Great name!

Chapter 281 I would like to worship you as my godfather

Today, except for Hanakuma Castle and Amagasaki Castle which are still in the hands of the Araki family, the rest of the territory in Settsu has been occupied by the Oda family.

Shintora Tsuda captured Arioka Castle and arrested hundreds of members of the Araki clan.

Except for Araki Murashige's beautiful wives and concubines, everyone else was thrown into prison.

Although Tatsumi was Araki Murashige's wife, she was a second wife, as Araki Murashige's biological mother had already died of illness.

Moreover, Araki Murasaki is only three years younger than Tatsuo.

Because although Tatsumi became Nobutora's woman, she did not plead for the Araki family members.

Nobutora only stayed in Arioka Castle for one day. The next day, he left a thousand men to guard Arioka Castle and led his army to approach Amagasaki Castle. When Araki Murasaki heard the news, he knew that his troops were no match for Tsuda's army.

Moreover, he was surrounded in Amagasaki Castle and had no way out. He had to abandon Amagasaki Castle with his men and flee to Hanakuma Castle, where he joined the castle defenders Araki Motokiyo and Okawara Tomomasa.

Now there are more than 3,000 defenders in Hanakuma Castle, and they are ready for a fight.

Hanakuma Castle is very close to the sea, and Hyogo and Kobe are to its southeast.

Araki Murasaki had already thought it through. Even if Hanakuma Castle was breached, he could still escape from the sea with his men.

Nobutora did not give Araki Murasaki much time to prepare. He led his army to capture Amagasaki Castle and then marched to Hanakuma Castle.

Araki Murasaki immediately discussed the defense with Araki Motokiyo and Ohkawara Tomomasa.

When Nobutora marched to the vicinity of Hanakuma Castle, he did not rush to attack the city. Instead, he chose a strategic location to build a fortress.

He sent Tsuda Naganobu to guard Mount Suwa to the north of Hanakuma Castle, Sasaki Yoshinobu to guard the forest of Ikuta Shrine to the south of Hanakuma Castle, and his retainers Maeda Keiji and Shima Sakon to guard Kongoji Mountain to the west of the castle, monitoring and encircling the area within a distance of six or seven cho from Hanakuma Castle.

Araki Muratsugu took the initiative to attack the castle guarded by Sawaki Yoshiyuki, but under the fierce fighting of Sawaki Yoshiyuki and the Yamauchi brothers, the elders of the Tsuda family, Araki Muratsugu was forcibly broken into the formation by the Yamauchi brothers in the field battle, and the Araki army fell into a disadvantage.

Upon hearing the news, Nobutora immediately asked his subordinate Nobumasa Iitomi to come to the rescue. Nobumasa Iitomi went into battle with a gun and killed five or six people. He finally defeated the Araki army that had come out of the city to attack and forced Araki Muratsugu back to Hanakuma Castle.

At this time, the Saiga clan, who came to support Araki Murashige, also launched an attack on Kongojiyama where Maeda Keiji and Shima Sakon were stationed. However, they were defeated by Maeda Keiji and Shima Sakon and retreated.

In order to capture the castle, Nobutora secretly recruited his retainer Taroo Mitsutoshi to secretly survey the terrain of Hanakuma Castle. He successfully discovered that there was a waterway in the area of ​​Nittemon Gate that could be used to sneak into the city.

He immediately gathered the troops and said to everyone, "Everyone, I have heard some good news. This Hanakuma Castle is indeed very strong, but it has a fatal flaw.

There is a waterway at the Ote Gate of Hanakuma Castle, and the defense here is weak. We can take it by surprise, but a direct surprise attack will inevitably be discovered by the defenders in the city, so I think we should send a few troops to feint an attack on the Ote Gate in front and the city walls on both sides.

Then, while the enemy is distracted by the noise of our siege, I will send a fierce general to raid the waterway of the Ganshou Gate."

This task is a great achievement.

There were four people in the Tsuda family who considered themselves to be powerful generals, namely Maeda Keiji, Shima Sakon, Oniwa Masaaki and Fujido Takatora.

These four people are also known as the Four Heavenly Kings of Tsuda.

When the four heard Xinhu say that he wanted to select a powerful general, they immediately raised their hands to compete for the spot.

However, Fujido Takatora suffered the most, as he was the one with the lowest status among the four.

Nobutora looked around and said immediately, "The task of attacking the Hanasuma Waterway will be handed over to Sakon. Keiji, Masaaki, and Takatora, each of you will lead a troop to launch a feint attack on Hanakuma Castle. Remember to attract the enemy's attention."

The four men immediately took orders and ordered their troops to leave the camp.

Nobutora led his son Naganobu, brother-in-law Sawaki Yoshiyuki and others into battle, and ordered the artillery team to assist Maeda Keiji's team in attacking Otemon Gate.

When Araki Murasaki saw the movement of the Tsuda family, he immediately shouted: "The Tsuda family finally couldn't bear it anymore, they are going to attack the city!"

Ohkawa Gengumi shouted, "They have arrived just in time. I will let the famous general Tsuda Shintora know how powerful Hanakuma Castle is."

Araki Motokiyo didn't say much. He was arranging the troops to defend the city in an orderly manner.

Soon, the sound of artillery fire was heard and Araki Murasaki was startled. He had never seen this weapon before, but Araki Motokiyo and Ohkawara Tomomasa knew it.

"It's artillery, the Oda family's artillery!"

"Everyone be careful, be careful!"

"Hide quickly and wait for the gunfire to stop!"

They shouted loudly to cover Araki Murasaki as he went downstairs to hide. The artillery fire stopped after a few rounds. Then Maeda Keiji and others led their troops to attack Hanakuma Castle.

Araki Murajuki and his men climbed up the city wall again, only to see Tsuda troops surrounding them from all sides.

He didn't panic and gave the order directly: "I will guard the Otemen here, and you two will watch the two sides respectively."

Araki Motokiyo and Ohgawa Genmumasa didn't think much about it and led their troops to defend the city.

Araki Murasaki looked at the Tsuda army rushing to the trench, gnashing his teeth and shouting loudly: "Shoot, shoot, kill them ruthlessly, don't let any of them go!"

At the call of Araki Murasaki, the defenders on the city stood up and shot arrows, suppressing the Tsuda army. Even though Maeda Keiji was very brave, he was hit by several arrows on his armor, so he had to hide behind a shield to avoid the attack temporarily.

He turned around and shouted, "Let the artillery team suppress the enemy!"

"Bang bang bang..."

The Tsuda army's artillery team had already approached and fired at the top of the city wall, and the defenders were immediately suppressed.

Maeda Keiji immediately shouted: "Good opportunity, everyone rush with me!"

"Come on!"

"kill!"

The soldiers carried shields and ladders and rushed forward with Maeda Keiji, and soon reached the city.

Araki Murasaki immediately drew his sword and chopped down as soon as he saw the Tsuda family's foot soldiers climbing up.

But Maeda Keiji also rushed up, and Araki Murasaki was no match for him, so he could only ask the people around him to suppress Maeda Keiji together.

Maeda Keiji attracted most of the attention on this section of the city wall. Other Tsuda samurai and foot soldiers climbed up the wall and fought with the defenders.

Araki Murasaki had to send people to mobilize troops, and the garrison of the Hanshou Gate was reduced from more than 500 to more than 100.

At this time, Shima Sakon led more than 300 elite soldiers to the vicinity of the Gangte Gate. When he arrived, Taroo Mitsutoshi, who was in charge of monitoring the situation at the Gangte Gate, appeared in front of Shima Sakon and reported: "Sir Sakon, there is only one foot soldier team left guarding the Gangte Gate of Hanakuma Castle, with a number of just over 100 people."

Shima Sakon said happily: "This is an opportunity. If it is any later, Lord Maeda and his men might have captured Hanakuma Castle.

Lord Dorao, please help the ninjas to attract the attention of the defenders, and I will lead the charge later!"

Mitsutoshi Tarobi immediately imitated the call of a falcon, and when the ninjas in the castle heard the sound, they immediately ran to the vicinity of the Gangte Gate and set it on fire. The general Araki, who was guarding the Gangte Gate, immediately sent two small-time foot soldiers to put out the fire.

When the ninjas saw the enemy sending troops to put out the fire, they immediately imitated the crows' calls.

Mitsutoshi Taroo immediately waved to Shima Sakon.

Shima Sakon had already seen that nearly half of the defenders on the gate had been reduced, so he immediately drew his sword and rushed forward carrying a shield.

More than 300 elite Tsuda soldiers followed behind, carrying ladders and shields.

At this moment, the guards at the Handle Gate discovered the enemy, and the general immediately ordered others to shoot arrows and sent people to ask for help.

But they rushed very quickly near the island. In the blink of an eye, hundreds of people rushed to the waterway where the hand-grip gate was. A team of strong men stepped forward and smashed the fence of the waterway with a big wooden hammer.

The others immediately jumped into the water and swam into the city. The defenders in the city noticed something was wrong and immediately turned around and shot arrows at the waterway.

These Tsuda people held small shields to block the arrows shot from above, but some of them were accidentally hit by arrows and sank into the water.

But more Tsuda people rushed into the waterway and climbed onto the shore. They drew their swords and rushed towards the defenders in the city.

After Dao Zuojin came ashore, he immediately targeted the defending general, rushed over, and killed him with two sword strikes.

Once the general died, the rest of the soldiers were defeated.

Shima Sakon shouted, "Keep charging, head towards Otemon!"

Shima Sakon led more than 300 people to attack Otemon Gate, and Taroko Mitsutoshi behind him opened the Otemon Gate and sent someone to pass the message to Nobutora.

At the Ote Gate of Hanakuma Castle, although Araki Muratsugu fought desperately, the Araki army was already at a disadvantage.

At this time, there was a commotion from behind, and the retainer beside him hurriedly reminded Araki Murasaki, "Master, look, the Tsuda army is coming from behind!"

Araki Murasaki looked back and shouted in panic, "Why are the Tsuda troops coming from behind?"

Others didn't know either. Fortunately, Araki Motokiyo and Ohkawa Gengumi had already retreated. Araki Motokiyo quickly said, "Master, Hanakuma Castle can no longer be defended. We must take Hanakuma Castle immediately!"

Ohkawa Gen Gu Ya also said: "Master, go first, I will lead the others to cover the rear!"

Araki Muratsugu did not insist. He just said take care and led his men to retreat with Araki Motokiyo.

But the two of them happened to meet Shima Sakon, who went straight to kill Araki Murasaki. Araki Motokiyo hurriedly led his men to stop him, but Shima Sakon killed Araki Motokiyo in just three moves.

When Araki Murasaki saw the Tsuda army surrounding him, he had no choice but to lay down his weapons and surrender.

As for Ohkawara Tomomasa who was at the rear of the palace, he had already been killed by Maeda Keiji.

It took only two days for Nobutora to capture Hanakuma Castle. The castle lords Araki Motokiyo and Ōgawara Tomomasa were both killed. Only Araki Muratsugu surrendered and survived temporarily.

As soon as Araki Murasaki saw Tsuda Shintora, he hurriedly said, "Your Majesty, Jingzhao Yin, please spare my life for the sake of my mother. I am willing to take you as my adoptive father!"

Xin Hu chuckled and said, "You are really good at building connections, kid. I slept with your stepmother, not your biological mother. As for being my adopted son? You are not worthy."

Tsuda Nobuyasu stepped forward and said, "Araki Muraki, you'd better give up on this idea."

Tsuda Naganobu laughed and said, "You said before that you would avenge Araki Murashige, but now you are thinking about saving your life. How ridiculous."

Araki Murasaki was so angry that he shouted, "You bastards, kill me if you dare!"

Tsuda Naganobu immediately drew his sword.

"stop."

Xinhu raised his hand to stop his son Changxin.

"Let Nobunaga-dono deal with this traitor."

At this time, Taro Mitsutoshi hurried over and said, "Master, the Mori navy has been spotted on the sea."

Xinhu looked at Araki Murasaki and said with a smile: "Look, the person who picked you up is here, but it's a pity that you were a step too slow."

Araki Murasaki knew that his end would not be good, and when he heard such news, he became instantly agitated and fainted.

Nobutora immediately waved his hand and had Araki Murasaki dragged away, then said to Tsuda Nagashino: "Take the troops and have a look. If the Mori army dares to get close, bombard them with artillery."

Tsuda Naganobu led 5,000 Tsuda troops to the coast. When the Mori family general Kodama Norihide saw the Tsuda troops deployed on the shore, he gave up the idea of ​​going ashore and only dared to wander around the shore.

However, when the sentry on the ship saw the papaya pattern of the Oda family on Hanakuma Castle, he immediately told the news to Kodama Norihide.

Kodama Norihide sighed and said to Nomi Munekatsu, "We are too late. Hanakuma Castle has already been taken."

Nami Munensheng was surprised and said, "How come it's so fast? We rushed here as soon as we received the news. It's only been two days!"

Kodama Norihide shook his head and immediately ordered to return.

This time, the Mori family's actions in Settsu were a complete failure.

Araki Murashige started the rebellion in September, but it was suppressed by Tsuda Nobutora in October. When the news spread, the surrounding forces were shocked by Tsuda Nobutora's strategy.

After all, Araki Murashige was not an unknown person. You should know that Araki Murashige was also a famous general in Settsu. However, he was eliminated by Tsuda Nobutora in more than a month. This made Honganji, the Hatano family in Tamba, the Naito family, the Akai family, and the Matsunaga father and son all uneasy.

After Nobutora put down the Settsu Rebellion, he arranged for his son Tsuda Naganobu to be stationed in Arioka Castle, Sawaki Yoshiyuki to be stationed in Takatsuki Castle, Tsuda Nobuyasu to be stationed in Ibaraki Castle, Nakagawa Kiyohide to be stationed in Yamatoda Castle, and Takayama Ukon to be stationed in Tada Castle.

After arranging matters in Settsu, Nobutora brought only his headquarters to escort Araki Murajune and the Araki clan to Kyoto, along with Araki Murashige's head.

Nobunaga, who heard the news, also came to Kyoto. As for the treatment of Araki Murasaki and the Araki clan, Oda Nobunaga did not say a word and ordered that Araki Murasaki and twenty or thirty people from the Araki main family be cut into pieces, and the remaining two or three hundred people were beheaded.

These more than 300 people were mainly the elderly, the weak, women and children, and the only adult male was Araki Muraki.

Akechi Mitsuhide couldn't bear to see Oda Nobunaga issue such an order, so he came forward to beg Oda Nobunaga to be magnanimous.

Oda Nobunaga shouted coldly: "Akechi, you want me to release the Araki clan? Then let your Akechi clan take over!

Who do you think you are to stop my orders? If you do it again, I will chop you off first!"

Akechi Mitsuhide was frightened by Oda Nobunaga's harsh tone and dared not plead for mercy anymore.

Afterwards, the Araki clan was executed, and the Rokujo River area was dyed red with blood. The smell of blood lingered for several days.

Oda Nobunaga's atrocities were once again spread, shocking the world.

(End of this chapter)