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

Chapter 105 Oh no, Hideyoshi gave us too much!

"This is it."

In a secluded courtyard, the young man stopped.

Looking at the huge courtyard, Nobuyuki Sanada asked in surprise, "Is the whole courtyard like this?"

"what!"

Wow, they're really rich.

The Sanada family was, after all, the most powerful daimyo in Shinano, but their residence was not even as good as this villa used to entertain guests.

"My name is Koide Kosaiji. You may call me Kosaiji, Lord Sanada."

"I will be in charge of Lord Sanada's daily life these next few days. Please take good care of me, Lord Sanada," Koide Yoshimasa continued.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded and walked into the courtyard, where there were actually more than a dozen maids.

This treatment is truly something else.

If you are useful to Hideyoshi Hashiba, he will be very kind to you before you die. Of course, after he dies, he will not hesitate to take back your territory.

"These are all sent by Lady Nene to serve Lord Sanada. They can be summoned if needed," said Koide Yoshimasa, pointing to a row of kneeling maids.

Sanada Nobuyuki bowed and said, "Please convey my gratitude to the lady."

"However, there is one thing: they are not those kinds of maids, Lord Sanada, do you understand?"

"Understood!" Sanada Nobuyuki nodded quickly, besides, he wouldn't dare to do it here anyway.

I am the "loyal and righteous No. 1 in Shinshu" in Mori Nagato's eyes, and the "righteous general" in Uesugi Kagekatsu's eyes! How could I do something that would damage my reputation in front of everyone?

Dinner was served quickly.

Two unidentifiable cakes, a box of dried fish (fish cut into thin strips, marinated, and then cut into small pieces and placed in a wooden box), a bowl of rice, a bowl of miso soup, and an abalone.

It can be described as luxurious.

Is this what the nouveau riche's life is like?

Heaven has mercy on Sanada Nobuyuki, who has been eating rice balls and coarse rice every day in that remote mountain village of Shinano. His mouth must be so bland that it's practically tasteless.

After the meal was finished, Nobuyuki Sanada patted his stomach and let out a satisfied burp.

Yoshimasa Koide, who was standing to the side, was trying not to laugh as he watched Nobuyuki Sanada eat. This reminded him of his father, Hidemasa Koide, who also ate in a similarly ravenous manner.

Koide Yoshimasa's mother was Hideyoshi Hashiba's aunt, so he was considered Hideyoshi Hashiba's cousin.

As Hideyoshi Hashiba's power grew, his relatives also benefited greatly from his rise to power.

Life visibly improved, and naturally, the standard of living improved day by day.

"I'm hungry, please excuse my poor appetite," Sanada Nobuyuki said awkwardly, noticing Koide Yoshimasa's gaze.

Yoshimasa Koide shook his head and continued, "Speaking of which, our family is also from Shinano. Our ancestors lived in Koide Village, Ina District in their early years."

"They moved to Owari later." Koide Yoshimasa was trying to get closer to Sanada Nobuyuki.

"Little Saiji, do you know who Sakichi is that Lord Hashiba mentioned?" Sanada Nobuyuki quickly asked, voicing his doubts.

Koide Yoshimasa replied immediately, "It's Lord Ishida. He's in charge of liaison with the Hokuriku daimyo."

Ishida?

Could it be Ishida Mitsunari?

"So soon we'll meet, young woman weaving cloth?" Sanada Nobuyuki felt a faint anticipation for tomorrow's meeting.

After resting for a while and until his stomach wasn't so bloated, Nobuyuki Sanada quickly fell asleep.

The next morning, Nobuyuki Sanada sat up on the tatami mat.

To be honest, I didn't sleep well last night. The main reason was that the results of yesterday's meeting with Hideyoshi Hashiba were too important, which made Nobuyuki Sanada wake up two or three times in the middle of the night.

"My lord, please take off your clothes."

At this moment, two maids opened the door after hearing the noise. One maid was holding a scarlet robe, and the other was holding a tasseled crown and a scepter.

Nobuyuki Sanada was completely bewildered by this situation.

The samurai from the small town had never seen anything like it before.

Looking at Yoshimasa Koide at the door, Nobuyuki Sanada quickly asked, "Saiji, what's this?"

"Yesterday, my lord petitioned the court on behalf of Lord Sanada to grant him the rank of Junior Fifth Rank, Lower Grade. This is Lord Sanada's rank attire," Koide Yoshimasa said slowly.

Nobuyuki Sanada was completely dumbfounded.

No, Comrade Hideyoshi, you really gave so much?

How am I supposed to betray you like this?

My conscience will be troubled.

The Sanada family even sent people to Kyoto last time and used their connections with the Sanjo family, but they still couldn't get the fifth rank official position.

Hideyoshi Hashiba will solve it for you in one night.

Is this strength?

"So what do I need to do next?" This was also the first time Sanada Nobuyuki had ever been on a sedan chair.

Koide Yoshimasa continued, "Originally, it was necessary to pay a visit to the Kanpaku, but since the Kanpaku is not in Kyoto, this procedure has been waived."

During the Honnoji Incident, the Akechi army climbed onto the house of Kanpaku Konoe Sakihisa and attacked the Nijō Palace where Oda Nobutada was located. Rumors then circulated that Konoe Sakihisa was involved in the incident.

After Hideyoshi Hashiba defeated and destroyed Mitsuhide Akechi, Konoe Sakihisa was so afraid that Hideyoshi Hashiba would cause him trouble that he ran away.

"Lord Sanada's official career has been registered and is an officially recognized career path by the Imperial Court," Koide Yoshimasa specifically reminded him.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly bowed in gratitude, repeatedly saying that he could never repay the kindness of Lord Hashiba.

Soon, served by two maids, the freshly made Nobuyuki Sanada, the fifth rank, made his dazzling entrance.

"May I ask what my official title is?" Sanada Nobuyuki turned around in front of the mirror, and you have to admit, he looked quite dashing in that scarlet robe.

"From the fifth rank, Hyogo no Naka.

The head of the arsenal, whose corresponding Tang dynasty name was the military arsenal commander, was primarily responsible for managing the arsenals in the capital.

"Why is it Hyogo-no-kami?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked curiously. Shouldn't it be some kind of governor?
Historically, Sanada Nobuyuki's official career was as the governor of Izu, while Sanada Yukimura's was as the assistant governor of Saemon.

"Currently, among the five ranks of officials in the capital, only the position of Hyogo-no-ga (head of the Hyogo) is vacant."

"And what about my father? Has Lord Hashiba made any arrangements?"

"That will have to wait until Lord Sanada Awa-no-kami personally comes to Kyoto." Koide Yoshimasa answered Sanada Nobuyuki's question patiently.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded, agreeing.

"I wonder if Lord Hashiba is here? I would like to express my gratitude in person."

"My lord has gone to Osaka."

"I see. Where should I go to find Lord Ishida then?"

"Lord Ishida is at Kiyotaki-ji Temple in Omi."

Kiyotakiji Temple?
What a familiar name.

Isn't this the Bodhi Temple of the Kyogoku family? Bodhi Temple is the temple where the family cemetery is located.

Suddenly, a wave of dead memories overwhelmed Nobuyuki Sanada.

Seeing that Sanada Nobuyuki was stunned, Koide Yoshimasa thought that Sanada Nobuyuki did not know the location of Kiyotaki-ji Temple, so he quickly explained, "Kamihira-ji Temple is located in the eastern part of Sakata District, Omi Province, next to Mino."

"Just keep walking along Hokkoku Street from Omi."

"If Lord Sanada is not in a hurry, you can wait here. Lord Ishida will be back tonight."

Nobuyuki Sanada said, "I know Omi very well. My character, Takamasa Kyogoku, also started his business in Omi."

"What is Lord Ishida doing in Omi?"

"I'm accompanying Lady Kyogoku back to her family home. I've heard the Kyogoku family is facing some difficulties lately," Yoshimasa Koide continued.

Lady Kyogoku was none other than Kyogoku Tatsuko, the daughter of Kyogoku Takayoshi, the head of the prestigious Kyogoku clan in Omi Province. She had previously been married to Takeda Motoaki of Wakasa, but after the Honnoji Incident, Takeda Motoaki followed Akechi Mitsuhide and was defeated and killed.

Kyogoku Tatsuko's two younger brothers, Kyogoku Takatsugu and Kyogoku Takachi, also followed Akechi Mitsuhide. After the Battle of Yamazaki, the two brothers took refuge in their family's Kiyotaki-ji Temple.

Kyogoku Tatsuko, who had become a widow, was favored by Hashiba Hideyoshi because of her beautiful appearance, and was recently taken as a concubine.

Ishida Mitsunari's trip to Kiyotaki-ji Temple was likely related to the Kyogoku family's post-war arrangements.

Sanada Nobuyuki took off his official robes and put on the plain robe he had been wearing before. Plain robes were the daily attire of samurai without official rank.

Now that Ishida Mitsunari was returning, Sanada Nobuyuki was in no hurry. After getting dressed, Sanada Nobuyuki, having nothing else to do, decided to go out for a stroll. Although Kyoto had experienced a long period of chaos, it had gradually returned to peace since the Oda clan took control of the Kinai region.

Mountain monkeys like the Sanada family from Shinano had never had the chance to personally experience the scenery of Kyoto before.

After leaving the house and turning through two corridors, Nobuyuki Sanada entered the front yard of the mansion.

Many maids were squatting on the ground picking up fallen leaves, and they immediately knelt down to pay their respects when they saw Nobuyuki Sanada.

"So you are Lord Sanada Hyogo?"

Just then, a woman's voice rang out from the courtyard, and Sanada Nobuyuki almost didn't realize that she was being called.

He stopped and turned to look into the courtyard, where he saw a middle-aged woman in short sleeves smiling at him.

Koide Yoshimasa quickly reminded her from the side, "This is Lady Nene."

Upon hearing this, Sanada Nobuyuki immediately bowed and said, "Greetings, Madam."

"How was your sleep last night?" Ningning walked over slowly, carrying a basin of leaves in her hands.

Sanada Nobuyuki bowed his head and replied, "I am deeply grateful for the care I have received from Lord Hashiba and his wife."

"Oh, that's not necessary."

"If there's nothing else, Lord Sanada, could you do me a favor?"

“Ichimatsu and the others aren’t here, and there’s something I’m worried about that no one can handle,” Nene said calmly as she walked to Sanada Nobuyuki’s side.

Nobuyuki Sanada looked up and finally saw Nene's face clearly.

Well, she has a very ordinary appearance.

However, she is well-dressed, has elegant manners, and is a very approachable woman.

"Please speak freely, Madam. I am willing to serve you." This was a good opportunity to build a relationship with Hideyoshi's wife, and Sanada Nobuyuki would certainly not miss it.

"Actually, it's nothing major. It's just that recently, many daimyo from various places have sent me gifts, and I'm really too busy to keep up."

“Especially some valuable items need to be inventoried. If you have nothing else to do, Lord Sanada, you can ask Saiji to take you to the warehouse to help out.”

"Ha!" Nobuyuki Sanada nodded quickly.

Ningning nodded in satisfaction, then turned and left.

Koide Yoshimasa, who was standing nearby, quickly said, "Lord Hyogo, please come this way."

"Isn't the item here?" Nobuyuki Sanada asked.

As Koide Yoshimasa led the way, he replied, "There's so much stuff, how can we possibly fit it all here?"

Indeed, there were at least dozens of daimyo from all over the country who sent gifts to Hashiba Hideyoshi. If each of them sent something, the pile would probably be higher than a mountain.

Sanada Nobuyuki followed Koide Yoshimasa out of the mansion.

Having not had time to examine it closely yesterday, Nobuyuki Sanada now realizes that the residence is not in the center of Kyoto, but is almost out of the city.

It seems that the Honnoji Incident made even Toyotomi Hideyoshi afraid to stay in the castle.
After leaving the mansion and crossing a bridge, and walking less than a mile, a rather large complex of buildings came into view.

"This is the living area for the main family's retainers; their families live here."

"See that longhouse over there? That's the warehouse."

"I have other matters to attend to, Lord Sanada. Please make yourself at home. I will come to pick you up later." Koide Yoshimasa bowed slightly and then turned to leave.

Sanada Nobuyuki followed Koide Yoshimasa over to the longhouse, which was called a warehouse but was actually a very large courtyard, probably the residence of some wealthy merchant or samurai.

The two samurai at the gate did not question Sanada Nobuyuki when he arrived, presumably because they did not believe anyone would dare to cause trouble here.

Upon entering, Nobuyuki Sanada saw boxes and boxes piled up in the yard, haphazardly arranged, creating a spectacular scene.

"Hey, are you here to help?"

"Quickly, here, and here, move them to that room over there." A samurai looked up and saw Sanada Nobuyuki coming in from outside, so he quickly pointed to a pile of boxes in the right corner and shouted instructions.

Nobuyuki Sanada immediately got to work, rolled up his sleeves, and started moving things.

Why did you come here to do hard labor?

Sanada Nobuyuki thought to himself, but his hands moved quickly, carrying a box into the house.

The room was filled with all sorts of gifts: sabers, swords, mirrors, clocks, clothes, and furs.

How much money would we get if we sold this whole house?
Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't help but look on with envy.

Just as he was about to leave, Nobuyuki Sanada suddenly noticed something flash by in the corner.

Driven by curiosity, Nobuyuki Sanada cautiously walked towards the corner of the wall, his right hand moving slowly towards his waist.

"do not come!"

Suddenly, a deep female voice came from the corner of the wall in an almost pleading tone.

Without a word, Sanada Nobuyuki drew his sword and pointed it at the corner of the wall. "Who goes there? Show yourself!"

"The sword in my hand doesn't have eyes."

As soon as the words were spoken, a petite figure timidly emerged from the corner.

It was a woman?

Sanada Nobuyuki took a step back, but still gripped his sword tightly, looking at his opponent with a wary expression.

Unexpectedly, when the other person looked up, they revealed a look of surprise.

"It's you?"

???

Nobuyuki Sanada was completely bewildered. "Have we met before?"

"Do you remember the bridge outside Kiyosu Castle in Owari last year?" The woman ran over excitedly.

As the woman approached Sanada Nobuyuki, she took out a folding fan from her waist and showed it to him. "Do you remember this cypress fan?"

Sanada Nobuyuki put down his sword; he remembered.

Last year, when I returned to Shinano from Owari, I did encounter a woman outside Kiyosu Castle because of a fan.

However, the other person was sitting inside the palanquin and did not show their face, so Sanada Nobuyuki did not recognize them.

"Miss, why are you hiding here?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked as he backed away.

The woman was in a backlit position, so Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't see her face clearly. Before knowing her identity, he didn't dare to approach her.

"Don't be nervous, I'm here to find something."

"What are you looking for?"

"This fan!"

"After Beizhuang City was captured, this fan fell into Lord Yushiba's hands."

"I have been searching for many days, and I have finally found it today."

"who are you?"

"Me?" The woman put her hands behind her back, slowly walked to Sanada Nobuyuki, then raised her head, stood on tiptoe, and brought her face close to Sanada Nobuyuki's eyes.

"You can call me Chacha!"

The woman squinted, revealing two dimples on her face, and looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with a smile.

Nobuyuki Sanada slowly lowered his sword.

His upbringing made it impossible for him to point a knife at an unarmed girl.

Nobuyuki Sanada swore it was definitely not because the other person was good-looking.

　Regarding Ishida Mitsunari's relationship with the Uesugi family:

　　Historically, after the Battle of Shizugatake, Toyotomi Hideyoshi worked to bring the Uesugi clan under his control.

　　During this time, Ishida Mitsunari was responsible for liaising with the Uesugi family and established a deep relationship with Naoe Kanetsugu.

　　Ishida Mitsunari made a great contribution to the peace between Uesugi and Toyotomi. In gratitude, Naoe Kanetsugu gifted him a horse and fifty bolts of white cloth.

　　After that, Ishida Mitsunari continued to play the role of mediator between Hideyoshi and the Uesugi family.

　　When Kagekatsu went to Kyoto in 1586, Ishida Mitsunari even went to Kanazawa to greet him personally.

　　It was based on this relationship that Ishida Mitsunari and the Uesugi family established a deep trust relationship early on.

　　Therefore, Ishida Mitsunari's decision to join forces with Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu in the Battle of Sekigahara may have been related to this close relationship between them.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)