Showing martial arts in front of the general... This is the "imperial martial arts performance" that thousands of warriors dream of!
In this world, there are indeed those martial arts idiots who "just want to practice martial arts, and as long as they can practice martial arts, they don't even have to eat."
However, after all, there are only a very small number of such "lunatics" who can ignore people's normal physiological needs.
Most people still have to sacrifice themselves for five buckets of rice due to the pressure of survival in reality.
In this era where there are basically no channels for social advancement, "practicing martial arts and then being favored by those in higher positions for your martial arts skills" is one of the few ways to achieve a class jump.
How many martial arts masters who want to enter the official career and show their ambitions in the official career have been depressed all their lives because they lack an opportunity to show their talents in front of powerful people like the shogun and the feudal lord.
Qingdeng was only 18 years old and won the honor of performing martial arts in front of the emperor... If this news spread, I don't know how many people would make their eyes red with envy.
Faced with such a great opportunity that in the eyes of others was a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity that might change his future life... Qingdeng lacked enthusiasm.
Aoshino currently has no career ambitions, so he is not interested in showing himself in front of Tokugawa Iemo... but he is very interested in the competition itself.
This kind of opportunity can not only open your eyes and see the martial arts prowess of the world-famous "Third Division" generals, but also give you the opportunity to copy new talents, why not?
The general usually only watches martial arts competitions in Baishuyuan.
At present, Tokugawa Iemo, Tenshoin and others have moved from Black Academy to White Academy.
Qingden, on the other hand, was led by a certain nickname under Tokugawa Iemo and went to nearby Kikurama. Get ready to wear protective gear, pick up weapons, and prepare for the competition in the chrysanthemum.
The Kikurama, like the Ohiroma, Black Shoin, and White Shoin, is the "front" room located in the Honmaru Palace.
The function of this room is similar to that of a lounge.
When the general summons the daimyo of an unblocked city with a flag or a stone height of 10,000 to 30,000, the above-mentioned people will rest in this room and wait for orders.
When large-scale ceremonies and meetings are held, this room will be set up as the center seat for the big fan, the academy fan, and the small surname group fan.
There are still many lounges similar to Kikuma's in the Honmaru Palace.
People with different status levels can use and enter different lounges.
For example, Yanma, which is adjacent to Kikurama, is dedicated to serving the lords of the castle with a stone height of 10,000 to 300,000. The so-called castle daimyo refers to the daimyo of the vassal state that has a castle.
Dijianjian - part of Baishuyuan. The objects of service are Daidai with 10,000 to 100,000 koku.
The highest-standard lounge is part of the Black Academy. Only the Iyin family, the Aizu Matsudaira family, the Takamatsu Matsudaira family, or other daimyo who have retired from the position of senior minister are eligible to use this room.
In addition to these "daimyō rooms", there are also many rest rooms in the "omote" exclusively for the use of waiters and officials in Edo Castle. For example, between the new fan team leader, the fan doctor, and the female high school payer, Kikyo.
"Mr. Tachibana, we're here."
After Xiao Xing, who was walking in the front and leading the way, said this, he bent his knees and knelt on one knee in front of a paper sliding door with gorgeous pictures, and then slowly opened the door with a very respectful movement.
The moment the door was opened, noise and hot air spurted out.
The sound waves composed of noisy chatter rushed toward Qingdeng.
Qingdeng, who was startled by the noise, frowned slightly and rolled his eyes, quickly scanning the scene in the enclosure.
Everyone in the room was clamoring... 10 samurai of different ages were sitting or standing on the fragrant tatami, each doing their own thing.
More than ten pieces of brand-new protective gear and bamboo swords were neatly placed beside the door.
"Mr. Tachibana."
At this time, the young man who led the way and opened the door for Qingdeng explained to Qingdeng in a low voice.
"These 10 people are the opponents you will challenge later."
Qingdeng had a look of understanding on his face and nodded gently: "I see... thank you."
After nodding his thanks to this young man, Qingdeng strode across the door frame and entered the room.
When the door was just pushed open, the 10 warriors in the room all turned their heads to look at Qingdeng upon hearing the movement.
But they only glanced at Qingdeng, then withdrew their gaze and continued to do what they were doing.
Those who are in a daze continue to be in a daze, those who are chatting continue to chat, and those who are wearing protective gear continue to wear protective gear.
Qingdeng was completely ignored...it was like Qingdeng didn't exist.
Everyone in the room turned a blind eye to what he said, which made Qingdeng frown again... not that he was complaining about the indifference of these people.
But I feel that the aura exuded by these people is... strange.
Qingdeng vaguely noticed that these people's disregard for him was not the kind of disregard that despised him or looked down upon him.
It's the kind of... indifference that seems to pay no attention to everything in the outside world.
——Forget it, it doesn’t matter so much.
Qingdeng gathered his thoughts and turned towards the pile of protective gear placed by the door.
Just as Qingdeng held up a piece of armor and was about to put it on his body——
"Guian~ Are you the person we are going to fight against later: Tachibana Aoden?"
From behind came a neutral voice that made people feel so refreshing, both in the choice of words and the tone of the words.
Being spoken to suddenly... Qingden was startled for a moment, and then immediately turned around.
He saw two warriors standing side by side three steps behind him.
These two warriors are about 160cm tall respectively.
Due to the poor lighting and the fact that both of them were wearing full sets of protective gear that tightly wrapped their upper bodies and entire heads, they couldn't see their faces clearly.
The conversation Qingden heard just now came from the taller man.
"I am Ju Qingden." Qingden said, "Who are you?"
"Wow~ I finally meet you~!" The taller man chopping his feet excitedly, "It's the first time we meet! I am Shimazaki Kazu from the major group!"
After finishing speaking, Shimazaki turned sideways slightly, stretched out his hand and pointed at the short man next to him:
"This is my friend - Shigeru Tokuyama! Like me, he is also from a major group!"
"This is our first meeting." Tokuyama Shigeru bowed to Qingteng in a neither humble nor arrogant manner, "My dear, Tokuyama Shigeru. Mr. Tachibana, I have long admired your name. I must ask for your advice for the upcoming competition."
"Where. I'm asking for your advice." Qingdeng politely offered a polite word and bent down to return the gift.
——The movements of these two people... are so elegant.
When he lowered his head to return the gift, Aoto couldn't help but raise his eyes and secretly looked at Shimazaki Kazu and Tokuyama Shigeru in front of him.
Through the very brief contact just now, Qingdeng has discovered that these two people are very elegant, whether they are standing or moving their hands and feet. It is obvious at a glance that they are people who have received a very strict quality education.
Qingdeng didn't feel that it was strange at all, he just sighed silently in his heart:
——As expected of a descendant of a famous family...
The "Third Division" is the imperial guard responsible for the personal protection of the general and Edo. The importance of status is far beyond what ordinary troops such as the vanguard bow group and the vanguard iron cannon group can compare with.
Therefore, in order to ensure combat effectiveness and loyalty to the general, the "Third Division" only recruited soldiers from Hatamoto and his descendants.
There are many famous families in the flag book whose family income is over a thousand koku or several thousand koku, and they are richer and more powerful than some minor daimyo. Therefore, in the "Third Division", we meet those kind of people who have high personal qualities and exude "aristocratic atmosphere" It's not unusual for people.
"Mr. Tachibana! I have heard of your name and deeds a long time ago! I have always respected you! I never thought that I would have the opportunity to meet you in person!"
Having said this, Shimazaki paused. He raised his eyes and looked at Qingdeng's face several times.
"You are much more handsome than I thought!"
After saying that, Shimazaki chuckled... The laughter was a bit strange, but not unpleasant.
"Uh, thank you."
Shimazaki is very familiar. Although he had just met Qingdeng, he ended up chatting enthusiastically with Qingdeng as if he had been with him for many years.
Ayoto has never disliked familiar people, so he was willing to chat with Shimazaki for a few words.
As for Tokuyama Shigeru, he is a bit taciturn. After introducing himself, he didn't say much.
At this moment, a loud conversation suddenly came from not far away, attracting the attention of Aoto, Shimazaki, and Tokuyama Shigeru——
…
"Tsk, it's been a long time since I went to Yoshihara's place to relax. I'm almost suffocated. I miss being in bed with Ryoka by my side."
"Speaking of Yoshiwara...did you know? It seems that Itazaki from the academy series was unfortunately 'taught' in Yoshiwara and fell ill with Hanariu disease."
"Haha? Really? That kid is in such a miserable condition. What kind of disease is it? The kind with red spots all over the body? If it's the kind of disease with red spots all over the body, then that kid is dead."
"I don't know about that. I only know that he got Hualiu."
"Oh, how pitiful you are. Playing with women until you die."
"Hey, don't talk about such depressing topics. Let's talk about something important - do you want to go drinking together tonight?"
"Oh? Okay. Where to drink?"
…
The three samurai, who did not know which unit they came from in the "Third Division", were putting on their protective gear with slow movements while talking loudly, discussing various trivial matters that had nothing to do with the competition later.
Listening to the conversation of this group of people and looking at their careless faces, Qingden's eyelids slowly lowered...
——This is... the imperial guard of the shogunate?
Thinking of this, Qingden turned his head and looked at the rest of the people in the room.
Although the others were not as outrageous as the three people who chatted about "where are we going to play after get off work tonight," they still looked more relaxed than the other.
There is no spirit... no spirit of enthusiasm or high-spiritedness.
After some observation, only Shimazaki Kazuo and Tokuyama Shigeru in front of him looked somewhat similar - at least these two had already worn protective gear. Unlike some people who move slowly, a long time has passed before they just put on the cage.
——It’s really outrageous...
The competition was about to begin, but the rest of the group, except for Shigeru Shimazaki and Shigeru Tokuyama, were sitting here talking about romance as if it had nothing to do with them... To be honest, their attitude made Aonto a little disappointed. .
No, I'm disappointed.
He originally thought that the "Third Division", as a unit that enjoys the best logistical support, has the strictest selection conditions for soldiers, and shoulders the most important responsibilities, the physical and mental condition and overall quality of the generals will be far better than those of ordinary soldiers. warrior.
Unexpectedly... there is such a big gap between the "expectation" and the "reality" that is unfolding in front of us.
Qingden was no longer looking forward to the upcoming competition - it was hard to imagine that such a distracted and dull-eyed guy could perform brilliantly in the upcoming competition.
"...Mr. Tachibana, what do you think of these guys?"
Suddenly, Shimazaki asked Aonto like this.
Compared with the demeanor when he was chatting with Aoto just now, Shimazaki's tone became much more solemn at first glance.
"What's going on?" Qingdeng pretended not to understand.
"Don't be stupid. You should know what I mean."
"..." Qingdeng remained silent, without saying a word.
It is a taboo in social life to make shallow acquaintances and talk deeply - Qingdeng also understands this.
He was a stranger to Shigeru Shigeru and Shigeru Tokuyama. Talking about this kind of topic with strangers like them would only do harm but no good.
So Qingdeng chose to play dumb and remain silent to the end.
However, Aoto didn't say anything - Shimazaki thought to himself and murmured:
"I'm very disappointed with these guys... How can they behave like this? If there is a war in the future, how will they protect the general with their virtues..."
After saying this, Shimazaki lowered his head and sighed heavily... An aura called "loss" emanated from his body.
But it only took a moment for Shimazaki to cheer up.
He raised his head abruptly, and the aura of disappointment in his body was suddenly swept away.
"Speaking of 'Yoshiwara'... Mr. Tachibana, have you ever been to Yoshiwara?"
"No." Qingdeng replied without hesitation.
"What a coincidence, I haven't been to Yoshiwara either. I've always wanted to go to Yoshiwara to open my eyes and see what this 'city that never sleeps' looks like, which has fascinated countless Edo men."
"Huh? Go to Yoshiwara to broaden your horizons? What's so difficult about this?" Qingto asked puzzledly, "Yoshiwara is not located in some remote place that is difficult to get to. When you are free one day, just go to Yoshiwara's place. Can you see what Yoshihara looks like?"
"Kekeke..."
Shimazaki smiled and said nothing... Suddenly, he changed the topic slightly stiffly:
"Speaking of which—Mr. Tachibana, you should have met His Highness Tenshouin just now, right?"
"...Why do you ask this?"
Although after the assassination of Jing Yin Zhibi, the power of the "Nanji Sect" was seriously shaken, and the "Ichibashi Sect" came back, the status and power of Tianzhangyuan suffered a serious impact, but no matter what, Tianzhangyuan Both are the great royal guardians, and are the nominal mothers of the current general.
Talking to strangers about the rights and wrongs of the "Mother of the Nation"... This is not a rational behavior.
Therefore, after hearing the name of Tenshouin from Shimazaki Kazuichi, Qingto's eyebrows jumped and he was secretly wary.
"nothing."
Shimazaki smiled.
"I just want to have a casual chat with you."
"I heard that when you met with the General at Black Academy just now, His Highness Tianzhangyuan was also present."
"So I just want to ask you: What did you think when you met His Highness Tianzhangyuan for the first time?"
After finishing speaking, Shimazaki let out a sigh of relief.
There was a hint of reminiscence on the face under the mask.
"My first impression of His Highness Tianzhangyuan was very profound - the first time I saw His Highness Tianzhangyuan, I was really disappointed."
"I often heard from others how beautiful a woman Her Majesty Tianzhangyuan is."
"Her Majesty Tenshouin is the most beautiful woman in Edo, and 'Zonako Chiba of Okemachi Chiba is a bit inferior to her.'"
"In the end, His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan's real appearance turned out to be so average. I feel like he is not as good-looking as my sister."
"Perhaps Duke Jia Ding dislikes Her Highness Tianzhangyuan for being too ugly, which is why he has never had sex with her. Haha~"
Shimazaki laughed unbridled.
After laughing to his heart's content, he seemed to want to say something more——
"...Okay, stop talking."
However, Qingden interrupted his words with a cold tone.
After Shimazaki Kazuo and Tokuyama Shigeru beside him both cast confused glances at Aoto, Aoto said seriously with a very solemn face:
"Although I have only met His Highness Tianzhangyuan once... but I personally think His Highness Tianzhangyuan should not be ridiculed like this by others."
"Oh?" Shimazaki tilted his head, "Why do you say that?"
"...His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan has tasted the harshness of the world and the warmth and coldness of the world, but she has not surrendered. She has survived all setbacks with an extremely tenacious will."
"His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan has always fulfilled his obligations as a great emperor and actively assisted Zuo Dashu Gong to the best of his ability."
"Her character is so admirable."
"A wonderful woman like Her Highness Tianzhangyuan should not be mocked maliciously like this."
Qingdeng's above words... did not contain any compliment or politeness. They are all spoken from the bottom of my heart.
Besides, there is no point in talking good things about Tianzhangyuan to such "third division" warriors.
As one of the most famous celebrities in Edo, Tenshouin's past has been widely spread among the people for a long time.
Tenshoin, who married to Edo as the "Princess of the Satsuma Domain" and married the Edo Shogunate, was not a princess of the Satsuma Domain from the beginning.
The family that ruled the Satsuma Domain was the Shimazu clan. Tenshouin was born in the Imaizumi family, a branch of the Satsuma Shimazu family.
The former lord of the Satsuma Domain: Shimazu Saibin, is a die-hard member of the Hitotsubashi faction.
In order to better support Hitotsubashi Keiki's rise to power and expand the influence of the Hitotsubashi faction within the shogunate, Shimazu Saibin decided to marry with the Edo shogunate.
However, Shimazu Qibin did not have any girls of the right age...so Shimazu Qibin set his sights on the Shimazu family branch, and prepared to accept the adult women from the branch family as his adopted daughters - Tenshoin In this way, she became the princess of Satsuma Domain.
Not long after being adopted as an adopted daughter by Shimazu Saibin, Tenshoin was rushed out of her hometown like a duck on a shelf and traveled thousands of miles to marry Tokugawa, who had medical cerebral palsy and no longer looked like a normal person. Home decision.
Falling a victim of politics... This is just the beginning of Tianzhangyuan's tragedy.
Tokugawa Iedada, who suffers from cerebral palsy, has not only been weak since childhood, but also cowardly by nature. He hates talking in front of others. Only his wet nurse Utahashi can communicate with him.
When Tianzhangyuan married him, his body and mind had basically reached a state of total collapse.
He locked himself in his room all day long and saw almost no one... Tianzhangyuan, who was already known as his husband and wife, was no exception.
On July 6, the fifth year of Ansei (1858), Tokugawa Iesada died of illness. Tianzhangyuan and his short marriage of one year and seven months ended as a couple.
According to the regulations of the Edo shogunate, after the death of a general, his main wife and side wives must become nuns.
She may not have even met her husband for a few times before she became a little widow who had to quit her job...
While Tenshoin was married to Edo, her biological father died of illness in Satsuma Domain.
But Tenshouin couldn't go back to her hometown to see her late father... not to mention her parents. From the moment she was selected as "the marriage partner of the Tokugawa family", she never had the chance to see her again. Returning to her hometown, she had no chance to see her former relatives and friends.
She had suffered so many injustices, but she didn't even have an object to vent her resentment on - because the person who caused her to be in this situation today: Shimazu Saibin, died 10 days after Tokugawa Iesada died of illness. Kagoshima died suddenly.
The setbacks suffered by Tenshouin are not over yet - after Shimazu Qibin died of illness, the new governor of the Shimazu family: Shimazu Tadayoshi, adopted a completely indifferent attitude towards Tenshouin.
This is not difficult to understand.
Shimazu Tadayoshi and Tenshouin have nothing to do with each other. And Tianzhangyuan now has no use value.
To put it simply - Tenshouin's current relationship with Satsuma Domain is completely "broken off"... no. To be more precise...it should be a relationship of "abandonment".
He obviously made so many sacrifices for the Satsuma Domain, but in the end not only did he get nothing, but he was also ruthlessly abandoned by his hometown...
It has become a political tool without even knowing whether it has exerted the effect that the "tool" should have, so it is thrown aside like waste...
To be honest - after encountering this series of changes, it is not surprising that his body and mind have become distorted.
But Tianzhangyuan is not like this... So Qingdeng really admires Tianzhangyuan's character and willpower.
Although Qingdeng could not say that he felt the same way as Tianzhangyuan, he could at least have infinite sympathy for this poor little widow.
Hearing Shimazaki taunt Tenshouin like this, Qingto felt really uncomfortable.
"Ouch~"
After receiving a stern warning from Aonto... Shimazaki Kazuo did not show any displeasure.
He chuckled...I don't know what he was laughing at.
Tokuyama Shigeru on the side also said "ha" at this time and pursed his lips and smiled.
Just then——
"Time is up."
The voice of the young man who brought Qingdeng here came from outside the room.
"The martial arts performance is ready to begin. Mr. Tachibana, please follow me."
…
…
Edo, Edo Castle, Hakushoin——
Qingdeng, who had put on all protective gear, stood in a corner of Bai Academy with his bamboo sword in hand.
I saw a thick curtain on the north side of Baishoin - Tokugawa Iemo, Tenshouin and some waiters were all sitting behind this curtain.
People outside the curtain couldn't see clearly what was happening inside the curtain.
On the contrary, the people inside the curtain should not be able to clearly see the scene outside the curtain.
When Aoto saw this, he felt very strange - could Tokugawa Iemo and Tenshoin clearly see the martial arts competition while sitting behind such a curtain?
Just when Qingdeng was secretly doubting this matter, his first opponent came on the stage.
Ichi Shimazaki, Shigeru Tokuyama, and the others are all sitting on the east side of Baishuyuan, ready to go on the field and compete with Aonto at any time.
The referee is an older man named Yutaka Honda.
The rhythm of this temporary martial arts performance was very fast, without any redundant opening remarks. After the old referee appeared, he simply mentioned the rules and victory conditions, and then shouted loudly, "Both sides please salute."
Qingdeng and his No. 1 opponent both held their bamboo swords tightly and performed the squatting ceremony.
"The competition begins!"
call!
As soon as the referee announced the start of the contest, the No. 1 opponent unexpectedly struck Qingden in the face with a knife.
Although the speed is fast... it is not faster than Qingdeng's reaction!
Qingden deflected his sword at lightning speed.
Seeing that the blow missed, the man quickly took two steps back, widening the distance between him and Qingdeng.
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Suddenly I discovered that the title of Chapter 52 of Volume 2 was garbled, and the "facial cleanser" in the title was deleted... (Leopard Mania.jpg)
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