I formed the strongest swordsman group

Qingdeng, who was sitting on the main seat, looked around the audience expressionlessly.

Everyone caught by his gaze straightened their backs and held their breath unconsciously.

After entering the commander's tent, the attention of the Shinsengumi generals was attracted by the messy map spread out on the low table.

Dozens of shogi pieces such as "king general", "gold general", "silver general" and "infantry" are scattered all over the map. Just looking at it gives people a sense of solemnity and solemnity.

Since announcing to everyone, "Today at 4 o'clock in the evening (8 pm), I will announce my battle plan to you," Qingdeng has not come out of the commander's tent.

Looking at this messy "chessboard", it is not difficult to imagine what a fierce and bloody confrontation between the two armies took place in this small area while everyone was waiting for nightfall!

Strangely enough, it was not until this moment and seeing this messy "chessboard" that many of the people present had the real feeling that "they were at war."

Qingdeng slowly withdrew his gaze and looked at the map on the low table.

"Tonight's meeting is a military meeting, so I won't talk nonsense and go straight to the point!"

…

…

at the same time--

Iga, Ueno Basin, bandit camp, main formation——

Settsu Yorimitsu glanced roughly at the generals in front of him, then turned his head and asked Shibazaki Renjuro beside him:

"Mr. Shibasaki, is everyone here?"

Shibazaki Renjuro nodded vigorously.

"Well, they're all here!"

Settsu Yorimitsu nodded lightly.

"Then... let's get started!"

…

…

Qingdeng stood up, put his hands behind his back, and talked:

"The bandit army has a huge military strength a hundred times that of ours, and it also has a large number of iron cannons."

"Although they are powerful, their weaknesses are also obvious."

"To put it bluntly, they are just a bunch of chickens and dogs who lack training and are not on the stage."

"When they bully the weak, they are all like wolves and tigers, fearing to fall behind others."

"But once they encounter a bitter or tough battle, their morale and fighting spirit will decline rapidly."

"That's their Achilles' heel."

"The bandit army in front of us has been burning, killing and looting everywhere since the rebellion started, and it has accumulated a lot of vigor."

"Now is the time when they are at their strongest and most effective."

"Therefore...the first battle is the moment of decisive battle!"

…

…

Settsu Yorimitsu folded his arms in front of his chest, stood beside the hanging map, and said:

"Iga is the only place we must pass on our way to Luo."

"If we force a detour, it will take a long time and be very dangerous."

"The shogunate stationed in Iga is like a 'Machu'."

[Note·Machu: The classic defense facility of a Japanese city simply plays a role in delaying the enemy's attack. It is used as a shooting position to enhance the city's defense. In addition, a large number of horse wars were built in the city as garrison facilities for small troops to facilitate the troops to launch counterattacks from the city. 】

"By bypassing Iga, we will expose our army's flank to Tachibana Aoden's eyes."

"Ju Qingden can lead his army to follow our army at any time and attack our army's flanks."

"This is an inevitable battle. Please be mentally prepared!"

"However, you don't need to be too nervous."

"Nio's abilities are certainly terrifying, but we still have a huge advantage!"

"According to reliable information, the only shogunate troops currently stationed in Iga are Tachibana Aoden's Shinsengumi and part of the Aizu army. The total number is less than two hundred!"

"The ancients said: 'One burst of energy will be exhausted again, and three times it will be exhausted' - this ancient saying is really suitable for us!"

"Although our troops are strong, they generally lack training."

"If we cannot conquer it for a long time, chaos will inevitably occur!"

"Therefore, the first battle is the decisive battle!"

"We will use all our strength in the first battle! Use all our trump cards! Annihilate the Shinsengumi in one go! Take Iga!"

…

…

Qingden pointed to a corner of the map.

"This is our 'city'."

"The bandits have surrounded us on three sides: east, west, and south. Only the north side is protected from the attack because it is adjacent to the cliff."

"When the war begins, there will be a huge number of thieves and soldiers coming from the east, west and south like a tide!"

…

…

Settsu Yorimitsu pointed to a corner of the map.

"Everyone, please look! This is the Shinsengumi's position!"

"It is adjacent to a cliff to the north, and it is not convenient for our troops to deploy here."

"In other words, only the east, west, and south sides are suitable for use as battlefields!"

…

"So, our first phase of the battle goal is very simple, that is to defend the position! Never let the bandit troops board this place!"

…

"So, our first phase of combat goal is very simple, that is to attack with all our strength! Spare no effort to attack!"

…

"The terrain in the east is gentler and the most open, making it the most ideal battlefield. The bandits will definitely use the east as their main attack direction!"

…

"The terrain in the east is gentler and the terrain is the most open. There is no more suitable battlefield than this. We will use the east as the main direction of attack!"

…

"So... let's let go of the defense in the east! It's enough to only place a minimum amount of defense force in the east, and let the bandits attack!"

…

"Take all those who have learned martial arts and those who are strong and healthy... In short, mobilize all the elite soldiers of our army to the east! We must form a overwhelming force in the east!"

…

"The Fourth and Sixth Divisions are responsible for the eastern front. Serizawa Kamo will be the overall commander in this regard."

"The fifth and tenth divisions are responsible for the western front. Sanosuke Harada will be the overall commander in this area."

"The Seventh and Eighth Divisions are responsible for the southern front. Chiba Sanako will be the overall commander in this area."

"General Director Okita is responsible for monitoring the northern front."

"The Ninth Division serves as the messenger unit, responsible for reporting the battle status of each front back to the formation, and conveying the military orders of the formation to each front."

"Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isamu, Shannan Keisuke, Kiyokawa Hachiro, Nagakura Shinpachi, Saito Ichi, as well as the first, second, and third divisions, the above personnel and units serve as the general reserve team!"

…

"Finally, our second phase... and also the final phase's combat goal is -"

Saying that, Settsu Yorimitsu grabbed a handful of chess pieces...

…

"Finally, our second phase... and also the final phase's combat goal is -"

With that said, Qingdeng picked up three chess pieces - "King General", "Silver General" and "Gui Ma"...

…

…

3 days later——

Wenjiu three years (1863), April 11th——

Ever since Qingteng personally came to the front line and made a big fuss outside the rebel camp, an eerie silence fell in the Ueno Basin.

In recent days, there has been silence inside and outside the basin... No birds or beasts dare to approach this place. It is so quiet that it makes people's skin crawl, and at the same time it is filled with a sense of tension that makes people gasp.

The bandit army silently repaired the camp and prepared for war.

The Shinsengumi built fences, dug trenches, built forts, and reinforced the fortifications as always.

Apart from sending scouts to each other to detect intelligence, both sides made no major moves.

Two armies facing each other but sitting in silence...it's indescribably weird.

At this moment, in the Shinsengumi's position, two members of the 9th Division were standing on a watchtower made of thick earth, stretching their necks, opening their eyes, and conscientiously performing the task of "warning the surroundings and observing." Enemy Camp" mission.

Suddenly, one of them frowned and said "Huh?", then narrowed his eyes, leaned forward, and stared straight at the rebel camp in the distance.

Immediately afterwards, he seemed to have seen something horrifying, and his cheeks were instantly filled with panic.

In the next breath, he turned to his companions and shouted:

"Report to our formation quickly! The bandit army is making a big move!"

…

…

Today is an extremely clear morning.

The bright sunshine flows across the earth, encompassing everything in its golden-red brilliance.

Under the blue sky, the basin and green mountainside illuminated by the warm sun look like beautiful golden screens.

However... this beautiful scene gradually shattered with the emergence of the "black tide"...

"The bandit army is making a big move" - ​​as soon as this piece of information arrived at the formation, Qingdeng immediately issued a decisive military order to "get to your posts".

In the blink of an eye, everyone and all the troops rushed to their respective posts as quickly as possible.

East, west, south, north, main formation...except for the north where "one person defends one place", all fronts are crowded with people.

Then...all the Shinsengumi and Aizu Army soldiers on the mountain saw the scene below that was like the incarnation of the word "creepy"!

Countless enemies kept coming out of their camps, occupying every open space in the basin one after another!

Among this vast number of chaotic figures, some are short and fat, some are tall and strong; some are young and some are old; some are wearing dirty cloth, some are wearing armors and helmets; some are holding inferior bamboo spears, and some are holding sharp weapons. Swords and spears...

Although their body shapes, clothing, and weapons and equipment were different, there was one thing they all had in common - that was the greedy glint in their eyes.

It must have been Shibazaki Renjuro who promised them that "whoever wins the first place will receive various rewards."

This black wave, mixed with strong greed, rises and falls repeatedly, keeps rolling... sweeping, surging!

Soon, the black army spread out endlessly across the vast basin like splashing ink!

Looking around, it looks like a long, colorful scroll dripping with ink... It is really magnificent and majestic, but also frightening!

All the bandits have gathered, and they are just waiting for the commander's order to launch a full-scale attack on the Shinsengumi positions on the mountain!

…

…

Shinsengumi position, Eastern Front (positions of the 4th and 6th divisions)——

Serizawa Duck shook his legs anxiously and muttered in a tone of impatience:

"What are you doing! Stop dawdling! Come on quickly! I can't wait!"

…

…

Shinsengumi position, Western Front (the positions of the 5th and 10th divisions)——

"It's delicious! It's delicious! This wild fruit is so sweet! Niimi-kun, do you want to eat it?"

"Ah...I don't have to...I can't eat now..."

"That's it... what a pity. It's rare to pick such delicious wild fruits... Then I'll save a few for you! I'll give them to you after today's battle is over!"

Having said that, Harada Sanosuke continued to chew on the fresh wild fruits just picked from the woods with a calm and calm attitude.

…

…

Shinsengumi position, southern front (positions of the 7th and 8th divisions)——

"His...! Hiss...! Hiss...! Hiss...! Hiss...!"

The pale-faced Toudo Heisuke used "a gasp" instead of breathing, trying to calm down his nervous mood.

At the same time, he wiped his palms on his clothes from time to time, trying to wipe away the wet sweat in his palms.

However, no matter how hard he wiped it, the sweat in his palms not only did not disappear, but became more and more wet.

Sanako, who was in charge of the entire southern front, stood in front of him like a tall pine tree.

At first glance, Sanako looks calm and collected.

However, if you look closely, you will find a hint of nervousness lingering between her heroic brows...

…

…

The Shinsengumi's position, this formation——

In order to facilitate communication with the various fronts and to observe the battle situation with his own eyes, Qingdeng removed the commander's tent and directly deployed his formation in the open space.

Qingden held Vairocana on his waist and sat silently on the horse.

Behind him is the "Sincerity Flag" standing high and fluttering in the wind.

Masajiro Ozeki, who was responsible for carrying the flag, sat on his knees, ready to obey orders at any time.

The first, second, and third divisions serving as the general reserve team are waiting not far away.

The "hero unit" that also serves as the general reserve team... namely Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isamu, Yamanan Keisuke, Kiyokawa Hachiro, Nagakura Shinpachi and Saito Ichi, the above 6 people sit opposite each other in front of Aoto.

Inside and outside the formation, there was a solemn atmosphere that could make onlookers afraid to even express their feelings.

…

…

The thieves did not keep the Shinsengumi soldiers waiting for too long.

About 20 minutes after the entire army was assembled, a loud trumpet blast sounded from the center of the rebel army.

The next moment, the soldiers roared to kill, the flags waved, and the swords, guns, bows and spears clashed, all rolling towards the Shinsengumi position!

The wind roared across the battlefield; clouds suddenly gathered and enveloped the battlefield.

When the situation changes, the basin, the mountainside...everywhere you look is crowded with charging figures, splashing everywhere! Climb straight up the mountain and attack the Shinsengumi's position!

…

…

Wenjiu three years (1863), April 11.

[Shinsengumi] versus [Shibasaki Clan Rebels]

Battle of Iga

Let the war begin!

*******

*******

When I was writing this chapter, the images in my mind of "the realm of vitality and all things flourishing are still before my eyes" and "800,000 vs. 60, the advantage is mine" have been lingering in my mind...

The fight finally begins! Finally, I’ve reached my best plot! Although I haven’t written for a long time, I should still be comfortable writing "war scenes" (Leopard Hi.jpg) Leopard Leopard is quite satisfied with the "pre-war atmosphere rendering" in this chapter (Leopard Super Hi.jpg)