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

Chapter 61: Uesugi Kagekatsu was moved to tears.

Kasugayama Castle is located in Kasugayama, Echigo-giri-gun, and is a mountain castle with attached walls.

It was first built by the Uesugi clan, the governor of Echigo Province, during the Nanboku-chō period. It became the residence of the Nagao clan during the time of Nagao Tamekage, and was ruled by Nagao Tamekage, Nagao Harukage, Nagao Kagetora (Uesugi Kenshin), and Uesugi Kagekatsu.

Honmaru is located at the summit of Mount Kasuga, and various houses and defensive facilities are built from the foot of the mountain to the top, occupying almost the entire Mount Kasuga.

At the same time, there are various branch cities in different parts of the mountain range, which together with the main city, Kasugayama Castle, form the entire Kasugayama Castle defense system.

Sanada Nobuyuki had noticed the massive mountain castle from a great distance. Although he had made some preparations beforehand, he couldn't help but feel a sense of awe when he saw the castle in person.

Compared to Kasugayama Castle, the Sanada family's Toshishi Castle and Iwato Castle are utter trash.

When Sanada Nobuyuki entered the Uesugi clan's territory, he had already identified himself to the Uesugi samurai at the Echigo outpost. Subsequently, the Uesugi clan members took Sanada Nobuyuki to Kasugayama Castle.

Uesugi Kagekatsu, who was inside the castle, had also learned of the news early on and was waiting in the audience room.

It took nearly half an hour to climb slowly from the foot of the mountain to reach the summit of Mount Kasuga.

After taking off his straw sandals at the entrance and handing them to a page, Sanada Nobuyuki was led into the audience room by a samurai.

Uesugi Kagekatsu was sitting in the main seat, with Naoe Kanetsugu sitting beside him.

"Genzaburo, it's been a long time."

"The Sanada clan has really made a name for itself this time. I never imagined that the entire province of Shinano would be under their control." Uesugi Kagekatsu was also full of praise for the Sanada clan's achievements.

Sanada Nobuyuki replied with a smile, "Our clan's success today is also thanks to the support of the Uesugi clan."

"I have come here today specifically to thank Lord Uesugi."

Uesugi Kagekatsu nodded slightly. Sanada Nobuyuki was indeed a kind and honest man, having come all the way here to thank his main family.

But when he thought about what the Uesugi family had done in Takai and Minouchi districts, Uesugi Kagekatsu felt a little ashamed.

Upon learning of this, Uesugi Kagekatsu questioned Naoe Kanetsugu. However, Naoe Kanetsugu simply shrugged and asked, "My lord, do you still want to quell the Niibata Rebellion?"
Uesugi Kagekatsu understood that the Uesugi family was indeed short of money; after all, wars cost money.

The fighting with the Oda clan in Echigo Province lasted for so long, and every day it was a considerable expense. Not to mention anything else, the saltpeter and lead needed for the arquebuses alone cost several hundred kan a day.

Now that they are preparing to attack the rebellious Shigeie Shinbata, the Uesugi family has no choice but to find ways to raise money, otherwise they cannot afford to fight this war.

The Sanada family will have to make do with this.

"By the way, where's Genjiro?"

"Let Genjiro come out quickly."

"You brothers haven't seen each other in a long time, have you?" Uesugi Kagekatsu tried to ease the awkwardness by mentioning Sanada Nobushige.

Sanada Nobuyuki nodded and then said, "I am at ease with Genjiro by Lord Uesugi's side. Tell me, which samurai in the world can be as righteous and loyal as Lord Uesugi?"

"Truly a model of a warrior."

The more Sanada Nobuyuki praised Uesugi Kagekatsu, the more flustered he became, and he kept giving Naoe Kanetsugu winks to him.

As an honest man, Uesugi Kagekatsu was indeed not good at such insincere situations; such matters should be left to professionals.

Naoe Kanetsugu immediately picked up the conversation, "Lord Genzaburo, may I ask what brings you to Kasugayama Castle this time?"

Seeing that Naoe Kanetsugu had spoken, Sanada Nobuyuki knew it was time to get down to business. Uesugi Kagekatsu was too busy to waste time chatting with him.

"To be honest, I have come here today with a request." Sanada Nobuyuki stared intently at Naoe Kanetsugu.

Naoe Kanetsugu's heart skipped a beat, but he still calmly asked, "What is it?"

"To be honest, I met Hirabayashi Yohachiro, a samurai from the same district, by chance, and we had a very pleasant conversation. Hirabayashi Yohachiro has already agreed to become my retainer."

"But I heard that Hirabayashi and Hachiro had already agreed to serve the Uesugi family and had sent their families and clansmen to Kasugayama Castle."

"Therefore, I have come here specifically to pay my respects to Lord Uesugi, hoping that you will allow Hachiro and his family to return to Shinano."

Naoe Kanetsugu immediately looked surprised.

He had assumed that Sanada Nobuyuki had come because of his kidnapping of people, but he hadn't expected it to be such a trivial matter.

As for Hirabayashi and Hachiro, whom Sanada Nobuyuki mentioned, he had never heard of them before. With so many Shinano samurai joining the Uesugi clan recently, they must not be important figures, otherwise he would have remembered them.

Thinking of this, Naoe Kanetsugu then looked at Uesugi Kagekatsu, who was in the main seat.

Uesugi Kagekatsu was even more unaware of the situation, but he couldn't bring himself to detain someone's family, so he simply nodded.

Naoe Kanetsugu had a clear idea of ​​what was going on, so he said, "Our family approves this."

"Thank you, Lord Uesugi." Sanada Nobuyuki quickly bowed in gratitude.

"Oh, right, there's one more thing I need to discuss with Lord Uesugi." Sanada Nobuyuki then looked at Uesugi Kagekatsu. Uesugi Kagekatsu just wanted to get rid of Sanada Nobuyuki as soon as possible, so he nodded directly, "Gensaburo, please speak freely."

"I have just been granted Takai District as my fiefdom, and I am deeply saddened by the devastation caused by war within my territory. Therefore, I intend to develop a castle town in Nakano-dori."

“This is a good thing,” Uesugi Kagekatsu couldn’t help but say.

Sanada Nobuyuki smiled and said, "But Shinano is not rich in resources, and most of our goods come from Echigo, Suruga and even Totomi. If we want to make this happen, we will need the help of the Uesugi family."

"How do you want the main family to help you?" Before Uesugi Kagekatsu could speak, Naoe Kanetsugu interrupted.

"I know that the Uesugi family is busy fighting against Shinbata and urgently needs various supplies and money."

“This matter might also bring some benefits to the Uesugi family.” Sanada Nobuyuki did not directly ask for anything, but instead brought up the Uesugi family’s lack of money.

Naoe Kanetsugu was curious, as he wanted the Uesugi family's help but also claimed it was a good thing for them.

Do you think helping the Sanada family would actually pay you?
interesting.

"What good news?" Uesugi Kagekatsu, who was sitting in the main seat, couldn't sit still any longer.

He's been worrying about money every day, so when he hears he can make some, he can't resist the urge.

"I plan to establish a tax-free zone within the territory."

"What is a duty-free zone?" This was the first time Uesugi Kagekatsu and Naoe Kanetsugu had ever heard such a term.

Nobuyuki Sanada then explained, "A tax-free zone means that all fees incurred in trade, such as customs duties, special fees, and transaction taxes, are exempted."

"In other words, merchants entering Shinano from the Uesugi family's territory will no longer be charged any fees."

"Lord Naoe must be well aware of the benefits this brings," Sanada Nobuyuki said, looking at Naoe Kanetsugu.

Naoe Kanetsugu was already moved when he finished listening, but he still asked, "So, are these measures taken by the Sanada family only aimed at my Echigo, or are they also aimed at other daimyo?"

"Naturally, it's only aimed at the Uesugi family, since our main family still needs their help."

Upon hearing this, Naoe Kanetsugu quickly nodded slightly to Uesugi Kagekatsu.

Since the Sanada family did not collect taxes from Echigo merchants, these merchants were able to dump their goods into Shinano at extremely low costs, thus generating substantial trade revenue in a short period of time.

The Sanada family doesn't collect taxes, but the Uesugi family naturally does.

In addition to collecting taxes, the Uesugi family could also sell their goods in Shinano.

"Is this true?" Uesugi Kagekatsu was no fool, and he quickly understood the benefits that this could bring to the Uesugi family.

This is definitely a great thing for the Uesugi family.

"How could I dare to deceive Lord Uesugi? It is of course true," Sanada Nobuyuki quickly assured him.

"So what does the main family have to give up?" Naoe Kanetsugu asked, getting to the heart of the matter.

The Sanada family wouldn't send such a large gift to the Uesugi family without a reason; there must be conditions involved.

"It's very simple. Our family needs manpower to build the castle town and freight station."

“The Uesugi family needs to provide sufficient labor for the main family.”

The true intentions have been revealed.

After all that, Sanada Nobuyuki still came for someone.

However, they did not directly demand the person, nor did they expose the unjust deeds committed by the Uesugi family.

On the contrary, the Uesugi family can profit from this.

Thinking of this, Uesugi Kagekatsu felt increasingly guilty as he looked at Sanada Nobuyuki.

My Uesugi family did such a thing to the Sanada family, yet Genzaburo still thinks of the main family in every way. He is indeed a loyal and righteous person who puts righteousness first.

Compared to Genzaburo, what kind of "righteous general" am I?
Uesugi Kagekatsu was almost moved to tears.

"Our family agrees to this matter," Uesugi Kagekatsu declared, then looked at Naoe Kanetsugu beside him, "Yamashiro-no-kami, you will handle the relevant matters, and do your best to fulfill the Sanada family's request as well."

"what!"

Seeing that the matter had been resolved smoothly, Sanada Nobuyuki breathed a sigh of relief. As long as the Uesugi family was willing to send people, that was fine.

You said you'd pay it back?
Is there any such thing as having to repay something you borrowed through your own abilities?
Li Yunlong still hasn't returned all the equipment from that battalion to Chu Yunfei!

　Thank you to "Book Friend 202333867" and "Free and Easy Gold" for the donations, and thank you to my two godfathers.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)