Chapter 425 28. Shangzhou Yellow Spot Shows Its Fame
The big bronze bell of Chojunji Temple in Minowa Castle rumbled, and the sound of drums in the castle continued.
The smoke signaling the whole army to go out rushed into the sky like a black dragon. The Nagano army in the two castles of Minowa Castle and Takadome Castle had been prepared for a long time, and they swarmed out from various secret doors and main gates.
The names of the 19th general of Nishiueno were written in blood on the large horse emblem with cypress fan pattern on Nagano Yoshimasa, which was particularly bright red under the rising sun.
With gray hair and beard, the spirited Nagano Yoshimasa wore a black lacquered side-barrel five-piece body suit, a sun wheel front standing hat on his head, and a brown horse under his crotch. Holding a black gun, he, surrounded by (son-in-law) Shirakawa Mitsukatsu and his son Nagano Yoshimori, launched a fierce attack on the chaotic Takeda army like a thunder god stepping down from the clouds.
The Nagano army, who had been suppressed and beaten by the Takeda army for several days, was full of anger. The Takeda army in the valley between the two castles had long been dizzy, and now they were hit head-on by Nagano Yoshimasa. The soldiers in the front team turned around and attacked the soldiers of the second and third teams crying for their parents.
Nagano Yoshimasa did not seek to kill or injure, but only ordered the soldiers to intimidate and force the Takeda soldiers to charge back at the Takeda army.
As the Nagano army rushed out of Minowa Castle and Takadome Castle, the Nagano army from all directions opened the city gates and launched a strong attack on the Takeda army. Even the farmers in the village fortress picked up bamboo spears to join the attack on the Takeda army, and the mountains and plains were full of shouts to kill the enemy.
The first to arrive was the Obata Party of Kunimine Castle. The relationship of three generations of in-laws made the Obata Party and the Nagano family share weal and woe. Obata Kenshige, Obata Shigesada, Obata Nobumasa, Obata Tadashige and others each had hundreds of people, with cavalry in the front and infantry in the back.
The Obata clan's horsemanship with daggers was so powerful that it immediately disrupted the Takeda army that had just woken up. In particular, the Obata clan, who were experts in horsemanship, used ropes on their horses to lasso the fence of the Takeda army. Four or five riders turned around together and the fence fell.
Then, the Nagano sons-in-law in Annaka Castle, Matsui Castle, Wada Castle, and Odawara Castle (what can I do, there really is an Odawara Castle in Ueno) heard the bell and saw the smoke, and they all came out of the castle. After sweeping away the small group of troops left by the Takeda army for surveillance, they immediately rushed to Minowa Castle.
Not only did the generals of Nishi-Ueno set out together, but the lord of Kitakami-Ueno Numata Castle, Numata Akiyasu (this author found out that he was an adopted son-in-law), led a thousand people, and the son-in-law of Kitamushi-Oshi Castle, Narita Nagatsuga (son-in-law), also led a thousand people to rescue his father-in-law, and the Nishi-Shimo-no Karasawa-yama Sano Masatsuga (a supporting role) led 700 people to join the battle.
Takeda Harunobu's victory was almost certain, but the situation suddenly changed. The Nagano army mobilized no less than 15,000 troops, and the various reinforcements and Ueno farmers who volunteered to mobilize no less than 20,000 troops. The Takeda army was caught in the vast ocean of the people's war.
"Your Highness, it's urgent. Retreat to Binjiriguchi and set up camp to defend."
At this moment, the Takeda family's chief elder is Iitomi Toramasa. Because of the deaths of Itagaki Nobukata and Amari Torayasu, he is now a substitute. But his younger brother Iitomi Saburobei Masakage is still a samurai general. The elders are promoted based on seniority and military merits. The sons of the elders may not necessarily be elders.
"Brother, what the Ministry of War said is very true." Takeda Nobuharu was the general on duty last night, so he was fully equipped with armor and in the best condition.
"Father, I am here to delay the Nobuo Shinano-no-kami!" Takeda Yoshinobu took the initiative to volunteer.
It's funny to say that the Takeda family often has the eldest son as the rear guard. When Takeda Shintora withdrew his troops to Uminokuchi Castle, it was Takeda Harunobu who was the rear guard. Later, Takeda Yoshinobu died, and Takeda Harunobu had no eldest son to cover the rear, so he let Suwa Katsuyori cover the rear. In a sense, the Takeda family really has a tradition of "fatherly love and filial piety".
Takeda Harunobu's main camp was in a small village fort on a hill that had been breached. The terrain was actually quite good. He lifted the curtain and looked around. There were Nagano troops in front, behind, left and right. It felt like all the men in Ueno had gathered here to encircle him.
Looking at the various reserve troops arranged around the small hill, the worst was the one that set out to attack Minowa Castle. Not only did they suffer heavy casualties, but they were also in complete chaos. They were being dragged by the Nagano army to attack Baba Nobuharu's vanguard reserve troops.
The Akiyama, Oyamada, Sanada, Yazawa, Oi, Anayama, Suwa, and Rakuganji teams on the left and right wings are now trapped in a situation of fighting on their own. There are too many enemy troops and they have no time to support each other.
With the current organizational strength of the troops, it is impossible for the Takeda army to regroup and fight again in such a chaotic situation. The only way is to retreat slightly, stop contact, and slowly recover.
"Taro, the Ministry of War, the responsibility of the rear guard is handed over to you. Stable Manager, leave all the iron artillery to assist Taro."
After all, he is his own son, even if he is the rear guard, he will try his best to increase his means of defense.
"Your Highness, get on the horse." Military Commissioner Hara Masatane brought a bay red Shinano horse.
Takeda Harunobu nodded, and with the support of Muto Kihei, he mounted the warhorse. Several of the attendants who had horses rode on horses, and those who did not ride on foot, followed Takeda Harunobu and evacuated together.
The only troops who could retreat without engaging in battle were the Kai headquarters of the Kai army, which had more than 5,000 soldiers. Under the loud rebukes of Generals Hara, Yokota, Amari, Komai, Yonekura, Yanagisawa, etc., they followed Takeda Harunobu and retreated.
From morning to dusk, the Takeda army's coalition was defeated and lost all the way to Tsuchibe-dori, and then they stopped losing.
Five hundred people were killed by the Nagano army at Takatsume Castle alone, and another eight hundred died in the melee and retreat. Along the way, they abandoned their baggage, threw away their helmets and armor, and lost all their golden drums and flags. Fortunately, the Suwa upper and lower Daimyo divine horse flags were wrapped behind Muto Kihei's back, which was how they were protected.
Takeda Harunobu looked at the defeated soldiers in the camp, and he wanted to cry but had no tears, and sighed, "As long as the yellow spot of Joshu is there, I will never be able to set foot in Ueno!"
...
"So Kai Daizen lost many soldiers and was defeated by Nagano Shinano-no-kami at Minowa Castle?"
Yamauchi Yoshiharu sat on the main seat and discussed politics with the ministers. He held a piece of letter paper with a war report in his hand.
"It is said that 1,300 heads were captured, and the Takeda army suffered a lot of casualties and countless wounded." Yamauchi Shouke replied.
"So, Kai Daizen will be quiet for a few days." Yamauchi Yoshiharu held his chin.
1,300 Takeda soldiers died, but for the Takeda army that could mobilize 30,000 people, it was not a serious injury. Most of them were superficial injuries and could recover after a few days of rest.
"I never thought that the defense of Nagano Shinano was so strong. With half a state and tens of thousands of soldiers, they defeated Kai Daizen, who had a vast territory of three states and annexed elite troops."
Isshiki Miyauchi also looked at the report and was very surprised. Nagano Yoshimasa was just an ordinary daimyo who did not show his talent before, but now he is so powerful.
"I have met Nagano Shinano no Kami several times in the past. He is indeed a great military strategist with extraordinary wisdom and intelligence, far superior to ordinary people. He is truly a samurai who is the flag bearer of the Kanrei!"
Kobayata thought that this was just the beginning. Nagano Yoshimasa could still shine for another two years. He beat Takeda Harunobu into a pulp every time, but it was a pity that he only had two or three years left.