On the evening of February 23, the third year of Yuangui (1572), Yamashiro Kuni Nijo Imperial Palace.
Ashikaga Yoshiki was currently in a dark secret room, checking the secret messages in his hand again and again by the firelight dancing in the darkness. Not far from him, there was another elderly man sitting.
He was dressed in simple blue clothes, was already somewhat bald, and had a very kind face. Even the scars on his face looked much softer on his kind cheeks.
"The Oda family has taken action against Takaya Castle. Oda Nobunaga himself will arrive in Kyoto soon." Ashikaga Yoshiki whispered in a calm voice, repeatedly telling something that had nothing to do with him, "
Everything is just as you and Miyoshi Sankyu expected."
"Your Highness from the East, has the discussion been settled? There must be nothing wrong with the thread that I personally held." The old man asked slowly, his eyelids drooping, as if he was about to fall asleep sitting next to him.
"Like Oda Nobunaga, he is also a person with ulterior motives." Ashikaga Yoshiki snorted coldly, and suddenly squeezed the hand holding the secret letter hard, "He is so ambitious that the shogunate has been so kind to him."
"It doesn't matter whether he has ulterior motives or not, as long as he can go against Nobunaga, that's enough." The old man laughed twice in a somewhat hoarse voice, "Just like me and His Majesty Mikyu, but I once put Kōfōdō into the spotlight.
The person who was driven out of Kyoto. The Gongfang Palace can cooperate with us, so how can we not tolerate him?"
"Matsu Nagahide, when the situation is settled, I will settle the accounts with you traitors." Ashikaga Yoshiteru became furious when he saw Matsunaga's smile and whispered viciously.
"Okay, okay, I'll wait and see. My attitude will always be like that, and I will always help the weak one." However, Matsunaga Hide seemed not to care, and still smiled kindly, but looked towards the room.
Corner. In the dark corner, with the flickering light of the fire, you can vaguely see a spider, weaving a large web through the wall in the shadow, waiting for its prey to arrive.
Matsunaga's expression gradually became stiff and ferocious after the fire flashed again and again. The scar also appeared murderous as the facial muscles changed.
·
On February 25, 16,000 reinforcements led by Anzai Fuyukou and Miyoshi Yoshihide arrived at Kishiwada Castle and began to approach the direction of Hanoi, intending to relieve the siege of Takaya Castle. At the same time, Miyoshi Chokei, Miyoshi Yoshihide, and Toga
The main force led by Ichitun also joined the Araki Village Jusho headquarters in Settsu, and the number of troops reached 40,000. Then, they marched into the important strongholds of the Oda family in Settsu: Akutagawa Mountain Castle and Takatsuki Castle.
On February 26, Oda Nobunaga left Kinoshita Hideyoshi to defend the Asai family. After Akechi Mitsuhide stayed in Kyoto, he personally led 55,000 troops to Akutagawa Mountain Castle and Takatsuki Castle where Sakuma Nobumori's troops were stationed, and confronted the main force of the Miyoshi family.
In order to support Amakihei's war on the southern front, Oda Nobunaga ordered Mori Katsunari to lead 5,000 troops to support Amakihei, and also asked Matsuzuki Nagahide to lead 12,000 people from Yamato Kingdom to the west of Hanoi Kingdom, bringing the troop strength on the southern front to 24,000.
The Honganji Temple, which was in a state of hostility with both the Miyoshi family and the Oda family, sent monk soldiers to arrange themselves on the border around the Ishiyama Royal Palace, seeming to express their attitude to Oda Nobunaga and Miyoshi Nagakei: Who dares to mess with me?
I will hit anyone.
On the northern front, neither Miyoshi Nagakei nor Oda Nobunaga seemed to be in a hurry for a decisive battle, but instead turned their attention to the southern front, hoping that the battle on the southern front would open up the situation for the entire war.
After getting reinforcements from Mori Katsunari and Matsunaga Hide, Yu Qiuping divided his troops into three groups. His own troops were located outside the west gate of Takaya City, while Mori Katsunari's troops were deployed outside the north gate of Gaoya City. Matsunaga Hide
The troops marched westward from Xingui Mountain Castle and went straight to the east gate of Gaowa City. They surrounded Gaowa City from three sides, leaving the south gate - which was facing the direction of the Mihaoshi family's reinforcements. Yu Qiuping did not dare to let his troops
Facing the fortified city and turning its back to the army, the siege of the south gate was removed.
However, Anzhai Dongkang and Miyoshi Yixing did not seem to be in a hurry. They did not enter Gaowa Castle and Miyoshi Changyi, and Miyoshi Zhengkang made peace. Instead, they stayed very calmly ten miles away from the south gate of Gaowa City. Anzhai Dongkang and Miyoshi
Yi Xian made a good decision. There were 6,000 defenders in Gaowu City, and Gaowu City was a fortified city and not so easy to capture. Once Yu Qiuping mobilized the army to attack the city, it gave them the opportunity to cooperate inside and outside. Therefore, Yu Qiuping also
He did not dare to attack rashly, but tried to defeat the reinforcements of the Mihaoshi family first.
In order to choose the terrain for the decisive battle, Yu Qiuping called Mori Katsunari and Matsunaga Hide, and together they took the guards to the front line to inspect the battle situation. They circled half a circle along Gaowa City, and finally chose to come to a hill southeast of Gaowa City——
From here, you can have a commanding view of the Sanyoshi Army's reinforcement camp and the nearby terrain.
·
"This is a good place." Yu Qiuping rode his horse to a hill and pointed to a woods to the east of the Sanhao family camp and said, "We can try to force the Sanhao family into that woods."
"Okay." Sen Kecheng, who was standing next to Yu Qiuping, nodded slightly, "It's just that the Sanhao family may not come out of the village to greet them."
"This is a problem. Your Highness Anzhai seems to have made up his mind not to fight." Yu Qiuping frowned in embarrassment and continued to observe the nearby terrain, trying to find a way to fight against the Sanhao family.
"We are challenging in front of the camp. If the Sanhao family does not fight for a long time, their morale will drop!" While Yu Qiuping and Sen Kecheng were pondering, Sen Kelong, who was following Yu Qiuping, waved his fist vigorously, "Here I go.
I am willing to personally lead the army to challenge!"
Yu Qiuping turned around and looked around. Sen Kelong, who was still wrestling and fighting with Yu Qiu Shang back then, was now a 16-year-old handsome boy. He had entered the Yuan server two years ago and followed Sen Kecheng through all kinds of things.
After a few battles, he already had a heroic spirit that resembled his father's in his brows.
"Kelong!" Sen Kecheng scolded with some dissatisfaction upon hearing this, "The adults are discussing things, why is it your turn to interrupt? You are still young, just take a look at these things!"
"Yes, father!" Although Sen Kelong looked a little unwilling, he still responded with clasped fists very simply.
"Hahaha, Senior Sen doesn't have to be so strict. Who doesn't have the youth and vitality?" Yu Qiuping laughed nonchalantly and patted Sen Kelong on the shoulder, "In a blink of an eye, our Kelong has also grown up.
He has become an upright samurai! I don’t know when my Shang’er will be able to go into battle! I think back when I first came to Japan, it was when I was your age! Mori-senpai, it’s time to let the children do something.
"
"If this child can have one-tenth of the potential of Hongye, our Mori family will be grateful." Sen Kecheng shook his head slightly when he heard this, but looking at his eldest son who had grown up, a smile appeared on the corner of his mouth.
, "When Hongye was 16 years old, he was already a famous general who fought against the Oda family's 6,000 troops with 200 soldiers. How can this child compare? On the other hand, Shang'er is already quite courageous at a young age. Maybe he can compete with Hongye in the future.
It’s the same as making great achievements.”
"Oh! I think Kelong is very good. What are you talking about, Senior Sen?" Yu Qiuping glanced at Sen Kelong encouragingly, "Didn't he win the battle with the remnants of the Rokkaku family before?
A great effort?"
While Yu Qiuping and Sen Kecheng were talking, Long Zi, who was following Yu Qiuping, suddenly tugged at the corner of Yu Qiuping's clothes and whispered: "Your Highness."
"Longzi, what's wrong?" Yu Qiuping turned around and looked at Longzi. After more than ten years, Longzi was no longer the little girl she was back then, but had grown into a beautiful beauty. But she was already over.
Even though she was old enough to get married, she still refused to marry, which made Yu Qiuping very troubled. Some time ago, Yu Qiuping tried to communicate with her, but it was very unpleasant every time. Imagawa Kaede went to talk to her twice, but it was also useless.
In the end, Yu Qiuping couldn't resist her and had to let Longzi stay single. However, Yu Qiuping believed that with Longzi's beauty and her status as Yu Qiuping's trusted bodyguard, she would definitely find a suitable person to marry in the future.
no problem.
"His Royal Highness Matsunaga just sent someone to say that he is going to take a look at the mountains to the east." Ryuko said while pointing to Matsunaga Hide and his dozen or so guards who were walking down the mountain.
"I know, thank you Ryuko." Yu Qiuping nodded. He was still very satisfied with Matsunaga's positive attitude. Originally, after the Oda family came to Luo, he had been very wary of Matsunaga. However, in the past few years, the fierce battle with the Miyoshi family
Here, Matsunaga Hide was very cooperative with the Oda family's actions, which made Yu Qiuping and others feel that they had suspected the wrong person.
Time gradually passed, and the sun was about to reach its peak. Yu Qiuping heard Longzi's stomach suddenly growl, so he smiled and whispered, "Are you hungry? Then we've almost seen it, and we're ready to go back."
Bar."
Just when Long Zi lowered his head in embarrassment, the smile on Yu Qiuping's face suddenly froze. His expression suddenly attracted everyone's attention, and they all followed his gaze and looked over.
The Matsunaga family troops outside the door suddenly began to move towards the southeastern mountainous area - where Yu Qiuping and the others were. And the direction they came from was the main road up the mountain.
"What do you mean?" Yu Qiuping's eyes widened instantly, "Is there any enemy situation? Why did His Highness Matsunaga suddenly mobilize the troops? Where are His Highness Matsunaga and the others?" He looked towards the Miyoshi family camp and Gaowa Castle, but found no signs of any activity.
.At such a late hour, even if we launch an attack, it is impossible to capture Takaya Castle and the Miyoshi family camp! Then what is Matsunagahide doing in this way?
Yu Qiuping hurriedly sent envoys to look for Song Jiongxiu on the hills to the east, but no trace of Song Jiongxiu was found. Yu Qiuping suddenly felt a chill in his heart, and an ominous premonition surged into his heart.
"The target is us." Yu Qiuping immediately made a judgment, "Matsuhisa Nagahide is going to attack us! Is he trying to rebel?" When the guards around him heard this, their expressions tightened, and they held the handles of their swords uneasily.
.
"Leave quickly." Sen Kecheng patted Yu Qiuping's shoulder and signaled everyone to go down the mountain from the path. However, Yu Qiuping suddenly grabbed him with his backhand, frowning and said in a deep voice: "Matsuhisa Nagasaki"
If you want to capture us, you can't rely on those cumbersome troops! We are on the mountain and can see his movements clearly! As soon as his troops move, we will leave immediately!"
"You mean, he also deployed many ninjas on the mountain?" Sen Kecheng was stunned for a moment and asked in a low voice.
Before he finished speaking, more than forty ninjas rushed out from the bushes in all directions.
Chapter completed!