Strategies for the Endgame 'Horde'

[DEB8]

Perhaps I'll put next campaigns on 60/60 but with 'Eliminate All Other Clans', I think that might give you the option of quitting when the last Clan dies, it doesn't force you to take all Rebel lands. Not 100% on that though.

I am currently playing the original ( "Classic" ) Shogun with the end game set as "Conquer all Provinces". I am the last Clan standing ( Shimazu ), and am faced with several provinces with "Hordes" ( 3,500 to 5,500 or so ) of Rebels and others that are empty or ( in a few cases ) a single "smallish" army.

Generally, when defending, I can beat off any "Horde" that attacks ( as the Rebel General is poor, routs and takes his army with him, and any "Horde" reinforcements tend to rout very quickly or just not appear on the battlefield ). I am rather hoping that the same applies if I attack a "Horde"too...
But either way, the battlefield terrain and the way it is used is ultimately key ( along with the "quality" ( Weapons, Honour and Armour ) of both my units ( and, of course ) the enemy's units too ).