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

Chapter 70 Going into battle
Shinano, Takai-gun, Nakanokan.

Nobuyuki Sanada also received a mobilization order from Masayuki Sanada.

Faced with the attack from the Hojo clan, the dominant power in Kanto, the Sanada clan dared not slacken their efforts and began a large-scale mobilization of foot soldiers in Shinano.

Looking at the military service order in his hand, Nobuyuki Sanada breathed a slight sigh of relief.

The military service decree only required Sanada Nobuyuki to deploy 500 foot soldiers, 20 flag bearers, and 10 mounted soldiers. It did not require bows and arrows or arquebuses, and the number of soldiers was significantly reduced compared to Sanada Nobuyuki's usual service.

"My dad still loves me," Sanada Nobuyuki couldn't help but sigh.

"Father told us to gather in Dishi City in ten days."

"Yojuro, you stay at Nakano-kan and continue the construction of the castle town. I'll have Yohachiro assist you," Sanada Nobuyuki said to Kasugamoto Yoshitada and Hayashi Masahiro.

The two nodded quickly.

Then, Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Shimazu Tadanao and said, "The military forces in the Minouchi District are under the command of Awaji no Kami. We will split into two groups and meet at Toishi Castle."

"clear."

"Governor of Tsushima, you are in charge of assembling the foot soldiers in Takai County. Make sure to mobilize them as quickly as possible."

"Ha!" Izuura Morikiyo quickly accepted the order.

After arranging everything, Sanada Nobuyuki returned to his residence and found Sachi.

Upon hearing that Sanada Nobuyuki was going to lead his troops into battle again, Koyuki's face immediately showed reluctance.

However, Xiaoxing also understood that Sanada Nobuyuki had important matters to attend to, so she could only silently support him from behind.

"These past two days, I will organize the maids to weave straw sandals for Lord Genzaburo. His belly rolls had already burst open before, and I have already sewed them up today."

Sensing Sachi's affection, Sanada Nobuyuki quickly pulled her into his arms.

After whispering to each other for a while, Ah Xing suddenly lowered her head and said with a slight blush on her face, "My mother sent a letter from Yan Gui City a couple of days ago."

"What did the letter say?" Sanada Nobuyuki leaned close to Sachi's back, reached out from behind to wrap his arms around her, and stroked her sleeve as he slowly moved closer to her chest.

Xiaoxing's skin was as smooth as silk, with no excess fat on her body, and it felt wonderful to touch.

"Mother... Mother is urging me to give birth to an heir as soon as possible."

Sanada Nobuyuki paused in his actions. Oh no, is this coming for me?

Xiaoxing is indeed still very young, and having a child so early will definitely have an impact, so there's no rush for now.

"The issue of having offspring is not urgent."

"Why?" Unexpectedly, Xiaoxing suddenly raised her head, looking at Sanada Nobuyuki with some disappointment, "Lord Genzaburo is unwilling to let me bear an heir for the Sanada family?"

"no no"

Just as Sanada Nobuyuki was about to explain, Koyuki suddenly tackled him onto the tatami mat, giving him no chance to continue.

Koyuki grabbed Sanada Nobuyuki's shoulder, trying to move him over, but the tall and strong Sanada Nobuyuki was far too large for the petite Koyuki to lift.

At this moment, Nobuyuki Sanada also became anxious, "Sachi, what are you doing?"

Xiaoxing, holding Sanada Nobuyuki in her arms, loudly proclaimed without waiting for a reply, "I want to give Genzaburo-sama a son!"

Seeing that Xiaoxing's attitude was firm, Sanada Nobuyuki knew that he couldn't avoid it today.

But how can a woman be so domineering?

Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly exerted force, turning the tables and closing in on the opponent.

Her sleeve slipped down, revealing a lychee that had been peeled halfway.
Nobuyuki Sanada lowered his head and bit her shoulder, grabbing her with both hands.

Xiaoxing's eyes immediately became glazed over.
Sanada Nobuyuki wrapped one arm around Koyuki's waist and pulled her skirt down to her knees with the other.

Sanada Nobuyuki glanced down slightly, and a smile involuntarily crept onto his lips.

"Lord Genzaburo, don't look there."

"What? Wasn't that what you wanted just now?"

"You're so annoying!" Xiaoxing blushed and pulled the blanket over her face.

I don't know if she was genuinely shy or if she was sending some kind of signal to Nobuyuki Sanada.

Never mind, let's go!

The next morning, Koyuki, looking radiant, dressed Sanada Nobuyuki. Sanada Nobuyuki, on the other hand, had an indescribable expression on his face.

Last night, Xiaoxing was too proactive in the latter half, but fortunately Sanada Nobuyuki held firm to his bottom line and did not completely unleash his emotions.

Xiaoxing was naturally unaware of this; she was already looking forward to her future life and might even have already thought of a nickname for her son.

After leaving the Nakano-kan, Nobuyuki Sanada arrived at the newly built warehouse in the Nakano-kan.

There are a total of six warehouses, four of which store grain collected from within the territory, totaling six thousand shi (a unit of dry measure).

In addition, more than a thousand koku were transported to Iiyama Castle and Suda Castle for unforeseen circumstances.

The remaining two warehouses contained weapons and equipment purchased by Hirabayashi Masatsune from Fukashi Castle. Thanks to Ogasawara Sadakae's help, the weapons procurement went exceptionally smoothly this time.

There were a total of fifty katana, one hundred and twenty spears, and one hundred ashigaru domaru (with jinkasa), costing a total of more than three hundred kan.

"I have already selected one hundred men from the laborers working on the construction of the castle town. They will accompany our lord into battle this time," said Hirabayashi Masatane, standing to the side.

These laborers sent by the Uesugi clan were originally farmers from Shinano. They were already grateful to Sanada Nobuyuki for being able to return to Shinano, so when they heard Hirabayashi Masatsune say that they could return home after becoming foot soldiers, they all became very enthusiastic.

Sanada Nobuyuki drew his katana and swung it casually. The craftsmanship was indeed average, but it was sufficient for ordinary foot soldiers.

On the battlefield, the swords carried by foot soldiers were basically useless; they were only used to cut off the heads of enemy soldiers.

They mostly used long spears in combat.

Soon, six days passed, and the foot soldiers of Takai County were assembled under the mobilization of Izuura Morikiyo.

Seeing the group of foot soldiers wielding all sorts of weapons before him, Sanada Nobuyuki felt a chill run down his spine, even though he was somewhat prepared.

If this group of foot soldiers could withstand even one enemy charge on the battlefield, they would be lucky.

But Nobuyuki Sanada had no choice; there was still a long road ahead.

Starting from Nakano-kan, I traveled south along the Chikuma River and finally arrived at Toishi Castle after two days.

At this time, a large number of foot soldiers and samurai had gathered outside Toishi Castle from all over Shinano.

Sanada Nobuyuki led Izuura Morikiyo to Shimazu Tadanao, and the three of them entered the palace of Toishi Castle together.

The person in charge of inspecting military service this time was Kawahara Tsunaie.

"Lord Kawahara, 530 men from Takai County and 1,100 men from Mizuchi County have already assembled outside the city," Sanada Nobuyuki hurriedly reported.

Kawahara Tsunaie quickly ordered his samurai to leave the city to count the number of people and check the equipment.

"Where is Father?" Nobuyuki Sanada then asked.

Kawahara Tsunaie put down his pen. "My lord has already gone to Komoro Castle. The battle in Ueno has been very intense these past few days. The Hojo clan has launched more than twenty attacks on Numata Castle."

"Fortunately, the Hojo clan's attention is focused on the direction of Masahashi Castle, otherwise the pressure on Numata Castle would be too great."

Sanada Masayuki first sent Oyamada Shigemasa with 300 men to Iwagaku Castle to assist Suzuki Shigenori of Nagumo Castle and Yazawa Yoritsuna of Numata Castle.

However, fearing that the Tokugawa clan would attack Shinano from Kai, Sanada Masayuki chose to remain in Shinano to guard against the Tokugawa clan.

After the headcount was completed, Sanada Nobuyuki asked Ura Morikiyo and Shimazu Tadanao to wait for him at Toishi Castle, and then rode to Komoro Castle.

Sanada Masayuki was pleased to see Sanada Nobuyuki arrive and patted him on the shoulder, "Gensaburo, how does it feel to be governing a territory for the first time?"

"It's going quite well, but it would be great if Father could send some more help."

Sanada Masayuki's face darkened; he didn't have enough men under his command.

The Sanada clan previously had very little base of support, few retainers capable of leading independently, and even fewer lower-ranking samurai.

In particular, a large number of direct supervisors have been added, and manpower is needed everywhere to manage them.

"I wonder how Ueno is doing now?"

When Sanada Nobuyuki asked about the war, Sanada Masayuki quickly replied, "It's not looking good."

"The main problem is Umayashi Castle. I'm afraid Hojo Tango-no-kami won't be able to hold out for much longer," Sanada Masayuki said worriedly.

"What about the Uesugi family?"

"Are we just going to stand by and watch someone die?"

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(End of this chapter)