The Self-Cultivation of Warring States Warriors

Page 75

Upon hearing this, a few villagers became suspicious and turned to look in a certain direction. However, the vast majority remained unmoved, still gripping their weapons and remaining vigilant.

A moment later, the same voice rang out again: "Lord Torii has intercepted the money and provisions, and he will protect everyone! He will help everyone! You samurai only know how to levy taxes, and you never do anything good!"

Including the few who had wavered earlier, the majority of villagers once again agreed: "That's absolutely right!" "We're willing to pay Lord Torii our dues! But we won't pay you!" "Lord Torii is the one who fought off the thieves! Lord Torii is the one who repaired the waterwheel!"

Although everything was going according to Shinzaburo's plan, he couldn't help but complain inwardly.

The Utsu family was really worth complaining about. After seizing the "forbidden materials", they were satisfied with the income from timber and fishing. They symbolically took a small amount of annual tribute, but completely handed over grassroots power to the local gentry.

As villagers continued to gather, it was estimated that there were now two to three hundred people demonstrating.

Shinzaburo turned back and shook his head, indicating that he was powerless to help.

At this moment, Takeuchi Kiji understood and frowned, saying, "Is the torii gate that everyone is talking about the same wealthy farmer who impersonated a estate owner, as mentioned by Kubo Genban?"

Shinzaburo put on a sorrowful expression and nodded, saying, "This family should have been loyal servants who were devoted to their duties to the court and served the nobles and dignitaries, but now their reputation has been stolen by bandits!"

Takeuchi Kiji lowered his head, lost in thought, seemingly hesitating about what to do.

Shinzaburo seized the opportunity to advise, "This is no ordinary wealthy farmer; we must take decisive action!"

Takeuchi Kiji remained silent for a moment, then shook his head. Following Shinzaburo's example, he stepped forward and proclaimed loudly, "I am Takeuchi Kiji, a fourth-rank official and the Grand Steward of the Imperial Kitchen, who has come from Kyoto to serve as the magistrate of Yamaguni-sou. I believe you good citizens are not inherently evil, but rather ignorant and misled by the self-proclaimed thief from the Torii family, which has led you astray. If..."

He probably took into account the farmers' level of education, and instead of being sarcastic, he stated his point frankly.

But this only fueled public outrage.

"This guy is spouting nonsensical nonsense, not only insulting us but also smearing Lord Torii!"

The villagers roared angrily, interrupting Takeuchi Kiji.

At the same time, something that could be either a stone or a clod of earth flew out.

Then, Takeuchi Kiji cried out "Ah!" and collapsed to the ground, groaning and rolling around.

Shinzaburo didn't even have time to react.

Although the person he sent, Ishikawa Masayuki, did indeed mingle in the crowd and stir things up, he neither initiated any throwing nor incited those around him to take action.

It was entirely because the atmosphere had been built up beforehand, and the young and vigorous men among the villagers couldn't contain their excitement.

In some ways, it went even more smoothly than expected.

Shinzaburo hesitated for a moment, then quickly stepped forward, hoisted Takeuchi Kiji onto his shoulder, and said to those around him, "These rioters are insane! We'll protect Lord Daizen and retreat first, and we'll deal with them later!"

Then he took big strides and ran back.

Everyone naturally followed suit and retreated.

The villagers behind them cheered excitedly, as if they had won a battle.

Takeuchi Kiji lowered his hand from Shinzaburo's shoulder, revealing his bruised and swollen forehead, and said through gritted teeth, "You must deliver a powerful punch!"

141. The "Tu Yi Kui" who requested an appeal.

Shinzaburo escorted Takeuchi Kiji all the way back from the territory of the fifteen villages of Yamaguni-sou. They were in a rather disheveled state, completely lacking the imposing presence of Tanba Zhongkui who had slain two demons in battle.

But he was still satisfied.

The fact that an imperial envoy was injured by a mob is a matter that could be considered a big deal or a small deal.

Although he looks bruised and swollen, it's just superficial damage, not something that will kill or cripple him. He'll be fine after resting for ten days or half a month. If they really want to suppress the news, that's not out of the question.

However, emphasizing the injured person's status or position can also create a very serious atmosphere.

Master Mingzhou previously said that Takeuchi Kiji "barely pretended to be a court noble," which sounded like he didn't take it seriously. That's because his senior brother was an imperial advisor, who could chat and laugh with the Grand Councilor.

In reality, there are only about twenty or thirty true high-ranking officials, and even including members of the royal family, high-ranking monks, and empresses of equal status, the total number is only about sixty or seventy. Moreover, most of them rarely move from their posts. The fourth-rank lower-level Grand Steward is already considered the highest-ranking person one would normally encounter.

There are reasons to deliberately escalate the issue.

That's what Shinzaburo means.

On the one hand, it was to prepare public opinion for the purge of the powerful farmers in the fifteen villages of Yamaguni-sou who were using false surnames; on the other hand, it was to dispel Takeuchi Kiji's idea of ​​personally going down to serve as acting magistrate.

Once the news spreads to Kyoto, the imperial court, for the sake of appearances, will most likely recall the envoy and order the suppression of the rebellion.

It's like killing two birds with one stone, and I'm very happy with it.

The bruises and swelling on Takeuchi Kiji's forehead are probably not a serious problem. However, the shock and the chill on his way back caused him to develop a fever and a cold by evening.

Shinzaburo arranged for people to serve him attentively, and had Nagono Takatoki, who was well-versed in etiquette, to be in charge of communication, occasionally saying things that would stir up trouble.

Without careful consideration, Takeuchi Kiji shouted things like "severely punish the rioters."

……

Surprisingly, before anything happened on this side, it was the "mob" who started the trouble.

Early the next morning, Ishikawa Mayuki, who had infiltrated the 15th village of Yamaguni-sho, rushed back, saying that he had decided to gather the villagers to go to the so-called "torii house" and "demand an explanation."

Shinzaburo was very surprised when he heard the news.

Is this some kind of uprising?

The term "Yi Kui" refers to a united action. "Tu Yi Kui" means the united action of the people. It is generally not a rebellion, but rather a demand for negotiation.

However, since you've already organized people, what you call negotiation actually carries the implication of threatening force.

Shinzaburo wasn't too panicked.

Although he hadn't mobilized anyone yet, and the actual number of combat personnel in the city was less than a hundred, many of them were legitimate samurai, and the rest were mostly guards who had enjoyed "abundant loans" and tax reductions. He really didn't believe they could be threatened by peasants.

First and foremost, people were immediately dispatched to investigate the other two directions. Upon learning that the wealthy farmers in the villages along the Kumada River and Inoue River had not taken any action, they were completely relieved.

Then, he sent Kono Takatoki to embellish the situation in front of Takeuchi Kiji, while Shinzaburo himself gathered his men, made preparations, and waited fully armed for the arrival of the "rioters." He specifically dispatched Inatomi and Takemura to lead twenty men to ambush in the nearby hillside woodland.

Ishikawa Mayuki was confident he could continue his undercover work, so he painstakingly infiltrated the "mob" once again.

To be on the safe side, an extra messenger was specially sent to fetch reinforcements.

The soldiers in the city appeared relaxed and not at all tense. They had been patrolling the territory in shifts during this period and had a certain understanding of the fighting strength of the people.

However, the female servants were generally a little panicked when they learned that a "riot" was approaching.

As the matriarch, Adou came up with an idea: to organize the non-combatants, equip them with some self-defense weapons, and have them assist the samurai and guards in their defense.

This may not have any practical effect, but it can reassure people.

Not long after, Takeuchi Kiji, still suffering from a cold and fever, was persuaded and boarded an oxcart to return to Kyoto, heading west with his entourage.

There is also Hasegawa Munehito, who is not currently considered a member of the Kubo family. He is only here to prepare for the construction of the new castle, so there is no need for him to be in danger.

However, after understanding the situation, he did not leave with Takeuchi Kiji, but calmly said, "I believe that Lord Kubo Genban can handle these troubles."

……

Around noon, the large group of villagers who had gathered from the fifteen villages of Shanguozhuang finally arrived at the city.

The Utsu Castle, left behind by the Utsu family, was not particularly grand or magnificent to begin with. Now that the main keep has been burned down and has not yet been repaired, it appears even more shabby and dilapidated.

It does absolutely fail to deter its neighbors.

A large group of villagers arrived at the city gate in a menacing manner. Shinsaburo, standing on high ground, roughly counted them and estimated that there were no fewer than eight hundred.

Only half of them were able-bodied young men; the rest were old, weak, or disabled soldiers.

The total population of the fifteen villages in Shanguozhuang is estimated to be at most three thousand, so the fact that so many people came today shows a considerable level of mobilization. Unfortunately, only a small number of people had weapons such as naginatas or bamboo spears; most came carrying hoes, wooden sticks, or even empty-handed. Not to mention armor.

Of course, walking for two hours to reach the city walls indicates that their physical strength wasn't too bad. But in a real battle, it still wouldn't be enough.

The only noteworthy element was the forty or fifty fully dressed individuals. These were presumably the core personnel.

The villagers simply blocked the road; they showed no intention of attacking.

Given that they lacked the necessary equipment and large-caliber firearms, did not bring ladders, and even had very few bows and arrows, it was impossible for them to pose a real threat to the fortress.

A moment later, a tall and robust man emerged from the crowd, dressed in heavy brown tunics. He swaggered to the door and, from thirty or forty paces away, shouted in a loud voice: "I am Yamaguchi-sho Torii-Kawachi-no-kami, representing the people of fifteen villages, here to lodge a complaint with Lord Kubo Genban!"

Shinzaburo found it somewhat amusing and instructed Oi Shigeie to respond on his behalf: "The Torii clan, the former magistrate of Yamaguni-sho, has died out. Who is impersonating them at the castle gate?"

The man outside the door said confidently, "I have been entrusted by the people of the fifteen villages to inherit the name of the Torii family and command the local uprising! I have come today to file a complaint regarding the discrepancy between the annual tribute amount and yesterday's amount!"

Upon receiving the order, Ooi Shigeie raised his voice and angrily rebuked, "You resisted taxes before, injured court officials yesterday, and now you're openly causing chaos and besieging the city. With such arrogance, what right do you have to file a complaint?"

The man outside the gate, who identified himself as Torii Kawachi-no-kami, was not surprised by these words. He had clearly figured out Takeuchi Kiji's general identity before bringing his men to demonstrate.

Since they came to demonstrate, yet claimed it was "just an appeal," is this perhaps a strategy of advancing while retreating?

The man pondered for a moment, then emphasized again: "We are here today not to cause trouble, but to appeal! We believe that all the misunderstandings that occurred the other day were not Lord Kubo Genban's original intention! They were entirely caused by Harumi Ujitaka's violent acts! As long as the perpetrators are punished, we will return to the village! We will also hand over our annual tribute, and we are willing to sign a swearing-in oath as proof!"

Shinzaburo finally understood.

Qinghai Shigao was dumbfounded, then complained in a low voice with a wronged expression, "What atrocity? This is nonsense!"

He was indeed innocent; he was merely ordered to collect the annual tribute from fifteen villages in Shanguozhuang, and that's why he was held hostage.

Or to be more precise, he was made a scapegoat.

Presumably, the other party was unwilling to pay taxes honestly, but also worried about the serious consequences of injuring high-ranking officials, so they hoped to resolve the matter as soon as possible. However, instead of resolving it through compromise and concession, they first staged a demonstration to gain the upper hand.

So only the people from the fifteen villages of Shanguozhuang came.

Although the villages along the Kumada River and Inoue River were somewhat unruly, they had nothing to do with the matter of injuring the court nobles, so there was no need for them to share the risk.

This can be considered as Shinzaburo's previous "fighting poison with poison" strategy coming to fruition.

However, the effect was a bit too outstanding, causing a huge reaction that was somewhat unexpected.

Fortunately, the enemy's strength was not great, and their attitude was clearly all bark and no bite, so they were not difficult to deal with.

The other party probably thinks that Yoshiaki Kubo will compromise temporarily, symbolically reprimand Harumi Ushitaka, and quell the current turmoil.

This may bring temporary peace, but the authority of the new lord will be completely lost.

Perhaps because he had been busy with his younger siblings' weddings and hadn't been able to take time to handle the affairs of the district, the name "Tanba Zhong Kui" was overlooked.

Shinzaburo clearly had no intention of compromising.

After understanding the situation, he immediately ordered Oi Shigeie to shout down: "Your so-called appeal is completely unreasonable! You have fifteen minutes to leave, or it will be considered treason!"

The man outside the castle, who called himself Torii Kawachi no Kami, remained silent for a moment, then his tone began to carry a threatening undertone: "Lord Kubo Genban, please reconsider! If you refuse to appeal, I cannot control what the people might do in a moment of impulse!"

Shinzaburo ignored those words, but after calculating the distance, he felt a little puzzled.

That guy on the other side is too arrogant. Standing thirty or forty paces outside the door, wearing heavy armor, he may not be too afraid of arrows, but he would have a hard time defending against cannon fire.

During the previous war, the Utsu family also had a small number of firearms, so the people of the fifteen villages of Yamaguni-sho should have seen them before.

This problem was then passed on to two overseas firearms experts.

Former eunuch Meng Peiyu smiled slightly and said, "Perhaps the enemy doesn't know that firearms can also be used for sniping."

The Franco-Garcia bluntly stated, "That's right! Given the current state of this country, even in Sakai, only a few craftsmen can produce consistent quality products, and the soldiers' skills are even worse. It's fair to say they've never even seen real technology!"

Shinzaburo immediately pointed to the brown-armored man who called himself Torii Kawachi no Kami: "Can you two hit him?"

Garcia glanced at it and said confidently, "No problem!"

Meng Peiyu examined it carefully, pondered for a moment, and said slowly and deliberately, "I'm about 60% sure."

142 volleys of fire from arquebuses

Shinzaburo did not launch an attack immediately, but instead had Ooi Shigeie shout again: "Retreat within fifteen minutes, or it will be considered treason!"

However, the people outside the city showed no intention of leaving. Instead, under the command of dozens of armored men, they launched an attack.

They had no large firearms, no siege equipment, and the only things they brought were some relatively long ladders. Many of them were even makeshift ladders made by binding two ordinary ladders together.

They actually carried such tools and brazenly rushed towards the base of the wall!

A very small number of people who possessed a bow attempted to shoot. Others lit torches and ran nearby to throw them into the city.

These actions seem more like intimidation than a proper siege.

Perhaps the other side's intention is to use a fight to force a peace.

In reality, without the involvement of temples, shrines, and samurai, most uprisings initiated by ordinary people lacked the resolve to eliminate their lords and were ultimately aimed at bargaining. This is probably a limitation of our understanding.

Of course, if one continues to passively endure attacks and allow the enemy to keep attacking, it's not impossible for them to capture small fortresses. Once the farmers taste success, their confidence and courage will grow, and they will gradually become increasingly difficult to deal with.

For the time being, Shinzaburo didn't need to take any special measures; he simply quickly gathered all the arquebuses.

Both the eunuch Meng Peiyu and the Frankish sailor Garcia possessed their own firearms that they were comfortable using.

In addition, more than a dozen veterans who came from Kubo Village have recently been equipped with a six-eyed shovel each, which they bought from Sakai Town. They have also undergone repeated training under the guidance of two foreign instructors.

Other guards recruited later will not enjoy this treatment.