Oda Nobunaga had already made up his mind to advance towards Lake Yugo. At the same time, Yoshihiro also held military discussions at Shinjo Castle in Takashima County.
Shinjo Castle is located between the Ishida River and the Azumi River. It was the residence castle that Oda Nobunaga granted to Isono Umasa after the demise of the Asai family.
Speaking of which, Oda Nobunaga's reward for Isono Umasa was very generous.
The plain area irrigated along the Ishida River and the Azumi River is the most fertile land in Takashima County, and it is also the 60,000-koku land of Isono Umasa.
With the Isono family's background in Takashima County and the strength of the land of 60,000 koku, Isono Tamashiro was firmly the leader of the local samurai family.
If Oda Nobunaga hadn't been overly concerned and sent Oda Nobsumi here with the intention of traveling to Minami Ise and occupying the magpie's nest, Isono Wanmasa would not have been able to make up his mind to fall out with the Oda family.
Loyalty is just lip service, while interests are the key to the politics of the Wu family.
Looking at the fate of Kitahata Tomomi, if Yoshigan Shiba hadn't extended a helping hand, the entire family would have died. How could Isano Tamashi not have lingering fears?
Masa Isono also made a prompt decision. As soon as Hashiba Hideyoshi showed his flaws, she gritted her teeth and abandoned the Oda family and joined Shiba's family.
The entire Takashima County samurai family can only follow the Shiba family. If any family does not follow, Isono Danmasa will be the first to kill this family and cut off the thoughts of the Takashima County samurai family.
In the final analysis, most people have no choice but to drift along in troubled times and just follow the team.
Yoshigan is also interested in Isono Tamashiro, and the army enters Takashima County to help her defend. The Shiba family has abundant supplies, and there is no need to exploit Takashima County's money and food to assist with logistics.
As the Kwantung Allied Forces divided into three groups, Echizen Kingdom's Shibata defense line began to loosen.
On one side is Yamanaka Yukimori's gnawing whale defense line, and on the other side is Sanada Nobushige and Shimakatsu fiercely intersecting. The value of Shibata's defense line has been greatly reduced, which makes Yoshigan's side also happy.
In the meeting hall of Xinzhuang City, Yiyin sat in the main seat, and a group of Ji warriors sat on their knees respectfully, listening to the military situation report from the Pu Sheng clan.
Kamojigo said.
"After the Sanada Army's 10,000 soldiers arrived at Tsuruga Port, Asakura Kageki-sama of Tsuruga County was very cooperative. Some of the Sanada Army had already stationed in Sukida Castle and were ready to go south to join us at any time.
However, these soldiers from the Koshishin Mountains seem to be seasick and may need to rest for ten days and a half to regain their combat effectiveness. Sanada Nobushige-sama hopes to gain your understanding."
Yiyin nodded.
"Sanada Nobunaga was thoughtful and temporarily allowed her to repair it in Futian Castle.
Also, write a letter to Asakura Kageki-sama, asking her to take great care in supplying military supplies for the Sanada people, including ordnance, war horses, and military rations. I hope that she can do her best to provide them, and I will definitely return a generous reward afterwards."
The Tsuruga people in the hands of Asakura Kageki are the most capable military force of the Asakura family.
But while she had to be careful of Shibata Katsuie of the Seven Echizen Counties, she also had to be wary of the Oda Army of Kita Omi. She also had to pay attention to whether the Wakasa Province samurai family was bribed by Oda Nobunaga to attack the border.
Surrounded on three sides and alone, the defense pressure on the Tsuruga people was already heavy. It was impossible for Yoshigan to mobilize them to participate in the war. Asakura Kageki was able to defend Tsuruga Port without losing it, which was a great achievement.
As for the landlubbers under Sanada Nobunige, they just sat on the boat for a day before they vomited and lost their fighting ability, which also left Yoshigan speechless.
However, this strong force from the Jiaxin Mountains made Yiyin look forward to their performance, so he naturally took more care of them to ensure that they regained their combat effectiveness as soon as possible.
In addition to the Sanada Army, Yoshigami was also thinking about how to smuggle Christina's Nanban artillery team to the front line, but this was a secret weapon he kept privately and it was not convenient to take it out for review.
Kamojigo continued.
"Lord Shima Katsuo took away some of the Ueno people and crossed the Meinoguchi Pass, and the troops arrived at the Onmi Pass.
However, the Oda family responded quickly. Inaba Yoshimichi marched for more than a hundred miles and quickly returned from the vicinity of Kitaomi Nagahama Castle to the northern city of Mino Country. He had already entered the mountainous area to deploy defenses.
In addition, Yamanaka Yukiganda's new tactics seem to have stimulated the fighting spirit of the Kanto Allied Forces. The Shibata defense line has been severely hit, especially the Uesugi people's outstanding performance. I believe there will be progress soon."
Yiyin smiled slightly, his two cronies and beauties were very hardworking and smart.
The main territory of the Kanto Shiba Territory is in the Dahu Territory of Ueno Country. In the past two years, Shima Shengmeng has developed a good relationship with the surrounding military collars.
In particular, the powerful local military families headed by the Ryo family and the Narita family sent a lot of troops this time because of their deep personal relations and close interests with Yoshigan.
Shima Shengmeng took these people to Minokou. On the one hand, she was sure that she could control these people. On the other hand, it also stimulated Yukimori Yamanaka and the Kanto Allied Forces who stayed behind.
Yamanaka Yukimori, the deacon of the Kanto Service Office, may seem to have a high and low position, but his status and dignity are there after all. He can’t just let Sanada Nobushige and Shima Katsuma’s beautiful scenery be left to their own devices, right?
As for the Uesugi troops marching westward this time, they were quite lazy because they did not have Uesugi Kenshin to hold the line.
Originally, it was enough for everyone to lie down together, but the Sanada people and the Ueno people successively came out to compete for credit, and the pressure on the Uesugi people was great.
Kenshin Uesugi is just resting after giving birth, and he is not dead from burping. The Uesugi people are doing nothing in the front, that is, slapping Kenshin Uesugi in the face. Will there be good things to eat when they return?
Sure enough, Yamanaka Yukimori established KPI based on the characteristics of the Kwantung Allied Forces being scattered and fighting independently, and the Uesugi people immediately became fierce.
Yoshigan is very familiar with the Kakizaki Kei family. In terms of bravery and skill, the Owari samurai family is indeed not as good as the Echigo samurai family. The Shibata Katsu family will suffer a lot now.
Oda Nobunaga couldn't sit still at this move by the Kwantung Allied Forces and had already reacted.
Yiyin asked.
"Where is Oda Nobunaga now?"
Kamo clan bowed in reply.
"His Majesty Oda's main formation stationed at Kinomoto in the Hokukuni district, and the accompanying Oda army occupied the passes such as Mount Zuomi, Mount Dogi, Mount Kamimei, Mount Tagami, Mount Iwasaki, Mount Oiwa, and Mount Kikidake."
Yoshigan smiled. It seemed that his image in Oda Nobunaga's heart was still very majestic. He had never seen the arrogant Oda Nobunaga so cautious and cowardly.
Oda Nobunaga blocked the road from the northern mountains of Kitaomi to the plain area, but had no intention of continuing northward. It seemed that he had given up his previous strategy of encircling the point and calling for reinforcements, and expected Yoshigan to fight it by himself.
Originally, Oda Nobunaga planned to use 70,000 to 80,000 troops to besiege the more than 20,000 Yoshigan troops. In a field battle with a strength of nearly four to one, the Oda family had a great advantage.
But now being pulled away by the forces of the Shiba camp from all directions, Higashi Mino, Nishi Mino, Minami Omi, Kita Ise, and Minami Ise are causing trouble one after another.
Oda Nobunaga had to divide his troops and had only 40,000 troops left, while Yoshigan accepted Sanada Nobunaga's 10,000 troops, bringing his strength to 30,000.
The number of soldiers on both sides is close to one to one. Oda Nobunaga is no longer willing to take the initiative to launch an attack. It is best to wait for work and let Yoshigami lead his troops to attack.
And Yiyin does have this intention and wants to take the initiative.
Allied forces, allied forces, in the final analysis are not as comfortable as Oda Nobunaga acting alone.
Yiyin spent a lot of money on food and military expenses, but the morale of the coalition forces was still not high. The righteous slogans of fighting for the Wu family were shouted loudly, but there were only a few people who really dared to risk their lives.
The current situation is that the Hokkaido trade route has been cut off, and Takada Haruno is desperately trying to print food stamps to support military supplies.
It seems that the economic strength of the Shiba family and the Oda family are equal, but Yoshigan knows in his heart that he and Oda Nobunaga are incomparable and cannot fight a protracted war.
Oda Nobunaga actually held large tracts of land in the Noo Plain, Omi Plain, and Ise Plain. The food produced in the land was the foundation for the Oda family to continue.
And what about Yiyin? Isbo’s land output of 200,000 to 300,000 koku can only be regarded as a fraction of that of the Oda family.
The Shiba family's logistical supply line that was able to support an army of 100,000 was due to the commercial credit established through the Hokuriku Road trade route, which gave Takada Yono the courage to play the game of shifting the universe.
After all, commercial credit is not as strong as land value. The longer the Spo family continues to issue food stamps indiscriminately, the more serious the economic consequences will be.
If this war drags on beyond this year and continues until next year, the Spo family's economic system is likely to collapse.
Once the confrontation between the two sides continues, not to mention how to solve the problem of Hokuriku Road being closed due to heavy snowfall in winter, but just saying that the Hokuriku Road trade road has been cut off for two years, it will be a big trouble.
The expectations of all parties regarding the reopening of the Hokuriku Dou trade route will become increasingly pessimistic. However, Takada Haruno is issuing food stamps indiscriminately but is unable to cash them, which may lead to a vicious devaluation of the food stamps.
It is difficult to establish the credibility of banknotes, but it only takes a moment to destroy it. Once people lose confidence in Spo's food stamps, this worthless paper is too hard to wipe their butts with.
What's more, Sibo's food stamps are also linked to the Sibo Zhong Fund, which involves the internal stability of the Sibo family and Sibo's welfare, which has a far-reaching impact.
Yiyin couldn't imagine that if Spo's food stamps collapsed, would he be blown up to the sky immediately?
Therefore, this battle must be fought quickly.
Won the negotiation with Oda Nobunaga, restored the economic ecology of the Hokuriku Dou trade route as soon as possible, and strengthened the credit value of Swa's food stamps.
Let's talk about it even if we lose. At worst, it's better to go kneel down and lick for Oda Nobunaga than to have Spo's food stamps collapse and blow up his own base.
Although there were paper currencies such as Jiaozi and Baochao in ancient times, ancient people valued physical objects over currency and lacked a systematic understanding of the consequences of the collapse of credit currency, so the influence of finance was not that great.
Oda Nobunaga didn't know that a fire had been lit behind Yoshiyin's back, and the longer it burned, the more embarrassing it became.
If Oda Nobunaga knew a little bit about finance, she would definitely choose to stand firm and clear the country, and wait until Yoshihiro Shiba couldn't stand it anymore.
Although Oda Nobunaga didn't understand finance, she still keenly felt that she could survive better than Yoshigan, so she chose to stick to Yuwu Lake in Ixiang County and wait for Yoshigan to attack.
This means that Oda Nobunaga still hopes to eliminate Yoshiyin as soon as possible through a joint battle, but it will be more beneficial to her if the joint battle takes place in the area she chooses.
This result was a mixed blessing for Yoshino. It was good because Oda Nobunaga did not find his biggest strategic advantage, but he was worried that the Sibo army still had to take the initiative to enter the battlefield designated by Oda Nobunaga.
Yiyin had to comfort himself. Thirty thousand versus forty thousand was at least much better than the most troublesome situation he had expected. Let's fight.
He glanced at the concubines present and said solemnly.
"Do you understand all aspects of the situation? Although the Kanto Princesses have worked very hard, we still have to rely on our strength to defeat the Oda family and Oda Nobunaga!
The Oda Army has already taken action, and I am determined to advance into Ixiang County, join the Sanada Army and then go south together to fight Oda Nobunaga!"
Yiyin's words lifted the spirits of all the girls present. They had been suffering for nearly a year, experiencing diplomatic disputes, political deals, and different sides taking sides, and finally waited for the day of the decisive battle.
The sharp blade will eventually be unsheathed. No matter what the outcome is, there is finally a result and everyone can be relieved.
———
In the next half month, Yoshigan led his troops across the Ishida River, entered the northern mountainous area of Kitaomi River, joined the Sanada army heading south, and secretly took over Christina's artillery team.
At this time, spring has turned to summer, and the land near the river is gradually getting hotter.
The Spo Allied Forces poured southward and occupied the mountain passes of Oak Valley Mountain, Rin Valley Mountain, Nakatani Mountain, Bessho Mountain, and Gyoichi Mountain. They were at war with the Oda Army in the south, and the war was imminent.
The battlefield is on the mountain road leading from Omi Province to Echizen Province. With Kinomoto, Higashino, and Yanase as the core, Oda Nobunaga selected the battlefield, and Yoshigan jumped into the battlefield resolutely.
The eyes of martial arts families all over the world are turned to Yuwu Lake, and the decisive battle that will determine the future of the world is about to begin.
Beiguo Street passes by the east side of Yuwu Lake, and there is a small plain in the mountains.
Oda Nobunaga established the main camp at Kinomoto, and Yoshihiro Shiba established the main camp at Gyoichiyama. They are located just north and south of the small plain.
To the west of Lake Yuwu is the Iiura River that connects to Lake Biwa, and further to the south is Haigake.
If the Shiba Army wanted to break through the Oda Army's defense line, they had two options.
The first one is to pass through the Hokoku Street west of Lake Yugo, and go through the Oiwa Mountains that lie across the small plain, and arrive at Kinomoto where Oda Nobunaga's main formation is located.
The second is to go around the west side of Lake Yuwu, cross the Iiura River, break through the Oda flank defense line in the direction of Shidake, and outflank the rear of the Oda army.
With Yuwu Lake as the center, two attack routes, one direct and one odd, were clearly laid out in front of the Sibo army.
The Oda Army on the opposite side arrived a month earlier than the Swami Army and was continuously reinforcing its defense lines in preparation for the offensive impact of the Swami Army.
———
Jiyue, Oda Defense Line.
Oda Nobunaga stood at a high place and glanced at the Ashigaru-hime samurai who were working continuously below. Behind her, Takigawa Ichimasu and his party stood respectfully.
The mountains here in Biyue are much more rugged than those on the frontal battlefield, which is conducive to defense.
But if Kiyue falls, the Shiba army can use this place to directly surround the Oda family, creating a situation of closing the door and beating the dogs.
Once the retreat is blocked and supplies are cut off, the 40,000 Oda troops in the mountain passes will have no choice but to collapse.
Therefore, when Shiyue fell, it meant that Oda Nobunaga had to withdraw his troops and return to the Kitaomi plain before making plans.
Originally, Oda Nobunaga hoped that the nurse sister Ikeda Tsuneaki would guard such a defense area that was of great concern to the overall situation, so that he would feel more at ease.
However, Higashi Mino was attacked, and Maeda Toshiie's troops threatened Gifu Castle. Oda Nobunaga had already sent Ikeda Tsuneaki to garrison at Gifu Castle to prevent unrest in his rear.
Therefore, the land of Shiyue was handed over to Takigawa Kazuki for defense.
