The Kitahata family was anxious, but Kyogoku Takamasa was not panicking.
After the fall of Nagano Castle and the death of Nagano Ato, the Kyogoku family had lost the strategic initiative in Yinshi. After Kyogoku Takamasa sent Sadahide Kamao to contain the Kitahata family, he was no longer in a hurry.
The troops in Minami Omi mobilized the fastest, while the troops in North Omi mobilized a little slower.
Today's Kyogoku family is different from the past. It is impossible for all the troops in the territory to gather in one place within a few days, so Kyogoku Gaozheng decided to enter the Yinshi in batches.
The Minami Omi people were personally led by Kyogoku Takamasa. After the assembly, they went directly to Sekigahara and headed south to Mount Yoro to enter the Ebonben County. When Kamao Sadahide sent someone to convey the news, Kyogoku Takamasa had already entered the Ebonben County. .
Wakasa's troops were not mobilized this time because they had to guard against the Asakura family. Kitanomi's troops were led by Akao Kiyoshizuna, Kaiboku Tsunayika and others, following Kyogoku Takamasa as a rear army.
It was already evening when we arrived at Nagashima Castle. Kyogoku Takamasa called for Numata Mitsukazu without bothering to eat.
"Young Assistant in the Palace, what are the movements of the Kitahata family's troops?"
"Lord, for some reason, the Kitahata family suddenly stopped marching north. The entire army was stationed in Kameyama Castle. Although there were occasional small groups of troops who attacked, they were all defeated by Uhei Zuo (Kyogoku Hidemasa) and Uma Suke (Kyogoku). Extremely high victory) repulse."
Hearing this, Kyogoku Takamasa was completely relieved. It seemed that the trick of letting Kamou Sadahide lead people away from Yinhe was working. Otherwise, by the time he arrived with people, he was afraid that Yuanbensan County would have fallen into Kitahata. Home is in hand.
"The young assistant in the palace didn't know something. I specially sent the Kamao family to take the Yinhe Trail and enter Annan County in advance. The Kitahata family didn't know the truth, so they didn't dare to act rashly for a while."
"But after the other party finds out the situation, they will definitely attack again."
Numata Mitsuwa suddenly realized, "So that's it. I was wondering why the Kitahata family hasn't attacked in the past few days. It turns out that the lord has been prepared for it."
"Originally, we planned to take the Yinhe route, but the Yinhe trail is really not conducive to a large army, so I had no choice but to go through Yanglao Mountain. In this way, I was a few days late."
"Fortunately, the Kitahata family didn't take any action."
After saying that, Kyogoku Takamasa ordered Hatayama Chaobu to start preparing meals.
During the dinner, Kyogoku Takamasa continued to ask, "How many troops does the Kitahata family have in Kameyama Castle?"
Numata Mitsuwa put down the bamboo chips and said slowly, "Kameyama Castle is personally controlled by the Kitahata Council, head of the Kitahata family, and the number of troops under his command should be about 15,000. There is also a troop stationed at Hezawa Castle in Hequ County. This is the city where the Kobe family resides, and the people stationed here are some soldiers from the country, with more than 5,000 people."
"So, the Kitahata family mobilized an army of 20,000 people this time, what a big deal!" Kyogoku Takamasa also couldn't help but click his tongue. A small Yinshi can mobilize 20,000 people to participate in the war. Yinshi is worthy of being a small warring statesman. Full of martial virtue.
Numata Mitsukazu also sighed, "The Kitahata family is no longer what it used to be. Over the years, the Kitahata family captured Toba Castle, surrendered to Obama and other people and dominated Shima."
"Later, he invaded Kiyin and suppressed Kumano, Owashi, Shingu and other places, and expanded his control area to the Totsu River. He also launched the Yamato invasion. Although he was counterattacked by Yamato forces such as Ochi and Tsutsui, he also captured the Yoshino area. .”
"Now our family is facing the Kitahata family that has integrated Yinshinan, Shima and other places. The situation is no longer comparable to what it was a few years ago."
Kyogoku Takamasa also agreed, "That's right. Although our family's strength has grown rapidly, how can the Kitahata family not do the same?"
The current strength of the Kitahata family is also growing rapidly, and they are no longer intimidated by just a few words a few years ago. Kitahata Haru is aggressive and has the demeanor of a pioneer, so this battle will probably be difficult.
"I wonder how many people my lord has brought here?"
"The Pu Sheng clan dispatched 600 people to enter Yinshi first, accompanied by 300 people from the Jiahe people and 800 people from the Yinhe people. The total force was close to two thousand."
"I am leading the 3,000 people from the Minami Omi Kingdom to go ahead, and there is an army of 10,000 people led by Misakumori coming from behind."
"The three counties of Genben and Kuwana have also assembled 3,000 troops. This brings the total strength of our family to nearly 20,000, which is comparable to the Kitahata family!" Mitsuwa Numata felt a lot more relaxed.
In the past, I followed Kyogoku Takamasa and always used less to defeat more. This time we were finally evenly matched. It was 20,000 vs. 20,000. The advantage was mine.
The Kyogoku family's dispatch of troops this time is obviously different from that of the Kitahata family. The Kitahata family is fighting at home, so they can naturally attack with their entire army. The Kyogoku family was on an expedition, and the territory had just settled down for two years. There were still strong enemies such as the Asakura family around, so Kyogoku high officials did not dare to mobilize too many troops.
Since Kita Omi is the base of the Kyogoku family, Kyogoku Takamasa can safely recruit Ashigaru, while Minami Omi Kyogoku Takamasa only dares to mobilize a few thousand people.
With the current strength of the Kyogoku family, mobilizing 20,000 people for battle is not the limit, but it is almost there.
Among these 20,000 people, only a few thousand are directly under the Kyogoku family. The rest are peasant soldiers mobilized by their retainers and the public. In fact, there are not many who can truly be called combat effectiveness.
"Lord, there is one more thing I need to explain."
"What's the matter?"
"Although the head of the Nagano family, Daisuke Nagano, wanted to die, his son escaped under the protection of his retainers. He arrived at Akahori Hall yesterday, accompanied by dozens of retainers."
"How should I deal with these people in the Nagano family?"
Kyogoku Takamasa was silent for a moment, and then said, "The Nagano family is quite famous in Yinshi. These people will be settled first. If the family can attack the Kitahata family this time, then these people will be useful after the war."
"Besides, my family is sending troops this time at the invitation of the Nagano family. If there are no members of the Nagano family, then it will be an unknown force."
"In this case, you go to Akabori Hall in person to bring the son of Daisuke from Nagano Palace, and I will personally succeed him to the Nagano family."
"In addition, send people to spread the news in Yinshi, saying that this family will defeat the Kitahata family, take back Nagano Castle, and avenge Daisuke in Nagano Palace!"
In his heart, Kyogoku Takamasa wished that the Nagano family would die cleanly, so that he could legitimately take over the Nagano family's territory.
As for allies, only those who are alive are allies.
It's a pity that Nagano Aito still had a son who ran away. Although it is a bit regretful, it is not all without benefits.
The Kyogoku family can take the opportunity to fight against the Kitahata family under the banner of the Nagano family, which can also give some Yinshi powerful families a sense of identity. After all, the Kitahata family has been in power for so many years, and many people in the country are dissatisfied with the Kitahata family.
Now that the Kyogoku family has stood up to express their anger for the people who have been "bullied by the Kitahata family", if this flag is raised, it will definitely win people's hearts.
"By the way, is there anything unusual in the direction of Owari during this period?" Kyogoku Takamasa suddenly asked.
Numata Mitsukazu quickly replied, "Since I have been in charge of managing this place, I have always kept in mind my lord's instructions to keep a close guard against the Owari Oda family."
"This time the Kitahata family sent troops with great force. The Oda family must have been informed of this, but there is no news yet."
"My lord, are you worried that the Oda family will take the opportunity to send troops to suppress the situation?"
"In troubled times, we must be on guard."
Owari is adjacent to Yinshi, and Oda Nobuhide is another daimyo who is very keen on expansion. He is a piece of fat in Chichi. Kyogoku Gaomasa does not believe that Oda Nobuhide can sit still.
