Chapter 12 Chapter 12: Peace and Truth

In March of the fifth year of Wenlu, Toyotomi Hideyoshi had just recovered from a serious illness. As soon as he got off the sick bed, he was busy letting the young Hideyori enter the palace to meet the emperor.Of course, Hideyoshi wasn't the only one who was impatient, Goho also encouraged him to do this.They wanted Hideyoshi to divert his attention from the negotiations with the Great Ming Dynasty. This may be a kind act of sympathy for the lord, but the event of "Ming Envoys Coming to the Court" that would shame Hideyoshi all his life is approaching unknowingly. In August, Hideyori was only three years old, but Hideyoshi couldn't wait any longer. On May 13th, he let Hideyori meet the emperor for the first time.In order to avoid criticism, five days before that, on the eighth day of the fifth month, Hideyoshi asked the court to appoint Maeda Toshiie as Kwon Dai Nayan and Tokugawa Ieyasu as Minister of Internal Affairs.This promotion can be said to be a preparation for Xiu Lai's audience with the court.

On the ninth day of June, the upright and loyal Kato Kiyomasa received an imperial edict saying that he was obstructing the peace talks and that he should not stay in North Korea any longer, and he was ordered to leave Busan immediately.Earlier, Li Zongcheng, the envoy of the Ming Dynasty who had arrived in the capital of North Korea, found out that the negotiation was a hoax. He was shocked and fled North Korea in a hurry.Governor Konishi, Soyoshi Tomo, and Ishida Mitsunari and others blamed Kiyoshi's intimidation for Li Zongcheng's escape and reported to Hideyoshi.Hideyoshi believed it to be true, and was furious, and ordered Qingzheng to go back to China to reflect, and even forbade him to meet him.

Hideyoshi made a huge mistake.He should go to condolences when Qingzheng returns to China, and then ask clearly about North Korea's affairs one by one.Doing so would be like building a fortress of love for young Hideyori, and it would be far more effective than having hundreds of affidavits written.But he failed to do so. It can be seen that Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the hero of the world, is very old. On the thirteenth day of the leap July, a rare earthquake suddenly hit the vast land from Fushi to Kyoto. Numerous women were killed and injured in Fushimi Castle who were unable to escape in the future, and the Kitano Sutra Hall and Mibu Jizo Hall in Beijing also collapsed one after another. Guan Bai and his family are causing trouble."

"No, no, it's the people who died in the Korean naval battle getting angry." "In any case, Taige's actions recently are indeed against the law of heaven. If this continues, it may bring misfortune to Mr. Xiu Lai." Rumors even spread to Sakai Port. Just as the world was discussing, Nawu Shaoan unexpectedly ushered in a wooden carriage in the other garden of Rushou Palace. "Are you okay. I heard that many Fushimi women and children died, and I have been worried for my father." Seeing his father coming out of the gate uncharacteristically, Mu Shi smiled and got off the carriage, "How can a woman like me, who is so sinful, die so easily?"

"Oh, that's good. Come in quickly." It's been a long time since I saw my beloved daughter. Even though Mu Shi is still so competitive, Jiaoan still felt relieved and said, "Master Tokugawa and his family are all safe and sound, right?" "Yes. The luckiest one is the young wife of the Tokugawa family." "Young Madam... is Madam Nishimaru's younger sister?" "Yes. If I were still staying in Fushimi Castle, I would have gone west with everyone, because I was married into the Tokugawa family, and I took my life instead." "Is it really that horrible in the city?"

The two of them walked from the corridor to the living room while talking, "I heard that Lord Taiko, Mrs. Nishimaru, and the young master are all safe and sound, and the mansion of the Dubei Government Office has been seriously damaged." "Yes. Nearly three hundred women were crushed under the rubble, and rumors spread immediately." Mu Shi seemed to have a lot to say, and he couldn't wait to sit down. "People say that this was killed on the three river beaches." Those innocent women did the trick." "What do you think Taige?" "I didn't take it seriously, and said that there are plenty of women in the world. On that day, I ordered Maeda Fayin to recruit more than 80 women from the brothel, and sent them to the city."

Jiaoan couldn't help laughing, "Hahaha... use prostitutes to make up the number? This is Taige, it really is Taige! You rest first, I'll make you tea... Are you here just to make me feel at ease this time? ?” "No." Mushi shook her head coquettishly, "I'm also Mr. Jiao'an's daughter. This time I'm not here for a private matter, but for a great event in the world." "Yo, the tone is quite loud. What's the big deal?" "Father, the ship with envoys from Joseon and Ming Dynasty has come to Sakai Port." "Yes. It is estimated that it will arrive within ten days."

"Is that ship really carrying Princess Daming who will become the emperor's concubine?" "You also come to ask me such a question? Master Tokugawa understands this kind of thing much better than me." "That being said, however, when Taige brought Mr. Hiderai to the Emperor, he once said confidently that he would present a generous gift to the imperial court." "Taige still doesn't know the truth of the matter?" "It's not a good thing for Taige to be kept in the dark. Therefore, the adults of the inner court were very surprised and secretly ordered their daughter to check the truth of the matter."

Jiaoan was speechless for a long time.Hideyoshi's peace negotiation conditions do have such a clause.But Emperor Daming would not know about this at all, and Xiaoxi, Ishida and others would not agree. "Father must have some other news here. If there is no Princess Daming on board, what will happen?" Mushi kept asking, but Jiaoan kept silent, just stirred the tea brush, and asked after a long while, "Have you not seen Kato, chief planner, in the Taige?" "Yes. The Taige was also furious, scolding Qingzheng for obstructing the peace talks." "It's unreasonable! If you don't deceive Taige with sweet words, Xiaoxi, Shitian and others will be ashamed." Jiaoan put the tea bowl gently in front of Mu Shi, and said, "Taige still has this attitude now?"

"It should not have changed. However, after this major earthquake, the punishment for Kato was lighter. In this critical period, Kato had to rush to Fushimi immediately to take on the heavy responsibility of defense." "This seems to be the style of the chief accountant, who is loyal to his duty. But now, it always feels like it's too late..." "Father got the news that..." "It's a great shame, and I'm ashamed to be a father. Taige also won the four kingdoms of Korea, which is regarded as victory, but was played by Shen Weijing and others. It's too disgraceful, too shameful."

"What's the matter?" "Don't be in a hurry, just calm down and have a cup of tea... Do you know that Xiao Xiru'an is going to Beijing as an envoy?" "Know." "I don't know how Ru'an negotiated in Beijing. In short, Daming agreed to Ru'an's request and decided to send Li Zongcheng as an envoy." "That's why Taige thought that the other party accepted the conditions, that the Emperor Daming would marry the princess to Japan..." As soon as Mu Shi put down the tea bowl, he asked anxiously, "What will happen if Princess Daming doesn't come?" Jiaoan deliberately paused, and took a sip of tea loudly, "It's impossible to come. Li Zongcheng fled before arriving in Busan. This is the best evidence." "So, the reckless Kato scared him away. Is what Ishida said true?" Jiaoan shook her head lightly, and reached out to touch the document scroll in front of the stove. "It's unbelievable. This is the actual record of the negotiations between Ru'an and other officials in the Daming Palace. Since it was recorded by the other party, it is inevitable that there is a cover-up... But after reading this, even I can't wait to find a hole to drill in." He said. , Jiaoan took out a scroll, and the lines of Chinese characters on it were translated into Japanese in detail with red pen.With it, all mysteries can be solved. Mu Shi couldn't bear to read it.Before she finished reading the Five Elements, she couldn't hold back.According to the records, the conversation between Hida Mamoru Xiaonishi and Prime Minister Shi Xing of the Ming Dynasty started with Shi Xing's questioning, and it seemed like he was interrogating a felon. Question: North Korea is a vassal state of China. Why did your country invade the year before last? Answer: Our country wanted to ask for a gift from the Ming Dynasty, and once entrusted the king of Joseon to ask for it. However, North Korea concealed the truth and did not convey it. This is a deceitful act. Question: North Korea is in an emergency, so China sent troops to rescue it.If you beg for a gift, you should immediately submit to him.However, what is the reason for you and others to resist stubbornly in Pyongyang, Kaesong, Byekjewan and other places? Answer: Our side is stationed in Pyongyang for the sole purpose of seeking seal and showing favor to the Celestial Dynasty.Because the army of the Celestial Dynasty attacked the city, it was necessary to prevent it.However, since then we have quickly retreated to the capital. Question: Why did you retreat to the capital and return the North Korean prince and all the important ministers? Answer: Because Shen Wei, the envoy of the Celestial Dynasty, told the Chang Kingdom that the Celestial Dynasty promised to be the king, we believed it to be true, and the 700,000 heavenly soldiers had already arrived in the north of Korea, so we hurriedly returned, returned the prince and his ministers, and returned the Qidao to the Celestial Dynasty . Question: Although you and the others verbally claim to seek title, it is really an act of disbelief to invade Jinzhou.Shen Weijing has already notified the promise of the canonization, and you just believed it to be true.That being the case, it is time to return to the country and wait for orders. Why continue to transport troops and build fortifications, and stay in Busan for a long time instead of going? Answer: This is because it is difficult for me to determine whether the envoy will really come or not.Once the messenger arrives, all the fortifications will be burned immediately. Question: Since Hideyoshi already owns sixty-six islands and is self-proclaimed king, why does he have to travel far to seek title? Answer: Seeing that the Oda family was punished by Zhizhi, and that North Korea accepted the title of the Celestial Dynasty, the hearts of the people are stable and the people are subject to them, so they also came to ask for the title. Question: Your country is called both the emperor and the king. Is the emperor the king? Answer: The emperor is the king, but he was killed by Nobunaga. Q: Clear.That being the case, I will ask my emperor to agree to your request and go back as soon as possible to meet the canonization envoy.If there is any disrespect, the Celestial Dynasty will not allow it to be sealed. Answer: Follow the holy decree and never disobey it. After reading it, I was stunned.Not to mention the princess of the dynasty, even Hideyoshi didn't mention all the conditions for peace talks, and even said that the emperor was killed by Lord Nobunaga, and he no longer exists.I don't know what kind of consideration this person rushed to Beijing on purpose.From the very beginning, Xiaoxi and the others had no sincerity or courage.Hideyoshi thought he had won, and proposed peace terms, but none of them were conveyed to Emperor Ming.No matter how insulted he was in Beijing, the emissary only knew how to be obedient and agreed to all the conditions, but afterwards he hid Hideyoshi like an iron bucket.In short, they just wanted to do everything possible to get an envoy from the Ming Dynasty to come, and then deceive Hideyoshi by using different words, cross the sea and end the war. Of course, this kind of thing can't be done by Ru An alone, so who is the mastermind?Needless to say, Governor Konishi and Zongyi Zhi, the Gobushin headed by Ishida Osamu of course also knew about this, and the generals of North Korea must also have secret participants. "The reason why Li Zongcheng ran away before coming to Japan, should I understand now?" Mushi didn't answer Jiao'an's question for a long time.If the envoys of the Ming Dynasty saw this record in Beijing, and then went to North Korea, and met Kato Kiyomasa, and found that it was inconsistent with it, they would definitely be shocked and flee in a hurry.Only Qing is faithfully carrying out Hideyoshi's order.He knew what Hideyoshi expected, and he would tell the messenger without any concealment... "The problem is," Jiao'an said, "I don't know if Taige has heard of the truth. If you don't know it at all, it's over. They insulted Taige in this way! No, this is not only Taige's business, it is The shame of all Japan is the shame of all the emperor's subjects!" "..." "Li Zongcheng lost this record, and then it came into my hands. Later, Li Zongcheng was arrested for dereliction of duty. The new envoy Yang Fangheng is rushing to Japan with Shen Weijing. It seems that the practice of the Ming Dynasty will not change. They promised to canonize Taige, but he will not pay tribute, if he feels pity, he will accept Japan as a vassal state, but the matter of sending the princess to marry him is simply wishful thinking." Mu Shi gently rolled up the paper in his hand and handed it back to his father, "It seems that Lord Taige was insulted." "That's right, I'm afraid I've never been so fooled by my retainers in my entire life as a Taige soldier. But it's no wonder that this battle has not been thought out from the very beginning." Mu Shi silently adjusted his clothes. "Why, are you going back now?" "Yes. I can't wait anymore. After the envoy arrives, Taige will know the truth. What will happen then?" "Wait. It won't help if you go back like this." "Oh?" "Once Taige knows the truth, he will be furious, so...you must make careful arrangements in order to clean up this mess." Mu Shi just got up, and sat down again after hearing this.Father was right.Recently, Hideyoshi has indeed been abnormal. As long as something goes wrong, he will be furious and start killing.Xiuci was copied and beheaded by everyone is an example.If he knows the truth, he will be furious and must kill Mingshi.However, Shen Weijing, Xiaoxi and others had secretly agreed long ago that no matter what happened, the envoy would not be allowed to be killed.The conflict between Hideyoshi and them is inevitable.As the conflict deepens, Hideyoshi, who is in a rage, will definitely find out the relevant people one by one.Once this situation occurs, where will the fire burn?Mu Shi only felt creepy. Jiao'an stared at Mu Shi, waiting for her daughter's answer. "Father, if you were in the position of a child, how would you deal with it?" "Oh?" "If the father is the master of the inner court, or the Taige..." "You are too greedy to ask so many questions in one breath." Jiao'an didn't smile.The idea of ​​a daughter is both lovely and commendable. "If I were you, I would first report the incident to Mr. Tokugawa in detail... This is your duty." "yes." "If I were Tokugawa-sama..." "What will happen?" "Some things in the world should be hidden in the heart, while others should be put on the table. In short, I will meet Taige alone first." "and then?" "Nothing is said in the meeting. Once the truth is told, the world will be torn apart and chaotic, and that is a shame." "Oh." "The Ming envoy must be a scheming old fox. Once there is any rude speech, the peace agreement will be broken on the spot, and the Ming envoy will be sent back to the country immediately." "You must never kill the envoy... Is this what father means?" Jiao An frowned, "If the two countries meet, don't kill the envoy. Send the envoy back and immediately send troops for the second time." "Fight again?" "Don't intervene first. You must send troops. Only by sending troops can you maintain stability in the country. If you don't send troops, the Taige will lose face. At this time, it is natural to take measures to avoid chaos in the country. This is human nature. Once the country Falling into chaos, the loss caused by civil strife is far greater than sending a small group of soldiers to fight at sea, it may be several times, or even dozens of times." Jiaoan stared at Mu Shi, his eyes were like swords, and he wanted to know whether his daughter could How much do you understand. After a long time, Mu Shi really understood his father's words: It seems that his father, who had strongly opposed going to sea to fight, also agreed to send troops again.In fact, my father would rather send troops again than cause domestic chaos.It is true that when the Taige is angry, some important officials will be executed, and those people will raise troops to fight against him. In this way, the country will fall into chaos and cannot be dealt with.Instead of doing this, it is better to reprimand Shen Weijing and others for being disrespectful on the spot, and send troops to North Korea again.The remaining garrison joined forces with the new reinforcements, and then slowly looked for opportunities to withdraw.Even if you are defeated like a mountain, you must try your best to avoid civil strife... "Do you understand?" After a while, Jiaoan asked softly. "Yes... the more I think about it, the more pitiful Taige is, and the situation is so embarrassing." "There are rumors in the world that the bloody massacre of Guan Bai's family last time was caused by ghosts who died in battle in a foreign country... In this world, how can there be ghosts more terrifying than meaningless wars? You must keep these things in mind .” "Yes." While listening to his father's instruction, Mu Shi sadly recalled the tragedy of Guan Bai's family being executed.Who on earth connected the bloody execution ground with the Korean War?All the responsibility seems to be pushed on Hideyoshi's own son Hideyoshi, but this is not the case. In order to prevent the sensitive Hideyoshi from knowing the truth of the negotiations with the Ming Dynasty, the ministers maliciously smeared Hideyoshi as a sinner who intends to rebel, and provoke Hideyoshi. He is filled with apprehension about Hidera's future.From this point of view, the culprits who caused Hideyoshi to kill Hideji, split the Toyotomi family, and stained Taiko's old age are all ghosts who died in the Korean War!These ghosts intensified and attached themselves to the envoys of the Ming Dynasty, and they were tarnishing the hero's life. "Father still hasn't answered one question. If father is the Taige who is haunted by ghosts, what will he do?" "I was about to say it." Jiaoan looked around vigilantly and lowered his voice, "Although this is a disaster I caused myself, it is useless to suppress my anger. Therefore, when the Ming envoy arrives, I will find an opportunity to talk to the North Korean envoy who is accompanying me first." Let's talk." "North Korean envoy?" "Yes. Treat them with courtesy and respect, and then convey what we mean. Don't forget, they know things like the back of their hands." "Is that all right?" "Only in this way can they feel at ease. Tell them that we have been deceived, and then reprimand the envoy for his disrespect and throw him out of Japan. Only in this way can he slightly wash away Taiko's stigma, at least people will not say, Taiko He is an unrighteous person who seeks title from the Ming Kingdom without telling the Emperor." After hearing this, Mu Shi immediately got up and packed his bags.The crisis in the world is imminent. Kino returned to the Tokugawa Mansion on a boat full of timber for the construction of Fushimi Castle. The Tokugawa Mansion was far away from the mansion of Nishi Ishida in Xiyuan. It was early in the morning and Ieyasu was about to leave the city.After the earthquake, although Hideyoshi was extremely anxious, he still couldn't get up.He wore a long purple turban that fell down, and whenever he saw anyone, no matter who it was, he called to the pillow and reprimanded him head and face.Ieyasu had no choice but to persuade from the sidelines, otherwise, everyone really didn't know what to do.Ieyasu, who was about to go out, saw Mu Shi, and immediately pulled her into the rockery pavilion by the pool, "There is no one else at the moment, so tell me exactly what your father said." Mu Shi knew very well that once she spoke carelessly, something serious might happen, so she spent a whole night on the boat thinking about it, and at this moment, she narrated the conversation with her father in an orderly manner. "Have you seen the record of going to Ming Dynasty Beijing?" "Yes. I heard that Li Zongcheng fell when he escaped." Ieyasu closed his eyes and nodded slightly.His expression is very solemn, in fact, he doesn't want Mushi to see his thoughts.Then, Mushi began to talk about the three questions she asked her father: "Mushi is afraid of being in a hurry and will say the name of the adult, please forgive me." She apologized before continuing to report.Ieyasu listened carefully, his eyes were piercing, and he didn't say a word. Of course, if it weren't for Ieyasu, Mushi wouldn't be like this.But Mu Shi already regards Ieyasu as his own family, and Ieyasu may be like her. "Okay, I understand. What you said just now has no opinion of your own, right?" "Yes. These are all my father's words." "I have another question for you: what would happen if you were Ieyasu?" Mu Shi was taken aback for a moment, she never expected that the question would be asked on her own head. "Haha... Forget it. I understand." Ieyasu stood up, "I'm going to report my thoughts to Taiko. But, Sakai Port..." "Mu really understands." "This matter must not be leaked to other people. You just need to know what I know, understand?" "yes." "Be sure to remember!" After finishing speaking, Ieyasu left the pavilion and rushed to Hideyoshi's residence with Torii Shintaro who had been waiting under the rockery, leaving only a tall, calm and dizzying Kinoko who was deprived of sleep. back view.