Hojo Umasa was in a happy mood. The anger he had been holding back for the past few days seemed to be released in an instant.
Hojo Genan understood her thoughts, pointed at the gray sky and smiled.
"Let's hurry up and hurry up.
Judging from the weather, it looks like there will be repeated snowstorms in the next few days. If we lose time, the journey in the wind and snow will be uncomfortable. "
Hojo Umasa felt even better after hearing this. He smiled and pointed at the military strength of the company and camp on the other side and said.
"What my aunt said is that we should quickly go to Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine to avoid the snow.
I just pity these Hime samurai who are on an expedition to a foreign country. I don’t know if they can get used to the snow falling in Sagami Country and shooting white deer. "
At this time, Hojo Ushimasa wished he could fly to Kamakura. The stronger the wind and snow, the better it would be for the Hojo family. It would be best to laugh and talk about the storm at Hachimangu Shrine, and see if the Echigo side still has some confidence in the stalemate.
Hojo Ushimasa said to Hojo Yasunari who was following him.
"Kang Chengji, my aunt and I are going to Kamakura. Thank you very much for continuing to take charge of the defense in Tamana Castle."
Hojo Yasunari shook his head and said.
"The governor is heading to the center of the enemy's camp. I'm really worried. Please let me go with you as a guard.
I have made arrangements for Yusheng City. Each department will strictly guard the city and perform their duties. There will be no problems. "
Hojo Umasa glanced at Hojo Genan beside him, and when he saw her nodding slightly in approval, he said with a smile.
"Then let's go together."
Hojo Yasunari bowed on his horse and thanked the governor. She wanted to go to Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine mainly for two reasons.
First, Hojo Umasa showed her kindness and was willing to compensate her for what happened to Hojo Tsunari.
As the new governor of the Hojo family in Yusou City and the leader of the Yusou clan, she also had to make a statement.
From yesterday's conversation, it is basically certain that both parties are willing to carry out this negotiation. Then there will be no danger to the lives of the group.
The escort is just a formality, accompanying him to negotiations and protecting the safety of the family head. Showing that one accepts the good intentions of the Hojo clan and is loyal to the master is the most important political statement.
Secondly, she was unwilling to fight against the Sano Territory.
She also wanted to meet the legendary imperial court. What kind of magical figure could he let his mother, the most powerful warrior of the Hojo family, die in battle?
This autumn and winter, the Hojo family was unwilling to lose. It was hard for them to accept losing to this reckless woman named Terutora Uesugi.
As a result, a group of people began to reflect on their omissions and errors, and deified the role Shiba Yiyin played in the Kanto Strategy.
They comforted themselves that without the presence of Shiba Yoshigan, the Echigo samurai family led by Uesugi Teruhu would not have been able to defeat the elite Hojo.
Only by thinking in this way can the pain of the Hojo elite being absent from the Sano Territory for most of the battle be healed, and the Hojo family no longer be afraid of the Echigo army.
Yoshigan Shiba is a foreigner and will eventually return to Konjin, while the duel between Uesugi and Hojo may last for many years.
If Shiba Yiyin knew what they were thinking, they would definitely shake their heads and smile bitterly.
Echigo country was prosperous, with plain farming, gold and silver minerals, specialty green hemp, coastal salt, and port trade. The proud Terutora Uesugi is a truly rich second generation with really rich capital.
Because this rich land is blocked by the Echigo Mountains, the cold wind from the Sea of Japan cannot pass through Honshu Island and always echoes in the Echigo Plain, resulting in extremely cold winters and thick snow cover.
The wind and snow in Echigo Kingdom were far more violent than those in Sagami Kingdom. The Echigo samurai family grew up in the cold wind and became determined and fearless of death.
Under normal circumstances, there is a lack of bravery in wealthy places, and tough places are mostly poor. However, Echigo Country is an exception caused by the special geographical environment.
The elite equipment brought by wealth and the fighting spirit brought by harsh winter combined to form the unique Echigo samurai group.
Even without the presence of Shiba Yoshigan, the Echigo samurai family still had the confidence to go south and sweep across the Kanto Plain, beating the Hojo family into panic.
Although Terutora Uesugi has many shortcomings, she is really good at fighting, otherwise she would not be able to suppress the powerful Echigo samurai group.
The Hojo family has been abusing people in Kanhachishu for a long time. It is the first time they encounter the Echigo samurai family. If they use pure military strength to fight against them, they will definitely suffer a big loss.
The biggest problem of the Echigo samurai group is its superstitious belief in force and internal instability. Once the opponent changes his mind and uses off-the-field tactics to intensify Echigo's internal conflicts, it will most likely be effective.
Both Takeda Harunobu and Hojo Ujiyasu were politically more mature than Uesugi Terutora, and they did not lack strategic means to fight against Echigo.
But if he only fights for military power and can suppress the entire Echigo samurai group with an iron fist, Uesugi Terutora can beat them both.
———
Yoshigan Shiba looked at the increasingly heavy wind and snow outside, and Terutora Uesugi behind him said.
"The Hojo clan has arrived, and the negotiations will begin in the afternoon."
Yiyin said in shock.
"So urgent?"
He looked at the wind and snow outside again, realized something, and sighed.
"The weather is indeed conducive to their negotiations, no wonder they are impatient.
How is the military situation over there? Is there any problem with supplies after the blizzard? "
Terutora Uesugi said proudly.
"You have also lived in Echigo for two years. How can the snow season here be compared with Echigo? The severity is far worse.
The Echigo samurai family were already accustomed to the harsh winters, so they would have no problem. "
Yiyin shook his head and said nothing.
Uesugi Terutora's words were indeed heartening, and the Echigo samurai family could endure the bitter cold, but the superiors could not think about the problem in this way.
The consumption of expeditions in winter is much greater than that in spring and autumn, not to mention that the cold weather consumes more calories and eats more. Warm clothing, tents, and firewood alone can overwhelm the weak logistical supply capabilities of the Wu family.
The wars fought by the Wu family are often small-scale, short-term, and close-range.
Geographically, the scale of fighting between the small plains separated by mountains is not too large, and low-intensity small-scale wars break out all year round.
Politically, the power of the guardian daimyo under the guardian system is often dispersed, making it difficult to mobilize large-scale military expeditions. However, the Warring States Daimyo who broke away from the guardian system and developed toward centralization had not yet taken shape.
Looking at it from another perspective, although the Japanese samurai are good at fighting, they lack experience in large-scale combat and have poor logistics and supplies. This is also the reason why the Japanese army will be beaten by the Ming army in tomorrow's Korean War.
No matter how many partial tactical victories there were, the overall strategy was a complete failure.
Before the war, there was no mature bureaucracy to organize logistical supplies, and military supplies were mostly replenished by looting local areas.
During wartime, various ministries lacked contact and there was no long-term unified military organization to coordinate and order, making it almost impossible to coordinate operations.
Although Japan was able to mobilize the population and economy of two Chinese provinces to launch a war, its individual soldiers fought fiercely and had a tenacious will to fight. But in a national sports-level battle, this advantage is not enough.
There is no mature logistics system to support operations thousands of miles away, and there is a lack of experience in large-scale corps operations. These Japanese warriors who are not afraid of death will be crushed by the Ming army's physical advantage without any shortcomings.
The difficulties Yiyin is facing now are the same.
The Echigo samurai family had previously fought at home, or in Echigo and northern Shinano countries near Echigo country, and the logistical pressure was not great.
This time, the Echigo army crossed the two countries of Ueno and Musashi and fought against the local Hojo family in Sagami country, which required very high logistical supply requirements.
After the weather turns cold, the material consumption to maintain the army will increase by at least two or three times. The water transportation that maintains the logistics of the army is cut off by the ice, and the transportation capacity will be more than doubled.
The supply problem is very serious. This cannot be covered up by Uesugi Teruhora's words about the Echigo samurai's enduring the bitter cold.
The world is material, and no matter how strong the spirit is, it must have material support as a carrier. Without enough food and clothing, the army was still fighting a war.
The Wu family is not like that. They have not sacrificed their own dedication. If they continue like this, there will definitely be problems.
Moreover, there were a total of 20,000 troops stationed on the Katase River, 10,000 of which were Echigo troops. This number far exceeded the soldiers that ordinary daimyo could mobilize.
If these people were lost in Sagami Country, the Echigo samurai group would be doomed. This time they had to pull out all the backbone of the force, and they were able to organize a fighting force of 10,000 people.
Once these Echigo elites were lost, Uesugi Teruhora and Shiba Yoshigan would not be able to control the Echigo Kingdom at all.
He was not in a centralized dynasty, but in a Japan governed by the samurai family. In their own territory, the Wu family is the local overlord who controls the military, government and financial powers.
Most of the Hojo elite were lost in the Sano Territory. Hojo Ushimasa's family went to beg for forgiveness, and they had to rely on external threats and oppression from the Echigo army to barely unite the Hojo retainers group.
The Echigo samurai group is not a united Hojo family. Once the principals of each family who are close to the two masters are killed in battle, God knows what will happen.
Imagawa Yoshimoto died in Okehazama, and many important ministers were killed in the battle. Her daughter, the Imagawa clan, directly lost control of the territory of the Three Kingdoms, and was unable to leave Sunfu Castle. In the end, she ended up losing her country and going into exile.
Yoshigan Shiba looked at Uesugi Terutora worriedly. If the Echigo samurai family lost most of their money here, it would only be worse for the two of them when they returned to Echigo.
It's not that Teruhora Uesugi doesn't understand the reason, but she just doesn't want to show weakness in front of her sweetheart.
She knew very well that it was difficult on her side, but the Hojo family was not easy either.
The two sides are now like two opposing knights, both rushing towards each other. Whoever dares to show cowardice and rein in his horse will lose.
This is a game for the brave. The game is not only about wisdom, but also about courage and courage.
Uesugi Teruhora gathered his thoughts and said in a deep voice.
"Hojo Ujimasa wants to see you before negotiating."
Yiyin raised an eyebrow.
"Oh? What is her intention?"
Teru Uesugi shook his head.
"It's just a simple visit to express my respect for you and my condolences for General Ashikaga's misfortune."
Yiyin thought for a moment and nodded.
"Then let her come here."
In Tsuruoka Hachimangu Shrine, the upper and lower palaces are dedicated to the gods, and the Shirohata Shrine is dedicated to two imperial white flags. The solemn dance hall is a place where the gods can see, and it is the most suitable for negotiation.
High-ranking samurai such as Yoshigan who lived in Hachiman Palace stayed in a house not far from the dance hall. It was a quiet room prepared by the priest for visiting laymen.
———
Hojo Genan, Hojo Umasa, and Hojo Yasunari were walking on the way to the quiet room. Only the three of them came to visit the Imperial House this time, and the others were not eligible to enter the house.
Hojo Genan asked in a low voice.
"Negotiations will begin in the afternoon. Why does His Majesty Ujimasa insist on meeting the Odaisho? Wouldn't it be better to save enough energy to compete in the negotiations later?"
Hojo Umasa replied in a low voice.
"I was thinking on the way here. If we want the flag control thing to work, we must first rule out one possibility.
When I take out the imperial flag, what should I do if the imperial authority does something shady and does not recognize the flag, or finds someone to take the blame and be punished?
Therefore, I must meet him first to see if he is as noble and flawless as the rumors say, the embodiment of benevolence, justice, propriety, wisdom and trust. "
Hojo Genan just wanted to shake his head after hearing this.
You know people, they know faces, but you don’t know their hearts. What can you tell from a single encounter? Good political players all have different appearances. What can you tell from their appearance about their inner nature?
Hojo Genan's approval of the Hojo clan's plan in Tamana Castle was due to the fact that she had been following the Kwantung Allied Forces for a long time and had been observing Yoshigan Shiba's behavior and confirmed that he was benevolent and kind.
Playing political tricks is just a game to squeeze out honest people, and it is not easy to deal with shameless people. Because Yoshigami Shiba was a good character, Hojo Genan recognized that Hojo Ujimasa's plan would work.
If he was not sure, Hojo Genan would not allow Hojo Ujimasa to use the royal flag to attack Shiba Yoshigan. But at this time, it was really inconvenient for her to persuade her.
It is a good thing that Hojo Ushimasa can think of the loopholes in his own plan and should be tolerated. Her methods are still immature, and of course she is not as sophisticated as old foxes like Hojo Ujiyasu and Hojo Genan.
People cannot be born knowing it, they must learn to know it. In addition to studying, you must continue to encounter and solve problems in order to grow.
The Hojo family is determined to make progress, and Hojo Genan is happy to see it succeed. She is the future leader of the Hojo family. It was nothing more than an audience, just walking around with her.
Hojo Umasa spoke with high-sounding truth, but in his heart there was a hint of throbbing unknown to outsiders.
No matter how many excuses are used to convince others, she knows best in her heart that she just wants to meet Yiyin Shiba before the two parties formally meet and negotiate.
Hojo Umasa has never seen him, and the nightmare in his nightmare is always a blurry face.
She was so eager to see his true appearance and take a closer look at the young man who had destroyed all her self-confidence in Sano and made her unable to eat or sleep well.
She couldn't explain this strange desire from the bottom of her heart, and it was even harder for her to communicate it to others.
As the pace progresses, Shiba Yiyin's quiet room is right in front of him. Si Bo, who looked solemn on his left and right, opened the door separately to let the three people in.
Hojo Masaru, the house supervisor, walked at the front. She took a deep breath and strode into the room, looking neither humble nor arrogant.
Looking up, Sibo Yiyin was half lying on the main seat, looking at the wind and snow outside with a lonely expression, not knowing what he was thinking.
Hojo Umasa's heart trembled, and for a moment, Yoshigami Shiba's handsome and extraordinary appearance made up for the blurry face of the man in his dream.
His appearance was as delicate as that of a god, and his temperament was extraordinary. His eyes swept over her like a cleansing person, giving people a strange illusion. He is not from this world and has different troubles from people here.
The serving Kamao clan saw Hojo Umasa staring directly at Shiba Yoshigan with unscrupulous eyes, and an unknown fire sprang up in his heart.
"Discourteous! Kneel down!"
Hojo Umasa woke up with a start, pretended as if nothing had happened, and knelt down before Odaisho, who was rumored to be the most beautiful woman in the world.
"Hojo Ushimasa has paid a visit to the Odaisho to ask how you are doing."
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