Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

However, the earthen platform was built up to six or seven meters in just one day, and that was because the base took up a large area and required many sandbags. The next day, it could be built up much faster.

The next day, Bessho Yoshichika stopped pretending and left his wife to guard the city. He himself led three hundred elite soldiers, while his retainer Miyake Harutada led three hundred elite soldiers to attack the city.

If we don't completely destroy the Oda clan, what will we do if they actually build this earthen platform?

It was fine if he came out of the city to fight; Hideyoshi's general, Shinjita Masaharu, personally led two hundred men to meet him. Shichibei's general, Todo Takatora, also led two hundred and fifty spearmen to meet him. One advantage of fighting hand-to-hand was that the arquebuses and arrows on the city walls would stop firing indiscriminately and would pause.

To boost morale, Hideyoshi stood at the foot of the earthen platform, waving his gold-leafed folding fan and shouting encouragement to his generals. "Never mind what's happening a hundred meters away," he said, "just keep piling up earth here."

Seeing the soldiers' fear, Hideyoshi scrambled up the earthen platform, grabbed handfuls of Yongle coins, and began smashing them down. He laughed as he smashed them, appearing almost manic, his expression extremely high-spirited. The fearful soldiers were infected by his madness and also began to "go crazy," grabbing money and sacks of earth and climbing up the platform.

At the most critical moment in the morning, Bessho Yoshichika even attacked down to the foot of the earthen platform. Hideyoshi picked up earthen bags and started throwing them down. Kawamura's reinforcements attacked from both sides and finally drove Bessho Yoshichika away.

The earthen platform was built to a height of sixteen or seventeen meters.

The target is at least 25 meters high; if it's not that high, there's no need to raise the fire arrows. If the height can be reached 30 meters, then the fire arrows will be almost guaranteed to hit Miki Honmaru.

Hideyoshi became extremely excited. He didn't sleep even after dark, but instead hid behind the earthen platform, constantly writing and drawing, calculating the demand for earth and rice bags.

In his early years, Hideyoshi worked as a needle seller, so his math skills are quite good. It's just that he seems a bit eccentric, even a little frightening.

The people of Higashiharima were overjoyed, and even after dark, they continued to bring him bags of rice. Shuuji grabbed Shichibei, demanding that Shichibei pay for the money and rice upfront. Whether he resorted to robbery or borrowing later was another matter; the immediate priority was to attack the castle.

The main force of the Hashiba army, which had arrived overnight, was also led by Hachisuka Koroku. In addition, the 1,000 cavalry of Amago Re-establishment Army were led by Yamanaka Shikanosuke.

Let's see what tomorrow brings. If we can build the earthen platform to over 25 meters by tomorrow, then the fire arrows can attack Miki Honmaru.

423. Fire breaks out, city falls, husband and wife commit suicide.

Perhaps Hideyoshi in this world would have left behind a song: "Earth attack on Miki, water attack on Takamatsu, without losing a single soldier, starving Tottori to death." Gazing at the earthen platform that had already been piled up to twenty-five or twenty-six meters high, Hideyoshi's eyes were bloodshot and gleaming with cunning.

The fire-shooters, hired from the root, climbed the platform under the protection of valiant warriors carrying wooden shields and bamboo bundles. The top of the earthen platform was no more than five or six square meters in area, and only three fire-shooters could be placed on the three platforms.

Logically, the stacking should continue, ideally connecting the three earthen platforms together to create a platform at least 100-200 square meters high. Then, place ten or eight fire arrows on top and unleash them simultaneously, creating a rain of fire from the sky over Miki Honmaru.

Hachisuka Koroku and Yamanaka Shikanosuke's forces were also ready to attack the outer flank of Miki Castle. They needed to force the castle's defenses to be divided, thus hindering its ability to extinguish the fire.

The whistling sound of the first flaming arrow soaring into the sky was accompanied by the shouts of the Hashiba army launching their attack.

"Huh?" Shichibei stood on the earthen mound, watching the first arrow fly high into the sky for a while before suddenly turning north and heading straight into the Minang River.

“That happens often,” said Takatora Todo.

"really."

However, two more fire arrows were quickly launched into the main citadel of Miki Castle, immediately eliciting screams and cries of alarm. For the Miki Castle citadel, where most of the buildings were constructed of wood, fire was one of the most ruthless weapons.

Combined with the gunpowder and splashes from the fire arrows, two plumes of gray smoke rose directly up. Although they were quickly extinguished, it was clear that the substance was effective and could damage Miki Honmaru.

"Hahahaha..." A heart-wrenching laugh came from beneath the earthen mound; it was Hideyoshi laughing wildly.

Five thousand strings of cash were spent to build three small earthen platforms. But what was a mere five thousand strings of cash worth before such a great achievement as conquering Sanmu Castle?

His laughter was contagious, affecting everyone behind him, even the fire arrows. The second volley of fire arrows had all entered the Miki Honmaru, creating a fire.

Hideyoshi, shouting wildly, scrambled up the earthen platform, his Tang-style helmet adorned with gold leaf and his crimson armor gleaming in the winter light.

"Son of the Sun..." Shichibei looked at Hideyoshi, who was waving his arms on the earthen platform, urging his soldiers to continue firing flaming arrows and fiercely attacking Miki Castle, and suddenly thought of his title.

"What did you say?" Takatora Todo was standing very close and heard Shichibei's mutterings.

"Who do you think will be the next ruler after our lord?" Shichibei asked Todo Takatora instinctively.

“Naturally, it’s Gifu-dono… What!” Todo Takatora initially answered instinctively.

Nobunaga died, but Nobutada died, and his eldest son died. The new ruler and the family that would rule the land would inevitably be the lineage of Oda Nobunaga and his son, Nobutada. But Shichibei actually asked who should be the next ruler of the land? This is very puzzling, even astonishing.

"Ah? It's nothing, it's nothing." Shichibei realized he had misspoke and quickly waved his hand.

"..." Todo Takatora glanced in the direction of Hashiba Hideyoshi, then at Shichibei, his mind a jumble of thoughts.

Hideyoshi, unfazed by stray arrows, ordered his soldiers, who had been working for three days, to continue filling the earthen platform. Previously, the daily wage was 500 coins; today it had become 1 kan.

A reward of one kan of cash could be earned for piling up an earthen mound for a day. A foot soldier's annual salary was only five or ten kan, but now it was one kan a day. With such a generous reward, brave men were sure to emerge. The soldiers of the Hashiba army continuously carried and threw the earthen bags sent by the farmers of Higashiharima into the middle of the three earthen mounds. The original "mountain" became three connected "protrusions," and the threat to Miki grew even greater.

Unfortunately, the outer sanctuary was under heavy attack from Hachisuka Koroku and Yamanaka Shikanosuke, preventing the castle from sending troops out to launch a counterattack. Surrounded by sheer cliffs on two sides and water on one side, it was incredibly difficult to breach, but there was only one way for the castle's inhabitants to launch an attack.

That night, despite his exhaustion, Bessho Yoshichika personally led his troops out of the city in an attempt to breach the earthen platform. However, Hideyoshi, who was prepared, stubbornly resisted and blocked their advance.

In his haste, Bessho Yoshichika, taking advantage of the chaos, sent letters to Miki Michiaki of Eiga Gobō and Nanbu Jiro, who was stationed in Ako.

Please come and save Miki! If you don't come soon, Miki is doomed!

Hideyoshi's strong attack on Miki at this time was not without reason. Apart from having Shichibei as a source of wealth, Kobayakawa Takakage had already retreated to Bingo Province and was unlikely to arrive in a short time.

Miki Michiaki of Eiga Gobō is nearby, but his strength is insufficient, and the Kōichikyushu had already disbanded after the Battle of Momori. It would take several days to regroup them. Even if three to five were eventually gathered...

Even with a thousand followers, it would be impossible for them to launch a direct attack on the Hashiba-Kawamura alliance.

If there were 30,000 to 50,000 followers, then it might be worth a try. Just like in the Hokuriku region, there are often hundreds of thousands of Ikkyo-Ikkyu followers, covering the mountains and plains without end.

What's the use of summoning three to five thousand believers?

If Hideyoshi can seize this opportunity and quickly defeat Miki, then dysentery and Mori will be trivial matters, not worth mentioning at all.

The attack resumed the following day, with earthen ramparts forming a fortified wall, layer upon layer, and more than ten batons unleashing a barrage of fire arrows. The main keep of Miki Castle was engulfed in flames, while the outer keep was also subjected to a fierce assault by the Hashiba army.

The fall of the city is now within reach.

As for your suggestion of persuading them to surrender? What's there to persuade them to surrender? Hideyoshi and Shichibei have already recruited quite a few retainers from the Bessho clan. The people currently inside Miki Castle are all die-hard loyalists of Bessho Yoshichika; just kill them all.

The Hashiba army launched a relentless offensive, and with the assistance of a thousand arquebuses from the Kawamura army, they breached the outer garrison of Miki Castle, set fire to the shokuju-rin, and approached the main garrison of Miki Castle.

Fires erupted on all sides, smoke billowed, and in an instant, the city of Miki was...

That was his last hope.

Outside the castle, fire arrows continued to be fired at the main keep. The rice granary, arrow towers, well houses, storehouses, and palaces were all engulfed in flames, with thick smoke billowing like fog, creating a scene of purgatory.

Bessho Yoshichika immediately ordered his trusted samurai to escort his two sons and daughter to escape using the well wheel used for drawing water on the north side of Miki Honmaru. There were hidden small boats in the Minang River below the cliff; if they could just drift downstream to Eiga Gobo, they would survive.

Subsequently, Bessho Yoshichi and his wife went into battle in a grand manner.

His wife, Lady Hatakeyama, personally climbed the well tower burning with flames in the waist-curved wheel, holding a large bow, using the firelight as her light, and fired shot after shot, killing more than twenty vanguard soldiers of the Hashiba Army and Amago Army one by one, with every arrow hitting its mark [Note 1].

The troops on both sides were greatly encouraged and charged forward without regard for their own lives. They leaped out of their flanks and clashed with the Hashiba troops who were scattered outside.

After a day of fierce fighting, Bessho Yoshichika ultimately failed to break out of Miki Castle. Outside the castle, Shichibei and Hashiba Hideyoshi jointly set up a reward: one tael of gold for each foot soldier, five taels for each samurai, and fifty taels for each foot soldier general and samurai general.

The soldiers charged forward with renewed courage. The Oda army fought back, pushing and shoving each other, their flesh and blood slicing through the mud.

As night fell, a pipa melody drifted from the fireworks within the city. The mournful tune, like drifting silk, lingered and lingered, causing even the Oda army below the city, whose minds were consumed by killing and greed, to halt in their tracks.

"Where's Fujikichiro?" Shichibei lifted the straw curtain and came out to listen to the pipa music.

"Himeji-dono is asleep." Toudou Takatora and Sanada Masaki, who had just rolled out of a pile of corpses, shoveled their rice porridge into their mouths and looked towards the back of the camp.

"Tsk."

He must have heard that Bessho Yoshichika's desperate charge had been repelled, and that the matter was settled, before he closed his eyes and prepared to sleep soundly.

"How is the situation in the waist-bending wheel battle?"

"Yamanoka Shikanosuke set fire to the camp, and the fire spread throughout the camp, leaving it defenseless." Sanada Masaki poured another swirl of soy sauce into his rice.

Oh dear, didn't your father, Sanada Yukitaka, teach you to estimate the amount of soup before eating and only pour it once? Hojo Ujiyasu saw Hojo Ujimasa pouring it a second time and lamented that the Hojo family was doomed.

"Then the decisive battle should be tomorrow." Shichibei nodded slightly.

“That Lady Toyama in the castle is truly a heroine among women.” Ota Gyuichi and Takenaka Hanbei walked over.

"Yes, that's true. She's incredibly brave and unparalleled, a rare sight indeed. It's just a pity that she was paired with Bessho Mountain Castle; her talents were wasted." Shichibei was quite moved; he had never seen such a female warrior in the more than ten years since he transmigrated here.

"The music has stopped." Todo Takatora suddenly put down his bowl.

“It must be seppuku,” Takenaka Hanbei said quietly.

"What a pity..." Shichibei sighed.

At the very last moment before the biwa music stopped, Bessho Yoshichika, inside the castle, drank the sake in his cup, drew a small knife, and stabbed his wife to death. Without hesitation, he plunged the knife into his abdomen, refusing any second sue. He then leaped into the raging fire of the rice granary, determined not to let Hashiba Hideyoshi obtain his head.

The servants and maids overturned the candlesticks, lit the straw mats, and piled the city's most important suicide victims into the room, letting the fire engulf them.

The remaining samurai either committed seppuku, threw themselves into flames, or jumped off cliffs. Only twenty or thirty of them, along with several hundred elderly, weak, women, and children, opened the gates of the main keep and shouted their surrender.

Bessho Nagaharu was immediately summoned, and his retainers were identified one by one. Generally, the wives, daughters, and families of samurai retainers were allowed to leave the castle.

If the family members were important figures, they were all sentenced to beheading. The focus was on identifying Bessho Yoshichika's children and the families of several high-ranking officials.

The fire burned all night. When the city was searched again during the day, the scene was a complete mess, littered with corpses. Bessho Yoshichika's head could not be found, but according to those who fled the city, he had thrown the fire into the rice granary.

There was indeed a completely unrecognizable corpse inside the rice granary. All its clothes and ornaments had been burned away. It could only be confirmed from its height and age that it was Bessho Yoshichika.

None of the children were found, and their whereabouts were completely unknown. [Note 2]

It's best to just forget about it and look for it later. The one in the most hurry isn't Hideyoshi or Shichibei, but Bessho Nagaharu. Hideyoshi and Shichibei's territories are in Himeji and Tsuruga respectively; they finished off Miki and left. Bessho Nagaharu, however, still has to continue his work in Miki. Who else would be in a hurry if not him?

In short, once the city is captured, the matter is settled.

Shichibei immediately ordered the warriors to retreat first, and then ordered the guest generals to retreat as well. The troops conscripted from Enoki, Norihisa, and Oshichi, under the supervision of Hachiya Yoritaka, retreated slowly together.

As for the fortifications inside and outside Miki Castle, let Bessho Nagaharu handle those himself. We're only responsible for the construction; we won't be involved in the aftermath.

In just two days, Shichibei had dismissed the vast majority of his troops. The reason he himself did not leave was twofold: firstly, he was waiting for Hideyoshi to wake up and reorganize the armies; secondly, he was awaiting Nobunaga's military orders.

Hideyoshi slept for two days and two nights before finally waking up. Upon learning of Bessho Yoshichika's suicide by fire and the fall of Miki Castle, he merely smiled and nodded, showing little excitement. He had already experienced excitement when he should have. Now, only calm and composure remained.

Nobunaga's order came very quickly: no matter how badly Bessho Yoshichika's head was burned, it had to be sent to Kyoto and displayed on Nijō Street.

It's understandable; anyone who dares to rebel against Nobunaga should be prepared to have their entire family killed and displayed publicly. He was lucky he didn't end up as a drinking vessel.

For his merit in attacking Miki, Hideyoshi received the "Otogozen no Kamakura" (銀御前の韻) bestowed upon him by Nobunaga. Shichibei, on the other hand, received a tea spoon made of ivory. It was also a famous item, but not a particularly famous one, as it was called "Blue Hoof" (青蹄) because of its slightly yellowish color.

You ask me why I have this name? I don't know either. Anyway, Shichibei just accepted it; what can't he accept from Nobunaga?

Nobunaga greatly admired the two men's bravery and skill in conquering Miki Castle and killing Bessho Yoshichika. Since Nobunaga had previously been appointed Minister of the Interior, according to him, there was a high possibility that a "Mimasuri" (military review) would be held, which was a military parade held before the Emperor.

After Nobunaga and Nobutada, he appointed his senior retainers to take the lead. With Hideyoshi and Shichibei working so hard, they were bound to get a good position.

At that time, the two will be allowed to lead a clan of retainers, with at least twenty riders on horseback.

Wow, Hideyoshi was so excited he was trembling all over, he almost jumped up on the spot. As a nobody from a wealthy farmer's foot soldier family in Owari, he was not only granted the great province of Harima with a stipend of 420,000 koku, but also the rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Governor of Chikuzen Province. He was also able to follow Nobunaga and his clan to the Emperor to perform martial arts.

Such immense honor filled Hideyoshi with unparalleled excitement; he was practically ready to kiss Shichibei. Fortunately, while Hideyoshi was lustful, he wasn't attracted to men, and Shichibei was rather ordinary-looking. Had it been someone like Ii Naomasa or Mori Ranmaru, with their handsome faces and youthful beauty, Hideyoshi might very well have actually kissed them.

Shichibei is happy too, but Nobunaga's orders have other contents. Now that Shichibei has completed the Harima-Mitsu campaign, let's hurry...

They quickly moved on and pacified Izumi first. Of course, they made it sound very nice, saying they could freely take over Izumi province.