Omura Sumitada nodded—
Defeating Yu Dayou was a must, but a foolproof plan was also necessary, while also harassing the coast. Otherwise, how could he explain to Yan Song? If they failed again, Yan Song would be unable to exert influence, and external forces would not be converted into internal pressure, leading to extremely serious consequences. By then, if Zhu Mo’s reforms succeeded, the sea merchants would have to purchase goods from the Huating Trading Post, and all profits would be lost. As the leading protectors, the samurai of Kyushu would be completely finished…
Thinking of this, he calmly said:
“Captain Haifeng, you do not understand. The purpose of fighting the Ming this time is for the sea merchants, not for a decisive battle with the Ming… As long as Lord Yan Song can open the gates of the Ming country wide, the objective will be achieved… Personal grievances must be put aside first… Even if we fight again, this must be considered…”
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Mao Lie and Wu Ping naturally did not agree, but they did not dare to object. They only felt that constantly fighting a political war was not the way to contend. If this was still a political war, the problem would be serious. They were pirates and knew very well that only fierce retaliation would make the coastal residents fear them again, thereby maintaining their authority and continuing to allow smugglers to trade at the ports of Laili and Yue.
Just then,
A ronin ran over, shouting:
“My lord! Lord Sorin has military dispatches!”
Omura Sumitada immediately stood up, but his left leg ached intensely. With a cry of pain, he still went forward, snatched the handwritten note, and saw what Otomo Sorin had written:
“Sumitada:
I have dispatched Tachibana Dōsetsu with fifty ships and one thousand of my domain’s samurai to reinforce. All are equipped with Nanban artillery. Sumitada, you may fight with abandon. I will await your victory report in Nagasaki harbor day and night. Sorin, Representative of God.”
This was right,
This was Sorin’s tone and Sorin’s style.
One must know,
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The Japanese called the Portuguese “Nanban.” Sorin and he himself believed in Christianity. Besides his Christian name, Sorin also liked to call himself “Representative of God.”
“Is there any verbal message?”
Omura felt there was more.
The ronin indeed said, “Lord Sorin said that Lord Yan Song, the Chancellor of the Ming, has issued an ultimatum. All countries must contribute. All military affairs are entrusted to Lord Sumitada. We ask for your cooperation!”
Mm-hmm,
This completely matched Omura’s expectations—
The ronin of the Japanese islands were the most formidable fighters among all the countries, and this status could not be changed. Sorin indeed had great strategic vision, and finally sent reinforcements. Judging by this momentum, other countries would also send reinforcements one after another. Although the first round of the war with the Ming was a setback, the final battle had not yet begun!
“You all follow me into the hall to discuss the strategy!”
Omura was instantly revived. Enduring the intense pain, he straightened up and strode back towards the port city.
…
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Several days later,
A small boat landed on Okinawa Island.
Omura Sumitada and Torres quietly entered Shuri Castle.
In the low but solemn Southern Hall, the Ryukyu Kingdom’s Chancellor Mao Longxuan, the East India Fleet Commander of the Portuguese Torres, Zheng Hui, son of the Grand Tutor of the Le Dynasty Zheng Jian, Kim Hyo-won, envoy of the Councilor of Joseon Yun Wong-hyeong, and Mo Yingli, son of the King of Toungoo Mo Yinglong, almost all parties had sent their most influential figures.
Torres naturally presided over the entire event.
After Omura Sumitada was seated, Torres smiled and said:
“Gentlemen, I have summoned you here because of our common interests…”
Although they were all attacking the Ming Dynasty, they used Chinese when they gathered together. Torres had been in Ryukyu for a long time, and Shuri Castle was actually the colonial center of the entire Far East. Whether it was firearms, cannons, armor, or the powerful Portuguese ships, they were all traded from here. As long as he was in charge, this was the center where civilization spread.
Over the years, he had also learned Chinese, but when communicating, he still had a strange accent; the foreign accent when speaking Chinese had never changed. Seeing that everyone had become solemn, he continued,
“Interests? Understand? Zhu Mo, the Grand Academician of the Ming, is already flipping the table… He intends to establish a trading post in Huating, issue permits, and collect customs duties… We will not be able to do business. Lord Yan Song is absolutely right; the war must continue.
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For this reason, I, representing the Portuguese Royal Court and the East India Company, and more importantly, for everyone’s common interests, have gathered you all in Shuri to discuss the next phase of operations. To be frank, I have received the approval of His Eminence the Cardinal to mobilize the East India Company’s fleet, totaling one hundred and twenty Portuguese ships, five hundred cannons, and four thousand muskets. For this purpose, I have also specifically summoned General Torres, and for the honor of the Portuguese Royal Court, I have appointed him as the theater commander… Gentlemen, my conditions have been fully disclosed. It is time for you to reveal your true thoughts. Hm?”
With a whoosh,
He sat down, lit a cigar, and smoke billowed out. His hawk-like eyes scanned each person one by one. These cigars were grown by the Portuguese and Spanish in Brazil. In Europe, they were a symbol of status, each worth two taels of silver, truly exuding prestige.
Omura Sumitada was the first to speak. With a swish, he stood up, bowed to everyone, and then said solemnly:
“Gentlemen, I have also just received a letter from Lord Otomo Sorin. Fifty warships and one thousand of my domain’s samurai are already on their way to Zhoushan.”
After speaking,
He looked at Zheng Hui, Kim Hyo-won, Mo Yingli, and Mao Longxuan, and finally at Mao Longxuan again, with a sharp threat in his eyes. Although not explicitly stated, the meaning was clear: below the Portuguese, it was the Japanese who called the shots, and this had not changed!
Mao Longxuan was the Chancellor of Ryukyu, but Ryukyu and Joseon had tributary relationships with the Ming Dynasty. If they were to send troops, it would be a complete rupture, and if they were bullied by the Japanese again, no one would protect them. These people present had always been duplicitous, especially that Torres, whose actions were even more vicious than the Japanese pirates. How could Mao Longxuan trust them?
However, due to the circumstances, some troops had to be sent at this time. Therefore, he deliberated and said:
“Our great Ryukyu Kingdom stopped acknowledging itself as a vassal of the Ming Dynasty several months ago. I believe all of you are aware of this fact… However, considering the future relationship with the Ming Dynasty after the opening of its ports, our country cannot formally declare war… I have reported to the King, and this time we will dispatch thirty warships and five hundred soldiers, under the guise of pirates surrendering, to be commanded by Lord Omura Sumitada. What do you think?”
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Torres pondered for a moment and nodded.
Because Ryukyu was very weak, it did not receive a large share of the profits from the entire pirate alliance, nor was there any reason to force it to commit all its resources. Therefore, he took a puff of his cigar and cast his gaze towards Omura Sumitada.
Omura Sumitada snorted, cursed silently, but his face broke into a smile. He nodded and said:
“Ryukyu was formerly known as Wakigana, and we share the same origin and blood as our Japanese domain… I will treat your ships and men with the courtesy befitting my domain’s samurai. Rest assured!”
Mm-hmm,
Everyone nodded in unison, deeply feeling that this was the good aspect of how the Japanese did things: they had grand demeanor and tempers, but they also had responsibility and spirit.