Chapter 5 Chapter 5 Midnight Excitement

During the last meeting of the generals in Osaka, Tokugawa Ieyasu led his troops from Hoshida to Meioka.In the big camp, he ushered in an unexpected guest and had a secret talk with him. Ieyasu is not in a good mood.As long as a battle starts, he will be very excited, and his blood will boil in his body that has experienced many battles. At this time, Ieyasu will become very sharp, and his whole body will be full of fighting spirit.The few battles since the start of the war made him quite anxious.He also knows that this war has an absolute advantage: However, it is this so-called "will not lose" self-confidence that makes him extremely anxious.

Perhaps everyone believed that this war would not be lost no matter what, so they were so relieved, and not many people tried their best.Everyone wanted to save face and didn't try their best to fight.But war is definitely not a matter of face, a small mistake may lead to the overall passive. In the six-day battle, only Mizuno Katsunari and Ii Naotaka were worthy of praise.Whether it is Fujido Takatora or Date Masamune, Ieyasu was dissatisfied with their performance.It is possible to attack Daban City today, but it has to be delayed until tomorrow.Although the difference is only one day, it is related to the lives of thousands of soldiers, why don't people understand?If you attack Daban City today, you can announce to the world tomorrow: "The war is over! The world will stop!"

Everyone in the world knows that in the city of Daban without a moat, it is impossible for everyone to close the city and stay inside.However, the winning army gave up the opportunity to take advantage of the victory and pursue it, and let the Western Army escape back.In this way, the enemy will deploy troops along the line from Tennoji to Okayama, forming an array to fight.The Art of War says: put it to death and then live.One's own army is careless, but the enemy's army mostly wants to leave a name for future generations.They live in a deadly place, and they will fight back desperately. Therefore, thousands of soldiers will lose their lives.

Date Masamune rejected the attack, and Todo Takatora also resigned from the vanguard on the grounds of heavy casualties.How can we fight like this? Ieyasu didn't even have a good look at Yoshinaka and Lai Xuan who were always with him.But an unexpected visit from a monk puts him in a good mood and keeps laughing. The visitor was Ben Yu Cunmou, the abbot of Yixin Temple near Tianwang Temple.Cunmou said that because this area would become a battlefield, he decided to take refuge in Koyasan.He was dressed in black, dressed like a walking monk, and he was unobtrusive. "I'm really sorry, even your temple was burned down." Jiakang said, leaning on the table.

Cun Mou used the rosary to settle the amount, looked around, and said cautiously: "Tomorrow's battle, the poor monk has something to say." There is a lot of fate between Master Cunmu and Ieyasu.During the winter campaign last year, Ieyasu set up his camp at Mount Chamo, adjacent to the Isshin Temple of the Jodo sect on Mount Bansong.Therefore, Cunmou often came to the army to drink tea with Jiakang and talk about Buddhism.Before that, the two also had a relationship.In February of the fifth year of Qingchang, Ieyasu buried a dead man in Yixin Temple.He was named Immortal Qiandai, and after his death, his dharma name was Linyang Datong, Huachuang of Gaoyueyuan. At that time, Cunmou presided over the funeral.

"The poor monk knows that that area will become a battlefield, so he has ordered bamboo poles to be planted everywhere as marks. Please send orders to all the soldiers to pay attention to those marks." "Thank you Master!" "The one marked with a circle on the piece of paper is the muddy ground, the one marked with a triangle is a small pond, and the one without any mark means that the road is blocked." "Thank you very much. Naoji, write this down and inform everyone." Ieyasu instructed Ando Naoji next to him, and then said, "They should start to strengthen the defense in that area tonight, right?"

"Regarding this, the poor monk has one more thing to tell." "What's the matter? Master heard something important?" "I heard that Sanada will send troops to guard Chamo Mountain." "Probably so." "This is what Sanada's party members said. Since they are setting up battles there, they will definitely want to kill the adults or the generals, thinking that they will accompany them on the road to hell... It's just saying something inauspicious, please forgive me!" "Haha! It doesn't matter, war is about taking the head of the opponent, whether it's killing or being killed, it's the same."

"One other thing, tomorrow there will be eight Sanada left guards on the battlefield." "Eight?" "Someone revealed that they prepared eight red armors, eight antler helmets, and eight horses with red horse armor..." "Oh." "Those eight Sanada Yukimura will appear and disappear, appearing in various armies to supervise the battle, so as to confuse the public and cause chaos in the army." "Thank you. I also thought that he would use this move. So, the real Yukimura is in Mount Chamo?" "Yes. Everyone is prepared to die in battle, and they are also very kind to the monks guarding the Buddhist hall."

"Oh? The opponent who treats monks with courtesy is the most terrifying. Thank you Master for telling me this. I also have something to ask Master." "My lord, please give me instructions." "Tomorrow's battle, the corpses of our army and the enemy soldiers will pile up near the monastery. The relatives are equal, and we will all be together. I want to ask the master to clean up the battlefield and save the souls of the dead." "This is the job of the old monk, so there is no need to order it." "Zaoji, take some gold and use it to save the souls of the dead. Then, send someone to escort Master to the Koya Pass." Ieyasu was in a good mood after finishing his instructions.

Cunmu of Isshinji Temple learned that the surrounding area of ​​the temple would become a battlefield, so he moved the treasures in the temple to some safe places, and he himself went to Koyasan for refuge.Refuge is just an excuse, but if you don't say that, you won't be allowed to pass through so many passes. "Sanada Zaemonzuo wants to turn into eight people and gallop on the battlefield." After Cunmu left, Ieyasu muttered, "The enemy army turned into eight people in one body to fight, and many generals of our army didn't even know what to do. I don't want to do it." After saying that, Ieyasu turned to Ando Naoji: "Naoji, what do you think of Maeda?"

Straight away. "You can say whatever you want." "But……" "What's up?" "I believe that adults should not say these things." "Why?" "There will be eight Sanada Yukimura on the battlefield, which means that the enemy army wants to disturb our army's morale..." "So what?" "In this case, someone will spread rumors that someone in the Kwantung Army conspired against..." "Ok." "When they spread rumors like this, who will be the first to be shaken? In my opinion, Date is the first, followed by Maeda and Asano. Therefore, it is better for adults to oppose Maeda Toshitsune's conviction. The so-called employing people is not suspicious, and suspects don't have to be and also." Ieyasu chuckled and changed the subject: "Zaoji, go and call Zhonghui and Zhongzhi!" But he immediately changed his tune and said, "Forget Zhonghui. In your words, Zhonghui now has Yi who we must trust." Da Fuzuo. Just call Zhong Zhi.” "Obey!" "If someone thinks that I only let the foreign daimyo and bannermen fight hard to kill the enemy, but I am not willing to let my own flesh and blood go to the battlefield, this will become a major flaw in this war. I have to let Sun Tzu Zhongzhi shoulder the heavy responsibility." Naoji received Ieyasu's order, and immediately sent Xiaosu to Zhongzhi's camp again. About half an hour later, Xiukang's son Zhongzhi came to Ieyasu's formation.As soon as they met, Ieyasu reprimanded him, "Zhongzhi, during the daytime battle, did you sleep?" "what?" "Your father doesn't sleep on the battlefield. You bastard!" The young Zhongzhi was stunned by the sudden drink, but immediately understood what his grandfather meant, and his face flushed immediately. "Then...then...tomorrow's battle, please appoint Zhongzhi as the vanguard." "No!" "No..." "If the vanguard sleeps on the battlefield, the battle that is won by instinct will be lost." "So, who is the vanguard?" "I have appointed Toshitsu Maeda. I called you here to accuse you of negligence today. Step down!" "Yes." After being severely scolded, Zhong Zhi's once flushed face turned pale, the corners of his lips trembling, and he walked out. Zhongzhi dare not contradict his grandfather.However, Ieyasu blamed him because he knew very well in his heart that Matsudaira Tadanao was a grandson who knew everything. "My lord, you are too strict." "Huh?" Ieyasu pretended to be puzzled. "Echizen-sama is young and energetic, and he will definitely send veterans to comfort him and ask to replace Maeda Pioneer." Jiakang didn't answer, but turned around, "Zhiji, call the cook." "Yes. But even if you don't call, he must have come." "Oh? Do you know how to pinch your fingers?" "Don't dare. The general hasn't decided whether to go to Okayama or Chamoshan. He will definitely come to discuss with your lord." "Heh, you've become shrewd recently." "Don't dare." "Okay, tell the servants to prepare a bowl of kudzu root soup." "Kudzu?" "I don't just reprimand my grandson. Tomorrow, I want to fight to the death myself, so I must be inspired." "Haha!" Naoji laughed, "My lord, you are already quite old." "Shut up!" "yes." "I am not the former Tokugawa Ieyasu. I am no longer a general. The general has someone else. It doesn't matter if I die on the battlefield. Because I was not prepared for this, I couldn't inspire the soldiers. The war is more important than the bronze mirror. It can reveal the general's mind." Ando Naoji still couldn't understand what Ieyasu meant.At first, he just thought that no one would take advantage of the victory today, and Ieyasu was in a bad mood because of this, but soon his loyal family member, Ben Tofu, was coming. During his conversation with Ieyasu, Naoji gradually understood what Ieyasu meant. Honda's face was pale.Zhongzhi's violent temper is no less than that of his father, but now he is being scolded by his grandfather, he can't help venting his anger on the old minister. "Actually, I stopped Mr. Zhongzhi from attacking. I heard that your lord scolded him for sleeping on the battlefield?" "Yes, I scolded him, what's wrong?" "There's nothing wrong with it. It's just that Mr. Zhongzhi feels quite ashamed. I hope that the Lord will allow him to be the pioneer of tomorrow, so that he can avenge his shame. He said that if the Imperial Palace refuses to agree, he will retire to Mount Koya." "Oh? All right, let him retire then. I've decided to make Maeda the vanguard." "In that case, then..." "Shut up!" Ieyasu sternly yelled, standing up, "Don't all of you know what Tokugawa Ieyasu is thinking? Tokugawa Ieyasu is not a lazy person who only scolds his grandson! You go and tell Zhongzhi that if tomorrow he hears his grandfather fighting The news of his death, let him stay in Koya Mountain to pray to Buddha, and save the dead for his grandfather!" At this moment, Okubo Hikozaemon, the head of the spear, accompanied Doi Toshikatsu in. Honda Masato had to keep his mouth shut, but he was quite surprised by Ieyasu's words. "I will take my leave, and I will convey my lord's wishes to your son." After saying that, Fu Zheng gave Ando Naoji a sneaky wink.Zhici understood and followed him out of the tent. The sky was pitch black, it was stuffy inside and outside the camp, and there was the sound of frogs all around. "Master Ando, ​​just now, your lord was so strict that it frightened you?" "It's the same for you, my lord is indeed too much today." "I have made up my mind. We have decided to launch an attack against orders. Of course, my lord can't fight the enemy alone, we will all go together, and there is also a younger brother among them, so I ask adults to deal with it." As expected of a loyal and upright veteran, that's right, Zhici thought.But he said in his mouth: "But, even if you want to grab credit, it depends on who you attack." "It goes without saying that Echizen-sama is attacking by Sanada Saemonzu." "very good." "I'll leave it up to you to deal with the rest." Naoji stood in the dark until the sound of Tomimasa's hooves faded away.The real war seemed to be about to start, and he could really feel the murderous aura in the night sky. When Naoji returned to the tent, he heard Ieyasu sternly reprimanding Toshikatsu Doi.Jiakang patted Fu'er angrily, and said in a stern voice, "Thanks to you still being with the general, with this point of view, can you still be competent?" "Other matters are up to my lord." Doi Toshikatsu said without showing weakness, "Let my old father who is over 70 years old fight Sanada, but go to Okayama by himself, if your lord makes a mistake, what face will your lord General have? Your Excellency, you have said that from now on, human relations are the first in the world, and the general will be a saint..." "Bastard! That's normal, now it's on the battlefield!" "But, no matter what, the battlefield is still human! If you don't know the enemy's situation, it's fine. We know that Sanada is stationed at Chamo Mountain, and Ohno is stationed at Okayama. If the general pushes his elderly father to a strong enemy, he must It will ruin your prestige. Therefore, Li Sheng asks you to change your mind and attack Okayama.” "No!" "I implore my lord!" "No!" Ieyasu said unceremoniously, "Oh, I still seem to be a sensible person for Dazuo, but I'm so confused if I don't want to." He looked at Naoji. Naoji already understood the reason for the dispute between the two.Doi Toshikatsu seems to want to persuade Ieyasu to go to Okayama and let General Hidetada attack Chamo Mountain, which is probably what the General meant.The leader of the enemy in Okayama is Ono Zhibo, and the formations in the area around Tennoji and Chamo Mountain are Sanada Yukimura and Mori Katsunaga. Chamoshan and Okayama are both located in a highland with a radius of 20 towns, but the attack routes are quite different. The far right road leads to Okayama along the Hirano River, and the other leads from Nara Road to Tennoji.There is also a Kishu road to the left, and the Echigo army led by Date Masamune, Matsudaira Tadaki, Mizoguchi, Murakami and others came along this road.Not only that, but Asano Changsheng from Wakayama will also come along this road.Therefore, the Nara Road from Mount Chamo to Tennoji is in the middle, facing the enemy. "Zaoji, explain to Oyaki why I have to face Mount Chamo." After Ieyasu ordered, he took a sip of kudzu root soup. Naoji had no choice but to turn to Li Sheng and shook his head at him.This is to tell Li Sheng that once Jia Kanggong speaks out, he will never listen to other people's persuasion.Then he said: "Da Chow, Your Excellency is still in good health, it's not as worried as Your Excellency General." He clearly had something to say in his words. "I understand that. But what I'm talking about is filial piety." "Big cooker, is it true that filial piety is the most important thing in this world, and filial piety is the highest?" "What are you talking about? Do you dare to say that filial piety is not worth mentioning?" "No." Naoji shook his head, and glanced at Okubo Hikozaemon. "Don't laugh, Yan Zuo!" He scolded, and said again: "Filial piety is important, but it is not the highest. Filial piety is the way, and doing well for the common people is also the way." "My lord said... what?" "The Great Imperial Palace has retired, and the general has inherited the great cause and shouldered the heavy responsibility of governing the country. Please take a longer view, my lord. What is more important?" "Shut up!" "Hey, listen to me. If Dayusuo was an ordinary person, he would probably cry with joy because of the general's words. But Dayusuo was not happy, but rather angry. This shows that the old man's mood is much higher than ordinary people. Dayusuo feels that he is old. The general is irreplaceable to all the people in the world, so there is such an arrangement." At this moment, Hikozaemon next to him burst out laughing, and interjected, "Hey, it's ridiculous: Haha, wrong, wrong, Oyaku. Oh Imperial Palace, I don't want to lose to the general on the battlefield, it's really capricious! Let it go His temperament is the real filial piety. If you don't say that, how can the general be satisfied?" Ieyasu turned his head away helplessly. "Oh." Doi Toshikatsu sighed after hearing Hikozaemon Tadakyo's words.Strangely, at this moment, he also suddenly understood what Ando Naoji meant, and he couldn't help but feel hot: the Ogosho was worried about the general's mistakes. At this time, Hikozaemon continued: "The Ogosho really wants to compete with Sanada Zaemonzuo. Zhongjiao heard that Saemonzuo has prepared several substitutes tomorrow, and wants to use his superhuman abilities. My lord does not show weakness, and also I want to send a few big palaces to fight against it. How can this kind of fun be taken away by the general? You tell the general, please make concessions." "Oh." "If it wasn't so, Ando would give some high-sounding reasons like before. Don't be too wordy about anything, it should be straightforward." "Pingsuke!" Ieyasu couldn't bear it any longer, and said, "Da Chuo already understands! Don't talk any more!" "yes." "Okay, it's settled like this. Dayue, before arriving in Hirano, the general will be the general in charge and be in charge of dispatching the entire army. Then, the general will lead the army from Hirano to Okayama, and I will go straight to Chamoshan. During the march, It is not the enemy occupying the position to be wary of, but the guerrillas who attack everywhere." Doi Lisheng didn't say much at this time, "I understand, and I will listen to what you want." "That's good. Besides, everything will be under the general's command tomorrow, so be sure to report this to the general." "Everything is under the command of the general?" "Yes, assuming that my Jiakang is not here. As you said, I am already old, and I will die at some point. If an old guy like me is allowed to command and dispatch, once something goes wrong, it will lead to a difficult situation confusion." "Oh." "Tell the heralds everywhere that on that day... that is, tomorrow's battle, you must teach Xi Yizhi and Lai Xuan how to lead the army in battle, so don't start the battle lightly. Put the horses behind you in one or two towns, and hold the spears in your hands. The enemy is attacking." "Put the horses behind you, and attack on foot with guns?" "Yes. Only in this way can we be invulnerable. If you ride into the enemy's line in a panic, you will lose even more. Do you understand?" "yes." "What we are facing is a lion that is trying to fight to the death. We must not take it lightly at any time. The last thing..." "My lord, please give me instructions." "We must be cautious in every way. Officially sending envoys to Osaka City in the name of the general, of course, is to go to recruit surrender." "Until this time..." "Since ancient times, when using soldiers, the divisions are well-known. It is an old practice to honor first and then fight...well, that's all, step back." After Doi Toshikatsu left, Ieyasu called Honda Masashige and asked him to go inquire about the enemy's situation again, and then sent Yoshinao and Lai Xuan to sleep.Yi Zhixu was sixteen years old, and Lai Xuan was fourteen.The two of them returned to the camp nervously when they heard that their father would teach them how to command an army tomorrow. Not long after, Honda came back and reported to Ieyasu: "There is a team in our army that has not rested and is marching overnight." It was almost four quarters of the day. "Is it Zhongzhi? Don't worry about him." Ieyasu said, "Zhongzhi, Yizhi, and Lai Xuan must let them spare no effort in tomorrow's battle. No matter who dies in battle, there will be no pity." There was another sneer on Okubohikozaemon's face, but Ieyasu suddenly shouted: "Hirasuke!" "grown ups." "You bastard is very weird recently. No matter what I say, you sneer and go to sleep!" "This is not allowed. If I sleep before the adults, it will tarnish tomorrow's credit. Even if you make meritorious service, it is only because you fell asleep, and it is a matter of course." "You are really out of your mind! Then don't sleep tonight!" "My lord, there must be one more thing you forgot. Isn't that right, Ando-sama?" Hikozaemon said again in a teasing tone.Ever since his fellow clan Okubo Tadao was punished, he always had a sarcastic smile on his face. "Another thing?" "Yes, a very important thing." "What is it?" "Nothing else, but since my lord already has the heart to fight to the death, I have to ask." "Oh?" Hikozaemon chuckled and said, "I would like to ask, after your death in battle, where should your remains be sent?" Ieyasu's eyes widened angrily, and he stared hard at Hikozaemon, but Naoji Ando didn't dare to vent his anger. "Not only the Great Imperial Palace, but also Takeemon, who looks like an adult, brought from Suruga by your lord. If you are dead or injured, where should you send them, and how should you deal with them? You even arranged the cleaning of the battlefield properly, Only forget the comparison. It would be a joke, my lord." Ieyasu didn't say a word, the corners of his lips trembled, his tongue trembled, and he said for a long time: "Yes. Any Ieyasu who dies in battle can be carried to the burnt ruins of the Sakai Port Temple." After finishing speaking, he went back to the bedroom to rest. up.