In order to become a Heroic Spirit, I had no choice but to cause trouble in history.

"It is necessary."

"But war at the national level is unnecessary."

"It would be best to introduce a scapegoat at this time."

"The scapegoat won against the foreigners, which is the best outcome. In this way, the foreigners will have to reassess Japan's strength and rethink their diplomatic strategy."

"If we reach a draw, that's fine too. It will improve foreigners' opinion of us, and we can also renegotiate some details of cooperation and exchange."

“If we lose, that’ll be even easier.” Zuo Cun held up a finger. “We just need to let this scapegoat die.”

Longma broke out in a cold sweat and chuckled awkwardly, "Although we've known each other for a long time, sometimes I still feel that your thoughts are really insightful."

"But it works, doesn't it?" Zuo Cun smiled nonchalantly. "We're prepared to make some sacrifices, even if it means sacrificing ourselves. That's all we have to say..."

“I plan to go to Satsuma to take a look at the situation there. If possible, I'd like to plant some seeds there.” Ryoma’s expression returned to normal as he told Samura his thoughts. “The trip might take a long time, and I also need to put my newfound knowledge into practice. I will ask Lord Yamauchi for his permission. What are your thoughts?”

“I think I’ll stay here.” Zamura patted Kanna’s head. “Mr. Takechi may seem like a very nice person, but… I’ve seen what Mr. Takechi is really like before.”

Ryoma sighed: "That doesn't stop him from being a respectable person. It's precisely because of his character that the Loyalist Party can truly be entrusted to him for management, isn't it?"

“That’s true.” Zuocun patted Ryoma on the shoulder. “If you’re going to Satsuma, be careful. After all, you’re not from there.”

"Don't worry, Miss A-Long will take very good care of Ryoma." Miss A-Long followed behind Ryoma, and although she didn't say much, she made people feel very reassured.

"By the way, there's something I need to ask you, Zuocun." Ryoma's eyes were serious.

"The moment Mr. Takeichi passes away will mark the true loss of power for the anti-foreign faction. The Yamauchi Domain lord, who is now under some degree of control, will definitely target those of us who signed that cloth. At that time, I will immediately announce my departure from the domain. My family... I will entrust them to you then."

Samura grabbed Ryoma's hand: "Don't worry, Ryoma."

“With you and Miss Ryoma by my side, sometimes I really feel like I can do anything.” Ryoma smiled and shook his head.

Kanna smiled as she watched the three adults chatting and laughing.

I can feel a little bit of the feeling I had when my parents were still alive.

"What's wrong, Kanna?" Zuocun looked at Kanna, who was grinning foolishly, and was a little worried.

"Ah, ah, it's nothing, it's nothing..." Kanna blushed slightly, looking at Samura, then at Mr. Sakamoto and Ms. Aryu, "It's just that when we're all together like this, it feels a bit like we're a family..."

"...Is that so?" Zuocun gently stroked Kanna's head, seemingly lost in thought.

"Zomura, have you thought about what you'll do after the chaos ends?" Ryoma suddenly asked.

"Hmm?" Zuo Cun didn't know how to answer.

He has always lived in the present and focused on the future, but he has never really thought about the future after the chaos ends.

After a moment's thought, Zuo Cun smiled and said, "Indeed, I want to build a house on a high mountain by the sea and live there with my wife and children."

"So you chose the mountain because you can jump over it?" Ryoma looked at the roof. "Then I'll be your neighbor. I'll also have to bring Izo over with me later."

"But speaking of wives, are you planning to get married?" Ryoma asked with a hint of teasing. "You're not getting any younger, do you have anyone in mind?"

Zuo Cun's expression froze, and for a moment he forgot what to say.

But this is already quite obvious.

Ryoma was instantly shocked: "No way! You really have someone you like!?"

Miss Ah Long was also taken aback: "How could someone like you fall in love with a woman!?"

Kanna was somewhat dazed: "Mr. Samura, is there a girl you like?"

"What do you mean I actually like women?" Zuo Cun was unusually shy, his face turning red.

The image of that one of the few female swordsmen in Japan who could rival him flashed through his mind.

“Indeed… there is one…” Zuo Cun’s eyes darted away as he scratched his face.

"...I never expected you to have this side to you, so innocent-hearted." Ryoma stopped teasing and asked Samura curiously, "Is he someone I know?"

Zuocun hesitated for a moment: "...Yes."

"...light pink hair?"

"Why are you asking so many questions?"

"Okay, I know who it is." Longma Huai chuckled.

Zuocun's reaction has already said a lot.

Zuocun sighed in despair.

"In any case, I wish you find what you're looking for in Samo. When are you planning to set off?"

"I'll go back and see Mr. Takeshi first, and then I'll set off."

------------

Chapter 345 The Ronin's Appeasement Policy

Time came to 1862.

Ryoma has gone to Satsuma, while Samura has stayed in the vicinity of Kyoto, observing everything that is happening.

The anti-foreign faction became increasingly restless due to the suppression by the pro-government and pro-military faction.

Finally, in February, some radical elements of the anti-foreign faction could no longer restrain themselves and took action.

They planned an assassination.

Target... Ando Nobumasa, one of the most steadfast supporters of the Shogun and a core figure in the faction that unites the court and the military.

But they failed.

Radicalism can be intoxicating, but if it becomes too radical, it can lead to numerous mistakes.

Nobumasa Ando was only stabbed in the arm and did not die.

Samura also did not want to see Ando Nobumasa die, because Ando Nobumasa was clearly more useful alive than dead.

But what Nobumasa Ando did next shocked all of Kyoto and even all of Japan.

This general, who was most steadfastly supported by Tokugawa Iemochi, applied to Tokugawa Iemochi for retirement.

After much deliberation, Tokugawa Iemochi finally agreed to Ando Nobumasa's retirement.

"Expel the barbarians, expel the barbarians." Tokugawa Iemochi kept repeating this phrase, lost in thought.

The fact that Nobumasa Ando was stabbed proves that Kyoto's security has reached a point where it can no longer be ignored.

“The feudal troops must each perform their duties. The coastline is extremely tense right now, and it is simply not advisable to divert manpower to maintain the safety of Kyoto.” Tokugawa Iemochi’s health was also beginning to decline. Overworked and mentally exhausted, he was at his wit’s end.

"...I want to see the Emperor..." In the end, Tokugawa Iemochi made this decision.

......

The safety of Kyoto was not just a problem for Shogun Tokugawa Iemochi.

Kyoto is no longer safe. Various forces are mixed together, and danger lurks in the shadows. Every day, several corpses can be found in the dark alleys. There are civilians, officials, and occasionally even important figures. People are in a state of panic, and everyone is afraid of becoming the next one.

The shogunate's high-ranking officials held an emergency discussion to devise a countermeasure, since no one wanted to be lying cold in a dark alley the next day.

After nearly two months of discussion, the suggestion made by Kiyokawa Hachiro, a leader of the Shonai Domain, was finally adopted by the shogunate.

He publicly recruited ronin to form the general's guard to ensure the safety of Kyoto.

When Kondo Isami and Hijikata Toshizo, who were far away in Edo, heard the news, their eyes lit up.

"Hijikata, our chance has come."

Kondo Isami patted the paper with the information written on it, his face showing a hint of excitement.

Hijikata touched his ear and said with a smile, "I had long expected this day to come, but I didn't expect it to come sooner than I thought."

Kondo Isami pushed open the door of the Shieikan: "Hey, Souji, come out here for a moment."

Okita Souji, who was training the disciples of the Tennen Rishin-ryu school, seemed somewhat reluctant: "Huh? What's wrong? I'm training them right now."

"Big news, our chance has come!"

“...Oh.” Okita Souji was still somewhat reluctant, but he still came out.

“You can train freely, but don’t slack off.” She turned to look at Rintaro Okita. “Master, you oversee them.”

“Ah, yes!” Rintaro Okita dared not refute.

Okita Souji sighed.

"This is news from Kyoto. Because the safety of Kyoto has reached an extreme level, they want to take a conciliatory approach towards us ronin, recruiting some lower-ranking samurai into the shogunate in order to maintain the safety of Kyoto."

Okita Souji looked at Kondo Isami, who was talking non-stop, and Hijikata Toshizo, who was standing aside and smiling without saying a word.

A sentence involuntarily came to mind.

"You've always had Shimazaki and Hijikata making decisions for you."

......

"The Commander? The Commander?"

"Huh? Ah?" Okita Souji suddenly woke up with a start.

"What's wrong? You don't seem to be in a good mood. You were just spacing out." Kondo Isami looked at the little girl with some surprise.

"It's nothing, I was just thinking about what you just said." Okita Souji touched his face, his eyes dim.

Have I really always had Kondo and Hijikata making decisions for me?

"So what's your opinion?" Kondo asked Okita for his opinion.

"My opinion..."

Mr. Samura, you have said something wrong.

From then until now, the decisions I've made have been solely based on trust, which is why I entrusted them to Kondo and Hijikata.

I am not a machine that cannot think and only knows how to swing a sword.

I made this decision myself.

"The people of Shieikan are enough to fight, so... let's answer the call."

"That's exactly what I've been waiting for!" Kondo Isami chuckled, put his arm around Hijikata Toshizo's shoulder, and began discussing the details.