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

Chapter 102 Want to be my father-in-law?
Sanada Nobuyuki's visit to Suruga to meet Tokugawa Ieyasu was merely to convey the Sanada family's opinion.

Both sides reached a preliminary agreement on a ceasefire, and the next step was for Sanada Masayuki and Tokugawa Ieyasu to exchange petitions.

What happened after that was beyond Sanada Nobuyuki's control.

Sanada Nobuyuki and the others were arranged to stay at Rinzai-ji Temple outside Sunpu-kan.

Because Sunpu-kan was under reconstruction everywhere, the Tokugawa family did not have any spare houses, so they temporarily arranged for Sanada Nobuyuki to stay here.

It's mainly a matter of identity. If the person who comes is Sanada Masayuki, the standards will naturally be higher.

Linji Temple belongs to the Miaoxin Temple branch of the Linji sect. Its original name was Shandeyuan, and its mountain name was "Dalongshan".

It was originally built by Imagawa Ujichichi, and Imagawa Yoshimoto, who was then known as "Baiyue Chengfang", became a monk at this temple.

After the Hanakura Rebellion, Imagawa Yoshimoto changed the name of the temple to its current name, Rinzai-ji, and invited the Zen master Daishu Sokyū of Myōshin-ji Reiun-in Temple in Kyoto to serve as its abbot.

This Daxiu Zongxiu had a disciple who later became the second abbot of Linji Temple. This person was Taiyuan Xuezhai.

When Tokugawa Ieyasu was a hostage in the Imagawa family during his childhood, he was also placed in Rinzai-ji Temple, so it is clear that arranging for Sanada Nobuyuki to live there was not arbitrary.

At the foot of Jianji Mountain, at the entrance of Dalong Mountain.

Sanada Nobuyuki entered Rinzai-ji Temple, led by a Tokugawa samurai.

"Lord Sanada, this temple was destroyed by the Takeda clan a few years ago. My lord, Tokugawa Mikawa no Kami-dono Tenka, ordered the restoration of Rinzai-ji Temple."

"This place is quiet and beautiful. Lord Sanada, please rest here for the next few days."

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly expressed his gratitude, "Thank you for your trouble. May I ask how to address you, sir?"

“My name is Itakura Shiroemon. This is a Rinzai sect temple, so I will not go in. Please make yourself at home, Lord Sanada.” With that, Itakura Katsushige took his leave.

As Sanada Nobuyuki watched the other person's retreating figure, he couldn't help but sigh inwardly.

The Tokugawa family is full of talented people. Even an insignificant person would be a senior figure in the Sanada family.

Sanada Nobuyuki had just settled down and assigned accommodations to Yamagami Teruhisa and the others when an unexpected person visited Rinzai-ji Temple.

"Uncle, what are you doing here?"

Sanada Nobuyuki looked completely bewildered as he stared at Sanada Nobuyoshi in front of him.

“I have fled from the Uesugi family and now serve the Tokugawa family,” Sanada Nobuyoshi replied slowly after sitting down.

Sanada Nobuyuki asked in surprise, "What's going on now?"

"Could this also be Father's intention?"

Sanada Shin'in shook his head. "This has nothing to do with my brother; it was my own decision."

“The Uesugi and Sanada families are already close allies, so there is little use for me in Echigo.”

"The Sanada family's future rival is the Tokugawa family. I am here to serve the Tokugawa family so that when the Sanada and Tokugawa become enemies in the future, someone can mediate between them."

Upon hearing Sanada Nobuyuki's words, Sanada Nobuyuki was immediately filled with respect.

It must be said that the Sanada family is indeed exceptionally united.

Given Sanada Nobuyoshi's status, if he were to return to the Sanada family, he would undoubtedly become a senior member of the family.

However, in order for the Sanada family to survive, Sanada Nobuyoshi actually joined the Tokugawa family alone.

This spirit of being willing to sacrifice everything for one's family is truly admirable.

"Gensaburo, I have heard about what happened today. You did well."

"I heard that although the lord was furious about this, he also praised you highly."

"Especially that Lord Honda, he seems to value you highly," Sanada Nobuyoshi said with a smile.

Sanada Nobuyuki's heart skipped a beat. Was what was bound to happen still going to happen?

Oh no! The impression we left on Tokugawa Ieyasu and his men today was too deep. If we can't take Shinano by force, Tokugawa Ieyasu will definitely consider a marriage alliance.

Shinano's location was far too important for the Tokugawa clan. In Tokugawa Ieyasu's plan, the Sanada clan, which controlled Shinano, absolutely could not be an enemy.

If it is impossible to recruit Sanada as a retainer, then forming an alliance through marriage is the last resort.

“Uncle, on the way to Junfu, I encountered Hatsukano Den'emon-no-jo.” Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly remembered Hatsukano Masaji.

Sanada Nobuyoshi was taken aback at first, then asked curiously, "How did you end up running into him?"

Sanada Nobuyuki then gave a detailed account of his encounter with Hatsukano Masaji and his recruitment of the Hatsukano clan.

After listening to Nobuyuki Sanada's explanation, Nobuyoshi Sanada nodded slowly.

"The Hatsukano clan was a hereditary chief retainer of the Takeda clan during the reign of Nobutora, but because of this relationship, he was not given important positions during the reign of Shingen."

"I know this man, Uemon-no-jo. Although he has a tendency to boast, he is still capable."

"During this period, many former retainers of the Takeda clan have gathered in the Tokugawa household."

"I have also been assigned to contact former retainers of Takeda in Kai and other places, and the military power of the Tokugawa clan will become even stronger."

"The Sanada family, be extremely careful," Sanada Nobuyoshi warned solemnly.

Sanada Nobuyuki nodded and replied, "Uncle, don't worry."

"What are your plans next, Uncle? Will you continue to serve the Tokugawa family?"

Sanada Nobuyoshi said with a sense of loss, "If I could, I would certainly like to return to Shinano and serve the Sanada family."

"But now is not the time."

"I understand, Uncle. Please take care."

Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Sanada Nobuyoshi with admiration, and the other man also managed a smile. The uncle and nephew smiled at each other, knowing that some things didn't need to be said.

I stayed in Sunpu for five or six days, and there was basically nothing to do.

Tokugawa Ieyasu did not summon Sanada Nobuyuki. The Tokugawa family had many affairs to attend to, and Sanada Nobuyuki alone was not enough to make Tokugawa Ieyasu set aside his political duties to receive him repeatedly. On the other hand, Honda Tadakatsu would frequently visit Rinji Temple, insisting on challenging Sanada Nobuyuki to a contest.

Clearly, Sanada Nobuyuki's actions a few days ago had embarrassed Honda Tadakatsu, and he was determined to show this arrogant brat what it meant to be "both beautiful and capable"!
"Hanamatsu and Shichika" is Oda Nobunaga's evaluation of Honda Tadakatsu, meaning "possessing both good looks and outstanding achievements, he is a truly fierce general."

This put Sanada Nobuyuki in a difficult position.

He knows his own limitations better than anyone else. He can't even beat Teruhisa Yamagami, so how could he possibly compete with Tadakatsu Honda?
Despite his tall stature, he received a cultural education from a young age. Although he practiced military strategy, he was not particularly proficient in it.

Moreover, since Nobuyuki Sanada is not the original, although he can use many moves and routines from memory, he still cannot truly master them.

"Gensaburo, I've come three times already. If you still don't agree this time, I, Honda Heihachiro, am not leaving today!" Honda Tadakatsu, holding the Dragonfly Cutter, plopped down in front of Sanada Nobuyuki's door.

Nobuyuki Sanada was numb.

Tadakatsu Honta is completely single-minded; once he sets his mind on something, he absolutely cannot give up easily.

The competition doesn't matter. If Sanada Nobuyuki can really hold his own against Honda Tadakatsu, losing to Gundam wouldn't be shameful.

But Sanada Nobuyuki was afraid that he would be defeated in two moves, which would be very embarrassing.
Thinking of this, a figure suddenly flashed through Sanada Nobuyuki's mind, so he quickly said, "Lord Honda, I, Sanada Nobuyuki, am not someone who makes a move lightly."

"If you want to compete with me, you must first defeat someone."

"Who is it?" Honda Tadakatsu rushed over, holding a dragonfly cutter upside down. "Where is he? Tell him to come here immediately."

"This man is my younger brother, Sanada Genjiro. If Lord Honda can defeat my brother, then I, as his older brother, will naturally step in."

"Very good!" Honda Tadakatsu, without any suspicion, said directly, "Then quickly bring this Genjiro over here to fight me!"

"Wait a minute, his name is Genjiro, how come he's your brother?"

"This is a family tradition; the eldest son is never named Taro or Jiro."

"However, Genjiro is still in Shinano. Once I return home, I will definitely have Genjiro come to Suruga to have a match with Lord Honda."

“That’s interesting!” Honda Tadakatsu nodded, acknowledging Sanada Nobuyuki’s suggestion. “Let him come to Hamamatsu Castle. In a few days, our lord will leave Sunpu and return to Tōtōmi.”

"This Junfu Mansion is too dilapidated; it will probably need to be repaired for several more years before it's habitable."

Nobuyuki Sanada astutely noticed the information that Tadakatsu Honda had inadvertently revealed: Tokugawa Ieyasu was about to leave Kai and Suruga.

What does this mean?
This indicates that Tokugawa Ieyasu will shift his focus to the west, and it seems that he will not be taking any further action against Shinano for the time being.

Thinking of this, Nobuyuki Sanada breathed a sigh of relief.

However, Honda Tadakatsu was completely naive, revealing Tokugawa Ieyasu's itinerary so easily. He truly lived up to his reputation as a loyal and honest subordinate.

Having finally gotten rid of the unreasonable Honda Tadakatsu, Sanada Nobuyuki thought he could finally have two days of peace and quiet.

Unexpectedly, Honda Tadakatsu came again the next day.

“Gensaburo, over the years, no samurai in my household has ever been able to meet my standards.”

"You are very good!"

To be honest, I have a daughter.

"and many more!"

Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly called out to Honda Tadakatsu, already guessing what Honda Tadakatsu was going to say next.

I treated you like a friend, and you actually want to be my father-in-law?
Sanada Nobuyuki interrupted Honda Tadakatsu, then pointed to Yamagami Teruhisa beside him, "Lord Honda, my retainer here has long admired your martial prowess and wishes to learn from you."

"Would Lord Honda be willing to offer his guidance?"

Teruhisa Yamagami shuddered, momentarily confused about the situation.

Fight against Honda Tadakatsu?

what?
me?

Upon hearing this, Honda Tadakatsu immediately got up, grabbed Yamakami Teruhisa, and headed outside.

Less than fifteen minutes later, Honda Tadakatsu walked in from outside, looking quite pleased with himself.

"Gensaburo, your retainer is quite capable. Not bad, he can hold his own for about ten moves!"

"Oh right, what did I come here to say today?"

"Alright, I'm off now. Remember to have that Genjiro come to Hamamatsu Castle to find me after you get back to Shinano!"

"If you dare to lie to me, I'll come knocking on your door!"

"I'm off, hahahahaha!" Honda Tadakatsu strode away like a crab, barging ahead.

Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't help but wipe away his sweat; he couldn't stay in this place any longer.

The next morning, Sanada Nobuyuki resigned from his post and then set off for Kyoto.

Heading west from Sunpukan, passing through Totomi and Mikawa, you enter Owari.

After resting briefly at Kiyosu Castle, Sanada Nobuyuki learned that Toyotomi Hideyoshi himself was in Kyoto, so he headed straight for Kyoto.

Meanwhile, within the Oda clan, after defeating Shibata Katsuie at the Battle of Shizugatake, Hashiba Hideyoshi had successfully seized control of the clan.

The eyes of all the powerful daimyo in the land were once again focused on the Oda clan.

　Itakura Katsushige: Commonly known as Shiroemon, he was originally a monk, but after the head of the Itakura clan was killed in the Battle of Takatenjin, Tokugawa Ieyasu ordered him to return to secular life and succeed him as head of the clan.

　　He served successively as the Prefect of Sunpu and the Town Magistrate of Edo Castle, and was an absolute master in domestic affairs.

　　It is said that Kasuga no Tsubone, Tokugawa Iemitsu's wet nurse, was personally selected by Itakura Katsushige.

　　It is also worth mentioning that there is a man in the Tsutsui family named Matsukura Katsushige (Shigenobu), who is not the same person as him.

　　Thank you to "Sun Jiying", "Meijiu Ganshu", "Jin Tai'an's Guoda", and "Shuhuangde Lixing" for their generous donations.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)