Chapter 31 Chapter Thirty-One

The moonlight shone on the lake, and the nearby pine forest was dark.Even though it was already night, Hamamatsu Castle was still busy stacking rice for New Years into the warehouse.Because Ieyasu personally supervised the battle, the handymen also had to get busy. "My lord, please go back." Honda Saemon said to Ieyasu.But Ieyasu didn't seem to hear, and was still standing by the fire.He speculated that the main force of the Takeda Army that had withdrawn from Nagashino Castle would definitely come to attack Hamamatsu within this year.For this reason, he sent Ishikawa Suzuma to guard Kakegawa, Ogasawara Nagatada to guard Takatenjin Castle, and he devoted himself to preparing food and weapons.

"My lord, it's already four quarters." "Oh? I'll go back right away." Ieyasu seldom argues with his retainers recently, but that doesn't mean he obeys everything.He slowly approached the fire to warm his body, and said to the servants carrying rice bags: "Thanks for your hard work, everyone. If you don't collect them early this year, Yuanjiang will have no rice to cook. Once the Jiafei army comes, people will be everywhere. Once the food If they are eaten up, Toe will fall into famine." After Ieyasu watched all the rice bags piled into the granary, he led Imachiyo Naomasa and Okubo Heisuke back to the city.Hirasuke is the youngest brother of Zhongshi, who has only recently come to serve with Ieyasu, and the Yuanfu ceremony has not yet been held.

"Hirasuke, are you tired?" "No, not tired at all." "Food embodies the blood and sweat of the people, we must be cautious." Pingzhu still hesitated and said: "But the tax is too heavy, and the people are afraid that they will be dissatisfied." "Of course. But if the people are allowed to save food, there will soon be no food left. In the next year, if a war breaks out and the food is taken away by the enemy, famine will be inevitable." "You mean to store it here temporarily?" "It's not a deposit. For the benefit of the people, we should protect the food for them. So I try to eat miscellaneous grains. If you see someone who only eats rice, you must be severely reprimanded."

Hirasuke shrank his neck suddenly, and shouted loudly: "My lord is back!" They have reached the gate of the inner court.The way of life here is completely different from that of ordinary people.People stepped forward to untie their belts, take off their shoes, and wash their feet for Ieyasu... Ieyasu suddenly became superior.Ieyasu dinner is sometimes served in the outer court, served by the servants, and sometimes in the inner court.The diet has not changed much, it is rice mixed with 70% miscellaneous grains, plus three dishes and one soup. The autumn wind blows through the tops of the pine trees, and there are bursts of pine sounds.That night, Ieyasu went straight to the inner court.Ah Ai was already waiting at the entrance of the corridor, took Ieyasu's knife from the servant, put it on the knife holder, and immediately went to prepare tea.Although she is favored by Ieyasu and manages the inner court, she is actually a concubine, but Ah Ai has no arrogance.Ieyasu took the tea bowl, held it in his hands, and said, "Ai, the war is about to start again. As expected, the Takeda army is about to move."

"So, the battlefield is going to the Yuanjiang area?" "Yes. They are aggressive this time." Ieyasu seemed to be a bystander commenting, "It's pathetic for you to continue like this. I'd better give you a title and send some maids." Ah Ai looked at Ieyasu, but did not answer.She had seen that Ieyasu hated pushy women very much.Leaving Mrs. Tsukiyama aside, if Ah Ai is indeed important in Ieyasu's heart, then her position in the inner court will become more stable.This is not only Ieyasu's hobby, but also the common nature of men in the world.

The maid served the meal.Ah Ai went to Ieyasu one by one. "My servant has something to ask." When Jiakang started to eat the second bowl of rice, Aai suddenly said, "I have always been favored by adults. Please call Mrs. Awan into the city." "Why did you say that?" Jiakang said with a wry smile, "You are very good at life." Aai looked at Ieyasu in surprise. "You should know that after Awan comes back, there will be chaos in the inner court." "Yes Yes." "You know, she is not as cautious and magnanimous as you. What's more, she gave birth to a son for me. After returning to the inner court, if you don't treat her well, she will definitely provoke trouble; if you treat her well, Mrs. Zhushan's side It's going to be even crazier."

"but……" "You want to say that she and the child are too pitiful? That would be the best. In this way, Tsukiyama will think that Ieyasu is not just cruel to her, and will never be angry with me." Ieyasu said while chewing with meals. "I'm walking between life and death now, and I don't have the heart to deal with women and children. I can only rely on you to comprehend it." "So, you shouldn't give the title of slave at this time." "You are smart..." Jiakang laughed, "If something happens to my family, and you are still unknown, people will laugh at me for having an affair with a maid, and then it will not be you, but me who will be infamous. You understand My mind?"

Ieyasu looked at Ai with interest, wondering how she would respond.He deeply felt that all women are beautiful and smart when they are young, but once they are subdued by a man, they will be completely different.Some women become more beautiful and lovely with time, while some women fall into obsessive dependence on men and cannot extricate themselves.Probably because of their own different cultivation and experience, the gap between women has widened.Mrs. Zhushan and Ai are exactly these two types of women. But Ah Ai is indeed more charming.She even made Ieyasu feel that she was slightly better than Mrs. Kira, the former hostess of Hamamatsu Castle.

"Aai, why don't you speak? Are you still going to insist?" "Please forgive me," A'ai was still staring at the hands on her knees, "A'ai doesn't want adults to worry about these trivial things about me." "You want me to concentrate on military affairs?" "yes." "Then why did you ask me to call Awan in again? If she comes in, it will only make me more tired." A'ai glanced at the smiling Jiayasu, and couldn't help smiling: "It's the servant who made the decision. Please You forgive me." "Oh, you're making your own claims... how do you say that?"

"Actually, this servant has selfish thoughts... I don't want my servants to think that it is this servant who prevents Ah Wan from coming back. In short, it was the adults who made me realize my selfishness and cleverness." Ieyasu laughed loudly: "Did you realize that? You can really talk. Well, well, I often pretend to be smart. Wouldn't it be great if two smart people meet? Haha..." Ai blushed.After the meal, Ah Ai quietly asked the dishes to be removed, and just now said to Jiakang: "There are guests coming from Longshan City." "From Takiyama Castle?"

"Yes. She is the daughter of Natsume Gorozaemon, a retainer of Okuhei." As Ah Ai said, a look of jealousy suddenly appeared on his face, and Jiakang was startled. "It's that poor Afeng's younger sister...is that right? I want to see her, so I'll bring her here right away. I heard that Afeng is a beautiful woman, so my sister must be pretty good too." I don't know if Ah Ai is aware of Ieyasu's teasing tone, she bows demurely, gets up and leaves. It was only recently that Ieyasu found out that the days with Ah Ai are so comfortable.Because only she can deeply understand Ieyasu's sorrow and joy, and know what he is looking forward to. Of course, whether Ieyasu's long-cherished wish can be realized is another matter.Even Takeda Shingen, who was cautious and cautious, could not predict his own fate, and died suddenly when he was about to finish his work. Aai brought Afeng's sister over very seriously. "Are you Afeng's younger sister?" Jiakang asked with narrowed eyes and a smile.This thirteen-year-old girl is as stubborn as a platycodon.Her eyes shone with a clear light, and her whole body exuded a girlish aura. "How is your father?" Ieyasu asked immediately when he saw her kneeling on the ground hastily. "Do you mean my adoptive father?" "Adopted father? Could it be that Natsume Goro Zaemon gave you to someone else to raise you? Goro and I had a long talk when we were in Nagashino Castle." "The little girl was adopted from the Natsume family to the Okuhei Rokubei family." "Oh... that is to say, you are going to Ouping's house instead of sister Afeng this time?" "yes." "What's your name?" "Aji." Ieyasu nodded, and looked at Ai again.Ah Ai smiled and stared at A Ji quietly.Ah Ai still doesn't know why I specially summoned this woman from Takiyama City... Not only A Ai, but also A Ji, Oupira Zhenneng and his son, A Ji's biological father and adoptive father don't know the reason.Therefore, among the retainers, some people whispered that Ieyasu, who likes women, might have taken a fancy to Aki somewhere... Ieyasu also heard about it. "A'ai, I have nothing to do tonight. I want to chat with this girl. You can send me some snacks." "Yes." Ah Ai said, and personally brought Ding tea and snacks. "Aji, please. You said you were thirteen years old, so do you know your sister..." Aki stared at Ieyasu cautiously: "Master Katsuyori is too cruel. The little girl thought... he was a cruel general." "Oh." "If you want to take my sister's life, beheading is the way to go. Why do you have to do that..." Because of fear, A Ji's expression became stiff, and she silently lowered her head. Ieyasu knew that the thirteen-year-old girl didn't know whether she should resent the lord, so she deliberately asked, "I have something to say, but it's okay to say it. I'm usually too busy to take care of it. Make an exception tonight." A Ji still didn't raise her head, she was probably crying for her sister's tragic fate.Aai quietly approached the candlestick and turned on the lamp.Because of the unexpectedness of Ieyasu's words, her face became stiff. "Speak boldly, and I shall never be offended. Speak!" "yes." "You seem to be holding a grudge." A Ji was noncommittal, but simply said: "The little girl thinks it's helpless." "how you said that?" "There will inevitably be wars in the world." Her voice was clear, and she looked at Ieyasu with a serious face. "My lord, listen to the little girl. No matter what era you are in, wars are inevitable." "Oh?" Ieyasu murmured.As expected of Gorozaemon's daughter.Could there be a heavier word than this?In fact, under the blowing of the night wind in the wild, Ieyasu's heart was in turmoil, and it was precisely this problem that arose spontaneously. "A Ji, you seem to hate war." "yes." "So do I. That's why I'm committed to building peace and prosperity." "You also..." "Yes." Ieyasu returned to his smile, "But, to achieve that goal, I must become strong, so strong that the enemy dare not offend. Do you understand? If I am not strong enough, even though the war is tiresome, the enemies in all directions will still Will come to provoke." After thinking for a while, A Ji nodded solemnly.Ieyasu leaned forward and said, "Then let me ask you. Do you know why I called you to Hamamatsu Castle on purpose? But it doesn't matter." Hearing this, Ah Ji was taken aback: "Can the little girl know everything?" "Yes, tonight's words will never be pursued." "Because your daughter is about to marry the young master, you asked me to come here to learn more about the situation of the Qiaoping family..." "Is this your own idea, or someone else told you?" "It's what my adoptive father said." Ieyasu smiled and shook his head: "No, Aki. Regardless of your adoptive father, tell me what you think?" Aji hesitated to speak, lowered her head and stared at her knees: "My sister died so badly... so I was called to be a maid..." Jiakang suddenly said sharply: "A Ji, why do you lower your head and talk? You are lying. Why don't you look me in the eyes?" Frightened, A Ji lowered his head even lower.Ah Ai looked at A Ji, then at Ieyasu, and couldn't breathe for a while.Why did Ieyasu reprimand Ah Ji suddenly, and why did Ah Ji bow his head?Ai was puzzled. "Tell the truth. Okay, okay, I won't scold you anymore." Ieyasu's voice suddenly softened, "Tell me the truth from the bottom of your heart." Aji turned to the candlestick and was speechless for a while; when she raised her head, her eyes became very stern, as if she had changed into a different person.The elder sister Afeng who was executed in front of the King Kong Hall in Fenglai Temple also had this kind of look. "I said. My lord sympathized with my sister's misfortune, and ordered my adoptive father to raise me with all his heart. He probably thought that this would do justice to my sister's spirit in heaven." "The Opin family's move is understandable." "But my lord called me to Hamamatsu. Therefore, Aki thinks that while you sent your daughter to the Okupira family, you wanted to take the little girl as a hostage." Ieyasu looked at A'ai who was full of surprise, and nodded: "Well said, well said. I asked you this because I saw your worry just now. But, Aji, take a good look at me." "yes." "I have no intention of taking you as a hostage. I have been a hostage since I was a child, and I have tasted enough of it." "..." "The reason why I called you here is actually the same as the reason why Ao Pingzhen sent you to the six soldiers of the same clan to raise you... Do you understand? Your sister Afeng is too pitiful." Aki stared at Ieyasu with half-belief.Hearing this, Aai finally understood the mystery and let out a long sigh of relief. "I want you to make up for Ofeng's misfortune. For this reason, I must meet you. As Natsume Gorozaemon's biological daughter, I don't think there will be a big mistake... But I still hope to see the beauty in person, so I am called come here." Aki lowered his head again.She is very much like her elder sister Afeng, her emotions are invisible, her mournful look has disappeared, replaced by a cautiousness that seems to be half-believed. "I'm very satisfied with you. I have a half-brother, formerly named Jiusong, now named Songping Dingsheng. I want to betroth you to him, are you willing? If you don't agree, you can tell me clearly, I won't Reluctantly." After Ieyasu finished speaking, he narrowed his eyes and looked at A Ji.Hearing Ieyasu's words, A Ji's face turned pale. This woman didn't panic when things happened--Ieyasu liked that very much.She has great insight and tenacity, and once she makes up her mind, she never wavers. "I personally come forward to complete this marriage, will you refuse?" Jiakang's voice was soft, and A Ji's face was slightly red.Of course she didn't know Chofukumaru Dakakatsu from the Hisamatsu family.However, the heart of love disturbed by the flames of war slowly sprouted in the young girl's heart.Jiakang said again: "Can't you answer for now?" "yes." "I see. You step back first and have a good rest." "yes." "A'ai, take her down." After Ieyasu finished speaking, he narrowed his eyes happily and watched Aji's disappearing back. Outside the window, there was a constant sound of autumn wind and the faint sound of the sea tide.Due to Ieyasu's strict order, the fire watchman sounded.The time has passed.After Ah Ai came back, Jiakang said: "Make the bed." He was a little complacent. "How about this marriage?" Ieyasu asked.Ah Ai smiled back, but did not answer.She was afraid of answering inappropriately, which would spoil Jiakang's happiness. "Aai, I finally understand." "What do you mean?" "The murderer will always be killed, and the one who forgives will be forgiven." "what……" "Katsuyori killed Ofeng. But I let her younger sister live decently... This was my strategy from the beginning. Once Aki is betrothed to Changfukumaru, the three parties of the Yama family will compare me and Katsuyori's behavior. Some things cannot be obtained by spies and slaughter, but can be guarded by grabbing hearts." "..." "But I later realized that this kind of thinking is still too shallow. If you only talk about strategy, regardless of feelings, what you do is not in line with God's will. In this way, you may be subverted by your own strategy at any time. Therefore, I put all the ideas at the beginning. Throwing it away, and then thinking, if Aji and Changfukumaru are a good match, I will match them up sincerely, so that the child they give birth to can bring prosperity to the Hisamatsu family. Isn't Aji not bad?" A'ai replied clearly: "You are very wise. That girl will definitely become a good wife and mother." "Oh, it's time for you to be a mother too. Could it be that God's will hasn't come yet?" After Ieyasu finished speaking, he threw himself on the quilt laid by Aai, spread his hands and feet, and smiled... Before dawn on the second day, Ieyasu rushed to the racecourse with Kanbara Kodaira Taiyasumasa who had just returned from his mission to Kakegawa Castle.This is a habit developed over the years. Immediately after waking up, he puts on his battle uniform, carries a bow and arrow on his back, trains in riding and archery, and then patrols the city. This morning, after the morning fog on the sea was blown away by the wind, a light blue horizon spread out at the end of the white waves, but the flat land opposite Ma Jinchuan was still an endless mist. "Xiao Pingta, I have something to tell you." After Ieyasu handed over the reins to his servants, he walked towards Honda Garden, and said to Yasushima, "What's the matter with Kai?" "Yes. Lord Mingcha, they have quietly moved towards Yuanzhou." "As expected. Is there a letter from Uesugi from Echigo?" "Yes. Gengo Murakami reported that Lord Kenshin will send troops to Shinshu soon, so please quickly attack Kai." Ieyasu nodded: "Don't neglect your contact with Echigo." "I understand." "Kang Zheng, where do you think the Kai army will deploy when they arrive in Enzhou?" "This..." Kang Zheng tilted his head and said, "I think they may be building fortifications near Jingu Terrace." Ieyasu looked at Yasugi, smiled and said, "Then, Katsuyori may have sent an envoy to the Uesugi family to seek peace." "You mean..." "That's probably the opinion of Saburobei Yamagata or Nobuharu Baba. If the Takeda clan forms an alliance with the Uesugi clan, we must not take it lightly. If there is a crack in the alliance between Uesugi, Oda, and Tokugawa—" "But will the Uesugi family agree?" "Maybe..." Ieyasu stopped abruptly, and looked into the depths of the mist, "But Nobunaga-kun is not as free as Kenshin-kun." "Yes." "Since he asked us to send troops quickly, he will definitely ask the Oda family to do the same. However, Mr. Oda has to deal with matters in the Kinki area, so it is impossible to go to attack Kai immediately. If Uesugi is dissatisfied with the Oda family because of this, they may accept Katsuyori conditions. Therefore, we must be extra careful.” "I understand." They were talking, when suddenly a rider flew out of the morning mist on the other side of the river. "Kang Zheng, look!" "Ah, it's probably an early-rising scout." "Probably Ishikawa's number one. The enemy is about to launch an attack." "My lord, if that's the case, shall we attack quickly?" Ieyasu didn't answer, but just raised his head and looked at the knight who was approaching slowly. "Katsuyori's attack on Enshu was too slow." "Too late?" "We have finished harvesting the crops, and all the food has been stored. They will probably set fires everywhere, but that will only attract resentment from the people." "My lord, Tanma has already entered the city. Please move quickly." Ieyasu nodded with a smile, and walked quickly towards the city. As expected, Tan Ma came from Ishikawa Shuzheng in Kakegawa.Jiakang met the other party near the tent in front of the gate, and asked anxiously, "How many people do they have?" "There are fifteen thousand troops." "Where has the vanguard arrived?" "I have arrived at the Mitsuko area, and I am waiting for an opportunity to cross Tenryu River. It seems that I want to capture Hamamatsu Castle in one fell swoop... This is a message from Lord Ishikawa." "Thanks for your hard work." Ieyasu nodded slowly, "Since the death of Lord Shingen, this is the first time the Takeda Army has set out on an expedition. Victory is probably determined to win." "Exactly, they set fires everywhere in Tsukino and Kakegawa, causing public outrage." "Okay, everything is not as I expected... You go back and tell Shu Zheng that it is just a stupid pig and let him attack with a musket." "With a musket..." "Ambush gunmen everywhere. It doesn't matter whether they hit or not. Wasn't there a lot of gunshots when Lord Shingen died? This time, we have to deal an unexpected blow to Katsurai, which caught him off guard." "Yes, the villain will definitely convey it." "Okay, let's go." As soon as he finished speaking, Ieyasu suddenly stopped the man again, "Wait! Let Shuzheng spread the rumor that our army has set up an ambush, and people with secretive behavior can be seen everywhere. In this way, Even if they come to Majin River, they will not rush to besiege the city. Well, let's go!" After Tanma left, Ieyasu ordered to prepare for the battle quickly.First, eleven teams of vanguard soldiers were sent to advance to Tianlongchuan, with a team of about sixty people.After the enemy has crossed the Tianlong River, wave the flag and shout behind them, and the Kai army will be defeated.At that time, Ieyasu can lead the main force out of the city to fight. After listening to Saemon, the chief executive of Banta, he smiled and said, "That's very good." "What are you laughing at?" "My lord's tactics are getting better and better. You originally claimed that you didn't need to go into battle yourself." Ieyasu looked at Zaemon and said nothing.This is indeed the case, there is no need to take the initiative to attack, he thought that he would not hurt a single soldier, just let Katsuyori know the firm confidence of the Tokugawa army, so that the opponent can retreat in spite of difficulties. During this period, Changxiao City's defense will be stronger, and there will be no need to fight again within the year.Although Ieyasu had this idea, he ordered people to open the city gate after dawn.He ordered the soldiers inside and outside the city to prepare to go all out to face the Kai army who had crossed the Tenryu River, and ordered everyone to sound their horns and drums. At this time, under the leadership of Katsuyori, the Kai army has crossed the Tenryu River. "The enemy has crossed Tianlong River." "The enemy has crossed Shangase and pointed directly at the opposite bank of Ma Jinchuan." Ieyasu sat in the tent, listening to the spy report with a blank expression.As expected, he now deeply felt how reckless the young Katsuyori was.In fact, none other than Shingen, the father of Katsuyori, made him make this judgment. Ieyasu once fought against Shingen in Mikatahara due to a moment of anger, his thoughts at that time were exactly the same as Katsuyori's now, but now he has saved himself, how impulsive he was at that time!At that time, Ieyasu hoped to try his luck, thinking that if God could help him win, he would be a born general who would always win.But that kind of naive idea itself already contains 80% of the reasons for failure.God help those who help themselves.How can you casually test the matter of fate?Destiny is to be always ready, to keep going, to be patient, and there is no other way. In the battle of Mikatahara, Ieyasu just wanted to show Nobunaga his courage.What Katsurai is facing now is a situation that makes him even more painful.He hopes to prove that he is no worse than his father through this war, and hopes to gain the trust of his retainers. Katsuyori would rush to the other side of Ma Jinchuan.Ieyasu calmly judged: At that time, the Tokugawa army could face the Kai army head-on. When the Kai army began to cross horses into Sichuan, Ieyasu was ready to attack.This battle will end in three or two days.The situation couldn't be more clear: Ishikawa Susho, Ishikawa Iesari, and Ogasawara and Hachiro attack from behind and cut off the road for the Kai army to transport food and grass. Then the Kai army who set fire to the houses along the way will immediately face the fatal blow of food shortage. Katsuyori was supposed to station the army on the Kanayadai line, take the opportunity to observe the movement of Suruga and Enjiang, and at the same time consolidate internal forces, but young, eager to win, he let the army cross the Tenryu River, and intentionally angered the local people.After coming to the other side of Majinchuan, Katsuyori should realize his mistake, retreat quickly, adjust the criticism of the army, and help the people at the same time.The key to leading an army is to accumulate the strength for victory, not to rush for battle.Only Shingen can consider this level, and Katsuyori is still thousands of miles away. Ieyasu was deep in thought, when a battle report came: "The enemy suddenly stopped moving after reaching the opposite bank of Majinchuan." It was noon.Ieyasu nodded solemnly: "Okay, let's wait for work at leisure." At the same time, Katsuyori, who left Mitsuke before dawn, came to the bridge in front of Ma Jinchuan.The autumn wind was still blowing violently across the field, and everyone in Kai's army was sweating profusely due to the hasty march. "Ieyasu hasn't come out from the castle to fight yet." Katsuyori took up his horse in the pine forest on the left side of the bridge, and said boldly to Atobe Osaki, "Cross the Majin River in one fell swoop, and set fire to Hamamatsu Castle." Katsuyori estimated that there were only about 2,000 soldiers in Hamamatsu Castle.Therefore, he thought that as long as he crossed Ma Jinchuan, he would have won the battle.He believes that Ieyasu's delay in coming out to fight is because the troops are scattered among Nagashino and Okazaki, and there is no certainty of victory.Among the 15,000 people, there are 8,000 Kai local soldiers, and they seem to have been favored by God. "It's already noon. Should the vanguard be buried in the stove for cooking?" Katsurai smiled: "Yeah, you can't fight on an empty stomach. Well, but be quick." Katsuyori got off his horse and asked people to set up the tent.At this moment, an incredible shout came from the upper reaches of Tianlongchuan.Ieyasu's eleven squadrons of soldiers who had ambushed at dawn finally started to move. "The voice seems to come from behind?" Katsurai looked at the food served by his bodyguard, puzzled, "Is it the allied forces?" Dachu also pricked up his ears: "Isn't he chasing him from Kakegawa Castle?" "Wait. The voice doesn't seem to come from one place." "Should the soldiers stop cooking?" "Hell, get the soldiers ready for battle right now." "Yes." Dachu stood up.At this time, a group of knights came galloping from the trail in the direction of Xichuan. "Who is that?" "It's Baba Mino Mori." Katsurai got up abruptly and walked outside the tent, looking around.Obviously something happened, otherwise the right-wing racecourse Meinong Shouxinfang would never have rushed here. Surrounded by twelve warriors on horseback, the fully armed letter room arrived in a blink of an eye. Before jumping off the horse, he panted and said, "Please step back from the left and right..." He wiped the sweat from his forehead, and the guards retreated. "Young master, you must never cross a horse into Sichuan." "Why?" "Ieyasu has already expected that we will attack from this direction, and has already transported a large amount of grain and grass into the city, and even ordered people to ambush in the area west of Tianlongchuan, inserting behind us." "What? So, the shouting just now..." Just as Katsurai was speaking, the shouting came again, like a flood, and it sounded very frightening. "We have brought the spy sent to Hamamatsu Castle, please ask him yourself." "Okay, bring him up." Katsurai bit his lip tightly and sat on the bed. Baba Mino Mori called the person who brought it.The spy was named Tanwu, and he was running a pen and ink business under Hamamatsu Castle.His age is over.Tanwu calmly narrated Ieyasu's actions: "Ieyasu was very cautious. After he withdrew from Changxiao City, he ordered that the annual tax be reduced by 20%, and that the people in charge should harvest the crops immediately. After the harvest, he asked the people in charge to keep 20% Grain is used to make a living, so that the local people will have less resentment, and all the remaining grain will be transported to the city and put into a safe granary. The villain thinks that he is ready to defend the city." "Don't say what you think, I just listen to the facts." "Yes. He first patrolled the streets below the city and asked the soldiers to take precautions. In order to make people unclear about the distribution of his troops, he kept sending soldiers from the city." "According to your guess, roughly how many people were sent?" "Although the villain doesn't know the exact number, about two or three hundred people left the city in eleven teams." Baba Minomori stared at Katsuyori closely to see how Katsuyori reacted. "It's really the eleventh team?" "Yes. The villain has never seen those soldiers again. They may have come to attack." "Shut up! You think again, is there any other movement?" "I also heard a rumor from the barrel-seller who came to my house." "What rumor?" "There are more than thirty musketeers hiding among the common people." "Bringing a musket?" Katsurai was a little annoyed, "Okay, you step back." After the spies retreated, Xinfang sat down facing Shenglai: "I think that the enemy has prepared for a long-term defense of the city, and they are trying to sneak attack on our grain transportation team, putting us in trouble." "Hmph! He probably wants to attack us with muskets." "How should we respond?" "How to deal with it? Is it to persuade me to retreat again?" "Do you want to attack Hamamatsu Castle in one fell swoop?" "If you want to persuade me to go back, you don't have to waste your time. If I retreat, I will be ridiculed by future generations as a coward." "The young master is too worried. Victory or defeat is a common matter for military strategists. There are times when wars advance and retreat." When they were arguing, they suddenly reported that the Ganli Yubu, who was in charge of transporting grain and grass, had sent someone. "Call here immediately." Baba Minomori was more impatient than Katsuyori, "Could it be that the grain transport team has been attacked? The battle hasn't started yet, so I'm not afraid of them. Hurry up and report the details." "Yes." The soldier who came on a fast horse knelt down and said: "Our army crossed the Tianlong River, and when we were about to take a breath, we suddenly came from a depression in the lower reaches of the river..." "Someone attacked?" "Yes. We immediately dispatched more than forty cavalry to meet them, and finally repelled them. We didn't expect another group to attack from the upper reaches of the river." "How's the food?" "It was finally saved, but in this way, there is always a little less confidence, so I am here to ask my lord to show me." "I see, you don't need to say any more. Get him water." After Minomamori finished speaking, he looked up at Katsuyori and said, "What should I do? I think they are two of the eleven Tokugawa teams." Katsurai didn't answer, bit his lip, frowned, and closed his eyes.The corners of his eyes trembled violently, and the veins on his forehead were exposed.He originally wanted to capture Hamamatsu Castle in one fell swoop, and thought that Ieyasu's delay in fighting was only due to lack of troops. Hearing these completely unexpected reports, Katsuyori's unhappiness can be imagined.He closed his eyes and cursed: "What a bunch of wimps!" "My lord!" Mino Mamoru stopped Katsuyori.He wanted to say that Lord Shinxuan would never completely rely on the grain transport team, but after thinking about it, he held back. "Anyway, please send troops to help." "Is there anything else to say?" Katsurai stared at the man.The soldier drank a glass of water, as if he suddenly became tired. He thought about it: "The master said that we will stand still until the reinforcements arrive." "Okay, send 200 people from the Xueshan Army." Sheng Lai managed to control his anger, and called Guo Dazhuo to order. The soldier went out of the tent with the help of his servants.Mino Mori and Katsuyori followed closely behind.Katsuyori didn't want to face Mino Mori squarely, and slightly closed his eyes under the faint sunlight.The shouting just now had stopped, only the sound of the wind enveloped the earth. "Young Master...you are Kai Genji's general now." Mino Mamoru finally murmured, "Attacking Hamamatsu Castle will not frighten Ieyasu, but retreating like a wind will surprise him." "Shut up! Let me think about it." "Yes. I will not hinder the young master. Please consider carefully." After Minong Mamoru finished speaking, he turned his head sideways and looked at the faint blue horizon in the west. Standing proudly, Katsuyori almost shed tears.There is no need for Mino Mamoru to remind, the current situation is very clear, and they must retreat immediately.But Katsurai always felt that there was a pair of invisible eyes staring at him from behind, which were the eyes of fate. He still regrets the execution of Afeng and Qianmaru.It doesn't have to be.He also felt that it was too cruel, but there was always a force in his heart that urged him.With great reluctance he jumped into the abyss of great tragedy.During this expedition, the Kai army burned down too many houses.But Ieyasu had already prepared and had transported all the food to the city.The hateful enemy has fully seen his intentions.Knowing that it is a trap, but continuing to move forward will only lead to failure; you need to be cautious in everything, and don't show off your courage.Shingen repeatedly exhorted this while he was alive. "Has the young master made a decision?" Minong Mori, who had been listening to the wind in silence, asked calmly, "If we retreat here, Ieyasu will be quite surprised." "You have a good idea." "This is the best policy." "But just retreating can't solve the problem. If it were you, how would you retreat? Tell me." Minomori nodded with a smile, his efforts were not in vain, Katsuyori finally agreed to withdraw his troops. "If it were me, I would cross the Tenryu River, cross the Sheshan Mountain, and advance the team to the area around Sotahara in Koshu. Then, I would supervise the repair of Jingu Terrace and strengthen the defenses of the cities of Futamata, Inuju, Guangming, and Tatara, so that Ieyasu would feel that Koshu is invulnerable. Fang withdrew to Kofu to recuperate." "Jingsheshan retreat?" "Exactly. In that case, Ieyasu will think that you just came to inspect the defense situation of Hamamatsu Castle, and will regret the unnecessary action, and will admire your strategy of using troops." Katsurai listened absent-mindedly, so annoyed!He began to fear the invisible force that kept pushing him to make wrong moves. "Okay. Since attacking Hamamatsu City will cause heavy losses, and retreating is harmless, there is no rush, and we will look for opportunities to retreat." "The young master is wise. Please give the order immediately." "Call Da Cui to come." Meinong Shou hurriedly walked out of the tent, calling for his servants loudly.In the evening, the sound of the autumn wind enveloped the earth again.