Kawanaka Island, south of Shiozaki Castle.

The dense fog of the Chikuma River is hazy, and you can't see your fingers, and once the fog rises, it won't dissipate for a long time.

Locals call this fog curtain fog. This kind of fog, like a curtain, will obscure the surrounding scenery.

This scene of foggy sky unconsciously reminded Takeda Shingen of the tragic battle of Kawanaka Island for three years.

In the early morning, Uesugi Kenshin's Echigo army came out of the thick fog, and later in the Jiayue War Chronicle, the Vietnamese army at that time was depicted in this way, like thunder and lightning falling from the sky, hot fog surging from the ground, and its actions were like heavenly demons.

Thinking of the scene of the invasion of the Vietnamese army, Takeda Shingen stretched out his hand and waved lightly, making a gesture to drive away the fog in the invading array.

Faced with Takeda Shingen's question, Iitomi Huchang thought for a while and said: "My lord, Uesugi Huihu proposed peace, obviously because he had learned that Li Xiao had captured Chengsheng City. Uesugi Terutora learns that our army has gained a foothold in Hida country. His intention of leading his army to contain the main force of our army on Kawanaka Island was no longer necessary, so he proposed peace. ”

Takeda Shingen shook his head and said in a deep voice: "I'm not asking you the reason for the peace, but asking me if Xinxuan wants to agree to Huihu Gong's request for peace?" ”

Baba Shinbo was on the side and interjected: "My lord, we have been facing off against Kawanaka Island with the Uesugi family for nearly two months, and the two sides have fought dozens of battles, and each other has won and lost, but the combat strength of the Vietnamese army is still as strong as before.

His Majesty bluntly said that if our army and the Vietnamese army had a decisive battle, the odds of victory and defeat on both sides would be comparable, and it was very likely that they would repeat the last battle of Kawanakajima, in which both sides were defeated. ”

Hearing Baba Nobubo mention the last battle of Kawanakajima, Takeda Shingen's eyes flashed and he asked, "What do you mean, the time for a decisive battle has not yet come?" ”

"Exactly." Baba Nobubo lowered his head and said.

Iitomi Huchang also echoed the opinion of the horse farm, and he spoke up: "My lord, I know that you want to defeat the Echigo army in a decisive battle and clear the big trouble that prevents you from going to Luo. However, we must not be in a hurry, and according to the observation of our subordinates, our army should not only not engage in a decisive battle, but should quickly negotiate peace with Echigo. ”

"Why?" Shingen Takeda asked rhetorically.

Iitomi Huchang explained: "Now that the autumn harvest is approaching, the ashigaru people have been recruited from the farmland, and they have been in the army for two months, and they all want to go home to farm, otherwise it will not be enough to maintain their livelihood next year, so the army's morale is already unstable. In addition, like Kai, Shinano is mainly based on farming, and it is not as convenient as Echigo to have sea trade. Therefore, the war that has been delayed for a long time can be delayed by the Uesugi family, but my Takeda family cannot be delayed, and the production in the territory has been delayed if it continues like this. Presumably, the life of the people in the territory this year should be very difficult. ”

Hearing this, Takeda Shingen nodded and said, "Itofu, you're right, I will reduce local taxes this year, so that the people can be exempted from the pain of hard labor." ”

Fan Fu Huchang, Machang Xinfang said together: "Lord, if you can do this, the people of Jiaxin will definitely be grateful. ”

Takeda Shingen waved his hand, his move was also a rogue move, and the mining volume of Kai Gejin Mountain has been greatly reduced recently.

He was no longer able to support a series of military operations such as the war with the abundant financial resources of Jinshan as before. Kai and Shinano are not coastal areas of Echigo, so they rely on foreign trafficking for salt, and the income from land commerce and trade is much less than that of the coastal areas.

At present, Takeda Shingen's annual tribute income has become very dependent on Kai and Shinano's farming. Of course, if taxes were cut in the country, the lives of the natural people would be improved, but for the Takeda family, which now relies on agricultural annual tribute, the income will also shrink.

Therefore, as far as the current situation in Ko-Vietnam is concerned, although the Takeda family has a slight advantage in the strategic situation, it is inferior to the Uesugi family in terms of the annual tribute income in the territory, and if it is a long-term battle, it will not be able to survive Uesugi Kenshin.

Here, Takeda Shingen had to envy his lifelong rival, the dragon of Echigo, Kenshin Uesugi.

Uesugi Kenshin is the annual income of domestic tribute, and farming is only a part.

Echigo alone has a large amount of revenue for Uesugi Kenshin, including the "Transaction Tax" (transaction tax) collected annually from the Amarica merchants and the "Ship Front" (port entry tax) collected from the cargo ships that transport the Amarant.

In addition to the sea, Echigo also had a large amount of revenue from shipping on the Uonogawa River, which was part of the Hokuriku and Kanto economies.

Even everyone thought that the Takeda family had always had the upper hand in the income of Kaneyama, and Uesugi Kenshin was even better than Takeda Shingen.

Sado Kinzan, which is known as the first gold mountain in this book, was only really used during the Uesugi Jingkatsu period, and it was not developed during the Kenshin period. However, even though Sado Kanayama was not developed, Uesugi Kenshin surpassed Kai's Kanzan with only the income from the two mineral deposits of Takane Kanzan in Iwasfune County and Ueda Ginzan in Uonuma County.

In the second year of Eiroku, Uesugi Kenshin prolonged the war and the people's lives withered, so he issued a tax reduction decree in the prefecture.

Echigo was exempted from labor and rent, but the horses, lodging, and ramie were still retained, so Uesugi Kenshin's economy was not greatly affected, and the next year there was still the strength to launch, and the battle of Odawara, which besieged the Hojo family, with an army of 100,000 troops, and the fourth battle of Kawanakajima.

Thinking that the livelihood of the people in the territory had become more and more difficult after years of war, Takeda Shingen thought to himself that if he did not rely on Jinshan and increased the taxes in the territory, such an act would only kill the chicken and take the eggs.

Takeda Shingen himself wants to seek Kamirakun, the ambition to dominate the world, but he has to give way to the domestic situation in front of him, and it can't help but be a pity, he missed the opportunity to defeat Uesugi Kenshin, if he is in poor physical condition, I don't know if he can wait for the ambition to be paid.

Takeda Shingen sighed silently and said, "In that case, let's agree to the Uesugi family's request and negotiate peace with Huihu." ”

Fan Fu Huchang, the horse farm letter room oh, agreed in unison.

Then Baba Shinbo continued: "My lord, in fact, this time Echigo had to retreat, Lord Li Xiao contributed a lot, he defeated the attack of the Saito family with hundreds of people, not only to keep the castle of Kamiokanda, but also to capture the castle of Echichu Shengcheng, and for the family to expand the land of 15,000 stones, such a feats should be rewarded." ”

Rice Fu Huchang heard Maba Xinfang say this, his eyes flashed.

Li Xiao, as the teacher of Takeda Katsuyori, has already attracted the attention of Takeda Yoshinobu and Iitomi Torasaki, and Li Xiao played an important role in the battle of Shirane Mountain and the battle of Rock Rejection Castle Cage City, which Takeda Katsuyori twice confronted Uesugi Kenshin.

And after this expedition against Hida, Changjing of Shan County, as the general general, praised Li Xiao's military strategy in front of Iifu Huchang, and he was quite ashamed.

If Takeda Katsuyori has such a person and assists him, His Royal Highness Yoshinobu will be even more dangerous, so Iifu Huchang regards Li Xiao as a big trouble.

Thinking of this, Iitomi Huchang had to come out to interfere no matter what, and he said to Takeda Shinxuan: "Lord, Li Xiao is now the lord of Shengang City, and there are five thousand stone Kochi Yuki from Hida Country, and he also receives a thousand Guan Zhiyu from his family. If he is crowned with the fifteen-thousand-stone high Zhixing of this Yuezhong City, he can become an important genealogical retainer of his family. Li Xiao has served his family for only three years as a prisoner (a ronin from another country), and he has been promoted so quickly that even Lord Sanada Ittokusai and Kohata Kendai have been compared to him. ”

"So I suggest that the lord send another retainer to the city of Yuezhong, so that he can also help Lord Li Xiao and resist the army of Yuezhong."

The racecourse letter room glanced at Fan Fu Huchang, and he was also well aware of his intentions, although he remained neutral in the battle for the throne of the two highnesses.

However, Baba Nobubo has always been on the matter, that is, he understands that it is not easy for him to interfere in this matter, but he still said bluntly: "This family has always rewarded those who have made meritorious contributions, and has never been stingy. Li Xiao has made such a great contribution, and it is reasonable to have such a reward. I have a deep understanding with Li Xiao, this person is the best choice in his family regardless of military strategy and bravery, and in addition to him, other retainers of his family cannot gain a foothold in Vietnam. ”

Seeing that Maba Xinfang opposed his opinion, Fan Fuhuchang immediately turned red and retorted loudly: "Lord Maba speaks too much to exaggerate Li Xiaozhi's strength. Although Li Xiao is a good general, there are not no people who are better than him in the military strategy family. How can it be said that except for Li Xiao, no one can gain a foothold in Vietnam. ”

"Lord, Li Xiao is not from my Jiafei background, and he is from the Ming Kingdom, so his origin is not clear, so he must be guarded against. The knowledge and practice of 20,000 stones is already an old-level important minister for this family, and if it is rashly divided, I am afraid that other retainers will criticize. ”

The racecourse letter snorted, and he was going to fight again.

At this time, Takeda Shingen stretched out his hand and waved it, signaling that the two did not need to quarrel.

Baba and Iitomi apologized for arguing in front of Takeda Shingen.

Takeda Shingen turned his back and looked at the fog outside the curtain that couldn't be dissolved, and said for a long time: "Yes, it's been three years. Three years ago, it was in Hachimangahara, when Uesugi Teruhu swung his sword and went straight to the main formation, unstoppable, if it wasn't for Li Xiao to save with a gun, my Xinxuan's martial arts would have ended here. It's really fast to think about it, Li Xiao has also been in the Shi's family for three years. ”

Hearing Takeda Shingen say this, both Baba and Iitomi understood the meaning of his words.

Takeda Shingen continued: "No matter what Li Xiao's identity is, he has saved me Shingen, and he has saved Katsuyori, and he has fought Uesugi Teruhu to the death in Shirane Mountain and Iwabu Castle, which shows that his loyalty to my Takeda family is unquestionable. Maybe some people don't admit it, but in my Xinxuan's eyes, his military strategy and bravery are rarely matched by anyone in my family. ”

"This time he has made a meritorious service, he must be rewarded heavily, this Yuezhong City Shengcheng is 15,000 stone high, so he will be awarded to Li Xiao, and he will be promoted from a general to a family elder, and apply to the imperial court for an official position for him."

"Oh!"

Listening to Takeda Shingen's final decision, Iitomi Huchang and Baba Nobubo agreed in unison, but their thoughts and thoughts were different.

In the end, Li Xiaoan's blocking of Yuezhong was finally settled under Takeda Shinxuan's words.

The next time, the Takeda family and the Uesugi family secretly reached a collegiate agreement.

After the collegiate meeting, Uesugi Huihu did not stay long, and immediately led his troops back to the mountain castle of Chunyue.

However, Takeda Shingen stayed on Kawanaka Island for a few days.

Three days later, Takeda Shingen fought for the battle of Kawanakajima, and the fallen soldiers made a ritual.

On behalf of the First Army, Xin Xuan went to the grave to burn incense and put his palms together, and 23 monks recited sutras for the fallen soldiers.

Tens of thousands of soldiers of the First Army joined their palms in front of the tomb of the soldiers of Kawanaka Island to worship the dead and pay tribute to the dead.

Those who died in the battle of Kawanakajima, the general of the Takeda family, Mokaku Torada, the son of Hatsukano Tadaji, Mokano Mamori, and Hatsukano Nobumasa all wept on the spot.

Vietnam, the city is born.

Li Xiao was standing on the castle tower of Joshiro Honmaru at this moment, looking at the territory under his feet with great ambition.

Chengsheng City, also known as Snake Tail City, is built on the west bank of the Shentong River, with a triple crank wheel design, covering most of the hills, and the earth bridge on the city, the pill horse out, the double tiger's mouth, and the cliffs made by artificial cutting are all there, which is very conducive to defense.

Seeing this, Li Xiao couldn't help but secretly congratulate himself on his good luck.

A month ago, in a battle outside the city, Li Xiao relied on the Western Phalanx tactics to break the Saito Divine Protection Army, kill more than 300 people, and ask for the head of Saito Toshiki.

As soon as Saito Riki died, the Saito family, which had lost its governor, suddenly fell into civil strife.

Li Xiao took advantage of the situation and forced the city to live in the city with a big victory, the Saito family was defeated and the military morale was weakened, and Saito Nobuyoshi, the son of Saito Liki, was only eleven years old, and he couldn't make up his mind when he was in a panic.

Therefore, after the discussion of several retainers of the Saito family, they took a few relatives with them, and took the young lord Saito Nobuyori to flee overnight and went to Toyama Castle to defect.

They were in a hurry when they left, and they even forgot about the act of setting fire to the city, so Li Xiao effortlessly captured this intact fortified city.

Otherwise, if Li Xiao wants to attack the city, according to his previous estimate, as long as he is prepared to pay a certain price and send a ninja team to secretly attack, he can take it.

In the past month, in addition to strengthening the city defense and guarding against the military situation in the direction of the Shenbao family, Li Xiao sent people around to the lords near Chengsheng City to announce that the city had changed banners and now belonged to the territory of the Takeda family.

All the lords near Chengsheng City obeyed Li Xiao and promised to pay him this year's annual tribute.

After that, Takeda Shingen gave Li Xiao a reward, and Takeda Shingen granted him the document of security in the territory of Josheng Castle, and promoted Li Xiao to the elder of the family, and there was also Takeda Shingen who applied to the imperial court on his behalf for the official position of Tajima Shou.

After the great victory over the Saito family, the security clerk of the territory, the promotion to the elder of the family, and the official position of Tajima Mamori, after this series of events, the confidence of Li Xiao in Li Xiao's retainers reached its peak in an instant, and it reached the point of bursting.

Although Li Xiao is now an outsider, his status as the elder of the Takeda family means that he is qualified to participate in the central decision-making of the Takeda family, and can lead the army as a general.

And 20,000 stone high, for Yu Ben at that time, more than 10,000 stone high can be called a daimyo, at this level, Li Xiao can also be regarded as the elder of the Takeda family.

Of course, this is not counting this hand of hole cards that is equivalent to tens of thousands of stones.

20,000 stone high is the force on Li Xiaoming's face, and generally speaking, in wartime, the peasant soldiers in the range of 400 to 800 can be mobilized.

As for Tajimamori's official position, Tajima is located in the mountains [***], and on the top of the head of the Hiroma country, it is 108,000 miles away from the Takeda family's Shinano and Kai.

But Ma Shou has nothing to do with Li Xiao's current territory, but this is also a rule at that time, under the premise that the public family has declined, the symbolic meaning of the official name represents the actual meaning, and it just sounds good to take it out.

However, at that time, it was to eat this set, and they all used their official names to refer to each other, such as the Racecourse Xinfang, which was called the Racecourse Minbu, and his official position was the Minbu Shaofu, in addition, the rice rich Huchang, was called the Fan Fu Military Department, and the official position was called the Military Department Shaofu.

(To be continued)