different warring states of japan

Chapter 2167: The decisive battle in Kyoto
As Yoshikane Sasaki issued one order after another, the Kyoto garrison commander Otani Yoshitsugu had already entered Fushimi Castle and secretly began preparations for war.

At this time, Maeda Yoshitsu also came to Fushimi Castle to visit his old sisters.

Outside Fushimi Castle, at the parade ground.

Yoshitsugu Otani had a white scarf wrapped around his head, with only his eyes exposed in the middle of summer, as he gazed into the distance.

In recent years, she has been in charge of the defense of Kyoto and has been shouldering heavy responsibilities. She has become increasingly busy and her skin disease has become more serious. She has to wrap herself up no matter how hot it is.

Fortunately, she was in a high position and the saint granted her a small hot spring near Kyoto for treatment. Her daily life in Kyoto was also pampered, so her body was not as uncomfortable as before in the mountains of Minami Iga.

At this time, clouds of dust were rising in the distance, and the sound of horses neighing could be heard faintly. The black spot gradually enlarged, and a team of Ji warriors rushed in front of them in a blink of an eye.

When the leader Maeda Yoshitsugu saw Otani Yoshitsugu coming to greet him personally, he jumped off his horse with a smile, walked up to her, held her arm, and spoke to her affectionately.

"I heard that you've been very busy these days, why did you come to greet me in person?"

Otani Yoshitsugu bowed slightly and smiled.

"His Maeda-sama is here, how dare I not come to greet him?"

Maeda Riku laughed, patted Otani Yoshitsugu on the shoulder, and walked in with her side by side.

The two have known each other for eighteen years and have a very close relationship, so they can joke around without any taboos.

When they arrived at the battle formation and all the idle people were dismissed, leaving only the two of them alone, Otani Yoshitsugu asked in a low voice.

"How did you come?"

Maeda Ritsu said solemnly.

“The situation seems to have changed.”

Yoshitsugu Otani narrowed his eyes.

"No matter how it changes, Kyoto will not retreat without a fight. You don't have to persuade me anymore."

Yoshitsugu Otani had already prepared himself to die in battle. Hideyoshi Ichijo made a desperate move and recalled the elite troops of the peninsula. With the help of the Mori family, the number of soldiers was at least 80,000, if not 100,000.

There are only a thousand people under the Kyoto garrison, plus the hundreds of Sōma troops converted from the old shogunate, so at most there are no more than 1,500 combat soldiers. No matter how you look at it, it's like a mantis trying to stop a chariot.

But Kyoto is the best place in the world and has extraordinary political significance. It is impossible for the Sasaki family to give up Kyoto without firing a shot.

Therefore, Otani Yoshitsugu, the garrison commander of Kyoto, had already prepared himself mentally to repay the saint's kindness with his death.

Fortunately, the saint was kind and Maeda Yoshitsugu was his close friend, so even if Otani Yoshitsugu died in battle, the Otani family would continue to prosper because of her sacrifice, which was not a loss at all.

Although he knew that Otani Yoshitsugu was determined to die, Maeda did not want this capable ally to die in a battle that was bound to be a defeat.

You should know that Otani Yoshitsugu was the first generation of the saint's close associates, had outstanding contributions, and had successfully given frank advice several times, and the saint valued him very much.

Although Otani Yoshitsugu was not a member of the Sasaki clan, excluding the Sasaki clan, Otani Yoshitsugu could be considered one of the most important family elders among the future generations of Sasaki.

Not to mention the deep personal feelings between the two, such a political ally is far more valuable alive than dead.

Maeda Yoshitsugu persuaded Otani Yoshitsugu several times that if the situation was not good, they could judge the situation and decide whether to lose territory and save lives since the enemy was numerous and we were few.

But Otani Yoshitsugu was so stubborn that she believed that if Kyoto fell, the Sasaki family would have to lose an important official, and she was deeply blessed by the emperor, so she should repay the emperor's kindness with her death.

Otani Yoshitsugu spoke of gratitude and Maeda Yuri could not refute it and could only give up in disappointment.

But today, the situation has changed dramatically, and Maeda Yoshiyuki couldn't help but come to Kyoto in person to tell his old sisters the good news.

Maeda Yoshi shook his head.

"It's not about retreating without a fight, it's about fighting here."

Otani Yoshitsugu said in surprise.

“The Saint wants to fight a decisive battle with the Ichijo family in Kyoto?

The Kanto feudal lords have not yet mobilized, and the Kinki military strength does not seem to be enough to suppress a legion. "

Maeda Yoshi sighed.

“Akechi Mitsuhide and Hosokawa Fujitaka secretly sent someone to inform me and sold me a big favor.

The Hosokawa family will defend the port area of ​​Sakai Port, and the Tamba samurai will also harass the Settsu line from the Tamba Plateau when appropriate."

Yoshitsugu Otani shook his head.

"When Hideyoshi Ichijo's army attacks, they will naturally think of harassing the Yodo River in Sakai Port. Even if they distract her attention, they have at least 70,000 to 80,000 troops. A little harassment will not stop the trend."

Maeda Yoshi smiled and said.

"Don't worry, I haven't told you the most important thing yet.

Just two days ago, the saint held a coming-of-age ceremony for Uesugi Miyuki at Tamonyama Castle, and the name of the coming-of-age ceremony was Uesugi Yoshikage. "

Yoshitsugu Otani was stunned for a moment.

"The Second Princess has come of age? She should be only eleven years old this year, right?"

The island nation's coming-of-age ceremony originated from the coming-of-age ceremony of the Celestial Empire, which usually took place at the age of twenty. Due to the turbulent times, the coming-of-age ceremony for female warriors was generally held earlier, but usually still at the age of fifteen.

Of course, there are examples of children being given the coming of age ceremony early for political reasons. For example, Takeda Shingen's daughter Takeda Yoshinobu went to Kyoto at the age of three to seek the protection of a saint.

But Uesugi Miyuki, no, now she should be called Uesugi Yoshikage, her situation is different.

The Sasaki family's regime is now stable, the saint's prestige is rising, and half of the island nation is under his command. It seems that there is no need for the heir to come of age in advance, unless there are special political demands at this time.

Seeing that Yoshitsugu Otani's eyes widened and seemed to have realized something, Qiantian Lili asked with a smile.

"Do you understand?"

Yoshitsugu Otani said.

"The Saint wants the Second Princess to participate in the final battle for the unification of the world and establish her political prestige through military merit?"

Maeda nodded. "Not bad.

The military family values ​​military achievements the most, and the unification of the world is already the last battle. As the heir to the Sōma world, of course he must gain enough political bargaining chips in this battle to consolidate his position as heir.

The Saint ordered that after Uesugi Yoshikage's coming of age ceremony, he would lead some of his followers to Kyoto to help defend Fushimi Castle, and Takeda Yoshinobu would also join the team."

Yoshitsugu Otani took a breath.

"Your Highness, and Your Highness the Second are both coming to Fushimi Castle? Is the Saint announcing to the world that he will have a decisive battle with Ichijo Hideyoshi in Kyoto?"

Maeda Yoshi sighed.

“Half a year of mobilizing troops is enough time for all of Hideyoshi Ichijo’s strategic plans to be exposed.

An army corps is not a monolithic entity. Maeda Toshiie has a mountain of intelligence and may know what her army commanders are doing better than Ichijo Hideyoshi himself.

Go to Kyoto, break through Yodo Castle and Fushimi Castle, then pass through Sakamoto Castle, occupy Azuchi Castle, take down Sawayama Castle, pass through Fupo Pass, and attack Mino Gifu Castle.

Hideyoshi Ichijo had a good plan, which was to take advantage of the time difference during the mobilization of the Eastern Army to quickly open up Omi and Mino and shake the hearts of the people in the world.

Since the saint has seen through this, he will naturally not let her succeed.

It is not a simple matter for Takeda Yoshinobu and Uesugi Yoshikage to jointly defend Fushimi Castle. After discussing with Maeda Toshiie, I think the saint really wants to get rid of Ichijo Hideyoshi in Kyoto.

Otherwise, he would not have sent his two daughters to Fushimi Castle to participate in a battle that was bound to be lost.

In addition, Amago Yukimori of Koriyama Castle reacted very quickly this time. A blood letter written by thousands of Amago clan members had been submitted to Tamonyama Castle. This time, the Amago clan was determined to fight to the death with the Mori clan.

Akechi Mitsuhide, Hosokawa Fujitaka, Amago Yukimori, as well as myself and Maeda Toshiie, all the Kinki divine families have reached a consensus to support the saint in the decisive battle in Kyoto.

As for the Eastern Army... Humph, the various families of the Kanto Divine Clan were strictly ordered by the Saint not to mobilize in advance, and they had to wait for Hideyoshi to start the border conflict first. This was the bottom line of righteousness in occupying the moral high ground.

If we wait for an army to attack us, Kanto will not be able to mobilize in time for the battle in Kyoto. They will probably just have to watch us perform in this decisive battle."

Otani Yoshitsugu frowned.

"Ichijo Hideyoshi is coming with great force this time, and his total force will not be less than 80,000. It is a good thing that the Kinki Divine Clan are united, but their strength does not seem to be enough."

Maeda said.

"Akechi and Hosokawa decided to put pressure on the logistics line of a corps in the Sakai Port area and on both sides of the Yodo River.

Before the obstacle at Sakai Port was removed, at least one-third of a legion's troops could not be mobilized at will, and the number of troops going to Luoyang, constrained by logistics, would not exceed 60,000.

In addition, troops were divided to guard important towns to prevent harassment from Kawachi and Tamba. The army that could actually pass through Yodo Castle and reach the Kyoto front might only have 30,000 to 40,000 people.

The lords of Kyushu each had their own ulterior motives, and the Shimazu family even only sent a thousand troops to participate in the war this time.

The Mori family did have good intentions, but the Owari and Mino factions within the army were hesitant. They had a lot of wealth invested in the Sasaki territory. What good would it be for them if the Sasaki family was destroyed?
Furthermore, even Oda Nobunaga couldn’t defeat the saint back then, so why should they believe that Hideyoshi Ichijo could defeat the saint?

As long as the generals of the Owari Mino army dare to revolt and surrender, our military strength may not be at a disadvantage.

All the Kinki Sasaki clans are united this time, so this battle is not impossible to win.

Our army is short of manpower, so we must give up Yodo Castle, but we can no longer retreat here in Fushimi.

I estimate that the Saint's imperial order will be sent to you tonight at the latest, stating that the Tongxin people will go to Luoyang to assist in the defense. I just let you know half a day in advance.

So, how are your defenses here going?"

The overwhelming amount of information made Otani Yoshitsugu's brain work in overdrive, and she felt a slight burning sensation. She shook her head and answered seriously.

"To protect Kyoto, we must protect Toba-Fushimi.

Shimotoba is the confluence of the Katsura River and the Kamogawa River. The riverbed between Upper and Lower Toba is wide, the water flows slowly, and it is easy to wade across. There are also bridges for passage.

The ferry south of Fushimi Castle is close to the confluence of the Uji River and the Takase River, and is backed by mountains to the north, making it easy to defend but difficult to attack.

My original defense strategy was to rely on the river, block one legion from crossing the river, and delay as much time as possible for the mobilization of the Sasaki family.

Now it seems that if we really want to have a decisive battle in Toba-Fushimi, the layout must be changed. "

Maeda Lili stroked his chin and muttered.

"Toba..Fushimi..."

Looking at Maeda Marunouchi in deep thought, Otani Yoshitsugu suddenly sighed and said.

"Would we give it a try..."

Maeda Yoshi sighed.

“You think I didn’t send anyone to contact her?
But she was extremely stubborn, saying that it was rare for a master to change four times since ancient times, and that Yitiao Xiu had treated her like a new life, and she did not want to be a treacherous villain.

Yoshitsugu Otani shook his head and had nothing to say.

At that time, Maeda Toshimitsu, Otani Yoshitsugu, and Fujido Takatora followed Sasaki Yoshikane and were the first followers of the Sasaki family's revival, with a bright future.

It's a pity that Fujido Takatora was successful at a young age and did not know how to cherish it. He thought he was very talented and actually left the Sasaki family after his mother Fujido Takatora died.

Afterwards, Todo Takatora followed lords such as Asai and Isono successively, but they all did nothing. Because of his act of leaving the Sasaki family, as the Sasaki family became more and more prosperous, he gradually became a laughing stock of the samurai family.

Ichijo Hidenaga ignored the ridicule from the outside world and took the notorious Fujido Takatora as his retainer and entrusted him with important tasks. His favor was indeed as great as a mountain.

Fujido Takatora was so grateful that he was willing to die for Hidenaga Ichijo.

Ichijo Hidenaga is the younger sister of Ichijo Hideyoshi and the general-in-chief of the Ichijo Army. She will definitely participate in the Battle of Kyoto this time. Fujido Takatora, as a general under Ichijo Hidenaga, will also lead his troops into battle.

Seeing their former good sister heading down this dead end, Maeda Yoshitsugu and Otani Yoshitsugu hoped, both for public and private reasons, to give her a hand and save her.

It was too late for Otani Yoshitsugu to speak now, as Maeda Yoshitsugu had already used his connections to find someone to smooth things over with Fujido Takatora.

She didn't expect that Fujido Takatora, who had a bad reputation among the samurai and was known as the Wrap-Kiris, was actually more loyal than most of the generals of a legion. It was also very sad.

Maeda Yoshitsugu and Otani Yoshitsugu both looked helpless and sighed for their former good sisters.