The Ming Dynasty began from Sarhu

Chapter 672 Ten Wins Ten Defeats
The tenth day of the ninth month in the first year of the Shoho era of Emperor Go-Mōmei.

Ninomaru Palace in Kyoto.

Led by Master Chunshen, the abbot of the Unknown Volcano, Vic Brown and the Liverpool businessman walked through a deep corridor of the imperial palace.

Two Europeans, both as strong as bulls, stepped on the pine floor, which made the chirping sound of orioles.

This is the famous oriole singing floor of Ninomaru, which is said to be designed to prevent assassins from sneaking in.

The British officers noticed the weapons hidden on both sides of the corridor. Those strange weapons emitted cold rays of light, but they could not find where their owners were hiding.

The Liverpool merchant whispered to his companion:
"This is a Ninja from Kyoto."

"In the dark night, the ninja covers his face, blows hidden arrows in the corner, and attacks in the dark. Loyalty is the only thing he has, and smoke is his weapon."

"Oh."

Brown made an "oh" sound, interrupting the merchant's chanting.

"Compared to the ninja, I'm more concerned about where the old monk who killed the wild cat went."

At some point, Master Chunshen, who was walking in front, suddenly disappeared.

Just as I was wondering, the church bells rang overhead:
"The Shogun has arrived, so please don't make any noise."

The two Englishmen looked at each other, shrugged their shoulders, and kept their mouths shut.

They entered a secret room with a door carved with a somewhat stereotypical trefoil.

Vic Brown knew without Cohen's explanation that this was the family crest of the Tokugawa family.

Several murderous warriors at the door searched the two men carefully, from the soles of their feet to their hair, and made sure that they were not carrying any weapons. Then they muttered an apology and extended their hands to invite the British in.

On the screen facing the main entrance, there are several pine and cypress trees painted, symbolizing the eternal prosperity of the Tokugawa shogunate.

There are several wild geese perched among the branches of pine and cypress trees, which means that the general lives in harmony with the daimyo.

This was the place where the Shogun met with daimyo from various domains, and it was also Tokugawa Iemitsu's palace in Kyoto.

The hazy snow-covered pine branches, plum blossoms, and drifting cherry blossoms complement each other, and the flowers, birds, wind, and moon are full of three-dimensionality and the colors are magnificent.

The third shogun, Tokugawa Iemitsu, sat behind a folding screen, surrounded by a group of retainers.

Light and shadow interweave, and an exquisite Venetian mirror hangs on the wall.

Tokugawa Iemitsu had his back to the British, his eyes looking over the high railings, overlooking the city of Kyoto below.

Japan's borders accommodated the newly conquered lands, and the northern Ezo region was taken into the hands of the shogunate.

Ryukyu in the south will soon be recovered by the Satsuma Domain. As for Korea, I believe it will be even easier to take over, just like fifty years ago.

In another month, the armies of the various feudal lords will enter densely populated China.

In Zhejiang and Fujian - the areas most familiar to the Japanese - there are prosperous towns, rolling fields of rice and wheat, mellow wine, rich meat, delicate and slender women, and mountains of gold and silver.

These are all waiting for their true owners.

"Japan has been too inward-looking in recent years,"

Tokugawa Iemitsu thought.

"My father was an overly cautious man. He was intimidated by Liu Zhaosun's tyranny and turned Japan into a hibernating giant snake."

Now it's time to let it bare its fangs and grow wild.

Tokugawa Iemitsu was very dissatisfied with his father, Tokugawa Hidetada, because during his father's reign, Tatarstan imposed the Treaty of Niuguan on Japan.

A great humiliation.

When the general heard that the East India Company was willing to assist in the westward expedition and send representatives, the beast blood running in his bones instantly boiled.

The 42-year-old Shogun knew very well how scarce Japan's material resources were!
Middle and lower-level warriors could only eat two meals a day.

It is said that for the daimyo of each domain, being able to eat carp was a sign of nobility!
Even as the shogun with the highest social status among the samurai, Tokugawa Iemitsu had a simple daily diet.

The Shogun had issued an order prohibiting extravagant food and fancy clothing, and he himself set an example in practicing frugality, limiting meals to no more than two dishes and one soup, and abstaining from alcohol. (Note 1)

Shogunate officials brought their own lunch boxes when on duty. Only those of the rank of elder court could be provided with food after mealtime while on duty, but the food was limited to one soup and five dishes.

Not long ago, when Maori Hidemoto of Yamaguchi Domain was on duty at Edo Castle, he brought a piece of salmon in his lunch box. Everyone thought it was a rare treasure and asked to share it.

The descendants of Amaterasu now really need to go out and rob.

The Tatar-ruled Qi was undoubtedly the best target for conquest.

"China has pomegranate trees with ripe fruits bursting open, beef dripping with fat on barbecue forks, the sunken ground revealing glittering veins of gold, and countless women."

Before he knew it, the Third Shogun was drooling.

The warriors plundered mountains of wealth, herds of cattle and sheep, and women like clouds from China.

Countless luxurious mansions sprang up in Edo.

Groups of Chinese slaves working in chains...

"Your Excellency, General, on behalf of all representatives of the East India Company in Manila..."

Vic Brown spoke a long paragraph in English, interrupting Tokugawa Iemitsu's yearning for a better life.

The translator hurried forward and whispered a few words to the Shogun.

The enthusiasm on Tokugawa Iemitsu's face dissipated a little, and his waist straightened immediately while sitting on the tatami, with an expression on his face as if his father had passed away.

"Oh, is that Mr. Brown from the British Tribulus? How are the preparations for food, fodder, and gunpowder for the Nagasaki Magistrate progressing?"

Brown listened to the translator and spoke in a neither humble nor arrogant manner.

"General, it's England, not English Tribulus. Also, please forgive me for not knowing about Master Machang's deployment."

The shogun's advisers and retainers looked on with skepticism, and the samurai was about to draw his sword.

Tokugawa Iemitsu smiled magnanimously and forgave the red-haired barbarian's rude behavior.

He tilted his head back and stamped his feet on the floor in an exaggerated gesture.

"Mr. Brown, you have come so far and rested only a few days in Nagasaki, so you must be very tired. I am very pleased to see you today. Although Japan has implemented a national isolation order, the friendship between my country and England will continue forever, like the snow on Mount Fuji. Please give my greetings to Her Majesty the Queen."

Brown bowed and replied calmly:
"Thank you, General, for your affirmation of the Anglo-Japanese friendship. I haven't been back to London in fifteen years, and I forgot what kind of tea the Queen likes... Let's get down to business."

The surrounding warriors drew their swords and pointed them at each other, furious.

Tokugawa Iemitsu was a calm and composed man. He inherited the character of his grandfather, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was like an old tortoise in meditation, his emotions hidden from his face. Legend has it that Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu were walking their bird together, but the bird never chirped.

Oda Nobunaga said: "If it doesn't bark, then kill it and see if it barks again."

Toyotomi Hideyoshi said: "You don't have to kill them. If they bark, give them a reward. If they don't bark, punish them. That way they will definitely bark."

Tokugawa Ieyasu said slowly: You don’t have to do anything, just wait, it is a bird, it will sing sooner or later.

When everyone was furious and wanted to kill the British, Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandson said leisurely:
"I have heard from the Nagasaki Bugyo about the purpose of Mr. Brown's visit. I heard that you have some opinions on Japan's westward expedition..."

The British officer bowed to the Shogun, ignoring the hostile looks in the room:

"Yes, I think there are some loopholes in your war plan."

"As far as I know, the population under the control of the Tatars exceeds 50 million, three times that of your country. The Tatars have 50,000 cavalry, 150,000 infantry, and thousands of warships. Their artillery can fire far and accurately, and their firepower exceeds that of all European countries. They control the Ryukyu Islands and are colonizing Australia, which has become a restricted area for Europeans. They will sell Europeans as slaves..."

There was an uproar in the room, and the counselors and retainers all looked sideways at the rude British man with hostility.

Tokugawa Iemitsu smiled without saying anything, signaling his retainers and guards to remain calm.

"Mr. Brown, are you saying that Japan can't defeat the Tatars? That I, the general, can't rid the world of the rebellious Qi?"

Vic Brown nodded noncommittally.

Tokugawa Iemitsu laughed and said, "Hahahaha, Japan has five provinces and seven routes, with over 270 countries. The feudal domains have a total of 300,000 troops and horses, all of which are fully engaged in the westward expedition. 300,000 versus 200,000, the advantage is on my side."

Hearing that the advantage of 300,000 to 200,000 was in my hands, Vic Brown couldn't help laughing.

Hattori Hanzo Masashige, who was kneeling beside Tokugawa Iemitsu, suddenly drew his sword and stood up.

"Go to hell!"

Tokugawa Iemitsu loudly rebuked:

"It's important not to be rude!"

Hattori Hanzo retreated in disappointment.

"Mr. Brown, you don't know much about the Tartars, and you're frightened by their overwhelming strength. There's no need to be."

Vic Brown looked surprised.

The Shogun explained:
"In ancient China, there was a battle between Liu Bang and Xiang Yu. Liu Bang was weak, while Xiang Yu was strong. Liu Bang relied on his wisdom and ultimately won. Therefore, as a general, you should use your wisdom more."

All the retainers looked at the Shogun with admiration.

Tokugawa Iemitsu inherited the position of Shogun for three generations by relying on his wisdom.

When Tokugawa Iemitsu was young, his mother Ae despised him, and his father, General Hidetada, was deceived by his fox demon wife and also despised his son.

Those servants, samurai, and daimyos from all over the country are all fence-sitters who change with the wind.

Seeing that the shogun favored Iemitsu's younger brother Kunimatsu, they flocked to Tokugawa Kunimatsu. At that time, Tokugawa Iemitsu could not even get a piece of fresh whale meat.

Fortunately, at the critical moment, in order to consolidate his rule, Tokugawa Ieyasu made a decisive decision and confirmed the position of Shogun for the third generation of Iemitsu.

Then, his younger brother Tokugawa Kunimatsu committed suicide inexplicably while on a trip to Ueno Takasaki.

Edo literati liked to compare Tokugawa Iemitsu to the Japanese Li Shimin.

Perhaps he was boasting that the general would achieve great achievements like Emperor Taizong of Tang.

"Now I think that if the Tatars lose ten times, Japan will win ten times."

Tokugawa Iemitsu recalled Guo Jia's theory of ten victories and ten defeats in the Romance of the Three Kingdoms, and explained it in detail to his British allies:

"The Tatars are strong in arms and horses, but in reality they are a spent force. The traitor Liu is extravagant and extravagant with his elaborate rituals and ceremonies. Soon after he usurped the throne, he built Tianxin City, exhausting all the resources of the world. I follow the natural course and practice frugality, eating only one saury per meal. This is a better way."

"The Tatars rebelled, abolished the imperial examination system, and massacred all the scholars. I followed their lead and treated the daimyo of the various domains with great favor and showed a love for scholars. This is more righteous than the other two."

"The late Ming dynasty was characterized by harsh government. The Liu family imposed harsh punishments and laws, often confiscating property, exterminating families, and massacring countless people. His policies changed daily. I have implemented benevolent government throughout the country, and everyone understands the rules. This governance surpasses the three."

"Liu is a traitor with a generous exterior but a jealous heart. He employs people with suspicion, employs people with suspicion, and employs people he employs despite his suspicion. All of his former Kaiyuan subordinates have either rebelled or died, leaving only one in ten alive. Even his brother-in-law was killed... But I only recruit people with talent. Whether they are down-and-out samurai, remnants of the Toyotomi family, the emperor's lackeys, or Catholic cultists, as long as they have real talent and knowledge, they will be valued by the shogunate. This is better than the other four."

"Liu the traitor cannot distinguish between loyalty and treachery, is trapped in the love affairs of his children, and is greedy for women. He has been taken advantage of by his enemies many times. He is a womanizer. I am not interested in money, nor do I care about women. I just like to wield swords and eat tempura. This kindness is better than the other five."

"The ministers of Tatar Qi fought for power, spreading slander and causing chaos. They killed each other, and the Shenyang Rebellion was laughed at by the world. I ruled my subordinates wisely, using both kindness and severity. I compiled the Kan'ei Code, which confirmed the right to serve the public and stipulated that the samurai must study the 'civil, military, archery and horsemanship'. This clearly surpasses the six."

······
"I have these ten victories, Liu Bang has these ten defeats. Defeating Tatar Qi will be as easy as pie."

The British officer listened to the translation patiently, still confused.

All the retainers said in unison:

"The general has foresight, and Japan can rest easy."

Tokugawa Iemitsu suppressed his inner joy and said to the Europeans with a look of pity:

"Mr. Brown, in the East, war isn't just about paper strength, or one or two cannons. Tatarstan is a paper tiger. Ultimately, victory or failure depends on the people's hearts. Do you understand?"

"The traitor Liu has committed atrocities in China, and has long incurred the wrath of Heaven and the hatred of the people. I, under the order of the Emperor, am raising an army to attack him. Just as when King Wu conquered King Zhou, the Tatars' defection at the last minute was foreseeable."

"The day we land in Korea will be the day Tatar Qi collapses, so I hope the East India Company can add icing on the cake. I have ordered the Shimabara and Satsuma clans to attack first. In the next few days, I will personally lead the shogunate army, cross the sea from Kyushu, and head to China to kill Liu Zhaosun with my own hands and avenge my father..."

Before the Shogun could finish his words, a hoarse and old voice suddenly came from the door.

"General, there's no need for you to go to North Korea. He's already here."

Everyone looked towards the door, and the person who came was Nagasaki Bugyo Baba Toshishige.

"Who?"

Tokugawa Iemitsu didn't care about his subordinates' rudeness and said with a look of surprise.

"Liu Zhaosun has already reached Kyushu. Lord Nabeshima committed seppuku..."

Tokugawa Iemitsu was not afraid at all. Instead, his eyes were filled with excitement, as if a vampire smelled fresh blood.

"Lord Nabeshima is a true samurai."

"A spent crossbow cannot penetrate the silken cloth of Lu. The end of Tatar Qi has come. I will go to Jiuzhou and kill Liu Zhaosun with my own hands!"

"I will also kill him to avenge my master."

Smoke swirled above everyone's heads, and the 121-year-old Master Chunshen walked out of the Venetian mirror hanging on the wall, as if from another world.

Note:
1. The "Old Affairs Consultation Records" which records the testimonies of shogunate officials states that Tokugawa Iemochi's usual "meal consisted of white fish, broth, salted vegetables, and one other dish, and occasionally two other dishes." He "often ate boiled tofu and ate a simple and plain diet." He "also ate pickled vegetables, pickled plums, etc."

(End of this chapter)