Owari Yumeki Golden Day.

Then a time lag appeared: Niwa Nagahide's army of several thousand men stormed into Higashiharima, clearly indicating that the Bessho clan was doomed. Awakawa Sadanobu's display of might came later; in the present moment, the hearts of the people were inevitably in turmoil.

Taking advantage of this opportunity, Kodera Takataka and Bessho Shigemune went directly to Kasuya Masao, the lord of Kakogawa Castle. Don't recognize him? No problem, he later had another nickname—the Seven Spears of Shizugatake. However, the name listed among the Seven Spears of Shizugatake was Kasuya Takenori; let's just say the Japanese changed their names, I won't go into details.

Kasuya Masao saw that Kobayakawa Takakage couldn't break through, but Niwa Nagahide was about to break through. His mother and Kodera Takataka's mother were sisters.

I voted!

Hideyoshi, in a move that could be described as spending a fortune to buy a horse's bones, immediately provided 3,000 koku, thus drawing all the local territories around the Kako River to Himeji Castle. This was also related to the fact that Kodera Masakazu's previous surprise attack on Himeji Castle had failed, resulting in a crushing defeat and forcing him to retreat to Mitsuki Castle.

In short, aside from having a god-like perspective, it is utterly incomprehensible for anyone caught in the midst of global chaos to predict the future course of events.

With the surrender of Kakogawa Castle, Kamiyoshi Castle, located on the west bank of the Kakogawa River, was cut off from its main castle, Miki Castle. Kamiyoshi Castle was now trapped between Himeji and the Kakogawa River, unable to advance or retreat.

The lord of the castle, Shinji Yori, was naturally unwilling to sit idly by and wait for his death. He immediately sent troops to attack Kakogawa Castle. Kakogawa Castle was small and thinly fortified. It was more of an earthen wall than a castle, and there were less than two hundred soldiers guarding it.

Fortunately, Kodera Takataka and Bessho Shigemune arrived with 450 men to reinforce the castle and repel Kamiyoshi Yorisada's attack. This blow demoralized Kamiyoshi Yorisada, leaving him with no choice but to request reinforcements from Miki Castle.

Bessho Yoshichika of Miki Castle mustered 3,500 cavalrymen to prepare for the attack on Kakogawa. In the short period of time, a series of major and minor events occurred, including Awa no Sadenori's great defeat of Niwa Nagahide, the Oda army's rout and retreat to Kyoto, Nobunaga's decision to appoint Shichibei, and Shichibei's arrival in Higashi-Harima.

Bessho Yoshichika, who had already led 3,500 men, was preparing to leave the city.

They were stunned. They needed to save Shenji City, and they also needed to save Danhe City—which one should they save?

Because Bessho Nagaharu was exiled, Bessho Yoshichika's rule within the Bessho family was not very stable. Here we need to discuss the issue of favoritism. As we mentioned before, Bessho Yoshichika was the chief retainer in charge of the western part of Bessho, while Bessho Shigemune was the chief retainer in charge of the eastern part of Bessho.

With both Kamiyoshi Yorisada and Awakawa Sadanori seeking his help, Kamiyoshi Yorisada, his old subordinate in the west, must have held a more significant place in Bessho Yoshichika's heart.

With your resourcefulness and ingenious plans, Awakawa Sadakanobu is sure you can hold out for ten days to half a month. After ten days to half a month, Bessho Yoshichika will decisively defeat Kakogawa Castle, opening a passage to Kamiyoshi Castle, and will immediately return to rescue it.

When the news reached Tamakawa Sadanori, Bessho Tomoyuki and Reizei Tamejun had already arrived at Tamakawa Sadanori's camp. They listed the terms and conditions offered by Bessho Nagaharu and Shichibei, including how much money and how much land they wanted, and told them to name their price.

If you were Tamsui Dingfan, what would you do?

I risked my life to rebel with you, and even shielded you from an attack by tens of thousands of men. Now that we're really in trouble, you should at least come to my rescue first, right? But then Kawamura's army surrounded us all over the mountains, telling us...

I need to go rescue others. How can you expect me to defend the city for half a month first?

"An additional 10,000 koku? And another 3,000 kan?" Shichibei thought the terms were acceptable.

“Where did this 10,000 koku come from…” Bessho Nagaharu muttered.

The other families probably have a territory of between 150,000 and 200,000 koku, maybe a little more or less. These are all estimates; they've never even conducted a land survey. For Tamsui to ask for 10,000 koku is indeed a bit much.

His thinking was probably that since he had participated in the rebellion and exiled Bessho Nagaharu, he would later return to Bessho Nagaharu's command. The best way was to have the ability to protect himself. The Bessho family was only so big, and if he became a completely loyal retainer, and if he were to be dealt with later, it would cause unrest within the entire family, and Bessho Nagaharu would probably be hesitant to act rashly.

However, taking advantage of the chaos to acquire more territory was definitely one of his goals. Since it was territory that Bessho Yoshichika was destined to lose anyway, why not take it?

He took the lead in turning against the government, and many people in the eastern part of the country will also switch sides. It's like pulling one hair and affecting the whole body; that's what you call a local tyrant.

"How about we fight a battle!" Hachiya Yoritaka was Nobunaga's deputy commander, and he came to Harima to make a name for himself.

Only by beheading people can one gain merit, by winning battles and establishing fame.

He could become a lord of 50,000 cities, and then a lord of 100,000 states. So when he saw Shichibei and Bessho Nagaharu arguing, he directly suggested a battle. If they could break through Awaga Castle in one fell swoop, then there would be nothing more to say. Even if they couldn't break through, they could still intimidate Awaga Sadakabe and force him to surrender as soon as possible.

The army now numbers 16,000 cavalry, all of whom came from the same unit as Kawamura's army, so there's no issue of multiple management. Furthermore, the mules and horses are stationed behind Narukawa, so they're not likely to be lured away.

Whether it's a night raid or a direct assault, there are experienced generals who can handle it. They are also familiar with the local area, and as the local strongmen of Changzhi, they are not afraid to sneak into ravines or hide in grasslands.

“That’s true.” Shichibei thought to himself that they really couldn’t just spoil Awaga Sadanobu.

If we simply indulge and appease him because he previously beat up Niwa Nagahide, he will become a troublesome figure in the future.

There are countless people who fear power but do not appreciate virtue in ordinary life, and no form of submission is more effective than being subdued by force.

The present-day Awaga Castle was merely a flat mountain castle, or rather, a flat castle, with ruins remaining from later generations. Its main keep and arrow towers had been developed into a water-enclosed enclosure, situated on a small hill no more than three kilometers high. As for the outer keep, it was just flat ground, without stone walls or even a weir. Only a lookout embankment had been dug in the outer keep and filled with bamboo spikes.

how to spell?

Shichibei circled the castle but had no clue whatsoever. However, Hachiya Yoritaka pointed out that the side of Awaga Castle was a "cut bank," meaning a sheer cliff along the riverbank. As the name suggests, Awaga Castle is next to the Awaga River. As for the so-called cliff? It was nothing more than a man-made slope of earth and stone.

The outer curved wheel was even partially built on the riverbank, giving it a elevation of several meters. But even with this elevation, it didn't prevent his large gate from being on flat ground, with only an open moat for cover.

Kawamura's army has money and manpower, so let's fight like that. Get ten fire arrows and cover them with bamboo bundles and wooden shields, or just build ten roofless wooden houses with door panels and leave a few observation holes.

They threw fire arrows into the city with all their might. After the rainy season, the weather became dry, so they invited Danhe Dingfan to have a barbecue.

Once the fire starts, there's no need for anyone else to move; Hachiya Yoritaka will personally lead his troops, armed with battering rams, to storm the city gates. After breaching the outer walls, they can then discuss peace.

Okay, let's do it this way.

Originally, Tamsui Teiban was a mix of anxiety and anticipation within the city.

Upon seeing fortifications being erected outside the city, they realized something was amiss. When fire arrows pierced Danhe City the following day, they knew this matter was far from over.

A surprise attack from outside the city? Looking at the well-prepared forces of Todo Takatora, Hara Nagayori, and Shibata Nagakatsu, he knew perfectly well that a direct confrontation with Kawamura's army was impossible. As for long-range attacks? Kawamura's army had thousands of arquebuses; a volley of fire would keep the defenders from even daring to peek out from the city walls.

Fire arrows whistled into Awaga Castle, but only because of the distance could they penetrate the main keep. The outer keep and the various flaming houses were ablaze one after another. Taking advantage of the suppressed fire, Hachiya Yoritaka, a fierce general, took the lead and rushed into the gate with his family and personal guards.

Seeing his bravery, Shichibei quickly called out to Sanada Masaki, saying that if necessary, he would follow him into the city to provide archery support.

Sanada Masaki had many "Red Guards" under his command, skilled in both swordsmanship and archery. Of course, the six brothers of Namae Sadaharu could also do it, but they were mercenaries, and each head had to be sold for money. Sanada Masaki had agreed to work for free for three years to repay his great kindness.

"The city gate has been breached!" The crowd on both sides pointed in unison as the foot soldiers under Hachiya Yoritaka's command smashed open the Awaga Otemon Gate.

414. It was truly a battle for wealth.

A continuous roar of cheers erupted from below the city walls. The soldiers on both sides were eager for action; the main gate had been breached, they were definitely going to rush in to behead enemies, claim credit, and plunder. Wasn't that what warriors did when they left home? Did they expect you to be all sentimental and concerned with grand principles of history?

Just as Shichibei was giving the order to continue the advance, Takenaka Hanbei, who was observing the battle, winked at Shichibei. Shichibei immediately understood and moved closer.

"Hyogo Hachiya is the master's mother's garment." With that one sentence, Shichibei understood instantly.

Warfare is also part of human relationships and social dynamics. Hachiya Yoritaka was Nobunaga's specially assigned lieutenant to Shichibei; he was there to earn merit and make money. Kawamura's army shouldn't compete with him; doing so would only make things worse.

"Ito Seizo!" Shichibei, understanding the implication, called out Ito Hisahisa, who was also a member of Nobunaga's entourage.

"exist! "

"I appoint you as my successor." Shichibei waved his horse staff, urging Ito Hisahisa to hurry up and follow, together with Hachiya Yoritaka, to break through the outer wall of Awaga Castle.

Takatora Todo, standing to the side, nodded slightly, clearly agreeing with Hantaka Takenaka.

The arrangements for Heibei and Shichibei. There's still the great achievement of Miki Castle to come; let Hachiya Yoritaka enjoy Awaga Castle for now.

Ito Hisahisa led his eight hundred men, closely following Hachiya Yoritaka, and charged in. At this moment, the arquebuses and cannons stopped, and Shichibei, on horseback, observed the battle. All that could be heard were shouts of who had been captured, who had seized the well tower, and so on.

"The city is not completely in chaos yet." This time it was Tōdō Takatora who spoke.

"How do you know?" Shichibei looked at the swirling smoke and the rising shouts of battle; things must be in complete chaos.

"Listen to the sound of cannons." Todo Takatora pointed to the main body of Awaga Castle, which was on a platform twenty or thirty meters high.

To avoid friendly fire, Kawamura's army had ceased firing. Only a small group of archers, armed with greatbows, followed into the city to provide supplementary firepower. With close-quarters combat underway, there was no room for artillery.

However, the arquebus firing from the main citadel of Awaga Castle was unaffected; they were, in a sense, in a superior position. Todo Takatora was carefully discerning the arquebus sounds because loading arquebuses was a troublesome task; if one was flustered or in disarray, it was difficult to load them properly. Only under relatively stable conditions could continuous firing be achieved.

"Thinking about it now, the only option is to seize the outer sphere." Takenaka Hanbei also thought so.

“If we can seize the outer sphere, things will be much easier to discuss, won’t they, Harima no Kami?” Shichibei gestured to Bessho Nagaharu.

"That's natural." Once the outer shell is broken, there's no need to give his great-uncle ten thousand koku of new knowledge, so Bessho Nagaharu is naturally happy to do so.

"Hahahaha..." Shichibei clapped his hands and laughed. "You've got some little schemes up your sleeve, haven't you?"

Sure enough, not long after, even with Ito's long-term cooperation, Hachiya Yoritaka was unable to break into the main castle and, exhausted, slowly withdrew from the outer castle of Awaga Castle. In the end, he broke the east and west ramparts of the outer castle, then set fire to the main buildings to prevent the castle from being recaptured by the castle's inhabitants, and then retreated outside the castle.

It's alright, all the credit for this first shot, first ride, and first kill goes to you, brother.

On the spot, I will reward you with two horses, a knife, and fifty taels of gold.

Surprisingly, Hachiya Yoritaka saw that Shichibei was just as straightforward as Nobunaga, not uttering a single word of nonsense, and immediately kowtowed to Shichibei on the ground. He indicated that if they were to attack the citadel tomorrow, he would be willing to be the first to scale the castle.

He presented the gold coins to him, and Shichibei repeatedly praised Hyogo-no-gane's bravery.

Wudang, everyone present has witnessed it all. His bravery will be renowned throughout the region.

With both money and prestige, Hachiya Yoritaka's face flushed red. While this was partly due to his recent withdrawal from the battlefield, it was also because he deeply appreciated Shichibei's generous treatment.

Then send someone into the city to tell Awagawa Sadanobu that it would be very easy for Kawamura Shichibei to break through the city. He had previously tried to persuade them to surrender, but now if they wanted to surrender, they would have to take away the old territory of Awagawa Castle in Higashiharima and transfer it to Izumi with 10,000 koku of rice.

If you're going to ask for an exorbitant price, Shichibei is showing off his muscles, so he has to be high-profile and domineering, otherwise he'll only make Awaga Sadakabe look down on him.

They weren't planning to take Awagado Sadanori away, and they might not even be able to. As for Izumi's 10,000 koku? They'd have to go and conquer it together with Shichibei later. Nobunaga only promised Izumi 100,000 koku; the land was there, but Shichibei had to go and take it himself.

Just like in history, when Yamauchi Kazutoyo was granted the province of Tosa, he couldn't even enter the province and was humiliated by a single leader of the Chosokabe clan's elite troops. In the end, he made up his mind, shaved his head, demoted all the Chosokabe samurai to lower-ranking soldiers, and stepped on the heads of dead men before he was finally able to enter the province and be granted the castle of Urado.

Shichibei truly didn't understand warfare, but this kind of manipulation...

Shichibei was quite adept at winning people's hearts and demonstrating his authority.

Looking at Bessho Tomoyuki entering the city again, Awakawa Sadanori was far less composed than when he was commanding the arquebusiers to fire down on people.

In reality, only two or three hundred soldiers were lost. The troops guarding the Awakawa Honmaru were still quite numerous, and their food supplies could last for two months. However, the Kawamura army worked far too fast. Normally, they should have been cutting firewood, filling in the empty moats, removing bamboo splinters, setting fire to the wooden steps, and carrying bamboo ladders to climb up the ramparts.

Then he led his men out for a night raid, while during the day Shichibei sent men to sabotage his water intake system near the Awa River. The struggle raged around this small Awa River town for over a month without much progress.

Inside the city, men and horses were exhausted; outside the city, there was no way to stop them. It was just like ten or twenty years ago when those famous feudal lords of Japan besieged various castles.

Whether it was Takeda Shingen, Hojo Ujiyasu, Uesugi Kenshin, or even Oda Nobunaga, twenty years ago they would all have been held off for several days by a small castle called Awaga. In the end, they either besieged the castle until it ran out of food and surrendered, or they bribed the castle soldiers to open the gates and capture the castle.

This Kawamura Shichibei isn't playing by the rules at all; he's launching a full-scale attack right from the start. He has no intention of capturing and occupying Awaga Castle; he's just raining fire arrows and lead bullets down on the castle like they're free.

The city was completely burned down and turned into a pile of ruins. How did Kawamura's army defend the city after capturing it?

Shichibei didn't need to defend the castle. Harima was Hideyoshi's fiefdom, and Shichibei was just "reinforcements." Nobunaga's military mission was to surround Miki, block Bessho, and open up land communication with Hideyoshi.

That's all, I have no other requests.

Even if you smashed up the small town of Awaga, or even the entire Miki region, Nobunaga wouldn't blame you. Hideyoshi certainly wouldn't blame you either; he'd be overjoyed. Being surrounded, allied forces rushed to your aid, clearing your supply lines—this was a tremendous act of kindness, a lifesaver.

Therefore, Awakawa Sadanobu suddenly had an idea that was very much in line with the current situation, especially after Shichibei proposed the incredible condition of changing Izumi's fief to 10,000 koku. Awakawa Sadanobu became even more certain of it.

Kill the chicken and the monkey!

Kill that chicken, Danhe Dingfan, and make him a monkey, Biesuo Jiqin.

The more he thought about it, the more sense it made. Awagawa Sadanobu had just routed Niwa Nagahide's army of over ten thousand, killing three or four thousand in battle. He should already be considered a notorious figure in the Oda clan, and given Oda Nobunaga's personality, he would want to kill the entire family.

He was actually overthinking things; Nobunaga's current focus was entirely on attacking...

First, he defeated Mori Terumoto; second, he stabilized Uesugi Kenshin's position. Although Awakawa Sadanobu defeated the Oda army, he had to take a backseat to the two major events mentioned above.

Bessho Tomoyuki is Bessho Nagaharu's younger brother, and he wanted to return to Miki Castle as soon as possible, so he couldn't help but urge him. His urging, with his fearless demeanor, completely broke down Awakawa Sadanobu's psychological defenses.

"What! "

Not only did Shichibei find it unbelievable, but all the generals in the shogunate, from Bessho Nagaharu down, found it unbelievable. This was because Awakawa Sadanobu had completely accepted Shichibei's unacceptable condition, promising to open the castle and transfer 10,000 koku of rice to Izumi.