I formed the strongest swordsman group

In the huge room, there were no other outsiders except the Shogun's new post, Hitotsubashi Yoshiki, and the political president, Matsudaira Harugaku.

Genuinely private conversations.

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

His status is inherently noble, and on this basis, he currently 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, with soldiers, money and food in his hands.

As the leader of the "Ichitsubashi Sect", Hitotsubashi Kei'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, Tokugawa Saiaki was unable to see his son become a shogun as he wished until he died of illness, that is a story for another day.

Because he was born in Mito, Hitotsubashi Yoshiki 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 has a profound knowledge of Mito studies, is a complete imperialist.

He recognized the status of the emperor and affirmed the existence of the imperial court - the same was true for Matsudaira Shunaku's 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 view the emperor and the imperial court - this is the core contradiction between the "Nanki School" and the "Ichitsubashi 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 "Nanji School" has always believed that the integration of public and military affairs is imperative, but it must be led by the shogunate. The court and other things can just be the 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 on each other's knees.

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 the attack on the Kusunoki Group, he made no significant movement other than sending troops to mop up the remnants of his party."

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

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

"No capable officers were sent to assist him, nor were funds, equipment and other supplies provided to him."

"In this case, Tachibana Aoden must find a way to develop his own way of making money to fill the military needs of the Shinsengumi."

"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 simply big-hearted, or if he is too confident in Tachibana Aoden."

After listening to it happily, Ichibashi looked deep in thought.

After a while, he said quietly:

"...It's not good."

After that, he stood up slowly, walked to the window not far away with his hands behind his back, frowned slightly, looked 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 Iemomo 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 Iemo is still young, he is not a weak and mediocre leader."

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

"After taking up the post as 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 Aomori 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 Qingden really has a stable financial source, just imagine what it will be like."

"By then, Ju Qingden will have a strong and independent army that does not need to rely on others."

"Except for not having his own territory, he will be no different from 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 feudal official with excessive power...a wise man like Tokugawa Iemo cannot 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 hear a needle drop dominated the interior and exterior.

The latter was silent for a while and then said in a solemn 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 hostages important enough to threaten Tachibana Aoden."

"They were neither committed marriages nor close friends who had grown up together."

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

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

After finishing speaking, Hitotsubashi Qingxi, who was standing with his hands behind his back, slowly turned around and stared directly 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."

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

Matsudaira Chunyue's pupils shrank suddenly.

For those who are familiar with Chinese history, it is not difficult to know what Hitotsubashi Keiki's "old things about Tenbao" mean as long as they are connected with the context.

In the 14th year of Tianbao in the Tang Dynasty, Anlushan, who served as the envoy of Fanyang, Pinglu and Hedong, mobilized his Tang soldiers, as well as Tongluo, Xi, Khitan and Shiwei, a total of 150,000 people, known as 200,000, to "worry about "The country is in danger", the Qing emperor sided with him and used the secret edict to attack Yang Guozhong as an excuse to raise troops in Fanyang, which is known as the "Anshi Incident" in history.

Because it broke out during the Tianbao period of Emperor Xuanzong of the Tang Dynasty, it was also called the Tianbao Rebellion.

The Anshi Rebellion lasted seven years and two months, causing an unprecedented catastrophe to the Tang Dynasty society. It can be called a major turning point in Chinese history.

Matsudaira Harugaku swallowed hard.

"Master Hitotsubashi, is this, this... this kind of thing possible?"

Hitotsubashi Qingxi said loudly without thinking:

"How is it impossible?"

"Chunyue, you don't need me to repeat to you how terrible power Tachibana Aoden currently holds, right?"

"His armaments, financial income, personnel management, etc. are completely outside the control of the shogunate."

"Although the current Shinsengumi is still very weak, no matter what, it cannot change the fact that its nature is basically equivalent to Tachibana Aoden's personal club."

"Except for Tokugawa Iemo himself, neither you, me, nor Matsudaira Yōho, who is at the same level as him, has the right to command Tachibana Aoden and cannot point fingers at Tachibana Aoden's actions."

"As long as Tachibana Aoden has that ability, and Tokugawa Iemo also nods in agreement, he and his Shinsengumi can become an existence like An Lushan and the Three Towns of Hebei!"

"Just imagine it."

"If the Shinsengumi's military strength expands to more than a hundred times its current size."

"If Tokugawa Iemo and Tenjoin are far away from the center of power of the shogunate, or they are both dead."

"Who else in the world can control Ju Qingden?"

"At that time, whether Ju Qingdeng will become An Lushan who destroyed the Tang Dynasty or become Guo Ziyi who rebuilt the Tang Dynasty, it all depends on his thoughts!"

Matsudaira Harugaku lowered his head, his tense facial lines forming a solemn expression.

"... Mr. Hitotsubashi, you just said that you are worried about two things now. So besides 'Tabi Aoden becomes the next Anlu Mountain', what other things are you worried about?"

"..."

Hitotsubashi Keixi did not answer immediately.

After being silent for a moment, he said slowly and quietly:

"...Compared to everything I just mentioned, the following conjecture is what really makes me feel frightened."

"I suspect...the reason why Tokugawa Iemo wanted to make Tachibana Tachibana the powerful envoy of Gyeonggi Town was because he did it intentionally!"

"He just wanted Tachibana Aomori and his new team to become a vassal-like existence, so he was given so many privileges!"

As Ichibashi's joyful words fell, Matsudaira Harugaku's brows suddenly furrowed into the character "川".

Perhaps because he was too surprised, he stuttered when he spoke.

"Deliberately letting Tachibana Aoden and his new members become like a vassal town? What does this mean? Why does Tokugawa Iemoji do this? Is there any benefit to him from doing this?"

Hitotsubashi Yoshi smiled bitterly and shrugged.

"I'm not the roundworm in Tokugawa Iemo's belly, how can I possibly know what he is thinking?"

"That's why I just said that I can't understand Tokugawa Iemomo anymore."

"Except for doing it intentionally, I really can't figure out why a monarch with a normal mind and considerable talent would do something like "send capable ministers to other places, and at the same time let him have independent military and financial power" , personnel rights” is a dangerous behavior that is no different from playing with fire.”

"Isn't he afraid that Tachibana Aoden will become Akechi Mitsuhide, and he will become Oda Nobunaga in Honnoji Temple?"

Oda Nobunaga in Honnoji Temple - a famous historical allusion in Japan. In the 10th year of Tensho (1582), Oda Nobunaga, who almost unified the entire Japan, was rebelled by his subordinate Mitsuhide Akechi and died tragically in Honnoji Temple in Kyoto.

"Or……"

Hitotsubashi narrowed his eyes with a meaningful look in his eyes.

"Sit back and watch Tachibana Aoden grow stronger, let him develop, and make him rise into a wise Mitsuhide who can kill Oda Nobunaga, this is his purpose..."

"Oh...I can't understand...I really can't understand..."

Speaking of this, Hitotsubashi sighed again.

"In short, what we should do now remains unchanged. We will continue to closely monitor Tachibana Aoden and Tokugawa Iemo. We must not take it lightly."

Matsudaira Chunyue nodded lightly.

"That's natural. I never underestimated Tokugawa Iemo and Tachibana Aoden from the beginning to the end."

Ichihashi raised his chin happily and said "great".

At this time, Matsudaira Chunyue suddenly showed a strange expression as if he remembered something.

Yingxi Hitotsubashi keenly captured his unusual appearance.

"Chunyue, what's wrong? Why do you look like you're hesitating to speak?"

Ichihashi suddenly asked in joy, making Matsudaira Harugaku slightly startled.

After hesitating for a while, he slowly said:

"Master Hitotsubashi, please forgive me."

"You seem to have an unusual hostility towards Tachibana Aoden."

Having said this, he paused, and after hesitating for a moment, he continued intermittently:

"To be honest... I don't hate Tachibana Aoden."

"The conflict between me and him is nothing more than political differences, that is, partisanship."

"If you put aside partisan differences, I actually admire this person very much."

"If one day the war between the 'Nanki Sect' and the 'Hitobashi Sect' ends, I will be happy to have a drink with him."

"Looking back at you, Your Excellency... I have always felt that your hostility towards Tachibana Aoden is not limited to the opposition of political opinions."

"Master Hitotsubashi, am I right?"

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Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

Why does Tokugawa Iemo value Aomori so highly? Is there any book friend who can think of the reason?