Japan's Warring States Period: The Rise of the Wakasa Tiger

At this moment in Yodoyama Castle, as the outer curved wheels were completely destroyed and captured by the Takeda army's falconets, an atmosphere of despair and fear enveloped the entire city.

Although Honmaru, Ninomaru and Sannomaru were still in the hands of the Kusakari clan, both Kusakari Takatsugu and other generals in the city knew very well that in front of those two "sacred weapons", no matter how strong the city was, it was only a matter of time before it was conquered, not to mention Yodoyama Castle, a mountain castle mainly composed of earth walls.

After the fortifications on the mountainside were occupied by the Takeda army, the main facilities of the Honmaru were all within the range of the falconet cannons.

After days of heavy bombardment, the defensive facilities such as arks and well towers that served as lookouts and long-range attack facilities were almost all destroyed. The earthen walls that served as the main force of the city's defense were also collapsed by artillery shells in several places. However, thanks to the accelerated repairs by the defenders in the city, the city managed to maintain a certain level of defense.

The sound of cannons outside the city rang out from time to time, and the hearts of the defenders inside the city trembled. In this extremely tense atmosphere, Kusakari Hirotsugu led a group of samurai and local leaders to patrol the city nervously, fearing that some part of the city wall was not strong enough and would become an attack point for the Takeda army.

"I don't know where the Takeda family got those two important weapons. If the main family could have obtained even just one, they wouldn't be in such a passive position now." Looking at the ark that was destroyed by artillery shells and collapsed into ruins, Komatsu Katsutoyo couldn't help but sigh.

Kusakari Kōtsugu did not respond but walked to the wall, squatted down, and carefully checked the injuries of a soldier. He saw that the soldier had a bandage on his head, his face was black, and blood was flowing from the corner of his mouth. He was leaning weakly on the embankment. When he saw Kusakari Kōtsugu, he wanted to stand up and salute him, but after struggling for a long time he was unable to move.

Only then did Kusakari Kotsugu notice that not only his head, but also his left leg and chest were wrapped in bandages, and blood was seeping out from the gaps in the bandages, dripping down his torso onto the sand. Although he was still conscious, Kusakari Kotsugu knew that he would not be able to hold on for much longer.

"His head and legs were hit by the collapsed earth wall, and his chest was pierced by the broken control pillar (an inclined support that forms a triangle with the wall and the ground to increase the stability of the wall). Alas, I'm afraid he won't survive the day." The military doctor reported to Kusakari Hengji.

"They were hit by the collapsed earthen wall again. If this continues, the soldiers won't dare to get close to the earthen wall." Komatsu Katsutoyo said angrily, "Looking at these two small iron objects, they can cause such great damage. It seems that the Takeda family is not ordinary people."

"Of course it's not ordinary stuff." Kusakari Hiroshige said at this time, "Not even the Amago family has that thing, but the Takeda family can get it. This is not just about money."

"I heard that the Takeda family had close dealings with merchants from the Ming Dynasty. These two things might have been shipped from the Ming Dynasty by them." Komatsu Katsutoyo speculated.

"It doesn't matter how we got it," Kusakari Hiroshi sighed, "The most urgent task is how to resist the next wave of attack from the Takeda army. Now all the warblings on the mountainside have been lost. If my guess is correct, they will launch a general attack in the next two days."

"Launch a general attack?" Komatsu Katsutoyo had a different opinion:
"There are still more than 1,200 troops in the city. Even if the Takeda army attacks from both the north and south, there are only 7,000 people. I think it will take at least three or four days to capture Yodoyama Castle with these troops.

As long as we hold on to the existing fortifications and wait for an opportunity to organize a special force to attack the Takeda army's position at night and blow up those two guys, they will have no choice but to withdraw their troops in panic and retreat down the mountain. Then you can take the initiative to propose peace talks, and I believe they will most likely accept it."

"Three or four days..." Kusakari Hirotsugu was noncommittal about the suggestion made by Komatsu Katsutoyo. With the appearance of the falconet, his arrogance and conceit had gradually worn away. In his opinion, the plan of "night attack on the Takeda army" was too dangerous. Rather than risk leaving the city, he preferred the conventional siege, using the lives of his soldiers to buy time, and finally wait until the negotiation.

Komatsu Katsutoyo could only shake his head helplessly at his conservative idea. Seeing this, the other national leaders nearby couldn't help but worry about their own future and fate.

After inspecting the city defenses, everyone dispersed. Minamiki Toshimi and Fukuda Hirayoshi, who were also from the Suga family, chatted in low voices as they walked.

"The war has already gone this far, and we still hope to negotiate peace with the Takeda clan." As one of the Suga clan's followers who defected to the Kusakari clan earlier, the lord of Kagao Castle, Minagi Toshizane, disagreed with Kusakari Tsunetsugu's conservative strategy. "If we don't take advantage of the fact that we still have enough troops to go out of the city and fight, once Ninomaru and Sannomaru are all taken down, we will just have to wait for death."

"Who said it wasn't?" Fukuda Hirayori, the lord of Fukuda Castle, was also very puzzled by Kusakari Kōtsugu's actions. Although he and Minaki Toshimi were both from the Suga family, unlike the Minaki family who took the initiative to surrender, Fukuda Hirayori only joined the Kusakari family reluctantly after being defeated by Kusakari Kōtsugu.

Therefore, seeing that the Kusakari clan was in danger and Kusakari Kōtsugu was unable to achieve anything, Fukuda Hirayori began to regret getting involved in this battle. He saw that Minamiki Toshimi also began to express his dissatisfaction with Kusakari Kōtsugu, so he tentatively asked: "You and I are both from the Suga clan, there is no need to be buried here for the Kusakari clan."

"What do you mean?" Minamiki Toshimi became alert upon hearing this. He initially suspected that Fukuda Hiroyori was taking the opportunity to test him, but when the latter took out a letter from his arms and handed it to him to read, he finally felt relieved.

"Takayama Castle has been conquered by the Takeda army?" Minamiki Toshimi held the letter in his hand and looked at Fukuda Hirayori in disbelief. He could not help but sigh, "The castle that the Amago clan had been unable to conquer for so long was easily conquered by them. It's really terrifying."

"This is not the most important thing. It has only been a short time since the Takeda army entered Mimasaka and Harima, but they have already united the Suga clan, the Shinmen clan, the Uno clan and other clans. This kind of cohesion is really terrifying!" After receiving the secret letter from Arimoto Sanori, Fukuda Hirayori, who had always been at odds with Kusakari Kōtsugu, made up his mind to part ways with the Kusakari clan as soon as possible.

"The reason why we were able to unite these people is also thanks to the long-term oppression and perverse actions of the Kusakari clan." At this moment, Minami Kisshin began to show his dissatisfaction with Kusakari Kotsugu. Although he took the initiative to join the Kusakari clan, he has also suffered from the oppression and bullying of the Kusakari clan over the years. To put it bluntly, even the hunting dog raised by Kusakari Kotsugu is freer than himself.

"Now, if it is true as the letter says, there are more than 11,000 troops gathered under Yodoyama Castle, plus the two firearms to assist, not to mention Ninomaru and Sanomaru, even this Honmaru will be broken within three days. The Wueden outside the city will never negotiate peace with the Kusakari clan, and Kaga no Kami is just dreaming."

Fukuda Hiroyori saw that the atmosphere was set, so he began to persuade, "Sir, are you willing to join me in the uprising to find a way out for yourself and for the family?"

"Thank you for your trust," Minamiki Toshimi was very grateful to Fukuda Hiroyori for providing him with a way out at this critical moment, and was very moved, "In this case, let's follow your plan!" (End of this chapter)