Yashiro the Blind

Around six or seven in the morning, several hundred people stopped in front of Atsuta Shrine. Nobunaga tugged on the reins, both to let his panting horse rest for a while and to wait for the foot soldiers who had no horses to ride and had to walk.

Meanwhile, news came back from the front lines: a series of fortresses, including Marune and Washizu, had fallen, and the defending generals Sakuma Daigaku, Oda Genban, and Iio Omi no Kami, along with their eight hundred soldiers, had died heroically. These were all veteran generals of Owari, renowned for their long service to the Oda clan since the time of Nobuhide.

Even without scouts reporting, one could see billowing black smoke rising from the direction of Washizu and Marune Castles just by looking out from Atsuta Shrine.

Witnessing this scene, everyone's hearts sank, and a hint of sorrow appeared in their eyes. They felt a deep connection to their kind; Washizu and Marune's fate was perhaps their own. Only Nobunaga remained unmoved, not even flinching. He removed his helmet, and led by the priest, entered the worship hall, poured sacred wine, and began reciting a prayer.

Nobunaga, who had always disbelieved in gods and Buddhas and even showed a contemptuous attitude, was now solemn and appeared devout.

As if influenced by the atmosphere, the soldiers below also bowed their heads solemnly, sketching the figure of the god in their hearts and praying silently.

Suddenly, as Nobunaga clapped his hands again, the statue of Atsuta Okami in front of him shook violently, producing a clanging sound like metal striking metal, and the pillars of the worship hall shook twice in the process.

Before anyone else could react, Nobunaga's eyes widened as if he were possessed by a demon, and he shouted, "Listen! It is Atsuta-sama who heard Nobunaga's prayers and came to encourage and cheer us on in today's battle—Atsuta-sama, please bless our army to win every battle!"

Those Oda's soldiers who witnessed this scene with their own eyes and ears had no doubts and knelt down one after another, believing that it was truly the great god Atsuta appearing in their hearts. Their once discouraged mood was immediately lifted again, and some even shed tears of excitement.

"Everyone!"

Taking advantage of the opportunity, Nobunaga turned around and looked down at the soldiers who had followed him. At this moment, there were already over a thousand soldiers who had gathered from all over the country, each one full of fighting spirit. Seeing this, Nobunaga felt a surge of ambition and pride welling up in his own heart.

His words, like thunder, resounded in everyone's ears: "Today, May 19th of the third year of Eiroku, including Nobunaga, this day is very likely to be the anniversary of your deaths. I have not been able to give you generous stipends or let you live a good life for even a day, and now you are going to die so young. Perhaps this is the fate of those who follow Nobunaga. There is nothing we can do about it!"

"From this moment on, if anyone still has lingering attachments to life and wishes to change their mind, they need not hesitate to turn back! As for those who choose to stay, they are entrusting their lives to the foolish Nobunaga—"

Nobunaga's gaze swept across everyone's faces, and just then, the morning light shone on his helmet, making it shine like a newly risen sun.

"Well then, everyone, are you willing to join me in fighting against Imagawa Harubu?"

A moment of silence.

The next second, the soldiers outside the hall raised their weapons and roared in response: "Fight! Fight! Fight!"

The response was deafening, like a mountain roar and a tsunami!

……

at the same time.

Upon receiving reports from the front lines that the fortresses of Washizu and Marune had been captured by generals such as Matsudaira Motoyasu, and that the road ahead was clear, Imagawa Yoshimoto's main force finally set off from Okazaki. According to the original plan, they were expected to reach Ōdaka Castle, which was guarded by Yoshimoto's brother-in-law, Udono Nagamori, before dark, and stay overnight in the castle before launching a formal attack on Kiyosu Castle the next day.

But as summer arrived, the weather, already hot, became even more scorching at midday, the sun baking the shrubs until their leaves were dry and withered. The people fared no better; from high-ranking samurai to foot soldiers, every member of the Imagawa clan's procession was drenched in sweat, their eyes listless. Even the fluttering banners seemed less vibrant than when they had set out from Suruga.

"This won't do... It's too hot. Let's find a place to rest first."

Unable to bear the scorching heat, Imagawa Yoshimoto gave the order that the soldiers should no longer rush on their way, but instead busy themselves preparing to set up camp and rest. Scouts came and went, and after several selections, they finally chose a shady spot in a basin in the Tarakuhachi area, where Yoshimoto's main force set up camp.

Compared to others, Yoshimoto shed several times more sweat that day. Although he often rode on the battlefield and fought bloody battles with the enemy when he was young, since the situation in Suruga had been relatively stable, this official had been living a life of ease for a long time. He had unknowingly gained a lot of extra weight and fat. Although he was not clumsy, riding a horse in this hot weather was quite a hardship for him.

Moreover, that short and stout body had to carry quite a lot every day. In addition to the red brocade clothes on the ground, there were also precious armor, breastplates, and a helmet with five forehead guards decorated with eight dragons; plus the Matsukura-go sword passed down through generations of the Imagawa family, the waist sword worn on the left side, arm armor, leg guards, and shoes, etc. All these miscellaneous pieces of equipment added up to about fifty or sixty pounds.

It would have been alright when it was cool, but after walking under the blazing sun all morning, his helmet and armor felt like they were about to be scorched. Yi Yuan himself was almost fainting from the heat. In the end, he was helped off his horse by his attendants and then helped by several servants to remove his armor and take off his steaming white undergarment, which looked like it had just been pulled out of boiling water. He was then given a new one, and a gentle breeze made him feel a little more comfortable.

He then put on his heavy gear again, sat on an expensive leopard-skin cushion, and ordered his attendants to set out all the supplies he had brought from Suruga, along with food and tea. Yoshimoto's tent quickly transformed into a luxurious scene.

He then ordered several generals, along with the army doctor and his companions—those who were responsible for performing talents, organizing tea parties, and doing odd jobs around the daimyo—to gather together for tea and casual conversation. Although they were in the mountains of Owari, only this one tent exuded a leisurely and elegant atmosphere.

A moment later, several hundred soldiers from the front lines returned in triumph, carrying many heads they had captured in the Battle of Narumi. Yoshimoto was in high spirits and said with a smile, "What? The heads of those Oda soldiers have been sent over? Bring them out quickly, let me see what kind of stupid faces these clowns who opposed the Imagawa clan really have."

He half-covered his face with a fan, inspecting the heads that were brought before him one by one. There were more than seventy dead on the Oda side, including the famous general Sasa Hayato Masamasa, who had caused the Imagawa clan several major losses, and Iwato Nagato, a trusted samurai general under Nobunaga.

Yoshimoto would occasionally ask those around him, "Who is this?" Upon receiving the answer, he would laugh happily and say, "Even such a great figure as so-and-so is dead. It seems that the Oda clan's fate is truly sealed. Hehehe." The other generals naturally echoed his laughter, and the camp was filled with laughter, a sea of ​​joy.

However, after looking at more than thirty heads, Yi Yuan, who was initially very interested, gradually got bored. He waved his fan and said, "Too bloody, too bloody..." He ordered his men to take the remaining heads away and move them aside. Several servants brought over fans and vigorously fanned away the lingering smell of blood in the air.

He stretched and stood up from the leopard-skin rug. He was escorted out of the tent by his retainers. He looked up at the chaotic clouds in the sky and said, "The shape of these clouds is quite peculiar... Oh dear, it looks like it might rain later."

"That would be perfect. It's terribly hot now, but it will cool down after the rain," the retainer beside him said with a smile.

Someone else chimed in: "This shows that even the heavens don't want to see you suffer in the heat, my lord. All the gods and Buddhas in the heavens are on our side."

"Oh dear, oh dear, stop talking nonsense. How can we mortals presume to know the thoughts of gods and Buddhas?"

Yoshimoto pretended to scold him, but he couldn't hide the smile on his face. "However, things in this world have always belonged to the virtuous. Although Lord Nobuhide, the governor of Bingo Province in Owari Province, is a formidable enemy of mine, Imagawa, I have long admired him and consider him a rare friend. Now that his foolish son can't hold onto this legacy, rather than letting that patricide beast of Mino Province seize this land, I might as well take it over first... I believe that if the governor of Bingo Province knew this in the afterlife, he would not mind."

With a "snap," the folding fan struck his palm. He turned his head, looked in the direction of Qingzhou City, and smiled, revealing two rows of teeth that had been deliberately blackened. He was very happy.

After a while, Yiyuan asked again, "...Speaking of which, what time is it now? It should be almost noon, right?"

"No, noon has already passed."

"Oh dear, no wonder I'm hungry... Quickly pass down the order to prepare lunch and let the troops rest."

"Yes!"

Amidst the hustle and bustle, the aroma of fine wine and food gradually filled the air, the sky overhead grew increasingly overcast, a gentle mountain breeze stirred, and dark clouds obscured the sky. Unnoticed by anyone, a single raindrop silently fell from the sky…

Chapter 103 A Dream Shattered in Okehazama

After everyone had lunch, the sky gradually darkened, and dark clouds began to gather in the distance.

Even the gloomy sky did not dampen Yoshimoto's good mood at all. The reason he was determined to march on Kyoto was not only because he had been prepared and believed the time was right, but also because he had finally received the promise from the Ashikaga shogunate.

Although the current Shogun Ashikaga Yoshiteru is young, he possesses great ambition and is determined to restore the shogunate and end the chaos. He has been engaged in a long-standing power struggle with Miyoshi Nagayoshi, who holds immense influence in the Kinai region. However, his limited strength has forced him to flee Kyoto several times, leaving him in a sorry state. Yet, he has never given up. On one hand, he is repairing his military equipment, raising funds, and preparing for war. On the other hand, he is also actively seeking external support, sending imperial letters to daimyo from all directions, inviting them to come to Kyoto to punish the traitor Miyoshi.

Unfortunately, the daimyo of various countries were either powerless and unable to extricate themselves, like Nagao Kagetora of Echigo, or they simply did not care about the authority of the shogunate and were only concerned with managing their own small territories. After several years of twists and turns, just when the shogun was somewhat disheartened, he made contact with the Imagawa family of Suruga.

Even knowing that Imagawa Yoshimoto's true intention was likely to use the pretext of marching to Kyoto to support the emperor while actually expanding his territory, Ashikaga Yoshiteru was like a drowning man, clinging to any straw that might help him deal with Miyoshi. The two sides quickly reached an agreement, and the shogun immediately wrote a secret letter, granting Yoshimoto the righteous justification for marching to Kyoto.

It could be said that his trip to the capital was perfectly legitimate, carried out under imperial decree to suppress the traitors. Anyone who stood in his way was considered an accomplice to evil and thus an accomplice of the Three Goods. The so-called righteous cause and justification can sometimes be ethereal and intangible, yet at other times weigh as heavily as a thousand pounds, especially when one's own strength is formidable enough.

Even before officially setting off, Yoshimoto had already secretly made arrangements with several forces around the Kinki region. Who to ally with and who to eliminate after arriving in the capital were all planned in a series of secret meetings.

Of course, regardless of the outcome of this march to Kyoto, and whether or not they ultimately succeed in capturing the capital, Oda and Saito were determined to seize it. Fertile and rich plains like Owari and Mino were something they absolutely had to hold firmly in their hands; there was no room for negotiation on that.

In order to ensure a safe outcome, Yoshimoto had been preparing for this military campaign for many years, mobilizing almost the entire nation's resources. The army was said to number 40,000, but in reality, it numbered about 25,000.

Matsudaira Motoyasu led over 2,500 men to attack Marune; Asahina Kazue led 2,000 men to attack Washizu; the main force of about 6,000 men, with Katsurayama Nobusada as general, was advancing towards Kiyosu; in addition, Miura Bingo no Kami led over 3,000 men as reserve reinforcements, ready to adapt to changing circumstances; as for Imagawa Yoshimoto himself, he led his own army of about 5,000 men—the most elite army in Suruga—slowly advancing.

Facing a mere Oda Nobunaga, deploying such elite troops was somewhat like a lion hunting a rabbit. However, according to Yoshimoto's plan, this battle in Owari was just a preliminary exercise to train his troops. He wanted to let his men see blood first and hone their fighting spirit before attacking Mino, which would be much more effective.

The same is true.

As rumored, Nobunaga was indeed an incompetent ruler. Even before Katsuyama Nobusada and his army arrived at the front lines, Matsudaira Motoyasu and Asahina had already sent news of their victories. Many of Oda's famous generals died one after another, but the most crucial figure, Oda Nobunaga, seemed to have given up completely and showed no reaction whatsoever.

"Oh dear, this is probably the easiest battle I've ever fought in my life. It's not quite satisfying."

Within the luxurious curtains, friends, servants, and waiters bustled about, busy plating various exquisite dishes onto the table. Yoshimoto sat on his comfortable leopard-skin rug, perhaps still feeling the heat, constantly fanning himself with a folding fan. He looked at the sumptuous meal and smiled happily, his heart filled with joy.

"On another note, all this food was sent by representatives from nearby shrines, temples, and villages. They said they had been waiting for this moment for many years and were eager to welcome the king's army."

He pointed with his folding fan and said, “Although they look like cheap drinks and local products, it’s rare that someone has put so much effort into them, so you might as well give them a try.”

“Our lord has implemented benevolent policies, and his reputation has spread far and wide. These common people naturally yearn for it, only hoping to enjoy the virtuous rule of the Imagawa family as soon as possible, just like the people in our household,” a retainer said with a smile. He seemed to be an old general as well. After saying this, he couldn’t help but sigh: “It’s a pity that the governor of Bingo has such a illustrious reputation, but his son is a useless fool. What a pity, what a pity.”

The Bingo Governor he mentioned was not Miura Bingo, the Imagawa clan's own, but Oda Nobuhide, Nobunaga's father. Because he had donated a large sum of money to the imperial court to buy the position of Junior Fifth Rank Bingo Governor, he was mostly referred to as Bingo Governor by his contemporaries.

As for why there are two backup defenders at the same time...

This is simply the Japanese Warring States period.

"Hahaha. It's a good thing that Nobunaga is so easily defeated, but if this continues, all our hard work in training will have been for nothing!" someone joked.

"No rush, no rush. When we attack Kiyosu Castle in a couple of days, no matter how cowardly and incompetent Oda Nobunaga is, he will definitely take action. You will naturally be rewarded with military merits then."

Yoshimoto waved his fan, then covered his mouth and laughed, "Once we take Owari, we'll rest for a few days in Kiyosu and enjoy the local sake and songs. Oh, and of course, there are plenty of beautiful women... I've heard that Oda Bingo's daughters are all top-notch beauties, hahaha!"

His laughter was hearty, and the Imagawa generals inside the curtain exchanged glances, understanding each other perfectly, and burst into laughter as well. Although they were still in Okehazama, their minds had already taken flight, soaring to Kiyosu's castle, where they began to indulge in unbridled pleasure.

"Come on, let's drink! Let's drink!"

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, the sun unknowingly disappeared into the clouds.

Around noon, the daylight suddenly darkened, and gusts of wind howled across the basin, blowing a corner of the camp on the mountain high into the air, with rain falling in between.

Inside the tent, everyone was drinking to their hearts' content, and no one noticed the change in the weather. The soldiers around them ran around in a panic, and four large rocks fell down, making the curtain as stable as Mount Tai again.

"Good rain, good rain, it's so refreshing now!"

"Drinking wine while listening to the sound of rain is truly an elegant affair... Oh, by the way, in this setting, would you please recite a waka or a Chinese poem, so that we may have the honor of admiring your literary talent?" The military officer sitting nearby took the opportunity to flatter him.

As everyone knows, Yoshimoto studied under Zen Master Sessai of Taiyuan since childhood. He is not only highly skilled in martial arts, but also has extraordinary attainments in literature and art. He often likes to compose a poem when he is in Suruga. This suggestion is exactly what he wants. Hearing this, he couldn't help but curl up the corners of his mouth, revealing his black teeth.

He listened intently to the sound of wind and rain outside the tent, and under the watchful eyes of his retainers, he gently tapped his palm with his folding fan. After a moment, just as he was about to speak, a loud bang suddenly came from outside the tent—

boom!

Lightning flashed and thunder roared; even through the tents, a blinding white light could be seen outside.

To prepare for the heavy rain, Yiyuan deliberately chose to set up camp next to this camphor tree that was so big that it would take three or four people to encircle it. However, he never expected that the storm would come so quickly and so fiercely. In an instant, the trunk of the big tree was shaking violently in the strong wind, as if even the roots buried in the ground were unstable.

Countless leaves broke free from the branches, new and old alike, falling like stones or hailstones onto the general's armor inside the tent. Though light and fluttering, the leaves made a crackling sound. The wind blowing overhead sounded like the roar of some indescribable beast.

"Please be patient for now, and we'll have them hang up the rainproof curtains!" a military officer shouted to his men outside, but the rain and wind were fierce, and the whistling of the trees seemed to drown out all other sounds, including his voice.

The general frowned slightly, feeling that these fools had made him lose face in front of his lord and colleagues. He was a little angry and immediately braved the heavy rain, reaching out to lift the curtain and go out, shouting, "Is anyone there! Where have all the people gone? Come quickly!"

boom!

Another clap of thunder, and the world turned pale. His voice echoed hollowly in the downpour.

"Ok?"

Suddenly, the general seemed to hear some strange sounds. He stood there, listening carefully, and then recognized them as the sound of horses' hooves galloping across the ground, the clanging and clashing of weapons, and the screams and howls of men in the wind and rain…

These sounds seemed very distant.

For a moment, the general's mind went blank; he couldn't understand what was happening. But the next instant, he felt a heavy pat on the shoulder, and he heard someone shouting something in his ear: "...What—"

"what?"

"What happened? What's going on?!"

Those inside the curtain also heard the noise outside, exchanged bewildered glances, and wondered: "Has a traitor appeared?"

"Internal strife?"

Everyone chimed in with their own opinions, and Yiyuan sat on the blanket, feeling as if his mind had been blown into a mess by the wind, like a lump of mush.

He instinctively stood up, reaching out to steady his broadsword. Even though he could hear the shouts in the wind getting closer, for a moment, all he could think of was that there had been a traitor in the army.

What other possibilities are there?

Although he looked down on Nobunaga, Yoshimoto, as a seasoned general, was naturally not without his guard up.

To prevent Oda Nobunaga from launching a desperate attack, he ordered his generals Matsui Munenobu and Ii Naomori to garrison just ten cho (approximately 3.3 square kilometers) away with 1,500 soldiers while setting up camp.

That's why he could drink and enjoy himself with his generals without worry. Now, there was clearly no news from the front, but the enemy had inexplicably arrived close by, with the sounds of battle right next to him. It was impossible for Yoshimoto not to feel bewildered and at a loss.

"What happened?!"

"Who is plotting a rebellion!"

The generals roared, their shouts mingling with the thunderous sounds, but there was no response from the surroundings for a long time, only faint screams. Then someone shouted, "It's the enemy!"

"Enemy attack!"

Panic-stricken shouts rose and fell. Including Yoshimoto, the Imagawa generals exchanged glances, somewhat doubting their own ears, but secretly thinking, "Could it be...?"

Large raindrops pelted down from the sky. Yoshimoto threw away his folding fan, his face grim. He had already seen the armored samurai in the crowd and heard their angry roars in the Owari dialect—they really were Oda's army!

"Where is Imagawa Harubu!"

Some had already noticed the camp and charged forward, brandishing their spears. The first general to emerge from his tent, Imagawa, was closest to the enemy and, before he could even draw his sword, was pierced through by a spear and flung away like a rag doll. The Oda samurai who charged forward dropped his spear, drew his greatsword, and, covered in blood, looked like a demon, charged straight at him!

In the blink of an eye, two more warriors, caught off guard, were felled to the ground. Through the thick rain, Yoshimoto could already see the ferocious faces beneath their helmets—

"Lord!"

People around him exclaimed in surprise, and some tried to come forward to block the Oda samurai, but Yoshimoto pursed his thin lips, pushed away the subordinate who was blocking his way, and instead of retreating, he took a step forward. The katana at his waist, Soza Samonji, was drawn from its sheath and the sharp blade was raised.

Blood spurted into the sky, and heads fell to the ground.

The Oda samurai who had just rushed in front of him had become a headless corpse. He swayed for a moment, but before he could land, Yoshimoto kicked him away.

"Discourteous person."

Then the cold voice rang out.

The stench of blood filled the air in the rain. Imagawa Yoshimoto held a katana, its blade stained with blood. In that instant, the leisurely demeanor of a court noble vanished, and the man standing there now was once again the powerful governor of the Tokaido region.

A hero who has fought his way through countless battles, battling the tigers of Kai and the lions of Sagami for years, is no ordinary person. Even though he was momentarily stunned by the unexpected turn of events, he has now calmed down. He glanced around at his still bewildered retainers and frowned in displeasure: "What's the rush? Quickly, bring me my bow!"

"Yes Yes!"

Taking the longbow and arrows, Yoshimoto stood on a high point on the mountain. His sharp eyes swept around a few times, and without hesitation, he drew the bowstring, and the arrow shot out, shattering the rain. A brightly dressed Oda samurai fell to the ground!

"go with!"