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

Chapter 58 Hojo? He'll never return!

Numata Castle is located in Tone District, in northern Ueno, at the confluence of the Tone River and the Usune River.

Originally the territory of the Ueno Numata clan, it was built by Numata Akiyasu in 1532. It was built on a cliff at the confluence of two rivers, in a very strategic location.

As a strategically important military location guarding the northern gateway to Kanto, this place has long been contested by the Uesugi and Hojo clans, changing hands several times.

Later, Takeda Katsuyori formed the "Ko-Echigo Alliance" with Uesugi Kagekatsu. Takeda Katsuyori sent Sanada Masayuki to capture Numata Castle, after which Numata Castle became the territory of the Sanada family.

"Grand Uncle, what's the situation in Ueno now?"

As soon as Sanada Nobuyuki entered the castle, he found Yazawa Yoritsuna, the castle lord of Numata Castle. This man was the head of the Sanada family's staff and, although he was over sixty years old, he was still in good health.

He served the Sanada family since the time of Sanada Yukitaka, through thick and thin for decades, and can be called the pillar of the Sanada family.

"Ever since Takikawa withdrew his troops, the people of Ueno have all sided with the Hojo clan."

"The Mori family of Masahashi Castle (Hōjō Takahiro of Echigo), the Obata family of Kunimine Castle, and Nagao (head shrine Nagao) have all sided with the Hojō family. Now, only the main family remains in Ueno."

After Kazumasu Takigawa was defeated at Kannagawa, he withdrew from Ueno, and the Hojo clan took control of most of Ueno with almost no effort.

Faced with an attack by tens of thousands of Hojo clan members, all the people of Kozuke Province except for the Sanada clan surrendered.

However, because the Hojo clan is busy attacking Shinano and Kai, they have not yet had time to take control of Kozuke, so Kozuke Province is currently relatively stable.

The Sanada family had a fairly good relationship with the local lords in Ueno, so they did not encounter any attacks.

"I heard about the Shinano situation at Numata Castle, but I never imagined that our main clan would have conquered the entire Shinano region in just a few months!"

"It's a pity. If it weren't for the need to defend Ueno for my Sanada family, I would have loved to go to Shinano and fight alongside you." The old man became even more energetic when the topic of war came up.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly replied, "The battle will be incomplete without my uncle."

"You mean war will break out in Ueno soon?" Yazawa Yoritsuna quickly realized.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded. "If nothing unexpected happens, the war in Kai will end soon, and then the Hojo clan's next target will be the main clan in Ueno."

"Numata Castle will be the Hojo clan's primary target."

"Hmph!" Yazawa Yoritsuna stood up, picked up a long spear from the weapon rack behind him, swung it a few times in the air, and said in a deep voice, "If that brat Hojo dares to come, I'll make sure he doesn't leave alive!"

"I naturally trust my uncle's martial prowess, but as the saying goes, two fists can't beat four hands. Our family still needs to seek some assistance in Ueno."

"I have a few letters here. I wonder if my uncle could help me deliver them to the various officials in Ueno?"

On the banks of the Thousand Blows River, a group of more than twenty people were slowly making their way north along the riverbank.

Leading the procession were two mounted samurai, followed by four porters carrying a small palanquin, with two maids accompanying it. At the very back of the procession were more than ten foot soldiers carrying various boxes.

During the Warring States period, in addition to serving as foot soldiers in the army during wartime, farmers were also conscripted for labor service once a year (including city building, transportation, and grain transport).

After walking under the scorching sun all morning, Nobuyuki Sanada was now drenched in sweat.

Kasuga no Yoshitada followed closely beside him, constantly introducing the places they passed along the way to Sanada Nobuyuki.

"Ahead lies Genji County. The Ikko-ikki uprising broke out there last month, but it has already been quelled."

"Are there any local lords in the Kōshō district now?" Sanada Nobuyuki took off his hood and handed it to a foot soldier who was following him on foot. The foot soldier quickly used a bamboo pole to prop up the hood.

Kasuga no Yoshitada quickly replied, "Many local lords of the Koga district scattered and fled after the Oda clan occupied the area. Although some samurai have returned to their territories, our main family has not yet had time to register them."

"Not far ahead is Hirabayashi Castle, which used to be the residence of the Hirabayashi clan. I heard that the Hirabayashi clan has fled to Echigo, but I don't know the exact situation now."

Nobuyuki Sanada looked back at the group behind him. The midday sun was blazing, and walking like this would not only be slow but also unbearable.

"Yojuro, go to Hirabayashi Castle and check on the situation first."

"Ha!" Kasuga no Yoshitada quickly accepted the order, and then led two foot soldiers to speed up and run towards Hirabayashi Castle.

Sanada Nobuyuki said to the men behind him, "Hang in there a little longer, we'll rest for two hours ahead."

"Wow!" Upon hearing that they could rest, the crowd erupted in cheers.

For ordinary farmers, life is actually very difficult. Like this time, being conscripted to help Nobuyuki Sanada move, not only did he not receive a salary, but he also had to pay for his own food, which meant he was paying to work.

If you can get some rest, that's practically a mercy from the samurai lord; at least he didn't really treat you like livestock.

After walking a little further, Hirabayashi Castle came into view, and Sanada Nobuyuki stopped to listen to Kasuga Yoshitada's findings.

Although the Sanada clan has now gained initial control of Shinano, many areas remain in chaos, and Sanada Nobuyuki dares not rashly enter the city.

Soon, Kasuga no Yoshitada rode back.

"Lord Genzaburo, we've found out that there are only a few Hirabayashi family samurai in the castle."

"However, I heard that the head of the Pinglin clan has returned, but I have not yet had the pleasure of meeting him."

Sanada Nobuyuki then turned and pointed to the shade of a tree nearby, "You all rest here for a while and protect the lady."

"Ha!" The dozen or so foot soldiers behind him were all mobilized from Sanada Village; they were loyal and reliable.

Sanada Nobuyuki nodded to Kasuga no Yoshitada. "Let's go into the city and take a look."

"what!"

In Pinglin City, Pinglin Zhengheng reluctantly brushed against the city walls.

This castle was built by his father. Although it is not large, it holds all of Hirabayashi Masatsune's memories of Shinano.

I came back this time because there were some things I didn't have time to take with me when I ran away.

"Shinano is such a beautiful place."

"Unfortunately"

Just as Hirabayashi Masahiro was lost in thought, several fast horses slowly approached in his line of sight.

Hirabayashi Masatsune already knew about the Sanada family's control of Shinano, so he wasn't surprised. He figured it must be samurai from the Sanada family coming to take over the castle.

As he slowly descended the city wall, Hirabayashi Masahiro prepared to explain his identity to the newcomer, lest he be mistaken for a spy from an enemy country and cause trouble.

When they reached the city gate, the Sanada family had already entered the city.

"My name is Hirabayashi Yohachiro. May I ask if you are a member of the Sanada family?"

Sanada Nobuyuki reined in his horse and looked down at the horse, saying, "I am Sanada Genzaburo. I heard that Hirabayashi had gone to Echigo to serve the Uesugi clan. Why have you returned?"

"So it's Lord Sanada." Hirabayashi Masatsune had heard of this name before; it had recently become a legendary tale in Echigo, Shinano, and other places.

In particular, the story of Sanada Nobuyuki escorting Mori Nagayoshi on horseback was admired by many samurai.

"I have returned today only to move the ancestral tablets of the Hirabayashi clan. Lord Sanada, rest assured, there are no insignificant people in the castle, and my Hirabayashi clan will not rebel against the Sanada family."

It was called a city, but it was actually just a residence surrounded by a wooden fence made of rammed earth.

"I wonder how much credit did Lord Uesugi grant the Hirabayashi clan when they went to Echigo?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked curiously.

These local lords in northern Shinano were truly "loyal" to the Uesugi clan, even abandoning their old territories to serve them, which was simply unbelievable in the entire Shinano region.

What kind of spell has Uesugi Kagekatsu cast on these people?

　Regarding the Uesugi clan's Otate Rebellion: I personally believe that before his death, Uesugi Kenshin hoped that Uesugi Kagekatsu would take control of Echigo, while Uesugi Kagetora would rely on his relationship with the Hojo clan to hold down the reins in Ueno.

　　Essentially, Uesugi Kagekatsu inherited the territory of Echigo, while Uesugi Kagetora inherited the title of Kanto Kanrei and took up residence in Ueno.

　　In Uesugi Kenshin's vision, Uesugi Kagekatsu and Uesugi Kagetora would separate their families and then join forces to consolidate the Uesugi family's sphere of influence.

　　However, things didn't go as planned, and the course of events took an unexpected turn. Uesugi Kenshin died too suddenly, leaving no clear last words. Ultimately, the Uesugi clan erupted into the Otate Rebellion, which became the pivotal event in the Uesugi clan's complete decline.

　　Of course, these are all Kira's own speculations, and everyone is welcome to discuss them rationally if they have different opinions. Finally, I would like to emphasize again that please do not attack other readers who have different opinions, and let's build a harmonious book review section together. Thank you for your cooperation.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)