Chapter 1447: Feeling aggrieved and ready to go to war
Since ancient times, the Celestial Dynasty has had a tradition of being unreasonable and moral. Regardless of the governing ability of the superior, there must be no flaws in moral character. Even if there are, the common people cannot know about them.
The Chinese culture learned from the island country has gone a step further. It neither talks about reason nor morality, but only talks about tolerance. If I can beat you, you will be a dog, but if I cannot beat you, I will be a dog. Let us all tolerate each other for the sake of the country.
The Wu family preaches benevolence, justice, propriety, trust, and wisdom, but they are selfish in their hearts. Who would really take the Wu family's righteousness seriously?
Even during the Genpei War that year, it was the Taira family who touched the cake of the Kanto Princess Warriors and caused public outrage.
Bando Hachihei's oath to Genji was just a pretext, and Minamoto Yoritomo, the first shogun, did not dare to take it seriously.
Due to the low moral atmosphere of the Wu family society, Shiba Yiyin insists on adopting a benevolent and righteous character, which not only makes him uncomfortable, but also makes others uncomfortable.
He is obviously a peerless male samurai who has defeated all the enemies in the world, and everyone is done treating him like a dog. What kind of moral principles does he have to pay attention to, so that everyone has to play benevolence and justice with him? Isn't it tiring?
That is to say, that group of poor students from Kanto really thought that their ancestors were all moral role models, and they were so fanatical that they wanted to revive the Wu family. Young people are just too easy to deceive.
But there are some lies and scams that everyone must believe even if they are being acted out, otherwise the social order will be disrupted.
Originally, the selfishness of the Wu family was their true nature, and everyone should not pretend to be foreign guests.
But now that Shiba Yiyin is so disturbed, he doesn't talk about the principles of the Wu family, pretends to be upright, and is embarrassed to say hello to others when he goes out.
The social atmosphere has improved, no matter whether you believe it in your heart or not, your face must be full of enthusiasm and serve the Wu family wholeheartedly, otherwise you will not be able to continue to eat on the table.
And the Ji warriors surrounding Yoshiba Shiba, coveting his body, had to work harder, otherwise they wouldn't be able to lick the male idol.
Hosokawa Fujitaka's thinking was completely corrected by Ichiyo Yuen. He stopped talking about interests, feelings, and rules, and began to pay attention to courtesy and harmonious coexistence. Mibuchi Haru was not used to it all of a sudden.
But Mibuchi Haru couldn't tell what was wrong, so she could only nod and admit that her second daughter was right. As for her eldest daughter's bitter thoughts, she couldn't care less about it for the time being.
In the final analysis, Shiba Yoshigan is still invincible, and the Hosokawa Mibuchi family is counting on others to help fight the war. At this time, Hosokawa Fujitaka stands up to speak for the Shiba family. No matter what you say, it is right.
There is no other way. To kneel down and beg for food, you have to be soft and not shabby.
———
After agreeing to join forces, both Miyoshi Yoshitsugu and Maeda took action and actively moved closer to the main battlefield.
Kuhoji Temple is just a general name, not a temple, but the area around Kuhoji Temple, which is part of the Yao area and is located in the northern part of the Yamato River.
The Yamato River originates from Yamato Country, passes through the Ikoma Mountains, enters Hanoi Country, passes through the Osaka Plain, and reaches the mouth of Osaka Bay.
Wakae Castle is located in the middle of the west side of Kawachi Province, and guards the fortress along the Yamato River to the south, monitoring the actions of Takaya Castle Hatakeyama Takamasa on the south bank.
After confirming that Hatakeyama Takamasa had no intention of mobilizing to participate in the war, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu and Shinohara Chofusa led the Miyoshi army headed by the Sanuki clan and the Awa clan and walked southeast into the Kuhoji area.
On the other side, Maeda's interests, with the Iga Maeda family's military power as the core, left Iimoriyama Castle and went south along the Ikoma Mountains. After passing Oike, they turned westward and entered the Kuhoji area.
Miyoshi Yoshitsugu chose Kuhoji Temple as the battlefield because it was far away from the main branches of the Yodo River and Yamato River, and it was not in the hilly belt of the Ikoma Mountains.
A few small streams on the vast plain did not affect the formation of the army. Neither side had the advantage of the land. The competition was about brave soldiers and generals.
It can be seen that both Miyoshi Yoshitsugu and Maeda Yoshiyoshi were very confident in their own martial prowess and their own military strength.
At this time, from a bird's-eye view, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu occupied the Kuhoji entrance to the west, and Maeda took advantage of Yao Higashiyama to the east. The two sides set up their positions, and the battle was about to break out.
———
Miyoshi Yoshitsugu's main formation.
The first ray of sunshine in the morning blooms from the sky, the quiet camp is gradually filled with people's voices, smoke curls from fires, and the sound of pots and pans is heard one after another.
Regardless of whether the subsequent war is life or death, victory or defeat, even if the sky is about to fall, everyone must have a full meal first.
Sitting in the main formation, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu was eating. She ate the hot rice balls just now with a few sour plums. She ate them with relish.
Next, Shinohara Nagabo was tossing the rice ball over and over without taking a few bites. He seemed a little absent-minded and not as open-minded as Miyoshi Yoshitsugu.
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi swallowed the last bite of the rice ball, took the hand towel offered by Xiao Xing and wiped it, and then said.
"Master Shinohara, what are you thinking about?"
Shinohara Nagafusa said.
"The supervisor laughed at me. The situation was much better than I imagined. I was actually a little uneasy."
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi smiled.
"We have disputes here, and the Spo family is not monolithic either.
Hatakeyama Takamasa never went out into battle and instead defended Takaya Castle. She was waiting for me to decide the outcome between Maeda and I.
Maeda took only her own troops to Kuhoji Temple, and most of Mibuchi Haru's troops were placed in Iimoriyama Castle. Only Hosokawa Fujitaka brought part of Hosokawa's troops to join the battle.
It is said that the Mibuchi family is required to strictly guard the city and be ready to respond to the front line at any time and outflank Wakae City. Do you think she believes Maeda's words?
What kind of tactic is dividing half of the army before joining the battle? I can see that Maeda's interests are using me to establish his authority.
It seems that no one would be convinced by her as an anti-three-good general. If she doesn't win a battle based on her own ability, she won't be able to overpower others."
Shinohara Nagafusa nodded.
"Who does Maeda think she is? Tsutado-don?
In recent days, Shiba leader rushed to help, but the troops had not yet arrived. Maeda's interests did not even have twenty reserve troops, and only fifteen at most came.
Beihanei had a combined mobilization force of more than 100,000 shi, enough to form ten reserve teams, but she was unwilling to use them.
I really don’t understand what she relies on and why she thinks she can defeat us?
The Sanuki clan and the Awa clan we brought are all elite members of the family, with a total of twenty reserve teams. In addition, the five to six hundred pirate ronin villains hired with heavy sums of money are comparable to the Hime Samurai Corps.
What on earth was she thinking?"
Shinohara Nagafusa just couldn't figure out where Maeda's self-confidence came from.
In recent years, Shiba led only fifteen reserve troops of 3,000 to 4,000 men, abandoning most of the military strength of the Hanoi Kingdom. Even if Hosokawa Fujitaka's Hosokawa Army was included in the battle, the number was only more than 5,000 men.
Sanuki and Awa are the old members of the Miyoshi family. The Sanuki clan and Awa clan are very powerful in fighting. In addition, the Miyoshi clan controls the trade in the East Seto Inland Sea and has a lot of money to bribe desperadoes.
The total number of these people is no less than 5,000, and there is also the Miyoshi direct military force left by Miyoshi Chokei to Miyoshi Yoshitsugu.
The Miyoshi family's side is superior to Maeda's military strength in terms of numbers and quality.
In the past few years, Sibo Territory has been pretty peaceful, but there is still a new life movement going on in the territory. The samurai swords and guns are stored in the warehouse, and the horses are released in Nanshan. The whole family is well fed and drunk, so what kind of fighting power can there be.
If the leader of the army was Shiba Yoshigan, Miyoshi Yoshitsugi and Shinohara Chofusa would not dare to fight this battle because they were in awe.
Back then, Shiba Yoshigan led a group of savages from the Iga Kingdom and killed Miyoshi Yoshihiro and Tokawa Ikumi in two battles, and all the elite Sanki soldiers were taken prisoner.
Awa Zhong participated in the siege of Jiaoxing Temple and saw that Shiba Yiyin was invincible when he rode against a thousand people. Even setting fire to the mountain could not kill the male warrior.
The name of the Ashikaga Military God was first called out by the Sanki clan and the Awa clan. They fought all over the Nishikon and were almost invincible. Only Shiba Yoshigan was able to knock them off their butts, and they were really scared of being beaten.
However, this time Shiba Yoshigan did not come, leaving Maeda to lead the troops. Without Shiba Yoshigan's Shiba army, the Sanki and Awa soldiers were not afraid, so this joint battle took place.
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi smiled and comforted Shinohara Nagafusa.
"No matter what tricks Maeda's interests play, there is no turning back now. We can only face the difficulties."
Shinohara Nagafusa nodded.
She really wanted to win this battle, so she worried about gains and losses. As long as she defeated Maeda's interests, she could gain a higher status through military exploits.
Afterwards, even if Yoshigan Shiba personally sends troops and Miyoshi Yoshitsugi bows his head to sue for peace, it will not affect Shinohara Chofusa's status. She already has a record in hand and can look forward to the future.
In fact, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu wanted to win this battle more than Shinohara Chofusa.
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi claimed to have inherited the martial prowess of his mother Tokawa Issun, but he was disgraced in several wars and was unable to display his military talents. Instead, he was ridiculed by the samurai as a bitch.
Today's battle is her battle to rectify her name. Of course she wants to win the beauty.
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi's eyes lit up with blazing fire and he said to Shinohara Chofusa.
"Sir Shinohara, the food has been eaten and the conversation has been finished. Let's return to our positions and prepare to go out!"
"Hi!"
Regardless of their differences in their thoughts about the future, at this moment, their thoughts are the same. That is to defeat Maeda Benefit and win this battle!
———
Miyoshi Yoshitsugi is full of self-confidence and wants to use Maeda's interests as a stepping stone to let the recent warriors see how powerful he is.
In Maeda's main formation, Hosokawa Fujitaka was also confused by Maeda's confidence and couldn't help but ask.
Maeda took a bite of the rice ball in his hand and said to Hosokawa Fujitaka with a smile.
"Worried? What do I have to worry about? Oh, I'm most worried that Miyoshi Yoshitsugi won't be able to withstand the first round and will be defeated. That would make me very embarrassed."
Hosokawa Fujitaka was a little confused and asked.
"Why did Maeda-sama say this?"
Maeda sighed.
"Hosokawa-sama, do you know about the Shibachu Fund?"
"Hey, I know about the Spoken Annuity."
"Yes, that annuity has been paid out in recent weeks. It started every six months last summer, and will be paid out for the third time this winter.
The hard-core crops of six dan per person per year do not require any sacrifice. As long as there is Spo's establishment, those who distribute food will stuff food stamps into people's arms without blinking an eye.
At that time, Jindo Palace asked me to be included in the list of editors, but the people below were still resisting, thinking that this thing was of no use and that I would not be able to get in.
At this moment, the eyes of those who were not included in the establishment were all red, and they kept saying that I was unfair.
In addition to the first batch of personnel successfully receiving the establishment, the next step was the establishment reform of Spo.
That little girl from Pu Shengshi Township is like an old hen guarding her chicks. She digs to death, and she has not given out a few places in her hands.
It’s been a whole year and a half! I don’t have a new Spo system in my hand! I don’t even know how to explain it to the people below!”
Maeda couldn't help complaining, but Hosokawa Fujitaka had no choice but to listen to her complaints.
The Shiba family's hard-core farm-like annuity is now famous all over the world. Not to mention that the Shiba family's own warriors are jealous, and the warriors from other families are also drooling.
But greed is greed, and no one’s food falls from the sky. Except for Sibo Yiyin, a rich and soft-hearted man, which family governor is willing to throw money into the water?
Hosokawa Fujitaka understood a little at this time and asked.
"Master Maeda, will the Shiba-ki warriors who have made meritorious service in this battle be able to obtain a new Shiba organization?"
Maeda smiled proudly and said.
"The miser in Kamaoji Township said that the Spur Territory has been peaceful in recent years, and that the Ji warriors are performing their duties well, and there is no need to issue new establishments.
This little girl is in trouble. I wrote letters and communicated with her many times when she was in Kanto, but there was no progress.
This time the Sanhao family invaded again. As the general, I lead the troops to fight. Of course, I have to have some benefits in hand and be strong-willed when talking to the people below.
I didn’t go to the Kamao clan to continue arguing with me, and went directly to Tsudo-den to ask for mercy.”
Hosokawa Fujitaka smiled.
"From this point of view, Spo's army must be full of morale and fearless of death."
Maeda smiled.
"These bastards talk about me behind my back a lot, saying that I don't fight for it and don't benefit everyone.
Okay, I asked for great grace this time.
Those who have made meritorious service in this battle, regardless of life or death, will be included in the list! Those who are afraid of the former will be withdrawn from the list! The list of those who died in the battle will be inherited by their children, and those who have no children will be inherited by their sisters.
As long as they are willing to fight bravely, my Maeda interests will be guaranteed by my reputation and the establishment will be sufficient!
If the Hamo family has any objections, I will drag her to argue in front of the Tsudo Hall. I will wait for the Hime warriors to fight for their lives on the battlefield, so my family will not be willing to give me more troops!"
Hosokawa Fujitaka shook his head and said nothing, knowing that Maeda was holding back some anger in his heart.
The peace that Spur Territory has enjoyed in recent years may seem enviable to outsiders, but for Maeda's interests in charge of the military, it is simply a nightmare.
If there is no war, there will be no military exploits. There is no other way for the samurai warriors in the army to get promoted and make money. They can only watch Nizi Katsuhisa, Takada Haruno, and Ishida Mitsunari rise to the top one by one.
And Mitsuhide Akechi, who overtly and covertly suppressed Maeda's interests and didn't give her a chance. Who could stand it after enduring this for several years?
There is also the matter of Si Bo's establishment. This is the core crop of the Si Bo family. Who doesn't want to get a few more?
New departments were established in the family one after another, and batches of staff were sent out. Even Honda Masanobu, who was reading the documents under Akechi Mitsuhide, got a staff.
Can those people below Maeda Benefit not complain? Should Maeda Benefit, the boss, not feel aggrieved?
Maeda's interests at this time were similar to those of Shibata Katsuie in Owari.
Why did Katsuie Shibata change so quickly after the death of Oda Nobuyuki and become a supporter of Oda Nobunaga? Because she is a big boss in the military, and everyone below is pointing to her to lead everyone to fight and eat!
No matter how many faults Oda Nobunaga has, she can lead everyone to win the battle, and she is not stingy with rewards. She is the favorite master of the army.
The same is true for Maeda's interests. She finally managed to get ahead and became the general of the anti-Three Good Alliance forces. Everyone below her is waiting to follow her and become famous and prosperous.
But those descendants of famous families in the shogunate looked at people with their butts, and almost asked Maeda directly and contemptuously, "Who are you? Who do you think you are?"
Maeda was determined to do something big, and he had a bunch of knitting in his hand, and his subordinates were all starving Hime warriors whose eyes were green, and he just wanted to get more fame and rewards from this battle.
Hosokawa Fujitaka thought for a while and said.
"Maeda-sama, Miyoshi Yoshitsugu is said to be as brave as his mother and is a fierce general."
Maeda said with a smile.
"Lord Hosokawa, I understand what you mean, I will never underestimate my opponent.
His Royal Highness Hatakeyama in the south has not yet finished mobilizing, and it seems that he will not be able to catch up with this battle.
You help me guard the northern line, and I will send troops to attack Miyoshi Yoshitsugu's center and capture her in one go."
Hosokawa Fujitaka sighed, Maeda said he was serious about it, but his heart was filled with anger.
Hatakeyama Takamasa was cheating and cheating, but Mibuchi and her daughter stayed at Iimoriyama Castle with peace of mind, without any embarrassment.
The enemy, Maeda Yoshitsugi, came out to fight Miyoshi Yoshitsugu on his own. If he couldn't win this battle, Maeda Yoshitsuji would be so angry that he would vomit blood due to the sarcasm of these people.
Whether this general will have prestige in the future and whether he can convince the public depends on today's battle. It's no wonder that she is ruthless and desperate to break through in the middle.
Hosokawa Fujitaka asked.
"What about the southern route?"
Maeda Yoshiki said casually.
"Leave it to those girls from Kanto and let their student army guard the southern front.
Hatakeyama Takamasa from the south will not come, and the Miyoshi family will not put many troops there, so they will let the student army watch until we finish the fight."
Hosokawa Fujitaka nodded. Neither of them took those Kanto students seriously.