I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

The original purpose of building Goryokaku was to defend against possible invasion by foreign enemies—the "foreign enemies" actually referred specifically to the Kingdom of Russia.

As is well known, the Kingdom of Lucia has an extraordinary desire for land; they want good land, and they also want bad land.

Fifty years before the "Black Ships Incident," the Russians began their invasion of Ezo (1806-1807). Because it occurred during the Bunka era, it is historically known as the "Bunka-Russian Invasion Incident."

The purpose of building the Five-Tiered Fortress was to defend against the Kingdom of Lucia.

Although the garrison of Wulingguo knew they bore a heavy responsibility, they also understood that, given the current situation, the possibility of the Russo attacking was very small.

Therefore, looking around, every single one of the garrison soldiers of Wulingguo was slacking off as if seeking revenge, and there were very few who were actually sticking to their posts.

They were either playing cards, or chatting in groups... doing all sorts of things, but not working.

"By the way, did you know? Okita Souji, the captain of the first division of the Shinsengumi, is sick."

"Is she sick? What's wrong with her?"

"I don't know. I only heard that she hasn't shown her face for several months. The Shinsengumi said she was recuperating from her injuries, but everyone suspects she is seriously ill, and some people even say she is dead."

"She couldn't possibly be dead! How could such an extraordinary woman like her die so easily!"

"Ah, I really envy Niou. Not only did he marry the 'most beautiful woman in Edo,' but he also married so many beautiful women. If I could marry Captain Okita, I would be willing to give up ten years of my life... no, twenty years!"

"Come on! You've never even met Captain Okita, have you?"

"I've never met Captain Okita, but her reputation as a 'beautiful girl' has spread far and wide! To be recognized as a 'beautiful girl,' she must be an extraordinary beauty!"

Similar pointless conversations could be heard throughout Goryokaku.

They chatted as usual, slacked off as usual, and whiled away the days as usual... The garrison of Wulingguo thought that today would pass by as usual.

However, at that very moment, in a completely unexpected instant—

boom!

A shell pierced the sky and landed inside the Wulingguo! An explosion followed immediately!

The peace within Goryokaku was shattered by the explosion of this shell.

"W-What's going on?!"

"A shell! It's a shell!"

"Is it an enemy attack?"

"do not know!"

"Has the Ruko attacked?"

"I already said I don't know!"

"Get back to your posts! Everyone get back to your posts!"

Despite their slacking off, in a moment of urgency, the guards, though in disarray, quickly returned to their posts.

An officer raised his binoculars and looked outside the fort.

In no time, his face turned as pale as if it had been smeared with white paint.

A large number of enemy troops emerged from outside the fortress.

However, they were not the high-nosed, deep-eyed Lu Kos, but rather people of the same yellow race, dressed in strangely styled clothing.

People elsewhere might not recognize these clothes, but for the garrison of Wulingbao, they were highly recognizable.

The officer swallowed hard, then stammered:

"It's...it's the Ainu! The Ainu are attacking!"

"Ainu people? You're not mistaken, are you?"

"There's no mistake! It's the Ainu who have attacked!"

It was indeed the barbarians who attacked—but a different group of barbarians!

The Ainu, the indigenous people of Ezochi, launched an attack on Goryokaku!

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It's almost the end of the month again! Readers with monthly passes, please be sure to vote for this book! (crying leopard head.jpg)

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

P.S.: The Goryokaku arc is now open! Since it's a Bakumatsu-themed story, how could I not write about Goryokaku? (Leopard High.jpg)

Chapter 1050 The Unkillable "Undying Legion" [4200]

Clothing made from tree bark fibers and fish skin; uniquely styled patterns... these are the distinctive features of the Ainu people, who were despised as "Ezo" by the Japanese!

The defenders were shocked and dumbfounded by the sudden attack of the Ainu army.

It's no wonder they acted that way.

Since they had been stationed at Goryokaku, they had considered the possibility of an attack by the Russo pirates, as well as the possibility of the various domains of Oshu raising the banner of rebellion and seizing this most important fortress in the northern border.

But they never expected the Ainu to attack!

Let alone the industrial age, the Ainu people had not even entered the feudal era. They were still in a tribal era where they lived by fishing and hunting, and their level of civilization was quite low.

Once upon a time, the Ainu and the Wa people were rivals who fought a protracted war for survival. The "Yi" in "Zheng Yi Da Jiang Jun" (General Who Subdues the Barbarians) specifically refers to the Emishi.

It wasn't until the Japanese absorbed Chinese civilization and achieved a leap in the level of civilization that the balance of power in the war gradually tilted in their favor.

As early as a thousand years ago, the Ainu people were defeated by the Horde and gradually driven to this harsh, northern land.

Because of their low level of civilization, the Ainu people had low productivity and lacked even iron smelting technology. Their most commonly used weapon was a simple hunting bow.

If someone were to tell the garrison of Wulingguo, "The Ainu people intend to take Wulingguo," they would surely burst into laughter, and then respond with a sarcastic, "How are they going to take Wulingguo? With their hunting bows?"

However, what was the scene that came into the eyes of the defending soldiers at this moment?

The Ainu army rushing towards Wulingguo was incredibly well-equipped! Every single one of them was armed with a brand-new flintlock musket!

The Ajun army had a 100% firearms equipment rate... Such a scene almost made the defending troops think they were dreaming.

Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo! Woo!

One shell after another rose into the sky, trailing long tails as they fell into the Wulingguo area.

Faced with the current urgent situation, the defending troops had no time to be surprised and hurriedly went to their posts to prepare for battle.

"Run! Run! Don't dawdle! If the fortress falls, we'll all die!"

"Damn it! How come the Ezo have guns and cannons?!"

"Forget about it! Third Captain! Where the hell is your French cannon? Bring it over here right now!"

Even the most fortified fortress needs a powerful army to defend it.

The long period of slacking off had severely damaged the military skills of the Wulingguo garrison.

Ah Jun was almost at the foot of the city wall when they finally launched their counterattack, albeit reluctantly.

However, Wulingguo truly lives up to its reputation as a top-tier fortress.

The five-pointed star design eliminates blind spots while maximizing firepower, enabling crossfire coverage from any position.

One cannon after another began to unleash their power, and one gun after another spat out tongues of fire.

Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom! Boom!

The shell burst from the barrel and crashed down on the A-jun like a meteorite, sending up wave after wave of dust.

The soldiers of the Afghan army were exceptionally brave. Even when facing crossfire from the defending troops, they still charged forward courageously without ever retreating.

"Shoot! You don't need to hit the target! Just make sure the enemy doesn't dare to show their faces." (Ainu words)

The flintlock rifles issued to the Afghan army were not just for show.

At a command, they began firing their guns while maintaining their speed.

Although the accuracy was frighteningly low, and you couldn't fire another shot after firing one—you couldn't reload the flintlock pistol while running—it was enough.

When the Afghan army's barrage swept across the city wall, many of the defenders shrank back in fear and hid under the battlements.

The soldiers in the Afghan army were very skilled at firing their guns, clearly indicating that they had received specialized training and were not novices.

Taking advantage of the moment when the defenders' firepower was suppressed, they seized the opportunity to close the distance and rush toward the city wall that was just inches away.

However, when they reached the foot of the city wall, the casualty rate began to rise sharply.

The closer to the city wall, the more effective the bastion's crossfire advantage becomes.

Bullets flew in all directions, weaving a deadly net that captured the lives of the Afghan soldiers.

One by one, the Afghan soldiers, riddled with bullet holes, lay motionless on the ground in their charging stance.

Seeing that Ah Jun was still unable to climb the city wall, the panic of the defending troops gradually subsided, and their morale was able to recover.

However, at this moment, a sudden change occurred.

Ugh—!

It was the sound of artillery shells cutting through the air again.

However, this time the sound of wind breaking was particularly heavy... as if a mountain was flying over!

In an instant, the "mountain" fell into the five-sided walled city—

boom!!

The deafening explosion nearly robbed all the defenders of their hearing.

Countless bits of dirt and debris shot up like a fountain, covering the defenders completely.

A slightly knowledgeable sergeant recognized the type of shell and screamed:

"It's naval guns! Naval guns are firing!"

The soldiers with binoculars picked them up and looked out at the sea.

On the sea not far from Wulingguo, three steam warships lay sideways, their cannons aimed at Wulingguo!

"Whose warships are those?!"