I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The conservative chief retainers regained control of the government, and some important positions within the domain were filled by core members of the Tosa Loyalist Party.

Thus, Takechi Hanpeita suddenly became a powerful figure in the Tosa Domain.

His every move and word could finally influence the administration of the vassal states.

He finally got Tosa to join the Sonobu camp as he had hoped.

The young feudal lord, lacking a strong foundation and sufficient prestige, had no choice but to submit to the behind-the-scenes manipulation of Takechi Hanpeita.

In July of the second year of Bunkyū (1862), under the leadership of Takeichi Hanpeita, he and the young lord of the Tosa Domain led 400 people to Kyoto.

After arriving in Kyoto, Takeichi Hanpei Taichi vigorously promoted the Zunjo Movement and advocated the restoration of imperial rule.

Today, the Tosa forces, represented by Takechi Hanpeita, have become the fourth largest power in Kyoto, after the shogunate, Satsuma, and Choshu.

Although Qing Deng had never met this powerful and influential figure, he had long heard of his great reputation.

His knowledge of Takeshi Hanpeita came entirely from rumors circulating in the city and... what Yamanouchi Yodo had said in person.

During the year and eight months that Aoto served as a retainer and chief advisor to the emperor, he visited Yamanouchi-do, who was living in seclusion at the Tosa Domain residence in Edo, on several occasions.

Yamanouchi Yodo was easygoing, unrestrained and bold in his manners, and loved poetry and wine. He called himself "The Drunken Marquis of the Whale Sea".

Whenever Qingdeng came to visit him, he would always pull Qingdeng aside to drink and recite poetry together.

For this reason, Qingdeng and he had a pretty good relationship.

However, despite their good relationship, the strongest feeling that Aoto held towards Yamanouchi-do was... wariness.

Although Yamanouchi Yodo was by no means "old" in terms of age, his demeanor already showed the style of an old fox!

He never declares his political stance to outsiders.

They neither proclaimed their respect for the emperor nor supported the shogunate.

Whenever serious political topics are brought up, he always laughs it off and skillfully gloats over them.

This meticulous approach, leaving no room for others to find fault, is both admirable and arouses suspicion.

In one conversation, Yamanouchi Yodo mentioned Takechi Hanpeita to Aoto.

According to him, Takechi Hanpeita was a gentleman of high moral character, integrity, honesty, and a strong sense of justice and righteousness—which coincides with what is said in the marketplace.

Regardless of the media outlet, the evaluation of Takeshi Hanpeita is overwhelmingly positive.

Someone once praised him, saying, "Like a plum blossom braving the winter, he will be the first to bloom and release his fragrance in spring."

Legend has it that a beautiful story unfolded involving Takechi Hanpeita—

Takeshi Hanpeita and his beloved wife Tomiko had a very harmonious relationship.

However, Tomiko was unable to conceive.

There was a man named Yoshimura Torataro in the Tosa Loyalist Party, who was a confidant of Takeichi Hanpeita.

Yoshimura Torataro, who was worried about the Takechi couple's inability to have children, first persuaded Tomiko to return to her parents' home, and then repeatedly sent the stunningly beautiful woman to Takechi Hanpeita, who was looking after the house, as a maid.

As a result, every beautiful woman left Wu Shi's residence as a virgin.

Upon learning that Yoshimura Torataro was behind this, Takechi Hanpeita gave him a severe dressing-down and strictly forbade anyone else from doing such a thing again.

To be honest, when Qing Deng heard this anecdote, he felt an inexplicable sense of closeness to this Tosa Eisei, whom he had never met—it seemed that this person, like me, was also a devoted lover!

Although Takechi Hanpeita was the prime suspect in the Yoshida Toyo assassination case, his excellent reputation made it hard for many to believe that such a gentleman would commit such a despicable act.

As far as Qing Deng knows, Takechi Hanpeita is indeed currently in Kyoto.

Iwasaki Yataro is right. Given the other party's current status in the Tosa Domain, if we can get his help, it will be no problem to clear Iwasaki Yataro's father's name or to move the Iwasaki family's household registration to Edo!

With this thought in mind, Qingdeng, who was always decisive in his actions, immediately made up his mind:

"Okay, let's do it this way!"

As he spoke, he raised the corners of his mouth.

"I'll go and meet Takeshi Hanpeita tomorrow!"

……

……

The next day—

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

"Lord Ren, you...you're not joking with me, are you? Are you really going to the meeting alone?"

"Huh? Which eye of yours saw me 'single-handed'?"

As Qing Deng said this in a half-joking tone, he showed Iwasaki Yataro, who was half a step behind him, his left waist.

"Look, don't you see I have three knives stuck in my waistband?"

Upon hearing this, Yataro Iwasaki immediately wore an expression that was both funny and exasperated.

Qing Deng combed her hair and changed into appropriate and formal clothes early this morning.

He did not bring any attendants except for Yataro Iwasaki. Just after 8 a.m., he officially set off for the Tosa Domain residence.

All feudal domains established domain residences in Edo and Kyoto, which functioned similarly to consulates and served as offices for communication and liaison between the various domains and the shogunate and the imperial court.

“Uh… this… Lord Niou, please hear me out—acting alone is not a wise choice. The Tosa Loyalists are no less crazy than the Choshu people, and going to the Tosa Domain alone is too risky.”

"Respecting the King" and "Supporting the Shogunate" are naturally opposed.

If you want to enhance the Emperor's prestige, what about the Shogun?

If you want to maintain the general's power, what will happen to the emperor?

The Tosa Kinno Party was a thoroughly pro-imperial organization.

Seito, however, was one of the key figures in the shogunate.

His act of heading straight for the Tosa Domain residence... was no different from storming the enemy camp.

Aoto knew what Iwasaki Yataro was worried about.

After a slight smile, he said quietly:

"I'm going to make friends, not to fight. In that case, why bring a huge army? Bringing too many people will only give them a bad impression. Besides... I'm already an expert at how to infiltrate dangerous territory!"

Seeing that he couldn't persuade Aoto otherwise, Iwasaki Yataro could only sigh helplessly and say no more.

The houses were quickly left behind by the two of them.

Soon, the Tosa Domain residence was in sight.

Seeing that outsiders were approaching, the three gatekeepers immediately came to meet them.

Before they could speak, Qingdeng raised his head and said loudly:

"Inform Takeshi Hanpeita—'Niou' has come to visit!"

*******

*******

Wow, a long-awaited 6K+ chapter! To bring good luck for the new year, I specially secured a "6" in my name.

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Chapter 608 One-on-One Battle Against the Tosa Loyalists! [4600]

The security guards who rushed forward froze on the spot, their eyes fixed on the ground, their expressions blank, unsure whether to go in or back.

Then, they looked at each other, exchanging glances, engaging in a silent exchange—

Niou? Is it really him?

How would I know? I've never even met Niou!

In short, let's inform the higher-ups first!

Okay, let's do it this way!

After reaching a consensus, one of them straightened his back, raised his head, and said to Qing Denggao in a respectful but not arrogant manner:

"Please wait!"

Having said that, he turned around and retreated into the prince's residence in two quick steps.

While waiting, Qingdeng subtly raised his eyes and scanned the surroundings.

At first glance, the Tosa Domain's residence didn't seem particularly special.

Like other mansions, it has two doors: a large door and a small door.

The gate was only opened when the lord arrived or when something else important happened.

The small door located to the side of the main gate is used for daily entry and exit.

The simple black and white color scheme created by the black tiles and diamond-patterned walls forms the basic tone of the entire mansion.

A banner embroidered with the Yamauchi family crest, the "Three Cypress Leaves," hangs prominently in a conspicuous place, fluttering in the wind.

In the past, during times of peace, these "XX Domain Offices in Kyoto" were all, without exception, very comfortable and unassuming departments.

The reason is actually quite simple.

Firstly, the Kyoto court had no real power, so there was no need to have in-depth dealings with it.

Secondly, the shogunate was very wary of feudal states having direct contact with the imperial court.

The trigger for the Ansei Purge a few years ago was that the Emperor bypassed the shogunate and directly issued a secret order to the Mito Domain to "take down the Ii clan leader and start shogunate reforms." After Ii Naosuke learned of this, he used it as a pretext to launch a massive purge.

Therefore, under the strict surveillance of the shogunate, the various domains had very little opportunity to communicate with the imperial court.

Therefore, the daily work of the "library offices" of various domains was nothing more than paying their respects to the Emperor, sending greetings, and presenting gifts on important holidays.

However, with the outbreak of the Sosho Movement, these Kyoto domains, which had previously been virtually unknown and ignored, suddenly became the most important front lines!

The Tosa Domain residence was an example of this.

Since Takeichi Hanpeita led 400 Tosa Domain soldiers to Kyoto, this place has become the headquarters of the Tosa Loyalist Party, with countless Tosa Domain soldiers coming and going every day.