On the fourth day of the sixth month of the third year of Eiroku (1570), more than 4,000 troops under the command of Hirate Honhide, together with the 2,500 troops of the Mino Province, crossed the empty castle of Kotani Castle and marched in the direction of Echizen.

The leader is the well-known "Ghost Boy Keiji" Hisho Hideyi, plus the worship of the Yamazaki Yoshika family. Fan Xiu specially ordered these two people to be arrogant and domineering, and to raise the banner loudly, so that the Asakura family could see it clearly.

"It's a pity that Akechi Mitsuhide was inexplicably sent to pacify Hanoi...... Otherwise, it will be more imposing to borrow the left Majie under his command. It's really rare to make this kid Keiji admit that he is invincible. ”

Hisho felt a little sorry for this.

Seven thousand elite soldiers took advantage of this winning streak and attacked steadily, appearing full of confidence.

Correspondingly, the Asakura army, which was in a poor situation, had no intention of fighting. According to the scout's report, the enemy's main force had been retreating, and decisively abandoned all the fortresses of Kita-Omi, leaving not a single soldier to defend.

Although Yamazaki Yoshiie, Makami Naokaka and others were almost wiped out, they played a little role after all, and it dragged on for about two days. By the time the coalition re-elected the vanguard candidates to pursue again, the two sides were already more than ten miles (about 39 kilometers) apart, and it was impossible to catch up with them in a moment.

However, Hisho was not in a hurry, and ordered the soldiers to only keep a little faster than the normal march by about 20%, and watch the enemy retreat into Echizen. It took two whole days, and only shortened the distance from ten li to six and a half li (about 25 km).

At this moment, near the national border line of Omi and Echizen, it joined up with Takigawa Kazuki's special forces.

After informing each other of the latest war situation, Takigawa Kazuyoshi himself said, "I was going to cut off the enemy's rear route. However, when I bypassed Lake Biwa, I unexpectedly ran into an army of more than 20,000 people. I saw that the enemy's general Chaocang Jingjing was well commanded, and although his morale was declining, the formation was not chaotic, so he acted cautiously and only slightly disturbed without exposing the truth and reality. ”

"Hard work Takigawa Temple." Tie Tsutsu asked the question he was most concerned about, "Have you ever been engaged?" ”

"Twice." Takigawa Kazuyi immediately replied, "First I sent 1,000 of my banner to feint during the day, and after nightfall, I made a surprise attack by 300 ninja soldiers, killing and wounding 1200 enemy soldiers in total, but I didn't find any flaws in the other party. The Asakura army also had no intention of fighting, so both times it was up to the point. ”

"It seems that it is still a little difficult to completely defeat the Asakura family head-on." Tie Tsusho made such a judgment.

The half-guard of Takenaka on the side seconded: "The Echizen Asakura law is strict, and the important positions in the army are all held by the young men of the sect, although they are a little weak, but they will not be defeated with one blow." After all, it is a century-old foundation, and it always takes a little more thought to deal with them. ”

He clearly had something to say.

Takigawa Kazuyi didn't understand the cause and effect, but when he saw this situation, he immediately understood: "It seems that both the peace and the bamboo hall are already confident. Both of them are strategists and wise people, if there is any rough work, please leave it to the next below? ”

Hirate and Takenaka looked at each other, neither wanting to raise objections.

In fact, Takigawa Yiyi has always been brave and strategic, and he is a dual-capable general, and he is by no means a rough man. In terms of the ability to march and fight, I am afraid that he is better than the two people in front of him.

But he lacks sensitivity to the intricacies of the political landscape.

Takigawa Kazuki himself is an extremely calm and rational person, and it is difficult to understand the impetuousness and cowardice of ordinary people, so he often ignores the feelings of the people at the bottom, and is always regarded as a cold-blooded animal who is not close to people.

On the other hand, Takenaka Hanbei was a long-sleeved man who was good at dancing and dancing exquisitely, and he had connections from the ministers to the beggars, so of course he would not refuse the request of a friendly army to fight in person.

As for the tie, there was actually a bit of a disagreement with Takigawa Kazuyi a long time ago. But that's not a big deal of a contradiction, and to a lot of it's deliberately seen as an outsider. After going through a difficult period now, there is always a little friendship between each other, and they casually agree to small things.

Besides, the other party is so active, and it is exactly what Shangfan Xiu's strategy needs.

"Then it will be troublesome for Takigawa Hall. I don't think it's going to be a day or two before you'll need your martial arts. ”

In the end, the tie was answered.

Takigawa Kazuyi also immediately expressed his gratitude: "Thank you for taking care of the task!" ”

However, things don't go far from what was previously thought.

After a short rest in the Shidake area, Hirate Honhide and his men continued northward, marching for several hours to the important town of Hokuriku, connecting the port town of Tsuruga with Kanesaki Castle on the Echizen Plain.

Fifty days ago, Nobunaga's Oda army led by Nobunaga himself defeated Asakura Keiheng here and successfully went down the castle, but soon received the news of "Uesugi Kamiraku" and hastily retreated.

Now revisiting the old place, I have to sigh that things are not people.

In less than two months, has undergone much more changes than in the previous two years.

This time, there is no one in Kanazaki Castle who is conscientious and sticks to the help.

The important town of Hokuriku, the gateway to Echizen, has become an empty city.

It seems that all the troops of the Asakura family have moved backwards, and even the rich town of Tsuruga is about to be abandoned.

Previously, Hirate Hoshu and others had already learned from the ninja's report that the main enemy army was constantly retreating and would not launch a battle near Kanesaki. But according to conventional thinking, at least one or two thousand people should be left behind for a symbolic cage city defense.

As a result, Hirate, Takigawa, and Takenaka could only continue to pursue and advance in the northeast direction.

In this regard, Takigawa Kazuyi commented: "The Asakura family is really worthy of a century-old famous family, and they are all cautious and cautious from top to bottom, which is completely different from country warriors like us. ”

The implication is to mock the other party's twilight.

However, on the other hand, this conservative strategy may be the most appropriate for the Asakura family.

The coalition was a rabble without a unified order, and the logistical pressure was also very high, so it could not last long. Everyone was able to gather to see Ashikaga Yoshiaki's face, and secondly, they hoped to take the opportunity to establish prestige or fight the autumn breeze. Both of these motives are not resolute enough and can be shaken at any time.

As long as the Asakura family held out until the coalition forces retreated, they would only have to face the enemy Omi Asai in the future. Although Mino's Oda is in-law, he may not be able to help Asai Nagamasa. On the other hand, Asai needs to take care of Harima, Settsu and other places at the same time, so it is impossible to invest too much force in Hokuriku.

In this way, there is no chance to capture the flag, so Takigawa Kazuyi felt very depressed and couldn't help but laugh.

Takenaka Hanbei explained: "Takigawa Hall doesn't have to worry about this. The restoration of Kanesaki Castle is already a great achievement! As for letting the Asakura family preserve their strength...... That should be what Omi Guardian fears. ”

"Well, what the bamboo temple said is very true." Takigawa Kazuki was not stupid, and immediately understood the meaning of his words, "It doesn't hurt to let the Asakura family save more strength, anyway, the trouble is also the Asai family." ”

If you are not stupid, you are not stupid, and when you say this, it seems that you are very politically sensitive.

Tie Tsusho changed the topic at the right time: "Sooner or later, the enemy will have to engage in battle." Because Asakura Jingjing is not a family governor, but just an acting general. How many times can he withstand the pressure of retreating without a fight? ”

Takenaka nodded: "That's why the middle of the flat hand said, 'knock on the mountain and shake the tiger, hit the grass and scare the snake', which is ......"

"I reckon it's just going to take a fight." Tieshou Honshu took over the conversation, "Give enough pressure, Asakura Jingjing has a reason to retreat, he will continue to adopt a conservative strategy and give up more castles." Originally, I had some doubts about the follow-up arrangements for these castles, but the Zhuzhong Temple's 'watching the fire from the other side and reaping the profits' is a good way. ”

"That's a great gift for the Asai family!" Hanbei Takenaka sighed.

"But at the same time, it's a big baggage...... "Hirata smiled maliciously.

Takigawa Kazuyi looked at the two people in front of him with a puzzled face, and it took a while to figure it out, and he let out an "oh" sound, and nodded again and again: "It seems that with two wise generals in charge, it is still quite difficult for the Asai family to overwhelm the Oda family." ”

At this moment, the scouts in front received information that the Asakura army had left a small number of men and horses at Jinmaru Castle to the north, and temporarily and urgently built a front to strengthen the city's defenses, making a gesture of defending the city.

This is all expected by the tie:

"Since Kanesaki has been abandoned, it is time to simply retreat to Fuchu Castle, or even further. Such a paragraph in the middle is completely out of line with military law, and the only possibility is to make a show for the above. ”

And Takigawa Yiyi immediately jumped up: "The task of attacking this city, please don't fight with me." ”

"Why should Takigawa Hall be in a hurry." Takenaka smiled slightly: "Since we have made an appointment before, of course we are talking about it." ”

"That couldn't be better." Takigawa got up as he spoke, "I'm going to get ready." ”

"It's getting late today, so you might as well ...... tomorrow"

Before Hisho said that, he saw that Takigawa Kazuki was ready to go out.

"When I came to Echizen Province two months ago, I remembered a lot of terrain to rush. Right now, I'm staying up all night studying the way to break the city. ”

Takigawa Kazuyi hurriedly walked out.

Only the two of them sat peacefully across from each other.

After a while, Hisho Tsushu suddenly asked: "What I said just now, why did the Bamboo Hall have to be so clear in front of the Takigawa Palace?" ”

Takenaka Hanbei didn't answer and asked, "This...... Didn't you ask knowingly? ”

The two looked at each other and smiled.

Hirate Honshu suddenly felt that Takenaka Hanbei and Kuroda Kanbei were both young and ambitious strategists, but their styles were completely different. The former pursues a "win-win" in sustainability, leaving room for people forever; The latter pursues the fatal "monopoly" with one blow, and if it is not successful, it will become a benevolent. It is still impossible to talk about which is better or worse, and it will take time to prove.

Of course, I haven't really seen the true face of Kuroda Kanbei yet, but from this series of things, I have analyzed the characteristics of this person's behavior. But the half-guards in Takenaka have really dealt with each other for many years.