I formed the strongest swordsman group.

Chapter 1085: Following Ren Wang means there is a future! [5300]

From the very beginning, Qing Deng didn't think that He Poyi would cooperate with them obediently.

But, it doesn't matter.

As long as both parties have common interests, there will be broad prospects for cooperation.

As it turned out, Qing Deng guessed right.

Just like Xilika, Hepoyi also hates Mael to the core.

When Qingden mentioned Mahel's name, his eyes were filled with burning, uncontrollable anger.

It is not difficult to see that the "Moon Stone" should be a place known only to the people from Hilippo Moshili.

When Qingdeng said that this place was told to him by Xilika before he died, the suspicion between Hepoyi's brows faded a little.

"Is Xilika...dead?"

He lowered his head dejectedly, bent his waist, as if his spine had been pulled out, stared blankly at the tatami in front of his knees, muttering to himself.

Although he had expected it, he could not suppress his grief after hearing the news that his beloved leader had died.

Qing Deng did not rush and waited quietly.

About 3 minutes later, Hepoyi gradually regained his composure.

After taking a deep breath, He Poyi slowly raised his head and stared straight at Qing Deng:
"...I can tell you the location of the 'Moonstone'."

"But you have to promise me! You must catch that bastard! Kill him... No, that's not right, killing him is not enough! You have to make his life worse than death!"

At the end of his words, he was extremely excited, his voice was harsh and sharp, and his eyes were bloodshot.

His hatred for Mahel is evident.

From the perspective of the "Ainu Coalition", it is not surprising that Xilika, Hepoi and others hate Mael so much.

If Mael had led his armored fleet and bravely attacked to intercept the Shogunate fleet today, perhaps the war would not have ended up like this!
With the terrifying combat power of the two ironclad battleships (Napoleon and Jeanne d'Arc), there is a great chance to inflict heavy damage on the Shogunate fleet.

In fact, even Qing Deng was prepared at the beginning of the war that "the naval battle would be unfavorable and he would be forced to row a boat to attack the enemy ships."

Because Maer escaped halfway, the Shogunate fleet was able to cross the Tsugaru Strait easily.

Even the "Sun King", which was unable to move due to damage to its steam engine and was originally intended to be used as a coastal defense battery to defend Hakodate Port, was silenced. It was of no use from beginning to end, allowing the Shogunate army to land calmly.

Facing He Poyi's request, Qing Deng responded calmly:

"I have my own plans for what to do with Maher."

"I have many questions to ask him, and he cannot die just yet."

"But I can promise you that I will catch Maher at all costs and never let him go free."

He Poyi frowned and stared at Qingdeng with half displeasure and half annoyance.

Qing Deng showed no sign of weakness and stared back silently.

After a while, He Poyi gritted his teeth and squeezed out words from between his teeth:
"Alright! As long as we can make that guy pay the price, you can take care of the rest!"

Qingdeng nodded lightly:

"Then, happy working together."

"From this moment on, we are allies."

"In order to catch Maher, I need more and more detailed intelligence,"

"I have a few questions now, and I hope you can answer them honestly and thoroughly."

"How did you get to know Maher? Why did he provide you with a large amount of arms? What is his purpose?"

He Poyi thought for a moment and then answered them one by one.

Qing Deng listened carefully and digested the message secretly.

Basically, it all started 8 months ago.

The Edo Shogunate planned to develop Hakodate Port into a major international port, so it has allocated a lot of resources to Hakodate in recent years.

Not only did he build Goryokaku, he also greatly expanded the infrastructure of Hakodate Port, with good results. In the past two years, more and more Western merchant ships have visited Hakodate Port.

Xilika knew very well that he could not do anything to the Japanese with just traditional hunting bows and daggers, so he had been working to establish contact with Western arms dealers in order to purchase a large number of guns and artillery.

To this end, he frequently went in and out of Hakodate Port, looking for opportunities everywhere.

It’s a pity that it’s not easy for a local to get in touch with wealthy businessmen of the arms dealer’s level.

What's more, arms dealers or people related to arms dealers will not necessarily visit a small place like Hakodate Port. After all, compared with a real international port, Hakodate Port is still far from it.

Xilika has been tirelessly looking for an arms dealer willing to cooperate with him, but has been unsuccessful.

However, just eight months ago, he suddenly met Mahel.

Whether he met Maher or Maher intended him to "meet" him... this is a question that is difficult to answer in detail.

In this way, the two met and talked in detail.

After learning the details, Maher generously offered to provide a large number of weapons at a low price or even for free, and sent a special group of instructors! If necessary, he was willing to lead his armored fleet to help!

What he wanted in return was that when Maer established his Ainu nation, he would be made the "royal merchant" of the new country and half of the steel, coal, fur and other industries would be given to him.

Qing Deng couldn't help but interrupt when he heard this:

"After paying so much, you only want this little compensation. Don't you think it's strange?"

It is true that owning half of a country's steel, coal, fur and other bulk businesses will bring in astonishing wealth.

But would Maher be interested?

He is an arms dealer who can even buy ironclad battleships! And he bought three at a time!
Would an arms dealer of his level really care about this small amount of money?
Furthermore, how could a smart man like Maher not know that Silika’s “Yamato Conquest” was a pipe dream?

Xilika and others have lived in the mountains for a long time, and their vision is narrow and limited, so it is understandable that they develop an arrogant mentality.

In contrast, Maher is a multinational businessman who has traveled far and wide and has extraordinary knowledge. How could he not be aware of the size difference between the Ainu and the Wa people?

Funding Xilika's "Yamato Conquest" was undoubtedly a business destined to suffer heavy losses.

Merchants are a group of people who will not do anything without profit.

Excluding the outrageous option of "Maher is doing good deeds", the only possibility is that Mahher has other intentions!
He Poyi pursed his lips and responded in a deep voice:

"Of course we knew there was something peculiar about Maher."

"There is no such thing as prey that falls into your pot for no reason in this world."

“We had a very intense internal argument about whether to work with Maher.”

"Our quarrel stopped only when Maher brought boxes of brand new guns to us."

“If I reject Maher’s invitation to cooperate, I’m afraid I will never see these advanced equipment for the rest of my life.”

"He is an arms dealer that Xilika found with great difficulty and is willing to sponsor us."

"Therefore... even though we know this is a fire, we can only grit our teeth and swallow it."

"We have been very careful, always remembering that Mahel is an unknown outsider, and we are both dependent on him and wary of him."

"did not expect……"

He Popoyi stopped talking and didn't say anything more.

Although his voice stopped abruptly, Qing Deng had guessed the second half of his words: Unexpectedly, we still miscalculated.

They had planned everything, but they didn't expect that Maher would sell out his teammates and run away so quickly when the war was about to start.

Being badly harmed by unscrupulous businessmen... Qing Deng was not surprised by the fate of the "Ainu Coalition".

Ultimately, it is because Xilika and others are too naive and lack experience in dealing with the world.

To put it bluntly, they are, after all, just a group of indigenous people who have been wandering in the mountains and forests all their lives and have not yet learned how to deal with the "civilized world".

On the other hand, since Mahel was able to make such a big arms business, he must be the best of the best!

He must have extremely rich experience in how to make empty promises and how to fool others with beautiful words.

In this way, it was only natural that Xilika and others were fooled by Mael.

Qing Deng saw through it but did not say anything. He remained silent and did not explicitly point out that "you are too stupid, so you fell into Maher's trap."

This time, it took He Poyi nearly 5 minutes to calm down.

He went on to recount their past with Mahel.

As the cooperation progressed, about three months ago, Xilika began to provide even more terrifying "weapons" - that is, "Berserker Water".

Aoto and Ogata are both very concerned about the mysterious "Berserker Water".

They both stared at each other with serious expressions.

Qing Deng asked:
"Hepoyi, how much do you know about the Berserker's Water?"

He Poyi answered slowly:

"Anyone who drinks the 'Berserker Water' will have an extraordinary physique that is 'difficult to die'. The effect lasts for a month, and it is also effective for animals. The only side effect is that after the effect wears off, the body will become extremely sleepy, and it will take at least 1 days to recover."

"In order to prove the effectiveness of the Berserker Water, Maher cut open the belly of a wild dog that had drunk the potion in public."

“I still remember the scene at that time.”

He Poyi's face darkened as he spoke, as if he was recalling a very bad memory.

"Even though all the blood in its body had been drained, the dog still lived and even had the energy to bark at us... We were all terrified and thought it was some kind of witchcraft."

"Mael laughed and explained that this was not witchcraft, but Western 'alchemy'."

"I really don't know how this potion is made, and what this 'alchemy' is. Maher never mentioned it."

"However, Maher once said that the Berserker Water was an unintentional failure in the process of refining a more powerful potion."

After hearing this, Qing Deng subconsciously turned his head to look at Ogata. Coincidentally, Ogata also turned his head to look at Qing Deng at the same time. The two looked at each other, and their eyes met... They both found surprise and vigilance in each other's eyes.

The potion that can give ordinary people extraordinary vitality is actually just a failure... What kind of potion does Mael want to make?
After asking all the questions he should ask, Qing Deng took out the map he had prepared early in the morning and spread it out in front of him and He Poyi's knees:

"Hepoyi, this is a map of your Ainu territory. Can you point out the location of the 'Moon Stone'?"

In order to take Hepoyi's feelings into consideration, Qingdeng did not use the derogatory term "Ezo", but instead adopted the euphemistic term "the territory of the Ainu people".

He Poyi leaned over to look at the map, and after glancing at it twice, he looked embarrassed:

"This is... a map?"

This is the most accurate and detailed map of Ezo that Qingdeng could find, with important mountains and rivers marked.

He Poyi glanced at him twice more, his embarrassment growing even more intense:
"I can't read a map... I need to know the location of my tribe (Hiripomo Yuritachi) first. Where is Goryokaku?"

Qing Deng raised his hand and pointed to the southernmost tip of the Dodo Peninsula:

"here."

Hepoyi asked again:
"Where is Meakandake?"

At this moment, Ogata's finger stretched out from the side:

"This black line is Mt. Meakan."

"What about Mount Oakandake and Mount Rishiri?"

Ogata looked at the map carefully, then pointed again:
"Mt. Oakandake and Mt. Rishiri are here."

Although He Poyi can't read a map, fortunately he is a smart man.

Based on the locations of important places such as Goryokaku, Fukuyama Castle (the headquarters of Matsumae Domain), and major sacred mountains, he gradually calculated the approximate location of Hiripoma Yudachi.

The mountains he asked about are all sacred mountains to the Ainu people.

Mount Rishiri is revered as a "sacred mountain" by the Ainu people and is said to be the place where the god of creation descended; Mount Oakan is considered to be the domain of the mountain god or guardian god; and Mount Meakan is the residence of the god of fire.

There is no Ainu who is unaware of these sacred mountains.

Fortunately, Ogata was here, and he was familiar with the customs and habits of the Ainu people. He knew the location of the sacred mountain and the scope of activities of the major tribes.

In this way, with Ogata's assistance, Hepoi gradually narrowed the search range.

After a while, He Poyi let out a long sigh:

"Since Mount Horijiri is in this location, then...Hiripomo Yuritsu is right here!"

[Note: Horojiri-dake: It means "huge mountain" in the Ainu language and is the main peak of the Hidaka Mountains. According to legend, it was the battlefield where the giant god (sea god) and the mountain god fought.]

As he spoke, he stretched out his right index finger and pointed at a point on the map with an unquestionable momentum.

Qing Deng looked over and asked in a deep voice:
"Is this really the place?"

Hepoyi nodded:
"If your map is accurate enough, and the locations of the tribes and sacred mountains pointed out by this guy (Ogata) are correct, then our tribe is roughly in this place."

"Since the tribe is here..."

As he spoke, he gently slid his fingertips to a place near the Pacific Ocean.

"The 'Moonstone' is right here!"

Qing Deng stared at the map and raised a new question:
"What on earth is this 'moonstone' you're talking about?"

He Poyi replied slowly:
"The 'Moonstone' is a strange stone located to the east of our tribe. Because it looks like a crescent moon, our ancestors have called it the 'Moonstone' for generations."

Qingdeng asked:

"Is there a suitable place to park a warship near the Moonstone?"

He Poyi thought about it for a moment, and then showed an expression of "Oh, that's true."

"It really exists... The Moonstone is located on a towering rock wall, and below the rock wall is a wide bay."

The information is getting more and more consistent... Qing Deng's facial expression becomes more serious:

"As far as you know, has Mahel built a base near the Moonstone?"

Hepoyi shook his head:
"I don't know about that. I only know that Maher does have a 'secret base', but the only person who has been to Maher's base is Xilika."

Only Xilika had been to Maer's "secret base"... In this case, the information he desperately spoke out before his death is highly credible.

Unless Xilika deliberately wanted to make things difficult for Qingdeng, even if he hated Maer, he would not be willing to cooperate with Qingdeng.

Qing Deng stopped asking questions, lowered his eyes, looked at the map in front of his knees again, and secretly estimated the distance.

The "Moon Rock" is not far from Hakodate Bay.

If nothing goes wrong by boat, it will only take 2 or 3 days to reach the nearby sea.

After about 10 seconds, Qing Deng had made up his mind.

As he put away the map, he thanked He Poyi:
"He Poyi, thank you for your cooperation."

He Poyi snorted coldly, and the look of disdain appeared on his cheeks again:

"I don't want your thanks! I'm not helping you!"

"I just want to make that beast Maher pay!"

"I'd rather eat dog shit than make him unlucky!"

……

……

I have asked everything that can be asked, and I know everything that can be known.

He Poyi was taken back to the prisoner-of-war camp.

Only Qing Deng and Ogata were left in the room.

Ogata turned his head and looked at Qing Deng:

"Tachibana-kun, what do you mean?"

"What else can I say?"

Qing Deng spread his hands, looking helpless:
"Of course, we will intensify our pursuit of Maher."

"Even if we put aside the investigation of 'Berserker Water' and 'Alchemy', I can't let this huge hidden danger stay in the north."

"If he keeps causing trouble in the north or somewhere else, how can I concentrate all my efforts on dealing with the western vassal states?"

"Leave behind the Oshu coalition forces, and only take the Shinsengumi with you. Tomorrow morning, board the Kanrin Maru, Kanko Maru, and Fujisan Maru, and chase Mahel at full speed."

Qing Deng planned to summon Katsurintaro later and give him this military order.

Ogata looked thoughtful:

"Why did Maher go to so much trouble to fund Silik's 'Yamato Expedition'? What exactly is he trying to achieve?"

"Is he really greedy for the resources and wealth of this land?"

"This land is truly an undeveloped area. There are more bears and wolves than people. Without more than a decade of hard work, don't even think about squeezing out wealth from it."

Qingden shrugged:

"Who knows?"

……

……

The next morning,

As soon as the sky turned light, Goryokaku was bustling with activity.

"Get up! Get up quickly!"

"Let's go! Let's go!"

"Where are we going?"

"I don't know! Anyway, follow me first!"

The Shinsengumi soldiers, wearing light green feather robes, rushed out of the barracks, formed long lines, left the castle, and headed straight for Hakodate Bay, preparing to board the ship to the north.

The soldiers of the Oshu coalition were awakened by the huge noise. They climbed out of their beds and looked at the Shinsengumi going off with curiosity.

The only troops that needed to go north to pursue Mael were the Shinsengumi.

The reason for this is that the three ships (Kanrin Maru, Kanko Maru, and Fujisan Maru) have limited capacity and can only carry so many people.

Maer may evacuate to another place at any time, so Qing Deng must catch up with him as soon as possible! If it is too late, Maer may escape!

Therefore, old and slow boats cannot be brought along.

Under Qing Deng's arrangement, the soldiers of the Oshu coalition will take these Japanese ships back to Honshu Oshima.

Their battle was over and they could return home.

By the way, many soldiers in the Austrian and Japanese coalition forces made great contributions in this battle.

Either they killed several enemy soldiers or captured some important figures.

Although they were not Qing Deng's followers, Qing Deng was still generous in rewarding them all generously.

Firstly, it is to strengthen the political image of "the benevolent king is generous" and "following the benevolent king will bring you a bright future."

Secondly, it is to win people's hearts.

For this reason, since last night, cheers of "Long live Nioh" and "Long live Tachibana Aoto" have been heard continuously in Goryokaku.

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