Chapter 13 Chapter Thirteen

Located outside Yamato Gojo, in the large tent of Matsukura Bungo Mori Shigesho, Matsukura has already had people prepare Go, and talks with his close ministers every day. "Even if Sanada has Kong Ming's ingenuity, it is expected that he will not be able to fly past these five." Although it was chatting, Zhongzheng sighed from time to time, "Oh, what a pity for this person." Sometimes, he would also comment: "I'm afraid Zuo Wei Menzuo thinks farther than I do." "Why do you say that?" "Humans, we can't all yearn for peace like the Great Imperial Palace. Zuo Weimenzuo is just afraid that... he wants to get rid of the bottom line."

Not everyone can understand these words, but Matsukura Bungomamori has often said these words recently.He thinks this way because he has seen that Toyotomi's people have been completely abandoned by the times, but they will definitely struggle to the death sometime and somewhere.If they can be gathered in one place and completely wiped out, the chaos in Osaka may also be a blessing for the common people.In other places, they must not be assembled together. Although those military generals who are high-ranking officials have not entered Osaka, they seem to have not forgotten the word "giri".

It is said that Masanori Fukushima of Aki claimed to be "loyal to the Toyotomi family" and sent 30,000 stones to Osaka Castle; Kato's son of Higo donated money and food on the grounds that the Great Buddha made offerings to Sailai; In the name of the seventh anniversary, take out some rice. Rice can be offered, but soldiers cannot be given out. This is also a helpless kindness.However, only Sanada Zaemonzuo, who should understand this truth the most, stubbornly claimed that he would enter the city and fight to the death with the shogunate.The decisive battle was not to defeat the Toyotomi clan, but to make peace when the warlike people were almost wiped out.There is probably only one person in the world who can play such a good game of chess, Zuo Weimenzuo.In this way, all his painstaking efforts, he secretly cut tumors and detoxified for the Imperial Palace, which is really the so-called dredging from the bottom of the pot.

Whenever he thinks of these things, Bungo Mamoru always tries his best to drive away this delusion.Even though Yukimura really has such foresight, it is a question of whether he can let him go.Bungo Mori, who was waiting here under the order of the Imperial Palace, has already threatened that he will never let Xingcun go, and Xingcun should also say that he will leave.In this way, Bungo Mori and Yukimura have no way out. Since the fifth day of the exhibition, the spies released have sent news to Bungo Mamoru one after another. The first news is that Yukimura has been fishing on the Yoshino River for two consecutive days.

"After spending two days, it seems that he really puts his heart into it." Bungou-shou lowered his head and pondered, Tanma also replied in a firm tone: "There are quite a lot of people at the banquet on the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and five or seven carps are definitely not enough. It only took two days to catch them." "how many people?" "I'm afraid there are two or three hundred people. Yukimura wants to invite all the neighbors." "That's right. He knows the number of people we have." "Yes. If there are 250 people to entertain, including the family members, the total number will be nearly 350. He already has more than 30 firearms, plus the desperadoes who came from all over the country one after another, it is appropriate Distribute and form an army."

"Don't worry about this. We've also been through battles for a long time. If he dares to act recklessly, he will be beaten to death. In short, you go back and continue to monitor closely." The Kaga people who were sent to the Hashimoto area had more detailed information than the previous news: "Judging from the wine brought by Yukimura, the dried fish bought in Hashimoto, and the number of carps caught in the past two days, the people who hosted the banquet It is estimated that there are as many as two hundred. The banquet probably never started before, and lasted until late at night. If there are heavy drinkers, I am afraid it will be late at night."

"Oh." "This morning, when the Pegasus came out of Hashimoto, Zaemonzuo put on a hakama suit specially, saying that they are all close neighbors who come and go frequently, and that it is proper to treat them attentively, and he also ordered the young waiter who served the wine to do the same. Dress carefully." "Oh, so there's no sign of him taking all the people he's gathered?" "Yes. Recently, he practiced sword with his retainers. The people he invited were all farmers. Even if he went out often, he would only bind his hands and feet."

"I packed up on the sixth day and set off on the seventh day. Is this what you mean?" "Exactly. He said that he made it public a long time ago, and the villain always feels a little suspicious." "suspicious?" "Today is the fifth day of the Lunar New Year, and guests have been arriving since noon. Although it is said that he will leave the day after tomorrow, wouldn't he listen to the guests' plan and look for an opportunity to escape here? He can rush from Hashimoto to Wutiao, and go to Hanoi via Muya , took a shortcut and caught us off guard..."

Mamoru Matsukura interrupted him with a smile: "Small tricks! You go back and watch. Haha! It's a trick!" Mamoru Shige Matsukura felt a bit of revived blood in his body.His long-lost battlefield blood boiled again in front of Sanada Zaemon, Sayukimura, a different opponent. There was no trace of fear in his heart, but he felt trembling pleasure. He couldn't help laughing: "Hahaha, Zaemon Zuo is really interesting." Bungo Mamoru Shigemasa had heard a long time ago that although Yukimura hadn't shaved his hair recently, he had shaved off his bun and pretended to be a practitioner. "When you enter the city of Daban, you must kill." Although he said so, he respected the Dharma and prepared to make offerings.

Zhongzheng thought it was funny when he thought of the way "Chuanxinyueshou" changed his clothes and cleaned up the carp. "It seems that he is a person who eats people after all. If you let that guy talk about it, he will definitely say that he is not a person eater, but a fish eater at most. But, what is his sincerity?" Yukimura spent two days fishing, with great fanfare. Holding a banquet and publicly announcing that they will start on the seventh day of the lunar new year is really a waste of thought. It's not uncommon for Yukimura to take a shortcut and escape from the secret agent's report.But no one knows the right and left, can he still escape from the ground?He must have another good way, but how will he escape?If he sneaked away by taking a shortcut, how would he save his face?Yukimura is not a reckless man, there must be something else going on!

Chongzheng was talking to himself, but couldn't sit still any longer, and slowly wandered around in the tent.Time passed by moment by moment, the banquet at Jiudu Mountain has already begun, right?Feng Hou pinched his fingers and counted, walked to the courtyard, and was about to sit down on the folded tree under the shade of a tree, when a fast horse came galloping.Wutiao and Jiudu Mountain are about forty miles away, and the fast horse should have changed once on the way, but he is still sweating profusely. "Report!" "Has the banquet started?" "Yes. There are one hundred and thirty-two guests. Zuowei Menzuo put on a dress and went in front of the guests, saying: I have lived here for many years, and I am deeply loved by everyone..." "It's really presumptuous!" "Yes. I wanted to live here until the end of my life. However, due to poor martial arts, the right minister Toyotomi Hideyori sent a letter to invite me to enter Osaka Castle. The next day is an auspicious day, and we plan to set off in the morning, although the journey is only eighty. Yu Li, as we all know, the journey is difficult..." "As we all know, how difficult is the journey?" "Yes. He said: It will take three days on the road, and you can enter the city by measuring the tenth day of the month. Today is the day of parting in this life... As he spoke, he shed tears..." Chongzheng slapped his leg armor and cursed angrily: "What do these tears have to do with me?" The spy was too wordy and repeated what Yukimura had said, but Yukimura was not a person who would cry on such occasions. "Stop talking nonsense!" After being reprimanded by Zhongzheng, the spy shook his head angrily, "Why did the villain lie? This is what the villain saw with his own eyes. Zuo Wei Menzuo indeed shed countless tears, leaving the audience in silence." "You mean, you're among the guests too?" "No. The villain pretended to be a groom and was hired. He searched from the front yard to the house. Most of the guests came from nearby on horseback. Many stables were built inside and outside the old house." "Are you pretending to be a groom?" "Otherwise you can't get close." "Oh. Did Saemon really pretend to cry in front of everyone?" "Yes...it doesn't look like a pretense. He said that in a battle, the outcome is unpredictable. If you hear that he died in battle, please pray. When he said this, many of the guests did shed tears." "Well. Then you rushed back immediately?" "Exactly." The spy seemed to suddenly remember something, and added, "Also, there is one more thing to report, which is about his son Daisuke." "What happened to Daisuke?" "When the guests came, Daisuke didn't show up. Then an elder who called himself Eemon asked about Daisuke." "How did Yukimura reply?" "He replied that Daisuke had been sent to the Dashan Temple on Mount Kumgang. If he died in battle, he would order his son to become a monk and pray for peace. He also said that Daisuke himself was very willing and had already gone to the mountain this morning. The Dashan Temple is Daisuke I often go to the place where I practice calligraphy." "Hmm." Zhongzheng frowned, feeling like he was being teased.It's really strange that a man with a heart of stone who used soldiers actually shed tears and asked his son to pray for him.He then said, "Zuowei Menzuo, you really know how to act." "what?" "Okay, I got it. Step back." Just after finishing speaking, Zhongzheng stopped the man again, "What time is it?" "Quick application time." Hearing this, Matsukura Toyomori slapped his thigh and stood up, "Okay, since Yukimura has this intention, I'll give him a warning. Night attack! Gather your troops and attack Jiudu Mountain at night! Kill all the way to the past , I'm afraid they are drinking to their heart's content." For people in troubled times, fighting is commonplace, and at the same time, it is also a competition of wits and wits.Since Sanada Yukimura dares to continue to play tricks to confuse the world, how can he be reconciled if he doesn't give him some color? Prior to this, Matsukura Bungo Mori Shigemasa always had a feeling of regret for Yukimura.If possible, he doesn't want to take the initiative to send troops to attack, as long as the exit is sealed tightly, Yukimura will eventually change his mind.Fearing that in the near future, he would come to Songcang, blushing and said: "Your army's friendship, I will never forget it." This kind of expectation and pity has always been hidden in Chongzheng's heart. But now it seems that this is just wishful thinking.Yukimura completely dismissed his blockade, and even let out sarcasm one after another.As for where the spies are and what they will report, Yukimura is afraid that he already knows it well, and he is laughing loudly.The only negligence of Yukimura is that he thinks that Matsukura will not take the initiative to launch an attack for the sake of friendship.It is this self-confidence that makes him so presumptuous.It would be the best time to launch a sneak attack while he is feasting on the guests and drinking all night. Matsukura Shige is calculating: immediately gather the horses, ask the cavalry to surround Jiudu Mountain first, and shoot around to block the escape route of the enemy;Even if the people who are guests want to resist, it is useless. The only ones who can fight are those Sanada's retainers, but they have already drunk and drunk for today's parting, how can they be prepared for a surprise attack? Even though the horses at the post station are only about 200 horses, they can gallop for 40 miles, and after more than an hour, they will be able to surround Jiudu Mountain heavily, and then adapt flexibly according to the situation. "Light the musket fuse at Hashimoto, and surround Sanada's residence. Be careful not to accidentally kill the people who do not resist. Let's go!" The decision has just been made, Zhongzheng is not worried about the leak of the action.Depart from here and arrive at Jiudu Mountain between the fourth quarter of the unitary hour and the hour of Xu.At that time, the banquet was in full swing, and some people couldn't even stand up.Chongzheng rode his horse and calculated at the same time, and he condemned his conscience.Ieyasu had ordered that if the situation was difficult, it would be fine to remove Yukimura, but Shigemasa had no intention of killing him.However, once Yukimura escapes, Shigesho will lose all face.Zhongzheng couldn't help sighing: Don't blame me!If you are really able to strategize, you'd better disappear without a trace like a cloud and mist before I arrive at Jiudu Mountain. Two hundred cavalry and two hundred infantry.Moreover, two hundred cavalry with one hundred muskets are in front of the formation, which is a rare new method of warfare. During the march, it got dark. There was a large distance between the cavalry in the front and the infantry behind.If someone spots this group of people on the way and rushes to report, there is a risk of being discovered before arriving.Matsukura Shigemasa was also aware of this, so while paying attention, he let the cavalry speed up and took several shortcuts. The opponent is not an ordinary person, but Sanada Yukimura.Before they reach Hashimoto, Yukimura will definitely send a patrol, but he is confident that they will not let them preempt.As soon as he entered Hashimoto from Yanhe Mountain Road, Zhongzheng ordered the cavalry to gallop while pointing the lead wire, and ordered the orderly to issue an order to the follow-up troops: If anyone wants to escape from Sanada's residence, shoot and kill! The horses were exhausted, and everyone got off their horses one after another on a hill where the lights of Sanada's mansion could be seen. They divided their muskets into four groups and sealed off the surrounding area. The remaining hundred people divided into two groups, shouting and shouting. Previously, Zhongzheng planned to let the muskets shoot at the courtyard first, and then let the soldiers shout and cheer.But shooting blindly like this, stray bullets would definitely cause too many casualties, so he changed his original plan. Being besieged while intoxicated, no matter how tough Yukimura was, he did not dare to rush out.Just taking advantage of the strength of the wine, some stunned youths will come rushing, but they can only become ghosts under the gun. The opposite side is brightly lit, but this side has already adapted to the darkness, and it is very beneficial to touch it from the darkness. Matsukura Shigemasa felt sad again, he really couldn't bear it.Crossing the river to the south and attacking the enemy by surprise is the best strategy in the art of war, but it is the most despicable act of betraying friendship. In the darkness, the order to dismount came, the Musketeers were divided into four groups, and the rest were also divided into two groups. It was only two or three towns away from Sanada's house, and the encirclement gradually narrowed.At this time, Bungo wondered: It's strange, why is the light so cold? In the endless darkness, those lights that illuminate the night feel lonely. "Strange, I didn't expect the wine banquet to end so quickly?" Finally, approaching the door, the door was open, and Zhongzheng swiftly jumped into the door. At this moment, an indistinct voice in the darkness under his feet said: "Give me back the horse. I... I still have patients at home." Ah. I have to go back..." Matsukura Shigeno jumped aside, and when he took a closer look, a drunk man with his breasts exposed and his clothes slid down to his shoulders was dancing towards him. "What kind of horse?" Feng Hou asked in a low voice, and a chill came from his back: It was tricked! "Horse, horse..." the drunk man said, "Other people's horse... I don't care, mine... I have to go back before dawn... I will leave after I agree with the patient..." The man fell down, Put your hands on the ground and ask for each other. Bungo hurriedly looked around.The spies made it clear that there were at least a hundred horses tied here.Of course, they were workhorses bred by rich farmers.Since Sanada and his son lived here, riding horses has become a habit of the villagers, and together with the undisciplined swordsmanship, it has formed the customs of this place. Oops!Zhongzheng rushed inward in the darkness in a hurry.So many hitches, but not a single horse.The smell of fresh horse manure hits the nose, but there is not even a horse hair! "Give it to me!" Zhongzheng broke into the house where the lights were still left, and immediately closed his eyes in despair.On the ground where the cups and dishes were messed up, there were sleeping men lying everywhere, like tuna washed ashore by huge waves.This is by no means an ordinary drunk, he must have been drugged. The subordinates all rushed in. "What... what's going on here?" A person shouted loudly, "Why is there not a single sober guy!" "Sanada Zaemon Sayukimura has escaped, hmph! Come out with real swords and guns, let's compete!" "Hmph!" Song Cang Shigezheng's face was pale, his heart was burning, and his spine was still shivering.He kicked the person next to him hard, "Get up, idiot!" The kicked person just muttered nonsense, moved his hands slightly, and continued to snore like thunder.They were drunk and enjoying a deep sleep. "Why are you still in a daze! Don't let Zuowei Menzuo escape! Hurry up and gather the team! He can't run far, turn around! Go back to Wutiao, hurry back and guard around! Otherwise..." Zhongzheng couldn't speak anymore.It seems that Yukimura had expected a surprise attack long ago, so he pretended to set off on Chuqi, and cleverly came to escape with a golden cicada.Chongzheng was trembling all over, and cursed angrily: "No ears? Withdraw! Withdraw five articles! Quick! Withdraw five articles!" What a shameful night raid.Originally, Yukimura spent two days fishing, which was the first hint of the golden cicada's escape.Two days of fishing for carp and flowers, and two days after the banquet, it is a bit weird, but Xingcun's obstruction is too real, and it can really confuse everyone. It's abominable!In this way, Xingcun had premeditated to let the people develop the habit of riding horses: in case of emergency, he could seize their horses.If so, this calculation started from Changxing of the previous generation, which is both admirable and outrageous.Are Sanada and his son the embodiment of strategy?What fishing, what shedding tears, what reluctantly saying goodbye, it's all a big array of fascination!To captivate the farmers, take their horses and get away, is the only purpose.Are they good or evil? Is Yukimura so eager to go to Osaka Castle?Does he want to get the half a million stones and get ahead, or does he like to enjoy the fun of teasing others?Matsukura Shigema just wanted to return to Gojo as soon as possible, and stop Yukimura there.If he can't save his face, what is his foothold? But just because he made a wrong step, withdrawing troops in the middle of the night is far from that simple.Zhongzheng communicated with various places while conveying orders. After gathering 500 people, after a long time, he returned to Wutiao, and the sky was already bright. Matsukura Shigemasa suffered the biggest failure of his life.The opponent went away quietly, and at this time, he might have gone far away.How should I explain to Ieyasu and Ueda's Sanada Izumori? Not long after Song Cang Shigezheng returned to the big tent, his subordinates came to report: "There are more than one hundred horses tied in the woods of Futami Shrine, and a letter is tied to a pine branch." When the soldiers presented the letter, Toyo Matsukura was both surprised and sighed. "It's a last resort. I'm ashamed to surpass the precious land. In addition, these horses are treasures of the common people. Please separate them and return them to their original owners. The friendship with you will never be forgotten. I hope you will prosper in martial arts, and the trees will prosper. Disgraceful." Knowing and passing on the heart, helping with fear and speaking carefully..." Matsukura Shigemasa first laughed, then smiled, tears fell down.Yes, this father and son are pathetic and respectable people who dedicated their lives to perseverance! Thinking of this, Shigeru even had the illusion that he deliberately let Sanada and his son go.He hurriedly glanced around secretly, and cursed secretly: You bastard, you have made me miserable!