In the center of Demak, the meeting held by Raden Trenggana has ended. At the beginning of that evening, Raden Trenggana sat in a room located inside the Demak palace building. He looked alternately at the two high-ranking officials in front of him. Once upon a time he took a deep breath. Raden Trenggana got up and said, “Isn’t it right for me to punish those who oppose me?”
The two people exchanged glances, then someone of tumenggung rank answered, “That’s appropriate, Raden.”
Raden Trenggana stared intently at the face of the person who gave the answer. Then asked again, “What is your reason for being able to say this appropriately, Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna?”
“Raden, it is the obligation of every duke and high-ranking officials in the duchies who are subordinate to Majapahit to submit to Demak. “Meanwhile, at this time, Raden was the successor to Majapahit’s power,” answered Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna.
“Is there no other reason?” Raden Trenggana looked at him with probing eyes.
Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna was silent for a moment, then answered, “Of course, because one of my assumptions is that they feel stronger than Demak.” “How could they possibly feel stronger than Demak? While the Demak troops have succeeded in forcing the eastern duchy to submit. Or do you have other meaning with the meaning of a power?” Raden Trenggana tried to suppress the turbulent feelings in his chest. He did not expect Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna to be able to see a side that he had never thought of at all.
“That power is the sharpness of reason that they have, Raden,” said Ki Patih Kusumanegara who was the same age as Raden Fatah and was his advisor when he was still alive.
“I feel like someone who is unable to think with the opinions you express. As if the submission of several duchies is material to laugh at me,” said Raden Trenggana angrily.
“Forgive me us, Raden. I didn’t mean it like that. There is a basis for suspicion of them. There are several circumstances. The first is that their resistance did not at all show their true strength. How could Surabaya be subdued in less than a day? After Surabaya declared its submission, they did not send an envoy to Demak or ask us to place people there,” said Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna. Then he continued, “Secondly, they also did not ask for considerations, or provide information to Demak to plan future steps. Moreover, we all know that blue-eyed foreigners have been scattered along the northern coast.”
Raden Trenggana looked at him sharply. He sighed. “ I have to admit that your opinions are correct. So I also feel that this decision is correct. The decision to force Blambangan to acknowledge and submit to Demak,” said Raden Trenggana in a high tone, for a moment he suppressed his feelings and then said, “However, I must have sufficient materials to force them to completely surrender to Demak.” Ki Patih Kusumanegara looked at each other with Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna, then Ki Patih said, “I can send people to Jepara to ask them to prepare the ships that will take us to Panarukan faster.”
“Do we need to ask for help from Cirebon?” asked Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna.
“No. I do not want to involve Cirebon in this battle,” Raden Trenggana firmly answered.
“Then what answer will Raden give if Cirebon asks about the developing situation?” Ki Patih asked with a frown. “Uncle Patih, I will tell them that this is all an unfinished family matter, and I am sure they will understand. Because that is the reality that the dukes in the eastern region are the younger brothers of Demak,” said Raden Trenggana before pausing for a moment. . Then with a little anger he hissed, “And it is only right for an elder brother to punish them.”
For some time afterward, the three men planned the steps that needed to be taken after the reports from the code officers and liaisons in each duchy had been collected.The conversation lasted until past midnight, occasionally Raden Trenggana asked to test the strategy proposed by his two subordinates. Raden Trenggana really did not want to experience defeat in his movement towards Panarukan. He did not want the event that embarrassed him to befall him. Ki Patih’s Opinion Kusumanegara and Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna, which were mentioned at the beginning of the conversation, really opened his insight into new strategies.
“I think you should invite Tuan Adipati Pajang to discuss this plan. At least his presence can add to the knowledge and skills that already exist in Demak,” Ki Patih Kusumanegara suggested. Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna nodded his head in agreement with the elderly Ki Patih’s suggestion.
“Alright, Ki Patih. I accept Ki Patih’s suggestion. I will send a messenger to Pajang as soon as possible. We will continue this discussion after I receive the latest report on the soldiers’ abilities and preparations in Jepara,” Raden Trenggana closed the meeting.
After Ki Patih Kusumanegara and Ki Tumenggung Wilaguna left, Raden Trenggana called the leader who specifically supervised the code officers, Ki Tumenggung Suradilaga. A moment later, a sharp-eyed man of the same age as him stood before him.
“Before I say what will be your responsibility, tell me what you know about the situation on the way to Pajang, Ki Tumenggung Suradilaga,” said Raden Trenggana.
Ki Suradilaga composed himself for a moment, then answered, “The roads and surrounding conditions are not dangerous. That is the statement from the code officer.” He stopped for a moment. Then he said further, “Even though the code officers said that, I can’t fully believe the truth of their statement.”
“What happened in the cipher squad you led?”
“Nothing, Raden.”
“Then why do you say you can’t believe the truth of the statements from your officers?” Raden Trenggana’s forehead furrowed. He shifted in his seat and said, “Okay. Let’s put your doubts into a wider scope so that I can understand from another point of view.”
Ki Tumenggung Suradilaga took a deep breath. Then he said, “That’s what they told me. And as their leader, I have to accept their report. However, I also have other methods that can be used as a comparison for every report that arrives in front of me.”
Raden Trenggana caught the doubt that radiated from Ki Tumenggung Suradilaga’s face. He pondered for a moment, then said, “Ki Tumenggung, there’s nothing wrong if you say the cause of your doubts. I am sure there will be a way out if you also tell the report that you consider as a comparison.” He took a deep breath. With his eyes straight looking at Ki Suradilaga’s face, Raden Trenggana said again firmly, “I do not doubt your loyalty. Or maybe you have received more important information?”
