Chapter 156 Kumamoto Castle Flag Flying
"Six lines of money..."
"Lord, which one is that?"
"The legendary family crest of the Sanada family, the last heroes of the Warring States Period, is wrong. Back then, Ii-sama killed three Yukimura's Kagemusha in the Osaka main formation. Finally, when Yukimura broke through the vanguard, Ii-sama and others jointly killed him. Avant-garde, could it be...
Is that also a Kagemusha? Is the real Yukimura still in Osaka Castle? "
The wind and snow cannot last until March, but in Japan, the heavy snow usually lasts until around February of the next year. Amidst the falling snowflakes in the sky, an army of 20,000 people stands outside the tall Kumamoto Castle. Each person’s The bamboo hats were covered with snow, and there were many spears and swords.
Miyoshi Masayasu rode his horse forward, and before the horses came out from the castle, he rode his horse and shouted: "Heaven, the Kingdom of Heaven has granted Japan the title of General Toyotomi Hideyori, General Sanada Yukimura, under his command, arrived at Kumamoto Castle, and the garrison in the castle Listen, the Tokugawa shogunate deceived the superiors and deceived the subordinates, and the subordinates attacked and killed the master's family. Such treason and unethical behavior are the only shame in the world. The knowledgeable people in the city should participate in the uprising and serve the general."
Takagi Kiyoshi's legs were weak. At that time, his father and others only speculated that it was true that Toyotomi Hideyori was not dead. He kept retreating. Since Toyotomi Hideyori was not dead, then the 'six-grain money' family emblem in front of him The flag represents the hero of the late Sengoku period, Yukimura Sanada, a fierce general with extraordinary valor.
"How to fight this battle?"
Takagi Seiji does not have the bravery of his father Takagi Seishi, nor the resourcefulness of the Ii family. Now as Higo Shou, he is facing a sudden 20,000 Toyotomi army. There are not 20,000 people in his Kumamoto Castle. Now he is fully prepared. Only four thousand people could be gathered to defend the city.
"My lord, we can only ask for help from the surrounding famous people."
Takagi Seiji nodded repeatedly as if he had been awakened by cold water: "Yes, yes, hurry, send a messenger out immediately to ask for help from the three great names of Hizen, Bunzen, and Bungo. By the way, there are also the two great names of Chikuzen and Chikugo. Tell me They, Toyotomi Hideyoshi is not dead, the enemy has returned, and by the way, let them report to Edo, as soon as possible."
"yes..."
.
"Master Mingguo said we don't need to attack the city?"
Shimazu Tadayō frowned. He thought Hatano had misheard the order: "With such heavy snow, if we don't attack, the soldiers may not be able to hold on."
"Sir, attacking the city at this level will cost a lot," Hatano looked up and said, "I heard that they are going to attack the city with artillery, as if they are breaking our own city."
The snow on Sanada Yukimura's body was also very thick, but he still froze in place like Fudo Myooh. It was not until Masayasu Miyoshi withdrew that he spoke: "What did the Takagi family say?"
"The other party didn't answer."
"Report to...general, the artillery of the Ming army is coming."
Ning Guoxing personally came with the artillery battalion. What he wanted was to fire the first artillery fire in full swing: "Set up the Shenwu artillery and prepare to fire the shells."
Four divine cannons were set up right in front of Sanada Yukimura. He had something in mind, but he was just thinking about it now.
The soldiers of the artillery battalion were very fast. The four Shenwu cannons were pulled from the carriages of the mules and horses. They were separated from the gun frames and the gun bodies and had to be assembled one by one.
"The four elements are ready."
Ning Guoxing shouted: "Zhu Yuan loaded..."
"Zhu Yuan has been loaded..."
"Get ready to light the fire..."
"put..."
'Dong dong dong dong...'
Four consecutive muffled sounds were heard in the heavy snow, like bursts of thunder.
'Boom boom boom boom...'
After four huge explosions, the tall gate of Kumamoto Castle was blown to pieces, killing countless people.
Ning Guoxing compared the towering castle tower, and then shouted: "Raise the muzzle thirty-five, and load the elements..."
He took off the blunderbuss and replaced it with another blunderbuss. The speed was much faster than before.
"Get ready to light the fire..."
"put..."
'Dong dong dong dong...'
After the muffled thunder, two of the cannonballs hit the towering castle tower. The symbol of Kumamoto Castle's power instantly burst into flames and was shattered into pieces.
Takagi Seiji was stunned on the spot. If he was still staying in the castle tower at this moment, he would have become a dead soul in the flames.
"Who is the opponent... exactly...?"
After the city gate was opened, Ning Guoxing immediately ordered his soldiers to disassemble the cannon, then rode his horse to Yukimura Sanada and handed over his hand: "General Sanada, my Lord Marquis has an order, and I will leave the rest to you."
Sanada Yukimura nodded, followed the example and then took out his long sword: "Sanada warriors, attack..."
Twenty thousand people rushed towards the open city gate. At this moment, the defenders in the city could not react. Under the service of two rounds of flower bombs, they had forgotten what they were supposed to do.
Takagi Kiyoshi was shocked and immediately shouted: "Send the order, prepare to defend against the enemy..."
All the power of Kumamoto Castle is here. With less than 4,000 defenders, there is still a way to defend the city. Now that the city gate is wide open, even the castle tower has been blown up, and now it is even more difficult to divide it. Use some of your strength to rescue the fire in the castle tower, otherwise if you let it spread, even if you burn it from the beginning down, it will still burn down the entire city.
The sky was filled with gunpowder smoke and the strong smell of burning wood. Against the backdrop of the heavy snow, a torrent was rushing in from the city gate.
.
Chen Cao's viewing distance was at least five miles, because the observation position of the telescope in his hand had reached its limit.
"Master Marquis, when should we take action?" Sun Chuanting walked up the hillside and also raised the telescope.
Surrounded by a group of colorful and colorful guards, Chen Cao slowly shook his head: "Don't worry, the city gate has been opened, and even the castle tower has been blown up. With help, if Sanada Yukimura can even take Kumamoto Castle, If it doesn’t go down, they won’t have to do the rest of it.”
Lu Xiangsheng has an impatient temper. Ever since he fought against the Shimazu family in the Battle of Muhara, his self-confidence has been extremely inflated, and he wants to continue to have another good fight with these so-called Japanese warriors.
"Master Marquis, how about letting the general lead a battalion to finish the job?"
Chen Cao put away his telescope and stared at Lu Xiangsheng, who was covered in snow: "Why, you haven't suffered enough in the Shimadzu family's military formation? If not, why not ask your brother Lu Xiangtong again? "
Xin Zhao stood aside and shook his head with a smile. Chen Cao said, "Send the order and the army will set off. Let's go to the outside of Kumamoto Castle to cheer for General Sanada."
.
The drums were rumbling. Although the Japanese also beat drums during wars, they were signals. In Chen Cao's place, drums have been replaced by signal arrows. The drums now available are all from the Shimazu family.
The drums of the Ming Dynasty were naturally much more advanced than those of Japan. Beat the drums to cheer... Beat the drums to cheer. When the drums sounded outside Kumamoto Castle in the snowy weather, Sanada Yukimura, who had just killed a man, looked up. Looking at the mountain city, he said: "The Ming army is here and is assisting our army. Send the order. It is important to break the formation quickly."
Miyoshi Masayasu is a model of bravery and is also the personal bodyguard of Sanada Yukimura. At this moment, he is on the rise of killing, and he is very unhappy when he hears this order. However, as the saying goes, the overall situation is more important, so when he cuts down the last person, he will lead the team with him. Use human hands to destroy the gates of the mountain city.
The Shimadzu family's iron artillery team was completely wiped out in the Battle of Makihara, which is why Sanada Yukimura suffered a bit. If these iron artillery teams had not been destroyed, the current attack would at least be much easier than before.
The castle tower, the key building of the mountain city, was destroyed, and Takagi Seiji had been forced to retreat to the main hall of the mountain city. The war was at this level, and according to the situation during the Warring States Period in the past, it was the time when the defeated would commit seppuku.
This is also the reason why a battle in Japan starts very quickly.
The noise outside has echoed through the mountain city. The retainers of the Takagi family have received the order from their lord to kill all the children, determined not to leave any one behind for the enemy.
The crying in the backyard continued. In the main hall, Takagi Seiji had prepared all the things needed for seppuku. Except for leaving his confidant as an intermediary, all the remaining retainers and samurai had received the order. That would be surrendering to Yukimura Sanada.
Although I am reluctant to do so, this is the tradition...
The reason why he did not commit seppuku in advance was because Takagi Seiji wanted to see the legendary hero with his own eyes and prove whether Toyotomi Hideyoshi was really back.
The front yard of the main hall is full of Takagi family retainers and samurai. They can only surrender now, and Sanada Yukimura does not want to kill them all. If they do so, although the hatred will be resolved, it will have an impact on future wars. Your opponent will no longer surrender to you, but will choose to fight to the end.
Therefore, when Sanada Yukimura led people on both sides of the road, he walked straight into the main hall without saying a word.
"You are the last hero of Azuchi Momoyama, Yukimura-sama..."
Just as Miyoshi Masayasu was about to have a fit, Yukimura waved his hand to block his words. Then he took a few steps forward, looked around, and after making sure that no one was in the hall, he said: "I am indeed Sanada Yukimura. It's just that the so-called hero was just... It’s just an illusion fabricated by people.”
"So, Toyotomi Hideyori is really not dead."
"My lord, Lord Guanbai, is blessed by his heroic spirit, so naturally he will not die in Osaka Castle."
Takagi Seiji feels that Sanada Yukimura is not old at all, but is very energetic. Maybe the person in front of him is really like the legend...
"Everyone in our Takagi family has his own master..."
"I know," Sanada Yukimura interrupted Takagi Seiji: "When Nobunaga was still alive, Ieyasu and Sekihaku-sama did not deal with each other. If Sekihaku-sama had not used force to suppress Ieyasu, they would not have been honest for twenty years. , it’s really just bullying my lord who has no one around him...
Of course, everyone has their own ideas. Maybe you are all surprised how my lord escaped being hunted back then?
There is a secret warehouse at the Osaka Castle Keep, and there is a water channel for water in the secret warehouse. "
"Is it you?"
"That's right," Sanada Yukimura let out a long sigh: "That's where I took the young lord to escape from Ieyasu's pursuit. I have to thank Naomasa Ii for this..."
"As expected..." Takagi Kiyoshi sighed: "Back then, my father once said that Ii Naomasa had let Osaka Castle go. Although he didn't say it explicitly, it turns out that was the case... He was Ieyasu-sama's favorite general..."
