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

Chapter 24: Did you bring the Uesugi family here?

Naoe Kanetsugu, an important minister of the Uesugi clan.

Born into the Higuchi clan, he became a page of Uesugi Kagekatsu in his childhood and served him from a young age.

During the Otate Rebellion, Naoe Kanetsugu contributed significantly to Uesugi Kagekatsu's cause.

At that time, Naoe Nobutsuna, a close retainer of Uesugi Kagekatsu, was killed. Uesugi Kagekatsu then arranged for Naoe Kanetsugu to marry Naoe Nobutsuna's widow, "Ofune," to inherit the Naoe clan name.

Afune was the daughter of Naoe Kagetsuna, a senior retainer of Uesugi Kenshin. Because she had no son, Afune was married off to Naoe Nobutsuna (of the Nagao clan). Therefore, Naoe Nobutsuna became the head of the Naoe clan as an adopted son-in-law.

Naoe Kanetsugu married Afune and succeeded Naoe Nobutsuna as his son-in-law. He also inherited the Naoe family name as a son-in-law and changed the surname from Higuchi to Naoe.

Naoe Kanetsugu is best known for his flamboyant helmet, in addition to the "Naoe Statement (a statement of defense against the Uesugi clan's rebellion)" that later triggered the Battle of Sekigahara.

Its helmet is a "tin-plated, sixty-two-bay ribbed helmet" with a "love character paired with cloud pattern".

However, Naoe Kanetsugu's abilities were beyond doubt, and he and Katakura Kojuro of the Date clan were known as the "two retainers of the realm".

"Lord Yamashiro no Kami, I never expected you to come in person. I am truly sorry for not welcoming you properly." Sanada Masayuki approached Naoe Kanetsugu with a beaming smile.

Naoe Kanetsugu had been waiting in the city for a long time, but Sanada Masayuki had not shown up, which made Naoe Kanetsugu somewhat impatient.

"Kami Awa, is this how the Sanada family treats its guests?"

"I've been waiting for two hours," Naoe Kanetsugu said, somewhat angrily.

Naoe Kanetsugu did not have a very good impression of the Sanada family.

In particular, Naoe Kanetsugu had always opposed the letter of request that Uesugi Kagekatsu had sent to the Sanada family, because he felt that the Sanada family, with their status, dared to bargain with the Uesugi family.

But Uesugi Kagekatsu had made up his mind, and Naoe Kanetsugu dared not say anything more.

Who would have thought that the Oda clan would actually experience the inexplicable Honnoji Incident, forcing the Uesugi clan to reluctantly hand over Takai and Mizuchi districts to the Sanada clan.

Although the Sanada family has not yet formally taken over the two counties (due to the outbreak of the Ikki), legally speaking, these two counties already belong to the Sanada family (in contrast to the Uesugi family).

"Please forgive me, Yamashiro-no-kami. As you know, the Hojo clan is about to invade Shinano, and I have no choice but to deploy defenses. I simply cannot spare the time."

"That's why I rushed over as soon as I finished arranging everything," Sanada Masayuki quickly explained.

Naoe Kanetsugu didn't intend to make a big deal out of such a trivial matter; it was just an outlet for his frustration.

"I have come here to convey the lord's orders. The army will enter Shinano in two days and will be stationed at Kaizu Castle."

"Please make preparations, Sanada family. Kaizu Castle will then be taken over by our family."

Sanada Masayuki nodded quickly and said, "Don't worry, Yamashiro-no-kami, our clan will definitely cooperate."

"Also, when will the Sanada family's hostages be delivered?" Naoe Kanetsugu then asked.

Since the Sanada family had secretly allied themselves with the Uesugi family, hostages were naturally indispensable.

Sanada Masayuki quickly waved to the outside, "Genjiro, come in quickly!"

As soon as he finished speaking, Nobushige Sanada hurriedly walked in.

“This is my son, Genjiro. He will serve as a hostage for the main family and return to Echigo with Lord Yamashiro,” said Sanada Masayuki, pointing to Sanada Nobushige beside him.

Sanada Nobushige's eyes widened. "No way, Dad, not again?"
I just got back from Ueno.

However, since Sanada Masayuki had already decided on the candidate, Sanada Nobushige had no choice but to return to Echigo with Naoe Kanetsugu.

On July 1st of the tenth year of Tensho, Hojo Ujinao led his army across the Usui Pass and into Saku District of Shinano Province.

Ashida Nobuhan, who was defending Komoro Castle, hurriedly requested reinforcements from the Sanada clan.

Ashida Nobuhan was left behind by Takigawa Kazumasu to assist the Sanada clan in defending Shinano, and was not a retainer of the Sanada clan. Therefore, Ashida Nobuhan was unaware of the secret agreement between the Sanada and Hojo clans.

Sanada Masayuki, of course, dared not tell Ashida Nobuhan the truth, otherwise all the goodwill he had cultivated with the Oda clan would be wasted. So Sanada Masayuki personally led 1000 men to Komoro Castle to assist Ashida Nobuhan in its defense, and also sent Sanada Nobuyuki as an envoy to the Hojo clan.

The Hojo clan divided their forces into two routes to invade the Kono-Shinano region. One route, led by Hojo Ujinao, consisted of 38,000 troops and attacked Shinano.

The other route was led by Hojo Ujikatsu and Hojo Ujitada, who commanded 10,000 men and attacked Kai Province from Iwadono Castle.

After Sanada Nobuyuki entered the Hojo clan's main camp, more than a dozen Hojo samurai cast unfriendly glances at him, and the atmosphere inside the camp became somewhat tense.

From the head of the table, Hojo Ujinao directly questioned, "What exactly is the Sanada family doing?"

"Our vanguard has already arrived at Komoro Castle, yet the Sanada clan not only refuses to let us leave the castle, but has also stationed troops there. What is the reason for this?"

"Does Anfang Shou harbor rebellious intentions?"

Faced with Hojo Ujinao's questioning, Sanada Nobuyuki replied neither humbly nor arrogantly, "Omoro Castle is under the control of our clan. Although our clan has reached a secret agreement with the Hojo clan and is willing to assist the Hojo clan's offensive in Shinano."

"But it is absolutely impossible to give up the city; the Hojo family's request is really unreasonable."

"How dare you!" Hojo Ujinao was furious.

The Sanada family has really gotten too big for their britches; they don't even take the Hojo family, the overlord of Kanto, seriously.

"The mere Sanada family dares to bargain with our main family? Aren't you afraid that our main family will wipe out your Sanada family as well?" Hojo Ujinao threatened directly.

Sanada Nobuyuki, undaunted, met Hojo Ujinao's gaze with his chest puffed out and said, "The Hojo clan can pass through Komoro Castle, and our main family will not stop them, but the matter of handing over the castle need not be mentioned again."

"If the Hojo clan continues to press us, our main family can simply go and seek refuge with the Uesugi clan!"

"The Sanada family has some nerve, actually using the Uesugi family to threaten our main family."

"I was wondering why the Uesugi clan would suddenly send troops to Shinano. Could it be that the Sanada clan lured the Uesugi clan to Shinano?" Hojo Ujinao's gaze toward Sanada Nobuyuki was already quite hostile.

Sanada Nobuyuki spread his hands, "Our family sincerely served the Hojo family, but we never expected to be met with suspicion in return."

"Lord Sakyō's words have truly chilled the hearts of us, the people of Shinano Province," Sanada Nobuyuki said with deep sorrow.

Now Hojo Ujinao was a little unsure.

Seeing Sanada Nobuyuki's sincere emotions, Hojo Ujinao's attitude softened considerably.

He certainly didn't dare to push the Sanada family too far.

As Sanada Nobuyuki said, if the Sanada family were truly forced to side with the Uesugi family, then the situation in Shinano would be unfavorable for the Hojo family.

Although the Hojo clan has an overwhelming advantage in military strength, Shinano is not their home ground, and a protracted war of attrition would not be what the Hojo clan wants.

Hojo Ujinao was planning to hurry south to cooperate with Hojo Ujitada in conquering Kai Province, so he couldn't afford to waste time in Shinano.

"We'll discuss the matter of Komochi later. I wonder if there's been any unusual activity from the Uesugi clan recently?"

Nobuyuki Sanada shook his head. "After the Uesugi family occupied Kaizu Castle, they did not continue to advance. Instead, they built defenses and repaired the castle in the Kaizu Castle area, seemingly preparing to besiege Kaizu Castle."

This made Hojo Ujinao restless.

He wasn't afraid of the Uesugi clan sending troops; what he feared was the Uesugi clan retreating and holding out.

Hojo Ujimasa had given him a death order: to quickly pacify northern Shinano and then march south to Kai.

He doesn't have time to waste here with the Uesugi family.

Just as Hojo Ujimasa's face darkened, Itabe Oka Eisesai hurriedly entered.

"My lord, Tokugawa has marched into Kai!"

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(End of this chapter)