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.

Moreover, 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 Odaisho, standing side by side with Tokugawa Iemo... By then, even if Aonto possesses the talent "Trickster +9", there would 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.

"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 - it was not known how long ago 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 carved 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 solemnly took the knife.

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 with 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 smooth 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 sunlight 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 Bato team, 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 robes, such as the samurai disciples 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, most of the team members who appear here want 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, just with energy and spirit, I can surpass this gentleman in countless streets.

One side is unwilling to lag behind others and strives for the upper reaches.

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 old masters Hatamoto, 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 hand."

At this moment, Qingdeng inexplicably felt his chest filled with surging pride.

At this time, the commander and captains had already received the wine glasses filled with fragrant wine that he distributed.
To be continued...