Chapter 63: Looks Like It’s About to Be Harvested
The next day, before dawn, Nagoya Castle was already in an uproar.
Oda Nobunaga’s low-ranking vassals shouted orders, urging their followers to check their armor, spears, short swords, bows, and arrows. The rookie ashigaru were busy cooking, feeding horses and donkeys, and filling bamboo tubes with water. Yuan Ye, being new, followed suit, dressing himself while directing his subordinates to cook. He also had them load the stretchers, medicine, and bandages prepared the night before onto the carts – this would likely be the only hot meal of the day. The cooked rice would be formed into rice balls for the followers and ashigaru to eat throughout the day.
Of course, this was under normal circumstances. Now it was an internal conflict, and it was possible they would win the battle that day and return for a celebration banquet in the evening.
After they finished this one hot meal, the sky gradually brightened. A conch shell trumpet sounded, and a large group of low-ranking samurai and veteran followers, each with a small flag on their back, immediately dropped their rice bowls and gathered before the high platform in the camp. The remaining followers and ashigaru, without any identifying markers, picked up their weapons and lined up behind them, forming ranks in a remarkably short time, followed by shouts of “Hei! Hei! Oh!”
Yuan Ye also gathered his ashigaru, but he didn’t shout. He couldn’t imitate that. However, he had asked A Man the night before about some common knowledge of Japanese medieval warfare formations, so he understood what they were doing – this was a response. “Hei! Hei!” were the calls of the petty officers, meaning “Are you ready?” and “Oh!” was the reply from the followers and ashigaru, meaning “We are.”
Once the ranks were formed, the conch shell trumpet sounded again, and the taiko drum was struck heavily. Maeda Toshiie and two other pages ascended the high platform, holding a massive “sashimono” – a five-meter-tall flagpole topped with a huge, gleaming gold-lacquered paper-mâché copper coin, bearing the four characters “Eiraku Tsuho.”
The assembled low-ranking samurai and followers gazed up at the giant copper coin, collectively letting out a gasp of admiration. Yuan Ye also looked up, momentarily speechless – this was an uma-jirushi, also called an uma-jirushi, used to indicate the commander’s position. In the chaos of battle, it served as the anchor for the entire army. It was normal for it to be raised now, but he hadn’t expected Oda Nobunaga to pull another stunt!
It truly was a stunt. It seemed Oda Nobunaga had not only changed his tsūna multiple times but had also altered his family crest, battle flags, uma-jirushi, and other identifying markers. Presenting them now likely meant he placed great importance on this battle – aside from a nominal participation during his genpuku, this was likely his first battle fought under his direct command.
Indeed, the battle flag that appeared next was not the “Mokkou-gomai flag,” nor was it the “Agemao butterfly flag” previously used by the Danjō no Chū family. Instead, it was a white flag with black markings, bearing the Eiraku copper coin. It seemed Oda Nobunaga had decided to march into battle under the copper coin from now on. He couldn’t fathom his reasoning.
Perhaps he wanted to signify that he himself was very wealthy?
The last to appear was Oda Nobunaga himself. He was also wearing modern armor, though many parts were painted vermilion. His helmet had two bunches of peacock feathers sticking out on each side, like twin ponytails, making him incredibly ostentatious and leaving onlookers speechless. His expression was one of extreme excitement, his eyes seeming to glow red. He looked down at his troops, opening his mouth as if to speak, but as if a thousand words were stuck in his throat, making it difficult to articulate.
Leading an army to victory was likely his lifelong dream. Now that it was about to be realized, his emotions surged intensely. Finally, under the gaze of everyone present and amidst the increasingly rapid beat of the taiko drum, he drew his long sword, pointed it diagonally at the sky, and asked in a hoarse voice, “Gentlemen, are you ready to die?”
The middle-aged samurai below were momentarily stunned, but the younger low-ranking samurai and followers reacted quickly, raising their spears and responding loudly, their faces filled with excitement. It seemed Oda Nobunaga held great prestige among these young men, and they were indeed willing to die for him.
Receiving the response from his loyal subordinates, Oda Nobunaga became even more exhilarated. He brought down his sword heavily, announcing the attack order: “March! Advance to Dongjin Ye!”
“Oh!” the followers and ashigaru responded in unison again. Then, under the command of their respective samurai, they set off in order. The vanguard of over a hundred armored elites went first to scout, followed by the taiko drum corps. Two followers at a time, one carrying a taiko drum and the other beating it rhythmically from behind, controlled the marching pace.
Behind them was a large taiko drum carried by four men, likely for use in battle, though it wasn’t being played at the moment. The followers responsible for blowing the conch shells were also mixed in with the taiko drum corps, departing together.
Following them were large groups of followers forming spear ashigaru units. However, they were not armored for the moment, only carrying their two-meter-long spears on their shoulders. The spears were as dense as a forest, swaying with their steps, giving off a formidable aura.
Behind the spear ashigaru units was a contingent of bow ashigaru, and further back was the main body of ashigaru carrying their armor and miscellaneous equipment for them.
As for the Commander-in-Chief, Oda Nobunaga…
Oda Nobunaga was bidding farewell to his vassals. Senior retainer Hayashi Hidesada stood expressionlessly, while Hirate Masahide, with a worried expression, was fussing over Oda Nobunaga, seemingly giving him some advice. However, Oda Nobunaga appeared impatient, occasionally muttering a few retorts in a low voice.
Yuan Ye glanced at them for a moment and didn’t pay much attention. He turned back and saw a mounted middle-ranking samurai gesturing for him to move. He immediately ordered his “ox cart team” to fall in at the rear of the ashigaru units and also head towards the Dongjin Ye battlefield.
…
Since it was an internal conflict, the Nobunaga Army did not need to carry excessive supplies. Coupled with their high morale, their marching speed was very fast. It took only half a day to reach the vicinity of Dongjin Ye, where Dongjin Fort could be seen from afar. The Matsudaira Family would harass them a few times each year, and the Oda Family was not foolish; they had long ago built two forts in this direction to control the roads, namely Dongjin and Dongmu Forts, each garrisoned by over a hundred men.
Every time the Matsudaira Family came to raid and harass in the past, they were affected by these two forts and dared not venture too deep, lest they be caught in a pincer attack. Furthermore, they were previously wary of the great enemy, the “Tiger of Owari,” and usually did not dare to linger too long during their raids. They had never been able to overcome Dongjin and Dongmu Forts.
But now the “Tiger of Owari” was dead, and the “Owari’s Big Fool” was in charge. They had fewer scruples. Their main objective this time seemed to be to remove these two thorns in their side. They had already surrounded Dongjin Fort and launched several probing attacks, but had not taken it. Not wanting to suffer heavy casualties, they were now constructing “siege equipment” to take the fort by clever means.
They were also quite vigilant. They spotted the Nobunaga Army rapidly approaching from afar and immediately lifted the encirclement of Dongjin Fort. However, they did not retreat directly. Instead, they returned to their camp to eat and rest, seemingly preparing to accept the “invitation” to a pitched battle and test the mettle of the new head of the Oda Danjō no Chū family in their own territory.
Upon receiving the report from the front, Oda Nobunaga immediately ordered the troops to make camp on the spot, allowing them to eat, rest, and recover their strength. He himself led the riding guard and pages to scout the battlefield terrain.
After he returned, he convened a small meeting with his vassals. Then, with a single order, the spear ashigaru units and bow ashigaru units, composed of followers, donned their armor and marched out directly towards the Matsudaira Family’s camp.
Yuan Ye, of course, did not need to participate in the combat. He was merely a hired “battlefield doctor” and was to wait in the camp to rescue the wounded. Seeing that combat was about to begin, he began assigning tasks, organizing stretchers, medicine, and bandages, preparing firewood and a stove, and setting up a small tent, ready for “surgery” – there would undoubtedly be many returning with arrow wounds, and surgery would be unavoidable. He always acted with foresight.
He now had more subordinates, with thirty ashigaru at his disposal, and Maeshima Shichiro, a low-ranking magistrate, to oversee and manage the work. Furthermore, Yayoi and the Momoi Brothers, having run a “black clinic” with him for so long, were now qualified nurses and could lead many tasks. After assigning his work, he became idle and beckoned to A Man and A Qing, saying with anticipation, “Let’s go and take a look ahead!”
He wouldn’t lose anyway, and he wanted to see the excitement. He had been here for so long and hadn’t seen how battles were fought in the Japanese medieval period. He was somewhat curious.
A Qing had no objections; she generally didn’t have her own ideas and would follow A Man and Yuan Ye. However, A Man, who usually loved excitement, hesitated for a moment before agreeing.
The three of them led their three-flower mares out of the camp and followed Oda Nobunaga from a distance. There was no need to catch up; they were just going to watch the spectacle. Yuan Ye, clad in exquisite armor, looked like an important person. If they got too close and were mistaken for a commander and focused on, or if an enemy general became interested and wanted to take his head for merit, it would be a real joke.
Of course, they had all their weapons ready. If they encountered a few stragglers and needed to engage in a small skirmish, the three of them would not be afraid. A Man and A Qing had extremely keen senses and would not be caught unaware by the enemy. As long as they avoided close combat, there was nothing to fear. They had crossbows and matchlock guns, and if it were just a few enemies, they could drive them away from a distance.
After all, if he were as cautious and suspicious as he was, he certainly wouldn’t come to watch this spectacle if there were any risks.
The three of them followed Oda Nobunaga from afar. No one bothered them along the way, and they continued until they reached Dongjin Ye. Here, the sound of taiko drums began to echo, starting slowly and then accelerating to a “rapid drum” beat. The conch shell trumpets also began to blow in long and short blasts. The Nobunaga Army began to organize its formation, preparing to transition from a marching column to a horizontal line.
The Matsudaira Family also did not hesitate. They were clearly prepared and did not want to be cornered in their camp by Oda Nobunaga. The sounds of taiko drums and conch shells also began to ring out. Armored followers and ashigaru emerged in an orderly fashion, forming a horizontal line directly in front of their camp, showing no fear, intending to confront Oda Nobunaga head-on.
Yuan Ye, positioned to the rear and side, could not see clearly. He mounted his horse again, stood on the stirrups, and looked around, noticing that it was not like the novels described, with scouting parties scattered all around when two armies engaged in battle.
On the contrary, as the two armies faced each other, preparing for engagement, all their forces were concentrated inward. There was no one in the surrounding area.
He thought for a moment, pointed to a small hill with dense vegetation in the distance, and said, “Let’s go watch from there!”
It was on the flank of the battlefield and offered a good vantage point. So, while the Oda and Matsudaira families were busy with their “hei hei oh” formations, the three of them circled around and climbed the small hill to watch.
From here, the view was much more open, offering a panoramic view of the battlefield.
Yuan Ye lay down and watched for a few moments, noticing that Oda Nobunaga’s direct combat force consisted of over six hundred men, the vast majority of whom were armored followers. They were now slowly forming into three horizontal lines, with a very tight formation and their spears held upright like a forest.
The Matsudaira Family’s combat force also numbered around six hundred men. However, the armored troops, at a rough glance, were only a little over four hundred. Their dōmaru also appeared quite disorganized, not as uniform as Oda Nobunaga’s side, and mostly quite worn. The remaining two hundred-plus men in the rear were completely unarmored, lacking even simple dōmaru. They only wore conical hats with iron sheet inlays on their heads. However, their morale was not at all inferior, and they also formed three horizontal lines, with their spears held upright.
Yuan Ye watched for a while and then asked A Man, “The Matsudaira Family looks weaker, and they don’t have the advantage of terrain. Logically, they should have retreated long ago, right? Why do they seem to be going for a head-on confrontation? Didn’t you say before that the Matsudaira Family wouldn’t go all out for a direct fight?”
A Man, with her dou dou eyebrows furrowed in thought, replied casually, “It’s probably an order from the Imagawa Family, or perhaps Oda Nobunaga’s reputation as a big fool is well-known. Now that he’s personally arrived, the Matsudaira Family’s generals might want to try and capture him in battle. Bringing back Oda Nobunaga’s head would be worth losing two or three hundred men. If it were me, I’d definitely try.”
Yuan Ye nodded slightly, finding this plausible. After all, Oda Nobunaga’s reputation was indeed terrible; he was known to everyone as a “big fool.” Facing a fool, especially a high-value fool, perhaps the Matsudaira Family’s retainers would indeed want to seize the opportunity to kill him and thus achieve great merit and be granted fiefs.
However, he soon noticed that A Man’s dou dou eyebrows remained tightly furrowed, and she seemed somewhat distracted. He couldn’t help but ask curiously, “What’s wrong?”
Given her personality, she should be jumping around excitedly at this moment, eagerly anticipating a river of blood. She shouldn’t be so quiet.
A Man herself hadn’t quite figured it out. She scratched her face, looked around, and said hesitantly, “I feel like something’s not right…”
Yuan Ye was taken aback. The titles of books like “The Art of War” and “The Thirty-Six Stratagems” flashed through his mind. He turned and scanned his surroundings, suspecting an ambush. But this place was called Dongjin Ye, a barren plain with little vegetation and flat terrain. The highest point was the small hill they were lying on. There was simply no place to hide an ambush.
“What’s not right?” Yuan Ye asked A Man after looking around fruitlessly.
A Man’s dou dou eyebrows were still knitted together, her expression still comical, and her tone still hesitant. “I don’t know, but ever since we started marching this morning, I’ve felt something was off, like something was wrong somewhere. But what exactly… I can’t say right now.”
This was probably a professional intuition, a keen sense developed from years of hiding in the grass and watching samurai hack each other to death. She had a feeling that Oda Nobunaga was in some kind of danger, as if he were about to be killed.
