I formed the strongest swordsman group

Tokugawa Iemo, who was regarded as the general who conquered the barbarians, naturally could not come alone.

In addition to the generals of the third division who served as guards, a number of senior officials of the shogunate were also following Tokugawa Iemo.

[Note: The third group: the collective name for the big group, the academy group, and the small group. It’s the general’s bodyguard]

Hitotsubashi Keiki, Matsudaira Harugaku, Katsurin Taro, the feudal daimyo who stayed in Edo for their pilgrimage, 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 politics, according to the rules of the Edo shogunate, the Odaisho had only one job, and that 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 is a limit.

Tianzhangyuan, a woman who is also a monk, appeared openly at the mobilization ceremony of the army... This is indeed inappropriate.

Moreover, Souji and Sanako are also present here. They have both seen Tenzouin 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 clothes and the behavior he brought to the feudal lords and senior officials of the shogunate, 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.

As 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 crest of the Tokugawa family: Mitsuba. .

"Tachibana Shengqing, I give this knife to you! Seeing it is like seeing a sunflower pattern! Punish evildoers according to the law!"

However, "general names" will not be used in official documents and official activities.

"Common name" only applies to everyday conversation.

In such a serious occasion, it is natural to address him by his real name.

Therefore, instead of saying "Tachibana Aoden", Tokugawa Iemo changed the name to Aoto'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 took the knife solemnly.

When he raised his head, he suddenly discovered: Tokugawa Iemo had a slight smile on his lips.

The two looked at each other.

Looking at this boy who was 4 years younger than him and still too young, the corners of Qingdeng's mouth curled up subconsciously.

——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 "a side official and a servant of the imperial government".

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 the country" and "how to conduct personnel management", 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 of them.

Although his voice was very soft and small, because of the close distance, only Qingdeng heard it among everyone in the room:

"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 been successfully concluded.

However, at Seito's insistence, the ceremony was extended - he wanted to say a few words to the Shinsengumi and his subordinates.

Tokugawa Iemoge fulfilled his request without hesitation and with great pleasure.

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 trefoil, 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 sun 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, 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 haori turban, such as the samurai disciples represented by Souji and Isamu Kondo.

Some of them wore kendo uniforms like Sanako and Mai Kinoshita.

Those team members who were from civilian backgrounds didn't even have decent clothes because of their poor family backgrounds, so they 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, I don’t know how many streets this gentleman can take with his energy alone.

One side is unwilling to lag behind others and strives to be at the top.

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 against each other with their hands, the former will undoubtedly gain an overwhelming advantage.

History has proven countless times: 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 officers and captains had already received the wine glasses filled with fragrant wine that he distributed.

This wine is the wine Qingdeng specially prepared for today.

Originally, his original plan was to let the expedition ceremony end just like that after drinking the Zhuangxing wine with the DG and others.

But after wearing armor and arriving at the troop garrison site at Zojoji Temple, and looking at the Shinsengumi's matrix, his mind changed - he had something to say to the soldiers no matter what!

"Guys! I'm so happy!"

Qingdeng's voice was clearly transmitted to the ears of every soldier in the audience with the blessing of his talents "Cloud-Cracking Stone +2" and "Warbler's Cry".

Spectators with excellent hearing outside the stadium were also lucky enough to hear Qingdeng’s voice.

"After a brutal selection process, a total of 120 brothers stood out and became the first members of this new army."

"Congratulations."

"Your outstanding performance has won my recognition."

"At the same time, I also won the ticket to the cruel battlefield."

At this point, Qing Deng suddenly changed the subject and his tone became serious and heavy.

"As you know, what we are going to next is a city filled with sorrow and a battlefield filled with blood."

"Our journey to the west, our expedition, is to put down the rebellious officials and traitors who are making trouble everywhere!"

"But they are like rats, running around and we can't catch them."

"At the same time, they are like a plague, coming out from time to time and killing people."

"How long this battle will last, no one can tell."

“It’s even less clear how many sacrifices this fight will take.”

"Everyone here - including me - will most likely die in the near future."

"What awaits us is such a fierce and cruel battlefield."

"But this is really a great blessing for me!"

Speaking of this, Qingden paused.

After brewing his emotions, he spoke again:

"If it is a sin to desire victory and glory, then there is no doubt that I will be the most sinful person in the world!"

"Today is February 1st, an ordinary day."

"Not a joyful holiday, not a significant anniversary."

"But, from today on, this day will be engraved in history forever!"

"Anyone who has gone through the ordeal of Shangluo and survived and returned home safely will straighten his back, stand up straight, and feel sincerely proud from the bottom of his heart whenever he hears people mention this day! I feel excited when I hear the name 'Shinsengumi'!"

"Whoever can survive the series of hard struggles and fierce battles in the future and enjoy his old age, then every year on the eve of this day, he will give a banquet to his neighbors and say: 'Tomorrow is February 1st. !', and then he rolled up his sleeves, exposed the scars, and said: 'These wounds were all caused by me when I followed the Shinsengumi in the northern and southern wars'!"

"The old man is always forgetful, but even if all is forgotten, he will still remember - and bring with him a token - the great expedition of that day, and the heroic deeds performed in the days that followed!"

"By then, our names will be as familiar to him as common words."

"'Nioh' Tachibana Aoto, 'Chief of the Metropolitan Police Bureau' Kondo Isamu, 'Deputy Commander of the Battō Team' Hijikata Toshizo, 'General Affairs Division Chief' Yamanan Keisuke, 'First Division Captain' Okita Souji."

"These names will be recalled again when they raise a full cup and drink, and then retell and recall them over and over again, and they will remain on people's tea tables and banquets forever!"

"That good old man will pass this story on to his son, and his son will pass it on to his grandson, from this day forward until the end of the world!"

"At this time, the martial arts disciples who are sleeping on the soft tatami, the farmers who only want to wander in the fields! Those businessmen who only have small profits in their eyes! They all feel down because they are not standing here. It’s bad luck!”

"Because from now on, whenever anyone who followed Nioh to Luo on February 1 speaks, they will feel that they are so lacking in heroism and ashamed of themselves!"

"From today! From this moment on! 'February 1st' - this originally very ordinary day - will have a whole new meaning for human beings."

"This is the day when the Shinsengumi sets off! This is the day when 121 warriors go to Luo to fight against the enemy!"

"This day will never pass easily, and we who fought bravely on this day will always be remembered by people!"

"We want to fight bloody!"

"We will never be defeated!"

"We will defeat all enemies!"

"We will get through this!"

"We, the few, we, the lucky few, our team, which shares weal and woe, will fight for a glorious victory and achieve unprecedented and great achievements!"

"Today, let us celebrate February 1st!"

After saying that, Qingdeng raised his wine glass high.

Seeing this, the General Secretary and others in the audience also raised their wine glasses in no particular order.

"Partners! Brothers!"

"The joy of peace has vanished."

"It's like the morning mist has cleared, and the dream of spring has ended."

"But our hearts still burn with desire!"

"Even if there are thousands of obstacles weighing down like a mountain."

"We can't wait,"

"Always listen to the call of honor!"

"We suffer the torture of expectations,"

"Waiting for the sacred moment,"

"Like a young lover,"

"Looking forward to the exact moment of the tryst!"

"While we both still have the fire burning."

"The heart that is dedicated to honor still beats."

"Let us dedicate our passion to our own righteousness!"

"Partners, brothers, believe it!"

"The morning star that illuminates our path has risen!"

"The future is in our hands!"

"We will write our names one by one in the history of three thousand people!"

After shouting the last word as loudly as he could, Qingdeng took a swig from the glass.

The general manager and others in the audience raised their glasses and drank.

After finishing the drink, Qingdeng slammed the empty wine glass in his hand to the ground.

Click!

Then - click! Click! Click! Click! Click! ——Under the stage, the sound of smashing glasses echoed inside and outside.

Choking!

Qingden pulled out Vairocana from his waist, stood up to the sky, and pointed the sword at the sky.

"Shangluo!"

The next moment, the mountains roared and the tsunami roared.

The Shinsengumi soldiers under the high platform raised their fists and swords high, and their voices shook the sky!

*******

*******

Bao Baozi searched for information for a long time yesterday, but he still couldn't find out what the expedition ceremony was like in the Edo period, so Bao Baozi focused the plot of this chapter on Aoto's speech and his interaction with Tokugawa Iemo. Just brushed it off.

Those who read a lot should be able to tell where the content of Qingdeng’s speech is taken from (it is not Patton’s speech. I guess the content of Patton’s speech is also taken from that great writer)