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

Chapter 83 The Muraga-Yashiro Rebellion
The news sent shockwaves through the entire Echigo and Koshin regions.

Shigeie Niihata was in a panic at Niihata Castle and quickly sent people to Mutsu to ask Ashina and Date for reinforcements.

In Shinano, Katsunaga Yashiro and Masatake Muroga finally got their chance.

"We've investigated thoroughly. There are only seven or eight pageboys and more than ten samurai in the Sanada residence."

“Our families have returned from Iwagaku Castle and are now in Toshiki Castle,” said Muroga Masatake with a look of urgency.

Katsunaga Yashiro quickly added, "Are there any garrison troops inside Toishi Castle?"

"The Sanada family's military forces in Ogiga Province have basically followed Sanada Genzaburo to Echigo, and the Sanada family's territory in Ogiga Province is now extremely weak."

"So, are you ready to make a move?" Muroga Masatake asked eagerly.

Although the Muroga family, being from a small prefecture, was not as powerful as the Sanada family, they were still very familiar with the situation in the prefecture.

A resolute glint flashed in Katsunaga Yashiro's eyes. "Do it!"

"Gather the forces of both our families and take over Dishi City as quickly as possible."

"Also, inform Kiso to attack Suwa County."

"While you're at it, send someone to inform Tokugawa Mikawa-no-kami so that he can prepare to receive us."

Katsunaga Yashiro felt that his plan was flawless.

Soon, as Katsunaga Yashiro and Masatake Muroga issued mobilization orders, the two foot soldiers who had already secretly gathered began to blockade the streets of Shinano.

At the same time, Katsunaga Yashiro dispatched his younger brother, Mitsutoshi Yashiro, to garrison Magi Castle, cutting off the mountain road between Azumi County and Karashiki County.

Subsequently, Katsunaga Yashiro mobilized 1200 foot soldiers from his domain to garrison Arato Castle, while Masatake Muroga led 1500 troops to join him.

The two joined forces and crossed the Chikuma River, heading south towards the Sanada family's main residence, the Sanada Mansion.

At the same time, Kasuga Nobutatsu, the lord of Kaizu Castle, also learned that a large army had been mobilized from Yashiro Castle.

"What does Yashiro Echizen-no-kami want to do?"

Where is the Yashiro army marching?

A samurai from the Kasuga family quickly replied, "According to information obtained from the farmers, the Yashiro army is heading south, and their target seems to be a small prefecture."

"A small county?" Kasuga Nobuta hurriedly found a map of Shinano and examined it carefully for a while. Then, a terrible thought arose in Kasuga Nobuta's mind.

"Could they be planning to attack Sanada?"

Kasuga Shinta was shocked.

Although the Sanada family was not the lord of the Shinano province, they were still the leaders of the Shinano province uprising, and their status was recognized by Uesugi and Oda.

With such blatant advances into small prefectures, isn't he afraid of making an enemy of the entire Shinano region?
Unless he has someone backing him.

"What should we do, brother? Should we send troops?"

"Should we inform the Sanada family first?" Kosaka Masasada, sitting next to Kasuga Nobutatsu, asked, seemingly at a loss.

Masanobu Kosaka had three sons.

The eldest son died in the Battle of Nagashino, Kasuga Nobutatsu was the second son who succeeded him as head of the family, and Kosaka Masasada was the youngest son.

“The Sanada clan’s territory is empty. Lord Genzaburo has taken all the samurai and foot soldiers from his clan to Echigo. Yashiro Echijū must have taken advantage of this to choose this time to send troops.”

"Come prepared."

"The situation is still unclear, so we cannot send troops rashly." Kasuga Nobuta shook his head.

Kasuga Nobutatsu had no idea who was involved in this turmoil or how large it was. If he rashly mobilized his forces, and the Sanada family mistook him for an enemy while Yashiro Katsunaga saw him as their reinforcements, wouldn't Kasuga Nobutatsu be caught in the middle?
"First, secure the city; holding Haijin City is of utmost importance."

"We can't afford to lose the castle we finally managed to retake." Kasuga Nobutada made a decision: to wait and see, and make a decision once the situation became clearer.

After crossing the Chikuma River, the Yashiro-Muroga allied forces marched south and entered the small prefecture.

As a local official from a small prefecture, Masatake Muroga was familiar with the terrain and routes, so he led the Muroga clan's troops to the front, while Katsunaga Yashiro followed closely behind.

"After passing Ueda-tsubo, we'll reach Toshishi Castle. Speed ​​up, we can't give the Sanada family time to react."

"Hachinosuke, go and urge Yashiro no Nakanobu to come and surround Toishi Castle as soon as possible."

"what!"

Before long, Kuwana Hachinosuke arrived at Muroga Masatake's place with a samurai from the Yashiro family.

"Lord Muroga, our lord has sent me to inquire about the situation at the front. Has the Muroga clan encountered any resistance from the Sanada clan?"

Muroga Masatake, riding on his horse, laughed heartily and pointed to the plain ahead, saying, "Look here, where are the Sanada family members?"

"Go back and tell Yashiro no Nakanobu that our troops have unimpeded passage! Unimpeded passage!" "Yes, sir!"

"Fifth Left Gatekeeper, you take fifty men and head straight for Sanada House."

"First, take control of the Sanada family members."

“In particular, Sanada Awa-no-kami was killed on sight, regardless of life or death.”

"what!"

Muroga Masatake understood that once the decision to send troops was made, there was no room for delay.

If they can capture Toshii Castle and Sanada House and take the Shinano lords hostage, they can use this to threaten other Shinano lords into joining them.

Of course, if they could capture Sanada Masayuki, then the Sanada family would have even less chance of turning the tide.

As they spoke, Dishi City came into view.

Muroga Masatake drew his sword and pointed it at Toishi Castle ahead. "Quickly, seize the gate and attack!"

"Oh!"

Dozens of samurai from the Muroga clan charged ahead, followed closely by hundreds of foot soldiers armed with arquebuses and spears.

After receiving weapon support from Tokugawa Ieyasu, Muroga Masatake now had more than 200 arquebuses under his command.

"Report: No enemy troops have been found at Toshiki Castle; only a few foot soldiers are stationed at the city gate."

"Hahaha, Sanada Awa no Kami, let's see what you're going to do this time!"

"Order the entire army to attack the city and take Dishi City in one fell swoop!"

Shinano, Fukushima Castle, Chikuma County.

Kiso Yoshimasa received news of the uprising of Muroga Masatake and Yashiro Katsunaga two days later, along with the news of the Muroga clan's capture of Toishi Castle.

This made Yoshimasa Kiso uneasy.

"Damn it, these two didn't even inform our family before sending out troops."

"If this gets back to Tokugawa Mikawa-no-kami, wouldn't it make the Kiso family look like we've accomplished nothing?"

"Those two bastards!"

"Issue the order to immediately attack Uehara Castle and blockade the Inaya streets."

"what!"

February 15th, the eleventh year of the Tianzheng era.

In Shinano Province, Muroga Masatake and Yashiro Katsunaga launched an uprising in three counties: Ogi, Hanishina, and Koshiki, and captured Toshishi Castle, the main stronghold of the Sanada family.

On the 16th, Kiso Yoshimasa launched an attack from Fukushima Castle, besieged Uehara Castle in Suwa District, and cut off the Inaya Road.

The news immediately threw Shinano into chaos.

At the same time, Tokugawa Ieyasu, who was stationed in Suruga, also received messages from both families.

"I have a feeling that something is not quite right." After putting down the letter, Tokugawa Ieyasu frowned and said to Honda Masanobu beside him.

Honda Masanobu stood beside Tokugawa Ieyasu, supporting himself with his sword. "Does my lord think things are going too smoothly?"

"Yes, the Sanada clan should not be underestimated." Having managed to seize Shinano Province from himself, the Hojo, and the Uesugi clans, Tokugawa Ieyasu knew that the Sanada clan must have something special.

In terms of credibility, the news of the capture of Toishi Castle was not false. The Tokugawa family had its own intelligence sources, and Hattori Hanzo under his command was no pushover.

"But this is too strange. Isn't it too much of a coincidence that the Sanada family sent a large army to Echigo?"

"It seems like they deliberately exposed a flaw."

Tokugawa Ieyasu bit his fingers and furrowed his brow.

Honda Masanobu quickly asked, "Should our main family be mobilized?"

"We can't move Kai and Suruga. Let the troops in Mikawa prepare." Tokugawa Ieyasu was also a little unsure, but he still prepared for the worst.

Now that Kai and Suruga have just been brought under the Tokugawa clan's control, governing and maintaining stability is the primary objective, and the only ones they can utilize are the Mikawa samurai who have been "abandoned" by Tokugawa Ieyasu.

　Regarding Mikawa: In fact, the samurai group in Mikawa was the most unstable factor within the Tokugawa family, and it almost caused the Tokugawa family to collapse.

　　Despite the saying "the soul of Mikawa," it is true that Tokugawa Ieyasu himself dared not stay in Mikawa and lived in Tōtōmi and Suruga for a long time.

　　Although it sounds a bit far-fetched, it is indeed the case. The process involved is quite complex, and I won't go into details here.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)