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Edo, the residence of the Hitotsubashi family——

The Hitotsubashi family is one of the "Three Royal Lords". [Read the novel with the correct chapter, search on google]

The Tian Degawa family, the Hitotsubashi Tokugawa family and the Shimizu Tokugawa family - these three families are the same as the Gosan family founded earlier, and they are all selected as the successors of the Edo shogunate.

The heads of these three families all have three ranks, which are equivalent to the official position of "Qing", so they are collectively called Yu Sanqing.

The surnames are actually Tokugawa, and the common names of Tian Yasu, Hitotsubashi and Shimizu are actually taken from the name of the Edo Castle gate closest to where his residence is located.

In terms of family structure, the "Yu Sanqing" is second only to the "Yu Sanjia". Their fiefdoms are scattered throughout the territory, with each receiving 100,000 shi.

[Note: Tenryo: land directly under the jurisdiction of the Edo shogunate]

Since it is such a prominent and wealthy family, its residence is naturally extremely luxurious.

A magnificent gatehouse.

As far as the eye can see, there is a high gray wall covered with black tiles.

The entrance is a wide avenue paved with white sandstone, connecting the gatehouse and the house.

The house is like the incarnation of the word "Zhu Gong Bei Que". The exterior is majestic, with red and red couplets engraved with regular script; there is a cave inside, with winding corridors.

At this moment, in a room deep in the Ichibashi Residence, a samurai in formal attire was kneeling on the ground respectfully.

It seems that this man is about 35 years old - in the Edo period, this was already a middle-aged age - his face is slightly gray, and there are faint black circles under his eye frames, but his eyes are very sharp and bright.

God's eyes exude strong light.

The formal attire on his body is embroidered with the three-leaf sunflower pattern that only the Tokugawa family and their relatives can possess, and he wears a white sheath with a white handle around his waist. Just from the appearance, it is obvious that he is a wakizashi who must have been expensive to make.

Wearing sunflower-patterned clothes and carrying a large sword at his waist... Anyone with a discerning eye can surely tell that the identity of this middle-aged samurai is not simple.

In fact, this person is indeed quite famous in Japan nowadays.

He is none other than Matsudaira Harugaku, the lord of the Fukui Domain who currently serves as the "political president" in the shogunate!

Fukui Domain, also known as Echizen Domain and Kitanosho Domain, received 320,000 koku and was one of the great names of the clan.

"Matsuhira" is Tokugawa Ieyasu's old surname. Except for "Gosanjia" and "Gosankyō", all the other feudal lords have the surname Matsudaira.

Everyone in the world calls Songping Chunyue "Xianhou".

Judging from his past deeds, he is indeed worthy of the word "virtuous".

First of all, he is very knowledgeable.

Matsudaira Harugaku, who was born in a good family, received a very good education since he was a child.

When he was young, he studied Confucian classics such as "The Great Learning" and "The Analects of Confucius" every morning, and devoted himself to practicing calligraphy in the afternoon.

His studious habit has been maintained. Even though he now holds the high position of Lord of the Fukui Domain and Chief Executive of the Shogunate, he still keeps reading.

In terms of academic literacy, he should be ranked first among the three hundred princes.

[Note·Three hundred princes: a collective name for the daimyo of the feudal kingdom in the Edo period]

Secondly, he is very open-minded, decisive and resolute in his actions.

Faced with a series of serious problems arising from the outbreak of the "Black Ship Incident", as one of the important ministers of the country, he initially adhered to the policy of seclusion.

However, after the signing of the Treaty of Amending and Trade between Japan and the United States in 1858, he changed his position and turned from a "seclusion camp" to a firm "nation-founding camp".

He actively contacted Western knowledge and culture, built a Western-style arsenal in Fukui Domain, encouraged education, and developed medical facilities.

As we all know - the "Ichitsubashi School" tends to seize the country, and the "Nanki School" tends to open the country.

Logically speaking, Matsudaira Harugaku, who advocated the founding of the country, should side with the latter.

However, he had a violent conflict with his eldest brother Ii Naobi over the issue of the general's heir, and was placed in confinement. He was not released until Ii Naobi was killed.

Matsudaira Harugaku has always believed that the older and talented Hitotsubashi Keiki is the best candidate to serve as shogun and save the building from collapse.

He is open-minded, supports the founding of the country, and supports the Hitotsubashi celebration - he is completely consistent with the political stance of Shimazu Hisamitsu, the father of the Satsuma Domain.

For this reason, Shimazu Hisamitsu respected and admired Matsudaira Harugaku.

It is precisely because of this that he strongly recommended that the other party be appointed as a "political president" who could be similar to a "big boss".

At this moment, Matsudaira Harugaku, who was sitting on the tatami, seemed to be waiting for something. His eyes were half closed and he was staring at the tatami in front of his knees, as motionless as a rock.

In this silence...he suddenly heard the sound of the door being gently opened, and the sound of someone walking in slowly.

Hearing this sound, Matsudaira Harugaku bent down without hesitation, lowered his head, placed his palms on the ground, and the tip of his nose was only a few feet away from the tatami.

Snap—someone sat down in front of Matsudaira Harugaku.

Then, a faint young male voice broke the silence of the room.

"Chunyue, raise your head."

"yes!"

Matsudaira Harugaku shouted loudly - he did not straighten his back completely, just half-hunched over, with his hands on the ground, his eyes locked on the chest of the person in front - in the Edo period, this was the most standard,

The posture of a subordinate when meeting a superior.

"Master Hitotsubashi, please forgive me for taking the liberty of visiting me..."

"Okay, okay, let's avoid these scenes."

Mr. Hitotsubashi - There is only one person in Japan who can be called "Sama Hitotsubashi" by Matsudaira Harugaku, and who can be so respectful and respectful to Matsudaira Harugaku.

This person... is none other than Hitotsubashi Keiki, who currently holds the position of "post-committee to the general", also known as "assistant to the general"!

I saw that Ichihashi Keiki had relatively straight facial features, slightly dark skin, a wide forehead, and a narrow chin. The whole face showed a "big at the top and small at the bottom" pattern, resembling an inverted nest of a tree.

melon.

Hitotsubashi Keiki, who was born in the 8th year of Tenpo (1837), is only 25 years old this year and is in the prime of life.

This is also an important reason why the "Ichitsubashi faction" supports him - Keiki Hitotsubashi is older than Tokugawa Iemo, so he is more reliable.

Since under the leadership of Shimazu Hisamitsu, both Keiki and Harugaku ascended to the top decision-making level of the Edo shogunate, they have jointly governed and carried out new shogunate reforms.

At the beginning, the shogunate officials generally believed that these two men could not do anything, but perhaps the combination worked well, and they did do many practical things that were well received.

This also proves that the "Ichitsubashi Sect" admires Ichitsubashi Keiki so much for no reason - this still very young man does have a lot of skills.

"Chun Yue, tell me. What do you want when you come here unexpectedly?"

After saying that, Ichihashi Qingxi raised his hand and gently rubbed the corners of his tired eyebrows.

"Yes! Then, please forgive me for speaking frankly - Mr. Hitotsubashi, the 'Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet' on December 18th will be a great opportunity for us to further enhance your prestige! We must prepare early!

"

"'Plum Blossom Feast'?"

Hitotsubashi Yingxi stopped rubbing his eyebrows with his fingers.

He raised his gaze and asked the other person with his eyes, "What does this mean?"

Matsudaira Harugaku replied calmly:

"At such an elegant banquet, the most indispensable thing is to do elegant things."

"When the banquet is in full swing, someone will surely suggest burning incense, drinking tea, and composing poems."

"According to my investigation, Tokugawa Iemo, Tenjoin and Tachibana Aoden all know nothing about poetry."

"Hitohashi-sama, if you can recite a haiku that amazes everyone at this banquet full of guests, surpassing Tokugawa Iemo and others...this will definitely increase your reputation greatly!"

After hearing this, Hitotsubashi Keiki was startled for a moment, and then chuckled as if he had heard a funny joke.

"Hehehe, Chunyue, Chunyue, I saw the serious look on your face, so I thought you were going to say something."

"Never mind that I don't know anything about writing."

"Even if I really shine at the banquet... so what?"

"At most, it only gives me another reputation as 'Yun Wen Yun Wu', and leaves behind an anecdote that can be used as a side dish for people around the world."

As soon as Ichibashi's cheerful words fell, Matsudaira Harugaku immediately put on a serious face.

"Master Hitotsubashi, don't underestimate the importance of a good reputation. Isn't that Tachibana Aoden an excellent example?"

When Kazuhashi Keiki heard Aoto's name, his facial lines immediately became firmer.

"Tachibana Aoden enjoys a high reputation in the market. Just in this corner of Edo, he has countless fans."

"The lofty reputation that has spread throughout the world has brought him countless conveniences."

"This is a huge 'property' that cannot be ignored."

"Indeed, as you just said, no matter how many poems and poems you recite at a banquet where celebrities gather, you will only gain a good reputation and leave gossip at most."

"But it can enhance your reputation and undermine the prestige of Tokugawa Iemo and others - and this is enough."

"..." Hitotsubashi fell silent silently.

Seeing that the other party was silent, Matsudaira Chunyue continued:
To be continued...