Although it was outrageous, Qingto could still understand such strange things as "some people in Kyoto sympathized with Choshu".
Although Changzhou does not engage in human affairs, in any case, it has the great purpose of "repelling the foreigners".
Let’s leave aside “respecting the king” for the moment, but “repelling the foreigners” is definitely the biggest political correctness nowadays, bar none.
Even if you use the most gorgeous rhetoric in the world, you cannot whitewash the atrocities committed by the Western powers.
Various acts represented by the "Black Ship Incident" are all acts of aggression without any room for argument.
From the Treaty of Kanagawa to the Treaty of the Five Ansei Countries, the shogunate signed a series of unequal treaties with Western powers.
Although this matter cannot be entirely attributed to the shogunate, and is actually forced by realistic pressure, from the perspective of a third party, these actions of the shogunate are indisputable treason.
Faced with the severe accusation of "succumbing to the lustful power of Western powers", the shogunate never dared to respond directly, but only dared to make vague statements. Even if it was full of bitterness, it could only swallow it back.
All in all, as long as Changzhou still holds the righteousness of "repelling the foreigners", there will always be people who will sympathize and support it.
Some people in Kyoto sympathized with and supported Changzhou - Qingdeng could understand.
But with so many abnormal events happening all at once, Qingdeng would definitely not believe it if no one was behind it!
They sell "Changshu Hagi cakes" and dance "Changshu wins" again.
Not only will children die if they don’t dance, but also visiting the graves of Changzhou patriots can cure diseases.
In just over a month, these outrageous incidents occurred one after another.
To describe it in modern terms, this is a standard public opinion war and cognitive war.
Destroying the morale of the Samu sect and raising the image of the Zunbang sect...it can't be said that they have good intentions.
Who is behind the scenes?
The answer is self-evident.
"Although Changzhou is as skinny as a camel, it is still bigger than a horse..."
Qingdeng muttered like this at a volume that only he could hear clearly.
There is no doubt that Changzhou is the biggest suspect.
Today, Changzhou is in danger.
In order to save themselves, Qingdeng would not be surprised by what they did.
Of course, besides Changzhou, Qingdeng also thought of other possibilities.
For example, the Satsuma clan has ulterior motives.
Another example is the scheming Law Punishment Party.
In short, it is always right to be more vigilant.
——The spy network in Kyoto must be strengthened...
Strategies and strategies emerged from Qingdeng's mind.
From just now, Shintaro Tojo has been standing alone, waiting for Qingto's reaction and instructions.
After a while, Qingdeng realized that he had been keeping the other person indifferent for a long time.
"Dongcheng-kun, I'm sorry for making you stand for so long. Please sit down."
As he spoke, he made a "please" gesture toward the tatami in front of him.
Shintaro Tojo shook his head.
"No, I'll just stand."
Qingdeng smiled slightly, with a meaningful look on his cheeks.
"You'd better sit down, I have a long story to say to you next."
Shintaro Tojo frowned slightly when he heard this - he felt the abnormal emotion in Qingto's tone.
Before he could respond, Qingdeng slowly stood up, put his hands behind his back, and moved to the window not far away, facing the scenery outside the window.
"Then...where should I start talking...First of all, should I continue to call you 'Tojo Shintaro', or should I change my name to 'Kazuma Kazami'?"
Suddenly, Dongcheng Shintaro's pupils shrank slightly, and a sharp light burst out from his eyes.
On the night when he rushed to Ikedaya, Aoto accidentally discovered that Tojo Shintaro had very obvious burn marks on his right abdomen.
He is good at wielding a spear and has burns on his right abdomen... Such distinctive features reminded Qingdeng immediately of the name that once shocked the capital - "The Rogue Kirin'er"!
Qingdeng had long wanted to ask the other party to verify this matter.
However, important matters such as the Summer Battle in Kyoto and the reform of the shogunate's military system were coming up so quickly that he had no time to take care of them.
Since it's rare to be alone with the other person today, it's better to choose a day when the sun comes up, open the skylight and speak frankly, and have a clear talk with him!
In just a moment, Shintaro Tojo straightened his expression and asked calmly:
"...Your Highness, what are you talking about? Who is 'Feng Jian Yima'?"
His response was completely within Qingdeng's expectation.
As soon as he finished speaking, Qingdeng said calmly:
"About the end of last year, when I went to Osaka for the first time to promote the alliance between Qinjin Clan and Huluwu, I met an old man by chance."
"This person participated in the 'Oshio Heihachiro Uprising' 27 years ago..."
Qingdeng recounted his encounter with the old man by chance and the story of Feng Jian Yima told by the old man himself, concisely and concisely.
Every time he said something, Tojo Shintaro's facial expression changed.
When Qingden finished speaking, he remained silent for a long time.
Qingdeng was not in a hurry and waited quietly.
A silence that could be heard as a needle dropped tightly enveloped the inside and outside of the room.
About 10 minutes later, laughter without sadness or joy broke the silence.
"……Ha ha ha ha……"
Although he was smiling, Tojo Shintaro showed a bitter expression.
"I never thought that in my lifetime, I would still hear someone call me 'Feng Jian Yima'..."
After saying that, he took a deep breath, then turned his head and looked directly at Qingdeng, his facial expression becoming extremely solemn.
"That's right, my former name... was 'Feng Jian Yima'."
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere was once again dominated by silence.
Although he was fully prepared mentally, Qingdeng still couldn't help but gasp when he heard the other party admit his true identity.
To be honest, he really couldn't equate the "romantic Qilin'er" with this fat man who was out of shape and slovenly...
However, the ironclad facts were before him, and even if he didn't believe it, he could only accept it.
He turned sideways, looked away from the window, and looked at Shintaro Tojo, their eyes meeting each other.
Whether it was his illusion or the fact, he always felt that after admitting his true identity, Tojo Shintaro's facial expression-especially the eyebrows-had changed very slightly.
Became sharper.
Unlike in the past, there is always a lingering sense of decadence.
"...the 'Langhua Qilin'er' who was once famous in Gyeonggi Province is right in front of me, and he is also an old acquaintance of mine... To be honest, I still can't believe it until now."
After hearing the words "famous in Gyeonggi" and "romantic Kirin'er", Tojo Shintaro twitched the corners of his mouth, and a self-deprecating look appeared on his cheeks.
Driven by curiosity, Qingden continued:
"Dongcheng-kun... No, Fengjian-kun, can you tell me in detail how you changed your name and how you joined the Great Salt Party?"
"Of course, if you don't want to elaborate, I won't force you."
Kazami Kazuma, who had made great contributions in the battle to quell the "Oshio Heihachiro Uprising", actually abandoned his fame and not only concealed his name, changed his identity, but also joined a once hostile organization... The story behind this would have made Qingden curious.
, that must be false.
With just a little imagination, he could come up with a lot of stories.
Shintaro Tojo probably saw through Qingto's thoughts and laughed dumbly:
"Your Highness, if you want to hear some soul-stirring stories from my mouth, I'm afraid you will be disappointed."
"My story...is full of embarrassment and humiliation, and has nothing outstanding about it."
After that, he closed his eyes and took a deep breath, seemingly sorting out his emotions.
About 10 seconds later, he picked up the conversation again:
"Your Highness, although I may be a little offensive when I say this... but a genius like you, I'm afraid I can't understand the pain of not being recognized for your talent."
"You became famous at a young age."
"At a young age, he showed amazing talents and outstanding talents, and he rose to great heights."
"A mortal like me cannot compare with you."
Although his tone was laced with looming sourness, Qingdeng did not show any abnormality and looked as normal.
After all... everything the other party said is true.
No matter from which angle you look at it, Qingdeng is a winner in life that ordinary people cannot catch up with!
In just 4 years, he rose from an unknown little imperial family member to a great name in the separatist regime and the number one person in the shogunate's army.
Such a speed of promotion is something that few people in ancient and modern times can match.
When he led the Shinsengumi to conquer all directions, he was sure to win every battle and capture every attack, making him an invincible and ever-victorious general.
Not only that, he also married three beautiful ladies.
Sanako Chiba, the "most beautiful woman in Edo" who fascinated thousands of men, was just one of his wives - this alone was enough to make countless people jealous.
Not to mention his other two wives, both of whom are stunningly beautiful.
Officialdom, battlefield, love scene, every scene of triumph.
The so-called "winner in life" is nothing more than this.
After simply praising Aotoichi, Shintaro Tojo changed the topic and adopted a self-deprecating tone.
"When I was young, people called me the 'Landful Qilin'er' and said I was a talented gunner with an unlimited future."
"Humph, even if they praise me to the sky, what's the use?"
"No matter what, it can't change the reality that I am a lower-level warrior."
"This world is so unfair."
"Unless you are a god like you, everyone's life is destined from the moment you are born."
"The rich and powerful want to be born with everything."
"No matter how hard ordinary people try, they can only wallow in a cesspit."
"Your Highness, I don't know if you understand, but I am a member of the Trinity Warriors."
Shintaro Tojo twitched the corners of his mouth as he spoke, and the self-mockery on his face was extremely strong.
Trinity Samurai - a highly insulting slur from the Edo period.
It specifically refers to those poor warriors whose annual salary is only 3 taels in cash and rice to support themselves (free rice is given to one adult every year, which is enough to feed an adult for a year).
The "Trinity Warriors" are the lowest level among warriors.
With such a small income, let alone marrying a wife and having children, he cannot even support himself.
Generally speaking, almost all "Trinity Warriors" have to find additional side jobs such as farming, making umbrellas, etc.
But despite this, their living standards are still hard to describe, not even as good as those of sharecroppers.
Because they were so poor that even the common people looked down on them, people used the derogatory name "Trinity Warriors" to mock them.
Because it is so insulting, it is a good curse word to use when quarreling with samurai.
Because it is very insulting, it should be used with caution.
When you call a certain warrior a 'Trinity Warrior', it is a signal to start a war. No matter what happens next, it will not be surprising. It is very likely that only one of you and the other party will survive today.
Shintaro Tojo took a deep breath, calmed down the self-mockery on his face, and continued:
"Your Highness, can you imagine this feeling?"
"Obviously I have no shortage of talents and work harder and more conscientiously than anyone else, yet I am still poor."
"On the other hand, those people with nothing but good family backgrounds easily got the official status I dreamed of."
"There is no shortage of money to spend, and beauties are rushing to throw themselves into my arms."
"I hate this...I don't want this."
"I want money."
"I want status."
"I want an official position."
"I want to have a beautiful woman in my arms,"
"Your Highness, now that the matter is over, I won't hide it from you anymore."
"The reason why I practice spear skills is not because I like spear skills, let alone to study martial arts. I don't have such a high level of awareness."
"It would be better to say that I don't like practicing martial arts at all."
"When I was so tired that I couldn't even straighten my waist, when the calluses and blisters on my palms were repeatedly worn out, I felt nothing but pain."
"However, even though it was miserable, I gritted my teeth and insisted on practicing martial arts... The reason was purely to imitate Miyamoto Musashi back then."
"Miyamoto Musashi fought against invincible opponents all over the world, became famous all over the world, and received courtesy from many dignitaries."
"For poor people like me, practicing martial arts is the only way out."
"There is no other way to go."
The more Shintaro Tojo continued speaking, the duller his tone became.
Qingdeng couldn't help but have a quiet look on his face.
In the Edo period, when there was no imperial examination system, "working hard to practice martial arts, and then striving to gain recognition from superiors" almost became the only way for middle- and lower-level samurai to rise.
From a certain perspective, Qingdeng also relied on his extraordinary force to gradually gain the attention of the upper class and then be reused.
"Although I am a 'Trinity Samurai' with a poor family, fortunately, God has blessed me with extraordinary talent in spearmanship and superior waist and abdominal strength. At the same time, I have met my mentor, who has given me a chance to turn over.
hope."
"Thanks to this talent, Master not only exempted me from the need to practice, but also provided me with rich food so that I can strengthen my body."
[Note·Shu Xiu: When students and teachers first met in ancient times, they would first give gifts to show respect, which was called "Shu Xiu"]
"In order to get ahead, I worked hard to hone my spear skills."
"Thanks to this painful time, my spear skills became more and more refined. Within a few years, I surpassed my master, and my reputation grew."
"Gradually, people began to call me the 'Langhua Qilin'er'."
"My folks in my hometown are all proud of me."
"What do you mean, 'Outlanders all think that we Osaka people are cunning people who only know how to do business. Your emergence makes us feel proud, and we in Osaka can also produce excellent samurai.'"
"Although the villagers like me very much and regard me as their pride, but... I am very ashamed... I have never looked at them seriously..."
“At that time, I was only thinking about fame and fame, and there was no other thought in my mind except “getting ahead as soon as possible.”
"However...even though I have worked extremely hard, almost to the extreme of the word 'hardworking', and the name of the 'Langhua Qilin'er' has spread throughout the capital, there is still no Shangguan or feudal lord who promotes me..."
"Ha... this is natural."
"These days, life is not easy for daimyo either."
"Countless vassal states are so poor that they cannot raise taxes. Even the salaries of their own samurai have been reduced again and again. How can they accept and promote me, a 'Trinity Samurai' from Osaka?"
"What's more, in the Tokugawa era, the civilized and martial arts were cultivated, and they didn't know how to fight for a hundred years."
"There's no battle to fight, so there's no need for a guy like me who has no other merits except his spear skills."
"Just when I began to feel helpless and desperate... Oshio Heihachiro launched an uprising in Osaka."
"I was very happy when I learned that there was a rebellion in Osaka."
"Too happy that I can't sleep."
"I'm so happy that I can't wait to rush to Osaka immediately, put down the rebellion, and achieve great success in one fell swoop."
"I don't dare to dream of becoming the lord of a city or a place, but I long to obtain an official position and become a 'real warrior' who is no longer trapped by money and food, has status and dignity."
"So...just like that, I rushed to the front line without hesitation and signed up to join the counter-rebellion army."
"Thanks to the reputation I accumulated previously, I was appointed as the vanguard of the army."
"After encountering the Great Salt Army, I immediately launched a desperate attack like a mad dog. I used all my knowledge and knowledge to kill the enemy immediately, for fear that the superior officer would not see my heroic performance."
"That day was the first time in my life that I was so devoted and selfless in wielding a gun."
"The peasant army, which is only worthy of its numbers, is no match for me at all."
"Just when I was killing so hard that the enemy's formation was falling apart, I suddenly found half of a very familiar body hanging on the tip of the spear...it was Funugoro."
"He is my fellow countryman and lives next door to me."
"Although he likes to brag and always says 'I know so and so', he is indeed a good person and I have received a lot of care from him."
"Fugoro, who I held at the point of a spear, has long since expired."
"His eyes were so wide that they seemed to fall out of their sockets, and he looked at me in disbelief."
"'Yima, how could it be you?' - At that moment, I vaguely heard him 'saying' to me."
"Fugoro appeared among the rebels and died under my gun... The horrific facts behind this made me shiver on the spot."
"When I turned my head and looked back...all I could see were the broken limbs and broken arms of my fellow villagers."
"There are men and there are women."
"Some are familiar and some are unfamiliar."
"Uncle Hua, Ba Lang, A Zhuo... they are all my fellow villagers. They all praise my marksmanship. They are all proud of the 'Langhua Qilin'er'."
"But I...but...in order to gain fame...no, no, in order to win the favor of the superior, I killed them all."
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