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

Chapter 88 Did Hashiba Sell Me Out?

Shinano Suwa County, Uehara Castle.

Sanada Masayuki looked at the news coming from all over the country with a worried expression. Even though he was prepared, he couldn't help but gasp when he saw how many people had betrayed Sanada.

"Muroga, Yashiro, Kiso, Ogasawara (Matsuo Ogasawara), Oi." As he read the long list of names, Sanada Masayuki couldn't help but sigh.

Takanashi Naiki stood beside Sanada Masayuki and whispered, "More and more local lords are joining the Kiso clan outside the castle. If this continues, I'm afraid Ina District and Suwa District will be captured by the uprising."

"Takato Castle is also surrounded by Ogasawara Nobutsuine, and Lord Hoshina has requested reinforcements several times."

After listening, Sanada Masayuki remained silent. Takanashi Naiki, who was standing next to him, understood that Sanada Masayuki was deep in thought, and wisely kept quiet as well.

A tense atmosphere hung over Uehara Castle. Not only Sanada Masayuki, but all the samurai and foot soldiers in the castle were somewhat apprehensive.

There weren't many soldiers guarding the city at that moment.

Nearly three thousand of them were mobilized by Sanada Masayuki from Koga, Saku, and Kinokami districts, while another four or five hundred were foot soldiers from Suwa district gathered by Suwa Yoritada.

Fortunately, the grain that Sanada Nobuyuki had obtained from the Tokugawa family was stored in Uehara Castle, which was enough to cover the castle's needs.

"Lord!"

"Lord Ogasawara has gone into battle!" Just then, Horita Sakubei ran in excitedly, holding up a letter.

Sanada Masayuki quickly opened his eyes and snatched the letter from Horita Sakubei's hand.

Uehara Castle desperately needs some good news.

"Good, Kisaburo's arrival is just in time. With him leading the troops and setting up battle formations, the pressure on Uehara Castle can be reduced." Sanada Masayuki finally showed his first smile in several days.

The letter was sent by Ogasawara Sadakichi, the lord of Matsumoto Castle (Fukashi Castle). He had already mobilized 1500 foot soldiers to garrison the Shiojiri region, which is only separated from Uehara Castle by Lake Suwa.

It was foreseeable that Ogasawara Sadayoshi would deploy his troops here, and Kiso Yoshimasa would certainly send troops to guard it.

In this way, the pressure on Uehara City will be much less.

"There's another piece of good news," Horita Sakubei added. "Lord Genzaburo has defeated the Muroga clan's army at Arato Castle and has now surrounded the castle."

"Katsunaga Yashiro is also tied up in Yashiro Castle by Lord Kasuga and Lord Izuura. I believe that the crisis in Koki County and Karashiro County will be completely resolved soon."

"Well done, Genzaburo!" Sanada Masayuki slapped his thigh and stood up excitedly from his seat.

"In this way, as long as we defeat the uprising in Saku District, our main clan can concentrate on defending Uehara Castle."

"Spread this message throughout the city immediately, make sure everyone knows about it."

"what!"

Soon, when news of Ogasawara Sadayoshi's campaign and Sanada Nobuyuki's great victory at Arato Castle spread, the previously demoralized Uehara Castle garrison was instantly given a shot of adrenaline.

The feelings of disappointment and confusion disappeared from the faces of the defenders, and the morale in the city was greatly boosted.

Meanwhile, Kiso Yoshimasa outside the city breached the defenses.

"What are the Muroga people good for? It's only been a few days, they're a bunch of useless trash!"

"This matter cannot be entirely blamed on Muroga. The Sanada family's so-called campaign to Echigo to assist Uesugi was completely fabricated."

“The Sanada clan in Uehara Castle has two or three thousand people. If the Sanada clan really sent a large army to Echigo, did all these people in the castle just appear out of thin air?” Ogasawara Nobutsune said with his arms crossed next to Kiso Yoshimasa.

Kiso Yoshimasa turned to look at Ogasawara Nobutane, "Is the Hoshina clan in Takato Castle still unwilling to surrender?"

“That man is the son-in-law of the governor of Awa; there’s no reason for him to surrender so easily.”

"Moreover, our troop strength is not superior."

"Those two idiots, Muroga, were completely fooled by the Sanada clan. If they hadn't given us the wrong information, how could we have misjudged the Sanada clan's military strength?"

That's where the awkward part is.

At first, Kiso Yoshimasa and his men genuinely believed that the Sanada clan's main army had gone to Echigo, so they immediately mobilized a large army to besiege the castle. However, after besieging it for several days, they suddenly discovered that not only were there Suwa clan foot soldiers inside Uehara Castle, but also a large army led by Sanada Masayuki himself.

Kiso Yoshimasa only had a little over two thousand men under his command. Even with the addition of the troops from Ina County who responded to the uprising, they were barely on par with the Sanada clan inside the castle.

Now that Ogasawara Sadayoshi has arrived with reinforcements, Kiso Yoshimasa sees no advantage whatsoever.

Where are the Tokugawa reinforcements?

"Doctor Kiso, you'd better hurry up and urge them on." Kiso Yoshimasa could only place all his hopes on the Tokugawa family now.

Ogasawara Nobutsune shrugged and said helplessly, "I have already sent several letters requesting assistance, but the Tokugawa family has only replied with a single word."

"Wait!"

boom!
In a fit of rage, Kiso Yoshimasa kicked over the table in front of him, and just as he was about to unleash a torrent of curses, the main camp's curtain was lifted, and an envoy bearing the Ogasawara family's flag and seal walked in.

"Report! The Tokugawa clan has already set out from Mikawa. A Tokugawa envoy has arrived and is currently outside."

Ogasawara Nobutsune quickly stood up. "Please come in!"

Turning around, I saw that Yoshimasa Kiso had already rearranged the table and was now squatting on the ground, quickly wiping the table legs.

"impossible!"

"Absolutely impossible!"

Inside Uehara Castle, Sanada Masayuki had barely begun to rejoice when he learned of the Tokugawa clan's deployment.

"How could the Tokugawa clan dare to attack Shinano without the permission of the Oda clan?" Sanada Masayuki was getting restless.

If the news is true, then it can only mean one thing—Hideyoshi Hashiba sold out the Sanada family.

"The news has been confirmed; it is indeed true."

"Our clan's ninjas witnessed the Tokugawa army marching out of Mikawa, with Sakai Tadatsugu as the commander-in-chief," Mochizuki Masayori said solemnly.

Sanada Masayuki raised his hand as if to say something, but then lowered it weakly. Hideyoshi's move completely disrupted all of Sanada Masayuki's plans.

Stay calm. As the head of the family, I absolutely cannot panic at this time.

Thinking of this, Sanada Masayuki then asked, "How many troops did the Tokugawa clan deploy?"

"The exact number is currently unknown, but preliminary estimates suggest it will be no less than 5000."

"When will we arrive at Shangyuan City?"

"The news came back from Mikawa two days ago. Judging by the time, the Tokugawa army should have just arrived in the Shitagara area by now," Mochizuki Masayori continued.

Sanada Masayuki silently estimated the time in his mind, "This road is not easy to travel, it will take at least seven or eight days."

"We have to do something in the next few days."

"Where is Genzaburo now?" Sanada Masayuki asked Takanashi Naiki.

Takanashi Naiki found the latest letter sent by Sanada Nobuyuki and replied, "Lord Genzaburo captured Muroga Castle yesterday and is now marching towards Komoro Castle."

"Send word to Genzaburo that the uprising in Saku District must be dealt with within three days, and he must come to Uehara Castle immediately."

"Ha!" Takanashi Naiki quickly sat down and began writing a letter.

If the Tokugawa family were to intervene directly, then the existing plans would have to be adjusted.

In any case, after the crushing defeat at Muroga, the situation in northern Shinano temporarily stabilized. As a result, the main attack could no longer be focused on small prefectures; instead, a large force had to be concentrated to defend Uehara Castle first.

Otherwise, once the Tokugawa clan breaks through Uehara Castle, the entire Shinano region will be completely open to them.

Damn monkeys!
At this moment, Sanada Masayuki was already mentally wishing good luck to Hashiba Hideyoshi's family.

(End of this chapter)