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

Chapter 124 Two Reinforcements
Upon learning that the Yamana army had suffered a surprise attack on the mountain, not only did it suffer heavy casualties, but even Otagaki Asanobu, one of the "Four Heavenly Kings of Yamana", had been killed by the sword, Yamana Yufeng on the plateau outside the valley was terrified and filled with grief and indignation, and immediately decided to send Kakiya Tsunari to support Tajie Shoyoshi.

However, Kakiya Tsunesaga was already old, so after some discussion, it was decided that his son Kakiya Mitsunari would go on the field instead. This time, Yamana Yufeng repeatedly warned Kakiya Mitsunari to be careful of the Takeda army's sneak attacks. After all, he had suffered two major losses in one day. If there was a third time, his prestige in the army would suffer a serious blow.

Coincidentally, Masaaki Onitsuka, who had just won a night attack, clearly saw the gap in the strength of the enemy and our own army. He did not blindly take advantage of the victory to launch an attack on the Yamana army outside Dobori, but quickly switched to a defensive state, waiting for a new round of attack from the Yamana army.

Despite the support of Mitsunari Kakiya and the large amount of food and grass supplies, the three consecutive attacks launched by the Yamana army were all defeated by the Takeda army. In addition, Mitsunari Kakiya, who volunteered to serve as the vanguard, was also injured by a stray arrow while directing the filling of the earth pit, but fortunately, the throat chakra blocked it and did not cause too much damage.

However, his injury and the unsuccessful attack of the Yamana army put Tanjie Shojiyoshi in a difficult situation. If he failed to complete the task assigned by Yamana Yufeng on time, not only he himself, but also Yamana Yufeng at home would be in an unfavorable situation.

At this moment, Kakiya Mitsunari returned to the main camp angrily, took off his hood, sat down on a stool, and began to complain: "What a group of difficult guys, I didn't expect that we haven't even broken through Dobori until now, it's really hateful!"

"How much of the earth hole has been filled? Can it be completed tonight?" Tian Jie Zhuang Yi asked with concern.

"It should be about the same, if the Takeda army doesn't launch a night attack tonight." Kakiya Mitsunari responded to Tanjie Shoyoshi in a sarcastic tone. It's not his fault. The two of them had a big fight over the assassination of Kakiya Tsunesaki a few days ago. It has only been a short time since then, and it is difficult for their relationship to return to the state before the assassination.

"We will strengthen our defenses tonight and will never give the Takeda army another chance to launch a sneak attack." Tanjie Shojiro responded firmly. Although he did not want to partner with Kakiya Mitsunari, since he was the candidate chosen by Yamana Yutoyo, he could only obey orders and put aside the previous grievances for the time being and focus on attacking Jiayue City.

That night, perhaps because he noticed the tight defense of the Yamana Army, Oniba Masaaki did not plan another night attack. This made some of the generals around him worried: "Sir, the earth pit will be filled soon. If we don't charge tonight, I'm afraid we won't have a chance tomorrow morning."

"Do you think the enemy will give us a chance tonight?" Onitiao Masaaki asked in return, "After last night's disastrous defeat, the enemy's defense tonight is probably very tight, and they will never let us succeed easily again."

"Are we just going to wait for their attack tomorrow morning?" the generals asked worriedly.

"Just waiting? Who said that?" Onitiao Masaaki took out a secret letter and handed it to everyone to circulate. The letter was very short, but the content was very important.

"The letter said that Shirai Tamebu is leading 500 troops to support us?!" a general said overjoyed.

"Not only that, did you see that? This afternoon, Isshiki Yoshiyuki was shot dead outside Tanabe Castle. The rebellion of the Isshiki family was suppressed in less than half a day!" another general said excitedly.

"If that's the case, then we have nothing to worry about."

"Yes, it's only a day's walk from Miyazu Castle to here. Maybe tomorrow morning, Shirai Minbu will have entered Jiayue Valley!"

Everyone was talking at once, and the worries and fears they had just had seemed to be swept away by this letter.

"Everyone, don't be careless," Onitani Masaaki didn't want to dampen everyone's enthusiasm, but still reminded them to stay alert, "Based on the current situation, the enemy will launch a strong attack on us by noon tomorrow at the latest. We must hold our ground. Only when we can hold out until the reinforcements from Shirai Tame arrive, will our fight to the death be meaningful!"

"Ha! We will obey your orders!" The Takeda soldiers hurriedly responded. Compared to the excitement of the Takeda soldiers in Jiayue Castle, Muto Mitsuhiro, who stood firmly on Yoshishige's side in Ishiyama Castle in Wakasa, was frowning.

After repelling the attack of Itami Changqing for the first time on the 23rd, he relied on the 300 soldiers under his command to withstand the five powerful attacks of Itami’s army in two days.

Especially on the afternoon of the 24th, after Naito Katsutaka led 500 people to participate in the battle, the situation of Ishiyama Castle became more difficult. Many outer fortifications were conquered. Although the main curved wheel group on the ridge was still basically in the hands of the Muto clan, the continuous attacks had already consumed a lot of the Muto army's manpower and weapons. Mutō Mitsukinori didn't know how long he could hold out with the few troops he had.

"My lord, there is a letter!" When Mutō Mitsukenori was looking at the map in the Honmaru Palace with a frown on his face, his uncle and the family elder Mutō Mitsunobu hurried in with a letter.

"Where did the letter come from?" asked Mitsuhiro Muto.

"It was sent by Shinkuro's men!" Muto Mitsunobu replied breathlessly.

"Shinkuro?" When Mutou Mitsukenori heard that the letter was from Mutou Mitsuyuki, he hurriedly almost "grabbed" it from Mutou Mitsunobu's hand, took out the letter paper and began to read silently.

Seeing the expression on Muto Mitsuhiro's face change from cloudy to sunny, Muto Mitsunobu hurriedly asked, "Are reinforcements coming?"

Muto Mitsuhiro nodded heavily and replied, "That's right, Shinkuro said that the lord has long known that Suruga-no-kami has ill intentions and has been secretly mobilizing. As of today, the mobilization is basically completed. Including Tsuruga, Wakasa clan, and the lord's Makai clan, a total of about 3,600 people have assembled in Obama and will set out to rescue Ishiyama Castle tomorrow morning!"

"That's great!" Muto Mitsunobu was also very excited when he heard it. "Most of these 3,600 people are the main force that followed Muei-den to fight in Tsuruga and Tango. With their support, why worry about not being able to defeat Suruga-no-kami and Uchi Kuransuke?!"

"Not only that," Muto Mitsuhiro continued, "750 Tango people have also gathered in Kurahashi Castle, led by Kumagai Takashi. Tomorrow morning they will support the Wuwei Palace and launch an attack on the Itomi clan's castle in Kasa County."

"My goodness, in this case, Muei-den has mobilized more than 4,000 troops. There is no way they can win with just the 1,000 men of Suruga no Mori and the 500 motley men of Uchi Kuransuke." Muto Mitsunobu said with a smile.

"Suruga-no-Kami and his men are not the lord's main target." Muto Mitsuhiro responded, "Shinkuro's letter also said that the Yamana family of Tajima colluded with Suruga-no-Kami and had led troops to attack Tango and Sai County, and are now attacking Kayo Castle. The reason why the lord mobilized so many troops this time is to go after Yamana Kingo."

"Why is this Tajima Yamanayo in league with the Itsumi family?" Muto Mitsunobu frowned and muttered, "If that's the case, Muei-den must quickly resolve the battle in Wakasa. If it's too late, the Yamana army will push into the heart of Yosa County, and that will be difficult."

"Yes," Muto Mitsuhiro nodded solemnly, "No matter what, there will be a fierce battle under Ishiyama Castle. The winner and loser will be known tomorrow."

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(End of this chapter)