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

Chapter 40: Go All In (Seeking Follow-up Reading)
Late at night, the Takeno-no-Ma of Ichijodani Castle, the residence of the Asakura clan in Echizen, was brightly lit.

Maebashi Kagesada, Koizumi Nagatoshi, Kawai Yoshitsugu, all of the "Ichijodani Four Bugyo" except Asakura Kageren were present.

As the core figures who hold the internal power of the Asakura family under the Asakura family's unique "two county governors and four magistrates" system, Maemaya Kagesada and others are deeply trusted by Asakura Takakage. Tonight, they gathered in Takeno-no-Ma, and it can be seen that something big seemed to have happened.

Inside the room, Asakura Takakage leaned on the table, yawned sleepily and said, "Everyone, the war on the front line is tense, what should we do?"

The three magistrates looked at each other, and finally it was Maebashi Keisada, the writer, who broke the deadlock and spoke first: "I never thought that a small mountain called Iwade could destroy so many troops of the Asakura clan. The Takeda clan today is truly impressive."

"Don't say anything that would make others look down on you. Just tell us what we should do now." Asakura Takakage interrupted with an unhappy look on his face.

"Ha." Qianbo Jingding bowed and apologized, then said: "The battle has come to this point, we must not withdraw our troops. Since His Highness Zongdi hopes that the Lord will send reinforcements and provide food and grass supplies as soon as possible, I think we can only do our best to meet your demands."

"Food and grass are easy to deal with. We have had a good harvest in Echizen in the past two years, and the stored food is enough to cope with this war. As for sending troops to reinforce, I think we should still consider it carefully." Koizumi Nagatoshi said:
"At present, the troops of five counties have been gathered on the Wakasa front. The remaining three northern counties are to guard against the Kaga Ikko Ikki. If they are transferred to the front line and discovered by the Kaga side, it will be detrimental to the safety of the territory. We can't let Echizen fall into danger for Wakasa, right?"

"I agree with Fujisaemon-no-jo's opinion that the powerful families in the three northern counties should not be mobilized. Moreover, isn't His Majesty Kagetaka of Ono County leading more than 3,000 people heading south? If this army can arrive at Kuniyoshi Castle in time, it should be able to greatly alleviate the dilemma of insufficient troops on the front line." Kawai Yoshitsugu also suggested only providing support for food and fodder, without sending additional troops.

"However, the meaning of the letter from Lord Sotachi is very clear. Even with the Ono clan, there is a risk of insufficient troops to attack Kuniyoshi Castle. After all, the fortifications there are too strong." Maemaya Kagesada had a close relationship with Asakura Sotachi, and he still tried to win the support of Asakura Takakage for his old friend.

"Besides, I heard that the Takeda clan has sent people to Kyoto to ask the imperial court and the shogun to mediate. With the current military strength, I am afraid that the imperial envoy will arrive before Kuniyoshi Castle is taken. In order to win the battle quickly, I think it is necessary to send reinforcements as soon as possible."

The first of the two reasons given by Maemaya Kagesada was entirely based on Sotetsu's own opinion, and Asakura Takakage was not at the front line, so he could not judge whether it was the real situation or an exaggeration, so he could not get enough recognition from Asakura Takakage;
It was the second one that made Asakura Takakage, who always valued the relationship with the imperial court and the shogunate, alert: "Indeed, if the imperial envoy arrives before our army captures Kuniyoshi Castle, it will be difficult for me to deal with it. If I don't accept it, it will ruin the relationship we have maintained with the imperial court. If I accept it, all my efforts will be wasted, which is really a headache."

"Also, I have received news that the Takeda family has sent to Kyoto not only the retired Hoshinji-den, but also Unmine Ryuoki of Kenninji. My lord, you should have heard of the fame of this master." Maemaya Kagesada continued to assist.

Asakura Takakage nodded and said, "Of course I know about Master Longxing. I wanted to invite him to Echizen to teach Buddhism, but he declined several times. But now he is able to personally plead with the imperial court and the shogun for the sake of the small Wakasa Takeda clan. I didn't expect that either."

After thinking for a long time, Asakura Takakage finally made a decision: "Kaga must be guarded. How about this? The powerful families in Sakai and Yoshida counties will not move for the time being. Asuwa County will mobilize and rush to the front line today. In addition, I will select 1,000 of my horsemen and send them to Kuniyoshi Castle. They will be under the full command of Munetsuji. What do you think of this?"

"I will obey the Lord's orders." This compromise plan won the support of Maenami Kagesada and Koizumi Nagatoshi, but Kawai Yoshitsugu was still a little worried:
"My lord, you allocated part of your horse horses to His Highness Munetsuki when he went to war, and now you have taken another 1,000, leaving only 500." "I am in Ichijodani, the heartland of Echizen, and I don't need so many troops for the time being. Besides, since I promised to make Munetsuki the military magistrate, I will try my best to meet his request. As long as he can capture Wakasa, I will give him all the remaining horse horses, not to mention the 1,000."

"In that case, I will not say anything more." Kawai Yoshitsugu sighed helplessly.

"Gorobei, I'd like to trouble you to deliver the military rations and soldiers this time." Asakura Takakage instructed Kawai Yoshitsugu.

"Ha! As you command."

At this time, Asakura Kagetaka had led his army to Kawashima Castle in Nibu County. To the south, he would return to the original route to support Asakura Soteki, or to the north, he would go directly to Ichijodani Castle. It all depended on his decision whether to go forward or reverse.

"Yuzaemon, now that things have come to this, what do you think I should do?" If I go south, I am a loyal minister, but if I go north, I am a traitor; if I go south, I am still the governor of Ono County, but if I go north, I can be the lord of Echizen. With two paths in front of him, Asakura Kagetaka has never hesitated like this.

"My lord, please just follow your heart. No matter what choice you make, we will follow you until death." The samurai next to Asakura Kagetaka, commonly known as "Yuzaemon", is not only his confidant, but also Maeba Kagesada's younger brother, Maeba Kagetada.

It was not uncommon for two brothers to serve two masters in this chaotic era. Moreover, Maebashi Kagetada was only a concubine's son and had a weak relationship with his elder brother. Whenever he saw Maebashi Kagesada calling the shots in Ichijodani Castle, he was both envious and jealous. Over time, his desire for power was no less than Asakura Kagetaka's. It could even be said that Asakura Kagetaka's ability to reach this point today was not unrelated to his instigation.

"Everything seems to be moving in a direction that is favorable to our plan." Asakura Kagetaka always felt that things were going too smoothly, so much so that he could hardly believe it: "Sou Tetsu was really held back in Wakasa by the new head of the Takeda clan, and there are only a thousand horse races left in Ichijodani. This is truly a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."

"Indeed," Maebashi nodded. "Since God has given you this opportunity, why would you reject it? I think what the Takeda clan leader said makes sense. We are at the mercy of others. Now that things have come to this, you must be decisive if you want to achieve great things. In this chaotic world, opportunities are fleeting."

"Well, it seems that this is the only way." Asakura Jinggao took a deep breath and made up his mind: "Inform all the troops to have a good rest in the next two days, conserve their energy, and choose a day to send troops to Yichenggu City!"

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(End of this chapter)