Kai, Takeda family main castle, Tsugasaki pavilion.

The Takeda family's 20,000 Koshin army, which had gone out to Ueno, had returned triumphantly.

Under Musashi Matsuyama Castle, the Takeda Hojo coalition army totaled nearly 50,000 troops, and they fought hard for nearly five months to besiege the city, but they still did not resist.

Uesugi Kenkatsu, the commander of Matsuyama Castle, was born in the Uesugi family in Fukaya, and later inherited the famous site of Ogiya Uesugi that was cut off by the Kawagoshi Night War.

In the fourth year of Eiroku, Uesugi Kenshin led 100,000 Kwantung coalition troops to Odawara, pulled out Musashi to storm Matsuyama Castle, and ordered Uesugi Kenkatsu to garrison here.

Uesugi Kenshin's purpose was to use the fortified fortress of Matsuyama Castle to choke the Hojo family's access to Ueno Province.

Uesugi Kenkatsu is not a mediocre talent, and Matsuyama Castle is a famous fortified city, the city is equipped with many iron cannons, the Takeda army suffered heavy losses under the siege of the city, the Takeda family iron artillery general said to Fujikuro died in battle, the famous samurai Yonekura Hikojiro was shot and almost died, and later drank a bowl of horse manure and vomited blood, so he was spared death.

Because the assault was unsuccessful for several months, the Takeda army suffered heavy casualties, and finally Takeda Shingen came up with a way to bring in the 'gold diggers' who were digging for gold mountain, dug three tunnels under the city to enter the city, and captured the outer city of Matsuyama Castle in one fell swoop.

This made Matsuyama Castle fall into a desperate situation of running out of ammunition and food, and Uesugi Kenkatsu had no choice but to surrender.

Hearing the news of the fall of Matsuyama Castle, Uesugi Kenshin's 8,000 reinforcements had just arrived at Stablebridge Castle.

Uesugi Kenshin was furious, and sent a letter to reprimand Ota for the unfavorable rescue, and beheaded the two sons of Uesugi Kenkatsu as hostages, so the Ogiya Uesugi family, which was easy to inherit by Uesugi Kenkatsu, was truly extinct this time.

Matsuyama Castle on the front line of Musashi Province has been lost, and the Kanto Gunhao has also been centrifugal, so Uesugi Kenshin's dream is to gather 100,000 troops again as before, and it has become impossible to besiege Odawara.

Uesugi Kenshin was not willing to suffer a loss, and instead defeated the two small wealthy clans of the Hojo family, the Koyama family and the Sano family, and after expanding the territory, he finally led his army back to Echigo.

However, despite his efforts, Uesugi Kenshin's influence in the Kanto region has further declined.

The Hojo family also shifted its strategic focus to the east at this moment, because during the attack on Matsuyama Castle, the Satomi family of the Daimyo of Anbo Province sent troops to attack the back road of the Hojo family several times.

This made Hojo Shiyasu very annoyed, so he captured Matsuyama Castle and pacified the situation in Musashi, and then sent troops to Anbo Province, first pacifying the rear. This laid the fuse for the second joint war between the two national governments and Taiwan.

As a result of the retreat of Uesugi and Hojo's power in Ueno, the Takeda family gradually included Nishi-Umino in addition to Minowa Castle and included it in their sphere of influence.

In the Tsubazaki Pavilion, Takeda Shingen held a banquet to entertain the meritorious generals who went out to Matsuyama Castle.

As the son-in-law Yoshinobu Takeda, the fourth male Takeda Katsuyori also attended.

Since the Battle of Iwakojo, the retainers of the Takeda family have always thought that Takeda Yoshinobu was recuperating in Toko Temple, but in fact, Takeda Katsuyori knew that this was Takeda Shingen in order to punish Takeda Yoshinobu for his previous move to contact the Uesugi family, and he had been claustrophobic in Toko Temple for more than half a year.

This is both a warning from Shingen Takeda to Yoshinobu Takeda, and a punishment.

But it is said that during the claustrophobic period of Takeda Yoshinobu in Toko Temple, he looked like he had changed his mind, and he said that he was diligent in reading the military strategy, not to mention the current affairs of the house, and after reading it, he also wrote down his reading experience and presented it to Takeda Shingen for browsing.

Yoshinobu Takeda also copied ten Buddhist scriptures every time to wish Takeda Shingen good health.

This series of actions was similar to his previous judgment, and even Takeda Shingen had a great opinion of him, and this time the Takeda army returned triumphantly, ending his claustrophobia and letting him come out to the banquet.

Takeda Katsuyori saw that in the middle of the banquet, Takeda Yoshinobu looked calm, always smiling, and did not have the slightest grievance of claustrophobia.

Takeda Yoshinobu's mother, Mrs. Sanjo, was born as a minister, so he was educated since he was a child.

Takeda Yoshinobu's attitude and demeanor are all the demeanor of elegant people in the capital, and this move made the old ministers and generals of the Takeda family present feel very appreciative, and feel that he does have the demeanor of the future head of the Takeda family.

During the banquet, Takeda Yoshinobu took the lead in toasting several times, congratulating Takeda Shingen on his triumphant return from Musashi, which made the atmosphere very harmonious and attracted everyone's attention to him.

This made the scenery of Takeda Katsuyori, who also returned from Ueno Province, robbed him a lot.

"Your Highness."

Takeda Katsuyori turned his head, and it turned out to be Sanada Yutaka.

Sanada Yutaka is fifty-one years old this year, and his body is already quite thin, but he looks a little rickety when he gets old. It's just such an inconspicuous little old man, but the wisdom that emerges from him is immeasurable.

At the beginning, according to what Li Xiao said, Takeda Katsuyori went to Matsuo Castle to personally invite Sanada Yutaka out of the mountain as a retainer to assist him.

This special courtesy immediately won Sanada Yutaka's sincere dedication. Sanada Yutaka officially stated that the Sanada family will fully support Takeda Katsuyori's succession from now on.

This news surprised and delighted Takeda Katsuyori, and he really regarded Sanada Yutaka as his confidant.

And Sanada Yutaka lived up to Takeda Katsuyori's expectations, and several things handled by the retainer of the pen were extremely beautiful, and the mess left by the big bear Chaoxiu was immediately taken care of. The whole Takeda Katsuyori retainers were unanimously convinced, believing that his ability could be on par with Yamamoto Kansuke, that is, the always picky Big Bear Asahide, and also bowed to Sanada Yutaka.

And Sanada Yutaka's ability is not only reflected in this, during the period when Takeda Yoshinobu was in the claustrophobic Toko Temple, although people could not leave a step, they still secretly instructed Iitomi Torama, and Nobuaki Takeda secretly engaged in Takeda Katsuyori's small actions behind his back.

The open gun is easy to dodge and the dark arrow is difficult to defend, and Takeda Yoshinobu stabbed the knife so secretly, and the small action really made Takeda Katsuyori unguardable.

But since Sanada Yutaka came, Takeda Yoshinobu secretly made small moves and small conspiracy, and he was dissolved by him like a breeze.

After Takeda Yoshinobu hit the wall a few times, he also began to rein in and reduced the number of attacks, but such a calm approach still made Takeda Katsuyori feel that Sanada Yukitaka was still at ease and did not do his best.

As Li Xiao commented, Sanada Yutaka is really an old fox who has been cultivating in the mountains for thousands of years and has become a refined old man.

Therefore, Takeda Katsuyori attaches more and more importance to Sanada Yutaka and the help of the Sanada family behind him. And Sanada Yutaka is not good at martial arts, but his ability to scheming is simply a comprehensive enhanced version of Kansuke Yamamoto and Li Xiao, two people together.

In the face of Sanada Yutaka's inquiry, Takeda Katsuyori shook his head and said: "I didn't let my brother step down last time, this time he is claustrophobic and will definitely make a comeback, and I will temporarily avoid his edge." ”

Sanada Yutaka smiled slightly, and Chengzhu said in his chest: "Your Highness, you are wrong, since the last time His Royal Highness Yoshinobu communicated with the Uesugi family, under the strong suppression of the lord, his power has not been as good as before. This is his unwilling to admit that the more he jumps out to show his status as a sister-in-law, he is just trying to get back what he lost in the past, trying to prove that his power is still there, but the more he is so, the more he seems to be weak and lacking in confidence. ”

Takeda Katsuyori nodded, obviously thinking that Sanada Yutaka was right.

It was when Yutaka Sanada was talking with Katsuyori Takeda.

But seeing Takeda Yoshinobu coming here, Takeda Yoshinobu came to Takeda Katsuyori and signaled Sanada Yutaka to retire, obviously having something to say to Takeda Katsuyori alone.

And Sanada Yutaka gave Takeda Katsuyori a look before leaving, and asked him to deal with it carefully.

At the moment, only Takeda Yoshinobu and Takeda Katsuyori are left in this corner.

Yoshinobu Takeda looked at Katsuyori Takeda for a while, with a smile on his face, which made people think that it was a friendly conversation between the two brothers.

In fact, in Takeda Yoshinobu's words, he said gloomily: "Katsuyori, I was very disappointed to see that I was released safe and sound." It's good, I didn't expect you to grow up and learn to play tricks. You know? This time you didn't kill me, and it was your biggest mistake to abolish my throne, which gave me a chance to make a comeback, and you will regret it. ”

Takeda Katsuyori's eyes were cold, and he said unabashedly: "Brother, I never thought of targeting you, it's just that you did such a betrayal of the Takeda family, what kind of face do you have to take charge of the position of governor of this family." Let it go, and I'll be kind to you in the future. ”

Takeda Yoshinobu snorted coldly and said: "You didn't force all this, if you don't fight for something that doesn't belong to you, why should I be embarrassed by you." Well, by now, there is no need to estimate any brotherhood, we will only have one person in the future, who can live to take charge of my Takeda family, it is useless to talk more, it will grow in the future, let's play slowly, and see who kills who first! ”

After saying that, Takeda Yoshinobu reached out and patted Takeda Katsuyori's shoulder, then raised his head and smiled, and walked away calmly.

This scene made the people who looked here not see anything unusual, but felt that it was just a friendly conversation between the two.

Under these words, on behalf of Takeda Yoshinobu and Takeda Katsuyori, there was no even harmony on face, and they tore each other's faces and officially declared war on each other.

At the moment, only Takeda Katsuyori remained on the ground, and his fists were clenched, obviously very wrong.

Sanada Yutaka saw it on the sidelines, came to Takeda Katsuyori's side, and reminded: "Your Highness, please take out a little bit of the castle mansion, so that no one can see your emotions." ”

Takeda Katsuyori's teeth chattered, but he still couldn't hold back, so he could only sit down heavily.

Sanada Yutaka saw that the secret road was not good.

And at this moment, Takeda Shingen also noticed that something was wrong with Takeda Katsuyori, and was about to ask.

At this time, an envoy with a hundred-legged centipede flag in the main hall walked in, obviously with military intelligence.

After the envoy came in, he bowed down in front of Takeda Shingen and said, "My lord, it's good news." ”

Takeda Shingen sighed, couldn't remember where this good news came from for a while, and asked, "Where did you come from?" ”

"It's Hida."

"What?"

All the retainers of the Takeda family in the palace have returned from an expedition in Ueno Province, and they don't know that there is any use of troops against Hida, and they have never even heard of the direction given to Hida by the family and what troops to send.

Takeda Shinxuan's eyes flashed and asked, "Was it sent by Li Xiao?" ”

"Yes, my lord, Lord Li Xiao, Lord Maba Masabo assisted the Jiangma family in repelling the army of the sister Xiaolu family in the Hida Country."

"Oh?" Takeda Shinxuan was surprised, thinking that this Li Xiao could always surprise him.

Immediately, Takeda Shingen took out the document and looked at it carefully, then nodded with satisfaction, and said to the retainers: "Li Xiao really lived up to my expectations, no, it can always give me unexpected surprises." Under Li Xiao's strategy, now the North Hida Ema family has agreed to ally with my Takeda family, and agreed to be the pioneer of my Takeda family soldier Hida and Vietnam, on the condition that he will capture the land of Hida in the future and enjoy half with my Takeda family. ”

Hearing this news, all the retainers in the main hall were surprised and delighted, and the Hida Kingdom, which had never had hope, came out with such an unexpected joy.

Baba Shinbo first said to Takeda Shingenga: "Congratulations to my lord, the Jiangma family is willing to serve, and my Takeda family has a foothold in Hida Country, so it opens up the channel to use troops in Vietnam." And more importantly, the strategy of the lord to attack the two wings of Echigo at the same time was realized."

Takeda Xinxuan smiled very happily and said: "Yes, Xinchun, your son is also good, in Li Xiao's military report, this time he is not small." ”

Racecourse Xinfang nodded, Racecourse Changfang has always had a good relationship with Li Xiao, and he is also very happy that his son can do things with someone like Li Xiao.

After the racecourse letter, the ministers of the Takeda family also congratulated Takeda Shingen.

In this way, the atmosphere at the banquet was even more enthusiastic, and for the Takeda family, the success of the use of troops in Ueno and Hida can be described as double happiness.

Immediately, Takeda Shingen was in the main hall and promulgated a reward for Li Xiao, first of all, Li Xiao's dream of Wanxing, and took the 5,000 stone territory of the Hida Kingdom he had taken as his place of knowledge.

And Li Xiao's original Yan Zhucheng City Dynasty was reappointed by Machang Changfang.

At the same time, Takeda Shingen personally ordered Li Xiao to build a castle on the Zhixing Land of Hida Province as a transit point for the Takeda family to send troops to Yuezhong in the future.

After the castle was built, Li Xiao was promoted to the lord of the city, and concurrently served as the future Hida Echichu military ration officer, and hoarded grain and grass for the future Takeda family's march into Vietaka.

As soon as Takeda Shingen's reward for Li Xiao came out, the retainers of the Takeda family were shocked.

Li Xiao is the third retainer of the Takeda family to serve as the lord of the castle in addition to Sanada Yutaka and Kohata Kenshige.

And it took less than two years for Li Xiao to climb to this position.

After the banquet.

Yoshinobu Takeda first went to visit his mother, Mrs. Sanjo, and the two naturally talked in detail for a long time after a long absence.

After that, Takeda Yoshinobu returned to his apartment in the city, and the same two retainers who supported him, Nobuaki and Katsushi, who had been his hardcore supporters, also discussed and conspiracy together in his house.

Katsuzi said first: "Your Highness, you don't know how happy the expression on Nashiro's face was when the lord of Fang Cai was in the fiefdom, it was as if he had been rewarded. ”

Nobuaki also opened his mouth and said: "Your Highness, the current situation is very unfavorable for us, on the side of Ueno Country, the lord has been handed over to Shiro to be fully responsible, and on the side of Hida Country, Li Xiao has established meritorious service this time, who doesn't know, Li Xiao turned out to be the number one general under Shiro, so that my Takeda family Ueno, the exploits on both sides of Hida, aren't they all attributed to Shiro alone?" If this continues, the threat to His Highness's throne will be unimaginable. ”

Yoshinobu Takeda nodded and said, "I don't know what you're saying. It's just that Shiro has become a trend, not before, with the assistance of Sanada Yitokusai, it is not easy for me to move him again. ”

Katsuzi sneered and said: "Your Highness, I have a way, didn't Shiro fly to the wings, in that case, we will cut off his arm, His Royal Highness Kiso in the Kiso Valley is Your Highness's sister-in-law, and the lord also ordered him to participate, this time to attack the country of Hida." We can completely order His Royal Highness Kiso to come forward for you, take charge of the strategy of the Hida Kingdom, and snatch Li Xiao's military exploits. ”

Nobuaki nodded and said, "That's right, you don't have to grab it, you just need to let His Royal Highness Kiso temporarily replace Lord Baba and serve as the general of the Hida Country Raiders." In this way, although Li Xiao was allowed to fight in front, the battle merit was counted on the head of Lord Kiso. In this way, all Li Xiao's efforts can only be in vain, so that he not only suppresses Li Xiao, but also helps His Royal Highness Kiso, which is the means to kill two birds with one stone. ”

Nobuaki's proposal was not unmistakable, but Katsushi echoed it loudly and praised his father's clever plan.

Yoshinobu Takeda shook his head, but said, "What you said is a good plan, but you don't have to implement it for the time being. ”

"Why?"

Takeda Yoshinobu stood up and said: "This time the claustrophobic Dongguang Temple, I have figured out a lot of truths, Li Xiao is a good general, and even his father appreciates him very much, otherwise he would not have to be transferred back to his side from Shiro as a direct minister." If I take charge of the position of the governor of the Takeda family in the future, if I have a good general like Li Xiao by my side to assist, it is just around the corner to dominate the world in the future. ”

"So there is no need to set up for yourself, such a powerful enemy, at the moment he is his father's direct minister, not Shenglai's retainer, if he can think of a way, try to find a way to win him over, if not, according to the means you said, suppress him for me, so that he will not be able to turn over for the rest of his life."

Saying the last sentence, a cold light flashed in Takeda Yoshinobu's eyes.

(To be continued)