What Does a Super Weak Minor Lord in the Sengoku Era Aim For? - Chapter 15

Eiroku 3 (1560), January 10 – Sagawa Castle – Sagawa Mondo

“So, have you decided when to attack Yamanaka?”

My uncle, Sagawa Gonzaemon, barged into the meeting late and blurted out the question as he hastily took his seat.

As always, he was an impatient man. He behaved as if the world revolved around him. My uncle was my father’s younger brother and governed the village of Shimo-Sagawa.

“That is precisely why we are gathered here—to discuss the matter. Everyone has been waiting for you, Uncle.”

“There is no need for discussion! There is no way that we, the proud Sagawa, will serve under some wandering ronin of unknown origins!”

“But Gonzaemon-dono, attacking Yamanaka means making an enemy of Matsunaga. Do you truly believe we have even the slightest chance of defeating him?”

The calm voice belonged to Jinosuke of Kami-Sagawa. He was the son of my uncle Hasaemon, who governed the upper village, and my cousin. He had a sharp mind and was widely known for his intelligence.

“You don’t need to tell me that! We’ll simply claim that we fought because Yamanaka attacked first. Then, we’ll swear loyalty to Matsunaga in Yamanaka’s place.”

If we must fight Yamanaka, that may be our only option…

In the end, there was no way we could oppose Matsunaga, who had easily crushed even the powerful Tsutsui clan.

“Gonzaemon-sama, do you truly believe Matsunaga will accept such an excuse? Have you secured any assurances from him?”

Kakiuchi, my close aide, pressed my uncle for an answer.

“Fool! If we inform him in advance, there’s no way such an excuse would ever work!”

“That is true… If we notify Matsunaga beforehand and he orders us to submit to Yamanaka, we would have no choice but to obey.”

Namika, our army’s supreme commander and known as “Gosou Left Guard” for his formidable spear skills, muttered in agreement.

“Exactly! First, we must defeat Yamanaka. That is our top priority. After that, we can decide our next course of action. If necessary, we could even submit to Yagyū. But under no circumstances will the proud Sagawa serve under a mere wandering ronin!”

To my surprise, everyone nodded in agreement with my uncle’s words. This was unusual—perhaps the first time I had ever seen them all align with his opinion.

“However, brother, Yamanaka has not only taken control of Sugawa but has also absorbed villages in the south, expanding his power to nearly a thousand koku. We cannot afford to delay. Time is on our enemy’s side.”

These words came from my uncle Hasaemon of Kami-Sagawa, who governed the village bordering Sugawa’s domain. His calm and measured judgment reminded me of my late father.
Among all my uncles, he was the one I relied on the most.

“I understand, Hasaemon. I have eyes as well. We will hurry to prepare our forces and attack at the beginning of next month. That way, the battle will be over before the rice-planting season.”

“Uncle, the beginning of next month is still twenty days away. That is too late. As my father said, time is on the enemy’s side. We should strike in half that time—ten days from now. Furthermore, launching a direct invasion into enemy territory carries great risks. We should first attack the villages along the border, luring Yamanaka and his men out, and then defeat them in one decisive blow. If we take him down, victory will be ours.”

Hmm, as expected of Jinosuke. A brilliant strategy.
Not only Namika and Kakiuchi but even the uncles were nodding in agreement. There was no reason not to adopt this plan.

“Very well, it’s decided. In ten days, we will advance into Yamanaka’s territory. Return to your villages and prepare for battle!”

“Yes, sir!”

Eiroku 3 (1560), January 11 – Yamanaka Residence – Shimizu Jūzō

The unit commander, Shinsuke, led a force of fifty men into northern Kamo-go. While training his troops, he also captured several villages. Time was of the essence, and even training was conducted as live combat drills.

The results were beyond expectations.

On the first day, Kitamura’s unit subdued the Iwafune-dera and Jōruriji temples in Taima Village. They then moved into Takada Village and joined forces with Yamada’s unit, which had secured the surrounding mountainous areas.
Together, they pressured the villages of Satomura, Usaginami, and Kitamura into submission.

With this, the eastern region of Kamo-go, which bordered the Kasagi domain, had fallen under Yamanaka’s control.
The western region, including Ōno Village and Kannonji Village, hesitated to surrender, likely due to their proximity to Kizu territory.

Jissai Shōnin of Iwafune-dera initially fled but later voluntarily opened the gates, and the temple soldiers surrendered. Among them was a young man Shinsuke seemed to know.

The young man is a young warrior named Shima, along with five temple soldiers led by Keiei-bō, later joined Shinsuke’s unit.
Keiei-bō, with ten additional soldiers, was stationed in Takada Village.

On the other hand, Unjō Shōnin, who had incited the temple soldiers to rebel while watching from a safe distance, was expelled. The temple’s land was mostly confiscated, leaving it abandoned.
A large stockpile of weapons and funds was taken from the temple, proving immensely useful.

As the general had said, a temple that spreads the Buddha’s teachings should not hoard weapons and train soldiers for killing.

The historic Jōruriji Temple would be maintained by the villagers for the time being until a new head priest was sent from the main temple. Enough land was left to support the temple.

Jissai Shōnin, who willingly surrendered, was a kind-hearted man. Since Jōruriji was now abandoned, he would have to take care of the people who depended on the temple.
As a result, his temple lands remained intact. 

He gladly accepted the request to increase the number of scholarly monks rather than warrior monks and care for the villagers.

From the conquered villages, people, bamboo, straw, scrap iron, and other materials are being transported here daily. Thanks to this, the fortress is growing in numbers every day.
Those who are able to work among the transported people are immediately put to use as laborers.

At Mekigi, the accounting office, more people have been assigned to manage the distribution of personnel, goods, and funds. Shinsuke and Tōnai handle military affairs, while the village elders take care of negotiations and strategy.
As for me, I am focusing on overseeing everything as a whole.

“My lord, the conquest of Ninniku Village is complete!”

Tōnai-dono, who had gone to subdue Okuyama, returned triumphantly.

“I see. Well done, Tōnai-dono. I apologize for constantly working you so hard, but could I ask you to continue training the new recruits? Also, allocate some men to construction and weapon-making as needed.”

“Understood. I know very well that we are short on manpower. Do not worry about me, my lord.”

With Tōnai-dono’s ten men guided by three of the Soba troops, they raised arms and attacked Ninniku Village in Okuyama.

The village was defended by warrior monks from Enjō-ji Temple, who had hired twenty masterless samurai to stand guard. However, they were no match for Tōnai-dono and his men, who had undergone harsh training in Yagyū.

Tōnai’s unit launched a swift assault and utterly crushed them. The village chief was so terrified that he collapsed on the spot, even soiling himself.

Good grief—challenging us with such meager forces was sheer ignorance.

In just half a month, our army has grown fivefold, with many strong warriors like Shinsuke and Tōnai-dono among them. No single village or temple can stand against us anymore.

We seized a great amount of war funds and weapons from Enjō-ji. In our domain, temples are strictly forbidden from harboring weapons or soldiers.
Thus, we confiscated most of their temple lands that allowed them to do so.

“My lord, Ninniku Village has excellent bamboo. I’ve given orders to have it cut and delivered by tomorrow.”

“I see. I’ll make sure the weapons craftsmen hear of it. They will surely be pleased.”

More and more materials are being transported to Yamanaka Fortress.

Bamboo is cut and turned into arrows, split and carved into weapons. Land is cleared for more huts, and alongside them, the new recruits train fiercely.
The kitchens keep their fires burning all day, feeding the growing force. Merchants have even started setting up stalls along the roads. 

Across the valley, land is being leveled, and smoke rises from newly established workshops. The entire area is alive with activity.

It’s as if the bustling streets of Nanto have sprung up inside and outside our fortress.

Our lord, too, has been honing his skills considerably at the Yagyū dojo. Feeling guilty for making us shoulder so much work, he sent word that he will cut his training short and return early.

That will be tomorrow.

Shinsuke and I have been working on a little surprise to welcome him back. It should be completed by the end of the day.

He’s going to be shocked. 

Heh heh heh…

Yamanaka Territory is already changing rapidly by the day, but once our lord returns, I have a feeling things will accelerate even further.

I can’t wait.