Bang!
Boom!
Watching the tall oil bombs soaring high, crashing into the enemy’s wooden stockade, and instantly igniting hellish flames that engulfed everything, Oniichi Yoshitsune’s face was filled with numbness.
It wasn’t just him; even Yamakakushi Kashihyou, standing beside, wore the same expression.
“The demon of fire! The demon of fire!”
“Gods and Buddhas, please punish the enemy!”
Despite having taken certain fire precautions, they proved to be of little avail against the raging inferno. The ashigaru inside the stockade screamed in panic, their ranks collapsing. Occasionally, some samurai and swordsmen launched desperate charges.
“Kill!”
“Haha… The Oniichi family is invincible!”
Contrary to their commanding general, the ashigaru of the Oniichi family were ecstatic at this sight, their morale reaching its peak, especially after their arquebusiers sent several charging samurai straight to the afterlife.
“This kind of fanaticism…”
Seeing the flames reflected in his soldiers’ eyes, Oniichi Yoshitsune felt a deep sense of fear.
He knew that in recent days, having burned thirteen resisting stockades, they had already instilled in their hearts an unshakable belief in their commander’s invincibility.
The quality of a victorious army is one thing, but another is the confidence built from continuous victories—no matter how powerful the enemy, they were crushed beneath iron hooves!
Currently, the Oniichi army was showing clear signs of becoming such a force.
Of course, the Oniichi family’s 1,500 ashigaru were naturally the most fervent, but even other clans’ ashigaru units were infiltrated by this kind of fanaticism.
However, their clan leaders could do nothing about it.
If they could capture over a dozen stockades without suffering any casualties, they too could earn such reverence.
“Thirteen stockades burned down, five clans annihilated…”
Yamakakushi Kashihyou’s face revealed a hint of reluctance: “Although the surrounding clans and local samurai are now fearful and dare not oppose our clan, deep seeds of fear and hatred have been sown… I must advise the lord!”
He approached Wu Ming’s horse, only to see Wu Ming’s expression unchanged, flames reflected on his face, even carrying a smile.
“Haha… Yamakakushi Kashihyou, look at those clan lords who tried to send troops to resist me or secretly laughed at me—they must be green with envy by now, right?”
Wu Ming’s gaze was calm, showing no reaction to the tragedy ahead: “After capturing this stockade, we will move on to Hiroshi Castle in Ohara District. It is governed by the powerful vassal clan of Iyu, the Ikeda family… Hmph, the ninja just reported that they have rejected my generous offer and are preparing to resist desperately!”
“Lord, although Ohara District now fears your might and has largely submitted to you, it’s time to show them your benevolent rule…”
Yamakakushi Kashihyou gritted his teeth and said.
“Oh?”
Wu Ming remained noncommittal and turned to Oniichi Yoshitsune beside him: “What’s your opinion?”
“Since the Fire Division ninja were dispatched, thirteen clans in Ohara District have already pledged loyalty to our clan. I think we can let them mobilize their ashigaru to join the battle. This way, we can legitimately share the spoils of war with them, binding them more tightly to our clan’s chariot.”
After some thought, Oniichi Yoshitsune slowly said: “After all… Hiroshi Castle is even larger than Numata Castle.”
“Haha… Although you didn’t say it directly, you are also advising me!”
Wu Ming laughed heartily: “Don’t worry! I am not someone who only knows tyranny. Appropriate alliances and compromises are necessary, but not now… As for your suggestion to have other clans mobilize their forces to join the battle, it’s excellent—I’ve already assigned Wakasa Kotarou to handle it!”
“This timing… Are you planning it for after capturing Hiroshi Castle?”
Yamakakushi Kashihyou couldn’t help but ask.
“Exactly… Then, how about increasing their stipends? I’m sure they will be very pleased.”
“All clan lords will be delighted and remain absolutely loyal to our clan!”
Yamakakushi Kashihyou and Oniichi Yoshitsune spoke in unison.
After all, what could be better than hereditary land grants as a reward?
“However… This will cause the power of the clans under our command to expand further…”
Oniichi Yoshitsune had already begun considering post-war matters.
“Yes… Therefore, we must carry out transfers! Expand their stipends but relocate them to other districts! Simply swapping between Iizushi and Ohara Districts won’t be enough! We must capture the entire Izumo Province, and even other regions, before we can act decisively!”
A dark gleam appeared in Wu Ming’s eyes.
These local clans and samurai were just like the powerful landlords in the Zhou dynasty world—privately maintaining armed retainers, hiding armor and bows, and building fortresses. In times of chaos, they all became destabilizing factors.
But the power of these clans came half from their control of land resources, and half from public sentiment!
Once relocated to a new environment, even if their land holdings increased, their actual strength would still diminish by half!
After all, earning prestige among the people and secretly cultivating popular support to establish deep roots is not something that can be achieved overnight.
Transferring these clans and samurai now follows the same logic. Just like in Wu Ming’s previous life, during the Western Han dynasty, the imperial court repeatedly relocated powerful clans to the imperial mausoleum areas, effectively keeping all regional strongmen under tight control. This was an inevitable path to strengthening central authority.
…
Hiroshi Castle was now clearly in sight.
“So this is the largest castle in Ohara District? Indeed impressive!”
Wu Ming gazed at the large castle on the plain ahead and nodded slightly.
Hiroshi Castle was even larger than Numata Castle, boasting four layers of defense. The outermost enclosure, the Yonmaru, was built with stone walls nearly ten feet high. Inside were the Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and finally the central Honmaru keep, clearly a very sturdy fortress.
Opposite it, Wu Ming’s army of 5,000 had already taken formation, swords and spears drawn, exuding a deadly aura.
“Lord! In Hiroshi Castle, the Ikeda clan has mobilized 3,000 ashigaru. Their lord, Ikeda Masayuki, has vowed to defend it to the death!”
Wakasa Kotarou reported beside him.
“Hmm… So they’ve already resolved to die?”
Wu Ming smiled slightly: “They’re trying to exhaust our ashigaru as much as possible and buy time for the Iyu family to organize their forces…”
He waved his hand: “Pass this intelligence to the others!”
Oniichi Yoshitsune and Yamakakushi Kashihyou took the letter and skimmed through a few lines before their expressions changed abruptly: “The Iyu family is organizing their forces, which is normal, but such a major event has occurred in Aki Province… The Daizoji clan, secretly supported by our clan, has suffered a crushing defeat and is now besieged at Goryu Castle by the Mori clan…”
“Yes… If we cannot capture Izumo Province before the Daizoji clan is destroyed, we will lose our chance to rival the Mori clan… Everyone is racing against time…”
Wu Ming murmured with a sigh, his gaze turning resolute. He slashed his military fan downward: “Attack! Order the 2,000-strong force composed of the thirteen clans from Ohara District who have recently defected to launch the first assault. Oniichi Yoshitsune, you will command the arquebusiers and cannon units from the rear to support the attack!”
Upon hearing this order, Yamakakushi Kashihyou’s expression subtly shifted.
These 2,000 troops were composed of clans from Ohara District who had recently defected. Their loyalty and military preparedness were the lowest, making them hardly trustworthy. Using them as cannon fodder was practically natural.
“Moreover, the arquebusiers and cannons are probably not only meant to suppress the castle defenses but also to execute deserters, right?”
Arquebuses and cannons could not only suppress enemy archers on the walls but also served as supreme tools for killing fleeing soldiers!
Yamakakushi Kashihyou closed his eyes, knowing that these thirteen clans’ allied forces had only two options: fight to the death or die.
“Let’s see your loyalty!”
Upon hearing Oniichi Yoshitsune’s order, the thirteen clans’ allied forces stirred slightly, but the arquebusiers with deadly weapons behind them and the 3,000 troops watching like hawks forced them to obey. With fierce flames in their eyes, they charged toward Hiroshi Castle.
“Kill!”
On the city walls, the archery commander shouted, and numerous ashigaru shot their bows.
After a volley of arrows, dozens of attackers fell. The rest of the ashigaru panicked; some rushed directly toward the stockade, while others secretly retreated, causing the formation to scatter.
“Arquebusiers, fire!”
Seeing this, Oniichi Yoshitsune gave the order without hesitation. After a cloud of smoke and sparks, the fleeing ashigaru were shot down one by one, effectively deterring the others.
“First unit, advance one hundred meters, attack the watchtower, and suppress their archers!”
After punishing the deserters, Oniichi Yoshitsune fulfilled his duty slightly by commanding the arquebusiers to suppress the archers on Hiroshi Castle’s walls.
“Oh dear… Is this the strength of the local clans? Truly disappointing…”
Wu Ming smiled at Yamakakushi Kashihyou beside him: “They only know the ‘headlong charge’ tactic, understand no coordination at all, and don’t even know how to make tools… The biggest difference between humans and animals lies in their ability to use tools!”
While the carnage continued ahead, their lord could still speak so calmly and cheerfully. This composure made Yamakakushi Kashihyou feel inferior, and he could only nod in agreement repeatedly.
“Although these local clans are not trustworthy, they are still part of our strength and cannot be sacrificed so recklessly… After this first wave, you can hand over our prepared siege ladders, wooden carts, and other simple siege equipment to them!”
Wu Ming smiled faintly, his gaze like that of a god-king ruling over heaven and earth. This deep and unfathomable magnanimity immediately caused everyone around him to feel awe and submission.
…
The fierce siege lasted for two days straight.
The bloody and fiery battle never ceased below Hiroshi Castle.
“Big cannons, fire!”
“Charge unit, go! Set up the siege ladders!”
With various new weapons joining the battle, although the attacking side suffered heavy losses, the defenders also sustained severe casualties, and their defensive lines were beginning to waver.
“Lord! After three days of siege, the clan army has already lost nearly half its strength…”
At this point, Oniichi Yoshitsune reported to Wu Ming with a worried expression: “Even though we have 3,000 elite troops, it’s getting harder to keep them under control…”
“That’s natural. I’m sure now, not only the ashigaru in their camp, but even the samurai and clan lords are regretting their allegiance to our clan!”
Wu Ming sneered coldly.
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