When the Kumamoto clan was defeated and news of Hosokawa Tadayoshi's death came, all the daimyo who had been advancing immediately retreated.
Everyone was frightened.
Even the most powerful Kumamoto clan was defeated by the Shimabara rebels. They finally put away their arrogance and realized that the situation was getting serious.
What they are thinking about now is no longer how to profit from it, but how to quell the riots and consolidate their own rule.
If the Shimabara rebels are allowed to continue causing trouble, the entire Kyushu Island may be turned upside down.
Since the Shimabara rebels could kill Matsukura Katsuie and Hosokawa Tadori, they could naturally kill other daimyo.
At the moment of life and death, the smallest dirty thoughts are no longer important.
It doesn't matter even if the Tokugawa shogunate takes the opportunity to gain dominance on Kyushu Island.
As long as it can continue its own rule, it is not impossible to be a dog for the Tokugawa shogunate.
Under such circumstances, urgent documents from various daimyo were sent to Matsudaira Nobutsuna.
At this time, the information received by Matsudaira Nobutsuna was far more detailed than that of various daimyo.
"Baga, it is impossible for these untouchables to have iron cannons and the collapse of the country. Someone must be secretly sponsoring it. Send someone to investigate immediately."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna knew very well the virtues of Japanese farmers.
It is naturally very strange that a group of farmers who do not even have all the farm tools now possess large-scale muskets and artillery.
While speeding up his advance, Matsudaira Nobutsuna reported the situation to Tokugawa Iemitsu.
When he led his troops to land on Kyushu Island, he finally got the details.
"Xia Guo's artillery? Can you see it for real?"
The deserters of the Kumamoto clan knelt before him and swore to the sky.
"We can see clearly that the artillery used by those untouchables is exactly the same as the weapons on the boats of the Xia Navy."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna's heart was in turmoil, and Xia Guo's involvement made him feel a little bit of fear.
That powerful country has caused a psychological shadow on him.
What is the purpose of Xia Guo?
In any case, the Shimabara rebels had muskets and artillery, which undoubtedly made counterinsurgency more difficult.
"Send a message to Nagasaki immediately and ask him to negotiate with Xia Guo. This matter must be settled."
Matsudaira Nobutsuna decided to give priority to cutting off the weapons source of the Shimabara rebels.
As long as the Shimabara rebels don't have powerful firearms, it will be easy to counter the rebellion.
Shen Yuanzhi made an urgent appointment with Shen Tingyang, and became furious as soon as they met.
"Master Shen, why are you secretly funding Shimabara's mob?"
Shen Tingyang's face was full of surprise.
"What exactly are you talking about, Mr. Fengxing? Please say it clearly and don't beat around the bush."
Seeing him pretending to be a fool, Shen Yuanzhi was determined to bite him.
"The shogunate's army discovered that the Shimabara mob was using your country's weapons to commit crimes. Master Shen, won't you give an explanation?"
"Oh, so that's what happened."
Shen Tingyang pretended to suddenly realize it, smiled, and didn't care.
"What does this matter have to do with our Xia Kingdom?"
Shen Yuanji was so angry that he almost broke his teeth.
"That is the weapon of the Xia Kingdom! General Da'ao is very angry. If this affects the relationship between our two countries, you will have to bear all the responsibilities."
Nice romance
Shen Tingyang remained calm and composed.
He told a story.
"In our country of Xia, there was a hawker selling kitchen knives. One day, a man bought his kitchen knife, and when he turned around, the man killed someone with the kitchen knife. Sir, what crime should the hawker selling kitchen knives deserve?"
Shen Yuan's job is a bit baffling.
"What do you mean by this?"
Shen Tingyang's face turned cold.
"Our Xia Kingdom sells countless weapons to foreign countries, and the number of people who buy them is even more countless. As for where the people who bought the weapons use them and who they give them to, what does it have to do with our Xia Kingdom? Japan can't even think about throwing dirty water indiscriminately.
Take the opportunity to cause trouble. Otherwise, our country, Xia, will never sit idly by and ignore it."
Seeing that Shen Tingyang refused to admit it, Shen Yuanzhi was so angry that he became angry.
But Shen Tingyang's statement is not wrong.
Unless there is solid evidence, it is really difficult to blame Xia Guo.
After Kamigahara returned home, he immediately reported the results of the negotiations to Matsudaira Nobutsuna.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna, who was experienced in accidents, could tell at a glance that Xia Guo refused to admit it.
Anyone with a discerning eye knows that the weapons of the Shimabara rebels must have been provided by Xia Guo.
But Shen Tingyang is confident.
What's the reason?
This is the great strength of Xia State.
As long as there is no evidence, Japan has no choice but to suffer this dumb loss.
Japan does not dare to fall out with Xia Guo rashly.
No one wants to see Xia's navy come back again.
Once it reaches that point, the Tokugawa shogunate will completely lose its prestige and find it difficult to suppress the heroes.
But with the Natsu Kingdom continuously providing weapons to the Shimabara rebels, can the shogunate still suppress the rebellion?
Matsudaira Nobutsuna inquired in detail about the defeated troops of Kumamoto Domain and learned about the fighting situation at that time.
In addition, the previous naval battle at Tsushima had already made Japan aware of the power of Xia's weapons.
Moreover, the Kumamoto clan, which originally relied on as the main force, has lost its combat capability, which has cast a cloud over the fight against the rebellion.
After thinking about it, Matsudaira Nobutsuna only found one way.
"Send an order to the Satsuma Domain to have their navy blockade the coast of Shimabara and not allow any ships to enter or exit."
Since we don't dare to cause trouble to Xia Guo, we can only cut off the source of weapons for the Shimabara rebels.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna even thought that if the ship transporting weapons from the Xia Kingdom could be captured, and the evidence was conclusive, Japan could take the opportunity to make a big fuss and win back a victory.
There was a storm on Kyushu Island, and the sea was also affected.
The remaining naval forces of the Satsuma Domain were ordered to dispatch, and they were spread all over the sea near Shimabara.
Any passing ship was subject to their inspection.
"Captain, can we rush over?"
A sailboat sailed quietly in the dark sea.
A young man was lying on the bow of the boat, trying hard to see clearly what was ahead.
However, the night was so dark that he couldn't see far, so he couldn't see anything clearly.
But there is no other way.
The navy of the Satsuma Domain has blocked the sea. If they want to deliver weapons and ammunition to the Shimabara rebels, they can only use the cover of night.
Everyone knows the risks involved.
But under the order, everyone did not hesitate and did not care about their own safety.
In order to minimize the noise, the sails on the boat have been removed, and the boat can only move on the water little by little by rowing.
If it weren't for the compass, the people on the boat would have lost their way.
The young man in the lead had a resolute face, observing the situation carefully and praying for a smooth trip.
But what are you afraid of?
Suddenly, a large black mass rushed forward on the sea directly in front.
Immediately afterwards, Japanese chatter began.
"Who is it? Stop the ship immediately for inspection."
The young man's scalp was numb and he shouted quickly: "Turn around and leave quickly!"
In an instant, shouts of death rang out on the originally calm sea.
