Komayosejo Castle was originally the residence of the Kawadawara clan, and its last ruler, Kawadahara Moriji, was a retainer of the Ashina clan, and after the Battle of Origamihara, he single-handedly resisted Date Masamune's attack. However, after the Oshu Shizhi, he was not able to get the ability to stop it, so he was forced to live in Aizu, became a retainer of the Uesugi clan, and died of illness soon after, and Komayoshi Castle was abandoned. Therefore, when the Tokugawa army arrived in the city, it was faced with nothing but ruins and depression.

It was late at night, and the roaring campfire in the camp reflected the surrounding array like a cluster of flames, and Tokugawa Ieyasu sat quietly in the center of the flames, shielding off the left and right, and only whispering to Honda Masanobu.

"How's it going over there?" Tokugawa Ieyasu was a little tired in his words, the two-day rapid march was still too fierce for him, and the heavy losses of the army put him under unprecedented pressure as the master. It can be said that Shinano has become a lifeline for him at this moment, the last chance to turn the tables.

Honda Masanobu as a military advisor, has been in a deep self-blame for the past two days, the original 80,000 troops from Edo, now only 27,000 people remain, including many wounded soldiers, once caught up by the Toyotomi coalition army, the situation can be imagined. Therefore, he also kept a close eye on the movements of Shinano, Echigo, and Ueno for the past two days, striving to arrive at Shinano with minimal losses and complete the rest and expansion of the army.

Hearing Tokugawa Ieyasu's inquiry, Honda Masanobu immediately replied: "Earlier, I received a letter from Ina's attendant (Kyogoku Kochi), saying that he had led his troops into Komoro Castle and joined forces with Hineno and Senshi for 6,000 troops, and would attack Ueda Castle in a few days according to the request of the lord. ”

"Very well," Tokugawa Ieyasu bowed slightly, and continued to ask, "What about Yasunaga, did he set off from Matsumoto?" ”

Honda Masanobu nodded and said, "Ishikawa Shikibu has also led three thousand troops to the north, and is currently stationed at Katsuo Castle, and as soon as the Horiya army arrives, it will launch a general attack on Kaizu Castle." It's just that the 10,000-strong army of the Hori family has just arrived at Iiyama Castle, and it will take time to besiege Kaizu. ”

Hearing this, Tokugawa Ieyasu's heart relaxed a lot: "The Hori family is currently in charge of the sweeping department, he is calm and has a close relationship with his own family, so don't worry." It's the Sanada Anbo Mamoru of Ueda Castle that makes it difficult for the old man to rest assured......"

"Anfang Mamoru currently has 2,000 troops, which is really worth noting......" Honda Masanobu didn't finish speaking, but was interrupted by Tokugawa Ieyasu: "For generals, there are not many troops." Anfang Mamoru must have also received the news of our Hinohara's defeat, but there has been no movement for a long time, which is really chilling. ”

"Our army has 6,000 troops in Xiaozhucheng, which is enough to deter it." Honda Masanobu disagreed, "Besides, Komatsuden is still sitting in Numata Castle, and there are nearly a thousand defenders there, so forgive him for not daring to act rashly." ”

"Numata Castle ......" Hearing this, Tokugawa Ieyasu was thrilled for a moment, and asked Honda Masanobu, "Is there any news from Numata?" ”

Honda Masanobu nodded and said, "I received a secret letter from Koyamaden two days ago, saying that there is nothing unusual in recent days except for the news that Anbo Mamoru has come to inquire about Izu Mamoru several times. Hey, I don't know how Mamoru Izu is now......"

"It's not an anomaly." Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was already anxious, obviously did not take this matter to heart, but for the sake of safety, he still told Honda Masanobu: "You send someone to Numata Castle again and tell Komatsu that he must guard the castle and not make mistakes at this critical juncture." ”

"Yes." Honda Masanobu bowed slightly, and seeing that Tokugawa Ieyasu had no other instructions, he got up and left the camp. But as soon as I reached the door, I was stopped again.

"Zhengxin, do you also think that this time it is too risky to send troops?" Tokugawa Ieyasu's voice was small, but it was clear.

"Why did the lord say this?" Perhaps not daring to meet Ieyasu's eyes, Honda Masanobu stood still and asked without looking back.

"When the military was discussed, Heihachiro and Yasumasa were a little unable to sit still," Tokugawa Ieyasu said with a slight loss: "Especially Yasumasa, who is still worried about the hasty withdrawal of troops, and the old man knows his thoughts...... Since the Honnoji Temple, whenever our army sends troops, it must be fully prepared and vigorous, not giving the enemy a chance to breathe, and likewise not giving itself a chance to regret it. But this time, he sent troops in a hurry, retreated in a hurry, and suffered such a huge loss, he definitely couldn't accept it. ”

"Don't think too much about it," Hearing this, Honda Masanobu hurriedly turned around and comforted excitedly: "You also know Kangzheng's temperament, and he usually thinks things carefully, but if he really wants to be stubborn, he is more stubborn than Zhongsheng." This battle of Hinohara, he was the first to enter the battle, and was the last to retreat, experienced the reversal of our attack and defense with the right house, a large number of soldiers died on the battlefield, it is inevitable to complain, and please don't mind. ”

Tokugawa Ieyasu waved his hand, indicating that he did not blame Sakakihara Yasumasa, "Of course the old man understands Yasumasa's temperament, but it is precisely because of this understanding that the old man reflects on whether he has done something wrong." In just one day, more than 50,000 men were lost, an unprecedented defeat at any time. But the old man felt that Kang Zheng didn't just mind this matter, but more worried and helpless about our juniors. ”

Honda Masanobu didn't expect Tokugawa Ieyasu to poke at his weakness, but since he brought it up, he couldn't say anything without saying it: "Yes, in the past, Sakai, Okuhira, Torii and other important ministers were all characters who had to shake their names when they shouted out of the eastern country, but in this battle, the performance of their descendants is really not worthy of the name." ”

"Not only does the name not live up to the truth, it is simply a waste of the old man's trust in them! Especially Kogoro (Sakai Ieji) and Kuhachiro (Okuhei Iemasa), the old man watched them grow up, but he was the deepest drag on the family, and if it weren't for the friendship of his ancestors, he would have been executed before the battle. Speaking of this, Tokugawa Ieyasu became more and more agitated, he stood up, and said indignantly: "How long has it been that the peaceful days have been abandoned to such a field? Compared with the 50,000 army, this is what worries the old man the most. ”

Seeing Tokugawa Ieyasu's anger, Honda Masanobu hurriedly bowed down: "It is useless to say these things now, but to spare their lives, which can not only comfort the deceased ministers, but also avoid affecting internal unity." In this case, the unity of the family is the most important thing. ”

"Of course the old man understands, and the old ministers also understand, otherwise Kang Zheng wouldn't just mention this matter in a roundabout and insinuating manner." Tokugawa Ieyasu's anger subsided slightly, he looked up at the stars in the sky, and let out a long sigh: "I really miss Tadaji and Naomasa." ”

At the same time, under the brightly lit Numata Castle, a cavalry team of more than ten people knocked on the city gate.

"It's the old master!" The samurai defending the castle recognized Sanada Masayuki at the front of the line at a glance, and immediately sent someone to tell Komatsuhime while asking loudly, "What is the old lord doing here?!" ”

Sanada Masayuki sat on the horse in a military uniform, raised the match in his hand high, and said in a loud voice: "Tell your wife, just say that Izu Mamoru has news!" ”