"In order to rush back to Gifu Castle as soon as possible, I took the Lake Biwa waterway, disembarked from Kitaomi River, disguised myself, and secretly passed through the border without breaking through, entering Mino Country.
Takenaka-hime discovered something strange along the way, so she can bring you the latest information."
Oda Nobunaga nodded. Hashiba Hideyoshi had indeed traveled all night and arrived at Gifu City in the morning just in time for today's military meeting.
She pointed to Takenaka Shigeharu and asked.
"Tell me, what's going on?"
Takenaka Shigeharu bowed and said.
"Main Hall, you know that I was born in Bupo County and am familiar with the environment of West Meinong. The route I took back this time was the one I chose.
When the Lord and I passed through Sekigahara, we happened to encounter a large army passing through Sekigahara and returning to the land of Kita Omi.
I was a little surprised at the time. The war was about to begin, and Asai and Asakura's coalition forces had already invaded the Mino border and took the initiative. Why did they have to retreat to Kitaomi?
This matter was unreasonable, so I kept an eye on it. I turned back to Sekigahara and returned to Kitaomi to investigate.
In order to control the road from Sekigahara to Kitaomi River, His Majesty Asai built two fortresses along the way, Changbi and Sogan, as outposts.
The two fortresses of Changbi and Jian'an are on the west side of Guanyuan, one in the north and the other in the south, lying on the winding mountain, just blocking the passage into the North Omi River.
The defenders of the two villages are from Kitaomi Castle, and I happened to be familiar with the defender, so I took the risk to contact him and take the opportunity to obtain information."
Oda Nobunaga nodded slightly.
Takenaka Shigeharu was born into a wealthy family in Fuwa County, Mino Country. Fuwa County is close to Kitaomi River, and the samurai families of both sides had many contacts.
Fuwakan divides Kanto and Kansai in a broad sense, with the Ibuki Mountains to the north and the Suzuka Mountains to the south. The intersection of the two mountain ranges is the small plain of Fuwakan.
Kamazama Castle is located on the northern west side of the Suzuka Mountains, not far from the important town of Sawayama Castle that divides the north and south Omi.
Takenaka Shigeharu once served as the lord of Bodhiyama Castle, which is located at the southernmost end of the Ibuki Mountains and is located on the east side of the Sekigahara exit.
The distance between Kamabane Castle and Bodhi Mountain Castle is not that far, so it is normal for Takenaka Shigeharu to get to know the powerful samurai of Kamablade Castle.
Oda Nobunaga asked.
"Chang Bi, who are the guards at the two fortresses in Jian'an? What's their relationship with you? What information did you get from them?"
Takenaka Shigeharu said.
"The defenders guarding the two castles are Hori Hidemura, the lord of Kamazana Castle, and Higuchi Naofouso, the head of the Hori family.
Hori Hidemura was young when he succeeded to the throne, and was assisted in power by his family elder Higuchi Naofous. Higuchi Naofous and I are old friends, so I dared to go deep into the enemy's lines to inquire for information."
Oda Nobunaga curled his lips and said nothing.
Kamazana Castle is located in Sakata County, which is the newly conquered area of Hokusan County by the Asai family. It is said that it was the result of Oda Nobunaga's help in suppressing it.
Higuchi Naofusa and Takenaka Shigeharu’s secret relationship is not as simple as old friends.
According to what Hideyoshi Hashiba just said, Asai and Asakura's coalition forces have withdrawn, and the people of Shinsan County are left to defend the city. What does that mean? Are they cannon fodder?
Who can be more stupid than who else these days? Hori Hidemura and Higuchi Naofa are not direct relatives of the Asai family. Of course, they have to find their own way out and cannot waste their family wealth on the pass and make a wedding dress for the Asai family.
Oda Nobunaga asked.
"What did she say about Higuchi Naofusa?"
Takenaka Shigeharu said in a deep voice.
"The Asakura army retreated without authorization, and Asai Nagamasa had no choice but to follow them."
Oda Nobunaga stopped and looked at Takenaka Shigeharu blankly.
"How many people have come to the Asakura family?"
"There are only Asakura Jingjing, the commander of Ono County, and the Ono people under his command."
Oda Nobunaga asked with a twinkle in his eye.
"Just this few people? Where are the Ichijo Valley monks? Where are the branch families in Asakura? Where are the powerful martial arts families in the Shinae family?"
Takenaka Shigeharu is decisive.
"None of them came!"
Oda Nobunaga rubbed his hands and laughed.
"Asai Nagamasa, look at the allies you chose, they are so stupid. You are even more stupid by betraying me for such a fool!"
Oda Nobunaga can understand that Tsuruga did not come.
Asakura Keiki, the governor of Tsuruga County, and Yoshikage, the governor of the Asakura family, have long been at odds with each other. Even in matters such as protecting Hideyoshi Hashiba, Asakura Keiki did what he said.
Asakura Yoshikage had been holding back and not taking action because he was worried about Shiba Yoshikage who was behind Asakura Kageki.
But the Asakura family does not only have Tsuruga County. The strength of the entire Fukui Plain is much stronger than Tsuruga County.
Asakura Yoshikage actually sent only Ono people to participate in the battle. No wonder the Asai Asakura family's coalition forces that invaded Mino Country had so few people.
Just now, Oda Nobunaga was still thinking about Asai Nagamasa's intention. He couldn't figure out what she would do if she sent just this few people to Mino.
Now she understands clearly, it turns out that there is a pig teammate who is holding Asai Nagamasa back!
Oda Nobunaga was so excited that he returned to his seat. He sat cross-legged and patted his knees several times before he calmed down and continued to ask.
"Even if only the wild people come, there is no reason to give up halfway. How long have they been here, why did they withdraw so quickly?"
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
"Mino Country and Echizen Country are separated by mountains, so the Ono people's thoughts are not here, and they are eager to return home. They are willing to come, but Asakura Kaikai is perfunctory as Asakura Yoshikage, the governor of the family, and there is no sincerity.
Taking advantage of the main hall being caught off guard, they broke into the Meinong Kingdom and fought a few smooth battles, and the people in the field withdrew.
Asakura Jingjing is not stupid, he knows that the main hall must gather troops to join forces with Asai and Asakura's coalition forces, and it will be a tough battle from now on.
How could she be willing to waste the strength of the general public and fight for the Asai family?"
Oda Nobunaga sneered.
"You don't even understand the meaning of death and coldness. The Asakura family is full of selfish idiots."
Takenaka Shigeharu sighed.
"You are right, but how many martial artists in this world can have your long-sightedness and far-sightedness?
Asakura Yoshikage himself refused to come. Do you really expect Asakura Yoshikage to fight on his own? If the battle is won, the Asai family will take the territory. If the battle is lost, the Asakura family members will die.
There are people who do the beheading business, but who will do the loss-making business?”
Oda Nobunaga shook his head and said.
"Let's not talk about these idiots. That Naofou Higuchi brought out all the bad guys in the Asai family. Is he asking for something?"
Takenaka Shigeharu bowed.
"The great hall is wise.
Horihide Village and Higuchi Naofousa do not want to be enemies of the Oda family, so they tell you everything and ask me to convey their respect to you."
Oda Nobunaga raised the corners of his mouth and asked.
"They want to turn from darkness to light?"
Takenaka Shigeharu nodded.
"Hi!
Asai and Asakura's coalition forces each had their own agenda, and the great opportunity to invade Mino was abandoned halfway. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the coalition's prospects were bleak.
Asai Nagamasa hurriedly went back to negotiate with Asakura Yoshikage, in order to hold Asakura Yoshikage accountable for his unauthorized withdrawal, and wanted to jointly send troops again.
But Ono Zhong is a strong soldier of the Asakura family, and Asakura Kagekage is Asakura Yoshikage's biological sister. Regardless of their close relationship, this bad debt of withdrawing troops will probably be settled in the end.
Hori Hidemura and Higuchi Naofa were pushed to the front as cannon fodder. They didn't know whether the reinforcements from behind would be able to come, so they naturally felt empty and scared.
If you can be magnanimous, they will definitely burst into tears of gratitude and be willing to offer sacrifices to surrender the two strongholds in Jian'an.
Our army can also take advantage of the situation and rush into Kitaomi River, catching Asai Nagamasa off guard."
Oda Nobunaga nodded.
The two castles placed by Asai Nagamasa on the west side of Sekihara served as early warning posts for the Oda family.
Unexpectedly, the defenders at these two places had different intentions, and instead gave Oda Nobunaga a good opportunity to seize the initiative on the battlefield and raid Kitaomi.
Oda Nobunaga said in a deep voice.
"I guess you already have some ideas, you might as well tell them all."
Takenaka Shigeharu bowed and said.
"The Great Hall is wise and powerful, and naturally he is very confident. If not, let me offer some suggestions. I sincerely ask the Great Hall to give you some advice."
Oda Nobunaga waved his hands impatiently.
"Speak directly if you have something to say. Now is not the time for flattery."
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled and said solemnly.
"Changbi, the two fortresses in Jian'an fell without a fight, and the Asai family was defenseless. Our army could bypass Hengshan City and penetrate directly into Xiaogu City.
The army monitored the city defenders head-on, and sent various troops to set fire to the town and its surrounding villages, luring the defenders to attack and fight on the plains."
Oda Nobunaga glanced at Takenaka Shigeharu and began to think deeply.
As the residence of the governor of the Asai family, Otani Castle was naturally chosen carefully. The Dayue Peak where it is located has a gap of 400 meters from the plain, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.
Otani Castle was expanded once, and the two mountains on the left and right were made into Honmaru. The valley between the two mountains was the residence of the retainers, and extending to the south was the castle town.
As the core city controlled by the Asai family, Kita Omi, in order to protect the safety of Odani Castle and its surrounding plains, the Asai family had Yokoyama Castle to the west to block foreign enemies from Mino.
In the northeast, along the shore of Lake Biwa, there is Yamamotoyama Castle to protect the flanks of Otani Castle and prevent the enemy from outflanking the rear.
In the south, there is the important town of Sawayama Castle, which is the junction of north and south Omi, sticking like a nail on the dividing line between north and south.
Takenaka Shigeharu suggested bypassing Hengshan Castle because the west side of Hengshan City was a flat plain with no danger to defend.
Once Asai Nagamasa discovers that Oda's army appears in Otani Castle, he will inevitably worry that Yokoyama Castle will fall and the plains will be unsafe to defend.
In that case, the Asai family's territory would be cut into two parts, north and south, and Sawayama Castle in the south would lose contact with Otani Castle in the north.
Not long ago, the two counties of Inugami and Aichi in the south came under the control of the Asai family, and they succeeded with the help of Oda Nobunaga.
Once the south loses contact with Otani Castle, the rule of the Asai family in these two counties is likely to collapse. And Isono Umasa's Sawayama Castle will also become an isolated castle surrounded by the Oda family.
Therefore, Asai Nagamasa must take the initiative and not allow Oda Nobunaga to calmly surround and capture the important town of Yokoyama Castle.
Oda Nobunaga thought for a while and said.
"You want to use Hengshan City to lure the snake out of its hole?"
Takenaka Shigeharu nodded.
"Our troops appeared at the foot of Otani Castle, set fire to the Asai family wantonly, destroyed the economic strength of the Asai family, and then left calmly.
Your Highness Asai has no choice but to send troops to keep up with our army. Because facts have proved that Hengshan City is no longer safe.
If she doesn't make any move, our troops who return to surround Hengshan Castle can easily take over the city. If she follows back, it will be an opportunity to annihilate the Asai family's military strength on the plains.
Fighting in the field is always easier than attacking a city."
Oda Nobunaga laughed.
"Do I have to move my main formation further forward to give Asai Nagamasa a God-given opportunity to kill me?
Do you think she will take the bait?"
Zhu Zhongzhi Zhengse Dao.
"In the battle between Norada and Asai, Asai was weak and Rokkaku was strong. Your Highness Asai once personally led the elite into battle. She did not lack the courage to charge into battle."
Oda Nobunaga snorted coldly, and an unknown fire suddenly surged in his heart.
"She was lucky that time. Tsudodon led his men to defeat Rokkaku Yoshihide's main formation and cut off Rokkaku Yoshihide's horse seal. The Rokkaku family was panicked and defeated.
But this time, Asai Nagamasa will not have such good luck again!"
Hashiba Hideyoshi listened silently to Takenaka Shigeharu's advice until Oda Nobunaga's domineering reply, and his heart skipped a beat.
The Oda family is finally going to attack the entire Omi country. The strategy Takenaka Shigeharu has planned for her to take root in Omi, expand her power, and expand her wings is moving towards success step by step.
But at this moment, Hashiba Hideyoshi did not feel the excitement of success.
She couldn't help but feel a little crazy when she thought back to the time when Shiba Yiyin galloped across Omi, and the samurai from north and south Omi admired him.
Thousands of troops and horses shunned the white robes, but the Omi warriors actually bowed their waists. What a remarkable man.
———
During the off-farm season after the summer harvest, the situation in Omi rises again.
Oda Nobunaga accepted the surrender of Horihide Village and Higuchi Naofa. Oda's army quickly passed through the two fortresses of Nagabi and Sogan, and raided Kitaomi, catching Asai Nagamasa off guard.
Oda's army bypassed Yokoyama Castle, surrounded Otani Castle, set fire to the castle town and killed people to attract the defenders' attention, and then retreated towards Yokoyama Castle.
Nagai Asai gathered his troops to pursue him, and together with the Asakura army newly dispatched by Asakura Yoshikage, they fought towards Yokoyama Castle.
The mountain where Hengshan City is located is like a long triangle, with a corner extending from south to north. Hengshan City is located in the middle of the triangle, and the location of the triangle's tip is called Longbi.
To the north from Longbi is Aekawa.
At this time, Oda's army had surrounded Yokoyama Castle. Oda Nobunaga set up his formation at Ryubi, facing north and south, with his back to Asai and Asakura's coalition forces, in a very provocative manner.
Asai Asakura's coalition forces advanced to the north of Anegawa, less than two kilometers away from Ryubi. Seeing Oda Nobunaga's deliberately exposed main formation, Asai Nagamasa could hardly resist the temptation.
In Minamiomia, Shibata Katsuie, who had the tacit approval of Oda Nobunaga, led the Owari military commander faction to burst out with unprecedented enthusiasm and devoted themselves to military operations to suppress the riots.
Shibata Katsuie and Sakuma Nobumori attacked from east to west, quickly defeated the Rokkaku mother and daughter in Noshu Kawara, and drove them back to the mountains around Ishibe Castle.
Then Shibata Katsuie received orders from Oda Nobunaga and led his troops north to the battlefield of Yokoyama Castle.
On Asai Nagamasa's side, Masaru Isono, who was defending Sawayama Castle, was ordered to lead troops north to participate in the war on Anegawa.
The troops of Isono Umasa and Shibata Katsuie passed through the Sawayama Castle area one after another without any conflict. Both the enemy and ours focused their attention on the Ryubi One River area in the north of Yokoyama Castle.
When people from various tribes arrived one after another, 35,000 people from the Oda family and 5,000 people from the Tokugawa family, 5,000 people from the Asai family and 8,000 people from the Asakura family faced each other in the north and south of Anegawa, and the war was about to break out.
There is a three-fold difference in the number of troops between the two sides. Whether Asai Nagamasa can reproduce the glorious victory of the Noragada Battle will determine the future of the Asai family.
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