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

Chapter 124 Talent can't be retained, but the family has a mine!
Shinano, Nakano Castle.

After the castle town was completed, Sanada Nobuyuki dismissed all the laborers and sent them back to their hometowns.

These farmers, who had been away from home for almost a year, were naturally extremely grateful to Sanada Nobuyuki and loudly praised Lord Sanada's kindness.

Without Nobuyuki Sanada, these people would most likely have been sold to some mine in Echigo to work as miners, and would never have been able to return to Shinano in their lifetime.

Meanwhile, the foot soldiers outside Nakano Castle were also actively participating in training.

Although the Sanada family's laws have begun to be promulgated, they have only been announced and have not yet been fully implemented. However, Sanada Nobuyuki has already begun to enforce them within his domain.

Sanada Nobuyuki, in particular, placed great importance on the training of foot soldiers.

During this time, Inatomi Sukunao was training arquebusiers for the samurai of Takai County, while the Red Guard, under the command of Sanada Nobushige, had been fully formed.

In addition to selecting samurai from Kai who were capable of mounted combat, a group of samurai who had returned to Shinano from Echigo were also included.

After obtaining permission from Uesugi Kagekatsu, many samurai who had lost their territory or were in dire straits in Echigo returned to Shinano.

Sanada Nobuyuki then selected suitable individuals from among these people to add to his list of retainers.

Among them, Yorichika Takanashi was appointed as the magistrate of Iiyama Castle and was granted a fief of 1000 koku, to continue managing his former territory.

Imokawa Chikamasa returned to his original residence, Makinoshima Castle, to assist Shimazu Tadanao in managing the Mizuchi District.

Besides these two, there was also a samurai named Obata Mitsumori who was recruited into the Red Guard by Sanada Nobuyuki.

Obata Mitsumori was born into the Obata clan, a senior retainer of the Takeda family. His elder brother, Obata Toramori, and nephew, Obata Masamori, were both generals of the Takeda family.

After the Takeda clan was destroyed, in order to protect his older brother's young son, Obata Mitsumori fled to Echigo and sought refuge with Uesugi Kagekatsu.

He had received a letter from Tokugawa Ieyasu, hoping that Obata Mitsumori would go to Kai to join Ii Naomasa's Red Guard. However, recently, the Shinano samurai of the Uesugi clan had been flocking to the Sanada clan, and Obata Mitsumori also felt that there was no need to go to such lengths. So he took his nephew, Kumachiyo, and joined the Sanada clan.

Sanada Nobuyuki naturally welcomed these former retainers of the Takeda clan who had come to him of their own accord. He couldn't let the old Tokugawa reap all the benefits.

Obata Mitsumori was appointed by Sanada Nobuyuki as the commander of the first unit of the Red Guard, leading 100 cavalrymen and assisting Sanada Nobushige in their training.

Obata Kumachiyo temporarily works for Suzuki Kotaro as a page in Nakano-kan.

"Lord Sanada, there's no need to see me off."

On a wooden bridge five miles outside Nakano Castle, listening to the rushing Shinano River, Inatomi Takunao looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with great excitement.

"Lord Inafumi, are you really not staying with the main family?"

"If you have any requirements regarding salary, just tell me how much you need. As long as I can afford it, I will definitely satisfy you," Sanada Nobuyuki pleaded, trying to persuade him to stay.

After spending more than two months together, Nobuyuki Sanada was deeply impressed by Susanoo Inatomi's arquebus skills.

Under Inatomi Yushinao's training, the samurai of Takai and Minouchi districts were taught everything in detail, from loading ammunition and aiming to firing, formation and positioning, and even the preservation of gunpowder and the hanging of ammunition packs.

Inatomi Sukenao taught with great care and without reservation. He patiently explained shooting techniques, timing of firing, optimal firing distance, and the characteristics and advantages and disadvantages of different arquebuses whenever a Sanada samurai asked.

In just two months, Sanada Nobuyuki's 350-man arquebus unit had already achieved initial combat capability.

Nobuyuki Sanada really didn't want to miss out on someone with that kind of talent.

Even with the "sky-high" offer of a stipend of 2000 koku, Inatomi Takunao was still determined to leave.

“I am by no means a person who covets knowledge and action, otherwise I would have accepted the invitation from Chikuzen-no-kami Hashiba to serve the Hosokawa family.”

"My wish is to carry forward my grandfather's artillery skills, and my recent experience in Shinano has also given me a lot of insights."

“I plan to return to Kyoto and compile the records left by my grandfather and my reflections during this period to create Inafumi-ryu.”

"Lord Sanada, farewell!" Although he was very grateful for Nobuyuki Sanada's hospitality, Inatomi Takunao still decided to leave.

Seeing Inatomi Hiroyuki's resolute attitude, Sanada Nobuyuki could only wave helplessly.

"Take care on your journey, Iga no Kami. We'll meet again in Kyoto someday!"

"Hahaha!" Inafu Shunao laughed loudly from his horse, "Until we meet again!"

After saying that, Inatomi Takunao kicked the horse's belly and quickly disappeared from Sanada Nobuyuki's sight.

After seeing Inatomi Susanoo off, Sanada Nobuyuki returned to Nakano Castle.

During this period, the open space outside Zhongye Castle was trampled into a depression by the cavalry's hooves, and there were potholes everywhere.

Sanada Nobushige rode a chestnut-colored Kiso horse, wearing a red dōmaru (a type of kimono) and a deer antler cap, holding a cross-shaped spear at the front of the battle.

“Sprint!”

At a command, hundreds of cavalrymen formed a dense formation and galloped forward, their hooves kicking up clouds of dust.

"Raise your spears!" Obata Mitsumori gave the order from the crowd, and the cavalrymen placed their spears in front of their chests.

Rows of straw targets lined both sides of the road, and with a cavalry charge, they fell haphazardly. The cavalry then dismounted and continued their charge towards the second row of straw figures.

Combat on foot was the true specialty of the "mounted warriors." Riding horses was only for quick maneuvering and flanking maneuvers on the battlefield, not for actual combat.

Not far away, the continuous "bang bang" of cannons could be heard.

Sanada Nobuyuki spared no expense in training the arquebusiers, supplying ammunition as if it were free.

Compared to archers, arquebuses were actually much cheaper to produce.

While a single Japanese bow isn't expensive, when you include the arrows, quiver, gauntlets, and other accessories, its price far exceeds that of a firearm.

Most importantly, Japanese bows require professional bow makers for daily maintenance, which is very costly.

When not in use, firearms only need to be oiled, making maintenance very low.

Moreover, the training time for arquebusiers is shorter than that for archers, so even if there are casualties, the gaps can be quickly filled.

"Brother, you are here!"

When Sanada Nobushige saw Sanada Nobuyuki behind him, he quickly spurred his horse to come closer.

"Genjiro, are these cavalrymen ready for battle now?"

Sanada Nobushige shook his head solemnly, "The cavalry under Obata-sama's command are all former members of the Takeda clan, and they only need simple training."

"The men under my command are all military personnel within the territory, and they still need to start by learning the simplest thing: controlling warhorses."

"Fortunately, we have the help of Lord Obata in training, otherwise we probably wouldn't even be able to maintain a basic formation right now."

Compared to training arquebusiers, training cavalry takes much longer.

Nobuyuki Sanada reined in the horses, his gaze sweeping over the cavalrymen training on the field. Though he was anxious, he still encouraged them, saying, "It's only been a little over two months, and you've already done quite well."

"By the way, Father seems to be planning to send you to Dishi City as its governor, and has even given you 2000 koku of land. Why don't you go?"

Sanada Nobushige turned around and grinned, "Being a castle lord is nothing compared to being a cavalry general!"

"Anyway, I've already told my father that I'm staying to help my older brother."

"As long as my elder brother doesn't send me away, Genjiro will follow him for the rest of his life." "I also want to learn from Lord Takeda Noriyuki and my uncle, and become my elder brother's right-hand man!" Sanada Nobushige said earnestly.

Takeda Noriyuki was Takeda Shingen's younger brother, Takeda Nobushige, who died in the Battle of Kawanakajima while protecting Takeda Shingen's main camp.

It is clear that Sanada Masayuki had a deeper meaning in giving Sanada Nobushige this name.

"it is good!"

"Let us brothers join hands and make the Sanada family's reputation for martial prowess resound throughout Japan!" Sanada Nobuyuki happily extended his hand and shook hands tightly with Sanada Nobushige.

During Japan's Sengoku period, family harmony and brotherly unity were the primary prerequisites for growth and prosperity.

Brothers like the Shimazu, Miyoshi, and Nagayoshi, the Hojo brothers, and even the Ryokawa system of the Mori clan, were all ballast stones for stability within a daimyo's territory.

Sanada Nobuyuki was very fortunate that the Sanada family had a good family tradition in this regard; otherwise, if they had been like Oda Nobunaga in his youth, with "brotherly love and respect," they would have been truly doomed.

"Keep practicing."

"what!"

He instructed Sanada Nobushige to continue training, and Sanada Nobuyuki entered the city.

This year's tribute has already been paid, and it's significantly more than last year's.

Currently, both Mizuchi and Takai districts are Sanada Nobuyuki's territories. Although he has divided many fiefs among his retainers, he still retains a considerable number of direct fiefs.

Last year, the estimated tax revenue for Takai County was 12,000 koku (referring to the tax that could be collected), but this year it has directly reached 18,000 koku.

Including Shuinei County, the two counties have more than 300 villages. After deducting the portion exempted from military service, the annual tribute they pay can reach 40,000 shi (a unit of dry measure).

"My lord, the Uesugi family has come to buy grain again. Should we sell it at the same price as last time?" Kasuga no Mototada approached as soon as they entered the palace of Nakano Castle.

Sanada Nobuyuki took the Uesugi family's purchase list from Kasuga no Yontada, glanced at it briefly, and replied, "The prices are the same as before, but we won't accept copper coins, only gold and silver."

Recently, copper coins have depreciated again. Last year, one string of Yongle coins could be exchanged for four strings of inferior coins, but this year it has dropped to one string of Yongle coins for six strings of inferior coins.

The reason is quite simple: the Uesugi family is frantically minting coins.

Echigo has many silver mines, and silver mines are often found alongside copper mines, so a large amount of copper is also extracted when refining silver.

The Uesugi family is now acting recklessly in their pursuit of money. Sanada Nobuyuki dares not accept copper coins anymore.

"clear."

No sooner had Kasugamoto Yoshitada left than Hirabayashi Masatane came looking for him.

"My lord, as you instructed, the weapons in the hands of the soldiers in the territory have been counted. We currently have an extra 740 spears, 69 swords, and 110 bows."

"In terms of equipment, there is a shortage of 32 foot soldiers' helmets, and more than 150 helmets and tunics for mounted soldiers. However, there are more than ten extra warhorses."

These days, not just anyone can become a foot soldier. You need to own some land and be able to afford the full set of equipment to become a foot soldier in the military.

If the equipment does not meet the standards, it can be rented from the daimyo, which is called "Godai Gozuku" (御贷具足), but the rental fee is often very expensive.

Sanada Nobuyuki ordered a count of the weapons and equipment within his territory, which naturally only included those serving in the military. Farmers and temples and shrines who were not serving in the military must have had a large number of weapons.

However, Nobuyuki Sanada dared not implement any sword-hunting edict. The promulgation of the "Sanada Laws" had already caused a lot of dissatisfaction. If he were to implement any other policies, it would really lead to a Doi Ikki uprising.

"Prioritize the equipment of the mounted soldiers. If the equipment of the foot soldiers is insufficient, they can buy or exchange it from other retainers."

"In addition, don't just focus on Echigo; you can send people to buy from Ueno or even Mino."

"I have a good relationship with Mori Musashi-no-kami of Mino. Weapons and equipment are expensive in Shinano, but they may not be so in Mino and Owari."

Although there were no signs of war breaking out in Shinano during this period, the movement of supplies in Kanto, Tokaido, Kinki and other regions was unusually frequent.

The Sanada clan's ninjas weren't just sitting around doing nothing; a lot of information had already been laid out on Sanada Masayuki's desk.

Anyone with eyes to see knows that a major war is about to break out; it's only a matter of time.

The Sanada family must also prepare for war.

"Also, Lord Izuura has arrived and is waiting in the audience room. Would you like to go and see him, my lord?" Hirabayashi Masatsune had only taken two steps when he turned back.

Is it Motoyoshi Ichipo?

Sanada Nobuyuki's heart skipped a beat. Could it be that there was news about the gold mine?
He quickly walked through the palace and into the audience room. Sanada Nobuyuki waved his hand to indicate that Izuura Morikiyo did not need to be so polite, and then sat down directly opposite Izuura Morikiyo.

"Tsushima-no-kami, is there any progress on the gold mine matter?"

Under Nobuyuki Sanada's burning gaze, Morikiyo Izuura nodded heavily.

it is good!
This is truly a case of "the child is hungry, the mother has come."

It's not just Nobuyuki Sanada who's short of money; Masayuki Sanada is too.

After the Sanada family promulgated the new military service system, if the retainers could not purchase all the required weapons and equipment, then the Sanada family would have to prepare them.

Otherwise, you can't exactly send foot soldiers to the battlefield naked, can you?
Therefore, the Sanada family desperately needs money, and it needs to be a quick sum. Sanada Nobuyuki now fully understands Uesugi Kagekatsu's feelings in Kasugayama Castle; he was indeed in a state of frantic anxiety.

"After the ninjas conducted an on-site investigation, they found that the gold mine was located in Mount Jizo, and many of the ore rocks were already exposed, making them very easy to mine."

After hearing what Izuura Morikiyo said, Sanada Nobuyuki's smile deepened.

“However,” Izuura Morikiyo gasped, “because Mount Jizo is very high and snow accumulates in winter, making the temperature very low. So mining can only be carried out in the summer and autumn seasons.”

"Moreover, if we send a large number of people to mine, the Uesugi family nearby will definitely notice."

"Most importantly, there are not enough people with gold mining experience in our territory."

"We also lack the technology for gold refining."

Nobuyuki Sanada's face froze instantly.

The first two points that Izuura Morikiyo mentioned were alright, but the latter two were truly fatal.

Previously, within the Takeda clan's territory in Kai, there were specialized gold mining groups, and a large number of craftsmen and technicians to refine the gold.

But the Sanada family had neither the manpower nor the technology to turn the gold mine into gold, so all their talk was in vain.

We can't just sell the gold mine directly, can we?
That's like telling people directly, "I'm rich, come and rob me!"

Sanada Nobuyuki was dumbfounded. He couldn't just let this opportunity slip away, could he?
"What did father say?"

"My lord's intention is to keep the news under wraps and secretly hire craftsmen and miners," Izuura Morikiyo replied truthfully.

Sanada Nobuyuki thought for a moment, then continued, "Tsushima-no-kami, you are very knowledgeable. Besides Kai, where else in Shinano can we find people?"

After a brief consideration, Izuura Morikiyo gave his answer.

"Hida!"

(End of this chapter)