On May 5, Imagawa Yoshimoto issued a formal rally order to all the wealthy families, important ministers, and family elders in the territory. The powerful families began to assemble their troops and concentrated on Sunfu Castle, Hikima Castle, and Okazaki Castle. At the same time, the border lines between the Imagawa family and the Oda family

, the Imagawa family also began to impose martial law, hindering the communication of information and personnel.

On the afternoon of May 11, the military forces in Suruga were all assembled. 8,000 troops were ready in Suruga Castle. The navy of the Itami family also dispatched 4 Anzha ships and 10 ships at the request of Yu Qiupei.

Sekifune and 20 small morning boats cruise around Ise Bay.

The 300 ashigaru in Yu Qiupei's territory have also gathered in Sunfu Castle, temporarily commanded by Amano Keitoku. And Yu Qiupei himself is in the territory, accompanying Imagawa Kaede for the last moment, and then rushes to Sunfu before sunset.

Already.

After he told Imagawa Kaede's pregnancy news to Imagawa Yoshimoto, it was a rare sight to see the usually calm and calm House Governor extremely excited. But after a while, a rare look of deep worry and regret appeared on his face again——

This really surprised Yu Qiuping. He thought that Yoshimoto Imagawa would never show such an expression in his life.

"But Yu Qiu, you are about to go on an expedition. I don't know how long this trip will take." Imagawa Yoshimoto saw Yu Qiuping's confusion, shook his head and explained, "You can't stay with my precious daughter. His mother is pregnant with her.

At that time, I was never around, and I felt guilty. I didn’t expect that I would make the same mistake again this time.”

"You will not come to Sunfu for business in the next ten days or so." Imagawa Yoshimoto gave Yu Qiuping a holiday at that time, "Please take the official business back to the territory to handle, and spend more time with Kaede before setting off for the expedition."

In the past few days, several good buddies headed by Asahina Taehyung also came from all over the country to hold banquets to celebrate Yu Qiuping. They drank Yu Qiuping cup after cup, and they also argued about what to say to Yu Qiuping.

Let’s not talk about whether it is a boy or not. Even if it is, it will be more than ten years later, but these brothers are so enthusiastic. Yu Qiuping was amused by them and laughed, but he couldn’t help but feel sad in his heart.

move.

"Are you leaving?" Imagawa Kaede's belly was already slightly bulging. She was not wearing the Jinhaori of the past, but changed into a more comfortable and loose kimono.

"The time has come, I'm afraid I can't delay it any longer." Yu Qiuping reluctantly held Imagawa Kaede in his arms, "While I'm away, take care of yourself, and also take care of the little Feng'er in your belly."

"Don't worry." Imagawa Kaede smiled, took a step back, and carefully helped Yu Qiuping arrange the red leaf shawl and bun on her shoulders, "You promised last time that you would swear that you would come back safely, now hurry up and say it."

Yu Qiuping held Imagawa Kaede's jade hand, stared into her moving eyes, and said solemnly.

"I, Yu Qiuping, swear to you that I will come back safely with your father."

"You always do what you say, don't you?" The worry on Imagawa Kaede's face gradually faded, replaced by deep attachment. She bowed slightly and bowed, like every wife of the Wu family, to her husband who was about to go on an expedition.

Blessings.

"Wish you good luck in martial arts."

"Yuqiu, are you here?" Imagawa Yoshimoto was waiting in the castle tower.

"Your Highness, everything is fine with Feng'er, please rest assured." Yu Qiuping nodded.

"Haha, my married daughter is throwing water. She won't tell me anything." Imagawa Yoshimoto smiled and shook his head, "Now I have to wait for you to tell me about my daughter."

"Your Highness is joking." Yu Qiuping laughed.

"I thought she would definitely tell me about this." Imagawa Yoshimoto shrugged, "Did you bring Chidori with you?"

"Of course." Yu Qiuping nodded, "Just put it in the barracks."

"Use this knife to split everything that stands in front of you."

On May 12, the third year of Eiroku (1560), Imagawa Yoshimoto led a total of 8,000 people who were directly under the direct control, the Katsurayama family, the Uaki family, and the Okabe family to leave Sunfu. In addition, some members of the Imagawa family were close followers of Imagawa Yoshimoto.

The elite ninjas and the mesuke team were also recruited by Imagawa Yoshimoto to perform secret missions. As Yu Qiupei, their specific movements cannot be known. They can be said to be a mysterious force. Under Yu Qiupei's plan, Imagawa Yoshimoto

He went into battle dressed as a palace minister. He shaved off his eyebrows, blackened his teeth, put a thick layer of powder on his face, wore elegant and spacious court clothes, and sat in a sedan with the army.

On the 13th of the same month, they arrived at Kakegawa in Toe Province. 3,000 people from the Asahina family who stayed in Kakegawa, 1,500 people from Miura Yoshijiu, and 600 people from the Okuhira family joined the team. On the 14th, 2,400 people from the Hikima and Sena families arrived.

Among them, 1,500 people from the Iio family and 1,500 people from the Ii family joined the main army. At the same time, Imagawa Yoshimoto's troops directly under the jurisdiction of Toe and various small wealthy families also joined the main army. On May 15th, they entered Mikawa Kingdom and arrived.

Yoshida arrived in Okazaki on May 16th. Matsudaira Motoyasu and Sekiguchi Ujihiro led 3,000 Mikawa castle defenders to join the main force. Ame Aiupei's men in Chitate Castle also returned to the establishment under the leadership of Naoe Tadayei. And Ii Naomori led Ii

As the vanguard, the Japanese troops took the lead in entering Owari territory.

At this time, including the Okabe Motobu Division of Narumi Castle in Owari, the Uden Nagasho Division of Otaka Castle, and the Asahina Shinki Division of Takake Castle, the total strength of the Imagawa family's troops dispatched this time has reached

An unprecedented number of more than 32,000 people were recruited, including more than 11,000 combat soldiers and more than 20,000 auxiliary soldiers. There were also an additional 20,000 civilians who began to transport grain and grass on the supply line.

Once there are more than 10,000 people, it is boundless. Yu Qiuping is in a sea of ​​flags. You can't see the vanguard of the team from forward, and you can't see the rear of the team from behind. The vast sea of ​​​​people makes people feel that they are extremely small.

Narumi Castle and Odaka Castle, under the long-term siege of the Oda Army, both fell into a food shortage crisis. The next step for the Imagawa Army must also be to supply the two cities.

The war is about to break out.

On the evening of May 16th, in the Okazaki Castle Castle, the important ministers of the Imagawa family who went to war, except for the three in Owari territory and the navy of the Itami family, all gathered to participate in the pre-war evaluation meeting. Everyone knelt down

Sitting next to a huge desk, a map of the Owari Mikawa border was spread out on the table.

"Everyone." Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was dressed as a palace minister, sat on the main seat and said, "I have already drawn up the plan for this battle. Next, Yu Qiu will explain it to everyone."

Everyone sang in unison, only Okabe Masatsuna, who came on behalf of the Okabe family, sneered and said "cut" disdainfully.

"That would be overstepping my bounds." Yu Qiuping stood up and bowed, "Next, I will read out our battle plan!"

"The core of this plan is-" Yu Qiuping smiled slightly, and then said loudly.

"On the afternoon of the 19th, heavy rain arrived, triggering a surprise attack by Oda!"

As soon as this statement came out, everyone was shocked. Sena Ujitoshi, who had not known the action plan before, was the first to ask for insurance reasons: "Your Majesty Momiji, how did you predict the heavy rain on the afternoon of the 19th?"

"Before I was in the Ming Dynasty, I got the true teachings of a Feng Shui master, and I know a lot about the sky." Yu Qiuping said deceptively: "I was watching the weather not long ago. On the afternoon of the 19th, there will definitely be heavy rain in Tongzhajian."

"I know Yu Qiu's level." To the surprise of Yu Qiu Ping and everyone else, Imagawa Yoshimoto said, "Don't worry about this, just do as you are told."

Now that the family governor has spoken, although everyone is a little dissatisfied with such arbitrary actions, they don't want to ask more questions.

"Besides, even if it doesn't rain, it won't hinder the plan," Yu Qiuping reassured everyone, "It just may not be as fierce as the battle."

"The goal of the first stage is to relieve the siege of Otaka Castle and Narumi Castle." Uakiuhei said loudly, "The ones left behind in Okazaki Castle in this battle are Sekiguchi Bei and Iio Bei, who are responsible for guarding all transportation and supply lines."

"The ones responsible for relieving the siege of Otaka Castle and Narumi Castle will be led by Matsudaira Bei and Asahina Bei." Yu Qiupei pointed to the location of Kariya Castle on the map with a riding crop, "On the 17th, please lead His Highnesses Asahina and Matsudaira. Department 4500 Ashigaru took the south road and entered Kariya from the west of Okazaki Castle. On the 18th, it continued westward, crossed the Aizuma River, entered the Owari territory from the southern peninsula, crossed the river end, and camped at Nawa, south of Otaka Castle. On the 19th In the early morning, please go north immediately. Asahinabei attacks the Washizu Stronghold that is besieging Odaka Castle, and the Matsudaira family attacks the Marune Stronghold that is besieging Odaka Castle. They should cooperate with His Highness Udono in Odaka Castle to annihilate the defenders of the two villages."

"Lord Okabe also set out on the 17th, leading 1,800 ashigaru and a large number of civilians, escorting the troops of His Highness Asahina and His Highness Matsudaira with grain and grass. After the siege of Odaka Castle was lifted, he transported the grain and grass into Odaka Castle."

"His Majesty Miura is also requested to lead the headquarters and the troops of many small wealthy families such as Okuhei Bei to take the north route on the 17th, stationed in Anxiang Castle, and then go to Chili on the 18th." Yu Qiupei said as he leaned over and pointed at Narumi with his riding whip. The location of the city, "In the early morning of the 19th, His Highness Miura first marched northwest, crossed the Okezama, and turned around with the vanguard's Iibi, bringing the number of troops to more than 4,000. Then he asked His Highness Miura to lead the army to move south to get out of the way of Cong Ming. Shanzhao Temple on the edge of Haicheng went to the official road between Tongzhajian and bypassed the forest from the south, and then the whole army was on standby."

"Your Highness Katsurayama, due to the limited width of the official road to the west of Okazaki Castle, after passing the above two troops, the transportation volume has reached the limit. Therefore, please lead your troops as a special force to go north from Okazaki Castle and take a detour to Takake Castle. And before noon on the 19th, go west to Oezazama, then go north to the path from Oezama to Furuto to ambush." ​​Ame Qiupei pointed to the path where Oda Nobunaga made his last surprise attack.

"My Majesty Tokiwa, together with His Highness the Governor of the House and His Highness Sena, with more than 13,000 people as the main force, set off for the three special forces and headed for Takake Castle. At noon on the 19th, they marched westward and arrived at Okezha. room, then go north and enter the path between Tongzhajian and Gudu to garrison."

Everything is in accordance with history, and the posture is exactly the same as in history.

"The above is the first phase of the plan." Imagawa Yoshimoto looked around at everyone, "Do you have any questions?"

After hearing such a detailed and orderly plan, everyone here felt that it was impeccable. Asahina Taichao, who had always been steady, hesitated for a moment and then asked: "I have something unclear. Why should we divide our troops into four groups? Dividing our troops is a taboo for military strategists."

"Your Majesty Asahina, this is the key to the second phase of the plan." Yuqiu said confidently, "Our army will be divided, and our formation will stay in the narrow gap where the road is narrow and it is not suitable to expand, so as to lure the Oda family to make a surprise attack This formation! We will annihilate them in one fell swoop!”

"Nani! Use this formation as bait!" At this time, everyone present was shocked and looked at Imagawa Yoshimoto in surprise. However, Imagawa Yoshimoto nodded very calmly, "This is my plan. , can’t you all trust me, Yiyuan?”

"This..." Everyone here still hesitated, but Imagawa Yoshimoto waved his hand involuntarily, indicating to Yu Qiuping to continue the introduction. This was the second time today, Imagawa Yoshimoto Mikitsuna made an arbitrary decision.

"The second phase of the plan is to draw out the main force of the Oda family from the hinterland of Owari, surround and annihilate it in this narrow space, and thus defeat Owari in one fell swoop." Yu Qiuping took out a report and handed it to everyone present. It was circulated to all the important ministers, "This is the result of the ninja sent by Sekiguchi-sama to monitor the political agenda of the local tycoon Kada in Aichi County. He has close contact with Oda Nobunaga. And his territory is near Oehazama. When the time comes, he will definitely move this formation The news that Okehazama was in danger was reported to Oda Nobunaga, prompting him to make a surprise attack. Our army was approaching, and the Oda family's only chance of victory was to surprise the family governor's main formation and kill him in one fell swoop. He would not let go. Take this opportunity."

"It's a bit too taken for granted." Renryu Iio retorted dissatisfiedly, "It's not something you can lure out if you want. What if the Oda family decides to cage the city?"

"What His Highness Iio said is that it may not be possible to draw them out." Yu Qiuping nodded and smiled bitterly, "But even if we can't draw them out, our actions will not cause any harm. The road capacity is limited, so dividing our troops will allow us to move forward quickly. The best way.”

Besides, I know history? Yu Qiuping added in his heart.

"Yu Qiu, please continue." Imagawa Yoshimoto motioned to Yu Qiuping to ignore the objections. Yu Qiuping was deeply moved by this trust from beginning to end.

"If Oda Nobunaga wants to make a surprise attack, he must pass through Narumi City's Tange Village and Zenzhao Temple Village. The Nakashima Village is to the east, and all actions will fall under the eyes of Narumi City." Yu Qiuping pointed at Narumi City, " As soon as Oda Nobunaga's army passed through, Asahina, Okabe, and Matsudaira Sanbi on the south road, together with Miura, Ii and others on the north road, attacked Iwasa on the outskirts of Narumi Castle to relieve Narumi Castle and cut off Oda Nobunaga's army. The retreat route back from Chang Yuan Road."

"The main formation of His Highness the Governor, Sena Bei and Tokiwa Bei below, will set up an ambush in Okehazama, and use His Highness the Governor's horse seal as bait to lure Oda Nobunaga into rushing into Tenakuhama in the hills. Conduct a surprise attack. His Highness Sena and I will conduct an ambush from the southwest and east slopes of the hills. Oda Nobunaga's total number of soldiers is only 3,000, and the troops left behind at the five villages and Owari will spend at least one day. Thousands, only two soldiers were left. In order to achieve the effect of a surprise attack, Oda Nobunaga most likely carried out a surprise attack without carrying auxiliary troops and baggage. After encountering an ambush, Oda Nobunaga had no choice but to retreat. "

Yu Qiuping spoke more fluently, and he couldn't help but feel a little excited: "The path to Gudu in the north is very narrow, and Geshanbei is enough to hold it. On the east side is our own Tagua City, and the original retreat route on the west side has been cut off by the Rangers.

.Oda Nobunaga has no way to escape, so he will end up in Okezama——"
Chapter completed!