On the morning of September 12, the seventh year of Tianwen (1538), the sea surface of Enshu Beach in the south of Hamana Lake.
"You know, Lake Hamana was originally a freshwater lake. But a major earthquake a few decades ago collapsed the sand bar at its southern end, and it has since become a saltwater lake connected to the sea. Whenever there is abundant rain, At that time, boats can pass on it."
Imagawa Yoshimoto braved the heavy rain and stood on the bow of an Imagawa naval vessel. He pointed at the mouth of Hamana Lake not far away and explained to foreigners such as Kira Usei and Taro Tamaki Kentaro.
Behind him were more than two hundred ships of the Imagawa navy, as well as more merchant ships transporting the Imagawa family's main force. They took advantage of the rising water caused by the heavy rain and sailed directly from the sea of Enshu Beach into Lake Hamana.
·
On the afternoon of September 12, the seventh year of Tenmon (1538), the navy led by Imagawa Yoshimoto arrived at Horie Castle on the east bank of Lake Hamana, anchored at the port west of Horie Castle, and landed the troops in batches in the rain, entering the city. and castle town lurking. Osawa Kisho himself came to the port to greet Imagawa Yoshimoto, only to find that his child Osawa Kiyon had now become the captain of the fourth branch of the Imagawa family.
"This..." The flattered Osawa Motoxiang looked at Imagawa Yoshimoto, "How could the Osawa family be so virtuous..."
"The Osawa family can afford this honor for being trapped in an isolated city for two years without reinforcements." Imagawa Yoshimoto bowed slightly to Osawa Moto, which frightened the veteran even more. Thanks again and again.
"How is the situation?" Imagawa Yoshimoto asked directly without being polite.
"It's not clear through the rain, but the rebels should have all gone to the northeast to ambush." Osawa Kisang immediately replied, "The nearby Yinma Castle, Nishizaki Castle, and Maisaka Castle are all empty cities."
"Northeast, isn't it southeast? It seems that the teacher's conspiracy didn't fool him, but it's still the same. No matter whether my third brother succeeded in the calculation or not, as long as he didn't choose to defend the city, he fell into the trap. Sena's false surrender was not for victory, but a hook to give the enemy an opportunity to plot against us and lead them into the wild for a decisive battle." Imagawa Yoshimoto smiled, waved his hand, and directly ordered:
"Hatamoto's first position, attack Hima Castle. Hatamoto's second position, attack Maisaka Castle. Hatamoto's fourth position, follow me to attack Nishizaki Castle. Before nightfall, take down all the empty castles!"
End the battle quickly, I am still anxious to go back to accompany the childbirth - Imagawa Yoshimoto thought in his heart.
·
The battle without any suspense ended at sunset. In order to have a decisive battle with the main force of the Imagawa clan, Imagawa Yoshima led almost all of his troops out of the city. The only special force was also fortified east of Hima Castle to prevent Asahinabi from possible attacks. The only troops left in each city to maintain law and order - how could they stop the ferocious Imagawa family Hatamoto. Maisaka Castle, Yinma Castle, and Nishizaki Castle fell one after another, and the family members and food and supplies of each wealthy family also fell into the hands of Imagawa Yoshimoto.
Imagawa Yoshimoto did not stop, and immediately commanded his troops to continue to capture the cities of other small wealthy families in Yuanjiang. Asahinabe, who was crossing the river, also cooperated with Imagawa Yoshimoto's actions and came all the way west to capture the city and territory.
After nightfall, Imagawa Yoshizhin's army, who originally planned to "sit back and watch", "sit back and watch" ended up "self-defeating" and received a message from Jucheng in the rear.
"What did you say?" After listening to the envoy's report, Imagawa Yoshizhin was stunned for a full quarter of an hour before he finally recovered from the shock. Prior to this, Horikoshi Sadaki and Horikoshi Nobu and his son had verified with the envoy at least dozens of times before confirming that they heard correctly and that the envoy was not crazy.
"Did Imagawa Yoshimoto's people fly here?" Imagawa Yoshimoto still couldn't accept this fact. After thinking hard for a long time, he came up with the only possibility - Imagawa Yoshimoto came from the sea. But the Yuanjiang area is full of rocks and there are almost no large military ports. How did he land? Could it be that they entered Lake Hamana from the outer sea when the water rose...
Thinking of this, Imagawa Yoshizhin understood everything. As a time traveler who is well aware of the importance of sea power, but was tricked by medieval people using a landing battle - it is really embarrassing.
"Order all ministries to withdraw their troops and stop the ambush." Imagawa Yoshima sat down slowly, holding on to the table, not yet willing to accept the fact that the situation was over.
·
On September 13, the seventh year of Tianwen (1538), the rain stopped, and the Yuanjiang rebels who were ambushing everywhere also rushed back to the camp. The atmosphere in the main tent was deathly silent. The governors of the wealthy family have their own concerns, and Imagawa Yoshima's own expression is also uncertain. Even Horikoshi Sadatoyo, who had been tied up before, was released, hoping to use his channels to make peace with the Imagawa family.
"Master Yukisai said that I can accept the surrender of the Toe family, but I will not accept your highness." Horikoshi Sadatoyo, who returned from the main force of the Imagawa clan, used honorific titles for both parties, as if he was a retainer of the Imagawa clan. appearance.
However, there is no one in this tent like Fukushima Masashige at that time, who can forcefully say "If Imagawa Yoshima is not spared, there is no need to negotiate." These wealthy families from Yuanjiang supported Imagawa Yoshizhin just for profit, rather than being loyal to him as a person. If you want to betray him, you can do it at any time.
As a result, no one stood up to refute Horikoshi Sadatoyo's words - this made Imagawa Ryojin's face feel like it was on fire and he could hardly help but curse.
But he knew that the time had come. If he continued to treat his subordinates like this, they would soon end up betraying each other. He then calmed down and said in person: "If Taiyuan Xuezhai has this attitude, there is no way to talk. We can only find a way to turn defeat into victory."
To put it bluntly, the governors of these wealthy families are also warriors. They want to save face. Naturally, they cannot publicly say things like "Your Highness, go to hell and let us surrender." Otherwise, they will become the laughing stock of future generations. But Imagawa Yoshima also understood that after the meeting was over, these wealthy families would secretly surrender in tandem, thinking about how to find a way out for their families in the desperate situation.
Imagawa Yoshizhin must find a way to dispel the atmosphere of "we must lose" in order to stabilize the morale of the army. So he thought of the Amano family who were still behind enemy lines—perhaps the only important minister he could rely on.
The year before last, there was turmoil in the Amano family. With the support of the Imagawa clan, the commoner Amano Keitan tried to conquer the family and replace the clan's Keitai Amano. Amano Keitai was once forced into a desperate situation, but it was Imagawa Yoshima who sent people to support him in time to help him stabilize the political situation. Amano Keitai was therefore extremely grateful to Imagawa Yoshima, and he was the only wealthy man who sincerely swore allegiance to him in the eyes of Imagawa Yoshima.
Inui Castle is located in the mountainous area north of Enjiang River, northeast of Tenryu River and Futamata Castle, and behind the Imagawa clan's army.
"Gentlemen, we are not without a chance of victory." Imagawa Yoshizhin cleared his throat and spoke to everyone present in a spirited voice, "The main force of Taiyuan Xuezhai must have thought that we would return to take back the city at this moment, so they must have relaxed their vigilance. If we launch a surprise attack on them, we have a chance to turn defeat into victory!"
"It's easier said than done, Your Highness." Iio Renryu was worried about the fall of Yinma City, and couldn't help but persuade him, "We have already learned Master Xue Zhai's skills, how can he be like Yi Yu?"
"We can ask the Amano family to send troops and attack their backs!" Imagawa Yoshima punched heavily, pressing his last hope like a gambler, "Although the Imagawa clan has the advantage at the moment, the main force of Taiyuan Xuezhai has food around them. Still not much. If the Amano family attacks the baggage behind them, it will definitely cause chaos. We take advantage of the chaos to attack, but there is still a chance of survival! At this time, we obediently go back to attack the city, exposing our backs to the main force of Taiyuan Xuezhai. Then It is certain death!"
"But the Amano family must also know the dire situation of our situation at this moment. How dare he send troops when he is alone behind enemy lines? Maybe he has already sent his envoys to surrender." Horikoshi Sadaki had already lost his previous enthusiasm and retorted listlessly. .
"No, I am kind to His Highness Amano, and he will never turn back." After Imagawa Yoshizhin said this, he suddenly felt a little ironic. He had always looked down on the so-called loyalty of the Wu family, but at a critical moment, he actually wanted to place all his hopes on the loyalty of the Wu family.
·
On the evening of September 13, the seventh year of Tianwen (1538), the dog lived in the city.
Inside the castle tower, a fierce quarrel had just broken out at the Amano family. After Amano Keitai received Imagawa Yoshima's request for help, he insisted on going to attack the back of the main force of the Imagawa clan. But almost none of the retainers of the Amano family agreed with the actions of the family governor. At present, the main cities of the Toe rebel army have fallen. Imagawa Yoshima and his troops are trapped in the wild and are unable to advance or retreat. It will only be a matter of time before they are wiped out. Victory is inevitable. The balance has completely tilted towards Imagawa Yoshimoto.
The retainers believed that the Amano family should protect themselves wisely and surrender before the crusade came, and maybe they could save some more territory. At this time, taking the initiative to attack the Imagawa clan for Imakawa Yoshizhin would be the same as committing suicide.
But Amano Keitai refused to let go no matter what. He kept thinking about Imagawa Yoshima's kindness to him. He still remembered that during the turmoil the year before last, Amano Keizuki, who was born in a common family, rose up and attacked the castle tower of Inui Castle. And none of his retainers were willing to sacrifice for Amano Keitai. Seeing that the castle tower was about to fall, Amano Keitai almost committed suicide with his wife and children - but reinforcements from Imagawa Yoshima arrived.
Imagawa Yoshima traveled thousands of miles to support Inui Castle, expelled Amano Keitan, and helped Amano Keitai stabilize his position in the family again. Compared with the retainers who looked at him coldly, Imagawa Yoshima's help in times of need made Amano Keitai burst into tears and sincerely swore allegiance to him. Now that his former benefactor is on the verge of extinction, how can he sit idly by and watch? And if, as a retainer, he sat back and watched his master be destroyed, wouldn't it be as disgraceful as those retainers of the Amano family who stood by and watched?
Amano Keitai's stubbornness made the retainers despair, and some even threatened to take Amano Keitoku back, but Amano Keitoku didn't care. He knew that this battle was a fatal one, but he still decided to lead every soldier he could mobilize to die - to repay Yoshima Imagawa's kindness and fulfill the duties of a retainer.
