Warring States Eagle

Takahisa Shimadzu, Yoshisuke Ito, and Yoshikyo Saeki held the first formal meeting of the coalition forces in Saiki's house in Kaibu County, Bungo Country, Kyushu.

I don't know when, it suddenly rained outside, pattering, as if to peel off the young shoots of the trees.In the valleys and streams outside the city, a layer of mist filled the air like warmed milk.

"I see. I didn't expect Masara Roshi to be so treacherous." After listening to Yoshika Saeki's account of the actions of the Luo family in the past month, Takahisa Shimadzu sighed.Such a weird and hateful behavior of the Luo family is by no means a trivial matter. According to Luo's Zhengliang's past style, there must be a conspiracy in it.Because of this, he, who was still troubled by Shinna Tadamoto's disappearance before, has calmed down again. He wants to study the previous battle plan carefully, and then discuss with the Ito family and the Saeki family.

Takahisa Shimadzu thought so, but Yoshihisa Saeki had something more important to tell Takahisa Shimadzu and Yoshisuke Ito: "You two, a few days ago the Luo family sent someone to deliver some heads at night. .”

"Huh?" Takahisa Shimadzu and Yoshisuke Ito were taken aback again after hearing the words, and looked at Yoshika Saeki at the same time, waiting for him to continue.

"Among these heads, one of them is Zuo Sanlang who was sent by our family to lurk in Luo's house. As for the other heads, they are probably subordinates of the two adults?" Saeki Yoshio said.

"I'm afraid it is." Yoshisuke Ito nodded first after hearing the words. As for Takahisa Shimadzu on the other side, although he didn't make a sound, he nodded slowly.

Although I didn't confirm it personally, but from the words of Saeki Keiko.The two of them basically concluded that all the spies sent into Luo's house before had been discovered.And the Luo's family increased the psychological threat to everyone by throwing these carefully crafted heads into the city.This is not the most important point.More importantly, since Zuo Sanlang and others have exposed the meticulous work, it means that the Luo family has already made preparations, so it is even more important not to be careless.The three of them couldn't help thinking about it.

"Since this is the case, we should raise our guns and crush the invading Luo's family." After the three of them were silent for a while, Takahisa Shimadzu said suddenly.

"Not bad!" Saeki Yoshikado also loudly agreed.Now the Luo family has already entered his territory.He has no way to avoid it, so he naturally hopes that the Shimadzu family and the Ito family can help each other with all their strength.

While speaking, the map of the area where the Luo family was stationed was unfolded in front of the three of them.From the map, starting from the direction of Laicheng, there are only two roads that can attack the area where the Luo family is stationed.

The first one seems to be the simplest, that is, go straight along the east bank of Kurusu River until you come to the zigzag area where Kurusu River begins to turn.Here you will encounter the dense forest area on the east coast, and this dense forest is accompanied by dangerous mountains, but the Luo family has already used the terrain of this dense forest to build fortifications.

Obviously, there is such a geographical advantage.It is extremely easy for the defensive side to resist the invading enemy here.If the Luo family deployed a team of iron cannons in such a terrain, then the attacking party would not be willing to suffer heavy damage.Otherwise, it is absolutely impossible to destroy this defense point.What's more terrible is that this is the first defense point of Luo's family. It is not known how many such defense points will be in the future. It is estimated that after these defense points are destroyed, the attacking party will have no troops to attack Luo's family. It's the base camp in the rear.

As for the west bank, there are also many difficulties along the way. First of all, before approaching Dayingzi of Luo's family, there is a dense forest opposite to the dense forest on the east bank. The only good thing is that the terrain of this dense forest is relatively It is flat and has no dangerous terrain.And in front of the dense forest here, the attacking troops can also go around directly along the edge of the river.

But when you get here, you will encounter bigger problems.Although the attacking army bypassed the dense forest on the west bank at this time, and thus reached the flat place in the center of the Kurusugawa-shaped area, the army still needed to cross the seven or eight-meter-wide river in front of them. It took Xuchuan a long time to reach the Luo family's camp on the other side, and the only way to cross this river was the rope bridge at this time.

And when the cable bridge is controlled by the Roche family, the archers and iron artillery of the Roche family on the east bank and the opposite bank can shoot the area around the cable bridge in an all-round way, and even the dense forest on the west bank that was slightly behind at this time has become In order to be under the attack of the army that can attack them from the rear, in this way, the attacking army will really be attacked by the enemy.

Therefore, in order to break through the Luo family's camp in one fell swoop, after the three of them discussed it, they all thought that it was only possible to attack from both sides at the same time.

"It's just, where should the main force of our army be placed?" After deciding on the overall strategy for the attack, Saeki Yoshiyoshi asked again.He had already been annoyed by the Luo family's plundering of the territory before, and he lost his appetite. This time, he was looking forward to the attack on the Luo family. As for staying in Yongcheng and confronting the Luo family, it would not matter for the Saeki family or the Shimadzu. The family and the Ito family are at a disadvantage.

The reason is that more than half of the food reserves of the Saiki family were burned, and the Shimadzu family and the Ito family must continue to support this place from far away.Therefore, the longer the time dragged on, the greater losses the three families would inevitably suffer. In this case, why not fight against the Luo family directly and strive to repel the Luo family?

"Kurusugawa's east bank." Facing Saeki Yoyoyo's question, Shimadzu Takahisa replied without thinking, "Leave three thousand reserve troops stationed there, as the rear army, and your Excellency will come to command, how about it?"

"No, it's still up to me to command the front line." Facing Shimadzu Takahisa's invitation, Saeki Yoshiyoshi said, "I'm more familiar with the local terrain."

"Then I'll leave it to you, Your Excellency." Shimadzu Takahisa said immediately.Yoshisuke Ito on the side also nodded in agreement.He originally thought that the Saiki Yui Church would try to avoid taking on the task of being the front line that would inevitably suffer heavy losses. After all, the Saiki family's military strength is really limited, and if it continues to lose, it will really greatly reduce the weight in front of the main family and the Shimadzu family. , but now Saeki Yoshiyoshi took the initiative to undertake the task of leading the battle, so both he and the Shimadzu family are satisfied this time.Then they will go all out to deal with the Luo family.

"Your Excellency, how many troops does the Luo family have this time?"

"It is estimated that there are no fewer than 5000 people." Saeki Yuikao said a little ashamedly.Speaking up.He was really annoyed.In the case of one's own territory being attacked by the opponent one after another.Even now, his subordinates still haven't figured out the exact number of the Luo family's army this time.

"It's only 5000 people, but we have mobilized three troops. If you miss it, it will be no wonder if you don't be laughed at by future generations." Yoshisuke Ito said immediately after hearing the words.

"Yeah." Although he was always vigilant in his heart, Takahisa Shimadzu agreed in order to boost morale.So, on this day, the three of them quickly discussed the attack strategy and specific division of labor against the Luo family.

the next day.The three coalition forces with tens of thousands of people officially marched out from the old city of the Saeki family.Among them, Ijiin Takakura and Uehara Shangjin in the north of the city led [-] Shimadzu family horses; Saeki Yoshikashi led [-] Saeki family horses at the main gate in the northwest of the city; these two groups of troops will serve as the main force for the east bank attack.In the west of the city, there are [-] Ito family horses led by Yoshisuke Ito.This group of people will serve as the main force of the West Bank offensive.As for the more than [-] mixed troops led by Takahisa Shimadzu in the south of the city, they are used as a reserve army, ready to support the attack of the two armies at any time.The army of tens of thousands of people immediately began to march towards the camp where the Luo family was located.

On the other hand, the fortifications around the camp of the Kurusukawa Luo family are also in full swing.As the first outpost defensive position on the east bank, the head general of the Luo family's one-eyed dragon army is paying attention to Masamune Luo's family. At this time, he is commanding troops and building fortifications.

"If the opponent's army comes, will these fortifications be able to withstand it?" Looking at the position in front of him, Masamune Luo Shi pondered.As early as when the reinforcements from the Shimadzu family and the Ito family arrived at the border of the Saeki family, the black eagle of the Luo family lurking there had already investigated the situation of the reinforcements from the Shimadzu family and the Ito family.

"I heard that the enemy must have 1 horses."

"Can we resist here?"

"What are you afraid of? When the war started, we retreated to the rear. Besides, there are tens of thousands of people here."

Seeing the many temporary workers who were looted by the Luo family from the Saeki family's territory carrying earth and rocks whispering to each other from time to time, Jiuqiro whipped them and urged them to work quickly.

"Our place is a natural danger. It is better than thousands of soldiers. This battle will definitely be won! Don't think about it!"

Jiu Qilang is a local leader of the Saeki family. He is extremely simple, and a newborn calf is not afraid of tigers.Later, he directly joined the Luo family's military force and became a reserve member standing in reserve.

He originally fell in love with a girl named Kyoko from the original village and was going to get married.As a result, Kyoko met a retainer of the local Saeki family while going out, and was taken aback.

"If I get caught, I will live and die with you." One night when they were about to be forced to marry the retainer of the Saiki family, the two decided to choose a suitable time to elope and go to the place where rumors were spread. It is the territory of the Luo family who is a good place to live in peace.

Fortunately, just when the two were preparing to act, the looting army of the Luo family unexpectedly arrived, Jiuqilang and Xingzi's family became the leaders of the Luo family, and at the same time, the two could be together with peace of mind.Jiuqilang, who has always regarded his happiness as brought by the Luo family, relied on his hard work and constant requests in the process of building the fortifications, just in time for the Luo family army to recruit soldiers on the spot, so he finally became a The name Roche family reserves ashigaru standing.

Of course, although he has become a reserve member, due to manpower and the lack of special training for the Luo family, Jiuqiro's current job is mainly to supervise the general citizens who are also from the Saeki family's territory to supervise the construction of fortifications.So, transporting sandbags, making fences, and piles of earth, soldiers and civilians were very busy, regardless of each other.Because here, no matter officers, soldiers or common people, no matter men, women, old or young, they will all face the same fate: either they will defeat the enemy army, or they will die in battle, and their corpses will be exposed in the wilderness.

It was late March by now.Rhododendron hovered between the mountains and forests, making a mournful cry.Most of the fortifications have also been built.

"Kill it!"

"Come on!"

In the woods on the other side of the construction site, it was also full of drill sounds.No matter where the enemy comes in, be sure to push them back.If the enemy is negligent, kill them immediately.Avoid the real and attack the false.

"If we hide here quietly and don't move out, the enemy will detour and divide their troops to other places. We must not let the enemy's plan succeed. We must pin them here. Make them unable to advance and retreat. It's our tactic. Remember it, everyone." A general who looked like a retainer of the Luo family said loudly to the training soldiers under his command.

Everyone is busy training soldiers, some are chopping arrow targets with knives, poking soil bags, throwing stones, and shooting arrows.Looking at such a scene.Jiu Qilang laughed a few times: "Hahaha... so, our army will win, win, win!"

At the beginning, there were very few people around who laughed with him.However, with the continuous training of the Luo family's military force, the invincible confidence was gradually built up, Jiu Qilang smiled, and everyone around him also opened their mouths and laughed, laughing until their throats itch.

March 27.afternoon.Shimadzu, Ito, and Saeki's three-party coalition finally approached.Along with the smoke of the Luo family detectives burning ahead, the side of the Luo family's position quickly began to prepare.

"Look. There is a sea of ​​flags everywhere, it's really spectacular!" Jiu Qilang, who climbed to a mountain, suddenly sighed after seeing the enemy in the distance.For some reason, he had an urge to stay in the position to meet the enemy.

The many leaders of Motozaeki's family around looked in the direction Jiuqiro pointed, and saw a sea of ​​people coming in like a tide, and many people were so scared that their legs went limp immediately. The number of 1 people is often heard from the surrounding population, but they did not expect it to be so many.

"Okay, listen to the order and return to the rear immediately!" At this time, seeing the panic of these local citizens, Masamune Luo, who was the leader of the front line, immediately ordered.

"Yes." Many leaders who were originally in charge of building the fortifications immediately started to go to the rear quickly under the command of many supervisors.Seeing that the war was about to begin, they naturally wanted to stay as far away from the battlefield as possible.

"If I also came from a family of warriors, I would also like to command so many troops, even if only once, I would be satisfied." Jiuqilang followed the order and began to order the leaders to evacuate in an orderly manner, while peeping at the man standing on the highest point of the mountain. Masamune Luo could not help thinking.

"Assemble quickly and arm yourself." Masamune Luo Shi also quickly ordered at this time.Under his order, the standing staff of the Luo family, who are the main force of the frontier positions on the east coast, immediately began to put on their armor (the equipment of the Luo family is heavy, and under normal circumstances, in order to maintain physical strength, the standing staff will not wear it all the time) ).

Seeing his subordinates quickly start to equip, Luo Shi Masamune was naturally very satisfied.The Luo family's army is well-known for its rapid armed forces, and as his subordinates, naturally they cannot slack off.This time, in order to get the opportunity to be the main force in the forward position, he has been fighting for a long time with many main players in his family.

After finally fighting for this activation, as the main general, when he was preparing to face the battle, he did everything meticulously and thoughtfully.All the dry firewood, branches, thatch, etc. in the position are cleaned up neatly, so that when the enemy fires rockets, it is easy to put out the fire; Dance with swords; the ammunition depot must be well protected; the actions of the iron artillery team must be quick and timely; the use of drinking water must be strictly controlled.As a result, that day, the enemy did not attack, and the flames of war did not ignite.

"The enemy seems to be resting, but we have nowhere to use our energy and feel uncomfortable."

The next day, there was movement, and the enemy began to approach the position.Once people find a reason not to be afraid of death, they will be extremely bold, and even think that life and death are the same, even if they can save their lives, they will not hesitate.Looking at the enemy's approach, it is obvious that the enemy is preparing to attack the position directly.

"If that's the case, then come." When he discovered the enemy's intention, the chief general Luo Shi Masamune had already put life and death aside.

"My lord, they're finally here." One of the standing team leaders, Saemon Katsukichi, came to ask for the battle at this time, "I will lead the army to take the initiative to attack, and catch them by surprise."

After Masamune Luoshi heard it, he almost wanted to reprimand him immediately, but he stopped talking, just frowned, and said: "Jizaemon, you are quite courageous."

"Your honor. I just want to scare the enemy."

"Stop talking!" Masamune Luo stood up, and immediately walked down to the highest point of the mountain, "Fighting the enemy head-on, how many people will die, have you considered?"

"As long as there is a war, there will be sacrifices. I think there will be at most 60 or [-] people..."

Masamune Roshi paced up and down after hearing the words, and then turned around.Staring at Jizaemon sternly: "The other party seems to have at least 5000 to [-] people. And we could hide in the position and use iron cannons, bows and arrows to attack the enemy. But you have to abandon these advantages to fight with the enemy, you Is it worth it?"

"You can easily attack the enemy, but you have to fight with the enemy. How many people will be lost in vain? Don't you think? Don't attack rashly! In this battle, dying vigorously is not a hero, living strong Those who come down are the real heroes, do you understand?"

Jizaemon stopped talking.

"Not only you need to know, but also everyone needs to know. Don't kill your life prematurely." After speaking, Masamune Luo went to the center of the battle without looking back.

"My lord, the enemy is approaching, what should we do?" When Masamune Luo came to the position, someone screamed.Naturally, Masamune Luo is not the only one observing the enemy here.

"Ah, my lord, the enemies have been coming in a steady stream." Someone shouted again.

At this time, Masamune Luo was like a rock, motionless.Scanning from the corner of his eyes, he found that the ones who shouted were two recruits who had obviously joined the standing team this year.It seems that those who have not participated in any battles are naturally nervous at this time.So he immediately laughed and cursed: "Hurry up!"

Although I scolded these two guys in my heart.But this is definitely not the time to vent your anger. Instead, you have to be more calm, so as to stabilize the morale of the army.So when the enemy's vanguard arrived not far from the position, he even laughed out loud, "Ha, ha, ha... Iron artillery team, bow and arrow team, get ready!"

"Yes." The chief generals of the Iron Cannon Team and the Archery Team immediately took orders.

Just after Luo Shi Masamune delivered the order, the enemy suddenly started to speed up at this time.

"My lord, the enemy has already..." Seeing this, the subordinate immediately reminded.

"wait."

The position that Roshi Masamune was in charge of was located at the forefront of the Roshi family's fortifications on the east bank of Kurusugawa.In this front line, Shengli Jindai, Masamune Roshi, and Shinji Ueda are in charge of the left, middle, and right.As the main position in the center, since the geographical location happens to be a terrain with a hilltop, once the enemy occupies this position, the defensive positions of the Luo family on the left and right sides and the successor positions of the Luo family behind Masamune Luo will all be destroyed. In a situation of being overlooked by the enemy, you are at a disadvantage.Therefore, the strategic position of Masamune Luo's position is particularly important, which also leads to the fact that this place will inevitably be attacked by the enemy.In order to protect the position with all his strength, Zheng Liang deliberately arranged 380 iron cannons to come to support. As for the archers, there were thousands of people.

At this time, facing the rapidly approaching enemy troops, Masamune Roshi tried his best to control his emotions and pretended to be relaxed.He glanced back at the people under his command, and then said loudly: "Okay! Start shooting when the enemy enters a distance of ten rooms. Remember, you must shoot accurately."

In fact, the distance of ten is already quite close. As long as you are not blind, no matter whether it is an iron cannon or a bow and arrow, as long as you shoot at the enemy crowd casually, you will definitely hit it.Masamune Roche just hoped to cause the greatest possible loss to the enemy army, so he endured with all his strength, waiting for the enemy army to enter such a close distance before allowing him to start shooting.

"Prepare! Aim!" As the enemy army was about to enter the shooting distance of ten rooms, Masamune Luo did not dare to speak loudly, but waved his hand quickly.At this time, the enemy's archers had already begun to attack the Luo family's position, but because the trees above everyone's heads were blocked, the arrows that shot into the woods were only nailed to the trunk, and the latter were blocked by branches and leaves. After that, it slowly fell to the ground, completely unable to harm the defenders of the Luo family.

At this time, the sky had begun to clear, and the mountain mist that is common in this season had begun to dissipate. I saw the torrent rushing across the banks of the Kurusugawa River, and the bright sunshine shone on both banks, which was particularly magnificent.

"Bang, bang..."

"Whizzing……"

With the sound of gunshots and arrows, the echoes echoed on both sides of the Kurusugawa River, like the roar of a hundred thunders.The enemy army that was approaching quickly slowed down immediately, as if being blocked by something, causing a lot of chaos in an instant.

"Ah..." Immediately, screams came from among the enemy troops.

Seeing this, Masamune Luo immediately shouted: "The enemy is right in front, fight, hit me with all your might!" (To be continued...)