In Hokuriku, November is already a scene of heavy snowfall.

Echichu, in the castle tower of Matsukura Castle.

The fire pit flickered and flickered, sending out bursts of heat to dispel the cold.

Shigeharu Takenaka and Hidecho Kinoshita sat opposite each other, hot wine in the fire, and a plate of dried plums was brewing at the table in the middle of the two.

In the cold and freezing, the two drank dry plums, and they couldn't help but be interested, and chatting with each other became more and more speculative.

Shigeharu Takenaka held a silk handkerchief in front of him, coughed a few times, and looked at the samurai from the ordinary village of Owari in front of him, and became more and more appreciative.

He had heard of his brother's name when he was in Mino, and in the past, Kinoshita Hideyoshi had been judged by orthodox samurai to come from a humble background and serve Nobunaga in a role that resembled that of a minister.

In fact, Kinoshita Hideyoshi has proved himself with his performance along the way, and in recent years, he has made great contributions to the Oda family in Kita-Omi, and now he is a general who can be the leader of the Oda family.

In comparison, Kinoshita Hidecho is not as glamorous as his brother, but after getting along for a long time, Shigeharu Takenaka found that the other party's talent was not inferior to his brother.

His ability to coordinate and coordinate all generals, fairness and strictness in handling affairs, is deeply convinced by the generals of the Takeda Army, and his military strategy and internal affairs have his own unique opinions, and can be comprehensive in all aspects.

According to Takenaka's view, such characters are simply complementary talents.

From a humble beginning, he became a 20,000-stone daimyo retainer, and Kinoshita Hidenaga's growth does not seem to be inferior to his brother at all.

How did such a person be recruited by Li Xiao.

Thinking of this, Shigeharu Takenaka put down the silk handkerchief and re-clamped a piece of dried plum and put it in his mouth.

At this time, a samurai walked to the castle tower and reported to Kinoshita Hidenaga and Takenaka Shigeharu: "I would like to inform the two lords, the lord, that they have led the main force of their family to successfully reach Mino, and are capturing Ichiyanagi Castle and annihilating nearly 2,000 Oda troops!" ”

A hint of joy welled up on Kinoshita Hidenaga's face, and he said, "Very good." ”

Shigeharu Takenaka thought for a moment, and instead asked, "How did the Oda family react to this?" ”

"Not yet."

After the samurai finished his report, Shigeharu Takenaka smiled slightly, and said to Kinoshita Hide: "But Lord Mamori, I have captured Ichiyanagi Castle, and the next step must be to take Kajida Castle."

Kinoshita Hidecho nodded, he had been in contact with Shigeharu Takenaka for many days, and was convinced of his military strategy.

When Li Xiao sent Takenaka to Matsukura Castle, he also told Kinoshita Hidecho to learn more from Takenaka Shigeji and ask for advice. In the past few months, the two have gotten along, and Kinoshita Hidenaga has indeed learned from Shigeharu Takenaka and has benefited a lot.

Kinoshita Hidecho took the map from the side, said to Shigeharu Takenaka, "Judging from the map, if the lord continues to go south and capture Kajida Castle, he can complete the meeting with the Minami Shinano army that attacked Higashimino and realize the first-line connection between the county and the hinterland of Shinano's main family. ”

Shigeharu Takenaka nodded, and said: "Exactly, but Mamori-sama's intention is like this, if you don't capture Nakano and complete the border between Okumino and Higashiminon, otherwise the county is an enclave of the family in Mino, and without the support of the family, it may not be able to hold it at any time." So Kajida Castle, but Lord Mamori has to take it. ”

Kinoshita Hidecho was deeply impressed by Shigeharu Takenaka's judgment.

Just then, the stairs downstairs were trampled on, and another samurai hurried up to the castle tower.

"What's the alarm?" Kinoshita Hidecho asked without courier.

"Tell the lord that the ninjas who are spying in Echigo have sent news that Uesugi Kenshin has been on the front line of Katsuyama Castle, putting grain and grass in the tun, and it seems that he has a plan to attack Echichu."

Kinoshita Hidecho frowned slightly when he heard this, then looked at the flying snow outside the window, and said, "Could it be that the Uesugi family still plans to take advantage of the heavy snow to enter the army?" ”

Shigeharu Takenaka said: "It's not that there is no precedent for this, but it's more likely to be a march to prepare for the beginning of spring next year, but it's better to be like, the secret alliance between Oda and Uesugi should be true, and this matter must be prepared in advance." ”

Kinoshita Hidecho saw Shigeharu Takenaka's calm appearance, and thought: The lord once said that this person's wisdom and military strategy are all first-class in the world, so we must rely on his wisdom. With him, maybe he and Kenshin Uesugi will stick to it for at least a few months. …,

Thinking of this, Kinoshita Hidecho was full of confidence and said, "Exactly, I will immediately write to inform him of this situation, Lord and Jibo-sama." At the same time, we are also prepared for battle. ”

Mino, a willow city.

"Meet Tajima-sama." Yiliu Zhimo knelt down to Li Xiao and said.

"Get up." Li Xiaowen said.

Yiliu Zhimo raised his head and looked at Li Xiao who was sitting on the main seat with a little apprehension, he had heard of this person's name a long time ago, and when he saw it today, he felt that the other party was not anything strange except for his tall figure.

Li Xiao smiled slightly, and said: "Lord Ichiyanagi, thanks to Your Excellency this time, you reported the news of the Oda Army's reinforcements to us, and sent your subordinates as internal responses to lead Endo Qingtaka into the trap, and finally I was able to successfully annihilate Inaba Yitetsu, Endo Qinglong, Your Excellency has made a great contribution to our family, how do you say I want to reward you." ”

Hearing this, Naosu's face was overjoyed, and he knelt down and said: "In the next, I am dissatisfied with Nobunaga's burning of Mt. Hiei and have been violent for a long time, and I have been hiding in my heart, suffering from no chance of revenge. ”

Li Xiao sneered when he heard this, and said: "Since Your Excellency has long had the heart to resist Nobunaga, why don't you surrender as soon as our army arrives, but instead besiege the city for three days, the city will be broken, and Your Excellency will surrender when it is heavily surrounded." ”

Before Li Xiao finished speaking, he saw a willow Zhimo's vest move suddenly, and he said for a while: "But the horse ...... Guard...... Adult, in the lower ...... Under ......"

Li Xiao saw that Yiliu Zhimo was so embarrassed, but he laughed, raised his hand, and said: "Needless to say, if you have different intentions, you will not offer a plan to help me annihilate these two thousand Oda troops, no matter what your motives are for serving me Li Xiaozhi, I don't care, as my minister, I only talk about merit, merit will be rewarded, and if there is a mistake, I will be punished." For now, I just don't want you to think that I can deceive at will. Do you understand? ”

Ichiliu Naosume raised his head and looked at Li Xiao, with a grateful look on his face, and said in a deep voice: "Thank you, Lord Danma Shou, I really subdued the Takeda family." ”

Li Xiao nodded and said, "Very good, I will appoint you as the general of my flag right now, and command a team." ”

Ichiliu Naosue said happily: "Thank you, lord." His Majesty must swear to repay the service. ”

Li Xiao couldn't help but smile when he looked at Yiliu Zhisue's gratitude for Dade leaving.

At this time, there was a report from the outside of the door, and he said, "My lord, Honda and Usami, have been waiting outside the 'door' for a long time. ”

Li Xiao nodded and said, "Let them in." ”

Masanobu Honda, Usami Mina Mikata sat down.

Honda Masanobu immediately spoke: "Your Majesty sees that this Liu Zhimu is not a truthful person, and please use it with caution." ”

Facing Honda Masanobu's admonition, Li Xiao smiled and said, "I know this, but he has been appointed as the general of the Ashgaru Banner." ”

"My lord." Honda Masanobu looked up and said in surprise.

Seeing that Benduo Zhengxin wanted to dissuade him, Li Xiao raised his head and said: "This is the time to fight for the world, and it is necessary to act only by talent, but those who have strengths can not cover the face, in the past, Han Gaozu could use Chen Ping, why don't we follow suit." ”

In Li Xiao's heart, he can be said to be a person who is more prosperous on the outside, but unfortunately his Taoism is too shallow, far less than Sanada Masayuki.

However, fortunately, his Taoism was too shallow, and Li Xiao also felt that he could see through it, so he stayed by his side as a minister. As the so-called people have no faults, anyway, in the retainer group, there is already a vine hall Gaohu who is not a master of the two masters, and Chang'an, a treasure that is as clean as water, Li Xiao doesn't care about how many things are compared with each other.

Honda Masashi saw that Li Xiao had made a decision, and he did not dissuade him.

Honda Masanobu also reported to Li Xiaoyu and said: "My lord, as for the prisoners of the Inaba Army, His Majesty felt that it was inconvenient to act together under the conquest, so he escorted them back to the county to take care of them. ”

Li Xiao nodded and said, "That's right." Now that the army has been recuperated, I have decided to send troops to the hinterland of Mino tomorrow to attack Kajida Castle. ”

Usami said in surprise: "My lord, will it be too hasty, if Nobunaga leads the main force to the county at this time, with our current forces, we will not be able to resist at all." ”…,

Li Xiao nodded and said, "It is precisely because I have no choice but to speed up the opening of the county." ”

Speaking of this, Li Xiao explained: "There was a heavy snowfall in Hida yesterday, and the streets between the county and Hida have been completely clogged with snow. Hida has five months of heavy snow in the year, which is not conducive to the march, and the county is alone outside of Hida, and it is impossible to contact when it snows, and now the family has started a war with the Oda family, and if the Oda army comes to attack when the Hida is snowing, the county will inevitably become a dead land. ”

"Therefore, we must speed up the opening of Kajida Castle and get in touch with the Shinano family, and if Nobunaga comes with the main force, we can also get support from the family, and if the war situation is unfavorable, we can also retreat to Shinano. Otherwise, sitting here, with a shortage of food and grass, the county will be a dead place. ”

Hearing this, Honda Masanobu and Usami nodded together, and said, "The lord will see it." ”

Li Xiaoyan said: "In my opinion, Asakura Asai will not cause more trouble to Nobunaga in Kita-Omi, in this case, it is better to transfer from Echizen to the gun, so that we have 8,000 troops, and the garrison is more confident, what do you think?" ”

Honda Zheng said: "The plan of the lord is a great good, but the grain and herbs in the county are not enough, and there are 3,000 more people and horses, which is too tight." ”

Li Xiao waved his hand disapprovingly, and said: "It's okay, as long as you capture Jiazhi Tian City and get in touch with your own family, the matter of grain and grass can be solved." In this case, I immediately wrote to Maba Masabo and sent another order to the soldiers to prepare for the army tomorrow. ”

Honda Masashi and Usami Minami saw that Li Xiaoqi's intention had been decided, and they no longer persuaded him, and sighed.