In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

Although he had already come of age, Tokugawa Iemochi did not choose to shave his head, but instead kept a thick head of black hair.

However, the Tokugawa family members were either idiots or sickly.

The previous general, Ie-sada, was a pragmatic general, but before he took office, he was plagued by a serious illness, which ultimately led to his sudden death in his own bedroom.

Tokugawa Iemochi was also in poor health, suffering from cavities and athlete's foot.

Athlete's foot today is not the minor ailment that causes only some inconvenience in later generations, but a serious disease that can lead to death.

Tokugawa Iemochi sat behind the curtain, his brow furrowed.

"You mean, Princess Kazumiya is very unhappy with the marriage?" Tokugawa Iemochi, of course, had no recollection of Princess Kazumiya.

However, public opinion of the shogunate is plummeting, and he must find a way to stabilize everyone's mind and secure his own position.

The "union of the court and the military" proposed by Emperor Komei was the best solution for Tokugawa Iemochi at the time.

By marrying the Emperor's sister, his position would be absolutely secure, and then he could find a way to turn Japan's current situation around.

He had never met Princess Kazuya before, nor did they have any emotional connection. This petition to the Emperor was purely a political marriage.

"Yes, General, Princess Kazumi even had a big argument with His Majesty the Emperor over this," Ando Masanobu reported respectfully to Tokugawa Iemochi from behind the curtain.

"Find a way. This marriage must be completed. It's not just about me, but also about you and your status, and about the future of Japan." Tokugawa Iemochi's tone was firm and left no room for argument.

"Understood." Masanobu Ando and Hiroshi Kuze bowed slightly.

Tokugawa Iemochi rubbed his temples.

The assassination of Ii Naosuke, the leader of the Nanki faction, was his biggest headache.

Although he disliked Ii Naosuke, the power behind him could provide Tokugawa Iemochi with a lot of support, and Ii Naosuke would not openly refute him, so his situation was relatively stable.

But now that Ii Naosuke has been assassinated, it means that the Nanki faction has lost its head and its key figure.

Although Tokugawa Nariaki and Hitotsubashi Yoshinobu, the leaders of the Hitotsubashi faction, were stripped of their positions by Ii Naosuke during the Ansei Prison two years ago, and were even killed, some of their followers remained. Now that Ii Naosuke is dead, the Hitotsubashi faction will undoubtedly try to rise again.

At that time, the court will be in chaos again, and Tokugawa Iemochi will have to find a way to stabilize the relationship between the Nanki faction and the Hitotsubashi faction.

“Ren Dao… Shigeaki is far away.” Tokugawa Iemochi sighed deeply.

He walked to the window and looked out at the city of Kyoto.

Kyoto is still very peaceful now.

However, outside Kyoto, everything was in complete chaos.

How can Japan be stabilized when even its status is precarious?

It's like a mayfly trying to shake a tree.

......

Edo.

Natural Rinnegan Flow Test Hall.

Okita Souji sat there indifferently, observing everything before him.

After Samura left, Okita seemed to become a different person.

He speaks less, and his face no longer shows many expressions.

But right now, the focus isn't on Ms. Okita.

Instead, they were two guests of the Shieikan.

Hokushin Itto-ryu, Yamanami Keisuke.

He Shinto Munen Ryu, Eiengaku Shinpachi.

------------

Chapter 346 Advising Luslan

Shimazaki and Hijikata glanced at Okita with some concern, only to find that Okita was just sitting quietly in place.

...I'm even more worried now.

But now, there are other things that need their attention.

The people sitting in this dojo are all top-notch swordsmen, and they are all ambitious individuals who have come here from all directions.

Tennen Rishin-ryu, Isamu Shimazaki, Toshizo Hijikata, Souji Okita, Genzaburo Inoue.

Formless Flow, by Saito Hajime.

Hokushin Itto-ryu, Yamanami Keisuke.

Shinto Muken-ryu, Nagakura Shinpachi.

Among these people, Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, and Saito Hajime are the strongest.

However, the oldest and the most resourceful were Isamu Shimazaki and Toshizo Hijikata, respectively.

Nagakura Shinpachi and Yamanami Keisuke had known each other for a long time, and Yamanami Keisuke had been frequently interacting with the people of the Tennen Rishin-ryu Shieikan since their parting at Mibu-ji Temple.

Those sitting here are basically gathered here for the purpose of supporting the government.

"We need to find a way. The shogunate is in grave danger. Stabilizing the situation is the key," Shimazaki Isamu said with a serious expression.

“But class distinctions… Apart from Okita, we all come from humble backgrounds and can’t even get in touch with the middle ranks of the shogunate.” Yamanami Keisuke said with some distress.

Ms. Okita, who had been mentioned, remained silent, her face cold and her eyes lowered, seemingly lost in thought.

“I do know some people… but those two were framed and imprisoned a few years ago by the Ansei Prison initiated by Ii Naosuke, so their identities are somewhat sensitive.” Nagakura Shinpachi was a seemingly calm young man, a stark contrast to the casual Saito Hajime.

"To be implicated in the Ansei Prison, it seems that one's social status is not an issue," Shimazaki Isamu mused.

“My brother can also be contacted.” Okita Souji suddenly said this.

"Brother... do you mean Okita Rintaro, the head of the Okita family?" Hijikata Toshizo frowned.

He had heard of this current head of the Okita family.

He was the adopted son of a former samurai of the Shirakawa Domain, and married the samurai's eldest daughter. It seems he had a conflict with Okita Souji, but they later reconciled.

He was a decent family head, but his strength was average.

His status is certainly sufficient, but his actual ability is a major problem.

Hijikata and Shimazaki's plan was to first establish a small squad, and the samurai in the squad would be quite strong, so as to attract the attention of the shogunate.

Thinking about it that way, absorbing Rintaro Okita is not a bad choice.

"Then, I'll leave it to you, Okita." Shimazaki Yu bowed slightly.

Okita Souji didn't say anything more, he just nodded.

Okita Rintaro is currently located in Shimozusa. Okita occasionally exchanges letters with Okita Rintaro, so it is quite easy to find him.

“We still need to wait, wait for an opportunity.” Shimazaki Isamu clenched his fist. “Ii Naosuke is dead, and the world is about to descend into chaos. Moreover, the slogans for overthrowing the shogunate are growing, making us samurai who stand on the side of the shogunate all the more precious.”

"So, for the sake of this country, everyone... please bear with it a little longer."

Everyone in the dojo nodded.

......

Zuocun arrived in Kyoto.

He wrapped the scabbards of the crane wings and pheasant feathers with cloth, leaving only the hilts exposed, not wanting to reveal his identity.

His destination was clear: Dr. Luslan, who had been living a peaceful life in Kyoto.

Without encountering much resistance, Zuocun returned to this familiar place.

After knocking on the door of the clinic, Zuo Cun didn't say much and went straight in.

Luslan, who was writing something with his head down, looked up at the familiar face and was somewhat surprised: "Zomura? What brings you here?"

Zuo Cun forced a smile: "I came to see you."

"Have a seat first." Luslan picked up his cup and went to the cabinet.

He took a milk bottle from the cabinet, poured a glass of milk, and handed it to Zuo Cun.

"How have you been lately?" Luslan returned to his seat and put his glasses back on. "Japan's been in a bit of a mess lately. As a samurai, you must have gotten caught up in it too."

Zuo Cun nodded, then shook his head.

“I wasn’t caught up in it; I became the one in the vortex,” Zuo Cun stated frankly.

Ruslan paused for a moment, then chuckled, "I understand."

"...Ruslan, my friend." Zuocun took a sip of milk and looked at Ruslan expressionlessly. "Kyoto may not be safe in the future, so... if you can, go back to your country."

“…Thank you.” Luslan looked at Zuocun for several seconds, then smiled.

“You haven’t changed at all, Lord Anno.”

Zuo Cun was somewhat stunned: "What did you say?"

"It's nothing." Luslan chuckled twice. "Haha, you probably misheard."

"Don't leave tonight, have some food here, and I'll check if your English has deteriorated."

Zuocun tilted his head in confusion.

Luslan smiled and shook his head: "Let's talk about my return to China later."

"...You should think it through yourself." Zuo Cun didn't try to persuade him further.

He didn't want to see the relationship fall apart.

But samurai all have their own principles, which are dignity, dignity that cannot be trampled on.

But Luslan was different; he was just an ordinary foreign citizen, powerless and helpless. That's why Samura advised Luslan to hurry back to his country and not get stuck in the quagmire of Japan.

But now it seems that Ruslan also has his own ideas.

Zuocun rubbed his head.

I've probably been under a lot of stress lately, because I've started experiencing auditory hallucinations.

Sighing, Zuo Cun finished the milk in his glass and licked his lips.