I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Many of the foods and restaurants that are now familiar to us emerged during this period.

Moreover, the eating habits of Edo people also underwent a huge change, from the original "two meals a day" to the now common "three meals a day".

In retrospect, the Meireki Restoration not only gave Edo a new lease on life, but also brought a better life to the people of Edo.

With the Meireki Reconstruction as a prime example, many Edo residents were optimistic that this war might be the catalyst for another "rebirth" for Edo!

……

……

"Kids! Come with me! Our job is to repair the bridges in Tokei! It's not a difficult job! Since we've met, I'll treat you to drinks tonight! Consider it a welcome dinner!"

As soon as the foreman finished speaking, cheers erupted all around him, growing louder and louder.

About twenty strong and robust young men surrounded the foreman, and the group hurried away from Nihonbashi, heading towards Okecho.

Encouraged by the foreman's words, they were all eager to get started and extremely excited, impatient to show their skills on the construction site.

Where young people gather, there is always noise.

Although they came from all over the country and didn't know each other, they quickly started chatting enthusiastically.

"Okemachi... I remember the famous Chiba Sword Hall is in Okemachi, right?"

"That's right!"

“Great! Maybe we’ll run into Chiba Sanako, the ‘most beautiful woman in Edo’! I’ve heard that Chiba Sanako is a beauty that comes along only once in ten years! If I can meet her, I can brag about it to my fellow villagers when I go back to my hometown!”

Upon hearing this, the foreman gave a cold laugh and turned to look at the other person with a playful expression.

"Want to see Chiba Sanako? You wish! Too bad, your plan is doomed to fail! Chiba Sanako married and moved away a long time ago! I heard she even has a child now!"

"What?! Chiba Sanako got married?! Which bastard is so lucky?!"

"'Nioh' Tachibana Aoden."

"Oh...uh...sorry...I spoke recklessly just now and accidentally offended Lord Niou. Please don't spread rumors..."

The foreman laughed heartily:

"Don't worry! Lord Renwang is different from other lords! He is very approachable and has a very broad mind! He won't hold a grudge over such a small matter! Even if your boastful words just now reached his ears, he will definitely just laugh it off!"

When Nioh was mentioned, everyone perked up.

There are two timeless topics among men that transcend age, region, and race.

The first is "sex," and the second is "political commentary."

They've already talked about the former; it's time to move on to the latter!

In this way, the conversation smoothly transitioned from "Edo's most beautiful woman" to "King Ni," who had just performed meritorious service in saving the country.

"Lord Niou is truly amazing!"

"It's a pity I have an elderly mother at home, and I can't bear to leave her. Otherwise, I really want to go to Ōtsu to seek refuge with Lord Niō!"

"Lord Niou has performed another extraordinary feat, and this time it's a great achievement that saved Edo and the shogunate! I wonder what kind of reward he will receive this time!"

"A reward? I doubt it! Haven't you heard of storytelling? Unparalleled feats are the hardest to reward! Besides, Lord Renwang has already run out of rewards to give!"

“That’s right! In terms of fiefdom, he is a daimyo with 40 koku of land; in terms of official rank, he is the commander-in-chief of the army, which controls the entire army of the shogunate. What more could the shogunate possibly give him?”

"The 'Commander-in-Chief of the Army' position is already created based on a specific person! If we were to create a new position, what would it be?"

"'Grand Commander-in-Chief of the Army and Navy'?"

"Fool! How could a mere subject be allowed to wield such power!"

"In my opinion, at most we'll grant Lord Ren a little more land, and then contact the court to promote him to a higher rank."

"Such a reward is far too meager!"

Everyone was enthusiastically discussing "Niou's Reward," so engrossed in the conversation that no one could convince anyone else.

But just then, a kind-looking fellow suddenly interrupted:

"With such formidable strength and such high popularity, Lord Renwang could easily declare himself the new general, right?"

In an instant, the entire hall fell silent...

Upon hearing this, everyone fell silent.

They all widened their eyes, then turned their heads in unison, casting shocked and resentful glances at the foul-mouthed guy.

At the same time, the foreman leading the way suddenly turned pale.

"Don't say things like that!"

He glared at the other person with a fierce look.

"How can you just say something like that?!"

The other person belatedly realized they had said the wrong thing and hurriedly lowered their head to admit their mistake.

"I'm sorry... I misspoke..."

The sincerity is commendable, but it's too late!

"Get out of here! I don't want you anymore! Go wherever you want!"

“Hey? Foreman, I…”

"Get out of here!"

"I……"

"roll!"

Seeing that the foreman's attitude was firm, the man dared not utter another word. He lowered his head dejectedly, turned around and left in a sorry state, disappearing into the crowd in the blink of an eye.

After watching the other person run away, the foreman gasped for breath and looked around nervously, observing the crowd around him.

At this moment, what appeared to be a peaceful crowd to others resembled, in his eyes, a dark and terrifying forest, as if teeming with countless jackals!

Then, with a heavy expression, he murmured slowly:

"Especially at this critical juncture, you should not say such things..."

……

……

That foul-mouthed guy is gone.

However, the negative impact he brought about still exists.

Because of his words, everyone lost their appetite for conversation and silently hurried on their way, rushing towards Tokei as if they were fleeing.

What's remarkable is that several people have been unusually quiet since just now.

These people walked silently at the very back of the group, not uttering a word even during the noisiest and most lively times of conversation.

Suddenly, one of them slightly tilted his eye to look at Edo Castle in the distance, his gaze deep and thoughtful...

……

……

December 28th... For most of the samurai and commoners in Edo, this day was nothing special, just two days before New Year's Eve.

This day was uneventful, neither surprising nor frightening, seemingly the best description of the word "peaceful".

However... this calm only lasted until noon.

At noon today, a sudden and shocking piece of news shattered the peace of Edo—the shogunate announced that the Shinsengumi would be transferred to the "Thirty-Six Imperial Guards" to protect Edo Castle!

The reason given by the shogunate for this transfer order was that "after the war, the defenses of Edo Castle became extremely weak, and for safety reasons, the Shinsengumi were temporarily stationed at the 'Thirty-sixth Kensō'."

On the surface, this reasoning is impeccable.

The recent fierce battle did indeed result in heavy casualties for the general's personal guards—the Ōbanku, Koshimonku, and Shoinbanku.

At that time, Shuten-dōji and his men's relentless advance turned Edo Castle into a "city of blood"...

Unable to replenish the losses of the Imperial Guard in a short time, the Shinsengumi were transferred to protect Edo Castle—at first glance, this seems reasonable.

However... although this transfer order seemed to have no problems, everyone could sense something different about it!

The deployment of foreign troops to replace the Imperial Guards—this is an unusual signal, regardless of the era or country!

Moreover, everyone knows that the Shinsengumi is nominally the army of the shogunate, but in reality, it is Seito's private army!

The "Thirty-Six Fortified Gates" were a crucial defensive line of Edo Castle; whoever controlled the "Thirty-Six Fortified Gates" controlled Edo Castle.

The transfer of the Shinsengumi to garrison the "Thirty-sixth Kintoku"... this is tantamount to giving Aoto control of Edo Castle!

This is very unusual... especially at a time when the news that "Ju Qingdeng is going to rebel" is circulating among the people, which makes people think even more!

At some point, everyone started talking about it: Tachibana Aoto is the An Lushan and Akechi Mitsuhide of our time, and he is about to rebel!

*******

*******

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

Chapter 974 The Approaching Civil War of the Shogunate! [4400]

Edo, a certain izakaya (Japanese pub) —

"Hey, have you heard about that?"

"what's up?"

"It's...it's just...uh..."

"Why are you stammering! Just say what you have to say!"

"Ahem, ahem, what I'm about to say might be a bit scary, so be careful and don't scream."

"Just tell me already, don't keep me in suspense!"

"It is said... it is really just hearsay, but Lord Niou is preparing to raise an army in rebellion."

"What?! Created..."