At night on May 27, inside the castle tower of Kariya Castle.

Asahina Taichao, Sena Toshi, Akihei Umakihei, Sekiguchi Hishiro, Asahina Taiheng, Okuhira Sadakatsu, and the rest of their entourage sat around a map spread out on tatami mats, thinking about what to do next.

The troops have been tossing and turning all day today, and now they are very tired and need to rest. And because of the cloudy weather tonight, there is no moonlight, so it is more difficult for the tanma to move around at night - they can only be let go with torches. In fact, this greatly affected the reconnaissance effectiveness of the reconnaissance cavalry. Because in the dark of night, the horses with torches are often spotted earlier than the object of their investigation.

Even so, the Asahina clan still had to send nearly half of their cavalry to reconnoiter with torches, because they didn't know where the Okabe family was, which was actually very dangerous.

More than a dozen people have been discussing it until the child, but they still can't agree on where the Okabe family is most likely to go now. If you go south from Kariya Castle, forty miles to the south, you will find Nishio. And between the Nishio and Kariya Castle Anshojo Castle line, there is the Yasaku River, the famous river of Mikawa. There are many bridges and ferries on the Yabuki River, and there are also talks about crossing the river on foot, so it was not difficult for the Okabe family to cross the river.

However, even so, everyone is still unsure whether the Okabe family has crossed the Yasaki River now. After all, they couldn't figure out what the purpose of the Okabe family suddenly withdrew from the impregnable Kariya Castle when there was plenty of food and grass.

Kariya Castle was an important stronghold for Oda Nobuhide, the father of Oda Nobunaga, the Tiger of Owari to suppress Mikawa. It was on the basis of Kariya Castle and Ansho Castle that Oda Nobuhide launched a protracted battle with the Imagawa family in the area of Mikawa-Eota Prefecture. The location of Kariya Castle is very important. However, the Okabe family suddenly withdrew from the city. Their purpose is really inscrutable.

"Could it be Anxiang City?" Yu Qiuping thought about it for a long time, and in the entire branch city of the Sanhe region, only Anxiang City could be compared to Kariya City. If the Okabe family gave up Kariya Castle in exchange for something, Anxiang Castle was obviously the best choice.

"We are now the whole army gathered in Kariya City, and Anxiang City is actually almost an empty city." Yuqiu said solemnly, "If the Okabe family actually quietly moved to the south of Anxiang City not far today, and launched an attack early tomorrow morning, will Anxiang City be able to withstand it?" ”

"You kid, you have a point!" Asahina Taehyung patted his head, "It's very possible!" Those grandsons have a bad stomach, and they want to trick us into leaving Anxiang City! ”

"Regardless of whether the Okabe family plans to do so or not, we must not be unguarded." Yu Qiuping spoke, "Why don't I lead Chang Panbei to Anxiang City to assist in the defense early the next morning." The Okabe family hurriedly launched an attack on Anxiang City, and there will definitely not be many siege equipment, and there is always a job, and it will definitely not be a problem to hold on until reinforcements arrive. ”

"The question is, are the Matsudaira family defenders of Anxiang Castle willing to let Momiji enter the city?" Asahina Taichao said, "There is nothing wrong with His Highness Matsudaira and Momiji having a good relationship, but His Highness Matsudaira has already led the main force back to Anxiang City this afternoon. Tadaji Sakai, who defended the castle, is said to be an unkind samurai. ”

"This..."Yu Qiuhei was speechless for a while, he was really not sure, and asked Sakai Tadaji to let him into the city. If the Matsudaira family doesn't open the gate when they get to the castle, won't they have to face the Okabe family's army?

"Why don't you send more people." Okuhei Sadaji proposed, "It's good to take care of each other." ”

Just when everyone was discussing, Amano Jingde, who had been silent, suddenly spoke.

"Your Highnesses, I have a question below." Amano's voice was still cold without the slightest emotion.

"Quan Bingwei, if you have any opinions, just say it." Sena Shijun called out the name of Amano Keitokumotoku, and everyone turned their eyes to the indifferent man with a crow on his shoulder.

"The question below is..."Amano Keide raised his head, the color of his eyes flickering against the backdrop of the dancing flames, "If Anxiang City is attacked, do we want to help?" ”

The room suddenly became smaller. The atmosphere was also awkward.

Yu Qiuping was stunned for a moment, and immediately understood what Amano Jingde meant. Several people around, except for the demented-looking Asahina Taehyung, should have understood what Amano Keitoku wanted to express.

"Amano... Keitoku Amano, right? Asahina Taehyung pointed at Amano Kyungdeok and asked in an exaggerated tone, "What do you mean by that?" Our own city may be beaten, can we not save it? We're not out of soldiers again! ”

Asahina Taehyung thought that everyone would join him in condemning Amano's words. To his surprise, several people around him expressed their hesitation in silence and silence.

"What do you mean? Yes? Asahina Taehyung was also stunned for a while, "What did I say wrong?" ”

Everyone looked at each other a few times, and finally, they sighed at Binai Taichao and whispered, "Own... City? ”

"Nani?" Asahina Taehyung's elm head still doesn't seem to have figured out what is going on.

"Peaceful City... It was in the hands of the Matsudaira family. Asahina Taichao explained to his brother, "Not long ago, it was the Matsudaira family who cheated Anxiang Castle out of us, didn't they? ”

Asahina's eyes widened suddenly, as if he understood something.

"Amano-sama means... If the Okabe family is going to attack the Matsudaira family, do we really want to help..."

"It's... This seems to be very real! Asahina Taehyung reacted suddenly, "Those three rivers guys are full of bad water!" If we had gone over to help, we would have put our people at the forefront! Where are we going, our dead people, and helping them defend the city? ”

"Neither can that." Sena shook his head and said, "The Matsudaira family is now in a detached position, and although they were on our side before, they still have a lot of autonomy. If we don't have any intention of helping them, we will probably fall to the side of the Okabe family, and the Okabe family will not refuse. ”

"That would be bad." Asahina Taichao glanced at the map, "If Okazaki Castle and Ansho Castle fall into the hands of the Okabe family, and the main force of the Okabe family moves to Okazaki Castle and Ansho Castle... The situation is even more sinister than before. Mizuno's family is also likely to be unstable. ”

"What I mean below," Amano Keitori said again, "If the Okabe family really attacks Anxiang Castle, we might as well give a promise of support." ”

"And then you didn't send troops?" Yu Qiuping said with some dissatisfaction, "Wait until the Okabe family and the Matsudaira family fight to lose both, or even wait until Anxiang City has fallen, are you sitting on the benefits of the fisherman?" ”

"The Okabe family and the Matsudaira family aren't fools, so they definitely won't just follow our script." Yu Qiuping shook his head and said, "In the end, Matsudaira Motoyasu is very likely to completely fall to the Okabe family because of our treachery." It's despicable to use allies like this! ”

"Despicable?" Asahina Taehyung yelled, "How did those bastards cheat Anxiang Castle and Okazaki Castle from us before?" Are they embarrassed to call others despicable? To deal with despicable villains, you have to use despicable methods! ”

"No, it's terrible." Yu Qiuping shook his head and said, "I refuse to treat our allies like this. If we do this, we will definitely chill the hearts of all the wealthy families. Who wants to join us in the future? ”

"So what's not? For the sake of the Matsudaira family? Asahina Taehyung retorted, "Send troops to help them defend the city they just took from us?" ”

"These are two different things..."When Yu Qiuping was about to quarrel again, Sena Shijun signaled him to calm down with his eyes. Yu Qiuping was stunned for a moment, realized his gaffe, and hurriedly nodded in apology. Asahina Taehyung was also a rough line, waving his hand nonchalantly.

"Both of you, you've gone to an extreme." Sena shook his head and said, "Actually, there is no need to be so desperate. We are allies in our support, of course, but we will never take advantage of them. At least wait for the Matsudaira family to send reinforcements from Okazaki Castle before sending troops. ”

"That's a good idea." Asahina Taichao nodded in approval, "And..."

Before he could finish speaking, there was a sudden knock on the door.

"Report! Your Highness! A scout horse from the Bina family was brought in, and after kneeling down and saluting, he said in a deep voice: "After our scout horse marched more than ten miles to the south, we began to encounter the Okabe cavalry, who were also carrying torches. There were quite a few of them, and we didn't dare to rush forward any longer, so we rushed back to return. ”

"Is it more than ten miles to the south?" Asahina Taihyung pondered, "How many are there?" ”

"There are probably nearly 100 of them." Tanma replied fifteen-ten.

"So many people?" Asahinai Taichao was slightly startled, "Is such a large-scale intelligence barrier to cover the location of the main force?" He looked at the map as he spoke, "More than ten miles to the south... It is still in the northwest of the Yasaki River. Haven't the Okabe family crossed the Yahagawa River yet..."

"Is the target really still Anxiang City in the west of the Yasaku River?" Yu Qiuping sighed. He didn't know if the reason why he wanted to support the Matsudaira family so much was influenced by his own personal emotional factors - this was really a taboo for soldiers.

"It's not early." Asahinai Taichao glanced at the somewhat tired people, "Everyone, please go and rest early, there is a tough battle to fight tomorrow." ”

"Then do I need to get the troops up early and get ready to go to support?" Yu Qiuping asked.

"Be prepared." Asahina Taichao nodded and said, "If you really need to go to support, let His Highness Sena go with you, and His Highness Sena will determine when to send troops." ”

"That's great." Yu Qiuping sighed with relief, if the experienced Sena Shitoshi could be at the helm, it would be much better than his stunned youth.