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

Chapter 80 Shinano Undercurrents, First Signs of Crisis

Nobuyuki Sanada failed to convince the others.

Or rather, it didn't convince everyone.

Hojo Takahiro, Naba Akimune, Nagao Terukage, and others ultimately chose the Uesugi family.

Meanwhile, Nobuyuki Sanada, Hidekage Kanai, and Masayuki Naito accepted Nobuyuki Sanada's suggestion and decided to send someone to accompany the Sanada family's envoy to Kyoto to pay homage to Hideyoshi Hashiba.

Let's make contact first, and if it doesn't work out, then we can apply to Uesugi.

The assessment of Jilun City ended in discord.

Although everyone shares the same stance against the Hojo clan, they each have different ideas about their own future.

The main reason was that Hideyoshi Hashiba was too far from Kanto. If they surrendered to Hideyoshi, the Hojo clan would attack again, and Hideyoshi would be too far away to reach them.

The Uesugi family is more easily accepted by the people of Ueno, both geographically and emotionally. Most importantly, the Uesugi family is truly loyal when it comes to trouble.

It can only be said that the Sanada family does not yet have the strength and prestige to command a following as easily as Uesugi Kenshin did back then.

However, for Nobuyuki Sanada, this Ueno uprising was not entirely fruitless.

At least it freed Ueno from the rule of the Hojo clan and drove their forces out of Ueno. In this way, the Sanada clan was no longer fighting alone in Ueno, and their territory in Ueno could be more peaceful for a while.

Another unexpected bonus was that Hojo Ujikuni retreated in such a hurry that he didn't have time to take away the large amount of supplies stockpiled in Minowa Castle.

Although they didn't have many weapons and equipment, they had an exceptionally large amount of food because they were besieging the city.

To express his gratitude to the Sanada family, Naito Masayuki specially distributed some of the grain left behind by Hojo Ujikuni to Sanada Nobuyuki.

Nobuyuki Sanada naturally wouldn't refuse, since food is a form of hard currency.

Subsequently, Nobuyuki Sanada did not dare to linger in Ueno and quickly set off to return to Shinano.

Before leaving, Obata Nobusada made a special trip from Kunimine Castle to Usui Pass.

“Gensaburo, we were both retainers of the Takeda clan before. Although I did not support your proposal this time.”

"However, if our clan is ever attacked in the future, please remember that we all served under Lord Shingen. The Sanada clan may send troops to support our clan," Obata Nobusada said sincerely.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded. "I understand. I will pass it on to my father when I return."

"I also hope that Lord Obata will stand by the Sanada family's side when the family needs help."

“Of course.” Obata Nobusada nodded affirmatively.

On December 2nd of the tenth year of Tensho, Sanada Nobuyuki led his army back to Komoro Castle.

Sanada Masayuki had learned of the news in advance and had a sumptuous meal prepared well in advance.

"Gensaburo, well done!"

Sanada Masayuki has lost count of how many times he has said this, but every time he does, Sanada Nobuyuki manages to surprise him.

Looking at his eldest son, who was now capable of leading troops into battle independently and achieving victories, Sanada Masayuki felt immense satisfaction. It was only because Sanada Masayuki hadn't read "The Sui and Tang Dynasties" that he could have at least wondered if this was Li Yuan's kind of happiness.

“Father, the matter of Kozuke is temporarily settled. With the Satake clan behind us, the Hojo clan will not be able to launch another attack on Kozuke in the short term.”

"We should take this opportunity to bring Shinano under our control as soon as possible," Sanada Nobuyuki said with a grave expression.

After hearing what Nobuyuki Sanada said, Masayuki Sanada felt the same way.

When the Hojo clan attacked Numata Castle, Sanada Masayuki dared not send a large army to its aid.

Firstly, they worried that the Tokugawa clan might take the opportunity to attack, and secondly, they were concerned about the local lords of Shinano. What if the Shinano lords caused trouble in the rear when the Sanada clan mobilized its entire army?
Although the Sanada family was the leader of the Shinano provincial uprising, Sanada Masayuki was not confident that everyone would obey him.

If the Hojo clan were attacking Shinano, it would be fine, as it would directly threaten the interests of the Shinano people. The Shinano people would naturally fight alongside the Sanada clan, just like before.

But this time the battle is taking place in Ueno, and the Shinano lords have no reason to go to Ueno to fight the Hojo clan; it has nothing to do with them.

Only by completely controlling Shinano can this phenomenon be eliminated.

"Recently, there have been rumors within the territory that the Tokugawa clan seems to be negotiating with several local lords."

“I have already instructed Mochizuki Totomi-no-kami to investigate this matter, but we haven’t yet figured out exactly who has made contact with Tokugawa,” Sanada Masayuki said with concern.

Nobuyuki Sanada also looked troubled; this was not good news.

To be honest, if Tokugawa Ieyasu had directly launched an attack on Shinano, the Sanada clan wouldn't have been so afraid.

The Shinano local uprising was formed to unite the people and resist foreign enemies. Tokugawa's direct attack actually allowed the people of Shinano to continue to unite under the Sanada family.

But if the Tokugawa family were to use underhanded tactics behind the scenes, that would be a real headache.

"Can you tell me the approximate area?" "Who might be involved?" Nobuyuki Sanada continued to ask.

Sanada Masayuki ran his thumb through his mustache before slowly saying, "Kiso, Muroga, Yashiro, and Ogasawara are all possibilities, and even Hoshina cannot be completely trusted."

"If we make wild guesses, it will only cause dissatisfaction among the people. Those who were originally unwilling to side with Tokugawa might then turn to Tokugawa."

"For now, we can only wait and see how things develop, but this will always be a hidden danger."

There's no reason to guard against thieves every single day.
Sanada Nobuyuki lowered his head and thought for a moment, then said, "How about we lure the snake out of its hole?"

"Does Genzaburo mean to get these people hiding in the shadows to come out on their own?" Sanada Masayuki understood immediately.

"Exactly!"

After saying that, the father and son looked at each other and smiled.

However, the next day, Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Nobuyuki were no longer smiling.

The people they sent to Kyoto to seek official positions brought back bad news—it was hopeless.

Sanada Masayuki originally wanted to pursue a formal official career as a fifth-rank official. His previous title of "Awa no Kami" was a "received title" given to him by Takeda Shingen, which was essentially only circulated within the Takeda family.

For this reason, Sanada Masayuki specially prepared fifty kan. Back then, Mori Motonari only spent forty kan to buy a right horse head.

But these days are different.

As Hideyoshi Hashiba gained control of Kyoto, he cultivated numerous relationships with local nobles and showered them with gifts.

This has spoiled the tastes of the Kyoto nobles.

There were quotas for official positions, such as the right horse head of the Mori family or the left horse head, which was held by the Ashikaga shogunate for generations.

Sanada Masayuki's fifty kan is really not enough.

"If you ask me, it's because Father is too stingy. If he had given more money, he certainly wouldn't have left empty-handed." Inside the Sanada residence, Mrs. Muramatsu laughed loudly, mocking Sanada Masayuki.

It had been a long time since the family had enjoyed such a warm and harmonious time together.

"Father-in-law, please don't be offended. Matsu is always so outspoken." Oyamada Shigeaki covered Sanada Matsu's mouth and said to Sanada Masayuki with an embarrassed look.

Sanada Masayuki waved his hand dismissively, then looked at Sanada Yuki beside him, "Yuki, how are you doing? Are you getting used to things at Nakano-kan?"

"It's alright. Lord Shimazu has been very kind to me, sending more than ten maids to help me."

“That’s good.” Sanada Masayuki nodded. “If there’s anything else you need, please don’t hesitate to ask.”

"Really?"

"Now that the Nakano residence is full of maids, could Father send a few more pagemen over?" Koyuki looked at Sanada Masayuki with anticipation.

Masayuki Sanada:.
No, I was just saying it casually, you really want it?
However, since he had already said it, Sanada Masayuki was not going back on his word, so he said, "Alright, I will personally select suitable candidates from my retainers' homes and send them to Nakano-kan in the next two days."

"Are you satisfied now?"

"Thank you, Father," Sanada Nobuyuki added from the side.

After saying that, Nobuyuki Sanada seemed to remember something and quickly opened a package behind him.

"Here, everyone has some local specialties brought from Shangzhou."

"Ah, this comb is so pretty, I want it." Yamate-dono said first, and Sanada Matsu, who was slower to grab it, immediately pouted.

The gifts were quickly divided up, and the family enjoyed a happy time together.

Meanwhile, in Kasugayama Castle, Echigo Province.

Sanada Nobushige huddled by the fire in the room, shivering and his jaw chattering.

"When will Father bring me my winter clothes?"

"Ah!"

"Why is winter in Kasugayama colder than in Shinano?"

　Obata Nobusada: A vassal of Kanraku District, Kozuke Province, and one of the "Twenty-Four Generals" of the Takeda clan in its later period. His father was Obata Norishige, a general of the Takeda clan, and his mother was the daughter of Nagano Narimasa.

　　The Obata clan made great contributions when Takeda Shingen conquered Kozuke. Afterwards, they served the Takeda family as important retainers until the Koshu campaign, when they served Takigawa Kazumasu and Hojo Ujimasa.

　　After the conquest of Odawara, the Hojo clan was destroyed. The Obata clan, having assisted the Hojo clan, had their territory confiscated, and later, with the help of Sanada Masayuki, returned to Shinano, where they spent the rest of their lives.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)