However, as the external threats became more serious, the brothers naturally had to put aside their prejudices for the sake of family interests, work together again, and discuss current countermeasures.
"The Abe clan thinks they are powerful and can challenge the authority of the imperial court. This is truly intolerable."
The Minister of the Interior, Fujiwara no Yorimune, said, "Besides the Abe clan, the Nakamura clan of Hitachi Province also seems to be harboring rebellious intentions."
"Tributes from all over the country are becoming increasingly scarce. Abe has even stopped paying tribute. If this continues, the country will cease to be a country."
Grand Minister Fujiwara no Nobuobu also said: "I think the Abe family must be severely punished."
Right Minister Fujiwara no Kyomitsu said, "There's an old Chinese saying, 'Kill the chicken to scare the monkey.' Only by eliminating the Abe clan can we deter the rest of the rogues. I also suggest sending troops."
"We must send troops, but who do you think is the best person to send?"
"Let the governor Fujiwara take over."
"His military strength is insufficient. It's hard to say whether he can wipe out the Abe clan."
"You can try it out first."
Everyone was talking.
Fujiwara no Kyoumichi then asked Emperor Goreizei, "Your Majesty, should we send someone to question and test Abe?"
"Well, what does Dai Taizheng mean?"
Emperor Go-Reizei sat cross-legged on the main seat, wearing a "robe dyed with cotinus coggygria", holding a wooden board in his hand, and looking at Fujiwara no Yorimichi next to him.
The Fujiwara family was able to stay in power not only because of the high-ranking officials in the family, but also because of the manor system.
At present, Japan is somewhat like the aristocratic family period of the Jin Dynasty, where wealthy families in various places raised serfs, opened manors, and cultivated crops.
In peacetime, these serfs were tenant farmers of the family, and in times of war they became soldiers.
Therefore, powerful families in various parts of Japan all had troops. For example, the Abe clan who rebelled this time was a powerful family in Mutsu Province in the northeastern region of Japan. They had thousands of serfs under their command, which meant they had thousands of troops.
Historically, when the Abe clan rebelled, the governor of Mutsu Province, Fujiwara no Tomo, sent troops to suppress them, but they were defeated by the Abe clan. The imperial court then sent Minamoto no Yoriyoshi, a general of the Kawachi Minamoto clan, to suppress the rebellion.
Later, Minamoto no Yoriyoshi defeated the Abe clan and occupied Mutsu Province, laying the foundation for the Minamoto clan's expansion. His grandson's great-grandson Minamoto no Yoritomo eventually defeated the ruling Taira clan and established the Kamakura shogunate.
Therefore, it can be said that this Abe rebellion will have a great impact on Japan in the future.
However, although Japan is said to have a population of several million, in fact most of the population is occupied by local powerful families. There are more than 60 countries and hundreds of powerful families, each with hundreds or thousands of people, and the land and population are quite scattered.
The Fujiwara family was a large-scale estate owner with over 10,000 soldiers under their command. Naturally, they controlled the power, and even the emperor had to look at the Fujiwara family's face.
Fujiwara no Yorimichi remained silent for a moment before he said softly, "I think you still haven't seen the essence of this matter."
"What's the meaning?"
Fujiwara no Kōmichi frowned and said, "Many powerful families in various places are lawless and refuse to obey the king. Shouldn't we send troops?"
"No."
Fujiwara no Yorimichi shook his head and said, "We should send troops, but I want to remind you why things have become like this."
"Tell me."
Fujiwara no Kyomichi said.
"All this is because of the Song State!"
Fujiwara no Yorimichi's words were always shocking, making the hairs of the people around him stand on end.
Song State?
Is that something they can discuss?
(End of this chapter)
Continue read on readnovelmtl.com
