Chapter 300: Chapter 124: Aoto’s Promotion! Salary Increased by 400-koku!

It is no longer an adversarial organization that can be treated casually...

Internal troubles and external threats come one after another... Even the strong-willed Tokugawa Iemochi feels a bit of heaviness and fatigue.

But fortunately—it’s not just bad things that keep happening.

Tokugawa Iemochi receives the scroll.

Since the scroll details everything that happened tonight, there is naturally an account of who turned the tide and saved Katsu Rintarō and the Foreign Language Research Institute.

"Tachibana Aoto..." Tokugawa Iemochi slowly mouthed this name.

Tenshōin, upon hearing Tokugawa Iemochi articulate this, responded with a surprised expression: "It’s truly unbelievable... that this person could accomplish such a significant achievement so quickly once again..."

Both Tokugawa Iemochi and Tenshōin were familiar with the name "Tachibana Aoto."

The last name written in the "Talent Register" given to Tokugawa Iemochi by Ii Naosuke was "Tachibana Aoto."

Upon receiving the "Talent Register" from Ii Naosuke, Tokugawa Iemochi shared it immediately with his most trusted person: Tenshōin.

Tenshōin highly praised the "Talent Register," and most of the people mentioned were highly regarded by her.

Having read through the Talent Register, Tenshōin knew that Tachibana Aoto was one of the talents strongly recommended to Tokugawa Iemochi by Ii Naosuke.

"Tachibana Aoto... Tachibana Aoto..." Tokugawa Iemochi mumbled Aoto’s name a few times, then smiled:

"It seems that Ii indeed didn’t recommend the wrong person to me..."

After speaking, Tokugawa Iemochi suddenly stiffened his face, showing a troubled expression.

"Lord Shogun, what is it? Why do you look so worried?" asked Tenshōin, noticing Tokugawa Iemochi’s concerned expression.

"Oh... it’s nothing." Tokugawa Iemochi shook his head, "I’m just... pondering on how to nurture this Tachibana Aoto."

"Now it’s clear that the Tachibana Aoto recommended by Ii to me is indeed someone bold, with outstanding initiative, decisiveness, martial power, and leadership skills, deserving of our focus and cultivation."

"Such an extraordinary talent cannot be overlooked."

"But regarding how to cultivate this person, I’m a bit perplexed."

Tokugawa Iemochi sighed silently.

"From Tachibana Aoto’s current performance... the military is where his talents can be best showcased."

"I’m considering—should I transfer Tachibana Aoto to the Big Squad or another unit..."

Before Tokugawa Iemochi finished speaking, Tenshōin interrupted:

"Lord Shogun, you mustn’t."

"I believe: if you want to further train and cultivate Tachibana Aoto, the best approach is to maintain the status quo—let Tachibana Aoto remain in the Magistrate’s Office ’Three Times.’

"Oh? Why?" Tokugawa Iemochi asked quickly.

To Tokugawa Iemochi, Tenshōin was not only his adoptive mother and most trusted person but also his counselor.

At just 14 years old, Tokugawa Iemochi had much immaturity and ignorance in shogunate governance.

The 24-year-old Tenshōin, who had married into Edo, had long been accustomed to the intricacies of politics, having been a Princess of the Heroic Domain of Satsuma before her marriage.

Therefore, the wise and politically savvy Tenshōin could effectively compensate for Tokugawa Iemochi’s shortcomings in this area.

Whenever Tokugawa Iemochi encountered difficult decisions, he often asked for Tenshōin’s advice.

"Lord Shogun, do you think: between the Magistrate’s Office, currently focused on tackling ’Radical Anti-foreigner Faction’ hooligans, and the current decrepit military, which is more suited for training one?"

Tenshōin’s words were sharp.

She directly used the term "decrepit" to describe the current shogunate army.

But after hearing it, Tokugawa Iemochi showed no displeasure.

Tokugawa Iemochi pursed his lips, seemingly lost in thought.

"Lord Shogun, aside from a very few units like the Arson and Theft Magistrate, you should be aware of the state of most of the units now."

Tenshōin continued in her unhurried, ethereal voice.

"Nearly three hundred years of peace have long led to the corruption of most units."

"Transferring Tachibana Aoto to such units now would be a waste of talent. In places where even the air is filled with decay, one’s spirit would only be worn down."

"Therefore, I think the best approach at present is to let Tachibana Aoto remain in the Magistrate’s Office ’Three Times.’

"Currently, the Edo Magistrate’s Office is the frontline against Edo’s ’Radical Anti-foreigner Faction.’ Each day is spent battling those crazed hooligans."

"Letting Tachibana Aoto stay in the Magistrate’s Office to train and accumulate experience is most appropriate."

"After Tachibana Aoto has gained several years of training and amassed certain experience in the Magistrate’s Office, then transfer him to the Arson and Theft Magistrate."

"Arson and Theft Magistrate?" Tokugawa Iemochi blinked at Tenshōin.

Tenshōin nodded:

"The Arson and Theft Magistrate is well-suited for Tachibana Aoto’s future destination."

"First, the Arson and Theft Magistrate is our shogunate’s special security force. Coming from the Magistrate’s Office ’Three Times,’ Tachibana Aoto can quickly adapt and take over related work after transferring to the Arson and Theft Magistrate."

"Second, the Arson and Theft Magistrate is currently one of the few units not thoroughly corrupted, and an excellent place for remarkable talents like Tachibana Aoto with ’generalship potential.’

Tokugawa Iemochi carefully listened to every word and sentence from Tenshōin.

"... I understand."

Tokugawa Iemochi nodded solemnly.

"Then, as Mother says, let Tachibana Aoto continue training in the Magistrate’s Office!"

After speaking, Tokugawa Iemochi smiled.

"So... Mother, let’s now discuss what reward we should give Tachibana Aoto for his significant achievement tonight."

"Safeguarding Katsu and the Foreign Language Research Institute... this achievement warrants a significant reward."

"Lord Shogun." Tenshōin asked, "Personally, what kind of reward do you think is fitting for Tachibana Aoto?"

Tokugawa Iemochi pondered for a moment:

"... Since it’s decided to cultivate Tachibana Aoto earnestly... I want to gradually elevate Tachibana Aoto’s status from now on!"

"Tachibana Aoto is currently merely an Imperial Family member with a 100-koku salary, which is truly too low a status."

"If we wish to entrust him with heavy responsibilities in the future, his status must not remain so low."

"Mother, I want to increase Tachibana Aoto’s salary to 400-koku!"

"400-koku?" Tenshōin widened her beautiful eyes in surprise.

But after a brief shock, the surprise on Tenshōin’s face quickly turned into a thoughtful expression.

"... Although raising Tachibana Aoto’s salary to 400-koku all at once is somewhat unconventional," Tenshōin said slowly, "it’s not entirely unfeasible..."

"I want to seize this opportunity to truly boost everyone’s morale." Tokugawa Iemochi smiled, "Through Tachibana Aoto, to tell everyone: Now is not like before. Now, as long as you achieve great feats, the shogunate will not be stingy with rewards!"

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