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

Chapter 156 You guys have really made my life miserable!

Ueno, Mabashi Castle.

The celebrations of the people of Nishi-Ueno were also taking place simultaneously.

Because people were so happy that they drank too much, the price of sake in the town below Minowa Castle went up.

Sanada Masayuki was so drunk by the locals that he was unconscious for several days in a row; the locals were just too enthusiastic.

"Sanada-sama!"

Inside the palace, Naito Masayuki held a wine glass, his face flushed.

"This victory over Hojo was entirely due to Lord Sanada's command."

"To be honest, although I was grateful to the Sanada family, I still had doubts about whether to side with Lord Hashiba."

"But now that we see how strong the Sanada family is, it seems that the Hojo family is not invincible after all."

"I wonder, if I join now, is there still a chance?"

After Naito Masayuki finished speaking, everyone else present stopped what they were doing and stared intently at Sanada Masayuki.

Sanada Masayuki smiled slightly, "Of course, of course. Good things come to those who wait."

"If the people of Koshu are also willing to follow in our footsteps and serve Lord Hashiba, that would be the best outcome."

“However,” Sanada Masayuki deliberately kept it a secret, playing coy.

Naito Masayuki asked anxiously, "But what?"

"However..." Sanada Masayuki hesitated, as if he had something difficult to say.

Seeing Sanada Masayuki's expression, Naito Masayuki and the others felt like they were being scratched by a cat. "Just say it already!"

Say?
What are you even talking about?

You all should take a look in the mirror and see what kind of people you are. Toyotomi Hideyoshi probably doesn't even know if there are people like you.

Still want to join Hashiba?
late!

Sanada Masayuki was very unhappy.

Why did I go through all that trouble to lead you guys to fight the Hojo?
Joining the Sanada family is the same as joining the Hashiba family. How can these people be so clueless?
However, Sanada Masayuki couldn't say this directly. If he did, it would be like the Hojo family, showing that the Sanada family had a possessive desire for Ueno.

The reason these local lords were willing to fight alongside the Sanada clan against the Hojo was to ensure their own independence.

If the Sanada family were to reveal their ambitions, Naito Masayuki and others would inevitably have their own thoughts.

At the crucial moment, Obata Nobusada stepped forward.

"Gentlemen, may I ask you something?"

As soon as Obata Nobusada spoke, everyone immediately turned their attention to him.

"In order to join forces with us to fight against the Hojo clan's invasion, Lord Sanada has even neglected Shinano, which is enough to prove that Lord Sanada is of one mind with us."

"Lord Hashiba Chikuzen no Kami is far away in Kyoto. If the Hojo clan attacks again, do you really expect Lord Hashiba to travel all the way from the Kinai region to help us?"

"In the end, we'll still have to rely on Lord Sanada!" Obata Nobusada slammed his hand on the table and stood up abruptly.

"If you ask me, instead of going to the trouble of joining the Hashiba Chikuzen-no-kami, we should just follow the Sanada family from now on."

After saying this, Obata Nobusada strode to the center of the hall and knelt down directly in the direction of Sanada Masayuki.

"I am Obata Kazusauke, and I pledge my allegiance to the Sanada family from this day forward, and I will never betray them in this lifetime!"

Sanada Masayuki was immediately flattered and stood up from his seat, hurriedly helping Obata Nobusada to his feet.

"Lord Kazusa, why are you doing this?"

Seeing Obata Nobusada's actions, everyone present looked at each other in bewilderment.

What's the situation?
But Naito Masayuki was the first to react, quickly getting down from the main seat and pulling Sanada Masayuki to sit in his own seat.

"Lord Sanada, I have long had the same idea."

"Since Lord Obata has already put things out there, I might as well stop pretending."

"Ueno has been through thick and thin for decades, with Takeda, Uesugi, and Takikawa taking turns to govern, but in the end, only Lord Sanada truly led us to fight against the Hojo clan!"

"From today onwards, I, Naito Masayuki, will also work for the Sanada family!"

After saying that, Naito Masayuki knelt down, just like Obata Nobusada.

Now it was An Zhongjingshige, Wada Nobuyoshi, and the others' turn to be in a difficult position.

How to do?
Do I have to kneel down with someone like this?
But what Obata Nobusada and Naito Masayuki said doesn't seem to make any mistakes.

The Takeda clan conquered Ueno and became allies with the Hojo clan.

The Uesugi family moved south to Kanto, but not long after, they were met with the "Echigo-sō Alliance".

When Takigawa Kazumasu took over Ueno, the Hojo family immediately fled.

In the end, only the warriors of the upper state suffered losses and setbacks.

For decades, only the Sanada family had led them in a truly decisive battle against the Hojo family, and they even won.

Isn't this their "savior"?

Thinking of this, An Zhongjing and Wada Xinye exchanged a glance and quickly got up and knelt down.

"What are you doing?" Sanada Masayuki stood up with a displeased expression.

"Our main family has always said that the Sanada family has never intended to occupy Ueno."

"Although the Hojo have been defeated, their ambition to occupy Ueno remains undiminished, and they will likely launch another attack sooner or later." Sanada Masayuki said with a worried expression.

Then, Sanada Masayuki slowly said, "Faced with a powerful enemy like the Hojo clan, relying solely on Nishi-Ueno is not enough. The assistance of the Uesugi clan and the support of Lord Mori are equally important."

"If I become the lord of this land, how will you expect our main family to explain ourselves to the Uesugi family and Lord Mori?" Sanada Masayuki spread his hands and looked around at everyone.

"Moreover, I, Sanada Masayuki, am not worthy of your kindness."

"Sigh!" Sanada Masayuki sighed, then left the table, citing his inability to hold his liquor.

Sanada Masayuki turned and left, leaving Obata Nobusada and Naito Masayuki completely bewildered.

Are there people who ignore things that are delivered to their door?
At that moment, Obata Nobusada suddenly remembered that Sanada Nobuyuki was still there.

"Lord Hyogo, you must go and persuade him!" "Yes, Lord Hyogo! If Lord Sanada is unwilling to accept our loyalty, we are not at ease." Kanai Hidekage said impatiently.

Although the Hojo clan withdrew their troops, their castle, Kuragano Castle, was the closest castle to the Hojo clan's sphere of influence.

The Sanada clan helped them fight the Hojo this time; what if they don't come next time?
This is what they are most worried about.

With Hideyoshi Hashiba far away and unreliable, and the Uesugi clan barely clinging to life, they had no choice but to place their bets on the Sanada clan.

The key was the Battle of Torikawa, which gave them the confidence to fight.

"My lords."

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly signaled everyone not to panic, then slowly opened his mouth and said, "I understand my father's thoughts. His lifelong wish was to restore what Lord Shingen once held."

“Father is naturally pleased that you are all willing to serve our family.”

"But we can't be so hasty, can we?"

“Otherwise, it would seem like our family is forcing you into a difficult situation, and it wouldn’t be enough to show your sincerity,” Sanada Nobuyuki said, feigning reluctance.

Obata Nobusada, Naito Masayuki, and the others fell into deep thought, as if that made sense.

"Do you all know about the petition written by the former retainers of the Takeda clan when the Tokugawa clan conquered Kai two years ago?" Sanada Nobuyuki was referring to the "Tensho Jingoo Petition".

Following the Honnoji Incident, samurai from Kai Province jointly pledged their allegiance to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

"Does Hyogo-sama mean we should also submit a joint petition?"

“Exactly!” Sanada Nobuyuki nodded. “With this petition as proof, it can show that you are all truly loyal to the family, and it will also make it impossible for Father to refuse.”

Black and white on paper, signature and monogram.

On the surface, it was to reassure Sanada Masayuki, but in reality, Sanada Masayuki wanted to shut up Hashiba Hideyoshi and Uesugi Kagekatsu.

From the perspective of "claims", regardless of the "Ueno Uprising" initiated by Hojo Takahiro or the title of Kanto Kanrei of the Uesugi family, Ueno should not have been given to the Sanada family under any circumstances.

The Sanada and Uesugi families are allies now. If the Sanada family behaves badly, how will Uesugi Kagekatsu view the Sanada family if this gets to his ears?
However, if the people of Nishi-Ueno jointly submit a pledge of allegiance, the situation will be different.

The Sanada family could then take this "report card" to Hideyoshi Hashiba and let him make the decision.

When Sanada Nobuyuki went to Kyoto, he had made a prior agreement with Hashiba Hideyoshi that the Sanada clan would try to develop closer ties with Hideyoshi's daimyo in Kanto and weaken the Hojo clan's influence in the region.

As long as Lord Hideyoshi is satisfied, the Sanada family's rule over Ueno will have someone to back it up.

Once we reach the Odawara Campaign, everything will fall into place, right?
"it is good!"

"If that's the case, then let's write it!" Obata Nobusada looked at the others for their opinions.

Naito Masayuki quickly called to the servant beside him to bring pen and ink, and soon a letter of invitation was written.

Everyone eagerly signed their names on the petition, and then, led by Sanada Nobuyuki, the group quickly found Sanada Masayuki at the Ninomaru of Minowa Castle.

Sanada Masayuki is standing in the Ninomaru looking at the scenery right now, and he seems to be in a bad mood.

Nobusada Obata rushed forward and pinned down Masayuki Sanada.

Then, Naito Masayuki presented the petition directly to Sanada Masayuki and said loudly, "Lord Sanada, we sincerely serve the Sanada family as our lord."

"This petition serves as proof; if there is any violation, may all the gods and spirits punish me!"

After he finished speaking, Naito Masayuki, Kanai Hidekage, Yasunaka Kageshige, and Wada Nobuyoshi all knelt down.

"I've met my lord!"

Sanada Masayuki stared at everyone in shock, then struggled to break free from Obata Nobusada's grasp. Obata Nobusada quickly took two steps back and knelt down, calling out "Lord!"

"You guys, really... really..."

"Sigh!" Sanada Masayuki reluctantly accepted the invitation, pretending to examine it carefully. The invitation covered Sanada Masayuki's face, but from Sanada Nobuyuki's perspective, one could just see the smile on Sanada Masayuki's lips.

Sanada Nobuyuki gave Obata Nobusada a wink, and the latter immediately understood, saying, "The list of Obata clan retainers and the land survey register are ready. Please send someone to Kunimine Castle to receive them, my lord."

Upon hearing that Obata Nobusada had acted so quickly, Naito Masayuki and the others eagerly chimed in, "We will also arrange for someone to take care of it immediately."

"Yes, yes, I will go back and prepare immediately."

Naito Masayuki and the others ran away in a swarm, leaving behind Sanada Masayuki, Sanada Nobuyuki, and Obata Nobusada.

After everyone had gone far away, Sanada Masayuki finally couldn't hold back and laughed out loud with a sigh of relief.

"Haha, I didn't expect you, Mr. Shang, to be such a convincing liar."

"Back when you were under Lord Shingen's command, I never realized you had this skill," Sanada Masayuki joked with a smile.

Obata Nobusada stood up from the ground, dusted himself off, and said, "You're not bad either. If I hadn't already known, I would have really thought you, Sanada Daizen-daifu, were a person without desires."

"Hahahaha!" Sanada Masayuki threw his head back and laughed loudly.

It's obvious that Sanada Masayuki and Obata Nobusada had planned this all along and staged this whole thing together.

"Gensaburo, do you really think that Ryo and the others didn't notice?" Sanada Masayuki turned to look at Sanada Nobuyuki.

Nobuyuki Sanada replied calmly, "Whether or not it is discovered is not the key issue."

"If they want to preserve their territory and family name, they can only rely on their own family."

“That makes sense.” Sanada Masayuki examined the petition in his hand again, his face beaming.

Obata Nobusada also offered his congratulations, saying, "Your Highness the Grand Steward has achieved your wish. I hope you will take good care of me in the future."

"What are you saying, Mr. Shang? Given our relationship, why should we distinguish between each other?"

"I will certainly not treat the Obata family unfairly."

"Yes, my lord."

Sanada Masayuki raised an eyebrow and asked curiously, "Kamizusa-suke, why do you address me as 'Lord' so naturally?"

"Wasn't Lord Shingen also the Grand Steward back then?" Obata Nobusada immediately replied.

"Hahahahaha!"

The two exchanged a smile; such tacit understanding exists between longtime friends.

Nobuyuki Sanada shook his head. These two were really bad actors; they could only fool these ignorant country samurai.

(End of this chapter)