Mystery One, Toyotomi's Secret Order

Next, become a daimyo, Guan Bai, or even Taige..." Jin Zhi's tone was slightly sarcasm.

[Note: "Daimyo" is the name of the vassals in the Warring States Period in Japan; in the Warring States Period, no appointment by the shogunate was required, as long as they controlled several counties to several countries, and they could firmly dominate the people of the country, and they were above the rank of the city master, they were the Warring States Daimyo. "Warring States daimyo" has four backgrounds: guardians, guardians, countrymen, and civilians; "Guanbai" is equivalent to the prime minister and regent; , Guanbai's official position was handed over to his son's former regent (similar to the Supreme Emperor; during the Warring States Period of Japan, the emperor's power fell to the side. Guanbai, who was born in a daimyo, is the real ruler.]

On the one hand, Kodama, of course, heard the words in Jinzhi's words; he used Hideyoshi's background and rise to imply that his relationship with his master was like that of Hideyoshi and Nobunaga; Forget that you are a subordinate of a slave.But on the other hand, I understand that the idol in my heart not only has the glorious cause of unifying Japan, but even has the ambition to further dominate China.At the moment, he couldn't hide his admiration and admiration for Hideyoshi for a long time, and his eyes projected a raging flame.

In the eyes of Jin Zhi sitting opposite him, he also knew Du Eryu's reaction.Jinzhi thought in his heart that if Kokodama became his subordinate Hashiba Hideyoshi one day (when Toyotomi Hideyoshi was Oda Nobunaga's retainer, Nobunaga gave him the name), he is not the reincarnated Oda Nobunaga-Japanese Sengoku A great hero with great reputation in history.As long as you make good use of Kodama, you will be able to make some earth-shattering careers.Thinking of this, Jin Zhi inadvertently revealed a smug smile.

The two sides had plans for each other, and after meeting their eyes for a while, Jin Zhi continued: "So, after the first Korean War, Hideyoshi actively launched a plan to go west to China."

"His advisor, Kuroda Kanbei, told him that the main reason for the failure of the Korean War was the failure to stop the reinforcements from the Ming Dynasty from China. If Japan had a powerful fleet at that time, it would have been able to stop it on the Bohai Sea and the Yalu River. And wiped out the Ming Dynasty troops who came across the sea and crossed the river to help. Without the foreign rescue soldiers from the Ming Dynasty in China, North Korea was like a piece of meat on a plate. Hideyoshi accepted the advice of Kanbei and understood the Japanese of the island country. To be able to occupy North Korea for a long time, and even enter the Middle Kingdom, the first thing is to build a huge fleet. First, it can continuously send soldiers and supplies to North Korea across the sea; second, it can emulate the previous harassment and invasion The sea rogues (Japanese pirates) in the coastal areas of China dispatched surprise troops to directly attack and land in China, playing the role of besieging Wei and saving Zhao. However, all plans must rely on a huge fleet to be successful. The only way is to follow the example of the Ming dynasty. Emperor Yongle of the dynasty, build a huge fleet like that led by Zheng He.”

[Note: Kanbei Kuroda is Takataka Kuroda (December 1546, 12-April 22, 1604), a military general of the Azuchi Momoyama era in the Warring States Period of Japan, and also a Catholic daimyo.As Toyotomi Hideyoshi's confidant, he is very active in military strategy and diplomatic work.He and Takenaka Shigeharu (Hanbei) are the most important staff officers around Hideyoshi, and they have a great influence on the process of his winning the world. Later generations are called "two soldiers". 】

"It's just... At that time, the Ming Dynasty had banned the sea for many years, and it had long since stopped building large warships. The related shipbuilding and navigation technology had been lost for a long time because of the sea ban imposed by the authorities. Just when Hideyoshi was disappointed, he was about to dispel this When thinking about it, Kanbei told him a shocking secret..."

Jin Zhi deliberately interrupted the narration, and looked at Kodama's reaction.As expected, the fire in Kodama's eyes fuels his narrative to burn even hotter.So, he continued: "Guan Bingwei told Hideyoshi that the spies he sent to Middle Earth sent back news: It is said that most of the information on Zheng He's voyage back then...in fact... did not disappear from the Ming Dynasty palace. It was just because of some kind of For ulterior reasons... Zheng He's subordinates and descendants were hidden... in a mysterious place. Even the Chinese emperor at that time didn't know about it."

"Kanbei...you really are a remarkable person!" Kodama couldn't help but admire.

"That's right, he is indeed a famous person. After the change of Honnoji Temple, when he heard the news of Nobunaga's death, Kanbei suggested that Hideyoshi immediately negotiate peace with the Mori family, and persuaded Hideyoshi to immediately withdraw his troops and return to the north to fight against the rebels; this is the famous in the history of the Warring States period—— The Great Return of China. Hideyoshi then defeated Mitsuhide Akechi and replaced Oda Nobunaga as the co-lord of the world. Without the officers, soldiers and guards, who would own the world... Maybe it’s not certain?"

[Note; this China was the territory controlled by the Maori clan during the Warring States Period of Japan at that time, around Takamatsu Castle on Honshu Island]

Hearing Jin Zhi's exclamation, Kodama immediately answered: "I would like to be the officer and guard of Mr....to serve Mr. with all my heart and soul."

Jin Zhi was overjoyed when he heard the words, his joy was beyond words, and he blurted out: "Good. Good. Very good. Kodama will thank you for my great career in the future."

"I, Kodama, will do my best for you, sir, and create a big picture."

After a while, after Jin Zhi calmed down a little, he spoke again: "But... Hideyoshi's... Azuchi-Momoyama era... It has been more than 150 years since Zheng He passed away. At that time... even the real Zheng He and the location of the tomb...can't be determined? Moreover, there are constant rumors about the authenticity of Zheng He's tomb. Therefore, Hideyoshi followed the advice of Guanbingwei and sent a large number of dead soldiers, spies and ninjas to various parts of Middle Earth and Southeast Asia...to find The true tomb of Admiral Zheng He and the mysterious place where documents from the voyage may be buried."

"It's just that throughout his life, Hideyoshi... didn't get what he wanted. Of course, he didn't have the opportunity to realize his dream of conquering Middle Earth. However, the large number of dead soldiers who were sent back then discovered the possible location many years later and made this map. But Hideyoshi is dead, the Toyotomi family was defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara first, and then after the Second Battle of Osaka, the Toyotomi family fell, and the world fell into the Edo period dominated by the Tokugawa Ieyasu family. These dead men They couldn't go back to Japan, so they had to stay in Middle Earth and Southeast Asia to take root..."

[Note: The Battle of Sekigahara, September 1600th of the fifth year of Qingcho (October 10, 21), a battle that took place in the Sekigahara area of ​​Mino Country at the end of the Warring States Period or the Azuchi Momoyama Period in Japan. The Eastern Army led by Tokugawa Ieyasu and the Western Army composed of Ishida Mitsunari and others.In the end, when the general of the Western Army Hideaki Kobayakawa rebelled, the war was won and lost within one day. Tokugawa Ieyasu gained the ruling power and established the Tokugawa Shogunate three years later.This battle is also known as "the war that determines the world", and it was the most influential battle in the Warring States Period. 】

Although the story of Jin Zhi was shocking, Kodama was confused, and he looked at Jin Zhi with bewildered eyes.

"Sir. Please forgive me for being rude. Even if you can find the real Zheng He's tomb or the place where the documents are buried according to this outdated map. It's just... It's been more than 300 years, and the shipbuilding technology of that year can't be sent today How will it help us in our future wars?"

Jin Zhi coughed twice, Kodama immediately stopped the next question, sat aside and waited quietly.

"Kodama... have you heard the story of General Tokugawa Ieyasu... "Watching the Azalea?"

[Note: Legend has it that Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and Tokugawa Ieyasu enjoyed the cuckoo bird together, and the bird did not sing.Nobunaga said: "If you want it to call, if you don't call it, kill it."Hideyoshi said: "Make it bark." Tokugawa Ieyasu said: "Wait for it to bark." It shows that the three have completely different personalities.Tokugawa Ieyasu's calm personality finally created the prosperity of the Edo Shogunate. 】

Kodama understood what he was referring to, and replied with a little embarrassment: "Be patient. Wait for "Cuckoo" to call."

"Yes. Patience, Kodama! What is needed most in this future war is patience."

"Yes, sir."

Kodama immediately bowed to Jin Zhi and apologized.

The emperor's secret call

Shanghai in [-]

Jin Zhi waved his hand to show he didn't care.Seeing that Kodama was sitting upright, Jin Zhi spoke again: "These dead men who stayed in China, while looking for the mysterious place, unintentionally... Discovered another secret: In these mysterious places in the legend, apart from preserving In addition to the voyage data of that year’s voyage; there may be another secret hidden: a secret about the true purpose of Zheng He’s last voyage...”

"Aside from looking for the Emperor of China (Emperor Jianwen), doing business, and proclaiming China's national prestige overseas...do you have other intentions other than military diplomacy and trade?"

Kodama was a little confused.Even if he doesn't know much about Chinese history and politics, he will not be naive enough to fully believe what Chinese officials (or even all officials) say.But he also couldn't imagine any reason other than the above-mentioned above-mentioned reasons for going on a voyage with a large organization and a huge amount of money.

"Kidama, what do you think is the "real purpose" of Zheng He's voyage this time?" Jin Zhi asked Kodama.

"Sir, I'm sorry, my subordinates are so inexperienced that I can't answer this question!"

Kodama returned cautiously.Although he did not receive much education.But after working with Jin Zhi for many years, he has gained a lot of knowledge.In order to accomplish the work that Jin Zhi had delivered these days, he did collect a lot of information, and of course he did a lot of homework.It's just that he understands his master's personality, and he won't lightly express his opinion when it's not necessary.

"It's okay. You make a bold guess. I want to hear your speculation." Jin Zhi didn't give up asking.This is the test question he gave to his subordinates.He wanted Kodama to be his future Kuroda Kanbei and Hashiba Hideyoshi.

"It's trade."

Kodama