The Demon King and the Devil, Sengoku SI

[inawarminister]

Chapter 1: Drank with the devil and forgot my name​

Dom Justo Takamaya Ukon
Acapulco de Juárez, New Spain, 1600/01/01 Saturday

I look at my grandsons who are happily playing at the yard with our neighbours, and beyond them, the city full of myriad diverse people - all united under the belief in the Christ. Broad-eyed Spaniards, whether from here at New Spain or refugees from Manila. Native American mestizos and pure-blooded, looking so much like the devil in our homeland. I still remember that day, on the eve of Battle of Yamazaki, to avenge the betrayal and murder of our lord Nobunaga Oda by the wretched Mitsuhide Akechi, when a dark-skinned foreigner in a curious, strange clothing was brought over to us. And then suddenly his magic box chime in perfect - if a bit stilted- Japanese. Forgive me, O Lord, when I should have cut him down right then and there, before he took Hideyoshi Hashiba away with his charms...

"Chichi, are you there? Father Xavier is calling for you - the Governor is holding a meeting." A melodious voice cuts in on my self-loathing, and I prayed in thanks for that.

It is curious how so similar Manila and Acapulco are, that I almost managed to go the wrong direction - as my legs were automatically walking the route that I used to do almost every day for five whole years. Until the Toyotomi steaming-ships crossed the sea and burned down Manila. Now it's a Moorish city, again, as the stranger claimed it in the name of his pagan god and his claimed ancestor, Rajah Sulaiman. Thirty years of Spanish enlightened rule was burned down in thirty days as the Audencia had sent most of its soldiers south to suppress the Moors in Mindanao. It is only by God's will that we survived the conquest as refugees packed the last Galleon almost to full-brim and sailed the four months across the Ocean that have vexed all of my ancestors to here, the New World of faithful Christians. Although, some Manilans do still blame my people for their predicaments.

Governor Pedro de los Rios is a strongly built man with impeccable European taste, and even our meeting was done in the European way. Still, it is clear from the facial expressions of all involved that things are becoming desperate. And indeed, my halting Spanish managed to understand some of that royal order from King Phillip III. RESTORE THE TRADE WITH CHINA is the main order, I think. And that's quite hard.

"I don't understand it. Who the hell is this man? How can a Moor hold the loyalty of tens of thousands Chinese- sorry, I mean Japanese? Where did he come from?" The Governor drinks the whole of his glass of wine, then stared flatly at me.

Father Xavier looks pitifully at the governor, before harrumphing to get everyone's attention. "Lord Pedro, may I help translate Sir Justo explanation? Perhaps it'd be better for him to answer your question in his native language, as it is."

With the governor's blessing, I began telling the story.

"Here's how it began, in the dark hours before we avenge our king, Nobunaga Oda..."


_______________________________________________

Wanli Emperor
Nanjing, Southern Capital, Year of the Pig, Tenth Month, 28th Year of Wanli's Reign.

I miss the palace in Beijing. It's already been three years, isn't it? But that city is too vulnerable to the accursed Woku ships that even now roam the Bohai Sea with no care in the world. Aaah. Time to start this. "Eunuch, tell us of current events in the North and Eastern Sea." My tired voice boomed across the palace room, as functionaries and soldiers all kneel as the Imperial Court is started.

"My Emperor, the sailors from the South and the Portuguese-barbarians at Macau have reported that Spanish-barbarian city of Manila in the northern Spice Isles had fallen by force of arms to the Eastern barbarians in this last year. Further, another two Korean rebellions have been vanquished with ease in Pyongyang and Seoul. In addition, our bribes to the Manchurians failed to dislodge the occupation at Liaodong."

I gesture for that eunuch to stand down and called upon the General of the North. He immediately rose to a bow and reported, "The army has been levied in Beijing, my Emperor, with a full million-man ready to march into Choson at your earliest convenience. However, there is an issue with the ships, as our peace treaty with the Easterners forbid concentration of military ships in Tianjin. Still, a full fleet has been gathered in Qingdao, and Admiral Lim has confirmed that the Portuguese had sent six of their greatships to sail with us."

Good news, at least. Perhaps the fall of their fellow Westerner stronghold to a Hui Japanese general spooked them. It is curious how deep the hatred is between the Hui and the Christians, this far from their own holy lands, but it is usable. Still.. "Remember to never let a Hui officer left alone with the Westerners, General Qin."

The Court Historian and the other civilian advisors were waiting for me in the usual room. After I let the meeting start though, the advisor on charge of foreign spies almost started shouting, before apologising utterly. Still, his information is alarming.

"My Emperor, the pretender had sent a decree in his mass-printed newspaper that as he has kicked the Spanish out from Asia, soon he will kick Portuguese and force the Japanese 'Emperor' to be the sovereign of all Asia."

"Is that not a declaration of war to us?" I warily responded.

"It is, perhaps he thinks his soldiers have recovered enough for another struggle against the Middle Kingdom. What's more important though, is that the Hui Malays of Southern Sea have started signing up for his son-in-law."

"Hmm, yes, the Portuguese is still holding Malacca, the capital of Malays after all. Oh blessed Grandfather, what was your wisdom in allowing it to fall back then?"

Suddenly the jade-crusted door is knocked on by several someone, and when I gesture to the door-slave to open it, it's General Qin, who immediately kneels.

"My Emperor...! Qingdao is under attack by Devil Ships of iron which are cannon proof! It has fallen three days ago!"

By the Ten Courts of Hell...



________________

Yep, it started in medias res.
Feel free to criticize. I can spoil one thing though. Yeah, the SI's smartphone internet still works. Internet-based info is overwhelming when you're in a historical time full of errors made by people not knowing things ahead of time. And yeah, Hideyoshi's son-in-law is the SI. His Japanese name is may or may not be 豊臣 龍吉.
Blame my dreams tbh.

 

[inawarminister]

Tokugawa Hideyashu, Unwanted Son
Taesongsan Mountain, near Heijou, Occupied Korea, Bunroku 9 4rd Month 3rd day (8th June 1599)

My companions and I held our breaths, as three beautiful tigers roam through the mountain upwind of us. I called out silently to my attendant, Kaneda, to give me the loaded rifle, but as soon as I try to aim down the iron sight.. Ogiaki had either lost his cool and shot out too early. Unlike me, he prefer an unrifled teppo with bucks-and-ballshot in it. And... yes, too early. But the centermost tiger has its legs grazed, slowing it down. I have a chance!

Hold my breath, calm and steady myself. With the name of the Lord of Heavens in my silent lips, I aimed downrange, directly at the centre mass of the tiger. 80 metres... 85 metres.. Now!

BOOM! There's the crack of the shot, and nearly everything is silent then, and our vision is obscured by the gunsmoke. Attendants scurry back and forth with their yari to check on the tiger, while the other samurai are needling on Ogiaki for losing his nerves. Still... I slung the unloaded rifle into my back, and yelled at the others to check on our shots. God willing, it'll be a true-shot. The air is full of clinking of our maille and breastplates, but those are needed in order to ward off guerrilas attacks, no matter how rare they are. Ah.

"My lord Tokugawa!" Kaneda and the others are kneeling near the striped cadaver. "It's your kill!"

I smile true, even as the others congratulate me.

I hope Father will be proud of this.

_________

When I arrive back at the Daimyo Fortress with my trophy in tow, I meet my younger brother, Hidetada. He's busy helping organise the upcoming tribute collection to be sent back to the Emperor in Kyoto, but laughed in support of my markmanship. Hidetada did warn me about Father's mercurial mood, though. And indeed, when I report inside the Daimyo's room... He doesn't smile. At all. Though it's understandable at least.

"Hideyasu." The Lord of Tokugawa enunciated slowly, gritting his teeth together. "Read this, then tell me on what you would do." He says as he hand over a scroll to me. It's from the Taiko, with the seal of the Emperor on it.

"To our Most Honorable Daimyo of North Korea, Tokugawa Ieyasu, Junior Second Rank

With the conquest of the Southern Seas being a complete success, the Nanban will almost certainly react back by supporting the Western Country with their technology and expertise in arms. This must not occur.

Therefore, we ask you to coordinate with the Daimyos of South Korea, Ryaoton and Satsuma to prepare another invasion of the Western Country by the start of the next year. Our imperial objectives are as follows, in order of priorities:
1. Complete control of Bo Sea. Tianjin must fall.
2. Raid of the southern ports.
3. Destruction of Macao.
4. Conquest of Santou peninsula.

We proclaim that you are therefore authorised to do any means necessary in achieving the four objectives.

When we look up to the plains of heaven,
The light of the sky-traversing sun is shaded.

The Emperor."

Hmm. Yes, this is bad news.

"I would... I would levy all the war-taxes that we can get from our lands, then buy as many cannons as we can. Leave as minimum guards as possible. In fact, with the victory over the nomads last year, can we reorganize the border guards first? The new rifles are worth three tanegashimas in the flat plains of the Northeast after all, even with the difficult to produce "bullets". And surely we can levy more dragoons."

My father covered his face while invoking the Buddha in frustation, before we are interrupted by someone knocking on the richly decorated door.

Abe Masakatsu-san old head come in, and raspily said "Lord Tokugawa, the device that the Taiko has sent you is now finished. He is now calling for you."

"Who is 'calling' for me?" asked father, puzzedly.

"Why, the Taiko himself. Toyotomi Hideyoshi, from Osaka! Now be quick!"

What?



Raden Mas Jolang, the Prince.
Court of Kanjeng Panembahan Senopati, Mataram, Central Java.
04 February 1600

The notables of the capital are gathered in the throne room of the King of Java (proclaimed), successor to Pajang and Demak sultanates. The King is old, nearly seventy years of life in his weary bones. However, I - his son by his second wife, Prince Raden Mas Jolang - the favourite of many to be the next King, and in my most ideal time of life - haven't been trusted as regent, as the King wants to rule until his death - which is calling soon, I assume.
The white-bearded bald Prime Minister Mangkubhumi started the royal session, with a quick summary:
"My King, the state of the realm is as follows: the Sunda marches are content. The eastern marches are hard at work rebuilding materiel and manpower for the next campaign against Surabaya. However, the North... Many peasants in the northern coast have been seduced by the agents of the Daimyo of Manila with their promises of free land and objective Qadi laws. This has occurred for six months, and now the Adipati (Dukes) of Demak, Jepara, and other northern provinces are complaining to the Court. Also, the traders and naval learned men are panicking with the speed and ability of the Japanese steamships in the open sea, even without winds."

Father coughs before pointing at me, "What do you think, son?"

I take a calming breath to centre my chakra and start to speak to the court: "This offer by the Muslim Chinese* warrior of free land to any Muslim farmers that want to migrate is no big concern of us. The Northeast Islands held no strategic value other than transit point of trade between the Moluccas' spices and China. It is virtually empty of people, even when compared to the other Eastern isles. And as we all know, the 'Daimyo Recruiters' didn't come only to our lands, but also to other ports! And I have heard from my own spies that most of the Muhajirin (Emigres) are Malays of Samudra and Kalimantan, and the rebellious Surabayans! We can just wait and do nothing as our rivals empty themselves of manpower before we can strike. Besides, what use is a serf that want to leave to a smart lord?"

Noise of suppressed laughter and "True, Prince!" are heard through the jati-wood room. I preen proudly before sitting, only for my father to rebuke me.

"No, it is our problem. The more of our peasants move out, the less men we have to toil our fields; to haul our trade goods from the ports to the aristocrats' at the interior; to die as pawns in our wars. But being the first to close our ports would be a folly, especially with the Chinese junks and Christian caravels being rapidly replaced by these steam-belching ships of Zipangu."

After that speech, which took a lot from father's elder energy, he almost collapsed before being supported by the guards and ministers near him.

"Son, I here- hereby order you to travel to Manila and negotiate with this Daimyo Abdullah. Ge- get reparations for our misplaced assets. Further, take a look whether these "steamships" can be bought or not.
After all- reunification is our main goal. We must pre-empt Surabaya, or Sunda Kalapa. Or even Samudra and Brunei."

What misfortune do I have!
"I shall do as you order, Father."

But I am skeptical that I will return back to greet you in the land of the living, and not one of my brothers.

* Korea, Japan, Manchuria... All are Chinese, no?

Spoiler: Big image

The traditional provinces of Korea.
Pyongan, Hamgyong, Hwanghae and Gangwon are Tokugawa's. (Kita-Kankoku)
Gyeonggi, Chungcheong, Gyeongsang, Jeolla are administrated by Kobayakawa Takakage, Daimyo of Fukuoka (Minami-Kankoku)
Jeju island is held by the Toyotomi Navy as a coaling station and mariners base.