Chapter 30 Chapter Thirty

After the execution, people held their breath and watched everything in front of them, still undecided in shock. The first to die was Toranosuke, followed by Chimaru and Ofeng.Under Senmaru's cross tree, Kuroya Jinkuro Shigekichi rolled his eyes up, and died of exhaustion.After the ashigaru warriors put down the cross tree, two monks came out of the temple and sprinkled water on the corpse to pray.Because of the presence of Kai's army, they did not dare to chant scriptures. When Takeda Katsuyori came to the scene, Chimaru's body had been carried away, and Kuroya Jinkuro was still lying there, his face covered with autumn flies.Katsuyori stared at the corpse tightly, expressionless.When is the world killing?Thinking of this, sadness hits my heart, how cruel life is!Fifteen-year-old Afeng is as young as a flower, and has a similar face to Katsurai's wife Odawara.Jinkuro, whose blood has been solidified, seems to be hinting at Katsuyori's future destination.

I am too weak.Katsuyori blamed himself severely, and proudly watched the bodies of Ofeng, Toranosuke, and Jinkuro being carried away one by one.People left in twos and threes with silent anger. This scene seemed to shake Tokugawa's troops in the valley, and the entire camp fell silent. "Young Master, let's go back." Atobe Daisuke urged Katsuyori in a low voice.Katsuyori heard this and walked silently towards the main formation. "It smells like blood, light it up." As the sun was setting, Katsurai ordered Oyakasuke, "Come with me. Go to the valley where the corpses are buried."

Da Cook was puzzled, "That would be very dangerous." "I know. Don't tell people about it. I want to see what people think." "You mean..." Oyaku seemed to understand what Katsuyori was thinking.Katsuyori wonders if someone is out to steal the body.He suddenly felt that Katsurai was very pitiful, and wanted to dissuade him, but after a second thought, he gave up.He knew that Katsuyori was stubborn by nature, and he would never take back words once they were spoken. Stars twinkled in the fir treetops.The strong wind blowing from the valley, like the sound of the earth, resounded all over the field.

"There are rocks, please be careful." "I know. It doesn't matter." The two walked towards the parasol forest across a valley from the main camp, where four small mounds facing north were lined up.Katsuyori stopped, intending to hide behind a tree.It was already late at night, and this place was deserted. If someone came to steal the corpse, now is the best time. "Dayao, cover your face. If someone finds out that it's me, it's so boring." Katsurai instructed. Just as they were covering their faces, a black shadow suddenly flashed behind the earthen grave.

"Sure enough, don't disturb him." Katsurai whispered.Although he also had a premonition that someone would come, but if there was someone, he still felt stuffy in his heart. "Not a samurai?" "It seems to be the common people." "Is that a shovel in your hand, or a hoe?" "It's a shovel and a flower, a wild chrysanthemum." "Oh. I'm offering flowers to the grave in the middle. Are those from Chimaru?" "Exactly. The one on the right is Afeng's." The black figure didn't know that others were watching his every move. He respectfully placed the chrysanthemum on the grave, then knelt down and clasped his hands together.After a while, he picked up a stone, looked around vigilantly, and smashed the handle of the spade into the soil.

"How old would you say he is?" "Forty or so." "He dug Afeng's grave first. Could it be that he wants to remove the corpse by himself?" "Don't you care about him?" "Nonsense! In that case, what's the point of execution?" The man looked around alertly again, and suddenly swung the shovel.Soon, a piece of white was exposed in the soft black soil. The man saluted with one hand and started digging again.He was no longer wary, he scraped away the black soil, and slowly dragged out the corpse from inside. "Ugh." "Bastard!" Katsurai suddenly yelled, "What are you doing?"

"Ah!" The man quickly stood up in horror. "What is your relationship with the dead?" The man didn't answer, but just stared at the two people in front of him.Because of fear and vigilance, he didn't speak for a long time, and the hand holding the shovel trembled violently. "I asked who are you?" Da Cooking Assistant asked instead of Katsurai. "Who are you?" Black Shadow suddenly asked sharply, "If you want to take my life, just take it, stop talking nonsense!" He might have thought that Daisuke and Katsuyori would not let him go, and the terror and wariness suddenly turned into a surge of fighting spirit.

"We are the samurai of Kofu night patrol, are you from the Tokugawa clan?" "No, I'm just an ordinary person!" The man's eyes were bloodshot, and he threw down the shovel, "I have nothing to do with the good people here. But if I ignore it, the Buddha will punish me, so I came here at night. Reasonable bastard." With gloomy eyes, Katsurai stood blankly in the night. "In this world, although war and killing are inevitable, one must have a heart of benevolence and righteousness. No matter how much one hates the enemy, one cannot treat innocent women and children in such a cruel way... No, not only the execution method is cruel, He also wants to send people to kill the people who want to bury the corpses of these poor people! Well, it’s up to you. Anyway, I’m going to die, so I’ll tell you. I’m Suemon of Hikami Village. In this battle, I am the Kai Army I sold the land, but I couldn't bear to see such a tragic thing, so I came here... Okay, you guys kill me." Once a person has made up his mind to die, he can shake all the thoughts in his heart.

"Shut up!" Atobe Taiyaku quickly stopped Youemon, and looked up at Katsuyori. Katsuyori's clenched fists trembled violently. "Who is going to kill you?" He waited for the man to stop before he took a step forward and shouted loudly, "You say Katsurai is a big bastard?" "That's right." The man's shoulders shook, "If he understood people, he would praise me, or send the dead to the Tokugawa army." "Oh." Katsurai was silent, and he suddenly took a step closer to the man.He was furious and wanted to chop the other person, but there was a voice in his heart reminding him that he must not kill this person.He executed Chimaru and others by torture in order to deter the people, but this cruel behavior aroused the resentment and resistance of the people.

"If you understand the truth, should you be rewarded?" "That's natural. These people are too miserable, so they want to carry the woman's body back to the village for burial. Not only will this help to alleviate Kai's guilt, but people will also think that ignorance of the accident is due to a lack of conscience." Ming. That way, the villagers can live and work in peace. Don’t you think so?” "Indeed..." Katsura said inwardly.His anger subsided.There is truth in what this man said.He remembered what his father said: If even the people who sold their land to follow Kai were disgusted with the actions of the Takeda family, the expedition would definitely end in failure. "Your name is Suemon?"

"Yes. Suemon from Nishiki Village." "You do have a compassionate heart." "What did you say?" "You can take that woman's body away and bury it properly." "Aren't you going to kill me?" "If we kill you, Katsuyori-sama will be angry, he may let us praise you, and then let you go." "This... this... is this true?" "Okay, let's go quickly, be careful on the road. Since you are sincere, I will give you this. If someone stops you on the way, please show him this." Saying this, Sheng Lai took out a small medicine from his waist cage, and threw it at the man's feet. That night, Katsurai dreamed that Afeng was laughing at him loudly.Afeng said that she won, but her resentment did not disappear.She laughed at Katsurai: Since you claim to be braver than your father, why can't you be stronger?Why can't the people and enemies fear you more?To make matters worse, Kaede concludes, Katsuyori will soon drive his beloved Mrs. Odawara to the same miserable situation as her Kaede.Then, she disappeared from the dream. This dream made Katsurai extremely tired. Near dawn, Katsuyori woke up, sat on the bed, eyes half closed, disturbed by all kinds of thoughts.By the time I wiped off my sweat, it was already daylight. The sick father often said that he was sweating in his dreams at night. Thinking of this, Katsurai felt that life and death were close at hand, which made him feel infinitely terrified.Either died in battle or died of disease.Can anyone really live to be a hundred years old? At dawn, Katsurai's terror became worse, and he didn't return to normal until he woke up.If his father's wish to go to Beijing cannot be fulfilled because of Ieyasu's obstruction, he will surely laugh at future generations. When Katsurai was having dinner, Osho came over and whispered something to him.He said that the recruited husbands had a completely different attitude from yesterday. "Your actions really worked." "yes?" "Also, regarding what happened last night," he lowered his voice, "that man brought someone here." Katsuyai nodded heavily, "Come on, clean up. Let's go." The sun has risen, but the morning fog has not cleared.There is not a single plant in the heavy fence, and the red land is a terrible sight.After a while, a man came over under the guidance of Da Cook.It was obvious at a glance that the man was an outsider.The clothes on him are slightly different from Sergeant Kai's red purple dress. "Did that person send him here yesterday?" "Yes. That person was touched by your heart, and specially used the token you gave him to bring him here." Katsuyori nodded while looking at the comer. "You all back down." He said to everyone. Everyone retreated one after another, leaving only one big cooker. "How do you prove that you are from Okazaki Castle?" The man slowly raised his head. It was the dark and old face of Okazaki Ohgaya Shiro's accomplice Kotani Jinzaemon.Jinzaemon rolled his eyes in horror, pulled out his underwear and tore it open, took out a ball of paper from it, and bowed his head respectfully. "The villain Kotani Jinzaemon. This is a secret letter from Ohgaya Shiro-sama." Katsuyori kept staring at him intently, and he didn't open the secret letter after Ogaku received it and handed it over, but asked sharply, "Since you are Yashiro Ohgami's secret envoy, you should know what is going on with respect reduction, right?" "We are also going to ask the adults." "You came to ask me?" Katsuyori finally spread out the ball of paper, "So, Kokyou has left Okazaki and came to Kai?" "Exactly." Katsurai thought for a while, "You answer me honestly, if there is even the slightest falsehood, I will never forgive you lightly!" Jin Zuo's body trembled violently, and he realized that Katsurai was still doubting his identity. "Where is Jiakang now?" "In Hamamatsu." "Where's Xinkang?" "In Okazaki." "What is the name of Xinkang's wife?" "Deji." "Where's the concubine?" Katsuyori asked questions one after another without blinking his eyes. "calamus." "how old?" "fifteen." "What did Calamus do during the time when the respect was reduced?" "She gradually gained Xinkang's favor, and I heard that she is pregnant." Katsuyori finally nodded emphatically, he has confirmed that this person is Yashiro's emissary. "The secret letter said that Ieyasu asked Nobunaga for help in an attempt to wipe out the Takeda family in one fell swoop, but he did not write out any countermeasures. Does he have any message?" "This..." Zhen Zuo replied, wiping the sweat from his forehead with his hands, "He told the villain: If you are asked this question, answer it as he said." "Then the reinforcements are coming, how should we deal with it?" "Due to various ties, the Oda Army cannot immediately send troops to reinforce Mikawa. So please try to separate them during this period." "Divorce?" "Exactly. The first thing is to destroy the relationship between Xinkang and Deji." "Oh? Divide their husband and wife..." Katsurai frowned, and the beautiful face of his wife Odawara suddenly appeared before his eyes.After a while, he said loudly: "Da He's countermeasure is to drive a wedge between the couple?" Seeing Katsurai's serious expression, Jinzuo hastily said: "Oga-sama's original words are: Among all countermeasures, separating husband and wife and flesh and blood is the most useful." "Having said that, it's too despicable to act." "No, not mean at all. It's a great weapon for winning." Jin Zuo said eagerly, without blinking his small eyes, "Mrs. Zhushan has been completely controlled by Mr. Dahe. Next, we have to find a way on De Ji. De Ji's grievances will naturally be vented on Calamus." .When Xinkang knew that his concubine was being hurt, even though Tokuhime was the young lady of the Oda family..." Katsurai couldn't help getting angry when he saw Jin Zuo's proud expression. "Be careful." He shouted loudly, "You don't need to teach me this kind of thing." "Yes Yes." "How is Mrs. Tsukiyama?" "She's been a little weird recently...Of course, this is the view of the retainers. In fact, this is also one of Dahe's strategies. He deliberately keeps her from knowing the progress of major events, so that outsiders will have such a view of her." Katsuyori sneered and said, "Ogami Yashiro is really capable. Alright. You go back and tell him, I already know." After speaking, he turned to look at Oyaku next to him, "Send the emissary to where he wants to go." After the two left, Katsuyori folded his arms and shook his head.In the letter, Ohgaya Yashiro complained why Katsuyori did not go to the martial arts festival last time. If there was a decisive battle in Nagashino at that time, Shinyasu would definitely fight, and Katsuyori could go to attack Okazaki as promised.In any case, Ieyasu Okazaki's granary is the base camp.If they captured it, they would be able to prevent Oda's reinforcements from coming. Dahe's opinion is reasonable, and Oda's reinforcements must not be allowed to enter Mikawa.To this end, the central and four-nation armies can be allowed to enter Beijing, or the monks of Honganji Temple can be incited to launch a rebellion.But he also said that the strategy of alienation is the most effective.Thinking of this, the weakness that remained in Katsuyori's heart gradually disappeared, replaced by an inspiring fighting spirit. "Okay." He stood up abruptly.Since the retainers all said that his martial prowess is by no means inferior to that of his father, they should give full play to his prowess. Thinking of this, how could he not be excited. Atobe Taiyaki, who sent Kotani Jinzuo, came back with Sanlang Bingwei from Yamagata. "How is the young master?" Sanlang Bingwei from Shan County with a short stature came in carelessly. Katsuyori welcomes Saburobei boldly.The general in front of him is the one who was most frustrated by his father's death.He felt that he should encourage this short and strong general, so he sat upright and said, "Sanlang Bingwei, how is Changxiao Town now?" "The young master is asking me why I didn't take it down?" Sanlang Bingwei knew that Katsuyori would ask about this, and he had already thought about the answer. He smiled, "The enemy is too powerful." "Hahaha..." Katsuyori laughed loudly, "I heard that Yamagashi Saburobei of Kai is stronger than Yuqiang." "Young master, I come here today to ask for something." "You're welcome, just tell me. But if you want me to withdraw to Kofu, I'm afraid it will be a waste of time." Saburobei seems to have fully guessed what Katsuyori was thinking: "No, I won't say that." "What's that? Let's hear it." Katsuyai ordered his servants to serve cherry blossom tea. Before the tea was served, Sanlang Bingwei talked nonsense, saying that the scenery in front of the big tent is not good, and rain will affect the deployment of the formation, etc. "Without him, the First Lord once said during his serious illness, please don't make too much publicity, the next time you come here, it's just for this matter." "Oh, you don't let me set up the formation, and you don't want me to be too brave?" "Yes. Ever since Okuhei and his son, who were the masters, defected to Tokugawa, not only the three parties of the Yama family, but also the wild samurai and the leaders..." "Okay! I don't want to hear it." Katsuyai interrupted Saburo Bingwei, "It is precisely because I noticed this that I ordered the execution of the hostages. Do you want me to recharge my energy for a long-term plan?" "Exactly." Saburobei opened his eyes wide, his gaze was like an eagle, looking at his younger lord, "If the Oda family's reinforcements arrive and we lose our allies, Takeda will be in danger." "I know, so before the reinforcements arrive..." "Young master!" Saburobei interrupted Katsuyori, "Oda has dominated Kinki." "so what?" "There is Uesugi in Echigo and Hokuriku, Tokugawa in Mikawa and Enoe, and Oda in Kinki. Facing these three powerful enemies, where will the young master put his main force?" "You mean to give up on Chang Xiao and attack everywhere?" "Young master! If we are attacked by three powerful enemies, even the allied Odawara will become enemies. Don't you realize that? In terms of strategy, it is not appropriate to break the balance between the enemy and us. This is not only the next, It is also something that the First Master will never forget." Hearing about his father again, Katsuyori turned his face away unhappily. "Young master!" Saburo Bingwei emphasized, "We must not fight three powerful enemies at the same time. There must be an attack and a fight." "what?" "Once a certain balance is reached, our chances of winning will greatly increase. The greater the chances of winning, regardless of the morale of ordinary soldiers, even the views of allies will change. I am here for this matter." "You want me to bow to Tokugawa Ieyasu?" "I didn't say that I would bow to Ieyasu. Even if I bowed, considering Oda's reaction, he would definitely not join hands with Takeda." "So, are you asking me to bow to Ieyasu's backer Nobunaga? That black-hearted enemy of Buddhism!" Sanlangbei slowly shook his head: "Nobunaga will not..." "Saburobei, are you teasing me?" "Young master, why did you say that? How could I do such a thing after I am a famous Genji family!" "Then, are you asking me to kneel and surrender to my father's enemy, Echigo's Uesugi Kenshin?" "Exactly!" Saburo Bingwei said, "Looking at the world, Sanlang Bingwei is convinced that no one has a heart of loyalty except Ken Xingong." "Oh." The young Katsuyori murmured like a beast, and stared closely at Saburobei, "Okay. I'm all ears, how can I win over Kenshin?" Saburobei did not directly answer Katsuyori's question. "When the First Lord was alive, it was Kenshin who tirelessly transported sea salt to the inland Kai and Shinano people." "I know. Don't you think that's his soft way?" "I heard that after hearing the rumors of the late Lord's death, he voluntarily withdrew his troops and shed tears. Therefore, when you angrily complained to Nobunaga for burning down Mount Hiei, condemned Nobunaga for persecuting the followers of the Ichiko sect, and called on people all over the world to fight for the destruction of the Buddha's enemies." When we are united, he is probably the only one who can answer your call." Katsuyori's fists were still shaking violently.Although the enemy and friends frequently changed in troubled times, he couldn't accept the thought of actively negotiating peace with the enemy that his father had spent half his life dealing with. "As long as we reach an agreement with Kenshin, we can mobilize the believers from Echigo to Etsuchu, Kaga to Echizen, and let them contain the Oda Army, and we can concentrate on attacking Ieyasu. At that time, it was not the first attack. Shino, instead join Odawara and attack Ieyasu's old lair Hamamatsu from Enshu. No matter whether the Oda reinforcements come or not, as long as we capture Hamamatsu, Yoshida and Okazaki, not only Nagashino, but also the three members of the Yama family will never be against it. The Takeda family has a different heart." Katsuyori remained motionless, but his eyes gradually shifted from Saburobei's face to the yard.The bare courtyard was covered with a layer of dust. Saburobei stared at Katsuyori without giving in.Katsurai tried to calm himself down.He thought it was his father's death that made the army's morale so weak, but after listening to Saburo Bingwei's words, he realized that everything was an illusion.They were afraid of their father's death, and even more worried about Katsuyori's ability.If you don't fight, you are done, and you will win every battle. This is indeed what my father repeatedly told me.Since the enemy is the ally of Oda Tokugawa, Hojo and Uesugi should be combined to deal with them. Saburo Bingwei's advice is correct in terms of strategy.But in alliance with his father's old enemy Kenshin, Katsuyori feels that he is an unworthy descendant no matter what. "Young master!" Seeing Katsurai still hesitating, Saburo Bingwei moved forward, "Young master, please make up your mind. We have no other way out except to form an alliance with the Uesugi family." "Oh." "Fortunately, winter is about to enter. Please send a secret envoy to Echigo immediately, and Kenshin will definitely agree." "..." "Then pretend to attack Ieyasu's city of Hamamatsu from the Enjiang area, which will be very beneficial to our allies." "Saburobei... are you telling me to withdraw my troops from Nagashino immediately?" "Fighting opportunities are ever-changing and fleeting, and there is no point in deploying formations without any benefit. We will be stationed in the mountains for a long time, and after winter comes, it will be very difficult to transport food and grass. But if we withdraw to Yuanjiang, we will have Odawara's support behind us." "Okay." Katsuyai replied, "I'm afraid this is not your opinion alone?" "Yes. Baba, Tsuchiya, and Oyamada agree in the same way." Katsuyori nodded helplessly, "Is this considered that the retainers are advising?" "Everyone considered the interests of the entire Takeda clan, so they decided to let my subordinates come forward." "I see. Well, call the meeting immediately." Sanlang Bingwei of Shan County calmly saluted: "Thank God. This way, the Takeda clan can be saved." After Saburobei retreated, Katsuyori finally vented all the anger that had been pent up for a long time on the chief cook. "We can make peace with Uesugi. But we must take Ieyasu's head before the first month of the month. Si Shi pretended to withdraw from Nagashino, and then took advantage of his hesitation to crush Hamamatsu in one fell swoop."