Chapter 551 13. Takeda's Whereabouts Are Difficult to Track
The Takeda family mobilized troops!
The Uesugi family was in internal strife!
Both pieces of news were very explosive, but the development of the situation soon completely deviated from Kobayata's expectations and developed in a completely unpredictable direction.
Unknown enemies are dangerous, and known enemies are also dangerous if they are not understood.
The Monomi and envoys reported several times a day, and various situations were constantly summarized in Fuchu Castle and on Kobayata's desk.
Takeda Shingen marched to Nirasaki Castle, joined the people of Suruga, and 1,000 reinforcements from the Hojo clan, and had an army of 12,000.
Takeda clan's Kuzuo Castle chief Kosaka Danjo mobilized 6,000 people, crossed the abandoned Yashiro Castle, and approached Takanari Masahiro's Kaizu Castle.
Uesugi clan's Biwajima Castle lord Usami Sadamisu joined forces with Sakon Kunihiro and the generals in Echigo who supported Uesugi Kagetora. In a short period of time, the power expanded to about 4,000 people, and in the Battle of Kabawa, Nagao Masakage had about 2,000 people. He defeated the Ueda clan in one battle, and then relied on his seniority and prestige to completely surround the Ueda Sakado Castle.
Many generals of the Uesugi clan responded to Usami Sadamisu's uprising, and there were riots of varying degrees in the upper, middle and lower Mitsukoshi. Uesugi Kenshin's close associates and the hatamoto also wavered, and Yamamotoji Sadanaga escaped from Kasugayama and led 400 soldiers to respond to Usami.
The former governor Uesugi Kenshin was invited to come forward and participate in the mediation between the two sides. However, Kasugayama reported three times a day that the Kaga Ikko clan had invaded Echizen. Minowa and Kaizu simultaneously requested reinforcements to deal with the invasion of the Takeda clan.
There was another case, which was sent together.
It was rumored that the lord of Fukashi Castle, Ogasawara Sadakeshi, intended to respond to Takeda Shingen's army and raise an army to rebel!
Everyone in Fuchū Castle knew about it, and the rumors became more and more serious, and even changed three times a day. It was said that Ogasawara Sadakeshi had already raised an army and was attacking Fuchū.
In just three or four days, the smoke of war made it impossible to distinguish.
"We should immediately issue a notice to reassure the people!" Xiao Pingtai proposed loudly during the deliberation of the judges.
"That's the way it should be!" Others agreed.
"As for the matter of Fukashi Castle, we must not act too hastily. This matter is very strange. If we act rashly, it will easily cause chaos."
"So what do you think, Xiao Pingtai?" Yamauchi Shukei turned sideways and looked directly at Xiao Pingtai.
"Kou Matsumaru is in the city, and (Ogasawara) Daizen is also under the city, and there is no unusual movement. For now, we should calm it down, and Yamauchi must not be in chaos!"
"Should we invite the two people into the city to settle down?" Hosokawa Saijo was not without worry.
"Not yet!"
Ogasawara Sadakei must be uncomfortable to hear that he detained hostages after hearing rumors. If he has not yet rebelled, then this is simply challenging his bottom line.
"Then?"
"Your Highness, please gather the soldiers and go to Fukashi Castle for hunting!"
"Hunting?" In this situation, who would have the heart to hunt? Kobayata's proposal made everyone confused.
"Show off the military might and show your strength! This is a very good idea!" The first to react was Yamauchi Shukei, who was indeed a general on the same level.
But one thing is that Takeda Shingen's movements are still unclear. If the army is sent to Fukashi Castle, the Takeda army will break through the natural barrier of Keiji-no-Dakeguchi and enter the Ina Valley, and everything will be difficult to deal with.
If Takeda Shingen does not move, the Yamauchi family cannot move. Although it is very uncomfortable, this is the reality.
It is beautiful to strike first, but the forces of the two families are entangled. The Takeda army breaks through Keiji-no-Dakeguchi and can rush to Fuchung in two or three days. There are no defenses along the way except for a few branch castles. And whether the Yamauchi family goes to Suwa County or Suruga Province, it will take at least half a month to reach Tsutsujizaki-kan.
The Takeda family has a geographical advantage. Kai's inherent basin terrain surrounded by mountains gives it an inherent advantage. As long as the mountain pass is guarded and the mountain road is controlled, 10,000 or 20,000 people cannot rush into Kai.
Many years ago, Yamanouchi Yoshiharu once fought to the foot of Nirasaki Castle, but he also returned in defeat and had no way out.
Except waiting, the Yamanouchi family is helpless for the time being.
"Urgent report! The Takeda army has passed the Shiota Castle and joined the people of Saku Suwa. It is only half a day away from Katsurao." Murakami Yoshimitsu strode into the palace holding a letter.
"Katsurao!" Hosokawa Saijo blurted out.
"It seems that Takeda Daizen tried to capture Kaizu and advance to Kasugayama in one fell swoop!"
The entire battle situation became clear. The Nagano family was in internal strife, the Yamanouchi family had rumors and riots, and the Uesugi family had disputes over the succession. The external conditions were perfect. With only Takanari Masayasu's mobilization of about 8,000 to 10,000 people, he could never resist Takeda Shingen with more than 30,000 soldiers.
"Gather all the troops in Yamanouchi, prepare to go hunting in Fukashi first, then observe the situation and decide to assist Kaizu Castle!" Lian Panzhong made a decision.
The bronze bells were struck, the drums were beaten, and the war machine in Yamanouchi began to turn.
It happened that the autumn harvest was over, and there was still a month and a half, enough time for the four lords to decide the winner!
Xiao Pingtai had no choice but to bid farewell to A Ling, take his generals, and set off for Fukashi.
Since this was just a hunting to show off the military power, Yamanouchi mainly mobilized the hatamoto, the public servants, and the standing foot soldiers, a total of only more than 7,000 people. Even the battle soldiers were not brought, anyway, they could eat the food from the military stations along the way. This year's feng shui is still good, and the autumn grain will come, and the government warehouse will be abundant.
Ogasawara Nagatoki and Ogasawara Yukimatsumaru naturally followed the army, and they were also the monkeys who wanted to kill the chicken to scare the monkeys.
The so-called hunting was just an excuse, not really going to hunt near Fukashi Castle. Instead, they got hundreds of fierce dogs and imprisoned them, and let the famous warriors in the Yamauchi army hunt these fierce dogs with bows, spears, swords, naginatas and other weapons on horseback.
The Yamauchi warriors were shown their strong martial arts skills, and at the same time, they rehearsed the military formation, coordinated the flags and drums, and held archery, spear and stick, sumo and other competitions under the watchful eyes of Yamauchi Taro.
Ogasawara Sadakei felt wronged. He had not prepared to overturn the table and fight the Yamanouchi family, but suddenly there were rumors. Who told the Ogasawara family to be a lord with tens of thousands of kan, strong soldiers and horses, and the former guardian of Shinano?
The Takeda family would be embarrassed if they did not spread rumors about Ogasawara!
They could only leave Fukashi Castle and go to Kumai, where they set up a hunting camp and waited for Yamanouchi Taro to come for the autumn hunting tour.
As for the Yamanouchi family's army with clear flags and sharp armor, Ogasawara Sadakei did not even look at them.
"I know, I know. If it weren't for your Yamanouchi family having so many strong soldiers, I would have rebelled long ago. Why am I still smiling here?"
Although he was complaining in his heart, he still had a friendly smile on his face. Ogasawara Sadakei also had a little Ah Q spirit. Looking at Yamanouchi Taro who was only as high as his waist, he thought to himself that your father and grandfather had already knelt, and you are not the only one.
Once the knees are weak, it will be difficult to stand up again.
After lingering in Kumai for four or five days, the monkey Ogasawara must have been frightened. The Yamanouchi family was also anxiously trying to find out the situation in Kaizu. When Takeda Shingen arrived at Kaizu Castle, Takanari Masahiro sent people to the Yamanouchi family for help.
But if Takanari Masahiro holds on to the castle, he should be able to survive for ten days or half a month, so there is no rush.
And Takeda Shingen didn't seem to be in a hurry either. After the army stopped, he only sent two or three thousand people to test the siege every day. The siege troops didn't work hard either, they were all from Hara Murakami.
I always feel something is wrong?