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

Chapter 55 Rewards based on merit
Suwa Yoritada was angry.

He was sound asleep in his own city when he was ambushed in the middle of the night and captured by a few henchmen.

At the time, Suwa Yoritada was only wearing a small outfit. He even lost one of his straw sandals while running away, and he was caught in a very disheveled state.

As the head priest of Suwa Taisha Shrine and the head of the Suwa clan, Suwa Yoritada was utterly humiliated in front of so many people and could no longer face anyone.

Therefore, when the Sanada family convened a meeting to discuss the matter, Suwa Yoritada refused to attend.

Who doesn't have their little moods?

However, the Sanada family is currently preoccupied with the assessment room at Toishi Castle and cannot attend to Suwa Yoritada at the moment.

Now that the people's problems have been resolved, it's time to reward the retainers.

As Nobuyuki Sanada returned to his seat, Naoki Takanashi, who was serving as the scribe, exchanged a glance with Masayuki Sanada and then spoke.

"Next, we will reward the retainers of the Sanada clan who have made great contributions in this battle of Shinano."

As Takanashi Naiki finished speaking, everyone present turned their attention back to Sanada Nobuyuki.

Without a doubt, Sanada Nobuyuki's performance was impeccable in the Sanada clan's conquest of Shinano.

As expected, the first sentence of Takanashi Naiki's report was, "Lord Sanada Genzaburo made a great contribution to this battle."

"My lord has decided that the former territories of Takanashi and Suda in Takai County will be the domain of Lord Genzaburo." With that, Takanashi Naiki produced a letter of thanks. Such letters typically record the samurai's merits and specific rewards.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly stepped forward to accept it, then bowed to Sanada Masayuki, who was seated at the head of the table, saying, "Thank you, Father!"

Sanada Masayuki nodded, then offered a few words of encouragement: "You did well this time. From now on, continue to use your talents in Takai County as your place of governance."

"what!"

Looking at the certificate of appreciation in his hand, Nobuyuki Sanada felt a little excited.

Although as the eldest son of the Sanada family, he will smoothly inherit the headship of the family in the future, it is already quite remarkable to have a county as the prefecture at the age of eighteen.

Most importantly, Sanada Masayuki also used this opportunity to send a clear message to the retainers of the Sanada family: Sanada Nobuyuki is the next head of the Sanada family.

From today onwards, Nobuyuki Sanada's position will be even more secure.

"Next, in the Battle of Uehara Castle, Horita Sakubei, the first to climb the castle wall, was granted the title of Marukomura Toshiyuki (200 koku) in Oki County."

Horita Sakubei strode in with firm steps and a resolute expression, and solemnly received the certificate from Takanashi Naiki's hands.

"Lord Oyamada Rokuzaemon, who captured the enemy castle lord in the Battle of Uehara Castle, was granted the fief of Muramatsu Village in Oki Prefecture (1200 koku)."

"Lord Hoshina Jinshiro, for capturing Matsuoka Castle and securing military provisions, you shall be granted an additional 3000 koku of rations."

"Mochizuki Matajiro, First Boss of the Battle of Uehara Castle, hereby granted."

"Netsu Rokuro, First Boss of the Battle of Komoro Castle, hereby granted."

"Kansuke Takashima, Komoro Castle."

One by one, the Sanada retainers filed into the assessment room with their heads held high and chests puffed out, each with a bright smile on their face.

Of course, in addition to these retainers who made specific contributions, other samurai and foot soldiers who made contributions in the battles of Uehara Castle and Komoro Castle were also rewarded. However, because there were too many people, it was impossible to announce them one by one in public.

After the evaluation is completed, Takanashi Naiki and Kawahara Tsunaie will issue the commendations on behalf of Sanada Masayuki.

Regardless, the atmosphere in Dishi City was extremely lively at this moment.

After the rewards were announced, Sanada Masayuki, who was in the main seat, cleared his throat and slowly said, "In a few days, our main family will launch an offensive against the Hojo family at the request of the Tokugawa family."

"At that time, the relevant military service regulations (military service standards) and military laws (military discipline) will be issued to you. We hope you will give them your full support."

"Please!" Sanada Masayuki bowed slightly.

The Sanada clan retainers and the people of Shinano province below echoed, "Ha!"

"A banquet will be held tonight in Dishi City. Everyone, please drink to your heart's content and don't leave until you're completely drunk!" "Oh!" The atmosphere in the room became even more lively at the mention of a party.

Sanada Masayuki gave Sanada Nobuyuki a wink, and Sanada Nobuyuki immediately got up and followed Sanada Masayuki out of the judging room.

After the two left, Kawahara Tsunaie hurriedly led everyone to the banquet venue—Kokubunji Temple outside Toishi Castle.

Kokubun-ji Temple was a temple built in various regions by order of Emperor Shōmu Tenkō in 741 AD, with one in each province under the imperial decree. At that time, due to the presence of envoys to Tang and Sui China, Japan extensively studied Chinese culture.

Kokubun-ji Temple was modeled after the Daxingguo Temple built by Emperor Wen of Sui, the Dayun Temple built by Empress Wu Zetian, the Longxing Temple built by Emperor Zhongzong of Tang, and the Kaiyuan Temple built by Emperor Xuanzong of Tang. It was later brought back to Japan by envoys sent to Sui and Tang.

Tenko then ordered the construction of Kokubunji Temple, hoping to "protect the country through religious faith."

The people of the country flocked to Kokubunji Temple, while Sanada Masayuki and his son returned to the palace of Toishi Castle Honmaru.

"Genzaburo, based on today's assessment, in your opinion, are these people truly serving our clan?"

In response to Sanada Masayuki's question, Sanada Nobuyuki calmly replied, "The loyalty of the people is genuine, but the extent of their loyalty depends on how our clan governs from now on."

"Have you had any ideas these past two days?" Sanada Masayuki, having had his fill of being a daimyo, was now worrying about how to govern his territory.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded. "I do have some ideas."

"Tell me quickly," Sanada Masayuki said impatiently.

"First of all, we should claim the rightful authority. Having the Oda family's seal of approval is not enough. Our family should immediately go to Kyoto and request an official position from the imperial court."

"My father's title of Governor of Anfang was not conferred by the imperial court. Although the court's influence is limited now, having a formal official career would at least help to enhance the family's prestige."

After a moment's thought, Sanada Masayuki agreed, "However, the process of submitting a petition to the government takes a long time, and we will need to find a suitable court noble to relay the petition on our behalf."

“This is easy. When I went to Kyoto the other day, I contacted the Sanjo family and also took the opportunity to resolve my mother’s background.”

"This is a family genealogy copied from the Sanjo family. Please take a look, Father."

Sanada Masayuki took the Sanjo family genealogy with some skepticism, and sure enough, he saw that Madam Kaoru's name was listed after Madam Sanjo.

"Why didn't you say something so important sooner?" Sanada Masayuki seemed to be complaining, but he couldn't suppress the smile on his lips.

Nobuyuki Sanada quickly said, "I originally planned to tell my mother first and give her a surprise, but I didn't expect her to go to Iwagaki Castle."

"In that case, let's prepare a gift and send an envoy to Luoyang."

"Who should we send?"

Sanada Nobuyuki has just returned and needs to stay at home to manage his territory, so it is naturally not suitable for him to go to Kyoto again.

"Why don't we call our uncle back?" Sanada Nobuyuki said, looking at Sanada Masayuki.

Sanada Masayuki pondered for a moment, then nodded.

With the alliance between the Uesugi and Sanada families now in place, Sanada Nobuyoshi no longer needed to remain with the Uesugi clan.

"After obtaining a legitimate reason, the next step is to formulate a military service agreement."

“I already have some ideas.” Nobuyuki Sanada took out a document he had prepared in advance from his pocket.

As Sanada Masayuki looked at it, Sanada Nobuyuki explained from the side, "Currently, in Shinano Province, in addition to the direct control of the main family, the territory consists of three parts."

"The domains of retainers, the territories of the people, and the domains of Sōmura and the temple."

　Writing about topics such as knowledge and action, military service, etc., would require a very long space.

　　To make the plot flow more smoothly, Kira only made some minor revisions, trying to express the various systems in simple and easy-to-understand language.

　　However, there are still many things that are not mentioned. If you have any questions or don't understand anything about these chapters, you can post them in the comments section, and Kira will do his best to answer them.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)