Edo, Koishikawa Kohinagayanagicho, trial defense hall, dojo——
"Hey, Chief, look at this, this lineup... is really incredible. The so-called 'all the talents come together', it's not as good as that."
Hijikata peered through the crack in the door to see what was going on in the dojo, with a faint smile on his face.
As Hijikata expected, a lot of people came to join in the fun because they heard about "Nioh is in jail".
They gathered outside the gates and walls of the Trial Guard Hall, standing on tiptoes and stretching their necks, constantly peeking at the scene inside the hall.
The person responsible for driving away these "flies" is Inoue.
Inoue, who loves housework and takes care of all the housework such as cleaning, laundry, and cooking in the Imperial Guard Hall, is always ridiculed by Ayoto, Souji and others as "the old butler of the Imperial Guard Hall". The old man's job is to be a first-rate swordsman after all!
With a pair of swords in hand, a stern look on his face, he stood outside the door with his chest raised and his head raised - this majestic look really resembled a door god!
Just one stop scared away half of the "flies".
"No one is here, please leave quickly! Otherwise, don't blame me! You're welcome!"
After another drink, the remaining "flies" flew away "buzzingly".
However, it was still too much to rely on Inoue alone to guard such a large trial defense hall.
Fortunately, Nagakura and Saito quickly completed their respective tasks and returned to the trial defense hall.
The job of the dojo diners is to protect the dojo.
When someone comes to the dojo to kick the ball, he is responsible for repelling the kicker.
When someone comes to cause damage to the dojo, you are responsible for maintaining the safety of the dojo.
After raising an army for a thousand days, it was time to use it for a while. Nagakura and Saito, who had been staying at the Imperial Guard Hall as guests for a long time, took over the important task of supporting Inoue without saying a word.
They joined forces with Inoue, each guarding one direction, to form a "humanoid barrier" to prevent any "flies" from approaching the trial defense hall.
With the support of Nagakura and Saito, Inoue's pressure is greatly reduced.
At this time, the security and privacy issues of the Trial Guard Hall have been effectively protected.
In terms of results, Hijikata's plan to "unite all Ayoto's friends" was a great success.
All the people sent out were, without exception, victorious and successful!
All the foreign aid that the General Secretary and others knew and could find were gathered at the trial defense hall.
Because there were too many visitors, the reception room of the Trial Guard Hall could not accommodate so many people, so the "meeting" was held in the spacious dojo.
The current lineup of members in the group's trial gymnasium is simply jaw-dropping.
An important minister of the shogunate who will be appointed as the head of the Fanshu Diao Institute and the artillery professor of the Kungwu Institute will soon be transferred to prepare for the establishment of the shogunate navy: Katsurin Taro.
The legendary great swordsman who is still alive, the current head of the Beichen Itto-ryu branch: Chiba Nobuyoshi, and a pair of children under his knees, the "young master of the Beichen Itto-ryu branch": Chiba Jutaro, "Chiba Onikomachi": Chiba Sanako.
Beiban's designated town return and force: There is a horse show.
French merchant: Antoine de Angoulême, and his granddaughter: Elodie de Angoulême.
Kiryu Kazuma, who is slightly famous and has unknown connections due to opening a job agency, and his hand: Mai Kinoshita.
Politics, academia, martial arts...
Japanese, Westerners...
An old man over 90, a petite loli...
People of different races, different genders, people of different ages, people from different industries... They have only one thing in common: they are all friends of Tachibana Aoden! They all came to save Tachibana Aoden!
"Although I have known for a long time that Mr. Orange has a wide network and has friends all over the world, but after seeing this scene with my own eyes of 'all the talents come together, the young and the old gather together', I still can't help but sigh: Mr. Orange is so popular. OK."
Hijikata clicked his tongue in surprise.
"If I were to die, I'm afraid I wouldn't be able to invite so many respectable people."
"But we can invite a lot of women." The general manager sighed softly, "If you are in trouble...then I should be able to see the strange scene of all the ladies from the gang, from the daughter of the samurai family, to all the ladies gathered together. .”
Hijikata smiled and said nothing.
He neither agreed nor objected to the director-general's ridicule.
"Mr. Hijikata, are you really sure you want to preside over the meeting?" the director asked tentatively.
"Of course!" Hijikata said without thinking, "Gathering all Tachibana-kun's friends - this plan was proposed by me. So, it is reasonable for me to preside over the memories."
"Besides, I am the only person in the whole trial defense hall who can speak well and not have stage fright no matter how high-level the situation is."
At this point, Hijikata paused.
He seemed to be considering whether to reveal his next words to the Souji.
After a moment, he made his choice.
"And... Souji, look at it."
He chose to continue the conversation and confided some of his inner thoughts to the chief executive without reservation.
"Among the people who came here at our invitation, there are famous swordsmen, high-ranking officials, and rare Westerners... For a commoner like me who comes from a peasant background, something like this But the opportunity to speak loudly to these big shots is a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity."
As Hijikata spoke, he put his face close to the crack of the door again and cast his voyeuristic gaze into the dojo again. His bright and energetic eyes shone with elusive little bits of light.
When his eyes glanced at the sabers on the waists of Chiba Sadaikichi and others, complex emotions called "envy" and "anguish" appeared on Hijikata's cheeks...
…
…
Trial Guard Hall, Dojo——
"Ah, Sister Wu!"
"Elodie? Why are you here too?"
Elodie threw herself into Kinoshita Mai's arms.
Kinoshita Mai hugged her tightly and cast a stunned look at the blond loli in her arms.
Two beautiful figures, one large and one small, one red and one yellow, fit tightly together.
"Grandpa didn't plan to bring me here...but I couldn't sit still at home, so I forced grandpa to bring me here too..."
Elodie's moans were muffled between Kinoshita Mai's two peaks.
I saw the blonde loli wearing a goose-yellow kimono, with a light green wide belt wrapped around her abdomen, and a pair of brand new white socks on her feet that were no bigger than an adult male's palm.
Regardless of her appearance, just looking at her clothes, she would not be recognized as a Westerner at all.
Anthony, who was standing next to Elodie, also changed his clothes. He changed into an authentic Kazuto outfit that couldn't be faulted. As long as he covered his face and blocked his hair, others would only think that he was just an ordinary town citizen who was a bit taller and fatter.
Although the "Radical Anti-Barbarian Movement" that was very violent in Edo last year was forcibly suppressed under the severe crackdowns of the shogunate, this does not mean that Westerners in Edo can just walk on the streets of Edo with arrogance. Alley.
In fact, madmen with such radical ideas and full of "killing barbarians and traitors" still exist, but they are frightened by the suppression of the shogunate. They moved from the front to the backstage. Although they are no longer so grand, they still insist on carrying out their own actions. The so-called "Operation Tianchu".
To this day, violent incidents related to "anti-foreigners" still occur occasionally.
In other words, for Westerners like Elodie and Anthony, at a time when the "radical resistance to foreigners" has not yet subsided, leaving the place of residence without permission is an act that cannot be called "sane" or "safe" .
Even though they all disguised themselves in disguise, this was not 100% foolproof.
If Elodie and the others' headscarves and face coverings fell off on the street or in other public places, and their unique Western hair and facial features were exposed, it would most likely result in irreversible consequences.
But even so, the grandfather and grandson still accepted the invitation without hesitation and came to the trial defense hall.
Normally, Kinoshita Mai would scold Elodie a few times. How could she leave the residence at will without sufficient manpower to accompany her? Don’t you know that Edo is still in chaos?
But now, no matter how hard Mai Kinoshita racked her brains, she couldn't think of a word of reproach.
Because she understood Elodie's mood very well.
Worried about Qingdeng's situation, worried to the point of restlessness, eager to do something for Qingdeng... She felt the same way.
Since she felt the same way, how could Kinoshita Mai be so cruel as to accuse Elodie?
What's more, Kinoshita Mai has no tenable position to blame Elodie - she and this blonde loli are completely incompatible!
Kiryu originally planned to let Kinoshita Mai stay at Chishiya, and he could come to the defense hall alone, but Kinoshita Mai, who was restless and unable to sit still at home, sternly refused.
Kiryu couldn't defeat Kinoshita Mai, so he had no choice but to let Kinoshita Mai go with him.
After Kinoshita Mai and Elodie hugged each other for a moment, they let go of each other.
At this moment, Kinoshita Wu suddenly felt a bright and compelling breath coming from behind.
Such a strong aura... Even if Kinoshita Mai didn't use her eyes to see, she knew who was coming.
She frowned slightly and turned her head to look back - and sure enough, a certain Yamato Nadeshiko, who liked to wear blue clothes, was standing behind her.
Sanako: "..."
Kinoshita Mai: "..."
The two women looked at each other.
A heavy silence built between them.
"...You're here."
Kinoshita Mai was the first to break the silence.
"Well...long time no see."
Sanako responded expressionlessly.
Obviously, the two women were no longer silent and even greeted each other, but the suffocating tension accumulated between them not only did not diminish at all, but became stronger and stronger. It's getting stronger.
No matter when or where she was, Kinoshita Mai didn't like Sanako - and so did Sanako.
A few words of bickering and silent yin and yang to each other - this is how Sanako and Kinoshita get along on a daily basis.
It's just that neither Kinoshita Mai nor Sanako has the leisure to quarrel with each other at this time and here.
So, they turned their heads at the same time in a tacit understanding, neither talking to each other nor looking at each other.
…
…
About 10 minutes later——
"I am the third-generation head of the natural Rishin-ryu clan and the master of the imperial examination hall: Shusuke Kondo!"
Zhousuke raised the tea cup in his hand and looked at Kiryu and others in front of him.
Whether it was due to seniority or to show friendship to the landlord, Zhou Zhu, who was the master of the trial defense hall, should give the opening speech.
"Here, please allow me, on behalf of all the members of the Trial Guard Hall, to express my heartfelt thanks to you all for coming!"
Everyone did not come here just for socializing, and Zhou Zhu knew this very well.
Therefore, he did not publish endless platitudes.
After making a few polite opening remarks that were neither salty nor bitter, nor painful, he sat back down cross-legged.
Immediately afterwards, Hijikata stood up.
"I'm the sect of the trial guard hall, Hijikata Toshizo!"
Hijikata's voice was loud and powerful.
As soon as he spoke, he immediately attracted the attention and attention of everyone in the audience.
Some people recognize Hijikata, such as the Chiba family, Kiryu, and Kinoshita Mai.
Some people met Hijikata for the first time, such as Katsurin Taro and Arima.
Um? Is this person a commoner? Katsu Rintaro looked at Hijikata's empty waist and couldn't help but be secretly surprised.
When entering other people's residences and other private areas, you must take off your sword. If the owner asks you to hand in your sword, you must cooperate obediently - this is unwritten etiquette of the martial arts.
This etiquette rule only applies to sword fighting, and there are no rigid rules for wakizashi.
Therefore, even if they had to put away their katana after entering a certain area, samurai would still wear the wakizashi on their waists.
Just like now, when Chiba Sadaikichi, Katsu Rintaro, Arima and others entered the trial defense hall, they had temporarily removed their swords and handed them over. At this time, they only had a wakizashi on their waists.
There was nothing on Hijikata's waist... This meant that he was a commoner who did not have the right to bear a sword.
No wonder Rintaro Desheng looked surprised.
After all, from appearance to temperament, from deportment to conversation, Hijikata's every move, word and deed, every frown and smile are all considered.
People who don't know better might think that Hijikata is a son of a noble family.
“Time is of the essence, so I’ll get straight to the point!”
Hijikata's volume gradually increased.
"I believe you all know this already, right? Mr. Orange was killed by a traitor. I invite you here now to discuss how to help Mr. Orange clear his grievances!"
"To be honest, this is not an easy task!"
"Mr. Orange is a famous celebrity nowadays!"
"In officialdom, he rose rapidly."
"He is well-known among the people."
"Such a person can actually be framed and imprisoned for no reason... This shows that the traitors who attacked Mr. Orange are quite powerful!"
"But we don't need to worry about them!"
"Their swords are as powerful as ours!"
"All of you here are elites from all walks of life!"
"As long as we unite as one and work together, we will be able to erupt with enough energy to free Mr. Tachibana from prison as soon as possible!"
As soon as Hijikata finished speaking, Kiryuu could be heard saying calmly:
"I have good friends with Yoshikawa Torajiro, Suzuki Kentaro and others. If necessary, I can ask them to help."
Suddenly, shocked eyes fell on Kiryu.
Yoshikawa Torajiro, Suzuki Kentaro... To Edo people, these names are simply like thunder!
They are all famous wealthy businessmen in Edo! All of them are rich and wealthy!
With the gradual collapse of the small-scale peasant economy, the booming development of the commodity economy, and the increasing popularity of money worship, the wealthy and giant merchants under the Edo shogunate have long had transcendent political status and social influence.
"Winning over businessmen and gaining their support" has even become the basis for some ministers to settle down and make a living.
The two people Kiryu mentioned just now are top businessmen who countless people, including some officials, cannot win over even if they want to.
Such big names are actually Kiryu's friends, and Kiryu can invite them to help...
Except for Kirintaro Katsu, Arima and others who were not familiar with Kiryu, they were still surprised by Kiryu's arrogance. The group of people sitting at the bottom of the table had slowly regained their composure.
Souji and others already knew that Kiryu was the boss of the employment agency.
It makes perfect sense that employment agency owners have close ties with the business world.
Hijikata had just mentioned: Someone who can open a job agency in a place like Edo must not be an ordinary person, so Souji and others were shocked and couldn't help but secretly sighed: Boss Kiryu is really not an ordinary person...
As if it was a competition, Chiba Jutaro straightened his back, followed Kiryu and said loudly:
"Tachibana-kun is not only my friend, but also the friend of Xiao Qianye Sword Hall! We Xiao Qian... no, we Beichen Itto-ryu are willing to do our best for Jun Tachibana!"
The atmosphere is getting warmer.
Rintaro Katsu’s timely speech added another piece of firewood to the “fire” that filled the air of the dojo.
"Without Mr. Ju, I would have died long ago, and the Fanshu Diao Institute would become a cold historical noun. I cannot guarantee how powerful the help will be, but at least I can join hands with all the members of the Fan Shu Diao Institute to advance and retreat together with Mr. Ju."
…
Everyone expressed their willingness to go through fire and water for Qingdeng.
Seeing this, the General Secretary and others were once again amazed by Qingden's good popularity, and secretly rejoiced.
They were also worried that the formation of the "Pro-Orange Alliance" would be difficult. Now it seems that this worry is no longer necessary!
…
…
Although time was tight and preparations were hasty, under the joint efforts of Hijikata and his team, a rough but still manageable "Tangerine Support Alliance" was finally built!
After the meeting ended and the people from all walks of life left the Trial Guard Hall, they immediately acted according to the jointly agreed upon plan.
The first to take action was the martial arts world represented by Xiao Chiba Kenkan.
With superhuman mobility, Chiba Sadayoshi summoned all the masters of Hokushin Ittoryu dojo in Edo.
Affected by cultural and historical inertia, the relationship between the same disciples in the Edo period was a very special kind of friendship.
To some extent, "same sect" even exceeds "blood relationship".
As long as people are from the same school, they can feel an indescribable closeness to each other.
Among them, Beichen Yidao style is the most popular.
The disciples of Beichen Yida-ryu are famous for attaching great importance to the differences between sects and love to form small groups.
Even if we are not from the same dojo, it doesn't matter. As long as you and I are both disciples of Beichen Yida-ryu, then you are my brothers and sisters.
This unity is an important reason why Beichen Itto-ryu was able to dominate the Japanese swordsmanship world in such a short period of time.
Chiba Sadayoshi is the younger brother of Chiba Shusaku, the founder of the sect, and the current head of the Beichen Ittoryu branch family. With such a status and such a reputation, let me ask him about his summons. Which disciple of Beichen Ittoryu would dare not to obey?
For a time, all the masters of the Hokushin Ittoryu Dojo in Edo rushed to the Little Chiba Sword Hall as fast as they could.
After everyone came together, Chiba Nobuyoshi didn't waste any time and pointed out his purpose directly.
About half an hour later, a petition signed by all the Hokatsu Itto-ryu dojos in Edo, led by the Soke Genbukan and the branch Kochiba Kenkan, was submitted to the shogunate.
The content of the petition was naturally to request the shogunate to release the innocent Qingto and restore his innocence.
Beichen Itto-ryu is the number one swordsmanship school in Japan today.
The Dojo of Hokushin Itto-ryu has the largest number of disciples throughout Edo.
All Hokutatsu Ittoryu dojos in Edo support Aoto... This is no different from half of the Edo martial arts world supporting Aoto.
Following the martial arts world, the political and academic circles also began to exert their efforts.
Scholars at the Fanshu Diao Institute all respected Qingdeng who had saved the Fanshu Diao Institute. Therefore, there was no need for Katsurin Taro to go to great lengths to mobilize. He only made a simple call and got an enthusiastic response from all the scholars of the Tibetan Book Diao Institute.
Talking nonsense...this is Katsu Rintaro's forte!
He went around non-stop to lobby officials at all levels with whom he had good relations, and frantically strengthened the "Pro-Orange Alliance".
At the same time, Arima joins hands with Inoya and Ushiyama to report the injustice suffered by Qingto through the channels of the execution office.
Then, the business community also began to speak out for Qingdeng.
Rich businessmen such as Yoshikawa Torajiro and Suzuki Kentaro, who could shake up the economy of Edo and even Kanto with just a sneeze, put pressure on the shogunate over the "arrest of Nio".
The offensive of the "Protect Orange Alliance" is not over yet!
At almost the same time that the business community launched an attack on the shogunate, the military community and Western forces made waves.
Because he didn't know that Aoshito had a deep comradeship with my grandson, the captain of the first division of the Huoshu Thief Kai, and Kanazawa, the captain of the second division, Hijikata ignored the power of the military and did not include my grandson and others. Join the "Orange Support Alliance".
But it's not bad either.
My grandson, Kanazawa, and Mizushima voluntarily submitted a joint letter on the ground, advocating that Aoto's act of killing Koichiro Akabane was completely in compliance with military law and there was nothing inappropriate about it. Aoto was imprisoned for "abusing his power and killing Tadayoshi in vain." It’s hard to agree.
Under Anthony's call, many Westerners who were rescued and benefited by Qingteng when the anti-barbarian group attacked the settlement last year united to avenge Qingteng and asked the shogunate for an explanation.
…
…
Edo, Tsukinomiya Shrine, a certain room——
"How could this guy... be imprisoned for such a reason..."
Tianzhangyuan put down the report in his hand and sighed.
At this moment, Sha Zhong's voice suddenly sounded outside the door:
"Lord Yu Du, I have something urgent to tell you."
Tianzhangyuan: "Come in."
Shazhong pushed open the door and entered.
"Master Yu Du, something happened...!"
Shazhong's little face was filled with solemn clouds...
…
…
Political circles, military circles, academic circles, business circles, martial arts circles, Western forces... Qingdeng's influence is so terrifying, and people who are willing to support him can be found in all walks of life.
From the daimyo who stayed in Edo for "paying pilgrimage" to the common people, more and more Edo people stood on tiptoes, stretched their necks, and looked up.
Faced with the fierce offensive of the "Pro-Orange Alliance", how will the shogunate respond?
What will the shogunate do with Tachibana Aoden next?
With such a rare drama to watch, the men, women, and children in Edo were all looking forward to it.
However... just when the people of the world were waiting eagerly for it, a piece of news that was like a bolt from the blue suddenly arrived:
Ju Qingden, dead.
*******
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Those book friends who previously said they have guessed the development of the subsequent plot, what do you have to say now? (Leopard smile.jpg) I also said it the day before yesterday, right? The plot of this book will enter the "take-off" stage. Do you believe it now?
Because the plot of this chapter is so exciting, please be sure to vote for this book!
Asking for a monthly ticket! Please vote for recommendation! (Leopard head crying.jpg)
(End of chapter)
