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

Chapter 6 Sanada the Good Samaritan

Shimazu Tadanao felt that his luck had really hit rock bottom.

During the day, I specifically scouted the area around Kawanakajima, but I didn't find any trace of the enemy.

The scouts at the front also reported that Mori Nagayoshi was still gathering a large army in Kaizu Castle and had not left the castle.

Shimazu Tadanao relaxed a little, taking advantage of the darkness to take his horse out for a walk and let it graze.

As a result, he was captured by Nobuyuki Sanada without even realizing it.

"I am Shimazu Awaji-no-kami, the lord of Naganuma Castle. May I ask your name?"

Having his warhorse knocked off in a single round, Shimazu Tadanao, a seasoned warrior, couldn't help but become curious about the young samurai before him.

Judging from their flag and seal, they seem to be from the Sanada clan of a small prefecture.

Sanada Nobuyuki spoke softly, “My name is Sanada Genzaburo.”

"So, who is Sanada Awa-no-kami?"

"It's my father."

"As expected of the son of Awa no Kami, he is indeed exceptionally brave and skilled in martial arts. It is not unjust for him to lose to the Sanada family," Shimazu Tadanao said obsequiously.

Nobuyuki Sanada waved his hand. "No need for flattery. If you want to live, you should at least show some sincerity, right?"

Shimazu Tadanao immediately looked troubled, his eyes revealing a struggle.

"how?"

"Unwilling?" Sanada Nobuyuki made a move to draw his sword.

Shimazu Tadanao immediately shook his head vigorously, then poured out all the detailed information about the situation ahead.

After listening to Shimazu Tadanao's explanation, Sanada Nobuyuki finally understood that, after all this time, the Kawanakajima area was just a bunch of "rotten fish and shrimp".

Shimazu Tadanao was a local lord (Satsuma Shimazu clan) from Minouchi District in northern Shinano Province, and his residence was Naganuma Castle.

In his early years, he fought alongside Murakami Yoshikiyo against Takeda Shingen. After Murakami Yoshikiyo was defeated by Takeda Shingen, he joined the Uesugi clan of Echigo with Murakami Yoshikiyo.

After the Takeda clan was destroyed, the Oda clan took control of the Shinano region.

The newly appointed Mori Nagayoshi decided to advance towards Echigo in order to support Shibata Katsuie in the Echigo region.

However, to enter Echigo, the first step is to control the Takai and Minouchi districts in northern Shinano, which are within the Uesugi clan's sphere of influence.

Therefore, Mori Nagayoshi sent messengers to demand that the local people of Takai and Mizuchi districts, including Shimazu Tadanao, swear allegiance to the Oda clan.

Mori Nagayoshi's proposal was rejected by the local lords of the two counties because their families were all in Kasugayama Castle, and they had fought alongside the Uesugi family in the battle of Kawanakajima, so they had some old ties with them.

Who asks for a vote right from the start? At least have a match first, otherwise where will everyone's face be?

Faced with the Oda clan's relentless pressure, and with their leader, the Uesugi clan, focused all their attention on Uozu Castle in Etchu, which was under heavy attack from Shibata Katsuie, Sasa Narimasa, Maeda Toshiie, and others, Uesugi Kagekatsu had no time to attend to Shinano.

Left with no other choice, the people of the two counties, led by Imokawa Chikamasa, instigated the Jodo Shinshu (religion) sect within their territories to launch a peasant uprising, cobbling together 8,000 soldiers.

"So, your target isn't Haijin City?"

Where is Imokawa now?

After reflecting on his actions, Nobuyuki Sanada understood why Masayuki Sanada had repeatedly reminded him to be cautious in his words and deeds and not to advance rashly before his departure.

So Mori Nagayoshi and Takigawa Kazumasu knew all along that the other side wouldn't attack Kaizu Castle, which is why even Takigawa Kazumasu didn't participate in the battle.

Why did Mori Nagayoshi not allow Yashiro, Muroga and others to send troops, but instead made himself lead the troops? Wasn't he just making himself serve as free labor?
Anyway, since the Sanada clan followed Takigawa Kazumasu and wasn't Mori Nagayoshi's subordinate, there was no harm in using them.

At this moment, Shimazu Tadanao quickly replied, "Lord Imokawa Echizen-no-kami has arrived at Iiyama Castle, and the army is now gathering at Iiyama Castle, preparing to take it first."

Iiyama Castle is strategically located, guarding the gateway between Shinano and Echigo. Controlling it would keep the Oda clan's military forces out of Echigo.

The one in charge of defending Iiyama Castle was Inaba Sadamichi of the Mino Province, whose father was Inaba Ittetsu, one of the three leaders of the Western Mino Province.

"Lord Shimazu, I admire your honesty."

"You can leave now." Sanada Nobuyuki's words left Shimazu Tadaoka completely bewildered.

He had only hoped that Sanada Nobuyuki would not kill him, but he never expected that Sanada Nobuyuki would directly ask him to go.
"Is what Lord Sanada said true?" Shimazu Tadanao asked incredulously.

“My Sanada clan is also a resident of Shinano Province. To us Shinano people, the Oda family is nothing but outsiders. We should be the ones who are of the same blood.”

"Our clan does not wish to be enemies with the people of Shinano Province, and we hope that Lord Shimazu can understand our clan's goodwill," Sanada Nobuyuki said sincerely.

Shimazu Tadanao nodded frantically, understanding; he had to understand.

Not only did they spare my life, but they also let me go. Hesitating for even a second in the face of such a kind person would be disrespectful to one's own life.

Shimazu Tadanao took off running. As he ran, he kept glancing back, as if afraid that Sanada Nobuyuki might change his mind.

After running for a while, Shimazu Tadanao suddenly stopped, confirming that Sanada Nobuyuki was really going to let him go.

Under Sanada Nobuyuki's surprised gaze, Shimazu Tadanao turned back again.

Why did Awaji no Mori leave and then return?

"There's something I need to ask you clearly, otherwise I won't feel at ease," Shimazu Tadanao said, looking directly at Sanada Nobuyuki.

"Is the Sanada family truly serving the Oda family?"

Haijin City.

When Sanada Nobuyuki returned with his army, Mori Nagayoshi was drinking with a group of Shinano's local lords.

When they got into a good time, Mori Nagayoshi even joined in the fun with a group of samurai.

When Nobuyuki Sanada walked in, Nagayoshi Mori spotted him immediately.

There's no way around it, a guy who's over 1.8 meters tall is just too conspicuous, it's hard for anyone not to notice him.

"Haha, Genzaburo, you've come back just in time."

"Come on, let's drink!" Mori Nagayoshi casually picked up a jug of sake and tossed it into Sanada Nobuyuki's arms.

Sanada Nobuyuki accepted the sake, then walked to Mori Nagayoshi's side with neither humility nor arrogance. "Lord Musashi, I have military intelligence to report."

Upon hearing the military news, Mori Nagayoshi immediately snapped out of his daze and waved away the crowd surrounding him.

"Gensaburo, what military intelligence is it?"

Nobuyuki Sanada quickly replied, "There is no enemy army in the Kawanakajima area, only some scattered reconnaissance units. The main enemy force is gathering at Iiyama Castle."

Hearing this, Mori Nagayoshi did not show any surprise. Instead, he calmly continued to ask, "How did Genzaburo find out?"

"I have just returned from Kawanakajima. I just encountered a scout from the enemy army. After a fierce battle, I took eighteen heads."

"After a thorough search of the Kawanakajima area, no trace of the enemy was found."

“According to the intelligence we’ve gathered, the enemy’s target seems to be Iiyama Castle, not Kaizu Castle,” Sanada Nobuyuki said slowly.

Mori Nagayoshi stroked his chin. "So, it seems the people of Takai and Mizuchi districts are determined to follow the Uesugi family."

“Iiyama Castle, I understand.”

"Genzaburo has had a long and arduous journey. I will record his merits in this battle truthfully and report them to my lord after the battle."

“Serving Lord Oda is not hard work,” Sanada Nobuyuki said, bowing his head.

Mori Nagayoshi patted Sanada Nobuyuki on the shoulder with delight, “If all the people of Shinano Province were as loyal and honest as the Sanada clan, that would be wonderful.”

"Let's not talk about this anymore. Come on, drink!"

Mori Nagayoshi pulled Sanada Nobuyuki to sit down beside him.

In a corner of the room, Muroga Masatake, Yashiro Katsunaga (also known as Yashiro Hidemasa), and Kasuga Nobutatsu watched the two men with their own thoughts on their own, their gazes clearly somewhat unnatural.

　Shimazu Tadanao: Commonly known as Awaji no Kami, lord of Naganuma Castle in Minouchi District, Shinano Province. A collateral descendant of the Shimazu clan of Satsuma. Tadanao's territory was located in the Naganuma region of Minouchi District in northern Shinano. He fought alongside the Murakami and Takanashi clans of Shinano against the invasion of Shinano by Takeda Shingen of Kai Province. However, in 1557, he was forced to retreat from Naganuma Castle and moved to Ōkura Castle, where he became a subordinate of Uesugi Kenshin of Echigo Province and participated in the Battle of Kawanakajima.

　　After the fall of the Kai Takeda clan in 1582, he was forced to serve under Mori Nagayoshi, the lord of northern Shinano, but Shimazu Tadanao refused and launched a rebellion together with Imokawa Chikamasa and others.
　　
　
(End of this chapter)