I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Qing Deng curled the corners of his mouth into a meaningful smile.

"That's for sure. It won't be long before Kyoto receives the news of the 'Tenchu ​​Group's crushing defeat'."

……

……

The distance from Jogami District to Kyoto is not very far.

If you ride a fast horse, it only takes two hours to make a trip.

Therefore, in the early morning of the day after the "Battle of the Castle" ended, both sides in Kyoto received news of the Shinsengumi's victory and the Tenchugumi's defeat.

……

……

Kyoto, southern suburbs, the main camp of the Huizha allied forces—

"Tachibana no Hyōbu won."

Matsudaira Katamori said calmly.

"Ha, as expected."

Kichisuke Saigo shrugged.

"Now the people of Changzhou should give up, right? They've become completely isolated."

No sooner had Matsudaira Katamori finished speaking than Saigo Kinosuke said seriously:

"The people of Changzhou might evacuate tonight, so we need to prepare early."

Matsudaira Katamori nodded in agreement.

"Yes, that's what I think too. Someone! Pass on my order: prepare for battle!"

……

……

Kyoto, southern suburbs, Choshu army's main camp—

"What did you say……?!"

Hisaka Genrui stared blankly at the messenger in front of him.

The messenger swallowed hard.

"The New Selection Group has achieved a great victory! The Tenchu ​​Group has suffered a crushing defeat! The remaining members have disappeared without a trace!"

********

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Chapter 736 Shuten-dōji and Ryouko no Namibōzu, Set Off! [4200]

"..."

"..."

"..."

Inside and outside the main camp, all was silent.

No one speaks.

No one wailed.

Everyone turned into clay sculptures and wooden carvings.

Everyone lowered their heads, avoiding each other's gaze.

It was as if, the moment their eyes met, they would see an unbearable filth in each other's eyes.

The usually spirited and energetic Kusaka Genzui was now slumped on a stool, head hanging low, his bones seemingly softened, and he was in a state of utter dejection.

Because it was obscured by shadows, one could not see the expression on its face.

In fact, no one at the scene was surprised by this result at all.

This is why no one took any drastic action after hearing the tragic news; everyone remained calm.

Anyone with a sound mind, anyone who knows even a little about the Shinsengumi, would know that the Tenchugumi, a cobbled-together group without even a leader who can command respect, could never be a match for the Shinsengumi!

However... although their rationality kept pace with reality, their emotions couldn't accept this reality...

They simply couldn't accept... no, it should be said that they were powerless to "evacuate Kyoto and retreat back to their homeland"—a truly devastating consequence!

If they were to withdraw like this, all their efforts in recent years for the Choshu Domain and for the cause of honoring the emperor and expelling foreigners would be in vain!

In addition, they would also be branded as "disloyal" and "holding the Emperor hostage."

Some far-sighted individuals have already foreseen that the shogunate will most likely seize this opportunity to launch the "Choshu Campaign" and completely annihilate the Choshu Domain!

Compared to his predecessor, Tokugawa Iesada, who was quite human, the current Tokugawa Iemochi is indeed a rare and brilliant ruler—even those who hate the shogunate to the core have to admit this fact.

Although he is still young and lacks experience and prestige, his current actions have given supporters of the shogunate hope for a revival.

Now, the shogunate has the moral high ground to declare war on Choshu, and all the conditions for launching the war are in place.

Given Tokugawa Iemochi's decisive character, it was impossible for him not to seize this opportunity to launch a fatal blow against the Choshu Domain and eliminate this major threat in one fell swoop.

Even with the current overall strength of the shogunate, it would take at least a year and a half to prepare for a western expedition capable of destroying Choshu.

However, this also means that Choshu will have to undertake a long and meticulous preparation to meet the shogunate's expeditionary force.

To be honest, it's questionable whether Choshu can withstand the full-scale attack of the Shogunate army, let alone return to Kyoto.

Even if they eventually regain control of Kyoto, who knows when that day will come...

Just as everyone was stunned into silence, someone broke the silence first:

"...That's enough, let's stop here."

Upon hearing this, everyone present, including Genji Hisaka, turned to look at the owner of the voice—Kogoro Katsura.

Facing the blank stares of the crowd, Katsura Kogoro calmly and slowly said:

"The Heavenly Punishment Group has been defeated and destroyed."

"Although I hate to admit it... we really did lose."

"Without strong external support, we are simply no match for the Huisa coalition forces on our own."

"If we don't retreat now, we'll end up like the Tianzhu Group."

"The entire army shall retreat! Escort the Seven Ministers back to Changzhou!"

"We'll discuss this further once we get back to Changzhou!"

The Seven Ministers – Seven court nobles of the Sorority faction who were blocked from entering the Imperial Palace by the Allied Forces of Kai-Satsuma.

They are: Sanjo Sanji, Sanjo Nishikichi, Higashi Hisashi Michihiro, Mibu Motoshi, Shijo Takayuki, Nishikikoji Yorinoku, and Sawa Nobuyoshi.

Having said that, Katsura Kogoro turned to look at Kusaka Genzui not far away:

"Kusaka-kun, what do you think? Do you agree with my proposal?"

Hisaka Genzui raised his lifeless eyes and glanced at Katsura Kogoro.

"...Okay, let's do it your way."

Seeing that even Kusaka Genzui had agreed to Katsura Kogoro's retreat plan, some people looked bewildered and opened their mouths as if they wanted to say something.

However, in the end they couldn't say anything.

Faced with the current overwhelmingly negative situation, even the most die-hard radicals cannot utter a single optimistic word.

Katsura Kogoro's act of stepping forward gave everyone present a renewed sense of security.

Their eyes regained their sparkle.

At this moment, Katsura Kogoro spoke up again:

"Retreat tonight!"

"The Huisa Alliance should have already received news of the Tianzhu Group's defeat."

"The longer we drag this out, the harder it will be for us to retreat!"

"Inoue-kun, you'll play forward!"

Katsura Kogoro issued instructions methodically.

Finally, he said in a firm and serious tone:

"I'll personally cover their retreat!"

The moment he finished speaking, the entire audience was stunned.

"No! Mr. Gui, you are a pillar of our Changzhou!"

"Yes, you mustn't put yourself in danger!"

"Mr. Gui, I volunteer! Please allow me to cover the rear! I will certainly live up to everyone's expectations!"

……

Everyone chimed in, offering their opinions and strongly urging Katsura Kogoro not to take the risk.

The rearguard – as the name suggests – engages in maneuvering with the enemy to buy time for the main force to retreat.

This is an extremely dangerous mission.

Throughout history, the troops responsible for the rearguard mission have invariably suffered heavy casualties.

Faced with everyone's concern, Katsura Kogoro smiled slightly:

"It is precisely because this is a precarious battle that I am even more determined to go."

He paused at this point, then adopted a more relaxed tone.