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Chapter 279: Nakagawa Takayama, Araki is in a dead end

Tsuda Naganobu won a great victory in Kobe Village. The Mori clan lost hundreds of people and retreated back to the sea. Now the Mori clan either had to land in another place or retreat directly.

On the Guan ship, Kodama Norihide frowned and said, "I didn't expect there would be an ambush by the Tsuda family. How did they know about our actions?"

Nomi Munekatsu frowned, "I'm afraid that Araki Murashige's spy leaked the information. What should we do now?"

Kodama Naoei thought for a moment, shook his head and said, "Tsuda Shintora has already arrived in Settsu, and I'm afraid he's already outside Arioka Castle. If we go to support him now, I'm afraid it will be very difficult.

I think that Yougang City will not be safe for a while, so why not send someone back to report the news and ask the master of the family to make the decision."

Nomi Munekatsu didn't want to take any risks, so he agreed to Kodama Norihide's suggestion.

Inside Arioka Castle, Araki Murashige was still waiting for reinforcements from the Mori family, but Tsuda Naganobu defeated the Mori army in Kobe Village.

Tsuda Naganobu left some people in Kobe and Hyogo to be on guard, and then returned with his men to present the spoils to Nobutora.

Nobutora saw the flags of the Mori family and said with a smile, "Araki Murashige should still be waiting for the support of the Mori family. Nagatobu, take these flags and the captives to the outside of Arioka Castle and show Araki Murashige a good look."

Tsuda Naganobu immediately brought his men to the front of the battle.

When the defenders of Arioka Castle saw the Tsuda army approaching, they immediately ran around and prepared to defend.

In front of the battle, Tsuda Naganobu waved his hand, and several mounted warriors holding the captured Maori army flags ran to the area within an arrow shot of Arioka Castle and stuck the flags into the ground one by one.

Several mounted warriors shouted, "These are the Maori reinforcements coming to support you!"

Nakagawa Kiyohide and Takayama Ukon on the top of the city wall saw it clearly, which shocked them greatly. It seemed that the reinforcements of the Mori family were in great danger!
Tsuda Naganobu had not yet finished showing Arioka Castle, when a team of soldiers carrying wooden racks arrived within an arrowhead's reach outside Arioka Castle, and they quickly erected dozens of wooden racks.

Then, the captured Mori family soldiers were pulled up. Some of them wanted to let go, but were beaten by Tsuda Ashigaru and immediately became obedient.

Soon, the captives of the Mori family were tied to the wooden racks. All of them were stripped of their clothes, leaving only the white calf-nose pants as the last bit of dignity.

When the defenders in Arioka Castle saw this scene, they immediately started talking. Before, Araki Murashige had always said that reinforcements from the Mori family would arrive, and now what were hanging outside were the soldiers and flags of the Mori family.

It was clear from this that the Mori family's reinforcements had lost. If they hadn't lost, how could the Tsuda army be so arrogant? More importantly, the Mori family's reinforcements should have arrived long ago, but they hadn't shown up yet.

Araki Kyuzaemon and Ikeda Izumi looked at each other, both of them with worried looks in their eyes.

Araki Kyuzaemon whispered, "We must tell Lord Araki about this, and we must prepare early."

When Araki Murashige in Honmaru heard the news, it was like a bolt from the blue.

"Impossible, absolutely impossible, how could the Maori family's reinforcements lose!"

He hurriedly ran out of the main castle and climbed up the city wall to check the situation outside. He saw dozens of almost naked people hanging on dozens of wooden racks dozens of meters away, with the flag of the Mori family flying next to them.

Araki Murashige was stunned when he saw this scene.

He muttered to himself: "How could this happen? The reinforcements of the Maori family were defeated. What should I do?"

Araki Murashige's defense was directly broken. He dared to rebel and relied on the reinforcements of the Mori family. As a result, he saw the reinforcements of the Mori family in the hands of the enemy, and he was hanging there without any dignity.

At this moment, he seemed to have lost all his spirit and returned to Honmaru like a walking corpse.

Araki Murashige was deeply shocked, which caused the morale of the people in Arioka Castle to drop, and some soldiers began to flee.

One of the foot soldiers was captured by a patrol of the Tsuda army as soon as he ran out of the city.

The captured deserters from Arioka Castle were brought before Nobutora. Nobutora looked at the trembling foot soldiers and said with a smile to his attendants, "The morale of the people in Arioka Castle has been shaken. Even if Araki Murashige holds out, he will not have much chance of winning."

Tsuda Naganobu said excitedly: "Father, let's attack the city immediately. There are only 3,000 people in the city anyway!"

Nobutora shook his head and said, "Araki Murashige is eager for us to attack the city. Although there are only 3,000 people in Oka Castle, there are Araki retainers such as Takayama Ukon and Nakagawa Kiyohide guarding Ibaraki Castle and Takatsuki Castle. We must always be on guard against attacks from these people."

Tsuda Naganobu asked, "What do you plan to do, father? Persuade us to surrender?"

"It's to persuade people to surrender, but not Yougangcheng."

Xin Hu nodded in reply.

"Miaohui, take Mitsumasa with you to Ibaraki Castle to persuade Nakagawa Kiyohide."

Kinchiin Miaohui and Fuwa Mitsumasa quickly stood up and took on the task.

Tsuda Naganobu asked, "Are you only trying to persuade Nakagawa Kiyohide to surrender? What about Takayama Tomoteru and Ukon father and son?"

Nobutora smiled and said, "It will be easier for them. Takayama Ukon, like his father, has already joined the Nanman Religion and has full faith in it. We can just ask the Nanman Religion's people to come forward and convince Takayama Tomoteru and Ukon."

He looked at Numata Yukou and said, "Yukou, go to Kyoto and call Floyd of the Nanman Cult."

Numata Yukou immediately set off and returned to Kyoto within two days to go to Nanban Church to meet Frois.

Floyds was embarrassed when he learned the purpose of Numata Yukou's visit. He shook his head and said, "I'm sorry, please tell Lord Jingzhao Yin that I can't hurt my brothers and sisters."

Numata Yukou didn't waste any words, he shouted coldly: "Floyce, this is not the master of the family begging you, this is an order.

If you don't go, the consequences will be serious.

You have to know that the head of the family can support your Nanman Sect, but he can also oppose your Nanman Sect.

If you still want to preach in this place, obey our orders immediately!"

Faced with Numata Yukou's aggressiveness, Frois was a little angry, but he knew it was the fact, and if he didn't do it, all his previous efforts would be in vain.

Floyd had no choice but to follow Numata Yukou to the dark web Settsu.

Floyds persuaded Takayama Ukon, and the effect was surprisingly good. Moreover, the reinforcements promised by Araki Murashige to the Mori clan never arrived, so Takayama Ukon chose to offer Takatsuki Castle and surrender to Nobutora. In addition, in Ibaraki Castle, Kinchiin Myoei and Fuwa Mitsumasa met Nakagawa Kiyohide, who had a close relationship with Araki Murashige and was his cousin.

But now, Araki Murashige's cousin has his own ideas.

When he saw Jindiyuan Miaohui and Fuwa Guangzheng, he couldn't wait to threaten them: "You two are really not afraid of death?"

Jindiyuan Miaohui saw through Nakagawa Qingxiu's trick, and he said directly: "Master Nakagawa, the one in danger now is not us two, but you."

Nakagawa Kiyoshi laughed angrily. This diplomatic monk really doesn't even blush when he tells lies.

He sneered, "Haha, you are really good at telling lies. Now, if I give the order, both of you will lose your heads!"

Jindiyuan Miaohui was very calm and replied: "We will die, and Lord Nakagawa will die too, it's just a matter of who dies first and who dies later.

Lord Nakagawa may not know that the reinforcements from the Mori clan have been defeated by our army in Kobe Village."

Nakagawa Kiyohide naturally knew the news. After all, someone had already informed him of Tsuda Naganobu's actions outside Arioka Castle, otherwise he would not have let two people in.

He had already planned to abandon Araki Murashige and join the Oda clan.

But he still said stubbornly: "If we lose, then we lose. I didn't expect the Maori family to do anything."

Nakagawa Kiyohide was being so tough just to gain the initiative in the negotiations, but the initiative lies in the hands of the winner.

Seeing that Nakagawa Qingxiu still had a glimmer of hope, Jindiyuan Miaohui said, "Lord Nakagawa probably doesn't know that the soldiers in Arioka Castle have already fled. How long do you think Arioka Castle can hold out?
Compared to Arioka Castle, Ibaraki Castle is a small castle with less than 2,000 soldiers. Lord Naganobu is now suggesting that the head of the family send troops to capture the branch castles around Arioka Castle. I wonder how long Ibaraki Castle can hold out against the artillery fire?"

Fuwa Mitsumasa continued, "The master of the family not only asked us to come to Ibaraki Castle, he has sent people to ask the Nanman Sect to persuade Takayama Ukon and his men to surrender. Do you think Takayama Ukon will surrender?"

Nakagawa Kiyohide was immediately thrown off guard by these two pieces of news, and he could no longer keep a calm expression, because based on his understanding of Takayama Ukon, he was afraid that this man would really surrender to the Oda family because of the Nanban religion.

Now that Oka Castle's morale is low, if Takayama Ukon surrenders, Araki Murashige's chances of winning will be even lower, so he must make plans early.

Nakagawa Kiyohide changed his attitude and asked, "In fact, I have long advised Araki Murashige not to rebel, but he insisted on doing it, and I couldn't stop him.

Master Miaohui, I was forced to do this. I don't want to be an enemy of the Oda family. If I surrender Ibaraki Castle, will there be a reward?"

Kinchiin Myohui's attitude was tougher: "Don't be too greedy, Lord Nakagawa. If you hand over Ibaraki Castle now, the head of the family can plead with Lord Nobunaga to spare your life."

Nakagawa Kiyohide looked a little unhappy, but he didn't dare to tear his face off, so he had to say aggrievedly: "I handed over Ibaraki Castle. Even if I didn't make any contribution, I still worked hard. Master Miaohui, this condition is not acceptable."

Fuba Mitsumasa continued, "Lord Nakagawa, how much do you think our master will lose if he captures Ibaraki Castle? I'm giving you a chance to survive, so you must cherish it.

However, Master Miaohui and I will speak well of you in front of the master of the family and try to get more conditions."

Nakagawa Kiyohide hesitated. Kinchiin Myohui gave Fuwa Mitsumasa a look and immediately stood up and said, "Since Lord Nakagawa is having trouble making a decision, let's go back and report. The head of the family is still waiting for our reply to decide what to do next."

When Nakagawa Kiyohide heard this, he immediately became anxious. He quickly spoke out to stop him, saying, "Master Miaohui, why are you so anxious? I didn't say I won't surrender. How about this, I go with you guys and talk to Lord Jingzhao Yin in person?"

Miaohui from Jindiyuan agreed reluctantly.

Then Nakagawa Kiyohide followed the two to Nobutora's main camp. On the way, he saw the situation of Oka Castle in the distance, and discovered the flag of the Mori family and the prisoners on the rack.

Immediately afterwards, he arrived at the Tsuda main camp and saw Takayama Ukon.

Takayama Ukon lowered his head and left quickly.

He took a deep breath and was brought into the main formation by Miaohui of Jindiyuan.

Nobutora looked at Nakagawa Kiyohide who came in and said with a smile: "Nakagawa, did you see Gao Shan who just left? He is now going to Tada Castle to persuade Shiokawa Kunimitsu and others. What about you? Will you surrender or resist to the end?"

As soon as Nakagawa Kiyohide saw this, he knew that Araki Murashige was doomed to fail. He immediately knelt down and said, "I am willing to surrender Ibaraki Castle unconditionally. I also ask the Lord Jingzhao Yin to allow me to make meritorious contributions while serving my sentence!"

Nobutora saw Nakagawa Kiyohide kneeling resolutely, stepped forward to help him up, and said with a smile: "Well, a man who knows the times is a hero. Now you go and persuade other castles to submit to my Oda family. Not only can you be exempted from the previous guilt, but you will also be considered a meritorious service."

Nakagawa Kiyohide cried with joy and said, "Thank you, Lord Jingzhao Yin. I am deeply grateful. Don't worry, I will persuade others to submit to the Oda family."

When Araki Murashige raised an army to fight against the Oda clan, he made the following arrangements. He personally led 3,000 men to guard the Arioka Castle, his son Araki Muratsugu led 1,500 men to guard the Amagasaki Castle, Hanakuma Castle was guarded by Araki Shigekiyo with 2,000 men, Takayama Tomoteru and Takayama Ukon, father and son, guarded Takatsuki Castle, his cousin Nakagawa Kiyohide guarded Ibaraki Castle, Shiokawa Kunimichi was arranged to guard Tada Castle, Nose Castle was arranged to guard Nose Yorimichi, Mita Castle was arranged to guard Araki Shigetake, Yamatoda Castle was arranged to guard Abe Jinemon, and Fuita Castle was arranged to guard Fuita Murashige.

Now Nobutora has instigated Nakagawa Kiyohide of Ibaraki Castle and Takayama Tomoteru of Takatsuki Castle, the Ukon father and son, to rebel.

When Takayama Ukon went to instigate a rebellion against Shiokawa Kunimitsu of Tada Castle, Nakagawa Kiyohide set his sights on Abe Jinemon of Yamatoda Castle.

Yamatoda Castle is located at the crossroads between Ishiyama Honganji Temple and Amagasaki Castle and Arioka Castle. Taking such a key location would certainly be a great achievement.

Nakagawa Kiyohide came forward to persuade them to surrender, but Abe Jinemon thought that this was disloyal and refused Nakagawa Kiyohide's advice, but his nephew Abe Niemon was willing to surrender.

He secretly colluded with Nakagawa Kiyohide and used sweet words to trick his uncle Jinemon into going to Amagasaki Castle to seek help from Ishiyama Honganji. Jinemon was unaware that his nephew was planning to surrender to the enemy, so he believed it and left Yamatoda Castle.

While his uncle was away from the city, Abe Niemon took the opportunity to imprison his father and sent him to Kyoto as a hostage to the Oda family. He then went to Kanono again to surrender to Tsuda Nobutora.

Xinhu was very happy and immediately gave him two hundred taels of gold.

Soon after, Takayama Ukon persuaded Shiokawa Kunimitsu of Tada Castle.

Nobutora immediately ordered people to spread the news throughout Arioka Castle.

The people in the city were in unrest and more people fled.

Araki Murashige knew that this was not a solution. He gritted his teeth and said to Araki Kyuzaemon and other retainers: "Tsuda Shintora is trying to cut my flesh with a blunt knife, slowly weakening my strength. I don't want to suffer like this any longer. Tonight, I will attack Tsuda Shintora at night!"

Araki Kyuzaemon nodded and said, "If we can win, we still have a chance."

(End of this chapter)