I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Upon learning that Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi and the Ōmitsho Tenshōin were determined to defend Edo to the death and refuse to evacuate, many people were moved and their emotions became passionate and stirring.

"here you go!"

Harada Sanosuke slapped his thigh and exclaimed excitedly:

"This is the responsibility a samurai leader should have! With the Shogun's courage alone, I, Harada Sanosuke, will do anything to rescue the Shogun!"

A superior leader... and even one's immediate boss, personally leading the charge—this is an inspiring thing, no matter the era or the place.

From Tokugawa Ieyasu onwards, successive shoguns generally lacked both martial prowess and martial virtue.

In particular, the recent emergence of a mentally challenged shogun (Tokugawa Iesada) who was always by his wet nurse's side made everyone forget that the shogun was the supreme leader of the samurai class.

Tokugawa Iemochi demonstrated the demeanor of a shogun with great responsibility... As for the other troops, Aoto doesn't know yet, but the morale of the Shinsengumi has indeed been effectively boosted.

Does anyone have any further questions?

Qing Deng asked.

Before long, Nagakura Shinpachi raised his hand:

"Mr. Tachibana, you will personally oversee the right flank, and not only that, the strongest unit, the First Division, will also be deployed there... Does this mean that the right flank is our main attack direction?"

Qingdeng immediately replied:

"To be precise, both the left and right flanks are the main attack directions, and there is no distinction between main attack, secondary attack, and feint attack."

"There is no particular reason why I chose to take the lead on the right wing."

"Whether it's the left wing or the right wing, no matter where I am, I will personally take to the front lines!"

"So... fellow right-wingers, please make sure you keep up with my pace of attack and don't fall behind."

Upon hearing this, the generals on the right wing felt a chill run down their spines.

Everyone was already used to Qing Deng personally taking the lead.

If Qingdeng stayed behind to guard the rear, they would be surprised.

Does anyone have any further questions?

Qing Deng scanned the entire audience once again.

This time, the tent was completely quiet.

Everyone stared intently at Qing Deng, their eyes burning with surging fighting spirit.

Even those who had been nervous and apprehensive beforehand suppressed their fear and anxiety.

Seeing that no one asked any questions, Qing Deng straightened up, placed his hand on his sword, and said calmly:

"Since no one has any questions, let's adjourn the meeting!"

"Everyone, go and rest."

"The attack will begin at 8:00 AM tomorrow!"

……

……

That night--

Nanjo Akizaburo, the medical officer of the Shinsengumi's medical unit, carried his medical kit and strode towards the commander's tent.

During the day, he was asked by Qing Deng to see a doctor and get some medicine because the chief was unwell and had been coughing.

Since it was his superior's order, Nanjo Akizaburo naturally dared not disobey.

Upon learning that the military council of Qingdeng had ended and that all the generals had returned to their respective tents, Nanjo Akizaburo immediately grabbed his medicine box and headed straight for the commander's tent.

He was convinced that the commander-in-chief had not yet rested.

Unexpectedly... when he arrived at his destination, he found that the commander's camp was completely dark.

Upon seeing this, Nanjo Akizaburo immediately frowned and cautiously called out into the tent:

"Captain! Captain Okita! I am the head of the medical team, Nanjo Akizaburo! I have been entrusted by the Admiral to treat you!"

Soon, the commander's response came from inside the tent:

"Um... It's Mr. Nanjo... I'm sorry, tomorrow is the day the war starts, and I'm a little tired, so I'm going to sleep now. Please come back later."

Upon hearing this, Nanjo Akizaburo immediately frowned.

Making a wasted trip... no one would be happy about that.

However, Nanjo Akizaburo quickly calmed down.

Captain Okita is right! Tomorrow is the day the battle begins, and as the captain of the First Division, he naturally needs to rest early and conserve his energy!

Regardless, since they've already gone to bed, it's inappropriate to forcibly drag them out of bed.

After a moment's hesitation, Nanjo Akizaburo responded loudly:

"Alright then... I'll come back later! Captain Okita, I'm sorry to disturb your rest, I'll come back later! Best of luck in battle!"

"Um... I'm sorry... I made you come all this way for nothing..."

"It's alright, it's not far. You should continue to rest! I'll take my leave first!"

After saying that, Nanjo Akizaburo carried his medicine box and returned along the same route.

Shortly after he left, a series of rapid, intermittent coughs came from inside the general's tent...

……

……

The next day, early morning, at 5:00 AM —

Sekigahara, Mount Matsuo——

The pale yellow sun slowly rose from behind the eastern mountains.

The dawn pierced through the clouds, illuminating the sky, the mountains, and the rows of cannons on Mount Matsuo!

The Shinsengumi's cannons, along with those provided by the Karasuniya, were arranged in a tight artillery formation!

The dark, menacing muzzles of the cannons were all pointed diagonally at Nangong Mountain in the distance.

Each cannon has been meticulously adjusted to ensure that the shells will land accurately in Nangong Mountain after firing.

In fact, such a large goal doesn't need careful adjustments at all.

Any gunner who has received some training can accurately hit the target!

With such a large artillery array, it's easy to imagine that once the order is given, a barrage of shells will rain down on Nangong Mountain!

Qingdeng stood on the mountainside of Songwei Mountain, gazing at Nangong Mountain in the distance while occasionally looking down at the pocket watch in his hand.

Juro Abe stood beside him, waiting quietly.

Soon... the hour hand on the pocket watch pointed to "8", and the minute hand pointed to "12"...

Looking at the time displayed on the pocket watch, Qing Deng silently closed the watch cover, then turned his head and gestured to Abe Juro with his eyes.

This was the look Abe Juro had been waiting for... He immediately straightened up and raised the command flag high in his hand—

"fire!"

The next instant, a deafening roar dominated the entire Mt. Matsuo!

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom...

The cannons roared, shaking the entire mountain!

One after another, countless orbs of light, barely visible to the naked eye, rose high into the air, tracing beautiful parabolas before crashing heavily into Nangong Mountain!

Almost at the same time that Mt. Matsuo roared, Mt. Sasao to the north also erupted with a roar that was no less impressive!

The artillery positions on Mount Sasao are firing!

Countless orbs of light from two directions poured down like raindrops!

In the blink of an eye, bursts of flame erupted on Nangong Mountain! The flames leaped upwards like fountains!

The trees disappeared.

The stone shattered.

They were smashed, ground, and torn to pieces by the shells!

"Shells! Give me cannonballs!"

"Run! Everyone, run! Get the shells!"

"The barrage of artillery fire must not stop!"

Whether at the artillery positions on Mount Sasao or Mount Matsuo, the members of the Eleventh Division were extremely busy.

The person in charge of firing the cannon continuously pulled the pin on the cannon.

The people responsible for transporting the shells carried them with their feet barely touching the ground.

Qingdeng coldly watched all of this, letting Nangong Mountain be engulfed by a hail of bullets and a sea of ​​flames.

This relentless barrage of artillery fire seemed like a signal: symbolizing the official start of a world-renowned war!

In 1864, the first year of the Genji era, the Second Battle of Sekigahara began!

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I'm busy today, so the word count is a bit low. Even so, I still want monthly votes! (Crying leopard head.jpg) Please vote for me! Please recommend me! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

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Chapter 919 Nioh rushes into battle and [Demon Sword Muramasa] [5700]

Shelling, shelling, and more shelling.

Bomb, bomb, and bomb again!

Once it's fired, load another one.