In this way, there is a fifth retainer in the territory of Chong Village. Pen? Interesting? Pavilion wWw. ｂiquge。 info tie Ji Yin's martial arts skills are mediocre, but he has learned writing and arithmetic since he was a child, especially for the latter, so he first let him follow Matsui Yuxian and be in charge of the accounts.

As for the people of Shiga Castle, the people of the Heite family, it is not known what they think about this.

Next, the autumn equinox is cold and dew, and preparations for spring ploughing begin, and statistics of taxes and forced labor in the new year are counted. As for Shinshi, it has already been regularized and handed over to the family officials, and Honhide has also been dismissed from the town commission, so there are a series of handover procedures.

In addition, taking advantage of the slack season, it is also necessary to organize simple training for the peasant soldiers in the territory to familiarize them with the orders of the battle formation.

These trivial matters do not need to be handled by the lord himself. The agricultural affairs were handed over to Masuda Nagamori, and the business was handed over to Matsui Yukan, while Ji Yin, a flat hand, followed behind the two and temporarily served as an apprentice. As for the task of training peasant soldiers, it was naturally assumed by the Hattori brothers.

The lockdown had just ended, and it seemed disrespectful to Nobunaga to be too ostentatious - there was nothing urgent anyway, so when he had nothing to do, he only drank and read at home, and sent someone to inquire about the situation near and far. The zygote is still the same as before, cautious, and there is nothing out of the ordinary in his words and deeds.

So Fan Xiu couldn't help but sigh, even if he came with a purpose at first, but for several months, he has been paying silently and never overstepping, which is very rare. Thinking about it again, what is wrong with a girl who has lost her parents and wants to live a stable life?

(The above is enough to show that a young woman who is not bad looking, even if she does something unpleasant, can easily be forgiven by a man.) ）

…………

After wasting more than ten days, when it was close to November, Nobunaga's urgent order suddenly came, ordering the Oda ministers to lead their troops to Kiyoshu to assemble within the same day to meet the enemy army attacking Iwakura Castle.

Enemy forces are coming? I have the impression that the Oda family didn't fight any battles during this time?

Fan Xiu frowned when he heard this, according to the land, the actual military service at present is sixty-four, but it is difficult to recruit this number in a hurry. Not to mention......

"Your Highness, at the beginning of the year, forty people were requisitioned, and it was already said that it would be replaced by this year's military service, but now it is ......," Masuda Nagamori said softly.

At that time, the tie said that there would be no major war this year, and after ten months, this statement has also come true. Who knows that it will be the end of the year. But something happened suddenly.

The memory of the previous life, before the conquest of Iwakura, the Oda family did not have a large army? What's more, at this time, it was almost winter, and the weather was freezing cold, and for the daimyo who were mainly peasant soldiers, it was definitely not the time to send troops.

"It's so cold, and it's a joint battle in the territory, if you forcibly recruit peasant soldiers, I'm afraid it will cause dissatisfaction, and the effect of Your Highness's promulgation of benevolent government will completely disappear." The tie Ji Yin was also full of melancholy. If you take the initiative to attack the enemy's territory and have the opportunity to plunder, there may be people who will actively participate in the battle, but this time it is a defensive battle with no oil and water.

"Ren Youemon, you give the order, if you go out in this battle, you will be rewarded with three hundred wen per person, and the bounty for the enemy's head will be doubled, and each head will be three times!"

Fan Xiu pondered for a moment and made a decision. Since the "collusion with officials and businessmen" with Yuyuewu, he can occasionally receive the "courtesy" of thirty langs, and he has already accumulated hundreds of funds, and he can still do it if he comes up with dozens of yuan in a joint battle.

Masuda Nagamori was a little surprised, but he didn't ask in detail, only said "yes", and then took the order, and shouted in the village all morning, only to recruit more than 50 farmers of all ages, plus Tsunohide himself and his retainers, a total of more than 60 people.

The soldiers were gathered, leaving Matsui Yuxian and Ji Yin to guard the house, and Fan Xiu took the other three out of battle. I thought that Masuda Nagamori was just a simple practice, but he also wore a full fit, and followed out on a horse with a spear.

Originally, Ji Yin also made a request to fight, but considering that he had not yet made his first battle, he could not be so hasty, so he did not agree.

So we set off.

It turned out that it was intended to march all the way without stopping, and strive to arrive early. Unexpectedly, not long after going out, a strong wind blew, and occasionally there were many snowflakes.

After traveling more than ten miles, the team has stretched a long line, and Fan Xiu grabbed the reins of the horse and looked back. Twenty or thirty soldiers behind him were jogging on the dirt with their bodies wrapped up, and some of the young and infirm people who had come for the bounty were already shivering with cold. A wry smile flashed in her eyes. Immortals are boring, mortals are innocent, and it is just like this funny.

Oda Nobuyoshi of Iwakura has been at odds with Oda Nobunaga for a long time, but there has never been a war for several years. Why did you choose to send troops out suddenly at such a time? The weather is cold, under the wind and snow, and he attacks the strong with the weak, and escapes with fatigue, how many days can he hold on? At best, it's just a walk around Cheongju Castle and a show. Such an act only harmed the peasants and soldiers in the territories of both sides, and not only harmed others, but also did not benefit themselves in the slightest.

Immediately patrolled back and forth, making sure not to leave anyone behind, but it inevitably dragged down a lot of time, and when he arrived in Cheongju, he could already see the moonlight. It's barely a late arrival, but according to Nobunaga's habits, it must be quite dissatisfied.

Led people into Kiyoshu, went to the city to visit Oda Nobunaga, outside of Uchimaru, met a few familiar guards, Sasa Maeda was also among them.

"What's going on inside?" Honshu pointed to Honmaru where Nobunaga was and asked softly.

"There are still half of the soldiers and horses yet, and His Highness is already a little anxious." Sasa Narumasa replied.

"Don't be anxious, the few people who came just now were all inexplicably scolding!" Maeda Toshiya leaned over and said indignantly.

Fan Xiu nodded, straightened his clothes, and went in alone.

"My lord, the tie is at the rate of sixty people!"

Nobunaga rarely did not lean against the wall, but sat solemnly, his face cloudy. The few surnames around him, who have always been unscrupulous, are also low-browled and pleasing to the eyes, silent as cicadas.

"It's not too late, let's go down and stand by!" The tone was a little low, but there was no rebuke.

The imaginary * did not fall, and Fan Xiu was a little surprised, said "yes", and retreated.

"Heisama is really a confidant of His Highness......" When he walked out, he heard the guard at the door whisper something like this.

He has been designated as a brother-in-law, and it is not wrong to say that he is a confidant, right? Fan Xiu thought so.

After another hour or two, four or five hundred troops arrived, and Nobunaga suddenly rose to the top.

Shibata Katsuie, Sakuma Nobumori, Oda Nobubo, Sasa Masaji and others have all led their troops to Cheongju, while Sakuma University, Hayashi Tongkatsu, Niwa Katsu and others have not yet arrived.

Honshu brought in 60 people from Ashigaru, and the seats were 10 outside of the second group.

At this time, Nobunaga had not yet developed the habit of letting Kosa Kazumi serve as a clerk, and the people in charge of explaining the situation were Niwa Nagahide, who was appointed as a lieutenant, and Takigawa Kazuki, who was in charge of the ninja mobilization ninja.

"Iwakura Castle has been gathering troops since last night, and the current army strength has exceeded three thousand, and according to the ninja report, Mino's Saito has also sent 1,500 reinforcements, and it is unclear whether there will be follow-up troops."

"The current strength of the army in the city is two thousand four hundred, and there are a few adults who are far away, if we wait until tomorrow, we can gather three thousand seven hundred men."

"The enemy's vanguard, led by the old Yamauchi Moritoyo of the Iwakura family, about six or seven hundred men, has crossed the Nagara River, and the garrison has built a fortress in the northern outer mountains, according to the castle of Cheongju is only more than 20 li, and it is estimated that at noon tomorrow, troops will be sent to attack. Oda Nobuyo's main camp is still in Iwakura, and it can be reached the day after tomorrow at the latest. Minono's reinforcements, commanded by Michitoshi Nagai, have traveled to Mt. Komaki. ”

"What did Inuyama's Oda Nobukiyo do? I'm afraid it's a pretense not to know, let the Saito army cross the border! Shibata Katsuya couldn't help but interject.

Nagai Michitoshi's castle, out of central Mino, if you want to enter Owari, you have to pass through the defense area of Inuyama Castle Oda Nobukiyo. Oda Nobukiyo was a cousin of Nobunaga's clan, ostensibly subordinate to Kiyoshu, and married Oda Nobuhide's eldest daughter, Nobunaga's sister (cousins and sisters could be married at that time), but secretly came into contact with many surrounding forces, and his position was difficult to distinguish.

Nobunaga glanced at Shibata and nodded, approvingly.

"It's exactly as Shibata Hall said." Niwa bowed to Shibata as a sign of respect, "Since Nagai Michitoshi came out of the battle early yesterday morning, Inuyama Castle has not moved, and he has not reported this matter to his family. ”

After being quiet for a while, the one who took over the conversation was Sasa Chengmasa's eldest brother, Sasa Masaji:

"Dare to ask if the Iwakura army will march overnight?"

Takigawa Kazuyi shook his head: "There is no such sign. ”

"So...... Sasa Masaji pondered for a moment and bowed down to Nobunaga, "I think that the family should strike preemptively and immediately send troops to attack the Iwakura army at night. Komaki Mountain is still half a day's journey from Cheongju, and it will take at least two hours for Iwakura to come out for reinforcements. If you can defeat the enemy's advance at night, it will inevitably make the enemy afraid to invade. ”

Nobunaga was a little moved, but noncommittal in his words, motioning for him to return to his seat.

The second to open was Sakuma Nobumori.

"Hayato (Masaji Sasa) is clever in his strategy, but he is too risky. The current strength of the main family is inferior to the other side, and if the Iwakura reinforcements do not completely destroy the enemy before the arrival of reinforcements, they will be in a bitter battle, and if the Saito army arrives......"

"What does Nobuymori think?" Nobunaga asked suddenly.

"Stick to the city first, and at the same time send someone to contact the local tyrants in the area of Komaki Mountain, and ask them to drag the Saito reinforcements, and wait until tomorrow when the army of all the lords is ready, the strength of the family will be in an advantage, and it will be easy to wait for work, whether it is offensive or defending, it can be grasped by His Royal Highness."

"Hmm......" Nobunaga replied, not very satisfied, and his gaze shot back to Shibata Katsuie.

"Quan Liu, you haven't spoken for so long, it's not like your temperament!"

Shibata responded to the call, bowed down, and then said slowly:

"The minister is suspecting that the 600 lone troops are the bait of the enemy."

"Oh? It's amazing. Nobunaga laughed twice, but there was no surprise in his expression.

"Oda Nobuyoshi has lived in Iwakura for a long time, he is not a mediocre person, and Saito Yoshiryu is even more treacherous and treacherous, and the two of them join forces, not to be ignored."

"If it's a bait, why don't you come any closer? Twenty miles away from Cheongju City, it's not a lone army, right? Masaki Sasa questioned.

"Fiction is real, reality is fiction, this is the other party's cleverness." Shibata replied.

"So what to do?" Nobunaga asked.

"Please allow your highness to lead two hundred cavalry out and patrol twenty miles north of the city. If there is an accident, the camera can act without being passive, and if it is pinched, it is also convenient to withdraw. ”

Nobunaga was still not satisfied, so he asked a few more important ministers, and what they said was similar to that of the three of them. Then he asked about the second echelon, and even called on the names of Ikeda Tsuneko and Mori Kasei. Ikeda agreed with Shibata, while Mori preferred to take the initiative and said only that he would send a team to block the reinforcements.

The response was still noncommittal.

Then it was the turn of the show.

"What is the opinion of the Zhizuo?" Nobunaga's tone of inquiry was rather casual, and he didn't expect much.

Fan Xiu didn't have a definite idea in his heart, and he didn't want to be too reckless, so he only responded to Sen Ke's opinion of forming a soldier.

Nobunaga asked, "How should the troops be divided?" ”

"This ......," Fan Xiu pondered for a moment, "the minister thought that he should send his elite to ambush the enemy army at night, leaving only a few people to monitor the advance of Yamauchi Moritoyo. ”

"You mean that the purpose is not to break the enemy's advance, but to ambush reinforcements?" Nobunaga's eyes lit up, and then he said to himself, "If you ambush, you must be an elite soldier who orders and prohibits it, so I will personally command the horse and wander the crowd......"

"Your Highness think twice!" Niwa Nagahide couldn't help but exclaim.

"That's it, Gonroku, Hayato, Sanzuo, Gorou Zuo, Kusuke, plus my horse, crossed the Kitagai Mountains to ambush reinforcements, and the rest were led by Uemon (Sakuma Nobumori), and they were arrayed under the mountain and feinted against the enemy forces on the mountain! As for the candidates who will stay behind to defend the castle......" Nobunaga glanced over the retainers' seats.

Although it is dangerous to go into battle, there is a chance to make meritorious contributions, and it is impossible to obtain combat merits if you stay in the city, so no one takes the initiative to ask for help.

Fan Xiu's mind changed, and he thought that there were many old and weak in the army he brought, so he came out and said: "Your Highness, the minister is willing to take the responsibility of guarding the city." ”

When Nobunaga heard this, he looked surprised, looked up and down a few times, and then nodded.

"The soldiers and horses defending the city only need two hundred - go down and prepare, and go out in two quarters of an hour!"

The generals were ordered to leave, but Nobunaga stopped him.

"How do you know?" Splitting the head and covering the face is such a sentence.

Know what? Fan Xiu was inexplicable: "The minister doesn't know what His Highness said......"

"I don't know? Then why did you stay in the city? ”

Fan Xiu was dumbfounded for a while. The real reason is really not said, and you can't say bluntly that the military service in the collar has been misappropriated by yourself, and the subordinates are all untrained and weak, right?

"It's because after the injury, according to the doctor, you need to recuperate......

After thinking about it for a long time, I finally came up with a decent excuse.

Nobunaga stared at him for a long time, and suddenly laughed.

"You guy, you're in luck!"

"......" Fan Xiu was even more inexplicable, and only responded, his face was as usual.

"Guarding the gates and letting no one in, it's a great achievement! Especially my brothers...... Do you understand? ”

Nobunaga's expression was a little weird, but in his words, he seemed to treat Fan Xiu as a cronie.

Fan Xiu thought about it for a while, and realized the meaning of the words, and then it was suddenly realized.

I see......