Chronicles of The Hardships of Komachi in The Sengoku Era

Odawara Castle, home to the Hojo clan, had something dedicated by a man in a tightly locked room inside the main building.

"This is the starting point, the original shot." How did the person who gave this to the Oda family come up with this..... "

A dull bullet floats in the bright light.

Unlike the spherical bullets that were commonplace during the Warring States Period, it has a slightly more rigid predecessor and a cylindrical back to call them streamlined.

Most distinctive was the equally spaced groove engraved on the side of the bullet. It is naive to call it machining, but it is definitely cut into a groove that draws a loose helix.

It was this bullet that gave the Hojo clan hope, a new type of gun for the Oda Army that boasted performance that was separate from conventional firearms, and was responsible for one of its secrets.

The Oda Army's new guns are kept strictly confidential, and even the Hojo Army, which has been on the battlefield for several times, has not been able to capture even a single gun.

However, even so, the secret was leaked, and after jumping while miraculously maintaining the prototype, it was found that it pushed into the horse shit pile.

Many of the bullets from the new guns that had been discovered so far had been removed from the wounded, and almost all of them had been chipped or deformed.

Although the new gun has not yet been captured, the Oda army's secrets begin to leak from just one bullet.

The name of the man who sees a bullet in a dim light and a groove is called the Miraku of Takazu.

Takatsuka is a place name, and the name Mirai comes from Mirai Nyorai, the principal venerable of the temple who picked up and raised the man.

Mirella was a so-called war orphan, a baby who had been abandoned in a cage in front of the Mountain Gate of Mirelli Temple in the late autumn morning to prevent the arrival of a harsh winter.

In the early morning, the monk discovered the job, and the resident who pitied the baby who was still barely breathing, decided to raise it as a guide for the God and Buddha.

Maitreya found herself in a place of collective life away from the secular world of temples, and grew up as a scholar of religion.

He showed his talent to the full from a young age. As in the "Reading the Uncharted Scriptures of the Little Boy in front of the Gate", Maitreya showed him the scriptures that had not been taught.

Since it was extremely intelligent and the hand was also dexterous, it stopped in the eyes of the lord, and there was a history of being taken care of as a family.

Even after being called by the lord, Maitreya, who showed her glory and her head, became famous as a wise man.

Then, the Hojo clan brought in the most excellent firecracker gun majors based on the bullets obtained while miraculously maintaining the prototype.

At the end of the process, Mirai stood at the top, along with the wise men and the blacksmiths.

Many participants, including Maitreya, make bullets that are based on the bullets that were first shown as references.

Since it became larger and heavier than conventional bullets, the flying range became shorter with the same amount of gunpowder.

Therefore, if you increase the amount of gunpowder and start shooting, the barrel of the gun will be cracked by the impact at the time of firing, and the flight distance will not increase than expected.

While other participants were unable to improve this, only Mira tried to solve the problem by further machining the bullets.

Mira carved a spiral-shaped groove directly into the bullet and discovered that the bullet rotated by pushing the bullet along the groove at the time of firing, and its gyro effect stabilized the ballistic trajectory.

Mira thought that the groove engraved on the bullet would serve as an arrow feather to stabilize the ballistics.

Although I didn't understand all the principles of the Mirai, I was able to carve dozens of spiral grooves into various types of bullets and repeat the test, and finally fly more than twice the distance as before.

"But the cost of building a bullet is not stupid." How does the Oda army solve this problem..... "

It was extremely difficult to carve a spiral groove accurately against each bullet. Start by creating the ideal bullet by hand, then mold it to create a mold.

If the molten metal was poured in and cooled down, the rough bullet would be reproduced, but in order to increase the flying range, it was necessary to even out the groove evenly by using a mistletoe against each bullet.

The Hojo side, starting with Mirai, did not notice that there was a pitfall in the idea here.

The bullet does not have a secret, but a spiral groove is carved on the barrel side, and when shooting, the bullet rubbed against the bullet and carved a whirling mark.

In April, the temperature also eased, and the snow that had closed the Kanto region began to melt. Nobunaga, who had been waiting for the opportunity with his tiger gaze, resumes the Hojo Expedition.

The generals who were serving in the army agreed that it was better to wait a little longer, but Faithful insisted on an early march.

There is a reason why Nobunaga, who valued Japan from Japan to Japan, rushed to the point where he bent his beliefs. This is because information was gathered that weapons comparable to the new guns that continue to secure the superiority of the Oda army were developed by Hojo.

This was probably accompanied by a report that the Hojo side was intentionally circulating information, but the sound of repeated shooting was observed.

Although it may be too early for a full-scale march, Nobunaga decided that he should actively play the role of scouting and gathering information.

(Has what I was afraid of finally begun...? Nowadays, it is commonly used as an iron cannon, and initially it was only brought to Tanegashima. Couldn't we keep our advantage forever?)

Nobunaga argues that there may be other geniuses on the Hojo side that are comparable to Shizuko. I was reminded of the strength of the Hojo clan, which gathered a wide range of talents from Okino.

Even so, Nobunaga did not expect his army's superiority to be shaken. Even if the new weapon developed by the Hojo side had a range comparable to that of the new gun, I don't think I can secure enough material to deploy it to the entire army.

Underlying the defeat of Takeda, which was said to be the most powerful nation in the war, was the difference in the arsenal that a production system had been built to secure the overwhelming volume of goods.

It was a believer that began to move, but soon it would get useful information from the person who had left it.

It's information that a gun with a range twice that of a conventional firearm has been developed. Judging from the flow of supplies, there was a section that had already ordered mass production, and there was a feeling that it was lost late.

"The person who is said to have developed the new Torch Rope Gun is called" Maitreya of Takazu "and is probably hiding in Odawara Castle."

There are people everywhere called geniuses.

After receiving information about the person who allegedly developed the new Hojo firearms, Nobunaga remembered the battle. In the coming phase of the attack on Odawara Castle, it is assumed that the Hojo side will probably put in this new weapon.

The maximum range of a volcanic rifle in this era is about 300 meters, but it is about 50 to 100 meters in the sense of an effective range that can be targeted.

Even if the maximum range is doubled, that is, the effective range is not necessarily doubled. The distance between the archer and the archer is set at 60 meters.

The overall size is 1 meter in diameter, and it is very difficult to hit this.

With an effective range of 200 meters, it would be difficult to understand how realistic it would be to consider how large a human being looks from the archer's point of view.

"Keep trying to gather information." Also, if you can, we will secure the new weapon in kind. ”

When ordered to do so, Nobunaga made an emergency communication to share the facts currently known with Nobunaga and Shizuko.

Emergency communication is a communication means used in the case where emergency communication is necessary, in addition to regular communication. The so-called Morse signal is used for this, and it is confirmed whether the other party can respond to the call request.

If it is confirmed that both the speaker and the caller are able to communicate, the telephone line will be connected at a later time.

The timepiece used in this process is timed based on the tailgate, and is operated by adjusting the timepiece at the time of regular contact three times a day.

As a result of contacting Nobunaga and Shizuko, it was presumed that the unexploded ordnance that had been recovered or bullets that had retained their original type were captured by some factor.

It was concluded that no new guns had been identified as lost or stolen (as it was managed by a serial number, so it could be grasped), and that neither the range nor the firing performance would be far beyond that of the new guns.

The believer who heard it was deeply relieved. The fear that he might have been deprived of his army's overwhelming advantage seemed to have eroded his adherents' hearts more than expected.

If possible, I would like to incorporate the developer into the Oda camp, but it seems difficult because it would be desperately enclosed alongside the Hojo side.

The goal of the attack on Odawara Castle was to seize or bury the developer and research results.

As a result of the summit between Nobunaga, Nobunaga, and Shizuko, the basic policy of the Hojo offensive will be slightly revised.

As a major player, Odawara Castle has remained the same, but priority is given to building a reliable siege network over the speed of dropping the castle that protects Odawara Castle.

As I have said many times, the castle is a reinforcement strategy. If I could not expect reinforcements from the outside, I was merely delaying the deadline because I had set up a castle.

With the exception of supplies already secured by the Hojo side, if national-level procurement is carried out for the logistics of the Kanto Yen, it will actually be heard by Shizuko.

The Hojo side was also familiar with it, and it was known that there were very few supplies left in the castle dropped by the Oda army so far, and many of them had been taken away.

As a result, it is speculated that Odawara Castle has a considerable stockpile of supplies, and it has to be judged that the military offensive is ineffective.

In addition, in the skirmish that occurs every day, it was judged that the Hojo side does not have enough new weapons, so it has not yet been determined that the number of actual weapons can be deployed.

Based on these facts, Nobunaga predicted that all the new firecracker guns would be in Odawara Castle, and that they would be fully loaded during the siege.

"Probably, the number of new firecracker guns that can be put into action will not exceed 100." Since there is no information that the development of gunpowder is progressing, there is no need to fear if it is a gun that needs to be cleaned after every conventional shot. Still, it won't be enough to be vigilant. ”

(It would be frustrating to be stamped with a leg at the end. Hojo must be defeated to avoid being laughed at by his father and Shizuko.)

Having regained some leeway, Nobunaga steadily prepared to take away the power of Hojo with vigilance.

Information about Hojo's new firecracker is not only available to Nobunaga, but also to Mr. Satomi and Mr. Satake's talents opposite.

A genius who frowned at the information that the enemy's new weapon was coming, but his chest calmed down after reading the detailed report.

Although it boasts a longer range than conventional firecracker guns, no dramatic improvement was observed in other performance, and it was concluded that although vigilance was necessary, it was not enough to review the policy.

"Hojo couldn't have given Satomi or Satake a new torch gun." There is no foolishness to entrust to anyone who might betray the new weapon of the Tiger Son. "

Talented people who watched Hojo's actions up close thought that they would not give their new weapons to Satomi or Satake. If we were to provide them, they would send us reinforcements for each of our operational units.

Without it, I'm sure Hojo has no intention of sending reinforcements. In other words, Satake and Satomi were completely isolated.

"The intel of the Satomi family is dominated by surrendering and descending into the Oda army. However, if Hojo hasn't surrendered yet and went down first, it is thought that Samurai's fame is broken, and it is presumed that it is a situation that we are enduring."

"There is no need to be vigilant or proactive in dealing with Satomi." The problem is Satake. "

In the view of the talent storehouse, Satomi said that he would not take an aggressive offensive. Unlike Satake, who had already received a painful blow, I don't know what Satake could still do with the extra strength.

As opposed to passive Satomi, Satake's argument that he should take an aggressive offensive was dominant. Within Mr. Satake, the faction is divided into two, with moderates looking for rapprochement while praising the state of Hojo, and extremists who are anxious about the castle and argue that the male and female should be decided.

The former belonged to the Satake clan, the main family, and the latter were subordinates headed by the Masaba clan.

"If the snow melts and the mud on the ground is eliminated, it is highly likely that the wall will move."

“In that case, what should we do?”

"It's not the same as when I saw Satomi. If you come in directly in front of me, I'll intercept you, if you try to make a plan, I'll crush you."

If we could use more cannons, we could smash the base at once, but if we attack with cannon Ariki, they would laugh at us as cowards.

The Oda Army has already reached the end of the era when individual martial arts determines the extent to which they can be used.

It was the master of the country who thought that how many guns could be collected was the key to deciding the end of Ninomoto as a whole.

Nevertheless, there was still a tendency for individual martial arts to be fought in East China and in Kanto.

Therefore, it is allowed to express opinions to Satake, whose subordinate Makabe is the main house.

"The current chief of Mashiba is the famous" Demon Mashiba "clan." As a high honorable bulwark, the option of surrendering without a single battle would be harder than death. Therefore, even if the landlord is calling for surrender, he is resisting. "

Historians of later generations will be foolish to take the stance of Makabe. However, Gionzo still preferred a true wall that would not bend his own way of life.

As a warrior himself, I couldn't help but think that I wanted to exchange blades with Demon Makabe.

Whether such a thought was understood or not, around the time of approaching in late April, a messenger from Makabe was sent to the gifted storehouse. The book entrusted to the messenger contains extremely concise contents.

"The female and male will not be decided by the unicorns of the generals." If you tear yourself apart, the Makabe will fall to Oda, and if you win on the contrary, the Oda army will retreat. It's a very convenient story. "

The battle situation cannot be said to be five minutes anymore, and it is commonly recognized that the talented person is dominant. With that in mind, I took the step of reversing.

"Interesting. Let's get up!"

The Messenger of Makabe was not expected to be accepted, but the response of the Gifted Zang was ignored. However, looking at the talent storehouse with an unstoppable smile, he corrected his posture and said "OK" and went back.

The battle between the demon wall and the gifted castle was instantly passed on to both factions. Mr. Satake's internal dissatisfaction with Mr. Mayabe's arbitrary actions continued, but he still acquiesces to the sacrifices he pays.

On the other hand, Satomi was intrigued and watched the riding of both. In any case, Makabe's warrior name is also named after Satomi.

If the wall is broken, the situation becomes desperate. However, we are already stuck, and even with the reversal in sight, we are making money.

Even more so, no matter when the world is, a creature called a man cannot help but enchant his heart in the battle between strong males.

The moniker fight between the demon wall and the sound of the "Gifted Storage" aroused the interest of the Kanto samurai. In that situation, there is one person who laughs.

Now's the time! We're going to attack while their minds are moving toward monarchy.

Faithful, aware of this, turned to attack with an unstoppable smile.

The situation where even Hojo, the main enemy, did not keep an eye on himself, would be a fitting occasion to resent the fact that he was injured by the possession of samurai. However, Nobunaga was a strong heir to Nobunaga's blood.

Judging that this situation would work to our advantage, we immediately turned to a first-run offensive. Even after the snow melted, Hojo could not keep up with Shinjo's speed due to the fact that he was proceeding carefully.

Nobunaga maintained a cautious attitude both before and after winter, and Hojo was optimistic that Oda would not attack yet.

In fact, Nobunaga, unlike Nobunaga, is reluctant to try to carry things carefully. Be carefully prepared and don't act unless you have a winning balance. Therefore, Hojo had assumed that there would be some kind of warning if Nobunaga were to go on the offensive.

Nobuyasu once suffered a painful defeat, but since then he has avoided taking things lightly. But even so, my hips weren't pulling back enough to miss the opportunity.

In other words, the fact that Shinobi took action means that he was already well prepared.

"Young man, the construction of Hachioji Castle has begun."

"Alright, that's Hojo's sharp spot." In the end, it should function as a kanagame that costs one yen in Kanto. I command you to build a robust castle. "

Yes, I understand.

Shinbutsu instantly attacked Hachioji Castle, a branch castle on the Hojo side, and ordered it to begin reconstruction immediately. Hachioji Castle is arguably the most important of Hojo's castles, but at this point it was still under full-scale construction.

Therefore, it was not a solid castle as a historical fact, but a simple mountain castle. Because of this, the Hachioji Castle fell in less than half a day.

"Hojo also recognized the importance of Hachioji Castle, but didn't it have enough time?"

Hachioji Castle, which had fallen into the castle, contained many documents necessary for its construction. There were still materials brought in, and it was obvious that Hajo attached great importance to Hachioji Castle, located west of Kanto.

However, there was not enough time to rebuild Hachioji Castle into a robust castle. Even in historical fact, it is impossible to cover the process that took about ten years in just one year.

"Whatever you have, send it to Shizuko." He will decide whether he needs it or not. "

Got it.

(If it's a writing, even if it's a piece of wood, you can't take it all home... I don't know his values while I'm with him for a long time. No research, no possession, put together as a document and publish it, so what do you want to do......)

I can't understand the true meaning of Shizuko, who wants everything from the carpenters' scribbling to the rations of people's feet. Everyone wants a worthless doodle, so they can't handle it.

All of them seemed to be classified, organized and recorded, but the record was a huge variety of materials.

As for the materials that occupy a corner of the library managed by Shizuko, there are about a dozen books with the thickness of an encyclopedia, and it is said that they constantly challenge the limits of decoration.

(I have seen one of them once, but it was more appropriate to call it a blunt instrument than a book. I even pasted the colored photo, but what does it really use for?)

Perhaps because of the relationship entrusted by the imperial court with performing arts protection, Shizuko had documented all the artifacts that existed during the Warring States Period.

These are not limited to art, but they are surprised by the obsession to collect customs and even sex, and to write down and record what is left only in oral speech.

It seemed that some people referred to Shizuko as a recorder, but I couldn't help but think that it was impossible.

"He's so obstinate that his father is easy to understand about this hand." Send him until he doesn't want to. "

Haha

Nobuyuki was repeatedly reminded by Shizuko to return it, or if it was written, it was packed in a box and shipped to Shizuko.

Obviously, there were many things that seemed to be garbage, and there was also a side where the ministers rubbed their heads, but they ordered the believers to send them without hesitation.

The housemate was not concerned that the two might not be in the same situation, but the thought ended in anxiety.

Shizuko, who would have received a lot of garbage, sent me gifts and a lot of munitions, so I had no choice but to understand that Shizuko was worth it.

Since Nobunaga headed for the Eastern Expedition, various documents have been delivered to the Shizuko residence in Owari. Ships loaded with supplies are transporting goods on their way home, but this is a huge amount.

There were many military, political, and geographic documents because there were many documents obtained when the branch castle on the Hojo side was dropped, but there was a wide variety of records and testimonies of commercial transactions in which the residents lived unexpectedly.

In the Shizuko residence, the librarian and Shizuko herself categorize each category and determine the direction as to what kind of materials to compile. The news arrives to Shizuko, who looks at the shelf containing the completed material with a pleasant expression.

"It's finally moving."

The emergency report delivered to Shizuko said that the Makabe clan had left Satan Castle, where they lived, and headed for the branch castle where Gionzo had set up.

I don't know what happened between Satake and Mayabe, but Shizuko was convinced that this movement would be a hole in the ant that would break the stasis.

For Shizuko, there are no talents to replace the talent store, but for Makabe, even if the head clan's stem is taken down, his younger brother, Yoshimoto, will succeed him. It was a bad bet, but as a Shizuko, I had no choice but to believe in talent.

"Listen to everyone! It sounded like Demonic Makabe was heading this way with only a few gestures."

The news of Mashiba's battle was also delivered to the talented storehouse. Some people raised their eyebrows when they heard that the number of gestures was small, but Gifu continued to speak.

"From the beginning, I will probably lead the personnel who will only be present and clean up after themselves." Rather, it's pure. "

“You don't think we're going to cheat?”

The surroundings were dumbfounded by the words released by the subordinates of the gifted storehouse.

"Now that the single-rider review has been accepted, the miniature workmanship will no longer be necessary." Isn't it really nice? "

"Even if one demon Makabe was destroyed, it would have no effect on a large number of people." However, if, in the unlikely event, the Kani-sama were destroyed, it would be a great Venus for them. "

Han is worth more than his life, right?

Ozo nods to the Minister's words. While clapping his chest hard with his fist, Gifu spun his words.

"This talent storehouse cannot escape and hide even though it has been challenged." Only respond with the whole body and spirit "

In response to the reliable attitude of the talented, the general under his command felt the confidence of the talented on his skin. Looking at them like that, Ozo smiles.

"However, it's boring to wait for the enemy to arrive with your hand in the arch." I'll give you back the weight you don't have on the betting plate. "

The generals waited excitedly for the words of the talented gentleman with a wicked smile.

Two days had passed since the announcement of Mashiba's departure, and a well-prepared party was currently waiting for the gifted castle.

Taking advantage of a small number of elites, all united by a riding horse, Makaba's party begins to move toward the Branch Castle when they take their last pause.

Will Oda really respond to a battle?

One of the close associates who refrained behind Mr. Trunk unintentionally spoke anxiously. In the first place, the neck of Makabe and the neck of Gionzo are completely out of proportion.

Since the situation will be advantageous if the talented storehouse just waits for the Satomi and Satake Allied Forces to become exhausted, there is no need to take the risk of a one-ride fight and try to settle it as soon as possible.

"I can't complain that I was in a deception conversation. In the first place, it was a monopoly that was not beneficial to Oda. Even so, the Kani-sama will be treated as a warrior."

Betting on the high hopes of the past in the first place. Mr. Shigeru says that such a thing cannot happen while saying that there is no way he can help it even if he is deceived.

If the master who actually risked his life told me so, I would have no choice but to obey as a housekeeper. When they reached the gate of the castle, they shouted unexpectedly.

"Hey, what the hell is this!!"

Mr. Shi's trunk was taken by dumbfounding and he raised his voice, but the housemates could not even speak out to the rest of the sight. What jumped into their eyes was an unusual sight in a space where the gates of the Branch Castle were wide open.

It was a rushed facility with an audience seat stretched from east to west, centered around a circle that spread the earthworks of horn force several times.

A samurai sitting on the floor near the center of the circle stood up and raised his voice.

"Welcome, Makabe-sama." and show them their might before Us. "