1635 Han style rises again

Chapter 739 Chrysanthemum and Sword ([-])

March 3, Kyushu, Kirishima Town (now Kirishima City, Kyushu, Japan).

"The men of the Marine Corps who landed on the shore will definitely get rich, and I don't know how many valuable things they can get back one by one." A naval sergeant on the battleship "Jingming" looked at the several fires rising from the shore, and felt a little confused. Said enviously.

"That's right, not only the brothers of the Marine Corps can get a lot of captures, but the Ming army who followed the landing may also get a lot of good things." A naval sergeant next to him echoed: "It's a pity that we can only guard on the boat. Watch these bastards stuff their wallets."

"Will they encounter strong resistance from the Japanese?" A private who had just joined the navy for less than a year asked worriedly.

"How could it be?" The sergeant said with a smile: "When we sent the army to land, we didn't receive any counterattack, which proved that they didn't have artillery at all. And the liaison ship that just came back also said that the town on the shore, even the city wall None, just surrounded by a wooden fence. I'm afraid there is no need for the marines to take action. Those Ming army officers and soldiers can attack the city with a single charge. Besides, it has been more than an hour since they landed. There was no signal for support at all, so it must have been very easy!"

"However, I heard from the brothers of the Marine Corps that when they attacked the Ryukyu King City, they encountered crazy resistance from the Japanese. Now that we have entered their lair, their resistance must be even more intense?" the private soldier said. Said.

"Hehe..." The sergeant smiled, "No matter how fierce the resistance is, it's useless! The Satsuma domain has concentrated almost all its troops in Kagoshima, and the Satsuma armed force in this town is only 200 people. But We landed with about 2000 troops, as well as artillery and muskets, and against the Japanese, it would definitely be a crushing situation."

Zhu Shanping, the assistant navigator of the "Jingming" and the accompanying captain (second lieutenant), held up the binoculars while observing the surrounding sea, while listening to several naval officers and soldiers on the side of the ship chatting about the landing attack on the shore.There was no sign of distaste for these sailors discussing enviously how much their companions on shore could capture.Serving as a soldier is a matter of course. If they can get more battlefield captures, then they can retire and return to their homeland, at least to ensure that they can live a prosperous life.Just ask, how can this not make the officers and soldiers yearn for it?

A few days ago, the coalition forces concentrated more than [-] ships and more than [-] marine officers and soldiers into Kagoshima Bay. After more than ten rounds of fierce bombardment of the port, the dock fort was completely destroyed.However, when several fast reconnaissance ships approached the pier, they found that thousands of Satsuma troops had gathered on the shore, ready to guard against the landing of the coalition forces.

The commander of the coalition forces, Luo Rucheng, immediately ordered several warships to turn around and sail towards Sakura Island on the opposite bank, and cooperated with the officers and soldiers of the Marine Corps to quickly capture the small island, preparing to set it up as a temporary attack camp for the coalition forces.

Sakurajima is adjacent to the Osumi Peninsula in the east, about two kilometers away from Kagoshima Port in the west across Jinjiang Bay, and Kagoshima Bay is in the north and south.There is an active volcano on the island, which erupted violently from 1471 to 1476. However, it has maintained a stable dormant period for more than a hundred years.

It took four days for the coalition forces to land on Sakurajima. More than [-] officers and soldiers and a large amount of military supplies were transported by dozens of small boats and stationed in the northern plain of the island one after another.

After a few days of rest, in view of the fact that Kagoshima has gathered the main force of the Satsuma Domain, a rash landing may cause certain casualties.Luo Rucheng, the commander of the coalition forces, immediately ordered that the fleet and landing officers and soldiers be divided into several waves, and take turns to plunder the coastal towns and villages of the Satsuma domain. ", after all, they traveled thousands of miles across the sea and came to help the State of Qi crusade against the Satsuma clan. If they are so generous and helpful, they should do them some favors, right?

"Enemy attack!" Called almost at the same time as the watchman, Zhu Shanping put down the binoculars and pointed to the northwest direction of "Jingming", "Enemy attack, all officers and soldiers entered the alert position.... Prepare to meet the enemy!"

I saw dozens of small boats on the sea several miles northwest of the fleet, attacking them quickly.The small boat has no sails, and the hull is light and narrow. It should be a small early ship unique to Japan.

The two warships of the Qi State at the outermost edge raised their sails first, then turned their bows, and rushed towards the dozens of small boats opposite with a fearless attitude.

In order to ensure the smooth advancement of the order to lock the country, the Tokugawa shogunate promulgated the "Large Ship Construction Prohibition Order" more than ten years ago, prohibiting the construction of ships over [-] shi Ataka boat above the stone).Therefore, with the passage of time, a large number of Ataka ships that survived the Korean War gradually disappeared due to aging and damage.As a result, today's coastal areas of Japan are flooded with a large number of small and medium-sized ships and small boats.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!..."

Facing the first active attack by the Satsuma Navy's navy, the ships of the State of Qi were extremely excited.After the two warships broke into the enemy group and overturned several small boats, the artillery on both sides immediately launched a violent bombardment.

And the many small boats of the Satsuma clan, like stinging bees, launched wave after wave of desperate charges in the face of the collision and artillery bombardment of the Qi Navy warships.The Satsuma sailors on Xiaozao's boat ignited baked fire arrows (Note 1) one by one, and threw them vigorously at the ships of Qi State.The archers on the ship, standing on both sides, were also constantly throwing feather arrows at the big ship.

"Change the grapeshot!" shouted the gunnery commander on the Signal.

After bombarding a round of artillery, it was found that the effect was not good. Although the small ship hit by the shell was pierced through several holes, its low ship and small size made it difficult for the naval gun to hit its bottom. The deck of the cabin, so that the opponent can still swim flexibly after being shot, and constantly throws roasting arrows and feather arrows at the Qi ship, which is very annoying.

After receiving the captain's order, the gunner of the "Jingming" immediately ordered the gunners to start loading grape shells to kill and injure a large number of Satsuma soldiers on the Xiaozao ship.

"Shut up, scratch your skin, you won't die!" Zhu Shanping tried his best to drag a sailor who had been hit by an arrow to the cabin, and after only looking at it for a while, he drew out a short knife and cut off the shaft of the arrow stuck in his arm. Then he kicked the sailor on the ground to stop his unnecessary crying.

A sea battle with disparity in power came to an end in less than two hours, and the bodies of Satsuma sailors and many broken ship boards were floating everywhere on the sea.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!..." On several ships, naval officers and soldiers continued to hold muskets and shoot at the Samo soldiers who were still struggling in the sea.Just now some ship officers and soldiers threw down wooden barrels, trying to rescue these soldiers of the Satsuma clan who fell into the water, but when they were brought to the deck, these soldiers of the Satsuma clan did not show any gratitude at all. The short knife wounded several people in a row.

After killing several fierce soldiers of the Satsuma clan in succession, the naval officers and soldiers of the Qi State gave up rescuing these soldiers of the Satsuma clan who fell into the water.There were even some noisy officers and soldiers, who simply held their muskets and began to hunt and kill the soldiers of the Satsuma domain on the sea one by one.

On that day, the coalition fleet annihilated more than [-] naval vessels of the Satsuma Domain and killed more than [-] enemies.The more than [-] coalition officers and soldiers who landed ashore returned with a full load after looting in Kirishima Town for two days.The town left behind them turned into a piece of scorched earth, thousands of people were killed and homeless in the whole city.

On March 3, the coalition forces once again dispatched some warships and landing officers and soldiers to capture Tarumizu Town (now Tarumizu City, Kagoshima Prefecture) on the southeast side of Sakurajima. More than ten ships.

On March 3th, the coalition forces penetrated more than ten miles west of the Osumi Peninsula, and broke through the largest town of the Satsuma Domain, Kanoya Town (now Kanoya City, Kagoshima Prefecture). More than two hundred people also burned the place when they evacuated, causing thousands of homeless refugees again.

On April 4, more than 2 officers and soldiers of the Allied Forces landed, broke through Aira Town (now Aira City, Kagoshima Prefecture), only [-] miles away from Kagoshima, killed and wounded more than [-] Satsuma soldiers, plundered for two days, and then... ...not going away, just staying here, as if waiting for something.
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April 4, Kagoshima, Tofukuji Castle (now Shimizu Town, Kagoshima City).

"Bastard!" Shimadzu Mitsuhisa roared, swung a knife and split the table in front of him in half, and then kicked it.

Kneeling in the hall, more than a dozen retainers and warriors from the feudal clan looked panic-stricken, lowered their heads and remained silent, enduring the lord's wrath.

For half a month, the attacking army of the Qi State took Sakurajima opposite Kagoshima as a base. In addition to dispatching more than ten warships to blockade the port of Kagoshima, they also continued to divide troops to attack towns and villages in the territory of the Satsuma domain along the coast, killing and wounding Satsuma had thousands of soldiers and civilians, several prosperous towns were completely destroyed, and tens of thousands of people were reduced to homeless people.

In addition, during the several months of continuous raids by the Qi State Navy, the Satsuma Fan Navy’s navy was almost completely lost. There were less than [-] ships that could be used, and they were all small boats. Contacts may not be able to proceed normally.

What makes people feel even more uncomfortable is that the Satsuma clan mobilized and assembled more than [-] troops, which caused heavy financial pressure on the entire Satsuma clan.Although those peasants and untouchables do not need to pay Lumi and only provide a rice ball and a meal of gruel every day, those warriors have to increase Lumi and military pay during wartime, plus they need to rush to make various ordnance and Raising combat supplies, which made Satsuma's slightly affluent finances immediately tense.

A large number of young and middle-aged people were conscripted into the army, which greatly affected spring plowing activities, which would inevitably lead to a reduction in the production of rice, grains and other grains this year.In addition, the Qi army frequently raided the surrounding territories, wreaked havoc on towns and villages, looted property, and killed soldiers and civilians. This was a heavy blow to the entire Satsuma domain.

"Immediately rectify the soldiers and horses, follow me out of the city to fight, and wipe out all the Qi army that captured Aira Town!" Shimadzu Mitsuhisa panted heavily, staring fiercely at the retainers and senior samurai present.

"My lord (Note 2), the Qi army broke through Aira town but stopped here. It must be a trap to lure the main force of our army out of the city and annihilate it." The elder Shimadzu Hisaichi said solemnly: "Therefore, Our army must stick to the city and wait for the enemy to attack. Use the solid city defense to consume the enemy, and finally use our Satsuma domain's superior force to destroy the Qi army under the city. This is a reliable and safe strategy!"

"What if the Qi army doesn't come to attack me?" Mitsuhisa Shimadzu stared at his most trusted elder, "The Qi army has the advantage of boats and ships at sea, so they can use this to block any of my sea passages, and then divide up and raid In my coastal territory, I killed my people and took away my wealth. In this way, my Shimadzu family can only stay in the city and do nothing?"

"My lord, the Qi army has traveled thousands of miles across the sea and attacked from a long distance, so it will not last long." Shimadzu Hisaichi said: "Although the Qi army frequently raided our coastal territories and obtained countless materials and property, this move will definitely shake the world and shake the people in the domain. The anger of the people. The lord only needs to send an order to the people under his command to fortify the walls and clear the fields, attack the enemy with all our strength, and resist with the strength of our whole clan. In this way, the Qi army will definitely not be able to gain a foothold and can only retreat."

"Hmph, fortify the walls and clear the country, resist it with the strength of the whole clan?" Shimadzu Mitsuhisa sneered twice, "Then what is the use of me mobilizing more than ten thousand soldiers and horses? Living in the city, and letting the Qi army ravage the territory, so, it is useless to laugh Ear!?"

"My lord, when the Qi army gathers a large army to attack, it must destroy all the vassal troops stationed in Ryukyu without any worries." Hisazu Shimadzu tried his best to persuade him: "Yoshio Ueda is a cautious and resourceful person, and the troops under his command are also doing their best. He is a warrior who is brave and good at fighting, and he also possesses the solidity of the Ryukyu Shuri royal city. In this way, we cannot delay the Qi army for ten days and make it attack quickly. I speculate that the Qi army must be powerful in combat, so our army cannot To fight against it, you need to plan it slowly."

"Hmph..., take your time?" Shimadzu Mitsuhisa stared at Shimadzu Hisagi with a grim face, "If the Qi army stays in our Satsuma domain for a long time, and keeps dividing troops to loot the territory of the domain, I'm afraid they won't be needed. The attack on Kagoshima, but I, Shimadzu, will not last long, and I will die of exhaustion!"

Hisashi Shimadzu sighed slightly in his heart. The situation of the Satsuma clan was indeed as the head of the family said. If the commander of the Qi National Army stationed in the territory, and continued to plunder the territory of the clan, massacre villages and people, it would not only greatly weaken the overall strength of the Satsuma clan, but also It will cause serious panic among the people in the domain and delay the normal production of agriculture.If the war continues until May and June, and agricultural production cannot be carried out, then the Satsuma Domain will definitely fall into a large-scale famine this year.

Deep down in his heart, Shimadzu Jiutong extremely disapproved of the Patriarch launching this war rashly.Although the Qi Kingdom is far away in the Hanzhou Continent, thousands of miles away, with a population of less than one million, it is said that the other party has a powerful sea power no less than that of the Dutch, and can easily block the Satsuma Domain and their heavily controlled Ryukyu.

However, Japan's traditional hierarchical thinking of "everyone keeps his own position" made him follow the duties and obligations of his retainers after he was unable to change the will of the patriarch. Power planned this raid against Qi.But what is disappointing is that the original plan was to wipe out all of Qi's strongholds in Ryukyu and capture a large number of Qi's soldiers and civilians in order to create favorable conditions for subsequent peace talks with Naqi.However, in the process of implementation, none of these goals were achieved, and instead the troops were lost.

In addition, the speed and scale of Qi's gathering of military forces surprised the Satsuma clan.The news coming back from Ryukyu confirmed that in less than four months, the people of Qi had mobilized an army of [-] to [-], including many armed forces in the territory of Ming, and ships fighting at sea. There are also more than forty ships.

Today, facing Kagoshima, which is hoarded with heavy troops, the Qi army chooses to avoid rather than fight, but instead raids the coastal towns of the Satsuma clan. This really makes the Satsuma clan quite passive.

"So, my lord, please stay in the city and don't take risks lightly." Shimadzu Hisaichi said with a look of determination on his face, "I will lead five thousand troops to Aira to defeat the Qi army."

　Note 1: Roasted fire arrows, weapons used in the Sengoku period of Japan.Similar to today's hand grenades.Roasted like a clay pot, it will burn nearby wooden structures after detonation, causing the ship to disintegrate.However, the burning power of this weapon was limited by the technology at the time and was relatively low, so the main purpose was to kill enemy soldiers.

　　Note 2: According to the translation in the book "Tokugawa Ieyasu" by Yamaoka Shohachi, it is generally said that his family name is "Lord" or "Master".

　　
　
(End of this chapter)