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

Chapter 161 Your Friend Date Masamune is Online

Uesugi Kagekatsu's sudden change in attitude towards Hashiba Hideyoshi surprised Sanada Nobuyuki.

It should be noted that when Uesugi Kagekatsu last went to Echigo to persuade him, he was very resistant to the idea.

Or rather, Uesugi Kagekatsu was too proud to submit to Hashiba Hideyoshi.

Why are you acting so eager now?
"Why did you suddenly bring this up, Lord Uesugi?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked curiously.

When asked by Sanada Nobuyuki, Uesugi Kagekatsu turned to look at Naoe Kanetsugu, who had remained silent.

Naoe Kanetsugu quickly moved forward before slowly saying, "In order to purchase supplies and food, the various resources in Echigo territory are already in short supply, and it is no longer possible to meet the needs by buying from Shinano alone."

After the Otate Rebellion, the biggest problem troubling the Uesugi family was the "Shinada Shigeie Rebellion".

The territory of the Shigeie Niihata clan was extremely crucial, located in the center of Echigo. The Shigeie Niihata rebellion was tantamount to cutting Echigo in half, as Echigo's territory was very long and narrow.

Last August, in order to attack Shigeie Niigata, Uesugi Kagekatsu sold everything he owned to amass a large army, but ended up suffering a crushing defeat and heavy casualties.

Not only did they lose a large number of foot soldiers, but they also allowed Shigeie Niihata to take advantage of the situation and seize a large area of ​​Echigo territory.

These areas are all high-quality grain-producing regions, which indirectly led to a sharp decline in Uesugi Kagekatsu's profits, and even resulted in scenes like Takanashi Yorichika's mass exodus of the people of Shinano Province.

Although Uesugi Kagekatsu made some money through trade with the Sanada family, the size of the Sanada family alone was not enough to meet the ever-increasing demands of the Uesugi family.

At this juncture, the Uesugi clan's only option to quickly restore its strength is to expand its trade demand.

Looking at the entire world, only Hideyoshi Hashiba, who controlled the Kinai region, had the power to satisfy the Uesugi family.

The Uesugi family urgently needed food, weapons, equipment, and ammunition, all of which had to be purchased from the Kinai region. Most importantly, buying directly from Kinai was cheaper and in larger quantities.

"Regarding this matter, there is something our family has wronged Genzaburo."

Uesugi Kagekatsu ignored Naoe Kanetsugu's shaking of his head and continued, "To be honest, not long ago our family reached a secret agreement with Sasa Narimasa of Echigo."

"On the condition that Sasa Narimasa be allowed to pass through our territory, Sasa Narimasa will lift the blockade on Echigo, thereby allowing our caravans to travel through the Hokuriku Road."

"Although this was Yamashiro-no-kami's idea, our family also bears responsibility. Please forgive me, Genzaburo." Uesugi Kagekatsu said this with a troubled expression, as if he had done something wrong and had to admit it.

Honest people can't keep secrets.

Naoe Kanetsugu was practically rolling his eyes at the sight.

Nobuyuki Sanada already knew about this, but since Kagekatsu Uesugi had been so frank, Nobuyuki Sanada quickly said he could understand.

But a new question arose in Sanada Nobuyuki's mind: Uesugi Kagekatsu was making such urgent preparations for war, could there be some new changes in the situation in Echigo?
"Lord Uesugi's eagerness must be for Echigo."

"Excellent." Excitement flickered in Uesugi Kagekatsu's eyes. "The situation in Oshu has changed, and our clan's opportunity to quell the Niibata Rebellion has arrived!"

"At the beginning of the month, Ashina Sakyosuke, the head of the Aizu Ashina clan, was attacked and killed by his retainer Oba Sanzaemon in his residence, Kurokawa Castle.

"Kameumaru, the son of Ashina Sakyosuke, is less than a month old. The Ashina clan is currently controlled by Kameumaru's mother, Hikohime."

Moritaka Ashina is dead?

Nobuyuki Sanada immediately understood.

The reason why the internal strife within the Shigeie family could not be quelled was largely because the Shigeie family had the support of Moriuchi Ashina and Terumune Date.

Now that Ashina Moritaka is dead and the Ashina family is in turmoil, the support that Shigeie Niihata receives will certainly be greatly weakened.

However, for the Uesugi family, there was more good news than just that.

Naoe Kanetsugu added, "Not only the Ashina family, but also Date Sakyo-daifu, the head of the Date family in Yonezawa, has retired, and his son Tojiro has succeeded him as head of the Date family."

Wow, Date Masamune, the "first of the Twenty-Four Filial Exemplars of the Warring States Period," has made his grand entrance!
Nobuyuki Sanada listened intently, becoming a mere spectator on the spot.

Naoe Kanetsugu continued, "It is said that Ashina Sakyō Ryō kept many pageboys in his household because of his fondness for men."

"One of the junior members, harboring resentment due to falling out of favor, killed Ashina Sakyōryō with a knife."

Good heavens, Tao Longfang, the peerless general of the Western Kingdom, gave it a thumbs up.

"It seems that Date Sakyo Daifu intends for his second son, Kojiro, to inherit the Ashina family name, but this move is opposed within the Ashina family and supported by the Hitachi Satake family."

"Because of this incident, the relationship between Ashina and the Date family broke down."

"The newly enthroned Date Tojiro Masamune intends to reconcile with the main clan, so the main clan has decided to take this opportunity to wipe out Shinbata in one fell swoop." Naoe Kanetsugu explained the ins and outs of the matter in detail.

After listening to Naoe Kanetsugu's explanation, Sanada Nobuyuki understood the Uesugi family's intentions.

Indeed, with Date and Ashina falling out, Shigeie Shigeaki completely lost the support from Mutsu.

This was indeed a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity for the Uesugi family.

“I understand. I will do my best to assist the Uesugi family in their march to Kyoto,” Sanada Nobuyuki quickly expressed his support.

Uesugi Kagekatsu nodded in satisfaction, then continued, "I have already contacted Yamashiro no Kami and Ishida, a retainer of the Hashiba family. If Genzaburo also assists, this matter should not be difficult."

Everyone in the world knows that Sanada Nobuyuki is highly regarded by Hashiba Hideyoshi, who even arranged for him to become his legal wife.

Uesugi Kagekatsu was also worried that he was not familiar with the inner workings of the Hashiba army and would be tricked if he rashly went to Kyoto, so he thought of having Sanada Nobuyuki accompany him.

After all, Hideyoshi Hashiba might have some underhanded tricks up his sleeve, but Nobuyuki Sanada wouldn't, would he?
This is a "righteous general of Xinzhou" personally stamped and certified by himself.

Next, the group had a thorough discussion on the matter of going to Luoyang, and some details were finalized.

After everything was discussed, Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu went to soak in the hot spring.

Sanada Nobuyuki then had Sanada Nobushige accompany him, and left Yumotoya himself.

Since we're going to go to Luoyang, we need to make some preparations.

As soon as I stepped out of Yumoto-ya, I saw Yumoto Saburoemon standing in the snow.

"Lord Hyogo!" Saburoemon Yumoto immediately called out to Nobuyuki Sanada.

"Lord Hyogo, have you been comfortable these past two days?" "Yes, thank you." Sanada Nobuyuki immediately showed a satisfied expression.

Yumoto Saburoemon treated Sanada Nobuyuki with even more care than he would his own elderly mother.

These past two days, they've been incredibly attentive and caring, even offering their own residence to Sanada Nobuyuki, taking meticulous care of his every need, which Sanada Nobuyuki greatly appreciates.

Looking at the obsequious Yumoto Saburoemon, Sanada Nobuyuki suddenly said, "I have something I'd like to entrust to you."

"Lord Hyogo, please speak."

Sanada Nobuyuki put his hands behind his back, took a step forward, and then turned around and said, "I will go to Kyoto next year, you should come with me."

what?
Yumoto Saburoemon was taken aback at first, then immediately showed excitement.

"Shall I go too?"

“Not bad!” Sanada Nobuyuki said slowly, “After staying in Kusatsu for two days, I found that you are quite a business talent.”

"As you know, our main family has close ties with the Hashiba family, and my mother is also in Osaka Castle."

“It is a city of unprecedented size, and the scale of its castle town is even more unparalleled in the world. I intend to send a capable retainer to be stationed in Osaka, but this person needs to have some business knowledge.”

“And you are quite good.” Nobuyuki Sanada looked quietly at Saburoemon Yumoto.

As Hideyoshi Hashiba begins his ascent to the throne of the people, Osaka Castle will become the center of all Japan.

After that, daimyo from all over the country who had submitted to Hideyoshi would go to Kyoto and reside in Osaka for a long time. The Sanada family was no exception.

Osaka Castle is the center of the world, a place where wealth gathers. Nobuyuki Sanada visited it twice and was very envious.

These days, there's no future in just exploiting farmers; we have to find other ways to make money.

Who holds most of the wealth in this era?
The answer is obvious: it belongs to the samurai and wealthy merchants, not to the poor commoners within the Sanada clan's territory.

When all the daimyo of the land gather in Osaka, there will be an abundance of "high-income people" there. If they can gain a foothold in Osaka Castle, developing side businesses there will bring the Sanada family enormous wealth.

"What do I need to do?" Saburoemon Yumoto asked, sounding flustered.

He only has some property in this remote mountain village of Azuma County; once he leaves this mountainous region, he's nothing.

"You'll understand when you get to Osaka. I'll teach you."

"What you need to do now is to get your own affairs sorted out as soon as possible and prepare to be stationed in Osaka permanently."

"clear?"

Yumoto Saburoemon nodded quickly.

This is both an opportunity and a challenge for him.

For a lower-ranking samurai like him, gaining the favor of the young master of the Sanada family was an incredible opportunity to rise to the top.

When the head of the Sanada family changes in the future, won't he be able to take off immediately?

It's better than being a monkey in the mountains here, no matter how you look at it.

For the next few days, Nobuyuki Sanada and his entourage continued their winter stay at Kusatsu Onsen. Meanwhile, Kagekatsu Uesugi returned to Echigo after a few more days.

Before her departure, Lady Kikuhime handed a letter to Nobuyuki Sanada, asking him to pass it on to Nobumatsu.

Originally, Nobuyuki Sanada planned to stay in Kusatsu Onsen, but after only a few days, Masayuki Sanada summoned him.

Something happened in Ueno.

Sanada Nobuyuki, preoccupied, pushed open the wooden door of the bathhouse, preparing to explain to Ikeda Chika and Koyuki.

Upon entering, Sanada Nobuyuki did not see Xiaoxing, but rather Ikeda Chi in the pond caught his eye.

"My lord, what are you looking at?"

Nobuyuki Sanada swallowed hard, completely forgetting what he had just wanted to say.

All he wants now is to vent his emotions.

With a cry of surprise from Ikeda Sen, Sanada Nobuyuki leaped into the hot spring.

Half an hour later, the clouds dispersed and the rain stopped. Sanada Nobuyuki lay by the hot spring, while Ikeda Chihiro tenderly washed his back from behind.

"My father wants me to go to Ueno. You and Xiaoxing can stay here for the winter."

"The important matter is at hand, my lord, you don't need to worry about us," Ikeda Chi said softly as she carefully wiped the items.

Nobuyuki Sanada turned around and grasped Chi Ikeda's hand, then continued, "Now that there is no legal wife in the family, and Sachi is too naive and inexperienced, there are some things that you will have to handle."

As the daughter of Ikeda Tsuneoki and the former wife of Mori Nagayoshi, Ikeda Chi naturally had a good understanding of matters concerning the samurai class.

Especially now that Lord Yamate is no longer in Shinano, some internal affairs of the Sanada family have to be handled by Sanada Nobuyuki's wife.

However, Nobuyuki Sanada does not currently have a legal wife, and Chihiro Ikeda would be a good candidate.

"My concubine understands."

"My lord, please go with peace of mind. I will take care of the affairs at home."

After saying that, Chika Ikeda glanced at Nobuyuki Sanada reluctantly, then leaned in to kiss him, but Nobuyuki Sanada turned his head away.

Seeing Ikeda Chika's puzzled look, Sanada Nobuyuki smiled slightly, "Even tigers don't eat their cubs, let alone humans?"

"Hate!"

In an instant, water splashed everywhere in the hot spring, and Chika Ikeda started to act coquettishly.

(End of this chapter)