I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

After saying that, the commander tilted his body to the side, lay on his back on the ground, stretched out his limbs, and spread out on the tatami like a soft piece of clay.

When she was alone with Qingdeng, she could always relax without caring about her image—and so could Qingdeng.

"Speaking of which, is it really a good idea to make me the captain of the first division of the Sword-Binding Squad?"

"Huh? What do you mean?"

Qing Deng put down his brush and turned to look at the commander.

The commander chuckled dryly a few times.

"This position is too heavy for me... I don't have the confidence to lead a team well."

"How could that be? You are the headmaster of Shieikan Academy. When it comes to experience in managing others, you are second to none."

The headmaster of a dojo—similar to the class leader in a dojo—is the leader of the apprentices.

The commander did not show any joy at Qing Deng's words of comfort; instead, his expression became even more sorrowful.

"That being said, 'leading fellow disciples to practice swordsmanship' and 'leading soldiers into battle are two different things.'"

"I can charge into the enemy camp alone without hesitation."

"But if I were to lead a squad of soldiers into battle... I really couldn't do it."

"Besides, I don't have the same strong mentality as you and Mr. Hijikata, who can remain calm even if the sky collapses and the earth crumbles."

"The position of captain alone is enough to give me a headache, let alone the important First Division..."

"I'm not saying anything discouraging."

“I am very happy and honored that you are willing to entrust such an important team to me.”

"But... you should still hand over the First Division to someone else."

"I'd be content to be just an ordinary sergeant."

"At the very least, let me lead a team that isn't that important."

After saying that, Souji turned his head to the side, waiting anxiously for Aoto's reply.

"..."

Qingdeng's expression was calm.

He stared straight into the commander's eyes without saying a word, and their eyes met.

One side remained silent for a long time, while the other waited anxiously.

The former's silence made the latter feel even more tormented.

Just as Souji was about to shout, "Hey, don't stay silent! Say something!" the other party finally made a move.

He quietly withdrew his gaze, and the brush in his hand began to move again.

And so, as he continued writing furiously, he asked in a nonchalant tone:

"Xiao Si, do you know about Emperor Gaozu of Han in the Tang Dynasty?"

A look of confusion appeared between the commander's brows.

Although she didn't understand what it meant, she still obediently nodded.

"And what about the Ming Taizu of Tang?"

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

"I'm not Harada-kun! I've read a few books, of course I know these historical figures!"

After receiving the commander's affirmative reply, Qing Deng continued the conversation on his own:

"Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Taizu of Ming in Tang Dynasty were both unparalleled heroes."

“Looking at their lives, one can find something quite intriguing about them.”

"Their initial team when they conquered the world... the fellow townsmen of Emperor Gaozu of Han from Pei County, and the fellow townsmen of Emperor Taizu of Ming from Huaixi, all produced many outstanding individuals."

"Xiao He and Li Shanchang were renowned prime ministers who governed the country and brought peace to the people."

"Fan Kuai, Zhou Bo, Xiahou Ying, Chang Yuchun, Tang He, and Feng Sheng were all renowned generals who won every battle."

"Among them, Cao Can and Xu Da were formidable figures who could pacify the world with their pens and conquer it on horseback."

"However, a closer examination of historical records reveals that these extraordinary heroes were nothing more than ordinary people before following Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Taizu of Ming."

"Xiao He was the county magistrate of Pei County."

"Cao Shen was a minor official in charge of prisons."

"Fan Kuai was a butcher who killed dogs."

Xiahou Ying was a servant who tended horses and drove carriages for the county magistrate.

"Zhou Bo was an unknown man who made a living by weaving silkworm rearing tools."

"As for the fellow villagers from Huaixi under the Ming Taizu, needless to say."

“Li Shanchang, Chang Yuchun, Xu Da, Tang He... these people were either talented but unappreciated scholars or ordinary people from the lower classes.”

"In times of peace and prosperity, they would be nothing more than insignificant dust and ants."

"However, these very people of humble origins later became pillars of the nation, whose names are etched in history."

"why is that?"

"Could it be because Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Taizu of Ming were both true Sons of Heaven that Heaven favored them? Did it not only endow them with extraordinary literary and military talents, but also give their fellow villagers unparalleled talents?"

“Those with outdated ideas will stubbornly believe that this is fate.”

"But I believe this is an inevitable outcome."

"There really are such unparalleled geniuses in this world who can lead the way."

"Indeed, talent is valuable, but experience and stage are equally important."

"If only I hadn't met Emperor Gaozu of Han and Emperor Taizu of Ming."

"If I hadn't followed these two heroes through one dangerous and desperate situation after another."

"If we hadn't started from the small towns of Pei County and Huaixi and gradually climbed onto the grand stage known as 'the world'..."

"Xiao He, Li Shanchang, Cao Can, Xu Da and the like were ultimately just a bunch of incompetent rabble."

"As long as you have enough experience and a suitable stage, whether you are a poor person from the bottom of society who has not received a good education or a woman who is powerless, anyone has the opportunity to grow into a capable person."

"Xiao Si, you said you don't have the confidence to lead a team well... Well, let me tell you the truth—to be honest, I don't have the confidence to lead the Shinsengumi well either."

As soon as Qing Deng finished speaking, Souji's eyes widened in surprise, his face filled with disbelief.

Her expression and eyes seemed to say: Huh? Mr. Tachibana, are you kidding me?

However, Qingdeng's serious expression told her: I was not joking.

"Although I previously served as the captain of the Fire Thief Division, I can be considered to have led troops and fought battles."

"But this is the first time I have ever commanded a force of over a hundred men... and a force that has never been trained before."

"Whether I can manage and build the new electoral group well... I'm not entirely sure."

"All I can do is keep feeling troubled and confused, and then keep learning."

In short—take it slow.

At this point, a peaceful smile appeared on Qingdeng's face.

"It's okay if you don't have confidence in yourself."

"There is also someone here who lacks self-confidence."

"Let's support each other, work hard together, feel lost together, make progress together, and step by step climb to a higher and bigger stage."

"One day, we will all transform into dragons."

The commander stared blankly at Qing Deng's face, remaining silent for a long while.

About 10 seconds later, she slowly produced a sound:

"...Tachibana-kun, I've discovered something."

"uh-huh?"

"I think you'd be perfect as a lecturer at a cram school!"

Souji's eyes lit up, and he sat up abruptly, his two front paws... ah, no, his two little hands supporting him on the tatami mat. He leaned forward with his upper body and head, looking at Aoto with an excited expression, just like a Shiba Inu excited to be reunited with its owner after a long separation.

The two front panels of her kimono parted slightly due to gravity... It was a pity she was wearing thick winter clothes.

If she were wearing a thin yukata, then Qing Deng would already be able to see the beautiful spring scenery... Ah, no, she probably still wouldn't be able to see it, since she usually wears a thick breast wrap.

"Your mouth is not only eloquent when you're trying to coax people, but it's also incredibly persuasive when you're comforting or instructing them!"

Judging from her current reaction, the frustration in her heart has dissipated considerably.

Upon seeing this, Qing Deng couldn't help but chuckle.

"Haha, thank you for the compliment. I'll take it as a compliment."

After he finished speaking, he stopped writing with his brush.

He held up the paper he had been writing on, blew on the still-wet ink, then turned to look at Souji with a smile that was full of hidden meaning.

"Xiao Si, since you're already here, could you do me a small favor?"

"Hmm? A little favor?"

"There are quite a lot of letters, and I might not be able to handle them all by myself. So I would like to ask you to help me slip these letters under the doors of various sword-making schools and martial arts institutes in Edo."

"A letter? The various sword-fighting schools in Edo? The martial arts academy? Tachibana-kun, what are you talking about? I'm getting more and more confused."

Meeting Souji's puzzled gaze, Qing Deng mysteriously handed the letter, the ink of which had already dried, to Souji.

The commander took the letter and began to read it quickly, skimming through it.

Suddenly, her expression was dominated by intense shock.

"W-What is this?! Tachibana-kun, are you serious?"

She raised her eyes, her gaze filled with astonishment, as if she wanted to pierce through Qing Deng's body.