The Red Mansions

North Korea, Gwangju

Jia Heng walked into the study. Tokugawa Tsunashige, who was originally sitting next to the coffee table, quickly stood up, with a respectful and solemn expression, and said, "Duke Wei."

Jia Heng nodded slightly and said, "The Fourth Young Master of Tokugawa does not need to be polite."

Tokugawa Tsusushige looked sad and said sadly: "Duke Wei, my father... passed away."

Out of politeness, Jia Heng comforted him and said, "Fourth Young Master Tokugawa, please express my condolences."

Tokugawa Tsusushige raised his face with tears streaming down his face and asked, "I just saw people outside being busy. Duke Wei plans to send troops to attack the Jurchens?"

The war activity in Guangzhou City naturally attracted the attention of Tokugawa Tsunashige.

"The Jurchens committed many crimes and massacred innocent people. Our country is a country of etiquette. It is time to send troops to punish the people for their crimes." Jia Heng pondered for a moment and said in a low voice.

Tokugawa Tsunashige's eyes were piercing and he asked: "Since Duke Wei is sending out troops, can I allow me to accompany the army on the expedition, so that I can point out the geography for the army?"

Jia Heng said: "We need the fourth young master of the Tokugawa family to be our guide to lead the way."

With such a young master of the Tokugawa family accompanying him, he can also understand the situation in the Japanese country. Not to mention other things, he can also understand the map and geography.

Hearing this, Tokugawa Tsunashige dispelled some of the sadness in his heart, solemnly bowed his hands towards Jia Heng, then said goodbye with a sad look on his face.

After Tokugawa Tsusushige left, Wei Wang Chen Ran quickly entered the hall from under the eaves and said loudly: "Ziyu, is that person from the Tokugawa family just now?"

Jia Heng nodded and said: "It's Tokugawa Tsunashige. I plan to use him as a guide. It can save me an unknown amount of time, or it can have the effect of Li Daoshun leading the way."

Without Lee Do-shun, the North Korean strategy would not have been so easy.

Wei Wang Chen Ran nodded and said happily: "It is a good thing to have such a person who knows the Japanese country thoroughly."

The experience of serving in the army during this period also broadened the mind of the King of Wei and broadened his knowledge.

Jia Heng said: "It's not too late to send troops now."

Then, Jia Heng led the Jiangnan Daying Navy and the Denglai Navy, and without much delay, the troops were divided into several groups and landed in a mighty manner towards the Japanese country.

……

……

The words were divided into two parts. At this moment, Aobai and Azig led their troops to sweep across the entire Japanese country, leading their heavy troops to attack Edo, preparing to attack in one fell swoop.

In addition, another group of troops rushed towards Kyoto, because Kyoto was the residence of the emperor.

Kyoto, Imperial Palace, Imperial Palace

The emperor of this generation was Emperor Gomitsu, the half-brother of Emperor Meisho, who became the Taicho Emperor and temporarily lived in the Imperial Palace.

This empress is the granddaughter of Tokugawa Ieyasu. When she came to the throne, she was only five years old. Her maiden name was Xingzi. She reigned for fourteen years and gave up the throne to her half-brother Prince Sogomiya seven years ago.

At this moment, the former female emperor, who was twenty-six or seventeen years old, was wearing a wide cherry-red palace robe, with a silk belt with green and white phoenix patterns wrapped around her waist. Her hair was as beautiful as a waterfall of green silk, combed into locks. She has a bun with a bun, her eyebrows are picturesque, and her face is beautiful.

At this moment, Emperor Meisho was sitting on a tatami, and the sunlight streaming down from the carved pavilion window shone on his face as white as jade, as if covered with a layer of golden light and shadow. .

As for that flawless face, the temperament is more pure and peaceful, and under the two curved eyebrows, the bright eyes are as moist as water, as if reflecting the ripples of clear waves.

On the bookshelf nearby, there are books with scriptures engraved on them. The sunlight is mottled and falls on the covers of the books, breaking into tiny pieces.

At this time, a female official with bright clothes and a pretty face walked quickly into the palace, bowed to the beauty sitting on the tatami, and said softly: "Your Majesty, the minister said that the Jurchens want to The call has come, you need to leave Kyoto, the emperor is waiting for you in the front hall."

The woman who was reading a book turned around, and when she looked back, her face, as white as snow, looked pure and dreamy under the sunlight.

Emperor Meisho's two plump and shiny red lips were slightly opened, his words were pure and clear, soft and charming, and he said softly: "Is the enemy a Jurchen?"

"It's a Jurchen. I heard that General Tokugawa has died in the battle." When the girl talked about this, her voice, which was originally as clear as the tinkling of a mountain spring, couldn't help but contain a bit of depression.

Emperor Mingzheng was stunned for a moment, his beautiful brows furrowed slightly, and there was also a hint of sadness in his beautiful eyes.

The female official came forward and took Emperor Meisho's arm, and said softly: "Your Majesty, you can't stay here for a long time, you have to leave."

Emperor Meisho could only put down the book. He stood up, because his body was plump, the full moon was trembling, and the wooden clogs made a crunching sound when he stepped on the floor. He followed the female official outside and came to a building. In front of the magnificent palace.

At this moment, the current emperor, Emperor Gomitsu, was already waiting there and said: "Sister, the enemy is coming to Kyoto. Where should we escape?"

"Now that there are rebels everywhere, where can we escape?" Emperor Meisho sighed quietly and said softly.

"There are risks in Edo, too." Emperor Gomitsu's slightly chubby face narrowed his small eyes a little and said softly: "The Shimazu family has swept the bed to welcome him, and we will go there on a patrol."

Emperor Mingzheng nodded and said no more, followed by Emperor Goguang and headed towards the carriage under the protection of his guards.

At this moment, a carriage with high shafts was ready, surrounded by nuns who were bowing and waiting, and there were also some Japanese guards.

With the support of a female official and a nun, Emperor Meisho boarded a gorgeously decorated carriage with high shafts and, escorted by soldiers, fled to Satsuma Domain.

And hundreds of miles away in Edo, the Tokugawa shogunate——

Since Tokugawa Iemitsu died in the Battle of Tanba and the bad news spread to Edo, the entire Edo City felt like the sky was falling, and Edo City was almost in panic all day long.

Tokugawa Ietsuna became the fourth generation shogun with the support of Matsudaira Nobutsuna, Abe Shigeji and other retainers.

At this moment, wind chimes were ringing in all directions of the mansion with double eaves and flying corners, and soul-calling flags were hung all around. The white spiritual flags were whistling in the breeze, as if they were crying for the previous head of the Tokugawa family who died in the war. .

Tokugawa Ietsuna's eyes were bright and he said worriedly: "What should we do?"

Matsudaira Nobutsuna looked worried and said in a low voice: "General, we should defend Edo and call on the lords of the vassals to fight against the Jurchen Tatar army."

Tokugawa Ietsuna said: "My father led one hundred thousand soldiers and horses and was defeated by that Jurchen. Can we, the defeated soldiers, withstand it now?"

Abe comforted him again and said in a clear voice: "General, there is an old saying in China, good people will get more help, but bad people will get less help. The Jurchens will burn, kill and loot everywhere, which will definitely arouse the resistance of the people in the country. When the time comes, the Jurchens will be attacked everywhere."

In fact, the shogunate's oppression of the people was not low, but at this moment, national contradictions undoubtedly defeated class contradictions.

At this time, a retainer below said: "The Fourth Young Master went to Jeju and wanted to ask for help from the Han court's soldiers and horses. The Han court's navy had hundreds of thousands. They had defeated the Jurchens in the past. This continues."

The Tokugawa family's Tsuname was still worried and said: "I am afraid that the Tatar attack will be fierce. If we don't wait until that day, the city will be destroyed and people will be killed."

Abe paused again and suggested, "General, why don't we gather the people in the city to collect defense equipment and prepare to defend the city."

Tokugawa Ietsuna nodded and said, "Get ready for war."

Compared with the Tokugawa shogunate, where the monarchs and ministers were in constant panic, Obai and Azige were more complacent. They led a group of troops from Tamba City, divided their forces and plundered the rice, grain and baggage of the feudal clans, and continued to the river with unstoppable momentum. household.

In other words, there were no men and horses who could resist on this road. In the previous battle of Danbo, the main force of the feudal lords had been defeated in pieces.

One month later, the season has entered the winter month (November) of the 17th year of Chongping. The weather is gradually getting colder. As far as the eye can see, the grass and trees are withered and yellow, creating a bleak autumn scene.

Looking up at the majestic Edo City in front of him, Aobai felt inexplicably excited. He turned to look at Azig aside, feeling a sense of relief and said: "Your Majesty, we are finally here."

Under Azige's thick eyebrows, his eyes flickered, and he felt a little excited and said, "Really..."

Along the way, the two of them could be said to have been racing forward without even taking a breath.

If there was no ordnance and baggage, they would lead the Eight Banners elites to plunder the treasury of various famous Japanese people, and most of the food and baggage would be collected from the treasury. Whenever resistance was encountered, they would carry out the strategy of burning, killing and looting, thus greatly alleviating the danger of the army and baggage.

Because the army is alone outside and has no way out, it will be difficult to unite the morale of the army without using the "beast army" method. Therefore, after burning, killing and raping, the psychological panic of the 450,000 to 58,000 elite bannermen who were left alone was temporarily soothed. Within a few months, the entire Japanese country was swept across almost instantly.

Azig said worriedly: "Obai, I'm afraid that the Han army has landed in the Japanese country at this time and cut off our army's retreat."

Oboi's eyes were bright and he said nonchalantly: "Your Majesty, as long as we occupy Edo City and wait for the Han soldiers to come, we won't be afraid anymore."

"Indeed, I am an elite Jurchen, invincible in the world." Azig regained his confidence and said.

It's just that there are still some hidden worries in my mind.

They are an isolated army. What if the Han Dynasty and the Japanese army unite to attack their troops?

On the fifth day of winter in the seventeenth year of Chongping in the Han calendar, the armies of Obai and Azige gradually approached Edo City and began to attack.

The defenders on Edo Castle were ready, holding weapons and weapons in their hands, and gathered a group of soldiers and people to guard the city.

“Dong dong!!!”

With the sound of drums sounding like raindrops, the Jurchen siege began, and a large number of soldiers and horses rushed towards the city like a tide.

After all, Edo Castle is the headquarters of the Tokugawa family. It has been painstakingly managed for a long time, and the people and scholars in the city have received a lot of favors from it. In particular, some samurai who value love and justice have worked hard to serve.

At this moment, there are probably nearly 100,000 men and women guarding Edo City, carrying rolling logs and stones, and moving towards the Jurchen soldiers and horses to resist them.

Therefore, instead of going down in one fell swoop as Obai thought, the offensive and defensive battle actually lasted for another half month.

On this day, Edo Castle——

Tokugawa Ietsuna finished patrolling the city. He looked around at the soldiers wrapped in gauze and with blood on their heads. His face was solemn and he felt a little worried.

In the past few days of offensive and defensive battles, the Japanese warriors suffered a lot of casualties. No matter how brave the warriors were, there were not many soldiers and horses in the city, and the elite Jurchen Eight Banners were hard to beat.

Abe said again: "General, there is no need to worry. In the past few days, the soldiers and the people have shared the same hatred against the Jurchen Tatars. They will definitely be able to repel the Jurchen Tatars."

Since the Jurchens entered the Japanese invaders, they have indeed treated themselves inappropriately. Burning, killing, raping, and massacres of cities have been common occurrences, and these have also aroused resistance from the Japanese people.

Tokugawa Ietsuna nodded and said loudly: "I hope so."

At this moment, a young man came quickly from the horse path on the city wall. He was the shogunate general of the Tokugawa family. He said, "General, the Fourth Young Master sent someone to deliver the news, saying that the Han people have sent troops."

Hearing this, Tokugawa Ietsuna was overjoyed and exclaimed: "Have the Han sent troops?"

There was joy on Abe Shigeji's face, and he said: "General, the Han people and the Jurchens are feuding. The Han people will definitely not tolerate the Jurchens becoming stronger. We are saved."

This time, it can be said that after the propaganda of the Tokugawa family, the Japanese people in Edo have begun to look forward to the Han court sending troops to save themselves from fire and water.

“Dong dong!!!”

"Brother, the Jurchens have launched an attack again." Tokugawa Tsunayoshi, younger brother of the Tokugawa clan, said in shock from the side with his eyes moving slightly.

At this moment, I saw a large number of Jurchen soldiers holding sabers, climbing ladders and struggling to attack Edo City. They continued like a tide and were not afraid of death.

At a glance, Tokugawa Ietsuna could almost see the ferocious expressions on the faces of the Jurchen Eight Banners soldiers, and the gloom in his heart became even more intense.

"The Jurchens have always been brave and not afraid of death. It's too dangerous here. General, quickly go into the city and take shelter." Abe Shige quickly grabbed Tokugawa Ietsuna's arm and whispered.

Then, just like that, under the protection of their retinue, everyone headed to the Tokugawa Shogunate's mansion in the southeast of Edo Castle.

At the foot of Edo City, looking at his Eight Banners elite who were in a disadvantageous offensive position, Prince Azig frowned, his eyes filled with worry, and whispered: "It is not the way to go on like this."

At this moment, Obai was riding on a horse with a maroon mane, and he was covered in armor with spiked bronze armor. He had rough facial features, a beard under his chin, and a pair of tiger eyes under his thick eyebrows. , eyes like copper bells, holding a shining sword in his hand, looking around, staring at the Edo Castle in front of him.

At this moment, Obai led his elite soldiers, staring at the majestic Edo City not far away, and said to Azig beside him: "Your Majesty, the army said that you can take gunpowder, dig tunnels, and send the gunpowder to the city wall. Under this, the city wall will be blown open in one fell swoop. After the city wall is blown up, General Su will personally lead the charge this time and will definitely be able to capture Edo Castle."

"You can give this method a try." Azige nodded and said, with some worry in his eyes under his thick eyebrows, he warned: "Be careful in everything."

In the past few days, the two of them had been fighting side by side after being trapped in a desperate situation, which gave the hot-tempered Jurchen Prince a sense of friendship between friends in need.

Oboi nodded heavily and said, "Don't worry, Your Majesty."

Then, waving a saber in his hand, he led his elite soldiers and feinted towards Edo Castle again.

……

……

Let's not mention the offensive and defensive battle that took place in Edo for the moment, but say that Jia Heng, on his side, also led the Jiangnan Navy and Penglai Navy with Wei Wang Chen Ran and landed in the Japanese land by sea ship half a month later.

Japan, Nagato

A large number of soldiers boarded this small city, which was no more than two feet high, while the vanguard soldiers of the Han Navy divided their troops into several groups and attacked the vassal city previously occupied by the Jurchens.

"Ziyu, the Jurchen elite are currently staying in Danbo, where they store grain and fodder." Wei Wang Chen Ran pointed to the map and whispered.

In the past few days, this Tianhuang nobleman has also been actively participating in military affairs, making suggestions beside Jia Heng, and gradually gained a lot of knowledge.

Jia Heng nodded and whispered: "As long as the back route of Danba City is cut off, the Jurchen elite will be wiped out, and they will be trapped in Edo."

Wei King Chen Ran, with his sword-browed eyes full of hope, asked: "Ziyu, when will we march to Edo?"

It can be said that the King of Wei accompanied the army on the expedition and had been looking forward to it all the way, dreaming of personally planting the flag of the Han Dynasty on the top of Edo Castle.

"Wait, wait until Edo City is destroyed, we will stay behind and calmly deal with the situation." Jia Heng said loudly with his eyes shining.

Wei Wang Chen Ran's eyes flashed under his sword-shaped brows, and he nodded.

Jia Heng said coldly: "It is best to let Obai and Azig capture Edo City and massacre all the Japanese nobles. After that, our army will be late again."

The soldiers and horses of the shogunate can be used to consume the elite Jurchen troops. When that time comes, the soldiers and horses of the imperial court can calmly deal with the situation.

Otherwise, relying solely on the 100,000-strong Jiangnan Navy and Denglai Navy may not be able to defeat the brave and confident Jurchen Eight Banners elite.

After that, horses set foot on Edo and permanently garrisoned troops... As time passed, the Japanese country became a symbol of China since ancient times.

When King Wei Chen Ran heard this, he nodded and said, "Then wait a little longer."

As Jia Heng expected, the Jurchen Eight Banners elites at this moment have gone crazy. After successive battles and victories, the entire Eight Banners elites revealed a bloodthirsty ferocity. The Han Dynasty Navy composed of Jiangnan Navy and Denglai Navy If the divisional alliance did not have the advantage of firearms, it would not be guaranteed to win.

After Aobai and Azig besieged the city for half a month, they finally arrived on the eighth day of winter in the seventeenth year of Chongping. On this day, the weather was gloomy, and there was a light snowfall in Edo City, with snowflakes flying.

Azig and Obai personally supervised the battle and led their elite Eight Banners troops to capture Edo City in one fell swoop.

Obai and Azige stared at the large number of soldiers entering Edo City, and they couldn't help but feel excited.

These two people didn't know it yet, but they had accomplished a feat, which was a kind of revenge for the Sino-Japanese War of 1894-1895 in the Qing Dynasty in parallel time and space.

In the next few days, Jia Heng did not delay any more. With Tokugawa Tsusushige almost begging, he led the Jiangnan Navy and Denglai Navy, assigned generals, and successively attacked Zhou Fang, An Yun, Harima... It can be said that the momentum is overwhelming. , the cities are all down.

Finally, seven days later, the 30,000 forwards of the Jiangnan Naval Camp and the Denglai Naval Army gathered in Danbo City, guarded by 10,000 elite Jurchen soldiers, and surrounded the city.