Late Ming Dynasty: Conquering the world starting from riding and cutting

Keelung's army rested in Kitakyushu City for nearly ten days before the intelligence personnel sent by the Saga family were able to send intelligence to the front line.

Qin Hao immediately scolded Saga Chaoichi for such slow information transmission.

"The Art of War" by Sun Tzu says: Therefore, wise kings and wise generals can defeat others by their actions. Those who succeed come from the crowd are also prophets.

A prophet cannot be obtained from ghosts and gods, cannot be imitated by things, and cannot be verified by measurement. He must be obtained from people, who know the enemy's mood.

"The most important thing in combat is intelligence. If you can't do this well, how can I trust you to guard Kyushu and how can your position be secure?"

In response to the accusation from the main hall, Saga Chaoichi broke into a cold sweat, quickly begged for forgiveness, and promised to rebuild the intelligence team.

He is also aware of his own intelligence organization. They are all wandering ninjas in the mountains. They know one or two tricks, but they are really not good enough.

In this era where fighting is all about walking and damage output is all about roaring, Saga Chaoichi has done a good job. Qin Hao comforted him after scolding him, lest this guy would have any resentment in his heart and cause trouble for himself during the war.

"Okay, I won't embarrass you anymore. All future intelligence will be left to the Kyushu Post Office. You can take charge."

"Thank you, hall."

In response to this, Saga Chaoichi finally let go of his worries and began to report the information.

The Kumamoto family's army has already arrived at Higo, which means that in just one day, the Kumamoto family's army will enter the Saga territory.

"How many troops did the Kumamoto family send out this time?" Qin Hao quickly found "Higo" on the map of Kyushu.

"There are about 3,000 Ashigaru people and about 500 Hatamoto samurai. As for the other military forces, they have not been scouted yet." Saga Toichi lowered his head in shame, and he hated those scouting ninjas in his heart.

It was unbearable to embarrass myself in front of the main hall twice in one day.

After this battle, they must all be removed from their posts and arranged to "deliver express delivery" to the Kyushu Post Office.

"3500?" Qin Hao frowned slightly.

If that was all, he really didn't take it to heart. His vanguard troops had five Shuntian battalions (5,000 people) and one artillery battalion (500 people).

3500VS5500

No matter how you look at it, it will never fail.

What's more, the soldiers of Shuntian Camp are all equipped with 1627-style flintlock guns. Against the old matchlock guns still used by Fuso, it is a big fish to eat the shrimps, it is easy.

Based on this information, Qin Hao immediately summoned everyone to discuss the situation they were facing.

"I have never fought a battle with such a large force advantage." After Zhao Dahai learned the news, he was overjoyed and immediately asked Qin Hao for orders, "Lord, as long as you give me three hundred people, I can definitely destroy Kumamoto."

"Master Zhao, be careful. The Kumamoto family has dispatched five hundred banner warriors, and their strength cannot be underestimated." Saga Touichi couldn't help but dissuade him.

In Fuso, whether they are wandering samurai territory Ashigaru or ordinary people in the fields, their promotion path is nothing more than the position of Hatamoto samurai. It can be said that this is the most direct and best life path.

This resulted in the number of Hatamoto samurai in each daimyo not being very large. This time the Kumamoto family dispatched five hundred at a time, and Saga Chaoichi was still frightened.

The Saga family's Tong Hei Minato couldn't send out 300 warriors. Without the support of the main hall this time, it would really be a disaster for the family.

Zhao Dahai didn't pay attention to Saga Chaoichi's persuasion at all, "What a Hatamoto samurai, a lead bullet hits him, and he still has to suffer from hatred."

"Sir, you'd better be careful." Shaking his head helplessly, Saga turned his eyes to Qin Hao.

"Come and see, where is this place?"

Qin Hao looked at the map attentively, and then pointed at a place on it.

"Main hall, this is our army's Toyooka Castle."

"How many men are stationed?"

"Less than three hundred."

Toyooka Castle is the leading fortress of the Saga Territory. If it is occupied by the Kumamoto family, they can march straight into it.

The Fuso Daimyo had very little land. If they occupied three or five cities, they would be a powerful and powerful power. Once a certain important city was captured, it would be basically exhausted.

If Toyooka Castle is captured, the team will have to take a detour to get out of Saga Territory, which is extremely inconvenient.

Therefore, Toyooka Castle must be defended!

"Zhao Dahai listens to the order!" Qin Hao pointed to Fenggang City on the map, "You lead a battalion of troops and go to this city to garrison. I will not be allowed."

"I accept your orders!" Zhao Dahai knelt down on one knee, his lowered eyes showing sharpness, as if a sharp sword pierced through the glow.

"Dahai, remember one thing, no matter how the Kumamoto family attacks the city, it must be defended."

It's not that he doesn't trust Shuntianying, but that Zhao Dahai has a bad temper and Qin Hao is deeply afraid that he will be ambushed.

Kumamoto must know the news that the Kilung army has moved into the Saga family, yet he dares to send troops to attack in such a ostentatious manner.

There are only two reasons, either because he knows it in his heart and someone helps him to know the truth; or he is stupid and has no brain at all.

If you can achieve the position of the head of the Kumamoto family, you will definitely not be an idiot.

There must be a back-up plan. As for what the back-up plan is, Qin Hao knows it without guessing.

"How many people should the Tokugawa family send this time?" After polishing his chin, Qin Hao really couldn't guess this time.

"Lord, why don't you send someone to explore again." Han Xian suggested from the side.

"It's too late, it only takes one day."

Qin Hao rejected this idea, and his eyes fell on the center of the map of Kyushu.

Shimadzu, Kumamoto, and Saga are three pillars.

If we compare the Three Kingdoms, Shimazu is the most powerful Wei Kingdom, the Kumamoto family is the Wu Kingdom, and the Saga family is the weakest Shu Kingdom.

"Without his own support, the Saga family would be like meat on the chopping board and could only be slaughtered by others." Looking at the power circles on the map, Qin Hao couldn't help but think of this.

"Saga Chaoichi, what are your arrangements with the Shimazu family?"

"Main Hall, Your Majesty"

Facing Qin Hao's question, Saga Chaoichi looked confused. Isn't this a battle against the Kumamoto family and the shogunate? Why is it involving the Shimadzu family again?

But after all, he was an old Jianghu. After pondering for a moment, he realized the seriousness of the problem. He was so frightened that beads of sweat dripped from his face, and he quickly took out a piece of cotton cloth to wipe it.

Fully aware of his own stupidity, Saga Chaoichi burst into tears and started to cry: "Master Hall, you also know that our territory is sparsely populated, and we usually don't have enough to eat without fighting. Now that we are at war, it is even worse. Without food, we can’t recruit enough soldiers.”

The voice of crying became louder and louder as he spoke, but he did not mention the 500,000 stone stems and rice he had shipped from Keelung at all.

Qin Hao calculated that these 500,000 stone stems of rice would be enough for Saga Chaoichi to recruit 10,000 off-the-job soldiers and soldiers, and would allow the Saga family's 100,000 low-level farmers to stop farming for a year.

"Okay!" Qin Hao became impatient. He held down the broad knife at his waist and glanced at Saga coldly, "I don't want to listen to any of your sophistry."

"Now tell me all the soldiers you can mobilize."

Seeing Qin Hao's hand on the waist knife, Saga's heart was in her throat and her brain was spinning rapidly.

After a while, the results were obtained.

So he began to report pitifully: "Master, sir, a total of three thousand ashigaru have been recruited this time, but most of them have just joined the army and have not been trained."

Just after joining the army, it was the La Zhuangding who came to die as cannon fodder. This is the tradition among the Fuso daimyo. After all, they do not have the complete system and production process like Keelung.

The Ashigaru were recruited during the war and farmed after the war.

These ashigaru are essentially just a group of farmers. It's okay to let them fight with the wind and pick up the advantages. If they encounter a strong enemy, they will definitely be the first organization to flee, and there will be no exception at all.

Only the Hatamoto samurai were the key force in the battle between the daimyo. Later scholars calculated the battle between Oda Nobunaga and Imagawa Yoshimoto.

At that time, the Oda family only had 4,500 troops at full strength, but the Imagawa family had 10 times as many troops, reaching 50,000.

In a battle with such a huge disparity in strength, no one in Fuso had ever lost before.

It can be said that Imagawa Yoshimoto met the Demon King of the Sixth Heaven, Oda Nobunaga, who did not play his cards at all.

At that time, everyone in the Oda family was thinking about surrendering or absconding, including Oda Nobunaga's younger brother. However, in such a desperate situation, Oda Nobunaga led 1,000 Hatamoto samurai and rushed straight to Okezama. , caught Imagawa Yoshimoto off guard, and most of the soldiers died.

1000vs50000, a complete victory!

This is the reason why Qin Hao is so cautious. If Imagawa Yoshimoto has huge soldiers and sophisticated weapons, he will still be defeated.

Qin Hao didn't want such a thing to happen to him from the bottom of his heart.

"In the main hall, the Hatamoto samurai have only recruited 100 people."

Saga Chaoichi's answer brought Qin Hao back to his senses, and his thoughts began to become clear.

"100 people!" I was about to yell, but I held back, "Tell me about the arrangements for the troops."

Pig teammates, it’s better not to count on them.

"There are 1,000 people guarding the city everywhere, including 500 ashigaru at the west exit of the Shimazu family. In addition, another 1,000 people are deployed on the front line. There are 1,000 people in Kitakyushu Castle and 100 Hatamoto samurai."

"Five hundred people? Less!"

The Shimazu family is a strong vassal, and if the soldiers of the Shuntian camp are okay, the Ashigaru of the Saga family will fall apart just thinking about it.

"Han Xian, listen to the order." Qin Hao shouted, "A thousand soldiers will be stationed at the west entrance, and a thousand soldiers will be stationed at the North Jiuzhou City. Adjust the order immediately without any mistake."

"The last general takes command!"

The deafening sound made the originally dull conference room come alive again, as if the sun was shining into the dust, and the momentum was like a rainbow.

"Dongdian, don't forget to use the big tube troops." Saga was anxious, how could the main hall forget such a big killer.

It would be a pity to leave it alone!

"Disband, everyone, get ready. It is estimated that we will be in contact with Kumamoto's army in the next few days. At that time, we will definitely face a big war, and everyone is ready. Saga, please stay for now, I have something to say to you. One thing to say.”

Although he ignored Saga's opinion, Qin Hao kept him here.

Saga also had a clear mind and stood beside Qin Hao obediently.

Qin Hao waved his hand and dismissed the temporary meeting.

Everyone saluted, stood up and filed out of the tent.

Saga, who was left behind by Qin Hao, didn't show any signs of excitement. He still sat there on his knees very calmly.

He is indeed a smart guy.

Qin Hao glanced at Saga and thought to himself.

After everyone left, Qin Hao said to Saga: "How did you come up with the idea of ​​using a big tube (artillery)? As far as I know, here in Fuso, it seems that big tubes are not used in land battles. At most, it’s just an iron cannon.”

Faced with Qin Hao's question, Saga replied: "The main hall, this big barrel, oh no, it is called an artillery piece in Keelung's official dialect. I also learned about its original power from Zheng Zhilong and Mr. Zheng. Fusang is a small country and the people are weak. This The first-class thing is not used much, but I know that this thing is often used at sea. It was a coincidence. Only after boarding Master Zheng's ship did I realize its power. It shook the earth and the earth, and the fire shot into the sky. It is truly an unworldly thing. " , Saga slowly told Qin Hao what he really thought.

"I know Master Zheng, but he was defeated by the main hall. It can be seen that the main hall's strength is several times that of him."

Qin Hao nodded secretly while listening to Saga's story.

It has to be said that Saga's brains and vision are better than some of the Japanese at the same time.

Unfortunately, he still has the limitations of this era and has not completely transcended.

Because Saga didn't consider the issues of movement and trajectory at all.

Of course, Qin Hao understands Saga very well.

When note-takers encounter problems, they always want the simplest and most convenient solution. Why endure hardship when there is an easy way.

Finally, after much thought, Saga thought of the benefits of artillery.

With such a sharp weapon, what should we fear from the shogunate army?

And these days, Qin Hao has indeed unloaded a lot of artillery from the battleships, and Saga has seen these.

For Saga. This young His Highness will never dismantle the barrel for no reason, so there is only one possibility.

Your Highness will use this weapon in the next battle.

But what he didn't know was that the cannons sent down from the navy ships were all 8-pound cannons. In fact, it was not because Qin Hao was unwilling to use larger cannons.

After all, caliber is justice, and the more you hit, the more powerful you will be.

But the problem is that reality does not allow it. Fuso is very mountainous, and Kyushu Island is a typical example. There are no transportation conditions for artillery at all.

As early as the day of landing, the Navy specially sent a large-caliber steel cannon for testing.

One hour, three miles.

This is the farthest distance that artillery can transport, and this is the case when the best horses are used.

There are bumpy muddy fields and hills everywhere. Even soldiers have to fight in the mountains, let alone artillery.

Only the 8-pound gun is most suitable for mountain use. Its lightness and heavy use determine its usefulness.

"Well, it's a good idea for you to have this idea." Qin Hao nodded happily to Saga, and looked at him with a little admiration in his eyes.

Saga had been secretly observing Qin Hao's reaction. When he saw Qin Hao's appreciative eyes, he felt happy.

Just when Saga was thinking wildly, Qin Hao said: "The artillery will definitely be useful, don't worry about that. But I think I can teach you something in the future. If you are interested, I can let you go to Keelung. Learn artillery tactics in the Army Academy.”

"Main hall, I'm old and I'm afraid I won't be able to learn anymore. I wonder if my sons can go." Saga looked at Qin Hao with a smile.

It made him a little uncomfortable, "Okay! What a cunning guy. But if you fail the exam, I won't care if you send him back."

Hearing this, Saga suppressed the excitement in her heart and saluted Qin Hao with a calm expression.

"I will definitely not disappoint the main hall. If anyone fails, I will beat him to death." Saga looked like a strict father.

Qin Hao sat up straight, looked at Saga and nodded with satisfaction.

Then his eyes fell on a certain place on the map: "Saga, where is this unmarked area?"

Qin Hao stood up and asked, pointing to the missing piece of information on the map.

"Main hall, this is Spring River City."

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