I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"Whenever evildoers commit crimes in or around Kyoto, the 'Kyoto Tengu' will step forward to punish evil and promote good."

"It is said that his most famous battle was when he single-handedly wiped out a group of mountain bandits entrenched in the northern suburbs of Kyoto."

"Because it is so powerful that it is almost demonic, people call it the 'Kyoto Tengu'."

At this point, Goro Komaki adopted a serious tone:

"It is said that beneath the mask of the 'Kyoto Tengu' lies a handsome and refined face."

"Not only that, I've heard that his wife is the most beautiful woman in the world."

"He's handsome, powerful, and married the most beautiful woman in the world—truly enviable!"

No sooner had Komaki Goro finished speaking than Souji suddenly interjected:

“'Kyoto Tengu'... Ah! I remember now! I've heard the story of 'Kyoto Tengu' before!”

Souji's voice was somewhat muffled... Aoto turned his head to look and saw that, for some time now, Souji was enjoying his meal immensely under Mrs. Komaki's hospitality!

She sat cross-legged next to the plate of wagashi (Japanese sweets) that the Old Mackerel couple had, grabbing one wagashi in each hand and eating heartily, her cheeks bulging out like a squirrel gathering supplies for winter.

Mrs. Komaki watched with a smile, saying, "Eat slowly, don't rush," and occasionally raising her hand to smooth the light ponytail at the back of Souji's head.

Qing Deng discovered that Mrs. Komaki seemed to be a very maternal person, and she doted on younger people like Souji and Amai.

Souji ate while saying quickly:

“When I was walking around Kyoto before, I heard the story of ‘Kyoto Tengu’ from several elderly people.”

"There was indeed such a righteous man once upon a time."

"Many people have seen him in person."

"His appearance is very distinctive - he wears a red celestial dog mask, is dressed in an old straw raincoat, is quite tall, has a pair of long and short swords with blue and gold stripes at his waist, and is agile and moves like the wind."

"According to those elderly people, the 'Kyoto Tengu' has not appeared for a long time."

"Currently, only some older people still remember the name 'Kyoto Tengu'."

At this point, Souji swallowed the wagashi that had filled her entire mouth.

After her voice became clearer, she continued:

"Although we don't know if it's true or not, those old men all said that the true form of the 'Kyoto Tengu' is actually the 'Eternal Sword Saint' Ogata Itsusei!"

"They say that Ogata Itsunari went into seclusion in Kyoto."

"Although Ogata Hayanari has retired to a life of seclusion, he still retains his chivalrous spirit and finds joy in helping those in distress."

"There seems to be some basis for this claim."

"'Kyoto Tengu' uses a two-sword style that excels at fighting multiple opponents—just like Ogata Itsuse."

At this point, Qingdeng finally understood completely.

In conclusion, the "Kyoto Tengu" was indeed a real person.

Because of its great strength, it punished evil and promoted good, and was a good partner of justice, so it once had a considerable reputation.

The general public has always been keen to de-glorify, or even de-deify, these heroic figures.

As the fame of "Kyoto Tengu" grew, all sorts of speculations and anecdotes were attributed to it.

Forget about "a handsome face under the mask".

What do you mean by "his wife is the most beautiful woman in the world"?

What do you mean by "his true identity is Ogata Hayanari, who lived in seclusion in Edo"?

This also shows that the people really miss Ogata Ittosai, who was full of vigor and created countless legends back then.

They desperately hoped that the legendary swordsman was still alive and would continue to eliminate evil as he had done in the past.

Whether "Kyoto Tengu" is actually Ogata Hayanari is a matter for another time.

Since the "Kyoto Tengu" has not appeared for a long time, perhaps this person has left Kyoto, or is no longer alive.

In any case, it is certainly not advisable to place our hopes for protecting Kyoto and maintaining its security on this righteous man whose fate is unknown.

Komaki Goro actually expected the "Kyoto Tengu" to save them from their dire straits in a moment of crisis... Aoto only took his words as a joke.

Qingdeng regained his composure and asked again, unwilling to give up:

"Mr. Goomog, do you... really not want to leave?"

Goro Komaki smiled and shook his head without the slightest hesitation.

The other party's attitude was extremely firm, and under such circumstances, Qingdeng felt embarrassed to insist any further.

"In that case, Mr. Gomak, please take good care of yourselves."

"If you encounter any emergency, go to the Shinsengumi Village Office in Mibu Township."

As Qingdeng spoke, he took out a piece of paper and a charcoal pencil from his pocket and wrote his name on it.

Then, he took out the official seal he always carried with him from the seal box at his waist and stamped it onto the paper.

“Mr. Komaki, once you get to the Shinsengumi garrison in Mibu Township, show this paper to the guards, and they will let you in for refuge.”

Komaki Goro reached out and took it, glanced at it, and then put it into his pocket:

"Tachibana-kun, thank you for the gift!"

"You're welcome, it was just a small favor."

"I will keep it safe."

"Don't keep it! If you really encounter a crisis, you must take it out and use it!"

After exchanging a few more pleasantries with the couple, Aoto led Souji away—business was more important; they still had to continue surveying the streets and towns of Kyoto.

Souji was still a little reluctant to part with it, staring longingly at the plate of unfinished wagashi, looking melancholy.

Fortunately, the old woman said at the time of parting, "I will send you some wagashi later," which made Souji's mood change and he smiled again.

—Let's send more people to protect the Komaki couple's wagashi shop.

Qingdeng thought to himself.

Regardless of his relationship with the Gu Mu couple, even if it were just for A Wu's sake, he couldn't stand by and watch them suffer.

Ah Wu was very close to them, especially Mrs. Gu Mu. As soon as she saw Ah Wu, she would rush over and hug her tightly, and Ah Wu would hug her back warmly in return.

To prevent Ama from being sad or upset in the future, Aoto was pleased to see the Komaki couple's wagashi shop become one of the safest places in all of Kyoto.

……

……

It is worth mentioning that, in addition to the domains in the Kinai region, other major domains such as the Owari Domain and the Echizen Domain also sent troops to participate in the war.

As troops from various domains arrived in Kyoto one after another, an astonishingly large army had been assembled on the outskirts of Kyoto!

According to statistics, the feudal domains that sided with the shogunate and sent troops to participate in this war were—

Qinjin Domain, Aizu Domain, Satsuma Domain, Owari Domain, Hikone Domain, Kuwana Domain, Bizen Domain, Inshu Domain, Izuishi Domain, Chikuzen Domain, Echizen Domain, Ogaki Domain, Sabae Domain, Nishoji Domain, Sonobe Domain, Zensho Domain, Odawara Domain, Matsuyama Domain, Obama Domain, Kameyama Domain, Koriyama Domain, Tsu Domain, Miyazu Domain, and Misama Domain.

There were a total of 24 vassal states.

Total troop strength: 30,000!

Thirty thousand soldiers... In feudal Japan, this was an extraordinary army!

Of course, Changzhou is not to be trifled with either.

Following the "August 18th Coup," Choshu actively prepared for war with a "total war" mindset in order to resist the shogunate and Western powers.

After more than half a year of war preparations, they had accumulated sufficient supplies and mobilized all available manpower.

With a single order from Kusaka Genrui, all the manpower and resources that had been prepared over the past six months were staked on the gambling table!

All the warriors and peasant soldiers of the entire domain, along with the loyalists who came from other places to join them, were mobilized for battle!

Total troop strength: 12,000!

Time passed...

Finally, on August 16th, Changju sent troops!

The 12000-strong army split into three routes.

The chief retainer, Fukuhara Echigo, led 3000 men from Mitajiri, heading east along the Seto Inland Sea towards Fushimi, south of Kyoto.

Shinano, the chief retainer of the state, led 3000 men as the second army, heading towards Saga Tenryu-ji Temple, west of Kyoto.

Chief retainer Masuda Uemon led the main force of 6000 men from Yamaguchi, serving as the Third Army, with their front line at Yamazaki, southwest of Kyoto.

Choshu's strategic intention is clear—to surround Kyoto from the west, south, and southwest!

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

PS: In historical fact, the Changzhou army in the "Forbidden Gate Incident" was actually quite small, with a total strength of only 1200. The scale of the battle in this book is purely exaggerated.

However, it was clearly stated at the beginning of this volume that all the western domains were diligently preparing for war and amassing troops. Historically, Choshu's army was hastily deployed, hence its small size; the Choshu in this book was well-prepared, hence its large size. Very meticulous! (Leopard full of confidence.jpg)

Chapter 839 Qin Jin Domain Initiates War Mobilization! [4800]

Qinjin Fan, Dajin——

"Hurry! Move quickly!"

"Stop dawdling!"

"Here, here, and there! All the rice in these warehouses needs to be transported to Kyoto!"

"Mr. Iwasaki! Mr. Iwasaki!"

"What's the matter?"

"Mr. Iwasaki, the animal power units borrowed from Osaka have arrived!"

"We've finally arrived! Quickly get these animals to the warehouse! They're desperately short of animal power right now!"