On October 7, at 3:00 noon, in the Yuqiu family's camp outside Owari Province's Daka Castle.
Yu Qiuping finally woke up after sleeping all night and all morning. His head was dizzy and very uncomfortable. As soon as he closed his eyes, the image of Udono Changteru and his Hatamoto samurai committing seppuku appeared in his mind.
of heroic appearance.
He forced himself to cheer up and not think about those things. After washing his face with cold water, Honda Tadakatsu had already ordered some prepared lunch from the cook in advance to cushion Yu Qiuping's belly.
After learning that Yu Qiuping had woken up, Sanada Masayuki, Amano Keitoku, and Naoe Tadayei rushed over immediately. When they came over, Yu Qiuping was sipping miso soup and swallowing rice balls wrapped with fish in small mouths - this was
Benefits only available to high-level warriors.
"Your Highness..." Naoe Tadayei asked with some worry.
"Jibei, you don't have to worry." Yu Qiuping shook his head, "There's nothing serious about my health."
"Kibei, Kyoutoku," Yu Qiuping looked at Masayuki Sanada and Kyoutoku Amano, both of whom also looked downcast. He was stunned for a moment, trying to make the atmosphere less solemn, and then said with a smile: "Speaking of which
, Jingde, your name is Quan Bingwei, right? It just so happens that the three of you are some kind of military guards, how about I call you Quan Bingwei from now on?"
"It's okay, I don't care." Amano Jingde nodded lightly, letting Yu Qiuping's idea of ​​​​enlivening the atmosphere go to waste. Yu Qiuping laughed twice awkwardly, "Then tell me, how is the situation now?"
"After His Highness fainted yesterday," Naoe Tadahei said softly, "I took the guards and sent His Highness back to the camp outside the south gate. His subordinates also withdrew their troops back to the camp. Yesterday, a total of ten people were killed and thirty-two were injured.
However, only three of them were seriously injured that would affect their future lives. The ashigaru who were killed in the battle have all been placed in coffins, and the injured have been properly treated, so your highness can rest assured."
"What about the corpses of His Highness Udono?" Yu Qiuping asked, "How were the Ashigaru and their families of the surrendered Imagawa Army disposed of?"
"His Royal Highness Yudian and their bodies were put into coffins by the order of the Family Governor's Palace. The two young masters that His Highness Yudian left in Dagao City were unable to retreat in time when the west gate resisted, so they were captured by our army and placed under house arrest in the camp.
"Naoe Tadahei said, "As for the direct subordinates of the House Governor's Palace and other ashigaru and samurai of the Imagawa family captured by your highnesses, except for the dozen or so people who opened the city gate and were released...the others were either selected by your highnesses.
, able-bodied or talented people who had no connections in Suruga Toga were included in their troops. Or they were demoted as slaves."
However, at this point, Naoe Tadayei stopped and did not continue. Yu Qiuping waited for his next words, but Naoe Tadayei just lowered his head silently and did not answer.
"Then..." Yu Qiuping had an ominous premonition in his heart, "What about the Imagawa troops we... captured?"
The south gate of the Uaki family, Tokiwabei, was responsible for the main attack, and it was the first city gate that the Oda family broke. Therefore, the siege troops outside the south gate were able to capture a large number of prisoners while outflanking along the city wall and inside the city. The Mitsuaki family
One family captured nearly 200 prisoners of the Imagawa family. Before Yu Qiupei besieged the castle tower, he deliberately sent these prisoners out of the city and sent them to Yu Qiupei's own camp. According to the unwritten rules among Japanese samurai, captured
It is usually up to the samurai to decide how to deal with the prisoners. Therefore, Yu Qiuping originally planned to let these prisoners go quietly, which could be regarded as a kind of atonement for his indifference when he saw the prisoners being demoted as slaves. Sending the prisoners out
The matter was entrusted to Naoe Tadayei. Naoe Tadayei and Yu Qiuping have always had the most tacit understanding and have the same mind. Naoe Tadayei naturally understands what he means.
However, after seeing Naoe Tadayei's performance, Yu Qiuping probably already understood.
"Your Highness..." Naoe Tadahei swallowed and spoke in a lowered voice, "Later yesterday, Mr. Sasa and Mr. Kanamori came to our camp. They said that on behalf of the lord, they came to ask how we planned to deal with the prisoners.
.”
"Excuse me..." Naoe Tadayei paused, and prepared to continue speaking with some difficulty. However, Amano Keide suddenly shook his head, indicating that Yu Qiuping should let him continue.
"I'm secretly speculating on the meaning of the palace," Amano Keide said in a deep voice, "I just came to see what the lord plans to do with these prisoners. Even if the lord puts them back, the palace will not interfere. But it will inevitably leave unhappiness in my heart."
"Therefore, please make your own decision," Amano Keitoku said coldly: "On the grounds that Your Highness has just arrived and needs more care from his colleagues, I have given the captives to the Highnesses of my family and Nobunaga-dono."
"Please punish me, Your Highness. I am willing to bear the punishment." Amano Kyoude leaned over and bowed, waiting for Yu Qiuping's reprimand. He clearly remembered that after he killed the villagers without authorization during the crusade against bandits last year, Yu Qiuping was like a storm.
of anger.
However, he waited for a long time, but still did not receive Yu Qiuping's scolding. Amano Jingde raised his head in confusion. Yu Qiuping looked at Amano Jingde with a dull expression, and looked at Amano Jingde with somewhat empty eyes. It seemed as if he had seen through Amano Jingde.
De, looked outside the tent, at the hundreds of prisoners held in the camp - people who were destined to become slaves.
If it were my former self... I would definitely do my best to save them without hesitation. In reality and goodwill, I would choose my own goodness and work hard to alleviate some of the suffering of innocent people in the world.
Just like what he promised Imagawa Kaede back then. The image of that time suddenly flashed through Yu Qiuping's mind.
·
"Although, for a person like me who has no power and no great ability, I would be a little arrogant to say such things to you," Yu Qiuping solemnly looked at the tearful girl, "but I am willing to promise you,
I promise to all the families in the world who are experiencing misfortune. I, Yu Qiuping, will definitely do my best to save them so that they don’t have to go through life and death again.”
·
At that time, I was so naive and naive... It wasn't until I suffered a bloody blow that I finally understood this truth.
The world is so cruel, and good people with good intentions will find it difficult to survive in the world, especially in troubled times.
Those who cannot give up anything can save nothing.
Yu Qiuping looked away from the distance and looked at the loyal subordinate in front of him who was willing to get his hands dirty for him. He took a step forward and helped Amano Jingde up.
"Kwon Bingwei, you did the right thing." Yu Qiuping laughed miserably. He was laughing at himself and at countless innocent young people throughout the ages who had succumbed to reality.
He spoke almost subconsciously and said the phrase that has been used by countless careerists and powerful people throughout the ages to cover up their actions and provide comfort:
"These are troubled times, and there is nothing we can do about it."
·
"Kibei," Yu Qiuping turned to look at Sanada Masayuki. This young man always has a maturity that is much higher than his age. "Is there any important information during the time when I was unconscious?"
"Your Highness, please come here," Sanada Masayuki led Yu Qiupei and others to the table with a map spread out on the side - this map Yu Qiupei asked for from the Okazaki Castle Castle back then.
"Yesterday afternoon," Masayuki Sanada pointed to the location of Chirit Castle on the map, "Our army's scouting horse at Takake Castle found that the Matsudaira family troops stationed at Takake Castle were very active. And they were stationed on the only road to Chirit Castle from Takake Castle.
, that is, the number of Matsudaira troops at the bridge over the Aizuma River has also increased. And this morning, the Matsudaira family's scouting horses crossed the Aizuma River and entered the north bank of the Aizuma River and the area south of Takake Castle for reconnaissance."
"Since there are not many defenders in Takake Castle," Sanada Masayuki said the nervous information calmly, "there is a high possibility of it falling. His Highness Sakuma had already sent back reinforcements yesterday afternoon.
, deep into the territory of Mikawa. If Takake Castle falls, the Matsudaira family can just go upstream along the banks of the Aizuma River to block His Highness Sakuma's troops between the Aizuma River and the Yahagi River and annihilate them. Therefore, His Highness Sakuma was forced to
Return to Takua City. We crossed the Fengzuma River before nightfall last night. I estimate that we have returned to Takua City by this time."
"Nobunaga-dono left Lord Sasa and His Highness Ikeda to garrison Otaka Castle, and ordered His Highness Shibata to lead the vanguard to set off this morning to camp at Okehazama, at a diagonal with Takake Castle. It is estimated that they have arrived by now.
The main hall had previously ordered that the troops under the direct control of the family would also set off for Okehazama after lunch. After that, His Majesty Shibata would march eastward to take over the defense of Takake Castle, while His Majesty Sakuma would return the same way and invade again.
To Jumu."
"That's it..." Yu Qiuping considered the map for a long time, and roughly understood the situation in front of him. Although the Oda family's military strength was far greater than that of the Matsudaira family, they had underestimated the enemy before, so that the battle line was too spread out, and the eastern front was too deep.
Sakuma Nobumori, who had too many enemies, could not get any support. Therefore, when the Matsudaira family concentrated their troops on Chiri Castle, threatening the safety of Takake Castle, Sakuma Nobumori had to retreat. However, as Oriji moved,
After the main force of the Tian family completed the attack on Otaka Castle and all moved to the Okehazama-Takake Castle line, the pressure on the Matsudaira family in the Chiryu Castle area would become great, and Sakuma Nobumori would once again have the opportunity to attack from the east.
It penetrates deep into Mikawa and threatens Okazaki Castle.
If the Oda family wants to attack Okazaki Castle, there are roughly two ways to go. One is the northern route that Sakuma Nobumori took, and the other is to honestly capture Chiri Castle and then Anxiang Castle from the east.
Threatening Okazaki Castle. The large area of ​​land between the two lines is mostly forests and hills with no official roads, making it difficult for large-scale marches.
·
The deduction of the battle situation was exactly as Yu Qiupei imagined. On October 8, the main force of the Oda family began to march towards Chirit Castle from two aspects: Okehazama and Takake Castle, and set up formations on the north bank of the Aizuma River. The Matsudaira family stood firm on the north bank of the Aizuma River.
On the south bank of the Onitsuma River, two major bridges were controlled. Matsudaira Motoyasu's own flag also appeared in Chitatsu. On October 10, Sakuma Nobumori of the Eastern Front Special Forces advanced to the south of Tomo, across Yahagi from Okazaki Castle.
Sakuma Nobumori believed that there were obviously not many troops in Okazaki Castle because they had given up control of the Yahagi Kawakami Bridge and all retreated into the city.
The confrontation lasted until October 25, during which two small-scale conflicts broke out. The first time was when Sakuma Nobumori crossed the Yahagi River and went south, setting fire to the castle town of Okazaki Castle. Sakai Chuji and Torii Motochu were left behind.
The two immediately attacked and took advantage of their familiarity with the terrain to defeat Sakuma Nobumori. However, when Sakuma Nobumori retreated back to the north bank of the Yahagi River, the formation was heavily guarded, giving the Matsudaira family no chance to pursue them. Another conflict occurred in
On the battlefield of Chiritsu Castle, Oda Nobunaga led the army to mobilize massively in the direction of Okehazama, confusing the Matsudaira family's judgment. Shibata Katsuie in the direction of Takake Castle took the opportunity to attack from the east to the west, and met his wife in the direction of Chiritsu Castle leading to Takake Castle.
Kawakami's bridge launched a fierce attack and successfully seized control of the bridge. However, the Matsudaira family reacted and immediately built a second line of defense. Shibata Katsuie found it difficult to continue advancing, and the situation once again fell into a stalemate.
On November 14, Niwa Nagahide and Mori Katsunari, who were staying at Katsuhata Castle and Kiyoshu Castle, sent an alarm. After discovering that the Oda family was marching southward, the Saito family in Mino had already assembled a large number of troops in Inabayama Castle and some were heading south.
There were signs of an attack. Oda Nobukiyo of Inuyama Castle also urged Oda Nobunaga to come back quickly to defend Owari. Under such a situation, the Oda family could no longer continue the confrontation and had to seek changes.
Chapter completed!