I am practicing in the Nianghua Warring States Period

Oda Nobuhime's whip kept rhythmically tapping the skirt armor on her thighs, and she was in a good mood.

This morning, there was an unexpected reward! My uncle, Oda Nobumitsu, who had been wavering, sent 100 peasant soldiers and 20 foot soldiers to the castle of Kuno. After finding that they had come up empty-handed, he had to explain to the defenders of Kuno that he was not coming to attack, but to reinforce them.

After repeated delays, under the guidance of Oda Nobuhime's retainers in Furuno Castle, they marched northwest and finally caught up with Oda Nobuhime who was stationed in Xuanjin, three miles outside Kiyosu Castle, a day later.

At a normal marching speed, there's no need to panic. One thing is certain about marches: Japan is mountainous, and even plains like Owari have small mounds. Organizing a student march is nerve-wracking for teachers, and the biggest obstacle for peasant soldiers is not anything else but keeping them from sneaking away! Furthermore, some peasant soldiers can't even tell left from right, not to mention the casual nature of their movements. In comparison, the warlords' marches were considered rigorously disciplined.

"Lord! --Lord! --" Takigawa Kazumasu galloped over from a distance on his pony, dismounted, and knelt not far from Oda Nobuhime. He said, "Half an hour ago, the enemy army set out from Kiyosu Castle! They are heading towards Xuanjin! It seems they will arrive at the battlefield in half an hour!"

"Oh, are you going to march out of the city to meet my army? That would be easier." Oda Nobuhime sneered, "Do you really think I can't win the battle without Avi? What a joke! There's a limit to how much you can underestimate me."

That's because you lost all the previous battles in history.

"Everyone, rest well within the military camp. Do not wander!" Oda Nobuhime issued a standard order from the Warring States period: "Samurai, keep an eye on your peasant soldiers. Military magistrates, report any problems immediately! Set up the main camp right here! Wait for the enemy to arrive."

"Yes," the horsemen agreed. Those who had originally thought they would continue their march toward Kiyosu Castle dismounted and tied their horses to the makeshift horse posts. The samurai and foot soldiers began setting up the main camp, each hurriedly embarking on their long-determined tasks.

"Report! My Lord! Something terrible is happening!" Suddenly, an ashigaru standing on a makeshift platform built on a baggage cart pointed to the south and shouted, "South, there's an unidentified group marching south! They're coming towards us at top speed—"

Stand higher and see farther. Unlike the flat ground command in movies and TV shows, all commanders must build a high platform or command directly on the hillside, otherwise how can they know what is happening on the front line! How important is the real-time map? Everyone has played RTS——

"What?" Oda Nobuhime was shocked, and so were the people around her. Including the visiting troops Shibata Katsuie and Oda Nobumitsu. What? Was he going to be made a fool of himself?

"Quickly send out scouts to investigate and eliminate who it is! Order the left garrison to form a defensive line to the south! Quick!"

"Yes!"

Xuanjin is a large plain field. The fields have been harvested long ago. Only the bare ground is exposed. Everyone was scared for a long time.

"Your Highness Nobuhime, why not let me, a foreign minister, take on the task with my own strength?" He came here today to make a pledge of allegiance. Although he did not meet Kitado Nobuyoshi, Shibata Katsuie wanted to perform well and leave a good impression on Oda Nobuhime, who might be his boss in the future.

"Thank you, Lord Shibata." Oda Nobuhime returned the greeting, but also said, "But this time, there is no need to exert any strength. Don't worry, our army will win!"

The inexplicable belief in victory is of course a good thing. Should we be bound by defeatist counselors if we don’t have to win?

"Report! My lord!" A moment later, a mounted warrior returned, dismounted outside the main camp, knelt before the curtains, and said, "My lord, these are friendly troops! They are the hundred men commanded by His Highness Beidou Xinwei!"

"Hmm?" Oda Nobuhime was stunned for a moment, then she said with a bitter tut, "But the war is going badly for Avi? He's been forced to move closer to our army? Well... prepare to break through to the south."

Everyone immediately felt that it was normal that Beidou Xinwei had never fought against the 1:5 combat power comparison. The two cities had a total of 500 peasant soldiers and able-bodied men in the castle town who could be captured. If you had 100 people, of course you couldn't play this game at 1:5.

"No, my lord! — Lord Beidou has come to report!" the messenger said excitedly, "Yesterday at nine o'clock in the morning, His Highness Beidou conquered Songye Castle! At two o'clock in the afternoon, His Highness Beidou conquered Fukada Castle! Both were complete victories. These two cities have returned to our command, Dan Zhengzhong! His Highness Beidou rushed to our army at full speed last night and is almost at our camp now!"

"……Um?"

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Speed ​​is crucial in both strategy and tactics, and increasing movement and attack speed is a strategy that never gets out of date.

Beidou Xinwei not only marched at breakneck speed, but also attacked the city at lightning speed. The two "cities" were conquered with the effortless ease of a palm reading. This somewhat disheartened the other warriors present, and the harsh reality was stark before their eyes: they had excellent mechanical skills, sharp awareness, and shrewd teamwork, especially in tough battles! They roamed, supported, pushed towers, and pushed lanes. They used minimal resources to achieve maximum results. They were humble and gave whatever they asked for.

As a comrade on the battlefield, he is called a general; as a teammate in the game, he is called a father.

"My lord, I have fulfilled my mission." Beidou Xinwei rode his horse straight into the main camp without anyone stopping him, mainly because the golden giant was so easy to spot. Riding on his horse was like riding on the back of a silver dragon.

"Oh, Avi, you're back!" Oda Nobuhime was so happy that she came out to greet him personally. Along with her came several generals, including two guest generals.

"Congratulations, General." Shibata Katsuie was neither humble nor overbearing, but he followed closely behind Oda Nobuhime, not giving her a second chance. After Oda Nobuhime practically embraced Hokuto Nobumi with her heartfelt words, he immediately added, even bowing slightly, the demeanor of a great general. He smiled faintly, and to those who didn't know better, they might have mistaken it for a casual chat between friends: "Another remarkable achievement."

Chapter 51: Battle of Xuanjin

"Yes, I'm back. Am I late?" Beidou Xinwei blocked the crowd-crazed girl from the scene. This isn't the 21st century, this is the 16th century! With so many people watching outside, you should... stay a little further away from the anime. Although many literary works, especially Japanese ones, often use this method to highlight the twisted feelings of the protagonist and the chaotic world, they started fighting right inside the military tent.

But Earth Online is an irrational, random game based on the real world, so at least some dignity is required. Such a serious occasion is not appropriate. Beidou Xinwei smiled and nodded in agreement to the girl in front of him. Then, with some surprise, he looked at the familiar yet unfamiliar Shibata Katsuie next to him.

Why are you so familiar?

"Yes, Lord Shibata, you're too kind." Beidou Xinwei shook his head calmly and said, "I didn't expect these two cities... to actually have no walls. I thought the battle would be more intense, but this time it seems much easier. It's not a remarkable achievement, not worth mentioning."

"..." This sentence silenced everyone around him.

Didn't you know these two cities don't actually have walls? Oh, so you were planning to attack the cities with a hundred men from the start? Yet you act so low-key, luxurious, and sophisticated! You act like you're lucky, but you actually think you're so awesome?

Only a few other senior executives vaguely felt that he might not be just a show-off.

"No matter what, Avi has accomplished a great feat this time. Let your men rest and join the reserve." Oda Nobuhime quickly arranged the battle sequence, then took the beautiful boy's hand and walked into the main camp, saying, "Avi, tell me, how did you accomplish such a great feat? Conquering two cities in one day..."

"My lord, it's really nothing." Beidou Xinwei bluntly denied the so-called achievement. "It's not really a credit. I didn't know these two cities had no walls. We just formed a battle array and led the troops into the city. Oh, and by the way, I left a few people behind to gather the defeated enemy soldiers and wild warriors and take control of the two occupied new cities."

"Hmm...it seems that Avi is too modest to tell the truth." If anyone else was so modest, Oda Nobuhime would be angry, but considering that this was her man, it didn't matter. Oda Nobuhime looked at Maeda Toshiie who was beside Hokuto Nobuhime and said: "Ainu, what's going on? Tell everyone. Hmm...recruiting local samurai as a temporary occupation, this...is not a good idea. What if those samurai rebel?"

"Please be at ease, my lord." Maeda Toshiie didn't dare to stand and speak to him like he had with Hokuto Nobuyoshi. He immediately bowed 90 degrees, then stood up and bowed 15 degrees. He replied respectfully but proudly, "His Highness Nobuyoshi told all the samurai his name. None of them dared to act rashly. His Highness Nobuyoshi said: 'Not long ago, I was also a wandering samurai. If you dare to be two-faced, I will bring disaster to this city after I leave. Even if you flee to the ends of the earth, I will personally come and kill you all.'

His Highness Nobumi's reputation for bravery had long been renowned throughout Owari, and he had just emerged from a fierce battle before uttering these words. Naturally, the unarmed warriors and the temporarily recruited peasant soldiers, numbering only a few dozen, were hesitant to act rashly.

What Maeda Toshiie said was relatively tactful. What Beidou Xinwei said at the time was: I must pull your head off and I must slap you in the face!

"As for the battle, His Highness Xinwei led the charge. His uncanny presence terrified the enemy, and he personally slew dozens of them, resulting in such a satisfying victory. Oh—and speaking of which, His Highness Xinwei's pipa music completely lifted us all up. I don't know why, but whenever we hear His Highness Xinwei's pipa, our morale soars, and we seem tireless."

"Oh? Avi is good at this elegant thing?" Oda Nobuhime had never heard that her boyfriend had such a skill, and she was even a little jealous.

Did you not give it your all when you were trying to woo me? Was the subtext: I could easily be won over without even trying? ... It seems so!

"Huh." Oda Nobuhime thought of this. Being a general was such a wonderful thing. But as a woman, she teased with a forced smile, "Avi, I haven't heard of that. But Avi, you've worked hard all the way, and I can't ask for much more from you. Get some rest. The battle will probably start soon..."

Before he finished speaking, a scout rushed outside the curtain and reported to the main camp: "My lord! The enemy is one mile away and has begun to deploy their battle array!"

"Alright!" Oda Nobuhime drew her katana, a sinister smile suddenly appearing on her pretty face. The beautiful girl said in a dark tone, "Everyone! Let us show our bravery today! Forge ahead bravely, and don't fall behind!"

The speed of a train depends entirely on the locomotive. Where there is a leader full of murderous intent, there must be an equally murderous subordinate.

"Oh!--" All the generals shouted loudly in response to Oda Nobuhime's order: Kill them all, leaving no one alive!

...Of course, if all the thousand or so people on the opposite side were killed, Oda Nobuhime would go bankrupt with today's reward.

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The Battle of Xuanjin officially began, and the direction of the war gradually became clear. The Oda army was approaching, and the death knell of Qingzhou had sounded.

Beidou Xinwei was tired of killing people and quietly buffed everyone in the back. Finally, when the battle situation was unclear, he was thrown into the battle sequence by Oda Xinji.

This was originally a very normal battle, and both Beidou Nobuyoshi and Oda Nobuhime were used to it. Nobuhime's generals were also almost used to it -

The two guests were seeing this kind of combat method for the first time and were completely unaccustomed to it. Not only was it unaccustomed to it, it even felt too bloody! It felt like watching a German short film:

Everyone knows about SM, whips and candles, and we've all seen it. Normally, everyone plays at this level, and then one day, a particularly violent thug shows up and pulls out the Iron Maiden! — It's like a German porn movie, shot anywhere in the world, so why is it that the style here is so unique? Is the flavor so unique and strong?

The blood in your body is almost coagulating and is so thick that it is almost peeling off.

After all, the Bloody DLC was opened.

When Beidou Xinwei rode into the battle among thousands of soldiers (probably among dozens of people), and easily killed the enemy's deputy general Itai Kansuke.

Katsuie Shibata, who was standing aside, knew that his era was over.

Besides, it's time to make up your mind and quit. Of course, surrender is a skill. If I say I want to surrender now, then at most I'll be lucky enough to get a spot in the back three rows. If I want to be in the front three rows, I'll have to sell myself for a good price!

Chapter 52: It was the Japanese language that ruined me. If I spoke Chinese, I would be much better than Yan Laoxi!

The battle was won with overwhelming force. Cheers echoed for miles, and the entire castle town of Kiyosu trembled in fear under these cheers.

Cheongju City is not easy to attack because it has city walls.

The castle town of Kiyosu Castle also had no city walls.

A Japanese castle is essentially a fortress. Its advantage is that, under underdeveloped productivity, it allows for significant gains with minimal expense, allowing leaders to leave first while their families are protected. However, its disadvantage is that the castle town lacks walls, leaving it vulnerable to severe damage if attacked by enemy forces. This poses a serious threat to subsequent tax revenue, population, and even the regime's rule. Therefore, when a "siege" or "siege" situation becomes necessary, it is a last resort when the disparity in strength between the enemy and the enemy is significant. Otherwise, Itai Daizen and Itai Kansuke wouldn't have been so impulsive as to challenge Oda Nobuhime in the open.

On the battlefield after the battle, ordinary soldiers were still cutting off heads, bragging in groups of three or four, or carrying the bodies of the enemy or their own men.

Bald military doctors roamed among the soldiers. All of them had their heads shaved, and some qualified individuals even wore monk's robes. These military doctors, like the Red Cross of later generations, were generally not attacked by unscrupulous soldiers. Who knew if these unscrupulous soldiers would need these "medics" in the future?

Furthermore, these "military doctors" generally brought their own food to work. Risking their lives and finances to such an extent, it's natural they weren't here to do charity. They'd look at soldiers groaning in pain and ask directly, "Do you have money?" "How much money do you have?" "It's hard to do with such a small amount of money." "Do you have any military merits? If so, ask someone around to lend you some!" "No money? Wait for death."

The same was true for the seriously wounded enemy soldiers. Since the main objective was to crush them, there was no need for such bloodshed. Some nearby merchants rushed over, expertly finding a military commissioner, handing over a few dozen coins, and then scrambling in groups of three or four to sell their wares or food, or bargaining down prices to buy up spoils of war as soon as possible. Medieval armies were generally like this. If it weren't for the proximity to the castle town and the upcoming battle, a few "cowboys," accompanied by their employees or wives, would have come to solicit business.

This is completely different from the strict military discipline in movies, which is what modern armies look like. A true ancient army that won a battle should have this kind of moral integrity! Military discipline? ...A thief-matching army is considered an iron-blooded and powerful army.

"My Lord, here's my personal advice. Either take Qingzhou City in one fell swoop, or it's best not to enter the vicinity of Qingzhou City."

He was the first to achieve victory in the battle. After everyone calmed down and prepared to proceed to the next step, he gave advice to Oda Nobuhime.

The commanders who had just participated in the battle untied their helmets. A suit of armor weighing dozens of pounds was truly a test of one's physical strength. With the help of their attendants, senior generals and commanders carefully untied their armor. At this time, they had to be careful of the "armor removal trend"—it was easy to survive on the battlefield but die afterward.

"Oh?" Oda Nobuhime looked at Hokuto Nobuyuki, not quite understanding why he said that. "This battle... is primarily about suppressing the rebellious forces. Taking Kiyosu Castle would be ideal, but the cost might be high. And we don't have any engineering equipment prepared... Given this great victory, why not punish a few of them? We can withdraw our forces first and reconsider our actions later?"

The 18-year-old girl's mental state is still relatively normal, unlike the one she will do in the future. Now, she is still able to endure the duck she has in hand.

"I agree," Beidou Xinwei nodded gently and pointed to the distant Qingzhou Castle. "The castle town is right before our eyes, but sooner or later this will be your castle town. I hope you can stop and not burn it down."

The standard strategy during Japan's Warring States period: attack a castle. Even if you can't take it, you'll definitely burn down the town below! This not only eliminates the enemy, but also helps you finance your own military and future rewards. You can also provide food to the enemy and raise a war reward. Why not? As for the future? — Let's focus on the present.

"Avi, are you being too merciful?" Oda Nobuhime glared at Hokuto Nobuyoshi and said sternly, "If we don't allow the soldiers to plunder this time, how will we recruit local militia in the future?"

If you don't allow the peasant soldiers to plunder, why would they follow you to fight?

"Avi, you once told me that if you don't hold on to power, it will fall into the hands of others."

"That's right." Beidou Xinwei nodded gently and said, "There's nothing we can do about things like looting. I don't have any problem with that."

I know people are starving to death in Africa all the time, but that doesn't stop me from eating and drinking to my heart's content. But if someone starved to death right before my eyes, even if it had nothing to do with me, I'd be deeply distressed. So, regarding the looting, Beidou Xinwei is in a helpless position of out of sight, out of mind. A sanctimonious bitch wouldn't survive in the Warring States period, and besides, I didn't come to Japan to improve the living conditions of the Japanese people.

But... do I still have a conscience that even a dog wouldn't eat?

Never mind, I'll just give you this advice! Take it or leave it.

"Our family's greatest advantage lies in its abundance of money and food. I do have a small suggestion for this. It's not the number of soldiers that counts, but their quality; it's not the number of generals that counts, but their bravery.

Farmers and soldiers do more than just farming. Paper-pasting, carpentry, and tailoring are also common activities for farmers. Once war breaks out, there will be unrest both inside and outside the country, and people will be treated differently. Raising one soldier will prevent seven households from doing their work. This will greatly disturb the people, so it is better to separate the soldiers and farmers."

"...What? Soldiers and farmers...separated?"

"That's right. From now on, soldiers are soldiers, and farmers are farmers. I regard these undisciplined soldiers, even if there are tens of thousands of them, as worthless as grass. With fifty of my elite cavalry, I can defeat a hundred thousand." Beidou Xinwei boasted and waved his hand, letting the people around him see the extent of his boasting: "No matter how many of these people there are, they are just a burden. Instead of having tens of thousands of farmers, it is better to have a thousand trained men. Moreover, this method has three advantages."

"Oh? What benefits?" Oda Nobuhime was not a fool, but it took courage to do such a thing.

"First, elite soldiers. An army without practice is worth one in a hundred. With practice and training, one can be worth a hundred!

Secondly... My lord, ordinary peasant soldiers can become the leaders of a squad with a tattered armor. Rich peasants with property, on the contrary, become samurai, not necessarily brave. Moreover, they are soldiers in wartime and farmers in peacetime. The connection between the soldiers and the land is too close. In the end, they only know the people of the country, but not the lord. Prosperity is prosperity for all, and rebellion is rebellion for all! - The four rebellions of Minghai Castle, Matsuba Castle, Fukada Castle and Kiyosu Castle are ironclad evidence! Once the soldiers and farmers are separated, the soldiers can be stationed in the castle town permanently, away from the management and control of others. Beidou Xinwei explained the most critical reason:

Chapter 53: Reading the bar encountered an incident, the mount was interrupted, and the transmission was hard controlled

"The most crucial thing is that the main family has money and food! Owari is wealthy, with a thriving economy and trade. It's not comparable to ordinary families like the Takeda clan of Kai. The Koshu Law explicitly stipulates that farmers cannot leave their land without permission. But the main family is different. Money and food can flow freely. Famous villages provide soldiers, the main family collects food, and distributes money to soldiers. This cycle will free soldiers from being tied to their original land, and the lord can gather all the troops in Owari in the castle town! Even if a region rebels, what can they do? They're just a few idle farmers. Xing Chi can move them day and night. If they rebel today, they will be wiped out the next day."

"Hmm... makes sense..." Oda Nobuhime nodded repeatedly, her heart overflowing with joy. Yeah, other families really couldn't learn this. This prosperous commercial city her father had left her allowed for a seamless connection between food and money. She was mainly thankful for the Takeda family's eldest brother's generous spending!

Of course, there were a lot of currency conversions involved, but compared to other families, it was much stronger. Oda Nobuhime glanced at the expressions of the samurai around her. Everyone's faces were bright and dark, as if Beidou Nobuo's words had hurt their vested interests.

"So... what about the third one?"

"Third, our family will fight to support the war!" This is the most terrifying killing weapon. Beidou Xinwei pointed to the distant Qingzhou Castle and said, "The trained soldiers will also be rewarded. In the future, it is inevitable that some land will be granted. The land that needs to be granted is increasing, and of course it will not be enough for our family! Then these soldiers will have to go outside to obtain it. We must conquer other places! Mino, Mikawa, Ise! Nothing is impossible. After conquering one place, we need to continue recruiting soldiers!

Everyone is out for themselves. If you want to ennoble your wife and children, you must win the battle! — The snowball will keep rolling until the family takes control of everything, the whole world is unified with military might!

"Okay, okay." She always liked new things and did things in an unconventional way. Oda Nobuhime giggled, not caring about the thick bloodstains on Beidou Nobumi's armor, and went up to hug his shoulders. A 1.65 meter tall hugging a 1.85 meter tall was a bit awkward. So she changed her arms and hugged the other's waist——

"Avi, you really keep surprising me! I thought you were just being soft-hearted, but I didn't expect you'd have so much on your mind for me." Oda Nobuhime's expression seemed to improve as she looked at the surrounding samurai—yes! It's the ordinary, medium, and small landowners who are suffering; it's the ordinary peasants who have seen their channels for advancement through war greatly reduced—it's not like us, the big landowners and great samurai, have lost our path to advancement. On the contrary, less effort can bring greater rewards! Constantly increasing foreign wars means constant new land revenue!

The woman named Oda Nobuhime used the word "womanly kindness" as a negative word without hesitation.

"How dare someone holding a divine weapon show such softness? A single rage can send corpses scattering across thousands of miles. What ordinary people consider a good deed is no longer necessarily a good deed once it's elevated to a national level. Morality can never be the optimal solution in the secular world." Beidou Xinwei lamented. This world isn't perfect—otherwise, what would we be doing? "While we won't plunder the castle town, we can dispatch a small team. Go door to door to collect 'military fees.' This won't disturb the people too much, and we can also provide some money for the peasants and soldiers."

"Well, let's do it." Oda Nobuhime looked at Kiyosu Castle in the distance, her face showing the expression of a girl looking at jewelry through a window. But what she said was a little scary: "Kiyosu Castle... will be mine sooner or later!"

Girl in Peacetime: Oh, oh, oh, I’ll buy it when I get my salary next month!

Girl from the Warring States Period: Hahaha, I’ll take it when I kill enough people next month!

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After the army returned, Shibata Katsuie and Oda Nobumitsu were invited as guest generals to participate in the celebrations in the castle town of Nakuni Castle.

Beidou Xinwei also returned to the city with the army, but this time there was a small problem with his return to the city reading bar.

He needed to read the order and go to Narumi Castle first. The threat from the Imagawa clan was significant. A rebellion had broken out in Kiyosu Castle to the north. While it was quickly suppressed, it was likely that no one in the southern castles would have believed the rebellion would be quelled so quickly.

Therefore, it requires the most powerful and imposing person to go there in person! Whether you have the ability or not is actually irrelevant.

The main thing is to make everyone believe that you are capable! The most frightening thing is that you are capable but others criticize you.

"Avi, go to Narumi Castle yourself." Oda Nobuhime was still worried about something, so she asked Hokuto Nobuyuki to go to Narumi Castle alone. "Go quickly and come back soon! Do you need me to send you some samurai?"

“No need, it’s not very far.” The straight-line distance is twenty kilometers. Since it is basically plains along the coastline, Beidou Xinwei doesn’t have much idea about it.