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

Chapter 33: Crossing the River in White Robes, but a Japanese Sengoku Period Version
Ogasawara Sadakashi looked at the caravan outside the city and counted carefully; there seemed to be only about thirty people.

I looked up at the sky; the sun was almost setting behind the mountains, and it was about to get dark.

"What are you transporting?" Ogasawara Sadakae asked, poking his head out.

"Reporting to you, sir, besides rice, there are other food items, including dried fish, salt, and wine."

"Where are you from, and where are you going to send these things?"

"We came from Tōtōmi and are heading to Ueno," the man below the castle replied.

Ogasawara Sadakashi slowly reached for the hilt of his sword and continued, "If you're going to Ueno, why not take the main road?"

"You jest, sir. The roads to Suruga and Kai have been blocked by the Tokugawa clan. We can only pass through Shinano," the man below the castle continued.

Upon hearing this, Ogasawara Sadakae lowered his hand and then winked at the foot soldiers beside him, signaling them to open the castle gate.

"Wait here, I'll open the gate now." After saying that, Ogasawara Sadakashi followed him down the city gate.

Ogasawara Sadakei, the son of Shinano's guardian Ogasawara Nagatoki.

After the Takeda clan conquered Shinano, Ogasawara Sadakae fled to the Miyoshi clan with his father and brothers. Later, after the Oda clan destroyed the Takeda clan, Ogasawara Sadakae sought out Oda Nagamasa (Kudousai) in hopes of regaining his former territory.

However, Fukashi Castle of the Ogasawara family was given to the collaborator Kiso Yoshimasa, so he was unable to fulfill his wish.

Not long after, the Honnoji Incident broke out, and Ogasawara Sadayoshi saw an opportunity, so he immediately returned to Shinano to prepare to reclaim his territory.

However, his uncle, Ogasawara Sadane (Dōsetsusai), had already seized Fukashi Castle after receiving support from the Uesugi family and became the head of the Ogasawara family.

This put Ogasawara Sadayoshi in an awkward position.

If he were to continue to Fukashi Castle, he was unwilling to remain merely a retainer. After all, he was the son of Ogasawara Nagatoki, the rightful heir to the Ogasawara family.

So he stayed in Suwa to see how things went before making a decision.

But samurai also need to eat, so he entered Uehara Castle and temporarily worked for Suwa Yoritada.

Pushing open the large door, Ogasawara Sadakae finally saw the person who had entered: a young man wearing a short-sleeved shirt with a katana hanging at his waist.

"You may enter the city, but you can only stay in the outer city and cannot enter the Ninomaru."

"In addition, you must hand over any weapons you are carrying, understand?" Ogasawara Sadayoshi said routinely.

Sanada Nobuyuki obediently untied his katana and handed it to Ogasawara Sadakichi.

Taking the katana, Ogasawara Sadayoshi nodded and casually remarked, "Not bad."

"Hehe, this was made by a famous craftsman in Ueno, it costs five kan."

"If you like it, sir, then I will give it to you," Sanada Nobuyuki said with a fawning expression.

Seeing Sanada Nobuyuki's boastful expression, Ogasawara Sadakashi couldn't help but purse his lips.

Can a knife worth five strings of cash be considered to be made by a famous craftsman?
He was just a small businessman with little experience, but this dispelled his doubts.

Ogasawara Sadakashi casually handed the katana to the foot soldier beside him, then pretended to stroll around the caravan. "I heard you say you had sake earlier?"

"Have!"

"Yes, yes, yes!" Nobuyuki Sanada quickened his pace and walked to a cart, lifted the straw covering and pointed to the wooden barrels on the cart, saying, "These are all fine wines from Totomi, top-quality goods."

Ogasawara Sadayoshi leaned forward and sniffed it, his eyes filled with disappointment.

As expected, I was overthinking it. Where would these itinerant merchants get their hands on good wine? But right now, there's war going on all over Shinano, so large caravans won't be entering Shinano at all. Only these risky itinerant merchants would dare to come in.

Well, it's better than nothing, right? Ogasawara Sadayoshi hasn't had a drink in a long time, and he's really craving one right now.

"How much is your sake?" Ogasawara Sadakichi asked seemingly casually.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly smiled and said, "Sir, you're too kind. You've already done me a great favor by letting us in to rest. How could I possibly accept your money?"

"Sakubei, come here and bring down a barrel of sake for the master," Sanada Nobuyuki said to a tall man behind him.

"This is just a small token of my appreciation; please don't refuse it, sir."

Ogasawara Sadayoshi immediately showed a "sensible" smile, then turned and left satisfied.

Evening arrived quickly, and Sanada Nobuyuki and the others, who were arranged to stay in the outer city, sat together.

"Lord Genzaburo, when shall we make our move?" Horita Sakubei asked eagerly.

Nobuyuki Sanada shook his head. "It's only just nightfall, and the city's defenses are still tight. Now is not the time to make a move."

"Let's wait until late at night, after the foot soldiers are asleep."

"Sasuke, do you have a way to get out of the city?" Sanada Nobuyuki turned to look at Sasuke behind him. Sasuke grinned and said, "This is my specialty. I can come and go as I please, not just from Uehara Castle, but even from Minowa Castle in Ueno."

“Very good. Go out of the city immediately and tell your brother-in-law that if he sees the city gate on fire in the middle of the night, he should immediately send out troops.”

"We need to move quickly, we don't have enough people to hold out for long."

"what!"

Sasuke crouched low and quickly disappeared into the night. Sanada Nobuyuki then looked at Hotta Sakubei and said, "Leave three people to keep watch, the rest of you should take a break."

"Yes."

After saying that, Nobuyuki Sanada dusted himself off and stood up.

Horita Sakubei asked in confusion, "Lord Genzaburo, where are you going?"

"That guy was interesting, I'll go check him out."

On the city gate, Ogasawara Sadakae sat alone on the turret (a defensive structure similar to an arrow tower), drinking alone.

Sanada Nobuyuki cautiously walked to the door and said to Ogasawara Sadakashi, "Lord Ogasawara, may I come in?"

As he spoke, Nobuyuki Sanada raised his hand, revealing two ceramic pots tied with straw ropes.

"Drinking alone is no fun. Some rural things, though they may not be to adults' liking, are excellent for drinking with."

Ogasawara Sadakashi nodded, gesturing for Sanada Nobuyuki to come in.

Without any hesitation, Sanada Nobuyuki plopped down opposite Ogasawara Sadayoshi and, as if they were old friends, picked up the sake bottle and began pouring sake into Ogasawara Sadayoshi's sake bowl.

"I've heard that you come from the Ogasawara family, a prestigious family in Shinano."

"Lord Ogasawara Shinano-no-kami was once known as one of the Four Great Generals of Shinano. He was truly admirable." Sanada Nobuyuki raised his head with an expression of admiration.

Ogasawara Sadayoshi paused, his sake bowl hanging in mid-air.

A tear rolled down Ogasawara Sadakashi's cheek, and then he looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with tears in his eyes and said, "To be honest, the Ogasawara Shinano-no-kami you just mentioned is my father."

"Ah?" Sanada Nobuyuki indeed showed a shocked expression. "I didn't expect that you, sir, are the son of Ogasawara Shinano-no-kami. My apologies for my ignorance."

"Alas, there's no need to dwell on the past."

"It's a pity that the Ogasawara clan ultimately fell to me." Ogasawara Sadakashi took another big gulp.

Upon seeing this, Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "I have heard of a man named Goujian, who endured hardship and humiliation and finally achieved his goal. Lord Ogasawara, there is no need to belittle yourself."

"Now that Shinano is in great turmoil, it is the perfect time for Lord Ogasawara to show his skills."

Ogasawara Sadakazu glanced at Sanada Nobuyuki with surprise, "You actually know about Goujian, interesting."

“We are quite compatible today, come, let’s drink!” Ogasawara Sadakae placed an empty bowl in front of Sanada Nobuyuki. Perhaps out of joy, Ogasawara Sadakae selectively forgot the distinction between samurai and “commoners” at this moment.

Nobuyuki Sanada didn't hesitate and immediately started pouring the drinks.

Amidst the clinking of glasses and the exchange of toasts, a large barrel of wine was quickly emptied.

"Hahaha, that was awesome! So awesome!"

"You are very good!"

"Once I reclaim my former territory, you may come to Fukashi Castle, and I will reward you handsomely!" Ogasawara Sadakashi was completely out of his mind at this point, and began to ramble on to Sanada Nobuyuki.

After saying that, Ogasawara Sadayoshi collapsed.

Seeing that it was about time, Sanada Nobuyuki slowly withdrew.

It was already late at night, and apart from two foot soldiers on guard, everyone else on the city wall was asleep.

Sanada Nobuyuki walked to the corner and made a gesture towards Horita Sakubei in the distance.

Horita Sakubei immediately understood.

Soon, under the cover of night, more than thirty people slowly approached the city gate.

　During Japan's Sengoku period, many itinerant merchants would gather wherever battles took place.

　　They not only sold food, supplies, and medicine to both sides of the conflict, but also purchased spoils of war and even captured people from the victorious side.

　　This was a very common business practice at the time.

　　Also, thank you to "Bat on Birdless Island" for the 500 Qidian coins reward.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)