Stealing the Celestial Path.

Summary

Pei Zi Yun enters a castle-like main hall guided by a young maid. He observes the architecture, noting its defensive features and the presence of bijou trees in the courtyard, which carry superstitions in Japan. Inside, he encounters maids preparing for a banquet and meets Yamada's Young Lady, Bando Miko. They discuss ukiyo-e paintings depicting the Boshin War, revealing Miko's family history in the conflict. Pei Zi Yun shares insights on the war's dynamics, emphasizing the importance of army composition over weaponry. He explains how the shogunate's reliance on outdated samurai tactics led to their initial defeats, highlighting the complexities of historical warfare.

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