I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

After listening to Nagakura Shinpachi's advice, Shimada Kai suddenly felt enlightened, and the clouds of worry in his heart instantly disappeared.

Today, with everything ready, Elodie officially sets off for Hachioji.

Ah Wu, who had also come to see her off, moved gracefully closer to Elodie and gently embraced her.

"Elodie, have a safe journey."

Elodie hugged her back tightly.

"Yes! I'll be back as soon as possible!"

Qing Deng suddenly added:

"Elodie, the weather is getting colder, be careful to keep warm and don't catch a cold."

“Master, I’m not an eight-year-old child, I wouldn’t make such a basic mistake.”

After saying this in an annoyed tone, Elodie seemed to remember something, paused briefly, and then asked in return:

"Master, is there any news about the recasting of Vairocana?"

"I haven't received any related news yet. Shikisaki Kiyori is probably still working on it. What's wrong?"

“It’s nothing. I was just thinking… Anyway, Hachioji isn’t far from Edo. If the Vairocana is successfully recast, I can go and retrieve it for you.”

Before Qingdeng could ask "why," Elodie continued on her own:

"'Broken Iron Steel'... This piece of steel embodies my past 'knight-errant dream'."

"A sword forged from 'iron-breaking steel'—if I could, I would like to be the first to see its blade's edge."

"In this way, one of my wishes will be fulfilled."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng nodded with a smile almost without hesitation:

"Yes, of course. If there's enough time, I'll have you fetch the knife for me."

Upon hearing this, Elodie's face immediately lit up with a smile.

"In that case, I sincerely look forward to it!"

……

……

After chatting for a few more minutes, Elodie didn't delay any longer. She said, "Master, Miss Dance, everyone! See you later!" and then awkwardly mounted her horse.

"Mount up!"

At Shimada Kai's command, the cavalrymen surrounding Elodie spurred their horses and whipped them into action.

The group walked slowly ahead, watched by Qing Deng and the others, and soon disappeared into the end of the road.

……

……

The first year of Yuanzhi (1864), December 20th——

Two days after the vanguard set off, the main force, led by Qingdeng, officially set off!

The mighty army marched westward, passing through six provinces: Settsu, Harima, Bizen, Bitchu, Bingo, and Aki, before finally reaching the front lines of the expedition.

Unlike the Eastern Kingdom, the Western Kingdom did not have a developed and mature transportation network of "five streets". The roads along the way were basically ordinary dirt roads that had not been compacted.

On sunny days, it rises into a thick dust storm; on rainy days, it turns into a mud pit.

Unfortunately, just as the army set off, it was hit by a torrential downpour – the "Mud General" arrived as expected.

Looking up, the entire road was full of potholes and incredibly muddy.

With one stomp, most of his foot sank into the hole.

Nausea, discomfort, and general malaise were exacerbated by the increased physical exertion, which significantly slowed down the march.

The people were alright, but the vehicles and horses—especially those carrying cannons—were greatly affected.

Cannons are heavy to begin with, and they're sure to get stuck in the mud.

The soldiers had to place thick wooden planks in front of the carriage wheels so that the carriages could travel on the planks and prevent the wheels from getting stuck in the mud.

Whenever he walks on these dirt roads, Qing Deng feels from the bottom of his heart: no wonder wearing socks and tabi socks was a symbol of status in the Edo period.

Japan has a hot and rainy climate, with rain every few days. Even when it's not raining, the swirling dust can still get your socks dirty.

No matter the time, socks always get dirty easily.

Ordinary people don't have the time or energy to wash socks every day.

In this kind of weather and road conditions, it's actually more comfortable to go barefoot.

Despite the setback caused by rain, the main force still managed to arrive at the front line before the scheduled time!

……

……

December 7, 1864 (the first year of the Genji era), nighttime —

At the border between Aki and Suo provinces (Gishu Pass), the main camp of the Shogunate army—

It was a moonless night, with thick clouds obscuring the moonlight.

As far as the eye could see, there was only the deep darkness of night; it wouldn't be an exaggeration to say that it was "so dark you couldn't see your hand or your finger."

There wasn't a breath of night wind, not a single insect chirping.

The temperature dropped sharply as night fell, filling the air with a cool night air.

The vanguard, led by Toshizo Hijikata and others who had arrived in advance, had already set up camp and built defensive fortifications such as trenches and watchtowers.

Torches were placed in various corners of the Mu army camp, illuminating the camp as if it were daytime.

Moreover, guards carrying torches could be seen patrolling everywhere in the camp.

Directly opposite the Mu army camp, about ten kilometers away on a flat area, lies a large camp.

This camp was also brightly lit as day because of the many torches—it was the main camp of the Changzhou Army!

At this moment, over a hundred generals, led by Hijikata Toshizo, gathered in the main camp tent.

The entourage inside the tent was truly luxurious.

There were Shinsengumi generals wearing light blue haori, as well as commanders of various domain armies such as Aizu, Satsuma, Owari, and Fukui.

"General Tachibana has arrived!"

At the shout that came from outside the tent, everyone inside stood up.

A moment later, Qing Deng, covered in dust, lifted the curtain and strode into the tent, heading straight for the main seat.

He arrived at the camp this evening and rushed over to hold a military meeting without even having time to change his clothes.

"All sit down."

He waved his hand, signaling the generals to take their seats.

"I'll skip the unnecessary small talk for now."

"Let's begin tonight's military strategy meeting!"

These words immediately caused a subtle change in the atmosphere.

Some of the generals, represented by the Shinsengumi, had their eyes shining and were full of energy, rubbing their hands together as if they would lead their troops straight to the Choshu camp without hesitation as soon as Seido gave the order.

Another group of people had indifferent expressions, showing a cold indifference to the war—of which Tokugawa Yoshikatsu, the lord of the Owari Domain, and Matsudaira Shigeaki, the lord of the Fukui Domain, were typical examples.

This reaction from these people was within Qing Deng's expectations.

Although the Owari and Fukui domains were close relatives of the Edo shogunate and branches of the Tokugawa family, with the lord of the Owari domain even having the privilege of bearing the surname "Tokugawa," it was certainly impossible to expect them to serve the shogunate in any real sense.

Even close relatives can become estranged after years of not visiting each other, let alone distant relatives who have been separated for nearly three hundred years.

The Nagatsu Domain was an exception, as its lords consistently upheld the ancestral precept of "fully supporting the shogunate."

Matsudaira Yōho (Lord of the Aizu Domain) is an exception and is different for the time being.

Other feudal lords, such as Tokugawa Yoshikatsu and Matsudaira Shigeaki, naturally prioritized the interests of their own domains.

Even if we destroy Choshu, only the shogunate will benefit. So why should we do something so thankless?

Therefore, they had no intention of participating in the war at all.

Even before the expedition began, Tokugawa Yoshikatsu and others had come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid military service, such as "insufficient troop strength" or "tight finances." In short, they all meant the same thing: find someone else; our domain will not participate in the war!

Of course, Tokugawa Iemochi would not tolerate these guys.

All you do is think about hiding in the back and enjoying yourselves. What use are you lords to me then?!

*******

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Chapter 898 Snowy Night Raid on Ankou! The Surprise Attack Begins! [4700]

Under the pressure of Tokugawa Iemochi, they had no choice but to lead their troops into battle, despite their reluctance.

Being forced to fight a war you don't want to fight at all, it's impossible to expect them to be friendly.

Of course, Qingdeng wouldn't have overly high expectations for these guys' combat strength or enthusiasm.

Qingdeng only had one requirement for them: Don't hold them back.

As long as they don't drag the team down, Qing Deng doesn't care whether they're there to create a lively atmosphere or to remain completely invisible.

After giving a brief opening speech, Aoto glanced sideways at Yamanami Keisuke beside him.

The other person nodded knowingly, then stood up abruptly.

"I am Yamanami Keisuke, elder of the Hatazu Domain and commander of the Shinsengumi."

"Next, please allow me to preside over this meeting."