Chapter 388 47. One Ounce of Gold Is Enough to Buy Your Life
Q: What is the terrain from Suwa Ina to Yamanouchi?
A: A wide and fertile river valley plain, a small number of gently sloping terraces, and countless continuous mountains.
So after Kobayakata left the only natural barrier of Tsuji-no-Gakeguchi, what was left was an unobstructed river valley plain agricultural area that supported tens of thousands of people.
Once Kobayakata left, he could only retreat to Iida Castle and Takato Castle. These two castles were also built on the hillside, so they definitely had defensive power. However, the soldiers in the castle had not yet been mobilized, and the troops in the castle were not sufficient.
If they entered the castle, the Takeda army could easily block the castle with two or three thousand people. Then this most prosperous agricultural area in Shinano would be ravaged by the Takeda army, and at the same time, the Takeda army could go straight to Fuchū Castle.
The rule of the Yamanouchi family in Shinano and other places would be greatly shaken, and the people would immediately dare to rebel when they saw that you were so weak.
Even if they finally defeated the invading Takeda army under the Yamanouchi Castle, it would be useless. Once this important agricultural area was devastated by the Takeda army, Takeda Harunobu would come again next year, and the Yamanouchi family would have no soldiers to use and no food to cook.
He could pick up the entire territory of Minami Nobuoshi like picking it up. He might even destroy the Yamanouchi family without any resistance from the Yamanouchi family.
It's not that Xiao Pingtai didn't want to play a deep and large encirclement counterattack strategy, but the terrain didn't allow it, and the way back and forth was on this river valley plain. At the same time, the total length of this road was only 30 to 40 kilometers, and the army could walk through it in two or three days, without even the distance and time to respond.
It was also because if they left this time, they would have to be ready to pack up and run away next year. It's just the difference between dying early and dying late, no! Is there any difference?
But if Xiao Pingtai didn't leave, he might face Takeda Harunobu's army at any time. It was almost an impossible task to block 20,000 to 30,000 Takeda troops head-on with more than 300 soldiers.
Yamanouchi Yoshiharu, come quickly!
…
Kobayata spent the whole afternoon firing at the entrance of the Tsune-no-dake Pass, while Konishihara Saemon and Ogasawara Nagamasa in Iida Castle stood on the scull and watched the battle.
After repelling three waves of attacks without any danger, the sky turned dark and the two men were relieved.
“Danzheng’s military strategy is indeed very ingenious. The Takeda army may have three or four thousand people in the first move, and it is difficult for them to get an advantage under him.”
Ogasawara Nagamasa was relieved. The enemy, which was more than ten times larger than him, was now blocked by Kobayata and could not advance an inch. As long as they could hold off for a few days, once Yamanouchi Yoshiharu’s heavenly soldiers arrived, there was nothing to be afraid of.
“It’s hard to say, didn’t you hear it? The frequency and number of Kobayata’s iron cannons are increasing, proving that his defense is becoming more and more difficult.”
After all, Konishihara Saemon is more experienced. When Kobayata and Ogasawara Nagamasa were hatamoto, he was already the head of the hatamoto. It's not just that he's ten years older, he also has ten more years of experience in fighting bad battles.
"So, should we support Tansho 12?" Ogasawara Nagamasa thought about it, and it's true that Kobayata's firepower projection is increasing.
"Send someone to ask Kobayata, in addition to soldiers, ammunition, arrows, military rations, firewood, and tents can be replenished to him."
"Okay, I'll go in person. Just ask about the specific battle situation, so that I have a clear idea."
Taking advantage of the last light before dark, Ogasawara Nagamasa rode to the entrance of the Jingzhi Pass.
"Tansho, congratulations on your victory!" This is a sincere congratulation, Ogasawara Nagamasa's face is full of sincerity.
"Yushiro, you came at the right time. I don't have enough manpower here, and I don't have that many horses. You ask Saemon to send someone back to Yamanouchi to ask when His Majesty Hamamatsu's army will arrive."
Kobayata is now anxious and jumping up and down, how can he have the mood to chat with others. Hurry up and let those who still have strength in Iida Castle send people back to ask for help, otherwise Xiao Pingtai will die here.
"The road is blocked, I'm afraid we can't set off until tomorrow morning." Looking at the sky, Ogasawara Nagamasa was a little uncertain.
"Okay, notify me as soon as there is news." Xiao Pingtai also knew that it was unrealistic to leave immediately.
"Why did you come here, Shiro?" "I came to ask what you need here. You can ask for military rations and supplies."
"I'm short of people here! What else can I lack?" When Xiao Pingtai came, he was well prepared. He had swords and guns, military rations for seven or eight days, and 80 more iron cannons. At most, he was short of gunpowder.
"People? Alas, there are not enough troops in Iida Castle. I'm afraid no one can be sent." There is no solution to this problem. There is a shortage of soldiers everywhere, and no fresh troops are joining.
"Okay, I know what Saemon is thinking. Bring some gunpowder and arrows tomorrow. It would be best if we can get kerosene. We'll take as much as we can."
The two discussed today's battle situation. If there were only a few thousand people like Yamamoto Kansuke on the opposite side, then Kobayata could defend until the end of time, and Iida Castle would not be threatened for the time being.
...
The next day, Heiroku and Kurosawa came with Ogasawara Nagamasa. They delayed Kobayata's departure by one day, and brought Kobayata 30 replacement domaru, some wine, and a rain cape that Kobayata left in a hurry.
As if to cooperate with them, the sky immediately began to rain. Although it was not heavy, it soon caused the originally wet mud to become rotten.
"The iron cannon is useless!" It rained, and the iron cannon itself would not break down, but the rain would make the gunpowder wet and the fuse extinguished, so the iron cannon could not be fired.
"Without the cannon, it will be difficult to defend." Imai Aigoro brought Hanaoka Ichibei to lead the domaru. The twenty-odd men of theirs were not wearing armor, and now that it was raining they might have to engage in hand-to-hand combat. If they were needed to go into battle, it would be better to wear a domaru than cloth clothes.
"Yoshiro, I have no choice. Please ask Saemon to allocate 50 archers to me!"
Ogasawara Nagamasa looked at Kobayata solemnly and nodded his approval. Kobayata bent his waist and sent him away.
Looking at the dozens of eyes looking at him from below, Kobayata climbed up the cart pulling the raincoat with his hands and feet.
"(All citizens) Come here, (France's most critical moment has come) I am Zixiaoji Dan Masaga, everyone knows me.
(The evil British have crossed the strait) Kai's Takeda army has arrived in Suwa, (they have gathered 700,000 shameless bandits) The enemy has 30,000 troops.
(Behind us is Paris, the heart of France) Behind me are tens of thousands of refugees in Yamanouchi, all of whom are from the same village as you.
If the Tsune-no-dakekou cannot be defended, everyone will be robbed and massacred by the Takeda army.
(Defend France! Defend Paris!) Defending the Tsune-no-dakekou is to defend everyone! Who is willing to stay!"
Kobayata looked at the hundreds of formation men standing in the rain, some standing or squatting, with humble faces, short stature, and numb expressions with misery. Three or two people huddled together, the rain soaked their tattered clothes, and they shivered.
After hearing Kobayata's words, although they were touched, no one spoke. They stared at Kobayata blankly. Although they knew that the war had spread to the mountains, they had not yet felt the pain.
"Tanzheng, just arrest them all and force them to stay." Imai Meigoro understood Kobayata's intention. He wanted these military officers who had been on the battlefield and were familiar with the army to stay and supplement the combat force.
"Those who stay will be given one tael of gold!"
"Wow!" The numb military officer came back to life.