Chapter 80 Reinforcement (Happy Birthday to Xinghan Fucha)
The next day, the Ming Dynasty inspection fleet once again arrived outside Odawara Castle. It was still in the same position. After stopping, there was no movement. However, everyone in the city knew that there would definitely be an artillery bombardment at some time.
Based on yesterday's experience of avoiding shelling, the priests, samurai, or ashigaru in the city all know more or less that they must hide under the corners of the building. This position can avoid being hit by the iron ball.
Even if the building collapses, the angle between it and the ground can ensure that it will not be smashed to death by bricks and stones.
As for the divine arts of the priests and the martial arts of the warriors, they are of little use in the face of the iron balls flying towards them. Even the sacred weapons of the country, Hankawa and Tsuruoka Hachiman, cannot withstand them, so who can withstand them?
Today's bombardment has not come yet, and the hanging iron ball never comes down. Instead, the city is filled with fear and gloom. The new head of the family, Shiteru, was reminded by Yamashita Omiyaji and came out of Hayakawa's residence to greet all the family members.
Surrounded by people, he patrolled the whole city.
Wartime inspections were on the one hand to boost morale, and on the other hand they were routine measures to consolidate his position. In this regard, Ujiteru certainly spared no effort. He visited various important nodes, including Hakone Ishigaki, which was guarded by Matsuda Kenhide,
Ushimasa also took the risk to go up for inspection, and patted Matsuda on the shoulder, encouraging him to work hard to kill the enemy and serve the Hojo family.
Not long after Uteru returned to Hayakawa's residence, the Ming Dynasty fleet opened fire, and the first shot hit the second castle. After a while, the sea suddenly echoed with the sound of dense thunder and heavy artillery. Matsuda Kenhide watched the great priest Kumamoto Ichi.
The bear jumped up onto the crenel and embraced the flying cannonballs with his arms, his face full of intoxication.
It's a pity that Priest Kumamoto didn't hug him. Countless cannonballs flew over his head and around him without even touching him. Matsuda Kenhide witnessed with his own eyes that a huge cannonball flew past his ear and took him away.
The strong wind blew off his tall black hat and fluttered his wide purple hunting clothes. The whole person stood on the crenel, like a purple butterfly perched on a flower leaf.
"Lucky guy!" Matsuda couldn't help but muttered.
Not every priest has such good luck. Matsuda saw a third-level Miyi dancing on the roof of the highest restaurant in Josanmaru. He was instantly taken away by a cannonball. Where the figure disappeared, a blood mist burst into the sky.
.
"A group of strange guys!" Matsuda lay on the ground and thought again.
The cannonballs from the open ships were obviously aimed at the castle tower in the castle. Matsuda kept thinking that Hayakawa's residence might be hit by iron balls.
As expected, after the bombardment of the Ming Dynasty, there were cries from that direction, and the cries spread throughout Odawara Castle. The new head of the family, Uteru, who had been in office for just one day, died in the Hayakawa residence. So far, he has only been buried in the ruins.
Found the upper half of his body.
The four samurai who were guarding Uji Teru committed seppuku! When he heard the news, Matsuda touched his belly and felt something cool. Then he quickly found a corner, took off his pants and squatted down. There was a rumble, and he shouted in relief.
"Mom".
Kumamoto Kazuma was called to participate in the family meeting again. Since the castle tower and Hayakawa's residence were destroyed, the meeting place was placed in the Rokusen Room that was originally used to entertain distinguished guests.
After the meeting, Kumamoto Kazuma told Matsuda that the family members elected Ujinobu as the head of the family, which was recognized by Yamashita Omiyaji. After hearing the news, Matsuda couldn't believe it. Ujinobu was indeed a member of the Hojo family, but he
He is mentally retarded, drooling all day long, sitting in his room blankly, unable to speak clearly. How can such a person be the head of the house?
Kumamoto Kazuma smiled and whispered: "Xianxiu, you are an idiot. You don't think about it. The iron cannons of the Ming army have magic power. If they have eyes, whoever becomes the head of the family will die. Who else from the Hojo family dares to do this?"
Head of the family?"
Matsuda Kenhide said sadly: "Is the Hojo family finished? Is the Sagami Kingdom going to perish?"
Kumamoto Kazuo said: "How many daimyo were killed in the ten-year war on the southern island? That was just the Qingqiu Army! Now we are facing the extremely powerful Ming army. Kenhide, tell me, how many daimyo are going to lose their country and destroy their family?"
"
Matsuda Kenhide said: "I heard that the reinforcements sent by Hideyoshi Taiden are coming soon."
Kumamoto Kazuki said contemptuously: "The power of the Ming army cannot be compared to that of the Qingqiu army. Xianxiu, keep your eyes open and let's watch together!"
Matsuda Kenhide asked: "As long as we withdraw from Odawara Castle, the iron cannons of the Ming ships will not be able to hit us. We should abandon the city, retreat ten miles, and fight the Ming army at the place above Chishang! Yamashita Omiyaji, family guys
Why are you still waiting here to be beaten?"
Kumamoto Kazuo said: "Odawara Castle is the strongest city in Yingzhou. If Odawara Castle cannot be defended, where else can it be defended? This is the gateway to Kanto. Defending Odawara Castle means guarding Yingzhou's confidence. Xian
Xiu, you have to understand that this is not a matter of how many people die, this is a battle of confidence!"
Matsuda Kenhide nodded solemnly, bowed and said: "Kenhide understands, and will defend Odawara Castle to the death!"
Kumamoto Kazuki smiled softly: "It's useless, it can't be saved."
Matsuda Kenhide was stunned for a moment.
On the third day, the Ming army's artillery bombardment came again. As expected by Yamashita Ogongsi and other family members, the Ming army's iron artillery really had eyes. The first round was concentrated in Liuquan, which was the temporary family head's palace, and the whole area was suddenly destroyed.
The house was burned to ashes. Fortunately, preparations were made in advance and a deep tunnel was dug under the six springs, so Ushinobu did not make the same mistake as his predecessor. However, he was also buried under the rubble, and it took him a long time to dig.
come out.
As a result, the Yingzhou people in Odawara Castle called the Ming army's iron cannons the "Eye of God."
Matsuda Kenhide was very puzzled. It was clear that Odawara Castle was in dilapidated condition and the defenders had suffered heavy casualties from the Eye of God. Why didn't the Ming army land and attack the city? Do they have to wait for reinforcements to arrive?
On the seventh day, 38,000 reinforcements sent by Lord Hideyoshi from Kyoto arrived at Odawara Castle, led by Kuuki Yoshitaka and Kato Yoshiaki.
The arrival of the reinforcements brought joy to Odawara Castle. Matsuda Kenhide happily said to Kumamoto Kazuma: "I heard that there are 1,800 samurai in the army accompanying the two adults! There are also more than 800 priests! Gonomiyaji
Sir, it’s time for a fight!”
Kumamoto Kazuma gave the exact figures: "One thousand eight hundred and ninety samurai, eight hundred and sixty priests."
After hearing this, Matsuda Kenhide smiled even brighter.
When he was almost brilliant, Kumamoto Kazuma said slowly: "I still remember that in the Kumamoto battle eight years ago, there were 6,800 samurai and 3,700 priests. Today in the Odawara battle, there are less than
Half of it.”
Matsuda Kenhide was immediately speechless. Everyone knew that in the ten years of the South Island War, the samurai and the shrine suffered heavy losses. It was already very difficult for Hideyoshi Taiden to be able to piece together such a support force.
"Ah... excuse me, but Kumamoto is Gonomiyaji-sama's hometown, right?"
"You can say yes, but you can also say no."
"grown ups?"
"Actually, I'm not from Yingzhou, haha!" As he laughed, Kumamoto raised his sleeves and floated away with soul-stirring dance steps.