In the Hyogo-no-tsu port area, outside the Ming army garrison area, Hosokawa Masamoto was waiting quietly with a huge team. Behind him were hundreds of carriages, filled with gold, silver and jewelry.
Rare treasure.
Some of them were used to pay tribute to His Majesty the Ming Emperor, some were used to bribe the generals of the Ming army, and some were used to express Japan's apology. In short, this time he came well prepared and almost emptied the shogunate's treasury.
The amount of silver alone was as much as three million taels.
We have no choice but to come over and sue for peace. If the fighting continues, the shogunate will really be doomed.
Many wealthy families in the Kanto region were swept away by the army led by Wang Shouren. They were unable to protect themselves and had no way to send troops to help the shogunate.
Here in China, according to the news received by the shogunate, just today, Zhou Fangguo, the ancestral land of the Ouchi family, was breached by the Ming army. Ouchi Yoshihiro was killed in the battle, and the Ouchi family was basically finished.
The Nizi family and the Maori family had already hooked up with the Ming army a long time ago, and now they are feasting on the soup, using fine wine, delicious food, and beauties to reward the heavenly army of the suzerain country who came from afar.
The daimyo of Kyushu and Shikoku were frightened, and the Seto Inland Sea was blocked. Even if they had the will, they could only rely on the little organized strength of the daimyo around the Kyoto area.
But the shogunate did not dare to fight at all. The 5,000 heavy troops of Hyogo no Tsu were gone in just one day. If they fight again, the tens of thousands of troops will not be killed by the Ming army. It is better to be wise and decisive.
Surrendering to the Ming Dynasty preserved the power of the shogunate and could also serve as a deterrent to the daimyo everywhere.
Once Kyoto and Muromachi were captured by the Ming army, the last strength of the shogunate was gone, and the era of the Muromachi shogunate was truly over.
"These should be built with cement. This cement is really magical. It's incredible that such a tall wall has been built in just a few days."
Hosokawa Masamoto looked at the outer walls outside the Ming army camp. These outer walls were built in the past few days, using cement and building materials from the ruins of Hyogo no Tsu Port. Tens of thousands of troops
A five-meter-high wall was built easily.
Naturally, the defensive power cannot be compared with that of a tall and thick city wall, but with a wall in front of it and well-placed forts, it can still easily defend against the enemy's attack.
"The equipment of the Ming army is so sophisticated. They are all wearing armor. The steel that is consumed to build these armors alone may not be enough for our entire Japanese country."
Then Hosokawa Masamoto looked at the neatly arranged Ming troops wearing armor and couldn't help but sigh.
The production of steel in this era was very low. This was true for the Ming Dynasty, the Japanese Kingdom, and even the entire world. Those who could afford to wear armor in the Japanese Kingdom were people with status and status, such as daimyo and generals.
, nobles and the like, ordinary samurai, ashigaru and the like are simply not qualified to wear armor.
On the one hand, it is because of the privileges, but the more important reason is because the cost of armor is high and the production of steel is scarce. The price of steel is extremely expensive. It would be good for ordinary people to get a samurai sword.
So when he saw all the Ming soldiers wearing armor made of steel, he couldn't help but sigh like this.
"Those are artillery pieces~"
Soon, his attention shifted to the cannons on the fort. The muzzles of the cannons were covered with cloth, and there were a large number of Ming troops guarding them.
During the battle of Hyogo-no-jin, he received a detailed report. The Ming army did not have too much contact with you at all. The artillery on hundreds of battleships opened fire at the same time, plowing the entire Hyogo-no-jin to the ground.
Therefore, Hosokawa Masamoto couldn't help but be jealous of such artillery. If he had hundreds of such artillery in his hands, it would be easy to deal with the Ming Dynasty everywhere.
Perhaps when the time comes, we can coerce the emperor to order the princes, and finally learn from Sima Yi in the Three Kingdoms, and it is not impossible to change the dynasty.
His mind wandered a little far and he thought a little too much.
However, he did not wait too long. The heavy wooden door of the military camp where the Ming army was stationed was slowly opened, and groups of Ming soldiers came in neat steps.
"The envoy of Japan~"
Then a eunuch accompanying the army walked out unhurriedly, looked at Hosokawa Masamoto and others, opened his throat, and shouted in a sharp voice.
With the reform of the military system, civilian officials no longer command the army, but the eunuchs who accompany the army have not changed. The eunuchs who accompany the army represent the emperor, and their status is still very high, and they have the power of supervision in the military camp.
Hearing this voice, someone proficient in Chinese around Hosokawa Masamoto hurriedly translated. Hosokawa Masamoto's thoughts were also brought back to reality. He quickly arranged his clothes slightly, lowered his attitude, and followed in.
In the huge military tent, British Duke Zhang Mao sat carelessly on the main seat, with Liu Jin standing on his left.
Soon, Hosokawa Masamoto came here with a few people. When he saw the British Duke Zhang Mao sitting on the throne, he quickly saluted respectfully and said: "Japanese minister Hosokawa Masamoto pays homage to the angel of the kingdom~"
The people led by Hosokawa Masamoto bowed deeply to Zhang Mao, their heads lowered so low that their waists were almost straight.
"No gifts~sit down."
Zhang Mao nodded slightly and said.
(It should be noted here that the ritual of kneeling and worshiping was not popular in the Ming Dynasty. Except for particularly grand and important matters, general ministers did not need to kneel to the emperor, superior ministers and the like. The most important thing to do is to kneel down.
The serious thing is that for future generations, you must kneel down first no matter what the occasion is, so don’t complain here about why you don’t kneel down.)
Hearing Zhang Mao's words, Hosokawa Masamoto breathed a sigh of relief. It seemed that the British man was still very talkative. He had already inquired about Zhang Mao's situation before he came.
After Liu Jin heard what Hosokawa Masamoto said, he took a closer look. This Hosokawa Masamoto was considered a powerful minister. Together with several ministers, he controlled the power of the shogunate and eclipsed the shogunate.
He is considered one of the real leaders of the shogunate now. I didn't expect him to come in person.
"What's the matter with you coming here?"
Zhang Mao looked at Hosokawa Masamoto equally carefully, and then asked calmly.
"I'm here to apologize~"
Hosokawa Masamoto replied.
"Excuse me?"
"What are you guilty of?"
Zhang Mao immediately laughed and knew that he had come to apologize.
"I came here to plead guilty to the Ming Dynasty on behalf of the Japanese country. Our shogunate failed to restrain the great names of various places and offended the power of the heaven above. As a result, His Majesty Long Yan, the Emperor of the Ming Dynasty, was furious and issued a heavenly punishment. This is really what he deserves."
What Hosokawa Masamoto said was very sincere. In fact, in the final analysis, this matter started because the Japanese shogunate and the Ming Dynasty were jealous of the wealth of the Ming merchants. They levied heavy taxes, looted merchant ships, and killed the Ming merchants, so they attracted the thunderous wrath of the Ming Dynasty.
.
This is not just what Hosokawa Masamoto thinks, but the entire Japanese nation thinks so at this time.
The Ming Dynasty has always been the suzerain state of the Japanese country. The two countries have been friendly for generations. The Ming Dynasty has always been very good to the Japanese country. If it is a trivial matter, the Ming Dynasty will not use force against the Japanese country.
Now it was the Japanese country that offended the Ming Dynasty's power first, so it angered the Ming Dynasty.
When Liu Jin heard this, he couldn't help but smile. He also had to sigh in his heart. Daming, a good old man, had a very good image in the past.
Although there are reasons for this, the real reason is that these people from the Japanese country have touched the interests of the Ming Dynasty. This Japanese country has an important geographical location and is the only place to go to the Golden Continent.
Coupled with Japan's market and huge gold and silver reserves, even if these things did not happen, Ming Dynasty would sooner or later find an excuse to deal with Japan.
"Representing Japan?"
Liu Jin on the side smiled and asked: "Can you represent the Japanese country?"
When Hosokawa Masamoto heard Liu Jin's words, he was slightly startled, and then looked at Liu Jin carefully. Liu Jin was very young and also wearing a red official uniform.
He still knew something about the Ming Dynasty. Officials at different levels wore different clothes, so he could still recognize them.
The young man in front of me is already a fourth-rank official at a young age. He has a bright future. There are only a few of them in the entire Ming Dynasty. Looking at Zhang Mao next to him, he doesn’t seem to think there is anything wrong with what Liu Jin said.
, he immediately guessed Liu Jin’s identity.
Liu Jin, the number one scholar in the twelfth year of Hongzhi last year, is now a popular figure next to the Emperor of Heaven and a disciple of an expert.
"If I reply to Mr. Liu, I should be able to represent the Japanese country."
Hosokawa Masamoto thought for a while and said seriously.
"No, you cannot represent Japan."
Liu Jin shook his head and said: "As far as I know, there is only one person who can represent your Japanese country from ancient times to the present, and that is your emperor. Of course, in our Ming Dynasty, we are called the Japanese king."
"Only the Japanese king can represent your Japanese country. As for you, at most you can only represent your Muromachi shogunate."
"Judging from the current situation of your Muromachi shogunate, the area controlled by your Muromachi shogunate is only the Kyoto area. You have no control or influence at all over other parts of the Japanese country."
"Furthermore, as far as I know, your shogunate's general conquering the barbarians seems to be a puppet. Maybe you can't even represent your shogunate. How can you represent the Japanese country?"
What Liu Jin said was reasonable and well-founded, and he even bluntly said that you, Hosokawa Masamoto, are a powerful minister. The meaning behind his words is also very clear, that is, you are not qualified to represent the Japanese country, but you are qualified to negotiate with our Ming Dynasty.
Zhang Mao on the side suddenly brightened up when he heard this, and then smiled, Liu Jin was there to save trouble, and he simply gave this Hosokawa Masamoto a head start.
If you want peace talks, you can find someone who can truly represent your Japanese country. You, a powerful official, are not qualified at all. You are not even qualified to negotiate.
"this….."
Hearing Liu Jin's words, Mr. Hosokawa Masamoto couldn't help but blush. Liu Jin's words were too direct. They directly poked at the current pain points of the shogunate. They also poked at his vital points, Hosokawa Masamoto.
He was indeed a powerful minister, and he had indeed taken over the shogunate. The shogunate was also declining, and he had little influence or control over the Japanese country.
Naturally, he cannot represent the shogunate, and the shogunate cannot represent the Japanese country.
"Master Liu, our shogunate has always been the true ruler of the Japanese country. Although His Majesty the Emperor is the monarch of our Japanese country, he has never participated in the government. All affairs have been handed over to our shogunate."
"As for Master Liu saying that our shogunate is a puppet, this is even more nonsense. Our shogunate has always been the most supreme and holds great power. This time, I was ordered by the general to come here to plead guilty to the Ming Dynasty on behalf of the shogunate.
."
Hosokawa Masamoto thought rapidly in his mind.
This powerful minister cannot admit it under any circumstances. No matter what, the shogun is still the supreme leader of the shogunate, and there are still many daimyo in various places who are loyal to the shogun.
He also needs to continue to pretend to be a loyal minister of the shogunate to control the power. He must not bear the bad reputation of a powerful minister, otherwise it will be difficult to clear himself in the future.
"I don't care about that, and I have no interest in paying attention to such trivial things about your Japanese country."
Liu Jin smiled, not caring who has the final say in your Japanese country.
"If you want to negotiate peace with our Ming Dynasty, you can~"
"After all, our Ming Dynasty is the suzerain state of your Japanese country. We, the Ming Dynasty, and the Japanese country have always been friendly for generations. This time it is because your Japanese country has offended the power of our Ming Dynasty, so we came here."
"Our original intention is not to do anything to your Japanese country, nor do we want to interfere in your Japanese country's internal affairs. We just want to tell you that those who offend our strong men will be punished no matter how far away they are!"
Then Liu Jin thought for a while and said slowly.
Well, the attitude must be clear, the status of the suzerain country must be made clear, and the Japanese people must know their status. The suzerain country is the suzerain country, and the vassal country is the vassal country. There must be an order of hierarchy.
"Then I wonder how your lord can negotiate for peace?"
Hosokawa Masamoto heard the meaning of Liu Jin's words and asked quickly.
"If you want peace talks, you must have someone with equal status come forward. Let me tell you a few things."
"First, your Japanese king must come to us in person to plead guilty. In the negotiation, your Japanese king must participate. Only the negotiations that he participates in will be recognized by our Ming Dynasty. After all, your Japanese king is the Japanese king who has been canonized by us. At the same time,
He is also the monarch of your Japanese country."
"Second, your shogunate must also come in person to plead guilty and participate in negotiations. Since your shogunate is now the actual ruler of the Japanese country, your shogunate must come."
"Third, considering that your shogunate currently has very weak control over the entire Japanese country, the daimyo from various places may not recognize the agreement signed by your shogunate and our Ming Dynasty. Therefore, you, the Japanese king and the shogunate, must summon the daimyo from all over the country to come together to participate in the peace talks.
."
"Only if the Japanese kings of your Japanese country, the generals of the shogunate, and all the great names of your Japanese country have come, then this peace talk will be truly equal, and it can represent the peace talks between your Japanese country and our Ming Dynasty."
"Otherwise, we will not have any form of peace talks with you. Our Ming Dynasty is the suzerain state of your Japanese country, and your Japanese country is our vassal state. I hope you can correct the status and attitude of your Japanese country."
Liu Jin thought about it carefully and put forward four prerequisites.
It's okay to talk, but you must have people from your Japanese country who can really speak, and people who can truly represent your Japanese country.
The Japanese king was the nominal monarch of the Japanese country. During the Han Dynasty, he accepted the canonization from Emperor Guangwu of the Han Dynasty. Similarly, during the Sui and Tang Dynasties, he also accepted the canonization from the emperors of the Sui and Tang Dynasties.
For a long time, the Japanese country has always been in the name of the Japanese king when getting along with the Ming Dynasty. The Japanese king is recognized by the Ming Dynasty and is also the only monarch of the Japanese country recognized by all the Japanese people.
Negotiations are impossible without the Japanese king.
As for the shogun, although the current shogunate general Ashikaga Yosumi is a puppet, the shogunate is now the de facto ruler in name. What can we do without this general?
In order to prevent these Japanese people from not recognizing the peace talks in the future, Liu Jin also asked the daimyo from all over the country to participate in the peace talks. In this way, everyone would come, both in name and in fact.
Can truly represent the Japanese nation.
Only then will the agreement signed by both parties be truly effective.
"Yes, that's how it should be~"
When Zhang Mao heard this, he immediately nodded solemnly and said.
It was indeed the right thing to take Liu Jin with him. If Zhang Mao had come by himself, he would probably have made peace with Hosokawa Masamoto in front of him if he had not considered this aspect. This would not only mean that he would lose his identity, but also
It is to let Daming lose his identity.
He currently represents the Ming Dynasty and is the emperor of the Ming Dynasty. If he wants to talk to him, there must be an equal from the Japanese country.
This Hosokawa Masamoto is just a powerful minister, what qualifications does he have to represent the Japanese country, and what qualifications does he have to negotiate peace with himself.
Thinking of this, Zhang Mao couldn't help but give Liu Jin a thumbs up in his heart.
Liu Jin felt Zhang Mao's change and smiled slightly.
This kind of thing has basically become inertia in later generations. The exchanges between countries pay attention to reciprocity, and there are many things that need to be paid attention to in diplomacy. This kind of operation can only be regarded as a basic operation.
Of course, Liu Jin's request was a bit embarrassing for the shogunate. The shogunate itself had weak control over the Japanese country, and the shogunate's orders were ignored by the local daimyo. It was not easy to get the daimyo from various places to negotiate.
But this is the rule. The Ming Dynasty is the suzerain state, and the Japanese state is a vassal state. It is considered a monarch-subject relationship, so this airs must be put on. If no one of equal status comes over, you will never talk to them about anything.
If you want to plead guilty, that's fine. Let your Japanese king and shogun come together. If they don't come, it's all nonsense. What qualifications do you have as a powerful minister to plead guilty, to represent the Japanese country, and even more to represent the Japanese country to peace.
Ming Dynasty Negotiations.
We don't recognize you at all.
"this…"
After listening to this, Masamoto Hosokawa suddenly started sweating on his forehead. This Liu Jin in front of him must be too difficult to deal with. It was just a negotiation, but a lot of things were brought up.
But thinking about it carefully, it seems that what Liu Jin said is correct. The identities of Zhang Mao and Liu Jin are put here. Can they represent the Ming Dynasty? Can Hosokawa Masamoto represent the Japanese country?
