Chapter 69

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early October, Yamashiro Province, Uji District, Yamashina, Kihachiro Kusunoki

"Lord?"

Jubei peered at me, who was sitting on the floor. Ah, I can't just sit here, I need to stand up.

"Jubei, what do you think the bundle of bamboo that Sanemori prepared is for?"

"Well... perhaps to protect ourselves from the arquebus attacks?"

"Probably."

"But it's just a bundle of bamboo, can it really stop a lead bullet?"

Uemonnosuke was skeptical. No, the other military strategists were the same. Jubei also had a doubtful expression.

"It should be able to. The bamboo is layered to create thickness. Also, it's not held vertically, but at a slight angle, which should reduce the impact of the bullets."

"But..."

"It's not like we'll be shot at continuously, Gengoro. Since they can be swung around, they are quite light and won't restrict movement. We only need them to protect us while we close the distance to the arquebusiers. Two or three shots, I don't think it's impossible."

Everyone was deep in thought.

The bamboo bundle is a defensive tool invented during the Sengoku period. It is light and made of bamboo and rope, making it relatively easy to obtain. As a result, it quickly spread throughout the country. Eventually, bamboo bundles filled with clay or pebbles to increase their defensive power were also created, and there were even versions for large cannons. The inventor, a vassal of the Takeda clan, whose name I've forgotten, is said to have invented it before the Battle of Nagashino. However, the Takeda clan suffered a great defeat at the hands of Nobunaga's arquebusiers at the Battle of Nagashino. What happened? What about the bamboo bundles? You might wonder.

In my opinion, the bamboo bundle was not originally invented for use in open-field battles but for siege warfare. In open-field battles, unless a large number of arquebuses are used, it's not difficult to close the distance and crush the enemy, even if some casualties are expected. However, in siege warfare, the arquebuses are protected by the castle, and the attackers are shot at one-sidedly, leading to increasing casualties. I think it was created for this purpose.

In this world, I haven't heard that the Takeda clan made bamboo bundles. The inventor probably died in battle before inventing them, or the need to invent them disappeared. After the Fourth Battle of Kawanakajima, the Takeda clan was on the defensive, and there were few sieges. The need to create bamboo bundles was minimal. Instead, the Sanemori clan made them.

In the previous battle at Yamashina, the Sanemori clan was heavily beaten by the Kusunoki arquebusiers. To defeat the Kusunoki, they had to find a way to neutralize the arquebuses. Necessity is the mother of invention, and the materials, bamboo and rope, were readily available. It's not at all strange that the Sanemori clan invented them instead of the Takeda. Rather, I bow to their greed for victory. This greed is necessary to conquer the world. I feel a bit depressed.

"Apparently, about ten thousand soldiers are carrying bamboo bundles. Those ten thousand will charge at the arquebusiers."

Everyone's faces tensed. The Kusunoki arquebusiers, except for those held by the local samurai, are deployed in the center. The ten thousand Sanemori soldiers will aim for there. In other words, crushing the arquebusiers means breaking through the center, and if the center is destroyed, the battle is decided. It would be a defeat for the Kusunoki.

"Should we move the arquebusiers to the rear?"

"Are you not going to use them in this battle?"

"No, I'll use them to attack the enemy's flanks and rear when the opportunity arises."

"Is that possible?"

The military strategists were exchanging opinions. Moving to the rear means engaging in a close-quarters battle with the Sanemori.

"Lord, even without the arquebusiers, we outnumber the Sanemori by fifty percent. We can win."

"Considering the numbers alone, it seems we can, Shimosakami."

Seeing that I didn't agree, Shimosakami, no, everyone, had a puzzled look on their faces.

"The Kusunoki have never lost a battle. However, they have never faced an equal number of enemies head-on. They have always crushed the enemy with arquebuses, surprise attacks, and pincer movements. The foot soldiers have never won through their own efforts. The Kusunoki's soldiers are hired with money. Compared to peasant soldiers, they lack resilience. The Sanemori will come with all their might, and even with a fifty percent advantage, I can't guarantee victory."

When I pointed this out, groans of "Hmm" rose.

Hiring soldiers with money and keeping them ready has two advantages. One is that it prevents the loss of labor in the domain, maintaining productivity. The other is that soldiers can be deployed even during the farming season, meaning they can fight 24/7, 365 days a year. However, there are also three disadvantages. One is the cost, the second is the lack of loyalty, and the third is their combat experience.

The third disadvantage, combat experience, might seem like an advantage. However, when combined with the second disadvantage, the lack of loyalty, it can be disastrous. When the battle turns unfavorable, the foot soldiers may lose their resolve and flee. In other words, the commander must constantly reassure the foot soldiers that they are in a favorable position and can win.

In reality, Nobunaga always led a larger army unless absolutely necessary. It wasn't that a larger army was advantageous, but that he couldn't fight without feeling secure. He also chose capable commanders. If a fool commanded, the damage would be significant, and the soldiers would flee. To effectively use hired soldiers, a larger army and capable commanders were necessary. Akechi Mitsuhide, Takigawa Kazumasu, and Toyotomi Hideyoshi would not have risen to such heights in other families. The Kusunoki are similar. Sanada Masaharu, Akechi Jubei, and others serve as Kusunoki's deputies despite not being hereditary vassals.

The military strategists were considering what to do. Perhaps I should have imposed a curfew. It would have burdened the residents of Kyoto, but I thought it was better to avoid it for the future. Maybe I was a bit too lenient.

"Juzo"

When I called Juzo, he immediately came over.

"Is the man from earlier still nearby? I have something to confirm."

"I'll call him right away."

Juzo ran off.

The enemy has bamboo bundles. If their goal is to crush the arquebusiers, they won't be heavily armed. Once they get inside the arquebusiers' ranks, the arquebusiers will be powerless. They will likely choose relatively light and mobile weapons, probably short spears or swords. This means that, except for the arquebusiers and archers, they can fight on equal or better terms. That's the target.

In essence, war is a matter of combinations. Paper beats rock but loses to scissors. Rock beats scissors but loses to paper. Scissors beat paper but lose to rock. There is no absolute strongman in the world. Avoid the enemy you are likely to lose to and fight the one you can win against. That's the secret to victory. Fighting a fair and square battle and winning is just a dream. Dreams are best left for bedtime.

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early October, Yamashiro Province, Uji District, Yamashina, Nagahiro Sanemori

About thirty cho ahead, the Kusunoki's large army was stationed. They were not moving, apparently holding their final war council before the battle. The Sanemori were about to hold their war council as well.

"Fifty thousand, moving so easily."

"Kusunoki can mobilize eighty thousand if he wishes. The rest are probably moving towards Yamato. Father, Lord Buzen is calling. Let's go to the war council."

"Yes."

Nodding to my son Kusuke's words, I thought, "I never imagined that the boy from back then would command an army of eighty thousand..."

At the main camp, Buzen was waiting with the other generals. Iwase Shumonosuke Tomonori, Matsuyama Shinnojo Shigeharu, Imamura Kii-no-kami Yasumitsu, Shinnoe Enshu-no-kami Tadatsuna, Akazawa Shinano-no-kami Munenori, and Onishi Iwami-no-kami Kakujo. These men would face the Kusunoki army. After apologizing for being late and sitting on a zabuton, the war council began immediately.

"The time for revenge has come."

Everyone nodded at Buzen's words. The defeat four years ago was a humiliation for the Sanemori, who had dominated the Kinai region. Everyone had been waiting for this moment.

"The enemy has fifty thousand, and we have thirty thousand. We are not numerically superior. And the opponent is Kusunoki Daisan-no-taifu, whose strength you all know."

Everyone nodded again.

"Kusunoki's weapons are arquebuses and large cannons. We were defeated by them in the last battle. But this time, we have a countermeasure."

That's right, it should work. The arquebus bullets won't penetrate it.

"First, we will crush Kusunoki's arquebusiers. There lies our chance of victory. Iwase Shumonosuke, Matsuyama Shinnojo, Imamura Kii-no-kami, I count on you."

The three men called out that they would meet the expectations. If they crush the arquebusiers, the Kusunoki army will be thrown into confusion, and a full-scale attack by our entire army should turn the confusion into a rout. We are numerically inferior, but the morale of our men is high. They believe we can win. Defeating Kusunoki Daisan-no-taifu would be the greatest military achievement. Everyone is looking forward to it. If we crush the Kusunoki, the shogun Yoshimasa, who relies on the Kusunoki, will be finished. The world will be united under the rule of Lord Yoshizumi in Kyoto.

The war council ended, and I returned to my position, but the Kusunoki army still hadn't moved. They didn't start moving until more than two hours had passed. Even with a break for lunch, they spent a considerable amount of time in their war council. It was difficult to calm down the impatient Kusuke. The enemy was not letting their guard down either. We faced each other at a distance of less than ten cho. The enemy had their arquebusiers in the center, as usual. The arquebusiers would rotate and fire continuously without stopping, as they did in the previous battle.

On our side, Iwase Shumonosuke, Matsuyama Shinnojo, and Imamura Kii-no-kami led nine thousand in the center, followed by the main force of five thousand. On the right wing, I and Shinnoe Enshu-no-kami led eight thousand, and on the left wing, Akazaga Shinano-no-kami and Onishi Iwami-no-kami led eight thousand. The mounted samurai were above the rank of samurai general, and most were on foot. The Kusunoki army, with fifty thousand, had the same width as us, but their formation was thicker. It was a defensive formation, perhaps aiming to wear us down.

The plan was simple: crush Kusunoki's arquebusiers, who are right next to the main camp. Once they are crushed, the enemy will surely be thrown into confusion. The wings will join the attack to crush the enemy quickly, and the main force will finish them off. We are numerically inferior, but war is not just about numbers. The one who takes the initiative and drags the enemy around will win. We have a good chance of victory.

The Kusunoki army didn't move. We closed the distance to five cho. If we closed any further, we would be within range of their archers. Fortunately, there was no attack from the large cannons. We waited for the order to attack, which was taking a while. Perhaps Buzen was hesitating. It was already past the hour of the horse and approaching the hour of the monkey. If we attacked now, the battle would extend into the hour of the rooster, or even the hour of the dog. A night battle could lead to unpredictable outcomes. He might be afraid of that. However, there was also the possibility of a night attack by the Kusunoki. We should take the initiative and attack...

The conch shell sounded! Then the drums were beaten! Buzen had made his decision! At the same time, the eight thousand foot soldiers led by Iwase Shumonosuke, Matsuyama Shinnojo, and Imamura Kii-no-kami, holding bamboo bundles, shouted and ran towards the enemy, or rather, towards the arquebusiers. The distance of five cho quickly closed. The enemy started attacking with arrows. When the distance closed to two cho, we also started charging towards the enemy. The first shot from the arquebusiers was about to come.

A tremendous sound echoed across the battlefield. I tried to calm the horse I was riding, which was trembling. The sound of the arquebuses drowned out the shouts of the soldiers. But few soldiers fell. It worked!

"Did you see that! Kusunoki's arquebuses are not invincible! Charge without fear!"

I shouted, and the soldiers responded with "Ou!" but the sound was weaker than before. The soldiers were feeling uneasy. One more time!

"Charge!"

I shouted again.

"Father!"

Kusuke, who was riding next to me, shouted. His face was tense.

"What is it?"

"The Kusunoki arquebusiers..."

The Kusunoki arquebusiers?

"Impossible, what do you mean..."

There were no arquebusiers, only foot soldiers armed with long spears. What is going on?

The Kusunoki foot soldiers slammed their long spears into the Sanemori foot soldiers! The movement of the foot soldiers stopped. What a blunder! The central foot soldiers, holding bamboo bundles, were only armed with short spears or swords. On the other hand, the Kusunoki foot soldiers were armed with three-cho long spears. They were being beaten one-sidedly. The bamboo bundles could stop the bullets but not the impact of the long spears. They were being hit, thrust, hit, and thrust, and soon retreated.

...We've been outsmarted. Kusunoki must have anticipated that we would use bamboo bundles. Using the arquebusiers was to lure the foot soldiers with bamboo bundles, and the real goal was to crush them with the foot soldiers armed with long spears. The long war council was probably to adjust this strategy... We've been outsmarted!

What should we do? Don't hesitate! We can't retreat now!

"Have no fear! Kusunoki has no arquebusiers, charge!"

I shouted, and "Ou!" was heard, but it was weaker than before. The soldiers were feeling uneasy. One more time!

"Charge!"

I shouted again.

Eiroku 14 (1571) Early October, Yamashiro Province, Uji District, Yamashina, Kihachiro Kusunoki

The foot soldiers armed with long spears were beating the Sanemori's central foot soldiers.

"It seems to be going well."

"Yes, they are beating them one-sidedly."

Satisfied voices rose from around. The battle was going well, and everyone's voices were bright. I finally felt relieved.

"Gengoro, what about the arquebusiers?"

"They have already retreated to the rear and are reorganizing."

When I asked, Gengoro answered. He looked happy, confident of victory.

"Once they are ready, have them move to the enemy's rear. Also, tell your uncle to cooperate with the arquebusiers to cut off the enemy's rear."

"Hai."

Gengoro called two messengers and gave them the orders I had said. They ran off after hearing them.

Using bamboo bundles to close the distance and engage in close combat with the arquebusiers would only lead to confusion among the arquebusiers. Therefore, I only placed half of the arquebusiers and had them fire two shots before moving the foot soldiers armed with long spears to the front. The enemy's foot soldiers, holding bamboo bundles, could not carry long spears. They would have short spears or swords. In terms of weapon length, we had the advantage. If they tried to block the long spears with bamboo bundles, they would need to hold them with both hands, making them purely defensive. Lifting the bamboo bundles would leave their torsos exposed. A thrust with a spear would be the end.

It was a gamble. There was no guarantee that foot soldiers with bamboo bundles would come. It was difficult to convince everyone. Still, it was a close call. To lure the enemy, I deliberately placed the arquebusiers at the front, but the Sanemori foot soldiers charged faster than expected. Two shots were enough; if we had fired three, the Sanemori foot soldiers would have invaded. Fortunately, the foot soldiers armed with long spears managed to move to the front in time. It was a decisive victory, but it was a close call.

The foot soldiers on both wings were also fighting without being pushed back by the Sanemori foot soldiers. In fact, they seemed to be on the offensive. If they were at a disadvantage, the voices would have been tinged with despair. But the voices were bright and full of momentum. The messengers reporting the battle situation also conveyed that our side was in the lead. The central foot soldiers were in the lead, and the soldiers were fighting without feeling anxious. They were confident of victory.

"Lord! The arquebusiers are trying to move to the enemy's flank!"

Genjiro shouted. Genjiro is from Shinano, the son of Ashida Shirozaemon Nobutomo. He is quite capable. While Sanada Gengoro is a talented and energetic type, Genjiro is calm and composed. I think these two would work well together.

"The enemy's main force is moving towards the arquebusiers! Ah, the cavalry is heading towards the enemy's main force!"

The cavalry, two thousand strong, would not have an easy time facing five thousand foot soldiers. However, they don't need to fight hard; just keeping them in check is enough. If the enemy rushes towards the arquebusiers, it will create an opening, which we can exploit to win easily. Here, I expect my uncles to make the right judgment and move accordingly.

"Lord, should we pursue the retreating enemy?"

Jubei asked.

"...Pursue?"

The sunset in autumn comes quickly, so he must be considering that. But the battle isn't over yet. Isn't he a bit too hasty?

"We should pursue them rigorously! We must inflict significant damage on the Sanemori."

At Gengoro's words, voices of agreement rose from all around. Yes, in the previous battle, the pursuit was not thorough