Japan's Warring States Period: The Rise of the Wakasa Tiger

Chapter 48 Mutual victory or defeat
Asakura Keinori and Yamazaki Yoshiie had a disagreement on the two plans proposed by Asakura Keiren:

The former believed that food and grass were limited and they could no longer follow the Takeda army's rhythm. They had to send out surprise troops to break the situation as soon as possible. For example, the Takeda army from Mount Ioohsan came down the mountain to support Kuniyoshi Castle, which was a good opportunity to take advantage of the opportunity to launch a surprise attack on Nobushige's main camp.
The latter believed that the battle had come to this point, and the Takeda army had been almost worn out. Rather than risking an attack on Tianwang Mountain, it would be better to play it safe and continue the war of attrition in the northwest. Judging from the earlier breakthrough of the first round of rounds, the Takeda army was already at the end of its strength. If they put a little more effort tomorrow, they should be able to make a significant breakthrough.

The three of them discussed for a long time and finally decided to try again at Qulun in the northwest tomorrow. If they could make a breakthrough, they would continue to fight; if there was still no progress like today, they would follow Asakura Kageren's advice and turn their troops to Tianwang Mountain and charge straight at Nobushige's main camp.

The next day, under the overall deployment of Asakura Kageren, the Asakura army exerted force on the front and flank battlefields at the same time. The already exhausted Takeda army was indeed somewhat unable to cope. By noon, the first two of the northwest curves were successively conquered. Even though the Kuriya brothers struggled to hold on and the Umakai people cooperated in harassing from the side, they could only barely resist the offensive of the Asakura army at the third curve. It seemed that regaining lost territory became a luxury.

"Your Highness, I seem to be able to see the Otemon Gate in the Honmaru." Yamazaki Yoshiie, who arrived at the front line, said excitedly, pointing at the well tower and arrows vaguely emerging in the woods.

"I saw it too, Shinzaemon-no-chan. It looks like we won't return empty-handed today." Asakura Kageki nodded and asked, "Where's Genbansuke? Didn't he come with us?"

Yamazaki Yoshiie shook his head. "I heard that the situation on the front battlefield is still not optimistic. The Right Guardsman was injured in the shoulder. Genbansuke probably returned to Zhongshan Castle to take charge."

"I didn't expect that we could gain a foothold in Qulun in the northwest. This was inseparable from the containment of the front battlefield and the support of Xuan Fanzhu. Thinking about it, I really judged others by my own standards." Asakura Kageki couldn't help but feel guilty towards Asakura Kageren.

"Your Highness, don't think too much. Now you and Xuan Fanzhu have reconciled. The next step is to capture Xibei Qulun, which will be the greatest reward for him." Yamazaki Yoshiie consoled:

"The terrain of this northwest curved land becomes flatter as we go up, and the difficulty of attacking it becomes easier. As long as we can capture it in the next two days, the Takeda army will have to transfer its main force to our side. By then, the front battlefield will definitely be greatly improved. As long as we make a breakthrough on the front battlefield, capturing Honmaru will be a piece of cake."

"I hope so," Asakura Kageki said to the generals around him with great confidence, "I hope you will work hard in the next few days. If we can capture the Northwest Qulun Group, we will be able to hold our heads high in the post-war evaluation."

"Ha!" Yamazaki Yoshiie and others responded loudly. Their fighting spirit was higher than ever since the invasion of Wakasa.

Less than ten miles away, a group of high-spirited soldiers crossed the rugged river valley and climbed over the mountains. Just as the Asakura army was attacking Kuniyoshi Castle with all their might, they arrived at Tsuruga Kinzan Castle, their base camp where they stored food and supplies.

"Sir, we captured a few miscellaneous soldiers on the road. They said that all the defenders in the city were transferred to reinforce the front line a few days ago. Now there are only twenty or so people left in the city." Yamamoto Shigeyuki's colleague, Wakasa native Hisamura Mitsuyasu reported to him.

"The fortifications of this city are no less solid than those of Kuniyoshi Castle, and now it is about to fall into the hands of our army." Yamamoto Shigeyuki looked up at Kanazawa Castle on the top of a hill not far away and exclaimed excitedly.

Kanayama Castle stands on a mountain top nearly 200 meters high. There are three interlocking towers in the city and vertical moats outside the city. It is the first checkpoint guarding the border between Wakasa and Echizen. Once this place is lost, the traffic between Wakasa and Tsuruga Port will be unobstructed.

It is no exaggeration to say that Kanayama Castle is the gateway to Tsuruga and even Echizen. If it is captured, half of Tsuruga County can be taken into one's possession.

"Sir, should we send a small group of troops to disguise themselves and sneak into the city?" Hisamura Mitsuyasu asked. "No need. The more noise we make when we come here, the better it will be for the front line," Yamamoto Shigeyuki replied.

"The louder the noise, the faster the Asakura Army will get the news and the faster they will send reinforcements. If they send a large army, I'm afraid our three hundred people won't be able to defend Jinshan Castle." Hisamura Mitsuyasu said worriedly.

"Don't you think this is a good thing?" Yamamoto Shigeyuki asked.

“The situation on the front line is tense right now. If we can attract a large number of Asakura troops to return to Jinshan Castle, it will be the greatest help to the lord.

And as far as I know, the Asakura army does not have much food at the front line, and the food shipped from Echizen was intercepted by Asakura Kagetaka. The baggage in Kanazawa Castle should be their most precious resource. If it is burned, the Asakura army will definitely be in chaos, and it is possible that they will directly withdraw to Echizen at that time, so you don't have to worry about not being able to hold it.

Besides, from my experience, with the fortifications of Jinshan Castle, it will not be conquered by the Asakura Army overnight. Don't worry, if you really can't hold on, both I and the lord will find a way for you to survive."

"Sir, what are you talking about?" Jiucun Guangtai hurriedly explained, "I am not afraid of death, but I am worried that I can't defend Jinshan City and fail the trust of the lord."

"Don't worry, since I brought you here, I will not let the Asakura army pass easily. The Takeda clan's founding battles were fought in Kuniyoshi Castle and Kanayama Castle." Yamamoto Shigeyuki responded with certainty.

Seeing that it was getting late, Yamamoto Shigeyuki immediately ordered his soldiers to split into two groups and quickly climb up from the southeast and southwest of Kanazawa Castle. Upon seeing this, the soldiers defending the castle immediately lit beacons and rang the battle bells. The leading samurai led the remaining twenty or so foot soldiers to the southeast tiger's mouth and held off the Ote Gate.

"Hey! Hey!" With a series of fierce collisions, the Ote Gate was breached by battering rams, and the Takeda army outside the gate immediately filed in. The leading Asakura army warriors were unable to resist and were instantly stabbed into hedgehogs by spears. The remaining foot soldiers fled in all directions, and the fortified city that the Asakura clan had painstakingly built was thus taken into the hands of the Wakasa Takeda clan.

After entering the city, under the guidance of the captured Asakura army, Yamamoto Shigeyuki quickly discovered a large amount of food and weapons in the warehouse of Sannomaru.

"Sir, so much food and fodder is enough for us to use for a long time. It would be a shame to burn it." Hisamura Mitsuyasu's eyes lit up as he looked at the room full of food and fodder.

"You think it's a lot, but that's from the perspective of our Takeda family. In the eyes of the Asakura family's 10,000 troops, these grains won't last long." Yamamoto Shigeyuki said helplessly, "It would be great if we could transport them back to Wakasa, but I'm afraid it's impossible under the current situation. Be prepared to burn them all, but of course, not now."

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Thanks to Gui Yihu, Guo Ershao, Silent Madness, Star Porter, Guoshe, Shirmun and other friends for their recommendations and wonderful comments!

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(End of this chapter)