A tour of Japan's Warring States Period

Question: What is the terrain from Suwa Ina to the mountain?

Answer: Broad and fertile river valley plains, a few gently sloping terraces and countless rolling mountains.

So after Xiaopingtai left Jingzhiyuekou, the only natural barrier, what was left was an unobstructed river valley and plain agricultural area that raised tens of thousands of people.

With Taiichi Kodaira leaving, Iida Castle and Takato Castle can only be surrendered. These two cities are also built on hillsides, so they must have strong defense capabilities. However, the city soldiers have not yet been mobilized, and there are not enough troops in the city.

If Guo enters the city, the Takeda Army can block the city with two to three thousand people. Then the richest agricultural area in Shinano will be ravaged by the Takeda Army, and at the same time the Takeda Army can go straight to Fuchu Castle.

The rule of the Yamauchi clan in Shinano and other places will be greatly shaken. Seeing that you are so weak, the people of the country will immediately dare to rebel.

Even if the invading Takeda army was finally defeated under the Yamauchi Fuchu Castle, it would not help. Once this important agricultural area was destroyed by the Takeda army. Next year Takeda Harunobu will come again, and the Yamauchi family will have no soldiers to use and no food to cook.

He could just pick up the entire territory of Nan Xin. It is even possible to destroy the Yamauchi family without any resistance from the Yamauchi family.

It’s not that Xiao Ping Tai doesn’t want to play a large-depth, large-encirclement, rotating counterattack strategy. Since the terrain doesn’t allow it, it’s this river valley and plain. At the same time, the total length of this section of the road is only thirty or forty kilometers, and the army can walk through it in two or three days, without even the distance or time to adapt.

It's also because if I leave this time, I'll have to be ready to pack up and run away next year. It’s just the difference between dying early and dying later, isn’t it? Does it make a difference?

But if Kodaira doesn't leave, he may face Takeda Harunobu's swooping army at any time. It is almost an impossible task to stop the 20,000 to 30,000 Takeda troops head-on with more than 300 soldiers.

Yamauchi Yoshiharu, come quickly!

…

Koheita shot at Sukinotakeguchi all afternoon, while Konishiharazaemon and Ogasawara Nagamasa in Iida Castle stood on the oars and watched the battle.

After successfully repelling three waves of attacks, the sky turned dark and the two of them felt relieved.

"Tanzheng's military strategy is indeed very sophisticated. If Takeda's army doesn't have three or four thousand people in the vanguard, it will be difficult for him to get an advantage."

Ogasawara Nagamasa was relieved. The enemy, which was more than ten times more powerful, was now blocked by Koheita and could not advance even an inch. As long as we can hold off for a few days, when the heavenly soldiers of Yamauchi Yoshiji arrive, there is nothing to be afraid of.

"It's hard to say, haven't you heard? The frequency and quantity of Xiaopingtai's iron cannons are increasing, which proves that it is becoming more and more difficult for him to defend."

After all, Konishiharazaemon has more experience. When Koheita and Ogasawara Nagamasa were Hatamoto, they were already Hatamoto writers. Not only is he ten years older, but he also has ten more years of experience in bad wars.

"Then, are we going to support Kasho Ichi and Two?" Ogasawara Nagamasa thought for a while, and it was true that Koheita's firepower projection was constantly increasing.

"Send someone to ask Xiao Pingtai. In addition to soldiers, ammunition, arrows, military rations, rice, firewood, and tents can be replenished for him."

"Okay, I'll go there in person. Just ask about the specific battle situation, that way you'll have an idea."

Taking advantage of the last ray of light before dark, Ogasawara Nagamasa rushed to Sukinotake Pass on Pegasus.

"Tancheng, congratulations on your victory!" This is a sincere congratulation, and Ogasawara Nagamasa's face is full of sincerity.

"Yoshiro, you're here at the right time. I don't have enough manpower here, and I don't have that many horses. Ask Zaemon to send someone back to the mountain to ask when His Highness Hamamatsu's army will arrive."

Xiao Pingtai was so anxious now that she was not in the mood to chat with others. Hurry up and ask those in Iida Castle who still have some energy to send people back to ask for help, otherwise Heita-chan will die here.

"The road is congested, I'm afraid we won't be able to set off until tomorrow morning." Looking at the sky, Ogasawara Nagamasa was a little unsure.

"Okay, let me know as soon as there is news." Xiao Pingtai also knew that leaving immediately was unrealistic.

"Yoshiro, why are you here?" "Come here and ask you what is missing here? You can ask for military rations and supplies."

"I'm short of people here! What else can I be short of?" When Xiao Pingtai came, he was fully prepared. He had all the weapons, weapons, and military rations for seven or eight days. He also prepared 80 more iron cannons, but at most they were short of gunpowder.

"People? Alas, there are not enough troops in Iida Castle. I'm afraid I won't be able to send anyone." There is no solution to this problem. There is a shortage of troops everywhere, and there is no new force to join.

"Come on, I understand Zaemon's difficulties. I'll bring some gunpowder tomorrow, and some arrows too. It would be best if we could have kerosene, as much as you can."

The two people discussed the situation of today's battle. If there were only a few thousand people like Kansuke Yamamoto on the opposite side, then Xiaoheita could defend it until the end of time, and there would be no threat to Iida Castle for the time being.

…

The next day, Heiroku and Kurosawa came together with Ogasawara Nagamasa. They postponed Heita's departure for a day, and brought Heita another thirty replacement pills, some drinks, and Heita's departure in a hurry. Bring a raincoat.

As if to cooperate with them, the sky immediately started to rain. Although it was not big, it quickly caused the already damp mud to become messy.

"The iron cannon is useless!" If it rains, of course the iron cannon itself will not be damaged, but the rain will cause the gunpowder to become wet and the match will go out, so the iron cannon will not fire.

"Without the iron cannon, it will be difficult to defend this place." Imai Meigoro and Hanaoka City Guards came to pick up the tōmaru. The more than 20 of them were not wearing armor. Now that it is raining, there may be hand-to-hand combat. They need to go into battle and wear armor. It's better to have a naked body than to wear common clothes.

"Yoshiro, there's nothing I can do. Please Zaemon, please allocate me fifty Yum ashigaru!"

Ogasawara Nagamasa looked at the solemn Koheita and nodded in agreement, while Koheita bent her waist to the end and sent them away.

Looking at the dozens of pairs of eyes below that were always looking at him, Xiao Pingtai used his hands and feet to climb onto the cart pulling the raincoat.

“(Dear citizens) Come here, (France’s most critical moment has arrived) I am a member of the Zhengang family in Zixiaolu, and everyone knows me.

(The evil British have crossed the strait) Kai's Takeda army has arrived at Suwa. (They have gathered 700,000 shameless bandits) The enemy army numbered 30,000.

(Behind us is Paris, the heart of France) Behind me are tens of thousands of people who have fled in the mountains. They are all our fellow villagers.

If Kananotake cannot be defended, everyone will be plundered and massacred by the Takeda army.

(Defend France! Defend Paris!) Defending Suzunotakeguchi means protecting everyone! Who wants to stay! "

Xiao Pingtai looked at the hundreds of warriors standing in the rain, standing or squatting, with humble faces, short bodies, and numb expressions filled with sorrow. Three or two people huddled together, their tattered cloths soaked by the rain, and they were all shivering.

After listening to Xiao Pingtai's words, although they were touched, no one spoke up. They looked at Xiao Pingtai blankly. Although they knew that the flames of war had reached the mountain, they had not yet felt any pain.

"Tanzheng, I simply arrested them all and forced them to stay." Imai Minggoro understood what Xiaoheita meant. He wanted these jinfu who had been on the battlefield and were familiar with the army to stay to supplement the combat strength.

"The hair left behind is a tael!"

"Ouch!" The numb Jinfu came to life.