"Master Hitotsubashi! This is a critical moment that determines our fate! We must do our best and seize every opportunity to suppress Tokugawa Iemo and others! Completely control the shogunate! Even if it is a false name, we cannot

Let it go!”

"..." After another moment of silence, Hitotsubashi breathed out a sigh of relief.

"Chunyue, did I just say that? I don't know how to write."

Matsudaira Chunyue smiled slightly.

"Master Hitotsubashi, you don't have to worry about this. I have already prepared a haiku for you that is suitable for reciting at the plum blossom feast."

As he spoke, Matsudaira Chunyue reached into his arms, took out the neatly folded rice paper, and handed it out with both hands.

Hitotsubashi Kexi took the rice paper, spread it out, glanced at it quickly, and raised his eyebrows.

"Chun Yue, is this haiku... feasible?"

"This haiku was written by my own hands. Although I dare not call it high-class, it is more than enough to attract attention."

"...I understand, I will do as you say."

"yes!"

…

…

In the second year of Wenjiu (1862), December 18——

Edo, Edo Castle, Fukiage Garden——

God is behaving beautifully today and there are no clouds in the sky.

Although Aoto has been working in Edo Castle for nearly 2 years as a "secretary and imperial servant", it was only today that he set foot in Fukiage for the first time.

Fukiage is the resting place of the general's house, and outsiders are not allowed to enter or exit at will.

He had only heard about it from other people before, and he only knew that it was a palace garden covering an extremely large area.

When Qingden put on the most formal attire and rode a carrot to attend today's banquet, Qingden was mentally prepared to "see a lot of incredible things."

Palace gardens are built with mountains of gold and silver—this theorem is true everywhere.

However...after entering Fukigami in person, Qingden was shocked to discover that his psychological expectations for Fukigami really needed to be improved!

Although it cannot be said that "Grandma Liu entered the Grand View Garden", Qingdeng was still deeply shocked by the beauty of the scenery blowing over the courtyard.

Passing through the Hanzo Gate, the first thing Aoto saw was the winding "water channel".

The water channel - an artificial river channel that diverts water from the Tamagawa River, runs through the entire Fukiage Garden.

The water in the river is clear and clear, with the golden sun shining on the microwave, and three or four white cloud shadows rippling at the bottom of the water.

Next to the river, a long row of green trees reflects the water, and the little bits of sunlight shining through the gaps in the leaves sway in the wind.

Several unknown birds flew back and forth among the branches swaying in the wind, making clear and sweet calls from time to time.

There is a rockery made of granite at the bend of the river. On the edge of the rockery, there is a terrace with railings that sticks out of the water, where people can play with the koi in the river.

Go south from Hanzo-gomon and cross a stone road with green shades - "Fukiage Inari Shrine" comes into view.

Since it is named Inari, the god enshrined in this shrine is naturally the Inari god who is responsible for food and good harvests.

The shrine is surrounded by lush greenery and branches stretching across the sky.

Two lifelike stone statues of foxes stand on the left and right sides of the torii respectively.

To the south are the "New Royal Racecourse" and the "New Racecourse Horse Viewing Center".

As the name suggests, these facilities are used to raise horses for the general's family.

The faint neighing of horses can be heard constantly.

If possible, Qingdeng would like to see with his own eyes what these royal horses who are loved by thousands of people look like, and how they compare to carrots.

What a pity...the racecourse and the destination of Qingteng's trip are in completely opposite directions.

After arriving at Fukiage Inari Shrine, Aoto turned north without stopping.

Go around the "Zhuli Mountain" covered with green pines and green cypresses, "Guangzhi" where the generals race horses, "Lishan" where ponds are dug and trees planted, the "flower bed" where stones are built and flowers are planted, and the "Royal Pavilion" with carved railings and painted buildings.

...Finally, Qingdeng arrived at the location of today's "Plum Blossom Appreciation Banquet" - the "Plum Forest" where a large number of plum blossom trees were planted.

As soon as he arrived, he saw his old friend.

"Oh! Qingdeng, you're here!"

Looking at Katsurin Taro walking towards him quickly, Aomori smiled happily and said:

"Rintaro, long time no see."

With the vigorous promotion of Tokugawa Iemo and Tenjoin, he was promoted to "Warship Advocate" and was in charge of the shogunate's naval construction. Like Aoto, he became a senior cabinet minister stationed in Edo Castle.

Looking back at the time when Qingteng and Katsurin Taro first met, one was a policeman who caught thieves, and the other was a teacher in charge of teaching at the Tibetan Book Training Institute and the Martial Arts Institute.

But now, the two of them are well-known ministers of the Zhu Kingdom.

Because they were both senior ministers stationed in Edo Castle, and their work contents often overlapped, as they met and had more opportunities to communicate, the friendship between these old friends gradually deepened.

To this day, the two of them refer to each other by their common names, that is, Aonto calls Katsu Rintaro "Rintaro", and the other party also directly calls Aoto "Aoto".

After a few brief greetings, Qingdeng turned his head and glanced at the banquet where the guests had already arrived.

Lao Chu, Waka Nian Ji, the feudal lords, the ministers of the imperial court who accompanied the Imperial Palace to Edo...all are some well-known big shots.

The so-called "winful friends are like clouds" is nothing more than that.

At this moment, an old, steady male voice sounded from behind Qingdeng.

"Sheng, you're fine."

Hearing this sound, Katsurin Taro immediately trembled and his face showed joy.

"Ah, Otani-sama! Thank you for your concern! Come on, Tachibana-kun, let me introduce you! This is the leader of the martial arts, the 'Sword Master' - Otani Seiichiro!"

*******

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Please give me monthly votes! Please give me recommendation votes! (Leopard Head Cries)

I know today's chapter is a bit short...but there's a reason for it! (Leopard Leopard Head weeps) This kind of transitional chapter with no interesting content is really difficult to write! I really want to write these boring and difficult chapters

Outsource the transitional chapters!

"Sword Master" Seiichiro Tanani has officially made his debut - smart book lovers should be able to guess what plot will happen next, right? (Leopard laughs)
Chapter completed!