Chapter 1004

“How is Yamada Nobunaga doing?”

The changes in Japan were, for Xiao Ming, within reason but unexpected.

In contemporary times, after Japan’s doors were forced open by Western gunboats, the Meiji Restoration followed. The difference now was that he had used powerful ships and cannons to open Japan’s doors.

Moreover, since ancient times, when the Central Plains dynasty was strong, Japan always learned from it. So, after being thoroughly defeated by them, it was not surprising that Japan would come up with this idea.

“Yamada Nobunaga is currently struggling. Several of his armies have been defeated by the rebels, including an 8,000-strong force equipped with flintlock guns. In my humble opinion, Yamada Nobunaga seems unable to hold on for much longer. His defeats have caused the daimyos, samurai, merchants, and common people to abandon him. This is the current situation in Japan,” Wang Xuan said solemnly.

“This is indeed a problem.”

Xiao Ming was a little worried. For him, this kind of change in Japan was something he did not want to see. He knew very well what contemporary Japan did after its reform.

Wang Xuan sighed, “This matter is indeed thorny. If Yamada Nobunaga is defeated, the documents we signed with Japan will probably all become invalid, which will harm our interests in Japan. However, Yamada Nobunaga is already a lost cause that cannot be helped. Continuing to support him is equivalent to giving equipment to the rebels.”

“How much do you know about the rebels?” Xiao Ming continued to ask.

Wang Xuan then took out a document and placed it on the table, saying, “These are the materials currently collected by the secret guards. These rebels are very diverse, ranging from large to small, there are thirty-seven of them. Among them, the three most influential people are Yoshida Koyo, Takasugi Ryoma, and Saigo Matsuki.”

Xiao Ming flipped through the document, which contained information on all the rebels. He focused on these three individuals. “These three seem to be Japanese nobles.”

“Yes, Your Majesty. It is said that they have frequently visited the residences of other daimyos, seeking to gain their support for this rebellion.”

Putting down the document, Xiao Ming rubbed his brows. These three people were insignificant to him; he had never even heard of them. However, history was sometimes stirred up by insignificant figures.

These rebels were not frightening to him; what was frightening was the ideology they promoted. Even if he had Ye Qingyun help Yamada Nobunaga defeat the rebels, it would not be long before successors emerged again, and this would drag him into endless civil wars in Japan.

This was similar to how the Western powers once helped the Qing Dynasty suppress the Taiping Heavenly Kingdom, but the Qing Dynasty was still eventually replaced.

However, at least the initiative was still in his hands. What Japan could learn and how much they could learn was up to him. So he said, “Whether Yamada Nobunaga can rule Japan is actually not important. I only need to ensure the Empire’s interests in Japan. You should send people to contact the rebels in advance. If they accept the terms of the ‘Instrument of Surrender’, we will not intervene in their civil war. If they don’t accept, we will help Yamada Nobunaga train his army to eliminate them!”

Wang Xuan nodded. Xiao Ming’s idea coincided with his own. Their first priority now was to ensure their interests in Japan. As for who ruled, it was not important. Moreover, Yamada Nobunaga’s decline was obvious, so they had to prepare early.

At the same time, Yamada Nobunaga was nearly sixty years old, and probably did not have much time left to live. After his death, his forces would probably quickly fall apart.

“Besides preparing in advance, you also need to investigate further. I always feel that something is fishy about this matter. Yamada Nobunaga, no matter how bad he is, should not have lost so badly to the rebels. I am worried that this is a trap set by Yamada Nobunaga for me. No matter who we support, Japan will ultimately win.” Xiao Ming said thoughtfully.

Wang Xuan’s eyes darted around. He said, “Your Majesty means that the rebellion is a ‘bitter meat’ ploy by Yamada Nobunaga and Japan, intended to extract benefits from us.”

“That’s possible, so for now, let them continue to fight for a while,” Xiao Ming said calmly.

“Yes, Your Majesty. I will immediately begin a thorough investigation upon my return,” Wang Xuan replied and turned to leave.

Watching Wang Xuan depart, Xiao Ming picked up his teacup, took a sip, and closed his eyes in thought.

The strategy for Southeast Asia had just begun, but Japan had already played such a trick on him. However, he was not too worried, because no matter how Japan changed its dynasty, he had the ability to destroy its rulers.

His garrison in Japan was not just to protect his own merchants. Once Japan’s development showed signs of getting out of control, he would order them to take action.

…

Nagasaki, Yamada Nobunaga was practicing his sword in the courtyard when a samurai entered the courtyard, bowed, and said, “Daimyo, Yoshida-kun has arrived.”

Hearing this, Yamada Nobunaga stopped his movements. He said, “Quickly let him in.”

The samurai left, and soon after, a black-clad figure, completely hidden in a cloak, entered the courtyard. Seeing Yamada Nobunaga, the black-clad figure bowed and said, “Daimyo Yamada.”

Yamada Nobunaga nodded. He said, “I asked you to come at great risk this time for the upcoming campaign. This matter, which we have planned for so long, must not fail. The Emperor of the Great Yu Empire is an extremely shrewd man, and he may suspect that we are putting on a ‘bitter meat’ performance. My informant has sent news that Wang Xuan, the commander of the Great Yu Empire’s secret guards, returned to the Great Yu Empire three days ago. He will most likely report this intelligence to the Emperor of the Great Yu Empire. The secret guards will certainly increase their investigation into us. To prevent exposure, we must take a risky move. I am prepared to die for my country. After you return this time, proceed according to the plan and complete our objective.”

The black-clad man lifted the cloth covering his face, revealing a young face. This person was none other than Yoshida Koyo, one of the three heroes of the rebel army. He suddenly knelt before Yamada Nobunaga and said, “Daimyo Yamada, is there truly no other path?”

Yamada Nobunaga nodded. “When I signed the ‘Instrument of Surrender,’ I understood that the Great Yu Empire wanted to enslave our Japan for eternity. So, to deceive the Great Yu Empire, I signed it, all for today’s plan. Yoshida, you are the person I value most. Do not be overly sentimental. If this endeavor succeeds, we will not only be able to unify a divided Japan but also gain industrial capabilities from the Great Yu Empire. Even if we cannot contend with the Great Yu Empire, at least we can have our own colonies in the world like Britain, instead of forever existing as a colony of the Great Yu Empire.”

Yoshida nodded fiercely when he heard this. He said, “Daimyo, we will not disappoint you.”

Yamada Nobunaga nodded. He had reached his current position by enduring and choosing the most opportune moment to eliminate his enemies. What he was currently instructing was still his philosophy of survival.

After saying a few more words to Yoshida, Yoshida left under the protection of samurai. A hint of ruthlessness flashed in Yamada Nobunaga’s eyes.