I assembled the strongest swordsman group.

Firstly, he had long been accustomed to the arrogance and haughtiness of the people of Kyoto—he could tell stories for a lifetime about how gossipy the personal maids of the Kazue Palace were—so he had always been mentally prepared for it.

To be honest, in Qing Deng's opinion, between the common people of Kyoto and the personal maids of the Imperial Palace... the latter are more annoying.

Secondly, it's because he has more important things to do now.

From the moment he crossed the three bridges, Qingdeng's eyes never stopped moving.

Taking advantage of his entry into the city, he carefully observed Kyoto, the city where he would be living for a long time.

Today, Kyoto, this ancient capital with a history of over a thousand years, the cultural center of Japan, and one of the most developed cities in Japan, has inevitably declined due to the constant harassment by radical exile patriots.

At first glance, it still appears prosperous.

The streets were bustling with people coming and going, some in sedan chairs, some on horseback, and some on foot.

Inside the store, shouts, calls to sell, and haggling filled the air.

Among the crowd, the dazzling array of colorful and splendid costumes was breathtaking.

The teahouses, taverns, restaurants, and bathhouses stood side by side.

The music and songs that appeared and disappeared, sometimes near and sometimes far.

The aroma of wine, food, and rouge wafted around my nose.

All of these factors contribute to the unparalleled charm and allure of this ancient metropolis.

However... subtle details reveal that Kyoto is not as glamorous as it appears on the surface.

Qingdeng lowered his gaze and looked down—the street beneath the radish hoof was covered with crooked cracks, and for a long time, it had been trampled into a pitted mess by millions of feet and hooves, and had not been repaired for who knows how long.

Qingdeng raised his gaze and looked into the distance—in inconspicuous places such as alleys and street corners, one could see poor and helpless beggars and vagrants covered in mud everywhere.

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How was it? Did you feel the leopard's power? Today is a long-awaited 7000-word chapter! (Leopard's roar, jpg)

Is it too much to ask for monthly votes? (Crying leopard head.jpg) Requesting monthly votes! Requesting recommendation votes! (Leopard head crying.jpg)

P.S.: The terms "Edo style" and "Kyoto style" in this chapter are just made up by Leopard. However, the statements that "Edo people liked extravagance" and "Kyoto people were arrogant" are true, similar to the stereotypes of "Shanghai geeks" and "Kyoto geeks" today.

Chapter 561 Sanako: "Tachibana-kun, help me take a bath!" [6600]

Those beggars were all empty-eyed and poorly clothed, like walking corpses.

A beggar, starving and freezing, cowering in the corners and alleys.

Men, women, and children, dressed smartly and full of enthusiasm, came to watch the Shinsengumi entering the city.

These two groups, which are extremely different, both appeared in Qingdeng's field of vision at the same time.

As for those ronin...

To be honest, if it weren't for the dirty long and short knives hanging from their waists, they would be no different from beggars.

As the trend of exclusivity and patronage in Kyoto intensified, more and more ronin flocked to the capital.

Some of them did indeed harbor lofty ambitions to serve the country and aspire to "achieve unparalleled feats with a three-foot sword."

However, the vast majority of them are just looking to take advantage of the situation.

They either want to find a job and earn a living.

Or they might be looking to take advantage of the opportunity to loot recklessly.

It's the same old trick: under the banner of "honoring the king and expelling the barbarians," they chant lines like "We are patriots who uphold the king and expel the barbarians, and we need your support to achieve our great ambition," while extorting wealthy merchants and forcing them to hand over so-called "military expenses."

The more ronin there are, the worse the security situation is – this is the work experience that Aoto summarized when he returned to his post in Hokuban-sho-sada-cho.

There's no need to investigate any other aspects.

Just by seeing so many ronin wandering the streets of Kyoto, Qing Deng was able to make a definitive judgment: Kyoto's social order was absolutely terrible!

To ensure the smooth progress of the military trains and to prevent sabotage by hostile elements, Matsudaira Katamori dispatched a large number of troops to maintain order.

Thanks to the efforts of the Aizu Domain samurai, the two armies entered the castle slowly but in an orderly manner.

Just as the military train advanced a little further, Qingdeng suddenly felt his vision clear up.

The houses that used to line both sides of the street have disappeared, replaced by a spacious river plain.

Aoto turned his head to the right—this was the direction of the Kamo River—this famous river, considered the mother river of Kyoto and a symbol of Kyoto, flowed southward with a rushing sound.

The clear, shimmering water, sparkling with golden light under the sunlight, sprayed white foam and swirled around.

Several gray and brown sails bobbed in and out of the water as the boats drifted south.

The riverbed is flanked by alluvial plains, wide and flat, bustling with people and thriving.

Driven by curiosity, Aoto turned to Matsudaira Katamori beside him and asked:

"Lady Higo, where is this place?"

Matsudaira Katamori explained:

"Lord Tachibana, this is the Sanjo Kawara."

Upon hearing this, Qing Deng looked enlightened and nodded slightly.

"Sanjo Kawara... I've heard so much about you."

Sanjo Kawara, as the name suggests, refers to the banks of the Kamo River that flow through Sanjo. Sanjo is a place name.

In addition to the three rivers, there are also four rivers flowing through four rivers, five rivers flowing through five rivers, and six rivers flowing through six rivers...

The reason why Seido said "I have long admired your name" is because it has been the execution ground of Kyoto since ancient times—going back to the Heian period.

Countless important figures have lost their heads here over the millennia.

During the Genpei War, the rushing waters of the three rivers witnessed the demise of many Taira clan generals.

During the Muromachi period, due to the severity of the penal laws, the number of criminals dragged here to be beheaded suddenly surged. Originally, only samurai were beheaded here, but gradually ordinary criminals were also beheaded here as well.

In the Warring States period that followed, even more important figures died in this place.

For example, the family of Toyotomi Hidetsugu, who was known as the "Kanpaku of Killing," consisting of thirty-nine members, and Ishida Mitsunari, who was defeated in the Battle of Sekigahara...

As early as the Muromachi period, Sanjo Kawara was developed rapidly due to its flat terrain and proximity to the river. It was no longer a wasteland with only weeds and gravel, but quickly became one of the most prosperous areas in Kyoto.

Every summer, the banks of the Kamo River, particularly the Sanjogahara area, are packed with people seeking respite from the heat.

However, just like the "Caishikou" execution grounds in China during the Ming and Qing dynasties, executing people in crowded places was the best way to deter the common people.

Thus, the custom of "executing criminals in the Three Rivers Plain" continued.

Even today, the Sanjo Kawara still serves as an execution ground—especially cherished by those who uphold righteousness and resistance.

Those who uphold justice especially like to take the head of a person after beheading them, hang it on the three river plains, and attach a notice explaining the person's crimes and why the person should be killed.

Although it is a land steeped in bloodshed, it is undeniably also a very beautiful land.

The babbling brook and bustling riverbank make it the perfect place for a date with your lover.

Just as Aoto was captivated by the beautiful scenery of the Three River Plains... a sudden change occurred.

"Ok?"

Qing Deng suddenly frowned.

At the same time, Matsudaira Katamori's expression was also tinged with bewilderment.

A large crowd had gathered on the riverbank not far ahead.

They craned their necks and stood on tiptoe, as if they were looking at something.

"What's going on...?"

Matsudaira Katamori muttered something to himself, then summoned one of his subordinates and sent him to check on the situation.

He returned in no time.

Before he could even kneel down, Matsudaira Katamori impatiently asked:

What exactly happened up ahead?

"Reporting to my lord! Ahead... ahead..."

He hesitated for a moment, then gritted his teeth:

"In front of us are the wooden heads and memorial tablets of Ashikaga Takauji, the first shogun of the Muromachi Shogunate; Ashikaga Yoshiakira, the second shogun; and Ashikaga Yoshimitsu, the third shogun!"

"what?"

Matsudaira Katamori's pupils suddenly contracted.

Then, with a shout of "Giddy up!", he spurred his horse forward.

Qingdeng also lightly tapped the ox's belly, urging Luobo to follow.

The Shinsengumi and the Aizu Army soldiers followed closely.

"Ah! It's Lieutenant General Aizu!"

"Make way! Make way!"

"Lieutenant General Aizu is here!"

The crowd that had gathered on the riverbank to watch the three severed heads dispersed to both sides.

After dismounting from their oxen (horses), Aoto and Matsudaira Katamori strode towards the wooden frame ahead, following the separated flow of people.

On the beach that should have been empty, a wooden frame suddenly appeared.

Three wooden heads are arranged in a row on the wooden frame, with a wooden plaque hanging below each head.

The cut at the neck of the severed head was perfectly clean... It was obvious that it was cut off the wooden statue with a knife, and in one stroke.

To cleave such a sturdy wooden statue in two with a single blow... the perpetrator's swordsmanship is exceptional.

Matsudaira Katamori glanced at the three severed heads, and his face immediately turned ashen.

"Indeed, they are the memorial tablets and wooden heads of the first three Muromachi shoguns enshrined at Tojiin Temple..."

Qingdeng blinked, as if deep in thought.