Chapter 281 The Return of the Japanese Emperor (4) The Unexpected Grand Master
Konishi Yukumasa's Second Army Corps is supposed to be one of the Japanese army's most combat-effective regiments. Otherwise, he would not have been designated as the vanguard in both invasions of Korea, leading the way with Kato Kiyomasa on the left and right.
However, the Second Legion, including Governor Konishi himself, had been beaten by Li Rusong in the Renchen year. Especially when they saw the Ming Army cavalry, the entire legion felt bad, "Two groups.
Fighting, I want to leave first."
This feeling may be like when the Jin Army meets the Yue Family Army and just laments about their bad luck before the fight begins. All military morale is suddenly gone.
Governor Konishi reluctantly resisted for a while. Unexpectedly, even the iron artillery team couldn't use it. I don't know if the soldiers' hands were shaking or something. A round of volleys was fired. The Ming army announced that only seven of the cavalry fell from their horses, and then they killed
Arrive in front of the array.
The Japanese iron artillery team had little armor, and the gunmen who rushed forward around them, perhaps because they were too short, could not stop the rampaging Xuanda half-armored cavalry.
These cavalrymen directly charged into the Japanese battle formation with the support of their equipment. The sabers in their hands were held with their backhands and slanted across their sides. They pressed their arms against the back of the sabers and relied on their horse power to continuously kill Japanese soldiers.
Governor Konishi was panic-stricken and issued strict orders to block the Ming army's offensive, but to no avail. Soon he saw that his own formation was about to be overrun, and he was so frightened that he lost his mind.
At this moment, Mouri Hidemoto, who was in the rear, finally couldn't resist and sent reinforcements, and almost helped Governor Konishi stabilize his position.
Mouri Hidemoto's Eighth Army had up to 40,000 troops and was the most powerful of the eight Japanese armies. Although it had suffered some losses, it was still not something that could be defeated in one fell swoop.
Seeing that the main force of the Japanese army turned around to intercept, Xuanda's cavalry stopped attacking and quickly retreated. However, they did not retreat far and only lingered about a mile behind the Japanese army. It was obvious that if you dare to leave, I will charge again.
A look once.
But at this time, Li Rumei, who was in the middle of the Ming army further back, suddenly received a report from a detective, saying that another Japanese army had been found about ten miles northeast of here. The strength was estimated to be about 17,000 to 8,000, or perhaps
It’s nearly 20,000. Please make a decision, Mr. Li.
Li Rumei was quite surprised. Another 20,000 Japanese troops came? Where did this come out of nowhere? He was puzzled and thought that no matter how brave the Japanese troops in Busan were, they should not come here - how could the Japanese troops in Busan know?
The main force of the Japanese army failed in the surprise attack and wanted to flee back? What's more, how did they know that the Japanese army would choose to take a detour instead of going directly to Mashan, Xiongchuan, and Jinhae when they fled?
It doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense at all. But if it wasn't the Japanese army coming to Busan, then who would it be?
Li Rumei thought about it for a moment, but still couldn't figure it out, so she decided to temporarily withdraw her troops, only to hang far behind the main force of the Japanese army.
He and his elder brother Li Rusong have different personalities. Li Rumei is nicknamed "Little Li Guang" because he is a master of marksmanship, and marksmen are often calm and cautious people. Even if they are brave and strategic, they are usually bold and careful.
.
Li Rumei was being cautious now. He would rather take less credit than to see who this suddenly appeared Japanese army was.
Of course, having said that, the results of today's two rounds of battles between the Liaodong Army and the Xuan Army can be called a great victory, if not brilliant, and the credit is actually quite good.
The Japanese army didn't know why the Ming army wandered around for a while and then suddenly withdrew. President Konishi was suspicious that this must be another trick of Li Rumei. He probably hoped to use this to confuse the Japanese army and make the Japanese army relax from their tension. Then he
Then lead the cavalry and suddenly kill them with carbine.
Therefore, President Konishi insisted that the Japanese army must not relax, never take any chances, and must always maintain a high degree of vigilance, even if it means moving slower.
Perhaps the Ming army's previous two waves of charging were too powerful, but this time Governor Konishi's reminder was almost unanimously recognized by all the generals. Everyone was a little scared and had to order the formation to close in and advance slowly, so as to be able to respond at any time.
However, when they resumed their march, they soon received good news from Tanma, saying that Kato Kiyomasa, Shimazu Yoshihiro and Nabeshima Katsushige were leading troops to help.
This is really good news for the Japanese army. Unexpectedly, although Kato Kiyomasa and Shimazu Yoshihiro lost Hanyang, they actually maintained their military strength and joined forces with Nabeshima Katsushige, who also fled south.
As a result, the Japanese army outside Busan unexpectedly magically gathered its forces. This was simply the best news the Japanese army had received since Gao Pangshi personally sent troops.
Ten miles is not very far, especially when the two armies are heading towards each other, so the two Japanese armies successfully joined forces less than an hour later. The generals on both sides were beaming with joy. Among the eight Japanese armies, except Kuroda Nagamasa and his son from the third legion,
The commanders of the remaining seven armies gathered together again... Oh, no, it should be said that they gathered together in one tent.
Ukita Hideie showed a rare smile recently, and said to Kato Kiyomasa, Shimazu Yoshihiro and Nabeshima Katsushige: "The three of them can overcome all difficulties and reunite with us. This is the blessing of Amaterasu, and it also shows that this battle has begun."
Let's turn the corner. As long as we work together, even if we face the powerful Ming army, we will be able to survive and win in the end, living up to His Highness's expectations!"
He said these words with great enthusiasm, but he didn't expect that Kato Kiyomasa, who had always been so high-spirited to fight, froze his smile, and finally turned into a bitter smile, and sighed: "General, Kato will probably have to let you and His Highness Taigou this time
disappointed……"
Ukita Hideie was surprised and asked hurriedly: "What does His Highness Kato mean by this?"
"Alas..." Kato Kiyomasa had a bitter look on his face and sighed repeatedly, and finally said reluctantly: "The First Army suffered heavy losses. It can almost be said that it was destroyed."
At this time, not only Ukita Hideie was surprised, but everyone was shocked. Even President Konishi did not gloat, but asked in shock: "Hey, Kato, are you kidding? The First Legion is the elite among the elite.
Wan Jingrui actually lit it up, what’s going on?”
This chapter is not finished yet, please click on the next page to continue reading the exciting content! Kato Kiyomasa and Konishi Yukinaga are extremely at odds with each other. Although the latter's words do not seem to mean gloating about his misfortune, Kato Kiyomasa is still unwilling to answer him.
In the end, Shimazu Yoshihiro beside him seemed to be unable to stand it any longer. He sighed and took over the conversation and said to Yukinaga Konishi: "Your Highness Konishi doesn't know something. Although His Highness Kato's troops are elite and dare to fight, the Ming army seems to be because of the third
The army has a great reputation and has special thoughts about it.
The two of us led our troops and ran southward. We were attacked by Ming troops from time to time along the way. However, the Ming troops from all walks of life seemed to have their sights set on the first army, and they often concentrated their main forces to attack Kato's army. You have never seen it with your own eyes, otherwise
You will find that even if I lead the fifth army to support, the Ming army will ignore me and attack His Highness Kato with all their strength.
Because of this, when His Highness Kato and I get here, the losses of the First Army will be much greater than those of our Fifth Army. Gentlemen, this situation is not a crime of war, and I will also personally write a letter to His Highness Tai Gong to explain that it is really
The Ming army is acting strangely, no wonder His Highness Kato."
This situation did seem a bit strange, but the Japanese generals were not too surprised when they heard it. They quickly figured out the reason: Kato Kiyomasa was the vanguard of the invasion of Korea twice, and even captured two Koreans in the year of Imchen.
Prince, this is not only a huge humiliation to North Korea, but also a serious provocation to the Ming army.
The Ming army has a very bad temper, which the Japanese generals are now well aware of. In their view, the Ming army is bound to retaliate and will not suffer any losses. If they think any Japanese army has acted excessively, they will definitely
Waiting for the fierce revenge of the Ming army.
Kato Kiyomasa's current situation should probably be like this. He and the First Army Corps are so famous that they may have been listed as key targets by the Ming Army. That's why the Ming Army left the Fifth Army Corps alone and focused on violent attacks.
Weird things like fighting the First Legion happened.
The Japanese generals thought they understood the truth and began to comfort Kato Kiyomasa. Ukita Hideie even said: "His Majesty Kato has fought so hard for His Highness Taikaku. I believe His Highness Taikou will be pleased to hear this. Your Majesty, Kato-san."
You can rest assured that I will definitely make it clear to you in front of His Highness Tai Ge, and suggest that His Highness Tai Ge fully replenish or rebuild the First Army for you.
Nowadays, the war is intense, and we will have to fight hard for a long time. I hope that His Highness Kato will not be discouraged. Although the Ming army is strong, as long as we work together, this war will still be long, and the winner will not be determined yet.
when."
Kato Kiyomasa said with a wry smile: "Thank you, General, for your understanding." But that was all. He looked like he really didn't want to say anything more, and his demoralization was visible to the naked eye.
In fact, the Japanese generals did not know the inside story at all. The reason why Kato Kiyomasa was constantly targeted by the Ming army was obviously because the Ming army generals received highly pragmatic orders.
Although there were only a few generals of the Ming army who knew that Shimazu Yoshihiro was one of their own at that time, they just gave the order. There was no special arrangement for the Ming army below to only go to the peak, and they would not ask why they only
Beat Kato Kiyomasa, not Shimadzu Yoshihiro.
Of course, what Shimazu Yoshihiro said just now was also intentional. If he didn't take the initiative to talk about it, but waited for others to guess, that would be bad. Someone will definitely beat Kato Kiyomasa's First Army to the point of near destruction.
, and his Fifth Army Corps had hardly fought a tough battle with the Ming Army, raising doubts.
Now Shimazu Yoshihiro took the initiative to help Kato Kiyomasa, which immediately made the Japanese generals think of him, and they naturally thought that this was because Kato Kiyomasa was so popular that the Ming army regarded him as a leader.
While they were talking here, Naoshima Naoshima pulled his son aside to talk. Naoshima Naoshima was very satisfied with Nabeshima Katsushige's performance this time, and even thought that his son had far exceeded his expectations, which was very disappointing.
I praised him covertly, and then asked about the loss.
Nabeshima Katsushige's losses were either great or small, and he probably lost more than 1,500 people. However, this is not the most critical thing. The most critical thing is that he had the longest distance to escape south, so
The entire army was exhausted and had lost a lot of weapons, armor and other materials. To put it exaggeratedly, in terms of combat effectiveness alone, it was probably down to ten percent.
The Ming army's previous inspection report stated that the Japanese army had nearly 20,000 people, and it should be at least 16,000 to 16,700. However, this was actually a trick of the Japanese army. In fact, the Japanese army only had 14,000 people.
Most of the people coming were members of Shimazu Yoshihiro's Fifth Army Corps.
Of course, Kato Kiyomasa's First Army was not completely wiped out. He still had about 3,000 troops left - the First Army had 10,000 troops when it was dispatched, but only 3,000 were left. For an army of this era,
, that can no longer be said to be disabled, basically it can be said that he is hanging on with his last breath.
The troops of Kato Kiyomasa and Nabeshima Katsushige not only suffered heavy casualties, but also had many wounded soldiers in the army. Their addition only exacerbated the material shortage of the Japanese army.
Of course, even so, Ukita Hideie and Mouri Hidemoto were still very happy, thinking that with the additional 10,000 troops, the possibility of holding Busan would be much higher. Moreover, their addition could be regarded as replenishing the Kuroda Army.
No matter how you look at it, the gap out of the brigade is great news.
Everyone comforted each other and finally got down to business, that is, what to do next.
Originally, everyone had no other ideas this time and thought that the top priority was to return to Busan as soon as possible. However, Kato Kiyomasa seemed to get rid of his previous depression and said: "We can't go to Busan directly like this, at least we can't go to Busan with the whole army."
Everyone couldn't help but look at him. Ukita Hideie did not underestimate Kato Kiyomasa's First Corps because he suffered heavy losses. He solemnly asked: "What is your opinion, Your Highness Kato? Please elaborate on it."
"Although Busan has been fortified by our army, its scale is limited after all. If our entire army enters Busan, due to the small city and the embarrassment, if the Ming army gathers a large number of large barrels (artillery) to attack fiercely, our army will inevitably suffer heavy losses. This is one of the reasons."
"Secondly, the Ming army probably has no less than 100,000 troops in North Korea now. If they all come to Busan, how can Busan stop it? Therefore, I think it must be defended in separate points outside Busan. It is best to build a mountain city because the terrain of the mountain city is dangerous and can be
It is difficult for the Ming army to fully utilize the advantage of the big tube, so it is conducive to holding on for a long time and waiting for the opportunity."
This statement was well-founded, and everyone thought it was reasonable when they heard it, so Ukita Hideie immediately ordered people to send a map, opened it, and discussed with everyone where to set up strongholds.
Kato Kiyomasa said: "Originally speaking, Gimhae and Ulsan can be regarded as the east and west gates of Busan. Unfortunately, Gimhae is now in the hands of the Ming army... But at least Ulsan is still there and can still be defended.
Although because of the loss of the Golden Sea, Ulsan cannot guard the east and west gates of Busan, but even if only Ulsan is there, Ulsan and Busan can be the horns of each other. If the Ming army cannot remove the Ulsan stronghold, then it will be difficult for them to attack Pusan with all their strength.
We will go all out, so I think Ulsan is the top priority for the next battle!"
He took a deep breath and said solemnly: "Although there are only three thousand left in our first legion, everyone is ready to sacrifice for His Highness Taige - I, Kato Kiyomasa, am willing to go to Ulsan. I don't know where else.
Your Highness, are you willing to come with me?"
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