On the front line of the left wing, Yukiyo Yukiyo, who leads the reserve team as the vanguard, still doesn't know that his family's fate has been sealed.
She was concentrating on directing the reserve troops forward, hoping to achieve military success in exchange for the initiative in the liquidation of Azuma County after the war.
The leading troops of both sides stood by the creek and paused for a moment. The archers behind them walked to the front and shot towards the other side.
"Raise the gun! Akira!"
The spears were like a forest, swinging from side to side, scattering the sparse arrows.
The spear is the king of the battlefield that has been eliminated in cold weapon wars for thousands of years, and has become the most versatile weapon.
There were too few professional soldiers in the agricultural era, and large-scale armies were often made up of uneven soldiers who had to go into battle with little training. With a little training, spears could be formed into spear formations, and their lethality was not weak.
Compared with other types of weapons, a bundle of long guns is cheap to make and easy to transport. It is the most economical weapon for large-scale combat and has gradually become the mainstream on the battlefield.
The battle is about economy. The spear is king not because it is strong, but because it is the most cost-effective. If we want to talk about strength, the strongest soldiers are actually archers.
Archers must be tough men with strong arms. After years of training, they can stably draw the bow string multiple times. This is a high-tech unit that combines strength and technology. Soldiers with malnutrition cannot do it.
On the battlefield, archers are equipped with no more than thirty bows and arrows because they can't finish shooting. They often shoot three times in a row and rest after five consecutive shots. In a big battle, before all thirty arrows are used up, the man loses his strength.
The bows and arrows in Japan are even weaker. Most of them are ashigaru with weak strength. They use bamboo bows with extremely weak bow power. One round of coverage shooting will not cause many casualties.
Ji warriors who professionally practice archery and use Japanese bows often hold more important positions and seldom take action except for sniping the opponent's generals.
The covering fire of the bows and arrows on both sides was more like a functional behavior to suppress the morale of the other side. Most of the people participating in the battle this time were elites, and they responded to these weak bows and arrows in an orderly manner.
After three rounds of covering fire, I saw that the opponent's spears were deflecting bows and arrows, and the formation was stable. The reserve general behind the formation called on the bowmen and arrows to retreat from both sides, and the spear formation began to launch into the water.
The stream in the dry season only reaches the ankles, but the pebbles with a shiny surface washed by the river water can easily cause staggering steps.
Both sides entered the water carefully, tilted the spear heads forward at 60 degrees, slowly approached, and gradually came into contact with the opponent's spear.
Generally, the long spears used in reserve gun formations have two and a half to three spears. Super long spears with more than three spears are too difficult to use. Although one inch longer and one inch stronger, the effect is not good and can only be used against cavalry.
Except for Oda Nobunaga, a wealthy man who had too much food and raised many off-the-job reserve troops, generally few samurai would ask Ashigaru to use three and a half super long guns.
The lengths of the spears prepared by both sides were similar. After a little testing, they began to use each other's spears, intending to disrupt the opponent's formation and wait for an opportunity to hit the enemy.
Yukiyo Yukiyo was shouting from behind the formation, directing the reserve team to fight.
Nishi-Azuma's reserve force was composed of the Shino clan. There were more Ji warriors in the reserve force, and the mountain people were brave and tough. Their combat power was not weak, and they had the upper hand for a while.
Ashikaga Yoshiji on the other side looked at the vanguard team's gradual defeat and snorted.
This battle was between the Kanto Imperial Guard and the Kanto General. It had a heavy political meaning and she was very dissatisfied with the performance of her reserve team.
"Group the attackers first and then move on to the next group."
Ashikaga Yoshiji coldly ordered that she could not defeat her one on one due to the large number of people.
As Hojo's side increased its troops, Yukiyo Yukiyo's pressure increased, and another reserve team came up, faintly outflanking her flanks.
The strongest point of the spear formation was the front, but it was difficult to protect against the rear. At this time, she could only expand the number of people on the front line. But with a fixed number of people, the thickness of the spear formation became thinner.
The team expanded to the two wings in a chaotic manner, and the formation was a little unstable. Kamahara Yukishige on the other side squeezed over and shouted at Yukiyo Habi.
"If this doesn't work, the team will be in chaos!
Slowly retreat back and stand firm on the bank. Let the reserve team behind us come up and help us hold the river bank."
Yukiyo Yukiyo raised her head and glanced at the sun. She had only stood guard for two moments. If she retreated so quickly, what would Sanada Nobushige think of her after the formation? Will it affect the distribution of military honors after the war?
Seeing her hesitation, Kamara Yukishige couldn't help but snorted and said.
"Thinking about the heavy armor behind our formation, the Imperial Guard had no intention of staying in the water! Our retreat is to lure the enemy deeper into the water, which is what the Imperial Guard hopes to see!"
Kamahara Yukishige is not as worried about gains and losses as Hao Yukiyo. She has no power in the Shunii Council. Habio Yukiyo uses Sunii to do random things. Now the wind has changed. He is panicking. It is none of her business!
Looking at the heavy armor behind the formation, the imperial office just wanted them to retreat slowly and create opportunities. It was enough to act like they were outnumbered. Why would they risk the life of their subordinate Ji Ji?
The reserve team composed of the three Shino clans has deep interests among them. Who doesn't understand Yukio Yukiyo's little thoughts? It's okay to fight for Odaisho, but who is willing to fight for Yukiyo Yukiyo?
Seeing that the formation was becoming increasingly unstable, Yuwei Xingshi gritted his teeth and ordered.
"The whole army retreats slowly, don't mess up the formation! Raise the flag to signal the rear, and ask Sanada-sama to send Higashi Azuma and others up to help!"
Seeing Yukiyo Yukiyo's compromise, Kamarahara Yukishige quickly lowered his head to cover up his uncontrollable smile.
———
Sanada Nobushige frowned slightly after receiving the request from the front and asked Umino Riichi next to him.
"What's going on with Yukiyo Yukiyo? How long has it been since she couldn't hold it anymore? She's the only one in the entire front line who retreated first. She's shameless, but I still want to be!"
Umino Riichi shook his head and said.
"Kamahara Yukishige is in the reserve team, Habi Yukiyo can't do it alone. It would be strange not to hold her back."
Sanada Nobushige was very angry about this and said.
"Is this a place for intrigue? It's just a bastard and it's delaying the big thing!"
Umino Riichi pointed to the front and said.
"Kamahara Yukishige is also an old fox. He can make mistakes and things will not be delayed.
You see, the reserve team defended the river bank and refused to retreat. The opponent had an unstable foothold in the water and could not attack them for a while. It was not easy for them to fight one against two.
Is the flag on the opponent's northern line the Kamakura Ashikaga family? Is the commander the new Kamakura family? In just two seconds, the second reserve team was pulled up. It seems to be very anxious."
Sanada Nobushige snorted coldly.
"They are all excuses. They are too selfish and neglect public affairs because of private interests. After the war, things should be straightened out.
Nezu Sadamori! Mochizuki Yutada!"
When the two people behind the formation heard the call from their master, they came out and bowed. Sanada Nobushige pointed to the front and said.
"Mochizuki Yukitada, go and reprimand Habi Yukiyo and Kamara Yukishige for me, keep an eye on them.
I don't care how they fight, but they have to act like they're retreating. If the other party notices something is wrong, I'll skin them!
Nezu Sadamori, go to Higashi Azuma's reserve team and bring them up to help in the battle. Watch out for Saito Nori and Ikeda Shigeyasu, lest they follow suit and ruin the overall situation."