I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

As far as Aoto knew, the only unit in the Choshu army with such skills was Takasugi Shinsaku's Special Forces!

Suddenly, a loud shout came from behind them:

"General! Chief of Staff!"

The two put down their binoculars and turned to look—the Fifth Division Captain, Niimi Nishiki, was striding towards them.

Although he cannot be compared with Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi, and others, Shinmi Nishiki, who is proficient in Shinto Munen-ryu, is also a formidable general.

Even before joining the Shinsengumi, he was already a well-known swordsman with a high profile in Mito, where he was known as "the Lion of Mito".

Just by looking at the thick bloodstains on his clothes, it's not hard to imagine his heroic posture as he fought bravely against the enemy.

After standing still in front of Qingdeng, Shinmi Nishiki slowly said:

"General Tachibana, Chief of Staff Yamanami, all those prisoners have confessed."

The “prisoners” he referred to were a group of enemy soldiers captured in the chaos of the morning.

Qingdeng was in dire need of intelligence—he didn't even know which unit of Changzhou these enemy soldiers belonged to, let alone who their commander was—so he sent Xinjian Jin to interrogate these prisoners.

Qing Deng raised his chin, indicating "Go ahead and speak."

Shinmi Nishiki understood immediately, cleared his throat, and slowly recounted all the intelligence he had gathered.

First, Qingdeng knew he had guessed correctly.

This unit that is stationed at Nangong Mountain is indeed the famous Qibing Team.

He learned that the Special Forces had been split into two parts: the majority, 1500 men, led by Shinsaku Takasugi, were sent to intercept the Shinsengumi; while the smaller 500 men, led by Kogoro Katsura, continued their advance into the Kanto region alongside the "Slavic Legion."

Then he learned who designed and deployed these troublesome defensive fortifications—Masujiro Ōmura, the strategist of the Special Forces.

Masujiro Ōmura… Aoto was not unfamiliar with this name—because this man had been quite famous for a long time!

His real name was Murata Ryoan. He was born in 1825 and was originally a doctor in the Choshu Domain.

His family had been practicing medicine for generations, and his father, Murata Takayoshi, was a renowned doctor in the village and well-versed in oriental studies.

Influenced by his family, Masujiro Ōmura began studying medicine and Dutch during his teenage years.

As is well known, "abandoning medicine for X" is a path that many celebrities inevitably take.

In his spare time as a doctor, Ōmura Masujirō, driven by a deep interest in military strategy, translated a large number of Dutch military treatises, thereby acquiring some knowledge of modern military tactics.

Shortly afterward, the "Black Ships Incident" broke out.

In order to maintain its rule, the shogunate ordered the various domains to purchase and manufacture advanced ships and guns, reform the outdated military system and tactics, and strengthen Japan's coastal defense.

However, for Japan, which had long practiced "national isolation," reforming the military was a challenge, and they didn't know where to begin. They didn't know how to implement measures to strengthen coastal defense, so the various domains actively sought out talented individuals.

In this context, Ōmura Masujirō was recommended in 1853 to accept a job offer from Date Munejō, the lord of the Uwajima Domain.

After being hired, Ōmura Masujirō's main tasks were to translate military books, teach Western military strategy, and guide the design and construction of artillery fortifications and the manufacture of warships.

During his tenure in the Uwajima Domain, he was ordered by the domain to travel to Nagasaki twice, in 1854 and 1855, where he systematically learned military knowledge and weapons technology from the Dutch.

Gradually, his outstanding military talent became more and more widely known.

In contemporary Japan, the number of people who are well-versed in Western military affairs can probably be counted on two hands.

In other words, when Aoto was still a nobody, Masujiro Omura was already a well-known military expert!

In 1860, Ōmura Masujirō, who was gaining fame for his military knowledge, was hired by the Chōshū Domain.

However, the Choshu Domain considered him to be of humble origin and therefore did not give him important positions, only intending to have him translate military books and give lectures.

After that, Aoto never heard from Masujiro Ōmura again.

Now, through the prisoners, Qingdeng has learned the rest of the story—

The Choshu Domain was unwilling to give Ōmura Masujirō a high position, which allowed Takasugi Shinsaku to take advantage of the situation.

Just like the Shinsengumi, the Kiheitai is a team that doesn't care about background.

Shinsaku Takasugi recognized Masujiro Omura's talent and actively recruited him, not looking down on him because of his humble origins.

No one knows the specifics of what happened.

In short, Masujiro Ōmura gladly accepted Shinsaku Takasugi's invitation to become a member of the Kiheitai (Special Forces).

Takasugi Shinsaku appointed him as the military commander of the Kiheitai—in short, he made him the Kiheitai's strategist, specifically responsible for improving the military system, training soldiers, and devising strategies.

"The Three Heroes of Choshu," Takasugi Shinsaku; "The Rare Strategist," Ōmura Masujirō; and a well-trained elite unit... Faced with this formidable lineup, Yamanami Keisuke shrugged with a wry smile and remarked:

"No wonder we had such a tough time..."

Qingdeng remained silent, and after a moment's thought, said to Xinjian Jin:

"Shinmi-kun, thank you for your hard work. You should go and rest now."

After letting Shinmi Nishiki step back to rest, Aoto picked up his binoculars again and gazed at the "rock wall" that was "covered" with muskets.

The more carefully he observed the entire "rock wall," the more solemn his expression became.

The location of this "rock wall" is extremely dangerous, like a high wall standing across a crossroads.

If the right wing of the Shinsengumi, led by Aoto, wanted to attack the top of Nangong Mountain, they had to pass through this "rock wall"!

It is not difficult to see that the enemy was well aware of the importance of this "rock wall" to the Shinsengumi.

Therefore, they deployed a large force here!

The vast majority of musketeers were positioned atop the rock face, where they had excellent visibility and enjoyed a superior position to unleash a barrage of fire from above.

In order to better search for and attack the Shinsengumi, they specifically cleared a fan-shaped open space in front of the rock face.

All the large stones were moved, and all the trees were cut down.

Thus, once the Shinsengumi attacks, they will be in a predicament where they have nowhere to avoid or hide.

In addition to muskets, they also displayed hand grenades during the recent exchange.

Who knows what other weapons they might pull out next?

It's not that you can't take a detour.

However, this would risk stretching the battle lines and exposing the flanks.

In mountainous terrain where communication and movement are difficult, if an army's flank is attacked, there is no time to return to provide support, and the army may be in danger of being overwhelmed.

Furthermore, taking a detour would waste a lot of time.

This was an unacceptable price for Aoto, who was in a hurry to get to Kanto.

In short, Qingdeng had no other choice but to find a way to break through this "rock wall" in front of him!

In Qingdeng's view, if the best strategy is to play it safe, then the best approach is undoubtedly to bring in cannons and bombard the "rock wall" with them!

But... moving the heavy cannons from the top of Mount Matsuo and then transporting them to Mount Nangong... this trip would take at least half a day!

Taking too long is not the best approach.

A direct, head-on attack is also not feasible.

This "rock wall" is so towering that hundreds of elite soldiers are on high alert here. It is unknown how many lives will be lost before it can be taken down.

In this way... there's only one strategy left to choose from...

With this thought in mind, Qing Deng lowered his eyelids, a complex expression on his face.

At that moment, out of the blue, Yamanami Keisuke chuckled softly.

"Tachibana-kun, what are you hesitating about?"

"Your thoughts should align with mine."

"So... give the order quickly."

"Let me lead the team to draw the enemy's attention from the front, while you lead a small elite force, including Souji and Saito, to scale the 'rock wall' from the side and launch a surprise attack!"

*******

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Today is November 13th on the lunar calendar, which is Leopard's father's birthday! I was busy celebrating Leopard's father's birthday today, so there are a few fewer words... (crying Leopard head.jpg)

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

Tachibana Aoto and Ōtakemaru had a one-on-one duel, but the final winner was Kappa – Reflections on this year's TGA.

What? You're asking me who the Kappa is?

That's right! That's my biggest takeaway from this year's TGA!

Who the hell are you?

Chapter 923 Yamanami Keisuke's "Defection" and the Hussite Tank! [5000]

"..."

Qingdeng pursed his lips and did not respond.

Openly repairing the plank road while secretly crossing the Chencang pass—a tactic that never fails.

If we want to take down this "rock wall" at the lowest possible cost, then the only option is to launch a surprise attack!

Send out a suicide squad to act as the "main force" and draw the enemy's attention from the front, so that the enemy has no time to look elsewhere.

Next, an elite force was dispatched as a "surprise attack" to sneak around and ambush the enemy.

In this way, there will be a chance to win in one battle!

In theory, this strategy is undoubtedly the most suitable for the current Shinsengumi.

But... setting aside everything else, just figuring out how to form that "regular army" responsible for drawing the enemy's attention is a huge problem.

The enemy's firepower was incredibly fierce, and they held an overwhelming advantage in terrain.

The vegetation and rocks in front of the "rock wall" have been completely cleared, so if a frontal assault is launched, the area will be completely exposed to enemy fire.

Engaging in a direct confrontation with the enemy on an open field with no cover, and holding out until the "surprise attack" completes its mission... calling it "nine deaths and one life" seems too simplistic and inappropriate.

No matter how brave, tenacious, and well-trained the Shinsengumi members were, they were still just mortals.

Forcing them to fight in battles where nine out of ten will result in certain death will make them feel guilty and afraid.