Chapter 17 Chapter Seventeen

Imakawa Yoshimoto hated sweating, and while ordering the boy to fan him, he listened to Matsudaira Motoyasu with burning eyes.Yuan Yasushi has given birth to Takechiyo who can inherit the Matsudaira family's foundation.The symbolic initial battle was finally decided to be held outside Terabe Castle.Yoshimoto is quite satisfied with all this.He wanted to see how capable Yuan Kang was as a vanguard general.In other words, this expedition is a rehearsal before the decisive battle in Beijing. "In your opinion, who can take the post of grain and grass?" Yiyuan asked calmly after hearing Yuankang's arrangement for the formation.

"Oda Nobunaga has launched an offensive, which is really annoying. Dataka Castle has been surrounded, and Uden Changzhao urgently needs food and reinforcements. But the support of food and grass seems to be more important. As long as there is food, Dataka Castle will not fall easily. "Yuan Kang seemed to have figured out Yoshimoto's mind, "Therefore, I decided to appoint Sakai Galesuke as the food and grass executive." "Indeed, Ya Le is a mature and cautious person. You can rest assured that you can appoint him as the food and grass. Then, what about the war horse?"

"Tori Hikoemon Mototada, Ishikawa and Shichiro Shumasa, Hiraiwa Nananosuke Kichi." "They are all young, a little reassuring..." Yiyuan felt that Yuankang had a scheming inappropriate for his age, and seemed to be trying to avoid sending veterans to the front line. "Okubo Shinhachiro Tadatoshi and Torii Igamori Tadakichi are also there. What are the arrangements for these retainers?" "They lead the mobile unit." "Oh, so who will command the main force?" "Moto Yasushi personally commanded. The forward and right wing were commanded by Hikogoro Ienari, son of Ishikawa Yasugi, and the rear and left wing were commanded by Saemon Saemon Tadashi."

"How old is the Ishikawa family?" "Twenty-six years old." "What is Shinrokuro Uemura responsible for?" "Follow Yuan Kang around." "Is it a military adviser?" Yoshimoto thought for a moment and then said, "You can call General Sakai. He can act as a deterrent among the retainers." Speaking of this, Yoshimoto pinched his fingers and said: "The Okubo family, Ben Tahiro Takashi, the Kanhara Clan, Ishikawa Kiyokan... Also, the torii must be put to use. Your arrangement is roughly the same as mine. Get ready to go now!"

Yuan Kang sat quietly with his head bowed.Yoshimoto undoubtedly wants the Okazaki people to deal with the Oda Army. If the Okazaki people do not have the strength to act as the vanguard, then they can only fight to the death.Will it be defeated, or will it return victorious?Yuan Kang's heart is no longer wavering, he has been able to resolutely face the challenge of fate. He walked out of the gate slowly, and Honda Nabenosuke (Heihachiro Tadakatsu), who had been waiting here, hurried forward and bowed in greeting.Although Nabenosuke was only twelve years old, he was already extremely strong.

"What's wrong, Nabenosuke? Where's Nananosuke?" Originally, it was Hiraiwa Nananosuke who accompanied Motoyasu, but for some reason it was replaced by Nabenosuke. "My mother wrote a letter from my motherland." "What did you say?" "She said that I was twelve years old, and asked the lord to allow me to go out and let me lead the horse for the lord." Yuan Kang didn't answer, just walked out. Yesterday was a cloudless and clear sky, but today it is cloudy, with black clouds covering the top of Mt. Fuji. Yuan Kang walked silently, Honda Nabenosuke followed closely behind, and said: "Master, I think you also understand. If you don't let me go, Nabenosuke will have no face to see my mother."

"..." "The lord will probably say that I am still young. My mother wrote to me, asking me to escape from Junfu quietly. Even if the lord refuses, I will follow the lord." Yuan Kang still didn't answer.Mrs. Honda has a stubborn personality, and it is very possible to say such words.But life and death are unpredictable in this expedition. Leaving aside those retainers who were named by Yoshimoto, Yuan Yasu wants them to stay. .Not only that, the wife of the vanguard general Tadashi Sakai is Yuan Yasu's aunt, who was born to his grandfather Qingyasu and grandmother Huayangyuan, and is now being held hostage in Junfu.No matter which aspect is considered, this battle can be said to be a life-and-death duel. Behind Yuan Kang are the two sharp blades of Giri and hostages.

Out of the gate, seeing the swaying green leaves beside the ditch, Nabenosuke said again: "My mother also wrote in the letter that the lord may have a mortal heart for this battle. She told me that if the lord declined and said next time Let me join the battle, and let me tell you that there will be no next time for a samurai. My lord, take me with you, I will not be your burden. Nabenosuke has such a grandfather and father, how can he embarrass them?" Yuan Kang couldn't bear it any longer, and reprimanded: "Speak up!" "Why am I talking too much!" Nabenosuke replied, "A general who doesn't like his retainers' outspoken words is not a good general."

"What! What are you talking about?" "It's nothing. My lord doesn't understand what Nabenosuke is thinking!" "Bastard! Are you teaching me a lesson?" "If you don't want to be taught a lesson...then agree to take me with you. Nabenosuke understands the master's mind." "What do you understand?" "My lord will never return to Junfu." "What?" Motoyasu looked back at Nabenosuke in surprise.The look in Nabenosuke's eyes showed that he was telling the truth, and Yuan Yasushi had to be vigilant.Yuan Kang concealed his embarrassment and sighed, "You lead the horse for me, can you keep up with the crowd?"

"If you can't keep up, grab the enemy's horse and ride it." "Nabe nosuke, you grew up with a stubborn mother, so you will inevitably have a rough personality. But I, Yuan Yasushi, have strict military discipline, and you must abide by it." Nabenosuke knew that he was allowed to go to war, and shook his head mischievously, saying: "War is flexible and needs to be adjusted according to the situation. Military discipline is like a kappa farting, there are many things that can be changed. If the lord is in danger, Nabe Zhisuke will die for you. If I can't keep up with the lord, how can I go to see my grandfather and parents?" He seemed to be ready to dedicate himself to the lord, with a firm expression.

"War inevitably comes with death, you have to think about it." "I don't need to think about it." Nabenosuke shook his head indifferently. "My mother said that I should think about life and death in her womb. Therefore, the only difference between victory and defeat in war." Yuan Yasushi looked at Nabenosuke in surprise, speechless.Life and death have been considered clearly in the mother's womb.Mrs. Honda actually made her son think that way.How reasonable it is that there is only the difference between victory and defeat in war!Since war is inevitable, the side that seriously explores the way to victory will win, and the side that tries too hard will lose. "Did you promise to take me there, my lord?" Nabenosuke confirmed solemnly. Yuan Kang replied: "Agreed." After speaking, he began to think about tactics again. In this battle, Nobunaga probably won't go out in person.If the former Master Ji showed his face, Yuan Kang's heart would be shrouded in nostalgic anxiety before this battle was fought.The old giri must be completely forgotten and turned into a sharp weapon. The forward is located four or five miles ahead of the team that escorts the grain and grass, and the rear is also four or five miles behind.The left and right wings are separated by half a mile, protected with bows, arrows and muskets, and the mobile unit composed of veterans should be placed in a position where they can wait for an opportunity to dispatch... What gave Yuan Kang the most headache was the musket.Nobunaga owns the most muskets.According to Okazaki's information, Nobunaga allowed merchants from various domains to freely enter and exit the Naguno, Kiyosu, and Atsuta areas to do business, and used the land money collected to build a large number of muskets.He also ordered a master shooter named Hashimoto to teach excellent ashigaru samurai.It's a different matter in a melee, but if you use this new type of weapon to intimidate your opponent, it will definitely make the opponent's troops mess up. "How many muskets did the old Torii prepare?" Yuan Kang was a little worried. When entering the residence of the major general's palace, it started to rain.Because the expedition was imminent, needless to say the retainers in Shunfu, the liaison personnel of General Okazaki also came in twos and threes, and kept coming in and out of this narrow residence. Even Senahime's natal family and the residence of the Sekiguchi Criminal Department were in a hurry. "My lord is back home." Torii Mototada, who was ready to go, shouted loudly in light armor.A small path suddenly opened in front of the crowded gate. "My lord, when are you leaving?" Sakai Masaku asked. "Dawn tomorrow. Have a good rest tonight." Yuan Kang said while carefully looking at the woman kneeling on the steps.One is an aunt who lives in Junfu.The other one, isn't it Nabenosuke - Mrs. Honda? "Ma'am, Nabenosuke said you wrote a letter, why, do you still want to come here in person?" Mrs. Honda raised her resolute face and looked at Yuan Kang.In the eyes of a woman who lost her husband Heihachiro Zhongdao at a young age, Yuan Kang is not only her lord, but also the support in the depths of her soul, and the beacon in her heart. "I haven't seen you for a long time. How could I not come for such an important event? The letter was delivered by someone, and I rushed over by myself." In Yuan Kang's eyes, her youthful face was extremely beautiful and healthy. "Really? You are no longer a woman. If you don't stay in the inner room, you can even hang out among men..." Yuan Kang stood up while smiling, and the woman hurriedly followed Yuan Kang into the bedroom. "Nabe nosuke, are you ready for the initial conquest?" Nabenosuke smiled slightly, took the sword from Yuan Yasushi, and put it on the knife holder. "Are you here for something?" After Yuan Yasushi sat down slowly, Mrs. Honda smiled happily: "Yes. I want to hold a Yuanfu ceremony for Nabenosuke before he goes out. Please send everyone away." He suddenly became serious, as if there was something confidential. Yuan Kang nodded, "You guys avoid it for now." He waved his hand to send everyone back. "How's Okazaki's morale?" "Everyone is full of fighting spirit. Moreover, I even mobilized the Okubo family in the mountains." "So, what are you going to say?" "First, Torii Iga..." "Oh. Old Torii?" "He said everything about the musket is safe, please rest assured." "Oh. Thank you so much." "Then, over there in Owari..." She said, looking around, "Maeda Toshiie killed Nobunaga's servant boy Aichi Juami because he vented his personal anger, and wandered to Okazaki." "Maeda Inu Chiyo?" "Yes." Mrs. Honda nodded meaningfully, and said, "He said Nobunaga-kun hopes to see Takechiyo again when Mr. Shunfu enters Beijing." Yuan Kang blinked with complicated emotions, "Again...again..." "Yes, and then..." "What else?" "My lord's biological mother at the Hisamatsu Sado garrison in Akoju Castle..." "What did mother say?" "She said she wanted to see you when you came to Beijing." "When I came to Beijing...that is to say, I can't see you this time..." Yuan Kang couldn't help sighing.Mrs. Honda nodded with a meaningful smile. The information revealed by Mrs. Honda is of extraordinary significance to Yuan Kang.Maeda Inu Chiyo went into exile in Okazaki.Nobunaga expressed his desire to meet Yuan Kang when he went to Beijing for a decisive battle.Even if he could enter Dagao City as he wished in this battle, and send the food and grass there smoothly, and rescue Yudian Changzhao, don't rush to meet his mother-the mother seemed to express this meaning to him. "What do you think of my mother's words, madam?" Honda's wife still had a smile on her face, "I think it's what adults understand." "If it's not appropriate to meet now...I can understand, but there are two ways to explain it later." Yuan Kang also tilted his head and smiled. "Don't be confused. Just don't go to see her until you win." "Before the victory..." "Yes. We can only win!" Mrs. Honda's tone was very severe. Yuan Yasushi chuckled: "Nabanosuke's name is here." "Did your lord give it to him?" "I'll just be his father at the Yuanfu ceremony, and give him the name Honda Heihachiro Tadakatsu." "What does loyalty mean?" "It means that after three generations of loyalists, there is also the meaning of 'certain victory' this time." Madame suddenly realized, "Honta Heihachiro Tadashi wins!" "Aren't you satisfied?" "Thank you, sir!" She bowed her head joyfully in thanks. Yuan Kang returned to his usual seriousness, silently listening to the sound of water dripping from the eaves.It has not yet entered the real rainy season, but it is summer, and one can imagine the scene of the army marching towards Owari on the paddy fields.Having said that, if Udian Changzhao, who lives in Dataka Castle, retreats due to insufficient food and grass, then the front line that the Imagawa clan has worked so hard to build will suffer a huge blow. "We'll meet again when we enter Beijing..." Yuan Kang pondered over Nobunaga's words. Nobunaga's words were half-understood, which was due to his personality that likes unexpected things. "The Yuanfu ceremony will be held tonight." He left these words for Mrs. Benduo and got up to leave. There are two ways to understand the meeting again: it can be understood that after returning to Okazaki Castle this time, no matter what Imagawa Yoshimoto said, he will never return to Sufu, of course, the opposite understanding can also be used.If he returns to Junfu as he wishes this time, he will be able to gain Yoshimoto's trust, and he will be able to meet Nobunaga again the next time he goes to Beijing... Nabenosuke hurriedly followed Yuan Yasushi with a knife in hand.Because of the rain, people rushed to move horses and weapons into the temporary hut, and the outside seemed to be in a hurry.When Motoyasu walked to the door of the inner room, Nabenosuke shouted loudly: "My lord is here!" Sena Hime ran out in response, followed by the nurse holding the baby. "You're back." Sena Hime, with a charming look on her face, took Yuan Yasushi's sword from Nabe's assistant. Sena Hime began to get close to Yuan Yasu when Kotake Chiyo was not yet full moon.Generally speaking, most men marry concubines because the main wife has just given birth to a child.In order to avoid this from happening, Senahime deliberately dressed brightly and wore heavy makeup.Now that she has finished confinement, the stretch marks have disappeared, and her skin has become smooth and gorgeous again. "Takechiyo, your father is back." Entering the bedroom, Hime Sena pushed the baby in front of her husband. Yuan Kang looked at that face and muttered.There was no strong love for his son in his heart, but he felt a little unbelievable that this child was actually a part of his life. "My lord..." After sending Takechiyo away, Hime Sena said charmingly, "I heard that you are leaving tomorrow morning." Yuan Kang didn't answer her question, "Take good care of Agui and Takechiyo. You should also be careful of catching a cold." "My lord... I'm very worried." Senahime put her hands on Yuan Kang's lap, her body limp in his arms. "Are you afraid that something will happen to me?" "No." Sena Hime shook her head, "With the support of Imagawa-sama, you will definitely be able to win." "So... what are you worried about?" "My lord's temper, I know very well." "My temper?" "My lord," Sena Hime leaned against Yuan Kang, holding his chin with both hands, "You can't lack women." Yuan Kang couldn't help frowning, but he didn't push Senahime's hand away. "The expedition is just around the corner, what nonsense are you talking about?" "No, that's very important to us. Even if you can endure for two or three days, your lord will never survive five days. I'm worried that your lord will get close to other women in the army..." Yuan Kang didn't want to answer, but just listened silently to the voices outside.He was both angry and pitiful for the worried and jealous woman in front of him. "My lord...you must promise me that you will never look at other women, ah, my lord..." Yuan Kang replied impatiently: "Understood!" He turned his head to the side, wondering whether he had the energy to think about what Seina Hime said.life and death?Abandoned, or abandoned?Just as he was thinking hard about these questions, a chill hit his heart.Did Sena Ji's words hide her emotional confession? She was probably afraid that she would empathize with Yuan Kang when he left, so she took the initiative to ask Yuan Kang to make an oath. "I see. I promise you." Yuan Kang restrained his inner emotions, patted Sena Hime on the shoulder, and said softly. Sena Ji lay in Yuan Kang's arms, looking at her husband quietly.Her eyes showed that she didn't want to know about the war in this world at all, and she really didn't understand all of it.If it was a peaceful and prosperous age, men would probably be immersed in trance fantasies every day, just like Sena Hime.But outside this bedroom, the cloud of war is already pervasive, and people will not hesitate to kill each other in order to survive. "I'm afraid I won't escape bad luck this time." "Then don't take the initiative to jump into the fire pit. The purpose of this war is to smoothly send food and grass to Dagao City." "I know, but if we want to successfully send food and grass into Dagao City, we must fight." "Although we must fight, my lord is not willing to lose a single soldier." It seemed that someone had led a horse into the courtyard.One is Masakatsu Abe, and the other is Saburo Amano. "Although the lord is not willing to lose a single soldier, if we don't show courage, the loss may be even greater." "I'm not saying there's no courage, I'm saying be calm and not reckless." "I know. But young people are reckless by nature. Even Honda's Nabenosuke is going to hold an enrobing ceremony. He wants to die heroically in battle." "That child is a bit like his mother, with a resolute personality. Is he going to hold the Yuanfu ceremony?" "I have a name, and now I am very proud of it. I heard that it is called Honda Heihachiro Tadakatsu. It means only victory, and everyone is for victory..." Yuan Kang listened to the conversation outside in silence, the fragrance from Senahime's hair penetrated into his nostrils.Sena Hime's red ears didn't seem to listen to the conversation outside the window at all.She just clings to her own happiness tightly, for fear of being taken away by others.She didn't realize at all that the world would never allow her to enjoy happiness alone. "Sena... After I leave, if you go to Mr. Imagawa, tell him that I, Yuan Yasushi, set out with a heart as firm as a rock." "I see." "Ask him to keep his eyes open and watch how I, Yuan Kang, won the victory. I will never copy other people's tactics, and I will definitely defeat the enemy with an unexpected and perfect strategy." "My lord's words are really exciting, and somewhat dispelled my worries. My lord, let those shrewd people protect you, don't be hurt by Ruya." Yuan Kang nodded as if comforting a child. "Don't worry. Well, I'm going, you can go and chat with Mrs. Sakai." "My lord, don't forget our agreement." "Got it, got it." When Yuan Kang stood up, Sena Hime kissed her husband again, and then reluctantly let go. The weather was cloudy and uncertain. After the Nabenosuke's Yuanfu ceremony was held, and then a toast for the expedition, after everything was over, it was Yinshi.Takechiyo was also brought over by the wet nurse, and participated in the feast of Katsuri, with the divine wine in the cup being ordered on his forehead.At this time, the men and horses had rushed from the Criminal Department at the pass to gather in front of Yuan Kang's residence, and people around the major general were screaming and screaming, making a lot of noise. The striker general is Hikogoro Iesari, the son of Ishikawa Aki.The guard general is Aunt Yuanyasu's husband, Sakai Zaemon Wei Zhongji.The food and supplies sent to Dataka Castle were prepared by the old man Tadakichi Torii Igamori in Okazaki Castle, so Sakai Masakasuke, who was in charge of escorting the food and grass, was guarding General Yasushi Motoyasu before arriving at Okazaki Castle.On the way, the old man Tadatoshi Okubo Shinhachiro will bring his family and wait for him. When he arrives at Okazaki Castle, all the old officials will throw away their shovels and come to greet him.There were 2,000 men in total, but only 600 were gathered this morning. Senahime's father, Sekiguchi Shosuke, who came flying forward, looked at Yuan Kang who was wearing armor and standing at the head of the battle, and couldn't help admiring: "What a majestic general!" Shaofu of the Ministry of Justice shook the white fan and recited the congratulations.Yuan Kang finally stood up and stretched his hands into the misty rain.Fog-like drizzle was falling.Yuan Kang also held a military fan, which was a relic of his grandfather Qingkang.Honda Heihachiro Tadakatsu, who had been coiled up, raised his head and chest, hugging Yuan Yasushi's horse seal.Yuan Kang opened the military fan with a stern expression, stirring the raindrops.Gale helped make a gesture with understanding, and Noyama Fujihei next to him raised his chest and blew the conch horn. Naito Xiaoping once led the horse to Yuan Kang.That horse was a Moon Deer stallion selected by Yuan Kang himself from the horse market. Although it looked tame and honest, it could endure long distances.Yuan Kangfei got on the horse, and the striker general Ishikawa Yangoro also got on the horse and ran forward. In a short period of eighteen years, Yuan Kang lived as a hostage for thirteen years. After experiencing untold hardships, the first expedition closely related to the fate of Matsudaira Yuan Kang began. The rain had stopped, there was no wind, it was hot and humid. After going out, Sakai Gale helped the horse to catch up with Yuan Kang: "Master!" Yuan Kang turned around and said with a smile: "We must win. But if you keep thinking about winning, it will become a burden instead. Let's relax. But don't worry, we will definitely win." The team walked out of the gate of the residence.Soon, Mrs. Honda also packed up and embarked on a journey under the watchful eye of Sakai Tadashi's wife.With a smile on her face, she walked along the footsteps of the team.