I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"With tens of thousands of troops, we are already a force to be reckoned with."

"Moreover, 'even ordinary people in the capital region are wholeheartedly supporting the cause of the emperor'—if the people of the world were to know this, it would certainly deal a huge blow to the prestige of the shogunate."

“After learning of our position, Choshu and Tosa will surely be happy to listen to our demands.”

“We do not need them to take drastic measures such as ‘directly sending troops’ or ‘making a big show of supporting us’.”

“Even if we beg them like this, they will absolutely not agree.”

"In their eyes, our importance is certainly far from enough to warrant their military intervention."

"All they need to do is make a splash in Kyoto."

"For the shogunate, Kyoto was an absolutely vital stronghold that could not be lost."

"As long as Choshu and Tosa make some conspicuous moves in Kyoto, such as frequently mobilizing troops or holding large-scale military training exercises."

“If it’s just a small favor of this magnitude, there’s still room for discussion with Choshu and Tosa.”

"The pro-imperial faction in Kyoto has suddenly made an unusual move. Guess how the incompetent officials of the shogunate will react?"

"They will definitely be terrified and will then order Tachibana Aoto to defeat our army as soon as possible and return to defend Kyoto!"

"Just like Emperor Xuanzong of Tang, who forced Geshu Han to leave Tongguan to fight An Lushan, and Emperor Sizong of Ming, who forced Hong Chengchou to leave Shanhaiguan to fight Huang Taiji."

“There are quite a few people within the shogunate who dislike or even hate Tachibana Aoto, including many high-ranking officials and daimyo.”

"After the general met Tokugawa Yoshinobu, the chief of staff, and Matsudaira Haruaki, the chief of staff, he was very at odds with Tachibana Aoto."

“Even if we do nothing, those who hate Tachibana Aoto will automatically help us attack him. They will pin the huge crime of ‘avoiding war and watching Kyoto suffer’ on Tachibana Aoto.”

"Even Tachibana Aoto, who was favored by Tokugawa Iemochi, had no choice but to take the risk of 'knowing there are tigers in the mountains, yet still heading into the tiger's den' under pressure from so many important retainers."

"At that time, the only option he can have is to abandon the city he has worked so hard to build and go out into the open to fight us in order to win quickly."

At this point, Settsu Yorimitsu turned his head and looked towards the Shinsengumi's position in the distance.

"How could the Shinsengumi, with only about a hundred members, manage to make us look so bad?"

"It's because they occupied the terrain and used trenches and fences to neutralize our numerical advantage."

“Once they lose the cover of the city and the hilltops, with their small numbers, we can drown them with one charge.”

“Once they abandon their strategy of ‘defending the city’ and instead engage in a decisive battle with us in the open, we can use our strengths to attack their weaknesses.”

"In addition, we can try to sow discord between the Shinsengumi and the Aizu Domain."

"The alliance between Xinhui is not a solid one based on oaths made by torture."

“Within the Aizu Domain, there were always voices from time to time expressing their hatred of Tachibana Seito, their opposition to the Shinsengumi, and their disregard for the shogunate’s orders to withdraw their troops and return to the domain. Their momentum was considerable.”

“As long as we can cause trouble for the Shinsengumi, the anti-Tachibana forces within the Aizu Domain will definitely be happy to cooperate with us.”

"As for who should be sent to persuade the various powers... I have a friend who is very eloquent, and he happens to live in Kyoto."

"He sympathized with the imperial court, hated the Western barbarians, and was a staunch advocate of respecting and resisting foreign aggression."

"Lord Shibasaki, if you are willing, I would like to write a letter requesting that my friend to come out of seclusion and help me!"

"Although this plan took a long time, it was effective."

"If this plan succeeds, we can easily defeat the Shinsengumi!"

"At that time, we will have a great opportunity to profit!"

After speaking, Settsu Yorimitsu stared intently at Shibasaki Renjuro's face, waiting for his response.

"..."

Renjuro Shibasaki pursed his lips, a thoughtful glint in his eyes.

However, in a short while, he gritted his teeth, and the thoughtful light in his eyes turned into a fierce glint.

"No! I must defeat the Shinsengumi head-on!"

"I can't vent my anger if I can't defeat the Shinsengumi fair and square!"

"Mr. Settsu, there's no need to persuade me any further! My mind is made up!"

Having said that, Shibasaki Renjuro turned his head and shouted at the messenger:

"What are you waiting for? Immediately pass on my orders! Send another 2000 men to reinforce the east! I must take Iga before sunset!"

"Yes Yes!"

The messenger hurriedly left, his movements so urgent that it seemed he wished he could use both hands and feet.

Renjuro Shibasaki silently watched the messenger leave.

After the footsteps faded into the distance, he didn't even glance at Settsu Yorimitsu, but turned around and strode back to the command tent.

Setsu Yorimitsu stood there, silently gazing at Shibasaki Renjuro's retreating figure.

Only after the other person's figure disappeared into the tent did he narrow his eyes, his gaze gradually turning cold.

"Really..."

He spoke slowly in a tone that only he could hear:

"What an idiot... To receive my help is a blessing you couldn't possibly have accumulated in eight lifetimes. I gave you a chance, but you were useless... You're hopeless..."

With that, he sneered and turned to leave.

Suddenly, as if sensing something, he stopped abruptly after taking only a few steps.

"..."

He turned his head expressionlessly, raised his gaze, and stared intently at the western mountain peaks...

……

……

The bandit camp, on the nameless mountain to the west—

Click, click, click, click, click...

The cow's hooves crushed the dry branches, making a crisp sound.

The radish puffed out a lot of air, lowered its tail, and moved forward slowly.

The upright posture of the green platform he carved is enough to give everyone who knows him a refreshing feeling.

Wearing a light blue haori, with Vairocana and amulets at her waist... up to this point, she was no different from usual.

However, if you look at his right side, you will find something unusual.

Suddenly, a new weapon appeared in his right palm—a huge long spear that he had never used before!

The thick, brown shaft of the spear, the sharp tip that seemed capable of cleaving through space, and the sheer weight of the spear... without a doubt, this was a weapon that embodied "violence"!

Aoto was closely followed by "Edo's Number One Beauty".

Sanako carries the naginata Ike no Tsukishiro, her high ponytail reaching her waist fluttering in the wind.

Behind Aoto and Sanako were 15 fully armed cavalrymen—the Aizu Iron Cavalry who had survived being riddled with bullets by the enemy's arquebusiers.

The group rode discreetly through the dense, uninhabited forest.

Under Qingdeng's leadership, the once lush trees gradually thinned out.

Suddenly, everyone felt a sense of enlightenment – ​​after leaving the woods, they saw a clear, open sky and a quiet, secluded cliff ahead.

Below the cliff is a winding, steep, barren hillside.

The grayish-yellow earth surged from the cliff top towards the ground, running for about a hundred meters, tumbling over rocks and crossing obstacles—finally merging with the earth. Its run didn't stop; it continued forward, soon crashing headlong into the heavily fortified enemy camp!

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Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Wielding a long spear in the 19th century, let's relive the excellent mechanisms of the Sui and Tang dynasties' regional systems! (Leopard.jpg)

P.S.: Facing powerful enemies externally and internal discord... In all eras and in all countries, this script is always being replayed.

Chapter 656 Surprise Attack on the Bandit Army! The Benevolent King Charges into Battle! [4100]

Shinsengumi positions, Eastern Front—

"Drink it! Aa ...

Riding the momentum of its charge, Serizawa Kamo unleashed a powerful "Splitting Mount Hua" attack.

Shining silver threads cascaded down, warm blood arrows shot into the air, and yet another fine head flew into the sky.

In an instant, a bamboo spear thrust at him from his right.

Before Serizawa Kamo could react, Inoue Genzaburo stepped forward with his sword, slashing the bamboo spear in one stroke and then felling the spearman with another.

"...Inoue Genzaburo, you're something else."

Serizawa Kamo twitched the corner of her mouth, revealing a faint smile.

"I didn't expect you to be so capable at your age. Even after fighting like this for so long, you can still keep up with me."

Inoue Genzaburo chuckled a few times:

“You hold the complete transmission of the Shinto Musen-ryu lineage, and I hold the complete transmission of the Tennen Rishin-ryu lineage. Since we are both holders of the complete transmission of the lineage, there is naturally no reason for me to be unable to keep up with you.”

Serizawa Kamo threw away the blunt knife in his hand and drew the new knife he had just picked up.

"In that case, you'd better stick close to me! Our battle has only just begun!"

Inoue brandishes his sword, his blood staining the blade, his heroic spirit boundless:

"Natural Flow of Mind"

"Gensaburo Inoue Ichitake"

"I see you!"

The two strode forward, one after the other.

Just then, Inoue Genzaburo seemed to realize something, and his brows suddenly furrowed.