I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng smiled slightly.

"There's no need to overcomplicate things."

As he spoke, he naturally and skillfully slipped his hands under Kinoshita Mai's armpits, lifted her up, and placed her on his lap, just like lifting a cat. Then, with a firm but not too light touch, he hugged her tightly from behind, pressing his chest against her back.

Since Mr. Kiryu was no longer present, he had no more concerns.

After being held by Aoto, Kinoshita Mai naturally leaned back and rested the back of her head on Aoto's shoulder.

"Don't think about things like 'How should I begin writing?' or 'What should I write to move Grandma?'"

"Simply write your will and determination on a piece of paper with sincerity. After sending the letter, then await fate."

Kinoshita Mai countered with:

"What should we do if Grandma objects?"

"Let's find another way when that time comes."

At this moment, Kinoshita Mai seemed to remember something, paused, and then asked:

"Speaking of which... Qingdeng, you don't seem surprised that I want to join the Zhenfu Army? You don't object?"

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but chuckle to himself.

He had heard a similar question from Sanako last night.

So, without batting an eye, he recounted, with slight modifications, what he had said to Sanako the day before:

"You are not my property. What right do I have to dictate your decisions or your future?"

“Since going to Luoyang is dangerous, what I should do is not to treat you like a baby and keep you in swaddling clothes.”

"Instead, I will grip my sword tightly and protect you until you no longer need my protection."

"Your eyes tell me that your decision is not a whimsical idea, but an ideal that has been carefully considered."

"If that's the case, then that's enough."

"That alone is enough to make me fully support you."

Using the same words for multiple purposes—saying the same things to different people—is a skill that Qing Deng has become increasingly adept at after forming complicated and inextricable relationships with the three women.

Even the dignified and composed Sanako was charmed by Aoto's heartfelt words and smiled, let alone the simple-minded and easily swayed Kinoshita Mai.

In an instant, the girl in red smiled foolishly, her whole face became soft and fluffy, and the soft flesh on her cheeks seemed to be about to sag.

"I understand! I'll start writing the letter tonight!"

"Tomorrow morning, I will entrust the most skilled Shi Li Feijiao to deliver the letter to Grandma's desk as quickly as possible!"

[Note: Shiritsu Hikatsu: A special "courier" who delivered mail during the Edo period]

"A round trip between Edo and Osaka would take about four or five days... I hope I can make it in time."

Qing Deng shrugged:

"Don't worry, there's plenty of time. The recruitment ceremony for the Zhenfu Army won't end until January 20th. Even if you miss the deadline, I'll do a little something to make sure you get into the Zhenfu Army smoothly."

Kinoshita Mai said in a coquettish tone, "I'm not happy about it."

"Qingdeng, abusing your power is not a good thing."

Qing Deng Wan Er:

"As the Commander of the Capital Garrison, I have the authority to recruit outstanding talents without regard to precedent—shouldn't I have that power?"

……

……

The next day—

Wenjiu three years (1863), January 5th——

Edo, the recruitment venue for the Zhenfu Army—

From south to north, the high sky was covered with fish-scale-like clouds, which were a ghastly white.

There were fewer applicants and fewer people coming to watch the spectacle today.

Qingdeng stood below the platform, stretching his limbs.

Waaaaah...!

The raging north wind brought with it a dense, undercurrent of moisture.

"It's so cold..."

Qingdeng raised his palms to his lips and breathed out a puff of warm air.

In the misty heat, the world is shrouded in a dreamlike filter.

It should snow today… Qingdeng thought to himself.

Suddenly, a luxurious sedan chair with a black background and gold paint, carried by four strong men and followed by a row of attendants, unexpectedly entered Qingdeng's peripheral vision.

This sedan chair was clearly headed for Qingdeng.

After quickly running to within five steps of Qingdeng, the four strong men gently lowered the sedan chair from their shoulders.

Immediately afterwards, a vigorous middle-aged man pushed open the sedan door and greeted Qingdeng with a smile.

"Hey! Qingdeng!"

Qingdeng raised an eyebrow.

"Rintaro?"

"Qingdeng, it's been a long time. How have you been?"

Since the "plum blossom viewing banquet" in mid-last month, Aoto and Katsu Rintaro have not seen each other again.

"I've been so busy lately that I can hardly tell day from night."

Qing Deng replied half-jokingly.

"Each each other."

Katsu Rintaro responded with a wry smile.

Recently, the shogunate decided to build fortifications in Hyogo and Nishinomiya.

Katsura Rintaro, who was well-versed in Western military affairs, naturally became the chief commander of this major project.

He has been traveling between Edo, Hyogo and Nishinomiya recently.

In terms of how busy he is, he is no less busy than Qingdeng.

"Rintaro, what are you doing here?"

"Don't you need to repair your gun emplacements?" — This was the unspoken implication in Qing Deng's words.

“I just returned from Hyogo and was preparing to go up the castle to report back when I thought I'd stop by and see you.”

"Ascending the castle" was a political term used in the Edo period, meaning entering Edo Castle.

"Qingdeng, how is the recruitment of soldiers going?"

As he asked the question, Katsurin Taro looked up at the high platform next to him.

"We can say that we have successfully recruited quite a few outstanding talents."

At this point, Qingdeng adopted a playful tone:

"Rintaro, you and I are now, one of us is the naval magistrate and the other is the governor of the capital region. When the war in the capital region becomes critical, I hope that you will lead the shogunate fleet to Osaka Bay to support me with a barrage of naval bombs."

Katsurin Taro laughed loudly a few times:

"Leaving Osaka aside for now, asking me to support the battlefield in Kyoto with naval guns... isn't that asking too much of a question?"

After exchanging a few more casual pleasantries, Qingdeng abruptly changed the subject:

"Rintaro, you've come at the perfect time. I happen to have something quite important to ask of you."

Rintaro raised an eyebrow.

"Oh? What is it?"

"Rintaro, you used to work at the Military Academy, so you should have connections in this area. I would like to ask you to help me purchase a batch of fine swords."

"A precious sword? How much money do you have? How many swords do you want to buy?"

“我要8把打刀、1把薙刀、1把长枪、1把胁差。我给你3000金的预算。”

……

……

"You're not qualified, get off the plane."

……

"You're not qualified, get off the plane."

……

"Your basic skills are good. You've passed. Go over there and register your personal information."

……

"You're not qualified, get off the plane."

……

On the high platform, just like yesterday, the words "You are not qualified" and "You are qualified" rang out repeatedly.

Of these, the former still accounts for the overwhelming majority.

Qingdeng ruthlessly defeated every applicant who stood on the stage, one after another.

The bailiff in charge of calling out names also ruthlessly flipped through the thick book in his hand, page after page.

The pure white snowflakes arrived as scheduled.

First, one or two pieces, then ten or a hundred pieces, and finally thousands or tens of thousands of pieces.

The pale sunlight shone on the snowflakes, reflecting a dazzling light.