Prologue, Hideyoshi's Ambition
"The path of the great light?" Hideyoshi was momentarily taken aback, then a cold smile appeared at the corner of his mouth: "Since I followed the late lord to raise arms, for twenty-two years, I have never failed to confront the great light. Yet now, all the heroes of the realm have fallen, and I alone dominate. What can mere stars of war do? I have already sworn an oath to the Emperor, within seven years, I will request the Emperor to move the capital to Beijing. In this vast world, no one can stand in my way! Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha..." I have already sworn an oath to the Emperor, within seven years, I will request the Emperor to move the capital to Beijing. In this vast world, no one can stand in my way! Hahahahahaha! Hahahahahaha..."
And he was merely an insignificant celestial official. The supreme Taiko Toyotomi Hideyoshi decided to launch the invasion of Korea and subsequently attack the Ming Dynasty. Just as in the numerous important decisions Hideyoshi had made over the past several decades, he had to consult this elderly man, who had decades of experience in celestial observation, regarding the celestial phenomena.
The biting cold wind, mixed with icy moisture, swept across every inch of Kyoto, making the winter in Japan's islands piercingly cold and bone-chilling
The elderly man did not dare to delay; after receiving the news, he had not even finished his breakfast before wrapping himself in a thick coat and heading towards Hideyoshi's residence
In this season, there are few people in the city of Kyoto, yet an elderly man, hurrying along, disregards the winter chill and heads straight towards the supreme power center of the city—the residence of Toyotomi Hideyoshi at Fushimi Castle. He does not even glance at the Kyoto Imperial Palace, for he knows that neither the puppet emperor nor the newly appointed regent Toyotomi Hidenaga possesses the ability to govern Japan.
Hideyoshi laughed wildly, facing westward, the land of his dreams. His gaze seemed to penetrate the Japanese archipelago, traverse the Tsushima Strait, and sweep across the entire Ming Dynasty! He greedily beheld all of this; in his dreams, it all belonged to him. He would become the conqueror of the entire world! With Japan, he would ascend to the pinnacle of the world! He greedily beheld all of this; in his dreams, it all belonged to him. He would become the conqueror of the entire world! With Japan, he would ascend to the pinnacle of the world
Hideyoshi furrowed his brow, feeling a strange sensation in his heart. He closed his eyes and pondered for a moment, then opened them again and asked: "What kind of star is the alien star? Is it a demon star? A disaster star? Or..."
Just the night before last, under the rare clear night sky since the onset of winter, the old man observed some unusual occurrences. Early yesterday morning, he immediately wrote to Hideyoshi. Despite having only replied to his letters once in the past few years, Hideyoshi sent someone this morning to convey the order to summon him
He also knew that, not long ago, Hideyoshi had written to all the countries known to Japan at present, demanding that they all follow him in attacking the Ming Dynasty and submit to Japan, which certainly reflected his grand ambitions. However, would those countries truly follow Japan? Would they really abandon their suzerain, the Ming Dynasty? The Ming Dynasty is too vast, truly too vast, and Hideyoshi's ambitions are also too great. Japan, confined to its islands, cannot bear such enormous aspirations. Yet, would those countries truly follow Japan? Would they really abandon their suzerain, the Ming Dynasty? The Ming Dynasty is too vast, truly too vast, and Hideyoshi's ambitions are also too great. Japan, confined to its islands, cannot bear such enormous aspirations.
Although this place is not a palace, for Hideyoshi, it serves as the council chamber, while the one in the palace seems more like a mere ornament, dedicated to handling trivial matters that Hideyoshi pays little attention to. Any matter that Hideyoshi cares about, however slight, will be sent here for him to address, leaving the two in the palace with no hope of involvement
After all, the true master of this house is Toyotomi Hideyoshi, the genuine ruler of Japan
At this moment, in the western frontier of the Ming Dynasty, within the city of Pinglu, which had just repelled the siege of the rebel forces and was slightly in disarray, Xiao Ruxun looked at the wound on her chest wrapped in white cloth, feeling the incredibly real pain coursing through her. With a face full of astonishment, she surveyed her surroundings in disbelief and murmured to herself: "Am I dreaming?"
Hideyoshi has always believed in divine providence, convinced that it is fate that has brought him to where he is today. However, in recent years, as Hideyoshi has achieved more victories in his unification wars, reaped greater rewards, and grown in power, his heart has gradually swelled. The once cautious Hideyoshi, who diligently sought guidance from the heavens, has not summoned the elder for a long time, as if he has abandoned the divine and no longer believes in fate.
At this moment, in this room, there are only two individuals: Toyotomi Hideyoshi, who sits high at the top, and the humble elder kneeling at the very bottom, expressing his loyalty.
Therefore, this city within a city, this house, can be regarded as the highest power core of the Sun's origin
"Are you saying that an unknown celestial body suddenly appeared in the west last night, shining brightly, and that a significant change may occur within the Ming Dynasty?" Hideyoshi furrowed his brow tightly, his voice low and his movements minimal, yet at this moment, every action of Hideyoshi instilled a great psychological intimidation in the old man. The elder bowed deeply to the ground and trembled as he said: "Indeed, Your Excellency, the celestial body shines brightly, appearing in the west, and observing its position, it is precisely located at the western border of the Ming Dynasty."
Even though his heart was filled with an indescribable coldness, he even had a somewhat blasphemous premonition
Hideyoshi laughed maniacally, yet at this moment, the old man was remarkably clear-headed. He realized that the foreign star he perceived was not merely a star of prominence, but he dared not speak of it. Hideyoshi's heart had grown too large, too large; his achievements in unifying the warlords had driven him to near madness. He cared little for the existence of any enemies. The current Toyotomi Hideyoshi was no longer the cautious "rat" who had followed Oda Nobunaga step by step twenty years ago. His accomplishments in unifying the warlords had driven him to near madness. He cared little for the existence of any enemies. The current Toyotomi Hideyoshi was no longer the cautious "rat" who had followed Oda Nobunaga step by step twenty years ago.
The one who can truly dominate Japan, which has just emerged from the turmoil of war into stability, is the master residing within the expansive Fushimi Castle before us, who refers to himself as short and ugly
However, he would never express these words; he is merely an insignificant meteorological official.
The old man trembled as he moved his lips, intending to say another word, but for some reason, he opened his mouth and said: "Observe his position, he is a star of destiny! His path is of great brilliance!"
Since the report had been submitted to Toyotomi Hideyoshi in advance, the old man's actions were unimpeded, allowing him to proceed smoothly to a dark-colored house. The strict defenses and exquisite decorations all reflected the uniqueness of this residence. The elite guards, who had emerged from a sea of corpses and blood, could chill the old man to the bone with just a glance.