The Self-Cultivation of Warring States Warriors

Page 89

Shinzaburo's purpose in going to Wakasa was, on a grand scale, for the Miyoshi family's great cause of "peace throughout the land," and on a smaller scale, to gain more benefits for himself; it was not out of a kind and selfless desire to help.

The fact that there are conflicting orders and independent actions within the Koseyama Castle is not necessarily a bad thing for Shinzaburo.

It's similar to the principle of nurturing an enemy to enhance one's own prestige.

However, now that Echizen Asakura has fallen, this "bandit" is quite large and may be difficult to deal with.

166. An evenly matched opponent

According to news from Kyoto, the Echizen Asakura clan and the Hokuriku Ikko-ikki have only reached a preliminary truce and their relationship is not stable. Therefore, it is reasonable that they did not rashly mobilize a large army and only sent more than a thousand people to test the waters.

Fifty years of grudges are not so easily resolved.

Moreover, spring plowing will begin immediately after the New Year, making it inconvenient to mobilize farmers and soldiers.

However, these more than a thousand people were all the famous "Tsuruga followers".

Tsuruga District is the westernmost district of Echizen Province, bordering Wakasa. This area was long governed by a branch of the Asakura family, known as the "Tsuruga District Governor's Family".

The previous commander of Tsuruga County was Asakura Munetsu, known as the God of the Northern Army. Due to his illustrious reputation, the entire Tsuruga army rose in rank and was hailed as the most valiant force of the Echizen Asakura clan.

Asakura Sōji has passed away, but only two or three years have passed, and the foundation he left behind remains.

According to eyewitness accounts from the warriors of Nishiwakasa, the enemy had a high rate of armor wearing, high morale, and, most importantly, good discipline.

Masatsune Itsuki said with a bitter face, "The soldiers of the Tsuruga clan didn't make much noise before receiving the order to attack; they marched almost silently. But once the conch shell was blown, they immediately let out a deafening roar and charged like wild boars. So in the last battle, the Nishiwakasa warriors had already lost three points before even engaging in battle."

Nasa Yamatosuke solemnly stated, "In all my years of traveling to various parts of San'in, I have never seen such a formidable force. Perhaps only the Shingu faction of the former Izumo Amago clan can be compared to them."

At this moment, Kawakatsu Tsugumi, who had come with Shinzaburo, spoke up: "In my opinion, Lord Kubo Genban's subordinates are very brave and should be able to fight against the Tsuruga group of the Echizen Asakura family."

His words cannot be entirely described as either praise or self-consolation.

Shinzaburo placed great importance on the foot soldiers and was keen on forming arquebusier squads, so the fighting ability of his soldiers was indeed quite good, clearly exceeding the average level of Wakasa.

However, when Itsuki Masatsune heard this, he was silent for a moment before nodding and saying, "That's right. The only ones on our side who can stand against the Tsuruga group of the Echizen Asakura family are Lord Kubo Genban's subordinates."

Nasa Yamato's eyes flickered, and he changed the subject.

Judging from their performance, they both seemed to believe that the Kubo clan's army was of lower quality than the Asakura clan's Tsuruga troops.

This is not surprising.

If the emphasis is merely on the overwhelming momentum of an attack, that's fine. Ensuring adequate equipment and logistics, establishing a proper system, and allowing soldiers to build confidence through victories is sufficient.

However, the ability of the Tsuruga clan of the Echizen Asakura family to remain quiet and patiently wait before launching an attack requires the expertise of highly experienced veterans of the battlefield.

Such a force should not be underestimated.

In low-level conflicts within Wakasa, a thousand or two elite soldiers are enough to be a decisive force.

Therefore, although Shinzaburo returned to Koseyama Castle, he was troubled.

Although Takeda Yoshitomo's resistance was not particularly strong, under the leadership of Awaya Katsuhisa, it was still a respectable force, and with the assistance of the Tsuruga troops, it was not easy to deal with in open field battles.

It seems we have no choice but to besiege the city and wait.

However... the prerequisite for besieging a city is that the other side attacks the city.

After achieving victory in the field battle, the enemy has stopped about ten kilometers outside the Koseyama Castle and has not made any move for several days. I really don't know what their intention is.

Considering the political implications, it is not advisable to completely ignore the situation; we must at least probe the enemy's intentions.

Before Shinzaburo arrived, the people in the city were a disorganized mess. Having just suffered a defeat, their morale had plummeted to the point where they were completely unable to go out of the city to fight in the field, and naturally, they were also unable to spare a detachment to probe the enemy.

Now that the Tanba army has arrived at Koseyama Castle, the situation has naturally improved.

The samurai of Nishiwakasa performed poorly in the past year's war, primarily due to the superiors, not the subordinates. The daimyo's absurd actions incited conflict between father and son, leading the retainers to be pessimistic about the future and naturally seeking only self-preservation rather than fighting.

In such a situation, most people will inevitably follow the crowd and change their stance depending on the wind. Those few who can maintain a certain level of enthusiasm, whether out of genuine loyalty or ulterior motives, are already quite rare.

If Tanba Zhonggui and Kubo Yoshiaki had been in charge, Nishiwakasa's army would not have collapsed at the first contact.

However, Shinzaburo's current identity and responsibilities are not yet clear, and he has not yet truly intervened in personnel arrangements and reward/punishment, so he cannot effectively change the situation on the battlefield.

Now that the enemy is holding back, the one sent to probe is the more reliable in-law, Kawakatsu Tsugu.

After arriving in Wakasa, the Kawakatsu family fought hard but only received a village of about two hundred people as a reward, which was not much. However, Kawakatsu Tsuguji was a straightforward and generous person who did not like to haggle. He was satisfied with the new favor he received and did not show any dissatisfaction for the time being.

Their family established themselves through commerce, and while the martial spirit within their territory wasn't particularly strong, their soldiers were well-equipped and could be considered a fighting force.

After receiving the order, Kawakatsu Tsuguji led his troops to the front, while Kubo Yoshiaki personally led the main force to provide support from the rear. He also ordered Nasa Yamatosuke to stay behind and guard Koseyama Castle in case of emergency.

Shinzaburo took the fighting strength of the Tsuruga clan of the Echizen Asakura family very seriously and was mentally prepared for a tough battle.

However, things took a completely unexpected turn.

When Kawakatsu Tsuguji's troops arrived at the front line, before they could actually engage in battle, they saw the Asakura clan's Tsuruga troops, carrying the Mimori Papaya banner, leaving the army formation and swaggering eastward, embarking on their journey back to Echizen without hesitation.

Meanwhile, Takeda Yoshitomo's rebel army was abandoned on the spot.

Although he didn't quite understand, Kawakatsu Tsuguji, as a commander with some battlefield experience, judged that the Asakura clan's Tsuruga troops were truly retreating rather than luring the enemy. He immediately made a decision, ordering his troops to take advantage of the situation to attack while quickly informing the main force in the rear.

Shinzaburo received the news but didn't understand the situation. Fearing it might be a trap, he dared not hasten the march.

However, after further observation, it was confirmed that the Asakura clan's Tsuruga troops had indeed returned home without permission, and their speed was so fast that they couldn't be caught up. Reassured, the army was ordered to launch a full-scale attack.

Soon, the Takeda Yoshitomo rebels, abandoned by their allies, completely collapsed and scattered.

Katsuhisa Awaya, who had many outstanding performances last year, has also given up his idea of ​​staying behind independently and has followed the crowd to run away.

The warriors of West Wakasa changed their previous timid demeanor and transformed into wolves and wild beasts, hunting down the remaining enemies, plundering supplies, and launching heavy attacks.

Although the results of the battle are difficult to quantify at the moment, judging from the naked eye, the losses suffered by Takeda Yoshitomo's rebel army were far greater than in the previous battles. They must have suffered serious damage and are probably no longer able to launch operations on their own, and can only rely on the Echizen Asakura clan.

In the long run, this may not be a good thing, but one shouldn't always look so far ahead.

In any case, the samurai of Nishiwaka once again achieved a glorious victory under the leadership of Tanba Zhongkui and Kubo Yoshiaki.

I just can't figure out how I won.

Why did the Tsuruga faction of the Echizen Asakura clan abandon their allies without warning?

A few days after the war, the heads of the four small powerful families of Ichikawa, Hatada, Nagai and Hisamura in eastern Wakasa collectively "abandoned darkness and embraced light," shaved their heads, wore monks' robes, and came to Koseyama Castle to apologize.

Only after asking them did I understand the whole story.

The cause was that the Asakura family allowed their troops to plunder.

In those days, the discipline of the army was hardly better than that of bandits, and indiscriminate plundering was commonplace. However, the Tsuruga guerrillas of the Echizen Asakura clan had a bigger appetite and were not very interested in the poor people, so they went straight to plunder temples and shrines along the way.

Moreover, they looted anyone they saw. It wasn't just soldiers stealing on their own; it was organized looting led by generals.

The religious forces within Wakasa were not very strong, and they were unable to organize a monk-warrior rebellion. Moreover, there was a lack of "high-ranking monks" who could persuade nobles in Kyoto to mediate.

However, the local warriors were very dissatisfied to see their hometown temples destroyed and monks suffering, and they went to protest as a group.

As a result, the generals of the Tsuruga clan of the Echizen Asakura family bluntly said: We have worked hard to come to Wakasa to fight for you, but we may not be able to get land rewards. If we are not allowed to plunder money, what will our fighting spirit be?

Unable to reach an agreement, the two sides remained inactive, engaging in a verbal battle for several days, which strained their relationship.

Therefore, when Kawakatsu Tsuguji led his men to test the waters, the Tsuruga troops of the Echizen Asakura clan threw a tantrum and refused to fight. The Higashi-Wakasa soldiers under Takeda Yoshitomo were also demoralized and collapsed at the first encounter.

Furthermore, why did the four small powerful families of Ichikawa, Hatada, Nagai, and Hisamura in eastern Wakasa quickly change their allegiance?

Because their ancestral temple was located on the marching route, it was dug up into ruins by the Asakura army. Not only were all the ritual objects in the ancestral hall looted, but even the ancestral tablets were burned to ashes.

Shinzaburo couldn't help but sigh, "The Sengoku period really is an era where everyone's fighting each other in a mess." While the Tsuruga clan of Echizen Asakura were exceptionally skilled in combat, their political awareness was woefully inadequate. Overall, they were evenly matched with the Wakasa samurai.

167 Topics that should not be touched in the Miyoshi family

After the family temples of the Ichikawa, Hatada, Nagai, and Hisamura families were destroyed, they did not immediately defect, but instead first appealed to their nominal lord, Takeda Yoshitomo.

However, seeing that he was no match for the Tanba people, Takeda Yoshitomo's only hope of maintaining his position lay with the Asakura family. How could he dare to offend them so easily? After making excuses for a few days, he finally said things like "peace is the most important thing" and refused to stand up for his retainer.

Overwhelmed with grief and indignation, they had no choice but to seek help from the Tanbo people.

Upon receiving them, the four men knelt on the ground. The one in the lead was a middle-aged man named Ichikawa Sadateru, who glared with bloodshot eyes and shouted in grief and indignation: "The Wakasa Takeda clan's fate is sealed. The old are senile and foolish, and the young are cowardly and afraid of trouble. Only Kubo Genban can uphold justice! My family does not seek a peaceful territory, nor does it dare to hope for rewards. We only ask for a chance to fight to the death against the Echizen traitors!"

Takeda Nobutoyo, who was sitting in the main seat, had been all smiles and was about to show his magnanimity, but his face turned ashen upon hearing these words.

Yi Jianzhang, who was standing nearby, tried to comfort him with a few soft words, but was ignored and received no response.

The four heads of the minor noble families completely ignored him, eagerly awaiting Kubo Yoshiaki's response.

Unlike Takeda Nobutoyo and Itsumi Masatsune, Shinzaburo was not amiable. Instead, he wore a serious expression and remained silent for a long time before lowering his eyes slightly and saying sternly, "I have been assisting Takeda Jibu for half a year now. You have only just come to serve. If we were to give you important positions so easily, wouldn't that be unfair to those who joined us earlier? Considering that there were reasons for this, I will keep you here for now to observe your future performance and hope that you can atone for your mistakes through meritorious service."

Despite his cold and inhuman manner, Ichikawa Sadateru was quite pleased. He prostrated himself, remaining in the dogeza position, and let out a hoarse growl: "Thank you for your kindness, Lord Kubo Genban!"

Then, the heads of the Hatada, Nagai, and Hisamura families all chanted incantations and performed a deep bow.

Takeda Nobuyuki had been frowning and displeased, but perhaps remembering what Kubo Yoshiaki had said about "assisting Takeda Harubu," he refrained from showing his displeasure on the spot.

As for Itsuki Masatsubou, who was treated like air, he was initially embarrassed, but quickly fell into deep thought, his eyes darting around, looking left and right, seemingly pondering something.

Nasa Yamato stroked his chin, shook his head and said, "I understand that I should ask Lord Kubo Genban for help. It seems I'm not too confused after all."

After holding back for a long time, Takeda Nobutoyo couldn't help but slap the floor and say something to save face: "Wakasa is the homeland that the Takeda family has protected for generations. How can I sit idly by and watch the Echizen madman run rampant!"

Unfortunately, after he finished bragging, no one listened.

After a moment of silence, Nasa Yamatosuke said in a strange tone, "Just now, Lord Ichikawa said that Wakasa Takeda's fate was sealed, which was obviously a rash and nonsensical statement. The fact that Kubo Genban was sent here shows that Wakasa is still favored by the gods and Buddhas."

Upon hearing this, Ichikawa Sadateru's expression softened slightly, and he said coldly, "I was indeed acting impulsively and speaking nonsense just now. Please forgive me, sirs."

At this moment, Takeda Nobuyuki hesitated, as if he wanted to say something, but remained silent. He seemed to be a little confused about what Nagasawa Yamatosuke had really meant.

After pondering for a long time with his head down, Itsumi Masatsune finally raised his head and spoke with an air of seriousness: "Last time, only one or two thousand Tsuruga troops came, which was to test the waters. After the spring planting is completed this year, the Echizen Asakura clan may lead an army of ten or twenty thousand to attack Wakasa. At that time, there will also be rebels acting as inside agents. In such a critical moment of life and death, only by obeying Lord Kubo Genban's orders can we have a sliver of hope for victory."

The four newcomers, Ichikawa, Hatada, Nagai, and Hisamura, immediately chimed in, "I second that!" "That's absolutely right!" "Indeed!" "You're absolutely right!"

Those who "abandoned darkness and embraced light" last year, such as Hongo, Aoi, and Daishio, mostly expressed their agreement, though their wording and tone were not as strong.

Then, Kawakatsu Tsuguji, representing the visiting army, chimed in, "If Lord Kubo Genban were to serve as the military commissioner, my Kawakatsu family could confidently send our troops to Wakasa. At least we wouldn't have to worry about being misled by an incompetent general."

Nasa Yamatosuke looked around the room and said to Takeda Nobuyuki, who was seated at the head of the table, "It seems that what Itsumi Suruga-no-kami said is the consensus of everyone. Please grant me permission, Lord Jibu!"

Takeda Nobuyuki's expression shifted between light and dark, his emotions seemingly in a very unstable state. In the end, he bowed slightly and said to Kubo Yoshiaki, "Regarding the matter of fighting against Echizen Asakura, I entrust everything to Lord Kubo Genban, who will command the Wakasa army as a military commissioner!"

Shinzaburo calmly returned the greeting, then his gaze swept over everyone as he said in a deep voice, "I came to Koseyama Castle only to assist Takeda Harubu, and I should not have overstepped my bounds in the slightest. However, with a formidable enemy at hand, I have no time to concern myself with formalities and have had to assume the position of military commissioner. Before defeating Asakura, I hope that everyone will follow the general's orders. If you believe that you are unable to complete the mission, please declare it in advance. Those who retreat without notice will be punished according to military law."

……

Shinzaburo believed that he had not accomplished anything earth-shattering since arriving in Wakasa, but he was well-liked by his peers.

First, he was able to build a fighting force and his tactics were unconventional, occasionally achieving victory through unorthodox strategies, which far surpassed that incompetent Takeda Nobutoyo.

Secondly, all samurai who were willing to submit were treated with the utmost respect and preferential treatment. There was no arrogance in his words, and everyone was even allowed to share the cake. This was clearly superior to Takeda Yoshitomo, who refused to stand up for his retainers.

Furthermore, he never extensively occupied land, nor did he send retainers to control Obama Bay. Instead, he genuinely introduced suitable talent, which is significantly different from Itsumi Masatsune, who was driven by selfish motives.

Finally, as outsiders, they did value military discipline and issued the prohibition order as normal. Although it was impossible to completely eliminate soldiers' private illegal activities, it was still much better than the Echizen Asakura family's collective robbery.

The only pity is that he came from a very low social class and had no kinship with the Takeda family, so he had no legal basis to inherit the power of the Wakasa Guardian.

After the appointment of "Military Commissioner" was confirmed, someone among those present murmured, "If Lord Kubo Genban hadn't yet married his principal wife, that would be perfect. It's just a pity..."

Upon hearing this, some people frowned, while others smiled wryly. Only Takeda Nobutoyo's eyes lit up, and he looked at Kubo Yoshiaki with a smile, saying, "I have a young daughter who is quite gentle and virtuous, and she is currently of marriageable age..."

Before the other party could finish speaking, Shinzaburo hurriedly interrupted loudly: "That's a great pity! My only son is still an infant and will not be a year old for several months. He is far too young for your daughter to be married!"

He spoke rapidly and loudly.

Takeda Nobutoyo was completely brainless; if he had actually said those words, the consequences would have been dire.

If one is making a living under the patronage of another powerful daimyo, then there's nothing wrong with that. All one needs to do is speak righteously and solemnly about some grand principles, and express that one will not do anything immoral like abandoning one's wife and children. That's enough.

Or, one could cleverly add a witty remark: "If you can divorce your wife now to marry your daughter, what will you do when you meet a concubine of even higher social standing in the future?"

but……

Everyone here today can be said to be indirectly serving Miyoshi Chokei.

When Miyoshi Nagayoshi was young, he did indeed abandon his first wife from the Tanba Hatano family for greater benefits and marry the daughter of Yusa Nagayoshi, the governor of Kawachi Province, as his new wife.

This is absolutely a dark chapter in history that is highly politically incorrect.

If Shinzaburo were to encounter a similar situation, whether he agrees with "it's easy to make friends when you're rich and easy to change wives" or insists on "a wife who has shared hardship should not be abandoned," it can be interpreted as him being sarcastic and mocking his superior.

If it gets leaked by someone with ulterior motives, who knows what kind of trouble they might face?

Furthermore, the current young master of the Miyoshi family, Miyoshi Yoshihiko, is actually the child of the first wife, and he was six years old when his parents divorced. How could he not have feelings about his biological mother being kicked out of the house by his biological father?

This is a taboo topic at Miyoshi's house!

168. Wakasa Gobei under the command of Kubo Junfushi

From southern Kyushu to northern Oshu, the types of food crops suitable for cultivation vary across the countries due to differences in weather and geographical conditions. However, there is a general consensus that wherever rice can be grown, it should be grown.