Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

If this were just speculation or overthinking, Kodera Masatsugu could at least somewhat convince himself. However, taking advantage of the fact that Harima hadn't yet descended into complete chaos, Hideyoshi sent Kodera Yoshitaka's eldest son, Kodera Matsujumaru (Kuroda Nagamasa), to Kyoto to serve Oda Nobunaga. Meanwhile, Kodera Masatsugu's son, Kodera Ujikichi, was kept in Harima under the pretext of being ill.

This is outrageous!

Damn it, they've rebelled!

Is this an attempt to kill me? What would constitute an attempt to kill me? Koji Masakazu was filled with dread and anxiety, feeling as if he was about to be finished.

In reality, Hideyoshi was most likely just practicing his tactics beforehand, separating a key retainer from another family to weaken their main branch. Hideyoshi had used this tactic repeatedly throughout history. Furthermore, Kodera Yoshitaka was truly effective, a very competent traitor who worked diligently for Hideyoshi in Harima.

Hideyoshi would definitely give Takataka a promotion and a bigger stage so that he could develop further.

Thus began Yoshitaka's fierce battle with Hachisuka Koroku in Nishi-Harima, where he used his abilities to hinder Hideyoshi's forces.

The Kobayakawa army that had advanced ahead.

Hideyoshi knew that if he could halt Kobayakawa Takakage's advance, then Ukita Naoie, the lord of Bizen-Mimasaka, would not send troops to assist him. If Kobayakawa Takakage could reach Himeji Castle and begin to coordinate with Bessho Yoshichika, then Ukita's 10,000 cavalry would almost certainly come to reinforce him.

Even if it means giving up the Yukita family, I wouldn't hesitate.

Seeing that Hideyoshi had his troops moving around so skillfully, almost to the extreme...

With limited forces remaining at Himeji Castle, Kodera Masamune immediately sent someone to contact Miki Michiaki, the lord of Higashima, to inquire about his allegiance to the Mori clan and what offer they could make.

Kobayakawa Takakage, who was campaigning in Ako County, immediately dispatched his subordinate, Yasukuni Kageyoshi. Yasukuni Kageyoshi arrived at Mitsuki Castle in just one and a half days and met with Kodera Masatoshi.

Kobayakawa Takakage's offer was reasonable: a stable fiefdom plus 20,000 koku. His condition was that Kodera Masakazu immediately raise an army and attack Hideyoshi from the rear, as Hideyoshi was actively resisting the Mori army.

Upon receiving Kobayakawa Takakage's letter, Kodera Masamune immediately raised an army and recruited men. At that time, there happened to be...

Hideyoshi's messenger requested that Kodera Masayuki lead 500 men to the Tatsuno front to support Hachisuka Koroku.

Five hundred men, right? I'll take a thousand men and we'll go into battle immediately.

Up to this point, it was all a very ingenious plan. But novels follow logic, while life doesn't. Passing by Himeji Castle, Kodera Masakazuki saw that Himeji Castle was transporting large amounts of money and food to support the front lines in Kozuki and Tatsuno.

Much of this money and provisions was partly borrowed and partly given to Hideyoshi by Konishi Ryōsō and Hihiya Ryōkei. Hideyoshi also embezzled 20,000 to 30,000 kimonos from Shichibei. Some of it was used to renovate and expand Himeji Castle, and some was hoarded.

Knowing that Hideyoshi had provisions and supplies in Himeji Castle, Nobunaga and Shichibei in Kyoto were not in a hurry to send troops to rescue him. They believed that Hideyoshi could hold out in Himeji Castle for a few months until Nobunaga defeated Araki Murashige and then marched into Harima.

Most people are greedy to some extent.

Once greed takes hold, a person ceases to be human. Their thinking and logic become like those of cattle or horses, lured by what is in front of them, with rationality and clarity completely forgotten.

So Kodera Masakazu made a decision: to launch a surprise attack on Himeji Castle, which was poorly defended, under the cover of night. They would seize Himeji...

With the money and provisions of Lucheng, wouldn't it be much more effective to launch an attack on Hideyoshi's rear?

Bold and decisive, Kodera Masakazu mobilized his men overnight to prepare for a raid on the castle. Kogawa Nobuaki, who was in Kodera Masakazu's ranks, was greatly alarmed upon hearing the news, as he was extremely close to Kodera Yoshitaka and belonged to the faction that supported Yoshitaka's alliance with Oda Nobunaga. Upon hearing of Kodera Masakazu's plan to rebel, his first reaction was to inform Hideyoshi and those inside the castle.

How close were the historical relationships between Nobuaki Ogawa and Yoshitaka Kodera? When Yoshitaka was granted a fiefdom of 130,000 koku in Nakatsu, Buzen Province, Kyushu, he awarded Nobuaki Ogawa 5,000 koku, while Nobuaki's elder brother, Yoshitoshi Ogawa, received 1,370 koku. This was considered a very high salary within the family, directly equivalent to one-twentieth of the Kuroda clan's wealth.

Of course, Nobuaki Ogawa's relationship with Nagamasa Kuroda was ultimately lukewarm. The Kuroda family's wealth increased dramatically from 130,000 koku to 520,000 koku, but Nobuaki Ogawa's conduct remained unchanged.

Who was left to guard Himeji Castle at this time?

Kinoshita family decision.

Ningning's beloved elder brother, the chief retainer of Hideyoshi's inner circle. He led a mere three hundred men, remaining at Himeji Castle. Kinoshita Iesada, upon receiving a secret report from Kogawa Nobuaki, was greatly alarmed and immediately mobilized...

The soldiers guarding the city informed Hideyoshi.

At this time, Hideyoshi's followers, such as sixteen-year-old Fukushima Masanori and fifteen-year-old Kato Kiyomasa, armed themselves and prepared to fight like warriors.

Kinoshita Iesada ordered the women in the castle to carry wooden bows and all the young warriors to be armed, as he faced a sneak attack from Kodera Masatsugu. During the battle, Fukushima Masanori bravely charged into Kodera Masatsugu's ranks, wielding a long spear, greatly boosting the morale of the defending troops.

A chaotic battle ensued, leaving Kodera Masashi completely disoriented. His thousand-strong force scattered, and he could only flee in panic back to Mitsuki Castle, where he began to besiege the castle and sought reinforcements from Eiga Miyabo.

The next day, Hideyoshi, leading 300 cavalrymen from the front lines, rushed back to Himeji Castle. Upon learning that it was unscathed and that Kodera Masakazu had been defeated, he was greatly impressed. He immediately bestowed upon Fukushima Masanori 2,000 koku of rice and Kato Kiyomasa 2,000 koku of rice each, appointing them as defenders of the castle.

Ban was responsible for guarding Himeji.

By the way, Hideyoshi bestowed his own Hashiba surname upon these descendants who had been won over from his mother, Onaka's, side. Now, officially, they should be called Hashiba Masanori and Hashiba Kiyomasa; they are more like Hideyoshi's adopted sons than his adopted sons.

Additionally, Hashiba Hideyoshi's eldest son also participated in the battle.

Hideyasu Hashiba, Shichibei's good nephew, also went into battle under his mother's encouragement and won a head, earning Hideyoshi's high praise and being awarded a shinkoku.

If it weren't for Nene's daughter, perhaps Nobunaga had made arrangements, and Hideyoshi would have immediately betrothed his daughter to Hashiba Hideyasu to strengthen family ties.

After eliminating the scattered rebels near Himeji Castle, Hideyoshi faced a difficult situation. Due to the rebellion of the Miki Bessho family and the Mori navy's control of Osaka Bay, his logistical support now depended entirely on local supplies. Despite the support of local powerful figures such as Kodera (Takataka) and Okisho Akamatsu, maintaining supplies for the large army was still quite challenging.

External threats have not been quelled, and internal strife has broken out. What should be done?

After much deliberation, Hideyoshi decided that preserving his forces was the top priority. He believed that Nobunaga wouldn't easily abandon him, because Nobunaga was determined to eliminate the Mori clan and unify Japan by force. Now that the Mori had invaded the Kinai region, if Nobunaga didn't thoroughly eliminate them, he wouldn't be able to rule the country.

Furthermore, Nobunaga would certainly besiege Ishiyama Hongan-ji again, because the defeat at Kizugawaguchi had caused Nobunaga to lose face, and he would not fail to seek revenge.

Once control of Osaka Bay is regained, the maritime supply lines will be reopened. Konishi Ryōsō and Hihiya Ryōke will continue to transport provisions and weapons to Himeji to replenish the front lines.

Therefore, engaging the Mori army in a direct confrontation would be unwise. It would be better to station troops at Himeji Castle and its main branch castles. With the forces of Himeji Castle as a mobile force, the main force could attack any branch castle while the Mori army launched a surprise attack from the rear or a pincer movement.

When Nobunaga returns, it will be time for a counterattack.

Hideyoshi immediately ordered the 3,000 Amago Re-establishment Army cavalry at Kozuki Castle to retreat to Himeji Castle. The Amago Re-establishment Army and the Mori clan had a blood feud over the fall of their country, and anyone could surrender to the Mori, but the Amago Re-establishment Army would never surrender.

Furthermore, Amago's re-established army was quite capable in combat, belonging to the first echelon even under Hideyoshi. Having them serve as guerrillas would be absolutely appropriate.

Last month, the distance to Himeji Castle was too great, and the two sides were unable to coordinate their attacks. Shrinking the defensive perimeter and strengthening local defenses is also a sound strategy in warfare.

Upon receiving orders, Amago Re-establishment Army withdrew from Kozuki Castle before Yoshikawa Tsuneyoshi's encirclement was fully completed, taking with them tens of thousands of koku of loot.

The territory was handed over to Yoshikawa Jun. Yoshikawa Tsuneyoshi was naturally happy to accept this. Originally, he came to Harima because Kobayakawa Takakage promised to help him succeed the Sayou Akamatsu family and occupy 100,000 koku.

Now that they've captured Kozuki Castle, it's the perfect time to succeed the Akamatsu clan as heir apparent. He can establish his legitimacy first, and then slowly conquer the remaining territories. Anyway, his father, Yoshikawa Motoharu, lent him 15,000 men without a specified timeframe. They will assist him until he conquers a territory of 100,000 koku.

With the added strength of the retreating Amago Re-established Army, Hideyoshi's forces became much more active, and they began to conduct high-speed maneuvers and battles on the plains near the sea in Harima.

They scoured the Mori army's scattered forces and attacked the small groups attacking Kunio. They avoided a large-scale decisive battle with Kobayakawa Takakage, to exhaust and deplete the Kobayakawa army and lengthen their supply lines.

The secret letter sent by Nobunaga's Human Path also arrived at Himeji Castle. After learning that Nobunaga had indeed focused on the big picture and put aside the small details, prioritizing the primary contradictions and then addressing the secondary ones, and that he had led his troops to attack the main force of the Mori army in Settsu, Hideyoshi became even more motivated.

He was certain that Nobunaga would come to rescue him, so what was the rush? There was nothing to rush about.

Nobunaga, on the other hand, was a little anxious at the front line in Takatsuki. Because Nomi Munekatsu relied on his naval superiority and supply lines, he could sail directly along the Yodo River to the vicinity of Takatsuki, so he had only been probing the Oda army on a small scale.

Instead of launching a major offensive, they began constructing fortifications, as if preparing for a protracted war with Nobunaga. As Kobayakawa Takakage's vanguard general, Nomi Munekatsu might even have been waiting for the Kobayakawa army to break through Harima and join forces with the Bessho army to attack Nobunaga together.

Chapter 405 Dan Yu Changxiu's One-Night City

how to spell?

Shichibei was somewhat anxious, but Nobunaga was completely unconcerned. He spent his days leading several hundred cavalry, surveying the battlefield. Because Nobunaga arrived quickly, the siege of Takatsuki Castle wasn't fully completed. Currently, the Oda army was positioned in a pincer movement between the inner and outer walls of the castle, making it difficult for Noriyoshi Munekatsu to launch a proactive attack.

Of course, given the state of Japanese castles, even if 5,000 men were sent to block the exit, the rest could still go out to fight in the field. But the Mori coalition of 40,000 men came from three different factions. Although Mori was the commander-in-chief, the largest force was from Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple. And the one with the strongest desire to attack was neither Mori nor the main force of Hongan-ji, but Araki Murashige.

This distorted model was only possible because Mori had just won a great victory over Oda's army and had enough prestige and strength to get his men and horses into battle.

Without profit, it would be incredibly difficult for these three groups to come together.

Nobunaga, constantly surveying the battlefield, quickly realized this. The main force launching the attacks and harassment was Araki's army, followed by the forces of Ishiyama Hongan-ji. The Mori army, on the other hand...

They remained as still as a mountain, as if waiting for an opportunity to strike.

So how do we break this deadlock?

"Shichibei, please take note of this. I have made the following deployment: reinforce the Takatsuki line with Akechi (Mitsuhide), Hosokawa (Fujitaka), and three thousand regular archer and arquebusier units;

Five reserve units—Niwa (Nagahide), Hori (Naomasa), Nagano (Nobukabe), Miyoshi (Yasutoshi), and Inaba (Ittetsu)—along with five hundred arquebusiers led by Fukutomi (Hidekatsu), attacked Ishiyama;

Nakagawa (Shigemasa) and 1,000 regular cavalrymen are prepared to intercept the enemy in the direction of Tennoji.

Sakuma (Nobumori) and 12,000 men, along with reinforcements (7,000 from Negoroji and 5,000 from Tsutsui), besieged Iimori Castle;

Shibata (Nagakatsu) and Harada (Nobumasa) were to oversee operations at Mount Tamon; the rest of us, both adults and children, were to serve as commanders under Kawamura (Chōkichi).

"Yes!" Shichibei listened and took notes, then repeated the order. Nobunaga nodded and immediately carried out the command.

What Nomi Munekatsu could rely on was the continuous supply of water from the Yodo River to maintain his logistics.

The army, and the Honganji Temple, possessed a formidable mobilization capacity. Even the Mōri, who dominated the western provinces, only had an army of 100,000. The Honganji Temple, located in a small area, could gather 30,000 to 40,000 people in the rocky mountains.

The Chinese and Thai teams are still quite formidable.

If we include the 20,000 members of the Saiga party who support Ishiyama Honganji, the mobilization capacity of Honganji, per unit area, is second to none in Japan.

As for the navy, Nobunaga was helpless. After all, he couldn't win. He could only let Kuki Yoshitaka go home and come up with some great treasure to get back at them.

However, on land, Nobunaga needed to leverage the advantage that his major enemy to the east, the Takeda clan, had been defeated and eliminated, greatly reducing the pressure on the east. He could then commit more troops to the small Settsu battlefield at hand.

Oda Nobunaga was incredibly strong.

The strategy is to outnumber them and attack Ishiyama Hongan-ji Temple. This will force the Ikko-ikki forces at the Takatsuki front to hastily retreat back to Ishiyama. Once the Ikko-ikki are gone, how many will be left at the Settsu front? They'll be waiting to be hit by Nobunaga's iron fist.

He dispatched all his regular foot soldiers, and Nobunaga led his Ōmi-no-kami (a type of elite soldier) to other positions.

The main force, the small force, and Shichibei's three thousand cavalrymen conducted guerrilla warfare on the outskirts of the battlefield, immediately throwing themselves into any battle that broke out, ready to fight to the death.

The army was quickly mobilized, with Akechi Mitsuhide and Hosokawa...

Fujitaka had no complaints about staying in Takatsuki to face the Mori coalition directly; in fact, he saw it as a golden opportunity to outmaneuver the enemy and directly defeat the Mori army's main force in the Kinai region. By eliminating this tentacle that the Mori had extended into the Kinai region, they might be able to crush the Mori's ambition to conquer the entire country.

However, Niwa Nagahide, after mobilizing his troops to arrive, had differing opinions on whether the attack on Ishiyama was genuine or a feigned one.

Ishiyama Honganji Temple, though called a single temple, is actually a complex of interconnected fortresses. Numerous subordinate temples and pagodas surround the central Jodo Shinshu headquarters like stars around the moon.

The main castle is surrounded by a vast castle town with a population of over 40,000, whose wealth even Oda Nobunaga coveted. The key point is that attacking Ishiyama Gobo would inevitably burn down the town in front of the castle.

Niwa Nagahide led his troops as the commander-in-chief in the feigned attack on Ishiyama. He believed that in order to recall the Ikko-ikki members who were fighting abroad, it was necessary to make a show of force. Simply launching a fierce attack and capturing one or two lower palaces would be of no use.

Surrounded by hundreds of pagodas and monasteries, like a series of winding, rolling hills, the defenders, unless they were fools, would not...

Because of the loss of two or three lower houses, they summoned a large army to come back to the rescue.

Judging from the many years of encounters with Master Xianru, there are many capable people in Shishan Honganji Temple, probably not just one or two, but quite a few talented individuals.

It's not simply about Shimoma Yoriken, who openly commands the Ishiyama Ikko-ikki, or Shimoma Nakataka, who has negotiated with the Oda army, the Imperial Court, and the Shogunate.

That makes sense, but a feigned attack on Ishiyama might not be enough to mobilize the Ikko-ikki forces in Takatsuki.

The beatings Ishiyama suffered were among the worst in all of Japan. He had already lost Ōtani Hongan-ji and Yamashina Hongan-ji due to attacks from the Hokke-ikki and Enryaku-ji Temples on Mount Hiei. Now he was being attacked by Nobunaga, with so many powerful figures taking turns "serving" him.

The Honganji family has learned from being beaten up.

Niwa Nagahide is currently Nobunaga's second-in-command, so Nobunaga is likely to listen to what he says. Besides, what he says makes sense; if it's just a feint, it shouldn't be difficult to make Ishiyama anxious.

Then we'll really fight!

It wasn't just about attacking the Lower House towers, which were like fortresses on the outside; a large-scale fire attack and artillery bombardment were also needed. This means...