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

Chapter 84 Nobuyuki Sanada: My Turn to Perform

Tokugawa Ieyasu fell into deep thought.

Given the current situation, the turmoil in Shinano is indeed a good opportunity for the Tokugawa clan to intervene.

In addition to Muroga Masatake and others capturing Toishi Castle, Kiso Yoshimasa himself also led his army to besiege Suwa Uehara Castle.

If the Tokugawa clan also sends troops, the other Shinano lords who are still observing will inevitably throw themselves into the arms of the Tokugawa clan.

However, Tokugawa Ieyasu still had reservations.

"Two questions."

Tokugawa Ieyasu took his hand out of his mouth. "First, where is Sanada Awa-no-kami?"

"The reports from Muroga and the others did not mention that they had captured Sanada Awa no Kami, or even that they had found any members of the Sanada family."

"Secondly, if we launch a direct attack, won't that displease Oda?"

"No matter what, Shinano is still Oda territory."

Sanada Masayuki alone was not enough to make Tokugawa Ieyasu hesitate; what he was truly worried about was the attitude of the Oda clan.

After Okehazama, Tokugawa Ieyasu was a staunch ally of the Oda clan.

When Oda Nobunaga faced numerous crises, Tokugawa Ieyasu always stood firmly on the side of the Oda clan, and this stance has remained unchanged over the years.

The Tokugawa family's image as loyal and honest has been firmly established.

But if we attack Shinano without informing the Oda clan, wouldn't the image and trust that the Tokugawa clan has built up over the years crumble in an instant?
"Hashiba Chikuzen no Kami has just captured Gifu Castle, and most of Omi has also been captured by Hashiba."

"Shibata will not stand idly by; he will surely send troops once the snow melts in the Hokuriku region."

“A major battle is about to break out, and it is not advisable for our clan to get involved in Shinano at this time,” Tokugawa Ieyasu analyzed.

After listening to Tokugawa Ieyasu's words, Honda Masanobu asked in confusion, "The Hashiba and Shibata clans are about to engage in a major battle, and the Oda clan will be unable to attend to Shinano. Isn't this a good opportunity for our clan to send troops?"

"Moreover, Takigawa has also occupied northern Ise. Now Hideyoshi is attacked from both sides, and it is hard to say who will win this battle."

“But what if that monkey in Owari wins?” Tokugawa Ieyasu suddenly blurted out.

"Don't forget, our main family is now an ally of Hashiba. Do you expect me, Tokugawa Ieyasu, to betray our ally?" Tokugawa Ieyasu seemed somewhat helpless.

This statement actually only conveyed one meaning: I, Tokugawa Ieyasu, have a sense of shame!
"We are preparing for both scenarios."

"We should not launch an offensive against Shinano for the time being, but we can wait until Shinano is in a hopeless situation before sending troops."

"If the Sanada family cannot control the situation in Shinano, then our main family will have a reason to intervene in Shinano."

"Before that, how about adding fuel to the fire in Shinano?" Tokugawa Ieyasu's lips curled into a strange smile.

Honda Masanobu realized what he meant. "Does my lord mean to make the water in Shinano even more turbid?"

"Regardless of what Sanada's plans are, Shinano must be thrown into complete chaos."

"Send orders to Ishikawa (Ishikawa Kazumasa) and Sakai: Ishikawa is to do his best to win over the local populace of Shinano against Sanada, especially the Ogasawara family."

"Sakai is in charge of deploying troops and preparing for battle."

"understand!"

"In addition, send someone to Kiyosu Castle to try to obtain permission from the Oda family."

"The expedition to Shinano must be conducted with a legitimate reason."

Ishikawa Kazumasa and Sakai Tadatsugu were hereditary retainers of the Tokugawa family, especially Sakai Tadatsugu, who had already been a senior retainer of the family during the time of Matsudaira Hirotada.

After the Honnoji Incident, Tokugawa Ieyasu was stationed in Suruga to conquer Kai Province and confront the Hojo clan.

Meanwhile, the Shinano region was entrusted to Ishikawa Kazumasa and Sakai Tadatsugu, who were stationed in Mikawa. Tokugawa Ieyasu had Ishikawa Kazumasa and Sakai Tadatsugu contact the local populace in Shinano, intending to repeat the same tactics used to conquer Kai in Shinano.

However, before Sakai Tadatsugu and his companion could make any progress, the Sanada family had already taken the lead and formed the Shinano Province People's Rebellion.

Feeling that the matter was no longer possible, Sakai Tadatsugu and his companion had no choice but to abandon their mission. However, it wasn't a complete loss; they had at least successfully established contact with some of the Shinano garrison.

This included Ogasawara Nobutsune, the lord of Matsuo Castle in Ina District.

"Doctor Saobu, the food and weapons have been delivered. Now it's up to you."

In Matsuo Castle, Sakai Tadatsugu, disguised and infiltrated, found Ogasawara Nobutsune.

"Lord Sakai, rest assured. Please convey to Lord Tokugawa that I, Ogasawara Nobutsune, will take over Ina District." "Very good!" Sakai Tadatsugu nodded in satisfaction. "My Tokugawa family will not send troops immediately this time, so don't count on our family's reinforcements for now."

"You all have to rely on yourselves for everything in the early stages."

"My lord has only one request: to win over as many people in Shinano as possible, to create a great deal of momentum, and to make the situation chaotic," Sakai Tadatsugu emphasized.

Without Tokugawa Ieyasu's orders, Sakai Tadatsugu dared not act for the time being. Tokugawa Ieyasu, in turn, needed permission from the Oda clan; otherwise, directly attacking the Sanada clan would be seen as declaring war on Oda, putting him under immense pressure.

Ogasawara Nobutsune nodded. "Understood!"

Shinano, Koshiro.

Ashida Nobuban was a little flustered.

Just two days ago, I received news that Muroga Masatake had captured Toishi Castle. Ashida Nobuhan was just preparing to lead his troops to provide support when Komoro Castle was besieged.

The group surrounding Komoro Castle was none other than the local lords of Saku County.

When the Hojo clan invaded, most of the local lords in Saku District joined them. When the Hojo withdrew, the territories of these local lords were not recognized by the Sanada clan, and many had their lands confiscated as a result.

As soon as the Muroga Rebellion broke out, Saku County immediately responded.

If he hadn't received orders from Sanada Masayuki beforehand, Ashida Nobuhan would have already tried to run away.

Where is our lord now?

When will our family begin sending troops?

Inside the appraisal room of Komoro Castle, Ashida Nobuhan looked anxiously at the Kawahara Tsuna family.

"Don't panic, Hitachi no Suke. The lord and the families of the Shinano lords are all in Iwatoki Castle. It's safe there," Kawahara Tsunaie quickly reassured Ashida Nobuhan.

Then, Kawahara Tsunaie continued, "Our lord has already made arrangements for this. The reason he hasn't made a move yet is to make all those hiding in the shadows come out."

"When all the people who have launched the rebellion have shown themselves, our lord will naturally appear."

Ashida Nobuban breathed a sigh of relief. "And what about Lord Genzaburo?"

"The entire army has been taken to Echigo by Lord Genzaburo."

Kawahara Tsuna smiled slightly, "Haha, there's even less to worry about in that regard."

"Lord Genzaburo has been staying in Shinano and hasn't gone anywhere."

"This is just a smokescreen."

Shinano, Iiyama Castle.

The Sanada family's army has been stationed here for several days.

In fact, Sanada Nobuyuki never actually led his troops to Kasugayama Castle from the very beginning.

When Sanada Nobuyuki reached Iiyama Castle, he stopped and then had Shimazu Tadanao lead a portion of his troops to deliberately take the main road to create a show of force, while Sanada Nobuyuki hid in Iiyama Castle.

It is true that the Uesugi clan sent troops, but their target was not Shigeie Shigeaki of Shigeaki Castle.

At the beginning of the month, Uesugi Kagekatsu received a letter from Hashiba Hideyoshi, who invited him to attack Shibata Katsuie.

After the Honnoji Incident, Uesugi Kagekatsu dispatched his retainer Suda Mitsuchika as the commander-in-chief of the Etchu region to reclaim the territories previously lost by the Uesugi clan.

Subsequently, Suda Mitsuchika contacted Hashiba Hideyoshi and acted as an intermediary between Hashiba Hideyoshi and Uesugi Kagekatsu to improve the diplomatic relationship between the two families.

At this time, Hideyoshi Hashiba was vying with Katsuie Shibata for control of the Oda clan, so he wrote a letter to Kagekatsu Uesugi, hoping that Kagekatsu would send troops to attack Katsuie Shibata.

So this is essentially a play put on by Uesugi Kagekatsu and Sanada Nobuyuki.

The Sanada family successfully lured out Muroga Masatake and his men, while the Uesugi family also concealed their intention to launch an attack, catching Sasa Narimasa completely off guard.

"The Way extends to..."

"Get ready, it's our turn to step in."

Inside Iiyama Castle, Sanada Nobuyuki was fully dressed. Behind him, Yamagami Michiki nodded excitedly.

"Charge!"

　Thank you to "Hell Sky No. 1" and "Great Protector of the Americas" for the donations.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)