Great name!

Chapter 274: Pull Tsuda Nobutora into the water!
It was just after midnight, the sky was dark and the road was unclear. They, a group of defeated soldiers, did not dare to light torches and escape. Fortunately, there was still a waning moon in the sky, otherwise, countless people would have been lost in the forest on the northern foot of Wakayama.

Now, Shimomura Nakataka, Shimomura Lai Lian and others no longer live up to the appearance of the great Buddhist monks they once were. Their outer robes have been torn to tatters by the scrapes of tree branches, and the turbans that wrapped their heads have long been thrown away, leaving their bare heads covered with bloodstains.

Shimomama Nakataka panted and said to Shimomama Rairen beside him: "Master Fayan, you take a team and go ahead and quickly go to the seaside to find the Mori family army to rescue us."

Xiajian Lai Lian thought the same thing, so he immediately took a few hundred monk soldiers and headed west.

He parted ways with Shimomura Nakataka and hurried on his way. When he was about to walk out of the northern slope, the next second, two torches were lit on both sides of the path, arrows and cannons were fired, and dozens of monk soldiers screamed and fell down.

Lai Lian in the lower room was also frightened and shouted quickly: "Hurry up and leave! Don't fight any longer!"

The monks running behind found it difficult to pursue the Oda army, so they could only stop to block the enemy from behind. However, they had already thrown away their armor in order to escape, and would be completely suppressed by the Oda army.

Only two reserve troops of the Oda army were responsible for blocking the enemy, while another 3,000 people set up an ambush on the main road on the other side.

The person in charge of this small group was Tsutsui Shunkei. He quickly shouted, "Leave some people behind, and the rest will chase after them!"

On the other side, Niwa Nagahide, who was ambushing on the main road, heard the noise and immediately ordered a part to go for support.

It was a pity that Shimomura Rairen and his group of monks were determined to escape, and Tsutsui Junkei was unable to catch up with them. The Mori army who were resting on the shore heard the noise and immediately arranged for a large army to support them.

When Tsutsui Junkei chased to the vicinity, he realized that the situation was hopeless, so he only left a few people to monitor the situation, and the rest of the troops immediately retreated to meet up with Niwa Nagahide.

Shimomama Rairen escaped death by a hair's breadth and finally met the Mori clan's general Kodama Norihide alive.

When Kodama Norihide saw Shimomura Lai Lian throwing away his armor and running for his life, he was horrified. He asked hurriedly, "Master Fayan, how come you look like this in just one day?"

Shimomura Lai Lian sighed and couldn't help cursing, "Oh, stop talking, we have fallen into the trap of the Oda family!
Tonight we were resting in the forest east of the northern foothills of Wakayama. At midnight we were attacked by the Oda army from the south. Originally, my nephew Xingcheng had stabilized his position and was ready to counterattack, but another Oda army appeared from the direction of Izumi in the north.

We were attacked from both sides, and the general of the rear army was killed, so we were defeated and fled. As a result, there was an ambush by the Oda army on the small road to the west, and I almost died. "

After hearing this, Kodama Jisei was greatly shocked. Only the former lord Yuan Jiseong could perform such superb deployment of troops.

Shimomama Lai Lian continued to sigh: "Alas, the previous battle with Izumi went smoothly. This is clearly a trick of the Oda family! The devil of the Oda family is so cunning!"

Kodama Norihide frowned and said, “I guess the Oda family’s withdrawal of the Oda army from the front line is part of their plan. They are trying to attract the Honganji army to attack.

The news from the Kii Zaga clan is probably half true and half false, trying to lure Master Hougan and you to send troops. Alas."

Shimomura Rairen clenched his fist and said angrily, "Alas! Now that things have come to this, Master Kodama, please lead the troops to rescue Junior Brother Xingcheng and the others as soon as possible. I will definitely report this to the Master and remember the Mori family for doing me a great favor."

Jingshen Jingshen complained: "There are so many Oda troops ahead. It's so dark and dangerous."

Kodama Norihide immediately rebuked, "Master Iguchi, don't talk nonsense. If the Honganji army is completely annihilated by the Oda army, the situation of Honganji will be even worse. How can we sit idly by and watch our allies being severely damaged by the Oda army?
There is no need to say more, everyone, quickly gather your troops and follow me to rescue the allied forces, do not delay, go now!"

Iguchi and others were helpless and could only gather seven or eight thousand Mori family navy to go to the rescue.

At this time, Tsutsui Junkei and Niwa Nagahide joined forces and set up a formation to block the Mori army coming from the front.

After the arrival of the Mori army, Kodama Norihide immediately ordered his subordinates to launch an attack, and the two armies soon engaged in a fierce battle.

Shimomiya Nakataka, who was running away, heard the faint shouting and killing coming from the front, and was frightened like a frightened bird. He quickly pushed away the monks who were holding him and shouted, "Go and see what's going on!"

After a while, a monk came running over and said, "The Mori army and the Oda army are fighting!"

Shimomiya Nakataka was overjoyed, he laughed crazily and shouted, "Hahaha, God is here to save me, may Buddha bless me!
Quick, hurry up, let's kill it!"

"Come on!"

"Kill out!"

At this moment, this group of defeated soldiers were suddenly energized and quickly rushed to the rear of the Oda army and launched an attack.

Niwa Nagahide and his thousand men resisted for a while, but had to make way to allow the remnants of the defeated army to escape.

But he only let go of the first thousand people, and then led his army to attack the remaining remnants. This group of rebels did not resist at all, but just ran forward with their heads down, chanting "Amitabha" in their mouths, and fell down only when they reached the shore in one breath.

As for what happened to the Ikki group running behind, no one knows.

The spies behind ran back to report that tens of thousands of Oda troops were approaching. Kodama Norihide could only wait for the last batch of Ikki to board the ship before ordering the ship to set sail and return to Osaka Bay.

Oda Nobutada had already joined up with Tsuda Nobutora and others, chasing the enemy northward. When they reached the coast, they could only see the Mori navy that had already gone far away.

Oda Nobutada said with some regret: "If our Oda navy had defeated the Mori navy here, the Honganji uprising would have been completely wiped out. What a pity, what a pity."

Tsuda Shintora was a little tired, and said lazily: "Master, don't worry. This time, Honganji lost a lot of elite soldiers and generals. It will be easier to fight next time."

Hearing this, Oda Nobutada grinned and said, "This time it's all thanks to my father-in-law's brilliant plan. This great victory will surely deter the scoundrels like the Saiga clan and the Negoro clan."

Nobutora stroked his beard and smiled, "There aren't many capable generals in Honganji, so a little trick of mine will be enough to deal with these people.

Now that the enemy has withdrawn, our army can go back to clean up the battlefield and have a good rest."

"Well, I'll follow what my father-in-law said."

Oda Nobutada led his army back to Wakayama to clean up the battlefield and then set up camp.

News of the Battle of Wakayama spread after dawn.

The first person to know about it was Nobumori Sakuma of Nakano Castle. He was at a loss, then went berserk and hacked the room to pieces with a knife.

"Damn it, damn this thief!"

"How hateful! It makes me so angry!"

"Nobunaga, what do you think I am?"

Sakuma Nobumori was completely disheartened. Tired of chopping wood, he immediately stood up and called for beautiful women to accompany him for drinks, no longer caring about what was happening inside and outside Nakano Castle. Sakuma Nobuyoshi had no choice but to step in to maintain the operation of Nakano Castle.

Five hours after the Battle of Wakayama, Nobunaga in Kyoto received a quick report of victory. He slapped his thigh excitedly and said, "Well done, you bald asses from Honganji. Let's see how you die this time!"

On the other side, the remnants of the Honganji army that was in the Mori clan's navy also returned to Honganji. Originally, they had an army of more than 20,000 when they set out, but in the end, less than 3,000 people escaped back.

Xian Ru was stunned when he heard the news. His defenses were immediately broken and his facial features became ferocious and wrinkled. At this moment, he was no longer a kind-hearted monk, but more like a ghost that had fallen into hell!
"What on earth is going on? That's an army of more than 20,000 people, and they were defeated just a few days after they set out. Tell me, how could they be defeated? That's an army of more than 20,000 people!"

Faced with Xianru's thundering wrath, the monk who delivered the message prostrated himself on the ground, not daring to speak a word.

"Where's Shimomana Nakataka? Call him over here, call him over here quickly!"

Afterwards, Shimomura Nakataka was carried to the front of Xianni, who ignored Shimomura Rairen's weakness and grabbed his collar and asked, "Xingcheng, is this how you report to me? You defeated more than 20,000 troops and destroyed Honganji!"

Shimomama Nakataka burst into tears and said, "Master, I am so sorry. I never thought that the Oda family was so cunning. I am incompetent!"

Xianru angrily pushed Xiajian Zhongxiao away and shouted, "What's the point of crying? Will you cry Oda Nobunaga to death? What should we do now? What do you think we should do?"

Shimomama Nakataka had been thinking of a solution all the way back, and he quickly said, "Master, we can ask the Mori family for help. They will definitely not watch the Oda family capture Honganji.

Besides, we can organize believers now and defend Honganji Temple to the death. No matter what tricks the Oda family uses, we will not go out."

Xianru heard this and snorted coldly, "I will trust you one last time."

The defeat of Honganji was beyond everyone's expectations. Maori Terumoto, Kobayakawa Takakage and others were shocked when they received the news. Maori Terumoto hurriedly asked: "Honganji suffered heavy losses. What should we do?"

Kobayakawa Takakage analyzed: "It was because of the Honganji that the Oda clan was held back that the Oda army did not invade Harima and other places. We cannot sit idly by and watch the Honganji fall."

Ankokuji Huiqiong said quickly: "Our army still needs to attack Bizen and other places, and we can't spare troops to support. The best way now is to instigate the pro-Oda forces in the capital to start a fire in the Oda family's backyard."

Mao Li Terumoto thought this was a good idea, so he asked, "Starting a fire in the backyard is a good idea, but how to do it?"

Ankokuji Huiqiong smiled and said, "I already have a goal. At the beginning of the year, Oda Nobunaga asked Tsutsui Junkei to be the guardian of Yamato, but Matsunaga Hisahide has always wanted the position of Yamato guardian.

Tsutsui Junkei and Matsunaga Hisahide were enemies, so Oda Nobunaga's actions must have angered Matsunaga Hisahide. Matsunaga Hisahide had no loyalty to the Oda family, so it was not difficult to persuade him to rebel.

Moreover, Matsunaga Hisahide’s granddaughter is Tsuda Nobutora’s concubine. If Matsunaga Hisahide rebels, Tsuda Nobutora will also be affected.”

Kobayakawa Takakage clapped his hands and said, "Great, this is a great way to kill two birds with one stone, fantastic!"

Mao Li Terumoto breathed a sigh of relief and said with a smile: "Since uncle thinks it's okay, let's do it."

Ankokuji Keike immediately set out, disguised himself and rushed to Yamato to meet with Matsunaga Hisahide in secret.

Not long after Hidetsune Matsunaga returned from Kyoto, the main force of the Oda clan disbanded after returning to Kyoto from the Battle of Wakayama. They rested for a few months and waited until September to gather and march out.

As soon as Matsunaga Hisahide returned to Shigiyama Castle, he heard from his subordinates that Ankokuji Keikyou had been waiting for several days.

This made Matsunaga Hisahide a little surprised. Why did the Mori family come to see him?
Matsunaga Nagamichi was standing nearby. He said excitedly, "Father, this is good news. The Mori family must have been trying to instigate us. We can discuss the terms."

Matsunaga Hisahide narrowed his eyes and smiled, "You're right, it wouldn't hurt to meet him."

Afterwards, Matsunaga Hisahide met with Ankokuji Keikei in a secret room.

Ankokuji Keikyo bowed to him and said, "Is it not easy for you, Lord Tanjo, to live in the Oda family?"

Matsunaga Hisahide smiled indifferently and said, "Don't worry about that, Master. I am also a local lord now, and my life is easy."

"hehe…"

Ankokuji Huiqiong chuckled and said, "Danzheng-sama, why bother to deceive me? The Yamato Shugoro you wanted was awarded to Tsutsui Junkei by Oda Nobuyuki."

"Master, if you already know, why beat around the bush?"

Matsunaga Hisahide still looked unconcerned.

Anguo Temple Huiqiong knew that beating around the bush with such an old fox would not get him to the point, so he had no choice but to say, "In that case, let's get straight to the point.

This time, I am here to represent the Mori family. How about forming an alliance with Lord Dansho to fight against the Oda family together?"

"What good will this do me?"

Matsunaga Hisahide smiled slyly.

Ankokuji Huiqiong answered directly: "There are many benefits, the most important of which is that you, Lord Tanjo, will no longer be bullied by Oda Nobunaga."

"Besides, the Shogun is still my Mori family. As long as Dansho-sama is willing to form an alliance with the Mori family, the head of the family will plead for the Matsunaga family and ask the Shogun to forgive you and let you be the guardian of Yamato."

"How is it? Our Maori family is very sincere, right?"

Matsunaga Hisahide nodded and said, "I will think about it and give you an answer when the time comes."

Ankokuji Keikyo was not in a hurry to convince Matsunaga Hisahide. He felt that there was still room for discussion, that is, there was a chance, and he could wait.

After Ankokuji Keikyou left, Matsunaga Nagamichi came in from the small room next to him. He said quickly, "Father, the conditions offered by the Mori family are not bad. Let's rebel!"

Matsunaga Hisahide sighed and said, “It’s easy for you to say that, but if we rebel, the Oda army will attack us, and the pressure on Honganji will be reduced.

Besides, what about Tsuda Shintora? He is too powerful. I am worried that the rebellion will fail and the entire Matsunaga family will be implicated."

When Matsunaga Hisahide thought of his son-in-law, he instantly became angry. His daughter married him and gave birth to children for him, but this guy got nothing for free and never helped the Matsunaga family at all.

He hated Tsuda Shinto very much and gritted his teeth and said, "I will never let this bastard Tsuda Shinto have an easy life. When we rebel, we can spread rumors and drag this bastard into the water. Hahahaha!"

(End of this chapter)