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

Chapter 22 Hojo Invasion
Hideyoshi Hashiba had previously been in charge of fighting against the Mori clan in the west, so he was not familiar with the situation in the Koshin region.

At this moment, Ikeda Tsuneoki, who was standing behind Hashiba Hideyoshi, spoke up: "The Sanada family was originally a retainer of the Takeda family. The head of the family, Sanada Awa-no-kami, is the son of Sanada Danjo-tada, a former senior retainer of the Takeda family."

"Musashi no Kami was able to escape Shinano unscathed thanks to the Sanada family's help," Ikeda Tsuneoki added.

Ikeda Tsuneoki's mother was Oda Nobunaga's wet nurse, and the two had a good relationship since childhood.

Mori Nagayoshi's legal wife was Ikeda Chi, the daughter of Ikeda Tsuneoki.

Because Mori Nagayoshi had deserted his territory without permission, he found Ikeda Tsuneoki and told him the whole story of what had happened in Shinano. As a result, Ikeda Tsuneoki was quite clear about the situation in Shinano.

Meanwhile, Ikeda Tsuneoki approached Hashiba Hideyoshi and offered to allow Mori Nagayoshi to escape punishment in exchange for supporting Hideyoshi's establishment of the Three Masters.

In addition, Ikeda Tsuneoki also acquired territories in several counties of Settsu.

"The Sanada family, the same Shinano vassals who fought alongside Musashi-no-kami to Kasugayama Castle?" Shibata Katsuie seemed to have thought of something and spoke up.

Hideyoshi Hashiba was now genuinely curious.

Niwa Nagahide and Ikeda Tsuneoki are one thing, but even Shibata Katsuie, that arrogant guy, knows about the Sanada family?
Interesting. Hideyoshi Hashiba suddenly became somewhat interested in the Sanada family.

“That’s right, it’s the Sanada family.” Ikeda Tsuneoki glanced at Hashiba Hideyoshi, and seeing that the other party had no reaction, he continued, “When Musashi-no-kami retreated, the Sanada family expressed to Musashi-no-kami their willingness to continue to serve the family.”

"Furthermore, this is also revealed in the recent news sent back by Takikawa, which proves that the Sanada family is still reliable."

Upon hearing this, Hideyoshi Hashiba nodded and said, "In that case, send a message to the Sanada family, instructing them to assist Lord Tokugawa in fighting against the Hojo family."

"Ha!" Tokugawa Ieyasu nodded hastily, but a strange look flashed across his eyes as he lowered his head.

"Now let's talk about the reconstruction of Kyoto."

The Sanada family alone was not enough to make everyone take it seriously, and the meeting quickly shifted to other topics.

On June 29th, while the Oda clan was still holding a meeting at Kiyosu Castle, the Hojo clan had already successfully taken control of all the castles in Kozuke Province except for those in the Sanada clan's territory.

Because of Takigawa Kazumasu's retreat, the people of Ueno were powerless to resist the overwhelming force of the Hojo clan.

There was virtually no resistance; wherever the Hojo clan went, they surrendered without a second thought.

Controlling Ueno opens the way to Shinano.

There are two routes from Ueno into Shinano.

One route leads west from Mine Castle, the residence of the Obata clan, across the Usui Pass into Saku District.

Another route is to take a side road from Azuma District within the Sanada family's territory, and enter Koki District from Torii Pass.

Compared to Torii Pass, which is entirely made up of mountain paths, Usui Pass was clearly more suitable for large armies to pass through, and it was also shorter. Therefore, the Hojo clan chose to advance from Usui Pass.

"Father!"

Why not continue the attack on Numata Castle?

“The Sanada family is nothing to worry about. I am willing to personally lead the troops to conquer this place.”

Within the Hojo clan's main camp, Hojo Ujinao questioned Hojo Ujimasa's decision to abandon the attack on Numata Castle.

In his view, the Sanada family, which controlled Tone and Azuma districts, was utterly vulnerable. If they wanted to control Kozuke province, they should conquer the entire Kozuke territory.

Although Hojo Ujinao was the head of the Hojo clan, he did not hold actual power.

The true leader of the Hojo family was Hojo Ujimasa, who had already retired.

"Eat your food first, the tea is getting cold." Faced with Hojo Ujinao's question, Hojo Ujimasa did not answer directly, but instead focused on enjoying the ochazuke in his hand.

After taking a couple of delicious bites, feeling the refreshing tea soup wash over his entire mouth, Hojo Ujimasa couldn't help but let out a satisfied sound.

After finishing his soup and rice, Hojo Ujimasa put down his bamboo tally, wiped his mouth, and slowly said, "The Sanada family has long been in cahoots with our main family. Since they've pledged allegiance to our main family, why bother attacking them?" "The Sanada family has been in cahoots with our main family?"

"How come I didn't know?" Hojo Ujinao was anxious. Even if he didn't have the power, he shouldn't have kept such a thing from him, right?
Hojo Ujimasa explained, "This matter is of great importance; it involves direct communication between the Sanada family and our main family."

"Hmph, the Sanada family is merely afraid of the power of our main clan. Just like the Oda family's attack and destruction of the Takeda clan, those who change their allegiance to the wind are the most despicable!" Hojo Ujinao said with a look of disdain.

Hojo Ujimasa looked at Hojo Ujinao with some dissatisfaction. His son was capable, but he was too immature.

How could I entrust him with the power in the household if things continued like this?
“Shin-Kuro, everything has two sides.” Hojo Ujimasa decided to teach his foolish son a lesson. “People like the Sanada family are not a minority in this era. They may be weak, but they still have a certain influence in the region.”

"Conquering and occupying territory to expand one's power is not just about conquering by force."

“If we fight city by city, it will be time-consuming and laborious, and our own forces will suffer casualties.”

"Since the Sanada family is willing to pledge allegiance to our family, our family should naturally accept them, so as to set an example for other people in the country."

"If everyone were like Sanada, wouldn't my Hojo clan have already conquered the eight provinces of Kanto?"

Hojo Ujimasa was also helpless.

Although the Hojo clan was a dominant force in the Kanto region, there were quite a few daimyo who did not respect them.

People like Satake often unite to fight against the Hojo clan.

The problem is that these people are impossible to kill, and they often jump out to annoy the Hojo clan, which really annoys Hojo Ujimasa.

Sometimes Hojo Ujimasa wished there were more pragmatic people like the Sanada family, which would save him a lot of trouble.

"Our next goal is to seize Shinano and Kai provinces, and we will need Sanada's support in this process."

"Alright, let's rest well today and set off early tomorrow morning!"

Shinano, Toishi Castle.

Masayuki Sanada stared at the map on the table, lost in thought.

The situation in Shinano, Kai and other areas is gradually becoming clearer.

First, there's the Shinano region, where a tug-of-war is currently raging between three factions.

The Sanada family controlled Hanishina, Takai, Minouchi, Ogi, and Koga districts; the Kiso family controlled Chikuma and Azumi districts; and Ogasawara Tosetsusai received support from the Uesugi family.

At present, the Sanada clan's main objective is to quell the Ikko-ikki uprisings in various counties, and its retainers have been dispatched to various regions to assist the local populace in attacking the Ikko-ikki.

Meanwhile, Ogasawara Tōsetsōsai rallied former retainers of the Ogasawara clan and captured Fukashi Castle. Currently, the Kiso clan and Ogasawara Tōsetsōsai are engaged in a major battle over Fukashi Castle and other locations.

Overall, everyone in Shinano is busy with their own things.

"Father, the Hojo clan's messenger has arrived." Sanada Nobuyuki walked in at this moment, followed by a man who looked like a monk.

Following this incident, Nobuyuki Sanada's abilities were recognized by Masayuki Sanada, and Masayuki Sanada would often seek his advice on various matters.

"Ah, it's Jiang Xuezhai!"

"Quickly, please take a seat." Upon recognizing the person, Sanada Masayuki quickly stood up and welcomed them in.

This man was a senior retainer of the Hojo clan and one of Hojo Ujimasa's most trusted men.

"Lord Awa, my lord has sent me to inquire why the Sanada clan's forces have not yet been mobilized?"

Ignoring Sanada Masayuki's polite words, Itabe Oka Esetsai replied in an accusatory tone.

(End of this chapter)