My father Zhu Gaoxu

Chapter 347 The Battle of Hirado
"ignition!"

Following Zhang Fu's order, the artilleryman ignited the fuse, and soon one artillery after another roared, and the hot projectiles were shot into the port of Hirado, causing great damage to the defense of the warship or port. destruction.

It was just at dawn, and the Japanese army at the port was sleeping soundly, but was suddenly woken up to meet the enemy. It was too late to prepare, and they were dizzy by the first attack of the Ming army.

But soon the Japanese army reacted and launched a counterattack one after another. For a while, arrows rained down on the shore, and Daming's warship was approaching the port, and it was already within the range of the bows and arrows.

However, Japan obviously lacks some powerful long-range weapons, such as artillery and bed crossbows. The only thing that poses a threat to warships is the trebuchet, but this thing is clumsy and heavy, has a short range and is not accurate, so it does not pose much threat to warships. .

The warships of the Ming Dynasty invaded the port, and the Japanese did not dare to board the ship to fight, so they had to stay on the shore to fight back. At this time, the warships of the Ming Dynasty set fire everywhere, igniting countless ships docked in the port, and then the fire ignited the buildings on the shore. The entire port was full of flames for a while.

The fire at the port caused chaos among the Japanese army on the port, and the counterattack became chaotic. In contrast, Ming's attack became more violent, and a port area was quickly emptied, and then a large number of Ming troops began to land.

This time, not only the navy under Zhang Fu, but the infantry and cavalry led by Zhang Fu and Liu Rong also came to Hirado in a troop carrier.

After the naval officers occupied an area on the port, Ming's infantry landed first, followed by musketeers and archers to open the way, causing the area controlled by Ming to expand rapidly, and more and more Ming troops also began to land at the port.

This is the east port of Hirado, opposite to Kyushu. There were originally heavy troops stationed there, but in the face of the fierce attack of the Ming army, the port was about to fall.

The general of the Japanese army in charge of guarding saw that the battle situation was unfavorable, and immediately sent someone to ask for help from Hirado Castle.

As a result, those who asked for help soon came to report and told him that in the Beigang of Hirado City, there was also a Ming army launching a fierce attack on the port, so there were not many people in the city to come to support.

In fact, Zhang Fu's troops were divided into two groups, of which there were relatively few Ming troops on the Beigang side. The purpose was not to attack the port, but to contain the troops of Hirado City. This goal was obviously achieved.

The defenders on the Donggang side retreated steadily. Although reinforcements came to support them during the period, the number was too small to change the situation of the battle.

Finally, at noon, Hirado's Donggang was completely lost, which also meant that Hirado's connection with Kyushu was cut off by Daming.

As Donggang was occupied by the Ming Dynasty, a large number of Ming soldiers began to land, and Zhang Fu also personally commanded them to rush towards Hirado City.

At the same time, Kikuchi Kanto, who was forgotten by people, finally figured out the situation on the battlefield at this time. The Ming army concentrated its forces to attack two ports, but ignored his remote small port.

It was also at this time that Matsuura Hironobu sent someone to order Kikuchi Kanemori to lead his navy to rescue Donggang, which was occupied by the Ming army.

"Hmph, it's already such a time, and it's just a dream to let me go to die!"

Kikuchi Kaneto sneered, and immediately ordered that the sailors under him left the port quickly, and then made a big circle and fled to the port of the Kikuchi family in Kyushu.

If he had escaped before, the Kikuchi clan might have faced accusations from various daimyos in Kyushu, but now facing the onslaught of the Ming army, Hirado was about to be unable to hold on, and the Kikuchi clan would have to be buried with them if they stayed any longer, so he ran away now , and no one can say anything.

In fact, not only Kikuchi Kanto, but also the other daimyos in Hirado Castle saw that the Ming army had landed on the island, and they were all in a mess at this time, especially the two most important ports, one was captured and the other was also blocked by the Ming army. , if you don't make any plans now, I'm afraid it will really be taken by the Ming army.

"Matsuura, give up Hirado, the only way out is to retreat to Kyushu right now!"

Otomo personally found Hironobu Matsuura, who was supervising the battle at the port, and persuaded him loudly.

"No, if Hirado is lost, then I, Matsuura, will have nothing. No matter what, I will keep Hirado!"

Matsuura Hironobu roared with red eyes.

Others can retreat, but he must not retreat. After all, the Matsuura family's foundation is all here. If there is no Hirado, it means that there will be no living space for the Matsuura family.

"Why are you so stubborn? Hirado is just an isolated island. After losing the naval battle, Hirado will not be able to hold on. As long as we are still here, we will come back one day!"

Otomo said eagerly again.

For Matsuura Hironobu, Otomo's relatives are still very important. They Otomo family are known as the guardians of Kitakyushu, and they have always wanted to extend their power to the south. Matsuura Hironobu is his chosen target, so he does not want Matsuura Hironobu to die here.

"The city is still alive, but the city is destroyed and the people are dead. I, Hironobu Matsuura, cannot abandon Hirado!"

Matsuura Hironobu said very stubbornly.

Although he was told rationally that what Otomo said was reasonable, the belief in Hiroshi Matsuura's confidence did not allow him to escape, so he had already made plans to live and die with Hirado Castle.

Seeing Hirono Matsuura's stubbornness, Otomo stomped his feet angrily, and finally didn't bother to persuade him, turned around and went to his station.

Compared with Kikuchi Kanto, Otomo's subordinates were stationed in the most prosperous northern port. There were also fires everywhere in the port, and a navy fleet of the Ming army was attacking in all directions in the port, bringing huge waves to the port. No small damage.

However, this fleet obviously has no intention of landing, and has been attacking the port from afar at sea, obviously trying to contain their forces.

The sailors under Dayu's own life had all boarded the warships at this time, but they did not dare to go out to fight with the Daming navy. Army opponents.

"Pass my order, the whole army set sail, bypass the Ming army and evacuate Hirado!"

Dayou personally watched the Ming army sailors cruising back and forth in the open sea, and finally gave an order.

It is impossible for Hirado to keep it, and it is impossible for Otomo's relatives to stay here to be buried with Hirado, so we can only withdraw to Kyushu first, and then make plans.

Following the orders of Otomo's relatives, Otomo's remnant navy quietly left the port. Although the navy of the Ming army found them, they couldn't spare manpower to pursue them. After all, their task was to contain the forces in the port.

In addition, while Otomo himself was evacuating, other daimyos also chose to escape from Hirado one after another. Facing so many fleeing ships, the Daming navy didn't know which one to chase even if they wanted to.
In the end, in the entire Hirado Castle, only Matsuura Hironobu and his followers were still standing firm.

(End of this chapter)