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

Chapter 16 Sanada Masayuki: Huh? I'm the boss now?
Nowadays, the Noh performances in Ueno can actually be described as "domestic tours," with different venues every day.

For example, this time, the Noh play was held at Minowa Castle.

Fortunately, Minowa Castle was not far from Masahashi Castle, and Takigawa Kazumasu and Takigawa Masushige arrived at Minowa Castle in no time.

However, contrary to Kazumasu Takigawa's expectations of a bustling crowd, there were hardly any people at the Noh theater today.

Looking at the empty courtyard, Takikawa Kazuyasu called over a samurai in confusion, "Why are there so few people today?"

"There were so many people just now, but they all disappeared in an instant," the samurai quickly replied.

Kazumasu Takigawa was completely bewildered, but he still obediently sat down.

Seeing that the performers on stage had stopped, Takikawa Kazumasu hurriedly shouted, "What are you all standing there for?"

"Keep the music playing, keep dancing!"

Upon hearing Takigawa Kazumasu's words, the people on stage exchanged glances, but dared not disobey his orders and could only continue performing.

As the performance progressed, Takigawa Kazumasu also found himself unconsciously captivated.

After an unknown amount of time, several samurai hurried past the courtyard. Upon seeing Takikawa Kazumasu sitting in the courtyard enjoying a Noh performance, one of the samurai quickly walked over to his side.

"Father, why are you still here?"

Takigawa Kazumasu looked up and saw that it was his son, Takigawa Kazutada.

"Sankuro, you've come at the right time. Please sit down and watch with me." Takigawa Kazumasu quickly invited Takigawa Kazutada to sit down.

Takikawa Masushige, who was next to him, quickly shifted his position to make room for him.

Takikawa Kazutada was speechless. "Father, don't you know?"

"what do you know?"

"Didn't I just send someone to the city of Jiqiao to inform my father?"

Kazumasu Takikawa paused for a moment, then said, "Oh, Gidayu and I were worried about missing the Noh performance, so we took a back road. We probably missed your group."

"how?"

"What happened in the territory?" Takigawa Kazumasu kept his eyes fixed on the performance on stage, without even turning his head.

Takikawa Kazutada is numb.

“Father, a few days ago Akechi Mitsuhide launched a rebellion in Kyoto, attacked Lord Akechi at Honno-ji Temple, and Azuchi Castle was also captured by the Akechi clan.”

"Oh, what did you say, Akechi Hikaru???" At first, Takigawa Kazumasu didn't react, but when he came to his senses, his eyes almost popped out of their sockets.

"Can you say that again!"

After repeatedly confirming the authenticity of the news with Takigawa Kazutada, Takigawa Kazumasu felt a sudden darkness before his eyes and a dizzying sensation.

Takigawa Kazutada quickly helped Takigawa Kazumasu up.

Kazumasu Takigawa broke free from Kazutada Takigawa's support. "Why didn't anyone report such a big thing to me?"

"Where are the people of Ueno?"

"They've all returned to their territory, what are we going to do now, Father?"

Kazumasa Takigawa tried to calm himself down, then said in a seemingly composed manner, "Don't panic, don't panic."

"Akechi Mitsuhide dared to rebel! I, Takigawa Kazumasu, will avenge my lord!"

"No, we must return to Kyoto immediately to defeat Akechi Mitsuhide!"

Takigawa Kazumasu paced back and forth a few steps, then said to Takigawa Masushige beside him, "Gita-yu, summon the vassals of Ueno and Shinano to Minowa Castle. I have important matters to announce."

"what!"

After making the arrangements, Takikawa Kazumasu plopped down on the ground, muttering to himself.

"How did that happen?"

"how so."

Shinano, Toishi Castle.

Sanada Masayuki sped all the way and returned home in just two days.

Since the main road from Ueno into Shinano was blocked, Sanada Masayuki could only return via a side road from the direction of Iwato Castle.

Upon learning of the Honnoji Incident, Sanada Masayuki immediately saw this as a golden opportunity, a chance to expand the Sanada clan's influence. "My lord, you're back?" Takanashi Naiki, who was writing something down, quickly put down his pen when he saw Sanada Masayuki return.

Sanada Masayuki hurriedly said, "It's good that you're here, Naiki. Summon the retainers immediately. Such a big thing has happened, and our family must act immediately."

"My lord, no need. Genzaburo-dono has already arranged everything," Takanashi Naiki said with a smile.

Now it was Sanada Masayuki's turn to be confused. He looked at Takanashi Naiki with a puzzled expression and asked, "Gensaburo's arrangements?"

"Yes, my lord."

“Yesterday, Lord Genzaburo led his men into Kaizu Castle and is now suppressing the uprisings in Hanishina and Morishi counties.”

"Oh, by the way, the Uesugi family's petition is here. The people of Takai and Mizuchi districts have already pledged their allegiance to our main family."

"In addition, the families of the Kasuga, Yashiro, Muroga, and Izuura lords have been housed in the Ninomaru. I am currently copying down the list of personnel." Takanashi Naiki pointed to the table in front of him.

Sanada Masayuki pinched his thigh to make sure he wasn't dreaming.

Then, Sanada Masayuki quickly sat down and asked eagerly, "Secretary, please explain to me everything that has happened during this period."

"what!"

Soon, Takanashi Naiki recounted in detail all of Sanada Nobuyuki's actions during this period to Sanada Masayuki.

After saying this, seeing that Sanada Masayuki had no reaction, Takanashi Naiki quickly explained, "This matter is of great importance. Genzaburo-dono was worried that the news would leak or that the letter would be obtained by the Oda clan, so he has not sent a letter to Ueno."

"Please forgive me, my lord."

"Ha ha ha ha ha ha ha ha!"

Sanada Masayuki suddenly threw his head back and laughed loudly, repeatedly slapping the table in front of him.

"I never expected that Genzaburo would be able to do this to such an extent."

"This is...this is unbelievable."

First, they noticed Sanada Nobuyoshi's presence, and then they made contact with the Uesugi family through Sanada Nobuyoshi.

Following that, under the pretext of conveying information about the Oda clan to the Uesugi clan, the Uesugi clan submitted a petition requesting that the Takai and Mizuchi districts be transferred to the Sanada clan.

Subsequently, through the Uesugi family's petition, the local populace of northern Shinano was brought under the Sanada family's control.

Finally, by escorting Mori Nagayoshi, he obtained the families of the people of northern Shinano.

Through their families, the Sanada family consolidated their control over northern Shinano.

This involves assessing the situation, seizing opportunities, and understanding people's hearts.

After carefully reviewing Nobuyuki Sanada's decisions in this incident, Masayuki Sanada honestly believed that even he himself might not have been able to do so well.

At that moment, the wrinkles on Sanada Masayuki's face never relaxed; it was all smiles.

None of my family members understand. He went to Ueno and came back to find himself the leader of the Northern Shinano local uprising?

But at the same time, a question arose in Sanada Masayuki's mind: How could Sanada Nobuyuki dare to reach such an agreement with the Uesugi family on his own? Did he know in advance that such a change would occur in the Oda family?
impossible.

Sanada Masayuki shook his head. Even the senior retainers of the Oda clan, Takigawa Kazumasu and Mori Nagayoshi, had no way of knowing such a thing, so how could Genzaburo possibly know in advance?

At this point, Sanada Masayuki realized that he could no longer see through his son.

Oh!
Oh!
Oh!
Just then, a cheer erupted outside.

Takanashi Naiki quickly said, "It seems that Lord Genzaburo has returned victorious. If there is anything you don't understand, my lord, why don't you ask Lord Genzaburo yourself?"

Sanada Masayuki nodded, straightened his clothes slightly, and then went out.

Shortly after, Nobuyuki Sanada walked in from outside, carrying a kimono (a type of helmet). As soon as he stepped through the gate, he saw Masayuki Sanada standing under the eaves.

"Father, you are back."

Looking at Sanada Nobuyuki in front of him, Sanada Masayuki couldn't help but praise him, "Well done, Genzaburo."

"Come on, let's go inside and have a proper talk."

　The Chinese uprising is different from the traditional uprising.

　　Ikko-ikki refers to a rebellion initiated by the Ikko sect and possessing a strong religious character.

　　The Kokujin Ikki refers to a military uprising initiated by the Kokujin people, composed of local samurai, where the act of uniting to do one thing is called a "Kokujin Ikki".

　　
　
(End of this chapter)