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

Chapter 76 My Sanada family has no interest in Ueno!
What does the Sanada family want?

There's absolutely no point in discussing this.

Nobuyuki Sanada understood that the Hojo clan had only temporarily abandoned their attack on Numata Castle because of instability in their rear.

They will definitely make a comeback once their worries are resolved.

On paper, the Hojo clan's strength is now second only to the Oda clan in the land, and comparable to the Mori clan.

The Sanada clan's control over Shinano was still very weak; they didn't even have a province. The Sanada clan had neither the qualifications nor the strength to challenge the Hojo clan.

"The Hojo clan must completely withdraw from Ueno and is not allowed to station any troops there."

No sooner had Sanada Nobuyuki finished speaking than Itabe Oka Esetsai flatly refused, saying, "This is absolutely impossible. At most, our clan will acknowledge Sanada's control over Numata and other areas."

"If you want to go to Ueno, Sanada, I'm afraid you don't have the ability yet," Itabe Oka Esetsai said coldly.

“Hehe.” Sanada Nobuyuki said with a smile, “Our clan’s territory was secured by a certificate issued by Lord Nobunaga. The ownership of Numata territory is not something the Hojo clan can acknowledge.”

"Our main family has no intention of occupying Ueno, but we will never allow the Hojo family to control Ueno."

Nobuyuki Sanada did not believe that the Sanada clan was strong enough to take over Ueno in one fell swoop, as Shinano was not even fully digested yet.

He simply wanted the Hojo clan to withdraw, so that Ueno could return to its pre-war state.

"Since Sanada has no sincerity, there is no need to continue the discussion."

"If you want our clan to withdraw from Ueno, then let's settle this on the battlefield."

Although the Hojo clan withdrew their troops and ceased their attacks on the Sanada clan, it didn't mean they would abandon Kozuke. If they couldn't even control Kozuke after failing to capture Shinano and Kai, wouldn't all the effort they put into this offensive, mobilizing tens of thousands of troops, have been for nothing?
Itabe Oka Eisesai left with an angry look on his face, and Sanada Nobuyuki didn't bother to waste any more words on him.

This time, we must teach the Hojo clan a lesson, otherwise how can the Sanada clan stand firm in this land surrounded by powerful enemies?
November 23rd, the tenth year of Tianzheng.

Hojo Ujinao led his army away from Ueno, and Hojo Ujimasa also returned to Odawara Castle from Hachigata Castle.

On the 24th, Hojo Ujikuni, a general of the Hojo clan, led 5,000 troops to occupy Minowa Castle.

Although they ceased their attacks on Hojo Takahiro and the Sanada clan, they maintained their rule over Ueno.

Nobuyuki Sanada also took the time to visit Masahashi Castle himself.

"Lord Sanada, since the Hojo clan has withdrawn its troops, why is the Sanada clan's military force still stationed at Iwatoki Castle?" Hojo Takahiro looked at Sanada Nobuyuki with a wary expression.

Sanada Nobuyuki quickly replied, "Lord Tango no Kami, please don't overthink it. Our clan doesn't covet Ueno like the Hojo clan does."

"However, Minowa Castle is still under the control of the Hojo clan, and the enemy general Hojo Ujikuni is personally stationed in Ueno, so the threat to the Sanada clan has not been eliminated."

"I have come to the city of Stable Bridge today for this very reason."

Hojo Takahiro nodded thoughtfully. "Could it be that the Sanada family intends to continue their military campaign against the Hojo?"

After saying that, even Hojo Takahiro himself found it unbelievable.

How dare the Sanada clan attack the Hojo clan? Besides, this is not the right time to send troops.

"Does Lord Tango want to see the Hojo clan continue to control Ueno?" Sanada Nobuyuki retorted.

Hojo Takahiro then fell silent.

If we're talking about who's the thorn in the side of the Hojo family in Ueno Junior High right now, it has to be Hojo Takahiro.

Hojo Takahiro openly betrayed the Hojo family, trampling on their dignity.

He's under the most pressure right now, and he definitely doesn't want to see the Hojo clan continue to control Ueno.

"To be honest, Lord Obata Uesugi of Kunimine Castle has decided to betray the Hojo clan. I hope that Lord Tango no Kami can also persuade the people of the neighboring provinces to break away from the Hojo family."

“After the Hojo clan’s wings were clipped, Minowa Castle became an isolated castle in Ueno.”

"Without a single soldier, we can get Hojo Ujiki to leave Minowa Castle on his own initiative."

Nobuyuki Sanada essentially revealed his hand directly to Takahiro Hojo.

The Hojo clan's control over the Kozuke region was short-lived, primarily relying on surrendered Kozuke lords to maintain control. If these lords could be persuaded to break away from the Hojo clan, the clan would naturally lose its rule over Kozuke. At that point, the Hojo clan, now without a powerful lord, would dare not remain in Minowa Castle.

However, the Sanada family could not accomplish this, because the Sanada had virtually no influence over Ueno.

In other words, the Sanada family name doesn't work in Ueno. Unlike Shinano, no one listens to the Sanada family here.

Hojo Takahiro was different.

As early as the time of Uesugi Kenshin, Hojo Takahiro became the head of the Uesugi family in the Ueno region, and had been managing the Ueno region for many years.

Many people in Ueno Province have good relationships with Hojo Takahiro, such as Naba Akimune of Imamura Castle, who is Hojo Takahiro's son-in-law.

Now that Hojo Takahiro has returned to the Uesugi family, he can use the Uesugi family's name to rally the people of Ueno.

Regardless, the Ueno region was once the territory of the Uesugi family. Although the Uesugi family has now retreated to Echigo, the people of Ueno still recognize the Uesugi family name.

"Does Lord Sanada mean for me to step forward and overthrow these Ueno vassals who are subordinate to the Hojo clan?"

Nobuyuki Sanada nodded and said, "Indeed, only Tango no Kami is capable of undertaking such an important task."

"Don't forget, Tango no Kami, you betrayed the Uesugi family before, and more than once."

"If you can't do something, even if Lord Uesugi accepts you, I'm afraid Tango will be unable to hold his head high while staying at home."

Nobuyuki Sanada's words struck a nerve with Takahiro Hojo.

Now that he has betrayed the Hojo clan, the only person he can rely on is his former master, Uesugi.

But if he were to slink back to Echigo in such a disgraceful manner, would Hojo Takahiro be content to fade into obscurity?

If Hojo Takahiro were someone who was content with a simple life, he wouldn't have pulled off so many outrageous moves over the past few decades.

"Hato Uesusuke has really decided to betray the Hojo family?" Hojo Takahiro asked, somewhat incredulous.

Without wasting any words, Sanada Nobuyuki pulled out a letter of request written by Obata Nobusada himself from his pocket.

Among the Ueno garrison, the only one with a deep friendship with the Sanada family was Obata Nobusada, who had served the Takeda family alongside Sanada Masayuki.

Even before the Hojo clan withdrew their troops, Sanada Nobuyuki had assigned Yazawa Yoritsuna to contact Obata Nobusada.

At first, Obata Nobusada refused to do so. At that time, the Hojo clan was launching a massive offensive, and Obata Nobusada dared not betray the Hojo clan in order to protect the family's reputation.

But the situation is different now. The Hojo clan has withdrawn its troops, and the sword hanging over the heads of the Ueno lords has been sheathed.

In addition, the news of the Uesugi family's "army" entering Numata Castle had already spread throughout Ueno, showing the people of Ueno how much the Uesugi family valued Ueno.

Under these circumstances, Obata Nobusada began to relent, but only on the condition that he could persuade the other members of the public to agree; otherwise, there was no point in discussing it.

Obata Nobusada isn't stupid. If everyone opposes the Hojo, then his Obata family would naturally be willing to join in.

However, if others are unwilling to participate, the petition will naturally be invalidated, and Obata Nobusada will continue to obediently serve as a vassal of the Hojo family.

"Now, it depends on whether Lord Dango can persuade the other people in the country."

Hojo Takahiro held the petition in his hand, feeling as if this thin piece of paper weighed a ton.

"I can only do my best, but I cannot guarantee whether it will succeed or not."

"Go ahead and do your best, and our family will do our part."

Just Do It!

　Regarding Ueno Province: During the reign of Uesugi Kenshin, although he withdrew from Echigo, he still maintained basic rule in Ueno, especially during the period when Uesugi and Hojo were on friendly terms.

　　However, after the Otate Rebellion, Ueno gradually broke away from the control of the Uesugi clan. In addition, the Oda clan launched a major offensive, and Takigawa Kazumasu entered Ueno, so Ueno Province briefly became Takigawa Kazumasu's territory again.

　　The good times didn't last long. Honnoji broke out, the Hojo clan attacked Ueno and defeated Takikawa Kazumasu, and Ueno surrendered to the Hojo clan.

　　Over the past decade, the situation in Ueno has been very complex. No single power has established absolute control over Ueno, and the internal situation has been quite chaotic.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)