Kyoto, southern suburbs, camp of Huisa Allied Forces, main camp——
"Lord! The enemy has sneaked into the forest in the western suburbs, relying on the dense bushes to defend every step!"
"The trees are too dense and it's too dark, so our vision is limited. It's difficult for us to find the enemy and our attack is blocked!"
"And... the enemy seems to have received strong foreign aid!"
"According to the information passed back from the front line, there was suddenly a young man who wielded two tachis and a bald middle-aged man who wielded a large tachi among the enemy troops."
"These two people are extremely powerful! They both have the courage to do anything that no one can do!"
"With the help of these two people, the enemy's strength has greatly increased!"
"We have launched multiple rounds of offensives, but so far, we have not captured that forest!"
After listening to the report from his subordinates, Matsudaira Yongho frowned.
Also frowning was Saigo Kinosuke sitting next to him.
Matsudaira Yongho murmured:
"Foreign aid... who are they? They would actually assist Changzhou at this time..."
Since the "August 18th Coup", the people of Changzhou have become street rats that everyone wants to beat.
Anyone with a little brain knows that the long-lasting "Controversy between Zun and Samu" staged in Kyoto has come to an end.
The Zunbang faction completely lost power! The Zumu faction rose!
Those "centrists" who are swinging between left and right are now busy showing their loyalty.
As for the original forces that respected the war, they were also eager to draw a clear line with Changzhou, for fear of having any relationship with Changzhou.
The so-called "when a tree falls and the hozens scatter", it's nothing like this.
I think back on how majestic the people of Changzhou were before August 18th.
Not only did he control the imperial court, he even issued a false edict, forcing the emperor to perform the "Yamato Exaltation" of Lao Shizi, and then took the opportunity to kidnap the emperor to Choshu.
Unexpectedly, just a few days later, the people of Changzhou changed from being arrogant to being arrogant.
No one would have imagined that the political situation in Kyoto would undergo such a major change in just one night.
All in all, Matsudaira Yongho really couldn't imagine what kind of people and forces would be so determined to help Changzhou at this time.
This approach... is simply like the whole family taking refuge with Akechi Mitsuhide after the "Honnoji Incident".
Just as Matsudaira Yongho finished speaking, Saigo Kinosuke snorted coldly:
"Whoever they are!"
"No matter what, what we should do remains the same!"
"Our troops have an overwhelming advantage!"
"As long as we continue to attack, sooner or later these insects will be eradicated!"
After hearing this, Matsudaira Yongho nodded gently:
"Well, that's right. Pass my order! All armies step up their offensive! Be sure to..."
Before he finished speaking——
"My lord! My lord! My lord!"
Suddenly, anxious shouts came from the distance.
A certain general of the Aizu army shouted loudly while stumbling into the main formation.
Seeing this, Matsudaira Yongho immediately asked:
"What's wrong?"
"Lord! Something bad has happened! The Imperial Palace has been attacked! The Imperial Palace has been attacked!"
As soon as these words came out, the atmosphere inside and outside the formation suddenly changed!
Although Saigo Kinosuke's expression changed, he was still able to sit on the horse safely.
On the other hand, Matsudaira Yongho...he stood up immediately, his eyes as wide as bells.
"What did you say?! How many attackers are there? How is the battle situation?"
The general replied stammeringly:
"My, the current situation is unknown! I only know that a fierce battle broke out outside the Imperial Palace! The battle situation... is not ideal! It is said that the current battle situation is one-sided!"
Matsudaira Yongho's complexion suddenly turned livid, and he was thinking quickly:
They deployed more than 200 guards outside the imperial palace.
It can put more than 200 guards into a tough fight... This shows that the scale of the invading enemy will be quite astonishing!
Is it the Changzhou Rangers?
Or... other forces are fishing in troubled waters?
Although his mind was filled with questions, Matsudaira Yongho quickly made a decision:
"Xixiang-kun, I'll leave this to you! I'm going to personally lead the troops to rescue you!"
As for Matsudaira Yōho's idea of ​​"conquering the imperial army personally", Saigo Kinosuke seemed to have anticipated it in advance and did not react excessively. He just calmly asked:
"How many troops are you taking with you?"
Matsudaira Yongho asserted without hesitation:
"Half! I want to take away half of the troops!"
The total strength of the Huisa Allied Forces is 3,000.
Take away half of the troops...that is, 1,500 people!
Matsudaira Yongho's words immediately aroused doubts from some people present.
A certain general of the Satsuma Army couldn't help but question:
"Higo-sama, you want to take away half of the troops... How can this be done? As a result, we will only have 1,500 troops left to deal with the Choshu people!"
After the man finished speaking, before Matsudaira Yongho could speak, Saigo Kinosuke took the lead and retorted on his behalf:
"Now is not the time to say such things!"
His face was long and gloomy.
"If the Imperial Guard is lost, we will be stigmatized as 'unable to protect the Imperial Guard'!"
"The righteous reputation we have earned so hard will be gone!"
"By then, even if the people of Changzhou are reduced to ashes, it will be of no use!"
Saigo Kinosuke has an unparalleled lofty position in the Satsuma Army.
He spoke personally, and the generals of the Satsuma Army present were naturally as silent as a cicada, watching their noses and hearts, and did not dare to say anything more.
"Higo-sama, please leave quickly!"
Saigo Kinosuke turned to look at Matsudaira Yongho next to him, and said seriously:
"Just leave this place to me!"
Matsudaira Yongho nodded vigorously:
"Yeah! Please!"
…
…
Matsudaira Yongho led the personal guards and rushed to the imperial palace at high speed.
The follow-up troops formed a long line and followed closely behind him.
He galloped all the way regardless of his horsepower... Soon, the tall Sakai-machi Royal Gate came into view. Matsudaira Yōho.
At the same time, the strong smell of blood penetrated directly into his nostrils.
After the distance got closer... Matsudaira Yongho was so shocked by the sight in front of him that his pupils shrank! There are no words to describe it!
To be continued...