I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 81 Storm in Kyoto, Battle of Fushimi

The envoys from the four countries arrived in Kyoto as scheduled and stayed in a mansion near the imperial palace. This time, the remaining members of the Shinsengumi from Osaka accompanied the envoys. Even Yamanan Keisuke and Takeda Kanryusai from Kobe also brought them with them. The students from Shengjuku are back.

Katsu Kaishu's Katsujuku was ordered to be closed by the shogunate half a month ago.

As soon as the envoys from the four countries arrived, Yagyu personally came to receive them.

This time Yagyu put on the official uniform and arrived at the embassy to meet with the ministers of the four countries.

On the British side, the Acting Minister John Neill, the French Minister Bailey Court, the American Minister Robert Pruin, and the Dutch Minister were not important.

The four envoys were wearing black tuxedos and gentleman's hats. Yagyu was wearing the official attire of the Heian period, not the samurai robe of the Kenbu family from the Warring States Period to the Edo period.

Since Yagyu is the fifth child, his clothes are crimson.

Although Yagyu was dressed in Heian period attire, he did not apply any make-up and was greeted without makeup.

Therefore, what the four envoys saw was Yagyu, who was tall and handsome.

Yagyu stepped forward and greeted: "My Excellency, Yagyu Heiyan, by order of the Emperor, I welcome the four ministers to Kyoto. Please take a seat."

A long Western-style table had already been set up in the lobby. The four ministers were not too polite and sat on one side of the long table. Yagyu also sat opposite them.

John Neil smiled and said: "I thought Mr. Yagyu had to follow etiquette and sit down on his knees?"

Liu Sheng didn't take it seriously and said: "The imperial court decided to found the country, so it is natural to keep pace with the times. I still have some understanding of Western etiquette."

Baileycoat immediately asked: "Mr. Yagyu, I heard that a big event happened in Kyoto recently. Mr. Yagyu seems to have angered the beast of Choshu. Their army is only more than 30 miles away from Kyoto?"

Yagyu knew that this group of people would definitely ask about this matter, and he said indifferently: "Mr. Baileycoat, don't worry about this army, an army that only relies on swords, how can it be the opponent of my infantry team? "

Robert Pruin nodded and said: "Mr. Yagyu is right, but the shogunate is still a little behind."

Yagyu took the opportunity to say: "After discussing with the ministers about the opening of the port, and the imperial court has funds, it will form a new national defense force. At that time, we also hope that the ministers can provide new foreign guns, artillery, warships and other munitions."

Arms business!

Whether it is Britain's John Neill or France's Bailey Court, the United States' Robert Pruin wants to win this arms business.

Especially Robert Pruin, he knew that the civil war in the country was already at a great advantage, and victory was already foreseeable.

By the time the war ends, a large number of weapons will have nowhere to go. If he can solve the problems for the domestic arms dealers, his journey will be much smoother.

Robert Pruin immediately agreed: "No problem, Mr. Yagyu, as long as you can give the money at the time, we can sell you weapons!"

Not to be outdone, John Neal said: "The Enfield 1853 rifled gun Mr. Yagyu is using is already a backward variety. Now we are working on a breech-loading gun. It has been tested and will be built soon. You can come when the time comes. have a look."

Baileycourt also rushed to promote French arms.

When Yagyu saw the positive Three Kingdoms, he felt happy. Several countries had their own plans, which gave Yagyu the opportunity to benefit from both sides.

"There is no rush on this matter. You can rest for a few days and wait until we finish discussing the opening of the port in July."

John Neil and the others were not in a hurry, and it was not too late to see if Yagyu could deal with the enemy army outside the city.

As for the Choshu Army outside the city, it still stayed in place. Even though Shima Matabei and Maki Izumi were clamoring to march, they were lower-level samurai after all, and the decision-making power rested with the upper-level.

Today, the anti-barbarian faction is still in power, and several family elders are still arguing over whether to send troops.

However, there was also a debate in the Shinsengumi camp.

"Now Mr. Hitotsubashi has publicly stated that he will not participate in our war with Choshu. The Satsuma Domain, Tosa Domain and other powerful domains have all followed the shogunate. With only more than 1000 troops left, can we really win?"

Although Takeda Kanryusai learned advanced Western tactics, he still had no idea.

Shannan Keisuke also expressed a different opinion: "Is it really good to fight in Kyoto?"

Hijikata Toshizo said dissatisfied: "Then what can we do now? If we didn't stop the Ikedaya group before, they would set fire to the Gion Festival. It is not our Shinsengumi's fault that caused today's situation."

Nagakura Shinpachi also spoke up: "To be fair, this time it's all the Choshu Domain's problem."

Takeda Kanryusai immediately looked at the superior Yagyu and asked: "Director, please make your decision!"

"Director, please think twice!"

"This is the time to make a name for yourself!"

"I, Sanosuke, will take the lead, hahaha!"

Yagyu raised his hand to signal everyone to be quiet, and then said: "Whether it is the Inspection Bureau or the Shinsengumi, our mission is to defend Kyoto and the Emperor. At this point, we have no way out!
The shogunate does not support me, and Satsuma and other lords are adding insult to injury. Choshu thinks that everyone in the world is afraid of him. If they want to fight, then we will accompany them to the end! "

Kondo Isamu shouted: "We will never allow the Choshu Domain to be so unscrupulous. I am willing to fight with the director."

Hijikata Toshizo, Okita Souji, Nagakura Shinpachi and other Shinsengumi backbones all voiced their support. Even several company commanders of the infantry team and hundreds of trainees who had just returned from Kobe were willing to fight.

Takeda Kanryusai sighed and said: "I listen to the director."

Shannan Keisuke frowned and said, "If the Choshu clan comes all the way to fight, we have a greater chance of winning. We are afraid that the Choshu clan will divide its forces."

Just as Shannan Keisuke feared, although there were still quarrels within the Choshu clan, Fukuhara Echizen took a detour with 800 people to the Choshu stronghold in Fushimi Street.

After Fukuhara Echizen marched, Kushima Matabei, Maki Izumi and others immediately led a thousand into Saga Tenryuji Temple, and the other group was forced to march to Yamazaki Tenno Mountain by Kusaka Genzui.

When Yagyu learned that the Choshu clan had marched, he immediately ordered all his troops to go into battle and enter their predetermined positions.

Yagyu led the 100 Infantry Team, [-] Shinsengumi soldiers, and [-] people from the Prosecutor's Office to enter the Fushimi Street position and confront Fukuhara Echizen's troops.

Although the two sides had already met each other at war, they were still restrained, especially Emperor Xiaomei who sent envoys to the Choshu army many times to persuade them to retreat.

Hisaka Genzui took the opportunity to run to Fushimi Street to meet Fukuhara Echizen.

In the formation, Fukuhara Echizen was fully armored and sitting on the main seat. Hisaka Gensui stepped forward a few steps, and the armor on his body rattled.

"Lord Fukuhara, once we advance, there is no way out!"

Hisaka Genrui looked a little anxious.

"Although we went to Luo to express our grievances directly, the nature of our attack on Kyoto has changed."

Fukuhara Echizen waved his hand impatiently and said: "Okay, don't say any more. As long as we win, there will be no problem. Do you think these wastes in Kyoto are the opponents of the Choshu clan? You are worrying too much.

Okay, step back quickly. I don’t want to say any more unnecessary words. If Yagyu Heiyan in front doesn’t get out of the way, I will fight him. "

Hisaka Genzui wanted to say more, but he was taken out by the samurai around Fukuhara Echizen. Hisaka Genzui had no choice but to return to his station.

Half an hour later, Fukuhara Echizen sent an envoy to the Yagyu formation. The warrior stepped forward and shouted: "Yagyu Xiyan, listen to me, you are a traitor who deceived the Holy Listener and falsely accused my lord. You should be killed. Now as long as If the imperial court pardons my unjust crime of the Choshu vassal and restores my lord's duty of guarding the palace, we will withdraw our troops."

For these two conditions, even if Yagyu agrees, neither the shogunate nor the Satsuma clan will agree.

Yagyu was too lazy to talk nonsense and said to Hijikata Toizo next to him: "Don't talk nonsense to them and tell them to retreat immediately."

Hijikata Toshizo stepped forward and shouted: "Retreat immediately!" Upon hearing the reply, the samurai cursed in a low voice and immediately returned to the formation.

"Master Fukuhara, Yagyu Heeyan is stubborn and trying to resist to the end!"

Fukuhara Echizen immediately stood up and came to the front of the formation. When he saw the Chengzi flag opposite, he was filled with anger.

"Yagyu Heiyan! Will you get out of the way?"

When Yagyu heard the shouts of an old man, he also walked to the front of the formation and shouted: "Stop talking nonsense and retreat quickly!"

Fukuhara Echizen immediately drew his sword and shouted: "For the sake of my lord's innocence and for the sake of the Choshu Domain, go into battle!"

"Oh!"

"Bang bang bang..."

The Choshu clan's iron artillery team took the lead in firing.

"Director, be careful!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke immediately jumped in front of Yagyu to block the projectiles. Fortunately, the Choshu Iron Artillery Team's shots were not accurate, but several members of the surrounding infantry team were shot and fell to the ground.

Yagyu pushed Ichimura Tetsunosuke away and shouted: "Shoot!"

"Bang bang bang..."

"what…"

A company in front of the infantry team fired in a round, and its accuracy was much more accurate than that of the Choshu clan soldiers. Just one company's round of fire killed 80 people in the Fukuhara Echizen team.

Fukuhara Echizen's expression changed drastically, and he immediately shouted: "Come on, kill me!"

The soldiers of the Choshu Domain charged towards the front line of the infantry with spears in their hands and shouts.

Yagyu immediately ordered the first company to retreat, and the infantry teams of the second and third companies climbed up to the houses on both sides. In the middle of the road, 100 people from the Shinsengumi and 100 people from the Prosecutor's Office Action Team formed to fight.

"kill!"

Within a minute, the two sides started fighting hand-to-hand on the street.The infantry gunners on the houses on both sides fired bursts to kill the enemy soldiers on the periphery.

In just a moment, the streets were filled with the corpses of Changzhou feudal soldiers.

A samurai suggested to Fukuhara Echizen: "Master Fukuhara, the enemy's guns are sharp. If we continue to fight, our army will be defeated. Please quickly ask for help from other teams!"

Fukuhara Echizen was so jealous that he grabbed his samurai and said angrily: "Go and ask Masuda-sama and Kuniji-sama for help!"

Not long after, Shimada Kui ran to Fushimi Street, stepped forward to pay homage to Yagyu and said, "Director, the Choshu Army from Saga Tenryuji Temple is coming here!"

Yagyu immediately ordered: "Let the earthwork team come to support!"

Half an hour later, Kunji Qinxiang and Kurushima Matabei, Maki Izumi and others led more than 1000 Choshu feudal soldiers to Fushimi Street to support Fukuhara Echizen.

Fukuhara Echizen immediately reported to Kuniji Qinhui: "The enemy's foreign guns are very powerful. They occupied the houses on both sides of the street and caused a lot of casualties to our army. However, Yagyu personally led 200 people to fight with our army's spear team on the street. Fight."

Kurushima Matabei gritted his teeth and said: "The evil thief Yagyu Kisehan is actually here. I will personally lead the troops to kill this evil thief and avenge Mr. Miyabe and the others!"

Prime Minister Kunji immediately said: "I'll leave it to you when I come to the island!"

Kurushima Matabei immediately led his people to the front line. He saw the sincerity flag flying in the distance and shouted: "The biggest traitor in the world is in front. Everyone, kill Yagyu Hien and restore peace to the world!"

"kill!"

When Yagyu saw the thousands of soldiers from the Choshu domain who had newly joined the battlefield, he immediately drew his sword and ordered: "Let the retreating first company fix their bayonets and come to support."

"We must not retreat before reinforcements arrive!"

He shouted to the guards on his left and right: "Follow me to fight!"

Yagyu took the lead to rush to the battlefield ahead. Although he was facing armored feudal soldiers, Yagyu's swordsmanship was derived from combat skills.

Yagyu changed the range and angle of the sword, and saw him rushing towards the No. 1 feudal soldier, rushing sideways, avoiding the thrust of the feudal soldier, and stabbing directly through the gap in the armor with the Onimaru-kiri thrust in his hand.

"what!"

The Changshu feudal soldiers couldn't help but throw away their weapons, covered their wounds and screamed.

Yagyu had already drawn his sword. He took advantage of the feudal soldier's screams and struck with one move, injuring the leg of the feudal soldier. The screaming feudal soldier fell down on the street and wailed.

Yagyu ignored the Changshu feudal soldier who had lost his combat effectiveness, and continued to kill the No. 2 feudal soldier.

On the battlefield, Yagyu suddenly advanced from left to right. Dozens of feudal soldiers and several samurai had been chopped down by Yagyu to the ground. However, the surrounding Changshu soldiers still refused to retreat, and the number of team members gathered around him was decreasing.

When Raijima Matabei saw Yagyu, he immediately shouted excitedly: "Don't worry about the others, come together and kill Yagyu Hien!"

"Kill!"

"Rush over!"

"Director of Protection!"

The fierce battle was centered on Yagyu, with nearly 2000 people fighting. The Choshu soldiers led by Kurushima Matabei were occupying houses on both sides, and the infantry units were retreating.

The more than 300 people led by Yagyu had nearly a hundred casualties and were retreating.

Fukuhara Echizen and Kuniji, who were at the rear, were overjoyed to have a close relationship.

Fukuhara Echizen said excitedly: "Yagyu Hiken's soldiers and horses are about to be unable to hold on. This time we win!"

The Minister of State was also full of joy and said: "Hahaha, only Yagyu Heiyan dares to lead troops to fight against us. I think this world needs our Choshu clan to protect us, and these cowards in the shogunate can't do it!"

The two of them were not happy for too long when they saw a warrior shouting: "Over there, there is another sincerity flag coming over there!"

"Hijikata and Kondo's reinforcements are here!"

Behind Yagyu, a burst of cheers sounded.

Hijikata Toshizo, Kondo Isamu, Okita Souji and other Shinsengumi backbones led more than 100 Shinsengumi team members and more than 300 action team members to arrive.

Kondo Isamu saw the fierce battle ahead and immediately ordered: "The Choshu rebels must not be allowed to enter Kyoto. Everyone, follow me to rescue the director!"

"Kill!"

Okita Souji drew his sword and ran excitedly at the front, rushing into the battlefield.

　I didn't wake up until the afternoon today and went to the hospital. I had a severe cough. After the test, the COVID-[-] test result was not negative. There was inflammation in the lungs. The doctor recommended hospitalization.

　　Some were written in the hospital, and some were written after returning home. The content was written in a hurry, and many details were not thought through.Sorry everyone.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)