Pillars of the Wu family

Under the secret order of Yoshitoki Kira, Keisuke Yoshie and Keimoto Yasuda, who were stationed in Yashiro Castle and Shiozaki Castle respectively, insisted on guarding the cage castle. Those Shinano people who seemed unstable were arranged to monitor in Haijin Castle controlled by Murakami Yoshiki. Their task was to slow down the offensive pace of the Takeda Army as much as possible before Echigo went out to Kawanakajima, and allowed the burning city to retreat when they couldn't hold on.

On July 27th, [-] troops under the leadership of Yoshitoki Kira went out to Kawanakajima, and as Kasuga Yamashiro's remaining guards Nagao Masaki, Nagao Fujikage, Yasuda Nagahide, Sensaka Keiko, and Ishikawa Shige were left behind In Kasugayama Castle, Nagao Torahime was assisted in guarding Kasugayama Castle. At the same time, the concentric police officers in Kasugayama Castle and Naoetsu raised their alert levels, and farmers also volunteered to organize to guard Echigo for the Kira family.

The so-called Kawanakajima is the curved river zone formed by the confluence of the tributaries of the Chikuma River and the Rhino River. This is one of the few plains in Kitashinano, and it is also an important food production area. It is only about 70 kilometers away from Echigo Kasuga Mountain Castle, and it is only 150 kilometers away from Kaiyao Nazaki. However, the museum is far more than [-] kilometers, and the distance between Kawanakajima and Kasugayama Castle is roughly the same as the distance from Shenzhi Castle to Kawanakajima.

From Iiyama Castle along Echigo Street all the way to the north, passing through Mure, Koma, Togakure, Kashiwahara, Nojiri, and entering the Echigo Sekigawa area, you can go all the way to the Echigo Fuchu Naoetsu area. This road is relatively flat, compared to other roads. It is easier to enter Echigo in several directions, and this road is also the direction that Kira's family marches today.

The gathering of [-] troops in the direction of Echigo in the blink of an eye was far beyond Takeda Harunobu's expectations, especially this time the main general was not Nagao Kagetora, whom he had known for several years, but a famous samurai from Kyoto, Kirayoshi Toki .Listen to his bizarre rumors in Kyoto.Takeda Harunobu suddenly smiled.

Takeda Harunobu's first reaction was that it was funny.Then he said sternly: "The governor of Kira Zuobing is only 13 years old this year! Who is commanding behind him?"

"My lord, do you mean that there is an expert commanding the battle?" Takeda's vassals hesitated, and after careful consideration, there was indeed such a possibility.

"It's not that it's possible, but it's very possible!" Komai Masaobu's eyes sparkled, and he said with a smile, "You must know that my lord has been in the army since he was young and has been in the army for more than ten years. It is rare for a samurai family to experience so many battles. I have heard of people who are invincible in battle, even if there is such a warrior, it is definitely not something a 13-year-old boy can do!"

Fan Fu Huchang laughed loudly and said: "This Wu Wei Gong was only ten years old when he served? Have you heard the story of a famous general begging for death at the age of ten? This is simply a ridiculous story. What's wrong with Nian? The stories are getting more and more bizarre. It's better to watch Yuanle!"

"Hahaha..." Takeda's vassal laughed out loud. What does a ten-year-old child know, not to mention going into battle, if he can ride a horse without falling off, he is a talent with good talent. He has never heard of it since ancient times. The story of a famous general begging for death at the age of ten.

"Although I don't know how powerful Gui Shihe from Sanhao's family is, but in my Huyin's opinion, he is probably at my level? Hahaha!" Yuan Huyin also joined in the fun.

"It is said that he was a very powerful samurai, but he was shot by a bow and arrow." Nobuaki Atobe thought about it carefully, and replied uncertainly: "Probably because of Ruya or something!"

"Ryuya? Hahaha..."

Seeing how happy they were laughing, Komai Masaobu was worried that the enemy would be underestimated and something bad would happen, so he hurriedly said: "You should never underestimate that Wu Weigong. It is not clear who is behind the Kira family. , I should be careful when dealing with it.”

"Gaobaizhai is too cautious? It doesn't matter if there is a master behind him. I wait for the Takeda samurai to be afraid that they will fail? We are not those soft-legged shrimps in Kinki, hahaha..." Fan Fuhuchang seemed to be laughing at the weakness of the Kinai samurai He was incompetent, and seemed to be laughing at Masao Komai's cowardice. In short, a group of samurai laughed along with him, which made his face look ugly.

"That person should be Yamamoto Sado Shoushiyu! His original name was Yamamoto Kansuke, a ronin from Mikawa. Our family had heard about his deeds back then. A lame and one-eyed samurai wandered the world for more than ten years. At that time, our family wanted to recruit him as a retainer. Yes, it’s just a pity!” Takeda Harunobu recalled the story of the first few years in Gogen’s clothing, when he heard that there was a strange samurai from Suruga wandering around Kai, and he wanted to visit it out of curiosity, but it was very unfortunate It was Kansuke Yamamoto who returned to Suruga soon, which made him miss a great opportunity.

"My lord, don't worry. Even if that Yamamoto Sado Mamoru is as powerful as in the legend, we have the confidence to defeat him. Let me, Huchang, capture him and make him your lord's retainer!" Iifu Huchang was full of confidence. Said.

"I hope so……"

……

On August [-]th, Yashiro Castle and Shiozaki Castle fell successively under the onslaught of the Takeda Army. Kagesuke Yoshie and Kagemoto Yasuda led the army to retreat to Kaizu Castle. At this time, [-] Kira's troops had already entered Asahiyama Seeing that the pursuit was hopeless, the Takeda Army stopped at the foot of Chajiu Mountain and closely watched the movement of Asahiyama Castle across the Rhino River.

In the evening, some unknown leaves were thrown in the bonfire, and the ignited smoke drove away the annoying mosquitoes. The samurai of the Takeda family gathered in the military tent and meditated silently. On a sunny day for five days, they picked up the candlestick and stared at the land for a long time before raising their heads and asking: "What do you guys think of the situation in this battle?"

"Fifteen thousand against [-], I'm afraid this battle will be difficult!"

Fan Fuchangjing, who was the shortest, had a loud voice. Seeing everyone's gloomy faces, he couldn't help shouting anxiously: "No matter how hard it is, we must defeat them!"

"Genshiro is right! My son of the Takeda family must have such courage. No matter how famous the shogunate is, I will not be afraid of them!" Iifu Huchang was the first to stand up to support his younger brother, and the samurai Yue who followed suit More and more, gradually suppressing the voice of worry.

"It's good if you can agree with each other!" Takeda Harunobu's face turned pale, and he was under a lot of pressure when he said it. Kira Yoshitoshi's resume is so dazzling. He started fighting for the shogunate at the age of ten. It's against the sky to never lose. Whose child has become a famous player just after entering the uniform?Anyway, he couldn't think of anyone who could do it.

Komai Masaotake suggested: "Kaijin Castle is a disaster. There are [-] troops gathered here. It will be unimaginable for them to cooperate with Kira's army on the other side. The minister thinks that pulling out this castle is the first priority."

Takeda Harunobu nodded.Glancing at the middle-aged man who bowed his head and said nothing: "Tanzheng. How is the situation of the national public in Kita Shinano?"

"My lord, Kiyono's descendants have been contacted by my subordinates. They are willing to be loyal to my Takeda family. I implore my lord to regain their lost territory and kill Murakami Yoshiki to avenge my beauty! Yashiro, Shiozaki, Amamiya, Suda, Kosaka and other clans Overtly or implicitly expressing their support for the lord, most of the powerful families in Kita Shinano have fallen to my Takeda family, and their army has more than 2000 people."

Looking at this silent man, Takeda Harunobu took a deep breath, knowing that this man was no less capable than himself.It's just that there is a gap in status between the two sides and there is no chance for greater achievements. After only a few years in the army, he has made a lot of achievements and won three thousand territories in the small prefecture. He is a warrior who makes him both happy and afraid.

"According to my opinion, what will happen if my Takeda family leads a coalition force to besiege Haijin City?"

"It may not be easy to attack the city, but it should be easier to match the strategy."

"Then if we take the bomb as the general and lead a thousand troops to join this coalition, how should we plan?"

Sanada Yutaka was startled, his eyes moved down the mountain to see clearly Takeda Harunobu's look of expectation and encouragement, hesitated for a moment and sighed: "If the subordinates are the generals, then put more flags and bluffs, and falsely claim that a [-] army is attacking Haijin City. Beat the drums during the day and set fires at night, if the day and night are disturbed, the enemy will be frightened."

"Good strategy!" Masai Komai exclaimed in martial arts: "My lord! This general must be played by the main hall!"

"My family thinks so too..." Harunobu Takeda listened to the compliments from his retainers with a smile on his face, and Yukitaka Sanada just kept being humble in the face of the compliments from his colleagues. He was inspired by the lord. The atmosphere ends.

……

In Asahiyama Castle, the former lord of Asahiyama Castle, Zenkoji Beto Kurita Kanyasu explained the form of Kita Shinano to Kirayoshi. The master of Zenkoji Omito was in a very good mood. Since Zenkoji moved to Naoetsu, he immediately gathered with the popularity of Echigo Dako tens of thousands of believers.

There are also businessmen who travel to and from the Hokuriku Sea Passage here to pray for the success of their careers. Every year, the donations of believers are soft, which is many times better than the blocked traffic in the mountains of Shinano.

This time when he returned to his hometown, he felt a little developed and revisited his hometown. He would comfort him when he saw his old friends living a miserable life.

"Kanakajima, Kawanakajima, I really let my family meet you." Yoshitoki Kira erected a huge map behind him, which accurately depicted the locations of all the mountains and cities near Chuanzhongjima. On the map, there was a Small red and blue flags are planted on the map, which is the dynamics of the rich families from all walks of life.

"How do you think my Kira Army should respond?"

"Takeda's army lives at the foot of Chajiu Mountain. It seems that this posture is going to confront our army. It's hard to say about this situation."

"For the present plan, the only way to continue is to persevere?"

The Echigo samurai talked about all kinds of reliable and unreliable plans. Honjo really felt that these were wrong. After staring at the map for a long time, he pointed to Haijin City on the south bank of the Chikuma River: "Only This is the key to the battle."

The people of Beixinano shook their heads in disbelief. Kurita Kanan said with a smile: "Haijin City? There are [-] troops stationed in that city, and after several years of construction, it has become very strong! Even if the Takeda family attacks the city with all their strength You can't get any benefits, isn't Meizuo Shoudian overthinking?"

"No! Misaku Shou is definitely not superstitious." Yamamoto Tokiyuki said for him: "With the wisdom of Takeda Ozen, you will not fail to see the importance of this city. Once Haijin Castle is pulled down, there will be no danger to defend south of Saikawa. All Chinese people will definitely be instigated by the Takeda family one by one, and it will be very difficult for me to cross Saichuan by then!"

"So that's how it is!" Kurita Kanyasu's branch family, Kurita Tsurujuku of Zenkoji Komido Betto nodded thoughtfully. It comes from one school, so the side of the big Mido is called Ukurita, and the side of the small Mido is called Yamakurita.

The relationship between Omido and Komido has always been not very harmonious, and there have been disputes over the power of Zenkoji Temple. Because Kurita Kanyasu from Omido's side joined the Nagao family, the original Zenkoji Temple became Komido's territory.

Looking at the shining eyes of Kurita Tsuruju, Kira Yoshishi felt a little funny. This guy has been doing small tricks in Beixinano for several years.If it weren't for Changwei Jinghu's tight layout, he wouldn't be able to start.I'm afraid he would have turned his back on the Wutian family's camp long ago.And he has always been obsessed with this Asahi Mountain City, and it seems that he has a strong heart.

"What is the opinion of the Minister of Justice?"

"No, no! I don't have anything to say." Kurita Tsurutoshi evasively concealed his abnormal emotions. Fortunately, most people in the military tent were deep in thought, and few people noticed his small movements.

After teasing the Kitashinano bedbug, Yoshihiro Kira stood up and yawned, rubbing his eyes and walking out slowly: "Speaking of which, our family is a bit tired too! So let's do it first! We'll discuss it tomorrow."

"Yes!" As soon as the lord general left, there was no need for them to stay, and they got up and left one after another.

Wait for the retainers to leave one after another.There were only a few people left who were still busy with the things in hand. After a while, Kira Yoshishi walked in with high spirits, saw several important ministers of the Kira family were there, and said with a surprised expression: "Huh? What are you doing?" Didn't you go to rest? It must be hard work all day long!"

"Didn't the owner of the museum take a break?" Tokiyuki Yamamoto smiled, and he was helpless with the tricks played by this apprentice. The evaluation meeting would be held twice, and the military meeting would also be held twice. Assuming the responsibility of the staff team, it is really not easy at all to deepen the multiple responsibilities.

"Tell me what you think."

Ben Duo was the first to speak and said, "The Takeda family will attack Haijin City."

"And the attack will be mainly made by the people of Shinano country." Hosokawa Fujitaka added.

Langgang Tallow House is not to be outdone.A shocking news broke out: "I suspect that this general is most likely Sanada Yutaka."

"Where does this evidence come from?" Tokiyuki Yamamoto stared at him with great interest.Behind him has been sitting obediently with his little apprentice Numata Yuguang. Since his brother died in battle, he has been studying military strategy day and night for the past two years, and has been learning the practical application of strategy behind his master. Small achievements.

"The system of the Takeda family is mainly based on Kai's local military power, including a mixture of multi-layer forces such as Yimen, Pudai, Zhichen, and Guozhong. In Shinano, Kai's retainer group serves as the county, castle Supplemented by the Shinano Congregation to form a small group of samurai, since the attack on Haijin City must be dominated by the Shinano Congregation, it is best to choose the samurai of the Shinano Congregation as the main general. Sanada Yutaka is the Shinano Congregation flag head."

"That's right!" Honda was applauding his new colleague in admiration, and then said, "More importantly, Sanada Yutaka's past experience is very miraculous. The landless samurai suddenly broke out all the way, helping the Takeda family to defeat all the powerful enemies in the small half of Shinano, including the Northern Shinano National League, which was also destroyed in his hands. It can be said that the success of the Takeda family in Shinano is inseparable from Sanada Yutaka. Scheming and wit are formidable opponents, and they may be even stronger than imagined!"

"Isn't the stronger he is, the more interesting he is? Hehehe!" Yoshihiro Kira didn't seem to care. He walked to the map and pulled out the flags belonging to the red side one by one, and planted blue flags on those points. Among them, a bunch of red flags In Xushan City, where the flags gathered, there were a few eye-catching blue flags mixed in.

"How about it? There is blue in the red, isn't it beautiful?" He always pours more compliments on the things he made by himself. Straightening it up, he said with a smile: "What a wonderful strategy, why doesn't my family have such ability? Could it be that some people are born rebellious?"

"Is this a secret report from the owner of the museum?" Yamamoto Tokyuki's complexion sank, he stared at the names on the small flags, and snorted coldly: "It's really daring to do this under the nose of my Kira family. They have never seen the methods of my Kira family!"

"A group of people who don't know how to live or die!" Ben Duo was characterization of this group of people, pinched the rosary in his hand and asked: "I don't know how the Lord Master plans to deal with them?"

"No hurry...don't worry!" Ji Liangyi was still fiddling with those small flags with his head down. At that time, he greeted all the ministers: "It is not easy for everyone to work hard all day. Come and taste the fresh crucian carp soup. It is very nourishing! It is especially effective for master's poor sleep problem!"

"Really? Then I should drink more crucian carp soup in the future!" Tokiyuki Yamamoto smiled and took a large bowl of crucian carp soup, which contained a palm-length crucian carp, fried and stewed crucian carp The soup is just different from what it used to be.Both the fish soup and the fish meat must be stronger.

Life is different with soybean oil.Heat the oil pan and fry the fish until golden.After taking it out, add green onion, ginger, garlic, and chili and stir-fry until the aroma is released. Then add the fried crucian carp, chicken broth, a little sake, and black pepper powder until it boils and skims off the foam.

At the age of Yamamoto Tokiyuki, he didn't care about the rules of not eating meat at all, and the fact that Kira's family had been adding some pork, beef, and mutton to the young samurai could not be hidden from his eyes and ears. Kira Yoshitoki once said in private that the samurai is not tall , The fundamental reason for the lack of strength is that the diet problem is too big.And there is one of the most frightening reasons, that is beriberi.

"This can cure athlete's foot?" Yamamoto Tokiyuki's weather-beaten face couldn't help but move. The so-called athlete's foot is not real athlete's foot, but a complex disease caused by foot disease, which can cause inability to walk, panting, general edema, and heartbeat. Many complications such as excessive speed are caused by the lack of a reasonable diet, and the treatment method is nothing more than eating rice bran or more meat-eating eggs.

Many people may not think that for Japan, the most terrible disease is the little-known beriberi. The word "beriberi" appeared for the first time in Japanese history books in the "Nippon Postscript" in the third year of Datong, AD 808.In December, Fujiwara's courtier Xu Shi said: "The minister is not very old. His eyes are a little dark, and he suffers from beriberi again, and there is no time to start."

In addition, there are many records. For example, in the "Nihon Shoki" before the succession of Emperor Yungong, there is "I am not born, I have been suffering from serious illness for a long time, and I can't walk." Among them, it appeared that "the prince has a bad foot and is out of court."

In "Ancient Matters" Jing Xingtian Huang Ji, there is "but now I can't walk." "Continued Japanese Chronicle" Tianping 16th year, AD 744 records "Prince Anji returned from Sakurai Dun Palace due to foot disease, and Ding Chou Hey, he was seventeen years old."

Including the late former general Ashikaga Yoshiharu, in the later period, he was also "unable to walk" with edema all over his body. He was considered to have died of beriberi. Physicians in Kyoto debated this issue for a long time. Second, because Ashikaga Yoshiharu's symptoms include "asthma", "collapse" and "not eating".

This statement is a bit sensational. Anyway, no one knows whether it is true or not. Let’s just assume that he is true. The samurai of Kira’s family think so. As for what other people think, it doesn’t matter at all. Who can say that it is carried out secretly?Even if someone criticizes it, it's no big deal. It doesn't matter if you are thick-skinned and say that you eat mountain whales, mountain fish, and mountain kelp.

From Kamakura to Sengoku, what is the reason why so many samurai love falcon hunting?Don't look at their high-sounding words, saying that they don't forget the fundamentals of honing the way of bowing and horses. In fact, they are all for eating some game and making tooth sacrifices. It's just a tacit understanding between them, only those servants of wealthy families will follow the rules foolishly.

"Can it treat athlete's foot?"

Knowing what surprised them, the number one disease killer in this era has plagued the terrible disease for more than a thousand years. Several generations of generals of the Tokugawa shogunate including a certain tortoise died of strange illnesses, including Tokugawa Iemitsu, Tokugawa Ietsuna, Tokugawa Jiading, Tokugawa Jiashige, it can be said that this disease caused the Tokugawa family's struggle for supremacy for hundreds of years, and everything was ruined by the existence of the teammate of the Mito clan.

"There's nothing wrong with that. If you don't believe me, go check on Ma Hui, Chi Bei, and everyone in the family. Absolutely none of them suffer from beriberi."

Tokiyuki Yamamoto thought while tugging at his beard: "In this case, it is indeed necessary to adjust eating habits!"

"Inappropriate!" Several voices uttered at the same time, Hosokawa Fujitaka, Honda Tokimasa, and Namioka Sayabo shook their heads, and the three of them looked at each other, but Hosokawa Fujitaka said first: "This is not appropriate, my Kira family entered Echigo , all industries are waiting to be revitalized, and the dietary structure should be adjusted slowly rather than urgently."

"Well, Bingbuden is right, the old minister is too hasty." Tokiyuki Yamamoto didn't explain, just smiled amiably, how could he not know whether to be slow or not?This is an elder who is proficient in persuasion, so he naturally knows how to use other people's mouths to achieve his own goals.

Hosokawa Fujitaka relied on his adoptive father to die in battle for the shogunate, and he himself served as the Kira family's survey and pursuit. The difference in official rank between the two is still due to the influence of birth.

Of course, this influence is very small. There is no habit of comparing family standards in the Kira family, because everyone is a retainer of the Kira family, and there are no land disputes or disputes over military power in their hands. many.

"Ah, my family knows, don't look at my family like that!" Kira Yoshishi was pretending to be stupid again, lowered his head and wiped out a large bowl of soup with fish, rubbed his eyes and waved to his retainers and walked away. (To be continued..)