Hachisuka Masakatsu closed his eyes in despair, no longer looking at his own warrior princess who was kneeling on the ground in the darkness in front of him.
She sighed and said to Inada Zhiyuan, who was taking the lead.
"You and I have known each other for many years. We are not sisters who are better than sisters. Just for the 10,000 stone food stamps from Maeda Toshiie, do you have to put me to death?"
Inada Zhiyuan shook his head and said solemnly.
"No one wants to betray you, the governor of the family. We just hope that the governor will not take the wrong path and lead the Hachisuka family to a dead end.
You and I are as close as sisters. You taught me the knowledge and practice of Awaji Fourteen Thousand Stones. I will remember it in my heart and dare not forget it.
Maeda Toshiie-sama's gift is far less than what you gave me, but that's an attitude. After accepting Maeda Toshiie-sama's food stamps, our deeds will have a proof afterwards, so we can rest assured.
Everyone just wants to keep what they have worked hard for many years. They are afraid that the Haizuka family business will decline and the family name will be cut off. That's all. They have no other desires.
It is unwise for you, the family governor, to go your own way and put the Hachisuka family into an existential crisis for the sake of your temporary loyalty to Ichijo Hideyoshi and regardless of the justice of the world.
Now, the drums on the other side have sounded, the battle flags have been erected, and the saint's legitimate daughter is about to lead the troops into battle. We really can't continue to indulge the will of the family governor.
Once there is a fight with the Shiba Goddess, the Hachisuka family will be in doom and gloom, and there will never be a chance for the prodigal son to turn back.
We are all Hachisuka retainers and are loyal to the Hachisuka family, but we also ask the family governor to see clearly his mistake, confess his sins by committing seppuku, and beg Shiba's legitimate daughter for forgiveness, so as to preserve the Hachisuka family.
I am willing to correct your mistake and personally send your head to the army on the other side to explain things to the Hachisuka family.
We have been loyal to the Hachisuka family from the beginning to the end, and we will also loyally assist the young master in the future, so please rest assured."
After Inada Zhiyuan finished speaking, he kowtowed to the ground, and all the Ji warriors behind him saluted together.
"Please don't worry, Governor!"
Haesuka Masakatsu closed his eyes tightly and his eyebrows trembled slightly. Looking back on his many years of experience, he couldn't help but burst into tears, and the tears squeezed from the corners of his eyes to the ground.
she sighed.
"That's all, loyalty and justice cannot be compromised, and I don't blame you.
Prepare a ritual of seppuku for me, and send someone to tell His Highness Uesugi Yoshikage on the other side, asking her to wait for a while, the Hachisuka family is willing to revolt.
I, Masakatsu Suga, am willing to commit seppuku and commit suicide, and ask for her mercy and compassion."
———
Hachisuka Masaru committed seppuku, the Hachisuka family revolted, and the three thousand troops instantly bowed their heads and obeyed Uesugi Yoshikage's command.
Uesugi Yoshikage looked confused and could not be said to be happy at all, so he asked Inada Uemoto to lead the Hachisuga army first, and he led his own troops to follow the supervisory army, aiming directly at Tominomori.
The report of active defense and limited counterattack has been passed to Fushimi Castle. Before Otani Yoshitsugi knows that the Hachisuka army has returned, Uesugi Yoshikage must immediately attack Fukushima Masanori.
Otherwise, when Otani Yoshitsugi gets the news that the danger of Toba Riku's attack has been lifted, Uesugi Yoshikage will have no reason to take the initiative.
Therefore, Uesugi Yoshikage quickly drove the Haizuka troops forward, stained them with the blood of friendly forces, and handed in the surrender certificate.
While slowly sending the head of Masakatsu Hawasuga to Fushimi Castle, he tried his best to delay the news from Yoshitsugi Otani that the Hawasuga army was gone anyway.
Time was running out, so Uesugi Yoshikage was working hard and holding his breath, he must fight.
Who would have thought that the cheap man Yoshigan Shiba was so powerful that the generals under Ichijo Hideyoshi did not even dare to fight, but only dared to commit suicide to thank their superiors, and the army immediately turned against him.
Uesugi Yoshikage had to step up her game. She did not dare to negotiate with Fukushima Masanori anymore and just called her. If she talked for a few more words, Fukushima Masanori would also surrender, and Uesugi Yoshikage's mentality would collapse.
The cheap dad is too fierce, making it difficult for his daughter to even receive military honors. How can there be any logic in this matter?
In fact, Uesugi Yoshikage thought too much. Although Masakatsu Hachisuka and Masanori Fukushima were both close generals of Hideyoshi, their situations were quite different.
Hachisuka Masakatsu was born in Owari, and she and her sisters watched Yoshigan Shiba go unparalleled all the way and beat all the unbeatable opponents in Kinki.
In addition, Shiba Yoshigan has its own system special effects, which can scare all enemies in Owari Kingdom.
Oda Nobunaga once thought that he had a large number of troops and set up a battle array in Owari to welcome Yoshigan.
She tried to give Shiba Yoshigan a show of strength, but her subordinate Samurai Ji was so frightened by Shiba Yoshigan's system effects that he peed his pants.
Not to mention the subsequent Shiba-Oda War, when the Owari Mino samurai saw a sudden change in the sky with their own eyes, and was swept away by Shiba Yoshigan.
Therefore, the Mino Owari samurai family, especially the Hime warriors from Shimo-Owari, were particularly afraid of Shiba Yoshigan.
Their wealth is held by Sibo Ling, and their spines have been broken by Sibo Yiyin. How can they dare to fight against Sibo Yiyin.
But Fukushima Masanori was different. She was a relative cultivated by Hideyoshi himself. When Shiba Yoshigan killed everyone, Fukushima Masanori was still in his infancy.
It's two different things to have heard the legend of Shiba Yoshie and actually played against Shiba Yoshie.
Whether it was loyalty to Hideyoshi Ichijo or fear of Yoshigan Shiba, the old and new factions in the Ichijo Legion were very different.
The Owari Mino faction was most afraid of Shiba Yoshigan, while the Omi faction, the Saigoku faction, and later relatives of Hideyoshi's own family were not so afraid of Shiba Yoshigan.
Uesugi Yoshikage himself is also a junior, so he naturally doesn't understand why old people like Hachisuga are so afraid of Shiba Yoshikage.
In her eyes, Shiba Yiyin is always kind and affectionate, just like the people around a great man don't think he is great. This is because the distance is too close and the relationship is too close.
In fact, Shiba Yiyin, a man can have a reverse harem in a world of female supremacy, how can he be peaceful?
His journey was full of bloodshed.
Some of the Ji warriors were beaten, some were put to bed, and some were beaten and slept together. As for the Ji warriors who dared to show dissatisfaction within Spo's sphere of influence, they had all died long ago.
Ichijo Hideyoshi was perhaps the last island woman who had the courage to challenge Yoshigan Shiba.
———
"Quick, quick, quick!"
Teams of Hime Samurai moved forward quickly. They needed to get to the ambush position before Fukushima Masanori's army passed through Tomino Forest and catch Fukushima Masanori off guard.
Seeing the elite troops armed to the teeth in front of him, Inada Zhimoto, who came specially to ask for instructions, felt happy in his heart.
Although the Hachisuka Army has a strength of 3,000 troops and Uesugi Yoshikage only has 1,500 men under his command, the advantage of doubling the number of troops does not mean that they can defeat them.
The Hachisuka Army is a traditional samurai force, with the Hime Samurai only accounting for about a quarter of the entire army, and the rest being Ashigaru.
These Ashigaru who had gone to war on the peninsula were stronger than the conscripts who were half peasants and half soldiers, but they were no match for the Hime Samurai when fighting alone.
Although there are only 1,500 people under Uesugi Yoshikage's command, they are composed of 300 Doshins, 800 Uesugi, and 500 Takedas.
They are all selected elite warriors, stronger than ordinary warriors.
If Hazusuka hadn't stepped back from the brink and apologized with death, Hazusuka's army might have been hanged at this moment.
Inada Uemoto was so happy that he tried his best to find someone to ask for directions, looking for traces of Uesugi Yoshikage on the marching road where people came and went.
Suddenly, she saw the flag in front of her, she cheered up, and pushed through with a few people around her. However, before she could get close, she was stopped by the knight on horseback outside.
Inada Zhiyuan shouted.
"Where is His Highness Yoshikage Uesugi? Uemoto Inada wants to see you!"
The cavalry separated the road, and one of the cavalry came out under guard. It was Uesugi Yoshikage.
"Master Inada, why are you here?"
Inada Uemoto did not move forward. They, the newcomers, did not dare to irritate Uesugi Yoshikage's guards. She could only speak a few steps away.
"Your Highness, the Hazusuka Army has arrived at Tominomori. Further ahead is the Yodo Bridge. After passing the Yodo Bridge, you will reach Yodo Castle.
Tominomori has not yet discovered Fukushima Masanori's military strength. Perhaps Yodo Castle has changed its mind.
This place is too close to the enemy's main formation. Your body of ten thousand gold is extremely noble. If you alarm the Diancheng army... we don't want to take too many risks, why don't we just return to the army?"
Tomi no Mori is so close to Yodo Castle, almost separated by a bridge.
The person in charge of Yodo Castle is Ichijo Hideyoshi. If she discovers that the heir of Shiba Yoshigan is within a few kilometers of her army, she will definitely take action.
Catching Uesugi Yoshikage, or one of the three divine sisters, will give you a greater advantage in the subsequent political and military struggles.
Fukushima Masanori's troops did not show up, which made Inada Uemoto nervous. She was afraid that the news would be leaked and the situation would change. The Hachisuka family could not bear such a big responsibility.
That's why she hurried to find Uesugi Yoshikage, hoping that this young lady would change her mind and stop taking risks.
Uesugi Yoshikage frowned upon hearing this.
Fukushima Masanori didn't set off? Did she change her itinerary temporarily, or did Ichijo Hideyoshi discover something?
Just as Uesugi Yoshikage was hesitating, Yuigahama Yoshinao's dissatisfied voice came from behind.
"You are so boring!
We ran out of the palace after a lot of hard work, but we didn't accomplish anything. We just rushed back because of speculation and fear.
Don’t you want to be laughed to death this time?”
When Inada Uemoto saw Yuigahama Yoshinao, he also had a bitter look on his face. This girl had a bad mouth, and she had learned this before during negotiations.
"Your Highness Yuigahama Yoshinao, this is a war, not a game. We cannot make fun of the safety of our three Highnesses."
Yuigahama Yoshinao rolled his eyes and shouted.
"Of course I know it's a war!
There is a cloud in the sky, if you don't enter the tiger's den, you won't catch the tiger's cubs. If you are afraid of this or that, it is better to go home and hold the child!"
Although this kid Yuigahama Yoshinao spoke erratically, Uesugi Yoshikage's heart was brightened by her.
There is no war without risks.
You have come here, but if you return without success, how will your 1,500 elite troops view you? How will Otani Yoshitsugi and the reinforcements behind you view you?
In order to gain credit, it's okay to look ugly, but if she turns around and runs away when she is frightened by something unknown, she will be laughed at and looked down upon.
Uesugi Yoshikage looked at Inada Uemoto, who still wanted to persuade, and said solemnly.
"Are the Hachisuka Army unwilling to obey my command? Do you have doubts about my judgment?"
Inada Zhiyuan was stunned and quickly shook his head.
"Foreign ministers have absolutely no intention of doing so. The army of Beisuka looks at His Highness with his head in mind, and there is absolutely no second intention."
Uesugi Yi nodded and said firmly.
"Then you return to your own formation immediately and hold your position. The ambush plan remains unchanged. I will lead the team to support you later."
Inada Zhiyuan smiled bitterly.
"If the Yodo City side really notices it, the three thousand Beesuga army will be crushed in an instant. We will be killed in the battle, but I am afraid that the three highnesses will be implicated..."
Yoshikage Uesugi shook his head.
"I have made up my mind, no need to persuade anymore."
Inada Zhiyuan knew that it was useless to say anything, so he could only sigh and bow to say goodbye.
Her good intentions are not rewarded. If she keeps talking nonsense, she will be looked down upon by Uesugi Yoshikage, which will be harmful to the Hachisuka family.
Now that things have come to this, Inada Uemoto has become ferocious in his heart, and he only hopes that Masanori Fukushima will come and have a good fight to show his worth.
If Yodo City's army was dispatched, it would be her own fate. She would risk her life to buy time for the three sisters to escape, and she would not hesitate to kill all the Hazusuka army.
Watching Inada Uemoto leave, Uesugi Yoshikage felt a little uneasy. She looked back at Takeda Yoshinobu, but got a hearty smile.
"You did the right thing.
Bee Suga's army has newly surrendered, and his mind is uncertain, worrying about gains and losses.
If we go back after hearing what Inada Uemoto said, we would be making a big mistake.
No matter what the outcome is, we have to fight. With these fifteen hundred elites in hand, even if we make a mistake, there will be no problem in retreating to the palace.
The worst case scenario is to abandon the Hachisuka Army, cut them off from the rear, and give them compensation after the war."
Uesugi Yoshikage felt relieved and smiled.
"What the eldest sister is saying is that I don't care what Inada Uemoto thinks or how the Hachisuka Army dies. I just want to fight Tominomori."
The two sisters were talking and laughing. Takeda Yoshinobu subconsciously looked in the direction of Masanobu Takasaka and exchanged a look with Masanobu Takasaka.
These words were attributed to Kosaka Masaru, who used Takeda Yoshinobu's words to comfort Uesugi Yoshikage.
On the contrary, Yuigahama Yoshi is cheerful and heartless. Every time he talks in a vague way, he can get to the point. It's amazing. Is he really a gifted general?