I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

At the same time, he also warned them: You bastards from the Western Kingdom, just you wait and see! If you don't obey, you'll end up like Changzhou!

Since they were just a makeshift unit, they naturally couldn't be entrusted with any important tasks.

They're fine for boosting morale, but they're definitely not good at fighting tough battles.

Therefore, the only forces capable of serving as the main force are still the Shinsengumi, the Aizu Army, and the Satsuma Army.

Therefore, Qingdeng decided to deploy all three units in the Aki direction to form an overwhelming combat advantage on the battlefield, crush the enemy with overwhelming force, and then wipe out Choshu!

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PS: Shikisaki Kiyomi was already

Chapter 881 The Empress Summons Qingdeng? [4300]

Qing Deng's statement was very long... After all, the troops he was commanding this time were a huge legion of 200,000!

Such an amazing battle could not be taken lightly.

In order to achieve a complete victory, Aoto and his advisors (Hijikata Toshizo, Yamanami Keisuke, and others) made thorough plans and preparations.

About an hour later, he finally finished his report, quietly raised his eyes, looked at Tokugawa Iemochi, and waited for the other party's reply.

Tokugawa Iemochi stared intently at the map on the table, deep in thought.

After a moment, he curled the corners of his mouth into a bitter smile:

"...To be honest, I have no comment."

He then adopted a self-deprecating tone:

"Having grown up in the palace, I know nothing about military affairs."

"Let alone leading an army of 20 to fight, even if you asked me to take 200 people to enjoy the spring, I couldn't guarantee that I could bring the whole army back safe and sound."

"In short, let me first summarize your operational strategy."

"Simply put, the 'Tsuwano Front' and the 'Kokura Front' were feints, and their main objective was to tie down Choshu's forces and distract them."

"As long as the 'Aki Front,' which is the main offensive direction, can achieve victory, Choshu will be doomed."

Qingdeng nodded:

"That's right, exactly."

The reason why Qingdeng chose the "Aki Front" as the main battlefield was because the terrain there was relatively flat, which would make it much easier to advance or supply the front line.

Once we break through the Choshu army's defenses in the Aki direction, we can advance into the heart of Suo in one fell swoop, then drive straight in, capture Hagi Castle, and destroy Choshu!

Tokugawa Iemochi glanced at the map a few more times:

"...Tachibana-kun, I can't offer any decent suggestions, so just play as you see fit."

"Once the war begins, you will be in charge of all matters, big and small, at the front."

"When necessary, there is no need to consult Edo; one can act on one's own and not delay military matters."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng was slightly taken aback at first, but then quickly came to his senses and loudly proclaimed, "Yes."

It is not surprising that Qing Deng was allowed to handle all matters on the front lines on his own.

As the commander-in-chief of the legion, it was only natural to entrust him with the command of the front lines.

However... the second half of Tokugawa Iemochi's words was quite astonishing.

When necessary, one can act on the spot without consulting Edo... The "freedom" and "operability" involved are enormous!

Even Aoto, who was used to Tokugawa Iemochi's generosity, couldn't help but think to himself:

—Doesn't His Highness worry that I might rebel?

With an army of 200,000, a front line far from the shogunate's territory, the power to execute first and report later, and the shogunate having little control over this army... these conditions were practically tailor-made for rebellion!

It's no exaggeration to say that if Qingdeng were a greedy and ambitious man, he would be fully capable of seizing the throne and rebelling against the emperor.

Qing Deng could easily imagine that after learning that Tokugawa Iemochi had granted him such great power, many of his retainers would definitely lodge fierce protests.

"General, please reconsider!" "Your Highness, you are raising a tiger to cause trouble!" "My lord! Please remember the old story of Tianbao!"... These words, which have been said countless times, will be brought up again and again.

The "Tianbao Past Events" naturally refers to the An Lushan Rebellion.

Because of Tokugawa Iemochi's favor towards Aoto and Aoto's own power, no one dared to openly speak ill of Aoto.

However, in recent years, more and more people who dislike Aoto or are worried about the future of the shogunate have been secretly calling Aoto "the An Lushan of Edo".

Such a title is not entirely wrong.

After all, from any perspective, Qingdeng is very much like a second An Lushan.

An Lushan held the positions of military governor of Fanyang, Pinglu, and Hedong simultaneously.

Qing Deng held three concurrent positions: Commander-in-Chief of the Army, Governor of the Capital Region, and Commander-in-Chief of the Eighth Prince's Thousand People, and also possessed a fief of 400,000 shi (a unit of land measurement).

An Lushan commanded over 100,000 elite border troops.

Seito commanded two elite forces: the Shinsengumi and the Hachioji Sennin Doshin, with the latter deployed directly at the shogunate's doorstep.

An Lushan was very popular in Hebei.

Cheong Dang was very popular in the Gyeonggi region.

Emperor Xuanzong of Tang favored An Lushan greatly.

Tokugawa Iemochi favored Aoto.

By listing the similarities and differences between Qingdeng and An Lushan one by one, we can find that the only difference between the two is that An Lushan raised an army in rebellion, while Qingdeng did not.

For the retainers, Aoto has now become like the "Sword of Damocles".

They were terrified that one day Qingdeng would also shout the slogan "Purge the court of corrupt officials".

In fact, even Aoto himself felt that Tokugawa Iemochi was too biased towards him.

They bestowed generous rewards, promoted officials rapidly, and handed over military power without hesitation.

It's no wonder that people think there's some unspeakable secret between them.

If Aoto hadn't known his innocence and been certain that Tokugawa Iemochi didn't have any strange fetishes, he too would have been tempted to wonder if the other man had designs on his genitals or something else...

What exactly was Tokugawa Iemochi after?

I don't understand... I really don't understand...

Qingdeng has thought about this problem many times, but he still can't figure it out.

At that moment, Tokugawa Iemochi suddenly turned his head and glanced at the sky outside.

"Oh dear, it's already this late..."

As he spoke, he took out his pocket watch, checked the exact time, and then looked up at Qingdeng and said:

"If we keep Kazuhime waiting too long, she might get angry."

"Ok?"

—Why did "Kashinomiya" suddenly appear?

The unexpected name startled Qing Deng.

Tokugawa Iemochi smiled and said:

“Tachibana-kun, just last night, Kazumi specifically instructed me: After I finish discussing business with you, I want you to go see her.”

The look of doubt on Qing Deng's face did not lessen but rather increased:

"Meet with His Highness the Princess? Why?"

"You'll know when you meet the palace; I'll keep you in suspense for now."

After saying that, Tokugawa Iemochi deliberately raised his right index finger and lightly touched his lips, making a "shush" gesture.

"I have to take care of some official business right now. Tachibana-kun, after you finish meeting with Kazumiya, wait for me in the 'rest room'. I have something very important and serious to tell you in person."

"'Something very important and serious'... What is it? Can't you tell me now?"

Tokugawa Iemochi gently shook his head.

"That won't do. Remember, it's 'Rest Room,' don't go to the wrong one. 'Rest Room,' 'Rest Room.'"

He repeatedly emphasized "between the rest areas," as if this location was of utmost importance and could not be allowed to go wrong.

Although it was fleeting, Qingdeng did notice a peculiar glint in the other person's eyes...

Aoto blinked, looking at Tokugawa Iemochi, who had become a "riddler," with a puzzled expression.

Tokugawa Iemochi smiled, but a strange emotion resurfaced deep in his eyes.

……

……

Princess Kazu—the current Emperor's younger sister—is 18 years old this year.

In 1862, in order to further promote the "unity of the court and the military," the shogunate took the initiative to request a marriage alliance with the imperial court.

At that time, the only woman in the Imperial Family suitable for marriage was the Emperor's younger sister, Princess Kaguya.

Both the shogunate and the imperial court went to great lengths to persuade Princess Kazu to marry into the Kanto region.

First of all, Princess Kazu was engaged to Prince Arisugawa Akira when she was 6 years old.

The sudden decision to break off the engagement and remarry someone else is morally unacceptable to Kazukuni.

Secondly, like the vast majority of Kyoto residents, Kazumiya suffers from extremely severe regional discrimination.

She believed that the Guandong region was a wild and desolate place, and that the people of Guandong were a bunch of uncouth and uncultured savages.

In her eyes, marrying the General of the Expedition was no different from marrying a beastman.

In conclusion, after exhausting all means, they finally managed to get the princess to agree to the marriage.

However, she put forward a whole host of additional conditions, including but not limited to the requirement that after going to Edo, he must retain his previous lifestyle, continue to wear court-style clothing, and use court-style utensils.