I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The shogunate could have used this as a pretext to revoke Satsuma's fiefdom, or even rally the various domains to launch the "Satsuma Conquest War".

However, the Samoan of today is no longer the Samoan of the past.

Thanks to the vigorous reforms of Tenshōin's adoptive father... who was also the former lord of Satsuma, Shimazu Nariakira, Satsuma has been completely transformed.

It led to the development of advanced equipment and technologies such as steam engines and precision machine tools, established a large number of modern industries, and also gained the ability to independently manufacture guns, cannons, and ships.

Frankly speaking, if the shogunate were to actually go to war with Satsuma, which had already achieved "semi-modernization," it would not be able to guarantee victory...

Beset by internal and external troubles, the shogunate was powerless to contend with the powerful Satsuma, and could only agree to accept all of Shimazu Hisamitsu's conditions.

Having achieved his political goals, the triumphant Shimazu Hisamitsu led his troops out of Edo and embarked on his journey back to his domain.

History has proven time and again that when you feel secure and full of confidence, you will always encounter unexpected disasters.

As expected, no sooner had Hisamitsu Shimazu left Edo than an accident occurred.

On September 14, an accident occurred when Hisamitsu Shimazu's team was passing through Namamugi Village in Kanagawa Prefecture.

On this day, four Englishmen were riding horses on the Tokaido in Namabuki Village.

Among them was a businessman named Charles Richardson, his clerk Clark, and a British merchant couple, the Marshalls.

On the way, they happened to encounter Shimazu Hisamitsu and his entourage, with the samurai filling the entire road.

According to custom, commoners must kneel and yield when they encounter a daimyo's procession.

However, the four Englishmen refused to comply, which was considered a disrespectful act towards Shimazu Hisamitsu.

During the incident, Mrs. Marshall's horse suddenly became startled and rushed into the guard of honor—the already tense atmosphere instantly escalated.

Narahara Kiyoshi of the Shimazu Guard immediately drew his sword and wounded Charles. The guards who came next to him kindly gave him a second seppuku.

In addition, the other men—Clark and Mr. Marshall—were also seriously injured.

Only Mrs. Marshall was unharmed.

This incident immediately caused a nationwide uproar.

The whole incident was a complete man-made disaster, entirely caused by Samo.

The relationship between this incident and the shogunate is like that between a seal and a leopard—they have absolutely no connection.

However, the British side was completely unreasonable.

It simultaneously demanded compensation from both the shogunate and Satsuma, and made an outrageous demand, asking the shogunate for £10 in damages right off the bat.

To prevent the shogunate and Satsuma from denying the allegations, it thoughtfully dispatched a fleet.

Those nine British warships have been anchored in Edo Bay for quite some time.

During this period, the shogunate had sent several groups of people to negotiate with the British, appealing to their emotions and reasoning.

Despite the shogunate's sincere efforts, the British response remained consistent: either pay up or face bombing!

Qingdeng exhaled a breath of stale air, leaned to the side, and rested his elbow on his hand.

"This can't go on."

"If a comment actually lands in Edo, that's no joke..."

The Britain of today is not the pathetic "Great Britain" of later generations.

19th-century Britain was the true British Empire!

Buwu is a global force; he can beat up whomever he wants.

Moreover, this era is not as modern as it is now.

Although international law similar to the "law of nations" has been established, humanitarian principles such as "prohibition of genocide" and "prohibition of attacks on civilians" have not yet become widespread.

Western countries today would not shut down their artillery fuses for reasons such as "considering international opinion".

In other words, if effective measures are not taken as soon as possible, those nine British warships in Edo Bay might actually bombard Edo!

However, it was the place of Edo that Aoto could not bear to watch suffer.

Because he had too many relatives and friends living in Edo.

Kiryu the Boss, Kondo Shusuke, the old servant Kyubei...

Under the guns of warships, all beings are equal.

Even someone as powerful as Kiryu is only a mortal being, not as extraordinary as ordinary people.

After being bombarded by naval guns, there was nothing to do with them except turn to ashes.

"...There's no other way."

Qingdeng took a deep breath, reached out and grabbed the Vairocana sword from the knife rack next to him, then slowly stood up.

"As expected, I still need to take charge personally."

Upon seeing this, Yamanami Keisuke was taken aback at first, then replied in a deep voice:

"Tachibana-kun, are you... planning to personally negotiate with the British?"

Qing Deng asserted without hesitation:

"That's all we can do. The British are so overbearing that the Shogunate has run out of options."

"If I don't take action soon, Edo will really be engulfed in flames."

Instead of sitting here sighing, you should strive to do everything you can.

Yamanami Keisuke hesitated.

"But... Qingdeng, if I remember correctly, you've never been a strategist before. Are you confident you can persuade the British?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng burst into laughter:

"Kingsuke, don't worry about me."

"Don't you know me? I never fight a battle I can't win."

"Since I dared to take on this difficult task, I must have a certain degree of confidence."

At this point, Qingdeng put on a meaningful smile.

"Don't let my appearance fool you, I know Westerners very well and I'm very good at dealing with them."

"Kei-suke, please take good care of the Shinsengumi while I'm away from Kyoto."

Yamanami Keisuke's expression hardened, and he immediately agreed:

"Yes! That's for sure!"

……

……

Qingdeng rode on a radish and spurred the ox to Nijo Castle, where he went to find Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin.

After several days of rest, Tokugawa Iemochi has largely recovered.

Upon meeting the mother and son, Qing Deng skipped the unnecessary pleasantries and stated directly: "I am willing to act as an envoy and personally negotiate with the British to persuade them to withdraw their warships from Edo Bay!"

Both Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin were stunned by Aoto's self-recommendation, and they were completely petrified on the spot.

They've seen too many people who run away, shift blame, and shirk responsibility.

Officials like Qing Deng, who proactively take responsibility and risk their lives, are truly rare!

On the one hand, it was due to the national character, and on the other hand, it was due to the poor atmosphere in the bureaucracy of the shogunate. The combination of these two factors resulted in shogunate officials having no other skills, but being first-rate at passing the buck to each other.

They can drag out even the smallest things for months, or even years.

Serving as an envoy to negotiate with the aggressive British... this is hardly a lucrative position with many benefits.

This mission is so arduous and dangerous that it terrifies anyone who hears about it!

The first person to be responsible for negotiating with the British was Tokugawa Yoshiyoshi, the lord of the Owari Domain.

Upon arriving in Edo, he was so frightened by the British forces that he fled.

After that, many more high-ranking officials of the shogunate were appointed.

Rintaro Katsu, Nagayuki Ogasawara, a veteran...

Those who were sent in afterward either declined in every possible way or returned empty-handed.

Nowadays, everyone avoids those nine warships in Edo Bay like the plague.

Therefore, it is not difficult to understand why Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin showed such shocked expressions after witnessing Seito's volunteering.

At first, Tokugawa Iemochi's face was filled with shock.

After a short while, the shock gradually turned into calm.

He didn't say much, but stared intently into Qingdeng's eyes, then asked Qingdeng solemnly:

"...Qingdeng, can I ask you for a favor?"

Qing Deng replied calmly:

I'll give it my best.

……

……

On that day, Tokugawa Iemochi personally ordered that Aoto be appointed as a temporary envoy to represent the Edo Shogunate in negotiations with the British.

The day after receiving Tokugawa Iemochi's permission, on May 29, Aotobuki headed straight east without stopping.

To facilitate his movements, he did not bring any attendants and acted alone.

Qingdeng no longer needs bodyguards.

If you travel with bodyguards, and you encounter an assassin, you don't know who will protect whom.

Just as he was rushing to Edo, a new and significant change occurred in the battle situation in Shimonoseki.

On June 1, the US warship successfully arrived at the Shimonoseki Strait, officially launching its retaliation.

On June 5, two French warships also arrived at Xiaguan and attacked the shore batteries.

Under the combined attack of the American and French armies, the Choshu Domain suffered a crushing defeat and heavy losses, as expected.