At noon on June 2, inside Futamata Castle.
"Your Highness, the envoy of the Yuqiu family is here to see you." A lookout soldier rushed back to the castle tower from the top of the city and reported to Nakane Masaru, who was discussing countermeasures in the castle tower.
Nakane Masari, his nephew Nakane Masaru, and the other garrison commanders currently in Futama Castle are worrying about the next countermeasures.
Futamata Castle can be said to be one of the most fortified castles in the territory of Yuanjiang - although the city is small, it is very dangerous. It is surrounded by water on the north and south sides, and there are slopes that are difficult to climb on the east and west sides. There is very little space for troops to launch an attack. But this one
The castle has an excellent geographical location, blocking the main road from Shinano and the north of Enji into Enji. If they choose to bypass Futama Castle instead of taking Futama Castle, the army will not be able to ensure the safety of the road. Therefore, the city is also built on an extremely solid ground.
Equipped with a large number of arrows and rolling stones. On the eve of the historical Battle of Mikatahara, Takeda Shingen led nearly 30,000 troops and nearly 10,000 soldiers to besiege Futama Castle with only a few hundred soldiers and more than 1,000 people. It still cost nearly
It took 2 months to force Futama Castle to surrender by cutting off the water supply.
Yu Qiuping, who knew the history, also knew that he would definitely not be able to capture Futama Castle with his hundreds of ashigaru who did not even have armor. But because he did not have any baggage or auxiliary troops at all, he did not need to ensure roads and food routes.
To ensure his safety, he can bypass Futama Castle and advance - provided that Futama Castle's troops do not condescendingly attack him.
Ame Qiupei, who realized that Futama Castle had turned to the Okabe family, sent a messenger to negotiate with Futama Castle.
"Invite him in quickly." Nakane Masaru said hurriedly. Although he owned the fortified city of Futama Castle, Nakane Masaru had the confidence to refuse all negotiations from Yu Qiupei, but he did not want to completely fall out with Asahina and his family - Futama Castle was separated from the city.
Kawa Castle is not far away. If the Asahina family and the Okabe family reconcile later, he will be in trouble.
Soon, the envoy was brought to the castle tower. The few guards who brought the envoy up were very wary of the young envoy, because the envoy had been looking for opportunities to look at the defenses of Futama Castle on the way here.
Moreover, the envoy seemed to be very good at collecting intelligence, and he had a clear view of the layout of several defense points. Several guards could not help but feel a little regretful. They looked at him like a child before and looked down upon him. They should have taken him around to the castle.
They wanted to go to the pavilion, but because the head of the family told them to hurry up, they just took the right path.
However, Nakane Masaru was not in the mood to care about this.
Because when the envoy spoke, he spoke in a strong Shinano accent: "My envoy from the Takeda family, Kosaka Masayuki, has met His Highness Nakane."
It was then that Nakane discovered that there were no red leaves on the messenger's head. His name was Takaban Masanobu, and he was so young... I guess he was the adopted son of Takasaka Masanobu?
Why is the Takeda family's messenger... with the Uqiu family? This question impacts the brains of everyone present, even more terrifying than how Uqiupei suddenly appeared in Futama Castle with Tokiwabi. In other words, the two together
Happening is the most frightening thing.
"This is the seal of the House Governor's Hall. Please take a look at it." Sanada Masayuki said as he took out the seal that Takeda Shingen gave him when he came here as a hostage. In fact, if the situation was not very critical, he would not be willing to abuse it like this.
The Seal of the Takeda Family - Such fraudulent behavior of pretending to be a messenger will damage the credibility of the Takeda Family. But at this moment, the situation of Yu Qiupei, whom he loves very much, is already in danger, and he can't care so much.
Futama Castle, where Nakane Masaru is located, is very close to Minami Shinano of the Takeda family. Messengers from the Takeda family often pass by. He naturally recognized the seal and his face suddenly darkened. In fact, after hearing the messenger's letter
When the envoy took out the seal with a natural expression, he already understood that this envoy could not be a fake.
"I don't know what's wrong with His Majesty Takeda? I'll inform the family governor's hall." Nakane Masaru cautiously probed.
"Either I'm here to see your family governor, or I'm here to find His Highness Nakane." Sanada Masayuki acted as the emissary of Takeda Shingen without changing his expression and his heart did not skip a beat - this is the second time he has used the trumpet (Haibei Masayuki)
.
"This...I wonder what His Majesty Takeda's orders are?" Nakane Masaru asked in a low voice as beads of sweat suddenly appeared on his forehead.
"I want to mediate the possible conflict between the Nakane family and the Uqiu family." Sanada Masayuki said calmly, "The family governor heard that because the cause of His Highness Jibu's death was unknown, the Imagawa family fell into civil war, and the Nakane family seemed to have joined the group that was hostile to the Uqiu family.
But my family governor is willing to vouch for Yuqiu Hongye. Yuqiu Hongye has no intention of attacking Futama Castle. He just wants to pass through and go to Yinma Castle. Therefore, I hope that the Nakane family will not conflict with the Yuqiu family and not hinder Yuqiu.
Home passes.”
"This..." The huge amount of information suddenly made Nakane Masaru dumbfounded - Takeda Shingen actually asked for a passage for the Yuqiu family! Why did the Takeda family help the Yuqiu family? How did the Takeda family know about the Yuqiu family?
Will they pass by Futama Castle and send a messenger here? Could it be that the Takeda family has long been aware of the conflict between the Okabe family and the Asahina family, so they sent a messenger in advance? The Uaki family came from the north of Toe and the south of Shinano.
The presence of the Takeda family and the Imagawa family at the border of their territories, is there some ulterior agreement with the Takeda family?
A series of questions hit Nakane Masaru's brain, leaving him unable to answer for a while.
"Furthermore," Masayuki Sanada smiled slightly when he saw Nakane's performance, "the Takeda family will also make the same request for a passage for His Majesty's troops. I hope His Majesty Nakane will not misunderstand."
Nakane Masaru was completely stunned and could not utter a word. Next to him, Nakane Masaru also had a look of astonishment on his face and whispered in disbelief: "Takeda...the Takeda family has sent troops to the far river! Isn't Takeda an ally with us!
how come…"
"This matter is confidential and I have no right to disclose it." Sanada Masayuki shook his head and refused.
"Then how did Tokiwabei come here?" Nakane Masaru asked nervously.
"This is a matter of the Yuqiu family and has nothing to do with the Takeda family. It is inconvenient to disclose it." Sanada Masayuki remained tight-lipped again.
Before Sanada Masayuki set off, Yu Qiupei, Amano Keitoku, and Naoe Tadashi discussed together how to use the tiger-skin banner sent by the Takeda family for the Yu Qiu family to coax the Nakane family to achieve the best effect.
Effect. According to common sense, if the Imagawa family undergoes drastic changes, the Takeda family will naturally respond. However, unless the Imagawa family really requests the Takeda family to assist in countering the rebellion, or the Takeda family makes an effort to tear up the alliance, the Takeda family's troops should not
Entering the territory of the Imagawa family. Moreover, in just ten days, we have to inquire about good news and collect good intelligence, reach a tacit agreement with the Asahina family, then assemble the troops, prepare food and grass, and finally enter Yuanjiang through the mountainous area. What do you think?
It's all a difficult thing.
Yu Qiuping and others were thinking hard, and they didn't know what kind of explanation they should give in order to overcome all the unreasonable points and make the Nakane family believe that the Takeda family really sent troops to help the Yu Qiu family, thereby scaring them not to fight with Yu Qiuping.
The Qiu family was the enemy, so they just let them pass. When everyone was at a loss, it was the ghost Nakahide Omaezaki who came up with a way.
"Why do you have to make them sure that the Takeda family will send troops!" Omaezaki Nakahide suddenly interjected at that time, "Just make them not sure that the Takeda family will not send troops! It's just to scare people anyway!"
"Those guys in the Nakane family must be extremely panicked right now." He added, "The family governor has just passed away, and everyone is panicking. They also saw our magic soldiers appearing in front of them like gods descending from the sky, and they didn't want to offend the Asahina family.
It is already wavering. Coupled with the threat that the Takeda family may send troops, I will definitely give way obediently!"
"It makes sense, yes, Zhongxiu!" Yu Qiuping suddenly understood, "Instead of trying to explain and let them find flaws, we might as well say nothing, keep it mysterious, and let them guess on their own!"
Sure enough, everyone in the Nakane family suddenly fell into unprecedented chaos. Everyone looked at each other. No one knew what was happening right now, and no one dared to judge how the Takeda family would act. Did the Takeda family really send troops? If so.
Okay, where are the troops now? The Amaki family is so confident that they rushed to Futama Castle without armor. Is it because the Takeda family is backing them? Has Inui Castle joined the Asahina family? It has always been related to the Okabe family.
Why did the good Takeda family suddenly go to help the Amaki family? Should the Nakane family immediately defect and help the Asahina family? Even if they don't defect, do we really have to worry about the Okabe family who may be a traitor?
Are you going to resist the attacks from the Amaki family and the Takeda family?
"So, what is the Nakane family's answer?" Sanada Masayuki urged calmly.
"This... can you please allow some time for us to discuss it?" Nakane Masaru said with some stumble. It would be difficult for them to discuss it with an outsider like Kosaka Masayuki.
"Yes." Sanada Masayuki showed great confidence, "But your highnesses, please hurry up." He said softly as he stood up and left, "We don't have much time."
The last sentence "time is running out" can be said to be the last straw for the already wavering Nakane family - this seems to imply that the Takeda family's troops are approaching. The retainers of the Nakane family briefly discussed
After a while, I came to the conclusion - there is no need to face the Amaki family and the Takeda family alone for the sake of the Okabe family who may fail. On the one hand, the Nakane family does not attack the Amaki family that is passing by the city, but to the Asahina family.
Release goodwill. On the one hand, immediately report the information here to Hikima Castle of the Okabe family, so that they can be careful about the incoming enemy troops. They must also find out the attitude of the Takeda family. They must also clarify repeatedly that the Nakane family acted under pressure.
Even though he was forced to let go, his heart was still towards the Okabe family, so he could be considered as fulfilling his responsibility to the Okabe family.
The Nakane family believed that such an operation would not offend both sides. After the Takeda family's envoy left, Tokiwa Bei of the Ameaki family passed Futama Castle in a mighty manner, and then headed south along the Tenryu River.
Chapter completed!