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

Why didn't Uesugi just rob him directly in Chapter 27?

Nobuyuki Sanada yawned. Last night, a heavy rain had kept him awake all night.

Lying listlessly in the Sanada residence in Toishi Castle, Kawahara Tsunaie and Takanashi Naiki were giving Sanada Nobuyuki a report on military rations and supplies.

Recently, Shinano and Kai have been fighting fiercely, while the Sanada clan's territory remains peaceful.

Such days, while pleasant, can also make people feel bored.

"Lord Genjiro has arrived at Kasugayama Castle. I heard that Lord Uesugi is very fond of Genjiro and often takes him with him when he goes out."

"That Genjiro kid, he's always running around at home, which is annoying, but now that he's gone, I kind of miss him," Sanada Nobuyuki said casually.

After Kawahara Tsunaie finished organizing the detailed accounts, he sat down next to Sanada Nobuyuki. "The Uesugi family sent someone to request provisions from our main family yesterday, but we don't have much food left in our castle. How should we respond?"

The Uesugi clan had just fought a tough battle against Shibata Katsuie in Echigo Province, and now they were leading nearly 20,000 men into Shinano. It was normal for them to be short of food.

Moreover, when Mori Nagayoshi was still alive, the Ikko-ikki broke out in Takai County, where Kaizu Castle was located. Many people fled into the mountains to escape the war, and the Uesugi family was unable to procure food locally.

Therefore, the only option left is to ask the Sanada family.

"How much grain does the Uesugi family need?"

"1,500 koku of rice, 3,000 koku of fodder, and I would also like to purchase some iron nails and timber from your family," Kawahara Tsunaie replied hastily.

Upon hearing what Kawahara Tsunaie had to say, Sanada Nobuyuki was instantly wide awake.

Why doesn't the Uesugi family just come and rob us?
What does 1,500 shi of rice mean?

Take the Sanada family's territory in Oki District as an example. The Sanada family had a territory of about 30,000 koku in Oki District. According to the Sanada family's annual tribute collection ratio, they could collect 15,000 koku per year on paper (the actual amount was much less, which will be explained in a separate chapter later, and will not be discussed in detail here).

After deducting the salaries of some retainers and samurai, and further deducting necessary expenses, only three to four thousand koku of rice could be saved each year.

The Uesugi family asked for 1,500 koku, which is equivalent to taking half a year's worth of the Sanada family's surplus. How could they possibly make a living like that?

As for the fodder, that's a minor issue; it's not winter now, so there's no shortage of fodder.

What displeased Nobuyuki Sanada even more was that the Uesugi family also wanted to buy nails and timber.

These things mean one thing: the Uesugi family isn't planning to leave.

"Sasuke!" Nobuyuki Sanada shouted overhead.

Sasuke immediately poked his head out from the roof beam.

Sasuke was born into the Mochizuki clan and learned ninjutsu from a young age (the Mochizuki clan had a branch family in Koga, one of the fifty-three families of Koga). He was the most outstanding ninja of the Mochizuki clan. The Mochizuki clan were excellent intelligence operatives in the northern Shinano region, and the famous "Mochizuki Chiyome" was from the Mochizuki clan.

"What has the Uesugi family been doing in Kaizu Castle lately?"

Sasuke thought for a moment and immediately replied, "The Uesugi clan has conscripted many laborers from Echigo, and it seems they plan to repair Kaizu Castle."

This confirmed Sanada Nobuyuki's idea—the Uesugi family had no intention of leaving.

"Where's father?"

"My lord has gone to Iwagaku Castle," Takanashi Naiki quickly replied.

Sanada Nobuyuki looked at the two of them with a puzzled expression. "What is Father doing there?"

"Don't Gensaburo-don know?"

"what do you know?"

"The marriage of Genzaburo-dono!" Kawahara Tsunaie looked at Sanada Nobuyuki in surprise. "Didn't Katsuyori-kun arrange a marriage for Genzaburo-dono when he was alive?"

Nobuyuki Sanada slapped his forehead; it seemed there really was such a thing.

After Sanada Yukitaka's death, the headship of the Sanada family was inherited by his eldest son, Sanada Nobutsuna (at this time, Sanada Masayuki was still called Muto Kihei).

However, Sanada Nobutsuna died in the Battle of Nagashino, leaving behind only his daughter, Koyuki.

Therefore, under Katsuyori Takeda's ruling, it was decided that Masayuki Sanada would revert to the Sanada surname and inherit the Sanada family. To ensure the legitimacy of this move, Nobuyuki Sanada was arranged to marry Sachiko, thereby securing the Sanada family's legitimate right of succession.

“The situation in Shinano is still uncertain; how can Father waste his energy on such matters?” Sanada Nobuyuki sighed. “No, I can’t wait for Father any longer; I must go to Kaizu Castle immediately.” Sanada Nobuyuki made the decision on the spot.

Before leaving, Sanada Nobuyuki made another trip to Komoro Castle, instructing the castle lord Ashida Nobuban to continue monitoring the battle in the direction of Wakamiko, before turning back to Kaizu Castle.

It was already afternoon when they arrived at Kaizu Castle. After explaining their purpose, Uesugi Kagekatsu chose Zenko-ji Temple outside the castle as the meeting place.

Along the way, watching the laborers heading towards Kaizu Castle one after another, Sanada Nobuyuki's expression became somewhat solemn.

However, Uesugi Kagekatsu seemed oblivious to this, continuing to intently admire the scenery along the way.

"Oh, we've arrived, this is it." Uesugi Kagekatsu reined in his warhorse.

Distracted, Sanada Nobuyuki then realized what was happening and looked up to see the three characters "Zenkoji" not far away.

Zenko-ji Temple is a famous temple in Shinano Province. It was founded in 644 AD and has a very long history.

If Suwa Taisha is the spiritual sanctuary of the people of Shinano, then Zenko-ji Temple is their paradise on earth (this temple has no sectarian distinctions, and anyone can visit it).

However, because Zenko-ji Temple was located in the Kawanakajima area, which was the site of a long-standing conflict between Takeda Shingen and Uesugi Kenshin, Zenko-ji Temple was destroyed in the war.

After walking through a patch of rubble, the main hall of Zenkoji Temple soon came into view.

Unlike the surrounding ruins, this main hall is remarkably well-preserved.

“Gensaburo, this is a sacred Buddhist site, and it’s just the two of us here. Speak your mind.” Uesugi Kagekatsu looked up, his eyes fixed on the main hall of Zenko-ji Temple.

Without wasting words, Sanada Nobuyuki asked directly, "May I ask, Lord Uesugi, have you changed your mind about the previous petition?"

Uesugi Kagekatsu turned around and looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with a complicated expression.

To be honest, I do have some regrets, but I wouldn't go back on my word.

As Uesugi Kenshin's successor, he needs to establish a solid character, and Uesugi Kagekatsu is unwilling to be a man of broken promises.

"There is no need to worry. I know that the Sanada family is dissatisfied with the main family's renovation of Kaizu Castle."

“However, this castle is not targeted at the Sanada family; on the contrary, it is to protect the Sanada family,” Uesugi Kagekatsu said slowly.

Protect?

Nobuyuki Sanada doesn't buy this explanation.

As if sensing Sanada Nobuyuki's distrust, Uesugi Kagekatsu continued, "The Hojo and Tokugawa clans are currently engaged in a major battle in Kai. Regardless of who wins or loses, both clans will continue their attacks on Shinano."

"Our family renovated Kaizu Castle to serve as our main base for resisting the Tokugawa and Hojo clans."

"Without the main family behind the Sanada clan, the Sanada clan alone would have no chance of stopping the attacks of the Tokugawa and Hojo clans."

“Gensaburo, you are a smart man, you should understand this.”

To be fair, Uesugi Kagekatsu's words were correct. Analyzing the situation, that's indeed the case.

However, the Sanada family now has the support of the Hojo and Oda clans in addition to the Uesugi clan. The Sanada family has not yet broken ties with the Hojo clan, so they are not worried about being attacked in the short term.

Moreover, even if we take a step back and consider the historical course of events, the Sanada clan would at most have been sold out by Tokugawa and lost Numata Castle (historically, the Sanada clan did not hand it over, and the Hojo clan did not conquer it).

At worst, he could just marry Honda Tadakatsu's daughter.

Even if it's a "son-in-law who lives with his wife's family," as long as the woman comes from a wealthy family, he's not at a disadvantage, is he?

　Zenkoji Temple: Historically, Zenkoji Temple suffered greatly from wars during the Warring States period, and the Buddha statues in the temple were often moved to the territory of the daimyo.

　　When Takeda Shingen conquered this area, he moved the Buddha statue from Zenkoji Temple to Kai (Kai Zenkoji Temple). Later, Oda Nobutada moved the Buddha statue to Mino (Gifu Zenkoji Temple). After Honnoji Temple, Oda Nobuo gave the Buddha statue to Tokugawa Ieyasu.

　　Because both the Takeda and Oda families met with bad ends, a rumor spread that "whoever touches the Buddha statue will incur divine punishment."

　　Finally, Tokugawa Ieyasu returned the Buddha statue to Zenko-ji Temple in Kai Province.

　　As an aside: There are many temples in Japan similar to Zenkoji, some of which have enshrined war criminals who invaded China. Therefore, if you travel to Japan, do not casually visit temples you are unfamiliar with. Otherwise, if you accidentally kowtow to a Japanese war criminal, our tens of millions of ancestors who sacrificed their lives in the War of Resistance against Japan will not forgive you.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)