"Takeda meal, why are you so late?"
In Huiri Shanxi, Hosokawa Harumoto saw that his side was in a disadvantageous situation and was retreating steadily, and the reinforcements of the Takeda Army on Huiri Mountain were nowhere to be seen. He couldn't help but stood up from his horse in a hurry - Takeda reinforcements could also be seen sporadically, but the scale was small. It is estimated that there are only a thousand people, which will not be of any help to the tens of thousands of people in the big battle.
"Your Highness, my lord said that the Maori army is attacking our formation, and he has to lead his troops back to support. After repelling the Maori army, he will immediately come to support the main battlefield." The orderly soldiers of the Takeda family respectfully stood in front of Hosokawa Harumoto. He apologized profusely, while Hosokawa Harumoto endured the dissatisfaction and anxiety in his heart and motioned for him to retreat in a polite manner.
·
On the other side, on Huiri Mountain, Takeda Harunobu had no intention of supporting him at all.
"Let Genzaemon keep the Rangers on standby and contain the main force of the Northern Army. Don't rush into the battle. I will definitely wait until the Maori army is completely annihilated before going to the frontal battlefield." Takeda Harunobu sat on the horse. , while arranging messengers to notify Naito Masatoyo, he concentrated on directing the troops to outflank and descend the mountain, aiming to capture the Maori army at the foot of the northern mountain of Huiri Mountain.
No matter how brave and skillful the Maori army is, no matter how excellent the military qualities of the Maori warriors from Moori Yuanji are, they still pale in comparison to the Takeda army. And the battlefield took place in the mountains where the Kaibi people were best at. Under the outflanking attacks of the Takeda family's fierce generals, the Maori army was on the verge of collapse.
Mourimoto complained endlessly - who would have thought that Takeda Harunobu would rather lose the watermelon than have trouble with the little sesame seed of Mourijun - but there was no time for him to think clearly about this. He resisted with all his strength, trying to open a hole for the Maori army to escape. The inheritance of many generations of ancestors has finally been improved to some extent in my own hands. How can it be ruined here like this? If he, his three children, and 3,000 Maori men all died here... the Maori family would cease to exist.
"There's enough time." Takeda Harunobu was also concerned about the situation on the main battlefield west of Huiri Mountain - the Hosokawa Army was also in full decline, but they could obviously hold on longer than the Maori Army, which was about to retreat. Takeda Harunobu had every chance to wipe out all the Maori Army and then calmly deploy the main force to turn around and support the main battlefield.
I don’t know if the progress of the Imagawa family in the north is going smoothly. Takeda Harunobu took the time to look at the northern part of Kyoto, but he couldn’t see anything clearly. He could only see the red bird horse seal of Imagawa Yoshimoto and the horse seal of Miyoshi Nagakei. Fighting on Otoyu Mountain. He took another look at the Imperial Palace Garden, the destination where Taiyuan Xuezhai had secretly sneaked in. Apart from a wisp of smoke, there was also no other movement.
movement……
Strange movement?
Takeda Harunobu had an ominous premonition.
He looked around and saw nothing unusual.
As the flags of the Urakami Army and the Akamatsu Army appeared in the area around Pyongyang Temple, there were no more unseen Northern Army deployments on the entire battlefield, and there could be no more variables.
But why is this ominous premonition so strong? It was so intense that it seemed as if this calamity must happen to me.
Takeda Harunobu involuntarily clenched the military equipment in his hand...
The next moment, the sound of horse hoofbeats sounded from the mountain road in Huiri Shandong.
Takeda Harunobu looked back in disbelief, and saw a group of elite cavalry galloping on the mountain road - the flag on their back was clearly painted with the nine-flare pattern of the Echigo Nagao family.
"Why are you here?" Takeda Harunobu was shocked and could hardly believe his eyes. The reason why the Southern Army chose to attack Kyoto today was to repel the Northern Army before the Long Tail Army arrived in Kyoto. The Long Tail Army was clearly far away from Echizen a few days ago - this was information given by friendly forces, how could it be wrong? After the Nagao family announced their betrayal of the alliance, both the Wakasa Takeda family and the Asai family blocked official roads, hindering the Nagao family's progress. Even if the Nagao family breaks through forcefully, it will take at least several days to reach Kyoto - so where did this army in front of them come from?
Boat?
Takeda Harunobu suddenly realized something.
A boat on Lake Biwa? Came from Lake Biwa?
However, all the ships in the Kyoto area have clearly been rented by Taiyuan Xuezhai in advance for the Kamogawa raid. Where did the ship come from to transport the Long Tail Army?
But after Takeda Harunobu thought about it, he realized another problem:
Even the boat was too late. The entire Nagao Army had to go through a long mountain road from Echizen Editor to the shore of Lake Biwa, which would take at least two days. Then it would take at least three more days to get here by boat.
unless……
Unless the leader of the Nagao family completely abandons his own brigade and forms a separate team with all the cavalry to attack!
The behavior of a madman - those horse-riding warriors are all the backbone warriors of the family. They rush into the military formation. Even if they win, the casualties will be unacceptable and will greatly damage their own WeChat and the administrative operations of the Wu family. If they lose, they will be far away from the enemy. The brigade didn't even have anyone to cover the retreat and collect the wounded soldiers, which resulted in heavy losses - only when the family's survival was at stake, would anyone act like this, right? Why should we fight for our lives in such a pure battle of honor? Everyone is fishing in troubled waters, but you are the only one who wants to rush thousands of miles to ride the waves?
Takeda Harunobu was so angry that his teeth itched.
Calm down, think, there is no room for panic in the battle formation.
The best choice at this time is——
Takeda Harunobu took a deep breath, decisively waved his military equipment, and called back the troops who were preparing to give the Maori Army the final blow and returned to support the main formation.
After a while, the Nagao family's cavalry rushed towards them. The leader was the young man who visited Makishima Castle that day and angrily scolded a group of Confederate warriors.
"Nagao Kagetora!" Takeda Harunobu stood up from the horse, pointed at the uninvited guest with his military equipment and shouted the name of the leader.
Thanks to your gift, the Maori army in hand has flown away, and the plan to support the main battlefield has also been ruined.
What a coincidence. Fortunately, the entire army was not thrown into the main battlefield. Otherwise, as soon as the Long Tail Army's surprise force arrived and cooperated with the Maori Army inside and outside, the formation would have been lost. After that, if he kills down Huiri Mountain from a high position, the entire main force of the Southern Army will fall apart.
What a blessing among misfortunes.
But originally, even this misfortune should not have happened. The actions of the Nagao family were completely irrational... No rational person would consider such a plan before the war. The extremely rational Takeda Harunobu naturally also missed the calculation.
Why do you do such an irrational thing? Shouldn’t those who serve as household supervisors consider the interests of the family?
"Avenge the Kofu-dono Palace and defeat the traitor Xiao Xiao of the Confederate Army!" Nagao Kagetora rode his horse and raised his sword, blue veins popped out on his forehead, and led the fierce Echigo knights to roar towards Takeda Harunobu's horse seal: "For the sake of faith The army and the people redressed their grievances, and the people were attacked and the traitor Ni Qingxin was massacred!"
"It's all your fault, Nagao Kagetora!" Takeda Harunobu pointed at the horse seal of the Nagao Army and cursed: "Why are you going against me, why are you causing trouble for me! Just because of this ridiculous morality of benevolence and justice? The Takeda family established You have wasted your unparalleled military exploits and even the opportunity to conquer the world! Is it of any benefit to your Nagao family? Don’t think about it carefully? Attack me and beat this idiot!"
·
At the first moment of the unitary hour on March 30, the 14th year of Tianwen, the Royal Palace Garden.
"Report, Your Highness Matsunaga, the Nagatail Army has broken into the Southern Army's main formation, and the main force of the Southern Army has been forced into a bitter battle by our army!"
Another battle report was sent to the palace and placed next to the table where Matsunaga Hide and Taiyuan Xuezhai were drinking tea.
"Master Xue Zhai must also know that there is no one in this world who can make perfect plans, and there is no perfect plan. No matter who it is, there will always be some things missed." Matsuzaki Nagahide fumbled for the tea cup in his hand with a smile. "The arrival of this long-tailed army was also unexpected by our Miyoshi family. After today's battle, we learned that Chiyo, the long-tailed tiger, actually abandoned the main army and came with all the mounted warriors to support him, just to replace his late father-in-law. Fang Dian is aggrieved. This kind of loyalty can be learned from heaven and earth. And for such a loyal minister of the shogunate to choose our Northern Army, it is self-evident to whom the balance of victory and defeat tilts."
"Haha, Danzheng was joking. In Danzheng's opinion, without this uninvited long-tailed army, the Sanhao family would still be confident of winning the battle." Taiyuan Xuezhai drank tea with a big smile, nodding in praise.
"What Master Xue Zhai said is true." Matsunaga Hide put on a smiley expression, because until this moment, Taiyuan Xue Zhai did not show the slightest sign of panic, "What about Master Xue Zhai? Is there something else? Trump card? I don’t remember who else in the Imagawa family is in Kyoto."
"The trump card is naturally a little person who is not famous, which is different from the tea ceremony. Once you are famous, you can't do dirty things." Taiyuan Xue Zhai picked up the tea cup and gestured elegantly to Matsunaga Hide, "How to correct such a famous person?" Tea man, I’m afraid you don’t understand the meaning.”
"Why don't you understand?" Matsunaga Hide also picked up the tea cup, stared at Taiyuan Xue Zhai, and deliberately spoke provocative words, trying to capture his momentary wavering: "The Miyoshi family also has cards for doing dirty things. And Xue Zhai Master Sai, your trump card has been blown away by us. Your disciple Amano Jingtoku, as well as the unknown helper in the palace, were blocked outside the palace by us."
"A busy man like Tanzheng already knows his name, so why is he still an unknown little person?" Taiyuan Xue Zhai was still enjoying the tea leisurely and contentedly, without even the slightest trace of anxiety on his brows - this inevitably made Matsunaga Hide anxious. .
At this moment, the door of Yashiki was pushed open, and a messenger from the Miyoshi family came to Matsunaga's side anxiously and whispered: "Your Majesty Matsunaga, there is an unexpected situation. We were originally besieging our troops around the Kankyo Temple. The Oda Army of the Nishi Army left the position of Shin-Zenkoji at some unknown time, and the Urakami Army and Akamatsu Army have just discovered that the defender of Shin-Zenkoji has been replaced by the Saito Army! The current movements of the Oda Army are unknown!"
"Oh?" Matsunagahide frowned, glanced at Taiyuan Xuezai, who was still leisurely, and whispered: "Ask the ninjas to guard the surroundings of the palace and Nijo Castle, and report any movements immediately!"
"yes!"
Soon after, another messenger rushed back: "Your Majesty Matsunaga, the Oda Army was found in the area of Zenchoji Temple! They got through the Ouchi Army of Oizumi Temple and the Akamatsu Army and Urakami Army of Pinghe Temple. They seemed to be heading towards The palace is coming!"
"Oh..." Matsuzaki Nagahide took a deep breath, and then said in a deep voice: "Assign our reserve teams to guard the Imperial Palace, Shokokuji Temple, and Nijo Castle, and immediately gather over to intercept the Oda army."
"Sure enough, there is a backup plan." Taiyuan Xuezhai nodded approvingly.
"Master Xuezhai, what do you mean by this?" Matsunagahide turned around and looked at Taiyuan Xuezai with a gloomy face, "Could it be that the unusual movement of the Oda army is your trump card?"
"To be honest, our relationship with the Oda family is extremely poor, and there is no cooperation and communication at all. The actions of the young master of the Oda family were naturally beyond our expectations." Taiyuan Xuezhai took another sip of tea and answered calmly. road.
Matsushita Nagahide fell into silence, with a slight drop of sweat on his forehead.
"Yes, just as Tanzheng expected." Taiyuan Xuezhai's eyes flashed, and he put down the teacup slowly. Even the tea was so calm that there was no ripple:
"Even without this uninvited Oda army, the poor monk is still confident of winning the battle."
"I'd like to hear the details." Matsuzuki's sweat dripped down his face, and his gaze gradually lost his grace when looking at Taiyuan Xue Zhai.
"Report!" The voice of Miyoshi's family messenger sounded at the door. This time he was so anxious that he didn't even bother to lower his voice: "Your Highness Matsunaga, someone has invaded Xiangguo Temple!"
The only remaining reserve team of the Miyoshi family is the team of Matsuhisa Hide in the palace.
"I'll take people there." Matsuzuki Nagahide stood up and looked down at Taiyuan Xuezhai who was still sitting calmly: "But before that, I don't mind taking on the infamy of brazenly killing people in the palace. The mastermind of the Imagawa family. Anyone who does dirty things must be conscious. If the master needs it, I will kill the shogunate for him, let alone you, Master Xuesai?"
"What if the poor monk still has a trump card? A trump card that he doesn't even know the name of." Taiyuan Xuezhai raised his head with a smile, but the atmosphere in the room immediately solidified.
Beads of sweat dripped down Matsushita's face and dripped into the tea cup on the table. In the quiet room, the sound of water dripping is clearly audible.
The next moment, the back door of Yashiki was kicked open. At the door, a woman in uniform stood leisurely.
"Master Xuezhai was joking. In this world, women's families naturally don't deserve to be known by outsiders. Aren't they always called 'So-and-so' and 'So-and-so'? The better ones can be called 'So-and-so', but I just don’t deserve to leave a name." Ginkgo sneered and waved, and the ninjas of the Imagawa family filed in. The ninjas around Matsunaga Hide hurriedly alerted, but they had already lost control of Taiyuan Xuezhai.
"Where did it come in? Did it fly in?" Matsushita Nagahide grinned in disbelief, "Unexpectedly, the guards at the palace gate didn't give a warning."
"Make this tea master laugh, mountain women don't know tea sets, they just know the way." Ginkgo poked her tilted head with her finger, and then pointed to the desk where Matsushita Nagahide applied, "Before you fight, Do you want to put the tea set away first? If it gets damaged, we won’t compensate you."
