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

Chapter 135 What evil intentions could my Sanada family possibly have?

Iwamura Castle.

The head of the various departments stood on the city wall with a solemn expression.

Beside him, Ke'er Caizang and Shan Shangdaoji and others stood in a row, looking at the dense array of flags and horse stamps outside the city. Everyone's mood was heavy.

"Jinjiro, when will the Mori family's reinforcements arrive?"

“Now that Iwamura Castle is surrounded, my Sanada family’s small pack animal caravans can’t bring in any more supplies. If this continues, we won’t be able to hold out for more than a few days.”

Kazusazo had spent some time in Kinzan Castle, so he was very familiar with Mori Nagayoshi's retainers.

“Taezang, the enemy has calculated that we have no reinforcements, which is why they have been besieging us without attacking.” Kagami Motomasa was also helpless.

Iwamura Castle's defensive facilities were not afraid of enemy attacks, but they were afraid of being besieged.

Toyama Tomotada and his men must have learned from the previous siege, so this time they simply surrounded Iwamura Castle and did not launch an attack.

"Now there are only two choices."

"One option is to take the initiative to go out of the city and fight before we run out of food, but the enemy has the largest number of troops, so this is extremely risky."

"Secondly, we can select elite foot soldiers to launch a surprise attack at night to help the small pack animals bring in the grain. However, this requires coordination with the small pack animals, and the risks are also considerable."

After Kagami Motomasa finished speaking, everyone present fell silent.

After a long while, Yamashita suddenly spoke up, "I believe that our lord will definitely come to our aid. The food supply in the city can last for another 5 days without any problem."

"If there is still no news of reinforcements by the fourth day, then let's open the city gates and fight it out."

Yamagami Michiki's words were unanimously agreed upon by the Sanada family. Although Kagami Motomasa wanted to object, the Sanada family had come to help in the war, and he had no way to order Yamagami Michiki and the others.

Moreover, the Sanada family's grain supply was the only reason the castle had been able to survive for so long; otherwise, Iwamura Castle would have collapsed long ago.

"Master on the mountain?"

Suddenly, a voice rang out from below the city.

Ke'er was about to give the order to fire when she was stopped by Yamagami Michiki, who was standing nearby. "Sasuke?"

Sasuke emerged from behind a tree with a grin. Yamagami Michiki quickly ordered his foot soldiers to open the castle gate.

After Sasuke entered the city and climbed the city wall, Yamagami Michiki asked with a surprised look, "How did you get in?"

Sasuke smiled slightly, "This is my specialty. I disguised myself as a doctor and sneaked past the enemy's sentry post."

Can the enemy be trusted?

“But I really do know medicine.” Sasuke shrugged. “I healed several enemy samurai who were wounded by arrows, so no one suspects my identity.”

As expected, ninjas can do everything.

Ke'er quickly asked, "Did the lord send you?"

"No, it's the Hall of the Grand Steward."

"The main hall?"

"Yes, the Hashiba family has sent the latest instructions to the main family, requesting that the main family assist the Mori family in quelling the Toyama uprising."

"The Grand Steward has ordered the Kiso and Ogasawara families to lead their troops into Mino to participate in the war. The Kiso family's 1500 troops plus the Ogasawara family's 2000 soldiers, a total of 3,500 people, have begun to arrive near Naegi Castle."

"We should arrive at Iwamura Castle by tomorrow at the latest." Sasuke finished explaining all the information in one breath.

Upon hearing this news, everyone present breathed a sigh of relief.

"Before entering the city, I noticed that the enemy seemed to be retreating, as if they had received news that reinforcements from our clan were about to arrive."

Hatsushino Shoji, who had been silent until now, suddenly interjected, "How about we launch a fierce attack while the enemy is retreating?"

"No!" Kagami Motomasa hurriedly stopped him, "The enemy is too strong. We must not leave the city easily, otherwise we will lose Iwamura Castle if we are defeated."

"This is the last castle in Higashimino that has not been captured by the Ikki. If Iwamura Castle falls, things will get complicated."

Iwamura Castle is strategically located right in the center of the territory controlled by the Toyama Ikki, making it extremely important. Simply holding Iwamura Castle would be a great achievement.

Moreover, since we already know that reinforcements are on their way, there's even less reason to rush.

"Sasuke, do you know where our lord is?" Yamagami Michiki then asked.

After arriving at Iwamura Castle from Shinano, Yamagami Michiki and his group originally planned to go to the Owari battlefield to meet up with Sanada Nobuyuki.

However, due to the overwhelming strength of the Toyama Rebellion and their unfamiliarity with the terrain and situation of Mino, Yamagami Michiki and his men dared not advance rashly and had no choice but to remain in Iwamura Castle.

Before long, Iwamura Castle was besieged again by the Toyama Ikki, and Yamagami Michiki and others lost contact with Sanada Nobuyuki.

"Lord Hyogo seems to have just left Jinshan Castle, apparently to visit his wife."

"Tsumagishiro?" Kagami Motomasa answered first.

Sasuke nodded quickly, "Yes, Tsumabuki Shiro."

"Tsumagi Castle is in Toki County, about 70 ri from here," Kagami Motonari explained to the Sanada family.

After a moment of silence, Yamaue asked slowly, "What is my lord going to Tsumabuki Castle for?"

“They must be blocked by the Ikki and can’t get through Tsumagi Castle.” Kagami Motomasa was quite familiar with the geography of Mino and quickly understood Sanada Nobuyuki’s situation.

“North of Tsumagi Castle is Kosato Castle. If the enemy controls Kosato Castle, they will block the road from Jinshan Castle to Miaomu and Iwamura Castles.”

"The reason why our reinforcements have been delayed is probably this." Since they were unable to contact the outside world, they had to rely on their own analysis to obtain all the information.

Yamagami Michiki quickly looked at Sasuke, "Sasuke, can you still leave the city?"

“Of course!” Sasuke patted his chest.

"Go to Tsumagi Castle and report the situation of Iwamura Castle to the lord. Also, ask the lord to contact the Kiso and Ogasawara families and decide how to fight the next battle."

"understand!"

Toqi County, Tsumabuki City.

Tsumabuki Yoritada sat at home drinking his wine, while the two servants beside him dared not breathe too loudly, for fear of offending him.

Recently, Tsumagi Yoritada has been in a very bad mood.

Since submitting to Mori Nagayoshi last year, Tsumagi Castle has been headed by Hayashi Tametada, which means that Tsumagi Yoritada has lost control of the castle and the territory.

He originally wanted to participate in the uprising of the Toyama family, but unfortunately his two younger brothers were sent to Jinshan City as hostages, so he had to give up the idea for fear of harming them.

However, when Tsumagi Yoritada saw Toyama Tomotada, Toyama Toshikage, and others successively reclaim their castle, Tsumagi Yoritada felt even more resentful.

"My lord." At that moment, a retainer from the Tsumabuki family pushed open the door.

"Can't you see I'm drinking?"

"Get out!" Tsumabuki Yoritada roared in anger. He hated being disturbed when he was drinking.

The retainer shrank back, but still mustered his courage and continued, "Lord Sanada Hyogo of the Sanada family of Shinano requests an audience."

"Who?"

"Sanada Hyogo-no-kami, the samurai who single-handedly retrieved Musashi-no-kami's body during the Battle of Nagakute."

"Why didn't you say so earlier?" Tsumagi Yoritada quickly stood up, wiped his lips with his sleeve, and said, "Quickly, take me there."

Upon arriving at the audience room, Tsumagi Yoritada saw Sanada Nobuyuki sitting upright inside.

"Oh dear, it is Lord Sanada Hyogo who has come in person. I am so sorry for not greeting you properly."

Sanada Nobuyuki unfastened the sword from his waist and placed it in front of him. "Lord Tsumagi, I have come here on the orders of Lord Hashiba Chikuzen no Kami to quell the Toyama uprising. I ask for your assistance, Lord Tsumagi."

Upon hearing Sanada Nobuyuki's words, Tsumagi Yoritada immediately looked troubled and said, "To be honest, the current castle governor of Tsumagi Castle is Lord Hayashi Chobei. Lord Sanada, you've come to the wrong person."

"Lin Weizhong?"

Sanada Nobuyuki turned his head and said to Sanada Nobushige, who was kneeling at the door, "Genjiro, have Hayashi Michū come to see me."

"what!"

Tsumabuki Yoritada was taken aback. Was Sanada Nobuyuki really that arrogant?
That was a senior member of the Mori clan, yet Sanada Nobuyuki treated him like a retainer. What was going on?
Before long, Sanada Nobushige brought Lin Weizhong over.

Lin Weizhong was not tall, around thirty years old, and had a slightly crossed eye, which looked rather comical. After entering the audience room, Lin Weizhong's complexion was not good, and there was a dark bruise around his right eye.

"Big brother, he didn't want to come, so I had to resort to force," Sanada Nobushige said somewhat embarrassedly, admitting that he had hit him a little too hard and almost lost control.

"It's alright." Sanada Nobuyuki waved his hand, signaling Sanada Nobushige to step back, before looking at Lin Weizhong with a chilling gaze. "Lord Lin, Iwamura Castle has been besieged for more than ten days. Why is the Mori family so reluctant to advance?"

“My Sanada family came here to defend the castle for the Mori family. Since you have received orders, why have you remained here at Tsumaki Castle without taking any action?”

"Are you going to disregard the lives of our foot soldiers?"

That's right, Nobuyuki Sanada came here to confront him.

Before Sanada Nobuyuki arrived at Kanayama Castle, Hashiba Hideyoshi had already issued the order to advance to the Mori clan. Hayashi Tsuneyasu also dispatched his son Hayashi Tametada as general to lead an army toward Iwamura Castle.

However, Sanada Nobuyuki had already rushed from Kaneyama Castle to Tsumaki Castle when he discovered that Hayashi Michū's troops were still in Tsumaki Castle and hadn't moved an inch.

He sent Oyamada Tokishige and others to Iwamura Castle to investigate. Upon learning that Iwamura Castle was heavily surrounded by thousands of Ikki troops, Sanada Nobuyuki became quite anxious.

The foot soldiers in the castle were the culmination of his two years of hard work, along with his retainers such as Yamagami Michiki and Kana Saizo. If Iwamura Castle fell, Sanada Nobuyuki would truly be furious.

"Sanada-sama!"

Lin Weizhong covered his eyes, looking at Sanada Nobuyuki with a fearful expression. "Lord Sanada, I only have a little over 200 miscellaneous soldiers. I am truly powerless to help."

"I heard that the Tokugawa clan has sent reinforcements from Mikawa, with at least seven or eight thousand men at Iwamura Castle. Wouldn't it be suicide for me to go there?"

"How long have you been in Tsumagi Castle?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked, barely suppressing his anger.

Lin Weizhong, his eyes darting around and his face filled with panic, replied, "Three or four days."

"You know it's four days!"

"You neither rallied troops from various regions nor sought aid from the surrounding Mori clan retainers in four days. Is this how you act as commander-in-chief?" Sanada Nobuyuki really wanted to kill Hayashi Mitada with a single blow.

The territory attacked by the Toyama family was the Mori family's territory, and Lin Weizhong, as the Mori family's chief general, did absolutely nothing.

Are you waiting for me to clean up your mess?

"Since Lord Lin is unwilling to fight, then please hand over Tsumagi Castle. I think Lord Tsumagi is very suitable to be the lord of this castle."

"What do you think, Lord Tsumagi?"

what?
Tsumagi Yoritada was stunned by this unexpected windfall, but he quickly calmed down. Sanada Nobuyuki didn't have the authority to decide these things.

Lin Weizhong then came to his senses and immediately protested, "Tsumagi Castle is the territory of the Mori family. Lord Hashiba only handed over Ena County to the Sanada family. This is Toki County, and Lord Sanada has no right to dispose of it."

"is it?"

"I forgot to tell you, several thousand reinforcements from my Sanada clan have left Shinano and arrived in Mino."

“In that case, my Sanada family will enter Ena County to quell the rebellion.”

"Oh, by the way, I heard that the enemy forces besieging Iwamura Castle have begun their advance towards Kinzan Castle. I hope Lord Hayashi will defend Tsumagi Castle well." Sanada Nobuyuki's meaning was easy to understand: the Toyama Ikki were advancing westward, and the Mori family's territory lay to the west.

The Sanada family's orders were to quell the rebellion in Ena County; they couldn't concern themselves with any uprisings outside of Ena County. As for Mori Tadamasa's life or death, that was even less of a concern for the Sanada family.

After saying that, Nobuyuki Sanada got up to leave.

Lin Weizhong's expression changed drastically. "The Yuanshan family has marched towards Jinshan City?"

"The clan's ninja just came from Iwamura Castle, how could it be fake?"

"Judging by the time, it should arrive tonight."

"Since our family has no right to interfere, then the Mori family should fend for themselves."

"Genjiro, let's go."

"Wait!" Lin Weizhong quickly stood up and grabbed Sanada Nobuyuki tightly. "Lord Sanada, I spoke a little loudly just now, please don't take offense."

"Please sit down, please sit down." Lin Weizhong held onto Sanada Nobuyuki tightly and wouldn't let go. Even when he stood on tiptoe, he could only reach Sanada Nobuyuki's chest. The scene was quite amusing.

Sanada Nobuyuki put down his sword and sat down again, then looked at Lin Weizhong with a serious expression, "Now can you listen to my arrangements?"

"Yes, yes." Lin Weizhong nodded frantically like a chicken pecking at rice.

The Mori family has no soldiers to send. If the Sanada family lets the rebellion go unchecked and enters Ena County directly, the Mori family will be completely finished.

"Three requests."

"First, Lord Tsumabuki will temporarily serve as the castle representative of Tsumabuki Castle."

"Second, mobilize the foot soldiers within the territory of the Tsumabuki clan to join the army and participate in the war."

"Third, the Mori family must provide the main family with provisions and weapons." Sanada Nobuyuki stated three demands in one breath.

Lin Weizhong hesitated. The first two points were manageable, but the last one was more difficult.

"how?"

"Are you having trouble?"

"Do you expect the Sanada family to foot the bill to fight for you?" Sanada Nobuyuki laughed.

With several thousand people to feed and horses to eat, the monthly grain consumption would be at least ten to twenty thousand koku. I could work for Hideyoshi Hashiba for free, but Mori Tadamasa wouldn't have that kind of influence.

Lin Weizhong said sullenly, "I can agree to the first two conditions now, but I really can't make the decision on the last one."

"If you can't make the decision, then let someone else who can."

"The uprising in the distant mountains is about to begin. If we don't have enough supplies, don't blame us for abandoning our family."

"I wonder how much grain the Sanada family needs?" Lin Weizhong asked cautiously.

Sanada Nobuyuki held up three fingers. "Thirty thousand koku of military rations, not a single grain of rice can be missing."

Thirty thousand?

Lin Weizhong was so scared he almost peed his pants.

The Mori family only had a little over 70,000 koku of grain in Mino, and Mori Nagato had just taken 3000 men out to fight. Where would they get 30,000 koku of grain to give to the Sanada family?

"Our family has just suffered a major defeat, and it is really difficult for them to raise 30,000 shi of grain."

"Could it be any less?" Lin Weizhong looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with a pleading expression.

To everyone's surprise, Nobuyuki Sanada actually nodded, "Of course."

Lin Weizhong breathed a sigh of relief, "That's good, that's good."

"But Lord Lin has two things to do for his family."

"As long as there's less grain, let alone two pieces, even ten pieces wouldn't be a problem." Lin Weizhong nodded in agreement.

Sanada Nobuyuki smiled slightly, put his hand on Lin Weizhong's shoulder, and said softly, "First, Lord Lin needs to go to the Toyama family and tell the Toyama family's foot soldiers to lay down their weapons and return to Mikawa immediately."

"Secondly, Lord Lin went to see Lord Hashiba and requested that Lord Hashiba order his clan to withdraw from Shinano and cease involvement in the Mino war."

"Therefore, not a single soldier of the Sanada family will eat a single grain of food from the Mori family again."

As soon as he finished speaking, the hall fell silent.

Tsumagi Yoritada, who was standing to the side, was dumbfounded. Could this really be possible?
Lin Weizhong collapsed to the ground.

Isn't everyone saying that Sanada Nobuyuki is "the most loyal and righteous man in Shinshu"?

Lin Weizhong was almost in tears. This wasn't some unparalleled loyalty and righteousness; this was clearly a bandit, a robber!
　The internal structure of the Mori family: Lin Tongan is Mori Yoshinari's father-in-law, and also the maternal grandfather of Mori Nagayoshi and Mori Tadashi.

　　For Lin Tongan and his son, Mori Tadashi's succession to the throne meant that the head of the family was still his grandson, and the Lin family's power within the Mori family would not be affected.

　　If Mori Nagayoshi's son, Genban, were to succeed him, then Ikeda Sen, Genban's mother, or rather the Ikeda family, would become Genban's supporter and replace Hayashi Tsunan's position.

　　Therefore, Mori Tadamasa's succession was a deal reached jointly by Hashiba Hideyoshi, Hayashi Tsuyoshi, and others. A world where only Mori Tadamasa could be harmed was thus formed.

　　Meanwhile, Sanada Nobuyuki possessed Mori Nagayoshi's true will, which stipulated that Genban should succeed him, but this would not be in the interests of Hashiba Hideyoshi and other key Mori retainers. Under Hashiba Hideyoshi's forceful intervention, Mori Tadamasa was directly appointed as the head of the clan.

　　These are the plot conflicts from the previous chapters. Since some readers didn't understand them, I'm explaining them here.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)