Terutora Uesugi has some regrets. Did he give away too much power in order to hold on to Yoshigan Shiba?
The Kanto Secretariat, which was created under Echigo's dual politics, has gradually become a new force that hinders Terutora Uesugi. Especially after her defeat, the internal conflicts of the Echigo samurai group intensified again.
She thought again of what Minister Minoru Minoru had said, and that during the Battle of Kawanakajima, Yoshigan Shiba was probably killed by the beast Takeda Harunobu...
Why? Why didn’t you tell me? Sibo Yiyin! Why didn’t you tell me!
I love you deeply and am willing to share everything with you, but you are vague about everything. How many things are you hiding from me?
Spo Yiyin!
Uesugi Teru's eyes were glistening, and she took a deep breath to stabilize her emotions.
Then, she said to Hatamoto in a deep voice.
"Tell Naoe Kanetsugu to wait for me in the meeting hall."
"Hi!"
———
In the Numata Castle Council Hall, Naoe Kanetsugu respectfully saluted Uesugi Terutora as he entered.
Teruhora Uesugi sat on the main seat, waved his hand and said.
"No need to be formal, Naoe-hime, why are you here? Did something happen to Mr. Naoe?"
Naoe Kanetsugu said solemnly without going around in circles.
"My lord, Nagano Imasa is dead."
"What!"
Teru Uesugi's expression changed drastically and he asked.
"How did you die? When?"
Naoe Kanetsugu replied.
"I heard that I fell ill in the depth of winter. I struggled to survive until spring and almost died. I didn't make it to summer."
Didn’t make it to summer? Did he die for a month? Or two months? Or longer?
Teruhora Uesugi's eyes were stern.
"Why didn't I get the message?"
Naoe Kanetsugu frowned.
"It was Nagano Yamasa who blocked the news himself.
You also know that Sanada Nobushige of Azuma County has been causing trouble for her, and even took in Nobusada Obata who was expelled by Nagano Yamasa through the Odaisho and the Kanto Palace.
Nagano Yezheng is very old. This old man gets seriously ill when his life is over. Even the gods can't save him. She doesn't dare to leak the news and keeps it secret.
We didn't receive any news, but Kobata Nobuzada was very fond of her, and she was the former governor of the Kohata family in Kunamine City. Although she was expelled by Nagano Yamasa, the news was still very good.
As soon as Nagano Imasa died, Azuma County took action. Sanada Nobushige led one hundred elite Sanada soldiers to secretly go south to help Obata Nobusada return to Kunimine Castle.
The gate of Kunamine Castle was opened from the inside, and the Obata family changed its owner overnight. Kagesada Kohata, who was promoted to power by Nagano Yamasa, ordered Kobata Nobusada to massacre the whole family, including Nagano Yamasa's second son."
Teruhora Uesugi narrowed his eyes and said.
"It's a good way to eliminate the weeds and root causes, which also cuts off your own retreat and makes Sanada Nobunaga feel at ease."
Nagano Yasumasa married off more than a dozen of his sons and had wives in various Rikihime samurai families. Nobuzada Kobata was her eldest daughter-in-law.
After Kobata Nobusada was expelled, Nagano Yasumasa supported his second daughter-in-law, Kowata Kagesada, a branch of the Kohata family in Kunimine Castle.
This time, Kobata Nobusada used the power of Sanada Nobunaga to come back and directly killed Kowata Kagesada's entire family, even the second son of Nagano Yamasa. This was a vote of trust.
Cutting off the retreat route for peace with the Nagano family gave Sanada Nobushige a reassurance that he could conspire to seize the land of Nishi Ueno.
Teru Uesugi asked.
"I haven't received any news from Nishi Ueno, how do you know?"
Naoe Kanetsugu said.
"Sanada Nobushige acted too quickly. Not to mention us, Shimakatsu Takeo probably didn't know that this daring guy had taken action against Nishi Ueno.
Nagano Yashima's daughter, Nagano Yashimai, was caught off guard by the raid. Just when she was about to rally the Minawa clan to fight against Sanada Nobushige, something big happened on the southern front.
The Hojo family didn't know where they got the news, so they went north to Hirai Castle to persuade the defenders to surrender, and recaptured Hirai Castle that had been robbed by Nagano Yamasa.
The Nagano family was in chaos because of this news. Seeing the Nagano family's internal and external troubles, the Minawa people all wanted to sit on the fence. Nagano Yamori had almost no troops at his disposal, and was directly surrounded by Sanada Nobunshige at Minawa Castle.
Obata Nobusada's spy tricked him into opening the city gate, and Minawa Castle, with its high mountains and thick walls, lost its people and was defeated without a fight. Nagano Yamori was already preparing to commit seppuku at the residence hall to avoid being humiliated.
Seeing the tree fell and the monkeys scattered, Kamizumi Nobutsuna, who was retiring in Minawa Castle, put the thank you and Odaisho's gift to her on a white flag, and blocked the door of Nagano Yamori's residence with one gun behind the flag and one gun behind the flag.
Kamiizumi Swordsman followed you and Ootai through the Hokuriku Road, and we have a comradeship. No matter how courageous Sanada Nobushige was, he did not dare to take action, and the two sides were in a stalemate.
While blocking the doorway, Lord Kensei sent a message early to Echigo Kasugayama Castle and Ueno Province Oku Castle, asking for help from Honjo Sano-sama and Shima Katsume-sama.
She said that she would use the kindness she had established with the two highnesses in the past to exchange for Nagano Yamori's way of survival.
Honjo Minoru dare not slack off and asked me to come to Numata Castle quickly to inform you of this matter."
Terutora Uesugi nodded and said.
"Sanada Nobunaga is clever in his methods, and Kamiizumi Nobutsuna is affectionate and righteous."
The Hojo family suddenly went north, took away Hirai Castle, and paralyzed the Nagano family. This was definitely not a coincidence.
Sanada Nobushige was so courageous that he dared to tip off Hojo Yasushita and lure foreign enemies into the invasion, which made Uesugi Terutora very angry.
Nagano Karma was able to claim female status in Nishi Ueno because most of the powerful warriors among the Minawa clan were her daughters-in-law.
These people were impressed by Nagano Yamasa's ability, and they were even more unwilling to abandon their in-laws. Therefore, the unity of the Minawa clan was far beyond that of ordinary people, making it difficult for outsiders to intervene in the land of Nishi Ueno.
But Nagano Yasumasa's expulsion of his eldest daughter-in-law, Kobata Nobusada, shook the unity of these in-laws. After her death, how could the daughters-in-law be willing to obey a young Nagano Yasumai?
In addition, the Hojo family went north and retook Hirai Castle, the former residence of the Uesugi family in Yamauchi, which made the princesses even more frightened, fearing that they would be buried with the declining Nagano family.
Before the situation becomes clear, no one is willing to waste their strength in vain.
The Kohata family of Kunimine Castle and the Nagano family of Minawa Castle are both powerful in Nishi Ueno. Nagano Yoshie is unkind in his actions, so it is reasonable for Nobusada Nobata to come back and fight again.
The Nishishueno samurai family did not want to get involved in the internal fighting between the two families, so they stood aside and watched helplessly as the seasoned Nobusada Kobata beat the young Nagano Yamori.
The intervention of the Sanada clan and the Hojo family made the situation in Nishi Ueno extremely chaotic. Each family was waiting to see what would happen and did not move.
Terutora Uesugi couldn't help but sigh, Nagano Yamasa was considered a hero. But as soon as she died, his daughter had to rely on an old woman to block the door and save her life. It was really shameful.
The fortune of the Wu family is like a meteor, rising and falling suddenly, which is really sad.
Naoe Kanetsugu held a letter with both hands and said.
"My lord, this is a request for help sent by the Sword Master Kamiizumi to Kasugayama Castle. My Lord, Minoru, ordered me to bring it and forward it to your lord."
Uesugi Teruhu took the letter, put it on the slippery table beside him, tapped the letter with his fingers, and began to think.
Naoe Kanetsugu did not dare to disturb him and respectfully waited for his lord's decision.
West Ueno is more mountainous and less land. Although the land is not fertile, it still has a mobilization force of 100,000 stone. Moreover, the terrain is condescending, overlooking the Kanto Plain, and it is a battleground for military strategists.
Minawa Castle is located south of Haruna Mountain, suppressing Shirai Castle and Umbashi Castle to the east, threatening the Tone River water transportation.
Valley
Kunamine Castle is in the middle, guarding Usui Pass to the west, blocking the passage from Shinano Country to Ueno Country.
Hirai Castle is in the south and is the only place that connects the two mountains of Ueno and Musashi.
Nagano Yasumasa had already controlled these three cities and guarded the Nishi Ueno land like an iron barrel.
But as soon as she died, all three cities were lost, and her daughter was trapped in the Minawa Castle residence, and could only rely on Kamizumi Nobutsuna for a while.
If it were the former Uesugi Terutora, he might have acquiesced to Sanada Nobushige to swallow up the Nishi Ueno land and strengthen the power of the Echigo samurai group.
But this time, the defeat of Shimoso-goku made Uesugi Teruhora more and more aware of the constraints imposed on him by the Kanto Imperial Guard.
After Minoru Irobu revealed that Takeda Harunobu had cheated on Yoshigoshi Shiba to give birth to a daughter, Terutora Uesugi suddenly discovered that Yoshigan Shiba was not honest with him and that his love was too wishful.
Her thoughts changed unknowingly. She was wary of the Kanto Palace and she was unwilling to let Sanada Nobushige swallow up the land of Nishi Ueno.
But the current situation in Kanto is that the two Uesugi and Hojo families are at odds with each other. It's really hard for Teruhora Uesugi to directly scold Nobushige Sanada for withdrawing his skills and giving up the fat land of Nishi Ueno.
With Sanada Nobushige withdrawing, the people of Nishi-Ueno might turn to the Hojo family, which would be even more troublesome.
Externally, the Hojo family was aggressive, and internally, Sanada Nobunshige and other Kanto samurai families were trying to make a move. Uesugi Terutora was in a difficult situation.
She glanced at Naoe Kanetsugu and asked.
"Kamiizumi Nobutsuna also sent a letter to Dahu City? What did Shima Shengmeng say?"
Naoe Kanetsu shook his head and said.
"I dare to come here in a hurry. I don't know how Master Shima Shengmeng will make a decision. But I think she will delay this matter."
"Oh why?"
Naoe Kanetsugu looked up at Teruhora Uesugi and whispered.
"Not long ago, Lord Shimakatsu Moe sent a letter to Konki via the Hokuriku Road trade route.
I invited the messenger to have a drink privately and discussed the details. Shima Shengmeng seemed to hope that the Ootaisho could return to Kanto quickly and take charge of the overall situation."
Teru Uesugi's eyes widened, he nodded slightly and murmured.
"Yes, I should have thought that Dao Shengmeng would definitely write a letter."
Teru Uesugi was in a state of confusion. She found that she was full of sincerity and enthusiasm, but she had never truly understood the thoughts of her sweetheart. She was a little sad and a little chilled.
The fact that Takeda Harunobu gave birth to a daughter was a thorn in her heart. But she didn't know how to ask Shiba Yoshigan. She didn't want to know the answer that would break her heart from her sweetheart.
Apparently, the Kanto Secretariat had no confidence in Terutora Uesugi, so he secretly wrote a letter to Yoshigan Shiba, urging him to come back so that everyone could have a backbone.
Terutora Uesugi felt very conflicted.
When Shiba Yoshigan comes back this time, the Kanto Secretariat will definitely not take him seriously. This institution has become a state within a state in the Kanto system, which makes Uesugi Teruhora feel threatened.
Originally, she thought that joining Uesugi Shiba and the Kanto Secretariat would not be a problem. But now it seems that she is too confident.
This time, Shimoso-goku was defeated, and many potential conflicts were brought to light, making Terutora Uesugi restless and fearful.
But if her sweetheart could come back early, why wouldn't Uesugi Terutora be unwilling? She still had something to ask and something she wanted to find an answer to.
Terutora Uesugi shook his head, dismissed his sorrowful thoughts, and said.
"Let Lord Kenshin take care of these mountain monkeys. I will write a letter to warn Sanada Nobushige and ask her to ensure the safety of Kamiizumi Sword Master.
As for how Nagano Yamori will deal with it, hey, let her use her own brains to figure out how to give an explanation to Mr. Kenshin."
Naoe Kanetsugu had a vague feeling that his master's attitude was a bit strange, but he couldn't tell what was wrong.
Every time when the Lord calls Duke Qianxin, there is a hint of tenderness in his tone. But today, it seems to be unnervingly cold.
The Naoe family made too much money on the Hokurikudo trade route and was deeply involved with the Shiba family.
If there is a crisis in Echigo's dual politics, the Naoe family will definitely bear the brunt of the misfortune. If both parties are not human beings, life will not be easy.
Naoe Kanetsugu felt uneasy, but he didn't dare to reveal anything on his face, so he fell to the ground and accepted the order.
———
Sanada Nobushige, who had completely occupied Minawa Castle and almost perfectly invaded Nishi Ueno, was currently in a state of distress.
She looked at Nagano Yashimai's residence on the Ninomaru Castle wall, and could faintly see the old woman standing in front of the threshold.
Nezu Sadamori walked up and bowed beside her, and Sanada Nobushige asked.
"what happened again?"
Nezu Sadamori laughed twice and said.
"Sword Master Shangquan said she was a little tired and asked for a bottle of water and a horse to sit on."
Someone on the side snorted and couldn't help laughing. Sanada Nobushige glared at that person and said angrily.
"Smile! Do you want to prepare another quilt for her? Make two bowls of rice?"
This old woman is really troublesome. I have been blocked by her for three days and dare not attack. I have already gained enough face. She should not push her too far!"
Nezu Sadamori smiled helplessly, and Umino Riichi on the side said calmly.
"There is water and food in the residence, and there is no shortage of supplies for the time being. Kamizumi Nobutsuna is not asking for anything, he is testing our determination.
After all, she is old. She stayed up for three days and three nights guarding the door. Even if she had food and drink, she couldn't stay up long."
Sanada Nobushige turned around and gave the order.
"Cheer up, everyone! When this old woman can't stand it any longer, we'll go in!
Remember, don't ruin this old woman's life!
She has a good relationship with Odai. If I accidentally kill her, I will be unlucky, and you don't want to get through it peacefully!
You all have to support me!"
The concubines cheered and bowed to obey the order.
Since killing Yukiyo Yukiyo's family, Sanada Nobushige's control over the Azuma clan has finally been stabilized.
Whether it is Nishi-Agatsuma's Shino clan or Higashi-Agatsuma's Saito surrender, they are all convinced of this young new lord.
This time in the Nishi Ueno strategy, the 10,000-koku Nishi-Ueno in Azuma County dared to devour the 100,000-koku Nishi-Ueno. No matter how much territory could be captured, it would be enough for each family in Azuma County to get a piece of fat.
Sanada Nobunaga's prestige grew higher and higher, and it gradually became a trend. All the concubines were convinced and obeyed his orders.
Umino Riichi looked at the residence in the distance and suddenly said.
"Something's wrong."
Sanada Nobushige looked back at her and asked.
"Liu Niang feels something is wrong?"
Umino Riichi pointed at the residence and said.
"Kamiizumi Swordsman is known as Ueno Ippon, and he was also a general who fought in all directions. How could she stand in a lonely city and wait silently for defeat?
If she had no backup plan, she would definitely fight hard and lead Nagano Yamori to break out of the encirclement.
But the way she looks now is more like stalling for time, and even trying to test our reaction."