I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

……

Edo, Okemachi, Kochiba Sword Hall —

Having just finished martial arts practice, Sanako looked as if she had just been pulled out of the water, covered in fragrant sweat, with a few strands of hair sticking to her slightly pink face.

Jet-black hair, skin that appears fair and rosy from recent strenuous exercise... these two contrasting features complement each other perfectly, making her look exceptionally alluring.

Sweat dripped down her chin and fingertips, forming glistening puddles at her feet.

Normally, the clean-loving Sanako would have wiped her body clean with a towel and then taken a nice, relaxing bath.

However, she was so engrossed in the carving that she didn't even bother to wipe her sweat or put down the wooden naginata she was using for martial arts practice.

At this moment, her entire being was focused on Chiba Jutaro in front of her.

To be more precise, it refers to what Chiba Jutaro said.

"...In short, that's how it is. Aoto will be leaving Edo next February."

Coincidentally, upon learning of this, Sanako displayed a shock expression remarkably similar to that of Kinoshita Mai.

She stared blankly at the empty space in front of her, remaining silent for a long time.

……

……

That night--

Edo, Koishikawa Kohinata Yanagi Town, Test Guard Hall——

Qing Deng finally returned to the Shiwei Hall near dusk today.

Upon his return, he didn't even have time to greet the commander and the others before immediately locking himself in his room, hunching over his desk, and furiously writing something.

War is a matter of great importance to the state.

Whether it's recruiting soldiers or sending them into battle, it's a complex activity that requires the coordination of several, dozens, or even hundreds of departments to complete smoothly.

Moreover, the Edo Shogunate, which had enjoyed a long period of peace, had not conducted any military operations of this kind for quite some time.

In short, to sum it up in one sentence—it is absolutely impossible for Qingdeng alone to lead troops to Luoyang before the beginning of next spring.

Therefore, Tokugawa Iemochi appointed Matsudaira Shusuke, Yamaoka Tetsutaro, Udono Kyōō, Sugiura Shoichirō, and Matsuoka Jūzaburō as "Rōshi Toshinyō" (Ronin Commander), in charge of assisting Aōdō in managing the organization of the pacification army.

Since accepting Tokugawa Iemochi's appointment yesterday afternoon, Aoto has been staying in Edo Castle, negotiating with Matsudaira Shusuke and others on various matters such as recruiting talent and purchasing equipment.

Matsudaira Shusuke – A rare and outstanding swordsman in the Tokugawa family. His ancestor was Tadashi, the sixth son of Tokugawa Ieyasu. He was exceptionally learned in both scholarship and swordsmanship and currently serves as a swordsmanship instructor at the Kōbō-sho (Military Academy).

The question remains whether this expedition will be able to eliminate the threat of the "Fa-ju-Dong" (a political party) – in other words, whether Qing Deng (a political leader) can successfully quell this major threat.

Therefore, Qingdeng showed his full enthusiasm for the first time in a long time.

With the abundant energy granted by his talents such as "Yuan Yang +1", "Divine Brain +9", and "Strong Essence +2", Qing Deng managed to exert extremely strong initiative, making even the donkeys in the production team feel inferior.

He worked continuously for 28 hours. His colleagues, such as Matsudaira Shusuke, were almost exhausted and collapsed on the ground, but he was still working with great enthusiasm.

Even after returning to the testing center, he picked up important unfinished work and continued working late into the night.

With the blessing of "Gathering Spirit", Qingdeng saw only the pen in his hand and the scroll in front of him.

"Focus" is truly a god-level talent that allows one to excel in both combat and work.

With "Divine Brain + 9" combined with "Gathering Spirit"... Qingdeng's work efficiency is several times that of ordinary people.

Just as he was burning the midnight oil, a sudden knock on the door interrupted his thoughts—

Boom, boom, boom.

Following the knock on the door was the voice of the commander.

"It's me, Tachibana-kun."

Qingdeng stopped writing with his brush.

"What's wrong?"

"Um, well... Sanako and Kinoshita-san are both here. They... and I, all want to see you. Tachibana-kun, are you free now?"

Qing Deng was stunned for a moment, then his face showed a complex expression of surprise and helplessness.

Although he had long anticipated that the three women would come to interrogate him about the cause and effect of Shangluo, he did not expect them to act so quickly.

Anyway, it's something I'll have to face sooner or later, so it doesn't matter when... Qingdeng thought to himself.

As he placed the brush back on the brush rest, he said softly:

"Come in."

No sooner had he finished speaking than the sound of the door being pushed open with a "whoosh" rang out.

Immediately afterwards, three beautiful figures, one in blue, one in red, and one in purple, filed in.

Upon entering the room, the three women were simultaneously taken aback.

The room was filled with piles of papers and scrolls with various writings on them, leaving almost no room to step.

"Sorry, it's a bit messy."

As he spoke, Qingdeng casually pushed aside the papers and scrolls in front of him, making room for them.

"Qingdeng, we hope we haven't disturbed your work?"

Kinoshita Mai asked timidly.

"To be honest, I was definitely disturbed..." Qingdeng thought to himself.

If the truth were told, it would inevitably make the three women feel disappointed and guilty.

Therefore, Qingdeng told a white lie:

"No, I was just about to rest."

Mai Kinoshita nodded slightly:

"That's good……"

"Please sit down, don't keep standing."

Upon hearing Qingdeng's words, the three women knelt down and lined up in front of him.

Sanako sat in the center, with Kinoshita Mai and Souji on her left and right sides, respectively.

Because of their significant height difference, from Qingdeng's perspective, the three women form a "mountain" shape with the middle being higher and the two sides lower.

No one spoke.

All three women had shifty eyes and seemed hesitant to speak, as if they were trying to find the right words.

In an instant, the eerie atmosphere in the room intensified.

In an attempt to lighten the increasingly somber atmosphere, Qing Deng took the initiative to speak:

"Zanako, Mai, did you come together?"

Sanako replied:

"After learning that you had returned to Shieikan, I rushed over immediately, and then I met Ms. Kinoshita, who was also rushing to Shieikan on the way."

Mai Kinoshita nodded in agreement.

Seeing how well Sanako and Kinoshita Mai coordinated, Aoto raised an eyebrow, revealing an expression that said, "I've seen something rare."

Whenever no one else is around, Sanako and Kinoshita Mai always argue and say sarcastic things to each other.

Instead of arguing, the two of them calmly answered Qingdeng's questions together... Such a scene is truly rare.

*******

*******

If all goes well, I should be able to write about the selection of soldiers for the Zhenfu Army tomorrow. Then, that indispensable step will come.

How's it going? Isn't the recent plot pacing brisk and satisfying? (Leopard hands on hips.jpg)

So—I'm begging for monthly votes! I'm begging for recommendation votes! (Like a leopard crying.jpg)

Chapter 508 Selection of the Zhenfu Army Begins! Qingdeng vs. Thousands of Applicants! [6200]

"In short, let me state first—I only learned yesterday afternoon, after receiving the summons from Jia Mao... after receiving the summons from Lord Da Shu, that he was planning to promote me to the position of Commander of the Capital Garrison. So I did not hide it from you beforehand; my promotion was indeed sudden."

"Qingdeng, are you... are you really going to Kyoto?"

After asking the question, Kinoshita Mai subconsciously clenched her fists.

"um, yes."

Qing Deng responded with an unwavering reply and a determined look in his eyes.

"You are both my fiancées, so I won't hide it from you."

Although the three women still opposed the idea of ​​"marrying Qingdeng together," this did not stop Qingdeng from indulging in his whims.

"The Fōshū-dō has become active again. According to reports from spies, the Fōshū-dō is suspected of colluding with the Chōshū Domain."

All three women knew about the existence of the Fa Zhu Party and the grudges between Qing Deng and the Fa Zhu Party.

Therefore, Qingdeng could relay this information to them without any reservations.

After learning the true story behind Qingdeng taking on the hot potato of "guarding the capital region," the three women all wore heavy expressions on their pretty faces.

"Qingdeng, although I understand your reasons for deciding to go to Kyoto, but... but... isn't Kyoto in a state of chaos right now?"

“I’ve been hearing people say that the Choshu Domain, Satsuma Domain, and Aizu Domain are about to fight each other.”

"In addition, Tanaka Shinbei, Okada Izo, and others caused trouble in the streets and alleys of Kyoto."

"I don't doubt your abilities, it's just... it's just..."

Kinoshita Mai kept repeating "just," her voice getting lower and lower, and her head gradually lowered as well.

At this moment, the commander-in-chief took over the conversation:

"Mr. Tachibana, if you want to wipe out the Fa-Zhu Party, there must be other ways to do it, right? Is it really necessary to take on such a... such a dangerous position?"

Sanako followed immediately: