Asahikawa Castle. {We don't write novels, we're just web text porters - ∈↗,

Several of the Shimazu family's confidants are discussing with the head of the Shimazu family the news that has just come from the seaside. A large number of unknown soldiers suddenly landed and captured the nameless fishing village. At the time of the incident, two or three samurai were there, but none of them escaped.

There was even news that the area around the village had been cordoned off by the soldiers, and no one dared to approach.

This is undoubtedly bad news for the Shimazu family. Just to cope with the expanding House of Date in the west, they were already struggling. Fortunately, the forces of the two sides are still roughly at the same level, and perhaps the Shimazu family can't beat each other, but they also have the ability to hit each other hard, so they barely managed to maintain peace by relying on the pass. For several years, everyone has been uneventful. Who would have thought that at this time a large number of soldiers suddenly appeared on the sea.

"Tell me, where do you think those enemies came from?"

Shimazu Yoshida's face was visibly sad, and although the account of the person who fled back to report the news was not clear, he could still sense the strength of the enemy. The power that can transport so many troops to land in one go is definitely something that the Shimazu family can't match now. In case the news spreads and the Date family, which is about to move, is also involved, then the Asahikawa clan is really in danger of being removed.

Over the past few decades, hundreds of daimyo have risen and perished on Cook Island, and the Shimazu family has finally developed step by step to the present, but I don't want to follow in their footsteps!

"My subordinates think that the person who came is not the army of the daimyo of the island."

The speaker was one of the three highest-ranking retainers of the Shimazu family, Sasamasa. This samurai, who wandered from other places and was taken in by the Shimazu family, led at least more than 200 samurai from the Shimazu family, and he was quite wise, and quickly deduced the corner of the truth.

"What Sasa-kun said is good." Shimazu Nobuyasu nodded. He said to the head of the family: "Although there is no shortage of sailors in the daimyo of this island, there are few warships of such a large size. Moreover, judging from the situation in the middle and north of the island, whether it is the Mori family, the Shibata family, or the Tokugawa family, they are all on guard and attacking each other. There are no extra forces to attack us at this time. ”

The Lena were likewise unlikely, with only an interest in the Empire and no interest in the impoverished Isle of Cook. Moreover, even if they change their minds, they will only land in the west and north, and will not deliberately detour to the southeast.

"In other words, could it be someone from Shangguo?"

Shimazu Yoshida fell into deep thought, nodded after half a sound, and approved the inference of several retainers. But why did the sailors of the Qianyuan Empire suddenly come to find trouble for themselves?

Not knowing the origin and intentions of the other party. Shimazu Yoshida couldn't react lightly.

"My lord, what do you care about so much?" Hayakawa, the most belligerent, said hatefully: "The other party has landed on our territory without permission, and has wantonly slaughtered our people. It doesn't matter who he is, the immediate priority is to lead the troops to fight them off, and then talk about anything else! ”

"No."

As soon as Hayakawa's words fell, Shimazu Yoshida frowned and denied his retainers' remarks about seeking war. If it weren't for the Date family in the west, he would have dared to let go. But there are enemies watching from the sidelines. Shimazu Yoshida didn't dare to mess around. Moreover, is the sailor of the kingdom so easy to mess with?

Rush to war. It's just self-defeating.

After walking back and forth in the room a few times, Shimazu Yoshida looked at the three retainers with different faces and made a decision: "Anyway, send someone over to contact you first and see if you can communicate with the person who came." Perhaps, there may be some misunderstanding in this. ”

This is undoubtedly intended to endure.

Hayakawa was dissatisfied. But the words of the head of the family were absolute, and he did not dare to disobey. In the end, Zuo Zuo stood up and took the initiative to stop the job.

Of course, Shimazu Yoshida did not pin all his hopes on the enemy's good words. At the same time as sending Sasamasa as an envoy, he ordered Hayakawa and Shimazu Nobuyasu to send people to contact the samurai in various places. Except for the people who were guarding the pass and watching the Date family. The rest were all mobilized back to Asahikawa Castle to standby.

………

Armed with two samurai to protect himself, Sasa was riding a horse and quickly arrived at the warning range of the Matsue Army's landing force.

For this envoy under the banner of the Shimazu family, the soldiers of the Matsue Army were not embarrassed. After going back to ask for instructions, I quickly chose to let go. This made Zuo Zuozheng breathe a sigh of relief in his heart - he was willing to talk when he met, and what he was most worried about was that the other party would not pay attention to it at all and kill people directly without saying a word.

After passing through the cordoned area about three miles deep, they arrived at the camp, which had been reinforced to a decent position.

"What a well-organized barracks!"

Zuo Zuo was looking at the camp with all kinds of moats, fences, and watchtowers, and couldn't help but be shocked. With such a camp here, even if the defenders only have a few hundred people, they can easily defend the attack of the Asahikawa Domain!

However, after actually following the soldiers in, Zuo Zuozheng was stunned.

The camp looked very neat from a distance, but the soldiers patrolling inside were listless and looked lazy. In a corner as far as the eye could see, several soldiers even gathered together to gamble for money, and the passing officers turned a blind eye. There are also soldiers who even wear the armor on their bodies crookedly, without the appearance of soldiers.

This is the army of the kingdom of God?

Although the camp is well set up and the weapons and armor are complete, the morale of the army is too poor and scattered!

Along the way, the solemnity in Zuozo's heart quickly turned into disbelief and contempt, followed by ecstasy. If the combat effectiveness of this army is really the same as it seems, then the samurai of the Shimazu family only need one sneak attack to defeat them. Then, these sophisticated weapons and armor were all trophies of the Shimazu family.

This idea quickly germinated in Zuo Zuozheng's heart, and it also made him feel a lot more confident when he met Song Wuxing.

"I am the Ninghai Master of the Qianyuan Empire."

Song Wuxing still reported Shi Liang's name, and said in a big stabbing voice: "You are the messenger of the Shimazu family?" Are you here to apologize to us? ”

This lieutenant's majestic appearance made Zuo Zuozheng extremely disgusted in his heart, but with the attitude of being able to save one thing and one thing, he still pretended not to hear Song Wuxing's contemptuous tone, and said with a smile: "Sure enough, it is the general of the sailor of the upper country, and below it is the retainer of the Shimazu family, Zuo Zuozheng." In the name of the head of the family, I came to greet the general, I don't know why the sailors of the kingdom came from afar across the sea? Why is this apology? ”

"You don't know?"

Song Wuxing frowned, and impatiently restated the reason he had told Shimazu Saburo earlier to the important retainer of the Shimazu family in front of him.

The result undoubtedly surprised Zozo.

"The Asahikawa clan colluded with the Omanis to attack the empire's Ninghai County? This...... How is this possible? What a ridiculous reason! Zuo Zuo was subconsciously retorting, and when he saw Song Wuxing's face suddenly became displeased, he realized that his words were a little unpleasant, so he softened his tone and explained: "General Song, please don't believe the rumors, our Shimazu family has always been peaceful and guarded, and will never dare to take the initiative to attack Shangguo, there must be a misunderstanding in this." ”

"Is there a misunderstanding, you don't count!"

Song Wudaunt casually picked up the teacup, blowing the steaming fragrant tea, and said, "In short, the Governor has found out that you samurai and ronin of the Asahikawa Domain participated in this war. Whether you have a heart or an intention, you must give us an explanation. Otherwise, hehe! ”

He looked at the knife on the table, intentionally or unintentionally, full of threat.

This gesture of not seeing himself in his eyes at all made Zuo Zuo Zheng more and more annoyed, and forcibly suppressed his anger and said: "Then, what does General Song want to explain?" ”

"Well said." Song Wuxing took a few sips of tea, put down the teacup, and said slowly: "Your Haikou assisted the Omanis and destroyed our Shuangyang Town. In the name of mercy and generosity, the governor of my family only needs you to compensate one Asahikawa Castle. Please go back and inform the Shimazu family, evacuate from Asahikawa Castle within three days, our army will not be to blame! ”

Compensation for Asahikawa Castle?

Sasamasa couldn't believe his ears, the territory of the Asahikawa Domain, the only core city was Asahikawa. The loss of this city is almost equivalent to the loss of half of the territory, and the hearts of the people are scattered. What is the difference between agreeing to this condition and removing the Shimazu family?

This is a condition that no retainer of the Shimazu family would never dare to agree to!

"General Song, aren't you kidding?" He stood up, looked at Song Wuxing, and asked very coldly. The humility and smirk on his face were completely gone, replaced by ruthlessness and anger.

"Yes and what, and what is not?" Song Wuxing didn't take Zuo Zuozheng's dissatisfaction in his eyes at all, and Chi Guoguo said: "Do you still dare to resist the army of the Shangguo Water Division?" ”

That's not to talk about!

Confirming this, Sazo knew that he didn't need to stay. The previous anger disappeared from his face, and he regained fear and deference, and said resignedly: "We naturally don't dare to fight against the army of the kingdom, but ...... I can't make up my mind about such a big matter, so I have to go back and discuss it with the head of the Shimazu family. I hope that General Song will wait a few days and will definitely give a satisfactory answer to the general. ”

Every sentence and every action revealed the meaning of showing weakness and obedience, and there was no mention of the fishing village being attacked by the Songjiang army. Song Wuxing laughed, looking very satisfied.

………

A quarter of an hour later, Sasa was galloping back to Asahikawa Castle on horseback.

Confirming his departure, the originally scattered barracks instantly returned to its original state. The arrogance on Song Wuxing's face and the common official authority in imperial officialdom also quickly disappeared from his face. Touching his somewhat stiff cheeks, the corners of Song Wuxing's mouth showed a treacherous smile.

Sitting on the geographical advantage, if the Matsue army attacked on a large scale at the beginning, the Shimazu family would most likely choose to defend Asahikawa Castle and send dead soldiers to harass it.

Taking the initiative to enter unfamiliar enemy territory and fight a siege battle is undoubtedly a stupid strategy.

Now it's different, first showing weakness to the enemy, and then deliberately provoking the other party, presumably the Shimazu family will do their best to take the initiative to fight. In this way, the Songjiang army defending the camp can wait for work in their own camp. Not only will the casualties be reduced a lot, but it will also be able to complete the battle! (To be continued.) )