Chapter 26 Chapter 26 Guan Bai is deceived

The Hakata businessman Shimai Zongfu came back from Korea and came to Sakai Port on the second day of September in the 19th year of Tensho before reporting to Toyotomi Hideyoshi. At this time, Hideyoshi frequently went back and forth between Juledi and Osaka, planning to send troops.Kuki Yoshitaka has been supervising shipbuilding day and night in Ise, and Nagatsu Dazang Shaofu Zhengjia is also actively preparing for the casting of gold and silver coins, and he is responsible for raising military expenses.Hideyoshi secretly ordered to prepare military rations for 480,000 people, so he pre-ordered rice, wheat, millet, etc. for this autumn from wealthy merchants in Yodoya Changan in Osaka and Sakai Port.Needless to say, the goal was to conquer Ming, not just Korea.Led by Hideyoshi, King Li Pan of Joseon, they attacked the Ming Dynasty together.So nothing will go wrong.

At this moment, the Shimai clan returned with a bitter face.He let the ship stop at Sakai Port first, and went to visit Naya Shoan.If he enters the port of Osaka, Hideyoshi's vassals will come out to meet him, so he disembarked at Sakai Port to rest on the pretext of seasickness. The Jiaoan in the Bieyuan of Rushou Palace personally greeted them out of the porch.After he brought the clan into the room, he turned away everyone except Mushi, and immediately asked, "How is it, did the king of Joseon agree?" The clan shook his head, "This is really a big lie, Mr. Nawu."

"A big lie?" "I was taken aback. This is the first time I've seen the so-called worm on the lion's body—the Chinese have completely deceived Guan Bai." "Chinese...you mean Zong Yizhi?" The Zong clan took a sip of the tea brought by Mu Shi: "Okay, it's delicious. Not only Master Zong, but also the brains behind him." "behind?" "Xiaonishi Shejin. North Korea still doesn't think that Guanbai's army will go there. Zongyizhi and Xiaonishi are manipulating these Wanjin." Jiaoan groaned, raised his head in thought.It's not that he didn't think that Ma Shouzong's wife, Yoshitomo, was the daughter of President Xiaonishi, and the clan's income was originally based on secret transactions with North Korea.That is to say, Joseon is the most important customer of the Zongjia, so it can be said that it was Hideyoshi's negligence to negotiate with the King of Joseon through the Zongjia.Jiaoan said: "So, the Zong family is just perfunctory?"

The Shimai clan said: "The people of Sakai Port are also to blame for this, so before I go to see Guan Bai, I must first tell Mr. Nawu. Master Konishi who was born in Sakai Port saw that I opposed the expedition and encouraged me. He said that Guan Bai's expedition was a dream and it would not come true. If he crossed the sea easily, it would turn into a big war, which is terrible!" Deep wrinkles were carved between the clan's tanned brows, and he lit a cigarette. "In the beginning, the envoy of the sect was Yasuhiro Yutani, right?" Jiaoan tapped a cigarette on the ashtray.

"He has a very bad reputation. He looks serious, but he is arrogant and rude. I heard that he is more prestigious than his master Zong Yizhi... Therefore, I will protect Yougu and tell the King of Joseon that this time Yugu is not based on the Zong family. I went as a retainer, but as a Japanese envoy...but the other party was very surprised and said that it never happened." "Yougu should be the envoy to order the King of Joseon to pay tribute." "He didn't seem to mention this matter at all, he only said that Guan Bai had pacified Japan, and he specifically informed North Korea."

"Oh?" "Later, Zong Yizhi was going to Busan by himself, and Guan Bai seemed to be urging him to ask him: Why hasn't the King of Joseon come yet?" "Oh." "But Zong Yizhi still didn't say that he wanted the king to come, he only said that Guan Bai wanted to make friends with North Korea, so he asked the king to send an envoy to congratulate Guan Bai." "I understand," Jiaoan clapped his knees, "I completely understand. Last year, North Korea sent envoy Huang Yunji, deputy envoy Jin Chengil, and monk Xuansu who knew both languages ​​to Sakai Port. Said, just to congratulate the unification of Japan."

"That's right. Monk Xuansu didn't know what he said, so he went back. At that time, he must have asked him to hand over the letter 'Guan Bai is going to send troops to the Ming Dynasty, please ask the king to be the guide' to the King of Joseon. But It turned out that Lord Xiaoxi was doing something wrong! And the other side sent envoys again. Therefore, Guan Bai believed that the King of Joseon could not come by himself, but he had agreed to be the guide. North Korea also thought that Guan Bai wanted to curry favor with them , so there will be more transactions. However, this time I went to Hakata Port by the way, and found that the Guanbai secret order has been received there, and ships are being collected. But what will happen if the army is sent to North Korea?"

Jiao An couldn't help closing her eyes and crossing her arms.Needless to say, the people of Sakai Port, even most of Toyotomi's close ministers also opposed the conquest, so Governor Konishi judged that Hideyoshi would not make an expedition.If the accident of Tsurumong's death hadn't happened, perhaps the president and Soyoshi Tomo were right.However, the death of Hesong changed things drastically.The dispatch of troops, which is closely related to the fate of Japan, seemed to be motivated at the beginning. This is really a great irony!And this responsibility falls on President Konishi, who has a relationship with the Sakai-Hong Kong People's Congress...

"Then, how will North Korea respond if it sends troops to conscript North Korea, Mr. Shimai?" Jiaoan closed his eyes and asked heavily. If Guan Bai believes that North Korea will lead the way for him and let the vanguard land, what should he do if the opponent suddenly attacks at this time?Jiaoan is worried about these. The Shimai Clan shook his head violently, "North Korea is of course on the side of the Ming Dynasty, and they will definitely not regard Japan as an ally." This is more dangerous than imagined.Jiaoan was silent again. The clan's special visit was to inform Hideyoshi of his intentions before meeting him.At this time, the clan also frowned and fell silent, probably wanting Jiaoan to think about countermeasures quietly.After a long time, he asked in a low voice: "What should I do, Mr. Nawu?" Xuan then let out a series of sighs: "There is no way to stop Guan Bai."

Jiaoan still closed his eyes and thought.At this time, light footsteps came from the corridor. "Who?" Jiaoan asked unhappily. "It's me, Weiji." "Oh, buddy, why don't you let me know first?" "Sorry." Weiji gently opened the partition, "There is a person who knows Mr. Shimai's visit." "Know that I'm here?" the clan asked, "I came here secretly... who is that person?" "He said Ti Zong Yizhi, you will know." "Mr. Zong is here?" "Yes, only one young man was brought along, and he also said that he would keep his coming here a secret."

"Are you looking for me, or Mr. Nawu?" "He wants to see both of you." Jiao'an and the clan looked at each other, they didn't expect the key figure Ma Shouzong Yizhi to come.Yoshitomo must have been afraid that the Shimai clan would reveal his secret to Hideyoshi, so he sent someone to secretly monitor the clan's ship. "Okay, call him." Jiaoan said, "Let the companion wait at the entrance." After the man Wei Ji left, Jiaoan said: "This is not Mr. Zong's idea, but Xiaoxi's." "Probably came to teach advice." "Okay, I won't say much. Let you deal with him!" The clan nodded silently. After a long journey, not only his face was tanned, but even his eyes shone with a stern look. Before Zongyizhi came in, the clan and Jiao'an had been thinking about it.Jiao'an is not familiar with Yizhi, but the clan is a family friend with the clan, and the capital of the clan's business comes from the Shimai clan.The clan is of great help to the clan. Zong Yizhi came in under the guidance of his servants.He is not an ordinary businessman, but was allowed to use Hashiba's surname Tsushimamori, but the two people in the room deliberately did not designate his seat, and did not greet him first.You can tell what the two of them are thinking at a glance. Zong Yizhi put down the knife, hesitated for a moment, and sat down with his back to the door. "I'm very familiar with Mr. Shimai, but this is the first time I've met Mr. Nawu." Jiaoan glanced at him: "Is it the east bed of Xiaoxiwu? Old man Jiaoan." "Master Tsushima," the clan immediately turned to him, "Have you forgotten this oath?" With a steady voice, he took out an affidavit from his pocket and spread it out on the tatami. 〖Yizhi has no second thoughts about the clan. If there is something wrong with Yizhi himself and his family affairs, please point out carefully. What the clan said, never tell others.There is absolutely no objection to what the clan said. Yizhi's family gets along closely with the clan and talks about everything. The above items must not be slightly violated. If there is any violation, I am willing to be punished by Brahma Indra, the gods of Japan, the gods of the island, Hachiman Bodhisattva, and Tenma Dazizai.I swear it now. Tianzheng Eighteenth Year, May Thirty Zong to Ma Shouyizhi (drawing and marking) Sincerely Mr. Shimai Clan〗 The clan pushed the paper in front of Zong Yizhi coldly, and said slowly: "Forgot this oath?" Yizhi blushed and replied stiffly: "I haven't forgotten." "Although Zong Yizhi is a great name, he is still a junior of the clan. Why did you break the oath? You have completely kept it from me when you negotiated with North Korea this time. Please make it clear today!" Jiaoan remained calm.But this kind of secret agreement was made public in front of others, Yizhi must feel quite humiliated, and he trembled all over. The clan may have noticed it too: "Don't worry! You are not the only one who gave me the oath. Kuroda Nagamasa and Chikushi Hiromon have also given me. I won't use this to make you lose face, I just want to hear your thoughts, Use Mr. Nawu's strategy. In order to let Mr. Nawu know the relationship between the two of us, I took it out." Yizhi breathed a sigh of relief, and sighed: "If you don't discuss this matter with the two seniors, in case something important happens..." "You lied to Lord Guan Bai? Xiaoxi doesn't understand Guan Bai's nature?" "No, this..." Yoshitomo wanted to defend his father-in-law, "Because Konishi-sama, Ishida-sama, Masuda-sama, and Maeda, Tokugawa, and Mori all opposed this battle, so Konishi-sama and Ishida-sama said , we must stop this plan.” "Ishida Jibu also..." The clan was slightly startled. "Yes! Everyone is against it. No matter how determined Guan Bai is, he will not be able to carry it out. This is a bold statement half-jokingly said at the banquet." "But I heard that Guan Bai has secretly ordered the expedition. What do you say?" "That's why... I'm here to ask for advice, is there any good plan?" "Is it your idea to come here, or Master Konishi Settsu's idea?" Jiaoan asked directly. Yizhi was taken aback: this person knew that he came after discussing with President Xiaonishi.But so far, all parties have been helpless. "Mr. Zong, this is not just a matter of Tsushima, it is not just a matter of Japan. If you are not careful, it will also affect the people of North Korea and Ming Dynasty. Why do you want to deceive Guan Bai about such an important matter? Why don't you tell him clearly: The king of Joseon is not willing to be a guide, so this trip may be more or less auspicious. Maybe Guan Bai will completely change his mind." "It was my mistake!" "It's useless to blame you now. Mr. Nawu, is there a countermeasure?" The clan said. "This..." Jiaoan glanced at the trembling Yizhi, "Mr. Zong may be a little bit reluctant, if Mr. Xiaoxi also objects to the expedition, there is no countermeasure." "Please clarify." The clan said. Yizhi seemed to have forgotten his identity and status, and he leaned in front of Jiaoan and said, "If Mr. Shimai is willing to tell Guan Bai, Mr. Xiaoxi and I will definitely die. Please tell me the plan." Jiao'an somewhat disliked Zong Yizhi, but she didn't hate him either.Everyone knows that Hideyoshi will talk nonsense after drinking and be very rough, this is his habit.Compared with Hideyoshi, Soyoshi Tomo is a careful, kind, ordinary person with a little cunning.Just because this person is familiar with Joseon, he was sent as an envoy, and Jiaoan wanted to blame Hideyoshi for his negligence. "Mr. Zong, if you hope that the clan will not hurt your face," Jiao An said half to the clan, "you go to see Guan Bai first, and say that the situation in North Korea has changed since that negotiation." "The situation is different?" "Yes. That's what you said. Therefore, before sending the army, let you and Konishi Settsu-sama be the vanguard to see if you landed safely, or were you blocked? Then decide the future. In case of abnormalities , still in time to remedy." Zong Yizhi kept watching Jiaoan without blinking his eyes.Let them be the pioneers crossing the sea, so that they can hold their heads high in front of Hideyoshi.However, he knew very well that there would be a war as soon as he landed, and Xiaoxi and him would be wiped out before the backup arrived.That being the case, why bother to go? I only heard Jiaoan continue: "Understood, Mr. Zong. So far, you have not directly told the King of Joseon what Guan Bai said." "yes." "Therefore, North Korea is not very clear about our determination." "yes." "Therefore, Xiaoxi went with you... Even if they lead the army, they will not fight back." "Oh?" "You can tell North Korea that you have no hostility. Landing here should be easier than others." "..." "What do you say, Mr. Shimai?" "That's right, exactly as Mr. Nawu said." "And once it lands, tell the King of Korea about Guanbai's thoughts and Japan's affairs in detail and in detail. In this way, we can decide whether to launch a war." Yizhi didn't want to answer right away.He could imagine that it would be difficult for the King of Joseon to agree to become Hideyoshi's ally and be the vanguard for him to attack the Ming Dynasty. "If this is not the case, there is nothing to say. Can you make up your mind?" Jiaoan urged calmly. "You seem to be dissatisfied?" Zong Yizhi lowered his head when Jiaoan said so.Jiaoan said again: "Of course I will not accept it. However, there is a saying in the world that you will be put to death and reborn!" "Put it to death and then live?" "In the past, you were weak and flattering to the king of Joseon, so the other party would be tough. But this time is different, you have to hold the heart of death." "Is it necessary to die?" "Mr. Zong!" Jiaoan finally smiled, "The other party will think about it calmly when they see that you are determined to die. Everything will start again." "..." "See if the other party is friends with Daming Kingdom or Guan Bai? If he takes Daming Kingdom as friends, quickly find a city to defend, send envoys back immediately, and hold on until the backup arrives. If you lose your life, it means you Losing is no different from today's dilemma." "..." "Guan Bai's idea is very good. But it is your fault that he failed to communicate with the King of Joseon. Guan Bai thought that the King of Joseon could help him attack Daming, but the King of Joseon looked down on Guan Bai and ignored him. It is you who make both sides self-righteous. Therefore, you can explain to the king of Joseon how powerful Guanbai's army is, and you have been working hard for the interests of both parties. In this way, things may turn around." The clan who had been silent all this time also nodded and said: "Besides this, there is no other way." Jiaoan said: "I can't think of a better way. If we don't do this, our army will cross the sea and have a big conflict with the North Korean army... There will be a lot of casualties on both sides, and each is angry and unwilling to negotiate. This is useless. A huge loss that can be made up. It is the most stupid and tragic thing for both sides to fight to the end." "Mr. Zong," the clan turned to Yizhi, "Okay, let's put him to death and survive. In this way, I don't have to mention you and Mr. Xiaoxi to Guan Bai, and I will leave after directly expressing my opinion." Zong Yizhi didn't answer right away.He felt that if he led his army to land in Pusan, he would be doomed at any time before he met the King of Joseon. The clan was stronger than Jiaoan, and said: "I'll go to Daban City tomorrow afternoon to meet Guan Bai. That's it!" "Tomorrow afternoon?" "How can Guan Bai wait for so long!" the clan sternly said, shaking off the soot. Zong Yizhi had no choice but to say: "I'm going to see Guan Bai right away!" He still hesitated to leave, of course, he would go to discuss with Yuezhang Xiaoxixing first. Mushi sends Yizhi away.The two old men didn't want to get up yet.All big businessmen in the world are so arrogant, and Zong Yizhi also regards himself as such. He is respectful on the outside, but he doesn't regard the two of them as colleagues in his heart. "Mr. Shimai, do you really want Mr. Zong to do that?" "Without the consent of Xiaoxi Shejin, of course not. However, Xiaoxi is a person with some vision and will definitely act according to plan." "Oh, but there is no other way." "Yes, if you are not careful, not only Zong and Xiaoxi, but Lord Guan Bai may also be in danger of life." The clan sighed. "What should I do? It seems that everyone knows that you are here." The clan laughed. According to his thinking, since he knew he was here, President Xiaoxi should also come.But the clan was not worried, if Xiao Xi came, he would only speak the same words as Zong Yizhi.He doesn't think that Xiaoxi and Yizhi can calm down the affairs with North Korea if they are pioneers.But if you don't do this, if you cross the sea in one breath, the whole army may be destroyed. "Let's live in your mansion tonight! Maybe this is the last time I see Mr. Nawu." "So, you want to hide the matter of Zong and Xiaoxi and admonish Guan Bai?" "The Shimai clan is also a strong man!" said the clan. Jiao An smiled and clapped his hands: "I am not dissuading you, and you are not the one who can be dissuaded. Let's have a drink tonight and have a good chat." After speaking, he ordered Mushi to bring the wine and food. "Have you heard the ditties that are popular recently?" "No, not at all." "A man named Ronda, suave, plucking three strings and singing songs to attract guests. I'll call him." "Please...you want to listen." Jiao'an ordered Mushi to bring Longda, and carefully looked at the tanned face of the clan.There was no tension on the face of this man who decided to swear to the death tomorrow against Hideyoshi.It would be great if he was sent as an official envoy to see the King of Joseon, Jiaoan felt it was a pity. "Come on, let me toast you again." "Oh, this wine is quite strong." "Guan Bai has sent Kato Kiyomasa to build a city in Kyushu." However, the clan didn't seem to listen, he just praised the fine wine, disregarding life and death.