Bright Spring

At this time, the Japanese troops near the Yuankou defense base in Shima County were already in full swing.In the Hakata Port area, tens of thousands of reinforcements are arriving on the battlefield one after another.

There are two main lines of Japanese reinforcements, and the main force has entered the Chikuzen country.

The commander of the North Road is the leader of Muromachiden, Shiba Yoshishige, who mainly commands the coalition forces of Honshu Island and Kamakura in Kanto.The Commander-in-Chief of South Road is another leader Mitsumoto Hosokawa. In addition to the headquarters in the Nambakyo (Osaka) area, he also has the coalition forces in Shikoku Island and Kyushu Tanti area.

On the mountain road north of Kasuya County in Chikuzen, a large number of people and horses passed a torii gate one after another. The undulating road was filled with smoke and the crowd was like a dragon.

Samurai with helmets like bull's heads and ashigaru with pointed bamboo hats gathered in front of and behind colorful flags and marched.In the hunting of military flags, spears are like dense forests that have lost all their leaves.

Ouchi Sheng Jian led a group of cavalry to welcome them to the foot of the mountain.After a while, a small group of horsemen and flattering horses from the army came head-on.

The person who came was none other than Yoshishige Shiba, the commander in his thirties.This person's uncle, General Shibo, was very powerful, and he was very experienced in strategy and force, but he had passed away; now, the new governor of the Shibo family, Ouchi Shengjian didn't know much about it.

There is another acquaintance next to Shiba Yoshishige, Yamana Toki.

An expression of surprise appeared on Ouchi Shengjian's face immediately.

The old grievances between the Yamana clan and the leaders of the Muromachi Temple are difficult to resolve.At that time, the Yamana clan controlled eleven countries, and its power was as strong as the "One-sixth Hall", which was comparable to the power of the Ouchi clan.It is because of Muromachiden's instigation conspiracy and counter-insurgency that the Yamana clan is now only left with the territory of the Three Kingdoms, which is weaker than the Ouchi clan.

Mori Ouchi didn't say a word, but when he saw Shiba Yoshishige approaching, he bowed in salute.

A servant knelt beside him, and Shibo Yi stepped on the man's back and dismounted.Then Shiba Yoshishige and Yamana bowed to Mori Ouchi in return.

Shiba Yoshishige seemed to see Ouchi Shengjian's astonishment, and said: "Ming invaders, we must fight the enemy wholeheartedly."

Ouchi Morijian also has grievances against Muromachiden. Like the Yamana family and other powerful guardians, they have all suffered great suppression and weakening.But because the Ouchi clan's territory is now facing a catastrophe, the last time Ouchi Mori met Shangluo and the general Ashikaga Yoshimogi, he had put down his grievances.

Hearing Shiba Yoshishige's words, Ouchi Shengjian was immediately excited, and said solemnly: "The deep affection for the rivers and mountains, and the responsibility to protect the family and the country, let us put aside the past."

Shiba Yoshige listened, and immediately bowed solemnly to Ouchi Mori.Ouchi Shengjian hurriedly followed suit.Shiba Yoshishige's eyes were bright, and he raised his head to the southwest: "Go to the camp in Kasuya County."

Several people got on their horses again and continued to move forward with the mighty team.

The army marched to the flat area of ​​Kasuya County, and the population gradually increased.I met some common people along the road, and those common people were kneeling on the side of the road, with fear and vigilance in their eyes, after all, warriors are really not easy to mess with.

Before setting up camp, Ouchi Shengjian hurriedly described to Shiba Yishige some military situations in the past two days when he was on the road.Probably Ming Kou had arrived at the coast of Yitu County.Yito County is located in the south of Shima County.

"I have sent a messenger to order the defenders in Shima County to retreat south." Ouchi Sheng saw.

Shibo Yizhong said: "There are many mountains in the south and the coast in the east has been occupied by the Ming bandits, so the Zhimo army can't participate in the big battle?"

Ouchi Shengjian explained: "The Ming invaders landed in Yitu County in the southeast, and the Zhimo defenders had to withdraw, otherwise they would be besieged there and become a lone army, and be the first to be besieged and destroyed.

What's more, there is a valley at the southern foot of Mount Bofu, and they can take that road to return to Kasuya County; but if they stay at the southern foot of Mount Bofu, they can be responsible for defending the Ming invaders from taking the path eastward. "

Sibo Yi nodded his head and said no more.

Ouchi Sheng Jian said again: "General Hosokawa will arrive in Hakata, maybe two or three days later. I still have some deployments, and I will report it to Shiba Guanling first; when General Hosokawa arrives, we will talk about it again.

When I learned that the Ming invaders had landed in Yitu County, I sent heavy troops to the northeast of Mount Bofu and the Xiashan Gate to deploy defenses and build fortifications.

In this way, the Shima County garrison guarded the narrow valley at the southern foot of Mt. Habafu.Our army can use fortifications to defend from the north of Mount Bofu to the coastal mountains and occupy a favorable location.

But at the same time, our army should monitor the Ming fleet day and night, whether it has crossed the east of Xionggu Island.Once the Ming invaders re-landed by sea, detoured to the coast of Kasuya County, and threatened our army's back; our army should immediately retreat eastward, march towards Dazaifu, and rely on the terrain in Dazaifu to rebuild the defense line. "

Shibo Yishige said coldly: "Your strategy is too decadent, and you only want to be beaten by the backer, which can only be regarded as a family opinion."

Ouchi Sheng persuaded and said: "Although our army's strength is three or four times that of the Ming invaders, there is still no chance of winning a decisive battle in an open field. We must be cautious in leading."

Sibo Yizhong said: "How about counterattack in the night battle?"

Ouchisheng said: "The Ming invaders have a large number of troops. Even if our army succeeds in a sneak attack, it can't hurt their muscles and bones. On the contrary, it is easy to lose control of the overall situation due to small losses. I suggest that we wait until Hosokawa receives it before making a decision." .”

Shiba Yoshito snorted, noncommittal.

Ouchi Shengjian said again: "Night attack may be used on water. Along the sea route east of the Xiaguan Strait, our army should hide the ships in the river mouth and other places, fill them with kerosene and firewood, and be ready to attack the waters of the Ming invaders at any time." division warship."

Sibo Yizhong thought about it and said, "Ming Kou has landed in Hakata Bay, why are they going to the east of Xiaguan?"

Da Nei Sheng saw it and said, "Cut off our army's water supply road."

Shibo Yoshitaka frowned in thought, and seemed to think it made sense, so he nodded slightly.

Ouchi Shengjian said again: "If this battle is fought in an open field, our army has no chance of winning. If we take advantage of the situation to hold on to Mt. Bofu, Dazaifu and other places, we will eventually fight for food and grass. Now tens of thousands of troops have gathered in Hakata Bay. The food in Chikuzen and Buzen countries will not last long."

He paused for a while, and then said it again with an emphatic tone: "Army rations are a matter of survival."

Chapter 8 and Eight

One after another, the waves washed up on the beach one after another, washing the gravel, broken fish bones and shells on the sand.This place belongs to the west of Hakata Port, the sea is shallow, and there is no decent wharf nearby, so it is not an ideal landing place.

However, at this time, the sea was already full of fleets as far as eye can see, and many sand boats also washed up on the beach and ran aground on the beach.The officers and soldiers of the Ming army's land division are still going ashore one after another.The coast is busy, with all kinds of luggage and items everywhere, and the place where the trench wall fortification of the military camp was built is also full of dust.

After the general landed safely, he felt a little dizzy. While rubbing his temples, he was looking at a map in his hand.

"Do you think this picture is wrong?" Ping An asked without raising his head.

After hearing this, Pei Youzhen, the servant of the Ministry of War, said cautiously: "It is roughly the same, and the mistake should not be too far."

Ping An nodded, and continued to ponder over the drawing, looking very interested.

At this moment, the main general Sheng Yong and the right deputy general Liu Sheng also came over.Next to him was an unfamiliar general talking, pointing at the scene on the construction site.

As the group approached, Sheng Yong said in a voice, "Immediately send out scouts to investigate the surrounding military terrain."

At this time the sun has risen to mid-air, today's weather is very good, the air is clear.To the north is the endless sea, and the other directions are also flat; on the far horizon, the hazy mountain shadow can be seen faintly.

But from the perspective of the battlefield, for the Ming army who had just arrived, the land was still shrouded in fog; after all, the Chinese army knew the military situation and could not just rely on their eyes to see nearby.

Ping An casually took over the conversation and asked, "What do you think is the most direct way to find out about the military situation?"

Sheng Yong turned a deaf ear and didn't talk about peace at all.

Liu Sheng said: "Didn't you dare to send scouts to go out and search?"

Ping An shook his head and said, "The most efficient way is to capture the prisoners."

Liu Sheng was stunned for a moment, and said with a smile: "It's a good way to catch the prisoners."

Pingan said: "I'm going to catch Qian'er 800 people now."

Most of the people around were surprised, and seeing Ping An's relaxed and casual expression, some people might think he was joking.Pei Youzhen finally asked tentatively: "The officer saw a village nearby. Does General Ping mean to arrest the villagers?"

"Haha..." Ping An couldn't help laughing, pointed at Pei Youzhen and said, "I was wrong, I didn't expect Pei Shilang to have such a flexible mind."

Pei Youzhen said with a bitter face, "General Ping is serious, isn't he?"

Pingan said: "I mean, I usually see you as quite dull, but I never thought that you could tell such funny jokes, disrespectful and disrespectful."