Chapter 1082: Soldiers and horses scattered overnight
Narita Chotae couldn't figure out what benefits it would bring to the Hojo family if he left.
But little did she know that this first falling domino was the opportunity that Hojo Genan had dreamed of.
Hojo Genan followed Odawara Castle all the way to Kamakura. Although many Kanto samurai were dissatisfied with Uesugi Terutora's arrogance, she repeatedly instigated and instigated the Kanto Allied Forces, but had little effect.
The reason is simple, no one wants to be the one who stands out!
The Echigo army is at its peak, and whoever takes the lead will die. The Kanto samurai family is trying to survive in the Kansai Province, which has been ravaged by hundreds of years of war, so they will not be easily fooled by the Hojo family.
Narita Nagata was able to be persuaded, on the one hand, because she was indeed extremely angry, and her anger went to her head, making her think less thoughtfully than before.
On the other hand, she really needed to leave in order to answer to the retainers. If she stayed and accepted the so-called compensation, the Kanto samurai family would despise the Narita family, and her work as the family governor would have come to an end.
If Uesugi Teruhora is wrong, he may not lead the army to beat her. Even if he does, the worst he can do is bow his head and surrender. Anyway, there must be some reaction to the humiliation of being beaten during a visit to shrine, otherwise Narita Chotasu will not be able to survive in the future.
Therefore, Narita Nagayasu left without hesitation, and Hojo Genan also achieved her goal. She fought hard in the Kwantung Allied Forces for so many days, and finally became a leader.
Once you get ahead, things will be easier to handle later on. These slippery martial arts families in Kanto can make three waves even if there is no wind. They have found a legitimate reason to be confident, so why don't they try their best to increase their presence?
Terutora Uesugi is not just suppressing Narita Choyasu these days. Due to the need for post-war distribution, she has taken many actions against various families in Kanto.
The Kanto samurai family had already grabbed enough supplies for the winter in the Hojo family's territory, and now they needed an excuse to run away. Before the cold winter came and the rivers were not frozen, they quickly returned to their own territory, Maodong.
Terutora Uesugi, the overbearing and arrogant Kantō leader, would serve whoever he wanted. Anyway, he had the excuse of the Narita family being humiliated in front of him, and he could explain his absence without permission afterwards.
As soon as Hojo Genan spread the news about Narita Nagayasu's late night return, all the Kanto samurai who were filled with indignation because of Uesugi Teruhora's insult to the famous family fled one after another.
Everyone hurried through the Kamakura Mountains and returned to the Katase River. They each greeted their own horses, packed large and small bags with the looted things, and went home.
General Echigo, who stayed behind at the garrison, had no idea what was happening in Kamakura and did not dare to stop them. He just watched them go their separate ways.
Narita Chotai, who left first, looked back at the bustling camp and sent people to investigate. By this time, most of the 100,000 troops had already fled.
She turned pale with fright and scolded Hojo Genan for not being a woman.
Narita Nagayasu left alone. This was a response to Terutora Uesugi's humiliation of the Narita family. It was considered a minor annoyance at best and not a big problem.
But now the 100,000-strong army collapsed in an instant, and the cause was Narita Chota's departure without saying goodbye, so the nature was completely different.
Even if Terutora Uesugi knows that she is in the wrong, she will not do anything to the Narita family for the time being. But in the future, she will definitely take revenge.
The grand succession ceremony, because of Narita Choyasu's departure, turned into a farce in which the Kanto samurai group demonstrated against Uesugi Teruhora. The blame was so big that Uesugi Teruhora could hate her to death.
Narita Chotae cursed and finally sighed. It was too late to turn around and make amends now, the Kwantung Allied Forces had already disbanded.
Hojo Genan was cunning and cunning, and planted a deep thorn between her and Uesugi Teruator. It was only at this time that Narita Choyasu really had the intention of betraying Uesugi Teruatora.
If Terutora Uesugi couldn't tolerate her anymore, he would kill her sooner or later. Narita Chotasu had no choice but to wait with bated breath and wait for an opportunity to rebel.
———
"What!"
The next day, Hachiman Palace received the message from Katasee Station, and Uesugi Teruhu was shocked.
Shiba Yiyin on the side sighed, things were going to be the worst after all.
Teruhora Uesugi was furious and cursed.
"Narita Chotai! Just wait! I'm going to skin you!"
Yiyin asked the envoy who came to report the news in a deep voice.
"How is the situation at the station now? How many Kanto samurai have left?"
The commander bowed and said.
"Back at the imperial station, each family withdrew their troops one after another. The adults who stayed behind did not know the situation and did not dare to stop them forcefully. There were still about 20,000 troops in the camp.
Specifically, which Wu families have not left, the generals who are left behind do not dare to overstep their authority and go beyond the lord to inquire about each family."
Yiyin nodded, waved her down, and murmured to himself.
"Overnight, only 20,000 people were left."
Teruhora Uesugi cursed a few times, and when he saw Yoshigage frowning, he felt ashamed for a moment. It was because she got carried away and acted impulsively, which led to her current passivity.
she hesitated.
"Mr. Kenshin, how about I lead troops to Ninja City and ask Narita Chotai to give us an explanation?"
Yiyin sighed.
"So what if I go? What if Narita Chotai surrenders to Kaicheng? As long as she still recognizes you as the leader of Kanto, you can't do anything to her.
In the final analysis, you are still at fault for this matter.
The Kanto warriors had grabbed enough supplies for the winter in the Hojo territory, but they didn't want to be controlled by you. So they used the humiliation of Narita Chotayashi as an excuse to take it back.
Even if you kill Narita Chotae, they won't care. Instead, they will continue to exploit the matter and bargain with you.
For these slippery things, they only want the benefits and are not willing to pay the price.
Whether it's Hojo Ujiyasu or you, whoever is more powerful will be surrendered and praised. But it's not easy to invade their interests and use their interests."
Terutora Uesugi couldn't help but become angry when he thought that he had been surrounded by the flattering Kanto samurai these days and had forgotten the true nature of these bastards.
Even now, Yoshigine doesn't want to accuse Terutora Uesugi of embarrassing her and hurting the relationship between the two. Just tell the matter thoroughly and stop talking about it.
But the more he didn't mention it, the more Terutora Uesugi felt that he had been humiliated in front of his sweetheart, and his teeth gritted.
"This matter can't end like this. One day I will make Nagata Narita pay the price."
Yiyin gave her a white look and said.
"Narita Chotai can't move for the time being, but now that he's done it, you're angry and ignoring the bad traditions of the samurai family. You're even giving the Kanto samurai family an excuse to refuse your order.
You have finally completed the inheritance ceremony of the Kanto leader, and you have earned the reputation of making the Kanto family bow down. You cannot let this matter ruin it.
Besides, I always feel like trouble is coming."
Teru Uesugi frowned.
"trouble?"
Yiyin sneered.
"I have never understood why Hojo Ujiyasu sent Hojo Genan here to humiliate the Hojo family.
Now, I finally understand.
Even if the Kanto warrior family is dissatisfied with you, as long as there is no one to connect them, their steps will not be so fast and consistent.
Eighty thousand of the one hundred thousand army dispersed overnight, leaving only 20%. It is impossible for us to return to Odawara Castle and threaten Hojo Ujiyasu to bow his sword and admit that you are the real leader of Kanto.
Hojo Genan kept complimenting her all the way, but never let go of her status. She was betting that the conflicts within the Kwantung Allied Forces would explode and we would have no troops to threaten the Hojo family.
If my guess is correct, the Hojo family will soon put forward conditions for peace.
Winter is approaching, water transport is frozen, and most of the troops have dispersed. We have lost the initiative. This is the best time to negotiate with us."
Uesugi Teruhora is not a fool, Yoshigami said it so clearly that she has already woken up.
Narita Choyasu took the lead in turning back, and most of the Kanto samurai dispersed in a hurry. The logistics line of the Echigo army not only faced the dilemma of frozen water transportation, but also had to guard against the evil intentions of the Kanto samurai along the way.
Uesugi Teruhora and Shiba Yoshigan could not put their weaknesses under their noses and continue the stalemate with the Hojo family at the front.
The deterrent effect of 20,000 people is far inferior to that of the previous 100,000 troops. In the dead of winter, if something went wrong in the logistics, the whole army might be wiped out.
What you can't get on the battlefield, you can't get on the negotiation table. When Echigo's army is in a dilemma, it's the best time for Hojo Ujiyasu to negotiate.
Teruhora Uesugi said bitterly.
"Hojo Genan, you bald nun is so brave, you actually defrauded me."
The two were still discussing, when there was a knock on the door. Kamao Shigo was allowed to enter the house and said.
"Your Highnesses, Kamakura-den has come with several adults and said they want to see you two."
Why is Ashikaga Yoshiji here? Yoshigan ordered.
"Kamakura-don, please go to the Dance Hall to take a rest. We will be there soon."
Pu Shengshixiang shouted loudly and walked out.
Seeing Terutora Uesugi's anxious look, Yoshigan knew that this was not going to work, so he simply stepped forward and held her hand, saying with a tender expression.
"Sister Uesugi, please calm down.
Things have reached this point, you must calm down, our painstakingly planned Guandong strategy cannot be ruined here."
Looking at his handsome face, Uesugi Teruhu felt unbearably ashamed.
She had a grudge because Yiyin was going to return to the near future. These days, her thoughts were confused and her behavior was dissolute, and it was only then that outsiders found the opportunity to interfere with it, causing major problems.
The good situation was going to collapse because of him. Teruhora Uesugi finally let go of his heart, held Yoshigami's hand tightly, and sighed.
"I let you down."
Yiyin shook his head and said softly.
"It's not your fault.
The eight states are rich and prosperous, and all parties are trying their best to compete for this fertile land. The Hojo family has good skills, and the Hojo family has been reduced to a dead end, but she can still play tricks.
But it’s not enough to snatch the fruits of victory from us, she can’t even think about it!”
Terutora Uesugi laughed.
"Yes, if you and I work together, she won't even think about it!"
The two looked at each other and smiled, feeling relieved.
The two of them were unhappy before, because they had the chance to win, so they had no time to fight among themselves. Now that foreign aggression has counterattacked, their mutual suspicions were immediately put aside to make way for the overall situation.
If the Kanto strategy was destroyed here, they would not only be disgraced. They would be followed by hungry wolves who were eating meat, and they would have no way to explain it.
At this time, there is no need to worry about anything else. Let’s tear apart the Hojo family’s conspiracy first.
Uesugi Teruhu regained his composure and said.
"Let's go meet Ashikaga Yoshiji and see what her purpose is."
Yoshigami Shiba nodded, wanting to remind Terutora Uesugi to be careful of Ashikaga Yoshiji, the Kanto general.
But when the words came to his lips, it was difficult to speak.
Yoshigan could not tell Uesugi Terutora that the Kanto Governorship was not a service job, so it would not be possible to express Ashikaga Yoshiji's malicious intent.
He frowned, and finally swallowed his words. I thought Ashikaga Yoshiji, a powerless Kanto general, wouldn't cause much trouble.
———
Above the dance hall, Ashikaga Yoshiji is located at the top, side by side with Yoshigan.
Beneath the two of them, half a seat below was occupied by Terutora Uesugi. The rest of the high-ranking samurai were at the bottom, seated separately.
This sudden accident caused most of the Kanto Allied Forces to disperse. The one who was most uneasy was Ashikaga Yoshiji, the Kanto general.
She had just taken refuge in Uesugi Teruhora and stepped on Hojo Ujiyasu. She hadn't even taken a breath yet. Suddenly, Uesugi Teruhora was betrayed by everyone. How could she not be afraid of a single woman from Kanto?
Yesterday, Ashikaga Yoshiji, who was still laughing and laughing during the ceremony, suddenly became confused when he heard the news that the coalition forces were disbanded.
She took the Kanto samurai who had stayed behind and hurriedly came to Uesugi Teruhora to discuss what to do next.
After everyone greeted each other, Yoshigami glanced at the scene. Most of the Kanto samurai families who had not left were Ueno samurai families.
During this southward campaign, Ueno Kingdom was the Sekishu Territory that was most deeply controlled by Echigo. Most of the samurai families in Ueno Kingdom surrendered under the iron heel of Echigo's army.
For example, the Numata clan, the Azuma clan, the Ubashi clan, the Naha clan, etc. are already directly under the jurisdiction of the Uesugi family and the Kanto servants respectively.
Even the two Nagao clans of the Shirai Headquarters, the Minawa clan of Nagano Yamasa, and the Kinzan clan of Yoshitosugaru, which have a certain degree of independence, are firmly in the Echigo camp.
The Ueno Kingdom is right under the nose of Echigo's army. Unlike the Kanto samurai families in other territorial kingdoms, they need to serve Uesugi Teruhora more carefully.
In addition, there was Nagao Nagao of Ashikaga Castle in Shimono Province. This loyal minister of the Uesugi family in Yamauchi was also sitting here and did not withdraw his troops and leave.
Furukawa leader Harusuke Kada was restless. She presided over the ceremony for Terutora Uesugi and established the orthodoxy. She severely offended Ujiyasu Hojo, so she had no choice but to stay and wait and see.
What surprised Yoshigan the most was that Ota Shimasa and Oishi Sadahisa were present. These two famous Musashi families actually chose to side with Uesugi Terutora and did not run away.
In Yiyin's mind, he was calculating the relationship between the parties, who would leave, who would stay, and what their respective positions and purposes were.
At this time, Ashikaga Yoshiji couldn't hold it any longer and said.
"Your Highness Uesugi, most of the Kwantung Allied Forces have dispersed. You need to make an idea."
Uesugi Teruhu also ignored Ashikaga Yoshiji. She looked around the scene and found that one person was missing and asked.
"Where are the Hojo Genan people?"
Ashikaga Yoshiji felt unhappy when he saw that she was ignoring him, so he reluctantly said.
"She didn't leave. I didn't call her. She's still staying at Yuigahama Beach. She's been busy all night, so she's probably exhausted. She must be resting."
Terutora Uesugi snorted, almost getting angry at Ashikaga Yoshiji's provocation. She glanced at Yoshigashi Shiba and forced herself to calm down.
Yoshigan looked sideways at Ashikaga Yoshiji. This guy looked panicked, but deep down he didn't think it was a big deal.
Whoever gets the upper hand between Uesugi Terutora and Hojo Ujiyasu will have a hard time for her. If both sides lose, there's no telling if the Kamakura Ashikaga family will ever make a comeback.