I formed the strongest swordsman group

Demonstrating martial arts in front of the general... This is the "imperial performance" that thousands of warriors dream of!

In this world, there are indeed martial idiots who "just want to practice martial arts, only need to practice martial arts, as long as they can practice martial arts, they don't even have to eat".

However, such "lunatics" who can ignore people's normal physiological needs are only a very small number after all.

The vast majority of people still have to bow down 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, "practice martial arts, and then be recognized by the superiors for one's martial arts" is one of the few ways to achieve class transition.

How many masters of martial arts who want to enter the official career and want to show their ambitions in the official career are depressed all their lives because they lack an opportunity to show their talents in front of the shogun and daimyo.

At only 18 years old, Qingdeng won the honor of performing martial arts in front of the imperial court... If this news gets out, I don't know how many people will turn their eyes red with envy.

In the eyes of others, facing such a golden opportunity that may change one's future life, it is simply a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity... Qingdeng lacks enthusiasm.

Qingdeng doesn't have any career ambitions at present, so he is not interested in showing himself in front of Tokugawa Iemo... But he is very interested in the competition itself.

Why not do this kind of eye-opening opportunity to see the martial arts strength of the world-famous "Third Fan Group" generals and have the opportunity to copy new talents?

Generals usually only watch martial arts competitions at the White Academy.

Right now, Tokugawa Jiamao, Tianzhangyuan and others have moved from the Black Academy to the White Academy first.

And Qingdeng, under the leadership of a certain surname under Tokugawa Ieshige, went to the nearby Chrysanthemum. Prepare to wear protective gear and take weapons in the chrysanthemum, and prepare for the competition.

Chrysanthemum, like Daihiroma, Kuroshuin, and Hakushuin, is the "obyo" room located in the Honmaru Palace.

The function of this room is similar to that of a lounge.

When the general summons the daimyos whose banners or stone heights are between 10,000 and 30,000 that have not been sealed off, the above-mentioned people will rest and wait for orders here.

When large-scale ceremonies and meetings are held, this room will be set as the hall seats for Dafantou, Academy Fantou, and Xiaoxing Group Fantou.

There are still many lounges like the Chrysanthemum Room in the "watch" of the Honmaru Palace.

People of different status levels can use and enter different lounges.

For example, Yanjian, which is adjacent to Juma, is dedicated to serving daimyos with a stone height of 10,000 to 300,000. The so-called castle holding daimyo is the daimyo of the vassal state with the city.

Between the emperors' mirrors - a part of the White Academy. The objects of service are genealogy daimyos with 10,000 to 100,000 stones.

The lounge with the highest standard is Liujian—a part of the Black Academy. Only the Ii family, the Aizu Matsudaira family, the Takamatsu Matsudaira family, or other daimyos who have retired from the senior middle school are eligible to use this room.

In addition to these "dedicated rooms for daimyo", there are also many lounges in the "Omote" that are exclusively used by waiters and officials in Edo Castle. For example, between the head of the new group, doctor Fan, and the Kikyo dedicated to the female middle school payers.

"Mr. Orange, we're here."

After Xiao Xing, who was leading the way, said this, he bent his knees and knelt on one knee in front of a paper sliding door with gorgeous patterns painted on it, and then slowly opened the door with a very respectful gesture.

The moment the door was opened, noise and hot air burst out.

A sound wave composed of noisy chatting sounds rushed towards Qingdeng.

Surprised by the uproar, Qingdeng frowned slightly, rolled his eyes, and quickly scanned the scene in the enclosure.

There is a lot of noise in the room... 10 warriors of different ages sit or stand on the fragrant tatami mats, doing their own things.

More than a dozen brand-new protective gear and bamboo swords were neatly placed by the door.

"Mr. Orange."

At this time, the little surname 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 face later."

Qingdeng showed a clear expression on his face, and nodded slightly: "I see... Thank you."

After nodding his thanks to the little surname, 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 because they heard the movement.

But they only glanced at Qing Deng, then looked away, and continued to do what they were doing.

Those who are in a daze continue to be in a daze, those who chat continue to chat, and those who wear protective gear continue to wear protective gear.

Nobody paid any attention to Qing Deng at all... just like when Qing Deng didn't exist.

The "turning a blind eye" to him by the people in the room made Qingdeng frown again... It's not that he was complaining about the indifference of these people.

Instead, I feel that the aura emanating from these people...is weird.

Qingdeng vaguely sensed that the ignorance of these people was not the kind of ignorance that despises him or despises him.

It's the kind of... indifference to everything outside.

—Forget it, don't care about that much.

Qingdeng collected his mind, turned around and walked towards the pile of protective gear placed by the door.

Just when Qingdeng picked up a piece of body armor and was about to put it on his body——

"Gui'an~ You are the person we will fight against later: Ju Qingdeng?"

From behind came a neutral voice that made people feel so refreshing, whether it was in terms of words, sentences or tone of voice.

Suddenly being called to by someone...Qing Deng was startled for a moment, then turned his face immediately following the sound.

I saw two warriors standing side by side 3 steps behind him.

The two warriors are about 160cm and 150cm tall respectively.

Due to the poor lighting and the fact that both of them were wearing a full set of protective gear that tightly covered their upper bodies and their entire heads, they couldn't see their faces clearly.

The voice that Qing Deng heard just now came from the taller person.

"I'm Ju Qingdeng." Qingdeng said, "Who are you?"

"Wow~ I finally met you~!" The taller man excitedly chopped his feet a few times, "We meet you for the first time! I am Shimazaki Kazu from the Daiban group!"

After finishing speaking, Shimazaki turned sideways slightly, stretched out his hand and pointed at the short man beside him:

"This is my friend - Shigeru Tokuyama! Just like me, he also came from the big fan group!"

"It's our first time meeting." Shigeru Deshan bowed to Qingdeng with a neither humble nor overbearing attitude, "I'm Shigeru Deshan. Mr. Tachibana, I've admired your name for a long time. Please give me your advice on the upcoming competition."

"Where. I just want to ask you to give me some pointers." Qingdeng politely handed over a polite word, and bowed to return the salute.

——The movements of these two people... are so elegant.

When bowing his head to return the salute, Qingdeng couldn't help raising his eyes, secretly looking at Shimazakiichi and Tokuyama Shigeru in front of him.

Through the very brief contact just now, Qingdeng has discovered that the two people are very elegant in both their standing posture and their gestures, and they can be seen at a glance as people who have received extremely strict quality education.

Qingdeng didn't think it was too rare for this, but silently sighed in his heart:

——Worthy of being a son of a famous family...

The "Third Fan Group" is the imperial guards responsible for personal protection of the general and Edo. The importance of status is far beyond that of ordinary troops such as the first-hand bow group and the first-hand iron cannon group.

Therefore, in order to ensure combat effectiveness and loyalty to the general, the "Sanfan Group" only recruited soldiers from Banner and his children.

There is no shortage of famous families with a family salary of thousands or thousands of shi, richer and more powerful than some small daimyos, so in the "Sanfan Group" I met that kind of person with high personal qualities and exuded an "aristocratic atmosphere". people, not unusual.

"Mr. Orange! I have heard of your name and deeds a long time ago! I have always respected you! I never thought I would have the opportunity to meet a real person!"

Speaking of which, Shimazaki paused. Raising his eyes, he stared at Qingdeng's face several times.

"You are much more handsome than I imagined!"

After finishing speaking, Shimazaki laughed "giggling"... The laughter was a bit strange, but it was not unpleasant.

"Uh, thanks."

Shimazaki is very familiar. He obviously just met Qingdeng, but in the end he chatted enthusiastically with Qingdeng like an old friend who has been with him for many years.

Qingdeng never disliked people he knew, so he was willing to have a chat with Shimazaki.

As for Tokuyama Shigeru, he was a little taciturn. After introducing himself, he hasn't spoken much.

At this moment, a loud conversation suddenly came from not far away, which attracted the attention of Qingdeng, Shimazaki Kazu, and Tokuyama Shigeru——

...

"Tsk, it's been a long time since I went to Yoshihara's place to relax. I'm almost suffocating, I miss the bed with the water chestnut flower on the side."

"Speaking of Yoshiwara...do you know? Itazaki from Shuyuan Fan seems to have been "accepted" by Yoshihara unfortunately, and got sick from Hana Liu."

"Huh? Really? That kid is too miserable. What kind of willow disease is it? The one with red spots all over the body? If it is the kind of willow 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, it's so pitiful. Playing with women to death."

"Hey, don't talk about such depressing topics. Let's talk about important business-shall we go for a drink tonight?"

"Oh? Good. Where to drink?"

...

The three samurai from unknown units of the "Third Division" put on their protective gear in a slow motion, and at the same time talked loudly, discussing various trivial matters that had nothing to do with the upcoming competition.

Listening to the conversations of these people and looking at their foolish faces, Qingdeng's eyelids slowly lowered...

——This is... the imperial guards of the shogunate?

Thinking of this, Qing Deng turned his head and glanced at the rest of the room.

Although the others were not chatting about "Where are we going to play after get off work tonight" so outrageously like the three of them, they looked more relaxed than the other.

There is no vigor... There is no enthusiasm and high-spirited spirit.

After some observation, only Shimazaki Kazu and Tokuyama Shigeru in front of him look a little bit like-at least these two have been wearing protective gear a long time ago. Unlike some people who move slowly, it took a long time to put on the cage.

——It's really outrageous...

Obviously the martial arts competition is about to start, but the group of people except Shimazaki Kazu and Tokuyama Shigeru seem to have nothing to do with their affairs here... To be honest, their attitude makes Qingdeng a little disappointed .

No, very disappointed.

He originally thought that the "Third Fan Group" as a unit enjoying the best logistical support, having the strictest selection conditions for soldiers, and shouldering the most important responsibilities, the physical and mental state and overall quality of the soldiers would definitely be far better than the general ones. warrior.

Unexpectedly... There is such a big gap between the "prediction" and the "reality" that is being presented in front of my eyes.

Qingdeng wasn't looking forward to the upcoming competition - it was hard to imagine how brilliant this kind of distracted, blind-eyed guy would be in the upcoming competition.

"...Mr. Orange, what do you think of these guys?"

Suddenly, Shimazaki asked Qingdeng like this.

Compared with the demeanor when chatting with Qingdeng just now, Shimazaki's tone of voice has become much more solemn.

"How about what?" 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 big taboo in social life to talk lightly and deeply—Qingdeng also understands this truth.

He has never met Shimazakiichi and Tokuyama Shigeru. Talking about this kind of topic with strangers like them is only harmful, not beneficial.

So Qingdeng chose to pretend to be stupid to the end and remain silent to the end.

However, Qingdeng didn't make a sound—Shimazaki first murmured to himself:

"I'm very disappointed with these guys... How decent are they? If there is a war in the future, how will they defend the general with their virtues..."

After saying this, Shimazaki lowered his head and sighed heavily... an aura called "lost" emanated from his body.

But in just a moment, Shimazaki cheered up.

He raised his head abruptly, and the lost aura in his body was swept away in an instant.

"Speaking of 'Yoshihara'... Mr. Tachibana, have you ever been to Yoshihara?"

"No." Qingdeng replied without thinking.

"Coincidentally, I have never been to Yoshiwara. I have always wanted to go to Yoshiwara to open my eyes and see what this 'sleepless city' that makes countless Edo men dream about looks like."

"Huh? Go to Yoshiwara to open your eyes? Why is it so difficult?" Qingdeng asked puzzled, "Yoshihara is not located in any remote country that is difficult to get to. When you are free someday, go directly to Yoshihara. Can you see what Yoshihara looks like?"

"Cluck..."

Shimazaki smiled and said nothing... Then, he changed the topic a little bluntly:

"Speaking of which—Mr. Orange, you should have met His Highness Tianzhangyuan just now, right?"

"...What are you asking this for?"

Although after Jing Yi Naobi was assassinated, the power of the "Nanji faction" was severely shaken, and the "Yitobashi faction" made a comeback, the status and power of Tianzhangyuan were severely impacted, but no matter what, Tianzhangyuan was the imperial court. , is the nominal mother of the current general.

Talking about the rights and wrongs of "Mother of the Nation" with strangers... This is not a sensible behavior.

Therefore, after hearing the name of Tianzhangyuan from Shimazakiichi, Qingdeng's eyebrows twitched, and he was secretly wary.

"nothing."

Shimazaki grinned.

"I just want to chat with you casually."

"I heard that His Highness Tianzhangyuan was also present when you met with the General in the Black Academy just now."

"That's why I want to ask you: what was your impression of meeting His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan for the first time."

After finishing speaking, Shimazaki let out a "huh" and let out a long breath.

On the face under the mask, there was a bit of reminiscence.

"My first impression of His Highness Tianzhangyuan was very deep——When I first saw His Highness Tianzhangyuan, I was really disappointed."

"I used to hear from others that His Highness Tianzhangyuan is such a beautiful woman."

"It's something like 'His Highness Tenzhangin is the most beautiful woman in Edo', and something like 'Chiba Sanako from Chiba in Otsucho-machi is a bit inferior to her'."

"In the end, the real appearance of His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan is so ordinary. I feel that he is not as good-looking as my sister."

"Duke Jia Ding may have disliked His Majesty Tianzhang Yuan for being too ugly, so he has never had sex with her. Hehehe~"

Shimazaki laughed uncontrollably.

After laughing to his heart's content, he seemed to want to say something more——

"...Okay, stop talking."

But Qingdeng interrupted him with a cold tone.

After Shimazakiichi and Tokuyama Shigeru beside him cast bewildering glances at Qingdeng, Qingdeng said seriously with a very solemn face:

"Although I have only met His Highness Tianzhangyuan once...but I personally think His Highness Tianzhangyuan shouldn't be ridiculed like this by others."

"Oh?" Shimazaki tilted his head, "Why do you say that?"

"...His Royal Highness Tianzhangyuan has tasted the fickleness of the world and the warmth and coldness of the world, but she did not give up on this. She survived all the setbacks with her extremely tenacious will."

"For a long time, His Highness Tianzhangyuan has fulfilled his obligations as the Great Royal Platform very well, and actively assists Dashugong as much as he can."

"Her character is undeniable."

"A strange woman like Her Majesty Tianzhangyuan shouldn't be ridiculed so maliciously."

Qingdeng's above-mentioned words...do not have any meaning of flattery or politeness in it. All words from the heart.

Besides, it doesn't make much sense to talk good things about Tianzhangyuan to this kind of "three-fan group".

As a first-class celebrity in Edo, Tenzhangin's past has been spread far and wide in the market a long time ago.

Tianzhangin, who married to Edo as a "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 clan was the Shimadzu clan. Tenzhang-in was born in the branch family of the Satsuma Shimadzu family: the Imaizumi family.

The former lord of the Satsuma domain: Shimadzu Qibin, is a hardcore member of the Hitotsubashi faction.

In order to better support Hitotsubashi's succession and expand the influence of the Hitotsubashi faction in the shogunate, Shimadzu Qibin decided to marry the Edo shogunate.

However, Shimadzu Qibin did not have a woman of the right age under his knees... So, Shimadzu Qibin set his sights on the branch of the Shimadzu family, and planned to take the adult women of the branch family as his adopted daughters——Tianzhangyuan became like this Princess of Satsuma Domain.

Not long after being adopted by Shimadzu Qibin as an adopted daughter, Tianzhangyuan was quickly sent out of her homeland like a duck being put on the shelf, and traveled a long distance to marry Tokugawa Iesada, who suffered from medical cerebral palsy and no longer looked like a normal person. .

Becoming a victim of politics... This is just the beginning of the tragedy of Tianzhangyuan.

Tokugawa Iedada, who suffers from cerebral palsy, is not only physically weak since childhood, but also cowardly by nature. He hates talking in front of others. Only the wet nurse Utahashi can communicate with him.

When Tianzhangyuan married him, his body and mind had basically reached a state of total collapse.

Shut himself in the room all day, hardly seeing anyone... Tianzhangyuan, who has already been named husband and wife with him, is no exception.

On July 6th in the fifth year of Ansei (1858), Tokugawa Ieding died of illness. Tianzhangyuan and his short-lived marriage of 1 year and 7 months without a couple has come to an end.

According to the regulations of the Edo shogunate, after the death of the general, his main wife and concubine should all become nuns.

Even her own husband may not have met a few times, and she has become a little widow who has to cut her family...

When Tianzhangyuan was married to Edo, her biological father died of illness in Satsuma.

But Tianzhangyuan couldn't go back home to visit her deceased father... Not to mention visiting her parents, from the moment she was selected as the "marriage partner of the Tokugawa family", she never had the chance to return to her hometown , No chance to see her relatives and friends from the past.

Suffering so much grievance, but she has no one to vent her resentment on—because the person who created her current situation: Qi Bin Shimadzu died of illness as early as 10 days after the Tokugawa family decided to die. Kagoshima died suddenly.

The setbacks suffered by Tianzhangyuan are not over yet - after Shimadzu Qibin died of illness, the new Shimadzu Family Governor: Tadyoshi Shimadzu adopted a completely disregarded attitude towards Tianzhangyuan.

This is not difficult to understand.

Shimadzu Tadyoshi has nothing to do with Tianzhangyuan. And Tianzhang Court now has no use value.

To put it simply - the relationship between Tianzhangyuan and Satsuma is completely "broken"... No. To be precise...it should be a "abandoned" relationship.

I obviously made so many sacrifices for the sake of Satsuma, but in the end, not only did I get nothing, but I was also ruthlessly abandoned by my hometown...

He became a political tool in a daze, and he didn't even know whether he had exerted the effect that the "tool" should have, so he was thrown aside like a waste...

To tell the truth—after encountering this series of changes, even if the body and mind become distorted, it is not surprising.

But Tianzhangyuan is not like this... So Qingdeng really admires Tianzhangyuan's heart and willpower.

Regarding what happened to Tianzhangyuan, although Qingdeng dare not say that he feels the same way, he can at least express his infinite sympathy for this poor little widow.

Hearing Shimazaki's ridicule of Tianzhangyuan, Qingdeng really felt a little uncomfortable.

"Oh~"

Received Qingdeng's stern warning... Shimazaki did not show any displeasure.

He "giggled" lightly... he didn't know what he was laughing at.

Shigeru Tokuyama, who was on the side, also let out a "huh" at this time, and smiled.

Just then—

"Time is up."

The voice of the little surname who led Qingdeng here just now came from outside the room.

"The martial arts performance is about to start. Mr. Orange, please come with me."

...

...

Edo, Edo Castle, Hakushuin——

Putting on all the protective gear, Qing Deng stood at a corner of the White Academy with a bamboo sword in hand.

I saw that on the north side of the White Academy, there was an extra thick curtain - Tokugawa Jiashige, Tianzhangyuan and some waiters all sat behind this curtain.

People outside the curtain can't see the scene inside the curtain clearly.

On the contrary, the people inside the curtain should not be able to see the scene outside the curtain clearly.

Seeing this, Qingdeng felt very strange in his heart—sitting behind such a curtain, Tokugawa Jiamao and Tianzhangyuan could still see the contest clearly?

Just when Qingdeng was secretly wondering about this matter, his first opponent entered the field.

Shimazakiichi and Tokuyama Shigeru are all sitting on the east side of Haku Academy, ready to fight against Qingdeng at any time.

The referee is an old man named Honda Feng.

The tempo of this impromptu martial arts performance was very fast, without any redundant opening remarks. After the old referee appeared, he simply mentioned the rules and the conditions for winning and losing, and then shouted loudly, "Both parties please salute."

Qingdeng and his No. 1 opponent both clenched their bamboo swords and squatted down.

"The competition begins!"

call!

As soon as the referee announced the start of the competition, opponent No. 1 suddenly swung a knife at Qing Deng's face.

Although the speed is fast...but it is not faster than Qingdeng's reaction!

Qingdeng parried his sword with lightning speed.

Seeing that the blow was missed, the man took two quick steps back, widening the distance between him and Qingdeng.

*****

*****

Suddenly found that the title of Chapter 52 of Volume 2 has been misunderstood, and the "facial cleanser" in the title has been deleted... (Leopard Mania.jpg)

Ask for a monthly pass! Ask for a recommendation ticket! (Leopard Head Crying.jpg)