What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 17

“General, please inspect the bamboo spear unit.”

“Very well, let me see them.”

We lacked proper weapons. And we also had no money to buy them.

So, I had resigned myself to the reality that we would fight with bamboo spears for the time being.

A standard spear of one and a half ken (about 2.7 meters), while our bamboo spears measured two ken (about 3.6 meters). And if an enemy wielded a spear of two ken, we could simply make ours two and a half ken.

The advantage was clear-longer reach and no hesitation to use them recklessly.

Even without metal spearheads, I believed bamboo spears could still be effective.

But I still needed to confirm that for myself.

“Spear unit! Bamboo spear unit! Take positions!”

Under Shinsuke’s command, the twenty-man bamboo spear unit formed a tight formation. Opposing them was a unit of twenty men wielding real spears.

Both groups took a middle stance and faced each other. It was a spectacular sight.

“Strike! Sei-yaa!”

“Sei-yaa!”

Half of the bamboo spear unit lifted their spears on the “Sei” and brought them crashing down on “Yaa!”

Meanwhile, the other half maintained their middle stance to prevent the enemy from exploiting any openings.

They repeated this rhythm in perfect alternation.

“Thrust! Sei-yaa!”

“Sei-yaa!”

This time, while holding their middle stance, half of the unit thrust forward. Their target-the opponent’s throat.

A difficult area to defend. Even with bamboo, a clean hit could knock an enemy unconscious.

They advanced half a ken at a time, alternating thrusts. Due to that, the opposing spearmen were forced to retreat.

“Charge! Sei-yaa!”

“Sei-yaa!”

“Sei-yaa!”

“Sei-yaa!”

Now came a relentless sequence of strikes, thrusts, thrust, strike, and thrust.

Hmm… This was more powerful than I had imagined.

They had devised a way to avoid openings while attacking. Against this bamboo spear formation, a unit with shorter spears wouldn’t stand a chance.

This could definitely work in real combat.

The spearmen participating in this drill were likely just there to ensure the bamboo spears didn’t damage real spears-not to test the effectiveness of actual spear combat.

Wait a second…

Did we even have this many real spears? It was more than I expected.

The spears we had seized from conquered villages were mostly rusted junk, unfit for use. I had ordered them sent to the blacksmith to be reforged into something else.

“How was it?”

“Hmm, it was splendid. As expected of you.”

“Yes, at first, even I was skeptical when I heard about it, but this should be more than sufficient. In fact, we used this very formation to defeat the warrior monks of Kamo-go. Thanks to that, we managed to acquire quite a number of real spears.”

“I see, I see. That’s excellent.”

Ah, so that’s how it is. That makes sense-warrior monks would definitely have real weapons like naginatas and spears.

“Next, we present the archery unit for inspection.”

“Oh, so you finally made the bows?”

We had crafted the bows ourselves by combining bamboo and wood. Of course, anyone could make a simple bow if they wanted to, but the real question was whether these would have the necessary range and durability to be viable in battle.

“Yes, after much trial and error, we have refined them. Well, since we had to work with whatever materials were available, the range is only about 80% of a regular bow, but they are more than practical.”

Jūzō spoke proudly.

The craftsmen handled the actual production, but he is still the one who oversaw everything.

“Ready!”

At the command of Tanaka, the archery unit’s captain, thirty archers drew their bows in unison.

“Loose!”

The sound of bow strings snapping rang through the air as arrows flew toward the targets affixed to the mountainside fifteen ken (about 27 meters) away.

The arrows landed in a fairly tight grouping.

“Some arrows missed the target, but since they’re handmade and a bit warped, that’s just part of the charm.”

Tanaka was a samurai from the Shimizu clan, still in his prime at just over thirty. A promising warrior for the future.

“Yamuoen…” (meaning “Unavoidable…” but said in a resigned, dramatic tone)

“….”

Oh-no one got the joke…

“Next is long-range shooting. The target is one and a half chō (about 150 meters) away! Ready!”

…Wait, did Tanaka just ignore me?

Even Jūzō turned away like he didn’t hear me…

The archers tilted their bows skyward, aiming at the opposite mountainside, which had been cleared of underbrush and small trees to serve as a long-range target area.

“Loose!”

Dark specks scattered through the sky as the arrows traced high arcs before vanishing toward their mark.

Yes, this should be more than sufficient. It can definitely be used in actual combat. Both Jūzō and Shinsuke looked pleased.

“Magnificent. How many of these bows can you produce?”

“Well, as long as we have enough bamboo and wood, we can make as many as we want. However, drying and bonding take time, so with our current manpower, we can produce about five per day.”

A craftsman, seemingly in charge of bow-making, answered.

“I see. We need as many weapons as possible. If we have a surplus, we can always sell them. Keep refining the design and make as many as you can.”

“Understood.”

Selling weapons to the enemy wasn’t exactly ideal, but they fetched a high price. Selling them should be a part of our strategy.
This was the Warring States period after all, there was never enough weaponry, and we were in dire need of money.

“You’ve all done well. Thanks to your efforts, we’re making real progress. From now on, I will work alongside you on the front lines, so keep up the good work.”

“General, there’s still something else I’d like to show you.”

Oh? Jūzō looked especially pleased with himself.

What could it be…?

Following Jūzō, we made our way into the weapons storage of the main keep (the manor). Shinsuke accompanied us as well.

January 12th, Yamanaka Fortress Weapon Storage – Jūzō Shimizu

“Oh!”

The general exclaimed as he laid eyes on the jūmonji yari (cross-shaped spear) stored inside the weapons cache.

This was something I had arranged to be crafted by the blacksmiths, after consulting with Shinsuke. There was a practice version of the jūmonji yari in the manor’s training hall, handmade by the commander himself, but until now, we hadn’t had an actual, fully forged one.

“Jūzō, is this what you wanted to show me?”

“Indeed, my lord. It was crafted within our domain. I believe it is a weapon most fitting for you.”

“Hmm, splendid. Shinsuke, spar with me.”

“Yes, sir!”

The general took a chūdan no kamae (middle stance) with the jūmonji yari, his eyes narrowing slightly.

Opposite him, Shinsuke, holding a shin yari (regular spear), looked visibly pale.

“Shinsuke, no need to hold back. Thrust at me.”

“Understood!”

“Yaaah!”

With a battle cry, Shinsuke lunged straight at the commander. The sharpness of his thrust sent a shiver down my spine.

It was a strike from a seasoned warrior-one with real intent to kill.

However, Shinsuke’s spear tip was knocked upward by the commander’s jūmonji yari, leaving it suspended in the air.
Meanwhile, the commander had stepped forward, his own spear tip stopping just short of Shinsuke’s hand.

Both took a step back and thrust again. 

Shinsuke’s sharp attacks came from above and below, thrusting, sweeping, and striking, but each and every move was caught by the hooked blades of the jūmonji yari, bringing him closer and closer to being overwhelmed.

“That’s enough.”

The commander relaxed his stance.

“Hmm… This jūmonji yari feels just right in my grip, and the weight is perfect for me. You’ve crafted a truly fine weapon. Thank you.”

“I’m honored that you like it.”

Shinsuke was already drenched in sweat, his breathing heavy.

This was a rare sight. Shinsuke was known for never breaking a sweat even when sparring against an entire unit during training. 

Soldiers often whispered, “Even if he fights everyone at once, the commander doesn’t sweat a single drop…”

“Just as Kitamura-dono said… Lord Yamanaka is terrifying.”

The voice came from Shima, a young warrior whom Shinsuke had brought from Kamo-go.
I’d heard that he was from a local samurai clan in Heguri and had ties to the Yagyū dōjō from years past.

“Oh? Shinsuke actually said the general is frightening?”

“Yes, my lord. Kitamura-dono said, ‘Our lord is terrifying when he takes up a weapon and stands against you.’”

“Ho…”

The general let out a chuckle.

“Hahaha… That’s because I, myself, am afraid of battle. That fear is what makes me fight so desperately.”

He must have overheard our conversation, as he responded to Shima directly.

“Lord Yamanaka. My name is Shima Kiyooki. I am a ronin who has lost his land. I humbly ask for permission to reside in your domain for a while.”

“Hmm… Shima-dono, is it? Very well. You may stay. Take up residence in Ni-no-Kuruwa (the second bailey). When you have the time, it would be of great help if you could assist Shinsuke and Tōnai in training the troops.”

“Understood.”

Shinsuke looked pleased. Shima was still young, but as a disciple of the Yagyū dōjō, his skills were formidable.

If he could help train the troops, that would be a great advantage for us.