Hideki, nevertheless, was assigned to an important post on the right. Shimadzu half-heartedly manned the left, Moris brother—knowingly, of course—maintained the advance (well off, at one side, however, and in such position easily to slide in any direction), while Konishi, master strategist and faithful adherent, bore the brunt, in the center, where Ieyasu must fight to pass.
And they came on, the veteran Ieyasu in the lead, a hundred thousand of them, with Hideyasu, his main reliance and intended successor, in the rear, commanding a reserve, something like half as strong.
But these failed to arrive, this flower in repose and the favorite of his father; Esyo had discreetly inveigled him into an encounter at one side, with Sanada, the fiery youth whom she had unknowingly and as witlessly inveigled into the taking of sides against her own father-in-law.
The battle thus began and raged, at Sekigahara, without the aid or prospect of Hideyasu. Ieyasu, angered at the failure of his trusted progeny, charged in person, took every risk of defeat, and Yodogima, threatened with the consequence, invoking a last resource, sent forthwith for Mori, saying:
Advise your brother to hasten here; I can better serve him with Ieyasu than with Ishida.
No further encouragement need she use, for these were not fighting men; Hideyoshi had previously taught them the greater potency of diplomacy. But Hideki!
Jokoin? commanded Yodogima.
I am here, sister.
Can you reach Ieyasu?
Certainly, replied she, as confident as in the days of Kamakiyama.