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

Chapter 41 You can’t control it
Shinano is in Chikuma County and Shenzhi Castle.

As the core of central Shinano, Fukashi Castle has always been a place with convenient transportation and prosperous commerce in Shinano.

However, with the outbreak of the uprising and the blockade of streets in and out of Shinano, the town of Fukashi Castle visibly became desolate during this period.

Futaki Shigekichi entered a pub with a heavy heart; he and the pub owner were old acquaintances.

"Lord Ermu, you've arrived?"

"Still the same?"

"Hmm." Futaki Shigekichi nodded, then found a quiet corner to sit down.

As soon as he sat down, Futaki Shigekichi heard several people at the next table whispering and discussing something.

Originally, Futaki Shigekichi wasn't very interested, but when he vaguely heard the other party mention words like "Fukashiki", "Kiso", and "Ogasawara", he couldn't help but listen more closely.

"Have you heard? It seems that the Kiso family intends to make peace with the Ogasawara family."

"Hey, how could that be false? I just came from the territory of the Kiso clan, and it's already spread everywhere."

"I have heard that the Kiso family has no ill intentions toward the Ogasawara family, and is even happy to see the revival of the once-famous Shinano family."

"However," Sasuke deliberately kept it a secret.

Sure enough, these words successfully attracted the interest of others, who urged Sasuke to continue.

Sasuke waved to the people around him, signaling them to come closer, and then he carefully said with his head down, "However, Lord Kiso is very dissatisfied with the fact that the lord of Fukashi Castle is Lord Tosetsuzai."

"Lord Kiso said that if the lord of the castle is Lord Kisaburo, the Kiso family is willing to acknowledge the Ogasawara family's control over Fukashi Castle."

"Yes, there are indeed such rumors. If you don't believe me, you can go to Kiso Valley; everyone there knows about it."

At that moment, the tavern owner came out from the back room with a bottle of sake, but after searching for a long time, he still couldn't find Futaki Shigekichi.

"That's strange, where did they go?"

Just as the tavern owner was wondering what was going on, another customer called out from the other side, "Boss, another pot of wine, please."

"Hey, that's good."

Futaki Shigekichi walked quickly, his toes peeking out from the gaps in his straw sandals, but he didn't care at all.

If the rumors are true, that would be quite a big deal.

Instead of immediately reporting to Ogasawara Tōsetsuke and Ogasawara Sadakae, Futaki Shigekichi went to Inugami Hisachi.

Both the Futaki and Inugami clans were local officials of Azumi District, and their families had served the Ogasawara family of Shinano Province for generations.

Ogasawara Tosetsuzai was able to successfully reclaim Fukashi Castle from the Kiso family not only because of the support of the Uesugi family, but also because of the great efforts of the Futaki and Inugami clans.

Moreover, with the Uesugi family returning to Echigo, the Ogasawara family can now only rely on the Futaki and Inugami families.

It can be said that the decisions of Fukashi Shigekichi and Inugami Hisachi will directly affect Fukashi Castle.

"Hanzaemon, we must make a decision."

"We can't continue fighting. We can't afford the losses if we keep going," Futaki Shigekichi earnestly advised.

The Ogasawara family has just revived its name, and everything in its territory needs to be rebuilt. If it is mired in a state of war for a long time, it will drag the Ogasawara family down.

“I have just inherited the headship of the family, and I am afraid that my retainers will not listen to me.” Inugami Hisachi also had his own concerns.

Originally, the head of the Inugami clan was his older brother, but he died in battle against the Kiso clan, which is why Inugami Hisachi succeeded him.

“If that person can step in, everything will be much easier,” Futaki Shigekichi suddenly said.

Inugami Hisachi said thoughtfully, "It seems that's the only way, but what if Tousetsusei is unwilling?"

“Most of the soldiers in the city are foot soldiers from our two families. If it really comes to that, he won’t have a choice,” said Futaki Shigeyoshi with a fierce look on his face.

After making up their minds, the two immediately found Ogasawara Sadakashi, who lived in Ninomaru.

Ogasawara Sadakashi was very pleased with the two men's initiative to join him and immediately promised them the safety and security they had received.

Subsequently, Inugami Hisachi and Futaki Shigeyoshi gathered the foot soldiers in the castle and surrounded the citadel, preparing to lecture Ogasawara Tosetsuzai. At this time, Ogasawara Tosetsuzai's subordinates in the castle were unaware of what was happening. By the time they realized what was happening, Ogasawara Tosetsuzai had already been captured by Futaki Shigeyoshi and his men.

As soon as Ogasawara Tōsetsuke, who was being held up, saw Ogasawara Sadakane enter, he immediately burst into a tirade of curses, "Kisaburo, I spared you out of consideration for our blood ties, yet you treat me like this?"

"Aren't you afraid of incurring the wrath of the Uesugi family?"

Faced with Ogasawara Tosetsusei's accusation, Ogasawara Sadakae said without any emotion, "Uncle, you are old, and you cannot hold onto the position of head of the family."

"As for the Uesugi family, I'm afraid Lord Uesugi is having a headache because of Echigo's rebellion."

"Guards, take my uncle away."

After saying that, Ogasawara Sadakashi thought for a moment and added, "Take good care of them. The Ogasawara family has already shed enough blood over the years."

"what!"

Xiaozhucheng.

Ashida Nobuhan was starting to feel the strain.

Kasahara Yasukatsu had been launching a fierce attack for several days, resulting in heavy casualties in the city, but the Sanada family's reinforcements, which Kawahara Tsuna had mentioned, were nowhere to be seen.

"Lord Kawahara, will reinforcements arrive or not?"

"The lives of thousands of people in the city are no joke!" In addition to the more than 500 foot soldiers under Ashida Nobuhachi, there were also civilians from the vicinity of Komoro Castle who had taken refuge in the city.

Kawahara Tsunaie was also sweating profusely, but he still believed that Sanada Masayuki wouldn't lie to him.

"Let's wait a little longer. Perhaps our lord is just looking for the right opportunity."

“I can wait, but the food in the city is all gone. Go and tell the hungry foot soldiers.” Ashida Nobuhachi said angrily through gritted teeth.

Most of the grain in Komoro Castle was taken away by Takigawa Kazumasu, leaving very little to begin with.

The influx of people into the city couldn't be ignored; with so many mouths to feed, the granaries were empty in just two days.

If I had known the Sanada family was such a scoundrel, I shouldn't have stayed in this small Moro Castle.

Just as they were about to leave, Kawahara Tsunaie pulled Ashida Nobuhan back, then pointed excitedly to a high ground outside the castle, "Hitachi no Suke, look over there!"

Following the direction pointed out by Kawahara Tsunaie, one could see that on a small hill to the left of the Hojo clan, the Sanada clan's banners were fluttering in the wind.

Sanada Masayuki has arrived!

Standing on the hillside, Sanada Masayuki's gaze was fixed on the Hojo clan's army formation outside Komoro Castle.

In fact, Sanada Masayuki arrived outside the city two days ago, but has not launched an attack yet.

Because the Hojo clan had a numerical advantage, Sanada Masayuki was not confident that he could defeat the Hojo clan in open battle; he had to wait.

The best time to attack is when the Hojo clan is exhausted and their morale is low after several days of siege.

And now, the opportunity has come.

"Gentlemen, that's Komoro Castle over there, our castle in Shinano!"

“The Hojo clan are invaders. They eat Shinano’s food and kill Shinano people. Today, I, Sanada Awa-no-kami, have decided to teach the Hojo clan a lesson.”

"We in Shinano are not a place to be bullied!"

"Oh!" Sanada Masayuki's words greatly boosted the morale of the foot soldiers present.

Seeing that the atmosphere was right, Sanada Masayuki immediately mounted his horse.

Although he is known to later generations for his strategies, when Sanada Masayuki was still called Muto Kibei, he was chasing and beating Tokugawa Ieyasu with Takeda Shingen at Mikatagahara.

"Charge! (Press hard - voice cracks)"

"Oh!"

(End of this chapter)