After the battle of Akihara, the Yan army continued its march and entered Hisa Prefecture. Meanwhile, the troops led by Sasaki Taiichiro also continued their march, and the two armies eventually met there.
Qin Ze was not surprised. After all, they were heading towards the Kyoto Imperial Palace and would inevitably be blocked by the Japanese army. It was not surprising that they would encounter them anywhere.
To everyone's surprise, Taichiro Sasaki had intended to take advantage of the Yan army's exhaustion after a night of fierce fighting to launch a surprise attack and catch them off guard.
After all, according to common sense, no matter how skilled the Yan army was in battle, they would not rush to advance towards the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
However, what was unexpected was that the Yan army's advance was too fast, and they were already almost out of Feishe. Under these circumstances, a surprise attack was naturally not an option, so they had no choice but to fight them head-on.
Subsequently, the two sides clashed in the mountains, and a fierce battle ensued.
In mountainous terrain and open field warfare, artillery undoubtedly plays a crucial role. Therefore, before the scouts discovered the approaching enemy troops, Qin Ze exchanged for twenty tiger-squatting cannons.
Compared to other heavy artillery, the Tiger Crouching Gun was easier to carry and, when placed in mountainous terrain, could deliver a powerful blow to dense enemy forces, effectively curbing their frenzied offensive.
And that was exactly what happened. With the continuous explosions of cannons, the Japanese army dared not gather together and split into several forces, but even so, they still rushed forward frantically.
Sasaki Taichiro had already made a pledge to Akihito. He knew that he could not afford to lose this battle like Murata had. Therefore, no matter how fierce the fighting became, he had to stop the Yan army's advance.
After all, if even their own army were to be defeated, then the Yan army would soon be advancing towards the Kyoto Imperial Palace.
Although the troops in the western region have been mobilized and are heading towards the Kyoto Imperial Palace, the arrival of the Yan Army at the Kyoto Imperial Palace will announce an extremely grim fact.
This stark reality must not be allowed to happen!
"Hurry! Hurry! Break through their formation in one fell swoop! Charge in!"
At that moment, Sasaki Taichiro, who was in the back, roared while holding a sword!
The Japanese soldiers, some on horseback and others on foot, were now running wildly forward in accordance with his orders. This was mountainous terrain with many paths, allowing them to run forward from different directions.
But the artillery fire from the other side was also fierce enough. At this moment, multiple forces were bombarded by artillery, and the bodies of the Japanese soldiers were pierced by lead bullets, with limbs and fragments flying out!
Chunks of flesh, mixed with fresh blood, were poured onto the ground, staining the grass and trees with blood. The strong smell of blood assaulted people's noses, but it only drove them even more mad.
The Japanese soldiers, their eyes bloodshot, charged forward like wild beasts that had lost their minds.
Meanwhile, the archers in the distance were shooting arrows to cover them, but the muskets on the other side were also firing lead bullets continuously.
Even with their suicidal charge, the Japanese soldiers could not withstand the overwhelming firepower.
Within half an hour of the start of the battle, countless people had already died. Left with no other choice, Sasaki Taichiro ordered a retreat into the mountains.
"Fight from the mountain and engage them in skirmishes!"
Seeing that the Japanese had slowed their offensive, Yan Jun did not hold his ground but moved accordingly.
The battle they are fighting is not about holding a place, but about annihilating all the Japanese soldiers!
The purpose of this landing is to annihilate all enemies!
Qin Ze ordered the Tiger Crouching Cannon to be carried forward and aimed at the forest to bombard it!
"Bang bang bang!"
Like thunderclaps, amidst billowing smoke, artillery bombarded the mountains and forests. Even trees as thick as bowls could not withstand the bombardment, and groves of trees fell one after another, with earth and rocks collapsing in response.
The birds that had been roosting in the forest flew up into the sky in panic, but the Japanese soldiers who had taken refuge there could not grow wings to carry them away. Amidst screams of agony, countless men were hit by artillery fire.
After firing all the lead bullets, the Yan soldiers, led by their generals, stormed into the mountains and began to pursue the Japanese soldiers. Although the Japanese soldiers had lost a lot of men in the previous battle, they still had a considerable number of troops.
However, Qin Ze was not worried about any unexpected situations during the pursuit, as he had no shortage of soldiers!
Whether it's one-on-one or outnumbered, the soldiers they summoned possessed formidable fighting power, and these Japanese were no match for them!
Immediately, squads of Yan soldiers charged into the mountains and forests to fight the Japanese soldiers.
"It's our turn!"
In the devastated forest, Jubei spoke to the samurai around him.
As soon as he finished speaking, his face darkened, and he ran forward. In front of him was a group of Yan soldiers fighting, wielding halberds and besieging several Japanese soldiers.
The wind swept past Jubei, and the original scent of grass and trees was replaced by the smell of blood. Jubei lowered his head slightly, his right hand resting on the hilt of his sword.
He quickly reached these people in just over ten steps. Three Yan soldiers noticed his arrival and immediately turned around, thrusting their halberds at him!
"Hoo—" Jubei exhaled a breath of stale air and raised his sharp eyes.
Then, with a "clang" sound!
Senjimura was drawing his sword from its sheath, and a chilling light gleamed on the crisscrossing, dog-tooth-like patterns on the blade.
The moment the cold light appeared, there was a "snap"!
A human head, its eyes still wide open, fell to the ground with a thud; the cut on the severed neck was clean, even smooth.
But before the blood could spurt out from the severed neck, another neck was severed!
"puff!"
Blood spurted from the first man's severed neck. Jubei bent his legs and twisted his body suddenly, slashing the halberd thrust by the third man in half!
Without the slightest hesitation, as he severed the halberd, he slashed upwards with his blade!
With a "sizzle" sound.
The slightly curved tip of the knife sliced upwards from the third person's chin, then his lips, nose, and finally his brow.
A drop of blood slid from the tip of the knife, splitting the man's face in two.
"That's a really tough idea! Let's all go for it!"
With shouts, the group turned and attacked Jubei. Jubei took a deep breath, and then a flurry of flashing blades ensued.
"call--"
As he exhaled the breath he had been holding in his chest, Jubei keenly sensed a sharp gaze coming from the depression in the ground below.
So he turned around and looked in that direction.
An enemy general holding a steel whip stood in the middle of the pile of corpses, coldly watching him.
Blood was dripping from the steel whip, which also seemed to be stained with bits of flesh; it undoubtedly came from the Japanese soldiers.
With a few loud thuds, Yanbing, who was standing next to Jubei, also fell down.
Jubei's expression was solemn as he gripped Senji Muramasa tightly, his gaze fixed on the enemy general.
At that moment, the enemy general coldly raised the steel whip in his hand and pointed it at Jubei.
With a "thud".
As a drop of blood fell from the steel whip, the two moved simultaneously.
Jubei stomped heavily on the ground and leaped down, while the other man, with his body slightly hunched, rushed upwards.
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