When the news of the Daqin's decision to return Ishimi Ginzan to Tokugawa Ieyasu reached Kyoto, it was only two days before the Daqin's withdrawal began.
When the news reached them, the Toyotomi clan's power exploded.
A large group of retainers and daimyo rushed to Toyotomi Hidetsugu's residence and urged Toyotomi Hidetsugu to send troops to deter the Daqin and Tokugawa.
They couldn't let the Daqin hand over Ishimi Ginzan to Tokugawa Ieyasu. They had to get the silver from Ishimi Ginzan to strengthen their armaments and expand their army. Otherwise, Tokugawa would become stronger and stronger until they were out of control.
Ever since Japan was forcibly divided into East and West, the development of Tokugawa had always been a thorn in Toyotomi Hidetsugu's back. Every time he heard news about Tokugawa becoming stronger, he was always worried.
He wanted to start a war three years ago to destroy Tokugawa's forces. Not only would he avenge Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but he would also unify Japan and develop himself again. He hoped to collect the blood debt from Xiao Ruxun in the future and restore the glory of the Toyotomi clan.
However, Toyotomi Hidetsugu's idea was strongly opposed by Maeda Toshiie and Ishida Mitsunari.
Maeda Toshiie and Ishida Mitsunari were both trusted by Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Among them, Maeda Toshiie was a big shot with both prestige and strength. Even an old fox like Tokugawa Ieyasu had to avoid him.
It could be said that after Toyotomi Hideyoshi's death, he was the only one who could stabilize Toyotomi Hideyoshi's power, so that he could safely ascend the throne and stabilize the situation.
Maeda Toshiie's contribution was so great that Toyotomi Hidetsugu knew that if it weren't for Maeda Toshiie, he would have been dead by now. He would have either died in the hands of Tokugawa Ieyasu or some other ambitious person. Either way, he would have died.
However, Maeda Toshiie stepped forward bravely and stopped the collapse of Toyotomi's power, which was about to fall apart. He stabilized the situation, established a foothold in Kyoto, worshiped the emperor, and got the righteous title. He announced the orthodoxy to the world and forced Tokugawa Ieyasu into an awkward situation.
It was precisely because of such a series of political actions that the Toyotomi family was able to regain a foothold in politics, develop again, and successfully survive the most difficult period. Except for Maeda Toshiie, after the death of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, no one in the Toyotomi family had such prestige.
It was obvious that Tokugawa Ieyasu had no way to deal with this situation. He could only retreat and hide in Western Japan to develop himself.
However, Tokugawa Ieyasu's internal affairs ability was unquestionable. Even if he obtained a broken land, he forcefully used commercial means to open up new sources of income and used honest and clean means to reduce expenditure. He obtained enough funds to develop himself and gradually suppressed Toyotomi Hideyoshi's power.
Maeda Toshiie dealt with the situation with ease. He used all kinds of means to stabilize Toyotomi, suppress Tokugawa, persuade farmers to start farming, and develop agriculture and handicrafts. This gradually strengthened the Toyotomi clan's foundation. After all, the Toyotomi clan's population and land were above the Tokugawa clan's.
With a great god like Maeda Toshiie in charge, the Tokugawa clan could do nothing to the Toyotomi clan. However, this was not without danger. Tokugawa Ieyasu was very sensitive to the Toyotomi clan's weakness, which was Maeda Toshiie's health problem.
In fact, when the news of Daqin returning Ishikan Ginzan to Tokugawa Ieyasu reached Kyoto, Maeda Toshiie had already been on sick leave for more than ten days. His body had not recovered and he was still lying in bed. The government affairs had been personally taken over by Toyotomi Hidetsugu with the help of Ishida Mitsunari.
There was no doubt that Maeda Toshiie's serious illness was an opportunity for the generals to follow him. Most of them were pro-war. Previously, they were frightened by Daqin. However, when they learned that Daqin was going to withdraw its troops and return Ishikan Ginzan, their long-lost courage was raised again.
They almost rushed to Toyotomi Hidetsugu's residence and asked Toyotomi Hidetsugu to allow Toyotomi Hidetsugu to send troops to fight against the Tokugawa clan, kill the Tokugawa clan, take back Ishikan Ginzan, reunite Japan, and enfeoff the world.
To be honest, it was impossible for Toyotomi Hidetsugu not to take action. However, like most people, he was deeply afraid of Daqin's overly powerful military force. Because of Daqin's effective deterrence, he did not dare to act rashly.
"The news spread by the Qin Army cannot be proved to be true or false. If this news is false and the Qin Army is trying to lure us to attack, then who is willing to send troops to attack Ishikan?"
Toyotomi Hidetsugu did not speak. He looked at Ishida Mitsunari. Ishida Mitsunari understood and opened his mouth to say something that made the generals choke and speechless.
Who was not afraid that the Qin Army was playing tricks just to kill a few more of their people? The sudden battle previously caused the Daimyo of Chuyun to suffer heavy losses, but they only dared to complain and did not dare to act rashly.
They were really a little afraid, and it was not fake.
Therefore, no one dared to say anything. However, the dissatisfaction of the generals of the Otomi Faction towards Ishida Mitsunari became more serious.
In the next few days, Toyotomi Hidetsugu had been paying attention to this matter. Five days later, the latest news came.
About two thousand people of the Qin Army left Ishikan by boat and sailed in the direction of Daqin. This was absolutely true. Dozens of spies witnessed it together. It could not be wrong.
Now, the rebellion of the generals of the Otomi Faction could not be contained because this news had been confirmed. It was absolutely true. Even Toyotomi Hidetsugu and Ishida Mitsunari themselves were stunned and could not believe it. However, this matter had really happened.
"Impossible. The national power of Qin is strong and prosperous. Ishikan Silver Mountain produces one million taels of silver annually. Why would they give up this one million taels of silver? There must be a reason for this abnormality. Your Highness, you can't act rashly no matter what. This matter must be handled with caution. You can't send troops rashly! "
Ishida Mitsunari advised Toyotomi Hidetsugu very sincerely.
Toyotomi Hidetsugu remained calm on the surface. After a moment of silence, he asked, "Could it be that something unexpected happened in the country of Qin, which caused the Qin State to have to transfer troops from overseas back to settle the matter?"
Ishida Mitsunari was stunned. He had to think that this statement was indeed reasonable and possible.
However, it was normal to transfer troops back, but it was too abnormal to return Ishikan to Tokugawa Ieyasu. This must be a conspiracy.
"It's normal to transfer troops back, but it's absolutely abnormal to return Ishikan to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It must be a conspiracy." "It's normal to transfer troops back, but it's absolutely abnormal to return Ishikan to Tokugawa Ieyasu. It's too generous of Qin. Since it's going to be returned, it's not to His Majesty, but to the rebel Tokugawa Ieyasu. Don't you think there's something wrong with this, Your Highness?"
Although Toyotomi Hidetsugu did not like Ishida Mitsunari's frequent use of Ishida Mitsunari to pressure him, he had to admit that Ishida Mitsunari was relatively wise. He soon figured out the most critical problem.
Instead of returning it to the supreme ruler of Country R, which Daqin itself recognized, they wanted to return it to a rebel. What did this mean?
"So, why do you think this is?"
Toyotomi Hidetsugu asked Ishida Mitsunari.
Ishida Mitsunari stroked his beard and thought for a while.
"Probably they want to use this to make us go to war. Fortunately, when Qin quells the civil strife, we can't pose a threat to Qin, and we have to fight ourselves."
As he said this, Ishida Mitsunari had to sigh that it was really a vicious conspiracy.
Of course, Ishida Mitsunari's words made sense. Daqin did not return the silver mountain to Toyotomi clan, but returned it to Tokugawa clan. It was obvious that they wanted to provoke Toyotomi clan's dissatisfaction and war. Toyotomi clan would never let the silver mountain fall into the hands of Tokugawa clan. Even if they knew it was a conspiracy, they had to get involved.
This was not a conspiracy, but an open conspiracy.
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