I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

……

In the streets and alleys of Edo, one could see tile merchants running around everywhere.

They were like madmen, repeating today's biggest headlines at the highest volume they could muster.

The citizens of Edo also went crazy, rushing to buy roof tiles from the tile merchants one after another.

Even those who don't usually look at roof tiles made an exception today, holding a freshly made, still-warm roof tile in both hands, examining it carefully line by line, afraid of missing a single word.

The roof tile industry in Edo experienced an unprecedented period of prosperity.

The production capacity of the tile-making workshops couldn't even keep up with the buying frenzy among Edo residents.

Thanks to the tireless promotion by the tile merchants, the news that "Qing Deng will be appointed as the Governor of the Capital Region and will lead troops to Kyoto next February" spread throughout Edo in less than half a day.

The whole city was in an uproar!

*******

*******

Qingdeng has been promoted again! His current role is basically that of a part-time "military governor of the capital region."

So, to what extent could Qing Deng build his Zhenfu Mansion? Please read on!

Please vote with monthly tickets! Please vote with recommendation tickets! (Leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 507 The whole city is shaken! Fame and fortune can only be won on horseback! [6200]

Edo, a secluded alleyway—

"Hey guys! Look here! Our chance to make something of ourselves has arrived!"

A robust but ragged ronin, with an excited expression, held up a small newspaper.

On the small newspaper, concise text and exquisite illustrations complement each other perfectly.

The accompanying illustration is quite simple: a young warrior dressed in imposing armor and with three swords at his waist sits regally on a stool... The person depicted in the painting is naturally Qing Deng.

In front of the burly man, deep within this secluded alley, lay several ronin, all dressed in tattered clothes.

"Boss, what's wrong?"

"An opportunity to get ahead?"

"What do you mean?"

The ronin, their faces showing confusion, asked in a cacophony of questions.

"Brothers! The Shogunate is making a big move!"

As he spoke, the burly man handed the small newspaper that he had been holding above his head back to his eyes, and then quickly summarized the contents written on it.

The governor of the capital region... formed a new army... led troops to Kyoto... After hearing these words, the ronin were initially shocked, then overjoyed, and finally went mad with excitement.

"The Commander of the Capital Region... That Tachibana Aoto is only 20 years old this year, right? At only 20, he has already earned great fame with his sword and spear. Now he is not only a powerful regional official, but he also has an extremely close relationship with that Chiba Sanako... Tsk! He is such a guy that one doesn't even have the courage to be jealous of him...!"

"A combat force personally commanded by Tachibana Aoto, the pacification commissioner of the capital region... Does this new force have an official name?"

"Not yet. However, everyone usually refers to this newly formed unit as the 'Suppressing Army'."

"No questions asked about background or age, anyone can sign up... Is this really true?! Even unclaimed ronin like us can sign up to join Tachibana Seito's ranks?"

"Yes! That's right! It's clearly written in the tabloids that not only ronin, but even farmers who aren't even samurai have the opportunity to serve the King of Ni!"

"Farmers? Humph! Farmers who only know how to toil in the soil, how could they possibly know how to fight a war!"

"However, the tabloid also said: it's not enough to just register at the conscription office; there is a selection process. Only by passing the rigorous selection can one become a member of the Zhenfu Army."

"Oh, there's a selection process too..."

"Hahaha! What's wrong? Yamada-kun, are you lacking confidence in your own abilities?"

"H-How is that possible! I am the catalog holder of the Kagami Shinmei-ryu! How could I possibly be afraid of a mere selection!"

Just as the ronin were discussing amongst themselves, the burly man took a deep breath and shouted:

"Brothers! Listen to me!"

Upon hearing this, the noisy alleyway immediately fell silent.

The ronin's gazes all fell on the burly man.

"Brothers, we are not only from the same hometown, but also like-minded comrades-in-arms."

The burly man slowly turned his gaze, scanning the faces before him, and then, in a captivating tone, continued the conversation:

“A year ago, we abandoned our homes and resolutely left our domains to go to Edo.”

"For what purpose?"

"It's all for the sake of serving my country with utmost loyalty!"

"It's all for the sake of sacrificing oneself for righteousness!"

"However, after arriving in Edo, the harsh reality dealt us a heavy blow."

“Those high and mighty retainers have no time to pay attention to us lowly ronin.”

"We are full of enthusiasm, but we have no way to serve our country and can only live a life of confusion."

"And now... our chance to make a name for ourselves has arrived!"

At this point, the burly man once again raised the small newspaper in his hand.

His expression was dignified, his demeanor solemn... as if he were holding some precious sacred artifact.

"I've made up my mind! I'm going to participate in the conscription selection on January 3rd next year! I'm going to Kyoto with Prince Ni! I'm going to take this opportunity to make my mark!"

Would you like to come with me?

The burly man had barely finished speaking when the ronin interrupted:

"Boss, what nonsense are you talking about!"

"How could we possibly let this golden opportunity slip by!"

"I've had enough of this life, which is no different from that of a beggar!"

"I'm already a worthless life anyway! If I don't fight now, when will I?"

Seeing the ronin's passionate and impassioned manner, the burly man couldn't help but grin from ear to ear.

bass!

He suddenly drew his knife from his waist, the tip pointing straight to the sky.

"Alright! Then let's join the Zhenfu Army together! Fame and glory can only be achieved on horseback!"

"Oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh oh!!"

The ronin drew their swords like strong men, pointing them at the blue sky.

The blades stood out, gleaming coldly.

……

……

Edo, a place where hatamoto people lived, a luxurious mansion—

A handsome young man dressed in fine clothes walked briskly along the veranda with an excited expression, his footsteps making a "thump-thump" sound on the floor.

After a moment, he stopped in front of an exquisite door.

"Father!"

The boy pushed open the door and entered.

"Ok?"

Inside the room, a portly middle-aged man was leaning back with his elbows against a chair, leisurely puffing on a cigarette.

Seeing the boy suddenly attack, he immediately put down his pipe and calmly asked in return:

"Sanlang, what's wrong?"

The boy sat upright in front of the middle-aged man and took out a still-warm old newspaper from his pocket.

"Father, I wish to join the Zhenfu Army. Please grant me permission!"

After saying this, the boy pushed the small newspaper onto the middle-aged man's lap.

"The pacification... army...?"

The middle-aged man picked up the tabloid and began to read it quickly, skimming through it.

In no time, his face turned black and then blue.

"Nonsense!"

Rip—The middle-aged man tore the newspaper in half, crumpled it into a ball, and threw it hard on the ground.

"Sanlang, this isn't a holiday celebration! This is enlisting in the army! It's going to war!"

"Don't you understand the current situation in Kyoto?"

"Tensions have long been running high between Choshu, Satsuma, and Aizu, and the entire Kyoto region could turn into a bloody battlefield at any moment!"

"War means death!"

"I forbid you from joining any Zhenfu Army!"

The young man seemed to have anticipated the middle-aged man's reaction; he lowered his head without changing his expression and said in a clear, neither humble nor arrogant, voice:

“Father, I understand everything you’re saying.”

"I know that Kyoto is currently filled with the clouds of war."

"I also know that people will die in war."

"However... no matter what, I still want to go to Kyoto! I want to join the Zhenfu Army!"

"I am the third son in the family, and I have no chance to inherit the family business."

"My future path is really only two: either work at a sword school and make a living with swordsmanship; or stay at home and be a parasite who is supported by you, Father, now and by my brother later."