Chapter 865 The number one man in the shogunate’s army: Tachibana Aoden! 【5200】
Choshu's wanton behavior has long made the emperor very unhappy.
The act of raising troops to attack Kyoto on the grounds of "protecting the imperial court" brought the emperor's dislike of Choshu to its peak.
On the contrary, he naturally has a good impression of Qingto who protects Kyoto from being ravaged.
It is reported that when the imperial court was discussing what kind of reward should be given to Qingnobo, the ministers originally only wanted to grant the official position of "Sakyo Dafu from the top four".
Finally, at the strong request of the Emperor, it was changed to "from the three Sakonoe generals".
General Sakonoe is the highest officer of the Konoe House.
The Konoe Mansion is divided into two divisions, the left and right, to protect the emperor. They also serve as personal soldiers when the emperor is in good fortune. They are the departments that guard the inside of the palace. The highest officers are the Zukonoe General and the Right Konoe General.
General is a very important official position and is extremely difficult to hold.
The Emperor actually awarded such a significant position to Aoshinobu... It is evident that he valued Aoshinobu.
From now on, Qingdeng will have another honorific title - General Juju or General Qinjin!
When Matsudaira Yoshiho was granted the title of Imperial Guard, he also had the title of Lieutenant General Sakon Guard Quan, so people often refer to Matsudaira Yoshiho as "Lieutenant General Aizu".
Of course, the imperial court's reward has no practical purpose other than making your name more famous.
General Sakonoe or something like that is still an honorary title.
There was not a single soldier under the imperial court, and even if he became the highest officer in the Guards House, he would still be a mere commander.
Comparatively speaking, the shogunate's reward to Qingnobo was the largest one!
Tokugawa Iemo gave an additional 100,000 yuan of territory to Aoto - this was not unexpected by everyone.
It is a feudal custom to be rewarded with money and land for great achievements.
However, it is worth mentioning that the lands newly granted to Qingnobu by Tokugawa Iemo were all good lands adjacent to the Qinjin Domain, and were not remote enclaves or bad lands with poor resources.
In this way, he gave Qingden almost all the shogunate's territory in Gyeonggi!
[Note: Tianling: the territory directly under the shogunate]
For this reason, many ministers expressed strong opposition.
If the territory of Gyeonggi is given to General Qinjin, then won’t the influence of our shogunate in Gyeonggi be greatly reduced? In time, will we still have our shogunate in Gyeonggi?
However, in the face of these people's doubts, Tokugawa Iemo had only one attitude: completely ignore them.
Without the constraints of the "Ichitsubashi Sect" and with the external support of two capable men, Aoto and Katsurintaro, Tokugawa Iemo's current strength is not as strong as usual.
No matter how many people objected, no matter how reasonable the doubts raised by these people were, Tokugawa Iemoji would not change his mind.
If "expanding territory" was still expected by everyone, then "promoting Qingdeng to Army President" really shocked the world.
President of the Army and President of the Navy...the highest positions in the shogunate army and the highest positions in the shogunate navy! They can be directly understood as "field marshal" and "naval marshal"!
They are all newly created official positions recently created by Tokugawa Iemo. They are not controlled by anyone and directly take orders from the general.
While establishing these two new positions, Tokugawa Iemo also made a series of reforms.
Among them, the most significant reform is the abolition of the previous system in which the army organized veterans to take turns on duty.
Although Tokugawa Iemoge gave the reason for setting up new positions to eliminate bad governance, "to imitate the Western military system", to outsiders, this looks like creating positions based on people!
Just like back then, Li Shimin had no reward for his unparalleled achievements, so the new position of "Tiance General" was created to confer it on him.
Today's Qingdeng is almost in the same situation. He has made too many meritorious deeds and has basically reached the peak of being a courtier. Therefore, a new position of "Army President" was created to reward him specifically.
Of course, these are outsiders' speculations.
What Tokugawa Iemo thinks is probably only known to him.
Although Qingdeng's further promotion shocked everyone, everyone expressed their emotional stability, which is understandable.
After all, Qingdeng's military exploits were real.
With such incomparable military exploits on display, no one would dare to say "Ju Qingden is not qualified to take on this important task."
What's more, no one who is short-sighted would dare to run into Qingdeng's misfortune when it is at its peak.
In contrast, Rintaro Katsu was promoted to Navy President in one fell swoop, which caused great controversy.
Since the establishment of the navy, Katsurin Taro, who is familiar with naval affairs, has been holding important positions in the navy.
A few years ago, he was appointed as a warship officer (responsible for purchasing, building warships and practicing warship technology), and built and operated a naval training center in Kobe, and was fully responsible for the construction of the shogunate navy.
It is no exaggeration to say that Katsurin Taro is actually the "Father of the Shogunate Navy".
He is essentially the number one man in the navy, he just lacks a name.
Tokugawa Iemo just helped him fill a well-deserved official position, and there was nothing wrong with it.
However, his decision still aroused fierce opposition from countless ministers.
"Katsurin Taro has not made as great a contribution as General Qin Jin, so why should he be promoted to a higher rank?"
After Tokugawa Iemo quietly listened to the objections of the ministers, his expression was calm and unflustered.
Then, he stopped with just one sentence:
"In that case, everyone, I would like to hear your opinions. Apart from Katsurin Taro, who else among the civil and military officials in the hall can be qualified for the position of 'President of the Navy'?"
"..."
A moment of silence.
Bai Shuyuan, which was noisy just now, now has nothing to show for it.
[Note: Hakushoin: an important room in Edo Castle. The general usually issues orders to the outside world from this room.]
How can a "whole house of rubbish" who is used to being a moth and can't do anything except kicking a ball very well have the ability to build a navy?
Even those who hate Katsu Rintaro have to admit that Katsu Rintaro has an irreplaceable position in the shogunate.
In this way, despite the somewhat tortuous process, Katsu Rintaro was successfully appointed as Navy President.
At this point, Tokugawa Iemo's two closest confidants - Aoto and Katsurintaro - both stood at the top of the shogunate's army and navy!
The President of the Army, the Governor of the Gyeonggi Province, and the Eight Princes are united by thousands of people - holding these three positions, Aoshinobu has become the well-deserved number one person in the Shogunate's Army!
The so-called supreme minister is nothing more than this.
It is worth mentioning that while Aoshinobu's status was rising rapidly, Tokugawa Iemoji's power also continued to skyrocket.
Tokugawa Iemo was Aoto's backstage, but from another perspective, Aotobu was also Tokugawa Iemo's backing.
With the help of Tenzouin inside and the support of Ayoto and Katsurintaro outside, today's Tokugawa Iemoge is no longer the weak-minded Kyon of the past.
In fact, anyone who is interested can see at a glance: a considerable part of the reason why Tokugawa Iemo promoted Aoshinobu to Army President was to prepare for the subsequent "Choshu Expedition".
Not long after the Summer Battle in Kyoto ended, Tokugawa Iemo immediately wrote a long article criticizing Choshu's injustice, and many people responded.
There is no doubt that this is Tokugawa Iemo's efforts to build momentum for the subsequent "Changshu Conquest"!
How could the command of such a huge battle be left to outsiders?
Therefore, no matter from which point of view, Qingdeng is the best person to coordinate the "Changzhou Expedition"!
Let Qingdeng have an official position that matches the status of "Commander-in-Chief of the Changzhou Expedition" in advance, so that he can mobilize troops and give orders to the generals, which will naturally be beneficial and harmless.
The battle was over and the reward was obtained... At this point, these two battles (Battle of Ikedaya and Kyoto Summer Formation) that directly affected the direction of history have finally come to an end.
By the way, Toshizo Hijikata, Isamu Kondo and others who made many achievements in these two battles also received the rewards they deserved.
The heroic feat of Isamu Kondo, led by Souji, Shinpachi Nagakura, and Gensaburo Inoue, who dared to attack Ikedaya was favored by many storytellers. The Battle of Ikedaya was quickly adapted into storytelling and was widely sung in Kyoto.
After learning that their lord had been promoted again, the Qinjin clan was filled with joy, and many people even spontaneously held celebrations to congratulate Qingden.
Since being granted the title of Dajin, Qing Deng has implemented benevolent policies, cherished the people's strength, and never used his status to commit stupid or cruel acts, so he was deeply loved by the people of Qin and Jin.
He treated the common people with courtesy, and the latter would naturally repay Qingdeng in their own way.
After seeing Aomori getting better and better and his status becoming more and more noble, those who hated the shogunate and Aomori naturally gritted their teeth and were filled with resentment but could do nothing.
As a last resort, they can only use funny little tricks to relieve their resentment.
Following the "Qin demon", "Hui traitor" and "Sa thief", the patriots of Changzhou wrote Qingdeng's name on the soles of their shoes one after another, and deliberately stepped on the ground harder when walking, which meant "to bring the orange Qingdeng to the ground".
After taking a sip of tea, Aoto seemed to have thought of something. His eyes widened suddenly, he put down the tea cup, clapped his hands lightly, and looked at Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isamu and Shannan Keisuke beside him.
"Ah, I thought of it! My son was named 'Tachibana General' and my daughter was named 'Orange Mozi'. What do you think?"
Kondo Isamu tilted his head:
"Mozi...this is a pretty good girl's name. It's very catchy when pronounced."
Hijikata Toshizo took over the conversation:
"Is this a male name too old-fashioned?"
Shannan Keisuke added:
"Sounds like the name of a military commander from the Heian period."
Aoto, Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isamu, and Shannan Keisuke were sitting side by side on the porch, drinking tea and chatting away while admiring the scenery of the courtyard.
The four highest-ranking people in the Shinsengumi gathered together... If someone who didn't know about it met, they might think they were talking about something important.
In fact, they were just chatting normally.
The recent official duties have not been so heavy, so Qingdeng invited the three of them to drink tea and chat for a long time, that's all.
Although today's tea party was just a simple gathering, mainly for leisure, but after the few of them got together, they couldn't help but talk about serious matters.
Slowly, and I don’t know who started it, the four people who had just been discussing "what should Qingdeng’s child be named" suddenly started talking about the Zunhuang sect.
"After this battle, the Zunbang faction has been exhausted. We can finally breathe a sigh of relief. Phew..."
Kondo Isamu made a vivid gesture of "taking a deep breath" as he spoke.
"Well, yes."
Shannan Keisuke echoed and nodded in agreement.
The Battle of Ikedaya resulted in the loss of important cadres such as Miyabe Daizo and Yoshida Noma.
Kyoto Summer Formation lost a large number of core members including Kurushima Matabei, Maki Izumi, and even its leader Gensui Kusaka.
The two close battles caused heavy casualties to the backbone of the Zunbang faction.
With such a tragic situation, anyone would think that the current Zunbang Sect is in the sunset and its defeat is imminent.
At this time, Qingdeng on the side suddenly said:
"...'A blessing in disguise is a blessing in disguise'."
The sudden speech attracted the attention of Isamu Kondo and others.
Facing everyone's gaze, Qingdeng took a sip of tea and said slowly:
"Although many key members have been lost, this is still a valuable opportunity for Changzhou."
"Isn't there such a joke?"
"One day, war broke out on the country's borders."
"The general went to the front line to inspect the situation in order to boost morale."
“He asked a sentry at the front: ‘How is the situation?’.”
"The sentry replied, 'There is an enemy archer outside the camp. His archery skills are terrible. He has been shooting for several days without hitting anyone.'"
"The general asked: 'In that case, why not kill him?'."
"The sentry replied: 'Isn't this bad? Do you want them to replace them with an archer who can shoot accurately?'."
"Changzhou in the past was like this archer who couldn't shoot accurately."
"To be honest, I would rather see radicals such as Kusaka Genrui continue to hold real power in Choshu."
"Because they are stupid and always do stupid things, so it actually makes me feel at ease."
"Look, just because of their short-sightedness and recklessness, Changzhou's military strength, people's support, and prestige were completely destroyed."
"The killings of Hisaka Genrui and others will not necessarily lead to the demise of the Zunhuo sect, but it will definitely make the radical elements in the Zunhuo sect no longer have a foothold."
"From now on, the radical faction in the Choshu Domain will no longer have a chance to speak out, and the moderate faction led by Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro will take their place."
"If anyone puts forward unrealistic and radical propositions, they will be drowned in a sea of spittle."
"In other words, Changzhou will no longer be crazy and transform into a normal and sane country in the future."
"For us, this is never a good thing."
"All in all, we must not be careless."
As soon as Qingto finished speaking, Hijikata Toshisan took over:
"Tachibana is right, I think the same thing."
"Takasugi Shinsaku and Katsura Kogoro are not ordinary people."
"Under their governance, whether Changzhou will sink or rise from the ashes depends on their next destiny."
After finishing speaking, Hijikata Suisan picked up the tea cup and drank it all in one gulp.
Abruptly, he raised his eyebrows and immediately cast a doubtful glance at Shannan Keisuke:
"Huh? Shannan, what's wrong with you? Why do you look constipated?"
Shannan Keisuke, who was suddenly called out, was stunned and smiled bitterly:
"I'm not constipated, I'm just...thinking about some issues."
He paused for a moment, then looked up at the sky, with a hint of melancholy covering his cheeks.
"...Recently, I have been handling the pension work for fallen soldiers."
"Perhaps I am sentimental. Looking at the corpses being collected and buried one by one, I can't help but feel a little doubtful."
"In the sixth year of Jiayong (1853), the black ship attacked."
"Since then, there have been assassinations, armed fights, and wars...as far as the eye can see, there is nothing but blood and fire."
"If this is the only way to peace and happiness, then so be it."
"But...it has been so many years, there have been countless casualties, and for such huge sacrifices, has there been any reward?"
Having said this, Shannan Keisuke paused, as if to collect his emotions.
About 5 seconds later, a confused voice came out faintly:
"After shedding so much blood, you should get something of equal value, right?"
Shannan Keisuke finished speaking.
There was a brief silence all around.
Kondo Isamu blinked.
Hijikata Toshizo pursed his lips.
Serious questions create a dignified atmosphere.
However, the silence is only temporary.
After only a moment, Qingdeng broke the silence.
"...It is precisely because we defeated the Changshu Army that the people of Kyoto survived; it is precisely because we are stationed here that the people of Dajin can live and work in peace and contentment."
"For me, this kind of reward is rich enough."
"I dare not pursue 'equal value', but I will pursue 'worth it' with all my strength!"
"As long as there are enemies who should be destroyed, and as long as there are people who should be protected, I will continue to hold the sword in my hand!"
At the end of the speech, Qing Deng raised his voice and his tone was sonorous and powerful.
Kill the enemy who should be killed, protect the person who should be protected - after the battle with Prajna, Qingden has become more firm in this belief and will never change it.
After Shannan Keisuke heard this, he laughed dumbly at first, and then his smile gradually subsided, turning into a strange expression that was half a smile but not a smile.
He raised his head and continued to look at the sky, thinking about something.
…
…
A large number of people working under the auspices are optimistically thinking that the complete elimination of the Zunbang sect is close at hand!
The soldiers of the Shinsengumi happily thought: With the "Nioh" Tachibana Aoden here, no matter what kind of enemy they face next, they will definitely win a complete victory!
The patriots in Changzhou thought angrily: Just let your horses come over! We in Changzhou will never perish!
The vast majority of the people thought in frustration: You warriors can fight however you like, and just don't bother us poor people.
All kinds of thoughts.
There is only one thing that everyone in the world is sure of today - the old war is over, but a new war is brewing.
The rain is coming and the wind is blowing!
…
…
Osaka, an unknown mountain in the suburbs——
It was early morning, and the thin morning light was flowing among the trees.
It was just dawn, the temperature was very low, and mist of varying thicknesses was floating in the mountains.
Logically speaking, no one should be here at this time and in this place.
However, at this moment, an old man appeared on the mountainside.
Although his face was pale and sick, he still stood upright, facing a towering tree.
This old man is none other than Boss Kiryu.
Right in front of him, near the root of the tree, stood a simple tombstone.
The monument is engraved with a simple line of words: Tomb of Yamada Asaemon Katsuki Nobuya.
Xinyan is Keji’s real name.
A long time ago, the master and the apprentice who went out to catch cicadas took a nap under this big tree.
The tired apprentice hugged the bamboo cage holding the cicada tightly, leaned on the master's shoulder, and fell asleep.
When thinking about where to bury Katsumi, the first place Kiryu thought of was this big tree.
Boss Kiryu stood quietly and looked at the tombstone with a calm expression.
Beside him, a middle-aged man stood quietly, waiting silently.
After a while, Boss Kiryu said::
"Ogata-kun, not only did you lend a helping hand when Tachibana-kun and I both passed out, but you also helped me collect Katsumi's body. I really don't know how to thank you."
*******
*******
Please give me monthly votes! Please vote for recommendations! (Leopard Head Cries.jpg)
Tomorrow is the last chapter of this volume! (Leopard Hi.jpg)
