My personal opinion on Gensokyo

The country's first samurai regime, the Kamakura shogunate, came to its end in 1333, the third year of Emperor Go-Daigo's reign and the second year of Emperor Go-Saga's reign.

Due to years of political chaos, local guardians and samurai were extremely dissatisfied with the shogunate.

The situation was triggered by the imperial edict issued by Emperor Go-Daigo to various parts of Japan after he was exiled to the deserted island of Oki by the shogunate and was later rescued by samurai. The powerful families and samurai in various places immediately raised the banner of rebellion and joined the anti-shogunate side.

In May of that year, Ashikaga Takauji, the general of the Kamakura shogunate, suddenly launched a mutiny while leading his troops to suppress anti-shogunate forces. He led his army to capture Kyoto Heian-kyo and destroyed the Rokuhara Tandai, which was set up by the shogunate in Kyoto to monitor the imperial court.

At the same time, Yoshitsune Nitta, a powerful family in the eastern part of the country, led the Nitta clan in an uprising to overthrow the shogunate and captured Kamakura Castle, the capital of the Kamakura shogunate. The 14th generation head of the Hojo clan who ruled the shogunate, Hojo Takatoki, his clansmen, and about hundreds of retainers committed suicide in Tosho-ji Temple in Kamakura.

At this point, the Kamakura shogunate, which had ruled the country for 149 years, came to an end.

It was also in this year that Emperor Go-Daigo, who had been exiled by the Kamakura shogunate, returned to Kyoto, Heian-kyo, ascended the throne again, changed the era name to Kenmu, and began a court reform known as the "Kenmu Restoration."

However, because the Kenmu regime focused too much on maintaining the interests of the court nobles and neglected the samurai who made great contributions in the war to overthrow the shogunate, the samurai's dissatisfaction with the court became more intense, and most of the samurai began to miss the shogunate era when samurai were in power.

Against this background, Ashikaga Takauji, who made great contributions in the overthrow of the shogunate, raised the banner of rebellion in Kamakura, the former seat of the Kamakura shogunate, defeated the imperial army that came to attack him, and invaded Kyoto Heian-kyo in June 1336. He abolished the throne of Emperor Go-Daigo, enthroned Emperor Kōmyō, and changed the era name to Engen.

At this point, although Ashikaga Takauji had not yet been appointed as the "Shogun", the second samurai regime in the country's history - the Muromachi shogunate (Ashikaga shogunate) had actually been established.

On the 21st day of the seventh lunar month, in the height of summer, in Nara, at Yoshinoyama Hot Spring Resort.

"…Although Ashikaga Takauji established a new emperor, the previous emperor, known as Emperor Go-Daigo, had already fled to Mount Hiei, the headquarters of the Tendai sect of Buddhism, with the three sacred treasures symbolizing the imperial power, before the Ashikaga army reached Kyoto, Heian-kyo."

A young girl in a plain kimono embroidered with aqua blue flowers knelt beside the young man with gray and white hair, the owner of Mount Yoshino, and quietly reported to the owner of Mount Yoshino about the movements of the Kyoto court during this period.

"Although they have received the protection of the temples and shrines of Mount Hiei, due to years of war, the food reserves on Mount Hiei have long been depleted. If nothing unexpected happens, the previous Emperor Go-Daigo will probably be forced to accept the invitation of Ashikaga Takauji, the pillar of the samurai family who occupied Kyoto, and return to Kyoto Heian-kyo."

"That's it..."

After listening to the girl's report, the monster commander with gray and white hair turned his eyes away from the comics on the table, looked at the girl, and asked casually.

"Speaking of which, Teru, you, a descendant of the noble Fujiwara clan, don't you have any thoughts on seeing their power being usurped by the samurai?"

Hearing Shang Yang's question, Princess Konoe, who was born into the Konoe family, one of the five Fujiwara clans, and who transformed from ordinary humans into monsters hundreds of years ago and is now revered as the "Guardian of Kyoto" by the gods and monsters in the western and Kinki areas, shook her head slightly and spoke in a flat tone.

"I don't have any particular feelings. The Kyoto court, controlled by the nobles, has become entrenched and corrupt to the extreme. It's only natural that the nobles would be defeated by the more ambitious and powerful local warriors."

"However, whether it was the Hojo clan of the Kamakura shogunate or the current Ashikaga clan, they were all just samurai nobles who relied on their family to gain power."

"Looking at the history of the Tang Dynasty, whether it was the imperial aristocracy or the military aristocracy, they were essentially the same as the gentry of the Northern and Southern Dynasties. However, seven hundred years ago, the Tang Dynasty broke the gentry's monopoly on high office and lavish salaries with the imperial examination system, and the millennia-old noble families were disbanded overnight."

"In this country, however, the aristocratic hierarchy is deeply ingrained and still firmly binds the lower classes. This is perhaps a characteristic of this country."

"That's what you're thinking..."

Nodding, Shang Yang asked casually.

"Forget it. What's the situation here? If I'm not mistaken, the general of the Western Dog Demon Clan, Dog General Douya Wang, should have already..."

"Yes, Lord Shangyang."

Konoe Teru reported softly.

"Thirty years ago, after being severely wounded by your sword, the dog general, King Douga, fled to the deep mountains of the western kingdom. Just as he was about to be corrupted by your aura and killed, he was saved by the daughter of a local guardian."

"During the time he was recuperating from his injuries, the Inu no Taisho, Toga-oh, and the daughter of a nobleman named Izayoi fell in love. Two years later, Izayoi became pregnant with the Inu no Taisho, Toga-oh's child."

"But in the same year, the demon dragon bone spirit, the mortal enemy of the dog general Douga, who had been injured by Douga fifty years earlier and had to hide to recover from his injuries, resurfaced and launched an attack on the dog demon clan of the Western Kingdom."

"Oh... I want to take advantage of Inu no Taisho's defeat and kill my nemesis in one fell swoop..."

Upon hearing this, Shang Yang commented casually.

"The timing was quite accurate."

"Yes, as you said, although Inu Taisho Toga's injuries have recovered, his strength has declined due to the damage caused by your aura."

Nodding in agreement, Konoe Teru continued his statement.

"They fought deep in the mountains of the Western Kingdom. Although the Dog General Douya Wang finally concentrated all his demonic power into his dog claws and pierced the Dragon Bone Spirit's heart with one blow, sealing the Dragon Bone Spirit within a valley in the Western Kingdom, Douya Wang, who was also severely injured by the Dragon Bone Spirit during the fight, was unable to take the Dragon Bone Spirit's life. He could only shield the valley with demonic power and leave."

"I have already investigated the seal placed on the Dragon Bone Spirit by Dog General Douya. Douya's claws accurately pierced the Dragon Bone Spirit's heart, cutting off the flow of demonic energy within the spirit's body."

Having said that, Zhao bowed slightly and reported in detail.

"While there won't be any problems in the short term, if this continues, the Dragon Bone Spirit's power will continue to weaken, and its indestructible body will also continue to weaken. It is estimated that in three hundred years, the Dragon Bone Spirit will die from the weakening of its demonic power."

"I see……"

Shang Yang nodded thoughtfully.

"anything else?"

"Shortly after Inu no Taisho Toga defeated and sealed the Dragon Bone Spirit, it was revealed that the human noblewoman Izayoi was pregnant with a monster child."

Konoe Teru sighed softly and spoke slowly in a tone that implied a hint of respect.

"On the night of Izayoi's birth, the severely injured Inu no Taisho, Toga, used his last bit of demonic power to break into the town where humans lived and rescued his human wife Izayoi and the half-demon child she had given birth to - Inuyasha."

"Severely wounded, his demonic power completely exhausted, and nearly as mortal as a mortal, the dog general Toga-oh was entangled by a brave human warrior, Setsuna Mengwan, and perished in a sea of ​​fire. His remains were buried in a desolate valley in the otherworldly underworld, within a black pearl crafted by the precious demon monster Hosenki, capable of connecting to the underworld beyond."

"Because this action did not violate the rules of the underworld, Lady Shiki Eiji of the 'Right and Wrong Hall' on the other side did not interfere with this action."

"Really? The results remain largely unchanged."

Hearing this, Shang Yang sighed softly.

"This is also the choice made by General Inu himself. Although it's a little late to say it now, Zhao, you don't need to deliberately monitor the Western Dog Demon Clan anymore. And don't be too distracted by these matters. For you, strength is the most important thing."

"Yes, Lord Shang Yang, I understand."

Konoe Teru nodded slightly, his tone calm.

"Also, Lord Shang Yang, there is one more thing."

"Hagoromo Fox, who learned that Izayoi was pregnant with the heir of Inu no Taisho, Toga Prince, manipulated the Kyoto court's Retired Emperor Fushimi behind the scenes to issue a decree demanding that Izayoi's father, a local guardian, be executed for being pregnant with a monster's child. He also used other means to get the shogunate to issue a similar decree demanding Izayoi's death to his father. However, I intercepted both the decree and the shogunate's decree before they could reach him."

"After learning of the death of the Dog General Toga-oh, Yuyuko intended to lead her One Hundred Demons Night Parade to invade the Western Kingdom and exterminate all of the Western Dog Demon Clan to express her loyalty to you."

"Oh……"

Upon hearing this, Shang Yang was very interested.

"Then Yugyo Fox must have failed?"

"Yes, I stopped Yuyuko's actions without authorization."

Hearing Shang Yang's question, the beautiful monster girl sighed, stepped back, and bowed deeply to Shang Yang.

"I am guilty, please punish me, Lord Shang Yang."

"No, you're doing great. I've said it before, just follow your own will."

Waving his hand casually, Shang Yang looked at the relieved monster girl thoughtfully and shook his head.

"...I was wondering why you looked a bit strange the last time you brought the Moon Messenger to the hot spring resort. The injuries you left behind to stop the Feathered Fox haven't fully healed yet, right?"

"Yes, I suffered some minor injuries while stopping Yuyuko and her Night Parade of One Hundred Demons."

Upon hearing this, the monster girl's expression did not change as she explained softly.

"Please don't mind it."

"Since this is your own choice, I won't say anything more."

Shang Yang shook his head helplessly and advised.

"However, if there is a similar situation in the future, please ask Yiji and Wenju for help."

"Yes, I will obey your orders."

Teru replied softly.

"During this period, you should come to the hot spring villa more often and have a meal with others."

Nodding slightly, the young man with gray and white hair and increasingly severe tumors spoke slowly.

"After all, it won't be long."

Hearing Shang Yang's words, Jin Weizhao was stunned.

　Yue@yi*First~Post- "...Huh?"

"A meeting was held at Wenquan Manor two days ago."

Shang Yang shrugged and explained slowly.

"In a few months, our hot spring villa will be moving."

PS1: I recommend this book, a new one by the author of the famous work (My God Calls Me Mom).

PS2: To be honest, Douya's death was indeed a bit ugly. (Tucao)

PS3: There are too many reviews of "Youth is Back" posted in the book review section, and I can't reply to them all...

Volume 5: Miko of the Warring States Period: Chapter 241: Leaving Mount Yoshino

In 1336 AD, the 17th year of Zhengsheng in the Tang Dynasty, the 3rd year of Kenmu in Japan, and the first year of Yanyuan.

The 29th day of the eighth lunar month, the end of summer.

Nara, Mount Yoshino, hot spring resort.

The hot summer has gradually faded away. Generally speaking, the climate at the turn of summer and autumn is the most comfortable. In the hot spring villa, Shang Yang and the girls living there are also preparing for moving.

Shang Yang raised his right hand and pressed his slender index finger on the random door at the end of the corridor, which connected to the Eientei at the foot of the mountain, the Komeichi sisters' residence in hell, and the residence of Konoe Teru in Heian-kyo, Kyoto, where he served as the agent of the owner of Mount Yoshino. He temporarily stopped the "Liangyi Fa" he had set up on the random door to connect these four places.

You can imagine this portal as the magic door connecting various places in Howl's Moving Castle. When the Yin-Yang power attached to the portal dissipates, the portal becomes an ordinary wooden door.

While temporarily closing this random door, accompanied by the sound of the door at the entrance, a girl with long black hair walked into the house from outside.

"Thanks for the hard work, love."

Turning around, Shang Yang saw Ai pushing the door open and taking off her shoes, and asked casually.

"Did you bring back the cherry tree?"

"Ah."

She took off her shoes and stepped on the cypress wood floor with her slender feet in black knee-high socks. Ai nodded gently and raised her right hand. A light green jade lotus was held on her white and tender hand.

"it's here."

Inside the Soul Green Lotus, there is a monster cherry tree that has shrunk dozens of times, and around this monster tree, there are nearly a hundred cherry tree seedlings sparsely distributed.

Shang Yang took three or two steps closer to Ai's petite body, took the Yuanshen Qinglian that Ai was holding in her palm, took a look at it, and found a cherry tree seedling in the Yuanshen Qinglian in addition to the monster cherry tree.

"...cherry blossom tree?"

"Ah."

Nodding gently once more, Ai explained softly.

"These are the cherry blossoms on Mount Yoshino. I want to keep them as a souvenir."

"Here, there are important memories."

"……I see."

Hearing Ai's somewhat nostalgic tone, Shang Yang was slightly stunned, and then he reacted.

Here, Mount Yoshino, is an important place both for myself and for love.

For seven hundred years, Mount Yoshino has witnessed the encounter between love and business sheep, and the establishment of hot spring resorts.

And the happy but never boring daily life year after year for the past seven hundred years.

With a slight sigh, Shang Yang apologized to Ai solemnly.

"Sorry, Ai, it was because of my suggestion that everyone agreed to move."

"I'm sorry that you're going to lose your home again."

"No need to apologize."

Shaking her head gently, Ai rejected Shang Yang's apology, and a hint of joy appeared on the girl's pretty face.

Looking at her sweetheart, the girl's clear dark red eyes were filled with warmth.

“Home is where Shangyang and everyone are.”

"……Understood."

Hearing Ai's warm words, Shang Yang also nodded slightly.

"If love can think this way, I will feel relieved."