Chapter 439
Japan's Demise
...
With Fujiwara no Akiko's explanation and the blank edict Fujiwara no Akiko gave to Zhao Yu, Zhao Yu had a pretext to annex Japan.
It must be said that, looking at it this way, Fujiwara no Akiko has made a significant contribution.
Of course, even without Fujiwara no Akiko's excuse, Zhao Yu could have followed Zhao Kuangyin's example.
In the early Song Dynasty, Zhao Kuangyin launched a military campaign against the Southern Tang. The weakened Southern Tang was no match for the Song Dynasty, so it sent envoys to Bianjing (Kaifeng) to question Zhao Kuangyin about his decision to attack. Faced with the Southern Tang envoys' condemnation of the war, Zhao Kuangyin couldn't find a legitimate reason, so he simply said: "No need for further explanation. What crime has Jiangnan committed? But the world is one family; how can I allow others to snore beside my bed?"
Since Zhao Kuangyin set such a good precedent, Zhao Yu, as his descendant, could certainly do the same.
However, Japan had previously given Zhao Yu 200 million gold and silver coins, asking him to send troops to rescue Japan.
If Zhao Yu then took the opportunity to annex Japan, it would be a situation that is not pleasant to talk about.
Zhao Yu couldn't just say "I am a barbarian" like King Wu of Chu, or use the excuse of "not paying tribute with rice" like that woman Wu Zetian to attack the Bohai Kingdom and leave the world speechless, could he?
Therefore, there is still some excuse, which can provide Zhao Yu with a fig leaf and give the scholars who will defend Zhao Yu in the future some support.
In conclusion, Fujiwara no Akiko's visit brought real good news to Emperor Zhao Yu.
In that case, Zhao Yu must reward Fujiwara no Akiko.
After the court session ended, Zhao Yu sent Tamamo to invite Fujiwara no Akiko to the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
When the old rivals met, they were both silent for a moment.
After a long while, Tamamo-no-Mae spoke first: "His Majesty is benevolent and sagacious, and values loyalty and righteousness, unlike the heartless Emperor Toba. If you wish to stay by His Majesty's side, you only need to be dutiful, pay your respects to His Majesty morning and evening, take good care of His Majesty's daily life, add clothes when it is cold, serve tea when he is tired, not interfere in court affairs, not compete with the concubines for favor, and maintain harmony with the concubines in the harem. Otherwise, with tens of thousands of beauties in His Majesty's harem, you will be nothing more than a temporary plaything."
Upon hearing this, Fujiwara no Akiko frowned and said, "I offered the land of Japan as a gift to help Your Majesty achieve this great undertaking. Am I not qualified to gain Your Majesty's favor?"
Tamamo-no-Mae said leisurely, "The mountains and rivers you have offered are a peerless achievement, but not the foundation for serving Your Majesty. Within the deep palace, there has never been a place where rank is determined by merit. I have served Your Majesty for many years and have seen how many women from illustrious families and with outstanding achievements end up alone in their empty chambers. Do you know why?"
Fujiwara no Akiko frowned and remained silent, so Tamamo-no-Mae continued, "It is because they have forgotten that what His Majesty seeks is a woman by his side, not a strategist, much less a meritorious official with outstanding military achievements. You are the Empress in Japan, and you have long been accustomed to strategizing and commanding the country, but in the Song Dynasty's harem, a woman's duty is to prioritize 'virtue'."
After a pause, Tamamo-no-Mae looked directly into Fujiwara no Shōko's eyes: "A virtuous wife first and foremost knows how to respect her husband. When Your Majesty is governing, you should not interfere or make irresponsible remarks, and you should not compare yourself to the old Japanese system. When Your Majesty is resting, you should offer him a cup of tea and a dish of snacks, and listen to his concerns about the court, rather than hastily proposing policies of appeasement."
Fujiwara no Akiko seemed to have realized something.
After a while, Fujiwara no Shōko asked Tamamo-no-Mae, "Why did you help me?"
Tamamo-no-Mae said, “Your Majesty’s harem has over ten thousand beauties, including daughters of meritorious officials, princesses of vassal states, and former imperial consorts. Each has the support of their family background and the favor they receive, making the competition far fiercer than you can imagine. Although we have old grudges, we both come from Japan, isolated in the deep palace of a foreign land, like rootless duckweed. If we compete with each other, we will only be taken advantage of by others. At best, we will lose favor and live alone; at worst, our clans and former subordinates will be implicated. It would be better for us to live peacefully together, support each other, and jointly please Your Majesty, so that we can both become Your Majesty’s favored consorts. Wouldn’t that be better?”
Fujiwara no Akiko did not actually want to share Zhao Yu's favor with Tamamo-no-Mae, her former rival.
However, Zhao Yu's harem was indeed too large, and even someone as confident as Fujiwara no Akiko could not guarantee that she could defeat everyone and win Zhao Yu's exclusive favor.
Secondly, Fujiwara no Akiko was a newcomer and knew nothing about the place. If someone familiar with the Zhao Yu harem could help her, she would undoubtedly avoid some pitfalls and detours.
Therefore, Fujiwara no Shōko pretended to make peace with Tamamo-no-Mae, and the two agreed to advance and retreat together.
Subsequently, Fujiwara no Shōko learned from Tamamo-no-Mae about some of the real big shots in the harem.
For example, Empress Zheng, the empress of Zhao Yu, whose position was unshakeable.
For example, the five imperial concubines were all highly accomplished, and some of them were even considered living deities in their time.
For example, the extraordinary women such as Li Qingzhao, Xiao Puxian, Xiao Tabuyan, Chen Miaozhen, and Liang Hongyu.
For example, queens, empresses dowager, queens, princesses, and famous women from various countries.
After Tamamo-no-Mae finished speaking, Fujiwara no Akiko, who had been full of confidence, feeling that she had done a lot for Zhao Yu and that she was of extraordinary status, immediately became less confident.
As the conversation progressed, Fujiwara no Shōko gradually learned that Tamamo-no-Mae was already a member of Emperor Zhao Yu's cabinet, and even one of the senior cabinet members. Furthermore, all the Japanese women who had come before, including Princess Soko and Princess Yoshiko, were under Tamamo-no-Mae's management.
Upon learning this, Fujiwara no Shōko realized that Tamamo-no-Mae's desire to coexist peacefully with her and to reconcile their differences was not out of fear, but because she genuinely did not want to fight with her anymore, and was even giving her face.
Before long, Tamamo-no-Mae arrived outside the Hall of Mental Cultivation with Fujiwara no Shōko.
However, Zhao Yu did not meet with Fujiwara no Akiko immediately. Instead, he first discussed the military strategy for Japan with Cai Jing, Tong Guan, Liu Fa, Zhong Shidao, Song Jiang, and others.
During this process, Zhang Chun and Li Lin stood to the side and behind Zhao Yu, participating in the whole thing, but they never spoke.
Zhang Chun and Li Lin only expressed their opinions after Cai Jing and the others left.
Upon seeing this, Fujiwara no Shōko asked Tamamo-no-Mae, "Who are those two people?"
Tamamo-no-Mae replied, “The two of them are Consort Zhang and Consort Li, His Majesty’s favorite consorts, two of the Five Consorts. One is skilled in politics and the other in military affairs. His Majesty takes them everywhere and listens to their every word. You must never be their enemy, let alone offend them, otherwise, you will certainly not be favored by His Majesty.”
Hearing Tamamo-no-Mae's words, and seeing Zhang Chun and Li Lin speaking so freely and unrestrainedly before Zhao Yu, with Zhao Yu appearing unusually close to them, Fujiwara no Akiko was truly curious. She thought to herself, 'Are these two women—no, are the Five Consorts really that powerful? So much so that His Majesty the Emperor of the Great Song Dynasty, the greatest emperor in history, treats them with such deference?'
After Zhao Yu finished talking with Zhang Chun and Li Lin, Zhang Chun and Li Lin went to the cabinet to handle political and military affairs, and only then did Tamamo-no-Mae go in to meet Zhao Yu.
Fujiwara no Akiko noticed that when Tamamo went to see Zhao Yu, she did not have anyone announce her arrival.
Fujiwara no Akiko thought to herself, 'It seems that Lady Momo is also deeply favored by His Majesty the Emperor of Song. I must strive to catch up!'
After Tamamo-no-Mae reported to Emperor Zhao Yu, Emperor Zhao Yu summoned Fujiwara no Akiko to an audience.
Upon hearing this, Fujiwara no Akiko swayed her hips and gracefully walked into the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
How would you describe the steps Fujiwara no Akiko took?
Precision sniping.
Fujiwara no Akiko's steps seemed to have precisely struck Zhao Yu's heart.
Upon arriving at His Highness's residence, Fujiwara no Akiko bowed gracefully and said in broken Chinese in a soft, sweet voice, "Your Majesty, I greet you."
Zhao Yu clearly remembered that Fujiwara no Akiko was not like this when he first met her.
'Is she using her special skill on me?'
After thinking this through, Zhao Yu looked at Fujiwara no Akiko again, and saw that she now looked exactly like a demon. 'She's trying to bewitch me.'
Zhao Yu said calmly, "You have rendered meritorious service. Fairness in rewarding and punishing is my consistent principle. I wonder what reward you would like?"
Upon hearing this, Fujiwara no Akiko wept and recounted:
“In the past, when I entered the service of the Emperor, I personally upheld the virtues of a wife, working tirelessly day and night, hoping to achieve harmony and stability for the nation.”
Unfortunately, slanderous and treacherous people framed me, falsely accusing me of having an affair with my grandfather. Rumors spread throughout the court and the country. The Emperor Emeritus was also misled by these treacherous words, failing to see the truth in my heart. Gradually, suspicion arose between us, and I became increasingly cold towards him.
My grandfather was a respected elder of the royal family, and I was his adopted daughter and granddaughter-in-law. Our relationship is clear and can be witnessed by heaven and earth!
Moreover, when my grandfather abdicated, he still held the reins of government, which was truly necessary for the country and the family. I have always been mindful of the proper conduct of a granddaughter-in-law and have never overstepped the bounds.
The Emperor Emeritus, unable to distinguish between loyalty and treachery, readily believed rumors and falsely accused his concubines of ambiguity, causing them to suffer an unjust injustice and disgrace their family.
I am trapped in the deep palace, isolated and helpless, unable to defend myself.
The cold treatment from the Emperor Emeritus and the sidelong glances from the court officials made me feel as if I were walking on thin ice.
Although my grandfather knew that I was innocent, he was unable to do everything he could due to the rumors.
Your Majesty weeps blood day and night, hoping that the light of day will shine and clear your name of this injustice.
Unfortunately, the Emperor Emeritus remained obstinate and refused to see the truth, ultimately leading to a complete break in their relationship.
Now, your humble servant abandons darkness and embraces light, offering the land of Japan to Your Majesty, not only to avenge myself, but also to leave this place of turmoil and receive Your Majesty's wise protection.
"Every word I have said is true, without a trace of falsehood. I humbly beseech Your Majesty to investigate my injustice, to pity my loneliness and suffering, and to allow me to serve by your side at all times, so as to atone for the regrets of the past..."
According to Fujiwara no Shōko, her bad reputation stemmed entirely from the political struggle between Emperor Shirakawa and Fujiwara no Tadashi. Her misfortune was entirely due to Emperor Toba's lack of discernment, incompetence, and pettiness. She didn't originally intend to betray Japan, but firstly, she both revered and admired the wise ruler of the Song Dynasty and its power; secondly, Emperor Toba not only wronged her but also threatened her children, forcing her, as a mother, to fight back; and thirdly, all the enlightened people in Japan believed that, given the current internal and external troubles, Japan's annexation by the Song Dynasty was the best choice, and she was merely leading everyone down this correct path…
In short, what Fujiwara no Akiko meant was that all the mistakes were made by others, she was not wrong, and even if she made a mistake, it was because others forced her to, and she was a good woman.
Zhao Yu remained noncommittal in response.
In any case, Zhao Yu only wanted Japan and coveted the body of Fujiwara no Akiko, the former empress and current empress dowager of Japan. As for whether she was originally Emperor Shirakawa's woman or Emperor Toba's woman, what did that have to do with Zhao Yu?
Neither Zhao Yu nor Fujiwara no Akiko were good people.
As a result, Fujiwara no Akiko cried and ended up in Zhao Yu's arms, and the two then engaged in a deep conversation in the Hall of Mental Cultivation.
It must be said that Fujiwara no Akiko was indeed a stunning beauty, especially when she used all her skills.
This undoubtedly gave Zhao Yu a very good experience.
Considering Fujiwara no Akiko's merits and her original status, Emperor Zhao Yu ultimately bestowed upon her the title of Noble Consort, giving her a higher starting point in his harem...
……
Leaving aside how Zhao Yu enjoyed the former Japanese empress and the current Japanese empress dowager in the rear, let's just say that after having a pretext to annex Japan, Zhao Yu ordered someone to send a telegram to the front line, instructing Wu Yong to have no more reservations and to do his best to recover Japan, promising rewards for victory and punishment for defeat.
As early as the beginning of the war, the Song Dynasty had already laid telegraph lines to the Busan area of Jinan to facilitate communication between the court and officials and generals at the front.
Later, the Song Dynasty went on to find ways to extend the telegraph line through the seabed to Tsushima Island, or even directly to Japan.
Unfortunately, this matter was never successful.
However, even though the telegraph line of the Great Song Dynasty only reached Busan, it was not far from the Dazaifu in northern Kyushu where Wu Yong was located.
Therefore, not long after Fujiwara no Akiko arrived in Beijing, Wu Yong received instructions from Zhao Yu.
Without saying a word, Wu Yong gathered all the officials of the Pacification Commission and the generals in charge of the troops and announced the launch of the strategic plan to attack Japan.
Soon, the Song army launched a joint land and naval offensive, attacking the Chugoku region and Shikoku Island.
The pass that the Jin army had been unable to conquer for a long time was finally destroyed by the bombardment of Li Lin's cannons on the Song army's warships. The ships were broken and the walls collapsed, and the pass could not stop the Song army's attack at all.
Meanwhile, the Song army, carrying the Divine Arm Bow, Li Lin Gun, and Tiger Crouching Cannon, advanced swiftly along the Seto Inland Sea coast.
Wherever the Song army went, both the Jin army and the Japanese samurai were routed. The two armies fled together towards Heian-kyo, or even further north.
Previously, the passes and cities that the Japanese had defended with all their might and that the Jin army had repeatedly failed to breach were all blasted open by Li Lin's cannons of the Song army.
The Jurchens, who had been able to fight back so badly that the Japanese could only parry, fled quickly when they encountered the Song army. They even abandoned the city and fled before the Song army could get close.
As for those Japanese samurai who once boasted of their bravery, they roared and charged under the Song army's Li Lin cannons, Li Lin guns, and divine crossbows, but they couldn't even touch the chevaux-de-frise in front of the Song army's lines before falling into pools of blood.
This was not a battle, but a one-sided massacre.
Under the Song army's powerful offensive, the Japanese prefectures and counties along the way were routed, either surrendering or abandoning their cities and fleeing. The Song army moved through the enemy's territory as if it were empty.
The Song army marched day and night by land and water, and in just a few days, they were on their way to Heian-kyo.
At this time, Heian-kyo was in chaos. Emperor Toba urgently mobilized troops from all over the country to provide assistance, but most of them were peasant soldiers who were temporarily conscripted and lacked even decent armor. Facing the well-equipped and tactically skilled Song army, they were simply driving sheep into the tiger's den.
Emperor Shirakawa sent a message to Emperor Retired Emperor Toba, saying, "The Song army is unstoppable. We must quickly sue for peace, or Japan will perish."
However, whether it was due to his arrogance and unwillingness to admit defeat, or because the situation suddenly collapsed and he lost his composure, Emperor Toba focused solely on raising troops and delayed seeking peace with the Song Dynasty.
Unexpectedly, the defensive line that Emperor Toba had painstakingly cobbled together crumbled instantly under the combined attack of the Song army's giant warships and infantry firearms.
Those Japanese nobles who saw the situation clearly decisively led their private armies and household samurai to open the city gates and let the Song army into Heian-kyo.
After the city fell, the Song army entered the city in an orderly manner, without disturbing the people, and only captured the stubborn Emperor Toba, members of the Japanese imperial family, and Japanese nobles.
At this point, Japan could practically be declared extinct.
At least Japan's central government was destroyed by the Song Dynasty...
...(End of chapter)