As the governor of the Gyeonggi Province and the captain of the Shinsengumi, Qingdeng naturally sat at the same table as the male Tan Seiichiro and Soda Kiyone.
The others, including Oishi Susumu and Sakakihara Kankichi, could only sit far away. Not to mention chatting with Aoden, they had to carefully consider "whether they could get close to Aoto."
What is Qingdeng’s current status?
The general who conquered the barbarians and the favorite minister of the Imperial Palace!
A feudal official guarding one side!
A general with actual military power!
None of the above, not to mention ordinary civilians, shogunate ministers with slightly inferior professional titles, and daimyo of the feudal lords with weaker national power would not dare to make a mistake in front of Aoshito.
Therefore, strictly speaking, Seiichiro Tanani and Kiyone Soda, who are just the principal of a military academy, are not worthy of sitting side by side with Aoto.
The only people who were qualified to sit next to Aoto were Shogun Hitotsubashi Yoshiki, Political President Matsudaira Harugaku, Kyoto Guardian Matsudaira Yōho and a few other big figures who stood at the top of the officialdom.
At the beginning, the two elders intended to let Qingdeng sit on the main seat, and they would accompany him on the second seat.
In response, Qingdeng insisted that "this is not a serious occasion, let's be more relaxed" and insisted that the two elders sit with him at the same table. Then they sat on the left and right sides of Qingdeng.
Aintome was no stranger to Seiichiro Tanani. After all, they had a lively exchange with him at the "Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet" just over a month ago. However, this was indeed the first time he had come into contact with Kiyone Eda.
Qingyin Yutian is an "all-round warrior" that has been rare in decades.
Although he was proficient in Yamaga-ryu art of war, Koshu-ryu art of war, Echigo-ryu art of war, Naganuma-ryu art of war, Noshima-ryu art of war and many other classical military arts, Aoto discovered that he did not harbor the idea that "the methods of his ancestors are immutable".
The pedantic idea that "whoever dares to change the constitution of our ancestors will lose their head".
Not only did he not hold an objection to Western weapons and military ideas, but he actively took their essence and discarded their dross.
According to Otani Seiichiro, it was Eda Kiyone's idea to "introduce meat and make the disciples of the martial arts school as tall and strong as Westerners."
It is very pleasant to talk to such smart people with open minds and broad vision.
While Qingdeng tasted the sumptuous food, he actively chatted with his elders.
The conversation between the three of them was endless and had no precise topic.
They first talked about today's meal, then talked about the current situation of the Edo martial arts world, and then shared each other's martial arts experience...
Amidst the endless chatter, I don’t know who started it, but in short, they suddenly talked about the current political situation.
"The shogunate is now very close to France...it's really worrying."
Seiichiro Otani sighed softly.
"Although I understand that cooperation with Western countries is an unavoidable trend of the times, France's sinister intentions still make me sweat..."
Supporting compradors and agents and profiting from them - this is a common method of imperialism.
As Otani Seiichiro said, the Edo Shogunate is currently very close to France.
In recent years, France has frequently shown goodwill to the shogunate, providing advanced weapons and sending instructors to help it build a modern army.
For the shogunate, which was increasingly trapped in internal and external troubles, France's aid was a timely help.
In this way, the two sides reached in-depth cooperation in military, economic and other fields.
However, these methods of France are completely "Sima Zhao's intention, and everyone knows it".
Anyone who knows something about international politics can see through its sinister intentions.
There is no friendship between countries, whether it is alliance or war, it is all driven by interests.
The reason why France aided the shogunate was just to control the Tokugawa family, make them their agents, and ensure their interests in the Far East.
Otani Seiichiro's emotion is not a pointless worry.
At this moment, Yitian Qingyin on the side took a sip of miso soup and said slowly:
"Nan Gu, there is no need to feel sad about this."
"It is true that France is the world's top power on par with England. Even the United States and Lucia cannot compare with it."
"But, in my opinion, the French country is currently unable to protect itself!"
"Not to mention anything else, their 'internal worries' alone are enough to make their emperor drink a pot."
"Their state system has been changed again and again in just a few decades, with no end in sight."
"One moment it was an empire where the imperial power was supreme, and the next it was a republic where it wanted neither a king nor aristocrats."
"One moment it's the Bourbons, the next it's the Orleans dynasty."
"Their current emperor is neither Bourbon nor Orleans, but a man named Louis Napoleon Bonaparte. What a mess!"
"The French state is not monolithic within itself. It is not impossible that large-scale turmoil will occur in the future, causing drastic changes in the country's structure again."
"Moreover, in addition to 'internal worries', their 'external worries' should not be underestimated."
"As far as I know, in the center of the Europa continent, a country called Prussia is rising rapidly."
"In my opinion, the Prussian country will pose a great threat to the French country sooner or later. If we don't quickly deal with the rise of the former, the latter will definitely be in bad luck."
From now on, Qingdeng has been acting as the "perfect listener", saying nothing and only listening silently.
When he heard this, he couldn't help but secretly admire this "all-powerful warrior".
Yu Tian Qingyin's vision is very vicious and her judgment is very accurate.
Although Qingdeng did not understand the world history of the 19th century, he also knew that if history did not produce a butterfly effect due to his time travel, then in 1870, a few years later, France would be in the "Battle of Sedan"
Defeated by Prussia.
There is that famous historical painting in the high school history book - the King of Prussia, surrounded by military officers, was crowned emperor in the Palace of Versailles in France.
Because the act of coronating and enthroning in the enemy's palace was so impressive, Qingdeng has always been deeply impressed by this painting, and has also remembered this famous historical event.
…
…
At this moment——
Edo, Chishiya——
Boss Kiryu sat behind the counter, looking through the account books spread out on the table.
Because Kinoshita Mai had gone to witness Ayoto's "Conquest of the Military Academy", the only people left in the huge shop were the old man and the big, lazy orange cat.
At this moment, hurried footsteps sounded from far to near outside the shop door.
Click, click, click - after hearing the sound of the shop door being pushed open, Kiryu slowly closed the account book in front of him and said in a formulaic and calm tone:
"Welcome the light..."
"Mr. Kiryu! You must help us!"
Listening to this familiar old male voice, Boss Kiryu quickly raised his head and blinked in surprise.
"Hmm? Mr. Angoulême?"
Mr. Angoulême...that is, Antoine took off the snow hat and face towel that were used to hide his face in three swipes, and then rushed to Boss Kiryu impatiently.
"Mr. Kiryu! Something bad has happened! Something bad has happened!"
Anthony's sudden visit and the series of abnormal behaviors he showed at the moment made Boss Kiryu frown involuntarily.
"Mr. Angoulême, please calm down. What happened?"
After listening to Kiryu's persuasion, Anthony's expression finally became calmer.
He swallowed hard, and then while subconsciously peeking behind him, as if to confirm that no one was following him, he suppressed his voice and said in a trembling voice:
"Mr. Kiryu! He, he...he is coming after him!"
He - obviously Anthony did not clearly say who this "he" refers to, but Boss Kiryu was still stunned for a moment, and then his face suddenly darkened as if he understood something in an instant.
"...Mr. Angoulême, please slowly tell me the detailed cause and effect of the incident one by one. First of all, please tell me: How did you know that he was chasing him? Have you seen his men?"
"
Anthony shook his head:
"I didn't see any of his men."
"But since more than half a month ago, Leroy and I have frequently found unidentified ronin peeking into our house."
"At first, I thought I was just being overly concerned."
"Until recently, Leroy and I always felt like someone was following us whenever we went out."
"You also know, thanks to that person, Leroy and I are both very good at detecting other people's tracking..."
After hearing this, Boss Kiryu nodded thoughtfully.
"That's it...If that's the case, then we should really prepare for the worst."
Having said this, he paused for a moment, and then murmured helplessly:
"That guy is really persistent... You have all fled the European continent, crossed the ocean with great difficulty, and arrived in this country in the Far East thousands of miles away, but you still refuse to let you go."
Anthony lowered his eyelids, feeling sad.
"For him, Elodie is his dream and his hope... He can't give up so easily..."
"Does Mademoiselle Angoulême know about the fact that 'you have been watched'?"
Anthony was silent for a moment, and then sighed heavily:
"I didn't tell her... If possible, I hope she can stay away from those right and wrong..."
Boss Kiryu nodded lightly.
"Well, that's true. I can understand it. Miss Angoulême has endured enough pressure and suffering before."
"...Boss Kiryu."
Anthony, who had been slouching since then, suddenly clenched his fists and took a deep breath.
"I know my request is very difficult...but...but...please help us one more time! We can't stay in Edo anymore, we have to move again! Move to a farther place!"
After saying that, he raised his head vigorously and cast a look full of expectation towards Boss Kiryu.
"Further away...where do you mean?"
Boss Kiryu lowered his eyelids and thought.
"The Ou clans? Ezo land? Or is it another country?"
"I don't know...anywhere will do, as long as it's safe and a place where Elodie can grow up safely and happily!"
"..."
"..."
A heavy silence accumulated between the two of them.
One party was silent, while the other party waited nervously.
About 10 seconds later, the groan finally turned into a voice:
"...Mr. Angoulême, let me put it bluntly: your request is indeed very difficult."
"We at Calabash House are indeed powerful in numbers, but we don't have such powerful powers that we can do anything."
"Previously, you settled in Osaka under the arrangement of my lord."
"After the anti-foreigner movement in the Gyeonggi area became more and more intense, you moved to Edo three years ago because you were worried about being implicated."
"And now, you are leaving Edo and heading to a safer new land."
"Frankly speaking, in today's Japan, apart from Osaka and Edo, it is difficult for us to find a safer place than these two cities."
At this point in the conversation, Boss Kiryu paused as if he thought of something.
When he spoke again, there was a hint of indifference in his tone.
"And... let me be blunt: your friendship with me, Calabash House, is not deep enough for us to go through fire and water for you and protect you regardless of the cost."
Anthony showed a confused expression.
Uneasiness, embarrassment, and apprehension...the three emotions were beautifully mixed on his round, old face.
"..."
He didn't speak.
He just lowered his head silently, slumped his shoulders, his expression was full of helplessness, and his whole figure seemed to have shrunk by a large circle.
The dying sunlight shone on him from the window, making him look like a weightless ghost.
Suddenly, silence and dejection dominated the entire house.
Suddenly, Boss Kiryu said abruptly:
"Although I said it for this reason... I am not a devil after all."
As Mr. Kiryu spoke, he changed his expression and tone to a softer one.
"Before the young master met Mr. Orange, Miss Angoulême was her only friend."
"Based on this alone, I will not stand idly by and watch you suffer."
As soon as these words came out, Anthony was stunned on the spot.
Immediately afterwards, the wrinkles on his face suddenly relaxed.
Emotions such as gratitude and excitement are like flowers and buds, waiting to bloom between their cheeks.
However, before these "flowers" could bloom, Boss Kiryu lowered his voice and said quietly:
"Well, Mr. Angoulême, I have a suggestion - you move to Kyoto."
In an instant... really in an instant, the gratitude, excitement and other emotions that had not yet been expressed on Anthony's face turned into shock and panic in an instant...
"Kyoto? Mr. Kiryu, you, you are not kidding me, are you?"
"Of course I'm not kidding you. I'm serious."
"This, this... Kyoto... Isn't Kyoto about to go to war now? And isn't Kyoto the place that is most repulsive to foreigners and the most hostile to foreigners? Kyoto is full of people with radical ideas who respect foreigners and those who advocate the founding of the country.
Kill everyone! No foreigner dares to go to Kyoto!"
Kiryu smiled slightly, with a meaningful arc on the corner of his mouth.
"I have an acquaintance in Kyoto who is both very powerful and very idle. He is the most reliable bodyguard in the world."
"As long as his blade is pointed, the enemy will be defeated and invincible."
"Anyway, he is very free now. He is always sunbathing on the streets of Kyoto with nothing to do. I will edit a book for you. As long as you have my request, he should be willing to protect you."
*******
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I've been suffering from severe insomnia recently... I can't fall asleep when I should sleep, and I can't get up when I should get up. Bao Baozi suffered from severe insomnia last night, so he is in a very bad state today... Although he has tried his best to code, he is still a little short (
Weeping Leopard (leopard head)
Leopard Leopard, should you find time to see a doctor to treat your insomnia...
