Chapter 1659: The Great Han

Their rear-area supplies had always come from Hiroshima Domain, but Hiroshima Domain's land was barren and its commoners were extremely impoverished. Although Hiroshima Domain had already been harshly seizing grain, it was still truly hard-pressed to bear this great army's consumption. Fortunately, after word came that Hiroshima Domain had surrendered to the Great Han and that the Great Han army had set foot on the soil of Honshu, the Crown Prince in Goryeo ordered Goryeo's stored grain transported to Hiroshima Domain. Only then was a reliable supply line established, sustaining the offensive of Zhou Pu's army.

After stepping beyond the territory of Hiroshima Domain, they followed the route toward Kyoto and entered the borders of Bingo Province.

Bingo Province's land was narrow and small; within the province there were only two domains. One was the 50,000-koku Miyoshi Domain, held by a branch family of the Asano clan. Its domain lord, Asano Nagaharu, was Asano Mitsuakira's older brother — Asano Mitsuakira was the legitimate son, while Asano Nagaharu was the eldest son born of a concubine, so the main family's headship was inherited by Mitsuakira, and Asano Nagaharu received only a branch domain as a cadet-family lord.

He too was no more than nineteen this year and likewise had no experience dealing with great upheavals. So when Asano Mitsuakira fled his home domain, Asano Nagaharu naturally had no interest in leading his domain's army to clash with the Great Han forces either, and immediately followed the main family in fleeing toward Kanto, abandoning his own domain.

The other domain was the 100,000-koku Fukuyama Domain of the Mizuno clan. Its domain lord was Mizuno Katsunari, a military commander from the Warring States period. He had been Tokugawa Ieyasu's general for many years, had rendered illustrious battle merits, and had deeply earned Ieyasu's trust and favor, who in the end raised him from a hatamoto to the lord of a great domain.

Although he was already seventy years old this year, he still retained a measure of his former gallantry. Seeing the younger-generation domain lords of the Asano clan fleeing in wretched disarray, he cursed them furiously for disgracing the honor of their forefathers, and at the same time resolved to stay behind himself and fight a decisive battle against the Great Han army — to give his all in loyalty to the Divine Lord and to fight to the end in defense of his family's patrimony.

Of course, he had no intention of making his descendants follow him in dying with the domain. Instead, he made preparations on both fronts, moving his family's sons and grandsons to Kanto in accordance with the shogunate's orders, thus freeing himself from worries about what lay behind.

Although he had sent letters to Kyoto requesting that Kyoto dispatch troops to assist them in resisting the Great Han, Kyoto's side replied that the shogunate's great army was currently experiencing supply difficulties toward Kyoto and that transferring troops for assistance was truly problematic, offering only a mouthful of praise and comfort to this old general. And he, naturally, could do nothing but sigh helplessly.

After the Great Han army stepped into the territory of Bingo Province, he immediately led his domain's army forth to meet the enemy.

A small domain of a mere 100,000 koku, and one that had moreover suffered years of neglected military preparedness — even if it now strained every sinew, the force it could field numbered no more than three or four thousand men, and their equipment was incomplete, with most of the men never having received proper training. Even Mizuno Katsunari understood that this was nothing more than an egg dashing itself against a rock.

After passing through the territory of Hiroshima Domain in Aki Province, the great army advanced rapidly at its previous fixed pace. Zhou Pu and his staff officers rode on horseback within the formation, moving irresistibly forward along with the entire great army.

"Advisor Huang, our army's advance is so smooth — it seems taking Kyoto is only a matter of days!" Amid the slight summer heat, Zhou Pu urged his horse into the wind as he spoke with a smile to Advisor Huang Changguo beside him. "Ever since we began our advance, the shogunate's forces have all collapsed at the first touch. It seems they've been scared out of their wits!"

Their recent operations had been so successful, directly breaching the Asano clan's territory — it was of course a tremendous victory. Amid the general smug satisfaction, he himself had also begun to entertain the thought that "fighting a war isn't really all that hard after all."

"My lord, our army's situation is indeed favorable at present, but you must by no means underestimate the enemy." Huang Changguo was far more serious than he was. "Right now the shogunate is clearly pulling back its forces, strengthening defenses and clearing the field, unwilling to engage us in reckless battle. They plainly intend to use distance to wear us down and then fight a decisive battle at Kyoto. So until the very end, we absolutely must not let down our guard — the bitter fighting still lies ahead."

"I naturally know that." Zhou Pu gave a perfunctory assent, though inwardly he remained quite relaxed.

In excellent spirits, Zhou Pu gazed into the distance. As far as the eye could see, the surroundings were a lush green, dotted here and there with farmhouses. Although the style of the buildings differed greatly from those in China, Zhou Pu nonetheless felt a stirring of homesickness. In his old home in Shandong, the scenery was more or less the same as here.

Once this great undertaking was accomplished, he would surely be given important office by the court, and then he could return home in silken robes, the envy of all the elders and folk of his hometown.

This place had originally been a flourishing region, with villages spread all around. But after war broke out between the Great Han and the shogunate — especially after the Great Han began setting foot on Honshu and advancing north — the peasants here had fled and scattered in great numbers, so hardly a trace of human habitation could be seen. Only houses and village shrines stood there in solitude, like ruins after abandonment.

Just as Zhou Pu was still lost in reverie, he suddenly noticed several cavalrymen galloping on horseback toward their position.

These cavalrymen were all elite scouts of the Great Han's Liaodong Army, extremely rich in combat experience and each one superb in horsemanship. Whether in small-scale formation fighting or individual combat, they were in no way inferior to those tribal cavalry of the Mongols. Within this army, Huang Changguo employed them as scouts. Whenever the great army marched, they patrolled and observed the surrounding area, gathering intelligence. Since they had come over, there was surely important business to report.

"Reporting, my lord!" Just as expected, upon arriving before Zhou Pu and Huang Changguo, these cavalrymen did not dismount but directly cupped their fists in salute. "There is an enemy force approaching our army."

"Oh?" Zhou Pu's spirits lifted, and he exchanged a glance with Huang Changguo. "What is the enemy's strength, and how far are they from our army now?"

"Roughly fifteen li from our army. Their numbers… approximately three to four thousand men." The lead scout answered at once. "Moreover… their order of command is not uniform, and their military bearing is not disciplined. They were clearly assembled in haste."

After discovering this army, in order to obtain more intelligence, these scouts had not evaded but had actively ridden toward them, approaching to an extremely dangerous distance to observe this force, and had thereby acquired relatively accurate information.

These scouts had all fought the Manchus and Mongols for many years and possessed superb riding skills. So even when the Fukuyama Domain troops began using bows and arquebuses to drive them off as they approached the front of the formation, they could only watch them withdraw unscathed.

Having obtained relatively accurate intelligence, these scouts immediately returned to report to the army command so that they could make a decision.

"Very well, I understand. Go back at once and continue keeping them under surveillance. Report back the moment there is any new development!" Once the scouts had finished relaying their intelligence, Huang Changguo immediately gave the order, waving them away.

"This army advancing to meet us must be the domain troops of the Mizuno clan of Fukuyama Domain." After the scouts had left, Zhou Pu made his own judgment. "If there is no shogunate great army behind them luring us into a trap, then this should be their entire family fortune — a mere three or four thousand men… I must say, they've got some nerve showing themselves before us."

"What was bound to come has come at last." Huang Changguo did not appear surprised; rather, he seemed somewhat relieved. "This is a good thing. If they didn't come out, we'd still have to worry about them. Once they come out, we know exactly whom to strike."

"Mm, I think so too." Zhou Pu nodded, clearly also quite invigorated by this. "Right now the various Japanese domains are isolated and without aid, and the shogunate is standing by with folded arms behind Kyoto. This Mizuno clan is merely dashing an egg against a rock — how could they possibly defeat us?"

He then ordered the great army to halt and summoned the various troop commanders to come for a council. At the same time, after the army halted, all the scouts were also dispatched by him toward the direction of this enemy force to probe for information, preparing to enter a state of combat readiness.

Once they learned of the current situation, a tense atmosphere began to pervade the great army. Although they clearly knew the opponent's strength was far inferior to their own, this tension was, after all, something no man leading troops could avoid.

"We have now reached Yahiro Village in Anna District. The surrounding area is entirely open ground, with no major obstacles."

After discussing at length with the other staff officers, Huang Changguo brought out a topographical map and studied it… although this map was crudely made, it was still better than nothing.

He then made his judgment. "If it is truly not the shogunate luring us into a trap, we can swallow the enemy force before us in a single mouthful."

"Judging from the current situation, the scouts have seen no sign of the shogunate's great army anywhere near this domain force. It seems it is not the shogunate luring us… but rather that they wish to fight us alone." Tachibana Muneshige said in a low voice. "They intend to die a martyr's death for their domain."

"Die a martyr's death…?" Zhou Pu could not help laughing. "In that case, let us grant their wish — let them go die as martyrs for their domain."

"My lord!" Tachibana Muneshige suddenly bowed to Zhou Pu in salute.

"What is it?" Zhou Pu was somewhat curious at his behavior.

"Mizuno Katsunari is an old acquaintance of mine, and we had considerable friendship in the past. Therefore I have an unworthy request… after battle is joined, might you permit me to send someone to summon his surrender?" Tachibana Muneshige said in a low voice. "If we can induce his surrender and have him join our ranks, that would surely be the best outcome for us."

Zhou Pu looked at Huang Changguo.

"The great army's maneuvers still require time. Even if we send someone to summon surrender, it will do no harm." Huang Changguo made his stance clear. "We can give it a try. In any case, it costs us nothing."

"Good… then let us do so." Zhou Pu promptly made his decision, then looked toward Tachibana Muneshige. "Send someone now to summon his surrender. Tell him he must make his decision within today. If he refuses to surrender, then we shall launch an all-out offensive, and he and his domain will perish together in mutual destruction — and no one will be able to save him."

"Yes!" Tachibana Muneshige immediately bowed his head and accepted the order.

"Furthermore, if he does not surrender, I ask that the general not let old friendship affect the coming battle." Zhou Pu at once voiced his own concern.

"My lord, please set your mind at ease. I have campaigned for many years — how could I fail to understand such reason?" Tachibana Muneshige bowed his head even lower and loudly defended himself. "In summoning his surrender today, it is only out of regard for our many years of past friendship, wishing to leave him a path to life. If he fails to recognize the times and insists on opposing Heaven's might, then I too will absolutely show no mercy! I earnestly request that, if he truly does not surrender, you allow me to lead the vanguard and personally cut off this man's head for you, my lord!"

"Good, very good." Zhou Pu laughed heartily. "Let everything be done as you have said."

Having obtained Zhou Pu's permission, Tachibana Muneshige immediately dispatched several trusted men to gallop toward Mizuno Katsunari's army. By this time, the Mizuno clan's domain troops had also discovered the traces of the Great Han army and had therefore halted and encamped.

When the envoy arrived and conveyed Tachibana Muneshige's suggestion that he recognize the times and join the Great Han side, this old general flew into a towering rage, his white beard practically bristling upright.

"I am a veteran general of the Tokugawa house and have received the Divine Lord's great favor — how could I possibly surrender to the enemy when a great foe is at hand! Tachibana Muneshige may cast aside a warrior's dignity, but I cannot! I must fulfill my duty to the utmost and fight a battle to the death against him and the Han pirates!" He roared at Tachibana Muneshige's envoy. "Go back and tell Tachibana Muneshige: I lead my army to defend my domain and resist the Han pirates. Even if I die in battle, my name will be handed down gloriously for a hundred generations, while a man like him, who for his own selfish gain has gone over to the Han pirates, is truly a sinner. The bond between him and me is now severed!"

Since his words were spoken with such finality, the envoy had no choice but to abandon the attempt at persuasion and returned to the Great Han army. When Tachibana Muneshige heard Mizuno Katsunari's words, his expression flickered through several changes, and in the end he merely heaved a long sigh and gave up any thought of inducing the other man's surrender.

He had never held much hope of persuading Mizuno Katsunari to surrender in the first place; he had simply been unable to bear doing nothing while watching him die a martyr's death, and so had made a reluctant attempt.

Since he had so bluntly rejected his request, their positions were now utterly opposed, and any further talk of friendship would be womanish mercy. As for talk of being handed down gloriously for a hundred generations or leaving a stench for ten thousand years — saying such things held little meaning.

At his age, having lived through so many great events, he had long since come to regard empty fame lightly and knew that only land was real. Was the Tokugawa house itself a house that spoke of faith and honor? They too had been Toyotomi vassals who bullied the orphan and his widowed mother, seizing another's realm.

Early the next morning, Tachibana Muneshige, in accordance with his earlier request, led his domain troops out of the Great Han army's temporary encampment and launched a general assault against Mizuno Katsunari's army.

The distance between the two armies was only a dozen or so li — extremely close. Because the terrain was very open, he had the entire army deploy into formation and press forward at a normal marching pace. Relying on his excellent scouts' reconnaissance, he had already thoroughly grasped the battlefield situation around them and confirmed that this was merely an isolated force of Mizuno Katsunari's, with no reinforcing troops lying in ambush nearby to coordinate with them. He therefore also allowed his units' formations to become quite loose.

With troop strength several times that of the enemy and a complete grasp of the entire battlefield, he was naturally full of confidence and did not consider for a moment that the outcome might hold any surprise. Back in the day, when he had campaigned in Kyushu and invaded Goryeo as a subordinate of Toyotomi Hideyoshi, he had commanded far larger armies. These men now were naturally well within his grasp.

Upon discovering a great army advancing toward him, Mizuno Katsunari did not choose to retreat. Instead, he had his entire army prepare for battle and began to move out to meet the enemy.

The two armies soon came within visual range of each other. Once he personally spotted the traces of the enemy force, Tachibana Muneshige, mounted on horseback, continuously used a finely made telescope of the Great Han army to carefully observe the enemy before him, thereby confirming his earlier judgments. At the same time, his mouth issued a stream of different orders, directing each unit to meet the enemy according to its respective deployment.

The great army suddenly split apart; two small detachments fanned out toward the wings, then swung around to Mizuno Katsunari's rear, preparing to cut off this isolated force's line of retreat and, incidentally, sever any possible reinforcements — while the main body of his army did not halt its steps, continuing to press forward against the enemy.

This army had originally been a coalition of the various domains of Kyushu. After reorganization by the Great Han, it had become a force that could barely be considered a unified whole. Although Tachibana Muneshige found it somewhat sluggish to command, he could still employ it smoothly enough, and it obeyed his orders.

Arrayed at the very front were ashigaru infantry clad in armor and bearing long pikes. Ever since the start of the Warring States era, the long pike, with its low cost and sufficient lethality, had always been the equipment of choice for the armies of Japan's various daimyo — and these pike ashigaru, having undergone years of thorough training before this, were strictly disciplined and represented the elite troops of each domain.

The pikes these infantrymen held in their hands were uniformly three ken in length — roughly one and a half zhang. Without the cloth grips at the base end, the generally short-statured ashigaru would have struggled to wield them; and even with the grips, their movements were still highly cumbersome, their steps appearing slow and labored.

Yet even so, with the dense mass of men and the densely packed pike tips before them, when they began to move, they resembled a giant metal hedgehog bristling with spikes — enough to deliver a thoroughly visceral visual impact.

And on both flanks of the pike formation, infantry formations armed with firearms kept close pace beside them. Their role was to bombard the enemy's close-combat troops, preventing them from holding their formation and contending with their own pikemen.

Because many of them were using Great Han military firearms, the opposing army's equipment was inferior to theirs, and their numbers also far exceeded the enemy's. Thus every man was brimming with confidence, each thinking only of crushing the foe as quickly as possible and seizing military merit.

Within each formation, banners and flags of every kind fluttered and streamed, making their imposing momentum all the more ferocious.

Just as the two armies were about to reach engagement distance, these firearm-wielding infantrymen opened fire, pouring a hail of shot toward the opposing side. Though the enemy's firearms returned fire, in density, firepower, and even accuracy they were no match for Tachibana Muneshige's troops. Under the bombardment of these firearms, the enemy pikemen toppled and fell in droves, and even their formations began to waver.

And this slight wavering was quickly seized upon by Tachibana Muneshige. After only a few volleys, he judged that the enemy's formation had slackened, and immediately ordered the ashigaru infantry to begin their assault.

The pike ashigaru, who had long been poised and ready to strike, at once surged forward in a charge. Yet though it was called a charge, their steps were still not swift. As they rushed forward, the originally tightly knit pike formation began to split apart, forming numerous small squads — this was the yarigusoku formation popular during the Warring States era.

When he saw the pike ashigaru charge into the enemy ranks, plunging their pikes into the foes before them and sending fresh blood spurting forth, Tachibana Muneshige lowered the telescope in his hand. He knew that this battle would hold no further surprises.

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