Echizen Province faces the Sea of Japan and, together with Wakasa Province, forms the junction from Hokurikudo to Konki. It is called Wakasui Koshiyama. This shows that Echizen is very mountainous.
The Nosaka Mountains, the Ibuki Mountains, and the Ryobai Mountains wrap up the southern and eastern parts of Echizen Country. Because of the mountains, the seven counties in the north of Echizen are alienated from the Tsuruga County in the south.
The relationship between Tsuruga County and Wakasa Country is actually closer. Among the seven northern counties of Echizen, the Fukui Plain in the north is the richest and borders Kaga Country.
In other words, the Fukui Plain, the main grain-producing area of Echizen Country, is on the side facing Kaga Country, which is the direction in which the Kanto Allied Forces invaded.
Shibata Katsuie has not been idle all winter. He married the city lord and gained the status of the Oda clan. He received a reward of more than 400,000 koku from the Echizen Kingdom. Shibata Katsuie must work hard.
With Oda Nobunaga's almost unlimited support, Shibata Katsuie built high walls, accumulated grain widely, and dug deep holes to build the Echizen defense line.
The Kuzuryu River runs through the Fukui Plain, dividing the plain into northern and southern parts. Mikuni Minato, at the mouth of the Kuzuryu River, is an excellent port in the northern part of Echizen Province after Tsuruga Port.
Knowing that the enemy was outnumbered, Shibata Katsuie simply gave up all the territory north of the Kuzuryu River, huddled on the south bank, and defended the river as the first line of defense.
Secondly, Shibata Katsuie fortified Hokizhuo Castle, located in the center of the southern plain of the Fukui Plain, as his residence.
The two sides of Hoizhuang Castle are Ichijodani Castle which relies on the Ryobai Mountains to the east, and Imai Castle which is located on Mount Kunimidake in the north of the Sea of Japan on the west side.
Beizhuang Castle is located in the center of the plain. It has high walls and a moat. Shibata Katsuie personally led the elite garrison. Ichijogani Castle and Imai Castle are backed by mountains and are easy to defend and difficult to attack. The east and west echoes to serve as external aid.
These three cities formed the second line of defense.
Afterwards, behind the three castles of Kongo-in, Ryumon-ji, and Komaru in the northern part of the former South Vietnam area, guarding Shibata Katsuie, was the third line of defense.
Among the people in the former South Vietnam area, they had long been hooking up with Asakura Kageki of Tsuruga County, and Shibata Katsuie could not trust them.
What if the South Vietnamese frontmen were instigated by Spo Yiyin to attack their back at a critical moment of the war, wouldn't it ruin the overall situation?
The third line of defense is not only Shibata Katsuie's last line of defense, but also her forward position to guard against the south.
In just one winter, Shibata Katsuie took a knife and forced Echizen peasant women to brave the cold wind and heavy snow to reinforce the city, build three lines of defense, and stockpile a large amount of military rations, just to prepare to defend until the last moment.
Oda Nobunaga tried his best to meet her requirements, as long as Shibata Katsuie was willing to defend, and she wanted soldiers for soldiers, food for food, and building materials for building materials.
Only then did the three lines of defense of Echizen Kingdom come into being, which made the Kwantung Allied Forces feel troublesome. They blocked the front of the Kwantung Allied Forces and prevented them from going to Luo to join Shiba Yoshigan.
Although the Kwantung Allied Forces easily controlled the northern part of the Fukui Plain and captured Mikuni Minato, the transport ships at Nanao Port could smoothly transport supplies to Echizen Country, greatly reducing the logistical pressure.
However, in front of the defensive line that Shibata Katsuie painstakingly built, the Kanto Allied Forces had no idea what to do and lingered in the northern part of Echizen Country, unable to advance even an inch.
On the other hand, Yoshihiro Shiba has sent an order to Mikuni Minato through Tsuruga Port, expecting the Kwantung Allied Forces to break through Echizen Country as soon as possible, join him, and launch a decisive battle against Oda Nobunaga.
The immediate difficulties and the call from afar have caused fierce debates and fierce conflicts within the Kwantung Allied Forces.
———
On the north bank of the Kuzuryu River, the Sanada people are stationed.
There are only two people in this formation, Sanada Nobushige said to Umino Riichi with a sad face.
"Those bastards at the back are really going too far. When they easily broke through the Fukui Plain a few days ago, they were still trying to steal my credit.
At this moment, some skin was broken on the river defense line, a few people died, and they retreated one by one. What a bunch of irresponsible bastards.
Did you know that someone has already suggested to Yamanaka Yukimori to bypass the Shibata Katsuie's strong defense line, go upstream along the Kuzuryu River, break into Mino Country from Mino Pass, and flank the Oda family. "
Umino Riichi said coldly.
“The Fukui Plains were not broken through by us at all, but were the result of Shibata Katsuie’s active retreat.
The Kwantung Allied Forces came from afar, and Oda Nobunaga gave Shibata Katsuie a generous reward, just to force her to commit suicide and defend until the last moment.
The ins and outs of our coalition forces should have been discovered by the other party, and they know that we are too many people to talk a lot and it is difficult to form a joint force. That's why Shibata Katsuie tries his best to promote the three lines of defense to make us want to quit.
The morale of the Kwantung Allied Forces was not high at first. The Sanada people who were most eager to make contributions were the Sanada people, followed by the Yukimori Yamazaka and Shima Katsuo people who were more aggressive.
The rest of the people can just follow suit, but it will be difficult for them to overcome obstacles and attack the city in a bloody battle.
The roads in the Ryohaku Mountains are rugged. Even if we break through Minoguchi along the Kuzuryu River upstream, not many people can get in. It will not threaten the foundation of the Oda family, but instead disperses our troops.
This is nothing more than partial harassment and an explanation to Tsudo-don, and it has no bearing on the overall situation of the war. "
Sanada Nobushige said with disdain.
“These people are eating and drinking all the way, but when it comes time to contribute, they push back and forth, which is really shameless.
I don’t want to fight hard to kill the enemy, I just want to bypass the defense line and deal with you. This is simply unreasonable! "
Umino Ri shook his head and said.
"Yamaka Yukimori and Shimakatsu Takeo have a certain prestige gap after all. If Tsuta-dono or Uesugi-dono is personally in charge of this battle, who would dare to be passive and sabotage?
Unfortunately, His Highness Uesugi is recuperating in Kasugayama Castle, while Tsuta-den is confronting His Highness Oda in Takashima County, and neither of them is among the Kanto Allied Forces.
It's not that the Kwantung Allied Forces can't fight, but they lack a leader who can convince the masses and can only be a mess.
Shibata Katsuie has hoarded a large amount of military rations, and high walls and deep pits are waiting for us to hit. Attacking by force is indeed not a good idea, but if we slowly grind it out, it may take several months or even half a year.
As for strategies to bypass defenses, neither. . "
As soon as Umino Rishi was speaking, there was movement outside one after another. The Hime warriors entered the formation one after another and saluted Sanada Nobunaga.
When the time for the military meeting came, Umino Riichi stopped talking and waited for everyone to arrive first.
The Kwantung Allied Forces mobilized 50,000 to 60,000 soldiers, and the Sanada family sent 10,000 troops. It was an unparalleled moment and attracted everyone's attention.
But Sanada Nobushige knew in his heart that most of the people in Sanada's army at this time were not his subordinates, but poor ghosts from the Koshin Mountains who were tempted by food and prospects.
Originally, this matter was not easy, but Takeda Shingen secretly gave his support, so that the mountain warriors in Shinano did not have any scruples, and only then did they have an extra-large scale of 10,000 soldiers.
The mountain people of the Koshinobu Mountains are already tough. When the Genpei war broke out, Shinano's Kiso Yoshinaka once competed with the Genpei branch, which can be called a tripod.
Kiso Yoshinaka was good at fighting, but not in politics. She offended the martial arts family, the public family, and the sect, and she was still able to survive for several years, just relying on her military talent and bravery.
Regardless of how talented she is as a military officer, the core members of her army are the Kiso soldiers, the Saku soldiers, and the Shangzhou soldiers.
The Kiso clan came from Shinno-Kiso Valley, the Saku clan came from Shinno-Saku County, and the Kiso clan came from the Ueno samurai family.
If you calculate carefully, the Sanada people are the replica of Kiso Yoshinaka's mountain civilian army, and they are still the same group of tough warriors who dare to die.
Sanada Nobushige was very satisfied with the soldiers under his command. The mountain people were simple-minded and joined the army just to make a living. Their faith in the mountains made them unable to trust people outside the mountains and they clung to the group.
The powerful logistics of the Kanto Palace are most suitable for use on these mountain people. Eating white rice and wearing linen clothes, they could kill as many people as they wanted, charging with bows and arrows without blinking an eye.
A poor family in the mountains only has one pair of trousers, and they starve to death every winter. As long as they have enough money and food, and good treatment, who cares about their lives?
Leading this group of moaning mountain people on an expedition, Sanada Nobushige was gearing up to take this opportunity to make achievements.
This is not only an explanation to the Kanto servants, making Shiba Yiyin look at him differently, but also for his status among the mountain people.
The Shino clan is a large clan in the Koshin Mountains, the Umino family is the general leader of the Shino clan, and the Sanada family is a branch of the Umino family.
After the decline of the Umino family, the Shino clan went through many hardships, and was finally succeeded by Sanada Nobushige using the unlimited financial resources of the Kanto Palace.
If this battle is fought successfully, the Koshinobu Mountains samurai group will receive a military merit reward, and Sanada Nobushige's status in the Shino Tribe will rise to a higher level.
By then, her influence in the local area would transcend the boundaries of the Shiye clan and become a representative figure of Jiaxin.
The plains and fields represent food, and the rivers and coasts represent trade. Although the mountains are extremely poor, the mountain warriors are the best source of soldiers.
The Sanadas claim to be the most powerful soldiers in the Warring States Period. If the scene of the Shiba Oda battle can hold up now, it will confirm their status as the most powerful soldiers in the Warring States Period.
This will be of great benefit to Sanada Nobushige's future.
To put it simply, the Sanada people are here for the dead this time. As long as they have great military achievements and generous rewards, they don't care about sacrifice.
But in the current situation, I won’t even give you a chance even if I want to die!
The enemy is cowering and defending, and the allies are cowering. Sanada Nobushige can't rush in and hit his head with blood, and he will be laughed at later. He is a fool, right?
Sanada Nobushige was upset. When he saw Yuri Kamanosuke walking into the formation carelessly, he was even more furious. He went up and kicked her to the ground.
Yuri Kamanosuke fell to the ground, still a little confused.
"My lord, are you going to hit me?"
Sanada Nobunaga stepped forward and stepped on him again, causing Yuri Kamanosuke to gasp and roll to the side holding his head.
“It’s you I’m beating!
You bastard got me into trouble again, didn't you? Did you intercept the logistics supplies for Renjiaidao Shengmeng’s tribe?
Taking other people's supplies and telling them to get out of here, good guy, I don't even dare to talk to Dao Shengmeng like that, you're so awesome, aren't you?
I'll kick your troublemaker to death! "
Yuri Kamanosuke huddled on the ground, protecting his vitals, fearing that Sanada Nobushige would accidentally kick himself to death in anger.
She did not forget to ask for mercy.
"Lord, that's not what happened. Please allow me to explain!"
When the bystanders came back to their senses, a few people rushed out and quickly stopped the furious Sanada Nobushige.
Miyoshi Izo stopped in front of Sanada Nobushige and said.
"Lord, give her a chance to explain.
Although Yuri Kamanosuke likes to take advantage of small things, he is not confused about big things. It is better to listen to what she has to say first. "
Nezu Sadamori took Sanada Nobushige's arm and persuaded him.
"Lord, calm down.
This girl has always been a bastard, and it is indeed not a pity to die, but she must be given a chance to explain. How can there be any reason to kill someone indiscriminately? "
Both of them were friends with Yuri Kamanosuke and quickly came out to stop them.
In fact, Sanada Nobushige didn't want to kill Yuri Kamanosuke, she just did it when she saw everyone was present. She knew that someone would definitely hold her back.
It's just that what this bastard Rikanosuke did was too much. He couldn't offend anyone, but he went so far as to offend the people under Shima Katsuruo's command.
Shima Katsuki's Hime Samurai Corps is a samurai family affiliated with Shiba Territory in Kanto. Almost all of them have Shiba's establishment, and they are all masters!
These people are the old team who followed Yoshigashi Shiba in the battle of Yamato. They are young men from the old Peking University and the old Iga tribe.
Their qualifications in the Shiba family are second only to those of Maeda Yoshitsugi, Otani Yoshitsugi, and Yamanaka Yukimori, who were born in the Shiba family.
When the Shiba Territory was first established in recent years, Nizi Katsuhisa and Akechi Mitsuhide had a tacit understanding to exclude these old Peking University and Iga tribes in order to facilitate the control of the new territory.
At that time, Shiba Yoshigan was in danger in Hokurikudo. Shima Katsuki rushed to Hokurikudo with these Ji warriors and followed Yoshigan to Kanto to fight as a sympathizer.
After that, the Shiba family established a firm foothold in Kanto and developed better and better. These old members also brought their husbands and children to Kanto and settled here.
They were the first batch of warriors led by Shiba in Kanto. They were senior and had deep backgrounds. Shiba Yiyin would always remember their contributions.
When Shiba Yiyin was allocating Shiba's establishment, almost all the lists submitted by Shima Shengmu were approved, and even the Kamao clan did not dare to block anyone.
These people are all old people who left the Tongxinzhong. If the second generation of the Tongxinzhong in Pusheng's hometown dares to do something that is disappointing to their predecessors, they will not be able to live in the future.
As the prestige of Shiba Yiyin increased, these people became the founding ministers of the Shiba family in developing Kanto.
Sanada Nobushige was still thinking about how to have a good relationship with them, but who knew that Yuri Kamanosuke would steal their supplies!
Shima Katsuki asked about Sanada Nobushige's situation during the meeting. Although he didn't say a harsh word, Sanada Nobushige's heart was full of grass and mud, and he just wanted to kick this idiot Yuri Kamanosuke to death.
Pulled by Miyoshi Izo and Nezu Sadamori, Sanada Nobushige pretended to struggle for a few times and then gave up. She pointed at Yuri Kamanosuke who was still curled up on the ground and cursed.
"Why are you pretending? Get up and explain this matter clearly to me. If the explanation is not clear, go to Dao Shengmeng's house and commit seppuku to apologize!"
Yuri Kamanosuke got up dejectedly, not daring to wipe the ashes from his face and body, and said in embarrassment.
"How dare I rob those things belonging to the superior people compiled by Spo?
I heard someone say a few days ago that a newly shipped batch of supplies from Sanguomin was detained by the people in charge of the temple.
I think this is a good thing. We should hurry up and grab the things back before others do. Isn’t it ours?
Who knew that this batch of supplies actually belonged to Lord Shima Shengmeng? If I had known about it in advance, I would have sent it directly. How could I dare to transport it back?
Lord, I am wronged! "
(End of chapter)
