Takigawa Kazuki was very resolute, and immediately prepared for battle overnight, and returned to his camp in a hurry to purge the team and discuss strategies.

On the other hand, Tie Tsunoxiu was very normal and went to sleep without any burden after arranging the night shift.

has reached this stage, no matter how it develops next, the overall situation is not much worse, at most it is just an adjustment of some details, why worry too much?

The night was peaceful.

The next morning, I woke up and learned that Takigawa Ichiyi's department was actually a rebellion of the fourth watch, and the fifth watch set off and began to make an article around Shenmaru Castle.

In fact, this city is small and dilapidated, and it is not in the main traffic area, and I don't know why it is so troublesome. Although Takikawa is known for his ingenuity and has a vassal and elegant demeanor, he seems to be close to Shibata Katsuie, Mori Kecheng and others in terms of internal values, and attaches great importance to martial arts.

At breakfast, I had not yet received the news of the siege of the city from the front, but I first received information about the instability of the rear.

Although he has not yet received the land security certificate and cash, Mitsutoshi Tarao has quickly stepped into the role, providing ninja services as a retainer.

This old fox's ability may not really surpass Nakamura Kazuji, Ishikawa Goemon and others, but the familiarity with the Omi area is really not blown, and the addition of the "Taraogumi" has sharpened the ears and eyes of the flat.

"For two whole days, only five and a half miles (about 21.5 kilometers) of the trip? This is also a little too slow, even if the team is mixed and the supply is troublesome, no matter how you say it, it should be at a speed of six miles a day to be considered a qualified army...... Now this group is a big outing group at best! ”

Hirate Hoshu stuffed wild boar jerky and pickled dried fruit into his mouth while complaining mercilessly to his allies.

"If it's just a matter of preparation or supply, it will definitely not be slow to this extent." Mitsutoshi Dorao replied, "Actually, in the past two days, the military discipline of the coalition forces has begun to crumble, and some embarrassing things have happened in the process......

"Hmm...... If it is only a matter of discipline at the lower levels, it will not affect the itinerary of the princess. Pingshou Fan Xiu calmly speculated: "Maybe some people feel that the assembly time is too long, and they can't get any opportunity to take advantage of the chaos and loot, so they lose interest, and then they grasp a little problem and use the topic to play ......."

"You're so discerning. The information obtained by his subordinates was that Miyoshi Yoshitsugu and Yamaoka Keitaka's subordinates were not on good terms with each other, and Kakushima Isun and Wada Hidejun had a quarrel in person. On the other hand, it seems that there are many people from all walks of life who come out to speak for the Asakura family, and there is no shortage of important people, which may also be the reason for the hesitation of the princess. ”

As he spoke, Mitsutoshi Dorao was surprised by the richness of the new owner's breakfast, and he wisely deliberately showed a look of envy, but he did not say it explicitly, but honestly said the truth, "Although I have not yet understood the full situation, it is conceivable that the morale of the coalition forces must have wavered, which caused the inability to march smoothly!" ”

"Hmm...... I'm almost full...... The rest of these, if Guang Jundian doesn't mind...... "Pingshou Fanxiu is an excellent and dedicated old actor, since the retainer wants to act, he might as well accompany him to play a game of playing."

This is entirely because everyone has not been in contact for a long time, and they need to deliberately create opportunities to run in.

"Hey...... Shame shame shame! Tarao Mitsutoshi took the rest of the food on the wooden plate half ashamedly and half expectantly, "To be honest, the old minister had already eaten rice balls in the early hours of the morning, but as soon as he saw your breakfast, he immediately felt hungry......

"Preserved meat and dried fruit? This is the pickling method that has been circulated in the big Meng country in the West, a little troublesome but not expensive, there are already merchants selling it in the boundary town, and I will teach you the method when I go back......"

"You don't have to!" Mitsutoshi Dorao hurriedly showed regret but resoluteness, "In a mere ninja family, eating white rice every day is already considered a luxury, and if you get other appetite enjoyment, I'm afraid the children won't remember what their last name is!" ”

“…… All right. Tieshou gave a passing score in his heart - the family style is a little too restrained and traditional, but it is much better than being bold and reckless - and then immediately turned his attention to business: "In any case, the general himself is still in charge and there is still a mess, which means that this chaos is really unbearable, it is estimated that this expedition will soon be over, and we can't be too rash in consideration of our own safety." Next, let's focus on the battle situation on the Takigawa side. ”

At this time, Dorao Mitsutoshi had just gobbled up two pieces of dried meat and three dried fruits, and his face was full of admiration, but when he heard the order, he immediately bowed his head and said yes, and he didn't have time to wipe the food residues that fell on his body.

Seeing this, Hijo Tsunoshi nodded: "Well, go ahead!" There are still days to be done. ”

"It's a matter of duty!"

Mitsutoshi Dorao didn't talk nonsense, and immediately left.

Then Hirata Hazuhide straightened his outfit and put on his full body armor with the help of the servants, and was considering whether to ask Takenaka Hanbei how to implement his strategy of "watching the fire from the other side".

Looking back, it's better not to ask, and it's good to keep each other mysterious.

It's better to follow the plan, and take over Takigawa Kazuki first.

So he walked out of the military tent as usual, inspected the various units under his command, briefly asked about the information on the night, confirmed the situation of the food and baggage, and commanded the various departments to assemble roughly and slowly move forward.

As soon as many chores were delayed, the morning time gradually wore off. In less than three moments, Hijo Tsuyoshi led the people forward slightly, just in time to see Takigawa Ichiyi gather his troops and rest for a while.

"How's the war going?" Tie Tsuyo showed a direct inquiry to the person concerned.

"It's a little subtle." Takigawa Kazuyi was not in a very good mood, "At the beginning of the battle, the morale of the Asakura army was very lacking, and they retreated at the first touch. Attempts to open a front were met with increasing resistance...... I retreated in time to prevent being ambushed, but the enemy had no intention of pursuing me......"

"That Kamimaru Castle ......," Hirate asked about the details that the other party hadn't mentioned.

"The city fortress has already been taken, and I have the advantage in calculating the battle damage." Takigawa Kazuyi's tone was completely unhappy, "It's just that it feels a little strange." The Asakura family should have withdrawn to Fuchu Cage City, but the intermediate process was too hesitant, and the state of the army was also erratic, probably ...... Internally, they are shifting their responsibilities to each other, so they can't concentrate on fighting a good fight......"

"Exactly!" Takenaka's half-guard came over from afar, "If there are 50,000 soldiers who are united and fight bravely, it will be enough to destroy the Asakura family at this moment." Unfortunately, there is no such condition now...... Therefore, we can only retreat to the next best. ”

Even if he really had the ability to wipe out Asakura in one fell swoop, it wouldn't be of much benefit - such a thought flashed through Hite's mind. Apparently he wouldn't say it.

"Retreat means ......" Takigawa Kazuyi already knew the arrangement, but he still couldn't help but ask a question. This is because the way Takenaka Hanbei speaks and the tone of his voice always arouses the curiosity of the audience.

When Takenaka Hanbei heard this, he smiled and didn't answer, but changed the topic: "Although the official news has not yet come over, the two of them should have known from private that there has been serious infighting in the coalition forces recently. In addition, the voice of intercession for the Asakura family is getting louder and louder, and I am afraid that the princess will not be able to ignore it, and for a while he will probably not be able to continue the Northern Expedition. As a vanguard force, we naturally can't go deep alone at this time, so let's just 'retreat' a few steps. ”

"Is that what it means to retreat?" Takigawa Kazuyi shook his head with a wry smile, "Although the merits made are not enough to boast about, the situation is a little elusive now, and it is not impossible to retreat......"

"The contemptible people know that the Takigawa Hall is not yet happy. You can do this and that...... next," Hanbei Takenaka said, setting it up.

Takigawa's eyes lit up when he heard this, and he felt that it was desirable.

Pingshou Fanxiu looked at it calmly, and only inserted two detailed suggestions and didn't say much.

What's next—

As expected, in the evening of the same day, Ashikaga Yoshiaki issued a military order, telling Hirate, Takigawa, and Takenaka to suspend their advance and retreat slightly, so as not to pull too far from the Chinese army.

According to the arrangement, Hira's troops immediately retreated in the night, followed by Takenaka and quietly left the next morning, leaving only Takigawa Kazuki still in an offensive posture with great fanfare.

But he only put on a posturing, but he didn't really send people to attack.

This lasted a whole day, and a calm atmosphere remained at the front.

Then the Asakura family took the initiative to break the peace and suddenly launched an attack, only to find that they had hit the muzzle of the gun and were killed and retreated by Takigawa Kazuki, who had been prepared for a long time.

Immediately, the Asakura army did not dare to go out again, and Takigawa leisurely packed his bags and swaggered back to the vicinity of Kanesaki.

In the end, Hiratee, Takenaka, and Takigawa were in Kanazaki, and Asakura Keigami was in Fuchu, and they were thirty kilometers apart, and no one went any further.

At this time, Ashikaga Yoshiaki's side was almost sorted out (on the other hand, military discipline was gradually degraded to the point of being unbearable), and the generals were summoned to announce a new decision.