"But Horikoshi..." Horikoshi Sadatoyo's words made Imagawa Yoshimoto fall into deep thought, but after a moment he still asked cautiously: "You are a member of the Horikoshi family, why did you leak your own information to me?"
"To be honest, I am Master Yuksai's spy at the Horikoshi family, and I have been working for Master Yuksai for a long time!" Horikoshi Sadatoyo made no secret of his betrayal, but revealed a joyful mood - —It seems that being able to follow Taiyuan Xuezhai is a very honorable thing for him. "The Iio family is probably in the same situation. They have bad intentions towards you, so please be careful!"
"How many informants did the teacher have..." Imagawa Yoshimoto was shocked when he learned about the inside story of his family for the first time - he couldn't help but wonder why he could encounter Taiyuan Xuezhai's hidden spies wherever he went. What was the teacher doing in the dark? How many layouts have been made in it - is what Imagawa Yoshimoto has come into contact with now is just the tip of the iceberg?
"In any case, thank you Horikoshi. Please go back quickly to avoid suspicion." Imagawa Yoshimoto nodded to Horikoshi Sadatoyo, "I will not let the Horikoshi family and Iio family enter the city."
·
After Horikoshi Sadatoyo left, Iio Bei and Horikoshi Bei successively came to Horie Castle and asked to enter the city to assist in the defense. Naturally, Imagawa Yoshimoto refused - Imagawa Yoshimoto just ordered them to guard around the city. So they, like Saigo Bei, stayed outside the east gate of Horie Castle in a leisurely manner. Horie Castle originally had only one gate facing the land, but now it was completely surrounded. Many boats belonging to the Iio family even sailed to Hamana Lake to monitor the water gate of Horie Castle facing Hamana Lake to prevent Imagawa Yoshimoto from escaping by boat.
At this moment, Imagawa Yoshimoto was standing at the top of the city, looking solemnly at the army of the Yuanjiang wealthy family outside the city.
"Your Highness, there is no need to worry." Kisang Osawa patted his chest beside Imagawa Yoshimoto and said: "With me and hundreds of talented Osawa family members here, even ten thousand people cannot defeat Horie Castle, let alone a mere thousand people. Already.".
"No, I'm not worried about this." Imagawa Yoshimoto rubbed his hair in distress, and then grinned: "I was thinking, if my teacher was here, would things not be like this?"
It's all my problem. If I had stopped my request to seize Yoshida Castle a few years ago, Toe and Mikawa would not have misunderstood me; if I had informed Obara of my itinerary in time, he could have commanded the Imagawa family's flag. Protect me as soon as possible, so as not to completely cause the army to go in the wrong direction...
Teacher, I don’t know how much effort he has put in in the past few years, how many spies he has placed in the homes of these wealthy families, and how many wealthy families who are dissatisfied with the Imagawa family and myself are under surveillance, even if they are not airtight. Not even the slightest turmoil can be stirred up. As a result, when the teacher was away, I was completely screwed...
I am a really incompetent and terrible house supervisor...but there is nothing I can do about it. I am neither suitable nor willing to be a house supervisor in the first place. I was forced into this position.
Just when Imagawa Yoshimoto was thinking wildly, Iibi also drove to the foot of Horie Castle. Unlike the Saigo family, Iio family, and Horikoshi family on both ends of the spectrum, the Ii family seemed to have made up their mind to rebel. The samurai of the Ii family claimed to the army that the Osawa family and the Udono family had detained Imagawa Yoshimoto in Horie Castle. They wanted to rescue Imagawa Yoshimoto, so they launched a fierce attack on Horie Castle. Saigo Bei, Iio Bei and Horikoshi Bei also willingly gave way to the road and allowed Ii Bei to attack the city.
"Let them put down the rebellion." Imagawa Yoshimoto instructed Osawa Bei and Uden Bei to defend, and at the same time asked the flag bearer to raise the flag to Saigo Bei, Iio Bei, and Horikoshi Bei under the city, "Don't they claim to be here to put down the rebellion? ? Then dig a well for me, Ibei. Let me see how they explain it."
Soon after, explanations from the three companies were sent. It seemed that they had discussed it in advance, and even the excuses were exactly the same——
"I think it is the two traitors, Osawa Kisho and Uden Chomochi, who held His Highness the Governor hostage and forced His Highness the Governor to give such an order! Iibei was on Kiyoshi's side to rescue His Highness the Governor! We dare not directly fight with him His Highness the Governor is an enemy, but he will definitely not attack the "loyal" Iibi."
·
On May 7, the twelfth year of Tianmo (1543), at the end of the day, another army arrived outside Horie Castle - it was Okuhirabe who was the first to raise the rebellion flag. Okhebei is different from other wavering Yuejiang wealthy families. They have no way to turn back and can only go to the dark side.
Joined Iibi and launched a fierce attack on Horie Castle. However, Horie Castle is a fortified city that occupies an excellent geographical position after all. Osawa Moto is also an expert at defending the city. He managed to defend Horie Castle so airtight that several attacks by Ii Ibi and Okudaira Bei failed.
Seeing that the sky was getting darker and darker, Saigo Bei, Iio Bei and Horikoshi Bei also became restless. If it is dragged into night, it will definitely be impossible to attack the city. But if we wait until tomorrow, reinforcements from the Imagawa family will arrive anyway, right? Anyway, the chance is only tonight. But if they also join the siege, if Horie Castle is not captured and the Imagawa family's reinforcements arrive first, they will not be able to escape even if they jump into the Fuji River - the seal will inevitably be reduced, and the family leader may have to retire. .
At this moment, another army of more than 400 people appeared in the distance, completely changing the balance of victory and defeat - Zuo Sanba, a troop of the Asahina family. Judging from the horse seal, it seems that Asahina is a pro-Goku person.
"Reinforcements are coming!" The top of Horie Castle suddenly burst into cheers, and the soldiers of Osawa Bei and Uden Bei celebrated in succession.
"It's strange, isn't Kakegawa Castle very far from here? If Asahina Bei has arrived, why hasn't Asai's An Yuan Bei come back yet?" Although Imagawa Yoshimoto was also happy in his heart, he still asked doubtfully.
"It seems that before, Lord Tanba Mamoru (Cindoku Asahina) was ordered to escort a batch of grain and grass to Mikawa Okazaki Castle. He just returned to Toe yesterday, and he may have received an emergency request for help before he even reached Kakegawa Castle, so he rushed here first. Come on!" Osawa Moto explained for Imagawa Yoshimoto.
While talking, the Ii family and the Okudaira family seemed to understand the situation. Although the soldiers at the bottom knew nothing about what happened, and thought that Asahinabe's arrival was a good thing - good for countering the rebellion - these soldiers at the bottom didn't know that they were the ones who rebelled. But the upper-level samurai were still very clear about it, and quickly ordered their subordinates to withdraw from the city, and together with Saigo Bei, Iio Bei, and Horikoshi Bei, they retreated within a stone's throw to avoid Asahina Bei's troops.
Upon seeing this, Asahina Chitoku ignored the wealthy families around him and led his army straight to the gate of Horie Castle.
"Hurry up and open the door for Tanba Shou." Imagawa Yoshimoto finally relieved the burden on his shoulders and said with a long sigh, "After Tanba Shou enters the city, our military strength will be no less than that of the rebels, and those wavering wealthy families will also Is it time to recognize reality?”
"Yes, let Tanba Mamoru-sama's troops rest for the night. When the reinforcements arrive tomorrow, we will counterattack internally and externally." Osawa Kisho replied to Imagawa Yoshimoto while sticking his head out of the city and facing the men below the city. They shouted orders, instructing them to open the doors, remove the fences and horses, and clear the way into the city for Asahinabe.
However, Osawa Kixiang only heard a sudden sound of wind in his ears, and then there was a violent metal collision, which shocked Osawa Kixiang and fell down. He hurriedly hid against the wall, then glanced around, only to see an arrow falling on the ground and Imagawa Yoshimoto with a sword in his hand, and then he realized what had just happened——
Someone took advantage of him to look over and shoot an arrow at him. If Imagawa Yoshimoto hadn't deflected the arrow for him, he would have been shot in the head.
The next moment, the clear sound of a series of bows and arrows being loosened was heard from below the city, and dozens of feathered arrows shot towards the top of the city like locusts. With quick eyesight and quick hands, Imagawa Yoshimoto pulled several people around him to squat down to avoid the arrows, but the other soldiers in the distance were not so lucky - they were celebrating with joy one second, but they were chaotic the next second. The arrow fell to the ground.
"Ii Ibi and Okuhei Bei are back? When? They clearly retreated!" Osawa Moto was shocked and wanted to stand up and look around, but was held down by Imagawa Yoshimoto.
"It's Asahinabi." Imagawa Yoshimoto's face was so ugly that he could hardly believe what was happening in front of him.
Asahina was pro-Goku but turned against him.
·
Asahina Bei's soldiers roared into the gate of Horie Castle, cutting down the auxiliary soldiers of Osawa Bei and Uden Bei who were welcoming them at the door. They drove straight in along the road they cleared and surrounded the entire castle in an instant. East City Gate. Caught off guard, Osawa Bei and Uden Bei had no time to organize a defense, and the rebellion of the reinforcements had a devastating impact on morale. Udenbei collapsed instantly, Osawabei retreated steadily, large numbers of troops broke up and surrendered, and Ninomaru's city gate seemed to be in danger.
At this time, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Osawa Kisho and others were still trapped on the wall of the East City.
, and the troops were separated.
"Escape quickly." Imagawa Yoshimoto has already realized that something is wrong - although he still has no clue as to how the Asahina family could betray him - but if he doesn't run now, he will be blocked by Asahina Bei at the top of the city. , no time to think too much.
Braving the rain of arrows, Imagawa Yoshimoto, Osawa Motoin and others ran down the city amidst the chaos of war. Before the Battle of Cage Castle, a large number of people from the castle town took refuge in Horie Castle. However, at this moment, they were all rushed to pieces by soldiers from both sides. Coupled with the gradually darkening sky - this gave Imagawa Yoshimoto and others an opportunity to take advantage of the situation. A chance to escape. Asahinabe's vanguard has rushed to the gate of Ninomaru, but the main force is still struggling in the complex street terrain - this is also an important factor that makes Horie Castle easy to defend and difficult to attack.
But Osawa Motoin was even more familiar with the streets of Horie Castle than the patterns on his own clothes, so he immediately retreated from a small road with Imagawa Yoshimoto and others. They kept pushing through the crowds and ducked to avoid the passing Asahina soldiers one after another. However, by chance, a group of Asahina Ashigaru who were lost in front of them got into the path and met Imagawa Yoshimoto. The others confronted each other - now they couldn't escape.
Kentaro Tian Shen and Yoshira Kira immediately drew their weapons and prepared to fight. Yoshimoto Imagawa himself also pressed his hands on the handle of the knife. Unexpectedly, those Asahina Bei's ashigaru had no intention of taking action. After recognizing Imagawa Yoshimoto, they instead said ecstatically: "Master Hall, you are here! Just fine!"
"This is..." Imagawa Yoshimoto looked wary.
"I once had the honor to fight alongside Daidou in Azukizaka! I recognize you!" The leader, an ashigaru, excitedly handed over his hand: "Please evacuate with us quickly! Otherwise, we will let the rebels of the Osawa family and the Udou family It would be bad if we found out!"
"Oh?" Imagawa Yoshimoto was stunned for a moment, and then he immediately realized it - it seems that Asahinabe's rebellion was not the result of a consensus reached by the whole family, but a resolution among the top samurai, so they did not tell the bottom class about the rebellion. Instead, the soldiers chose to lie to them and said that the Osawa family and the Uden family rebelled and took Imagawa Yoshimoto hostage. They came to rescue the family governor before attacking Horie Castle.
At this moment, the surrounding alleys became agitated. In a chaotic environment, shouts for help and shouts of death were everywhere. It was not clear what was being shouted in the surrounding alleys, but it seemed that someone was asking why the ashigaru group stopped.
"I still have subordinates to pick up. You guys stay here and wait for me. I'll be back soon! I'm safe, don't worry!" Imagawa Yoshimoto knew that time was running out and he didn't have time to explain the whole story to these Ashigaru, nor did he have time to persuade them to abandon the dark side and turn to the bright side. ——Otherwise, if Asahinabe's samurai find out and come over, they won't be able to escape. So he prevaricated, immediately threw away the Asahina Bei Ashgaru who didn't know what was going on, and fled towards Ninomaru in a detour with the guards, Osawa Motoin and others.
