Forty-eight years of Qianlong

Chapter 326 The Battle of Ma Niu Marsh

Shiraishi Castle in the southern part of Kata County, Sendai Domain, is bordered by Shiraishi River in the north, Mount Bomori in the west, and Mount Dazang in the east.From the seventh year of Qingchang (1602), it belonged to the fiefdom of the Katakura family, an important minister of the Date family. Juro's residence.

During the Yuan and Yanwu eras, under the shogunate's "one country, one city order", almost all the big names in the island country were destroyed except for their residences, and only a few outer cities remained.Because Katakura Kojuro was so famous, the Tokugawa shogunate treated the Shiraishi Katakura family as a small daimyo, and specially allocated a residence to the Katakura family in Edo Castle, so Shiraishi Castle became a special case.

(Shiraishi Castle was demolished after the Meiji era, and what I see when I travel now is rebuilt later.)
The Katakura family has always been a high-ranking minister in the Sendai Domain, with a table height of [-] shi, and is the chief of a family under the same family.Sendai feudal clan deployed a number of important ministers on the southeast border and the north border, each responsible for the defense of key passes; however, only the Katakura family was placed on the southwest side, which should be said to be positive.In addition, Katakura's mansion in Sendai Castle is on the southwest side of the bridge outside the Otemon Gate, where the Hirose River is led into the moat with stone revetment, and it is also the hub of Sendai Castle's outer defense.

The reason why Shiraishi Castle is important is that it is located in the key point of Oshu Street, guarding the north and south. If the shogunate army wants to attack the Sendai Domain by land, it must pass through here.Going north all the way across here is Hirasawa, Adachi, Maoting, and Sendai Castle.

Currently in charge of guarding Shiraishi Castle is Katakura Ninth Generation of the Katakura family, who is 29 years old this year and has a pseudonym "Devil".In order to ensure that Baishi City is not lost, after Ishikawa Cunwen contacted Zhao Xin, the two companies of Aoba Camp and Beihai Navy were also transferred here to assist the Katakura family in defense.

On the side of the shogunate, Matsudaira Sadanobu, who is the head of the shogunate, cannot easily leave Edo Castle, so the leader of the land feint attack force is the second generation of Hitachi Kasama Clan, the old shogunate Makino Sadacho.This person has excellent political ability and decisiveness in dealing with affairs, and has won the trust of the Tokugawa family.

After Makino Sadacho led an army of 70 to the north, he set up his command post in Fukushima Castle of the Fukushima Clan, facing off against the Sendai Clan army in Shiraishi Castle, with a distance of more than [-] miles between the two armies.

Difficult kid.

54-year-old Makino Sadacho looks at Katakura Muronori in this way. Since he can be called the reincarnation of Katakura Kojuro, he must not take it lightly.Moreover, the Marquis Kasama has sent spies to find out that there is a team of troops trained by the Beihai Navy for a year outside Baishi City.

Makino Sadacho had seen the Northern Navy fight against the Tokugawa Navy, but he didn't know how powerful the Sendai Fan's 500-man force was.After he arrived at Fukushima Castle, he has been standing still. He is waiting for reinforcements from the Mito Domain and news of the dispatch of the navy from Edo.

Three days later, a messenger brought news from Edo that the Tokugawa navy had set off, and Matsudaira ordered him to attack Shiraishi Castle immediately.

If it drags on, there will soon be insufficient food, and once the war drags on to winter, winter clothes will have to be prepared for the rebellious army, which will be a huge financial burden on the shogunate.

At [-] o'clock on the night of October [-]th in the seventh year of Tianming, Makino Sadacho led the rebel army to leave Fukushima City and head north.

Tonight, the sky is dark.Only the flames of the torches illuminated the feet of the army going north.They marched all the way in the territory of the Fukushima clan, and arrived at the southern foot of Mount Bosen to rest at dawn.From here, cross the mountain road in the north, and you can go directly to the foot of Baishi City.

When the rebellious army of the shogunate began to set up camp, the head of the nearby village led the villagers to bring food and drinking water to the rebel army.These are all conventions, and whoever arrives in their territory must entertain them.

On the other side, the spies sent by the Katakura family had learned of the movement of the shogunate army, and immediately reported to Baishicheng.

"How many enemy troops have come?" Katakura Muronori asked.At this time, all the retainers of the Katakura family and Chai Zhong, the acting battalion commander of the Qingye Battalion, gathered in the meeting hall of Baishi City.

"All the troops outside Fukushima City are out."

Katakura Village Dian looked at Chai Zhong and said, "How do you think we should deal with it? Should we go out of the city to fight?"

With the strength of Karita County, no matter what, they can't withstand the attack of [-] soldiers, and now they are counting on the Qingye Battalion.

Chai Zhong replied without hesitation: "Karta Shouke can sit firmly in the city, and we will fight this battle."

Katakura Muronori said in surprise: "Just 700 of you? How can you win this battle!"

Chai Zhong said with a full face: "700 people are enough. If there are too many people, there will be no way to get around."

Katakura Village said: "Are you going to Ma Niu Marsh?"

The place they talked about was a small lake in the southwest of Baishi City, where oxen and horse-drawn carts would stop for drinking water on the Oshu Road every day, hence the name.

Ever since the Qingye Camp arrived at Baishi City, they have scouted out all the places along the post road to the south.There are so many military horses coming to the Tokugawa family, and they will definitely stop when they arrive at Ma Niu Marsh.After discussing with Chai Zhong, the deputy battalion commander sent by the Beihai Navy decided to fight a battle there.

The autumn rain wets the world.

The vanguard of the Tokugawa Army (500 men) died down and left the camp at the southern foot of Mount Bosen and set off to the north. Halfway there, the rain became more and more dense, and the ground was white with big beatings.

The general walking in the middle of the team manipulated the reins and ordered to his subordinates: "Hold it! Hold on!"

It's unbearable!How many years have not marched like this, and the Tokugawa army secretly complained.

"Damn rebels!" The royal family holding the banner cursed the group of rebels in Sendai Fan in their hearts.

At this moment, the whole army was silent, and everyone was reaching the limit of their patience.The war horses have straw in their mouths, and in order to prevent the human leg armor from touching each other, all the leg armors are tied tightly with ropes from the waist down, and no lights are used.

The world was pitch black.

In this dark night where you can't see your fingers, everyone follows the person in front closely, and keeps moving in one direction.On the north side of the road, a bonfire that had been splashed with oil was burning.Everyone in the vanguard team knew that after passing the bonfire, it was Ma Niu Marsh.

From a distance, the bonfire looks like a red elf dancing in the dark night, like a sacrificial fire that prays to the Tozhao Shrine before departure, constantly fluttering in the dark night.

The march was extremely difficult.The rain hit the helmet and armor of the Tokugawa army, and flowed through the underwear, making the body wet.Accompanied by the autumn rain, the northwest wind blew up a whirlwind above the team from time to time, cruelly taking away everyone's body temperature.

A banner leaned on two guns and muttered: "What are you doing in Baishi City in this weather?"

The partner in front of him kept walking, and responded: "Maybe he is still curled up in the bed and sleeping."

On the two small hills to the north of Ma Niu Marsh, the Qingye Battalion divided into two ambush units and the two companies of the Northern Navy have been waiting for a long time.In order not to be discovered by the enemy, they all hid in the woods on the opposite slope of the two hills.

At this time, the sky had begun to brighten, and a spy from the Katakura family, wearing a coir raincoat, ran over from the path behind the hill on the east side of Ma Niu Swamp. The slippery woodland made him almost fall several times.

"My lord, the Tokugawa army will arrive in ten miles!"

Chai Zhong lifted his spirits and asked, "How many people are here?"

"The appearance of more than 1000 people looks like a whole set up."

A set-up of the Tokugawa Army is generally composed of the Iron Cannon Team, the Gun Team, the Banner Team, the Cavalry Team, the Banner Team, the Chief General, and the Apprentices and Interns, as well as the Xiao Hetuo (Logistical Mule and Horse Team).This kind of formation is very suitable for small-scale operations in narrow terrain, but it is not conducive to large-scale battles, and it lacks a strong impact force in terms of siege.Although there are small logistics units to follow, they can only carry out some short and shallow assault combat missions.

Chai Zhong first used the walkie-talkie to notify the North Navy behind the hill on the west side, and then conveyed an order to the Qingye Battalion: "Everyone enters the combat position and waits for the attack order."

After five o'clock in the morning, the vanguard of the Tokugawa Army arrived at the roadside on the southeast side of Ma Niu Marsh.At this time, the rain was a little light, but the fog was floating.

Everyone is already exhausted, but in order to win, they cannot be allowed to rest.

"Do it now, set up the fence!"

The chief general gave the order to the head.All the samurai and ashigaru became peasants again, some carrying building materials, and some digging with shovels.

Soon, the fence was erected.

An ashigaru holding a bow and arrow stood behind the fence, looking out at the misty wilderness, his heart suddenly seemed to be grabbed by someone, and he lifted it up.

"Who? Who's there!"

The partner beside him yawned, and blamed him: "What nonsense are you talking about, at this time."

Before he finished speaking, a cluster of blood spattered on the face of the man holding the bow and arrow, followed by a gunshot that resounded across the wilderness.

"boom!"

The eyes of Ashgaru holding the bow and arrow were about to burst, and his companion had already fallen heavily to the ground.He was about to scream in panic, but he felt a hot streak pass through his neck, and then he fell headfirst to the ground.

"Bang! Bang! Bang!"

"Enemy attack! Enemy attack!"

In the thin mist, figures began to sway, not from one side, but from the north, west, east, and west.

The shrill whistle suddenly sounded from the northern hillside, and it didn't stop for a long time.The short and violent gunfire of the Type 84 revolver came from far and near, and suddenly sounded like firecrackers outside the fence of the Tokugawa barracks.The entire striker was in chaos after preparing for it.

"The guy from the Sendai clan is here!"

"Run!"

The general stood in the middle of the camp with a gun in his hand and shouted: "Everyone, please don't mess up! The Iron Cannons fight back! Give me a fight to the death! Give me a fight to the death!"

Several Banners drew out their knives and yelled angrily at the ashigaru who were fleeing in panic: "Those who retreat, cut!"

In order to boost morale, the general yelled: "There are not many enemy troops! Fight to the death and never retreat!"

Although he knew the advantages and disadvantages of his subordinates, it was too late, the matchlocks of the Iron Cannon Team hadn't been lit yet, and most of the archers had just hung up their bowstrings at this moment, and hurriedly shot their hands at the shaking people outside the camp. They don't care whether they hit the arrows or not, they just keep shooting all the arrows in their hands.

People from the Qingye Battalion approached. They had already come outside the barracks of the Tokugawa Army. More than a dozen people put their guns in through the gaps in the barracks. Hitting the hammer, the six bullets quickly poured out.

The bow and arrow team was beaten and fled, leaving behind dozens of corpses.

"Boom!" Somebody didn't know who lit one of the two Franco cannons in the barracks, and dozens of shotgun shells mixed with iron sand were sprayed directly on the soldiers of the Qingye Battalion who had already rushed into the camp. , The screams of those who were shot sounded heart-piercing.

"Come on! Kill!" From the west side of the Tokugawa military camp, the whistle blew in a hurry without stopping.A company of the Beihai Navy rushed out of the white mist with sharp bayonets.

They rushed to 20 meters in front of the camp, then took out a grenade from their waists, pulled the fuse, and threw it towards the crowded place.

"Grenade! Pay attention to concealment!"

The mandarin voices yelled one after another, and the people from the Qingye camp who had just rushed into the camp turned around in fright and jumped out of the fence, and those who had no time to run quickly fell on the ground with their heads in their hands.

"Boom! Boom! Boom!" A ball of fire rose from the Fran machine gun just now, and the gunner of the Tokugawa Army who was replacing the gun was immediately buried in the flames.

The teams of the Tokugawa Army were in chaos, crying for their parents and mothers everywhere. Like chickens and ducks being driven away, they fled towards the south;The team leader can't see the team members, the captain can't see the team leader, and the team members are mixed with other people's teams, and the command is useless.

The admiral was wearing pitch-black armor with a blood-red sleeveless jacket, making him the most conspicuous target in the eyes of the attacking North Navy.

"I am the Tokugawa family"

"Bang!" "Bang!"

On the left is a rifle shot, and on the right are two revolvers in succession.The general hadn't even reported his family name yet, so he fell headlong into the muddy water.

A company commander of the Qingye Battalion led his men to the southeast of the Tokugawa Army camp, and lay down behind a soil slope next to Ma Niu Marsh. Two hundred 84 revolvers were lined up, aiming at the retreating troops. Tokugawa Army.

They fired at the same time, and the roar suddenly became one piece, and countless white smoke rose from behind the slope.

The Tokugawa army is like the wheat that has been cut off, and it fell in one fell swoop.

The front leg of a mount under the flag was broken, and he fell to the ground.He quickly abandoned his horse and stood up leaning on his gun.

"Raise the shield! Charge! Kill!"

It was useless, another thunderous gunshot rang out, and the banner leaned back, then fell beside the wailing horse.

The wind picked up and the fog gradually dissipated. At this time, more than a thousand retreating Tokugawa troops were completely surrounded by the Northern Navy and the Aoba Battalion.On Aozhou Road, puffs of white smoke rose from time to time. This usually lively place where people come and go and cattle and horses drink water has become a slaughterhouse.

Reluctantly, Banner and the Yu family teamed up again and again to try to break through the siege, but Bei Haijun and Qingyeying knocked them to the ground with airtight bullets.

"Weapon wo she tero!"

"両手で头を抱える!"

Finally, someone loudly ordered the Tokugawa army to put down their weapons and put their hands on their heads in Japanese.

The terrified Tokugawa army was so frightened that they knelt in the muddy water and cried loudly at this time. This is not as brave as the Sanhe samurai back then.

Looking at the scene in front of him, Chai Zhong spat at the prisoners of the Tokugawa Army, cursing in Japanese dialect: "A bunch of trash!"

That afternoon, when several deserters came back, Makino Sadacho was shocked when he learned that the forward was about to be defeated. He ordered the troops to turn around and head south immediately to return to Fukushima Castle.

Before even seeing the shadow of Baishi City, 500 people just disappeared.Makino Sadacho, who was in charge of the feint attack force, finally understood that the Aoba Battalion with only a few hundred people was so fiercely offensive, and he began to worry deeply about the Tokugawa navy going north.

(End of this chapter)