Prime Minister Bizen

Chapter 329 Iron Cannon Cavalry and the Loopholes in the Design of Okayama Castle
Although the total strength of the Xiu family has reached more than 5, the Xiu family only plans to dispatch about 4 troops in this battle. The reasons for this are very complicated.

Not only did he not want to reveal his strength, but also he was on guard against him because he broke his face with Hideyoshi. After thinking about it, Hideyoshi finally completed the formation of the formation.

The total strength of the march is 22250 people, and the columns are divided into eight formations, which are:
In the first team, there were 3300 people from Mizibei and Boqi from Yu Xiduo's family;
For the second team, Date Masahiro Qinglong prepared 1500 people, and Endo Toshitsutsuyama prepared 1300 people;
In the third formation, Osafune Tsunamo (on behalf of) Sanxing prepared 1280 people, and Changzong’s relatives, 800 people;
The fourth team Hanabo Masashiro has 2000 people in the head office and its affiliated team, and Iemitsu Samkawa has 1450 people in it;

For the fifth team, 1600 people will be prepared for Akikami Hisaya Sanuki, and 1500 people will be prepared for Kamei Fuzuki Iyokume;
The sixth formation has 800 members of Ukita Hideka’s flag and entourage, 1000 firearms and two iron artillery battalions, 1500 Jingao, and 1450 Akashi Jingqin Akashi;
In the seventh team, Togawa Tatsuyasu Marugame prepared 1750 people, and Maeda Keiji prepared 1500 people in Zhongxiaoda;
In the eighth formation, there are 1600 turtledoves in Heiji Beishan.

Nagamune's Nobuki, Tsuyama Bei, and Sanxingbei have already sent some troops to follow Okari to Kyushu, so this formation is only to lead the rest of the people out, not a complete formation.

Since Kurashiki Ubi and Okubi have been mobilized for 9 months and have been working with Hideka in Mino, Hideka did not take them with them this time, and let them refresh their skills and shoulder the security task at the same time.

In addition to these two backup teams, 5 backup teams totaling 7500 people from Kamido left and right sides and Kurashiki left and right sides were left behind.

In addition, the new residences of the two counties belonging to the Hide family in Iyo are guarding Iyo, and the generals such as Hoki Nanjo, Mizusa Miura, Iyo Todo, and Iyo Qiu are in the battle, but they are led by the nobles who were recruited, the Hide family Nearly 15000 troops have been deployed in various countries.

Due to the late arrival of the Xiu family, the military service lasted until noon, and all the retainers led by the Xiu family had a meal in Okayama, and during the banquet, it was agreed to observe the long boat's iron artillery cavalry in the afternoon.

Xiujia came here full of expectations, but returned with disappointment. The iron cannon cavalry that Xiujia understood was like the dragoons in the Middle Ages. They held horse guns in their hands.

If you can't, you can just settle for the second best, just like the iron cannon cavalry of the Date family, the samurai in front controls the horse, and the iron cannon ashigaru sitting in the back is responsible for shooting.

However, the iron cannon cavalry of the Osafune family that Xiujia saw only used the cavalry as a means of transportation. The knights maneuvered quickly with the iron cannon ashigaru, then put down the ashigaru and aimed to shoot.

After the two guns on his back were shot, Ashgaru climbed on the horse again, and the samurai carried them away to a safe place to reload.

Due to the immediate shaking, it is necessary to re-compact the gunpowder, reload the firing powder and light the fire rope, which does not actually save much time.

The novel trick stunned Yu Xiduo, a group of monkeys who had never seen the world, and the long boat father and son were quite proud to explain their training results to everyone.

It's just that Xiujia is a little curious. What is the significance of the cavaliers on horseback at this time when Tie Pao Ashgaru dismounts and shoots? Is such a large target used as a cover for Ashgaru?
But Changchuan Zhenqin is his elder after all, and this is a public place, the Xiu family should give some face, so when he asked his opinion, the Xiu family still gave praise.

In fact, the reason why the Xiu family did not point out the shortcomings in public is to encourage the innovation of the retainers. After all, this kind of iron cavalry has never been heard of. Call in private.

When everyone dispersed and was preparing for the next day's battle, Xiujia left the designer of the Iron Cannon Cavalry, Tsunao Osafune alone, and asked him his opinion on this troop.

The two were almost walking side by side on the way back to the city, Xiujia asked, "Gangzhi, what do you think of the iron artillery cavalry you trained?"

Tsuna Osafune thought for a while and replied, "I think the iron artillery cavalry team can quickly occupy the strategic area, quickly deploy the iron artillery team to block the enemy, and wait for the arrival of follow-up reinforcements. It is a good team, but it is a pity that the number Too little."

Xiujia nodded and said, "This is indeed a good application scenario, but I want to ask you, if the cavalry is only used to transport the iron cannon ashigaru, isn't it a bit wasteful? It takes the ordinary cavalry and the iron cannon a few double the price, just for a quick and exciting purpose."

To be honest, Xiujia's words are already very tactful. If he really wants to do this, Xiujia can train the ashigaru to be able to ride horses, so as to solve the problem of fast maneuvering, and by the way, liberate the bound horsemen warrior.

If it weren't for the fact that Japan's land is inconvenient for chariots to travel, Xiujia even planned to use a chariot pulled by two horses, hit 2 iron cannons on it and pull it forward, and the ashigaru can be directly on the chariot Loading ammunition, isn't this the real tank in ancient times? No matter how you look at it, it is more realistic and cost-effective than Tsuna Osafune's current idea.

Osafune Tsuna heard what Hideka meant, so he said to Hideka, "This is also a helpless choice. There are not enough samurai who can ride horses. Where can I find Ashgaru who can ride horses?"

"Then train the samurai how to use the iron cannon. The cost of training the samurai to use the iron cannon is easier than training the ashigaru to ride a horse?" Xiujia suggested to him.
"One more thing, don't you think that when Ashgaru shoots, the mounted samurai standing aside is not only useless, but also becomes the target of the opponent's long-range firepower, and it will be reduced in vain?"

Osafune Tsuna heard Hideka's opinion and admitted frankly: "Yes, this is indeed a very serious problem. It's just that I haven't thought of a good solution."

Xiujia looked at him and said, "Since your Iron Cannon Cavalry is a forcible combination of the separated Iron Cannon and Cavalry, then you can either merge the two into one, with one person playing two roles; Separate them completely."

Osafune Tsunade asked with some doubts: "Take it apart completely?"

Xiujia patiently explained, "This is also a relatively simple method. Your idea of ​​making the iron cannon light enough to mount is very good, which is conducive to rapid maneuvering. As for the issue of cavalry, I think you should also pay attention to it after you have kept it for so long. When the cavalry charges, they will encounter resistance problems."

"Yes, sometimes you want cavalry to charge from the flanks, but the enemy has already formed an formation to meet the enemy, and the effect is not obvious." Osafune Tsuna replied straightforwardly.

"So my suggestion is that the iron cannon cavalry team will form an formation at the rear after putting down the ashigaru. The ashigaru team will quickly fire two rounds of iron cannons to the front to break the enemy's formation. Bai Yanxia took the opportunity to attack the enemy. But in this way, the positioning of the Iron Cannon Cavalry will be changed."

"What my lord is saying is, if the original idea is to use the iron artillery cavalry to seize favorable terrain, when the cavalry rushes up, will it cause a problem of separation between the cavalry and the main force of the ashigaru in the rear?"

When Xiujia heard this, his eyebrows were raised. This guy is a talent. He pointed out the problems in one sentence. He is an existence worth cultivating. With a little cultivation, he might not be able to be used as a general of Yuxi's many independent battles.

"Yes," Xiujia agreed, "Although it can be used in extreme cases, the cost is very high, and horse-riding warriors are still much more expensive than ashigaru.

So my idea is to use it as a ranger to open up the situation on the side and rear of the frontal battlefield. The shooting of iron cannons and the charge of cavalry will undoubtedly disrupt the rhythm of the opponent and have a psychological impact on the enemy.

Especially for the soldiers who are fighting on the front line, when they hear the sound of iron cannons firing and shouting from the side and rear, they will immediately confirm whether they are surrounded, even if the morale is less affected , There will also be flaws, giving our army a chance to break through the frontal battlefield. "

Osafune Tsuna clenched his right fist and lowered his left palm to praise, "Good idea, if this is the case, simply equip them with some war drums and conchs, and let each of the cavalry stick two flags on their backs, pretending to be very impressive." Big appearance, so that it can have a psychological impact on the opponent."

Xiujia smiled and praised, "You have a good idea, let's do it like this. The army will start from Okayama tomorrow, so you should hurry up and prepare for the equipment. As for the training, you can only wait until Kyushu."

"Yes, I'll do it right now." Tsunade Hofuna said goodbye to Xiujia excitedly, and rode away from the queue of Xiujia.

Everyone returned to their residences or the army's campsite, and began to prepare for tomorrow's battle. Xiu's family wanted to go back to the city and have a good rest before going out, but they were told that Changshu Zheng's family had come.

Hearing that Chang Shuzheng's family was coming, the Xiu family suddenly turned their heads, why they almost forgot about him, and they hadn't made any arrangements for him yet.

The Nagatsu Masakaya was the power that Hideyoshi gave to the Hideo family. Its original territory was in the Omi country. After it was handed over to the Hideo family by Hideyoshi, the Hideo family had to arrange Xin's territory and salary for him.

This was also the custom of the Warring States period in Japan at that time. After all, the lord gave you support from his retainers, and they were actually doing things for you. It is not good for you to ask the lord to pay for it.

"I'm very glad to have the help of Master Nagatsume. I heard that Master was originally a retainer of the Niwa family."

Although the Xiu family and the Changshu Zheng family have known each other for a long time, they did not expect that they would become subordinates one day, so they did not get to know each other in depth.

Now that the Chang Shu Zheng family has been handed over to the Xiu family, and the Xiu family plans to turn the Chang Shu Zheng family into retainers to make up for the lack of internal affairs retainers, the Xiu family naturally wants to get close to him.

"Yes, I have followed the former master and had the honor to meet you many times." Changshu Zhengjia responded.

"Really, that's such a coincidence. My relationship with the Niwa family is still friendly. You can rest assured to settle down in this family." What is your knowledge and practice?"

Changshu Zhengjia replied, "I am ashamed to say that His Highness Guanbai gave me 5200 stones in Shuikou City, Omi Koga County to settle down. Compared with His Highness, it is really not on the table."

Xiujia laughed "hehe", and then said, "In that case, let's settle you in Changshan City, Erdao County, 6000 shi."

Hearing the Xiu family's arrangements for him, Changshu Zheng's family did not express his gratitude as the Xiu family expected, but exclaimed, "Your Highness, I am a retainer of His Highness Guan Bai, and I will entrust it to His Highness for my strength. The same amount of knowledge and action is enough, reward for no merit, I really dare not accept it, please take it back, Your Highness."

The Xiu family originally gave him 800 shi on purpose, and the 800 shi said it was not too much. The Xiu family used it for political operations. It is said that it is already a huge amount of money, accounting for 5200/1 of his territory.

Hideya's original intention was to make him feel grateful for his kindness when he first came to Ukido, and gradually forget his identity from the Toyotomi family and the kindness of Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

But I don't know if he is really noble or because he is afraid of Hideyoshi, he directly expresses his verbal rejection to Hideyoshi, making Hideyoshi a little embarrassed.

"There are only so many villages on Erdao, it's really difficult to hand over 5200 shi to you, how about I cut off another village and give you about 5400 shi?
If you still decide to deserve it, then please do your best to make up for it when building the castle in Okayama.Just treat it as a reward I paid you in advance. If you don't do well, I will naturally reduce it for you. "

This time Changshu Zhengjia did not refuse, and said to Xiujia, "Yes, the foreign ministers must try their best to serve the Secretary of State."

Xiujia originally thought that the meeting would end here, but Changshu Zhengjia took out a blueprint from his bosom, unfolded it in front of Xiujia, and said, "Actually, the reason why I came here this time is because of the matter of building the city and Your Highness discusses."

Well, it turns out that the Xiu family misunderstood. They didn't come to ask for knowledge and practice, but it seemed that the Xiu family was a little superficial.

"Your Highness, I basically agree with Maeda-sama's design plan, but I don't agree with the fact that the Nakamaru on Okayama has a large area, and its entrance and exit are only connected with the second to Maru of Caoshan.

In this way, it seems that Okayama is solid, but it actually becomes the weakest belly of Okayama Castle. After all, Chaocao Mountain and Kasaoka Mountain are connected to the outside world, so they are heavily guarded, and because there is no exit here, it is the easiest be ignored.

The southwest corner of Okayama is far less steep than the southeast corner, and it is easy for the enemy to reproduce the result of the surprise attack on Xiaogu Castle.

Maeda-sama's original suggestion was to repair the mountain, shovel away the accumulated soil and pile up stones to make it steeper. I think this is too laborious and costly, and the effect is not good.

My suggestion is to take advantage of the gentle slope in the southwest corner and cast Ichimaru as the exit pill of Okayama Castle, which is relatively independent from Okayama Castle Quwa.

The advantage of this is that it can monitor the situation on the south side of Okayama. If the enemy attacks the mountain from the south, it can also exist as a Shiromaru to attract firepower, and use the advantages of Okayama Nijimaru to cooperate with the Maru to kill the enemy. "

Xiujia's head was buzzing when he heard it, and he was stunned when he heard Maeda Xuan's foolishness, but he didn't expect that this bad B cheated him so much money, and even left a back door in his main city.

Hideyoshi, who is familiar with history, of course knows how Otani Castle was breached. This is also Hashiba Hideyoshi's real battle for fame.

Xiaogu Castle was built on the mountain, and it seemed like an invincible city, but in fact, because of the steep mountain, each castle was drawn into a long straight line.

Hideyoshi climbed up the hillside, entered the city from the Kyogoku Maru, and directly cut off the Otani Castle in the middle, and cooperated with the Oda army who attacked the city below the castle to capture the Otani Castle.

This time Maeda Gen built Okayama Castle by himself in the name of Hideyoshi, but unexpectedly left such a big flaw in this seemingly blooming city, how could it not make Hideka's imagination run wild.

Looking at Changshu Zhengjia in front of him, Xiujia fell into deep thinking, "If Maeda Xuanyi in front did it on purpose, what is the purpose of Changshu Zhengjia to expose him here?"

(End of this chapter)