Japan's Warring States Period: The Rise of the Wakasa Tiger

Chapter 125 Fire in the Backyard
The victorious meeting between Itomi Masaki and Naito Katsutaka did not bring any improvement to the attack on Ishiyama Castle. Instead, the news that Isshiki Yoshiyuki was killed by Shirai Kiyotane caused a certain mental shock to Itomi Masaki and others.

Although Isshiki Yoshiyuki was the weakest link in the rebellion, he was once the guardian of Tango, and it was still frightening for him to be killed by the Takeda army.

"Now that Isshiki Yoshiyuki is dead, won't the Takeda army cross Yoshizaka Pass and attack Suidoyama Castle next?" Itsumi Masaki suggested that instead of fighting to the death at Ishiyama Castle, it would be better to retreat to the west of the Saburi River, rely on the mountain and river passes for defense, and withdraw half of the troops to defend Suidoyama Castle, to ensure that the Itsumi family's base is not lost.

At first, Ichimi Masaki did not agree with Ichimi Masaki's suggestion.

He believed that the Saburi River was not very wide, and most of the river sections were frozen in the cold winter, making it difficult to serve as a defense. Instead of relying on the Saburi River for defense, it would be better to capture Ishiyama Castle and advance the front line to the Iimoriyama line at the junction of Oi County and Toshiki County, relying on the mountains there for defense. This would maximize the ability to keep the enemy out of the country.

Naito Katsutaka was very supportive of this. After all, if they could control the entire Oi County, then Obama Castle would be within easy reach. Seeing this, Yoshishige would surely lead his army back to defend. In this way, the Itsumi army would turn from passive to active. Not to mention defeating the Takeda army in one fell swoop, at least they could form a confrontation with it, making it unable to support Tango, thereby buying time for Yamana Yutoyo.

After much discussion, Itomi Masaki finally chose to compromise and agreed to follow Itomi Masaki's deployment, concentrate his forces to capture Ishiyama Castle, and then fight a decisive battle with the Takeda army in the Iimoriyama area.

However, man proposes, God disposes. At around 4 o'clock on the 25th day of the twelfth lunar month, when the sky was as dark as ink and the wind was howling, a envoy from the Yamana family rode his horse to the town below Ishiyama Castle where the Itsumi army was stationed.

Upon hearing that it was Yamana Yufeng who sent someone, Itomi Masakatsune, who had already gone to bed, hurriedly got up and went to summon him.

When he walked into the formation, Yi saw Changqing and Naito Shengtaka already seated. From their expressions, it could be seen that the envoy did not bring any good news.

"Tell me, how is the progress on Yamana Kingo's side? Have they advanced to Miyazu Castle?" Yijian Changjing asked.

"This..." The envoy looked embarrassed and answered hesitantly, "Our army is still in Jiayue Valley."

"Jiayue Valley?!" Yi Jianchang was stunned when he heard it. "Isn't Jiayue Valley at the border of Tango and Tajima? How come it's been two days and it's still lingering on the border?"

"Your Highness, our main army has been held up by the Takeda army in Jiayue Castle, and is unable to extricate itself for the time being. It may not be able to arrive at Miyazu Castle on time as originally planned." The messenger looked panicked, fearing that Yi Jianchangjing would vent his anger on him.

"It's really abominable. Who is the general guarding Jiayue Castle that he can hold back more than 2,000 Yamana troops by himself?" Naito Katsutaka, who was sitting next to him, was also furious. He knew that if the Yamana army could not arrive at Miyazu Castle on time, Itsumi Masatsune would face tremendous pressure.

"I heard that a general named Onitiao Masaaki, with two hundred soldiers, blocked our army in Jiayue Valley for two days." The envoy replied.

"Masaaki Onitsugu?" Itsumi Masaki and Naito Katsutaka were not familiar with this person. After all, he was a guest general invited by Shirai Mitsutane. He had been active in Tango and kept a low profile. It was understandable that the two did not know him well.

"Two thousand four hundred Shanming soldiers can't even break through a small mountain town with only two hundred people. I really overestimated your Shanming family." Yi Jianchangjing said unhappily.

"Your Highness, what you said is a little unfair." Seeing his master being humiliated, the envoy bravely retorted: "My Yamana family has to guard against the Inaba direction and mobilize a large army to invade Tango. We have already done our best. As for the matter of Jiayue Valley, who could have predicted it in advance?"

"Why does Suruga no Kami have to embarrass a envoy?" Naito Katsutaka saw this and hurried out to smooth things over. "The current plan is to think about what to do next. The Yamana army is being held in Kayue Valley, and Isshiki Yoshiyuki has been killed. The situation in Tango will depend on how Shirai Tamimi uses his troops." "How many troops can his Shirai family mobilize?" Although Itsumi Masaki and Shirai Mitsutane are old acquaintances, he believes that the latter's strength is far inferior to his own and there is no need to worry too much. "I think the 500 troops mobilized in the battle of Tanabe Castle should be all the troops that Shirai Tamimi can mobilize."

"Father, I think we should be more vigilant against Shirai Tamebe." Itsumi Masaki reminded him, "After all, he is a veteran who served the fourth generation of the Takeda clan. He has guarded Tango for more than 20 years and has a high reputation. Now he has been appointed as Tango's guardian by Wue-dono, and his strength is far greater than before."

"Tangou Guardian, humph." Yi Jianchang snorted coldly, "He has only been appointed for half a year. What prestige can he have? Will those Tangou people listen to him? In my opinion, those guys are keeping their troops in place, which is the greatest support for Wuwei Hall."

"Whether you listen to him or not, we'll know in the next few days." Itomi Masaki was always worried about the movements of Shirai Mitsutune and the people of Tango.

"My lord, something terrible has happened!" At this moment, a messenger from the Itsumi family ran into the tent, panting as he reported to Itsumi Masakage: "My lord, there is news from Tango that Tanaka Castle has been captured by the Takeda army! And, and..."

"Asshole, tell me quickly, what else?" Yi Jianchang Jing was shocked and shouted at the envoy angrily.

"Also, in the evening, Yoshida Matabei, the castle lord of Kahara Castle, opened the castle and surrendered. Now the Takeda army has arrived near Yoshisaka Pass!"

If the Yamana family being blocked in Jiayue Valley was a thunderbolt to Itsumi Masatsune, then the loss of Tanaka and Kahara castles was a bolt from the blue for him. Not only Itsumi Masatsune, but everyone in the camp was blown away by the news, like ants over heat, panicked and not knowing what to do.

"Yoshida Matabei, I knew this guy was unreliable. I should have transferred him away earlier!" Yijian Changjing immediately regretted it.

Yoshida Matabei was originally the castle lord of Yoshino Castle in Higashikasa County under the rule of the Takeda clan. Before the Battle of Kurabashi, he had secretly communicated with Isshiki Yoshiyuki. After the battle, Shirai Mitsutane found out and reported it to Yoshishige, who demanded severe punishment. In order to avoid punishment, he bribed Itomi Masaki with a large sum of money, and was pardoned by Yoshishige at the latter's request.

Later, through the relationship with Itomi Masatsune, he was appointed as the castellan of Kahara Castle and guarded the Yoshisaka Pass, an important road from Tango to Wakasa. After Itomi Masatsune started the rebellion, he also responded to it and blocked Yoshisaka Pass, seemingly standing firmly on the side of the rebels.

Unexpectedly, after the Takeda army conquered Tanaka Castle, this guy actually took the initiative to open the city and surrender. How could this action not make Yijian Masaki angry and humiliated.

"The Takeda army must be quite large if they can capture Tanaka Castle!" Naito Katsutaka asked, "Do you know how many people there are?"

"At least a thousand people!" the envoy replied.

"A thousand people? Where did a thousand people come from?!" Yi Jianchang's face changed when he heard it.

Little did they know that the Takeda army that conquered Tanaka Castle this time was not one thousand men, but one thousand two hundred. It was formed after the five hundred troops of Shirai Kiyotane and the seven hundred and fifty Tanba troops led by Kumagai Takanao merged at Kurabashi Castle.

"They are preparing to destroy Daoshan City directly." Yi Jianchangqing exclaimed.

(End of this chapter)