Prime Minister Bizen

Chapter 217

The Hide family's orders were quickly arranged, and the Banners and Takakage Kobayakawa went to Tangzhu Castle to pick up mandarin oranges and distribute them, while Hanfang Masayuki left with a small team of Banners to arrange the reception work in each city.

It is also thanks to his experience in cooperating with Hashiba Hideyoshi's return to China a few years ago, Hanabang is fortunate to set up military depots on the road to the follow-up return, and while providing supplies, he will also gather the soldiers who have fallen behind.

The results of Yuxi's many years of training are thus displayed. After Xiujia gave the order, the captains of each reserve team quickly returned to their own reserve team, and issued the order to the commanders at all levels, and then the commander led the soldiers to march in an orderly manner. Get ready.

On the one hand, the soldiers of Yuxijia will gather for training for 4 days every month, while the standing equipment is trained all the year round; secondly, Hanafang Zhengxing’s preparation work is relatively sufficient, and there are not many cases of Yuxijia being left behind on the first day.

As for Fukushima Masorori in the second team and Tanba Zhong in the third team, they couldn't do it. The high-intensity march on the first day made this group of Kinai veteran soldiers fall behind by 1/3, so that the generals could only go forward. Come to Xiujia and ask to slow down.

The current Xiu family is racing against time, so they naturally rejected their proposal, saying to them, "If you can't keep up, you can leave the main force and slow down to follow."

Even though the Tanba crowd headed by Yoshiharu Horio was unwilling, the physical fitness of the soldiers was there. As traditional daimyos, they valued their military strength more than anything else, so they could only make compromises.

Masanori Fukushima and the others were originally on the front line. They came to Shikoku this time because they were eager for military exploits. As for the ashigaru who couldn't run, they couldn't close them. Only bring troops that can keep up with Xiujia's speed and continue to move forward.

So far, after only the first day of raiding, the number of Xiujia's team has dropped from more than 2 to about 8000.

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Let’s talk about the Asano Legion at this moment, since it surrounded Shiraichi Castle 5 days ago, it has divided its general forces into three groups. One is led by the vanguard Tadako Hosokawa with 3200 people to cross the river to attack Ikeda Castle, and the other is led by Oka Toshimori. 4100 people from Yuxi Duozhong are responsible for the strategy of Zhongxi City.

At the beginning of Asano Nagamasa's plan, he planned to lead 8500 people to take charge of the raid on the most important city, Baiji Castle, and to gain the greatest political merit in this battle. However, he did not expect that his unintentional arrangement saved his life.

After two days of raids, Nakanishi Castle and Ikeda Castle on the east bank of the Yoshino River fell one after another. At this moment, only Shirochi Castle is still struggling to support. Asano Nagamasa divided his subordinates Tajima, Inaba, and Kinai into three groups. They stopped and took turns attacking the city.

But the defender of the city is the most important arm of Changzong's family, Yuanqin, and Xiangzong's family, Qintai. This younger brother and his elder brother Yuanqin have accompanied their father, Guoqin, to fight in the south and north.

At the age of 32, based on Kaifu City in the south of Awa, he almost relied on his own strength to corner the former overlord Miyoshi's family.

Now that Baicheng City is in his hands, he holds high the banner of protecting the peace of the people of Awa, and successfully gathers a group of diehards. Although the process of defending the city is very difficult, the border fortress is still in his hands so far.

Tadake Hosokawa, who refused to defend Ikeda Castle, and Toshikatsu Oka, who was in Nakanishi Castle, saw that Shiroji Castle could not be captured, so they sent messages to ask if they needed to send support.

After all, if this fortress is not captured, it will become a nail in the back that affects the safety of the march. With the level of logistics and army organization at that time, no officer would make such a silly move.

You must know that in the middle of the year, the Xiu family proposed to cross the sea from Ise to fight against Sanhe, which was already criticized by the retainers. How will it be sprayed.

Who is Asano Nagamasa?Hideyoshi's brother-in-law, Genzheng Miaohong's family, finally came out to fight, and you told me that I was trapped in a small town?Say where there is face.

Asano Nagamasa rejected the proposal of the two, and asked the two to be optimistic about possible reinforcements from the direction of Awa and Tosa.

"Where will there be reinforcements?" All the generals thought this way, "The main force of Changzong's department is fighting against Yiyu and Zuomenwei Dudian. It's not because this guy doesn't want to share the credit and wants to eat alone."

Then, three days later at night, Oka Toshikatsu, who was stationed in Nakaishi City, suddenly received an urgent report from Todo Takatora, "Misaku Mamoru, there are suddenly many more lights on the Xiashan Castle than before, and the entire Xiashan Castle is illuminated by the lights." brightly lit."

Oka Toshikatsu listened to the article, left the palace and looked towards Shimoyama Castle about 3km southwest, where the Yoshino River passed a zigzag bend, and Nakanishi Castle and Shimoyama Castle were on both sides of the right angle.

Due to the obstruction of the mountain, Zhongxi City can't see the situation of Xiashan City, but you can indeed see that the sky on the mountain seems to be illuminated.

In ancient times, due to the lack of sufficient lighting tools and energy, firewood and charcoal were also extremely scarce, so people would choose to go to bed early every night unless necessary lighting was required.

This was the case at the other end of the mountain in the past. As a branch city, there were not many supplies, so every night it was so dark that there was no light.

An excellent general is good at discovering problems in tiny details. From this point of view, Todo Takatora already possesses the basic qualities to become an independent general.

Looking at the bright light in the distance, the two of them began to calculate the approximate number of people on the opposite side. At this time, the team leader of the equipment and equipment also rushed over.

On the side of Midwest City, due to the order of the Xiu family, at night, braziers must be placed between each squadron, plus the necessary node positions, so the more than 4000 troops in Midwest City will light up more than 200 light spots every night.

Although I don't know the requirements of Changzong's family in this regard, but judging from the brightness, according to everyone's previous experience, the army on the opposite side must be more than twice as strong as our own.

"What should we do? Do you want to pass this news on to Mr. Asano?" the horse farm worker asked solemnly.

Gang Lisheng nodded, shook his head as if agreeing but refused, and said, "The current situation is unknown, how to report the situation to Master Asano, you also know the situation of Baidi City, the great names have been attacking the city for days, and their spirits have long been extremely nervous , telling them the news of Tosa’s arrival at this moment may have some impact on them.”

"But why did the troops of Changzong's family appear here? Shouldn't they have confronted His Highness in Iyo?"

Babaji was surprised by the arrival of Changzong's family. In fact, he was not the only one. Todo Takatora and Oka Toshikatsu also couldn't figure it out. Didn't Changzong's relatives just capture Tang Zhucheng a few days ago?It is reasonable to say that even if they call, they will come via Dong Yiyu, and the first one to face at that time must be the lord's army.

There are countless possibilities in their minds, but without exception, the possibility of the destruction of the Ukita Army is forgotten. They are old people who have witnessed the growth of the Guoyu Kita Army, so they naturally know how much the Ukita Army's combat power has grown compared to the past.

The victories over the years have allowed them to have self-confidence beyond other families, thinking that they are already the "No. [-] Army" surpassing Takeda Uesugi. How could they overturn in a place like Shikoku?
Besides, even if the car really overturned, would the lord Xiu's family let Changzong and Ibu Yuanqin come over from the other side without any news?
Although still immersed in shock, the experienced Gang Lisheng quickly made a deployment, "No matter how the opponent came, we must hold them here."

"Gather the scattered troops in the city as soon as possible. The Chinese and Western cities are small and cannot accommodate more than 4000 people. Tonight, He Qibei and Baihubei will all cross the river and go to Ruoshan on the other side to build a new city. At that time, Fujitangdian will lead Baihu Prepare to be stationed at Ruoshan on the other side, and Ruoshan City will be guarded by me and Lord Bachang."

"In addition, after Fujitangdian crossed the river, he sent people to Xiashan City to check the enemy's situation as soon as possible, and confirmed the enemy's intelligence report with me as much as possible. Time is running out, everyone hurry up and prepare."

The order from Okatoshi Katsukatsu was quickly issued. Todo Takatora and Baba Shijia left first, woke up the 3000 people in their reserve team, crossed the Yoshino River to Wakayama on the opposite bank, felled trees, and opened up an area to build a fortress.

Due to the urgency of time, the repair of the walled city was extremely simple, and there was no time for fine wood work, so logs were used to make wooden doors and gateposts, and thick poles were used to make fences.

In the end, under the repeated request of Todo Takatora, the reeds in the Yoshino River were harvested, and the branches were used as supports, and the reeds were used as meat and then pasted with wet mud.In this way, after the wet mud dries, a simple earth wall is completed, and these earth walls are leaned on the inside of the fence to become a simple screen.

As mentioned earlier, the Yoshino River zigzags here. Due to the principle of water erosion and accumulation, there is a plain area on the east bank of the Yoshino River where the Nakaishi Castle is located and the south bank of the Yoshino River where the Shimoyama Castle is located. This is also the main road of the Dozan Line. .

However, there is still a small road on the other side of Zhongxi City, which is why Okari Katsuki ordered people to set up a walled city on the other side.

Because compared to taking the main road, although the narrow path on the opposite side is not suitable for large troops to march, you can go directly to the rear of Baidi City and deal a fatal blow to the Asano army besieging the city.

If Changzong and I Yuanqin lead a large force to blockade Zhongxi City, and then let people lead thousands of people to march through the trail under Ruoshan Mountain, the Asano Army under Baidi City will have no warning at all, and they may be trapped under the city.

Facts have proved that Oka Toshikatsu's worries were justified. On the second day, Nagamune and his relatives took 1 people to the city of Zhongxi City along the main road of the Tuzan Line, and surrounded the city without saying a word. On the other side of the Yoshino River, there were It is a 3000-man ranger led by his eldest son Nobuki.

Fortunately, the Ukita army discovered the problem in advance last night and made preparations in advance. At this moment, the ranger who was entrusted by Yuanqin was blocked at the foot of Wakayama by Todo Takatora. The biggest hurdle to break into.

Okatoshi told Asano Nagamasa who was still asleep as soon as possible. Like Okatoshi who just learned the information, Asano Nagamasa went through a process of shock-confusion-fear, and began to want to pack his things and prepare Running away, he was finally appeased by the persuasion of the messenger Okagari.

After hearing that Oka Lisheng had already deployed defense lines on both sides of the Midwest City, the general who had no combat experience eagerly asked Oka Toshi, "Since the American masters have made the arrangements, is there any suggestion from our side that we want to deploy further?" ?”

This question is really confusing, right? Okagari is confused, you are the general!Why did you ask the opinions of the friendly troops who came to support instead?

Okari Katsuki obviously did not expect this situation before he let Okagari go. Okagari thought for a long time and did not dare to be professional, so he resigned to Asano Nagamasa and said, "I will call after asking my father for instructions. This paragraph My lord, please make preparations early and organize the army ahead of time, whether it is to continue to attack the city or come to support, you will not be in a hurry."

"It should be," Asano Nagamasa replied.

When Okatoshi brought back the situation in Baiji Castle to Okato Katsu, Okato Katsu was also confused by Asano Nagamasa's operation. Although he knew that this big guy was here for gold plating, why was he so unreliable? , I don't know what to do now.

In Gang Lisheng's understanding, there is only one choice to be made now. If you are more courageous, you will leave some troops to monitor Baidicheng, and bring the main force to confront yourself and Changzong's family.

From the perspective of Okato Katsura, who has been fighting in all directions with Hideka all the year round, this is also the most conventional combat situation. Now that Ikeda and Nakanishi Castle have been captured, there are less than 500 defenders in Hakuchi Castle, leaving 2000 people in Tajima. There are more than enough guards, and the main force of more than 1 people wants to guard the narrow Yoshino River passage, isn't it easy?

At that time, Asano Nagamasa will stick to the Yoshino River and wait for reinforcements, and send someone to notify the main force of the Ukita Hide family in Iyo to come to help. As long as Asano Nagamasa does not fix anything, the final victory will still belong to us.

The second way of thinking is naturally to order the Nakanishi City to withdraw troops before Changzong and our relatives arrive, and the entire Asano Army to return to Dongyiyo and stick to it. Safe and proper handling.

Of course, there is also a problem with this idea, that is, if Chang Zonggabu Yuanqian insists on it, and the defenders of Baidicheng come out to slow down the marching speed again, the Asano Army is also in danger of being wiped out.

But no matter which one you choose, it is better than the hesitation of the general general now. When you go out to fight, the most fearful thing is that laymen command experts. .

While Okari Katsuki was thinking about how to let his son pass on his suggestion, the samurai under his command came to report, "I can already see the attack of Changzong's army, and the number of vanguard troops is about 1500."

Okatoshi slapped his thigh. Now that he is better, he can save himself from doing multiple-choice questions for Asano Nagamasa. Now he can't withdraw at all, and only the first choice is left to do.

Tell his son Okatoshi's family about his plan, and let him go to Iyo to ask for help from Ukita Hide's family after notifying Nagamasa Asano. As for how long he can block it, he can only resign himself to fate.

(End of this chapter)