UESUGI - Way of the Sword and Bow

**Wishazu** · 01-28-2009, 11:15

UESUGI ~ Oda Reborn

Autumn, 1563 The attempt to start a revolt in Kozuke has failed. My agents there were unable to achieve any of the goals I set for them before being discovered, three of my agents were killed and the survivors fled to Musashi, they believe that Lord Imagawa was able to discover they were working for me but it would not take a genius to work it out. I will not underestimate the Imagawa`s penchant for this kind of warfare. I will have to destroy them face to face. I ordered Takemata Hirotsuna to take Sado island but he lacked the ships to pursue the fleeing pirates and ronin, he believes they are now in Noto and pose no threat to us.

Spring, 1566 I have a son! I have named him Masamune, the priests told me the boy is destined for greatness.

Autumn, 1566 An announcement from the Emperor declaring his support for the Shimazu clan was received today. The only clan to openly support this is the Takeda, what is Shingen up to?

Spring, 1567 With most of the western half of Japan under the control of the new Shimazu "Shogunate" I have sent my spies to Shikoku to stir up trouble and report anything of interest. Shikoku is traditionally a hotbed of unrest, especially Tosa. Hopefully I can create problems for Lord Shimazu. My own internal security network in Musashi has caught a spy in the employ of Lord Hojo. Needless to say the man is now dead.

Winter, 1567 Disconcerting news from Shikoku, apparently the team I sent back in spring are all dead or captured, all but one. It seems that Lord Shimazu had decided to decimate the population of the island after taking control and the people have no wish to bring any more pain upon themselves. They pretended to work towards revolt under the guidance of my spies but at the critical moment they turned my men over to Lord Shimazu`s security forces. I am discouraged from attempting this kind of strategy in future as it is costing lives of expensive men and not providing any results.

Winter, 1569 A huge rebellion has started in Omi province. A peasant named Toyotomi Hideyoshi is the ringleader and claims the Oda heritage for himself, many provinces have joined his revolt. I will send agents to investigate and if this man is not merely a poor pretender a new alliance may be on the cards.

Spring, 1571 Kenshin has taken his army to Noto and destroyed the ronin and pirates there, he will not be staying though. His orders are to return as soon as possible to Sado and there take ship to Musashi for my long awaited attack on the Hojo will be taking place this summer.
Hideyoshi`s revolt has gained pace and strength. He has defeated the Shimazu in a major battle for control of the Emperor`s palace and now claims the title of Shogun. My youngest nephew, Kagekatsu has entered service with my army and is eager to prove himself. With war with Hojo on the horizon he will get his chance.

Overview
Well I`m just about to attack Hojo. As I said earlier, I want to destroy the large armys at my rear before starting a war with Imagawa, I have a feeling though that my invasion of Sagami(next update) will provoke an aggressive response from everyone in the region.

**Wishazu** · 01-28-2009, 12:02

UESUGI ~ Battle of Sagami

Summer, 1571 I went through with my plan to attack Sagami this summer and have been victorious in a major battle there. The hojo fought valiantly defending their homeland but we were too strong for them.

We were marching to destroy a small force we had been tracking for three days when we finally made contact with them at an ancient dried up riverbed. I formed my army up along the old watercourse with a mind to envelope the enemy and destroy them but the Hojo were one step ahead. A unit of Cavalry Archers attempted to leave the field but they were intercepted and destroyed by my Yari Cavalry, this would turn out to be part of the enemies ruse to draw me in.Just as my extreme right flank approached the top of the old riverbank hundreds of Hojo Samurai exploded out of the trees, it was an ambush!

My men held up briefly under this pressure, long enough for me to destroy the enemy force in the open and begin to roll up the Hojo`s right flank. At the same time the centre of my line gave way.

This was followed swiftly by my right flank. It was not going well It looked as if our venture was doomed.

Frantically I organised the troops I had remaining on the left and moved towards the enemy centre, I was going to kill the Hojo Taisho. Though most of my army was now fleeing the Hojo troops were now extremely disorganised and I was able to take advantage. The enemy Taisho realised this and called off the pursuit.

This was his first mistake he would not live long enough to make another. My right flank, now free from pursuit swiftly rallied, regrouped and hit the formerly victorious enemy warriors in the rear. It was a massacre.

This kicked off a chain reaction amongst the confused Hojo warriors and soon the entire army was in full retreat. I took what cavalry I had remaining and and rode as many of the enemy down as I could before returning to the army. One of my Hatamoto trampled the Hojo Taisho under the hooves of his mount.

Autumn, 1571 After sacking Sagami and burning everything to the ground I returned to Musahi to find Kenshin and his army waiting for me. Now we are ready for total war!

Overview
My first major battle of the campaign and it`s been a long time coming. It was almost a complete disaster too but Tomosada managed to snatch a victory from the jaws of defeat. In the middle of the map the new Oda regime has managed to expand very quickly. I am going to wait 1 turn before attacking Imagawa, I just want to see if Takeda will now attack Hojo.

**patdj** · 01-28-2009, 12:35

Tide turned impressively, waiting for more.

**Sasaki Kojiro** · 01-28-2009, 19:53

Those 120 man unit battles always look so epic...

**Adam99** · 01-28-2009, 21:16

Good going. Oda should occupy Shimazu and draw him off, keeps that part of the map interesting, and gives you time to finish off Hojo.

beware Imagawa ninja's. I'm guessing it was them that got your emissary earlier on?

**Wishazu** · 01-28-2009, 21:39

More than likely it was Imagawa, I`m catching 1 or 2 spies/ninja`s of theirs in my territory every year now.

@ Sasaki Kojiro, more epicness to come this evening mate. I`m just typing up the next update now.