Chapter 33 Chapter Thirty-Three

In the lobby of Gifu Senjodai, Nobunaga is holding a banquet for Uesugi Kenshin's envoy Yamagata Hidesen.Nobunaga had long expected that the envoy sent by Kenshin was here to Xingshi to question the crime. In March of the second year of Tensho, Takeda Katsuyori sent troops to Enshu again, but when Ieyasu marched to Suruga Tanaka Castle, Takeda's army suddenly withdrew to Koshu for some reason. Kenshin believes that it was because he sent troops to the snow-covered Shinshu to support the Oda and Tokugawa families behind the scenes.Therefore, Nobunaga should also act in Meinong as agreed to take advantage of the situation to attack the Koshu Army.But Nobunaga did not move, and Uesugi accused him of breaking his promise, so he had to dissolve the alliance between the two families.

Uesugi's envoys have been asking Nobunaga why he didn't send troops.Nobunaga explained that there are still many affairs to be dealt with in the Kinki area, and the Chubu and Shikoku regions cannot be ignored, so they cannot be separated and have no other intentions.He promised that he would send troops to attack Kai this autumn, and asked the envoy to say a few words of kindness after returning to calm Qian's anger.Then the banquet was held. Xiuxian seemed to be satisfied with Nobunaga's explanation, and raised his glass excitedly: "As you all know, my lord is an extremely loyal military commander. Therefore, if there is something that does not keep the promise, he will definitely be furious. But because of this, I think , he is a trustworthy general."

"I know, I just asked you to say a few words in front of Lord Kenshin. I really have a hard time." Nobunaga said while persuading him to drink, and then retreated into the inner court. Kenshin did get angry, but Nobunaga didn't think he was at fault.Nobunaga looked down on Echigo from the bottom of his heart.When Shingen was alive, Nobunaga was forced to make an alliance with Ken Shino, but now the Takeda general is Katsuyori, the situation is completely different.As long as you and Kenshin live in peace, nothing will happen.Kenshin Humane tried to collude with Katsuyori, and Nobunaga seemed to be warmly entertaining to ease Kenshin's anger, but he didn't really pay attention to this issue.

"Oh, I'm so tired. What a headache." Nobunaga returned to the inner court, and while Madam Ren Nong took off his coat, he sighed, "Wipe my sweat." Nobunaga's beloved servant, Ranmaru, wiped his body neatly.Madam Nong waited for Lan Wan to finish wiping, and said, "I have something to tell you about myself." "Is it a confidential matter? So cautious. Okay, you all stand down. Madam has something to say." He sat down while talking, "What's the matter, Anong?" After only the two of them were left in the room, Nobunaga returned to his previous stubborn style, "Echigo has made me tired enough. I don't want to listen to troublesome things."

Mrs. Nong didn't smile at all.Her voice was as calm as water: "It's troublesome. The little attendant who accompanied Deji to Okazaki was killed." "What? Little squire?" "yes." "Who killed it? Ieyasu or Xinkang?" "Xinkang. Deji was admonishing Xinkang." "What happened next?" "Xinkang was enraged and vented his anger on the little attendant." "Is it possible that he was killed suddenly?" "He said that the little servant likes to tell tales, disturbing the peace of the family. He put a knife into the little servant's mouth, and then punched and kicked him."

"Huh?" Nobunaga was taken aback, staring at the light of the candlestick, "Xinkang drunk?" "yes." "Oh, what's next?" "Judging from the letter sent by Deji, Xinkang immediately set off for Hamamatsu, but because the spies of the Takeda family are still in the city, we can't take it lightly." Nobunaga did not answer, but laughed: "One is Dahe, and the other is Mrs. Tsukiyama. Haha. Deji is not a good wife." "Maybe." "You actually said bad things about your mother-in-law. You can imagine how angry Xinkang was." After speaking, Nobunaga suddenly stared at the sky seriously, "Don't tell anyone what happened today."

"Don't hear or ask?" "To ask about this matter will make things worse. To me, Nobunaga, Tokugawa is much more important than Uesugi." "But in case something happens to Deji..." "That can't be helped!" Nobunaga's tone was stern, "More importantly, Hamamatsu has also sent a secret envoy." "Hamamatsu? Ieyasu?" "Exactly. This matter is no joke. Katsuyori pretended to withdraw his troops, but immediately returned to Enzhou." "Huh? Back to Yuanzhou again." "There must be a mystery here. Katsuyori knows that Uesugi is dissatisfied with me, and he may be colluding with Echigo. Although Kenshin values ​​loyalty, he has no ambitions for the world. He values ​​fame more. Katsuyori obviously believes that Kenshin will not attack from behind Only then did he feel confident and bold to return to Yuanzhou."

"What did the emissary say?" "Of course I was asked to send troops directly to help Hamamatsu." After Nobunaga finished speaking, he lay down on the ground suddenly, "Anon, rub your feet." He stretched out his feet and asked Nohime to rub them for him. Mrs. Nong held Nobunaga's feet calmly.Nobunaga was only so relaxed in front of Nohime.After a while, he seemed to suddenly think of something, and asked, "Xin Kang was angry with De Ji, but he vented his anger on the little attendant, right?" "Yes. It says so in the letter." Nobunaga stared at Nohime silently, the door curtain swayed slightly as the breeze blew in from the corridor. "Ah Nong."

"Have you thought of a countermeasure?" "Nonsense, I didn't think about that at all." "Sorry, I made a mistake." "The end of the Takeda family is not far away." "You're thinking about that?" "Exactly. Katsuyori is too arrogant. Worse than I, Nobunaga." "You mean... his method of using troops?" "That's right. I only use troops when I have to, and Katsurai mostly uses them for showing off. He is a warlike person." "Oh." "From October to November last year, we were active in Changxiao and Yuanjiang. In February this year, we entered Dongmeno again. In March, we sent troops to Yuanjiang, then withdrew, and came again in May. The soldiers must be exhausted. Even a battle If you only lose a thousand people, you will lose five thousand people five times. If you lose five thousand people within half a year, how long will it take for thirty thousand people to perish?"

"Are you taking the concubine test? About three years." "Fool, children will do that. If the 30,000 soldiers are reduced to 10,000, then the old generals and officials will leave one after another, and the Takeda family will perish immediately. Two years, only two years." "Ah." Mrs. Nong laughed, "Shenglai seems to be the same as me, he doesn't have a good abacus." "Exactly. He tried to prove his strength in front of the veteran generals and veterans, but in that way, he would be abandoned by the veterans instead. He has already been exhausted by using troops repeatedly." He was speechless for a long time, and suddenly said, "Ah Nong, what should I do if it is you ?”

"what?" "Will you send troops to Hamamatsu?" Mrs. Nong thought sideways seriously. "If I were a general..." She didn't relax her hands, she rubbed her back and murmured, "I won't send troops. Because Hamamatsu City won't fall easily, it's better to stand still." "why?" "Any general must take care to let the soldiers recuperate." "That's right. Well, I'm determined!" "Is the concubine's words useful to you?" "It's useful, Ah Nong, I'll send reinforcements immediately. It's a deal!" Nobunaga looked at Mrs. Nong mischievously. Mrs. Nong was very surprised on purpose, but in fact she was not surprised. She was relieved. "You are really unexpected. I heard that Gaotianshen City is now under siege." "Yes, Takatenjin Castle is a small town eighty miles away from Hamamatsu. It is garrisoned by Ogasawara and Hachiro. He is resisting the onslaught of the Koshu Army." "The weather is so hot, the army must be very tired when they arrive at Gaotianshen City." "You seem to read my mind." "No, my lord is good at using tricks to make a name for himself in the country, how can I figure it out." "Don't lie!" Nobunaga shook off Mrs. Nong's hand and leaned towards her.There was a mischievous gleam in his eyes, his lips were red, and his breath smelled of alcohol. "As expected of the daughter of Saito Dosan, a cunning woman." "I'm so scared!" "It's a good thing I married you. Otherwise, you will definitely instigate your dog husband to compete with me, Nobunaga." After finishing speaking, Nobunaga laughed loudly, "You not only read my heart, but also guessed Ieyasu's mind .Let’s do it from the ground up.” Madam Nong covered her mouth and smiled: "So what?" "Satisfy my curiosity." "Ieyasu's mansion is quite deep. He asked Xinyasu to rush to support Hamamatsu, but he didn't solve the danger of Gaotian Shencheng, which is only eighty miles away. First of all, it is a mystery." "That's true. Why don't their father and son go to Gaotian Shencheng?" "Probably..." she mused, "I think that he is testing the loyalty and ability of Ogasawara and Hachiro." Nobunaga slapped his thigh violently, and violently twisted Mrs. Nong's plump cheeks. "Damn it! Go on." "I said, I said, let go. Ah, it hurts so much! Ogasawara was a retainer of Imagawa before, and Ieyasu wanted to see if he would be bought by the Takeda family." "Terrible woman. You..." "Therefore, standing still in Hamamatsu City and asking for help from the west is the best strategy. After all, you can't take it lightly. He is wondering whether you will send him reinforcements immediately." "Shut up!" The letter chief shouted, laughing loudly.His speculation was roughly the same as Madam Nong's, but he deliberately said: "It's a woman after all. It doesn't make sense. Why would Jiayasu test me? Be careful when you speak." Hearing Nobunaga's rough tone, Mrs. Nong nodded steadily.She knew Nobunaga's temperament very well.Because she said what Nobunaga thought, she was reprimanded. "You think Ieyasu doesn't care about Xiao Gaotian Shencheng at all?" "Yes. You don't think so?" "You misunderstood. I'm just saying that you haven't realized Ieyasu's intentions." "how do I say this?" "Listen." Nobunaga's eyes suddenly softened, "fighting in summer, not only the soldiers are prone to fatigue, but also the people are impatient, so you have to think twice. It is May, and it is the season for rice to grow vigorously. If The summer war lasted for three years, so the land was barren and the people were starved. I don't know if Katsuyori realized this, but he did wage wars for several years. Therefore, even though it was only eighty miles away, Ieyasu did not send troops It is also enough to deal with the Takeda army." Although Mrs. Nong disagreed in her heart, she still nodded. "You think Ieyasu is cautious, cunning, and selfish, but that's not all about him. He sent someone to ask for help this time to test whether I can guess his mind. This is his real intention." "That's right, you're right." "If I don't send reinforcements at this time, what will be the consequences? Even if Takatenjin Castle falls and the Koshu Army invades Hamamatsu and Yoshida Castle, they will never win easily. His Ieyasu will be injured at most, and he will lose a year's harvest. Even though the people in the area were resentful, they were able to retreat smoothly. Do you understand?" The smile on Mrs. Nong's face finally disappeared: "Do you really want to brave the heat?" Nobunaga nodded happily: "If I don't send troops, Ieyasu will laugh at me. But I don't know how to go to war, so I take it as a tour of the mountains and rivers. When the Koshu Army knows that our army is heading for Hamamatsu from the west, no matter how many times they I'm stupid, and I won't rush towards me from Takatenjin City. This is the competition between Ieyasu and I. Their father and son are waiting in Hamamatsu Castle, and I will lead Nobutada, father and son go together." Mrs. Nong said tremblingly: "Forgive me." She apologized to her husband from the bottom of her heart. "Women don't know much. If I want to go to war, I will surprise Ieyasu." "Yes, as soon as you send troops, the Koshu army will retreat. Ieyasu thinks so too." "Who said I don't have a clever plan? Let Ieyasu open his eyes and let him know how powerful I am Nobunaga!" Nobunaga narrowed his eyes, and Mrs. Nong put her hands on the ground.She knew that Nobunaga had already made up his mind. "Are you trying to figure out my thoughts again?" Seeing Mrs. Nong's appearance, Nobunaga smiled happily. "Yes. I want to hear your clever plan." "This is a major event that determines the relationship between me and Ieyasu. He wanted to test my courage and courage, and I showed my courage and courage." "That's natural." "Ah Nong, don't think that just sending reinforcements is enough, that will only convince Ieyasu that I am a trustworthy in-law." "I'm sure you won't be satisfied." "He has to understand my strength and my ambition." "You can let people know your determination and strength without fighting. What kind of clever method is it?" "I want to give one of the things Ieyasu wants most." "What does Ieyasu want most?" "Yes. In the past two or three years, there have been continuous wars, and the Yuanjiang and Sanhe areas are facing famine. Ieyasu is thinking about how to keep the territory from being destroyed by the war. If I send gold to Ieyasu, who is in a state of distress, he will be very grateful Bar." Mrs. Nong couldn't help praising: "What a clever plan!" Her voice was as light as a girl's, "Compared with war, the price of sending gold is much lower." "A bit of gold?" "So, do you plan to give away twenty or thirty guan? If it were replaced by rice, how many stones would it be?" "Hahaha..." the letter chief laughed, "Ah Nong, if I only give you a little gold, he will see through my thoughts." "Fifty strings?" "Don't worry. Our coffers are full and we don't know what to do with them. The fifty kans you just mentioned may be close to Ieyasu's appetite, but if I send twice as much gold, he will be surprised. I will let him I lament the wealth of Owari." Nohime held her breath and fell silent.One hundred guan of gold can be exchanged for more than 20,000 shi of rice.Giving gold in this way is equivalent to using material power to intimidate the other party. "My lord." After a long time, Mrs. Nong finally said, "You have always been like this. Now you don't need to worry about Deji, and Xinkang is probably already repenting." Nobunaga stared mischievously at Mrs. Nong and smiled.The faces of Deji and Xinkang also appeared in his mind.Xinkang seems to be contemptuous of me, Nobunaga? "Okay. Ah Nong, water!" Nobunaga lay down and listened to the noise at the banquet in the distant lobby. Nobunaga's guess was correct.Although Hamamatsu Castle was ready for the battle, Ieyasu only gathered everyone to the big tent in front of the castle every day after dawn, and returned to the inner court after sunset. He had no intention of supporting Takatenjin Castle.If you attack easily, it may stimulate the enemy, and you will suffer a greater blow.Ieyasu now just wants to wait for Oda reinforcements to arrive to thwart the enemy's attack attempt, but he never said so. From Ogasawara and Hachiro stationed in Takatenjin City, secret envoys kept coming to ask for support.The letter brought by the emissary became more and more intense day by day.Today is Yohachiro's confidant, Hannosuke Mukasaka, who described the plight of Gaotian Shencheng running out of ammunition and food. "Are you going to watch Yu Hachiro, who has made great achievements in battle, die with all his strength? My master hopes to get a clear answer from your lord." Ieyasu nodded and said, "Go back and tell Yubalang that I will send reinforcements right away." "Sorry." The emissary's eyes were sharp and sweat was dripping down his face, "Your answer is no different from the previous two." He retorted, "I hope you can answer clearly this time, when and when will the reinforcements arrive in Gaotianshen City?" Ieyasu nodded unhurriedly: "Send reinforcements immediately." Xinyasu on the side didn't understand why Ieyasu repeated the same answer, and interjected from the side: "Father, can you let the child go first? If this continues, Ogasawara, Hachiro and all the guards will feel chilled." The secret envoy gained courage from Xinkang's words: "A small city has persisted for a month since the twelfth day of the fifth lunar month." Ieyasu ignored Xiangsaka Hannosuke, and said to the high-spirited Xinyasu: "You are not allowed to talk here! Don't interrupt casually." "But if the city falls into the enemy's hands, our family's reputation will be ruined." "I told you not to interrupt!" After speaking, Ieyasu turned to Hannosuke again, "Tell your master what I said, and Hachiro will understand. Go." Hearing what Ieyasu said, the secret envoy was helpless.He looked at Ieyasu's broad and deep face with resentment on his face, and finally said: "The villain will definitely convey it." Then he turned and left the big tent. "Father is waiting for Oda's reinforcements?" Ieyasu looked at his son, but did not answer. "If Gaotian Shencheng had fallen before the arrival of the Oda Army, how would father deal with Yabalang and others?" "Then we've lost." Ieyasu said coldly, with no expression on his face.Xinkang didn't know what to say for a moment.My father must have meant something else.He has always trusted his father, and Ieyasu always told Xinkang to take good care of his retainers and the people, but why did he just sit idly by Gao Tianshencheng this time? In Takatenjin City, besides Ogasawara and Hachiro, there are also military generals in the Enshu area who are known to be unstoppable, such as Kuze Sanshirō Konobu, Dr. Watanabe Kane, Nakayama Tsunosuke, Honma Hachiro Saburo, and Sakabe Matajuro; Moreover, there is also the political situation of Genzaburo Okochi in the past of the Ieyasu faction. If all the above-mentioned warriors die in battle and Gaotianshen City falls into the enemy's hands, it will be a huge blow to morale.Thinking of this, Xinkang asked again: "Father! If Gaotian Shencheng falls, everyone will feel chilled and feel that father is ruthless and untrustworthy." Ieyasu looked at Xinkang. "War is not just about fighting, Saburo," he said.Ieyasu wants to teach his son many things, but considering Xinkang's ability to accept, he hesitates in the end. "War is more than fighting?" "When facing a battle, you must firmly control yourself, don't attack rashly, but be patient, wait, and wait for the opportunity. In this regard, Lord Shingen of Koshu has the most experience." "Are you waiting for the arrival of the Oda Army?" "No!" Ieyasu shook his head, looking up at Luye.The cool wind blowing from the lake made the tent rattle and the green leaves kept shaking.He appeared very calm. "Why be patient and wait?" "Calm down and listen carefully. In this great weather, the seedlings in the rice fields are growing vigorously." "good." "If those seedlings are trampled on, something bad will happen. If this year's crops cannot be harvested smoothly, Enshu and the Mikawa area will fall into famine." Sitting next to Ieyasu, Yasumasa Kanbara smiled, and he understood Ieyasu's thoughts. Xinkang seemed to understand: "Father is saying that as long as you continue to endure here, the Jiazhou Army will not advance westward from Gaotianshen City?" "They might come, and that's why we're armed for them." "If they come, the seedlings will be trampled. Instead of waiting, it's better to take the initiative to prevent the enemy from trampling the seedlings. Wouldn't it be better?" "Confused!" Ieyasu frowned, "I will ask Qinji for advice on this matter later." "Continue like this……" "Do you want to fight back the enemy alone without waiting for Oda's reinforcements? Fool!" Ieyasu's tone was so harsh that Xinkang had no choice but to keep silent.And indeed it is.The young Xinkang has been brooding over the matter of De Ji and the little attendant, angry and regretful.Seeing Xinkang shut his mouth unhappily, Ieyasu resumed his calm tone: "Saburo, you can't figure it out. Tell me, and I'll explain it for you." Hearing what his father said, Xinkang burst out immediately: "My child doesn't want to rely on the strength of others to win, and he doesn't want to accept charity from others. If we do that, we will be in debt to others." "You mean Oda, Saburo?" "He's not from our family." "Sanlang, father thinks the same as you." "What? Aren't you waiting for Oda's reinforcements?" "No." Ieyasu shook his head slowly, "We must rely on the strength of the Oda family. I have already sent someone to ask for help." Xinyasu stared at his father in puzzlement. "After the arrival of the Oda reinforcements, the Koshu Army will naturally retreat. As long as the Koshu Army retreats, the crops will grow naturally. The greatest victory in this war is not to win the war, but to ensure that the people of the territory do not fall into famine. You Understood?" "But..." Xinkang leaned out. "Young master!" Pingyan Qinji dissuaded from the side.Xinkang is too stubborn, and more importantly, he must not reveal the killing of the little servant here.Qinji had to remind some. But the young Xinkang turned a deaf ear. "I understand father, but why hasn't the reinforcements arrived?" Ieyasu looked around at the crowd, pointing at Kanbara Yasomasa with burning eyes. "Kang Zheng, tell me, why haven't the reinforcements arrived yet?" Kang Zheng didn't look at Xin Kang, and said, "Xiao Ping too thought... Nobunaga wanted to win without fighting." "Victory without fighting?" Xin Kang asked Kang Zheng, "Even if such reinforcements arrive, what is the use?" "Young Master!" Qinji shouted, "If you can win without fighting, that would be the best." "But even if there is no war, since they have come, we are in debt to others. I want to know if there is a way to not be favored by outsiders." Everyone in the seat was speechless.Xinkang's recklessness brought a wind of discord into the originally united and harmonious team. "My lord!" Honda Saakuzaemon walked in, breaking the deadlock just in time, "The envoy sent to Okochi has returned." "Oh? You all back down." "Baby also..." "Yes. Saburo can't understand this battle. Take the left and bring the messenger in." Ieyasu didn't even look at Xinkang who left angrily, and looked up at the green leaves above his head again, lost in thought.After everyone left, Ieyasu kept listening to the wind above his head quietly until Zuo Zuo walked in with a young man. War is really troublesome.He was deeply moved at this time.Nothing requires cold calculation, precise judgment, and decisive courage and courage like war.Although secret envoys from Takatenjin City kept coming to report the situation and beg for reinforcements, Ieyasu still had to send someone to the Political Bureau of Military Supervisor Okochi Gensaburo to inquire about Ogasawara and Hachiro. "The messenger Fujisawa Naohachi asked to see the lord." "Oh?" Ieyasu turned around slowly and looked at the young man, "Have you entered the city yet?" "Yes. The villain pretended to be a miscellaneous soldier and sneaked in when they called for gold to withdraw their troops." The sun-burned forehead of the young man still had the mark of the helmet. His eyes were piercing, and he knelt on one knee, dressed like a soldier delivering food and grass. "Oh. Then, the enemy's spies can also sneak into the city like this?" "Exactly." "What did Okochi say? Can you hold on until the Oda Army arrives?" "He's worried." "Worried? Are Ogasawara and Hachiro shaken?" "Yes." The young man answered while looking around vigilantly, "He seems to have sent an affidavit to the Koshu side, but the details are unknown." Ieyasu nodded: "I know the content of the affidavit." "My lord knows? Have you intercepted it?" Ieyasu smiled wryly and looked at Zuo Zuo: "Even if I didn't read it, I knew what it was about. Yohachiro has already told me all his grievances and secrets." "Ah..." The young man looked puzzled. "He asked me if I would abandon a samurai like him? Before he sent someone to say these words, the enemy already knew his dissatisfaction. If I were Katsuyori, I would take advantage of this. Yohachiro would say de Kawanie Yasushi is ruthless, but Takeda Katsuyori is affectionate and righteous. In short, I just want Katsuyori to take him and Hachiro in." Zuo Zuo, who had been silent all this time, suddenly said, "I'm so confused with Hachiro." "He is not confused. He only knows profit, but not righteousness, and has no self-knowledge. He thinks he is brave. What does the political bureau in Dahe say? What will he do if he betrays Hachiro?" "He said that no matter what happens, he will follow your lord's instructions and never give up on Gaotianshen City. Please don't worry, lord." "Thank you. Go down and rest." After the young man went out, Ieyasu looked at Kang Zheng and said, "Gaotianshen City is about to fall." "But not everyone is as confused as Yohachiro." "No, that's not what I mean. I mean, Oda's reinforcements are coming." Tsukuru stared sternly.