Chapter 1569: I Really Want to Meet Him

As soon as he said this, the other two Elders who supported him chimed in agreement, while the two Elders of the Sakai family and Doi Toshikatsu, who had remained silent all along, simply averted their gazes, pretending not to see the dispute among these men.

"This concerns the reputation of the Major Counselor and the Tokugawa family — how can it be called a small matter? I see no matter greater than this," Ii Naotaka said coldly, no longer showing any intention of backing down. "Since the Great Retired Lord, before his passing, entrusted me with participation in the great governance, I must exhaust every effort for the stability of the shogunate. If I feared hardship, that would truly be failing the Great Retired Lord."

After he invoked the late Tokugawa Hidetada, the other Elders dared not say anything more. The hall once again sank into dead silence, the atmosphere even more rigid than before.

"His Highness (the Shogun) arrives!" Just then, the shout of the Shogun's close attendant rang out within the hall.

Ii Naotaka and the several Elders hurriedly rose from their seats and knelt to welcome the Shogun's arrival.

Surrounded by a cluster of attendants, dressed in the formal wide-sleeved, long-hemmed short robe, and holding a folding fan in his hand, the Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu walked in step by step from the doorway.

He was a young man with a stern expression. His steps were very slow, but his head was held high, and he did not glance at the kneeling senior ministers beside him. His features were gentle, but his thick, knife-slash-like eyebrows lent him an extra measure of severity. His hair was styled in the sakayaki fashion, shaved on both sides, with the hair on top carefully bound together with a cord.

He was only thirty years old this year, but he had already been Shogun for ten years, and so he had long since established his authority before his vassals.

Perhaps due to a lack of parental affection in his childhood, his character was extremely strong-willed and nearly ruthless, never permitting anyone to defy him.

Not long after assuming the post of Shogun, during an occasion when the various daimyo came to Edo to pay homage, he publicly admonished them: "My grandfather and father once submitted to Oda Nobunaga and Toyotomi Hideyoshi, serving as colleagues alongside you all in the same halls, sharing the bonds of fellowship. But I am different from them — I am a Shogun born to the station, and therefore I will treat you only as vassals!"

Though this declaration was wildly arrogant and conceited, awed by the shogunate's immense power, the daimyo from across the land could only swallow their anger and kneel before him with the utmost deference. And Tokugawa Iemitsu, through various such methods, utterly suppressed the daimyo and the Imperial Court in Kyoto, establishing the absolute authority of the shogunate.

For a man of such character, it would hardly be surprising that he would want to persecute his own younger brother to death.

After walking step by step to the dais in the hall, the previously silent Tokugawa Iemitsu turned around with a sweep of emotion and then waved his hand heavily.

"Rise!"

Only then did these senior ministers of the shogunate rise and return to their seats behind their respective desks.

Then, his gaze swept downward, moving slowly back from the lead Ii Naotaka, finally resting upon Inaba Masakatsu, whose chest had been heaving violently the entire time.

Inaba Masakatsu forced a smile, signaling that he was fine.

"Masakatsu, you have worked hard. Hand over your recent affairs to others and rest well," Tokugawa Iemitsu said, ignoring everyone else to first inquire after Masakatsu's well-being.

This was both concern for the man's health and a means of using him to draw out the real topic.

"Thank you for your concern, Your Highness. I... once I finish the matters currently in my hands, I will certainly rest for a time," Inaba Masakatsu said, still forcing a smile. "However, there are some major matters now that require our swift handling..."

"Is it those matters concerning Tadanao? I have also heard the reports." Tokugawa Iemitsu immediately seized upon the topic, then looked toward the Great Elder Ii Naotaka. "Were you just discussing the disposition of Tadanao? Has a decision been reached?"

That direct gaze was almost tangible, stabbing painfully into Ii Naotaka's heart. That sense of heavy pressure intensified further, making even breathing seem difficult.

He understood that since they were all gathered here today, it must be at the Shogun's own behest, and he had long been prepared for the Shogun to appear in person. Yet only when the Shogun truly arrived did he realize just how difficult it would be to maintain his original stance.

"Your Highness, after some deliberation, my personal opinion is that it would be best for me to personally investigate and verify..." Summoning the last dregs of courage in his heart, he looked toward the Shogun as calmly as he could. "If it is confirmed that the Major Counselor truly engaged in actions plotting treason against Your Highness, then punish him severely... If the investigation finds no solid evidence, then it would be better not to..."

However, before he could finish, the Shogun directly cut him off.

"You now bear the heavy responsibilities of the shogunate and should not be distracted by these trivial matters. The arrangements for next year's journey to Kyoto must all be handled by you. Do not allow any oversights that would cause the shogunate to lose face. The matter of verification can be assigned to another Elder."

Generally speaking, the Shogun's journey to Kyoto next year to have an audience with His Majesty the Emperor was indeed the current focus of the shogunate's work. The shogunate had hollowed out the Imperial Court's authority, and therefore absolutely could not afford to lose its prestige before the Court.

Especially at this moment, so soon after the Great Retired Lord's passing, it was even more crucial not to give those harboring discontent against the shogunate any ideas of sedition. Thus, under Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu's direction, these senior ministers had decided to assemble the shogunate's full military strength next year and accompany the Shogun himself to Kyoto, thereby demonstrating the shogunate's unshakable power.

Precisely because of this, it was estimated that over a hundred thousand men might accompany Iemitsu in this show of force. Ensuring supplies for this host along the way had become an immense headache, one that could only be entrusted to the most important shogunate vassals.

It was not unusual for the Great Elder to personally oversee this matter, but under the present circumstances, it carried a different implication.

Ii Naotaka knew that if the Shogun assigned someone else to conduct the investigation, the Major Counselor's life would certainly be forfeit. Thus, he decided to make one final effort. "Your Highness... the Major Counselor... the Major Counselor is, after all, of the Tokugawa collateral line. He must not be rashly convicted..."

"Pak!" The folding fan, which had been half-open in the Shogun's hand, snapped shut with a crisp, muffled sound, cutting off Ii Naotaka's final protest. "There is no need for further discussion. Act according to my command!"

His expression grew increasingly stern as he stared directly at Ii Naotaka.

Ii Naotaka hesitated for a moment, and in the end, could only lower his head. As the years of his tenure as Shogun grew longer, the Shogun himself increasingly displayed an arbitrary and autocratic disposition. Anyone who dared to argue against him would certainly be severely punished.

Even though he now held the post of Great Elder, he was ultimately just a hereditary vassal of the shogunate. What power did he have to alter the Shogun's own will? If he continued to speak, not only would the Major Counselor's life be lost, but he himself would likely be implicated as well, to no avail.

Great Retired Lord, can you see this from the heavens above? I am powerless now. Please forgive me... he sighed inwardly.

Seeing that the Great Elder himself had no further words, the Shogun's stern expression finally relaxed slightly.

"Your Highness, please allow me to preside over the investigation of the Major Counselor." Just then, Inaba Masakatsu suddenly spoke up. Though his tone was weak, his attitude was resolute. "I will carefully scrutinize everything and uncover the truth of the matter as soon as possible."

"You...?" The Shogun hesitated slightly. "The Governor of Tango should rest first."

"My Lord, please let me preside over this!" Inaba Masakatsu suddenly prostrated himself on his desk, his attitude utterly firm.

Ever since being afflicted with grave illness, he felt his lifespan was nearing its end, and thus had few inhibitions left. He was single-mindedly determined to help his lord resolve this greatest source of anxiety. Besides, letting a dying man like himself bear the infamy of hounding the Shogun's brother to death was better than having someone else shoulder it.

From his resolute demeanor, Tokugawa Iemitsu also sensed the determination of this childhood friend of his. He paused for a moment, and finally nodded gently.

"Very well, then let you preside over this matter. However... remember to take good care of your health."

"Yes!" Inaba Masakatsu slowly raised his head from the desk. His face grew even paler, as if that single word had drained all the strength from his body.

Seeing him so sickly, Tokugawa Iemitsu felt a pang of sorrow in his heart. He truly could not bear to see his childhood friend and close companion leave this world just like that, yet he did not know what to do about it.

Life in this world is truly like duckweed, subject only to the whims of Heaven. A lament similar to those of the court nobles in Kyoto suddenly welled up in his heart.

To shake off this momentary sadness, he changed the subject.

"Aside from dealing with Tadanao, were you discussing any other matters just now?"

"Your Highness, we were just discussing how to deal with the Great Han," Matsudaira Nobutsuna immediately replied, then relayed the process and results of their earlier deliberations to Tokugawa Iemitsu.

"Well done." After hearing this, Tokugawa Iemitsu lightly tapped his left hand with his folding fan to show his approval. "In two months, if Yagyu still has no urgent reports of major incidents, then proceed with the previously agreed-upon plan to reduce the two trade quotas, and then dispatch a delegation. Aside from Naitō, the members of the delegation must be meticulously selected. Choose those well-versed in Chinese culture to foster relations between our two nations and help them understand our difficulties."

The Japanese of this era generally held admiration for the culture and prosperity of the Central Land. Moreover, with the Ming aiding Goryeo, which indirectly helped weaken the Toyotomi clan's power, and the Great Han actively expanding trade with Japan, the Tokugawa shogunate as a whole held relatively favorable feelings toward China. Even Tokugawa Iemitsu himself did not wish for relations between the two nations to collapse due to his side's measures to restrict the scale of trade.

"Your Highness speaks the absolute truth." Doi Toshikatsu, who rarely participated in the debates, now fawned upon the Shogun. "We will certainly select the delegation members with great care to maintain relations between our two nations."

The other Elders also came to their senses and chimed in repeatedly, proclaiming the Shogun's wisdom. The hall was swept clean of its earlier gloom, and the previous oppression was gone.

If anyone could see this scene now, who would believe that just moments ago, the fate of a blood son of the previous Shogun had already been decided?

"Will the members of the delegation be able to meet the Emperor of the Great Han?" Just then, Tokugawa Iemitsu seemed to think of a question.

"If the delegation we send is of sufficiently high rank, sufficiently humble in attitude, and presents sufficient tribute, perhaps they might be able to meet His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Han," Doi Toshikatsu answered cautiously.

Although he was actually unsure whether the delegation would be able to meet the Great Han's Emperor, that did not prevent him from giving an answer that suited the Shogun's wishes.

"To be able to meet him..." Tokugawa Iemitsu nodded slightly. "He can be said to be the most outstanding hero in all the world today. Arrange for someone skilled in painting to be part of the delegation. If they can meet him, have them paint his portrait upon their return, so that I may see what kind of magnificent bearing he truly possesses."

This was his genuine inner thought.

He had inherited the great office of general at a young age and then ruled a nation of millions, yet it was precisely because of this that he deeply understood just how difficult it was to maintain a foundation.

And precisely because of this, he admired even more that Emperor of Great Han who had risen from humble beginnings and ultimately conquered such vast territory.

He had always found it hard to believe that this unparalleled hero, who had seized such immense lands and awed the four corners of the world, was not actually much older than himself.

Perhaps only Li Shimin of Great Tang could have achieved heroic deeds like his.

"Very well, my lord, we will assign painters to the mission," Naitō Tadashige, who was in charge of leading the embassy, immediately assented.

After the other party accepted the order, Tokugawa Iemitsu lowered his gaze again.

"The Emperor of Great Han — if I had the chance, I would truly like to see his face."

Then, he flicked the fan in his hand once more, signaling his decision to end the meeting and leave the outer hall.

The other senior ministers once again rose from their seats and knelt along both sides.

"The Shogun returns to the inner hall!" Amid the shouts of his close attendants, Tokugawa Iemitsu lifted his head and departed the outer hall.

Ganghwa Island, situated at the mouth of the Han River, was originally a desolate place, historically used as a place of exile and confinement for Goryeo royalty and nobles after they committed crimes. The current Goryeo monarch, Yi Hon, after being overthrown in a coup by Yi Jong and others, had once been exiled to this island together with his son.

Later, during the austere life of confinement, his son was put to death for attempting to escape, while he himself, several years later, was rescued by Great Han troops marching under the banner of "Restoring Order." He was then escorted back to Hanseong by the Great Han army and reinstated as the monarch of Goryeo.

To express gratitude for the great kindness of the Celestial Dynasty, the restored Yi Hon, besides verbal thanks, also showed his appreciation through various practical actions. He welcomed the Great Han embassy into Hanseong and ceded many of Goryeo's interests to Great Han. One of these concessions was allowing Great Han to station troops on Ganghwa Island, effectively ceding this heartbreak-ridden land to Great Han.

The island's location is superb, commanding the Han River basin and plains from above, very close to the Goryeo capital Hanseong, and it is also a natural island that can be defended by relying on its terrain. Therefore, Great Han fully exploited its geographical value and transformed it into a militarized stronghold. Now the island not only hosts Great Han land garrisons and fortresses, but also has a naval port capable of berthing various types of warships.

Because of the stationing of Great Han troops and the periodic arrival of warships, the island had gained considerable vitality, adding many business opportunities for its residents. Besides being able to trade with these Great Han officers and soldiers, the island originally cultivated large quantities of ginseng, which quickly became a highly sought-after commodity within Great Han, with demand far outstripping supply.

After its reputation spread, merchants from various regions flocked to it, drawn by the security of the military garrison and the convenience of direct access to Great Han officials. The civil administrative bodies on the island were all dispatched and established by Great Han, and thus, like those within the country, they strongly encouraged commercial development. Driven by these several factors, the island quickly transformed into a bustling commercial port, developing with each passing day. Although it could not compare to Jinzhou Port, it was already far more prosperous than any other seaport in Goryeo.

Under these circumstances, the island's residents felt no nostalgia for the Yi Dynasty, because compared to the rapacious officials and extortionate taxes of the Yi Dynasty, the current Great Han officials did not oppress them. Instead, they allowed them to become wealthier thanks to the island's prosperity. Thus, they actually hoped Great Han could occupy this place permanently, so that their good days could continue.

In the early morning sea breeze, a fleet of the Great Han navy silently sailed into the harbor of Ganghwa Island. Because it was still early, most of the islanders had not yet risen for work, and the skyline was only a blur, everything concealed in the dimness. Everything was as usual, as if it were merely a routine patrol by a Great Han fleet stopping here briefly. No one on the island could have imagined just how large this fleet truly was, or for what purpose it had come.

"Your Highness the Crown Prince, although Ganghwa Island has been managed by the Great Han navy, it has not been in our hands for very long, so its development is still not entirely satisfactory. The naval port can berth too few warships and cannot accommodate the entire fleet accompanying Your Highness on this inspection tour," Cai De, Commander-in-Chief of the Great Han Northern Fleet and Marquis of Langya, respectfully explained to the Crown Prince in the most lavishly decorated cabin of the Songshan. "Therefore, aside from a portion of the fleet and the transport ships that can follow Your Highness to dock at Ganghwa Island, the other warships will proceed directly to Busan Port. I beg Your Highness's understanding."

"It's no matter; having a few warships docked here is sufficient," the Crown Prince said with a casual wave of his hand. "However, once the fleet is docked, we must not cause any disturbance, and must not alarm the island's commoners."

For one, he did not wish for the great army to disturb the commoners, and for another, it was also for the sake of secrecy. This fleet and the army troops aboard it were numerous, and Ganghwa Island had many traveling merchants; if word got out, the shogunate would surely catch wind of it very quickly.

"Your Highness speaks truly," Cai De nodded. "I have already issued orders that the officers and men on all warships must maintain silence, are forbidden to leave their ships during the stay, and are absolutely forbidden to leave port and harass the commoners. Furthermore, the island's naval port will also be sealed, with residents and merchant ships prohibited from approaching, to ensure secrecy at all costs. However…"