【4200】

"..."

"..."

"..."

There was silence inside and outside the formation.

No one spoke.

No one wailed.

Everyone has turned into clay and wood sculptures.

Everyone lowered their heads and avoided looking at each other.

It seems that as long as their eyes meet, they will see the filth in each other's eyes that is difficult to look directly at.

Genrui Kusaka, who was always high-spirited on weekdays, was slumped on the horse in despair, his head drooped, the bones in his waist seemed to have softened, and his whole person was in a state of depression.

Because it is obscured by shadows, people cannot clearly see the expression on his face.

In fact, no one at the scene was surprised at all by this result.

This is why after hearing the bad news, no one took any drastic action and everyone was calm.

Anyone with a normal mind, anyone with a little knowledge of the Shinsengumi, would not be unaware of it - how could the Tenchu ​​Group, which has been pieced together and not even have a leader who can convince the crowd, be the new one?

Choose your opponent!

It's just that... although their rationality has kept up with reality, their sensibility cannot accept such a reality...

They really couldn't accept... no, it should be said that they were unable to "evacuate Kyoto and return to the country in defeat". The tragic consequences!

If they just evacuate like this, all the efforts they have made in recent years for the sake of the Choshu Domain and to respect the king and repel the barbarians will be in vain!

In addition, he would have to bear the reputation of being "disloyal" and "holding the emperor hostage".

Some far-sighted people have already seen that the shogunate will most likely take this opportunity to launch the "Marsho Campaign"! Completely annihilate the Choshu clan!

Compared to the very human-like previous shogun (Tokugawa Iesada), the current reigning Tokugawa Iemo is indeed a rare hero - even those who hate the shogunate deeply have to admit this fact.

Although he is still very young and his qualifications and prestige are still insufficient, his various performances so far have made the supporters of the shogunate see the hope of ZTE.

Now, the shogunate has the right to declare war on Choshu, and the conditions for launching a war are complete.

Based on Tokugawa Iemo's decisive character, it was impossible for him not to take this opportunity to launch a fatal blow to the Choshu Domain and eliminate this major hidden danger in one fell swoop.

Although based on the current comprehensive strength of the shogunate, if it wants to launch a western expedition capable of annihilating Choshu, it will take at least a year and a half to prepare.

However, this also means that Choshu will have to make long and careful preparations to meet the shogunate's expeditionary army.

To be honest, it is a question whether Choshu can withstand the all-out onslaught of the Tokugawa army, let alone return to Kyoto.

Even if they finally re-enter Kyoto, they don't know that they will have to wait until the Year of the Monkey and the Horse Moon...

Just when everyone was stunned, someone took the lead in breaking the silence:

"...That's enough, let's call it a day."

As soon as these words came out, everyone at the scene, including Genrui Hisaka, turned to look at the owner of the voice - Katsura Kogoro.

Facing everyone's dull gazes, Katsura Kogoro said slowly and calmly:

"The Tenchu ​​Group has been defeated."

"As much as I hate to admit it... we did lose."

"Without strong foreign aid, we simply cannot compete with the Huisa coalition with our own strength."

"If we don't retreat, we will follow in the footsteps of the Tianzhu Group."

"The whole army retreats! Escort Qiqing back to Changzhou!"

"We will make long-term plans after we return to Changzhou!"

The Seven Ministers—the seven ministers of the Zunbang faction who were blocked from the imperial palace by the Huisa coalition forces.

They are: Santiao Shimei, Santiao Xijizhi, Dongjiu Shitongxi, Rensheng Jixiu, Shitiao Longyan, Jinxiaolu Laide, and Ze Xuanjia.

After saying that, Katsura Kogoro turned to look at Kusaka Genrui not far away:

"Kusaka-kun, what do you think? Do you agree with my idea?"

Hisaka Genrui raised his dull eyes and glanced at Katsura Kogoro.

"...Well, I'll do as you say."

Seeing that even Hisaka Genrui agreed to Katsura Kogoro's retreat plan, some people looked hesitant and opened their mouths, as if they wanted to say something.

However, in the end they could say nothing.

Faced with the current overwhelmingly negative situation, even the most die-hard radicals cannot utter any optimistic words.

Katsura Kogoro's step forward gave everyone present a backbone again.

The sparkle returned to their eyes.

At this time, Katsura Kogoro spoke again:

"Retreat tonight!"

"The Huisa Allied Forces should have also received news of the defeat of the Tenchu ​​Group."

"The longer time passes, the harder it will be for us to retreat!"

"Inoue-kun, you will be the forward!"

Katsura Kogoro gave instructions in an orderly manner.

Finally, he said seriously in a sonorous and powerful tone:

"I will cut off the queen myself!"

As soon as he finished speaking, the whole audience was shocked.

"No! Mr. Gui, you are the pillar of our Changzhou!"

"Yes, you can't get involved in danger yourself!"

"Mr. Gui, I would like to ask you to take a tassel! Please allow me to come to the back of the palace! I will definitely live up to everyone's expectations!"

…

Everyone was talking at once, trying their best to persuade Katsura Kogoro not to take risks.

The rear guard - as the name suggests, engages in dealing with the enemy to gain time for the evacuation of large forces.

This is an extremely dangerous task.

Throughout the ages, the troops responsible for the rear mission have all suffered heavy casualties.

Facing everyone's concern, Katsura Kogoro smiled slightly:

"It is precisely because this is a precarious battle that I go even more."

When he said this, he paused for a moment, and then changed his tone to a relaxed tone.

"You don't have to worry."

"I am the proud disciple of 'Saito of Power'."

"Ordinary people can't do anything to me."

"Even if I am surrounded by thousands of troops, I can still escape unscathed."

Before joining the Zunbo Movement, Katsura Kogoro studied abroad in Edo, where he studied under the "Saito of Power" Saito Yakuro, and he reached the rank of teacher at the military training hall.

In the red-white battle of "Shinsengumi VS Genbukan" 3 years ago, that is, the battle in which Aoto and Souji jointly challenged Chiba Michizaburo and narrowly won, Saito Yakuro once led Katsura Kogoro

Come and watch the battle.

It was at that time that Aoto met Katsura Kogoro - although the two only met once, they only had a relationship where "each other knew what the other looked like and what his name was."

"Anyway, you don't need to say anything more! Hurry up and get ready!"

Katsura Kogoro has already said this, and no one else can say anything more.

With a chorus of "Yes!", the generals filed out, left their formation, and went their separate ways.

…

…

The Changzhou Army's position became lively.

Those who dismantle the camp tents and those who carry the luggage carry the luggage.

Inoue Munta, who was in charge of the vanguard, had already led the vanguard and set off.

Due to time constraints, Katsura Kogoro and others did not announce to the entire army that "the Tenchu ​​Group has been defeated and our army is retreating."

Despite this, the soldiers at the middle and lower levels still vaguely knew the truth of the matter based on the atmosphere at the scene.
To be continued...