"Are you saying that Baile, the leader of the Jurchen White Flag, has arrived at Nagato?"

In the feudal hall of Hagi Castle, Mori Terumoto was presiding over a family meeting. Mori Hidetada, who had just returned, sat next to Mori Terumoto, followed by Yoshikawa Motoharu, Kobayakawa Ryuuki and others.

"Yes! I just received the news that the Jurchen flag-bearer prince just passed by Nagato. It is said that he has a good relationship with the Shimazu family. After Nagato supplies supplies, he will probably leave tomorrow!

According to our people's report when they came back, they said that he came this time because the Jurchen people had their gold stolen. They only knew that it was done by Japanese people, but they didn't know who did it.

Li Xiao said that it was Jiugui Jialong who stole the Jurchen gold, and it seems to be true based on two facts."

"Kuki Yoshiro has made a lot of money!" Mouri Hidetada said impulsively after just finishing his drink.

Kuuki Yoshitaka and the Mori family have old and new grudges. Murakami Takeyoshi, the famous navy general of the Mouri family, was defeated by Kumano Suijun of Kuki Yoshitaka and committed seppuku.

Now that Kuuki Yoshitaka has made such a fortune, he will definitely take the opportunity to expand his power. The most powerful water force in Japan is the Maori family and the Kumano navy represented by Kuuki Yoshitaka. The Mouri family has been forced into a corner and has no way to retreat.

Can be withdrawn.

"If Kuki Yoshiro sells the gold to build ships, or buys arms from the red-haired people in Macau, then our situation...!" Kobayakawa Ryukage couldn't hold back his anger.

"If they pin the matter on us, then the Edo shogunate will have an excuse to take further action against us. We have only two feudal states left, Nagato and Shufang, and the population cannot make ends meet. If this continues, our samurai will

They will all become ronin." Yoshikawa Motoharu said an even more worrying ending.

"We must not let this happen, father!" Mouri Hidetada suddenly panicked.

Terumoto Mori remained silent, and what Yoshikawa Motoharu said is likely to become true. During the Battle of Sekigahara, the leaders of the Western Army, Anguoji Eqiong, Konishi Yukinaga, and Ishida Mitsunari. These are all famous Ming Dynasties known to the whole country.

After being paraded through the streets of Kyoto by Tokugawa Ieyasu, they were all beheaded in the Rokujo River in Kyoto.

He, Terumoto Mori, was able to save his life because his power was too huge. Tokugawa Ieyasu did not want to win with heavy losses, so he just wanted to significantly weaken Terumoto Mori's fiefdom and reduce his power. We will work on it gradually in the future!

Now that the power of the Maori family has been weakened, Tokugawa Ieyasu is also looking for opportunities to get rid of the thorn in the side of the Maori family.

Now is a great opportunity to frame this matter on the Maori family. Then send troops to the Maori family to eliminate the last hidden danger of the Tokugawa family.

Tokugawa Ieyasu will never miss this opportunity, absolutely not!

Terumoto Mori knows this!

"If we kill Beile, the leader of the Jurchens' Zhengbai Banner, and prevent him from going to Tokyo...!" Kobayakawa Ryukage's eyes showed murderous intent.

"No! If the matter is exposed, Tokugawa Ieyasu will still use this as an excuse to attack us." Yoshikawa Motoharu said helplessly.

"This won't work! That won't work either. Do you think we have to wait for death?" Mouri Hidetada was so anxious that his face turned red.

"Haha! Aren't there people from the Ming Dynasty here? Reveal the news to the people from the Ming Dynasty and let them find trouble for the Jurchens. They are feuding people. If a fight breaks out, Tokugawa Ieyasu will not blame us." The adopted son of Terumoto Mori

Maori Xiuyuan suddenly spoke.

Everyone looked at Maori Xiuyuan, because this idea was really the best idea at the moment. Everyone knew the hatred between the Ming Dynasty people and the Jurchens, so it was not surprising that they would fight. Even if they killed the flag owner of the Zhengbai Banner,

Baylor and Tokugawa Ieyasu couldn't find anything wrong with the Mori family.

"Xiu Yuan said very well. I'll leave this matter to you, Xiu Yuan. Tell the chief military officer of the Ming Dynasty that as long as he kills the Jurchens' banner leader Baylor, I will agree to an alliance with him." This time.

Mouri Terumoto did not hesitate and made his decision immediately.

After all, it won't take much time to replenish supplies. Maybe the flag owner, Baylor, will leave Nagato tomorrow.

Li Xiao was feeling embarrassed for cheating on Li Hu. Jiang Chaozong came in to report. He said that there was a man named Mao Li Xiuyuan who asked to see him. Li Xiao looked at the sky outside. The chicken didn't even crow! Who asked for a meeting at this time?

However, in order to get rid of Li Hu, Li Xiao ignored the reception time and made an exception to meet this international friend.

When Li Xiao saw Mouri Xiuyuan for the first time, he felt like he had seen a leopard.

When I was in Zhurihe, I heard an old shepherd say that they were not afraid of tigers, bears or even wild boars in the forest when hunting. But what they were most afraid of was leopards, which were full of dangerous creatures.

Although leopards are not as strong as tigers, nor as rampant as wild boars, they are the most dangerous. They are well-proportioned, ferocious, agile, cruel, and cunning.

Tigers rarely eat people, but leopards will attack people. If you encounter a tiger, as long as you don't provoke it, there is an 80% chance that it will survive. But if you encounter a leopard in the forest, you have only two chances of survival.

become.

I don’t know why Li Xiao suddenly thought of this ferocious animal when he saw Maori Xiuyuan.

"It's really rude to bother you so late." Mouri Xiuyuan, who was kneeling opposite Li Xiao, bowed to Li Xiao.

"Mr. Xiuyuan came here so late, there must be something going on. Please tell me!" After sending Li Hu away in the middle of the night, Li Xiao was no longer interested in being polite to this dangerous Japanese.

"There is indeed something important to tell you. Beile, the leader of the White Flag of Houjin Kingdom, arrived at Nagato at sunset today."

"Huang Taiji?" Li Xiao's narrowed eyes widened immediately.

Among the Baylors of Houjin, the one Li Xiao was most afraid of was Huang Taiji. Because this guy finally defeated three powerful brothers and became Nurhachi's successor.

And the Zhengbai flag is also the flag that Li Xiao is most afraid of. Take Aobai as an example, there is nothing to say about commanding on the battlefield. Being able to persist in that situation and not being wiped out by Ao Canghai, and being in adversity requires Sony's persuasion, for the sake of his subordinates

life before surrendering.

And Huang Taiji was also willing to spend a lot of money to redeem his subordinates. Whether it was Sony or Obai, looking at the Ming Dynasty, Li Xiao had not seen many such people. Wang Wenyan may be comparable to Sony, but Sony is obviously better than Wang Wenyan

So persistent.

How could you not be tactful in an officialdom like the Ming Dynasty? This thing is definitely a rare product.

"Yes, it is Mr. Baylor, the leader of the Zhengbai Banner. He came to Japan. You should know why he came to Japan without me telling you. As long as he arrives in Tokyo, it will be impossible for us to cooperate with you. What our lord means is

…!”

Mao Li Xiuzhong did not continue speaking, but looked at Li Xiao quietly.

After listening to Ai Husheng's translation, Li Xiao understood immediately. This might be the legendary certificate of surrender, but he still didn't believe himself.

But Li Xiao didn't mind this matter. It had always been Li Xiao's dream to kill Huang Taiji. Because he was the one who brought the barbaric Hou Jin back on track. The stall left by Nurhachi became more and more powerful in his hands.

With the foundation he laid, the day would finally come when the Manchu Qing Dynasty took control of the Central Plains!

Now is a good opportunity. It is impossible for Huang Taiji to bring out the entire Zhengbai Banner. He is just hanging overseas alone with his bodyguard. If he doesn't take this opportunity to kill him, I'm afraid Li Xiao will not forgive himself.

"I understand what Mr. Xiuyuan means, please tell the Maori lord. Huang Taiji is important to you, and it is also very important to us. I will weigh the anchor now, but we are not familiar with the Japanese waters. I need a guide!"

"It's really nice to talk to you. I will send a capable retainer to assist you soon." Maori Xiuyuan never dreamed that he could convince Li Xiao so easily. The decision was made immediately. It must not be because of

It was my own reasons that caused this incident to change.

After finishing talking, Mouri Xiuyuan stood up and left.

"Master, are we really going to kill Huang Taiji?" Ai Husheng asked in a low voice as he watched Maori Xiuyuan leave.

"Huang Taiji is a very dangerous person. When we were on the bank of the Hun River, it was he who cut off the retreat of the Qi Family Army, which resulted in the complete destruction of the Qi Family Army.

That time the Tatars attacked our Phi Island at night, and Huang Taiji's Zhengbai Banner was the main force. His relationship with the Japanese pirates was pretty good, and usually we couldn't do anything to him. But this time, he came overseas alone. This is the best way to kill him.

It’s an opportunity, and I will never let this opportunity pass me by.”

Li Xiao stood on the side of the ship, looking in the direction of Nagato pointed by Ai Husheng. He couldn't see through the dark sea, but Li Xiao still thought about the fact that across the way was Huang Taiji sleeping in the ship.

Now I know that Huang Taiji is here, but Huang Taiji doesn't know that he is here. If he is calculating mentally or not, he must make Huang Taiji suffer a big loss.

After waiting for less than a quarter of an hour, several horses came running over.

Jiang Chaozong led several Japanese warriors to Li Xiao. The leading warrior bowed deeply to Li Xiao.

"Ezuo Shinyuemon, your Excellency the Chief Military Officer." Li Xiao glanced at the short and stocky Japanese from beginning to end.

This guy's figure seems to be less than 1.6 meters tall. He is wearing an ordinary samurai uniform. He has a samurai sword stuck in his waist and stuck in his ribs. Especially his thick forearms, which are thicker than Li Xiao's arms.

Just by looking at this guy's thick forearms, you can tell that he must be a master of swordsmanship.

What surprised Li Xiao even more was that this guy actually spoke fluent Chinese. There was some Shandong accent in his accent, but Li Xiao was fine. As a Shandong native, Jiang Chaozong looked at this Japanese as if he were a monster.

Because he often frequents military forums, Li Xiao knows something about this. The samurai swords of Japanese pirates usually do not weigh more than 12 kilograms due to the force exerted. The saber of Shogen Shinzuna, the number one master of Japanese kendo, only weighs 15 kilograms.

catty.

The way kendo exerts force is that the forearm drives the big arm, and cutting and stabbing are all driven by the forearm. Therefore, the forearms of kendo masters are particularly strong. To observe whether a Japanese warrior is proficient in kendo, the first point is to observe his small arms.

arm.

A guy with thick forearms is most likely a kendo master. Ezasa Shinyuemon definitely meets this standard.

"Are you the person sent by Mr. Xiuyuan?"

"Yes!" Ezuo Shinyuemon bowed and replied.

"Who taught you Chinese?" Li Xiao frowned. Generally speaking, those who can speak Chinese in these days are from Japanese pirates. At that time, Japanese pirates roamed the southeast of the Ming Dynasty, burning, killing, raping, and looting. Although the Qi Jiajun and Yu Jiajun appeared successively,

Let the Japanese pirates not dare to set foot southeast again.

However, sporadic Japanese pirate attacks never stopped until the end of Wanli. There are still records of Japanese pirates invading coastal areas!

Li Xiao didn't want to stay with a Japanese pirate whose hands were stained with Han blood all day long.

"Reporting to the Commander-in-Chief, my neighbor is Han. I learned Chinese from his family official!"

"Han people?" Li Xiao was surprised and didn't understand why Han people lived in Japan. Could it be that it is also popular to work abroad these days?

"He was a maritime merchant named Zheng. He married our neighbor, the Tagawa family. At that time, my family was still living in Hirado, Hizen Province! When I was a child, I often played with the children in charge of his family, so I learned Chinese.

The maritime merchant didn't come back often, and before he came to Hagi Castle with the feudal lord, his son Fukumatsu was only four years old and lived with the Tagawa clan."

"Oh! So that's it." Li Xiao nodded, it's good since he's not a Japanese pirate. As for the maritime merchant named Zheng, and the Tagawa family, Fu Song didn't take it seriously.

Now that the guide has arrived, Liu Laoliu immediately shouted to weigh the anchor. This time Li Xiao did not come out in a warship, but a large transport ship.
To be continued...