I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 90 The Last Patriot to Resist the Barbarians
In Nijo Castle, Hitotsubashi was furious. He did not expect Yagyu to be so tough and not give the shogunate any face.

"Damn it, the Satsuma clan can influence the decision-making of the shogunate. Yagyu Hiken doesn't take the shogunate seriously at all. If this continues, the shogunate will be destroyed!"

"Aizuhou, Kuwanahou, don't you have any determination to serve the shogunate?"

Faced with Hitotsubashi's accusation, Matsudaira Sadaki was a little ashamed and lowered his head and said: "I'm very sorry, Hitotsubashi-sama, I've been working very hard, but if I conflict with Yagyu Kigan in Kyoto, I'm afraid it will cause the Emperor's dissatisfaction." .”

Matsudaira Yongho also said: "At this time, we can only ask the general to go to Luo, suppress the Satsuma clan, and personally lead the army to conquer Changzhou. Only in this way can the reputation of the shogunate be restored."

Ichihashi Qingxi looked at Matsudaira Yongho with a straight face and said: "It is impossible for the shogun to go to Luo now, and the shogunate has no money to send troops at all. The senior middlemen in Edo are very dissatisfied with the opinions you have put forward, Lord Aizu. They feel that you have already He’s from the Kyoto side!”

Matsudaira Yongho said very aggrievedly: "I have always been loyal to the shogunate, Hitotsubashi-sama, but I took over the post of guardian of Kyoto with the determination to die, in order to assist the shogun in stabilizing the court. I have never had second thoughts!"

Hitotsubashi Yingxi sighed and said: "The situation is difficult now, you guys have to work harder."

Outside the house, a samurai reported: "Reporter, Lord Yagyu is here!"

Hearing this, Hitotsubashi Yingxi was furious, stood up and said, "How dare he come to see me?"

Matsudaira Yongho advised: "Hitohashi-sama, please calm down and let's see what Yagyu-sama says first?"

"Let him in."

Soon, the samurai led Yagyu into the wide room.

Yagyu stepped forward and saluted and said: "Master Hitotsubashi, I am here this time to hope that Master Hitotsubashi will stop causing trouble."

"What!" Ichihashi Keixi couldn't believe it and glared at Yagyu: "Asshole, how dare you talk to me like this, Yagyu Heiyan, have you forgotten the shogunate's kindness to you and how much the shogun values ​​you?"

Yagyu said neither humble nor arrogantly: "Master Hitotsubashi, everything I do is for Japan and the shogunate."

Ichihashi Yoshi laughed angrily: "What did you say? Hahaha, it's so funny! Do you dare to say that you are loyal to the shogunate? Then what are you doing now? Is it loyalty to capture the samurai of the shogunate!"

Faced with Hitotsubashi's questioning, Yagyu's expression showed no change, and he said calmly: "Master Hitotsubashi, the Satsuma clan and other foreign feudal clans wish that I failed in the founding of the country and the reform, so that they could replace me in the emperor's position.

His Majesty the Emperor has always been friendly to the shogunate and hopes that the shogunate will lead the country's reform. However, the senior officials of the shogunate and Lord Hitotsubashi cannot suppress foreign lords such as Satsuma, so the emperor will rely on me.

This is not only because I have defeated Choshu and other anti-barbarian factions many times, but also because I am the royal family of the shogun. Otherwise, how could I be appointed by the emperor to be fully responsible for the founding and restoration of the country?
This is a situation that His Majesty the Emperor has painstakingly arranged, but Lord Hitotsubashi and the shogunate have never understood it. "

Matsudaira Yongho said immediately: "Master Hitotsubashi, I think Master Yagyu is right. His Majesty the Emperor has always been helping the shogunate."

Hitotsubashi looked at Yagyu and asked: "Since you said that the emperor wanted the shogunate to lead the reform, but now you alone are in control of the reform, how can you explain this?"

Yagyu explained: "I think Hitotsubashi-sama knows more about the corruption within the shogunate than I do. If it is left to the shogunate to deal with, how much of the $300 million borrowed foreign debt will be used in practice?
If the new tax system is implemented, will some shogunate officials be bribed to collect less taxes from wealthy businessmen?I don’t think Mr. Hitotsubashi can guarantee that.

Mr. Hitotsubashi, this is the most critical time for Japan, and there is no room for any mistakes. I mentioned the reform to the emperor, so naturally I have to take charge of everything and do a good job in the reform, so that I can repay the emperor's kindness.

Now the imperial court has a new army under my reform. With the new army, the Satsuma clan will not dare to act arrogantly in Kyoto. Without the Satsuma clan to cause trouble, the shogunate can be revived with the support of the imperial court. "

Matsudaira Yongho advised from the side: "Sir Hitotsubashi, the Satsuma clan is our biggest enemy now. Please trust Yagyu-sama for once."

Hitotsubashi thought for a long time and then said: "Okay, Lord Yagyu, I believe you for the time being, but the shogunate will not wait for you for long."

"Thank you, Mr. Hitotsubashi." Yagyu saluted, stood up and left.

Kazuhashi Yingxi watched Yagyu leave and snorted coldly: "He really reminded me that if the Satsuma clan does not get the support of the imperial court, it will end up like the Choshu clan.

Now that Yagyu has been reused by the emperor and holds the real power of the imperial court, the Satsuma clan must be more anxious than the shogunate. Just wait for them to fight, hahaha. "

Matsudaira Yongho wanted to remonstrate, but in the end he just sighed.

Yagyu left Nijo Castle and returned to the Military Guard to deal with the reform. This time, his conversation with Hitotsubashi Keki was candid, but he did not expect Hitotsubashi Keiki to understand.

However, as long as the shogunate does not join forces with the Satsuma Domain, even if he just sits on the sidelines, it will be a good thing for him.

Nowadays, the shogunate is deeply cooperating with France, which makes the British dissatisfied. The Satsuma Domain takes the opportunity to deepen its cooperation with the British. Now the Satsuma Domain not only has a new army, but is also building a navy.

Not only that, the Satsuma clan even secretly helped Takasugi Shinsaku of Choshu.

Now that the feudal government in the Choshu Domain is controlled by the secular faction, and the anti-barbarian faction has been purged, Takasugi Shinsaku, Katsura Kogoro and others are planning to buy foreign guns and start an army.

It was not convenient for the Satsuma clan to come forward, so Saigo Takamori secretly promoted the cooperation between Sakamoto Ryoma and Takasugi Shinsaku.

Because Katsujuku was closed, Sakamoto Ryoma and some people followed Saigo Takamori to the Satsuma Domain on the recommendation of Katsu Kaishu. Sakamoto Ryoma was disappointed with the shogunate, so he changed his mind and felt that the Satsuma Domain should break away from the shogunate and become independent and independent from other feudal lords. United to change the country.

Sakamoto Ryoma's idea suited Saigo Takamori's ambitions, so he deliberately arranged for Sakamoto Ryoma to stay in Nagasaki and met Takasugi Shinsaku. Takasugi Shinsaku explained his ideas to Sakamoto Ryoma, which was to seize the Choshu vassal government, establish a new army, and rule from the shogunate. Be independent.

Sakamoto Ryoma was deeply moved and decided to help Takasugi Shinsaku buy foreign guns.Yagyu's influence is only around Kyoto, and he has no control over the Western Kingdom or Kyushu. All he can do now is to strengthen his own strength.

At nine o'clock in the evening, Yagyu got up and left the office after signing the capital bill for the steel plant.

Ichimura Tetsunosuke was waiting at the gate of the courtyard with a horse.

Yagyu got on his horse and said, "Tetsunosuke, don't follow me tonight."

Ichimura Tetsunosuke said urgently: "Director!"

"The enemy tonight is very powerful. You are no match. Your presence will only hinder me." Yagyu explained.

Tetsunosuke Ichimura took out his revolver and said, "Director, I can use the gun."

Yagyu looked at Ichimura Tetsunosuke with firm eyes, nodded and said, "Okay."

Ichimura Tetsunosuke immediately took the horse's rope and left the Bingwei Mansion.

A moment later, the two arrived at the streets of Kawaramachi. The dark streets were already deserted, with only endless snowflakes falling. Ichimura Tetsunosuke looked around nervously, but saw no one.

Yagyu looked around and saw nothing strange.

But at the entrance of the alley ten meters in front of them, a black figure stood like a pillar with snow on its body.

It wasn't until Yagyu and the two approached that the shadow walked onto the street.

"who!"

Ichimura Tetsunosuke shouted and hurriedly reached for his gun.

Yagyu dismounted and said, "Tetsunosuke, stand back."

"I am Yagyu Heiyan. Who are you, and why do you want to sabotage the national reform?"

Kawagami Hikosai replied: "Shitokawa Hikosai, for the sake of Mr. Miyabe, and for the companions who died in Ikedaya, Yagyu Battosai, today is your day of death."

Yagyu immediately angrily said: "It's stupid. Miyabe Daizo listened to the instigation of Choshu's anti-barbarian faction, ignored the safety of the country, blindly resisted the barbarians, ignored the national security, tried to burn Kyoto, and brought disaster to the people. I must stop Miyabe Daizo's stupidity Behavior."

Kawagami Hikosai took off his bamboo hat, raised his head and glared at Yagyu: "You are a lackey of the foreigners. The Westerners came to Japan with bad intentions. They are ambitious and have no good things. You are actually seeking the skin of a tiger and betraying the country!"

Yagyu looked at the stubborn Kawagami Hikosai and asked sharply: "Have you forgotten the Satsuma and Choshu clans that were defeated by the Westerners?

The Satsuma Domain has cooperated with the British and no longer resists the barbarians. The Choshu Domain was defeated by the Shikoku fleet and suffered heavy losses. The reality is right in front of you. Why are you still stubborn?
If Japan does not learn from Western technology, we will be bullied by Westerners like the Qing Dynasty on the other side of the ocean! "

Heshang Yanzhai shouted angrily: "Shut up! After all, you are always thinking of being a traitor and a traitor. How can our Kingdom of God be invaded by the West? I will kill you today!"

Yagyu looked at Kawagami Hikosai, who was lowering his body, and was a little surprised. The man in front of him was the prototype of Himura Kenshin's swordsmanship, the most powerful one with the quickest draw of the sword.

Kawagami Hikosai must lower his body when using the draw sword, almost in a half-kneeling position.

Yagyu intended to draw the gun with his left hand, but Kawagami Hikosai quickly drew the sword. The sword flashed, and Yagyu could only retreat. With his right hand, he pulled out the wakizashi from his waist and struck down.

Kawagami Hikosai stepped forward to brush the blade and then stabbed. Yagyu immediately pressed down with one hand and dodged sideways.

Yagyu continued to retreat, pulled out the revolver in his arms, and fired a shot at Kawakami Hikosai who was pursuing him.

"boom!"

Heshang Yanzhai was shot in the abdomen and knelt on one knee, holding a knife and pestle on the ground with one hand.

"The age of the sword is over."

Yagyu pointed the revolver at Kawakami Hikosai and said.

Kawakami Hikosai felt that his life was passing quickly. He pushed himself up and tried to stand up, but eventually fell to the ground, breathing heavily.

"What a shame, my speed of drawing my sword is not fast enough..."

Snowflakes continued to fall, and Heshang Yanzhai finally closed his eyes and died.

Yagyu put away his revolver, walked up to Kawagami Hikosai, shook his head slightly and said, "The era of swords is over."

(End of this chapter)