The moon and stars are scarce, the black magpie flies south, three turns around the tree, and there are no branches to rely on.

The moonlight shone through the clouds on Mt. Rokko, an unknown mountain road, and thousands of troops were silently approaching Arima Castle under the cover of night.

"The time agreed with the Arima family is almost up, how long will it take to get outside Arima Castle?" At the front of the troops, under the mask worn by Akechi Mitsuhide, a pair of bright eyes were revealed.

Kotaro Yoshino, who was standing next to Akechi Mitsuhide, hurriedly replied, "Back to the lord, according to the map provided by the main hall, we are still two miles away from Arima Castle!" You'll probably get there over the hill in front of you! As he spoke, Kotaro Yoshino pointed to a small hill to the northeast.

Akechi Mitsuhide nodded, "Summons the whole army, speed up!" ”

"Hah!"

......

Arima City, at this time, everything is silent.

Most of the peasants and soldiers in the castle had already fallen asleep, and only a few Ashigaru who were on duty at night stood around the castle dozing with their spears. And Arima Shigenori and Arima Norirai, father and son, were standing nervously on the castle tower of Arima Castle at this time, looking southwest.

"Genjiro, are the people of the Shiokawa family asleep?"

"At tonight's banquet, everyone in the Shiokawa family is drunk!" Arima replied with a smile.

The Shiokawa family is a member of the Settsu country, and it was also this time that they were sent to Arima Castle to assist the Arima family in defending the castle.

"That's it!" Arima nodded his head, "The people of the Tsugawa family should be almost there, are they all ready?" ”

"Hah! I've already ordered it to go down, and once the people from the Tsugawa family arrive, we'll ......," he said, and Arima Noriri made a gesture to his neck.

"Father, there seems to be movement over there!" As he spoke, Arima Zelai suddenly saw what seemed to be something in the woods outside the city.

Arima Shigenori hurriedly set his eyes in the direction that Arima Zeyori was pointing, and then showed a smile, "Raise the torch!" ”

Noriri Arima nodded, then took a torch from a sidegaru beside him and raised it, waving it in the air a few times before throwing it down.

At this time, a torch suddenly appeared somewhere in the dense forest.

"Open the gates!"

......

The next morning, it was just dawning.

The Hojo clan couldn't wait to get dressed and fully dressed, and gathered the Hojo family's troops accompanied by Tominaga Naokatu. Due to the strategy of the surprise attack, in order to avoid startling the snake, the Hojo clan did not plan to let the people of Harima Province participate in the attack.

Because once the mobilized troops are increased, the movement is bound to be not small, and it is easy to attract the attention of the enemy troops in the city.

"Let's go!"

With a wave of his hand, the three thousand Hojo Iesho who participated in the attack behind him began to follow behind the Hojo clan under the command of the Hojo clan samurai and march towards Arima Castle.

In a short time, the Hojo clan and others arrived at the foot of Arima Castle.

Looking at Arima Castle towering over the hill not far away, the Hojo clan straightened his bowl-shaped pocket, and then said loudly, "Captain Saburo Righte, it's up to you!" ”

"Hah!" As the leader of the Aobi of one of the five colors of the Hojo family, Naokaka Tominaga is the leading general of the Hojo family. Whether it is courage or military command ability, it is a first-class existence.

"Archers move forward, be sure to include Arima Castle within range!"

"The spear is lightly pressed up, and the wooden canopy is erected!"

“......”

Soon, the Ashigaru of the Hojo family completed the preparations and deployment for the siege, and only waited for the Hojo clan to give the order, and they could launch an attack.

Looking at the troops under his command, the Hojo clan seemed to have seen the scene of Arima Castle being captured by himself. Thinking that he would be able to capture such a city in his first battle, the Hojo clan couldn't help but feel high-spirited.

Thinking back to the time of Xinjiulang, Shangluo was in the first battle, and he was heroic. "Lupine towels" talked and laughed, and Arima Castle came down.......

"Excellent! That's ....... Well? The Hojo clan pulled out the saber from his waist and walked forward, and was about to say the words "Then attack the castle", when he suddenly realized that the situation in Arima Castle seemed to be a little wrong.

"What's that?" The Hojo clan pointed to a banner erected on the tower of Arima Castle with a blank face, and cast an inquiring glance at Tominaga Naokakatsu.

Tominaga Naokakatsu also said with a confused face, "Kikyo pattern..... What is the situation! How can the flag of the Tsugawa family appear on the tower of Arima Castle? ”

Just as the Hojo clan and Tominaga Naokuma looked at each other, they saw a samurai wearing red feet suddenly appear on the tower of Arima Castle, "The castle is the Hojo Shinkuro Palace, and below is Yoshino Kotaro, a retainer under the command of Wise Hinata Mamoru!" Arima Castle has been attacked by the lord of the family last night.,Open the city gate here.,Shinkuro Hall, please enter the city! ”

“.........”

“MMP！”

Hojo Clan Masato and Tominaga Naokakatsu were speechless for a moment, why were they busy for most of the day, preparing for the siege and surprise attack, but in the end they were busy in vain?

......

The so-called soldier is fast, and Akechi Mitsuhide knows very well what his mission is. Therefore, after capturing Arima Castle, Akechi Mitsuhide left only Kotaro Yoshino and a squadron of Ashigaru to stay in Arima Castle, and then continued to march to the hinterland of Settsu with Isshiki Yoshimichi and others.

The strength of the Arima family also joined the strength of Akechi Mitsuhide at this time, and because of the addition of the Arima family, it is equivalent to having a guide. Along the way, Akechi Mitsuhide and the others did not take any wrong road at all, and easily walked out of Mt. Rokko.

"Wise Lord, where do you march after this intersection?" As soon as he walked out of Mt. Rokko, Arima Shigenori approached Akechi Mitsuhide and asked about his next battle plan.

Akechi Mitsuhide rode his horse and pointed ahead, saying, "Which fork in the road leads to where?" ”

"Which one to the north is to Itami Castle, and the one to the south is the way to Koshisui Castle!"

"Itami Castle is the foundation of the Itami family, located in the heart of Settsu, and has always been the main battlefield of major joint wars! And Koshisui Castle is the western throat of Settsu, once the Koshisui Castle is captured, it is equivalent to cutting off the retreat of Araki Murashige and others on the side of Takiyama Castle! Arima said slowly.

Hearing this, Akechi Mitsuhide suddenly became a little entangled.

According to the order of Tsugawa Soji, it was to let Akechi Mitsuhide go deep into the hinterland of Settsu to do things. However, it is generally taboo for soldiers to go deep alone, and if Akechi Mitsuhide is allowed to make his own choice, he will naturally choose to attack Koshisui City and cut off the retreat of Araki Murashige and others.

At that time, it can even attack Takiyama Castle before and after Tsugawa Soji, so that Arakimura will definitely be defeated.

But Tsugawa Soji's order, Akechi Mitsuhide did not dare to disobey.

"Wise Lord, Tsugawa Hall is not a scheming person, on the contrary, the name of the Big Dipper is resounding all over the world! Since Tsugawaden asked me to march towards the hinterland of Settsu, it must be full of deep meaning! ”

"Lord Wise is the little surname of Tsugawa Hall, and he should know Tsukawaden best! I wonder if a wise adult has ever guessed the joints? Takeda Motoei said suddenly.

Hearing Takeda Motoei's words, Akechi Mitsuhide nodded slightly, and then frowned and fell into deep thought.

And at this time.......