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

Chapter 89 The Battle of Uehara Castle Against Tokugawa (Part 1)

Xiaozhucheng.

Sanada Nobuyuki was also stunned after receiving Sanada Masayuki's order.

"Tokugawa has sent troops?"

At this moment, Sanada Nobuyuki also realized that Tokugawa Ieyasu must have obtained permission from the Oda clan, or rather, from Hashiba Hideyoshi, otherwise he would not have dared to attack Shinano so openly.

what is this?
Love came from Hideyoshi Hashiba?
"Send a message to Kasuga Nobutatsu and Izuura Morikiyo: continue to besiege Yashiro Castle, and do not engage in battle with them."

"Just besiege the city," Sanada Nobuyuki said to Sasuke beside him.

Sasuke nodded quickly, then disappeared into the forest like the wind.

Afterwards, Sanada Nobuyuki and his entourage entered Komoro Castle. Ashida Nobuban inquired about their whereabouts and then personally went out of the castle to greet them.

"Lord Ashida, what is the situation in Komoro Castle?"

Ashida Nobuban helped Sanada Nobuyuki off his horse, saying, "They have been defeated. These ikki began to scatter and flee after hearing that Lord Genzaburo had defeated the Muroga clan."

"I went out of the city to pursue them and have already captured the initiator of the uprising."

"Who?" Nobuyuki Sanada asked quickly.

"Oi Ishimi Mamoru."

Sanada Nobuyuki asked in surprise, "Is it the Oi clan that served as the deputy governor of Shinano?"

"Yes." Ashida Nobuhan nodded in confirmation. "The wife of Ōi Ishimi-no-kami is the Tokugawa retainer, Setara-goshi-no-kami."

Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly realized that it was indeed the work of the Tokugawa family once again.

The Oi clan were descended from the Ogasawara family, the guardians of Shinano Province, and their territory was located in a small prefecture.

When the Hojo clan invaded Shinano, the Ōi clan surrendered to the Hojo and fought alongside them. As a result, after the Hojo clan retreated, they lost their territory. The Sanada clan specifically appointed Ashida Nobuban to garrison Komoro Castle in order to eliminate the Ōi clan's influence.

When the Shinano uprising broke out, the Ōi clan thought they had a chance to reclaim their territory, so they made a desperate gamble by attacking Ōmochi Castle.

"The entire Oi family was involved in this?"

"That's not the case. Lord Oi Jiroemon, the lord of Iwao Castle, led his troops to assist me."

After saying that, Ashida Nobuhan quickly explained, "Oi Jiroemon-no-jo's mother was the aunt of Mochizuki Tōtōmi-no-kami. When the uprising occurred, Oi Jiroemon-no-jo was at Mochizuki Castle."

"Hitachi no Suke, you did a good job in the Saku District uprising this time. When Father returns, the main family will reward you according to your merits."

Ashida Nobuban quickly bowed and thanked him, saying, "Thank you, Lord Genzaburo. This is all my duty."

"Next, you will continue to be stationed in Komoro Castle. If necessary, you can cooperate with Kasuga Nobutatsu and others in Yashiro Castle."

"Is Lord Genzaburo going to Uehara Castle?"

"How did Ashida-sama know that?"

"For Lord Genzaburo to abandon Yashiro Castle, it must be because our lord is in dire need of help," Ashida Nobuban said slowly.

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded. "This battle concerns the survival of my Sanada family and cannot be lost."

"I'm leaving Saku-gun to you, Hitachi-suke."

"Lord Genzaburo, please rest assured, with Ashida Nobuban here, Komoro Castle is as solid as a rock!"

Before leaving, Sanada Nobuyuki wrote another letter and entrusted Ashida Nobuban to deliver it to Ueno.

Ashida Nobuhan asked no further questions and immediately arranged for people to carry out the order.

It is February, and spring is gradually intensifying.

In the mountains of Suwa County, the snow melts and mountain streams murmur.

Nobuyuki Sanada rode his horse along a mountain path, with mountains stretching as far as the eye could see on both sides.

Thick fog filled the valley; turning around, one could barely see the fourth foot soldier, and beyond that, one could only hear footsteps.

"Everyone, maintain formation and proceed slowly." Yamagami Teruhisa had dismounted and was walking, occasionally giving instructions to the foot soldiers to ensure the army's smooth passage.

A farmer who was following the army walked shakily in front of Sanada Nobuyuki, pointing into the distance and saying, "We'll reach the lake after we cross that mountain."

The lake the farmers were referring to was Lake Suwa, located beneath Uehara Castle.

Many years ago, there was a beautiful legend about a woman.

"Here, this is a reward for you." Hirabayashi Masatsune took out a few copper coins from his pocket and tossed them to the farmer. The farmer immediately knelt by the roadside and didn't dare to get up and leave until all the Sanada family's foot soldiers had passed by.

Soon, Nobuyuki Sanada emerged from the valley, and Lake Suwa came into view in the distance.

“Looking at it this way, the scenery of the lake and mountains is really beautiful,” Nobuyuki Sanada couldn’t help but stop and point to Lake Suwa in the distance.

"It's a pity that such a beautiful place will soon become a battlefield littered with corpses," Teruhisa Yamagami said with a sigh as he walked to Nobuyuki Sanada's side.

Hirabayashi Masatsune chimed in, "In the chaotic Warring States period, weren't such scenes commonplace?"

As they spoke, the fog dissipated.

Sanada Nobuyuki immediately waved his hand, "The scouts should quickly find out the situation ahead. If there are no enemy troops, contact Uehara Castle as soon as possible."

"Ha!" Several detectives immediately stepped forward and ran down the mountain.

Meanwhile, inside Uehara Castle.

Sanada Masayuki was also waiting.

He didn't know when Nobuyuki Sanada would arrive, but it had been three days already, and he was getting impatient.

"Kiso Yoshimasa has retreated to the shores of Lake Suwa and set up his troops, seemingly preparing to wait for the Tokugawa army to arrive."

"The situation is not looking good," Takanashi Naiki said worriedly.

Sanada Masayuki frowned as well. "How is the Tokugawa clan's advance progressing?"

"We have arrived at Matsuo Castle," Mochizuki Masayori said in a deep voice.

Sanada Masayuki looked surprised again. "They arrived so quickly?"

"It's at least three days earlier than I expected!"

This is a bit troublesome.

At this rate, the Tokugawa army will be able to reach Uehara Castle by the day after tomorrow at the latest.

Just as Sanada Masayuki was getting anxious, Nezu Masatsune strode in.

"My lord, Lord Genzaburo has arrived."

Sanada Masayuki sat down with a sigh of relief, letting out a long exhale.

Where is Genzaburo now?

“It’s near Monomiiwa on Mount Koro, north of Lake Suwa,” Masatsune Nezu quickly replied.

Sanada Masayuki leaned over to look at the map on the table, his gaze sweeping over the location of Monomiiwa. Below that was the lower shrine of Suwa Taisha, and then Lake Suwa.

Soon, a battle plan came to mind for Masayuki Sanada.

"Send word to Genzaburo and Ogasawara, telling them to come to Uehara Castle immediately for a meeting."

"what!"

At this time, since Yoshimasa Kiso lifted the siege of Uehara Castle, there were basically no enemy troops outside the castle.

After receiving orders from Sanada Masayuki, Sanada Nobuyuki instructed Yamagami Teruhisa to lead the foot soldiers to remain at Monomiiwa. He then led a few samurai to Uehara Castle under cover of darkness.

Ogasawara Sadakichi arrived at Uehara Castle at almost the same time, and Sanada Masayuki then convened a council meeting.

"Gentlemen, the Tokugawa army has arrived in Ina District, and the latest news is that they reached Matsuo Castle this morning."

"At this marching speed, the enemy will reach Shangyuan City by the morning of the day after tomorrow at the latest."

“This will be a fierce battle,” Sanada Masayuki emphasized, glancing at the people in the judging room.

Fortunately, Sanada Masayuki did not see any hesitation or evasion in anyone's eyes, which reassured him somewhat.

"Next is the operational deployment."

"Genzaburo, how many men did you bring?"

"They are all foot soldiers mobilized from Takai County: 650 spearmen, 100 arquebusiers, 40 archers, 60 flag bearers, 20 cavalrymen, and 130 guards," Sanada Nobuyuki quickly replied.

Sanada Nobuyuki silently considered the situation for a moment, then said, "You lead your troops to remain in the Monomiiwa area, keep quiet and do not reveal your whereabouts."

"Can you see Lake Suwa from Monomiiwa?" Sanada Masayuki then asked.

(End of this chapter)