Chapter 917 The Last Dance of the Old Bones! Huluwu Joins the Battle! [6200]

Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town, Test Guard Hall——

"A Chang! Have you packed your clothes?"

A Bi raised his head and shouted to the second floor.

Chang—Isamu Kondo’s first wife.

"Yeah! It's packed!"

Ah Chang's response came from a distance upstairs.

At this time, an old man—Kyuubei, an old servant of the Tachibana family—hurried towards Abi.

"Madam! The carriage is ready! Just waiting outside!"

When A Bi heard this, he let out a sigh of relief.

Currently, all the people in Edo are busy fleeing.

For this reason, the power of cattle, horses and other animals is unprecedentedly tight.

For a time, the scene of "Edo cows are expensive" and "Edo horses are expensive" appeared.

Fierce disputes broke out from time to time over a cow or a horse.

Fortunately, the shogunate was well prepared and sent a large number of officers to maintain public order in the town and suppress the commotion to a minimum.

If the Trial Guard Hall is still the "Taro Dojo" of the past, at this juncture, no matter how hard they try, it is impossible to obtain usable animal power.

As Aoshinobu's reputation has grown, the Shiwei Hall is now one of the most famous sword halls in Edo, and its financial resources and connections have greatly increased.

However, despite this, they finally borrowed a carriage after asking around a lot.

"We're finally here... Hurry! Put all the luggage on the carriage! Let's leave Edo quickly! To avoid long nights and endless dreams!"

Jiubei nodded vigorously:

"yes!"

After that, he took the heavy luggage from A Bi, turned around and ran towards the entrance.

Although Kubei is an old man, his body is still strong and not inferior to that of young people.

The Shiweiguan group belongs to the category of "having somewhere to go" and does not need to follow the shogunate's arrangements to take refuge in Ou.

They plan to go to Hino and join the eldest sister of the Souji, Hikaru Okita.

"Kyubei, after you put away your luggage, go to the kitchen and bring all our sugar!"

Jiubingwei replied without looking back:

"clear!"

In the Edo period, crystal white sugar was a precious commodity and should not be thrown away casually.

After giving instructions to Jiubingwei, Abi turned around and prepared to return to the bedroom to continue packing his luggage.

When passing the Buddhist hall, she suddenly discovered that her husband Kondo Shusuke was sitting in front of the Buddha statue, his head lowered, not knowing what he was doing.

When A Bi saw this, he suddenly felt very angry - everyone is busy working, why are you lazy here?

As soon as she thought about this, she rushed into the Buddhist hall without thinking and shouted:

"Old man, if you don't come to help, what are you doing here..."

His voice stopped abruptly.

She seemed to have seen something astonishing. She froze on the spot, staring blankly at Kondo Shusuke's hands - to be precise, she looked at the knife in his hand!

I saw Kondo Shusuke placing a knife flat on his knees, touching the sheath with one hand and holding the handle with the other.

The movements are gentle, as if caressing a lover.

A Bi was extremely familiar with this knife.

It’s Shusuke Kondo’s favorite sword: Niou Seomi!

The second king is Qingshi - one of the eighty works of property.

A sword that can cut through 20% to 40% of the thickness of a human body is a karma.

I think back then, Kondo Shusuke wore this sword and defeated countless heroes - and also captured Abi's heart.

The heroism of wielding the purity of the two kings and easily defeating powerful enemies... Even today, it is still hidden deep in Abi's heart.

Since getting older and gradually retiring to the second line, Kondo Shusuke has lived a lazy and idle life.

Basking in the sun and taking a walk every day is no different from ordinary old people.

Not to mention dancing with swords, he rarely even wore a sword.

This precious sword that had been with him for most of his life was just placed on the knife rest to gather dust.

Only when maintaining the blade or reminiscing about the past, will the dust on its surface be occasionally brushed off.

Abi looked at Erwang Qingshi, then at Kondo Shusuke, and instantly understood something.

"Old man, you..."

Before Abi finished speaking, Kondo Shusuke turned his head slightly and looked at his wife with a calm smile on his face.

"Abi, you guys go first."

Hearing this, A Bi's expression suddenly changed.

Anyone with any brains can understand what Shusuke Kondo means.

"Old man, don't tell me that you plan to stay!"

"What are you thinking?!"

"Don't even look at how old you are now!"

"With your aging body that always suffers from back pain, even if you go to the battlefield, it will only hinder others!"

"Stop saying such nonsense!"

"Let's go! The carriage is already here!"

As she spoke, she reached out to pull Kondo Shusuke's shoulders - only to find that no matter how hard she tried, even with all her strength, she couldn't pull Kondo Shusuke away at all.

Shusuke Kondo was already used to Abi's vicious tongue.

Most of the time, she has a sharp mouth and a soft heart.

Just like now: even though what she just said was very rude, the care and worry contained in her words were beyond words, and there was a strong lack of calmness in her tone.

The palms of her hands that were tugging at his shoulders were trembling slightly at this moment...

"...Abi, calm down first."

Kondo Shusuke said as he stretched out his right hand and held Abi's left wrist.

Feeling the warmth coming from the other party's palm, the excitement in A Bi's cheeks slowly faded away.

She took several breaths and gradually regained her composure, her palms no longer trembling.

After seeing his wife no longer excited, Kondo Shusuke said slowly:

"Those children... must be working hard to 'help Edo' now."

As he spoke, he turned his head and looked to the west.

The "children" he mentioned were naturally Qing Deng and others.

"The younger generations are fighting bloody battles."

"In this case, it seems too unreasonable for me, as an elder, to run away with my head in my arms."

Abi frowned and said in a deep voice:

"Old man, you are already very old, and you are no longer at the age where you can make a fuss."

"Even if you leave Edo, no one will blame you."

Kondo Shusuke smiled bitterly and shook his head:

"That won't work. Even if no one blames me, I don't want to leave Edo."

Abi couldn't help but question when he heard this:

"Why?!"

"..."

Kondo Shusuke pursed his lips and paused for a moment.

After a while, he put on a serious and solemn look, looked directly at Abi, and their eyes met.

"Abi, I have never told anyone what I am going to say next."

"You are the first person to hear it."

"In fact, when Tachibana-kun formed the Shinsengumi and led his troops to Kyoto, I really wanted to catch up with him."

"I want to go to Kyoto, too!"

"I want to make achievements, too!"

"What a pity... As you just said, I am too old."

"At that time, I was concerned about my aging body."

"I was afraid of causing trouble to Tachibana-kun and the others, so I resisted the urge to 'catch up'."

At this point, he grinned and laughed at himself.

"It's a pity that I have been immersed in swordsmanship for decades, but in the end I have not achieved any success."

"The only two achievements in my life that are worth praising are the establishment of this Shiweikan in Edo and the spread of the Tennen Rishin-ryu in a small area in the Tama area."

"On the day when I saw Tachibana and the others go to Kyoto, I couldn't help but think: This may be the end of my life."

"I will spend the rest of my life in Shiweikan peacefully after basking in the sun and taking a walk every day... Although I don't hate this ending, I still feel regretful."

"I was ready to die peacefully."

"I didn't expect... today, I would encounter such a big battle right in front of me!"

"To be honest, when I learned that the Choshu army was attacking and Edo was in danger... at that moment, I felt my whole body was hot."

"At that moment, I understood: Although my body is decayed, I still don't want to admit defeat."

"The blood in my body is still boiling!"

"Just like this still sharp knife! "

At this point, he suddenly clenched the Niou Qingshi in his hand.

"Abi, the 'day' I have been waiting for for a long time has finally come."

"If I miss it, I may really end my life as a 'retired old man' and never become a 'swordsman' again."

"So... I want to fight! I want to join the battle!"

"This is my Kondo Shusuke's last battle!"

"Whether it's life, death, or any other ending, I will accept it with pleasure! ”

At this moment, anyone can see that the old man exudes amazing "vitality".

Shock, panic, worry... one emotion after another rose and fell on Abi's cheeks.

As the other party's family, she naturally didn't want to see the old man take risks.

She instinctively opened her mouth and tried to dissuade him.

However...after listening to the old man's heartfelt words just now, and seeing the other party's high spirits, she knew better than anyone that even if Amaterasu came down to earth in person, she couldn't persuade the old man back.

So, she slowly closed her mouth, bit her lips, lowered her head, and couldn't say a word for a long time.

Looking at his wife who was silent for a long time, Kondo Shusuke smiled lightly and returned to a gentle expression.

"Abi, don't show such an expression."

"Although I just said it as if I was going to die, I won't die that easily. "

"After all——"

He dragged out the last word, held Niou Kiyomi in his left hand, let his right hand hang naturally, slowly stood up, and faced the Buddha statue beside him.

The next breath, his squinting eyes slightly opened, and a ray of brilliance burst out from between his eyes.

At the same time, he pulled out Niou Kiyomi in his hand with a "swish"! The silver-white blade light bounced out!

The bright blade reflected his old face that was crushed and full of high spirits.

The strong wind caused by drawing the sword swept the whole place.

"I am the third-generation head of the Tennen Rishin-ryu family, Kondo Shusuke! ”

……

……

Edo, Kobu-sho——

The head of Kobu-sho, sword master Otani Seiichiro strode towards the backyard.

In a moment, a small, exquisite courtyard exclusively for the Kobu-sho's top brass came into his sight.

Kiyone Kubota, who was also the head of Kobu-sho, known as the "key player in the martial arts world" and proficient in many martial arts, was sitting on the veranda of this courtyard, looking at the sky, as if thinking about something.

Seiichiro Otani stood behind Kiyone Kubota and said lightly:

"Kiyone, Liuying has issued an order: The entire Kobu-sho army will attack! Fight to the death! ”

Liuying - a respectful name for the shogunate.

The so-called "Kobu Army" is a new army organized and trained by the Kobu Institute.

This new army has experienced twists and turns due to complex political struggles since its establishment.

It has experienced multiple downsizing and budget reductions.

It was not until Tokugawa Iemochi came to power and Aoto was promoted to the president of the army that the living environment of the Kobu Army finally improved significantly.

With the cooperation of Tokugawa Iemochi and Aoto, the Kobu Army received the same treatment as the Hachioji Sennin Tongxin, with priority to be equipped with Western-style guns and cannons, and received the most advanced military training at the time.

After listening to the report of Otani Seiichiro, Kubota Kiyone was silent at first, and then sighed after 5 seconds:

"Alas, if the Choshu Army could arrive half a year later..."

The Kobu Army had the same problem as the Sennin Tongxin: although it was equipped with new guns and cannons, it lacked corresponding training and had not yet formed considerable combat effectiveness.

In a nutshell, the current combat effectiveness of the Kobu Army is far from being able to fight the enemy on the battlefield.

Otani Seiichiro also sighed:

"Even if it is difficult, we can only bite the bullet. This is a battle related to the fate of Edo, and we can't retreat."

As he spoke, he bent down and sat next to Kubota Kiyone.

"Kiyon, how is your health? Can you still draw the bow and swing the sword?"

Kiyon Kubota smiled when she heard this:

"Why? Seiichiro, do you want me to go to the battlefield?"

Seiichiro Otani responded calmly:

"I said, this is a war related to the fate of Edo, we can't retreat. Anyone who can fight must go to the battlefield - including me."

Kiyon Kubota spread his hands helplessly.

"I can't hold the sword now."

"It's impossible to expect me to swing the sword to kill the enemy."

"I can only draw the bow with difficulty."

Seiichiro Otani nodded:

"In this case, when I charge with the sword, please use the bow and arrow to cover me."

Kiyon Kubota shrugged as if she heard some interesting anecdotes:

"... Seiichiro, forgive me for being blunt, in this era where guns and cannons dominate the battlefield, how much effect can our swords have?"

Seiichiro Otani spread his hands.

"Not quite."

"Next, we will use Edo as the battlefield and fight a siege war with the enemy."

"When fighting in a street with complex terrain, the enemy's guns and cannons are difficult to use, and our swords can still come in handy."

Kiyon Kubota grinned, showing a self-deprecating expression:

"Only when fighting in a narrow street can the 'samurai soul' be barely useful... It's really funny."

Otani Seiichiro sneered:

"Kiyon, this is not funny."

"It has been like this since ancient times, hasn't it?"

"You, who are proficient in more than ten kinds of martial arts, should know better than me that even in the Warring States period, the role of swords is very limited."

"Those generals who fought in the battlefield, one by one, all held long spears, fearing that their long spears were half a centimeter shorter than others."

"Sword saints like Nobunaga Kamiizumi also held long spears obediently after going to the battlefield. Gun."

Kiyon Kubota smiled bitterly and shook her head:

"Seiichiro, this is different."

"In the Warring States Period, no matter how powerful the naginata and spear were, swords still had their place."

"However... with the rise of guns and cannons, I really feel that swords and cannons will be eliminated."

"An ordinary pistol is much better than swords and cannons."

"Our military strategies will also be eliminated."

"Once upon a time, I worked hard to practice military strategies."

"I have mastered the military science of Koshu Ryuyama Luden, the Noshima Ryu Water Army, and the Geki Ryu Artillery..."

"I didn't expect that in the end, all these military strategies passed down by our ancestors have become obsolete and useless."

"All the efforts and efforts in the past have become a joke."

After that, he slowly drew out the sword at his waist, and the snow-white blade reflected his looming loneliness.

"It's a pity that we have devoted our entire lives to the sword, defeated countless powerful enemies, but in the end we lost to the trend of the times."

"Seiichiro, now that things have come to this, I will be honest with you."

"I have been very depressed since I was invited by you to serve as the 'Head of the Military Academy'."

"The martial arts I am good at and the military strategies I am proficient in have all lost their value as teachers."

"The only thing I can do is to raise the prestige of the Military Academy with my personal qualifications and help you maintain order."

Faced with Kubota Kiyone's confession, Otani Seiichiro smiled calmly:

"Kiyone, am I not the same? ? "

"The modern era no longer needs a 'sword saint' who only knows how to wield a sword."

"So, when I learned that we would fight a siege battle with the enemy in Edo, I felt a little fortunate - we old bones can finally swing the sword once more before we die!"

"Hahaha, this may be the blessing of the gods and Buddhas."

"Let's regard this battle as the last battle of swords... and us old guys abandoned by the times!"

Looking at the optimistic and reckless boasting of Seiichiro Otani, Kubota Kiyone blinked a few times, with a look of laughter and tears in her eyes.

In a moment, this look turned into a look of "I really can't do anything with you".

"Seiichiro, your optimistic attitude is worth learning from."

After that, he stood up slowly, stretched his waist, and patted the dust on his buttocks.

"Since you've said this, I can only sacrifice my life for you!"

...

...

Time goes back to the present --

Sekigahara, Mt. Tenmang, the main camp --

"..."

After listening to the messenger's report and having a general understanding of the current situation in Edo, Qing Deng raised his hand to rub his eyebrows, rubbing the wrinkles that had formed the character "川".

"... You've worked hard. Go down and rest first. Prepare a clean tent for him, as well as hot water and food!"

Qing Deng said the second half of his words to the guards outside the tent.

The messenger responded and then slowly withdrew.

When he was the only one left in the tent, Qing Deng lowered his head and looked at the map of Japan on the table, staring at the location of Edo, and sorting out the various information he knew so far.

Tokugawa Iemochi ordered a siege battle and swore to "live and die with Edo"; Tenshoin made the same decision and stayed in Edo, unwilling to leave.

How to say... Qing Deng was not surprised by their series of decisions - this was exactly what this mother and son would do!

Don't look at Tokugawa Iemochi's gentle and elegant appearance on weekdays, seemingly a weak gentleman who dares not even kill a chicken.

In fact, he is a very strong-willed person.

How could a person who could take advantage of his illness and kill him, and who saw the weakness of Choshu and immediately ordered the "Choshu Expedition" be a weak person?

As for Tenshoin, she has always been a brave and decisive woman who never shirks her responsibilities in the face of difficulties.

Thinking of the mother and son who are currently trapped in Edo and in danger... Qing Deng raised his head and took a deep breath, trying to calm his disordered mind.

The next breath, he suddenly turned his head and shouted to the outside of the tent:

"Let the general come here immediately!"

The guards immediately responded from outside the tent.

In a moment, Yamanami Keisuke trotted and opened the curtain, appearing in front of Qing Deng.

Qing Deng skipped the small talk and said quickly:

"Jingzhu, I want to play war games, come and play with me."

Yannan Jingzhu nodded without hesitation:

"I'm happy to do it!"

Just as the two of them were placing war games on the map and preparing to launch a fierce attack and defense-

"My lord! An unknown army is coming from the west!"

Hearing this, Qing Deng and Shannan Jingzhu were both stunned.

Since it came from the west, it should not be the enemy.

Besides, if it was the enemy, it would never enter the Shinsengumi's warning zone so openly.

Yamanami Keisuke immediately asked back:

"Did you see the flag?"

The attendant outside the tent replied:

"Yes! They raised a huge flag! There is a huge 'gourd' embroidered on the flag!"

Qing Deng raised his eyebrows fiercely, and his eyes jumped out of joy

"'gourd'? Let them... No, I'll go there myself!"

Before he finished speaking, he rushed out of the tent with big strides.

Led by the guards, Qing Deng, who moved outside the camp, soon found the gourd flag.

Then he found a familiar face.

"Boss Kiryu!"

Looking at Boss Kiryu standing right under the gourd flag, Qing Deng showed a sincere and happy smile - this was the happiest moment he had laughed in recent days.

Boss Kiryu smiled and walked slowly to meet him.

"Tachibana-kun, long time no see."

On the eve of launching the "Second Great Return to China", Qing Deng sent envoys to various places, including Edo, the Kyoto domains, and the gourd house.

The content of the message to Huluwu was basically to ask them to pay more attention and to provide support as much as possible when Qinjin was in trouble.

After that, Huluwu did not respond.

Qingdeng was busy with war preparations, so he did not care about this matter.

Huluwu, which had been silent before, actually sent people to help quietly at this time... This was really beyond Qingdeng's expectation.

"Boss Tongsheng, what are you doing?"

Although he already had the answer in his mind, Qingdeng asked while turning his head to look at the army behind him.

There were about a hundred people. Although the scale was not large, they brought an astonishing number of weapons!

The ammunition filled the carriages; the cannons with shining bodies made Qingdeng speechless.

Boss Kiryu tilted his head and laughed:

"Isn't it obvious? We are here to help!"

"The bandit army is rampant, and our allies are in trouble. We should help them with all our strength!"

"As you can see, we brought 100 musketeers, as well as all the ammunition and weapons we can bring."

"Although it is not a commendable help, it can more or less help you."

Before Boss Kiryu finished speaking, Qing Deng immediately said:

"Boss Kiryu, you are too modest!"

"For us, you are undoubtedly a timely help! It is a great help!"

As far as Qing Deng knows, Huluwu raised a private armed force in the name of "hiring caravan guards".

However, Huluwu is not a warlord after all, and they have no ambition to secede and establish their own regime.

Therefore, the strength of its private armed forces is not large, only a few hundred people, and they are scattered all over the place.

With such a small number of troops, they still managed to squeeze out 100 people to help Qing Deng, and sent an astonishing amount of weapons and equipment... Just this kind of thought has touched Qing Deng deeply!

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