The Oda family's horses and Mori Kasei's troops came to a halt 100 meters from the castle walls, and 50 iron gunners hid among them. Yu Qiuping, who had ascended to the West Castle, thought that the Oda family was going to attack again, but to his surprise, he saw a samurai with a tall head leaping out on a horse and galloping quickly under the city wall.

"The envoy of the Shimooda family, ask to see the lord of the Imagawa family's Zhili Castle!" Maeda Toshiya shouted in front of the city gate.

Yu Qiuping was just about to get up, but he was suddenly pressed down by Tianye Jingde on the side. Amano Keide slowly got up, looked at the Maeda Toshiya under the city, and asked in a low voice, "The lord of the city is not here, if your Excellency asks to see you, are you willing to enter the city?" ”

"Okay!" Maeda Toshiya was not polite at all, and smiled, "Then you are opening the city gate?" The little diplomatic etiquette that I had managed to hold back disappeared in the second sentence.

"At the moment of the great enemy, it is not easy to open the city gates." Amano Jingde said in a deep voice, "Take the hanging basket." At the same time, he motioned for Yu Qiuping to return to the castle tower.

A moment later, a hanging basket was lowered, and Maeda Toshiie did not carry the scarlet spear this time, but only a katana pinned to his waist. After he was dragged to the castle, Amano Keitoku took away the katana and asked two ashigaru to come up and search him.

"What does that mean?" Toshiie Maeda protested dissatisfiedly.

"This is for the safety of my family, please don't blame you." Amano's voice was not emotional, "If Your Excellency is unwilling to be searched, you can return to Lord Oda and ask him to change the messenger." ”

"Hmph," Maeda Toshiya snorted disdainfully, took off the armor on his body, consciously threw out the ribs in his arms, opened his arms and let Ashigaru search around, and after no problem, he took it to the third floor of the castle tower where Yu Qiuping was.

"This is the messenger of the Oda family." Amano Jingde introduced to Yu Qiuping, and turned his head to look at Tian Li's family in front of him, "This is my family's adult." ”

With that, he left the third floor. And outside Yuqiuhei's house, Yoshioka Katsumasa and Fukushima Yasunari, two of the best martial artists, were staying outside the house to stand guard. Charlie, who was outside the castle tower, was also sitting on a roof, carefully observing the movement inside the house.

When Maeda Toshiya sat down opposite Yu Qiuping, he had already noticed that there were two people behind him on guard. Glancing slightly behind Yu Qiuping, he saw an archer on the roof not far away, looking at this side. In a matter of moments, he had already come up with a plan for attacking.

"I am the city lord of Zhili City, Yu Qiuping." Yu Qiuping pinned a katana to his waist, and asked with a smile, "Dare to ask the noble envoy's name?" ”

"At Shimomata Toshi's house, I've seen Woo-sama." The moment Maeda Toshiya bowed and saluted, his body was already like a beast waiting for an opportunity, waiting for the moment to get up, he rushed forward, drew the katana at Yuqiuping's waist, clamped it around his neck, and then quickly dragged him to the corner to avoid the archer's vision.

"Ahh You're Toshiya Maeda! Yu Qiuping suddenly looked at the samurai on the opposite side with bright eyes, "The right and left of the gun!" At the same time, many other titles flashed through my mind, such as the story of the Rike family and the story of the million stones of Matsukaga.

"Another Sengoku celebrity! See, see, see! This wave is not a loss! Yu Qiuping's heart was suddenly excited.

Yu Qiuping's sudden worship made Maeda Toshiya stunned for a moment, and by the time he reacted, he had already lost the good opportunity just now. Looking at the little stars twinkling in Yu Qiuping's eyes, he couldn't laugh or cry in his heart, and he actually met someone more strange than himself.

"I... Is it famous? Maeda asked with a smile, scratching his head a little embarrassed.

"Of course!" Yu Qiuping carefully looked at the Warring States celebrities in front of him, "Who doesn't know the prestige of the right and left of the gun!" I've admired the name for a long time, and today I finally have the opportunity to meet a real person. ”

"I didn't expect me to be so famous!" Maeda Toshiie also didn't care about diplomatic etiquette at all, and laughed with Yu Qiuping. The so-called stretching out his hand and not hitting the smiling face person, the coercive words that the Maeda Toshiya had prepared to persuade him to surrender before were useless, "Uh..."He hesitated and said, "This time I came down to follow the orders of the head of the next family to persuade Lord Yu." Rain Lord, if..."

"In the next surname Yuqiu, not the surname Yu." Yu Qiuping listened to Maeda Toshiya babbling the word Yuqiu, and explained, "This is not a Japanese surname, I came from the Shimo Ming Kingdom, and I was exiled to Japan half a year ago, but I was fortunate to be taken in by the prince of Asahina, and now he is the general of the Asahina family." ”

"It turned out to be a ferryman." Maeda Toshiya sighed, "Since the adults are not from Suruga, they must not have to fight to the death for the Imagawa family." The lord has fulfilled his obligation to hold on for two days, and my lord is willing to recruit adults with the Ashigaru general and 1,000 stone territory, and the adult's troops are also allowed to be kept. ”

"Oda-sama's kindness can only be understood, but the surrender can only be refused." Yu Qiuping himself was a little surprised, why did he refuse so quickly. The Oda family's army is pressing, and it is almost a certain situation of death, and the escape road and glory and wealth sent in front of him are actually rejected so decisively?

"Huh?" Maeda Toshiya originally thought that this newcomer who had not been in the Ming country for a long time would not be much loyal to the Imagawa family, and thought that the persuasion was stable, but he didn't expect the other party to refuse without even thinking about it. Generally, people who refuse to be so decisive are loyal and courageous, and they often disdain or even scold them for persuasion, but Yu Qiuping's attitude is very calm. "Can you tell me why?"

"The reason is very simple." Yu Qiuping glanced at the ashigaru of His Excellency the Tenshu, "More than 200 of my subordinates only regained their freedom yesterday. They were all slaves of the Imagawa family, and their families were imprisoned in Sunpu Castle, and they worked the front line. If they run away or surrender, their families will be put to death, how can we surrender? ”

Yu Qiuping's reason was so objective that Maeda Toshiya could hardly be persuaded by him, he was stunned for a while, and thought of a way, "Then even so, we are willing to accept the surrender of the adult personally." Adults aren't slaves themselves, are they? ”

"I'm afraid it won't work," Yu Qiuping still shook his head, "I have a relationship with them, and I've known them for a while." Yesterday I arrived here and persuaded them to join me in the fight for freedom, promising them to live and die together. Everyone wears the red leaves that I folded with my own hands, which is their trust in me and symbolizes that they have entrusted their lives to me. Yu Qiuping smiled a little proudly, "They treat me like this, how can I betray them?" I've always been doing what I say. ”

"Although my lord is from the Ming Kingdom, he is exactly the same as those old-fashioned samurai." Maeda Toshiya sighed with a smile, and had some admiration for Yu Qiuping in his heart. After all, this teenager is willing to give up the opportunity to survive and become rich for the sake of his commitment.

"I've really changed a lot in the last six months." Yu Qiuping said with a smile, "If it was me half a year ago, I would definitely surrender without hesitation, but in the past six months, I have discovered many things that are more important than life." ”

"I killed my best friend because I was afraid of death. If I abandon these two hundred good brothers who trust me again because I am afraid of death this time, how will I face myself in this life? Yu Qiuping said, "How can I face the parents who raised me and wanted me to be a person who did what he said?" ”

"So... Adults refuse. As Maeda Toshiya spoke, he once again locked his gaze on the katana at Yu Qiuping's waist, his legs under his ass changed their posture slightly, and he revisited the plan of action in his mind.

"Haha, actually, there is a little personal reason." Yu Qiuping suddenly laughed, and the girl's graceful figure, beautiful shadow, and the face of the country and the city flashed in his mind, "It's not a secret, I met a girl in Junfu." She is the most beautiful girl I have ever seen, and she must be the most beautiful girl in the world. The look of fascination on Yu Qiuping's face made Maeda Toshiya stunned for a moment.

"She is very cute and playful, and she is also very sensible, and she is a girl's family, and she can actually ride a horse and know martial arts. She has also read a lot of books and is very polite and temperamental. Yu Qiuping boasted about her sweetheart, probably worried that she would never have the opportunity to reveal her love for her in front of others in the future, "She, like me, likes autumn leaves very much, and she also has a relationship with maple trees." She seems to be the daughter of someone in the Imagawa family, if I betray the Imagawa family, I will never see her again in this life, so how can I live the rest of my life? Yu Qiuping smiled and smiled, but tears filled his eyes, "My status is too low, I am not worthy of her, if I make a great contribution to defend Zhili City this time, it is estimated that I can be promoted." Promoted to a general, a general, or something, maybe I can come to the door to propose! Yu Qiuping looked forward to a better future, and for a while ignored the catastrophe of life and death in front of him and the Maeda Toshika.

"Ahh Excuse me! Yu Qiuping came back to his senses and saw Maeda Toshiya looking at him in a daze, "Said and talked away. Yu Qiuping suddenly thought that this year seems to be 1558 A.D., according to the plot of the Li family and the pine...

"Speaking of which, did Maeda-sama just marry Mrs. Amatsu?" Yu Qiuping asked curiously.

"Huh!" Maeda Toshiya's face turned red all of a sudden, but the free and heroic young man was speechless at the moment, "You... How do you know, my lord? ”

"I heard that, haha," Yu Qiuping smiled, "I heard that Mrs. Asong is also a rare beauty." ”

"Not really." Maeda Toshiya talked about Ah Song, and suddenly came to his senses, "My Ah Song is beautiful, and he is very cute." The guys in the stables all envy the beauty of my family. ”

"So Maeda-sama didn't get married at such an old age, just to wait for Mrs. Amatsu, right?" Yu Qiuping smiled maliciously.

"Huh! Huh! Don't talk nonsense! Maeda Toshiie's face flushed even more, "I... I..."

"Haha, it's okay, I understand." Yu Qiuping gave Maeda Toshiya an expression that all men understand, and it made the latter so ashamed that he wanted to find a hole to get into.

"But! I think Ah Song is the most beautiful woman in the world! In order to get back on the field, Maeda Toshiya puffed up his chest not to be outdone, "It must be more beautiful than that young lady of yours!" ”

"When the time comes, there will be a chance to compare..."Yu Qiuping blurted out subconsciously, and stopped suddenly halfway through speaking. I just talked about the woman I loved, and the relaxed and happy atmosphere between the two was suddenly shattered by the status quo of war and antagonism.

There is no such opportunity.

However, knowing that Yu Qiuping would not surrender, Maeda Toshiya could no longer do anything to hijack Yu Qiuping at this moment. Because, he is a great, virtuous samurai, and a boy with feelings and beloved girls like himself.

"How do I do that?" Maeda Toshiya said secretly in his heart.

"I already know what my lord means, so I'll go back and tell my lord right away." Toshiya Maeda slowly got up.

"I'll give you a ride." Yu Qiuping also got up and led Maeda Toshiya to the city wall. Yasunari Fukushima and Katsumasa Yoshioka immediately followed Yu Qiuping's side.

When the two of them stepped on the city wall and saw the military strength of the Oda family, Maeda Toshiya suddenly remembered that Oda Nobunaga had asked him to lead Yu Qiuhei to the castle tower, and then sniped him with iron gunners. In a trance, he seemed to have seen the cold light reflected from the iron cannons in his own army's array. In a hurry, he jumped in front of Yu Qiuping with a sword step, and frightened Fukushima Yasunari and Yoshioka Katsumasa into hurriedly drawing their swords. However, Maeda Toshiya didn't make any further moves, just used his Gundam figure of more than 1.7 meters to block Yu Qiuping behind him.

"To tell you the truth, my lord once asked me to lure the adults to the city wall and snipe them with iron cannons." Maeda Toshiya looked at the shiny katana in the hands of the two people beside Yu Qiuping, but he confessed the truth without any hesitation, "But I changed my mind." Lord Yuqiu is also a temperamental, I had a good chat with you, I don't want you to die in vain, I want to meet you in the future. Please hurry down to the city. ”

"This Inu Chiyo! What the hell! "Oda Nobunaga, who was already preparing to shoot, was so angry with the Maeda Toshiie that he was so angry that he was now firmly protecting Yu Qiuping behind him, and the Iron Artillery Corps had no chance." More than defeat! ”

Seeing Yu Qiuping slowly walking down the city tower, Maeda Toshiya, who had already stepped into the hanging basket with half a foot, suddenly turned around, grinned, and shouted at Yu Qiuping with a smile, "Hey! Try to live! I want to compare with you, whose sweetheart is more beautiful! ”

July 30, four quarters of the unitary hour, Okazaki Castle.

Sena is looking at the huge map in the castle tower, studying the future deployment.

After learning that Chiritsu Castle was still holding out, Sena Shitoshi began to fully restore communications. The short man who took the initiative to ask for the tassel before was called Okuhira Sadakishi, and he was responsible for leading people to transport the grain and grass from Kariya Castle from the sea to the surroundings of Narumi Castle, and he had basically declared it a success. Although the ship was small and could not transport much food, it was able to alleviate the food shortage crisis in Narumi Castle. The communication line with the castle, the city of Narumi, and the city of Dataka has also been established.

By this afternoon, he had gathered 500 soldiers and 2,000 auxiliaries, and the 800 soldiers that had been assembled in advance by the Asahi Binai Dynasty were also on their way to arrive at Okazaki Castle tomorrow morning. Until now, the Oda family's intention to attack Anxiang Castle has not been perceived, and it must be known that the castle has not yet fallen.

"That Yu Qiuping is really a talent." Just as Sena Shijun was praising Yuaki in his heart, suddenly, a messenger walked quickly into the castle tower of Okazaki Castle. He was just about to speak, when a hearty laugh rang out behind him.

"No need to report," the visitor walked into the door, a middle-aged man with a radiant look, and the most striking of his soft facial features was the jet-black eyebrows that were like a paintbrush. He was dressed in a crimson blue samurai suit, exuding a unique temperament on his body, and he was walking quickly towards Sena Shitoshi at this moment.

As soon as Sena turned around, he quickly knelt down in surprise and saluted. "The Governor's Palace! How did you get here! ”

The person who came was the governor of the Imagawa family, the first bow of Tokaido, and Yoshimoto of Imagawa Jibe.

"Owari's little fool is here to fool around again, I'm here to drive him home." Imagawa Yoshimoto stroked his palms and laughed, "Get up, Sena." There is no formality in your own family. ”

"How many people are there in the main hall?" Sena asked.

"A hundred horses." Imagawa Yoshimoto replied casually. He glanced at the map hanging in the hall, and saw the three words Yuqiuping written above Zhili City, and was slightly stunned.

"Only so many people? The Oda army numbered nearly 6,000 people. Sena said in surprise, "There are only 2,500 people here, and it is estimated that we will have to wait for reinforcements from Asahina-sama, and they will be early tomorrow..."

"No need," Imagawa Yoshimoto interrupted Sena Shitoshi with a wave of his hand, "I met them on the way here, and I have already sent them back to Enoe." It's the autumn harvest, how can you just recruit troops? ”

"The main hall..."Sena Toshitoshi looked at Imagawa Yoshimoto dumbfounded, and the troops he had worked so hard to prepare were actually disbanded like this. Why are you..."

"Because the Oda family didn't choose to attack Narumi Castle, but came to attack Chitachi Castle, right?" Imagawa Yoshimoto said with a smile.

"That's right, but..."Sena wanted to persuade again. But he was interrupted again by Imagawa Yoshimoto with a smile.

"They're — the wrong choice."

"Actually, I didn't even need you to bring the Governor's Arrow to gather troops at that time." As he spoke, Imagawa Yoshimoto walked to the balcony of the castle tower, facing the setting sun, and looked in the northwest direction, the direction of Chiritsu Castle. He knew that that amazing boy must still be there.

"Because, even if it's just me, the 100 horses." Imagawa Yoshimoto turned around and looked at Sena Toshitoshi. The samurai suit on his body was blown up by a gust of wind in the air, and the hunting sounded. The afterglow of the setting sun cast behind him, gilding him with a golden-red glow.

There was a slight disdain in his expression, and a cynical smile hung on the corner of his mouth, and he snapped his fingers lightly in his ear.

"Okay, repel Oda."