Frostfall Castle was built on the top of Mt. Frostfall, and the only way to the outside was some forest roads, the largest of which was near Mt. Oto, to the southeast, and the fierce battle took place between the nearby canyons, which could not be expanded due to the small size of the canyons.

It is not easy for Tao Longkang to break through, but it is also difficult for Ouchi Yoshicho to outflank, so Tao Longkang stood firm, did not retreat an inch, and fought with the Ouchi Yoshicho army that came up, but when the strength of the people was exhausted. Tao Longkang's courage instead inspired the ruthlessness of the Ouchi Yi Changjun, and in the roar as fierce as a wolf's howl, under the fierce attack, Tao Longkang was robbed several times and was crumbling.

Tao Longkang wanted to fight again, but his guards couldn't help but put his life first, and drove him back, and finally withdrew to Frostfall City at a terrible price. Tao Longhong saw that his father was seriously injured, so he immediately closed the city gate and held on.

In order to take revenge on the ignorance of the current affairs of the Frostfall Castle, Ouchi Yoshicho immediately launched a retaliation, wanting to use the morale just now to break the Frostfall Castle in one fell swoop, so he did not consider the loss, but just urged the soldiers to attack the castle as if to storm the city. Although Tao Longhong is young, his martial arts are not inferior to his father, and he is impressive.

The fierce offensive and defensive battles continued for two full days, even in the middle of the night, and Ouchi Yoshinaga undoubtedly intended to drag down the defenders with a continuous offensive. It's just that the siege troops returned under the frost city ten times in a row, and there were no casualties on and off the city.

Two days later, Ouchi had to stop the siege.

His eldest son, Tao Changfang, came with the news that Yoshitaka Ouchi had sent troops. Tao Changfang, the eldest son of Ouchi Yoshicho, Ouchi Yoshicho ordered him to inherit the Tao family business. Obviously not ready to make him the head of the Ouchi clan. Finally, he has to show his talent in military and political affairs.

Noon on May 18. Momoyama, protecting the flank of Frostfall City, the location where the flank army led by Tao Changfang is stationed, according to his understanding, this will be the necessary place for Ouchi Yoshitaka to rescue Frostfall City, with the strength of 3,500 people in his hand is enough to resist the enemy army for several days and wait for the arrival of the main army.

A scout stumbled into Tao Changfang's field of vision, and if he wanted to show his abilities, intelligence support was very important. He was very concerned about Yoshitaka Ouchi, and all the cavalry in the general were shot out and distributed in the battlefield area to observe Yoshitaka Ouchi's movements.

Although the cavalry is not as able to hide its tracks as ninjas, it is still reassuring in terms of safety. The scout untied the rope with the help of the soldiers, jumped down and reported, "My lord, the enemy is out of battle. Their main camp was moving towards here, and they collided with their vanguard, and Saburo and Jiro Bei died. The scout's expression was a little frustrated, for his two companions had been lying on the way back forever, and there was an undrawn bow and arrow hanging from his back on his foot.

Tao Changfang's eyes froze. Awe-inspiring said: "What, Ouchi Yoshitaka actually dispatched the whole army." They're heading here, and at speed, the vanguard is about to get here, and you've collided, so it seems that Yoshitaka Ouchi should know what's going on here, well, something seems to be wrong. For the sake of the Tao family, let's behave well! ”

Tao Nagabo ordered to his lieutenant general, Gumi Castle Lord Miyagawa, "You lead your headquarters to lure the enemy troops who have just crossed the river, be sure to lure them away, I want to let Ouchi Yoshitaka leave a deep influence, and let the people take a good look." ”

The head of the Miyagawa room showed a hideous smile and replied, "Let them take a good look at the strength of the Gumi samurai!" ”

The subordinate generals of Yoshitaka Ouchi, Sugi Shigesuke and Sugi Masashige, were bloodshot, and their eyes looked at the Tao Army Tang Hualing banner hanging behind the head of Miyagawa, and they roared angrily: "Rush! The fifteen hundred internal troops who crossed the Houdong River let out a low roar, and they raised their weapons and rushed out frantically against the Miyagawa army from all directions.

For a time, the sound of killing shook the sky.

Ouchi Yoshitaka sat quietly on a hill on the west bank of the Houdong River, watching the fierce battle on the other side of the river, and his heart was like water: "Are you coming?" It's a good idea to fight, we want to fight halfway, the time is in our favor, wait, the victory will be ours in the end. ”

Looking at the stack of investigation reports on the battle between the two major clans of Zhou Fang and Nagato jointly provided by the Tozawa and Kusama people in front of him, Masahiro couldn't help but summarize: "I didn't expect that Ouchi Yoshinaga gave birth to a good son, and he was able to repel Ouchi Yoshitaka's counterattack in Momoyama, giving a heavy blow to the morale of the defenders of Frostfall City." Daisuke Miyauchi, how many troops do you think we need to occupy Zhoufang and Nagato now? ”

Noyama Masaki glanced at Zhengheng, and didn't expect that after opening the two fronts of Boqi and Iwami, there were plans to open another front in Zhoufang and Nagato, but obviously there was no intention of admonishment, and the current Date family is so domineering. He thought for a moment and replied: "In the past, 20,000 troops were needed, but now that the two great inner clans are fighting fiercely, I think only 15,000 troops will be more than enough." ”

Zhengheng glanced at Noyama Yoshichao, smiled and said: "Enough, enough, it's a pity that it's still too early for us to occupy Zhoufang and Nagato now, let's let them continue to fight, but it seems that Ouchi Yoshitaka is afraid that he doesn't have the courage to fight again." ”

Noyama Yoshimasa breathed a sigh of relief, and had no intention of fighting again, but what his lord said was very reasonable, and he didn't expect that Ouchi Yoshinaga's concubine Tao Nagafang would successfully defeat Ouchi Yoshitaka in Momoyama, not only buying time for Ouchi Yoshinaga to seize Frostfall City, but also killing thousands of Ouchi Yoshitaka's soldiers, and suddenly beating Ouchi Yoshitaka and hurting his vitality. He nodded lightly and said, "That's right, I didn't expect Yoshitaka Ouchi to be so vulnerable." ”

Zhengheng took a piece of information from the case, and put the investigation report of the two major clans on the table, although Ouchi Yoshitaka was unwilling to fail, but obviously he no longer had the courage to fight, and the loss of Frostfall City was only a matter of time.

Zheng Heng tapped his fingers on the two pieces of information and said, "Miyazawa Heihachi reported that he has surrounded Tsuwano Tuantuan, but if Zhou Fang and Nagato continue to develop like this, I am afraid that Ouchi Yoshinaga will win, which will be very disadvantageous to us." Looks like we're going to have to step in early. "He wanted to attack Sanbon Matsu Castle by starvation for Miyazawa Heihachi. Appreciation was expressed. After all, the Date army that went to Iwami Province was not a descendant army, but all local guard troops, and if they attacked it by force, they were afraid that they would collapse if the casualties were too large.

Zhengheng walked to the map behind him, the territory of Zhoufang and Nagato is not small, and most of them belong to the mountains like the western country, and there are some plains in the coastal area, he looked at the map carefully. Then he said: "In the current situation, the Nagaoka Naito clan, who was originally wavering, will still stand on the side of Ouchi Yoshinaga, which is the current situation of Ouchi Yoshitaka, morale plummets and collapses, I am afraid that it is difficult for Ouchi Yoshitaka to retreat this time, and the Otomo family will not let him return." ”

Noyama reminded from the side: "Your Highness, it used to take four to five days to transport the reinforcements by the navy, and besides, my family and Ouchi Yoshitaka are still at war, and they intervened in the battlefield without any negotiations. I'm afraid it will cause dissatisfaction within the two families. ”

Mashiro had intended to send a navy to transport a mobile force to support the unfavorable side in the event that Yoshitaka Ouchi or Yoshinaga Ouchi was unfavorable. Continuing to let them fight was only based on the fact that it was difficult for the two sides to reach a foundation of trust, and once the legion was dispatched, it would be difficult to play a decisive role, and it would cause misunderstanding between the two sides, and the gains outweighed the losses, so they gave up this idea. Now that Zhengheng proposed to intervene directly, Noyama Yoshitomo immediately thought of the idea of sending a naval army.

Zheng Heng obviously didn't do this, shook his head and said, "There is no need for the navy to transport, but I will send an envoy to Yoshitaka Ouchi to communicate, and make an agreement with him, well, an agreement to divide all the territory of the Yoshimi clan to us." ”

Noyama Masahima looked at Masahiro puzzled, now Ouchi Yoshitaka is in a crisis, once he gives up Yoshimi Masarari, he is afraid that he will cause dissatisfaction with the local forces, and he will fall into a desperate situation, I am afraid that he will not agree to the request of the Date family, and asked, "Why?" ”

Zhengheng sat down again and said: "Attitude, I need an attitude from Yoshitaka Ouchi, if he still wants to stop in Nagato Country, he has to listen to me, otherwise why should I be angry for him." Well, you can publicize it to the outside world, and I'm going to inspect An Yiguo in the near future. ”

Yeshan Yichao's heart was awe-struck again, and he immediately responded: "Yes, Your Highness, I'll arrange it." Of course, he knows the weight of Date Mashiro, once he comes to An Yi Kuni, the pressure on Ouchi Yoshicho will be unprecedentedly high, in order to no longer entangle with Ouchi Yoshitaka when the Date family takes advantage of the situation, I am afraid that the border guard will be immediately strengthened, so as to give Ouchi Yoshitaka time to breathe and prepare for war. However, if you want Date Mashiro to really come to An Yiguo in person, it is obvious that you have to agree to the request of the Date family and give up Yoshimi Masanori.

After Noyama Masasao left, Zhengheng sat alone in front of the windowsill, looking out of the window, the cherry blossoms had withered, the green leaves covered the Crane Head Castle, and the people coming and going on the streets below the city, such a comfortable scene made him feel a sense of pride.

Masahiro came back to his senses and sighed softly: "The pattern of Tsurushou Castle is too small, and in a few months, when Izumo, Iwami, Shubo, and Nagato will divide the winners and losers, it will be time to move to Okayama Castle, which is the future political and administrative center of the Date family." ”

As the main city of the Date family, Tsurushou Castle is finally about to finish its life, and Date Mashiro has completed the sharp change in his life here, from a local tyrant to the overlord of China, and the construction of Okayama Castle has been basically completed, which is the future of the Date family.

Tsuda Sukegoro hurried over, looking a little urgent, he stood at the door and knelt on the ground to report: "Your Highness, the latest battle situation in Kinai, Miyoshi Minoru led an army of 5,000 to resist Hatakeyama Takamasa head-on, and on the morning of May 16, Ataka Fuyasu led an army of 3,000 Ataka Naval Army to land on the shore and Tian Castle, and forcibly marched into Hanoi Province and took Takaya Castle directly. Caught off guard, Gaoya Castle, which had less than 500 defenders, only held out for two days before it fell. The important minister of the Hatakeyama clan, Yasumi Naomasa, could not be rescued, but was ambushed in the middle of the road, and the main general Yasumi Naomasa fought hard, so he could only lead the army back to the town of Iimori Castle and hold on to wait for help. ”

Zhengheng never thought that Zhou Fang and Nagato were about to divide the winners and losers. Miyoshi Changkei, who was far away in Ki, also began to exert his strength, and broke through Takaya Castle in one fell swoop, so that the Hatakeyama army was afraid that it would not be able to hold on, once the Hatakeyama army was defeated and retreated, Hanoi would fall into the hands of Miyoshi Changqing, and the backhand could hit Rokkaku Yoshiken hard, so that although Miyoshi Changqing suffered a lot of losses, the strategic purpose was achieved, and the territory was greatly expanded, and Hanoi and Omi countries included nearly 800,000 stone territories into the hands of Miyoshi Changqing, and the strength will increase geometrically.

In the war between Zhou Fang and Nagato, Zhengheng can still intervene in various ways, but he has no way to do it in the chaotic war in Jinnai, can he watch Miyoshi Changqing defeat Hatakeyama Takamasa and Rokkaku Yoshiken in one fell swoop, and achieve a unparalleled hegemony in the world.

Zhengheng glanced at the comfortable castle town again, turned around, looked at Sukegoro Tsuda who was kneeling at the door, waved his hand, and said, "Got it, go down!" He still has to think about how to deal with the huge pressure brought to him by Miyoshi Changqing.

If Date Masahiro brought great pressure to Yoshitaka Ouchi, Yoshicho Ouchi, Haruhisa Niko, Yoshihisa Niko and others, then the pressure on Miyoshi Chokei was also not light. Harima Province War, because of the heavy snow. Both sides are unwilling, and a new war will resume, and the assassination of Miyoshi Nagayi and the Kyoto Fire are all political balances that want to disrupt Miyoshi Chokei's position and force Miyoshi Chokei to turn to the east, so as to give the Date family enough time to pacify the western country. Now it seems that although Miyoshi Changqing has suffered a lot of losses, once he pacifies the Hatakeyama, Rokkaku and other forces, his strength will also be greatly enhanced.

You must know that Miyoshi Changqing originally occupied the richest territory of the Wa Kingdom, and the standing army that could be mobilized was as many as 30,000 or 40,000 people, and once Hanoi and Omi Province were captured, the stone height of nearly 800,000 stone was enough for him to add another 20,000 or 30,000 standing troops.

Zhengheng's eyes were solemn, looking at the map on the wall, his fist hit Settsu's position, and shouted in a low voice: "We must stop the expansion of Miyoshi Changqing, and we must not hesitate to give up Zhoufang, Nagato, and even Iwami, we must also stop the expansion of Miyoshi Changqing." ”

Touching his fist that was a little painful, Masahiro suddenly smiled, he sat down in his position again, and laughed at himself: "I'm nervous about the expansion of Miyoshi Chokei, won't his neighbors be nervous, the matter of Hanoi Country is out, and Ashikaga General is afraid that he is going to write a letter." ”

If you say who had the strongest combat power in the Warring States Period, no one can say clearly. If there is one whose faith is the strongest, it is the letter of the shogun. Ashikaga Yoshiaki wrote letters everywhere, attracting countless eyes, forming several Nobunaga encirclements, trapping Oda Nobunaga in danger, if it were not for God's blessing, Takeda Shingen, Uesugi Kenshin and other famous generals died before their ambitions were paid, I am afraid it is difficult to say who won and who lost. (To be continued......)