Pillars of the Wu family

Just after noon on May 11, [-], the Miyoshi Army launched a general attack on the Nijo Imperial Palace with [-] troops. With the support of [-] iron cannons, this well-equipped army made a very bold move. Simultaneously attacking from four directions, the impatient Miyoshi Masayasu was obviously unwilling to wait slowly.

The only more than 160 warriors in the Nijo Imperial Palace panicked. They didn't expect that they were still negotiating the withdrawal of the troops on the front foot, and the three good families turned their faces and ruthlessly hit the door on the back foot. Unable to keep his head up, he could only watch helplessly as the Sifang City Gate was violently smashed open by the battering ram, and the shogunate government retreated steadily after being beaten.

Liu Shengzong Yan saw the situation was not good and shouted: "Oops! The gate to the north was knocked open! I will go to the rescue first! Hold on!"

The swordsmen who are not under the jurisdiction of the shogunate drew their swords and hurried to the north gate. A dozen young disciples of Kamizumi Hidetsuna rushed to the gate of Otune holding their swords and slashing left and right. The ashigaru troops of the Miyoshi Army broke up, and easily dispelled the threat of attack in front of the Otome Gate. The civilians carrying battering rams scattered and fled when they saw the situation was bad. The attack at the North Gate came to a standstill because of this sudden attack.

The ashigaru team of the Miyoshi Army has rich combat experience, and did not disrupt their own formation because of a surprise attack. After being repulsed, they finally realized that the opponents they encountered were different from the previous samurai. The nimble and precise steps of the swordsmanship in close combat made these battle-tested ashigaru a little at a loss. Jianhao was vulnerable in front of him.

The brave Yanagyu Zongyan didn't even have time to put on his big armor, and rushed to the front of the battle relying on his superb swordsmanship and extraordinary courage.With both hands holding the Taidao high, every slash can take a life.Relying on the superb skills of practicing Ichidou-ryu and Xinyin-ryu for many years.Assault all the way like a pig rushing forward, blood spurts and heads are separated wherever it passes.

Under his leadership, more than a dozen unarmored swordsmen performed at a super level, and the ashigaru team of the Miyoshi Army, who cut horizontally and slashed vertically, had no courage to resist at all, so there were more than a dozen samurai in long robes and sleeves on the battlefield. , Chasing and slashing at hundreds of fully armored ashigaru team, shocked by the bravery and toughness of the samurai of the shogunate, made the miyoshi soldiers on the field suddenly a little bit at a loss.

The shogunate who came out after him were overjoyed by the public when they saw this, they imitated the example and rushed to the front gate to hack. There were only thirty men in front of the Dashou gate in the north.Relying on the blood and the blood of the three good troops to block the offensive momentum of the thousands of Miyoshi troops in front of them, the morale of the Miyoshi troops was taken away.

The ashigaru generals commanding the front of the Miyoshi army saw that the situation was not good, drew out their spears and swords and rushed into the formation shouting "Get out of the way". A samurai was obviously a leader among several generals, holding a dagger in his hand and staring at Yagyu Muneyan.

"The enemy generals report their names quickly, and I, the governor of Miyoshi City, will not kill unknown people!"

Liu Shengzongyan laughed loudly when he heard the words, pointed at the halberd with one hand and cursed: "Listen up, the villains of the Sanhao family, the one who asks for you is Hezhou Liushengzong Yan!"

After all, he swung his knife and rushed towards him, and Miyoshi Ichinojo's courage faded away with a frightened by his ferocious posture.The strength of ten stops was instantly removed by four or five stops, and it happened that he raised his foot and touched a stone.He exerted uneven force all over his body and almost fell down, but he managed to stabilize his figure only to see a beautiful arc drawn by the sharp sword.

Miyoshi Ichinojo said subconsciously: "What a powerful crosscut..."

The head of the foot light general of the Miyoshi Army escaped instantly, leaving behind the headless corpse like a broken water pipe, spraying bright red blood frantically around, half of Yagyu's tight sleeve was covering the splash of dirty blood. In addition, the left hem of the clothes and the boots were also splattered with blood. The blood stains on half of the body are completely opposite to the clean and tidy dress on the other half, giving people a very contrasting look. horror.

Holding the head of the general in his left hand, and holding a knife in his right, he stood in front of the gate of Otome. Yanagyu Zong was as strict as an invincible general exuding invincible courage. The morale of the Miyoshi Army dropped by another level, and he was hesitating how to respond. To: "The enemy general, Miyoshi Ichijo, was taken by me and the state samurai Yanagyu Zongyan!"

Relying on the excellent performance of the swordsmen, the morale of the ashigaru team in front of the Miyoshi Army gradually dropped, and they could not organize a decent offensive at all. Isshiki Awaji led more than ten cavalry warriors, shouted loudly and rode their horses into the chaotic formation of the Miyoshi Army, waving their long spears and charging back and forth, causing the Miyoshi Army to retreat steadily and turned into a scurry. The sharp drop, the crowd cheered and celebrated the great victory with fewer victories and more.

Although they fought hard, local advantages cannot change the overall disadvantage. While the battle at the North Gate was in full swing, people from the East Gate, West Gate, and South Gate issued warnings. Kane and Okuyama Yukasai each led a dozen fellow disciples to the rescue, while Umizuna Hidezuna took several younger disciples, as well as the relatively young Hayashizaki Jinsuke and Komagawa Kuniyoshi to stay outside the gate of the Changyu Palace as a The last reserve.

"May the gods and Buddhas bless the shogunate, and bless His Majesty the General to overcome the difficulties..." Hayashizaki Jinsuke prayed in a low voice. He has been chanting softly since dawn until now, and his seemingly powerless actions just reflect the samurai in the palace Feeling anxious and helpless, probably only gods and Buddhas can get rid of them at this time.

Several trusted and important ministers in the imperial palace were in a hurry, and news of the deteriorating situation repeatedly tore their fragile nerves. The four gates of the Erjo Imperial Palace were all captured in less than half an hour. It was only an hour since the start of the war. More than 15 samurai died, and nearly one-tenth of the battle damage was due to the successful raid by the swordsmen. If it weren't for the outstanding performance of Hidezuna Kamizumi's apprentices, no one would be able to sit still at this moment speak.

Ueno Nobutada said: "It won't last long! If we persist for an hour or two at most, several lines of defense in the imperial palace will collapse! Fenggong's troops are too few."

The fanciful shogunate Fenggong never thought that the war would come so quickly, and the lack of preparation let alone the strength of morale.All relying on the tone in my heart to support the attack of the Miyoshi Army.The devil knows if he can hold on for another two hours.Even the most sanguine samurai could not make a more sanguine judgment.

Niki Yoshimasa asked nervously: "Will Sakamoto suddenly send out [-] troops to rescue? If I remember correctly, Sakamoto should have [-] troops sitting in the town. If he leads an army to help, he will definitely be able to drive away Miyoshi. The actions of the traitors!"

Isshiki Fujicho carefully looked at the expressionless Ashikaga Yoshiki, and said: "It shouldn't be possible. The Sakamoto army still needs to resist the military pressure of the Asakura and Asai clans in the north. It should have been able to send [-] troops to help. , but Nakao Castle, Shogunyama Castle, and Fushimi Mountain Castle fell into the hands of the Miyoshi family, and the only way for the Sakamoto Army to enter Luo was the very dangerous waterway all-source delivery.

The problem has to go around to the monitoring point of Fushimi Mountain Castle.It is easy to find that a large number of fleets enter the Yodo River from the Uji River, and it is found that Sakamoto Kong will also launch a surprise attack from the rear. I am afraid that it is difficult to expect the army to rescue the Nijo Imperial Palace in Kyoto, and considering that Nakajo Dewa Mamoru has personally experienced the Luozhong Cooperation Zhan, I am very disgusted with our stingy attitude back then, and most likely there will be no hope! "

The vassals turned pale and lowered their heads. It was they who refused to reward the hardworking and hard-working Nakajo Tokihide and Rokkaku Yoshiken for their own selfishness. They actively raised the reason. Money is not so much to reward them.Just a few words, a few thousand Wen Yongle money and small favors such as promotion to official positions, they were sent away.

But I don't want to offend these two big trees severely for this moment of saving. Without the big trees, there will be no chance to enjoy the shade.Since then, the life of the shogunate has become worse and worse, and even the tribute sent by Ashikaga Yoshitoki from the Kanto has stopped increasing. As time goes by, the gap between the two sides has deepened and gradually parted ways. The two families did not have a single soldier sent as reinforcements.

Knowing that he has done something wrong but still unwilling to bow his head and admit it, and still die hard until the end, this is the last dignity and privilege of the proud vassals, and the master of this group of vassals, the swordsman general Ashikaga Yoshiki, is not like this, All his life, he loves Gan Gang and is arbitrarily assertive. He is eager for quick success and instant benefit, treats others with ruthlessness and ungratefulness.

Niki Yoshimasa continued to ask without giving up: "Then what about the army in Cizhao Temple! They must be able to come to the rescue!"

Settsu Haruto said with a bitter face: "It is said that there is no big problem, but there are too many problems. It is not yet known who will be the general of the three thousand troops. How much can there be if the foreign enemy is strong and the internal discord is strong? I don’t know yet, there are three thousand defenders from Sanhao’s family in the Xiangguo Temple, and it may not be so easy to charge all the way.”

The members of the shogunate are discussing the countermeasures one by one, just like the usual discussions, there is no result. In the end, this is not the case, that is not the case, and it is completely feasible to sit and wait for death. There is such a family governor as there are such retainers The regiment lacks a backbone, lack of people, incompetence and lack of resourcefulness are their faults. Those who are more capable in the shogunate are basically poached by the Ashikaga family in Kanto to serve in Sakamoto. similar faults.

Ashikaga Yoshiki sees through all of this and is tired of seeing all of it. He always sits on the main seat and wipes the swords. There are nearly a hundred swords neatly placed beside him, including Doji Kiri Yasuna, Onimaru Kunizuna, and Mikami Tsukimune. There are also such famous swords in the world.

"We can't drag it on any longer! It will be dangerous if we drag it on any longer!" Mibuchi Fujihide was so anxious that he said anxiously, "It's better for His Royal Highness to agree to their request and withdraw from the Nijo Imperial Palace in exchange for the vitality of the shogunate." How about a disgraceful retreat? In the past, there was also the lesson of Erin Inden (Ashikaga Yoshitsuki), even if you retreat temporarily, you can recover.”

All the shogunate ministers were looking forward to the critical moment with hope, and the shogunate government was willing to take the initiative to give in and escape the catastrophe, but they didn't want Ashikaga Yoshiki to say indifferently: "Things are now surrounded by strong forces and there is no way out, but you are still fantasizing about it." It's amazing that Yu bowed his head and conceded defeat, but was able to evade Sakamoto decently!"

The shogunate retainers lowered their heads in embarrassment, knowing that this proposal is stupid, but still unwilling to give up a little luck, Mibuchi Fujihide said eagerly: "Why don't you know if you don't try?"

Ashikaga Yoshiki stared at Mibuchi Fujihide indifferently, as if he was looking at a stranger he had never known, staring at him trembling all over and not daring to look at each other.Only then did I hear him say: "This sentence always has a sense of familiarity. This is probably the sentence I have heard the most in the past few months! If you don't try it, you will know it won't work, so Yu Ting believes your advice. Leaving Kyoto and insisting on staying in Kyoto to wait and see the changes in the situation, it turns out that Miyoshi's family has a rebellious heart.

A few days ago, the Miyoshi Army entered Koizumi City, and it was you who said that the death of the Ashikaga family would cause the Miyoshi family to fall into chaos. The crisis in Kyoto may have turned around, and the facts have proved that the Miyoshi family will not give up. Today, the Miyoshi family’s army is besieging the city. It is you who said again Send someone to negotiate or retreat.Facts have proved that Miyoshi's family has no intention of retreating at all. In the end, Yu will bow his head in front of Miyoshi's family and beg for surrender in exchange for the illusory chance of recovery? "

After being ridiculed by the general face to face, Mibuchi Fujihide was both embarrassed and ashamed, and forcefully defended: "The subject's judgment is wrong, but it can't be blamed for my incompetence. Miyoshi's family is too cunning! I never thought they would put Jueqing got here to deal with the shogunate, and he never thought that he would change his name to Ashikaga Yoshiaki, pointing to the position of the shogunate!"

Ashikaga Yoshiki's eyes suddenly became extremely sharp and clear.He said softly: "There are many things you can't think of. Why did Ashikaga Yoshitoki achieve the miracle of dominating Kanto in more than ten years? Why did Miyoshi Changqing recklessly take revenge on the shogunate? Why did Miyoshi's family die strangely? Ashikaga You will never understand how Yiqiu is willing to listen to Miyoshi’s rhetoric against the party, and because you don’t understand, Yu was trapped in the Nijo Imperial Palace, so you are still fantasizing about Kaesong’s surrender in exchange for a decent departure.”

Perhaps he was woken up by this sudden blow. At this moment, Ashikaga Yoshiki is a little bit blind to right and wrong. His tone is calm and his expression is indifferent. There is no evil spirit or hatred. The dark cloud of hatred and anger that has been blinded for many years gradually dissipates. , what remains are the virtues of determination, bravery and indomitable tenacity, which are the fine qualities Ashikaga Yoshiki is proud of.

Ashikaga Yoshiki leaned forward and asked: "Without strong support from outside, can I retreat decently? But I don't know, Yu was confined in a temple in Kyoto and died of depression. How many of you are here?" People are willing to do their duty for the sake of loyalty, and there are a few people who change their appearances and join the Ashikaga Yoshiaki who is supported by the anti-party Miyoshi family, and continue to be the family members of the shogunate."

"My subject..." Mibuchi Fujihide lowered his head in embarrassment, and the shogunate ministers in the hall also showed the same shame. If the situation develops as Ashikaga Yoshiki said, probably few samurai will do it for Ashikaga Yoshiki. Hui died, unwilling to leave the colorful world of Kyoto and not used to living in the countryside with a daimyo as a retainer, most likely someone will follow Ashikaga Yoshiaki as a minister under the curtain.

The so-called iron-clad soldiers, as long as the house is not broken and a pair of bowls and chopsticks are replaced and the stove is restarted, it is inevitable that they will lose a bit of blood when they are in a high position and pampered. That is why a few years later a poet of the Ming Dynasty wrote: "Every time righteousness slaughters more dogs, most of them are scholars who are ungrateful!"

Watching the vassal's performance coldly, Ashikaga Yoshiki smiled indifferently: "Yu's good brother who hasn't seen each other for more than ten years, what kind of person he is is still unknown, only from Yoshiaki's performance yesterday, we may see some intentions, and recognize that Miyoshi's family is against the party. Dethroning my family, thinking that I have studied in Xingfu Temple for decades, thinking that the level of generals will be better than Yu, thinking that I am self-righteous, just like Yu was ten years ago..."

Faced with the general's doubts, the vassals had no choice but to remain silent. The establishment of a general was not a child's play. No one would believe that a new general with no political experience would be better than a young and experienced general. The general is more suitable. The infinite possibilities of the former just show that there are too many chances, and it may not fit the mature shogunate system that has been gradually honed over the past 20 years.

At this time, there was a messy roar from several directions of the imperial palace at the same time. The ping-pong-pong sounded like firecrackers set off during the New Year. In front of the imperial palace gate, the noise of soldiers could be clearly heard in the distance. It was obvious that the shogunate Feng Gong and a small number of swordsmen are gradually unable to withstand the offensive of the Sanhao Army. Even though the swordsmen are brave and fearless and have extraordinary swordsmanship, Feng Gong is all brave and good at fighting, but they are all mortals after all. They have no indestructible bodies and nine lives. , being hit by a round of concentrated fire from an iron cannon is still going to die.

All of a sudden, the main formation of the Miyoshi Army outside the city beat the military taiko drum, and the vassals looked into the distance with complicated expressions, knowing that this was the signal that the Miyoshi family decided to launch a general attack. As long as the military taiko drum continued to attack, it would not stop. Everyone died in battle, there is no third way to choose, it is so fierce and cruel.

Jinshi Qingshe came in in a panic and said, "It's not good! The Miyoshi Army captured the North Gate, Isshiki Awaji Shou rushed into the rebellious army and was shot and killed by the Miyoshi Army's iron artillery team. Keep going inside."

"What's supposed to come will come after all!" Ashikaga Yoshiki pulled out the sword inscribed as Fudo Kokuko's imperial sword, and calmly ordered: "The battle will hit the imperial palace in a while, and I don't need you to stick to it until the last moment. I only hope that you can see the 20 years of friendship between the monarch and ministers, and escort the mother, wife and children out of the imperial palace, and I will have no regrets anymore!"

Settsu Qingmen knelt down and bent over with a thud: "His Royal Highness! Please take back your order. I will serve His Royal Highness and the shogunate with my life!"

"Yu has made up his mind! You don't need to persuade me too much, just do it!"

At this moment, a gust of fresh wind blows into the Changyu Palace, and gently blows the two flags of Ashikaga hanging on the screen wall. Yoshiki Ashikaga walks on the porch with a sword in hand, looking up at the blue sky, and says, "The wind is blowing..." (to be continued. .)