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

Chapter 60 Sanada Nobuyuki's Territory!
Sanada Nobuyuki has temporarily chosen Nakano-no-kan as his residence, which was formerly the residence of the Takanashi clan. Nobuyuki's mother was from the Takanashi clan.

In addition, many castles in Takai County were destroyed in the war, and only Nakano-kan and Suda Castle were ready to be moved into.

Suda Castle is further south, while Nakano-no-date, located in the central part of Takai District, is in a better position.

However, the Nakano residence was already empty, and the first thing Sanada Nobuyuki did after entering the city was to assign houses.

The Takanashi family's residence naturally became the residence of Sanada Nobuyuki, while the other houses nearby were allocated to Kasuga no Yotada and Hirabayashi Masahide.

Soon, Morikiyo Izuura and Tadanao Shimazu also arrived. The two were now Nobuyuki Sanada's allies and would also be staying at Nakano Castle temporarily to facilitate Nobuyuki Sanada's assignments.

"This is Hirabayashi Yohachiro, who has just become my retainer."

In the small appraisal room of the Nakano-kan, Nobuyuki Sanada introduced Masahide Hirabayashi to Morikiyo Izuura and Tadanao Shimazu.

Izuura Morikiyo said directly, "Is Hirabayashi Higo-no-kami your father?"

Hirabayashi Masahide nodded quickly, then his face lit up with surprise. "It is indeed my late father. Does Lord Masahide know my late father?"

"Hmm." Izuura Morikiyo nodded, then fell into his memories. "My uncle died at the hands of Hirabayashi Higo no Kami."

Masataka Hirabayashi:
Hey bro, don't kill the conversation!

Seeing this, Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "In the past, we all served different masters. Now that we are all serving under the Sanada family, we should put aside our past grievances and work together."

"It's better not to mention those past events."

At this moment, Izuura Morikiyo also realized that bringing up these things was indeed affecting unity, and echoed, "Yes, yes, yes, there's no need to bring up the past."

“Lord Genzaburo, I have brought fifteen samurai with me this time. Please feel free to do as I say,” Izuura Morikiyo continued.

Not to be outdone, Shimazu Tadanao chimed in, "I have also brought fifteen of my own samurai, two of whom are skilled in mathematics."

Well, it's only the first day and they've already started rolling it up?
Sanada Nobuyuki quickly smiled and said, "Very good. With your help, I can relax a lot more."

"Then the next step is to take over the territory."

Izuura Morikiyo, who was standing nearby, quickly spoke up, "Takai County was originally governed by the Takanashi and Suda clans. Susaka and Hino villages, totaling twenty-four villages, were governed by the Suda clan, while Nakano, Hoshina, and Kouchi villages, totaling thirty-one villages, were governed by the Takanashi clan."

These past two days, Izuura Morikiyo has also been busy, having already arranged for his men to thoroughly investigate the situation in Takai County.

"Among them, there are nineteen villages, all concentrated in Xiaonei Township and Suike Township."

“A list of land records left by the Suda clan was discovered in Suda Castle. According to the Suda clan’s records from previous years, the Suda clan could collect 2,700 koku of tribute annually.”

"As for the situation under the leadership of the Takanashi clan, we do not know yet due to time constraints."

"That concludes the general overview of Takai County."

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded in approval, "To have accomplished this in just a few days, Tsushima-no-kami has done a very good job."

"Thank you, Genzaburo-sama."

Sanada Nobuyuki continued, "Since there are previous records of the Suda clan's territory, we should now focus on the Takanashi clan's former territory."

“Awaji no Kami.” Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Shimazu Tadanao. “You will be in charge of contacting Sōmura and posting notices in every village to spread the news of the Sanada family’s takeover of Takai County.”

"Ha!" Shimazu Tadanao quickly accepted the order.

Sanada Nobuyuki then looked at Kasuga Yoshitada beside him, "Yojuro, you are in charge of investigating the artisans (non-agricultural population such as craftsmen and artisans) within the territory, and settling them all in Nakano-kan."

“Isn’t there an empty lot outside the city? Tell them that as long as they move to Nakano-kan, the main family will waive the house tax.”

"Understood!" Kasuga nods.

Nakano-kan is not yet ready to develop into a castle town, but it would be good to gather these non-agricultural residents together first.

People need to be born first, then there is demand. Only with demand can business develop. All of this must be done step by step.

Then, Sanada Nobuyuki said to Izuura Morikiyo, "Tsushima-no-kami, you will be in charge of the remaining territory. Send a samurai to each village to visit each village and find out the annual tribute and other taxes paid by each village in previous years."

"Ha!" Finally, Nobuyuki Sanada turned his gaze to Masahiro Hirabayashi.

Under the eager gaze of Hirabayashi Masatsune, Sanada Nobuyuki slowly said, "In the name of our main family, we will offer money to temples in Takai District to express our goodwill. Can you do that?"

"Rest assured, my lord, leave this matter to me," Hirabayashi Masatane assured, patting his chest.

There are many temples in Shinano province, and several large temples in Takai district.

The Sanada family can't afford to offend these "Buddhas" now. It's always good to be on good terms with them. Sanada Nobuyuki doesn't want these temples to stage a coup every now and then.

After arranging everything, everyone dispersed.

Sanada Nobuyuki returned to his residence, where Koyuki was wiping the floor with two maids.

Because no one had lived there for a long time, the room was covered in dust.

Still no one. Don't be fooled by the fact that Sanada Nobuyuki now controls a county; he's really broke.

Before leaving, Sanada Masayuki gave him fifty kan, and his brother-in-law Oyamada Shigemasa gave him ten kan. Including the spoils of war that Sanada Nobuyuki had sold during this period (captured during the attack on Uehara Castle), the total amount was less than one hundred kan.

Fortunately, the harvest season is just around the corner, and Nobuyuki Sanada will soon be able to begin "sustainable exploitation."

"Shimazu Awaji-no-kami and Izuura Tsushima-no-kami have sent more than ten maids. They are outside. Koyuki, go and bring them in."

"How long would it take the three of you to clean this up?"

Izuura Morikiyo and Shimazu Tadanao were good at interpersonal relationships; they even considered this aspect for Sanada Nobuyuki, which made Sanada Nobuyuki very satisfied.

Of course, these people were only temporarily lent to Nobuyuki Sanada, and they had to be returned after use.

Fortunately, Sanada Nobuyuki doesn't have to pay wages. He couldn't help but think that he could keep getting things for free.

Before long, Xiaoxing led in about ten simply dressed maids. They were clearly peasant women recruited from within the territory, specifically there to do dirty and tiring work.

For these peasant women, being conscripted by the samurai lord was considered a stroke of luck, as they could receive a certain amount of "wages" to supplement their household income.

Although it only earns a few coins a day, it's one of the few opportunities to get a lot of samurai gold coins.

"Lord Genzaburo, are you leaving?" After arranging the work, Koyuki noticed that Nobuyuki Sanada was changing clothes and couldn't help but ask.

Nobuyuki Sanada reached out and pinched Sachi's cheek. "Yeah, we're going to Kasugayama Castle."

"Don't worry, I'll be back in a few days if things go smoothly."

"Here, help me tie my hair." Nobuyuki Sanada handed a hair tie to Sachi.

At this time, the "chonmage" hairstyle was not yet widespread, and most samurai in Shinano wore the "sobu". The characteristic of the sobu was that the hair on the forehead was not shaved off, but rather combed back and then tied up at the back.

Of course, while the chonmage hairstyle may be ugly, it is indeed more practical.

Generally speaking, the advantage of a chonmage (topknot) is that it makes it less likely to sweat when wearing a helmet, and it also prevents hair from obstructing vision.

However, Nobuyuki Sanada simply couldn't accept the chonmage hairstyle. He figured he could just go to war. But wait, surely no one goes to war without a helmet? Even fishing requires a helmet, right?
"Genzaburo-sama, be careful on the road."

After finishing packing, Xiaoxing hugged Sanada Nobuyuki from behind, pressed her head against Sanada Nobuyuki's back, and looked reluctant to part.

Sanada Nobuyuki gently patted Koyuki's soft hand, then broke free and left the residence.

Romantic entanglements are unacceptable. Women will only hinder my ability to draw my sword; I must never indulge in their tenderness.

Now is not the time to enjoy ourselves; the Sanada family is still too weak.

Xiaoxing held onto the threshold, watching Sanada Nobuyuki's departing figure intently. Only when Sanada Nobuyuki turned back and glanced at her from the doorway did Xiaoxing finally turn around sweetly.

"Genzaburo-sama, have a safe journey."

　I will provide a dedicated chapter to introduce and explain the Takanashi clan, Suda clan, and other members of northern Shinano Province. Those who are interested can follow the subsequent storyline.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)