I started with the Shinsengumi in Bakumatsu

Chapter 141 European Princess of Age
Ichijo Katsuko shouted excitedly: "I can!"

"Ah, the lady is there!"

Ichijo Katsuko's voice attracted nearby servants. A maid ran over with several servants and guards, and was a little overwhelmed by the scene in front of her.

One of the guards saw Yagyu, and he immediately saluted and said: "Greetings to the Prime Minister!"

When the others heard this, they knelt down one after another.

Yagyu waved his hand and said: "There is no need to do this. The constitution has stipulated that there is no need to salute like this."

Several people stood up tremblingly and looked at the unscrupulous Ichijo Katsuko.

Ichijo Katsuko immediately walked up to them and said: "Let's go home. This time I will not run away from home again. The Prime Minister has promised me to let me go to school. Now my father can't force me to go." Got married."

Yagyu said from behind: "Master Ichijo is free, I'm going to pay a visit now."

Ichijo Katsuko excitedly led the way: "Prime Minister, I will take you to find your father!"

A servant immediately turned around and ran into the house.

Ichijo Tadaka was the father of Katsuko Ichijo. He was dismissed from office because of his involvement in the Ansei Prison. He was promoted from first to first in 1860 and became a Duke and Minister this year, but he was idle at home.

Now that he heard that Yagyu was coming, he quickly asked someone to help him and went to the gate to greet him.

Ichijo Tadaka was not in good health and was already out of breath when he walked to the door. It was precisely because of his poor health that he was in a hurry to deal with his daughter's marriage.

When Yagyu saw the sick Ichijo Tadaka, he stepped forward to greet her and said, "Master Ichijo, why are you going to such trouble? It's so polite that you come out to greet her."

Ichijo Tadaka said with a smile: "Prime Minister, you are joking. I am just a useless old man now. Although I am a Duke, my title is, alas."

Yagyu and Ichijo Tadaka walked into the hall, sat down and said: "Actually, in Western countries, women also inherit the title of duke. If possible, Miss Ichijo can also inherit your title of duke."

Ichijo Tadaka has no son, only a daughter. Naturally, he is not willing to have his position taken away by others. If he can get Yagyu's support and let his daughter inherit the title of Duke, it will also solve his worries.

He quickly asked: "What can you do, Prime Minister?"

Yagyu whispered: "I plan to regard Miss Ichijo as a role model for Japanese women, let her go to school, participate in prestigious careers and accumulate fame, and then on the grounds of westernizing the country and with the support of the people, I am confident that Miss Ichijo will be Becoming the first female duchess in Japan."

Ichijo Tadaka no longer hesitated, he nodded and said: "Okay, I will obey the Prime Minister's arrangements!"

Yagyu's move was not aimless, he did it deliberately, using the incident of the Grand Duke to slowly break the constraints in the darkness and prevent Japan from going down the same old path in history.

After the Meiji government established the Chinese ethnic group, the life of the Chinese ethnic group was very luxurious and old-fashioned, no different from before. Men inherited power and women were trained for marriage.

And Yagyu supported the duchess to break this unspoken rule and let the class circulate.

He would even promote intermarriage between nobles and common people, giving the common people hope of advancement. At the same time, he would urge the nobles to work hard to avoid being outcompeted by the common people.

Yagyu walked out of the hall with a smile and saw Ichijo Katsuko, who had been looking forward to it. Katsuko hurried over and asked, "How are you, Prime Minister?"

Yagyu nodded and said, "Your father agreed. Soon, you will be able to do what you want to do."

"Okay!"

Ichijo Katsuko cheered and ran back to his small courtyard.

A few minutes later, Yagyu returned home. Ayanami, Mikami and five other girls were already waiting in the main hall.

When several people saw Liu Sheng coming back, they immediately stepped forward to take off his coat and bring tea and water to him.

Liu Sheng sat on the sofa, hugging him from left to right and saying, "It's still more comfortable in Gentleness."

The other three people had already started to press his feet, Ayanami fed him wine, and Mikami fed him.

After a while, Okita Hikaru walked in and asked: "Prime Minister, what are you going to eat tonight?"

Liu Sheng raised his head and said, "Mrs. Aguang, just look at the arrangements. I want to have a good meal tonight and take a rest."

Okita Hikaru is not surprised by Yagyu's hugging situation. It has happened several times before. She feels that the burden of a country rests on Yagyu, and it is appropriate to indulge occasionally.

In the evening, Yagyu and several wandering girls studied playing the flute, playing, playing and singing. The talented Yagyu quickly got them to sing loudly. It was really a pleasant night.Yagyu was happy, but Tokugawa Kei was extremely busy.

Tokugawa was delighted to find Barand and negotiate with him an arms business worth nearly one million pounds. Such a large sum of money in arms business was also a major political achievement for Barand.

Although Prussia defeated Austria the year before last and received a large war indemnity, established the North German Confederation last year, expanded its territory and increased its population, Prussia still needs money to expand its army and continue its expansion.

Balande was patting his chest and promising that the arms deal would be settled.

Tokugawa Qingxi breathed a sigh of relief, thought for a while, and continued: "Mr. Barland, our Majesty has reached the marriageable age. Our country plans to marry with your country to deepen the relationship. I wonder if Mr. Barland has any suggestions?"

Barland was a little surprised when he heard this proposal, but he knew the current situation in Japan. Now that Japan has promulgated a constitution, it has formally entered the ranks of civilized countries.

Besides, Japan is no longer a small island country, but a medium-sized country with an area of ​​about 200 million square kilometers.

Perhaps Japan will become the first country in Asia to enter advanced civilization. With such a reputation, marrying Japan is a good choice.

However, Princess Louise, the daughter of King William I of Prussia, has already been married.

He shook his head regretfully and said: "Our King no longer has any princess to marry."

Tokugawa Yingxi retreated and said, "Then your allies or other friendly countries can do it too."

Baland's eyebrows widened and he nodded: "In this case, there will be several marriageable princesses, such as Princess Mary Carolini, the daughter of Prince Alexander, the son of His Royal Highness Sivid II of Hesse and the Rhine, this year 16 years old is appropriate.

Prince Alexander’s mother is Princess Wilhelmina, the daughter of His Highness Carl Lucivid, Grand Duke of Baden. His Highness Carl’s sons-in-law include King Maximilian I of Bavaria, King Gustav IV of Sweden, and Alexander I of Tsarist Russia . "

When Tokugawa Qingxi heard this, his eyes lit up. This Princess Mary was actually related to the current Tsar Alexander II!Sure enough, he comes from a distinguished family!
Baland continued: "In addition to this one, there are also two daughters of the former King Miguel I of Portugal, one is 13 years old, and the other is [-] years old. The current King of Portugal, Louis I, is their cousin."

"There is another princess of the right age, Princess Sophie Charlotte August, who is 21 years old. Her father is the Grand Duke of Bavaria. More importantly, her sister Princess Sissi is Emperor Franz of the Austrian Empire. ·Queen of Joseph I.”

Tokugawa Yingxi had already memorized the information of the four princesses. He asked bravely: "Can I ask for the photos of these princesses?"

Baland thought for a moment and said, "I'll try my best."

Tokugawa Qingxi immediately asked someone to deliver a gift and said, "Then please leave it to Mr. Barland. We will definitely remember this friendship."

Baland saw a box of gold, swallowed his saliva and said: "We are partners, I will definitely handle this matter."

After Tokugawa left the Prussian Embassy happily, he immediately came to visit Yagyu's mansion. He handed the list to Yagyu and said: "These are the princesses of the right age proposed by the Prussian Ambassador Barland, except for the two Portuguese princesses who are a little behind." , the other two have very good family backgrounds, but this Bavarian princess is a little older."

Yagyu looked at the list in his hand. The current emperor was only 16 years old, and the most suitable one was Princess Mary, the daughter of Prince Alexander.

Although Princess Sophie of Bavaria is more prominent, because of her prominence, the chance of success is not high.

On the contrary, the Grand Duke of Hesse and the Rhine was very suitable.

The Principality of Hesse and the Rhine River had originally been upgraded to a candidate country of the Holy Roman Empire, but now that Prussia has risen, through the two wars of Prussia and Prussia, it directly unified North Germany and established the North German Confederation. The Kingdom of Hesse and the Rhine River was downgraded to become a federation. a member of.

If Emperor Meiji marries Princess Mary, then Japan and Prussia will become even closer, and their alliance will become even closer.

As long as Prussia can agree, Japan has the greatest chance of marrying Princess Mary for the emperor.

Yagyu drew a circle on Marie Carolini and said: "Try to choose her as it will be in the best interest of the country."

Tokugawa Qingxi immediately understood Yagyu's purpose. He nodded and said, "I understand. Please rest assured, Prime Minister. But isn't Prime Minister worried about the appearance of this princess?"

"As long as it's not too ugly."

Yagyu could only say this.

Tokugawa Yingxi felt a little bitter. If the emperor was not dissatisfied, he would be the one who got scolded.

But now that the matter has come to this, he can only grit his teeth and do it, which is really frustrating.

　Note: Added a few years to Ichijo Tadashi's life.

　　In addition, if everyone is dissatisfied with the heroine, then they should not write about it. Instead, they should be the supporting female characters. The protagonist’s wife should not write about it because she cannot write.

　　
　
(End of this chapter)