Nagakura Shinpachi raised his wooden sword high and struck Saito Ichi's Tianling Gai with all his might.
Saito used his sword over the top and deflected Nagakura Shinpachi's attack with ease.
Harada Sanosuke and Toudo Heisuke, who were watching the battle, chatted about the mountains.
"I think Nagakura Shinpachi will definitely win this time!"
As soon as Sanosuke Harada finished speaking, Heisuke Toudo retorted:
"No! I bet that the winner will be Mr. Saito! You see, Mr. Nagakura was too impatient in this battle and his breath was confused. It won't take long before he will be at a disadvantage."
"That's right...that's right. Well, I also bet that Saito will win this time!"
"Hey! Didn't you say that the person who wins the bet will be invited to dinner? How can you change the object of your bet at will?"
Although Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Ichi are different types of swordsmen, their strength is only between the two.
For warriors like them who are at the same level and equally powerful, the key factors that determine the outcome are often only some subtle points.
For example, whether you have adjusted your mood well, whether you slept well last night, whether you had enough from the last meal, and whether your luck today is good enough.
In addition to allocating a dedicated dojo for himself, Qingdeng also allocated dojos exclusively for the generals under his command to facilitate their practice of martial arts and hone their skills.
Only captains of the Bato team and above are eligible to use this dojo.
The members of the Shinsengumi often call this dojo dedicated to generals the "general-level dojo."
Today’s “General Level Dojo” can be described as a gathering of stars.
At this moment, in addition to Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Kazuo who are competing, and Harada Sanosuke and Toudo Heisuke who are watching their competition, Kondo Isamu, Yamanan Keisuke, Souji, Kinoshita Mai, and Sanako
, Inoue Genzaburo, all gathered here.
Hijikata Toshizo was still in charge of recruiting soldiers in Edo.
It can be said that except for Hijikata Toshizo, all the members of the "Taiweikan Sect" are here.
Souji, who had just finished sparring with Sanako, wiped the sweat on his forehead with a thin cloth and said casually:
"Speaking of which, how did the 'Bakucho Talks' go?"
As soon as she finished speaking, Kondo Isamu not far away shrugged:
"What else can we do? The two sides are at a stalemate."
"The imperial court repeatedly requested to 'repel the foreigners as soon as possible.'"
“The shogunate repeatedly emphasized that ‘we must never resist the foreigners’.”
"It goes over and over again."
Genzaburo Inoue suddenly interrupted:
"Tsk! It's a shame that the shogunate and the imperial court were able to argue over such a trivial matter for so long."
“‘Should we resist the foreigners now?’—Is this a question that needs to be discussed?”
"The ministers of the imperial court don't even need to do anything. They don't need to read books or conduct detailed inspections."
"As long as you go to Yokohama, or if it's too far, go to the port of Osaka and take a look at the Western warships. Won't this problem be solved?"
"Unless you are the kind of person with brain problems, you can understand just how powerful Xiyi is by taking a look at Xiyi's battleships."
"Although I really don't want to admit it, compared to the military strength of the Western Yi, our country does have many shortcomings."
"Even if we gather the full strength of the shogunate and the feudal lords, we still cannot defeat the Western Yi."
"If we resist the foreigners now, we will definitely be beaten to a pulp by the Western barbarians."
"The strategy currently practiced by the shogunate of 'learning from the Western barbarians and then expelling the Western barbarians when they become stronger in the future' is the most correct path."
"Why don't those officials in the imperial court who only know how to chant the wind and the moon understand this truth?"
"Obviously, the imperial court a thousand years ago was still humbly sending envoys to the Tang Dynasty."
"Why is the current imperial court so stubborn and ineffective?"
Genzaburo Inoue is not a man of many words.
He rarely takes the initiative to discuss political matters.
Such a man could not hold back his emotions and angrily complained to the court... It can be seen that even though he did not want to get involved in politics, he could not help but complain about this long-standing stalemate.
Shannan Keisuke smiled bitterly and interjected:
"That's not what you said."
"Even a thousand years ago, the imperial court was defeated by the Tang army in the Battle of Baijiangkou before it began to humbly send envoys to the Tang Dynasty."
The Battle of Baijiangkou - also known as the Battle of Baicunjiang, refers to the battle between the Tang Dynasty and Japan at the mouth of Baijiang River from August 27 to August 28, 663.
In this battle, the Tang Dynasty navy gave full play to its advantages and defeated the Japanese navy, whose strength and ships were several times larger than its own. It can be called a classic naval battle in which a small number defeated a large number.
After the war, the Japanese court had to recognize the reality, assess the situation and restore diplomatic relations with the powerful Tang Empire, and began to send envoys to the Tang Dynasty to learn from the excellent culture and advanced systems of the Tang Dynasty.
Sanako also joined the discussion:
"The stubbornness of the officials in the imperial court did not come out of nowhere."
She quickly swung her wooden naginata to exercise her arm strength, and continued her words in a leisurely manner:
"Since the Heian period, the ministers of the imperial court have never set foot outside Kyoto."
"I only know how to recite poems and write poems all day long, and don't care about worldly affairs."
"Lack of proper understanding of the world outside Kyoto."
"In their eyes, Westerners from distant countries are all savages who drink blood and hair."
"Their understanding of war all comes from books."
"I believe that as long as we unite as one, there is no invincible enemy."
"It's... so stupid."
Shannan Keisuke nodded slightly to show his appreciation for Sanako's remarks.
Immediately afterwards, he took over what Sanako said:
"Indeed."
"However, it is undeniable that some ministers pretend to be confused while pretending to understand."
"They understand how powerful Xiyi is and are very aware of Xiyi's strength."
"The reason why they have been asking the shogunate to expel the barbarians as soon as possible is purely to use the name of 'repelling the barbarians' to suppress the shogunate."
"Sigh... At this time of national crisis, instead of working together as one, we are fighting against each other... It really hurts the hearts of knowledgeable people..."
Everyone said something to each other, and the atmosphere around them became heavier and heavier...
At this moment, Nagakura Shinpachi and Saitoichi came over after finishing their sparring session.
"Hey! Never mind that!"
Nagakura Shinpachi grinned and showed a smile
"I only know how to wield a sword! All matters other than this are beyond my scope of consideration! It doesn't matter whether they fight enemies or not, I just kill them when I encounter them!"
Kinoshita Mai raised her gaze, scanned everyone, blinked her beautiful eyes a few times, and showed a thoughtful expression.
After a moment, she asked quietly:
"Do you think...will the shogunate be forced to take measures to resist the foreigners due to pressure from the imperial court?"
As soon as Kinoshita Mai finished speaking, Shannan Keisuke immediately replied without thinking:
"Impossible."
"Unless Mr. Hitotsubashi and others have lost their minds, it is impossible for them to agree to fight against the foreigners."
The general manager blinked his beautiful eyes a few more times:
"If... I mean if, if Hitotsubashi and others really lose their minds and implement the policy of resisting the foreigners, what should we do?"
"..."
Shannan Keisuke stopped talking.
Souji, Sanako and others also kept their mouths shut.
After a long time passed like this, Shannan Keisuke responded slowly, half helplessly and half sadly:
"If that's the case... then let's sharpen our swords and prepare for war."
…
…
Wenjiu three years (1863), May 7——
Kyoto, imperial palace, small imperial palace——
Sanjo Sanimi's sharp voice echoed throughout the small palace.
"Mr. Hitotsubashi! If my father were here, he would never act like a daughter! He would definitely accept the imperial edict without hesitation and fight to the death against the barbarians!"
Hitotsubashi Keiki's biological father was Tokugawa Saiaki, the former lord of Mito Domain.
When Tokugawa Saiaki was still alive, he was famous as a hawk who "strongly advocated fighting against foreigners".
As early as when the "Black Ship Incident" first occurred, he strongly requested the shogunate to launch a counterattack and never bow to the Western Yi.
Following Sanjo Sanimi, the other ministers spoke out one after another, putting pressure on Hitotsubashi Keiki.
"That's right!"
"Mr. Hitotsubashi, don't think we don't know your little thoughts!"
"No more delay! You have to give us a reasonable explanation within today!"
…
"..."
Ichibashi Qingxi didn't say a word, half-hunched his waist, supporting the ground with his hands, and silently endured the scolding and pressure from the ministers.
Matsudaira Harugaku knelt down beside him, raising his eyes from time to time to secretly look at Hitotsubashi Qingxi's back.
Tokugawa Iemo is still recovering from his illness, and now they are the only two left to take charge of the overall situation.
Although Tokugawa Iemo was still very young, he was the legitimate 14th generation general of the Edo shogunate who conquered the barbarians.
In front of Tokugawa Iemo, even though he was as radical as Sanjo Mimi, he had to restrain his temper.
But now, without the support of Tokugawa Iemo, the ministers of the anti-barbarian faction can be said to have completely "let themselves go".
They spouted unpleasant words and ridiculed unscrupulously in various ways, irritating Hitotsubashi Keihe and Matsudaira Harugaku.
Faced with this situation, Matsudaira Harugaku sighed silently.
Although they had deep conflicts with Tokugawa Iemo, they only had different political views after all.
On the level of "maintaining the interests of the shogunate", their opinions are consistent, and they do not want the Edo shogunate to continue to sink.
After Tokugawa Keiki fell ill, he and Hitotsubashi Keiki really tried their best.
They tried their best to persuade the imperial court to withdraw the edict of "immediate expulsion of the foreigners".
However...under the leadership of Sanjo Sanimi and others, the imperial court was completely unable to listen to the opinions of the shogunate. They only talked about "repelling the foreigners", and the two sides were basically talking about it.
How can this kind of discussion that “completely ignores the other side” come up with a clear answer?
During this period, the ministers of the Samu faction headed by Kujo Naotada were trying every means to support Hitotsubashi Keiki and Matsudaira Harugaku.
However...compared to the power of the Expulsion Faction, the energy of the Zuomu Faction is really not worth mentioning.
"Mr. Yiqiao? Mr. Yiqiao? Did you hear our voices? Why are you so dumbfounded?"
"..."
Since just now, Hitotsubashi Keixi has been silent.
Matsudaira Harugaku raised his eyes again, staring directly at the back of Hitotsubashi Kei.
He really wanted to check the other person's expression...but due to the restricted angle, he really couldn't do anything.
In fact, due to the light, even Sanjo Sanimi, who was sitting in front of Ichibashi Keiki, could not clearly see the expression on his face.
Somehow... Matsudaira Chunyue suddenly had an ominous premonition in his heart...
As a comrade and old acquaintance of Hitotsubashi Keiki, he knew the other person's temperament very well.
Although the 26-year-old Hitotsubashi Keiki is nearly thirty years old, he is even more uncool than he appears on the surface.
In short, he is a very emotional person.
In order to calm the uneasiness in his heart, Matsudaira Chunyue swallowed hard, then lowered his throat and said softly at a volume that only he and Hitotsubashi Keiki could hear clearly:
"Mr. Hitotsubashi, you must stay calm and don't let them lead you by the nose..."
Before he finished speaking...
"...Your Majesty! Sirs!"
Then I saw Ichibashi Qingxi suddenly straightened up.
His high-pitched shout immediately attracted the attention of the entire audience.
Like a broken tape recorder, he kept repeating the word "reject the foreigners".
His appearance was so terrifying that many people present could not help but tighten their necks.
Even Matsudaira Harugaku couldn't help but ask, "Mr. Hitotsubashi, what are you doing?".
Hitotsubashi Yingxi directly ignored Matsudaira Harugaku's question, and also ignored the surprised looks that others cast at him.
After a moment, he changed into a cold tone without sadness or joy:
"'Reject the barbarians' one by one... Your Majesty, ministers, do you really want to fight off the barbarians?"
"Okay! Since you want to fight off the foreigners so much, then let's do what you wish!"
"The campaign against the foreigners will last until May 10th!"
quiet……
In an instant, a strange silence fell on the small imperial palace.
Everyone present—especially Matsudaira Harugaku—all had their eyes wide open, and their faces were full of disbelief.
The first person to come to his senses was Sanjo Sanimi.
He first looked up and down at Hitotsubashi Keiki with suspicious eyes, and then asked quietly:
"Mr. Hitotsubashi, are you serious about this statement?"
Hitotsubashi replied without hesitation:
"Really! On May 10th, the fight against the barbarians begins! On this day, the shogunate and all the vassals must hold on to the will of 'fighting the barbarians to the death' and fight to the death with the Western barbarians!"
Needless to say, the expressions on Matsudaira Harugaku and the ministers of the Samu faction almost had the word "shock" written on their faces.
If it weren't for the obstruction of the view, Matsudaira Harugaku almost grabbed Hitotsubashi Kei's shoulders and asked him loudly, "What are you doing?!".
The ministers of the anti-barbarian faction looked at each other in shock. Some of them looked puzzled, some seemed to be sleepwalking, and more of them were ecstatic.
Before he could reach it, Sanjo Sanmei's face was filled with a smile, and the corners of his mouth almost reached the base of his ears, revealing two rows of uneven black teeth.
"Okay! Well said! Mr. Hitotsubashi, this should have been done long ago!"
…
…
The shogunate accepted the imperial edict and decided to launch a war against the barbarians on May 10 and fight to the death with the Western barbarians. In just half a day, the news spread throughout Kyoto and beyond.
The whole city was shocked!
Tokugawa Iemo of Nijo Castle, Tenjoin, Matsudaira Yoho of Kinkei Kokoji Temple, and... Aoto of Mibu Township, all felt like they were struck by lightning.
After learning the news, Qingdeng was immediately petrified on the spot.
After he was stunned for a while, his consciousness returned to his body.
The next moment he came to his senses, he took a deep breath——
"May 10th? Three days later the banishment will begin? Are you fucking kidding me?!"
He let out a terrifying roar.
*******
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Please give me a monthly ticket! Please give me a recommendation vote! (Leopard Head Cries)
Is the plot development in this chapter completely beyond your expectations? In fact, the plot in this chapter is basically historical facts and has no fabricated elements.
This is the history of mankind - full of super-expansion that novels cannot reach.
