The area around the lake was pitch black, with only the lamp on the boat illuminating a small space.
When the boat began to rock, Zhu Ci didn't even know if it was because of a gust of wind or because the two of them had moved a bit more, which was somewhat stimulating.
While the Emperor and the Grand Secretary were oblivious to the world around them, Zheng Chenggong was meeting Guajia Alna.
Because of his father, he had no particular affection for any of the Manchus.
However, because the other party was a Japanese envoy, he ultimately could not refuse him entry.
Facing Zheng Chenggong's rather poor attitude, Guajia Aobai adjusted the white paper mask on his face and said, "Greetings, Marquis Yanping, I am Tokugawa Sekina."
Zheng Chenggong's eyebrows twitched slightly. He had even changed his name? And his surname was Tokugawa; it seemed he was highly trusted by the Tokugawa family.
However, he did not care what Guajia Aobai had done; he only knew that this man had also once been a major threat to His Majesty the Emperor.
Zheng Chenggong said coldly, "Why has a retainer of the Tokugawa clan come here?"
Guajia Alna said, "I have come this time to bring news regarding the relatives of the Marquis of Yanping."
Zheng Chenggong's expression suddenly darkened upon hearing this. Relatives? Hadn't all of his relatives died at the hands of the Tartars?
His parents, his brothers and sisters—now only he remains of the Zheng family. How did this man dare to mention relatives to him?
Guajia Alna naturally felt Zheng Chenggong's hostility, but he said unhurriedly, "Has the Marquis of Yanping forgotten that you still have a younger brother in Japan?"
Brother?
Zheng Chenggong was slightly stunned before asking, "Are you saying Zheng Qi?"
Guajia Alna said, "Exactly. In Japan, he is known as Tanagawa Shichizaemon. He was raised by your maternal grandfather and became an excellent samurai, with a great business mind as well.. It's just a pity.."
Zheng Chenggong glanced at him, knowing that Guajia Aobai was baiting him, but he still asked, "A pity for what?"
A pity.. he was executed for offending a daimyo of the Owari clan.
Zheng Chenggong had a moment of realization: "He is dead?"
Yes.
Guajia Alna said no more, he stood up and said, "I only wished to inform you of this news, now I shall take my leave."
After he finished speaking, he bowed to Zheng Chenggong; whether in appearance or behavior, he already looked like a complete Japanese.
After he left, Zheng Chenggong remained silent for a long time before letting out a sigh.
He knew very well that Guajia Alna's telling him this news was highly ill-intentioned, as the other party was leading him toward seeking revenge.
He and Tanagawa Shichizaemon had no real emotional connection, aside from that slight blood relation.
After all, Tanagawa Shichizaemon had been sent to his maternal grandfather's home in Japan since birth, so they had rarely seen each other since childhood.
Before, because of his disagreements with his father, he had painfully given up even his parents and siblings; in truth, a younger brother who didn't even know what he looked like shouldn't have been expected to seek revenge for him.
After all, the person he had provoked was a Japanese Daimyo, a position similar to that of a vassal king, with some holding real power and others not.
But regardless, a Japanese daimyo is a nobleman; if one wanted to seek revenge against such a nobleman, it wouldn't matter if he were a Marquis of the Great Ming.
Or rather, official channels wouldn't work; he would have to act in secret.
Zheng Chenggong did not want to pay any attention to Guajia Aobai, but for some reason, he could not stop thinking about how Tanagawa Shichizaemon looked when he was first born.
Actually, he was not very old back then, his memories had long since blurred. It was just that, at this very moment, thinking about how one of his closest relatives in this world had passed away, leaving only him and his children in the family, he felt somewhat dejected.
Zheng Chenggong thought for a moment and prepared to pay his respects to His Highness the Prince of Qi.
Because he found it very strange that Guajia Alna was trying to lead him toward seeking revenge.
Considering Guajia Aobai's current name and status, he should be highly valued by the Tokugawa clan; even if he had a grievance with that daimyo, wouldn't it be easier to find allies in Japan?
Just as Zheng Chenggong had written the formal note and was preparing to have it delivered to the Prince of Qi's Mansion the next day, Guajia Aobai returned to the guesthouse arranged by the Court of State Ceremonial. As soon as he entered the door, a warrior looked at him coldly and said, "Why are you only returning now? Go wash up quickly; the Old Master is waiting for you."
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Author's Note: Zhu Ci: Being on a rocking boat and having to worry every now and then about whether it will capsize is just too nerve-wracking and intense; I'm not playing this next time. A kitty jumps ashore and shakes the water off its paws. jpg
Next update at noon~
Chapter 301
Guajia Alna lowered his head and replied, "Yes."
He clenched his fists, pretending to be nonchalant as he cleaned himself, preparing to endure the humiliation.
In Japan's strict hierarchy, it is very common for people of low status to offer their bodies in exchange for resources.
It was just that Guajia Aobai didn't expect that even with his face being ruined, he still wouldn't be able to escape.
This old Chinese man on this trip just happened to have a preference for people with scars on their faces and bodies.
Guajia Aobai seized this opportunity, but he also loathed it.
He knelt on the ground, enduring the pain as he pondered how to win over Zheng Chenggong.
The Emperor of Ming promised him that by causing chaos in Japan, he would help him seize everything. Guajia Alna did not actually believe this, but he had no choice but to act as if he did.
But it didn't matter; he only needed to use the Great Ming to avenge himself while simultaneously gaining immense wealth. Once he achieved his goals, he naturally wouldn't stay in Japan.
Japan is too close to the Great Ming; he needs to go to a much further place to escape the Emperor of Ming.
Regarding Guajia Aobai's actions, Zhu Ci pondered for a long time before saying, "This man has wild ambitions; perhaps he wants Maoxun to help him seize an even higher position."
He paused and said, "Just like Wu Sangui was back then."
Zhu Ci knew the inside story, also knew the conditions offered by the Emperor.
However, this was considered a secret; even though Zheng Chenggong was a confidant of the Emperor, he could not speak of this matter.
Zheng Chenggong frowned, "It's just that I cannot offer him any help."
These military officers did not hold direct command over troops—or rather, it wasn't that they lacked it, but rather that they lacked the authority to execute non-state-level commands; they could not mobilize any soldiers, though they faced no restrictions on training troops in their daily routines.
Zhu Ci said bluntly, "Go and see the Grand Secretary."
"Huh?" Zheng Chenggong was extremely surprised.
See the Grand Secretary?
Strictly speaking, this matter was his private family affair, but since it involved Guajia Aobai, he came to ask Zhu Ci.
After all, the Ministry of Rites, which the Prince of Qi governs, is responsible for all foreign affairs.
But surely such a trivial matter doesn't need to alarm the Grand Secretary?
Zhu Ci looked at him meaningfully: "There is nothing to lose by going for a meeting, is there? It is also a good opportunity to let His Majesty and the Grand Secretary know what has happened in your maternal family, to prevent anyone from using this matter against you in the future."
Zheng Chenggong always felt that things were not that simple, but he still decided to follow Zhu Ci's words and go to see the Grand Secretary.
In any case, this matter wasn't worth him writing a memorial about; if he mentioned it to the Grand Secretary, His Majesty would essentially know as well.
These high-ranking officials were well aware of the current relationship between the Emperor and the Grand Secretary, but he continued to act as if he knew nothing.
The Emperor has no intention of abdication to the Grand Secretary, so.. it is best to pretend not to know. As for the Crown Prince, it will still be in time to consider it when the Emperor is in his thirties or forties.
Even if there were truly an eldest son now, everyone would worry: by the time the eldest son grows up, the Emperor will be in the prime of his life. It would be too dangerous.
However, Zheng Chenggong did not have a very smooth meeting with the Grand Secretary, because the Emperor had canceled the day's Grand Assembly, the Grand Secretary was not within the Prince's Mansion.
Zheng Chenggong..
He seemed to have discovered something extraordinary, but having no one to talk to, he finally couldn't hold it in and had to run to gossip with his wife.
Two days had passed by the time he saw the Grand Secretary again.
For some reason, he always felt that the Grand Secretary looked a bit healthier.
Setting aside everything else, that exceptionally pale face had gained some color.
Upon learning Zheng Chenggong's purpose, Fu raised an eyebrow and said, "He is quite clever."
Hmm? There's a hidden meaning in those words.
Fu pondered for a long while, then beckoned to Zheng Chenggong.
After Zheng Chenggong left the Prince of Yue's Mansion, he sent someone to the inn to find Guajia Alna.
When he saw Guajia Alna again, he was surprised to notice that the other's movements seemed somewhat stiff.
Guajia Aobai noticed his gaze and said with lowered eyes, "The rain in the Capital over the past two days has aggravated my old injuries, making it difficult for me to move. I ask the Marquis of Yanping not to take it to heart."
Zheng Chenggong naturally did not care; he simply asked, "Who was the daimyo that killed Tanagawa Shichizaemon?"
Alna's eyes flashed, knowing that the opportunity had arrived.
He immediately said, "This man is named Tokugawa Mitsutomo, the head of the Tokugawa clan of the Owari Domain, he is thirty-seven years old this year.."
Guajia Alna went through all of Tokugawa Mitsutomo's information.
Zheng Chenggong asked, "How did A-qi offend him?"
Guajia Alna said in a low voice, "Tokugawa Mitsutomo's daughter likes Tanagawa Shichizaemon, since Tokugawa Mitsutomo does not agree, he.."
Zheng Chenggong glanced at Guajia Aobai, feeling that things shouldn't be this simple; just because his daughter liked someone and he disagreed, he wouldn't kill. The Tanagawa family might not have been sufficient for a marriage alliance with the Tokugawa family, but they weren't so weak that they could be crushed at will.
Otherwise, Zheng Zhilong wouldn't have married a woman from the Tanagawa family as his primary wife back then.
But none of that mattered; Guajia Aobai needed assistance, Zheng Chenggong needed an insider.
Tanagawa Shichizaemon's death was nothing more than an excuse.
When the Japanese envoys returned, everyone except Guajia Alna was in a rather bad mood.
The Great Ming did not agree to any of their demands, even the return gifts failed to meet their expectations.
The leader of the group could already foresee what he would face upon his return, so while tormenting Alna on the road, he said resentfully, "The Emperor of Ming is truly so arrogant."
Guajia Alna endured the pain while his hatred deepened.
That young Emperor of Great Ming didn't even take the Qing Dynasty Regent Dorgon seriously back then; what are you compared to him?
Japan is nothing more than a tiny speck of land!
Guajia Alna thought of the bustling scene at the port when he left, felt even more that his decision was correct.
Japan is not a place to linger; he needs to speed up.