On September 7, the seventh year of Tenmon (1538), Tokaido faced heavy rain for days after the autumn harvest was completed. The Imagawa clan's army also pointed its sword at the far river, and the army of nearly 5,000 people marched westward from Suruga in a mighty manner. It is said that Imagawa Yoshimoto did not go out to fight in order to accompany his wife who was expecting childbirth, and entrusted the post of general to Taiyuan Xue Zhai - but this news made the rebels in Yuanjiang feel even more pressure.
"How's it going, Mr. Sena, have you done everything you arranged in advance?"
Before leaving, Taiyuan Xuezhai came to Sena Ujitoshi's shop openly and openly - because he knew that the ninjas responsible for surveillance were all his new internal agents in the Horikoshi family - Horikoshi Sadatoyo. , there is nothing to worry about at all.
"Everything was sent to Nishizaki Castle in accordance with Master Xuesai's instructions." Sena Shitoshi replied respectfully, "My letter informed them that our food reserves are all near the lower reaches of the Tenryu River on the southern line. There are almost no transport teams going to the granary in the north of the Yangtze River."
"Very well, thank you for your hard work, Mr. Sena. After this battle is completed, Chengfang will promote you as an attendant and return to Imagawa Hall." Taiyuan Xuezhai nodded with satisfaction and rode away. He secretly instructed the Tsuchikatsutsu on the Toe front line, and ordered the ninjas to relax their guard, so that the ninjas of Imagawa Ryoshikata could have a glimpse of the reality, and confirmed that the Imagawa clan had no food reserves in the Futamata area in the north of Toe.
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On September 9, the seventh year of Tenmon (1538), the Imagawa clan's army arrived at Kakegawa Castle and held a pre-war evaluation meeting.
"Sena Ujitoshi has gained the trust of Imagawa Yoshima, and now he has been confused by us." Taiyuan Xuezhai pointed to the map spread out on the table and pointed to the official road along the coastline in the south, "All our grain and grass reserves They are all concentrated here. He must have thought that we were going south. My traitor in the Horikoshi family has also replied to me, saying that all the troops of Imagawa Ryojin have indeed gone to the southern front to set up defenses."
"So Master Yusei is planning to take the northern route to attack Nishizaki Castle?" Asahina Yasuno reminded, playing with the wine bottle in his hand and smacking his lips, "But in order to make this drama more realistic, we really don't have any food stored in the northern route. Ah, I can only fight with the three-day rations I carry with me."
"And we only have 5,000 people on hand. Although the enemy no longer has the support of the Mikawa wealthy family this time, it is conservatively estimated that there will be 5,500 people." Sena Ujisada also expressed dissent, "Master Yuksai is confident that he can defeat the enemy in 3 days." Can we win here? If we can't win, we will have no choice but to retreat."
"Three days are enough." Taiyuan Xuezhai smiled confidently, "The poor monk even thinks that it doesn't even take three days."
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On September 10, the seventh year of Tenmon (1538), the Imagawa clan sent 1,000 people from Asahina Taino to take the original south route, setting up false flags with great fanfare in an attempt to confuse the enemy. Taiyuan Xuezhai himself led the main force to take advantage of the cover of heavy rain and secretly went straight to Fumatata Castle in the north of Yuanjiang River, preparing to cross the river in the upper reaches of Tianlong River and directly attack Nishizaki Castle, the residence of Imakawa Ryozhen. Once this strategy is successful, the empty Nishizaki Castle, Ii Valley Castle, Hima Castle, Maisaka Castle and other rebel residences can be captured together, and the victory will be established before the main force of the rebels returns to support from the Tenryu River.
Along the way, in order to prevent many wealthy families in the northern part of the Yuanjiang River, including the Amano family, from secretly reporting to Imagawa Yoshizhin, Taiyuan Xuezhai sent out almost all the ninjas and scouts, patrolled frantically on the east bank of the Tianryu River, and constructed an intelligence barrier. . Even if the Amano family of Inui Castle discovered the actions of the main force of the Imagawa clan, they had no choice but to inform Imagawa Yoshima, so they had to arrange for someone to walk on the mountain road to report the news - but this would take at least several days.
On September 11, the seventh year of Tianwen (1538), the troops of the Imagawa clan began to cross the river. However, due to continuous heavy rains, the water level of Tianlong River surged, which temporarily caused a lot of trouble to the troops. It was not until evening that the Imagawa clan's troops completed crossing the river. After the last supply at Futamata Castle, they headed towards Nishizaki Castle with three days of rations.
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September 12, the seventh year of Tianwen (1538), on the west bank of Tianlong River.
As Ma Zhuozhong's pen, Feicun Yangyu is currently leading a small group of cavalry to reconnoiter along the Tianlong River southward in the heavy rain - this is the most dangerous route, and naturally it is handed over to Ma Yunzhong, who is the most trusted by the clan. .
If the plan is successful, Imagawa Yoshima has been deceived by Sena Ujitoshi, and the entire army will be deployed along the southern official road downstream of the Tenryu River - that is where the rebels fought against the rebels 2 years ago. Imagawa Yoshima's side will definitely be looking forward to replicating the previous victory on that familiar battlefield, and of course they will not think that Asahina Yasuno opposite them is just pretending to be a suspect.
According to Asahina Taino's report, the camp on the other side of the Tenryu River on the southern line is very solid and huge. It is estimated that it was built before the autumn harvest. Although visibility was poor due to heavy rain, flags were fluttering inside the camp, and there were probably thousands of people inside. Asahina Taino himself had few people and did not dare to cross the river rashly for reconnaissance, so he handed over the reconnaissance task to the main force of the Imagawa clan who had quietly crossed the river from the upper reaches.
In other words, the further south Himura Yoha goes, the more dangerous it is and the closer he gets to the main force of the rebels. His small group of cavalry may be ambushed by enemy scouts and ninjas at any time. Therefore, whenever Feimura Yangfei approaches hills, forests, and shrubs, there is a possibility of encountering an ambush, but Feimura Yangyu cannot avoid it. Under the poor visibility of the heavy rain, it was impossible to tell if there were any soldiers in these terrains until you walked in. He could only risk his own life again and again, leading his men on horseback into these excellent ambush places - and false alarms time and time again.
Gradually, the mentality of the warriors in Ma Zhen became a little unbearable. They gradually realized that such "false alarms" could not be endless, because the enemy's camp was more than ten miles away in the south, and they would eventually encounter the enemy's army. The further you go, the greater the chance of encountering one.
They have imagined countless times - when they step into the next forest, arrows are fired from all around, shooting them all under the horse; or when they step into a hill, the scouts and ninjas behind the hill are close at hand. Launch an assault on them from a distance - as long as they are still advancing, such a thing will happen sooner or later. What is even more desperate is that it is impossible for them to retreat before discovering the enemy. In other words, the only outcome for this reconnaissance team is to be attacked when the enemy is discovered and to warn the friendly forces behind - it is a narrow escape.
Fortunately, these warriors who have experienced hundreds of battles have long had the consciousness to sacrifice their lives for the Imagawa family. But when such torture is repeated a dozen, dozens, or even a hundred times, no matter how strong a man is, he cannot withstand it. When they advanced 5 miles away from the southern official road, someone finally couldn't stand it anymore and began to ask to retreat.
"Sir, we have confirmed the safety range of nearly 10 miles. We don't need to go any further." A warrior spoke first with some shame, and immediately received grateful glances from his companions - this is what everyone wanted to say but was too embarrassed to say. Export words.
"No, we must find the enemy. This is an order." However, Feimura Yangyu was determined. In the past, he always smiled and praised others, but now he was so serious that he seemed like a different person.
"But sir, we are close enough. If we go further south, there might be an ambush in the next hill." The subordinate's hands were trembling, pointing to a hill by the river in the southeast. "While we still have lives, go back." Come back to life!"
"I know it's hard now, but an order is an order." Feicun Yangyu shook his head and continued to ride south without any wavering. "Everyone, just think that you are already dead in half an hour. Drag. With this dying body, I will serve my family until the end. Don’t let your ancestors be shamed, and don’t let the katana on your waist be shamed.”
After a brief silence, everyone's passion was aroused, and everyone shouted "Yes" and followed suit.
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After the most difficult moment passed, the morale of the reconnaissance team seemed to have bottomed out and rebounded. They rushed into every possible ambush place, hoping to find the enemy immediately. In this way, forests and hills were trampled one after another, and ambush sites were found empty one after another, until the rebel camp was in front of everyone's eyes.
Everyone knew something was terribly wrong. No commander would leave a sentry near the camp to let the enemy directly touch him.
Sure enough, when Feicun Yangyu led his people on horseback and rushed into the camp, they found that it was almost an empty camp. The few ninjas had no intention of resisting and fled in all directions.
Compared to such an outcome, Feicun Yangyu would rather have been pierced by random arrows when he broke into the camp. Because of that, at least you will die alone.
"Quickly report to Master Xuezai. The southern road is empty. Master Sena's false surrender has been discovered." Himura Hiroyuki reined in his horse and turned around without saying a word. "Send someone to inform His Highness Bichushou." , ask him to cross the river immediately! Bring food to support!"
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Femura Yangha didn't know that the situation on the battlefield on the northern front had deteriorated just before he sent the messenger.
"Report, Master Yuksai, Iibei and Iiobei suddenly appeared on the back road of our crossing the river and demolished our pontoon bridge!"
"Report! Yuishi Bei and Kuno Bei appeared in the mountainous area in the northwest, blocking our retreat!"
"Report, we have discovered Imagawa Yoshima's banner unit, Horikoshi Bei and other troops from the Toe country right in front of us. The total strength is estimated to be more than 3,000 people, and they have been stationed in favorable terrain!"
"Good guy... Is there really no one left in the southern camp?" Taiyuan Xuezhai, who was riding a horse and holding an umbrella, listened to the report of his men and looked at the surrounding rain curtain, imagining the people coming out of the rain curtain one after another. The enemy ambushed, and he couldn't help but smile, "Third Young Master, you are not simple, you actually saw through the conspiracy of the poor monk."
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"I knew it would be like this..."
At this moment, two miles southwest of the Imagawa clan's vanguard, Imagawa Yoshima was commanding the army and was waiting.
"Then Sena Ujitoshi has been a loyal minister and confidant of Imagawa Yoshimoto in history. How can human nature be changed so easily? This is destined by history, and there is no escape. He will be Imagawa Yoshimoto's eagle dog for the rest of his life. How could he work for me instead? He really pretended to surrender..."
Imagawa Yoshima couldn't help but sigh at his persistence. If he had really listened to the persuasion of Horikoshi Sadatoyo and others, and believed Sena Ujitoshi's words - then he who was waiting foolishly on the southern front at this moment could only do Witnessed the Imagawa clan's army stealing the house.
He glanced at Horikoshi Sadatoyo, who was tied to the side like a rice dumpling, and couldn't help but sneered and cursed in a low voice: "Why, do you still need to inform Taiyuan Xuezhai? After I decided to change my deployment and ambush on the northern line, I I have been sending people to keep an eye on those of you who strongly advocated trusting Sena Ujitoshi at that time. If you really want to catch me!"
"Your Highness, have mercy on me, Your Highness, please have mercy on me!" Horikoshi Sadatoyo kowtowed hurriedly, unable to say a single word.
"Thanks to you, you traitor, for showing off, I was able to use your name to report false information to Taiyuan Xuezhai and lure them into taking the bait." Imagawa Yoshima wiped the rain off his cheeks with his hands and looked at her fiercely. Looking at the looming military force in the rain and fog in the northeast, "You crossed the Tianlong River with only 3 days of rations...how brave. I don't even need to defeat you, I just need to cut off your retreat and approach. Look at your own defeat.”
"You used a conspiracy against me last time. Do you want to succeed again this time? Do you really think that the conspiracy can succeed every time? Don't treat me as a human being... This time I will let you shoot stones in my feet and kill yourself. Swallow the bitter fruit.”
Imagawa Yoshizumi was so confident that he used his modernized banner unit, which he had specially trained for two years, to defeat all medieval Japanese armies on the frontal battlefield. Even if there are only 500 people, it is enough.
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"You've been seen through, Master Xuezhai." On the other side of the battlefield, Obara Zhenshi sighed to Taiyuan Xuezhai with regret.
"Haha, after all, we can't succeed. After all, the other side is not the chick from 2 years ago. It's normal." Taiyuan Xuezhai didn't care, and still smiled to himself, "Conspiracy is just a matter of life. It’s not that reliable. No one really thinks that the poor monk will engage in these layer-by-layer conspiracies when he has the upper hand, right?"
"My main force is still outside the painting."
Then, in the rain, he snapped his fingers toward the southwest: "However, I want to take back what I said before, 'three days is enough.'"
"Three days is too much, one day is enough."
