623.To reach Karatsu and Hakata, one must pass through Hizen.
Park Seong-jin stood in the map chamber of Iki Island's tenshu, the charts of Karatsu and the entirety of Hizenspread before him.
Civil officials, military officers, and interpreters who had taken part in reconnaissance surrounded the table.
On the desk lay documents seized from prisoners, transaction records from Karatsu merchants, and organized correspondence taken from pirates operating out of Tsushima and Iki.
At Park's glance, a civil official began the report.
"The Nabeshima house of Hizen, which you indicated, has an unusual relationship with the shogunate."
Park narrowed his eyes, and the official continued.
"The Nabeshima do not officially use the title of daimyō governing Hizen."
"The name of the Ryūzōji (龍造寺) house is maintained as the nominal lord."
"In practice, power rests with the Nabeshima."
Song I-jeong lifted his head.
"So the outer face and the inner structure diverge."
"Yes," the official replied.
"The shogunate is aware of this arrangement."
"It has been tacitly permitted as a means of binding Hizen's power."
Park murmured lowly.
"Loyalty on the surface. Autonomy underneath."
"A deep fissure."
The official turned the pages and continued.
"The Nabeshima effectively command the samurai class across all of Hizen."
"Their main seat, Karatsu Castle, lies fifty ri from Iki Island."
"They can transport troops within a single day."
Park's gaze deepened.
"So they will be the first to stand in our way when we strike the mainland."
"Yes," the official bowed.
"To reach Karatsu and Hakata, one must pass through Hizen."
"Karatsu lies closer than Hakata."
He took a breath and went on.
"The claim that they had no ties to the Iki pirates lacks credibility."
"The Iki pirates and the Nabeshima of Hizen must be understood as linked through financial channels."
"The shogunate has maintained the Nabeshima under the pretext of 'pirate suppression' while overlooking what followed."
A military officer who had overseen interrogations stepped forward.
"According to the prisoners, the lord of Iki appeared outwardly as an independent local chief."
"But in the background, the name Nabeshima appears repeatedly."
Park turned his head.
"The hand behind it."
"Yes," the officer continued.
"The shogunate ordered the Nabeshima to suppress pirates."
"On the ground, however, neglect became the prevailing pattern."
"As piracy spread across Japan, suppression remained only in name."
A civil official presented another document.
"Records show that part of the military funds the shogunate provided to the Nabeshima flowed into Iki Island."
"Regular markings remain."
"The chain is clear: shogunate—Nabeshima—Iki pirates."
Park frowned.
"…The shogunate's line is entangled here as well."
"That is correct," the official answered.
"The Nabeshima place the highest value on territory."
He read from another report.
"The Nabeshima house has consistently prioritized territorial expansion over the honor of bushidō."
"They have frequently clashed with the Ryūzōji and Arima houses."
"In Hizen, many regard the Nabeshima—not the shogunate—as the true power."
Park spoke.
"This house values land before honor."
"Yes," the official nodded.
"That is why they sent envoys immediately after we seized Iki."
The corner of Park's mouth lifted faintly.
"…A decision driven by survival."
The official summarized.
"General, the Nabeshima have acted independently beneath the shogunate."
"They exploited the banner of 'pirate suppression' while trading with pirate forces."
"They consolidated control over Hizen's samurai."
"Their ambition, centered on territory, is unmistakable."
Park nodded slowly.
"…They are the ones who quietly pulled the strings behind the fall of Iki."
Song I-jeong asked,
"Then do we strike the Nabeshima?"
Park replied while studying the map.
"To take Karatsu opens the road to Hakata and Nagasaki."
His fingertip traced the Hizen coastline.
"The shogunate will consider intervention."
"Thus the decision will be shaped by the Nabeshima's response."
His voice was cold and firm.
"If they stall with false submission, we pacify the mainland first."
That night, in the winter wind sweeping across the tenshu courtyard, Park Seong-jin stood beneath the sky, ordering his thoughts.
Motonari approached cautiously from the edge of the veranda.
Bruises still marked his knees, and his expression wavered between resolve and fear.
Park spoke first.
"Motonari."
"Yes, General."
Folding the report in his hand, Park said,
"Tomorrow we go to Karatsu. We enter your domain and confirm the form of submission."
Motonari's face tightened.
The sound of him swallowing was clearly audible.
His presence here had been a choice meant to buy time.
His father had used his position as a son, and the house as a whole was moving toward containment.
"General," Motonari said carefully.
"I have already offered an apology here."
"Can that act not serve to extinguish the spark of conflict? My father believed the samurai would accept this burden as mine alone."
His hands trembled slightly as he continued.
"If you go to Karatsu in person, the retainers and samurai may stir unrest."
"The house could split in two."
Park narrowed his eyes.
"That house has carried fractures for a long time."
"Your apology opens the door to submission."
Motonari swallowed.
Park stepped closer and met his gaze directly.
"I acknowledge your kneeling here."
"I will see with my own eyes how dozens of samurai receive that humiliation."
"Hizen will present the form of lowered heads."
His voice dropped further.
"When the wind settles, the edge of the blade rises again."
"I will go and observe that reaction."
Motonari asked quietly,
"Tomorrow… Karatsu?"
Park turned away.
"Let's go. Once there, it will reveal itself."
The next morning, he prepared to depart for Karatsu with only his elite warriors and a small escort.
Park issued orders.
"We travel light. This is a road to confirm the reality of surrender."
Song I-jeong nodded.
"The ten-man warrior unit will hold position outside and stand by."
"Good."
A courier was dispatched in haste to Yun Dam, who had been organizing Tsushima's administration at Izuhara.
"Summon Vice-Minister Yun back to Iki Island."
After the courier departed, Song I-jeong asked,
"General, why call Yun Dam back?"
Park replied while gazing at the map of Iki.
"There must be a steady hand to govern Iki."
"While I go to Karatsu, someone must hold the line here."
"This island becomes a permanent base."
Song I-jeong smiled.
"You are establishing this island as our land."
Park answered without hesitation.
"It already is."
He shifted his gaze toward the faint outline of Karatsu across the sea.
The wind brushed past the eaves of the tenshu.