Chapter 553 The Shinsengumi sets off! Go to Luo!
In addition to the generals of the Third Division who served as bodyguards, senior officials of the shogunate also followed Tokugawa Iemo.
[Note: The third division: the collective name for the big division, the academy division, and the small division. It is the general's personal guard]
Ichihashi Keiki, Matsudaira Harugaku, Katsurin Taro, the feudal lords who stayed in Edo to attend the imperial meeting, the senior middlemen headed by Matsudaira Nobuyoshi...
Qingdeng glanced around and thought to himself:
——His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan did not come as expected...
In order to prevent the harem from interfering with government affairs, according to the rules of the Edo shogunate, the Odaisho had only one job, which was to manage the Ooku (harem) and handle family affairs for the shogun.
In this era where men are superior to women, it is impossible for Odaisuo to show his face frequently.
The reason why Tianzhangin was able to participate in and discuss politics was purely because Tokugawa Iemo gave her the green light.
In addition, the shogunate is currently suffering from internal and external troubles, and the ministers have no time to deal with matters other than overseas powers, the Kyoto court and the Western vassals.
However, no matter how green the light is given, there will eventually be a limit.
A woman, who is also a monk from Tianzhangyuan, appeared openly at the mobilization ceremony of the army... This is indeed inappropriate.
Besides, Souji and Sanako were also present here. They had both seen Tenjoin with their own eyes at Tsukinomiya Shrine.
With her beauty not inferior to that of Sanako, the possibility of the two girls forgetting her appearance is extremely slim.
If the two girls saw the "Miko Yu Atsushi" wearing the clothes of the Grand Odaisho, standing side by side with Tokugawa Iemo... Then, even if Aonto possesses the talent "Trickster +9", there will be no way to defend himself.
Although he had long been mentally prepared that "it would be impossible to see Tianzhangyuan", when he really failed to see that graceful, mature and charming figure, Qingdeng still felt an indescribable regret in his heart for no reason.
You can't see the people you want to see.
The people I didn’t want to see came all the way.
"Employed after the Shogun" Yoshiki Hitotsubashi and "Political President" Matsudaira Harugaku—these two stood behind Tokugawa Iemo.
After the latter glanced at Qingdeng, he looked away with an indifferent expression.
As for the former... he stared at Qingdeng with a long and long gaze, thoughtfully.
…
…
The troops set out, and the general who conquered the barbarians saw him off in person - I don't know how long it had been since the last time the shogunate held such a grand ceremony.
Just from Tokugawa Iemo's dress and the behavior of the feudal lords and shogunate officials he would bring, it can be seen that he attaches great importance to the Shinsengumi's expedition.
When everyone who was supposed to come had arrived, the ceremony officially began in a very solemn atmosphere.
Elegant music, complicated etiquette...all activities are carried out in an orderly manner.
When the ceremony came to an end, Tokugawa Iemo held up a wakizashi with both hands.
This is a very gorgeous knife.
The handle, tandem and scabbard are all covered with shining gold lacquer and engraved with complex patterns. The sword is one shaku-seven inches (approximately 45cm) long. The front end of the scabbard is engraved with the Tokugawa family's crest: Mitsuba.
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"Tachibana Shengqing, I will give this knife to you! Seeing it is like seeing sunflower patterns! Punish evil spirits according to the law!"
However, "general names" will not be used in official documents and official activities.
"Common name" only applies to everyday conversations.
In such a serious occasion, it is natural to address him by his real name.
Therefore, Tokugawa Iemo did not say "Tachibana Aoden", but changed the name to Aoden's most formal name: "Tachibana Moriharu".
Seeing it is like seeing a sunflower pattern...which translates to "seeing it is like seeing an emperor".
In other words, this wakizashi is the Shokata sword that Tokugawa Iemo presented to Aoto!
On certain occasions, you can take it out to scare Xiaoxiao.
Qingdeng stretched out his hands and took the knife solemnly.
When he raised his head, he suddenly discovered that there was a slight smile on Tokugawa Iemo's lips.
The two looked at each other.
Looking at this young man who was 4 years younger than him and still too young, the corners of Qingdeng's mouth subconsciously curled up.
——If you think about it carefully, Jia Mao and I are really old acquaintances and old partners...
His acquaintance with Tokugawa Iemo can be traced back to when he was promoted to the position of "Secretary General and Imperial Employer".
Before that, the two of them were not that familiar with each other.
Due to the nature of his work, Qingnobo needs to visit Edo Castle frequently. The two of them usually see each other without looking up or down. After going back and forth, a deep friendship was established.
They not only manage politics together, but also discuss and study issues together.
On many issues such as "how to govern a country" and "how to manage personnel", both of them are ignorant and inexperienced novices.
When staying by the side of this gentle and thrifty young man, Qingdeng always unconsciously forgets the difference between king and minister.
At this time, Qingden saw Tokugawa Iemo's lips moving slightly, and words like mosquitoes flowing out from them.
Although his voice was very soft and small, because of the close distance, only Qingdeng heard it among everyone in the audience:
"Tachibana-kun, I beg you, please bring peace to Gyeonggi."
…
…
The music is over, the etiquette is over, the sword is presented, the ceremony is over.
Conventionally speaking, today's expedition ceremony has come to a successful conclusion.
However, at Seito's insistence, the ceremony was extended - he wanted to say a few words to the Shinsengumi and his subordinates.
Tokugawa Iemo did not hesitate and readily complied with his request.
Click, click, click, click...
Qingdeng walked at a leisurely pace, holding an overflowing wine glass, and climbed onto the temporary high platform.
The moment he stood on the table - "whoosh" - there was a refreshing wind blowing from the distance, blowing Qingden's array of feathers, and at the same time, it also blew up the feathers standing behind him.
In the distance, there are two military flags embroidered with the three-leaf sunflower representing the Tokugawa family and the gentian leaf representing the Tachibana family.
The flag stretched out and made a hunting sound.
Looking from the perspective of the General Secretary and others in the audience, Qingden has his back against the double flags and the bright sun. The sun shines from behind him, outlining his figure. Because the light is so dazzling, it makes his face and facial features appear opposite.
In the shadows.
Aomori raised his gaze - just below the high platform, right in front of his eyes, the 120 soldiers of the Shinsengumi formed a square matrix.
The officers, headed by Isamu Kondo, and the captains of the Battō Squadron, headed by Souji, lined up in front of the formation.
120 eyes converged into one, focusing on Qingdeng.
Qingdeng could clearly feel their gazes and clearly see their expressions.
Because unified uniforms and military flags have not yet been produced, the scene looks very messy at first glance.
Black, brown, gray, white... all kinds of colors, formed into a messy and chaotic color ball.
There are those who wear very formal haori turban, such as the disciples of the samurai family represented by Souji and Isamu Kondo.
There are people like Sanako, Mai Kinoshita and others wearing kendo uniforms.
Those team members who came from civilian backgrounds did not even have decent clothes because of their poor family backgrounds, and could only wear old rags.
On the surface, this is simply a bunch of ragtag people, making it difficult to imagine that they are the newly formed combat troops of the shogunate.
However, despite their shabby appearance, they have something that the so-called elite troops such as the small group and the big group do not have.
Those are high-spirited, bright eyes.
The recruitment of members of the Shinsengumi is on a voluntary basis.
Therefore, every team member who appears here mostly wants to take advantage of this once-in-a-hundred-year opportunity to achieve great fame and realize their dream of rapid advancement and class advancement.
Not to mention anything else, I don’t know how many streets this gentleman can take with just his spirit.
One side is unwilling to lag behind others and strives to be at the top.
On the other hand, it is the warts, ulcers, and corruption.
Although the Shinsengumi have not yet received formal training, have not established a well-organized order, and do not even understand basic military orders, if they are allowed to fight each other freely with the Hatamoto masters, the former will undoubtedly gain an overwhelming advantage.
History has proven countless times that corrupted troops, even with advanced and sophisticated weapons, are vulnerable.
To be honest, it was only at this moment that Qingdeng had a real sense of the fact that "he was already a general with troops in his hands."
At this moment, Qingdeng inexplicably felt his chest filled with surging pride.
At this time, the captains and captains had already received the wine glasses filled with fragrant wine that he distributed.
This wine is the wine Qingdeng specially prepared for today.
Originally, his original plan was to let the expedition ceremony end just like that after drinking the Zhuangxing wine with the General Secretary and others.
But after wearing armor and arriving at the troop garrison site at Zojoji Temple, and looking at the Shinsengumi's matrix, his mind changed - he had something he wanted to say to the soldiers no matter what!
"Guys! I'm very happy!"
Qingdeng's voice was clearly transmitted to the ears of every soldier in the audience with the blessing of his talents "Cloud-Cracking Stone +2" and "Orioles' Cry".
Spectators with excellent hearing outside the venue were also lucky enough to hear Qingdeng’s voice.
"After a brutal selection process, a total of 120 brothers stood out and became the first members of this new army."
"Congratulations."
"Your outstanding performance has won my recognition."
"At the same time, I also won the ticket to the cruel battlefield."
At this point, Qing Deng suddenly changed the subject, and his tone became serious and heavy.
"As you know, what we are going to next is a city filled with sorrow and a battlefield filled with blood."
"Our westward march, our expedition, is to put down the rebellious officials and traitors who are making trouble everywhere!"
"But they are like rats, running around and we can't catch them."
"At the same time, they are like a plague, coming out from time to time and killing people."
"No one can tell how long this battle will last."
"It is even more unclear how many sacrifices this battle will cost."
"Everyone here - including me - is very likely to die in the near future."
"What awaits us is such a fierce and cruel battlefield."
"But this is really a great blessing for me!"
Speaking of this, Qingden paused.
After brewing his emotions, he spoke again:
"If it is a sin to desire victory and glory, then there is no doubt that I will be the most sinful person in the world!"
"Today is February 1st, an ordinary day."
"It is not a joyful holiday, nor is it a significant anniversary."
"But, from today on, this day will be engraved in history forever!"
"Anyone who has gone through the ordeal of Shangluo and survived to return home safely will straighten his back, stand up straight, and feel sincerely proud from the bottom of his heart whenever he hears people mention this day.
I feel excited when I hear the name 'Shinsengumi'!"
"Whoever can survive the series of hard battles and fierce battles ahead and enjoy his old age, then every year on the eve of this day, he will give a banquet to his neighbors and say: 'Tomorrow is February 1st.
!', and then he rolled up his sleeves, exposed the scars, and said: 'These wounds were all caused by me when I followed the Shinsengumi in the northern and southern wars'!"
"The old man is always forgetful, but even if everything is forgotten, he will still remember - and bring some gifts - the great expedition of that day, and the heroic deeds performed in the days that followed!"
"By then, our names will be as familiar to him as common words."
"'Nioh' Tachibana Aoto, 'Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau' Kondo Isamu, 'Deputy Commander of the Battō Team' Hijikata Toshizo, 'General Affairs Division Chief' Yamanan Keisuke, 'First Division Captain' Okita Souji."
"These names will be recalled again when they raise a full cup and drink, and then repeat and recall them over and over again, and they will remain on people's tea tables and banquets forever!"
"The good old man will pass this story on to his son, and his son will pass it on to his grandson from this day forward until the end of the world!"
"At this time, the martial arts disciples who are sleeping on the soft tatami, the farmers who only want to wander in the fields! Those businessmen who only have small profits in their eyes! They all feel down because they are not standing here.
It’s bad luck!”
"Because from now on, whenever anyone who followed Nioh to Luo on February 1st speaks, they will feel that they are so lacking in heroism and ashamed of themselves!"
"From today! From this moment on! 'February 1st' - this originally very ordinary day - will have a whole new meaning for human beings."
"This is the day when the Shinsengumi sets off! This is the day when 121 warriors go to Luo to fight against the enemy!"
"This day will never pass easily, and we who fought bravely on this day will always be remembered by people!"
"We will fight bloody!"
"We will never be defeated!"
"We will defeat all enemies!"
"We will get through this!"
"We, the few, we, the lucky few, our team, which shares a common honor, will fight for a glorious victory and achieve unprecedented and great achievements!"
"Today, let us celebrate February 1st!"
After saying that, Qingdeng raised his wine glass high.
Seeing this, the general manager and others in the audience also raised the wine glasses in their hands in no particular order.
"Partners! Brothers!"
"The joys of peace have vanished."
"It's like the morning mist has cleared, and the dream of spring has come to an end."
"But our hearts still burn with desire!"
"Even if there are thousands of obstacles weighing down like a mountain."
"We can't wait,"
"Always waiting for the call of honor!"
"We suffer the torture of expectations,"
"Waiting for the sacred moment,"
"Like a young lover,"
“Looking forward to the exact moment of the tryst!”
"While we're both still burning with passion."
"The heart that is dedicated to honor is still beating."
"Let us dedicate our passion to our own righteousness!"
"Partners, brothers, believe it!"
"The morning star that illuminates our path has risen!"
"The future is in our hands!"
"We will write our names one by one in the history of three thousand people!"
After shouting the last word as loudly as he could, Qingdeng took a swig from the glass.
The general manager and others in the audience toasted and drank together.
After the drink was finished, Qingdeng slammed the empty wine glass in his hand to the ground.
Click!
Then - click! click! click! click! click! - the sound of smashing glasses one after another resounded inside and outside the stage.
Choking!
Qingden pulled out Vairochana from his waist, stood up to the sky, and pointed the sword at the sky.
"Shangluo!"
The next moment, the mountains roared and the tsunami roared.
The Shinsengumi soldiers under the high platform raised their fists and swords high, and their voices shook the sky!
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Bao Baozi searched for information for a long time yesterday, but he still couldn't find out what the expedition ceremony was like in the Edo period, so Bao Baozi focused the plot of this chapter on Aoto's speech and his interaction with Tokugawa Iemo.
Just took it all in one stroke.
Those who read a lot should be able to tell where the content of Qingdeng’s speech is taken from (it is not Patton’s speech, I guess the content of Patton’s speech is also taken from that great writer)
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This chapter has been completed!