Prime Minister Bizen

On the evening of September 8th, Keicho 9, the sun still slanted west as expected, but today, perhaps because of the blood of the soldiers who fell on the battlefield in the Suruga War, the sunset glow was extraordinarily bright red.

Hideie, who is the chief general, is sitting in the Honmaru of Tanaka Castle at the moment, inspecting the head with the military eye Futachihara Hisakuna.

The war had already come to an end when the two sons of the Xiu family came with double-teams. The Xiu family had never planned to lead people to charge, but unexpectedly they had to lead people to charge for a while.

For the Xiu family, the last few years have been in the midst of strategizing, and it has been a long time since they rode across the battlefield. After a thrilling battle, the body really can't bear it.

It's just that this battle was really difficult. A total of 4000 knights from both sides rode on the battlefield, and many heads were too late to pick.So far, the most valuable head is the head of Shigeta Sakai, the head of the Mikawa flag leader who was in charge of the south bank of Inagawa.

But Xiujia believes that the Warring States period is definitely not the only one.Sitting on the turret of Tanaka Castle Honjin and looking towards the east, the Sakakibara Minamoto flag of Sakakibara Komasa is still standing, but with the current situation that they are surrounded, it is basically impossible for Sakakibara Komasa to escape.

Not long after, Masatoshi Suga, who was in charge of commanding the frontal battlefield, sent a message that "Dasuke Shikibu refused to surrender, and the Tokugawa Army did not lay down their weapons."

Xiujia who heard the news snorted and said, "In this case, order the artillery to be moved forward and fire at the place where the Tokugawa soldiers gather, so that all the iron cannons stand on wooden benches and shoot. Bow and shoot long."

As soon as the soldiers who came to ask Hideo's opinion left, Hideo saw Shigee Toyotomi happily coming up from below, followed by Nobushige Sanada and a bound young samurai with disheveled hair.

Although a little downcast, the demeanor exuded by that body cannot be easily concealed.

Seeing the person approaching, Xiujia got up quickly, and said to Toyotomi Shigejia who brought him, "Fu Shishiro, what's wrong with you, that's your elder brother! Hurry up and untie him."

In fact, Tokugawa Hidetada is 7 years younger than Hideka, and 11 years older than Jujuro!But what the Xiu family said now was to treat him as a junior, calling him the elder brother of the Fengchun Zhong family.

"Ah, yes!"

It doesn't take Toyotomi Shigeya to do it, if you win the Hideka, Sanada Nobushige has already started to untie Tokugawa Hidetada.It can be seen that the young Xiuzhong is looking downcast at the moment, but his expression reveals somewhat dissatisfaction.

"I haven't seen you for many years. Major General Tokugawa is fine." Hideka pointed to Mazha beside him, motioning for Tokugawa Hidetada to sit down, and at the same time greeted him, "Major General, please stay here for a while. Finished, Higashi Sakakibara Shikibu did not surrender, I will greet His Highness when everything is settled."

After talking, Hideka said to Toyotomi Shigeie and Sanada Nobushige, "Genjiro (Sanada Nobushige), take your people to help Rokunosuke (Suga Masatoshi), and don't make the major general wait. Fukushiro ( Toyotomi Shigee) Now there is a diplomacy class in front of you, entertain the major general for me."

After the two were killed, they left separately, and the formation returned to calm again.

Many heads of the Tokugawa Army were killed in this battle. According to preliminary statistics so far, there are 5000 beheaders. You must know that there are still some battles over there, and the final death toll is likely to exceed 6000.

With such a large number of casualties, even in the Tokugawa family, which was placed in a million stones, it was still a battle that shook the foundation.

The heads of ordinary ashigaru and samurai are naturally inspected by the military officials at all levels below. The heads that can be sent to the main formation for inspection must be famous generals in the Tokugawa army, or those in the Toyoharu army. A head captured by a samurai of a certain status.

"Shinshu Samurai Shintani Toshihei"

"Enshu Samurai Mannosuke Kawada"

"The Suruga Samurai Asahina Genichiro."

As the names were called out one by one, under the supervision of Xiujia, Tachihara Hisakuna personally inspected the heads to confirm the meritorious deeds, and the merits of the samurai who obtained these heads were confirmed one by one.

"Weeping." Just at some point, there was a soft cry from within the formation.

Such a sound is very unlucky in such a big victory, so when the sound came, many people took the initiative to look at the place where the sound came from.

Even Tachihara Hisakuna stopped the work of checking the heads, and looked at the source of the crying sound.

But when he saw the crying man, he didn't reprimand him, but shook his head helplessly and continued with the head inspection.

These names are very familiar to Tokugawa Hidetada. For example, Kawada Mannosuke was a samurai who was his close servant. Later, after his father died, he returned to his own territory to inherit Zhixing and became a national samurai of Yuanjiang.

The names of these people are so familiar, they were still real people yesterday, but now they only have their heads in front of him.

Tokugawa Hidetada was a little bit regretful, regretting that he was still too impulsive. His ambition to take down the Hideka asked him to lead people out of Junfu Castle. If the cage city defended to death, there might be a chance of victory in this battle.

"Boom boom~"

While he was reflecting, several more cannon shots rang out nearby.Although he had heard this much louder sound than when the iron cannon was fired when he was in Qingshan City, he didn't pay too much attention to it because the distance was so close that it couldn't be seen clearly.

It wasn't until now that he was captured and taken to Tanaka Castle, and felt the roar of the 18-pound artillery at close range, that he suddenly felt lingering fear.

"What's the news?" He suddenly raised his head to look at the Xiu family and asked, "Does His Royal Highness also own Guobeng?"

At this time, the classification of firearms by the Japanese is relatively simple, and the naming is even more simple and clear.

From the iron-cast stone fire arrows that fire stone bullets, to the large iron cannons with enlarged calibers, to the large cylinders and Guobeng each corresponding to a caliber.

At this point in time, it is not surprising that Tokugawa Hidetada knew about the large tubes. After all, Toyotomi Hideyoshi was affected by the Korean War, and he also bought a few large tubes from the Nanmans and installed them at the head of Osaka Castle.

However, as a larger caliber Kunobeng (12 lbs or 18 lbs has not yet been determined in the academic circle), it has not yet become popular in Japan.But since the cannon was named Guobeng during the battle of Guanyuan in history, the caliber is not small.

"Also?" Xiujia keenly caught the loopholes in Tokugawa Hidetada's words and asked, "Why does the major general use this word? Doesn't the Tokugawa family also have it? Why don't you see it and use it?"

Tokugawa Hidetada seemed to realize that he had said something wrong, but kept silent.

But Xiujia who knows history naturally knows that a few months before Sekigahara in history, a Dutch sea ship was blown onto the Bungo coast, and there was an 18-pound cannon used by this ship on board.

It was also this artillery that fired the cannon that determined history, scaring the historical Hideaki Kobayakawa to finally decide to go down the mountain to help the Eastern Army.

It was also because of this experience, coupled with the fact that the Dutch promised to the Tokugawa family that they would only do business and not preach. During the 250 years of the Tokugawa shogunate, the Dutch were allowed to enjoy the exclusive Hirado Nanban trade with Japan.

But Tokugawa Hidetada held back for a long time, and still couldn't help asking Xiujia, "It's possible that the Youfu has a country that collapses. After all, the Youfu has a good relationship with the Ming Kingdom and the Nanman people, but how did the Youfu get along when this country collapsed?" What about those who came to Yuanjiang?"

It's no wonder that Tokugawa Hidetada couldn't figure it out, because the "National Beng" he had seen was a fixed artillery that was installed on the head of the bed and could not be moved.Even if it is dismantled and used as a land gun, the gun base needs to be repaired in advance to cope with the reaction force of the artillery launch.

Such a cannon weighs several tons, which cannot be transported by ordinary manpower.It's nothing more than short-distance transportation and movement. He really can't understand how the Xiu family transported this cannon from Fengchun to Yuanjiang.

It's just that Xiujia didn't want to chat with him at the moment, and just said to him, "Since the major general knows about the country's collapse, he naturally knows his power. Now I have put them in front of the formation and bombarded Sakakibara Shikibu. I want to come to Kanbara The Tokugawa army in the hands of the Shikibu will soon be unable to resist. You wait a little longer, and wait until the Shikibu comes over."

After talking about the price, he ignored Tokugawa Hidetada, and even asked his servants to take him to the edge of Tanaka Castle Honmaru to look at the battlefield in the east in order to let him see the strength of Fengchun Army and the end of the Tokugawa Army with his own eyes.

In fact, it took only a few ten minutes, and the battlefield over there gradually calmed down. Not long after, someone rushed into the city to see Xiu's family, and the person who came was Suga Masari's retainer.

I saw him lying on the ground and asking the Xiu family, "Tokugawa's military strength is insufficient, and Sakakibara Shikibu is willing to surrender. My lord asked me to ask His Highness what he means."

"It's a good thing Shikibu is willing to put down his weapons." Hideka glanced at Tokugawa Hidetada next to him and said, "Then what are the conditions offered by Shikibu?"

"The Shikibu asked Major General Tokugawa if he was in good health, and Tatebayashi Zuowei Mentou (Nobushige Sanada) replied 'Healthy' on his behalf. Then Shikibu expressed his willingness to exchange his life for the lives of the remaining soldiers of the Tokugawa Army."

"No! Absolutely not!" Hearing this condition, Hidetada Tokugawa jumped up and walked to Hideo's side before hearing this condition, and said, "Please be kind to the right man, and save Shikibu's life."

In fact, the life and death of Sakakibara Yasomasa was nothing more than a matter of the Hide family's words. He really hadn't thought about how to deal with Sakakibara Yasomasa before, and even had a little thought of wanting to regain him because of his historical reputation.

But now that Hidetada Tokugawa begged Xiujia for mercy on his behalf, Xiujia was unwilling to let him go.

After thinking about it, Hideka still felt that Yasumasa Sakakibara would not easily betray the Tokugawa family. He was the same character as Muneji Shimizu. He was born near the side of Tokugawa Ieyasu, and he was absolutely loyal to the Tokugawa family. Great influence.

For such a person, if you ask him to surrender and become an official, it is not only an insult to him, but also an insult to yourself once you are rejected.

But you don't want such a person to serve you instead, and leave him at Tokugawa's house.Regardless of whether Xiuzhong will continue to manage the Tokugawa or Xiuzhen will be the heir, the Tokugawa family who have such retainers and sit on the key points of the Tōkaidō is not something that the Xiu family can rest assured.

Now Hideya suddenly understands that when he was in Takamatsu Castle in Bichu that day, the monkey refused Kobayakawa Takakage's condition for Muneji Shimizu to open the castle, so he had to do seppuku.

At that time, the monkey needed to return to Kyoto quickly to deal with Mitsuhide Akechi, and he would never let a guy as powerful as Soji Shimizu go back to Mori's house.Not only to be afraid of his ability, but also to bluff the Maori family, making the Maori family feel that the peace they gave them was a charity, and the price was the life of a general.

The monkeys at that time were so similar to the Xiu family now, they couldn't stay here for long and wanted to race against time in Shangluo.But at the same time, it is also necessary to use the necessary means to frighten one's back, so as not to let them make trouble behind one's back.

Hideya, who wanted to understand what was going on, wanted to make a direct decision, but seeing his son waved Toyotomi Shigeie and said, "Fukushiro, what do you think of what the major general said, can Shikibu's life be kept?" ?”

Toyotomi Shigeka thought for a moment, and said to Xiujia very moderately, "Father kills when he says, and stays when father says."

"Then tell me, what is the meaning of killing? What is the meaning of staying?"

This question seems to have been asked by Chaozuna. Toyotomi Shigee scratched his forehead in a bit of embarrassment and said with a smile, "Shikibu is Tokugawa Shigeomi. If you stay, you can give the Tokugawa clan a favor."

Before he could finish his words, Tokugawa Hidetada who was on the side seemed to hold the life-saving straw, and then said, "That's right, Youfu. If Shikibu's life is spared today, I, the Tokugawa clan, will definitely feel deeply."

Xiujia didn't like Tokugawa Hidetada's interrupting the education time between himself and his son, so he gave him a sharp look and then signaled Zhongjia to continue talking.

The Toyotomi Shige family was encouraged by the Hide family, and finally said the second half of the sentence: "But it also happens that Shikibu is too powerful, staying at Tokugawa's house is really hard to make people feel at ease!"

When Tokugawa Hidetada heard this, he immediately promised, "Youfu can temporarily take Shibu into custody, and order him to become a monk after the world is settled. In any case, please be kind to Youfu and save Shibu's life."

In order to get Xiujia to agree to his request, Tokugawa Hidetada knelt down in front of Xiujia and saluted Xiujia.

Xiujia signaled his son Zhongjia to come closer, took him to stand facing Tokugawa Hidetada, and said, "Did you see, Fukushiichiro? This is how military and state affairs are. The loser has no room to make conditions with the winner. It can only be done like this." Humbly prostrate on the ground begging for forgiveness."

Hideya's words somewhat insulted Tokugawa Hidetada, but at the moment Hidetada only wanted to save Sakakibara Komasa's life, and no longer cared about these verbal offenses.

However, the Xiu family suddenly asked him, "Major General, I would like to ask you a question. If my son and I were taken to your Qingshan headquarters, what decision would you make?"

"Youfu?" Xiuzhong raised his head in doubt when he heard the question from the Xiu family, with hesitation in his eyes, but he dared not answer. Naturally, the disposal should be left to the master of Osaka and the five big bosses to decide."

Xiujia who heard the answer did not reply, but looked at Zhongjia and said, "Did you see that, Fu Shishiro? If you were a major general, what would you do?"

Although Zhongjia is young, he is not stupid. In fact, he has already seen the answer from the hesitation in Tokugawa Hidetada's eyes, so he said without hesitation, "We will all be sent to Liujo Kawara."

"This is the answer." Xiujia looked at the two of them and continued, "Today's lesson is not only to teach you, but also to educate the major general for the inner government. Let the major general know that now you and my two families are in the same position. Water and fire, how can there be so much benevolence that can be given. Even if you want to give benevolence, you should break off the eagle's wings, knock off the sharp beak, and cut off the sharp claws before giving benevolence."

"You House!"

Tokugawa Hidetada still wanted to speak, but the Hide family had already ordered the samurai, "Shikibu's seppuku is necessary, but it's not enough. Tell Shikibu that all the Tokugawa clan generals and attendant generals who are stubbornly fighting around him are All generals and generals need to make a seppuku apology to comfort the spirits of the innocent victims of this war.

In this way, I will desperately guarantee the life of Major General Dechun and the inheritance of the Tokugawa family name.If Shikibu and his generals are unwilling, I don't mind using Kunobeng and Iron Cannon to help them fulfill their loyalty. "