The sequence of retreat is still Shibata Katsuie as the vanguard. His task is to immediately occupy the Koya Pass, and if he encounters the Asai family's army, he must insist on resisting it and wait for the main force to arrive.

Before leaving, he deliberately came to Kinoshita Hideyoshi, bowed and said, "His Royal Highness, please take care!" ”

"I'll be in the next meeting. Your Royal Highness, please leave as soon as possible! "Kinoshita Hideyoshi was very sincere.

"Goodbye then." Shibata Katsuie nodded and left the camp with the lead formation.

Kinoshita Hideyoshi continued to stand by the camp gate, sending off one colleague or allied general, while also receiving some support. Mori Kosei, Sakuma Nobumori and other follow-up reserves left a small number of elite samurai, and Tokugawa Ieyasu also sent him thirty iron cannons.

When it was Nobunaga's turn to take the main battle, Nobunaga relieved his ribs on the horse, handed it to Kinoshita Hideyoshi, and expressed his approval: "Monkey, you are very good!" ”

"I am willing to die for the Lord!" Hideyoshi replied angrily.

I jumped off the horse, patted Kinoshita Hideyoshi on the shoulder, and instructed, "Don't fall in love with the war, the lord still wants you to continue to serve." When it's almost time, let's drop the Gu Zu and the spear, disguise yourself as a pedestrian and flee separately! It's not far from Mino. ”

"I understand, I wish you a smooth journey!" Kinoshita Hideyoshi nodded in agreement.

I rolled over my horse and hurried back to Nobunaga.

As in history, the break was Hideyoshi's mission and his second chance. If nothing else, they will all return safely, and Nobunaga will arrive safely in Beijing.

But at this time, no one dared to be so sure. What can be done is to compete with the Asai family for time.

Fortunately, although the Asai family is good at mountain warfare, their speed of action has never been fast. The pioneer Shibata Katsuie successfully occupied the Koya Pass, joined up with the follow-up troops, and together crossed Kanesaki and entered the Nosaka mountain area. At this time, Shunhide Muto, who is familiar with geography, played a big role.

Returning to his home on the border between the two prefectures of Mikata and Enshiki, he pointed to the south and suggested to Nobunaga, "From here, if you follow the ridge, you will reach the Kuchigi Valley, and after passing through, you will almost reach the Hirakawa River, and you can go directly to Kyoto." ”

"This is the Asai family's Takashima-gun territory......" Nobunaga muttered.

"Your Highness. If it's Kuchigi Valley, it should be fine. Kuchigi Valley has been occupied by the Kuchigi family for generations, and the current head of the Kuchiki family, Mototsuna, has had dealings with me, and he is very sure that he can be convinced. Matsunaga said suddenly.

"Really? Matsunaga Dan is confident to convince the people of the Asai family? "Nobunaga is still wary of Matsunaga Hide, especially at this time.

"His Royal Highness Danmasa doesn't know that the Kuchigi family has been serving the public for generations of the shogunate, and his status has always been transcendent. Last year, due to the oppression of the Asai family, he was forced to submit a letter of allegiance...... So I shouldn't be able to work for the Asai family. Matsunaga Shu explained.

"Then, in my name, give me a gift!" Nobunaga nodded in agreement.

"In addition, I have to borrow someone from His Highness Dansho," Matsunaga continued, "Mototsuna's mother is the daughter of the Asukai family, and she is a cousin of His Excellency Asukai Atsushi who accompanied the army, so if His Highness Danmasa allows His Excellency Astorii to go with him to persuade him, then it will be foolproof." ”

"According to your opinion," Nobunaga relieved when he saw Matsunaga Hide's solemnity, "It's rare that Matsunaga is so enthusiastic, I am really touched!" ”

"In His Royal Highness's family, there are so many wise and brave retainers, and they can still work together so harmoniously, that's touching!" Matsunaga Xiu smiled, "As for me Jiuxiu, I am already an old man. Except for His Royal Highness, I don't want anyone else to enter the main city and change the court again. ”

Indeed, Shibata Katsuie, Mori Kosei, Takigawa Kazuyi, Kinoshita Hideyoshi, and Akechi Mitsuhide were all considered momentary handsomes in the Warring States period. Courage and resourcefulness are not to mention, even in a crisis, to be able to do their best and have the courage to take responsibility, which is the most valuable. Matsunaga Shu saw it very clearly, and while he showed his heart, he also subtly complimented Nobunaga.

"Haha! In that case, I, Nobunaga and you, Hisahide, are really a rare pair of masters and slaves in the world! Hearing his words, Nobunaga smiled happily.

It's just that he didn't hear Jiuxiu's subtext: If you have always been so strong, then I have to obey you; But if the Oda family as a whole is in crisis, I don't plan to change the court, but I can set up my own door...... Of course, it is also possible that Nobunaga has absolute confidence in himself and believes that he will be able to maintain a strong position in Kinai all the time.

……，…… After crossing the Kuchiki Valley to the east, you will enter Omi-Shiga Prefecture. Shiga-gun is the territory of Mori Kasei, so it can be said that it is completely safe to get here, and it is only a day's journey from Kyoto. Nobunaga, however, stayed in Usayama Castle and didn't seem to want to return to Kyoto immediately.

The next day, Niwa Nagahide received the news of Nobunaga's escape and led part of his army to meet him. He placed his military forces outside Usayama Castle and entered Usayama Castle himself to meet Nobunaga. Mori Kecheng as the lord of the city, and I as the military commissioner, both accompanied Niwa Nagahide to meet together.

When I went up to the third floor of the castle tower where Nobunaga lived, I saw Nobunaga standing in front of the window, looking out to the east. There is a wide Lake Biwa, and you can see the ridge to the east. And Asai Nagamasa's Kotani Castle is located on Mt. Ibe at an altitude of about 495 meters.

"What's the matter?" Hearing the sound of soaring footsteps, Nobunaga asked without looking back.

"My lord," although Nobunaga couldn't see it, Niwa Nagahide still bowed respectfully, "Your Majesty has received information that the Rokkaku Yoshiken father and son of Koga County have been active frequently these days, and they may be planning some big moves!" ”

"It's just two lost dogs!" Nobunaga casually ordered, "Let Gonroku and Nobumori go back to their respective offices!" ”

"Yes." Niwa Nagahide responded.

"Anything else? What about the three good homes? Nobunaga asked.

"The Miyoshi family has not made any moves, and it seems that they have not received any news yet."

"Really?" Nobunaga then turned around. He nodded, "Then you and Kecheng go down first." Xuanjing stays for a while. ”

"Yes." Niwa Nagahide and Mori Kecheng retired at the same time.

Nobunaga turned around again and looked at the distant mountains opposite.

"My lord, but do you want your subordinates to return to the shore and Tiancheng to be on guard?"

"That's not busy," Nobunaga patted the lattice in front of him, "You can stand here too!" ”

I had no choice but to walk over and stand in front of the window, half a body behind Nobunaga.

"I didn't expect it......," Nobunaga sighed, "I thought Nagamasa was a young man with a lot of achievements, and I thought he would understand my mind, but I didn't expect him to be just a fool who didn't know what was going on." ”

"It is an honor for your subordinates to be able to stand with your lord!" I replied with a pun.

"Speaking of which, you still took Asai's betrayal into account first...... How did you come up with the idea? Nobunaga asked.

"It's just that I think a little more," I smiled modestly, "Your Majesty is a military officer, so you don't have to bear any pressure and responsibility, so you can naturally think about it without any scruples." As to whether it is appropriate or feasible, it is up to the lord to make the final decision. ”

"You're speaking lightly." Nobunaga sighed.

"Yes. After all, the responsibilities are not the same...... This time, the troops were able to withdraw in time, thanks to the accurate decision of the lord. ”

"Do you remember the siege of Inabayama Castle by Yongroku's soldiers in the fourth year?" Nobunaga suddenly changed the subject, "It was the year after the defeat of Yoshimoto, and I thought that I could easily force Inabayama Castle to surrender, but I didn't expect it to be a big defeat...... It seems like it's easy for me to overestimate my own strength. ”

This is a sensitive question, and I didn't have an easy answer.

Nobunaga said to himself, "It seems that you also warned me in advance that time, when you were only a general...... I was really amazed by your ability to judge the situation! ”

"This ...... The lord really thinks too highly of his subordinates! "I felt like there were signs of sweat on my head.

"Nobunaga turned his head and looked over with a smile, "You've been in my Oda family for thirteen or fourteen years, right?" From then on, the Iwakura raiders, defeated Imagawa, allied with Asai, pacified Ise, and subdued Mino until Kamiraku succeeded, and it seemed to be smooth all at once, and everything has your merits...... Sometimes I wonder if you, a person who judges the situation and comes all the way from Tosa, mean that the family has gained that 'momentum'? ”

I'm sweating profusely! That's what Nobunaga actually thought? It's clear that I'm taking advantage of him and the Oda family's general trend! Why did I become the so-called "potential"? Nobunaga's perception is a great danger to me when the situation comes, and I must correct it.

"Lord!" My expression became very serious, "Regarding this matter, Your Majesty thinks that the lord's idea is very debatable!" ”

"Oh, so what do you think?" Nobunaga was still smiling.

His Majesty believed that the ambition of the lord could be likened to a fire, and Shibata, Niwa, Sakuma, and the retainers were firewood. With the will of the lord, you will be able to make a difference, so that the bonfire will burn brightly! ”

"Your analogy ......," Nobunaga pondered, "is indeed very apt!" ”

"Therefore, the praise of the lord, the subordinates really dare not take it...... If the lord can afford it, he might as well think that his subordinates are the more prosperous one of the firewood. But even if there are no subordinates, or if the subordinates burn out, as long as there is continued firewood to replenish it, the bonfire can still be so strong that it will form a prairie fire. ”

"So, do you think this bonfire will keep burning?" Oda Nobunaga asked.

"Your Majesty is sure of this." I saluted respectfully.

"That's right...... Then you can go back to Izumi Country! Nobunaga nodded, "Since you are a good firewood, then the Miyoshi family will be handed over to you, and it is up to you to decide how to deal with it." For a period of time to come, the focus of the family's strategy will be on Kita-Omi and Echizen Province. ”

"Your Majesty will definitely live up to the expectations of your lord!" I replied loudly.

……，…… From the end of April to the beginning of May, Nobunaga did not make any major moves in Kyoto. Katsumasa Ikeda and Mitsuhide Akechi returned to Kyoto without incident, and Kinoshita Hideyoshi and most of his soldiers fled back to Mino. However, the situation in Minami-Omi suddenly became worse, and the Koga people under Rokkaku Yoshiken roamed the former Rokkaku clan to spread all kinds of rumors and incite the wealthy clan and peasants against the Oda clan. All of a sudden, there was turmoil in the Minami-Omi domain, and Nobunaga had to send reinforcements of more than 1,000 troops to Nagahara Castle in Sakuma and Nagakoji Castle in Shibata Katsuie, and in addition to replenishing the forces to defend Kyoto and strengthening the defense of Yamashiro Province, the original army of more than 10,000 descendants was suddenly empty.

However, the situation in Minami-Omi continues to deteriorate. Accustomed to the high degree of freedom of the Rokkaku period, the wealthy families were not happy with the rule of the Oda family's generals, and when they heard rumors that Nobunaga had been defeated or even killed, they joined the Rokkaku family one after another, and finally cut off the Minami-Omi passage. Later, Rokkaku Yoshiken led a coalition of wealthy clans to surround Chokoji Castle in an attempt to capture the castle and replace the abandoned Kannonji Castle and Kesaku Castle five kilometers away, and reunite Minami Omi as a new residence. Even the Gamo family, who married Nobunaga (or me), did not defect, but they disobeyed the Katsu family's request for help.

Changguang Temple City was besieged for more than ten days, and the water source was cut off, almost falling into a situation of water cut-off. Faced with the temptation of the Rokkaku Yoshiken to persuade the envoy to surrender, Shibata Katsuya deliberately splashed a wooden basin of water in front of his face, showing that he had enough water. So the messenger reported back to Yoshi-hyun and suggested that the siege should be continued—however, at this time there were only a few urns of water left in the city.

When the envoy left, the Shengjia immediately took out the only few urns of clear water for the soldiers to use, and then smashed the water urn, and with the momentum of breaking the cauldron and sinking the boat, he went out of the city in the early morning of the next day to raid the Hexagonal camp and defeated this powerful coalition army.

Since Changguang Temple Castle is also known as Bottle Cutting Mountain Castle, and the hill where it is located is called Bottle Cutting Mountain, Shibata Katsuya got a semantic pun on the nickname: Bottle Cutting Shibata.

At this time, the Gamo family also suddenly changed their attitude, sent military rations and other materials to Chokoji Castle, and launched an attack on the Rokkaku family. Hearing this good news, Nobunaga couldn't stay in Kyoto anymore. On May 19, Nobunaga set out from Kyoto and ventured across Minami-Omi, which had not yet been completely pacified, and returned to Gifu, the main city, to gather troops to attack the Asai family.

However, Rokkaku Yoshiken did not give up, he not only arranged for the iron cannon master Sugitani Zenjubo to ambush Nobunaga, but also organized a ninja army with the head of the Koga Mikumo family, the old Mikumo Narichi of the former Rokkaku family (participated in the joint signing of the "Rokkaku Family Shikime"), and Yamanaka Nagashiro of the Yamanaka family (taking in Yoshiken's father and son) as the backbone to try to make a comeback. It's a pity that the quality of these ninjas is uneven, and after leaving the base camp of Koga, they lost their geographical advantage and are not opponents of the regular army at all. In the first battle of Yasu Kawahara, under the joint attack of Sakuma Nobumori of Nagahara Castle in Kurita County and Shibata Katsuya of Nagakoji Castle in Yasu County, the main general of the ninja army, Sankumo Nariji, was killed in battle, and the whole army was taken more than 890 people, and the rest retreated to Koga.

After this battle, Minami Omi finally settled down again. At this time, it was already the beginning of June, and the war between the Oda family and the Asai family was about to break out.

(To be continued)