I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Even for the common people of Kyoto, who were born under the emperor's nose, the emperor was nowhere to be seen in their daily lives.

In the eyes of ambitious individuals and politicians, the Emperor is a very useful tool.

For ordinary people, however, the emperor is merely a dispensable figure.

Whether the Duke Yansheng lives or dies is none of their business!

It might be better if he were dead.

This also provides them with some topics to talk about during their leisure time.

Compared to the Emperor's fate and even his life or death, the people of Kyoto were more concerned about whether the pro-imperial faction in Choshu would burn down the Imperial Palace—this was the most important matter concerning their livelihoods!

Unlike Edo Castle, Osaka Castle, and Nijo Castle, the Emperor's palace was not a fortified stronghold with magnificent walls and a moat.

The walls of the Imperial Palace are very low; you can easily climb over them by simply setting up a ladder.

Furthermore, the Imperial Palace is just across the street from the nearby residences.

If the palace were to catch fire, a strong wind would scatter countless sparks in all directions, like dandelion seeds.

At that time, most of Kyoto will be in danger of being burned to the ground!

In terms of population density, Kyoto is comparable to Edo and Osaka.

Kyoto cannot afford the consequences of a fire!

Spreading misinformation has always been a favorite pastime of the public.

As the rumors of "kidnapping the Emperor and burning down the Imperial Palace" continued to spread, various versions of the story gradually emerged.

Choshu not only intends to take the Emperor hostage, but also all the court nobles!

Choshu not only wants to burn down the Imperial Palace, but also wants to set fires all over Kyoto!

……

There are countless similar messages that seem both true and false.

Recently, a tense atmosphere has been pervasive in Kyoto.

Panic spread like a plague to every corner of Kyoto.

In a very few places, this even triggered a rice-buying frenzy.

Aoto and Matsudaira Katamori had to step in together and issue a joint statement to calm the emotions of the people of Kyoto.

For Qingdeng, this was a good reason to increase the number of patrolmen.

Therefore, at Aoto's instruction, the Shinsengumi increased the number of patrol personnel under the pretext of "ensuring public safety".

Ostensibly, it was to protect Kyoto, but in reality, it was to guard against Okada Izo's sneak attack.

Hijikata Toshizo truly deserves to be called Aoto's right-hand man.

After Qingdeng assigned him the task of "adjusting the number of sentries and the size of the patrol team," he handled the matter with great efficiency and efficiency.

After his meticulous adjustments, the number of sentry posts and the size of patrol teams in the newly formed group have more than doubled!

There is a sentry post in almost every easily accessible location.

Almost every patrol team had at least forty soldiers.

No matter how formidable Okada Izo was, he had to consider his own strength when faced with over forty soldiers who were armed to the teeth with spears, shields, and other weapons, and who were also skilled in the Mandarin Duck Formation.

As of now, Okada Izo has not reappeared, nor have there been any further reports of "soldiers being attacked."

Heisuke Todo, having recovered from his injuries, has rejoined the team.

Rumors were everywhere, suspicions were everywhere, the air was thick with the smell of gunpowder, and the shadow of war loomed over everything... Kyoto and its surroundings were enveloped in a heavy atmosphere.

In such an environment, time slips away bit by bit.

In the blink of an eye, July has quietly passed and August has arrived.

On August 1st, Aizu suddenly sent an envoy to Mibu.

The messenger presented Aoto with a personal letter from Matsudaira Katamori, requesting Aoto to come alone to Kinkai Komyoji Temple to discuss important matters!

……

……

Wenjiu three years (1863), January 1th——

Kyoto, Kinkaikoji Temple (Aizu Military Main Formation)——

"Moo~~Moo~~Moo~~"

Radish, swishing its ox tail, carried Qingdeng and galloped straight toward Jinjie Guangming Temple.

Following Matsudaira Katamori's request, Aoto went to the meeting alone, without any attendants.

As soon as someone approached, the guards outside the temple gate immediately stepped to the side, forming a human wall to block Qingdeng.

Qingdeng reined in the horses and identified himself to the guards.

Upon seeing the sudden arrival of King Ren, the guards were all greatly alarmed and immediately reported to the authorities.

Before long, an old man rushed up to Qingdeng.

"Minister Tachibana, I apologize for not greeting you properly!"

Qingdeng nodded slightly, responding indifferently.

He recognized the other person as Yamakawa Heibei, the chief retainer of the Aizu Domain.

The chief retainers of the Aizu Domain were divided into three factions.

They were the "blame-shifting faction," led by Saigo Yorimo, who advocated ignoring the shogunate's orders, returning to the Aizu Domain, and guarding the small territory inherited from their ancestors.

The "war faction," led by Sagawa Kanbei, held the opposite view to the "blame-shifting faction," and strictly adhered to the ancestral precept of "swearing to protect the shogunate to the death."

Finally, there was the "slacking off faction" led by Yamakawa Beie.

The "slacking off faction" is all about "slacking off," and they don't take sides, trying to smooth things over between the "blame-shifting faction" and the "belligerent faction."

Saigo Yorimitsu, who was determined to return to his domain, was bound to clash with Aoto.

In the recent Battle of Iga, Sagawa Kanbei disobeyed orders and sent troops without authorization, resulting in a disastrous defeat. He was imprisoned by Aoto and had a falling out with him.

Therefore, considering all factors, sending Yamakawa Heibei, who is the most reliable and has no "dark history," to welcome Aoto is the most appropriate choice.

Led by Yamakawa Heibei, Aoto strode towards the depths of Kinkai Komyoji Temple.

Walk through corridor after corridor, and through palace after palace.

Finally, they stopped outside the sliding door of a quiet, secluded room where no one passed by.

"Tachibana no Hyōbu, please."

Yamakawa turned to the side, saying this to Aoto as he pushed open the sliding door himself.

With a whoosh, the door opened.

Aoto looked up and saw that the room, which was neither too big nor too small and had no furniture except for two candles, contained only one person—Matsudaira Katamori nodded to Aoto as a greeting.

Qingdeng stepped inside.

Yamakawa Heibei, who remained outside the room, consciously closed the door and quickly left.

Aoto walked to the opposite side of Matsudaira Katamori and casually sat down cross-legged.

As soon as he sat down, he asked directly:

"Lady Higo, what brings you here so suddenly?"

As he asked the question, he gave the other person a cursory glance at their face.

Matsudaira Katamori's face was grave, his cheeks filled with seriousness.

For Matsudaira Katamori, who always presents a composed demeanor, to show such an expression... it's not hard to imagine that something extraordinary must have happened!

"Minister Tachibana, the situation is urgent, so I'll keep it brief."

Having said that, Matsudaira Katamori pushed an exquisite wooden box beside his leg toward Aoto's knee.

"Please take a look at this."

Qingdeng opened the wooden box, puzzled—inside was a neatly folded letter.

A letter with thin purple stripes.

At first glance, it appears to be just an ordinary letter.

However, the moment he saw the letter, Qing Deng's pupils contracted sharply, and a look of astonishment flashed across his face.

"This is... Chenhan...?!"

Imperial edict – that is, the Emperor's imperial edict!

That purple ribbon is a symbol of the Emperor.

Matsudaira Katamori adopted a more serious tone.

"That's right, it is indeed the Emperor's imperial edict. Tachibana no Hyōbu, please read the imperial edict immediately."

Upon hearing this, Qingdeng didn't stand on ceremony, reached out and picked up Chenhan, then unfolded it.

The letter was filled with Chinese characters, with not a single slang term found—a typical style of the imperial court.

After quickly reading through Chen Han's text, Qing Deng stared in astonishment.

About five seconds later, he slowly raised his head and stared straight at Matsudaira Katamori opposite him, their eyes meeting.

"Good heavens..."

Qing Deng twitched the corners of his mouth, revealing a meaningful smile.

"The Emperor has sent us an imperial edict!"

Because it was a letter written by the Emperor, the wording and phrasing were both awkward and obscure.

Without a certain level of Sinology, one cannot even understand it.

The main content of this lengthy imperial edict, roughly summarized, is as follows: "Minister Tachibana! Matsudaira Higo-no-kami! Help! I have been held hostage by the pro-imperial patriots of Choshu and the pro-imperial court nobles within the Imperial Court! My edicts have been distorted, my voice has been silenced! My true thoughts cannot be revealed to the outside world! I have absolutely no desire to travel to Yamato! Nor do I have any desire to overthrow the shogunate! They have gone mad! Quickly mobilize your armies and come to my rescue!"

*******