(PS: The map has been posted to the book review area)
On March 17, the 12th year of Tenmon (1543), the wealthy families in the southeastern part of Settsu, including the Ikeda family, the Itami family, and the Miyake family, successively raised the flag of rebellion and announced that they would attack the Hosokawa family and Miyoshi Nagakei. The Mihaoshi family was caught off guard, their connection with their hometown was cut off, and their grain roads were occupied by these rebellious wealthy families. The Miyoshi Army had a stronghold and a warehouse in the north, and its retreat to the south was blocked by the wealthy Setjin clan, and they were instantly surrounded by a dilemma.
You don't need to think about it to know that the simultaneous rebellion of these wealthy Settsu families is by no means a coincidence. There must be someone behind the scenes who has coordinated the instructions - that is Kizawa Nagamasa - whose secret activities were actually hidden from the eyes of the Miyoshi family and the Hosokawa family. Shiokawa Masatoshi was just an appetizer as bait, and the other Settsu wealthy families were the main course for him to trap the Miyoshi family. The reason why he watched the Sanhao family besieging Yiku City and still sat down on the Diaoyutai unhurriedly was because he had this back-up plan.
"Now we're in trouble." After Miyoshi Choitsu counted the remaining grain in the camp, he hurried back to the camp to find Miyoshi Chokei. "There is less than half a month left. All the grain shipped from Izumi in the granary is Captured by Settsu rebels.”
"What should I do?"
"We're going to run out of food. The retreat and food route south back to Yueshui City are both cut off!"
"Do you want to retreat quickly? If you go east now, you can retreat to Yamashiro Country and Kyoto!"
After hearing that the situation was not good, the Miyoshi family warriors in the tent started talking a lot, but Miyoshi Changqing, who was sitting in the main seat, showed no emotion or anger as usual, and still looked calm and composed - but in fact, he also had some feelings in his heart. No idea - but he knew that a qualified family governor must not panic when encountering difficulties, otherwise it would shake the morale of the entire army. If the general is brave, if he is in chaos, all the retainers will be in chaos.
"Don't panic. Although unexpected circumstances have occurred, the situation is still under control." Mihao Changqing raised his hand high, then lowered it to signal the retainers to be quiet, then turned around and said to the attendants The waiter, Matsunaga Hide, said: "Let him know in advance to take action."
"Yes, Master." Matsunaga Hide understood that Miyoshi Nagakei was referring to asking Yusa Chojiao to mutiny, and retreated with understanding.
Although the retainers of the Miyoshi family present here did not know the details of the specific plan, they gradually felt relieved when they saw that Miyoshi Chokei and Matsunagahide were still so calm.
"All the troops retreated to Yanzhai and strictly guarded their positions. Meng Lang was not allowed to go to battle. Wait for my order."
·
Due to the unfavorable situation, the Miyoshi family and the Yusa family had to launch a plan of "the mantis stalks the cicada, and the oriole follows". But the prerequisite for this plan is to lead Nagamasa Kizawa as the "Praying Mantis" to Settsu. Only when Kawachi and Yamato are empty can the "Oriole" Yusa Nagasaki launch a coup.
The Miyoshi family originally envisioned that as long as the Miyoshi army pushed Shiokawa Masatani into a desperate situation, Kizawa Nagamasa would have to send troops to assist. But now the situation in Settsu has changed, many wealthy families have rebelled, and the Miyoshi family of "Cicada" has too much time to take care of itself. Of course, it cannot threaten Shiokawa Masaichi, so "Praying Mantis" Kizawa Nagamasa does not need to rush to send troops, but can continue to sit in Hanoi. "Yellow Bird" You Zuo Changjiao had no chance to attack from behind.
"Master, this is Yusa Chokyo's reply." On the night of March 18, the twelfth year of Tianwen (1543), Matsunaga Hide, who hurried back, brought back Yusa Chokyo's reply. "He said that he would have to wait no matter what. Only when Kizawa Nagamasa himself left Kawachi with half of his troops did he have the opportunity to take action, otherwise he would never have started an uprising. Yusa Kawachi believed that it was to kill oneself with an egg against a stone."
"He is also a man who is good at calculating and doing dirty things. Naturally, he will not use the fate of the family to take advantage of Miyoshi's family." Miyoshi Changqing was not surprised at all by Yusa Changjiao's statement, but took out another one from his arms. The sealed letter was handed to Matsunaga Hide.
"Master, what is this?" Matsuzaki Nagahide asked in a low voice.
"Send it to Makishima Castle and give it to the head of the palace." Miyoshi Changqing made a fist with his right hand, and then hammered the table with a "bang", "Since the Yusa family did not gamble on the family's consciousness, then by Our Sanhao family is here to bet on this."
"What's the content of the letter?" Matsushita Nagahide vaguely guessed Miyoshi Changqing's "gamble".
"Ask Kizawa Nagamasa for help and ask him to send troops to Settsu to help me." Miyoshi Nagakei's eyes were stained with the scarlet color only a gambler can have. "This way Kitakawachi will be empty, and Yusagouchi can take action. .”
"Are you betting too much?" Matsunaga said
His face also darkened, "Right now, the rebel powerful clan's military strength is comparable to ours, and our food routes are still cut off. If Kizawa Nagamasa leads his troops, their military strength will be three times ours."
"No, I'm very confident." Miyoshi Changqing's right hand hit his chest as hard as he hit the desk just now. "In terms of conspiracy, I may not be as good as that Mu Ze. But in terms of battle formation planning, ten Mu Ze He is no match for me. Even with three times the strength, he cannot defeat me."
·
On March 19, the 12th year of Tenmon (1543), Miyoshi Nagakei personally wrote to Hosokawa Harumoto, requesting support - and the only Hosokawa family retainer nearby who could support him was Kizawa Nagamasa. Therefore, the understanding Hosokawa Harumoto also logically issued an order to Kizawa Nagamasa to assist Miyoshi Chokei, asking Kizawa Nagamasa to lead his army into Settsu, bring food and grass to replenish the Miyoshi army who had run out of food, and at the same time help Miyoshi Chokei put down the rebellion. . Kizawa Nagamasa naturally agreed happily - how could he give up such a legitimate opportunity to get close to the main force of the Miyoshi Army?
But Miyoshi Nagakei knew clearly that the instigator behind these rebellious wealthy families in Settsu was Kisawa Nagamasa. Now, if the mastermind behind the scenes personally leads the army into Settsu, and cooperates with the wealthy families of Settsu, Miyoshi Changqing's situation will only become more difficult - but Miyoshi Changqing has confidence in his ability to lead the army, and he thinks he can and Kizawa Nagamasa was doing things on the battlefield, so he boldly issued an invitation for help.
The reason why Miyoshi Nagakei took the risk was to lure Kizawa Nagamasa away from his hometown in Hanoi, so as to give Yusa Nagasaki an opportunity to rebel. As long as Yusa Nagasaki can capture Kitakawachi Kizawa Nagamasa's base, the situation can be reversed in one fell swoop.
"It's really crazy. Isn't this Miyoshi Chizen a lunatic? He's already in prison, and he wants to add fuel to the fire?"
At the top of Ruoe Castle, Master Yusa climbed up and looked into the distance. He looked solemnly at the Kizawa family's army leaving Iimori Mountain Castle and heading to Settsu in the northwest. He couldn't help but take a breath: "This is Would you rather commit suicide than create an opportunity for me to do something? Well, since your Sanhao family is willing to gamble with your life, I, the Yuzuo family, will not hesitate to reap the benefits."
"Send the order and we'll start tomorrow (March 23)."
·
However, on March 23, the twelfth year of Tenmon (1543), on the morning when Yusa Nagasuke was preparing to start an uprising, bad news suddenly came - Hatakeyama Nagasune was poisoned.
By the time Yusa Chosuke, who was fully clothed and ready to go into battle, rushed back to Takaya Castle like crazy under the protection of a few guards - Hatakeyama Nagasune's body was already cold. Hatakeyama Nagasune is the new family governor whom Yusa Chokyo plans to support, and he will be used to replace Hatakeyama Masakuni, who is supported by Kisawa Nagamasa.
A few days ago, Yusa Changjiao had just secretly brought him back to Takaya Castle from his seclusion in Mount Koya. His protection and whereabouts had been kept secret were top-level matters. Not even the elders of the Yusa family knew about it, so how could he suddenly be exposed? shoot? Moreover, the news of Hatakeyama Nagasune's death had already spread when Yusa Chokyo returned to Takaya Castle, and there was no possibility of covering it up anymore - indicating that this was a long-planned action.
"What's going on?" Yuzuo Changjiao grabbed the collar of the guard left in Gaowa City and roared at him.
"I have committed a crime that deserves death. After I apologize to His Highness, I will commit hara-kiri." The guard of the Yusa family looked livid. "It's just that I really don't understand. It's obvious that our security is so tight, that we do such a good job of keeping secrets, and that all the guards The bodyguards were all close confidants, so why was His Highness Hatakeyama still poisoned? Could it be that Hatakeyama Highness was given a chronic poison before he came to Takaya Castle? How is that possible? Could it be that Kisawa Nagamasa had no foresight? Could it have been predicted in advance? Will we find His Highness Hatakeyama?"
"Damn it, Kizawa Nagamasa!" Yusa Nagasaki was so angry that he stamped his feet and bared his teeth and claws at Hatakeyama's long and bruised body. After calming down, he realized that the situation was extremely bad - Hatakeyama Nagasuke had no heirs, and after losing Hatakeyama Nagasuke, Yusa Nagasuke had no relatives of the Hatakeyama family to support - in other words In short, he no longer has the status and banner of the coup - he has no more moves to take advantage of Hatakeyama Masakuni and Kizawa Nagamasa.
"Go tell Miyoshi Chikuzen. Our Yusa family has no choice. We are being manipulated by Kizawa Nagamasa, so we have no choice but to continue to be the dog of Kizawa Nagamasa." Yusa Nagasaki laughed twice. He shook his head vigorously and said, "Let that little kid take care of himself. Surrender early and leave some territory for the Sanhao family.
"
·
On March 24, the twelfth year of Tianwen (1543), Miyoshi Changqing received the message from Yu Zuo Changjiao.
After reading it, he didn't hesitate at all. After burning the letter, he walked out of the tent without saying a word. He summoned his men to prepare to break out to the east and withdraw to Yamashiro Country, the territory of the Hosokawa family, and then find a way to circle back to Izumi Country.
Since the situation has become difficult to deal with, it is the duty of a qualified house supervisor to stop the loss in time. Kizawa Nagamasa always knew the enemy's opportunities, and he saw through every plan in advance - his skills were inferior to others, and there was nothing he could do about it - so he could only accept the reality and plot a comeback. They must withdraw quickly before the Kizawa army arrives at Settsu and cuts off the Miyoshi family's retreat to the east.
The retainers and soldiers of the Mihaoshi family were at a loss when they first received the order, but seeing that Mihaoshi Changqing was resolute and urgent, they had no choice but to quickly execute the military order, break camp and prepare to retreat. Sanhao Changqing took the lead and prepared to lead his army into the battle. However, before he could set off, the entire army was frozen in place, looking stupidly at the official road to the east - the flags fluttering there were the flags of the Kizawa family, and there were already tens of thousands of people.
"The trouble is really big." Miyoshi Changqing stood still and looked solemnly at the Kizawa family's army ten miles away that came behind him and cut off the retreat - it was too fast, how did they do it? It took a day and night of rapid marching to get here - they had expected that the Mihaoshi family would withdraw?
And the one who took the lead was Kizawa Nagamasa himself, dressed in black and yellow armor. He held a wine glass in his hand, which was the wine that Miyoshi had refused to drink the day before the celebration. Kizawa Nagamasa glanced at Miyoshi Nagasaki's horse seal, shook his head, and casually poured the wine in the glass in front of the horse.
"Is it true that you will be drunk now and you will be drunk now, but you will not accept the kindness of beheading the wine when you are about to die? You three good young children who are still young, actually think that you want to win me?" Kizawa Nagamasa gave a cruel laugh and faced him fiercely. Sanhao Changqing Ma Yin swung his riding whip in the direction of the air and made a loud noise: "I want to see who is the mantis and who is the oriole."
"Who is the Vice-King of Japan?"
