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

Chapter 13 Mori Nagayoshi: What's the panic? The sky hasn't fallen!

Echigo, Nihonki.

Mori Nagayoshi commanded his army to set up camp in Nihonki and ceased his advance towards Kasugayama Castle.

Meanwhile, Uesugi Kagekatsu of Kasugayama Castle dared not make a move, and the two sides faced off from a distance.

"Haha, Uesugi Kenshin once dominated the Hokuriku region, but who would have thought his successor would be so incompetent? He's actually cowering inside the castle, too afraid to come out. How utterly boring!"

Inside the main camp, Mori Nagayoshi couldn't help but let out a few sarcastic remarks.

After waiting for several days, he had thought that Uesugi Kagekatsu would come out of Kasugayama Castle to fight him, but there was no sign of him.

Mori Nagato couldn't help but feel somewhat disappointed.

"Gensaburo, what do you think?" Mori Nagayoshi had been getting along very well with Sanada Nobuyuki these past few days. Thanks to Sanada Nobuyuki's deliberate attempts to please him, Mori Nagayoshi had developed a very good impression of him.

In their spare time, the two would spar together. Mori Nagayoshi was quite fond of Sanada Nobuyuki, who was a few years younger than him.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly said, "I heard that Uozu Castle has been captured. I suppose the Uesugi family is planning to fight a desperate battle at Kasugayama Castle."

Just yesterday, Uozu Castle, which had been besieged by the Oda clan for many days, finally fell because Uesugi Kagekatsu's reinforcements had not arrived.

With the western gateway to Echigo wide open, it is believed that, barring any unforeseen circumstances, Shibata Katsuie will soon lead the Northern Army Corps from Etchu into Echigo.

At that time, Mori Nagayoshi will be able to join forces with Shibata Katsuie to besiege Kasugayama Castle.

"The Uesugi family is really out of touch with reality. The Takeda family's fate is right before their eyes, yet they still want to put up a stubborn resistance."

"What a pity, such a prestigious family is destined to perish." Mori Nagayoshi sighed as if he could see the scene after Kasugayama Castle was captured.

Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Mori Nagayoshi, who was sitting confidently in the main seat, and couldn't help but smile to himself.

Judging by the time, news from Honnoji Temple should reach here soon. I hope you'll still be able to smile then.

At the same time, dozens of messengers also entered Shinano from the Mino direction.

Everyone's face was filled with terror. After entering Shinano, they split into more than ten teams and headed in different directions.

Soon, Oda's retainers in Kai and Shinano provinces received news of the Honnoji Incident.

For a moment, everyone felt like the sky had fallen.

When Mori Nagayoshi learned of the news about Honnoji Temple, it was already the evening of June 7th. At that time, Mori Nagayoshi was still dreaming of personally planting the flag on the top of Kasuga Mountain.

"Oh no!"

A series of hurried footsteps sounded, and Inaba Sadamichi ran into Mori Nagayoshi's tent in a panic.

Mori Nagayoshi suddenly sat up. "What? The Uesugi family has launched an attack?"

He thought it was the Uesugi family attacking.

Inaba Sadamichi stammered, "No, no, yes, yes."

"Oh dear, what is it?"

"Have some water and talk slowly. Don't worry, the sky won't fall." Mori Nagayoshi picked up the water bottle on the table and handed it to Inaba Sadamichi.

Inaba Sadamichi took a deep breath before saying, "It's Honnoji!"

"Honnoji Temple was attacked. My lord was attacked by Akechi Mitsuhide. Kyoto was engulfed in flames. According to those who escaped from Kyoto, my lord and young master have died."

"What!!!!"

The kettle in Mori Nagayoshi's hand clattered to the ground; he could hardly believe his ears.

Mori Nagayoshi rushed forward and grabbed Inaba Sadamichi by the collar, roaring, "Do you know what you're saying?"

"There's no mistake, the news has spread throughout Shinano and Kai, and now there's news about Honnoji everywhere."

Mori Nagayoshi was immediately deflated.

He staggered back two steps, but tripped over the table behind him and fell to the ground.

It's over, the sky has really fallen.
Seeing Mori Nagayoshi looking completely lost, Inaba Sadamichi quickly stepped forward and helped him up. "The news has already spread throughout Shinano, and I believe it won't be long before the Uesugi family receives the message as well." "We can't stay here any longer; we need to retreat back to Kaizu Castle immediately."

Mori Nagayoshi suddenly realized, "We can't go to Kaizu Castle, we have to go straight to Mino."

“These people have just pledged allegiance to our clan. Once the news from Honnoji is true, they will surely turn their backs on us.”

"If we stay in Haijin City, we will die without a burial place."

"Who else knows this news?" Mori Nagayoshi continued, referring to the other members of the Nationalist government in the Nihonki region.

Inaba Sadamichi shook his head. "I've already ordered the roads to be blocked. There's no news coming in yet, but such big news can't be kept secret."

"Without further ado, let's set off immediately."

"We'll split up. I'll lead the foot soldiers to retreat slowly, while you immediately return to Kaizu Castle and take control of all the families of the Shinano people. Understand?"

Mori Nagayoshi quickly realized that the most urgent task at present was to hold the hostages of the Shinano lords in his hands. This way, even if these lords had ulterior motives, they would not dare to act rashly for the time being due to their fear of harming the innocent.

As dawn broke, when the other members of the Oda clan arrived at Mori Nagayoshi's camp as usual to hold a military council, they were surprised to find that the Oda clan's camp, which had been orderly the day before, was now in complete disarray.

Most importantly, there is no Oda family member left in Nihonki.

Muroga Masatake, Yashiro Katsunaga, and the others looked at each other, completely baffled.

At that moment, Nobuyuki Sanada lifted the curtain and walked in.

"Gentlemen, I have some news to share, so please be prepared."

Upon hearing this, everyone immediately turned their gaze to Nobuyuki Sanada.

"We just received news that just a few days ago, Akechi Mitsuhide, a senior retainer of the Oda clan, attacked Honnoji Temple, where Lord Nobunaga was staying."

"Lord Nobunaga and his son died together in Kyoto."

What does it mean to be struck by lightning out of nowhere? Nobuyuki Sanada's words were like a meteor hitting the earth.

Everyone present was stunned.

Muroga Masatake swallowed hard, his body trembling as he asked, "Is the news true?"

"The message came from the Oda family, otherwise why would Mori Nagayoshi and the others have disappeared overnight?"

Looking at the empty Oda clan camp, Muroga Masatake and the others finally believed it.

"What should we do now?" Muroga Masatake looked at everyone in a panic.

Kasuga Nobutatsu slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly, "An opportunity, everyone!"

"With the deaths of Oda Nobunaga and his son, the Oda clan will inevitably fall into chaos."

“This is a golden opportunity for us to reclaim our territory!” After saying this, Kasuga Nobutatsu quietly nodded to Sanada Nobuyuki, and the two quickly exchanged glances.

Kasuga Nobuta's words immediately jolted everyone present awake.

Yup!

After the fall of the Takeda clan, the people of Shinano who surrendered to the Oda clan all had their territories reduced, and many even had their castles confiscated.

Isn't this a golden opportunity for them, the people of the nation?
"Gentlemen, Mori Nagayoshi has already led his troops to withdraw from this place, and we must also take action quickly," said Yashiro Katsunaga, who was standing to the side.

"Wait!" Just as everyone was about to respond, Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly stepped forward and stood in the middle of the crowd.

"Gensaburo, what do you mean by this?" Izuura Morikiyo frowned.

"Are you going to stop us?" Muroga Masatake glared angrily.

“We are not like the Sanada family, who can live in peace. If you dare to obstruct us, don’t blame us for not showing any mercy,” Katsunaga Yashiro said threateningly.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly waved his hand and said, "You all misunderstand. I didn't mean to stop you. There's just something I have to say."

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(End of this chapter)