◇ ◇
Celebration 7 Years (1602) April 10 -
Kuroda Rushui was already inside Kyushu around that time when Tokugawa Jiayang had declared that he would also open the Edo Shogun next year in a reputation opened at Edo Castle.
He did not base his actions on Tsukima Fukuoka Castle, where his son Nagataka Kuroda was located, but on Tsukagata Yamashita Castle, close to Yanagawa Castle, which he rented from Yoshimasaka Tanaka.
Regardless, there was some goodwill to annoy my son, Changzheng Kuroda, in this operation about whether to run into him head-on with Jiayang Tokugawa, but the part is huge because Yoshizheng Tanaka is the same Christian believer and it's easy to ask for things. Yoshimasaki also replied, lending Rushui Yamashita Castle, which had already been decided to abandon by this time. Of course, at this time, "as Toyotomi Hideyoshi's nominee, I want Tokugawa Uchi to provide me with a place to be his base in order for me to take over the next position in Kyushu", and I never said that to confront Tokugawa Jiayang.
For this reason, Yoshimasaka Tanaka, a good man, was the same Christian, and for the famous Rushui Kuroda, so he lent me the castle.
Entering Yamashita Castle, Rushui quickly moves into action.
Firstly, he ordered his immediate vicinity, Kyuro Inoue's right guard and his mother Tai Wei, to gather as soldiers those who were prisoners in the vicinity, just as they did during the battle of Sekigahara.
The money was obtained from Hideyoshi when Rushui left Osaka Castle. Here in Kyushu, there have also been many prisoners out since the Battle of Sekigahara, and the number gathered quickly exceeded a thousand. At the same time, the prisoners were given the task of maintaining Yamashita Castle, and the ruined Yamashita Castle, on the brink of the abandoned castle, regained its appearance, once numbered fifteen castles after its construction and said to be a fortress of insurmountable defeat.
With regard to food at this time, there is no particular problem, as part of the territory of Kiyoshi Kato in Kumamoto Castle is still left as a hidden land (the heavenly realm of the Toyotomi family), without the knowledge of Jiayang, from which it is to be put out.
It should also be noted that the holdings in this pure land exist in historical fact, and the stone height actually reached 30,000 stones, so it can be questioned how loyal and valued Kiyoshi Kato was to the Toyotomi family. It should also be noted in historical fact that the income from this enclave was sent to Osaka Castle annually to discipline.
And in the midst of gathering the prisoners, the other side, Yoshisuke Kuriyama, was instructed to approach Yoshihiro Toshiyuki, his father-in-law. Yosuke took a letter from Rushui and left for Toyoko Mortar Castle.
Furthermore, he himself decided to first ask to Somo Tachibana, who is at Yanagawa Castle. The purpose of the visit was to negotiate a peaceful settlement, but from the attitude of Jiayou, it just seemed that the hope had already been extinguished, and the essence was to discuss the future.
………
……
Celebrating 7 Years (1602) April 13th -
Rushui Kuroda came to a meeting with Somo Tachibana at Yanagawa Castle.
In addition to the two of them, Yufukoranobu, the lead elder near Somo Tachibana, and his son Yufukoranobu, Yufukoranobu, were also present at the meeting, along with Shigeki Ono, the chief minister, and Lianzhen at ten o'clock.
When Rushui bowed his head to Somo Tachibana, who sat in front of him, he quickly cut out the story.
"As Toyotomi Hideyoshi's name, I came here to discuss the future.
First of all, I want to visit Tachibana.
Are you going to be a Tachibana in the future?
In response to Rushui's inquiry, Zongmao answered without changing Rin's standing.
"That is what Shirah loves about this people of the Willow River. And he thinks that both the sleeping temple of his wife, Chiyo, and the castle she loved must be preserved.
I'm not leaving this Willow River Castle, no matter who says it. "
In such a stubborn and straight attitude, Rushui glanced into Somo's eyes with his upper eyes.
"I don't care what anyone says... bye...
So even if Mr. Yuan's elder, the Tokugawachi Prefecture, says that if you don't turn over the castle, you can help or take it away...
As he put it, Kono Makoto, who was holding back beside him, pinched his mouth to raise his anger.
"Tokugawa or Toyotomi, if you want to take it with strength, try it!! One of these Japanese seven spears, Kazumi Ono, will deal with you!!
Yubu Yushin single-handedly took control of Zhenxi, who was so sudden.
"This, Lord Zhen Yue. That's not what makes it so obvious.
Nothing, Lord Rushui, would you seriously say that Lord Tokugawa will attack this Yanagawa Castle?
Isn't that right? Such as the Water Palace. "
That word is calming, but its eyes shine sharply. But Shinnon also seems to have the temper to "stand even if Tokugawa tries to attack" again. And the same seemed to be true of Lian Zhen at ten o'clock, who stared at Rushui with almost no expression, and Yubu, the only son of faith, who seemed to be like Rushui, as everyone here was united in unanimous solidarity with "unconditional surrender and so on".
And Rushui answered the only question of faith honestly.
"Unfortunately, Lord Tokugawa is seriously going to attack Yanagawa Castle."
"... when are you...?
And, at ten o'clock, Lian Zhen quietly snaps.
"We march for many months (September) and this would be surrounded by the great army of Tokugawa, for example at the beginning of the Divine Moon (October).
Either way, Lord Tokugawa is preparing to clean up this Willow River Castle during the year. "
So far as Rushui said, Somo Tachibana, our Lord, looked strange and stuck to Rushui.
"Why tell us more about Lord Tokugawa's inner form...?
Then it seems as if you are advising us to start preparing for the battle in a flame… "
"No, I wanted to tell you that if I were to surrender...
If that's the case, it doesn't seem to bother you at all. "
"Despite all your efforts, I am sorry that I only have answers such as this because of all the stubborn followers"
and Zongmao lowered his head gently.
It looks like pounding and rain is starting to fall outside, and the sky is covered in thick clouds.
It was dark in the room when it was noon, and the atmosphere was heavy, and dark.
Rushui continued against Zongmao, who was just saying that no further discussion was futile.
"Tachibana... this time, surely there may be no sardine that your lords will bow their heads to Tokugawa.
But as a reality, the battle ahead, staged at Willow River Castle, tormented many people and sacrificed the young.
The responsibility is heavy, and you see it as a sin enough to apologize to the heavens, but how about it?
sounded to rise the scene, because Makoto Ono, who dyed his face bright red, tried to cling to Rushui. Yubu parents and children are desperately controlling it.
However, Zongmao, who was the person at the time when he was hit with words that could be taken both as questions and threats, answered with a smile on his mouth rather without changing his position as Rin.
"Hehe... you're exactly right"
"So you're going to be apologized for... is that okay?
"If that makes the land of the Willow River stable and peaceful, look as low as you can under the sky."
In response to Zongmao's answer that Kono Zhenxiao is not convinced that
"Your Highness!? What is that all about!!
Didn't you decide resolutely to defend this Willow River Castle!?
And I stuffed it in Zongmao. Whether it is words alone, the body is restrained by Yubu parents and children in desperate shapes.
Zongmao replied calmly to such Ono Zhenxiao.
"Don't get me wrong, Zhenxi.
The person I apologize to is Hideyoshi Toyotomi... that is, Hideyoshi Toyotomi, not his minister, Jiayang Tokugawa.
And the apology and appeasement of Willow River Castle is a completely different story... "
Then Rushui gave a single letter to Somo.
The sender's name...
Hideyoshi Toyotomi...
Zongmao changed his expression the moment he saw it and opened the letter.
There, I would like to offer the main relief to the Toyotomi family if it means dedicating myself to serving the people of Yanagawa in the future for the sake of Tahei Tianxia.
For this reason, two things were written: I would like Osaka and Fushimi to send me an apology envoy for the previous battle.
In other words, as a Toyotomi, if you send an apologetic messenger, it doesn't matter if the main government is relieved.
Of course, there is no Tokugawa Jiayang's name here, and his intentions are not reflected at all.
While the neighbors turned and read the script, Zongmao stumbled on Rushui.
"This letter... do you know Lord Tokugawa?
"No... something I don't know."
"So if Lord Tokugawa refuses to relieve the main government despite sending an apology envoy from the Tachibana family as per this letter… what happens?
Zongmao narrows his eyes and stares at Rushui's eyes. His eyes were sharp, and he had the same hegemony as when he was on the battlefield.
"That... will divide the opinions of Tokugawa and Toyotomi..."
"If Lord Tokugawa, the king of heaven, has enlisted against the will of the long and rich minister of heaven, let us not call him a rebel."
And, Zongmao quietly makes the fighting spirit look like. So at last, Makoto Ono also seemed to understand the purpose of this meeting, and he lowered his back a lot, but his face is still red with excitement.
Rushui observes them as he loosens his mouth. Without such a distraction from the water, Zongmao turned his words to the ministers.
"Only the next time. Hurry up and prepare for Osaka Castle."
"Ha! Thank you!
"Lian Zhen. Go to Fukuoka, buy weapons and collect them."
"... Your will"
"Zhen Xiao. Begin your training for the Yanagawa Castle."
"Ha ha!!
"Only trust. Check the defenses of each castle. Gather all the prisoners in the realm and hire them as soldiers."
"My pleasure."
Zongmao, who gave instructions to each of them, finally opened his mouth towards Rushui.
"This Tachibana Somo. If a rebel against heaven is the opponent, let's face it, even if it was God.
Pierce your own justice...
That is the courage of Tachibana, and the ultimate promise that she made with her beloved wife, Chiyo. "
The word was like a sea where the surface of the water was calm, but deep in it was felt a strong will to burn, and the heart of the like water waved.
"We'll be picking up our messenger to Osaka early next month, so please be ready by then."
And when Rushui bowed his head, he left the place behind.
………
……
Celebration 7 (1602) April 17th -
Rushui Kuroda was in the inner castle of Satsuma country. Zhongheng Shimazu, who will already be the next head of the Shimazu family around this time, has started building Tsurumaru Castle (also called Kagoshima Castle), a new residence on the coastal land, and has moved there in a hurry to set up a mansion. In addition, since the former lord Yoshiku Shimazu used Fukuma Castle as his residence, only Yoshihiro Shimazu, the current lord, lived in this inner castle.
And now, in front of Rushui, there are two people sitting there, Yoshihiro Shimazu and Zhongheng Shimazu, the next principals, but I had to remember something caught on Rushui's mind that there was no Yoshiku Shimazu, who essentially held the real power of the Shimazu family.
That said, I couldn't wait long enough not to show my face because I said I wasn't feeling well, and Rushui cut the point.
In response to Rushui's story, Yoshihiro Shimazu is listening with his face dyed bright red, but on the other hand, Chungheng Shimazu understands that the appearance that his empty mouth is not blocked with his face turned bright blue, and that Rushui has a contrasting expression in his face, even within the Shimazu family, as to whether or not to be respectful to Tokugawa.
At this point, however, as long as we grabbed Yoshihiro Shimazu's heart, which was a major influence on the military side, even Yoshiku Shimazu, who is not here, was of the opinion that Ryushui did not care what the rest of the Shimazu family thought.
And when Rushui had finished telling him everything, Yoshihiro, who had closed his eyes, opened his eyes and replied with a restrained voice trembling with excitement.
"Lord Kuroda... as I know, we are in the great name of ruling the land far from Osaka and Fushimi, so I don't really know what's going on under the sky.
But I am proud to say that I can do as much to turn the opposite of heaven.
If anyone tries to invade that order, can we not stand up and say samurai and men?
But let's promise to send a messenger to Osaka early in the month.
If the Tokugawanai Prefecture fails to obey the decision of Lord Hideyoshi Toyotomi and pulls a bow on me, let me intercept him with a proud iron gun. "
My son Zhongheng protests hastily against the words. But...
"O... father! We can still make it now! This is the place to head to Lord Tokugawa..."
"Keep your lord quiet!! You hipster!
And, in the end, Yoshihiro drank it and it was nothing more than pulling back with a regrettable look.
◇ ◇
Celebration 7 years (1602) May 10 -
Tachibana family and Shimazu family envoys arrived at Fushimi Castle with Rushui Kuroda after finishing a glimpse of Hideyoshi Toyotomi at Osaka Castle in the unfortunate weather where it rained once in a while, as they had preceded the long rainy season.
"Finally… at the beginning of the last great battle for your survival."
And Rushui spoke with her back to the two of them.
And, as always, he took a step toward the great gates of Fushimi Castle, where people were never interrupted.
"That... that guy..."
A young messenger from the Shimazu family stopped and stared at the back of a man who was now mistaken.
I felt like I saw a face somewhere, but I can't remember that name. And you don't know who it is over your back, and that opponent keeps moving away.
- If they were familiar, they must also stop and exchange greetings...
The man of the apostle, who had so reconsidered, decided to follow the back of Rushui, without particularly following the wrong man.
As a matter of fact, these two misguided men have met each other in the distant land of Satsuma, and were never the apostles' thoughts.
Regardless, it means that the owners are the same, but they have never spoken to each other in particular, so we know each other's names, but it is not a particularly intimate pattern. For this reason, the apostle man never remembered the name of the wrong man, and missed it.
And who leaves after an errand at Fushimi Castle...
He was the messenger who had been ordered by Yoshiku Shimazu, a substantial Shimazu head, to visit the Tokugawa family...
It was Arizona Yamada...
If at this time the Messenger's man realizes the existence of prosperity and cries out...
And if Rushui Kuroda finds out at this time about the fact that Yuhei Yamada, a messenger of Yoshiku Shimazu, is having some kind of meeting with Jiayang Tokugawa...
The gear of history after this could have driven that movement crazy...