At the beginning of the 8th year of Motogame (1575), a fierce battle that took place in the Hokuriku Toyohara region finally came to an end.

The tie adopted Takigawa Kazuki's tactics of "taking it step by step", and accepted Shigeharu Takenaka's idea of "forcing the enemy to fight a decisive battle". The frontal troops covered each other, intermittently exchanged attacks, built camps and villages, and attacked with defense, while on both sides they sent Mikumo Nariji and Araki Murashige to contact the forces of Yuezhong and Noto respectively.

Coupled with the Hojo clan's actions on the other front, Uesugi Kenshin did not have the conditions for a long confrontation and had to take the initiative. Although he once used the cover of the appearance to gain the first move, he was unable to expand the results of the battle after all, and was dragged into the quagmire of a frontal battle. In order to avoid too many losses and shake the basics, we had to retreat.

Honda Tadakatsu slashed several generals in a row, and Shimakiyoshi Xingli resisted strong enemies, and the two were active. The support of Bai Xiang Jiajia and Kato Kotai is also very timely. The armies worked together to take down the heads of Echigo's famous ministers, Seibe and Nakajo Keishi, and their morale was unprecedentedly high, and they had the momentum to fight under the Kasuga Mountain Castle in one fell swoop.

However, after Uesugi Kenshin personally led the 3,000 banners of the main hall, the law was strict, and there was no chance to take advantage of it, and the two sides fought until the evening, still regardless of victory or defeat, and each was afraid of it, so it was goodbye.

Then the Echigo army turned back sharply, and there was no major fighting on either side.

According to the later count, the losses of the Kinai coalition army were about four or five thousand, mainly due to the collapse of the Oda Nagayi department and the heavy damage to the Honda Tadashi department. The casualties of the Uesugi army are estimated to be between 3,000 and 6,000, of which about half were attrition by the descendants.

Judging from the quantity, it can only be said that there is no distinction between the superior and the inferior.

But strategically, it is the tie that undoubtedly has the upper hand.

The loss of four or five thousand was not a pain in his muscles and bones, and he still had the strength to continue to move forward, going deep into Kaga, Echichu, and Noto.

On the other hand, Uesugi Kenshin embarked on the way home without looking back, and went straight to Kasuga Mountain Castle, obviously needing to digest it well before he can regroup.

After all, the cost gap between the two is very far.

As a result, the people of Hokuriku who were attached to the Uesugi family were very embarrassed, either abandoning their ancestral property and fleeing back to Echigo, or sneaking into the mountains and forests to eat wild vegetables and fight guerrillas, and did not dare to show their faces in public.

And the forces backed by the Tie family have raised their eyebrows and returned to the stage, trying their best to show their sense of existence.

In late March, with the cooperation of the disciples of the Ichikozong sect, he conquered the Daishoji Castle of Kaga. A few days later, Kato Kotai took Kanazawa Castle again.

Araki Village re-took the waterway, contacted the remnants of the Noto Hatakeyama clan, and occupied Wajima, Momomae and other places. Sanyun Cheng crossed the mountains and mountains, and the descendants of the Shenbao family in Yuezhong took the head and captured the wellhead and Zhuanghe several cities.

At the beginning of April, Hirate Honhide led his army to Tsuhata Castle in Kaga Province and rested near the Kurigara Gorge, and at this moment the Hokuriku countries seemed to be within reach.

In addition, from the Tokaido, the second generation "scared away" Takeda Katsuyori and sought the deeds of Tsuchiya Shoji, which can really be described as a good thing in pairs, and good news is spread frequently.

Hirate Yoshimitsu took Asano Nagayoshi, Tokawa Storage, Miyoshi Yasunaga, and the Tokugawa family's Sakai Tadaji, Itakura Katsushige and others for nearly 20 days, came to the front of the battle, and reported the details of the experience.

This includes those who can be made public, and those who cannot be made public.

For a while, the martial arts of the Tie family prospered to the extreme.

Many generals confidently believe that this year there is a chance to directly fight Kasugayama Castle, or at least have a chance to take Toyama and Uozu in Echichu, and Suemori and Nanao in Noto.

But the tie was not so rushed.

Transporting grain from Izumi to Kaga was already a difficult task, and lengthening the supply line would pose a severe test to the work ability of the Shinkan.

Hijo noticed a very important matter, and asked his subordinates: "I waved 60,000 troops to drive the enemy back to Echigo, why didn't a few people from the Hokuriku come to join me?" Are they very strong in their loyalty to Uesugi Danmasa? ”

This question made the generals at a loss, but Takezhong Shigeji replied: "The Shangshan clan has been working hard for three or four years through the northern continent, but you are a newcomer, and it is inevitable that the local tyrants and local servants will not have time to recognize the situation for a while. It still takes two years to spend, and it can be done to calm people's hearts. ”

Tieshou Honxiu nodded in goodness, and said: "In this way, the time to raise troops to enter Echigo is probably not ripe." Because Yuezhong and Noto have not yet been secured, it is impossible to guarantee the safety of the grain route. Then the army of 60,000, staying in the North Continent for a long time is just a sudden waste of money and food, it is better to choose a good general to stay, gradually lay the foundation, and then find an opportunity to attack in the future. ”

The word "good general" is exciting.

In recent days, the generals of the flag moto have made some gains, such as Ieka and Kotai Kato, and Araki Murashige and Sankumo Nariji, who are important towns in the outside world, are all eager to try.

But the tie swept it at a glance, and the first thing he mentioned was: "The planning of this battle comes from the wisdom of Takigawa and Takenaka." I will write down this merit separately and report it to the court. The two of them are worthy of being military advisors, and it is appropriate for them to accompany me to Kyoto to manage state affairs together. ”

When the words landed, Takigawa Yiyi's face was suddenly mixed, and then he hurriedly bowed down to cover his expression. Shigeharu Takenaka happened to cough again and again, his face turned pale, and he didn't show any reaction worth mentioning.

Whether this move is a bright rise or a secret descent or a confinement is difficult to say. However, after two years of boiling frogs in warm water, even if there are really any unfavorable ideas, the two are powerless to resist.

Next, the tie Tsunohide said slowly: "Fighting against the Echigo Uesugi army, you are all very brave and have achieved remarkable results, and you deserve to be rewarded, needless to say." The first of the generals, when Honda is Zhongsheng, and secondly, is Shima Kiyoshi, does anyone have any doubts about this? ”

When everyone heard this, they were a little surprised.

These two generals really performed well, and everyone saw their heroic posture. However, they belonged to the Tokugawa and Oda families respectively, and they were not direct staff members of the Heite clan, and they couldn't even speak of outsiders, so they could barely be regarded as courtiers.

Why do you want to pull out the two jurors separately?

It doesn't make sense.

Unless it's for ......

At this time, Kyogoku Takayoshi, Takeda Motoaki and other irrelevant people who did not think it was a big deal to see the excitement, as well as Kawada Nagakin, Honda Masanobu and others of the Heite family, said one after another, "The Prime Minister Lieutenant General is too right, and the two meritorious ministers must be commended well, so that the people of the world can be convinced and show the strength of the rulers."

In the chaotic discussions, the generals of all parties had different identities, some were a little jealous, some were convinced, some were cold-eyed, and some were enthusiastic and coaxing.

But only the protagonist who was being talked about, Honda Tadakatsu himself, suddenly jumped up, strode out of the ranks, bowed to the main seat, and said: "It is a great honor to be able to get the blue eyes of the prime minister, and I feel very frightened. However, the ancestors and fathers of the family have been loyal to the Tokugawa clan for generations, and no matter what hardships they encounter, they have never wavered. To this day, I do not dare not disobey the teachings of my ancestors, and even if you are rewarded, the contemptible person can only receive it as a retainer of the Tokugawa clan, and you must first seek the advice of the contemptible lord, and do not dare to go beyond it. ”

He bowed down deeply and knocked to the ground, his words earnest and resolute, completely determined and unshakable.

Then, the other mentioned island Kiyoxing also came out calmly, bowed to the ground side by side, and his rough voice sounded: "I have heard that Mikawa Honda is loyal and brave as a model of samurai, contemptible and talented, and also has the heart to see the sages and think. Ojima Kiyoko was first in Yamato Tsutsui, and then ordered to escort the lord's sister to Gifu Castle, and now that the lady has an heir, the young lord who came into the world is the one I should serve. Therefore, the reward of the prime minister, the lieutenant general, did not dare to accept it easily. ”

This person spoke, sonorous and powerful, and the voice spread, with a sound like a golden stone falling to the ground, which was impressive.

Pingshou Fanxiu looked at the two of them, his face was expressionless, his eyes wandered back and forth, and suddenly he laughed loudly, stroked his palms and said: "Two loyal and brave people, what kind of posture is this?" Do you think I'm the kind of shameless person who uses high-ranking officials to tempt other important ministers? It's chilling! ”

Honda Tadakatsu and Shima Kiyoko were greatly embarrassed, and hurriedly said that they did not dare.

But I don't know if I'm slandering, "Isn't that what it is?" in my heart.

Then, under the gaze of everyone, Tieshou Fan Xiu said: "I'm afraid I will disappoint the two." What I want to give is not some enviable treatment, but a difficult problem that ordinary people avoid! To tell you the truth, after driving out Oesugi this time, I will concentrate on other fronts, and I will not come to Hokuriku again for at least a year, and during this time, someone will need to hold on to Echichu and Noto to resist the offensive of Uesugi Danzheng! Such a position, although it can be said to be a high-ranking position and widely noticed, is it probably not a hot position, right? ”

As soon as these words came out, everyone was silent.

Kyogoku Takayoshi immediately helped, sighed for a long time, and said with a look of horror: "The old man is old, and he definitely doesn't dare to bear such a heavy burden. That's something that only young people can do. Takeda Motoaki also nodded hurriedly, and added with fear: "Although it is a great opportunity to make meritorious contributions, I want to fight against the dragon of Echigo in the realm of no support, and I would rather not have this opportunity." ”

Pingshou brushed his beard and smiled without saying a word.

Kato Mitsuyasu came back to his senses, immediately opened his mouth and gave a thumbs up, and said: "It has been proven on the battlefield that Honda Tadashikatsuden and Shima Kiyokoden are two people who have the courage to compete with Uesugi Dan, and I don't think anyone else can take on such a heavy burden." ”

Speaking of which, Dao Qingxing's identity has changed several times in a row, and it seems that after all, the idea of blood and glory prevailed, patted his thigh, and said generously: "Since this is the case, I thank the Prime Minister Lieutenant General for his trust!" ”

Honda Tadakatsu frowned, feeling that he couldn't shirk it, so he could only follow his statement: "If the contemptible lord Tokugawa Mikawa Hall has nothing else to send, there will be no objection at all." ”

"So good." Tieshou Hoshu made a decisive decision: "I will ask Honda Tadashi Hall to guard Echichu, and the island Kiyoko Hall town guard can be boarded!" ”

Then he seemed to think of something, and added, "Kaga will continue to hand it over to Ichimune as promised." As for the Echizen country, the original guardian of the Asakura family has been killed and wounded, and there is no way to inherit it, so it should be taken out to reward the meritorious ministers. But in addition, there has been a continuous war recently, and there is an urgent need for someone who is old and serious to preside over the overall situation and restore order, this kind of thing Kawada Shinkuro used to be the best at, so I will entrust it to you! ”