highness the King of Ryukyu, I would still be kept in the dark."

"This matter is an unauthorized action by the Satsuma clan and has absolutely nothing to do with me, the Tokugawa shogunate."

"I also hope that the envoy Mingjian will be able to show his knowledge!"

Tokugawa Ieharu subconsciously passed the blame.

Assassinating Ming's vassals was no longer a simple act of provocation, but a slap in Ming's face.

If Ming Dynasty wants to continue to maintain the majesty of his heavenly kingdom, then he will never be able to swallow this breath.

It is really possible to send troops to Japan.

Tokugawa Ieharu didn't want to get into trouble with Daming.

When Fan Tingxiang heard this, he continued to speak with a cold face.

"Is it really okay? Or is the Tokugawa shogunate deliberately trying to shift the blame?"

"The Ming Dynasty did not know what a gaibei daimyo was. The Ming Dynasty only knew that the Satsuma clan was a member of the Japanese country, and that the Tokugawa shogunate was the ruler of the Japanese country."

"Although it was the Satsuma clan who assassinated my Ming vassal, the Tokugawa shogunate still had something to do with it."

When saying this, Fan Tingxiang looked at Tokugawa Ieharu, and his words were full of questions, which can be said to be quite strong.

Hearing this, Tokugawa Ieharu took a deep breath, not knowing whether to be happy or worried.

The joy is because in the eyes of the Ming Dynasty, the Tokugawa family is the ruler of Japan and can be recognized by the Celestial Kingdom, even if it is not officially recognized in writing, but only verbally.

But for the Tokugawa family, this is a good thing that can make people smile.

What is worrying is that Shimazu Shigehao really deserves to die!
He just wants to die on his own, but he wants to drag the whole of Japan into the water.

It’s really not a fucking thing! !

Not knowing how to respond, Tokugawa Ieharu subconsciously looked at Eiji Tanuma aside.

When Tanuma Yi saw this for the first time, he sighed and said.

"I hope that the assassination of Ming vassals has nothing to do with the Tokugawa shogunate."

"However, it is an irrefutable fact that the Satsuma Domain is under the rule of the Tokugawa Shogunate."

"For this reason, I, the Tokugawa Shogunate, are willing to make compensation to Ming Dynasty in order to seek forgiveness from Ming Dynasty."

Tanuma Yiji knew that it was impossible for Daming to really not know that the Tokugawa family had nothing to do with this matter.

If the Ming Dynasty did not know this, the people visiting Edo would not be envoys on behalf of the emperor, but directly "celestial soldiers of the upper kingdom".

Precisely because he understood this clearly, Tanuma Yiji did not continue to entangle the envoy with the matter of whether the assassination had anything to do with the Tokugawa Shogunate.

Instead, it was directly stated that although this matter had nothing to do with the Tokugawa shogunate, the Tokugawa shogunate was willing to make compensation and hoped to put an end to the matter.

If the Ming Dynasty can't swallow this breath, then go to the Satsuma clan. The Tokugawa shogunate promises not to get involved.

Seeing this, Fan Tingxiang said with the same expression.

"Perhaps the assassination really had nothing to do with the Tokugawa Shogunate, but the words are unfounded."

"The Tokugawa shogunate must provide evidence to prove this before I can give an explanation to His Majesty."

Tokugawa Ieharu asked.

"What evidence does Daming want?"

Seeing this, Fan Tingxiang estimated that the heat was almost over, and proposed his purpose.

"The Tokugawa shogunate needs to send troops to assist the Ming Dynasty in jointly conquering the rebellion of the Satsuma clan."

"As long as the Tokugawa shogunate agrees to this, it will naturally prove that the Tokugawa shogunate has nothing to do with the assassination."

When Tokugawa Ieharu heard this, he was completely stunned.

In his opinion, the compensation that Daming wanted was nothing more than some gold and silver money.

acceptable!

But he really didn't expect that the Ming Dynasty would ask the Tokugawa Shogunate to send troops to assist the Ming Dynasty in conquering the Satsuma Domain.

Damn it, you can’t do this!
What did the Tokugawa Shogunate rely on to rule Japan?
First, the Tokugawa family has strong soldiers and horses. This is the foundation among foundations and is irrefutable.

If the Tokugawa family is not the strongest and can subdue the great names, why would the great names recognize the Tokugawa family's rule?
Second, a flag was found for the Tokugawa family.

As soon as the banner of "respecting the king and rejecting the barbarians" was raised, the Tokugawa family stood on the moral high ground. Even if the big names refused to accept it, they could only hold their noses and admit it.

Among these two factors, the first is important, but the second is not inferior. Then again, in the eyes of Japanese people in this era, what is a king?
The king refers to the emperor.

And what is Yi?
In a narrow sense, it refers to Ezo people, but in a broad sense, it refers to all foreigners.

The king is to be respected, and the barbarians are to be resisted.

If the Tokugawa shogunate were to side with the Ming Dynasty this time and assist the Ming Dynasty in conquering the Satsuma Domain, what would be the difference between it being on the side of the "barbarians" and dealing with Japan's own people?
Typical betrayal of the country and seeking glory!

The higher-ups may understand the Tokugawa shogunate's difficulties and know that the Tokugawa shogunate has no choice but to do so.

But the radical warriors at the bottom don't think so.

They didn't know that the Satsuma clan was responsible for this incident, which had brought disaster to the whole of Japan.

They will only think that the Tokugawa family betrayed the country and sought glory, and united with the foreign enemy Ming Dynasty to deal with their own Satsuma clan.

Even those great names with similar appearance will die in grief.

This time the Tokugawa shogunate and the Ming Dynasty were dealing with the Satsuma clan. Will it be them next time?
If this matter really gets serious.

Then, the Tokugawa family's dominance may be challenged.

At the very least, the Tokugawa family's slogan of respecting the king and rejecting the barbarians is about to become a complete joke.

This is never a good thing.

Tokugawa Ieharu once again looked at Tanuma Yiji for help.

Seeing this for the first time, Tanuma Yi could only stand up again and speak.

"Ahem, what the envoy said makes sense."

"But we, the Tokugawa Shogunate, also have our own difficulties. After all, the Satsuma Domain is our nominal subordinate to the Tokugawa Shogunate. If the shogunate takes action against the Satsuma Domain, I'm afraid those foreign daimyo will have other ideas."

"I hope the envoy will forgive me!"

Tanuma Yiji has a high emotional intelligence. When rejecting others, he will not refuse outright.

Instead, first compliment the other person, then explain your own difficulties, and finally refuse.

Such social skills may seem inconspicuous, but they are quite practical.

Fan Tingxiang said with a cold face when he heard this.

"Of course I can forgive you, but I don't know whether your Majesty can forgive you."

"If the Tokugawa shogunate cannot show enough sincerity, how can it prove its innocence to His Majesty and the Ming Dynasty?"

After hearing this, Tanuma Yiji wanted to say something else.

Tokugawa Ieharu on the side said.

"Please give me a little more time, my envoy. I need time to consider this matter before making a decision."

When Fan Tingxiang heard this, he didn't refuse, he just said.

"Need some time to think about it?"

"An hour should be about the same."

"Your Majesty is still waiting for the news from me!"

"If His Majesty can't wait any longer, it is not impossible to directly order the conquest of Japan."

Tokugawa Ieharu said with a wry smile.

"Why are you so anxious, Your Majesty? This matter is a major matter after all. How can I, the general, make a rash decision?"

"Not to mention ten days and eight days, three days and five days should also be mentioned!"

"The envoy has finally come to Japan, so please stay in Edo for a few more days. While you can give me a few more days, you can also experience the characteristics of Japan, right?"

The reason why Tokugawa Ieharu said this was because he had a bold idea and wanted to discuss it with the shogunate.

Therefore, I want the messenger to have some more grace.

When Fan Tingxiang heard this, he frowned and thought, and then spoke.

"One day!"

"I hope that your Excellency, General, can give me and Ming an answer before this time tomorrow."

After Tokugawa Ieharu heard this, he thought about it for a moment, and although he still felt that the day was a bit rushed, he still spoke.

"Okay, I will definitely give the envoy an answer before this time tomorrow."

After saying this, Tokugawa Ieharu signaled Nishikawa Yasumoto to see off the guest and asked him to make good arrangements for the envoy.

Let the envoy experience what Japanese characteristics are!
It would be great if the messenger could not get out of bed the next day.

……

After Fan Tingxiang left, Tokugawa Ieharu immediately said to Tanuma Yiji on the side.

"Tanuma-kun, please go and convey the general's order and ask the shogunate to come to discuss the matter."

Hearing this, Tanuma Yiji looked at Tokugawa Ieharu thoughtfully and asked.

"Are you really prepared to agree to the envoy's request, General?"

"If the shogunate assists the Ming Dynasty in conquering the Satsuma Domain, it may not be a good thing for the reputation of the shogunate, and it will be easy for others to seize the opportunity to make trouble."

"Once those foreign daimyo join forces out of grief, it will not be easy for the shogunate to meet their challenge."

Tanuma Yiji's current thinking is very simple. Even if he makes some compensation in terms of money and land, he must not agree to Ming's request.

When Tokugawa Ieharu heard this, he spoke with profound meaning.

"What Tanuma-kun said makes sense."

"But there is an old saying in China, "stones from other mountains can attack jade." I wonder if Mr. Tanuma has ever heard of it?"

When Tanuma Okitsugu heard this, he seemed to understand the metaphor in Tokugawa Ieharu's words.

Tokugawa Ieharu was preparing to take over the power of the Ming Dynasty and help the Tokugawa shogunate suppress those foreign daimyo.

That is to say, stones from other mountains can attack jade!
If those foreign daimyo rebelled together, it would indeed be quite troublesome for the Tokugawa shogunate.

However, if the Tokugawa shogunate could make good use of the conflict between the Ming Dynasty and the Satsuma clan, and let the Ming Dynasty and the Tokugawa shogunate stand on the side to suppress those foreign daimyo, that would be another matter.

Tokugawa Ieharu was quite confident in the combat effectiveness of the Ming Dynasty's Heavenly Soldiers.

When the Ming Dynasty severely damaged Toyotomi Hideyoshi in Korea, it could be considered the end of the dynasty.

But even so, the Ming army could still suppress Japan's elite fighters from the Warring States Period.

It laid the foundation for the decline of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's regime.

But the current Ming army is in the early stages of the founding of the country and is at its strongest combat effectiveness.

If the Tokugawa shogunate can get the support of the Ming army, there is still hope for pacifying those foreign daimyo and even completely unifying the entire Japan.

If the Tokugawa shogunate could continue what happened this time, suppress all the foreign daimyo, and complete the great cause of truly unifying Japan, then the historical status of the Tokugawa family will definitely not be lower than that of Ieyasu.

No wonder Tokugawa Ieharu was tempted by this!
When Tanuma Yiji saw this, he took a deep breath and said with a solemn expression.

"I have heard what Your Excellency the General said, "stones from other mountains can attack jade." I just don't know if Your Excellency the General has heard of another ancient Chinese saying."

"Call, "Seek the skin of a tiger"!!!
"If the shogunate really joins forces with the Ming Dynasty to deal with the foreign daimyo represented by the Satsuma clan, it will be seeking the skin of a tiger!" (End of this chapter)