Ninjas of this period developed a variety of ninjutsu, and the Iga, Koga, and Wind Demon clans are the most typical representatives of ninjas during this period.

The daimyo of each country will hire ninjas to spy on the intelligence of the enemy country, assassinate the enemy country's generals, and destroy the enemy country's rear area.

One of the most famous events at the time was the Honnoji Incident, after Oda Nobunaga was killed by his subordinate Akechi Mitsuhide.

Hattori Hanzo gathered two hundred Iga ninjas and one hundred Koga ninjas from his hometown and escorted Tokugawa Ieyasu all the way from Mt. Iimori to his domain.

This is the famous Tokushitsu Iga incident in later generations, and it can be said that without these ninjas, there would be no Tokugawa shogunate today, and it can be said that they made great contributions to the Tokugawa shogunate.

After the establishment of the Tokugawa shogunate, the "Iga Concentric Group" was established and handed over to the Hattori clan in charge, which was regarded as a reward for them.

And in the later Shimabara Rebellion of Amakusa Shiro, ninjas also appeared.

Thinking of the ninja troops he was about to face, Lu Yan's face showed a hint of strangeness.

It seems that this war will be an extraordinary war, and perhaps a lot of wonderful things will happen.

"I got it, and I did what they wanted. In addition, the bodies of the dead should be burned immediately to avoid the plague. The ashes of our soldiers were brought back to China and sent to the Martyrs' Shrine for future generations to worship. ”

Lu Yan thought for a while and said.

In fact, the methods of the Wa Kingdom are extremely terrible, and if you are not careful, it will cause a plague, so the corpses must be burned.

The Huns did just that, and as a result, Huo Qu's illness led to his untimely death.

"Also inform the soldiers to drink boiled water if possible and not raw water."

Lu Yan said again.

Li Rusong didn't quite understand why. But still nodded.

So then he discussed with the generals some issues of attacking the Japanese kingdom, such as where to land, and discussed it all night before he began to rest.

Eventually, they decided to take a break here, replenish their fresh water and supplies, and set off for Hirado Island.

***

***

The gentle moonlight shone on the undulating sea, and Akutagawa Kiyoemon wore a blue-black tight. Swim to the shore not far away.

The water was a little cold at night, but fortunately it was just autumn, so it was still within the acceptable range.

After climbing ashore, Akutagawa Kiyoemon lay on the ground, panting incessantly.

He was still old after all, not as energetic as he was when he was younger, and he would not have been so tired to swim across this strait when he was young.

Rested for a while. So he got up and walked to the base camp of the Wa kingdom.

It didn't take long for a group of soldiers to leap out of the grass and surround him.

"Stop, what are you?"

The group of soldiers said to him.

"I'm a ninja from the Iga Gumi, and I've been sent to Hirado Island to find out the news. This time, I found out confidential information, so I came to report it. ”

Akutagawa Kiyoemon looked at the group of soldiers and said.

It was discovered that they were just a small squad of Ashigaru squads led by low-ranking samurai.

Maybe this kind of thing has happened a lot recently, and these people didn't suspect it, but did what they did, and they sent some people back to him.

After confirming his identity, he was soon taken to meet Wakanian Rotten Wood Uetsuna.

After learning the news of Akutagawa Kiyoemon, Kuchigi Uezuna did not dare to slack off, so he hurriedly took it to meet the daimyo here.

The one-eyed dragon Date Masamune had just woken up not long ago. He was called to a meeting.

Soon he met old acquaintances here, Tadahiro Kato of Kumamoto, and Matsuura Jinshin of Hirado. Tokugawa Iemitsu's most trusted, Matsudaira Nobutsuna, known as the think tank Izu, and so on.

After seeing Date Masamune coming, these people hurriedly got up and saluted.

No way, this guy's qualifications are too old.

He fought with Oda Nobunaga, fought with Toyotomi Hideyoshi, and finally with Tokugawa Ieyasu.

It can be said that the last three overlord-level bigwigs of the Warring States Period have all had friendships with him. He is a living fossil of the late Warring States period.

Those who survived from the Warring States were either dead or too old to move. Only this guy is still alive.

When I heard that there was a battle here, I immediately came over with my men and horses without saying a word.

Date Somasa laughed and greeted them politely. Then he sat down.

It didn't take long for the people to arrive, and then Kuchigi Uetsuna asked Akutagawa Kiyoemon to report the news he had gotten to everyone.

Akutagawa Kiyoemon sorted out his thoughts, and then said: "Just today, the dock on Hirado Island was suddenly under martial law, and then my subordinates found a large number of sea ships unloading at the shore from a distance, and it should be the main force of the Ming army. ”

"How many ships did they come?"

Date Masamune hurriedly asked.

"It's too far away to see clearly, but at least there are more than 700 or so."

Akutagawa Kiyoemon said.

"More than seven hundred?"

“……”

Hearing this, everyone was surprised.

When Toyotomi Hideyoshi attacked Korea, he did his best to mobilize a thousand ships, but many of them were small fishing boats that could not carry many people and goods.

But it is absolutely impossible for the enemy to be able to cross the sea from small fishing boats, at least in the category of large sea ships.

So how many people and supplies can be carried by so many ships, Akutagawa Kiyoemon's next words really confirmed their guesses.

"Later, several of his men risked their lives to dive over, and found that there were more than 30 12-masted ships among them, and in addition to that, there were many ships with 7 or 8 masts."

Date Masamune's face became a little solemn.

"So the enemy is planning to attack Kyushu from Hirado?"

No one here answered his words, but everyone frowned and pondered.

Among them, Matsuura Jinshin's face was the most ugly, because Hirado was his territory.

Once war breaks out here, he doesn't know what his territory will be beaten into, and maybe all the people will run out by then.

"I think it's very likely, I think we should be prepared."

Matsudaira Nobutsuna thought for a while and said.

Listening to Matsudaira Nobutsuna's words, although Date Masamune didn't say anything, he couldn't help but have a trace of contempt flashing in his eyes.

Matsudaira Nobutsuna is in a high position before he is even thirty. In addition, he has not fought many major battles, and he dares to control the army here, which is simply a joke about the victory or defeat of the war.

But Matsudaira Nobutsuna was one of Tokugawa Iemitsu's most trusted people, and he couldn't say anything.

And there are a lot of rumors about him rebelling, which makes him have to be cautious in his words and deeds.

"I think we should report this to the general."

Nobutsuna Matsudaira continued.

Everyone nodded. If the enemy really intends to attack Kyushu from Hirado, then the forces here will have to be strengthened.

With 40,000 horses here, it's not enough to see at all.

However, the transfer of troops from other places had to be approved by Tokugawa Iemitsu, who was far away in Edo.

How many fighters will be wasted just this time and forth.

As soon as he thought of this, Date Masamune was extremely dissatisfied.

Whether it's Oda Nobunaga, Toyotomi Hideyoshi, or Tokugawa Ieyasu, I'm afraid they will all be on the front line to command in this situation.

Under the command of Tokugawa Iemitsu, I don't know what this battle will be.

At this moment, there was a sudden knock on the door of the room.

Then a man walked in that surprised everyone. He was followed by a young samurai.

"Lord Yagyu, why are you here?"

Seeing the visitor, Matsudaira Nobutsuna said with a surprised expression.

Yagyu also taught him swordsmanship, so he can be regarded as his teacher to some extent.

"I don't bother you, I'm here to see what's going on at the front. By the way, I'd like to ask Ida-sama for a personal matter. ”

Yanagi said with a smile on his face.

"How so?"

Everyone hurriedly said.

Yanagi Zongju is a popular man in front of the general, and he is his swordsmanship teacher, and he is as close as father and son to the general, they are too late to stammer, how dare they say anything to complain.

Date Somasa's eyes flashed, and he asked loudly, "What is it that requires Lord Yanagi to come out in person?" ”

"This is my nephew, Yagyu Hyogosuke, and I'd like him to learn from him. If Ida-sama could say yes. On behalf of the Yagyu family, I would like to express my immense gratitude. ”

Yagyu said.

Hearing this, everyone looked at Yagyu Hyogosuke who was standing behind him, and saw that Yagyu Hyogosuke was wearing a black samurai uniform. With his handsome figure, he really looks dignified.

Date Somasa pondered for a while, Yanagi Zongzheng's identity is not simple, and he is responsible for supervising hundreds of officials.

Did he really arrange Yagyu Hyogosuke under his command just so that he could learn the way of war?

Did he mean it or did the Shogun mean it?

The shogunate has always been very wary of itself, so he probably wants to take this opportunity to plant a spy around him.

It's just a request for Date Zongju. But he couldn't refuse.

Date Somasa thought for a moment, so he said, "I don't think there's a problem. It's just that orders must be forbidden, if you dare not obey orders. Don't blame me for engaging in military justice. ”

Yagyu said to Yagyu Hyogo Suke with a smile, "I haven't thanked Date Somasa-sama yet. ”

Yagyu Hyogosuke stepped out and bowed respectfully to Date Munemasa.

"I'll ask for your kind attention in the future."

Date Masamune nodded, and then let him stand behind him.

"In addition to that, I have one more very important thing to announce."

Yanagi Zongju's face suddenly turned serious, "That is, the general has personally led an army of 150,000 land and water from Edo, and it will soon arrive in Kyushu." When the time comes, the Shogun will come to the battlefield in person like Daequanxian. ”

Hearing this, everyone couldn't help but let out a burst of cheers.

When the enemy's army arrived, he also received reinforcements, which is really good news.

Date Masamune's dissatisfaction finally eased, but he was still a little worried, a hairy boy knew what to fight.

If there were no people who were well versed in war planning behind the scenes, it would have been a very difficult battle.

However, the armies of both sides have been gathered, and war should break out soon. (To be continued)