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

Chapter 49 Your wife is amazing!

Jinshan City is also known as Bird Peak City.

After Oda Nobunaga conquered Mino, Mori Yoshinari became the lord of Torimine Castle and renamed it Kaneyama Castle. From then on, Kaneyama Castle became the residence of the Mori clan.

Mori Nagayoshi, looking exhausted, led two thousand soldiers into the city.

The three-month-long campaign had left Mori Nagayoshi in a state of utter misery.

After returning from Shinano, Mori Nagayoshi originally planned to regroup and return to Shinano, but as soon as he returned to Mino, internal strife broke out.

Almost all the castles under the Mori clan rose up in rebellion against Mori Nagayoshi, especially the Toyama family of Naegi Castle, who openly opposed Mori Nagayoshi.

Although Morinaga gradually recaptured some cities after several battles, the situation within his territory remained far from optimistic.

"My lord, we have a guest."

As Mori Nagayoshi entered the residence with his turban tucked in, a maidservant reported to him.

"Guest?" Mori Nagako handed the quiver and spear in his hand to the page beside him, then took off his straw sandals and walked into the audience room.

Just as they were wondering who had come, Sanada Nobuyuki, who was inside the house, stood up and greeted them, saying, "Lord Musashi-no-kami, how have you been?"

"Haha! Genzaburo!" Upon seeing that it was Sanada Nobuyuki, Mori Nagayoshi immediately smiled and said warmly, "What brings you here?"

"Quickly, sit down and talk." Mori Nagayoshi walked over to Sanada Nobuyuki and sat down cross-legged.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly replied, "I just came from Kiyosu Castle and was on my way back to Shinano."

"Unexpectedly, I stumbled upon Musashi no Morihito fighting the enemy, so I had no choice but to enter the city to escape the war."

A few hours ago, after Mochizuki Masayori had gathered information, he explained the situation of the two sides in the battle in Kani District to Sanada Nobuyuki.

Upon hearing that it was Mori Nagayoshi, Sanada Nobuyuki decided to rest at Kanayama Castle for a day and pay him a visit.

After all, the counties that the Sanada family now occupies, such as Kōki and Hanishina, were previously Mori Nagayoshi's territory.

Although Mori Nagayoshi was punished for his unauthorized retreat from Shinano and his territory in Shinano was confiscated, Sanada Nobuyuki felt it was still necessary to talk to Mori Nagayoshi and see what Mori Nagayoshi's attitude was towards the matter.

The persona cannot be lost; the impression left by Mori Nagayoshi must be maintained.

"Go to Kiyosu Castle?" Mori Nagayoshi nodded thoughtfully, then said, "I've heard about the battle in Shinano. The Sanada clan fought brilliantly."

"It's a pity I've been busy with the Mino campaign lately, otherwise I would definitely have led my troops into Shinano to fight alongside Genzaburo!"

"Speaking of which, I was really fortunate to have Genzaburo back then, otherwise I probably would have ended up like Kawajiri Hizen no Kami." Morinaga was still a little scared when he mentioned this.

Kawajiri Hidetaka, who ruled Kai Province, was killed by the Ikki in Kai, and Mori Nagayoshi was also in grave danger at the time.

If it weren't for Sanada Nobuyuki persuading the people of Shinano Province to escort him all the way, Morinaga really didn't dare to imagine what would have happened to him.

"By the way, what are you going to Qingzhou City for?"

"Report the situation in Shinano to the Three Masters," Sanada Nobuyuki replied truthfully.

Mori Nagato said dismissively, "The Third Master is only a few years old. What's the use of reporting to him?"

"Even if you don't come to Hashiba Chikuzen-no-kami about this, you should at least come to me. My father-in-law is Lord Ikeda!" Ikeda Tsuneoki was one of the four regents appointed by the Kiyosu Conference and had a say in the Oda family.

"So what was the final result?" Mori Nagayoshi pressed.

"I sought the help of Lord Hashiba, and he then personally took me to Kiyosu Castle."

While observing Mori Nagayoshi's expression, Sanada Nobuyuki took out the red seal from his pocket and said, "The red seal has been issued by Kiyosu Castle, and Shinano Province will be temporarily under the control of our family. In addition, Hanishina and Karashiki counties have also been granted to our family."

Mori Nagayoshi:
"Is Lord Musashi not angry?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked tentatively, after all, Mori Nagaka had a fiefdom of over 100,000 koku in Shinano.

The counties of Hanishina, Kosei, and Mizuchi, which are now controlled by the Sanada family, were all former territories of Mori Nagayoshi.

Mori Nagayoshi sighed and slowly said, "I also bear responsibility for the Shinano affair. If I hadn't returned to Mino and had stayed to fight alongside the Sanada clan against the Uesugi and Hojo..."

"Forget it, let's not talk about this anymore."

It's too late for Mori to regret it now.

The Oda clan's official seal has already been issued, and it was even personally requested by Hideyoshi Hashiba. What could Mori Nagato possibly say?
His father-in-law, Tsuneoki Ikeda, is now an ally of Hideyoshi Hashiba, and he has at least managed to retain his territory in Mino, which is a stroke of good fortune compared to figures like Hidetaka Kawajiri and Nagahide Mori.

As for the territory of Shinano, let's pretend it never existed.

Furthermore, Mori Nagayoshi greatly admired the Sanada family for seizing territory from the Uesugi, Hojo, and Tokugawa families through their own abilities.

If it were him, he didn't think he could snatch food from the jaws of these three families. Besides, Sanada Nobuyuki had saved his life.

"Today we have won a great victory, and with Genzaburo here, let us raise a toast."

"Guards, prepare wine! Today, I will drink with Genzaburo until we are both drunk!"

Whether he was drowning his sorrows in alcohol or not, Mori Nagayoshi drank one glass after another during the banquet, and Sanada Nobuyuki couldn't stop him.

Dude, at least eat something!

More than an hour passed like this, the two of them reminiscing and drinking, and soon Sen Changke became drunk.

Just as Mori Nagayoshi was boasting to Sanada Nobuyuki about his valiant feats of slaying generals and capturing flags that day, the outer door was pushed open.

A woman walked in gracefully and sat down next to Mori Nagayoshi.

"My lord, why are you drinking so much again? Aren't we going into battle tomorrow?"

Mori Nagayoshi quickly pointed to Sanada Nobuyuki across from him and said, "Sen, you've come at the right time! This is Sanada Genzaburo, whom I've mentioned to you before!"

“Gensaburo, this is my wife, Sen, the daughter of Kii Ikeda.”

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly put down his wine cup and greeted Ikeda Sen, saying, "I am Sanada Genzaburo, greetings to Madam."

As they spoke, Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't help but scrutinize the other person.

Chihiro Ikeda was in her early twenties, petite but with a full figure. Her cherry-like mouth was slightly parted, revealing her pearly white teeth.

Looking closer at her face, she was even more stunningly beautiful. Every smile and frown resembled a blooming peony, utterly captivating.

Even Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't help but admire Chihiro Ikeda's appearance.

Your wife is amazing!

"Ah!" Ikeda Chi, who was sitting, covered her mouth and stood up. She then sat between the two of them, picked up the sake pot, and poured sake for Sanada Nobuyuki while saying, "You must be Sanada Genzaburo. I've heard my lord mention your name many times."

"Having seen you today, you are indeed exceptionally brave and skilled."

“If it weren’t for you that day, my lord would have suffered a lot in Shinano.” Ikeda Chi looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with gratitude.

Sanada Nobuyuki picked up his wine cup and drank it all in one gulp. Then he wiped his mouth and said, "Speaking of martial prowess, Musashi no Mori-dono is truly renowned. I am truly unworthy of your praise, Madam."

This wasn't Sanada Nobuyuki's deliberate flattery; Mori Nagayoshi, like his father Mori Yoshinari, was extremely skilled with a spear, and Mori Nagayoshi was even known as "Oni Musashi" (Demon Musashi).

“Eh, Genzaburo, there’s no need to be modest.”

"There aren't many people I admire in my life. Besides Lord Nobunaga and my father, you, Genzaburo, are the third!"

"Shinano samurai are as numerous as hairs on a cow, but only Genzaburo accompanied him alone."

"Drink! This is a fine wine from Meinong. If you hadn't come, I wouldn't have been willing to drink it."

Despite his words, Sen Changke didn't stop drinking, and soon he slumped onto the table.

Exhausted from a day of fighting, and with all that alcohol, he fell asleep quickly.

"I'm sorry to have troubled you, Lord Sanada. My lord is always like this; he gets drunk as soon as he drinks." Ikeda Chi smiled slightly at Sanada Nobuyuki, trying to ease the awkwardness.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly waved his hand and said, "It's alright. Lord Musashi and I are sworn brothers. Please don't treat me like an outsider, Madam."

"Hehe, I can rest assured now."

"I will have someone arrange accommodations for Lord Sanada immediately," Ikeda Chi said, rising to her feet.

Sanada Nobuyuki nodded. "I have retainers accompanying me, so I'll trouble you, Madam."

"Lord Sanada's retainers may stay in the servants' quarters. I will have someone take them there later."

"Thank you for your trouble, Madam," Sanada Nobuyuki said, bowing in gratitude.

Chihiro Ikeda nodded, then turned and slowly left the room.

Watching Chiaki Ikeda's swaying figure, Nobuyuki Sanada couldn't help but take a few more glances.

She's a real beauty!
　Chika Ikeda: Daughter of Tsuneoki Ikeda, and older sister of Terumasa Ikeda.

　　It is said that he studied military strategy from a young age and was skilled in using weapons. He also led a 200-man arquebus unit, but the truth of this cannot be verified.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)