Ming Dynasty: My Father Zhang Juzheng

Chapter 150 Shimazu Family

Satsuma Castle, Kyushu Island.

The warm spring breeze roams through the city, bringing up patches of pink cherry blossoms.

It is April now, which is the perfect time for cherry blossoms to be in full bloom. Cherry blossoms can be seen everywhere on the roadside and in the suburbs.

In a garden behind the city lord's mansion, thousands of double-flowered cherry trees are in full bloom, which is even more eye-catching.

Under the cherry tree, four men sat cross-legged on a small rug.

Sitting in the north direction is the current head of the Shimazu family, Shimazu Yoshihisa. On his left is his second brother Shimazu Yoshihiro, and on his right sits his third brother Shimazu Toshihisa.

Sitting opposite him was his fourth brother, Shimazu Iehisa.

In 1577, after three generations of hard work, the Shimazu family expelled the Ito family, unified Nihon, Satsuma, and Ōsumi provinces, and became the true overlords of Kyushu Island.

Unfortunately, the good times did not last long, and another enemy more terrifying than any before appeared before them - Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

He inherited most of Oda Nobunaga's legacy, unified the four countries last year, and was planning to extend his war to Kyushu Island.

The four brothers gathered together. Shimazu Toshihisa, who always advocated peace, glanced at his brothers and spoke first: "Head of the family, Toyotomi Hideyoshi is now at the peak of his power. Even Tokugawa Ieyasu has temporarily submitted to him. If we fight him head-on, the gains will outweigh the losses."

Shimazu Yoshihisa did not speak. Shimazu Yoshihiro, who was standing beside him, picked up a glass of sake, drank it down in one gulp, and cursed fiercely: "Toyotomi Hideyoshi is just a monkey. He got the position of regent by chance, and he also wants my Shimazu family to submit to him?"

"Second brother, we are only surrendering temporarily. We respect him as the general on the surface, but in fact, we have the final say in these three kingdoms." Shimazu Toshihisa explained hurriedly.

They only listen to the instructions, not the proclamations.

In this way, the Shimazu family did not have to confront Toyotomi Hideyoshi head-on, and its dominant position in Kyushu Island remained as solid as a rock.

Shimazu Yoshihiro curled his lips and shook his head, saying, "This is Kyushu Island, not his capital. If Toyotomi Hideyoshi dares to come, this is where he will be buried."

"Second brother."

Shimazu Suijiu was about to say more, but Shimazu Yoshihiro interrupted him rudely, "Third brother, our ancestors had a hard time starting their business. If we surrender without a fight, how can we face our ancestors?
Back then, my Shimazu family was just a small clan on Satsuma Island. It took three generations of us to fight bravely and sacrifice our lives to defeat the Ito family, the Satsuma family, and the Kanbu family.

We were able to defeat these three families back then, so we may be able to fight Toyotomi Hideyoshi now!"

"It's different. Second brother, you underestimate this monkey Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He is more terrifying than these three families." Shimazu Toshihisa hurriedly explained.

"Third brother, you think too highly of him!"

Shimazu Yoshihiro's face darkened and his voice turned cold.

The head of the family, Shimazu Yoshihisa, who had been silent all this time, suddenly smiled and changed the subject: "Today is a great opportunity to enjoy the flowers. Let's not talk about business. Jiro, Saburo, the two of you are quarreling. Don't make a fool of yourself by making such a fuss."

Shimazu Iehisa also grinned, raised his glass, and suggested: "Three brothers, let me toast to you all for your longevity."

The other three also raised their glasses, clinked them, and drank them all in one gulp.

After drinking, a breeze blew through the cherry blossom bushes, and cherry blossoms danced all over the sky. The fallen petals were colorful and fell on a few people.

Shimazu Yoshihisa spread out his hands, took a handful of cherry blossoms, and then murmured to himself: "It has been a long, long time since we have had a drink and enjoyed the cherry blossoms together like today."

"It's a pity that my father will never be able to see this grand occasion again."

In an instant, the atmosphere at the scene became increasingly sad and heavy.

"Housekeeper."

The other three were infected by the atmosphere and couldn't help but shout out loud, with tears in their eyes.

"What are you doing? You are sad and depressed, and you are acting like a woman." Shimazu Yoshihisa shook his head and was the first to step out of his sorrow. He said, "The spirits of your father and grandfather are watching you from heaven. Hurry up and stop being depressed."

"Yes." The three of them wiped their eyes and straightened their bodies again.

The flower-viewing banquet resumed as usual, with the four brothers asking about each other's well-being and not talking about business, but only about family matters.

How are you feeling lately? Have you gained weight? Is your baby okay?
It was not until dusk that the four brothers left the table.

That night, Shimazu Yoshihisa summoned his second brother Shimazu Yoshihiro and fourth brother Shimazu Iehisa to his bedroom.

The three brothers sat down, and Shimazu Yoshihiro was the first to complain: "We have been living in peace for so many years, and now we don't even have the courage to hold a knife."

"Second brother, you don't have to be too harsh on Nianjiu. After all, he is the only one who has been to the capital and witnessed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's army." Shimazu Yoshihisa soothed softly.

"What does the family head mean?" asked Shimazu Yoshihiro.

Shimazu Yoshihisa did not reply immediately, but turned to look at his fourth brother Shimazu Iehisa and urged him, “Iehisa, tell me what you think. You are also a member of this family.”

"Yes." Shimazu Iehisa was a little restrained, and smiled, then he met their gazes and said what he was thinking: "Toyotomi Hideyoshi occupies the most lucrative Gyeonggi region, and now he has pacified Shikoku and Kii. His military might is so strong that it is difficult for my Shimazu family to resist alone."

"So you mean surrender too?" Shimazu Yoshihiro stood up and asked.

"Second brother, please let fourth brother continue to speak!" Shimazu Yoshihisa waved his hand, signaling Shimazu Yoshihiro to calm down, and then pointed at Shimazu Iehisa and urged: "You continue to speak."

"I think we can ask the third brother to send someone to contact Toyotomi Hideyoshi, secretly train soldiers, and contact the daimyo of Kanto. As long as Toyotomi Hideyoshi dares to invade Kyushu Island, we will make him suffer the consequences." Shimazu Iehisa smiled and spoke very quickly.

As the two men listened, Shimazu Yoshihiro immediately asked: "Who should we contact? Between us and the Kanto lords is Toyotomi Hideyoshi's territory. Besides, those daimyo are old foxes who won't release their eagles until they see the rabbit. How could they listen to us?" "Then I do have an ally." Shimazu Iehisa smiled mysteriously.

"Hurry up and tell me!" the two brothers urged together.

Shimazu Iehisa paused, pointed to the west and said, "Daming."

hiss.
Silence, a deathly silence permeated the small room.

For a moment, the room was filled with cold air, and the candlelight that was bright just now began to tremble.

The silence lasted for a long while, and then Shimazu Yoshihisa gritted his teeth and said, "Iehisa, you know that our war with Toyotomi Hideyoshi is our own business. If we drag the Ming Dynasty into it, we will be enemies of the whole world."

"Head of the family, compared to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the Ming Dynasty is even more of a behemoth. The four islands of Japan are not even as big as one province of the Ming Dynasty. Just think about it, how could Toyotomi Hideyoshi compete with the Ming Dynasty?" Shimazu Iehisa ignored the two people's angry looks and said to himself, "Wherever I've been, the prosperity there is far from comparable to the capital."

"If we can borrow the power of the Ming Dynasty, we can wipe out the Daming Dynasty and unify the entire island in no time!"

The other two didn't say anything, just stared at him.

Shimazu Iehisa knew the two's concerns, so he gave them another choice: "Brother, you have to make a choice. Do you want to submit to Toyotomi Hideyoshi and endure a monkey shitting and pissing on your heads from now on? Or do you want to endure the infamy, cooperate with the Ming Dynasty, and wipe out all the daimyo on the island?"

After saying that, he turned around and waited for the two to make a decision.

After a long while, Shimazu Yoshihisa shook his head and smiled bitterly, "Even if we want to join forces with the Ming Dynasty, their army is too far away to reach us. How can they possibly come across the ocean to help us?"

"As long as brother nods, Iehisa can call them over." Shimazu Iehisa suddenly turned around and grinned at the two of them.

"Really?!" Shimazu Yoshihiro's face was full of disbelief.

Shimazu Yoshihisa nodded, turned and walked out of the hut, and after a while he came in with a tall young man.

Shimazu Yoshihiro and Shimazu Yoshihisa looked at the young man, then turned their gaze to Shimazu Iehisa.

"This is Aineng-kun, a captain of the Imperial Guards of the Ming Dynasty." Shimazu Iehisa nodded and smiled, and introduced each other, "Aineng-kun, this is the head of the Shimazu family, and that is my second brother, Shimazu Yoshihiro, the head of the family."

As for why he came here, there is a lot of reason behind it.

However, just after New Year's Eve this year, Han San called Ai Neng to the small living room of his home.

After the two of them sat down with the etiquette of host and guest, Han San leaned sideways and smiled to warm up the atmosphere: "Oh, this official uniform looks really good on you."

Ai Neng grinned, stood up and clasped his fists, saying, "It's all because of the care of the captain, otherwise how could I wear this new dress?"

"It's good that you understand it." Han San waved his hand at him, motioning him to sit down, and then went straight to the point: "After the Spring Festival, the court will immediately mobilize troops against the Japanese island. What I mean is that you take a few people to the Japanese island to make advance.

If you do this well, you will be able to rise to the top in one step."

Ai Neng lowered his head and pondered for a moment, then suddenly raised his head and asked, "Is this what you meant, young master?"

Han San smiled and nodded, explaining to him with reason and emotion: "Ai Neng, although this job is full of dangers, it is also true that if you are not willing to sacrifice your life, how can you gain wealth and honor? You should understand our expectations of you."

"Thank you for your appreciation, I will take on this mission!"

"Okay, I was right about you. Don't worry, if you make a contribution in this battle, I will give you my position!" Han San was immediately delighted.

After he was in a high position, he also began to cultivate his own confidants. Naturally, he was unwilling to take risks in extremely dangerous matters like this, and he left everything to his confidants.

It worked. He had the merit of recommendation and the ability to judge people, so he naturally cannot escape the credit.

If it fails, the most I'll suffer is the loss of a subordinate, and I can just send another one.

Although Ai Neng knew that this journey was full of dangers, he had no choice but to take a chance for the sake of wealth and fame.

If he doesn't take the risk, not to mention the future position of a thousand households, even his position as a hundred households, which he hasn't even warmed up to, will be unstable.

After hearing the big pancake that Han Sanhua had drawn, Ai Neng immediately replied with a smile, "Thank you for your cultivation," then he stood up and said goodbye, returning home to bid farewell to his wife and children.

He led his troops straight to the Japanese island.

Since he spoke some Japanese, he didn't encounter any major problems on Kyushu Island.

By chance, he also met the fourth brother of the head of the Shimazu family.

Shimazu Iehisa had been to the Ming Dynasty and spoke fluent Chinese. After a few visits, the two became good friends.

After the four men met, Shimazu Iehisa pulled Aineng to the table.

As soon as they sat down, Ai Nengxian said, "As long as you are willing to cooperate with the Ming Dynasty, our Ming army will arrive at Hakata Bay in five days at the latest, and then Toyotomi Hideyoshi's threat will not be a concern."

Shimazu Yoshihisa and Shimazu Yoshihiro looked at each other, but ultimately did not agree immediately.

"For such an important matter, I still need to discuss it with the elders."

"Head of the family!"

"you shut up!"

(End of this chapter)