"Poor people must be hateful. You sympathize with them, but they are still trying to drag you into trouble.
Several powerful warriors from the Northern Omi people have come to see you several times, hoping that you can come forward to persuade the main hall to reconsider the defense of the defense line, but I have ignored them all.
This time, we will use Takigawa Kazumasu to completely weaken the arrogance of the Kitanomi people and let them correct their status. Only by following you sincerely can they live well in the Oda family.
As for the defense line itself, I dare to assert that the main hall does not expect Takigawa Kazuki to be able to hold it. The purpose of this battle is to weaken the unreliable Kitanomi people and make efforts for the redistribution of territory after the war.
The uglier the Kitanomi clan's fight is, the more solid the reasons will be for them to reduce their seal after the war. How can we change the situation if we can't break it?
The real line of defense in the hall's mind should be at Dayan Mountain, where the troops have always been abundant, and elites such as the Red and Black Women's Clothes are also stationed there.
There is a saying in the art of war: one can make a great effort, then it will weaken, and three times it will be exhausted.
Even if the Sanada people broke through the defense line of Jiyue, they would still be weakened. After being beaten by the defense line of Oiwa Mountain for a while, once the main hall launches a counterattack, the whole army will be defeated and destroyed in Jiyue."
Hashiba Hideyoshi couldn't help but shake his head.
"The main hall is easy to calculate. The most powerful soldier in Kanto under Shiba's command was destroyed in Jiyue. I guess it will severely damage the influence of Shiba family in Kanto, right?"
Poor Takigawa Kazumasuke has been running around for a month. Isn't he working in vain?
There is no hope of any merit, she is just a tool of the main hall, specially used to offend the Kitanomi people."
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled slightly and asked.
"In the eyes of the main hall, how many people are not considered tools?"
Hashiba Hideyoshi nodded slowly, and the image of Shiba Yoshigan appeared in his mind.
Of the sixty-six countries in the world, maybe he is the only one that the Great Hall really pays attention to, right?
Hideyoshi Hashiba sighed and said.
"I wonder if I have a chance to make some achievements in Jian Yue and give my subordinates a chance to succeed."
Takenaka Shigeharu said.
"Takigawa Ichimasu kicked you to the edge, we will guard the south and prevent the Sanada people from taking advantage of you.
When the Sanada people fail to attack Oiwa Mountain and withdraw their troops due to setbacks, we will cooperate with Oiwa Mountain's military forces to attack from a pincer attack and wipe out the Sanada people in the base of the mountain."
Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded.
"This is a good idea. I am already a famous person with 120,000 stones. I should also announce a few generals in my formation so as not to lose face.
Do you think the Four Heavenly Kings of Yuchai sounds better, or the Qiben Gun of Jiyue?"
Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.
"As long as the Lord is happy."
The monarch and his ministers were chatting and joking, seemingly joking, but in fact they were each feeling heavy in their hearts.
Hideyoshi Hashiba, who originally wanted to secretly help the Shiba family, was shocked when he learned that the troops of Sakuma Nobumori and Kawajiri Hidetaka had secretly arrived at Kinomoto.
Kitaomi is her territory, and nothing can be hidden from her.
Oda Nobunaga was very thoughtful, and his deployment of troops was beyond everyone's expectations. This also caused Hashiba Hideyoshi to change his mind and be a loyal minister of the Oda family, without daring to be cautious.
Although he felt sad and felt that Yoshigan Shiba would probably be defeated by Oda Nobunaga after this battle, Hashiba Hideyoshi quickly calmed down and began to think about himself.
Hideyoshi Takigawa was the target, and Hideyoshi Hashiba was too lazy to talk nonsense with her. After taking the opportunity to have a falling out, he took advantage of the situation and came to the edge to garrison.
At this time, she was just waiting for the follow-up opportunity. Hashiba Hideyoshi was preparing to make another meritorious service in the land of Shiyue. As for Shiba Yoshigan on the main battlefield, she could no longer take care of him.
If Yoshigan Shiba was really destined to have such a disaster, his undefeated golden body was broken by Oda Nobunaga, and he was forced to submit to the Genpei merger, and Hideyoshi Hashiba's small arms and legs would not be able to change the overall situation.
No matter what, Hideyoshi Hashiba's belief in continuing to climb up has become stronger. Only by strengthening himself can he have a chance to realize his ideal.
———
Hosokawa Fujitaka was sitting in the formation, watching the first wave of reserve troops begin to attack Iwasaki Mountain, and a Hime Samurai following behind her said angrily.
"Maeda's interests are really too bullying. She even named us to be the forwards, but she stayed back to preserve her strength. Is this how the Shiba family treats important allies?"
Hosokawa Fujitaka looked back at her and said calmly.
"The Hosokawa Mibuchi family was deeply cared for by Tsuta-den, who granted them the land of Kitakawachi, protected their safety, and gave them preferential treatment by the shogunate.
During the battle between Kitakogenchi and Miyoshi, I was able to gain entry into the Sakai Port Customs Office with little effort and gain all the benefits of customs duties.
How could the Shiba family be sorry for us, the Hosokawa Mibuchi family? On the contrary, we had been hiding our little thoughts and had been in trouble with Tsutado-don several times, but he didn't take it to heart.
What? Now the Spo family just makes a normal request, and you are cursing and complaining?
As Ji warriors, you must know how to be grateful and how to be ashamed!"
Hosokawa Fujitaka scolded him without changing his expression, as if he had forgotten how he jumped up and down in the past, trying his best to give Shiba Yoshigami eye drops and stumble his ugly appearance in the Hosokawa Mibuchi family.
Having achieved what she wanted, she is now the Shiba family's staunchest ally among the Hosokawa Mibuchi family, the kind that remains loyal.
Talking about benefits, Shiba Yoshigan promoted her to become the future head of the Izumi-Hosokawa family, and also gave Sakai Minato a large amount of benefits, so that she would have enough financial resources to purchase the retainers and suppress Mibuchi Fujihide.
Talking about relationships, Hosokawa Fujitaka and Shiba Yoshigan are already close to each other. In the future, Shiba Yoshigan will go to the altar, and if Hosokawa Fujitaka can conceive a child, she will be of the blood of God, and she will be noble and extraordinary.
Both in public and private matters, Hosokawa Fujitaka was tightly tied to the Shiba family's boat. She was unable to jump off the ship, and she did not want to.
Maeda's interests have been settled with her. Higashinoyama hides the main force of the Oda family. In recent days, the military force of Shiba leader has been used as a reserve force to guard against Higashinoyama on the flank and cannot be mobilized.
The Hosokawa Mibuchi family, as a military presence in the coalition that is second only in strength to the recent Spur Territory, must stand up and take responsibility.
Therefore, Hosokawa Fujitakasai was willing to rush to the front line to show Yoshihiro Shiba behind him, not to gain face for Maeda's interests.
She glanced at the unconvinced Warrior Ji and said sternly.
"Military discipline is strictly enforced during wartime. Anyone who dares to be disrespectful to recent coalition generals will be punished immediately for shaking the morale of the military and beheaded on the spot!"
As for you, go ahead and charge forward. If you can’t attack Mount Iwasaki, you don’t have to come back.”
The Ji warrior had an unyielding face, bowed deeply, tightened his tight waistband, and strode forward.
Hosokawa Fujitaka watched her go away coldly and said nothing.
There are still some thorns in the Hosokawa Mibuchi family that need to be eliminated during this war so that Hosokawa Fujitaka can control the family business.
War is the best opportunity to eliminate dissidents and concentrate power.
After this battle, the retainers of the Hosokawa Mibuchi family will be further tamed by Hosokawa Fujitaka, and the two house governor mothers can retire in peace.
As for Maeda's interests, Hosokawa Fujitaka's thoughts are not as high-sounding as they appear on the surface.
If she had truly obeyed Maeda's interests, she would not have secretly sent an envoy to Shikatsuka to leak Maeda's orders to Yoshihiro Shiba.
Not many people know about Shiba Yoshigan's lurking in Shikazuka, and Hosokawa Fujitaka is one of them.
It seems that at this time, Yoshigan Shiba already knows what Maeda's interests are doing. Even if Yoshigan Shiba is inconvenient to object openly, he will give some benefits to the Akechi Hosokawa faction to appease him.
The corners of Hosokawa Fujitaka's mouth raised.
I wonder how the kind-hearted Tsutado-don will compensate the Hosokawa Army who fought hard for the Shiba family? Maybe next time I can ask Tsutado-don to lick me... he won't refuse, right?
Just thinking about that scene, Hosokawa Fujitaka's body began to feel warm and moist. She licked the corners of her mouth and ordered.
"Hime! Tsuta-dono is watching us from behind! Attack! Attack with all your strength! Let the martial arts in the world see the martial prowess of our Hosokawa family!"
"The Hosokawa family's military fortunes are prosperous!"
———
On Higashino Mountain, Hirate Fanhide and Ujiie Naomoto looked at the distant battlefield together.
The rising sun has not moved much toward noon, but the first wave of recent coalition forces has already reached the halfway point of the Iwasaki defense line.
Ujiie Naomoto shook his head and said.
"Iwasaki Mountain can't hold it for too long. We will receive the order to attack before noon."
Hirate Fanxiu snorted coldly.
"This is useless garbage."
Ujiie Naomoto glanced at the arrogant Hirate Hanhide and said nothing.
Hirate Hohide is a descendant of Oda Nobunaga's teacher Hirate Masahide. In order to persuade Oda Nobunaga, Hirate Masahide chose to commit seppuku.
Although Oda Nobunaga still went his own way, making Masahide Hirate's seppuku meaningless, Oda Nobunaga still had feelings for Masahide Hirate in his heart.
The Hirate family got many opportunities in the process of the Oda family's expansion of territory, and the descendant of Hirate Genhide became a rising star of the Owari Shozo sect.
For Hirate Fanhide, the Omi samurai and the Ise samurai who defended the Iwasaki Defense Line and the Saigake Defense Line were all conquered and defeated.
To put it bluntly, Ujie Naomoto and other Mino samurai families may not really take Hideta Hide seriously. This is the unique pride of the old Shimohara samurai family.
In the eyes of the old Owari samurai, whether it was Mino, Ise, or Omi, they were all territories conquered by the Owari people. The local samurai were low-class people who relied on begging for mercy to survive.
Mino Country was conquered early, and after the Noo Plains were unified, Oda Nobunaga spent a lot of time training the military.
The policy of separation of farmers and soldiers was implemented, the treatment of Ashigaru was improved, and a large number of iron cannons and bows were equipped, so the Mino Army could stand side by side with the Owari Army and become the core military force of the Oda family.
If the Oda family's core military force is used to defend, with earthen ramparts, fences, and ditches creating obstacles, and the Oda military force equipped with iron cannons, bows, and arrows for more than half of the people, it is easy to launch a large number of long-range attacks.
With the ability of the traditional samurai troops of recent coalition forces, it is impossible for them to attack Mount Iwasaki. A large number of soldiers will be lost in three consecutive attacks until their morale collapses and they retreat.
But now, the Omi-Ise samurai family who guard Mt. Iwadake and Iwasaki Mountain are also the traditional samurai reserve team.
Sasana Narimasa brought a small number of supervising troops behind, obviously treating them as cannon fodder to fill the line. Under such circumstances, morale would inevitably be low.
Their combat effectiveness was not strong in the first place, and they were forced to sacrifice themselves for the Oda family. The fact that these troops guarding the line did not collapse was the result of the shock of Masadori Sasanagi's battle.
Ujiie Naomoto shook his head.
Hirate Fengxiu, a stupid young man, just took advantage of her background. It really put her in the same situation as the people in Iwasaki Mountain, and she may not be stronger than them.
Feeling contempt in his heart, but on the surface, the old and mature Ujie Naomoto still smiled and agreed.
"The main hall has never placed any hope on them. They are just pawns used to drain the spirit of the Sibo army. When they are exhausted, it will be our time to go down the mountain and take the lead."
Hirate Fanxiu nodded.
"good."
The two looked at each other and smiled, each happy.
Hirate Genhide is a rising star of the Owari old martial arts family and the most talented person among the young warriors.
In her opinion, Niwa Nagahide, Shibata Katsuie, and Ikeda Tsuneaki are old and no longer as brave as they once were. They are submissive to the Tsudo-den of the Shiba family and do not dare to fight decisively with them.
Because Hirate Fanhide took the lead in the battle, he surpassed these veterans and became a prominent figure in the Oda family.
To rise to the top, you have to step on the shoulders of others. Internally, step on cowards like Shibata Katsuie. Externally, step on the enemy of Yoshihiro Shiba.
Hirate Hanhide is very ambitious. After defeating Shiba's army today, she will officially become the leader of the Owari old samurai family. Not even Shibata Katsuie can think of suppressing her edge.
But Ujie Naomoto had another thought.
Oda Nobunaga conquered the Mino country. The Oda family could not swallow the entire Mino country at once, so they just took all the eastern Mino and gave the western Mino samurai family great preferential treatment.
As a result, the three Simino people became important ministers of the Oda family, and they lived a good life with the expansion of the Oda family over the years.
But even if the Simeon samurai family does well, they still have to be divided into three, six or nine levels internally, and there is an order of hierarchy. Who will represent Simeon is a problem.
As we all know, the Four Heavenly Kings are generally five people, but there are actually four of the Simeon Trio.
Ando Mamoru was disgusted by Oda Nobunaga. Together with Lin Xiuzhen, he was deprived of his territory and kicked out of the Oda family. He was the first to be eliminated.
He has the least history of not breaking the light to control darkness. He was loyal to Mino Saito Yoshiryu until the Saito family was destroyed, and then he took refuge in the Oda family.
Oda Nobunaga also trusted Fuwa Mitsuharu the most in the Nishiminono family, and sent her to serve as the commander of Shibata's army.
Using the Nishi-Mino samurai family to check and balance the Owari samurai family, this is Oda Nobunaga's political skills and method of checks and balances.
This time, Fuwa Koji also served under Shibata Katsuie of Echizen Province, resisting the Kwantung Allied Forces and defending the Shibata Line of Defense. His military achievements could not be too outstanding.
The remaining two people, Ujie Naomoto and Inaba Yoshichichi, came to Lake Yuwu to participate in the joint battle. They were originally the most promising to achieve great success.
However, Inaba Yoshimichi was unlucky. Shima Katsuo led his troops into Nishi Mino from Echizen Kuni Minoguchi, and Inaba Yoshimichi's territory, Northern Castle, was guarding the northern part of Nishi Mino.
Oda Nobunaga asked Inaba Yoshimitsu to return to Nishi Mino to block Shima Katsuo's offensive. As a result, Inaba Yoshimitsu had no chance to participate in the joint battle and had no chance to achieve great success.
Ujiie Naomoto seemed to be chatting and laughing with Hirate Hanhide, but in fact he was very excited.
Opponents are excluded. As long as she performs well in this battle, she will be rewarded heavily by Oda Nobunaga after the war. She will overpower Koji and Inaba Yoshiachi and become the number one in Nishi Mino.
Ujiie Naomoto and Hirate Hanhide have their own concerns, but at this time they have the same interests, and they both hope to achieve their goals by defeating Shiba's army.
The two of them seemed relaxed and content, but in fact, they were anxiously waiting for Oda Nobunaga's order.
When will we attack? How long will we have to wait?