Regarding the war situation in Korea, Tokugawa Ieyasu basically knew everything he needed to know.
Not only him, but the Daimyo of Dongguo also knew about it. However, they all had a tacit understanding to keep it from Toyotomi Hideyoshi, so that he could continue to be immersed in a beautiful dream without realizing it. This was a good thing for everyone. Even when Tokugawa Ieyasu knew that the frontline had suffered a crushing defeat and was almost wiped out, he did not say a word.
He was only secretly shocked by the strength of the Ming Kingdom. Even with the valiant power that Toyotomi Hideyoshi had used to subdue all of Japan, he could not cause a blow to the Ming Army. Instead, they were defeated again and again. The main force of the Ming Army was defeated, and many of Toyotomi's people died. Although he was secretly happy, he also felt sad for the loss of the rabbit.
Tokugawa Ieyasu was able to become the final victor of Japan, like Sima Yi, it was not easy to train.
Tokugawa Ieyasu had suffered when he was young. Many of the retainers of Matsudaira could not eat their fill, so even when they became successful later, they did not dare to squander extravagantly. The impression they gave was that Tokugawa Ieyasu was particularly stingy. It was said that once, Tokugawa Ieyasu went to the toilet with toilet paper. Suddenly, the wind blew the toilet paper everywhere, and he chased it around the yard naked. In the face of other people's ridicule, he confidently said, "This attitude of chasing after toilet paper is the foundation of the world."
Another time, Tokugawa Ieyasu invited the daimyo to a banquet. When Date Masamune returned from the banquet, he secretly laughed, "I've long heard that the family is stingy. Now that I've seen it, I know it's true. A dignified lord of the Inner House actually has to take the leftovers home."
However, although Tokugawa Ieyasu was stingy, he was not a miser. In the battle of Korea, when the daimyo of various countries suffered because of Toyotomi Hideyoshi's endless military taxes and had to borrow money, it was Tokugawa Ieyasu who generously helped many of them pay off their debts. This really won the hearts of many local daimyo.
He was not defeated by Toyotomi Hideyoshi, but he also did not defeat Toyotomi Hideyoshi. He surrendered to the Toyotomi regime, which meant that Tokugawa Ieyasu, at least at this time, did not have the capital to compete with Toyotomi Hideyoshi. Toyotomi Hideyoshi mobilized all his elites and lost to the Ming Army. He also provoked such a strong opponent for the whole of Japan. How could Tokugawa Ieyasu not be secretly worried about this?
Although everyone had their own thoughts, at least they lived on this land and were nominally the same people. If Toyotomi Hideyoshi really angered the Daming and caused the Ming Army to launch a large-scale expedition, based on the combat power of the Ming Army, their whole country was likely to be destroyed. If that was the case, whether Toyotomi Hideyoshi or Tokugawa Ieyasu was the boss, they would both be the sinners of Japan.
Tokugawa Ieyasu could not accept such a result.
Therefore, unbeknownst to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, Tokugawa Ieyasu had secretly gathered a group of Dongguo daimyo, who were on good terms with him, and held several private meetings. Everyone had come to a consensus that they would never allow Toyotomi Hideyoshi to send the reserve force of 100,000 soldiers to Korea. Not only would it hurt everyone's morale, but it would also invite the Ming army's revenge.
What if Toyotomi Hideyoshi found out about the frontline and started to go crazy? What should everyone do?
Tokugawa Ieyasu proposed a few proposals.
First, report to the Emperor. The Emperor absolutely did not want Toyotomi Hideyoshi to go to North Korea. This could be seen from the start of the war. The Emperor was worried that if Toyotomi Hideyoshi did not return, then his position would be in danger. Toyotomi Hideyoshi served the Emperor's family very respectfully, and the Emperor's family lived a good life. If they lost Toyotomi Hideyoshi, then everything would be uncertain. Therefore, everyone wanted to use this idea of the Emperor to persuade him to continue expanding the war.
Of course, it was not certain whether it would succeed. If he really went crazy, even the Emperor might not be able to persuade Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
Then, they would use the second proposal. They would collectively submit a petition to Toyotomi Hideyoshi, citing the fact that the food supply could not sustain the war. They would use the crucial issue of food supply to dissuade Toyotomi Hideyoshi from expanding the war. Without food supply, everyone would not be able to survive. They believed that no matter how crazy Toyotomi Hideyoshi was, he would not forget to eat.
Of course, this might not be effective. There had been many petitions like this before, but all of them lost their lives without exception.
At this time, it was time to use the third plan.
When Tokugawa Ieyasu said these words, his expression was gloomy. The daimyos all understood what Tokugawa Ieyasu meant.
The Ming Kingdom is a behemoth, a behemoth that Japan absolutely cannot fight against. In order to prevent this behemoth from turning its attention to us and trying to destroy us, we must eliminate all the reasons for the Ming Army to start the war. Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the biggest reason. Therefore, when it really reaches the point of no return, we have to make up our minds to launch a mutiny, kill Toyotomi Hideyoshi, abandon the invading army and the daimyos of West, and repair our relationship with the Ming Kingdom.
Hearing Tokugawa Ieyasu's words, the daimyos of East gasped.
It was not that they did not want to, it was not that they did not want to, it was just that they did not dare to.
It was also a good thing to take advantage of such an opportunity to annex the territory of the daimyos of West. However, if they really had to abandon the daimyos of West and Toyotomi Hideyoshi's direct descendants, and completely overthrow Toyotomi Hideyoshi's regime, how terrifying would that be?
Although everyone looked down on Toyotomi Hideyoshi's background and thought that he was just a slave, there was no one who didn't admire him. From the lowest slave status, he climbed up step by step until he reached the top of the whole of Japan and completed the counterattack of life. He could be said to be a legendary figure. His skill, his wisdom, and his political skills made everyone tremble.
Although the nobles of the Minamoto, Taira, and Fujiwara clans secretly looked down on Toyotomi Hideyoshi, they did not dare to oppose him. The daimyos of East gathered here to discuss how to overthrow him, but it could not be said that when the time came, everyone would have the courage to kill Toyotomi Hideyoshi.
For decades, Toyotomi Hideyoshi's step-by-step pace of subjugating the country was still fresh in many people's memory, and they were afraid of Toyotomi Hideyoshi from the bottom of their hearts. He had accumulated decades of prestige and power. Even though Tokugawa Ieyasu had a sinister expression, there were more than one or two people who could see that he was not confident.
From the bottom of their hearts, everyone hated and feared Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who was born a slave but became an emperor.
"That's true, but when the time comes, will the Grand Cabinet really not be prepared at all? Tokugawa, don't forget that your territory is surrounded by the Grand Cabinet's cronies. You must have had a hard time all these years, right? "
Some people began to put pressure on Tokugawa Ieyasu.
"That's true, Tokugawa Ieyasu. It's not that we don't want to, but this matter is too difficult. Even if the Ming Kingdom really wants to attack, besides the Grand Cabinet, who else can compete with the Ming Army? Is it you? Or me? Am I any one of you? "
"I also think so. Although the Grand Cabinet is a little radical, we all admire his ability. He was able to go from a slave to his current position. Tokugawa Ieyasu, you should think twice!"
"That's right!"
"Seconded!"
"I also think so!"
For a moment, none of the daimyos of East agreed with Tokugawa Ieyasu.
"Then, are you willing to send your already small army to die in North Korea?!"
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