Chapter 1634: Surrenders Without End

Very quickly, despite the language barrier, Zhao Song and Yan Guang were already chatting warmly with Tachibana Muneshige. One reason was that the Great Han side was deliberately seeking to win him over with generous treatment; the other was that Tachibana Muneshige was quite mindful of the bigger picture and understood what the Great Han most needed him to do, so he never offered empty words to string Zhao Song and the others along.

Of course, when Zhao Song and Yan Guang asked for his advice on subsequent operations, Tachibana Muneshige relayed the suggestions he had already made to Bi Su and the others, and then reported Bi Su's subsequent movements to Zhao Song as well.

"This Bi Su, twice now he's acted on his own authority, marching north before even receiving orders. Does he have no regard for military commands at all?" Yan Guang was immediately somewhat angered. "He's grown bold, it seems that last letter wasn't stern enough to intimidate this regiment commander."

"Since Bi Su has already charged ahead and fought his way to the Yanagawa domain in pursuit, it would be difficult for us to command him remotely even if we wanted to. We can only let him act as circumstances dictate," Zhao Song, by contrast, was not particularly angry. "Besides, his deployment was not wrong. We really should cut them off with two prongs. Furthermore, with the situation so urgent now, expecting him to wait for us to react and receive orders is also rather unrealistic."

"I knew you'd say that." Yan Guang frowned slightly. "Fine, I won't argue this point. In any case, I also approve of this plan. The problem troubling us now is no longer how to defeat the shogunate army, but how to handle the aftermath as quickly as possible after defeating them. We should seize the opportunity while the shogunate army is concentrated in one place and annihilate them all in one decisive stroke. Otherwise, if small bands of remnant soldiers scatter everywhere, they'll bring us trouble."

"Advisor Yan speaks truly. Let's do it that way, then. I think the same," Zhao Song nodded readily.

Then, he summoned the dispatch officer and instructed him to relay his orders to Regiment Commanders Ma Tongji and Li Huanghe, who were far away on the front lines, preparing to have them continue advancing north and east, striving to coordinate with the Liaodong Regiment's southward-moving forces to surround the shogunate army's final lair — the castle town of the Kurume domain — and prevent anyone from escaping.

Yes, Zhao Song's intention was to first use field forces to encircle Kurume Castle, wearing down the defending troops' food supplies and morale through siege, and then wait for the already-landed cannons to be slowly transported to the walls of Kurume. Indeed, the Great Han army adhered to Sun Tzu's precepts and did not like to waste soldiers' lives in siege assaults, so they placed extreme importance on artillery fire and preferred to blast open city walls with cannons.

The Great Han's cannons came in several types for different purposes. The ones currently used by the various frontline units were all small cannons meant for field operations, while the mortars specifically designed for siege warfare had only just been unloaded from the ships at the landing site. These cannons were all extremely heavy, and even with specialized gun carriages, their movement was rather slow, so the frontline troops needed to wait for some time.

At the same time, Zhao Song and the others had another objective.

"Official Zhou, have you written the proclamation to the various powerful clans of Kyushu?" Zhao Song suddenly asked Zhou Pu.

"Yes, I wrote it when I left Regiment Commander Bi," Zhou Pu answered at once. "And I've already had the envoys from the Satsuma and Yanagawa domains deliver it to those domain lords. I expect they will all receive it very soon."

Then, he took a draft document from his bosom and handed it to the two men before him. "Here is the original draft. Please both of you look it over."

Zhao Song took the original draft of this proclamation, the "Kyushu Reward and Punishment Decree," and skimmed through it roughly. "Not bad, very well written. Reasoned and forceful!"

"Without Brigadier Zhao's military might and victories, there would be no reason or force to speak of," Zhou Pu offered a timely compliment. "Were it not for the Great Han army so easily defeating the shogunate forces, the powerful clans of Kyushu would not be so readily inclined to submit."

"Hahaha, we all support each other, support each other." Zhao Song laughed heartily. "Official Zhou set a two-day deadline for them. I think that's very good. Two days is enough for these people to think things through. During this time, Advisor Yan, you, and I might as well just wait here..."

Then, he emphasized his tone. "Once all those Kyushu domain lords willing to submit to us have gathered, we will take these domain lords and their retainers together to the walls of Kurume, and let them witness the military might of our Great Han!"

"Your Excellency's insight is profound!" Zhou Pu immediately seconded the proposal. "The Japanese have always only feared and submitted to the strong. If we want them to follow us obediently, a display of artillery fire is indeed a very effective method."

Although Tachibana Muneshige was standing right beside them, since he did not understand Chinese, Zhou Pu had no scruples and spoke rather sharply. Tachibana Muneshige, for his part, maintained an expression like an old monk in meditation, showing not the slightest curiosity about the three men's words, and had quickly grown accustomed to his role.

"Then it's settled. I only hope your proclamation can frighten a few more domain lords into action," Zhao Song waved his hand. "It's getting late. Come, let's drink a few cups of wine together, as a victory celebration!"

"How dare I refuse!" Zhou Pu, equally proud and satisfied, smiled and cupped his hands in salute.

Just as the Great Han's highest-ranking officials in Kyushu were deliberating, the "Kyushu Reward and Punishment Decree" proclamation issued by Zhou Pu was indeed being disseminated by envoys to all parts of Kyushu except the Kokura domain, where Bi Su's military edge was directed, plunging the domain lords of those regions into unprecedented indecision.

Among these wavering domain lords was Matsuura Takanobu, the lord of the Hirado domain. Because the Hirado domain was relatively close to Nagasaki, he was also one of the first domain lords to face this choice. This domain lord, barely thirty years of age, had encountered many great upheavals in his life, but never had the situation he faced been as perilous as it was now.

The wording of this proclamation was extremely blunt, even arrogant. Its demand for a reply within two days and its merciless requirement of total destruction for those who did not surrender were utterly unforgiving, yet he had no choice but to carefully consider such an unreasonable demand.

The Hirado domain lay between Nagasaki and the Fukuoka domain, so the brilliant victories of the Great Han army on both battlefields gave them a more direct impression than other places received. Moreover, when the Great Han fleet sailed south from Hakata Bay to the waters off Nagasaki, that vast armada left an unforgettable, lifelong impression on every Hirado domain subject who witnessed its majesty.

In addition, the shogunate's crushing defeat brought them other adverse consequences. Recently, refugees had been streaming in continuously from the two aforementioned areas, to the point that the domain was nearly unable to bear the burden any longer.

He had received this "Kyushu Reward and Punishment Decree" from the hands of an envoy from the Yanagawa domain, so he also knew that Shimazu Tadatsune and Tachibana Muneshige — the two most renowned domain lords in the Kyushu region — had already defected to the Great Han and were leading their troops to assist the Great Han's invasion of Kyushu.

Over the past few days since the fighting began, he had repeatedly summoned the domain's senior councilors and chief retainers, hoping to discuss with them and see if there was any solution, but the councilors had never been able to offer a satisfactory answer.

Indeed, no one knew how to face the consequences if they refused the Great Han's demands.

Resistance was clearly unrealistic. The Hirado domain was a small domain of only sixty-one thousand koku, with few people in the domain, and could not muster many who could resist. Even a large domain like Fukuoka, and even the shogunate's own army, could not withstand the Great Han. Expecting the Hirado domain to block their military edge on its own was essentially impossible.

The Great Han had made it abundantly clear: if they submitted, they could preserve their lives and homes; if they dared resist, everyone in the domain would face total destruction. Under such a threat, no one dared propose all-out resistance.

Although during the discussions the councilors, mindful of their lord's anger, did not suggest surrendering and complying with the Great Han's terms, the subtext of their deliberations was already quite clear. They all hoped Matsuura Takanobu would prioritize the greater good and the lives of all in the domain, and not act on impulse.

Matsuura Takanobu understood their meaning, and he did not wish to end in total destruction either, yet he still found it somewhat difficult to make a decision.

As a last shred of hope, he summoned the Dutch, wanting to ask what these Dutchmen thought of the Great Han's sudden invasion of Kyushu. The Hirado domain had a Dutch trading post and had always maintained good relations with the Dutch.

Gozet, the commercial representative of the Dutch East India Company in Hirado, arrived quickly. His attire was impeccable, but perhaps due to many recent vexations, his expression was somewhat gloomy.

After the two sides exchanged greetings, Matsuura Takanobu got straight to the point.

"Mr. Gozet, the Great Han has now dispatched a large army to Kyushu. As you surely know, our shogunate has been completely defeated," he directly explained the situation to the other party. "Now, the Great Han has issued us a notice demanding our prompt surrender, and requiring me to go to Nagasaki to pay homage to the general sent by the Great Han. I would like to ask, what is your view of the Great Han?"

Because of the Dutch in his domain, he still harbored a sliver of hope. Although he knew the Dutch merchant ships currently in Hirado could not possibly oppose the powerful Great Han fleet, he also knew the Dutch had frequent commercial dealings with the Great Han and that relations between the two sides were good. So he wanted the Dutch to intercede on his behalf, at least to negotiate better terms.

However, he did not expect that the Dutchman's answer would be so blunt and straightforward.

"Lord of the Domain, I'm afraid you cannot count on our armed forces. We have only some merchant ships in Hirado, and these ships cannot withstand the gunfire of the Great Han fleet. Moreover, we cannot risk our own lives and those of our sailors," Gozet said with a straight face. "If you need a suggestion from me regarding your situation, I suggest you agree to the Great Han's terms as soon as possible, and assist them in maintaining order within your domain and across Kyushu Island."

"What?" Matsuura Takanobu was startled by the Dutchman's attitude. These Dutchmen, far from being willing to offer him any help, were instead urging him to quickly accept all the Great Han's conditions and surrender to them. "Mr. Gozet, are you people willing to see Kyushu fall into the Great Han's hands?"

"Even if it falls into the Great Han's hands, that is better than a protracted war dragging on indefinitely," Gozet shrugged. "Sir, we came to Japan to do business. If Japan is constantly at war, that is an unbearable consequence for our commercial interests."

Ever since the day he had personally witnessed the Great Han fleet and met with the general the Great Han had sent to Japan, Gozet understood that the Great Han was fully resolved this time to defeat the Japanese shogunate. Originally, considering Dutch commercial interests, what he should most support was Japan, helping them resist the Great Han's aggression to prevent Japan from submitting to the Great Han.

But... he simply had no power now to support Japan. The merchant ships he had brought could not possibly resist the Great Han's fleet. Counting on Batavia was also unlikely. Although he had now written a report and sent a ship to deliver it to the East India Company headquarters, he did not believe Batavia would go to war with the Great Han over this.

The East India Company could not bear the consequence of losing both the Chinese and Japanese markets simultaneously. Besides, the company was currently at war with the Spanish and truly had no spare capacity to interfere in the war between the Great Han and Japan.

Therefore, he felt he could only settle for the next best thing and hope this war would end soon, so that trade between Holland and the two nations could return to normal. If the Great Han's war effort faltered, the Dutch might even step forward to mediate and reap the gratitude of both sides.

Of course, if the Great Han easily defeated Japan, that would be somewhat distressing, but even then, one could only sigh in helplessness.

In short, Gozet had no intention whatsoever of interfering in this war. To prevent the Hirado domain from still harboring wishful thinking, and to avoid getting himself and his people pointlessly caught in the vortex of war and facing mortal danger, he simply cut off the Hirado domain lord's hopes and told him Holland was powerless.

"Does Mr. Gozet mean that the Dutch cannot provide us with any assistance?" After a moment of silence, Matsuura Takanobu finally understood Gozet's meaning. "You instead advise us to surrender to the invading Han pirates?"

"... Yes, my lord, if you must understand it that way," Gozet hesitated, then finally answered with slight embarrassment. "But please believe me, we truly believe this is also the best solution for you. In our Western concept, surrendering when faced with an irresistible force is not shameful... I think, for you now, the Great Han's military power is likely irresistible, so you should make a wise choice for the sake of your subjects."

"Very well, I understand. You may leave," Matsuura Takanobu did not wish to speak with them further and waved for him to depart.

After Gozet left, the tenshu fell into an eerie, deathly silence.

Matsuura Takanobu remained deep in thought the entire time, and none of the councilors dared to speak. In truth, they all felt there was nothing more that needed to be said.

"Does anyone else have another suggestion?" After a long silence, Matsuura Takanobu raised his head and asked.

"Back then, it was the shogunate that drove the previous domain lord to his death... Even if we turn our blades against them now, we have justification," one of the most senior councilors suddenly spoke.

The "previous domain lord" he referred to was Matsuura Takanobu's father, Matsuura Hisanobu. He had participated on the Western Army's side in the Battle of Sekigahara, and when the Western Army was defeated, the shogunate later ordered Matsuura Hisanobu to go to Edo to pay homage to the shogun, but Matsuura Hisanobu died on the journey.

By suddenly bringing up this old matter, the councilor was actually providing their lord with a way to save face, offering a reasonable pretext for the Hirado domain's subsequent actions.

Matsuura Takanobu fully understood the other's meaning, and so he gave a bitter smile.

Although he did not oppose surrendering to the Great Han, the fact that until the very end not a single person was willing to stand forth and fight the Great Han army to the death, to die for the domain, truly made him sigh with regret. If he refused, he feared that even if he wanted these senior councilors and important retainers to resist, they would not obey.

"Then it seems surrender is our only choice — we have no other path left." After laughing for a moment, he finally spoke the words everyone had been waiting for.

Though no one said a word, Matsuura Takanobu clearly sensed the people in the courtyard collectively exhale in relief.

Paying no mind to what the others thought, he continued, "The Great Han General has ordered me to Nagasaki to pay homage. Since I've decided to surrender, I naturally must go. Make the arrangements — select a few men to accompany me."

Though the road ahead was perilous and the Great Han army ruthless and merciless, he dared not defy the Great Han's command and had no choice but to go to Nagasaki in person.

At the same time, having resolved to surrender, Matsuura Takanobu felt he might as well be decisive and go early. Hirado was so close to Nagasaki — perhaps he could even seize the first-mover advantage and leave a favorable impression with the Great Han forces.

With this small calculation in mind, the domain quickly made preparations for him. Taking a few trusted aides, he departed Hirado Domain Castle and headed south toward Nagasaki.

The roads were filled with refugees along the way — faces caked in grime, hair matted, starving. They crowded around Matsuura Takanobu's party begging for food, a sight he found truly pitiful. Because of the recent war, many refugees had gathered within his Hirado Domain.

Yet he also knew the domain's grain stores were limited and could not help too many, so he had no choice but to harden his heart and pass through them. Inwardly, he agreed with the Dutchman Gozet's words — this war would be best ended quickly. Even a Great Han victory was better than letting the fighting drag on.

The closer they drew to Nagasaki's borders, the sparser the signs of human habitation became, and the heavier the murderous chill that hung in the air. Though Matsuura Takanobu had steeled himself mentally before coming, he could not suppress a growing unease.

When a group of red-coated soldiers appeared in their line of sight, this nervous tension finally reached its peak. Matsuura Takanobu and his men immediately dismounted, making no threatening moves whatsoever before the red-coated soldiers. Once they drew near, the one among them who spoke Chinese explained their purpose to these Great Han soldiers.

Upon understanding that they were a Kyushu domain lord coming to offer surrender, the Great Han soldiers' attitude toward them improved considerably. They then escorted them into Nagasaki city to be taken to an audience with the Great Han General.

Stepping into Nagasaki, Matsuura Takanobu found that this once wealthy and flourishing city had been reduced to a wasteland of broken walls and rubble. A great mass of civilians in tattered clothing, numb and expressionless, were driven by Great Han soldiers to dig earth and build walls amid the ruins. Shouts of reprimand and the crack of whips sounded from time to time.

If I had refused to surrender, Hirado would have become like this too. Amid the desolation, Matsuura Takanobu could not help feeling a measure of relief.