In the huge room, there were no other outsiders except the shogunate, Hitotsubashi Yoshiki, and the political president, Matsudaira Harugaku.

Genuinely private conversations.

Hitotsubashi Yingxi is the current governor of the Hitotsubashi family, one of the "Three Royal Lords".

His status is inherently noble, and based on this, he currently also serves as a post-general known as "deputy general."

Nowadays, looking at the whole shogunate, apart from Tokugawa Iemo, he has the highest status.

As for Matsudaira Harugaku - he was not only the political president of the shogunate with power comparable to the elders, but also the lord of the Fukui Domain with a territory of 320,000 koku, and he had soldiers, money and food in his hands.

As the leader of the "Ichitsubashi Sect", Ichitsubashi Keiki's status is naturally higher than that of Matsudaira Harugaku.

Whether in public or in private, Matsudaira Harugaku has always respected Hitotsubashi Keiki.

He respects Hitotsubashi Keiki in everything, even walking half a body behind him.

However, because they are on a common front, and have similar thoughts and political philosophies, the two of them have a good personal relationship.

Hitotsubashi Keiki was originally the son of Tokugawa Saiaki, the former lord of the Mito domain.

Tokugawa Saiaki hoped that his son could become the head of the shogunate, so he adopted Hitotsubashi Keiki to the Hitotsubashi family, which was the most promising at that time to inherit the mantle of shogun.

As for the fact that Hitotsubashi Yoshiki and Tokugawa Iemo were unfortunately defeated in the competition for the position of shogun, and Tokugawa Saiaki was unable to see his son become a shogun as he wished until his death from illness, that is a story for another day.

Because he was born in Mito, Hitotsubashi Keiki has been familiar with the works of Mito studies since he was a child.

The core idea of ​​Mito Studies is just two words: respecting the emperor. All his works implement the idea of ​​respecting the emperor.

Therefore, Hitotsubashi Keiki, who had a profound knowledge of Mito studies, was a complete imperialist.

He recognized the status of the emperor and affirmed the existence of the imperial court - the same was true for Matsudaira Harugaku's thoughts and ideas.

Matsudaira Harugaku respected the emperor and the court very much and was a well-known supporter of the emperor. His views were the same as Hitotsubashi Keiki: the shogunate was important, but the court was also important.

How to treat the emperor and the imperial court - this is the core contradiction between the "Nanki School" and the "Hitobashi School".

Although they are both supporters of "integration of public and military forces", the two sides have different focuses.

Led by Hitotsubashi Keiki and Matsudaira Harugaku, the "Topsubashi faction" advocated that "the imperial court and the shogunate are equally important, and they must not be enemies of the imperial court."

On the other hand, the "Nanki Sect"...their attitude towards the imperial court can be summed up in one word - the emperor? How many divisions does he have?

The "Nanki School" has always believed that the integration of the public and military forces is imperative, but it must be led by the shogunate, and the court and other things can just be obedient mascots as before.

Friends are easy to find, but confidants are hard to find.

The same ideological concepts make Hitotsubashi Keiki and Matsudaira Harugaku have a close relationship.

Although they have a clear superior-subordinate relationship with each other, in private, their way of getting along is just like Aoto and Tokugawa Iemo, very casual.

At this moment, the two of them were sitting directly with their knees touching each other.

Matsudaira Harugaku crossed his legs carelessly.

Although Ichibashi Kei's sitting posture is much more formal, it cannot be called solemn.

"Master Hitotsubashi, I just want to talk to you... Tachibana Aoden." - The moment Matsudaira Harugaku said the name "Tachibana Aoden", Hitotsubashi's eyes narrowed in joy. .

"Chunyue, has Ju Qingden made any big moves again?"

Matsudaira Harugaku picked up the iron chopsticks beside his legs, fiddled with the coals in the stove in front of his knees, and replied unhurriedly:

"No. Tachibana Aoden has been very peaceful recently."

"After defeating the Nanmu Group, he made no significant movement except sending troops to mop up the remnants of the group."

"I came here tonight to inform you that after my detailed investigation, it has now been determined that Tokugawa Iemo really intends to let Tachibana Aoden support himself."

"After Tachibana landed in Luo, Tokugawa Iemoji didn't give him any substantial help."

"We neither sent capable officers to assist him nor provided him with funds, equipment and other supplies."

"As a result, Tachibana Aoden must find a way to find ways to make money on his own to fill the Shinsengumi's military needs."

"Although I have received related rumors before, I never expected that Tokugawa Iemo would actually 'freeze' Tachibana Aoden."

Speaking of this, Matsudaira Chunyue raised the corners of his mouth, showing an expression that seemed to be a smile but not a smile.

"Hmph, I don't know if he is just being arrogant, or if he is too confident in Tachibana Aoden."

After hearing this, Ichibashi Qingxi looked deep in thought.

After a while, he said in a deep voice:

"...It's not good."

After that, he slowly stood up, clasping his hands behind his back, walked to the window not far away, frowning slightly, looking into the distance, and a faint look of worry appeared on his cheeks.

The sudden and bizarre speech made Matsudaira Harugaku involuntarily look confused.

"'Not good'? Mr. Hitotsubashi, why do you say that?"

"...I can't understand Tokugawa Iemo more and more."

Hitotsubashi narrowed his eyes and spoke in a deep tone.

"Chun Yue, you must not underestimate Tokugawa Iemo."

"Let me ask you: Why does Tokugawa Iemo indulge in Tachibana Aoden so much?"

"Although Tokugawa Iemoji is still young, he is not a weak and mediocre person."

"As early as when he was the lord of Kishu Domain, he was already a well-known virtuous king."

"After I took office as a general, I had detailed contact with him and observed him."

"His knowledge and conversation once surprised me."

"Therefore, I dare to conclude that he... Tokugawa Iemo is definitely a qualified monarch."

"Because of this, I really don't understand his intentions..."

"Why did he give Tachibana Aoden such a big and heavy privilege?"

"At first glance, it seems that he is ignoring Tachibana Aoden and letting him fend for himself."

"But, from another perspective... Tokugawa Iemo's 'stocking' gave Tachibana Aoden great autonomy."

"If... Tachibana Aoden really has a stable financial source, just imagine what it will be like."

"By then, Juqingden will have a powerful army that is independent and does not need to rely on others."

"Except for not having his own territory, he will be the same as the lord of a feudal clan."

"What kind of psychology did Tokugawa Iemo have that allowed Tachibana Aoden to have such great power?"

"A minister... and also a high-ranking official in the border area, possesses excessive power... It is impossible for a wise man like Tokugawa Iemo not to be unaware of the dangers involved."

"Logically speaking, he shouldn't do such a thing..."

At the end of the sentence...a silence that could be heard as a needle dropped dominated the interior and exterior.

The latter was silent for a while and said in a serious voice:

"... Mr. Hitotsubashi, I think your worries are a bit unfounded."

"It's not that I haven't considered what you said."

"I think this is just because Tokugawa Iemo trusts Tachibana Aoden."

"After all, Tachibana Aoden is Tokugawa Iemo's number one confidant..."

Just as Matsudaira Harugaku was about to continue speaking, Hitotsubashi Keiki shook his head gently.

"...No, no, that's absolutely not the case."

"The reason why Tokugawa Iemo did this is definitely not out of pure trust."

"As far as I know, Tokugawa Iemo is not holding any important hostages that could threaten Tachibana Aoden."

"They are not a firm in-law relationship, nor are they the kind of close friends who grew up together."

"They have known each other for less than three years."

"Why does Tokugawa Iemo trust Tachibana Aoden so much?"

After finishing his words, Hitotsubashi Qingxi, who was standing with his hands behind his back, slowly turned around and stared straight at Matsudaira Harugaku.

"..."

Under the sharp questioning of Hitotsubashi Kei, Matsudaira Harugaku fell silent.

There was a tense atmosphere instantly.

A heavy silence fell between the two.

About 10 seconds later, Hitotsubashi turned around silently, moved his deep eyes to the window again, and sighed silently.

"...Chunyue, I'm worried about two things right now."

"Firstly, Tokugawa Iemo's connivance towards Tachibana Aoden will repeat the old story of Tenba."

Matsudaira Chunyue's pupils shrank suddenly.
To be continued...