I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Saito Yakuro was the only exception.

At 66 years old, he is one of the oldest swordsmen in Edo.

Logically speaking, as the renowned "Saito of Power" who was famous throughout Edo, his dedication to and love for swordsmanship should be second to none.

However, the "Black Ships Incident" made him realize that cannons were the most important weapon on the battlefield.

Therefore, he immediately abandoned swordsmanship and handed over the training hall he had painstakingly built to his eldest son, Saito Shintaro, without hesitation. He then purchased 3000 tsubo (approximately 1,500 square meters) of land in Yoyogi, where he and his disciples practiced building fortifications, devoted themselves to studying artillery, and enthusiastically embarked on a new career.

Despite being quite old, his thinking wasn't rigid; he dared to embrace new things and resolutely gave up skills he had honed for decades...

Such vision and decisiveness are truly admirable.

What's even more commendable is that Saito Yakuro's study of artillery was not just a casual hobby, but something he actually made a name for himself!

When the shogunate was building the fortifications for the defense of Edo Bay in Shinagawa Odaiba, they specifically hired Saito Yataro to be in charge of surveying and supervision.

Today, in order to defeat the Faki coalition, he has been conscripted once again.

This time, it wasn't just him who was conscripted, but the entire "Saito Artillery Corps" that he had personally trained!

Saito Yakuro did not hesitate at all and immediately nodded in agreement, leading all his disciples to join the battle!

This was the first time he and his artillery unit had participated in actual combat.

Watching the shells burst from the barrel and fall onto the enemy's positions, a strong sense of pride and satisfaction filled his heart.

For industrialists like him, nothing is more exciting than achieving results and having their businesses recognized!

The father and son stood side by side, quietly watching this memorable scene.

At that moment, Shintaro Saito seemed to remember something, and his expression changed slightly.

Then, he turned his head, lowered his voice, and said to Saito Yakuro with a complicated expression.

"...Father, I've heard that Gui Jun... Gui Jun is right across the street..."

As soon as he finished speaking, a strange expression appeared on Saito Yakuro's face.

Katsura-kun... also known as Katsura Kogoro, was originally a disciple of the training school.

In other words, he was a disciple of Saito Yakuro.

Because of his exceptional swordsmanship and outstanding strength, Saito Yakuro valued him highly.

They not only nurtured him with great effort, but even appointed him as a teacher training instructor at the training center.

His high regard for Katsura Kogoro is evident.

Former master and disciple, now facing each other as enemies... Saito Yakuro's feelings at this moment are truly difficult to describe with specific words.

Although his emotions and demeanor became unstable, he quickly regained his previous calm.

Then, in a tone devoid of both joy and sorrow, he said:

"...Shintaro, don't let your mind wander."

“‘Training Hall Teacher Dai Gui Xiaowulang’ no longer exists.”

"The one standing opposite us right now is 'Katsura Kogoro, the Choshu Patriot'!"

"I have no idea what Gui Jun is feeling right now."

"But I'm sure that for today, for this battle, he was fully prepared to die at any moment!"

"Now that he has come to this realization, we should naturally respond with the same unwavering determination!"

"Shintaro, if you ever encounter him again, don't hesitate, and don't let past feelings hold you back! Swing your sword! Swing it with all your might! Defeat him with all your might!"

Upon hearing this, Shintaro Saito's expression hardened, and he nodded vigorously with a solemn expression:

"Yes...I understand!"

……

……

At this moment, in addition to Saito Yakuro's artillery, the artillery of the Jiangwu Army also fired back.

"Raise by 2 degrees! Lower by 4 degrees! Release!"

Artillery instructor Takashima Akiho from the military academy issued precise instructions in a methodical manner.

Unlike Saito Yakuro, who came to the field later in life, Takashima Shuho, who is also 66 years old, is a true master of artillery!

In his youth, he studied Dutch studies and military affairs, learned gunpowder and artillery-making techniques from the Dutch, mastered the essentials, and created Western-style artillery. In addition, he was also proficient in the organization and tactics of infantry, cavalry, and artillery.

In terms of artillery skills alone, no one in all of Japan can match him!

Under his command, shells landed precisely on the enemy's positions.

Neither side had a significant difference in the density of the artillery barrage nor the accuracy of the shells.

For a time, the artillery of the two armies fought back and forth, evenly matched.

The cannons roared, and the barrage of bullets flew... The commotion in the air was terrifying, as if giants were striding through the air, sometimes heading towards Edo, sometimes towards the positions of the Faki Allied Forces.

The soldiers of the Faki Allied Forces were all well-trained and elite troops.

No matter how fierce or intense the artillery barrage, it could not affect their morale in the slightest.

Moreover, they had recently experienced an incredibly fierce battle for the Eighth Prince.

In other words, those who have survived are all veterans who have seen blood and tasted the bitterness of war.

Those who frequently engage in warfare know that once soldiers have experienced actual combat—even just one—their mental fortitude will undergo a dramatic transformation.

Of course, this change often presents two extremes—either becoming extremely fragile, preferring death to returning to the battlefield; or becoming very strong, becoming an excellent soldier capable of adapting to various battlefield environments.

No matter how the Edo garrison fired their cannons, the soldiers of the Faki Allied Forces remained unmoved.

They stayed quietly in the bomb shelter, waiting silently for the artillery battle to end.

In comparison, Edo was...

"Aaaaaaah! Aaaaaaah! Aaaaaah!"

"Don't shout! Don't run around!"

"Fire! Fire!"

"Don't panic! This little flame won't spread! It's nothing to worry about!"

"Nanny! Nanny! Nanny, where are you?!"

"That's enough! How old are you? Do you still need a wet nurse?"

"I don't care! I want my wet nurse! Wet nurse! Where are you?!"

"I can't take it anymore! I want to leave! Let me go!"

"Come back quickly! Don't wander off!"

……

Chaos reigns.

Moreover, it's a chaotic situation that's both laughable and infuriating.

Some people were like madmen, shouting and yelling incessantly.

Some people wept bitterly, repeatedly calling out "Mom," and quite a few called her "wet nurse."

Some people ran around aimlessly, even running into the enemy's barrage of bullets.

As it turns out, the direct advisors were indeed a bunch of hopeless idiots.

The direct staff members also resisted Tokugawa Iemochi's order to "force participation in the war" and tried to evade military service.

Unfortunately, this order was based on the very "ancestral laws" that the direct staff often talked about.

According to ancestral laws, it is a matter of course for warriors to go to the battlefield.

It is well-reasoned and supported by evidence, and there is nothing wrong with it.

No matter how hard they tried, they couldn't find anything to refute.

Furthermore, even the shogun himself did not leave Edo. It would be unreasonable and illogical for his subjects to run away.

Since participation in the war was unavoidable, they made up their minds and decided to fight in their most dashing and majestic form! They would never disgrace their family!

And so they all donned their battle robes, chainmail, and ancestral gowns... their attire was quite magnificent.

Those who do not have this equipment, or who have already sold it, can only purchase it from weapon shops.

The weapons dealers in Edo made a fortune as a result.

Of course, a large part of the reason they were fully armed was for self-defense.

Wearing an extra layer of armor will slightly increase your chances of survival.

A similar scenario played out when the "Black Ships Incident" first broke out.

At that time, rumors circulated among the people of Edo that "the barbarians are about to invade."

In order to survive the impending "barbarian invasion," a large number of samurai—who had become accustomed to a comfortable life and some had even sold their swords—rushed to weapon shops to urgently purchase equipment, nearly tearing down the doorsteps of the weapon shops.

Even today, Edo-era arms dealers still reminisce about the "Black Ships Incident".

The fact that the officers were dressed so elaborately and imposingly only made them look even more ridiculous.

Despite being dressed respectably, they made a complete fool of themselves under the enemy's barrage of artillery fire...

The direct subordinates have once again demonstrated the nature of human history through their actions: no matter how powerful a military clique is, once it secures a stable income and begins to live a life of leisure, it will sooner or later become a useless piece of trash.

……

……

About half an hour later—

Edo, Mount Atago —

Those worthless idiots are dressed like respectable people.

Despite being the sole breadwinner, Katsura Rintaro dressed remarkably simply.

He wasn't wearing armor, only a chainmail underneath his clothes.