I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

"However, it was only after I climbed to my current high position that I realized: this seemingly ruthless system that has been passed down for hundreds of years without interruption must have its own ingenuity."

“For a strict organization like the military that absolutely does not tolerate disobedience, the focus should be on ‘order and chaos’ rather than ‘good and evil’.”

"No matter who started it or whose mistake was greater, anyone who participated in the private fight will be punished."

"Only in this way can we make everyone feel afraid, nip any trouble in the bud, and force everyone to calm down and weigh their own strength before causing trouble."

"It's the same old story—although our team members have good physical fitness and martial arts skills, it doesn't change the fact that they are still an untrained rabble."

"The soldiers have different accents; different educations; and different ideologies."

“Some of the soldiers were supporters of the shogunate.”

"Some of the soldiers were inclined to support the imperial court."

“Some members of the corps both respected the emperor and supported the shogunate, believing that both the Kyoto court and the Edo shogunate were indispensable and important entities.”

"There are also some soldiers who don't care about the rise and fall of the shogunate and the imperial court at all. As long as they can get money, they are willing to risk their lives for any of them."

"The tense situation and tight schedule do not allow me to leisurely work out the team."

"I am not a god, and my eyes cannot distinguish between good and evil."

"If possible, I would also like to ensure that every judgment and every punishment within the organization is fair and just."

"But it is clear that I and the current Shinsengumi do not have that ability at present."

"In order to transform this still immature team into a disciplined and formidable force as soon as possible, I have no choice but to use severe measures."

"So if a similar situation arises in the future, I will still use the same ruthless approach."

Upon hearing this, the commander-in-chief immediately said:

"Tachibana-kun, I'm not here to criticize you. I understand all the reasons you gave. I'm just worried... that such strict rules and regulations might alienate people."

"Will not."

Qing Deng replied in a resolute tone.

"Strict discipline and harsh punishments never lead to the disunity of the people—only a lack of food and supplies will."

"With provisions and discipline, even in the face of unfavorable situations and powerful enemies, we can maintain good order and fierce fighting power."

"But without food and pay, discipline and the authority of officers will all become castles in the air."

"Having sufficient provisions and supplies is equivalent to having a firm grip on the morale of the army."

“If your supplies run out, even if you treat your soldiers like royalty, no one will listen to you anymore.”

"Throughout history, this has always been the case."

"Wasn't this just like the transition from the Ming to the Qing Dynasty in Tang China not far from today? The Ming army was not fully paid, and when fully paid, it was no match for them. Where could they find fully paid soldiers? Huang Taiji in Liaodong."

"The Ming army, which was originally weak and easily defeated, immediately transformed into a fierce and ruthless force after receiving full pay."

"Whether or not an army is paid its full pay directly determines the morale of the army."

"Compared to those armies in history known for their strict order, my methods of military discipline are relatively gentle."

"My 'New Senju Code' has only five very simple rules. As long as these five rules are not triggered, the soldiers can do whatever they want with everything else."

The commander listened quietly, then nodded slightly, seemingly understanding.

"Hmm... alright, as long as you understand. Anyway, don't push yourself too hard."

As she spoke, she reached out and gently patted Qingdeng's back, like a mother comforting a baby.

"'Barely'? What do you mean?"

"To personally order the execution of a subordinate you've painstakingly recruited... it's impossible to say you felt nothing at all, right?"

"..."

Taking advantage of Aoto's silence, Souji smiled slightly—a smile like sunlight pouring down through gaps in the clouds.

"If you ever feel down in the future, you can come to me. I'll listen to your complaints."

Qingdeng chuckled to himself:

"Xiao Si, thank you for your concern. Don't worry, who do you think I am? I am the ruthless and decisive King Ren. This kind of change is not enough to make me feel depressed or depressed."

Souji put her hands behind her back, tilted her body, and chuckled. Her light ponytail slid over her shoulder and down to her front. A childlike smile appeared in her eyes, which were gently hidden by her long eyelashes.

"That's good."

……

……

The effect of making an example of someone is always significant.

After witnessing the seven innocent heads fall to the ground and experiencing that bloody night firsthand, the discipline of the Shinsengumi instantly rose to a new level!

Both the speed of assembly and the distance of marching have been significantly improved.

No one dared to question Qingdeng's military orders anymore.

The organization of the newly formed group has seen a significant and visible improvement.

Those who had previously been dissatisfied with Qingdeng's "sex ban" all fell silent and dared not express their opinions anymore.

Upon arriving at the new camp, whenever those courtesans—bird chasers, nightingales, walking shrine maidens, and other women of the night—surrounded them, the team members would always look terrified and avoid them as if they were avoiding a plague, leaving the women completely baffled.

There are two interpretations of Kanto and Kansai in Japan.

One method uses the central part of the Nongwei Plain as the boundary.

Another method is to use the Sekigahara region of the Nobi Plain as the boundary, with the area east of it called Kanto and the area west of it called Kansai.

In fact, both explanations are plausible.

Regardless of which version of the story you follow, it's definitely true that once you cross the Nobi Plain, you can enter the Kansai region.

Sekigahara is the same Sekigahara from the Battle of Sekigahara.

The Battle of Sekigahara was to the Edo Shogunate what the Battle of Gaixia was to the Western Han Dynasty—both were major battles that determined the fate of the empire.

Two hundred and sixty years ago, Tokugawa Ieyasu's 10-strong Eastern Army defeated Ishida Mitsunari's 8-strong Western Army in just one day at Sekigahara, thus seizing control of the country.

The "battle to decide the fate of the world" took place in a place that "divided the world in two"... History always has such wonderful coincidences full of ritual.

Qingdeng was quite interested in this famous ancient battlefield.

He would be happy to visit if conditions allowed.

Unfortunately, the Tokaido route does not pass through Sekigahara.

Passing through Sekigahara is the Ise-dori, a branch road of the Tokaido.

At the 41st stop on the Tokaido route: Miyajuku—the closest post station to Kansai on the Nobi Plain—from here, Aoto and his companions were considered to have left the sphere of influence of the Edo Shogunate.

It was from here that Qing Deng and others clearly felt that the public attention they received was completely different from before.

The Kanto region was the center and base of the shogunate's rule.

The daimyo of the imperial family, the hereditary daimyo, and the lands directly controlled by the shogunate were mostly concentrated in the Kanto region.

Therefore, the sentiments of the samurai and commoners in Kanto naturally leaned towards the shogunate.

As the Shinsengumi soldiers marched along the Kanto section of the Tokaido, passersby would look at them with reverence.

In contrast, Kansai...

There are two concepts of Kansai in Japan.

In a narrow sense, Kansai refers to the Kinki region centered around Kyoto and Osaka.

In a broad sense, Kansai refers to the half of Japan west of the Nobi Plain.

Regardless of the specific concept of Kansai, its people did not have a deep affection for the shogunate.

Rather, it's more accurate to say that they actually disliked the shogunate.

This is not hard to understand, as the forces entrenched in Kansai were basically all outly friendly but inwardly hostile daimyo.

Because of the shogunate's "sankin-kotai" and other systems that constantly harassed the daimyo of the domains, the samurai and commoners of each domain were burdened with an extremely heavy burden.

Emotional alienation meant that the people of Kansai viewed the Shinsengumi no differently than they viewed "foreign troops who suddenly stepped into their homeland."

Their aversion to the shogunate made it difficult for them not to cast indifferent and cold glances at the Shinsengumi.

Ever since crossing the Nobi Plain, Qingdeng often felt as if a cold air was surrounding them.

Although the people did not welcome them, the heavens gave them great support.

Despite occasional snowstorms, the Shinsengumi's advance was generally smooth.

After a 17-day trek, the Shinsengumi soldiers successfully arrived at Otsujuku, the penultimate stop on the Tokaido!

……

……

Wenjiu three years (1863), January 17th——

Tokaido, Otsu-juku——

Otsu – a beautiful city that any travel enthusiast should not miss.

North of Otsu lies Lake Biwa, Japan's largest inland lake, which, like Mount Fuji, is considered a symbol of Japan.

Adjacent to Lake Biwa, it offers panoramic views of the vast, mirror-like lake. The humid air brought by the lake makes the climate quite pleasant, making it a very suitable city for developing tourism.

Aoto convened a brief meeting with the senior officers of the Shinsengumi: Director Kondo Isami, Vice Director Hijikata Toshizo, Chief of Staff Yamanami Keisuke, and Staff Officer Kiyokawa Hachiro.

"If nothing unexpected happens, we should be able to reach the final battle of the Tokaido tomorrow morning—the Sanjo Bridge in Kyoto."

Qingdeng continued, warming his hands above the grill.

"According to the shogunate's plan, the Shinsengumi's headquarters will be located in Mibu-go, Kyoto..."

Before he could finish speaking, a strange singing sound suddenly came from outside the window:

"Isn't this good? Isn't this good? Isn't this good?"

Hijikata Toshizo frowned deeply.

What's that noise?