Chapter 479 38. He Who Wins the Hearts of the People Wins the World

In front of the military camp, there was also a crowd of people. Most of the men in the city had already gone to fight. The old, weak, women and children naturally could not come to join the battle, but they were also trying to support Xiao Pingtai.

You give a handful of rice, I give a handful of beans. In such a famine season, every grain of food is very precious. If they contribute this handful of food, the whole family may starve for a day.

A little girl, holding a small cloth bag, gently put the rice in the cloth bag into the rice bag in front of the military camp. After shaking it a few times, she turned the cloth bag over and picked out the remaining rice grains one by one.

Every grain of rice is the blood and fat of the people in the mountains!

"Aji, tell the whole army to prepare to move out of the camp!"

Xiao Pingtai can't delay too long in the mansion. It has been nine days since Hosokawa Cainu was surrounded. Half of the food in his camp has been consumed. If he delays any longer, he will not be able to bear it.

The sound of the conch shell and the drums rang out one after another, and the bells of the Matsureki Temple and Yumihachiman Shrine under the castle also rang.

Although he was young, Yamauchi Taro still went out of the city to see him off in person, accompanied by Yamauchi Shukei and Isshiki Miyano.

"Uncle Tansho, I'll leave everything to you!" After saying that, Yamauchi Taro bent down and bowed to Kobayakawa Tai.

"I dare not not die for you." Kobayakawa knelt on one knee and said goodbye to everyone.

The army marched northeast in rows under the expectant eyes of countless people. Soon it was Kobayakawa's turn, and he looked back at the crowd. Yamauchi Taro waved to Kobayakawa very solemnly, and his little face was full of determination that he shouldn't have at this age.

Not seeing A Ling hidden in the crowd, Kobayakawa had to get on the horse, kick the horse's belly, and gallop forward.

…………

The center of Ina is a flat river valley plain, with paddy fields on both sides of the street. Spring ploughing has already begun, and now most of them have been planted with rice seedlings.

This river valley feeds more than 40,000 people. Takeda Harunobu sent troops to seize it several times, but was always blocked by the samurai foot soldiers of Yamanouchi. The people's hearts are all with the Yamanouchi clan.

However, the sudden defeat of the Battle of Ikunoyama in Musashi has obviously spread to all the villages in Ina.

There are also many foot soldiers in the villages and towns of Ina who are trapped in Koshibata Castle in Bushu. The Yamanouchi clan can only mobilize 12,000 to 13,000 people (including local people) in Shinano, 10,000 Shinano people are outside, and 2,000 Shinano people are guarding the palace.

Even so, Ina is rich after all. You can still see many young and strong people tending the fields. The old and young do not care about the cold water in the fields and work all day. Even if the news of defeat comes, life must go on, and there is still a long way to go.

I wonder how long this peaceful and stable situation can last, maybe ten days? Maybe a month? Maybe hundreds of years?

A month ago, tens of thousands of troops, also carrying the two flags of Yamanouchi and Nihiki, also went north along this road to support the Kanto war of the Uesugi clan. How high-spirited and powerful the troops were at that time.

Now there are another 10,000 troops. The people of Ina see the army winding northward, and the thousand-color gold bamboo leaf horse mark of Kobayata in the main team in the formation is shining in the sky.

With the other flying flags, horse marks, and long banners in the main formation, who doesn’t know that it is Fujiwara Danjo’s team.

"Look, it's Zixiaoji Danzheng! It's Zixiaoji Danzheng leading the troops out."

"As long as Danzheng is out, we will definitely win!"

"Yes, yes, Danzheng's 500 men can repel Kai's 30,000 men, there will be no problem."

"Danzheng is a famous warrior praised by the Kanrei-sama."

"During the Battle of Uedadaira, Danzheng personally killed Itagaki Suruga-no-kami."

The side of the street and the ridge of the field were all farmers watching the advance of the Yamanouchi army. Groups, squads, and teams were all Ina people who came to send off Kodaira.

They talked about Kodaira's past achievements and his reputation in the East. The name of Zixiaoji Danzheng Shobikotsuna was so powerful that even if it was just said, it could give everyone some courage out of thin air.

"The good seed that Tanzheng planted to save the people of Ina County from the fire and water when he marched alone to the north last time has borne fruit." Kanai Aigoro, who served as Kobayata's main camp magistrate, came up.

"It's just my job." Although he defended the Tsune-no-dakeguchi with the feeling of protecting the people, he also did it to fulfill Yamanouchi Yoshiharu's request. He did his duty and did his best.

The crowd gathered more and more. No matter how ignorant the villagers were, they knew that Kobayata would fight against the 55,000 troops of the Takeda and Hojo coalition with the army of 10,000 in front of him. This was a battle with an unpredictable outcome, and the future was full of unknowns.

"Tanzheng, I'll go with you!"

Someone raised his arm and called out, and Kobayata looked over and saw a young man holding a bamboo pole with a sickle tied to it, squeezing out of the crowd. He was barefoot, wearing shorts, and didn't even have a pair of straw sandals to wrap his feet.

"Okay! Follow my team!" Kobayata pointed with a green bamboo stick and encouraged the young man loudly.

As soon as he stepped out, the second and third people followed. These people were the poor people who were ridiculed by Xiao Pingtai as those who were sent to die and had to stand in the back row, and who were not even allowed to eat the hot shit.

They had no obligation to participate in the war, let alone such a war where the outcome was unpredictable and the enemy was outnumbered.

There must be a loyal and faithful person in a town of ten households!

Moreover, there were six generations of grace from the Yamanouchi family who raised the people. Later, Xiao Pingtai fought alone, with 500 people bravely fighting against 30,000 people.

"Tan Zheng! We go with you!"

"Tan Zheng! We go with you!"

"Tan Zheng! We go with you!"

From one end of the valley to the other, the cries of the righteous (shielded) and brave (shielded) soldiers were stirring.

"Danzheng, fruitful results!"

Kanei Aigoro, who was used to the changing situation of the Warring States Period, intrigues, deception and exploitation, oppression and coercion, could not believe that a samurai from the countryside of the East Country could have such a huge appeal.

With tens of thousands of people united in righteousness and winning the hearts of the people, it is not without reason that the Yamanouchi clan has grown to this point. It is also not without reason that Kobayata is so loyal and brave.

"It is not my merit. It is really the kindness of the predecessors of all generations to support the people. I just happened to meet them."

After saying this, Kobayata took the Yamanouchi Imperial White Flag from Nanaki, tied it behind his back, raised the green bamboo stick, and jumped out.

Riding his horse, the people along the way cheered Kobayata's name loudly, and countless people encouraged themselves to bring weapons and armor, lead oxen, and carry food. Like a trickle of water flowing into a big river, more and more people followed behind the Yamauchi army.

Even the whole village cut wood to make weapons and raised poles as flags, young men held bamboo spears, and strong women carried food and fodder.

It was a short day's journey from Fuchu to Iida. All of them were spontaneously mobilized and organized to repay the kindness of Yamauchi Yoshiharu and Koheita.

He who wins the hearts of the people wins the world!