Between the upper and lower Toba, there is a natural bend of the Kamogawa River. The river bed here is flat and the water flow is not fast. It is not far along the river to the northeast, and there are bridges connecting both sides of the Kamogawa River.
If a legion goes north along the Kamogawa River and fords here, it will enter the city of Kyoto, which is located to the north of Fushimi Castle. If it goes north to Luo successfully, it can attack Fushimi southward.
And here is the sniper spot chosen by Yoshikage Uesugi. She wants to earn meritorious service here and fire her first shot as an adult.
After the council meeting, Uesugi Yoshikage led the elite of the Dozens and the two banners of Uesugi Takeda, a total of more than 1,500 people, to enter the Toba Palace and garrison the place.
Toba Imperial Palace was built five hundred years ago as the imperial palace of Emperor Toba.
After Ashikaga Yoshimitsu massacred the emperor's court, the Imperial Palace also declined. It was overrun by bandits and fell into disrepair, gradually falling into ruins.
However, with the instability of the Ashikaga Shogunate and the advent of troubled times, this place became a battleground for both the offensive and defensive sides of Kamiro due to its strategic value.
This time, Otani Yoshitsugi had already sent craftsmen to repair and turn the palace into a garrison to guard the Kamo River crossing.
Uesugi Yoshikage volunteered to stay at the Imperial Palace, and Otani Yoshitsugi, who had experienced the military review incident, did not want to refute the face of this strong-willed second-generation heir to Shiba.
She then agreed to change the defense and withdraw the troops previously stationed there, and Uesugi Yoshikage's troops would be stationed there.
A few days later, news came that Dian City had fallen.
The Yodo Castle defenders of the Izumi Hosokawa family fought to the end and suffered heavy losses. The remaining troops returned to Shoryuji Castle and vowed to live and die with the castle.
However, Ichijo Hideyoshi, who captured Yodo Castle, did not go north along the Katsura River to attack Katsuryuji Castle. While arranging to establish logistics, she sent a vanguard to test Fushimi Toba.
Among them, General Hachisuga Masakatsu led his three thousand troops and marched north along the streets of Toba, aiming directly at Toba.
———
Autumn is getting thicker and cooler, and Uesugi Yoshikage looking at the flowing water of the Kamogawa River from the heights of Toba Palace is a little troublesome.
Hachisuga Masakatsu on the other side didn't seem to be as anxious as her master. After seeing the white flag of Toba Palace, he stopped, as if he was waiting to see something.
The white flag is the iconic flag of Genji. The white flag of Uesugi Yoshikage was given by the saint himself. The format is naturally unusual, similar to the imperial white flag given by Shogun Ashikaga.
Apparently, someone in Masakatsu Hachisuka's formation recognized the Shiba family's royal flag and knew the identity of the person on the other side.
There were footsteps behind Uesugi Yoshikage. She turned around and saw that it was Takeda Yoshinobu, so she forced a smile.
"Sister."
Takeda Yoshinobu nodded.
"You have something on your mind."
Uesugi Yoshikage didn't hide it and sighed.
"Hasuga Masakatsu is a veteran who has been following Hideyoshi for many years and has rich experience in battle. I dare not take him lightly.
She stopped so casually, and I couldn't figure out what she was thinking, or what she was secretly preparing."
Uesugi Yoshikage's first battle seemed confident to the outside world, but in fact he was quite panicked.
She would feel at ease if Hachisuka Masakatsu came with an open sword and an open shot. But now that the enemy was unable to move, she began to think about some plan to secretly build a plank road to assassinate Chencang, for fear of being plotted against.
Takeda Yoshinobu smiled slightly.
"How could she be prepared? She just bumped into you and scared herself.
As far as I know, for more than half a year, the two Maeda families have been writing letters to their old connections under the Yiyi Regiment, persuading them to step back from the brink and not make mistakes.
Hachisuka Masakatsu was born in Owari, and most of his subordinates were from the same hometown, and His Highness Maeda Toshiie was very familiar with them.
The most embarrassing thing about the fight between the Shiba family and the Ichijo family is that these old Owari warriors are not human beings inside and outside.
There has probably been a huge quarrel within the Hachisuka family for a long time, and it would be difficult for Hachisuka Masakatsu to reconcile with him.
Now when she goes out and encounters a saint personally giving her a royal flag, and she bumps into you, the legitimate heir of the Sibo family, what dare she do?
It’s neither possible to fight nor retreat, it can only be frozen.”
Takeda Yoshinobu's analysis made Uesugi Yoshikage suddenly realize, but new worries came to his mind.
Uesugi Yoshikage sighed.
"My father has so much prestige that he scares Masakatsu Hoshizuka from making any rash moves. It will be difficult for us to achieve great success in battle."
Takeda Yoshinobu smiled.
"You want a fight?"
Uesugi Yoshikage asked rhetorically.
"Don't you want to?
If there is no war, what are we doing here?
Just wait at home for the good news that Father has killed Ichijo Hideyoshi, why bother running around and tormenting yourself?"
Takeda Yoshinobu nodded.
"That's the truth."
Yuigahama Yoshinao came here to make up the numbers, but Uesugi Yoshikage and Takeda Yoshinobu really needed to make some achievements this time.
As the successor of Yoshihiro Shiba, the second generation of the dynasty has been the most difficult to consolidate since ancient times. She is responsible for carrying forward the past and linking up the future, and stabilizing the direction of the court.
Military merit is the most important thing in the samurai family. If he does not have outstanding military merit, Uesugi Yoshikage's prestige will be greatly reduced. It will be difficult to maintain a strong position when he inherits the world in the future, and it will be difficult to ensure that his political line does not deviate.
Takeda Yoshinobu's side was more complicated. Her background was disgraceful. Takeda Shingen spent the rest of his life paying for Meng Lang in Yantian City and paving the way for his daughter.
Promoted the alliance between the Uesugi and Takeda families, allowing the eldest daughter of Takeda to bow to the second daughter of Uesugi, cultivating sisterhood.
He even instigated Uesugi Kenshin to send more banners, creating a union between the two banners of Uesugi and Takeda, creating more comradeship for the daughters of the two families.
Everything Takeda Shingen did was to consider the future of Takeda Yoshinobu.
She has done so much. If the last battle is not won, Uesugi Yoshikage will be embarrassed and Takeda Yoshinobu will feel uncomfortable.
Who would have thought that Ichijo Hideyoshi's general Hachisuga Masakatsu would be so cowardly, making both sisters unhappy.
Takeda Yoshinobu shook his head and said.
"Hasuka Masakatsu doesn't want to fight, then we will force her to do it."
Yoshikage Uesugi's eyes lit up.
"What's the plan?"
Takeda Yoshinobu said.
"I came here to find you. It was the Hoshisuka army across the street who sent someone to send a message, saying that Guan Bai Shangluo was discussing important national affairs with the saint. He hoped that we would be considerate and get out of the way."
Uesugi Yoshikage twitched his lips.
"It's all nonsense. Do you believe what Masakatsu Masakatsu said himself?
She is just stalling for time, not only does she not want to fight with us, but she also wants to give Hideyoshi Ichijo behind her a reasonable reason to delay."
Takeda Yoshinobu nodded.
"Your guess is correct, but since she wants to negotiate, then talk to her and be polite first, then fight.
Let Yoshitsune fully represent us and negotiate with her."
Uesugi Yoshikage's eyes almost popped out.
Takeda Yoshinobu, seeing how you are usually honest and honest, how could you come up with such a cunning plan?
What kind of temperament does Yuigahama Yoshinao have? He makes trouble even if nothing happens, and makes waves even if there is no wind. If you let her negotiate, will Masakatsu Hachisuga be so angry that he draws his sword on the spot?
This is not a negotiation, this is clearly a frontal provocation.
Uesugi Yoshikage smiled bitterly.
"If there really is a big mess, will Yoshitoshi's butt be smashed by Father afterwards?"
Takeda Yoshinobu sighed.
"Let's take care of her safety first. We can choose Xiaozhi Bridge not far away as the negotiation location, and send her more guards. Before she can open her mouth, we must save her life first.
As for being punished by my father afterward... we two owe Yoshitsune a favor. Hanzawa Naoyoshi of the Yuigahama family is not even happy yet. Yoshitsune's ass will be punished a little bit, and it will be fine."
Uesugi Yoshikage sighed helplessly.
"Sister, what you said makes sense, let's let Yi Nao try it. This little girl has been blessed since she was a child. She might really be able to help us a lot."