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

Chapter 71: I Can Only Rely on Myself
The Uesugi family would naturally not stand idly by and watch their child die.

Hojo Takahiro chose to return to the Uesugi clan because of Uesugi Kagekatsu's influence, so he is now fighting against the Later Hojo clan in Ueno as a retainer of the Uesugi family.

For the Uesugi clan, the military action of Hojo Ujimasa and his son against Ueno was no longer just an attack on their ally, the Sanada clan; the Uesugi clan itself was also under attack.

Therefore, by the time Sanada Nobuyoshi and Sanada Nobushige found Uesugi Kagekatsu, the Uesugi family's reinforcements had already been dispatched.

"The Uesugi clan's reinforcements have crossed the Mikuni Pass, but they haven't continued their advance for the time being," Sanada Masayuki said slowly.

Nobuyuki Sanada looked puzzled. "Why?"

"Because the Uesugi family only sent a thousand men."

Nobuyuki Sanada:.
It's clear that the Uesugi family is indeed extremely weak.

These thousand men were less a reinforcement force and more a defensive force to guard the Mikuni Pass in case Sanada Masayuki and Hojo Takahiro could not hold out.

“The Uesugi family’s actions have already shown that they will not interfere in the Ueno battle.” Sanada Masayuki sighed helplessly.

We originally thought the Uesugi family would be able to provide support to the Sanada family, but after waiting for so long, all we got was this few people?

Even so, Sanada Masayuki still had to send a thank-you letter to Echigo to express his gratitude for the Uesugi family's support.

“We can only rely on ourselves,” Nobuyuki Sanada said.

He already knew about the Uesugi family's situation when he went to Echigo, and indeed, the Uesugi family couldn't be blamed; they truly lacked the ability to mobilize a large-scale military force.

Who is leading this Uesugi army?

"Amakasou Toemon." Sanada Masayuki replied.

Amakasu Keichi?

No, it should be Amakasu Kagetsugu. Sanada Nobuyuki realized.

After Uesugi Kenshin's death, most of the generals who had followed him in his campaigns were also gone.

The first to die were Usami Sadamitsu and Nagao Masakage, who drowned when their boat capsized while they were boating.

Then Kakizaki Kageie and others also passed away one after another, and by this time there were only a few of the "Twenty-Five Generals of Uesugi" left.

If we're talking about who could be considered formidable during Uesugi Kagekatsu's era, it would probably only be Amakasu Kagemochi and Honjo Shigenaga, though both of them are currently defending against Shinpata Shigeie.

It's already quite good that we can get an Amakasu Kagetsugu.

“Father, I’m going to Ueno,” Sanada Nobuyuki said after a moment’s thought.

Sanada Masayuki asked in surprise, "What are you going to Ueno for?"

For Sanada Masayuki, without the support of the Uesugi clan, it was unlikely that Ueno could be held.

In fact, he had already prepared to abandon Ueno and focus all his efforts on defending Shinano.

More than ten days have passed, and Sanada Masayuki has only sent Oyamada Shigemasa with 300 reinforcements to Iwatoki Castle. Moreover, Oyamada Shigemasa's mission to Iwatoki Castle was not to defend it, but to bring back the Shinano provincial hostages who had been transferred there.

"Compared to Hojo, I am more worried about Tokugawa."

"If our main clan launches a major offensive to support Ueno, the Tokugawa clan will definitely take the opportunity to invade Shinano."

Sacrifice the pawn to save the king, cut off the tail to survive.

In Sanada Masayuki's view, abandoning Numata Castle to protect Shinano was a worthwhile decision.

But Nobuyuki Sanada doesn't think so.

Sanada Nobuyuki looked at Sanada Masayuki with a resolute expression and said, "Father, our main family has just taken control of Shinano and become a daimyo. We urgently need a battle to establish our prestige."

"If we allow the Hojo clan to attack Ueno while our main clan remains indifferent, won't everyone think our main clan is weak and easily bullied?"

"I believe that Ueno must fight a battle to deter the surrounding forces."

Sanada Masayuki looked troubled. "But our main clan simply cannot spare any extra troops to support Ueno. The Hojo clan has tens of thousands of troops. How can we possibly win?"

"The outcome of a war does not necessarily have to be decided through a battle. We only need to make the Hojo clan realize the difficulty and withdraw their troops."

Seeing Sanada Nobuyuki's confident demeanor, Sanada Masayuki's heart also began to heat up with anticipation. "Could it be that Genzaburo already has a plan to repel the enemy?"

“I’m not entirely confident either, so I want to give it a try.” Nobuyuki Sanada looked into Masayuki Sanada’s eyes and said seriously.

Masayuki Sanada fell into deep thought.

After much deliberation, Sanada Masayuki nodded and said, "I entrust all matters in Ueno to you, Genzaburo."

"But let me make this clear from the start: I don't have any extra troops to give you. You can only take your own foot soldiers to Ueno."

“That’s enough,” Nobuyuki Sanada replied confidently.

The Hojo clan has tens of thousands of troops in Ueno; even if we brought all the troops from Shinano there, it wouldn't make a difference. "Until then, could you perhaps have Sasuke temporarily take my orders?"

Sanada Masayuki did not refuse and immediately shouted "Sasuke!"

"exist!"

Sasuke appeared immediately.

"Follow Genzaburo."

"Yes."

After leaving Komoro Castle, Sanada Nobuyuki first sent someone to Toishi Castle to have Ura Morikiyo and Shimazu Tadanao bring their men to meet him.

Then, Sanada Nobuyuki asked Sasuke, "How many days will it take to get to Kyoto now?"

Sasuke considered it for a moment and then suggested a safe timeframe: "Five days."

"Three days!"

“Here is a letter. I need you to deliver it to Kyoto in three days,” Sanada Nobuyuki said without room for argument.

Sasuke was speechless. How come you two, father and son, are both like this?

Even if I'm fast on my feet, you can't really treat me like an ox or a horse, can you?

However, Sasuke did not question it. He took the letter and left without looking back, like a machine without emotions, only able to follow orders.

Sanada Nobuyuki's route of advance was eastward from Komoro Castle, crossing Mount Azuma to occupy Iwato Castle.

The mountain road was difficult to traverse, and it was only on November 9th that the more than 1,000 foot soldiers finally arrived at Yangui City after many stops and starts.

The weather has already turned cold, and winter will soon follow.

Fortunately, unlike the Hokuriku region, the Ueno area does not experience the same problem of heavy snow blocking the roads and preventing large armies from passing through, even if it snows.

Upon arriving at Iwakaku Castle, Sanada Nobuyuki immediately sent someone to contact Amakasu Kagetsugu, inviting him to Iwakaku Castle for a meeting.

Amakasu Keiji arrived at Iwakuri Castle the following day.

Inside the judging room, Nobuyuki Sanada sat in the main seat, with Shigeaki Oyamada and Nagayuki Tsuneta seated below him.

"Lord Amakasu, where is the Uesugi clan's military strength now?" Sanada Nobuyuki asked directly.

Amakasu Kagetsugu did not hide anything and answered truthfully, "Tsukiyono."

"So, Lord Amakasu's reinforcements are only about 20 miles from Numata Castle?"

“Yes,” Kamikaku Kagetsugu nodded.

Sanada Nobuyuki was delighted and said to Amakasu Kagetsugu, "I wonder if Lord Amakasu could do me a favor?"

"When we went into battle, my lord gave me a prior order not to initiate combat with the Hojo clan."

"If Lord Sanada wishes for the main clan to attack the Hojo clan, then I'm afraid he will be disappointed." Amakasu Kagetsugu shrugged.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly waved his hand, "Lord Amakasu, please don't misunderstand. It's just a small favor, and there's no need for the Uesugi and Hojo families to go to war."

"tell me the story?"

Nobuyuki Sanada then left his seat and walked to Kagetsugu Amakasu's side, then whispered a few words in Kagetsugu Amakasu's ear.

Amakasu Kagetsugu glanced at Sanada Nobuyuki with surprise, but after considering it for a moment, he nodded.

"Brother-in-law, could you make a trip to Kunimine Castle?" Sanada Nobuyuki then turned his gaze to Oyamada Shigeaki.

Oyamada Shigeaki was taken aback. "Isn't that Obata clan's territory?"

"Yes, there is a letter that needs to be delivered to Lord Obata, and my brother-in-law is the most suitable candidate."

"Does Genzaburo really think so highly of me?"

"Should I go myself?"

Shigemako Oyamada:
　Hojo Takahiro of Echigo was from the Mori clan, so his family crest was also a single character with three stars.

　　Readers who have seen the 1990 film "Heaven and Earth" should remember it.

　　The Uesugi army formation depicted in the scene included family crests such as the Ichimonji Sansei (Mori) and the Maruji (Shimazu).

　　The three-pointed star pattern was used by Hojo Takahiro, while the round cross pattern was used by Shimazu Tadanao, a vassal of northern Shinano Province, who was also one of Sanada Nobuyuki's subordinates in the book.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)