There was still one refractory element in his dominions which it was necessary to deal with. Hōjō Ujimasa maintained a hostile attitude at Odawara. He was determined once for all to reduce this rebellious chief and the others who might be influenced by his example. It is unnecessary to give the details of this short but decisive undertaking. Only one incident deserves to be given as illustrative of the character of Hideyoshi. In sending troops to the field of action it was necessary that a large number of horses should cross the sea of Enshū,(174) which was usually very rough at that time of year. The boatmen, as is usual, were very superstitious, and had a decided aversion to transporting the horses in their boats; averring that the god of the sea Ryūgū had a special dislike for horses. Hideyoshi sent for the boatmen and told them that he had undertaken this expedition at the command of the emperor, and that the god of the sea was too polite to interfere in anything pertaining to the transportation of troops for such a purpose. He said however that he would make it all right by writing a letter to Ryūgū, instructing him to insure the safe passage of the ships. This was done, and a letter addressed “Mr. Ryūgū” was thrown into the sea. The boatmen were satisfied, and the horses were taken over without difficulty.(175) With the fall of Odawara the whole of the Kwantō, comprising the provinces of Sagami, Musashi, Kōtsuke, Shimotsuke, Hitachi, Shimōsa, Kazusa, and Awa came into the possession of Hideyoshi. During the progress of the siege, it is said that he and Ieyasu were standing in a watch tower which they had built on the heights above the castle of Odawara. Hideyoshi pointed to the great plain before them and said(176): “Before many days I will have conquered all this, and I propose to give it into your keeping.” Ieyasu thanked him warmly and said: “That were indeed great luck.” Hideyoshi added: “Wilt thou reside here at Odawara as the Hōjō have done up to this time?” Ieyasu answered: “Aye, my lord, that I will.” “That will not do,” said Hideyoshi. “I see on the map that there is a place called Yedo about twenty _ri_ eastward from us. It is a position far better than this, and that will be the place for thee to live.” Ieyasu bowed low and replied: “I will with reverence obey your lordship’s directions.”