On the third day of January in the twelfth year of Eiroku, I dispatched all 4,000 naval troops, with 3,000 troops standing and prepared, to attack the shore and Tian Castle in the Seto Inland Sea. Before leaving, I sent someone to escort Mitsu to Gifu and arranged for Mie Castle to stay behind.

Considering that it might involve the Nankaido Raiders, I asked both Hidejing and Konatsu to go with me, so Keijiro, who had reached the age of five, became the new jodai of Mie Castle, and Keitaro, who was about to turn seven, served as the military dai, assisted by Shigeharu Takenaka, Yoritsu Ishitani, Naota Iii, and Kazutoyo Yamauchi. In addition, I let Ii Naotora live in Honmaru and be in charge of the garrison of the entire Mie Castle, the potential meaning of which is not difficult for everyone to see, Ii Naotora did not refuse, although his face was slightly red, but accepted my appointment with a down-to-earth and generous attitude.

On this expedition, several new faces have been added to the team. Nana's bodyguards, Kihachiro Miyata, and Keitaro Ikki Shiroto joined my personal guard to prepare for their first battle; Yanagi Yansheng, the eldest son of Yanagi Zongyan, came, saying that he was ordered by his father to go out of the mountain to practice, first come to see the Thousand Hands Hime, and I hired him as a teacher of the art of war with 300 Guan Yulu, and temporarily served as my personal guard; There is also the younger brother of the former head of the Zhezhi family, Zhezhi Sanno Kiyohiro, who has taken over as the head of the family, who was originally preparing to return to Iga because of the turmoil in the distant river, and after hearing about my deeds in Iga halfway, he took the initiative to ask me to come out, and I was able to get the allegiance of this iron cannon master who later created the iron cannon school, so I naturally couldn't ask for it, so I let him perform casually, and immediately let him enter the iron cannon team and serve as the head under Tsubouchi Toshiding.

Of the four, Miyata Mitsuji was seventeen, Shiroto Kazuki was sixteen, Yagyu was twenty, Senjuhime's mother was his sister, and Chinoe Kiyohiro was born in the same year as me and is currently twenty-nine years old.

The Ataka ship, which is the main force of the Cancer Formation, is slower than the Sekibune, but fortunately, the naval army is already very familiar with Ise Bay, and when leaving, he only needs to walk a straight distance without moving along the coastline.

In the evening of the same day, it took only five hours to reach the outside of Toba Port in Shima Province.

Considering the delicate relationship with the Nine Ghost Family, I didn't plan to stay in Toba Port originally, but when I passed by the nearby sea, Iwamatsu Jingding suddenly entered the cabin and reported to me: "Lord, the Nine Ghost Family has put up a big formation in the port, and it seems to welcome us!" ”

"Really?" I picked up the Nanban clairvoyant mirror at hand, and went to the bow of the ship with Iwamatsu Jingding, and sure enough, I found a group of people standing on the shore of Toba Port, led by the Nine Oni Yoshitaka.

This is a strange thing, although I am in the name of the commander of the Oda family's navy, I have no affiliation with the Nine Ghost family, and they have never been very convinced of me, why did they make such a fuss this time...... However: "Since the Nine Ghost Family is so attentive, but we are disrespectful, let's rest here!" ”

"Yes." Yan Song agreed, ordered his own soldiers to blow the conch, and ordered the whole army to anchor the shore.

The first to go ashore was a standing ship. As soon as they went up to the beach, they immediately put up a defensive position under the orders of Sakamoto Heizo Naoyi and others. Then, Xiujing, Konatsu, Wasuka Masakatsu, Iwamatsu Jingding, and others also went ashore, and the Nine Demons Yoshitaka immediately led a few people to meet them.

"Welcome to His Highness Mie!" His attitude was very respectful, "Please go to the city to rest in the city!" ”

Your Highness Mie? I was stunned for a moment, and then I realized that this was an honorific title for me. In this way, it is much more respectful to call Jucheng than to call Miao characters, which has exceeded the standards of colleagues, and is generally only for people with higher stature. For example, in the past, in Owari, Nobunaga could be addressed to His Royal Highness Kiyoshu, and Tsuda Nobukiyo could be addressed to His Highness Inuyama...... I wonder if he called me this because I had commanded the military of Ise Province, or if he himself was paying homage to me?

Maybe it was because I didn't hide my expression, and the Nine Ghosts Jialong saw my surprise. He owed: "Regarding the matter of the punishment of the father and son of Kitabatake, the lord has already informed me in detail. I deeply admire the wisdom and courage of His Royal Highness Mie, and I would like to thank His Highness for giving my family the opportunity to make meritorious contributions. ”

"His Royal Highness Jialong doesn't need to be so polite," although I still don't know what the reason is, but since he has changed his attitude, I reciprocated the favor and gave him a good look, "What you said just now seems to be 'lord'?" ”

"Yes. He has submitted an oath to the lord on behalf of the head of the family, and the lord has also given the certificate of security he receives...... In addition, the lord also ordered the Nine Ghost Family to serve as the strength of the Triple Highness," the Nine Ghost Jialong suddenly half-knelt on the ground, holding the Taidao on his waist and bowed, "Please give me more advice in the future!" ”

I understand that he was probably very touched by the fate of Kitabatake's godfather and son, so he made the choice of complete submission. And Nobunaga asked him to be my strength in order to relieve my worries, so that I don't have to worry about the affairs of Isewan itself, so that I can fully control Osaka Bay.

If I hadn't had this order, I really wouldn't have been able to put my mind at ease. In fact, I had already planned that after taking Kishiwada Castle, I would have Mitsunari Futami lead a thousand men back and secure the trade route with Maeno Nagayasu's maritime affairs team.

Of course, there is no need for it now. With Nobunaga's arrangement, the Nine Demons Yoshitaka must not come up with any tricks, but he has to worry about me giving him small shoes to wear, and I haven't settled the account with him when it comes to the matter of Kitabatake Nobuo in Iga.

"If you work for the lord, you don't need to be polite, just call me as usual," I nodded, deciding to let go of the matter, "I don't need to mention the past, and I ask you to take care of it in the future!" ”

"The generosity of His Royal Highness Triple is admired under you," Hearing me say this, Nine Ghost Jialong's expression was obviously relaxed.

"Then, let's trouble His Royal Highness Jialong to lead the way!"

"Yes." The Nine Demons got up and led us to his Toba Castle.

The residence of the Nine Ghost Family was originally the Tiancheng in Tashi County, and now the Nine Ghost Jialong has newly built Toba Port Castle, which means that he is ready to focus on the water army in his family. I knew about it earlier, and I couldn't stop it. The last time I sent troops to Shangluo, I forced him to send 700 men, so that he could only be replenished by the navy, which was not an intervention. However, it doesn't matter for the time being, after I'm gone, the defense of Isewan will still rely on the strength of his naval army.

When I entered the main castle tower, I condescendingly looked at the layout of this seaside castle and vaguely felt a little familiar, and then I realized that this was modeled after my triple castle!

Of course, the two are just similar in pattern, and in terms of scale and defense, they are not comparable at all, probably slightly better than my branch city. Outside the city, he also set up a castle town, and he also followed my example to draw out the range, and he could vaguely distinguish residential areas, commercial areas, craft areas, etc., but he didn't have much life.

"Your Highness the Nine Ghosts, I don't know how long this castle has been planned?" I asked.

"Back to His Royal Highness Xuanjing, it has been more than a year." Nine Ghosts Jialong replied.

"That's right!" I nodded and didn't say anything more.

"Speaking of castle towns...... "Nine Ghost Jialong suddenly saluted respectfully, "There is just one thing in the next place, I want to ask His Highness Xuanjing for advice." ”

"Please."

"It's about castle towns...... His Royal Highness Xuanjing should be able to see that Zai Xia is modeled after the planning of Mie Castle. But why can't it gather any popularity? "Nine Ghosts Jialong asked seriously, I smiled, this is the so-called Dong Shi Xiaofeng. The development direction of the castle town must take into account the local conditions and environment, and the reason why Mie Town can prosper is not only due to proper planning, but also to the support of geography, economy, people, population, human resources, and governance. None of this is available to Toba Town and the Kuki family.

"Your Highness Jia Long, have you really put yourself in the right position?" I asked.

"What does His Highness Xuanjing mean?" The Nine Ghosts looked at me a little nervously.

"If His Royal Highness Kataka expects Toba Town to prosper like Mie Town, it is impossible to do so, and the conditions and environment of Toba Town cannot support it."

"Is that so?" Nine Ghost Jialong nodded disappointedly, "I understand." ”

"However, Toba can take another path." I suddenly came up with an idea that I might be able to tie the Nine Ghost family to my Kira family's warship.

"Please advise!" Nine Ghost Jialong owes his body.

"His Royal Highness Kataka may wish to change the plan and focus on lodging houses, sake houses, and Kurayas, and use Toba Town as a transit point for Mie Town. In that case, you'll be able to recruit a considerable number of merchants! ”

"I see, I understand!" Nine Ghost Jialong was not stupid, and he quickly understood what I meant, "Thank you so much, Your Highness Xuanjing!" ”

"However, the business of Toba Town depends to a large extent on the prosperity of Mie Town. Your Highness Jia Long, you can also understand this, do you really have to make up your mind? ”

"It's been decided." Nine Ghost Jialong nodded. His expression suddenly lightened a lot.

……，…… That night, the two families talked happily, and all the previous mustards seemed to be a thing of the past. When we left the next day, Kataka Kuki replenished some of our supplies and water, and offered to provide a guide who was familiar with Kumano Beach to work for me.

I patted Yan Song Jingding's shoulder and declined his kindness: "I have this general of the navy, so I don't have to trouble His Royal Highness Jialong, haha!" ”

"Yes, I almost forgot that His Highness Yan Song has already passed through it once," Nine Ghost Jialong also laughed, "Then I wish Your Highness all the best!" ”

"Thank you, Your Highness Jia Long, for your good words." I nodded, and led the navy out of Toba Port.

It wasn't until I bypassed Oozaki and officially entered the Kumanoda section that I realized that the Nine Demons were really well-intentioned.

Kumano Beach is a stretch of beach from Oozaki in Shima Province to Nanigaura and Cape Shio in Kii Province, and the distance is about 150 kilometers in a straight line. Unlike the gentle terrain of Ise Bay, most of the seaside here is steep cliffs, and it is not easy to find a place to anchor a place to anchor if you leave the shore in the deep water. On the waterway, there are occasional reefs, which pose a great threat to boats.

However, in order to maintain the forward speed, it is necessary to sail along the coastline, because we are traveling in the direction of the current. This current, which is the western boundary of the North Pacific subtropical general circulation system, is also known as the warm current, which is extremely fast compared to the speed of the ship, and can even reach six knots off the headland, which is faster than the modern ordinary sailing ship.

At the speed of an Ataka boat, the only way to go against the current is to travel in a slow current area along the coast.

Add to that the influence of the tides...... This makes me can't help but admire the rock pine scripture. In such bad sea conditions, he was able to pass this road smoothly for the first time, which was simply against the sky.

I walked up to Iwamatsu Jingding and asked him this question, puzzled.

"The lord has praised it," Iwamatsu smiled and summoned one of his personal soldiers, "This is the guide found by His Majesty." To be able to pass Kumano Beach is really indispensable! ”

"Your Majesty's Three Ghosts Dinglong, meet the main hall!" The soldier was very small, about twenty years old, and when he heard Iwamatsu Jingding's call, he saluted smartly.

Three ghosts Dinglong? Is it the same as the common character of the Nine Ghost Family?

"Are you from the Three Ghost Family? Already a retainer of the ordained? I asked.

"Yes! Because of his minister's exploits last time, the lord promoted his subordinates to samurai, and gave them favoritism! ”

"The Three Ghost Family, what is the relationship with the Nine Ghost Family?"

"Back to the main hall, the Three Ghost Family is the branch of the Nine Ghost Family left in Kumano, because they live in Mikiura, so they changed the Miao character to 'Three Ghosts', which means the Nine Ghost Family of Mikiura!" He replied aloud.

"And such a thing!" I smiled, and suddenly thought of another famous navy force in Kumanoda, "Do you know the Horiuchi family?" ”

“…… Go back to the main hall, and your majesty knows. The Three Ghost Family looked at me in surprise.

Hehe, no wonder he was surprised, as a countryman in the mountains in the southern part of Kii Province, it is estimated that there are not many people who know about the Horiuchi family now. However, in the Northern and Southern Dynasties era, the Horiuchi family was the main force of the Southern Dynasty's naval army, and it was arrogant for a while, and when the Southern Dynasty fell, the Horiuchi family declined, because it served as the priest of the Kumano Taisha Shrine, and was lucky enough to keep the family name and tens of thousands of stone territory. Later, in the Battle of Sekigahara, Ishida Mitsunari invited the Horiuchi family to join the Western Army in order to increase the 80,000 stone of Minami Kii, and the head of the family at that time, Horiuchi Shinjiro Zen, was the son-in-law of the Nine Demons Yoshitaka, so he was very happy to get together with his father-in-law, the Nine Demons Yoshitaka, and the result was naturally a tragedy.

This is not over, when it came to the battle of Osaka Summer, the next head of the Horiuchi family, Furuta Shigeran's son-in-law Horiuchi Shihiro did a big thing, he instigated a rebellion in the five counties of Kii, and was also preparing to capture the Wakayama Castle of the Asano family, but unfortunately Ono Jifang was too weak to hold back Asano Nagasheng's army, so Nagasheng led the army back and cut off the heads of four hundred and forty-three people; However, Shihiro, who was one of the culprits, did not die, because his younger brother Horiuchi Shihisa rescued Hideyori's main room and Ieyasu's granddaughter Chihime, and exchanged this credit for his brother's surname. Then, together, the brothers became retainers of Fujido Takatora...... I wonder if Horiuchi Zen is now the head of the family? It's rare to have someone who is familiar with the situation, so I naturally want to ask.

(To be continued)