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

Chapter 23 Who is in control now?
Itabe Oka Esetsai was born into a collateral branch of the Hojo clan and was originally a Shingon sect monk in Shimoda village, Izu.

Later, under the orders of Hojo Ujimasa, he inherited the territory of Itabe-oka and, as a judge and scribe, gained the trust of Hojo Ujimasa and his son Hojo Ujinao.

At the same time, Itabe Oka Esetsai also served as a temple and shrine magistrate, in charge of all religious affairs within the Hojo clan's territory.

"Lord Jiang Xuezhai, this is not because my Sanada family is slow to act, but simply because there are rumors in Shinano that the Uesugi family is about to lead a large army south. Our family dares not act rashly," Sanada Masayuki quickly explained.

"The Uesugi clan?" Itabe no Okesuke frowned. "Isn't the Uesugi clan currently fighting the Oda clan in Etchu? How could they possibly have the resources to attack Shinano?"

Itabe no Oka Esetsai was known in the Hojo clan for his intelligence, wit, and exceptional eloquence. He was often active in the Kanto region as a diplomatic monk, and he was not someone who could be easily fooled.

Taking the opportunity, Nobuyuki Sanada said, "My father has just returned from Ueno and is not very familiar with the situation in Shinano and Echigo."

"To be honest, the head of our clan, Sanada Oki-no-kami, is currently serving within the Uesugi clan's territory, and it was Oki-no-kami who relayed the news about the Uesugi clan's military expedition."

Itabe Oka Esetsai knew Sanada Nobuyuki, which can be considered as acknowledging Sanada Nobuyuki's statement.

But after thinking for a while, Itabe no Okesetsusai still said, "Even if the news about Oki no Kami is true, where did the Uesugi family get such a large army?"

The Uesugi clan of today is not the same as when Uesugi Kenshin swept through Kanto. They now only control Echigo Province and half of Etchu Province, and they are also fighting against the Oda clan.

Itabe no Eisesai couldn't understand how the Uesugi family could possibly have the resources to organize a large army to attack Shinano.

"The Uesugi clan has reached a peace agreement with the Oda clan, and both sides have ceased hostilities," Sanada Nobuyuki said calmly.

Itabe Oka Eisesai's face was grave. "Is this really true?"

"I've heard that the Oda clan is holding a council meeting in Owari to discuss matters concerning the clan after the pacification of Akechi Mitsuhide. Lord Shibata has also left Hokuriku and has now made peace with the Uesugi clan."

"I see." Itabe Oka Esetsai nodded with some doubt. "In that case, I must immediately report this to my lord."

"As for the Uesugi family, I ask the Sanada family to continue their investigation and find out their movements."

"what!"

After seeing Itabe no Okae Sessai off, Sanada Nobuyuki and Sanada Masayuki exchanged a glance and smiled triumphantly at each other.

The Sanada family wasn't lying; the Uesugi family had indeed reached a peace agreement with Shibata Katsuie.

After recaptured Uozu Castle, Uesugi Kagekatsu did not dare to continue attacking Shibata Katsuie. At that time, the Oda clan had Shibata Katsuie, Sasa Narimasa, Maeda Toshiie, and others in Hokuriku, and their military strength was still formidable.

Meanwhile, Shibata Katsuie was busy getting rid of the Uesugi family's entanglement and returning to Kyoto to subdue Akechi Mitsuhide. Later, he was busy attending a meeting at Kiyosu Castle, so he had even less time to deal with the Uesugi family.

The two sides then reached a ceasefire agreement.

Since Uesugi Kagekatsu could not continue westward, he could only turn his attention to Shinano, because at this time Shinano had no leader, and the Oda clan's influence had withdrawn.

Furthermore, upon hearing the news that the Hojo clan had captured Ueno and was about to invade Shinano, Uesugi Kagekatsu could no longer sit still.

The Uesugi and Hojo families have been bitter enemies for decades, fighting to the death.

Leaving aside the feud between Uesugi Kenshin and Hojo Ujiyasu, Uesugi Kagekatsu and Hojo Ujimasa were also irreconcilable enemies (during the Otate Rebellion, the Hojo clan supported Uesugi Kagetora).

In short, the Uesugi family may not occupy Shinano (they can indirectly control it through the Sanada family and the Ogasawara Tosetsai they support), but it must not fall into the hands of the Hojo family.

Just like how Uesugi Kenshin dared not stand idly by while Takeda Shingen occupied Shinano, this matter was a bottom line, otherwise Uesugi Kagekatsu would have been restless in Kasugayama Castle.

Therefore, Uesugi Kagekatsu recalled the troops from Echigo Province and also raised an army of 20,000 men from his own domain to march south, having informed the Sanada family beforehand.

Therefore, the Sanada family did not lie to the Hojo family about the Uesugi family's dispatch of troops.

"The Uesugi family has already entered, and the Hojo family will be here soon."

"A fierce battle is probably inevitable," said Sanada Nobushige, who had been standing by, with an expectant look on his face.

Nobushige Sanada was born late and never had the chance to witness the grand spectacle of the Battle of Kawanakajima, a fact he always regretted.

Which samurai in the world wouldn't want to witness such a grand battle? "Genjiro, this matter is not so simple." Sanada Masayuki was in a good mood at the moment and said patiently, "This kind of battle can't be fought."

"Why is that?" Sanada Nobushige asked, bewildered. "The Uesugi and Hojo families are sworn enemies. If they were to meet in Shinano, a great battle would surely break out."

"Hehe, in this battle, my Sanada family is the one who controls the situation." Sanada Nobuyuki patted Sanada Nobushige on the shoulder.

what?
Sanada Nobushige was even more bewildered. Did our Sanada family have such strength?
Looking at Sanada Masayuki and Sanada Nobuyuki, who seemed hesitant to speak, Sanada Nobushige felt that the adult world was too complicated.

Forget it, I'll go find Teruhisa Yamagami to hone my military strategy.

"Gensaburo, are the Hoshina family still in the castle?" Sanada Masayuki suddenly asked.

When Takigawa Kazumasu left, in addition to Sanada Nobushige and Kyouun-in, Hoshina Masamitsu was also left behind at the request of Sanada Nobuyuki.

Takigawa Kazumasu knew that Hoshina Masamitsu was Sanada Masayuki's son-in-law, so he did not refuse.

“My brother-in-law and Danji Tadashi (Masatoshi Hoshina) are both here. They are currently staying in Muramatsu Township with my older sister and the others,” Nobuyuki Sanada quickly said.

Sanada Masayuki nodded, then turned his gaze back to the map in front of him.

After watching for a while, Sanada Masayuki suddenly asked, "Gensaburo, if it were you, what would you do?"

"Who is your father?"

"Shinano."

Clearly, Masayuki Sanada's ambitions are no longer limited to these few counties in northern Shinano.

Nobuyuki Sanada glanced at the map, then pointed to a place name on it, "Control this place, of course!"

"Why Takato Castle?" Sanada Masayuki asked with a smile.

Sanada Nobuyuki replied with a serious expression, "Takato Castle is located in the heart of Ina District, with a strategic location and is the central point connecting all parts of Shinano."

"Whoever controls Takato Castle will have the initiative in Shinano."

"Looking west, one can glimpse the counties of Azumi and Chikuma,"

"Going south, we can suppress Ina County."

“Going east can protect us from threats from Kai.”

“To the north lies the strategic pass that controls the throat of the Saku districts,” Sanada Nobuyuki analyzed earnestly.

Sanada Masayuki immediately smiled with satisfaction, "Gensaburo, I never expected you to be so outstanding."

"If Lord Shingen were alive, he would certainly have favored you greatly."

When Takeda Shingen is mentioned, Sanada Masayuki's eyes are filled with awe and admiration.

But that look in his eyes quickly vanished, and Sanada Masayuki immediately composed himself, continuing, "Since you've already figured this out, you must already know what to do, right?"

"The Hoshina clan is a prominent family in Shinano, and they are hereditary retainers of the Takato clan. They have a long-standing reputation in Takato Castle."

"If we allow Danjo Tadashi and his brother-in-law to return to Takato Castle, they can easily take the castle with a single call to arms!" Sanada Nobuyuki said confidently.

Sanada Masayuki nodded. "Then go ahead and do it. I still need to talk to the Uesugi family's envoy."

"Is that Uncle back?"

“It’s not the Oki-no-kami (Kami of Oki). This time, a very important person has come.” Sanada Masayuki shook his head and then uttered a few words softly, “The Naoeyama Castle no-kami (Kami of Naoeyama Castle).”

Naoe Kanetsugu!

(End of this chapter)