June 4, the fourth year of Xianglu.
The originally stalemate battlefield changed direction with the fierce attack launched by Hosokawa Harumoto's side. Due to the sudden incident, many of Hosokawa Taka's troops were beaten to the point where they could not find their way north for a while.
The first to be attacked were Itami Kunifu, Hosokawa Harukuni, Hosokawa Sumien and others deployed on the front lines of Fukushima Castle and Noda Castle.
Hosokawa Harumoto was responsible for the main attack on the Awa Army led by Miyoshi Genchang. Under the command of Miyoshi Genchang, Hosokawa Harukuni was the first to be defeated. The defeated troops even caused instability for Itami Kunifu and Hosokawa Sumien in the rear.
On the other side, Hosokawa Mochitaka also went north along the Kii Street and attacked Yoshihiro Niki of Noda Castle. Due to the overwhelming number of people, Hosokawa Motaka quickly gained the upper hand, and for a while the situation on the battlefield quickly tilted towards Hosokawa Harumoto.
Hosokawa Harumoto also took Ashikaga Yoshimi and others to move the formation near Tennoji Temple, ready to respond to the battle ahead at any time.
However, Hosokawa Takakunikata's disadvantage is only temporary. After all, Hosokawa Takakunikata has the upper hand in every aspect. It was only Hosokawa Takakuni's vanguard that was repelled, and the main force was still deployed near Nakajima Castle.
When Hosokawa Harukuni and others fought and retreated, and crossed the Yodogawa River, Miyoshi Gencho also pursued here with his troops.
At this time, looking at the flag seal belonging to the Hosokawa family on the other side of the river, Miyoshi Genchang tightened the saber in his hand. "Today's battle is destined to kill you and live! Dr. Ukyo, today the battle between our Miyoshi family and the Hosokawa family is going on." It’s time to settle the grievances between us!”
"Daisuke Minbu, I leave this battle to you, let Harima's soft-footed shrimp see the style of my Awa samurai!" Miyoshi Genchang said with a serious look on his face, looking at his general Miyoshi Kazuhide.
Miyoshi Yixiu immediately patted his chest and said, "Don't worry, my lord, I will definitely live up to everyone's expectations!"
On the other side of the Yodogawa River, Hosokawa Takakuni also pretended to be better and sat in the main formation to show off the majesty of his general. Urakami Muramune had already come to Yodogawa Kawara to direct the war at this time. At this time, only a few people including Hosokawa Takakuni and Kyogoku Takahiro were still bragging.
"Musashi Mamoru, why do you look so panicked?" Looking at Kyogoku Takahiro who was restless in the formation, Hosokawa Takakuni stroked his beard and asked with a funny look on his face. However, although Takakuni Hosokawa had a smile on his face, he was mocking Kyogoku Takahiro for being so timid.
Hosokawa Takakuni thought Kyogoku Takahiro was worried about the war ahead, but he didn't know that Kyogoku Takahiro was worried about Akamatsu Masasuke who was about to arrive. No one here knows what will happen next here than Kyogoku Takahiro, and Kyogoku Takahiro is worried that after the Akamatsu family's troops arrive, he will not die in the chaos. .
You must know that although Akamatsu Masasuke knew Kyogoku Takahiro, he did not know the Ashigaru of the Akamatsu family. The war is in chaos. Wouldn't it be embarrassing if something unexpected happened? That's why Kyogoku Takahiro was absent-mindedly thinking about how he should leave this place of right and wrong next!
"I guess I didn't sleep well last night and was a little dazed, which made the supervisor laugh!" Kyogoku Takahiro quickly accused him.
Hosokawa Takakuni didn't pay attention. Just when he was picking up the wine on the table and preparing to take a sip, the curtain of the main formation was lifted, and a samurai with blood on his face strode in. "My lord, the enemy." The army's offensive is very fierce, and the fighting in the upper reaches of the Yodogawa River is tense. Please ask the commander to deploy reinforcements!
"Just go to Urakami to defend this matter." Hosokawa Takakuni doesn't know how to fight, just don't cause trouble.
The visitor is Matsuda Gentaka, the chief minister of the Ashikaga Shogunate. Although this guy is unknown, he is considered to be in a high position in this era. This time, I received an invitation from Ashikaga Yoshiharu to lead the army in the war.
"Misaku has no troops to send to guard the palace. Otherwise, why would I come to seek help from the leader of the palace?" Matsuda Gentaka said anxiously.
Hosokawa Takakuni quickly looked around, and finally turned his attention to Kyogoku Takahiro aside, "Do you have any suggestions for Musashi Shoden?"
Kyogoku Takahiro, who was thinking about how to escape from the battlefield, also reacted at this time, and immediately promised, "There are still warriors under my command who dare to fight, and they are willing to die for the leader of the palace!"
"Okay! I'll leave it to Musashi to guard you!" Although Kyogoku Takahiro only had two hundred soldiers under his command, it was still better than nothing.
Along the Yodogawa River, the battle was going on fiercely.
To the peasants and soldiers of the Urakami family, today's enemy army had no idea why they were crazy, and they actually came up with a desperate posture. This is not how the script was written! In fact, today's attack was spearheaded by the samurai of the Miyoshi family. Hundreds of samurai led the charge, and their combat effectiveness was naturally incomparable.
The Urakami family's troops were mainly deployed in the lower reaches of the Yodogawa battlefield, while Itami Kunifu and others who retreated from the opposite bank deployed in the middle reaches, and the troops of Matsuda Gentaka and Yakushiji Kunimori deployed in the upper reaches.
In fact, overall on the entire battlefield, Hosokawa Takakuni's side has the advantage because of its superior military strength. However, the situation in the upstream areas is not optimistic.
The troops under the command of Yakushiji Kunimori and Matsuda Gentaka were not large, and they were unprepared. However, a force from the Miyoshi family quietly crossed the Yodo River and appeared on the flanks of Matsuda Gentaka and others.
After a battle, Matsuda Gentaka and others felt powerless, so they had to ask for reinforcements.
"Sakon Admiral's Palace, where are the reinforcements?" Seeing Matsuda Gentaka return, Yakushiji Kunimori, who had been supporting him for nearly half an hour, hurriedly stepped forward to ask.
Matsuda Gentaka quickly replied, "The Kyogoku family's troops will arrive soon, let the Ashigaru hold on for a while longer!"
"Yes." After receiving a positive reply, Yakushiji Kunimori felt relieved and continued to return to the battlefield to direct the battle.
However, another half an hour passed, but Kyogoku Takahiro still did not appear. The front is already in danger. As long as the Miyoshi family's troops maintain this offensive for a while, Yakushiji Kunimori and others will not be able to hold on.
"Sakon Shogunden, where are the Kyogoku family members!" Seeing his samurai fall down one by one, Yakushiji Kunimori felt extremely painful.
Matsuda Gentaka's face also looked a little ugly, "I've sent someone to rush you!"
"My Matsuda family retainer Matsuda Shichirobei has seen Kyogoku Musashi guarding the palace!" Matsuda Shichirobei greeted Kyogoku Takahiro in the Kyogoku family's main formation.
Kyogoku Takahiro nodded, "Master Matsuda, are you here for the war ahead?"
"Exactly!" Matsuda Shichirobei nodded heavily, and then said, "The situation on the battlefield ahead is urgent. I would like to ask Mr. Kyōgoku to send troops to support as soon as possible!"
"Don't worry, Matsuda-sama, we will send troops immediately!"
"That's it for Kyogokuden!" Matsuda Shichirobei saluted again and then withdrew from the formation.
After Matsuda Shichirobei left, Uesaka Munanobu, who was standing next to Kyogoku Takahiro, asked with a confused look on his face, "Why did my lord promise to the Matsuda family that our family will send troops?"
"It doesn't matter, this is just to deal with the Matsuda family!"
"Then what if the Matsuda family comes to ask for help again?"
"Well, just say that our army is having a meal!"
Uesaka Munanobu ""
