Imperial Master of the Ming Dynasty

The guardian daimyo of the Hirado area, the Matsuura clan, showed an extremely friendly attitude towards the Ming envoy led by Cao Guogong.

If you don't take into account the pirate ships returning home with full cargo at Hirado Port.

Li Jinglong’s trip to Japan has gone smoothly so far.

Whether they were the Matsuura clan, the Ouchi clan, or the Otomo clan, or the Kono clan, these guardian daimyo who were not direct descendants of the Muromachi shogunate and gathered in western Japan, all respectfully sent the Ming envoys out of the country.

The Matsuura family had already sent envoys to quickly inform Emperor Gokomatsu in Kyoto, General Ashikaga Yoshimichi in Muromachi, and the real ruler of Japan about the high-level Ming Dynasty mission that had arrived without warning. , located in Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, Shokokuji Temple, Manenzan Mountain, Kyoto.

Well, now Ashikaga Yoshimitsu generally requires others to call him "Tenzan Mori".

Xiangguo Temple, Luyuan Courtyard.

The flowers all over the mountains and plains form a beautiful sea of ​​flowers, and the Manzhu and Shahua are reflected in a shocking red color, which is quite charming and moving.

It is already early autumn, but the flowers are still blooming and fragrant here.

"Amitabha."

"Host."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, who was wearing an earthy yellow cassock and with a stooped body, walked side by side with an extraordinary and handsome middle-aged monk.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's steps were steady and his expression was calm.

He stopped and said, "Host, I want to ask you something?"

The middle-aged monk also stopped and looked back at him with clear eyes.

This middle-aged monk is the abbot of Xiangguo Temple in Kyoto, whose dharma title is "Gu Jian Miao Kuai". Although he does not look too old, he is actually over fifty years old. In addition, he has traveled to famous mountain temples in the Ming Dynasty to practice Zen. Now he is the most master of Japanese Buddhism.

During the Kamakura shogunate period, Zen Buddhism, introduced from China, was enthusiastically sought after by everyone from the shogun to the lower-class samurai due to its advocacy spirit, interest in pursuit, and simple and easy way of practice, and its influence soon spread. Ordinary people.

During the Muromachi Shogunate period in Japan, due to the long-term confrontation between the Northern and Southern Dynasties, which led to social unrest, Buddhism also declined from its peak to its peak.

Sects such as Pure Land Buddhism and Nichiren Buddhism gradually split into many sects due to disputes over ideological orthodoxy after the death of their founders, but they are still supported by many peasant believers.

The most highly regarded during this period were Mengchuang Guoshi and Dadeng Guoshi who established their status as "Five Mountain Literature".

Well, Imperial Master Meng Chuang is the master of the ancient sword Miao Kuai.

As an eminent monk of the Rinzai Sect in Japan, Mengchuang Shushi did not seek fame or fortune or enter a wealthy family throughout his life. He studied Buddhism intensively and promoted the Zen style. He was once awarded the title of Master of the Seven Great Nations by the Emperor of Japan and was called the "Emperor Master of the Seven Dynasties". Jian Miaokuai is his favorite disciple.

"Is what you want to ask about the Ming Dynasty's mission?" Gu Jian asked quickly.

The aging and disfigured Ashikaga Yoshimitsu coughed and nodded.

The eyes of this old man who personally ended the Northern and Southern Dynasties of Japan were full of undisguised worry.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu pursed his lips and thought for a long time before he asked: "You have traveled to the Ming Dynasty for many years. In Japan, you are the person who knows the Ming Dynasty best. What do you think the Ming Dynasty's mission is for suddenly visiting Matsuura? The envoy from the Ming Dynasty did not find out anything, and the envoy from the Ming Dynasty was very tight-lipped."

Gu Jian Miaokuai pondered for a moment and said, "What you are worried about should have happened."

"The new emperor of the Ming Dynasty was a cruel and murderous vassal king. He relied on force and regicide to seize the throne. This kind of person is just like the first winners of the Yuan Kou battle for the Great Khan. Full of ambition.”

"He has no rivals within the Ming Kingdom, so he is very likely to set his sights on our Japan, just like Yuan Kou did."

"When I was traveling in the Ming Dynasty, I got acquainted with an eminent monk named 'Dao Yan' in the Ming Dynasty. He was the counselor of the vassal king. Just like the role I played for you. This man is also vicious and cruel. Spicy, it is very likely that he suggested that the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty expand to Japan."

The people of Daoyan were sitting in the temple, and the pot came from the sky.

After listening to Gu Jian Miao Kuai's words, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu looked a little ugly.

"Could it be that the Ming Dynasty really wants to destroy Japan?"

"Sir, this is just my guess." Gu Jianmiao said slowly, "Compared with the Ming Dynasty, our Japan is just a small place, and the Ming Dynasty far exceeds ours in terms of territory and population. It is an extremely huge country. s country."

"But this country is not the same as the Yuan invaders. As a country established by the Han people to expel the Yuan invaders, it pays most attention to the Confucian Huayi debate in dealing with external affairs. Generally speaking, in the traditional concepts of the Ming people, there is no reason. Using troops against the surrounding 'barbarians' is a violation of the rules of heaven and a bad act that goes against the destiny of heaven."

"But this does not prevent us from considering the worst case scenario." Gu Jian Miaokuai asked: "Your Excellency, if the Ming Dynasty develops with Japan like the Yuan invaders, where will they send their troops?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu narrowed his eyes and said slowly: "Of course it is the southwest coastal area."

"What should we do if the Ming Dynasty sends troops to our hinterland?" Gu Jian Miao Kuai asked.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu hunched over and said slowly.

"Then let them do it."

He paused and then added: "But no matter what, we must first find out the purpose of this Ming Dynasty mission."

"Your Excellency, are you afraid?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu revealed his withered palms covered with age spots under his cassock. He had been trembling habitually just now, but now he was firmly still.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu knelt down and picked up a flower.

"We in Japan have tens of millions of people, dozens of guardian daimyo, and hundreds of cities. Each city has garrison troops stationed, and every village also has troops that can be recruited."

"Coupled with our strong walls, as well as our swords, guns, arrows, and horse armor."

"Under such circumstances, what can a mere Ming Dynasty mission do? Why should I feel afraid? All I am worried about is the new emperor of the Ming Dynasty."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's words were precise and his tone was sonorous and powerful.

Gu Jian Miao Kuai said: "The only news we know is that this Ming Dynasty mission has a very high standard and is led by Cao Guogong, who has the status of one person in the Ming Dynasty."

"Gong Cao Guo?"

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu frowned slightly.

Gu Jian Miao Kuai explained: "Yes, this is a high sect inherited from the third founding Duke of the Ming Dynasty. This generation of Cao Guogong, when we sent an envoy to the Ming Dynasty the year before last, was once the son of Emperor Jianwen." "General', this is the highest official position that a military general can obtain in Chinese history. At that time, Emperor Jianwen personally pushed the wheels of Cao Guogong's chariot to send him off to the battle. This was also some of the highest rituals inherited by China."

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu asked with some confusion: "Since this Lord Cao is a general appointed by Emperor Jianwen, why is he on an envoy on behalf of the new emperor now?"

"I once heard a few words from 'Dao Yan', which can be regarded as a kind of rumor."

"When the new emperor was the vassal king, he followed several generals of the Ming Dynasty to drive north the Yuan invaders. He had high prestige and deep connections in the military circles of the Ming Dynasty."

"The monks who were envoys to the Ming Dynasty in the past few years also told me that Emperor Jianwen did not have this unique advantage at all. On the contrary, he favored the civil servants excessively and changed the strategy of the founding emperor of the Ming Dynasty to reuse honorary ministers, which led to the rebellion headed by Cao Guogong. The resentment of the group of founding ministers of the Ming Dynasty."

"So I speculate that when Cao Guogong and the founding ministers of the Ming Dynasty faced the new emperor on the battlefield, they did not have enough determination and will to fight."

"For this reason, the new emperor won the civil war. After finally completing the regicide and ascending the throne, he rewarded Cao Guogong heavily, gave him the title of head of hundreds of officials, and sent him on an honorable mission to Japan."

Hearing this, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu's dim eyes regained their brilliance.

He took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Fortunately, I have the abbot Ming Guotong. Thank you abbot for your guidance. I think I already understand how to treat this Duke Cao Guotong."

"What do you mean?" Gu Jian Miao quickly asked.

Instead, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu fell into a brief thought. He was already about to die. Although his appearance and temperament were no longer the same as those of the past, this generation of Japanese heroes still had his own unique characteristics. decision.

"I think we still need to wait and see what happens. As an official envoy of the Ming Dynasty, Cao Guogong must have something to rely on since he dares to take the risk, otherwise he would never be so reckless."

"If my prediction is correct, the Ming Dynasty must have made complete preparations. Otherwise, why would they send such a distinguished person to die?"

Gu Jian Miao Kuai looked solemn: "What do you mean?"

"Since the people of the Ming Dynasty do not advocate taking the initiative to use troops against surrounding countries according to Chinese tradition, then they must be looking for an excuse to make them famous!"

"Perhaps the Ming Dynasty is waiting for us to take the initiative to be unfavorable or disrespectful to the mission, so that it can be used as a reason to conquer us!"

"Therefore, we must treat Cao Guogong's envoy carefully and respectfully, and we must not give any leverage to the people of the Ming Dynasty!"

When Gu Jian Miao Kuai heard this, he also had an expression of sudden realization.

This must be a conspiracy of the Ming people!

We must not be fooled!

After consciously thinking about all this, Ashikaga Yoshimitsu said.

"Please abbot, please go to the temple to rest first. I also want to enjoy the sea of ​​flowers for a while. After sunset, I will come to visit the abbot again."

Gu Jianmiao nodded quickly, turned and left.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu stood there, staring at his back quietly until he completely disappeared from sight, then sighed slowly.

For the sake of the survival of the shogunate, Japan, which had just ended the war between the Northern and Southern Dynasties and was riddled with wounds, must not rashly start a war with the Ming Dynasty.

Gu Jianmiao was walking quickly on the green brick-paved tree-lined path when he suddenly saw a girl standing in front of him.

She was wearing a simple and elegant kimono, with a slim figure, skin as good as snow, and a quiet and gentle temperament between her brows, and she was looking at him silently.

"Prince Yasukouchi ("Prince Nauchina" is the title of a Japanese royal princess)."

The ancient sword was put together quickly and saluted.

"Abbott, you are so polite. I am no longer a concubine. Just call me by my current name, Xuewuying." The woman called softly.

Ashikaga Yoshimitsu raised his head and looked at the stunningly beautiful face in front of him, and couldn't help but be stunned for a moment.

The girl in front of her was about fourteen years old. She had a delicate and refined appearance, with a strand of black hair on each cheek hanging down from her ears. She looked particularly playful and smart.

Her facial features are extremely delicate, like a work of art carved by God.

Especially those watery eyes, like two bright stars, which make people unable to look away.

She is the first royal daughter of Emperor Kameyama of the Southern Dynasties and one of the theoretical heirs to the position of Emperor of Japan.

Why is it that the Southern and Northern Dynasties of Japan have been unified, and the daughter of the Emperor of the Southern Dynasties is still qualified to inherit the position of the Emperor?

This is because when the three sacred artifacts were moved from Daikakuji Temple in the Southern Dynasty to the Tsuchimikamon gate where Emperor Komatsu lived in the Northern Dynasty, the two sides made an agreement, which is the "Meitoku Peace Treaty".

The "Meitoku Peace Treaty" clearly stipulates that the Japanese emperor's throne is a two-line system, that is, the Daikakuji line of the Southern Dynasties and the Jimeiin line of the Northern Dynasties alternately inherit the throne.

According to the agreement, the next emperor will be succeeded by the Daikakuji lineage of the Southern Dynasties.

Therefore, if the prince cannot succeed, then as the first legitimate princess, she will become the seventh female emperor in Japanese history.

"Abbott."

As soon as the other party opened his mouth, Gu Jian Miao quickly spoke directly.

"I know what you mean. You want to leave Japan, a place of right and wrong, and you have told that person? This means that you have to give up your identity."

The girl nodded slightly.

Furuken Miao sighed quickly. The shogunate would not let the Southern Dynasty Daikakuji leader become the emperor again. This was almost a certainty. The other party continued to stay in Japan and was indeed in an embarrassing situation.

"When the Ming Dynasty's envoy arrives in Kyoto, I will convey your message to the Ming Dynasty's envoy. At that time, I will also compile a letter and bring it to my old friend, the Ming Dynasty's 'Daoyan' master. He was in the Ming Dynasty Guo is a very powerful monk, maybe he can help you find a good resettlement place."

Another new blame will be thrown on Daoyan's head from the other side of the ocean.

Asking for a monthly ticket! ! !