Da Ming: Father, step aside, I'll be the prime minister!

Chapter 391 Can I Also Achieve Hegemony? The Final Battle with the Whale!

The journey from Ningbo Port in the Ming Dynasty to Sakai Port in Japan took about half a month.

Since the Yongle era, China and Japan have been engaged in "Kanhe Trade," which follows this relatively stable and safe sea route.

Thanks to the northeast monsoon, the journey was relatively smooth, with only one or two storms encountered.

The sails of the Japanese delegation were flying the tally flags from the Jiajing era, which could be seen as a sign of trade cooperation between the Ming Dynasty and Japan.

Wang Shizhen's face was somewhat green; he stood on the deck, looking emaciated.

The ten-day sea voyage had left him physically and mentally exhausted. There was no comfortable bed at sea, nor any maidservant available to take care of him at any time.

Fortunately, thanks to their connection with the Ming Dynasty, Wang Shizhen and other demoted officials were not harshly punished; on the contrary, the Japanese treated them with great respect.

Even though they were criminals in the Ming Dynasty, in the eyes of the Japanese, they were all precious commodities.

Even before they boarded the ship, many powerful figures secretly contacted them, wanting Wang Shizhen or other Ming Dynasty scholars to come to their fiefdoms to assist them.

Wang Shiqi handed his father a pot of tea and said.

"Father, have some tea. I have already asked Ambassador Hosokawa, and I expect we will arrive at the port tomorrow. Then you will be able to catch your breath."

Since arriving at sea, the father and son have lost their former arrogance and domineering attitude, and their words are no longer aggressive. Even Wang Shiqi, who was used to being spoiled, has become extremely obedient.

Within the Ming Dynasty, the court might have to consider the consequences before punishing them, but on the high seas, if Zhang Yunxiu harbored resentment, he only needed to bribe the Japanese envoys to ensure they died on the ship without anyone noticing.

This tea, brought from Jiangnan, was clearly a rare delicacy on the ship, something they wouldn't normally bring out. Wang Shiqi only brewed a pot because he saw his father wasn't feeling well.

But Wang Shizhen's face remained expressionless. He stared blankly at the southwest horizon and spoke slowly.

"Uncle Jiong, if I am not confused, then it should be the location of the ancestral home, right?"

Wang Shiqi felt a lump in his throat, but inwardly he sighed repeatedly. If only he had known this would happen, why did he do it in the first place? If his father had been willing to lower his head like Wang Xijue, this whole family wouldn't have ended up like this.
But he still offered words of comfort.

"Father, rest assured. The ancestral tablets have been brought along. Our family has taken care of the ancestral graves, so even if we go to Japan, we can still make offerings at any time."

"Very different."

Wang Shizhen shook her head, her eyes filled with sorrow.

"Once you leave, there is no turning back."

Even as I become dust on Mount Kuaiji, I still weep for the traces of the past.

"I am not young, and I do not have many years left. If I am buried in barbarian lands after my death, unable to return to my homeland, I will not even find peace in death."

The ancients' obsession with returning to their roots was beyond imagination.

Wang Shiqi sensed his father's pain and sighed repeatedly.

He suddenly understood why Zhang Yunxiu not only spared the lives of the Wang family, but even gave them a break, allowing them to go to their vassal states, or even former enemy states.

Death would be the end of everything.

But to live to see such a vast family fortune decline, with all the land and property accumulated by one's ancestors confiscated, and to be forced to travel thousands of miles away from one's homeland, was worse than death for a Confucian scholar like Wang Shizhen, who came from a family of scholars.

However, Wang Shizhen could not die, nor could Wang Shiqi. For the sake of their family, they had to survive in Japan.

For several days in a row, Wang Shizhen appeared to be in a very low mood.

Aside from the brief moment of pleasure after landing, he saw the low houses of the Japanese pirates, as well as the thin, frail civilians and the military officers with shaved heads everywhere.

The entire country of Japan seemed to be living in the slave era of the Shang and Zhou dynasties, where these samurai with swords at their waists had absolute power over ordinary people.

All of this made Wang Shizhen even more heartbroken and despairing, losing her last glimmer of hope.

As rumored, Japan is a country that values ​​martial arts and suppresses literature.

In this chaotic Warring States period, a scholar like him, even with the identity of a Ming Dynasty citizen, would probably face a near-certain death.

"Mr. Wang."

Hosokawa Yusai seemed excited upon arriving in his homeland, and he pulled Wang Shizhen aside and said...

"Please come with me in the carriage. It will take about two days. There may be thieves and robbers along the way, but please do not be alarmed. My Oda family has retainers and samurai to escort us. If nothing unexpected happens, we will soon arrive at my lord's capital, Azuchi. When my lord sees you seeking refuge, he will surely be overjoyed."

Wang Shizhen naturally couldn't utter a single word of dissent. Since he had come with the delegation, he had inevitably boarded Oda Nobunaga's pirate ship.

He was pale, but managed a smile as he spoke.

"I would be grateful if Mr. Hosokawa could help with the introductions."

Hosokawa Yusai was very pleased with the title "Sir" and laughed heartily as he spoke.

"This is only natural."

Wang Shizhen was a frail scholar, and the journey was compounded by the unfamiliar environment and, most importantly, his despondency. He fell ill just one day after setting off.

Seeing that his father was about to fall ill, Wang Shiqi was extremely anxious. This mission relied on Wang Shizhen's influence. Without Wang Shizhen, the Wang family members would probably not have been valued by Oda Nobunaga.

He steeled himself and went to Wang Shizhen's carriage.

"Father, I have something to say." Wang Shiqi lowered his voice.

As Wang Shizhen lay dying on his bed, he said, "No need to say more. I'll rely on you from now on."

Without further ado, Wang Shiqi recounted all the information he had gathered from the Japanese delegation over the past few days, like beans spilling from a bamboo tube.

"Is there some internal strife within the Oda clan?"

Wang Shizhen sat up abruptly, looking at her son with considerable shock.

How did you know?

Wang Shiqi looked embarrassed: "Speaking of which, it is also related to Zhang Shiyuan. Didn't Wang Chenyu become his disciple?"
Before I left, Chenyu, being soft-hearted, secretly told me about the situation in Japan. He said that Zhang Shiyuan had mentioned it casually, saying that although Oda Nobunaga had won many battles in the north and south, there were hidden dangers under his rule.

"I kept a close eye on things, and after joining the Japanese delegation, I subtly inquired around and did indeed glean some clues."

But after he finished speaking, he felt unsure of himself.

"If Father feels this is inappropriate, it would be best to pretend he didn't hear it. Perhaps it's just a trick by Zhang Shiyuan to deceive us."

"No!"

Wang Shizhen seemed very confident.

“Zhang Shiyuan is a despicable man, but he rarely makes mistakes. Since Wang Chenyu mentioned him, there must be some clues to follow.”

He spoke with a gleam in his eyes.

"Heroes emerge from chaotic times throughout history. If one can seize the opportunity, it will be the perfect time to become a king or prime minister."

"If the Oda clan truly undergoes a major upheaval, then that will be a golden opportunity for my royal family!"

Wang Shiqi's lips twitched. Who would have thought that his father, who was just on the verge of death, would suddenly become so energetic?

"It's good that Father thinks this way."

Wang Shizhen immediately said, "I'm hungry. Go and get me some food. Don't give me that plum rice. Eat some fish and shrimp to nourish your body!"

Meanwhile, in another carriage of the convoy, Hosokawa Iya, bathed in sunlight streaming through the window, reviewed her notes from her time studying in the Ming Dynasty, especially the guidance and replies given to her by Zhang Shiyuan.

Suddenly, she gripped the dagger in her hand tightly, her brows furrowed, and she muttered to herself.

"Can I also achieve great things?"

For half a month straight, the ocean-going fleet was either fighting with giant whales or on its way to fight with giant whales.

In the course of successive battles, the tactics and skills of the ocean-going fleet became increasingly sophisticated, and the combat proficiency of the sailors also became more refined.

Because of the many battles they fought, the sailors gave the giant whale a name similar to that of the Tartars and Japanese pirates—"whale slaves."

However, these whale slaves were not as obedient as their name suggested, and in the continuous battles, the navy's ships were constantly damaged.

Later on, the Ocean Fleet Guard, together with the Xishan Workshop, specially equipped a ship repair shop and a weapons workshop in order to improve the ship structure and weapon design.

This trial and error was clearly useful. After accumulating experience four or five times, the ships of the ocean-going fleet became more robust and more suitable for maritime combat. The accumulation of technology could also provide feedback to shipyards in Fujian and Tianjin, allowing for faster technological iteration.

After experiencing numerous failures, Qi Jiguang was finally fully prepared.

"Brothers! Let's go out to sea to hunt whales! If we cannot capture the whale slave and bring him back home today, I, Qi Jiguang, will perish together with him!"

A shout from the deck ignited a shared hatred among the sailors. They harbored deep resentment towards the whale, and the humiliation of countless defeats fueled their yearning for victory.

After the victory comes glory and a rich reward: tens of thousands of pounds of whale meat, almost every part of it can be sold for a good price!

"Both the mainmast and auxiliary masts are securely fastened!"

"Paddle frame reinforcement complete!"

"All types of wheat cakes, cured meat, and fresh water have been verified and are correct!"

"Two helmsmen, sixty gunners and crossbowmen, and thirty sailors, each in their respective duties. Count complete!"

As one report after another sounded, the ocean-going fleet sprang into operation like a precision instrument.

Yin Zhengmao also came to join the fun today. He came along to see what the legendary giant whale looked like.

He had wanted to go with them several times before, but as the governor of Jiangnan, it would be inappropriate to put himself in a dangerous place rashly.

However, this time was completely different; Qi Jiguang was now absolutely certain of success.

Seeing such military bearing and discipline, even Yin Zhengmao, a military officer by training, couldn't help but sigh with admiration.

"Brother Yuanjing, your ocean-going navy is truly impressive!"
I am not exaggerating when I say that if this army were on the battlefield, it would be invincible!
With such soldiers, even if we fail to hunt down the giant whale, it won't matter.

His words made no attempt to hide his envy of Qi Jiguang.

Compared to spending their days handling official business in the government office, leading a strong and indomitable army at sea is the lifelong aspiration of all military generals.

But Qi Jiguang shook his head and said, "No, old brother, today all of us soldiers will definitely hunt down that giant whale. You just stay on the ship and watch carefully. We will definitely open your eyes to a whole new world."

Yin Zhengmao was stunned. He didn't understand why these people were so obsessed with this whale. It was just a big fish, wasn't it?

However, Zhang Jianxiu also looked resolute, and he grinned.

"Uncle Yin, just wait and see how we pull out that whale's teeth for you."

Yin Zhengmao chuckled to himself. When did Zhang Jianxiu, who was usually so unreliable, become so "unyielding"?
However, he has indeed changed. Over the past few days, Zhang Jianxiu's skin has become darker, his muscles have become more defined, and especially his eyes, which now seem to hold a murderous aura.

In the past, only those who had been on the battlefield for a long time, who had killed people and seen blood, could possess this ability.

Yin Zhengmao nodded and said, "Then I'll see just how powerful your ocean-going navy really is!"

The entire army was in high spirits, and the fleet was moving forward at almost full speed.

They had traversed the waterway countless times, almost as if it were their way home.

After traveling for about half a day, they arrived at the Zhoushan Islands. After stopping for less than half an hour, the fleet immediately set off again, searching for traces of the giant whale along the established route.

Qi Jiguang and Zhang Jianxiu were already very familiar with the habitats of the fish. After sailing for a full day and night, they found several places where giant whales often appeared and staked out the area at dawn and dusk.

Unlike the first time when they acted like headless flies, the navy adopted a wide-net approach, leaving small boats as sentries at every location.

Whether it was a reward for failure or a blessing from heaven, the fleet received news of the whale the following evening.

"The whale slave has appeared at habitat point number three in the southeast!"

The news of the vanguard ship brought a surge of excitement to all the sailors.

The flagship raised its signal flags repeatedly, and each ship turned around and sped off towards the southeast.

Before long, everyone saw the whale, which was as big as a small mountain.

The black fins swam on the surface of the sea, appearing almost leisurely under the glow of the setting sun.

After dealing with whales for several days, Zhang Jianxiu had gained some experience based on the information provided by Zhang Yunxiu.

"This whale looks different from the one we encountered last time. It doesn't seem panicked or confused while foraging and swimming in the sea. It is probably a solitary species."

The fleet suffered greatly from encountering solitary species that live in groups; if they hadn't met a pod of whales on their first mission, they wouldn't have returned empty-handed.

"Don't underestimate the enemy."

Qi Jiguang said with a serious expression.

"This whale is more robust in size and can live alone, so its fighting ability is naturally extraordinary. Moreover, from a distance, it swims faster."

Hearing the conversation between the two, Yin Zhengmao was somewhat bewildered.

There are so many intricacies involved in dealing with a giant fish, but he raised his telescope and observed it from afar.

I was immediately startled.

Good heavens, this giant whale is actually tens of meters long, like a small mountain.

Even the enormous Fujian ship paled in comparison to it.

He stopped Qi Jiguang, his voice trembling slightly.

"Brother, you didn't say this trip was to deal with such a sea monster! Is this whale really that huge?"

Yin Zhengmao was so surprised that his voice trembled slightly.

Hearing something from someone's mouth and seeing it with your own eyes are worlds apart.

The awe-inspiring sight of whales in front of you is beyond description.

Qi Jiguang frowned and said, "Governor Yin, even you cannot delay military operations. If you insist on obstructing us, I will have no choice but to throw you into the sea."

Yin Zhengmao's expression was a mixture of surprise and helplessness. It seemed that these people were determined to fight the giant whale!

At this point, even if the emperor himself arrived, he probably couldn't stop this group's madness.

"Then be extra careful."

Yin Zhengmao's voice was low and weak. It wasn't that he was cowardly. If he had seen thousands of Japanese pirates, he would have been able to bravely advance. But seeing this giant whale that he had never seen before, he was really at a loss.

However, Qi Jiguang and his naval officers and soldiers disregarded the governor's mood. All the ships were fully prepared and formed an encirclement, determined to ensure that this giant whale would not return!
(End of this chapter)