"Xia Guo's military academy teachings say: When facing a military confrontation, if you think more from the opponent's perspective, you will gain different results."
While the coalition forces were racking their brains for the outcome of the war, Sakai Tadakatsu was doing the same.
The original situation where the shogunate dominated the world has turned into the current situation where two tigers are fighting, and the fate of Japan has undergone unpredictable changes.
This puts a lot of pressure on him as the coach, and he is always afraid of any omissions in the battle formation layout.
When I feel uneasy, I have no choice but to seek help from others.
A young man knelt down in front of him and gave him some unique insights.
This young man's life experience is very unusual.
His name is Matsudaira Nobutsada, and his father is the famous Matsudaira Nobutsuna.
Matsudaira Nobutsuna died in battle during the conquest of Kyushu, and Matsudaira Nosada was heartbroken. At the same time, he hated Xia Guo deeply and was determined to take revenge.
After the shogunate concluded peace with the Xia Kingdom, it decided to send talents to the Xia Kingdom's military academy to learn advanced military concepts and technologies. Matsudaira Nobusada knelt in front of Tokugawa Iemitsu, weeping and begging to go.
[The best way to defeat the enemy is to thoroughly understand the enemy. 】
Matsudaira Nobusada listed his father's teachings as his lifelong creed.
After he went to the Xia Military Academy, he studied the hardest, never missing any opportunity, and was confident that he had mastered the essence of the Xia Army.
After returning, it happened to coincide with the break between the shogunate and the Ming Dynasty. He was sent into the army to assist Sakai Tadakatsu.
After hearing his words, Sakai Tadakatsu had some enlightenment.
"The situation on the battlefield is now very favorable to our side. The artillery on the high ground is about to be deployed. It is very difficult for the outside daimyo to cross the river. What will they do?"
Another young man offered insight.
"Sir, will the enemy army take a detour and cut off our army's food and grass? After all, this place is too far away from Edo. Once the food road is cut off, our army will be in chaos without fighting, no matter how many troops there are."
This young man also has a distinguished background.
His name is Inaba Masakichi, and his mother is the famous Kasuga Bureau.
Because of his relationship with Tokugawa Iemitsu's brothers, Inaba Masakichi became extremely powerful and held important positions in the military.
His reminder made Sakai Tadakatsu deep in thought.
But after a long time, Sakai Tadakatsu slowly shook his head.
"It is not easy for the enemy to outflank the retreat. Osaka in the south is watched by the Natsu Kingdom, so it is impassable, so we can only go north. But in the north, except for Kyoto, there are mountains and difficult roads. Before the enemy can get around, In the back, I am afraid that I will die of exhaustion and starve to death. Besides, the enemy's troops are not as strong as ours. Once we divide our troops and encircle them, we can completely strengthen the Yodogawa River and defeat the enemy in front of us in one go. This is the way to death. , Mouri Xiuyuan will not be unclear."
As soon as he finished speaking, not only him, but also the expressions of many people present changed.
Date Xiuzong reacted the fastest.
"My lord, Kyoto, Your Majesty!"
Sakai Tadakatsu was dripping with cold sweat and hurriedly ordered.
"You lead the troops immediately. Under no circumstances should your Majesty fall into the hands of the enemy."
The shogunate army finally realized their omissions, and everyone was panicked.
After Date Hidemune accepted the order, he had no time to prepare carefully and quickly led his subordinates to rush towards Kyoto crazily.
On the other side, Yamada Yuei also knows that opportunities cannot be missed and will never come back.
He led two thousand soldiers to quietly leave the formation. In order to avoid being noticed, he did not dare to take the main road. Instead, he went over the mountains and around to the north of Kyoto.
The imperial palace of the emperor is located in the north of the city, with the mountains at his back, forming a statue of the king sitting north and looking south.
At this time, in the city of Kyoto, all forces were mixed. Countless pairs of eyes were watching, and every move could not escape surveillance.
Only the north direction of the city is a blind spot.
Yamada Ariei stumbled around in the mountains for five days. He was exhausted and suffered heavy losses in personnel. But he finally bypassed all the eyes and ears and suddenly appeared outside the Imperial Palace.
"I have come all the way here just to clear out the evil spirits and help His Majesty trace their origins. Take us to see His Majesty quickly."
The guards of the Imperial Palace looked at the sudden appearance of the Daimyo army, and they were all nervous and quickly closed the city gate.
There is no doubt that these guards are closer to the shogunate. In fact, they can be regarded as sent by the shogunate to monitor the emperor.
How could it be possible to make way for a foreign daimyo?
Seeing that the people in the city were unmoved, the city gates were closed. Yamada Ariei's nerves were beating wildly, and he always had an ominous premonition.
At this moment, where is the retreat?
He suddenly pulled out his sword and shouted: "Attack the city!"
When he came, he already had a premonition that the trip would not be so smooth, so he made complete preparations.
Siege is also an option.
Following his order, the soldiers immediately began to take action.
Although this troop is small in number, it is very capable and carries very powerful weapons.
There were actually two bronze cannons among them, which were assembled on the spot.
Under the roar of artillery fire, the bricks and tiles of the imperial tower collapsed and smoke billowed.
The defenders here have been overstaffed and neglected training for a long time. They only look good on the surface and cannot fight at all.
Under the bombardment of artillery, many people were frightened and fled.
Seeing the defense on the city wall collapse, more soldiers rushed into the city gate carrying explosives.
Explosives can explode much more violently than solid artillery shells.
Amidst the earth-shattering noise, the imperial palace finally opened the passage to the outside daimyo army.
Yamada Yuei was overjoyed and pointed his sword towards the city.
"Come in and protect His Majesty!"
Before he finished speaking, he heard the sound of galloping war horses from behind, like a rolling dragon.
He turned around in shock, and was shocked to find the flag of Uwajima Domain appearing in front of him.
The shogunate's army arrived so quickly!
Although Yamada Ariei was frightened, he immediately began to deploy.
"The first team enters the city to protect His Majesty, and the second team guards the city gate. No one is allowed to come in, and the artillery fires back."
The speed of Date Xiuzong's arrival was not unsatisfactory.
When he heard the roar of artillery and explosives coming from the Imperial Palace, he knew that the situation was extremely dangerous.
Once the emperor fell into the hands of a daimyo, the consequences would be disastrous.
In desperation, he couldn't care too much and quickly led the cavalry in his hands to attack.
As for the infantry, they can only fall far behind and catch up with their own feet.
When we first turned to the road in front of the imperial palace, we happened to see the city gate open and the Satsuma clan's army was about to enter the city.
Date Xiuzong took the lead. At this time, he no longer cared about the danger and pounced directly.
The Imperial Palace where the Emperor resides is usually a place of absolute majesty.
Even if the shogun comes, he must follow the etiquette and dare not neglect it.
But today, the brutal fighting has caused the nobility and majesty here to disappear.
The Tokugawa shogunate and the foreign daimyo clearly put the fact that "the emperor is a fake" in front of the world.
(End of chapter)
