UESUGI - Way of the Sword and Bow

[Wishazu]

UESUGI ~ Summer 1533 - Summer 1536

Summer, 1533 I have heard reports that the siege in Owari is over and the Oda clan are finished. I freely admit to being amazed that Oda Nobuhide was able to survive under siege for a whole year! Such a man would have made a fantastic ally.



Autumn, 1534 My son, Norimasa has come of age and joined my army. I have placed a unit of Yari Samurai under his personal command and ordered him to report for duty with my brother, Tomosada. My allies, the Takeda and Imagawa clans are now at war with each other, as I cannot remain allied to both I have informed Lord Yoshitomo that I cannot remain allied to him whilst this conflict is going on, however I will not actively support the Takeda clan.

Winter, 1534 I have turned away an Emmissary from Lord Imagawa, whilst this war is still going on it would not be honourable to be talking to my allie`s enemie`s.

Summer, 1534 We have been victorious in two great battles this summer in Shimosa and Musashi. I have decided it is now time that Norimasa earned some experience on campaign so he accompanied me on my invasion of Shimosa. Tomosada was left to defend Musashi.



I formed my army up with Norimasa leading the Yari Spearmen. His orders were to wait for me to draw off the enemy infantry with my charge over the bridge, once they were too far away to stop his crossing he was to lead all the infantry across the bridge into a frontal assault on any who remained to defend.




Once over the bridge Norimasa charged the only defenders remaining to stop him, a single formation of Samurai Archers. The defenders managed to loose a few volleys before my son made contact with them but casualties were fairly light. By this time I had completely drawn off the enemy spearmen and had worked my way around them into a position where I could hit the Samurai Archers in the rear.



Realising they could not assist their comrades at the bridge the enemy spearmen quickly withdrew. Alone and surrounded the enemy Archers fought bravely but were swiftly cut down.
Meanwhile, back in Musashi, Tomosada had come under attack from our enemies in Kozuke, the Yuki clan.



Though outnumbered 2:1, Tomosada had the advantage of terrain and was able to inflict a spectacular defeat on our enemies. My brother personally took the head of the enemy Taisho.

Overview
Fairly easy going so far, but then I suppose spamming archers to defend a bridge province is a no brainer. I`m still looking to expand into the nearby rebel provinces before attacking any other major clans. I shouldn`t have any difficulty repelling any attacks so I can just sit still for a little while and build up my forces without any hassle.

[Wishazu]

UESUGI ~ Winter 1536 - Winter 1547

Winter, 1536 My peers, Lord Imagawa and Lord Takeda have made peace. Yoshitomo`s Emmissary again requested an audience and I agreed to see him.



He explained that his master felt no ill will toward me over my decision to break off relations with him at the outbreak of hostilities with the Takeda. He asked If I would now reconsider my position and enter a new alliance. I agreed.

Autumn, 1541 I have spent the last five years buried in work, organising new construction works, training my armies etc. that I had quite forgotten about this journal. Not much of interest has occured these past years, however I received a guest a few months ago who claimed to represent the interests of several towns and villages in Kazusa province. This gentleman was a skilled talker and convinced me to come to the rescue of these places. Apparently ever since their old lord died the people of Kazusa have been plagued by groups of Ronin and Bandits riding roughshod over the countryside, pillaging and looting as they went. I agreed to deal with these miscreants in return for the loyalty of the province. Needless to say the problem has been dealt with and I will be spending this winter here in Kazusa building a new castle. War has broken out again on the edge of my territory, the Lord`s Imagawa and Hojo both blamed each other for a series of raids along their mutual border and the dispute has developed into a full scale confrontation. I have decided to remain faithful to Yoshitomo for the time being, the arrogance of the Hojo Daimyo`s has always offended me.

Autumn, 1542 The war is not going well for Lord Hojo, he sent an emmissary to seek my favour but I would not see the man.

Autumn, 1543 Abe Ujitsugu, my faithful retainer has been murdered at the court of Lord Hojo, I do not know who would have anything to gain by such a move but it is disturbing none the less.



Imagawa Yoshitomo has now declared war on the Takeda, I have informed him that I cannot remain on friendly terms with him whilst he shows such blatant aggression and disregard to my own friends and allies.

Autumn, 1544 I have invaded Shimotsuki, the Ronin and Bandit forces that have previously made this place their home had come to stop me in the hills but thought better of it once they saw the full magnificence of my army. We have heard nothing of them since.

Winter, 1544 Now that Lord Hojo and Lord Imagawa are once again at peace I have resumed my previous alliance with the Hojo.

Spring, 1546 My second son, Kenshin has come of age this year and like his brother he immediately entered service with my army. Ever since he was a small boy he has shown great promise, and great skill with the bow. He now commands my garrison in Shimotsuke.

Winter, 1547 I have once again entered into an alliance with Lord Imagawa. We have agreed on a mutual offensive into the lands bordering ours in order to clear out any other raiders and bandits etc. He has agreed to assist me in an attack on Mutsu next year.

Overview
Imagawa are on the warpath and for once hav`nt been swiftly destroyed. I don`t want to go to war with them if I can help it as I need them to keep Shimazu busy as I don`t want a predictable half and half face off later on. This just seems like such an easy job so far compared to my Oda campaign.

[Adam99]

Well the rebels usually are easier in that side of the map. Takeda or Imagawa will backstab you sooner or later.

[Thermal]

looking strong defensively, though it has took its time, i would of abandoned kozuke at the start as well, try and take the rebel provinces around you before imagawa do!

[Sasaki Kojiro]

With oda gone this could be a short campaign. Looks like the competition will be between you and imagawa. I don't think you can let him afford to take over mutsu dewa echigo etc, although I doubt the ai is capable. Those three alone are an easy 2500 koku or so. The money should allow you to overwhelm takeda and hojo. The only wild card is shimazu, I can see a port jump to kyushu being very effective.

[Wishazu]

UESUGI ~ Autumn 1548 - Autumn 1549

Autumn, 1548 Barbarians from across the great ocean landed and requested permission to trade their guns for my gold. They wished also to spread the word of their "one true God", whoever that is. I refused their petition, I have no use for their cowardly trinkets and do not wish my peasantry confused by new theology.

Winter, 1548 I have attacked and taken control of Mutsu and as promised my friend, Yoshitomo sent a few units of his elite Samurai Archers to assist.



These allies were from Totomi province and handled their bows very well indeed, their reputation is well deserved. After the battle there was a chance for an honourable contest between these men and Samurai from my own Archery school in Musashi. Unfortunately my men were beaten - but there is no dishonour in being beaten by the best. Perhaps the lessons they have learned can be incorporated into our training regime.

Summer, 1549 My friend Imagawa Yoshitomo is dead, he was defeated in distant Hizen by Lord Shimazu, only one of his Hatamoto escaped, carrying his lords head back to Totomi. He informed the new Imagawa lord, Ujizane that he had been honoured to perform the duty of Second to Yoshitomo, who had decided to commit Seppuku rather than risk capture by the Shimazu warriors.



Autumn, 1549 I have been forced to set my taxes to what would usually be considered punitive levels, I do not wish my people to suffer and this is only a temporary measure but the coffers are empty and I must continue the infastructural programs that have been started across my domain. More of the foreigners came to see me but I gave them the same response as last time.

Overview
Well the rebels are steadily falling before me and the Imagawa are honouring the alliance nicely, I don`t often play campaigns in which I get to fight alongside my allies. My next moves will be to take Echigo and Dewa, though I am going to have to build up a large army, the defenders are vast with huge numbers of archers defending the bridge. So i`ll probably just sit back and build up for a few years. I dare not weaken the defences in Musashi to support an attack on Echigo as both the Hojo and Takeda are hemmed in by myself and the Imagawa. I don`t want them to get any opportunity to "backstab" me as Adam99 believes.

[Adam99]

O I thinks its guaranteed that Takeda will have a go sooner or later, as you say he's hemmed in by you and Imagawa. He's bound to go for one of you, hopefully it'll be Imagawa but theres always a chance he'll go for you. Best case scenario is both Hojo and Takeda go for Imagawa, worst case they both go for you. As for Imagawa i'm sure he'll have a few ninja roaming around, and if Hojo and Takeda end up face down in the grass i'm sure Imagawa wont mind letting his ninga practise on your generals and family line....

[Wishazu]

Well now that Imagawa have been pushed out of Kyushu I may switch to favour the alliance with the Takeda. They still have lands on the other end on Honshu - Suo, Aki and Bingo to be precise, so he may be able to cause some problems for Shimazu. I hope so anyway.