Early in the morning of the 10th day of the fifth month, Oda's army, totaling 24,000 men, entrenched near Kyoto, finally set out for the west, preparing to attack Miyoshi Nagaitsu, who was in turmoil in Settsu.

After a full day of cautious marching, we arrived at the vicinity of Akutagawa Yamajo on the border between Yamashiro and Settsu to rest. At this time, the scouts reported that a large number of enemy troops were found in the southwest of Shichicho (about 8 kilometers), and the banner of the Asai family was faintly seen in the distance, and it seemed that its vanguard had returned from the western country.

According to the idea of a tie, the enemy who posed the greatest threat to Kyoto was dealt with first, and then the Asakura of Echizen was considered.

Shibata in the west, Niwa and Mori Kosei in the north are not in good shape, and I still don't know if they are still alive. Now that the army has gone west, Shibata's vitality is a little higher, and Niwa and Mori can only be said to be asking for more blessings.

Originally, Hirate Honhide was duty-bound to serve as a general, but Ashikaga Yoshiaki's request for him to change his career eventually became a thorn that could not be bypassed, and Ikeda Tsuneko said this thorn in a big way, and the atmosphere was very embarrassing.

As a result, Hirate had to refrain again and again, and it was not until Oda Nobutada's repeated pleas that he reluctantly agreed to "give some advice for reference only as an advisor when necessary."

Everyone knows that acting in this play is a waste of precious marching time, but everyone has to be patient to play it, and the impact of Ikeda's unthinking words is very subtle. If you don't talk nonsense first, at least you can continue to procrastinate, and once you say it, you will never be able to go back to the past.

In addition, the unexpected death of the shogunate's old minister Settsu Harumon in the military formation also makes people feel that the meaning is ominous and a taboo.

Fortunately, during this period of time, in addition to the above two items, it can be regarded as good news that has gradually come from all directions.

Tanba Hatano expressed his verbal support for the shogunate as a wait-and-see force, meaning that at least he would not be an enemy of the Oda family, while the Tanba Akai family claimed to send 500 "elite soldiers" to participate in the fight against thieves. Miyoshi Yoshitsugu of Hanoi was the most respected of the shogunate, and he dispatched the old man with a full 2,000 people to help him non-stop.

Even Yamato's Matsunaga Shu personally went out and led an army of 2,500 men, slowly saying that he wanted reinforcements. It's a bit surprising, because everyone always thought that this old fox must have secretly engaged in some conspiracy, but they didn't expect it to look so innocent.

In other words, the name of righteousness began to play a role.

I can't hear from the farther away for the time being, but the three of Mino and the like shouldn't defect to the Asakura family for the time being! Ise Kitabatake will also weigh it before it wants to revive and make a comeback.

But the biggest good news is that I have found Shibata Katsuya!

To be precise, it was the remnants of the fleeing allies who saw the banner of the Oda family and took the initiative to come to the door.

The situation of "broken bottle firewood" is very miserable, he himself is injured up and down, and he was supported by Sakai Masaoshi and Maeda Toshiya left and right to come to the barracks, and Sakai and Maeda are also slightly injured, followed by more than a dozen personal soldiers, all of them are colored.

However, I finally came back alive!

Moreover, the whole body is covered with skin and flesh wounds, and it does not leave a hidden danger that could be fatal at any time like Nobunaga.

In the current situation, it is very exciting to have one more person back.

When they met, it was the early morning of May 11, there was already light in the sky, and everyone rushed to the Chinese army camp to meet. Ikeda Tsuneko and Oda Nobutada were moved to tears. And Shibata Katsuya heard what happened to Nobunaga, and even grabbed the ground with his head despite his injuries, wailing and crying, calling "his subordinates incompetent".

Takigawa Kazuyi calmly reminded: "Now is not the time to feel sad about spring and autumn, please ask Shibata-sama to recuperate in peace - is there any other information about the enemy that can tell me to wait?" ”

Speaking of which, the Shibata Katsuya also knew the severity, so he cleaned up his mind, wiped away his tears, and said in a deep voice: "Of course, I am responsible for this defeat, but I have to say that there is a reason for it. ”

Oda Nobutada nodded in understanding: "Arakimura killed its lord Ikeda Katsumasa, and Yusa Nobuyo killed its lord Hatakeyama Akitaka, this is really unexpected, I think it was a long time to hook up with Miyoshi Nagayoshi." ”

"If this is the case, the subordinates will not be defeated." Shibata Katsuya blushed and lowered his head, angry and ashamed, "That Yamato Matsunaga Xiu ostensibly sent his son Matsunaga to help, but in fact he turned against him, which made me overwhelmed by the loss of one or the other—anyway, Matsunaga himself should have openly rebelled, right?" When I am healed, I will personally slash this father and son to resolve their hatred...... Why are you looking at me like this, could it be that Matsunaga Shu has been solved by Hirate-sama or Takikawa-sama? ”

"Uh......" Ikeda took over awkwardly, "we don't know what Matsunaga did...... But Matsunaga Hideki himself has already announced his support for the Oda family, and he has also been recognized......"

"What?!" Shibata was stunned, then turned to anger, "Damn! Is it a trick of father and son to stand on one side? Whichever side wins, he will have an excuse to keep the family business...... How can he succeed! I think he may have a share in the assassination of the lord! ”

Hearing this, Takigawa Kazuyi couldn't help frowning: "The truth is always extremely complicated...... In any case, there is no point in pursuing everyone's motives now. ”

Oda Nobutada also said with a stern expression: "When the situation stabilizes, I will definitely do whatever it takes to track down the people involved in the assassination!" But the most important thing right now is to keep the legacy of my father, and for this I can make peace with anyone for the time being, even if it is the mastermind behind the scenes! ”

At this point, it was natural that the crowd would stop saying anything on the spot, and would focus on the current war, at least on the surface.

Oda Nobutada ordered his intelligence chief, Hiromasa Ryoda, to brief him on the situation. The latter did not shirk, and stood up to take over the conversation: "In the past, the family used to spy on subordinates everywhere in Jinnai, but most of them have lost contact recently, so the contemptible people dispatched all the reserves and re-sent a group of scouts. At present, it seems that Miyoshi Changyi's military strength is about 15,000 to 20,000, the composition is very complicated, the formation is also very loose, the main force is located in the rear of Itami City, and the front is a rabble. ”

Hearing this, Ikeda Hengxing frowned and interrupted: "Lord Liangtian! Most of the enemy's troops are improvised patchwork, which ones are considered the main forces? ”

Liang Tian Hiromasa was slightly stunned, a look of displeasure flashed on his face, and he replied patiently: "Miyoshi Changyi had 3,000 henchmen when he raised his army, and in addition, Araki Murashige and Yusa Shinko, the two masters who killed the lord and caused rebellion, each had two or three thousand elites, adding up to about eight thousand soldiers and horses, all of whom were near Itami City. And in front of them are some small forces and ronins gathered, mainly located in Ibaraki Castle and Miyake Castle, the military discipline is extremely chaotic, and the number is difficult to count. ”

"Isn't that being sacrificed? A bunch of ignorants! Maeda Toshiya held Shibata's right arm and didn't forget to complain.

Takigawa Yiyi shook his head with a serious expression: "Presumably, they are all evil parties who are extremely arrogant, or old enemies who have a deep hatred for their own family!" Although it is a rabble, it may not be easy to deal with! It seems that Miyoshi Changyi is using this group of people to drag the front, and its main force may go around to the flank of our army. ”

"You're right!" Hiromasa Ryoda was not very polite to Ikeda Hengxing, but he was quite respectful to Takigawa Kazuki, "According to the report, Saito's remnants of the party Hineto, the remnants of the Rokkaku Remnant Party Mikumo Nariji, and even the Inuyama Oda remnants have all appeared in the barracks!" These people are not easy to deal with, and I don't know where Miyoshi Changyi found them! ”

"Then can we be one step ahead of him and bypass this group of 'old friends' and take Miyoshi Changyi directly?" Ikeda had a whim.

Sakai Masao, who was holding Shibata's left arm, sighed and replied, "I'm afraid it's not that simple!" I also lost the battle once, and I realized that there are no mountains and rivers in Settsu, but it is full of hills and rivers...... As outsiders, it is better for us not to divide our troops lightly. ”

"There's no need to overestimate them!" Shibata Katsuie couldn't help but interject, "Although it seems to be self-exculpatory to say this, I don't think the enemy's combat strength is enough to fear, as long as there is no more sudden situation of defection, our army is enough to win in one fell swoop." ”

"But how much damage will it take? Will you be able to keep the strength to return to the division to fight the enemy in the Hokuriku? Takigawa Kazuyi questioned, "Didn't Fang just say that the Asai family is not far away?" Are you considering working with it to fight three good Changyi? ”

Shibata nodded affirmatively: "It's a bit embarrassing, but it seems that this is the best way to go......"

As soon as these words came out, Hijo Toshihide was very disapproving, and was hesitating whether to open his mouth to remind, but he saw Oda Nobutada's face shaking his head heavily, and said: "Have you forgotten, two days ago, the shogunate has announced that Miyoshi Nagayi will be listed as the real culprit of the assassination to publicize, so this battle is for revenge, how can it be faked?" Draw, right? ”

was suddenly named, and the tie was a little unexpected.

Could it be that Oda Nobutada is trying to find a way to mend the rift?

It's not easy for this young family governor.

After thinking wildly, Pingshou Fanxiu did not delay, and immediately replied: "You are very right! Why did the shogunate insist that Miyoshi Nagaitsu was the culprit in the assassination? Why do contemptible people insist on the idea of first west and then north? is because he is famous enough, but his strength is insufficient, and he is the most suitable target for him. Breaking this target, the fortune of the Oda family is extremely Tailai, and it is worth paying a little more for it. At present, concentrating on defeating Miyoshi Nagayi and regaining the reverence of the forces for the Oda family is the only focus, as for how to deal with Asakura in Hokuriku in the future...... With such a big area, are you still afraid that you won't be able to recruit soldiers? ”

"Exactly!" Oda Nobutada didn't give anyone else a chance to ask questions, and stood up patting his thigh, "Since Miyoshi Nagayi has been advertised as the culprit in the assassination of his father, then we must do our best to obtain his head!" This is the only way to revive the Oda family! ”