The Han culture is spreading strongly in Southeast Asia

Chapter 583 Who Will Be the Fig Leaf?

Japan, Osaka Castle.

Shogun Tokugawa Ieharu had been away for almost three months at the persuasion of Lin Shuzhai.

This was an almost obvious evacuation, but Reinstein, who was leading the attack, did not pursue rashly.

The number of troops is still too small, and the Japanese army as a vassal cannot be trusted 100%. At present, they have the upper hand, so it is better to be safe.

After Tokugawa Ieharu left, the one who took over his position in Osaka was the lord of Aizu Domain, Matsudaira Yoshinori. He was the only one among the Tokugawa clan who had experience in command.

Although he kept losing battles against the Chinese army, he was much better than other candidates who were either incompetent or disloyal.

Holding on for three months was also the promise Matsudaira Yoshinori made to Tokugawa Ieharu when he left.

When it came to early November, when the Chinese army used naval guns to blast open the outer city of Osaka, the small inner city of Osaka was no longer possible to defend.

In the inner city, broken cherry trees are dotted with green tiles and white walls. This is the castle tower, the tallest building in Osaka.

This type of architecture, which was inspired by the Tang Dynasty but has a strong Japanese modified style, is a standard feature of every major Japanese town and is also a symbol of the regime.

On the castle tower, listening to the bursts of gunfire in the distance and watching the soldiers holding the red and white sun and moon flags pouring into the inner city, Matsudaira Yosong's face, which was blackened by gunpowder smoke, showed a look of pain.

As his head shook slightly, a wisp of black ash fell from Yuedai's head.

Matsudaira Yosho slowly drew out the one-foot-long short sword he carried with him, and looked at his family elder Tanaka Gensho and said:
"With the shogun so cowardly, the Tokugawa family may not be able to hold on to their empire. I am a descendant of Lord Ieyasu and cannot bear to see that moment, but I am afraid of the pain of committing seppuku. Could you please serve as my kaishakunin?"

Seppuku originated in China. The most famous person involved was Nie Zheng, who killed Han Xianglei, the prime minister, and then cut open his own abdomen and held out his liver, gallbladder, intestines, and stomach with his hands before dying.

Because this way of dying is extremely painful and will cause a person to experience excruciating pain that ordinary people cannot endure before death, it is considered the most heroic way for a real man to die.

There are many effective practitioners in Chinese history, and after the practice was introduced to Japan, it also led to trends.

The most famous person in Japan who committed seppuku was Shimizu Muneharu, who even shocked the monkey Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

However, because it was too painful, not many people in history actually succeeded in committing seppuku, even the most basic one, so the Japanese deliberately added the role of a kaishakunin.

Its purpose is to behead the person who is committing seppuku with one knife before the pain begins to spread and before he makes any struggling movements that would damage his image, thus ending this inhuman pain and maintaining dignity.

Hearing Matsudaira Yosho say this, Tanaka Genxing not only did not dissuade him, but was extremely excited, "Hayi, Donyang, this is an honor for Tanaka. After serving as Donyang's kaishakunin, I will definitely pursue you."

When the family elder Tanaka Genoki heard what he said, the four or five high-ranking samurai of the Aizu clan around him shouted in unison: "Your Highness, we are also willing to pursue the belly!"

However, more of the samurai from the Aizu clan still lowered their heads and remained silent. They only earned a few dozen stones of rice and a few thousand kilograms of brown rice every year. These things were not so valuable that they were not worth committing seppuku to follow him.

Matsudaira Yosho was quite open-minded. He waved his hand, pointed out a few retainers with a salary of more than 500 koku, and then said to the rest:
"The future of the Aizu Domain depends on you. If the Tang army truly intends to uphold the emperor's will and expel the barbarians, then as long as I, a criminal, commit seppuku, the Aizu Domain should still be able to exist."

By the time the war was over, anyone with a bit of common sense in Japan could see that it was inevitable that Japan would fall under the direct rule of China.

At the same time, in this process of submission, except for the imperial family who usurped the throne, everyone else should be able to be protected as long as they do not resist violently. The only difference is the price they have to pay.

With this understanding, the fact that the shogunate army, which had only a few hundred members of the Shogunate Akiyoshi Group and a few hundred soldiers from the Aizu clan, had been able to hold out for almost three months in the battle of Osaka was already very good.

After deciding who would commit seppuku, Matsudaira Yoshinori took one last look at the vast Osaka Castle, feeling deeply saddened.

The Aizu clan was at the forefront of this war, and not only did it suffer heavy losses, it also offended the Chinese emperor.

If he continued to live, the Aizu clan would definitely be the most direct target of attack, but if he died a hero out of loyalty, then in order to win the hearts of the people, the fate of the Aizu clan would most likely be changed.

After figuring all this out, this wise ruler of the Aizu clan, who had historically reformed the ills of the Aizu clan, developed productivity, founded the Nisshinkan to provide education for all, and trained a large number of modern talents for the Kanto region, finally sighed deeply.

With a sigh, Matsudaira Yoshinori wrapped the blade with white linen, arranged it neatly, lifted up the clothes to expose his abdomen, and washed the part where he was going to commit seppuku with clean water.

Several retainers then took off the high-grade torso armor for Matsudaira Yosho and replaced it with a plain white lining for him. Outside the gate, the sound of cannons rumbled, and the dozens of warriors inside the gate had sad expressions on their faces.

"Lord Ieyasu!" In a somewhat tragic atmosphere, Matsudaira Yoshinori shouted and suddenly inserted the short blade into his abdomen.

As soon as a little blood flowed out, the family elder Tanaka Genxing beside him also shouted, and when the pain reached Matsudaira Yoshinori's brain nerves, he chopped off his head with a knife.

After wrongly interceding for his lord, Tanaka Gensho called his son Tanaka Gensai over.

"The Aizu clan will be honored because of us, and the Tanaka family will prosper because of me. You know what to do, so please be my kaishakunin!"

After saying this, Tanaka Genxing immediately committed seppuku, and his son Tanaka Genzai acted as his kaishakunin.

. . . .

"Seppuku?" Zheng Jinshui asked in confusion.

With the fall of Osaka Castle, not only was the Ono Plain where Nagoya was located wide open, but the road to Edo was also open.

What we need to do now is to immediately advance on the victory and then continue to subdue daimyos in various places. Judging from the current performance of the shogunate army from the shogun to the lowest samurai, it is not difficult.

However, when he heard that someone had committed seppuku, and it was a daimyo at that, Zheng Jinshui, who had been with Mo Zibu for many years, immediately became alert.

He was well aware of the impact of such incidents on people's hearts.

Sure enough, when Zheng Jinshui arrived at the Osaka Castle, the bodies of the Aizu Domain Lord Matsudaira Yoshinori and his four retainers, including the family elder Tanaka Genoki, had been neatly arranged.

The blood on their faces had been wiped dry, and many warriors gathered around them spontaneously, with solemn expressions on their faces.

These surrounding warriors included not only those from the Aizu clan, but also those from the various clans in southwestern Kyushu who followed the Zhendong Army.

"Sir, Matsudaira-dono-sama of the Aizu clan died without a farewell song, which is unproper. Please allow me to compose one in his memory."

Koga Seiri, the most active disciple of Yangming School, saw this situation and immediately said something to Zheng Jinshui.

After saying this, he was still afraid that Zheng Jinshui didn't understand the meaning, so he reminded him in a low voice:
"As the representative of the Great Emperor, if you can show proper respect, you will be able to win the hearts of the Japanese warriors.

After all, everyone wants to be a loyal and righteous person, but no one wants to actually be one."

This is a bit confusing and most people don’t understand it, but Zheng Jinshui does.

The Japanese needed a banner to serve as a fig leaf for the entire samurai class, but no one was willing to serve as this fig leaf. So, when Matsudaira Yoshinori took the initiative to serve as a fig leaf, it was the best thing for China and everyone else. Giving Matsudaira Yoshinori respect according to etiquette would benefit everyone.

Zheng Jinshui understood this principle, and Tanaka Genxing, who chose to follow Matsudaira Yoshinori in committing seppuku, naturally understood it as well. That was why he said those words to his son Tanaka Genzai before his death.

Seeing Zheng Jinshui, the big boss behind the scenes, appear at this moment, the tall and 30-year-old Tanaka Xuanzai looked at Zheng Jinshui and shouted:

"My Lord, have you ever witnessed the loyalty of the Japanese samurai? Can the Aizu domain be passed down forever?"

Even though Zheng Jinshui didn't understand this at first, he understood it now after seeing and hearing it. He nodded and said to Koga Seiri, "Write a farewell song for Lord Matsudaira immediately."

Then Zheng Jinshui solemnly adjusted his clothes and bowed solemnly to the body of Matsudaira Yoshinori.

"Lord Matsudaira is worthy of being a descendant of the King of Japan. He is loyal to the shogunate and the Tokugawa family. He is a man of both loyalty and filial piety.

Although Zheng does not approve of such blind loyalty, a real man should always remain useful and serve a true and wise leader, but this is also worthy of admiration.

I will report this to His Majesty the Great Emperor and seek His Majesty's commendation for Lord Matsudaira. I believe His Majesty will be moved when he hears this."

The current direction of public opinion has begun to change again. The propaganda machine of Dayu has begun to praise Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who accepted the enthronement from the Ming Dynasty, and called him the King of Japan.

Toyotomi Hideyoshi also accepted it in theory, so he was given the title of King of Japan. Naturally, it follows that Tokugawa Ieyasu will definitely be recorded as the King of Japan in the future.

After defining the seppuku of Matsudaira Yosho and others, Zheng Jinshui looked at Tanaka Genzai and said, "The Aizu clan will exist forever, and your Tanaka family will also prosper because of your loyalty and righteousness."

Hearing Zheng Jinshui's respect for Matsudaira Yosho, the surrounding Japanese warriors all showed a look of pride on their faces, and Tanaka Genzai even knelt on the spot and bowed to Zheng Jinshui.

"In you, sir, Tanaka saw the greatness of the kingdom. Please allow me to transport the remains of the Aizu clan, Donsho, and my father back to Kanto. I wish to tell everyone about their deeds of loyalty and the greatness of the kingdom."

This is to promote China. It is almost an explicit allegiance, and a very clever one at that, taking both the face and the money into consideration.

Zheng Jinshui glanced at the Aizu Domain Lord Matsudaira Yoshinori and the family elder Tanaka Genoki lying on the ground. As expected, for a Japan that had been away from war for a long time, those who could deal with China for such a long time were quite capable.

"Lord Arima, please prepare personnel to return Lord Aizu's remains to the shogunate with the highest respect.

All captured Aizu soldiers should be spared and allowed to return to Kanto. They have served their lord faithfully and are blameless."

Zheng Jinshui handled the situation beautifully, and he was worthy of being Emperor Mo's direct disciple. He was very skilled in manipulating people's hearts.

On the third day of July, the Chinese Zhendong Army captured Osaka, and then the 45,000-strong army was divided into three fronts, continuing eastward from the north, south and west, approaching the Ono Plain, which was mainly populated by the Owari Tokugawa family.

On the fifth day of July, the Chindō Army captured Nara and other castle towns and arrived west of Nagoya, confronting the feudal troops of daimyo such as the Owari Tokugawa family across the Kiso River.

"Your Excellency, Kamisuke, the Kurume Domain's Yoshitaka Arima has arrived."

The lord of Owari Domain, Tokugawa Munemitsu, was looking out from Nagoya Castle because it was heard that twenty or thirty people were crossing the Kiso River on the opposite side. However, before he could ask, a retainer came to report.

Tokugawa Munemitsu suddenly became excited. He thought that the prince of Kurume Domain, Arima Yoritaka, was here to "abandon the dark and join the light."

"Hurry up and get them here."

But when Arima Yoshiki really arrived, Tokugawa Munemitsu was greatly disappointed. It turned out that he did not come to abandon his evil ways, but to send a corpse.

However, although Tokugawa Munemitsu was originally full of anger, he immediately collapsed after seeing the corpse.

The Aizu Matsudaira clan of the Aizu domain was the descendant of Tokugawa Ieyasu's grandson, Hoshina Masayuki. Like the Owari Tokugawa clan and the shogunate, they were all descendants of Tokugawa Ieyasu and were considered clan relatives.

"Was it the Tang people who killed Kamenosuke? Was it the Tang people who killed Kamenosuke?" Tokugawa Munemitsu shouted Matsudaira Yosho's childhood name and burst into tears.

"Why would they do this? Why would they kill a noble warrior?"

This cry left the surrounding daimyos of the Ono Plain speechless, who were already filled with righteous indignation. What do you think you are doing? This is a war. Do you have to stipulate who cannot be killed in a fight of life and death?
"Matsudaira Donsou committed seppuku. As a samurai, he fulfilled his loyalty and practiced the way of the samurai." Arima Yoshiki shook his head and said.

"That's truly admirable, but the Tang people shouldn't have allowed a traitor like you, Arima Yoriki, to escort Matsudaira-dono back."

Hearing these words, Arima Raiki snorted coldly and immediately retorted bluntly: "Those who say I am a traitor, I am afraid you are the traitors. You don't even know who you are.

We are warriors. A warrior's duty is to conquer the barbarians when outside and to protect the people at home. This is the way to respect the king and repel the barbarians.

The true Holy King in the Eastern World is only His Majesty the Great Emperor of China!
At the dawn of this new era, the Shogun is the pillar of the samurai family of the Land of the Rising Sun, and he should consider the samurai of the Land of the Rising Sun.

If you believe that the so-called emperor of Yamashiro Province is a true holy king, then you should return the power to the emperor and obey the orders of that usurper.

If you know who is the true Holy King of the Eastern World, you should take the initiative to submit to His Majesty the Great Emperor of China.

Now that the shogunate is unable to protect the Emperor and the Land of the Rising Sun and is so ignorant of the current situation, do we all have to become like Matsudaira-dono?"

These words stunned the daimyo present, who were mainly from the feudal domains around the Ono Plain. It sounded really reasonable.

Although Arima Yoshiki spoke with great righteousness, he was still a little scared in his heart.

There are so many people here, and Tokugawa Munemitsu of Owari Domain looks like he has a stupid brain. If he is instigated by someone and orders someone to kill him, his death would be too unfair.

Arima Yoshiki then handed the manifesto written by Zheng Jinshui to Tokugawa Munematsu and said loudly:
"His Majesty the Great Emperor has issued an edict to all the daimyo who guard the Land of the Rising Sun. You must stop abandoning your loyalty and turn to rebellion. You must understand what true loyalty is.

The Zhendong Army will give you five more days to consider your decision. If you still dare to resist after five days, don't blame us for being blind!"

After saying this, Arima Yoshiki was about to leave. However, just as he turned around, he heard a loud shout from behind him.

"Arima-kun, please wait a moment. The Owari Tokugawa family is willing to respect the king and expel the barbarians, and be loyal to His Majesty the Emperor!"

Arima Yoshiki was so frightened that his whole body went numb, but when he heard what Tokugawa Munemitsu said, he immediately breathed a sigh of relief.

He looked back and saw that there was no trace of indignation on Tokugawa Munemitsu's face, but rather flattery.

"Arima-kun is right, Tokugawa Ieharu is unworthy of his position. He is just a branch of the Kishu domain, and his bloodline is not even as good as mine.

Since he is unable to protect the Tokugawa family's world, it would be a good idea to offer the Land of the Rising Sun to the Great Emperor and gain recognition from the Middle Earth for all of us Chinese."

(End of this chapter)