Chapter 9: Maneuvering Behind the Scenes

  He was a one-eyed man, with his left eye covered in a black eye patch, and his right leg lame. He could only rely on the scabbard of his sword to support himself as he made his way step by step to the meeting place. The scabbard thudded against the ground with each labored step, as Yamamoto Kansuke hobbled along, having paid his respects to Takeda Shingen.

  In the Glory game played by Li Xiao, Yamamoto Kansuke is a highly rated strategist, and during the period of Shingen and Sanada Yukimura, he was one of the two great strategists of the Takeda family. Of course, the deepest impression is still the NHK's Taiga drama "Fūrin Kazan", which is based on Yamamoto Kansuke as the main character, introducing his life.

  "Kansuke, what have you been scouting around Kawajiri Island for these past few days?"

  "I report to you, my lord. I have made a thorough investigation and from tonight until dawn tomorrow, there will be a thick fog in the area below Haitian City and also at Qianqu River. I asked many local farmers and they all said the same thing. My subordinates have also conducted detailed investigations over the past few days and it is certain that there will be a heavy fog from tonight to tomorrow morning."

  After listening to Yamamoto Kansuke's report, Takeda Shingen asked: "Everyone, what do you think about this?"

  Generally speaking, Uesugi Kenshin's main camp was stationed on the wife and daughter mountain, overlooking from a high position. Any intention of the Takeda army to attack would be detected by the Echigo army, and countermeasures would be quickly taken. Therefore, taking advantage of the heavy fog, they marched at night and suddenly appeared in front of the main camp of the Echigo army on Mt. Nyū before dawn, launching a surprise attack, which was undoubtedly the best strategy.

  The many generals inside the house were also arguing about how to attack, and the others, including Li Xiao, who were sitting under the courtyard, generally could not speak easily, so they had no choice but to follow the final decision of the military council.

  At this time, Li Xiao's gaze was fixed tightly on that one-eyed lame Yamamoto Kansei.

  "Milord, I have a plan that can defeat the enemy's rear army," Hong Liang's voice echoed in the room, and the generals looked over to see it was Yamamoto Kansuke.

  "Speak." At this moment, Takeda Shingen was also worried about the plan for the expedition.

  "Our army can divide into two routes, first dispatching a vanguard to make a detour and launch a surprise attack on the rear of the Wu State's army, forcing them to flee to Chongqing Island. Meanwhile, our main force will meet them head-on at Chongqing Island and annihilate them in a pincer movement."

  Yamamoto Kan no Suketsune's words caused a stir among the generals, and Mabuchi Shigenaga, Ii Tomonobu, and others all showed deep contemplation in their eyes.

  Takeda Shingen showed an interested expression and asked aloud: "This battle tactic sounds quite novel, does it have a name?"

  "This tactic is like the woodpecker's 'catching insects' method, where it pecks at the back of a tree and then waits for the insect to appear on the front. Therefore, it can be called the 'Woodpecker Tactic'." Yamamoto Kanbei replied in a low voice.

  Regarding Yamamoto Kansuke's proposed woodpecker tactics, Li Xiaoxin, who was familiar with history, knew that this tactic had no problem, but it was eventually deciphered by Uesugi Kenshin and turned into a countermeasure, leading to the Takeda army being trapped in a difficult battle at the Battle of Kawanakajima.

  But Li Xiao wouldn't have spoken out against it even if he had known, for what could a person of his lowly status possibly change? This is the terrible part about being familiar with history.

  Takeda Shingen listened and also had some agreement with Yamamoto Kansuke: "Very well, the woodpecker battle method, do you have any other objections?"

  Baba Nobufusa, Hara Toratane and the other veteran generals who held absolute authority in the Takeda household did not express any objection to Yamamoto Kansuke's opinion. The rest of the Shinano daimyos furrowed their brows, but if they were to cross the Chikumagawa River and attack the Echigo army on the mountain, it was clear that they would have to send the Shinano samurai who were familiar with the local terrain as vanguard.

  Against the dragon of Echigo, Uesugi Kenshin, this was undoubtedly a bitter battle, but with their current status, they cannot express opposition.

  Just as Sanada Yukimura and Kiso Yoshikata were about to speak, Takeda Shingen's gaze swept past the various retainers and instead fell upon Li Xiao, who was standing on the stairs with a completely bored expression. He opened his mouth and asked: "Li Xiao, what do you think of this woodpecker tactic?"

  Everyone's eyes were fixed on Li Xiao, and for some time now, everyone in the Takeda household had known that Takeda Shingen had taken in a warrior from the Ming country across the ocean.

  "Li Xiao Jun, in the Takeda clan, we do not punish for words, nor do we discuss birth or status. You may speak freely." Takeda Shingen smiled slightly as he looked at Li Xiao and said slowly.

  "Yes." Li Xiao replied, and as he slightly raised his head, he simultaneously felt two gazes fixed on him. One was from the young master, Takeda Yoshinobu, whose eyes clearly showed disdain and contempt, with an air of a noble's demeanor, while carelessly playing with a folding fan in his hand.

  And on the other hand, there was Shirō Katsuyori, whose expression was in stark contrast to Tarō's. He had an expectant look, as if he couldn't wait for Li Xiao to say something earth-shattering, refuting everyone's opinions and establishing his reputation in the Takeda household, making his father, Takeda Shingen, take notice of him.

  And all the vassals also looked at this martial general from Ming country, watching if he had any true insights to express.

  Facing the gaze of everyone, Li Xiao just smiled calmly and replied humbly: "Your Excellency, I am new here and not familiar with military affairs, and my knowledge is shallow. Being able to be summoned by Your Excellency and sit in this position, listening to the wise views of all the gentlemen, is already an honor for me."

  As soon as the words came out, the crowd of officials in the hall was stunned for a moment, and then burst into loud laughter. Takeda Shingen smiled and said: "Since you are not familiar with military affairs, Li Xiao, I won't force it either."

  Li Xiao smiled slightly, but his eyes revealed nothing as he looked at each of the expressions on the faces of the people in the hall.

  First, the big man Takeda Yoshinobu snorted disdainfully and then whispered a few words to Inafuku Toramasa beside him. Inafuku listened and also glanced at Li Xiao, pinched his chin whiskers, and shook his head immediately.

  However, Shori on the side was very anxious and glanced at Li Xiao several times. Among those present, only Takeda Nobushige and Takeda Nobuyoshi showed a hint of appreciation when they looked at Li Xiao.

  Takeda Shingen asked Li Xiao, then his gaze swept to the left side of Shinano, and asked: "Well, since it's like this. Yukitaka, Yoshikazu, how do you two see it?"

  Sanada Yukitaka and Kiso Yoshimasa, the two representatives of the Shinano forces, exchanged a glance, then both bowed down and replied: "We have no objections."

  Thus, the military council to execute the woodpecker battle method was passed on the next day. The meeting decided that the vanguard team led by Sanada Yukimura would serve as the guide, and a separate mobile unit consisting of Shinano's Nobutaka, Kōsaka Masanobu, Iinuma Sadamichi, and Baba Nobufusa would launch a surprise attack on Otakasayama.

  Takeda Shingen stayed behind in the main camp and crossed the Chikuma River at dawn the next day to deploy his troops and attack the retreating Echigo army.

  Li Xiao stood up and followed the family ministers who were leaving to have lunch, while Takeda Katsuyori did not come over, with a furious expression.

  Li Xiao thought to himself that this kid was still too immature, his emotions were too obvious. However, this was also his true nature, and who knows, it might be one of his advantages in the future, wasn't Oda Nobunaga's personality like that as well?

  In today's situation, his position in the Takeda family is not high enough to dare comment on the opinions of Maeda and Hara, two senior ministers, so any evaluation he makes at the military council, whether right or wrong, is wrong.

  Even if he could successfully overthrow the arguments of the two, it would be equivalent to him offending the many generals of the Kai clan led by Imafuku and Tōrichi, and his future days in the Takeda family would not be good.

  Even if the Takeda family wins a great victory in the Battle of Nagashino tomorrow, what's the point? For Li Xiao's ambition, the ultimate goal is to seize power. Even if the Takeda family can unify Japan's four islands and sixty-six countries, but there is no place for Li Xiao, it is also meaningless to him.

  Tsubakuro Mountain, the main camp of Echigo's army.

  The Ryūjin flag, the Bijashōmon Ten flag, two large flags with white backgrounds and black letters, were flapping in the wind blowing from Kawajima Island, carrying moisture. The two large flags stood like gatekeepers, guarding this man who was only in his thirties.

  His physique was majestic, almost a head taller than the standing crowd of generals. His armor was covered with a snow-white monk's robe, and a white silk cloth was draped over his head. This was "Shōyū", Uesugi Kenshin (still known as Uesugi Masatora at this time), who had devoted his life to fighting for justice.

  In terms of the temperament of both commanders, Takeda Shingen was like a wise and farsighted elder who understood human nature, while Uesugi Kenshin was like a bold and decisive general with an overbearing presence. At this time, Uesugi Kenshin was only 31 years old, nine years younger than Takeda Shingen.

  Uesugi Kenshin's physique was extremely robust, now standing upright and sitting on a cushion, gazing far away at the Hachigata Castle, the main camp of the Takeda army.

  At this time, Uesugi Kenshin frowned and asked the generals: "Why is it that today's smoke from the Takeda army is thicker and earlier than before?"

  "General, it's likely that the Takeda family will take action soon."

  The speaker is Murakami Yoshikiyo, originally a powerful clan in Shinano Province, who was exceptionally brave and had given Takeda Shingen his only two defeats in life. However, he was eventually unable to withstand the Takeda family's strategy and defected to Uesugi Kenshin's side, hoping to use the military power of Echigo Province to restore his original rule over Shinano.

  At this time, the chief of the rear army, Kizaki Kagetaka, spoke up and said: "Regardless of whether the Takeda army fights or not, our food and grass are almost exhausted, it is necessary to break through the siege."

  Uesugi Kenshin remained silent, staring intently at the main camp of the Takeda army below the mountain, then said in a low voice: "Shingen's tactics are truly worthy of Sunzi's strategic essence, with a subtle blend of reality and deception. Perhaps he intentionally lured us to attack down the mountain, but for now, it is not yet time to make a rash decision."

  At this time, a messenger came running up from the mountain below, panting for breath, and handed a secret letter to Uesugi Kenshin through Kojima.

  Uesugi Kenshin unfolded the letter and, after reading it, crumpled up the paper with a smile, saying: "Takeda Shingen has made up his mind to send out troops tonight, dividing them into two routes to attack my wife's mountain stronghold at Yamamoto."

  The majority of the soldiers were shocked, and among them, Sanemori Taira, who was known for his wisdom, asked: "Is the content of the letter reliable? It's also possible that it's a ploy by Shingen."

  Uesugi Kenshin shook his head and said, "It's not a lie. Shingen wants to send the Shinano troops to fight against me first, but he doesn't know that the Shinano troops are not loyal to him and don't want to waste their strength. So the Shinano troops reported to me with the intention of letting me take advantage of the situation and directly attack Shingen's main camp at Yawata."

  Naoe Kagetsuna thought for a moment and said, "In the previous three battles of Kawanakajima, the Takeda army has always adopted an evasive strategy, dragging on with our army. But today they decided to engage in an all-out battle, which is quite strange. My lord might as well summon a military council and discuss it with the other generals before making a decision."

  Uesugi Kenshin sneered, saying: "If winning a battle were as simple as holding a military council, then I wouldn't be needed and anyone could win. Here, take this commander's fan, why don't you have a contest with Shingen?"

  Naokata Sanada was suddenly speechless when he was ridiculed by Uesugi Kenshin. Unlike the Takeda family's vassal team military council, the Uesugi family's military council was basically a one-man decision made by Uesugi Kenshin. Uesugi Kenshin, who had won every battle and was invincible in bravery, had firmly established himself as a military god in the hearts of the soldiers of Echigo Province, and his high prestige made it impossible for anyone in the army to dare question his decisions.

  Viewed from Mount Tsumagoi, the Kiso River and the Nagara River are like two large pythons that wrap around Kawajima Island.

  Uesugi Kenshin gazed intently for a long time, then suddenly stood up, his eyes scanning the crowd of generals as he raised the military fan in his hand.

  Good fortune comes from heaven, armor is on the chest, and achievements are underfoot.

  At all times, we must put the enemy in a position where he is forced to fight on our terms.

  Those who fight without being killed will live; those who do not fight even though they are not killed will certainly die.

  The mind is unstable and inconstant; all things are different at different times.

  When one is a warrior, he must establish his own destiny.

  Carve this in your memory: modesty is the gate of progress, there is no other way.

  The many generals heard Zuo Ci's words and responded in unison: "We are willing to follow the general to break out of the siege and return to Yuezhou."

  Uesugi Kenshin raised his war fan in his left hand and pointed straight at the Takeda army's main camp down the mountain with his right hand.

  Charge!

  Uesugi Kenshin's mouth suddenly blurted out these two words.