After Shi Diwen listened to Shimazu Mitsuhisa's explanation, he couldn't help but sigh: "Shimazu-sama is so courageous! Taking up half of Kyushu Island, the Satsuma Domain will be invincible even if it fights against the shogunate alone. ”
Shimazu Mitsuhisa was not angry after his thoughts were read. Instead, he was a little happy, because this showed that Shi Diwen could fully understand his thoughts and there was no need to worry about the other party's misunderstanding.
Shimazu Mitsuhisa said politely: "There must be many things that are not well thought out in this plan. Please give me your advice, Mr. Shi!"
Shi Diwen pondered: "These small vassals in eastern Kyushu have limited strength and do not even have organized armed forces. Even if they are tied together, they should not be the opponents of Satsuma Domain..."
Shimazu Mitsuji nodded repeatedly after hearing this, feeling that Shi Diwen's words were quite pertinent. He came up with such a bold plan just because he was sure that he could easily eat these small vassals.
Then I heard Shi Diwen continue to say: "...But, Shimazu-sama, have you ever thought that the Satsuma clan may not be the only one interested in these areas on the east coast of Kyushu. When the time comes, if you move here, other families will follow suit. In this way, take action in nearby areas.”
Shimazu Mitsuhisa said: "The master of the world will be occupied by those who are capable. When the time comes, everyone will eat as much as they can according to their abilities, as long as your country does not participate in it."
Shimazu Mitsuhisa is not afraid of other opponents in the Kyushu region, but he is a little worried that Kaihan will end up disrupting the situation. After all, Kaihan now has contacts with various powerful lords, and the Satsuma clan is probably not the only one he supports. Regarding the annexation of surrounding areas and the carving up of Kyushu, he must confirm Shi Diwen's attitude before taking action, so as not to kick the iron plate when the time comes.
Shi Diwen said: "Master Shimazu, let me be blunt. Our country hopes that all the vassals in Kyushu can regard the shogunate as a common opponent, instead of having internal fighting break out locally before entering Honshu."
"Even if the Satsuma clan is stronger than other clans, it's not necessarily certain that it can occupy such a large area in a short period of time, right? If the war continues for too long and affects each clan's war against the shogunate, then it's a small gain but a big gain!"
Shimazu Mitsuji understood clearly that Shi Diwen did not want to see internal fighting among the Kyushu vassals before confronting the shogunate, so as not to affect the "overthrow plan" formulated by Haihan.
But the annexation of the east coast of Kyushu was not a whim of his. It was a plan that the Satsuma clan had been preparing for many years, even long before the cooperation with Haihan began. Shi Diwen wanted the Satsuma Domain to give up with just a few words, and Shimazu Hisutong would definitely not give in so easily.
Shimazu Mitsuhisa said in a deep voice: "Master Shi, I understand what you mean. If the Satsuma clan can complete these goals in a short period of time, and does not fight with other powerful clans in Kyushu, but only targets the shogunate, will it? Can I get your approval? ”
Shi Diwen put away the smile on his face and responded solemnly: "Master Shimazu, it's easy to talk, but what if you fail to do it? If the inappropriate actions of Satsuma Domain affect the overall situation, Master Shimadzu should bear this responsibility ”
Shimazu Mitsuhisa said: "If it affects the overall situation of fighting against the shogunate, as the daimyo of the Satsuma clan, I am willing to have a caesarean section to apologize!"
Shi Diwen did not expect that Shimazu Mitsuhisa would be so ruthless that he would put his own life as a condition in exchange for Haihan's approval of his expansion plan. Since the other party had said what he said, it was hard for him to question it anymore.
Seeing that Shi Diwen remained silent, Shimazu Mitsujiu continued: "Master Shi, if you are still not at ease, you can send officers to our Satsuma army to supervise the battle and ensure that our army will not fight with those companies you designated."< br>
Being able to offer such concessions, Shimazu Mitsuhisa's attitude is quite sincere, but it can also be seen that his determination on this matter is unshakable. No matter how much Shi Diwen objects, the Satsuma Domain will definitely not cancel this. plan. Since there is no way to stop it, we can only find ways to guide it and try not to let the Satsuma clan's military power be consumed too much in Kyushu.
Shi Diwen said: "When will Lord Shimazu prepare to send troops?"
Seeing that Shi Diwen finally relaxed, Shimazu Mitsuji breathed a sigh of relief and said: "As long as Mr. Shi nods, the Satsuma Domain can raise troops within ten days."
Shi Diwen nodded and said: "Then it will be limited to the end of the year. Regardless of whether the Satsuma Domain has completed its plan, it must stop military operations in the Kyushu region and concentrate its efforts on dealing with the shogunate first."
Shimazu Mitsuhisa said: "Okay! Then it's a deal!"
It was already late September, and there were still three months before the end of the year. It could be said that the Satsuma clan had plenty of time for action.
Let the Satsuma clan annex the small clans on the east coast of Kyushu. In addition to winning over the hearts and minds of the Shimazu family, you can also take this opportunity to let them warm up before the war and enter the war state earlier. Haihan can also observe Satsuma. What is the current strength of the domain, so as not to discover the problem after the war with the shogunate.
However, Shi Diwen did not agree directly, and deliberately blocked the other party's conversation, also to prevent the Satsuma clan from acting recklessly and causing the situation in Kyushu to get out of control. Since Shimazu Mitsuhisa is willing to let Haihan send people to supervise the army and agrees to the various restrictions proposed by Shi Diwen, it will be much easier for Haihan to control the direction of the war.
After finalizing this important matter, Shimazu Mitsuhisa looked obviously relaxed.
After all, for the Satsuma clan, the goal of annexing the east coast of Kyushu is obviously much more realistic than defeating the shogunate. A war with the shogunate is likely to be protracted, but eating these places within easy reach can be accomplished in a short time and yield almost immediate benefits.
Before ending this stage of the talks, Shi Diwen reminded again: "Master Shimazu, the Satsuma clan sends troops to attack other clans. You should know what this behavior means, right?"
Shimazu Mitsuhisa nodded and said: "Of course! Starting a war without the permission of the shogunate is actually a rebellion!"
Although the Satsuma Domain has always disobeyed the rule of the shogunate, the legal basis for its existence still comes from the enfeoffment appointment of the shogunate, and it is nominally a local government under the shogunate. Raising troops to annex other vassal states is tantamount to no longer recognizing the authority granted by the shogunate. It is indeed tantamount to rebellion.
Shi Diwen said: "But if the Satsuma clan raises troops in the name of fighting against the shogunate, the other clans in Kyushu may not be able to follow in time, so I hope you can find other reasons to take action, and by the beginning of next year, you can join forces with the other clans in the name of overthrowing the shogunate." Join forces."
Shimazu Mitsuhisa said confidently: "Don't worry, Mr. Shi, I have already made an idea about this matter. When the time comes, I will tell you that a caravan has disappeared in the neighboring feudal country, and you need to send out troops to search. If the other party resists, the Satsuma Domain will have a reason to take action; If you don’t oppose our actions, it will be easier to win.”
Shi Diwen thought to himself that your excuse sounds very familiar, it is so sinister and vicious, it is indeed an idea that a Japanese can come up with.