Turning back time a little bit -
In the first year of Wanyan (1860), August 28, morning——
Edo, Edo Castle, Black Academy——
Got it——! Got it——! Got it——!
The distant wind brought the chirping of cicadas that came and went.
Wearing the most solemn but unflattering formal attire of a samurai: Aoshinobu, sitting boredly on the side of Edo Castle's Black Academy.
My waist and legs, which were aching from sitting, felt numb and numb, as if electric current was constantly flowing through them.
In order to reduce the burden on his waist and legs, Qingdeng had to bend his back slightly and put his whole body's weight on his right leg to give his left leg a temporary rest.
When his right leg is almost overwhelmed, he will shift his body's center of gravity to his left leg and switch to his right leg to rest... Qingdeng just keeps alternating his center of gravity on his legs.
——It’s so boring to death...
Qingdeng raised his head in boredom and looked at the scenery outside the window and the room he was currently in. It was so spacious that his words could be echoed.
——Why hasn’t the general come here yet... How long do you have to wait for me?
Since the end of the fireworks display, Qingdeng has been preparing for today's "visit to the city".
The stipulated time for the interview is 10 a.m. on August 28... But from entering Edo Castle to meeting the general, there are a lot of complicated procedures to go through.
So, "get dressed and go out at 9 o'clock, and meet Tokugawa Iemo on time at 10 o'clock"... This kind of thing is absolutely impossible to happen.
In order not to be late, today, when it was still dark, Qingnobo, with the help of his old servant of the Tachibana family, Jiubei, put on a formal attire embroidered with the gentian leaf, the crest of the Tachibana family.
Kubei cried excitedly while helping Aoto get dressed.
You can't blame Kubei for being sentimental.
Jiage was promoted from "imperial family" to "banner" and was summoned by the general - in the view of the martial arts family in this era, this was a great honor.
While Jiubei was crying, he said to Qingden with excitement: "Young Master, if I see your current achievements, I will be very proud!"
The old protagonist—Aoden’s father: Tachibana Takayuki.
The person who came to pick up Qingdeng came very early.
When the sky had just begun to show a hint of morning color, several young warriors wearing exquisite ceremonial attire appeared outside the gate of the trial defense hall, carrying a rather ornate sedan chair.
In order to show his respect for Aonto and his expectation for today's meeting, Tokugawa Iemo gave a clear order: to use a sedan to take Tachibana Aoto into the city!
The general sent a sedan chair to take his ministers into the city... This was not a particularly unusual thing, so there was no need to make a fuss.
Under the watch of Kubei and other relatives and friends, Aoto got into this gorgeous sedan and officially set off for Edo Castle.
By the way - one of the people who came to see Qingden off was Souji.
It was really difficult for Souji, who was always a sleepy one, to get up before it was even bright.
But Souji still withstood the heavy mental attacks from "Sleepy Man", straightened his body and crawled out of bed with zombie-like cold movements.
When he, Kubei, and others stood outside the gate of the Imperial Guard Hall to watch Seito leave, Souji slumped his head, shoulders, and waist as if his entire upper body had no bones.
A pair of beautiful eyes were half-closed throughout the whole process, her eyelids were constantly fighting, and her little head was shaking bit by bit due to sleepiness...
Even though Souji looked a bit funny as he looked so sleepy that he seemed about to collapse at any moment... But Aonto felt very moved when he saw it.
It was because of him that Souji stood so energetically under the calm sky - thinking of this, Qingden's cheeks burst into laughter unconsciously.
…
Since the founding of the Edo shogunate, there have been regulations: the 1st, 15th, and 28th of each month are the general days for climbing the castle.
Officials of a certain level and above are required to wear formal attire on these three days and go to Edo Castle to see the general and say hello to him.
For example, Aoto's superior and senior: Hideyuki Arima was able to touch the threshold of participating in this activity.
On the 1st, 15th, and 28th of every month, Arima has to go to the city with the rest of his colleagues.
Due to his lack of family status and official position, Qingnobo had never even entered Edo Castle before, let alone even approached it.
From not even being qualified to get close to being summoned by the general... For those who are in the "ditch" but longing for the "moonlight", this is undoubtedly another story that can make them a hundred times more energetic and excited. Inspirational story.
After riding a sedan through a certain gate of Edo Castle, Ayoto immediately opened the sedan window and looked at the scene outside the sedan with the mentality of appreciating places of interest and historical sites.
Regarding the scenery of Edo Castle, Ayoto's first impression was - it is truly a "military castle" that deserves its reputation...
Edo Castle is not so much a "grand palace"... it may be more accurate to call it an "iron-walled military fortress"!
According to statistics, Edo Castle has one large castle tower, 21 towers (watchtowers), 28 Tamon (longhouses in the castle), 99 castle gates, and numerous imperial palaces and warehouses.
There is a wide moat outside Edo Castle.
After crossing the moat, there is an amazingly large exterior.
Passing through the outer perimeter, and further inside is the core area of Edo Castle: the inner perimeter.
There is a small moat between the inner and outer walls: the inner border serves as a barrier.
Such a fortress... is simply a nightmare for the attacker!
Edo Castle is located in the center of Edo.
Therefore, if you want to attack Edo Castle, you must first rely on a fierce street battle to capture the vast Edo city, which can accommodate a million people.
After taking complete control of Edo City...the real nightmare came.
After painstaking efforts to capture the city of Edo, they were surprised to find that they had to break through another moat that diverted water from the Kanda River and other large rivers before they could truly launch an attack on Edo Castle.
After finally filling up the moat with soil, I finally rushed into Edo Castle, but I was surprised to find that there was still an outer wall that needed to be breached.
After breaking through the outer perimeter, there was still a moat... that is, the inner wall was waiting for them.
And there is an inner wall behind Uchibori...and there are Sannomaru, Ninomaru, and Honmaru in the inner wall...
Whether it is the outer or inner outline, the architectural layout is large and complex, almost like a maze. It is possible to get lost even with a map.
Without the use of firearms, a new dimensionality-reducing strike weapon, and only using cold weapons... without an army of tens of thousands and sufficient supplies, it is simply impossible to defeat a military fortress of this level.
The inner outline of Edo Castle, which is designed in the shape of "", is mainly composed of Honmaru, Ninomaru, Sannomaru, Nishinomaru, Fukigami Court and Momiji Mountain. According to the Uzumaki-style design, the layout is cleverly arranged on the right. The vortex rotates.
Momiji Mountain - As the name suggests, it is a beautiful place where the mountains are covered with red leaves in autumn. The function is somewhat similar to the "imperial garden" where the generals and their families can go to relax.
Toshogu Shrine, dedicated to the first shogun of the Edo shogunate: Tokugawa Ieyasu, was built on Momiji Mountain. The purpose was to allow Tokugawa Ieyasu to quietly watch over the entire Edo shogunate and the entire river on the towering Momiji Mountain. household.
Fukiage Imperial Garden - with a total area of 130,000 tsubo (429,000 square meters), it was originally owned by Owari, Kiyin, and Mito, the three feudal lords who were collectively known as the "Gosan" and had the closest relationship with the Edo shogunate. Land for upper house.
However, after encountering the Meiretsu Fire (1657) that burned two-thirds of Edo to scorched earth two hundred years ago, Fukiage Otei was reorganized into a fire eradicator. There are also tea houses, flower beds, horse racing grounds, and iron cannon grounds for courtyard purposes. Here the shogun would conduct government affairs or watch sumo wrestling matches.
Nishinomaru - the place where the imperial palace (the former general who conquered barbarians or the father of the general) and the general's children lived.
Sannomaru - no special function, mainly used to protect the defense zone of Ninomaru and Honmaru.
Ninomaru - the former shogun's main room, side room and the residence of his biological mother.
The so-called "x-no-maru" is a special architectural term in ancient Japan.
Castles in ancient Japan were generally composed of multiple layers. They were called x-no-maru from the outermost layer inwards, with Honmaru being the core main city.
The castle tower, which is used to view the enemy's situation and command troops, and is also one of the symbols of governing power, is often built in Honmaru.
The Honmaru in the inner outline of Edo Castle consists of two parts: the "Tenshukaku" and the "Honmaru Palace".
From the appearance, the castle tower of Edo Castle has 5 floors. If including the underground floor, there are 6 floors in total. It's a pity that this magnificent castle tower has been burned down in the Mingli fire.
Honmaru Palace is Edo Castle... no, it is the core of the entire Edo Shogunate! It is not only the political center of the Edo shogunate, but also the residence and office of the current shogun.
Honmaru Palace is divided into 3 areas.
The first area is "Ooku" on the north side of Honmaru Palace, which is the shogun's harem. The general's main room, side rooms and the place where his children live.
Of course, the general's biological mother and adoptive mother are also eligible to live in Da'ao.
For example, the famous Tianzhangyuan currently lives in Daao.
Da'ao strictly prohibits any male except the general from entering. If you want to keep cats, dogs and other pets in Da'ao, you can only keep females.
There were no eunuchs in ancient Japan, so the people who were responsible for serving the general's family in Ooi were all women.
The second area is "Zhongao", which is the residence and official residence of the general. It is convenient for the general to conduct government affairs here. The position is between "Biao" and "Daao".
Finally, there is the "Omote" located on the south side of Honmaru Palace, which is the front hall. It is the place where the general meets with ministers and holds various ceremonies.
"Table" has such an important position. In order to clarify its functions, it is naturally divided into different areas.
The east side houses the rooms of the main shogunate officials headed by Laonaka, while the west side houses the Ohiro Room, White Shoin and Black Shoin where major events are held.
New Year's homage to the shogun, the shogun's announcement of government decrees, the publication of samurai's laws, and other official activities of the shogunate will all be held in Ohiro Room.
The area of the Ohiro Room is as high as 500 mats (1155 square meters), which is divided into the upper section, the middle section, the lower section, the second section, the third section, and the fourth section. When the shogun announces a decree, performances will be held on the Noh stage on the south side of the Ohiro Room.
Baishuyuan is mainly used for holding ceremonies. Compared with the Black Academy, the biggest difference between them is that the latter is often used to hold daily activities, while the former and the Daguang Room are usually used to hold formal ceremonies.
Baishuyuan is divided into upper section, lower section, Dijian Room, Liange Room and other sections. The total area is 150 square meters (495 square meters).
This room was used for the New Year's ceremony to meet the shogun; to receive emissaries and envoys from the imperial court; for the shogun to announce orders; for daimyo from superior vassal states such as the Gosanke, Aizu clan, and Hikone clan to visit the shogun; and for the shogun to enjoy martial arts performances.
As for the last Black Academy, it is a place commonly used for more ordinary daily activities. Monthly imperial rites, ceremonies for succession of daimyo, conferment of daimyo, and interviews with officials are all held here.
Ainoto, who was not a feudal daimyo but just an ordinary official, was currently waiting for the arrival of Tokugawa Iemo in the Black Academy.
From the time he sat down in the Black Academy until now... Qingdeng has been waiting here for nearly half an hour.
He was let go for no reason... and no one came to explain the reason to Qingdeng.
In such an extremely serious place, Qingdeng would naturally not be allowed to walk around, and no one would come to chat with Qingdeng.
Therefore, Qingdeng could only remain in a kneeling position and continued to wait in agony.
Just when Qingdeng was so bored that he was about to count the number of cicadas chirping outside the window, the sound of "pah, pah, pah, pah" was heard from outside the room.
Upon hearing this, Qingdeng was refreshed and quickly straightened his back and sat up straight.
Kara——
The paper sliding door on the left side in front was slowly pushed open.
A young man dressed with a minor surname walked slowly into the Black Academy along the paper sliding door that was pushed open.
Qingdeng, who had long been familiar with all the etiquette of meeting the general through his recent studies, quickly bowed forward and saluted.
Pashu... Pashu... Pashu... Pashu...
Because he lowered his head, Qingden couldn't see the scene in front of him, and could only hear the sound of people stepping on the soft tatami one after another.
After a moment, Qingdeng heard the light sound of sitting down.
Immediately afterwards, a gentle young male voice sounded:
"Keep your head up."
Qingdeng followed the etiquette rules and said "yes" loudly, then slowly raised his head and waist.
As his gaze climbed higher and higher...two young figures, a man and a woman, came into Qingdeng's eyes in no particular order.
I saw a young man about 14 years old, kneeling on the main seat of the room directly in front of Qingdeng in a very upright posture.
The black hair that had not been shaved into Tsukiyo's head made Qingden immediately feel familiar.
The facial features can be considered delicate.
There is a hint of childishness unique to a young man between his straight eyebrows.
The weather is so hot, but I still wear serious formal clothes such as hakama, cloth socks, and haori.
The left and right lapels of the haori are embroidered with a symmetrical set of Tokugawa family crest: three-leaf sunflower.
After Qingdeng glanced at the young man briefly, he raised his eyes, looked over the young man's shoulders, and began to look at a young woman wearing a cyan blouse who was sitting upright behind the young man.
This woman's black hair was specially shortened.
Her lustrous hair was tied back into a small ponytail that only reached the nape of her neck.
Even if no one came to explain to Qingdeng, Qingdeng could tell who the man and the woman were from their seats and clothes.
——Are these two the current shogun of the Edo shogunate, Tokugawa Iemo, and the Odaisho Tenshoin?
Qingden blinked his eyes several times in astonishment - he was surprised by two things.
The first thing: He could actually see Tianzhangyuan.
Although Qingnobo had long heard that Tenshoin often accompanied Tokugawa Iemo in various public places.
Therefore, it is not that unusual to meet Tenshouin in an occasion where Tokugawa Iemo appears.
However, when he actually met this widow whose name he had admired for so long, Qingdeng couldn't help being surprised.
The second thing: The appearance of Tianzhangyuan... is quite different from what Qingteng expected...
Tokugawa Iemo's appearance is basically consistent with the image Aoshito has heard before - he is very young, his face is very delicate, and his hair is not shaved into Tsukiyo.
But Tianzhangyuan...
——This... is the famous Tianzhangyuan Highness who is said to be comparable to Miss Zuonazi in terms of beauty?
——It’s a complete fraud! How could this majestic appearance look like she could compete with Miss Zuo Nazi on the same stage?
I think back to a few days ago, with a horse, a nose and eyes, he said to Qingdeng: His Highness Su Wen Tianzhangyuan has an appearance that sinks like a fish and falls like a wild goose. It is said that in all of Edo, the only one who can rival His Highness Tenshouin in terms of beauty is Chiba Sunako of the Little Chiba Sword Hall.
The results of it……?
At this moment, the Tianzhangyuan that Qingden saw... was just a young woman with an ordinary appearance.
Her facial features can only be considered delicate, far from being called a "beauty", let alone compared to a peerless beauty like Zuo Nazi.
The only thing that can be called an advantage from head to toe is that the skin is very white and tender.
At this point, Qingdeng couldn't help but secretly thought:
——It seems that the so-called "His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan is a great beauty" is just a rumor fabricated by a boring person who has unrealistic fantasies about this young widow... By spreading rumors, the three of them became a tiger. Already...
Thinking of this, Qingdeng inadvertently sighed in his heart - for some reason, Qingdeng felt a little disappointed...
Describing Aonto's inner thoughts in such detail, it seems that Aoto has been observing Tokugawa Iemo and Tenshouin for a long time. In fact, everything is at your fingertips.
"Tachibana-kun!"
Aoshitogata raised his head and heard Tokugawa Iemo slightly leaning forward and saying excitedly:
"I've wanted to see you for a long time! Haha, now I finally get my wish!"
As soon as Tokugawa Iemo opened his mouth, Aomori couldn't help but raise his eyebrows slightly in surprise.
He originally thought that a person of Tokugawa Iemo's level must be polite when speaking.
Unexpectedly... this young man's speaking style is quite friendly to the people.
He neither used any obscure grammar nor spoke any profound vocabulary.
Even an illiterate person who cannot read a single Chinese character can easily understand what Tokugawa Iemo is talking about.
"Sorry, I just made you wait here for so long. An urgent matter suddenly came up that needed to be dealt with immediately, so it was delayed for some time. Please forgive me."
Not only was his speech style very close to the people, but his personality was also very close to the people... At this moment, Tokugawa Iemo was bowing his head to Aoshinobu with a look of shame on his face for being late.
Tokugawa Iemo was surprisingly talkative.
After briefly saying hello and saying hello to Qingden, he gradually started chatting.
From when he first heard the name "Ju Qingdeng" to how he remembers Qingdeng's name.
Compared to Tokugawa Iemo's enthusiasm, Tenshoin appeared a little cold - she stared straight into the void in front of her the whole time.
Let alone joining the conversation, she didn't even look at Qingdeng.
Due to Tokugawa Iemo's eloquent speaking frequency and the restriction of his status, Aoden had to say a full 10 sentences before Tokugawa Iemo had the chance to reply to one sentence.
But I have to say - Tokugawa Iemo's cordial and enthusiastic attitude makes people feel like a spring breeze.
Qingdeng's body and mind, which were slightly tense due to his first arrival in a strange place and meeting strange people, gradually relaxed unconsciously.
However, at this moment, Tokugawa Iemo suddenly changed the subject——
"Ji Jun, I have always heard that you have extremely strong swordsmanship."
"Two months ago, when you were rushing to rescue the Western settlement that was invaded by the anti-barbarian group, you rushed back and forth among the enemy groups like Changshan Zhao Zilong, as if you were in an uninhabited land! You were invincible in every direction!"
"To be honest, after I first heard about your great achievements of 'fighting against the barbarians alone', I was fascinated!"
"I really want to see your sword skills with my own eyes, so I would like to ask you to compete with the generals of the 'Third Division'. What do you think?"
Qingden was suddenly startled.
"Sanban Group" - This is the collective name for the three standing armies of the shogunate: the Daban Group, the Academy Group, and the Xiaoxuan Group.
These three troops are all composed of Hatamoto and his descendants.
Large group - 12 groups in total. Responsible for guarding Edo Castle, Kyoto Nijo Castle and Osaka Castle.
Among them, 2 groups are in Nijo Castle and 2 are in Osaka, which alternate every year. The remaining 8 groups stay in the camp and Ninomaru in Edo Castle. During the war, he served as the vanguard of the entire army.
Small surname group - 8 groups in total. The so-called "little surname" is a warrior who serves the lord personally and handles various matters. The main task of this group is to stay in Edo Castle, and they are responsible for protecting the general whether in peacetime or in wartime.
Academy group - 10 groups in total. During the war, just like the small surname group, he served as a guard beside the general. In peacetime, he was on standby among the tigers in Edo Castle to protect the general at any time.
Because he was on standby between Hakushoin and Hongye Mountain at first, he was called Shoinban.
Each group of the "three divisions" has 1 division leader, 1 division leader (4 divisions for the big division), and 50 banshis. There are also 30 lower-level warriors named "Yuli" and "Tongxin" who are responsible for doing odd jobs.
From a functional point of view, the "Three Divisions" are the Imperial Guards directly under the Shogun and responsible for protecting the Shogun and Edo.
Only the banner disciples with excellent family character and abilities are eligible to be selected into the "Third Division".
Theoretically speaking, the "Third Division", which has extremely strict selection criteria for its members, is the strongest army of the Edo shogunate.
Tokugawa Iemo actually asked him to compete with the generals of the "Third Division" on the spot... This was really unexpected by Aonto.
Although Tokugawa Iemo asked Aonto very politely, "I don't know what you think"...but did Aoto have room to refuse?
Tokugawa Iemo was extremely cordial, but never forget that the young man in front of you was the supreme ruler of the Edo shogunate and Aonto's most qualified boss...
"Yes..." Qingdeng bowed with a complicated expression, "Then... I'll make a fool of myself!"
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The heroine who has always been loved by many people: Sister Tianzhangyuan, finally officially met Qingdeng! Sprinkle flowers~~(Baoguai.jpg)
In order to celebrate the official debut of the big sister of Tianzhangyuan, please vote for this book (Leopard Head Cries.jpg)
