Chapter 211 15. Establishing a Bond and Persuading Asahina to Surrender

Kobayata knelt down beside Yamanouchi Yoshiharu, and dozens of Yamanouchi retainers and warriors dared not speak, watching the two men confront each other quietly.

The original shogunate of Kobayata was greatly expanded, with a white flag representing the Genji clan and Yamanouchi Nihikari of the Ashikaga clan. Yamanouchi Yoshiharu, who was in his forties and had a majestic appearance and a tall stature, sat on a small stool in the main seat. Two young men knelt quietly behind him holding his sword and spear, and a servant held a book for Yamanouchi Yoshiharu to review.

"Danzheng, you are really amazing!" Yamanouchi Yoshiharu looked at Kobayata, who was kneeling meticulously, and said words of praise in a tone that was not a compliment.

"It's all because of your highness's wisdom and bravery, and your good command." Kobayata pretended not to hear Yamanouchi Yoshiharu's tone, and replied calmly.

"The Yamanouchi clan and the Imagawa clan are allies. You are so bold and reckless that you broke the alliance without authorization. You also used the state's stored money and grain and mobilized soldiers from the military states. Do you know your crime?" Yamanouchi Yoshiharu questioned Kobayata in a stern voice. After all, Kobayata did a big thing this time.

"It's all because of my momentary arbitrariness. I deserve death." Kobayata knew that he had to admit his mistakes with a good attitude at this time. He had to take all the blame by himself, and then he could be lenient.

Yamanouchi Yoshiharu suddenly stood up and was furious. All the retainers immediately bowed their heads and touched the ground, not daring to speak.

"Don't do it again!" After saying that, Yamanouchi Yoshiharu sat down with his sleeves.

What the hell, pick it up high and put it down lightly? Are you two so funny? You said you deserved death, but there was no punishment? What about the three glasses of wine you agreed to at least punish? If it doesn't work, at least you should be scolded! This is good, it's over if it doesn't happen again? There's an affair! It's confirmed!

Xiao Pingtai had expected that Yamanouchi Yoshiharu was an ambitious man. If Imagawa Yoshimoto was alive, he would still hesitate for such a good opportunity. Now that Imagawa Yoshimoto is dead, he only lost a second son. This kind of deal is rare, so it's no big deal to give away the son.

"Thank you, Your Highness, for not killing me!" Xiao Pingtai smiled secretly and returned to his seat.

"Saemon, has Takatenjin been captured?" "Yes, it was captured six days ago. Dansho has sent 400 people into the city to defend it."

"Fujiro, where is the bridge over the Oi River?" Iwase Motomasa at the end hurried out, "All the boats have been seized by me, and the fishermen and boatmen along the coast and the river have all been temporarily gathered under the Makino Castle for protection. Three hundred people have set up a fort to defend the Oi Bridge."

"Very good, Kobayata, how much food is left?" "I have sent my subordinate Heirokuro to bribe people in Ejiri, and with your Highness's 5,000 people, the whole army now has half a month's worth of food."

Yoshiharu Yamanouchi received a report from Aigoro Kanai, and early the next morning he mobilized 1,500 foot soldiers and their families in Fuchu Castle to march south immediately, followed by Kitabatake Daigaku and Oishi Saburo who mobilized more than 3,000 people to follow two days later. Except for some soldiers left behind by Yamanouchi Shukei, the elite troops of the entire Yamanouchi had already arrived in Ejiri.

At this moment, there are 14,000 soldiers gathered at the foot of Kakegawa Castle, which is the maximum mobilization of the Yamanouchi clan to go to foreign countries. The army's rations are only less than half a month, which is very insufficient. In addition, the soldiers have been stationed in Kakegawa for six days, which is quite anxious.

"Who is Heirokuro? How is he doing?" "Your Highness has seen him before. He is the current Ejirimachi Toyosuke. He is a brave warrior who once shot and hit Itagaki Suruga-no-kami." Kobayata reminded him.

"Oh~~, the samurai who sells soy sauce and is good at calculating." Yamanouchi Yoshiharu suddenly realized.

As if to cater to him, there was a sudden noise outside the camp. A messenger came to report that Ejirim actually transported four or five thousand stones of food, and ox carts and porters carrying food were continuously entering the camp.

When Yamanouchi Yoshiharu heard this, he immediately looked at Kobayata, who was also very surprised. He immediately asked the samurai who followed the team to report.

Soon a samurai entered the shogunate, and it was indeed Heirokuro. "Are you Heirokuro Kawabe's family letter?" Yamanouchi Yoshiharu asked Heiroku to look up.

"Yes, I am Heiroku Kawabe." "How did you raise the military rations? I saw in the books that Danzheng has basically exhausted the treasury of Ejiri."

"I sold the monopoly of Kakegawa tea for next year!" "Oh, Kakegawa is still in the hands of the enemy, how can it be sold?" "The world is bustling for profit, and the world is bustling for profit. What's more, it is easy for the palace to seize Kakegawa." "Hahahaha, Danzheng, your retainer is also a wonderful person."

It turned out that after Heiroku learned about Kakegawa's tea, he believed that Kakegawa would soon fall under the attack led by Koheita. In this case, the tea that was originally sold by the Imagawa merchants must be redefined. It is better to make a fortune now and sell it quickly.

Among the merchants, there were naturally bold and adventurous people who were willing to exchange a little grain for the monopoly of tea with huge profits. After Heiroku's lobbying, three merchants with courage and strength came forward to buy the surplus grain in Ejiri. They had their own transportation channels and sales networks, and they bought more than 4,000 stones of grain in just three days, all of which were brought by Heiroku.

Yamanouchi Yoshiharu was a bachelor, and he quickly summoned the three merchants, signed a few letters of honor, and promised them a certain amount of tea, and wrote them blank checks. Then he rewarded Heiroku with 30 taels of gold and encouraged him to return to Ejiri to continue cheating, the more the better.

Now the army has enough military rations for a month, and can plan the attack on Kakegawa Castle.

Yoshimitsu Murakami, who arrived first and knew the terrain best, gave the main lecture and repeated the geography of Kakegawa Castle that he had talked about before. Then Yoshiharu Yamauchi asked Iwase Motomasa about the combat effectiveness of the Asahina soldiers and the level of castle defense when he attacked the city gate.

Although it was not difficult, Yoshiharu Yamauchi looked at Yoshichika Imagawa who was attacking. Such a good opportunity could not be delayed any longer.

Yoshiharu Yamauchi glanced at his retainers and didn't know what he thought of.

When he saw Uncle Tsunayoshi, he seemed to have made up his mind.

"Saemon, there seems to be a two-year-old girl in your family?" "Yes, she was born at the end of last autumn." "I want to adopt her, are you willing?"

Wow, Uncle Tsunayoshi didn't react for a while.

"Your Highness is going to have a relationship with Asahina Taro in the castle?" Kobayata immediately reacted.

"That's right." Yoshiharu Yamauchi looked at Uncle Tsunayoshi. In theory, this little girl is also Kobayata's sister, and her family background is also very noble.

"But? My daughter is still young." "It's just a marriage contract, I just promised him first." "Then it's up to your highness." Uncle Tsunayoshi heard it, and first tricked Kakegawa to open the city, and then talk about it later.

"Daixue, spread the rumor in the city that Asahina Suruga no Kami has died in the battle with Suruga Jibu, and promise Asahina clan to keep Kakegawa Castle safe, but let half of the tea forest under the castle go out, and give Suwahara 3,000 kan as compensation. Asahina Taro is allowed to be listed as one of the relatives of the Yamanouchi family, and let his uncle Asahina Carpenter go with the army, and Asahina Saemon will serve as the governor of Kakegawa Castle."

This condition is relatively generous, and Asahina clan is expected to agree. Kitabatake Daixue obeyed the order and went into the city to persuade them to surrender.

At this time, a fierce three-way fight was taking place in Suruga Fuchu Castle.