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

Chapter 36 Tokugawa Mikawa-no-kami was a loyal and kind man!

Shinano, Ina County, Takato Castle.

Since Hoshina Masamitsu captured Takato Castle, he has been fighting against the uprising in Ina District.

Many of the local lords in Ina County originally belonged to the Takeda clan, but after Mori Nagahide (Mori Hideyori) fled, these local lords also became independent.

Unlike the other provinces of Shinano who were fighting individually to restore their former territories and attack the Oda clan's lands, Hoshina Masamitsu, under the direction of Sanada Nobuyuki, raised the banner of reclaiming lost territory.

The advantage of this is that Hoshina Masamitsu can legitimately attack the territories of other nationalities, but the disadvantage is that Hoshina Masamitsu can only fight alone in Ina County and has no way to get the support of other nationalities.

Therefore, during this period, Masamitsu Hoshina had a very difficult time.

This situation only began to improve after Sanada Nobuyuki captured Uehara Castle.

“Gensaburo, you’ve come at just the right time.”

"We lack nothing now, except food. To be honest, in ten days, I'm afraid there won't even be any coarse rice left in the city." As soon as he saw Sanada Nobuyuki, Hoshina Masamitsu began to pour out his grievances.

When Mori Nagahide fled, he was in a hurry and took almost nothing with him, but he ordered all the grain in Ina County to be burned.

This caused great hardship for the people of Ina County.

They had regained the territory, but they had very little food.

Turn your attention to the people within the territory; Mori Nagahide has already collected the entire year's tribute ahead of time—he's inhuman.

"Brother-in-law, don't worry. I was prepared for this. I have already sent people to the Tokugawa family. I believe the Tokugawa family will send the grain soon," Sanada Nobuyuki quickly reassured him.

Hoshina Masamitsu was taken aback and hurriedly asked, "Why would the Tokugawa family send us food?"

"And even if we were to send grain, how would we deliver it?"

Sanada Nobuyuki continued, "The Tokugawa family and my Sanada family are on the same side, and the Oda family has ordered Sanada to assist Tokugawa in defending Shinano and Kai."

“My Sanada family has contributed, so the Tokugawa family should at least show some appreciation.”

“The governor of Mikawa is an honest and kind man.”

"As for how to deliver the grain, that's exactly what I've come for," Sanada Nobuyuki said, pulling a simple hand-drawn map from his pocket.

It was already evening, and Hoshina Masamitsu quickly had two candles brought over.

In the dim candlelight, Sanada Nobuyuki pointed to a spot in the south of Ina District and said, "Is this Matsuoka Castle?"

Hoshina Masamitsu stepped forward and confirmed, "That's right, the Matsuoka clan currently controls this city."

How many troops are there in the city?

After thinking for a moment, Masamitsu Hoshina replied, "There should be five or six hundred people."

"After capturing this castle, we will block the streets from Mikawa and Totomi into Ina District, and receive the military provisions from the Tokugawa clan here."

"Understood. However, the uprising in Ina County is escalating, and we still need to pass through a large area of ​​other people's territories to reach Matsuoka Castle."

"If we head straight for Matsuoka Castle, we might encounter attacks from other nobles," Hoshina Masamitsu expressed his concern.

Sanada Nobuyuki thought for a moment and continued, "Apart from the Hoshina clan, which local lord is the strongest in Ina District right now?"

“This is the Fujisawa clan of Minowa Village.” Hoshina Masamitsu pointed to Minowa, not far southwest of Takato Castle on the map.

"Is my brother-in-law acquainted with this Fujisawa man?"

Hoshina Masamitsu looked troubled and said, "The Fujisawa clan has sided with the Hojo, so I'm afraid they won't choose to stand on our side."

“That is indeed a bit tricky,” Nobuyuki Sanada said regretfully.

“However, it’s not entirely hopeless,” Masamitsu Hoshina suddenly said.

"any solution?"

Hoshina Masamitsu smiled and said, "We're short of food, but doesn't Fujisawa also lack food?"

"Recently, the Kiso clan sent men to loot Minowa Village. I'm afraid the Fujisawa family is also having a hard time."

Fujisawa Yorichika's days were indeed not easy.

It has been some time since we left Ina County. Although we reclaimed our castle after returning to our old territory, Fujisawa Yorichika is facing a real mess.

There were uprisings running rampant in the territory, and the neighboring Kiso family even sent troops to plunder. Poor Fujisawa Yorichika, who was over fifty years old, couldn't even get enough to eat in his old age.

The landlord's family has no surplus food.

"My lord, the Hoshina family's messenger has arrived."

"The other party said they were willing to provide our family with military rations." Fujisawa Yorichika, who was licking rice from his bowl, nearly popped his eyes out when he heard the word "rations."

"Hurry up and invite them in!"

Jia Fei, Xin Fucheng.

Honda Masanobu hurriedly entered the Tokugawa clan's main camp.

After finding Tokugawa Ieyasu, Honda Masanobu quickly reported, "My lord, the Sanada clan attacked Kaizu Castle yesterday, but were repelled by the Uesugi clan. Sanada Awa-no-kami has now retreated to Toishi Castle."

"Does the Uesugi clan still possess such fighting strength even today?" Tokugawa Ieyasu stroked his chin.

Honda Masanobu continued, "Although the Sanada clan was defeated, it also shows that the Sanada and Uesugi clans did not join forces."

"Take a look at this." Tokugawa Ieyasu did not reply, but instead handed a letter to Honda Masanobu.

After reading the letter, Honda Masanobu fell into deep thought. "The Sanada clan is asking the main clan for military rations?"

"Ha, they're begging on my head now, how ridiculous!" Tokugawa Ieyasu sneered.

"However, the main family still needs to carefully consider the Sanada family's demands. At the very least, we still need the Sanada family to continue to keep the Hojo family in check from behind," Honda Masanobu added.

"They calculated this precisely, which is why they dared to make such an exorbitant demand."

"Twenty thousand koku of grain, they really dare to ask for that!" Tokugawa Ieyasu opened his folding fan and fanned himself vigorously, whether from the heat or from his frustration, it was hard to tell.

Honda Masanobu waited quietly for a while before speaking, "So, what does my lord mean?"

"We will definitely give them, but we can't rely solely on the Sanada family's demands."

“Reply to this Sanada Genzaburo: I, Tokugawa Mikawa-no-kami, have plenty of grain, but the Sanada family must hand over Uehara Castle!”

Uehara Castle's location is extremely crucial; it's an essential route for Tokugawa Ieyasu to attack Shinano, and it must be controlled by the Tokugawa family.

Honda Masanobu nodded. "I understand."

Meanwhile, in Wakakami Castle, not far from Shinpu Castle, Hojo Ujinao also learned of the Battle of Kaizu Castle.

"Hahaha, Sanada is really overestimating himself, daring to take the initiative to attack the Uesugi family."

"However, the Uesugi clan's fighting strength remains as formidable as ever," Hojo Ujinao remarked at the end, as if recalling the scene of the Echigo dragon banner sweeping across Kanto.

Kasahara Yasukatsu then seized the opportunity to say, "After this defeat, the Sanada family will probably not be able to recover its strength in a short time."

"How about we take advantage of this opportunity to capture Xiaozhu City? This way, we can also ensure our logistical supply."

Hojo Ujinao nodded. "Then you shall lead five thousand troops to capture Komoro Castle."

"We must teach the Sanada family a lesson; not everyone dares to fool the Hojo clan!"

"Furthermore, now that the Uesugi clan has withdrawn their troops, we need not hold back and should immediately launch a full-scale offensive against the Tokugawa!"

"what!"

Gaoyuan City.

Sanada Nobuyuki was not surprised to receive the reply from the Tokugawa family.

Given Tokugawa Ieyasu's vision, he would certainly have seen Uehara Castle as the core hub of Shinano, which is why Sanada Nobuyuki wanted to capture it.

"What's the Hojo family's intentions?"

Oyamada Shigeaki quickly replied, "After news of our main clan's defeat at Kaizu Castle spread, the Hojo clan is now attacking Komoro Castle."

To avoid causing panic among his retainers at home, Sanada Masayuki had informed them of the situation at Kaizu Castle beforehand.

"Hojo finally couldn't hold back any longer."

Then, Nobuyuki Sanada picked up a piece of white paper and began to write furiously. He then called out to the door, "Sasuke, take this letter to Kai."

　Fujisawa Yorichika: A member of the Ina District, and the brother-in-law of Ogasawara Nagatoki.

　　He initially fought against the Takeda clan alongside the Ogasawara clan. After their defeat, he fled his territory and joined the Miyoshi clan under Ogasawara Nagatoki.

　　After the fall of the Miyoshi clan, he returned to his former territory in Shinano and chose to serve the Takeda clan.

　　After the Honnoji Incident, Fujisawa Yorichika reclaimed his territory and built Fukuyo Castle on the site of the former Minowa Castle.

　　He was killed in battle during the Tensho-Jingo Rebellion when he was attacked by Hoshina Masanao (father of Hoshina Masamitsu).

　　
　
(End of this chapter)