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

Chapter 152 Ueno, the Sanada family wants it!
"Hahahahaha!"

"it is good!"

Inside Iwato Castle, after Sanada Masayuki finally figured out the true situation of the Kai Tokugawa family, he couldn't help but laugh out loud.

"So it turns out that Kai's military mobilization wasn't aimed at us. Now we can focus on dealing with Hojo."

"Send word to Genzaburo, telling him to assemble in Ueno immediately."

"what!"

With the crisis from Kai resolved, Sanada Masayuki finally breathed a sigh of relief.

In his reply, Mochizuki Masayori clearly stated that grain prices in the Kai region were indeed rising, but the military rations purchased by the Tokugawa family were all being sent to Suruga.

In other words, the Tokugawa clan's target was not Shinano.

The Ueno region is too far from the Kinki region, and news spreads slowly, so the Sanada family is unaware that the Tokugawa family's strange actions are because the Battle of Komaki-Nagakute in the west is nearing its end.

Shortly after Sanada Nobuyuki returned to Shinano, Hashiba Hideyoshi began to secretly negotiate with Oda Nobuo.

Through a series of threats and inducements, they actually succeeded in persuading Oda Nobukatsu, and Hashiba and Oda ceased hostilities.

The key point is that all of this was done by Oda Nobukatsu behind Tokugawa Ieyasu's back, so when Tokugawa Ieyasu found out, he was so scared that he almost lost his life.

He even thought that Toyotomi Hideyoshi would join forces with Oda Nobuo to attack him, which frightened Tokugawa Ieyasu so much that he hurriedly transferred military forces from Suruga and Kai to Mikawa.

Because the event was sudden and the order was given directly by Tokugawa Ieyasu, even Sanada Nobuyoshi was unaware of the details.

This led the Sanada family to mistakenly believe that the Tokugawa family was about to launch a military campaign against Shinano.

Although the Tokugawa clan did indeed have such plans and had already reached a secret agreement with the Hojo clan, the plan was forced to be postponed due to Oda Nobuo's shady dealings.

Nobuyuki Sanada breathed a sigh of relief after receiving the notification.

"As expected of my father, he figured out the Tokugawa family's movements so quickly."

"In that case, let's go into battle!"

Soon, Nobuyuki Sanada went to Kaizen-ji Temple, a newly built temple outside Ueda Castle, which was a "prayer temple" built by Masayuki Sanada.

People usually pray for divine protection at this temple before going into battle or when they have any important wishes.

Although Sanada Nobuyuki was an atheist, all of this was done for the sake of the samurai and foot soldiers in his household.

On July 26, Sanada Nobuyuki led 2000 troops out of Ueda Castle in Shinano Province, crossed the Usui Pass, and entered Ueno Province.

Meanwhile, at the Hojo clan's main camp outside Kuragano Castle.

Looking at the order that came from Masahashi Castle in his hand, Hojo Ujiteru's expression was exceptionally interesting.

Seeing this, Hojo Ujikuni, who was standing nearby, quickly asked, "What does the letter say?"

"Take a look for yourself." Hojo Ujiteru handed the letter to Hojo Ujikuni with a helpless expression.

"Our lord is ordering us to retreat?"

"This is absurd!" Hojo Ujikuni couldn't help but complain. "The Uesugi clan has reinforcements inside Masahashi Castle, and the castle is well-stocked with military supplies. If we only attack Masahashi Castle, how long will it take?"

“The local lords in Ueno are fighting their own battles, so they naturally pick on the weakest ones first.”

"First, take down these outer cities, and then surround Stable Bridge City."

"With Mori Dango in such a state of isolation and without support, the fall of the castle is imminent. This is the most suitable tactic!" Hojo Ujikuni said, becoming increasingly angry and confused.

Hojo Ujiteru sighed; he didn't know what to say at that moment.

"At every crucial juncture, he always intervenes and commands directly."

"If we really listen to our lord, and things continue like this, our 70,000 troops will be stuck in the city of Jiuqiao, unable to move an inch."

Hojo Ujiteru made a firm decision. "Why don't we ask His Highness for an order? We can't just stand by and watch our lord make such a wrong move."

Hojo Ujikuni immediately nodded in agreement, "Brother is right. Second brother (Hojo Ujimasa) is still alive, so the Hojo family still needs to be led by him."

"How should we respond to this order?"

“Just say that our army is currently engaged in battle with the enemy and cannot withdraw for the time being.” Hojo Ujiteru blinked.

Hojo Ujikuni glanced at Kuragano Castle ahead and immediately understood Hojo Ujiteru's plan. He then stepped outside the battle formation and shouted, "Send the order: target Kuragano Castle, attack!"

"Oh!"

Hojo Ujiteru and Hojo Ujikuni led the Musashi army and soon launched an attack on Kurakano Castle.

Unable to resist, Kanai Hidekage, who held out for two symbolic days, fled north into Minowa Castle. In an instant, the southern part of Kozuke Province was reoccupied by the Hojo clan, and the local populace of the Obata, Yasunaka, and Wada families, who lived near Kuragano Castle, began to panic.

It was at this time that Sanada Nobuyuki led his Shinano troops into Minowa Castle.

"Lord Sanada, you've finally arrived."

“The Hojo clan’s offensive is now overwhelming. If we can’t come up with a countermeasure soon, Ueno will be finished!” Naito Masayuki immediately welcomed Sanada Nobuyuki into the castle.

Naito Masayuki had dealt with Sanada Nobuyuki before, and since Naito Masayuki was able to reclaim Minowa Shiono with the help of the Sanada family, Naito Masayuki was one of the more pro-Sanada family members among the Ueno lords.

"Yes, I've heard that quite a few people have already started secretly contacting the Hojo family."

"The Uesugi family is just keeping a watchful eye on Masahashi Castle; they don't care about our lives at all," Kanai Hidekage added.

Nabo Kensō, who was standing to the side, wanted to say something in rebuttal, but he didn't know how to start, because what the two of them said was true.

It's not really the Uesugi family's fault.

The Uesugi clan is not as powerful as before, and the rebellion of the Shigeie Niibata within their territory has not yet been quelled. The fact that they can send several thousand men to participate in the war in Ueno is already a great show of sincerity.

Faced with tens of thousands of troops from the Hojo clan, there was no other option but to besiege the city and hold out for their lives.

We can't exactly follow Takigawa Kazumasu's example and engage in open warfare with the Hojo clan, can we?
"Rest assured, everyone, as long as the Sanada family is here, we will not stand idly by and watch the Hojo family take over Ueno at will," Sanada Nobuyuki declared first.

Facing these vassals of the local lords in Ueno this time, the Sanada clan had more than enough confidence. As a legitimate Shinano daimyo officially recognized by Hideyoshi Hashiba, their influence was far greater than before.

"The Hojo clan's main army is currently at Masahashi Castle, and the number of enemy troops in the Nishi-Keno area is not large."

"I intend to unite everyone and first defeat the enemy forces in the Nishi-Ueno region. I wonder if you would be willing to help me?"

If Sanada Nobuyuki had no interest in Ueno when he first got involved there, this time it's different.

Previously, it could be described as an opposition between the Konosuke Kunihito and the Hojo clan, but now it's an "anti-Hideyoshi encirclement," a confrontation between two camps.

As Hideyoshi Hashiba's subordinates in the Kanto region, the Sanada family could directly act under Hideyoshi Hashiba's name.

In other words, the Sanada family's name might not have much influence in Ueno, but it would be a different story if it came to Toyotomi Hideyoshi.

"Is this what Lord Hashiba wants?" Kanai Hidekage seemed to see a glimmer of hope.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded without hesitation and said, "Of course."

Regardless of whether Hideyoshi has permission or not, Hideyoshi will not be able to attend to Kanto for the time being.

In this world, you give yourself your identity; if I say I have it, then I have it!
"By the way, I met with Lord Takikawa some time ago. Lord Takikawa asked me to convey his gratitude to Lord Kanai."

"Lord Takikawa still remembers me?" Kanai Hidekage was immediately moved.

Naito Masayuki then asked directly, "Will Sanada Daizen-daifu-dono participate in the war?"

“I will personally inform my father of this matter, but before that, I ask that you all set aside your prejudices.”

"Faced with a formidable enemy like the Hojo clan, the people of Kozuki must unite as one, otherwise Minowa Castle will become the next Kuragano," Sanada Nobuyuki warned.

Naito Masayuki glanced at Nami Kensuke and Kanai Hidekage beside him, hesitated for a moment, and then said, "In that case, we will all listen to the Sanada family."

"Yes, we'll do whatever the Sanada family says!" Kanai Hidekage immediately clung to their coattails. His castle had already fallen, and if he didn't want to surrender to the Hojo family, he had no choice but to fight alongside the Sanada family against the Hojo.

Sanada Nobuyuki left his troops at Minowa Castle under the command of Yamagami Michiki, and then headed directly north to Iwato Castle.

Sanada Masayuki had been waiting for a long time.

"Genzaburo, you've come at the perfect time."

"You've seen the situation in Kozuki. The Hojo clan is now powerful, and we are at a disadvantage."

"Even with the reinforcements from the Echigo Uesugi clan, the military strength of the Kozuki side is far inferior to that of the Hojo clan."

“Being trapped in the city is waiting to die, leaving the city is courting death. Do you have any suggestions?” Although he already had a plan in mind, Sanada Masayuki decided to listen to his son’s opinion first.

Nobuyuki Sanada's demonstrated abilities were enough for Masayuki Sanada to take seriously.

After hearing Sanada Masayuki's words, Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "The Hojo clan has not yet united their forces, so perhaps this is our opportunity."

"Are you planning to attack Hojo Ujiteru and Hojo Ujikuni in Nishi-Ueno first?" Sanada Masayuki immediately understood Sanada Nobuyuki's plan.

Before Sanada Nobuyuki could continue speaking, Sanada Masayuki added, "But Hojo Ujiteru and Hojo Ujikuni have 20,000 troops under their command, while our main clan only has 6000. The disparity in strength is too great."

“If we add the people from other provinces, they might not be without a fighting chance,” Sanada Nobuyuki replied without hesitation.

"Can these people be trusted?" Sanada Masayuki was skeptical.

"When Lord Takikawa was still alive, he also tried to fight against the Hojo clan, but as you have seen, the local people of Ueno were terrified of the enemy."

"Once war breaks out, troops will not be deployed lightly."

These Ueno lords were not under the command of the Sanada family; the two sides were in a cooperative relationship.

Moreover, given the precedent of Takigawa Kazumasu's defeat at the hands of Nagakawa, Sanada Masayuki dared not gamble.

"How easy is it to defeat the Hojo clan with these people?" Sanada Masayuki knew these local lords all too well; he had done this kind of thing many times before.

Sanada Nobuyuki immediately retorted, "Father, times have changed."

“In the past, these people still had the option of surrendering to the Hojo clan, so they would not easily fight against the Hojo clan.”

"But at this time, the Hojo clan already has the intention to conquer Koshu. At this critical moment, if Father can stand up and raise his voice, once we defeat the Hojo, Father's prestige will be able to directly rival that of the former Lord Kenshin."

"Father, don't you want this land of Shangzhou anymore?"

Opportunities and risks coexist.

If Sanada Masayuki can lead the people of Kozuke to defeat the Hojo clan, his prestige in Kozuke will skyrocket.

The Hojo clan has dominated the Kanto region for so many years, and only a very few people, such as Uesugi Kenshin, have been able to bring them down. If Sanada Masayuki could do that, then the Sanada clan would be in charge of Ueno from now on.

Previously, the Kozuke Kunitō shoguns, instigated by the Sanada family, staged the "Kozuke Kunitō Ikkō," but in the end, Hojo Takahiro became the "leader."

The fundamental reason is that the Sanada family could not gain the trust of the local people in Ueno. Even the declining name of the Echigo-Uesugi clan was more effective in Ueno than the name of the Sanada family.

“Back in Minowa Castle, Naito and the others had already expressed their willingness to fight alongside our clan.”

"Besides, Obata Uesuke is definitely on the side of the main family."

"Wada Hachiro and Ashida Hitachisuke's wife are siblings."

“Naito Shuriaki was a retainer of the Takeda family and was also related to the Hoshina family by blood.”

"Father can personally contact Obata Uesuke, Ashida Hitachi can persuade Wada Hachiro, and Hoshina-sama can negotiate with Naito Shuriyo. In this way, the people of Nishi-Ueno can be used by our family."

"This battle holds great promise!" Sanada Nobuyuki said with absolute certainty.

As if encouraged by Nobuyuki Sanada, Masayuki Sanada also made up his mind.

Of course, the most important point is that Sanada Masayuki also wants Ueno territory.

"Let Hoshina Echizenmori (Hoshina Honesty) and Ashida Hitachisuke come to see me!"

"If that's the case, then let's go all out and fight the Hojo clan!"

(End of this chapter)