Daming talker

Chapter 772: What to do with Ieyasu? (Part )

Tokugawa Ieyasu even considered what to do if he was defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara, but he did not consider that the Ming army far away in western Kyushu would advance thousands of miles and head straight for Osaka.

At this moment, no Japanese military strategist would consider the army far away in western Kyushu as a priority.

The reason is very simple. It feels too "far away" in thinking, and it will take some time to reach Kinki.

It's like if you go to Kyoto from Owari or Mino, you certainly won't consider whether the daimyo on Kyushu Island will send troops to stop you.

Moreover, in the past seven years, the Ming army stationed in Western Kyushu has been very "honest", just collecting silver and protecting Konishi Yukinaga, and not participating in the internal affairs of Japan at all. The Japanese did not expect that the Ming army would suddenly take action.

Tokugawa Ieyasu looked at Toyotomi Hideyori who was still in a daze and Lady Yodo who had a strange look on her face, and was thinking of saying a few harsh words to calm the situation.

But the six major retainers of the Tokugawa family all ran over in a hurry and dragged Tokugawa Ieyasu to the meeting.

Sitting down, Tokugawa Ieyasu couldn't help but lament, "After fighting in troubled times for a lifetime, can't I just enjoy myself?"

As the discussion began, the retainers immediately formed two opinions.

Honda Tadakatsu, whose golden statue was destroyed in Korea, gave a very practical suggestion: "The Ming army obviously came with ill intentions, and it is meaningless for our army to fight to the death in Osaka.

You may as well retreat first and fight again after you have gathered your forces. Don't start a war lightly without more than 50,000 troops."

On the other side, the red demon Ii Naomasa said: "How can you retreat from Osaka just because you hear the sound of wind and rain? How will the people of the world view your lord?

What's more, the Ming army's intentions were unclear, and they were not necessarily hostile to our army, otherwise they would not have killed Mori Terumoto.

We should defend Osaka first, and then find out the purpose of the Ming army and discuss countermeasures. "

Others agreed with Ii Naomasa and said, "Osaka is a city that Taiko carefully built. It is the strongest city in the world and has a moat to rely on. It is enough for our army to defend it.

If you want to retreat from Osaka, where else is better to hold on than Osaka?

Besides, Lady Yodo may not be willing to leave Osaka, so what will the lord do?"

But Honda Tadakatsu countered: "Although our army can hold Osaka, there are still Toyotomi's direct retainers and hatamoto in the city.

They are not of the same mind as our army, and internal strife is likely to occur. How can we be assured of holding on?"

Tokugawa Ieyasu sighed deeply again and summed up the opinions of the retainers on both sides. One side was to run away first, while the other side was to hold on first. In any case, no one said that they should go to fight.

In other words, everyone believed that with only 20,000 men on hand, they would definitely not be able to defeat this Ming army.
Tokugawa Ieyasu, who is 58 years old this year, never imagined that human joy would be so short-lived.

He had just been in Osaka Castle, which was built by Taiko himself, for half a day, and wanted to savor the joy of victory.

He also planned to discuss with his nominal lord Toyotomi Hideyori and Lady Yodo Chacha whether the country should be managed on behalf of others or jointly managed in the future, and whether the power should be returned after ten years.

As a result, the fierce Ming army was about to attack, waking people up from their sweet dreams. It was really outrageous.

In the end, Tokugawa Ieyasu adopted Ii Naomasa's advice, "Defend the city and investigate the motives of the Ming army!

If the San-no-maru fence can't hold up after the battle, don't waste time fighting and retreat decisively to the Ninomaru!"

In order to ensure the absolute safety of Osaka Castle, Toyotomi Hideyoshi built fortifications over a decade before his death.

It is estimated that Taiko did not expect that Tokugawa Ieyasu might be the first person to use these fortifications.

Of course, with Japan's national strength, its defensive fortifications were just so-so, including the castle tower and the two city walls of Honmaru and Ninomaru.

Later, Taiko expanded the San-no-maru and moved it closer to the rivers in the north and east, but this level could only be served as a fortress with wooden boards and fences.

In addition, three moats were dug, which were not found in other cities.

In the eyes of the Japanese, Osaka Castle, which was able to achieve this level, was naturally the most impregnable and invincible castle in the world.

However, Lin Tailai commanded the Ming army to march quickly along the Shanyang countries. Of course, it was not a blind advance, and he made a lot of preparations in terms of logistics support.

In the previous six or seven years, Konishi Yukinaga had been setting up spies and shops between western Kyushu and Kinki, and now they can provide assistance to the army.

At the same time, the navy advanced eastward along the northern shore of the Seto Inland Sea together with the Ming army, providing various supplies in a timely manner along the way.

On the way, he also asked Konishi Yukinaga to deliver letters to nearby daimyos and powerful families, claiming that he was going to Osaka to mediate the internal strife of the Toyotomi family and safeguard the rights and interests of the young lord of the Toyotomi family.

Most of the daimyo and powerful families in the western part of the country were the losers in the Battle of Sekigahara, so they would naturally be happy to see someone go to Osaka to stir up trouble, and it would not pose any obstacle at all.

When the Ming army passed through the territory of Ukita Hideie, one of the main figures of the Western Army and one of the five elders designated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, that is, Bizen Province, they happened to meet the "receiving official" sent by Tokugawa Ieyasu. The result is self-evident.

The retainers of Ukita who stayed in Bizen Province also assembled two to three thousand miscellaneous soldiers and followed the "Konishi Army" to Osaka.

Therefore, Lin Tianshuai was not so anxious during this long march, and he was still in the mood to chat with Konishi Yukinaga.

"I heard that Madam Yodo's name is Cha Cha, and her mother A-shi is known as the most beautiful woman in the Warring States Period? Have you seen her?" Lin Tianshuai asked casually.

Konishi Yukinaga answered in bewilderment, "What do you mean by the most beautiful woman? I have never heard of such a term."

Don't get me wrong, Lin Tailai just wanted to confirm whether the "most beautiful woman in the Warring States Period" was a character created by later generations.

However, Konishi Yukinaga thought to himself, since Tianshuai mentioned this topic, could it be that he already has lustful thoughts?
He really didn't think this was just wishful thinking, Tian Shuai had a very serious criminal record.

Speaking of which, if Mrs. Yodo is willing to be slept with by Tian Shuai, it would be a very good start of a strategy.

During the turbulent times in Japan, the atmosphere in this regard was very open. It was not shameful for a woman to devote herself to a strong man for the sake of her son's power. Instead, it represented the establishment of a trusting relationship.

If he could gain the trust of the Toyotomi family through Lady Yodo, he would be considered to have achieved a certain level of righteousness.

Seeing that Lin Tianshuai was in a good mood, Konishi Yukinaga asked tentatively, "What exactly do you want to do by sending troops this time? Do you want to help the Toyotomi family?"

In that direction there are forces directly under the Toyotomi family and Tokugawa Ieyasu's main camp. Who should we fight?
Lin Tailai raised his arms and shouted with a playful smile: "What else can I do? Go to Luoyang! Do I need a reason to go to Luoyang?"

Konishi Yukinaga: “.”

Going to Kyoto means going to Kyoto, not Osaka! Although Osaka and Kyoto are not far away.

No, you are a foreigner, what are you doing here? You think this is a game mission!
Lin Tailai pointed to a flag and said to Konishi Yukinaga, "The one that's printed is your family crest. Can't it be considered as sending you to Luoyang?"

Konishi Yukinaga said timidly: "Forget it, forget it, I am not worthy of Luo."

Lin Tailai joked: "When the Sixth Heaven Demon King Oda Nobunaga went to Kyoto from Owari, it looked very lively and desperate, but in fact the distance was only 200 miles, which was within the Ming Dynasty.

This time you traveled from Western Kyushu to Kinki, the road was much longer than that of Oda Nobunaga!
But you have no ambition, so I have no choice but to go to Osaka first."

Konishi Yukinaga sighed helplessly. Tianshuai's biggest flaw was his arrogance. He had no respect for people and culture from other countries.

On the last day of September, half a month after the Battle of Sekigahara, Konishi Yukinaga's "mercenaries" arrived outside Osaka Castle.

There are rivers to the north and east of Osaka Castle, and coastal wetlands to the west. Only the south is flat, so the army was stationed five or six miles south of the city.

Toyotomi Hideyori and Lady Yodo's most trusted retainer, Oono Harunaga, climbed up the castle tower and looked out, and saw a powerful army that was completely different from the ones at home. He had never seen so many armed cavalrymen in his life, like large patches of dark clouds, galloping back and forth outside the city, constantly driving away the townspeople outside the city who were in the way.

Hundreds of chariots were pushed out and formed a formation facing Osaka Castle, and then cannons were unloaded from the chariots.

"Is this the Ming army that made Tokugawa Ieyasu panic?" Oono Harunaga murmured to himself.

When Tokugawa Ieyasu heard that the Ming army had arrived, he wanted to climb the wall of Ninomaru Castle to observe. When he was halfway there, he heard the earth-shaking sound of artillery fire.

Any Japanese who has been to Korea and seen or heard this kind of indiscriminate bombing can immediately feel that the unique flavor of the Ming army is so pure!
Under the persuasion of his retainers, Tokugawa Ieyasu returned to his residence, Nishinomaru, in Osaka Castle for safety.

However, just as Tokugawa Ieyasu sat down and drank two cups of tea, Honda Tadakatsu came running over to report: "The San-no-maru has been broken! The entire army has retreated to the Ninomaru!"

Tokugawa Ieyasu: “.”

The retainers immediately consoled him, saying, "Don't panic, my lord! San-no-maru is made of wooden fences and planks, so it certainly can't withstand the artillery fire, but Ninomaru will be able to be defended!"

After the Sannomaru, the outermost fortress of Osaka Castle, was broken, the Ming army stopped its offensive.

Immediately, Konishi Yukinaga sent a messenger into the city, inviting Toyotomi Hideyori, Lady Yodo, and Tokugawa Ieyasu to meet at Tennoji, three miles south of the city, and guaranteed the safety of all parties.

Konishi Yukinaga also stated that his purpose of coming to Osaka was to mediate the internal conflicts within the Toyotomi family.

The next day, Lady Yodo, who was grasping at straws, and Tokugawa Ieyasu, who wanted to calm things down, were both invited to Tennoji.

Konishi Yukinaga asked Lady Yodo curiously, "Is His Highness Hideyori not here yet?"

Lady Yodo replied, "Your Highness is young and weak, so it is inconvenient for him to travel."

Lady Yodo loved her beloved son very much and would not let Toyotomi Hideyori leave the Honmaru of Osaka Castle easily.

After all, the Honmaru was guarded by samurai directly under the Toyotomi family, so it was relatively safe. Outside the Honmaru, all the troops were Tokugawa troops, so it was impossible to be safe.

Anyway, Toyotomi Hideyori was only eight years old and didn't understand anything, so Konishi Yukinaga didn't say anything else and invited Lady Yodo and Tokugawa Ieyasu into the inner room.

The three of them sat down in front of the screen, then were served tea. They exchanged a few pleasantries and said that the tea was good.

Lady Yodo, who was more straightforward, was the first to lose control and asked Konishi Yukinaga, "Are you here to repay the Toyotomi family for their kindness?"

This question was a bit life-threatening. Konishi Yukinaga secretly glanced behind the screen and said bitterly: "Regarding the kindness of the Toyotomi family, I have already repaid it in Korea. This time I came to Osaka only for the great cause of peace in the world."

Tokugawa Ieyasu ignored Lady Yodo's face and said directly to Konishi Yukinaga:

"Ishida Mitsunari and his men colluded with the daimyo to start the war, which was the source of the chaos in the world. Now that the main culprit has been killed, the world can finally be at peace."

Suddenly, someone behind the screen laughed and said, "Tokugawa Ieyasu, did you kill Ishida Mitsunari with the consent of your lord?"

Then he sternly reprimanded, "Without Toyotomi Hideyori's permission, and without the consultation of the five regents and five elders appointed by Hideyoshi during his lifetime, killing Ishida Mitsunari is no different from treason."

This voice sounded extremely familiar to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Before he could think about it, he saw a pair of bright eyes emerging from above the screen.

It turned out that there were two people sitting behind the screen. One of them stood up and was taller than the screen, so he could be seen without going around the screen!

"Lin Tailai!" Tokugawa Ieyasu cried out.

Among all the strong men who could rub against me in my life, this is the only one who is still alive!

This guy is 25 years younger than me, and under normal circumstances I would definitely not be able to survive him.

Konishi Yukinaga felt like a pimp, and whispered to Mrs. Yodo, "This is Lin Tianshuai from the Ming Dynasty. He is very sympathetic to the Western Army and comes here to uphold justice."

Mrs. Yodo looked up at the majestic giant who suddenly appeared, her eyes shining with wonder.

However, after Lin Tailai glanced at Mrs. Dian with interest, his heart skipped a beat!
What the hell! Lin Tailai quickly looked away, looked at Tokugawa Ieyasu, and forced himself to change his tone:

"However, the lord is too young to manage affairs, and Ishida Mitsunari is tyrannical and has the intention to act rashly. He deserves death! In an emergency, it is understandable that he is executed first."

These words were faithfully translated by another person behind the screen, the interpreter Shen Weijing.

President Konishi was completely confused. Which side are you on, Lin Tianshuai?
He was originally scolding Tokugawa Ieyasu, but why did he quickly change his attitude after taking a look at Lady Yodo?

Do you think Lady Yodo is ugly and so you lost interest in helping her suppress Tokugawa Ieyasu?
But Tianshuai, you are so erratic that it is difficult for Konishi Yukinaga to speak as your spokesperson!

Lin Tailai suddenly lost interest and said, "Xiao Xi, you should be in charge of the mediation. I will go back to the barracks first."

Seeing that the life-saving straw was speaking for Tokugawa Ieyasu, Lady Yodo took the initiative to speak in a hurry: "I am willing to go back to the barracks with Marshal Tian to discuss major policies."

The meaning is self-evident, and anyone who knows it as a man will understand it.

Lady Yodo was not a chaste and virtuous woman. Many scandals about her were openly circulated when Toyotomi Hideyoshi was still alive. For example, many people believed that Toyotomi Hideyori was not Hideyoshi's biological son.

But Lin Tailai ran away without looking back, and waved his hand to refuse: "Ah, no thanks, really no thanks."

Even the well-informed Tokugawa Ieyasu was at a loss. What was going on? What should he do?
But as soon as Lin Tailai returned to the military camp, he saw Konishi Yukinaga chasing after him.

Lin Tailai asked, "I asked you to mediate between Lady Yodo and Tokugawa Ieyasu and force them to give up their interests, but why did you follow me back?"

Konishi Yukinaga accused him, "Tianshuai is so irresponsible! Why don't you want Lady Yodo to sleep with you?"

Lin Tailai said with great resistance: "Why do I have to sleep with her?"

Konishi Yukinaga said dissatisfiedly: "Didn't we come up with a best-case scenario before?

If you sleep with Lady Yodo, you can gain the trust of the Toyotomi family and then force Tokugawa Ieyasu to give up the interests you want!

In the future, the Toyotomi family will be protected within a certain range, and until Lord Hideyori comes of age ten years later, they can start a civil war with Tokugawa Ieyasu.

Mrs. Yodo, who was rejected by you, is so ashamed and angry that she wants to commit suicide! This seriously undermines our strategy. How can we mediate from now on?"

Lin Tailai couldn't help but think of Mrs. Yodo's thickly powdered white face, the thick false eyebrows painted on her forehead, and her small black mouth.

It is said that this makeup style has been handed down since the Heian period and is only worn by upper-class ladies.

This makeup was just too horrible. Lin Tianshuai sincerely apologized to President Konishi and said:
"I'm sorry! I just can't do anything to the noble ladies of your country. I can't do anything about it."

Konishi Yukinaga felt that his national dignity was insulted, and he could no longer bear it and asked, "What's wrong with Madam Yodo? She's only thirty years old, isn't she? Is she not as good as Kim Sunbin of Korea? Can't the Marshal sacrifice himself for the greater good?"

Lin Tailai said helplessly: "If there is really no other way, can Madam Yodo wash off her makeup and come here without makeup and try it?"

Konishi Yukinaga sighed, "If I don't put on makeup, it would be too disrespectful to Tianshuai! But if Tianshuai doesn't mind, I will advise Lady Yodo to come to see me without makeup."

Lin Tailai said repeatedly: "No problem, no problem! If even your bare face doesn't work, it will always work after dark when you blow out the lights!"

(End of this chapter)