Chapter 14    Japan United

Spring of 1550, only four provinces were left to conquer. Echigo and Hitachi housed large number or hordes left from Hojo, and Uesugi is not yet defeated in Mutsu.

As some reinforcement from the west has arrived Dewa, Lord Oda now left Dewa with a rank 2 general, charging himself into the horde's river province of Echigo, along with the fresh golden-shielded YS, monks, and cavalry from the south.

Spring 1550

The Golden Wall

The horde in Echigo numbered 2432, we 863, almost the best condition. The lengendary armor and honor value has increased the defense bonus of our golden YS to +8.

Although expecting a tough fight (recalling Musashi), we marched the whole army cross the bridge with NO resistance. The enemy keeps backing off. Their arrows pour down our golden-shielded YS, while we remain unhurt. The battle was quickly resolved, we killed 172, losing only 27! The 2400 horde of Echigo instantly perished. What a shame.

(I am sorry that some snapshots were accidently deleted).

Summer 1550

The Fall of Uesugi

After the unexpected easy victory in Echigo, Lord Oda left the siege to the garrison armies in Shinano and Etchu. He moved the 800 elites into the last province of Uesugi - 836 (us) vs 1472 (enemy).

We soon found out that Lord Uesugi made groups of archers in the forests close to us. Again, we marched the legendary golden wall of YS uphill, right into the forests, kicking the butt of these annoying shooters with our monks. Our cavalry advanced on the two sides, while archers behind, walking as a tide of wave towards the main body of Uesugi army.

We just became invincible. The shield of golden yari samurai was unbreakable, and the our cavalry wiprf up the enemies nice and clean. Lord Uesugi was finally surrounded by the Oda, ended his life under the sword of Oda Nobuhide.  His heir, the famous general Uesugi Kenshin, has escaped the yari of our cavalry and made to the map exit.  However, he did not have any lands to succeed.

Killing nearly 500, we destroyed the Uesugi clan in the frontal assault.

Now we have only Hitachi and Kazusa left. Wishing to unite Japan before the New Year, Lord Oda again moves his braves into Hitachi, while general Kanamori Nagachika advance into Kazusa, with just enough soldiers left in Shimosa for the siege.

Autumn 1550

The Last Strike Back

Out of our expectation, the hordes attacked Shimosa at the same season! We forgot this important cheat by the ronins - they can act after knowing our moves.

Now Shimosa was left with a nobody general of monk, a gunner, and a golden YS. The enemy outnumbered us 3 times (180 vs. 529). Well, never give up a bridge province without a fight. Keeping this in mind, the 3 units had signed the contract of death, to bring down as many horde as they can.

We put the gunner at the back, just enough to escape the archer's fire. The enemy troops soon charged over the bridge, and were handled well by our golden YS and monk. However, the gunners not only fired slowly but also inaccurately. Many of our YS were shot dead by their comrades.

There was one close chance to kill their Taisho, yet we let him escaped!

Soon the entire enemy army advanced onto the bridge. Our the monk and YS bravely charged into the horde! Kill! Kill!

They bravely fought till the last bit of morale went out, happened when our general sacrificed his life. Totally we killed 234, losing 111. We have done our best. The first formal defeat of the Oda Clan on the battlefield throughout these 20 years, yet it was a glorious defeat.

The same time, Kanamori Nagachika's troop successfully marched into Kanzusa without any encounter.

On the other hand, the 1757 army of Hitachi shattered at the sight of seeing Lord Ode Nobuhide's 720. They fled without a fight! That was the most dishonorable foe we have ever met in our war history - an army with twice the size retreated without a try!

The last battle, we have to take Shimosa back from the ronins again. This time we garrisoned the nearby province all with good generals and elite troops -- Let Lord Oda accomplish the last victory of Sengoku Jidai.

Winter 1550

Charge!

Unbelievable. The hordes completely gave up Shimosa, charging every single man into Kenzusa. The only army we met across the bridge was the free unit a horde gets every season. A 793 vs. 60.

"Leave none alive" Lord Oda ordered. All of our cavalry charged across the bridge, chasing the helpless archer of the horde. Who is the horde now?

They were completely elimitaed by the elite Oda horde! The last battle of Lord Oda ended up in such a decorative victory. 56 win 0 lose, here goes the legendary leader of Oda clan! (while in history, Nobuhide died in 1551, leaving the wavering Owari to his young son of Oda Nobunaga).

Winter 1550

Finale

It is simple, if we hold the province of Kanzusa, the horde will have nowhere to retreat and disappear. General Kanamori Nagachika was in charge of the defense. He had 4 H3+ YS with at least silver shield, 5 H4 WM, 5 H4+ archers, and 1 H3 gunner. The enemy had 2172. This is the final number of the hordes, against the 6000 Oda of Japan.

We spread out the archery units, wating for the horde. With the help of the heavy fog, 3 of our monks hid in the forests on the left, waiting for the chance to strike the hordes on the back.

The horde finally came. The monks in the forest emerge and charged, synchronized by the total downhill attack of our melee. Although our weaker right flank could not sustain the rains of arrow and massive enemy cavalry, we penetrated the horde at the center. The enemy taisho got killed half way back, so did many of his fellowmen.

Killing 547, we also lost  quite a few. Yet this is the end of the horde - we won, and all the costs were worthwhile. Kanamori Nagachika reached his 15th win.

Spring 1551

Nobunaga's Ambition ?!

Oda Nobunaga, the son of Oda Nobuhide, the man who set the backbone of a united Japan in history, was going to mature in spring 1551. He missed it by one season, unfortunately, giving no appearance in our glorious Oda campaign.

Japan is now united! We, the Oda clan, conqured Japan using exactly 21 years.

~ To this day, his memory is honored, and his courage, his shrewdness, and his skill in battle, are legend.

Thank you very much for the support of my Oda war story. Wish you had a good time as I did! :)