May 17, 13th year of the Astronomical Calendar, inside Ueno Castle. Pen × fun × Pavilion www. ｂｉｑｕｇｅ。 ｉｎｆｏ

Soji Tsugawa met with Saigo Kizo and Ogasawara Yasunaga, who had returned from Minato Castle.

"How's it going, are you familiar with the situation in Minato?" Soji Tsugawa couldn't help but ask.

Saigo Kizo and Ogasawara Yasunaga glanced at each other, and then Saigo Kizo said, "My lord, after the efforts of His Majesty and Ogasawara-sama these days, I have preliminarily grasped the information about Minato Castle. ”

"In Minato Castle, there are a total of 15 warships that originally belonged to Minato's family, most of which are small morning boats. Among them are one ship, two boats, four well-building boats, and eight small morning boats. Saigo Kizo continued.

"There is no navy in my family at present, but now there is a port like Minato City, and my family's territory is already close to the sea, so it is necessary to develop a navy." Saigo Kizo continued.

"Hmm." Tsugawa Soji nodded and said slowly, "But there is no naval army in the territory of this family, and although there is a fleet of 3 ships in Yodokawa Castle, it is only used to transport troops and food. If you want to develop a water army, you must have people, but you must have suitable commanders. ”

After all, the Tsugawa family was developed from an inland area, and there has never been a chance to develop a water army. But now that the Tsugawa family has controlled such a huge port as Minatojo, and the territory is already close to the sea, it is already necessary to develop a naval army.

There is a naval army to protect the merchant ships that come and go to Minato. In addition, they can also fight against other coastal powers in the future, and ensure their own maritime defense.

Most of the ships of this era were mainly Sekifune and Kohayafune. Sekibune is usually used as a ship for the main commander or other important generals, but of course, in the waters of the region and the Shikoku region, there is also a type of boat called an atakabune. Compared to the Kanbune, the Ataka ship is even bigger. However, at present, the Tsugawa family and even the Ou region are dominated by Sekifune and Kohayasa.

Ships are fast-moving, and are often ships where pirates set up customs offices at sea to collect duties from passing ships. Since it is necessary to intercept passing ships, it is necessary to ensure the speed at which the ships are closed. Seki ships usually have 40~50 oars, a sharp bow, and a slender hull. The shields around the ships were not as thick as the armor of the Ataka ships, and were often shielded with bamboo. Generally speaking, the Guanchuan is the main ship of naval warfare, and a Guanchuan can accommodate about 150 people.

The small hayafune is a miniature version of the sekibune, which is lighter and more flexible than the sekibune. Kohayafune is the most common type of ship in naval warfare, and it is usually a samurai commanding a small hayatabune to engage the enemy in broadside battles. The small hayafune can be used not only as the main force in battle, but also as a daily patrol and wartime reconnaissance, etc., and is the most common ship among the navy.

The Dutch ship is used as a ship to transport troops and grain, and the Jinglou ship, as the name suggests, has a well building on board. As a "lookout" in naval warfare, it is responsible for observing and occupying and transmitting signals. Of course, the Jinglou ship also has a role, that is, there will be a different number of archers on it, which is used to "snipe" the enemy general.

Hearing Tsugawa Soji's question, Saigo Kizo hurriedly smiled and said, "The lord is actually too worried. ”

"In fact, the existence of the water army does not need to be deliberately formed, just recruit pirates to work for the family." Saigo said with a smile on his face.

"Pirates?" Soharu Tsugawa looked puzzled.

Seeing that Tsugawa Soji didn't quite understand the joints, Yasunaga Ogasawara on the side hurriedly took over the conversation and said, "My lord." In fact, even if it was the original Minato Andong family or the Hiyama Anto family, most of the sailors under their command were recruited to work for them by pirates from neighboring areas. ”

"These pirates are also known as vigilantes, but they are actually pirates. In the past, some coastal wealthy clans, in order to resist the attacks of pirates, often hired some pirates to work for them. Over time, some of the pirates slowly broke away and became the mercenaries of these wealthy families. As a result, this situation slowly spread. Yasunaga Ogasawara said slowly.

"I see." Soji Tsugawa said excitedly, "In this way, the family can also hire some pirates to work for the family?" ”

"Exactly." Yasunaga Ogasawara said affirmatively.

"So, do you two know any of the more powerful pirates near your home?" Soji Tsugawa asked, looking at Saigo Kizo and Ogasawara Yasunaga.

Hearing Tsugawa Soji's question, Saigo Kizo and Ogasawara Yasunaga immediately frowned.

Seeing the two of them look like this, Soji Tsugawa couldn't help but be a little disappointed.

However, Ogasawara Yasunaga's eyes suddenly lit up, and he hurriedly said to Tsugawa Soji, "My lord, although your subordinates and Saigo-sama don't know, someone knows." ”

"Who?" Soji Tsugawa hurriedly asked.

Ogasawara Yasunaga smiled, and then said, "The lord forgot to make Yoshino Ryo of Minatojo?" ”

"Yoshino Yoshino is a big merchant with deep pockets in our Yugo region, and he has been engaged in maritime trade for a long time, so he must have dealt with a lot of pirate forces along the coast of our Yugo region." Yasunaga Ogasawara continued.

"That's right!" Soji Tsugawa slapped his forehead and laughed, "How did I forget Yoshino Ryoshino." ”

"Where is Yoshino now?" Soji Tsugawa then asked.

"It is rumored that Yoshino Ryoshino has personally led the fleet to the Kyoto area, but judging from the timing, if nothing else, he should be back during this time." Saigo Kizo replied after thinking for a moment.

"Hmm." Soji Tsugawa nodded, and said to Saigo Kizo, "Kizo, you pay attention to Yoshino's movements. If Yoshino Yoshino returns to Minatojo, send someone to tell me immediately. ”

"Hah!" Saigo replied loudly.

"Since Yoshino Ryoshi is not here, then the affairs of the navy will be put aside for the time being, and we will talk about it when he returns." Soji Tsugawa continued, "Aside from the water army, what is the situation in other aspects of Minatojo? ”

After Soji Tsugawa finished speaking, Saigo Kizo hurriedly replied, "My lord, according to the statistics of his subordinates, there are 7 Minato Castle merchant fleets engaged in maritime trade in Minato Castle, the largest of which is Yoshino Ryoshino's fleet. ”

"In addition, in the city for half a month, there were twenty or thirty fleets of ships coming and going, and the number of ships added up to about 150. Just by collecting taxes, the family has made a profit of 200 yuan in the past half a month. Saigo Kizo said with a happy face.

"Oh?" Tsugawa Soji was also slightly surprised when he heard this, this half a month is 200 guan, so how can there be about 400 guan in a month, and 4800 guan in a year. Of course, this is a conservative estimate, and it seems that the profit of the city is 5,000 yuan a year that the Minao Andong family said before is really not fake.

"Next, you must continue to familiarize yourself with all the affairs in Minato City, and let Minato City be completely controlled by your family as soon as possible. Such a source of income cannot be sloppy. Soji Tsugawa advised.

"Yes! Lord! Saigo Kizo and Ogasawara Yasunaga replied in unison.