【If you must die, you must live, if you must live, you must die】

Japan, Fushimi Castle.

A thin old man with a pale face was writing at his desk, with square fonts and Chinese characters.

As if he felt something in his heart, he suddenly turned his gaze to the northwest and made a prediction for the next battle.

Then, gently cough up a few mouthfuls of bloody sputum.

Perhaps this sentence also alludes to one's own destiny.

More than ten years ago, he had sworn to be loyal to the successor of his master Oda Nobunaga, but in the end he could not resist the temptation and broke his promise to seize power into his own hands.

Nowadays, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who is admired by young noble warriors such as Shimazu Tadatsune, feels guilty because he is also about to die soon and it is difficult to cure him with medicine or stone.

But what should I do with my young son?

Will Tokugawa, Maeda, and even other daimyo serve him loyally and promise never to betray him?

Half of Hideyoshi's mind was distracted by the war, and half of his mind was devoted to his youngest son.

A lot of money and power have been invested in this magnificent Fushimi Castle in front of you, but in Hideyoshi's eyes, it is far inferior to the "Shi" born of his beloved concubine Yododen.

Because, after losing the two-year-old Hematsu, this boy became the only heir of the Toyotomi family.

Before that, Hideyoshi once thought that he would not have another son, so he appointed his nephew, the 24-year-old adopted son Hideji, as Kanbai. Even though he was useless, he was often criticized for unprovoked killings, and he was known as the killing Kanbai -

—

Wandering around the countryside carrying an iron cannon, he saw an old farmer working and became interested, so he shot him.

When practicing shooting, they would impromptuly capture travelers passing by and tie them up to use as targets.

In order to practice swordsmanship, pregnant women were cut open.

Due to the connection between Xiuji and his own blood, Toyotomi Hideyoshi did not care about this, but with the birth of "Shi", everything changed.

One night, Sesshōkan Haku disappeared completely, and his head was circulated to Kyoto. From that moment on, all the daimyo in Japan knew that Lord Taikaku had a real heir, a nicknamed "Shi" and his real name was "Hideyori"

"The boy.

At this moment, except for a piece of writing on the table, all the rest was filled with letters.

【Is Shi’s health getting better and better?】

[Has he drank milk? Please let Shi drink enough milk and take good care of him. You should eat more to ensure adequate nutrition. 】

[Don’t give me the noble mugwort for use. If you let someone use it for him, that would be a crime!]

Due to the war, Hideyoshi had to leave his child in the first year after his birth, so he could only use this commanding tone to ask his beloved concubine Yodono to take good care of him.

In recent years, Hideyoshi has even used the title of "Taiko Father" to write letters to his young son. The letters are filled with pride and love for the child's gradual growth.

[I am very happy that you wrote me a letter right away. I plan to set aside some free time and go back quickly. Because you like masks, I have sent people to find some as gifts, even from the Ming Dynasty.]

【Because I love you so much, I will go back and kiss your lips.

I'm very sad because I didn't say goodbye to you when I left yesterday. I think you feel the same way, and I will never complain about it here again. I am writing this letter because I love you very deeply.

】

[In order to prepare for the festival, you gave me a curtain and many clothes, and I am very happy. I will wear them, hoping that you can be happy and live a long life. I will go back on the day of the festival.

Kiss you. It’s so nice.

I will go back at the end of the year. I will kiss your lips, which belong to me. No one can kiss them, not even lightly. I can imagine that you are getting better and better.]

Hideyoshi sorted out the letters he had exchanged with his son in the past few years and placed them in the most conspicuous place so that he could read and recall them at any time.

Now, he is dying soon, and Hideyori took the initiative to send a letter. In the letter, he said that four playmates bullied him and were unwilling to follow his instructions.

Therefore, after practicing calligraphy, Hideyoshi immediately wrote back to his son, telling him how to keep the power in his hands, especially after his death.

[Those four boys violated your wishes. This is something that is absolutely unforgivable. Tell your mother, and then tie these four guys up with straw ropes until your father returns to you.

When I go back, I will beat them all to death!]

Put down the pen and review the reply.

Through this letter, Hideyoshi seemed to see the future. He kept coughing, swallowed the blood that came up in big mouthfuls, and then wiped the blood stains with his Chinese clothes.

Will a daimyo who swears eternal loyalty to the Toyotomi family really do this? In the past few years, he has ordered the powerful daimyo under his command to swear an oath to Hideyori again and again.

But these ambitious people are actually just like me!

"No, I can't die! I want to see Hideyori grow up, get a wife and have children, and become Japan's new crown prince."

Toyotomi Hideyoshi's eyes flashed with ferocity and a trace of fear. He thought of his own nephew, Seki Shiro Hideji, who was ordered to be executed.

After ordering Hideji and his retainers to commit suicide by caesarean section, Hideyoshi ordered the executioner to kill his nephew's wives, concubines, and children in order to consolidate his power for his son.

In a place called Santiaoheyuan, the children were first dragged out of the prison car and executed, followed by the women. They were led over one by one, knelt on the ground, beheaded, and then buried in a deep pit.

Hideyoshi still clearly remembers that he specially ordered a temple to be built on it to remove resentment and evil spirits, and a stone tablet was erected:

【Hidetsuji Evil Tomb】

If Hideyori is overthrown by the daimyo after his death, his fate will definitely not be much better than Hidetsu's.

Because of this, Hideyoshi resisted death, and streams of fishy black substance flowed from his eyes.

"If I can expand my territory and seize more luck, I! I can still survive!"

A crazy idea flashed in his mind, just like a gambler who never lacks courage when he loses.

the other side.

Shimazu Tadahashi, who led eight hundred Satsuma warriors, did not realize that a heavy burden fell on his shoulders.

Because the upcoming battle in Namwon, Jeolla Province will be the first head-to-head confrontation between Japan and Ming since the war broke out again, which is of great significance.

But Zhongheng was very confident now. He looked to his side and said in a deep voice:

"No matter how powerful the enemy is, he will become a weak sheep in front of the manifestation flow."

"You're right."

Tang Chuan immediately agreed.

Hundreds of miles away, in the mountains and forests.

Lu Li locked onto the aura coming from the front, holding the iron halberd in his hand, and waited silently.

The black-maned horse kicked its hooves. It was not afraid, but excited. After a long time, it finally appeared on the battlefield again!

As for life and death?

It's not far from being ignored, but it's not far off.

It can be resurrected anyway.

Moreover, with the master's strength, there is absolutely no chance of him getting stuck here.

"The demons and wild gods beside Suxing Ridge and Liao River are willing to cooperate with the government and army to add a chance of victory to the situation. Unfortunately, they arrived too late. Tunshan Ridge has been slaughtered."

Smelling the smell of blood getting closer and closer, Lu Li couldn't help but sigh, and at the same time, he took out a piece of white paper from his arms.

This is a handwritten calligraphy written by a great Confucian, and can summon more than a hundred soldiers in golden armor to increase his prestige.

From the beginning to the end, Lu Li had no intention of using this thing to kill the enemy. He whispered in his heart:

The first battle must be successful and won happily.

Close your eyes.

Build momentum.

Just like that, silence fell all around.

Midway, a cricket jumped onto Lu Li's shoulder, and then jumped away quickly. It didn't feel that the thing it just stepped on was actually a living thing.

"coming."

I don't know how much time passed before the black-maned horse suddenly spoke.

Lu Li also opened his eyes.

Behind him, a sky-blue wolf synchronized with him.

"War spirit? General Ming Dynasty? Only a hundred people dare to attack?"

Shimazu Tadashi sounded excited.

Beside him, Tang Chuan's eyes were full of surprise.

Looking for the stars and the moon, I finally saw the savior, but I didn't expect it to come so soon.

It seems that the boss values ​​me very much!

This guy imagined too many unrealistic scenarios. In the eyes of the Japanese, his expression was definitely suspicious, but they didn't care at the moment.

The two forces collided head-on, and instantly, a strong killing aura appeared, filling the space between heaven and earth.

When you reach this state, evil spirits, murderous intent and even spiritual power can all be transformed into concrete things.
To be continued...