I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1149 Two Men, Two Swords, Seize the Cannon Position! [4800]

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
Another round of shelling followed.

Perhaps in an attempt to dampen the momentum of the new electoral group, the Southern Army's artillery roared once again.

Shells rained down like a storm, striking both the interior and exterior of Fushimi.

The Shinsengumi members quickly scattered and hid to avoid the bullets.

Thanks to the tireless efforts of the civil engineering team at the General Affairs Office, Fushimi may not have many other things, but it has plenty of bunkers specifically designed to protect against artillery fire.

No sooner had the Southern Army fired its first barrage of artillery than the Eleventh Division, deployed in the eastern suburbs of Fushimi, launched a counterattack without showing any weakness.

The two sides engaged in a competitive exchange of fire, signaling a rapid shift in the battle situation!
This time, the Southern Army's offensive was no longer a probing attack, but a real all-out assault!
Under the cover of artillery fire, the 18,000-strong Southern Army trampled the earth, their dark mass approaching Fushimi like a swarm of locusts!

Eight thousand men in the north, ten thousand men in the south... They looked just like a hammer and anvil, ready to crush and pulverize Fushimi!
Such a large army stretches as far as the eye can see, and just looking at it is enough to make one's scalp tingle.

With an enemy force several times their size, and the troublesome "decisive battle at Yokocho"... there is no doubt that for the Shinsengumi soldiers, even with the advantage of the terrain of Fushimi Castle, the upcoming battle will be an extremely difficult and bitter struggle!

Kondo Isami, who was hiding in the bunker, had already heard the enemy's footsteps.

He gripped Nagasone Kotetsu tightly in his hand and said in a deep voice:

"...Prepare to engage the enemy."

At the same time, Saito Hajime, on the south side, calmly addressed the group of soldiers before him:
"No matter how many enemies come, what we must do will never change: kill them on sight!"

……

……

Fushimi, the southern battlefield—

The terrain south of Fushimi is relatively flat, so Saigo Kichinosuke deployed a larger force (10,000 troops) there.

In contrast, Qingdeng also deployed a large force here, bringing in a total of five squads (the first, second, fifth, sixth, and twelfth), including the most elite first squad!

"Kill them all! Annihilate the Shinsengumi!"

"More Southern soldiers are attacking!"

"Do you want to die? Don't stand there! Do you think the Tosa people are only good at talking?"

"Quickly! Fill the gap! We can't let the enemy get through!"

One was wearing a light blue haori, while the other was dressed in brightly colored clothes, making them very distinct and easy to distinguish.

Two groups of people engaged in fierce fighting in every street and every house! The battle was already showing signs of intensifying from the very beginning!

Because it's urban warfare, there's complex terrain everywhere that can be used, so both swordsmen and gunmen have opportunities to prove their worth.

They set up crossfire here to block the intersection.

A dozen or so swordsmen suddenly appeared from the side of the street and ambushed the enemy.

Here, the bayonet on the gun barrel was used to repel the attack.

There, swordsmen, assembled in formation, launched a desperate charge.

As the defenders, the Shinsengumi soldiers had the advantage of terrain, using every house and street as a base to deploy layers of defense, and the Southern soldiers had to pay a heavy price for every step they took forward.

However... even so, the balance of power did not completely tip in favor of the Shinsengumi.

The Southern Army was very strong, and a considerable number of its soldiers had also taken "Decisive Battle Elixir," making its offensive capabilities formidable.

Although the pace was slow, they were steadily eliminating the various strongholds of the Shinsengumi.

If this continues, the Shinsengumi's defenses will continue to retreat.

Blindly holding their ground was no longer an option... Therefore, under the leadership of captains such as Kondo Isami and Inoue Genzaburo, the Shinsengumi soldiers launched counterattacks from time to time, pushing the "Southern Army" back.

Sometimes the "light green" color overwhelms the "mixed colors," and sometimes the "mixed colors" color disperses the "light green" color... The two torrents collide repeatedly, making it a true tug-of-war!
Some streets and houses with high military value even changed hands several times in a short period of time.

For example, one izakaya has changed hands seven times!
The izakaya was ordinary and unremarkable at first glance, but its excellent location made it the focus of contention between the two sides.

"If we just set up a hundred or so muskets on the roof of this izakaya, we could block off this entire street," Inoue Genzaburo, an expert in musket tactics, gave this high praise.

The Southern Army was quite skilled in musket tactics, and naturally understood the importance of the izakaya.

Therefore, it's not hard to imagine how fierce the battle that took place there must have been!
First, the "light green" troops stationed there were repelled, then the "mixed colors" were annihilated, and then the "light green" troops were driven away... Both sides employed a simple piecemeal tactic, constantly sending in reinforcements! They fought and fought repeatedly!

From the entrance hall to the attic, from the corridor to the rooms, layers of blood covered the floor, and corpses were scattered everywhere, leaving almost no place to step.

Such fierce fighting... In comparison, the Battle of Ikedaya, another prime example of "indoor battles," pales in comparison.

After a fierce and brutal battle, the izakaya fell back into the hands of the "Southern Army".

In the first-floor corridor of the izakaya, a southern soldier raised his blood-dripping blade high and shouted to the sky:

"This land is ours now!"

The surrounding Southern soldiers cheered one after another.

However, their joy was short-lived, as the sudden sound of hurried footsteps put their nerves on edge again.

At the other end of the corridor, dozens of Shinsengumi soldiers rushed straight towards them.

The person leading the team was none other than Inoue Genzaburo.

Upon learning that the battle situation there had deteriorated to a critical point, Inoue Genzaburo could not ignore it and thus personally took action.

He wasn't holding a knife at the moment; his hands, hanging naturally at his sides, each held a loaded musket, exuding a strong killing intent like a "dual-wielding swordsman."

Upon seeing this, the Southern soldiers—especially those who recognized Inoue Genzaburo—changed their expressions instantly, as if facing a formidable enemy.

"The Shogunate's henchmen are here again!"

"Charge them!"

In the blink of an eye, Inoue Genzaburo had already raised his musket.

The corridor beneath his feet was narrow, and the Southern soldiers in front of him were too crowded together... Even if he fired with his eyes closed, he couldn't possibly miss the target.

He first pulled the trigger of his right-hand musket, and then the trigger of his left-hand musket—both bullets struck the two Southern soldiers squarely.

Immediately afterwards, without hesitation, he threw away the two muskets in his hand that could no longer be fired, and then reached behind him without turning his head.

The soldiers behind him immediately handed over their new, fully loaded guns, ready to fire at any moment.

After each musket emptied, he would immediately discard it and then take a new one from the soldiers behind him... and so on.

Coincidentally, Qing Deng used a similar tactic when retaking Wulingguo.

Shot after shot, without pause. In just a few breaths, the Southern soldiers in this corridor were being mowed down by Inoue Genzaburo's rapid-fire gunfire.

Although it was not appropriate for Inoue Genzaburo to say such things—after all, he was an old man of the Shieikan and the holder of the Tennen Rishin-ryu Menkyoku—he had come to appreciate the wonders of firearms ever since he became the captain of the Sixth Division (the Musketeer Division).

He introduced it to others more than once:

"These (firearms) are even better than swords!"

At the same time that Inoue Genzaburo was swiftly clearing the corridor, his elite troops spontaneously dispersed and launched a full-scale attack on the izakaya, inside and out.

Soon, another layer of blood accumulated on the floor... The Shinsengumi recaptured the izakaya.

Inoue Genzaburo immediately ordered:
"Raise the 'Honest Flag' on the roof! From this moment on, this place will never be taken away again!"

……

……

At the same time, another extremely fierce battle broke out on another battlefield south of Fushimi.

Dozens of Southern soldiers used salvaged wooden pillars and stone slabs to build a makeshift fortress at a crossroads.

Muskets peeked out from above and through the gaps in the fortress, blocking the New Selection's attack route.

As soon as the bunker was built, it immediately became an obstacle to the new electorate's counter-offensive.

Whenever Shinsengumi members charged forward to try and breach the fortress, they were inevitably met with a barrage of bullets. So far, the Shinsengumi have launched several attacks, all of which have ended in failure, leaving behind dozens of corpses.

Unable to get close, they could only exchange fire... but this lukewarm offensive was far from enough to take down the bunker.

Kaoru Asano (vice-captain of the 12th Division) led dozens of gunmen, hiding in a dark alley, anxiously observing the fortified stronghold of this difficult-to-attack tribe.

He was ordered to conquer the area.

But after attempting to launch an attack, they were shocked to discover that the task was exceptionally difficult.

It's difficult to even get close, let alone occupy it.

Just as he was at a loss for what to do... suddenly, Kondo Isami's voice rang out behind him:

"Asano-kun, how is the situation?"

Kaoru Asano was startled and hurriedly turned to look at Isao Kondo, who had suddenly appeared.

Kondo Isami was covered in blood and grime; from his clothes to his exposed skin, there was not a single spot that was not stained with blood and dirt.

Even so, his eyes and the Nagasone Kotetsu in his hand remained bright. The former burned with soaring fighting spirit, much like two morning stars; the latter flashed with a blinding cold light, making people involuntarily look away.

His appearance practically screamed "fighting bloody battles and slaying countless enemies."

Despite the fierce battle, the Nagasone Kotetsu in his hand remained sharp, without even a nick.

Asano Kaoru had heard that the Nagasone Kotetsu owned by Kondo Isami was a fake... If this rumor is true, then the swordsmith who made this fake is truly amazing, able to replicate such a superior sword, which is no less than the real Nagasone Kotetsu!

Kondo Isami's sudden appearance, along with the murderous aura and bloody smell emanating from him, caused Asano Kaoru's face to turn slightly pale. She quickly said:
"The enemy's firepower is very strong, making it difficult to get close! Chief, please send more men! We need at least one hundred... no, two hundred men to capture this fortress!"

Upon hearing this, Kondo Isami remained silent, only raising his gaze to observe the fortress not far away—from where he stood to the fortress, the area was covered with light blue haori.

After a moment's thought, Kondo Isami said in a deep voice:

"...Asano-kun, advance using the 'rolling tactic' to draw their attention. Leave the rest to me."

After leaving this brief instruction, Kondo Isami hoisted Nagasone Kotetsu onto his shoulder, turned around, and ran off, his destination unknown.

Although Asano Kaoru didn't understand why, trusting Kondo Isami, he shouted to his comrades without hesitation:

"Did you all hear the director's instructions? Move forward!"

The troops were divided into two halves. One half stayed behind and fired at the enemy. It didn't matter if they missed, as long as they kept the enemy from showing their faces. The other half advanced while the troops advanced. After advancing a certain distance, they stopped and fired at the enemy. The other half, who had just stayed behind, advanced while the troops advanced. This process was repeated.

The above is what Kondo Isami just mentioned as the "roller tactic".

Kaoru Asano faithfully carried out this tactic.

He and his men advanced toward the fortress in batches, using alleys, houses, and other shelters as footholds.

The barrage of bullets from both sides flew through the air, tearing at the air.

The Southern soldiers inside the fortress were completely absorbed by Asano Kaoru and her group, unaware that real danger was approaching...

"Ah ah ah ah ah ah ah!"

Suddenly, a scream came from behind, startling the Southern soldiers inside the fortress, who all turned to look.

Suddenly, a young samurai dressed in a light blue haori appeared behind them, wielding his sword like a lion! In the blink of an eye, he had cut down several people!
Someone called out his name with a look of terror on their face:
"It's Kondo Isami, the commander of the Shinsengumi!"

Kondo Isami's battle plan was to have Asano Kaoru and others draw fire while he flanked and launched a surprise attack from behind.

How he got around the fortress is quite simple—he climbed onto the roof of a shop near the fortress, then leaped and glided like a swallow, landing steadily behind the fortress.

When Kondo Isami got close, the fate of these southern soldiers was already foreseeable.

As the possessor of the talent "Lone Wolf", the situation of fighting alone did not frighten him, but instead made his fighting spirit soar!
He roared, and the knife in his hand danced wildly, spraying out mouthfuls of blood mist.

Kaoru Asano, who was directly in front, immediately noticed the unusual activity inside the fortress and shouted excitedly:
"Hurry up! Support the chief!"

After shouting, he took the lead. The rest of the team followed closely behind.

In order to cope with Kondo Isami's fierce attack, the enemy soldiers inside the fortress had no strength left to fight back against Asano Kaoru and his men.

The latter easily crossed the "road of death" paved with countless corpses and stormed into the fortress.

At this point, the outcome has been decided.

Five minutes later, the last southern soldier in the fortress was cut down by Kondo Isami.

……

……

Fushimi, the northern battlefield—

Compared to the southern battlefield, the pressure on the northern front of Fushimi was somewhat less, because the attacking enemy forces were two thousand (eight thousand) fewer than those in the south.

However, Qingdeng deployed fewer troops here, with only four squads (the third, fourth, sixth, and thirteenth) stationed there.

Aoto appointed Saito Hajime as the supreme commander of the northern battlefield.

No one objected to this directive.

Even Serizawa Kamo, who was at odds with Saito Hajime, couldn't voice any objections.

Saito Kazuno is widely regarded as "the man most suitable to succeed as the vice-commander of the Shinsengumi".

His emotions are not easily affected by the outside world, and he can always think calmly no matter when or where he is... His extremely steady personality is simply that of a born general!

At this moment, he stood on the roof of a longhouse, scanning the surrounding battlefield expressionlessly.

Overall, the Shinsengumi soldiers did not gain the upper hand, but they were not at a disadvantage either.

The southern soldiers encountered fierce resistance and were unable to advance or retreat.

The steadily improving battle situation eased Saito Hajime's facial expressions somewhat.

However, at this moment—

boom! boom! boom! boom! boom!
It was the sound of artillery fire... and it was very close!
Saito Hajime instinctively looked in the direction of the sound—at the crossroads not far away, eight cannons were lined up neatly, bombarding the various strongholds of the Shinsengumi with speed and efficiency!
Serizawa Kamo was right next to Saito Hajime.

Therefore, he also noticed the sudden appearance of the artillery position, and unconsciously cursed aloud:

"Damn it! Where did these cannons come from?!"

Moving such heavy cannons into the town... that was no easy task.

Livestock such as cattle and horses are easily startled. Unless they are warhorses that have been rigorously trained, it is impossible to get them near the chaotic battlefield, even if you break the whip.

The Southern Dynasties lacked horses and didn't even have a decent horse-breeding ground. Even if they had warhorses, they wouldn't waste them on such an enemy.

Saito thought to himself: They probably used human labor as animal power to force these cannons to be brought here.

Using cannons to fight in urban warfare... Saito Hajime had heard similar stories.

Legend has it that in faraway France, there was a legendary general of short stature who did something similar.

No matter the battlefield—whether it's open field warfare or urban warfare—artillery is an advanced weapon that should not be overlooked.

Although these cannons have only just been unveiled, they have already had a significant impact on the battle.

Saito lowered his eyelids, remaining silent and deep in thought.

A moment later, he calmly asked Serizawa Kamo beside him:

"...Serizawa, do you want to leave a mark in history books with the feat of 'two men, two swords, capturing the artillery position'?"

"Huh? What did you say... Hey! What are you doing!"

Before Serizawa Kamo could react, Saito Hajime had already drawn his sword and leaped off the roof.

In an instant, Serizawa Kamo understood his intention... After gritting his teeth, he also drew his sword from his waist and followed closely behind.

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P.S.: While writing this chapter, I had the music from Dynasty Warriors playing in my headphones the whole time, and it really got me into character! After years of training, the Qingdeng team members are no longer the "country bumpkin swordsmen" they used to be (Leopard High.jpg)