"The Imagawa family has 1,200 people from Hatamoto Gomaibi, 1,200 people from Hatamoto Osawabi, 1,300 people from Okabei, 450 people from Miurabi, 160 people from Ogibi, and 160 people from Abebi..."
A Takeda warrior on the wall was sweating profusely as he counted the flags of the Imagawa army. And when the red bird horse seal suddenly appeared in the field of vision, he was shocked and speechless.
"Didn't it mean that my lord (Takeda Nobutora) had a big quarrel with Nani Odai in Suruga and broke up...didn't he say that he was driven out of the Imagawa family in despair?" Another samurai had unconsciously used his words back. He used the title "Lord" to refer to Takeda Nobutora and murmured to himself, "What's going on? Why is the Imagawa Army following him? He had long expected that we were going to have a coup, so he called the Imagawa Army here." Reinforcements? Or are you planning to lead the Imagawa army into Kai? Aren’t the Imagawa family and us allies, and why are you helping the lord to attack us?"
"The specific reason is no longer important." Takeda Harunobu remained calm and ordered calmly, "The whole army should retreat. Our strength is no match for the Imagawa Army at the moment."
"Where to retreat?" the samurai asked as they followed Takeda Harunobu down the wall and began to gather troops.
"Retreat to Inobu Castle, take advantage of the mountainous terrain to defend, and at the same time ask Hara Mino (former Hu Yun) of Nakano Castle to quickly bring people to support." Takeda Harunobu decisively ordered.
"Retreat to Minobu? Then go back to Kai?" Everyone was shocked when they heard this, "Then don't we want all the Imagawa family territory we occupied in Junbei?"
"The earth is dead, but people are alive." Takeda Harunobu jumped onto his horse without any explanation, "Don't fight a losing battle, retreat!"
·
The Imagawa Army did not seem to have any intention of fighting a bloody battle with the Takeda Army. Although they came in pursuit, they did not engage in the battle. Instead, they followed the Takeda Army all the way north. By the evening of August 15, the 10th year of Tenmon (1541), they had already chased Minobu Castle on the border of Kai and Suruga, and recovered all the Shunhoku territory that was originally occupied by the Takeda family during the Hanakura Rebellion. The Imagawa army camped outside Minobu Castle. While Imagawa Yoshimoto sent people to appease the wealthy families in various places, he personally welcomed Takeda Nobutora into his account.
"As my father-in-law expected, Harunobu really launched a coup." Imagawa Yoshimoto saluted respectfully and said to Takeda Nobutora with sincerity.
"I naturally know my child best." Takeda Nobutora sneered twice and sighed with some regret, "I didn't expect that in the end, the one I could count on was not my own flesh and blood, but my son-in-law."
·
Time goes back to three days ago, on the night of August 12, the 10th year of Tianwen (1541), after the Imagawa family’s dust-washing banquet broke up unhappy.
After chatting with Taiyuan Xue Zhai, Imagawa Yoshimoto wanted to go back to the dormitory with him to rest, but was suddenly informed by Shou Guini's maid A Chang that Shou Guini would meet them in the dormitory. Imagawa Yoshimoto was confused, but Taiyuan Xue Zhai seemed to already understand it. When the two of them entered the door, they discovered that not only Shouguini was in the room, but also Takeda Nobutora was sitting there - how could he, who was so drunk at first, still be half drunk at this moment? He was sipping tea, feeling very uncomfortable.
"Ah?" Imagawa Yoshimoto was stunned for a moment. He didn't understand why Takeda Nobutora appeared in his mother's room. Could it be that——
Then he quickly coughed a few times to hide his embarrassment.
"Everyone is here, so I'll tell you straight away, so as not to delay everyone's sleep." Takeda Nobutora put down the teacup, crossed his legs casually, and said in a low voice: "Whether it's in the collar, at home, or among the clan members, There have always been people who are dissatisfied with me. In recent days, this undercurrent has intensified."
"So I took the initiative to leave Kai and come to Suruga, giving the opposition the opportunity to secretly connect. I spread the word that I would support my second son (Takeda Nobushige) and force my son Harunobu to turn to the opposition. They will definitely take advantage of this opportunity. When I was out, I colluded and launched a coup to put Harunobu in power, and then sealed the border to prevent me from returning."
"But that's fine. All the rebels can be lured out at once and caught in one fell swoop. I pretended to break up with your Imagawa family so that the rebels can relax their vigilance and not worry that the Imagawa family will help me return. With Harunobu's character, I will definitely leave the main force at Tsuzakikan to stabilize the political situation, and lead a small team to intercept me at the border."
"When I return to Kai, I ask the Imagawa family to lead the army to follow them secretly. Once Harunobu and the rebels start to block the road, I will ask the Imagawa army to help me destroy them. They must not have expected that the Imagawa army will come, and they will not be able to gather many at the border in a hurry. We don’t have the strength to do anything but surrender.”
"After the completion of the matter, all invaded Suruga territories will be returned to Imagawa." Shouguini spoke slowly, but in a low voice without any doubt, "I will arrange for my retainer Okabe Motsuna to be 'exiled' to you. Monitor your every move to prevent His Highness Sakyo from using his brain."
"You should be like this, don't worry about my mother-in-law." Takeda Nobutora smiled and agreed, "It's ridiculous to ask you to help with household chores."
"Then how should we deal with the life and death of the young master?" Taiyuan Xuezhai also added with a smile, but the atmosphere in the room instantly dropped to freezing point, "Killing is not an option, but if you don't kill, wouldn't it give him a chance to make a comeback? ?”
"Master Xue Zhai, what are your suggestions?" Takeda Nobutora's smile also stopped abruptly, and he turned to look at Taiyuan Xue Zhai.
"As His Highness Sakyo said, this is a household matter of the Takeda family. How can we dictate?" Taiyuan Xue Zhai shook his head repeatedly and fiddled with the rosary beads in his arms, "Amitabha, that's good, that's good."
"It is said that it is difficult for an upright official to deal with household affairs. I really want to ask for an outsider's opinion." But Takeda Nobutora reluctantly leaned forward slightly and pressed for questioning.
"Send him to the Imagawa Hall as a hostage and isolate him from the Takeda family retainers, so that there will be no possibility of causing trouble." Shouguini said coldly, but his face was still the same as Furui, "If the Takeda family and the Imagawa family are invincible in the future, we will Just like supporting you to return to Jiabi, I will support your son to return to Jiabi."
"Catch it." Takeda Nobutora laughed heartily, "Okay, no problem. Then I have to ask my son-in-law to secretly lead the army and follow me back to Kai."
"Um..." Imagawa Yoshimoto looked around with some shame, "Did the three of you... have a tacit understanding of this plan in advance? I'm not the only one who doesn't know anything, right?"
"Chengfang, can you not embarrass me in front of outsiders? Can't you just pretend that you actually understand everything?" Taiyuan Xuezhai laughed and cursed, but Shou Guini beside him didn't say a word. .
"Why should I go?" Imagawa Yoshimoto protested again, "I have not cared about the military and government affairs of the Imagawa family for a long time. Let the old man lead the troops."
"Why, my father-in-law is leaving, and your son-in-law is not even willing to give me a ride?" Takeda Nobutora immediately frowned upon hearing this, "Is this the status of my daughter in your Imagawa family? I'm afraid she won't even be able to eat at the table. Isn’t that okay?”
"This...why did my father-in-law say this?" Takeda Nobutora said the words so harshly that Imagawa Yoshimoto had no way to refuse, so he had to bite the bullet and said, "Then my son-in-law will give you a ride."
After receiving the reply, Takeda Nobutora left with satisfaction. After Taiyuan Xuezai sent Takeda Nobutora back to his room, Shouguini walked up to Imagawa Yoshimoto and whispered in that deep voice:
"Be careful when seeking skin from a tiger."
·
Time returns to the present, on the evening of August 15, the 10th year of Tianwen (1541), in the Imagawa military camp south of Shenyan City.
"I heard you complaining about your father in all kinds of ways before, but when it comes time to meet, you still can't bear to part with me."
Imagawa Yoshimoto laughed and complained about the ginkgo in the main tent - the latter dressed up as a maid and went with the army, just to stay with his father for a few more days before leaving. Imagawa Yoshimoto seemed to understand why Takeda Nobutora asked him to see him off in person - otherwise there would be no reason for Ginkgo to follow.
"My father is not grateful. He just sent him dinner and didn't even say thank you. When he saw me coming to see him with the army, he didn't even see the slightest look of surprise. Can't he even pretend to do it?" Ginkgo said. He threw the towel casually into the washbasin beside him and sat down on the horse, still muttering to himself.
"What about my dinner?" Imagawa Yoshimoto spread his hands.
"It will be here soon. I prepared sir's meal and father's meal together. Someone will bring them to you soon."
·
At the same time, outside the camp where Takeda Nobutora lives.
"Mototsuna, what are you doing now? How did you become a servant of the Takeda family?"
Asahina Yasumo, who came with the army, grabbed Okabe Motonobu outside the toilet and asked in a low voice, "Did you chase him to Takeda's house?"
"To tell you a joke, calling someone by the wrong name is the most embarrassing." Okabe Motonobu shook his head, and while struggling to drive Asahina Taito, he whispered, "My name is Okabe Motonobu now."
"You still want that guy's gift? Are you serious about not going back to Imagawa's house?" Asahina Taichao chased a few steps anxiously, but Okabe Motobu in front of him suddenly stopped and turned around to face him He made a silent gesture.
"Are you really a fool?" Okabe Motonobu lowered his voice, "Don't you see that everything is a plan? His Highness Takeda Sakyo is cooperating with our palace, and his opponent is Takeda Harunobu."
"Ah? Ah..." Asahina Taitomo was stunned for a moment, thinking carefully about the changes in the situation in the past few days, and then slowly came back to his senses, "So you pretended to switch sides and went to Takeda Sakyo's side? Yes. To spy on him?"
"This is a mission, don't talk too much." After Okabe Motonobu said the last sentence, he hurried to Takeda Nobutora's camp.
During the short period of tea when Okabe Gennobu was entangled by Asahina Taimo, Takeda Nobutora was in his tent.
"Finally, I got rid of that annoying Okabe Motonobu. He followed me all the time. It seems that it was the old nun's order." Takeda Nobutora was devouring his dinner while looking at the Takeda family ninja who was prostrate on the ground in front of him. , asked in a low voice, "How's it going? Has Harunobu done it?"
"Report to my lord, my lord is ready. All 8,000 troops of the Takeda family have entered Minobu Castle, and they will send troops to attack the Imagawa family camp at night." Ninja Shen Shenghui reported, "My lord, please think quickly as soon as you see the fire. Find a way to escape to prevent being taken hostage by the Imagawa family."
"Haha, it's not my turn as the master to remind you, a big-ass ninja. Let's go quickly, don't get hit by the 'eyes' following me." Takeda Nobutora smiled and sent the ninja away, and then An Ran He laid the ground on the mat and recalled in his mind the conversation he had with Takeda Harunobu six days ago when he set off from Tsugasaki Hall:
·
Six days ago, August 9, the 10th year of Astronomy (1541), Uzakikan.
"My father is going to Suruga to visit relatives? At this time?" Takeda Harunobu was a little confused after hearing Takeda Nobutora's plan. "Now that there is an undercurrent surging in the territory, it would be better for you to stay in the Tsugasaki Hall. Why do you suddenly miss him at this time? Talking about the love between children? This is not like you, father."
"You also know that it's okay if you don't look like it. Is your father the kind of person who misses his daughter and grandson?" Takeda Nobutora laughed with satisfaction after hearing Takeda Harunobu's reply. "I went to Suruga to visit relatives this time. In fact, it was Lure the snake out of its hole. I told the Imagawa family that there were people in Kai's territory who wanted to oppose me, and would definitely take advantage of my departure to raise troops. On this grounds, I borrowed troops from them and came to Kai to help me quell the chaos, and deceived the main force of the Imagawa family to the border, and in one fell swoop Annihilate.”
"Harunobu, you personally lead the main force to ambush near Minobu Castle, and I will lead the Imagawa army here. After you eat them in one bite, then march straight into Suruga and swallow up the Imagawa family!"
"Father has a huge appetite." Takeda Harunobu took a breath after hearing this.
"I'm a tiger, can I eat more?" Nobutora Takeda patted Takeda Harunobu heavily on the shoulder and said meaningfully, "Harunobu, the tiger's appetite is bigger than you think!"
