Chapter 5 third chapter
Takeda Harunobu led an army of 20,000 troops to set up an army on Mount Oshe in the highlands of Shinano Province in February.This time the troops were dispatched to attack Suwa Yorishige, a wealthy family in Suwa.
As the first step in the management of Shinano, the seizure of Suwa can be said to be an unresolved matter since the beginning of the Confidence Tiger era.Nobutora was busy fighting against Suruga and Sagami, and he was unwilling to have friction with the Suwa family in order to avoid the enemy, so he married his sixth daughter to Suwa Yoshige, and took the Suwa family into his power middle.The princess who was married to Suwa from the Takeda family was named Yaya. She was a beautiful woman with outstanding appearance, but she passed away two years ago when she was sixteen years old.
Unlike his father, Nobutora, Harunobu wanted to take Suwa Ichichi into his own hands.Therefore, in the past two years, he has been looking for an excuse to attack Suwa Laizhong.Recently, Harunobu accidentally heard from Takato Yoritsutsu, the lord of Takato Castle, that Yoshigetsu had betrayed his heart, so he used this as an excuse to lead the army to Suwa.
However, Harunobu has always felt a heavy heart since he set up his battle at Mount Osho. This mood is exactly the same as when he exiled his father Nobutora to Shunfu.He had a premonition that if he recalled this battle in the future, he would definitely feel bad.Although Princess Yami has passed away, to Harunobu, Yarijuge is still his brother-in-law.Nowadays, it is not a pleasant thing to use a fact that is not yet known to be credible as an excuse to cut off this relationship by hand.Around the campsite, there are many plum blossoms, white flowers blooming in the dustless air on the plateau.The pure white color of the plum blossom permeated the twenty-four-year-old Qing's confidence, making him unable to calm down.Harunobu felt incredible.Although I have swung my army here, and the battle is imminent, but I don't have the slightest desire to fight in my heart.
On the night when Mishoyama set up his formation, Takato Yoshitsugu sent an envoy to tell Harunobu that he would cross Joduri Mountain within the next two or three days and attack Uehara Castle, the residence of the Suwa Clan, and asked Harunobu to lead an army to attack from the east. The two echoes.
After Takahara Yoshitsugu's envoy returned, Harunobu recruited the main officers and men and re-drawn the battle strategy.Qingxin appointed his younger brother to be the commander-in-chief of the entire army, while he himself led the rear troops and tried to stay in the main position of Yushe Mountain as much as possible.
"Just for one or two small cities by the lake, there is no need to dispatch all 20,000 troops." Qingxin said.For Harunobu who likes to fight, this is really rare.
"However, if the lord moves to Miyagawa Village or the Anguo Temple area, it will be more beneficial to the battle situation."
Nobuka Itagaki speaks.The rest of the generals also agreed.
At this time, someone in the direction of the last seat suddenly put forward a completely different opinion, and this person is Kansuke Yamamoto.
"In my opinion, the Takeda family and the Suwa family are related by marriage. Although it may be inappropriate to talk about this now, I, Kansuke, do not want to engage in the upcoming battle. I have already sent troops to this point, and I have fully achieved The purpose of deterring the Suwa family. If the two sides can reach a peace agreement without bloodshed, I think this is also a victory."
The air froze immediately.There is going to be a battle tomorrow, and someone raised objections at this time.Even Nobukata Itagaki, who was usually protecting Kansuke, couldn't help but change his color suddenly.
"What nonsense! Kansuke Yamamoto!"
The voice of shouting came from Xin Fan.Indisputable anger protruded from the young general's face.
"Forget it."
Harunobu said persuasively.Only he agrees with Kansuke's proposal.In his heart, as Kansuke said, he has no interest in this battle.Harunobu felt relieved when Kansuke said what was on his mind.
"Do you have any good ideas?"
Harunobu asked Kansuke.
"Yes. Please send Kansuke as an envoy to negotiate with Suwa, so that he can swear an oath of subordination to the Takeda family."
Originally, if Lai Zhong had suspicions about Qing's confidence, the reason was because of Qing Xin's father.If he explained the reason why he had to do this to Lai Zhong, Lai Zhong would not fail to understand. ——This is Kansuke's opinion.
Kansuke's words, of course the generals present would not agree.But Harunobu said:
"Conquering the castle of Suwa is now a piece of cake. Even if you don't attack this time, if you want to attack in the future, you can take it at any time. However, although I have led the army so far this time, if I want to march on Suwa, But I always feel restless and tossing and turning. I want to send Kansuke as an envoy to try to meet Lai Zhong. Wouldn’t it be a good thing if we can reach a peace agreement on terms acceptable to us?”
After Harunobu said so, none of the generals objected.Everyone understood that since Harunobu had said these words, he could only act accordingly.Harunobu is such a person.
"Kansuke, when are you leaving?" Harunobu asked, and the voice came to the ears of Kansuke who was sitting respectfully at the last seat.
"At this time, let's go immediately." Kansuke replied.
Kansuke has a good impression of this young general who appointed him, and Harunobu is the only person he admires in this world.Kansuke hates everyone in this world, except Harunobu.Kansuke thought he would risk his life for Haruno.Although Kansuke couldn't judge how such charm emanated from this young general, but only for Harunobu, he had a completely different mood from other people.
When Harunobu called Kansuke alone, he sometimes called him "Kansuke the Cripple", but Kansuke never got angry at all.There was no trace of contempt in Harunobu's voice.Kansuke, a strange-looking person who grew up surrounded by contempt from his childhood, only realized that someone was looking at him with a hearty and friendly look when he first met Harunobu.
Kansuke didn't mean to disagree on the first day of the battle.At today's table, he unconsciously noticed that Harunobu was quite negative about this battle, and that emotion contained confusion and anxiety.What exactly is this matter about?Kansuke was at the last table, thinking about this question alone.When he accidentally raised his head, his eyes met Harunobu's.For a moment, Kansuke seemed to be possessed by a god, and those words came out of his mouth.
No matter in terms of time or occasion, this remark is quite inappropriate.If not done well, this statement may lead to death.Kansuke couldn't figure out whether it was himself who said these words, or Harunobu who said these words attached to himself, he just felt that these words had to be said no matter what.
When Harunobu's words were accepted by Harunobu, rather than saying that Kansuke breathed a sigh of relief, it would be better to say that he was very satisfied that he was the only one who understood Harunobu's mind.While staring intently at this young general with broad forehead and piercing eyes, Kansuke said:
"A futile march is not the way of a military strategist. In order to hold Suwa in the palm of your hand without losing a single soldier, please immediately appoint Shimo Kansuke as an envoy to the Suwa family!"
Except for Harunobu, all the generals present felt that Kansuke's words were disgusting and disrespectful.
Kansuke asked to send another envoy to inform Gaoyuan Lai Jijun to stop the attack.After the arrangements were made, Kansuke set off from the camp of Oshe Mountain that night with three horse-riding warriors.
The next morning, Kansuke and his party descended from the plateau to a corner of the Suwa Basin.In order not to be attacked by the enemy, they carefully walked through the gaps arranged by the enemy.It wasn't until sunset that they reached the point of view outside Suwa Clan's residence, Uehara Castle.When they got close to the Suwa Army's position, the four riders immediately sped up their speed, and galloped away like a gust of wind towards Shangyuan Castle.
Arriving at the square in front of the city gate, Kansuke reined in the horse and let the mount wander in the square, shouting loudly to the surroundings:
"We are emissaries, I have urgent matters to see Master Suwa!"
The other three also shouted loudly.After a while, a large group of warriors came forward and dragged the three of them off their horses.
About a moment later, Kansuke was brought into the city and came before Suwa Yoshige who was sitting on the horse.Surrounded by bonfires, Laizhong sitting in the center was a general who was slightly older than Harunobu. Apart from having a handsome appearance that was almost the same as that of a woman, he seemed to have little merit.
After Kansuke conveyed Harunobu's meaning, Raiju suddenly laughed.It was a hysterical laugh.After laughing:
"Please tell me that everything is agreed."
He said so.Lai Zhong originally thought that today or tomorrow would be his own death date, but suddenly, the shadow of death was far away from him.Lai Zhong laughed wildly again.
"In order to avoid disputes in the future, please also define your territory."
"Then let's use the Tsuta wood as the boundary. I won't take a single grain of rice to the east of the Tsuta wood." Lai Zhong said with a pale face and no emotion.
"I hope that in the future, the two families can resume their brotherhood."
"That couldn't be better. From now on, my brother will definitely go to the ancient mansion to see him."
Obviously, Lai Zhong is also unwilling to fight this battle.So all the conditions were successfully passed.
After eating and drinking, Kansuke resigned from Lai Zhong's body.
It was completely different from when they came, when they went back, Kansuke and his party were sent respectfully to the city gate by Lai Zhong himself.Beside Lai Zhong, there is another girl who is about fourteen years old, accompanied by a maid.She inherited her father's handsome face, with bright eyes and a moving face.
"Is this Ling Qianjin?" Kansuke asked Lai Zhong.
"It's the little girl." Lai Zhong replied.
Undoubtedly, this girl is not the daughter of Princess Mimi who passed away two years ago, but the daughter of Lai Chong's concubine Xiaojian.
Kansuke clearly saw the hostility in the girl's eyes.Every samurai here is happy for the agreement to be reached, only this girl is not happy about it.Kansuke thinks so.This can't help but make him feel very fresh.
Kansuke returned to the camp on Mount Oshe, and reported Laizhong's reply to Harunobu, and it was already noon the next day.
Harunobu was very satisfied with the peace treaty concluded by Kansuke, met with the envoy who followed Kansuke from Suwa, and held a banquet for the whole army that night.On the third day after that, Harunobu led the army back to the ancient mansion.
In order to restore the old friendship between the two families, Suwa Yorishige came to Kofu to pay a visit to Harunobu at the end of March.Harunobu was very happy and gave Laizhong a grand reception.
In the next April, Lai Zhong visited the ancient mansion again.Not only was the banquet this time as grand as the previous one, Harunobu also specially invited entertainers to perform, and the main retainers of the Takeda family accompanied them to watch.
After Lai Zhong returned, Harunobu asked the generals what impression they had of Lai Zhong.Most of the generals of the Takeda family have a good impression of Lai Zhong. Some say he is personable, some say he is gentle and amiable, in short, he is not a careless person.
"Although there is an in-law relationship, Lai Zhong is really brave enough to dare to bring only a few followers to the ancient mansion at this time." Xin Fan, Qingxin's younger brother, said with emotion.
"He is indeed a rare young general in the world." Amari Bizenshou also said the same.
"What does Nobuka think?" Haruno turned around and asked Itagaki Nobukata.
"In the future, I will definitely become your powerful arm, my lord." Xinfang replied.
"Where's Kansuke?"
Finally, Harunobu asked Kansuke.
"My opinion, please turn your screen back to the left and right before you can report it." Kansuke said.
Harunobu didn't turn away the crowd, but said to Kansuke: "Kansuke, let's talk in the courtyard." After saying that, he stood up and walked towards the courtyard first.
The mansion is surrounded by several tall castan trees.When the two came under the tree, Harunobu suddenly sighed:
"It's the time for cicadas to sing!"
Although the weather is getting hotter, it is still quite cool under the shade of this tree.There have been few battles since Yusheshan came out, and spring went to summer before he knew it.
Suddenly, Kansuke said:
"Do you want to get rid of him?"
Harunobu seemed taken aback, turned his head and looked at Kansuke.
"Get rid of who?"
"Master Suwa."
"Do you want to get rid of him?" Harunobu seemed to be talking to himself.
"I think it's better to get rid of—" Kansuke said.
"Aren't you the one who proposed peace talks in Yusheshan's formation? Now you want to get rid of it—"
"There is no way for the world to talk about it. I think it will be unpleasant in retrospect, but if I don't get rid of it now, I'm afraid—"
"There is no other way, let's get rid of it!" Harunobu seemed to have made up his mind.
"Please leave it to me." Kansuke's expression didn't change at all.
Harunobu didn't know why Kansuke was so insightful into his own mind.When Lai Zhong had just been sent away that day, Qing couldn't help but have the idea that he must get rid of Lai Zhong.Somehow, he felt that if Lai Zhong was allowed to live, it would become a disaster in the future.
As for Kansuke, it was the same as the peace talks that were proposed in the Osheyama formation before. When Haruno asked the generals what they thought of Yoshigetsu, Kansuke could see the hesitation in his heart from Harunobu's face.But at that time, my heart was also unable to calm down.
What is the reason for this?When Harunobu asked, "Kansuke?", he raised his head, and unconsciously said, "Please screen back and forth."The idea of "getting rid of Laizhong" hidden in his heart was only clearly revealed at that time.
The third time Lai Zhong came to the ancient mansion was in mid-June.This time, I received a banquet at the residence of the Takeda family and watched a Noh performance.Halfway through the performance, Captain Ogiwara Yaemon approached Yorishige's seat.
"I am here to take your life by order of my lord."
Although the tone was respectful, the sharp blade in his hand slashed towards Lai Zhong indiscriminately in an instant.Lai Zhong wanted to pull it out hastily, but was knocked to the ground by the second knife that followed.
At this time, everyone who was watching the Noh performance was stunned by the sudden turn of events.Whether Captain Ogiwara Yaemon's actions were really ordered by Harunobu or not, no one could immediately tell.
Kansuke, who was sitting in a corner of the hall, stood up, slowly pushed away the crowd, and looked down at Laishou who was lying on the ground.
"Just kill him with one blow." Kansuke ordered Ogihara.
Ogihara didn't understand for a moment that Kansuke's gaze was signaling to him, and just stood aside.
"Ogiwara, finish him quickly!"
Hearing this, Ogihara just came back to his senses, leaned over and stabbed Laizhong for the last time.
A moment later, Kansuke had an audience with Harunobu.
"Why on earth did you think of getting rid of Yoshigetsu?" Harunobu asked Kansuke solemnly.
"Although the two parties have reached a peace agreement, Lai Zhong visited the ancient mansion twice in three and four months. From this, it seems that he has made a lot of determination. I think his move is to let us relax our vigilance. And For the sake of etiquette, my lord, you have to return to Suwa on another day. It will be extremely dangerous at that time."
After hearing that, Harunobu laughed out loud:
"I spared his life back then, and now I took his life again. It's really busy going back and forth."
"Busy things are yet to come. Now that something like this has happened, taking Suwa by force is inevitable."
"Do you have to go to Yushe Mountain to set up an army overnight?"
"It's too early to say tonight, let's just wait and see how the situation develops. I just killed Laizhong, and immediately marched into Suwa, it will indeed make people feel a sense of conspiracy. Before the opponent comes to fight, please stay still. This is not the case. something important."
Harunobu thought for a moment, then said:
"That's great. Call Xinfang. This guy may be ready to fight."
As Harunobu expected, Nobukata who came before Harunobu was already fully clothed, ready to go into battle.
"Why are you dressed like this?" Harunobu asked.
"Since you killed Suwa-sama, I have no choice but to be ready to fight at any time."
"Why don't you make plans when the opponent attacks?"
Hearing Qingxin's words, Xinfang thought about it for a long time, then suddenly turned to look at Kansuke:
"Didn't it be good to go straight to Suwa when we formed the formation at Misher Mountain? But it was a waste of time."
Nobuka's tone was cold, as if he blamed Kansuke for delaying the attack on Suwa for his unnecessary actions.Nobukata, who originally admired Kansuke, couldn't help but treat Kansuke coldly at this time.
But Kansuke's short body was sitting upright, as if thinking about something, and it was still impossible to tell where his eyes were looking from his face.At this time, Kansuke was drawing in his mind Uehara Castle and the surrounding terrain where he had once been on a diplomatic mission.He doesn't care about Xin Fang's censure, he is thinking about how to capture Uehara City.
Uehara Castle can be captured in three days.Kansuke thought so.After that, attack Takashima Castle, which is about two miles away from Uehara Castle, and one day is enough to win it.No matter which castle to attack, it is better to attack in winter when Lake Suwa freezes.
Suddenly, Kansuke seemed to be talking to Harunobu and Nobukata, and seemed to be talking to himself:
"This battle should be carried out in winter!"
It was surprisingly loud.
It was on the 19th day of the second month that Harunobu Xingshi went to pacify Suwa.
Nobushige commanded the entire army as the general, Itagaki Nobukata was the vanguard, and Hinata Masahiro was in charge of the rear.The total force is 3,700.On the other hand, the Suwa army also went out of Uehara Castle, and set up a formation around Puwen Temple.
In this battle, Takeda quickly broke through the front line of Fubunji Temple and captured Uehara Castle within one day with overwhelming advantage.In this campaign, Itagaki led the crowd to obtain more than 300 heads of Suwa generals.The famous Suwa family died.
In this battle, Kansuke followed Itagaki Nobukata to command the battle.
On the night of the city's destruction, Kan's assistant took the lead in entering Takashima Castle with a shot that was extremely disproportionate to his short stature.All the enemy troops were defeated and the city was empty.Kansuke boarded the watchtower and looked around. Dozens of bonfires were burning around the shore of the lake, and the blazing fires were reflected on the lake, presenting a scene that was completely different from this world.The excitement of the day's fierce battle still persisted, and the clamor of the warriors pierced the sky in the desolate cold night.
Kansuke walked down the watchtower, walked through the hall below, and was about to step into the lounge on one side when he suddenly stopped in surprise.In a corner of the room, a young woman in luxurious clothes sat upright, accompanied by two maids, one young and the other old.
Kansuke was about to step forward when the young maid shouted:
"Please don't come close!"
Kansuke suddenly felt a strange sense of oppression, preventing him from approaching.At this time, the young maid said again:
"Quickly step back!"
From that tone, it seemed that Kansuke was an eyesore here.
"Is it Suwa-sama's princess?" Kansuke asked shakily.
"Yes, please stay away."
"If you don't get close, you don't get close. So, what are your plans?"
"I have no choice but to kill myself. Before that, please don't teach others to come in." The old maid replied.
At this moment, Kansuke took a new look at the daughter of Laizhong who had a relationship with him a year ago.When all the soldiers in Suwa sent off Kansuke and his party that day, only this woman's eyes were full of hostility, but at this moment, her face was quiet, and she was completely different from before.
"If you want to kill yourself, why haven't you done it yet? There is plenty of time," Kansuke said.
"It was we who dissuaded her. Because it was so pitiful, we couldn't bear to watch her commit suicide. But, until now—"
At this time, Yoriju's daughter stood up in a daze, and Kansuke sneered suddenly.
"I ran away because I didn't want to take my own life. I really didn't want to kill myself." She said in the same cold but clear voice.
"Your Highness, why do you say that!" The two maids hurriedly got up and chased after her.
"No, no! I don't want to commit suicide!" The princess wandered around the room in a daze as she said so.
At this moment, a large number of warriors broke into the hall noisyly, and Kansuke, who was oblivious to the princess's absent-minded behavior, suddenly stood up and grabbed Master Bao's wrist:
"Why do you hate suicide so much?" Kansuke asked.
While trying to shake off Kansuke's hand, Yoriju's daughter looked directly at Kansuke from bottom to top. These were the hostile eyes that Kansuke had seen before.
"Everyone died, and I thought at least I was going to survive."
said the princess.There seems to be a strange beauty that Kansuke has never heard before, shining between the words.Although as a daughter of a samurai family, she should not say such words, but it is so straightforward and shocking.
"What if I die? I want to live and see with my own eyes what this city and Lake Suwa will look like in the future. I don't want to die. No matter how hard I will live in the future, I don't want to die!"
As if being possessed by something, these words burst out from the princess's mouth in succession.
"Let go!" cried the princess, struggling.Kansuke had no choice but to let go of the princess.The princess immediately fell down, like a broken jade string flying around.The beautiful girl fainted.
"Take her away!"
Kansuke shouted to the two maids as if commanding.The two maids also lost their will to commit suicide. Hearing this, they hugged the princess from both sides.
Kansuke stepped forward and strode out of the room.The hall was full of brutal and ferocious warriors like Asura, they wandered around and searched, as if they were looking for something.Kansuke went retrograde among the ranks of samurai and led the three women forward.Kansuke's short body is holding a spear, and he is walking forward like a monster, as if telling the surrounding samurai: Don't touch a finger of the three women behind me.Seeing Kansuke's momentum, the crazy samurai turned sideways to avoid it.
Laizhong's daughter Yubuki was taken to the ancient mansion for a time, and then sent back to Suwa, where she temporarily lived in the Suwa Shrine.
About a month after the end of the Suwa War, Kansuke was invited to Nobukata Itagaki's home.Nobuka tells Kansuke something unexpected:
"The lord said that he wants to marry You Bu Ji as his concubine, please stop the lord no matter what."
It is not unreasonable for Xin Fang to say so.Yubuki is the daughter of Yariju who lost her life at the hands of Takeda, and the important ministers and veterans without exception opposed this marriage, but Harunobu didn't listen to it at all.After discussing with the important ministers, they think that if Kansuke, who has always been trusted by Harunobu, goes to make a suggestion, Harunobu may accept it.Therefore, the letter party invited Kansuke to come and report the matter.
"Since my lord is so enthusiastic, it doesn't matter if Bu Ji welcomes you as a concubine." Kansuke replied immediately.
There seems to be a wonderful fate between these two, Kansuke thought so.At this time, Kansuke couldn't help but recall Yubuki's words "everyone is dead, but I have to live alone".
If Harunobu and Yubuki can give birth to a boy, the blood of the Suwa family will be passed on.If this person with the blood of Suwa flowing in his body is allowed to inherit the position of governor of the Takeda family in the future, then the people in the land of Suwa will forget their hatred and submit to the rule of the Takeda family.Perhaps Harunobu originally thought this way.
Kansuke told Xinfang about his views.
"If the two have no heirs, then the Takeda family will become the culprits who killed Lai Shige, captured Suwa Castle, and took his daughter as a concubine. It will definitely have a bad influence on other countries, and the resentment on Suwa people will never be eliminated. day." Xinfang said worriedly.
"However, even if you don't do this, the resentment of everyone in Suwa will not be resolved. If you marry Yubuki, there is still a glimmer of hope."
"Then we have to pray for the birth of a boy." Xin Fang seemed to agree with marrying You Bu Ji. "It's just that I don't know if Yubu Ji will agree."
"I have some fate with the princess, and I saved her life. Let Kansuke try as a messenger." Kansuke said.
About a month later, Kansuke came to Suwa.At that time, Yubuki had moved to Kannon-in Temple on the south bank of Suwa Lake, so Kansuke rode his horse from Takashima Castle to the south along the lake.
Looking across the lake from the hill where Kannon-in Temple is located, Takashima Castle on the other side can be seen faintly.At this time, the lake surface is thawing, which is the time when winter goes to spring.
This is the third time Kansuke has seen Yubuki.
"I'm here to welcome you."
Kansuke said.Yu Buji nodded silently with a demure expression.
The next day, the Xinfang troops stationed in Takashima Castle sent three sedan chairs, each of which was carried by Bu Ji and two maids, and escorted by Kansuke and a dozen knights to the ancient mansion.
Where the sedan chair passes, the peach blossoms near the villages are already in full bloom.
"I'm tired and want to rest."
After the sedan chair walked for less than a moment, Yu Buji asked for a rest.Rest when you go up the hills, and rest when you go down the hills.It seems that Yu Buji is very pampered and willful.
After turning over the hills, Bu Ji got off the sedan chair and took a rest.At this point she asked Kansuke:
"When will you come back to Suwa?"
"After the child is born, I, Kansuke, will escort you back."
After hearing Kansuke's words, Yubu Ji got into the sedan chair with a serious face, and refused to come out again.After that, the sedan chair line continued to cross the plain where the hills were scattered like small islands.
On the way, Kansuke thinks deeply about Harunobu and Yubu Ji giving birth to a child.Kansuke, who has never been cared by anyone since he was born, and has never cared for anyone, feels at this moment that he has finally met a pair of masters who are worthy of serving with all his heart.
This matter can be regarded as a success!Kansuke put aside his thoughts about Yuboki for now.Now is the time to persuade the lord to take Suwa as a base and then attack the Shinano area.
Notes:
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