different warring states of japan

Chapter 2173: Teams in the Sea off Sakai Port

Osaka Bay.

The Ishiyama-Osaka line is not a deep-water port in the modern sense. In medieval times, there was a series of small islands along the coastline.

Large ships traveling back and forth usually stop at the port built on the island, and then change to small boats to transport the supplies ashore.

This was also the geographical advantage that allowed Ishiyama Honganji to stand firm back then. The water network formed by several large rivers divided the plains and islands into countless isolated strongholds.

As long as the surrounding strongholds are not completely eliminated and the fortresses support each other from afar, the attackers will not be able to truly threaten the existence of Ishiyama Honganji.

If there are foreign ships providing assistance from the sea, Ishiyama Honganji Temple can be said to be as solid as a rock and as strong as iron.

Unfortunately, because the Sasaki and Oda families joined forces, even the Mori family did not dare to fully support Ishiyama Honganji, resulting in Oda Nobunaga quickly taking over Ishiyama.

If it weren't for the existence of Sasaki Yoshikin, Oda Nobunaga might have been entangled with Ishiyama Honganji for several years, or even more than ten years.

Time flies, and today Osaka Bay looks completely different.

Hideyoshi Ichijo's army poured out from Harima Province. Their first goal was to capture Sakai Port and connect Sakai Port with the stone mountain in the hands of the Ichijo family to become a logistical stronghold for going to Kyoto.

With 80,000 people going to Kyoto, the daily consumption is huge. Osaka Bay, where Sakai Port Ishiyama is located, can receive support materials from the western island countries continuously from the sea, and is the most important supply line.

Taking over Sakai Port from Hosokawa Fujitaka is even more important and has higher priority than opening up the Yodo River water transport line.

Ichijo Hideyoshi originally thought that the Izumi Hosokawa family was not strong enough, and Hosokawa Fujitaka would not invest too much in Sakai Port. He would retreat to the Izumi River to accumulate strength and wait for support from the Sasaki family.

However, the always cautious Hosokawa Fujitaka was persuaded by Akechi Mitsuhide this time, and had the idea of ​​exchanging his merits as a death warrior for post-war political status.

When the political goals are clear, human lives are no longer important. The resistance of the Izumi-Hosokawa family in Sakai Port became very difficult, and the teeth of this vicious dog of the legion were almost broken at the first bite.

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Outside the port area of ​​Sakai Port, the navy belonging to the Ichijo family was retreating in panic, and several warships were slowly sinking, including a main Ataka ship.

The whirlpool formed by the shipwreck sucked in the sailors who tried desperately to escape, and buried them in the sea with their despair.

Not far away, a huge Western-style galleon slowly turned around and transferred the artillery on the double deck from the enemies on the sea to the direction of the port area.

With a roar, the deck of the galleon swayed violently, and visible projectiles fell from the sky, passed over the buildings in the port area, and hit a legion of soldiers hard.

The shells bounced on the ground several times, leaving a trail of blood. The soldiers who had just formed the charge line suffered a mental breakdown on the battlefield where limbs were flying everywhere. They ran without looking back, and the supervision team could not stop them from killing.

In this remote island country, the Sōma family actually got a galleon.

Although this type of ship has become popular in the Atlantic, it has become the main ship for Western countries to cross the Atlantic during the Age of Exploration.

But in the island nation, it is still an unprecedented behemoth, and the island nation's navy, with the Ataka ship as its main force, is simply unable to compete with it.

Under the dual suppression of speed and firepower, no matter how many navy troops there were, they would be smashed to pieces by the galleons like kites and sunk to the bottom of the sea.

After several failed attempts, I believe that the navy will give up the confrontation on the water and can only start from the port area to cut off the galleon's land base and force it to leave the waters of Osaka Bay.

But the resistance in the port area continued. The legion that could not take the port area had to continue to fill this cruel battlefield with human lives.

On Galen's ship, Lulu looked at the guests around her and said.

“Dear Lord Suzuki Shigehide, I believe you have seen the strength of my ship.

I promise to firmly grasp the control of the sea in Osaka Bay in the subsequent battles and not let anyone cut off the supply and access to the port area.

So, what are you still hesitating about?"

Looking at the navy fleeing in panic, Suzuki Shigehide was speechless.

As early as the end of last year, Ichijo Hideyoshi sent people to persuade Suzuki Shigehide, the leader of the Saiga clan in Kii Province, and Tsutsui Junkei, the leader of the Buddhist monks in Yamato Province, hoping that they would support Ichijo's army's march to Kyoto and divert the attention of the Sasaki family.

Suzuki Shigehide was once defeated by the saint in the Battle of Yamato, and from then on he became subservient to the saint.

The sage also reciprocated the favor by tacitly approving Suzuki Shigehide's independent status in Kii Province over the years, allowing the Saiga clan to become local lords.

But with the rise of the Sasaki Group, Suzuki Shigehide has felt increasing pressure.

Just as the various divine families in Kanto have been encroaching on the foreign vassal states, Hosokawa Fujitaka has also been eyeing Kii Province in recent years, and all kinds of behind-the-scenes operations have constantly irritated Suzuki Shigehide.

Tsutsui Junkei in Yamato was even more miserable. She was the leader of the Buddhist nuns under Kofuku-ji Temple and almost overturned Kofuku-ji Temple's century-long rule over Yamato Buddhism.

If it weren't for the sudden appearance of Sasaki Yoshigin, who made Kofukuji Nagakaku voluntarily give up Northern Yamato and gain the support of the Sasaki family, Yamato might have been in the pocket of Tsutsui Junkei by now.

But ever since the rise of Sōba and the rise of Kofuku-ji Chokaku by the Shingon sect and his promotion to the head monk of Koyasan, Tsutsui Junkei's life has been very difficult.

Master Changjue would not give her the opportunity to make a comeback, and the existence of the Sasaki family made Tsutsui Junkei dare not act rashly, and his power has been declining over the years.

Now, Hideyoshi Ichijo found the two men and used the diplomatic strategy that he was best at to change their attitudes.

Regardless of Tsutsui Junkei's side, Suzuki Shigehide knew in his heart that he was really tempted.

As long as the world continues to be in chaos, the Zaga clan can continue to dominate the area and live their own lives behind closed doors without being controlled by the central government.

But... does Hideyoshi Ichijo really have a chance?
The worst thing in politics is to be on the wrong side. Suzuki Shigehide repeatedly evaded the saint's request to hire support for Sakai Port on the pretext of waterway blockage, and it seemed that the saint had seen through the signs.

This time, Lulu used a galleon to fight against a navy, and specially invited Suzuki Shigehide to board the ship to observe, which in itself was a clear attitude.

The reason for worrying about the poor water transportation is untenable. Now that we have seen the situation, we are sure there is no problem.

So, what other reasons did Suzuki Shigehide have to refuse?
Looking at the bloody roads plowed by artillery fire in the distance, Suzuki Shigehide's heart skipped a beat.

How could Hideyoshi Ichijo defeat the saint of the Sasaki family if he couldn't even take over the small Sakai Port area?

If he can't defeat the saint, then all of Hideyoshi's promises are bullshit and his eloquence is useless.

Even if Suzuki Shigehide was unwilling to lose his power to dominate a region, he could only stand on the side of the victor. Only after the world was unified would he have bargaining chips to negotiate terms and preserve his family's status.

She sighed and said firmly.

"The Saiga clan has been mobilized and is ready to enter the port area of ​​Sakai Port from the sea to fight for the Saint.

In addition, this war is only for the peace of the world. The Saiga clan is unwilling and dare not accept the reward from the saint. Please ask Lady Lilu to report the loyalty of the Saiga clan to the saint.

Please! "

Looking at Suzuki Shigehide who bowed solemnly, Lilu's eyes flashed with disdain. This hypocritical island country, this group of hypocritical nobles.

Remembering that she was already a member of the island nation's nobility, Lilu responded with an awkward bow with a forced smile and said.

"I will definitely bring your words to the saint, and my ship will ensure the safety of the waterway, so please rest assured."

Suzuki Shigehide nodded.

"Thank you so much.

There is one more thing, please tell the Saint, Tsutsui Junkei has ulterior motives, I am afraid she will make a move against Tamonyama Castle, please be more careful. "

Having chosen his side, Suzuki Shigehide sold Tsutsui Junkei without hesitation.

At least with the bloody military merit, the saint will not pursue the secret mobilization of the Saiga clan after the war, whether it was to help the Sasaki family defend Sakai Port or to help Tsutsui Junkei backstab Tamonyama Castle.

I would rather die than have my friend die. Now that the unification of the world is just around the corner, I should sell my teammates as soon as possible. If I miss this opportunity, I will never get it again.