different warring states of japan

Chapter 2174: The King's Grace Is as Deep as the Sea, Only Death Can Repay
In order to ensure water transportation for the war on the peninsula, Hideyoshi Ichijo did not recall too many naval forces.

She never thought that Yoshikin Sasaki actually had an advanced Nanban ship in his hands, and relying on the coastline of Izumi Province as a backing, he actually defended the waters of Sakai Port.

After several defeats in naval battles, when the navy just showed signs of dejection, Suzuki Shigehide decisively made his choice.

The Saiga generals of Kii entered the port area of ​​Sakai Port by water and fought together with the 1,000 death warriors stationed there by the Hosokawa family.

On the other side, a legion was also making its own adjustments in the face of the impenetrable Sakai port area.

Ichijo Hidenaga's main camp, Fujido Takatora prostrated himself on the ground and kowtowed, begging.

"My Lord, please give me a little more time. I will definitely take over the port area of ​​Sakai Port."

Ichijo Hide let out a long sigh, walked forward to help Todou Takatora up, and whispered.

"It's not that I won't give you a chance, it's that the situation has changed, so don't be so persistent."

Todo Takatora's situation is rather special, because she used to be a close associate of Sasaki Yoshikin. Facing the final battle between the Ichijo and Sasaki families for the ownership of the world, there are always some people who are worried about her.

The fact that Maeda sent people to lobby her for personal gain also left her speechless.

Fortunately, Ichijo Hidenaga ignored the opposition and insisted on re-employing this capable general, which gave Fujido Takatora the opportunity to prove himself and clear his suspicion.

But no one expected that an entire legion would suffer a major setback in just the first battle.

The port area of ​​Sakai Port has been managed by the Nanman in recent years, and Lilu is accustomed to running it as a colony for the Nanman.

What is the biggest feature of a colony? It is the defense against attacks from indigenous people!

The galleons relied on the Izumi Province of the Hosokawa family and cruised on the sea. The port was defended by artillery batteries. In addition, in order to gain credit after the war, Hosokawa Fujitaka used a thousand elite soldiers as death squads without blinking an eye.

Even if Todo Takatora tried every possible means, it would be impossible for her to take over the Sakai Port area in a few days. Her chance to prove herself would naturally become slimmer as time went by.

Looking at the gloomy look of Todo Takatora, Ichijo Hide sighed.

"I know you are loyal, and that's enough. You don't need to prove anything to others.

I was deeply moved to hear that you were at the front line and were even prepared to lead the charge yourself.

But the situation has changed somewhat and the army can no longer waste time in Sakai Port.

Just one day after our army crossed the border, the saint issued a letter to all military families in Tamonyama Castle, accusing the Ichijo family of ignoring calls for peace and launching a civil war for their own selfish interests.

Within three days, the various feudal lords in Kanto issued a joint declaration of war, and the entire Kanto region had begun mobilization.

It's only been five days since today, but the news about the saint and Guandong has spread throughout the world, causing panic among the Wu family members throughout the legion. Do you know what this means?
From beginning to end, this was an open conspiracy and a trap.

The saints and the Kanto feudal lords have been sending people to keep an eye on us. As long as we cross the border, they will have a legitimate reason to take action against us!

For five whole days, not only were we unable to move forward in Sakai Port, but the direction of Tamba Province to the north was also unstable.

In order to clear himself of the charge of colluding with the Ichijo family, Akai Naomasa personally led the Tamba clan south to harass Settsu and endanger the water transport of the Yodo River.

On the southern front, the Kawachi clan, which belonged to the Izumi Hosokawa family, also took action, and the south bank of the Yodo River was not peaceful either.

Coupled with the setbacks here at Sakai Port, our pace has been slowed down.

If the Kanpaku fails to reach Kyoto before the Eastern Army gathers to join the battle and breaks through the Omi line, the army will be attacked from all sides.

The hesitant neutral samurai will flatter the Sasaki family, and the opportunists among us will turn their guns around and attack us without hesitation.

Fujido-ji, time is running out, we must make a choice, and reaching Luoyang as quickly as possible is our top priority right now."

Fujido Takatora gritted his teeth and bowed.

"I am short-sighted. Please give me your orders, and I will obey."

Hidenaga Ichijo looked towards the direction of Sakai Port. There seemed to be gunfire coming from there again. That ship was fast and powerful. You couldn't catch it, but you couldn't ignore it. It was really annoying. "The Kanpaku ordered that a small number of troops be left to trap the port area of ​​Sakai Port, and the main force will turn to Kyoto. The supplies will be landed from Harima Province and bypass the Sakai Port Stone Mountain.

Passing through the Yodo River basin, divide our forces to keep an eye on the Tamba and Kawachi groups, and don't give them a chance to harass our logistics lines."

Fujido Takatora frowned.

"Doing so will disperse a lot of our troops, and at least 30% of the troops will not be able to advance to Luoyang."

Ichijo Hideo shook his head.

"Speed ​​is of the essence in war, and we have so many people. Even if we send out a small half of our forces, there are still 50,000 or 60,000 troops heading to Luoyang, which is enough to change the direction of the world in a short period of time."

Fujido Takatora seemed to want to say something but stopped himself.

Ichijo Hidenaga's statement was self-consolation. The reality would never be so smooth, but the current situation of the Ichijo family was one of internal and external troubles, and they had no choice.

Once Hideyoshi Ichijo took the step of going to Kyoto, there was no turning back.

Yoshikin Sasaki would definitely stand on the moral high ground and criticize and discredit Hideyoshi Ichijo.

All the blame for the war, destruction of peace, economic disruption and economic crisis will be put on Hideyoshi Ichijo, nailing her to the pillar of shame in history.

Hideyoshi's only way out was to go to Kyoto and defeat Sasaki Yoshikin face to face.

She wanted to let all the warriors in the world see that Sasaki Yoshigane was not an invincible god and he could also be defeated.

Only in this way, the local warriors who have been oppressed by the Sōma clan in recent years but dared not resist, will become more active.

Only when the cornerstone of the Sōma family's rule is shaken can the Ichijo family get a chance to breathe.

Fujido Takatora smiled bitterly.

The world situation has come to this point today, and everyone has seen clearly that Hideyoshi Ichijo is weak, although he appears strong on the outside. How many people are willing to accompany this paranoid lunatic of humble origin to go crazy?

Fujido Takatora was silent for a while and said sincerely.

"No matter what the outcome is, I will accompany you through this journey to repay your kindness."

Ichijo Hideo was stunned for a moment and then started laughing.

In the past, Fujido Takatora was young and ignorant. He was arrogant and betrayed the Sasaki family, making a big mistake.

The cruel samurai society is extremely inward-looking and never gives people a chance to admit their mistakes, which makes Fujido Takatora fall into despair. It was Ichijo Hidenaga who believed in her, valued her, and gave her the opportunity to prove herself again.

In this world, anyone can betray their family except Fujido Takatora.

As long as Hidenaga Ichijo is alive, Todo Takatora will be loyal to the Ichijo family and fight to the death for Hidenaga Ichijo.

Your kindness is as deep as the sea, and I can only repay it with my own death.

However, Fujido Takatora's sincere advice made Ichijo Hidenaga feel extremely bitter.

My sister Hideyoshi Ichijo is no longer the wise and intelligent girl she used to be. Since the war on the peninsula broke out, Hideyoshi Ichijo has become more and more paranoid.

She would not listen to any opposing opinions. She just wanted to take a big gamble and win back all she had lost in one go.

Ichijo Hidenaga actually did not support his sister Ichijo Hideyoshi's adventure to go to Kyoto, but if even she began to oppose Ichijo Hideyoshi, then the Ichijo family would really be finished.

So no matter how helpless she was, she, a member of the Ichiu family, had no choice but to follow him to the end.

There is never a shortage of smart people in the world, but there are always various helplessness that force smart people to make unwise choices. Maybe this is life.

(End of this chapter)