Chapter 259: Taking Chestnuts from the Fire (6) Sanada and Son
More than ten small boats were drawn out from Ninja Castle in Zekuni. The Monomiban (responsible for reconnaissance) set up by the Toyotomi Army on a tall tumulus hill outside Ninja Castle immediately discovered their whereabouts and reported them to Ishida Mitsunari.
Ishida Mitsunari came out of the formation and went up to the ancient tomb to check it out in person. He saw that there were only about two hundred people on the other side, and most of them were dressed in shabby clothes. There were even some female relatives. He couldn't help but feel moved in his heart.
Otani Yoshitsugi, who followed him out to observe the enemy's situation, curled his lips and said: "It's just a group of fleeing people. If His Highness Ishida doesn't like it, just order someone to drive them away and kill them."
Ishida Mitsunari turned to look at the generals behind him and asked: "Which of your highnesses is willing to fight?"
Uesugi Kagekatsu and Maeda Toshiie looked at each other and didn't even bother to reply. Both of them were famous men with millions of stones, and they were respected figures even in front of Toyotomi Hideyoshi. It was hard for Ishida Mitsunari to say anything, so he turned to
Sanada Masayuki looked over.
Sanada Masayuki stared at the dozen or so boats for a while, then smiled and said: "I am a member of the military family and a pillar of the imperial court. Killing this person is not enough to express my courage."
Standing beside him was his young second son, Nobushige Sanada. This martial artist, who was only in his early twenties, was originally eager to try, but when he heard his father's words, he couldn't help but lose interest and withdrew his gaze with a sad expression.
After hearing what Sanada Masayuki said, Ishida Mitsunari seemed to feel that it was unreasonable to specifically target some people who had fled. He nodded and said: "Sanada Yasuo-sama's words are reasonable, but the truth goes beyond that."
But he didn't seem to intend to explain the reason. He just waved his hand and said, "It's nothing important, so there's no need to read anymore." After saying that, he turned around and left. This rude look made Uesugi Kagekatsu and Maeda Toshiie unable to bear it.
There were some frowns, but Sanada Masayuki kept his face as usual and turned around to leave after Uesugi Kagekatsu and Maeda Toshiie. However, he only took two steps before he stopped and turned back to take a deep look at the boats.
After everyone returned to their respective battle formations, Sanada Nobushige couldn't help but ask: "Did father deliberately ask Ishida Harubu not to send troops?"
Sanada Masayuki slowly sat up, raised his eyelids, glanced at his son, and asked: "Why do you ask?"
"Because Ishida Harubu originally asked who was willing to fight. If my father had no such intention, he could just shake his head. Why should he first say that we are the pillars of the samurai family and then say that killing people is not enough to show courage?" Sanada Nobunoshi's eyes were bright: "
It can be seen that my father deliberately provoked Ishida Harubu to make it inconvenient to send troops."
Sanada Masayuki chuckled and said, "The leader of the group just now may be Kaibi-hime."
"Is it the Kaihime who begged Miyake Miyashige in the previous battle?" Sanada Nobushige looked surprised: "She went out to fight under the banner of the general general before. Now that Ninja City is in danger, she, as the general general, escaped from the battle?"
Sanada Masayuki shook his head and said: "You have seen the battle she fought against Miyake Moutashige. The attack time was exquisite, and she took Miyake Moutashige's head in just one encounter. Do you think she will escape from the battle?"
Sanada Nobunshi narrowed his eyes slightly and said: "So, she either went out of the city to ask for help, or she wanted to come for a sneak attack?" After a pause, he frowned again, shook his head and said: "No, it shouldn't be for a sneak attack. She only brought
With over two hundred men, wouldn't a surprise attack on an army of tens of thousands be a recipe for death? There was never such a huge gap in strength between the Oda Youfu and Imagawa Harubu's main force during the Battle of Okehama."
Oda Nobunaga's Battle of Okehazama was of great significance, and everyone in the world knew it. However, in terms of total military strength at that time, Oda Nobunaga fought more than 4,000 against 40,000. As for Okehazama, it was actually almost two
One thousand against five thousand, and Oda Nobunaga relied on a storm to sneak attack on the unprepared Imagawa Yoshimoto headquarters. The situation was obviously not the same as now.
Sanada Masayuki shook his head and said, "Think about it more carefully."
This obviously meant that Sanada Nobushige's thinking was wrong. He couldn't help but think about it again and was speechless for a long time.
Sanada Masayuki did not rush him, and sat still for a while. Sanada Nobushige suddenly opened his eyes wide and looked at his father, and said in horror: "She is going to sneak attack on the Otsutsuki team sent by Guan Bai!"
"What do you think of this idea?" Sanada Masayuki smiled and asked calmly.
But Sanada Nobushige was not as calm as his father, and said anxiously: "I heard that there was no war at all in Odawara Castle. The two sides just stared at each other inside and outside the city wall for half a year. Mr. Guanbai also took people to enjoy the mountains and rivers all day long. I doubt it
This large-scale preparation team has no sense of defense at all. Once it is attacked by elite warriors...or Ji warriors, something big will happen!"
Sanada Masayuki nodded and said, "So, what do you think of this idea?"
"Of course it's great for Kai-hime, but it's a big bad thing for Guan Bai!" Sanada Nobushige stood up anxiously, but at this time he finally found that his father's reaction was not right, and he sat down again with a thought.
, asked with suspicion: "Father, what do you mean..."
Sanada Masayuki put away his lazy look just now, sat up a little and said: "After the Tokugawa Imperial Household surrendered, Lord Guanbai and others in the world have not surrendered yet, and only a few families such as Hojo and Date have not surrendered.
After Lord Guan Bai issued the "Nothing to Do" order, the daimyo of various places could only settle in their current territories. Even those with great ambitions would have no place for heroes.
Although Hojo and I, Sanada, are enemies rather than friends, there has never been any distinction between friends and foes among the great names in the world. The power of Guanbai is strong now, and I, Sanada, are unable to resist, but since there are still people who resist, why should I kill them?
And then quickly?”
Sanada Nobunshige understood and finally sat down safely, but after thinking about it, he asked again: "Then...can we help secretly?"
"Absolutely not!" Sanada Masayuki immediately stretched out his hand to stop him and said: "It might be okay to sit back and watch the situation. Even if Guan Bai finds out, he won't say much. But if he intervenes, once Guan Bai learns about it and finds evidence, he will probably
It’s an outcome that is beyond redemption and the family’s name is in jeopardy.”
Sanada Nobushige felt a little regretful, shook his head and said: "But even if Kaiji succeeds in the sneak attack, I think the Hojo family has no hope in this battle. When the Hojo surrender, Date will be unable to support itself, and the world will eventually be unified by Guan Bai. Our Sanada family
…”
"I originally thought so, but recently I got a piece of news, and I feel that things may still be changing." Sanada Masayuki's eyes flashed, and he returned to his previous calm appearance, and asked calmly: "Do you know Misaki
city?"
Sanada Nobunaga was surprised and said: "Of course I know, why would my father ask this?"
"Misaki Castle has changed hands." Sanada Masayuki glanced at his son and said, "It is said that the Hojo family was short of money and food, so they pawned Misaki Castle to the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance."
"Pawn? A city?" Sanada Nobushige opened his eyes wide: "What is going on?"
"The specific situation is not yet clear, but the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance has garrisoned Misaki Castle. This is certain. Lord Guanbai is also said to be discussing countermeasures." Sanada Masayuki touched his beard on his chin and said: "
There are rumors that the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance is to build a crystal tower in Misaki Castle in order to develop trade in Kanto, just like the Shimadzu family's Shimizu Castle. It happened that the Hojo family was besieged and embarrassed, and even Odawara Castle was already in danger, so
I simply pawned Misaki Castle to them."
Sanada Nobushige digested the news and then asked: "Since the Hojo family is already in danger, why did the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance agree to this 'pawn'? They are not afraid that Lord Guanbai will take advantage of Misaki Castle after taking Odawara Castle.
Launch an attack?"
"I originally thought this was strange, but after thinking about it carefully, I'm afraid... Hey, I'm afraid the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance is really not afraid." Sanada Masayuki snorted softly and said: "Nobuhiro, let me ask you, what happened to the Anton Navy in the first place?
Have you ever heard of the battle with the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance?"
"Of course I have heard of it. It is said that the warships of the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance have many huge barrels, and they can sink an Oyasaku ship with one shot. After that battle, no one in the Japanese navy dared to challenge it lightly.
Its front."
Sanada Nobushige answered like this, but immediately changed the topic: "But no matter how powerful the navy of the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance is, their giant ships can't get ashore! Lord Guanbai has more than 200,000 troops here. If even Odawara Castle is
If it can't withstand such a military attack, what does the mere Misaki Castle mean?"
Sanada Masayuki smiled and asked: "Then if these giant ships go to Osaka Bay and bombard the coastal cities - including Osaka Castle, what do you think of Mr. Guanbai's face? Is there any countermeasure?
"
"This..." Sanada Nobushige hesitated for a moment, frowned and said: "If Lord Guan Bai becomes ruthless and gathers all the naval forces from all over the world to start a war with the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance, he may not be able to defeat it, right?"
"Maybe, maybe not, but I want to ask you, if you were Lord Guan Bai, do you think it is worthwhile?" Sanada Masayuki shook his head and said: "The Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance has been trading with Japan for ten years. They
Although money was made, didn't Japan benefit from it?
Not to mention anything else, after the Maori family surrendered, most of the output of Iwami Ginzan went to Guan Bai. But if this silver could not be traded with the Tang people, where did Guan Bai's newly-built large tube reserve army come from? This Odawara expedition
Where did the more than ten giant ships used to transport grain (Jinghua had not yet completed all deliveries) come from?
Also, don’t forget that the troops directly under Guan Bai are separated from soldiers and peasants. How much money do these people need to feed them? If there is a conflict with the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance, most of the coastal areas will be destroyed by a barrage of artillery fire from the Sea Trade Alliance.
Let's just say that without these trade gains, Guan Bai's world-beating financial resources will be greatly reduced."
Only then did Sanada Nobushige understand the truth, suddenly realized, and said: "According to father's wishes, has Guan Bai already begun to contact the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance to try to reach some kind of deal with them?"
"With Guan Bai's method, I think this matter should have already been started, but..." Sanada Masayuki changed the subject, frowned slightly, and said: "I always have some doubts, I am afraid that the intentions of the Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance are not the same.
It may not really be that simple, there may be some inside story that we haven’t discovered yet.”
"Why does father have such suspicion?" Sanada Nobushige asked: "The Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance has always only focused on money. What other ideas can they have?"
"If it is true as you said, then please explain to me why the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance is willing to build the Crystal Tower in Qingshui City and the Crystal Tower in Misaki City, but they are unwilling to build it in Osaka Castle, the center of Japan and the most active business center.
Crystal Building? What's the reason?" Sanada Masayuki asked, staring into his son's eyes.
It is a pity that although Sanada Nobunshige is both a brave and wise general, he only knows a little about government affairs. After hearing this, he was stunned for a while, scratched his head and said: "Maybe... maybe..."
"No need." Sanada Masayuki shook his head and said: "I think the most likely possibility is that the Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance believes that Guan Bai is too powerful and too powerful. If he goes to Osaka City to build the Crystal Tower, he may be blackmailed by Guan Bai in the future.
In the end, it was a weapon that could be used against rats. It was either a withdrawal or a stay, which created a dilemma for myself."
"Worried that Guan Bai will blackmail them?" Sanada Nobushige was really surprised and asked: "Isn't Guan Bai the most important thing about trade? Why would he blackmail them?"
"Guan Bai values commerce very much, but what Guan Bai values more is that everyone listens to his orders." Sanada Masayuki snorted coldly and said: "Not only that, you also know where Guan Bai is from. Although he is often arrogant.
Although he tries to be generous, he actually wants to take the lion's share of any benefit.
Just say Iwami Ginzan, if the Mori family had not had a smart person like Kobayakawa Takakage, who was willing to hand over most of his production to prove his loyalty, I am afraid that Guan Bai would have to go to China to conquer Kyushu or even the Shikoku conquest, and take advantage of the Mori family.
Get the surgery!"
Sanada Nobunshige understood now and suddenly said: "What my father said is absolutely true. The Beiyang Maritime Trade Alliance is the property of the Tang Dynasty's ministers. With the arrogance of the Tang people, they will definitely not be able to bear their orders, let alone the interests in their hands."
Most of it was taken away by Guan Bai, so he refused to go to Osaka City to build the Crystal Tower."
However, when he said this, he paused, frowned and murmured: "But this matter is too far away from our Sanada family, and it seems that we can't do anything."
Sanada Masayuki smiled and said: "Zuo Zhuan said: 'Be prepared for danger when you are in times of peace. If you are thoughtful, you will be prepared. If you are prepared, you will be safe.' Now that the general trend of the world has gradually become clear, our Sanada family naturally cannot be like a mantis, but now
But something happened.
How these variables will eventually change is naturally beyond the control of our Sanada family, but we must make some preparations in advance to avoid being at a loss and missing opportunities because we cannot adapt to changes."
"Yes, Father's instructions are correct." Sanada Nobunari nodded vigorously and bowed.
Sanada Masayuki suddenly became unresponsive, looking at one place blankly, motionless. Sanada Nobushige waited for a long time but did not hear what his father would say next. He couldn't help but look up. Seeing this, he asked: "Father
?”
Sanada Masayuki immediately stretched out his hand to stop him, but his eyes began to move quickly, and he was obviously thinking about something quickly. Sanada Nobunaga didn't dare to disturb him, and just waited for his father to think carefully.
"Pah!" Sanada Masayuki's raised hand suddenly fell down and slapped his thigh. A glint appeared in his eyes and he said: "Odawara Castle was besieged. The Beiyang Sea Trade Alliance accepted the Hojo family's pawn and took over Misaki Castle.
, although it is unclear how much food they gave the Hojo family for this purpose, but it must have been enough to sustain the Hojo family for a while.
But at the same time, Ninja City is already the only remaining city of the Hojo family besides Odawara Castle. Now that Ninja City is in danger, if the Hojo family does not want to fall into a desperate situation, besieged on all sides, do you think... will they find a way to persuade Beiyang again?
The Sea Trade Alliance rescues Ninja City?"
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