Japan's Sengoku Period: The Sanada Clan's Ambition

Chapter 10 Target: Mount Kasuga!
The 23rd day of the fifth month in the tenth year of Tianzheng.

Just as Sanada Masayuki set off for Masahashi Castle, Mori Nagayoshi of Kaizu Castle began his offensive towards Echigo.

The army, commanded directly by Sen Changke, numbered five thousand men.

Among them, Morinaga Yoshimoto's unit had 2000 people, Inaba Sadamichi had 500 people, the Sanada family of Ogi County had 800 people, the Izuura family of Hanishina County had 300 people, the Muroga family of Ogi County had 200 people, the Yayo family of Hanishina County had 500 people, and the Kasuga (Kousaka) family of Hanishina County had 80 people.

After defeating Imokawa Ikki, Mori Nagayoshi advanced unimpeded, directly approaching Sekikawaguchi in Echigo.

Because Uozu Castle in Echigo Province was under heavy attack by Shibata Katsuie, Uesugi Kagekatsu had left Kasugayama Castle with reinforcements to go to its rescue, leaving the entire Echigo province with very little military strength.

Faced with the sudden attack of Morinaga, Echigo's defense line collapsed at the slightest touch, as if it were made of paper.

On a remote battlefield, Sanada Nobuyuki squatted by a stream, washing his guzo and sword.

Despite being the eldest son of the Sanada family, Sanada Nobuyuki's equipment was indeed very ordinary; the seams on his belly roll (a type of light armor) were broken in countless places.

"The scouts are back. Tagiri Castle is not far ahead." Oyamada Shigemasa is now in charge of the Sanada clan's scout force, leading 15 riders.

Sanada Nobuyuki had no idea what the place name was, so he quickly asked, "Where is Takiri Castle?"

“Tagiri Castle is about five or six miles from here. It was originally built as a sentry post, but it has been repaired in the last month and is now a small fortress,” Oyamada Shigeaki replied slowly.

How far are we from Chunri Mountain City?

"We're not far off. After Tagiri Castle comes Nihonki, and after Nihonki comes Kasugayama," said Shigeaki Oyamada, wiping his sweat.

After listening, Nobuyuki Sanada nodded slightly.

After two days of marching, Sanada Nobuyuki finally understood why the Uesugi clan and the Takeda clan had fought for so many years over the Kawanakajima region.

Unfortunately, the strategic depth of Chunri Mountain City is simply too short.

Given the speed of the Takeda clan's cavalry, they could reach Kasugayama Castle from Takai County in just one day.

Imagine if Takeda Shingen had controlled northern Shinano, then Uesugi Kenshin wouldn't have been able to sleep soundly at night.

Therefore, for the Uesugi family, even if they could not occupy the northern Shinano region themselves, they absolutely could not allow it to fall into the hands of the Takeda family, otherwise the Uesugi family would never have peace.

"Mori Nagayoshi is here again to urge the army to advance," Kawahara Tsunaie said, appearing behind Sanada Nobuyuki.

"Rushing again?" Sanada Nobuyuki couldn't help but stab his sword directly into the mud in front of him. "They've covered forty miles in two days. They can go any further without even fighting. Even the foot soldiers of our clan are exhausted!"

Of the 800 men in the Sanada clan, more than half were peasant soldiers (miscellaneous soldiers), and only two or three hundred were truly capable of fighting.

The Oda clan's regular foot soldiers, seasoned in battle, were naturally capable of long-distance raids, which put the Sanada clan's Shinano troops in a difficult position, as they had never fought such a high-intensity battle before.

Where are the Oda clan members?

"They've already launched an attack on Tagiri Castle, which is why they're urging us to advance."

“We’re already considered to be moving fast; the other nations’ armies are still several miles behind,” Takanashi Naiki added from the side.

Sanada Nobuyuki sighed and picked up his sword, putting it back in its sheath.

"Since there are orders, let's continue the march. Tell the foot soldiers to eat when we reach Tagiri Castle."

"Yes!"

Tagiri Castle is a small fortress built on the edge of a river valley.

Originally used as a checkpoint for collecting tolls from caravans entering and leaving Shinano and Echigo, it was temporarily converted into a mountain castle.

Sen Changke, fully clothed and holding a long spear, stood at the front of the formation, looked up at the sky, and then kicked a tree branch at his feet, breaking it in half.

Slower than a tortoise!

"If we didn't still need these useless people, we would love to skip them and march straight ahead!" Mori Nagayoshi said indignantly.

Inaba Sadamichi quickly advised, "These soldiers have done their best. Most of their troops are peasant soldiers, so it's normal that they can't keep up with our speed."

"Have you found out the situation inside the city?" Sen Changke continued to ask.

Inaba Sadamichi nodded. "There are a total of 800 garrison troops in the castle, and the commander is Imokawa Chikamasa."

"Yogawa Chimasa?"

"The person who started the uprising before?"

"Exactly this person."

"Hmph, he got away before, but I didn't expect him to dare to block our way here. He really doesn't know what's good for him!" Mori Nagayoshi spat on the ground. "We can't wait any longer, let's launch an attack immediately." "Uesugi Kagekatsu has already gone to Uozu Castle. We must rush to Kasugayama Castle as soon as possible to get his reinforcements. This will also relieve the pressure on Shibata and the others."

“But this would result in heavy casualties for our team.” Inaba Sadamichi hesitated.

The reason for waiting for the military strength of the Shinano troops was precisely to reduce the casualties of the Oda clan by using these cannon fodder.

Mori Nagayoshi shook his head. "It's getting dark. Even if we wait until today, we won't be able to launch an attack. We might as well launch a counterattack first. If the defenders in the city are determined to fight to the death, we can always retreat."

"it is good."

"Order the attack!"

Woo! Woo! Woo!
Three conch shells (bugle calls) sounded, and Inaba Shigemichi, who was at the forefront, immediately led 1000 men to attack Tagiri Castle.

The Oda clan's foot soldiers were well-equipped, and their infantry consisted of spearmen, archers, and arquebusiers.

Soon, the first rank of foot soldiers carrying wooden shields approached the walls of Tagiri Castle, setting up wooden shields on the ground to serve as a barrier.

The second group of foot soldiers armed with arquebuses quickly followed, taking cover and opening fire to suppress the enemy troops on the city walls.

The third rank of archer foot soldiers followed closely behind, using dense fire in conjunction with the arquebus troops to suppress the enemy.

Inside Tagiri Castle, Imokawa Chikamasa, braving cannon fire and arrows, personally stood atop the castle to direct the battle.

Although Imokawa Chikamasa was fearless, his foot soldiers did not share the same fighting spirit.

These foot soldiers were remnants of the defeated army from the previous Imogawa campaign, and their morale was already low. Now, suppressed by the superior firepower of the Oda clan, many foot soldiers were trembling with fear.

Imokawa Chikamasa was furious to see several foot soldiers with bows and arrows beside him clinging tightly to the castle wall, too afraid to fire.

"Stand up, all of you, and fight back!"

No sooner had he finished speaking than a bullet struck a samurai standing next to Imokawa Chikamasa, who immediately fell to the ground.

"With Saemon!"

"Damn it!" Imokawa Chikamasa lowered his body, his earlier anger gone.

In situations like this, saving your life is the most important thing.

The gunfire stopped quickly.

Imokawa Chikamasa mustered his courage and looked up to see hundreds of foot soldiers wielding long spears, led by dozens of samurai, beginning to climb the walls of Tagiri Castle.

"Tanaka Shiro, are you trying to run away?"

At that moment, an angry shout rang out.

Imokawa Chikamasa turned his head and saw a samurai leading more than ten people running away in a disheveled state.

"My lord, Tanaka Shiro has already escaped."

"The Uesugi clan's samurai have all fled, shall we retreat too?" a samurai from the Imokawa clan shouted.

Seeing that the Oda clan foot soldiers were about to climb the castle walls, Imokawa Chikamasa stamped his foot and shouted, "Retreat!"

The defending troops had long been unable to hold out, and upon hearing Imokawa Chikamasa speak, they scattered like birds and beasts.

Outside the castle, when the Oda clan's banner was planted atop Tagiri Castle, Mori Nagayoshi finally smiled.

"Vulnerable."

"Order the entire army to enter the city and rest."

"Tomorrow morning, we'll head straight for Spring Mountain City!"

"Oh!"

　Tomokawa Chimasa: Commonly known as Echizen Shou, Shinano Kunizu.

　　After the destruction of the Takeda clan, he refused to serve Morinaga Yoshikazu and instigated the Ikko-ikki to fight against the Oda clan.

　　Ultimately defeated and unable to defeat the Uesugi clan who fled to Echigo Province.

　　After the Honnoji Incident, with the support of the Uesugi family, he returned to Shinano and assisted the Uesugi family in fighting against Ogasawara Sadayoshi, who was supported by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)