Takenaka Shigeharu said in a deep voice.
"My lord, do you know about the iron cannon workshop established by the Nichiren sect disciples in the main hall?"
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded.
"of course I know."
Takenaka Shigeharu said again.
"Then do you know which supplies are most important for equipping a large number of iron cannons?"
Hideyoshi Hashiba was stunned.
"That's not clear."
Takenaka Shigeharu said with his fingers.
"Gunpowder and projectiles for iron cannons are the biggest consumables. The gunpowder is mainly charcoal, sulfur, and saltpeter, and the projectiles are mainly lead.
The island country has many forests, so there is no need to worry about charcoal. There are volcanoes all over the place, and it is not troublesome to obtain sulfur. The production of nitrate produced by local methods is very small, and it is mainly imported from Nanman. Lead is also imported from Nanman.
Therefore, if the Oda family wanted to use iron cannons on a large scale, the most troublesome thing was saltpeter and lead. For these two items, they could only rely on Nanman trade.
Nanman trade entered the island country from Kyushu Island, traveled through the Seto Inland Sea to Sakai Port, and then entered Konku and Kanto.
If you want to equip iron cannons on a large scale, you must not only rely on the iron cannon workshop to manufacture iron cannons, but also need to obtain a large amount of saltpeter and lead to make gunpowder and projectiles to meet consumption.
Yamashina Katsunari used this to convince the main hall to pay attention to the role of Sakai Port."
Hashiba Hideyoshi frowned.
"Yamako Shengcheng is a southern barbarian, so why is he so concerned about the affairs of the Oda family?
It is the tradition of the Wu family to serve the public and be loyal to the master. This southern barbarian seems to be more dedicated to his work than Warrior Ji, which is a bit weird."
Takenaka Shigeharu laughed.
"You don't know something.
The Nanman religion followed the Nanman trade and has established a firm foothold in Kyushu. However, in recent years, the foreign religion has been unable to gain momentum.
The reason lies in Ishiyama Honganji Temple.
Ishiyama Honganji Temple is located near Sakai Port. The Ichigo sect is also famous among Buddhist sects for its extreme fanaticism and never shows mercy in eradicating heretics.
The Nanman Sect was in confrontation with the Ichigo Sect in the Settsu Kingdom, but they never gained the upper hand. Believers on both sides had caused bloody massacres many times, and their hatred was as deep as the sea, and they had long vowed to be at odds with each other."
Hashiba Hideyoshi suddenly understood.
"So, Shanke Shengcheng seems to be doing her best to help the main hall form an iron artillery group, but in fact she is seeking foreign aid for the Nanman Cult?"
Takenaka Shigeharu nodded.
"Priest of the Southern Barbarians, Bautista donated Yamako Katsunari and Yasuke, gained the friendship of the main hall, and was protected by the Oda family.
Master Xianru of Ishiyama Honganji Temple sent the Zahe people to Beijing to massacre the Nanman Sect members in Beijing.
All the Nanman people, including Bautista himself, have been killed, and these people were operating in the area around Tofuku Temple."
Hideyoshi Hashiba narrowed his eyes and said.
"You mean, Bautista did it on purpose?"
Takenaka Shigeharu said.
"For these religious lunatics, opening up the situation for the sect they believe in is far more important than saving their own lives."
Hashiba Hideyoshi suddenly felt a little disgusted with the Nanman Sect, which he didn't understand, and shook his head.
"These lunatics."
Takenaka Shigeharu continued.
"Yamashina Katsunari persuaded the main hall, and the Oda family must fight for control of Sakai Port. And this attack on Ishiyama Honganji Temple has made the main hall lose face and feel dissatisfied.
If the power of the Oda family enters Settsu Country, the conflict between the Ichiko Sect and the Nanman Sect will inevitably be involved.
The main hall will most likely favor the Nanman Cult, because it needs the materials and technology of the Nanman trade, which is beneficial to the Nanman Cult's trade with the Oda family.
However, Ishiyama Honganji Temple has been expanding continuously and is arrogant and domineering. It can be called a famous religious name, and even the shogunate is unwilling to offend it.
The main hall needs Sakai Port, but is unwilling to consume the strength of the Oda family and enters Settsu country to fight against the two major forces of the Miyoshi family and the Ichigo clan."
Hashiba Hideyoshi understood and said.
"So, the main hall must be closed to the shogunate.
In the name of the great cause of avenging our ancestors, we coerced the shogunate to invade Settsu Kingdom, planned to plot the Sakai Port, and used the shogunate to share the pressure."
Oda Nobunaga is not completely ignorant of what Yamashina Katsunari and the Nanman Cult behind her want. Both sides get what they want, but Oda Nobunaga will not let others be used as weapons for nothing.
By roping in Ashikaga Yoshiaki and entering the Settsu Kingdom in the name of great justice, he could make the most of the shogunate, ease the hostility between the Ichibuki clan and the local samurai family, and facilitate the Oda family's plan to capture Sakai Port.
Takenaka Shigeharu said.
"Just after the shogunate was established, the general drove away the Odaisho in a dishonorable way. All the samurai families in Kyoto saw it, and there were countless slanderers.
The general has a reputation of being mean and ungrateful, so she must perform something to reunite the shogunate. External expansion is the best way for her to ease internal conflicts and gain control of the military.
If the main hall proposes to avenge the ancestors and conquer the Kingdom of Setjin, the general will definitely be tempted."
Hideyoshi Hashiba asked.
"Then what should I do?"
Takenaka Shigeharu said.
"The main palace is unwilling to join the shogunate, even if it is for a bigger plot in the future, but at this time, it is indeed a concession to the general. The Oda family has no intention of getting involved in the shogunate, which is enough to reassure the general.
In addition, the main hall proposed to attack Settsu Province, and the shogunate was not strong enough to overwhelm the Miyoshi family, so it had to rely on the power of the Oda family.
Therefore, when it comes to Luozhong's legal system, the general will most likely compromise and show some goodwill to the Oda family.
News has leaked out before that the shogunate will set up two guards in Kyoto, one of whom will be arranged by the Oda family."
Hashiba Hideyoshi nodded, feeling a little relieved.
Takenaka Shigeharu continued.
"In addition, the policy of raising bandits to respect themselves has not been abandoned by the main hall.
The attack on Settsu Kingdom is not to destroy the Mihaoshi family. With the foundation of the Mihaoshi family, even if they lose Settsu Kingdom, they will not be destroyed immediately.
The wealth that Miyoshi Changqing left behind is too strong, and even if Miyoshi Yoshitsugi loses his family, it will be enough to ruin him for a few more years."
Hideyoshi Hashiba said.
"After listening to Ji's words, I feel relieved."
Takenaka Shigeharu shook his head and said.
"Lord, you can't just feel at ease, you have to be more active.
It was you who went to Luo to buy iron cannons for the main hall. No one in the Oda family is more familiar with the situation in Kyoto and Sakai Port than you.
For Kyoto defense, the main hall will most likely give it to you, but you still need to try your best to gain the authority to manage the affairs of Sakai Port.
Establishing military exploits in Omi, establishing connections in Kyoto, and obtaining money and food in Sakai Port are the foundation for your settlement and life.
Gutai
You must be at the forefront of the Oda family's development, so that the palace will continue to reuse you, and the retainers will not criticize your origin."
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded.
"I see."
———
A gust of wind blew up on the bank of Kamogawa River, and the smell of blood made the crowd watching the beheading display in the distance couldn't help but cover their mouths and noses.
Hashiba Hideyoshi and Takenaka Shigeharu lowered their heads and talked, while in the distance, Kondo Isamu and several others looked at the execution place.
Hijikata Toshizo next to her said regretfully.
"It's still a step too late."
Kondo Isamu glanced at her and said.
To be continued...