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

Chapter 8 Genzaburo, you're playing with fire!

The downfall of the Imogawa uprising signified that the Oda clan had completely taken control of Shinano and expelled the Uesugi clan's forces from Shinano.

At least that's how it looks on the surface.

Having conquered Shinano, the Oda clan's next plan was to directly invade Echigo.

Therefore, Mori Nagayoshi continued to prepare his troops at Kaizu Castle and called on the local populace of Shinano to lead their armies into battle.

In a short time, local lords from all over Shinano led their troops toward Kaizu Castle.

Meanwhile, inside a temple outside Haijin City.

Nobuyuki Sanada, dressed in casual clothes, pushed open the gate of the temple. This temple originally belonged to the Jodo Shinshu sect, but now it was deserted.

Walking along the path piled with fallen leaves, Nobuyuki Sanada entered the main hall.

Sanada Nobuyoshi had been waiting here for a long time.

"Gensaburo, you've arrived."

"It's been so many years, you've grown so much!" Sanada Nobuyoshi showed a delighted expression upon Sanada Nobuyuki's arrival.

He was the younger brother of Sanada Masayuki. In his early years, he was adopted by the prestigious Kazuno clan of Kai Province by Takeda Shingen and served the Takeda family as a "spear magistrate (spear instructor)".

When Takeda Shingen attacked Suruga, Sanada Nobuyoshi even seized the "Ji-yō Hachiman" banner from Hojo Tsunashige, a general of the Hojo clan, and gained a reputation for bravery.

After Takeda Katsuyori committed suicide, Sanada Nobuyoshi fled Kai Province and reverted to the Sanada surname.

He then went to Echigo and joined the Uesugi family.

“Uncle, time is of the essence. I have a question that I do not understand. Please enlighten me.” Sanada Nobuyuki did not stand on ceremony. He was currently on Oda territory, and if he left for too long, it would easily attract the attention of the Oda family.

Seeing Sanada Nobuyuki's solemn expression, Sanada Nobuyoshi also asked seriously, "Gensaburo, what do you want to know?"

"Was it Father's idea for Uncle to serve in Echigo?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked directly.

Sanada Nobuyuki glanced at Sanada Nobuyuki in surprise, clearly not expecting him to ask that question.

After thinking for a while, Sanada Nobuyoshi answered truthfully, "That's right, this matter was indeed decided after discussing it with my brother."

What is the purpose of doing this?

“At first, your father was worried that after surrendering to the Oda clan, he would be held accountable by the Oda clan because of his status as a former retainer of the Takeda clan.”

"In this way, if I serve the Uesugi family, our family name will not be cut off should something happen to the Sanada family."

"However, now that the Sanada clan is safe and secure, I am at ease," Sanada Nobuyoshi said calmly.

Sanada Nobuyuki stared into Sanada Nobuyoshi's eyes, and the two looked at each other for a while.

After a moment of silence, Sanada Nobuyuki continued, "Uncle, did you come to Kaizu Castle this time for Kasuga Nobutatsu?"

"Yes."

"Although Kasuga Nobutatsu was pardoned by the Oda clan, his castle, Kaizu Castle, was confiscated, so he became dissatisfied and intended to side with the Uesugi clan."

"I came here today to make contact with Kasuga Nobuta."

"Originally, we hoped that Kasuga Nobutatsu would defect during the Battle of Iiyama Castle, but the Oda clan was clearly prepared and did not send any local troops from Shinano to participate in the battle."

"The plan thus came to nothing," Sanada Nobuyoshi said with a look of regret.

The Uesugi clan's instigation of the Imokawa uprising was not a spur-of-the-moment decision, but rather a premeditated plan aimed at creating chaos in northern Shinano and thus delaying the Oda clan's offensive.

The Uesugi clan's original battle plan was to secretly reach an agreement with Kasuga Nobutatsu, so that Kasuga Nobutatsu would defect to the enemy when Mori Nagayoshi was fighting against the Ikki.

However, Morinaga was prepared for this and did not allow Kasuga Nobutatsu to participate in the battle.

Furthermore, with the uprising defeated in the first war, even if Kasuga Nobutatsu wanted to do something else, it would be meaningless without the cooperation of the uprising.

“Genzaburo, joining the Oda clan was indeed a wise decision. I believe it won’t be long before the Oda clan unifies the country,” Sanada Nobuyoshi suddenly remarked.

Sanada Nobuyuki's lips twitched. In two more months, the Oda family would be out of the picture.

But he couldn't say it directly.

"Regarding Kasuga Nobutatsu, could you do me a favor, Uncle?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked earnestly.

Sanada Nobuyoshi nodded without hesitation, and then Sanada Nobuyuki leaned close to Sanada Nobuyoshi's ear and whispered a few words.

After hearing Sanada Nobuyuki's words, Sanada Nobuyoshi unconsciously took two steps back, looking at Sanada Nobuyuki with a shocked expression.

"Gensaburo, you're playing with fire!" "Does your father know about this?"

The 15th day of the fourth month in the tenth year of Tianzheng.

Oda Nobunaga left Kai and went to the Tokugawa clan's territory in Suruga. Oda Nobutada also arrived in Ueno and, together with Takigawa Kazumasu, took over the Ueno territory.

Along with Oda Nobutada, a large number of families of Shinano Province residents arrived at Minowa Castle.

Nobushige Sanada looked around curiously, occasionally reaching out to touch the various furnishings in the room.

As the son of a local lord, Sanada Nobushige had never left Shinano, and this was the first time he had witnessed the immense wealth of a powerful daimyo like the Oda clan.

"Grandma, look, even the bowl we use for drinking water is a Tang Dynasty item (referring to items from the Song and Ming Dynasties)."

"As expected of the Oda family, they are truly wealthy and powerful."

Gongyunyuan looked up at his grandson, who was gesturing wildly to the side, and shook his head helplessly.

This is the first time I've seen someone so happy while being a hostage. I really don't know what to say.

"Genjiro, the things in this room aren't for us."

"If it's not for us, then what's the point of putting it here?"

"This is the Oda clan demonstrating their strength to us. Keep your things safe, or you'll have to pay for them if they get damaged."

After hearing what Kyouin said, Sanada Nobushige quickly and carefully put the teacup back in his hand, and then obediently sat down next to Kyouin.

Kyouin glanced at Sanada Nobushige and decided to teach his grandson a few things.

"Genjiro, do you know what a hostage should do?"

Sanada Nobushige thought for a moment, then replied, "Of course I'll stay put, don't make mistakes, don't cause trouble, and don't trouble Father."

"These are the most basic things."

"Although we are hostages, we are still free to move around."

"Besides us, there are many other families of citizens here."

"Moreover, this is the Oda clan's stronghold in the Kanto region. Do you know what that means?"

Nobushige Sanada immediately realized, "This place will gather information from all over the world."

"Smart." Kyouunin looked at Sanada Nobushige with satisfaction. "Therefore, we still need to collect all kinds of useful information, organize it, and send it back to the territory."

"do you understand?"

Sanada Nobushige nodded quickly.

Kyouin continued, “I am old and often feel powerless. You are still young, so I will leave these matters to you from now on.”

"Remember, the reason our Sanada family has been able to survive in this chaotic world is because of our unity."

"Brothers united are stronger than iron."

"Yes, Grandma, Genjiro knows what to do."

Kyouin nodded. "In that case, you shall write the first letter."

"But what should I write?"

"Naturally, it's the information you find useful."

Sanada Nobushige lowered his head and pondered for a long time, his mind flashing back to what he had seen and heard over the past two days. Only then did he sit down, pick up his pen, and begin to write furiously.

After finishing writing, Sanada Nobushige turned around and found that Kyouin had already fallen asleep.

Pushing open the wooden door, Sanada Nobushige called softly into the courtyard, "Sasuke?"

"Sasuke?"

Soon, a figure flipped down from the roof beam.

"Lord Genjiro, I am here!"

　In the Taiga drama "Sanada Maru", Sanada Nobushige and Matsu, who were taken hostage, were sent to Azuchi Castle and also experienced the Honnoji Incident.

　　This story is purely fictional and made up for the sake of padding the plot. Historically, the hostage was Sanada Nobushige's grandmother, Kyouun-in, who was given to Takigawa Kazumasu as a hostage.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)