Hashiba Hideyoshi bowed and said.

"In order to rush back to Gifu Castle as soon as possible, I took the Lake Biwa waterway, disembarked from Kitaomi River, disguised myself, and secretly passed through the border without breaking through, entering Mino Country.

Takenaka-hime discovered something strange along the way, so she can bring you the latest information."

Oda Nobunaga nodded. Hashiba Hideyoshi had indeed traveled all night and arrived at Gifu City in the morning just in time for today's military meeting.

She pointed to Takenaka Shigeharu and asked.

"Tell me, what's going on?"

Takenaka Shigeharu bowed and said.

"Main Hall, you know that I was born in Bupo County and am familiar with the environment of West Meinong. The route I took back this time was the one I chose.

When the Lord and I passed through Sekigahara, we happened to encounter a large army passing through Sekigahara and returning to the land of Kita Omi.

I was a little surprised at the time. The war was about to begin, and Asai and Asakura's coalition forces had already invaded the Mino border and took the initiative. Why did they have to retreat to Kitaomi?

This matter was unreasonable, so I kept an eye on it. I turned back to Sekigahara and returned to Kitaomi to investigate.

In order to control the road from Sekigahara to Kitaomi River, His Majesty Asai built two fortresses along the way, Changbi and Sogan, as outposts.

The two fortresses of Changbi and Jian'an are on the west side of Guanyuan, one in the north and the other in the south, lying on the winding mountain, just blocking the passage into the North Omi River.

The defenders of the two villages are from Kitaomi Castle, and I happened to be familiar with the defender, so I took the risk to contact him and take the opportunity to obtain information."

Oda Nobunaga nodded slightly.

Takenaka Shigeharu was born into a wealthy family in Fuwa County, Mino Country. Fuwa County is close to Kitaomi River, and the samurai families of both sides had many contacts.

Fuwakan divides Kanto and Kansai in a broad sense, with the Ibuki Mountains to the north and the Suzuka Mountains to the south. The intersection of the two mountain ranges is the small plain of Fuwakan.

Kamazama Castle is located on the northern west side of the Suzuka Mountains, not far from the important town of Sawayama Castle that divides the north and south Omi.

Takenaka Shigeharu once served as the lord of Bodhiyama Castle, which is located at the southernmost end of the Ibuki Mountains and is located on the east side of the Sekigahara exit.

The distance between Kamabane Castle and Bodhi Mountain Castle is not that far, so it is normal for Takenaka Shigeharu to get to know the powerful samurai of Kamablade Castle.

Oda Nobunaga asked.

"Chang Bi, who are the guards at the two fortresses in Jian'an? What's their relationship with you? What information did you get from them?"

Takenaka Shigeharu said.

"The defenders guarding the two castles are Hori Hidemura, the lord of Kamazana Castle, and Higuchi Naofouso, the head of the Hori family.

Hori Hidemura was young when he succeeded to the throne, and was assisted in power by his family elder Higuchi Naofous. Higuchi Naofous and I are old friends, so I dared to go deep into the enemy's lines to inquire for information."

Oda Nobunaga curled his lips and said nothing.

Kamazana Castle is located in Sakata County, which is the newly conquered area of ​​Hokusan County by the Asai family. It is said that it was the result of Oda Nobunaga's help in suppressing it.

Higuchi Naofusa and Takenaka Shigeharu’s secret relationship is not as simple as old friends.

According to what Hideyoshi Hashiba just said, Asai and Asakura's coalition forces have withdrawn, and the people of Shinsan County are left to defend the city. What does that mean? Are they cannon fodder?

Who can be more stupid than who else these days? Hori Hidemura and Higuchi Naofa are not direct relatives of the Asai family. Of course, they have to find their own way out and cannot waste their family wealth on the pass and make a wedding dress for the Asai family.

Oda Nobunaga asked.

"What did she say about Higuchi Naofusa?"

Takenaka Shigeharu said in a deep voice.

"The Asakura army retreated without authorization, and Asai Nagamasa had no choice but to follow them."

Oda Nobunaga stopped and looked at Takenaka Shigeharu blankly.

"How many people have come to the Asakura family?"

"There are only Asakura Jingjing, the commander of Ono County, and the Ono people under his command."

Oda Nobunaga asked with a twinkle in his eye.

"Just this few people? Where are the Ichijo Valley monks? Where are the branch families in Asakura? Where are the powerful martial arts families in the Shinae family?"

Takenaka Shigeharu is decisive.

"None of them came!"

Oda Nobunaga rubbed his hands and laughed.

"Asai Nagamasa, look at the allies you chose, they are so stupid. You are even more stupid by betraying me for such a fool!"

Oda Nobunaga can understand that Tsuruga did not come.

Asakura Keiki, the governor of Tsuruga County, and Yoshikage, the governor of the Asakura family, have long been at odds with each other. Even in matters such as protecting Hideyoshi Hashiba, Asakura Keiki did what he said.

Asakura Yoshikage had been holding back and not taking action because he was worried about Shiba Yoshikage who was behind Asakura Kageki.

But the Asakura family does not only have Tsuruga County. The strength of the entire Fukui Plain is much stronger than Tsuruga County.

Asakura Yoshikage actually sent only Ono people to participate in the battle. No wonder the Asai Asakura family's coalition forces that invaded Mino Country had so few people.

Just now, Oda Nobunaga was still thinking about Asai Nagamasa's intention. He couldn't figure out what she would do if she sent just this few people to Mino.

Now she understands clearly, it turns out that there is a pig teammate who is holding Asai Nagamasa back!

Oda Nobunaga was so excited that he returned to his seat. He sat cross-legged and patted his knees several times before he calmed down and continued to ask.

"Even if only the wild people come, there is no reason to give up halfway. How long have they been here, why did they withdraw so quickly?"

Takenaka Shigeharu smiled.

"Mino Country and Echizen Country are separated by mountains, so the Ono people's thoughts are not here, and they are eager to return home. They are willing to come, but Asakura Kaikai is perfunctory as Asakura Yoshikage, the governor of the family, and there is no sincerity.

Taking advantage of the main hall being caught off guard, they broke into the Meinong Kingdom and fought a few smooth battles, and the people in the field withdrew.

Asakura Jingjing is not stupid, he knows that the main hall must gather troops to join forces with Asai and Asakura's coalition forces, and it will be a tough battle from now on.

How could she be willing to waste the strength of the general public and fight for the Asai family?"

Oda Nobunaga sneered.

"You don't even understand the meaning of death and coldness. The Asakura family is full of selfish idiots."

Takenaka Shigeharu sighed.

"You are right, but how many martial artists in this world can have your long-sightedness and far-sightedness?

Asakura Yoshikage himself refused to come. Do you really expect Asakura Yoshikage to fight on his own? If the battle is won, the Asai family will take the territory. If the battle is lost, the Asakura family members will die.

There are people who do the beheading business, but who will do the loss-making business?”

Oda Nobunaga shook his head and said.

"Let's not talk about these idiots. That Naofou Higuchi brought out all the bad guys in the Asai family. Is he asking for something?"

Takenaka Shigeharu bowed.

"The great hall is wise.

Horihide Village and Higuchi Naofousa do not want to be enemies of the Oda family, so they tell you everything and ask me to convey their respect to you."

Oda Nobunaga raised the corners of his mouth and asked.

"They want to turn from darkness to light?"

Takenaka Shigeharu nodded.

"Hi!

Asai and Asakura's coalition forces each had their own agenda, and the great opportunity to invade Mino was abandoned halfway. Anyone with a discerning eye could see that the coalition's prospects were bleak.

Asai Nagamasa hurriedly went back to negotiate with Asakura Yoshikage, in order to hold Asakura Yoshikage accountable for his unauthorized withdrawal, and wanted to jointly send troops again.

But Ono Zhong is a strong soldier of the Asakura family, and Asakura Kagekage is Asakura Yoshikage's biological sister. Regardless of their close relationship, this bad debt of withdrawing troops will probably be settled in the end.

Hori Hidemura and Higuchi Naofa were pushed to the front as cannon fodder. They didn't know whether the reinforcements from behind would be able to come, so they naturally felt empty and scared.

If you can be magnanimous, they will definitely burst into tears of gratitude and be willing to offer sacrifices to surrender the two strongholds in Jian'an.

Our army can also take advantage of the situation and rush into Kitaomi River, catching Asai Nagamasa off guard."

Oda Nobunaga nodded.

The two castles placed by Asai Nagamasa on the west side of Sekihara served as early warning posts for the Oda family.

Unexpectedly, the defenders at these two places had different intentions, and instead gave Oda Nobunaga a good opportunity to seize the initiative on the battlefield and raid Kitaomi.

Oda Nobunaga said in a deep voice.

"I guess you already have some ideas, you might as well tell them all."

Takenaka Shigeharu bowed and said.

"The Great Hall is wise and powerful, and naturally he is very confident. If not, let me offer some suggestions. I sincerely ask the Great Hall to give you some advice."

Oda Nobunaga waved his hands impatiently.

"Speak directly if you have something to say. Now is not the time for flattery."

Takenaka Shigeharu smiled and said solemnly.
To be continued...