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

Chapter 15 Shinano's Unparalleled Loyalty!

In the mountains of Suwa District, Shinano Province.

Mori Nagayoshi looked at the tall figure before him with deep emotion, his eyes welling up with tears. "Gensaburo, you..."

Even Mori Nagayoshi was moved to tears by Sanada Nobuyuki's words.

"If you leave now, I swear in the name of the Sanada family that I will escort your families back safely!"

"Why aren't you leaving yet?"

After Sanada Nobuyuki finished speaking, the Shinano army, which had been on high alert just moments before, suddenly began to waver.

After a while, Morikiyo Izuura, Nobutatsu Kasuga, and others also came out to the front of the two armies.

“If it weren’t for you, Sanada Genzaburo, we would never have withdrawn our troops today.”

"I'm giving you this chance!"

"Everyone, retreat!"

After speaking, the thousands of soldiers slowly retreated until they disappeared from the sight of Mori Nagayoshi and the others.

After the detectives came forward to confirm the situation, Mori Nagayoshi said with a sigh of relief, "We are so grateful to Genzaburo today, otherwise we would probably be in grave danger."

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "We've only just passed the first hurdle. According to information we've received, the Kiso clan has already amassed troops at Fukushima Castle, preparing to attack Musashi no Kami."

"Kiso?"

"How dare such a treacherous and despicable person!" Sen Changke said indignantly.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "I have a plan that might allow Musashi-no-kami to escape unscathed."

"Speak quickly." After this battle, Mori Nagayoshi had completely trusted Sanada Nobuyuki.

Sanada Nobuyuki didn't keep them in suspense and said directly, "Please have Musashi no Kami write a letter informing them that Kiso Yoshimasa's army will arrive at Fukushima Castle in two days, and request that the Kiso clan prepare provisions for the army."

"Isn't this courting death?" Mori Nagayoshi looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with a puzzled expression.

"Musashi no, do not panic. You just need to speed up your march and arrive in the Kiso clan's territory a day ahead of schedule."

"Kiso Yoshimasa will be completely unprepared and will suddenly attack, breaking through the Kiso clan's defenses in one fell swoop."

"Mino is right here."

Upon hearing Sanada Nobuyuki's words, Mori Nagayoshi's eyes lit up.

"Great idea! Let's get going without delay!"

After saying that, Mori Nagayoshi called Inaba Shigemichi over, "Captain Hyogo, execute all these hostages!"

"How dare they betray the Oda family! We'll teach them a lesson they won't forget!" Mori Nagayoshi's eyes flashed with malice.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly stopped him, saying, "Musashi-no-kami, wait a minute."

"These hostages are still very useful!"

"Great use?" Sen Chang didn't understand.

Muroga Masatake and his men have already retreated. As long as he can successfully pass through and return to Mino, these hostages are essentially meaningless.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly explained, "Shinano is the territory that Lord Nobunaga conquered during his lifetime. Although Lord Nobunaga is dead, the Oda clan still exists. As retainers of the Oda clan, we naturally have to protect this territory for the Oda clan."

"My Sanada clan is willing to stand guard over Shinano for the Oda family and protect our territory. We hope that Musashi-no-kami will grant us permission."

"As long as the Sanada family exists, the banners of the Oda family will forever fly over Shinano. I await the return of Musashi-no-kami!"

After hearing Sanada Nobuyuki's words, Mori Nagayoshi was greatly encouraged.

Mori Nagayoshi tightly embraced Sanada Nobuyuki's hands, and said with tears in his eyes, "I never expected Genzaburo to be so loyal and kind. I thank you on behalf of the Oda family!"

"Gensaburo's actions truly demonstrate his unparalleled loyalty and righteousness in Shinano!"

"In that case, let the Sanada family handle these hostages."

"Guard Shinano well, and one day I will return!" Mori Nagayoshi said with a determined look.

Sanada Nobuyuki nodded. "Farewell, and I hope Lord Musashi will take care on his journey!"

The area ahead was the territory of the Kiso clan. Mori Nagayoshi had already told him how to get there, so Sanada Nobuyuki no longer needed to escort them.

"This wakizashi (short sword) is a family heirloom. I am giving it to you today, and I will surely repay you in the future!" Mori Nagayoshi handed his personal wakizashi to Sanada Nobuyuki.

Sanada Nobuyuki accepted the gifts with both hands as if they were priceless treasures, then watched Mori Nagayoshi and his group slowly leave. Oyamada Shigeaki then approached, saying, "Gensaburo, you're really clever; you obtained these hostages without firing a single shot."

"In this way, the entire northern Shinano will be in the hands of our Sanada family."

"Come on, go home!"

Shinano, a small county, Toishi Castle.

Morikiyo Izuura, Katsunaga Yashiro, Masatake Muroga, Nobutatsu Kasuga, and others were overjoyed to find their families and were finally convinced of Sanada Nobuyuki's actions.

"Lord Genzaburo, as expected of the son of Awa no Kami, you really have a way with things!"

"Today I, Muroga Masatake, am convinced. I have offended you the other day, and I hope Lord Genzaburo will forgive my rudeness!" Muroga Masatake only had one son, and seeing his son safe and sound, he was naturally very excited.

Katsunaga Yashiro chimed in, "This time, we cooperated with Genzaburo-dono to put on such a show, which both improved relations with the Oda clan and brought back the hostages."

"With the Uesugi family's petition in Genzaburo's possession, we can finally rest easy."

Kasuga Nobutatsu and Izuura Morikiyo, who were standing nearby, also agreed.

Nobuyuki Sanada shook his head. "This is just the beginning."

"The Kiso clan's movements are very suspicious. Fukashi Castle and other places have been occupied by the Kiso clan. They have blocked the streets of Shinano. They must want to take over the entire Shinano region after the Oda clan withdraws."

"We still need to be careful."

"And there's one more person, everyone, don't forget him."

“Takigawa Kazumasu is still in Ueno,” Sanada Nobuyuki said unhurriedly.

On the 9th day of the 6th month of the 10th year of Tensho, at Ueno-no-Ma

It was rare for Takigawa Kazumasu to lose his temper in public, not because he had learned of the Honnoji Incident, in fact, Takigawa Kazumasu still had not received any news of the Honnoji Incident.

Two days ago, he accepted Masayuki Sanada's invitation to go to Kusatsu Onsen to relax.

Not long after, news came back from Numata Castle that Takigawa Masushige had made a huge mistake at Mikuni Pass.

After Takigawa Masushige led his army across the Mikuni Pass, he swaggered toward the Uesugi clan's territory. However, he was ambushed halfway by Uesugi retainers Nagao Iga no Kami and Kuribayashi Masayori, suffering heavy casualties.

After fleeing back to Masahashi Castle in disgrace, Takigawa Kazumasu was truly disappointed in his son.

I originally thought I'd let my nephew earn some military merit, but it's really infuriating.

“Uncle, it seems the enemy knew we would advance from the Three Kingdoms Pass. We were attacked as soon as we arrived there.”

“There must be someone colluding with the Uesugi clan, informing them of our marching route and deployment time in advance,” Takikawa Masushige said defiantly.

Kazumasa Takigawa covered his forehead and said helplessly, "Forget it, let's just drop this matter."

"Anyway, Musashi-no-kami and his men have already invaded Echigo, so Shibata and his men don't need Ueno anymore."

"Is the Noh play over?" Takigawa Kazumasu suddenly asked.

A few days ago, Kazumasa Takigawa held a grand Noh performance, even bringing his two sons on stage, which caused a sensation.

The people of Ueno were very enthusiastic, so Kazumasu Takigawa simply let the Noh performance continue.

"not yet."

"Let's go and take a look. Consider this a lesson learned. In the future, when leading troops into battle, we must be more careful and cautious."

"what!"

Kazumasu Takigawa certainly has the right to say this, after all, he is known as "Takigawa whether he advances or retreats".

"Takigawa is capable of both offense and defense" is a phrase Oda Nobunaga once used to describe Takigawa Kazumasu, meaning that whether it was serving as the vanguard in an attack or the rearguard in a retreat, Takigawa Kazumasu was a person who could be entrusted with important tasks.

This evaluation is not low.

　Historically, when Mori Nagayoshi retreated, only Izuura Morikiyo chose to escort him. After the safe evacuation, Mori Nagayoshi presented Izuura Morikiyo with a wakizashi as a token of his gratitude.

　　Furthermore, after their escape, the families of the Shinano lords were all executed on Mori Nagayoshi's orders.

　　When Mori Nagayoshi retreated to Chikuma County, he learned from a merchant that Kiso Yoshimasa was planning to attack him.

　　Mori Nagayoshi decided to pretend to tell Kiso Yoshimasa when he would arrive at Fukushima Castle, and then arrive a day early, catching Kiso Yoshimasa off guard.

　　In the chaos of battle, Mori Nagayoshi breached Fukushima Castle and captured Kiso Yoshimasa's son, using him as leverage to force Kiso Yoshimasa to release him from Mino.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)