"Of course I also want to consider future generations, but...the big man is now prosperous, so I'm afraid he won't agree to conditions that are too difficult for others." Naito Tadashige originally had scruples about Sakai Tadakatsu, but now he doesn't care so much anymore.

, "Moreover, doing so will also be a huge setback for Japan. Among other things, Kyoto's silk weaving industry relies on importing raw silk from Dahan to maintain the industry. Japan's domestic raw silk can only meet half of the annual demand. If the trade between the two countries is

If the volume continues to be reduced, the various silk weaving workshops in Kyoto will definitely be unable to sustain themselves, and if all industries are depressed by then, it will probably be harmful to Japan."

Although his defense did not quite comply with the rules of normal proceedings, it was very reasonable, so others did not care about his attitude, but fell into deep thought again.

"What you said makes sense." Naotaka Ii nodded and calmly stopped the dispute between the two Lao and China. "It is true that we must also consider the domestic situation, and we cannot rashly restrict the trade between the two countries too deeply.

Well, let’s leave it to you to consider it all, and then submit it to us once you have the draft.”

"Understood, we will discuss a specific plan as soon as possible." Seeing that the unreasonable request was withdrawn, Naito Tadushige finally felt relieved.

"Does anyone have any other opinions?" Naotaka Ii tapped his fingers on the table in front of him. This was his habitual action, indicating that he had made a decision.

No one spoke anymore. Although this plan still had many flaws, it was obvious that the elder was already inclined to make a decision. No one was willing to argue with the elder publicly anymore. Besides, no one had a better plan to propose.

come out.

"Okay, let's do it this way." Ii Naotaka waved his hand, and this matter became a conclusion.

Although it will be written into an official document and submitted to General Tokugawa Iemitsu for approval, given his prestige, the general will usually directly approve it.

After discussing such an important matter, silence suddenly returned to the hall.

No one asked to leave, but no one continued to talk, as if everyone was meditating here together. Everyone understood that the next thing was actually the focus of their discussions all night. Although the previous diplomatic exchanges with the Ming Dynasty were important,

It's just a reason.

But precisely because the relationship was so important, no one was willing to speak up for a while.

After this weird silence lasted for an unknown amount of time, a cough suddenly sounded in the silent hall. The coughs came from Inaba Masakatsu's mouth, and he could hear the weakness of a terminal illness.

"Tango Mamoru, do you want to go back and take a rest first?" Naotaka Ii looked at the other party with concern. "It's already late today, so the most important thing is to take care of yourself..."

Although the shogunate has its own official system, after all, the officials of the shogunate are no longer part of the legal system, and there is no formal court rank. Therefore, the important ministers of the shogunate generally have imperial officials. Tango Mamoru is currently under the leadership of Inaba Masakatsu.

The rank of imperial officials is from the fifth to the lowest. This is just an official title and does not require him to actually go to Tango Kingdom to serve as the guardian of the country.

Shogun Tokugawa Iemitsu is now a left minister and Sakonoe general. He not only holds a very high official position, but also nominally occupies one of the highest military positions in the imperial court. As the chief minister of the shogunate, Ii Naomasa is now the fourth Shogun.

Lieutenant General Sakonoe in position.

"Thank you... thank you..." Masakatsu Inaba shook his head and thanked him, but because he was really weak, he shook his head and stumbled around, which really made people feel a little pitiful.

This young man really won't live long, and this thought flashed through almost everyone's mind.

However, he did not intend to give up today's plans because of his health. "But... national affairs cannot... cannot be delayed because of my health. Please... please continue."

As he spoke, he looked at Matsudaira Nobutsuna, who had been silent and almost invisible. Compared with his weak body, his eyes were much firmer, as if he had already made up his mind.

Looking at Inaba Masakatsu's appearance, the one who felt the most pity in his heart was Matsudaira Nobutsuna. When he was a boy, he was designated as the attendant of Tokugawa Iemitsu, who was still young at the time, and served Iemitsu with Inaba Masakatsu.

A deep friendship was also formed between the two people. After Iemitsu came to power, the two of them were also given the position of Lao Zhong by Iemitsu as close confidants.

He is one year older than Inaba Masakatsu, but now he has to watch the other person pass away. This feeling is really uncomfortable.

However, precisely because of the discomfort, he was also more able to understand the other person's mood.

He slightly twisted his right hand that was hidden in front of him, letting the pain stimulate his nerves that were slightly numb due to fatigue. Then he raised his head and looked at the elder Naotaka Ii.

"Sir, we have been receiving very worrying reports here recently..." His gaze was very firm, "It's about Lord Dainagon in Ueno."

finally come.

Not only Ii Naotaka, but also the other senior middlemen who were silent were shocked.

Yes, this is the real big thing they discussed all night tonight.

Dainagon refers to Tokugawa Iemitsu's only younger brother, Tokugawa Tadanaga. He was originally nicknamed Kunichiyo. He was very popular with his parents when he was young. As a result, he threatened Iemitsu's status as heir. In the end, he relied on his grandfather Tokugawa.

Ieyasu issued a ruling, and Iemitsu was able to continue to be the heir and eventually inherited the shogunate.

After Iemitsu succeeded to the throne, Tokugawa Hidetada, who retired to the Imperial Palace, took his two sons Iemitsu and Kunichiyo (who had been renamed Tokugawa Tadanagi at this time) to Luo to meet the emperor. Tokugawa Iemitsu became the left minister.

Tadanagi was given the official title of Tadanago by the imperial court, and from then on Tadanago became another name for Tadanagi.

After failing to compete for the reserve, Tokugawa Tadanagi naturally complained in his heart, but now that the overall situation had been decided, he had no choice but to accept the reality. Fortunately, his father Tokugawa Hidetada was still alive at this time, so his treatment was pretty good, and the shogunate granted him

With a total output of 550,000 koku from his fiefdom located in the three countries of Suruga, Ene, and Kai, it was already considered very high among the feudal lords of the Tokugawa shogunate.

However, Tokugawa Iemitsu, who had become a general, did not forget for a moment the hatred his brother had brought to him. He tried every means to deal with Tokugawa Tadanagi, and a few years later he was accused of killing retainers and innocent people without authorization.

, sent him back to the fiefdom, ordered him to live in seclusion, and was not allowed to leave the fiefdom without permission. Even when his father Tokugawa Hidetada was critically ill, he was not allowed to visit Edo.

After the death of his father Tokugawa Hidetada, he no longer had any scruples. He immediately convicted Tokugawa Tadada on another crime, revoked all Tadaka's fiefdoms, and then exiled him to Takasaki Castle in Ueno Country, and expelled him.

He was imprisoned there, and all his previous treatment was cancelled, making him look like a sinner.

However, even at this point, Iemitsu still seemed dissatisfied.

Today's meeting that lasted into the evening was probably to determine a fate for Tadanagi.

It was also because they all knew the inside story, so Naotaka Ii and the two elders of the Sakai family, who had relatively aloof status, simply chose to remain silent. Anyway, Masakatsu Inaba and Nobutsuna Matsudaira, who were the general's closest confidants, would speak up.

"What report? What's wrong with Lord Dainan?" Although he knew it in his heart, Naotaka Ii asked calmly, sighing slightly in his heart.

"Lord Nagon, who was exiled to Takasaki Castle, did not reflect on his sins. Instead, he complained about the shogun." At this time, Inaba Masakatsu suddenly answered. His speaking speed was much normal, and he was obviously fully focused.

"According to the people who guarded him, Da Nayan's temper is still very bad, and he punishes his followers at every turn, without any intention of self-reflection... Moreover, he still has contact with his former retainers, which shows that things are still going on secretly."

When he said this, everyone knew what he was going to say next, and the atmosphere became even colder.

As if catering to everyone's wishes, after an ominous pause, Inaba Masakatsu finally spoke out with great determination, "In view of this, I think it is best for the shogunate to make preparations in advance so that they can take decisive measures at the appropriate time.

Measures to deal with the situation..."

Although his words were very obscure, everyone knew the meaning very clearly. Because it was very clear, no one immediately intervened - the so-called decisive measures were to order Danaya to commit suicide or simply kill him directly.

It's just him.

No one knows whether these accusations are true, but everyone knows the relationship between Inaba Masakatsu and the Shogun. His words are tantamount to representing the Shogun's own will.

Everyone knew that the shogun hated his younger brother very much, so after the death of the imperial palace, the shogun convicted Tokugawa Tadanagi on various charges that could not be told true or false, confiscated his fiefdoms, and sent them to distant places to be imprisoned. These important officials of the shogunate

They didn't express too many opinions.

I originally thought that the general would be satisfied after reaching this point, but I didn't expect that he actually wanted to force this younger brother to death.

No one whispered, but all eyes were focused on the elder Naotaka Ii, because everyone knew that this was actually the general asking about his attitude.

However, Ii Naotaka sat steadfastly on the spot, motionless, as if he had turned into a statue. He knew in his heart that as long as he expressed his agreement at this moment, Tokugawa Tadanagi would have no choice but to die soon.

But he was unwilling to express his position like this.

The late Tokugawa Hidetada of the Grand Imperial Palace was the lord he served for many years. Before his death, he made himself the elder and allowed him to participate in the government affairs. Although he wanted to let himself use his talents, he also secretly wanted to entrust the affairs after his death.

Before General Taishang died, the only thing he couldn't worry about were his two sons. He was afraid that if he died, his eldest son Iemitsu would kill his younger son Tadaga.

Facts have proved that the worries of the Supreme General are very reasonable. He died only a year ago, and the general convicted this younger brother, confiscated his fief and imprisoned him. Now, he is so eager to take his life.

It is precisely because of this relationship that he has been unwilling to agree with Inaba Masakatsu's proposal.

Of course, he also knew that the current general had been in power for a long time, and the Supreme General had passed away. He had already matured, and he had no way to forcibly reject the other party's proposal, so he could only choose to remain silent.

He had just suggested that Inaba Masakatsu go back first. Although he was concerned about his health, he also wanted to delay the issue. However, it seems that Inaba Masakatsu or the general himself did not want to delay it any longer and must set a date for Tadanagi's death as soon as possible.

.

But his silence did not satisfy those close to the general.

"I wonder what your views are on this, sir?" Matsudaira Nobutsuna swept away his previous silence and indifference, and asked Ii Naotaka in an almost direct manner, as if asking him to make a decision right away.

"This matter is of great importance... Lord Dainagon is a Tokugawa vassal, so we'd better not judge easily." After Ii Naotaka hesitated for a moment, he decided to avoid the important and take the easy.

"Precisely because... precisely because Lord Dainagon... has a distinguished status, so... so Makuzai... cannot lend leniently... otherwise..." Inaba Masakatsu suddenly coughed again, but still struggled to finish the sentence.

, "If...if even the feudal lord cannot set an example, then...who else in the world will truly obey the shogunate's Tsuna discipline?"

After he finished speaking, he coughed violently again, and when he wiped it with a handkerchief, a lot of blood stains were left.

Everyone has understood clearly that Inaba Masakatsu probably wanted to take away Tokugawa Tadaga's life before he died, so as to share the worries of his master.

"What Tango Mamoru said makes sense." Matsudaira Nobutsuna immediately responded and continued to strengthen his own momentum, "Kami-kun once said when he was still alive that in order to prevent the world from the chaos like the Warring States Period, the shogunate must rebuild the world's order.

And he will do whatever it takes to maintain the Tsunagi. As a direct member of the Tokugawa family, Daigon-sama has the obligation to set an example for the people of the world. In other words...if the Tsunaki is violated, then Daigon should be dealt with accordingly, so as not to violate the original intention of the god.

.”

He was a middle-aged man from the Matsudaira family. Such a statement was tantamount to showing that the clan members did not intend to interfere with the general's handling of Tadanagi, and it also put more pressure on the other people who did not express their opinions.

"Danayan has been misbehaving and disrespecting his superiors for many years. The general has tolerated it many times. This time, it is already a great favor to let him meditate on his mistakes and see the consequences... I didn't expect that he still didn't repent.

, this is really heartbreaking." Naito Tadashige immediately followed up with a statement, and his words were very rude, "If there is any misconduct, it should be dealt with severely."

"What Izumaki said is indeed correct. For the sake of the stability of the world, the shogunate should uphold the rules and regulations and not have any scruples based on anyone's identity." At this time, Tadashi Sakai spoke. "However, after all, Otonagon is a high-ranking official in the court.

And as a Tokugawa clan, it is better to be cautious... It is best to conduct a strict investigation and thoroughly investigate the actions of Lord Dainagon since he was exiled to Takasaki Castle, so as to prevent someone from deliberately falsely accusing him of alienation. In addition, is Dainagon

If there is any irregularity, it is of great significance, so it might be best for the general to send someone to check it personally."

His words were fair and sound, and no one could be offended. However, he had secretly expressed his position that he was unwilling to interfere in the general's private affairs and that the general himself should resolve them. This was tantamount to saying that he did not intend to participate in the disposal of Tadanagi and could just sit back and watch.

The general decides as he pleases.

"I also hold the same view." As soon as he stopped, Sakai Tadakatsu immediately responded, and his attitude was much more explicit, "Lord Nagon was not respectful to the shogun back then, and his character was very stubborn. It’s very possible that he did engage in evil behavior after being exiled. If it is confirmed to be true, it would not be an exaggeration to intensify the punishment..."

The Sakai family is one of the highest-ranking Daimei families. No matter who is the shogun, he is an important assistant minister of the shogunate. Therefore, their stance is much more detached and they are not willing to participate in this kind of vendetta within the shogun family. However, , after all, they are now Tokugawa Iemitsu's subordinates, so they simply follow his own wishes to avoid disobedience.

The senior middlemen expressed their opinions one after another, and their attitudes were surprisingly consistent. The pressure was added to Naotaka Ii, making him feel uncomfortable all over.

He didn't want to go against the last wish of the Imperial Palace before his death and watch Da Nayan die at the hands of his brother, but the pressure to resist the will of the general and all the veterans alone was too great.

Under this unbearable pressure, there were rare beads of sweat on his forehead. If it weren't for the fact that this matter was really important, how could he persist to this point.

"This matter is of great importance, and it should be investigated in detail. There will be no leniency, but no unjust accusation. After all, Lord Dainanagon is also a Tokugawa vassal, and he is the only younger brother of the shogun... Well, let me examine it personally. If If Lord Da Nayan is indeed guilty, we will decide how to punish him when the time comes."

He knew that most of the accusations against Tadanagi were baseless, so insisting on doing the review himself would definitely help him get out of the crime, or at least prevent him from being charged again. At the same time, using his identity, he would personally review Tadanagi. It is also justified.

In addition, he also said half a sentence - Tadanagi is Iemitsu's only younger brother (although the previous shogun also had an illegitimate son, Masayuki Hoshina, but it was not included in the Tokugawa genealogy, so he was not the shogun's brother in the patriarchal system.) , the shogun now has no heirs. If anything happens to him, Tadanagi should stay and take over the shogunate's position to avoid causing chaos within the shogunate.

However, it is precisely for this reason that Iemitsu and his confidants want this younger brother to die more and more. Naito Tadashige is Iemitsu's teacher, Inaba Masakatsu, and Matsudaira Nobutsuna are his attendants. All three of them are family members. The middle-class figures in the Hikari Group have already become sworn enemies of Tadanagi's forces. How could they be willing to let Tadanagi survive and leave the slightest possibility of inheriting the position of general?
Chapter completed!