The Ming Dynasty: A Modern Return, Building an Overseas Empire

In Tosa, Hosokawa Ono, the Hosokawa clan's representative here, paced back and forth anxiously.

"My Lord, please order the army to assemble immediately and notify the Guardian of Shangshui. Only by uniting can we resist the Ming army."

At the same time, please immediately recruit able-bodied young warriors from within the country, unite with the clansmen of Iyo and Kawachi, and report to the governor as soon as possible. With the strength of Hosokawa, we can face the Ming army.

However, if the commander is severely damaged, the clan leader will inevitably be affected, and the family may be implicated. Please protect them without hesitation!

Hosokawa Ono listened to his aide's words, but showed no sign of relief.

"I have already sent someone to deliver a message to the commander and to contact Hosokawa Kamisui and the others in Awa."

You say we should mobilize a large army to defend, that's fine, but can we be a match for the Ming army?

Even if all the tenant farmers were gathered together, they were still Ming soldiers!

Look at the messages that came back to you. They're huge ships that you can't even see clearly, and you can't see the end of them at a glance.

Did you know that you couldn't see the seawater on the ocean, only the Ming army's warships and flying flags?

Even though the Yuan Dynasty was so powerful, it was still destroyed by the Ming army. Even when they fled to those harsh and cold places, the Ming army continued to hunt them down!

Look at North Korea, the country that destroyed Goguryeo. Now, it doesn't dare to make the slightest move in front of the Ming Dynasty and bows down to it.

We were defeated by Goguryeo several times back then, and now the Ming army has come directly. How do you tell us how to fight them?

Hosokawa Ono felt hopeless about life, as if he could see his own death approaching.

He had no idea what Ashikaga Yoshimochi had gone mad about, wanting to provoke the Ming Dynasty when the Ming army was so powerful.

In his view, the Ming army's large-scale attack was caused by Ashikaga Yoshimochi.

Thinking of this, Hosokawa Ono felt a surge of resentment.

"It's all the general's fault. If he hadn't done those things, this unwarranted disaster wouldn't have happened..."

"Keep quiet! That's a general; don't speak lightly!"

Hosokawa Ono had no choice but to shut up; he couldn't afford to offend the Ming army, nor could he afford to offend Ashikaga Yoshimochi.

At this moment, the aide spoke up again: "Sir, we can explain the situation to the shogunate and ask the general to mobilize the three commanders, the four officers, and the troops from the capital region. This may be able to resist the Ming army."

Hosokawa Ono nodded impatiently and waved for them to hurry up and get to work.

However, Hosokawa Ono was not happy at all, and remained frowning.

His mind was filled with thoughts of the overwhelming Ming army; what should he do if they attacked?

It's no use asking anyone for help now; they won't be here anytime soon.

As for the navy, Hosokawa Ono didn't send a single small boat.

Knowing they can't win, why go and give away their lives? Do they think they have a lot of people?

If he really had more soldiers, he wouldn't be so worried.

He had heard about how skilled and brave the Ming army was in battle.

Thinking about all this, Hosokawa Ono realized that he could no longer sit idly by and wait for death, otherwise his death would really be imminent.

Upon realizing what he was thinking, Hosokawa Ono immediately ordered a large amount of gold and silver to be prepared and dispatched ships without any weapons to head towards the Ming army.

It is still unknown whether the Ming army is coming to attack them. Although the possibility of them attacking is very high, Hosokawa Ono really wants the Ming army to fight in a different place.

For example, places like Hyuga, Kii, and Izumi—as long as they don't attack him first, Nishikawa Ono thinks the money is well spent.

The Ming army fleet, commanded by Zhu Gaochi, continued its eastward advance without any sign of stopping.

Just as they were driving, Sheng Jian hurriedly walked over.

"Your Highness, the Japanese pirates of Tosa, Hosokawa Ono, have sent a large amount of gold and silver, saying that they will do their best to help if needed."

Subsequently, the gold and silver jewelry sent by Hosokawa Ono was carried to Zhu Gaoxu.

Zhu Gaoxu looked at the several boxes of gold and silver jewelry in front of him, and his lips twitched.

He genuinely hadn't expected to have such an unexpected gain.

Zhu Gaochi only glanced at the gold and silver before losing interest, because in his eyes, everything in Japan already belonged to him.

He's just temporarily having those people keep it for him.

After a moment's thought, Zhu Gaoxu summoned Wu Liang.

"Go and talk to the people from Japan. During the talks, you need to understand the situation in Japan and the purpose of this Hosokawa Ono."

"Yes, Your Majesty, I obey!"

Zhu Gaoxu smiled as he watched Wu Liang leave.

Hosokawa Ono sent someone here; isn't this a perfect opportunity for him to gather more detailed intelligence about Japan?

As for personally meeting him, he's just a Japanese pirate; the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty wouldn't stoop that low.

After a long while, Wu Liang returned and immediately told Zhu Gaoxu the news he had gathered.

When Zhu Gaoxu learned of Hosokawa Ono's purpose, he revealed a rather unpleasant smile.

"Wu Liang, send someone to see Hosokawa Ono and tell him..."

Zhu Gaoxu gave Wu Liang repeated instructions before finally letting him leave.

It's rare for them to come on their own initiative, and given their behavior and the information they've gathered from within Japan, he's not going to let this opportunity slip by.

When Hosokawa Ono received Zhu Gaoxu's reply and personally gave a high-level reception to the people sent by Zhu Gaoxu, the heavy weight in his heart was completely lifted, and a smile reappeared on his face.

But that big rock won't disappear either; it will still move.

As Zhu Gaochi's massive fleet continued eastward, after passing Awa, the Hatakeyama clan of Kii's smile froze on their faces, and they began to panic.

Within Kii Province, Hatakeyama Mitsuke listened in stunned silence to the news of the arrival of the massive Ming fleet, his breathing becoming rapid.

I originally thought the Ming army was going to attack the Hosokawa clan, who were both among the three kanrei (military commanders), so they were not on good terms.

The Hosokawa clan was powerful, and he desperately wanted them to be attacked and suffer heavy losses.

There are problems within the Hatakeyama clan now. Hatakeyama Kitamasa just launched a rebellion, making life difficult for the family. Now they are about to be attacked by the Ming army.

If the Ming army were to attack them, they would definitely attack the capital.

If they were to go to Kyoto, Awa, or Kii, one of them would inevitably be cleared out by the Ming army.

The Ming army is clearly targeting him instead of attacking Awa and Tosa!

Thinking of this, Hatakeyama Mitsuyoshi's eyes were filled with fear.

"Someone! Quickly send a message to the capital: the Ming army is launching a massive attack! We request reinforcements!"

"A message has been sent to the head of the Hatakeyama family (Mitsuke Hatakeyama): Ming troops are attacking Kii!"

"A message to the Commander (Hatakeyama Kitayama): Kii requests backup!"

"Send word! All tenant farmers in the country, assemble immediately and await orders!"

The navy was immediately dispatched to prevent the Ming army from attacking!

The army immediately went into defensive formation. Hurry!

Hatakeyama Mitsuyoshi frantically made arrangements, but those outside were even more terrified, especially after seeing the overwhelming fleet that blotted out the sky; they were completely disoriented.

These aren't Ming soldiers, they're clearly heavenly troops!

Inside Kyoto, Ashikaga Yoshimochi was enjoying the hospitality of the women around him, completely neglecting state affairs.

Just then, news of the Shimazu clan arrived first, startling Ashikaga Yoshimochi, who immediately summoned the shogunate officials to begin discussions.

However, just as they sat down, news of Hosokawa Ono and Hatakeyama Mitsuke arrived one after another, startling everyone and filling them with fear.

But that wasn't the end of it; Hosokawa Ono brought even more despairing news.

Zhu Gaochi, the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty, personally led the Ming army here!

Everyone knew very well what it meant for a prince like the Han King of the Ming Dynasty to personally lead his troops.

Except for Ashikaga Yoshimochi, everyone swallowed hard, trying to moisten their dry lips and throats.

However, Ashikaga Yoshimochi laughed upon hearing the news.

"Haha, great! You've come at the right time!"

Since the Prince of Han of the Ming Dynasty has personally led his army here, then defeat him!

The Ming army is nothing but a paper tiger; what is there to fear?

If we want to become a great power and a suzerain state, we must start by defeating this Ming army!

We must show the Ming Emperor that we can make the neighboring countries submit to us!

Ashikaga Yoshimochi's arrogant words left everyone dumbfounded, their hearts seemingly skipping a beat, and some even having their minds go blank.

What did they hear?

Did Ashikaga Yoshimochi want to defeat the Ming army? To subjugate the surrounding countries? To subjugate the entire Ming Dynasty?

Are they dreaming, or is Ashikaga Yoshimochi still asleep?