Prime Minister Bizen

Chapter 835 The Last Chance
As Hideie's military order was issued, the conch horn on Okayama Mountain was blown rhythmically, indicating that the Eastern Army General Formation began to take action.

The generals who came down from Okayama were shuttled across the vast Mino Plain. At this time, the camera followed the steps of these senior warriors to the north, and found tens of thousands of armored warriors sitting on the plain behind Okayama. Soldiers.

As their respective commanding samurai and daimyo came to them and conveyed military orders to him, these soldiers who had rested here for a long time began to stand up and form a team under the orders of their superior samurai.

In the past, the Hideka clan was particularly fond of indigo. The Toyoharu clan's flag and ashigaru lining were mostly in blue. The most important formation flag also had a white gentian pattern on a blue background and a white pattern on a blue background.

It's just that today's army is different. The leader is actually a black background with white gentian and five-seven-tongue patterns and a black background with white pattern. Although the linings worn by the soldiers are still blue, their foreheads and waists have different patterns. Wrapped in black cloth, the samurai walked among them wearing black haori.

Black is the color of funerals in Japanese culture. Logically speaking, one should not wear such a color on such a festive day as a battle, but during this period Hideie spent a high price to collect it from his subjects and give it to his soldiers. They all show up in this color.

It would be fine if there were only one or two, but now the entire army is dressed in this way, publicizing that this is a "sad soldier" everywhere.

The soldiers would definitely not be willing to go into battle wearing these clothes, especially the superstitious soldiers who were afraid that it would bring bad luck.Therefore, each soldier of the Xiu family was rewarded with 1 tael of red gold (copper ingot) before going out to battle, and invited eminent monks and priests from various temples in the Kanto region to write spells to pray for them.

When the Hide family raised troops in Fukushima, it was under the guise of revenge for Hideji and Fengtian's appeasement. Even after the decisive battle, they had to show some actual performance, right?

With the sound of drums in the various army formations, troops on both sides of Gangshan continued to move out.

Such a big movement naturally attracted the attention of the opponent on the battlefield.

On Nangong Mountain in the southwest of Okayama, generals such as Yoshikawa Hiroie and Anguoji Huiqiong stopped to look at the tens of thousands of troops at the foot of the mountain, and they all showed surprised expressions.

"It's fake. With such uniform movements, is this really an army formed by humans?" Mouri Terumoto's Jindai Yoshikawa Hiroie looked at the soldiers of the Eastern Army at the foot of the mountain and said.

People's emotions are contagious, especially in the current environment. Seeing the expressions of the mighty Eastern Army on the sidelines of their own family, coupled with the rumbling movement at the foot of the mountain, the soldiers of the Maori family couldn't help but Standing up from the resting ground, he also wanted to join this melon-eating game.

Because the excessive noise frightened the birds in the forest of Nangong Mountain, it caused Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was far away on the other side of the Tenman Mountain Main Formation, to panic: "What's going on over there? Why are there flying birds on Nangong Mountain? Could it be that Youfu attacked Nangong Mountain first?" ?"

Tokugawa Ieyasu immediately sent people across Sekigahara to seek confirmation from the Maori army on Nangong Mountain. It was only then that Yoshikawa Hiroyuki and others realized that the movement on the mountain was a bit loud.

But to the envoys who came to inquire, they would not admit that the problem was theirs, but said that it was the Eastern Army at the foot of the mountain that scared the birds.

When the envoy left, he happened to see the merger of Kobayakawa's army and the Eastern Army's army at the foot of the mountain. He did not know that Tokugawa Ieyasu had conspired with Kobayakawa Hideaki, so he was immediately frightened and rushed back to the Tenmanzan main camp to report to Tokugawa Ieyasu. Report.

"My lord! Kobayakawa's attendant has abandoned his family and has joined forces with the Youfu army!" Before he even arrived, the panic-stricken announcement had already resounded throughout the entire formation.

Such a big event naturally caused a commotion in the main camp. After all, Kobayakawa Hideaki was specially taken from the main camp by Tokugawa Ieyasu and placed behind Ogaki Castle. Did several Kyushu daimyo over there also betray the Western Army?

At this point, Tokugawa Ieyasu could no longer hide his plan, so he finally told the truth about how he talked to Kobayakawa Hideaki and how he asked him to lure Hideie into a trap. This finally temporarily appeased the daimyo present.

At the same time, on the other side, Hideaki Kobayakawa, who had just turned 22, was leading his 5500 people anxiously toward Sekigahara, but half of the team stopped on the way.

He rode on the horse and asked the reason ahead. Soon several samurai came to him on horseback. Behind them was an Ashikaga two-ryo flag.

"Uncle." The Ashikaga family came to Kobayakawa Hideaki's side and bowed to him. "Uncle, you are well. I am the son of Toyotomi's right minister. I received 10 stones from Sagami and was named the Matsuhachiro family. At that time, I inherited the name of the Ashikaga family. I once went to Luo and met my uncle once in Osaka."

The Ashikaga family is only 14 years old this year, and he was only an 8-year-old boy the last time he was ennobled. How could Kobayakawa Hideaki remember that?

But now that he was in front of him, Hugh said that he was the real son of the Xiu family, and the Ashikaga flag behind him was enough for him to treat him with courtesy.

"It turns out to be Shohachiro. I haven't seen you for many years and I didn't expect you to be so old. Is this your first battle?" Kobayakawa Hideaki's first battle was on the Korean battlefield. He was about the same age as the current Ashikaga family, so when he saw the young There will be some familiar feelings when visiting the Ashikaga family.

Facing Hideaki Kobayakawa's inquiry, the Ashikaga family said proudly: "Since Suruga, the family has always been the pioneer. I broke the Tokugawa family's Suenen Sansango furniture."

The Ashikaga family is proud of itself. In the middle and late Warring States Period, the age at which samurai entered the battlefield was gradually postponed. For someone like him who entered the battlefield at his age and achieved such excellent results and performance, he was considered unique.

"Of course, I still have a lot to learn from my uncle. My father ordered our army to join forces with my uncle's army, and the rest will depend on my uncle."

The Ashikaga family knows very well that the uncle in front of them is not an ally, but he can still hide his emotions and his hypocrisy, instead of overly exposing his emotions like before. This proves that the time spent with Hideie is very important to him. His education was fruitful.

"Matsuhachiro has achieved this at such a young age, which is beyond my reach. On the battlefield today, we still need to rely on the Ashikaga family."

After Hideaki Kobayakawa said this, he was silent for a few seconds before continuing, "It's just that swords have no eyes on the battlefield. Matsuhachiro might as well stay with me. You are my nephew after all, and I will definitely protect you."

The reason why Kobayakawa Hideaki paused was because he still had some conscience.In his opinion, the Xiu family will definitely be defeated and perished after this battle. In addition to himself, his legitimate sons may also be implicated.

Recalling the care the Xiu family had taken for her in the past, Xiu Qiu felt compassion and wanted to leave a bloodline for the Xiu family.In this way, a son with the blood of the Hide family and the Ashikaga family is very suitable. He will soon become Guan Bai after the war, and he will protect the safety of his nephew even if he risks his life.

Hideaki Kobayakawa himself thought so, but in the ears of the Ashikaga family, Hideaki Kobayakawa wanted to control himself and threaten his father.

But the Ashikaga family did not panic. After thinking for a moment, they said with a smile on their faces, "Okay, I am lucky to be able to study next to my uncle. It's just that my uncle and father haven't seen each other for many years. Now that my father is over there, shouldn't my uncle go?" Shall I meet my father?"

As the Ashikaga family spoke, they pointed to Okayama behind them. The flag with the gentian and ginseng pattern floating on the top of the mountain was clearly visible.

To be honest, Kobayakawa Hideaki, who was carrying something on his mind, was a little afraid of this flag. He didn't know how to face his brother.

But looking at the eager eyes of the Ashikaga family in front of him and the vague figure at the foot of Okayama behind him, Kobayakawa Hideaki hesitated again.

At this moment, Nagasaki Motoie, a veteran who had been staying beside Kobayakawa Hideaki, whispered in his ear, "My lord, you should agree. You have indeed not seen you for many years. If you don't go at this critical moment, you may cause trouble." The right government was suspicious, but it ruined the big thing.

I know what your lord is worried about, and I am willing to go with him and bring some banner warriors with him. If the right government really captures your lord, we will fight to the death to rescue him. "After receiving the veteran's promise, Kobayakawa Hideaki calmed down slightly and said to the Ashikaga family, "I haven't seen my brother for some time, so I'd like to ask Matsuhachiro to lead the way. "

Kobayakawa Hideaki handed over the general formation to Matsuno Shigemoto, the elder of the family, and he went up to Okayama with the Ashikaga family to meet the Hide family.

Passing through the hills guarded by layers of banners, his own banner was blocked outside the formation, and he was only allowed to enter with the Ashikaga family alone.

At this moment, Kobayakawa Hideaki felt a little uneasy, but looking at the serious Toyoharu family warriors on the left and right, he still didn't have the idea of ​​taking action.

As the curtain of the shogunate was lifted, Hideaki Kobayakawa entered the main formation with the Ashikaga family, and the middle-aged samurai standing on the edge overlooking the foot of the mountain directly caught his eye.

"Father, Uncle Kobayakawa is here." The Ashikaga family reported the figure from behind.

The figure did not turn around, but said lightly, "I understand, you go down first. The military forces of Tachibana and Nabeshima have also come out. Go and contact those two daimyo."

"Tachibana?" "Nabeshima?"

These two names echoed in Hideka Kobayakawa's mind. At this moment, he may have fallen into a cognitive trap. He naturally thought that these two families were also the names secretly sent by Tokugawa Ieyasu to pretend to surrender to the Hide family.

In Hideaki's view, they and the Kobayakawa family have one thing in common, they are both the last military forces left in Ogaki Castle.

After receiving the order from the Hide family, the Ashikaga family turned around and left without talking nonsense. Before leaving, they glanced at Hideaki Kobayakawa, and the eyes were full of sarcasm.

After the Ashikaga family left, Hideie turned around, with a warm smile on his face and said to Hideaki Kobayakawa, "There are some things that are not convenient for me to say when I'm here. Tatsunosuke, come to me."

Hideie waved to Hideaki Kobayakawa as if coaxing a child. Hideaki walked towards Hideaki dully and stood side by side with him. Both of them looked at the foot of the mountain, where the troops were being led by the captains of each division. Next, move towards the established goal.

Kobayakawa Hideaki came to Hideya. Hideie pointed to the military forces at the foot of the mountain and said: "Look, these military forces at the foot of the mountain are my capital to dominate the world. With these powerful troops in hand, the Tokugawa government is just a moth. It’s just fire.”

"En..." Hideaki Kobayakawa didn't know what to say to Xiujia, so he could only reply perfunctorily to Xiujia's question.

Seeing that Xiuqiu seemed to be deliberately avoiding her own questions, Xiujia's questions to Xiuqiu became more serious.

"Tatsunosuke, I remember I told you before that no matter what kind of problem you encounter, you can tell me, and as an elder brother, I will definitely help you solve it?"

"What my brother said to me in the past, I will never forget as a younger brother."

"Okay, if I give you another chance today. Let me ask you, is there anything you want to say to me?"

"." Kobayakawa Hideaki fell silent, deliberately avoiding Hideka's eyes.

Hideka Hideaki Kobayakawa Hideaki has not yet responded, and plans to make a last-ditch effort to move out of the Hokkaido Government Office and try to persuade him: "Tatsunosuke, your aunt and my mother, Your Highness the North Government Office, was persecuted by Yodohime and had to leave Kyoto. Now, He is currently evacuating at the Etchu-Asano Senate Office."

But Xiuqiu replied to the Xiu family like this: "Yes, so I finally came to my senses and planned to stabilize the world of the Toyotomi family together with my brother."

Xiujia looked straight at Xiuqiu. This was not the answer he wanted to get. He was still waiting for Xiuqiu to be honest with him, but it was obvious that Xiuqiu was still dreaming about his dream of "Guan Bai".

"You'd better think so." Since Xiuqiu didn't seize the last chance, Xiujia simply stopped trying to persuade him.

He summoned the attendants to place two seats at this location in Okayama, one of which he sat down on, and the other motioned for Kobayakawa Hideaki to sit down.

Kobayakawa Hideaki originally thought that he could leave just by fooling Xiu's family casually, because he still had a task to complete.But the Xiu family obviously didn't intend to let him go, and even wanted to keep him by their side.

"Izu Mamoru (Nagasaki Motoya), you have hurt me." Since he couldn't do without, Kobayakawa Hideaki could only passively sit beside Hideya, but he was praying in his heart that Nagasaki Motoya would come out to save himself as he said .

"Hey~ you know, attendant. There is a rebel army on the opposite Nangong Mountain, and it is preparing to ambush me after my main force passes by." At this moment, Xiujia pointed to Nangong Mountain and said abruptly.

But unknowingly, the name Kobayakawa Hideaki was changed from the affectionate "Tatsunosuke" to the official title of "Attendant".

"Well, yes." Kobayakawa Hideaki originally wanted to reply Hideie perfunctorily, but the words stuck in his throat. His eyes were as wide as copper bells and he looked at Hideie in surprise, "Brother, what did you just say?"

However, the one who answered Hideaki Kobayakawa was still Hideie with a smile on his face: "It's nothing, I'll give you a good show."

After finishing speaking, the Xiu family stood up from the Mazha, waved the military equipment in their hands towards Nangong Mountain, and said to the left and right, "Beat the drums and trumpets, let Fu Shishilang and the others attack the mountain!"

As Hideie's order was issued, a flag with the Maruno Ken katagaku pattern began to wave in the main formation, and at the same time the conch horn and drums sounded in the main formation.This is to tell the Toyotomi Shigeie and Ukita Kankee to start attacking Nangong Mountain.

With the roar of thousands of soldiers at the foot of the mountain, a pair of troops deviated from the path of slowly marching westward, and formed an array facing Nangong Mountain. Finally, Ukita Kanka's troops took the lead to start attacking Nangong Mountain.

Hiroyuki Yoshikawa on the mountain was obviously caught off guard by the sudden change in front of him. He naturally didn't know that Hideie had known that he was on the mountain for a long time. He just thought that the frightened bird just now made Hideie suspect that there was an ambush on the mountain.

So he said to a samurai who was about the same age as him beside him, "The Youfu came in a hurry this time and must be ill-prepared. Why not let my uncle lead the Izumo Legion to fight first?"

The person who talked to Yoshikawa Hiroyuki was called Ninomiya Iotatsu. He was the illegitimate son of Motonari Mori. He was the remaining son after Motonari Mori slept with Haruhisa Ninomiya's wife and made him a cuckold.

His identity is an open secret within the Maori family. When Haruhisa Ninomiya was still alive, the Maori family had some scruples (not about him, but about their own face). Now his brother, Takamoto Moori, of the same generation is dead. , his uncle naturally became the object of attention in the Maori family.

At this time, Yoshikawa Hiroie can even openly call Ninomiya Jitatsu his uncle in public, and he leads the Izumo Corps of the Mori family.

(End of this chapter)