In time, as well, her face brightened, for Jokoin had come to remain with her during Hideyoshi's absence, and sooner married to Kyogoku, of course, between the two of them there should be little doubt about rendering the taiko a son. Only time hung heavily upon her hands; no such preparations had been made within the memory of man as that waged against innocent Korea. Hideyoshi had demanded of them that they join him in no less an undertaking than the conquest of mighty China, and refusing had thrown his forces against them, first to compel their aid, and secondly to open the doors to that larger ambition of his, looked upon by all alike as hardly more than mad. A formidable army it was, too, that he had gotten together, in three divisions, dispatching one under the command each of Kato Kiyomasa and Konishi Yukinaga--with Ukita Hidaye in higher authority--holding the other in reserve at Nagoya, on the western coast of Kyushu; where Hideyoshi himself had established headquarters, the better to direct supreme control. Thirst for gain, now, had won the support of every daimyo in the land; the loyal and the disgruntled alike; of which he had advised Yodogima, fully, at their last meeting--the possible consequence startling her into the making of any sacrifice to save him. "My power over others has been gained by the sword," argued he, "because of selecting well and bestowing better: to the victor belongs the spoils, and greed once the encouragement there is no end; I must seek further resources elsewhere than at home; this field is exhausted; the cry for an heir is but the prelude to gold--and why fret my life away mourning the failure of a son? China is worth while and Hideyoshi its greater." The fire flashed as of old in his eyes, but Yodogima knew better the heart--nor had Esyo misjudged the elder sister's influence or the position promising. Hideyoshi had quelled the mob, but failed at organization: should any such vital realization be let to stand Yodogima in hand? Ought her sister, though older and "more handsome," be permitted to indulge undying fame, while she, if younger, yet "her superior," remain just an unthanked adviser to a daimyo like Ieyasu? Not if she could prevent it. "Accept of this invitation, from Hideyoshi, to join them, in the plundering of others--though you have no need or desire for booty," urged Esyo, advising Ieyasu, her guardian. "It may be the means of proving what I have contended these many years, and Ieyasu--greater than Hideyoshi--may yet see his way clear, or father somehow the conscience, to make Esyo--worthier than Yodogima--his wife." Ieyasu pondered, possibly frowned: still waited.