At night on May 27, inside the Kariya Castle Castle Tower.
Asahina Yasutomo, Sena Ujitoshi, Amakihei, Sekiguchi Ujihiro, Asahina Yasuhiro, Okuhira Sadakatsu and everyone's entourage sat around a map spread out on the tatami, thinking about what to do next.
The troops have been working hard all day today and are now very tired and need a good rest. Due to the cloudy weather tonight and the lack of moonlight, it is more difficult for Tan Ma to move around at night - they can only go with torches.
.This actually greatly affects the detection effect of the reconnaissance cavalry. Because in the dark night, the reconnaissance horses with torches are often discovered earlier than the objects they want to investigate.
Even so, Asahina's family still had to send nearly half of their cavalry with torches to conduct reconnaissance - because they had no idea where the Okabe family was now, which was actually very dangerous.
More than a dozen people discussed until midnight, but still could not reach a unified opinion on where the Okabe family is most likely to be now. If you go south from Kariya Castle, forty miles south is Nishio. And between Nishio and Kariya
Between the lines of Joan and Shojo Castle lies the Yahagi River, a famous river in Mikawa. There are many bridges and ferries on the Yahagi River, as well as short walks that are suitable for walking across the river. It is difficult for the Okabe family to cross the river.
It's not very difficult.
However, even so, everyone is still not sure whether the Okabe family has crossed the Yahagi River. After all, they are now unclear about the purpose of the Okabe family suddenly withdrawing from the impregnable Kariya Castle when there is sufficient food and grass.
Kariya Castle was an important stronghold where Owari Tiger Oda Nobhide, the father of Oda Nobunaga, relied on to suppress Mikawa. Oda Nobhide relied on Kariya Castle and Anxiang Castle in the Mikawa Ngada County area.
There was a protracted battle with the Imagawa family. The geographical location of Kariya Castle can be said to be very important. However, the Okabe family suddenly withdrew from the castle. Their purpose is really hard to figure out.
"Will the target be Anxiang City?" Yu Qiuping thought for a long time. Among the branch cities in the entire Mikawa region, only Anxiang City can be compared with Kariya Castle. If the Okabe family abandoned Kariya Castle in exchange for something
If so, Anxiang City is obviously the best choice.
"Now our entire army has gathered in Kariya City. Anxiang City is actually almost an empty city." Yu Qiuping said solemnly, "If the Okabe family actually quietly moved to the south of Anxiang City today,
We will launch an attack early tomorrow morning, can Anxiang City withstand it?"
"You kid, what you said makes sense!" Asahina Taehyung slapped his head, "It's indeed very possible! Those grandsons are full of bad ideas, and maybe they just want to trick us into leaving Anxiang City!"
"Whether the Okabe family plans this way or not, we must take precautions." Yu Qiuping said, "How about I lead Tokiwa Bei to Anxiang City to assist in the defense early the next morning. The Okabe family hastily launched an attack on Anxiang City.
Xiangcheng's attack will definitely not have many siege equipment, and with Tokiwa at the ready, it will definitely not be a problem to hold on until reinforcements arrive."
"The question is, are the Matsudaira family defenders in Anxiang City willing to let Momiji enter the city?" Asahina Taichao said, "His Majesty Matsudaira and Momiji have a very good relationship. It is true, but His Highness Matsudaira has led the main force back to Anxiang this afternoon.
Shojo. Sakai Chuji, who defends the city, is said to be an unkind samurai."
"This..." Yu Qiuping was speechless for a moment. He was really not sure and asked Sakai Chuji to let him enter the city. If the Matsudaira family did not open the city gate when they got to the city, wouldn't he have to face the Okabe family's army?
"How about sending more people," Okuhira Sadakichi suggested, "so that we can take care of each other."
While everyone was discussing, Amano Keide, who had been silent all this time, suddenly spoke.
"Your Highnesses, I have a question." Amano Keide's voice was still cold and without any emotion.
"Gonbei, if you have any opinions, just say it." Sena Ujitoshi called out Amano Keitoku's name in front of his uniform, and everyone turned their attention to this indifferent man with a crow on his shoulder.
"My question is..." Amano Jingde raised his head, the color of his eyes flickering against the beating flames, "If Anxiang City is attacked, do we want to help?"
The words in the room suddenly became smaller and the atmosphere became awkward.
Yu Qiuping was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood what Amano Keitoku meant. The few people around him, except for Asahina Taehyung, who looked like a dementia, should also understand what Amano Keitoku wanted to express.
"Amano...Amano Keitoku, right?" Asahina Taiheng pointed at Amano Keitoku and asked in a somewhat exaggerated tone: "What do you mean? Our own city may be attacked, why don't we save it?"
No? It’s not like we have no troops left!”
Asahina Taehyung thought that everyone would join him in condemning Amano Keitoku's words. To his surprise, several people around him expressed their hesitation in silence.
"What do you mean? Ah?" Asahina Taehyung was confused for a moment, "Where did I say something wrong?"
Everyone looked at each other for a few times, and finally, Taichao Hina sighed and whispered: "My own...city?"
"Nani?" Asahina Taehyung's slender head still didn't seem to understand the current situation.
"Anxiang City...is controlled by the Matsudaira family." Asahina Taichao explained for his younger brother, "Not long ago, it was the Matsudaira family that defrauded Anxiang City from us, wasn't it?"
Asahina Taehyung's eyes suddenly opened wide, as if he understood something.
"What Amano-sama means is...if the Okabe family attacks the Matsudaira family, do we really have to go to the rescue..."
"This... this seems to be very real!" Asahina Taehyung reacted immediately, "Those Mikawa guys are full of bad intentions! If we go to help, we will definitely put our people in front! Where are we going? They will kill us.
People, help them defend the city?"
"It can't be like this." Sena Ujitoshi shook his head and said, "The Matsudaira family is now aloof. Although they sided with us before, they still have a lot of autonomy. If we have no intention of helping them, it is very likely that
They will fall to the side of the Okabe family - the Okabe family will definitely not refuse."
"That would be terrible." Asahina Yasumo looked at the map, "If Okazaki Castle and Anxiang Castle fall into the hands of the Okabe family, and the main force of the Okabe family moves to Okazaki Castle and Anxiang Castle... the situation
It's even more dangerous than before. The Mizuno family is also very likely to be unstable."
"What I mean is," Amano Keitoku said again, "if the Okabe family really attacks Anxiang City, we might as well give a promise of support."
"Then you still didn't send troops?" Yu Qiuping continued with some dissatisfaction, "When the Okabe family and the Matsudaira family fight, both lose, or even when Anxiang City has fallen, are you reaping the benefits?"
"The Okabe family and the Matsudaira family are not fools, and they will definitely not act according to our script like this." Yu Qiuping shook his head and said, "In the end, Matsudaira Motoyasu is very likely to completely fall to the Okabe family because of our betrayal.
.It’s so despicable to use allies like this!”
"Despicable?" Asahina Taiheng shouted, "How did those bastards deceive Anxiang City and Okazaki Castle from us before? How dare they call others despicable? To deal with despicable people, you must use despicable methods.
!”
"No, it's too bad." Yu Qiuping shook his head and said, "I refuse to treat our allies like this. If we do this, it will definitely chill all the wealthy clans. Who wants to join forces with us in the future?"
"What else? Are you trying to get chestnuts out of the fire for the Matsudaira family?" Taehyung Asahina retorted, "Sending troops to help them defend the city they just took from us?"
"These are two different things..." When Yu Qiuping was about to argue again, Sena Jijun used his eyes to tell him to calm down. Yu Qiuping was stunned for a moment, realized his gaffe, and nodded hastily to apologize. Asahina Taehyung is also a rough person,
He waved his hands nonchalantly.
"Both of you have gone to an extreme." Sena Shitoshi shook his head and said, "Actually, there is no need to be so extreme. We naturally support our allies, but we will never go to the fire for them. At least we have to wait for the Matsudaira family to stop them.
After Okazaki Castle's own reinforcements are sent, they will send troops there."
"This is a good idea." Asahina Taichao nodded in approval, "Also..."
Before he finished speaking, there was a sudden knock on the door.
"Report! Your Highness!" A scout horse from the Asahina family was brought in. After kneeling down to salute, he said in a deep voice: "After our scout horse traveled more than ten miles to the south, we began to encounter the Okabe family who also carried torches.
The cavalry. There were so many of them that we didn’t dare to advance rashly, so we rushed back to report back.”
"Is it more than ten miles to the south?" Asahina Taiheng asked carefully, "How many people are there?"
"There are probably close to a hundred people." Tan Ma replied calmly.
"So many people?" Asahina Yasumo was slightly surprised, "Is such a large-scale intelligence barrier meant to cover the location of the main force?" He said while looking at the map, "A dozen miles to the south...still on the Yahagi River.
To the northwest of the country. Could it be that the Okabe family hasn’t crossed the Yahagi River yet..."
"The target is really Anxiang Castle on the western side of the Yahagi River." Yu Qiuping sighed. He didn't know whether the reason why he wanted to support the Matsudaira family so much was affected by his own emotional factors - this was indeed
A taboo for military strategists.
"It's getting late." Asahina Taichao glanced at everyone who was a little tired, "Everyone, please go to rest early. There may be a tough battle to be fought tomorrow."
"Then do I need to ask the troops to get up early and prepare for support?" Yu Qiuping asked.
"Be prepared." Asahina Tai nodded and said, "If you really need to go for support, let His Highness Sena go with you, and Sena Your Highness will decide when to send troops."
"That's great." Yu Qiuping sighed with relief. If the experienced Sena Shitoshi could be at the helm, it would be much better than this stupid young man like him.
Chapter completed!